The Chaos Chronicles

Toothless Wonder

Mommyfied — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:56:00 GMT

The Tooth Fairy visited our house last night. My six year old has been wiggling her right front tooth all week proclaiming that it would fall out that day. Of course, she wouldn't let any of us near it to help speed the process along so it's been a daily topic of conversation.

Yesterday evening ti was finally ready for a littl tug, just barely hanging on by a thread of gum. You can imagine the hysterics that took place as my husband followed her around asking her to let him see it. She's no fool, she knew that by Daddy saying "see it" he really meant "yank it". He finally gave up and while bedtime business took place she asked for his help brushing her teeth because the loose tooth was understandbly a little sensitive. My husband is also no fool and he took this golden opportunity she gave him to flick out her tooth with her toothbrush. Surprisingly there were no hysterics, just plenty of toothless grins. She started practicing "th" words immediately to prove to us she could no longer say them properly - "Thursday" is her favourite.

We have a tooth doll that has a pocket to hold a tooth and the subsequent treasure from the Tooth Fairy. It was given to us when my oldest was born and I have dutifully kept it. Unfortunately, I keep moving it from one keepsake box to the other and it never seems readily available when a tooth falls out. Thankfully, since the last lost tooth I have found the doll and created a storage spot just for her. I was effortlessly able to produce her (my children were so proud!), the tooth was tucked safely in her pocket and under my daughter's pillow.

This morning, we excitedly searched the pocket and found a wee bit of pixie dust and a twoonie! We promptly put it in her piggy bank and she continued to recite "Th" words all morning long!

Memories

Mommyfied — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:51:00 GMT

As parents at one time or another, we all marvel at the rate in which our children grow. They seem to go from birth to beyond in the blink of an eye. It's almost like overnight they become a different person with new knowledge, likes, dislikes, fears and personality. My eldest is now 8 and she never ceases to amaze me with the way her mind works. Her world is expanding on a daily basis and I love the conversations we have.

Just this weekend, I was reminded of a pretty amazing conversation we had when she was around 3 years old. While shopping we came across a children's book called 'Runaway Bunny'. We've never read the book, but it reminded me of a late night conversation we had about the future. She was asking me about different professions and what she could be when she grew up. I can't remember exactly what I said, but I'm pretty confident that it was something along the lines of endless possibilities and that I believed she could be anything she wanted to be. Taking it all in, she promptly replied that she was going to be "a vet, a farmer, a zoo keeper and a runaway rabbit"!

Kid Funnies

Mommyfied — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:06:00 GMT

Friday nights in our house are either movie night or game night. Last week it was game night since the kids had lost their movie viewing privileges. We were playing a rip-roaring game of Candy Land when my 6 year old daugher charmed us yet again. As she brought her gingerbread man up to share the square her Dad was sitting we heard a little voice say: "Hey, buddy. What's up!"

This is the same little girl who one day suddenly held her ear and said: "hello!". When we asked her why she matter-of-factly replied that she was answering her ear because it was ringing.

Where Have All The Manners Gone?

Mommyfied — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:44:00 GMT

Have you ever gone somewhere and your pre-schooler is the most polite person there? I don't consider myself an overly sensitive person but there are some things that frustrate me to no end - manner lacking adults are one of them! Why is it that some adults feel they don't have to be polite to children????

Unfortunately, it happens far too often, especially at places that are supposed to be child-friendly - the zoo, a fair and toy stores! We were at a popular make-your-own-stuffed-animal store on the weekend when it happened again. The place was packed with people and the line-ups were unbelievable, but for the most part, children and adults were conducting themselves with respect - after all, we were all in it together. I was especially proud of my two girls as they weaved themselves in and out of the different areas. They didn't whine or complain about the long line-up and patiently waited their turn. They approriately said "excuse-me" if they needed to cut in front of someone as they made their way to another section of the store, as they've been taught to do.

They don't always and one can't expect children to every time, but I don't think having this expectation for adults is over-the-top. Much to my dismay, an adult walked right in front of my kids while they were looking at a display without saying "excuse-me". She continued to walk around the display and in-front of them. My youngest daughter looked at me in distress with an expression that said: "What do I do?"

