Something that we do not subscribe to is the idea that if kids are too young to remember an activity, then the activity is one that should be postponed until they can remember it.
If we subscribed to this rule, then why would we take the kids to the park? Why would we read to them, cuddle them, colour with them, draw with them, etc.? I mean, if they won't remember it, why do it?
Because the experience is now.
The enjoyment is now.
Chick and Pea won't remember all the times we have taken them to the park (which is almost every single day) but the learning that has happened as a result is staggering. The joy that it has brought to them in the moment gives us great happiness. How better to teach our children to live in the present than to give them experiences now that will shape their lives?
Last week, I took the twins to our local zoo (we happen to live just down the road from it) and we had an amazing time together. They likely don't remember that we went (despite reminding them every day since and talking about the animals we saw) but in the moment, it was wonderful. The zoo brought to life all the animals we read about in books every day. It allowed them to see, firsthand, the reality that is nature. It is one thing to see a monkey in a book (Chick's favorite animal) and to make the funny sounds of it, but it is a whole other learning scenario to see a Gibbon in person and to hear the sounds it makes while moving around on ropes. Not to mention the wonderful looks of awe and the wide open-mouthed stares from Chick and Pea as they watched. Priceless.
The twins were also challenged, by me, to sit for a 30 minute show (that started 10 minutes late). They made me SO proud! Chick sat on my lap for the entire show and clapped where appropriate and said, "Oooooohhhh" several times. Pea sat on the chair next to me (and sometimes stood) to watch. He wasn't as focused as Chick, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. At one point in the show, the two little girls sitting in front of us turned around to ask me to tell Pea to stop poking them. Oops. Must keep a better eye on that boy.
With the summer outstretched before us, I look forward to all the adventures and memories we will create. All we have is this moment. We may as well soak it up for all it's worth.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Living In The Present
While grocery shopping alone with the twins last week, an older couple approached me while I was holding bouquets of flowers up to the twins noses for them to smell. We had been in the flower department for some time as I lifted bouquet after bouquet to each child for them to inhale. Sometimes, the flowers and accents would tickle their noses and giggles would erupt from all of us. The woman told me that the twins were beautiful and that I was the happiest looking mom she had seen. I smiled, nodded toward the kids and said that it was easy to be happy with happy kids.
When I was pregnant with the twins, I had a difficult time living in the moment. I was so terrified of miscarriage that enjoying my pregnancy was challenging. I remember my brother assuring me, one night, that J. and I had had such low lows that we were deserving of the highest of highs. He said that life is full of peaks and valleys and we had lived so long in the valley that it was time for us to enjoy the peak. He was so very right.
This is why we live so fully in the moment with Chick and Pea now. Throughout the years we spent trying to conceive and adopt, we lived always for the next blood test, the next injection, the next drive to the clinic, the next transfer, the next failed pregnancy test, the next doctor consult, the next invasive test, and the next month of starting all over again. We lived so much in the future through those years, but not any longer.
This fairytale we are living is still so new and we continue to be grateful for the two little beings (currently chasing each other around the kitchen/great room) for whom we worked so hard to bring to life.
Living In The Moment Part II Tomorrow...
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| Okay, so they don't look so happy here. I promise you that they were. Not sure why they look so forlorn... |
When I was pregnant with the twins, I had a difficult time living in the moment. I was so terrified of miscarriage that enjoying my pregnancy was challenging. I remember my brother assuring me, one night, that J. and I had had such low lows that we were deserving of the highest of highs. He said that life is full of peaks and valleys and we had lived so long in the valley that it was time for us to enjoy the peak. He was so very right.
This is why we live so fully in the moment with Chick and Pea now. Throughout the years we spent trying to conceive and adopt, we lived always for the next blood test, the next injection, the next drive to the clinic, the next transfer, the next failed pregnancy test, the next doctor consult, the next invasive test, and the next month of starting all over again. We lived so much in the future through those years, but not any longer.
This fairytale we are living is still so new and we continue to be grateful for the two little beings (currently chasing each other around the kitchen/great room) for whom we worked so hard to bring to life.
Living In The Moment Part II Tomorrow...
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Ribfest
Last Friday, we loaded up the wagon and the kids and went to our town's annual Rib Fest. As luck would have it, Catherine and Hannah were free that night and we all decided to enjoy the evening together. You can see all of Catherine's pictures from her second night at the Rib Fest here.
The pictures I have are all courtesy of Catherine because Ididn't feel like packing one more freaking thing in the car that night forgot my camera. Thanks for being the photographer, Cath!
