Oct. 28

This is the last daily post in the “Guardian of the Emdawgs” series.

I know, I am as sad as you to see it go…on the other hand, I will try and write another entry distilling some learning from this experience. Regardless, lets review this final, and most eventful of days.

We make it to school just under the wire…I had left to sleep in another room because I was too hot, and had therefore left myself dangerously far from the alarm on my cellphone. Luckily, Em was more diligent than I, and she walked in, exclaiming, “Ash, can’t you hear that sound? Aren’t you going to turn it off?” .  Either way, once Em was at school, I decided my last day of being officially in charge would be productive. In that spirit, I took out all the random trash, did ALL the laundry, and watched more discovery channel specials. heh.

I got a call in the afternoon – just as Julius Caesar was destroying the republic – from Emily’s after school program. The lady on the phone indicated that Em was ‘pale’ and that she would likely “have more fun at home”. Not sure what this meant, I threw on my jacket, and made it to the school in a minute. Em didn’t look too good, but was happily on the way to the bathroom with her friends. upon her return, she picked up her backpack, and then dropped it suddenly, making a mad dash out of the room. I grabbed her things, giving the caretaker a quick wave goodbye, as I rushed out in hot pursuit. Em was standing still in a hallway, eyes in the distance, head and shoulders hunched slightly over. “oh no” I thought – recognizing the universal stance of pre-puke. Em made her way into the bathroom, and her stomach returned some spoiled merchandise.

We went over what it could be that caused the vomit, but we could find no culprit (she threw up an apple). We eventually made jokes about snow white. We had been invited to My aunty flo’s place, since she had Ted’s cousins visiting from out east. It took some pulling to get Em to come because she was sick…and she later admitted, shy.

She refused to say hi to the cousins at th table,and ran straight for my aunty flo’s room where there’s a t.v. This was, as everything, cool with m’aunty Flo – who’s only delight seems to be spoiling Em rotten. I had a great time meeting all the family, and Ted (Em’s dad) made it in near the end of the lasagna (again!) dinner as well. All seemed well as we chatted and they reminisced (I didn’t really know Ted’s family, so I mostly listened) …until I went to check on Em. We watched Babar. Almost in perfect timing with the end of the episode, em hopped down from the bed, and walked to the hallway, and started to puke again. so we rushed to the bathroom, four hands over one mouth, trying to stem the flow of pink-colored now not-so-frozen-yogurt which she recently devoured courtesy of aunty Flo. Thanking God for his mercy, I quickly washed my hands and called Ted to the bathroom. HAHAHAHAHA! I know hey, the one real emergency, and I didn’t have to do anything.

We made it back , Em got to have the bed-time sessions with her dad, and she seemed to have her color back before going to bed. Then I had to do some folding that I didn’t finish earlier, and get some flak for not putting the recycling out on Tuesday. Then write these last few words.

Annnnd that’sit!

 

so if you enjoyed reading the series, please leave me a little comment at the end here…and I hope you find the future blogging to be as good and better! Of course, nothing can match the spontaneous cutenesses of a little Emdawg, but there’s plenty of interesting things that could be worth reading.

Goodnight!

Oct. 27

Two times the taste!

In sickness, as in health, I had to get em to school. We had a reasonable start to the day, though we made it to school just in time. You see, it was “toonie tuesday”. This, most exciting of all days of the week for emily, is the day upon which one may pay one toonie for one slice of pizza. Emily’s dream, since I arrived, has been to one day order two pieces of pizza on a single “toonie-tuesday”. Yesterday, we achieved it. I had no cash in my wallet, and emily had only one toonie in her piggy bank. and though I lacked a toonie, yet I had a plan.

With just enough time, em and I went to the local bank, and accessed it’s single atm. Taking my cash-money, we went to a local gas station, where I bought myself a halls (I love candy that masquerades as medicine), and manged to acquire the blessed toonie. All this time Em was puzzled, wondering why we had gone the opposite direction from her school. Only after executing the plan did I realize that I had just manged to package joy into a toonie.

