Work

Today, in church, I overheard a man complimenting a young woman for staying home with her kids because, he affirmed, that's what's best.

I work.

I felt a little offended at his remark.

I have stayed at home. I have worked full time and I have worked part-time. No matter what, I am still the best Momma for my kids. I have known stay-at-home Mommas who whine about their kids, their husbands and their homes. I have known full-time Mommas who have lamented missing their babies and not being 100% on-task at work.

Different strokes for different folks. Personally, I need to to work. I became a little too petty and me-focused when I was alone all day with little kids. Preferably, I'd like to work part-time. This way, I can give both my classes, my kids and my home all the attention they need.

So - yes, I work and that's what's best for my kids. Sorry, sir - I didn't appreciate the judgement call.

On that same note, holidays are over tomorrow. Wish me luck as I guide very sleepy teenagers into 2013.

(For Jen) On Childcare

I love my baby-sitter. She's really the best. I can't say enough good about her. She goes over and above every day for my little people. Currently, she spends 9 hours a day with my kids. That's a crazy amount of time and influence over my sweeties. She teaches manners, good values and is a positive role model.

However, it's not her job to parent my kids. I expect that Trevor and I are still the major sources of moral education for our children. The buck still stops with us. Whatever she needs from us re: discipline, we have her back because we trust her.
When our kids, like normal kids, develop bad attitudes and unruly ways (ex: Claire has developed a new habit of hitting and yelling "hit, hit, hit" when she doesn't get her way or Simon falls on the floor screaming in mid-tantrum) then, it's our job to curtail these behaviors.

Our baby-sitter deals with these + 3 other kidlets and their wild toddler ways. She does an excellent job of managing it all.

But, what if? What if, for the 3 hours a day I spend with my kids, I didn't follow up with discipline? What if I'd rather avoid the big issues because it was just easier to have happy kids all the time? What if I felt guilty for working all day and bought my kids whatever they wanted all the time to appease my guilt? What if I blamed the other kids at the baby-sitter's for my kids behavior instead of taking the responsibility for dealing with it myself? What if I blamed my baby-sitter for the choices my kids make?

You see, I teach many kids whose parents did/are doing just that. In a world where it's becoming more and more necessary for both parents to work full-time, parents are delegating parenting responsibilities to people who only have a short-term interest in their kids' lives. Then, as their children enter a school system where common and healthy values are expected, kids are unsure how to navigate these rules or take responsibility for their actions. Kids make choices but, they need to learn that every decision can have both positive and negative outcomes. Kids need to own their choices and be prepared to then own the outcomes.

I can see how it's easy to slip into the "let's just keep you happy because I'm tired" mode. I have days where I do that. However, I have a group of 14 year-olds who are reminding me why I have to step up as parent. I love my kids too much to let them slide through life being appeased and not carefully taught and corrected.

Is this becoming the norm? Are we, as a culture, allowing the actual parenting of children to fall into the hands of our beloved nannies and babysitters? If this is the case, should we be paying them more and give them higher value in our society? How will this impact this upcoming generation of workers?

I'm just entering the full-time work world as a parent. I don't plan on staying here for long. I want part-time work so that I can teach, love and discipline my babies myself balanced with a healthy dose of the socialization that being baby-sat brings. I want to know what you think. What are your experiences with working while parenting?

A little batty

We went to Pumpkin Hollow last weekend. It was warm and the sky was blue. The kids rode the cow train, jumped on the bouncer, met farm animals, climbed bales, got lost in the maze and checked out the pumpkins. It's hokey and I love it.

I went to 2 Children's Used Clothing sales in the past 2 weeks. I LOVE getting quality clothes for just a few dollars!

I'm presenting tomorrow at our Professional Development Day. Basically, I'm Book Talking with a colleague. I'll be introducing graphic novels to a lot of middle aged ladies. Should be fun! :)

We're hosting Thanksgiving for my family this year. I've never cooked a turkey before. Should be a good little adventure.

