Safety First?

So funny story.

Declan tells me this evening: “On the way home from school Daddy and I stop to get the mail. I asked if I could take my seatbelt off and Daddy said ok just hold on as we turn the corner to our house. Then when Daddy turned the corner I went “whooooooaa” (and he pretends he’s tipping over on his side).” 

Boys.

Thriller

When I got in from work Declan was excited because Daddy was going to put in a spooky video for us.

It was Michael Jackson’s Thriller video. Started off ok but as soon as Michael Jackson starts changing into a werewolf Declan started shaking and wanted my hand over his eyes. Once that part was over he was good again but he said he needed his eyes closed when the zombies come. Once they reach the graveyard Declan pulled my hands over his eyes and yet his little body was shaking. He told me he didn’t want to see until the zombies start dancing. As soon as the dancing started I took my hand away and he loved it. Once it was over he said “remember when the blood was coming out of the zombies mouth?” To which I replied “how’s you see that? My hands were over your eyes.” He turned to me and with his hands showed me how he could peak through fingers. Then he announced that he was going to have nightmares if I didn’t sleep with him. 

And this is why I slept on the floor of Declan’s room last night. 

Busy Kid

When Daddy arrived at school today to pick Declan up from the after school program he got to see our Muffin Man owning the room.

Declan had handed out tickets to all of the other kids for them to attend a puppet show. He then had some paper bag puppets he and the other kids had made and he was acting out a show from behind the puppet theater stage. So proud of his confidence.

I asked him today what his favourite part of the day was and he said “playing with Rosalind.” He told me they were playing family. I had to ask “were you brother and sister or Mom and Dad?” Declan replied “we were cat and dog. I like cats so I was a cat and she was a dog. She’s said ‘woof woof’ and I’d say ‘meow’!”

This past weekend we took Declan to see the HMCS Haida in Hamilton. He really wanted to see the warship. He loved it. I know seeing it through a five year olds eyes isn’t the same as it is through our eyes but he asked great questions. On Monday Declan was “Super Student” for his class and he told all his classmates about the ship and showed pictures on the projector. 

He also asked about what Daddy’s Grandpa did in the war. Daddy told him about how he was in a tank and fired the big gun at the bad guys. Declan asked who the bad guys where and Daddy said “The Nazis” to which Declan asked “The Naughties?” He then looked at me and said “and what’s your story? Oh yay your Grandpa was in the war but didn’t have to fight?”

He kills me.

Growth chart update:

For weight Declan is in the 97% percentile for a 5 1/2 year old.

For height he’s off the charts. At 4 feet tall and 48 lbs he’s the average height and weight of a 7 year old.

Fun fact: most recently when asked what he wanted to be when he grows up Declan said “A Principal”

Impressed Daddy Moment: Declan’s fam was making a weird clicking noise. I suggested maybe it wasn’t balanced and to put something under. Declan said it should be good now that it’s ‘stable’. Daddy looks at Declan and asks “did you just use the word stable?”

Bruises and Cuts

While the new school year is going well and Declan has adjusted to being SK fantastic. His body however is taking a beating. Nearly every day he comes home with a new scrap, cut or bruise. Today he came home with a scrap on his arm and a bandaid on his leg. When asked why the bandaid Declan said he didn’t know. Apparently he was in the Library and another kid commented that he had blood on his leg. Here’s hoping this is just normal ‘boy stuff’.

Kelso

Another hike, another 7km. Declan didn't enjoy today's tree park as much since there wasn't much to look at. We still had a good time but I'm going to have to look into some more interesting things for us to check out.

Broden's mom texted me this evening. She let me know that when putting his little sister Roz to bed tonight she asked if she could marry Declan. Her Mommy said yes she could but she has to ask Declan about it. 

I mentioned it to Declan when it was his bedtime and he said "But I'm going to be an adult before her."  Guess he's going to prefer older women.

SK

Well the end of the summer came and went so fast.

We headed up to Minden for our cottage week. Declan and Chelsey had a great time hanging out all week. On the nicest days we all floated in the lake and Declan was brave enough to float briefly in the water with just swimming wings on. Next year....well I hope next year...swimming on his own!

After our cottage week there were a few days that I had off and could hang out with the kid. We visited three different "tree parks" to go hiking: Mountsberg, Mount Nemo and Hilton Falls. 

On the last day of summer break Declan met up with his BFF Broden at the park. They looked for sticks, small branches and made a "fort". We were pretty excited to hear that Broden's little sister would be in Declan's class this year.

Then it was over, summer break is officially done and The Muffin Man started Senior Kindergarten. Declan picked out what shirt he wanted to wear on his first day. After getting dressed however he had to finish the Lego he was building: A Lego "time machine". He told me it could go to "Dinosaur World, the world before phones, Stuffyland, that's just messed up and marbleworld. That's where all the good stuff is." Then off we were. He is back again with Mrs. Wigood (his favourite) and Mrs. Stumm. The hat he made for first day of school had lots of purple on it because it's "Mrs. Wigood's favourite colour."

When Daddy picked Declan up the Y Program ladies said he'd been a great helper for Roz (Broden's little sister) all day. He even gave her a hug when it was time to go. After school her Mommy asked if she'd made any friends today and she kept talking about Declan. ❤️ Made me so proud.

Wet Hiking

Saturday morning Declan decided he'd like for us to go to a "Tree Park". Fantastic! So off to Crawford Lake we went. We started by visiting the native exhibit. Three Longhouses that were part of Iroquoian settlements. We sat in on a session learning about the people who lived there 600 years ago. 

When the leader asked if anyone had been down to the Lake yet Declan said "No. This is just the start of our journey." He cracks me up. When he asked why nobody lives in the Longhouses now the leader explained that people have learned new technology that have us living easier today. Declan then told her "My Mommy and Daddy say it was better to live a long time ago." I added "Not 600 years ago."

Next we headed down to the Lake. We walked the entire boardwalk path. We saw butterflies (Declan's favourite insect), dragonflies, birds and a frog. It was a great little adventure walk. Not good enough for Declan however who insisted we then go on a proper trail.

I insisted we go for lunch first to get some food energy which he agreed to. Around 2pm we were back at the trails and we'd picked the yellow path because it had the only marked look-out. A 2.4 km trail. The first third and we arrived at the look-out. A valley full of trees and some turkey vultures was nice to see but Declan had a look and quickly was ready to keep hiking. With about 1.5 km still to go the trail got a little more difficult with inclines and numerous rocks. It turned dark and we could hear thunder. Declan didn't like it but I assured him that thunder wouldn't hurt him. Then a little rain started which we could handle but then the skies opened up and down came torrential rain. I had to tuck my phone and watch into the middle of my backpack to try and keep it safe. Declan was starting to cry and said he wanted to go home. I had to tell him that I couldn't just make that happen so we'd have to keep walking through the rain but we wouldn't get hurt. The thunder got louder and the path became a combination of running water and two inch deep puddles. The rain really came hard. The both of us were soaked right through and I'll admit that while I did everything I could to assure Declan there was nothing to worry about I was nervous about being so far out in the trails in this condition. With about 10 minutes left of our trail the rain got lighter. I tried to make the situation fun for Declan by saying "splash, splash, splash" as we stepped through the puddles. Literally as we came to the end of the trail the sun was back out and the sky turned back to bright blue. A family was just starting their hike and starred at us as we exited the trail soaked right through to our undergarments "having fun?" they asked. "Absolutely!" I replied. As we walked to the car Declan says "that was the best adventure ever!" so I gave him a high five. 

Then we talked about the importance of my checking the weather on my phone before doing that again.