Our crazy Christmas season continues. This year is even busier than last because this year I am adding work to the mix. I am trying really hard to remember why I love this time of year...
As I have mentioned in a previous post I am almost done my Christmas shopping. How are you doing with yours?
For this week's post I figured I would help out my friends and family who might want to buy my kids a Christmas present. If you are thinking about getting my kids a Christmas present, think twice.
We have enough stuff.
I know my friends and family and I know how they react when I ask not them not do something, so I know my kids are going to get presents regardless of what I say (or write..)
So for my friends and family, please keep this list in mind when getting presents:
1. Nothing that has one piece. Toys with small parts are so much more fun than toys that don't come apart or only have one piece. I personally love stepping on the small parts and kids enjoy the colourful phrases that leave my mouth when I do. It's also really great when the kids cry cause the toy won't work or won't go back together. And who doesn't love a rousing game of "fish the part out of the baby's mouth before she chokes"?
2. Nothing that the kids can do by themselves. That's boring. I have all the time in the world to sit with them and show them a million times how to work the toy/or puzzle. Especially fun when I am trying to make dinner or clean something.
3. Nothing age appropriate. It's good to teach the kids how to deal with frustration by struggling with something that is beyond their capabilities. Also teaches them how to deal with failure and persistence pays off, right? I also have lots of time to sit and show them how to work it (see above)
3. Nothing with a volume control. With three kids who are apparently hard of hearing and love to play with the TV remote (esp. the volume), I don`t think that we have enough noise in our house. Noisy toys are awesome. Plus I have stock in Tylenol.
4. Nothing without wheels. Wheels make wonderful squeaking noises on the floor (See above point). As well wheels scratch the wood floor. Gives the floors character. Also toys with wheels are a lot of fun when stepped on. And why not give the baby motion?
5. Nothing that has batteries included, or worse does not require batteries. The baby loves to put batteries in her mouth and the older kids love to remove batteries from items. I also have stock in Duracel.
6. Nothing washable. We love doing laundry. We also love when a favorite outfit is ruined because a well meaning grandma thought it would be a good idea to paint pine cones with paint and sparkles. We love sweeping up sparkles.
7. Nothing non toxic. I am trying to raise mutants with a good healthy dose of strange chemicals that leach off the cheap toys that come from china. Perhaps one day I will have glow in the dark kids. Besides, if the kids don't want to get sick, then they shouldn't lick or eat the toy in the first place.
8. Nothing strong and built to last. The sooner it breaks the sooner I can get it out of my house (to make room for the other gifts that I have to store until my kids are ready for them.)
9. Nothing too safe. A little danger keeps the kids on their toes. How many kids have owned bb guns and did not shoot out their eyes? How many little girls owned play ovens and didn't burn their hands? If the kids hurt themselves playing with a toy, then they learn to be more careful. Sort of like when your child bumps his head when going under the table before he learns to duck when going under the table.
10. Finally, nothing unrealistic. I am talking mainly about dolls here. Something that is the same size as my daughter or looks like her is a wise choice. It is fun to have a mini heart attack because there is a doll with blond hair lying face down at the bottom of the stairs. Also good to scare the kids with creepy looking faces and limbs my kids can pull apart. Most of our dolls end up headless and naked. (Don't ask).
There you have it. A Christmas list just for my friends and family. Happy shopping!!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Go Elf Yourself.
The eagle has landed. And by eagle, I mean elf. Our very own "Elf on a Shelf". Lucky us.
For those of you who don't know,"Elf on a Shelf" is a kit you buy that comes with a little elf that sits--yep you guessed it--on your shelf. The idea is that this little guy or gal (you can get a girl elf too), comes to you your home sometime before Christmas and keeps an eye out to make sure everyone is behaving before Santa comes. Every night the little elf flies back to the North Pole and gives his report to Santa. Then he or she flies back to your house and takes up a new position to continue the watch.
Your kids get to name the elf and the elf comes with a story book that tells the elf's story. Its a chance to start a new family tradition. Your kids can have endless fun getting up each day to find the elf. They can record the day the elf came into your home.
At least that is the vision created by the box. The reality is a little different. Let me enlighten you:
First off, the cost of this kit is about $34.99 at least that is what I paid. I paid this because I was in a bookstore without the kids, I was drinking Starbucks, the store smelled like vanilla, Christmas music was playing. I had visions of cozy family time and new family traditions (See my previous post to see how my visions and reality rarely match). I thought it was adorable and I was excited to see how the kids would react.
Then I opened the box.
The "Elf" is basically a toilet paper roll with felt and a plastic head. Its eyes are painted off to one side and he (ours is a boy) has a creepy smile on his face. I placed mine on a shelf in the kitchen and wanted for the kids to discover him. I didn't have to wait long.
(This is Robin on top of our Christmas tree. The number of shelves in our house is limited...)
I don't know if I believe the creators of this thing really had this as a family tradition as it says on the box. In fact, I do not believe the so called creators of this thing have ever met a child. I see nothing that tells parents how to field the questions the presence of this little guy raises. Here is how I spent the first day we had our elf:
"Mom why did Santa send us an elf and not my friend? Are we bad?"
"How can he watch us when his eyes are painted and looking sideways?"
"Why can't he talk to us?"
"Will you stay up and watch him leave?"
"What if I am asleep and he leaves then I get up in the night to go to the bathroom? Will I see him?"
"Why can't we touch him?"
"Why is he touching himself? Why is he holding is legs like that?"
I managed to spin some yarn about Christmas magic and if the elf is touched then he has to leave and never come back. We read the story and the kids seemed to get it. After a few hours of not walking in the kitchen cause they were afraid of the elf, my kids slowly came around. We even named our elf Robin. The kids talked about all the places Robin might be and they would get up each day to find him. They went to bed that night and right to sleep "So Robin won't hear us playing" I was pretty happy with my purchase.
The next day, the kids excitedly got up and started their search for Robin. They found him on top of our living room blinds. My son was quick to point out "That's not a shelf" however he seemed happy to have Robin with us. For that day, my kids were on their best behavior. My oldest told his two sisters to be good because Robin is watching.
Then I made a grave mistake. I placed Robin on a bathroom shelf. I told the kids Robin was in the bathroom because it was bath night and Robin wanted to see how they behaved in the bath. My kids interpreted this as "Robin can't see or hear us today cause he is in the bathroom" We had to leave the bathroom light on all day so Robin wouldn't be afraid of the dark. The kids were absolute toads because in their minds, Robin couldn't hear them.
Day three and Robin was on top of the China cabinet. But with his flimsy legs the only way I could get him to stay was to wedge him amongst the feet of another stuffed animal I had up there. My son was quick to notice that Robin probably again could not hear what was going on because he had his ears plugged. The kids also played for most of the day in the rec room--outside of Robin's field of vision.
By now you may be starting to guess how I feel about our little house guest. In case you are still wondering, let me share some tips that I have learned in the short time we have had our elf.
1. Make sure you keep the elf out of the kid's reach. If they touch him, its game over. Also avoid putting the elf in kids bedrooms unless you want to deal with nightmares from the creepy elf.
2. Make sure you have an explanation for why there are elves on shelves in every store you go into. Or avoid shopping with your kids. You don't want your kids figuring out that the elf is something you can buy in a store (kinda takes away from the magic of Christmas, now doesn't it)
3. While you are busy putting the elf up high so your kids don't reach it, make sure whatever you do that the elf does not fall from that spot. You don't want your kids traumatized for many Christmases to come.
4. Remember to move the elf each night, or be prepared for a thousand questions about whether or not the elf made it to the North Pole and back again. (Personally I like the bad weather explanation). This elf is turning into more work than I would have hoped--just what us Moms need--more work at Christmas.
5. Don't constantly remind your kinds that the elf is watching. It creeps them out and they just move out of earshot and eyesight anyway. When I was a kid, my parents told me to be good because Santa is watching. Santa is always watching. Hence that whole naughty/nice list. I had imagination enough to come up with an explanation for this without needing a constant visual reminder. I had to be good everywhere because Santa always knows. No matter how much I tell the kids Robin can see and hear them, if they have decided that he can't, I got nothing.
Should you get your own elf? Its up to you. I am all for family traditions. Personally I think you crafty types could probably make your own elf or make up your own story about how Santa knows if you have been naughty or nice. If you have one of these little guys or gals please leave a comment either here or on my facebook page and tell me some of the places your elf turns up. I could use the ideas.
As for Robin, well, he can go Elf himself.
For those of you who don't know,"Elf on a Shelf" is a kit you buy that comes with a little elf that sits--yep you guessed it--on your shelf. The idea is that this little guy or gal (you can get a girl elf too), comes to you your home sometime before Christmas and keeps an eye out to make sure everyone is behaving before Santa comes. Every night the little elf flies back to the North Pole and gives his report to Santa. Then he or she flies back to your house and takes up a new position to continue the watch.
Your kids get to name the elf and the elf comes with a story book that tells the elf's story. Its a chance to start a new family tradition. Your kids can have endless fun getting up each day to find the elf. They can record the day the elf came into your home.
At least that is the vision created by the box. The reality is a little different. Let me enlighten you:
First off, the cost of this kit is about $34.99 at least that is what I paid. I paid this because I was in a bookstore without the kids, I was drinking Starbucks, the store smelled like vanilla, Christmas music was playing. I had visions of cozy family time and new family traditions (See my previous post to see how my visions and reality rarely match). I thought it was adorable and I was excited to see how the kids would react.
Then I opened the box.
The "Elf" is basically a toilet paper roll with felt and a plastic head. Its eyes are painted off to one side and he (ours is a boy) has a creepy smile on his face. I placed mine on a shelf in the kitchen and wanted for the kids to discover him. I didn't have to wait long.
I don't know if I believe the creators of this thing really had this as a family tradition as it says on the box. In fact, I do not believe the so called creators of this thing have ever met a child. I see nothing that tells parents how to field the questions the presence of this little guy raises. Here is how I spent the first day we had our elf:
"Mom why did Santa send us an elf and not my friend? Are we bad?"
"How can he watch us when his eyes are painted and looking sideways?"
"Why can't he talk to us?"
"Will you stay up and watch him leave?"
"What if I am asleep and he leaves then I get up in the night to go to the bathroom? Will I see him?"
"Why can't we touch him?"
"Why is he touching himself? Why is he holding is legs like that?"
I managed to spin some yarn about Christmas magic and if the elf is touched then he has to leave and never come back. We read the story and the kids seemed to get it. After a few hours of not walking in the kitchen cause they were afraid of the elf, my kids slowly came around. We even named our elf Robin. The kids talked about all the places Robin might be and they would get up each day to find him. They went to bed that night and right to sleep "So Robin won't hear us playing" I was pretty happy with my purchase.
The next day, the kids excitedly got up and started their search for Robin. They found him on top of our living room blinds. My son was quick to point out "That's not a shelf" however he seemed happy to have Robin with us. For that day, my kids were on their best behavior. My oldest told his two sisters to be good because Robin is watching.
Then I made a grave mistake. I placed Robin on a bathroom shelf. I told the kids Robin was in the bathroom because it was bath night and Robin wanted to see how they behaved in the bath. My kids interpreted this as "Robin can't see or hear us today cause he is in the bathroom" We had to leave the bathroom light on all day so Robin wouldn't be afraid of the dark. The kids were absolute toads because in their minds, Robin couldn't hear them.
Day three and Robin was on top of the China cabinet. But with his flimsy legs the only way I could get him to stay was to wedge him amongst the feet of another stuffed animal I had up there. My son was quick to notice that Robin probably again could not hear what was going on because he had his ears plugged. The kids also played for most of the day in the rec room--outside of Robin's field of vision.
By now you may be starting to guess how I feel about our little house guest. In case you are still wondering, let me share some tips that I have learned in the short time we have had our elf.
1. Make sure you keep the elf out of the kid's reach. If they touch him, its game over. Also avoid putting the elf in kids bedrooms unless you want to deal with nightmares from the creepy elf.
2. Make sure you have an explanation for why there are elves on shelves in every store you go into. Or avoid shopping with your kids. You don't want your kids figuring out that the elf is something you can buy in a store (kinda takes away from the magic of Christmas, now doesn't it)
3. While you are busy putting the elf up high so your kids don't reach it, make sure whatever you do that the elf does not fall from that spot. You don't want your kids traumatized for many Christmases to come.
4. Remember to move the elf each night, or be prepared for a thousand questions about whether or not the elf made it to the North Pole and back again. (Personally I like the bad weather explanation). This elf is turning into more work than I would have hoped--just what us Moms need--more work at Christmas.
5. Don't constantly remind your kinds that the elf is watching. It creeps them out and they just move out of earshot and eyesight anyway. When I was a kid, my parents told me to be good because Santa is watching. Santa is always watching. Hence that whole naughty/nice list. I had imagination enough to come up with an explanation for this without needing a constant visual reminder. I had to be good everywhere because Santa always knows. No matter how much I tell the kids Robin can see and hear them, if they have decided that he can't, I got nothing.
Should you get your own elf? Its up to you. I am all for family traditions. Personally I think you crafty types could probably make your own elf or make up your own story about how Santa knows if you have been naughty or nice. If you have one of these little guys or gals please leave a comment either here or on my facebook page and tell me some of the places your elf turns up. I could use the ideas.
As for Robin, well, he can go Elf himself.
Friday, November 30, 2012
'Tis the Season....
I am baaaack...again. For those of you who have followed me from the beginning, you know that I am awesome at starting things (See my other blog, Fifty Shades of Awesome, my clean eating plan, my exercise plan....). I am not awesome at sticking with them.
I cannot believe we are in to the Christmas season already. Well, actually I can believe it because where I live its minus 25 in the mornings (without the windchill). This year we were smart and put the decorations up outside before it turned cold. Of course they are not on because none of us wants to go out to plug them in, but that's another story. My decorations are up, most of my shopping is done, I still have baking to do and of course the never ending wrapping. All and all not bad.
Christmas always was my favourite time of year. I love lights, I love to shop, I love Christmas music, I love to decorate, I love hot chocolate, gingerbread and Chinese food (don't ask). In short I love all things Christmas.
Or at least I did before I had kids.
When I was growing up, Christmas was amazing. I could never figure out though why my mom was so grouchy about it. "Bah Humbug" was a phrase I heard a lot as a kid, and not because we liked the movie. Yet despite all the grumblings, Christmas was always wonderful. Thanks Mom.
When I moved out on my own, my love for Christmas grew. I could not wait to have kids of my own to share the season with. I swore I would never hate Christmas like my parents did.
Well my friends, now I have kids and I hate Christmas.
Why, you ask? Let me enlighten you:
My Vision:
My kids and I snuggled up on the couch under a warm blanket watching Christmas cartoons/movies together.
Reality:
Older child crying because he wants to watch Octonauts, Younger child pouting because older child took her spot and her blankie on the couch. Me not being able to sit still long enough to even register what we are watching because the baby has decided to pull her self up on the tree, thereby knocking it over.
My Vision:
Putting on Christmas music, drinking hot chocolate and putting up the Christmas decorations as a family.
Reality:
Kids upset because they want to hear "Gangnam Style". Older child deciding that plyers are necessary to hold the lights while handing them to mommy, breaking the glass bulb in the process. Middle child crying because she burned her tongue on the hot chocolate. Baby eating the glass from the aforementioned broken bulb. Husband who doesn't give a rat's ass about Christmas decorations--he just wants his dinner.
My Vision:
My family and I braving the cold to head out to the mall, do some shopping, perhaps run into people we know then go out to a nice family dinner at a restaurant.
Reality:
Baby screaming almost the entire time because she is hungry/irritable/ bored. Middle child running away and into a store with breakable objects, Older child stealing a newspaper from said store because he knows "Mommy likes to read the paper" 30 min wait at the resturaunt with hyper, hungry grouchy kids.
My Vision:
Listening to Christmas music and spending some fun time with the kids baking cookies, or putting together gingerbread houses...
Reality:
Older two fighting over who gets to pour the flour and who gets to stir. Middle child sneezing into the dough. Older child deciding baking takes too long and "Is too hard" Baby fussing beacuse she wants to get in there and does not want to sit in the high chair watching all the action. Husband who eats the cookies right out of the oven then complains about his sore tongue. Kids bugging to hear "Gangnam Style" instead of Christmas carols.
"The Most Wonderful Time of The Year"? I think not. If Andy Williams were still alive I would punch him right in the face. And no Burl Ives, I will not have a "Holly Jolly Christmas." Go F@*$# yourself.
Bah Humbug.
I cannot believe we are in to the Christmas season already. Well, actually I can believe it because where I live its minus 25 in the mornings (without the windchill). This year we were smart and put the decorations up outside before it turned cold. Of course they are not on because none of us wants to go out to plug them in, but that's another story. My decorations are up, most of my shopping is done, I still have baking to do and of course the never ending wrapping. All and all not bad.
