just another common comfortable life

what made me smile today

2012-01-27T17:16:00.005-06:00

My organized, structured daughter.

Over the past week Jack has developed an affinity for something called Rockstar. No, we don't have Wii or XBox or whatever kind of gaming system that might have a game like that. But, nonetheless, he wants to play Rockstar. Basically, it involves each of us playing an airband instrument. I think? I've actually not been involved yet. (Been out the past 2 nights when they DID play it.) But, all that ends tonight. My presence has been requested. And this brings me to my organized daughter. She has it all figured out who is doing what in what order. Yes, we can have fun but not without planning or direction. [insert winky face]

(I believe in the first row the first symbol represents drums, the second dancing, the third a flute* and the fourth a microphone or lead singer.)

* You know, 'cause a lot of the greatest rock bands had flutes.

on living with three

2012-01-08T18:56:00.002-06:00

Bits from his mouth:

J-L (on realizing that something that Jack is doing is a habit he learned from his father): Oh my gosh, that's so me!
Jack: No, it's not, it's ME!

---------------------------------------

They received a kitchen for Christmas. Much serving of food has occurred in our house since.
Jack: Dad, what you want to eat for supper?
J-L: Chicken, please.
Jack serves him the chicken.
J-L: Thanks, Jacky.
Jack: No, "thanks chef".

--------------------------------------

The Christmas season had our entire Plett family at a restaurant for lunch. They had a buffet which many people ate. As part of the buffet they had an ice cream bar.
Julie: Jack, I could bring you back an ice cream sundae!
Jack: No, I don't like nuts.
Julie: I could bring you everything BUT nuts.
Jack: No, I don't like butnuts.

--------------------------------------

And just this evening:

Jack: Dad, I would like to have a meatball egg cheeseburger. That would be yum for the boys.
Dad: Yeah, it would.
ccap: Jacky, have you ever had a meatball egg cheeseburger?
Jack: Yup!
ccap: Really, when?
Jack: Tomorrow.

oh dear

2012-01-01T19:49:00.001-06:00

I've got those week-of-holidays-are-over-mini-getaway-is-done-it's-starting-to-get-colder-and-now-I-have-to-go-to-work-for-a-week-without-my-favorite-coworkfriend blues starting to set in.

Any suggestions?

2011-12-14T07:08:00.003-06:00

I have one child who is begging, nay BEGGING that Santa not come to her house. She nearly shakes in fear at the sight/idea of him. Last year we had to write a letter asking him not to come. (He even graciously wrote back saying he wouldn't come but that she would still get gifts.)

Here's the rub: #2 is now begging and whining that Santa do indeed come to our house.

It's not like I can tell him that he'll just come to his bedroom and not hers. They share a room.

Thing is, I don't care much for the idea of Santa. Never really have. But I don't mind if my 3 year-old remains a 3 year-old for a brief moment in time and believes in him.

Tricky.

Update: She just wrote another letter with the same request. "Mom, it says 'Dear Santa. Please don't come to my house. Abby.' I didn't write 'love' because I don't love him."

Sentences I never would have guessed I'd hear in my life

2011-12-04T16:49:00.003-06:00

Jacky, on the toilet, holding it down and peeing so hard that it's spraying:

Yuck, pee is getting in my eye!

Sometimes even the fights make us smile

2011-11-27T21:51:00.002-06:00

We're on our way home in the van yesterday. Jack has a water from Wendy's in his hand. Abby has none.

Abby: Jack, can I have a sip of water?
Jack: No.
Abby: Jack, you're a mean brother! and then proceeds to grab the water from his hands thus knocking the top off and spilling the water on her brother.
Jack: No, I'm a MAD brother.

Dear teacher

2011-11-09T19:47:00.002-06:00

I'm sure when you came up with the homework idea of eating an apple and counting the seeds your intentions were good. I'm sure in your head you thought "oh, we're working with an apple theme this week, that will work." And, truth is, it IS a fun idea.

Problem is, we didn't look ahead. And we don't have any apples. And there's a six year-old girl that lives here that burst into tears when she discovered she may not be able to do her homework. And that she'd possibly get into trouble. Or, if nothing else, disappoint her teacher and herself. No amount of "don't worry, honey. We'll write a note to the teacher explaining the situation" would console her.

And so, tomorrow, when you casually completely ignore the homework from last night please know there's a little girl who did not.

And, if you're in a grocery store right now and you see a tall man with 2 kids in tow - one which is likely not wearing any socks or hat and one who is dressed in a Disney princess dress please don't "tsk, tsk" about the clothing choices or the fact that maybe those kids should be in bed. Please just know that we're trying to do our best for our high stress/worry filled girl.

one from the older boy in the house

2011-11-01T17:34:00.004-05:00

I'm sitting here at the table watching movie trailers. J-L is sitting close by doing something on his blackberry.

The next preview I watch is one for Mission Impossible.

J-L hears the familiar sound associated with MI: What is that now, Mission Impossible 6? 7? What is this, Mission Impossible: The Geriatric Years? Your mission, should you choose to remember it...

At least he'll keep me chuckling through the years of drudgery that is our marriage.

Edited to add: Hours later. J-L just read the post: "our marriage is drudgery?" Apparently I'm sleeping downstairs tonight.

just now

2011-10-30T19:22:00.002-05:00

Jack was upstairs in the bathroom. He came down as I was in the midst of cleaning out the pumpkin for the jack-o-lantern.

Jack (on noticing that the top was off): Wow! Who did that?
ccap: I did, Jacky. I'm magic.
Jack: Wow!
Abby: Jacky, I'll let you in on a little secret. She's not magic.

Sigh.

my girl

2011-10-30T18:19:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I focus too much on the whining.
Too much on the pestering.
Too much on the complaining.
Too much on the foot-stomping and the eye-rolling.

But, right at this moment she is putting together goody bags for her upcoming birthday party.
She is labeling each of the bags with the guest's name.
She has picked out a gift bag in each guest's favorite colour.

And earlier this week (all of her own accord) she made a craft necklace for her Auntie Corrie 'cause she knows her Auntie Corrie likes to do crafts. Bits and pieces of things she can take off the necklace to use in her crafts.

Sometimes I need to focus more on THAT.

Just now

2011-10-23T09:10:00.001-05:00

Jack's hair is getting a little long (coming from a mom who loooooves a boy in a brushcut). This morning I thought I'd put a little styling product in it.

I approach Jack with the styling product on my fingers.

Jack: No! I don't want that in my hair.
ccap: Come on Jack, please?
Jack: Nooooooo.
ccap: But, Jack, it will make you look cute.
Jack: I don't want to be cute!

stating the incredibly obvious

2011-10-17T18:20:00.001-05:00

Raising a son is soooooo different from raising a daughter. I have NEVER heard this come out of Abby's mouth:

I'm a monster flying horse.
ROAR.

Moments

2011-10-06T19:28:00.002-05:00

It's been a rough evening. Abby has been particularly whiny and grating on my nerves. After sometime of this I put my head down into my hands.

Abby: Mom. Don't cry.
ccap: Honey, it's EXHAUSTING when you're like this.
Abby: It's exhausting BEING like this.

And then, later when she sees me being slightly exasperated with Jack:

"I think it's hard being a parent. I don't think I want to be a parent."

The Question Girl

2011-08-30T19:48:00.005-05:00

She still asks a lot of questions:
Mom, why do they have monkey bars on buses?

Perhaps even more than she did before:
Mom, can they drive through red lights too? (pointing at a tow trunk whose lights were flashing)

I used to think it was a phase:
Mom, when you say that so-and-so is trying to get pregnant, what do you mean? What do they do to practice?

But now I realize it's her personality:
Mom, how do you get a boyfriend? How do you fall in love?

And some of the questions have just become so much harder to answer
Mom, why do people get cancer?

sick home update

2011-08-24T19:52:00.002-05:00

I'm washing nasty ohsonasty diarrhea out of Jack's underpants and shorts while J-L helps him finish what's left on the toilet.

I look at J-L with a sigh: This is fun!
Jack: No, it's not!

And a few moments later: Sick people have to poop a lot.

Words of wisdom from the 3 year-old. I think someone should crosstich that on a pillow.

Wherein I whine a little bit but then also turn it around for two tiny rays of sunshine

2011-08-23T20:31:00.003-05:00

We have been sick. Horribly, horribly sick. Weak in the knees, exhausted sick. Jack got it last week and I got a wee touch of it as well. This week Abby got it and I got it again.

Much puking has occurred.

Feeling this sick isn't fun EVER. Feeling this sick when the temperatures are rising in the high 30s and the house is not air-conditioned is much worse.

And now the little bits of sunshine:

Our sweet friend Justin brought over a monarch chrysalis for us. Today it emerged. And I felt lucky. Lucky to have a friend like that and lucky to get to see a butterfly spread his wings for the very first time. Lucky, lucky.

My husband has gone above and beyond during this bug. I marvel at his kindness. And I have NO idea how people go through stuff like this on their own. Seriously, tonight I likely would have locked them in a room and thrown food in there for them so that they would survive their night. Blessed I am.

Three year-olds are funny... and, what I've become obsessed with

2011-08-03T18:09:00.003-05:00

It seems I've entirely lost interest in posting on this blog. Too busy with another obsession of mine: photography.

For the three of you who actually read this and haven't become annoyed with my ever present camera: I'm in the midst of completing a 365 day photo project. That's right, one photo every day for a full year. I barely wanted to admit it at first for fear that I wouldn't complete it. But, now that I'm in the triple digits I feel like maybe there's hope that I stick with it.

If you're so inclined, it's here.

And, also, a wee video for you. Bit of background: There's a joke that J-L enjoys getting people with and it goes like this:

J-L: It smells like updog in here.
other person: What's updog?
J-L: I don't know, what's up with you, dog?

And now Jack has taken to telling the joke as well. His version (in case you can't hear it in the video):

Jack: It smells like hotdog in here.
Jack: What's hotdog?
Jack: I don't know, what's up with you, hot dog?

Well, there you go

2011-07-12T10:08:00.001-05:00

First day of our little road trip finds us in my hometown.

J-L: I don't have any idea where I'm going, hey? I suppose we turn right here?
ccap: That's right, Mr. Smart Man.
Jack: He's not Mr. Smart Man. He's Dad.

Lip-dub

2011-05-31T20:55:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure what it is about these things but they just make me smile. They feel like what's good about viral videos and I can't help but admire the dedication it takes to make them. In case you're one of the three people that haven't seen this one AND you have 10 minutes to spare:

And thus it was

2011-05-22T18:24:00.008-05:00

And the post should begin with... "3 years ago today..." But alas, I have about 32 seconds to get this up here before Abby is back in the room begging to go for her evening treat so it's a wee post today.

