We are I think about 7 weeks in. In the beginning it wasn't so bad. The novelty was enough to ease the pain. They got along, played with one another and even tried to help somewhat around the house. But NO MORE. Every mom that stays at home knows what I am talking about....Summer vacation.
We are without a doubt worst for the wear. We are on each other's nerves. PERIOD. There is no politically correct way to say this we have had enough of each other. I want them to go back to school and they want to go back to school.
The house looks like it has gone ten rounds with the three little people and lost. And of course no one made the mess. So no one is responsible to pick it up. Well except for mommy that is. And I'm pretty sure I really didn't make the mess.
I love my children and I love spending time with them. However there is such a thing as too much togetherness and we my friends have found that spot. However on a brighter note, Staples has started to play my favourite commercials, come on you know the ones. It's the most wonderful time of the year. And no they aren't talking about Christmas, they are talking about September and back to school time. Laugh all you want, those commercials are the light at the end of what has been a very, VERY long tunnel.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Let the Good Times Roll
We survived. It was trying, it was fun, it rained, the sun shone, the bugs ate us alive and we sang. In a nutshell, we went camping. Not just for a weekend, oh no, not us. We went for the week. Mind you tent camping is long in the past, we borrowed my father in laws RV for this venture. Also mind you that we went less then an hour from home but the point is we went.
The campground that we went to ran activities daily for the kids, and we took full advantage of them. They did everything from hula hoop to play board games to water activities. We rented novelty bikes, and lets not forget the fighting we did over that about who's turn was next. We walked into town and window shopped and visited a historical fort. The kids went swimming rain or shine and ate ice cream. All in all it was nice.
Other news on the camping home front. The oldest went to away camp for a week. I was nervous and feared the worst but she totally rocked it. She admitted that the first night was rough and the second was better and by the third I think she had forgot all about us here. I was lucky enough to pick up her and two of her friends from the boat so I got a full account of the week's events. Sadly she didn't take any pictures, even though I reminded her in my emails (yes I emailed, twice alright. I know I know, my husband already made fun of me for it). But I am super proud of her to say the least. She is already yabbing on and on about next year.
Lastly, the most exciting part of our recent good times. The youngest turned 7 yesterday. She's no longer a baby, you can tell the change that she is going through this summer. She is getting taller and slimming down. Her face no longer has baby fat, and she's growing her hair out. She's not so little anymore. And for this I am sad. The time goes so quickly. It really does.
We are less then half way into our summer vacation and I'm exhausted. I already need a vacation from the vacation. If we have managed to cram this much into the first half, I wonder what we will be able to manage for the second half. Whatever it is....let the good times roll.
The campground that we went to ran activities daily for the kids, and we took full advantage of them. They did everything from hula hoop to play board games to water activities. We rented novelty bikes, and lets not forget the fighting we did over that about who's turn was next. We walked into town and window shopped and visited a historical fort. The kids went swimming rain or shine and ate ice cream. All in all it was nice.
Other news on the camping home front. The oldest went to away camp for a week. I was nervous and feared the worst but she totally rocked it. She admitted that the first night was rough and the second was better and by the third I think she had forgot all about us here. I was lucky enough to pick up her and two of her friends from the boat so I got a full account of the week's events. Sadly she didn't take any pictures, even though I reminded her in my emails (yes I emailed, twice alright. I know I know, my husband already made fun of me for it). But I am super proud of her to say the least. She is already yabbing on and on about next year.
Lastly, the most exciting part of our recent good times. The youngest turned 7 yesterday. She's no longer a baby, you can tell the change that she is going through this summer. She is getting taller and slimming down. Her face no longer has baby fat, and she's growing her hair out. She's not so little anymore. And for this I am sad. The time goes so quickly. It really does.
We are less then half way into our summer vacation and I'm exhausted. I already need a vacation from the vacation. If we have managed to cram this much into the first half, I wonder what we will be able to manage for the second half. Whatever it is....let the good times roll.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Do as I????
Do you practice what you preach? Do you turn the other cheek? Do you utter the words, "Do as I say and not as I do?" Do you model acceptable behavior or do you just expect your children to do it?