The day continued well, I did some laundry, and walked the dog. In our brisk walk, we happened upon a sign that I had not seen on any other walk!

Extreme times call for extreme measures.

I had a great chuckle, and then a cough, and then a sniffle, but all of them as mirthful as the chuckle. I pulled out the discovery channel box-set of pirated specials, and began to give myself an entertaining education in ancient history. I managed to remember to get Em on time, and together, we watched Alexander the Great conquer everything he looked at or heard of. In the middle of Alexander’s final campaign against Darius, my grandma called. We got an invite to dinner (lasagna!). We waited until Alexander found Darius’s slain and abandoned body, and then went to grandma’s place.

Em insisted I waer my hat train-conductor style.

Smile for Lasagna

Em and I have been playing a game while we drive. She asks me how something works, or how or what it is made of, and I tell her what I know. The exercise was developed for a few reasons: 1) to pass the time without listening to bad radio, 2) to entertain and encourage Em’s curiosity, 3) to model the difference between telling the truth and making stuff up just to sound smart. This is ironic, since I have often made things up to sound smart (I even studied philosophy to refine it!), but a great lesson and opportunity for both of us nonetheless.

Em, for her part, has been showing some taste for the truth. Either that, or she’s much better with her stories. Em was incredibly tired, and fell asleep before we got to grandmas. As is her usual ploy, she pretends to remain asleep as you unbuckle her seat-belt, in the hopes of getting a free ride into the house. It worked, and, of course, as soon as I set her down, she was excited and awake.

Dinner with Grandma D and Grandpa Jim was delicious (as usual), and (as usual) we returned with much of it in little plastic containers for future lunches!

There was not much else that went down on this day – Em insisted I teach her how to handwrite, so I taught her to write her name in cursive. After this, most monumental of accomplishments, we were ready to sleep!

Not a bad day at all.

oh, and we invented starfish-mandarins:

Starfish Oranges!

Mmmmandarin!

Oct. 26

Friends, I think you should know – I am nearing the end of the “guardian of the emdawgs series”.  My step-dad is scheduled to return this evening, and with his return, my responsibilities are removed. However, I will continue to be here in Lumby for a short time, and I will definitely keep up on the blogging, though the content will, necessarily, go through some changes.

First snow of the season

We awoke to the unfortunately familiar sound of my cell-phone alarm. By this point, I felt like everything was under control in the morning, and I managed to help Emdawgs through all her morning tasks, AND get ready for the snowy day with plenty of time to spare! The snow was wet and thick, and, luckily, easy to wipe off of the car. I considered making snowballs to help ease Em and jai-wen into winter fun, but thought against it, as, you know, someone could lose an eye – or just be mad at the one-sided-ness, and then cry all the way to school. Sigh.

Snowball-less, the girls safely made it to school. I returned to the abode, drank hot liquids, and slept. I tried to get up and do something useful, but that ended when I saw the pirated B.B.C series box set that I got in Cambodia. I remember a show that my brother and I saw that explained (very well) the workings of the brain through a day in a guy’s life. I assumed it was B.B.C, but have yet to find that episode if it is in this 30-disc box set. What I did find, while looking, was a random doco by Kevin Costner called 500 nations. It is all about the history of the pre-european native american civilizations. I watched first out of shock, then curiosity, then wonder! Haha, it was actually not that bad – and I’ve always had an interest in ancient civilizations (brought on by years of playing Sid Meier’s Civilization – most notably, Civ II).

In all honesty, I didn’t finish watching the show because I really just couldn’t take the crushing cruelty of the invading Europeans. So many happy, and flourishing peoples crushed under iron and bullets and rape and attack dogs. Uggh. So I looked through another box in the set for something else to watch, and found the old B.B.C. Chronicles of Narnia. I immediately thought of my sister, and checked it out. I think I watched parts of the series as a kid, and it was decent. Watching it now, the special effects are wretched, like, even if I was a kid I don’t think I’d believe them. Still, it was fun and british, and I knew Em would enjoy it (and it’s cut into like 30 minute segments, so it’ll be a good one to wean her off of movie watching).