Yesterday when we were driving I mentioned to Jack that tomorrow he would be three. To which he responded: "When I be grown up, I will whistle." I'm looking forward to that.

Today was church and lunch with friends and magical, wonderful bubbles
and a stunning new outdoor play area

wrapped up with some time at the park throwing rocks which, next to eating, is likely his Very Favorite Thing Ever.
When we got home, as Jack was taking his jacket off, he let out a sigh and said "well, THAT was a good day". I concur.

It's been a good three years. Pretty much every day I marvel at how lucky I am that God decided I should be this little boy's mom.

2 of 1 and 1 of the other

2011-05-15T21:39:00.002-05:00

Jack story #1:

My mother is going through chemo treatments. Every night we pray for her as a family. Her in particular. It's usually J-L that prays for her. Every single night after J-L prays this Jack pipes up: "and Pake". Every night. One night J-L thought he'd be tricky and instead of praying for Grandma he prayed for his mother-in-law. Nope, didn't work. Jacky: "and Pake".

Smarty-pants.

----------------------------------------
Jack story #2

We're driving home from daycare one day and Jack announces to me that he wants to buy me a new car.

ccap: Why, Jack? This one's fine.
Jack: Nope, I buy you a new car.
ccap: Why?
Jack: This one's dirty.

Every night at prayer time Abby and Jack are told to pray for something from that day specifically. Something they need to be thankful for.

That night:
Jack: I thankful for the car I'm buying Mom.

Well, hey, at least he's going to be good to his Momma.

--------------------------------------------------

Abby story:

Tonight we spent some time going through a tote of handmedowns to dig out the next size of clothes for her. Both winter and summer clothes. I pull out a long-sleeved shirt that we can tuck away for the fall. I hold it out for Abby to see if she wants to keep it or pass it on to someone else. (She's very particular about clothes. Sigh.)

Abby (looks at it and shakes her head in all sincerity): No, I don't like nurtletecks.

She's soooo good at secrets

2011-05-04T17:15:00.002-05:00

Something like Mother's Day just about does her in. Nearly every day for the past week she's told me that she has a card she made for me and can she please, please, please give it to me.

And then today...

Mom, Saturday Daddy and Jack and I have to go shopping for you.

We're going to make something for you. It's a surprise. I saw it in a book and you will so, SO love it.

We don't have all the ingredients.

We need blueberries and maybe if we still have some whipping cream...

Well, la-di-da, methinks I'm getting a puppy for Mother's Day.

letter to dad

2011-04-14T18:18:00.002-05:00

Abby came home with a letter she'd written to her dad. You're lucky enough to get a peek. (The part about hockey is soooo not true.) (Click on it to be able to read it.)

Photo

2011-04-12T19:26:00.005-05:00

As many of you know, I have gotten myself fully immersed in two different photo projects. Well (sheepish confession ahead), actually, it's now three and that's not even counting the on-hold-for-now stranger project. Yes, slightly obsessive, you're right.

The most recent project is a photograph a day for a year. (I'm only at day 25 so we'll have to wait and see how this one turns out.) Anyway, many conversations in our home now revolve around photography and ideas for photos etc.

Here's Abby's latest list for what I need for a photo idea of hers:

A polka-dot jacket.
Two frisbees. One needs to be green and one needs to be yellow.
A hockey stick. It needs to be taller than you, Mom and it needs to be black with the part that hits the puck being green.
We put it all on the grass.
And, the background needs to be a baseball field.

I honestly have no idea where she's going with the shot but if anyone has any of the accoutrements to lend me I'd be most curious to see where it's headed.

Can you tell our new favorite show?

2011-04-10T17:21:00.002-05:00

"You got a minute to win it. Good luck!"

hippie

2011-04-02T22:07:00.002-05:00

Dress in a different decade for daycare.

T-shirt and jeans from Value Village. A couple of peace symbols. Some fabric paint. Voila.

Attitude: all hers.

on living with a boy

2011-04-01T08:08:00.001-05:00

The scene takes place last night. Jack has just finished using the toilet and is pulling up his pants.

I flush the toilet.

Jack bursts into tears: "No! Daddy was coming to see it!"

Sigh.

I don't know if I'm cut out for this.

Actual untouched conversation

2011-03-30T17:43:00.003-05:00

On the drive home.

Jack: What we having?
ccap: For supper?
Jack: Yeah.
ccap: Japanese chicken.
Jack: MMMM.
Abby: I LOVE Japanese chicken.

pause

Abby: What is that again?

Bless her little detailed/organized mind!

2011-03-20T13:54:00.004-05:00

Abby is having two friends over for a play date this afternoon. Her very first one. She wrote up a list of things to do with the girls. Apparently (based on the list) they're going to be here for 18 hours or something. :-)

Note 1: #3 is chnips brat for you non-Mennonites. She insisted I spell it out that way instead of just saying crokinole.

Note #2: It's written in crayon as she gave up markers for lent.

Note #3: It pleases me immensely that she (all on her own) starting printing her "i"s like she does. It's the exact way I wrote them as a child.

Quote for the day (also wherein it is confirmed that I am an old lady)

2011-03-16T07:52:00.002-05:00

Bon Jovi tells The Sunday Times Magazine,

“Kids today have missed the whole experience of putting the headphones on, turning it up to 10, holding the jacket, closing their eyes and getting lost in an album; and the beauty of taking your allowance money and making a decision based on the jacket, not knowing what the record sounded like, and looking at a couple of still pictures and imagining it.”

whimper

2011-03-15T12:39:00.001-05:00

The bread for my egg salad sandwich is a tad on the dry side.
The apple is crazy grainy.
In other words, the lunch that I had been looking forward to for 4 hours is a complete dud.
Time to hit the chocolate tucked away in the desk.

Abby

2011-02-26T14:36:00.001-06:00

For those of you who know me well...

I'm sure you can appreciate how tickled I am at the moment watching Abby very earnestedly set up her props for the movie she's doing for the Oscar party.

Question of the morning

2011-02-23T06:49:00.001-06:00

from our everpresent question girl:

Why do we have foreheads?

Two Jack moments

2011-02-15T17:35:00.002-06:00

We're sharing some conversation hearts after supper last night. I dutifully read Abby's and Jack's.

One of his reads "Good-bye". He looks at us quizzically: "I not going anywhere".

----------------------------------------

Reason I'm on the computer at this moment? I'm entering "getting marker out of carpet" into Mr. Google.

Sigh.

--------------------------------------

Addendum: Abby just came in to the room where I was madly trying to get the marker out of the carpet. She wanted me to join her in some game of pretend. I looked at her and said "I'm not going to be X right now. Right now I'm just Frustrated Mommy." To which she replied: "I know, Mom, it's not about me, right?" Think she's heard THAT before? Smile.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T12:51:00.003-06:00

Not the biggest fan of this day. In fact, it mostly annoys me. But, I do so love photography and it's delightful seeing how much Abby loves giving out valentines

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

2011-02-08T19:03:00.001-06:00

Because I have a feeling not all of you got your cuteness quota for the day.

(Sorry for the wobbly filming. It's tricky holding the kid and the book and the camera and turning pages. And I figured you might need to see what was on the pages to understand what the wee boy is saying.)

They say you should learn something new every day

2011-02-08T07:42:00.002-06:00

Here's what we learned last night while sitting around the dinner table after supper:

Canada's population is around 33,000,000. Due to our size that works out to about 9 people per square mile.

Hong Kong has a population of just shy of 7,000,000. Due to their size that works out to about 18,000 people per square mile! Hokey panokey!

So, you can now go back to bed.

You're welcome.

Although, since you're here anyway, here's another random fact: I just changed the battery on my command start yesterday. That is the very first time since I purchased the car. In 2000! That's 10+ years! Can someone please explain to me why we have to change the batteries in Abby's little cd player nearly every week and my command start battery can last 10 years?!

How my day got a little bit brighter

2011-02-05T17:42:00.004-06:00

Background #1: It's been a bit of a rough two days.

3 different relationship situations that have happened that have been hard on me. Two of them resulting in some tears being shed.
I have felt completely overwhelmed by parenthood. It's been exhausting and I felt a bit like walking away this afternoon.
Our finances have just felt tighter than usual of late and I'm tired of it. There was a time I used to do the monthly budget and had extra money left over to work with even after everything was paid off. That's not been the case since about September when our financial situation took a wee bit of a header due to stuff I don't really feel like talking about right now. Today we WAY over spent on groceries and it just felt like the bottom was falling out. (Minor in the realm of death and cancer and things like that but as I said, I'm in a spot right now.)

Background #2: My husband and I have been married for 6.5 years. I have some little RRSPs from before our marriage. For some reason (laziness) I haven't changed the beneficiary. It's still Margaret Plett. And every time we get a statement regarding those RRSPs my husband will look at them, shake his head and whimper something about me not loving him.

That brings us up to 5 minutes ago. We're cleaning off the table of some collected paperwork and mail. My husband opens up a piece of mail addressed to him and simply says "uh-oh" and stands there staring at it. I walk towards him and as I begin to glance at the banking statement of some type of RRSP or something (frankly, I don't even know and I don't even care) the sun peeks from behind the clouds and the birds start to sing. There it is in black and white. The beneficiary? His ex-wife.

Ahhh. Life just became a little bit sweeter.

Sweetness

2011-01-29T17:49:00.003-06:00

As most of you know, I've taken up a wee bit of a photo project for the year. 52 words. 52 weeks. Truth is (she admits sheepishly) I'm doing two of them. And so, as you can imagine... This has taken over our lives to a degree. Thankfully, save a few dollars on props and a bit on gas, it's a relatively cheap project. But, the brain is constantly whirring and there are regular conversations about them in our home (eg. Patrick comes upstairs yesterday carrying his phone that is now broken in two: "Hey, you could use this for 'mistake'".) Well, my daughter has now taken up her own little project. And, I must say, it is a delight seeing her brain and creativity at work. And so, without further adieu, here are her words (all her own ideas):

Snowhill
Marry
Food
Flower
Pretty
Silly
Sour
Family
Music
Love
Yummy
Outside
Jesus
Coke
Sleep

Dream big, son

2011-01-25T20:09:00.002-06:00

When Abby grows up she wants to be:
1. a nurse or
2. a doctor or
3. a chef or
4. a ballet teacher.

When Jack grows up he wants to be able to use markers.

Conversation in our house this morning

2011-01-20T07:55:00.004-06:00

Background: We're going on a date this Friday. Yes, without children. No cutting up of food (we may even ask the server to cut ours for us). No snapping about sitting in the chair all through the meal. No begging to focus on eating. No picking various utensils off the floor. No cooking of supper for 6 yet again. (How can you tell regular life has been getting me down a bit lately.)

