We are all moved in!! And more or less unpacked. All essentials were unpacked and put away in the first few days, and everything else is puttering along. I'm finally getting frustrated enough about the boxes laying around with only a little bit of stuff in them that I'm going to try to get the rest of it all cleared away this week. Hubby had that first week we were here off and I seem to always find better things to do when he's home than to clean and organize, so when he was back at work last week I thought I'd get it all done. Yeah, didn't happen. I did, however, bake and do laundry and cook relatively healthy meals, so I still call that a success.
The kids are still adjusting to the move. Even though it wasn't a far one, it's still taken a toll. We had kids over all the time, everyday, and there doesn't seem to be as many on this street. There is a terrific park down the road, and the streets are more flat on this side, so it's easier to ride bikes to and from and we've even let the boys ride down all by themselves a time or two. Always reviewing the rules and encouraging them to stick together. I'm getting some play dates with kids from school, so that's helping a bit too.
Yesterday Hubby and I ran in the NAVY 10 km race over at Stadacona. Well, he ran the 10km, I ran the 5km. He finished 96th for the 10, I finished 109 for the 5. I'm very happy and proud of both of us! Considering the year of health that Hubby went through, and the lack of overall motivation to run myself, we both did very well.
One more week until Smarty has another birthday, Hubby had his the day after we moved. Daddy got a nerf gun. We had a flurry of darts flying around the house, aimed at people and things, now the guns aren't working and I'm still finding darts all over the place. Never dull here! We're going to have just family here on Smarty's big day and have a friend party later in September when his friends from school will be around. And he's requested home made tortellini for dinner, so we're going to have to start that relatively soon. We'll likely make them and freeze them in a couple of batches to break up the work involved to creating enough for everyone to eat.
I found a new bread recipe that seems to work better in the humidity here. It's very tasty, but very different from the one I had been using. And more labour intense. But it doesn't crumble when you look at it, and it slices nicely. All the criteria I needed. I made up a peach pie that turned out yummy, even though the crust burned at the edges and the bottom was a bit soggy. Just means I need to make a few more pies to perfect it, right?
We've been very lucky with the weather this summer so far. Especially these first three weeks in August. More sunny days than rainy ones, less fog (although that could simply be from being on this other side of the hill). The last couple of days have been cooler, more wet, hints of the autumn that is on it's way. I wouldn't say it's here yet, but getting closer.
I love hearing the birds in the back. We have more trees here, more variety of birds, Smarty says he's found a den of what he thinks are raccoon in the back yard. There are lots of people with dogs on the street so the kids are getting to know some of them. Always friendly with those.
We have a few beach days left of the summer. This Sunday is one for the MFRC at Shearwater and it looks like the weather is supposed to cooperate for it. Then next Friday is one for one of Hubby's new units so we get to hang out for that too. I'm really looking forward to both, they are at MacDonald Beach and it's really a great location for kids. Nice lake, little park, they always have games and prizes, BBQ. Lots of fun.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
busy in the sun
It's been a fun week here! Sunshine, neighbour kids over, pool filled, sprinklers, freezies, and a trip to the beach (a lake this time). Packing, cleaning, trying to stay on top of regular mess and moving mess, each day trying to pack at least one box. I went through the kids' closets and drawers. I have decided that the girls have WAY TOO MANY shirts especially. I haven't been brave enough to cull them, but that'll happen. When I can't really close their drawer, I think it's a problem.
There have been an awful lot of cute around. Monkey is talking more and more, and being understood (which is HUGE!). She loves her "suit" and "pooh" which is her bathing suit and swimming diapers (some of which have Winnie the Pooh on them). It was so adorable when I put her in the bath after one particularly sunny day outside and I saw the little tan line from her bathing suit. Girlie has one too, and it is great to see that they are enjoying the sun when we have it.