Christmas always was my favourite time of year. I love lights, I love to shop, I love Christmas music, I love to decorate, I love hot chocolate, gingerbread and Chinese food (don't ask). In short I love all things Christmas.
Or at least I did before I had kids.
When I was growing up, Christmas was amazing. I could never figure out though why my mom was so grouchy about it. "Bah Humbug" was a phrase I heard a lot as a kid, and not because we liked the movie. Yet despite all the grumblings, Christmas was always wonderful. Thanks Mom.
When I moved out on my own, my love for Christmas grew. I could not wait to have kids of my own to share the season with. I swore I would never hate Christmas like my parents did.
Well my friends, now I have kids and I hate Christmas.
Why, you ask? Let me enlighten you:
My Vision:
My kids and I snuggled up on the couch under a warm blanket watching Christmas cartoons/movies together.
Reality:
Older child crying because he wants to watch Octonauts, Younger child pouting because older child took her spot and her blankie on the couch. Me not being able to sit still long enough to even register what we are watching because the baby has decided to pull her self up on the tree, thereby knocking it over.
My Vision:
Putting on Christmas music, drinking hot chocolate and putting up the Christmas decorations as a family.
Reality:
Kids upset because they want to hear "Gangnam Style". Older child deciding that plyers are necessary to hold the lights while handing them to mommy, breaking the glass bulb in the process. Middle child crying because she burned her tongue on the hot chocolate. Baby eating the glass from the aforementioned broken bulb. Husband who doesn't give a rat's ass about Christmas decorations--he just wants his dinner.
My Vision:
My family and I braving the cold to head out to the mall, do some shopping, perhaps run into people we know then go out to a nice family dinner at a restaurant.
Reality:
Baby screaming almost the entire time because she is hungry/irritable/ bored. Middle child running away and into a store with breakable objects, Older child stealing a newspaper from said store because he knows "Mommy likes to read the paper" 30 min wait at the resturaunt with hyper, hungry grouchy kids.
My Vision:
Listening to Christmas music and spending some fun time with the kids baking cookies, or putting together gingerbread houses...
Reality:
Older two fighting over who gets to pour the flour and who gets to stir. Middle child sneezing into the dough. Older child deciding baking takes too long and "Is too hard" Baby fussing beacuse she wants to get in there and does not want to sit in the high chair watching all the action. Husband who eats the cookies right out of the oven then complains about his sore tongue. Kids bugging to hear "Gangnam Style" instead of Christmas carols.
"The Most Wonderful Time of The Year"? I think not. If Andy Williams were still alive I would punch him right in the face. And no Burl Ives, I will not have a "Holly Jolly Christmas." Go F@*$# yourself.
Bah Humbug.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Off We Go!!!!
We're off!! .......Like a heard of turtles.
That's what my mom used to say whenever we would go anywhere. Back then I would roll my eyes and wonder why my mom was so annoyed. Why was she so grouchy going on vacation? Didn't she want to go? Why was she yelling at us?
Now I know..and I'm so sorry, mom.
We are about to embark on a two week trip to southern Ontario. Its nothing we haven't done before. We travel south many times a year. However, each trip brings its share of arguing, frustration and exhaustion. Every trip we swear is the last one. We swear we are going to do things differently.
We always decide to do it again. And we always do the same things...
About a month before the trip:
Argue about whether or not we should go on the trip in the first place. Do we have enough reason to go? We just took a trip- should we take another one? Can we take our son out of school for that long?
Once we have decided that we are going, we move on:
Argue about calling the trip a "vacation." As far as I am concerned, anytime I leave my house, housework and cooking is a vacation. My husband doesn't take vacations. As he points out, it is a lot more work to look after the kids in a hotel then it is at home (That's because I do it most of the time at home...) He also feels he has a very strong work ethic so he is very quick to point out that our trips are "working vacations". He is doing work on the road (and it is harder to work on the road then it is at home..)
Next, we argue about telling our families about the trip. For some reason, our parents raise an eyebrow whenever we embark on a trip. They make subtle comments about how tired we will be, how expensive it is--they question our every move. I know its because they know how tiring and stressful it can be to travel with little ones. Ironically, our parents don't come to visit us often up here because "Its too far to travel".
So by this point in the process, our parents have been notified, eye brows raised and the trip rationalized. Now its on to the next phase:
Not speak about the trip again until about a week or so before the trip. Then it is time to:
Book the hotel. Find out the first hotel is full. Scramble to find a plan B. Message our friends (who are actually happy we are coming) and try to make plans with them. Try to come up with an itinerary for the trip. Feel guilty that we did not give our friends enough notice that we are coming.
Talk/Argue about what needs to be done before we leave. Things like cleaning the fridge, cleaning the house, getting oil changes, cleaning the van, kids haircuts, picking up odds and ends..etc. Not write anything down, or assign a person to take responsibility for each task, which leads us to..
Fight about who does more for the trip. Not speak for three days. Realize we forgot to book the dog for boarding and ask the neighbor to feed the cat. Pray the vet has room to board the dog. Realize we also forgot to notify the school. Fight about who is going to do that. (Neither one of us actually does it)
Now the trip is 3-4 days away. Getting down to the wire....
Fight and try to come up with an organized way to accomplish all that needs to be done. Convince husband to take kids for eight hours so I can clean and organize. Then feel overwhelmed at all that should be done and take a nap for five hours. Start the cleaning 20 min before extremely frazzled husband and tired hyper children return home. Yell at entire family for being in my way and not letting me get my work done.
Next day, give up and do nothing. Think about doing trip stuff, continue making plans with friends. Take kids for hair cuts, soccer games, doctor's appts, etc. Decide coming back to a dirty house is not the end of the world. Yell at husband for firing the cleaning service. Make husband do all the laundry...
Two days before the trip:
Decide when we want to leave on departure day--agree to be on the road early, like 7 or 8 am. Realize that means being in bed by 9 or 10 the night before departure day. That means having all the work done by 5pm the day before departure day. Agree that is what we will do.
Blog about all the work we have to do. Still don't actually do any work. Decide that if I start at 6 am the next day, I can get it all done in time.
Day before departure day:
Get up at 8am. Have coffee, breakfast and dawdle. Start work at 11 am. Realize as I clean one thing there are fifty more things that need cleaning. Feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Take a break (from the 30min of work I have done) Curse myself for pulling my three year old out of daycare. Curse husband again for firing the cleaning service.
Night before departure:
8pm: Start packing. Takes about 3 hours. Curse because the clothes I wanted to bring for the kids are dirty. 11pm: Curse myself for always leaving it to the last minute. Start loading the van. 2am: Go to bed.
Departure day:
Turn alarm off at 5am. Decide that leaving at 7am is too ambitious. Sleep until 8am. Argue about why we didn't start earlier preparing for the trip. Finish loading the van. Make a million trips to the bathroom. Make sure we can see the cat.
Give key to the neighbors. Load children and dog into van. Drop dog off at vet.
Stop at Tim Horton's--what is a road trip without timmies? Put movie on for kids.
10am: Actually leave our city for Southern Ontario--only three hours after we wanted to leave.
Approx 8-12 hours later: Arrive at our destination. Have a well meaning family member say "Gee you look tired." Wonder why?
Remind me again why trips are fun?
See you soon!!
That's what my mom used to say whenever we would go anywhere. Back then I would roll my eyes and wonder why my mom was so annoyed. Why was she so grouchy going on vacation? Didn't she want to go? Why was she yelling at us?
Now I know..and I'm so sorry, mom.
We are about to embark on a two week trip to southern Ontario. Its nothing we haven't done before. We travel south many times a year. However, each trip brings its share of arguing, frustration and exhaustion. Every trip we swear is the last one. We swear we are going to do things differently.
We always decide to do it again. And we always do the same things...
About a month before the trip:
Argue about whether or not we should go on the trip in the first place. Do we have enough reason to go? We just took a trip- should we take another one? Can we take our son out of school for that long?
Once we have decided that we are going, we move on:
Argue about calling the trip a "vacation." As far as I am concerned, anytime I leave my house, housework and cooking is a vacation. My husband doesn't take vacations. As he points out, it is a lot more work to look after the kids in a hotel then it is at home (That's because I do it most of the time at home...) He also feels he has a very strong work ethic so he is very quick to point out that our trips are "working vacations". He is doing work on the road (and it is harder to work on the road then it is at home..)
Next, we argue about telling our families about the trip. For some reason, our parents raise an eyebrow whenever we embark on a trip. They make subtle comments about how tired we will be, how expensive it is--they question our every move. I know its because they know how tiring and stressful it can be to travel with little ones. Ironically, our parents don't come to visit us often up here because "Its too far to travel".
So by this point in the process, our parents have been notified, eye brows raised and the trip rationalized. Now its on to the next phase:
Not speak about the trip again until about a week or so before the trip. Then it is time to:
Book the hotel. Find out the first hotel is full. Scramble to find a plan B. Message our friends (who are actually happy we are coming) and try to make plans with them. Try to come up with an itinerary for the trip. Feel guilty that we did not give our friends enough notice that we are coming.
Talk/Argue about what needs to be done before we leave. Things like cleaning the fridge, cleaning the house, getting oil changes, cleaning the van, kids haircuts, picking up odds and ends..etc. Not write anything down, or assign a person to take responsibility for each task, which leads us to..
Fight about who does more for the trip. Not speak for three days. Realize we forgot to book the dog for boarding and ask the neighbor to feed the cat. Pray the vet has room to board the dog. Realize we also forgot to notify the school. Fight about who is going to do that. (Neither one of us actually does it)
Now the trip is 3-4 days away. Getting down to the wire....
Fight and try to come up with an organized way to accomplish all that needs to be done. Convince husband to take kids for eight hours so I can clean and organize. Then feel overwhelmed at all that should be done and take a nap for five hours. Start the cleaning 20 min before extremely frazzled husband and tired hyper children return home. Yell at entire family for being in my way and not letting me get my work done.
Next day, give up and do nothing. Think about doing trip stuff, continue making plans with friends. Take kids for hair cuts, soccer games, doctor's appts, etc. Decide coming back to a dirty house is not the end of the world. Yell at husband for firing the cleaning service. Make husband do all the laundry...
Two days before the trip:
Decide when we want to leave on departure day--agree to be on the road early, like 7 or 8 am. Realize that means being in bed by 9 or 10 the night before departure day. That means having all the work done by 5pm the day before departure day. Agree that is what we will do.
Blog about all the work we have to do. Still don't actually do any work. Decide that if I start at 6 am the next day, I can get it all done in time.
Day before departure day:
Get up at 8am. Have coffee, breakfast and dawdle. Start work at 11 am. Realize as I clean one thing there are fifty more things that need cleaning. Feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Take a break (from the 30min of work I have done) Curse myself for pulling my three year old out of daycare. Curse husband again for firing the cleaning service.
Night before departure:
8pm: Start packing. Takes about 3 hours. Curse because the clothes I wanted to bring for the kids are dirty. 11pm: Curse myself for always leaving it to the last minute. Start loading the van. 2am: Go to bed.
Departure day:
Turn alarm off at 5am. Decide that leaving at 7am is too ambitious. Sleep until 8am. Argue about why we didn't start earlier preparing for the trip. Finish loading the van. Make a million trips to the bathroom. Make sure we can see the cat.
Give key to the neighbors. Load children and dog into van. Drop dog off at vet.
Stop at Tim Horton's--what is a road trip without timmies? Put movie on for kids.
10am: Actually leave our city for Southern Ontario--only three hours after we wanted to leave.
Approx 8-12 hours later: Arrive at our destination. Have a well meaning family member say "Gee you look tired." Wonder why?
Remind me again why trips are fun?
See you soon!!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
50 Awesome things....Part two
We have not been awesome this last week
We have had wild fires burning a little too close to home. My children have been wild, staying up way too late and super grouchy in the morning. I have had a cold with a wild cough that has kept me and my husband up at night.
But now the fire threat seems to have abated, my cold is on the mend, and my kids have been getting to bed earlier. It is a good time to count my blessings and spread some positivity.
Here is a continuation of my list of 50 awesome things about parenting kids-- in no particular order:
26. Watching Saturday morning cartoons in your bed: This is something I always dreamed about before I had kids. I had this fantasy of my family all cuddled and laughing together in bed on a weekend morning. Saturday cartoons are fun until the first child cries cause he is hungry, the middle child kicks daddy in the head...Older child and middle child fight over what show to watch...but for those 10 min where we are all happy and content, its awesome!
27. Baby sleeps or naps longer than usual: Gotta love having time to have that second or third cup of coffee...have time to write your blog....see #'s 11 and 18.
28. Child art: Ever notice how kid's pictures all look the same? Awesome. Also awesome: Kid's printing. Nothing says cute like a picture of you with a giant head, tiny sticky body and the word "M Om my" with backwards letters. Both awesome on paper. Less awesome on the wall.
29. Coloring: Relaxing for both you and the child--at least until the child bursts into tears because you can't draw the character they want or you color the butterfly the wrong color.
30. First "roll over": Awesome the first time baby rolls on to her tummy. Less awesome the third or fourth time when she cries because she doesn't like "tummy time" and forgets how to roll back.
31. First smiles.
32. First "babab....mama."
33. Watching kids play: I am always amazed at the worlds my kids create and the level of detail in their play. For example, the new favorite game in my house is "Restaurant" My son gets his apron, walks up to me or daddy and says "Good evening. I will be your server tonight"...Hmmm perhaps my family spends to much time in restaurants?
34. First steps.
35. The parenting "Sweet Spot": That magical time when all the kids in the house are sleeping or otherwise occupied and not getting into trouble...a five minute (That is usually how long it lasts) slice of heaven.
36. Having your child's teacher tell you she wished she had 28 students just like your child.
37. Having your middle child accept a little gift (like a sticker) then ask for one for her older brother..Having your son use his school rewards to choose a hair elastic for his sister because he thought she would like it.
38. Children's songs: Adorable the first time your kid sings you a song and gets the words mixed up....Less adorable the 500th time your child sings the same song and despite your corrections still messes up the words.
39. Dancing with your children...Until middle child slips on the toy that was supposed to be picked up two days ago resulting in a "hurt toe" which brings me to my next point:
40. Children learning the importance of not leaving toys on the floor for two days.
41. Holding your newborn for the first time.
42. Watching your children master a new skill--like when your daughter finally realizes that pedaling the tricycle is far more effective than sitting on it and crying until someone pushes.
43. Watching your children interact with their grandparents. Even better:
44. Convincing your children's grandparents to take your children for the night (or three).
45. Watching your child eat spaghetti--almost as awesome as hearing a child say "Spaghetti"
46. Hearing "Mommy I want to snuggle with you" when you are sitting on the couch. Less awesome: Hearing it when you are sitting on the toilet.
47. Remembering to lock the bathroom door and stealing 5 minutes to yourself.
48. Watching your children having fun and being carefree: There is something about children running and laughing that brings me back to my own childhood. Kids have fun doing everything. Of course they do...they don't have a house to clean, supper to make, laundry to do....but it sure is fun pretending I am that carefree.
49. First ultrasound picture.
50. Hugs and cuddles.
There you have it. 50 awesome things. Cheers to everyone who shares their life with children.
What are your awesome parenting moments? Please share on my facebook wall or in the comments section here.
Cheers!
We have had wild fires burning a little too close to home. My children have been wild, staying up way too late and super grouchy in the morning. I have had a cold with a wild cough that has kept me and my husband up at night.
But now the fire threat seems to have abated, my cold is on the mend, and my kids have been getting to bed earlier. It is a good time to count my blessings and spread some positivity.
Here is a continuation of my list of 50 awesome things about parenting kids-- in no particular order:
26. Watching Saturday morning cartoons in your bed: This is something I always dreamed about before I had kids. I had this fantasy of my family all cuddled and laughing together in bed on a weekend morning. Saturday cartoons are fun until the first child cries cause he is hungry, the middle child kicks daddy in the head...Older child and middle child fight over what show to watch...but for those 10 min where we are all happy and content, its awesome!
27. Baby sleeps or naps longer than usual: Gotta love having time to have that second or third cup of coffee...have time to write your blog....see #'s 11 and 18.
28. Child art: Ever notice how kid's pictures all look the same? Awesome. Also awesome: Kid's printing. Nothing says cute like a picture of you with a giant head, tiny sticky body and the word "M Om my" with backwards letters. Both awesome on paper. Less awesome on the wall.
29. Coloring: Relaxing for both you and the child--at least until the child bursts into tears because you can't draw the character they want or you color the butterfly the wrong color.
30. First "roll over": Awesome the first time baby rolls on to her tummy. Less awesome the third or fourth time when she cries because she doesn't like "tummy time" and forgets how to roll back.
31. First smiles.
32. First "babab....mama."
33. Watching kids play: I am always amazed at the worlds my kids create and the level of detail in their play. For example, the new favorite game in my house is "Restaurant" My son gets his apron, walks up to me or daddy and says "Good evening. I will be your server tonight"...Hmmm perhaps my family spends to much time in restaurants?