J-L: So, are we going to a movie after supper too?
ccap (eyes rolling): No, honey, I won't force you to do that with me.
J-L: But that's what marriage is all about: Forcing your spouse to do stuff he doesn't want to do and then him being resentful of it.

They don't tell you THAT in them there fancy premarital counseling classes.

Wee Golden Globes Recap

2011-01-18T07:40:00.002-06:00

When you enjoy silly movie award shows as much as I do and you have a five year-old daughter who loves fancy dresses as much as I do, sitting together to watch the Golden Globes red carpet is about as much fun as two girls could have on a cold Sunday night.

A wee fashion synopsis from the evening:

Three dresses we both liked:
J-Lo
Claire Danes
Amy Adams

Three dresses we both didn’t like:
Julianne Moore
Helena Bonham Carter
Angelina Jolie

Most of the other dresses brought mixed reviews from this panel of judges.

Two other wee bits from Abby’s mouth:

As Matthew Morrison walked the red carpet: Hey, Mom, is that Del Barber? (that’s an inside one for all you Manitoba folk festers.)

And, as they announced the nominees for best actor in a miniseries or TV movie (…”Al Pacino for ‘You Don’t Know Jack’”…): Hey, yes I DO know Jack.

And two bits that aren’t about the 5 year-old:

My favorite Ricky Gervais joke of the night? When he introduced Bruce Willis as Ashton Kutcher’s dad. Although, the scientology, Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Jr. jokes also got me chuckling. I’m fond of someone saying it like it is for those stuffy Hollywood types.

My favorite speech of the night? Hands down Colin Firth. Classy but funny.

Useless Stats

2011-01-17T13:06:00.002-06:00

Yes, I did a post like this last year. But, here's the thing about me. I like movies. And, I also like stats. And I love year-in-review type lists. So, combine all three? Yeah, I'll fritter away some time. Plus, I don't go anywhere during my lunch hour and yet I like to take a break so lazy internet usage is just the break I need. Anyway, this year I got even nuttier. Last year 26 lists? This year 42. It's unhealthy really. Without further adieu, here are the most highly rated movies of 2010:

10. The Ghost Writer - 8 votes
10. The Fighter - 8 votes
9. The Town - 10 votes
9. Exit Through the Gift Shop - 10 votes
8. True Grit - 11 votes
7. 127 Hours - 12 votes
6. The Kids Are All Right - 17 votes
5. The King's Speech - 18 votes
5. Black Swan - 18 votes
4. Winter's Bone - 19 votes
3. Inception - 21 votes
2. Toy Story 3 - 26 votes

And by far and away the number one movie to appear on most critics' Top 10 Movies of 2010 is...

1. The Social Network - 36 votes

I've seen 10.5 of the movies noted (thus far, I still want to make it through another 1.5 of them). There are a couple on there that are completely perplexing to me but such is the way of "art".

Photography project (yes, another one)

2011-01-12T13:19:00.002-06:00

As if my 100 strangers photography project weren't enough (which, incidentally is pretty much at a stand still right now - I find it soooo much harder chatting up strangers in the winter) I've taken on another one with a friend of mine. This one doesn't make my heart palpitate as much nor my throat to close each time I approach taking a photo.

The idea is simple. 52 weeks of the year. 52 words. Each word is up to us how we want to interpret or photograph it.

Feel free to come by for a visit... at least on Saturdays.

52 by 2

Psst, soooo not a competition of any sort - both of us just like taking pictures.

January 10th

2011-01-10T13:31:00.004-06:00

Three years ago today was one of the hardest days of my life.

I wonder if a day has gone by when I haven't thought back to January 10, 2008.

I wonder if a day has gone by when I haven't thanked God for our worst fears not coming true on that day.

I wonder if a day has gone by where I HAVEN'T feared that the tumour will one day grow back.

I remember my mom telling me (shortly after Jack's birth) that we should be thanking God several times a day for the miracle God gave us. No, mom, I'm sorry, I disagree with you. I think my entire breathing should be in reverance to my God and the gifts He's given us.

December 25th

2010-12-26T14:24:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was my birthday. One of my friends sent me this wish: "I hope your day has at least five moments that feel like 'ah, yes, this is right'." I got the wish just before I started with my day. It was perfect timing. It rested on my brain the entire day. And here is my list of 5 ah yes, this is right moments:

A few moments of cuddly giggly time with my son in the morning while
my husband went downstairs to peel all the potatoes for lunch to get them started.
Singing Christmas carols at the top of my lungs in my mom's church. I know you'll get that one, Wendy. I love my church but I'll be honest there is just NOTHING like 4 part harmony that you'll find in a Mennonite church.
My positively wonderful sister-in-law passing me a quilt that she had knitted specially for me. That she knitted for me over the past few months while she prayed for my children. I have wanted a homemade knitted quilt for probably about 25 years. I now have one. I'm the luckiest.
Opening a gift from my mom (we had to do second hand or homemade) to see a tiny pair of mittens that my great-grandmother knit for me when I was a wee babe. I could have cried.
Bonus: Going off to see a late movie with one of my favorite brothers, my favorite sister and my bestest mom.

It was a happy day. Some things suck about having my birthday on Christmas Day but oh so very few. I get to be with people I love on my birthday and that's a good thing.

December 21st

2010-12-21T07:39:00.003-06:00

This day always makes me think of my dad and smile.

I have a very vivid memory of being home on this day once many years ago hearing dad as he headed out the door to do morning chores: "I'm going to go kick that ox right in the a**."

First off, he was being witty which wasn't rare for him (referring to the equinox) but what was rare was the curse word. That's probably why I remember it so vividly. Probably not even viewed as a curse word nowadays but it certainly was to him as were "darn" and "heck" and various other words. He was a man who believed in speaking your mind more succinctly and eloquently and not just falling in to exclamations. I even remember times when he would look at me sharply when I said "shoot". He thought they were unnecessary and cheap.

But, I digress. Back to that ox. It's winter soltice. The shortest day of the year. From here on out, each day there is a little more sunlight. Winters were hard on my father. He was not a man who was up at the crack of dawn. And so having evenings get dark oh so early in the winter played heavily on his emotions and moods. It made it hard to live with him during some of those dark, cold winter days. (Keep in mind he was also a farmer so he was outside at times when most of us would just cuddle under our throw blanket and switch the channel on the remote.) And so the glimmer of hope that today offered him made this one day of winter a little less painful than most.

I feel like I should drink a toast to him today or something. But, since he was a teetotaler that might not be so appropriate. Perhaps a cup of instant coffee instead?

Would that I had this attitude

2010-12-13T07:46:00.000-06:00

Jack, pulls out the bathroom scale this morning, steps on it and when he sees the number, proudly shouts out, arms lifted high in the air: "I win! I win!".

kindergarten

2010-12-10T13:30:00.002-06:00

It is hard being Abby these days. And a lot of times it’s hard being Abby’s mom. But, this isn’t about me, at least not for right now.

My little girl used to be confident and brave and outgoing and charming. And then she started kindergarten. And I feel like I could just stop typing right there because just typing that sentence alone makes me want to cry. Some days it feels like we threw her to the wolves. She has become shy and timid and so very, very scared of nearly everything pretty much overnight.

She is scared of:

Santa*
Sharks
Going to the second storey by herself
Performing at her winter concert
Movies
Any sporting event where someone might fall and get hurt
The Survivor challenges in case someone gets hurt

And that’s just the list that I thought of spur of the moment.

And she is trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs and who her friends are. I attended a birthday party with her last week and watching her there among all those girls broke my heart. She was a periphery friend at best. She is not the coolest kid there. She is not even the second or third coolest kid there. No little girls are running over to her to beg her to play with them. It’s not that I want her to be the coolest kid. I really, really don’t. That requires a bit of overconfidence and a bit of a sense of bossiness or show-offness that I don’t want to see in my daughter. But, I know that friendships are an important part of going to school.

She has two girls** that she refers to as her best friends and I can tell you quite honestly that these girls wouldn’t even mention Abby as one of their friends let alone their best friends. (ie. One of these girls has a birthday party this weekend with oodles of little friends and Abby did not receive an invite.) She is trying to emulate these girls because she worships them. And so we are receiving attitude and whining and head-tilting eye-rolling as a result which adds to the “it’s hard being Abby” as she then receives discipline at home.

I know that it’s just kindergarten and I know that this too shall pass and next year could be completely different. But, it’s hard. It’s hard to watch and it’s hard to be her. And I am determined to send God with her to kindergarten every day and I am determined to make her home one of safety and love (in amongst the discipline).

I just find myself wanting to shout from the rooftops (and to myself): “PLEASE, world, be kind to her; it’s hard being Abby these days!”

* To the point that we had to help her write a letter to Santa begging him not to come to our house at Christmas. Although, in all fairness with this one, the idea of an old fat strange man coming to my house uninvited in the middle of the night to eat our food and drink our milk seems a little frightening to me too.

** They have long blonde hair. And that is a big part of the reason (she told me) that Abby picked them to be her best friends. So, our girl, with the stunningly beautiful dark brown hair is also apparently envious of blonde.

Yup, that's about right

2010-12-06T19:45:00.002-06:00

It's Christmas so it stands to figure that both our fridge would crap out and the heater on our car would be kaput. Seems about right.

Love is...

2010-12-04T19:11:00.002-06:00

a 72 year-old woman climbing up a ladder so that she can sleep in the top bunk with her extremely excited youngest granddaughter.

On comparing my husband to food

2010-11-26T11:39:00.002-06:00

Recently a very good friend of mine asked me what X’s husband was like. She knows X a tiny bit but her husband not at all.

“Hmm, well...” I started “he’s like boiled potatoes. There’s not much pizzazz or spice or excitement there but he’s reliable and predictable and completely acceptable.”

She paused and then continued: “Well, then you’d probably think my husband is boiled potatoes too.”

“Yeah, good point” I replied “mine too.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------
I have someone in my life whose husband is unemployed mainly because he is ultimately very lazy. They would like to be separated but because he has no money or job he can’t really leave the house so he lives in the basement.

I have someone else in my life whose fights erupt to the point of items being thrown and broken. The male has left the house for 3 days straight without calling the female once to let her know where he is.

I know another person who is going through the messiest of divorces where abuse is being charged and fights over the daughter are nasty. Any love that may have been there at one time has completely evaporated. They will fight until every last cent of that child’s possible future education fund is spent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Give me boiled potatoes anytime.

On being Abby's little brother

2010-11-14T09:43:00.001-06:00

It's just best if you do exactly as she says. Life is just so much smoother for all of us.

Frankly, that's likely the nature of being the younger sibling in ANY family.

