Over the holiday weekend, my sister Grace decided to teach Devlin a card game. Uno, (pronounced you know) which is pretty much Crazy Eights but with its own set of special cards.
Devlin is always eager to learn new games, and his response was uncontainable.
"What's the game called, Auntie Grace?"
"Uno."
Devlin then called out to his younger sister, Ceilidh. "Ceilidh, Ceilidh, come quick. Autnie Grace is going to teach us a game!"
"What's it called?"
"It's called 'I know'!"
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Open house
Last night was the school open house. Devlin's been talking about it for days because in addition to the open house and an opportunity to speak with the teachers, the book fair was also on. This would mean, of course, new books! On Monday, he came home and said, "Mom, Mom! Four more sleeps and it's the book fair! Can I get a new book?" And this repeated every day until, finally, the day of the open house arrived.
If there's one item I will not deny my children, ever, it's books. We have books of all shapes, sizes, subjects in every room of our home. Fostering the love of reading, and opening up the world of imagination through words is very important to us. Bed time involves at least two stories, if not more.
So, off we went to the book fair with money in hand. Both Ceilidh and Devlin were told they could buy two books each and Aisling was also granted a new book. A treat for her to have something that wasn't already tattered and dog-eared.
We also toured Devlin's classroom and viewed his artwork. He proudly showed us a painting. Based on the black head, red torso and splashes of blue paint, Wayne and I both declared it be a great painting of Optimus Prime. That's when the teacher informed us it was a self-portrait!
It was also uplifting to hear that Devlin has been adjusting to senior kindergarten with more ease than he did with junior kindergarten. His teacher noted that there's been no tears and fewer behavioural problems.
Believe me, it was nice to hear that because last year was rough. While he was excited about starting school, he didn't go gracefully. Every morning, there were tears. There was screaming for Mommy not to leave him alone, and there was clinging to Mommy's legs. For two and half months, I had to walk him into the building, pry his fingers from mine and place him on the "crying" chair and then try to leave the building. All the while dodging little bodies rushing off to class and Devlin who was running after me. It brought back memories of dropping him off at daycare. Then in November, I decided to bribe him. If he could walk into the building without tears, there would be a special toy that he got to pick out. The next week, there was a toy if he walked into the building himself. I still accompanied him to the doors. The following week, there was a treat if he lined up with the rest of his classmates. And so on, until we finally got him to enter the kindergarten gated area and hang with his friends instead of holding onto me.
So to hear that Devlin was making a smooth transition into senior kindergarten was a great relief! I wasn't too stressed about the little bumps in the behaviour department. If I had received reports that he was a complete angel, I would have been worried the teacher was talking about someone else's child. (After all, I know my kid!)
If there's one item I will not deny my children, ever, it's books. We have books of all shapes, sizes, subjects in every room of our home. Fostering the love of reading, and opening up the world of imagination through words is very important to us. Bed time involves at least two stories, if not more.
So, off we went to the book fair with money in hand. Both Ceilidh and Devlin were told they could buy two books each and Aisling was also granted a new book. A treat for her to have something that wasn't already tattered and dog-eared.
We also toured Devlin's classroom and viewed his artwork. He proudly showed us a painting. Based on the black head, red torso and splashes of blue paint, Wayne and I both declared it be a great painting of Optimus Prime. That's when the teacher informed us it was a self-portrait!
It was also uplifting to hear that Devlin has been adjusting to senior kindergarten with more ease than he did with junior kindergarten. His teacher noted that there's been no tears and fewer behavioural problems.
Believe me, it was nice to hear that because last year was rough. While he was excited about starting school, he didn't go gracefully. Every morning, there were tears. There was screaming for Mommy not to leave him alone, and there was clinging to Mommy's legs. For two and half months, I had to walk him into the building, pry his fingers from mine and place him on the "crying" chair and then try to leave the building. All the while dodging little bodies rushing off to class and Devlin who was running after me. It brought back memories of dropping him off at daycare. Then in November, I decided to bribe him. If he could walk into the building without tears, there would be a special toy that he got to pick out. The next week, there was a toy if he walked into the building himself. I still accompanied him to the doors. The following week, there was a treat if he lined up with the rest of his classmates. And so on, until we finally got him to enter the kindergarten gated area and hang with his friends instead of holding onto me.
So to hear that Devlin was making a smooth transition into senior kindergarten was a great relief! I wasn't too stressed about the little bumps in the behaviour department. If I had received reports that he was a complete angel, I would have been worried the teacher was talking about someone else's child. (After all, I know my kid!)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sleeping through the night
It happens, eventually, that toddlers will sleep through the night. Unfortunately, we're so accustomed to waking up several times a night, we don't realize that's it's not the baby that woke us up, but some other noise. It's been several weeks (not including the croup filled weekend) that Aisling's been slumbering peacefully at night, and I never took notice of it until recently. I was still getting up several times - out of habit, I think, but it never registered that Aisling was still asleep.