34. First steps.
35. The parenting "Sweet Spot": That magical time when all the kids in the house are sleeping or otherwise occupied and not getting into trouble...a five minute (That is usually how long it lasts) slice of heaven.
36. Having your child's teacher tell you she wished she had 28 students just like your child.
37. Having your middle child accept a little gift (like a sticker) then ask for one for her older brother..Having your son use his school rewards to choose a hair elastic for his sister because he thought she would like it.
38. Children's songs: Adorable the first time your kid sings you a song and gets the words mixed up....Less adorable the 500th time your child sings the same song and despite your corrections still messes up the words.
39. Dancing with your children...Until middle child slips on the toy that was supposed to be picked up two days ago resulting in a "hurt toe" which brings me to my next point:
40. Children learning the importance of not leaving toys on the floor for two days.
41. Holding your newborn for the first time.
42. Watching your children master a new skill--like when your daughter finally realizes that pedaling the tricycle is far more effective than sitting on it and crying until someone pushes.
43. Watching your children interact with their grandparents. Even better:
44. Convincing your children's grandparents to take your children for the night (or three).
45. Watching your child eat spaghetti--almost as awesome as hearing a child say "Spaghetti"
46. Hearing "Mommy I want to snuggle with you" when you are sitting on the couch. Less awesome: Hearing it when you are sitting on the toilet.
47. Remembering to lock the bathroom door and stealing 5 minutes to yourself.
48. Watching your children having fun and being carefree: There is something about children running and laughing that brings me back to my own childhood. Kids have fun doing everything. Of course they do...they don't have a house to clean, supper to make, laundry to do....but it sure is fun pretending I am that carefree.
49. First ultrasound picture.
50. Hugs and cuddles.
There you have it. 50 awesome things. Cheers to everyone who shares their life with children.
What are your awesome parenting moments? Please share on my facebook wall or in the comments section here.
Cheers!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Fire!!!
"Attention Attention...This is an emergency..."
Relax.
That is my son playing his new favorite game. Yep, you guessed it, "Emergency". His school did a lock down drill a couple of months ago. This sentence has been said around my house numerous times for the past month.
Its getting a little old.
You can imagine then, I was not terribly impressed with our city officials declaring a state of emergency. This forest fire is the biggest story to hit my city in recent years. I am a tad critical of how its been handled so far.
First off, though I want to thank the fire crews. My complaint is not with them. We are very lucky to have people willing to risk their lives for us and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
My complaint is about the local media and the flow of information. Now I will stress that I am not a journalist nor did I go to journalism school--but I am married to someone who did. I am wondering why I have to tune into Toronto media to find accurate reporting of our story.
I have a few thoughts for our mayor and local media personnel.
First off, you guys should know that the fastest way to spark panic in a community is to urge everyone to "Stay calm." You cannot tell us that a "State of Emergency" has been declared but it is no cause for panic. You especially should not say this on a day when the sky is orange and its raining ash. Furthermore, when you live in a community where there is only one remaining hwy out of town that is not affected by the fire, urging people to stay calm pretty much guarantees mass panic.
Secondly, you tell us to tune into your websites and news casts for the latest and fact based information...which you only update at 8am, and 2pm. You tell us not to believe "Joe Smith" on the street or facebook, but on one of the newspaper's website it was mistakenly posted that the fire was
much closer than it actually is. Perhaps you could check your facts and not print the very things you are telling us to ignore. Don't get me wrong, I am glad you are printing word for word the press release the MNR gives you. I am sure it takes a lot of work to come in on your weekend off and copy and paste an email you got to your website so thanks.
You will forgive me if I trust "Joe Smith" a little more than I trust you.
I am also wondering why I have to rely on Toronto media to tell me how big the fire is. I know, I know. The ministry of natural resources (MNR) reports that the fire is approx 40, 000 hectares. God forbid you should tell me how big that is in km (it is approx 80km long and 8km wide). Sorry but a 80km fire burning 30km from my house is a little disconcerting. I also want to thank the Toronto media for telling me I should pack my bags just in case, cause that is not something I would hear from my own local news.
Finally, I am resentful of the paternal, authoritarian approach to covering this story. The local DJs are sarcastic when telling the public not to believe any rumors from people on the street. My own city website tells me that the fire is "Not a 50km inferno heading for the city" (Actually its 80km....) I especially don't appreciate being told "The more time we spend correcting wrong information the less time we have to get the right information out there" True, I know it takes a long time to copy and paste a press release. Thanks for scolding me like a child, and making making me feel like I am over reacting in preparing to evacuate.
Perhaps you could use the time you have (since you only update fire situation at 8am and 2pm) to bring some analysis on the story.
Here are some suggestions for you (if any of you reading this know, please fill me in)
Tell me how fires are put out--what do the terms fire suppression, containment, mean in terms of forest fires? What do the terms "Contained," "Being Held" "Under Control" and "Not Under Control" mean--I can of course guess at these terms, but it would be nice to have fact based information here.
How fast does fire travel? This one apparently is moving 15-20 meters a minute--so is that 1km every 5 minutes? So it could potentially reach the city in what--20min? Could you perhaps post an updated map? Again, I know that you have links on your websites to the MNR website where I can find out all of this information but it would be great if I didn't have to research the story--I thought that was your job.
Perhaps you could go to the roadblock site (where all the other media is stationed) and interview someone involved with the fire? Like for example the MNR spokesperson? (If you are unsure of how to do that, ask the reporters from CBC cause they seem to know how to do it)
Time to put on your big boy underwear, local media. You are playing with the big boys now.
Guess I will keep checking Toronto stations and facebook for the latest updates. Now where did I put Joe Smith's number....
Relax.
That is my son playing his new favorite game. Yep, you guessed it, "Emergency". His school did a lock down drill a couple of months ago. This sentence has been said around my house numerous times for the past month.
Its getting a little old.
You can imagine then, I was not terribly impressed with our city officials declaring a state of emergency. This forest fire is the biggest story to hit my city in recent years. I am a tad critical of how its been handled so far.
First off, though I want to thank the fire crews. My complaint is not with them. We are very lucky to have people willing to risk their lives for us and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
My complaint is about the local media and the flow of information. Now I will stress that I am not a journalist nor did I go to journalism school--but I am married to someone who did. I am wondering why I have to tune into Toronto media to find accurate reporting of our story.
I have a few thoughts for our mayor and local media personnel.
First off, you guys should know that the fastest way to spark panic in a community is to urge everyone to "Stay calm." You cannot tell us that a "State of Emergency" has been declared but it is no cause for panic. You especially should not say this on a day when the sky is orange and its raining ash. Furthermore, when you live in a community where there is only one remaining hwy out of town that is not affected by the fire, urging people to stay calm pretty much guarantees mass panic.
Secondly, you tell us to tune into your websites and news casts for the latest and fact based information...which you only update at 8am, and 2pm. You tell us not to believe "Joe Smith" on the street or facebook, but on one of the newspaper's website it was mistakenly posted that the fire was
much closer than it actually is. Perhaps you could check your facts and not print the very things you are telling us to ignore. Don't get me wrong, I am glad you are printing word for word the press release the MNR gives you. I am sure it takes a lot of work to come in on your weekend off and copy and paste an email you got to your website so thanks.
You will forgive me if I trust "Joe Smith" a little more than I trust you.
I am also wondering why I have to rely on Toronto media to tell me how big the fire is. I know, I know. The ministry of natural resources (MNR) reports that the fire is approx 40, 000 hectares. God forbid you should tell me how big that is in km (it is approx 80km long and 8km wide). Sorry but a 80km fire burning 30km from my house is a little disconcerting. I also want to thank the Toronto media for telling me I should pack my bags just in case, cause that is not something I would hear from my own local news.
Finally, I am resentful of the paternal, authoritarian approach to covering this story. The local DJs are sarcastic when telling the public not to believe any rumors from people on the street. My own city website tells me that the fire is "Not a 50km inferno heading for the city" (Actually its 80km....) I especially don't appreciate being told "The more time we spend correcting wrong information the less time we have to get the right information out there" True, I know it takes a long time to copy and paste a press release. Thanks for scolding me like a child, and making making me feel like I am over reacting in preparing to evacuate.
Perhaps you could use the time you have (since you only update fire situation at 8am and 2pm) to bring some analysis on the story.
Here are some suggestions for you (if any of you reading this know, please fill me in)
Tell me how fires are put out--what do the terms fire suppression, containment, mean in terms of forest fires? What do the terms "Contained," "Being Held" "Under Control" and "Not Under Control" mean--I can of course guess at these terms, but it would be nice to have fact based information here.
How fast does fire travel? This one apparently is moving 15-20 meters a minute--so is that 1km every 5 minutes? So it could potentially reach the city in what--20min? Could you perhaps post an updated map? Again, I know that you have links on your websites to the MNR website where I can find out all of this information but it would be great if I didn't have to research the story--I thought that was your job.
Perhaps you could go to the roadblock site (where all the other media is stationed) and interview someone involved with the fire? Like for example the MNR spokesperson? (If you are unsure of how to do that, ask the reporters from CBC cause they seem to know how to do it)
Time to put on your big boy underwear, local media. You are playing with the big boys now.
Guess I will keep checking Toronto stations and facebook for the latest updates. Now where did I put Joe Smith's number....
Monday, May 14, 2012
50 Awesome things...Part One
"Owwww! Wahhhhh!" This coming from my middle child.
"Shhhh! Stop crying!! Do you want mommy to take away your bear? Be quiet!" This coming from my oldest.
I am not sure what is going on in the room the two oldest now share. I have decided not to find out.
It could be worse. At least they are having fun sharing a room and they are bonding as brother and sister. That's my attempt at positivity. How was it? Yeah, I'm not buying it either. However, I have become concerned that anyone reading my blog might think that I don't really enjoy being a parent. Can't imagine why anyone would think that.....
In honor of mother's day, and for everyone out there who has kids in their lives, here are 50 awesome things about parenting kids (Well the first 25 `cause 50 would be long to read here and as my husband pointed out I tend to be "wordy").
Here they are in no particular order:
1. Cute things: The kids themselves my not be cute, but ever notice how cute the stuff that goes with the kids is? I'm talking little dresses, little suits and other little clothes (what is it about little clothes that makes them so cute?) tiny socks, little shoes.--My personal favorite, little adorable jammies. I haven't even mentioned the teddy bears, dolls, cars etc.
2. You get to feel smart (even when you are not): I have long lamented that my kids are smarter than me, but I can still explain to my three year old why we have elbows. The best part is my explanation does not have to be true or accurate, and they still think I am the smartest person in the world. If you are wondering, we have elbows so our arms can bend.
3. Bath time: I know bath time can be such a chore and I usually make my husband do it, but there is something funny about little children splashing around the tub with their hair all wild from the shampoo. Also adorable wrapped in the hooded towel--see #1.
4. You have an excuse to play with toys.
5. Sleeping angelic faces: I haven't seen that in a while, but when I see other people's sleeping cherubs I smile.
6. Bonding with complete strangers: Kids are great conversation starters. Either I am getting sympathetic looks from kindred spirits who have been there, or people stop to tell me how cute my kids are. Either way I am talking to adults.
7. Delight in the simple things: It doesn't take much to make my kids happy. I was cleaning out a closet the other day and found an old pair of swim goggles. My son wore those goggles everywhere we went for three days--he wore them on the playground, at the mall, at the restaurant--which brings me back to point #6.
8. Kids make great "Gofors": They go for the diapers, the wipes, my keys, my cup of water, etc. You can get them to get your stuff for you and they feel great cause they are "helping" you.
9. "I love you, mom"--need I say more?
10. You really earn your relaxation time: Okay. So I know most of you don't need a reason to relax and everyone earns their relaxation time. When you have kids or are around kids, the time to yourself is so much more appreciated because you really earned it.
11. You deserve the second or third cup of coffee--- Or a glass of wine (oops I almost wrote "whine" see what mommy brain has done to me?) No questions asked (see above)
12. Playing with your kids on a playground is better and cheaper than any gym membership you can buy. Which brings me to # 13:
13. Your kids keep you in shape: The baby makes a great weight for weight training, running after children is great cardio, running up and down the stairs 100 times a day builds endurance. My husband just bought new running shoes so he can keep up.
14. You have a reason to go see the new cartoon movie you want to see but are afraid to admit (or go without a kid...)
15. Birthday parties are fun: Especially when they are at someone else`s house and all you have to do is drop off your kid and pick them up. I will gladly buy a present for anyone willing to take my kid for a couple of hours.
16. You have an excuse to buy toys and hang out in a toy store--though most parents I know (myself included) only go to toy stores without the kids.
17. You can experiment with new recipes and your kids have to eat it cause they are too young to make something themselves ( I do love a captive audience...)
18. Kids provide a wealth of material for many hobbies: Scrap booking, sewing, photography, blogging....
19. Bubbles: I don`t care how old you are bubbles are fun. "Bubbles" is fun to say, and blowing bubbles is fun to do. Of course its even more fun watching kids blow them and chase them.
20. Hearing a child say "Spaghetti".
21. You have an excuse to stop and pet puppies--and talk to the owner of said puppy. Puppies too are great conversation starters.
22. Realizing your kids do listen to you: One of my proudest moments was when my son could not find his cherished blanket and my daughter said to him, "Open your eyes and look". Good job, my girl.
23. You get to love your bed and any time you manage to be alone in it so much more when you have kids.
24. You have a reason to take a nap--even more awesome if you take the nap cuddled with your child
25. Leftovers: You get to eat whatever your kids don`t finish. I no longer have to order my own fries or desert as I can usually share with my kids. Something that makes me think I am making healthy choices. Even when I am not.
So there you have it. The first 25 awesome things about being a parent. The other 25 will follow when I think of them. What are your awesome parenting things?
"Shhhh! Stop crying!! Do you want mommy to take away your bear? Be quiet!" This coming from my oldest.
I am not sure what is going on in the room the two oldest now share. I have decided not to find out.
It could be worse. At least they are having fun sharing a room and they are bonding as brother and sister. That's my attempt at positivity. How was it? Yeah, I'm not buying it either. However, I have become concerned that anyone reading my blog might think that I don't really enjoy being a parent. Can't imagine why anyone would think that.....
In honor of mother's day, and for everyone out there who has kids in their lives, here are 50 awesome things about parenting kids (Well the first 25 `cause 50 would be long to read here and as my husband pointed out I tend to be "wordy").
Here they are in no particular order:
1. Cute things: The kids themselves my not be cute, but ever notice how cute the stuff that goes with the kids is? I'm talking little dresses, little suits and other little clothes (what is it about little clothes that makes them so cute?) tiny socks, little shoes.--My personal favorite, little adorable jammies. I haven't even mentioned the teddy bears, dolls, cars etc.
2. You get to feel smart (even when you are not): I have long lamented that my kids are smarter than me, but I can still explain to my three year old why we have elbows. The best part is my explanation does not have to be true or accurate, and they still think I am the smartest person in the world. If you are wondering, we have elbows so our arms can bend.
3. Bath time: I know bath time can be such a chore and I usually make my husband do it, but there is something funny about little children splashing around the tub with their hair all wild from the shampoo. Also adorable wrapped in the hooded towel--see #1.
4. You have an excuse to play with toys.
5. Sleeping angelic faces: I haven't seen that in a while, but when I see other people's sleeping cherubs I smile.
6. Bonding with complete strangers: Kids are great conversation starters. Either I am getting sympathetic looks from kindred spirits who have been there, or people stop to tell me how cute my kids are. Either way I am talking to adults.
7. Delight in the simple things: It doesn't take much to make my kids happy. I was cleaning out a closet the other day and found an old pair of swim goggles. My son wore those goggles everywhere we went for three days--he wore them on the playground, at the mall, at the restaurant--which brings me back to point #6.
8. Kids make great "Gofors": They go for the diapers, the wipes, my keys, my cup of water, etc. You can get them to get your stuff for you and they feel great cause they are "helping" you.
9. "I love you, mom"--need I say more?
10. You really earn your relaxation time: Okay. So I know most of you don't need a reason to relax and everyone earns their relaxation time. When you have kids or are around kids, the time to yourself is so much more appreciated because you really earned it.
11. You deserve the second or third cup of coffee--- Or a glass of wine (oops I almost wrote "whine" see what mommy brain has done to me?) No questions asked (see above)
12. Playing with your kids on a playground is better and cheaper than any gym membership you can buy. Which brings me to # 13:
13. Your kids keep you in shape: The baby makes a great weight for weight training, running after children is great cardio, running up and down the stairs 100 times a day builds endurance. My husband just bought new running shoes so he can keep up.
14. You have a reason to go see the new cartoon movie you want to see but are afraid to admit (or go without a kid...)
15. Birthday parties are fun: Especially when they are at someone else`s house and all you have to do is drop off your kid and pick them up. I will gladly buy a present for anyone willing to take my kid for a couple of hours.
16. You have an excuse to buy toys and hang out in a toy store--though most parents I know (myself included) only go to toy stores without the kids.
