Overheard

Recent conversations between the littles:

While watching the Olympics opening ceremonies, particularly the beginning with the snowboarder:
I: When I grow up, I am gonna be a doctor.
O: When I grow up, I am going to be a snowboarder in the Olympics and carry the flag.

While talking about our upcoming trip to Fort Meyers Beach Florida:
O: We are going to see dolphins.
I: I am going to ride on a dolphin.
O: The dolphin won't like that Bella, it won't let you.
I: Yes, I be nice.  I say "Hi, I am Bella" and then he lets me ride on.
I: And I hold on really tight
O: But Isabelle, the dolphins go under the water, how are you going to breathe.
I: It is ok, I just do this: she puts her hands over her face.  I be fine

Overheard

As he lay in bed this morning, alternately stretching and then pulling the blankets up over his head to shield out the light, "Today is a good day. Today is free-time-Friday at school. Today is pizza day, for lunch & dinner AND Today is swimming. Today is my best day ever." Then he came out from under the blankets, threw his arms around me and gave me the warmest, biggest hug and said, "Thank you for taking me swimming today mama, I love you."

Gotta say...that was the very best start to the day for this mama. He has such a zest for life and has such a great way of looking at things. Love this boy.

The Girls

Jason, Bridget and the kids (Justin, Isaac, Kiah and Tobin) spent a week at the cottage in July. We went up for two days and took about a million pics. The girls are so close in age and really got along so well. Isabelle kept saying "This is my friend Kiah" "Hi my friend Kiah" ... so cute! Here are some of my favourites:

Overheard

Last night, I took Owen to karate - a local club as a 2 week trial in order to get an idea if this is something that will work going forward. As I was putting Owen to bed we had the following conversation:

M: Owen, I know you were nervous tonight, karate is brand new for you and you went and did your best. Daddy and I are very proud of you.

O: Thanks (smiling)

M: You are welcome buddy!

O: Mama, know what?

M: what?

O: If I was the daddy and you were the girl and I took you to karate tonight, my heart would be breaking apart with so much proudness and loveness for you. I love you so much mama and I love daddy so much too. And I love Isabelle too.

Man, I love this boy!

Overheard

We are surrounded by chaos right now as the winter activities wind down and the summer activities ramp up - we have a lot of cross over and it has made for some busy, busy weeks!
Here is a wee peek into our week right now:
Mon: 6:30-7:00pm Owen swimming (Bella comes with me to watch)
Tues: 6:15-7:15pm Owen T-Ball (Bella comes with us to watch and play at park)
Wed: 5:30-6:00pm Owen skating lessons (Bella comes to watch - see a trend here?)
Thurs: free
Fri: 7:00-8:00om Family Swim time at the local community center
Sat: 10:30-12:00 Owen Gymnastics (Bella stays at home with Daddy)
Sun: free
Last week Isabelle and I had the following conversation while watching Owen skate.
Bella: I only watching Owen skating
Me: Yes, we are watching Owen skate
Bella: I only watching Owen baseball
Me: Owen played T-Ball last night, tonight is skating
Bella: No Mama! I only watching Owen skating, I only watching Owen baseball, I only watching Owen swimming. I no having turns. Is not fair!
Oh the guilt! It is tough on the 2nd child, at least it is in our home. We have learned through parenting Owen, that signing kids up for activities before they are ready is no fun for anyone. That age was about 4 for Owen...I am starting to think it will be earlier for Bella. We have a plan for September where she will be in gymnastics at the same time as him and we are looking for another activity for her. I find myself struggling with the balance - for so long she was a baby and then a toddler, tagged along wherever we took her, good natured, always happy...now she is becoming her own person and I have to remember to treat her as such. Bella, I love the person you are and I will do my very best as your mama to remember that you are not a baby and to give you the same opportunities as your brother. I am excited to see you skate and swim and play tball...for right now though you and I will have to tough it out on the sidelines of your brother's games; playing hide and seek at the hockey rink, running to and from the playground beside the ball park and lots of hand games like this little piggie at the pool...at least until September.

Documenting the Kids

Owen @ 5 1/2 years

• totally into Ben 10, the TV show -likes to "play" Ben 10 "Mom - you be Gwen and I will be Ben"
• when 'calling' it, must say the following "I'm Ben 10 - called it - lock it in my pocket"
• working on the behaviour required to earn DS play time
• learned to ride a 2-wheeler without any adult help and has not looked back once
• learned how to fix the chain on his 2-wheeler when it falls off from going too fast
• gaining a bit of freedom in the neighbourhood, can cross the street on his own and go to Jackson's without adult supervision (mama still watches from the window though)
• is super helpful and sweet with Isabelle - most of the time :)
• has decided that toast is his favourite food and has eaten 8 pieces for breakfast two days in a row in the last week
• favourite saying "Prove It". Here is a conversation we had on the way home from TBall last night:

Owen: Can we get a donut from Tim Hortons please?

