Growing up Grey Cup
The Canadian Football League is quirky, exciting and intimate
The television’s blue-hued light flickered in the dark. “I hear someone coming,” I whispered to my brother. “Turn off the TV and hide!” The stairs creaked as Dad made his way downstairs to get a drink of water. We hid behind the laundry room door.
“Shh … be quiet or we’ll get in . . .
Ribbon Bear's Excellent Kindergarten Adventure
Ode to a stuffed animal
When my kids were in kindergarten, students took turns bringing home a stuffed animal from class. Parents contributed to a journal, detailing activities their families would participate in with the "stuffy." Below is a poem from that journal.
Ribbon Bear's Excellent Kindergarten Adventure
There is a bear
who . . .
Posted in: kid storiespoetryribbon bear
I'm not sure why I had to defeat my son at chess
His growth as a player took a back seat to my need to win
I learned chess as a youngster. I found the order and strategy compelling. So I was more than happy to teach my sons how to play. There is a rhythm and motion to the game: looking ahead, planning your moves, setting up your opponent for a masterful maneuver—there is something about that.
My boys have progressed to the . . .
Posted in: chesscompetition
The Big Man With a Cold Heart
A story by youngest, as told to Dad
"Hey," I told youngest, aged 6 at the time, "we haven't written a story in a while."
"I know," he replied.
"Do you want to?"
"Not really."
"Aw, come on—it'll be fun. I'll write the first paragraph and you can finish."
"Okay," he mumbled, humouring me.
"Alright, let's do this!" I said, and began the . . .
Posted in: kid stories
Ribbon Bear and the Encounter at Planet JS-4
To boldly go where no bear has gone before
The following is an entry from Captain Ribbon Bear's log.
Captain's Log, Stardate 2016.10.06.We arrived in orbit of the planet JS-4, finding a pre-warp civilization thriving on the southern continent.
"Honey Bear, Chester, Jujube—you're with me," I commanded. "We'll form a landing party and investigate the temporal . . .
Posted in: kid storiesribbon bear
I had the best teacher ever in Grade 4
Mrs. Sdao understood our personalities and what made us tick
Photo: Freeimages.com – Lhys *
After my eldest son headed off to his first day of Grade 4 and a new year of scholastic adventure, my thoughts transported me to a brisk Ottawa evening in April, 2014. Winter had mercifully loosened its grip to an anemic spring, but a chilly wind lingered as I walked toward my Class of 1983 . . .
Posted in: school
I felt as if I ruined my son's birthday
A great day ended on a disappointing note
In August, you, my eldest, turned nine. It is amazing how quickly time has passed. You are growing up to be a fine person. You are persistent, stubborn, happy, thoughtful, emotional, intelligent, athletic; more of a leader than I ever was at that age. You are courageous. You are my son.
Morning of your birthday. You . . .
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