Practice

For the month of March, I have the privilege of introducing 2 university students to the art of teaching. It's fun. I have 2 extra adults in my classes. They are trying lots of new and creative ideas. It's good to see them try their ideas, take risks, have successes and put theories into practice.

When I started teaching 10 years ago, I had NO IDEA what I was getting into. I LOVE my job but it's hard. It's hard to teach good, well prepared memorable lessons. It's hard to manage class after class of adolescents with their varying needs and moods. It's hard to mark assignments when there are no longer any repercussions for students who choose not to do their work or hand it in on time. It's hard to meet all the needs of all my many students as well as meet the government's requirements. I manage but, when I explain my job to my pre-interns and watch their jaws drop, it's a shocking reminder about how challenging my career is.

The public usually just thinks that what I do is a 9-3:30 job with great holidays. Tell my pre-interns that. They're barely teaching one class a day and they are working around the clock. Wait until they have 4 additional classes, unknown curriculums, and the mysteries of their adolescent students. They will get the hang of it but, it will be hard. Many teachers in their first few years don't make it.

All in all, this has been great professional growth. I plan on doing it again next year.

French Friday

It's January and we're freezing in under 5 minutes in this part of the world.
My commute has days that make me question our choice of location to live. I love our beautiful house - I wish I could transport it to, I don't know, anywhere that is warmer then our current -30 degree weather.

Life is a busy blur. Expository essays, Beowulf, "y" and "en" and "futur proche" makes my head spin. Suspended students (oh the juicy reasons why) and needy smarty pants worrying about exams. I come home to supper, house chores, toddler snuggles, marking and TV. Currently, we're on the 2nd season of Homeland - it blows my mind.

I'm reading Gone and I have to admit, it's a little freaky. Much better the the Shiver series I just finished. Too angst-y for me - like Twilight but with just werewolves and no love triangle to annoy me.

I'm dreaming in French music. These three songs get stuck in my head regularly. I guess I'm brainwashing more then my students.

Enjoy rocking out en francais!

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?

Blogging FAIL

I have a 35 minute commute. It's longer if there's construction or, if drivers are being dumb. Usually, I come up with interesting blog posts on my way to or from work. Ideas like:
-teaching the Holocaust now that I'm a mother
-Halloween prep
-temper tantrums
-how hiring out childcare can lead to a more spoiled generation of kids
-students eating crayons (I know - ridiculous)
-Claire turning into a little girl
-Simon's frogs
-etc., etc., etc.,

Except, when I get home, I get the kids, I make supper (and play), we eat supper, we do dishes, we play, we get ready for bed, we put the kids to bed and we fall, exhausted on the couch. At that point in time, my brain is fried and there are no neurons all fired up and ready for some creative writing. If anything, I may have some energy to mark assignments, bake for daycare, do laundry or pack lunches. Life is full.

There's nothing wrong with this routine. It's a little busy but, many women all over the world do it. It's normal. However, it leaves little time for blogging. Thus, my apologies.

There will be the obligatory Halloween post but, I think the other thoughts swirling around my brain during my commute may be stuck in traffic for a little longer.

Comfortable with Being Weird

I teach grade 9s (and 10s to 12s) and I am always struck with how important it is to "fit in". I guess I learned early that I was a little to quirky to be cool and I accepted it and moved on. By grade 10, I was a barrette wearing, overall-clad happy bookworm. I had a good group of "geeky" girlfriends and that was enough for me. Every now and then, I longed to have the confidence of some of the other kids in my class but, I realized that it wasn't happening for me.

I watch my students. There are those kids who are comfortable in their own skin who set the tone for the class. Then, there's my 40% of kids who are questioning who they are and how they need to present themselves. I wish I could make them understand that nobody is watching them as closely as they think. I wish I could transfuse self-confidence the way a nurse transfuses blood.

Instead, I teach. This week, we read an article called "Comfortable with Being Weird" and I talked about not being cool and being okay with it. Vulnerable - a little. However, after reading their journal responses, I know we're getting somewhere. Some kids are realizing that being mean to people who are different then them is mean (strange how long it takes that concept to kick in). Kids who aren't so confident are opening up a little about their search for self. Slowly, we're addressing real issues in class. This is why I love what I do.

Wish me luck as I journey through grade 9 for the 10th time. :)

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.

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.

Transition

We've almost completed our "transition time" (read homelessness). Now that we're approaching the end, I can say that it's been good. We've successfully lived inter-generationally with Trevor's parents.

On the building side of things, it'll be good to be done. I've enjoyed the process of making decisions and picking my finishes. I have not enjoyed the poor customer service from my builder and the delays. I know that the finished product will be amazing and that, in six months, all those things I've been irritated about will be long gone.

