Hi All - My Dear Hubby and I went to the Canadian Liver Foundation's Stroll For Liver on Sunday. We submitted a team, with a fundraising goal of $1000. We raised $2010. Since it was just the two of us, we were pretty happy with this and so very grateful to those who donated.
We took Little Miss, and it was a chilly, rainy June day. Last year it was hot, so hot. We wore shorts, sweated, and really just wanted to jump in the nearby beach water. This year we wore jeans, long sleeve shirts and jackets, and brought umbrellas. We got wet...very wet. The nice thing is, Little Miss loves the puddles. She ran almost the entire route, jumping in each puddle as she went. She seemed sad between puddles, as if the lack of pools of water were disappointing and sad. By the end of the route, she (and we) was (were) soaked. We went inside to warm up, and I changed her wet shirt. I wished I had dry shoes and pants, as my toes wrinkled into shrivelled prunes.
We bought raffle tickets, and won two (yes 2!!!) prizes. We won a picnic basket - a really nice insulated bag that would keep both food and drinks cold, as well as a golf foursome. DH is happy about that - and I may go with him if we find another couple!
This was all on Sunday. It is now Tuesday. As I tucked Little Miss into bed, she asked "Can I go to the Liver Walk?" I replied, "No, the Liver Walk was Sunday - it's over now."
She asked again, "Where's the Liver Walk?"
I replied, "It's over honey, we'll do it again next year."
She said, "Where's the Liver Walk?"
I again replied, "All done, next year."
She asked, "But where is the Liver Walk?"
I said, "Done."
She asked, "But where is it?"
I replied, "Finished, and if you ask again, you don't get to come..."
Best Parent Award please...
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Shopping with my Octopus
Yes. I am a sucker for punishment. Now read on.
I am swamped...totally swamped in life these days. I thought I might have time to deke into the grocery store for a few things before getting Little Miss yesterday but it didn't work out that way. I needed a few things, so I thought "I'll just get enough to get us through to tomorrow, and come back without her" What is it they say about the best laid plans???
In we go, and she brings her Baby sister (it's a dolly) and Baby Sister's bottle. As I get the cart she asks, "Can I walk, Mommy?" somehow I have gone senile in my old age, because I replied, "Yes as long as you stay close...if you leave my side, you have to ride in the cart."
WHAT?!?! I know. That's what you are thinking.
Into the produce section we go, and except for her stepping a bit away from the cart, she did very well. She named all of the fruit and veggies, and asked what things were. People going past could hear a wee voice say "Apples, green bananas, yellow bananas, abocado, green pepper, red, pepper, yellow pepper, potatoes"
"No honey, those are tomatoes, not potatoes"
"Tomatoes, Cantaloupe"
"No, that's a watermelon - this is a cantaloupe."
You get the point - she knows a lot of fruits and veggies so it was cute, and kept her mind occupied.
As I reached for some green peppers, she gently pushed on the cart, saw that she could make it moved and tried to ram the lady in front of us. Luckily the lady took a step and I grabbed the cart in the right order to avoid a lawsuit.
The trouble continued in the bread and cereal aisle. By then I was feeling confident enough to buy a few more things, in hopes that I could hold off on a return trip for a few days. She began to run away down the aisle. I told her to come back, and if she didn't she had to ride. She looked at me in a mocking way. I began to count...One Two...and back she came, knowing that mommy doesn't mess around with her one two three's. Baby Sister was placed on her head in the cart. Then she was placed on top of the tomatoes...smashed on top is a better descriptor of the
We turn to go to the next aisle, and she asks "Can I run?" I will give my girl credit - when she wants to run and she knows she's probably not allowed, she sometimes asks. And she sometimes listens when I say no. "No," I say. She listened. For a minute.
We skipped a few aisles - mainly in hops that i could get to the milk and get to the cash before i lost her completely. In the pickle aisle, we had a near disaster, as she reached for the biggest jar of dill pickles I have ever seen...I got to her just in time to avoid the great pickle explosion. By this point I had mentioned the idea of riding in the cart no fewer than four times. Not a good tactic since she probably was rolling her eyes saying "Yeah lady, whatever, I'm FREEEEEE!" in her head.
I bypassed the yogurt and eggs to get through the last aisle quickly. She did her best to rip the bag of french fries from the cart...I played a small game of tug of war in the cheese section, but I won! First time for everything!
I lost her as we turned the last corner en route to the checkout. She saw a display of chocolate bars in a giant plastic display stand. She began to drum on the display. Bang, bang, bang.
