I am tired...oh so tired. And I imagine as my week progresses I will be even more tired. Because
1. my kid is sick. He has a cold. Which I know is something that all kids get. Mine when he is sick....he moans and groans all night. I've tried drugs. He just wakes up when they wear off and declares it to be morning....
2. I was in 8 hour training yesterday to learn the new computer program. It is exhausting sitting in front of a computer
3. I have a bad habit of staying up late. I have a pvr and I use it. But I usually stay up late to watch the shows rather than saving them for a new day. I've cut back a lot of my lists of shows I pvr...but yet...Tuesday nights...there are a lot still. Lost, NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, Parenthood, 19 Kids and Counting....I know still absolutely crazy! I am still totally thinking I need to toss the stupid tv out the door and live my life without it. I would get more stuff done that is for sure.
4. I came off my weekend shift sleep deprived and didn't nap Monday as I had a HUGE amount of planning to do for Guides that night
5. My kid has been up since 430. (Actually I think that it was earlier but I want to be in denial)
so....I need COFFEE!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
thrive not just survive
My goal this year is to thrive and not just survive. To not just have my days all blend in together but to accomplish things daily and set small goals.
One of the goals I have is to put meaning behind the time I spend with Chase. To have his days not just be unorganized play and a heap load of mischief. Because my boy is BUSY and if you turn your back for just a moment, he has done something he knows he is not supposed to or he has done something that he isn't to do again. For instance yesterday he was in the bathroom for 20 seconds (I had no clue his little step stool was in there and thought he was using the toilet) and in that time he opened a little bottle of scope and dumped it into the fish bowl.
I found somewhere online people doing 'toddler trays' So I invested in a few small bins with lids. I have 5 and in them I put different activities in there to work on motor skills (my kid is a gross motor kid so I want him to practice having small times where he focuses on tasks sitting down). Some activities don't spark his interst, others he will sit at for a long time. Some days one that he loved, he doens't so much the next day. It is a total hit and miss day to day thing. Last night after he went to bed, I changed the bins.
1. a grocery store flyer and a pair of kid scissors (he is working on cutting skills and we also talk about the different pictures while he cuts)
2. three markers, a papertowel, paintbrush and a cup (for water). this one he colours the papertowel and then when he is all done he paints it with water
3. pom poms, pickle tweezers and an icecube tray. He practices picking up the pom poms with the tweezers and putting them in the different sections of the tray. One day we'll work on sorting them by colour but he isn't quite ready for that yet. But we do work on counting and I talk about the colours of them.
4. shoe string and cheerios (to make a necklace)
5. stickers and a piece of paper
I think this will help me to see if 'homeschooling' is for me or not. I know he is young yet for formal learning but setting up and changing these bins and planning ahead will help me see if I will be able to stick with this long term or not...I'd really like to as I feel it is my job as a parent to educate my kid. Not just to learn to read and write but to love to learn, but to love God in all things, to give back to the community and respect those in authority over him.
So far this morning (it is only 840) he is on his third bin. He wasn't TOO interested in the painting the papertowel after colouring it with marker, but he is having lots of fun with the pom poms. The problem is he is the kind of kid that wants to do all the bins 'now'. he is a 'now' kid for sure. So he will switch bins after only a couple of minutes so he can try explore another one. Good thing he knows he has to clean up one bin before starting another one (teaching him to clean up after himself).
We also throw in colouring, playdough, stories, puzzles and baking into our days. And then I also try to have him be outside atleast 1 hour/ day and we try to get to the pool once or twice a week. And I am trying to not have tv daily (I have been failing more with this with the winter weather) but I am controlling 'what' he watches. So far the only programs he watches are 'Thomas', 'Tractor Tom', 'Curious George', 'Sesame Street' and 'Bearentain Bears'. Which is
a lot considering that he is only 2 1/2 but I try to not just turn on Tree House (mostly because 99% of those shows I consider to be more annoying than educational). I am totally considering becoming tv free or just moving it to the basement for me to have on some evenings after he is bed or while I am working on my crafts downstairs.
I collect up all his art projects and mail them off to his grandparents :). Some I take photos of first as my way of keeping a memory.
My to do list is a mile long today and it is already almost 9am and there is only one thing crossed off my list, but I have given 5 time-outs (me going back to work has made Mondays tough) made breakfast, cleaned up, read a book, dealt with one accident and made a snack.
I think today is a coffee day!
One of the goals I have is to put meaning behind the time I spend with Chase. To have his days not just be unorganized play and a heap load of mischief. Because my boy is BUSY and if you turn your back for just a moment, he has done something he knows he is not supposed to or he has done something that he isn't to do again. For instance yesterday he was in the bathroom for 20 seconds (I had no clue his little step stool was in there and thought he was using the toilet) and in that time he opened a little bottle of scope and dumped it into the fish bowl.
I found somewhere online people doing 'toddler trays' So I invested in a few small bins with lids. I have 5 and in them I put different activities in there to work on motor skills (my kid is a gross motor kid so I want him to practice having small times where he focuses on tasks sitting down). Some activities don't spark his interst, others he will sit at for a long time. Some days one that he loved, he doens't so much the next day. It is a total hit and miss day to day thing. Last night after he went to bed, I changed the bins.
