The Call & Award Presentation

We had a busy week!  On Thursday, we were in attendance at The Duckling's school to watch Keith receive an award for representing the virtue of "Hope".  Both Edward and I agree that this was most appropriate, as Keith is full of sun-shiney optimism (except when he's not...) and he is always hopeful that the Next Thing, whatever that might be, is better than what he has now.  This can manifest itself in a way that can grate a little on the nerves, but all in all, he is one happy - and happy-go-lucky- guy.

The following day, Nana, Malcolm and myself were back at the school to participate in their annual Christmas singalong.  And then, just like that (yikes!) Christmas holidays were upon us.

Tonight, we had a real treat because Santa, yes the Elf Himself, called our home tonight to speak to The Ducklings.  The look on their faces when they realized who it was, was absolutely priceless.  He was very generous with his time, and as you can see from the video below, he is quite the conversationalist to be able to chat at length with several four year olds.

This video is admittedly a tad long, and isn't the zippiest in terms of content, but once I started filming The Call, I couldn't turn off the recorder.... for me, as a parent, it was one of those golden moments that could have gone on forever.  The first video is Keith's award ceremony.  You can tell when he meets our gaze from across the gym, because he gives us a furtive little smile.  I think having us there to cheer him on meant a lot more to him than the award itself.



In any case, we'll be off-line enjoying our time together, so I'll take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas celebration with your friends and families.  May you enjoy the best of the season: peace, love, fellowship and a quiet time to reflect on our fortunes and hopes for the year to come.

Our Week (Christmas Pageant)

We've had a week full of fantastic moments (Edward's family visiting), and slogging moments (illness, yet again), but all in all, we can't complain!

I realize there is a disproportionate number of messy Malcolm photos, but we can't help ourselves.  Here is Malcolm with his cup stuck (and I mean, STUCK) in his hair, with maple syrup

Yep, ditto what I wrote above, but here he is enjoying his fraternity with the chocolate-moustasched Musketeers.

The older three with the gingerbread houses they decorated at school and their Advent wreaths

This year, we headed our church's call for an extra shepherd, angel and wise man and committed to the Christmas Pageant.  This involved one dress rehearsal and a lot of crossed fingers (and, I'm sure for the director, a certain amount of prayer).  We almost had a wayward sheep to add to the mix, but he's suffering from a(nother) bad cold, which includes two infected eyes; and, pardon the expression, he looks like hell.  In any case, Aunt Jane graciously took the video documenting The Ducklings foray into.. musical theatre... and it turned out really well.

A few additional notes about the video:

Keith actually memorized his line: "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem to see this thing which is come, which the Lord hath made known to us", and we were extremely proud of him.  You can see him mouthing along (he barely made it down the aisle, so it was truly a Christmas miracle that he said anything at all) to his line, and to "Away in A Manger".  

Evelyn memorized her line, too, but it turns out we got the wrong line assigned to us, and hers was in fact said by the Angel Gabriel, which caused Evelyn a certain amount of confusion and disappointment. 

Colin didn't have a line, which suited him just fine because he really didn't want to be a Magi, he wanted to be a "Helicopter Guy".  But I think he was won over by his crown.

The little ones who did make in into their sheep costumes provided some levity, which you can hear rippling through the congregation at times... and Father Murray tried in vain to choral one (his grandson) at one point, which is why he makes a cameo appearance in the video.

The angel who suddenly pitched forward on the floor is fine.... not even a feather ruffled, or halo bent!

Dancing Duo (+ Hopping Colin)

Aunt Pinie and Uncle Ken sent a holiday card with music, and it has many fans....

Creativity and Contagion

Colin was very proud of his parkade/church/apartment building, and we took this picture knowing that his handiwork wouldn't be preserved past 37 seconds....

Advent candles!  The one in front is Evelyn's, Colin's is on the left and Keith's is on the right.  He insisted on bringing his candle into McDonald's after church yesterday because "other people should see it."