Something Hubby does occasionally at supper time is give the kids the "game plan" for how the rest of the evening will be going down. So a couple of times this week, Smartie has asked what the morning game plan was. The first time was Wednesday morning right before I poured my first cup of coffee. So I sat told everyone to sit in the living room, walked past my coffee, then turned back around saying that coffee was the game plan. That was followed by a lot of "EWW, I don't like coffee!" I just smiled and said that was good, because I wasn't sharing any with them ;)
So I sat down and went through what had to be done, I wanted to get done, what I expected from them. And I told them that they had some input in the order of things. I was going to go grocery shopping first then get the kids to put laundry away. Smartie wanted to put laundry away first. By all means, kiddo!
They all have been really good this week. When they saw me boxing up extra blankets they got a bit anxious, but that disappeared quickly when I explained that the box was going to the new house and not the second hand store. There are some things to be dropped off, but not those blankets.
Well, I've likely lounged enough this morning. I woke up so tired and with a headache. After everyone had their breakfast I turned on the TV and came back upstairs to lie down. Wasn't planning on sleeping, but I drifted off for a half hour or so. Woke with a start, then decided to answer emails and blog. Glad I did. First cup of coffee is almost done, the tylenol I took seems to be working, so I think I might be ready to get moving. Good thing the only deadlines I have are the self imposed ones. It'll all get done.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
and again
I have been so slack on updating here! Good news is that we've been busy, enjoying sunshine when we have it, baking and crafting when we don't. Hubby's dad and step mom came out for a visit the first part of this month so we took a break from regular life for a little while and did some more sight seeing. back to Peggy's Cove, this time watching a fog bank roll in, various parks and beaches, and three days in Prince Edward Island. That was such a fun trip! We loved, loved, loved it. It'll likely be a regular trip for as long as we find ourselves in Nova Scotia.
The boys finished off their school year strong. For the last few weeks of school they did an alphabet countdown. Each day was a different letter, so they had "wish day" for w and wrote down a wish, g was wearing green, i was for ice cream. They had fun with it :)
Girlie is excited to have only one more year until she's in kindergarten, and she's practicing her letters. She's getting really really good too. She writes her name pretty well, and her fine motor skills are incredible! Yesterday she was practicing being a civil engineer. Grabbed a box and made herself a kitty house out of it, figuring our what to do to prevent it from falling down.
Monkey is really good at being a monkey. In the last month or so though her speaking has really picked up! I can sort of understand her and she is liking being understood more. She's also becomming more affectionate with Daddy. There are times it gets weird, simply because no one is used to her being this way. This morning she gave Dad a hug before he left the living room to go to the door, again at the door, as soon as he was out the door she ran to give him another, he had to come back after putting his bag in the car to give her another one. And another one. Very cute. Good thing he's learned to give himself plenty of time so these extra hugs don't make him late for work!
We have been busy with other things as well. We received word a while ago that our landlords are posting back and we'd need to find other lodging, so we are moving at the end of this month. Slowly packing and cleaning, culling and sorting. Last night Hubby dropped off our extra crib (we have no one in a crib now!! Eek!) to a friend who had twins a couple months ago. Sad to see it go, glad it's still getting used. Came across our two snugglies, two baby gates, a couple prenatal books. Those are going to have to either find new homes or be recycled somewhere.
The three older children are at VBS this week. To take advantage of it and to use it as motivation, I have been doing more, telling myself that the time frame is just what I need to get stuff done. Monday I moved the oven and the fridge and washed under/behind them, washed the floor, did some laundry, made bread. Yesterday I got groceries, packed a box from the kitchen, made a cookie bar (so, SO yummy!). Today I am packing up what I hope will be the last of the books, the winter stuff, more laundry, and maybe some board games. I want to pack the craft things but I'm pretty sure we'll be using them quite a bit in the next two weeks.