She then sort of walked a couple of steps, lolling her head like a rag doll. She asked "Can I sleep on the floor?"
"No."
I turn for a second and turn back to find her sprawled on the floor by the checkout, with her hands under her head and her eyes closed. I counted to two and she ran over to me.
She asked "Can I help?" and I told her that would be great. As a result, our loaf of bread has five pieces that were inside of her fist while she was helping. Our milk nearly hit the floor. One tomato didn't make it. Our strawberries went FLYING when she grabbed them by the lid...and of course I was too embarrassed to tell the guy I didn't want them, so I picked them all up and bought them.
Then she stepped back, one step, two steps, three steps, all while watching me with a conniving look in her eyes that said "I can do what I want, come and get me, oh, I moved back, come and get me, oh I'm moving again...". As I stepped forward to get her, she shrieked and ran off. I knew I was done when I sternly said, "Come back right now or you don't get to come home with me." Yep.
Mom of The Year folks.
I ran to get her since she wasn't at all concerned about living at the grocery store. I picked her up and placed her in the cart, while she struggled and tried to climb out. At this point I have one hand on her arm, to at least catch her should she succeed in climbing out, and one hand grabbing bags from the cashier. at this point she begins to yell "My arm! You're hurting my arm!" Everyone turns to stare. I tell her to sit still and I will let go - I try to let go and she goes right back to her escape effort. I break out in a sweat as I try to wrestle the bags in the back of the cart while holding her with the other hand, using my toes to get my bank card out and my nose to push the buttons to pay. Obviously not quite but I may as well have.
By the time I was walking away, she stops trying to escape and calls out to all in earshot, "Bye! Have a good day!"
I need a personal shopper!
I am swamped...totally swamped in life these days. I thought I might have time to deke into the grocery store for a few things before getting Little Miss yesterday but it didn't work out that way. I needed a few things, so I thought "I'll just get enough to get us through to tomorrow, and come back without her" What is it they say about the best laid plans???
In we go, and she brings her Baby sister (it's a dolly) and Baby Sister's bottle. As I get the cart she asks, "Can I walk, Mommy?" somehow I have gone senile in my old age, because I replied, "Yes as long as you stay close...if you leave my side, you have to ride in the cart."
WHAT?!?! I know. That's what you are thinking.
Into the produce section we go, and except for her stepping a bit away from the cart, she did very well. She named all of the fruit and veggies, and asked what things were. People going past could hear a wee voice say "Apples, green bananas, yellow bananas, abocado, green pepper, red, pepper, yellow pepper, potatoes"
"No honey, those are tomatoes, not potatoes"
"Tomatoes, Cantaloupe"
"No, that's a watermelon - this is a cantaloupe."
You get the point - she knows a lot of fruits and veggies so it was cute, and kept her mind occupied.
As I reached for some green peppers, she gently pushed on the cart, saw that she could make it moved and tried to ram the lady in front of us. Luckily the lady took a step and I grabbed the cart in the right order to avoid a lawsuit.
The trouble continued in the bread and cereal aisle. By then I was feeling confident enough to buy a few more things, in hopes that I could hold off on a return trip for a few days. She began to run away down the aisle. I told her to come back, and if she didn't she had to ride. She looked at me in a mocking way. I began to count...One Two...and back she came, knowing that mommy doesn't mess around with her one two three's. Baby Sister was placed on her head in the cart. Then she was placed on top of the tomatoes...smashed on top is a better descriptor of the
We turn to go to the next aisle, and she asks "Can I run?" I will give my girl credit - when she wants to run and she knows she's probably not allowed, she sometimes asks. And she sometimes listens when I say no. "No," I say. She listened. For a minute.
We skipped a few aisles - mainly in hops that i could get to the milk and get to the cash before i lost her completely. In the pickle aisle, we had a near disaster, as she reached for the biggest jar of dill pickles I have ever seen...I got to her just in time to avoid the great pickle explosion. By this point I had mentioned the idea of riding in the cart no fewer than four times. Not a good tactic since she probably was rolling her eyes saying "Yeah lady, whatever, I'm FREEEEEE!" in her head.
I bypassed the yogurt and eggs to get through the last aisle quickly. She did her best to rip the bag of french fries from the cart...I played a small game of tug of war in the cheese section, but I won! First time for everything!
I lost her as we turned the last corner en route to the checkout. She saw a display of chocolate bars in a giant plastic display stand. She began to drum on the display. Bang, bang, bang.
