Wordless Wednesday- At the Car Wash

Don't let that innocent face fool you.  Every car wash needs a villain.  Jack too his job very seriously.  Anyone working away completely unassuming was a target.

Sarah has loved washing cars since she was a wee one.  She has honed her skills over the years.

Happy Wednesday!

No Soccer for Sarah, For Now.

This summer, we told Sarah she could choose two activities for the Fall, a fine arts one such as drawing or painting and one that was active and involved exercise.  She chose a drawing class and soccer.  I am not going to lie, I was super excited that she wanted to play soccer.  I played soccer as an adult and loved it.  I was excited for Sarah to be part of a team.

Well Sarah's soccer career was put on hold this weekend, indefinitely.  She did not want her team picture taken and she wanted nothing to do with the mini game that her team was playing.

Perhaps I should have seen the warning signs on Tuesday when she ran to the sidelines near the end of her practice crying, "I don't want to play soccer anymore, I just want to go home."  But I gave her a pep talk and sent her back on the field.

She loves to play soccer at home and play pass with us, but she doesn't want to be on a team and she does not want to play in games.  I spent the weekend examining why I am having such a hard time accepting this.  Why I am upset and embarrassed by the situation.

 One of my very smart friends got it just right.  I take it very personally the way my kids act.  I feel it is a reflection on my parenting when my kids don't behave the way I think they should or the way I perceive is a "typical" or "normal" way to act.  So when Sarah refuses to play soccer and no amount of pep talks or slurpee bribes even gets her to try it, I feel like I in some have got it wrong or caused her to be this way.

When I read that last paragraph back, I know how silly it sounds.  But that paragraph puts a lump in my throat.  And while I recognize that I need to let that go, something inside of me still holds onto the idea that my kids' behavior is a direct reflection on me.

I am a mom.  I am a work in progress.

Wordless Wednesday- Sibling Love Part Deux

Sibling love part one

Dad's Perspective- Why I Wish I Was Still a Child

Captain Canada has taken over the blog again.  This time shedding some light on why he wishes he was still a child.  If I was being cheeky, I would probably say sometimes he acts like he is still a child:)

I thought it was about time for a second guest blog, just trying to add a little dad flavour to the Schwartz Chronicles.  The other day I was thinking what every parent has probably caught themselves’ daydreaming about at one time or another.  Wouldn’t it be great to be a kid again? They have it so good.  Just in case you can’t fathom how fantastic this would be, here are my top five reasons.

1)    When they take a crap on the potty/toilet everyone applauds, when I do it everyone runs.

2)    If my kids don’t listen to mommy they are sent to their room for alone time.   Well guess what, I love alone time and mommy says I never listen to her, so I would pretty much have it made.

3)    Wherever children go people are always telling them how cute they are or how smart or funny they are.  Most of the time, my kids are cute and they are super smart and funny so these compliments are well deserved.  But, I’m smarter and funnier then them (I’ll give them cute) and as an adult this just gets overlooked. 

4)    As a child at least until age five,  you are given a free pass when you lose your freaking mind in public.  If mom doesn’t get you those princess stickers you can feel free to wail your head off and complete strangers will make excuses for you.  Oh she’s probably just tired/hungry/bored.  Go ahead and try this one as an adult.  I have been called a D**K for much less.

5)    As a child crying can get you out of almost any kind of trouble and sometimes can get you exactly what you want.  If you are not getting what you want, turn on the waterworks and give mom and dad your best puppy dog eyes and they will probably give you what your heart desires.  I think this move works for both children and wives.

After Lisa reads this post, I will probably be banned from writing on this blog for the next six to nine months. At least I still have my camera.

Adventure on the Fly

"The best moments are the unplanned ones that just happen but make your day perfect." -Author Unknown

After dinner one evening last week, we decided to head out on a quick family adventure.  The kids wanted to throw rocks and I wanted to make the most of a beautiful evening.  It was one of those moments where there was no fighting, there were no tantrums and we all got to do things we enjoy.  I think an outing is a success when everyone has fun and the screaming, yelling and crying by both adults and children is kept to a minimum.

Captain Canada got to take lots of good pictures in the early evening light that he fondly refers to as the "magic hour."

Jack and Sarah found lots of rocks to throw.  Some a little too big to carry far.

Jack loves jumping off things and getting air time.  Sarah is more timid and careful, but she was motivated by her brother's lack of fear.

Once the blackberry bushes were discovered, I took several trips up the logs and through the rocks to retrieve blackberries for my hungry kids. You know the ones who just ate dinner.

Jack and Sarah enjoyed watching the boats go by.

Right before we headed home, we walked up to check out the art, "Olas de Viento" (Wind Waves).  My kids wanted to see me climb it.  So to prove I still have it, I did.

Then they wanted to climb it and with a little help, they enjoyed the view.

These are the moments that I file carefully away and hold dear to me.  I pull them out when I need them the most, to drown out the whining and remind me how much fun it is to have kids.

Wednesday of Few Words- Jack's First Day of School

Jack is enrolled in a program called "Time for Twos" at our local community centre. It is a drop off program that he goes to once a week for an hour and a half.  They have free play.  They eat a snack.  They do art and crafts.  They sing songs and play games.  It is a great program and the teachers are wonderful.

Today was the first day.  In the last few days his excitement for "going to school just like Sarah" has waned.  This morning he told us, "I am not going to school and I don't have to."

We did manage to get him to school and he didn't wear puppy pants or Woody pajamas or Cars pajamas.  So there's that.  And it wouldn't be a first day of school without a picture or two.

