Off duty for the day

I had a great weekend. Friday Darren and I went to the spa, very relaxing. Saturday I went shopping with some good friends and then out to dinner with a different group of friends. I was off duty from parenting on Saturday for most of the day. It is great to have Darren step in and take care of everything. He did an amazing job with Jade and Nate and he managed to create some special memories with them. I am really grateful for the time I had to hang out with good friends and really happy to have a man in my life that is such a great Dad to our kids.

Finger painting...water and sand.

Letter to Santa

Nathan and I sat down and typed his first letter to Santa. When it was complete Nate walked out to the mail box, Daddy lifted him up, Nate slid the letter in the slot and sent it on its way.

Here is the typed part. We decorated the finished letter with stickers and Nathan wrote his name. Great job Nate!

Dear santa

My name is Nathan garry Mallette. I am 4.

Oghsdfqwyyzsbz

I would like for Christmas some Batman toys. I want a lot of toys. My sister is rough all day, no she is not. Just kidding.

Bryquopikfc KFC is so yucky and taco bell.

I aqrg zxiojhgfdsabcvvzxas

We will have some treats for you and your reindeer when you visit Christmas Eve. Have a save trip.

How old are you Santa?

Are you 8?

Gmvxdfkc

Are you 7?

I think you are 6.

Love Nathan m

I have said before that preschool was a great experience for Nate but I am not sure if I have mentioned how great it was for me. I was lucky enough to meet a group of women with kids the same age as Nate. They have turned into great friends and an excellent support group when days are a little rougher with parenting.
This past Saturday the group got together for "Pub night". Tons of food, great conversation and good laughs. So much fun!

I am feeling very happy that we have settled into a good routine at home and with school. The kids are both doing well. Jade has been spending time with Nate lately and their relationship has really improved. Nate seems to have gotten over most of his roughness and they can play, read and enjoy each other. It is a great day when the kids are both happy together.

The switch...

On October 28th Nate made the switch to morning JK class. It has turned out to be an excellent move. The first week was a little rough but Nate has now settled down and is doing very well. Yesterday when I picked Nate up from school the teacher said "Nate had his BEST day ever!" I was so excited...we went home and baked a chocolate cake and Nate and Jade decorated it to celebrate.
Today was another great day. The teacher wrote a note and said "....great morning...more focused, attentive and helpful....."
I am so proud and excited for Nate.

First school bus ride

Big day for Nate today. It was his first school field trip and I was lucky enough to go along. Nate got to ride on the school bus for the very first time and that was a thrill.

We also started working on his pencil grip and writing and today at school he called his teacher over and wrote the letter "A". He was very proud.

Victory on skates

Big day for Nate today. He stood up on the ice on skates and walked a little bit. Today was his third lesson and he has been feeling very nervous and anxious so far. The last couple of lessons he has only sat on the ice and has had some tears. Today was a victory for him. He came home SO proud and happy. Well done Nathan!

The price of groceries in our area has risen. As a result the contributions to the food bank this year have been slow but the need has increased by 8%. Wow. This reminds me how grateful we should be to have a grocery cart of food every week. It also reminds me that I have the task of teaching my children that not everyone is as lucky as we are and we need to help towards making a difference in our community. Definitely something for us to think about as a family with Christmas approaching.

Get the crap out of the Creek

Darren did a great thing for the community and organized the "Get the Crap Out of the Creek" event. It was a day where friends in the community got together to clean up the ravine that is behind our street. The day was a great success. The weather was beautiful, we got lot's of stuff removed from the ravine and we hung out with friends. It was also a good opportunity to teach our kids about being responsible for the environment and taking care of nature. I felt really proud of Darren and really happy to be involved.

First Day of school

School has officially started for Nate. Friday was his first day and he did very well. I am starting to think that kids hold up better than their parents. I do admit I had a few small tears after dropping him off, hard to see your baby grow up. Darren took the day off so he was able to be there and meet the teacher and see Nate after school. Unfortunately it was a very rainy day so when we arrived at the school Nate went straight in instead of playing in the school yard. He brought cupcakes with him to share with friends and to celebrate his birthday so that was fun and he really enjoyed the story the teacher read for him. All in all the day was good...we will see how the following week goes and hope that he really enjoys the experience.

Nate just before Starting school and fourth Birthday

Nate starts his first day of kindergarten tomorrow. Big day for him. I am very glad Darren has taken the day off so he can go to the school with us. We are hoping for a good transition, a nice teacher and lot's of new friends.

Info about Nate and his special ways ( I love to write these things down and look back on it later):

His favourite food is spaghetti with cheese and no sauce.

His favourite drink would be chocolate milk or pop. Both he only gets very rarely.

His favourite book is Little Critters.

His favourite song is All Summer Long by Kid Rock.

