It's time to hang up my cheesehead, figuratively and literally, tonight. My 15-1 Green Bay Packers lost to the New York Giants in the second week of playoffs. It was actually their first playoff game, as last week was a bye (week off) for them, so you can't argue that more rest makes a team play better.
The problem with a person's favorite team going nearly undefeated all season, after a Superbowl win last season, is that you start to think they're invincible. That they might actually pull off a second straight Superbowl win. That no one can touch them.
I started to get a little nervous last week when I found out the Packers would be playing the Giants. They're one of the few teams who gave the Packers trouble this year. I was realistic, but remained optimistic. My optimism was shaken on the third play of the game, and never recovered. I held out hope until near the end, when the Giants' lead became insurmountable.
And yes, I do realize that it's "just football." There are far more serious issues going on right now for other people, and I'm reminding myself of that by the minute. But for now, this loss really stings and I need some time to come to terms with it. That's the problem with having high, and more likely, unrealistic expectations of someone else.
We drowned our sorrows in my newly-named Sorrow Soup as we watched the game. Earlier today when I decided to make Potato Leek Soup for supper, it seemed so fitting, almost celebratory. A savoury homemade soup for a really cold day, which boasted some Packer-inspired ingredients (I promise that wasn't planned) such as leeks and celery (green) and potatoes (yellow-ish). Instead, we slurped our soup as the Giants scored yet-more touchdowns and the Packers made yet-more mistakes. Statistically, this was likely their worst game of the season. I may never make this soup again. Never mind the fact that the entire family, plus a bonus child, raved about how delicious it was. Just like a sweet, juicy strawberry reminds you of summer, the taste of this soup will remind me of football heartbreak. Bitter indeed.
I've never actually liked the Giants as a football team, as it seems they are so often the ones to bring the Packers' playoff hopes to an end. This isn't the first time they've done this, and I still haven't properly forgiven them for the last time. I think the only time I've ever cheered for them was when they were in the Superbowl against my least favorite team, the New England Patriots. So when your two least favorite teams are up against each other, you've still got to pick someone. It could happen again this year. Lets hope San Francisco (shudder) or the Baltimore Ravens pull off an upset.
But, and it pains me to say this, there are a number of Giants players that, in other circumstances, I would gladly cheer for. There's just so much talent on that team. We watched a short documentary this afternoon about one of their star players, Jason Pierre-Paul. The son of Haitian immigrants, his father became blind when Jason was just 8 months old. His dad hasn't seen his son since he was a baby, never even seen him walk, let alone play football. He doesn't even know what his boy looks like! The story is inspiring, with elements of family support and connectedness, but it's heartbreaking too. Jason's dad has never been to one of his games, because it would likely be too much for him. Imagine knowing how successful your son is and then never getting to see him in action. I had tears in my eyes watching this, but I had to remind myself that this was an opposing player! It's these kinds of stories that get me attached - they tug at the heartstrings. The players themselves aren't to be hated - it's the team as a whole that does the damage.
So, I'm feeling in the depths of despair, as Anne would have said, but I'm reminding myself of just how happy Jason's dad must be tonight. How very proud. Apparently, he'll attend the Superbowl game if his son's team makes it there. That's what I'll hold on to.
There will definitely be a feeling of emptiness tomorrow, now that our football season is essentially over. But it's a new day, and I'm sure there will be lots of great reasons to smile.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Here's a copy of our Christmas letter - just a brief summary of a very eventful year in our family.
2011 was an eventful year for our family, although we certainly hadn’t planned for it to be so. Here are a few highlights of our year:
*The Green Bay Packers won the Superbowl!
*Stefan took me to a Bon Jovi concert
*lots of visits from family & friends from out west
*Connor turned 10, started grade 5, started swimming on the swim team & continues taking piano lessons. He amazes us with his skill & passion on the piano & amuses us with his long hair, which we are not allowed to cut.
*Taya turned 7, started grade 2, started swimming on the swim team (with Connor) & also continues taking piano lessons. She amazes us with her social butterfly skills & her love of reading & amuses us with her non-stop drawing & creating.