I was faced with a dilemma - Do I ignore it and teach my kids that rude behaviour doesn't have any consequences or do I say something and risk causing a scene. Could have been the fact that I had already spent well over an hour in the store or my inner-mother bear coming out, but I chose to set an example. Her answer to my suggestion that she could have said excuse me (As politely as I could, of course!) was to say she wasn't trying to be rude and had said "sorry". But, that just didn't seem like enough for me. I stood in a situation that could have been avoided completely if only everyone had remembered their manners. How are we supposed to teach children to respect themselves and each other if adults don't set the same example? I hate to think that same person would have cut in-front of another adult without excusing themselves, which leads to the question why is it okay to do to children.

What's that sing-song rhyme kids sing about "don't you know your manners yet"? I must learn it for next time!

Big Girl Christmas

Mommyfied — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:55:00 GMT

When my daughter was almost three years old, we decided it was time to finally give up her last bottle. We had weened all but the night time bottle and we only let it go on for so long because her sister was born so close behind her. We felt it was important that she still have something that brought her comfort too.

Being empathetic parents we didn't want to just take them away from her cold turkey and so came up with a plan for Christmas time. We told her that Santa needed her help and the North Pole had run out of bottles for the baby reindeers. Santa wanted all the big girls and boys to leave the bottles they didn't need anymore under the tree so he could take them to the baby reindeers. She was thrilled to help Santa and didn't even bat an eye when we put all of her bottles out beside the milk and cookies. She went to bed Christmas Eve feeling like a hero and never asked for her bottle once.

Santa was playing along with us because the next morning all of her bottles were gone and in their place was a thank-you note from him alongside a new pair of big girl underwear. She was already potty trained, but continued using pull-ups at night because of the bottle we all still clinged to. From that Christmas on she wore those underwear like a medal and never looked back.

It's been 5 years and she still proudly remembers how she gave up her bottles for the baby reindeer. One day she'll realize that it was us and not Santa, but something tells me it will always remain a memory that makes us all smile.

Little Ears Are Everywhere

Mommyfied — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:57:00 GMT

I have just experienced a humbling moment that will no doubt cause me embarassment every time I see my daugher's teacher. I had just picked the girls up from school and went back inside to talk to her teacher about an incident that occurred just before recess. My daughter told me that one of her classmates was bugging her for her snow pants and wouldn't stop, so she gave them to her. As you can imagine, I was furious that on a day like today, my daughter wasn't wearing her snow pants because her classmate wouldn't leave her alone. We're working on empowering her to stand up for herself. Funny, she has no problem saying no to her sister!

The embarrassment came after we relayed the snow pants story and her teacher said she wanted to show me a piece of work my daugher had completed in Language. Her class is working hard on adding detail to their stories and my daughter has been quite diligent. To my horror, my precious darling had written about a financial argument my husband and I had while we thought the kids were sleeping. I was mortified! Her details weren't entirely accurate, but in her innocent effort to provide as much detail as possible drove home a point I'm sure she didn't intend - little ears are everywhere, even when we can't see them.

Movie Theatre 101

Mommyfied — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:03:00 GMT

I had what I thought was a great Super Mom idea last Friday - take the kids to the movies. I don't know about the rest of you, but going to the movie theatre is a treat in our house. Between the cost of tickets and popcorn, I don't know how families can afford it. We don't do it often, but I do try to get out to the theatre when there's a good kids movie playing. So I excitedly tell the girls when I pick them up from Day Care that we're going to the movies to see the Bee Movie. They were thrilled, right???

Wrong! My youngest got really serious and said: "I can't watch the Bee Movie at the theatre." To my "why?" she explained: "Mama, do you know the character that's in the commercial ? He makes me feel like he's looking at me." She continued: "Can we rent it on DVD?" I explained that we couldn't because it wasn't released yet, but that we could wait for it, if that made her feel better. "Yes, I need to have it smaller."

