I Am Canadian

I am so proud to be a Canadian right now. It is amazing what a gold medal in hockey means to Canadians.

We got together with 5 other families to watch the game and on our way home we could hear honking and cheering. We decided to take a little detour to the main street in uptown Waterloo. There were cars honking, flags flapping, people cheering and people celebrating. It was so exciting to be caught up in that moment and for the kids to see it too.










I am also proud because Canada also captured the most gold medals — 14, breaking the record for any Winter Olympics. What an exciting two weeks it has been!

Family Meeting

I recently read the book Honey, I Wrecked The Kids by Alyson Schafer and thought it was a fantastic parenting book. The book has some useful strategies and ideas, one of which is the family meeting. We have been trying to have a family meeting for a few weeks now but every Sunday something has come up and we have not been able to have the meeting. Jeff and I decided that it might be better to have our meeting during the week instead, so last night was the night of the first meeting.

The first few family meetings are very simple and are meant to get the kids used to the idea. Our goals last night were to set positive expectations about the meetings, say one nice thing about each person and plan our "family fun" activity. We also had ice cream like my friend Carrie does when her family meets.

The meeting was quick and everyone seemed keen to be part of it. For our temporary talking stick we used a red bike light and passed it around. The girls were great at waiting to have the talking stick before speaking. We bounced around ideas of what to do for our family fun activity and I wasn't the least bit surprised when FunworX got the final vote. We have only been there twice but the girls loved it and always want to go back.

Our next meeting is set for next Wednesday. I think it is safe to say that we are all looking forward to it.

The start of the meeting. Lauchy is
wondering what is going on!

Lauchy kept putting up his hand and saying, "Turn, turn".
He got a turn with the talking stick too, although
he just put it into his mouth.

Wordless Wednesday

Sweet Little Adelaide

Addie cried this morning when she found out she had school today. I would say that she still cries about once a week when she knows she has school. Thankfully, she doesn't cry when I drop her off anymore, but just at home in the morning.

I am really dreading the after school pick-up today because today is the day that Addie will find out that she will be getting a new teacher next week. Her current teacher Ms. G., will be finished on Friday and she chose to wait until the last week to tell the students so that they could all enjoy their last few weeks together without being worried. We could have told Addie about it last week but in the end I decided that it probably is best for Addie to hear this news as late as possible and I also thought it might be better for Addie to hear it from Ms. G. rather than from me.

I know Addie will adjust in the end, but I can't help but feel a little worried for her. It took her such a long time to adjust as it is and she is just now starting to seem comfortable with her teacher and being at school. This will be a big change for her.

Who knows - maybe she will end up liking this teacher even more than she likes Ms. G and she will actually look forward to going to school.

I guess I will see what her reaction is in just over an hour and a half.

Meatless Monday

Philly Pesto Pasta

Ingredients:
2 cups rotini pasta, uncooked
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tsp. oil
1/4 cup cream cheese spread
2 tbsp. pesto
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp. fresh basil

Method:

1. Cook pasta as directed on package.
2. Meanwhile, cook and stir mushrooms in hot oil in large skillet 5 to 7 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Add cream cheese spread and pesto; cook 5 minutes or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently.
3. Drain pasta. Add to skillet along with tomatoes and basil; mix lightly.

Serves 4

Notes:

• This recipe is from the Philadelphia cream cheese web site.
• This recipe is so, so quick and easy and it tastes delicious. I have also added cooked chicken to this recipe as well and it is very tasty.
• I also add way more than the recipe calls for. I love basil, tomatoes and pesto so I just add a bunch of each. It all tastes great in the end!

Weekend O Fun

We had a busy and fun weekend...

My handsome boys.

We went to the local Children's Museum and our main goal was to see the most recent exhibit called "Our Body". In this exhibit, "actual human bodies and organs are used in the exhibit and have been preserved using a relatively new process called “Polymer Impregnation” where bodily fluids are removed and replaced with a special liquid that preserves the specimen indefinitely."

When the girls realized that the bodies were real they seemed a little apprehensive but continued on. Addie initially thought that people were killed just to be in this exhibit! We tried to explain to her how the bodies there came to be. Later on while we were still at the museum, Addie said this to me...

Addie: Mom, would you be sad if I died?
Me: Absolutely! I would be soo sad Addie, that I can't even think about it right now! (I just about burst into tears right then and there).
Addie: If I died then you could just grow another girl and call her Addie.
Me: I don't want another Addie, I want this Addie!

That seemed to be the last of Addie's apprehension and worry and we enjoyed the rest of our time at the museum.

Busy boys at the Children's Museum.

Painting at the Children's Museum.

Heather made her own version of an Inukshuk
(I am sure inspired by the Olympics).