*Logan turned 6, started grade 1 & started tae kwon do & piano lessons. He amazes us with his knowledge of anything related to NFL football & amuses us with the charts he creates each week of which teams are playing & which teams he thinks are going to win. This boy loves all things football! In all fairness, with our kids, the apple(s) does not fall far from the tree(s).
*Stefan & I took our dream trip to Green Bay,WI to see Lambeau Field & to take in a Packers game.
*I applied to go back to school! Some people think I’m crazy, but I’m quite excited about it. I’ve applied for an after-degree Communications program that starts next September. In the meantime, I’m working at Starbucks & getting in lots of volunteer experience at a community newspaper & doing some proofreading for a magazine.
*We moved! We didn’t see that one coming either. With our “school/pool” fund being empty, we decided to downsize. As a bonus, our new home, which is just around the corner from our old one, has a pool. With such a hot summer, we made very good use of it!
In November, we “adopted” a little girl named Ketrina from Malawi into our family. It’s one small step towards trying to make the world a better place, or to at least make the world a better place for one other person. My challenge to you for 2012 – how are you going to make the world a better place for someone else this year?
2012 promises to be another eventful year for us, full of change & excitement. Our family wishes you peace & blessings this Christmas & a new year full of joy!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Normal Day
"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day, I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return." - Mary Jean Irons
I just love this poem. There is such a depth of truth in it. The poet has so obviously lived this - I want to live by this! Most of my days are, indeed, normal. One day they may not be. I want to treasure these normal ones, with all their frustrations and pressures and annoyances and be thankful for them.
Sometimes there is a rare and perfect tomorrow, but hoping for one in place of enjoying today is not a good use of my time and energy and passion.
Life is normal and good, and I'm thankful.
I just love this poem. There is such a depth of truth in it. The poet has so obviously lived this - I want to live by this! Most of my days are, indeed, normal. One day they may not be. I want to treasure these normal ones, with all their frustrations and pressures and annoyances and be thankful for them.
Sometimes there is a rare and perfect tomorrow, but hoping for one in place of enjoying today is not a good use of my time and energy and passion.
Life is normal and good, and I'm thankful.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Memories of Green Bay
Whoever said that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth obviously hasn't been to Green Bay, Wisconsin! Perhaps I've arrived at this conclusion with a somewhat biased point of view, seeing as how Green Bay is home to my favorite team, the Packers. Feel free to keep that in mind while I tell you why this diehard Packers fan was in her happy place this past weekend.
For my 37th (gasp - late thirties!) birthday, my husband surprised me with a hotel reservation in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I actually don't know any other person that would be pleased to receive that as a gift, but I was ecstatic, as in heart racing, butterflies in my stomach ecstatic, with a small scream or two thrown in for good measure. Hotel rooms in Green Bay are notoriously hard to come by during the NFL season; in fact, our room was the last room available at this hotel - and this was almost 6 months ago.
We left Toronto early Friday morning. We drove away from our house with our daughter's weeping face pressed against the window, her mournful cries lingering in our ears, and with our youngest son's tears only recently dried. As cruel as we felt leaving them behind (they were staying with their grandparents, not alone or anything callous like that), we were giddy with freedom and anticipation!
Because there is no such thing as a direct flight to Green Bay from Toronto, we made a two hour stop in Detroit. With all that time to kill, we did some terminal hopping to find the only Starbucks in the whole airport. The coffee was good (of course) but the bagel was average (no toaster) and the chocolate muffin was thoroughly awful. But we were hungry... After another quick flight and another full plane (we didn't even get to sit together this time), we landed in our happy place.
Now, everyone has a very different idea of what their happy place is. You might have more than one happy place, or it might change over time. I think it's important to have a happy place or two. I have a photo taken of me several years ago. I'm sitting in a rented Mustang convertible, top down, of course (the car, not me), parked across the street from the beach in San Diego, with a Starbucks cup in hand. The caption reads "My happy place."
