River is finally at that age, where he says what comes to mind and its truly hilarious. We've laughed quite a bit this week and we thought we'd share a few conversations with you.
Dan and I took him to Starbucks this week, while Cypress was in preschool. He wanted a chocolate milk and we ordered that for him. When it came, I drank a large sip from it to avoid the plastic cup spill that is inevitable with a three year old. Dan also took a sip, just because. River yelled out, ever so seriously, "Hey! Don't tax that!!!!!" We laughed really hard, as did all the Starbucks baristas. He gets that from us I guess. Whenever they get a cookie at a grocery store, we always insist on having a "cookie tax" aka a bite. Naturally, he was upset that his drink was taxed. But aren't we all?
Even today, when we got a slurpee, he was offering it to people saying, "Do you want a tax?" Not a taste, a tax! Can you tell we've influenced these children?
Another day this week, he was demanding a book in the car. We refused to give it to him unless he was a bit nicer. Dan told him that he needed to use his polite words. After many tries using various demanding tones, he finally asked politely, "Would you please get me my book?" Dan nicely gave it to him. River exclaims, "Hey! It worked!"
Even Cypress got in on the action this week. We went to Birchwood Dairy on a field trip. There was one lone cow in the hospital pen. The tour guide asked a bunch of preschoolers, "Do you know why this cow is all alone?" Cypress, without skipping a beat says, "He's in the naughty chair!"
Friday, October 1, 2010
Something to think about
"There's no question you see more of the world on a motorbike than you do in a car, and more again on a bicycle. It's all about pace; the slower you're travelling, the more you're going to see."
Charley Boorman in his book Right to the Edge: Sydney to Tokyo By Any Means
We'd like to add that when you are walking you tend to see even more. The slower you go, the more you seem to absorb of the world around you. And that seems to be more than just what means of transportation you are using. The slower your life is, the more you seem to appreciate what's going on around you. The colour of the leaves changing, the smile of a stranger or the laughter of a child. There's no doubt in our minds that we lead a slow life and we tend to appreciate the little things in life.
We've recently heard about a man walking from Vancouver to Mexico. Its inspiring to hear someone else doing the things we contemplate. No one really does long distance walking anymore and there is something to be said about the experiences they have along the way. This guy appreciated the fact that when it was down pouring and he had to get to the next town before dark to set up camp, that when he played a song about sunshine on his harmonica that the rain ceased. This is one of the most prominent memories he has on his trip thus far. (He has made it to Oregon).
It really is true that when you stop and "smell the roses" that you can appreciate the aroma they give off...thus appreciating life a little bit more.
Charley Boorman in his book Right to the Edge: Sydney to Tokyo By Any Means
We'd like to add that when you are walking you tend to see even more. The slower you go, the more you seem to absorb of the world around you. And that seems to be more than just what means of transportation you are using. The slower your life is, the more you seem to appreciate what's going on around you. The colour of the leaves changing, the smile of a stranger or the laughter of a child. There's no doubt in our minds that we lead a slow life and we tend to appreciate the little things in life.
We've recently heard about a man walking from Vancouver to Mexico. Its inspiring to hear someone else doing the things we contemplate. No one really does long distance walking anymore and there is something to be said about the experiences they have along the way. This guy appreciated the fact that when it was down pouring and he had to get to the next town before dark to set up camp, that when he played a song about sunshine on his harmonica that the rain ceased. This is one of the most prominent memories he has on his trip thus far. (He has made it to Oregon).
It really is true that when you stop and "smell the roses" that you can appreciate the aroma they give off...thus appreciating life a little bit more.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Conversations with Amanda and Dan the Third Edition
A: I think we should start playing Christmas music soon because that way the baby will be familiar with it when it makes its appearance.
D: Yah! We should find that song about Santa coming down the chimney. Then you can visualize that baby coming down the chute.
A: What??? My baby is NOT coming down the chimney.
Another day in our random lives!
D: Yah! We should find that song about Santa coming down the chimney. Then you can visualize that baby coming down the chute.
A: What??? My baby is NOT coming down the chimney.
