RIP Trees

This is what I was greeted with when I arrived home last night - mind you it was dark, and the pile somehow looked even bigger!

 

Where did so many trees come from, you might ask?  Well, I am sad to report that our backyard will be a lot sunnier next summer!  We had a total of 16 trees taken down from our backyard yesterday, including the one that sat next to the house, with the 25 foot swing on it, the freaky one next to the deck with the huge leaves, the double leader at the top of the hump in the back yard, and an assortment around the shed and side of the house. 

I think I am most sad about the one with the swing - I won't forget seeing Matt, up on the roof, with a rope tied around a brick trying to get it hung for Norah when she was quite young.  Or how much Roddie loved the long gentle arc provided by it's long ropes when he couldn't stand the more rapid pace of the swingset.  Or how Norah was finally big enough to get in and out of the seat herself, even though she was too big for the actual seat.

I guess we'll never upgrade that toddler swing to a tire swing when the kids get older. Or ever really find out what kind of tree that was, with the giant leaves and the funny bean-like pods.  Or put the kids picnic table where the pool once stood, at the base of the hump, and in the shad of the double leader.

We also won't worry about branches landing on the house (we've had several close calls), or the ants eating at the base of those huge trees leaning at increasing angles.  Just as Roddie grew out of his crib and into his bed this past week, it was time for these trees to become someone's firewood.  We'll plant new trees, and grow some grass where before there had only been moss.  We'll figure out other ways to stay cool, and venture a little further back into the yard to find shade.

We have a blank canvas to work on, but first we'll round up the neighbour kids for a game of baseball!

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 48

Roddie Report: Big Boy Bed

Roddie had a few really bad nights last week.. up in the middle of the night for an hour or more, and then up at 4 or 5 for the day.  Needless to say, it was a rough week, but a short one, since Thanksgiving was Thursday.  While we were at Matt's parents house, Roddie slept in a pack'n'play, as usual.  However, he barely fit in it, end to end, and was fond of moving and flipping it when he wasn't inside.  It was pretty clear that this was the last time he'd be sleeping in the pack'n'play.  However, that got us thinking that it might be time to move him out of his crib and into his "Big Boy Bed" - a toddler bed.  I was considerably more nervous about this transition for Rod than Norah - he's just not the deep sleeper that she was.  

The first night started out a little rough, with Roddie getting out of his bed about every 45 seconds to get a new book.  However, 'Bad Dad' was on the scene and he soon settled in nicely.  Incredibly, he's been sleeping in past 7 am these past three days - coincidence?  maybe, but I'll take it!

He actually looks too big for the crib in this picture, as he says farewell

He's all over his Big Boy Bed, and loves to point out his Big Boy Jeans, his Big Boy slippers, his Big Boy.. you get the idea.  He was even game to make his own bed - with instruction from Norah, who said "Roddie, do it like this - you just flatten out the blankies and make sure they aren't crinkley"

Yay!  Big Boy Bed!!!

As for me, well yes, of course I'm sad to see the crib come down.  It's been nearly 5 years since we set it up in their room (alongside a desk and futon at that time!)  But the reality is that Rod, like Norah, is growing up before our very eyes and life continues to be a constant series of adjustments... ain't it grand?

Norah News: Big Girl Dancing

Norah is getting ready for her Christmas dance recital.  A year makes a big difference - this time last year, she barely knew what a recital was, and now she's able to pretty much do her routine for us.. although she must do it in the kitchen or bedroom - the living room carpet is too bumpy. Also, it's important that she practices in heels and long gloves - I suppose it must help her creative juices...  What I'd really like to know, is when her legs got so long.... 

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 47, take 2

too good not to share... watching Frosty the Snowman at Oma and Opas

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 47

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 46

Roddie Report: teasin' me!

Roddie does stuff almost daily that cracks me up… waking up at 4:30 am is not one of them, but this one is.  I’ve written before about how he already knows to leverage being the baby of the family – when I ask him if he’s a big boy or a baby, he usually replies, “Mom’sBabeeeee” and a glint in his eye.

Last night, after his bath and while Norah was getting hers, I had him on the changing table, getting erady for bed.  He said, “Mom, me baby” and wanted me to wrap him in his towel like a baby.  If I am still doing this when he is 5, shoot me, but come on, he’s only 2…   in any case, I started tickling him as if he were a baby…  he giggled and said to me “Mom, you’re teasin’ me!”

Indeed Roddie, I am.  Or is it the other way around? Time will tell!

Norah News: Skating Lessons

Growing up, I am pretty sure we were on skates the first winter we could walk.  I have fond memories of my dad taking us skating at Wentworth park, family parties at Jack's Cove in Mira, school skate-a-thons and skating parties... skating was simply part of growing up in Cape Breton!  My parents skate a lot and have been talking it up with Norah for quite some time.  We thought about lessons for her last year, but the timing just didn't seem right.  This year, we're signed up, she's significantly more co-ordinated, and the timing worked great.  