What a fun night! Thanks for sharing it with us, Catherine and Hannah!
The pictures I have are all courtesy of Catherine because I
Corn on the cob? Yes, please!
Chick felt like she had to go to the cob instead of bringing the cob to her.
Pea had no trouble gnawing on the cob with all his teeth!
French fries with ketchup? SURE!
J. was in HEAVEN!
Catherine and J. wanted me to hold a rib. I quickly wiped off my vegetarian fingers and prayed for the poor pig who gave up his little life.
Funnel cake? Abso-finger-licking-lutely!
Hannah and Chick enjoying the band.
It is growing more and more challenging to take a family picture.
She certainly was!
What a fun night! Thanks for sharing it with us, Catherine and Hannah!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
First CSA Haul
The twins and I drove up to our local organic farm this morning to pick up the first of 20 CSA Veggie Bins. The season was pushed back by two weeks because of the cold and wet weather that plagued us in May, so we were excited to finally be on our way to pick up the goodies today.
Aren't they beautiful? I am going to freeze the leeks and half of the green garlic for use later. The collard greens are going in a berry smoothie for dessert tonight. The radishes will go into a salad I'm making tomorrow (as well as some of the chives) and the eggs will be used for pancakes, French toast, omelets, and whatever else I can come up with over the next week. Since we will be getting a dozen eggs per week, I'll have to come up with many egg recipes! Thank goodness Lisa has given me a yummy egg casserole to make. Thanks, Lisa!!
The strawberries? Well, they are almost all gone as Chick, Pea and I devoured most of them with lunch.
Does anyone have any good leek or chive recipes?
Aren't they beautiful? I am going to freeze the leeks and half of the green garlic for use later. The collard greens are going in a berry smoothie for dessert tonight. The radishes will go into a salad I'm making tomorrow (as well as some of the chives) and the eggs will be used for pancakes, French toast, omelets, and whatever else I can come up with over the next week. Since we will be getting a dozen eggs per week, I'll have to come up with many egg recipes! Thank goodness Lisa has given me a yummy egg casserole to make. Thanks, Lisa!!
The strawberries? Well, they are almost all gone as Chick, Pea and I devoured most of them with lunch.
Does anyone have any good leek or chive recipes?
Friday, June 10, 2011
Barometers
Is he sleeping through the night? My son was sleeping through the night in utero.
How many teeth does she have? My daughter skipped her primary teeth altogether and went straight to adult teeth. No need for that bothersome toothfairy business.
Is he crawling yet? My son was scouted by the national baby-crawlers association and given a scholarship to the Institute For Baby-Crawlers when he was two days old.
When did she start walking? I woke up one morning and my 6 month old had walked down the stairs and was making me breakfast! I guess those Baby Einstein Videos really worked for us.
How many words does he say? My son knows three languages - in his sleep.
Is she potty trained? My daughter was leafing through a home depot catalogue, pointed out a bidet and told us that she would no longer need diapers if we installed a bidet in her bathroom. Since then, she has been accident free. How old was she, you ask? Oh, I don't remember, exactly, but I do know it was before her first birthday.
What did he get on his report card? My son got all As and his report card was made out of platinum.
Did she make the team?
Is he on the Honour Roll?
Did she get her license on the first try?
What university has he been accepted to?
Does he have a job?
STOP IT!
STOP IT RIGHT NOW!
Stop the comparing.
Stop the gauging.
Stop the one-upping.
Stop the lying.
How about a different kind of one-upmanship?
My kid sticks his finger so far up his nose, he bleeds!
Oh yeah? Well, my kid likes to do abstract painting with his poop!
Really? Well, my kid can sit and play with his belly button for hours!
Pffft. My kid licks the bottom of strangers' shoes!
So? My kid likes to put a paper bag over his head and slam into walls over and over again.
Puh-lease. My kid likes to play bathtime with his toys in the toilet.
Or, how about new questions:
How dirty is your kitchen floor?
Mine has so many sticky spots, I've named them all!
Pffft. That's nothing. My floor is so dirty, all my sticky spots have so much sock lint on them that it looks like my floor is covered in mini-toupees!
How dirty is your master bathroom?
I'm scared to go into my master bathroom.
Yeah. Me too. Let's not talk about it.
Okay.
I need a hug.
The barometer for successful parenting is not in the social constructs of what is deemed "normal". It is, instead, found in the sound of your child's laughter, in the pride they feel in their accomplishments (no matter how seemingly insignificant), and in recognizing that we are all doing our best with what we know and tomorrow is always another opportunity to do better.
