Meet the Creature Gong Show

I was SO not happy tonight! ARGH! The girls really wanted to go to the BBQ, I didn't have a good feeling about it, but we all went anyway. Ken was going to meet us there. The girls and I didn't leave early enough, and I had to get cash first. Well, we finally made it to the yard, but the line up was so long, there was no way we were going to get food, and still get to talk to teachers.

At 6:30, the party moved inside and we then began making our way from classroom to classroom. Saying hello to Ms. Leonard - Kate's English teacher was fine, good. We waited forever to say hello to Mme. Rochealeau - Kate's French teacher, and it was kind of not worth the wait, she was kind of abrupt, not very friendly, and I kind of felt dumb having waited to say hello. Then we went to Fiona's classroom - it's nice knowing her teachers already and we looked around and said a quick hello. Then we went upstairs to Alice's class. Alice's teacher Mme. Mudahy was Kate's teacher two years ago. Talking to her tonight, it was slightly distressing. I thought Alice and the moodiness wasn't a thing any more because I hadn't heard about it. Mme. Mudahy told me tonight, at meet the teacher night that sometimes Alice's unhappiness is affecting her ability to do her work, although she isn't behind because she's so smart.

If there's anything I've gotten better at in the last few years, it's parent communication. For the most part, parents want to know what their children are doing in school. If you never tell them, they'll never know.

After hearing this from Alice's homeroom teacher, I thought I'd touch base with Mme. Mudahy's team teacher and sometimes Alice's teacher for math and language. We all went across the hall and waited, and waited and waited, and waited to talk to this teacher. There was a parent talking and talking and talking - it's meet the creature, not parent teacher interview night. It just shows how hungry parents are for communication about their children. Anyway, having not eaten, the girls getting crazier, I was not happy, and then another parent who had just wandered into the room interrupted, and started talking to the teacher, even though I'd been waiting.

I looked at Ken and said, no, I just can't and we walked out. We went to Smoke's as was promised, and the girls had hot dogs and poutine. It was a frustrating night all the way around.

I'm not sure why I wanted to write this post so badly. Meet the teacher is NOT the same as parent teacher interview night, and sometimes things do not turn out the way that you want and frustration sets in. The girls were still happy, I met Kate's very good friend Stella's parents, so that was good. The girls were happy visiting their classrooms. The night was not a total loss. Me and patience, that will probably always need work and attention. And bottom line, I am happy with the girl's school, and the quality of their education. We have free, public education, it's a good thing.

Wasp Stings and Sleepovers

Sometimes you pay attention to your kids, and sometimes you don't. Alice got stung by a wasp on the first day of school. She has complained about it off and on since then. I didn't listen. Wednesday night she came home from school and was really complaining so I took a look. I felt like the worst mom on the planet. It was patch of skin above her heel was warm, red and hard. It looked and felt terrible, not to mention that she'd scratched herself raw. I posted on Facebook - an is this normal post, then I phoned telehealth. No one thought it sounded normal. Ken agreed to take Alice to a walk-in clinic in the morning.

It wasn't infected, but some cream and antihistamines were perscribed, and Alice finally got some relief. And I was reminded that even during the first two busy weeks back to school, I need to really listen to my children.

Sleepovers. I thought I was going to categorically refuse permission for my children to attend any sleepover ever, and then Kate got invited to one and I really had to think about it. It was from one of her besties. She'd been to her house before. I'd met her mom, her mom is a vice-principal. I've been in the doorway of her home. And, and it felt okay. It felt like a good learning opportunity for Kate, a good stretch your wings experience. Friday night I dropped her off just after 6:30 and I picked her up the next morning just after 10:30. She had a great time. Friendship isn't always easy, but so far this year we've been off to a great start. I think this opportunity meant a lot to Kate. I am so grateful for revelation as a parent. This parenting thing is tough, and being guided by the spirit helps me feel not so lost!

The Beeton Fall Fair

A tradition that may or may not make it to next year! We went to the Beeton Fall fair - we met up with Michelle, Marisol and Amelie around 2:30. It was hot. The sun was just bearing down and in amongst the rides there is hardly any shade to be found. The rides were not a big hit. Alice went on two or three, Fiona two, and I think Kate only went on one. Marisol and Amelie love the rides, but my kids not so much. Everyone loved the dog show, and we had fun looking at the animals.

