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chiquita hija
Published February 7, 2010 @ 15:10 by Tania in

Hola! Soy Dora.

No, I don't speak Spanish. No one in our family is Spanish. However, I am finding that my daughter is speaking more and more Spanish lately. Thanks to Dora and Diego, she no longer says, "please" or "thank you!" but "por favor" and "gracias!" To open doors she says to me, "say Abre!"

It is incredibly cute of her, and pretty funny coming from a pale, blue-eyed, white blond. I catch her counting, and if the total is five or less, she always counts in Spanish. Do these Dora and Diego cartoon producers at Nickelodeon have any idea of their influence?

I think it is time we come up with a Canadian French cartoon so that our children can learn our other National Language (yes, I know that French is a dying language and that Spanish really will serve her better in the long run). How about a little girl named Minue? or Josephine? She'll have blue eyes and straight light brown hair, and a little poodle named Naf-Naf. Josephine will eat queues de castor, and visit all of our great Canadian tourist attractions like La Tour CN and mail postcards back to her friends.

Hmm... this could really fly. And children all of over this great country of ours won't start JK saying, "Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco!"

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Teaching Sportsmanship
Published February 7, 2010 @ 09:38 by Tania in Kids Activities

Son One is in a hockey tournament this weekend. It is a "Select" tournament, so fairly competitive. I was checking out the results on line last night, and felt sick. I couldn't sleep I was so upset. These are a bunch of seven-year-olds, and I really want to know what these coaches are teaching these kids about a love of the game.

Let me explain.

In our division in the tournament, there was an error with a team. They are supposed to be select teams born in 2002, however, a team got put in out division which was born in 2003-2004. Anyone involved in hockey in south western Ontario knows that titles of ages are confusing. We call our kids minor Novice, but in this tournament they are Tykes. Some areas have Mites and Tykes, some have Tykes then Minor Novice. You can see how the mix-up could have occurred.

Yesterday morning we woke at the crack of dawn to drive almost an hour for a game. When we got there, we learned that our opponents were five and six year-olds (we have about four kids on our team who have already turned eight). The coaches were in a quandary as to what to do. Tell our kids to go easy, and we risk not being able to ramp up for the next game. Move them around? Technically, we needed the win to continue in the tournament. However, as our coach so eloquently stated, "we don't need to win a tournament at the expense of some kids starting to hate hockey."

Instead, our coaches instructed the kids that they had to pass at least five times before they were allowed to shoot. I am sure that he also told most of our forwards that they were not allowed to shoot at all.

As parents, we sat in the stands, cheering every save by the opposition goalie, and staring at our hands in our laps sheepishly when our kids scored. After the first three goals, we prayed that they wouldn't score anymore.

After the game, I was impressed by our kids in the change room. They were talking about how fast some of the younger kids were, "I could barely catch number 4 on his breakaway!" How great the goalie was, "did you see him save, shot? He went like this!" (some sort of half dressed demonstration of goalie positioning) and even felt sorry for number 9, who had a ricochet off of his skate score in his own net. Number 9 was a five year old kid, probably less than 40 pounds, but he stood his ground against our kids and had an amazing poke check. Number 2 - a big strong defense - what a shot!

I was so impressed by our opposition. They stayed in the game right until the last buzzer, playing their hardest. I've seen eight-year-olds come to the bench in tears because they were scored on. These kids showed heart, grit and determination, and grace in defeat.

Later, I learned that their coach had asked our coach before the game to ask us, the parents, to tone down our celebrations. Apparently, the team that they had played the day before had horns and cheered and shouted for everyone one of the 16 goals they scored. Our coach said, "I don't need to do that." Thanks coach, for thinking so much of us parents that you knew we would put the kids first, hockey second.

When looking at the scores from other games, I was disgusted by other teams. These kids went out after us and were beat 22-1. 22 Goals!!! There was also another team in the tournament who lost 16-1, 13-0, 13-0. 42 goals against!

Who are these coaches who are teaching the kids to keep scoring when they are already killing their opposition? Not enough to beat them, you need to humiliate them too? These are seven-year-olds! It reminded my of the Junior Team Canada 16-0 nothing Boxing Day game this yea (which we stopped watching after the first period). Really, with role models like these...

I am so glad that our coach decided that the lesson yesterday wasn't about seeing how many points we could possibly rack up, but instead a deep respect and appreciate for your opponents, and a love of the game. Sport should be about building character, but now I see why it gets such a bad rep.

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Hair Cut - Take Two
Published January 15, 2010 @ 21:46 by Tania in Being Mommy

Son One came out of school today saying that "EVERYONE" said that his "haircut is the WORST haircut EVER!"

Hmmm.... no, my feelings aren't hurt at all!

We rushed off to the hairdresser for a real haircut.

On the plus side, his hair is shorter than it has been in months, and I can finally see his eyes. But between you and me, I sort of preferred my cut, though imperfect.