1. a grocery store flyer and a pair of kid scissors (he is working on cutting skills and we also talk about the different pictures while he cuts)
2. three markers, a papertowel, paintbrush and a cup (for water). this one he colours the papertowel and then when he is all done he paints it with water
3. pom poms, pickle tweezers and an icecube tray. He practices picking up the pom poms with the tweezers and putting them in the different sections of the tray. One day we'll work on sorting them by colour but he isn't quite ready for that yet. But we do work on counting and I talk about the colours of them.
4. shoe string and cheerios (to make a necklace)
5. stickers and a piece of paper
I think this will help me to see if 'homeschooling' is for me or not. I know he is young yet for formal learning but setting up and changing these bins and planning ahead will help me see if I will be able to stick with this long term or not...I'd really like to as I feel it is my job as a parent to educate my kid. Not just to learn to read and write but to love to learn, but to love God in all things, to give back to the community and respect those in authority over him.
So far this morning (it is only 840) he is on his third bin. He wasn't TOO interested in the painting the papertowel after colouring it with marker, but he is having lots of fun with the pom poms. The problem is he is the kind of kid that wants to do all the bins 'now'. he is a 'now' kid for sure. So he will switch bins after only a couple of minutes so he can try explore another one. Good thing he knows he has to clean up one bin before starting another one (teaching him to clean up after himself).
We also throw in colouring, playdough, stories, puzzles and baking into our days. And then I also try to have him be outside atleast 1 hour/ day and we try to get to the pool once or twice a week. And I am trying to not have tv daily (I have been failing more with this with the winter weather) but I am controlling 'what' he watches. So far the only programs he watches are 'Thomas', 'Tractor Tom', 'Curious George', 'Sesame Street' and 'Bearentain Bears'. Which is
a lot considering that he is only 2 1/2 but I try to not just turn on Tree House (mostly because 99% of those shows I consider to be more annoying than educational). I am totally considering becoming tv free or just moving it to the basement for me to have on some evenings after he is bed or while I am working on my crafts downstairs.
I collect up all his art projects and mail them off to his grandparents :). Some I take photos of first as my way of keeping a memory.
My to do list is a mile long today and it is already almost 9am and there is only one thing crossed off my list, but I have given 5 time-outs (me going back to work has made Mondays tough) made breakfast, cleaned up, read a book, dealt with one accident and made a snack.
I think today is a coffee day!
Monday, February 1, 2010
some ramblings
I just took a batch of 'Good Morning Muffins' out of the oven. They should be called 'Good Morning and a bit of this and that out of my cupboards Muffins' which is funny because I don't really think you can mess up muffins that much. Next I am going to make some muffins with some of the frozen bananas I have and maybe some of those prunes and dates that I have soaking. I was thinking of throwing in some almond butter in them too. I have yet to come across a banana bread recipe that I LOVE so I am determined to make something...as I have almost a dozen bananas in my freezer :)
C loves helping to make things in the kitchen. He was a BIG help with the muffins. I think his favorite job is using the food processer to shred the carrots and apples. Second favorite other than eating is dumping the ingredients (dry). He would LOVE the job of cracking eggs but I am just NOT ready to give up that job yet.
I am needing some power snacks for C. We have begun swimming for an hour a few mornings a week and he is STARVING by the time he gets out. So I figured I need to pack snacks that are healthy and hit the spot quickly. I had thought of investing in some granola bars but then I figured that muffins are MUCH easier, cheaper & healthier.
The first time we went swimming I barely made it out the door and into the truck with him as he was SO hungry. I ended up going through a drive-thru and he polished off a hamburger and fries in less than 10 minutes. Not something I can afford or really desire to get into the habit of.
if you want my good morning muffin recipe I'll post it on my recipe site (which I created so I can access some of my favorite recipes when I am away from home...)
C loves helping to make things in the kitchen. He was a BIG help with the muffins. I think his favorite job is using the food processer to shred the carrots and apples. Second favorite other than eating is dumping the ingredients (dry). He would LOVE the job of cracking eggs but I am just NOT ready to give up that job yet.
I am needing some power snacks for C. We have begun swimming for an hour a few mornings a week and he is STARVING by the time he gets out. So I figured I need to pack snacks that are healthy and hit the spot quickly. I had thought of investing in some granola bars but then I figured that muffins are MUCH easier, cheaper & healthier.
The first time we went swimming I barely made it out the door and into the truck with him as he was SO hungry. I ended up going through a drive-thru and he polished off a hamburger and fries in less than 10 minutes. Not something I can afford or really desire to get into the habit of.
if you want my good morning muffin recipe I'll post it on my recipe site (which I created so I can access some of my favorite recipes when I am away from home...)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
paper...
ever feel like you are drowning in paper...mail that comes in, reciepts, children's artwork, work etc. For me I get to add ALL the paperwork that comes along with being a leader of two Guiding units, CAS paperwork, etc...
