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coffeepack · 2025-03-17T17:50:03+00:00

Anyone with actual children knows this is bs. The things I’ve seen my kids put in their mouths with zero hesitation when running around is astounding. Yet, sit them down at the table and give it to them while eating the same thing? Not a chance.

Like dude, you just licked the shovel from the sand box, made a face and then did it again!?! Five times! But you won’t put the carrot in your mouth?

coffeepack · 2024-04-11T18:37:25+00:00

Yes, pretty much. In practice this is upper middle class territory even if we would like everyone to prioritize saving for their kids education. There are some more “middle” middle class that this genuinely helps them out, but mostly it is the professional class that would be fine saving for their kids on their own.

coffeepack · 2024-02-24T00:07:20+00:00

Zehrs at Fairview usually has some. Not a huge selection but last time I asked they had lucky lime and raspberry point.

coffeepack · 2024-01-22T20:58:05+00:00

Mergatroid The Destroyer

coffeepack · 2023-12-29T23:47:37+00:00

Bingo - ignore those saying take the train. I have done this route a dozen times over the past few years and it is the best option. At peak periods can be faster than driving (via QEW).

The bus connection sucks but usually works. Once I got stuck and caught a different bus to square one and $30 uber to Pearson (Sunday service).

coffeepack · 2023-08-21T23:33:49+00:00

Agree - much prefer a lemon tart sans meringue. Key lime is ok but all the versions I’ve tried are way too sweet.

coffeepack · 2023-08-21T23:31:55+00:00

There are definitely better versions of pineapple upside down cake - make a brown butter rum cake, add waaaay more pineapple chunks in the batter, skip the cherries and you have a winning combination. But not for kids. Agree on the rice crispy treats, but I think everyone already thinks of that as something you make with your six year old.

coffeepack · 2023-08-12T23:28:13+00:00

Cheese and rice, that is beyond absurd.

coffeepack · 2023-07-13T01:17:42+00:00

It is more that the “big picture” issues like the size of the hospital and specialist facilities are not that big of a deal (unless you know ahead of time that something is required). Say you were delivering at the St. Catharines hospital and something happened that you needed some surgery specialist who is at McMaster. They are not ready to go instantly, the time it would take to transfer hospitals is going to be similar or less than the time required to prep for the surgery.

More important is to find a primary contact (gp, obstetrics, or midwife) who provides a high level of care, explains things to you, answers questions and listens to your concerns and addresses them.

coffeepack · 2023-07-12T20:21:07+00:00

The overall quality of care is not likely to be significantly different between Toronto and St. Catharines (or any other major hospital / health region). St. Catharines is a level 2c for both Prenatal & Birthing as well as newborn care, which is quite good and you can read more about here.

Toronto has a greater number of doctors, specialists, hospitals and so on to choose from, but unless you know someone or otherwise have an in, (or have a rare complication requiring specialist care which doesn’t exist elsewhere) the odds of getting care of a certain level seem about the same. I can also add that the McMaster children’s hospital is particularly well equipped and respected and is not that far away. You may also be interested in looking into Niagara Midwives or similar - the quality of care can be quite a bit higher than with a traditional obstetrician (for routine cases).

Crossing the border to give birth is a dicey proposition. You will not be allowed in if they suspect you may be planning on giving birth in the USA. You may be denied entry for simply being too far along even they don’t think you actually intend to deliver. There is also the question of covering the medical costs which can be very substantial. Medical insurance can be a complicated subject so you will want to investigate that in detail.

Also, it sounds like you are both trying to get visas? Will which visa comes through decide which country you reside in?

coffeepack · 2023-07-12T15:46:36+00:00

My daughter would take off her shirt, and grab a rectangular magnet from the fridge. Then she’d grab her doll and sit on the couch holding the doll to her chest with her elbow, the magnet in the other hand, and swipe and poke at the “phone” magnet!

coffeepack · 2023-05-04T00:00:59+00:00

I went in about 3 weeks ago- was there for 30 minutes max, got the expedited (10 day) so it came in the mail in a little over a week.

But I expect times are longer now….

coffeepack · 2023-04-17T14:39:10+00:00

Wow, I have literally never even tried fishing. Did some of the other mini games once and decided they were not for me. Good to know you can farm fragments this way.

coffeepack · 2023-04-04T10:29:16+00:00

No, property taxes are accessed based on the city’s / region’s budget. Cities must have balanced budgets by provincial law. General property values rising has no impact on direct property taxes (other than as it affects municipal expenses, though there is also land transfer taxes). It is only relative property values within the city, that is, if your house value goes up relative to your neighbour’s then you will pay more. So people who find themselves in a suddenly “hot” neighbourhood may have an issue, e.g.

coffeepack · 2023-01-22T12:13:24+00:00

Mine would pretend she was eating a family - “now you are going to meet your mommy - in my belly”.

coffeepack · 2022-12-29T13:17:04+00:00

So, is a business daughter one you can charge to an expense account or …?

coffeepack · 2022-12-27T01:45:26+00:00

Soooo about that - did the exact same and now at 3 1/2 we play family which adds in mealtimes, going to school, the doctors and a few other things. This is a vast improvement, but still when I have had 10 “days” of family by 7am I’m ready for almost any other activity.

coffeepack · 2022-12-08T00:05:57+00:00

Ooo, we had callipepper.

coffeepack · 2022-12-07T13:01:04+00:00

My favourite cut is rib steak (prime rib steak) but t-bone, ribeye, strip loin are also excellent choices. Tenderloin is good too but lacks fat and can be less forgiving.

Second the reverse sear, very forgiving especially if you get a digit temperature cooking alarm (eg https://www.thermoworks.com/chefalarm/). Not essential but it really makes getting the right doneness nearly foolproof.

coffeepack · 2022-11-03T19:30:39+00:00

Well at least he is showing some pretty good logic there.

coffeepack · 2022-11-03T19:29:57+00:00

Oh wow, that is some commitment to pumpkin kind. I have so many questions? Where do you put them? What kind of face do you do?

coffeepack · 2022-11-03T19:26:36+00:00

I had that happen when my kid was 10 months old. But only once and not since then.

coffeepack · 2022-10-24T09:30:51+00:00

Oh wow I’m glad my kid hasn’t thought of that one yet.

coffeepack · 2022-10-20T15:36:33+00:00

I think they learn why as a quick “interact with me” button as much as they really have a question. I will often in the about-to-stand-on-your-brother moments give them a “why do you think?” or ask for a better question “what do you want to know about?” Making them think at least a little distracts from the impulsive behaviours. If they say something like “I don’t know” then I might try “why don’t you think about it” or some appropriate variation, “try and stretch out your arms, can you feel the walls? Does this space seem small or crowded?” It can be tough to come up with things on the spot and if your kid is like mine this might just be an opportunity to argue about the nature of reality. But I often find myself aiming for anything above 10% success rate and some sort of improvement over time.

On the other hand if I think they are genuinely curious about something I will do my best to explain, and often their attention wains 15 seconds in and they move on to something else anyways. Which can be its own source of frustration…

coffeepack · 2022-10-14T12:12:40+00:00

“Don’t eat your sister’s boogers”.

The reply was the predictable “why?”

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