My Oldest Started School, & MY heart Crashed...

C started his first day at a Montessori program today.

He'll be 4 in December, and based on how his personality is, I thought the whole episode was going to run smoothly. I was wrong.


I literally needed one of the teachers to hold onto him, as I left, to get him to let go, and not bolt out of the exit. Not to mention, R WANTED to stay at school. Emotions were running high on all parts, and I broke too. I had to kiss my poor monkey quickly, then leave before the serious waterworks started flowing on my behalf. It was harsh.

As I leave, one of the teachers tell me, "this is normal, but if it's a problem, we'll call you". PLEASE don't have to call me...

And they didn't *phew*. And when I returned to pick C up, he was bubbling over in joy, so happy that he went to "school", made a friend, and told me how excited he was to go back.... Bullet dodged! lol


SO, I'm beyond ecstatic for my BIG BOY to get some serious structured beginnings, and the  hours a week of one on one I get to spend with R, to ready him for school next fall. Time is flying, and I am saddened, and happy by it all :)

Summer Has Took OVER!!!

So, it has been beyond forever since I've done any spawn related blogging... and for one only beautiful reason:
Sun GLORIOUS sun! :P

Already onto our 2nd tube o'screen of the season, and after the most hellish encounter of winter, I say "Bring it ON!!!" I'll take greasin' up the kids any day over the endless hours spent wrestling the boys into the snow gear. That was a sweat I never enjoyed enduring...


C is going through an INSANE superhero phase. Let me rephrase that... it has now hit SUPER annoying. Spiderman, Batman, Ironman... STINKYsocks man (his endearing Superhero name for his daddy... clever rat...)
So with the weather beyond brilliant, we invested in a "Slip & Slide" for the kids... of the SPIDERMAN variety... this I'm thinking, is heaven on a plastic tarp. It's proven to be the best source of entertainment ever purchased (other than the perma-stained superhero costumes C "prances" around in endlessly...), and I thoroughly enjoy watching those little ankle biters squeal in enjoyment, as I either spend time in the shade, sippin' on a cold beverage, or sweat away in the sun, trying to remove any signs of my neon Canadian pastiness :P

Happy Summer ALL!!

Running on Gas Fumes...

It seems to be a topic quite often spoke about between myself, and other Mom's/parents: We are always EXHAUSTED!!


Ok, so my kids have both been consistently sleeping through the night for well over a year now (and R turns 2 this weekend), and I've been pretty lucky that they usually sleep 11-12 hours straight through. Once in a while, a hellish encounter of before dawn episodes have occurred, but those, thankfully, are very few and far between.


But WHY does it seem one after procreating can NEVER feel like they're ever fully rested. Even with getting regular 7-8 hours a night myself... I struggle to drag myself out of bed in the morning, to great those OH so bushy-tailed, and bright eyed spawn of mine (ok, they totally didn't get that from either of us... we like to "lounge" lol). Luckily R still has his 1-2 hour nap in the afternoon, although C has stopped napping all together for a year now, it breaks up the day.


So I know that the past days of staying up 'til the crack of dawn, and sleeping until 3 in the afternoon are long gone, but in this zombie state, it feels as though I just might as well stayed up super late, to only wake up an hour or two later with the boys... *yawn*


Or, like the other parents say, I'll have an opportunity to catch up on my Zzz's in approximately 20 years :P

What You See, Is What You Eat

C and R are the direct spawn of chef's. And it shows. Our boys have the most AMAZING, and healthy eating habits. The best part, they LOVE the good stuff.  Yes, that's right, my 2 and 3 year old can't get enough fruit and  vegetables.


I guess we are pretty lucky, but mind you, my hubby and I have never really given the boys a chance to bat an eye at new foods, or turn their noses up away from something "weird". Both of them scarf down pretty much anything we put in front of them, without an altered step.