Once upon a time I used to be SO on top of all this paper. I had all the records logged onto the computer. I used to have all my receipts stapled onto my bank statements & credit card statements....
That seems like a lifetime ago.
Now...
I have piles
and when I need the space where the piles are for something else, the piles get shoved in a box and put into my room....
And a few times a year I just go through all the piles with a paper shredder and go to town...I think I am due for one of those moments :) I think I have 3 boxes now...
Once upon a time I used to be SO on top of all this paper. I had all the records logged onto the computer. I used to have all my receipts stapled onto my bank statements & credit card statements....
That seems like a lifetime ago.
Now...
I have piles
and when I need the space where the piles are for something else, the piles get shoved in a box and put into my room....
And a few times a year I just go through all the piles with a paper shredder and go to town...I think I am due for one of those moments :) I think I have 3 boxes now...
Thursday, January 7, 2010
why things get lost and misplaced around here...
he loves to randomly pick up things and hide them somewhere :)
one month...
in one month I am back to work... my less than 9 months of mat leave will be all done
I look to this with mixed feelings.
I have enjoyed these past few months of being a mom
some days more than others :) (yesterday not so much)
fortunately I have been blessed...with my job I work 40 hours in three days...
I know it sounds like a lot but then I get to spend the other 4 days with my son
and actually it is more like 5 since on Fridays I don't go to work until he is already in bed for the night
and so I will be gone all of Saturday and I will be getting home just as he is waking from his afternoon nap on Sunday
childcare...my parents have voluntered to watch him. If they are feeling they need help, I will hire someone for part or all of Saturday
also
I have agreed to respite for the children's aid Mon-Fri with a child under 5 as they need. So that will be ok as there will be someone else for C to play with. We'll see how well I keep on top of things as to if it all works out
right now I am not always good at staying on top of housework...or the paperwork for my two guiding units
but I do snuggle and read stories, colour, build towers with blocks, sing songs, etc.
I look to this with mixed feelings.
I have enjoyed these past few months of being a mom
some days more than others :) (yesterday not so much)
fortunately I have been blessed...with my job I work 40 hours in three days...
I know it sounds like a lot but then I get to spend the other 4 days with my son
and actually it is more like 5 since on Fridays I don't go to work until he is already in bed for the night
and so I will be gone all of Saturday and I will be getting home just as he is waking from his afternoon nap on Sunday
childcare...my parents have voluntered to watch him. If they are feeling they need help, I will hire someone for part or all of Saturday
also
I have agreed to respite for the children's aid Mon-Fri with a child under 5 as they need. So that will be ok as there will be someone else for C to play with. We'll see how well I keep on top of things as to if it all works out
right now I am not always good at staying on top of housework...or the paperwork for my two guiding units
but I do snuggle and read stories, colour, build towers with blocks, sing songs, etc.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
hiding the word in his heart...
we are commanded to hide God's word in our hearts...
so this morning when C and I were doing our devotions over breakfast I thought that I would try with him 'Trust in God'
me 'Trust in God'
him 'yeah'
me 'trust'
him 'tus'
me 'in'
him 'in there'
me 'in'
him 'in there'
me 'in God'
him 'yeah'
me 'say in God'
him 'in od'
he finally got the whole thing which makes my heart happy
I'll keep getting him to say it throughout the day and probably the next few days...I'll probably only introduce a new verse weekly...
the adoption worker is coming today...month 5 visit!!!! yippeee!!!!
so I should probably get dressed out of my jammies...
so this morning when C and I were doing our devotions over breakfast I thought that I would try with him 'Trust in God'
me 'Trust in God'
him 'yeah'
me 'trust'
him 'tus'
me 'in'
him 'in there'
me 'in'
him 'in there'
me 'in God'
him 'yeah'
me 'say in God'
him 'in od'
he finally got the whole thing which makes my heart happy
I'll keep getting him to say it throughout the day and probably the next few days...I'll probably only introduce a new verse weekly...
the adoption worker is coming today...month 5 visit!!!! yippeee!!!!
so I should probably get dressed out of my jammies...
Friday, January 1, 2010
List of Books Read in 2009
- Elsie's Girlhood by Martha Finley
- Elsie's Holidays at Roselands by Martha Finley
- Elsie Dinsmore ~ Martha Finley
- Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
- Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
- The Face by Angela Hunt
- Faith Like Potatoes by Angus Buchan
- Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
- She's in a Better Place by Angela Hunt
- blink by Ted Dekker
- A Time to Mend by Angela Hunt
- The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
- Above All Things by Deborah Raney
- Above the Line Take Two by Karen Kinsbury
- The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
- The Silver Compass by Holly Kennedy
- Rachel's Secret by BJ Hoff
- Second Draft of My Life
- The Duchess and the Dragon by Jamie Carie
- Above the Line Take One by Karen Kingsbury
- Wizard of Oz
- Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock
- Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat
- My Sister's Keeper
- Doesn't She Look Natural by Angela Hunt
- Mary Poppins by PL Travers
- This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury
- Mary Janeway
- Every Now & Then by Karen Kingsbury
- Attic Treasures
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