His favourite friends to play with are Jacob Crowley, Curtis Walker, Sam Goguen and Matteo.

Nate likes to sleep with his Shecky and sheepies.

Favourite TV show is Scooby Do.

Favourite super hero is Spider man.

Favourite Toy is Thomas trains and Spider man and Batman toys.

Nate likes to be independent but makes sure to get hugs and kisses from all the family before they leave the house or at his bedtime.

He has TONS of energy and is a great little runner.

11 years young

Eleven years old. Wow...Jade is really growing up. I am very proud of her. She is growing into an amazing young woman. Happy birthday sweetie!

Summer smile pics

Summer pics that make me smile

Summer pics that make me smile.

Birthday parties

September is an exciting time in our house. Both our kids have birthdays. Jade's 11th friend birthday celebration was camping and we had two tents set up in the back yard to accommodate nine kids. We had a barbecue, camp fire, craft, movie on the patio with the projector and sparklers. The girls went to bed around 11pm and slept through the night in the tents. The morning started with pancakes, sausage, fruit, and bacon. Good reviews from the kids. Lot's of work but thankfully I had Emma and Darren helping.

Nate had his fourth birthday celebration with his friends at a place called Tiny Hoppers. We had ten friends who attended. Nate behaved very well and really enjoyed the party. The theme was Scooby Do.

It was great fun to see both kids growing up and enjoying friends. Nate has struggled a little socially but seems to have now got past being rough and has learned to interact better with the other kids. I am very proud of both kids and so glad to have both parties done.

Summer is almost over....

The summer is almost over. Wow...it went so FAST.

Last week we rented a cottage in Quebec and we were blessed with great weather. A couple of our close friends rented cottages in the same location so we had lot's of people to hang out with. The highlight for me was the last day at the beach. Nate finally got into the water and he loved it (big accomplishment because we have been trying all summer). Jade was in the water and the rest of the gang including Emma. So much fun relaxing and throwing the ball. I loved it. Peaceful, relaxing, warm and fun. Good times and good memories.

Cottage life

We are just back from a trip to the family cottage on lake Nipissing. It was an adventure this year. Nate was very ill with strep throat and Darren, Jade and I all caught it. Even with the illness the trip to the cottage was a great week. The setting is very peaceful and beautiful. What a different simpler world. It was very nice to be without TV, phones and computers for a little while and to concentrate on what is important...family.

Big thanks to Garry and Helen for sharing their week with us.

New tattoo

I haven't said much about it because for some reason it seems to make me blush like a teenager. Darren has a new tattoo with the letter C. It is very sweet and I feel honoured that he would do that for me.

Garden pics from July

The garden is doing great and I am really enjoying it.

Strong man competition

Darren had a competition this past weekend. It was the first competition that I have seen this year and it was very exciting. Darren did excellent and tied for 2nd place. It was lot's of fun to cheer him on with Jade and great fun to see his excitement for doing something her loves.

Spider man

Spider man obsession is in full swing with our little man. Very cute! He has spider man PJ's, a red cape and sunglasses that he has been wearing for the last two days. He has worn the outfit out shopping and to soccer practise. He is getting lot's of big smiles from everyone that sees him. Very cute!

Canada Day 2008

Canada day.

Darren and I took the kids to Petrie Island for the Canada day festivities. What a great day. I am SO glad we went. We ran into some friends from Nate's preschool so he was able to hang with a little buddy. Nate did some of his first midway rides and had cotton candy for the first time. Jade got involved with the fire fighter demo and got to spray the big hose. Very cool!

In the evening we had some friends over for a barbecue. Weather was great and it was really nice to sit outside and enjoy the company of friends. Excellent day!

End of school

I am late posting but I thought I should say a little about the end of school. Better late than never.
Grade five has come to an end for Jade and preschool is finished for Nathan. Jade was thrilled for summer break...Nathan was not. Nate was on a wave of difficult behaviour with the end of school. I am sure it was related to the end of preschool and not understanding completely what was going on. There was talk about school's next year and missing friends. Nathan really does better when he has a schedule and knows what he can expect every day. Change does not come easy.
Preschool was a great experience for Nathan and for me. Socially it was great to meet Mom's with kids the same age and that are going through the same issues. For Nathan he learned so much...he lost some of his shyness and made some great buddies. We will miss preschool.
Jade had a great year at school. Her first year in the gifted program. Her report was great. It was a big change from her last school but she did an excellent job of getting involved and moving forward.

Little Toes

The day started early with Nate climbing into bed with us at 5:45am. While I was lying there I thought about the feel of Nate's warm little toes touching my legs. What a good feeling that really is and how lucky I am.

Anniversary

I am not a believer in soul mates but I am a woman deeply in love with a great man.

