Profile of Kevin Toal

Biography

Kevin Toal chronicles the hilarities of raising two kids in Middle Sackville in his weekly column, It's Only Funny When Dad Does It. The father of two is a regular contributor to The Bedford-Sackville Weekly News, tackling everything from development issues to arts and culture.

All articles of Kevin Toal

• A glutton for gluten
  As I move my glasses up and down my nose, depending on whether or not I need to see near or far, I'm reminded that things change as we get older. ...
• Going from 50 to 30 - Shades of Grey in the school...
  Welcome to HRM’s version of 50 Shades of Grey. As of Sept. 1, 2012, changes in the speed limit for school zones have been implemented. ...
• The horrors of back-to-school shopping
  When Lydia announced that it was time to begin the dreaded back-to-school shopping spree, I joined the kids in a groan. Wandering the aisles of ...
• Lydia's summer bucket list
  The signs of summer's demise are around us. Not only are the stores filled with back-to-school supplies but, to make matters worse, some have ...
• Breaking the language barrier
  Last week my daughter finished shooting a short film for a local filmmaker - the specifics of which I’m not allowed to discuss until post ...
• The time has come to explore beneath the waves
  Usually, when I hear the saying, "As you sow, so shall you reap," I am inclined to think of it having negative connotations. What that says about ...
• It's all fun and games when the power goes out
  Last week, thanks to Nova Scotia Power’s inability to cope with an Osprey nest, we lost power. Our second outage that week. No doubt a fresh rate ...
• Never turn your back on a bull shark
  There are many things that my family agrees upon. We avoid large crowds, laugh at the droopy-pants fashion (which I still think will be revealed ...
• I sympathized with the poor fish
  The summer is barely a few weeks old and already it’s proving to be one of the best I can remember. The sun is shining and the waters at the ...
• I appreciate a critical eye
  Over the years Lydia has served as resident critic to every column I write. She gets first dibs at anything I write and, as she reads each ...
• A real beauty
  In life there are certain key events which become the most cherished of memories. These are moments which stand out above all others and help ...
• Sometimes it's worth going to war over stupid rules
  Rules for the sake of having rules can be extremely annoying. Sometimes I laugh and shrug it off. Other times, I go to war. For example, when the ...
• A temporary solution for a temporary shelter
  At this stage in my life you'd think I'd have learned to watch what I say. After all, you never know when it might come back and bite you! ...
• NSCAD thesis film screenings as good as anything...
  Park Lane theatre hosted the NSCAD Thesis Film Screening on April 19. It was a packed house filled with students, family and friends eagerly ...
• Introducing Mr. Scooby-Doo: your child's substitute...
  For the millionth time this year, Sylvia said she didn’t want to go to school the following day. I empathized with her, but there wasn’t much we ...
• The signs of spring are everywhere
  Last week, spring arrived even though it felt more like summer. With it came the usual signs that Old Man Winter had retired for another year ...
• Having children means never being able to fully relax
  If I ever write a parent's handbook I'll need to dedicate an entire chapter to parental anxiety. Specifically, a parent's anxiety. Having ...
• There's a method to my madness
  Whoever came up with the saying about method in one’s madness, could have been talking about me and Lydia. Especially if it’s in reference ...
• The list
  I have a mind like a steel sieve. Usually there's room for one thought at a time and that's it. As soon as I have to think about something else ...
• Creativity Starts Here!
  I have a confession to make. Despite my previous column's protestations, I'm not a complete technophobe. There is one aspect of technology which ...
• If this is progress, I think I’d rather be left...
  Kevin Toal I’ve never really considered myself a Luddite but, over the years, my immediate family has resisted the trend toward technology. Our ...
• Christmas has become less about dollars spent and...
  Ever since I stopped writing 'It's Only Funny When Dad Does It', I've had people asking if it will make a return. Well, here it is! As ...
• School concerts and snow days
  Despite the recent double-digit temperatures, winter is nearly upon us, bringing with it many familiar events. Schools across HRM are gearing ...
• Words of wisdom
  Take Your Kid to Work day was on Nov. 2 and hundreds of kids from all over Halifax got to see first-hand what their parents do for a living. At ...
• Fun learning, with a dash of environmentalism on the...
  On Oct. 12 students at St. Catherine’s Elementary were treated to a Free Soup Day. They were given the choice of a tomato veggie soup or a ...
• Joining the school band has many pluses
  Some of my favourite memories of junior high school involve playing tuba in the school band. For the most part we played fairly standard ...
• No child should ever be afraid to go to school
  On Sept. 8, Stand Up To Bullying Day took place across Nova Scotia. Students wore pink, attended assemblies, and stood firm against bullies. A ...
• EPAs don't need more hurdles to do difficult job
  A few weeks ago I wrote an article about Educational Program Assistants. At the time, I spoke with parents and teachers. After the article was ...
• There's lots to learn outside of the classroom
  Some of the most memorable learning experiences occur outside of the classroom. For example, each year we visit the Bedford Institute of ...
• EPAs are integral, but improvements are necessary
  When the government sets its mind to do something, I cross my fingers and hope they do it right. However, after speaking with parents and ...