Thursday Thirteen

2010-11-11T16:47:00.005-06:00

Some days it honestly seems like parenting is really no more than picking up 8000 times a day and saying "no" about 2300 times a day.
Is there an illness that is the opposite of hoarding? Because if there is I think my husband and I suffer from it. I think we'd give away stuff that we might actually NEED someday rather than have clutter. It probably wouldn't make as riveting a show as those hoarder ones do though.
We did some of that de-cluttering today and I seriously think we both get some sort of endorphin rush out of the process.
God forbid either of our kids were watching today as we went through their toys. Thankfully, they're both young enough that they won't remember what toys they beFORE the clean-up.
You know how I've mentioned that Abby likes to cuddle at night? Well, Jackie is the opposite. He will give me more hugs and kisses during one day than Abby would voluntarily give me in a week. But at night? He wants to be by himself. Take last night. I was heading off to bed and thought how much I would enjoy a quick cuddle before going to my own bed. I climbed in to bed with Jack. He opened his eyes just long enough to look me squarely in the eye and very determinedly and clearly said "Get. Out." Ah, the love.
Speaking of differences between my two children: Not even once have I had to clean up crayon or markers or pencil from Abby writing places she shouldn't. I don't think a week has gone by in recent months where I haven't had to wash a wall or a floor or a window or... from Jackie writing on them.
Also speaking of Jack: I wish for you that you could be in the stall next to us in a public washroom as I take him pee. He has made more than one person laugh outright with his exclamations of "good job!" and "whoa! Jackie big poop!".
Random fact: Tomorrow is one of my favorite friends' birthday. 17 days ago was one of my other favorite friends' birthday. That would put my favorite daughter's birthday squarely in between. This has pleased my for 5 years now.
Earlier this week we attended an appreciation dinner for all parents in our school district who are hosting international students. Looking about the room it occurred to me that we just got the best looking international kids. Hands down.
I have a fairly strong suspicion that we also got the best kids in general but that's a little tricky to deduce based on a room scan. But, I'd still be willing to place some money on it.
At the dinner we had one of our district's school trustees sit at our table. Goodness above you would have thought he was running for reelection just during dinner. My back would have gotten sore if I'd have been in charge of picking up all the names he dropped. And all of them seemed to be friends of his as well.
Plus, he just randomly mentioned a bunch of awards he's gotten through the years he's been on the school board etc. Who does that? Just at dinner randomly mention awards you've received to complete strangers?
And the last one in my list of random: I am in a photography challenge that offers up a word and we have to photograph said word in whatever way it grabs us. This week's word is "sweet". What would you photograph given that word?

5!

2010-11-04T12:59:00.003-05:00

My wee baby girl has been with us for 60 months as of today. And so, a list of 60 things you may or may not know about Abby.

1. She delights. The other day we went to Tim’s for a hot chocolate and it was the first time she’d gotten a coffee cup and she couldn’t have been happier.

2. She has the most amazing brown eyes. Some days I can’t stop looking at photos of her and it’s because of her eyes.

3. She still sleeps with her very favourite bear. Watching her sleep makes any anger I may have had towards her that day fade away.

4. She loves to write. She will sit at the table and write and write and write. If I don’t have time (or patience) to spell things out for her she will find something (anything, a box of cereal, the wrapper from some tissue paper... anything) that has writing on it and write out every word on said object.

5. When I told her that she could write the first letter of each of her classmates on her birthday cookies she couldn’t have been happier.

6. She enjoys sunsets. If we are out and about when the sun is setting she will point out the colors in the sky and remark on how lovely they are.

7. She will want me to photograph it so that we can share the beauty with someone else.

8. She is my ever willing model for any photograph I might want to do. (Her brother not so much.) Although, God forbid I actually want her to be still for a photograph.

9. She bounces. I’ve gone on about this more than once. But of all the things that make Abby Abby that is one of the brightest. It’s been happening less due to the turmoil of the past few months but it still happens on occasion and when it does I feel a weight lifting off my shoulders.

10. She is aware of the right thing to do. When Jack’s daycare lady gave him the exact same little book for Halloween that she had last year Abby knew not to say anything until we were out of earshot.

11. She is an amazing dancer. She has a grace to her movement that I’m actually a bit jealous of.

12. She loves. Her dad. We get home from work before he does and she wants to call him every single day.

13. She loves. Her brother. There are many moments of sibling bickering and fighting but there are many moments of intense kindness and protection as well.

14. She loves. Her cousins. Almost nothing makes her happier than knowing one of her cousins is coming over for a visit.

15. She loves. Her Uncle Cel. He has been her substitute teacher a couple of times and it’s the highlight of her day.

16. She gets that it’s not all about her. (Not all the time but sometimes.) She will phone her cousins and uncles and aunts and ask them about things that she knows they like or do.

17. She has eaten pretty much everything I have ever put in front of her. These days she’ll often make comments about the meal not being her favourite but she’ll still eat it every time.

18. In fact, when our international students took us to an authentic Hong Kong restaurant she tried every single one of the dishes even though several of them were completely unfamiliar to her.

19. That being said, she’s not fond of mushrooms or peppers or raw tomatoes. But, she’s smart and she knows she has to eat them anyway and so will quickly eat them first and with milk to help them go down.

20. She has her own houseplant now and remembers that it needs watering more than I remember for mine.

21. She loves to go for car/van rides. Anywhere, any length.

22. She already has an eye for photography. She’s taken plenty of photos that are worthy of framing – especially of people.

23. She loves color. If asked what her favourite colour is she will respond: “pink!”... “and purple”... “and blue”... “and orange”...

24. With that in mind, she has no desire to paint her toes or fingers only one color.

25. And the main thing she wants in a face-painting situation is color.

26. But goodness, does she hate white. She will throw a fuss if she ever has to wear white.

27. She loves music. Always has. When she was little I sang to her to calm her and now she falls asleep listening to music.

28. She is rarely purposely disobedient. If she is watching videos on the computer and I tell her that this is the last one I can feel confident that when I go back in to the room she will be turning the computer off without any sort of reprimand or reminder from me.

29. She is giving. I believe she was 2 or 3 the year she came with me to buy Auntie Corrie’s and Auntie Pam’s birthday presents and she insisted on taking money out of her piggy bank so that she could buy them something as well.

30. She rarely stops moving and has never been a kid to sit on my lap or to hold hands but at night she wants nothing more than for me to lay with her or to come to our bed so that she can nuzzle in to my neck.

31. For her weekly slurpee treat I think she is more excited about how many flavours she can fit in the cup than she is actually drinking it.

32. She pays attention. If I start to tell a story about one of my coworkers she will often say “is that the one?...” referring to another story I’d told. Usually she’s right.

33. Even tiny details. She knows that for movie day this week the doors open at 5:30 and the show starts at 6:00.

34. She is considerate. She loves to help serve dessert on Thursday nights and will always serve everyone else before she takes her own.

35. She loves to share. If we are going out with her aunt and cousins and I pack a treat for all of them she will pester me about it more because she can’t WAIT to give it to them than that she wants it that badly.

36. She is sociable. If we are going out for lunch on Sunday her first question will be “who’s coming with us?”

37. Keeping the above three in mind I can’t HELP but think that she will be like my mother and love to have people over so that she can serve them.

38. She positively LOVES outings. If it’s a choice of staying home or going out she will pick going out every time. Even if it’s just grocery shopping.

39. She’s very smart but there are still a few things she mispronounces. If J-L and I are going out: “Who will take chare of Jack and me?”

40. Also the Old El Paso commercial that’s on right now. “Old El Paso. Mucho fun tonight.” She sings it “Ooocho Paso. Mucho fun tonight.”

41. She has an affinity for mirrors. Even when she was little... if I were to take her clothing shopping with me and she would go missing I knew that the best thing to look for was a full-length mirror as I’d likely find her then. Her father likes to refer to her as “Diva” as a result.

42. She doesn’t really like chocolate very much. She has her moments but given the choice she’d pick a white cupcake over a chocolate one and a sugar cookie over a chocolate chip cookie.

43. For all her screaming independence of late (and frankly, most of her life) she still likes me to carry her to bed and I happily oblige.

44. She positively LOVES playing dress-up. Three of her aunties got her a tickle trunk for one of her birthdays and it was one of the best gifts EVER.

45. She rarely plays with toys. Really never has. She would much rather do crafts or watch slide shows or go for a bike ride.

46. She loves to wash the van windows. She would do it every single time we fill up (even on the cold days) if we let her.

47. She is a girl full of questions. Some days they exhaust me, some days they delight me. She Needs to Know. How things are spelled. What something says. Why we have to stop at a red light. How much things cost. Who was born first. E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

48. She has become quite sensitive lately. She’s developed fears that are new and we (her dad, me, her) don’t quite know what to do with them.

49. Her giggle stops the clock for me.

50. She loves pretty things. Dresses. Jewellery. Purses. Shoes. Decorations. People.

51. She has an amazing memory. She remembers minute details about trips or Jack’s birth or things we’ve told her.

52. With #27 and #50 in mind: She has a spooky ability to remember what songs she likes on a cd. It can literally be the second time we’ve listened to a cd and she will ask for a specific number of song as she knows she likes that one.

53. She has a talented imagination. Not only does she have imaginary friends that are too many to name they also have detailed lives (one is missing an eye, one is moving to Toronto) and many secondary characters (parents, siblings).

54. She also has conversations with herself when she thinks no one is listening. Eavesdropping on those are fun.

55. She is usually quite quick to say “sorry”. Part of it is because she knows that can only help lessen her punishment and part of it is because she genuinely feels heartbroken that she hurt someone.

56. She listens well. She picks up on how things are going for us at our jobs even though we try to have those conversations privately.

57. She enjoys having international students living with us. She demands very little of them. If they allow her in their rooms sometimes or laugh at her silliness it’s really all she needs of them. Not ONCE has she complained that “Chanel doesn’t have to eat her mushrooms” or “Chanel gets to eat chips for snacks”.

58. She doesn’t enjoy watching tv. For awhile she enjoyed watching Dancing With the Stars and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives but even that has waned. It requires too much sitting in one spot for her.

59. Rain does not dampen her spirits. It will not keep her from enjoying folk fest or an entire day on a trampoline.

60. 5 years ago today she changed my name to “mom” and changed my life forever.

Wanna cute visual?

2010-10-24T21:54:00.001-05:00

Tonight my two kids were practicing trick-or-treating (their own idea) complete with each of them coming to the door and dumping imaginary candy into bags.

Way to break a mother's heart #287

2010-10-22T19:33:00.001-05:00

Abby likes to sleep in bed with us. She's liked this for quite some time. She starts out in her own bed but sometime in the wee hours of the morning she wanders over to our room, her pink bear clutched in her hands to climb in to bed with us.

Thing is, she's quite a bit of a bed hog. I swear that she takes up more room than J-L and I put together. And, as a result, oftentimes one of the parents ends up in her bed in order to get some sleep.

