Happy Halloween!

This year Glenn decided he wanted to surprise the other guys in the band by dressing up for Halloween. We spent very little money and achieved successful but slightly cheesey results that were easily transported. He was a mail carrier for Canada Post. I made up a silly piece of mail for each person on the road, plus Glenn brought Canadian Halloween treats to share with them. Glenn told me that he confused a USPS mail carrier in Warsaw, IN by delivering some Canadian chocolate to him. He was also going to deliver a final piece of mail to The Swift during their set tonight. Glenn is really enjoying his time on the road with them right now. Anyway, here is a picture I took of Glenn the night before he left:



Thanks in part to Aunt Krista, Jonah was a dragon this year. Finally today at lunch time he did a fire-breathing sound... we've been working on it for WEEKS! Since Kathy put a kiddie party together on Saturday, I decided to dress up for it too. I went as "Farmer Brown" ("...she had a dog, and Bingo was his name-o! B-I-N-G-O," sing it with me "B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name-O!").


Aunt Krista, Aunt Tracy and Miles and some other friends came too. Perhaps you'll hear a little bit about it on their blogs. It was a great little party!

Jonah enjoyed giving out candy tonight, although we had very few trick-or-treaters. When a new neighbor was introducing himself and his daughters, I think I counted over 12 treats that Jonah gave to the two of them (cute little girls!)... they just kept holding out their bags while we chatted and Jonah kept filling their bags!

I must take a moment to reflect on Jonah's first Halloween. We flew down to Nashville on his first Halloween! No costume. He did wear a cute little shirt from Old Navy that Aunt Krista gave to him though. I think she's the official "occasion clothing provider". Jonah was so tiny back then...

Thanks Shelly!

One of the nice things about having a husband in a [slightly famous in Christian circles] band is that fans can be so kind! Below is a picture of the most recent gift that Jonah has received. It is a hand-made painting, with Jonah's name on it, for his bedroom. It was made by a woman named Shelly from Georgia (please forgive me if I didn't get the spelling right, Shelly!). The amazing thing is how well it matches Jonah's existing room decor. I'm impressed! Find the gift in the pics below!

Jonah tidbits and Apple fun

On Monday, Jonah had fun sponge painting with pink & blue paint to make a card for an upcoming baby shower... twin cousins!! Jonah loves to paint. For some reason this time he felt the need to taste it.



Jonah has seen me cut Glenn's hair a couple of times now, and has seen his Poppy shave with a similar razor. The last time I did Glenn's hair I offered to cut Jonah's hair and he nodded "yes." I put it near his head, while turned on, thinking he would run away, but he leaned into it... So finally today I asked him again if he wanted me to cut his hair with Daddy's razor. He said yes, so we did it!! He looks like such a little boy!




Then yesterday we took Glenn to the Buffalo airport. Before we dropped him off we spent time at a local mall. We had fun in the Apple Store. Here are a few pics that were taken on a new iMac G5 [drool]. Of course, we were able to instantly email them to ourselves. Read here to find out what Glenn's thoughts are on Apple.

Our Apple Pies in Review

I thought it was time to let you know how all of those homemade pies tasted. (See this for background.) Mom and I used the same recipe for each apple type. If I had only thought ahead, I would have taken pictures of these pies.

#3 Cortland Apple Pie
-These apples stayed snow white and kept their firmness. Good thing we sliced them thin! This pie was very juicy. It was yummy and beautiful, but my least favorite of the bunch because of the firmness of the apples. I would use Cortland apples again though, only to display the flesh color. Definitely gets my vote for "Most Beautiful When Cut."

#2 McIntosh Apple Pie
-I thought for sure this was going to be my favorite, but with such high expectations, it was a slight disappointment. The apples stayed too firm for my liking and this pie was also quite juicy. Neither did it have the flavor I was hoping for. We also probably didn't have quite enough apples in this pie. I would bake again with McIntosh, just because I have tasted some excellent McIntosh apple pies. I would just have to find a different recipe!

#1 Idared Apple Pie
-This was definitely my favorite. This pie wasn't juicy at all, and that's the way I like it. The apples were at just the right consistency (very close to mush), thinly sliced and piled high. Deeeeeelicious!

