Making a difference

Every May, Hubby participates in the CN Tour--a cycling and walking event that raises money for CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) and the local Candlelighters chapter (an organization that provides financial, emotional and medical support for families with children suffering from cancer). He's probably cycled in this yearly event for the past four or five years.

And every year, the same scenario plays out--he forgets he's signed up for it until about two weeks before the event and then he makes a half-hearted effort to raise funds. He often ends up getting a few donations, but the bulk of it is a self-donation he makes as a result of feeling guilty for not canvassing enough. He generally raises a few hundred bucks, but never anything significant.

Not 2011. This year, cycling the 70km for CHEO and Candlelighters means so much more than it has ever before. The tagline for the event is 'Help Kids with Cancer.' Uh...yeah, as you can imagine, we're pretty emotionally tied to that one.

Over the course of this past year, we have been on the receiving end of the support offered by these great organizations. The programs. The compassion. The thoughtfulness. The respect. The amazing staff. Words are simply not enough. Both organizations have been behind us 125% during this whole process. We've seen how the money they raise is actually spent. We've seen how much more is needed. (Trust us, there was a period of time, we wondered how we could afford to purchase one of those expensive, but oh-so-wonderful blanket warming machines. We so desperately wanted to get one for Ward 4North!) And, in the end, we know how much these deserving organizations appreciate our help--in whatever form we can provide it.

Although it is a big fundraising event for CHEO, it's not the only one--but, the CN Tour is the premier fundraising event for Candlelighters. Last year, the event brought in over $570,000 for both organizations, which is fantastic--but the need is great. So, once again, the goal for this year's event is blowing last year's total out of the water!

This year, with Brooke as his inspiration, Hubby decided to set a CN Tour goal for himself. His team's fundraising target was $2,000 and Hubby's personal goal was half of it. $1,000 seemed a far reach, but he was determined to make it--even if he had to donate the remainder himself, he was determined to see it through!

Well, here we are a week from the event and he's at $1,150! We are so proud of him.

Of course, every bit counts, but this year, it feels good to say we've done our best to make a significant contribution (or at least a genuine effort to make others aware of how wonderful CHEO and Candlelighters has been to us and to many other childhood cancer families in our community). We feel really good about being able to give back to these organizations that have helped us so much this last year.

Anyways, all this to say, that we've set a new goal for ourselves! We are trying to make it to $1,500 by the end of the week. So, if you haven't been completely tapped donating to your own personal causes and have a spare $10 to give to a good cause (tax receipt supplied, of course!), please check out Hubby's site: CN Cycle for CHEO. We would be most obliged!

And, if you are interested in participating, it's not too late to register or volunteer! Lots of races (cycling, walking or in-line skating) to partake in and lots of good, old-fashioned, kid-friendly fun (think bbq, Little Ray's Reptiles animal demonstrations, moon bounces, clowns, face-painting, Craz-E-Crew stunt show, magic show, slides, etc.) that will take place at the Canadian War Museum parking lot (at the Lebreton Flats) during the races and afterwards. You can even bring along the family dog. Definitely not an event to be missed!

Hubby will be cycling the 70km on the morning of May 1st with his team from work. B, Avie and I will walk in the Family 5km. Well, the girls will be waving like royalty from the fine comfort of their little red wagon, while I'll be the one hoofing it, but it'll be fun nonetheless. Hope to see you there!

Toddlerhood begins

Craziness has ensued and with it an endless list of reasons for which I have not had the opportunity to blog lately. In spite of a time-crunch and two sick little girls (no worries--just nasty colds that both of them woke up with this morning), I cannot let today pass without a mention of how important it is, even as unremarkable a day as it has been.

Today, at 11:20 a.m. this morning, while the rain was dwindling and she was busy napping off some Tylenol, our sweet little Avie turned one year old. She now joins the ranks of toddlers everywhere--but to us, she is still our sweet little baby girl.

It was a very unexciting birthday, unfortunately. I returned to work this morning (ugh!) after 13 months of maternity leave and the girls started the week with the aforementioned colds. Luckily, my MIL has offered to babysit for the summer, so I didn't have to leave the girls at daycare today--or, take off my first day back, as would have been likely. But, because of a restless night of crying children, I also started the day off exhausted--and, did I mention it was raining? This morning certainly wasn't the way I wanted to embark on this next phase in our lives.

And, because Avie was so exhausted and oozing with snot this evening, it was a eucalyptus bath, some BabyRub and to bed with her shortly after we returned from work. No cake, no party hat, no pressies. I think Brooke would have been thoroughly disappointed with our cancelled party plans tonight had she not been feeling crappy, too. It's alright--we'll still have her little party. We'll celebrate in style on Saturday with family and friends and goodies galore.

Regardless of how her actual birthday day turned out, we are still amazed at how eventful this first year has been. We can't believe she is just turning one--it seems like she has been part of our family since time began and it's hard to imagine our lives before her. Wouldn't be the same without her silly smiles, kooky hand gestures and raspy growling voice.

We've delighted in watching you become the little person you are today, Aviecakes. We've loved watching you discover your place in the world and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. (Just don't let it be your first step--Mommy's gotta be at the office by 8am!) May you have many, many more birthdays filled with all the love and laughter you bring to our lives every day.

Love you forever and always, Mommy, Daddy and Big Sis Brookie. (And Fergus and Dealer, too!) oxoxoxo