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Mama got the scissors...
Published January 15, 2010 @ 08:26 by Tania in Amazing Kids, Being Mommy

Last night the boys had showers, I trimmed finger nails and toe nails, flossed teeth, and realizing that I was on a roll, cut Son One's hair.

He let me! This is the main problem. I am NOT a hairdresser. However, I couldn't let this opportunity pass! He was actually ready for a haircut! After 10 months of growing it! Of course, it was 9:30 pm at night, and it could have just been a stalling tactic so that he didn't have to go to bed, but still...

I found my sharp scissors, grabbed a comb and laid a towel out on his brother's bed. Then I wrapped a towel around his shoulders and started.

MAN - his hair was loooooong!

First try - the cut looked like an adorable bob. Chin length, a straight bob, with some wispy bangs. Really, a great and flattering cut. FOR A GIRL!!!! He took one look in the mirror and said, "you make me look like a girl."

OK, Son One, for the record, is GORGEOUS! Boy or girl. He has huge blue eyes fringed with thick, long black lashes. Clear peaches and cream skin. A rose mouth of full, lush lips. And amazing thick, dark blond hair with golden and auburn highlights. However, most moms, and I am sure ALL dads, don't want their seven year old sons to appear slightly androgynous.

So I grabbed the scissors again. I stood him in the bathtub - it was now 10 pm - and started cutting again.

Now he looks like either Zack or Cody (whomever is the trouble making one) from The Suite Life on Family.

Personally, I am pretty impressed by the job that I did. Remember please, everyone, I am an MBA and not a hairdresser by training.

Son One seems pleased. But today at school will be the litmus test. If no one makes fun, we'll be clear. If any mocks it, we will be off to the barbers for a refresher before you can say, "off with your head!"

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My Cat The Cone Head
Published January 14, 2010 @ 08:03 by Tania in Around the House

We have a beautiful, wonderful cat named Merlin.

Last week, Husband noticed a sort of lump on his shoulder. Merlin then licked it raw. Of course, with all of the birthday party preparation, I didn't make it to the vet (plus I didn't want to pay the weekend emergency rates.) Unfortunately, by Sunday night it had turned into a gaping, pus-leaking wound.

Monday morning I took him to the vet. Yes, I acknowledge, we are WAY overdue. No, we haven't visited another vet in the meantime. I really wanted to point out that my kids are also overdue for dentist and doctor's appointments, but I didn't think that admission would gain me any brownie points with the vet. (Yes, I know I can't take care of my cat very well, but look, I don't take much better care of my kids!)

The vet shaved Merlin's shoulder and cleaned the wound. Now, Merlin is walking around with a cone on his head so that he doesn't like the sore any more.

He is an adorable older cat (almost 12) who is really sweet and loving. And here we are, the kids and I, making him the butt of our jokes because he is a cone head! He keeps knocking into furniture as he figures out how to navigate the big plastic thing stuck to his neck. And Merlin is nothing if not determined, trying multiple times a day to get the cone off. The worst part seems to be when he has an itchy ear, and he just can't scratch it!

Only another week, and we are back at the vet. He has to stay inside the entire time, we have to keep chasing him away from the doors. But we love him, and are so happy that it is just something small.

I have to be honest. My cats were my babies before I had my real babies. But now, Merlin is just a pet. I swear that the demotion was completely unforeseen by me. While pregnant with Son One I even read article on how to introduce the new baby to the cat, bringing him a blanket from the hospital before actually bringing home the baby, leaving Son One in the infant carrier on the living room floor and letting the cats smell and go near him to get acquainted.

But now Merlin is low beast on the totem pole in our home. However, as a loving, sweet, and good-natured beast, he has adapted. He loves the kids, and they love him. It is great for them to have show affection and care for a pet. It is nice to see him cuddle up with them on their beds at night, and put up with their harasment. We are a better family for loving Merlin.

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A Princess Party
Published January 14, 2010 @ 07:56 by Tania in Amazing Kids

From now on, we are having all-girl birthday parties (at least until puberty). No - really, even for the boys. They are so much more CIVILIZED! Nothing broke. No fights. No tears.

Sunday I had 8 little girls and 1 little boy over for Daughter's 4th Birthday Party. It was princess themed. We made wands. Read a A Paper Bag Princess. Had a snack. Played games. Had cake. All went well.

The girls were all so polite and well behaved! Son One snorts when I tell him (his birthday is next) that I think I will just have girls again.

I am starting to realize how shy my children are. When we sang "Happy Birthday" to Son Two on his birthday earlier this month, he blew out the candles half-way through the song hoping it would be done. AND IT WAS JUST THE 5 OF US!!!

Daughter, during "Happy Birthday" curled up into a ball on her chair and hid her head. I had to ask the others at the party to blow out her candles for her and make her a birthday wish, because she refused to look up and blow them out. Really, what child refuses to blow out their candles?

The birthdays are done in my house for a few months. The Christmas rush followed by the double birthdays. It is a hit that my Visa really can't take.