Anything brined... give them more. 
Pate? Yes please.
Does it smell bad or look bizarre?? Well, if Mommy and Daddy are consuming it- why not?


From the get go, my husband and I have been pretty strict about what gets placed in front of them. Minimal to no sugar (other than of course the naturally occurring sugars) enter their diets. We keep the sodium levels low, and only good fat please. 99% of what they ingest is fresh, and homemade.


I'm very proud of this, and my kids brilliant eating habits show for it. I also believe that one doesn't have to be a "chef" in order for their kids to eat healthy. I'm sure this great start will really benefit when the kids are older.


So when the kids are hungry, and request an apple or other fruit... No problem little dudes... eat as much as you wish :)

Held Hostage By Mother Nature

This morning the temperature was -30 degrees Celsius. Yes people, that's WITHOUT including any wind-chill factor.


Bundled up with barely just my eyes exposed, my car objected greatly to turning over, but my trusty "Skittle" did as she was asked. Nothing more do I enjoy than scraping windshields in sub-Arctic temperature, waiting for my poor to warm up to a temperature where I don't feel guilty sticking the kids inside.


So we dropped Daddy off at work, and crawled back home on the skating rink known as our city streets. The boys and I remain "cozied" up in our sweats, socks, and slippers. Blankets for all during TV time.


Needless to say, we aren't going anywhere, or outside today... AGAIN. This winter has been a LONG, cold one. Mother Nature had been beyond temperamental... extreme temperature swings from one day to the next, and usually well below seasonal. AND WE ARE GOING CRAZY! (well, I am already there)


Stuck inside, pent up energy building to an outrageously dangerous level, is causing some undesirable behavior- from all parties. We are starting to feel prisoners of our own domain. C told me this morning that he no longer liked snow, and that he wanted to run in his "feety-feets" in the grass. Me too buddy, me too. 


Fresh air is, in my mind, essential, for kids. Myself, growing up on a farm, was constantly outdoors as a kid. And it AWESOME! And even though my kids are "city-slickers", I still want them to enjoy as much sunshine and fresh (well, not that fresh, this is a city), air. Most importantly, being able to get OUT burns off all this excess energy that C & R have been storing up for months. Burned off energy equals pleasant and manageable spawn. lol


So, checking the Weather Network for the umpteenth time in the last few days, I'm willing Mother Nature to please be nice. I'm not asking for a heatwave by any means, as it is March, but something decent. Nice enough to spend time outside. Nice enough to let the kids BE KIDS, run around, have fun outside... keep my house clean inside :P


But for today... back to arts and crafts, for how ever long the poor moody attention spans of toddlers allow.

Friendships After Procreating

I know that pretty much EVERY parent out there can relate to this:
As soon as you have kids, you lose "friends", or at least find out who your real ones are.


Maybe it's because you're not so readily available to party it up on a whim, or is it how people without spawn don't want to hear what they would consider seemingly tedious ramblings of how Johnny pee's or poo's on the potty, or how Sally just said/did the most adorable thing known to mankind. Us parents could go on for eons about such topics. And lets face it, screaming toddlers (whether it be from excitement or anger) isn't always the most appealing sound for those that haven't become "desensitized" to it. haha


Our lives surround play dates, outings to child friendly environments, and when the next nap or feeding arrives.


We cling on desperately to other parents in similar situations. Use each other for support. Get together to let the kids blow off some steam (and hey, have an ADULT conversation). And to have someone understand why (and definitely not judge) you "needed" to consume that entire bottle of wine to yourself after the kids went to bed.


And for my "Mommy Friends" out there, I adore you. 
For my friends that are still in my life after the fact, you guys are special.

"Oh, I can hear you- I'm just hard of listening!"

I'm definitely starting to feel like a broken record these days. Busting out threats such as "Don't make me repeat myself!". Empty, empty threats.

I've even considered that the boys are deaf. Yet they prove that wrong when you're talking quietly to someone else, hoping they won't hear it, and repeat it right back at you. And maybe they just hear what they're not supposed to? Either way, C and R are hard of listening.