Another day in our random lives!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Dreams
Its true! Pregnancy gives you some of the strangest dreams ever known to man. This past week, I had a dream that a friend from Alberta mailed me eggs. And not just a small carton. Nope! I got a LARGE package (about 3 feet long by 1 foot wide) and two smaller packages (about 1 foot by one foot each). When I went to pick them up, the lady at Thumpers Veggie Store (where apparently we pick up our packages from), mentioned that I could just buy eggs. I told her that I knew that, but my friend had mailed me eggs and I was going to use them. I cumbersomely carried these packages home and when I got home, I opened the packages of eggs to find the smallest eggs inside. They were about the size of a large marble. I was disappointed with the tiny eggs, but I was so happy, because they were free and I love eggs!
One month to one million
Dan's work is having a fitness challenge this month. The goal is to walk the most steps in order to win a bike (worth $600). Dan REALLY wants this bike. You can earn steps by participating in various activities that are worth a certain amount of steps for a certain time. For example, housework for 10 minutes earns you 750 steps. Or biking high intensity for 60 minutes earns you 15,000 steps. Dan has been wearing a pedometer when he is walking around work, and takes it off when he participates in other activities (to prevent double counting!). At the beginning of this month long adventure, Dan made a goal to walk one million steps. He is two weeks into this challenge and has already surpassed the half way mark! He has walked over half a million steps! And needless to say, I am not far behind him. Every evening, he drags me for an hour walk (if not longer!). And if it weren't for the fact that my bike is in the shop for repairs, we'd be biking every night. Its been great to support him in this quest for a new bike, but I must say it would be easier if I wasn't 7 months pregnant. But in two more weeks, he will have hopefully earned himself a new bike and I can put my feet up and rest for a while.
Bring on the Hippie Bus!
Its finally happened! We have been categorized by someone other than ourselves. Nope, we aren't newlyweds or parents-to-be. In the course of conversation with a dear friend from Alberta this past week, it came out that we are considered her "Hippie Friends!"
So, the reason we got labeled this way? Perhaps its the fact that we bake our own bread, or can fruit and veggies. Perhaps its because we make our own granola (and granola bars) or that we dehydrate fruit. It may have something to do with the lack of car in our lives and our joy of walking. Or maybe our excess recycling, thrift store finds and the composter (with new worms! Dan is really excited about this fact!) It could be because we line dry our clothes, use vinegar for cleaning and eat mostly homemade things. It could be the excitement of cloth diapers and our consideration of a home birth. Maybe its because our dream is to have chickens running around in the backyard and a large enough garden to sustain us throughout the year.
At the end of the day, we aren't really sure why we are labeled this way. We just think its funny and we'll continue to keep up with our hippie ways. The reality is that just 50 years ago, we would be considered normal. Everyone lived this way. There was no disposable society to come home to. People made do with what they had, mended what they had or did without. Why is it that because we choose to live with less and make things ourselves that we are fringe people? The fact is that a lot of people we know live this way. And we don't consider them weird hippies...they are just living like their parents and grandparents did back in the day. Perhaps its those who throw everything away that are the weirdos.
So, the reason we got labeled this way? Perhaps its the fact that we bake our own bread, or can fruit and veggies. Perhaps its because we make our own granola (and granola bars) or that we dehydrate fruit. It may have something to do with the lack of car in our lives and our joy of walking. Or maybe our excess recycling, thrift store finds and the composter (with new worms! Dan is really excited about this fact!) It could be because we line dry our clothes, use vinegar for cleaning and eat mostly homemade things. It could be the excitement of cloth diapers and our consideration of a home birth. Maybe its because our dream is to have chickens running around in the backyard and a large enough garden to sustain us throughout the year.
At the end of the day, we aren't really sure why we are labeled this way. We just think its funny and we'll continue to keep up with our hippie ways. The reality is that just 50 years ago, we would be considered normal. Everyone lived this way. There was no disposable society to come home to. People made do with what they had, mended what they had or did without. Why is it that because we choose to live with less and make things ourselves that we are fringe people? The fact is that a lot of people we know live this way. And we don't consider them weird hippies...they are just living like their parents and grandparents did back in the day. Perhaps its those who throw everything away that are the weirdos.
The Second Installment of Conversations with Amanda and Dan
We were having a sort of playful, pretend argument one day (which we do quite often to keep life interesting). And this is what ended it all.
A: Don't you know that the world revolves around me?