Until last night, that is. There was as bit of commotion at 3:30am as Daddy discovered someone had wet the bed. This resulted in changing the wet child, stripping the wet sheets, re-locating previously sleeping children to mommy and daddy's big bed, and tucking everyone in again. In the midst of all this, Aisling woke up. She saw her siblings next to her, and declared it to be party time. She laughed in glee, clapped her hands, poked Devlin once or twice to make sure he was on board with the idea and then raised her arms and started dancing. When she saw sleepy and grumpy Daddy, she greeted him with a huge smile too.
It took a few minutes to convince her that it was still sleep time, but miraculously, she fell asleep quickly and with little protest. There were a couple of more nudges to big brother Devlin before snuggling into next to Mommy (and a few exploratory pokes at Mommy's face too) and I could soon hear the gentle snoring coming from all three.
Before I went back to sleep for a few more hours, I took notice of one fact. Children are incredibly beautiful when they're sleeping...probably because they're still and quiet!
Until last night, that is. There was as bit of commotion at 3:30am as Daddy discovered someone had wet the bed. This resulted in changing the wet child, stripping the wet sheets, re-locating previously sleeping children to mommy and daddy's big bed, and tucking everyone in again. In the midst of all this, Aisling woke up. She saw her siblings next to her, and declared it to be party time. She laughed in glee, clapped her hands, poked Devlin once or twice to make sure he was on board with the idea and then raised her arms and started dancing. When she saw sleepy and grumpy Daddy, she greeted him with a huge smile too.
It took a few minutes to convince her that it was still sleep time, but miraculously, she fell asleep quickly and with little protest. There were a couple of more nudges to big brother Devlin before snuggling into next to Mommy (and a few exploratory pokes at Mommy's face too) and I could soon hear the gentle snoring coming from all three.
Before I went back to sleep for a few more hours, I took notice of one fact. Children are incredibly beautiful when they're sleeping...probably because they're still and quiet!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Rant on Flu (swine and otherwise)
It's fall, the kids are back in school, and the warnings are already out regarding the second outbreak of the swine flu. There are media reports about cases of swine flu and the much promised vaccine isn't ready yet, and so a flurry of media reports on how to best prevent catching the dreaded bug come out. We should wash our hands after coming into contact with EVERYTHING! Then there was a report that questioned the effectiveness of washing hands as a preventative measure. Oh, and don't forget the study that suggested getting a regular flu shot made one more susceptible to the swine flu. Or was it the other way around.
It's getting out of hand. Now, the Olympics Committee is advising athletes to avoid handshakes and high fives. Rather, fist bumps will be the way to congratulate fellow competitors. No more butt slaps?! And of course, no more hugs. Wow, what a way to kill that celebratory mood.
Then yesterday at church, the minister suggested fist bumps as an alternative to shaking hands when passing the peace of Christ! All right, that's going a bit far. I actually didn't see any do "props" (as Devlin has told me that's they're called) to pass the peace. And, isn't a clenched fist suggestive of a fighting stance, rather than peace?
What really got me was that after the suggested fist bump passing of the peace, there was Communion. The bread was already cubed and placed in a tidy bowl. Nope. it was torn by the bare hands of the server and handed to you to be consumed. I think I'd be more concerned about flu germs being passed this way, than by passing the peace. Really. How do I know this server washed/sanitized his hands recently. Or that the loaf wasn't sneezed on by some other server? Or that the minister had recently sanitized his/her hands before breaking apart the bread? I'm sure I saw the minister shake several hands prior to service commencing.
Okay, what I'm really irked by is the hype about the flu season. Yes, it's uncomfortable and misery to those who get it (I had it last year), and yes it's deadly for some. But so are many things. And frankly speaking, illnesses and viruses are part of life. Deal with it. To envision a life without, is to dream. I don't think any preventative measure on earth will eradicate the flu virus for good. The common cold virus is still around, and will be for many years.
Sure, practice good hygiene. Get the flu shot if you desire. But don't believe it will stop the virus for good, or believe that it will protect you from all bugs. I'd rather see the government spend the money on promoting preventative health in general. Like promoting exercise and sensible eating, doing more the stop the masses from smoking, promoting the importance of early prenatal care, and funding better support systems for the mentally ill.
As a mother of young kids, I've accepted that illnesses will happen no matter how many preventative steps you take. And no, you can't catch a cold from not wearing a jacket but you still say that to the kids.
It's getting out of hand. Now, the Olympics Committee is advising athletes to avoid handshakes and high fives. Rather, fist bumps will be the way to congratulate fellow competitors. No more butt slaps?! And of course, no more hugs. Wow, what a way to kill that celebratory mood.
Then yesterday at church, the minister suggested fist bumps as an alternative to shaking hands when passing the peace of Christ! All right, that's going a bit far. I actually didn't see any do "props" (as Devlin has told me that's they're called) to pass the peace. And, isn't a clenched fist suggestive of a fighting stance, rather than peace?
What really got me was that after the suggested fist bump passing of the peace, there was Communion. The bread was already cubed and placed in a tidy bowl. Nope. it was torn by the bare hands of the server and handed to you to be consumed. I think I'd be more concerned about flu germs being passed this way, than by passing the peace. Really. How do I know this server washed/sanitized his hands recently. Or that the loaf wasn't sneezed on by some other server? Or that the minister had recently sanitized his/her hands before breaking apart the bread? I'm sure I saw the minister shake several hands prior to service commencing.