I finally tracked down a bat costume for Simon. Who would have thought that a bat would be such a hard costume to find in this city? Now, he never wants to take it off. We've negotiated a deal where he can't wear it to bed but, he can sleep with it beside him. Silly bat!

Golden

We have the most beautiful view of our creek. The leaves are turning colours and I love seeing the changes every new morning brings.

The kids LOVE their baby-sitter and their delightful little buddies. Although there are a few tears in the mornings and waking up is hard to do, the kids are alright with their adjustment to full-time care.

I love my job. I love sorting through the mundane problems of how to engage students, how to connect kids with needs to the material and I realized how much I've missed preparing good lessons. I could do without the marking but, that's life. I love reconnecting with some beautiful colleagues who do inspiring things with students. I love the feeling standing in front of my class and making meaningful connections.

Coming home is always a chaotic blur of snuggles, catching up, making supper, playing and bedtime. I wish I had more time with my munchkins. I'm looking forward to part-time next semester for this very reason.

Life feels like it's flying fast.

Teeny Tiny Blue Ball

Most kids have some item they are attached to. We've been loving Tigger almost as long as we've been loving Simon. He's the "go-to" comfort for our little man. Claire hasn't really formed any attachment to any item. I tried introducing a lot of sweet stuffies to her and she'd like them for a bit and then ditch them for the next best thing. No blankies, suckies would soothe her at all.

Then, we met "blue ball". This is a tiny Zooble baby that I'm pretty sure she stole from the kids we share a baby-sitter with. She's carried this little ball in her hand all spring and summer. That means I have spent endless hours searching for "blue ball" when it's gone missing.

We have rules. "Blue ball" stays in a safe place (Momma's jewelery dish in our en-suite) when we go out. We don't cry when "blue ball" goes missing because it always turns up (and miraculously, it does).

Not sure what the attachment is but, she's napping with it clutched in her chubby little baby hand. It makes her happy so, it makes me happy.

Second Annual Park Report

The dog days of summer are here. I feel like my world is being governed by a large timer counting down all my free time before the ball and chain of a full-time contract wreaks havoc on my plans.

That means it's time for my second annual park report.

Back Alley Park
When we lived in our little bungalow, the city sent my community a survey asking what we'd like to see in the little green space behind my back alley. I filled it out and, sure enough, that spring, I got the little play place of my dreams. We walked there all the time when we lived there. Best little neighbourhood park ever. 5 out of 5

East end (Truesdale Park)
It was an easy walk from my in-laws but, my kids never liked the actual structure. Instead, they loved to roll around on the grass nearby. It gets a 2 out of 5.

Spiderman Park

This super cool park has the most amazing ropes course, climbing structure. It'll be great in a few years when I don't have fearless, clumsy toddlers. The slide is too steep (it gives me butterflies). Currently, it's a 3 out of 5 but, it has the potential to change a lot as the kids get older.

Kinsmen Splash Park
Still my favorite. I think we better head there tomorrow! 5 out of 5!

Venture Park
A close walk but, really needs to be up dated. 3 out of 5

Westhill Park
A longer walk but, there's baby swings and nobody needs help going up the structure. 4 out of 5

Good Spirit Park
Best baby swing ever!!! Hopefully going back next year. 5 out of 5

Rick Hanson Splash Park
Seriously, why does the splashing involve kids holding hoses? It just leads to big guys spraying little guys. Once again, our visit was cut short by a very sad Simon. Try again next year. 3 out of 5

Elizabeth and Levi's Park
Tim and Karri have an awesome play structure in their farm yard. My kids LOVE it. Because it involves some of my favorite people, it gets a 5 out of 5.

