We are HOME!

And I, for one, wish I wasn't! The kids and I were just looking at the pictures and videos we took, and they agreed with me, that they wanted to go back already! Not even home 24 hours...

We had to cut our trip a bit short, which was such a downer. We were supposed to leave Saturday night, with the plane leaving Cancun at 11:20pm, and flying through the night. But Skyservice, the airline we went down with and were supposed to come home with, went into receivership during the week. So Signature arranged for Sunwing to bring us home, but they had to combine a couple of flights onto one huge plane (an older DC10 - the biggest plane the kids, and we, have ever been on!) and that flight was leaving around lunchtime. So we technically lost all of Saturday - we had been talking about it all week. But at least we got home in time for Gord to go back to work tomorrow...not good if teachers don't show up!

All in all, the trip was fantastic. The kids loved the beach, and played, literally for hours, in the sand. Ella, with all her fear of swimming in the ocean (because of sharks, she would say), ended up being completely fearless. It took about 0.8 seconds for her to get over her doubts! She actually would follow Gord out, full of courage and bravado, get knocked over by a wave and get right back up and keep on going! Ben loved playing in the waves, but he also loved swimming in the pool with his goggles and flippers. Each day, we would do the beach or the pool in the morning, and do the other one in the afternoon. After a siesta, of course! We were so tuckered out every day, the whole family took a nap!

And down, the pictures!

Ella and Ben on shore, with Daddy looking on:


Ben getting wet:


Lizard alert!


Cuddling on the lounge chairs:


Looking down the beach:


Filling the buckets:


Cervezas!


A picture taken by Ben, entitled: "Buckets on a Beach"


Mommy actually IN the ocean!


Family pic!


Ella's favorite beverage - strawberry margarita (virgin, of course)! She would actually order them herself!


Mom and son photo op:


Ella in her goggles:


Ben loved the wet sand:


More fun in the sand:


Wading in the waves:

Ben the Joker

The other night, Ben and I had to stop at Old Navy to exchange some swim trunks for Gord. When we got to the checkout, Ben asked the employee what her name was, then he went on to tell her that she had a really nice piggy bank by her till - it was a blue shiny metallic piggy bank. The rest of the conversation goes like this:
"____, what do pigs write with?"
"I don't know Ben."
"Pig pens!"
(she chuckles)
"____, how do scissors say goodbye?"
"How?"
"Snip ya later!"
(more chuckling)
"Where do cows go to see art?"
"Where?"
"A moooo-seum!"
(laughter, by her and I)
I asked him where he was getting all of these jokes from, and he told the employee that he has Chirp magazine at home - and she said that she did too! It all makes sense now, where he was getting the jokes from...

It was just so funny and cute - I'm sure she told her friends and coworkers about the little boy who told her jokes that night!

Withdrawal

So the Olympic cauldron probably isn't even cooled down yet, and I'm in withdrawal already. What will we do with ourselves, if we're not talking about the Olympics, watching them on TV, checking the internet (at work too...sshhhh!)?

I guess I'll have to watch the Bachelor. :)

What an amazing week the Canadian athletes had. A huge finish to the games. Man, I am a proud Canadian! The athletes are so inspiring and a great example to all of us.

Changing topics now (kind of) - do you like the new blog header?

The kids love their new shirts - and the shirts are lucky! I bought them yesterday, so they could wear them while we watched the hockey game. Before US scored their first goal, Ella put her favorite princess dress on over top of the shirt. Then the US scored and scored again. About 13 minutes into the OT period, Ella decided to take off the dress, and Crosby scored. Coincidence? I think not!

Olympic fever

I'll admit it - we are tuning into the Olympics all the time. I don't think we've let the kids watch one of their shows in a week! We are totally hooked and I seriously cry every day, watching clips and seeing the emotion these athletes show. I have never been so tuned in to an Olympic games as I am now. I check the CTV olympics site multiple times a day (sshhh!). We're even watching hockey! I just can't get enough!

The teachers must be talking up the games at school - Ben says that every day, the sport he picks is speed skating. 'Cause Cindy Klassen is a speed skater. :) And he was saying, "Vas-y tous les amis de Canada!" Translated as: "Let's go all of the friends of Canada!" Too cute!