So if anyone would like our new mailing address, I can email it to you. It's in a different school zone, but I have filled out the cross boundaries to keep the boys in the same school. It just means that I'll be driving the boys to school everyday instead of walking. And with Girlie in preschool three mornings a week this fall I will be doing more driving. But that's alright. There's a putting green in our new back yard, a clothes line, and fewer toilets to clean. And the way that the interior is set up it's going to be great for entertaining. As much as we don't want to have to move, it'll be good to get set up again, see how furniture will work best in the new space. More changes, but enough that will stay the same so it won't be a huge adjustment.
Enough for now. Thanks to those patient people who put up with my extremely infrequent posting. Again, I will try to keep up better but know that I will get it eventually ;)
The boys finished off their school year strong. For the last few weeks of school they did an alphabet countdown. Each day was a different letter, so they had "wish day" for w and wrote down a wish, g was wearing green, i was for ice cream. They had fun with it :)
Girlie is excited to have only one more year until she's in kindergarten, and she's practicing her letters. She's getting really really good too. She writes her name pretty well, and her fine motor skills are incredible! Yesterday she was practicing being a civil engineer. Grabbed a box and made herself a kitty house out of it, figuring our what to do to prevent it from falling down.
Monkey is really good at being a monkey. In the last month or so though her speaking has really picked up! I can sort of understand her and she is liking being understood more. She's also becomming more affectionate with Daddy. There are times it gets weird, simply because no one is used to her being this way. This morning she gave Dad a hug before he left the living room to go to the door, again at the door, as soon as he was out the door she ran to give him another, he had to come back after putting his bag in the car to give her another one. And another one. Very cute. Good thing he's learned to give himself plenty of time so these extra hugs don't make him late for work!
We have been busy with other things as well. We received word a while ago that our landlords are posting back and we'd need to find other lodging, so we are moving at the end of this month. Slowly packing and cleaning, culling and sorting. Last night Hubby dropped off our extra crib (we have no one in a crib now!! Eek!) to a friend who had twins a couple months ago. Sad to see it go, glad it's still getting used. Came across our two snugglies, two baby gates, a couple prenatal books. Those are going to have to either find new homes or be recycled somewhere.
The three older children are at VBS this week. To take advantage of it and to use it as motivation, I have been doing more, telling myself that the time frame is just what I need to get stuff done. Monday I moved the oven and the fridge and washed under/behind them, washed the floor, did some laundry, made bread. Yesterday I got groceries, packed a box from the kitchen, made a cookie bar (so, SO yummy!). Today I am packing up what I hope will be the last of the books, the winter stuff, more laundry, and maybe some board games. I want to pack the craft things but I'm pretty sure we'll be using them quite a bit in the next two weeks.
So if anyone would like our new mailing address, I can email it to you. It's in a different school zone, but I have filled out the cross boundaries to keep the boys in the same school. It just means that I'll be driving the boys to school everyday instead of walking. And with Girlie in preschool three mornings a week this fall I will be doing more driving. But that's alright. There's a putting green in our new back yard, a clothes line, and fewer toilets to clean. And the way that the interior is set up it's going to be great for entertaining. As much as we don't want to have to move, it'll be good to get set up again, see how furniture will work best in the new space. More changes, but enough that will stay the same so it won't be a huge adjustment.
Enough for now. Thanks to those patient people who put up with my extremely infrequent posting. Again, I will try to keep up better but know that I will get it eventually ;)
Sunday, May 4, 2014
parent teacher interviews and crafts
I have pictures to post! But I won't be putting them on right now. I'll see about doing those later today.
We are one week in from Hubby's second absence this spring. He made it home from workups in one piece, came home a whole day early and surprised us all. We had three full, amazing days with him then dropped him off at the airport for Borden. One week down, four to go!
Where the girls in particular took April hard, they seem to be settling back to their normal personalities now. In more recent days and weeks it's Sergeant who is acting out more and finding it harder to adjust. But we have our calendars up, putting a sticker on each day that passes until Daddy is home. That seems to be helping. And the good news is that apparently these are the last set of courses he'll need from Borden for a while.