Summer pics

We've been on summer holidays for almost a week.
Every morning, I wake up my little ones and we snuggle in bed together and plan our day. With the Big Move happening next week, I've been trying to pack our week full of great adventures. We've been to the Splash Park, Wascana for Canada Day, the beach, a bus trip to the downtown library, Nana's farm, Auntie Karri's farm, our old park and a pile of other crazy little places. It's been a blast! I love my job but, I love hanging out with my kids even more!!!
Here are a few pics of our start of summer adventures.

Splash Park fun - a little face paint.

Celebrating Simon's Day - ooops, I meant Canada Day.

Waiting for the bus.

Farm cousins.

Look what Grandma and Grandpa taught him (on Daddy's old trike).

Hope you're having a fun summer too!

Today

Today, I celebrate my beautiful grades 6/7 students. I am continually blown away by their sweetness, their energy, their giggles, their stories and their spunk. I am so hoping that they wind up in one of my high school classes in a few years. I would love to teach them again!

Today, I eagerly anticipate summer. One more (full) day and then, I am a full-time Momma for the summer. I am ready to snuggle more in the morning and have adventures with my babies. Play dates are welcome - if you want to hang out, I'm excited to do that! This is our first no morning-nap summer in a while and I am pumped!

Today marks our one-month anniversary of being "homeless". I am still very, very thankful to my in-laws for allowing us to "holiday" here. I am also crossing my fingers and toes for an accurate possession date.

Today, I will go to my staff party and awkwardly mingle with my co-workers. I suck at this! I work with fabulous, kind and caring people. It's not them - it's me. My introvert side takes over at staff parties and I spend most of the time feeling like a deer caught in the headlights.

A Compromise

Last month, I made a choice about working part-time. I felt like I was settling for a not-so-great job (pushing the Core French cart) in order to make a good choice for my family. I felt really good about the family part but, let's be honest, I was doing a lot of positive self-talk to motivate myself about next year. I'm a really positive person and I know that attitude is everything. However, having to constantly "look for the good" and "get excited for change" was starting to wear on me. (Besides, I kept having a recurring nightmare about Middle Years children, French verbs and me trying to sing in French with them).

Another opportunity to go back to my old high school arose. Subjects I know and love. This job, however was full-time for the first semester and part time for the second semester. After a lot of thought, I realized that this might be the compromise I need. It's full time but, not forever. I think I can manage that.

Today, I said yes to that compromise.

A Choice...

In the midst of packing up our entire house last week, I finally got the call about the transfer I'd been wanting back to high school. The gig I have now is fun but, not at all what I want to be doing. I was offered a one year job at my old school. No guarantees to stay the next year. It was for teaching subjects I'm familiar and that I miss. The only catch was that it was only being offered as full-time.

After a walk the park with my sweet babies, I decided to say "no" to a full-time job doing what I love to settle for a job that's okay. Don't get me wrong, my students are FABULOUS; I just miss the rigor of upper level thinking.

This is my season to be a Momma. I had a lovely season of surly teenagers, busy extra-curr and marking until the wee hours. Now, I get to snuggle my sweeties, play important little games and go about the business of looking after the practical needs of our home. I am one fortunate soul! Eventually, I'll find my way back to full-time life in the classroom. Until then, I'll be rocking my babies because babies don't keep!

My Momma

Dear Mom, Thanks for being such a great Mom. Growing up, I didn't know how good I had it. Homemade cookies, hand-packed lunches, fresh laundry, a gleaming house, lots of space for my friends to come and hang out and, best of all, someone who was always there to listen. Being a stay-at-home Mom in the middle of nowhere with an out-of-town husband was a huge challenge. I whine when I have to put the kids to bed once a week... not all the time. I'm sure we drove you bananas most days. I don't ever remember you taking that out on us. You always played and made sure that we felt important in your life. Now, you're one of my best friends. You're the only person (besides Shiya or Claire) that I actually like shopping with. You're the first person I want to call when one of the kids does or says something wonderful (or ridiculous). I miss you when you're away. Thanks so much for being an amazing mother and an amazing friend. I hope that I can be as good of a Mom to Simon and Claire as you were to Tim and I. I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

DNA for b-day craziness???

