Archive - 2012

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The Wonder of Wonderland
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Therapy As Play—Joyful Learning
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Cancer Is Crap So Fight Like A Girl
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Include Classmates Who Have Special Needs
5
Blue Moon

The Wonder of Wonderland

Amusement parks are amusing to say the least; the expectations, the thrills, the not-knowing how the day will unfold. Canada’s Wonderland just north of Toronto is filled with wonders to explore and memories to be made. This is me, after such a day at the amusement park with my family.   Kidding. This is actually a photo from the Canada’s Wonderland website promoting their no scares-spared annual Halloween Haunt. If you enjoy having the bejesus scared out of you, check it out! There are all kinds of creepy things lying in wait including zombies and “psychotic clowns.” But, if you’re a ‘fraidy cat, STAAAAAY AWAAAAY (read in a spooky voice…but not too spooky. I want to be able to sleep tonight). Though you needn’t stay away from Wonderland completely. The haunt is only in effect at night on weekends in October. During the day, the park runs in its usual family friendly way so we you don’t need to be afraid. This is what I actually looked like after a recent trip to Wonderland with the family. See? Not scary at all. Except maybe for the weird way I’m sticking my hip out. And, how my husband’s hand is sort of hovering over our son’s[…]

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Therapy As Play—Joyful Learning

  When your child achieves a new milestone, it’s a true wonder. You think, “How are they doing this all by themselves?? Where’s my camera?!” Whether you share these pivotal moments; blog them, Instagram them, Facebook them, scrapbook them or simply hold them in your heart, they’re worth celebrating. My daughter started grade one this year. Though cognitively she is approximately age four, she’s holding her own with her peers. She relies less and less on her Educational Assistant (who we are so thankful for by the way) and she’s making decisions, following routines, and learning with increasing independence. From being warned that our child may never fully integrate into a class of her peers, to…this? I can’t express how thrilled we are. So how did she come this far? An initial diagnosis isn’t always the eventual reality. Sheer determination and moxy also factor in. Never underestimate moxy. It’s fierce.  Family and friends have also been instrumental by providing us with the support and confidence we’ve needed to see us through challenging times. My father-in-law refers to us as, “Team Thornbury.” He’s right. We are a team. We just need jerseys.  And finally, our community. If our child had been born[…]

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Cancer Is Crap So Fight Like A Girl

* Originally posted on Yummy Mummy Club September 14, 2010. Reposted today in honour of the amazing women and men who are walking this weekend. Especially Dee.  And for Jan. I love you.  There isn’t anyone who hasn’t been touched in some way by breast, cervical or ovarian cancer. Last weekend I participated for the first time in the Weekend To End Women’s Cancers. Along the 60 km route there were plenty of heart wrenching and heart swelling moments. The experience was, in Jann Arden’s words, a Beautiful Pain. The weekend left me feeling powerful and loved, humbled and hopeful but most of all, grateful; for my family, my health, my friends, my life. And, for amazing people like those who support the walkers. The unsung heros are the volunteers and supporters who come out to cheer, honk and hand out treats, high fives and hugs. We all chose to walk this year for our own personal reasons. I was inspired by my teammate and friend Karen and by two special ladies in my life. You inspire me every day. I would walk a million miles for you… Here is my experience in pictures. *Music: Beautiful Pain by Jann Arden

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Include Classmates Who Have Special Needs

My child is different. Her genetics make it so. Due to a random stroke of fate, a chunk of her DNA is missing. Nobody knows why.   But old friends don’t search for what is missing. They just see what’s right there in front of them—the joyful light surrounding this happy girl. They love her big laugh and even bigger hugs. They embrace her mischievous streak of curiosity. They accept her just as she is.   But new friends, some adults and children, hesitate. “What’s wrong with her?” they ask in hushed voices…which we can totally hear by the way.    There is nothing wrong with her.    She may have trouble communicating succinctly. She might stumble over her words or repeat herself, but she has something to say. She wants to contribute to the conversation.  She doesn’t always understand when you’re making fun of her or that you’re leaving her out, but as she gets older, she is more aware.  When your child, with a disability or not, comes home from school in tears because they had nobody to play with at recess, it stings.  She doesn’t need to be invited to everything. (Side Note: Number of parties she was[…]

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Blue Moon

  It’s a Blue Moon tonight! When I looked up what a Blue Moon actually is {I was absent from science class the day we studied that I’m sure} I was surprised to learn that a Blue Moon is not the result of sticking ones bum out a car window on a chilly night.  I was also disappointed to discover that the moon isn’t even blue at all. It’s just an ordinary greyish moon. What makes it unique is that every two or three years there’s an extra full moon. This has something to do with the lunar calendar and other factors. Lke I said, I missed that day in science class…  My husband and son have been all over an ipad app called “Skyview” (to locate constellations) and they’ve been ogling the night sky all summer long. But, those massive luminous spheres of plasma held together by gravity (yes, I did look that up on Wikipedia) aren’t the only stars we gazed upon this summer… Our son and nephew rocked summer drama camp! Their star performance of “The History of Rock and Roll” was out of this world. One of the best numbers in the show? Blue Moon!  When we[…]

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