Ahhh it's so quiet here...

The kids are off to their last week of camp before school starts and all I can hear is the hum of the computer.

I had it all planned, I was going to drop off the kids and then go straight to school and start setting up my classrooms. But once I dropped them off, I just couldn't do it. I just had to have some time for me.

This has been a very long and stressful month. I'm glad it's almost over. This is the first day to myself in weeks.

So I had to come and say hello and then I'm going to read on the couch and then go off to school.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

I Love Watching them Sleep!

We drove to Toronto Tuesday night to bring Carmi to there. He was flying out early Wed. morning. Thank you Davy for taking Carmi to the airport at 4:45 am. We really appreciated!

We stayed with our wonderful friends Davy and Arlene and they convinced me to stay an extra night. Zach being the big guy that he is, slept upstairs on his best friends floor. Dahlia and Noah not so willing to leave my side slept in the basement with me.

They needed me to stay with them till they fell asleep. I tucked them in on the air mattress on the floor. I lay on the bed and listened to them chatter for 20 minutes. Fearing that this would be an all night affair, they were informed that if anyone else spoke I was going upstairs immediately. I decided to count to 100 in my head and then go upstairs.

My kids amaze me. By the time I go to 25 Noah was out cold. But it wasn't a gradual thing. One minute he was talking and giggling and the next he was fast asleep. I wish I could fall asleep that quickly!

Dahlia took a little longer. I could see she was tired but she didn't want me to go upstairs. Each time her eyes drifted shut she would force them open again and look to see that I was still there. Within a few minutes she was also asleep.

Just a few minutes before, I couldn't wait for them to fall asleep, so I could go upstairs and hang out with my friends. But to be honest, I couldn't take my eyes off of them. I just lay there and watched them sleep.

I was marveling in these little human beings (who more often than not, drive me crazy). So peaceful they looked in their sleep. A little sigh in their sleep. How secure they are in the knowledge that Carmi and I love them so much and know that we are always there for them.

I know they are mine (no prejudice, here!) but I think they are gorgeous. I can hardly believe that we have created them.

Take the time to watch your kids sleep and marvel in what you've created and who they have begun.

As Noah likes to say "AHH This is the Life!"

Hurry Home Carmi!

Carmi and I have been together for over 21 years (Married for 13). After all this time, I miss him like crazy when ever we are apart. Anyone who follows my husbands blog knows that he is in Mtl. helping his parents move.

We spent our vacation (the beginning of Aug.) packing them up and now he's in Mtl. helping with the move. Moving is difficult in itself, but Carmi's father has health issues that are making the moving experience even more stressful. I fear my husband is aging as we speak.

Thankfully he's staying at my parent's house and is being well fed by my Mom.

The kids really miss him and we are counting the shlufies (sleeps in Yiddish) till he comes home.

I'm the primary caregiver so I deal with 90% of the children's issues, activities, etc. But I miss that big guy. Kudos to all you single parents out there. I really don't know how you do it. It's only been 5 days but I am going crazy on my own. That extra pair of hands to help out, that extra person to coral one of the kids off to their activities. That extra person to watch the kids which allows you to go off on your own, even for 5 minutes.

It's also hard for me to know that Carmi is going through a difficult time and I am not there with him.

Carmi hurry home...We miss you!

It's almost back to school time!

I can hardly believe that it is almost back to school time. Yeah! My kids need to be back in school. We have one more week and then one more week of camp and then were are back in business.

Some of you might be scratching your heads...Isn't she a teacher? Yes I am and I miss school. I can't wait for school to start. Yes, my kids are driving me crazy, but I am lucky because I get to see them during the day because we are in the same school and I will even have Noah in my class this year. We are a very small school, so we see each other throughout the day.

I want to go back to 2 main reasons:

1. I miss the routine, I crave the routine, I want the routine. My kids aren't in camp right now and haven't been for 3 weeks. So every day is pretty much a free for all. They get up when they want to and harangue us as much as possible to stay up later. Noah's favourite question of the summer is "Is it past my bed time yet?" As long as he is going to bed, even a minute past bed time he is one happy little dude.

