Happy Birthday Dad.

Today is my dad's 65th birthday.

This is dad and myself on the beach at Blackpool, which is near were we used to live in Lancashire, England. I was only a couple weeks old. He was an aging 20 years old.

If you wanted to send him wishes, go to his blog at Outhouse Capital of Canada. We will be having a party next time he comes to visit.

Never too young!

On Saturday afternoon Keith was tinkering with the truck, which happens to be the same model that both the boys drive. Before you know it, they all were leaning under the hood.


There is something magical and bonding when a man is teaching a skill to his sons. By doing so, he is sending the unspoken message that says, “You are worthy of my time and attention. Lets be men together.”


Children are never too young to help out in one way or another. In this photo, Andrew is not quite a year and he loved to sweep even though he was still in his walking frame! Too often I have come across families where the children are shielded from chores and hard work.
Some parents seem to believe that childhood is all about playing with toys and just “enjoying being a kid”. I feel sorry for those kids. They may be happy go lucky kids, but what age do you suddenly start to try and teach them some life skills? Whether it be house work such as sweeping or dishes or something more exciting such as building on a new porch roof or a deck around the pool.
If you don’t teach them to help out in what little way they can as small tikes, doesn’t it come as a shock to them when suddenly they are expected to start helping out at say 12 years old?
By helping with jobs around the house they learned many skills that will they carry with them and use throughout their lives.

They have learned a good work ethic and to this day are always willing to lend a hand.

Although it doesn't show in this picture of David, they actually really enjoyed this work and had a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.

Spoon

I can't believe it has been a month since my last post.
When we retuned home from our cross Canada vacation there was a parcel waiting for us from Herman. He had seen in one of our holiday posts, that we had visited Banff, in the Rockies. Seeing that reminded him of an old story. I would like him to tell the story, as it is his to tell. But in brief, His Grandmother in Holland, was given this spoon from Banff by a Canadian soldier at the end of the war. That was almost 65 yers ago!
She in turn left the spoon to her beloved grandson Herman. After reading about our visit to Banff, Herman sent the spoon to Keith and I to enjoy. We were both deeply touched to be sent something so precious. I know that for myself, how dearly I cherish the items that I have that once belonged to my grandmother. Such a wonderful story to accompany this spoon. I wonder if that young soldier is still alive?

Thank you Herman for this generous gift. Such a special momento of our holiday and of your friendship!