New look

I came home with a new haircut the other day.

Brett: Mommy, why you're not wearing a hat?

Update on toilet training

Brett is really starting to pee like a big man: he stands up, takes aim and gets it all over the floor.

Get along little dogey

Let's just say that Brett's first real pony ride was less than an overwhelming success.

He was, however, impressed with Daddy's cowboy hat (even though he doesn't look it).

Uncle Jan came to visit

Brett spent most of the day Sunday with uncle Jan, out from Toronto, on his way to Poland and other European destinations for the summer. (Jan's wife -- my sister Cindy, however, is in Thailand. The two of them were in Toronto together for a grand total of a couple of months. And now, even though they work for the same company -- Butterfield and Robinson -- she's based in Bangkok while he'll be travelling in Europe. For, like, three months. Yikes!)

Anyway, there's a great pic on their blog The Long Trek Home.

Yee-haw

Our first Stampede and there's so much we don't know. For instance, jeans, boots and hats are acceptable -- no, expected -- at work for the duration of Stampede (not the Stampede, just Stampede). It's ok to be late for work every day if you've stopped at a Stampede breakfast (which happen all over town and often involve a choice of high-test or low-test orange juice).

I also didn't know that I get a half day off during the festivities. Most places close up Fri morning so their staff can go to the parade, but according to the university's collective agreement, I can take it anytime I want.

Opinions vary about what the must-see Stampede thing is. I've heard the parade, chuckwagon races, rodeo. Some friends with little ones have said they don't even go, preferring Calaway Park instead (especially while everyone else is downtown).

Still not sure what we're going to do. I think I need more pancakes to help me make up my mind.