We move in next week. It'll be good to have our own space. It'll be good to turn our "Someday House" into to our "Always House".

This Old House

Six years ago, we moved into this cute little bungalow and made it our own.
I learned about flowers and compost and painting and cleaning.
Trevor learned to drywall, build a porch, rip up carpet and clean gutters.
We became happy home owners here.
Fergus came into our lives and ate our baseboards and snuggled at my feet every night.
We brought home our sweet, sleepless little Simon.
We spent many nights pacing the hardwood and bouncing in the bathroom.
We brought home our sleepy, silly little Claire.
We hosted friends, neighbours, parties, play dates, birthdays, daycare, dedication days, game nights and wedding showers.
We danced with each other and with our babies in the living room.
I baked my heart out in my little alley kitchen.
I marked over a thousand assignments here.
This old house has allowed us a home in which to live life to the fullest, and we have!
Tomorrow, we move out.

We're a family in transition. Our "Someday House" is still for someday... whenever the builder finally gets it done (mid-June, fingers crossed). We'll be at Trevor's parents' place until then. It's kind of home. We're telling the kids it's a holiday at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Boxed Up

Our move to our "Someday House" is becoming a fast reality. We move out of our little bungalow on May 26th. This gives us time to clean up and have things settled for the new owner to take possession at the beginning of June. We get possession of our "Someday House" on June 16th. Hmmm... those dates sure don't line up, do they? Our builder has arranged to store our stuff in a secure lot in a storage trailer for our "homeless days". We plan on moving in with family for a short holiday. Currently, my house is beginning to look like a collection of box piles. (Mostly liquor boxes, which I find deeply amusing!) It's on odd feeling to pack the tangibles of my life away. I know that it's just stuff but, it's my stuff. It'll be good to be in our new house. I guess I should begin to embrace the unsettled feeling that will be my life for the next month.

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!

March Madness

Prep house - done
Sell house - done
Mark like crazy - working on it
Report Cards - due at the end of the month (I've never done e-school report cards before...eeek!)
Prep kids' clothes for clothing sale - 6 tubs done/6 more to go (crazy how much work this is)
Sell clothes at sale - end of the month
Paint kids' rooms and closets at the Someday House - get a good chunk of it done tomorrow and maybe go back next weekend


Yikes - I feel like this month came in like a lion. By the looks of things, it's going to keep me going hard. Good thing I'm feeling better!

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.

2011 - Goals Reflection

I set a pile of goals for myself in January of 2011. Now, I need to assess what I've done.

These were my 2011 goals:

1. Lose baby weight sensibly.
-Well, I'm not as heavy as I was last January. I have been able to go down a few pants sizes. However, there's more work to be done. Hopefully, when Claire is weaned, I will be back to my happy medium

2. Eat more vegetables.
-I think we did this. I tried hard to say "yes" to the side salad and "no" to the fries... didn't always work out.

3. Vacuum more.
-It helped that we bought a snazzy new vacuum last Boxing Day so, this was easy!

4. Cloth diapers both kiddies and potty-train the Schmoo.
-Both kids are in cloth diapers most days. They get disposables at the sitter's. Simon wears underwear 40% of his life. He'd be potty-trained if we operated on my will-power alone. Unfortunately, I have a head-strong toddler who'll figure it out eventually. (I have a feeling Claire will be trained soon after Simon so, this may be my last year of diapers... fingers crossed.)

5. Nap every so often - because I can.
-And I do! Yesterday, I had a good solid afternoon nap. This should be everyone's goal! :)

6. Find another cool concert to go to with my honey.
-Can't say we did this unless the free concert in the park on Canada Day counts. I need to try again on this one!

7. Recycle more... buy less.
-Still working on this. It's hard to back out of consumerism in a consumerist society but, we are trying.

8. Create practical items and gifts to reuse.
-Did this! My gift bags rocked! I loved making capes for the kids. The owls for Claire's B-day favours were a hit. I have a few plans for 2012... as long as I get some time to sew!

9. Have more family dance parties.
-This was pretty easy. Both kids have some pretty stellar baby moves. I don't want to talk about their parents.

10. Take the family on more travel adventures.
-Ottawa was awesome. It was a big risk and it paid off! Our Clear Lake/Winnipeg trip was pretty awesome too. I can't see us getting too far in 2012 but, we'll venture somewhere this coming summer.

'round here

The flu bug bit bad.
Work, kids, clean, cook, nurse, homework, bed... rinse, lather, repeat.
Sad, neglected Fergus.
Houseplans and playdates on weekends.
Lots of Christmas stuff in the works.
Tis the season for too busy and yet... little hands make me stop and soak in happy humming, exploring and playtime.


PS - Thanks for the pics, Auntie Andrea. Once again, you are amazing!!!

Where's my Maid?

