Today, as my children have reminded me, I turn 39. To mark the occasion I am sharing 39 things that I have learned so far in my life.
- Sand in Prince Edward Island is red.
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Little brothers can be convinced to eat wax when in the shape of a waffle.
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Little brothers can be convinced to put pepper on their cheerios – especially if it is to get the taste of wax out of their mouth.
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University residences can be evacuated when water is added to smoke detectors.
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Sliding down fire poles at playgrounds can result in head injuries.
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Standing on the edge of a snow pile and shovelling off the piece you are standing on can result in head injuries.
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Sticking your foot into the front wheel of your bike while riding will result in a rapid stop, and in some cases – a broken collarbone.
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A sleeping infant on your chest is one of the best feelings in the world.
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Gelato in Italy is better than ice cream in Canada.
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A tent is the best place to experience a thunderstorm.
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A six month old can down a bottle of formula much faster that I can down a bottle of beer.
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Groundhogs are formidable foes.
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Coke is addictive, especially if you drink a 2 L. bottle a day.
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Mini-vans hold a lot of stuff.
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I can build beds that don’t fall down.
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A stubborn 5 year old is more impressive than a stubborn dad.
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Loft beds and vomit are not a good mix.
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Being accountable for your actions is life changing.
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Riding a bike = freedom.
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Teaching a kid to ride a bike feels like handing her the keys to a life of freedom and adventure.
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I can control what I eat and lose weight when I put my mind to it – unless my birthday happens to fall on Easter, then all bets are off.
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Kids teach me all kinds of lessons about myself and life.
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A partnership built on respect, communication and of course love will endure (almost 15 years and counting).
24.Travel embiggins life and perspective.
- Kids and wives love chocolate.
26. I enjoy knocking on doors and talking to people. Political campaigns and girl guide cookie sales are among the best excuses to do so.
- I like to help people.
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Midnight turkeys are unpredictable and can’t be trusted.
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How to drive a manual transmission.
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Sometimes people get so surprised when you ask them to marry you that they ask if you are kidding.
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Vinegar, dish soap and water make a very effective glass cleaner, especially when dried with newspaper.
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I am comfortable working on a ladder three stories up.
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Cats are funny people.
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I prefer cold snowy Ottawa winters to grey, damp, slushy Toronto winters.
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I can hit a bullseye with an arrow from 100 meters.
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Planting trees is hard work.
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Parents are smart people.
38.Chipping a tooth on a bunk bed in Ireland makes for an interesting story.
- Love is all you need.
Happy birthday! Making me think of doing a top 37 things I’ve learned, in a few months! Mine should also include #4.
It definitely should include #4. These things don’t happen in isolation!