These days, it isn't hard to find an article or a TV show about scientists discovering a new gene for just about any and every behavior.

I want to know what gene makes mothers go a little crazy about birthdays? Seriously, what, in the evolutionary process (mirco-evolution, folks, I'm a creationist) makes mothers spend hours and hours and hours decorating cakes, shopping for and wrapping the "right" gifts, making elaborate invitations and decorations, cooking large meals, blowing up zillions of balloons and having huge parties for their children. Just look up birthday party ideas on Pinterest for a sampling of Mommies gone crazy.

We celebrated Simon's 3rd B-day and I spent hours on his party. I LOVED it! It gave me such great joy to see his little face light up when he saw his balloons, his bug cupcakes, his cool presents and all his favorite people gathered together. I don't know who was more excited, me or him. He's only 3, will he remember it all? Probably not. However, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

I wonder what is in my DNA that makes me do this and gives me so much pleasure for it?

Yep, I'm weird. Maybe I've got the excitable Momma gene... sigh. Thanks for the cool ideas, Hello, Cupcake!

Three

Happy Birthday to my sweet and precious little man. (Today, you wanted to be referred to as "Sore Throat". You also enjoy being called "Little Bat", "Ladybug", "Pancake", "Nemo", "Captain Canada", "Momma's Sunshine", "Zoom Zoom" and the list goes on as far and wide as your imagination.)

You are such an adventurous and intelligent little man. Yesterday, we discussed bats and echolocation. Today, we found Regina on your new globe. You love politics and trying out big words. You love dinosaurs, bats, bugs, Canada, stickers and cars. You're hysterical! You're already tell me the best jokes! I'm so fascinated by the breadth and depth of your interests. I have a feeling you're going to become one very interesting little boy!

We celebrated 3 by having seeing all your favorite people at the same time. We ate yummy BUG cupcakes and we opened loads of presents (you are a spoiled boy). You laughed and cried as you were overwhelmed by the excitement of it all.

Being 3 opens so many new doors to you. Some will be scary as you try new things. Some will be exciting and fun. I promise that Momma and Daddy will stand by you as you try your wings and test your limits. We'll hold you close when you need it and we'll also give you a little push when you need it. We are so proud of you. You are a delight! I'm so excited to hang out with my three-year-old!

Weaned!

It may be a little TMI for you but, Claire is officially weaned and I am FREE! 16 1/2 months and I convinced her that a morning song, snuggle and bottle was much more fun.

I got pregnant with Simon in 2008 and had him in 2009. I was pregnant with Claire when he was weaned at 13 months. She was born in 2010. Now, in 2012, my body is completely my own again!

She turned 17 months yesterday - crazy!

Pukesville

Today is Day #3 of Pukesville at our house.

We awoke to an atrocious smell in Claire's room on Monday morning. Poor sweetie had puked in her sleep, rolled in it and slept until 8:30. We spent the day snuggling and trying to get her to keep something down. Simon was an extra kind brother. He rubbed her back, brought her stories and sang "Soft Kitty" to her.

Monday night was filled with the many, many puke episodes of Simon. We used up our collection of baby blankets and pillows. Poor Tigger took the brunt of it. Tuesday morning was filled with laundry and a PBS marathon.

The kids seemed to perk up after their naps. They drank a lot of Pedialite and kept down some solids.

We had a good night. (Kind of - Simon was awake for a lot of it because he'd slept too much during the day).

This morning, we awoke to many more puking episodes and we're working at keeping things down again. We're having our second PBS marathon. I took them for a walk and we sat on a blanket in the sun. Then, they puked some more, so we retreated to the safety of our leather couch (so easy to clean). There's Jello setting in my fridge for lunch. Nap time is coming soon.

