Happy New Year!

       

Happy New Year!  Marking the end of the holiday season,   we embrace the coming New Year with hope and vigour!  A time to grasp possibility, to conquer the vices that taunt us – to make the all-popular and unavoidable New Year’s Resolution.   

Every year, we reflect on the year behind us and think of ways to improve ourselves. Then I remember the resolutions I made this time last year, then promptly forgot, and now feel lousy about as I can’t even keep a promise to myself!

“Mom, where’s my coat?”, “Do I have to wear that?”, “Stop looking at me!”, “Get out of the way!”, “Where’s my other shoe?”; “Kids get your coats on!”, “Don’t torment your Sister”, “Can you please be careful on the stairs”, “Why don’t you have a coat on?”, “Seriously people!! Can you...I said....BE CAREFUL....THAT’S IT!”. From here, I yell, in an effort to prevent injury, facilitate compliance and by some miracle, get us out of the house.  I truly believe that shuttles are put into orbit with less volume and agitation than what is required for us to get out of the house. Enter...New Year’s resolution/guideline number one.

1.      Making an extra effort to spend less time, doing what I call, “compliance shouting”.  My highly raised Mommy voice takes over after asking the kids to do something (or not do something) over and over and over! I’ve been so confused and mesmerized,  I’ve questioned whether or not it’s I that has the problem. “I did ask them to get ready didn’t I?”, “Did I not say you don’t have hot lunch today?” – No wait! – Maybe they really can’t hear me? Could they have something wrong with their hearing? Should I take them to have their hearing checked? – Wrong again- they really are just tuning me out. I could get more of a response from the gyproc on the walls. Increasing my volume level seems to be the only way to break through, yet, it does have a certain level of guilt accompanied with it. However, I will try to improve on this area keeping in mind, there are situations out of my control – i.e. spending two hours cleaning the kitchen only to find the kids fed the neighbourhood while I was taking a pee!! Shrieks of disbelief and despair are inevitable

2.      I do seem to ask a lot of pointless questions: “Did you brush your teeth?”, “Why are all the lights in the house on?”, “Are you wearing clean underwear and socks?”, “Where are all the spoons gone?”  “Do you think it’s a good idea to wipe boogers on the wall?” Perhaps a better approach would be, “Go brush your teeth.”, start charging them for electricity, let the underwear disintegrate from their bodies; encourage the consumption of more finger foods, eliminating the need for utensils all together while providing a consistent supply of tissues at all bedsides!

3.      In an effort to be more pro-active, I will instruct the children to tidy their rooms on a regular basis; instead of waiting until the rooms resemble the aftermath of nuclear warfare! (At one time teetering on the edge of obsessive compulsive tidying, I have come to terms with the cluttered, organized and structured chaos that has become my life).

4.       I should make more of an effort to have a girl’s night!  A night when us Mom’s can head out and just be us.  No bums to wipe, laundry to fold... a few hours to be free. Free to speak without wondering what little ears are listening and enjoy the camaraderie of others who feel the exact same way!  There are only so many conversations I can have about Lego’s, how playdoh really is good for you and the importance of routinely washing your hands. Then there’s the same old arguments over Star Wars figures, when there’s a bucket full in the closet.  At some point, between cheese sticks and Fruit Loops I wonder what is happening in the world beyond my kitchen.  I’m too tired most evenings to watch the news, would prefer a shower to reading the news paper (when I have a free minute), and most of my daily conversations are with individuals ten years and younger

5.      Then, there’s the gym! I have on ongoing love/hate relationship with gym!  And, let’s face it, I may never lose that last ten pounds! On three separate occasions my body has housed and baked children. As a result, I now exercise three-four times a week in an effort to restore my body to some resemblance of its former self.  I won’t lie, there are days I have no more interest in hitting the gym than I do in hugging a wasp nest. Yet, I go, have a terrific workout and always feel better.  Some workouts are to simply tune out the world around me. While others contain all the ingredients of me not being able to walk up stairs properly the next day! However, the old “fat” pants just can’t seem to fully disappear from my wardrobe.  Whether I’m PMS’ing  or suffering the aftermath of an evening of wings and nachos, those evil fat pants are both incentive and demise! Sometime this year, they will be gone!

