Dad break

The good side of being a parent: adoration, experiencing the world through new eyes, less cynicism. The bad side of being a parent: the endless chores, the temper tantrums, the fatigue.

As much fun as I enjoy being a dad, it's not all sunshine and roses and I hope this blog doesn't give that impression. Because I only blog once per week, I generally emphasize the best side of my life here in Hintonburg. I'll be honest - it's a good life. But there are times when I catch myself feeling a pang of jealousy when I see the carefree abandon of those without kids.

I remember (faintly) what it was like to go out too late. I remember sleeping in. I remember when doing nothing but having conversation over a few drinks with friends was a full day's agenda. Those are things I miss.

Calabogie "Front Porch"

For me, the key is to try and maintain adult friendships. I've known most of my true friends for years, and I try and have a pub night once a month with those that still live in Ottawa. While that's the theory anyways; more realistically it's once every month-and-a-half to two months. As crazy as it may sound to people without kids, that's a fairly ambitious agenda! But I think it's essential for my sanity.

My time out with the boys is a time to be silly. A time to drink a few beers, catch up, and say whatever is on our minds. Funnily enough, our kids often do come up - but I think we mention them in a way that only longtime friends can when they are being brutally honest. The good is mixed in with the bad and the sheer honesty of it all is cathartic. Glosette Girl has her own version of this and she always comes back freshly rejuvenated. 

This past week, two of the boys, A and D, and I met up in Pub Italia, which is in nearby Little Italy. I haven't talked about Little Italy too much on this blog yet. That'll be for another day. Suffice it to say, it's probably the place in Ottawa where you'd most expect to find a pub with Italy in its name.

Me, A and D

It was a good evening of craft beer (see Calabogie photo above) and thin crust pizza (see below).

The "Italian Dressing"

A night of just chillin' with the mates. Nothing mind-blowing. Just chillin'. I needed that. Maybe parents would be happier if they did that more often.

Dance of Joy

I promise not to write too many sappy posts but sometimes life is sappy so bear with me!

OK. Ready...

Putting the lil' shoes on...

Get set...

and getting the 'lil costume ready

Ta-da!

...Go!

The grande finale of Margot's dance school, Dance Educators, was quite the experience again! Hard to believe this is her fourth recital already (she was 4 years old in the first one). I think when I wished for a daughter all those years ago this is what I pictured in my mind. I can't help but smile and take it all in.

Backyard Laundry

When you post once a week it can seem that you do a lot. You can focus on the fun stuff rather than the day-to-day tedium. Sleep, work, commuting, chores, cooking and eating: that stuff probably takes up 80% of my life right now. Another 10% is made up of quiet activities like reading, surfing the net, watching the occasional Netflix episode or going to the neighbourhood park.

But the quiet moments have their place too.

Yesterday, after hanging some bedsheets out to dry, I sat down with Margot for an intense game of Pokemon Online in my backyard. I've mentioned before how Margot loves the card version of this game. 

Once settled in, we got into the game and pitted our wits against the nefarious Zach of the Gold Cup league. (Zach is a fictitious person by the way. He is used to help train new gamers like Margot and I up to the point where we can play real people. I can't believe I know this but I do).

We won some...

Yes!

We lost some...

No!

And around us, our laundry swayed gently in the breeze.

Westfest

Another week another festival in Ottawa.

This time it's... Westfest!

Glosette Girl and I haven't been to Westfest in a couple of years. It used to be more of a street party as the event closed down the main street running through the nearby neighbourhood of Westboro to cars, and stores adjacent to the street kindof spilled out onto the road and sidewalk. Music was a part of the festival but it was less evident (at least to me) as the stages for musicians weren't that prominent.

The 'fest has moved East (ironically) and is now held in LaRoche park, which is in the grittier park of Hintonburg known as Mechanicsville. That works for me as its know within easy walking distance of my house.

Crunchins and Munchins

The new location has definitely given a different flavour to Westfest. The impression I had (at least at the time we sauntered over - around 5:30 pm) was an event for hipsters, rock 'n rollers at heart, and their kids. Less Lululemon/MEC and more tatoos, zibi protests, and balloon animals.

The music was also centre stage - you couldn't miss it!

Something I liked though was that the prime space in front of the stage was given to the non-drinkers (basically anyone with a kid) who were able to lounge on the grass while their children ran amuck while the drinkers soaked up the music in separate fenced-off areas on the sides.

It was a cool vibe but I'll be honest it threw me off based on previous Westfests. Note to self for next year: sport some ripped clothing and rock out!