Friday Morning Trigger

Why do kids always act so differently when they are in the care of others?

And why does it trigger me so badly?

This morning was gymnastics - Carmen does her class by herself, while Keira and I are in the parent-participation class for 2yr olds. I have found trying to juggle the two classes is less than ideal. The upside is that I am in the facility with both girls at the same time, so it fits into our schedule. There are a few downsides though - whenever Keira sees Carmen across the room, she is wont to beeline over and become part of the older kids' class. It's cute, really, that she wants to be with her big sis, even though they spend nearly every waking moment together! But it's also frustrating because it's disruptive to both classes in session. The other downside is that I feel torn between the two. I like to watch what Carmen is doing in class (especially when she turns to see if I'm watching her demonstrate a new skill she's mastered) but I also need to be present for Keira - not just to help her on the trickier stuff and cheer her on, but also to fulfill my obligation as a parent to keep my kid (sort of) in line.

Today was one of those days. I'm sick, I'm tired from lack of sleep and both girls had ingested enough oatmeal at breakfast to power the nation. Keira was EVERYWHERE, and disruptive and crazy. And if I were in a better place, it would probably have been fine... but I wasn't and at one point, I had to take a 'mommy timeout' to prevent a major meltdown on MY part! The instructor, bless her heart, saw me close to losing it and intervened. Gently guiding Keira along the balance beam, congratulating her somersaults.

And Keira? Well, of course Keira was an angel.

Obviously this is not the first time this has happened, and nor does it really surprise me. But it still doesn't make it any easier. On the plus side, we feel pretty confident that our kids will behave for anyone that is nice enough to take them! Conversely, it's a bit upsetting when you've molded your life around your kids and have spent so much time with them that they know just how to press your buttons!

So now I am going to my RMT appointment while Grandma C watches the girls (and of course they'll be perfect) and hoping to have a better outlook when I get back!

Revamp II - The Way We Play

Recently a few girlfriends and I were talking about the way we 'play' - some people are a bit more free-form and spontaneous, some are a bit more organized and planned. This of course enters into the way we express ourselves creatively. I've been looking at my girls a little closer these days, and more specifically, the way they play. At one time I would have thought that Carmen was the more 'just-so' type, but now I'm noticing that our little Keira is now organizing her toys - in lines, patterns and such.



One of her favourite games right now is lining up all her 'groceries' in a single-file food parade and then me, as the friendly and very hungry mommy dragon, eating them by stuffing them down the neck of my shirt and winding up with a very full belly! Specific dances for certain songs, complete and distinct costumes for different characters... I can't decide if Carmen is influencing her, or if it's coming from me, or if this is just what happens when Jason and I combine gene pools?



Because the way I play? Very organized, planned out, lines, patterns, repetition. It's why I like sports like triathlon, because there is a methodology towards a set goal. And when I quilt or knit? Same thing. So I tried (REALLY TRIED) to break out of my mold and, hold onto your hats, I decided to put a crazy binding on the table runner I made to match the pillow covers.





And because an old dog can learn new tricks, I learned how to mitre my bindings.



And because I had a whack of binding left over afterwards, I made this crazy third pillow cover that I actually really dig. You'll notice I started out with a set pattern in the centre, so hard to let go!



A year ago I started this sweater and got to here before I realized that the neckline is really screwed up when I put it on.



I actually finished it last weekend and wore it in public(!) but haven't taken a good enough picture (hard when I'm holding the camera myself) so that you can see how screwed up it really is...

And I 'messanger-bagged' the bottom of my leather jacket as suggested, but I just didn't have the patience to do a proper job, nor am I planning on trying again. My poor Bernina. In any case, it makes a passable knitting bag!



I've decided I'm really like the 3 & 5yr old thing we have going on in our home right now. The girls are just old enough to hang out and craft along beside me. Really, they are simply content to be allowed to play with sharp things! But sometimes they will spend 1/2hr cutting small ribbons or yarn into shreds while I sew alongside them. Sometimes Keira replaces pins in the pincushion or Carmen helps hand me pieces of material or 'irons' with the cold iron. It's 100% awesomeness, and has totally brought something back to my everyday that I've been missing for years.

In other news - I decided to experiment a bit with winter gardening this year in our unheated greenhouse, inspired by this book by Eliot Coleman. I planted lettuce, spinach, leeks, shallots and green onions in early January and here is what is coming up! Yes, I know - boring dirt with green specks. But I'm not even watering these babies and they are flourishing! So exciting for early spring eating!