D: The world does not revolve around you.
A: Fine! But the axis is slightly closer to me than it is to you.
A: Don't you know that the world revolves around me?
D: The world does not revolve around you.
A: Fine! But the axis is slightly closer to me than it is to you.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The most ridiculous suggestion....
With Amanda back to work, there seem to be a whole lot more stories involving those two wonderful children and their family. This is a story that we needed to share, mostly because of its ridiculous nature in relation to our lifestyle (and perhaps most people would agree!)
As you know, we walk everywhere. This means that we walk in the rain, snow, sleet and sun. Basically, we are more dependable than the postal service! We enjoy a good walk in the rain now and again. The night before this "story" takes place, we walked to the grocery store in the pouring rain to pick up a few items.
As we are just starting our the year with the kids, I seem to be a bit short on groceries for the children. I mentioned to Nancy one drippy rainy morning that I needed some milk for the kids. I was hoping for some money to go pick it up, or for her to hit up a grocery store that evening and send it with the kids the next morning. Instead, I got more than I bargained for! She suggested that I take the children to the McDonalds Drive-thru (yes, DRIVE-THRU!) and purchase a carton of milk.
To someone who the previous evening had braved the elements to bring home our groceries, this suggestion seemed utterly ridiculous. I even asked why the grocery store wasn't a better option. She just insisted that the DRIVE-THRU at MCDONALDS would prevent me from getting wet. I just don't understand. Really...it baffles me. Getting wet is not an issue. Going to the grocery store with two kids is NOT an issue. What the issue is to me, is that someone would suggest using a drive-thru to get milk. Needless to say, Dan and I had a good laugh. Its been two weeks, and we are still trying to understand.
Oh, and for the milk. I took her kids (gasp) in the rain (oh my!) and got some from the store (who would have thought?). We even lived to tell about it!!!!!
As you know, we walk everywhere. This means that we walk in the rain, snow, sleet and sun. Basically, we are more dependable than the postal service! We enjoy a good walk in the rain now and again. The night before this "story" takes place, we walked to the grocery store in the pouring rain to pick up a few items.
As we are just starting our the year with the kids, I seem to be a bit short on groceries for the children. I mentioned to Nancy one drippy rainy morning that I needed some milk for the kids. I was hoping for some money to go pick it up, or for her to hit up a grocery store that evening and send it with the kids the next morning. Instead, I got more than I bargained for! She suggested that I take the children to the McDonalds Drive-thru (yes, DRIVE-THRU!) and purchase a carton of milk.
To someone who the previous evening had braved the elements to bring home our groceries, this suggestion seemed utterly ridiculous. I even asked why the grocery store wasn't a better option. She just insisted that the DRIVE-THRU at MCDONALDS would prevent me from getting wet. I just don't understand. Really...it baffles me. Getting wet is not an issue. Going to the grocery store with two kids is NOT an issue. What the issue is to me, is that someone would suggest using a drive-thru to get milk. Needless to say, Dan and I had a good laugh. Its been two weeks, and we are still trying to understand.
Oh, and for the milk. I took her kids (gasp) in the rain (oh my!) and got some from the store (who would have thought?). We even lived to tell about it!!!!!
Conversations with Amanda and Dan
Sometimes the two of us have these odd kinds of conversations. Very brief and somewhat bizarre. For those of you who know us quite well, you probably won't be that surprised by its content. For those of you who don't know us that well, be prepared to learn about the inner workings of our brains and our marriage.
Conversation #1:
(while walking home from Pricesmart, Amanda breaks the silence with this....)
A: Sometimes I wish we were lesbians.
D: Huh? (odd look on face)
A: That way we can take turns having babies. I have the first one and you carry the second one.
D: Okay. I suppose its a step up from being a seahorse.
Conversation #2:
(the girls from upstairs made us cookies and dropped them off, after we invited them to share our pulled pork dinner with us)
A: I really like those girls! These cookies are like manna from heaven!
D: They're like friends....with benefits!
P.S. This is not the last of these types of posts. We have these conversations all the time. If only we could remember more of them...
Conversation #1:
(while walking home from Pricesmart, Amanda breaks the silence with this....)
A: Sometimes I wish we were lesbians.