Me: You played great tonight buddy! Sure, you can have a donut or you can have the Kit Kat you bought at the snack bar. But only 1 - you have to choose.

Owen: Donut please!

Me: OK. You will have to eat it in the car on the way home. Bella has a sore belly and I am not going to get her one. Please do not tell her that we went to Timmys.

Owen: Why not?

Me: Because it will hurt her feelings.

Owen: Prove It!

Isabelle @ 2 1/2 years

• remembering to use the toilet most of the time - only wears pull-ups to bed now
• likes to wear a "princess dress" every day
• says "I not a buddy! I a girl" when I say "Hi my little buddy"
• is doing the same puzzles that Owen did at this age: 20-40 pieces. Now we have 2 puzzle masters in the house
• can recognize most of the letters in the alphabet and has an association for each one: O is for Owen, I is for Isabelle, M is for Mama, D is for Dada, G is for Grandma, P is for Papa, N is for Nora and Nana, U is for ung-brella, V is for guitar (and then mimics a person playing a violin while singing plinky-plinky-plink)
• enjoys playing games with Owen; enjoys doing anything with Owen - she idolizes her older brother
• loves to tell knock knock jokes that she hears Owen telling. Most recent favourite"

Bella: Knock Knock

Me: Who's there?

Bella: Boo

Me: Boo who?

Bella: (laughing) I don't peek owl.

(The original joke was made up by Owen and is quite clever: Knock Knock Who's There? WhoWho Who? Sorry, I don't speak owl. He does another joke about a ghost which is where the Boo comes in - Bella has just combined them into her own joke - gotta love that!)

Overheard

Last night Grandma and Bella were walking around the school yard as Adrian, Owen and I played T-Ball. They found some damaged tulips and picked one of the flowers up off the ground. Bella brought it over to me and Grandma asked her "Do you remember what it is called?"

With a big smile she said:

"Lellow Lips"

Conversation with a 2 year old

Me "Time to get dressed"
Isabelle "No like my dressed"
Me "Please take off your jammies"
Isabelle "My like it my jammies"
Me "Isabelle, Mommy has to get ready for work. Please take your pajamas off"
Isabelle (runs to bed and starts jumping) "I jumping"
Me "I am going to count to 5. Get off the bed and take your pajamas off." "1...2..."
Isabelle (still jumping with wild crazy hair flying) "free...five...eleven...six...seven..."
Me (laughing) "OK. Mommy is going to get dressed and then it will be Bella's turn"
Isabelle "No like my dressed" "I jumping"

Santa

We went to see Santa at the mall last night. Owen loves Santa and asked for a few things:
- new snowpants that are easy to get on and will be warmer
- ninja turtle socks
- a speedracer car that is NOT remote control (as opposed to the speedracer car with remote control he wanted last week)

Bella on the other hand, was happy to wave at Santa and kept saying "Hi Snanta" from the safety of my arms, but when Santa tried to give her a High-5...no way. She shrank back and said "No 5 Snanta...Owie turn high 5" "Snanta no touch Bella hand"

Needless to say she did not sit on his knee, but Owen did...

Overheard

Isabelle has been talking up a storm lately, it seems each day she is speaking in longer sentances and learning new words. This morning at 6am, snuggled next to me in our bed she said...

Hi Mama

Hi Dada

Where Owen?

Where Bella bottle?

Where Bella bear?

I lu ooo (I love you)

Show mama? Bella show?

Where Bella Gabba? (in reference to her favourite show Yo Gabba Gabba)

Where Bella Piggle? (her other favourite show In The Night Garden character Iggle Piggle)

Where Bella lambie?
More Gabba

nothing better...

Nothing better…than waking up in my own bed surrounded by my family…all four of us snugged right in under warm covers but feeling the cool air from the open window on my face.

Nothing better…than listening to Owen's imaginary conversations as he plays with his lego.

Nothing better…than a shorter commute to work since my office moved a few weeks ago.

Nothing better…than hearing Isabelle say “I uv you too mama”.

Nothing better...than starting a new book.

Nothing better…than getting a package in the mail full of wonderful new scrapbook supplies.

Nothing better...than texting with Kaitlin to keep in touch. We had a great conversation last night and it reminded me how much I miss my sister.

Nothing better…than the first snowfall of the season yesterday and the delight in the kids eyes as they look out at the falling flakes.