Jeff's favourite activity at the museum - the water table.

Told you he loved the water table.

Lauchy was walking around with one
hand in his pocket. So casual.

Only in Canada would you see an old fridge on a snow bank. But....

"She still works!"

Winter fun at a local skating rink/school.

New Paint Set

I got the girls some new paints today. They couldn't wait until the little ones went down for naps so that they would get the paints out.

Here they are deciding what picture they would like to paint.

Paints are set-up and ready to go.

Heather copied this owl from a book all by herself and then painted it.

I drew this girl for Addie and this is how she painted her.

This is my painting. I think I like painting just as much as they do.

It was a lovely way to spend some time together this afternoon.

A Surprise!

I was in the driveway with the kids after school when a van from a flower shop pulled in. It was a delivery for me:






Wow! I feel spoiled!

A New Era

TMI Alert: This post is about breastfeeding, so if you don't fancy that kind of stuff look away!

We have reached a new era in our home. For the first time in 20 months I did not nurse Lauchlan this morning. This is by far the longest that I have nursed one of my children. I nursed Heather for 13 months, Addie for 14 months and Lauchlan for 20 months. I have spent 47 months or almost 4 years of my life with a child on my breast. Wow!

I actually started weaning Lauchlan about 5 months ago but then he started waking up around 5 a.m. every day so I would bring him into bed to feed him and he would fall back asleep for another hour or so. Now, however, he is not falling back asleep and really, the kid just doesn't need milk from me anymore.

Instead of our usual routine of bringing Lauchy into bed with us, Jeff took him downstairs and gave him breakfast right away. It didn't seem to phase Lauchlan at all but I felt a little weepy. I am pretty certain that this is our last baby (I think Jeff would say 100% certain) so for me, this is it. I am done with this chapter in my life. My eyes just welled up with tears as I wrote that last sentence. I am happy to be done with nursing but it is hard to let go of all the wonderful things that go with nursing too. I feel blessed that I was able to experience nursing all of my children. Now, on to the new era!

School (and Olympic) Spirit!

We got a message from the elementary school reminding us that in honour of the start of the Olympics, the kids were to wear red and white to school. I ended up buying the girls new "CANADA" shirts to wear. I think Heather likes hers a lot!

This is how she was when I tucked her in last night.

Addie had her "Sumi" Olympic mascot on her bed
all ready to share with her class for Sharing Time.

We don't normally allow the kids to watch very much TV each day and the programs that they watch are always ones chosen by us. We have decided that we are going to watch the Olympics together as a family during the next few weeks. The girls are most excited about seeing figure skating.

Meatless Monday

Fresh Tomato Pasta

Ingredients:
2 tsp. olive oil
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 large onion, finely chopped

6 large plum tomatoes, finely chopped

5 cups radiatore pasta

7 1/2 oz. tomato sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh sweet basil
1 tbsp. granulated sugar

grated fresh Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method:
Heat oil on medium in large saucepan. Saute garlic and onion for 4 minutes. Add tomatoes. Saute for 8 minutes until onion and tomato are soft. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Add tomato sauce, basil and sugar to onion mixture. Stir. Simmer, uncovered, until hot. Toss sauce and pasta together. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Makes 9 cups.

Notes:

• This recipe is from Company's Coming Low-Fat Cooking.
• My kids love this recipe.
• I have only been able to find radiatore pasta once so I usually just use bow-tie pasta.
• This recipe is even more delicious when tomatoes are local and in-season!

I Can See Clearly Now The Grime Is Gone

I couldn't stand it anymore! I just had to wipe off the hand prints and nose prints (kid ones - indoor & cat ones - outdoor) that have been hindering our view of the outside world.

Before:

After:

I know that it won't last long but I am glad that I wiped the windows on this sunny day.

OMO

OMO - AKA MOM.

Addie has been busy in her room at night after we tuck her in bed. A few nights ago we found 3 presents on her bedside table. She chose 3 things from her room and then wrapped them up.

Here are the 3 presents.

DAD

OMO - Addie often writes OMO instead of MOM. Too cute!!

H for Heather.

Isn't she adorable?

I think she tired before she had a chance to make a gift for Lauchlan but he didn't seem to mind.

An Early Start...

Jeff is gone for the day so I was trying to think of something for the girls to do to help pass some of the time. I pulled out all of the Valentine craft supplies and the girls have been working on making their Valentine cards for the past hour. I think they are starting to lose some stamina but they have had a good run so far. Here are the girls in action:

This activity is easier to do when Lauchlan is napping.

Addie is very focused on her printing.

This is a drawing Addie did of her teacher.

Heather is having fun so far.

Here is one of the cards that Heather made.