5 things Peter can’t live without
1. My wife and kids:
I met my wife at school and married waaaay above my pay grade. Nearly 10 years later we have three beautiful children, a tiny house (more below), and I successfully survived the first time I met my very Italian father in law Tony, where he took extra time to show me his shotgun (true story).
2. Switching to a Kindle to read:
I never really liked reading until taking an English course at university in the summer that forced me to read about 100 pages per night. Since then I devour books. One of the important things I’ve learned since having children is that they slowly take over any and all free space you have in your house. I went from a few full bookshelves down to one where I kept my most cherished books. As I read a book that I found worthy of keeping, I had to donate one. Recently even these had to go and as my wife pried my last book from my hands she gave me a kindle and I have never looked back. I love reading anywhere I want on my synched kindle, iphone or tablet. It lets me keep track of anything I highlight while storing all my books on one tablet that weighs just a few ounces. (I swear I am not a paid spokesman…..I just love it that much).
3. Experiences over things:
We have the same discussion every year with our folks during holiday season. We want no physical gifts. In fact, our kids are fully trained now, where when they receive a new toy, they immediately scour the house for one to donate. One in/one out. What we do want are trips to the aquarium with the grandparents, a day at the science centre or zoo or even just taking them out to a movie or to the park. Our kids remember these times far more fondly then a toy that they tire of in a few weeks or months. And if you’re wondering, yes our parents hate it and no we don’t really waver on it. Ba humbug.
4. My (really) tiny house:
Five and a half years ago we bought our first house. In Toronto. Yes you read that correctly. For a suburbanite (Oakville) like myself, and a farm girl (Uxbridge) like my wife, this was quite a change. Naive 2013 Pete told himself I’ll live here 3-5 years, have some kids and trade up to something larger. Six years later that trade up is way too expensive. This has resulted in 5 humans in a 1000 square foot wartime bungalow. Though it may not be for everyone, we love our tiny house. It forces sharing bedrooms, respecting each others space, and the forced closeness that it’s created. Ask me again in 5 years if I still feel the same, but for now I wouldn’t have it any other way.
5. Our minivan:
When my wife was pregnant with our third child it became apparent our current vehicle situation was not going to suffice. I likely had more ego based trepidation against getting a minivan then most, so I was about as excited to trade in our SUV for our Honda Odyssey as you would be to receive a punch in the gut. I will never admit this to my wife, but I now absolutely love the thing. The convenience, the spacious interior, the giant trunk, even the little vacuum that came with it. You’re not reading this right honey?