How many teeth does she have? My daughter skipped her primary teeth altogether and went straight to adult teeth. No need for that bothersome toothfairy business.
Is he crawling yet? My son was scouted by the national baby-crawlers association and given a scholarship to the Institute For Baby-Crawlers when he was two days old.
When did she start walking? I woke up one morning and my 6 month old had walked down the stairs and was making me breakfast! I guess those Baby Einstein Videos really worked for us.
How many words does he say? My son knows three languages - in his sleep.
Is she potty trained? My daughter was leafing through a home depot catalogue, pointed out a bidet and told us that she would no longer need diapers if we installed a bidet in her bathroom. Since then, she has been accident free. How old was she, you ask? Oh, I don't remember, exactly, but I do know it was before her first birthday.
What did he get on his report card? My son got all As and his report card was made out of platinum.
Did she make the team?
Is he on the Honour Roll?
Did she get her license on the first try?
What university has he been accepted to?
Does he have a job?
STOP IT!
STOP IT RIGHT NOW!
Stop the comparing.
Stop the gauging.
Stop the one-upping.
Stop the lying.
How about a different kind of one-upmanship?
My kid sticks his finger so far up his nose, he bleeds!
Oh yeah? Well, my kid likes to do abstract painting with his poop!
Really? Well, my kid can sit and play with his belly button for hours!
Pffft. My kid licks the bottom of strangers' shoes!
So? My kid likes to put a paper bag over his head and slam into walls over and over again.
Puh-lease. My kid likes to play bathtime with his toys in the toilet.
Or, how about new questions:
How dirty is your kitchen floor?
Mine has so many sticky spots, I've named them all!
Pffft. That's nothing. My floor is so dirty, all my sticky spots have so much sock lint on them that it looks like my floor is covered in mini-toupees!
How dirty is your master bathroom?
I'm scared to go into my master bathroom.
Yeah. Me too. Let's not talk about it.
Okay.
I need a hug.
The barometer for successful parenting is not in the social constructs of what is deemed "normal". It is, instead, found in the sound of your child's laughter, in the pride they feel in their accomplishments (no matter how seemingly insignificant), and in recognizing that we are all doing our best with what we know and tomorrow is always another opportunity to do better.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sarah and Blanca
Twice a week, for the past eight or nine months, the twins and I have attended a local play group I've written about before. I love the freedom aspect of it and how easily the twins can get lost in play.
What really makes any play group great, though, are the leaders who manage the fun. Sarah and Blanca are the two people we see each time we turn the corner toward the gymnasium and the two people to whom Chick and Pea run with open arms for huge hugs. Any good teacher, park leader, coach, etc. should make kids feel as though they are the most important and special people in the world and Sarah and Blanca do this for Chick and Pea (and for all of the other children, I'm certain). When I stand back and watch the kids playing, I often see Sarah and Blanca playing with the children, comforting children who get hurt and being an extra set of eyes and ears while the chaos of a gym full of tots explodes. Blanca, in particular is very nurturing and calls Chick, "My Little Princess" with her beautiful accent and calls Pea, "Handsome". I love it.
When I realized that the play group was being shut down for the summer months, I knew I wanted to give a little something to Sarah and Blanca for all of the love and special care they've shown to us over the past while. Since Chick and Pea love "wowas" (flowers) so much, I thought that choosing some would be an appropriate token of our appreciation.
Here are Chick and Pea just after they gave the wowas and thank you notes to Sarah and Blanca.
We'll definitely miss the play group over the summer, but we'll miss Sarah and Blanca more.
What really makes any play group great, though, are the leaders who manage the fun. Sarah and Blanca are the two people we see each time we turn the corner toward the gymnasium and the two people to whom Chick and Pea run with open arms for huge hugs. Any good teacher, park leader, coach, etc. should make kids feel as though they are the most important and special people in the world and Sarah and Blanca do this for Chick and Pea (and for all of the other children, I'm certain). When I stand back and watch the kids playing, I often see Sarah and Blanca playing with the children, comforting children who get hurt and being an extra set of eyes and ears while the chaos of a gym full of tots explodes. Blanca, in particular is very nurturing and calls Chick, "My Little Princess" with her beautiful accent and calls Pea, "Handsome". I love it.
When I realized that the play group was being shut down for the summer months, I knew I wanted to give a little something to Sarah and Blanca for all of the love and special care they've shown to us over the past while. Since Chick and Pea love "wowas" (flowers) so much, I thought that choosing some would be an appropriate token of our appreciation.
Here are Chick and Pea just after they gave the wowas and thank you notes to Sarah and Blanca.
