Soon, this will be a pie. Or maybe muffins.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Friday, October 01, 2010
Day 1 of 31
I am going to try to post a picture every day in the month of October. I like to take pictures and want to learn more about my camera, and it also serves to remind me to enjoy the little moments and to capture Ben & Ella's youthfulness. Not that every picture will feature them, but you know what I mean...
Wish me luck!
"Freshly Hatched"
Wish me luck!
"Freshly Hatched"
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
As promised!
Oooh, pictures!
Day at the zoo, with Ben, Ella, Sari & Estella:
Ella & Gigi:
Ben, posing:
Not quite right...
Now she's got it!
He was a little excited:
Ben in action:
New hat:
Pouty faces:
Ben & Gord overlooking Killarney Lake:
Playing in Grandma & Grandpa's backyard:
Our Kindergarten Graduate!
Showing us the classroom:
Surprise visit from Auntie Kathy & Le Petit Henry:
Ella wanted to pose with her baby, Estella Isabella:
Henry modeling his super-cute shark hat:
We were so happy to see these two!
Day at the zoo, with Ben, Ella, Sari & Estella:
Ella & Gigi:
Ben, posing:
Not quite right...
Now she's got it!
He was a little excited:
Ben in action:
New hat:
Pouty faces:
Ben & Gord overlooking Killarney Lake:
Playing in Grandma & Grandpa's backyard:
Our Kindergarten Graduate!
Showing us the classroom:
Surprise visit from Auntie Kathy & Le Petit Henry:
Ella wanted to pose with her baby, Estella Isabella:
Henry modeling his super-cute shark hat:
We were so happy to see these two!
A dry spell!
So, my last post was about Ben's school year finishing, and now we're practically at the start of the next one. I'm a terrible blogger!
I don't know that I have a lot to write about today though...hmm, let me start with a run-down of each kid's favorite things:
Ben:
- loves zucchini bread (which reminds me that we should make some more!), Grandpa's steak, water (good!), cream soda (meh, not so healthy) and coke slurpees (bad!)
- loves watching Pokemon
- can now call up Pokemon episodes on our PVR
- loves to rewind things on the PVR - I swear, if we watch America's Funniest Videos, he will rewind a funny clip 10 times
- he will laugh every single time
- reads like crazy - anything, anywhere
- still likes to give hugs
- loves playing the Wii - specifically Super Mario Galaxy 2, as Gord's "co-star"
- also likes Lego Batman
- kicks butt at "Guess Who"
- has been using his manners so well lately
- loves to boss his little sister around
- can swim like nobody's business
- can ride his two-wheeler really well
- loves the monkey bars, but has yet to master swinging across them
Ella:
- likes to have her hair put in ponytails or pigtails or braids, but only if she gets a candy
- loves to hit her brother when he bugs her
- spends a lot of time in her room, alone, in a time out for hitting her brother
- loves to eat
- asks for a snack as soon as she's done supper
- asks for another snack when she's done the first snack
- requests a song before bed
- knows her letters and is pretty good at counting to 30, with only a few missed numbers, or switched numbers
- knows some letter sounds
- loves Grandpa's steak, berries of any kind, tomatoes, cheese
- loves to watch Ben & Gord play video games
- can swim without water wings, and loves to swim with a snorkel & goggles
- loves to draw and write words and cut paper to make "flags"
- likes purple
OK, that took me like all afternoon to come up with. Maybe I should post a few pics later??
I don't know that I have a lot to write about today though...hmm, let me start with a run-down of each kid's favorite things:
Ben:
- loves zucchini bread (which reminds me that we should make some more!), Grandpa's steak, water (good!), cream soda (meh, not so healthy) and coke slurpees (bad!)
- loves watching Pokemon
- can now call up Pokemon episodes on our PVR
- loves to rewind things on the PVR - I swear, if we watch America's Funniest Videos, he will rewind a funny clip 10 times
- he will laugh every single time
- reads like crazy - anything, anywhere
- still likes to give hugs
- loves playing the Wii - specifically Super Mario Galaxy 2, as Gord's "co-star"
- also likes Lego Batman
- kicks butt at "Guess Who"
- has been using his manners so well lately
- loves to boss his little sister around
- can swim like nobody's business
- can ride his two-wheeler really well
- loves the monkey bars, but has yet to master swinging across them
Ella:
- likes to have her hair put in ponytails or pigtails or braids, but only if she gets a candy
- loves to hit her brother when he bugs her
- spends a lot of time in her room, alone, in a time out for hitting her brother
- loves to eat
- asks for a snack as soon as she's done supper
- asks for another snack when she's done the first snack
- requests a song before bed
- knows her letters and is pretty good at counting to 30, with only a few missed numbers, or switched numbers
- knows some letter sounds
- loves Grandpa's steak, berries of any kind, tomatoes, cheese
- loves to watch Ben & Gord play video games
- can swim without water wings, and loves to swim with a snorkel & goggles
- loves to draw and write words and cut paper to make "flags"
- likes purple
OK, that took me like all afternoon to come up with. Maybe I should post a few pics later??
Monday, June 28, 2010
The end is near...
Tomorrow, Ben graduates from kindergarten. I can't believe it! This year has gone by so quickly - that is very scary! I don't like thinking about how quickly the next 15 years will go by...
There is a celebration of learning at the school - I plan to take lots of pictures and video, and a box of kleenex! Then we're having a little luncheon afterwards. It will be so cute - Ben keeps telling me that they're going to sing for us. I can't wait!
What else can I say about Ben right now - he is turning into a genuinely funny, sweet kid. His laugh is infectious and he can be so silly that you can't help but laugh along with him.