17. You can experiment with new recipes and your kids have to eat it cause they are too young to make something themselves ( I do love a captive audience...)
18. Kids provide a wealth of material for many hobbies: Scrap booking, sewing, photography, blogging....
19. Bubbles: I don`t care how old you are bubbles are fun. "Bubbles" is fun to say, and blowing bubbles is fun to do. Of course its even more fun watching kids blow them and chase them.
20. Hearing a child say "Spaghetti".
21. You have an excuse to stop and pet puppies--and talk to the owner of said puppy. Puppies too are great conversation starters.
22. Realizing your kids do listen to you: One of my proudest moments was when my son could not find his cherished blanket and my daughter said to him, "Open your eyes and look". Good job, my girl.
23. You get to love your bed and any time you manage to be alone in it so much more when you have kids.
24. You have a reason to take a nap--even more awesome if you take the nap cuddled with your child
25. Leftovers: You get to eat whatever your kids don`t finish. I no longer have to order my own fries or desert as I can usually share with my kids. Something that makes me think I am making healthy choices. Even when I am not.
So there you have it. The first 25 awesome things about being a parent. The other 25 will follow when I think of them. What are your awesome parenting things?
Friday, May 11, 2012
Its Official!
Its Official. I am ruining my children's lives.
Yesterday, I posted a link to a blog on my facebook page. In case you missed it, I have posted the link on my blog page as well. The blog is "Good job and other things you shouldn't say or do unless you want to ruin your kid's life". When I read the post on yelling, I was inspired. Finally felt like I was not crazy for wanting to find a better way to communicate with my children other than yelling. Every time I yell at my kids, I feel like a failure--it is the equivalent of an adult temper tantrum. J.L. (the author of the blog) has inspired me to keep working on myself and strive for a "no yelling" household. Way to go J.L, Good job.
Inspired by the yelling post, I started checking out the site and J.L's other posts. My heart started to sink as I realized that I am indeed ruining my children's lives. I have some thoughts for you, J.L.. First I will admit that my thoughts and observations are mine alone, I have not researched nor do I have any empirical evidence or a mentor to support my parenting views.
But I do have kids. So while I found some your content inspiring, I would like to respectfully disagree with some of your posts.
I read your post on spitting with great interest, as this was a problem with my almost three year old daughter. You wrote that ( and I am paraphrasing) that basically a child spitting is not meant as an insult to the parent, the child is merely expression their frustration/anger. You wrote that the child is thinking something like “Excuse me Mom, I’m really angry right now. I feel like no one is caring about what’s going on for me. I don’t want to go to that party. I feel like I haven’t had enough time with you. You’ve been with the baby forever and now I’m supposed to just get in the car and I’m hungry and I want to play with you and I don’t give a shit about some friend turning four.” So they spit. You go on to give an example of how you might handle the situation :
My daughter is not allowed to spit anywhere in my home (except the toilet) that includes on me. If she spits on me, she gets a time out--during which she spits on the floor at least three times (She gets another thirty seconds added to the time out for each additional spit on the floor) I know your views on time outs-- but that's another blog-- After her time out, I hand her the cloth and she wipes out her own spit.
I have found that the less of a big deal I make about it, the less she does it. We haven't had a spitting incident in quite a while. I hope that I am teaching her that if she makes a mess (like spitting on the floor) she cleans it up. However justified she may be in spitting on me, I cannot live with someone who spits. I am sure that her future teachers, classmates, bosses and co workers will thank me.
I get that her spitting is a result of her inability to self regulate, that she is just expression frustration at whatever situation. I take it from your post that you then would skip the birthday party in order to play/spend time with the child.
That's all well and good, except....
That creates another problem. In my house I would then have a screaming child who is now spitting because she missed the birthday party. I do appreciate that kids need more time to calm down then I do and I can appreciate the the incident may not be over just because I want it to be--because I have things to do and places to go, but the reality is we do have places to go and things to do.
I hope that I am teaching my kids that sometimes they can put their own personal comfort/interests aside in order to do something else. Why? because in life, that's what we do. If you make a commitment to someone (like attending a birthday party) then you should do your best to see it through. Besides, birthday parties might be fun. That's not to say that I would force my child to go to or stay at a birthday party, but if my child has agreed to go (when the invitation came) then we go a least for a little while. Think about it. If you r.s.v.p'd yes to a wedding, would you change your mind at the last minute? I personally hate weddings, but I love my friends and family. I put my personal feelings/comforts aside to be there for my friends. Its the same with my kids and birthday parties. If they have agreed to go, they go cause that is what friends do. Sometimes they have to think of someone besides themselves. I am sure their future classmates/friends/ and coworkers will thank me.
I do enjoy your blog, J.L and I hope you don't mind that I linked on my page. For now I think we will have to agree to disagree. I am going to continue to ruin my children's lives and start saving now for all the therapy bills in the future. After all, that is what my mom did with me and I turned out okay. Just ask my therapist....
Yesterday, I posted a link to a blog on my facebook page. In case you missed it, I have posted the link on my blog page as well. The blog is "Good job and other things you shouldn't say or do unless you want to ruin your kid's life". When I read the post on yelling, I was inspired. Finally felt like I was not crazy for wanting to find a better way to communicate with my children other than yelling. Every time I yell at my kids, I feel like a failure--it is the equivalent of an adult temper tantrum. J.L. (the author of the blog) has inspired me to keep working on myself and strive for a "no yelling" household. Way to go J.L, Good job.
Inspired by the yelling post, I started checking out the site and J.L's other posts. My heart started to sink as I realized that I am indeed ruining my children's lives. I have some thoughts for you, J.L.. First I will admit that my thoughts and observations are mine alone, I have not researched nor do I have any empirical evidence or a mentor to support my parenting views.
But I do have kids. So while I found some your content inspiring, I would like to respectfully disagree with some of your posts.
I read your post on spitting with great interest, as this was a problem with my almost three year old daughter. You wrote that ( and I am paraphrasing) that basically a child spitting is not meant as an insult to the parent, the child is merely expression their frustration/anger. You wrote that the child is thinking something like “Excuse me Mom, I’m really angry right now. I feel like no one is caring about what’s going on for me. I don’t want to go to that party. I feel like I haven’t had enough time with you. You’ve been with the baby forever and now I’m supposed to just get in the car and I’m hungry and I want to play with you and I don’t give a shit about some friend turning four.” So they spit. You go on to give an example of how you might handle the situation :
My thoughts about a spitting child would be, Wow, she’s spitting. She must really be in pain. How can I help?I can tell you J.L I have a spitting child and my first thought is not "how can I help". Its actually "Ewww" I do not tolerate spitting my house. Here's why: When my daughter grows up and leaves my house spitting will not be tolerated in any setting she goes into. I seriously doubt that her future teachers, classmates, bosses and co workers will think about the anger/upset that motivated the spitting, and I can guarantee they will not respond the way you would. You also go on to suggest that the child be directed to spit either outside or "over here where I can easily wipe it up"
My actual response to them might be something like, “You’re sooo angry. So angry you’re spitting at me. I don’t like to be spit on but you can you push my hands or hit the sofa or scream. We’ll work through this together. But yes…get the anger out first.” Likely I’d say it in fewer words!
My daughter is not allowed to spit anywhere in my home (except the toilet) that includes on me. If she spits on me, she gets a time out--during which she spits on the floor at least three times (She gets another thirty seconds added to the time out for each additional spit on the floor) I know your views on time outs-- but that's another blog-- After her time out, I hand her the cloth and she wipes out her own spit.
I have found that the less of a big deal I make about it, the less she does it. We haven't had a spitting incident in quite a while. I hope that I am teaching her that if she makes a mess (like spitting on the floor) she cleans it up. However justified she may be in spitting on me, I cannot live with someone who spits. I am sure that her future teachers, classmates, bosses and co workers will thank me.
I get that her spitting is a result of her inability to self regulate, that she is just expression frustration at whatever situation. I take it from your post that you then would skip the birthday party in order to play/spend time with the child.
That's all well and good, except....
That creates another problem. In my house I would then have a screaming child who is now spitting because she missed the birthday party. I do appreciate that kids need more time to calm down then I do and I can appreciate the the incident may not be over just because I want it to be--because I have things to do and places to go, but the reality is we do have places to go and things to do.
I hope that I am teaching my kids that sometimes they can put their own personal comfort/interests aside in order to do something else. Why? because in life, that's what we do. If you make a commitment to someone (like attending a birthday party) then you should do your best to see it through. Besides, birthday parties might be fun. That's not to say that I would force my child to go to or stay at a birthday party, but if my child has agreed to go (when the invitation came) then we go a least for a little while. Think about it. If you r.s.v.p'd yes to a wedding, would you change your mind at the last minute? I personally hate weddings, but I love my friends and family. I put my personal feelings/comforts aside to be there for my friends. Its the same with my kids and birthday parties. If they have agreed to go, they go cause that is what friends do. Sometimes they have to think of someone besides themselves. I am sure their future classmates/friends/ and coworkers will thank me.
I do enjoy your blog, J.L and I hope you don't mind that I linked on my page. For now I think we will have to agree to disagree. I am going to continue to ruin my children's lives and start saving now for all the therapy bills in the future. After all, that is what my mom did with me and I turned out okay. Just ask my therapist....
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Weary Travellers
Home where my thought's escaping
Home where my music's playing....
----Simon and Garfunkel
Whew!! What a great trip. We are just back from a week in southern Ontario. We did not get to see everyone we wanted to see, but we did catch up with great friends we have not seen for a long time.
It takes nerves of steel to pack up three children, load them into the van (We used to do it in a four door sedan) and drive 700 km--in one day. Before we had the van the trip was taking about 11 hours. Now we are back to about 8-9 hours. My poor kids have learned to hold their bladders.
For anyone thinking about doing this, I would like to share with you the top then things this trip has taught me. Here they are in no particular order:
1. Be prepared for the unexpected--You never know for example when a friend you haven't seen in six years will reappear in your life, spend the day with you, then sleep on your hotel room floor that night.
2. Be grateful for the amazing friends you have--The ones who are kind enough to meet you outside of Old Navy and point out that the shirt you thought was one of your best has baby vomit on it. The new bra you bought to go with the shirt does not fit resulting in something called "Muffin Boob". Be grateful for the friends who are kind enough to spend the whole day with you and pretend not to notice. Mostly be grateful you get to spend time with them.
3.Your children--especially the baby-- will decide that sleep is not necessary on vacation and 2 am is perfectly fine bedtime and 8am is still fine to get up, except when you have somewhere to be in the morning. Then the kids --again especially the baby-- will decide to sleep until 10 or 11am.
4. Getting your hair done while in the city is not a privilege, its a right. If that means your husband has to entertain the kids while waiting for you, so be it.
5. Feeding your kids slushies at a baseball game pretty much ruins your chances for a quiet-ish dinner with reasonably well behaved children. (It also ruins bedtime)
6. Letting your baby eat soft foods from a net on a stick looks disgusting, but does buy you enough time to eat your dinner and chat with family (The net is hard to clean, but hey, whatever doesn't kill you can only make you stronger, right?)
7. There will be no romantic time with your spouse--see point #3
8. No matter how many times your family has told you they checked behind the couch and under the bed of the hotel, you are guaranteed to leave something behind--for example the new plush rabbits the kids were super excited to bring on the trip.
9. Sometimes luck is on your side and on your return home you happen to come across the same rabbits for $5--way less then you paid for them and way cheaper then having the hotel ship them back
10. Finally be thankful that you get to go on vacation, spend time with your family, visit friends, eat in restaurants, and see your kids happy. Travel builds character and creates life long memories. What is your favorite childhood vacation?
Home where my music's playing....
----Simon and Garfunkel
Whew!! What a great trip. We are just back from a week in southern Ontario. We did not get to see everyone we wanted to see, but we did catch up with great friends we have not seen for a long time.
It takes nerves of steel to pack up three children, load them into the van (We used to do it in a four door sedan) and drive 700 km--in one day. Before we had the van the trip was taking about 11 hours. Now we are back to about 8-9 hours. My poor kids have learned to hold their bladders.
For anyone thinking about doing this, I would like to share with you the top then things this trip has taught me. Here they are in no particular order:
1. Be prepared for the unexpected--You never know for example when a friend you haven't seen in six years will reappear in your life, spend the day with you, then sleep on your hotel room floor that night.
2. Be grateful for the amazing friends you have--The ones who are kind enough to meet you outside of Old Navy and point out that the shirt you thought was one of your best has baby vomit on it. The new bra you bought to go with the shirt does not fit resulting in something called "Muffin Boob". Be grateful for the friends who are kind enough to spend the whole day with you and pretend not to notice. Mostly be grateful you get to spend time with them.
3.Your children--especially the baby-- will decide that sleep is not necessary on vacation and 2 am is perfectly fine bedtime and 8am is still fine to get up, except when you have somewhere to be in the morning. Then the kids --again especially the baby-- will decide to sleep until 10 or 11am.
4. Getting your hair done while in the city is not a privilege, its a right. If that means your husband has to entertain the kids while waiting for you, so be it.
5. Feeding your kids slushies at a baseball game pretty much ruins your chances for a quiet-ish dinner with reasonably well behaved children. (It also ruins bedtime)
6. Letting your baby eat soft foods from a net on a stick looks disgusting, but does buy you enough time to eat your dinner and chat with family (The net is hard to clean, but hey, whatever doesn't kill you can only make you stronger, right?)
7. There will be no romantic time with your spouse--see point #3
8. No matter how many times your family has told you they checked behind the couch and under the bed of the hotel, you are guaranteed to leave something behind--for example the new plush rabbits the kids were super excited to bring on the trip.
9. Sometimes luck is on your side and on your return home you happen to come across the same rabbits for $5--way less then you paid for them and way cheaper then having the hotel ship them back
10. Finally be thankful that you get to go on vacation, spend time with your family, visit friends, eat in restaurants, and see your kids happy. Travel builds character and creates life long memories. What is your favorite childhood vacation?
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Watch Where You Step.
I have long said that marriage is a bloodsport. I stand behind that sentiment. If you are not laughing or nodding your head in agreement right now, then you a) Haven't been married long enough or b) Don't have any kids or c) have super excellent kids that everyone envies. So if marriage is bloodsport, then raising kids is the Olympics of bloodsports.
Scratch that.
Raising kids is like walking through a mine field. You have to be always one step ahead and avoid pitfalls you don't see coming. Just when you think you have it all figured out BOOM!! it blows up in your face. Better get a helmet and a towel.
This could get messy.
Right now I am reading a parenting book that covers preschool to preteen (I read all the baby books I care to read during my first two pregnancies) I am not going to name the book, but I would like to share my thoughts on I am reading right now.
I am currently reading a chapter on discipline techniques. Yeah, I know. I can hear some of you groaning right now. I can hear at least one of you shouting, "Throw the book away!! A good swift swat on the backside ain't going to hurt!!" Well, actually it will hurt that's the point. I don't see what hitting my kids would teach them, except do as I say or I will hurt you. Might work now, but then when they are too old to hit, what then? (Yes I got that from the book).
The book I am reading is big on natural consequences and logical consequences. When I read this I was on board. It made sense. Teach kids that their actions have consequences and let them suffer those consequences. Then I tried to apply it, and BOOM!! Blew up right in my face. Good thing I have a towel. Natural consequences are easy when they are toddlers: rip a book and the book goes in the garbage and then no story time. Break something and it goes in the garbage then you don't have it anymore...But now that I have a school age child and a preschooler, natural logical consequences are extremely hard to enforce.
My precious book has abandoned me. It doesn't tell me what a natural consequence would be for a preschooler who for example, is put to bed, screams her head off, picks up the rubber mats on her floor (the colorful kind that has the alphabet letters in the middle) and gets her head stuck in the hole in the middle of the mat. In my mind the natural consequence would be to leave it there and let her suffer with the mat around her neck.
A word of advice: If your child gets his or her head stuck in something, don't leave them to suffer the natural consequence. Your little genius might end up trying to chew her way out, leaving you with a room that has little foam bits all over the floor and a child who is now crying cause her tummy hurts. Now we have bigger problems cause the crying from one child prompts the other child who was asleep to yell at both of us to be quiet. Which wakes the baby. Okay, Parenting Guru, what now?
Another piece of sound advice from the book is to avoid situations that trigger meltdowns. For example if your kid has a meltdown every time you go to the amusement park then your kid is not ready for the amusement park. Really? First off, how many times does this author assume parents go to an amusement park? Second, what kid has a meltdown at the amusement park? Kids are happy to go there. My kids have meltdowns at grocery stores, doctors offices, the car, in bed, you know places we have to go. Avoiding things that trigger meltdowns is fine if you avoid everything.