Well, I've discovered a new happy place and it's called Green Bay, Wisconsin, or perhaps more specifically, Lambeau Field. We took a Stadium tour the morning after we arrived and got to see parts of Lambeau that people never get to see on game day. We stood on the ground next to the playing field (we were explicitly directed by our tour guides not to stand on, touch, or lick the grass - actions they've had to deal with in the past) and I looked up at 73000 empty seats and heard the roar of the fighter jets as they practiced their game day flyover and I was in my happy place.
*As a side note, I've always thought that the Packers were named after cheese packers. Turns out the original players were a bunch of guys from a meat packing factory who had a habit of soundly defeating every team they played.
On Friday afternoon, we wandered past a fenced off parking area where a handful of fans were waiting. This is the area where the players and coaches come out after practice and it's a golden opportunity to score an autograph. It's hit and miss whether the players will stop for an autograph, but I did manage to score one from cornerback Tramon Williams. The players parking lot was a shining array of tricked-out, pimped-up, black-tinted Chevy Escalades, Land Rovers and Suburbans. Big shiny vehicles for big shiny football players.
It's game day...
Sitting in the lobby of our hotel, looking out the window to my right, I can see the top of the stadium, not even a ten minute walk away. Everywhere I look outside, there are people dressed in ridiculous green and yellow get-ups (but who's judging) and there are cars and RVs pulling into parking lots, setting up hibachis for a day of tailgating. The lobby is buzzing with excitement and I can't find even one person, myself included, who is not sporting team colors. There are a couple guys wearing visiting team colors who stand out like sore thumbs. I have yet to see an age or gender demographic not represented in the crowd, although there seem to be a disproportionate number of beer-bellied thirty and forty-something guys. Packer fans transcend these sorts of divisions.
It's a perfect day here in Green Bay - the sky is cloudless and a brilliant October blue. The grass is still a vibrant green, in keeping with team spirit. The leaves are just starting to turn, but green still dominates.
The tailgaters have arrived in full force and no effort has been spared. The smell of charcoal permeates the fall air along with the aromas of beer and chili, and it's not even lunch time. Walking past tables laden with every kind of snack food you can imagine is a feast for the eyes. Fans and their vehicles are completely decked out in every imaginable combination of green and yellow, and even some you didn't imagine. It's like the merchandise at the Pro Shop - if you can color it green and yellow and put the Packers G on it, they probably have. (In fact, they claim to have over 2000 unique emblemmed items). They call the Pro Shop Packer fan nirvana, and I have to agree. Some items, such as the Packer-themed crib mobile, the shower curtain and the ladies logo-ed underwear, are borderline silly. You could even buy a tiny glass enclosure housing a few actual blades of grass from their recent Superbowl win - maybe those wanting to lick the grass could just break the glass and have a go?... Some of my favorite items? The football chandelier, the chess/checkers game using miniature team helmets and all the variations on the famous cheesehead.
Time to head to the stadium for the main reason we've come to Green Bay - to watch the Packers hammer out a win on their home turf. The parties are still in full swing as we get closer to the stadium and it feels like a pilgrimage of sorts for us. Not all these fans have tickets to the game. Many are still trying to get a ticket as the minutes count down to kick-off, but no one is selling. We experience our first and only annoyance of the weekend as we join a tightly packed throng of bodies trying to get into the stadium. We've all got our precious tickets, but first we must get through our security scan, conducted by no more than half a dozen Green Bay police officers. Just to clarify - that's about 6 officers for the entire crowd, not per person. Needless to say, it took a long time to get in, but we found our seats with plenty of time to spare before kick-off.
We had fantastic seats, just a few rows up from the field on the goal line, on the visitors side of the field. For the first two hours of the game we had the sun shining directly in our faces, keeping us plenty warm. Part of the magic of Lambeau Field is their well-deserved, hard-earned nickname Frozen Tundra - it's a huge advantage over teams visiting from less-hardy parts of the country. We were thankful to come to a game at this time of year, when all we needed was a t-shirt and sunglasses, not parkas and thermal underwear.
I'm not going to give you a play-by-play of the game, partly because I couldn't do it justice, and partly because that's old news already (and this post is really, really long). There were numerous times throughout the game when I turned to Stefan and gushed, "I can't believe we're actually HERE!" Whether it was seeing the glint of the sun off the players' helmets, or watching Greg Jennings catch yet another touchdown pass, or cheering as Aaron Rodgers came just a few yards away from breaking Brett Favre's passing record, or feeling the roar of the crowd as we chanted, as one, "GO PACK GO!" - each experience defined this magical day.