In fact, I watched some of the “making of” to see what they thought about their bad effects, only to realize I had forgotten to pick Emily up! I rushed down to the the school and grabbed a happy kid from unhappy after-school program workers, and then we went and bought licorice and ate it on the way home. I did, in the end, let Em watch some Narnia, but we quickly ended that experience in order to cook.

Once again, I was “big chef”, and Emdawgs was “little chef” (and when we adopt these roles we have to refer to each other as such, or suffer harassment until we correct ourselves ) I had pulled some chicken out of the freezer, and hadn’t thought about anything after that. We browsed around, and happened upon a can of mandarin oranges and peaches. So I searched for a recipe to use those with chicken, and sure enough, we found one! Unfortunately, the can opener sucks up in this humpity-bumpity, and we had to go very slow on everything (since em wanted to play a role in every move).

She was good actually! She did really well, opting to peel garlic, and add the ingredients to the pan and the pot. The rice-cooker befuddled me, and we ended up with rice that had the consistency of gruel. Still, the food was yummy to us (I think Jai-wen despises my(our) cooking).

We had a heart-wrenching skype session with my mom. Of course, it had to happen one of these nights, and I think we stayed up too late, only precipitating unstable emotional outbursts. This was quickly rectified by tickling, brushing out teeth, and making jokes. As for my mom, I had to let her know that everything was ok, and then just hope that it made her feel better! one bedtime story later, and Em was sleeping soundly.

I have been fretting over what to do with my future lately – and recently received some advice to stay in Canada and finish off my student loans (and keep up with the ISGP). Thus, I am now an active seeker of job on the Canadian job market…I think. I mean, I haven’t fully decided yet, but we’ll see how it goes.

 

Oct. 25

Today was HORRIBLE!

We had great, wonderful plans. And they came crashing down in one fell swoop – I caught the flu.

I imagined that I had made it through unscathed, since em had been sick, and now is on the repair. Unfortunately, I did not.  I was so heavy-headed and aching, that em and I just slept through most of the day. We got up to get em breakfast (cold leftover pizza!) and then went back to sleep. I’m pretty sure We slept until 3-4. Well, I did. Em managed to find her own entertainment, she drew lots, even making me a get-well-soon card. Aww. It was a fish, and I don’t know the significance, but it was a really well-drawn and colored fish.

Though I had a mild case of the flu, we still managed to clean up the house (we missed on the laundry, but whatevs). I also made sure that I spent a few minutes here and there looking for a job that would let me carry out my “Grand Plan”.

Em insisted that I carry her by the ankles around the house. I can’t even remember the last time I looked at the world upside-down, must be fun to be child!

Oct.24

What an eventful day!

We started off with some tasty shakes for breakfast, and some coloring.(EDIT) I forgot to mention that em was super-excited about this, not only because she loves shakes, but also because she got o be “little chef” and I go to be “big chef”.Then we went to visit great-uncle Biff, and great-aunty Flo. This visit turned into tea, then into lunch, with great conversation. They were really heavy on suggesting I pursue a Master’s before doing anything else (one more option to consider I guess). I had a great chat with aunty Flo about relationships (she’s married off more couples than there are people in Vernon – lol@divorce rates).

Aunty Flo then recruited Em to go explore outside, while I sat down to try and get the sound to work on her computer. I toiled and toiled, and read online forums, and downloaded new drivers – I think I looked for a solution for a good solid hour. I had already checked and double-checked the connections…but there was something I had missed: the cord from the speakers was blue at the end, so I unconsciously plugged it into the blue slot at the back of the comp. Of course, it needs to go in the green slot. Haha, I felt at once a great sense of satisfaction, and yet, a bit sheepish. I later discovered that my aunty Flo had been without sound for a year!!