There is another way to avoid meltdowns, according to my book: Make sure your kids get adequate rest. Well duh. I know the reason we are having bedtime tantrums is because my preschooler is tired and exhausted. I let the child stay up late in order to avoid triggering a meltdown over bedtime. Which is it? Do I risk the tantrum at bedtime and enforce a bedtime I have no way of enforcing unless I stand constant guard (which is nearly impossible with a crying baby) or do I let the child burn out and crash wherever that happens to be?
The next time I am invited to a baby shower instead of a present or an oh-so-helpful-book I am going to get the mom to be a flak jacket, a helmet and a towel, no wait--two towels.
Scratch that.
Raising kids is like walking through a mine field. You have to be always one step ahead and avoid pitfalls you don't see coming. Just when you think you have it all figured out BOOM!! it blows up in your face. Better get a helmet and a towel.
This could get messy.
Right now I am reading a parenting book that covers preschool to preteen (I read all the baby books I care to read during my first two pregnancies) I am not going to name the book, but I would like to share my thoughts on I am reading right now.
I am currently reading a chapter on discipline techniques. Yeah, I know. I can hear some of you groaning right now. I can hear at least one of you shouting, "Throw the book away!! A good swift swat on the backside ain't going to hurt!!" Well, actually it will hurt that's the point. I don't see what hitting my kids would teach them, except do as I say or I will hurt you. Might work now, but then when they are too old to hit, what then? (Yes I got that from the book).
The book I am reading is big on natural consequences and logical consequences. When I read this I was on board. It made sense. Teach kids that their actions have consequences and let them suffer those consequences. Then I tried to apply it, and BOOM!! Blew up right in my face. Good thing I have a towel. Natural consequences are easy when they are toddlers: rip a book and the book goes in the garbage and then no story time. Break something and it goes in the garbage then you don't have it anymore...But now that I have a school age child and a preschooler, natural logical consequences are extremely hard to enforce.
My precious book has abandoned me. It doesn't tell me what a natural consequence would be for a preschooler who for example, is put to bed, screams her head off, picks up the rubber mats on her floor (the colorful kind that has the alphabet letters in the middle) and gets her head stuck in the hole in the middle of the mat. In my mind the natural consequence would be to leave it there and let her suffer with the mat around her neck.
A word of advice: If your child gets his or her head stuck in something, don't leave them to suffer the natural consequence. Your little genius might end up trying to chew her way out, leaving you with a room that has little foam bits all over the floor and a child who is now crying cause her tummy hurts. Now we have bigger problems cause the crying from one child prompts the other child who was asleep to yell at both of us to be quiet. Which wakes the baby. Okay, Parenting Guru, what now?
Another piece of sound advice from the book is to avoid situations that trigger meltdowns. For example if your kid has a meltdown every time you go to the amusement park then your kid is not ready for the amusement park. Really? First off, how many times does this author assume parents go to an amusement park? Second, what kid has a meltdown at the amusement park? Kids are happy to go there. My kids have meltdowns at grocery stores, doctors offices, the car, in bed, you know places we have to go. Avoiding things that trigger meltdowns is fine if you avoid everything.
There is another way to avoid meltdowns, according to my book: Make sure your kids get adequate rest. Well duh. I know the reason we are having bedtime tantrums is because my preschooler is tired and exhausted. I let the child stay up late in order to avoid triggering a meltdown over bedtime. Which is it? Do I risk the tantrum at bedtime and enforce a bedtime I have no way of enforcing unless I stand constant guard (which is nearly impossible with a crying baby) or do I let the child burn out and crash wherever that happens to be?
The next time I am invited to a baby shower instead of a present or an oh-so-helpful-book I am going to get the mom to be a flak jacket, a helmet and a towel, no wait--two towels.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Please
I can't believe its been a whole week since you left.
I miss you and I need you. The kids need you. You can't leave us. You just can't. I admit it was all my fault. If you come back, things will be different.
I promise from now on, no more pushing you away. No more coffee before bed. The TV in the bedroom is gone. I promise to be in my bed every night ready and willing for you. Please.
How did it come to this? I know we have had our ups and downs and I used to push you away for days on end. I am so sorry I ever said you were for idiots. I didn't mean it. You did not deserve that. I never really appreciated everything you did for me until I was pregnant with my oldest child. Prior to that I was so mean to you. I worked nights just so I could avoid you. I didn't need you then. But I do now. Please.
What about the kids? Have you thought about what your absence is doing to them? I will tell you what it doing to them, its turning them into some sort of devil spawn. They need you probably much more then I do. I am used to you being gone, they are not. They are innocent. What am I supposed to tell them? They don't understand. Its me that has to explain to them at 3am why you are gone. What about the baby? How can you leave a helpless baby? The baby used to be so delightful and happy. Now she is a quivering, fussy mass of teething misery. She really needs you. Please.
I don't know what more I can say, except that we will probably loose our minds if you don't come back soon. I promise to be welcoming. We will do whatever you need us to do, just please please come back. Don't leave us now when we need you the most.
I am really begging on my knees. I am pleading with you, my darling, my baby, my wonderful sleep please come back soon.
Who did you think I meant?
I miss you and I need you. The kids need you. You can't leave us. You just can't. I admit it was all my fault. If you come back, things will be different.
I promise from now on, no more pushing you away. No more coffee before bed. The TV in the bedroom is gone. I promise to be in my bed every night ready and willing for you. Please.
How did it come to this? I know we have had our ups and downs and I used to push you away for days on end. I am so sorry I ever said you were for idiots. I didn't mean it. You did not deserve that. I never really appreciated everything you did for me until I was pregnant with my oldest child. Prior to that I was so mean to you. I worked nights just so I could avoid you. I didn't need you then. But I do now. Please.
What about the kids? Have you thought about what your absence is doing to them? I will tell you what it doing to them, its turning them into some sort of devil spawn. They need you probably much more then I do. I am used to you being gone, they are not. They are innocent. What am I supposed to tell them? They don't understand. Its me that has to explain to them at 3am why you are gone. What about the baby? How can you leave a helpless baby? The baby used to be so delightful and happy. Now she is a quivering, fussy mass of teething misery. She really needs you. Please.
I don't know what more I can say, except that we will probably loose our minds if you don't come back soon. I promise to be welcoming. We will do whatever you need us to do, just please please come back. Don't leave us now when we need you the most.
I am really begging on my knees. I am pleading with you, my darling, my baby, my wonderful sleep please come back soon.
Who did you think I meant?
Friday, April 6, 2012
Good Friday? I think not.
Happy Easter!!
We are only a quarter through the long Easter weekend and man, I don't think we are going to survive. At least I am not. I am currently trying to enforce my latest parental decision--nap time.
We spent last evening at a friends house dying Easter eggs and eating candy and pizza. We got home had baths and straight to bed. It was an awesome evening--no fuss no muss. As always however, the lateness of bedtime is inversely proportionate to wake up time----the later the bedtime, the earlier the wake up time. So now I have children who were up late and up early. In others words, a perfect storm brewing. I tried to stop the escalation but I can no more stop this then I can stop a tornado. Time to run and take cover.
I am trying to use that old sanity saver, nap/quiet time. It never works for us. Interestingly enough, we are not too bad at bedtime. When it is time for bed my kids go, and if they fuss, cry, or otherwise call out or get up to the bathroom multiple times then the next nights bedtime is moved up by 30 min--and yes I have put my kids to bed at 6pm. Its a good strategy and I feel logical consequence to their actions, but once again their consequences mean I have to do more work. I have dinner ready by five, or skip bath time or not go for an after dinner walk. In short, its a heck of a lot of work just to enforce some "logical' consequences.
Today's debacle started around lunch time. Tired, hungry, whine-y, bored children do not make good company. Tempers flared and tantrums ensued when my children left the table--something I have told them a thousand times not to do--before they were finished their lunch and the dog jumped up on the table and ate their food. There were many tears and a belch from the dog. Not to be left out, my six month old decided she also needed to scream at the top of her lungs because the other two were doing it. I lost it and sent everyone to their rooms for a nap/quiet time.
The very mention of the words room, nap quiet time are enough to cause major meltdowns from my older children. They refused to go to their room. First they lost a star, then a marble and then the big guns-- I started throwing out their stuff. On the plus side, my house is somewhat cleaner because the toys that were laying around are in the garbage. And yes, they are actually in the garbage not coming back. Its my last resort. I no longer yell at them to get to their rooms, I just go around with a garbage bag and throw out stuff until they are in their rooms and quiet (Don't feel too sorry though, most of what I threw out we had duplicates of anyway, but they don't know that.) Finally they settled and we all agreed that they would stay in their rooms for an hour. Except....
My son needed to go the bathroom. Fine. First time--he gets to go, no talking to anyone then straight back to his room. Second time, he can go but the minutes he spends in the bathroom get added to the hour he was supposed to spend in his room. My almost three year old daughter during this time was busy destroying her room. She emptied her closet, dumped her toys. My baby has been crying and fussing this whole time as well, because the other two's tantrums woke her up. I have spent the last hour policing the children (well and writing this so I guess its not all bad).
Now the hour is up and what did I gain? Certainly not well rested children. Another room I have to clean, a messy kitchen and a fussy baby. My kids could not even find the time during all that not napping to get dressed so we can't even go outside. Not really sure what my next move is going to be. Now I have to spend the afternoon cleaning my girl's bedroom (or at least making sure she cleans it) and plotting my revenge. Perhaps another six pm bedtime.................
Good Friday? I don't see what is so good about it.
We are only a quarter through the long Easter weekend and man, I don't think we are going to survive. At least I am not. I am currently trying to enforce my latest parental decision--nap time.
We spent last evening at a friends house dying Easter eggs and eating candy and pizza. We got home had baths and straight to bed. It was an awesome evening--no fuss no muss. As always however, the lateness of bedtime is inversely proportionate to wake up time----the later the bedtime, the earlier the wake up time. So now I have children who were up late and up early. In others words, a perfect storm brewing. I tried to stop the escalation but I can no more stop this then I can stop a tornado. Time to run and take cover.
I am trying to use that old sanity saver, nap/quiet time. It never works for us. Interestingly enough, we are not too bad at bedtime. When it is time for bed my kids go, and if they fuss, cry, or otherwise call out or get up to the bathroom multiple times then the next nights bedtime is moved up by 30 min--and yes I have put my kids to bed at 6pm. Its a good strategy and I feel logical consequence to their actions, but once again their consequences mean I have to do more work. I have dinner ready by five, or skip bath time or not go for an after dinner walk. In short, its a heck of a lot of work just to enforce some "logical' consequences.
Today's debacle started around lunch time. Tired, hungry, whine-y, bored children do not make good company. Tempers flared and tantrums ensued when my children left the table--something I have told them a thousand times not to do--before they were finished their lunch and the dog jumped up on the table and ate their food. There were many tears and a belch from the dog. Not to be left out, my six month old decided she also needed to scream at the top of her lungs because the other two were doing it. I lost it and sent everyone to their rooms for a nap/quiet time.
The very mention of the words room, nap quiet time are enough to cause major meltdowns from my older children. They refused to go to their room. First they lost a star, then a marble and then the big guns-- I started throwing out their stuff. On the plus side, my house is somewhat cleaner because the toys that were laying around are in the garbage. And yes, they are actually in the garbage not coming back. Its my last resort. I no longer yell at them to get to their rooms, I just go around with a garbage bag and throw out stuff until they are in their rooms and quiet (Don't feel too sorry though, most of what I threw out we had duplicates of anyway, but they don't know that.) Finally they settled and we all agreed that they would stay in their rooms for an hour. Except....
My son needed to go the bathroom. Fine. First time--he gets to go, no talking to anyone then straight back to his room. Second time, he can go but the minutes he spends in the bathroom get added to the hour he was supposed to spend in his room. My almost three year old daughter during this time was busy destroying her room. She emptied her closet, dumped her toys. My baby has been crying and fussing this whole time as well, because the other two's tantrums woke her up. I have spent the last hour policing the children (well and writing this so I guess its not all bad).
Now the hour is up and what did I gain? Certainly not well rested children. Another room I have to clean, a messy kitchen and a fussy baby. My kids could not even find the time during all that not napping to get dressed so we can't even go outside. Not really sure what my next move is going to be. Now I have to spend the afternoon cleaning my girl's bedroom (or at least making sure she cleans it) and plotting my revenge. Perhaps another six pm bedtime.................
Good Friday? I don't see what is so good about it.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
I'm Hungry...
Happy April!! I can't believe how time flies. It occurs to me tonight that it has been ages since I have written and I figure its about time I do. Things have been busy here in the frozen north. Since my last post, we have moved our baby in with her big sister and that is presenting some challenges for big sister (and mommy and daddy). However that is a blog for another day. Today I thought I would provide an update on our "Clean Eating" plan.
We are now on week 12 and my husband is down over thirty pounds. I am still down twenty, haven't lost any weight in a while. Its my fault though, because I cheat way more than my husband. How are all of you doing with your resolutions? I must say that I do struggle a little more with the eating plan than my husband, but I know it is worth it in the end. For anyone who is thinking about making a change to their eating habits, here are some of the challenges we have had and how to overcome them. I hope this helps.
The first challenge we faced was that it was expensive. Initially it was. We started buying things like Ezekiel bread--we first had to figure out what it was then figure out where to buy it. Also, because the menus never repeated a meal, they called for many ingredients that were used in one meal then rotted before we rolled around to that meal again. We way over bought produce. We also did not account for things we like and would eat (for example buying the ingredients for a sardine and spinach salad was a wasted expense) In addition we also did not account for things like going out and having leftovers.
The fix? this is a fix to the next challenge as well, but we have decided to stop following a menu plan and automate what we eat. In other words we basically eat the same things every day, so we each week we are buying basically the same things.This makes the grocery list easy to do and the shopping quicker. We now have the layout of the store memorized so we are in an out in about an hour. Previously we would plan each meal for the week then buy the ingredients to make each meal. Not a bad way to do things, but I find on a Sunday morning that last thing I want to do is think about the next seven days of supper. Now I am making suppers that have a protein source, salad and a couple of vegetables and a grain. So now each week I buy two kinds of fish--usually salmon and talipa, two red meats usually pork and fast fry steak--or whatever is on for about four dollars. Sometimes I will buy one large T-bone or Sirloin and cut it into four pieces or cook it and cut it up for a Thai beef salad. I also get two pre-cooked BBQ chickens (the hot ones ) I take the skin off of them and cut up the chicken in a container in the fridge. This then becomes the lunch meat for sandwiches, the protein for salads and wraps and the topping for pizza or filling for fajitas. I also keep some sort of ground meat in the freezer--usually extra lean beef or chicken or turkey.
For vegetables it is hard to find ones we like, but so far we are enjoying broccoli rabe, asparagus carrots and celery. For fruit we buy apples, oranges bosc pears and bananas we eat loads of bananas. We also buy a fair amount of frozen berries--blueberries, mango and strawberries. Round it out with some milk, plain greek yogurt and some kids stuff like cereal, whole wheat bread for sandwiches, and wraps. We also get almond butter or all natural peanut butter, and some sort of beans--black or pinto or kidney. That's basically the list, more or less the same each week--we are coming in around $150 dollars which is way better than the $350 we spent the first few time we did this.
The next challenge we faced is the time commitment. At first and as I have posted before, suppers were taking over two hours to prepare because many recipes had many ingredients (most of which I did not know what they were let alone how to cook them). Now I find that dinner takes about 10 minutes or so to prepare--the meat cooks in about 10min and sometimes we don't bother to cook the vegetables so they go from fridge to plate. I am starting to love dinner again. Packing school lunch takes no time either. We usually pack a cheese string or two, a "cutie" orange, a pear, a sandwich and a banana, and two drinking boxes. I know, we should be packing milk, but we have a special request for drinking boxes and since my poor child is coping with the loss of his beloved "lunchables" I don't have the heart to take away the juice or-- gasp--sometimes kool aid.
So now you might be asking what we eat in a day. Well I can tell you that if I spend ten minutes on dinner I don't spend that time on breakfast or lunch. Here is our basic meal plan. It may sound boring and to some extent it is, but it is easy. Plus, there are millions of combinations to the same basic outline for the day. For breakfast: Smoothie. I was never one for smoothies until I started drinking them. Now I love them for many reasons. They are quick, easy, can have them on the go, on the phone, while feeding a baby..and they are so tasty. There are millions of combinations to go in a smoothie, so no need to get bored. Morning snack: Fruit with a table spoon of almond butter. Lunch: Salad and a fruit. Yeah I know, but salad is quick to prepare (we buy pre washed baby spinach and pre washed spring mix) and again, lots of combinations. Afternoon snack: Green tea and fruit with almond butter. Supper as I mentioned above, a meat a salad and a vegetable. Bedtime snack: Either oatmeal with berries and protein powder or three cups light organic microwave popcorn. Of course, plenty of water. This is how my husband has lost thirty pounds and is now a couple of pounds below his goal weight.