I am a guilty person by nature. It doesn't matter if I had something to do with whatever is going or not, I'll still feel bad. I hurt when other people hurt. I am embarrassed when things happen to other people. I wear my feelings out there. For every one to see. I also like to think of myself as a very fair and honest person. I try my absolute hardest to treat others with respect. I will not ask any one to do anything that I myself would not do.
With all of that being said. Something happened today and it has left me feeling awkward, a little shocked and somewhat angry. There was a group of people and we were trying to accomplish something. One person knew more about what we were doing then the other people. So we were asking questions and seeking some clarification. Well I guess one person asked one too many questions and the other person kind of said something that I at least found kind of rude and in a very harsh tone.
I knew as soon as the words left the person's mouth that I was a little upset by them. I thought it was out of place and not really necessary. I felt bad for the person that the words were said to and lastly I was kind of, sort of embarrassed to be one of the people associated with what was going on.
Now here I sit much later and I'm shocked and a little mad. First and foremost at myself. As I feel that I should have probably have said something. I'm not sure what but something like that wasn't necessary or maybe we should mind our manners. I'm not sure really. All I know is now I feel bad that I just kind of stood there.
Maybe this bothers me because I know better. And worst I teach my children all the time that they know better. I constantly remind them to use their manners, use their best behavior and above all else you protect and respect those around you. When someone else can not find their words or are at a disadvantage for whatever reason, you be their strong person. You say something, you help them, you correct the unacceptable behavior from the other person. You don't stand there and just let someone be put down or walked on. PERIOD.
Granted we were all adults in this interaction but it was still wrong. I think if my children would have been there and seen this all happen that they would have been disappointed in my lack of reaction to the situation. I can hear the youngest saying, "We don't talk to people like that", or my son saying, "That person wasn't very nice, they didn't even say please". And although those would be a very simplistic observation to the situation they are when it's all boiled down, RIGHT.
So although tonight I am less then proud of the fact that I just stood there. I am proud that for the most part my children practice what I preach. Tonight I turned the other cheek, and for this reason tomorrow I will set things right. Because at the end of the day I want my kids to do as I do and not just as I say.
I am a guilty person by nature. It doesn't matter if I had something to do with whatever is going or not, I'll still feel bad. I hurt when other people hurt. I am embarrassed when things happen to other people. I wear my feelings out there. For every one to see. I also like to think of myself as a very fair and honest person. I try my absolute hardest to treat others with respect. I will not ask any one to do anything that I myself would not do.
With all of that being said. Something happened today and it has left me feeling awkward, a little shocked and somewhat angry. There was a group of people and we were trying to accomplish something. One person knew more about what we were doing then the other people. So we were asking questions and seeking some clarification. Well I guess one person asked one too many questions and the other person kind of said something that I at least found kind of rude and in a very harsh tone.
I knew as soon as the words left the person's mouth that I was a little upset by them. I thought it was out of place and not really necessary. I felt bad for the person that the words were said to and lastly I was kind of, sort of embarrassed to be one of the people associated with what was going on.
Now here I sit much later and I'm shocked and a little mad. First and foremost at myself. As I feel that I should have probably have said something. I'm not sure what but something like that wasn't necessary or maybe we should mind our manners. I'm not sure really. All I know is now I feel bad that I just kind of stood there.
Maybe this bothers me because I know better. And worst I teach my children all the time that they know better. I constantly remind them to use their manners, use their best behavior and above all else you protect and respect those around you. When someone else can not find their words or are at a disadvantage for whatever reason, you be their strong person. You say something, you help them, you correct the unacceptable behavior from the other person. You don't stand there and just let someone be put down or walked on. PERIOD.
Granted we were all adults in this interaction but it was still wrong. I think if my children would have been there and seen this all happen that they would have been disappointed in my lack of reaction to the situation. I can hear the youngest saying, "We don't talk to people like that", or my son saying, "That person wasn't very nice, they didn't even say please". And although those would be a very simplistic observation to the situation they are when it's all boiled down, RIGHT.
So although tonight I am less then proud of the fact that I just stood there. I am proud that for the most part my children practice what I preach. Tonight I turned the other cheek, and for this reason tomorrow I will set things right. Because at the end of the day I want my kids to do as I do and not just as I say.