And well, it turns out that this part of the nasty, nasty cold we've been dealing with is also contagious:

Malcolm, in mid-mouthful, fast asleep this afternoon.  Poor baby bear!

We're still waiting for Evelyn to come down with this horrendous thing, but I am eternally grateful that she was able to attend her first every birthday party unscathed (alone!!! with her BEST ever girl friends from school!!! in pyjamas!!!).  She floated out of her little friend's house on Saturday afternoon in a cloud of sparkles, cupcake crumbs and (I swear!) pixie dust and hasn't been quite the same ever since.... I love it.

This Is New....

I don't mean to brag (insert sarcasm), but at this point, Edward and I are pretty conversant in contagion and it's various, miserable permutations.  And, not like I'm counting in a petty, somewhat childish way, but at least one member of our household (and usually two or more) has been sick 52 weeks out of the past 64.  

Last week, I got the stomach flu and a cold simultaneously.  I was secretly hoping it was food poisoning, because that isn't contagious.  Alas, Keith was up two nights in a row sick to his stomach, and Evelyn suffered the same symptoms last night.  Now, however, for the first time, we have two illnesses in the house at once manifested in two different people - Evelyn and her stomach flu, and Colin and his bad cold.

It looks something like this:

Colin passed out at the dinner table tonight, and Evelyn probably wishing she was passed out...

May this be the last time this year we have a confluence of nasty bugs.  Because between upset stomachs and perpetually runny all-over-everything noses, let me tell you, that's a LOT of laundry.

I'm also hoping this guy has had the worst of it - he had a rumbly, upset tummy at the same time I was sick last week - because at the moment, he is blissfully unaware of what lurks around him... and I think I have reached my quota of sad and miserable little people for the week.

Malcolm (and Sniffer) enjoying his snack this afternoon

Our Week

 Our week started off last Friday afternoon, when we were invited to the kids' school to participate in an assembly that saw Evelyn being recognized for having exhibited the quality of "Justice" from the beginning of the school year.  Edward and I had to suppress wry smiles when we were informed of her award, because the meting of "justice" by Evelyn has a very long history, and it is usually of the frontier variety.  However, she definitely has an innate sense of fairness, and most importantly, inclusion.  Unless if involves her baby brother....

During the assembly, they provided examples of what "justice" looks like in our daily lives.  I expected they'd talk about making sure everyone got an equal share of cookie - and they did touch on smaller "j" justice, but their prime example was Rosa Parks.  I don't think I knew who she was until I took American history in Grade 11, and even then she was approached as a catalyst for the Civil Rights movement, and not from the perspective of fairness, equality and justice.  It was a little humbling to see the level of awareness of this group of elementary students in relation to these big issues.

In any case, we are very proud of her!

My apologies for the shaky camera!  I was quite far away, and had a hard time keeping her in the frame... as you can see.

Malcolm loves oatmeal.  A lot.  I took this picture for posterity, although it doesn't represent the worst of it!

In his hair, of course.

This bucolic scene was taken this morning - the kids have a PD Day.  Let's just pretend the rest of the morning looked like this, too.

Overheard - The Catholic School Version

Colin:  Mummy, Baby Jesus isn't dead.  He's alive in our hearts.
Me:  Yes, Colin, that's what some people believe.
Colin:  You know who else is in our hearts?
Me:  No, who?
Colin:  Sloths.

Hallowe'en 2014

I had one wish for Hallowe'en this year, and that was that we would all recover from the stomach flu before the candy was doled out.  Happily, that was the case!  Everyone was in pretty good form when they headed out in costume; and I would say for the first time, they truly enjoyed the experience.   Keith got to live his dream of being a "rat mascot" and scaring people; Colin was happy to be a giraffe; Evelyn couldn't decide between a fairy, a cat or a zebra until she laid eyes on a witch costume our neighbour had outgrown and then it was an easy decision; and Malcolm... well, he did master a little growl beforehand, but for most of the trick-or-treating route he was a rather sad and tired lion.  But overall, it was a busy and fun night!

Malcolm Lion and his prey.  You do not want to get in between Malcolm Lion and his prey.