She then sort of walked a couple of steps, lolling her head like a rag doll. She asked "Can I sleep on the floor?"
"No."
I turn for a second and turn back to find her sprawled on the floor by the checkout, with her hands under her head and her eyes closed. I counted to two and she ran over to me.
She asked "Can I help?" and I told her that would be great. As a result, our loaf of bread has five pieces that were inside of her fist while she was helping. Our milk nearly hit the floor. One tomato didn't make it. Our strawberries went FLYING when she grabbed them by the lid...and of course I was too embarrassed to tell the guy I didn't want them, so I picked them all up and bought them.
Then she stepped back, one step, two steps, three steps, all while watching me with a conniving look in her eyes that said "I can do what I want, come and get me, oh, I moved back, come and get me, oh I'm moving again...". As I stepped forward to get her, she shrieked and ran off. I knew I was done when I sternly said, "Come back right now or you don't get to come home with me." Yep.
Mom of The Year folks.
I ran to get her since she wasn't at all concerned about living at the grocery store. I picked her up and placed her in the cart, while she struggled and tried to climb out. At this point I have one hand on her arm, to at least catch her should she succeed in climbing out, and one hand grabbing bags from the cashier. at this point she begins to yell "My arm! You're hurting my arm!" Everyone turns to stare. I tell her to sit still and I will let go - I try to let go and she goes right back to her escape effort. I break out in a sweat as I try to wrestle the bags in the back of the cart while holding her with the other hand, using my toes to get my bank card out and my nose to push the buttons to pay. Obviously not quite but I may as well have.
By the time I was walking away, she stops trying to escape and calls out to all in earshot, "Bye! Have a good day!"
I need a personal shopper!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Potty Woes
Little Miss is toilet training. Well...sort of. When my kiddo was little, I had always been told, "When they are ready, you'll know." And I did. One day at almost 3 yrs old, he just started to use the toilet. Done.
Our wee girl is proving that girls are complicated creatures. First off, she's had issues with her bowel due to milk allergies/sensitivities since the age of one. Because of that, she goes through bouts where she cannot poop - by the time she does, it's horrible and painful for her. As a result, we suspect she may not poop on the toilet until she's twelve. We decided not to push it. We offer now and then, and she says yes or no.
Lately, she's begun saying "I have pees" - translation - "I have to go pee."
It's inconsistent, and sheis very reluctant refuses to wear big girl panties. She'll be three in September, and honestly, I don't care if she isn't fully trained until she's almost four. I am in no hurry, and refuse to traumatize her more than necessary regarding toilet use. that said, if she doesn't get over her fear in the next year, she won't be able to start school - guess we'll cross that road when it comes.
For now, my wee one can go at her own pace.
Our wee girl is proving that girls are complicated creatures. First off, she's had issues with her bowel due to milk allergies/sensitivities since the age of one. Because of that, she goes through bouts where she cannot poop - by the time she does, it's horrible and painful for her. As a result, we suspect she may not poop on the toilet until she's twelve. We decided not to push it. We offer now and then, and she says yes or no.
Lately, she's begun saying "I have pees" - translation - "I have to go pee."
It's inconsistent, and she
For now, my wee one can go at her own pace.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Running Like The Wind...or a Soft Breeze Perhaps
I did it! I ran 21.1k! Yep! It was tough, and by the 19 km mark, I was cursing and wondering who the heck *chooses* this??? But with 100m left, I sprinted with all I had, and finished strong. My time was not what I'd hoped for, but all along I said that my real goal was crossing the finish line. With a pulse. And I accomplished both! My chip time was 2:35:21. I will admit that strangely, before the day was through I was thinking about doing another run, now that I know what to expect. I guess this makes me a runner!
Little Miss and my dear hubby came to cheer me on. I wasn't exactly sure where they would be, so I found myself scanning the spectators for the last few km - which was a bit difficult to do. Next time I will ask where they plan to be, so I can just focus on the run (and pain! haha)
I saw them with 150 m left, and gave them both high fives which was awesome! Little Miss had a huge grin on her face. Upon finishing the race, I found my calves seizing up a bit while I waited to get out of the 'finishing area'. My lower body hurt so bad, and standing still was not helping. Once I found my sis (who ran it in less than 2hrs!!!) and my DH and Little Miss, we made our way to the car. It was only later that we realized we left so fast we forgot to get our standard post race pics...disappointing!