I really don't like to nag (although my wonderful husband says I'm quite good at it... ahahahaha...thanks), but after telling the boys over and over and OVER again, to complete a seemingly easy task, without success of completion, I'm definitely coming off as nagging.

I know they have attention spans of goldfish (which they inherited from their Mama ;) ), and I've even attempted to get them to "help" by making certain tedious activities into a game.  I just get the look of "Yea, RIGHT!", and the little monkey's continue on whatever it was they were doing.

Also, my repetitious nattering occurs when I insist that C and R DON'T do something, just for the sake of their safety. Again, they are off to the races, with a greater determination just to achieve what was spoken against.  Is it just because I told them not to do it, is why they want to so bad?  Would it be better to let them get bored of their "death defying act" first, as it would seem quicker? lol. The more I say no, the MORE they want to do it. I'm starting to look for grey hairs. :P

But then, another day will pass, and my "Angels" will return, and be Mommy's little helpers.  For a little bit. :)

Toddler TV Show Creaters MUST Do Drugs...

I've watched A LOT of kids shows... and I have even caught myself doing so after the kids have gone to bed. Probably because most of them deem themselves "train wreck" worthy. Just can't look away from the horrendous nonsense occurring in front of my eyes.

Seriously, there have been episodes of many different shows, that made me think "What are these guys smoking?", or "Are you kidding me? They can't do that!".

But they do... and I continue to stare, mouth gaping open.

In The Night Garden pretty much freaks me out the most. Made by the creators of Teletubbies, you know it's going to make you raise an eyebrow due to "weird" scenarios, but my kids ADORE the show. I'd rather slit my wrists. The OCD Maka-Paka, The Pinky-Ponk with it's rude sound effects, the Tombly-boo's (please excuse my botched spelling of the characters), which I'm positive they are related, continue to make out, and lose their pants. *sigh* BIZARRE!!! haha

Don't even get me started on Max & Ruby. The over baring, controlling big sister, Ruby, has not yet (nor do I ever think she will) come to realize that Max is pretty much ALWAYS right, and heaps smarter then he leads on to be. Ease up Ruby... Let Max be... AND WHERE ARE THEIR PARENTS?? Have you seen them, or any signs that they've been around? I imagine that they are crack-heads, and that's why Ruby has taken on the role as the mother. Maybe Grandma should hang around the abode a little more :P

I also despise shows that "Dummies Down" to kids. I'd rather they refrain from using the baby-talk, and poor use of grammar. It would be nice to hear more encouragement of vocabulary growth, and speech skills.

My absolute FAVOURITE to watch though, is The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That. It's fantastically educational, fun, and conveniently comes on while I'm preparing dinner... so the spawn become entertained lol. Plus I ADORE anything Seuss related. :)

Toddlers & Technology

Is it just me, or does it seem like kids these days are walking out of the womb with an "IPad" in hand? And they know how to use the darn things!

OK, so I MAY be exaggerating a touch. But only a touch. I've seen 2 year olds playing games on computers and mobile hand devices, and they know how to navigate on these systems as well. Many of them better than I can already.

The internet was a new idea introduced to me when I was in upper elementary. We learned how to "properly" type (TYPE, with proper spelling... NOT texting lingo), set up an email account, and briefly search the web. I thought I was some genius. Hahaha... well, I'm apparently wrong. The kids of today's generation are.

For Christmas, we got C his own little "toy" laptop, thinking it would deflect some of his strong desire to be on the "grown-up" computer. It did, for a while.

I guess it's now time to make rules for the boys, and schedules for the family to use the computer. :P

Terribles 2's- Sign Me Up For A Straight Jacket

I've been known to lovingly refer to my spawn as Satan and Damien. C and R are amazing little boys.  Their personalities shine brighter everyday.  They always make me laugh, and are too smart for their own good.

