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!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
New Year Revamp!
January is great for getting the creative juices flowing - at this time of year I always find myself figuring out new ways to use old things, since the credit card bills are usually sky-high and retail therapy is out of the question!
I made a quilt for my brother's wedding waaaay back when and was so in love with the materials that I was hording a stash of leftovers. Bits and pieces have made it into a variety of presents over the years, but I finally got to make something for myself out of them! Behold, new cushion covers! The invisible zippers were a bit of a pain, but after about 4 YouTube videos, I had 'em figured out...
Years ago (like 2002?) an ex-boyfriend bought me this beautiful, and horrifically expensive, DKNY leather jacket. In the past 9 years, I think I've worn it a few dozen times. But each time, I couldn't get past the feeling that I was in 'The Matrix', concealing an automatic weapon! So, a revamp was in order.
Originally I was planning to cut it just below the pockets and have it mid-thigh, but my friend Michelle pointed out that it would be much cuter if I just removed the skirt portion altogether. She was right! This is totally wearable and cute, and although the reseaming I had to do nearly broke my poor Bernina, I'm pretty happy with the result!
And now I have this to play with... any ideas? I was in the Net Loft at Granville Island this afternoon and got some cute purse and belt ideas - maybe a foldover smallish purse (to minimize needed stitching) and a basic double-sided sash-style belt? Recommendations welcome!
Lastly, it was inevitable that some drywall dust would have to fly to make it a REAL new year! This entryway has been an eyesore since Day 1, both Jason and I have been griping about it forever. It's usually much, much messier than this, and you can barely open the front door with the wicked mess of puffy jackets on hooks...
Influenced by a recent SouleMama post and a surge of crazy-lady hormones, I somehow convinced my hubby that it had to be fixed NOW! And so a (loosely-budgeted) trip to Ikea and Rona, some drywall patching, some painting, some assembling, LOTS of vacuuming, et voila!
A drawer for keys, lots of room for shoes, and a row of hooks at kid-level to help distribute the puffy-jacket mess. Just need to add some baskets along the top shelf - I'm sure I can scrounge some up from around the house. The best part? Not only is the double rack wide enough to hold Jason's Blundstones, but the girls are actually enjoying putting away their shoes!
I made a quilt for my brother's wedding waaaay back when and was so in love with the materials that I was hording a stash of leftovers. Bits and pieces have made it into a variety of presents over the years, but I finally got to make something for myself out of them! Behold, new cushion covers! The invisible zippers were a bit of a pain, but after about 4 YouTube videos, I had 'em figured out...
Years ago (like 2002?) an ex-boyfriend bought me this beautiful, and horrifically expensive, DKNY leather jacket. In the past 9 years, I think I've worn it a few dozen times. But each time, I couldn't get past the feeling that I was in 'The Matrix', concealing an automatic weapon! So, a revamp was in order.
Originally I was planning to cut it just below the pockets and have it mid-thigh, but my friend Michelle pointed out that it would be much cuter if I just removed the skirt portion altogether. She was right! This is totally wearable and cute, and although the reseaming I had to do nearly broke my poor Bernina, I'm pretty happy with the result!
And now I have this to play with... any ideas? I was in the Net Loft at Granville Island this afternoon and got some cute purse and belt ideas - maybe a foldover smallish purse (to minimize needed stitching) and a basic double-sided sash-style belt? Recommendations welcome!
Lastly, it was inevitable that some drywall dust would have to fly to make it a REAL new year! This entryway has been an eyesore since Day 1, both Jason and I have been griping about it forever. It's usually much, much messier than this, and you can barely open the front door with the wicked mess of puffy jackets on hooks...
Influenced by a recent SouleMama post and a surge of crazy-lady hormones, I somehow convinced my hubby that it had to be fixed NOW! And so a (loosely-budgeted) trip to Ikea and Rona, some drywall patching, some painting, some assembling, LOTS of vacuuming, et voila!
A drawer for keys, lots of room for shoes, and a row of hooks at kid-level to help distribute the puffy-jacket mess. Just need to add some baskets along the top shelf - I'm sure I can scrounge some up from around the house. The best part? Not only is the double rack wide enough to hold Jason's Blundstones, but the girls are actually enjoying putting away their shoes!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Economy Post
Five posts in one! Something for everyone!
Sorry - don't have enough for five separate posts, but still need some feedback...