My challenges have been that I am skipping the all important snacks, so then that leads to hunger and once I am hungry, I am ordering pizza or going to MacDonald's. So starting tomorrow, I am renewing my commitment to eat six times a day (small meals). However, if I find myself at a restaurant and craving funnel cake, I am going to get the funnel cake. I believe that this is not an all or nothing endeavor. Its what you do most of the time that counts. If you are wanting to make a change to your eating habits but don't because of the obstacles, I hope you will find hope in our plan and try it for yourself. I would love to know how it works for others. Also I would love any comments on simple ways you have found to eat healthy with little time and little money. We are in this together.
We are now on week 12 and my husband is down over thirty pounds. I am still down twenty, haven't lost any weight in a while. Its my fault though, because I cheat way more than my husband. How are all of you doing with your resolutions? I must say that I do struggle a little more with the eating plan than my husband, but I know it is worth it in the end. For anyone who is thinking about making a change to their eating habits, here are some of the challenges we have had and how to overcome them. I hope this helps.
The first challenge we faced was that it was expensive. Initially it was. We started buying things like Ezekiel bread--we first had to figure out what it was then figure out where to buy it. Also, because the menus never repeated a meal, they called for many ingredients that were used in one meal then rotted before we rolled around to that meal again. We way over bought produce. We also did not account for things we like and would eat (for example buying the ingredients for a sardine and spinach salad was a wasted expense) In addition we also did not account for things like going out and having leftovers.
The fix? this is a fix to the next challenge as well, but we have decided to stop following a menu plan and automate what we eat. In other words we basically eat the same things every day, so we each week we are buying basically the same things.This makes the grocery list easy to do and the shopping quicker. We now have the layout of the store memorized so we are in an out in about an hour. Previously we would plan each meal for the week then buy the ingredients to make each meal. Not a bad way to do things, but I find on a Sunday morning that last thing I want to do is think about the next seven days of supper. Now I am making suppers that have a protein source, salad and a couple of vegetables and a grain. So now each week I buy two kinds of fish--usually salmon and talipa, two red meats usually pork and fast fry steak--or whatever is on for about four dollars. Sometimes I will buy one large T-bone or Sirloin and cut it into four pieces or cook it and cut it up for a Thai beef salad. I also get two pre-cooked BBQ chickens (the hot ones ) I take the skin off of them and cut up the chicken in a container in the fridge. This then becomes the lunch meat for sandwiches, the protein for salads and wraps and the topping for pizza or filling for fajitas. I also keep some sort of ground meat in the freezer--usually extra lean beef or chicken or turkey.
For vegetables it is hard to find ones we like, but so far we are enjoying broccoli rabe, asparagus carrots and celery. For fruit we buy apples, oranges bosc pears and bananas we eat loads of bananas. We also buy a fair amount of frozen berries--blueberries, mango and strawberries. Round it out with some milk, plain greek yogurt and some kids stuff like cereal, whole wheat bread for sandwiches, and wraps. We also get almond butter or all natural peanut butter, and some sort of beans--black or pinto or kidney. That's basically the list, more or less the same each week--we are coming in around $150 dollars which is way better than the $350 we spent the first few time we did this.
The next challenge we faced is the time commitment. At first and as I have posted before, suppers were taking over two hours to prepare because many recipes had many ingredients (most of which I did not know what they were let alone how to cook them). Now I find that dinner takes about 10 minutes or so to prepare--the meat cooks in about 10min and sometimes we don't bother to cook the vegetables so they go from fridge to plate. I am starting to love dinner again. Packing school lunch takes no time either. We usually pack a cheese string or two, a "cutie" orange, a pear, a sandwich and a banana, and two drinking boxes. I know, we should be packing milk, but we have a special request for drinking boxes and since my poor child is coping with the loss of his beloved "lunchables" I don't have the heart to take away the juice or-- gasp--sometimes kool aid.
So now you might be asking what we eat in a day. Well I can tell you that if I spend ten minutes on dinner I don't spend that time on breakfast or lunch. Here is our basic meal plan. It may sound boring and to some extent it is, but it is easy. Plus, there are millions of combinations to the same basic outline for the day. For breakfast: Smoothie. I was never one for smoothies until I started drinking them. Now I love them for many reasons. They are quick, easy, can have them on the go, on the phone, while feeding a baby..and they are so tasty. There are millions of combinations to go in a smoothie, so no need to get bored. Morning snack: Fruit with a table spoon of almond butter. Lunch: Salad and a fruit. Yeah I know, but salad is quick to prepare (we buy pre washed baby spinach and pre washed spring mix) and again, lots of combinations. Afternoon snack: Green tea and fruit with almond butter. Supper as I mentioned above, a meat a salad and a vegetable. Bedtime snack: Either oatmeal with berries and protein powder or three cups light organic microwave popcorn. Of course, plenty of water. This is how my husband has lost thirty pounds and is now a couple of pounds below his goal weight.
My challenges have been that I am skipping the all important snacks, so then that leads to hunger and once I am hungry, I am ordering pizza or going to MacDonald's. So starting tomorrow, I am renewing my commitment to eat six times a day (small meals). However, if I find myself at a restaurant and craving funnel cake, I am going to get the funnel cake. I believe that this is not an all or nothing endeavor. Its what you do most of the time that counts. If you are wanting to make a change to your eating habits but don't because of the obstacles, I hope you will find hope in our plan and try it for yourself. I would love to know how it works for others. Also I would love any comments on simple ways you have found to eat healthy with little time and little money. We are in this together.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
I was such a good parent before I had kids
"I am setting the timer for 10 minutes. Whoever is not ready, does not go the hockey game." This is how we begin most trips out of our house. It is a source of huge frustration for me. It should be simple, pick a time to leave, put coats on put shoes on and go...Yeah right. For some reason, when I say its time to get ready, my family (husband included) think it means stand around, or in the case of the children run around in all different directions until I have the baby ready and my stuff on. Then they choose that moment to go to the bathroom, put the dog out, get coats on, etc. Then I get blamed for holding everyone up. Its true I am always the last one out of the house because I am cleaning the kitchen, making sure the pets are locked downstairs and getting the baby ready. I try to give my family the ten minute warning--which as I said my family thinks it means wait until the ten minutes are up and then get ready..Sigh
Tonight was going to be our third night out of the house--we were going to a hockey game about an hour drive from Timmins. Jeff and I agreed we would leave at 6. We had dinner at 5 and the kids even helped clean up. We did not tell them about the game until the 10 minute warning. They were super excited. My son to my surprise got ready, but my wonderful two year old decided instead to strip her clothes off and run around naked. The timer of course went off, and my son actually asked for an extension for his sister so she could get ready. Despite repeated warnings for my daughter to get dressed and some raised voices I finally convinced Jeff to go without her. My two year old managed to delay departure time until 6:30. Now its 7 pm beautifully light out and warm and I would like to go for a walk..but I have a naked two year old to contend with. Double sigh.
Its situations like this that make me question my parenting skills and my sanity. On one hand, I know I have to stick to what I said, and my girl did not get ready so she did not go. In fact she should not have had a half hour of chances but Jeff was reluctant to leave because he wanted to give me some quiet time by taking our older two. He took the baby so once my two year old goes to sleep I should have the quiet time. As a natural consequence of not getting ready my middle child missed the hockey game. Good discipline, right? Except that she is not upset about missing the game. In fact there were no tears, nothing. Of course she is not upset. Now she has mommy all to herself (or at least she will when I am done writing this). Smart girl.
Is it too early to admit defeat? Is it wrong to admit that as much as she frustrates me I am secretly proud? I love her persistence and stubbornness--when it doesn't affect me--It is what will take her far in life and hopefully she will never give up until she achieves her goals and dreams but right now, it sucks. This child is truly smarter than me. I have no idea how to impose a natural consequence without inadvertently rewarding the behavior. Triple sigh. The star chart is working very well for our oldest child, but my clever two year old has decided she does not want or need stars. She does respond when her favorite bear is taken away, but if I am afraid if I do that too often she will just decide she doesn't need bear anyway.
I used to be smart. Before I had kids, I read books, I subscribe to theories--I have always liked the attachment theory of parenting. We talked about discipline, I knew exactly how I would handle my kids when they misbehaved. I was so smart, so informed that I even knew what other parents were doing wrong. I would see them ignoring their kids in the mall, or yelling in a restaurant and I would feel sorry those people couldn't handle their kids. Now I will consider myself lucky if I am not bailing one of my monsters out of jail in a few years. I was such a better parent before I had kids.
Tonight was going to be our third night out of the house--we were going to a hockey game about an hour drive from Timmins. Jeff and I agreed we would leave at 6. We had dinner at 5 and the kids even helped clean up. We did not tell them about the game until the 10 minute warning. They were super excited. My son to my surprise got ready, but my wonderful two year old decided instead to strip her clothes off and run around naked. The timer of course went off, and my son actually asked for an extension for his sister so she could get ready. Despite repeated warnings for my daughter to get dressed and some raised voices I finally convinced Jeff to go without her. My two year old managed to delay departure time until 6:30. Now its 7 pm beautifully light out and warm and I would like to go for a walk..but I have a naked two year old to contend with. Double sigh.
Its situations like this that make me question my parenting skills and my sanity. On one hand, I know I have to stick to what I said, and my girl did not get ready so she did not go. In fact she should not have had a half hour of chances but Jeff was reluctant to leave because he wanted to give me some quiet time by taking our older two. He took the baby so once my two year old goes to sleep I should have the quiet time. As a natural consequence of not getting ready my middle child missed the hockey game. Good discipline, right? Except that she is not upset about missing the game. In fact there were no tears, nothing. Of course she is not upset. Now she has mommy all to herself (or at least she will when I am done writing this). Smart girl.
Is it too early to admit defeat? Is it wrong to admit that as much as she frustrates me I am secretly proud? I love her persistence and stubbornness--when it doesn't affect me--It is what will take her far in life and hopefully she will never give up until she achieves her goals and dreams but right now, it sucks. This child is truly smarter than me. I have no idea how to impose a natural consequence without inadvertently rewarding the behavior. Triple sigh. The star chart is working very well for our oldest child, but my clever two year old has decided she does not want or need stars. She does respond when her favorite bear is taken away, but if I am afraid if I do that too often she will just decide she doesn't need bear anyway.
I used to be smart. Before I had kids, I read books, I subscribe to theories--I have always liked the attachment theory of parenting. We talked about discipline, I knew exactly how I would handle my kids when they misbehaved. I was so smart, so informed that I even knew what other parents were doing wrong. I would see them ignoring their kids in the mall, or yelling in a restaurant and I would feel sorry those people couldn't handle their kids. Now I will consider myself lucky if I am not bailing one of my monsters out of jail in a few years. I was such a better parent before I had kids.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Decisions, Decisions....
I am currently enjoying the off key sounds of "O Canada" as I sit here to write this. I don't think my son is going to win "American Idol" anytime soon. Every once in a while my daughter joins in with a chorus of "Daaaaaddddeeeeee!!!!" They are in bed not sleeping because in a moment of weakness I allowed them to share a slushie at supper. So naturally I have two hyper children who are grudgingly in their beds but are singing themselves to sleep. Sigh.
It seemed like such a good idea that the time. Get out of the house for a while, have supper at the food court and while we are at the mall, get marbles for the new reward chart we started with the kids. Simple right? I should have gone myself alone, but I told the kids if they earned their first marbles then we could go and get the marbles together. They had great behavior on the weekend, so we decided to go today after school. We also picked the worst possible day weather wise, but since we only live a few blocks from the mall I didn't think it was a big deal.
Our adventure began trying to get out the door. For my friends who have older kids, you might remember this, for my friends who have younger kids, any advice is welcome. It takes us at least 30 min to get out the door. There is a real science to getting out the door with kids. The natural instinct is to get the kids ready, then get your coat on then go....But its not that easy. By the time the last kid is ready the first kid is screaming cause she is hot (Sophie) and the second kid has stripped off the coat, hat and mittens so carefully applied and is working on her boots (Stella) and the third kid hasn't even got his coat on...I have cancelled many a trip because we can't get out the door, Although even this is easier said then done because sometimes we have to go.
We did manage to pile into the Mackie bus and we made it to the mall. Our first stop was the dollar store. We searched the dollar store for marbles to no avail. My son suggested we go to Canadian Tire, but I wanted to stay at the mall so we could eat. Surely, I thought some store in the mall would sell marbles. I thought wrong. We ate our supper at the food court and piled back in the van to go to Canadian Tire. Success at last. Now that we had the marbles, we needed jars to put the marbles in. The kids were really into it. We picked out these little condiment jars for them to hold their marbles (The slushies were kicking in by now, so I was starting to loose my marbles ). Back home we came. What should have taken an hour actually took 3.
We skipped the baths and the kids rushed into their jammies so they could put their hard earned marbles into their new jars. How do they earn marbles you ask? Well, we have implemented a star chart for the kids, similar to the technique used in Jonas' class. Every day the kids have a chance to earn a star for doing certain things like getting ready in the morning (Jonas), cleaning up and staying in bed at night (Stella) every time the kids get three stars, they earn a marble. When they get 10 marbles they get a prize--Jonas' first prize will be a clock radio. I know what you are thinking and I have the same dilemma. I shouldn't bribe my kids to get them to behave. On the other hand, I am trying to build self esteem and reward the behavior I want to see. Plus it beats screaming at them all the time (My throat is getting sore). So far so good, they are really into it. Also it gives me something to take away when they don't behave, like for example, they are told to go sleep and they are singing and yelling instead.....
This is the decision I am currently struggling with, whether to take away a star (and therefore a marble because then they haven't got three stars today) and risk the fights and the temper tantrums (which will keep the kids up even later) or just let them sing themselves to sleep because after all they are in bed, and staying there at least for now. We narrowly avoided a melt down when Stella's brand new marble jar broke because she was shaking it. Then apparently the jar we bough for Jonas did not make it out of the cart and is probably still sitting at the cash register at Canadian Tire. So we are using two old mason jars I had in the cupboard. Yeah, I know I could have save myself a lot of time and effort if I had just looked in the damn cupboard first and if I had just decided to use stickers instead of marbles (That would have been a lot quieter too).
Lucky for me I have kids who are easily amused. They had a great time with us, and were pretty excited about their marbles, despite the broken jar, the missing jar. Of course that could just be the slushie high talking and they will be miserable tomorrow. For now I am going to let them enjoy. At least I got out of the house and did not have to cook dinner. If you are wondering, Jeff and I had subway salads at the food court. I was very tempted by A&W but I am 20 lbs down now and want to keep going strong. I did however have a couple of bites of the kid's pizza.....
It seemed like such a good idea that the time. Get out of the house for a while, have supper at the food court and while we are at the mall, get marbles for the new reward chart we started with the kids. Simple right? I should have gone myself alone, but I told the kids if they earned their first marbles then we could go and get the marbles together. They had great behavior on the weekend, so we decided to go today after school. We also picked the worst possible day weather wise, but since we only live a few blocks from the mall I didn't think it was a big deal.
Our adventure began trying to get out the door. For my friends who have older kids, you might remember this, for my friends who have younger kids, any advice is welcome. It takes us at least 30 min to get out the door. There is a real science to getting out the door with kids. The natural instinct is to get the kids ready, then get your coat on then go....But its not that easy. By the time the last kid is ready the first kid is screaming cause she is hot (Sophie) and the second kid has stripped off the coat, hat and mittens so carefully applied and is working on her boots (Stella) and the third kid hasn't even got his coat on...I have cancelled many a trip because we can't get out the door, Although even this is easier said then done because sometimes we have to go.
We did manage to pile into the Mackie bus and we made it to the mall. Our first stop was the dollar store. We searched the dollar store for marbles to no avail. My son suggested we go to Canadian Tire, but I wanted to stay at the mall so we could eat. Surely, I thought some store in the mall would sell marbles. I thought wrong. We ate our supper at the food court and piled back in the van to go to Canadian Tire. Success at last. Now that we had the marbles, we needed jars to put the marbles in. The kids were really into it. We picked out these little condiment jars for them to hold their marbles (The slushies were kicking in by now, so I was starting to loose my marbles ). Back home we came. What should have taken an hour actually took 3.
We skipped the baths and the kids rushed into their jammies so they could put their hard earned marbles into their new jars. How do they earn marbles you ask? Well, we have implemented a star chart for the kids, similar to the technique used in Jonas' class. Every day the kids have a chance to earn a star for doing certain things like getting ready in the morning (Jonas), cleaning up and staying in bed at night (Stella) every time the kids get three stars, they earn a marble. When they get 10 marbles they get a prize--Jonas' first prize will be a clock radio. I know what you are thinking and I have the same dilemma. I shouldn't bribe my kids to get them to behave. On the other hand, I am trying to build self esteem and reward the behavior I want to see. Plus it beats screaming at them all the time (My throat is getting sore). So far so good, they are really into it. Also it gives me something to take away when they don't behave, like for example, they are told to go sleep and they are singing and yelling instead.....