Leaving Lambeau Field was bittersweet - the dream realized, but now over. I found myself turning my head often for one last look as we walked away from the stadium, easier said than done while walking through crowds of (mostly drunk) people. To know and have experienced the history and legend that are the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field is truly special. To have shared it all with someone who appreciates it as much as I do made the weekend perfect.
For my 37th (gasp - late thirties!) birthday, my husband surprised me with a hotel reservation in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I actually don't know any other person that would be pleased to receive that as a gift, but I was ecstatic, as in heart racing, butterflies in my stomach ecstatic, with a small scream or two thrown in for good measure. Hotel rooms in Green Bay are notoriously hard to come by during the NFL season; in fact, our room was the last room available at this hotel - and this was almost 6 months ago.
We left Toronto early Friday morning. We drove away from our house with our daughter's weeping face pressed against the window, her mournful cries lingering in our ears, and with our youngest son's tears only recently dried. As cruel as we felt leaving them behind (they were staying with their grandparents, not alone or anything callous like that), we were giddy with freedom and anticipation!
Because there is no such thing as a direct flight to Green Bay from Toronto, we made a two hour stop in Detroit. With all that time to kill, we did some terminal hopping to find the only Starbucks in the whole airport. The coffee was good (of course) but the bagel was average (no toaster) and the chocolate muffin was thoroughly awful. But we were hungry... After another quick flight and another full plane (we didn't even get to sit together this time), we landed in our happy place.
Now, everyone has a very different idea of what their happy place is. You might have more than one happy place, or it might change over time. I think it's important to have a happy place or two. I have a photo taken of me several years ago. I'm sitting in a rented Mustang convertible, top down, of course (the car, not me), parked across the street from the beach in San Diego, with a Starbucks cup in hand. The caption reads "My happy place."
Well, I've discovered a new happy place and it's called Green Bay, Wisconsin, or perhaps more specifically, Lambeau Field. We took a Stadium tour the morning after we arrived and got to see parts of Lambeau that people never get to see on game day. We stood on the ground next to the playing field (we were explicitly directed by our tour guides not to stand on, touch, or lick the grass - actions they've had to deal with in the past) and I looked up at 73000 empty seats and heard the roar of the fighter jets as they practiced their game day flyover and I was in my happy place.
*As a side note, I've always thought that the Packers were named after cheese packers. Turns out the original players were a bunch of guys from a meat packing factory who had a habit of soundly defeating every team they played.
On Friday afternoon, we wandered past a fenced off parking area where a handful of fans were waiting. This is the area where the players and coaches come out after practice and it's a golden opportunity to score an autograph. It's hit and miss whether the players will stop for an autograph, but I did manage to score one from cornerback Tramon Williams. The players parking lot was a shining array of tricked-out, pimped-up, black-tinted Chevy Escalades, Land Rovers and Suburbans. Big shiny vehicles for big shiny football players.
It's game day...
Sitting in the lobby of our hotel, looking out the window to my right, I can see the top of the stadium, not even a ten minute walk away. Everywhere I look outside, there are people dressed in ridiculous green and yellow get-ups (but who's judging) and there are cars and RVs pulling into parking lots, setting up hibachis for a day of tailgating. The lobby is buzzing with excitement and I can't find even one person, myself included, who is not sporting team colors. There are a couple guys wearing visiting team colors who stand out like sore thumbs. I have yet to see an age or gender demographic not represented in the crowd, although there seem to be a disproportionate number of beer-bellied thirty and forty-something guys. Packer fans transcend these sorts of divisions.
It's a perfect day here in Green Bay - the sky is cloudless and a brilliant October blue. The grass is still a vibrant green, in keeping with team spirit. The leaves are just starting to turn, but green still dominates.
