2010 Wrap Up

Long overdue. Here are just some of our 2010 highlights:

- Quinzhee Building and Backyard winter camping.
- Skating on the Canal, or `Going for Beavertails`as the kids would call it
- Montreal - Biodome
- Niagara Falls - visit with my 2 aunts from India!!
- New Brunswick - Grampy`s Farm and Fundy National Park
- North Carolina - relaxing, YES I said relaxing, vacation, visiting my favorite cousins, uncle and aunt.
- MS Rona Bike Tour - I think we were the slowest group, but we had fun!!!
- CIBC Run for the Cure - the girls` first experience running in an event. GREAT!

I am sure there was so much more, but those are the things that come to mind.

We had a great year, fantastic summer vacation and a smooth transition back to school...Looking forward to a great 2011...!!!

Curling for Cancer!

This is just a quick plea to let you know that I am participating in a Curling for Cancer fundraiser that takes place in my home town of Fredericton, N.B. this upcoming Saturday, January 22.

I, along with three others, will be driving from Ottawa to Fredericton and back just to take part. This is the event’s fourth year and it will be my second time participating. That's our team from last year. No, we're not curlers, the reason we drive all that way is because the event is organized by my friend’s father, whose wife passed away from cancer in 2007.

It takes place in Fredericton but all money raised goes to the Canadian Cancer Society. Here’s the link to my fundraising page, from there you can follow the “Support me” link: http://convio.cancer.ca/goto/grantl

Thank you for your support, any amount is greatly appreciated,
Grant

A first for me

We went to Chapters today.
It only took a few seconds for me to tell Natasha to put her toy away.
And Jaida was gone.

I searched the store for at least five minutes calling her name.
Some of the staff helped me look for her.

A nice lady was holding her hand, and had stopped her from leaving the store.

Jaida was oblivious, she is an explorer. She told me "but I didn't leave the store"
I was terrified.

First day on the school bus

Natasha has been asking since JK to take the bus to school. Today I finally let her.

She was so excited that we got to the bus stop 15 minutes early.

She was all smiles.

Something to keep in mind while shopping.

Just before heading out to check out a dining room table, Maya says to me:

"Amma, you better make sure the table you buy has a blue Energy Star sticker on it."

and I say:
"Hmph, that is an interesting point Maya."

Maya says:
"Well, the sticker means that it uses less energy and is more efficient. You should only buy things with that blue sticker on it."

Sadly, none of the tables we looked at had a blue Energy Star sticker on it.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Over the week-end I was reminded again of so many things I love about kids. Here are just a few:


Giggles and tickles

Hoppy little kids - Natasha is not capable of walking anywhere!

Skipping

Smart questions... "If everyone has a mom and dad, who was the first person in the world's mom and dad?"

Uncontrollable laughter

Hugs

Smothering kisses

Smiley faces

Cuddle time with the girls, on week-end mornings.

Watching sisters become friends.

CIBC Run for the Cure 2010

Quite a few months ago, I decided that I was going to participate in the CIBC Run for the Cure this October. Once I realized that it was on my birthday, I told the girls what my birthday plans were, and immediately they said they wanted to do it with me.

Between August and October 3rd, we did a few, 3, 'training' runs together. I can't say they really enjoyed them, but they liked the idea of it. I gave them an out, several times, by suggesting they do the 1km instead, but they were 100% set on doing the whole thing.

Race day, they were pretty excited, Natasha said she had decided that she was going to do BOTH the 5km and then the 1km!!! We decided to bike to the War Museum, as it is so close by. We made it there just in the nick of time...8:57am I believe!! Thankfully we were warmed up from the ride.

I was amazed by the number of participants, it was such a sight. The girls and I quickly made our way into the crowd and off we went. I'd say we ran the first kilometer and then took a short walk break, and kept running until we saw Grant and Jaida at Parkdale, approx 1.5km.



From here we ran through Tunney's Pasture, this is where the girls hit their slump. I had to find ways to keep them going, taking walk breaks, increased silly talk... We made it to the water station, they enjoyed a quick drink, and seemed to perk up for the next .5km...!

We saw Grant and Jaida again at the 3.5km mark, Parkdale again. At this point the girls were slowing down quite a bit, and walking quite a bit more. Realizing our pace, I asked Jaida if she wanted to join in for the rest, and she was super excited! And run she did... for about 30 meters, at full speed, and turned to me and said "You carry me!" I ran with her on my back for a bit, and she asked to get down, The cycle continued until the finish line. Here is a picture of Jaida on my back:



The girls perked up once Jaida joined in. It was pretty cute watching the 3 of them holding hands while running together. We finished the run, in just over 45 minutes, in great spirits, and even managed a little sprint to the finish line.



We enjoyed some post run bagels and beverages:



and made our way to the main stage to watch the cheerleaders and enjoy some music.

It was a great day for a run. I can't describe the feeling of seeing so many people running/walking for an important cause.



For me, what made it even more special was that my girls did it with me! They were wonderful company, no complaining, even though it was evident they were tired, they kept going and are eager to do it again next year!!!

On the way back to our bicycles, Natasha said "Amma, we haven't done the 1km yet!!"