Starting to feel like Christmas

We've been slowly getting our lights up and are almost done with the exception of a couple more trees. I would like to put lights around the rink so we can skate in the evening, it won't be as romantic as the Ottawa canal but it will do. The boys wanted to put lights on the fort in the backyard so we opted out on putting them up on the front of our house.

It sure is nice to do your shopping during a week day instead of the crazy weekend or week nights of long lines and grumpy humbugs, not to mention you can actually find someone to help you when you need it.

Jess and I decided to pull way back this year on the gifts, even before the economic downturn. I guess part of my decision to make this change was that I didn't like what I was becoming and I know I needed a change. I don't know if it was because I came from such humble beginnings that I thought I needed everything and had to provide everything to my kids but what was I really teaching them. I've got to thank Jess for always asking the "Do we really need that?".

I am who I am partly because of how I grew up and what I was taught, we were on the receiving end of the fireman's Christmas food basket and I remember how happy we were to get the help and gifts. My mother may not have had much but she taught us well and when ever she has the chance she's the first to give back. We plan on teaching our boys the same.

Dagg rink progress

Hello sports fans!

I was very excited for the recent cold weather as it gave me a glimmer of hope for ice before December. Well thanks to the +4 degree weather out there we still have a pool. I still have some back boards to make and a bench or two but the general rink is complete and waiting to freeze.

Riley quote of the week

At lunch time yesterday Riley looked at me and said "Papa, you are the silliest man I have ever met!" He just cracks me up.....

Looks like nap time is over!

I was hoping I would make it into the new year with afternoon naps but what was I thinking. Riley hasn't had a real nap in a few weeks so I believe it's time to come to terms and face it. I'm not going to say that nap time was part of the job description but it sure was a perk. Well more time for us to play Star Wars I guess.

Report cards are in

Aidan brought home his report card\book last week and at first glance I was shocked to see so many "E's". As I prepared mentally for the following conversation and put on my stern disappointed look, I decided to check the letter legend....Let's just say it's a good thing I remembered the old "think before you speak" (thanks Mom) as E=excellent.
Whatever happened to the good old A,B,C,D,E system? I actually think this makes much more sense and you really do get more substance in this type of report book then the one pager I received growing up.

Aidan is doing well and really enjoys going to school, he needs to work on being a bit more organized (quelle surprise) and more respectful when others are speaking but overall we are very proud of him.

We started a little tradition of going out for diner where ever Aidan would like after a good report card, his choice this time was Sushi. Of course I thought this was a good idea but Riley tried to convince him that Boston pizza would be a better choice. No luck RiGuy.

Aidan's first goal

Crosby-Esq?

The little Timbit got his first goal on Saturday and man was he proud. This is how he describes it.

"I was skating with the puck when 1, no 2, no 4 players tried to take it from me. I was tripped but as I fell I hit the puck straight into the net!"

I got to tell you that I love being out on the ice with the little kids, it's just so much fun. Aidan may forget his first goal in time but I don't think I will.

Mo progress

Hey all,

Riley wanted to take some pics today so I thought I would post one of us which also shows the "Mo" progress. So far it's unanimous, Jess and the kids hate it, as do I! Bring on Dec 1!

"Riley isms"

Thought you might get a kick out of these,

gotfor = forgot
opameal = oatmeal
warm necker = neck warmer

I'll add more as they come up. Aidan's best when he was little was firefuk = firetruck, boy did that get us some looks now and then!

It's Movember - Prostate Cancer fundraiser

Hey all,

Myself and some friends are growing moustache's to raise money for prostate cancer. I'm going to be sporting the biker look for the month of November and if you would like to sponsor me or my team please see the details below. I'll even post some pics for your enjoyment!

Head to this site ( http://ca.movember.com/ ) and click on the donations tab. You can search for me or donate to the team.

Team name: The Big Mo
Capt: Simon G

Some Prostate Cancer details.

Did you know:
Every year around 24,700 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 4,300 die of the disease, making it the number one cancer threat to Canadian men.1 in 7 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. All men over the age of 40 are potentially at risk and should talk to their doctor about the disease and early detection. Prostate cancer is 95% curable if detected and treated early.

Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
The money raised by Movember is donated directly to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada who will use the funds to create awareness and fund research across the country into prevention, detection and treatment, with a goal to ending the threat of prostate cancer.

Trip was great - Congrats Pat

Hey all,

I've just returned from Ottawa and had a wonderful time. It was great to spend some time with my nephew and niece as well as connect with some old friends from the prior. I did find myself calling home every day and missed the little monkeys.

It was nice to do my God Father duties and I can't believe how much he has grown. Paris and I had a blast as well and I'm going to miss all her hugs and snuggles.

My sis and bro in law are great and we always have a fun time. Wish we could do it more often but life has brought us all in different directions.

I'm looking forward to spending some time out there this summer with the family.

In the Valley!

Made it to Ottawa, flight was delayed. Hope the boys are having a good time with Mom.

Felling a bit mushy today....

Thought I should stay true to this being a log of how things are going and yes gentlemen even talk about feelings...scary eh!

I gotta tell you I hear this at least 15 times a day and I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.
Riley "ah Papa"
Me "Yes Riley"
Riley "ah, I love you"
Me "Love ya too buddy"

One more mushy thing and that's it, I wouldn't want you guys thinking I'm going all soft!

Some of the best things just happen, they don't have to be a great planned event. Nothing puts a smile on my face and make me feel better than an unexpected little hand reaching up to hold mine as we walk. That's it, simple but powerful.

Riley on politics

We were watching the election last night and the boys wanted to watch hockey (they make me so proud) however Jess and I were working our way through the CNN coverage. Jess attempted to explain to our future Prime Ministers, why this was important and relevant to Canada. Things were going well until she mentioned the word "Super Power", at that point Riley stated that the US could not be a "Super Power" as they did not have any "Light Sabres!".
Great point I thought....

Dagg rink is in full swing

I managed to finish putting up the boards today. It's amazing how I can get more done in 30mins without the kids as I can 2hrs with them! They were just in a scrap'n mood yesterday and I was hoping to have the boards up and ground leveled before dark but that didn't happen. Current status is boards are up, ground is as level as it's going to get and I laid the plastic down with some creative patch work as I didn't have enough on one roll (quelle suprise). I still need to tack the plastic on and build the back boards where the nets will go.

Hope the plastic stays put as it just started to snow!

Riley skating update

Riley is on his second round of skating lessons. He just passed the first one and the teacher suggested that it might be good for him to do a second go. He's a bit upset that his buddy is not in this one and seems a little bored out there but he's still smiling.

First Hockey road trip

The Olds Tigers invited Aidan's team out for a hockey game on Sunday and although we are not a travelling division we thought the kids would enjoy this and learn from having an official game. Up to now our games have been half ice, short little games on Saturdays, so this was a big change being on the full ice for 60mins.

The kids played hard and really improved by the end of the game and thanks to the mercy rule of only putting up 5 goals on the board (which the tigers got in the first 5mins of the 1st ) they had a great time and never quit! We managed to shift the lines up in the last few minutes and got on the board with a couple of goals and you would have thought the kids won the cup!

Aidan is doing very well in his first year and I would say is almost catching up to the second year group. After the first few shifts he jumped on the bench and in true Aidan fashion screamed " I love hockey, hockey is awesome! " nuf said.

Halloween fun

We had a great time last night...oh yeah the kids too!
The boys and I put the finishing touches up on the grave yard just in time and were ready to get dressed and out when Mom got home. Riley was hilarious in his suit when he shouted "Scooby dooby doooooo!". All Aidan could talk about was being a vampire but as this was not suitable for school he was Superman during the day and a very convincing vampire at night. Riley felt it was necessary to tell every home owner that he was Scooby do and his brother was a vampire, this was great and got quite a few laughs.

Jessica and I switched roles this year and I went out which was fun.

Fun was had by all, the little ghosts and parents enjoyed our decorations, the boys got a crap load of candy and no one got hurt. I'd call that a success!