The tailgaters have arrived in full force and no effort has been spared. The smell of charcoal permeates the fall air along with the aromas of beer and chili, and it's not even lunch time. Walking past tables laden with every kind of snack food you can imagine is a feast for the eyes. Fans and their vehicles are completely decked out in every imaginable combination of green and yellow, and even some you didn't imagine. It's like the merchandise at the Pro Shop - if you can color it green and yellow and put the Packers G on it, they probably have. (In fact, they claim to have over 2000 unique emblemmed items). They call the Pro Shop Packer fan nirvana, and I have to agree. Some items, such as the Packer-themed crib mobile, the shower curtain and the ladies logo-ed underwear, are borderline silly. You could even buy a tiny glass enclosure housing a few actual blades of grass from their recent Superbowl win - maybe those wanting to lick the grass could just break the glass and have a go?... Some of my favorite items? The football chandelier, the chess/checkers game using miniature team helmets and all the variations on the famous cheesehead.
Time to head to the stadium for the main reason we've come to Green Bay - to watch the Packers hammer out a win on their home turf. The parties are still in full swing as we get closer to the stadium and it feels like a pilgrimage of sorts for us. Not all these fans have tickets to the game. Many are still trying to get a ticket as the minutes count down to kick-off, but no one is selling. We experience our first and only annoyance of the weekend as we join a tightly packed throng of bodies trying to get into the stadium. We've all got our precious tickets, but first we must get through our security scan, conducted by no more than half a dozen Green Bay police officers. Just to clarify - that's about 6 officers for the entire crowd, not per person. Needless to say, it took a long time to get in, but we found our seats with plenty of time to spare before kick-off.
We had fantastic seats, just a few rows up from the field on the goal line, on the visitors side of the field. For the first two hours of the game we had the sun shining directly in our faces, keeping us plenty warm. Part of the magic of Lambeau Field is their well-deserved, hard-earned nickname Frozen Tundra - it's a huge advantage over teams visiting from less-hardy parts of the country. We were thankful to come to a game at this time of year, when all we needed was a t-shirt and sunglasses, not parkas and thermal underwear.
I'm not going to give you a play-by-play of the game, partly because I couldn't do it justice, and partly because that's old news already (and this post is really, really long). There were numerous times throughout the game when I turned to Stefan and gushed, "I can't believe we're actually HERE!" Whether it was seeing the glint of the sun off the players' helmets, or watching Greg Jennings catch yet another touchdown pass, or cheering as Aaron Rodgers came just a few yards away from breaking Brett Favre's passing record, or feeling the roar of the crowd as we chanted, as one, "GO PACK GO!" - each experience defined this magical day.
Leaving Lambeau Field was bittersweet - the dream realized, but now over. I found myself turning my head often for one last look as we walked away from the stadium, easier said than done while walking through crowds of (mostly drunk) people. To know and have experienced the history and legend that are the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field is truly special. To have shared it all with someone who appreciates it as much as I do made the weekend perfect.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Various States of Chaos
This title basically sums up life over the last month or so, although I guess it all began to some degree when we decided to move, back in February. I remember a calm moment in early February - the Packers had just won the Superbowl (amazing how I can find ways to sneak that into just about any conversation), and we were getting ready to go to the Bon Jovi concert. I was thinking that life was moving along smoothly, and surely it couldn't last. (cue ominous music...) We had a lot going on, but life was generally calm and predictable. It was definitely exciting, based on the above two events.
The minute we decided upon a move, was the minute the chaos, to some degree, began. Between decluttering and cleaning the entire house, putting it up for sale, keeping it clean for showings and an open house, all while thinking in the back of my mind that I really should be packing - well, I always felt just a wee bit frantic. Actually, there were times where it was full blown, but I won't tell you about all my bad moments! Thankfully my children have relatively short memories about certain things, in addition to be being very forgiving, so we'll just move on.
There was a lull in the chaos once the house was sold and before the packing had to begin in earnest. But I still always felt that I should really be doing something more. Thankfully my mother-in-law came out to help us move at the end of June, and brought with her so much peace of mind and a really helpful level of calm. But before we could move anything into our new place, there were some renos to be done - the (really ugly, black-grouted, terra-cotta) tile on the main floor was ripped out (that is no small endeavor), and then some kitchen cabinets and countertops were installed. We got through the move itself, my mother-in-law went home, the kids finished school, our relatives came to visit from Calgary on their cross-Canada vacation, and then it felt like we should be settled.