D: Huh? (odd look on face)
A: That way we can take turns having babies. I have the first one and you carry the second one.
D: Okay. I suppose its a step up from being a seahorse.
Conversation #2:
(the girls from upstairs made us cookies and dropped them off, after we invited them to share our pulled pork dinner with us)
A: I really like those girls! These cookies are like manna from heaven!
D: They're like friends....with benefits!
P.S. This is not the last of these types of posts. We have these conversations all the time. If only we could remember more of them...
Friday, September 3, 2010
AmanDan's 10 Rules Regarding Pants
Disclaimer: Not to be taken too seriously. For you offenders, this is very serious business.....
(the following opinions have been provided by Amanda and Dan and are not the opinions of most people.)
The Rules Regarding Pants
#1. Leggings are NOT pants (especially when your shirt is so short that we can see underwear lines through your leggings)
#2. Yoga pants are meant for Yoga, not for everyday use. You do not live in the gym, therefore you should not live in your gym clothes. (this will help us think that you shower after your workout, rather than walk around all sweaty and gross)
#3. Pajamas are for the bedroom (or at least your own home). I had to get dressed this morning, and so should you!
#4. Mini skirts should not be so short that a 3 years old skirt contains more material. No one wants to see you who-ha, or anything close to it.
#5. Men, your crotch should be abouts where your crotch is located. It is not located near your knees. Pull up your pants and cover your underwear for goodness sake!
#6. Full length pants should be full length pants. They should not turn into flood pants the moment you sit down. Your calf should remain covered and not by the tube socks your wearing. The only exception is if you are too tall to find pants that cover your ankles. You are forgiven-we feel your pain.
#7. Pants should not be so tight that there is nothing left to the imagination. I really don't want to see your cottage cheese thighs or golf ball butt through your pants.
#8. Underwear, especially thongs, should NOT be seen above your pant line. That space is reserved for butt cracks, which should also not be seen, but are more tolerable than your underwear.
#9. Work out wear should be reserved for working out. (see rule #2)
#10. While wearing white pants, please refrain from wearing black, patterned,or coloured underwear. Thongs are not recommended either. White pants need to be sufficiently thick so as not to reveal what lies beneath. Please remember that it does rain often and white pants should be reserved for days when the rain clouds are far away so as not to reveal what is under your pants.
We retain the right to, add to or subtract from or otherwise alter, these rules at any time we see fit. Complaints department is on permanent vacation. Estimated wait time: longer than your lifespan.
(the following opinions have been provided by Amanda and Dan and are not the opinions of most people.)
The Rules Regarding Pants
#1. Leggings are NOT pants (especially when your shirt is so short that we can see underwear lines through your leggings)
#2. Yoga pants are meant for Yoga, not for everyday use. You do not live in the gym, therefore you should not live in your gym clothes. (this will help us think that you shower after your workout, rather than walk around all sweaty and gross)
#3. Pajamas are for the bedroom (or at least your own home). I had to get dressed this morning, and so should you!
#4. Mini skirts should not be so short that a 3 years old skirt contains more material. No one wants to see you who-ha, or anything close to it.
#5. Men, your crotch should be abouts where your crotch is located. It is not located near your knees. Pull up your pants and cover your underwear for goodness sake!
#6. Full length pants should be full length pants. They should not turn into flood pants the moment you sit down. Your calf should remain covered and not by the tube socks your wearing. The only exception is if you are too tall to find pants that cover your ankles. You are forgiven-we feel your pain.
#7. Pants should not be so tight that there is nothing left to the imagination. I really don't want to see your cottage cheese thighs or golf ball butt through your pants.
#8. Underwear, especially thongs, should NOT be seen above your pant line. That space is reserved for butt cracks, which should also not be seen, but are more tolerable than your underwear.
#9. Work out wear should be reserved for working out. (see rule #2)
#10. While wearing white pants, please refrain from wearing black, patterned,or coloured underwear. Thongs are not recommended either. White pants need to be sufficiently thick so as not to reveal what lies beneath. Please remember that it does rain often and white pants should be reserved for days when the rain clouds are far away so as not to reveal what is under your pants.
We retain the right to, add to or subtract from or otherwise alter, these rules at any time we see fit. Complaints department is on permanent vacation. Estimated wait time: longer than your lifespan.
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