Short and sweet

I just don't want to forget these!

- Ben got his first phone call from a friend tonight. A boy named C from his class. He had actually left a message for Ben after school, so Ben called him back. Now, this boy can really talk, so Ben didn't say a whole lot - they talked about Nintendo DS games mostly. During their first conversation, C had to go, but he called Ben back later, while we were finishing supper. They talked for a bit, and then I had Ben tell him that he had to finish eating and that they would see each other tomorrow. It was just so cute, and I can't believe my baby is almost 6.

- I just went in to check on Ella, and she's laid her babies on the floor, sharing a doll bassinet, and covered up, not with a blanket, but her pink fluffy princess skirt. The one she wears all the time - her favorite. How adorable is that????

Randoms

Just a quick list of the goings-on 'round here lately:

Ella is now jumping on the Star Wars bandwagon - she can be heard humming the Emperor's Theme anywhere the feeling takes over - say, getting dressed for dance class at the community center.

Ben has added a few more songs to his repertoire - a Boba Fett rap, Bananaphone, Peanut Butter Jelly Time (all from YouTube, of course!)

Apparently Ben also has a thing for ACDC. "TNT" came on the radio last week and he exclaimed, "I LOVE this song!" He has some friends at school who introduced him to the song. Who knew ACDC had such a strong 5-year-old fanbase??

We booked a spring break trip to Mexico - specifically, this resort. The kids already know, and Ben is constantly asking if it's March 27th yet! It's going to be a long two months...

The Olympic medals were at the Mint on Saturday, so we went to take a peek. Over two hours later, we finally got that peek! They are very, very nice. The kids weren't blown away or anything, but how often in your life do you get to be that close to them?

Some friends and I did a big batch cook on Sunday - so I came out with 28 meals, for approx. $230. Sweet deal! It was fun - tiring, being on your feet all afternoon - but we enjoyed it. I'm hoping that the kids will actually eat some of them too! ;)

Obsession: Star Wars

Ben has been just a tad interested in - actually, downright obsessed with - Star Wars since Christmas. We got him this awesome book, and I think that kick-started his obsession. And now? All he "sings" is the Emperor's theme. ALL THE TIME. He thinks it's hilarious when we pretend (or is it "pretend"?) that we are sick of hearing it. Last night, I had him giggling so hard with my reactions, he got a wicked case of hiccups.

Anyways, he sings or hums that song anywhere and everywhere. Home. School. Music class. Bathtub. Car. He's not picky.

It is pretty cute though.

Munscha Meeya

Today, we took the kids to see "Munscha Meeya" at the Prairie Theatre Exchange. This is becoming an annual treat for us over the winter break - last year was the first year, and I was amazed at how the kids sat so well, intent on the show. Today was no different - Ella's face was so cute, watching the characters act out the stories. Though we were only familiar with one of the stories, they were all very good. Ben & Ella love to read Munsch stories, and we have books on CD as well (read by Robert Munsch himself) that are the most requested in the car.

And as we were leaving the theatre, Gord pointed out a poster for a Robert Munsch reading at the Centennial Concert Hall on June 9th. I bought the tickets when we got home...the kids will be beside themselves to hear him read in person!

Snow ho ho!

I'm more than a little nervous with the reports for snow coming in the next day...my babies are visiting with Grandma & Grandpa...they MUST be home for Christmas! I have complete faith though that my mom and dad will do whatever it takes to get them home to us...right???? They wouldn't keep them all to themselves, would they????

How many days left until Christmas????

Not enough, that's for sure.

Things are crazy! Concerts, decorating, shopping, working, baking...who has time to wrap or sleep these days?

I'm hoping that everyone else is staying sane out there!

Gotta write this one down

As we were getting out of the car tonight:

Ben: "Mom, do you know what one of the older kids at the Y said to me? When I was hugging Dominique when she was leaving?"
Me: "What?"
Ben: (in a low voice) "Now let's see some lip action!"
Me: "Oh my!"
Ben: "Yeah, but I don't listen to what the big kids say!"

That's my boy!

Not prepared

This school thing is really not what I bargained for.

