Loving School

Eamon had his first big public performance on Sunday at his preschool's Mother's Day Concert. He was superb. In fact, his entire class was superb. Every single kid in his class stood nicely, sang, and did the actions. So impressive.

While I would like to take great credit for Eamon's performance, the fact that everyone else in his class was equally fabulous tells me something about his teachers. Clearly, they are doing something right.

This something right goes beyond the concert. Eamon loves going to school. He can't wait to get there, he has such fun while he's there, and he's a little disappointed when it's time to leave there. 

But what I'm most pleased about, he cannot wait for Kindergarten. He wants to get to the big school and be there with his friends, his sister and all the other big kids. He wants to ride the school bus and come home by himself on it at lunchtime. He wants to get serious about learning some more French. 

I recognize that throughout the rest of his schooling, not every day will be fantastic. In fact some stretches will be downright miserable.  But I'm so very grateful that he hasn't yet discovered the downside of school and that he truly believes it's one of the best places to spend time. And for that I have only his kind and wonderful teachers to thank.

So thank you Mme. Danielle and Mme. Sonia!

May the Fourth Be With You

I never tire of this.

Good Moods

Today I'm in a good mood about our weather. There's some warmth in the air and the snow is melting a little bit. We can go outside without our toques. Yesterday I saw the first bit of summer trying to make it's way through the soil (I think it's one of our giant aliums). 

And, on the walk to the bus this morning I couldn't help but notice that the kids still love the snow. Eamon and his friend climbed over every single mound of snow on the street that was caused by people shovelling out their parking spots all winter. Then at the stop itself, all four kids gleefully played together on the last remaining windrow even though there were other less snowy options.

For a kid, snow remains magical - even in the middle April.

The Gap

No. Not the store. Not Bank station on the London Tube. Rather, Meaghan's missing tooth.

Yesterday while on the playground Meagan got whacked in the face by some boy's arm -- an accident by the way. Her sort of loose tooth suddenly became really loose. She wiggled that tooth the rest of the day. It  became so loose that her excitement levels soared to the point that she barely slept after 4 a.m. for fear that she'd either swallow the tooth, or that it would fall out and she'd lose it in her bed.

Fortunately, what could have been a very long day for the tired girl was saved completely by the fact her tooth fell out at school! Big excitement when a tooth falls out at school. Those lucky kids get to make the trek to the office for a little box for their tooth. Meaghan's box is shaped like a tooth, has a happy face on it - and for the trifecta of tooth loss - it's purple.

As for the gap, it has almost been fully explored and discussed. However, I think Meaghan will still have a few more thoughts and comments on it in the morning. I just hope she can hold off until well past 6 a.m. to share these thoughts with me.

A Favourite Holiday Spot of Mine: Disneyland

We've recently returned from my favourite place to go on holiday with the kids: Disneyland.

It's no secret that I love going to Disneyland. It's easy to get to for just a few days; flights are fairly affordable if you keep your eyes open for a seat sale; and the kids don't get sick from drinking the water (at least they shouldn't).

However, the fact that Disneyland has something for someone of every age remains my favourite reason for travelling there. At the end of each trip the kids start planning the next one: the ride they are going on first; the ride they're going on because they weren't tall enough this time; or the ride that wasn't open this time, but hopefully will be next time.

This time we headed there with my sister and niece, who is 11. Meaghan loved having an older girl along. They sat together on the plane and then talked lots about a whole lot of things the entire trip. I enjoyed watching the two of them, and seeing Meaghan trying to act more grown up. More than anything, my niece boosted Meaghan's confidence for the rides. Meaghan loves rides, but remains cautious before going on new ones. She likes to know exactly what to expect in almost excruciating detail - at least with me. However, with my niece along, Meaghan only needed to hear the basics of the ride and whether it was fun. Not once did my niece lead Meaghan astray and every single time Meaghan listened, she loved the ride. Consequently this time she braved Space Mountain, Grizzly River Run, Indiana Jones and the Matterhorn. She continued to decline offers of Splash Mountain.

My niece's power didn't impact Eamon, but he sure enjoyed my sister. The power of being an aunt. Although I think she regretted telling him to sneak out of our bedroom and into hers when he woke up. He was so excited to see her in the morning he was out of his bed and into her bed shortly after 4 a.m. She didn't make that morning offer again.

