New Bikes

Last weekend, okay well 2 weekends ago we decided to pick up new bikes for the girls.  Kiya had outgrown her bike last year as she grows like a little weed and well Mylee still wanted to ride the tricycle.  So off we went to Canadian Tire to pick out new bikes. 

Kiya jumped 2 tire sizes in one year and now rides a 24 inch wheel.  It is quite amazing to see her on a big kid bike when last year she was still on a typical girl bike.  Her new bike has hand brakes that she hasn't quite mastered yet, she would rather put her feet down, so have a feeling we will be going through a couple pairs of shoes this summer. 

Mylee has grown quite a bit this year too and we decided to give her a 20 inch wheel instead of a 18.  The bike will grow with her for 2 years and will make our lives a little easier.  She barely reaches the seat, and I have had to teach her how to fall properly.  Yes, this does sound a little strange but she wasn't putting her leg out and she would go down with the bike on her side, at least now she puts her leg out and doesn't get squished by the bike.  Mylee is developing more confidence in her balance as well so the training wheels are a great bonus.

Both girls love to go out, and it gives me a chance to run around after them getting some fresh air for all of us. When Mylee is a little more confident and keeps her feet pedaling it might be time mommy put on her running shoes and we head over to Milliken for a good bike ride and a long run for mommy! But right now we will focus on baby steps!

Spring Cleaning

The joys of spring include; nice weather (yet to be seen), buds on the trees (yep can see those), the smell of dog poop in the air (yep, that's there too), and best of all spring cleaning.  The time when the philosophy out with the old and in with the new. 

So mine was started last week, I started with Kiya and Mylee's closets and drawers.  Then we went through the toys, and finally it is time for the cleaning.  This is easier said than done as the cleaning I want to do requires some open windows, and somehow Mother Nature is deciding to forget the memo to turn the clock to spring weather.

So I am tidying best I can and trying to avoid eye contact with the rest that is getting under my skin.  Plus I am starting my "I have to do this" list at the same time, and boy oh boy do I ever have work to do.  But in the end it will all look marvelous and I will be happy and we all will be that much healthier in mind, body and spirit. 

Plus I don't want to be stuck inside cleaning when the nice weather comes along....I want to go out and play!

The Meltdown

Well it was inevitable, it was coming and I could sense it.  There have been quite a few changes in my world lately and Mylee is not getting used to it.  Kiya loves the changes and I do see a positive response to it, a little more attitude but that might just be age related as well. 

I started working back in February as a lunch supervisor at one of our neighbourhood schools.  This requires that Kiya eats lunch at school and someone other than me picks her up.  Now I work Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the neighbourhood school and then volunteer on Tuesdays and Thursdays in another classroom at my kids school. 

At first neither child wanted me in their class.  I understood this better than I ever thought I would.  School for my children is a place to be free from me, now that sounds like I am some kind of monster, but I am the mom.  I have to be a hard ass most times when they are not listening, or when their rooms are a mess, or when things need to be done and they are sitting in front of the television.  That being said over the past 2 months both children have changed their tunes.  Both want me to be in their classes. 

Now for Mylee this change has been difficult and we had to sit down and have a good long cry and a good long chat about just how she felt.  She doesn't like me not coming to pick her up, she doesn't like me not being home with her, and mostly she doesn't like me working.  As much as I explain all the positive things that come out of working she just doesn't like it.  And how can I blame her.  I have been lucky to be able to stay home for 9 years with my children. 

So with a lot of extra snuggling, and some new routines we have gotten some positive things out of mommy working.   Some days are better than others but with any great change comes a new adventure.  Now I wish they would just stop growing up, what happened to my little babies who needed me for everything?  Too soon do they grow up and become independent little beings, and though I am greatful for every new discovery, I get a little melancholy knowing that the tiny hands are almost gone and my girls are growing up into little young ladies. 

Mylee

While doing scientist in the school I got to hang out in Mylee's classroom, something that I don't do very often because school is Mylee's chance to explore the world away from me.  I looked around at some of the amazing things her teacher comes up with and some of the responses the children reply with.  Mylee is definitely an imaginative child, but has a sense of reality that is quite amazing to watch.