I had parent teacher interviews with the boys' teachers this week and they are doing great. Well adjusted, wonderful to have in the school, great friends, responsible. Everything a mom wants to hear about her children :) And they are right where they should be academically, if not a bit ahead.
My time out from reading has held! The house work still isn't getting as done as I'd like, but it isn't as bogging down as when I ignore the state of affairs in the house.
When the kids play outside so much (happily a lot in the last couple of weeks) they've started asking if they can play café. That means I fill a pitcher with water and bring it and some cups out onto the deck as well as cookies or fruit or muffins and they have snack. They started out serving each other but now it's more of a self serve set up. Seems like it was Sergeant's idea to begin with so he called it Sergeant's Café. This was all well and good until Smarty wanted to have a turn having it named after him. I broke in before it got ugly and suggested Mac Café, since it was Momma who was baking and cooking. They all thought that was a great idea. So now I have an idea floating around in my head about making a sigh with that name and framing it either for the kitchen or dining room.
I'm loving the brief time with sunshine, learning to take advantage of it because we know the rainy foggy days are coming too. Seems like those still outnumber the sunshiny days, but it's nice getting that break. I have had the windows open more this last week. Loving the fresh air!
After stocking up on new markers, coloured paper, and stickers a couple weeks ago I'm being driven crazy! I love that the kids help themselves to the craft supplies, that's why we have them. But having little pieces of paper all over (because you have to cut out your pictures, right?) and markers and crayons not put away when they are done, and then them complaining that they weren't finished yet when I put it away when they've left the table like that for more than a half hour... Sigh. I'm not really complaining though ;) Girlie has gotten really, really good with scissors, their imaginations are incredible! Then they sometimes make puppets, then do little puppet shows, yesterday they built a fort in the living room with chairs and blankets (without any instruction from me!). It's very cool.
But I should probably sigh off now. This post has taken forever to write because of child and life interruptions, but I'll make the attempt to do another one in the next few days
We are one week in from Hubby's second absence this spring. He made it home from workups in one piece, came home a whole day early and surprised us all. We had three full, amazing days with him then dropped him off at the airport for Borden. One week down, four to go!
Where the girls in particular took April hard, they seem to be settling back to their normal personalities now. In more recent days and weeks it's Sergeant who is acting out more and finding it harder to adjust. But we have our calendars up, putting a sticker on each day that passes until Daddy is home. That seems to be helping. And the good news is that apparently these are the last set of courses he'll need from Borden for a while.
I had parent teacher interviews with the boys' teachers this week and they are doing great. Well adjusted, wonderful to have in the school, great friends, responsible. Everything a mom wants to hear about her children :) And they are right where they should be academically, if not a bit ahead.
My time out from reading has held! The house work still isn't getting as done as I'd like, but it isn't as bogging down as when I ignore the state of affairs in the house.
When the kids play outside so much (happily a lot in the last couple of weeks) they've started asking if they can play café. That means I fill a pitcher with water and bring it and some cups out onto the deck as well as cookies or fruit or muffins and they have snack. They started out serving each other but now it's more of a self serve set up. Seems like it was Sergeant's idea to begin with so he called it Sergeant's Café. This was all well and good until Smarty wanted to have a turn having it named after him. I broke in before it got ugly and suggested Mac Café, since it was Momma who was baking and cooking. They all thought that was a great idea. So now I have an idea floating around in my head about making a sigh with that name and framing it either for the kitchen or dining room.
I'm loving the brief time with sunshine, learning to take advantage of it because we know the rainy foggy days are coming too. Seems like those still outnumber the sunshiny days, but it's nice getting that break. I have had the windows open more this last week. Loving the fresh air!
