January
It seems I am reminded monthly to write an update. This may change from time to time but for now it works.
Just before Hadley went back to skating for the new year, she needed new skates. Her skates are now specialized, so a trip to a specialty skate store was in order for us to buy her specific skates with a larger toe pick and more ankle support for new jumps, and spins that will be in her future. Plus her feet are growing. She and I now share the same size 8 shoe size. She is however, in a size 6 skate.
Every year at our rental house we try to do some upgrades, so before any issues were to arise, we thought we would replace the original toilets from 1983. The water flushed will be approximately half... so hopefully this will help with their water bill. The renters seem happy! They look good. Upgrades are always nice! Plus I got a good deal on the toilets as I bought them during boxing week sales.
Brian was in Chicago for a few days with work getting to know his new team. The kids had a PA day from school, so we met up with Hadley's friend Rachel and went to Nebs Fun World. Such a fun time of bowling, pizza, and the arcade.
My mom turned 60, and Brian's dad turned 70. While my mom's birthday was more low key, John's birthday had a house full of people, snacks everywhere, with conversation that went well into the middle of the night... maybe 2am? We were happy to hear stories of his childhood that we had never heard before. So we ended up staying over. I think he felt well celebrated!
The teachers are striking with the most pressing issues including resources for special education, protection of Ontario’s full-day kindergarten program, smaller class sizes (which I am worried will mean more split classes), reduction of violent incidents and fair compensation for educators—particularly occasional teachers, early childhood educators, professional support personnel and education support personnel. So far we have had one strike day where the kids were off school. So, I showed the kids some cursive writing, as they no longer teach that in school. We also met up with my friend Patti and her daughter Chelsea to skate outdoors at Pat Bayly Square in Ajax.