Category: Modern Dad

The 2021 Toyota Sienna Handles A DIY Project With Ease

David Pierre   ·  

When asked to do a partnership with Toyota Canada, we were so excited to have a vehicle with the cargo space to finally be able to do a bedroom makeover for our kids. The 2021 All-Hybrid Toyota Sienna was the perfect vehicle for us to do it. 

Okay, the back story. A few months ago, my daughter Eva decided she was going to become a world-class climber. Her first climb? Her crib – and it took her all of ten seconds to climb it. So now that she can easily climb out of her crib, we thought it was time to move her out of the spare room and into a bunk bed with our older son Ben. We live in a smaller inner-city home, which means space is at a premium. Every room must be as efficient as possible if we are going to make it all work. It’s what we expect from our home, and what we also expect from our vehicle.

We love living in the inner city because we are close to so many local shops, and we’ve never had the need for a second vehicle. However, when you don’t have a second vehicle to share the life’s everyday needs, you come to expect a lot from the one you have. We need our vehicle to haul the entire family (comfortably!) and our stuff all around the city; to and from the kids’ places like school, the grocery store, the hardware store, and everything in between. Our vehicle must have comfort, plenty of cargo space, and excellent fuel efficiency – and honestly, that’s what you get with the 2021 Toyota Sienna.

Seriously, my mind was blown! That sort of fuel efficiency is usually reserved for compact cars, not vehicles with this much power

One Feature That Blows My Mind

To me, the most impressive feature of the 2021 Toyota Sienna is the fuel efficiency. Toyota does this by using a 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid engine. This engine will do 6.7 L/100km combined in the AWD configuration.  Seriously, my mind was blown! That sort of fuel efficiency is usually reserved for compact cars, not vehicles with this much power (245 hp) and cargo capabilities. Which is precisely what we are going to use it for today; hauling our whole family to a big-box curb-side pick-up location, getting all the things we need to makeover our kids’ room.

I think we can all agree that 2020 and 2021(so far) has been weird. Let’s get that out of the way. The days of going into a store with your kids and feeling carefree about all the touching and licking are gone. These days, many stores offer curbside pick-up, and to be honest, I like it. Hauling your young kids into a store is already challenging enough. I mean, I do look forward to the day we can comfortably go back into the stores, but until then, curbside all day! Because let’s face it, keeping your kids entertained and comfortable in a Toyota Sienna is easy. For instance, the one we are in has a premium, 12-speaker audio system to hear all the subtle nuances of songs as complex as “The Wheels on The Bus.” Additionally, there are charging ports everywhere for their devices, and the Sienna comes with a rear-seat entertainment system. In short, it has everything to keep your kids entertained while waiting for your curbside pick-up.

So Many Features To Handle Kids and Cargo.

When it’s time to make the pick-up, everything is made easy and efficient with the Toyota Sienna. Backing into the parking area is a sinch with a backup camera. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 gives you a polite warning if you’re getting too close to any cars or objects. A digital rear-view mirror gives you a camera display of the area behind your vehicle, just in case those kids or boxes are obstructing the regular rear-view mirror. Furthermore, Opening the back hatch is easy with either a push of a button on the keys or the back door. Or, if your hand’s area already full, wave your foot under the bumper, and the back door will open by itself. Once the door is open, we have plenty of cargo space for everything needed to do a makeover of our kid’s room, even with the third row up! However, if you need a little more room (think long boxes and 2×4’s) you can easily collapse the third row for even more space, and when I say easy, I mean it. One hand is all it takes. 

Finally, for the big reveal! What did we decide on for the room? Well, you’ve probably picked up on a theme when it comes to my family. We are practical and enjoy functionality, so we kept things simple. We went with minimal trinkets and decorating with maximum storage and functionality – because that’s who we are. So it’s no wonder why we enjoy the Toyota Sienna so much, because, despite its dramatic look, there wasn’t anything dramatic about using it to pick up all the things we need to make over Ben and Eva’s room. We expect our family vehicle to be comfortable, highly functional, and reliable when moving us from location to location – and with the 2021 Toyota Sienna, that’s precisely what you get.

Fish Creek Ice Caves, A Winter Outing For Young Families

David Pierre   ·  

If you’re looking for a family friendly outing on a mild winter day in Calgary, I highly suggest the Fish Creek Ice Caves. The Ice Caves are located in Fish Creek Provincial Park and can be accessed by parking Near Annies Cafe, Bow Bottom Trail, and walking a short distance to the Caves.

At first, you’ll walk along a paved path in an open field. Once you cross a bridge, turn right. You’ll think you’ve hit a dead-end once you’ve turned right, but if you closely inspect, you’ll see a few paths that go around the barrier fence, and they take you down along the frozen rivers edge to where the ice caves are.