Sarah is holding Pea and Blanca is snuggling Chick.
We'll definitely miss the play group over the summer, but we'll miss Sarah and Blanca more.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A Week's Worth
Since really immersing myself in EWG's site, I've discovered how to change our household in order to promote the maximum health of our family. The site can be daunting, but over the past little while, we've been making small changes that are helping to green up our lives. Case in point, our electric skillet (coated with teflon) has been traded in for a non toxic cast iron pan. Isn't she pretty? I'm in love.
Chick has been suffering this week. Since she got sick early last month (croup), she has not fully recovered and now has some mystery illness that has baffled doctors. My gut was telling me we needed to get another opinion from yet another doctor. Yesterday, we saw a doctor who finally gave us the diagnosis that made the most sense to us. Treatment has begun and we hope to see our sweet girl back to herself soon. I hate to see her in so much pain.
Due to the contagious nature of Chick's illness, we are sad to be missing a play date with these girls and a birthday party of another sweet girl tomorrow.
Pea fell out of his bed the other night (at 3:00am, to be exact). I heard a loud THUD, then crying. I bolted to his room fully expecting that he fell off the side of the bed where there is a break between the side rails and the headboard only to see him at the foot of the bed. That boy can travel! He was back to sleep within 30 seconds of cuddling, but needless to say, we'll be putting some soft pillows at the foot of his bed from now on.
I was supposed to have a fasting blood test two months ago. Every night, I try to remind myself not to have breakfast the next morning so that I can get it done. I have yet to remember not to eat in the morning.
J. and I bought a Gr0upon a long while ago to make some wine from a local winery. Turns out, the wine isn't so great and we have 30 bottles to consume. What's a couple to do when summer is approaching and we dislike the wine we have on hand? Make Sangria! Yum!
When J. and I were dating a long, long, long time ago (18 years ago, to be exact) he would come to Montreal to visit (where I was going to university) and we would often scope out the best places for Sangria. One weekend, we borrowed some bikes from a friend, rode them into Old Montreal from the Student Ghetto, then sat on a patio drinking pitcher after pitcher of the best sangria we had ever tasted. We didn't really have the forethought to realize what the ride home would be like after sitting under the hot summer sun drinking Sangria all afternoon. Death defying, to say the least.
I was all, "Please don't kill me, scary Montreal drivers!"
And J. was all, "More Sangria!"
Good times. Who knew that 18 years later we'd be sitting on our own "patio", sipping homemade tasty sangria, while watching our children running around playing?
Can't beat that.
Chick has been suffering this week. Since she got sick early last month (croup), she has not fully recovered and now has some mystery illness that has baffled doctors. My gut was telling me we needed to get another opinion from yet another doctor. Yesterday, we saw a doctor who finally gave us the diagnosis that made the most sense to us. Treatment has begun and we hope to see our sweet girl back to herself soon. I hate to see her in so much pain.
Due to the contagious nature of Chick's illness, we are sad to be missing a play date with these girls and a birthday party of another sweet girl tomorrow.
Pea fell out of his bed the other night (at 3:00am, to be exact). I heard a loud THUD, then crying. I bolted to his room fully expecting that he fell off the side of the bed where there is a break between the side rails and the headboard only to see him at the foot of the bed. That boy can travel! He was back to sleep within 30 seconds of cuddling, but needless to say, we'll be putting some soft pillows at the foot of his bed from now on.
I was supposed to have a fasting blood test two months ago. Every night, I try to remind myself not to have breakfast the next morning so that I can get it done. I have yet to remember not to eat in the morning.
J. and I bought a Gr0upon a long while ago to make some wine from a local winery. Turns out, the wine isn't so great and we have 30 bottles to consume. What's a couple to do when summer is approaching and we dislike the wine we have on hand? Make Sangria! Yum!
When J. and I were dating a long, long, long time ago (18 years ago, to be exact) he would come to Montreal to visit (where I was going to university) and we would often scope out the best places for Sangria. One weekend, we borrowed some bikes from a friend, rode them into Old Montreal from the Student Ghetto, then sat on a patio drinking pitcher after pitcher of the best sangria we had ever tasted. We didn't really have the forethought to realize what the ride home would be like after sitting under the hot summer sun drinking Sangria all afternoon. Death defying, to say the least.
I was all, "Please don't kill me, scary Montreal drivers!"
And J. was all, "More Sangria!"
Good times. Who knew that 18 years later we'd be sitting on our own "patio", sipping homemade tasty sangria, while watching our children running around playing?
Can't beat that.
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