I don’t mean the actual schoolwork – Ben’s report card and student conference went very well – his teacher is very impressed with his progress and his interest in French. He loves to tell us all the French words and phrases he knows, sings us all the songs they learn, and quiz us on how much French we know.

It’s the social aspect. The other kids. The kids who are a bit older and wiser. The kids who wrestle and watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The kids who make farting sounds with their mouths. The kids who use words that we don’t use.

I don’t blame Ben. It must be confusing to do stuff at school and then go home to parents who don’t let him do those things.

But what I’m finding hard is how we balance it all to make sure he’s allowed to be a kid, ya know?

I mean, let’s take the farting noise, for example. He farts. Everyone farts. It’s nature. And fart noises can be funny (c’mon, admit it). But when he constantly makes the farting noise with his mouth, say at the dinner table, spreading germs all over the place, yeah, he has to stop.

And though no one’s gotten hurt YET wrestling/TMNT-ing/karate/Star Wars-ing on the playground after school, it’s only a matter of time. (And my kid has the glasses that will get broken. 5 year old with glasses = mucho $$$$)

We’ve just been going through a transition, I guess, and he’s learning about boundaries and expectations. It’s just hard right now, when we’re frustrated, not to take all his privileges away.

Or then there’s the conversation we had on Sunday night that started like this: “T’s brother so-and-so said that the Santa Claus at the Santa Claus parade was fake.”

Yeah, so not prepared.

Whoosh!

Did you hear that? That was the last month or so, flying by.

School, dance, swimming, music, music practice (which isn’t as often as it should be!), holidays, work, renos, etc. etc. etc. It feels like days pass whenever I blink. Suddenly, it’s the last half of October and Halloween is coming, and you all know what comes after that…

And I’m totally obsessing over Christmas shopping.

I’m having trouble, as usual, thinking of ideas for Ella. Despite being a girl myself, I just can’t come up with new gifts for her! She likes what her brother likes. Which is fine – I mean, she can name lots of different Transformers – but geez, she needs some stuff of her own! She likes to dress up in one of her princess dresses and begs to play “Sleeping Beauty” – she lies on the couch with her eyes closed, and the “prince” (a.k.a. Mommy) comes along and kisses her, and then they go back to his castle and dance; repeat x infinity. She loves coins and marbles and scattering them all over the house. She also likes to play “restaurant” and take your order. And then add her own special things to your order – she told me I needed a toy and a book too, and then said I could have Jazz (a Transformer) and for a book, Scaredy Squirrel.

So I don’t know if I should maybe get her a doll (though she has a few already) or doll accessories (which she also has, so I guess I’m answering my own questions there). Or something to do with imaginary play? We already have a kitchen…and a shopping cart, and a cash register. Sigh.

Ben is easy – Transformers! No, not really. He has quite a few already, for a 5 year old boy! I have several ideas for him – he is just easier to buy for. I don’t know why, but he is.

Hopefully I’ll be able to keep the number of presents and toys down to a minimum this year. Three, maybe four, things is what I’m aiming for. We’ll see!

Sweet deal...

I am totally excited about a deal I got last week! I found out that www.clearlycontacts.ca was giving away 500 free pairs of glasses to people in Winnipeg on September 23rd. So I signed up to get the email with the discount code, etc. I got the code, ordered the glasses I wanted, and BAM! They're being delivered today, so www.canadapost.ca tells me! I did upgrade the lenses to a thinner one, and I had to pay shipping & taxes, but the grand total was $34.74. Sweet deal, no?

Graham crackers...done!

I did end up making these yesterday...here are my thoughts:

- I will cut down the molasses to 1 tbsp next time - I don't know if I'm just really sensitive to that particular flavor, but it seemed really strong
- I'm not a good roller...I have some thicker, softer ones, and some thinner, crunchier ones!
- my food processor sucks
- I would divide the dough into two and then roll it out - I tried to do it as one, which probably contributed to the varying thicknesses, and then I split it into two and baked on separate cookie sheets; next time I'll just do two from the start!
- I cut them bigger than 2" x 2", but still ended up with about 30

Both kids gave them a thumbs up though!

I'm thinking of making these this weekend...

I'll let you know if they turn out!