The caves themselves are relatively small, but this makes them great for families with young children. The caves are easily accessible for younger kids. They can also get right up close to the frozen waterfalls, and there are a few small hills that the kids can climb up and explore. You can continue along the river’s edge, following the path for those that are feeling for a bit more of a hike. We went a little way and saw a coyote, birds, and other adventurous families. However, since we were walking with our 18-month old, we didn’t get very far and headed back to the caves area.

The best part about the outing, if you are going with young kids, is that you’ll be able to visit the caves, have a snack, get a short walk in, and be back home in time for nap time, that is, of course, if you can get your child to nap. But hopefully, the fresh air will increase the odds of a nap happening. I mean, what more could a parent ask for?

Wardrobe Malfunction At The Zoo

David Pierre   ·  

In partnership with Tide, I would like to share with you one of my most significant wardrobe malfunctions as a busy parent. Also, I’ll share with you how something as simple as my choice of laundry detergent could have prevented this mishap. 

Is this an outing or Arctic expedition?


Now, if you’re a parent reading this, you know what an outing with a child is all about. There’s a level of planning involved that I’m sure would impress the scientists working on the next moon landing. There are healthy snacks, water, favourite toys, strollers, unhealthy snacks for when the healthy snacks get rejected, and your kid is getting hangry. You get the idea. 


Anyway, another necessity when going out with a child is a change of clothes, maybe even two. It never fails that, kids find a way to get mud, dirt, ketchup, and anything in between all over their clothes within the first 10 minutes of going somewhere. So you rush off to the changing area, change your child, and stuff the dirty clothes into the bottom of the backpack, letting the stains set-in, more on that later. It’s probably at this point you realize that whatever was all over your child is now all over you. It never fails. Now, for those of you that have followed me for a while, you know I love wearing t-shirts. So, it always pains me to see mud and smoothie splattered all over my shirts. It also pains me that after all the planning, the one thing I never remember to bring is a change of clothes for myself.

Alright, here is the embarrassing story.


Okay, are you ready for this embarrassing story? It’s also a story of pure parenting perseverance. The type of stuff Ellen might invite you onto her show for, hint. 

It was at this point that the entire seam that restricts the world from seeing my posterior decided it was no longer willing to cover my butt. As I knelt, a loud “POP” echoed through the room.

Alright, so on this particular day, Benjamin and I were at the zoo in the middle of the winter. We were in one of the warm buildings, because, you know, winter. I was following Benjamin around from one animal to the next when he locked in on one of his favourites, the turtles. On this day, the turtles were extra cute, nibbling on some tiny turtle lettuce, or something. As a result of their cuteness, a crowd gathered around them. Benjamin, not aware of standard society rules, barged up the front of the group and yelled back to me to come and see the turtles. So, I apologetically made my way to Benjamin. Since I am aware of standard society rules, I knew that I must crouch down so that the people behind me can also see the turtles. 

The incident happened at the adorable turtle enclosure

It was at this point that the entire seam that restricts the world from seeing my posterior decided it was no longer willing to cover my butt. As I knelt, a loud “POP” echoed through the room. Now, you’re probably thinking, well, no one noticed, right? Wrong! It was apparent that other people saw my mishap. The sound was so loud, and I was left with no choice but to acknowledge the rip. “Oh man, I ripped my pants,” I said, contemplating my next move. Do I tie my coat around my waist? That wouldn’t make any sense; it’s pretty cold for that move. Now you’re probably thinking, you could leave, right? Wrong! This building was the first stop. And after all that planning and packing, there was no way I was going home so soon. 

This is what the pants looked like after the incident

So what did I do? For the rest of the time, I just stayed standing up, refusing to bend over or kneel, which is surprisingly tricky when accompanied by a barely 3ft person. Of course, it was a little drafty, but I don’t think anyone noticed.

I could have prevented this.


As much as I love telling that story now, I didn’t think it was all that funny at the time. And it wasn’t until I had a chance to talk with the great people at Tide, that I learned that there are better ways to treat our clothing and prevent them from failing when we need them the most. Furthermore, it’s days like this that our clothes are put to the test. We are walking in the cold weather, into a warm building, letting the sweat absorb into our clothing. Then there’s the dirt and food stains. Those clothes go into the washer, and the cycle repeats itself the next day. 


Washing and wearing your clothes can cause things like permanent stains, dinginess, and fading, which can keep them from looking great. Tide Power PODS contains specific ingredients that help maintain clothing appearance over time. 