After stocking up on new markers, coloured paper, and stickers a couple weeks ago I'm being driven crazy! I love that the kids help themselves to the craft supplies, that's why we have them. But having little pieces of paper all over (because you have to cut out your pictures, right?) and markers and crayons not put away when they are done, and then them complaining that they weren't finished yet when I put it away when they've left the table like that for more than a half hour... Sigh. I'm not really complaining though ;) Girlie has gotten really, really good with scissors, their imaginations are incredible! Then they sometimes make puppets, then do little puppet shows, yesterday they built a fort in the living room with chairs and blankets (without any instruction from me!). It's very cool.
But I should probably sigh off now. This post has taken forever to write because of child and life interruptions, but I'll make the attempt to do another one in the next few days
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Progress!
It's raining. Again. I know I shouldn't be surprised, and I am very glad it isn't the white fluffy stuff that (apparently) we had much more of this year than usual. (Funny side note: every place we move to has a bad winter at least for the first one we're there for. First winter in Saskatoon they had the worst blizzard in 50 years, first winter in Spruce Grove had the coldest, highest snowfall in years, and now here. If weather hadn't been off all around the country, I'd think we are jinxed!)
We've made it through the week. And I think we've even made progress! Every time we went to go out Girlie would throw a fit. Yelling and screaming that she doesn't want to leave the house. Just wants to stay home. I totally get that, but she's my little social butterfly normally and having her yell and scream and sometimes try to hit me (NOT tolerated in this house!) was very trying at times. But we went on a playdate after school Thursday and she was fine (as long as we remembered to bring banana muffins to share). We went for a walk in the beautiful sunshine, found salamanders, worms, little sleeping frogs, wood peckers, heard mourning doves, the Sea Kings flew really close by a few times, and puddles were splashed in. Then when I dropped the girls off at casual care so I could attend the coffee group, there was no fuss from either of them! They walked in, took boots off, coats off, shoes on, kisses goodbye, and left! I was in shock!!
This week has been a busy one. I had to put myself on a novel reading time out, since things just weren't getting done and in this house with these children, that isn't a good thing. Things don't just add up, they grow exponentially! The laundry, the toys, the books, the dishes, food really should be planned and cooked, otherwise that balanced (or mostly balanced) diet just doesn't happen. So after we had that big rain on Tuesday where I did read all day, the novels have been put away and I've been doing really well! Stayed on top of tidying (after playing catch up), actually made meals instead of thinking that canned soup would work. Again. Nothing wrong with the soup, though...
We have had palydates after school twice, so I planned the meals so that they would either be ready when we got home (LOVE crockpot meals!) or for pick up. Yesterday we just got some hot and ready pizzas from Little Caesar's. And then I got to go out last night for a board games evening with friends. So I got a sitter and got to play Clue for the first time in what seems like forever. I remember playing with Hubby when we bought the game back in Calgary (wow, was that really 5 years ago!) but before that, the last time I had played was with my sisters years ans years ago. I can remember laying on our parents' water bed, playing the game, fighting over who got to be Ms Scarlet...
Hubby had the chance to call us yesterday. Maybe that's why I'm in such a good mood despite the rain. It was wonderful to hear his voice instead of only emailing, but even the emailing has been nice. They are in Charleston, two days off, then more work again. 13 more sleeps until he's here! Wish it would be for longer, but at least we'll have those couple of days.
My children are a bunch of turkeys! Regular goof balls. And I love it! They try to sneak attack (they aren't very good at it yet), tickle fights, and just being silly. It's great.
Monkey actually sort of has a few words! I am so excited about that. You can tell that she wants to be understood better and is sorta kinda trying harder. But she still makes herself understood without words. Very well.
Smarty and Sergeant are taking their role of boys of the house very seriously. Every morning they are in my room with me, making sure I'm not lonely, and Smarty has offered on more than one occasion to stay up later with me for the same reason. And as long as it doesn't interfere with what they are already doing (they have the same reading addiction I have. So does Hubby for that matter, although he can usually put the book down...) they will accomplish the tasks I ask them to with minimal fuss.