Monday, 20 June 2011
A Gentle Push or an Encouraging Shove?
There's nothing more spring like then seeing a bird's nest full of eggs. Those eggs will hatch and little tiny birds will emerge. They will squeak and chirp and sit in that nest waiting for the mom and dad bird to do everything for them. They will sit and chirp and sit and chirp some more. And those parents will bring them food, keep them warm and love them in their own way.
Having kids is a little like that. They come to you tiny, helpless and trusting you to do everything for them that will ensure their safe arrival to the next stage of their life. They look to you teach them right from wrong. They ask you millions of questions to help them understand the world around them. They try your patients to learn boundaries and they break rules resulting in the introduction of consequences. Long in short, it's a full time being a kid and it's a full time job trying to keep up with them.
Every once in awhile something out of the ordinary pops up. A behaviour you can't stand and are having a hard time correcting it. An attitude that is highly unpleasant appears out of no where and insists on hanging about. A fear that just hangs on and won't let go. Some times you can understand these things and embrace the brief time that they are present. And other times they induce a hair pulling, foot stomping, crying inside and out fit of frustration.
This is where my dilemma comes in. I have a child that is fearful of the dark. Down right frozen with fear. It came out of nowhere. It blindsided me and them too I think. At first it was alright. We would leave a hallway light on. Then the sleepovers stopped because they are too afraid to stay somewhere else in the dark. The child in question went to camp recently, just an overnight one, and we had to go fetch them in the middle of the night due to their fear. And not too far in the future, they are suppose to be off to a week long camp that we will have no access to. Once you are there you are there.
There comes a point in the baby bird's life when the parent has to gently nudge them from the nest. There's where I am. I have tried gently nudging said child from the problem but it's not working. I caved and fetched them. I go get them from friends houses when they call crying to be picked up. I hold her hand and tell her it's alright. But really it's not. It's starting to affect them and me and our house.
I am at a lose. I don't know what to do. One part of me says send them to camp and force them to deal. That would be the encouraging shove. The other part of me says, let it be. When the time comes the fear will pass and that will be that. That would be the gentle push. Let them keep trying and just rescue them when it goes south. For once this mama bird doesn't know what to. But I do know my little bird needs to spread their wings and start to fly....SOLO (Just once in awhile though).
Having kids is a little like that. They come to you tiny, helpless and trusting you to do everything for them that will ensure their safe arrival to the next stage of their life. They look to you teach them right from wrong. They ask you millions of questions to help them understand the world around them. They try your patients to learn boundaries and they break rules resulting in the introduction of consequences. Long in short, it's a full time being a kid and it's a full time job trying to keep up with them.
Every once in awhile something out of the ordinary pops up. A behaviour you can't stand and are having a hard time correcting it. An attitude that is highly unpleasant appears out of no where and insists on hanging about. A fear that just hangs on and won't let go. Some times you can understand these things and embrace the brief time that they are present. And other times they induce a hair pulling, foot stomping, crying inside and out fit of frustration.
This is where my dilemma comes in. I have a child that is fearful of the dark. Down right frozen with fear. It came out of nowhere. It blindsided me and them too I think. At first it was alright. We would leave a hallway light on. Then the sleepovers stopped because they are too afraid to stay somewhere else in the dark. The child in question went to camp recently, just an overnight one, and we had to go fetch them in the middle of the night due to their fear. And not too far in the future, they are suppose to be off to a week long camp that we will have no access to. Once you are there you are there.
There comes a point in the baby bird's life when the parent has to gently nudge them from the nest. There's where I am. I have tried gently nudging said child from the problem but it's not working. I caved and fetched them. I go get them from friends houses when they call crying to be picked up. I hold her hand and tell her it's alright. But really it's not. It's starting to affect them and me and our house.
I am at a lose. I don't know what to do. One part of me says send them to camp and force them to deal. That would be the encouraging shove. The other part of me says, let it be. When the time comes the fear will pass and that will be that. That would be the gentle push. Let them keep trying and just rescue them when it goes south. For once this mama bird doesn't know what to. But I do know my little bird needs to spread their wings and start to fly....SOLO (Just once in awhile though).