My kids make a mess of their own, and my clothes


First, they contain builders and chelants. Builders lock up calcium and magnesium to reduce water hardness, allowing surfactants to do their job, which is removing stains. 

Secondly, Tide Power PODS contain scavengers. Scavengers seek out things like chlorine, which is often found in drinking water. Chlorine has been shown to damage and fade fabrics over time. 

Third, Power Pods contain polymers. Polymers keep stains and soils from re-depositing onto other garments after the surfactants have removed them, preventing dinginess on clothing over time.


Finally, Tide Power PODS contains cold-water enzymes. The enzymes are part of an overall formula designed to function well in cold water. Since washing in the cold maintains bright colours and prevents fading.

Alright, if you didn’t want to read all that technical stuff, I’ll sum it up like this. Tide Power PODS are designed to keep your clothes looking better for longer, and maybe saving you an embarrassing moment along the way.

Thankfully Tide Power PODS keeps my clothes looking great!

If you want to learn even more about Tide Power PODS, or you’d like to try them out for yourself click here!

A Tuna Casserole To Remember

David Pierre   ·  

Do you know those meals that bring you back to childhood? You know, the ones that as soon as you even smell the dish cooking, you’re transported back in time. You remember standing in the kitchen, patiently waiting for your parents to serve it to you? 

In partnership with Ocean’s Tuna I’d like to share one of my favourite childhood meals. The mighty tuna casserole. 

Now, I know that some of the ingredients in a tuna casserole are as hotly debated as Star Wars versus Star Trek. For the record, the force would blow those one-piece unitards into a galaxy far far away. Anyway, some people like to add peas, and some don’t. Then there’s the question of using egg noodles or regular pasta, chips, or no chips. You get the idea.  

However, regardless of what you put in your tuna casserole, one ingredient is kind of essential. Any guesses? I know, a lame attempt at a joke. It’s tuna. And I’d like to talk about tuna for one second because after all, the good people at Ocean’s are the sponsors of this post. Oceans Tuna is a company that is committed to using their business as a force for good, as is evident with their B Corp certification. 

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of B Corp Certification. I’ll give you details, and once you know what it is, you’ll love supporting B Corp companies. In 2019 Ocean’s became B Corp Certified and joined a group of companies that are committed to using their business as a force for good—balancing profit with purpose. B Corp companies are committed to creating a positive impact on their employees, customers, the communities they operate, and the environment. For Ocean’s, this means that they only use sustainable fishing methods and protect vulnerable species. They also work with local authorities to reduce bycatch and consider the impact of their decisions on employees, customers, suppliers, and the community. To learn even more please visit this link .

Okay, time for the tuna casserole. Here is a list of the things you’ll need:

  • 2 Cans of Ocean’s Solid White Tuna
  • 3 Cups Penne or Fusilli Pasta
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion
  • 2/3 cups of frozen corn
  • 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/3 cup of milk
  • 1 cup of cheese
  • 1 teaspoon of dill
  • A squeeze of lemon to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Topping:

  • 1 cup salt and vinegar chips (crumbled), or however many you want, because you’re an adult! 

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F if you’re in the USA, or 218°C if you live everywhere else. Combine topping ingredients and set aside.
  • Boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Cook onion in butter until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, combine pasta, onion mixture, corn, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Make sure this is evenly mixed!
  • Spread into a casserole dish and top with the crumbled up chips.
  • Bake 18-20 minutes or until bubbly.


Once it comes out of the oven, set it aside for 5-10 minutes. Then you can serve it right away, or freeze it for later. The great thing about this meal is that it’s enough for dinner and a light lunch the next day. Perfect for a stay at home parent, that doesn’t want to spend their days, preparing endless meals! 

One final note, if you enjoyed this recipe using Ocean’s Solid White tuna, please visit oceans.ca to learn more about Ocean’s products and see more healthy recipes.

The Great Mittens Battle

David Pierre   ·  

When Timothy’s approached me to share a “You Can Handle It” victory, so many moments came to mind. I mean, as a parent, where do you even start? Any parent knows daily life with a child is filled with moments where you pause, take a deep breath, sip coffee, and move forward. These are the little moments that Timothy’s wants to celebrate and remind you that Timothy’s coffee is the honest and the supportive sidekick in your life.

Okay, so what is my moment? Well, with the weather changing rapidly in the past month, I am quickly reminded of a struggle that pops up every year — “The Great Mittens Battle.” 

You know, the kind of approach most toddlers are known for. (Side Note: did you roll your eyes like I did?)

