Family Day Weekend Highlights

Stephen and our former Regina friends who now lives a few blocks away from us in Toronto (ain't life grand that way) built an HD antenna...it might not look super classy, but it works incredibly well!

Stephen's electronics workshop of wonder.

Felix learning how to mix a caesar.

We scored a family pass to the Science Centre...and Felix loved it!

Fissssssshhhhhhhhhhhh!

Karen & Stephen learn about guts.

All in all...a fantastic long weekend!

Book Club

I can't for the life of me remember who got Felix this book about various types of trucks. Not only does he adore it, but it has really taught me a great deal about backhoe's, loaders, car transporters, etc etc. Thank you for the education.

I love how he plunks himself right down and demands his book time...and it has become an unofficial rule in our house that we never decline a little boy who is sweetly asking for story time.

More Felix Documentation

Stephen is worried (and rightfully so) that we won't remember the small and cute day-to-day Felix things so I thought I'd make a list of a few of our latest favourites:

Felix Translations
- "HI FI!!!" (high five) and running up to us with an outstretched arm and huge mischievous smile
- "butty" = a combination of belly and button meaning belly button
- "Breakfischt" - his slightly German sounding version of breakfast
- "ah-do" = water
- "uppa uppa" - pick me up
- "Daddoo" - Daddy
- "spooooooooon" and "bowl" - just cute because of the sheer delight he takes in having his own spoon and bowl.

Other Cute Stuff
- bringing us books and sitting on our laps
- fake hysterical laughter and shrieks
- hugging and kissing Keith Richards (our cat) and saying "awwwwwwwwwwwwww" and "kissch"
- sweeping...he loves brooms and sweeping (DNA mystery)
- saying "dipdipdip" as he loves to dip his food into anything
- asking Felix if he wants to have a bath, him signing away and then saying "bubble"!
- trying to rip his clothes off himself as soon as Stephen starts running the bath
- he knows many animal sounds now, but my favourites are howling like a wolf (which involve throwing his head back) and chicken sounds (which involve chicken dance arm motions)
- various surprising moments when he breaks out his baby signs...we went to the library the other day and he was signing "book" over and over.

Arduino and the Hack Lab

Technically I call this the Boodlini blog, but it is obviously written from the perspective of one Boodlini. I figure it's time for a little insight into the life of Stephen.

Our Toronto hairdresser, who like our Regina hairdresser, services almost our entire group of friends is a very unique individual. Getting your hair cut usually turns into the most unusual or surprisingly thought provoking conversation you've had in the past three months. The last time Stephen went to visit her he came home with a couple of DVD's he'd borrowed from her as well as a tidbit of information about a little club called "Hack Lab".

Hack Lab is this group of individuals who get together on Tuesday nights near the Ontario College of Art and Design and talk about their inventions or weird things they've created. To be more accurate, only wanna-be members get together on Tuesday nights, but to become a true member you have to pass certain tests of hack-dom. Does this sound perfect for the silent partner of this blog or what?

Stephen attended his first hack lab last night and noted that the attendees fit into two distinct groups - nerds and artists. When asked who he better identified with, he said that he preferred chatting with the artists as he could impress them more with his knowledge. He got home last night around 11pm talking away about something called ARDUINO.

He was so excited about it and wanted to buy one so badly "It's only $60", but we have been trying to save some money lately so I said that I would buy him Arduino for his birthday. "But that's in May", he said. "Ok...Valentine's Day is next week. I'll pick you up one then." Stephen replied, "how about if I go and get one tomorrow". Obviously, much like my need to pick up Best Laid Plans, today's winner of CBC Canada Reads 2011, he needs to do some immediate shopping as well.

So tonight, he has Arduino attached to the computer attached to our big screen tv and he is programming this 2" x 1" thing to become the brains of the SUPER TOY that he is building for Felix.

Stephen just randomly shouted out "A BROKEN CLOCK IS RIGHT TWICE A DAY".

And that is a peak into the mind of the other Boodlini.....

Staying Up Late Is Not The Cure

I've heard that if you really hate your job, you may think it wise to stay up really late to make the time go slower and therefore delay the inevitable torture of starting your workday. However, in real life, this just makes you more tired and nasty when you get into work the next day.

A word to the wise, my friends. Goodnight and sleep tight.

Felix Photos

Snow, Toronto, Yeah guy

Everyone in Toronto is prematurely cancelling all appointments, travel, etc for tomorrow because of predictions of 30 cm of snow between 4am and 8am. I'm so excited!!

I can't wait to try to get to work. Luckily, Stephen worked all weekend and has tomorrow off so we don't have to take Felix out in the weather if it is not ok.

It's so exciting. I can't wait to have the army called in. Speaking of - our illustrious new mayor toured my office this morning. "Hi, I'm Rob...here's my card...call me if you need anything." Yeah guy, I have no doubt you will get some calls.