As for rides, Eamon couldn't get enough of the Matterhorn. He may have felt that way about Indiana Jones too, except he wasn't tall enough. He made due with an Indiana Jones t-shirt.

The big draw this trip was the new Carsland area (which is pretty similar to the main street of Radiator Springs from the movie "Cars") and the oh so popular Radiator Springs Racers. Such a great ride. No wonder the line up on the busy days was posted at 180 minutes. Even the FastPasses for the day were gone before noon. I don't know if I'd wait in line 180 minutes, but we sure didn't have a problem getting to the park early to send someone to wait in line for  the FastPasses. 

Wait time for Radiator Springs Racers (the new Carsland ride)

FastPasses for Radiator Springs Racers

As expected we've all started planning our next trip. Eamon wants to grow to go on Indiana Jones. Meaghan wants to get on Space Mountain again. I'm wondering who we can go with who'll take her on that ride because I discovered I rather hate it. Kerry is keen for Thunder Mountain Railway to reopen after its refurbishment. Something for everyone.

Get your kicks on Route 66 in Radiator Springs

Ear Piercing

The most anticipated and talked about event in Meaghan's life right now happened: She and two friends got their ears pierced!

The girls have talked about it for ages, and finally, Saturday was the day. We met up at the mall amidst nervous laughter and brave smiles. 

They had decided among the three of them the order they would go. They chose well.

Friend O went first. She breathed deeply while waiting in the chair and had a look of fear that will likely never be replicated. Her wait seemed the longest, but wait she did. Soon, she had a woman at each ear, a quick count to three, and voila, her ears were pierced. She was tough; only a few quiet tears at the end.

Meaghan went next. Let's just say that I'm surprised we didn't clear out our corner of the mall and bring in a tactical unit with her screams that sounded like a torture victim. Afterwards she told me that her crying made it hurt less. When the volume had escalated before anyone stood anywhere near her, I did give her to option of backing out. Through her tears she told me she wanted to do it today. Peer pressure? I think so. 

Friend M went last. I give this gal credit. No way I would have been able to go after listening to Meaghan. But M hopped up on the chair. We heard the women doing the piercing count to three and then M let out a little "Yahoo". I don't think any tears dropped from her eyes.

As I said, they chose their order well.

After the tears, the hugs, and some laughter from the entourage of mothers, fathers, an aunt, and siblings, the girls were smiling and enjoying first a sucker from the ear piercers, and then a frozen yogurt treat together. 

I suspect that Meaghan's friends, like Meaghan, then spent the rest of Saturday admiring their ears in a mirror.

I know what a big deal the ear piercing is for Meaghan. I vividly remember Dad taking me to get my ears pierced when I was in grade 4. I am thrilled and grateful that Meaghan has friends with whom she shared this momentous event. I am also grateful that I am friends with the moms of these girls. We now all share this single event and our memories of it will be repeated and shared in a variety of ways in years to come - regardless of what those years hold in store for us. But that's for later. Now, let's focus on keeping these holes clean and free  of infection.

February's Scrap Pack Layouts

Only a few days are left to grab this month's Scrap Pack - four terrific kits for only $5US. Here are my layouts using the kits.

This year at our school bus stop two other girls join us. One is Meaghan's very good friend, which has been fantastic! I love that they play these wild imagination games at recess, and that these games carry over from day to day, and include an element of serious planning. Here they are waiting for the bus writing down the names of their imaginary horses they train at recess.

Flergs - Big Ideas

Eamon decided to play indoor soccer this year. He loved it! He ran lots and didn't even really care whether he got the ball or not. Lucky for me, the day I took my camera he had the sudden urge in the game to get the ball and zip right past me. I love it when his timing is spot on!

Meredith Cardall - To Bee or Not To Bee

I love Disneyland and I love how the kids feel in Disneyland. We really are surrounded by magic when there. Here's a shot of Eamon from last year while watching the parade. He really was blown away by the entire spectacle of it with the characters, the music and the dancing. I can't wait to get back!

Gotta Pixel Collaboration - Love is in the Air

I know that most kids eventually learn to read, but I am still in awe that my little Meaghan can pick up a book and then read it!! It does not seem that long ago that I held her as a newborn and read aloud the latest Harry Potter release -- at least when she was awake I read it aloud.  It was an awesome bit of self-indulgence.