6.      Now that I think about it, things are generally not too shabby around here! Homework gets done (though sometimes at the last minute), most days the kids leave the house in a presentable state (a certain level of grass stains are acceptable), we get to hockey, swimming and gymnastics in a safe and timely manner. It’s my three little munchikins cuddled on the couch, then the sweet foreheads we kiss goodnight. The small stuff? Don’t sweat the spilled milk, broken zipper, or the laundry that has to get folded...it’s the tea party with my Tinker Bell Princess and her Storm Trooper brothers that matter the most.

Where does that leave me with my new year’s resolution?  There’s no doubt we all have room for improvement – I, will forever be a work-in-progress.  Still, I don’t think I’ll be sticking to one, absolute resolution.  For every test, practice, and recital or for every page coloured, bed made, and shoe tied; I’m always telling the kids to simply have fun and do their best!  So why not the same for me! (I’ll just be sure to have a stash of candy on-hand for emergency purposes). 

2011? Bring it on!

Merry Christmas!

Well, here we are.  Christmas Eve. We made it, we survived, and we live on to tell the tale.  If by now you’re still on Santa’s naughty list, it’s probably too late; However, he has been known to make some last minute adjustments.  I’m told that while leaving Santa the traditional milk and cookies makes the jolly guy whistle, it’s the extra little thought that has him singing a song.  Something homemade like cranberry crumble or white chocolate kisses!

Today we’ve family and friends visiting, partaking in gift opening, good food, some more good food and ending with lots of great food!  While Mother Nature hasn’t been quite as forth coming with the wintery weather, I’m still holding out for a little dusting of snow.  Still, if not, the Christmas spirit is in full-force with my three little kiddies who are beaming with excitement!  

I have to admit, seeing their smiles and hearing them talk about Santa, flying Reindeer  and the logistics of the North Pole warms my heart.  Though my boys are getting older, they still have that twinkle in their eye as they tell their little sister of flying around the world, magic Sleighs and “helper” Santa’s that visit the malls before Christmas.  

As they say, Christmas is more than just a feeling, it’s a state of mind!  I wish you and your families a wonderful Holiday!  Best wishes in the New Year! Merry Christmas!

T’was the night before Christmas at our little house

As the company was stirring, even that mouse!

The kiddies were dashing and laughing with glee

With the visions of presents they told Santa on his knee.

Round the room smiling faces, chocolate cookies and mugs

Filled with egg nog, some soda, the grown-ups chug-a lug!

We cheer, “Merry Christmas! How was that for a year!”

As we bid them good night, Santa’s sleigh bells I hear.

“The jolly ole guy is coming!”, we say

As carrots, milk and cookies are put on display!

Wash up, brush your teeth, then hop into bed.

Santa’s sleigh’s coming through the nor’easter straight ahead.

Three little sweethearts tucked in warm and tight

As we kiss each small forehead, wishing them goodnight.

The presents then tucked gently under the tree

Puts an end to the holiday shopping spree.

Have a very merry Christmas, with all warm and bright

Happy Holidays to all, and to all, goodnight!

Offsides

“SKATE! SKATE! SKATE!! - C’mon by’!! –  Get em, go, go go!!”  -  sweet mother ! “Easy killer”, I think to myself.  “Go Tristan, get him!”, she hollers again and again! It’s the first period of my son’s hockey game, and I seem to have positioned myself in front of a woman who insists on a play-by-play for her son (who’s on the opposing team).

First period, six minutes in, her continued “support” is now starting to grate on my nerves.  By the second period, I’m hoping Tristan gets it together so that his mother might be quiet.  However, no such luck. I sit quietly, uttering the occasional “Oooo”, “Oh!”, “Good try”, when my brain is yet again rattled by, “SKATE! SKATE! SKATE!!!!!!”

In all fairness, what else is the kid going to do?  Skip?  Pirouette? Do cart-wheels? Of course he’s going to skate! It’s an ice rink, he’s wearing skates! Sweet jingles!!  By the third period, the score was 6-1 for the opposing team.  I knew it (as I can read the score board) and the entire building new it, thanks to crazed hockey mom perched behind me.  Occasionally, I would turn around to see if direct eye contact would have any effect. Perhaps she did not realize she was being so overbearing.  

