Twenty four months later

Images of 9/11 flood the news as the ten year anniversary is recognized and remembered. The missing B.C. boy is returned safely to his home, four days after he was abducted. Defending champion South Africa narrowly wins against Wales during the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. And Emmettilius stranmccannii celebrates his second birthday. At a bowling alley.

Nothing says birthday like lobbing a heavy ball down along hardwood floors. After learning about a kid friendly bowling alley from a homeless person on the train, Emmett's Dad thought it a great idea to celebrate the day at Let's Bowl. Equipped with bumpers for the gutters, child size shoes, a ramp for the bowling ball, and beer (for Auntie Clare), they gave it a try. Emmett scored a respectable 71, and shrieked with delight every time he rolled the ball. Much more fun than dodging moving boxes at home.

It took all day for Emmett to realize it was his birthday. Even with his parents prompting him..."Who's birthday is it today?", he didn't make the connection. "Ali!" he would yell. It wasn't until the birthday hats and cake were brought out that he finally yelled "Emmutt!", as they had pizza and cake in the park. (And yes, Emmett's Mom was NOT thinking when she bought sparklers for Emmett's cake. He was unsuccessful at blowing them out).

Happy Birthday Emmett. Let the terrible...er...terrific...twos begin...

Eleven months old

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats may be looking for a new home. Alanis Morissette and her husband, rapper Mario "Souleye" Treadway, are expecting a baby. A wheat shortage in eastern Europe is starting to push up the price of bread in Canada. But even more tragic, there's an ice cream shortage in New Brunswick, thanks to the Farmers Dairy strike in Nova Scotia. And Emmett, increasingly difficult to pin down for a photo op, celebrates his eleven month birthday.

Ten months old

Spain beats the Netherlands 1-0 to capture the FIFA World Cup title. A powerful earthquake hits Chile for the second time this year. Fewer people flock to the Calgary Stampede so far this year, with attendance down by about 13,601 people. A giant lobster trap has resurfaced after it went missing from Summerside, P.E.I. And Emmett celebrates his ten month birthday. His parents let him have pizza for dinner, which he hoovered after skipping breakfast and lunch.

And with each passing month, it gets more and more challenging to capture his birthday photo...

Noteworthy in the News this past week

Barack Obama gets the Nobel Peace Prize. Stephen Harper plays the piano alongside Yo-Yo Ma. Calgary breaks a temperature record, posting -18.0 Celsius on October 12. Emmett celebrates his one month birthday. Somehow, Emmett's mom missed all of these, with the exception of his birthday.