Still looking for that damn cord so that I can download photos. May have to make a special trip to Future Shop today.

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Cold Enough?
Published January 9, 2010 @ 14:51 by Tania in Being Mommy

I am trying my best to get ready for Daughter's Big Birthday Princess Extravaganza tomorrow, however Daughter and Son Two want ATTENTION instead of letting me just get my stuff done.

It is just too damn cold to throw them outside so I can get this place cleaned up. Minus 13 - and what is that wind chill? I am even cold inside thinking about how cold it is outside. Tempted for have a third cup of coffee just to get warm, but want to actually sleep tonight.

I've traced and cut out two dozen cardboard stars so that I can make fairy princess wands for the girls. The glue takes about an hour to dry, so I wanted to finish them today so that the little princesses just have to decorate tomorrow.

Wanted to get the Christmas tree out of the living room, however Husband isn't cooperating. In fact, don't want to complain about him, but half way through my cleaning frenzy he came home from hockey and spread the boys' stuff all over the living room to air out. Is that really fair?

Still no cord for the camera, so I can't download the cake pictures.

But here's a recap:
- 2 hours to bake the cakes
- 4 1/2 hours to decorate

Husband's comment, "hmmmm... It looks like it is missing something."
Daughter's comment, "Where are the princesses?"

Please, remind my why we do this?

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Castle Cake
Published January 7, 2010 @ 18:19 by Tania in Being Mommy

I've just spent 4 1/2 hours, on my feet, playing with confectioner's sugar creating a slight skewed Castle cake for Daughter's 4th Princess Birthday party on Sunday. The book swears that it is good for 10 days! I also spent $200 at Walmart today getting stuff for the party, mostly loot-bag stuff. Honestly, it would be cheaper if I just handed each kid in attendance a $20 bill.

Do you think that she will appreciate this? Will it be wrong, down the road when she is a nasty teenager telling me how much she hates me, to bring it up? What currency are we allowed as parents?

I've taken a few pictures of the cake and as soon as Husband located the cable to download from the new camera, I will show you.

Before I do - I just want you to know that regardless of what my cake looks like, it will be delicious!

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Baking Cakes
Published January 6, 2010 @ 21:02 by Tania in Being Mommy

This year, like every year, Son Two and Daughter's birthday catch me off guard. How did I ever end up with two early January births?

Son Two is easy because he doesn't care. In fact, Husband picked up a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake from Baskin Robbins on Son Two's birthday, and we had a small, family celebration just the five of us. Son Two actually blew out his candles half way through, "Happy Birthday" because he hates being fused over.

Daughter decided that she wanted a party for her birthday. A girl's only princess party - but daddy can come because he is the king. Mommy is obviously the servant girl who cleans the dungeons and works in the kitchen.

Today I went through my cake book and found a perfect Dream Castle cake.

I used to love making cakes. Then I had three kids. Three "helpers" fighting over who gets to break the eggs, pour in the milk, use the mixer and lick the bowl. And they ALL want to help decorate.

With the boys in school, I decided to bake the cakes today as the recipe said that it is best done 4 days in advance, and that the cake can last for 10 days. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I needed three empty cans to bake smaller cakes in for the castle. Of course I read the recipe after I took out the recycling. I noticed that they truck had only done our side of the street... Would it be stealing to take cans out of my neighbours bins?

Actually, probably just sort of gross. Deciding instead to make chilli for dinner - which required one can of tomatoes and two cans of beans. PERFECT!

The cakes are now baked and in the freezer. I baked while the boys were in school so it was only Daughter and I. Two broken eggs (I needed nine for the cake) and lots of teirs (hers). Tomorrow I will make the icing and put it together and decorate. First, I have to clean up the kitchen. Anything for her highness!

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Coffee... Good
Published January 5, 2010 @ 07:31 by Tania in Around the House

Musical beds last night. I lost.

I often brag about what great sleepers my kids are, and they usually are. Since they were young, once they started sleeping through the night, they've slept through UNLESS they were sick.

Last night was just a weird night.

I didn't even start off in my own bed!

At around 2 am, I heard the pitter-patter of little feet. Then the scrape of the bathroom stool across the floor. I got up to see what was going on. Daughter was getting herself a drink of water. I crawled into bed beside her.

Falling asleep, I heard Son One get up and run to the bathroom. Nose Bleed. He is used to them, so he grabbed some Kleenex and a garbage bin and sat at the end of sister's bed waiting for it to stop.

When it stopped, I noticed that he had blood on his white shirt. Changed him so that I could soak it in cold. Then noticed blood drops all over the bathroom floor. Crime scene? Had to clean that up.

Crawled into bed beside Son One. Sometime, maybe around 5 am?, Daughter joined us.

I can't remember the last night when we had so much activity. Definitely tired looking this morning. And to think that I was just joking with Husband the other day about trying for a fourth. What was I thinking? Sleep... Good. But when you miss it, coffee has to do.

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