The car was about 18 km away. Or at least that's how it felt. It was a tough walk, and it felt like we walked to the next city. We finally found the parking garage, and DH tells us "I hope we can get in - the doors all seemed to lock when I left." ummmmm. That's not something I want to hear when I hurt so bad!
So we tried several doors, and none worked. I found the button to call security and they let us in. As we walked down the steep ramp (oh yes, that's where my hamstrings went), Little Miss tells us proudly that she got to ride up in the elligator. Pardon?
We got to go up in the elligator mommy! It's my new favourite word.
Little Miss and my dear hubby came to cheer me on. I wasn't exactly sure where they would be, so I found myself scanning the spectators for the last few km - which was a bit difficult to do. Next time I will ask where they plan to be, so I can just focus on the run (and pain! haha)
I saw them with 150 m left, and gave them both high fives which was awesome! Little Miss had a huge grin on her face. Upon finishing the race, I found my calves seizing up a bit while I waited to get out of the 'finishing area'. My lower body hurt so bad, and standing still was not helping. Once I found my sis (who ran it in less than 2hrs!!!) and my DH and Little Miss, we made our way to the car. It was only later that we realized we left so fast we forgot to get our standard post race pics...disappointing!
The car was about 18 km away. Or at least that's how it felt. It was a tough walk, and it felt like we walked to the next city. We finally found the parking garage, and DH tells us "I hope we can get in - the doors all seemed to lock when I left." ummmmm. That's not something I want to hear when I hurt so bad!
So we tried several doors, and none worked. I found the button to call security and they let us in. As we walked down the steep ramp (oh yes, that's where my hamstrings went), Little Miss tells us proudly that she got to ride up in the elligator. Pardon?
We got to go up in the elligator mommy! It's my new favourite word.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Actual Conversation With a 2 Yr Old
I have been running lately. I am running a half marathon in 2 days...my first ever. Probably my last. I am excited, anxious and a bit nervous. My Little Miss has seen me running often lately. Thus the following conversation, in our car while we drove to Grandma's:
(We are stopped at a set of lights, and a woman runs by, wearing a pink running shirt much like one of mine, and with curly hair in a pony tail, just like i often wear - I didn't think of these things until...)
Little Miss: "Mommy, it's a girl running."
Me: "Yes honey, she is running."
LM: "Is that you mommy?"
Insert short pause...
Me: "What honey?"
LM: "Is it you running over there?"
Me: "No honey, I am right here."
LM: "But is that you running?"
Me: (Sort of speechless) "Um, no honey, mommy is right here, that is another lady."
LM: "Oh, so that's not you?"
Me: "No sweetie."
I was floored. What a naive, wonderful, bizarre, innocent perspective.
The way little kids see things is so very amazing.
(We are stopped at a set of lights, and a woman runs by, wearing a pink running shirt much like one of mine, and with curly hair in a pony tail, just like i often wear - I didn't think of these things until...)
Little Miss: "Mommy, it's a girl running."
Me: "Yes honey, she is running."
LM: "Is that you mommy?"
Insert short pause...
Me: "What honey?"
LM: "Is it you running over there?"
Me: "No honey, I am right here."
LM: "But is that you running?"
Me: (Sort of speechless) "Um, no honey, mommy is right here, that is another lady."
LM: "Oh, so that's not you?"
Me: "No sweetie."
I was floored. What a naive, wonderful, bizarre, innocent perspective.
The way little kids see things is so very amazing.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Purse Dump
My purse is a nightmare. Everything I touch goes into it. Everything Little Miss picks up and tries to put in her mouth, throw or stick in her ear goes in there. Everything i try to remove from the car to keep the car clean goes in there. I think small critters jump in to feast.
It's awful.
I realized it was time for the dump, when at the grocery store, and I couldn't find my bank card, but found several unwrapped Halls lozenges instead...all floating in the sea of dirt and crumbs.
So I dumped.
Yep...It was all in there.
Exhibit A
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Two unwrapped Halls lozenges.
Two wrapped Halls lozenges.
Two half empty packs of Halls lozenges.
One flattened piece of garbage from...you guessed it - Halls lozenges.
Three hair elastics.
An apple stem
A pen
One tiny red flower from Little Miss' hair clip
A disposable camera from our vacation in October
One earring.
A dime.
Exhibit B
One bottle of prescription medication (I was almost out and brought it with me to get a refill).
One pack of eye drops - free from the eye doctor
One granola bar...or noga bar as Little Miss calls them.
One travel size bottle of Advil, which actually contains both Advil and Tylenol.