BUT my goodness... "The Terrible 2's", it might very well drive me off of the deep end at times lol. So C has passed his 3rd Birthday celebration, and R has yet to embark on his 2nd- so I should, theoretically, have 2 "angel" children at my hip. BAHAHAHAHAhaha

Ok, C is getting easier to manage, as he's learning to control his different emotions. SOMETIMES. He's also "learned" other undesirable behaviours. That might as well be a subject for another day lol. We just find that a boy at this age has to be constantly stimulated, and the busier he is, the happier we all are.

R, has entered this phase EARLY.
And he doesn't know about controlling emotions, or expressing him. All that know him, have seen him as the more gentle, docile sibling. SUH-PRIZE!!!! You should see him drag C around by a fistful of hair, screaming bloody murder at the top of his lungs. It's terrifying... and why he does it... I'll never know.  As I've mentioned in a previous blog about their fighting, it's 85% of the time is started by the youngest.

Both of them whine about everything, and anything. All. Day. Long. When they get something they ask for, they whine that they don't want that anymore. I walk away, laughing. I'm probably laughing because I'm starting to go crazy, rather than it being funny anymore. :P

Everyday is getting easier than the last. And I am learning so, SO much from the 2 brilliant schemers (like I now can't turn my back... they are being devious TOGETHER now... help me, please).

C and R bring me so much joy in life and I adore them to bits. Always will, no matter how many grey hairs I'll accumulate during the child raising process.

And as a dear cousin in-law, J, posted on FB, "Wild Colts Make The Best Horses". Well here's hopin'! :)

Personal Hygiene Is Now A Luxery

I must say I rock the ponytail and sweat pants look.

Actually, if I don't, I really don't care about that anymore lol. Comfort and practicality is the way of my days anymore.  The days of leaving the house in designer clothing, hair styled, and make up on, are a thing LONG of the past. Of course I'm going to make sure that I don't look completely "homeless", and that I'm not going to stink anyone out of the vicinity, but by no means am I ever going to win any fashion awards...

The kids. They're pretty much spit polished when they walk out of that door. And in the process of doing so, I leave holding their hands looking like a whirl wind haha. And again, I really don't care anymore.

Remember the days of showering EVERYDAY? Geez, there were times when it was multiple times a day. For an hour. Shaving my legs every single time.  Soaking in the tub, reading a book for a couple of hours.  Sure I got the time to do that in the evenings now, but having the energy is a COMPLETELY different thing. After C and R are down for the night, the house is returned to some sense of order, and dishes are done, I sit down. And 75% of the time, I just might not get back up (other then to crawl half asleep to bed, when I realize it's midnight, and I've been passed out for 2 hours on the couch already).

So here I am, walking around with semi-furry legs (it's winter anyways, and COLD... gotta stay warm), a fantastic, slightly "shiny" ponytail, and thinking, that maybe tonight I'll shower. Maybe. But as long as my boys continue to "shower" me with hugs and kisses... I'm over the moon.

**please note: I DO make sure that I'm clean... you know... shower at least ONCE a week bahahaha JOKING!

You're Saying Your Kid is A Super Hero??

Ok, so I've been guilty of bragging about my spawn. What parent isn't? What can I say, I'm one proud Mama.

But trying to have a conversation with another parent that seems like they're always trying to "one up" you with your kid, makes me want to walk out in mid-conversation. (perhaps after re-arranging their face)

I have no issues if you are proud of your offspring, and want to boast about something spectacular, by all means go for it. Yet when one is telling a story, talking about something that happened during their day with kids, isn't it beyond irritating to be consistently interrupted with "Well Johnny was doing that by the time he was a year." or "Sally doesn't ever behave in a manner like that!"?

So lets talk. Let's share ideas on how we can better improve ourselves as parents, to improve our spawn. But if one deems it necessary to make it sound like my boys are mediocre at best, in comparison to the no less than perfection of an upbringing they are providing, I'm not willing to hear it. I'm trying my best, and I think I'm doing a pretty damn good job of it too.

