Worst of 2010

I have written about the best.  Now it is time to talk about the worst.  These were the lowlights of my year.  I know in the whole scheme of things, if these are the worst of my year, I am not doing too shabby.  But I don't want you reading this blog under the assumption that it is all sunshine and lollipops at the Schwartz Chronicles household.  So in no particular order, the lowlights of 2010.

The day the lens went down in Steveston-  It was a beautiful day for Santa to arrive by boat in Steveston.  We headed to the village to take in the festivities.  Santa had just walked past us and Captain Canada and Sarah were dancing to the music.  I thought it was a great photo opportunity.  After taking the photo, I proceeded to carefully put the camera back into its bag.  When I tried to close the bag, the camera crashed onto the boardwalk.  The sound itself assured me that there was trouble.  Adam's lens was shattered.  My confidence in handling his camera was also shattered.  So now according to my photos, I am a single mom with a really good photographer who accompanies me everywhere:)

My cute photographer.

Pretzel up the nose on the I-5-  Sarah thought sticking a piece of a pretzel up her nose was a good idea.  I did not agree with her.  Especially when I was turned around, crammed between the seats with my butt sticking up in the air.  Lucky for both of us, I was able to remove it.  I don't think she will try that again.

Stalling my car at a busy intersection and people yelling at me- My car battery was on its last legs.  All I wanted to do was make it to Canadian Tire and get a new one.  On the way there my car conked out as I was trying to turn left at an intersection.  I immediately put my hazard lights on and tried to wave people around me.  Wow.  People were not very understanding.  As I called Roadside Assistance, there was a lot of yelling and honking by other motorists and a lot of crying by me.  A construction crew saw my plight and kindly came over and pushed my car out of the way and for that I was truly thankful.

Getting peed on and the walk of shame-  Sarah had an accident this summer of the urine variety and it all happened while she was snuggling me and we were riding on a ferry.  The walk to the car was not pleasant.  The part when the guy spotted me and said to his friend, "Dude check out that chick's pants" was equally embarrassing.  Have I mentioned I have a strong dislike for potty training?

The epic tantrum at Steveston Park- I made a few mistakes on the day of the epic tantrum.  The first was letting Sarah bring her baby and stroller to the park.  The second was parking a few blocks from the park because we had a few errands to run.  When it came time to leave, Sarah refused. She screamed, she cried and she stomped her feet.  Jack was in his stroller, so my hands were not exactly free.  Eventually I had Sarah under one arm, football style while balancing her baby and stroller on top of Jack's stroller and still finding a way to push the stroller to the car.  She screamed and ranted and raved the whole way to the car.  Getting her into her car seat was no small feat.  The tantrum traumatized me because in that moment stuck at the park with no clear idea of how I was going to get us all to the car, I felt completely helpless.

Any lowlights from 2010 that you would like to share?

Best of 2010

It has been a great year.  As the year draws to a close, I have been thinking back to things we did and places we saw.  I have compiled a list of my best of the year.  These are the highlights for me and the events that I think about when I want or need to go to my happy place.  You know when it is the third tantrum of the day and you are tired of setting the timer on the stove to determine whose turn it is on the toy of the moment?  Yeah, those times.

2010 Winter Olympics-  It was an opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to be part of an international event.  We did it up right.  We bought an event package, bought the gear and got into the swing of things.  I was happy to still be on maternity leave,  so I could be glued to the television each day.  I watched with tears in my eyes as the torch made its way to Vancouver.  Attending the events were amazing.  We even got to see, in person, Clara Hughes win a bronze medal.  But for me, the day we took the kids downtown was one of the best.  The atmosphere downtown was electric.  Thousands of people wandering around downtown taking in the many free activities and being a part of it all.

Sarah waiting for the mascot ice show to begin at Robson Square

Hanging out with the mascots outside of our curling event.

Jack's First Birthday Party-  There is something about first birthdays that is special.  Not only does it celebrate a child's first year, but it is also a victory dance for parents.  The victory of surviving that first year.  We had Jack's party at our local community centre.  Friends and family feasted on food and there was lots of room to run and play in the gym.

Picnics at Garden City Community Park-  We discovered this park in June and made several trips there throughout the summer. The park over twenty acres of paths, greenery and water.  The playground is where creative play meets nature. Water runs down a water bed into a dam that can be controlled by whoever is playing there at that moment. There are two large slides and lots of different climbing equipment.  Both my kids loved the water there best and we never left the park dry.

Day Trips to Kerrisdale Play Palace-  What a great idea.  The ice comes out of the Kerrisdale Arena in May and they haul in bouncy castles and slides, mats and play house, basketballs and scooters.  What you get is unlimited possibilities and loads of fun.  We stuck pretty close to the toddler area, but it was perfect for us.

Evening Jaunts to Centennial Beach-  This is my new happy place.  Perhaps it is the ample FREE parking.  Maybe it is the miles of beach that makes seem like it is never crowded.  Or it is the beautiful playground that has climbing equipment, slides and swings for all ages.  But this place makes me happy.  I think it is also that I felt comfortable enough to take both kids there on my own.  We would venture out around 4 p.m. to have a late evening picnic, when Captain Canada was working late.  It doesn't hurt that both kids loved it too and two or three hours would pass in a flash and everyone was still perfectly happy.  If you have not been lately, go and drink in the beauty of the ocean.