Honestly, I don't mind it that much. My girl has never been much of a hugger, lap-sitter, hand-holder or anything that involves physical touch. And yet at night she will nuzzle right in to my neck and for a moment I feel about as loved as a mother can get. Her father on the other hand? Yeah, he gets the other end. The kicking, the pushing. It makes for a rough night of sleep for him on a lot of occasions.

That brings us to earlier this week. He's had enough and he discusses with Abby the idea of compromise and how we can come to a solution that works for all of us. Several ideas are thrown around but in the end it's decided that for this week she can come to bed with us every night at 1 am. Next week? 2 am. And so on. The idea is that eventually she will be weened off altogether.

Last night she comes to our bed around 12:15. As agreed upon, J-L asks her to go back to her bed until 1 am. Sadly but obediently she heads back to her bedroom.

I lay there awake listening to her coughing in her bed.

12:44am: I'll just go in and peek on her.

I walk in to the room to see my daughter crouched on her bed, staring intently at the clock. I ask her what she's doing and she bursts in to tears. I know what she's doing. And my heart breaks.

That visual of her digital clock glowing red on her face as she tries to will the time to pass is not one that will leave me quickly.

I climb into bed with her and brush her hair away from her wet cheeks.

Parenting

2010-10-13T13:25:00.001-05:00

1. I never thought it would be THIS hard.
2. I thought I'd be better at it.

Some cuteness for your morning

2010-09-23T07:14:00.002-05:00

We're brushing our teeth together this morning and Abby begins to sing our national anthem that she's just learning; I join in.

Oh Canada
We stand on guard for thee

"Mom, how do you stand on God?"

When all else fails, try bribery

2010-09-16T17:10:00.003-05:00

Today was the first dry eyes day in 8 days of daycare/kindergarten. Why? Her father promised her a slurpee (unHEARD of on a week day) if she went a whole day without crying. Perhaps tomorrow it will be ice cream. Which do you think will come first, the end of the crying without the need of bribery or... she loses her teeth to sugar?

Some good news

2010-09-13T22:07:00.003-05:00

I've talked about it before, my daughter and her exhuberant jumping. I've talked about it but I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who think "yes, Cynthia, young girls jump, that's what they do." And, while you might be right, I don't think you realize the extent of the jumping if your brain is saying that. In fact, one time at swimming lessons I timed her - in 15 seconds, 11 jumps. I then also scoured the pool (many lessons going on at the same time) for another young child who looked joyful. I found one. 5 jumps in 15 seconds. That should give you a bit of an idea.

I've also talked about how heartbreaking it was for me one time when the bouncing disappeared. The bouncing had disappeared last week. In its place was crying and traditional walking and much tugging and begging. And I didn't know that Abby. I didn't even know how to mother that Abby. But Friday? She loooved kindergarten. I picked her up at the end of the day and she BOUNCED over to me. And the sight of those bright new runners lifting off the floor was the light I needed. (She stilled cried again this morning but not for as long and I know the bounce it will come back again.)

Also, somewhere, sometime, my son has discovered how to be a monster AND a pirate. And I do believe hearing a 2 year-old's voice saying (near as we can figure) "Arr, mayonnaise" is about as cute as it gets. (In three takes (and a very willing volunteer head-holding assistant) and we STILL didn't really get a good shot of his face as it scrunches up to be a pirate.)

Why do I have a feeling this will become a familiar sight?

2010-09-09T17:22:00.001-05:00

Jack is currently in the other room finishing off Abby's leftover lunch.

Shows how much I know

2010-09-09T09:54:00.002-05:00

I just assumed that Abby would be delighted to go to her new daycare. Kids her age. More stimulation. Crafts.

I just assumed she would walk in there and be her delightful, confident self.

I just assumed that she would make friends instantaneously.

I pretty much counted down the days with her until her new adventure.

She could pick what leftovers she wanted for lunch! She'd get some new clothes! She wouldn't just have to hang out with 2 year-old boys!

So why am I sitting here crying my eyes out knowing that she is currently in that room crying her eyes out too.

P.S. Yes, I know it's only day three and I KNOW it will get easier. But for just right now this freaking sucks!

Which would you pick?

2010-09-08T19:20:00.004-05:00

I often refer to Abby as "Random Bits" as that's what she throws out at people. Random bits. I'm often curious about what she'll say to people when she meets them. It can be any random thing from her life. Here's a teeny example in to her brain:

Mom, which would you pick?
1. Live in an airplane?
2. Live beside Grandma?
3. Be a duck?
4. Be in a hottub?

and a little child shall lead them*

2010-08-27T20:02:00.002-05:00

Bad days, bad news. Financial worries.

Abby's heard our discussions about where we might have to adjust our budget. And then at supper the topic of school supplies comes up (the flyers came in the mail, Abby noticed the adverts) and Abby says that maybe she doesn't need a lunchkit. Maybe she could just stick her lunch in her backpack.

And then we're upstairs and the very first song that she requests on itunes goes a little something like this:

Whenever things are going bad
It's hard to even pray
A Bible story comes to mind
That helps me see the way
God's children held in slavery
Cried "don't you care, Lord?"
"Don't you see?"
God showed his power and set them free
And God listens to you and me**

*please know that *I* know that I'm using that completely out of context.
** That's the crazy thing. I wouldn't be able to count on all my fingers and toes the number of times I've worried for naught. God always brought us through. And yet, the next time comes along and...

Okay, apparently I was wrong

2010-08-17T17:42:00.002-05:00

Our internet and tv were both down last week for a good part of the week. What happened? Well, our house got cleaned for one. And, during the cleaning J-L came across my fuzzy red slippers.

"Oh honey, you can throw those in the closet. I won't be using those anytime soon."

It was about 34 degrees out the day I said that.

It is now, one week later, 13 degrees.

Holidays

2010-08-04T18:10:00.003-05:00

Seems to me if at the close of your holidays you end up naked* driving a van something either went terribly, terribly wrong or oh so very right.**

* wherein I draw unnecessary attention to this blog due to key words.

** ours was the latter.

Allow me to introduce

2010-07-21T22:18:00.001-05:00

Some of the faces of Folk Fest:

And, in conjunction with that, a new project I've just recently started:

100 Conversations

And now one from the boy

2010-07-16T18:44:00.001-05:00

J-L: Jack, who do you love more, Mom or Dad?
Jack: Bugs Bunny!

2010-07-09T08:35:00.002-05:00

And so they're gone. With a rush (too rush) trip to the airport and quick "good-byes"we suddenly became a family of 4 again. It's been a good year. Looking back there are things I'd do differently and definitely things that were disappointing but I'm not sorry we did it and I do think it was a good experience for our family. Plus, they're both coming back to live with us again in the fall and Abby has asked us to write what date on the calendar so we're looking forward to the break but looking forward to the return as well.

To the attention of the parents of...

2010-07-05T17:06:00.004-05:00

Well, there it is. In the mailbox in a plain enough envelope.

And now I, like millions of parents before me, am filled with that combined mixture of excitement and dread and sadness.

Two conversations just before bed

2010-07-01T20:55:00.002-05:00

Abby (whispering in my ear): Mom, when Dad tells a secret he says "cha cha cha". When *I* tell a secret I say "I love you, Mom". Which one is better?

------------------------------
Abby: Mom, does Curious George go to school?
Mom: No, he's a monkey!
Abby: But, mice go to school.
Hmm, you've got me there.

PSA

2010-06-30T20:50:00.008-05:00

Also called, learn from my mistakes.

If, one day, you find yourself with a wart on your finger that is terribly painful DON'T bother spending money upon money on boxes after boxes of those medicated pads.

And then, if you happen to find yourself on a trip and you're just frantic from the pain and wince and cry every time your child reaches for your hand... DON'T go to the local drugstore to spend ANOTHER $30+ on some Freeze Away that is supposed to remove the wart in one or two treatments.

Just don't. Save yourself the money (I'd say over $60 all told) and the pain and the months of trying and get yourself to a grocery store, purchasing:

I LOVE it when home remedies FAR outperform the expensive medical options. Love it!

June 26th

2010-06-26T14:01:00.002-05:00

So, we sat there, the four of us, at the farmer's market. Together. At a picnic table eating our "yes, Abby, if we can find something here for $12 or less for all of us to eat" lunch. Jack leaning against me, Abby happily sharing her drink with her dad.

Across the table from us are 2 20-something year-old girls. They are discussing the one's romantic relations. "Well, I THINK he loves me. He said that he would move with me if I got transferred." "Oh, well that sounds like a good sign." "But, the other day I had a cryfest on the phone with my mom about it." "I'm just not sure..."

And I smiled and exhaled and thought: Happy anniversary to me!

I've waited 40 years for this

2010-06-18T13:11:00.000-05:00

We're sitting in the car on the drive home, the kids and I. There has been talk quite recently of money and what she may get to spend at Folk Fest.

Abby: Do you think I could buy a cd at Folk Fest?
ccap: Possibly, but it would have to be one I like too so that we can share it.
Abby: It would have to be a girl singer. I like girl singers better. Is that girl that you like going to be at Folk Fest?
ccap: Which one, honey? There's a lot of girls that I like.
Abby: The one with the long hair and no glasses.
(that helps)
ccap: Do you know a song that she sings?
Abby: MOM, you KNOW who I mean! That GIRL.
ccap: Abby, all I know is that she has long hair and doesn't wear glasses. I need more help than that. Is it... (and I start listing off female singers that I like)
Abby: (Interrupting.) Yeah, Jann Arden!
ccap: No, honey, she's not going to be at Folk Fest but I don't need her newest cd anyway. I have it. Auntie Pam gave it to me for Christmas.

I put in said cd and I start to listen. Goodness do I love her newest cd. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. I look to the back seat. There she is, my four year-old daughter, singing along to Jann Arden. She knows the words, even has favorite songs on the cd. (#1 and #9 for those of you who have the cd.) And I feel my throat thicken and my heart flutter. I'm a lucky, lucky lady. This little girl who loves to garden with me and wants to pick the pretty pink peonies we have and likes girl singers (thankfully not JUST Taylor Swift) and gives me hugs every single day combined with whispered "I love you"s. This bright-eyed happy girl who gets home from daycare yesterday and has a list in her brain of all the people she'd like to talk to. Who thinks of saying "Happy Birthday" to Auntie Sue and to Julie all on her own. This spunky brave girl who drives me crazy nearly every day but then also helps to wash up her brother at bath-time or knows to rinse out the sink after spitting out her toothpaste with no nagging from us. Who picks Going Out over Staying Home every time. (With a husband who likes to stay home it's REALLY nice having her in my corner.) Who has discussions with her Auntie Marja about what ingredients they used on Chopped and thinks to ask her soccer-obsessed cousins if they've been watching the World Cup. She's just my favorite little girl ever and I ache at the thought of her growing up.