For all of these pies, we used the pastry recipe on the Crisco container. I'm not totally sold on this particular recipe. I think I prefer a slightly sweeter crust. It was also a little thick for my liking - the single recipe definitely made more than enough crust for one pie. So, I guess I'm on the hunt for a new pie crust recipe too! If you have a winner, let me know!

By the way, we never could convince Jonah to give either pie a try! Maybe next year!

Diaper-free baby – Trial 1

My friend Jess sent me this link and this link the other day. Check them out yourself if you wish, but here’s the gist: There is a worldwide movement to change practices on diapering and potty training. Here’s how it is described by DiaperFreeBaby, a non-profit organization:

This practice is followed worldwide and is known as Elimination Communication, Natural Infant Hygiene, and Infant Potty Training. The process involves observing one's baby's signs and signals, providing cue sounds and elimination-place associations, and can be done with or without any diaper use.

The way I’m envisioning it involves a lot of child nudity, or at least dressing your baby in clothing that is VERY easy to take off quickly. They say it’s best to start in the first couple months of your child’s life, however, they do provide some tips for “late-starters”. Since Jonah would be considered a late-starter, I checked out that section and decided I would give it a short trial. Let me tell you how it went.

First, know that Jonah does have some potty ability. He can usually pee on command and will attempt to aim it into his potty, although since he usually stands, he needs aim assistance. We let him stand because the potty we have is a bit too big for him. I haven’t been able to find one that I really want in any stores. Here’s what I’m looking for:

I want this kind of potty because it’s nice and short. I think he would be able to sit on it all by himself, without a hitch, and be comfortable, and definitely not have any aim issues. So if you know where I can get one in Cambridge, Ontario, help me out. I just don’t feel like shopping for a potty online.

Anyway, back to the trial. Since I know Jonah often has bowel movements soon after eating, the moment he was done eating breakfast I whisked him off downstairs to strip him nude and show him his potty. I brought it out to the living room where he wanted to play hockey. He peed right away and went off to play. Very soon he had a very brief pause in activity and I thought – uh oh! Luckily I was very close and was able to get him on the potty very quickly. And he did it! He wanted to get up quickly though, so I wasn’t confident that he was done. Nevertheless, we went to the bathroom to deposit the turd, wipe the butt, and flush it all.

While I was rinsing the potty out, Jonah left the bathroom briefly and came back calling my name and pointing. Yes, you guessed it, another small turd just outside the bathroom on the floor. I explained to him what happened and I grabbed toilet paper and picked it up, and flushed it. I was very impressed with how easily it came up off the carpet. Wiped again. Flushed again. Back to hockey. Oh no – he’s holding onto the couch and pausing. I’m not close enough! Another 6-incher on the floor, and some pee! Oh well!?!? I think I’ll put this whole process on hold. Here’s why:

1) We need a comfortable potty – one that he is willing to sit on for several minutes after eating to allow a complete deposit. (Of course, we will stay with him and read books or something to distract him.)

2) I’m not confident that Jonah really knows how to empty his bladder. As you saw in the example above, he peed, but then moments later, peed again. He also peed again another 10 minutes later, also on the floor. He often pees twice before a bath, in the bath, and then has a big pee after the bath while running out to the living room nude. That said, you can see why I don’t feel totally committed to this pottying thing… I don’t feel like causing him stress (from constantly having to change his clothes) and me a lot of work (cleaning up bowel movements and pee off floor and clothing).

There are also contrasting viewpoints on this early potty-training issue anyway. Some argue that early potty training has really messed up some people, even into adulthood. Others say that by diapering, we are teaching our children to be OK with having their own waste up against their skin…. Comfortable in poop… doesn’t sound too healthy, does it?... and delaying their ability to have control over this aspect of their lives.

As a former preschool teacher, I’ve seen a lot of stuff. I’ve seen children who are potty-trained at 2. I’ve seen children not potty-trained until 4. I’ve seen 3- and 4-year-olds with severe control issues around bowel movements. I wish I could say that I knew the right thing to do, but I don’t. Child Studies is a very young science, compared to things like math, astrology, physical science, etc. We haven’t figured it all out yet. It could take a while.