A Day on Okanagan Lake- I took the kids up to my parents' house this summer for a week.  I wanted to Sarah and Jack to experience all the things I loved to do as a kid.  One of my favourite days was the one spent at a friends' cabin on Okanagan Lake.  The kids dug in the sand, built sand castles and took dips in the lake.  The best part was the boat ride and our plunge into Okanagan Lake.  Pure bliss!

Sarah is Potty Trained-  It happened!  Out of nowhere.  One Saturday in early August, she said she had to go and she went.  Just like that.  After a year of what felt like blood, sweat and tears.  It was such a great feeling. There is no question I hate potty training, but when it happens it feels like quite an accomplishment.  Oh crap, I just realized Jack is almost two:)

Oregon Coast Summer Trip- Our first big road trip as a family.  We were gone for five days and we spent time at Great Wolf Lodge, Florence and Seaside.  The Oregon Coast is spectacular and we will definitely be going back.

VanDusen Gardens Festival of Lights- I wrote recently about our trip to VanDusen so I won't repeat myself except to say breathtaking.

What are some of your highlights from this year?  I would love to hear what you loved about this year.

VanDusen Gardens

We took a trip to VanDusen Garden's Festival of Lights the other night.  It was my first ever trip there and my only question is what took me so long? It is absolutely beautiful.  As you enter the gates and move along the pathway, the lights are everywhere, illuminating the night sky, twinkling at their audience and reflecting off the water.  I want to live there for the month of December.  It makes me want to lay down my red blanket and have a picnic, even in this weather.  It is truly that lovely.  The kids enjoyed it too.  Sarah managed to walk almost the whole way and once Jack woke up from his car ride slumber, he liked it too.

As you can see from this picture,  I really, really liked it.  I am marking in down in my Life Book and adding it to my Christmas tradition list.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Sarah did a typical Sarah like jig as soon as we got there.

I have yet to get a picture of the kids with Santa.  They are all talk and no action in this department.  So I was ecstatic when my kids sat with Santa.

My kids proved to me that they truly are angels.

Near the end of the trip, when Sarah got tired, she thought Santa's sleigh might give her a lift.

When Jack realized Mommy had not been to the gym that day, he demanded to be carried.

Peace, love and joy this holiday season.

Wordless Wednesday- Can You Feel The Love?

Just Do It: The Sarah Way

I consider myself somewhat of a reflective person.  Along with this reflection, I am always thinking of ways that I can improve myself. After some careful observations, I realized I should strive to be more like Sarah.

1.  Her unbridled enthusiasm for even the smallest things makes her an absolute joy to be around.  Her joy over a felt pen she has not used in a while or a kitchen timer is contagious.

2.  She is not afraid to ask for what she wants.

3.  She believes that a cookie will make everything better.

4.  She knows her own body and when she is tired, regardless of the time, she tells us she wants to go to bed.  Sarah asks to go to bed as early as 5:30 after a busy day or when her body is fighting off the flu and will sleep right through until morning.

5.  Her self control is unbeatable.  She currently uses this self-control to not go to the bathroom for days and days, especially if someone asks her if she has to go.  But I figure if I directed that kind of self-control to my eating and working out, I would be swimsuit model material.

6.  Her motto is anytime is snuggle time.

7.  She is loyal and steadfast in her devotion to her brother and the rest of us.

Sugar Cookie Love

We baked sugar cookies yesterday.  It was one of the things on my holiday to do list.  I love to bake.  I could do without cooking actual meals, but when it comes to baking I take comfort in making an old recipe or carrying on a tradition and making something my mom used to make.  I also like to be creative once in a while and tackle a new recipe.  Yesterday we tried the no roll, no cut sugar cookie recipe I wrote about on Friday.  The secret ingredient is sour cream.  These cookies are chewy and delicious.  They are perfect on their own. But we decided to bedazzle them with coloured icing, sprinkles and a few smarties.

As always, my little helper was pulling at my pants shouting, "Me too, me too" as soon as he saw the hand held mixer and beaters come out of the drawer.

I love watching the enjoyment that Sarah and Jack get out of decorating cookies.

They each have their own cookie decorating style.  Sarah likes to get her cookie just so before she digs in.  She carefully ices the top, shakes on the sprinkles and then carefully places the smarties. She decorates with care.

While Jack is methodical in his decorating style, he is less concerned with appearances.  He slops icing on the top.  Licks it off and repeats.

"Sometimes me think what is love, and then me think love is what last cookie is for. Me give up the last cookie for you." -Cookie Monster

Five on Friday

1.  I made it.  I survived.  I worked full time this week.  I have not worked full time, outside of the home, since 2007.  I made it through two performances of a Winter Concert,  a popcorn and movie party and a jingle bell run.  Let's put it this way, a child's idiosyncrasies are less noticeable when I only work two or three times a week.