Nothing better…than a mid-week date with my hubby tonight. We are going to The Who concert in Hamilton.

Nothing better...than logging into my brother's blog and seeing a new post with pics of the kids. Arizona is so very far away. xo to all 6 of you.

Nothing better…than a planned weekend trip to a pumpkin farm for hay rides and corn mazes and face painting…oh the memories we will create!

Nothing better…than watching my two pj clad kids scooched together on the couch giggling as they watched the garbage truck this morning.

Nothing better…than free lunch at work…salad and baked chicken today…yummy.

Nothing better…than Adrian getting a little bit of good news at work yesterday after so much uncertainty and worry.

Nothing better...than seeing Owen get it. We have sponsored a child the same age as Owen in Zimbabwe as part of celebrating his birthday and he is very interested in what Butho's life is like, what he eats, who he plays with...and to see the empathy and concern on his face as he grasps some of the differences in his own life and that of Butho's…seriously there is nothing better!

Count Me In!

Dear Owen,
Tomorrow you begin Senior Kindergarten.

Today we went together to meet your teacher, Mrs. Fraser and to visit you new classroom. For the past few weeks, whenever we talk about school, you say "I am a little bit nervous and a little bit excited. I am just going to have to be brave". I am amazed at your ability to communicate your thoughts; it is so great to hear you freely express your hesitation and your plan to deal with that...such wise words for such a little guy. As we approached the school you gripped my hand and got very quiet. You said that you were a little scared and then in the next breath said that you were not scared at all. That is bravery.

When we arrived in the school we had to wait for a few minutes in the hallway. This was a wonderful little moment where you found your hook and cubby and were able to peek in the classroom on your own terms.

After some initial shyness you held Mrs. Fraser's hand while she gave us a tour of the classroom. Mrs. Fraser was cleaning a pirate ship which you were very excited about. There are stations all over the class for reading, listening to music and books on CD, 2 computer labs, craft area with easel for painting and a sand table. I walked behind you smiling to myself as you tentatively explored each area; you looked to Mrs. Fraser for reassurance a few times and she was warm and kind and just perfect with you.

We then sat at a table and you did some "games" with Mrs. Fraser. She asked you a lot of questions about rhyming words, numbers and sounds and you concentrated really hard and answered every question. There were a lot of distractions; the older kids were outside having recess and playing outside of the windows and you clearly wanted to explore the classroom, but you stayed focused until Mrs. Fraser said that you could go and play. I know how hard this was for you and I was so proud!

You played for a few minutes while Mrs. Fraser and I talked about the daily schedule and what we can expect in the months to come. There will be gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a reading book will come home once a week, you will learn new letters and math concepts each week and periodic trips to the school library.

You used the bathroom and went into the BOYS after reading the sign - great work! When it came time to leave you did not want to go...you wanted to stay...how exciting!

As we walked back home, still hand in hand, but not the death grip we walked over in; we had a little conversation that went like this:
mama "So, what did you think?"
owen "Count Me In!"
OK buddy...we will count you in! The smile on your face was proof enough to me that you are going to be just fine! This school is very different from your last school and I have been feeling very nervous and apprehensive about how this year will go; how you are going to cope with the changes. After today's visit, I feel much better. Your excitement is contagious!

Tomorrow is your big day and Daddy and I couldn't be more proud to see you growing and moving forward! Have fun, be kind, pace yourself, be true to who you are, and most of all remember that Daddy & Mommy love you very, very much!
xoxoxo

He ate a...

We struggle with fruit and veggies in our house. I know that many others do too. I feel like a bad mama sometimes for not pushing it more. I feel like a pushover sometimes for letting my 4 year old dictate what he will and will not eat. Today, I feel like a triumphant mama...he ate a green bean last night.

Owen had his annual physical with our beloved pediatrician Dr. Moss yesterday and one of the things we talked about was the lack of vegetables in Owen's diet. Owen proudly declared to Dr. Moss "I don't wike veg-e-ta-bles" (with that many syllables and a huge grin on his face) Dr. Moss then asked me to come in on another day without Owen to meet with the nutritionist...bad mama feelings coming on.

I feel like I have tried everything, bribery, rewards (are they the same thing?), loss of privilges, nutrition "talks"...and none of it worked. I am determined not to turn into the kind of mama who will force feed a child, so holding him down and putting the sweet potato into his mouth was not going to fly...and really where would that get us...he would be mad and still not liking vegetables. And frankly, the eat it for dinner or have nothing does not really work for me either...I then get a kid who will not eat (cause he really does not care about food - how is he my child?!) and then is cranky and unbearable.

