Spitting Like Goats!

Currently (although I think it's dying down) there is a Goat Craze on youtube.  There are goats that sound like humans and songs - tons of songs with goats spliced in bleating the notes that would otherwise be sung by the diva.  Kate and Alice have seen the goat videos and they think they're hysterical.  At some point in all of the goat fun Kate starting spitting - you know doing a raspberry, when she wasn't pleased.  I didn't understand what was wrong with her.  Ken figured out that she was being a goat. 

In one of the videos a man and a goat seem to have an argument.  The goat spits and yells at the man.  Now when Kate is displeased she does likewise.  I've convinced her that she can only be a goat at home, and thankfully the rude behaviour does seem to be fading away. 

Here are my beautiful girlies spitting like goats.  Doesn't that just make a mother proud!

Darby's Party

I wonder if this is the last year of the "I choose the kids that go to my kids party" or if I've still got another year?  All of Kate's birthday friends (my friends kids) are going to school this year.  (I suppose they've all started pre-schools...)  Anyway, today was Darby's party.  Taunia (Darby's Mom) had planned all outside activities and was blessed with a beautiful day!!  The kids had so much fun on the trampoline and playing outside.  It was so much fun to watch the kids play, and it was very much fun to sit and chat with friends.

The best part of the party however was Alice's reaction to being given a loot bag.  She carried around "my present", clutched it all the way home in he van (even asleep) and has been carrying it around all evening.  Oh and watching Alice and Ava was pretty cute too!

Pre-school Duty Mom

Kate attends the Tottenham Co-Op Preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  She loves it!  She has had a great year.  It being a co-op means lots of parent involvement.  I was the duty Mom in October, Ken the duty Dad... can't remember now, and today I was the duty Mom again!  There are a number of jobs to do - cleaning, helping, snack preparation.  I didn't realize that I would be so tired - go figure being pregnant and all, I was worn out!  Kate was very much looking forward to my being the Duty Mom and she enjoyed the perks of the day - being the line leader, carrying the bag, turning off the lights, choosing the snack, counting everyone in the bathroom.  We had a fun morning! 

Today was pet day and the kids were asked to bring a picture of their pet and a rock.  They made pet rocks during craft time and Kate choose to bring in a photo of Owl to share. 

I'm excited to get her pictures back - they were just taken recently - her class picture too!  She has loved her first school experience and is anxiously awaiting the fall when she starts junior kindergarten.

Haircut Day!

The list of things that I want to accomplish before the arrival of Baby 3 is LONG.  Some of the tasks are more fun than others.  Today was a fun one.  I took the girls to Beaners in Newmarket for haircuts.  Trims really for both the ladies, and Alice's first haircut.  The place was really cute.  There are toys, cute places to sit, a ball pit and much to Kate's delight a party room filled with princess costumes!  The girls were really good and for today their hair looks so pretty!  I really do need to get better at doing little girl hair. 

Victoria Day Fun

It seems fitting that given Victorian obsessions with fairies that we went to Fairy Lake in Newmarket on Victoria Day.  It was really hot really quick so we didn't last that long, but we had fun while we were there!

And the best part of the day... driving down near Canada's Wonderland and watching the fireworks.  The show was awesome and the girls loved it.  Ken used google earth to find the perfect location to watch.  We were in traffic for a few minutes afterward and Alice cried most of the way home... BUT it was still worth it! 

Last day of work... for a LONG while I hope!

Last days are weird.  I've now had three of them.  Everyone asks me about being excited, and of course it's exciting, but it's also sad.  I really do love the kids I teach, even the ones that drive me nuts!  I want the best for them, I want them to be happy, I want them to feel safe, I want them to know how special they are.  I love the opportunity I have to shape - even in just a small way, the lives of so many young people.

One of my favourite things to do at school is run a talent show.  The last few years we've done the show the last week of school in June.  This year we moved it up so I could still do it.  The show today was awesome.  The kids were awesome.  There is always something in the show that is really special, today there were two such moments. 

The first was for one student Z.C.  He is autistic and of course with that come many challenges.  He loves music.  I taught him for the first time in grade 2 and now he's a grade 8 student.  He has been taking private singing lessons for a little while now and his homeroom teacher really wanted him to perform in the talent show.  I was hesitant at first, I didn't want the kids to be unsupportive, but his homeroom teacher was sure that they would support him.  The first hurdle was getting him to audition.  He was terrified and I didn't want to make him do the audition, but his homeroom teacher knew he could do it and she pushed him and he did it, and it was great.  I accompanied him today while he sang Imagine by John Lennon.  It was beautiful and he was so happy.  His parents came to watch and they were so happy too.  They got to see their baby shine in front of all his peers.  I can't really imagine what that must of meant to them.

The second was for me.  Several students put together a rap for me, it was terrible and so special.  They made me stand on stage (which I am terrible at) while they rapped for me.  It was really cute, but the best thing, the image that is just seared to my brain right now is the standing ovation I received from the kids.  All of the kids, all of the grade 6, 7, and 8 students stood up and cheered and clapped for me.  I didn't cry today - I almost did, but I'm crying right now as I write this. 

Today was a wonderful, weird, good and sad day.  Just like it should have been.

Mother's Day

How difficult is  it to get a picture of two children and one Mom?  Almost as difficult as it is to be a Mom to two children!!  HA!  I'm so thankful that I'm a Mom.  I love my girlies so much.  I'm excited to be home with them soon.  I'm excited for Baby 3.  I feel slightly guilty because I didn't make my Mom a card.  I have an awesome husband who appreciates all of my Mom efforts.  He and the girls made cute cards and he made me waffles for breakfast and I got to sleep in.  And those are my thoughts on this Mother's Day! (Oh and it snowed on Mother's Day which randomly goes with my random post!)

Goodbye Jane

Jane.  I met her my very first Sunday in our newly geographically assigned Cookstown Ward last year.  She had been called to be the Primary President.  (Primary being the children's organization.)  I had been asked that Sunday to play the piano which I was happy to do.  She told me that she had submitted my name to be the secretary and she hoped that was okay.  I didn't tell her then but it was an answer to prayer.  I loved being in primary and being the secretary was something I felt I could do (do well even) and still manage my life.

Working in the primary is something I'm really enjoying right now.  It's where my heart is.  Part of what makes it such a special experience (aside from the cute kiddies) is the other adults that you work with.  Working together you learn from each other and you develop close ties.  Watching Jane with the kids was such a treat.  She worked as a librarian for years in Mississippi and ran children's programs.  She loved the kids and the kids loved her.  She and her husband had moved up here to Ontario I think three years ago from Mississippi for her husband's job.  Since she didn't have papers to work here she focussed her attention on her writing.

I'm writing this post as a thank you and as a reminder to me.  Jane is one of those people that makes you feel good.  Her praise and love are unconditional.  You want to be a better person being around her.  She's just fun and down to earth and well I gush!  I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to get to know her.  (Her husband was transferred back to Mississippi.)  I will miss her very much.  What I want to remember is to try and be like her.  I want other people to feel good when they're around me.  I want to be a builder and a lifter.  I want to be more patient and compassionate.  Thank you Jane for exemplifying what it means to be a great leader and friend!  (And yay for email and facebook so we can keep in touch so easily!)

Oh and if you waant to read a thrilling Y.A. novel, pick up a copy of Jane's first book, Strands of Bronze and Gold.