2.  "Pop, pop, pop."  This is what my kids chant in unison, sometimes at 8:00 in the morning.  They both have a bit of a movie and popcorn addiction.

3.  Now that I am on holidays, I need to get back on the baking train.  I still want to try this sugar cookie recipe and make another batch of oreo cookies.

4.  It seems like I am always worrying about something when it comes to my kids.  Right now, the fact that Sarah will only drop a deuce once every eight or nine days is stressing me out.  She holds it and holds it and holds it and when she has to go, she is miserable and makes everyone around her miserable.  Tonight the threat of the doctor and a donut finally did the trick.  Anyone wise in this department, please leave me advice in the comment section.

5.  We drove around tonight to admire the Christmas lights.  I am not sure what it is about Christmas lights that make me so happy.  It was a great way to start my winter vacation and a great way to start the weekend.

Happy weekend!

Wordless Wednesday- Splish, Splash Fun in the Bath

Learning a New Skill: From Ice Skating to Sleeping

We took Sarah and Jack ice skating on the weekend.  It was our second attempt at ice skating since Sarah and Jack got their new skates.  I wrote here about our first skating attempt.  At that time, Sarah only watched and took a quick spin in the stroller.

This time it was all different.  The rink was decorated in a winter wonderland theme.  The place was darkened except for the glow of lights.  A big snow pile in the middle was home to several trees and the whole place had that Christmas tree smell that I love. Maybe it was the decorations, this time Sarah was brave and confident. Perhaps it was her new knee pads and elbow pads that gave her a boost.

From the moment she stepped on the ice, she loved it.  At first, we held her as she stepped on the ice.  She quickly graduated to the bar and by the end of the session, was using the bar on her own.  We were there to provide extra support if she started to lose her balance.

Sarah did not want to leave.  She would skate.  Take a break and skate some more.  She lasted a lot longer than we expected.

Snack time:  A yummy popcorn ball from Janice

After watching Sarah glow on the ice and talking to a girlfriend, Sarah's learning to skate got me thinking about Jack learning to sleep on his own.  As my girlfriend pointed out, when our kids are learning a new skill we don't just throw them in the water and let them figure it out on their own.    When our kids are learning to ride a two wheel bike we don't just hand them their new bike and say, "Have fun riding your new bike." and stand back to watch what happens.
 Instead we:
1.  Provide support (physical and emotional) where needed
2. Give pointers and tips to support  them on their journey towards mastering the new skill
3. We encourage and praise when they begin to acquire the skill

So while Sarah started her journey into ice skating this weekend, I gained a new perspective about Jack and his ability to sleep on his own.  I hope to be writing about his new acquired skill sometime soon.

Lack of Sleep Makes Me Cranky

It is no secret that lack of sleep makes people cranky.  But the other morning when I snapped at Sarah for something that would generally not register on my radar, I realized it was the lack of sleep talking.  

I have written on more than one occasion about sleep.  Most recently it is about my twenty month old son's less than stellar sleep habits.  I thought I had come to terms with it all.  I set up shop in his room and  decided when he needed me, I would be there and sleep with him.  But lately he has stepped it up a notch.  He has completely lost his ability to self-soothe.  This is something he has been able to do since very early on.  But, just sleeping beside me is not good enough anymore.  Picture a baby koala bear with arms and legs wrapped tightly around a tree.  Now picture that I am that tree.  That is how he likes to sleep. Now if I don't do it right.  If I don't hold him just so, lay flat on my back and rub his back in just the right way, he cries.  If I try to remove him from my person, once he fall asleep he wakes up quickly.  In the mornings, I am either cranky from lack of sleep or I feel like a ninety year old woman because I have laid flat on my back for half the night with a thirty pound weight on me.

My  lovely bed with its fluffy duvet and memory foam pillow is a distant memory right now.  My dilemma, is what to do?  Some people (i.e. Captain Canada) feel like it is time to sleep train.  But with Jack being in a bed and not a crib, this is somewhat difficult.  When he wakes up, he comes to get me.  If I put him back in his room and leave him, he comes again.  When it comes to crying, I am a softie and I don't think I could handle the amount of crying that I think sleep training would create.

Any experiences with a toddler who wakes up throughout the night and will not self-soothe?  What did you do that worked?  I would love to hear about it.

Guide to Trimming a Tree- Wednesday of Few Words

Have your photographer equipped and ready.  In our case, we were lucky to have two photographers.

Photo by Allan

 Carefully unwrap dump out all of the ornaments to get a better look.  I was tickled pink to see the enjoyment Sarah got as she checked out the ornaments and asked where they came from.

Stay warm. Sometimes the stockings that should be hung by the chimney with care make better footwear.

Enjoy moments like these.

I absolutely adore this photo.  Photo by Allan

Have yummy treats on hand for when the kids want to wear hockey helmets and take a snack break.

It is a good idea to have a distraction around, especially when there is glass to be swept up.  It was the end of the line for a few Christmas balls on Sunday.

Get the kids to add their own personal touch to the tree.  This year we went with a homemade tree topper, just like Fancy Nancy.

Photo by Allan

Save the best for last.  The final touch, Sarah placing the star on top of our tree.

Photo by Allan