That resolved, we started discussing a movie to rent for the night. Since my oldest daughter wasn't going to be able to watch this movie, we decided that she could choose the rental. When she chose one her sister didn't want to see the movie theatre converstation started up again. After a period of silence, my youngest had mustered up enough courage to abruptly blurt out: "Okay, we can go to see the Bee Movie at the movie theatre, but you have to hold my hand."

Fully expecting an affirmitive response, I turned to my oldest: "So, what do you think? Would you like to see the Bee Movie?" All she says is: "Nope." Completely surprised, I ask "Why?" and while she's staring out the car window she matter-of-factly explaines: "Too much yellow".

Just when you think you have them figured out, they throw you a curve ball.

A new specialist??

Mommyfied — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 02:11:00 GMT

While driving home from day care this evening my 6 year old opened my eyes to a whole new area of medical research. She was chatting away with her sister when something she said caught my attention:

M to her sister: Did you know that if you burp too much it means you have a burpy cold and if you fart too much it means you have a farty cold?

Her sister (innocently): No.

M: Yeah and when you have a farty cold you have to go to the bum doctor!

They certainly never cease to amuse me!

Morning Mayhem

Mommyfied — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:37:00 GMT

I'm told that everyone's mornings are a little more harried once they have children and try to reassure myself with this knowledge on a regular basis. However, still can't help but feel completely inadequate while I rush around getting kids dressed, teeth brushed, breakfast eaten, lunches packed and my kids out the door in enough time to avoid the dreaded late slip at school.

I know that I'm supposed to pack everything and have clothes laid out the night before. But by the time we get home from work (we are a commuter family), prepare and eat dinner, give baths and put the kids to bed, I'm simply too exhausted. Most nights, I'm lucky if I remember my own name.

There are days when I'm super mom and even have that day's dinner cooked in the morning to be heated up that night. But, in reality, those days are few and far between. More often than not, I'm running around like a crazed woman watching the clock as I steadily loose my cool and start barking orders, desperately hoping I haven't forgotten anything as we race out the door.

I'm a competent woman who can generally handle any crisis work throws at me without breaking a sweat and yet I can't seem to get two little girls ready and out the door in a reasonable time. You should see me throwing the car in park and jumping out to run around the school (they line-up at opposite ends of the shool yard - couldn't make it easy on me, could they??) before the second bell rings. I've already been caught by Oh! Canada over the PA system more times than I care to admit.

One day last week, I turned around to race back to the car after dropping my youngest daughter off and promptly lost my footing, wildly flapping as I landed on my bottom end. It was great! The yard was still full of parents and kids on their way in. - Not my most shining moment!

*sigh* And all before I even had my morning coffee....

Rain or Shine??

Mommyfied — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:03:00 GMT

I am at the mercy of mother nature, tormented by her every whim.

Every morning as I get ready to send them off to day care and school I ask myself "what should the kids wear today?" I dutifully listen to all weather reports and try to plan accordingly. I decide what outerwear will be suitable and try to send them off with a small amount of confidence that they'll stay dry, be protected from the sun, and not get too cold or hot. I'll blissfully go through my day until I pass by an open window and realize it's raining on a day that's supposed to be sunny or the temperature is rising on a day when I've dressed them in pants and long sleeves!

I find myslef longing for a weather utility belt that would keep all of thier outerwear present and ready at the push of a button - something like Batman would wear only smaller and more stylish. Rain or shine, they would always be prepared and this weather stress would be relieved. I wouldn't cringe at the sight of rain drops or wish I had packed their sun hat and sun glasses instead of rubber boots.

But alas, the Swiss Army people haven't designed that yet so I'll continue to hang on to the meterologist's every word like a crazed weather groupie and hope the forcast for tomorrow doesn't change!

Random Question of the Day

Mommyfied — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:08:00 GMT

Why do they make the straws attached to juice boxes so difficult to open? The plastic wrapper is next to impossible to pry open. You need a pair of scissors to cut the top off and there's never a pair around because you're usually at the park or in the car travelling with your juice box. If I can't get it open easily, how is a child supposed to manage it on their own?

First Day Jitters

Mommyfied — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:30:00 GMT

Someone once told me that being a mother was like wearing your heart on the outside of your body. The first day of school is this theory put into practice.