Anna Aspnes - ArtPlay Palette Enamored

Sick Kid

Eamon had a tummy bug yesterday. Nothing to dire. He threw up a bit, slept a lot, and laid around the rest of the time. It wasn't until normal bed time that he felt well enough to actually eat some crackers and toast.

There's something quite extraordinary about sickness in the house. Normal routines fall by the wayside. Energy levels plummet. A weird quiet takes control. I rather enjoy these days - especially when they come infrequently.

When Eamon succumbs to a bug, he remains quite wonderful. He apologizes for throwing up, for missing the bucket and hitting the bed, for not eating lunch. He looks sad and sincere. He frets about what he might miss out on over the next two days should he not be better. He's simply glorious and I am so very grateful that I'm the one that gets to be home with him. 

The best part of him being sick though is the next day as he tries to figure out why he was sick, and why he's now suddenly better. This morning's explanation had something to do with throwing up the tummy bug, sleeping to make sure it didn't get back into his tummy, and then eating and drinking water to keep it away. His explanation contained many more details and complexities, but that was the general gist. And I never did understand his explanation as to how he got the tummy bug. I'm a bit disappointed that the touching of stuff and washing of hands never figured into it, but he is only 5. I shall persist with my hand washing message though.

Except for Kerry, we've all had a turn at being sick this winter. 

Here's hoping that Kerry avoids getting any bad bugs this season, that the rest of us only need one turn this season, and that this winter season comes to a sudden end - soon.

Stay healthy!

Project 365

I've always been intrigued by trying to take a photo a day for an entire year, also known as Project 365, or P365. However, that's a lot of days. And, while taking the photos might be doable, actually doing something with the photos is a completely different story.

Two years ago I tried just doing a monthly recap. I managed to keep that up for five months.

Last year I started Project Life, and stuck with than through to the beginning of July, skipped the summer because I do a photo book for that, and then valiantly tried to resume in the fall. I still plan to try to add a few things from October and November, but frankly, I've lost interest.

However, now I own an iPhone 4S and it's fabulously portable camera. As a result, I'm taking a whole lot of photos that I just would never have taken before. I felt like I needed to give one of these projects another try.

P365 here I come!

I have to admit, I'm helped out with this project by using my iPhone and an app called "Photo 365". It reminds me every evening to take a photo for the day. If I've taken one I can pull it over from my phone album, or from Photostream. If I haven't taken one, I'm reminded to get one. Once I have the photo and I can a comment with it if I choose to do so.

The app displays the month and shows my photo from every day: 

I've mentioned this App to my friend Leanne. She downloaded it right away. However, what surprised me was that her husband was using it more than she was!

I also mentioned it to my brother. Last I heard he was keeping up with the photos and the comments. He'd been trying to figure out a way to record things his daughter says and does, but sometimes the words need a photo, or the photo needs the words for a complete record. This app solves his dilemma.

However, the problem with the App is that it doesn't have anyway to easily print the photos and the comments.

My solution:

My solution is a bit more work that simply having everything automatically import to somewhere, but if I can keep this up beyond May, I won't complain.

In my next post I'll mention a way to use your smart phone to easily keep up with P365 and to end up with a fabulous photo book at the end of the year!

Ice on Whyte

It thrills me that our city is trying its best to embrace winter and provide some fabulous outdoor actives and festivals.

By far, my favourite of the winter season is Ice on Whyte - a 10-day festival that features ice sculptures and ice slides. That may not sound like much, but if that's the case, you've never been down an ice slide!

The ice sculptures are unbelievable! It's amazing what these artists are able to achieve. However, I have no photos of any sculptures because on this gloriously warm evening, our group was all about the slides.

The kids' area: smaller slides for smaller bodies.

Before we headed over to the big slides, we stopped for a bit of maple syrup taffy. A hearty thank you to the anonymous woman on her way out of the festival who gave the kids each a ticket for one of these treats.

 We didn't wait quite long enough, but the kids were both so keen they didn't care it hadn't gotten quite cold enough.

Then off the the big slides!

The kids managed to get down all the slides, more than once. Kerry and I even took our turn --  hurrah for slippery snow pants and parkas. I may not have looked fashionable in the least, but I went mighty fast and far down that big slide -- especially compared to the more fashionably dressed who stuck a bit to the ice.