Today was the first class, and I'm happy to report, Norah did GREAT!  She's in a class with 3 and 4 year olds, making her one of the oldest kids in the class.  I think the confidence this provides is really good for her and she seemed to have a blast out there on the ice!  I look forward to seeing her continue to enjoy skating, and getting out there with her on my own skates soon!

Here she is before the lesson started, a little nervous, but happy

Lining up with her classmates

A little dry-land training before hitting the ice

Dad and Rod, watching the proceedings from the stands

Checking out the ice

CHECK IT OUT - looks who's standing up!

She even made a new friend!

Moving from sitting to standing..

Doing it on her own!

Chatting with her friend

Ta-dah!  Look at me!

All done, skating back on her own!  Yahoo!

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 45

Roddie Report: Snow and I love you

Two funny Roddie stories for today... We had our first snow last night.  There wasn't a lot of accumulation, but there was a nice white coating on everything.  Roddie was excited to see it when he looked out the window, but that all changed when we went outside.  He was frozen, so to speak, on the spot.  Turns out, he was totally overwhelmed by the expanse of white.  He was clinging to my leg, and nothing was going to get him to walk to the car.  Norah and I both tried to get him to touch some snow, to no avail.  I eventually realized what was going on and said "Buddy, are you afraid of the snow?" to which he replied, teary eyed, with a big lip, "yeah Mommy"  Upon further thought, I realized he really didn't see any snow last year, as we really didn't have any, past the October storm

The second story was this evening.  I take a Zumba class on Thursdays, and I leave around 7:00, so just before Matt starts the bed time routine.  Roddie and Norah were working on something at their table in the corner and as I was leaving Roddie called out, "Mommy, I love you" as clear as day.  My heart melted, Matt and I gave each other big grins, and off I went.

Adventure Chronicles: 2012 Vacation First Stop Hopewell Rocks

In my single days, I rarely drove to Nova Scotia.  Flying was a lot cheaper back then, and there was only one of me.  Pre-kids, Matt and started driving, doing the whole trip in a single day.  We were younger then, and we've come to accept that traveling with two adults is a lot more efficient than 2 adults and 2 kids. This time around we took 2 days to get there, and 2 days to get back.  On the way up we stopped overnight in Sussex, NB.  The kids were asleep when we arrived at the hotel well after midnight.  Norah trasitiioned easily into the hotel bed, but to say Roddie was wired is an understatement.  He was bouncing around the room saying "hotel, hotel, hotel"  We ended up splitting up and each sleeping with one kid - and I had Roddie.  

After a long time, he finally settled into sleep.  Some time in the middle of the night I hear "mom, mom.. mommy, help"  I tried to ignore him, thinking he was just amped up from the trip, but he wouldn't let up.  So I opened my eyes and rolled over, only to find him standing at the side of the bed - unable to get back in on his own.  Now, what I'd like to know is how and why he got out, and what he was up to in the mean time???    Was he cruising around the hotel or just our room?

The next day, we spent  a couple of hours at Hopewell Rocks - site of the highest tides in the world. We have actually toyed with stopping there on the way home several times, but finally scheduled it into our plans this trip.  It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed the diversion and sunshine, despite the hours of driving left that day!

Can you see Norah and I?  Matt and Roddie took this picture from the stairs

 

Requisite Family Self Portrait on the mud flats

Norah at the Rocks 

Roddie scoping out the mud

The mud, the star of the day

Reflective Roddie

Norah News: She's Got the Whole World...

Back at the end of the summer, we took a vacation to Nova Scotia.  In addition to taking a little time off, the main objective of the trip was to get my kids and my parents some time together, as well as visit with my grandmother Nanny Dot.  I'm well overdue to post  a few pictures from this trip, so I'll make no promises about what I'll get posted before Roddie wakes up from his nap, but here's a start!

This picture was taken at the Delorme Map Store in Yarmouth Maine, which just so happens to be along the way and have a decent potty :)

Adventure Chronicles: Maine with the EEEEE's!

I may have posted about this before, but we were lucky to see my sister Erin and brother-in-law Eric twice this summer!  They came to Massachusetts on vacation in August and we spent Labor Day weekend with them in New Brunswick.  A part of their visit to MA was actually in Maine - we went there for the weekend, camping, on the back end of their week here.  Maine means lighthouses, of course - so we visited one!  Here are a few pics from our visit and the lobster feast that followed! 

Norah News: Our Big Girl

Another story, with no pictures for today, this one about Norah.  We've been, ahem, challenged, at times with Norah and her strong opinions, but with all things parenting, it's a constantly evolving process.  Sometimes it's a matter of understanding how things in her world are affecting her, like things at school, or our work stress, and sometimes it's matter of realizing that she's gone and grown up a little more on us while we weren't looking!  I have one of each type of story about Norah today.

