Panic Sets In...

Okay, maybe I'm being a tab bit melodramatic but I feel a bit panicky about setting up my classes. My parents are coming down this weekend to watch the kids and Carmi and I are going up to Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario for a long weekend.

I'm so excited about the trip. The last time Carmi and I went away without the children was in 2004 for 1 night. My parents are sacrificing coming for Dahlia's birthday and party to watch the kids for us. And I really mean sacrificing. Since we moved to London my parents always try to be here for the kids birthdays and parties. I think in the last 9 years they've missed twice. They're great, don't you think! We're going to have a birthday celebration on Tuesday. We're going to Build-A-Bear, out for dinner and then home for birthday cake. The girl will end up having 3 birthday celebrations, plus a birthday cookie and book at school. Not Bad!!

So as you've read previously, I'm trying to clean up the house to prepare for going back to work. I did Dahlia and Noah's rooms yesterday. 5 bags of toys to donate and what seems like a million bags of garbage later, the two rooms are done. I am done too. I could barely move this morning. I'm going to do a big clean up for the rest of the house later and just make it neat and tidy. My goal for this year is to get a cleaning lady or company to come in at least every other week to tackle the big stuff. That way at least I'll know for 2 days a month the house will be clean!

So today and tomorrow, I need to finish cleaning up the entire house, and I'm putting pressure on myself to go and start setting up my classrooms. The 2 younger kids are in a half-day summer camp at the little gym and I'm trying to convince Zach to come with me to school. I'm going to try and get my bulletin boards done so I won't have to do them next week.

Normally I wouldn't be in this much of a panic, (Okay, I lie...I'm usually in a panic about this time regardless!) but we get back Monday night from Deerhurst and my parents and I will hangout together on Tuesday and then on Wednesday I start with meetings and set up. I know it will all get done and I'm really itching to get back to work!

When people ask me if I'm sad that my vacation is almost over, they seem surprised when I say no. I like to work. I love teaching and I desperately miss routine for myself and for the kids. Do you think I'm nuts because I am ready to go back to work?

Have a happy Wednesday!

And So It Begins..

It's that time of year when I go into panic mode. Am I going to be ready when school starts? Will I get the house ready for going back to school. Will I still feel like I've had a vacation and get everything done?

I have a confession to make. Are you ready? My children's rooms look like a tornado has gone through them.

I'm working with Dahlia in her room, right now. Okay, I'm taking a break from working with Dahlia to write this blog and then I will go back to helping Dahlia. She was looking for something and tore her room apart to find it. I don't think you can see an inch of floor space.

Next is Noah. He refuses to get rid anything. He won't let me remove a thing from his room. He has a ton of junk. Oh sorry, good stuff!

Zach doesn't care as long I am doing it for him. His is the best of the 3 and he does take direction very well.

The rule is they all have to help and they have to pick 10 things (at least 2 large) to donate to the children's hospital. Dahlia started by picking pictures she made that we're on her wall. I told her they don't count. I'll let you know how it goes.

22 years!!

22 years ago Carmi and I started dating. We don't celebrate like we did before we go married but we always like to remember it. It's hard to believe that we've been together that long. It amazes me how much our lives have changed and grown. We've gone from being someone's child, a girlfriend/boyfriend, and students to being a husband/wife, parents, professionals. We've moved away from the only place we've ever known and have made a life for ourselves.

Over the last 22 years, some things have not changed. We are still best friends, we can still make each other laugh and still can drive each other crazy.

Some things have changed. We can now finish each other's sentences andif you know Carmi, than you know that can be scary :>, we've grown from a young couple, to a young family, to a family with children not so young ) : and most of all as each passing year goes by, we love each other even more than the year before.

I'm so proud of him!!

I am so proud of my hubby. Yesterday was a remarkable day for him and his career. In one evening he was on the CBS evening news, CTV newsnet and CTV national news. He did an amazing job.

