Summer Reading

Better Than Roses

I found this hidden under my pillow one night:


What a way to end a day!

Catch Up

"I follow your blog, you know," said quiet KT. And then, in case I didn't get the first hint, "You should write on it."
Yes, KT, I should.

This time, I don't even think I need to ask "where do I start." There has been one (and only one) over-arching reason that I haven't written, and that is that Work has started. It has been quite an overwhelming process that has left me reeling. But, it is summer now -it has been summer for a full month - and so perhaps it is time that I just unload the story. I will try to keep it brief.

In April, my two years of maternity/parental leave from the public board came to a close. As a supply, the unpredictable and urgent phone calls were causing me to dread the thought of returning. Childcare was a huge factor, not to mention the whole "Quick! let's get out the door" thing with four kids and three drop-off points. It took some frustration, time, and figuring, but in the end I had a plan for how to best make it work. I did return for a few weeks, and it went just fine.
Over the past year, I had also been on the supply list at the Christian school. The principal knows my situation with the kids, so has been very gracious in giving me as much warning as possible. And so it was with a bit of surprise that I received a phone call one afternoon asking if I would supply for the next four days. Because I was already booked with the public board, I could only do two of the days, but we made it work.
During my second day there, I received an email from the principal, asking if I could extend to the next week. After my second day there, she asked if we might talk.
I will spare all the details, but in the end, I was asked if I would take over the class and finish off the year.
There were so many difficult things in it all - quite honestly it was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.
At the same time, there were many wonderful things, too. One of the highlights was that I became G's teacher! What a privilege and a gift to be able to see my son in his "other world" and to see the people that he spends his days with. I will also say that I could sense the prayers of people holding us up. In the end, it was a joy to be able to do.
At the end of the school year, I was asked if I would be interested in the job for next year. After much consideration, I went for an interview and was hired!
So: I am now a Grade 1 / 2 teacher, teaching only 50% (thank goodness!) at the Christian school.

And how am I spending my summer? I'm trying to simultaneously recuperate from the crazy previous school year, treasure my time with my kids and reconnect with them, and make long-range plans for this coming school year. Don't ask me how it's going.

Before:


After:

(I was trying to find a more recent before picture of the decks... but they were so ugly that apparently I haven't taken any in the last 7 years)

Superman

Says "I"
"Mummy, I picked that flower with all my strong might!"

Two

This beautiful munchkin turns two years old today. How is this possible?

She is a constant source of joy and delight - and more than an occasional source of mischief. We wouldn't trade her for anything!
We love you little lady.

Gone

It may have been the highlight of my week - or year.
Somebody came and bought all my diapers.

I made this sign for our front door to welcome Rod home.

Susanna

What's not to love?

Makes Sense - Ish

From Isaac

"Mummy, I can't fall asleep. I can't close my eyes for that long."

"I'm tired of standing. My tummy is getting a headache."

"This rock has to come inside. I don't want the dark to scare him away."

Thanks for the Great Gift

About a month ago, N gave me a "birthday present" she had made. It was more than a month early, but thoughtful nonetheless.
She had seen a similar one during the children's message in church, which she loved: one side of the face showed a happy face, and another side showed a sad face.
But the one N made was special. It was made just for me.


On one side is a happy face. When I want to show the children how happy I am, I can hold it up, and they will know just how I feel.


Here is the other side. It is not a sad face. It is a "mad" face. That way, when I get mad, I don't have to yell at the children or get angry at them. I can just hold up this face, and they will know.

Effective.

Two Peas in a Pod

This picture is a few months old, but....
These two get along so well.


I'm not sure what else I can say about what they are doing.... but they sure were having fun.

A New Era

A new era? Aren't I being a bit dramatic?
Perhaps, but not necessarily.
S is toilet trained! Yes she is.
Can we just pause and celebrate? This means that after almost eight years of having at least one child - but sometimes two - in diapers, we are (almost) a diaper-free home. She's not nighttime trained, but seriously: after changing and washing thousands upon thousands of diapers, I am okay to use one diaper a day.



So long. We've covered a lot together.

Perspective

The kids and I were looking through a few older pictures a few days ago and came across this one from the summer.

"I love this picture," I exclaimed. "I is naked, you are almost naked, there is so much fun happening."
Came an indignant reply: "I wasn't almost naked! I was chewing gum."

Carrying On

(And... we are just going to pretend that three-month blog silence didn't happen. Sometimes avoidance is a very viable way to deal with things.)

G: "Mom, what is metric?"
Me: "Metric is things like: centimetres, metres, kilometres, kilograms, litres.
Imperial is when you use things like inches, feet, yards..."
N, jumping in: "Houses."

N, as I was reading a book to her:
"Mummy, does Mr. Strong have a bum?"

(I'm not sure how to answer that one.)