I’m sticking with diapers for now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To my American friends, no, I'm not confused! Today is Canadian Thanksgiving! And it finally feels like it too! It finally cooled down on Friday. I really love this weather! Autumn is my favorite season, for sure. The colors are so beautiful, and there's nothing like putting on a cozy sweater and going for a crisp walk. There's just something about the cool air in my lungs that makes me feel alive.

I spent most of my Thansgiving weekend with my family in Oshawa. On Thursday afternoon, Mom and I took Jonah to Pingles farm. We picked a 20-pound bag of apples. Jonah enjoyed the experience, but switched between calling them apples and tomatoes - he is very focused on those cherry tomatoes in Nanny's garden! They told us Cortland apples are good for baking, so we got a bunch of those, plus some Idared and Red Delicious.

Friday night, Mom and I had a pie marathon. We cooked 6 pies from scratch - three with Cortland apples, one with Idared, and two with McIntosh (which Mom had previously picked up at the grocery store). We were afraid that the Cortland and Idared apples would stay too firm for our liking, so we just had to do a couple of McIntosh pies to be sure we would each have a pie that we would love. We cut into the Cortland apple pie Friday night, and it was good, but yes, a little firm. What was most amazing to me is how beautifully white the flesh of the apple remained.

Onto Saturday... In the morning, I got out for a run/walk. I wore shorts, plus two t-shirts and a fleece. My legs definitely got too cold, but it was good to get out and do something. For lunch we had eggs, bacon and pancakes with homemade strawberry applesauce. (For that, we used 4 Idared, 1 McIntosh, and 1 Red Delicious, plus about 10 fresh strawberries and a little brown sugar.) Then, after being a week early for the Bowmanville Fall Fair, and a month late for the Brooklyn one (long story), we ended up back at Pingles Farm for Jonah to play in the children's area. I think Uncle Mark might publish some pictures from that. Jonah enjoyed lots of things, like seeing animals (horses, rabbits, lambs, goats), playing on a big stack of hay, walking through large tires, posing for pics by sticking his head through interesting wooden things (know what I'm talking about?), and finally, playing in a giant pile of sand.

We made it home in time to cook supper and have Jonah again refuse our delicious apple pie. What's wrong with that boy?

On Sunday it was time for the lunchtime Thanksgiving feast, which included turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnip, carrots, dressing (with Newfie savoury), and pickles and beets. Of course, dessert was the McIntosh apple pie - DEEEE-licious!

We were pretty laid back for the rest of the day. Jonah modelled his Halloween costume... we went for a short walk... ate more pie... and then watched "Supersize Me."

Today was another laid back day. I drove back home to Cambridge and I hear I'm in for another feast in a few hours!

It has been a good family weekend, and I'm so thankful for so much. Glenn, we missed you this weekend, that's for sure! The freezer is already laden with many good things for you!

Family Planning

I have to admit, I picked that title to get your attention! No, this is not going to be an involved discussion on current birth control methods, so settle down.

This is turning into a year of visioning for me. downhere just finished putting their visions and goals together, and I have renewed excitement for what is to come. I am reading a Dave Ramsey book that talks a lot about setting goals for your family in many areas, including financial (thanks Dave, we're now debt-free!). And this year at the MOPS group at my church we are focusing some of our time watching DVD sessions about and discussing a book called "Five-Star Families: Moving Yours from Good to Great" by Carol Kuykendall. I feel like my life is about to take some serious direction or something. Well, maybe not quite, but it really has been good.

Take a few minutes to complete a couple of the tasks we did at MOPS last week, and if you want to share something, feel free.

Reach for the Sky!
In view of the way you grew up, think of three ways you want your family to be the same.

Think of three ways you want your family to be different.

List "Dream Words" for Your Family:
To get the idea, here are some of mine:
"unconditional love and acceptance"
"generous"
"creative"
"fun"

And now think about how you might go about making it all happen!

Camp Reminiscing [Part I]

Let the reminiscing begin!