I had debated asking her to tone it down a little.  However, thought it best to keep my mouth shut as she began to growl once the score got closer to a tie.   I`ll be honest, she was getting on my last nerve!  Did she not realize that all the other on-lookers were staring at her?  That this version of parental support was annoying, disruptive, not to mention detrimental to the reputation of the hockey mom!

One of my current favourites, mother approaches son’s hockey coach, explains that the goalie needs improvement.  The best solution she could see, was to provide said goalie with an ear piece and her with it’s counter-part.  From the mezzanine she would “instruct” team goalie throughout the game.  Now! I ask you, what kind of reaction time do you think an eight-year-old has?  Did she honestly think the coach would embrace this idea? A suggestion that questioned his coaching ability and in my opinion, falls into the “are you serious?” category.  

At the end of the day people, I ask you...what happened to taking pride in watching your child have fun, to see them feel good about his/herself,  to just sitting back and letting them be part of team without squawking at them from the sidelines.  I wonder how Tristan felt having his mom yelling out at him the entire game? Not quite the confidence booster I was thinking of.

So tomorrow, like every other  8am Saturday of the season, we’ll pile gear and kids into the mini-van, suit up, sit with hot chocolate and enjoy a good old game of hockey!

Tree-trimming!

The Annual St. John’s Downtown Christmas Parade generally marks the countdown to Santa at our house.  Each year we bundle up the little ones and make our way toward Water Street, perching at that perfect spot.  A spot, close to restrooms, and Ziggy`s French fries, with plenty of viewing room for the kids!( got to be able to see the “big guy”!)

This year, my younger boy was walking in the parade with my sister and her two daschunds (who where dressed as reindeer!  Too cute).  He was so excited and proud to be part of the festivities.  He’d watched his older brother last year, now the torch had been passed to him.  So, we settled in with stools to sit on, baggies of popcorn, juice boxes, cookies and a coffee, ready for some holiday fun. 

The parade is filled with dancers, clowns, floats, and music – the street is lined with little kids and big kids, all with smiling faces.  How can you not.  My daughter who’s three is in awe!  “Look Mommy!”, “Mommy! LOOK!” – Even her nine-year old brother has a super grin when they pass their letters for Santa to the Postal Carriers.  Then down the road, we spot the brother, proudly marching along with doggy in tow.  He is so adorable! We shout and wave, he comes by for a high-five and a wink and off he goes keeping pace with the others.  By far one of those warm and fuzzy mommy moments I love!

Christmas is a great time of year.  I love the decorations, the music, decorating gingerbread houses, planning parties, the family traditions that are carried on and those we’ve started with our own family.  It’s the little kids and their amazement. “Where’s the North Pole?”, “How does Santa get down the chimney?”, “Does Rudolph’s nose take double “A” batteries?”.  Even as my boys get older, I still see the twinkle in their eye as they carefully calculate the items for their Santa letters.  

This weekend we’ll be breaking out the holly, bows and all the trimmings required.  With any luck all the lights on the tree will illuminate first try. Then again, who am I kidding.  It wouldn’t be Christmas if daddy or I didn’t zap ourselves at least once; be it the tree or the wreaths in the windows, one of us always and without fail, gets electrocuted.   

So, if you are like me and just starting your holiday decorating, here is our Tree Trimming Top 10 List:

1.        Have polysporin and bandaids on hand

2.       Cold compresses for the hot flashes

3.       Scope out all flyers for suitable pre-lit Christmas trees before tree construction begins

  (Make sure they are instock)

4.       In the event your tree is an unlit nightmare of minilights, refer to list item #4, taking immediate action

5.       Delegate all family members a specific task (involving non-breakable items)

6.       Remember, Santa is watching. No muttering of profanities and eye rolling should be kept at a minimum. You are having fun!

7.       Christmas music should be played at an abnormally loud level.

8.       It is perfectly normal to act your shoe size, not your age.

9.       Hugs and kisses should be at an all time high

10.   Enjoy every moment!