Can we get better soon? I'd like to spend my Easter holidays doing something a little more exciting then snuggling, doing laundry and watching TV (although, the snuggling is nice).

Little Guy

"Simon, you're getting so big. Momma's going to have to buy you new pants (socks, shoes, jacket... the works)."

"Nemo is a little guy. Nemo is not a baby." (We watched "Finding Nemo" - it's changed our lives.)

My little baby boy is entering his last month as a 2 year old. These past few weeks, I've noticed HUGE changes in his behaviour. He's starting to make rational choices. He's learning to calm himself down to avoid consequences. He's starting to see and treat Claire like a person. He's constantly trying to please. He's telling jokes. He's becoming this delightful little being to have around the house. I think 3 will be good for us!

Claire, on the other hand, is getting her eye-teeth (all four poking away at her at once) and she's miserable. Poor thing!

I am soon going to have 6 1/2 months of bliss in my house without a 2-year old and then, Claire will transform into a crazy creature for a while.

Blech

Sometimes, I feel like I've been sick forever. We have a constant nose drip and hacking cough going through our house. Last week was my week off. The babies and I laid low for most of it.
Today, I dropped the kids off with their sweet baby-sitter (they're quick at recovering compared to me) and now, I'm spending my morning on the couch. Coughing all over my students yesterday made me feel bad.
I'm tired of being sick.
How long until spring?

Princess

Today, me and my Mom took Claire to a Princess Tea at Mom's church. Elizabeth and Auntie Karri came too. It was really sweet. The room we were in was decorated in soft pinks and purples, there were flowers and butterflies and a fountain. It was so very pretty. Claire dressed up in a gorgeous dress I found at a used clothing sale. She also wore her favorite sparkly shoes. We dined on pink and white sandwiches, (butterfly shaped) cheese and crackers, butterfly cupcakes, sugar cookies and vanilla tarts.

It was delightful to see all these teeny-tiny girls dressed up and treated so well by adults who value them. It was an honour to sit with some very valuable women in my life.

I was reminded about how precious it is to be a woman. I was also reminded that the world doesn't value the sweet innocence that my daughter possesses. She's going to be bombarded by messages telling her she needs to be sexy, super skinny, pouty, beautiful as defined by fashion magazines and that she needs to do everything in her power to attract boys. This is going to happen much, much to soon. (I teach 11 and 12 year olds, so I see this every day.)

I need to, as her mother, affirm her beauty (inner and outer) and her worth. I want to protect her from the hurts the world is going to hurl her way, but I can't. Instead, I can build a foundation of love and trust with her. Then, I can pray for her and trust God to keep her for me.

Psalm 139:13-16
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

Hospitality (and a lot of parentheses for some reason)

When we were first married, Trevor and I opened up our house to guests regularly. Need a place to stay? A meal? A cup of tea? We were happy hosts.
When Simon was born, our house turned into a whirlwind of baby stuff, dirty dishes, quick to cook foods and one tired Momma. Obviously, Claire didn't really improve the situation (although, she totally makes our life awesome... as does Simon).
Needless to say, I lost my hospitable touch.
Claire is now 15 months. She eats really well (albeit messily). Simon does well too. My kids give me time in the afternoon (mostly) to clean and prepare. Even though I'm tired, I am sleeping through the night (bliss).
I am excited to host people again. We're trying to have more people over to our little home. It's a lot more work but, it's so much fun to prepare an array of good foods and teach our kids about being hosts.

Snippets of Joy

I took them back to our favorite summer park 2 days in a row. It was so good to be back in our old stomping grounds. It was pretty neat to explore the park now that it was covered in snow. Simon climbed up the play structure and slid down all the slides like it was old hat. Claire, now a wee walker, was delighted to start exploring on her own. Some older kids had built a snow fort. This was the best thing ever. Claire discovered that she LOVES the teetor-totter and cried when she had to leave it.
This is why I work part time. I don't want to miss moments like these with my babies who are growing up so fast.