But July has been busier than I was thinking it would be. There are swimming lessons twice a week, vbs for the kids, Connor at summer camp, my shifts at work, and a never-ending stream of friends coming over for a swim! Now I really am not complaining about this, because I am thrilled with how much use the kids are getting out of our pool. The summer has been non-stop hot, so I am forced to sit out on the deck and supervise the kids in the pool. It really isn't such a bad gig. The only problem is that stuff isn't getting done in the house, which leads to my various states of chaos. Sure, I can start the laundry and even put it in the dryer, but folding it? That can take days to happen, and by then it's a wrinkled heap and I might as well start over.
So, there are all these little pockets of "chaos" throughout my house (closets and drawers and desks and a garage to organize, heaps of things to sell, toss or recycle, paperwork to deal with) and I am making myself not worry about them. I regularly remind myself that I can deal with them in winter (not sure the laundry can wait that long, but you get the idea). I don't want to waste precious moments of summer sorting through miscellaneous boxes whose contents don't yet have a home. Summer is much too short. I will attempt to embrace the chaos and if I can't embrace it, then I will ignore it. Ignoring it won't make it go away, I know, but I'm hoping it will seem less chaotic when I finally decide to tackle it.
The minute we decided upon a move, was the minute the chaos, to some degree, began. Between decluttering and cleaning the entire house, putting it up for sale, keeping it clean for showings and an open house, all while thinking in the back of my mind that I really should be packing - well, I always felt just a wee bit frantic. Actually, there were times where it was full blown, but I won't tell you about all my bad moments! Thankfully my children have relatively short memories about certain things, in addition to be being very forgiving, so we'll just move on.
There was a lull in the chaos once the house was sold and before the packing had to begin in earnest. But I still always felt that I should really be doing something more. Thankfully my mother-in-law came out to help us move at the end of June, and brought with her so much peace of mind and a really helpful level of calm. But before we could move anything into our new place, there were some renos to be done - the (really ugly, black-grouted, terra-cotta) tile on the main floor was ripped out (that is no small endeavor), and then some kitchen cabinets and countertops were installed. We got through the move itself, my mother-in-law went home, the kids finished school, our relatives came to visit from Calgary on their cross-Canada vacation, and then it felt like we should be settled.
But July has been busier than I was thinking it would be. There are swimming lessons twice a week, vbs for the kids, Connor at summer camp, my shifts at work, and a never-ending stream of friends coming over for a swim! Now I really am not complaining about this, because I am thrilled with how much use the kids are getting out of our pool. The summer has been non-stop hot, so I am forced to sit out on the deck and supervise the kids in the pool. It really isn't such a bad gig. The only problem is that stuff isn't getting done in the house, which leads to my various states of chaos. Sure, I can start the laundry and even put it in the dryer, but folding it? That can take days to happen, and by then it's a wrinkled heap and I might as well start over.
So, there are all these little pockets of "chaos" throughout my house (closets and drawers and desks and a garage to organize, heaps of things to sell, toss or recycle, paperwork to deal with) and I am making myself not worry about them. I regularly remind myself that I can deal with them in winter (not sure the laundry can wait that long, but you get the idea). I don't want to waste precious moments of summer sorting through miscellaneous boxes whose contents don't yet have a home. Summer is much too short. I will attempt to embrace the chaos and if I can't embrace it, then I will ignore it. Ignoring it won't make it go away, I know, but I'm hoping it will seem less chaotic when I finally decide to tackle it.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Stealing Kisses
Now doesn't that sound like a risque title? Sorry to disappoint, but there's nothing risque about this post!
Ben Harper sings a song called "Steal my Kisses" that I've always loved. It's a cute, catchy little song - you can listen to it on Youtube, I'm sure. Lately I've been singing this song in my head a lot, as "stealing kisses" is what I sometimes have to do with my kids! There are a few ways this is done...