Okay, what I'm really irked by is the hype about the flu season. Yes, it's uncomfortable and misery to those who get it (I had it last year), and yes it's deadly for some. But so are many things. And frankly speaking, illnesses and viruses are part of life. Deal with it. To envision a life without, is to dream. I don't think any preventative measure on earth will eradicate the flu virus for good. The common cold virus is still around, and will be for many years.
Sure, practice good hygiene. Get the flu shot if you desire. But don't believe it will stop the virus for good, or believe that it will protect you from all bugs. I'd rather see the government spend the money on promoting preventative health in general. Like promoting exercise and sensible eating, doing more the stop the masses from smoking, promoting the importance of early prenatal care, and funding better support systems for the mentally ill.
As a mother of young kids, I've accepted that illnesses will happen no matter how many preventative steps you take. And no, you can't catch a cold from not wearing a jacket but you still say that to the kids.
Naps
Speaking of naps, I am still somewhat disbelieving when our nanny reports that Devlin naps in the afternoon. I can count on one hand the number of times Devlin napped when I was off on maternity leave with Aisling. I have never experienced the "peaceful" atmosphere that my mother described my home was when all 3 kids nap.
So, I asked Devlin why he doesn't nap on the weekends.
M: Devlin, why don't you nap for Mommy and Daddy?
D: I only nap on school days, after I do my homework.
M: Well, we could do homework on weekends too.
D: No, on weekends, it's not napping time.
M: Why? (a little desperate sounding because I am craving a little nap)
D: Because, I want to spend time with you and Daddy, not sleep!
Well, how do you force a nap after that answer!
So, I asked Devlin why he doesn't nap on the weekends.
M: Devlin, why don't you nap for Mommy and Daddy?
D: I only nap on school days, after I do my homework.
M: Well, we could do homework on weekends too.
D: No, on weekends, it's not napping time.
M: Why? (a little desperate sounding because I am craving a little nap)
D: Because, I want to spend time with you and Daddy, not sleep!
Well, how do you force a nap after that answer!
You're talking about my kids?!
Grandma and Grandpa were visiting again last week, and this is what Grandma reported to me:
- the kids were quite well-behaved, and played well together
- Ceilidh had a very healthy appetite and ate whatever Grandma put before her
- Devlin also ate whatever Grandma served, and in fact, ate non-stop
- all 3 kids napped in the afternoons - it was so quiet, Grandma declared the house was actually peaceful!
- Aisling even nibbled on kim-chee (Korean spicy picked cabbage)
- there wasn't much in the terms of whining
Really? These were my kids she talking about. We're thinking of shipping Ceilidh off to live with Grandma. Apparently, she only eats for Grandma. Because, after Grandma and Grandpa left, she gave us a hard time about dinner - again!
To hear anyone describe our household as peaceful, and it's not the middle of the night - that's a first. Wow.
Why do children always behave when mom and dad are not actually present? Why do we always have to hear about their angelic dispositions, and never get to witness it?
Maybe they just know how to play the game.
Grandma brought over a batch of muffins. The kids polished off the entire batch (count 'em - 24 mini muffins) in one day. Devlin and Ceilidh declared them to be "the best cupcakes ever!" Grandma, so flattered by the compliments and encouraged by their healthy noshing, baked two more batches before heading back home.
The kids waved good-bye, and showered beloved grandparents with many slobbery kisses and shouted "See you Friday" as Grandma and Grandpa drove away. Within minutes, these angels reverted back to the boisterous rugrats with whom we are more familiar.
Seriously, maybe we should send them all to the grandparents and we can visit them on occasion. Maybe then we'll catch a glimpse of the angels?
(Although, Grandpa has declared no more sleeping with Ceilidh. She kicked off all the covers, and kept kicking them off, so that poor Grandpa froze all night.)
-
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Talking in her sleep...
Ceilidh talks in her sleep. It's quite funny. But you'll never guess what she talk about! Food!
So while we're tearing our hair out trying to get her to eat dinner, she dreams about food and most likely, eating.
Wayne woke up one night hearing her ask for more cheese. There was no sleepy mumbling. Very clearly, she asked "I want cheese. Please."
Last night, I went to tuck her in, and she asked for "gummy bears and princess gummies", referring to her multi-vitamins. I thought she was awake, but her eyes were closed. Then she rolled over and continued with her slumber.
Maybe we should try feeding her in her sleep?!
So while we're tearing our hair out trying to get her to eat dinner, she dreams about food and most likely, eating.
Wayne woke up one night hearing her ask for more cheese. There was no sleepy mumbling. Very clearly, she asked "I want cheese. Please."
Last night, I went to tuck her in, and she asked for "gummy bears and princess gummies", referring to her multi-vitamins. I thought she was awake, but her eyes were closed. Then she rolled over and continued with her slumber.
Maybe we should try feeding her in her sleep?!
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