But I should probably start the day. We've already breakfasted (tasty pancakes!) and my coffee is almost done, so I should likely shower and get moving. Need some groceries, would love to go for a walk but I don't think that'll happen in the rain right now... I don't mind it, but I don't like hearing the complaints. We'll have to see what the afternoon will bring. I may brave it yet. And hopefully we'll get a chance to Skype with Daddy. That would be beyond awesome :)
We've made it through the week. And I think we've even made progress! Every time we went to go out Girlie would throw a fit. Yelling and screaming that she doesn't want to leave the house. Just wants to stay home. I totally get that, but she's my little social butterfly normally and having her yell and scream and sometimes try to hit me (NOT tolerated in this house!) was very trying at times. But we went on a playdate after school Thursday and she was fine (as long as we remembered to bring banana muffins to share). We went for a walk in the beautiful sunshine, found salamanders, worms, little sleeping frogs, wood peckers, heard mourning doves, the Sea Kings flew really close by a few times, and puddles were splashed in. Then when I dropped the girls off at casual care so I could attend the coffee group, there was no fuss from either of them! They walked in, took boots off, coats off, shoes on, kisses goodbye, and left! I was in shock!!
This week has been a busy one. I had to put myself on a novel reading time out, since things just weren't getting done and in this house with these children, that isn't a good thing. Things don't just add up, they grow exponentially! The laundry, the toys, the books, the dishes, food really should be planned and cooked, otherwise that balanced (or mostly balanced) diet just doesn't happen. So after we had that big rain on Tuesday where I did read all day, the novels have been put away and I've been doing really well! Stayed on top of tidying (after playing catch up), actually made meals instead of thinking that canned soup would work. Again. Nothing wrong with the soup, though...
We have had palydates after school twice, so I planned the meals so that they would either be ready when we got home (LOVE crockpot meals!) or for pick up. Yesterday we just got some hot and ready pizzas from Little Caesar's. And then I got to go out last night for a board games evening with friends. So I got a sitter and got to play Clue for the first time in what seems like forever. I remember playing with Hubby when we bought the game back in Calgary (wow, was that really 5 years ago!) but before that, the last time I had played was with my sisters years ans years ago. I can remember laying on our parents' water bed, playing the game, fighting over who got to be Ms Scarlet...
Hubby had the chance to call us yesterday. Maybe that's why I'm in such a good mood despite the rain. It was wonderful to hear his voice instead of only emailing, but even the emailing has been nice. They are in Charleston, two days off, then more work again. 13 more sleeps until he's here! Wish it would be for longer, but at least we'll have those couple of days.
My children are a bunch of turkeys! Regular goof balls. And I love it! They try to sneak attack (they aren't very good at it yet), tickle fights, and just being silly. It's great.
Monkey actually sort of has a few words! I am so excited about that. You can tell that she wants to be understood better and is sorta kinda trying harder. But she still makes herself understood without words. Very well.
Smarty and Sergeant are taking their role of boys of the house very seriously. Every morning they are in my room with me, making sure I'm not lonely, and Smarty has offered on more than one occasion to stay up later with me for the same reason. And as long as it doesn't interfere with what they are already doing (they have the same reading addiction I have. So does Hubby for that matter, although he can usually put the book down...) they will accomplish the tasks I ask them to with minimal fuss.
But I should probably start the day. We've already breakfasted (tasty pancakes!) and my coffee is almost done, so I should likely shower and get moving. Need some groceries, would love to go for a walk but I don't think that'll happen in the rain right now... I don't mind it, but I don't like hearing the complaints. We'll have to see what the afternoon will bring. I may brave it yet. And hopefully we'll get a chance to Skype with Daddy. That would be beyond awesome :)
Monday, April 7, 2014
One week down!