2. I love what I do. I mean, I really love it. When I was little all I ever wanted to be was a mommy and a teacher. I used to play house or school whenever I played. Don't get me wrong...I am more then ready for a break when there is a school holiday. Teaching is tough. I love it when people say "You have it easy, you get 2 months off in the summer" Yes, I have not had to go in to work for 2 months. But I have been planning for the coming school year, at least 2 days a week, every week of my vacation. Most teachers have earned that time off.

Sorry...Got carried away. As you can see, it is a touchy subject when I hear people complain that teachers have such cushy jobs.

But getting back, I just love what I do. I hope those of you who are reading this have the opportunity to do something that you really love, whether it's professionally or other.

For those moms who are reading and are reading for their kids to go back to school...It's just around the corner.

By the way, the picture above, is one of my favourites from last year's summer vacation. It was just about back to school time when we took it. I actually have this picture on my desk in both my classrooms.

Last post for the day...I swear!

This is the last post for the day...I swear. Here is a picture of my sweetiepie. He hates having his picture taken, but I love taking pictures, as well, and my family is my favourite subject. I think my kids are gorgeous and they all look like him!

Can't leave Dahlia out

What kind of mother would I be if I posted a picture of my boys and not a picture of my monkey-girl. Here is a picture of her after she had her hair cut. I wrote about it in my previous post "Dahlia and Mommy day". It's nice to have at least one that looks slightly like me. Most people say that Dahlia and I have one face. I don't really see it.

Twice in the last 2 weeks, people have said Zach looks just like me...unless his face is changing, I still think he has one face with Carmi. I guess I'll have to post a picture of him and you can decide!

New picture added

Please go and check out my previous post "Noah is 5". I've added a picture of the birthday boy and me on his special day. I still can't believe he is 5. I look at him and it's like he has grown overnight! I swear he is bigger than he was yesterday and eons bigger than he was on Sat. when he was still 4.

Zach's Adventure

Zachary my sweet is off on a new adventure. For the first time in his life he is away from home without the rest of us. My parents were visiting us from Montreal for Noah's birthday. They left yesterday and Zach went with them.

I miss my gorgeous guy. He has a great sense of humour and he really makes me laugh. He keeps telling us that he's older and we need to treat him like he's older. He loves to fight with his brother and sister, because he admits any attention (good or bad) is better than no attention. That breaks my heart....I know he needs a lot of attention but at almost 11 he is more self-sufficient than his siblings, especially Noah.

I was so excited for him to go. I think it will be great for 5 whole days to have all the attention for a change. Dahlia who is like oil and water with Zach, keeps asking me if I miss him. She keeps telling me that she doesn't miss fighting but she does miss him.

Bedtime was the worst. It didn't seem right that I couldn't tuck him in. I am very fortunate that he still wants me to do that everynight. I know he is having a great time with my parents, but I miss him.

I'm not one of those mother's who can't stand being away from their children. Sometimes I think that there is something wrong with me because I look forward to time away from them. But he sounds so little on the phone.

I know that this is going to be a great experience for him, but I can't wait to hug him again!

Noah is 5!

I can hardly believe it. Noah Mayer Gideon is five years old. How can it be? Where has the time gone? Every time over the last few weeks, when someone asked how old he is, my eyes would well up with tears. He's going to be five.

My funny, bright, energetic baby is now a big boy. I tell him he is a big boy, but he will always be my baby.

As he is our last child, I try to slow him down (like I can really do that!). I try to savor every moment and stage. He's so anxious to keep up with his brother and sister. Slow down Noah, you have plenty of time.

Although I miss the baby days with him, I am amazed at all he has learned and accomplished in these short 5 years. I'm excited to see all that he will do in the next 5 years and many years after that.

Happy Birthday Lovebug! Mommy loves you very much!