  He liked it, sort of.  He didn't like the part where we tried to leave him.  He liked it best when Sarah and I were within an arms reach of him.

Happy Wednesday!

In My Dreams: A Lady of Leisure

Lady of leisure- "Freedom from time-consuming duties, responsibilities, or activities."

On Friday night I went out for dinner with some girlfriends.  It was a beautiful night.  We were celebrating the survival of our first of week school.  You may chuckle at this, but the first week of school can be hectic, emotional and a full on race.  There is no marathon involved in the first week of school.  So  we felt sweet victory as we crossed a bridge and headed to our destination.  After a leisurely dinner, we had a night cap of tea and chocolate.  I didn't get home until almost midnight.  It was really a heavenly night out.  Good food.  Good conversations.  Good friends.  It was nice to have that feeling that I wasn't in a rush or had to be somewhere at a certain time.  The whole evening got me thinking, what would I do if I was a lady of leisure?  If I had no pressing responsibilities, like Will Lightman (Hugh Grant) in About a Boy, how would I break up my units of time?

First of all,  I would sleep in.  There would be no 5:00 a.m. wake ups or 7:00 a.m. wake ups for this girl.

I would definitely get a massage.  I miss the spa visits and there is nothing like a good, firm massage to take care of all those knots.

I would begin each morning with an extra hot latte and catch up on the stacks of books on my bedside table.

I would make an effort to learn more about wine and spend a lot of time taste testing to make sure I really knew what I was talking about.  Can you say happy hour?

I would go shopping.  Real shopping.  The kind of shopping where I can wander in and out of stores leisurely and try things on when the mood hits.

These things would be lovely, for a day or two.  But I think it would only be a matter of time before I was longing for mornings where I wake up spooning a two year old.  Dreaming of a quick trip to the mall that includes a car stroller, a ride and a strawberry smoothie shared two ways.

If you were a lady or gentleman of leisure, how would you break up your units of time?

There is a New Sheriff in Town

You know how it is.  Anything the older sibling does, the younger one wants to do too.  So when we got Sarah her Jessie costume, we had to get Jack a Woody costume.  What could be cuter than a Jessie and Woody dynamic duo, trick or treating team?
Last week you met our Jessie.  This week, meet Woody from the Toy Story movies.

My boy was very excited to put on his Woody costume the other day.  I love it when he says, "There is a snake in my boot."
The great thing about this costume is that it is pajamas for $13 instead of the "real" Woody costume for $40.

Wordless Wednesday- Traditions of the P.N.E.

We headed to the PNE on Friday.  Sarah has been going annually since she was three months old. It has become a family tradition.  We forgo the rides and instead focus our time on the shows, the animals and the food.

It wouldn't be a trip to the PNE without:

Our annual PNE picture.

A visit to the barn to check out all the animals, big and small.

Have you noticed Jack likes to wear pajama tops out and about?  He has become very particular about his clothes.

 He was completely enamored with the baby chicks.  He spent a good ten minutes talking to them, touching them and just gazing adoringly at them.

A viewing of the Super Dog show with a helping of cotton candy.

A crazy motocross trick and stunt show that leaves some kids ducking and hiding from the noise.

Enjoying a sweet treat or two.

We had a great time.  I love the act of doing the same activities each year.  The rhythm of it becoming a family tradition.  The idea that this is ours and this is how we do it.  Each year Jack and Sarah remember something different or have a new favourite thing.  It is these moments that I cherish.  

Happy Wednesday!

A Sunset with Kids

Tonight we took in the sunset at Garry Point park.  It was fun to watch the sunset preparation.  People were unloading lawn chairs and coolers.  Other cars had kids spilling out of them and along with chairs and coolers were kites and strollers.  Truth be told, we aren't usually out for sunsets because our kids go to bed pretty early.  I was amazed at how many people were soaking in these last moments of summer.

Captain Canada was taking full advantage of the perfect light.  Jack and Sarah were taking full advantage of the rocks and water.  I thought to myself, we should do this more often.  I re-considered when it came time to leave.

Jack was having too much fun and did not want to leave.  Beautiful light and screaming toddler.

Notice he is only wearing a diaper.  That my friends, is a whole other blog post.

This is me enjoying the sunset with my Sarah girl.

Have I mentioned that I love where we live?

Bloggers for Boobies: Run for the Cure

The last time I did the Run for the Cure, it was 2006.  I was eight weeks pregnant.  I ran with a work team.  I enjoyed the run and was inspired by other runners and their stories.

This year I am part of the team Bloggers for Boobies created by fellow blogger Nicole.   I am doing the run again for a number of reasons.  I turn forty this year and regular mammograms will become a part of my life.  In my head, I have always thought, I am too young to get breast cancer.  In reality, I know that is not true.  But, in the last year and a half, I have had two friends diagnosed with breast cancer.  Like me they have young kids.

So I am doing this run for N who I met at a baby group in 2007 when we were experiencing the highs and lows of being a mother for the first time.

I am doing this run for K.  A friend from back in the day, before kids.  When Wednesday nights drinks were a tradition and a sunny Saturday was for strolling down West 4th Avenue, lattes in hand, shopping for clothes we probably didn't need.

I am also doing this run for C, a breast cancer survivor.  My sheep in a jeep buddy.  We took many memorable road trips together.

I am doing this run for the estimated 23 000 woman who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada, this year. *

This year, I want to help make a difference and support the Canadian Breast Cancer's ongoing research and education.  If you would like to make a difference, join the run in your area or click below to make a donation.





* Statistics taken from Canadian Cancer Statistics 2010