One one hair elastic at the top of the pic.
Exhibit C
One pastel pink lipstick (that I hate).
One fiery red lipstick - that I bought for Halloween.
Two Blistex tubes.
One tiny tape measure
One briefcase lock
The corner of the envelope I was supposed to have mailed about an hour prior...Happy Birthday Carol!
In addition to all of that crap, I found the following:
-a receipt from my massage the week before to fix my back (it helped!)
-a wrapped pack of kleenex with no kleenex left
-Two pairs of sunglasses
-a drugstore receipt
-a Twoonie and a nickel
-a cheque I wrote and dated incorrectly
-three dirty kleenexes
-a coupon for a ticket I bought to win a trip - I think it was actually some time share scam
-two brochures for something - I am not sure what the service is - they may have been for the new company doing our workplace counselling...or I may have picked them up on the ground.
-my Canadian passport
-a pair of headphones that I could not locate the night before
-a Tim's gift card
-approx 2 tbsp of dirt/crumbs/fairy dust
That is all. And that concludes my purse dump.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
My Baby Is Leaving
I am slightly melancholy. I don't use that word very often, but I like it. Melancholy. Melon Colly
Anyways - my baby is leaving. Not my little one but my big baby. the baby that still likes when his mommy makes him a sandwich, or a nice stirfry. The one who loves when he sometimes comes home to fresh sheets in an otherwise uninhabitable bedroom. The one who gets a sheepish look and says "Thanks mom," when I bring him home a treat from the grocery store. Yes he is 18. And yes, he sometimes could be 6.
It is not for sure, but he has applied at a university about 5-6 hrs away for next year. He goes this weekend for a campus tour and an academic tour. I am excited for him. I remember that feeling of packing some boxes and moving away from home for the first time. It was exciting and a bit scary...but mostly exciting!
I am sad that he won't be here all the time, but who am I kidding - I only see him these days when I cook a nice meal...then he crawls out of the woodwork long enough to scarf down some grub, before moving back to his shadows. Actually he does play with his baby sis sometimes too. That kid sure loves her big brother. Most of the time. Sometimes he acts like he really is 6 or 7, bugging her until she's whining and running to mommy. Then he laughs like an evil fiend.
As he prepares to leave (okay not for five more months) I have started to think about sending him care packages - baked goods, and canned pasta, granola bars and toothpaste...I figure I'll save at least $200 a month in groceries so I can certainly send him a care package now and then. And go to the spa with the cash I save! Woot!
I am also thinking about re-doing his room, but since he'll likely be home for four months each summer, it may be best to hold off on that just a bit longer... (Or find ways for my inner Martha to come out, that still maintains a room for him...so much I could do!)
The joys of sending your child off in the world, hoping you have built up his wings to be strong enough to fly on his own, but to always return to you. Bittersweet.
Anyways - my baby is leaving. Not my little one but my big baby. the baby that still likes when his mommy makes him a sandwich, or a nice stirfry. The one who loves when he sometimes comes home to fresh sheets in an otherwise uninhabitable bedroom. The one who gets a sheepish look and says "Thanks mom," when I bring him home a treat from the grocery store. Yes he is 18. And yes, he sometimes could be 6.
It is not for sure, but he has applied at a university about 5-6 hrs away for next year. He goes this weekend for a campus tour and an academic tour. I am excited for him. I remember that feeling of packing some boxes and moving away from home for the first time. It was exciting and a bit scary...but mostly exciting!
I am sad that he won't be here all the time, but who am I kidding - I only see him these days when I cook a nice meal...then he crawls out of the woodwork long enough to scarf down some grub, before moving back to his shadows. Actually he does play with his baby sis sometimes too. That kid sure loves her big brother. Most of the time. Sometimes he acts like he really is 6 or 7, bugging her until she's whining and running to mommy. Then he laughs like an evil fiend.
As he prepares to leave (okay not for five more months) I have started to think about sending him care packages - baked goods, and canned pasta, granola bars and toothpaste...I figure I'll save at least $200 a month in groceries so I can certainly send him a care package now and then. And go to the spa with the cash I save! Woot!
I am also thinking about re-doing his room, but since he'll likely be home for four months each summer, it may be best to hold off on that just a bit longer... (Or find ways for my inner Martha to come out, that still maintains a room for him...so much I could do!)
The joys of sending your child off in the world, hoping you have built up his wings to be strong enough to fly on his own, but to always return to you. Bittersweet.
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