1. Nighttime potty training, my nemesis. I thought that my crazy laundry days were over when I stopped cloth diapering for two, but I was wrong! For those of you that have kids that nighttime trained right away, I ENVY YOU!! Because this has not been the case for my twosome. We had a long streak (10 days?) of no wetting with my eldest, but now have had a complete reversal and I find myself stripping Carmen's bed EVERY MORNING. It's gotten to the point where I am getting her out of bed at the crack of dawn, putting her on the toilet while she is basically still asleep, and then popping her back in bed! Terrible. And it's only training ME, not her. Right now we have no drinks/food after 7, a pee before bed and then in bed by 8. They sleep right through 'til 8, and HEAVILY at that. We just bought a night-light, as she is in the top bunk, but she never wakes up. Suggestions? Anyone else with nearly-kindergarteners with the same problem?
2. Favorite non-homemade snack? My hubby needs snacks that he can stash in his school drawer for those looooong days. We make nearly everything from scratch, so please don't suggest that I make yet another thing! The snack needs to be nut-free, and somewhat non-perishable... I'm thinking granola-bar-like?
3. Very excited to make these Crash Hot Potatoes tonight, but with a twist. I think I'll boil the potatoes in a double boiler, and steam yams (in thick cross-sections) over top at the same time, then have a yam & a potato 'cookie' for each person at dinner. I think these will make great leftovers, and the girls will have a blast mashing, painting and sprinkling! I'll let you know how it goes...
4. I'm embarrassed to admit how much I spend on facial products (think Spa brands) and am looking for alternatives without building up a stash of unusable products! I hate that. So far I've replaced my cleanser with the London Drugs equivalent of Cetaphil. I also like Aveeno's Daily Scrub to exfoliate, but only every few days. I'm seeking a non-alcohol-based toner that is very gentle. Ideas? A moisturizer would be great too, but I'm a little hesitant to give up my wonderful moisturizer...
5. Epic fail on the weekend making these cotton shirts for the girls. I stole over a dozen from-the-70's patterns from my mom's stash over the holiday - score! I even remember having some of these clothes growing up...
I thought they would be so great with the skirt on the pattern (which I plan to make in the stripes & print with the double ruffle) as well as with the smocks I made them at Christmas. However, from the picture, you can see that they look like clowns in the picture with the smocks!
Poor clowns.
Oh well, at least they are clowns in love!
Hopefully they will look better with the skirts! And yes, I know I should stop dressing my children the same...
Sorry - don't have enough for five separate posts, but still need some feedback...
1. Nighttime potty training, my nemesis. I thought that my crazy laundry days were over when I stopped cloth diapering for two, but I was wrong! For those of you that have kids that nighttime trained right away, I ENVY YOU!! Because this has not been the case for my twosome. We had a long streak (10 days?) of no wetting with my eldest, but now have had a complete reversal and I find myself stripping Carmen's bed EVERY MORNING. It's gotten to the point where I am getting her out of bed at the crack of dawn, putting her on the toilet while she is basically still asleep, and then popping her back in bed! Terrible. And it's only training ME, not her. Right now we have no drinks/food after 7, a pee before bed and then in bed by 8. They sleep right through 'til 8, and HEAVILY at that. We just bought a night-light, as she is in the top bunk, but she never wakes up. Suggestions? Anyone else with nearly-kindergarteners with the same problem?
2. Favorite non-homemade snack? My hubby needs snacks that he can stash in his school drawer for those looooong days. We make nearly everything from scratch, so please don't suggest that I make yet another thing! The snack needs to be nut-free, and somewhat non-perishable... I'm thinking granola-bar-like?
3. Very excited to make these Crash Hot Potatoes tonight, but with a twist. I think I'll boil the potatoes in a double boiler, and steam yams (in thick cross-sections) over top at the same time, then have a yam & a potato 'cookie' for each person at dinner. I think these will make great leftovers, and the girls will have a blast mashing, painting and sprinkling! I'll let you know how it goes...
4. I'm embarrassed to admit how much I spend on facial products (think Spa brands) and am looking for alternatives without building up a stash of unusable products! I hate that. So far I've replaced my cleanser with the London Drugs equivalent of Cetaphil. I also like Aveeno's Daily Scrub to exfoliate, but only every few days. I'm seeking a non-alcohol-based toner that is very gentle. Ideas? A moisturizer would be great too, but I'm a little hesitant to give up my wonderful moisturizer...
5. Epic fail on the weekend making these cotton shirts for the girls. I stole over a dozen from-the-70's patterns from my mom's stash over the holiday - score! I even remember having some of these clothes growing up...
I thought they would be so great with the skirt on the pattern (which I plan to make in the stripes & print with the double ruffle) as well as with the smocks I made them at Christmas. However, from the picture, you can see that they look like clowns in the picture with the smocks!
Poor clowns.
Oh well, at least they are clowns in love!
Hopefully they will look better with the skirts! And yes, I know I should stop dressing my children the same...
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