Darren and I have been married for seven years. I feel loved and cared for when I am with him. He is an honest, kind genuine man with a good soul.

As the years go by I learn more about him and lately one of the things that I have noticed is that he really takes in the world and sees things. Spending time with Darren in nature is always a discovery...he sees the beauty in the world around him and he takes the time to be in the moment.

This weekend we spent some time away just the two of us. It was nice to have conversations, share laughs and share silence together. Just being together and focusing on us.

I am looking forward to more great memories and times together ...until then I will enjoy just the "Being" of us together in the present. Life is good.

(Above is a pic of us in Jamaica the week we got married).

Spring and Mothers day

Spring is here and I have disappeared from my blog. Not unusual for those that know me....I love to garden and this is prime time.

This year gardening is different for me...not such a crazy need to get it done but more of an enjoyable time in nature. I am taking the time to watch the growth and to feel the aliveness. I am spending the time in the garden not just in body but in my mind as well.

Mothers day was last week and the day was very special. I felt very loved from the moment I woke up.The day was filled with special moments and memories with my family.

I took some time in the afternoon on Mothers day to lie on a blanket in the backyard and watch the birds. I fell asleep on the grass with a pillow that Jade made for me and the breeze lightly blowing the trees. What a wonderful nap and what a great experience.

The whole day was great!

Spring is Here!

I find this time of year very exciting when the green in the garden is revealed as the snow slowly melts away. The sun is different in its intensity and the energy level outside it growing. My gardening urge is building and I look forward to getting my hands in the dirt and losing myself in the plants. Today was one day closer as we started the spring backyard cleanup.

Info on the little Man

Many moons ago when Jade was young I took the time to write down some of her favourite things. Nate is now at that age and I think it will be fun to look back for him as well in a couple of year.

Favourite TV show: Max and Ruby

Favourite colour: Purple

Favourite toy: Shecky the turtle. He has been everywhere with us and always sleeps with Nate.

Favourite thing to do: Have a hot dog finger picnic on the living room floor. Complete with invitations and a picnic blanket.

Favourite Book: Any Thomas the train book.

Favourite clothes: Any shirt that has Spiderman on it. He has been told he has to wait until he is ten years old to get the movie and he reminds me often about shopping for it when he turns that magical age.

Favourite music: The Tragically Hip

Favourite place to go: Granny and Grandpa's, to play Thomas at the mall or the dollar store to shop for vampire teeth.

First play date without Mom: At Sam Goguen's house from preschool.

Awakening

I have been feeling a connection to nature for a while...a connection that I don't really understand with my logical mind but a connection that I sense with my being. I feel the connection when I am gardening, walking in the woods, sitting among the trees or spending time with my dog. I feel a peace, a happiness a calming of spirit and a hush of the ever present thoughts. This feeling I have discovered can come into the rest of my life when I remain present and focused.

This poem really moved me:

“Lost” by David Wagner:
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying, Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still.
The forest knows where you are.

March break illness

March break activities came to a grinding halt for our family on Monday evening. Nathan woke up with the croup. The importance of his breathing, fever, food intake, vomiting and how to successfully give him medicine took over from all our planned activities. Darren and I have gone back to the baby stage with Nate where we are getting up every night to take care of his needs; we are now on day six. Not to be to left out Jade has joined the ranks of the ill also battling a fever and bad cough. Definitely an illness that her brother shared. School starts tomorrow and the question of whether they will return is still up in the air. I have my fingers and toes crossed. It is difficult to keep a busy three year old entertained and the return to school and his friends would be great.

As I am typing this blog my busy boy is running around behind me opening and closing every door in site. Desperate for attention and to burn some of that wild boy energy. Maybe he is getting better...the ENERGY is back.

First day of March break

The weather has been crazy with snow. The weekend was spent digging out. I was very lucky to have Darren home so I did not have to handle it alone and even luckier to have the use of the neighbours snow blower. All the neighbours came together and worked well making sure the driveways were cleared. Not an easy task.

Today I had the mission of entertaining Nate for the first day of the March break. Jade was at a babysitting course. Nate and I started at the pet store checking out the animals and searching for frogs. Then we went to the mall and Nate played at the indoor play ground. His behaviour has improved so much and he played very well with all the kids. When we got home a message was waiting for us inviting Nate to a play date at his friend Sam's. Nate's first play date without Mom. Very exciting! Wow...growing up. Sam's Mom is fantastic with kids so it was a good date for him with her very capable guidance. Big thanks to Shelley!

After Nate's play date Darren, Nate, Bear and myself went into the ravine for a nice walk. Darren pulled Nate on the sled. Nate was so tired from all his fun that he fell asleep sitting up in the sled. So cute! At one point we had to get him out of the sled to walk and he was walking with his eyes closed because he was so tired. He was happy...just played out. A great start to the March break for Nate and an early bedtime.

