I don’t usually watch Super Nanny.Last night,I somehow ended up tuning into the last few minutes of an episode.The father in this episode was talking about all the wisdom the Super Nanny had shared with them and all the lessons he had learned.This father said that he discovered he had been reacting and not responding (or something to that effect) to his children.He also mentioned that he had learned to calm down when dealing with situations instead of getting too excited.Since his children were beginning to mimic these reactions.I can totally understand that feeling.With two little ones it is easy to fall into that pattern.Parenting is such a challenge I will take all the info and ideas I can get my hands on.
T.V,Movies,This & That February 26, 2008
I made a comment awhile ago about the void Sex and the City left in my TV world.I had hoped the two new Sex and the City knock offs would do the trick.Well, while they are not as good as the original they are doing a fine job as filler.They have the setting–NYC and the eye candy–beautiful people in GREAT clothes and lots of juicy drama.Now thank goodness we have DVR or I would never get to see them.
Hey, what about LOST? I am loving,loving,loving this season.I think it is the best season so far.I love the flash forwards we are getting.Pieces falling together and more mysteries being created.LOVE IT!I am dying to know what Ben has been up to and who is coming after him.I am also wondering when we will see Will and Michael and what role they will play.
Recently, I watched the movie Becoming Jane (Anne Hathaway,James McEvoy).I really enjoyed it and would add it to my collection.It is one of those doomed-from-the-start romances that make you shed a tear at the end.
The plague is still holding firm amongst the family.Poor little TayTay is suffering but she is a little trooper.I hate watching the little ones with a cold, they always seem so helpless.I hope it starts to pass soon and we can put cold&flu season behind us.We have been lucky this season and have really not been sick that often.
I can feel Spring trying to make it’s presence known.I have so many things I need to get done around the house.I need to finish my painting job and finally finish decorating this house.After all, we have only been in the house going on three years.I say it is about time to actually have the house looking the way we want it to.Then it will be time to move outside and start working on the landscaping,etc.
It is class submission time again at work. For the past several months, I have not submitted.Part of that time this was intentional since I wanted a break.Most of this is just plain cuckoo:)The cuckoo being me.I have discovered I am NUTTY.I have all of these ideas in my head and when it comes time to extract them and actually make something–I freeze.I have all of these negative thoughts swirling through my mind, all telling me the project will never be good enough,blah,blah,blah.I think the bottom line is that I need to stop procrastinating and just get my stuff out and play.Somewhere along the line I lost my pure love of the playing part of this hobby.I used to love it when I had a spare moment and could put together a layout.I used to have fun.I wasn’t trying to meet a deadline or finish a Design Team project,etc. I was just making something for me.I think I also have to start creating things that I like and say to heck with what everyone else thinks.If other people don’t like then maybe they will like the next thing,etc.Or perhaps, the time has come that I hang up the ole paper trimmer and move on? Things that make me go hmmm.
Well I should quit rambling and get off this computer.Good night.
S.
Quotables February 24, 2008
I quite often read Ali Edwards blog. For those of you that do not scrapbook, you probably don’t know her name.I find her blog interesting because I like her approach to scrapbooking and she likes creating small albums,etc.Her approach is to remember the "why" behind the project and to record the memory.To not be obessed only with the products and to embrace your creativity.She is also good at sharing inspiration that can be found in quotes.
I liked this one I read recently on Ali’s blog. How true it is as parents that we often get bogged down by the mechanics of parenting.Trying to teach our children the basics and not paying the attention to nourishing their souls.I read an article ages ago that prompted parents to speak to their children while they are sleeping.To tell them how marvelous you think they are, how great their painted picture was,etc.The idea being that while asleep our subconscious is still aware and open to positive reinforcement.I have come to the conclusion that so many of the poor decisions young people make are based on a poor self image.Succumbing to peer pressure is so much easier and appealing when it fills up an empty part of your self or so you think.I hope one thing we are able to do as parents is to raise kids that love themselves and are always willing to share that love with others.
Anyways, sorry for the tangent and here is the quote I enjoyed today:)
Pablo Casals : Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michaelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.
Home Again,Home Again February 23, 2008
So we arrived home safely and tired.I was fortunate enough to bring home a lovely souvenir, the flu or the world’s most evil cold.I spent the last couple days of the vacation wishing I could be back home in bed.But I am thankful it was the last few days and not the whole vacation.We had a great time and it was nice being together.
We spent the last couple days driving through the Keys.Definitely something I would recommend and we all loved it.It was bizarre at times to look around and be surrounded by nothing but water.
We spent the night in Islamorada,FL at The Pelican Cove Hotel.The setting was so beautiful and we hated to leave in the morning.The four of us hit the pool in the evening and it was heaven complete with tiki torches and palm trees.We got up in the morning and started the drive to Key West.Not entirely certain whether we would make it all the way or not.The drive seemed to take very little time at all and we made it to Key West.Wished we would have had more time to explore.What we saw wasn’t too appealing but I am sure there is more of a story there.