So who wants to do a play date? :P

Ageing Caused By Potty Training

Is it sad that one of the greatest highlights of my "Motherhood" career has been that "C" is now potty trained?
To me it really is not.

Although it took me nearly a year to achieve such a milestone, I made my deadline, his 3rd birthday. (with a whopping 2 days to spare, I'll add). NOBODY tells you the complete EVILS that come along with this process. It was probably one of the hardest things I've had to do in my entire life... I'm totally not exaggerating either. I was also sure that such a feat was not achievable.

So the verdict was that boys can be more difficult to potty train then girls. This seemed like quite the understatement to me. I was sure that "C"s bladder was no bigger than a quarter, and also the fact that he LIKED to "stew" in his own filth. But maybe it was perhaps the attention span of a goldfish, and the desire to be on the go 24/7. I don't know, but either way, I was definitely getting MEGA frustrated.

My biggest battle was finding a "reward system" that worked. One that would attract "C" into wanting to use the potty, and consistently do so. I found 2 methods, that hand in hand, finally did the trick (and every kid is different... so I'm sure this won't work on "R" haha):

Stickers. I made a venture to the dollar store, and bought some small decorative stickers for "pee jobs", and ones a little larger for his "poo jobs". I also got a large piece of poster paper. I made a "calender". There was 3 months worth of boxes, taped onto the door of the washroom, for all to see. But mainly for "C" to see. I know I'm a visual learner, so maybe it was a gene past on?
Every time he did his business, he got a sticker for whichever related job was done. Then "C" at the end of the day be able to SEE his own progress, know that there were gaps on some days, and knew when we was doing well. I'm saving the poster... my own sentimental value. lol

Bribery. It was a complete and last resort, and it WORKED! Also, I was not responsible for it. The boys' wonderful Great Aunt is... and I am GRATEFUL for it (I swore I would never bribe my kids in order for them to accomplish certain tasks, but that was also before I had children that I said that. Things change, and things do need to get DONE). So "Auntie K" gave my little man a talk. She told him, that if he went 7 days, with out wearing a diaper, AND without having an accident, she would take him to the toy store to pick out which ever toy his heart desired. And just like that, "C" was potty trained. Seriously. That's all it took (wish I knew that earlier lol). This is also how this giant stuffed "Buzz" joined our family (mentioned in a previous post).

So a fantastic story in mind, with the box of diapers lasting twice as long. (The boys have been luckily wearing the same size for over a year now... so that worked out perfectly). "C" still wears a diaper to bed... that's ok, I know that really takes time. And we put a Pull-up on when we travel, just in case, but he's been really great about it.

So people without spawn don't understand why parents are so ecstatic when the potty training process becomes a success. Why we must update our "status's" every time Sally or Johnny pee's or poo's. Nor do the need to. But every parent that has ever endured such an "adventure" completely gets it, and APPRECIATES it to boot!

And now my little "R" is already asking about the potty... so maybe here's to an easier experience with him?
One can dream... a dream without diapers.

What?!?! A stay at home mother is not a job??

Basically, there is one main topic in my life that burns me like no other: Being told that since I get to stay at home a raise my kids, that I do not work.

Well let me tell you what, and any other mother can vouch for this...

I'm a mother, a wife, a maid, a servant, a handy-woman, a referee, a nurse/doctor, a personal chef, entertainment, and a personal chauffeur. I haven't had a "day off" in over 3 years.  I'm on call 24/7, dealing with every situation imaginable with infants to pre-schoolers.

I've developed the magical ability to function on very little to no sleep, yet with the help of high doses of coffee. And on those evenings you like to unwind with a few adult beverages, or a rare date night occurs, like hell the spawn give any care that "Mommy has a headache... let's try to play quietly", hahaha....never! I work every weekend, and every holiday.