When Connor was much younger (I can't remember what age we started this) he went through a phase where he really wasn't into getting kisses from his mommy. So I would plead, beg even, with him for just...insert any number here. It turned into a game where I gave him 20 kisses, and then I had to be done. He loved counting them, so of course I'd always sneak in a few extra to see if he'd notice, which he did. But he grew to love the game and grew out of his aversion to kisses. This was my attempt at stealing as many kisses as I could, while he still let me. We had a lot of fun with this for several years and it became our bedtime ritual, although it does happen more infrequently now. However, I'm grateful for each of those stolen kisses! He'll still ask for those kisses on occasion, but I know this won't last forever.
Then it was Logan's turn to have an aversion to kisses (thankfully Taya hasn't had that), and he would immediately and frantically wipe off any kisses that I managed to land on his face. But the kid is just so darn smoochable, that something had to be done. I need to give that boy kisses! Lots and lots of kisses. I talked him into giving me a couple kisses once after a meal, but I pointed to spots on my face where he had to plant the kisses. Then at just the right moment, I planted a kiss right on his lips, which totally surprised him. But he thought it was hilarious, and now it's the best game ever. We take turns giving each other kisses and surprising each other with the stolen kiss, which of course makes us shriek with laughter. The best part is that now all 3 kids want to play the game (not with each other), so while it lasts, I plan to savour each one of those sweet kisses.
So perhaps I'm stealing kisses, but there's no guilt involved in this theft! I won't even tell you about all the stolen kisses while they are fast asleep...
Ben Harper sings a song called "Steal my Kisses" that I've always loved. It's a cute, catchy little song - you can listen to it on Youtube, I'm sure. Lately I've been singing this song in my head a lot, as "stealing kisses" is what I sometimes have to do with my kids! There are a few ways this is done...
When Connor was much younger (I can't remember what age we started this) he went through a phase where he really wasn't into getting kisses from his mommy. So I would plead, beg even, with him for just...insert any number here. It turned into a game where I gave him 20 kisses, and then I had to be done. He loved counting them, so of course I'd always sneak in a few extra to see if he'd notice, which he did. But he grew to love the game and grew out of his aversion to kisses. This was my attempt at stealing as many kisses as I could, while he still let me. We had a lot of fun with this for several years and it became our bedtime ritual, although it does happen more infrequently now. However, I'm grateful for each of those stolen kisses! He'll still ask for those kisses on occasion, but I know this won't last forever.
Then it was Logan's turn to have an aversion to kisses (thankfully Taya hasn't had that), and he would immediately and frantically wipe off any kisses that I managed to land on his face. But the kid is just so darn smoochable, that something had to be done. I need to give that boy kisses! Lots and lots of kisses. I talked him into giving me a couple kisses once after a meal, but I pointed to spots on my face where he had to plant the kisses. Then at just the right moment, I planted a kiss right on his lips, which totally surprised him. But he thought it was hilarious, and now it's the best game ever. We take turns giving each other kisses and surprising each other with the stolen kiss, which of course makes us shriek with laughter. The best part is that now all 3 kids want to play the game (not with each other), so while it lasts, I plan to savour each one of those sweet kisses.
So perhaps I'm stealing kisses, but there's no guilt involved in this theft! I won't even tell you about all the stolen kisses while they are fast asleep...
Monday, May 23, 2011
May Musings
As usual, late April and May are very busy times in our family. Starting with Connor's birthday, then moving on to Mother's Day, our anniversary, my birthday and Taya's birthday and throw in a whole bunch of other stuff like kids' activities, volunteering, piano recitals and visitors, and there are few minutes to spare. Spring has finally arrived, a few weeks later than usual, but now everything is green and full and beautiful.
We are gearing up to move next month, as well. We're staying in our neighborhood - moving about 200 yards up the road. It all came about very suddenly, but it became obvious that moving was going to be a very prudent decision. In addition to needing to replace our roof this summer and restain the whole deck, we were also wanting to put in a pool, travel, and start saving for me to go back to school. Well, since money does not grow on the trees in our particular forest, we chose to downsize. The bonus is that even though we'll end up with a smaller house and yard, we gain a finished basement and a backyard pool! Those were definite selling features for the kids.