Going back a month or two ago, Norah was having a really hard time with drop off's at school.  I couldn't figure out why, other than just a phase - I hadn't been traveling much, we had a great summer with lots of time together.  She had transitioned into a new class (her last before 'real' school!!) but that had gone really well, from what I could tell.  I made an effort to get some frequent quiet time together with her to see if I could get her talking about what was at the root of it.

Turns out she finally admits that she was having trouble at school with reading. Wha....???  She is 4, no one expects that she's able to READ!  Anyway, I pushed some more over a period of time and she said she was having trouble with books at 'reading' time.  I wondered if the other kids could read and she was feeling left behind... possible, but not likely, I didn't think. Plus, she does great with sounding out words, and I think could probably sorta 'read' some beginning reader books.  We have some, but she and I took a trip to the library and got a couple to get started with.  It was then I realized she didn't know all her lower case letters - which of course would make it hard to read!

I asked her teacher about the other kids reading (only one) and the lower case letters (not really covered yet) and had my ah-ha moment!  So, we haven't been working on reading yet, but we have been working on learning the lower case letters - and problem solved!

The second story is less academic in nature.  We've recently recognized that we tended to treat Norah and Roddie very similarly - as if they were the same age, instead of 2.5 years apart. Sometimes this is ok, and even necessary  but if we expect Norah to act like the almost 5 year old she is, we really shouldn't treat her like a barely 2 year old.  I was getting a little frustrated with her refusal to put her own clothing on, brush her own teeth at times, etc. and it occurred to me that we encourage her to be a 'big kid' but never really differentiated what that meant or highlighted and of the privileges of being a big kid.  A\few little adjustments on our part, and things are going much more smoothly - and have started to pay dividends!

Today after Matt headed outside to start the last of the fall clean up, I told the kids the TV would be shut off after Curious George was over, and we'd do our chores.  Rod was not particuarly, helpful, although he did push the Swiffer around for a while.  Norah, on the other hand, was awesome!  I asked her to dust the living room, and tidy up the boot tray by the back door, putting away all the sandals (finally!)  She did that, and then offered to go and tidy up her room, which she did in fine style, before sweeping the floor!  I was so impressed with not only how well she completed the tasks at hand, but how willingly and cheerfully she did so!  It was fun working together and I got the bulk of the day's housework done before we joined Matt outside!  Yay Norah!

Roddie Report: Me Sittin' Here

No pictures today, just a funny story... as you may know, Roddie is really starting to talk these days, and starting to string thoughts together.  He's also flirting with right and wrong, as well as the time honored little-brother tradition of annoying his sister.  Mostly I try to stay out of it and let them work it out, unless of course one hits the other - that I don't stand for.

So, the other night, Norah was styling her hair in the mirror in the hall after tubby time, and for some reason, Rod thought he would walk up to her and give her a shove.  Matt saw him and immediately grabbed him and sat him on our equivalent of a time out chair.  I didn't see the whole thing, but I had a pretty good idea about what had transpired.  I said down next to Roddie and asked him why he was sitting there.  He looked at me, with a forlorn expression and said "Me sittin' here, on chair.  Me walk down there and push Nene"  I said, "oh, I see buddy.  Why did you hit Norah? "  To which he replied again "Me sittin' here, on chair.  Me walk down there and push Nene" this time, he wouldn't really look at me.

He was so adorable, I just wanted to smother him with hugs and kisses, which of course would not be the thing to do... so I got up and let him sit on his own for a few minutes.  I think he didn't really know why he hit her in the first place, but he did clearly get the idea that is was not the thing to do.  Mission accomplished.

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 44

Hurricane Sandy

Here on the East Coast, we were visited by Hurricane Sandy, known by some as the Frankenstorm.  New York City and surrounding areas, including where Matt's family lives, were hit really hard.  We here in New England we spared the worst of it, though we did lose a full day to the weather, and most of another as things got back to normal. 

Unlike the snowstorm last year, and the ice storm in 2008, we were totally prepared this time for a power outage - that never happened!  Some people in our town are without power, but no where near what we've seen in previous weather episodes (and no where near what is seen in NY, NJ, PA etc. this time around.) 

The up side of being prepared was that we were able to relax, and enjoy the extra time off with the kids.  I also got a lot of Foto Friday shots - too many to use in one week in fact, so I thought I'd use a few here to show you how we spent some of our time off together.  I must say, the kids played really really well together, and it's really fun to watch them playing WITH each other as they get a little older.

Pre-cookie baking pose

Working together mixing cookies

The cooking theme continues as they play

Big treat for breakfast - picnic with Curious George on TV!