Government Red Tape

I received a letter from our Canadian equivalent to the IRS. The purpose was to verify my claim of a child as a dependant & that I have sole custody. Fair enough, audits happen all the time & this isn’t exactly an audit so I’m lucky, right?

Just a small problem…here is the documentation requested to prove my claim:

·         Schedule 5, Amounts for Spouse or Common Law Partner

·         Documents to confirm I have custody such as a court order or written agreement which must be signed by both parents…

·         In the absence of that they will accept a signed statement from the other parent detailing the custody agreement

·         OR a signed statement from an authority who is aware of the custody arrangement…Doctor, religious leader or recognized community official, etc…

 

I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that the Canadian Government wouldn’t even consider that I had my child on my own. I felt like pointing them towards my 2010 Tax Return in which I claimed all my medical expenses that weren’t covered by insurance for my IUIs.

It all worked out in the end. I called their info line, explained my situation & was advised to write a letter to them explaining it all plus provide a letter from a third party who could verify my statement. One of my bosses was amendable to writing a letter since he was aware of my situation...but that was an awkward request. He was gracious about it…though the first draft of his letter needed some work:

Dear Feds,

Elena got no baby daddy.

Sincerely,

Tara’s Boss

When I first received the letter, I imagined having to hire a lawyer & spend all kinds of money getting legal documents drawn up…I received another letter on Friday. They accepted my claim & closed the file. Phew! I am grateful as the tax benefits we receive do make a difference.

Hide & Seek

I just have to write this down so I don't forget!!

 

Last night after dinner, Elena & I were playing & being silly & my Mom was telling me about their day. They had met 2 little girls (6 & 3 years old) at the park & they all played - (sidenote: Elena is really taking an interest in playing with other kids, preschool couldn't start soon enough!!) - all of a sudden, Elena runs over to the wall & stands with her nose against it calling for me...she then started "counting" - (Elena doesn't say numbers yet but will "count" by saying, "Meh, meh, meh..." imitating my intonation when I count, so funny) - I didn't understand what she was doing but my Mom clarified that the girls at the park had played Hide & Seek!!

 

Then Elena has me stand against the wall & count...but she is so excited by this new game, instead of hiding, she stands beside me squealing, laughing & jumping up & down...it was hilarious & precious!!

 

Elena then has me count again & this time my Mom shows her how to hide...well the squeals of delight coming from her hiding place were hard to miss but I played dumb & kept looking for her...oh the excitement as I got closer to her!!! It was So. Much. Fun!!!!!

 

Goddamn! I love this kid so much!!! Sharing the newness & wonder of Hide & Seek with her...I can't express how amazing that feels.

What We've Been Up To...

I have been in a funk the last couple of months…totally first world problems, but sucks just the same…thankfully, life with Elena has not been one of those problems…life with Elena has been pretty awesome…we have been having a pretty great summer & have kept very busy…

FaeryFest

 

Tall Ships

Highland Games

Canada’s Wonderland

Elena was in charge of the map

 

Canal Days

Eating a Potato Tornado! Have you heard of these?
Delicious!!

 

& LOTS of Swimming

 

What’s up next? Pirate Festival, another Highland Games, another Teddy Bear Picnic, African Lion Safari, at least 2 RibFests, Telling Tales…then on to Fall Fair Season!!!