This was too funny as I have been starting to pick up surprise bags from Ardene for the kids.  We trade what we don't like with each other and it becomes quite an interesting day.  When I read this I laughed, Mylee definitely knows what she wants and how to get it. 

A couple other Mylee-isms:

When asked What animal do you think would make a good pet? Why?  Mylee responded with "a cat because you can pet it."

When asked What animal do you think would make a bad pet?  Why? Mylee responeded with "a caterpillar because it will eat all the leaves on the Christmas decorations."

While walking along the sidewalk to school the other day, Mylee spotted a bird on the sidewalk and said  "Look mom a bird", I replied with "yes Mylee that is a robin, he is supposed to be the first sign of spring", to which she said "Listen you can hear him tweeting", I looked at her and said "oh yeah, what is he saying?"  She stopped dead in her tracks, put her hands on her hips, looked at me very sternly and said "Come on mom, you know I don't speak pigeon."  To which I was belly laughing all the way to school and probably for about an hour afterward too.

Scientist in the Classroom

There is absolutely nothing more fun than sitting in a kindergarten classroom not having to be the boss but watching little children discover new things and the smiles that light up their faces. 

Last Wednesday I got to volunteer in Mylee's classroom, something I would not do because school is her escape from the craziness of me, but her teacher asked so nicely and she has been frustrated with me for volunteering in another class.  So off I went to Mylee's class.  Well the look on her face when I was standing there made me feel very warm and wanted.  And pretty much all the kids waved and yelled "Hi Mylee's Mom". 

We started working with magnets and I must say I got the best table to work with.  I love experimenting with the kids and teaching them.  So I got to explain what an experiment actually is and how we implement it. The kids were amazed at what sticks to a magnet and what doesn't. Mylee tried so hard when it was her turn to answer all my questions correctly and show me just how good she is at school. 

I thoroughly enjoyed being in this classroom but I think I made a good decision in not agreeing to go into Mylee's class to volunteer.  I think we both need some space from each other and she definitely enjoys school, I would hate to interfere with that.

My week consisted of 2 mornings of scientist and one full day, 3 different classes and I enjoyed every single one of them.  Kindergarten is fun and I am lucky that I have some great teachers across the street. 

Molly's Birthday Party

Sunday we attended Molly's 7th birthday at Planet Gymnastics in Pickering.  The girls always have fun there and come home wiped out.  It is a bunch of energy burning fun and with friends and cousins to boot.

Molly's theme this year was Monster High.  Now I have figured out I am not up on the fads of today again as I have no idea what Monster High is.  So off to google I went.  And yeah, okay, interesting.  Well after discussions with Sue we came up with a borrowed design for the cake and flavours so off I went. 

I have also realized that I need a new blue colour, my blue colour turned way too dark and not the pretty royal blue it was supposed to.  But oh well that just means a trip to my cake store and some fun looking around on an off day.

Everyone loved the cake, I used the kid icing this time which is super sweet but they are not a fan of my buttercream and it was for the kids.

Kiya wanted to be kooky

Mylee really likes cake

Happy Birthday Molly! Hope you enjoyed all your gifts and are ready for all the adventures that age 7 brings.

Shopping

For the record, I hate clothes shopping.  I don't like standing infront of a mirror trying to figure out if I like the way something looks on me.  Heck, I don't like standing infront of a mirror normally with clothes I already own.

The one thing I do like about shopping though is when my kids are learning the process of budgeting.  This year Kiya came into a little bit of money after making a deal with her daddy.  Each time we have gone to the mall Kiya has bought herself a little something.  Now this is where my fun comes in, not only do we have to budget for the money she has brought with her, I also make her decide if this is something she truly wants or whether it is just something that will spend her money and sit in her room and collect dust.

The last time we went to the mall over March Break, Kiya decided to take her $40 that she received in her red envelopes from a family friend and bought herself some shoes.  Now they aren't your typical shoes but they were something she had seen with her grandfather.  So it was not an impulse buy.  This is the kind of shopping trip that I truly enjoy, when my girls go out and find something that they have thought about for a while and the joy they experience in making the purchase themselves. 

Mylee also got shoes that day, and she has been wearing them around the house for a whole week.  I think we are all just waiting for spring so we can show them to our friends.