I have suffered flu's, terrible colds, put my back out on several occasions, but could never call in sick. Life in the household continues on, and you better damn well be there.

I adore my kids to bits, and they are my complete world. I would lay down in traffic for them. And being able to be there for them in every step of their developmental years I'm really thankful for.

But seriously, you tell me that I don't "WORK"... you're asking to get popped right in the mouth. Just so you know...

MMA- Toddler Edition

So I have two boys. And they are VERY much boys, through and through.

Of course I always expected that there would be fights and scraps between the two of them, but I was thinking more along the line of the pre-teen to teenaged years. Boy was I wrong.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like they're out every second of their days to man-handle one another, but there are times when I definitely feel like a referee in my home... and they fight DIRTY!  The claws and teeth come out, hair is pulled, one may possibly well get dragged from one end of the room to another by the collar of his shirt. Sometimes I don't even understand why they go at it, they just do. And as quickly as it started, it's over. Then they're sitting side by each, playing and yapping at each other, as if nothing ever happened, and they're once again best friends.

I would like to assume this is normal behaviour, but at times the level of aggression to scare me into a cold sweat.

"C" and "R" are very sweet boys, and already much too smart for their own good. Yet a few times of the day, I have to step in between them, set them apart in opposite corners of their fighting ring, and even nurse the odd wound.

Is it going to get worse when they are older? Is it going to become "WWE" here in the abode? Or are they going to mellow, and be best buds?

I'm definitely hoping for the last one.

Dear Buzz Lightyear... I LOATHE you...

So my oldest, "C" who just turned 3, has the regular semi-healthy addiction to Buzz Lightyear, and pretty much anything else to do with "Toy Story".  So be it, I'm cool with it. It seems every kid does these days.


Well, this morning I was ready for "Buzz" to part ways from our household.


See, I'm very fortunate of my kids sleep patterns. "C" and his almost 2 year old brother "R", go to bed EVERY night around 7. And they sleep approximately 12-13 hours.  No big deal... I was a Drill Sargent from the get go with them.  Bedtime is bedtime, no questions, and never open for debate. And they are usually fantastic about it. Until this morning...


I woke up to the sound "C" opening the door of his room, and creeping into mine at the ungodly hour of 5AM.  (If anybody knows me, they would know that morning and I rarely get along, although having kids has made me realize that there is now life before noon haha) There he is, holding his massive stuffed "Buzz" (one of 3, in various sizes and material made), and whispers "We want to play".


He was so bright eyed and bushy tailed that I knew that there wasn't a hope in Hell that he was ever going to return to bed (in a room that he shares with his little brother), and rather risking him waking "R" up as well, I caved, and took him downstairs.


It wouldn't be such a difficult thing to endure, IF "C" napped.  But that has been a thing of the past, for nearly a year now.  Luckily "R" is much more like his mama, and adores his shut eye.  Thanks bud.


So after a fantastic yummy lunch of salmon pasta salad (my husband and I are both classically trained chefs), "R" goes down for his regularly scheduled nap. I was assuming that "C" would be starting to peter out by now, but alas... he had even more tricks up him sleeve. The complete OPPOSITE occurred... he went BONKERS. Time outs, threats of removing his prized possessions... NOTHING worked. "C" continued his spazzed out route throughout the abode, screaming, swearing, leaping off of couches yelling out "TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!" (come one, no sense hiding it, I know you're laughing at the last bit... it's so fitting for the day).


"R" is now up from his nap, and the two of them are enjoying a moderately mellow snack. The next plan of action is to get them dressed for the balmy winter afternoon, to hopefully continue the mellowing process before lunch.  Then I have a feeling it may be an early bedtime for "C"... or at least I'm hoping.


So "Buzz", this is directed at you:


I'd really recommend you lay on the down low for the next few days.  Whatever shenanigans your filling my boys' head with, I will know.  I'm watching you....