We left the fair - Michelle and the girls stayed to do a few more rides, we picked up candy floss and a caramel apple on the way out, and we went on a little tour down memory lane. We drove around a bit and then went to the "mall". The little mall in downtown Tottenham is undergoing major renovations. We walked around a bit. There's a new grocery store, the pizza pizza has been totally redone, and the library even looked new and improved. It's hard to live through renovations, but it will be so nice when it's complete!

Then it was time for the real fun! We went over to the Tokarev's and the girls swam and played and we had a feast prepared by Alexei. We had a rice dish, with carrots and chicken, and a cucumber, tomato salad, and a carrot salad. It was all so good. But what was the best part, the talking. I just love Michelle and her family to bits and moving away from Tottenham was only hard because of them. We all just had such a lovely time. The girls had so much fun, and we all just we so filled.

One week down...

Back to school for four days, and I have not yet lost my mind! And I have even felt happy most of the week - I think maybe even the whole week!

Ken was awesome on Tuesday, the girls were smiling, he took great pictures and everyone had a great day!

Kate - grade 4

Alice - grade 2

Fiona - Senior Kindergarten

Sisters!

Kate is in a 4/5 split. Her homeroom teacher is Miss Leonard and she's in a portable. Alice is in a grade 2/3 split. Her homeroom teacher is Madame Mudahy, and she's in room 208 on the second floor. Fiona is in a JK/SK split - which is the norm for all kindergarten classes now, and she has the same teaching team that she did last year - Ms. Merinero and Ms. Coulis.

They were really happy and everyone had a great day! I should have taken a selfie on the first day, but I didn't. Instead I took a pic of the shiny hallways...

We didn't have a very interesting week, it was the first week back to school after all. On Friday night we had some fun though. Alice went to a play date at Izzie's house, and I took Fiona and Kate to Tim Horton's, then to Ken's office, and then the four of us went to dinner at Kelsey's. Afterward Fiona and I picked up Alice, and Ken took Kate to IKEA to get a new mattress. Saturday was a mostly quiet day. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's to swim, visit and eat dinner.

Today at church Ken gave a talk - which was great - he spoke mainly about raising resilient children. We need to help them develop their testimonies, experience failures and second chances, and learn to take chastisement. I went to Relief Society for the first time in a long time - and that's where I'll be from now on. I was released from Primary, where I've been serving on and off since 2010. I'm now going to be serving as the secretary in Relief Society.

Here's to another great week! Oh except poor Fiona is sick, she barfed this afternoon. Hopefully she'll feel much better tomorrow and she'll be back to school on Tuesday, poor little thing. "Mommy, why do I feel so bad? I don't want to feel like this."

The First Day of School Eve

Nothing says back to school like cleaning your rooms! I cleaned my room - which meant clearing the tops of dressers and dusting. Kate cleaned her own room, go Kate! Fiona put more toys in her room, but it's mostly okay. And Alice, Alice wasn't particularly helpful, but her room was ridiculous, I'm pleased to announce that she has a floor again! YAY!

After we lunched and finished cleaning rooms we went to the Grandparents to swim. Uncle Andrew popped in - the silver lining of his car breaking down, was seeing him as he came to pick up Mom's car for a few days. Grandma ordered pizza which was nice, and then it was time to go home and make the final preparations.

When we got home we tidied up the family room, found all of the backpacks and lunch bags and then Ken gave each of the girls, and me, a blessing. Blessings are so special. I'm so grateful for a worthy priesthood holder that can give our girls blessings.

Alice - was blessed with health, energy and to be a great example to other students around her, to help her teacher, to be a joy to those around her. She was encouraged to set a good example at home to her sisters and her parents and to have a sunny outlook.

Fiona - was blessed to look forward to school every day, to get up ready to help and get herself ready, to bring a smiling face to her friends at school and to be a good example to the younger kids. She was blessed with health, to treat her teachers well and be thankful for them. She was blessed to be good going to sleep, and show kindness to her sisters and her parents.

Kate - was blessed to help her fellow students learn, and help them to feel at home in class. She was blessed with patience with her parents and sisters. She was blessed to have health and find joy in activity. She was blessed to make the best decisions and look out for those who need help, to not be afraid to talk to other people, and to get enough rest and to feel good.

Wendy - I was blessed to have joy and find passion in my work, to see the difference I'm making in the lives of the students I teach. I was encouraged to go to bed early, to get up early to be calmer, and to have the discipline to do this. I was blessed with safety as I travel every day on the 401. I was blessed to find balance in my work and home life, and to ask for help when I need it.

Here's to another year! Here's to being happy and doing good, and enjoying life. Ken and I are going to do our best to find happiness in the everyday.