I Celebrate Your Life

Mom, your birthday means so much to me;
To have you in my life another year,
The time I spent enfolded in your love,
Each day, each moment with you is so dear.

I cherish the very special bond we have.
You lift my spirit in so many ways.
I celebrate your life; I honor you,
And send to you my love and care and praise.

By Joanna FuchsHappy birthday, Mom! I love you and miss you lots. Finn says, "Hi Grandma," too.

The newly vamped Museum of Nature was our Saturday destination. For any Ottawan readers, honestly, it's much the same as it was, but now with more glass! Okay, so Dylan says it's a lot different. Whatever. Glass, fancy stair case, yadda yadda. Oh, and Saturday mornings are no longer free. That's different.


"Ooooohhh, creepy," says the three-year-old.
No, that is not a big Elmo doing crafts with Rosemary and me; it's Finn.
"

If this picture had sound, you would hear the chanting for, "Poutine! Poutine! Poutine! Now!" Post-museum munchies, I guess. Nature will do that to you.
Post-museum face: also a known consequence of educational fun.

What? Doesn't your bedtime routine involve a story and some hair brushing by your favorite Daddy?

If it doesn't, it really should.

NavCanada Summer Picnic 2010

Notes to Self/Things to Remember for Next Year

by Rosemary Leite

1) If you see a clown on a bicycle, she'll want to take your picture.

Even your brother's attempts at ignoring said clown will not make her go away. Work on stony-eyed glare for next year.

2) If there is free lemonade, drink lots of it.

3) If you are Rosemary, ride a pony.

Contemplate enjoyment of ride at a later time. This is not the time for thinking. Conserve all energy for consumption of normally contraband items.

3) If you are Finn, do not leave the stroller under any circumstances.

4) Even though Daddy is generally trustworthy, do not accept balls of fluffy stuff from him at this event. Repeat. Do not touch the cotton candy. It will feel really gross.

5) Mom and Dad will let you eat as many cookies as possible on this single day of the year.
Eat fast.

6) If you see a small black pig accompanied by a little rabbit, they are probably friends.

7) Accept this fact as part of picnic "reality."

8) Don't let Mommy eat all of your hamburger. She will try, and you'll have to be fast. Practice speed eating for next year. Consider Finn as possible mentor.

Every morning, I have this conversation:

As Daddy drives away, honking his horn for the two little blonde heads in the window, Finn says, "Daddy stay home."

"Finn, Daddy has to go to work."

Sad face.

"Daddy has to work so he can make the bacon. Then he brings home the bacon, and Mommy cooks the bacon. Then we eat the bacon. You like bacon, right, Finn?"

"Uh-huh." Pauses thinking about bacon.

"Finn go work with Daddy."

"You want to go to work with Daddy?"

"Uh-huh."

"Finn need bag. And nametag. And lunch. Finn go work."

"What would you do at work? What do you think Daddy does at work?"

"Daddy go on Elmo website on laptop at work."

"I see."

This weekend, Dylan had to go into work to pick up some items for an impending business trip, so guess who finally got to go to work with his Daddy?

We made him a name tag. An Elmo name tag, as requested.

He put on his work clothes, which, apparently, included his Elmo hat. Good stuff.

We packed his Afro Ken bag with a snack and trusty Green Tool.

And finally, Finn went to work with Daddy. He even ate his breakfast bagel on the road. Just like Daddy.

The only hitch in this great day was the little pink person left behind. Let's just say Rosemary does not like being left out.

Finn's wonderful brain, exhibit #1:

"Boobies go to the moon."

Finn told Rosemary this in response to my telling her, "Boobies go night-night." It's my way of telling her the breastaurant is closed. Boy, does that make her mad. I like how Finn is helping her, though, move on (Please Rosemary, Move. On.) by extrapolating this idea of no-more boobies to space travel.

My breasts can go to another galaxy at warp speed at this point for all I care. I'd just like her to leave them alone now.

Finn's wonderful brain, exhibit #2:

"Kitty needs some new red Elmo pants. And new Elmo red shirt. And new red tool." "Kitty needs all that?" "Yep."

I don't know who this kitty is or where he came from, but he sure seems to need a lot of stuff.

Finn's wonderful brain, exhibit #3:

"Finn turn Rose's bum on."

He even had a little imaginary key. What can I say? He's awesome.

Sunday