He always seems to amaze me. I know how smart he is, but whenever I see him on tv or hear him on the radio...all I can think is ... he is so brilliant. He's a fountain of informatio..he knows facts and figures about almost everything (well except which cupboard the pots, dishes, etc. go in!) ...he totally amazes me. Then I think wow is he gorgeous. And he's all mine!! :)

Please go on over to his site and say hello and if you get a chance check out his interviews.

Great joy Carmi!! I can say I knew you when! :)

How Honest are you?

I wanted to know how honest you are when writing your blog. Do you write about everything that's going on in your life? Do you pick and choose? Do you worry about people in your "real" life reading what you wrote?

I'm curious..let me know!

We're Back!!

My blog pages have been silent this last week because we were on vacation. We took the road trip to Montreal to pick up Zach and spend some time with our families. We also got to see some friends and spend time at the pool. It really felt like a vacation. The tough part was sharing 1 bathroom for 7 people. We are used to 3 bathrooms for the 5 of us and it was hard to wait our turn!

We spent the last weekend in Ottawa. It was the first time that we shortened our trip to Montreal and did a mini family vacation, just the 5 of us. The kids have unlimited energy and they exhausted us. We spent Saturday morning watching the Changing of the Guards Ceremony. It was freezing and the good tourists that we were, we went and bought Ottawa sweatshirts to warm up. After the ceremony we were off to the Science Museum. We explored the museum for 4 hours and then had a quick bite before heading back to the hotel. Carmi and I are completely exhausted at this point! As we got back to the hotel we told the kids to play with their items from the museum gift shop and we completely crashed. My head hit the pillow at 4:05 pm. By 4:06 pm I'm out cold! For supper we went to Zack's diner in honour of our own Zach! How could we resist!

The downside to our holiday is that everyone but yours truly caught a cold in Montreal or Ottawa. I hope everyone will feel better soon and that the good memories of our trip will be with them always.

How did you spend your summer vacation?

She's Just Beautiful!!

I recieved a cd of pictures from the camp that Dahlia and Noah attended last week. I just had to share this picture with you.

She is so beautiful. She can be such a pain in the you-know-what, but she is really beautiful on the inside and out. She is kind, sweet, funny and really cares about others.

I think we clash at times because, truthfully we are so much alike. Something that Carmi would attest to. I was more shy as a child and although she is shy at times, she makes friends so easily and really has a winning personality.

I love how she mothers Noah. I often have to remind her that I'm the mother (especially when he cries because he's been reprimanded) but she has always been so maternal. Right now she is bathing her dolls in the bathroom sink.

Although she fights with Zach, I know how much they love each other. They have their moments when they forget they are supposed to be at each others throats.

I love you Dahlia. Thanks for being you!

When does school start?!?

I know some of you are scratching your heads and thinking...isn't she a teacher? Why would she want to rush back to school. Well let me tell you about my day:

It's 8:30 am. It's dull and dreary. It has just finished raining and looks like it's going to pour again very soon.

Dahlia: I'm bored!
Mommy: go play with your Barbies.
Dahlia: I don't feel like it.
Mommy: watch tv.
Dahlia: I don't feel like it.
Mommy: play on the computer.
Dahlia: I don't feel like it.
Mommy: draw a picture.
Dahlia: I don't feel like it.
Mommy: Have a snack.
Dahlia: I don't feel like it.

8:35 Noah pipes up....I'm bored.
UGGGG!

They spent most of the day fighting with each other and nearly drove me insane. So when does school start?

What do you do to keep your kids busy? How do you deal with their fighting? HELP!!

Big Boys Away...

It has become a summer ritual. My parents come to London for Noah's birthday and then take Zach back to Montreal with them. It's a really great opportunity for Zach. He gets to be an only child for a little bit and spoiled by not 1 but 2 sets of grandparents.

The family dynamics change when he's gone. The 3 kids often fight over who can sit next to me or hold my hand. There are only 2 fighting for attention instead of 3.

But I miss him. When the car drove off I was filled with such longing. I was so happy to hear his sweet voice, "Hi Mommy, we're here". Sometimes when I'm with them I just wish I had some time to myself, but the minute their gone I want to know what they're doing, are they having fun, are they safe.

I know he's going to have a week filled with fun, but I can't wait to hug him again.