One full week in! Yay!! I've had a few emails from Hubby since he's left, they are doing well, everything is on schedule as far as I know. And they are keeping really, really busy, so that's good.
For us, it's been up and down. Girlie has been having a rough go of it, adjusting to Daddy being gone. A lot more tantrums, even more volatile emotions, but I can see progress being made. All the kids have been ending up in my room with me by 6am every day so far, and I've noticed a correlation between the amount of time the girls spend in my bed and their grumpiness during the day. I'm working even harder to get them to stay in their own room as much as possible during the night. The boys (Smarty in particular) likes to bring his pillow and blanket and stay on the floor beside the bed to keep me company so I don't get lonely. Sergeant will do that too if the bed is occupied by the girls. This morning he came in before Girlie, so got to snuggle with me. Everyone misses Daddy, but we're doing well, I think. Overall better adjusted than the last time he was away this long. It helps that we get to see him for a day or two in the middle before he heads off to Borden for courses. Another benefit this time is that we've started making more connections with the people here, and so are getting more and more support.
Yesterday, while we were driving, Girlie started talking about dinosaurs. Not that uncommon a topic in our family, but she was saying how the largest dinosaur was/is the Nautilus and it has super long sharp teeth! "Do you know how big they are, Mommy? 100 meteors! Almost as big as my pinky!" Now for those who know what a Nautilus is, you know that they are not huge, they are a cephalopod that has been around since the dinosaurs (at least that's what I remember. You can read about them here). She is such a funny girl!
Girlie and Monkey have been playing puppy a lot this week, with Monkey being the puppy. I keep hearing "Come on, Jemimia! You're such a cutie!" (we have friends who's dog is named Jemima) So Monkey goes around on her hands and knees, licking everything! I really wish she would understand when I tell her that her tongue shouldn't be licking what she's licking! Building her immune system, right?
I am so excited about the boys' reading! Sergeant has been starting to pick up chapter books, and I love watching them sit, learn, and explore other worlds, other realities. We've done painting (kept Girlie's attention better than anyone else's!) and posters have been drawn and coloured.
I've been getting the boys to do more around the house too. Dishes, sweeping, putting laundry away, giving them a task and just letting them do it is so satisfying, especially when they do a great job at it! We had a super lazy week last week, I couldn't seem to get my nose out of a book or three, so we had to catch up on Saturday. When I let them know what was going to happen and the time frame it needed to happen in, they were more than competent at getting it all done. With minimal fighting too!
We have another rain fall warning on for tomorrow, so today we're going to prepare. New boots for some, new splash pants for others, another umbrella or two. Our stereo died Saturday so I'll be finding a replacement for it today too. I'm so old fashioned, I'm still using CD's and I know it's going to be more and more difficult to find one that plays them. I'm up for the challenge, though!
For us, it's been up and down. Girlie has been having a rough go of it, adjusting to Daddy being gone. A lot more tantrums, even more volatile emotions, but I can see progress being made. All the kids have been ending up in my room with me by 6am every day so far, and I've noticed a correlation between the amount of time the girls spend in my bed and their grumpiness during the day. I'm working even harder to get them to stay in their own room as much as possible during the night. The boys (Smarty in particular) likes to bring his pillow and blanket and stay on the floor beside the bed to keep me company so I don't get lonely. Sergeant will do that too if the bed is occupied by the girls. This morning he came in before Girlie, so got to snuggle with me. Everyone misses Daddy, but we're doing well, I think. Overall better adjusted than the last time he was away this long. It helps that we get to see him for a day or two in the middle before he heads off to Borden for courses. Another benefit this time is that we've started making more connections with the people here, and so are getting more and more support.
Yesterday, while we were driving, Girlie started talking about dinosaurs. Not that uncommon a topic in our family, but she was saying how the largest dinosaur was/is the Nautilus and it has super long sharp teeth! "Do you know how big they are, Mommy? 100 meteors! Almost as big as my pinky!" Now for those who know what a Nautilus is, you know that they are not huge, they are a cephalopod that has been around since the dinosaurs (at least that's what I remember. You can read about them here). She is such a funny girl!