Monday, 13 June 2011
Walk This Way
Walk this way, talk this way.....And that's all we did in the weeks leading up to our local JDRF walk to help find a cure for diabetes. We talked and talked and we talked some more. We asked for donations, we shared Chasey's story of her life with this relentless disease and we tried to education people on type 1.
Then we walked, and we walked some more. And just when the kids were sure that their legs were going to fall off, we walked even more. In total we walked 4km. Well most of us walked 4km. Chasey walked 3 and then conned daddy into a piggyback ride. But the point is we all crossed the finish line.
The weeks leading up to the walk we busy. We fundraised, we made capes and talked a lot about what finding a cure met and how it happens. We talked about how it would change Chasey's life. We talked about even though we don't have diabetes, we walk with Chasey to show her that we love and support her.
I am very proud of Morgan and Tristan for coming with us to the zoo and walking the 4km. They held their sister's hand, they wore their capes and they told everyone that would listen who they were there supporting.
There were people everywhere. There were moms and dads. There aunts and uncles. There were sisters and brother and grandma and grandpas. Some wore matching shirts, or all the same colour. There was lots of hugging and shouts of friends getting together again. Some brought babies, some rode in wagons or strollers.
I have to say a special thank you to all the people that made our first year a success. I would like to thank our friends, Dawn, Kathleen, Helen, Julie (and many more), the teachers at Chasey's school, James' co-worker and our friends and family in Ontario. I want to thank Katie for making the awesome capes pictured here. Without them SuperGirls wouldn't have been the same. And I want to thank Roger at Jerry's vinyards for making the custom labels for our wine bottles. Without the support and effort of everyone that was involved we wouldn't have been able to raise the $2505 that we did.
I also want to express my gratitude to all the people with or without diabetes that take part in their local cure diabetes walks. Every dollar counts and at the end of the day we are all walking towards the same goal.....A CURE. So walk this way......
Then we walked, and we walked some more. And just when the kids were sure that their legs were going to fall off, we walked even more. In total we walked 4km. Well most of us walked 4km. Chasey walked 3 and then conned daddy into a piggyback ride. But the point is we all crossed the finish line.
The weeks leading up to the walk we busy. We fundraised, we made capes and talked a lot about what finding a cure met and how it happens. We talked about how it would change Chasey's life. We talked about even though we don't have diabetes, we walk with Chasey to show her that we love and support her.
I am very proud of Morgan and Tristan for coming with us to the zoo and walking the 4km. They held their sister's hand, they wore their capes and they told everyone that would listen who they were there supporting.
There were people everywhere. There were moms and dads. There aunts and uncles. There were sisters and brother and grandma and grandpas. Some wore matching shirts, or all the same colour. There was lots of hugging and shouts of friends getting together again. Some brought babies, some rode in wagons or strollers.
I also want to express my gratitude to all the people with or without diabetes that take part in their local cure diabetes walks. Every dollar counts and at the end of the day we are all walking towards the same goal.....A CURE. So walk this way......
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
I Survived
I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. That was a very common phrase that ran through my head numerous times over the last 6 days. That and I don't get paid enough.
You see my husband has been away at a technical conference. I am thrilled he got to go and I'm even more then happy that he presented something about a program that he wrote or something like that. Anyway back to my point. He left, alone, without me and without kids. Hence that left me and the kids home together for the entire 6 days.
We got off to a bit of a rough start, you know the usual I don't want to go to beds and I wish dad was here pleas. Some how we all made it through to Saturday. After many there's nothing to dos, I caved and bought them a pool to play in. Sunday was a breeze, we did the farmer's market in the morning and papa took them to the beach in the afternoon.
Things were looking promising, we were going to get through this without any tears. Then we had a wonky blood sugar night and it was all shattered. Not enough sleep equals one cranky mama bear and a crabby cub. But we pushed through. Tuesday sailed by. All was well. We rounded the corner into Wednesday, the home stretch.
The final count down is on. James was flying back from Hamilton tonight and he is sitting in Calgary on his stop over as I write this.