Em got two great presents (not to mention all the desserts we ate!): a pen that lights-up when you write, and a kinder surprise. Thanking aunty Flo, and hoarding our loot, em and I headed back home. We did some drawing, and then decided to go get pizza. The girl at the pizza place gave Em a free cookie. – which was nice, but em refused to say thank you when I prompted her. She just said “AAsh! I don’t need to say thank you!” which sparked a solid 20 minute lecture on being thankful for the things we get in life. Oh, Em.

Either way, we get our pizza, dig up a movie (Sinbad) and sit down to watch. Em had a bath, then we had milk and cookies, bed time-stories, and some dawn-breakers listening. Then sleep…

…until I wake up, unable to breath for the pluggedness of my nose! Lame. I stayed up for a bit, pumping myself full of honey-ginger hot drink. It really works!

note: we took no pics today!

Parenting

It would appear that parenting is a seriously dangerous quest, of epic proportions. Be aware my childless friends, and struggle on my child-laden comrades – my prayers are with you both!

Oct.23

Today was RIDICULOUS!

All ready for rain, and school!

First I woke up at 4:30a.m., convinced that it was 8:30, and that we’d woken up too late! Then, I woke up at 8 (which is too late to get em to school by 8:30 anyway). We hustle like mad, and em gets ready by 8:45. Less than awesome performance. Still, we go to school better late than never…but when we get there – it’s closed! Deserted! We go to all the entrances just to make sure – and they’re locked! So, of course, we go to the local cafe to mull over the mystery.

The lady there doesn’t know, but suggests it’s likely a Professional Development day. We buy the story, and some steamed milk, and an espresso…and meet an interesting guy named Larry, who trains horse-trainers, and has a ranch with like 70 horses on it. I was like, ok, sweetness…since the stun of  getting em ready for school and it being closed was still occupying my whole mind(!).

Then we came home and em watched the Aristocats – an absolutely brilliant movie. We also searched up some math and word sheets so that em could have some school work to do…to alleviate the guilt that both of us I was feeling. While Em was working away, I coordinated some plans to go see “where the wild things are” with big Emily and my G-ma. These solidified to include dinner with my G-ma.

Unfortunately, the afternoon and evening turned into a logistical nightmare. I had to take Jai-Wen and another for-ex student to Vernon for a meeting with their coordinator. First, we head out of Lumby on the wrong road…until we reach Cherryville. This was the wrong way for dayyam sure. So we pull over, and ask a random farmer for directions. he set us right, yet lacked the magical ability to buy us back 20 minutes of driving in Beautiful British Colombia. We make it to pick up Irvin, fill up gas, and drive in to Vernon. We only arrive 10 minutes late, by some mixture of miracle and speed.

Em and I dropped them off, and then went to get big Emily (heretofore called

Em set up to do math and word puzzles at the talkin donkey cafe

E.Mac). We all went to a cafe, and chilled out for a bit, discussing life, and entertaining Em’s knock-knock jokes. We returned to pick up our for-ex peeps, but their coordinator wanted more time. Dilemma. Dinner with my grandma was in 30 minutes. they wanted 30 minutes of time to meet. i suggested they stay longer, I go eat, drive right back and get them, then drop them both at home in Lumby, then drive back for the movie. It seemed the only solution, but it worked. needless to say, we had a delicious dinner, and I got a good chance to chat with Jai-wen and her friend and learn some mandarin!

G-ma, and the "Em-'n'-Ems"

We watched “where the wild things are” ( though I missed the first few minutes), and it was wonderful! It was hilarious to see how much Em was like Max. Even my grandma liked it. The kids beside us didn’t like it…what emotionless desert-souled nincompoops.

fun day!

Em is currenty giving me an entertaining story about bear awareness

“you have to look down, and not make eye contact, because that’s challenging for a fight. What you have to do is just look down, and say things like: “I’m not challenging you, I’ve been bear-aware for a long time, and I’m just looking for my car…I hope it’s close”.” BAHAHAHAHAHAH!

oh, we also listened last night and tonight to William Sears reading stories from the dawn breakers for children. What a good story teller! I recalled my times falling asleep before he got to chapter 6 every time. Likely why I’m so shaky on my Baha’i history.