Now, if only I could get her to like movies.

Whine

2010-06-10T07:01:00.001-05:00

(Sorry, Corrie, I know it's not Wednesday anymore.)

I know I'm not a farmer worried about my crops for the year. I recognize that our basement did not get completely flooded. But...

I'm sick of this weather! My daughter wants to wear shorts to daycare! I want to wear dresses! We want to go for bike rides or walks when we get home! I want to put away the hoodies, saving them only for the evenings! I want to see the sun! I want my new planted garden to have a chance to grow! 7 degrees right now? Are you kidding me!? It's JUNE.

Well, it's a START

2010-05-23T21:06:00.006-05:00

We're a long way from where we'd like to be lawnwise but at least we feel good about what we accomplished so far.

Before:

During:

After:

Lose, win, um, lose?

2010-05-21T18:03:00.003-05:00

Abby has gone next door to visit with the neighbours while I plant some flowers. She takes the Folk Fest chair over to sit and watch them gardening (apparently they're more interesting to watch than her mom?).

Jack (doing all things his sister does) follows suit. Abby is off her chair for a bit and Jackie sees his chance. Abby is NOT very pleased and proceeds to yell at her brother. (We've been discussing sharing quite a bit lately.) I promptly walk over to the yard, take apart the chair and carry it back to our yard. As you can very well imagine, I now have TWO screaming children. I explain to Abby about sharing and if she can't then... blahblahblah... you know the speech.

She storms off to the backyard slamming the gate behind her. I continue gardening fearing the worst. Oh dear, I think I might be headed for my very first I HATE YOU speech. Brace yourself.

I wait for awhile before heading to check on her. To my surprise she's looking around for the second kids' lawnchair we have. She comes out of the backyard carrying two yard chairs. I catch my breath in thankfulness. Oh my, maybe we've taught her a lesson that she's actually learned. Oh, maybe we are Good Parents. I have a daughter who shares! I have a daughter who can find solutions that are good for all!

The heavens open up and the angels begin to sing. I tell Abby how proud I am of her. I reiterate how good that was that she did that for her brother. I sing her praises.

Abby, slightly under her breath: "Oh, I thought you were going to give me something special."

Sigh. What's that adage about pride going before something?

Thursday Thirteen

2010-05-20T12:42:00.002-05:00

Yes, I do realize there are actually MORE than 13 questions.

1. Why NOT use your signal light if you’re turning? Is it too much work? Are you too tired? Did you forget? Are you too important? Do you not care about other people?

2. When does THIS ever become a good choice for your lawn/garden?

3. Is there anything more lovely than buying a new cd at lunch and anticipating the drive home for some prime listening opportunity?

4. Is there anything more disappointing than getting in the car, popping in the new cd and it not working?

5. Why didn’t the cowboys win The Amazing Race?

6. How exactly are we going to have time for all of the things we have planned for the weekend?

7. Do you think maybe TONIGHT I’ll get to bed before midnight?

8. Could it BE more positively lovely out there these days?

9. What should we buy our son for his second birthday?

10. What planets were aligned that caused my daughter to wear the first pair of shorts that I chose for her this morning? And how can I assist in that happening again?

11. Concert question: Why would you sit out in the lobby during the opening act? Don’t you think you might discover a new artist that you’ve never heard before?

12. Concert question 2: What exactly are you going to do with all of those under exposed, far away photos of the singer?

13. Concert question 3: Who exactly are you texting and why is it so important to do that while sitting in a theatre with hundreds of people? You do realize you’re actually here to watch an artist that you paid a lot of money to see, don’t you?

The Trip

2010-05-03T17:47:00.003-05:00

We've been back for a week already and I still haven't gotten around to posting ANYTHING. Here we have a laptop and all now and I thought that meant I'd post on the road but not so much. Anyway, before I forget some of the details here's a brief synapsis per day:

Wednesday, April 14
- We soon discover that the trip for Jack would be happiest if we could just stay on the road so that he could discover trucks and buses that might drive by. His delighted shouts of “chuch!” and “but!” are contagious.

Thursday, April 15
- Abby upon getting our rental car: “Mom, will you be taking THIS car to work or your other car?"
-First impressions: New Orleans: Very positive. We have the kindest man with the thickest southern accent drive us to our car and explain to us how to get out of the airport and head in the direction we want to go. “The GPS will take you about 5 blocks extra.” Mobile, Alabama? Um, not so positive. The room we stayed in still makes me shudder a wee bit and the lady that cleaned our room? Missing the majority of her front teeth, top and bottom.
- We also discover that Waffle House seems to be the fast food restaurant of the South (at least the areas we visit). And thus becomes our trip game of Spot the Waffle House. Abby might not know how to read yet but she can certainly pick out a Waffle House faster than most.

Friday, April 16
-It’s best if the teams on The Amazing Race never have to stop to fill up gas in Mobile, Alabama. Try #1: Try to use the credit card at the pump. Nope, no good. Try #2: Go inside, get a magical code so that you can use the credit card at the pump. Nope, no good. Try #3: Go back inside and prepay with the credit card.
- Goodness is satellite radio a treat. J-L finds an 80s station and I a folk station. A continual lesson in compromise.
- Pensacola Beach, Florida. Some of the whitest sand I have ever seen. A beautiful sunny afternoon on the beach. I would go back to Pensacola Beach in a heartbeat.

- Day winds up in Tallahassee, Florida. A pretty, green, clean town that I would also visit again in a heartbeat.

Saturday, April 17
- Well, my, my, my. Right across the street from our hotel is an outdoor market/art show in one of the prettiest parks I’ve ever seen. I’m sure you can imagine how much I HATED that.
- Off to Savannah. Oh Savannah. I’ve been wanting to visit Savannah, Georgia ever since seeing the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil back in 1997. It does not disappoint. Stunning architecture. A city ripe with ghost stories and history. Spanish moss. Big old trees and parks dotting the city.

Sunday, April 18
- Day in Savannah and in Tybee Island, beach close to Savannah. Pretty nutty, before the age of 2 my son has seen both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (not that he’ll remember either) and before the age of 5 my daughter has played tag with waves from both of those oceans. Once again I’m reminded of how different my children’s childhood is from mine.

Monday, April 19
- The day of the lost cameras. Sigh. In the morning we have the frantic look for the little point-and-shoot camera (“Abby’s camera” except we don’t call it that because it’s just WRONG a 4 year-old having her own camera.). In the afternoon, a nature tour around the grounds of a plantation where just as we left the plantation I realize that I left my camera bag with 2 of my lenses and my flash back at our lunch spot. Thankfully, both cameras are found and we’re more careful for the rest of the trip.
- Charleston, South Carolina. Lovely city. Due to our hotel booking in Columbia, South Carolina we don’t have a lot of time in the city but we do make a point of driving around the historic district and wandering along the pier a bit and doing a wee bit of shopping in the market area.

Tuesday, April 20
- Atlanta, Georgia. World of Coca-Cola: Abby discovers a wee bit of heaven in the tasting room. Various cola products from around the world that she can taste and evaluate.

- Atlanta Braves baseball game. Pleases me that we were able to take this in. J-L got to enjoy a professional baseball game and the kids got to enjoy treats. Plus, Jack learned how to do The Chop all on his own and watching him do it (with the right arm and with the right beat) causes me to smile still.

Wednesday, April 21
- Our biggest driving day. Atlanta to New Orleans.
- A lovely break along the way: The Bellingrath Plantation and Gardens. Abby as the wedding photographer and bride. Jack: “the broom”, J-L the best man and I the flower girl. “Mom, don’t call us ‘Abby’ and ‘Jack’, call us ‘bride’ and ‘broom’.” Upon discovering a bench close to a lake: “We like to come here on dates. We sit on the bench and someone brings us lots and lots of tea.”

Thursday, April 22
- Drive up to Baton Rouge, LA. We discover that perhaps we should have done some research before heading up as we get there and realize we have no idea what’s to see in Baton Rouge. Oh well. Thankfully, we find an absolutely STUNNING plantation. (Nottoway Plantation.) The third one we’ve seen on the trip and by far the biggest and most impressive. Although, it’s tricky trying to persuade a 2 year-old not to touch the antique piano or sit in the fragile chairs.

- Supper at a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives restaurant back in New Orleans. Abby: “Mom, is Guy Fieri going to come and sit with us?”
- We also discover that it is completely possible to get lost with a GPS. Sigh. It keeps wanting to take us back to our hotel via the ferry that costs money versus the bridge that is free. We don’t know the city well enough to do it on our own entirely and didn’t bother buying a map because we have the GPS. Tiredness and frustration ensue.

Friday, April 23
- The rain she did fall. A lovely walk around The French Quarter complete with an outdoor jazz band cut short by rain. It went from 0 to pouring in less than half a block. We tried staying a bit dry by buying some rain ponchos and I think they might have kept about 4 square inches of my shirt dry. But, this is the stuff memories are made of – the four of us darting into a mall soaking wet to hide from the downpour. One minor blessing: We had tried to book and pay for a city tour for the afternoon. $60. However, the man’s credit card thingy wasn’t working so he told us just to pay when we got to the tour. We never made it to the tour. There’s just no way we could have made it, it was still about a 4 block walk and that’s the kind of rain it was. Became a bit of a joke the rest of the trip: Anytime we’d toy with spending money: “Well, we DID save that $60.”

Saturday, April 24
- 80% forecast of rain. Weather warning. Tornado watch. Severe winds. Oh boy. What to do, what to do? This was to be our day at jazz fest. Do we go? Do we not? Do I go alone? Friday there had been a 30% chance of rain and we know how THAT turned out. We decide to start out the day with a carriage tour around The French Quarter and then make a decision. (The acts we most want to see are later in the day.)
- After our carriage tour we take a wee break for some coffee (for me) and (a second round of) beignets. Oh those delicious powdery warm beignets.

- Let’s do it! What’s the worst that can happen? We get soaked. Oh well, we’ve been soaked before (granted the first time we were a little closer to the car or at the very least shelter). Abby (under her breath) as we enter the gates: “We’re going to have so much fun.” Sitting here now I’m still a little bit stunned that I’ve been to the New Orleans Jazz Fest. How cool! I got to see Simon and Garfunkle LIVE in NEW ORLEANS! I got to eat fried green tomatoes and fried chicken and a po’boy at The New Orleans Jazz Fest! I got to see my children and husband dance to their (his) favourite Red Stick Ramblers song! I got to hear some zydeco music live in the Big Easy! Now, all those exclamation marks aside? I’d still pick WFF 100 times over the jazz fest. More organized. More laid back. Cleaner. No alcohol (outside the beer tent). No litter (or at least very little). Still crowded but sitting crowded, not standing and jammed body to body in order to catch a glimpse of S&G. It’s nice to be reminded of how good we’ve got it. Oh yeah? And OUR handmade village? You can buy stuff there for $10. Nice stuff. The “handmade” “village” at the jazz fest? I didn’t see anything that was under 3 digits. But, nonetheless, a pleasing way to wrap up our trip.

