Mother and Son time, in Toronto!

As a mother, it is often a challenge to spend quality time with both my sons. As they are getting older, I see the importance of giving each child individual attention. Seeing as my youngest is the quiet, introverted of the two, he is often "ignored" and least likely to gain my attention. My eldest son, first born and gifted with a strong personality, is demanding of attention and interactions. Add to the mix the life of a single parent, one quickly realizes the challenge to set some semblance of balance in the household.
Fear not, it can be done...

I decided to fly with my youngest to Toronto for four days, to celebrate my sister's birthday, her dog "Happy's" birthday and still manage to spend some one on one time with my kidlink.
Clearly, one still needs to multi-task for best results!!

I am happy to report that I learned a lot interacting with my son. As quiet and discreet as he may be in our busy household, I discovered that he loves to talk intimately about things in his life, issues about being in a divorced household, sharing his interests ( now that no one else is competing for my attention), having a voice ( and at times a loud one at that!). Most of all, I was shocked to see how little he is given choices back home. During our trip, he was astonished when asked simple questions like what do you want to eat, where do you want to eat, what movie do you wish to see, what would you like to visit today?

As a mother, it's a rude awakening. My son blossomed on this trip. We both realised how easy it is to let the quiet one in the family go unnoticed.

Together, we roamed the streets of Yorkville, discovering The Royal Ontario Museum. My little guy soaked up The Natural History Museum. We spent three hours roaming the multi-level complex with HIM in mind. He chose his path, he chose where we lingered, what we read, where we discussed. I stood in wonder noticing how MUCH he knew about our world, about history...he is a walking wealth of knowledge!! A proud moment for this mom.

Along the way, I discovered with bright eyes that he has an eye for fashion. This little guy enjoyed window shopping along Bloor Avenue. He saw this princess eyeing a purse store. It didn't take him long before we entered the store and he began roaming the aisles scanning the purses and picking one up. "Mama, check this out! It will look great on you this Spring!"

When did THAT happen? When did this little guy develop an interest in fashion? The shop keeper was stunned and quickly realized that this kid was more likely to seal the sale than she ever could. I walked out with a canary yellow, fine leather purse, accessorised with a matching wallet....just in time for SPRING!

I wasn't all that shocked to see that along with his EYE for fashion, he has an EYE for composition. He grabbed my SLR and soon began fiddling with the features, snapping away at landscapes, Happy's mutt face, and people! I am not photogenic and hate most photographs taken of me...BUT....am proud to say this little guy took some awesome shots of his MAMA. When did that happen???

Meal times were perfect opportunities to chat and talk intimately about issues that trouble him at school or at home. He had a voice! He noticed he had undivided attention. He had an audience.

Moral of the story, as a mother we have telling jobs raising our kids to the best of our abilities.

Never mind clothing them, feeding them and tucking them into bed...I was reminded at how important it is to listen to our kids, give each child an opportunity to choose, decide without the circus-like behaviour of the regular household. Most of all, the quiet ones need our ATTENTION the most. It's too easy to let them slip away!!! Way too easy...

From slush to sand. The Yucatan Peninsula in 2011

The Princess and her sons decided to ring in the 2011 New Year with the Mayans. According to their 2012 Prophecy, this is our last year to enjoy this beautiful world. What better way to celebrate the changing year then by immersing oneself in their sand, sun and Agave plants. No, this princess has not developed a sudden interest in horticulture. Instead, she has discovered the essence of La Sauza. For the lay, this means Tequila. For those interested in the reasons behind worms in some lower end Tequila bottles...it has medicinal properties. Apparently, the Agave hosts those same worms and the elderly benefit from the “vitaminas” in the cocktail.

Though the weather in Montreal has been mild and gorgeous, one needs not an excuse to pass up the chance to roam sandy, sugar beaches, staring at the ocean under a palapa with an exotic drink at hand, kayaking the rocky waves, listening to endless tunes of Bob Marley “one love, one heart”...seriously, when did all sunny destinations become Marley Reps? Does Mexico not have its own music icon?

Resort culture is an interesting breed of community spirit. It is the one place where we roam freely with little clothing on. In fact, in some cases, some prefer the topless appeal of beachwear. Two ladies in their forties seemed to show little inhibition to sunbathe topless...even when one lady’s husband wondered if it was appropriate when my sons were blatantly staring at THEM. Interestingly, the lady did say the following “what’s the big deal, dear, they are not even REAL...remember, implants, Babe!” Upon closer inspection, I have to say she must have asked for a discounted rate...they were far from SPECTACULAR!