This is the decision I am currently struggling with, whether to take away a star (and therefore a marble because then they haven't got three stars today) and risk the fights and the temper tantrums (which will keep the kids up even later) or just let them sing themselves to sleep because after all they are in bed, and staying there at least for now. We narrowly avoided a melt down when Stella's brand new marble jar broke because she was shaking it. Then apparently the jar we bough for Jonas did not make it out of the cart and is probably still sitting at the cash register at Canadian Tire. So we are using two old mason jars I had in the cupboard. Yeah, I know I could have save myself a lot of time and effort if I had just looked in the damn cupboard first and if I had just decided to use stickers instead of marbles (That would have been a lot quieter too).
Lucky for me I have kids who are easily amused. They had a great time with us, and were pretty excited about their marbles, despite the broken jar, the missing jar. Of course that could just be the slushie high talking and they will be miserable tomorrow. For now I am going to let them enjoy. At least I got out of the house and did not have to cook dinner. If you are wondering, Jeff and I had subway salads at the food court. I was very tempted by A&W but I am 20 lbs down now and want to keep going strong. I did however have a couple of bites of the kid's pizza.....
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Hello Darkness My Old Friend...
Hear my words that I might teach you; Take my arms that I might reach you
--Simon and Garfunkel
I know you are there. I see you have come to visit me once again. I was beginning to think you weren't coming. Silly me, I should have known you couldn't stay away. We have been through a lot together. You have been there for so many of my major milestones--Its hard for me to remember when we met. It was probably back when I was a plucky young nursing student who did not believe you really exist. I thought you were made up by drug companies to sell medication. You appeared from nowhere and you must of liked me cause you stuck around. When my grandfather died and when I failed out of nursing school and stayed on the couch for two months you were there waiting in the shadows, so quiet I did not know you were there.
You were there when I became a mom for the first time, again so quiet I really did not know you were there. I did not feel sad, just angry. I thought every new mom gets frustrated and angry and hates their husbands from time to time. I should have known it was you after all, I read about you, people asked about you during the early weeks, but you cleverly waited until after the six week check up to appear. You also would go away and come back that I did not realize you were there, silly me.
By the time my second child came you had enough of being quiet. You decided to make your presence known. I was not expecting you so I was not ready when you made your grand entrance. I dismissed the thoughts I had of dropping my baby daughter down the stairs as "just one of those things" When I thought about stabbing my son, I figured it was because I was standing in the kitchen putting away the knives and he happened to be there. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was you. That's how good you were at insinuating yourself into my life I never knew you were there. I thought all mothers had crazy thoughts from time to time. All mothers lie awake at night unable to sleep because they are convinced their babies will stop breathing if they fall asleep. God forbid I should leave the room while my child is sleeping, she might suffocate while I am gone. New mothers have a lot to worry about and you made sure I worried about every single thing. You made me afraid to bathe my children because every time they were in the tub I would think about them drowning accidentally, then I would think about drowning them. You made sure that even when things were good I couldn't enjoy it because I was too guilty for my bad thoughts and I was too worried about how to avoid you.
I tried to run away from you, but that didn't work. You came with me, didn't you? Always with me. I tried to wish you away, I tried to exercise you away, I tried to eat my way away from you. Even the medication did not make you go away. So I learned to live with you, I stopped fighting you, stopped worrying about you. I had help of course, and with time and therapy you gradually went away. One day I turned around and you were gone. Can't really say I missed you, it was much more like good riddance.
Now I am a mom for the third time and you have come back. You know what? that's ok. Its the middle of winter and I know you have lots of people to visit. Thank you for giving me four glorious months with my daughter, where I haven't had to think about you once. Now I worry that when I loose my temper its because of you, when I am sad, I will wonder if I am just sad or if it is because of you. You are the master of making people worry, aren't you? I think this time you will find a different person than you did last time, for I have learned (the hard way) that it is not me, its you. Despite your best efforts, I am a good mom and I have people who love me. I have three amazing kids and you don't make me love them any less. I know the more I talk about you, write about you the less power you will have over me. When you went away last time, I saw the joy in my kids. They went from annoying to adorable (well most of the time :) ) So I say to you now, bring it on. I know that you won't be around all that long. This time I know you are there and you will not take my kids mom, not again.
Silence like a cancer grows
---Simon and Garfunkel
For everyone dealing with depression, please talk to someone. It doesn't have to get worse from here. For my mommy friends, check out this link:
http://www.helpformom.ca/
--Simon and Garfunkel
I know you are there. I see you have come to visit me once again. I was beginning to think you weren't coming. Silly me, I should have known you couldn't stay away. We have been through a lot together. You have been there for so many of my major milestones--Its hard for me to remember when we met. It was probably back when I was a plucky young nursing student who did not believe you really exist. I thought you were made up by drug companies to sell medication. You appeared from nowhere and you must of liked me cause you stuck around. When my grandfather died and when I failed out of nursing school and stayed on the couch for two months you were there waiting in the shadows, so quiet I did not know you were there.
You were there when I became a mom for the first time, again so quiet I really did not know you were there. I did not feel sad, just angry. I thought every new mom gets frustrated and angry and hates their husbands from time to time. I should have known it was you after all, I read about you, people asked about you during the early weeks, but you cleverly waited until after the six week check up to appear. You also would go away and come back that I did not realize you were there, silly me.
By the time my second child came you had enough of being quiet. You decided to make your presence known. I was not expecting you so I was not ready when you made your grand entrance. I dismissed the thoughts I had of dropping my baby daughter down the stairs as "just one of those things" When I thought about stabbing my son, I figured it was because I was standing in the kitchen putting away the knives and he happened to be there. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was you. That's how good you were at insinuating yourself into my life I never knew you were there. I thought all mothers had crazy thoughts from time to time. All mothers lie awake at night unable to sleep because they are convinced their babies will stop breathing if they fall asleep. God forbid I should leave the room while my child is sleeping, she might suffocate while I am gone. New mothers have a lot to worry about and you made sure I worried about every single thing. You made me afraid to bathe my children because every time they were in the tub I would think about them drowning accidentally, then I would think about drowning them. You made sure that even when things were good I couldn't enjoy it because I was too guilty for my bad thoughts and I was too worried about how to avoid you.
I tried to run away from you, but that didn't work. You came with me, didn't you? Always with me. I tried to wish you away, I tried to exercise you away, I tried to eat my way away from you. Even the medication did not make you go away. So I learned to live with you, I stopped fighting you, stopped worrying about you. I had help of course, and with time and therapy you gradually went away. One day I turned around and you were gone. Can't really say I missed you, it was much more like good riddance.
Now I am a mom for the third time and you have come back. You know what? that's ok. Its the middle of winter and I know you have lots of people to visit. Thank you for giving me four glorious months with my daughter, where I haven't had to think about you once. Now I worry that when I loose my temper its because of you, when I am sad, I will wonder if I am just sad or if it is because of you. You are the master of making people worry, aren't you? I think this time you will find a different person than you did last time, for I have learned (the hard way) that it is not me, its you. Despite your best efforts, I am a good mom and I have people who love me. I have three amazing kids and you don't make me love them any less. I know the more I talk about you, write about you the less power you will have over me. When you went away last time, I saw the joy in my kids. They went from annoying to adorable (well most of the time :) ) So I say to you now, bring it on. I know that you won't be around all that long. This time I know you are there and you will not take my kids mom, not again.
Silence like a cancer grows
---Simon and Garfunkel
For everyone dealing with depression, please talk to someone. It doesn't have to get worse from here. For my mommy friends, check out this link:
http://www.helpformom.ca/
Sunday, February 12, 2012
If Only I had known then...
As I sit here listening to my children crying and calling "Mommy" I am fighting the urge to do two things. My first instinct is go up there, find out what is wrong and fix it so they can go to sleep (They have been in bed crying now for about an hour). But that would just teach them that crying and persistence pays off. My second instinct is to go up there, scream at the top of my lungs and give them the mother of all spankings, but then I would just have to listen to more crying (and probably louder). So I will sit here writing this and ignoring the cries as all good moms do. I am reminded of a piece I wrote on Jeff's blog when Jonas was 11 months old, and I figured I would repost it, because it still applies whether you have one child or three. This is for all my first time mom friends (the things your friends never told you) and all my experienced mom friends..remember when we thought we knew what we were doing? Don't you wish someone would have told you? Enjoy!!
I would like to share with you the top 10 things I wish someone had told me about having a baby (in no
particular order):
1. Your hips stay that size--yep, your hip hugger jeans will be a long time fitting again...Now I know why moms wear mom jeans
2. Having a baby makes you hate your husband--I don't know if its hormones, but one day you look at him and think--Wow! how could I marry someone like him (Don't worry though, it passes--eventually. Right, Jeff honey :) )
3. Your stomach will look like a 3D road map-complete with canyons and rivers
4. Your normally wonderful parents turn into grandparents!!--Ok I knew that one, but still I was not prepared for such wisdom as "Your baby cant tell you when hes cold" and "I used to worry about you and the baby but then I realized your are not a complete idiot and probably won't screw up too much"--Love you too, mom
5. Fundal Massage is not nearly as fun as it sounds
6. Your biggest joy will be when your baby stops pooing green
7. You will proudly wear baby vomit/urine/feeces as though they were the latest acessory--Lets see Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian top that!
8. You will never have sex again--see points 2 and 3
9. Sleep is for idiots
10. When the sun finally shines again, you will shut the blinds and go to sleep.
My love and praise to all the Mommies out there!! As a wise friend once said, Mommies are the best!
I would like to share with you the top 10 things I wish someone had told me about having a baby (in no
particular order):
1. Your hips stay that size--yep, your hip hugger jeans will be a long time fitting again...Now I know why moms wear mom jeans
2. Having a baby makes you hate your husband--I don't know if its hormones, but one day you look at him and think--Wow! how could I marry someone like him (Don't worry though, it passes--eventually. Right, Jeff honey :) )
3. Your stomach will look like a 3D road map-complete with canyons and rivers
4. Your normally wonderful parents turn into grandparents!!--Ok I knew that one, but still I was not prepared for such wisdom as "Your baby cant tell you when hes cold" and "I used to worry about you and the baby but then I realized your are not a complete idiot and probably won't screw up too much"--Love you too, mom
5. Fundal Massage is not nearly as fun as it sounds
6. Your biggest joy will be when your baby stops pooing green
7. You will proudly wear baby vomit/urine/feeces as though they were the latest acessory--Lets see Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian top that!
8. You will never have sex again--see points 2 and 3
9. Sleep is for idiots
10. When the sun finally shines again, you will shut the blinds and go to sleep.
My love and praise to all the Mommies out there!! As a wise friend once said, Mommies are the best!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Honeymoon is over...(Eating Clean can suck it)
Well my friends it has happened. I think we all knew it would sooner or later. I have hit a wall with the new eating plan. I can admit it now, it sucks. The first week I felt awesome and I lost 5 pounds...even more awesome. Second week I felt great and lost another 5 pounds..even greater. Then in the third week I cheated a bit and did not loose any weight. I also started to feel not so great, and this the end of week 4 I have not lost weight and I feel like crap. Sigh.
On the bright side, we are still eating healthy colorful dinners. The problem is, I am spending hours in the kitchen. Tonight supper took me an hour and a half to prepare. The kicker is it was fish. Who the heck spends an hour and half on fish? While it was tasty, it was not filling and now I am eating a bedtime snack (which is allowed under the plan). I have also just spent and hour making my grocery list for our weekly shop tomorrow. Grocery shopping used to take us--or Jeff and the kids I should say cause they were the ones doing it--about an hour. Now it takes two hours and that is with us dividing up the list. The list is long and because we shop at an inexpensive grocery store, it is hard to find substitutes for the ingredients not available at that store. If we do the shopping at a store where we can buy things like Quinoa, Tahani and Mori Nu tofu, we end up spending well over $300. I am also bummed because I found out last night on a TV show that the sandwich meat I was buying is not as healthy as I thought. I don't want to name any product, but there is a brand of meat which lists the ingredients as lemon juice, sea salt and cultured celery extract. In case you don't know, cultured celery extract is just another name for nitrate. In fact this meat is no more healthy then the obviously bad for you kind. Another Sigh.
So what is a slightly postpartum depressed--tired--hungry--sick of being in the kitchen--mom to do? No I don't have time to go to three different stores to get the stuff I need ( This includes going to a store with a deli or an actual deli) So no more lunch meat, Jonas will be so disappointed. Peanut butter and jam is out too, as Jonas' school is seed and nut free. Jonas will just have to survive on leftovers. I have decided each week I will just buy a roast beef or a chicken, cook them in my crock pot and use that for Jonas' lunch meat. I am also going to try cooking several things at the same time--like roasting beets for a later in the week salad when I bake the sweet potatoes for that nights meal. I am hoping this will save time at least later
in the week. I am also going to splurge on a veggie tray..They are obviously more expensive then buying whole veggies and cutting them yourself, but the time savings is valuable. Plus, you have the advantage of always having fresh prepared food ready for a snack. I am a huge fan of grab and go food. It also helps to remember that it is just as easy to make a lot of something as it is to make a little. In other words, its just as easy to cook nine chicken breasts as it is to make four, so the leftovers can be used in a salad, a wrap or my kids favourite on a pizza. I am really open to other suggestions any of you may have to save time and money so please feel free to post your tips here or on my facebook page. If you prefer you can message me your tips and I will post them.
At the end of the day, I must remember that this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. There is no going back. I will find a way to balance what little time I have with preparing most of what we eat from scratch. It is definitely a learning curve, but we will keep on trucking--sardines and all.
On the bright side, we are still eating healthy colorful dinners. The problem is, I am spending hours in the kitchen. Tonight supper took me an hour and a half to prepare. The kicker is it was fish. Who the heck spends an hour and half on fish? While it was tasty, it was not filling and now I am eating a bedtime snack (which is allowed under the plan). I have also just spent and hour making my grocery list for our weekly shop tomorrow. Grocery shopping used to take us--or Jeff and the kids I should say cause they were the ones doing it--about an hour. Now it takes two hours and that is with us dividing up the list. The list is long and because we shop at an inexpensive grocery store, it is hard to find substitutes for the ingredients not available at that store. If we do the shopping at a store where we can buy things like Quinoa, Tahani and Mori Nu tofu, we end up spending well over $300. I am also bummed because I found out last night on a TV show that the sandwich meat I was buying is not as healthy as I thought. I don't want to name any product, but there is a brand of meat which lists the ingredients as lemon juice, sea salt and cultured celery extract. In case you don't know, cultured celery extract is just another name for nitrate. In fact this meat is no more healthy then the obviously bad for you kind. Another Sigh.
So what is a slightly postpartum depressed--tired--hungry--sick of being in the kitchen--mom to do? No I don't have time to go to three different stores to get the stuff I need ( This includes going to a store with a deli or an actual deli) So no more lunch meat, Jonas will be so disappointed. Peanut butter and jam is out too, as Jonas' school is seed and nut free. Jonas will just have to survive on leftovers. I have decided each week I will just buy a roast beef or a chicken, cook them in my crock pot and use that for Jonas' lunch meat. I am also going to try cooking several things at the same time--like roasting beets for a later in the week salad when I bake the sweet potatoes for that nights meal. I am hoping this will save time at least later
in the week. I am also going to splurge on a veggie tray..They are obviously more expensive then buying whole veggies and cutting them yourself, but the time savings is valuable. Plus, you have the advantage of always having fresh prepared food ready for a snack. I am a huge fan of grab and go food. It also helps to remember that it is just as easy to make a lot of something as it is to make a little. In other words, its just as easy to cook nine chicken breasts as it is to make four, so the leftovers can be used in a salad, a wrap or my kids favourite on a pizza. I am really open to other suggestions any of you may have to save time and money so please feel free to post your tips here or on my facebook page. If you prefer you can message me your tips and I will post them.
At the end of the day, I must remember that this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. There is no going back. I will find a way to balance what little time I have with preparing most of what we eat from scratch. It is definitely a learning curve, but we will keep on trucking--sardines and all.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
New Year, New Me...Again
Happy New Year!! I know I am late in wishing everyone a happy new year. I for one am glad that January is over. I hate January. Its cold, its dark and its the longest time before the next Christmas. I have been trying over the years to see January not as a bleak dark month, but rather a time for rebirth, for self improvement and a time to learn and grow. Over the last couple of years I have started a new journey each January that usually ends in February. Last year, I decided that I wanted to be more social and entertain more so I decided to become a Pampered Chef consultant. Then I got pregnant, and the morning sickness left me unable to even look at the food in the catalogue let alone prepare it. The year before last, I decided exercising every day would be my project, my husband and I fired up the ninetendo wii every morning at 5am. That went well until we decided we wanted to sell our house and move south...You get where I am going with this?