Homemade Graham Crackers
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoon molasses
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a food processor, mix together the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about 30 seconds or so. Add the honey, molasses, water, and vanilla. Mix until the dough starts to come together in a ball, another 30 seconds. Scrape dough out of the mixer.

Between 2 sheets of waxed or parchment paper, roll the dough 1/8-inch thick.
Chill for at least 1 hour, until firm (I chilled for several hours).
Preheat oven to 350F. Retrieve dough and roll it a bit more if it is not yet 1/8-inch thick. With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut into 2-inch squares. Arrange the crackers on parchment lined baking sheets. With a toothpick, prick several holes in each cracker.
Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly browned at the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan.
Yield: 48 crackers
Note: If you cut the dough through but leave the squares together, you can break them up after they’re baked, just like a store-bought graham!

It's going to be a long school year...

So, not even a week into the school environment (and today is only his 2nd day of kindergarten!) and Ben has a cold. And with the H1N1 on everyone's radar screens, I feel a little guilty for having sent him to school today. But seriously, he has a stuffy nose. He was a little warm yesterday and this morning, but he hasn't had an "official" fever - by that, I mean a fever high enough to make our thermometer beep a warning. I took his temp this morning because he felt warm, and it was 36.8 C.

So yeah, I'm not going to keep him out of school, when he knows he gets to go to kindergarten this afternoon, for a stuffy nose. It's not usually the flu when the symptoms are above your shoulders. He's not achy or tired. He's not feverish. He's not vomiting.

Sigh. And so it begins.

It's official...

Ben is a kindergartener!



We *may* have been a minute or two late, and we *may* have had a miscommunication with the teacher as to where he was supposed to go after dismissal, but all in all, it was a good day. Ben loved it, which is of absolutely no surprise to us at all. I asked what they did, and he said that "Madame __________ read us stories...IN FRENCH!" I asked if he understood the books, and he said, "Nope!" :)

Tomorrow is the big day

Kindergarten. How did we get here so fast? Why can't I slow this train down? What I wouldn't give to have a bit time back, to relive some of the past 5 1/2 years. Or all of them.



I cannot put into words how much that sweet little boy means to me...but I still miss my baby.

A whirlwind weekend

I'm almost glad to be going back to work tomorrow! On second thought...nah.

We had a wedding this past weekend - my cousin Stephen got married and it was a beautiful small wedding. Lots of nice moments, funny moments, and great company.

I don't think I'm the only one who loves to watch the kids dance their little butts off! I have such fond memories of wedding dances as a kid... Ella and Sari honestly danced for an hour straight. They would hold hands and "dance" in a circle. If Ella got distracted or if someone else tried to join in, Sari would have none of it! She, and only she, could dance with Ella. It was so cute to watch her take charge! Ben was being a maniac, flitting from here to there, we could barely keep track of him. It was a very late night, coming to a close near midnight, when Ben spilled his 7-up all over himself and losing his head over it. Oy.

On Sunday we decided that since we were so close to the International Peace Gardens, we would go take a look around. It was really nice - we took the scenic drives around the Canadian loop and the US loop. Just a few minutes into the Canadian drive, we saw a fox lying in a ditch. I was worried that he was hurt, but no, he was just relaxing! He wandered off after a couple of minutes. The kids thought it was pretty cool to see him up close. We checked out the Peace Tower, the 9-11 memorial, the flower clock, and some classic cars that were on display.

After the gardens, we headed to Deloraine for my grandpa's 85th birthday tea. Lots of people showed up, not that the kids cared! They were taking advantage of a beautifully sunny day, playing frisbee and lawn darts, playing with trucks and other random toys, eating cake and drinking lemonade. I think Grandpa was enjoying himself though - everyone was making a fuss over him!

Gord finally got our lawn mowed today...but it was really tense for a while as the lawn mower wouldn't start. We figured out that it was bad gas (that's been a good joke all day..."I've never had bad gas before!" etc., etc.) and he was able to thresh down the knee-high grass. Gord, always looking for the silver lining, announced that at least the lawn is really healthy!

Those are the highlights of our long weekend. I have some pics from the birthday party, but I want to get them shrunk down so that uploading them doesn't take so long!