This evening I took Jade to a movie. It was good to focus on Jade and have some fun together. The kids are growing up fast.

Hip

What a great weekend!
Roberta, Mike, Darren and myself went to Kingston Ontario to see the Tragically Hip in concert. It was the opening of the new stadium and a big celebration for Kingston. The concert was fantastic! Really fun. Dan Akroyd was there and came out during one of the last songs to play the harmonica. The stadium is fairly small which was a great way to see the Hip.
We also found a good pub to hang out at before and after the concert and we went to dinner at a fantastic restaurant. One of the highlights of the trip was staying in a hotel and sleeping in. That is a big deal when you have young kids.
Big thanks to Emma for taking great care of the kids so we were able to go away and not worry. The kids had lot's of fun hanging out with Emma and having all of her attention.
Great weekend!

Baby Alexander is doing well. I had the chance to hold him for the very first time yesterday. What an amazing thing to hold a new born baby. Beautiful, fragile, strong, determined little one. Such a mix of all the great human qualities.

Nathan met his cousin for the first time. He was busy making funny faces at him and was a little concerned that Mommy was holding Alexander a little longer than what he would like. The feeding thing was a wonder to Nathan...it is not the way he gets his food...life is a big mystery when you are three.

David and Oksana are doing ok but TIRED! They are learning as they go along and loving their son like crazy. When you see your child for the first time...life changes...your heart fills.

As for me...life is great. I really am one of the lucky ones. I have healthy beautiful kids, I am deeply in love with my husband, I like my job and our little world is stable.

Baby Alexander

A big family welcome to the new arrival. David and Oksana had baby Alexander today. I was lucky enough to take a trip to the hospital to see him. Very cute! Oksana is doing well but very tired. I wish them all the happiness!

Snow day so no bus pick up for Jade. That turned into a plus for us because it gave Jade and I time to spend together without Nathan. We went for a hike in the ravine and it was beautiful. We were lucky enough to spot the beaver and we spent some time watching him. The Beaver was swimming in the -10 temp and coming up out of the water with ice all over him. It was really fun to watch and really amazing how the animal survives in the freezing temperature.

(Cliff's pic)

Darren is traveling this week so I am doing the parenting gig solo. I took the opportunity today to talk to Jade about growing up and changes that she is going through. The conversation did not go well so I dropped it. At bedtime she gave me a hug an apologized for being upset about me talking to her about growing up. She confessed that she does not want to grow up and I sensed that she is fearful of all the changes. Definitely a difficult time in a child's life when they start to approach being a teenager. I can truthfully say I am a little fearful about it as well.

the kids

Short bragging notes on the kids:

Jade: I am so proud of her for stepping out of the comfort zone and trying a new sport. She had her first volleyball class on Sunday and she loved it.

-Jade also got the highest mark in her class on her last math test. That is a huge achievement since the class is a congregated gifted class. Good job girl!

Nate: He has graduated to a booster seat. Very exciting to get him out of the baby seat and he is thrilled with his new position close to the window. Small steps but exciting.

-Nate has really developed in swimming class and is now actively participating. He is the little boy in the class to keep an eye on though because he likes to do his own thing. Nate looks forward to swimming class every week, that in itself is a big deal.

60

My Dad never made it to 60. Three of my siblings never made it either. Did they live their lives the way they wanted and were they happy?
Sixty. That number has been on my mind lot's this week as we celebrate Helen's birthday. The more I think of it the more I think what a celebration it really is. I hope I get the opportunity to see my children grown and to hold my grand children.
I feel like I am on the right track. I truly enjoy my life am looking forward to the next 24 as being very content times. Living my life with gratitude, caring for myself and those I love....can only lead to good things. The future is looking bright!

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as if everything is". Albert Einstein.

I have made some new friends through Nate's preschool and feel very lucky to have crossed paths with Karla. I am so impressed with how she works through every day with her little guy who has asperger's disorder.
For most of the kids going back to school is an exciting time to see their friends again but for her little man it is a stress and something that he really does not want to do. Karla does not force the issue but works with him to find a compromise. This week she has been taking him to school and waiting in the cloak room for him. Amazing woman and what a caring Mom. Most of the Mom's I know are busy catching up with their friends and taking a couple breathing moments for themselves but Karla is still focused on Chris and is working hard to make him comfortable and adjusted. Well done Karla...you are a fabulous Mom.

2008.

I had the good fortune to escape with Darren to the spa this evening and in the quiet I thought about what I would like to do in 2008.

-Learn to live in the moment

-Remain grateful

-Find the secret to being content which I believe is probably in the above as well as through meditation.

-Reflect and appreciate.

Pretty deep list...well I am a deep individual!

Happy New Year everyone and keep reaching for your happiness.