My son, Benjamin, is three and a half now and is just starting to understand how the seasons change and how we need to dress differently depending on the weather. However, in Calgary, we don’t get the luxury of a drawn-out temperature change. Often, the weather goes from plus fifteen to minus fifteen, and back to plus fifteen in only a few days.

It’s these sorts of rapid weather changes that require an easy-going and fluid approach to wardrobe changes. You know, the kind of approach most toddlers are known for. (Side Note: did you roll your eyes like I did?)

Benjamin is really happy to be wearing his mittens!

I mean, I get it. In Benjamin’s mind, it must be baffling how one day our indoor and outdoor clothes are the same, and the next day, it’s jackets, pants, toques, and of course, the dreaded mittens.

Now you’re probably wondering, what’s the big deal with the mittens anyway? For the most part, I’d agree with you. What IS the big deal with them? You put them on, and they keep your hands warm. But, that’s not how a toddler sees them. 

To a toddler, mittens are a very unique form of prison. They take time to put on, require some coordination to line up the thumb. They make it harder to grab toys outside and harder to navigate the play structures at the playground. 

Thankfully Canada has eight months of winter a year, so I’ve started to recognize some predictable stages of “The Great Mittens Battle.” 

So now, I’d like to share these stages with you and highlight the key moments where taking a moment to enjoy a good-tasting sip of Timothy’s coffee will remind you that #YouCanHandleIt.

Stage One: The preemptive warning

When dealing with a toddler, it’s essential to warn them of what’s to come. The comments usually start in the morning. “Hey, Benjamin. The weather is pretty cold today. If we are going to the park, we better wear our mittens.” And, “our mittens keep our hands warm, so we don’t get frostbite.”

Benjamin usually follows up with a valid rebuttal of why he doesn’t want to wear his mittens, such as, “I don’t want to wear my mittens,” or, “I won’t get frostbite.”

At this point, stage one is complete. It’s tempting to continue down the endless back and forth about frostbite and mittens. However, your time is better served by simply leaving the conversation and having your first cup of Timothy’s coffee. 

Stage Two: Getting the mittens on

As soon as you try and get the mittens on, his hands turn into over cooked spaghetti.

Now that you’ve preemptively warned your child that you’ll need mittens to go to the park, it’s time to get those mittens on. 

I like to model the behaviours that I’d like Benjamin to have. So that means, I will put on all my warm, outside, clothes so that Benjamin sees they are necessary. Of course, the downside of this is that I will be wearing these blistering hot clothes inside the house for the next 15 minutes. 

With my outside clothes on, I will say, “alright, Benjamin, let’s put our mittens on and go to the park.” To which he’ll reply, “I don’t want to wear my mittens.” To which I’ll answer, “I’m not going to ask you again, if you don’t put them on, we’re not going to the park.” This is an empty threat because the thought of being inside all day with a hyper toddler is unbearable. 

If he still refuses to wear the mittens after the empty threat. I’ll encourage him to walk onto the porch and touch the railing to see that it is cold on his hands. And, six times out of ten, this is enough to convince him that the mittens are necessary. 

Stage Three: The park struggle

With the mittens on and thermos full of Timothy’s coffee, we’ll head to the park. 

After playing for a while, mitten frustration starts setting in. Benjamin will try to do his usual park things. Like, pick up sticks, climb the structures, and play with the toys. But he soon realizes that these things are difficult with mittens on. 

He’ll ask, “can I take my mittens off?” I’ll answer, “if you take them off, your hands will be cold and get itchy from frostbite.” Benjamin will now say something undeniably logical, like, “no they won’t.”

As Benjamin takes his mittens off, the countdown begins. It’s only a matter of time until Benjamin tells me that he wants to go home because his hands are cold. So, I sit back, take a sip of my Timothy’s coffee, and enjoy the last few minutes.

Stage Four: I want to go home

Don’t act surprised; we all knew it was coming. Benjamin plays without his mittens for a few minutes and then says, “my hands are cold; let’s go home.”

He’s had enough of the mittens and is throwing them at me

I, of course, agree to go. Because it is cold, and I’ve run out of coffee so, we walk home. While we walk, I take joy in knowing that it might have taken 20 minutes to convince Benjamin to put his mittens on, but we spent 45 minutes at the park. And to me, that is a significant parent victory.


I also know that when we get home. I’ll refill my cup again with more Timothy’s Coffee, warm my hands and spirit and get ready for the same battles tomorrow. But I know that I’ll succeed again, because with Timothy’s as your trusted parenting sidekick #YouCanHandleIt.

If you want to see what Timothy’s blends I’ve been brewing see here. They are available in K-Cup pods, so I can brew them at home in my Keurig coffee maker and avoid putting on mittens to go outside and buy a coffee.