CBC Food Bank Day Challenge

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Gwen

A week from Friday CBC has its annual food bank day where people around the province give generously to the food banks of the province. Every year since Aidan was 8 months old we have gone to the food bank day for part of the day. It feels like the real start of Christmas to me. I love that Aidan is learning that it is good to be able to share with others. He has a philanthropy plan for The Aidan Company in the future including a work program that pays poorer people better. Quinlan isn’t quite there yet but I am planning some of the same things we do each year to make it more of a reality for him.

This year I thought I would put out a challenge to my Vancouver blogging buddies, make a donation to one of the local food banks this year. I will be making a donation. Aidan decided to take some money from his piggy bank this year. Together we can make a huge difference.

Posted in Aidan, Christmas, family, Gwen, parenting, Quinlan, Vancouver | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Just Put Your Shoes On

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Gwen

I think that I might be going crazy. Am I really asking the boys to do something horrible? Or am I asking them to put their toys away? Did I really just ask the boys at least 30 times to put on their shoes? Did I really need to ask them to put on their jackets?

Quinlan is going through a very bad case of the threes. Everything is a fight with him. He is frustrating and frustrated. He is refusing to toilet train. He screams all the time. He throws things. He hit his brother. But when he smiles and hugs you you have a very hard time staying angry at him.

I am trying to set limits on Quinlan for the bad behaviour that hurt people and things. I am trying to let go of the things that are not hurting anyone. I am trying to give Quinlan the opportunity to decide when he is ready to get rid of the pull-ups and actually go to the toilet all the time. I think we are in for a rough ride for a while until he figures out that the bad behaviour is not as satisfying as good behaviour. As stubborn as he is, the toilet training thing will only happen when he is ready. Anthony and I just need to let go of the thought of having less than 7 (or more) full years of butt wiping duty. Related, how on earth do you get a child to stay in time out? Putting in his room just resulted in him pulling off more of the wallpaper border.

Signed,

Frustrated in Vancouver

Posted in discipline, goals, parenting, parenting mistakes, Quinlan, Toilet Training | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-11-20

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Gwen
  • At the model train exhibition. http://t.co/uVTyvYRK #
  • I think Aidan is excited. http://t.co/zAMNHsgJ #
  • I love the Lego trains. http://t.co/CYg9QVce #
  • If we had room we'd have model trains. http://t.co/UTmR01UY #
  • I love that the minifigs have a Tim's. http://t.co/ZJUjxRDQ #
  • Trying to wean Quinlan off his pacifier. Already down to naps & bedtime, now trying to get rid of it at naps. Not going so well. #owmyears #
  • Guess who won a conference pass to Blogher 12? 😀 #
  • My son @AidanFloyd interviews the head of wardrobe for @carouseltheatre 's production of the Wizard of Oz. http://t.co/qBKOMv6H #
  • WTH @cityofvancouver? Now the pay by phone won't work at the Vancouver Aquatic centre. You cost me 10 minutes trying to pay. #
  • Not sure. It might be better to use Vaseline on q. The last Chapstick he ate. #
  • My little fish is ready for the next level. 🙂 I needed to transfer him to be a salamander. #
  • Paid the bogus city by-law ticket. I wanted to fight it but it just wasn't worth it. #
  • The view from the eye doctor. #nofilter @ Broadway Centre http://t.co/somIH6E9 #
  • .@cheaty I will always answer the call of @anndouglas .@todaysparent She is so lovely and asks so nicely. 🙂 #
  • So glad that I was able to get Q to preschool before A went to the dr. Also glad to get A back to school for recess. #smallmercies #
  • The damn dress doesn't fit so I need to send it back. Fuck. the $30 shipping and $30 duty/taxes down the drain. #
  • My phone won't actually recognizer my ringtones so it was using the Marimba tone which makes me crazy. #
  • Plus my fridge is dying and resurrecting itself. #thisafternoonsucks #
  • My youngest is trying to make me want to strangle him. He is certainly pushing every single button I have. #
  • Question: If you return something and paid tax/duty on it, do you need to pay tax/duty again on the exchanged item? #
  • Aidan just jumped off a diving board into the diving tank. I am sooooooo proud! #
  • Zombie fridge well and truly dead. New fridge not coming until next Tuesday. Trying to figure out what I can fit in the freezer downstairs. #
  • Zombie fridge gave another kick. I HATE things that work intermittently. #
  • At least I know my milk will be cold outside. It is snowing, if not sticking. #
  • you know, I thought I might actually get a chance to relax tonight. Sigh. #
  • Now to write a post. Woot! #
  • Zombie Fridge http://t.co/HH2yhgXB #
  • Since I don't have @Anthonyfloyd here to take Q in the morning, I had better get to bed. Goodnight. #
  • On Zombie Fridges, Bad Luck and Mice: http://t.co/UYD6nTwu #
  • We haven't had any TV this morning & only 1 screaming fit which was quickly stopped. Now we just need to get outside clothes on for school. #
  • I really like playing in the snow mommy! It is so fun! http://t.co/8ZS5Rd9W #
  • Quinlan through Magformers http://t.co/zcTmPEhH #
  • The beautiful dress that didn't fit has been shipped back to be exchanged. Now I just hope the size I want stays in stock. #
  • The lure of the giant snowball was too much. @ Dunbar Community Centre http://t.co/GtLaFHgw #
  • Playing while mommy freezes. @ Dunbar Community Centre http://t.co/vl6LJQ26 #
  • Waiting to publish a post. Watching pvr'd soaps. In my bed. Cozy. #
  • Biking to vote. No voting capes today. @ The Masonic Hall http://t.co/nfHxBGlD #
  • BTVS party just about to begin. Beautifully clean upstairs, lots of food and good friends about to come over. #content #
  • Welcome to hellmouth! #BTVS #
  • Buffy and Angel are about to get wet. #
  • I love mean Angel. #BTVS #
  • Asshole alert. Angel "you were great. I thought you were a professional. #BTVS #
  • It is not justice we serve it is vengeance. #BTVS #
  • Xander "I'm 17, looking at linoleum makes me want to have sex." #BTVS #
  • Me 2!RT @5and1: Had a ridiculously good time tonight at the Buffy-fest. I can't wait to do it again. @tjrossignol @alexishinde @AnthonyFloyd #
  • Buffy-fest was fabulous fun. Party cleaned up and now to bed.Thanks @5and1 @alexishinde and @tjrossignol for coming over for BTVS & #Vanelxn #
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Buffy Time

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Gwen

A few of us have been planning a Buffy the Vampire Slayer night with chocolate fondue, cheese fondue and lots of laughter. I fully expect this to happen. Friends, food and fun, I can’t wait.

This is the food I am bring to the table, it will be bursting by the time all are here.

Happy Buffy Night!

Posted in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gwen | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Buffy Time