My favourite part of the Keys was Bahia Honda State Park.What a great place to relax and play at the Beach.The weather was sunny,warm and the skies were clear blue.The water here was shallow and we were able to walk way out into the water and it only came up to our knees.This was perfect for the kids and they had a blast playing in the water.
Bahia Honda State Park,Big Pine Key,FL
After playing at the Beach we hopped into the car and drove back to Fort Lauderdale.It took about three hours to drive back to the city.Unfortunately, we had to get up at 4a.m to head to the airport.
So back to reality and back to the grind.This week will be a busy one since Evan needs to get settled into his new (old) preschool.I need to have his Kindergarten Registration paperwork filled out and dropped of at the school on Monday.
Still Rattling around Florida… February 19, 2008
since we really don’t know what we want to do or where we want to go.But we are having fun and that is all that matters.Yesterday we went to SeaWorld rather late in the day.When we left we were certain we should return the next day.We fed some dolphins and watched a really good Dolphin/Whale show, that kept the kids entertained for 35 out of the 45 minutes (sign of a good show).Today, we showed up at the park in the morning and left around 6:30p.m.We had another fun day and finished seeing the park.We watched the Shamu Show which was good but kind of cheesy, but Evan liked it.I rode on a crazy rollercoaster called The Kraken and I am in love.I love rollercoasters and I think this is my favourite so far.I ended up riding the whole ride with my eyes closed.That is a true sign of a scary ride.Scott and I experienced every parent’s version of hell.We visited this rope/net/tube contraption that seemed to suck each child into a vortex.Evan got confused and Scott had to climb up and lead him down.Imagine a two story structure with a hundred different entrances,tubes and rope nets.Yikes!
So tonight Taylor and I are relaxing in a most comfy heavenly bed.Evan and Scott are enjoying the pool.Tomorrow we should start heading towards Fort Lauderdale,Miami,etc if we want to see that area.We head home on Friday.I must admit, the weather has been a wonderful change from our rainy,snowy weather patterns.Oh well, back to the real world:)
Live from Florida February 16, 2008
So we arrived safe and sound. Of course, no trip is complete with out some sort of hiccup.We were seated in our plane, waiting to take off from Denver and we had mechanical difficulties.So it was decided to move us to another plane.Which I am completely ok with. Safety first.We ended up checking into our hotel at 3a.m, thank goodness we were still on P.S.T.The next morning we headed to our hotel in Orlando.We drove along the coast for a bit and stumbled across a nice stretch of beach.The weather was so perfect and the beach looked inviting, so we played for a bit.Throwing caution to the wind and getting soaked in the process:)The water was so warm and the sand was white–the best combination.The kids had a blast and so did Daddy.Scott ended up having a big wave sneak up on him and lost his glasses.Those that know Scott know he is blind as a bat and needs glasses.Luckily, he had his prescription sunglasses in the truck.After drying off, we continued on our way.Needing a potty break we stopped at a neat shopping area called The Loop.Conveniently, this mall area had a Lenscrafters and Scott was able to get new glasses.It was quick and easy since his old glasses were purchased from Lenscrafters and they store your prescriptions.We took advantage of the wait for the glasses and had dinner.We had yummy BBQ at a cute little Rib place.Also found a great home decor store that was having a 40% off sale.Much to Scott’s chagrin they had some stars for 6.00!!!I fell in love with a big read star with embossed detailing.I don’t know what it is, but I love these stars.They seem to be popular right now, not sure what the true name is.Some people call them barn stars,etc.I am accumulating quite the collection.Luckily, I think it will fit in the suitcase;)We made it to Orlando and pretty much got into bed.I found really good rates at a hotel in Disney World.They have a free shuttle to all of the different parks,which is super convenient.Yesterday, we went to the Magic Kingdom and had fun.There were a few temper tantrums and smart mouthed exchanges, but that seems to be par for the course at this stage.All in all, we had fun and had it together.We found a rollercoaster in ToonTown that was called the Barnstormer.It was great and both the kids loved it.Taylor sat with me and we both laughed/screamed the whole way.Once we finished Evan would say lets do it again and we would go around again.I think we did this four times before they kicked us off.The kids also both loved the Astro Rocket ride that spun you around in a rocket.I think I have two adrenaline junkies on my hands, which is ok since I love a thrill too.Even Scott let his hair down and enjoyed the fast rides and the teacups.This is a big thing since he has a dislike of spinning rides–or so he thought.Today the guys are at the Daytona Raceway watching a race.It is the smaller race before the BIG one, the Daytona 500.Taylor and I have had a nice day.We spent a chunk of time in the pool since they have a kiddie pool.She loves the water and the weather was perfect.Then we did some laundry (much needed with two kids and a dip in the ocean).Followed by some vegging in bed watching Dora and falling alseep.I managed to stay awake and watched a movie on the laptop.I must recommend you watch Gone Baby Gone, it is a really good movie.Very thought provoking at the end and heartbreaking at the same time.Way to go Ben Affleck (he directed it and co-wrote the screenplay?).