All inclusive resorts are in fact very appealing. You rarely need a wallet during the duration of your stay. Meals, activities and liquor are endless. It never seemed to be an issue until this trip where my adolescent son (almost 15) was wondering why was EVERYONE drunk starting from breakfast? I know of this one Princess who began a trend at the local coffee shop at 7am, where she would request her usual non-fat latte with a splash of Baileys. What??? Don’t knock it until you try it. I do need to royally thank the Emirates Winds for teaching me this most delightful, naughty behaviour. Baileys is now the better part of my healthy breakfast.

Aqua aerobics is a great social mixer for single folks. Oh ya, it also has an added advantage for keeping one fit. This is the one venue where you roam in your bathing suit, need not worry about your make up or hair-do and you bounce, punch, hop and hold hands with strangers. Why don’t I do aqua fitness back home? Should I check the local YMCA for the singles’ aqua mixer? Another interesting fact is watching the spectators watching the fitness buffs. It’s exhausting! Especially, when you are at the swim up bar at 11am having downed three rounds of the cocktail of the day.

All the beach front cuartos (bedrooms) had these outdoor Jacuzzis. As were walking along the path, my eldest saw an older middle-aged man about to enter his tub with his rubber ducky. At which point, my son screams out loud “Ah C’MON, whatever happened to people having boundaries?”

All this being said, it has been a pleasure awaking at 5:45am to walk out of my room and walk right on the sandy beach, find a chair and listen to the waves all the while watching the sunrise. No two sunrises look the same. I have seen various hues of orange and blue purple with fluffs of clouds. The pelicans that fly over head scouting for the next fish are a show stopper. I don’t stop often enough to watch the sunrise. About seven months ago, I had made it a point to sleep with half my shades down to allow the astonishing morning glow in my room. The habit had stopped. It’s now time to bring it back to LIFE.

A day at an Alpaca Ranch...

On Saturday afternoon, my relatives and I headed to my cousin`s alpaca ranch not far from a gold mining town in Julian. Upon arrival to this 14 acre property, you are greeted by close to 47 alpacas, Tika the Anatolian Shepperd which can also double as a pony with TEETH, four chickens, two moody cats named Ginger and Cotton tail and the friendly neighborhood coyotes. Thank God they were chilling in the mountains until the stars came out.

Walking through the ranch, you can't help but notice how relaxed you quickly feel. Tall trees, the scent of nature, the silence of city life, the gentle sounds of nature, the fluffy alpacas roaming in their gated space while eating hay and rolling on the ground enlighten your senses.

My sons decide to climb into the female alpaca zone and are greeted by Vanessa the friendly one of the bunch. Rub her on her neck and belly, and you will soon experience a hug from the furry creature. Human and alpaca necks entwine and all seems right with the world.

We were blessed with a feast to make our ancestors, homo-erectus, proud! All sorts of beef treats on the grill, ribs, tenderloin and delicious baked potatoes on steroids with farmer's butter and finely diced chives to please the senses.

Having a full fledged adolescent in my world, my son managed to convince my cousin to show him how alpacas breed and so with an audience around the stud, my cousin lassoed Daisy the female alpaca and delivered her to do the deed!!! A sight indeed!
It made National Geographic TV channel seem like child`s play. To some extent it appeared a violent act. Five minutes into it, we began to walk away while teasing my poor cousin with "is this what YOU do all day long?"

Once the first star came out, the kids went on a bumpy tractor ride to scout the ranch. My youngest son was happy to be bringing home a sample of coyote spinal bone in a Ziploc bag. Show and tell on the first day of school will sure help him stand out amongst his peers.

As we began to make our way home, one last look at the sky and you are showered by a slew of bright stars! The kids and I were overjoyed with the experience of it all.

In search of Farrah Fawcett...

My eldest son and I got caught up with conversations of Playboy, its utility, how women should not be seen as receptacles etc....

Then it hit me...I need to tell HIM something.
In essence, I mentioned to him that in 1995, being a huge fan of Farrah Fawcett, I bought her first nude spread in Playboy magazine. That morning, I had heard on a local AM station (CKGM for those of you who remember them days)that owning that edition of Playboy Magazine (in its sealed bag no less) would be a collectible one day.

... And so with my hubby in tow, we headed to a nearby news stand, purchased the icon's nude spread and came home. I won't go into the sordid detail of how uncomfortable HE was to see me pick up the mag, pay for it and walk home. Surely, I also don't need to mention the number of times HE tried to get his hands on the magazine, regardless of how many times I reminded HIM "it's worth more sealed!"
Well I got so tired of keeping an eye on this sealed copy, that I hid it. In fact, I hid it so well, I can't find it!

Which brings me to my son...I told him that the day I die, to scour the house in search of Farrah. Along with his brother, he has the choice to sell it one day or sit back, with a few brewskies and check out the legendary Farrah! Meanwhile, I have been keeping an eye on Ebay for the mag's current going rate. No one has it sealed on Ebay and the price is set at $26US.

Indeed, time will tell!