Glenn and I were recently talking about the importance of summer camp. I figure if I believe it is true, then I should prove it somehow. So, I’ve decided to reflect on my years as a camper and camp employee. I will write about what I learned then and what I have learned by reflecting over those years as time has gone on. Of course, this will require a lot of discussion about people as it truly is others who make the most significant impact on our lives. I am calling on those of you who were there during my years to join me in discussion. I might even try to get updates on some of you – I have lost touch with way too many great friends. I hope you don’t mind being featured here at some point. Thanks for joining me on this journey. I am getting excited just thinking about the possibilities.

I will start by looking back at the summer of 1994 when I was a camp employee at The Salvation Army’s Camp Selkirk, in Selkirk, Ontario. During that particular summer at camp, I spent 5 weeks there as a counselor and spent the other summer weeks as a server in the dining room. Here is a camp staff picture from that year (it doesn't include counsellors though):



The camp directors at the time were Captains Fred and Wendy Waters. They had two young sons, Jason and Philip (correct me if I’m wrong about the number of ls). If I remember correctly, Jason was an avid reader.


Philip wasn’t so much. Instead, when only about 5 years old, he ‘showed up’ the maintenance staff by putting stairs up at a building during their lunch hour. Here are him and Glenn working on the project:



Philip also built furniture for us ladies of girls’ staff (Hoover House ruled!!), and we loved it.


Where are you boys now? I would love to hear from you!

What I learned from Jason and Philip? Although both can be very cute and sweet, two children of the same sex from the same parents can be very different and have very different strengths and weaknesses, and need to be treated accordingly. The Waters did that well.

When I think about "Mama Wawa," my strongest memory is of the night she came over to Hoover House at curfew to make sure we were all there… and then let us all head over to the canteen for late night snacks! Woo hoo! Very cool!

What I learned from Mama Wawa? Loosen up sometimes! The fun moments will be remembered!

Under Captain Waters’ leadership, a long-range development plan was put together for the camp. It was awesome. The ropes course was installed and that part was so much fun. There were all sorts of other plans to improve the camp, and he saw many through. However, he was eventually transferred and gradually over time, the plan was lost (ignored?), until last summer, the camp was sold, for various reasons.

Since that camp is where Glenn and I started dating, and spent many of our dating and engaged years together, somehow to me our son Jonah was kinda made there. So we took him there last summer and had our picture taken by the sign.


That day we walked all over the camp, including back to the ropes course. The course was all grown in – a hazard to use at this point, in our opinion. Near the campfire site, one bridge was entirely missing and the whole area was grown in. It wasn’t the Camp Selkirk we remembered. It had already been lost. It was a sad time for us, and for some people, it was a very, very difficult thing. Let’s not dwell on that here though. On this earth we are to hold things loosely. We have great pictures and great memories of Camp Selkirk.

What I learned from Captain Waters (through no fault of his own)? Dreaming big is good, and even better if you put goals and objectives together, but if you’re going to dream big, and put a plan together, you’re going to have to stick around to see it through.

Were you with me at Camp Selkirk while the Waters were the Camp Directors? What did you learn from them?

p.s. Here is a picture of Captain Waters with some girls and guys in the boys' staff building… I guess he let us get away with a little from time to time…

Overwhelmed

An Uncle and Aunt gave me this book when Jonah was born. The idea of the book is to complete it (fill in the blanks) over the course of his life, giving it to him when he gets married. In the end it would contain all kinds of information about his family, his heritage, his mother's inmost thoughts about things like "What I always meant to tell you..." and "The image I'll always have of you..." and "Goals you've reached..." and "The feelings I experienced the moment I first held you..." and so on. It is filled with all kinds of beautiful quotes and illustrations, and I can never pull it out and read through it without starting to cry. I just become so overwhelmed. I can't even explain it.

I haven't even begun to start writing in it yet, and hope that one day I will have the courage to start it and the persistence to complete it (not to mention the memory skills required). I'm such a perfectionist that I would want it to be just right and totally complete.

Here are two quotations the author includes:

The mother-child relationship is paradoxical . . . It requires the most intense love on the mother's side, yet this very love must help the child grow away from the mother, and to become fully independent. ~Erich Fromm

I hope my son looks back upon today
And sees a mother who had time to play.
Whether the work was done, or it was not;
Who realized chores are sometimes best forgot,
There will be years for cleaning house and cooking,
But little boys grow up when we're not looking.
~Barbara Overton Christie