So there you have it.The first installment of our trip diary.I am sure we will have more fun and I will have more shenanigans to report.Talk to you soon.
And We’re Off…Kind of February 13, 2008
Soon we will be heading out to catch our flight. Boy will I regret staying up this late tomorrow. Today was an annoying jumble of running around. Last minute things to buy, lots of laundry to finish,etc,etc. I think everything is all set and we just need to throw the stuff in the car and we’re off. I really hope the traveling portion of this trip goes well, the kids colds get better and we have FUN. It will be nice to spend some time together and experience new things.
With each day that passes it is so easy to forget how fleeting and precious life is. This is even more clear when spending each day with little ones. They grow and change so quickly, illustrating how briskly time passes. Today was a Memorial Service for my Brother John. Were we close? Not particularly. He lived in Ontario and I live in BC. He was older, I am somewhat younger. Yet we were family. It is so easy to lose touch with someone. To put off that letter for another day,week or year. Now he has passed on and I hope he is able to find peace. I am especially sad for his wife and son. Two people he left too soon. I hope one day they will be able to find peace. My Dad is also learning what it is like to have a child leave this earth before you. After having kids of my own, I can only imagine the sense of loss he must feel.
I must say I feel very lucky to have two healthy little monkeys in my world. So far Evan’s tests are normal and it looks like stress over the class subject matter caused him to faint. Thank goodness, poor little guy. We still have an EEG to complete next month. The Dr. feels confident it will be normal. Fingers crossed.
Well I must go to bed. Back in a few:)
Lots to Do February 9, 2008
Three more days and we will be on the way to Seattle to catch a flight to Florida. Starting to look forward to the trip as the day gets closer. Also feel like I am fighting the bug that the kids are trying to share with me. I have been drinking lots of water and taking Cold FX. Crossing my fingers that I don’t get sick. Crossing my fingers even tighter that Scott doesn’t get sick–sorry but guys are big babies. Lots of stuff to do before we go. Going to pack on Monday. I need to find a new swimsuit. Costco seems to have some decent ones for a really cheap price. Decided I am only packing clothes for five days and we will do laundry half way through the trip. Scott and I are trying to decide if we should drive down to the Keys and explore the Dry Tortugas National Park. Sounds and looks really neat. But there is also a ship that sails to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale for next to the same price. Will need to decide soon.
Watched an interesting documentary on the whole banning the plastic bag debate. Very interesting and there are lots of opinions on this matter. Not quite sure I understand the debate? Plastic or fabric and I choose fabric. I have been taking my re-usable bags with me when I go shopping. Actually remembered my bag when I went to Walmart, now that is progress;)
Who knew preschool could be so problematic? Evan hates his preschool. Can’t quite get out of him a consistent reason behind the dislike for school. I know the school is very structured and they push the kids to perform each month for the parents. Evan has a big problem with this. All I know is that I have an unhappy boy and I think we may need to move him. I have contacted his old preschool and they have room. This school is more play centred. Yikes. I hope everything works out for the best.
Better go. I think we are watching a movie.
Oh Brother! February 5, 2008
So if you read the post before this one, you will know about Evan singing lullabies to Taylor. Well I just put Taylor to bed and Evan was getting prepared to do his duty. His preparations include throwing every single thing off of the chair in Taylor’s room. I told him he shouldn’t do that and threw the pillow and blanket back on the chair. Evan said, Oh Mom, I can’t work like this! In a most exasperated voice. He is really turning into quite the professional.
Ullabyes and Bedtime Routines February 3, 2008
So Taylor goes to bed before Evan does. Several months ago, Evan asked me if he could sing Taylor a lullaby before she went to sleep. I thought this was so precious and said sure. I did my best to record it on our video recorder. The lullabies tended to vary and were quite colourful. Varied themes, lots of nonsensical stuff–a lullaby a four year old would compose.Eventually Evan tired of this routine and that was that. Well the lullabies have been added to the routine again. This time it was Taylor requesting the "ullabyes". She does so with the fervor of a teenager in love sending in a request to the local radio station. While getting ready for bed Taylor will scream ULLABYE DEE DEE!!! (she calls Evan dee dee). It is quite cute. Tonight she needed the ullabye and Evan said, ohhhkkkaaay Taylor I will sing you a lullaby. I think he was mildly annoyed but mildly proud that he was an essential part of the bedtime routine.
There are so many instances throughout the week where I think I must have been insane, when I thought 2 yrs and seven months was a good spacing between kids. Then there are many moments like these when I think it is just right. They are really becoming buddies and they have such a sweet love for each other. I can see a really strong bond forming between them. I also know that bond will be tested weekly in upcoming years. I am sure I will be refereeing many fights over a large assortment of ridiculous things. Such is the life of a parent. Having kids sure gives you a new appreciation for your own parents;)
