Archive for January, 2008
We had another day at home, none of the usual running around, I didn’t go to the gym. A locksmith came over for a couple of hours in the morning but he seemed to be more entertaining than anything else. What was really cool is we got to talking (he and my daughter go to the same awesome naturopath and his wife is a massage therapist) and he’s interested in homeschooling his children. Well, then I ended up talking his ear off and sent him away with two books.
The kids and I got so much done. Fuss is working on a winter sports lapbook and we accomplished a few activities out of that. He also made a really cute pinecone skier. He’s been playing with it all afternoon.
Bug did a fine motor activity using clothespins and a listening activity.
And, they both ate. I feel that days spent at home are consumed with cooking and preparing meals and snacks. “Can I have this, this, and this???”
Bug, who is fascinated with the fish tank dumped a bunch of Lego into it tonight so the evening was spent fishing (pun intended) it all out.
And here Fuss is again as I type - hoping for a yogurt. Off I go…
Enjoying the journey! Amanda
January 22nd, 2008
So, its 11:15 and Fuss is still running around the kitchen like a crazy man. I’m trying to clean up and watch a few webisodes of The Scrapbook Lounge. I get to a point where he can be up but I will no longer interact with him. It would not appear that I can be boring enough for him, he continues to want to ‘be with me’.
So tonight, after I’d started my non-interaction technique, he asks me if I’m afraid of the dark. ‘No’ I answered with no small hint of cross-ness.
However, thinking about it, I AM afraid of the dark. I hate it. So does Bug and apparently so does Fuss.
When we were in England for the summer of 06, we stayed at a 400-year-old thatch-roof cottage. It was in a tiny village with neighbours, but it was miles before even a glimpse of a shop or pub. It was very dark at night.
I slept with all the bedroom lights on!
Colin thought I was totally nuts, but I was frightened. Mostly fine with the lights on, not so good in the dark. Okay - even with the lights on I waited for morning with great anticipation!
Even in my own home I either fall asleep with a light or the tv on. If it’s totally dark, my mind starts to wander and I don’t like where it goes. Self doubt, curiosities about my health, etc…all creep in.
So, I lied to my son! However, perhaps this is one area that protecting a child from adult insecurities is not necessarily a bad thing. But, perhaps I wont be so flippant the next time he mentions that monster under his bed, because the monster is under mine as well!
Enjoying the journey, Amanda
January 22nd, 2008
After music, Fuss asked if we could go to Starbucks (a huge part of our lives) so he could have a lemon poppy seed loaf and a vanilla steamer. Fine, great! I certainly was aching for a coffee.
After our treat I really wanted to pick up the latest copy of Rachel Ray’s magazine (I don’t like her, but her magazine has some nice recipes in it). I told Fuss he could pick up the latest copy of Highlights. Of course it wasn’t there, but on the table by the magazines, the books were all $5 or less. A large book on pirates looked up at me. I was able to very, very easily distract him with that. He happily carried it to the check-out, waited for it, and carried it to the car with great anticipation.
On the way home, he was flipping through the pages, oohing and ahhing over the photos, which were lovely. (It’s an adult history book, not a kids book.) I was just about to tune out his yabbering when I noticed something (I felt a bit like the grinch hearing the happy whos after he stole all the presents)….he was sounding out words phonetically.
Oh my goodness!!!!
I was beside myself I was so excited. We haven’t even worked on phonics!
It’s like that homeschooling lightbulb that goes on sometimes and you realise you are doing the right thing.
On a personal note, I just got a HUGE (really, really huge) box of scrapbooking supplies in the mail. I’m waiting very anxiously for the kids to go down so that I can spend time pouring over every little thing. Yay for me!
Enjoying the journey, Amanda
January 18th, 2008
Prior to having children, if you wanted to find me you looked at the gym. There was rarely a day I missed. I’m one of those rare people who actually enjoy going and do not find it a chore. Once I had Fussy, it was all over. I couldn’t justify the time away from him.
Recently I mentioned to Colin that I really missed going to the gym - the energy it gives me, the sense of accomplishment and well-being.
So, my big surprise at Christmas was a gym membership. I was thrilled, but shocked. What would I do with the kids? What about the time I was taking away from them?
I’ve used the gym a few times, but always when Colin was home to be with Fuss & Bug. Today was the first time I brought them with me. It was interesting. I spent much of the time wondering how they were doing and thinking about what I could be doing with that hour and a half: lapbooking, reading, miquon blocks, etc….
Colin’s point was that if I take a few hours a week for myself to work out I’ll actually have more time, patience and energy for the kids. He’s right.
So, I think I just need to structure (yuck) our day a bit better so that I can feel accomplishment both at the gym and in our homeschool.
Enjoying the journey, Amanda
January 4th, 2008
Ah! The holidays are over.
I so look forward to the holidays and they are always nice, particularly on years like this one when my husband has a large chunk of time off. However, by the end of it, I’m looking forward to getting back to the kid’s and my normal routine. Well, whatever that is. But I do find that C being home really affects Fuss’s sleeping - he went to bed, reluctantly at 2am a couple of nights ago.
The holidays were very good for my guys. Bug got a doll she’d been coveting in a baby sort of way. It was hanging out of her stocking and when she woke up, came downstairs and saw it, she yelled ‘baby!’ It was very cute. She carries it all around and if she comes up to me and I’m not looking she calls out ‘I ga [got] baby!’. All my reservations and hesitations I had when considering buying her a doll melt when I see those two together.
And, here’s where the ’some assembly required’ comes in.
Yep - that’s right. All Fuss wanted from Santa was a fish. So, what are you going to do? The only thing Santa can’t bring? I’m not mean enough for that so now we have another pet. His name is George and Fuss loves him. Sweet.
Although, setting up this ****** tank at midnight and then one, and then two on Christmas eve was not sweet. We had no idea what exactly was necessary in setting up a tank, and the Santa logistic made it impossible to do at any other time. Of course, the kids got up earlier than usual, so we were working on only a few hours of sleep for Christmas day which is hosted for the entire family at my house.
I need a vacation from the holidays.
Enjoying the New Year’s journey, Amanda
January 2nd, 2008