We pack them up with all the supplies they need, the right indoor/outdoor shoes, and sparkiling new outfit. We encourage them to tackle this challenge, talk to them about how great their teacher will be, all the friends they’ll meet, the new things they’ll learn and the fun they’ll have. We bravely introduce them to their new teacher and our hearts break as we watch them walk into school clutching their new backpack or lunch box as if it were a lifeline.

In the days leading up to today, our oldest daughter seemed to be the more nervous of the two, but as soon as she saw her friends she bounced away without a care. However, our youngest – who had seemed so brave as early as yesterday – suddenly became overwhelmed by the whole process and dissolved into tears just as her line-up began to move. She didn’t want to go to school and wanted to go home – in that moment, I felt the same way. I wanted to pick her up, run back to our car and take us home. I am an intelligent, rational woman and yet I felt just as vulnerable as she did - Would she make friends? Would there be a bully in her class? Would she like her teacher? Would her teacher like her? I needed as much reassurance as she did that it would all work out.

Of course, I know it will and tonight’s dinner will be filled with happy stories detailing each new adventure. But, until then, my mother’s heart will continue to ache and feel just a little bit more exposed than usual.

Wistful Thinking

Mommyfied — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 15:51:00 GMT

It's the last long weekend of the summer and the first day of school looms in the all too near future. For some of you this may be the very first day with the start of JK or Sk. For us, Tuesday means the first day of grade three and *gasp*...grade one! My baby is no longer a baby and I have to say, I'm having a little trouble dealing with it. She's more than ready and can't wait to meet her new teacher and sit at a big girl desk just like her sister. Though I would never dare to admit it in front of her, it is me who somehow isn't fully prepared for this.

I'm excited for her as she embarks on this new phase of full school days, but I'm also a little wistful as I remember that it wasn't so long ago when she spoke her first word and a transition meant moving on from mashed bananas to cheerios. I'm torn between eagerly anticipating her new academic adventures and wanting to cling to the "babyness" (for lack of a better word) of yesterday.

It'll pass, I know, but for now I'm going to get a little weepy as I flip through their baby books and pull out the hospital mementos. Then, tonight I'll try to talk my husband into baby #3 and he'll gently remind me of the sleepless nights, projectile vomit and potty training. The melancholy will end just in time for our school supplies shopping trip!

Birthday Bedlam

Mommyfied — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 21:08:00 GMT

My darling daughter turned 6 last week and like all parents I wanted to give her the party she dreamed of. Believe it or not, she started talking about this celebration almost immediately after her 5^th birthday party ended. I finally had to make a rule that we could no longer talk about her 6^th birthday party until a month ahead of time. Don’t misunderstand, I love my daughter and thoroughly enjoy spending time discussing events that are important in her world, but planning a party that far in advance was seriously affecting my sanity.

The theme changed several times until we settled on The Backyardigans for the afternoon party with her little friends and Barbie Fairytopia for the evening party with our extended family. Yes, we had two parties and this was actually an effort to downsize. We had three parties the year before, so we’ve made progress! - I was very proud of us. Maybe by her 16^th birthday we’ll actually be having only one party. (By the way, The Backyardigans treasure hunt was a winner with the kids while allowing my husband and I a few precious moments of peace.)

Ever the pragmatic (or so I tell myself), I knew we could make the whole process easier by keeping the guest list small and decided on a number that everyone was comfortable with…until we distributed the invitations. I didn’t realize that we had inadvertently left out only three of her classmates. I don’t know about you, but I could not in good conscience leave out only three children. I understand the need to set limits and instill a sense of balance between desires and actual capabilities, but they’re only 5 & 6 years old!

Needless to say, we invited the whole class and held our breath in anticipation of everyone accepting. I don’t know what was worse - imagining her entire class filling our house or worrying that no one would be able to make it. Sure, it would have made our lives a whole lot easier, but not exactly the memory we were trying to achieve for her.

As it usually does, the guest list worked itself out as some confirmed their attendance and others sent their regrets. We were back on track for a small manageable gathering – that is until my daughters graciously started telling guests they could bring along their siblings…