"My housekeeping tasks fall on the same day for every job I take: on Monday, I oil up the furniture. Tuesday, I wash and iron the sheets... Wednesday is for scrubbing the bathtub real good even though I wipe it down really good every morning. Thursday is for polishing floors and sucking rugs.... Friday is heavy cooking for the weekend and what-have-you. And every day is mopping, washing clothes and ironing shirts... and generally keeping things clean. Silver and windows, they're as needed." (p. 47 The Help by Kathryn Stockett)

I read those lines last night and I wiped my brow because I was tuckered out just thinking of all that housework. Yeesh - I'm happy if I get the floors cleaned twice a week, the bathroom cleaned once a week and the laundry done every 3 days. Of course, we do a general tidy every night but, that's just so we can walk through our house without kid debris.

Today, I finally washed the windows (inside). Trevor's going to do the outside sometime this weekend. Those maids of the 60s would be so ashamed of me...

(PS - Just started The Help and it's as fabulous as everyone says. I may even watch the movie if the reviews are good.)

9/11

A decade ago, I drove to school wondering about the plane that crashed into the Twin Towers. I listened to the radio and couldn't make heads or tails of what had happened.
My co-op (I was interning) and I tried to disseminate the news as it came in and share it with our students.
For P3 - we took our kids to the library so that we could watch CNN coverage on the TV.
I remember a lot of shock and silence from those grade 11s as we sat there.
One of our modified History boys predicted that the US would use the terrorist attacks as an excuse to go after Saddam Hussein. I still marvel that what he predicted came true.
This was only the first week of my teaching career and yet, it was such a formative day.

Today, I remember.

City Parks Review - 2011

One of the best parts about teaching is that I will always have my summers. One of the best things my kids and I have found to do in the summer is to hit up parks. Here's my review of our more frequented (or less frequented due to a poor review).
Candy Cane Park
A lot has changed here since I was a kid. Gone is the grungy wading pool and unsafe candy canes to climb (who's idea was that?). There is a snazzy new goose but, the slides are a little too steep for my kiddos. Simon LOVES the bus and the slide area. Claire LOVES the baby swings. Both kids can be highly entertained for hours here. This park often requires the use of Claire's Bjorn so that I can chase after Simon. This is by far one of our most favorite park. We're giving it 5 out of 5 stars.

Kinsmen Park
We spend a lot of time at this park because it's a good walk. We also get to go by Auntie Andrea's and visit with her if possible. Simon LOVES the spray pad. We wish it had softer turf (like Rick Hanson) because the asphalt hurts when you fall. Claire likes it when we let her meander through the puddles but, she's not a big fan of the actual splashes. The equipment is great. Both kids have things to do. Simon loves crawling up and sliding. He's also a big fan of the little house and teeter-totter. Claire is our little swinger and she also feels pretty important when we let her stand in the little house. It'll be interesting to see how often we get to this park once we move. It's a definite 5 out of 5 stars.

Kiwanis Park
We went here once to check it out. The equipment was much to challenging for my toddler and I was nervous carrying Claire up the play structure. The slide was too steep so, we didn't stay for long. We did, however, enjoy the Mac's across the street and the waterfall nearby. Right now, it's a 2 out of 5 but, it has potential for when my kids are older.

School Parks
Since kids have been out of school, most school parks are pretty empty. We've taken advantage of their slides. Most school parks we've been to are pretty good but, they lack baby swings. They are a good option when we need a change. Most school parks rate a 3 out of 5 for us.

Rick Hanson Park
We did venture north this summer and we checked out the RH Splash Park. Simon really like holding on to the hose but, he was frequently pushed out of the way by bigger kids. It was really busy and, the play structure was fun to climb up but, Simon didn't LOVE it. It was such a large play structure that I had a hard time keeping track of where Simon was while carrying/entertaining Claire. Once again, I think this is a great park but, I don't think I'd like to go back until the kids are older. It's a 4 out of 5.

Marina Park
The park at the Marian has a super location. The kids both loved hanging out by the fence and watching the geese. The play structure was pretty good and I really liked the rock formations. We'll probably go back as the kids get older. I'll give this a 3 out of 5.

We've been to other parks but, these are the ones that really stand out to us. I'm sure things will change up a lot by next year when I have 2 adventurous movers.
What's your favorite park and why?

'Round Here

The snow keeps falling... really?

I had two ribs cracked back into place by a chiropractor yesterday after a day and a half of mind-numbing pain.

Claire is sleeping really well... with us... sigh. However, her mornings have been pretty early (and bright - you should see how pumped she is).

Simon's vocabulary is expanding daily. His word combinations and circle conversations are hilarious!

I miss walking with the kids.

House plans are still in the draft stage and will be until I absolutely LOVE the kitchen.