Sunday, April 25
- Waking up 2 children at 3:47 am to head for the airport? Not on my list of things I was looking forward to about this trip. And yet, they were completely fine. Pleasant and awake and smiling for most of the day. Abby’s only nap was for about 5 minutes after we’d landed in Memphis and before the plane had completely stopped. She even managed to have enough energy to swim until about 9:30 that night once we’d made it to the hotel in Fargo. Wow.
- We stop at the same restaurant that we went to when we went with my sister and my mom and nieces just a few weeks prior. We stay at the same hotel. Abby and I point out to her dad various spots that she vomited (incidentally, all except for one were in proper spots such as toilets or garbage cans. I’m still rather impressed that a 4 year-old would have that much forethought) J-L (slightly teasing): Wow, Abby, I’m proud of you and all the places you vomited. Abby: I’m not proud of myself.

Monday, April 26
- We head for home. Although, not before much watersliding is done. If you were to ask Abby the highlight of her trip it would be the waterslide in the Fargo hotel. And we could have saved SO much money. Smile. Make no bones about it. This trip was not for the kids. This was a trip for the grown-ups. Someday we will take them to Disney World but while they’re too young to remember we will go to the places we want.

P.S. Abby picked out the photos for the post. If you want see more, they can all be found here.

Sweetest moment with Abby in the last couple of days

2010-04-17T22:29:00.003-05:00

The flight attendant on the airplane the other day: Wow, you're lucky. Not every little girl your age gets to go on an airplane. You'll have to tell all your friends.

Abby (looking up at me quizzically): Mom, do I have any friends?

Yes!

2010-04-15T21:04:00.002-05:00

The doctor gave me permission. J-L and I talked it over Tuesday night and we'd already decided that we'd go on some sort of trip either way. The only trouble is, most of what's drivable from Winnipeg in the amount of time we have is stuff we've already seen. Plus, any time I would think of missing the Jazz fest or packing the shorts away I would start to cry.

Thankfully, not an issue in the end. I'm still completely plugged up in my right ear but the doctor said that's just liquid that can't drain due to my sinus cold. The swelling and redness have gone down considerably and she did not consider it a danger to fly. Thank you, God!

The flights went smashingly and the kids were fine and so were my ears. We are currently in Mobile, Alabama (hit the road right from the NOLA airport - New Orleans is going to be the end of our trip). It's wonderfully warm out here and we're just catching a wee bit of Food Network before bed. Thanks for your concern and prayers.

Tomorrow? Florida!

the trip

2010-04-13T19:18:00.002-05:00

It's really hard to develop any sort of excitement or even to pack any clothes when my doctor tells me she wants to see me first thing tomorrow morning because if my ear infection is extremely red and inflamed we will have to cancel our flights. Considering I currently have the exact same feeling in my ear that I did when a walk-in doctor said "oh boy" when she looked in my ear I'm not holding my breath that we'll be flying to NO on Thursday.

And now I think I will just crawl over to the nearest corner and cry the night away.

Two guesses

2010-04-08T14:44:00.000-05:00

1. Guess whose connections hooked us up with some comp tickets to an Atlanta Braves baseball game in waaaay better seats (to the tune of twice the value) than we were planning on getting?

2. Guess who has a crazy head cold and nasty ear infection (the doctor literally said “oh boy!” when she looked into said ear) and is desperately praying that it is all cleared up before the air pressure of an airplane makes it feel as though the head is imploding?

1 week today

2010-04-07T12:58:00.003-05:00

In one week we head out on our southern adventure. In the midst of all this illness (yes, 3 out of 4 of the family are still fighting illnesses) I need to keep that in view. And, in light of that, here are our lists of things we want to do on our trip. Very curious to see how many we accomplish:

ccap’s list
1. See Spanish moss.
2. Eat a classic NO po’boy sandwich.
3. Take the Dolphin tour in Savannah.
4. Visit the Coke headquarters in Atlanta.
5. NO Jazz fest.
6. Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.
7. Walk around Savannah.
8. Wander the shops in Old Market in Charleston.
9. Long Vue House & Gardens in NO.
10. Farmer’s Market in Crescent City in NO
11. Tybee Island (20 minutes from Savannah).
12. Wander the wharf in Charleston.
13. Charleston: Rainbow Row.
14. Eat a (scratch that, several) pralines in NO.

J-L’s list
1. Visit a DDD restaurant
2. Eat some jambalaya.
3. NO jazz fest
4. See a plantation
5. Eat some gumbo
6. Walk around Savannah
7. Drink some Southern-type cocktail
8. Stay in a B&B.
9. Go to some dive NO restaurant to hear some jazz
10. Atlanta Braves baseball game

Abby’s list
1. Buy some necklaces.
2. Stay in a hotel.
3. Buy some bracelets.
4. See the dolphins.
5. Eat out.

God give us strength

2010-04-05T07:01:00.002-05:00

Jack started in on it last night at about 1 am - both ends at the same time. Thankfully there are two people caring for him... one for each end.

Two sides to my weekend

2010-04-04T18:21:00.007-05:00

Happy, happy boy. Pleasant to be with, flirting with his cousins and auntie and be delighted with his grandma. Happy to wander the halls of the hotel. Delightful to put asleep.

Sick, sick girl. Oh so very sick. Coming out of both ends at the same time. Weak and lethargic. Constant puking. A broken down mom, weeping first in the middle of the mall, then again in the hotel room and then again when I spoke with J-L. It was just so hard on me emotionally to see her like that. I lost track of how much she puked. If you ask her she'd say "37, no, 38" when she remembers her latest puke this afternoon. Basically since Thursday morning she has held down about a 1/4 of a bagel and a chicken nugget (I know, not the best thing for her but when she actually ASKED for that after not wanting any food for 2 days already I didn't even care). She has lost 3.5 pounds already and that, my friends, is over 8% of her body weight. Yes, a doctor will be visited tomorrow. The crazy thing is, her mood is unbelievable. She hasn't whined, the only time she's cried is when she has diarrhea that we then need to wipe her bum (typically by now she wipes her own bum and so the tears are due to guilt at us having to wipe it for her, poor thing). When I burst into tears at the hotel she came up to me, patted me on the back and told me that she would try not to puke anymore. Bless her little heart. I remember when I was pregnant with her and suffered with prenatal depression. I wondered if I would ever be the same again. If I would ever feel normal again. I'm starting to feel that way with her after 4 days of this: Will she ever bounce again? Will she ever beam again?

Just typing exactly what's on my brain at the moment

2010-04-01T09:56:00.002-05:00

1. I'm supposed to be at work at the moment but I'm home due to a puking daughter.
2. I'm supposed to be leaving for a wee holiday at noon. Here's hoping it still happens (see #1).
3. I saw my first springtime robin this morning which made me happier than I am able to express with words.
4. We're currently watching The Food Network. It's really the only way I know how to get Abby to stop moving outside of sleep.
5. She is tightly grasping the puke bucket as we speak.
6. Sigh. Had to stop there for a moment to hold her hair back for the latest bout. No food, just water. Could be an interesting ride to Fargo.
7. Spring always makes me think of my dad. He developed such a spring in his step this time of year. I'm dreadfully lonesome for him today. I haven't cried for due to missing him for quite some time. I did today.

Two songs and a coffee

2010-03-21T17:41:00.002-05:00

I could likely write posts that consist only about cuteness from Abby. I know YOU'D likely get bored but thing is, I need to write these down or I'll forget them. And, here's as good a place as any.

1. Me singing on my drive home from work: Finland, Finland, Finland, the country where I want to be.
Abby (earnestly from the back seat): I'd like to be there too, Mom.

2. Driving around yesterday and this comes on the cd player: So drink a toast to my Alexis/She had a heart as big as Texas.
Abby: Mom, how do you drink toast? Wouldn't it be kind of dry?

3. Apparently I drink too much Tim's coffee this time of year. Abby just walked in to the living room with her slurpee cup rim rolled up.
Abby: "Oh, please play again."

The Oscar Party

2010-03-20T17:57:00.003-05:00

For all 2 of you who have asked as well as for my memory in about 2 years' time (oh who am I kidding, 6 months down the road) when we're trying to remember who brought what and what they brought. I present The Oscar Food.

An Education

District 9

Precious

Up

Inglorious Basterds

A Serious Man

The Blind Side

Up in the Air

Avatar

The Hurt Locker

And, yes, I'm freaking impressed that we still managed to pull off all 10 (Thanks to 4 extra people with their first time contributions).

Abby

2010-03-14T17:11:00.002-05:00

It has occurred to me lately that Abby will be (no, cross that, already IS) a better mom than I am.

Exhibit #1:
A few months ago: We're on our way to do our weekly grocery shopping. Abby has asked to bring along a purse. Usually I say "no" as I'm afraid she'll lose it or forget it somewhere and Tragic Tears will ensue. But this time I let her. During our grocery shopping trip Jack throws one of his lovely (ahem) whinefests/temper tantrums. J-L and I look frantically at each other hoping the other has brought something to soothe him. Nada. Abby calmly reaches into her purse. "Here Jacky" and pulls out a wee stuffed toy that instantly calms the boy.

Exhibit #2:
About a week ago: Abby is on her way to swimming class with her dad.
Abby: Jack, come here for a second!
J-L: Come on, Abby! We have to go!
Abby: Mom, could you check Jack? I think he's had a poop.

Exhibit #3:
Just today: We're about to leave for lunch after church. Abby has about 5 pretzels in her hand (from the after-church snack table). She looks up at me: "In case Jack gets cranky at the restaurant before the food gets there."

I've been feeling like I need a break anyway, I think I'll just let her take over.

1. Know what's fun? 2. Know what's adorable?

2010-03-13T17:55:00.003-06:00

1. Planning and executing an Amazing Race game for the church youth group.

2. Hearing my English speaking daughter go to her father to ask how to say "hair" (etc.) in French then turn around and try to ask her French speaking 2 year-old cousin if she knows where her hair is in completely butchered French.

Yup, it's his favorite

2010-03-09T17:57:00.003-06:00

7 months ago:

2 months ago:

And just the other day:

He's a tad obsessed. (But, it does delight us.)

Wherein I drone on and on about movies

2010-03-02T13:16:00.002-06:00

Also known as "Wherein my husband waits for the next post - surely to be about his children again."