So last night, on the heels of the doctor's visit, we talked about how important eating healty is. And I said we were having a new rule in our house. NEW VEGGIE RULE: I will make 3 veggies every night and you have to choose 2. I know how important choice and control is to Owen (and probably most people) and I felt that this would be the best option for all. I did not think about what I would do if he refused and thankfully we did not have to cross that road last night. (note to self - think of consequence in case this honeymoon period ends)

I made chicken (his fave), potatoes (his fave), corn on the cob (his fave...do you see the trend here?), sweet potato and green beans. Owen had to choose from corn, sweet potato and beans. He choose corn and sweet potato. I cut a piece of sweet potato the size of a kernel of corn and put it on his plate - he touched it to his lips and then put it back - "I don't like it" (but he felt like he had tried it so it was OK). "No way" I said "it has to be eaten. That means you have to chew it and swallow and it has to go into your belly" "HUMPH! OK, I will try the green bean" (with disgust in his voice) So I cut a tiny piece of green bean and he tried it and said "Hey, this is good. I like it" He then proceeded to eat a whole one. Then he and I had a contest to see who could eat one quicker...and he won!

Well...we called Nana and Papa...Grandma...Nana...Daddy...we celebrated and danced and did high-5s. He was so proud and so was I...baby steps...it all starts with baby steps.

He ate a green bean.

25th Christmas Morning + Naughty List

Owen managed to have a normal sleep despite all the excitement...we were completely geared up for a 4am wake-up call and were so thrilled when he did not call out to us until about 7:30. As we lay in bed, he ran to the family room and came right back announcing "there is something strange"
us "what is strange?"
owen "the carrots are all bitten and gone?"
us "what about the hot cocoa?"
---he runs back to family room and then back to us---
owen "it is lowered" (meaning that the liquid level in the mug has lowered or been drunk)
us "What about the cookies?"
---he runs off again to check---
owen "there are only little bits left"
us "what do you think happened?"
owen "I think Santa came"
owen "AND...the fireplace is open and the wood is all knocked over"
(we are just so thrilled and happy over his excitement)
---so we all come downstairs and read Santa's letter to Owen and Isabelle (who is still asleep)at the end of the note Santa writes that the presents are downstairs in the living room

Owen literally RUNS down stairs, stares at the stocking hanging on the fireplace and yells"I'm not on the naughty list!" it was all we could do not to laugh out loud...we did not know he thought he was that close to being on the naughty list...too funny!

Owen unwrapping. It was a little more frenetic this year than last...he was very eager to get to the next present and the next and the next instead of savouring the moment. I have to admit, part of me found it a little frustrating as it seemed greedy but in my heart I know it is just the age and the excitement. He was very keen on trying to read all the names on the tags and passing out presents.

This is a quick shot of our girl...totally in love with her bottle...just love those sleepy eyes.

While out shopping one day, Owen saw a little set of keys and cellphone that he wanted to give to Isabelle for Christmas. It warms my heart to know that in the midst of all those toys, he was thinking of his sister. In this photo, he is showing her how to play with them...sweet brother. And just look at the look on her face...pure adoration...she just loves her brother.

We had no specific plans for breakfast, just kind of grab what you want when you want and this is what Owen wanted...make your own pizza + yogurt + hot cocoa with marshmallows... Breakfast of Champions:

Adrian bought me a Nintendo DS gaming system for Christmas and also bought Owen a Deigo game that will play on it...here he is showing Owen how to play...love the closeness.

We had a wonderful morning opening presents, playing with new toys and just enjoying family time.

Stalling tactics

Last night after Adrian & Owen had read 3 stories and done some cuddling, after Owen & I had talked about the best part of our day and done some cuddling, after we had both given loads of kisses & hugs goodnight, after we had reviewed the rulee about the door (stay in bed - door stays open...get out of bed - door gets closed), after we had left him to fall asleep on his own and were making a fire and settling into a quiet evening of watching TV...a quiet little voice spoke to us from the upstairs landing.

"I have just one more thing to say Mommy"

"OK Owen, I am listening"

(the eyes dart around - desperate to fall on some 'talking subject')

"Do you know where Norf America is?" (ah, he has spied the large world map on the wall)

then before I can even answer...

"No, no, no...I mean...do you know where Syrup is?"

"Do you mean Europe Owen?"

"Yeah, Syrup"

"Yes Owen, I know where Europe is. Back to bed. Goodnight"

and off he shuffled. Gotta love the stalling tactics those sweet little brains can come up with...their mission - simply to stay awake. If only they knew how cute they looked when asleep...they might just be inclined to go to sleep a little sooner. Sweet dreams my sweet boy!

Jen