Taking My Kids to Vote
Published October 26, 2010 @ 08:02 in Amazing Kids
Every time I vote, I bring the kids.
I am a pretty secret voter (no comments here on the election yesterday in Toronto) but I think it is important for my children to understand that we are lucky to live in a democratic society, and we need to exercise our right to vote.
My 8-year-old easily understands the role of mayor, and after a discussion those of the coucillors and even the school trustee. He also understands that he has 10 years before he can vote. The younger two understand that the "mayor is in charge of the city" with the help of the coucillors, but really they both just want to be mayors and run Toronto.
The polling station was close and in a home for the elderly, so up we walked after school. The seniors were all clustered around the front entrance, greeting all voters with smiles and waves. My children are always friendly, and a got a kick out of being asked over and over again if they were voting. Daughter even tried to hand in a folded piece of construction paper as I handed in my ID and voters card.
Unfortunately, while talking about voting, democracy, "running for office", Mayors, candidates, councillors, trustees, etc. I neglected to mention that most people like to keep their votes PRIVATE! So while I connecting the arrow behind a little cardboard screen (and the kids were recapping the sharpies wondering aloud why the voters didn't recap their own) Son One was reading over my shoulder.
Yes, thrilled that the kids can read. What a mile stone, rah rah! HOWEVER - darn it! - weren't those days easier when you could just spell out "S-A-N-T-A" or "T-R-E-A-T"?
Never mind Son One announcing to the entire poll, "Hey! You voted for .....!"
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Not a play"date"
Published October 22, 2010 @ 13:16 in Amazing Kids
Daughter is having her first school-friend playdate today.
But she has informed me that, "it is not a date!"
There is a boy in her class, from SK in her JK/SK split. After school last week they were playing together, as they have since the first week of school. He came over to me and asked where we lived. He then told me that I should write it down on a piece of paper and give it to him the next day so that he could come over.
Yes, pretty forward for an SK. But he does have a twelve-year-old brother who will be 14 in November (seriously! When kids talk, you just can't make this stuff up!)
His mother and I emailed back and forth and made arrangements for a playdate today after school. When I informed Daughter, she replied, "It is not a date! Just a play."
Of course! She is 4 - and she is not allowed to date until she is 18... or maybe 21. Her father and I are still negotiating that one.
Anyway, this morning I decided that I should warn her to keep her clothes on. She is a bit of a nudist, and her brother's friends are starting to ask why she always seems to run around without clothes on. And the last thing I need is for a "let's play doctor" incident on my watch. So I warned her to keep her clothes on, and she started laughing at me!
"No honey!" I said, "I am serious!"
"I know!" she answered, "that is why it is so funny!"
The two of them are now playing upstairs in her bedroom. Yes, the door is open, and I have casually gone up to check on them three times.
I never had these worries with the boys. Then again, my boys have never wanted a girl over for a playdate.
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Halloween Costumes
Published October 20, 2010 @ 08:02 in Amazing Kids
Last Friday I took all three kids to buy Halloween Costumes.
Son One, obviously the most enthusiastic about all holidays, had been bugging Husband and I for a while.
Back when I was growing up, my mom would talk to us about what we wanted to be, and then painstakingly design and sew three costumes. Every. Single. Year. Be it Raggedy Ann, an angel, a devil, little Red Riding Hood, little Bo Peep, or my favourite - three different colours of matching crayon costumes for my sisters and I, they were home made.
Now costumes are so cheap (relatively) to buy that we've lost the homemade ones.
So, instead, we went to the party super store north of Evans past Islington.
Walked down aisles filled with so many gruesome displays that I had to carry daughter to the back of the store with the eyes squeezed shut and her head buried in my shoulder.
The back of the store, to where they have wall upon wall of pictures of costumes. You pick, right down your size and number, and look for help.
We had a wonderful woman help us, allowing me to try the kids costumes on over the clothes (the line-up for the change-rooms was long) and running to the back to get me different costumes or sizes as necessary.
Daughter, of course, is a pink princess. However, her dress lights up. Son Two is a Golden Dragon Ninja. He didn't know what he wanted to be, but seems happy with his choice. Son One really wanted to be a hippie, but they didn't have a prepacked version. So instead he found 20's Gangster.
Of course they all insist on coming home and wearing their costumes around, "for Daddy." Already Son One's tommy gun is broken and Daughter is losing some of the lights.
Now I just have to keep reminding them that it is far to early to carve the pumpkins. Of course I am also putting off the Halloween candy purchase, no matter how tempting, because I just know that I will have to run out the day before anyway.
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What were you thankful for?
Published October 12, 2010 @ 18:01 in Amazing Kids, Being Mommy
This weekend was a wonderful Thanksgiving for me and my family. As life gets faster and busier, I like to focus on family time and appreciating each of my children more and more. And appreciating Husband more, too.
Daughter, starting JK, has become such a little girl! But a big, little girl. She has outgrown her size three clothes, grabbing her snack and backpack and heading out the door with her big brothers each morning. She is still the little delicious girl, small enough to carry everywhere! And now also getting big enough to be more independent.
A few weeks ago, on one of the rainy morning before school, I dropped all three of them off at the gate. It was Daughter's first school day with rain, and I asked her brothers to introduce her to the rain-day-protocol (through the main doors, to your classroom before the bell). The two boys BOTH offered to take her to her class, shared the responsibility (one holding her hand, the other carrying her backpack) and off the three of them went. That was a teary mom moment for me, realizing my good kids, how the three of them have one another to rely on when they need to.
Son Two has entered Grade One this year. He takes school more seriously than Son One, but doesn't say much. Bringing home his perfect spelling test each week, I marvel at his beautiful printing. He is quiet and reserved, but is going through a phase where Dad and I are actually allowed to hug and cuddle him lots. I am so lucky!
Son One is in Grade Three. According to him, he is quite "famous." You see, Son Two is in a spit, so the Grade Twos want to hang out with his big brother, thus making Son One think he is famous. Love it! I actually like him developing some self-confidence as he has a tendency to get down on himself a little too easily.
I am so thankful for my three wonderful children. Yes, they are definitely not perfect. But I adore them anyway, and they mean the world to me. Happy Thanksgiving!
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September was a complete write off!
Published October 12, 2010 @ 17:46 in Kids Activities
OK. I'm bad. Here is the coles notes version of my September:
- Kids started school
- Daughter loves JK
- Nana broke her leg at school
- Lost all health cards
- Son Two - first major allergic reaction
- T-Ball playoffs
- Daughter hates JK - carried into class kicking and screaming
- Hockey Select Tryouts
- Grandparents go to Greece
- Stepped in a nail
- Needed a tetanus shot
- T-Ball playoffs
- Dentist Appointment
- Sick Uncle
- Laundry
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Grandparents return from Greece
- Son Two's First Cavity filled
- Kids started hockey
- Laundry
- Moms started hockey
- Cousin Birthday Party
- Dad started hockey
- Hockey
- Hockey
- Hockey
- Wait - still soccer
- T-ball Banquet
- Laundry
- Swimming lessons - sons
- Swimming lessons - Daughter - wrong pool!
- Hockey
- Allergist Visit - yes, we should get rid of the cat. MEOW!
I always used September as the ramp-up month, but this year I had to really hit the ground running, and without much success. At this point I am already thinking about Christmas presents and my snow tires. Somehow, I am forgetting Halloween and the costumes, candies and preparation.
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