I learned several things from this time apart that I would like to share (some are things that the kids have pointed out over the last 6 days) :
1. Morgan says I don't burn the hamburgers as black as daddy so that's a good thing.
2. Life does go on without the tv on during supper, even more to the point life doesn't end if the hockey game isn't watched.
3. Although James doesn't do much to help out around the house, he is an extra set of eyes to keep watch of the kids. (Don't boo me, I already said this to his face so it's not a surprise to him)
4. There's less yelling when James isn't home. Or maybe it's that I have to yell twice as much to make up for his half. I'm not sure really, just noticed a difference in the amount of yelling. I mean the loud encouragement.
5. I miss my husband. We don't actually spend much time together in the evenings, but I like the option.
I also learned that in a pinch I can do it. I can make it through. I can dress, feed, care for and love the kids. I can make supper and get homework done. I can do all the finger pokes and appointments. I can read and cuddle and tuck in. I can hug and kiss and whisper I love you. I can. I survived.
And although I did it, I'm glad that James is on his way home. Because as awesome as I was alone, we make a rocking team.
You see my husband has been away at a technical conference. I am thrilled he got to go and I'm even more then happy that he presented something about a program that he wrote or something like that. Anyway back to my point. He left, alone, without me and without kids. Hence that left me and the kids home together for the entire 6 days.
We got off to a bit of a rough start, you know the usual I don't want to go to beds and I wish dad was here pleas. Some how we all made it through to Saturday. After many there's nothing to dos, I caved and bought them a pool to play in. Sunday was a breeze, we did the farmer's market in the morning and papa took them to the beach in the afternoon.
Things were looking promising, we were going to get through this without any tears. Then we had a wonky blood sugar night and it was all shattered. Not enough sleep equals one cranky mama bear and a crabby cub. But we pushed through. Tuesday sailed by. All was well. We rounded the corner into Wednesday, the home stretch.
The final count down is on. James was flying back from Hamilton tonight and he is sitting in Calgary on his stop over as I write this.
I learned several things from this time apart that I would like to share (some are things that the kids have pointed out over the last 6 days) :
1. Morgan says I don't burn the hamburgers as black as daddy so that's a good thing.
2. Life does go on without the tv on during supper, even more to the point life doesn't end if the hockey game isn't watched.
3. Although James doesn't do much to help out around the house, he is an extra set of eyes to keep watch of the kids. (Don't boo me, I already said this to his face so it's not a surprise to him)
4. There's less yelling when James isn't home. Or maybe it's that I have to yell twice as much to make up for his half. I'm not sure really, just noticed a difference in the amount of yelling. I mean the loud encouragement.
5. I miss my husband. We don't actually spend much time together in the evenings, but I like the option.
I also learned that in a pinch I can do it. I can make it through. I can dress, feed, care for and love the kids. I can make supper and get homework done. I can do all the finger pokes and appointments. I can read and cuddle and tuck in. I can hug and kiss and whisper I love you. I can. I survived.
And although I did it, I'm glad that James is on his way home. Because as awesome as I was alone, we make a rocking team.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Letting Go
"Wow the kids are getting so big" and "How old are they now?" These questions pop up every once in awhile. Like when new photos are posted on facebook for family to see or when we run into friends that we have not seen in a really long time. Yes I do suppose that they are growing. It was going to happen sooner or later.
I'm lucky. I get to stay home with my little people. I get to pick them up from school every day. I get to take them to the park on sunny afternoons and I'm home to cook for them every night. In short I spend a lot of time with them. They are never far from my sight. When playing at home, I like to be able to hear and/or see what they are up to when outside. They never venture far and if going away from the house they have to be in a group.
This summer Morgan is heading off to camp for the first time. She is super excited. I am super anxious. Not that she will be away from me. I'm worried something will go wrong, she will be unhappy, or maybe that she will realize she doesn't need me as much as I still need her to need me. In September our she will be going into grade 5. The following year she will have to take a bus to middle school. And some how I doubt that moms are welcome to ride along with them. Both of these instances indicate that she isn't a little kid anymore.