The Oscar party is a mere 5 days away and once again, I've made it. Even though they threw a wrench in it by doubling the playing field, I've been able to catch all TEN Best Picture nominations. And here are my scattered thoughts on them:

Avatar
Sometimes it's hard being completely unbiased about a movie and to just judge it on its own merit. This is one of those movies for me. For one thing, I don't like James Cameron. I can't completely put my finger on why but I don't. I think some of it is his cockiness. I think deep down he thinks he's King of the World when it comes to movie-making and he's just not. For another thing, this is not my genre. Not even one little bit. And for a third thing, I'm not the biggest fan of 3D. Give me a good story with character development rather than 3D or special effects. And so I'm a little bit stuck giving this movie a fair review but I'll try. When it comes to being lost in another world this movie rates quite high. When it comes to special effects this movie also rates quite high. When it comes to movies that stay with me for a long period of time this one rates quite low. I think I'd already begotten to forget about it by the time we reached our car. The storyline is sub-par at best.

The Hurt Locker
Another one that is tricky to rate entirely on its own merit. A lot of things come in to play when rating this movie. 1. It's directed by a female. That has got me enraptured - a female directing a GOOD war movie? Wow. A female that was able to bring across the testosterone filled army boys' personalities? Good for you. 2. This was the last movie on our Movie Day extravaganza. I was tired and my back was sore from sitting all day. And yet, it caught my attention. That's something in my mind. The main reason this movie would be in my Top 5 of 2009 though is that it stuck with me LONG after leaving the theatre. There are a few scenes in particular that have stayed with me for nearly 2 months after my initial viewing. The other reason this one rates so highly with me? It was a war movie. In particular a war movie based in the middle east. And YET it was NOT a movie that in any way editorialized wars. You were not leaving the theatre thinking "ra, ra, ra, let's kill those jerks" or alternately "let's never go to war again!". That was not the point of the movie and good for Kathryn for being able to pull that off.

Inglorious Basterds
Theme of this review, hey? Biases for and against directors. I've grown a bit weary of Quentin Tarantino. I used to love his work. Pulp Fiction is up there as one of my favorite movies. It was smart and funny and intense and interesting. But then came Kill Bill. Sigh. I swear, he's keeping some fake blood manufacturer in business. Which, during these financial hard times I suppose should make me feel warm and fuzzy towards him. But, not so much. So, I went into IB with a cynical/skeptical eye. I NEVER would have seen this movie except for my longstanding tradition of seeing all the best picture nominations. And yet, I'm pleased to admit, it surprised me. I honestly felt that he'd moved a bit away from gratuitous violence. There were moments but they were only that, moments. The storyline was intriguing and the characters interesting. And then came one of the final scenes. For those of you who have seen it, you know exactly the scene I'm referring to. Oh Quentin. We get your point. A whole bunch of people die and a bunch of blood is sprayed in various locales. Ooooh, you've NEVER done that before (she says, sarcastically) have you? Pre that scene this movie likely would have rated 7.5/10. Post that scene? Probably about 5.5/10.

Precious
Pros: Quite good acting on behalf of the leads in this movie. Cons: Goodness, gracious! I thought this was a true story as I was watching it and I was thinking to myself "what a horrible life this girl has had!". Know what? It's not a true story!! (Yes, that warrants a double exclamation mark that I so abhor.) Which then just makes it a horribly miserable creation out of some author's mind with little to no redeeming value whatsoever. There wasn't even some grace or hope or redemption at the end. Nope, it was just like someone set out to write a story about the very worst life that a young girl could have.

Up in the Air
Pros: I thought this was a smart movie. I found the storyline interesting. I liked that it did not feel it necessary to wrap everything in a nice little bow that is common of Hollywood. Cons: The "What's in Your Backpack?" storyline? Odd. Anna Kendrick an Oscar nomination? Are you kidding me? Her crying scene was painful to watch - and not in a good way. All in all, I MUCH preferred Jason Reitman's previous film Thank You For Smoking.

Up
My favorite part of this story without question was the relationship between the old man and his wife. It delights me still. My least favorite bit? The creepy dogs. This movie was one of my favorite movies from 2009 even though I watched it with an antsy three year-old. That being said, it is neither worthy of a best picture nomination let alone a win.

District 9
Another one of my favorite movies of the past year. There are 2 science fiction movies in the best picture nominations. This one deserves to be there. The special effects were still most impressive and yet the movie cost a whole lot less than Avatar. I was completely intrigued by this movie. I never would have seen it (as I said earlier, sci-fi is not my genre) had it not been nominated for a best picture. And yet I'm just so very glad I did. It is a completely fascinating storyline. The character development? Outstanding but understated. It's completely culturally relevant and yet it doesn't spend its time beating you to death with how you should feel about the aliens and the racism that they experience. Really the only negative thing I can think to say about this movie is that I think it should be mandatory viewing in a junior high or high school classroom as the discussions it could ensue would be timely and interesting. Problem is? It's too violent and there is too much swearing for this to work.

An Education
I loved this movie. I thought Carey Mulligan was outstanding and Alfred Molino and Peter Sarsgaard and Rosamund Pike were also very good. That's really all I have to say about that. I don't think it was the best movie of the year. I don't think it deserves a best picture nomination but I liked it nonetheless. I think in any other year (ie. when there are higher calibre movies and not 10 of them nominated) it would never be in this category. Writing and acting? Yes, possibly. But not best picture.

The Blind Side
Heh? WHATEVER is this movie doing in the best picture category? This movie was not even MENTIONED in any critic's Best Movies of 2009 list. I'm not saying it's a bad movie. No, it's not. In fact, it's the perfect movie to take your mother to on a Saturday afternoon. Even if your mother is a Mennonite lady in her 70s who has never said a curse word in her life. But, it embarrasses me that it now has a best picture nomination and of the movies noted here it is by far and away the most average/most forgettable of the bunch.

A Serious Man
I really have no review of this movie. I really have little to say. I didn't get it and in not getting it I feel rather stupid and embarrassed as it made multiple Top 10 lists of 2009. I wonder, though, if those who rated it in the Top 10 had as much trouble being unbiased as I do. Perhaps they saw that Joel and Ethan Coen made it (they of No Country for Old Men and The Big Lebowski) and automatically put it in the list.

Nice!

2010-02-27T08:23:00.002-06:00

Jack just came into the room crying a little because he'd bumped his head.

Abby: Mom, can I have some George candy to make Jack feel better?

2010-02-20T18:42:00.005-06:00

Nearly every day Abby wants to marry her brother. Some days,

he's a willing participant.

Some days...

he is not.

Two of her, one of him

2010-02-20T17:37:00.002-06:00

1. Him: Perhaps you're watching too much Olympic coverage when the resident 20 month-old stretches his arms above his head and shouts "woooo!" every time the tv goes on.

2. Her: Off to go shopping with her cousin today.

Abby: Are we going to their mall or our mall?
Me: Honey, they're the same mall.

pause

Abby: Yeah, but are we going to THEIR mall or OUR mall?
Me: Sweetie, it's the same mall!

another pause

Abby: But, MOM, which mall are we going to? Ours or theirs?

long pause combined with a sigh

Me: Theirs.

3. Her: Conversation on the same drive. She sniffles and needs a kleenex.
Me: Oh dear, honey, are you getting a cold?
Abby (very pleasantly): No, I'm just stuffed up, coughing and sniffling. I don't feel sick and I'm not getting a cold.

Well, alrighty then.

Happy sigh

2010-02-05T22:28:00.005-06:00

There are currently 14 Chinese teenagers on our main level eating junk food and playing cards and Uno and in general making happy noises.

And I couldn't be more pleased.

There are things about my personality that I am still discovering about myself but the joy I find in a houseful of guests is not one of them.

From J-L: This is why we signed up for this gig.

Edited to add: And one of them is moving into an apartment with a friend and (with P's nudging) asked me to teach her how to cook. I don't know that I even have to tell you how THAT made me feel.

Thursday Thirteen (of randomness)

2010-02-04T16:50:00.002-06:00

Sorry, Pam, I know you prefer lists that have a theme but too bad for you.

1. Conversation this morning as Abby was trying to comb tangles out of her Little Pony’s mane:
Me (sarcastically): Oh, lots of tangles. Does she whine as much as you do when they’re getting combed out?

Abby (earnestly, seriously): No, she’s a stuffed animal.

2. Jack spilled a cup of coffee all over himself last night. Thankfully, it was one that had been sitting for awhile and wasn’t too hot. He cried but more from the shock and the wetness than anything I think. But, it was definitely odd cuddling a 20 month-old who smelled of coffee.

3. Our tickets are booked for our trip. Clicking that "complete booking" link is a tad nerve-wracking but once it’s clicked? Oh the delight.

4. Three tickets from Winnipeg to New Orleans? $2,400. Three tickets from Minneapolis to New Orleans? $1,300. Needless to say, we’re making the drive.

5. Speaking of our trip: The discovery that we both wanted to go to New Orleans happened during a Red Stick Ramblers concert during Folk Fest. Know what’s cool? We’re going to go hear them when we’re down there.

6. Tonight we’re going out for one of our international student’s birthdays. No cooking supper on a weeknight? Very cool.

7. The fact that we have a gift certificate (that I won) that will cover the entire cost of the 6 of us eating out at a nice restaurant? Even more cool.

8. She’s also having friends over for cake tomorrow night and this delights me as well as it will be the first time she’s had company over to our house since she’s been here and it just means she’s coming out of her shell a bit and feeling comfortable in our home.

9. We really like her and we hope she comes back next year. Truth is, we want her brother back next year too.

10. We bought a brand new laptop last week. I jokingly said before buying it that it was to save our marriage as J-L can be a wee bit of a computer hog. I thought it would increase my computer usage exponentially. Not so much. No question about it, my vice is much more the tv.

11. Oscar nominations came out this week (for those of you not completely obsessed with movies). This year they have decided to have 10 best picture nominations. I think that’s dumb. (That’s right, "dumb". I’ve been studying the dictionary a lot lately so my vocabulary is most impressive.) I think it completely diminishes those films actually deserving of a nomination.

12. Although, as much as I make it a rule to see all the best picture nominations and as much as I love the Oscar party I host every year I actually put very little weight on the awards themselves.

13. For example, Sandra Bullock was nominated for an Oscar this year (and is favoured to win), the very same year she was nominated for a Razzie (an award show that salutes the very worst that Hollywood has to offer). It wasn’t for the same movie but still, I think that proves my point a little.

Bonus: I saw a bumper sticker that is making me smile several hours later: "Honk if you’re Amish."

Sigh

2010-01-21T19:37:00.002-06:00

And then one day my 4 year-old daughter says "today at lunch I had a sandwich..."

And I feel like my world just stopped and a little tear comes to my eye.

For about two years now it's been "sanch" to the point that I've (accidentally) ordered a sanch in a restaurant only to have the waitress stare at me with a puzzled look on her face.

What's next to go, opano (oatmeal)?