It really all happened so fast - one minute we were discussing plans for the future, the next we were putting an offer on a house. It just so happened that a near-perfect-for-us house had just been listed, and we had to take advantage quickly. We knew we didn't want to leave our neighborhood, where the kids have lots of friends within walking distance, and very few houses come up for sale in this neighborhood. It all seemed meant to be. While I'm not looking forward to the actual move, and we will most definitely miss this yard, we're looking forward to the pool, to much smaller utility bills, to lower property tax, and to the freedom that comes with knowing you've made a wise, albeit difficult, decision. All the purging and decluttering is an added bonus. It feels really, really good to get rid of so much extra stuff that we were only keeping because we had so much extra space. I am a firm believer that stuff literally and figuratively weighs a person down.
On another note, I've reached the milestone of "late thirties." I can no longer say I'm in my mid-thirties. Birthdays always bring mixed feelings, because I always feel that the actual number is in no way representative of how old I feel (maybe 22), but I'm also incredibly thankful for each birthday, that I am blessed to turn older. And, just for me perhaps, the world did not end before I could turn 37. It was a great day of relaxation, family, gifts, dinner and a movie with friends. Stefan surprised me with a hotel reservation in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the end of September. Assuming that there is a football season this fall (they're on strike currently), we will be spending 3 nights in Green Bay, and I will get to experience Lambeau Field in person. I am ridiculously excited about this and just keeping my fingers crossed that the strike ends in time.
It's a busy week ahead as we get ready to celebrate our little/big girl turning 7! Hard to believe she is so grown up already. She is a spark of fun in our family - she keeps us laughing and can sneak up on anyone and give them a big scare. She is very creative - never stops coloring and drawing and dancing. We sure love our Taya!
And now I need to get the kids to bed, so I can watch a movie with a friend. Ciao!
We are gearing up to move next month, as well. We're staying in our neighborhood - moving about 200 yards up the road. It all came about very suddenly, but it became obvious that moving was going to be a very prudent decision. In addition to needing to replace our roof this summer and restain the whole deck, we were also wanting to put in a pool, travel, and start saving for me to go back to school. Well, since money does not grow on the trees in our particular forest, we chose to downsize. The bonus is that even though we'll end up with a smaller house and yard, we gain a finished basement and a backyard pool! Those were definite selling features for the kids.
It really all happened so fast - one minute we were discussing plans for the future, the next we were putting an offer on a house. It just so happened that a near-perfect-for-us house had just been listed, and we had to take advantage quickly. We knew we didn't want to leave our neighborhood, where the kids have lots of friends within walking distance, and very few houses come up for sale in this neighborhood. It all seemed meant to be. While I'm not looking forward to the actual move, and we will most definitely miss this yard, we're looking forward to the pool, to much smaller utility bills, to lower property tax, and to the freedom that comes with knowing you've made a wise, albeit difficult, decision. All the purging and decluttering is an added bonus. It feels really, really good to get rid of so much extra stuff that we were only keeping because we had so much extra space. I am a firm believer that stuff literally and figuratively weighs a person down.
On another note, I've reached the milestone of "late thirties." I can no longer say I'm in my mid-thirties. Birthdays always bring mixed feelings, because I always feel that the actual number is in no way representative of how old I feel (maybe 22), but I'm also incredibly thankful for each birthday, that I am blessed to turn older. And, just for me perhaps, the world did not end before I could turn 37. It was a great day of relaxation, family, gifts, dinner and a movie with friends. Stefan surprised me with a hotel reservation in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the end of September. Assuming that there is a football season this fall (they're on strike currently), we will be spending 3 nights in Green Bay, and I will get to experience Lambeau Field in person. I am ridiculously excited about this and just keeping my fingers crossed that the strike ends in time.
It's a busy week ahead as we get ready to celebrate our little/big girl turning 7! Hard to believe she is so grown up already. She is a spark of fun in our family - she keeps us laughing and can sneak up on anyone and give them a big scare. She is very creative - never stops coloring and drawing and dancing. We sure love our Taya!
And now I need to get the kids to bed, so I can watch a movie with a friend. Ciao!
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