Today after school I went down to the park and my son stayed behind and played at the school. Without me. I know can you believe it? Never mind the fact that the park is RIGHT and I mean RIGHT beside the school and never mind that he was up there with another little boy. But still, I couldn't see or hear him. The other mom and I were so proud of ourselves for letting the boys take this small step towards independence and of us for not crumbling under the separation. Only to realize that another mom was up there watching them with her little girl and then walked them to the park to us. But let's remember we thought we were embracing them growing up and spreading their wings. It just turns out not so much.
Yes I admit I am a little overprotective. The kids may be a tad sheltered. They could probably do with some separation. I remember when Morgan started kindergarten. I went in for the initial meeting with the teacher and she told me how well adjusted Morgan was and that there was no separation issues. Then Tristan started preschool, and I got pretty much the same report from his teacher. And I said to her, "When Chasey starts school, she better cry like a baby". I thought I wasn't missed and that they liked being away from me. Well then Chasey did start preschool and she went to the same one as Tristan, with the same teacher and she had remembered what I had said.
Of course with Chasey there was no tears, well from her anyway. There was no separation anxiety, again on her half anyway. I met with the teacher and she pressed some wisdom upon me. She told me not to be sad about the lack of separation anxiety. She told me to be proud. I had raised 3 confident children that were secure and reassured in the fact that yes I was dropping them off somewhere, but I would be back to get them right on time every time. I had created a trusting bonding with them.
Well here it is several years later and teachers still say the same things about them. I guess they are still confident, secure children, that trust me to be where I am suppose to be, when I am suppose to be there. The only problem now is that I still want that place to be right there with them all the time. In my head I know I have to let go some, yet my heart has a death grip on the apron strings.
Maybe tomorrow I will walk 10 feet behind them to school instead of 5. Maybe, I said maybe. That would count right?
I'm lucky. I get to stay home with my little people. I get to pick them up from school every day. I get to take them to the park on sunny afternoons and I'm home to cook for them every night. In short I spend a lot of time with them. They are never far from my sight. When playing at home, I like to be able to hear and/or see what they are up to when outside. They never venture far and if going away from the house they have to be in a group.
This summer Morgan is heading off to camp for the first time. She is super excited. I am super anxious. Not that she will be away from me. I'm worried something will go wrong, she will be unhappy, or maybe that she will realize she doesn't need me as much as I still need her to need me. In September our she will be going into grade 5. The following year she will have to take a bus to middle school. And some how I doubt that moms are welcome to ride along with them. Both of these instances indicate that she isn't a little kid anymore.
Today after school I went down to the park and my son stayed behind and played at the school. Without me. I know can you believe it? Never mind the fact that the park is RIGHT and I mean RIGHT beside the school and never mind that he was up there with another little boy. But still, I couldn't see or hear him. The other mom and I were so proud of ourselves for letting the boys take this small step towards independence and of us for not crumbling under the separation. Only to realize that another mom was up there watching them with her little girl and then walked them to the park to us. But let's remember we thought we were embracing them growing up and spreading their wings. It just turns out not so much.
Yes I admit I am a little overprotective. The kids may be a tad sheltered. They could probably do with some separation. I remember when Morgan started kindergarten. I went in for the initial meeting with the teacher and she told me how well adjusted Morgan was and that there was no separation issues. Then Tristan started preschool, and I got pretty much the same report from his teacher. And I said to her, "When Chasey starts school, she better cry like a baby". I thought I wasn't missed and that they liked being away from me. Well then Chasey did start preschool and she went to the same one as Tristan, with the same teacher and she had remembered what I had said.
Of course with Chasey there was no tears, well from her anyway. There was no separation anxiety, again on her half anyway. I met with the teacher and she pressed some wisdom upon me. She told me not to be sad about the lack of separation anxiety. She told me to be proud. I had raised 3 confident children that were secure and reassured in the fact that yes I was dropping them off somewhere, but I would be back to get them right on time every time. I had created a trusting bonding with them.
Well here it is several years later and teachers still say the same things about them. I guess they are still confident, secure children, that trust me to be where I am suppose to be, when I am suppose to be there. The only problem now is that I still want that place to be right there with them all the time. In my head I know I have to let go some, yet my heart has a death grip on the apron strings.
Maybe tomorrow I will walk 10 feet behind them to school instead of 5. Maybe, I said maybe. That would count right?
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