This year's "project" is once again on health and wellness. This time the focus is on nutrition. Four weeks ago my family--some by choice and some against their will--embarked on a "Clean Eating" journey. "Clean Eating" is a book by Tosca Reno, that I admit we are following. I don't want to sound like a commercial for the book, but Jeff is down 15 pounds and I am down 10. While we are following the meal plans in the book, I don't think the book has any real secrets. We all know that french fries, cheeseburgers and donuts are bad, as are refined sugar, flour,etc. Basically natural is good, processed is bad. This is the basic theme of the book, along with eat 5-6 small meals a day and combine complex carbs and lean protein at every meal. I don't really think a book is needed to tell you that information. So then, if its common knowledge, why is it so hard for people to loose weight?
Then answer is I don't really know. I am sure it is different for each person. Change is hard and old habits really do die hard. I don't think its a lack of knowledge that trips us up, I think its more how to actually apply that knowledge in our lives. When I first thought of doing this blog I wanted it to be like that movie where the woman made all of Julia Child's recipes and blogged about it--Except I wanted to blog about my experiences in healthy cooking (Now I realize that I don't want to limit myself to just diet and nutrition). I am a person who doesn't make spaghetti because its too labor intensive. I don't know what part of the fennel I am supposed to cook, or which part of the bok choy to sautee. I am learning, mostly by trial and error and it is paying off. So I hope that you will join me as I mess up recipes, eat sardine and spinach salads and share these experiences with you.
As for my kids--no I don't make separate meals for them, they eat what we eat, sauteed spinach and all. (Actually tonight's supper was pork tenderloin with baked sweet potato and pico de gallo) They only eat about at quarter of what is on their plates and they have each lost a pound or two. I should point out though that they only ever ate a quarter to a half of what was on the plate before, so don't worry my kids won't starve. Well actually they might just be stubborn enough to starve, but I am pretty sure I and sauteed spinach will win--after all where do you think they got their stubbornness from?
This year's "project" is once again on health and wellness. This time the focus is on nutrition. Four weeks ago my family--some by choice and some against their will--embarked on a "Clean Eating" journey. "Clean Eating" is a book by Tosca Reno, that I admit we are following. I don't want to sound like a commercial for the book, but Jeff is down 15 pounds and I am down 10. While we are following the meal plans in the book, I don't think the book has any real secrets. We all know that french fries, cheeseburgers and donuts are bad, as are refined sugar, flour,etc. Basically natural is good, processed is bad. This is the basic theme of the book, along with eat 5-6 small meals a day and combine complex carbs and lean protein at every meal. I don't really think a book is needed to tell you that information. So then, if its common knowledge, why is it so hard for people to loose weight?
Then answer is I don't really know. I am sure it is different for each person. Change is hard and old habits really do die hard. I don't think its a lack of knowledge that trips us up, I think its more how to actually apply that knowledge in our lives. When I first thought of doing this blog I wanted it to be like that movie where the woman made all of Julia Child's recipes and blogged about it--Except I wanted to blog about my experiences in healthy cooking (Now I realize that I don't want to limit myself to just diet and nutrition). I am a person who doesn't make spaghetti because its too labor intensive. I don't know what part of the fennel I am supposed to cook, or which part of the bok choy to sautee. I am learning, mostly by trial and error and it is paying off. So I hope that you will join me as I mess up recipes, eat sardine and spinach salads and share these experiences with you.
As for my kids--no I don't make separate meals for them, they eat what we eat, sauteed spinach and all. (Actually tonight's supper was pork tenderloin with baked sweet potato and pico de gallo) They only eat about at quarter of what is on their plates and they have each lost a pound or two. I should point out though that they only ever ate a quarter to a half of what was on the plate before, so don't worry my kids won't starve. Well actually they might just be stubborn enough to starve, but I am pretty sure I and sauteed spinach will win--after all where do you think they got their stubbornness from?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Dental work +3 cying children = a LONG night....
"Someone get me outta here!!" Thats the current refrain coming from my son's bedroom. He is in bed. well he is supposed to be in bed, but I have a feeling that he is lying naked on his bedroom floor because he refused to put his pj's on. So rather than fight with him, I did what any good parent would do and threw him in his room, threw the pjs at him and told him to get in to his bed. Thats when daddy and I were treated to this lovely chorus of "Get me outta here". Sigh.
My Stellz is also in bed, crying cause she wants daddy. I told her daddy isn't going to save her and if she doesn't stop Pink Bear (her prized possession) will go bye-bye. Now I am listening to Stella crying and Jonas yelling. Not to be left out my little Sophie has decided to throw one of her random screaming fits. On occasion my Sophie bear takes a notion to just start screaming for no apparent reason. She will scream almost incessantly for anywhere from 1-3 hours, then just as randomly stop and be fine and happy for days. She still manages to sleep 8-10 hours a night so don't feel too sorry for me.
By now you might be wondering how it all disintegrated into this. Well, it started around supper time. I had 2 cavities filled this morning and when the freezing wore off, it was very painful. Still have that prickly feeling that you get when you hear fingernails on a black board. That meant that daddy had to take over the supper making duties. Now normally Jeff plays with the kids while make dinner, and let me tell you the kids were not happy with this role reversal. Strike one. The kids did not get their usual daddy attention. They did however have plenty of time to destroy my rec room, make screeching noises, and use the couch as a trampoline.
Daddy made a wonderful supper and my starving family sat down to eat. (We had haddock with sweet potato risotto if you are wondering). Why were we starving? Well three weeks ago we decided to follow a menu plan based on the principals from a book called "Eat Clean" in other words, we decided to eat little or no processed foods, whole grains and tons of fruits and veggies, protein shakes, etc. It is not calorie reduced, it its just combining lean protein with complex carbs at every meal and eating six times a day. Anyway, my kids had somewhat of a revolt and mostly refuse their snacks and suppers. I was hungry because of my dental work I couldnt eat all day so instead of five meals I had one and a protein shake. Hungry parents=grouchy parents and hungry kids=misbehaving kids. Strike two.
After dinner plain yogurt with bananas was served. My kids love this because we let them cut or mash the banana in the yogurt themselves. Also they might have still been hungry because they only eat the meat part of dinner. Now here is where I believe the evening went to hell in a hand basket. Jeff was cleaning the kitchen, I was busy on the computer. We were once again letting the children fend for themselves. Unfortunately, we failed to notice that the kids were pretending to be cats and eating their yogurt with their faces. As you can imagine, this resulted in a huge mess. Strike three.
When asked to clean up the mess, my wonderful children called me a "bossy freeloader" and ran away. Perhaps it was my pounding headache, my hunger, or the sight of the mess, but I lost it. I yelled so loud that I hurt my throat. Thats when we decided it was bedtime. Bedtime in my house is around seven thirty or when I can no longer stand the sight of my kids. So off we went to wash hands and brush teeth and get ready for bed. I got so angry with them that I ended up sending them to bed and skipping the teeth brushing and hand washing, Now I have dirty, tired children with rotten teeth. And you know what? I don't care. All I know is I need to not be around them right now.
Well what do you know? In the time it took me to write this the little monsters have gotten quiet, well except for the youngest monster she is still screaming her head off. I am hoping this means the little boogers have gone to sleep and are not just taking a break from the yelling. Sigh. It is going to be a long night...
My Stellz is also in bed, crying cause she wants daddy. I told her daddy isn't going to save her and if she doesn't stop Pink Bear (her prized possession) will go bye-bye. Now I am listening to Stella crying and Jonas yelling. Not to be left out my little Sophie has decided to throw one of her random screaming fits. On occasion my Sophie bear takes a notion to just start screaming for no apparent reason. She will scream almost incessantly for anywhere from 1-3 hours, then just as randomly stop and be fine and happy for days. She still manages to sleep 8-10 hours a night so don't feel too sorry for me.
By now you might be wondering how it all disintegrated into this. Well, it started around supper time. I had 2 cavities filled this morning and when the freezing wore off, it was very painful. Still have that prickly feeling that you get when you hear fingernails on a black board. That meant that daddy had to take over the supper making duties. Now normally Jeff plays with the kids while make dinner, and let me tell you the kids were not happy with this role reversal. Strike one. The kids did not get their usual daddy attention. They did however have plenty of time to destroy my rec room, make screeching noises, and use the couch as a trampoline.
Daddy made a wonderful supper and my starving family sat down to eat. (We had haddock with sweet potato risotto if you are wondering). Why were we starving? Well three weeks ago we decided to follow a menu plan based on the principals from a book called "Eat Clean" in other words, we decided to eat little or no processed foods, whole grains and tons of fruits and veggies, protein shakes, etc. It is not calorie reduced, it its just combining lean protein with complex carbs at every meal and eating six times a day. Anyway, my kids had somewhat of a revolt and mostly refuse their snacks and suppers. I was hungry because of my dental work I couldnt eat all day so instead of five meals I had one and a protein shake. Hungry parents=grouchy parents and hungry kids=misbehaving kids. Strike two.
After dinner plain yogurt with bananas was served. My kids love this because we let them cut or mash the banana in the yogurt themselves. Also they might have still been hungry because they only eat the meat part of dinner. Now here is where I believe the evening went to hell in a hand basket. Jeff was cleaning the kitchen, I was busy on the computer. We were once again letting the children fend for themselves. Unfortunately, we failed to notice that the kids were pretending to be cats and eating their yogurt with their faces. As you can imagine, this resulted in a huge mess. Strike three.
When asked to clean up the mess, my wonderful children called me a "bossy freeloader" and ran away. Perhaps it was my pounding headache, my hunger, or the sight of the mess, but I lost it. I yelled so loud that I hurt my throat. Thats when we decided it was bedtime. Bedtime in my house is around seven thirty or when I can no longer stand the sight of my kids. So off we went to wash hands and brush teeth and get ready for bed. I got so angry with them that I ended up sending them to bed and skipping the teeth brushing and hand washing, Now I have dirty, tired children with rotten teeth. And you know what? I don't care. All I know is I need to not be around them right now.
Well what do you know? In the time it took me to write this the little monsters have gotten quiet, well except for the youngest monster she is still screaming her head off. I am hoping this means the little boogers have gone to sleep and are not just taking a break from the yelling. Sigh. It is going to be a long night...
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Welcome!!
A big warm welcome to everyone reading this!!
I have finally joined the world of online bloggers...I have always wanted to write a blog, and now that I am doing it, I am thinking it is more difficult than it looks. I will warn you now that spelling and grammar are not my strong suits (just ask my husband who has a laugh each week reading my grocery lists) and it is getting worse the older I get. So no laughing about my spelling. Come with me on my journey to be healthy, happy and wealthy. Well, scratch the wealthy part, I will settle for happy and healthy. I am happy that you have decided to share in my journey and I hope you will feel free to share your journey through your comments and postings. I guess first a little introduction is in order...
I live in a frozen city approximately 700km north of Toronto. When you say you are going south, you are probably going to Mexico or Cuba. When I say I am going south, I am usually going to Toronto. We freeze in January and usually swelter in July. However, this is my home and I love it. Maybe not love exactly, more like a lukewarm like. We don't have the amenities that you have in the south, but we have places to eat out and shop and a movie theater. There is not that much to do, but we find ways to amuse ourselves.
Which brings me to my kids. I have three beautiful children. My son, Jonas is 5 and very creative. He enjoys pretend play that usually involves whatever is going on in his life. For example he enjoys pretending he is the school principal and sets up my living room as the "office". As the principal, he make the "announcements" He also gets his little sister to help pack because they are moving to the new school--an event that actually happened this year a new school here opened and all the primary schools merged. My son also does not miss a beat, and unfortunately for me gone are the days when I could sneak a cookie at the counter while his back is turned. Whether or not I should be eating a cookie in the first place is a blog for another day.
Next is my two year old daughter, Stella. Not really sure what to say about her. She is two and smarter than me. She is independent stubborn and definitely spirited. She is a joy to be around (when you are not her mother) and tends to spread sunshine wherever she goes. At least that is what people tell me. For me, I just hope I can keep up to her, never mind ever getting one step ahead. Tonight for example, she went to bed, but refused to wear a pull up. I of course want to encourage her, so she put on her underwear. Not even 20 min later, she called out for me, telling me she had to go "poo" so we went to the bathroom where she sat for 30min before I realized that I spent the 30 min with her talking and basically giving her attention. So what did she learn? She can always get out of bed to go the bathroom and mommy and daddy will sit with her. I should point out that she has been dry all week and the last few mornings has been waking up dry as well. She plays me like a well worn fiddle and I fall for it every time. Yeah mom, I know you told me so.
The newest addition to our family circus is 3 month old Sophie. So far she is a great baby, although she seems to have the mind of a teenager already. She likes to stay up until two and sleep until 10 or 11. Its great in the mornings, but not so great when I am exhausted and trying to get to bed early. I am very lucky that my Sophie has a sunny personality and is happy most of the time. She is so easy going that on occasion I have forgotten to feed her, then couldn't figure out why she was so fussy. Today Sophie had some tummy time, and Jonas decided it was time for her to crawl. He cheered her on and waved toys in front her. Sophie did manage to shuffle a little bit, but her path was blocked by her big sister who was not happy with the attention her little sister was getting.
Finally my partner in crime, my wonderful husband, Jeff. We have been married for 12 years and if its one thing I have learned in that time its that marriage is a bloodsport, not for the faint of heart. We are committed to each other cause there is no way I would let him leave me with all these kids. Really though, if I may get gushy for a moment, he is my life, my love my best friend. We laugh everyday--it keeps the tears away.
So that is me in a nutshell--and that is how I feel sometimes a nut in a shell, well at least like a nut. This is where my journey is leading. Come along--I guarantee it will be a hell of a ride.
I gotta go, my kids are calling ( Actually its only Sophie but she is pretty demanding)
Bye for now
I have finally joined the world of online bloggers...I have always wanted to write a blog, and now that I am doing it, I am thinking it is more difficult than it looks. I will warn you now that spelling and grammar are not my strong suits (just ask my husband who has a laugh each week reading my grocery lists) and it is getting worse the older I get. So no laughing about my spelling. Come with me on my journey to be healthy, happy and wealthy. Well, scratch the wealthy part, I will settle for happy and healthy. I am happy that you have decided to share in my journey and I hope you will feel free to share your journey through your comments and postings. I guess first a little introduction is in order...
I live in a frozen city approximately 700km north of Toronto. When you say you are going south, you are probably going to Mexico or Cuba. When I say I am going south, I am usually going to Toronto. We freeze in January and usually swelter in July. However, this is my home and I love it. Maybe not love exactly, more like a lukewarm like. We don't have the amenities that you have in the south, but we have places to eat out and shop and a movie theater. There is not that much to do, but we find ways to amuse ourselves.
Which brings me to my kids. I have three beautiful children. My son, Jonas is 5 and very creative. He enjoys pretend play that usually involves whatever is going on in his life. For example he enjoys pretending he is the school principal and sets up my living room as the "office". As the principal, he make the "announcements" He also gets his little sister to help pack because they are moving to the new school--an event that actually happened this year a new school here opened and all the primary schools merged. My son also does not miss a beat, and unfortunately for me gone are the days when I could sneak a cookie at the counter while his back is turned. Whether or not I should be eating a cookie in the first place is a blog for another day.
Next is my two year old daughter, Stella. Not really sure what to say about her. She is two and smarter than me. She is independent stubborn and definitely spirited. She is a joy to be around (when you are not her mother) and tends to spread sunshine wherever she goes. At least that is what people tell me. For me, I just hope I can keep up to her, never mind ever getting one step ahead. Tonight for example, she went to bed, but refused to wear a pull up. I of course want to encourage her, so she put on her underwear. Not even 20 min later, she called out for me, telling me she had to go "poo" so we went to the bathroom where she sat for 30min before I realized that I spent the 30 min with her talking and basically giving her attention. So what did she learn? She can always get out of bed to go the bathroom and mommy and daddy will sit with her. I should point out that she has been dry all week and the last few mornings has been waking up dry as well. She plays me like a well worn fiddle and I fall for it every time. Yeah mom, I know you told me so.
The newest addition to our family circus is 3 month old Sophie. So far she is a great baby, although she seems to have the mind of a teenager already. She likes to stay up until two and sleep until 10 or 11. Its great in the mornings, but not so great when I am exhausted and trying to get to bed early. I am very lucky that my Sophie has a sunny personality and is happy most of the time. She is so easy going that on occasion I have forgotten to feed her, then couldn't figure out why she was so fussy. Today Sophie had some tummy time, and Jonas decided it was time for her to crawl. He cheered her on and waved toys in front her. Sophie did manage to shuffle a little bit, but her path was blocked by her big sister who was not happy with the attention her little sister was getting.
Finally my partner in crime, my wonderful husband, Jeff. We have been married for 12 years and if its one thing I have learned in that time its that marriage is a bloodsport, not for the faint of heart. We are committed to each other cause there is no way I would let him leave me with all these kids. Really though, if I may get gushy for a moment, he is my life, my love my best friend. We laugh everyday--it keeps the tears away.
So that is me in a nutshell--and that is how I feel sometimes a nut in a shell, well at least like a nut. This is where my journey is leading. Come along--I guarantee it will be a hell of a ride.
I gotta go, my kids are calling ( Actually its only Sophie but she is pretty demanding)
Bye for now
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