I am Canadian and I have not seen Cirque du Soleil perform. I’m pretty sure this is akin to a New Zealander not having watched the Haka. Or an Italian not having eaten pasta. Or… I’d go on, but I’m already experiencing a metaphor meltdown. This is going to change, though. Not my overreaching metaphors, […]
Leanne Shirtliffe
Parenting According to Twitter
I think Twitter knows more about my parenting style than anyone in real life does. There’s nothing like putting the fun in dysfunctional in a public forum. Here are some of my parenting tweets from the past month. (If you’re not on Twitter, here’s a key. DD: Dear Daughter, DH: Dear Husband, 7yo: 7-year-old) Chapter […]
Grace Is Free, But It Sure Ain’t Cheap
Last week, this “guy” named Bill Sergott–who I’d seen around the internet before–left a comment on my post, When Your Child Wonders What Age To Have a Baby, Ask Facebook that took by breath away. Within the first paragraph I could tell that he was witty, intelligent (Hello, String Theory), as well as a loving […]
The Horrors of Minigolfing with Children
If you’ve minigolfed with young children, you’re likely aware that it’s a dangerous activity that could require hospitalization. To read about the mini-putt injuries we sustained when Vivian and William were four years old, please go to my humour column, which was published in yesterday’s Calgary Herald. Click here: Minigolfing with Kids: A Bad Idea. […]
Thing 1 & Thing 2's Excellent Adventure: Stop 3 = Maryland
Stop 2: Jefferson, Maryland Host: Thoughtsy Distance Logged Since Calgary: 4056 kms/2520 miles Next Stop: Joplin, Missouri After their adventures zip-lining in West Virginia, Thing 1 and Thing 2 headed northeast to Maryland (spot the Canadian whose US geography is improving). I’m delighted that Thoughtsy hosted my two stuffies. Thoughtsy is an entertaining and intelligent […]
10 Signs of Summer, Literally
In the past couple months, I’ve collected some signs that have made me smile: Signs of Summer, if you will. Here are 10 of them. Sign 1: Graffiti in a Private School Bathroom (Final Exam Week) Sign 2: The Front Page of The Calgary Herald Sign 3: The Placement of James Rollins’ Book at Indigo […]
Stuff Kids Write: Oedipus Wrecks
Today, StuffKidsWrite.com features some (more) of William’s writing that he has carved into various objects. Please click the image above or HERE to read and comment on his exploits.
When Your Child Wonders What Age She Can Have a Baby, Ask Facebook
Last week, seven-year-old Vivian was back at it, peppering me with questions about God, sperm banks, and babies. This is why I don’t home school, I thought. From September to June, I can rely on her classmates to give the wrong answer; in July and August, however, it’s up to me. So when Vivian asked […]
I am the DH: Being Married to Ironic Mom (Part II)
Back by popular request after his Part 1 post, here is my husband, that man who once complimented me by saying, “You’re the third funniest woman I’ve ever met.” Enjoy his guest post on what it’s like to be married to a farm girl. I am the DH. I am the Dear Husband, butt of […]
Thing 1 & Thing 2's Excellent Adventure: Stop 2 = West Virginia!
Stop 2: Minden, West Virginia Host: Kathy B. Owen Distance Logged Since Calgary: 3565 kms/2216 miles Next Stop: Jefferson, Maryland Fresh off their adventures in Tennessee, Thing 1 & Thing 2 traveled to Minden, West Virginia where they were entertained by Kathy Owen and her family while they went on holiday. Kathy is a mystery […]