Slippin and Slidin

The weather has been quite hot the last few days in the GTA. With the humidex it has hit the mid 30's C. What better way to cool off than a little slippin and slidin.
Brian and his neighbourhood friends had some fun on Saturday. I don't remember ever sliding down one of these myself but I did have lots of advice for the kids as they were getting prepared. Longer runway before trying to slide, not sliding until two steps on the track, trying to go on your knees if you didn't want to go Superman style. In some cases the advice worked, in others I think I may have caused them to overthink the whole process. Nothing like and adult (yes I guess I'm and adult) to spoil the fun.

Angela also had some fun but she was at a pool party. Luckily she's not like her father and actually enjoys swimming. I think by her age I had already figured out I would not be a strong swimmer.. or a swimmer period. Hard to do if you can't put your face in the water. The temperature of the water is also a big factor. I have a hard enough time getting the shower to the right temperature so you can imagine how long it would take me to slowly wade into a pool.

After looking at many of my previous posts I've come to the realization that most of them are comparing my childhood to that of my kids. What they have and we didn't, what they do and we didn't, what we do the same, how things have changed or stayed the same... I guess my views will be plastered quite clearly in each of the posts. For those of you that grew up the same time as I did I think some of this will ring true. Some of it will just be my little neuroses and this blog is bringing them to my attention as well as those that may be reading this.

School BBQ?

O.K. who remembers having a school BBQ in grade school? I'm not talking to you kids that went to grade school in the 80's or 90's but those that went in the 70's. As far as I remember we had Fun Days at the end of school, some after school activities like ball hockey but I don't remember a BBQ. I guess the fun day is the equivalent but fun day was just for students and teachers not parents. Sort of a battle of the network stars school style. Events like water balloon toss, or tug-o-war were the highlights.
We went to St Marguerite d'Youville (poor kids have to try to tell people this name, I heard some shorten it to St M) BBQ on June 7th. There weren't any games but the kids and parents had the choice of some M&M BBQ items that were quite nice. They even had a DJ. Not Funky Jo. He tried to please those of us that were in high school in the 80's by playing some tunes from "back in the day" as he would say. There were silent auctions and baked goods for sale as well, mmm cupcakes.
From my understanding the kids will also have a fun day. I wonder what games they will be competing in.

Equal time

So as not to neglect Angela in the blog I'm giving her equal billing with this soccer post.
Angela started playing soccer a year younger than Brian. That is why we did not sign Brian up until he was 5. We knew that it was a little too difficult before 5. More like bumble bee soccer. That's where they all buzz around the ball not getting very far. There always is one kid that's good that will break from the buzzing and eventually take the ball to the net. There are a few of those girls on Angela's team this year. In all they are much better at playing the game and actually play their positions most of the time. Defense is Angela's favorite. I think there is not as much pressure playing defense. But the coaches are good. They get them to play most positions even goal.
I like the picture above, not just because of the girl that is in the air but the fact that almost all the girls are focused on the same spot.