Girlie and Monkey have been playing puppy a lot this week, with Monkey being the puppy. I keep hearing "Come on, Jemimia! You're such a cutie!" (we have friends who's dog is named Jemima) So Monkey goes around on her hands and knees, licking everything! I really wish she would understand when I tell her that her tongue shouldn't be licking what she's licking! Building her immune system, right?
I am so excited about the boys' reading! Sergeant has been starting to pick up chapter books, and I love watching them sit, learn, and explore other worlds, other realities. We've done painting (kept Girlie's attention better than anyone else's!) and posters have been drawn and coloured.
I've been getting the boys to do more around the house too. Dishes, sweeping, putting laundry away, giving them a task and just letting them do it is so satisfying, especially when they do a great job at it! We had a super lazy week last week, I couldn't seem to get my nose out of a book or three, so we had to catch up on Saturday. When I let them know what was going to happen and the time frame it needed to happen in, they were more than competent at getting it all done. With minimal fighting too!
We have another rain fall warning on for tomorrow, so today we're going to prepare. New boots for some, new splash pants for others, another umbrella or two. Our stereo died Saturday so I'll be finding a replacement for it today too. I'm so old fashioned, I'm still using CD's and I know it's going to be more and more difficult to find one that plays them. I'm up for the challenge, though!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Puttering along
Two days in on this sail, and things are about as on par as I thought. There were a few casualties Monday, a paper airplane thrown by Sergeant knocked down a figurine and smashed it. Smarty broke a glass while washing dishes (at least he was cleaning, right?). Monkey hollered and hollered until I started singing one of the hymns Daddy always sings to the girls at bedtime. He may not be her "preferred" parent, but she is certainly fairly attached to him in her own way.
Last night was an easier bedtime, fewer stalling tactics from the boys, Monkey fell asleep in my arms during story time, Smarty cried a bit because he wishes Daddy didn't have to be away for so long, but it didn't last long. The girls didn't sleep well, as a result I didn't sleep well. But I can nap and go to bed early if I want. So that's something.
Yesterday was a very lazy day. Spent it reading and cuddling. This storm that blew through was not what I needed. Especially after the last one that was only a couple days earlier! Lots of shoveling and salt (since it's all ice under the snow). But today I think I'm going to be back on track. Keeping busy, baking, cleaning, that's what I want to have today. I'll feel better if I do anyway, and it's always nice to have even a little bit to show for your work at the end of the day. Plus I want to start a couple of projects and some tidying needs to be done before I do that.
I'll write more anecdote stuff either later tonight or tomorrow, but for now I wanted to let everyone know that we're doing alright, planning ahead, and looking forward to Hubby coming home on the 25th. 23 more sleeps!
Last night was an easier bedtime, fewer stalling tactics from the boys, Monkey fell asleep in my arms during story time, Smarty cried a bit because he wishes Daddy didn't have to be away for so long, but it didn't last long. The girls didn't sleep well, as a result I didn't sleep well. But I can nap and go to bed early if I want. So that's something.
Yesterday was a very lazy day. Spent it reading and cuddling. This storm that blew through was not what I needed. Especially after the last one that was only a couple days earlier! Lots of shoveling and salt (since it's all ice under the snow). But today I think I'm going to be back on track. Keeping busy, baking, cleaning, that's what I want to have today. I'll feel better if I do anyway, and it's always nice to have even a little bit to show for your work at the end of the day. Plus I want to start a couple of projects and some tidying needs to be done before I do that.
I'll write more anecdote stuff either later tonight or tomorrow, but for now I wanted to let everyone know that we're doing alright, planning ahead, and looking forward to Hubby coming home on the 25th. 23 more sleeps!
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