Oct.22

We had tremendous fun today, as em stayed home from school to recover from her sickness, and I had a good sleep (is it just me, or do I use too many commas?)

Emily displays the days drawings

The day started with us drawing and playing math, and reading. Good stuffs. This eliminated any bad feelings I had about her missing another day of school, because grade one is easy, and I’m not – so all of our stuff was like ultra-advanced. We also had a short aerospace construction class, beginning with paper-airplane construction and theory. Em, while not excelling in the art, certainly has the interest and aptitude to carry her through to an advanced level. Taking care of a young kid necessarily draws one back into the fun activities which children enjoy.

For example, we got all bundled up and took the dog for a walk (which ended with us in a park, playing on the swings). Next, when we got home, we (aka I) raked up all the leaves and made big pile to jump in! tons of fall fun.

I had also been (under)handed the task of cleaning up the doggy poops in the

Em and I playing "poop hunters"

back yard. Being a born educator (and enslaver of children),  I decided to train Em in this delicate skill. We got two little kiddy snow shovels and a random garden tool, and proceeded to play “poop hunters”. In this game, the first one to spot a poop gets to scoop it up, and the winner is the the person who collects the most poops. Of course, I don’t believe in competitive gaming, so the REAL way to win to is make sure that there are no poops left on the lawn. Also, we have to compliment each other for good poop finds. I know, pure gold (a color which some poops resembled).

After this great adventure, we washed off the poopy implements, and retreated indoors for some hot honey-water. Em continued to draw and write, and we watched some pirated national geographic specials (on Angkor and one on Rhinoceros).  Today we produced a lot of media, which I will make available in a gallery below. There are really some enjoyable pics and videos.

The money counting game

em drew a scarry hand.

Em shows us the drawings again.

Emily displays the days drawings

the prep.

the leap

the landing!

Em and I playing “poop hunters”

Video of em jumping in a pile of leaves one and two.

Video of us as “poop hunters“

Videos of Em dancing one and two.

“Knock-knock”

Em has discovered the “knock-knock” joke. Unfortunately (or not), she hasn’t yet understood the form.

This has provided us with plentiful comedy – since em comes up with knock knock jokes like:

knock knock

who’s there?

nail-polish.

Nail polish who?

nail polish that’s on my nails!

knock knock

who’s there?

Dog.

Dog who?

DOOOOOOGGG!! (this is one of my personal favorites, as dog can be replaced by anything, and it’s still funny. e..g pumpkin, dishwasher, tree, mouth, cereal, etc.)

knock knock

who’s there?

liquid luck.

liquid luck who?

liquid luck that Harry Potter drank that made him really lucky.

knock knock.

who’s there?

Malfoy.

Malfoy who?

Malfoooy – bad malfoy.

Oct.21

What a day.

I was so very tired from the night before, that I had to convince em that she needed to sleep a lot because that’s what sick people do to get better..which is true right? Either way, I was definitely more excited about the sleep than she was. I suspected some form of acting in the morning, when Em suggested (before breakfast) that we watch a  movie. However, as the day went on (and no movie was watched), I was soon convinced that em was just milking, not faking! After we established the truth, we did every fun thing you can do when you’re sick, including watching movies, and napping on a bed full of pillows while sipping on hot drinks.

I took the lazy way today, and picked up supper from the the supermarket – since I was down there getting the mail and hunting down some kind of drain cleaner anyway. Also, lucky that Jaai-Wen was here, she cut up some pears and ginger, and boiled them up for em to eat..and then drink the broth. Seemed to work well – she also found some Chinese medicine cure that uses radishes…not sure on that one, but I guess we can try it tomorrow.  Well, I think today’s entry is done friends, I’m just wiped! Hopefully I’m not getting sick as well…