He is full-out reading now - yesterday we went for breakfast, and I was telling Ella what the options were, and I glanced over at him - to see if he was listening - but he was reading the menu himself. I could see his lips moving as he read through the list of food. I smiled to myself, but was also caught off-guard. He put the menu down and announced, "I'm going to have french toast. And a side order of bacon!"
Ben's current obsession is Pokemon. And holy mackerel, is it an obsession! I swear, it's all he thinks about. We constantly hear, "Did you know that such-and-such is the last evolve of so-and-so?" "Mommy, do you remember the differences between a male and female zubat?" Etc. etc. etc.
He played baseball this spring, and we think he really enjoyed it. He definitely improved from the beginning of the season, both in skill and in ability to focus on the game! In some ways, baseball was a good choice for him - less running around (like in soccer) but then again, he tended to goof around in the field as he waited for the batter to hit the ball. Ah well, he had a great time and learned a new sport!
I will post some pictures - of graduation and everything else that's been going on - tomorrow!
There is a celebration of learning at the school - I plan to take lots of pictures and video, and a box of kleenex! Then we're having a little luncheon afterwards. It will be so cute - Ben keeps telling me that they're going to sing for us. I can't wait!
What else can I say about Ben right now - he is turning into a genuinely funny, sweet kid. His laugh is infectious and he can be so silly that you can't help but laugh along with him.
He is full-out reading now - yesterday we went for breakfast, and I was telling Ella what the options were, and I glanced over at him - to see if he was listening - but he was reading the menu himself. I could see his lips moving as he read through the list of food. I smiled to myself, but was also caught off-guard. He put the menu down and announced, "I'm going to have french toast. And a side order of bacon!"
Ben's current obsession is Pokemon. And holy mackerel, is it an obsession! I swear, it's all he thinks about. We constantly hear, "Did you know that such-and-such is the last evolve of so-and-so?" "Mommy, do you remember the differences between a male and female zubat?" Etc. etc. etc.
He played baseball this spring, and we think he really enjoyed it. He definitely improved from the beginning of the season, both in skill and in ability to focus on the game! In some ways, baseball was a good choice for him - less running around (like in soccer) but then again, he tended to goof around in the field as he waited for the batter to hit the ball. Ah well, he had a great time and learned a new sport!
I will post some pictures - of graduation and everything else that's been going on - tomorrow!
Ella, the horse whisperer
The preamble: One of Ella's favorite things to do right now is play with her horse - actually, it's a unicorn. Ben picked out a purple unicorn as her present from him last Christmas - the unicorn has been named Shiny. She loves to run around the house on the unicorn, wearing her sheriff hat (from Grandma Joan & Grandpa Bill). She whinnies and squeals like a horse; it's very loud and shrill at times! Ben also has a horse (handmade by Grandma Joan!) and Ella carries it around the house too.
I walked into Ben's room last night to put some laundry away, and there, all tucked in snugly under the covers, was Ben's horse. Ella followed me in to his room, and I looked at her and said, "Did you tuck the horsey into bed?" "Yup! Ssshh, he's sleeping!"
Silly girl.
I walked into Ben's room last night to put some laundry away, and there, all tucked in snugly under the covers, was Ben's horse. Ella followed me in to his room, and I looked at her and said, "Did you tuck the horsey into bed?" "Yup! Ssshh, he's sleeping!"
Silly girl.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The girl has no imagination!
I have to make a note of something Ella said this morning, so I'm writing it here...
She was busy combing her mini-Barbie's hair, and I said, "Oh Ella, my hair looks so nice!" (obviously I was pretending to be the Barbie). Ella then says, "Mommy, she can't talk, she doesn't have a button!"
She was busy combing her mini-Barbie's hair, and I said, "Oh Ella, my hair looks so nice!" (obviously I was pretending to be the Barbie). Ella then says, "Mommy, she can't talk, she doesn't have a button!"
Sunday, April 04, 2010
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:
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:
Thursday, March 25, 2010
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!
"____, 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!
Monday, March 01, 2010
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, February 04, 2010
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????
- 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????
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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! ;)
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! ;)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
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????
Thursday, December 17, 2009
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!
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!
Friday, December 11, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
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 $$$$)
We’ve just been going through a transition, I guess, and he’s learning about boundaries and expectations. It’s just hard right now, when we’re frustrated, not to take all his privileges away.
Or then there’s the conversation we had on Sunday night that started like this: “T’s brother so-and-so said that the Santa Claus at the Santa Claus parade was fake.”
Yeah, so not prepared.
I don’t mean the actual schoolwork – Ben’s report card and student conference went very well – his teacher is very impressed with his progress and his interest in French. He loves to tell us all the French words and phrases he knows, sings us all the songs they learn, and quiz us on how much French we know.
It’s the social aspect. The other kids. The kids who are a bit older and wiser. The kids who wrestle and watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The kids who make farting sounds with their mouths. The kids who use words that we don’t use.
I don’t blame Ben. It must be confusing to do stuff at school and then go home to parents who don’t let him do those things.
But what I’m finding hard is how we balance it all to make sure he’s allowed to be a kid, ya know?
I mean, let’s take the farting noise, for example. He farts. Everyone farts. It’s nature. And fart noises can be funny (c’mon, admit it). But when he constantly makes the farting noise with his mouth, say at the dinner table, spreading germs all over the place, yeah, he has to stop.
And though no one’s gotten hurt YET wrestling/TMNT-ing/karate/Star Wars-ing on the playground after school, it’s only a matter of time. (And my kid has the glasses that will get broken. 5 year old with glasses = mucho $$$$)
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.
Monday, October 19, 2009
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!
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!
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