The pumpkins I decorated.  The two on the top were a little rotten, which accounts for the odd mouth shapes (and the small third eye on the one of the left).  But, of course, I had to include tongues, which I propped up with toothpicks.

Evelyn the booootiful witch

Keith the Rat Mascot

Colin the Giraffe

Rooaarr?

Ready to go!

Our pumpkins, lit.  The Big One is Edward's handiwork.

Leaves And Goats

"We're three birdies in a nest, Mummy"

The smallest chick

At the apple orchard on Sunday, hanging out with the goats

Thanks to everyone who expressed concern via phone or e-mail following yesterday's sad events.  Edward was under lockdown at work (his building is downtown), but much to everyone's surprise, he still got home on time.  The thing about life with kids, is that no matter what happens, you are propelled forward.... not always a bad thing, in my opinion.

Dance Class

I decided to enrol Evelyn in a City of Ottawa pre-ballet class every Saturday in the early afternoon.  It's been a bit hit or miss - today, she refused to do 90% of the class - but overall, I think it's a positive experience for her.  She finally warmed up just before the end of class, and managed to show Miss Candace first position with her feet to earn a sticker.  She's a little shy about expressing herself through movement, and told me that she "doesn't know how to learn dance".  I really hope this will gently help her get passed that feeling.  In my opinion, nothing is more liberating than allowing yourself to really dance.  Especially to your own drummer.

I was in dance class from the time I was 4 until I finally gave up at 18.  I went to a well reputed dance studio in town, and although I LOVED to dance (and still do!) I wasn't great at following a choreography or dancing in a group.  I spent a lot of time feeling discouraged and overlooked.  It took me a long time to find my groove, in every sense.  But for me, dancing is still an absolutely essential part of who I am.

All this to say that I wasn't overly keen on the "dance studio" model for Evelyn.  The City of Ottawa program is a perfect fit.  The instructor is fully qualified, but the atmosphere isn't competitive or pushy.  Of course, getting dressed up like a ballerina every week is definitely a big part of the draw:

Colin took one look at her as she got dressed in the kitchen and stated "Evelyn, you look beautiful".  That might have been her favourite moment of all.

Our Week

Someone likes the mint Girl Guide cookies....

Hallowe'en preview!

Evelyn's Thanksgiving handiwork

When I picked them up from school yesterday, Keith excitedly told me that he had "the BEST TURKEY EVER!!!" in his backpack.  His is the one on the bottom.  Colin told me his turkey's name is Larry (top right). 

Hanging out with me at the (free!) annual butterfly exhibit this morning at Carleton University

Keith and Colin size up the moth I'm holding.  This guy (and his orange) was passed to me by someone who was leaving, and I held onto him for a long time until I noticed that he wasn't looking too peppy.... then he started shaking, so I gently put him down in a plant.  The kids were fascinated by the "butterfly who died so the plants could grow" (the University lets them decompose in the plant pots as fertilizer)

Our token butterfly shot in foliage, courtesy of Myriam who accompanied us.  No idea what type it is, but there were at least 20 varieties of butterflies and moths on display.

The exhibit cuts up oranges and leaves them around so people can try to attract the insects.   The butterflies definitely prefer the available flower nectar, though.

The Exhibit was as cool as ever, although I really should have taken a picture of the entrance line.  It impressed me last year, because it was at least 30 people long... and then the greenhouse is pretty tight quarters with tons of little people running around.  So this year, we arrived early (on the O-Train no less, because parking last year was a nightmare) and were greeted by a line that snaked out of the building and, eventually, around the block.  Luckily, there is a lovely little park right beside the greenhouse, so we blew off some steam while Myriam held our place in line.  The fact that it was a PD day for our kids' board likely contributed to some of the exhibit's popularity.

The kids enjoyed the exhibit, although they're still a little physically small to see all of the butterflies on the foliage, and spent most of their time with their necks craned upwards.  Plus, despite patient orange holding and quiet voices, they were most disappointed that no butterflies landed on them.  We're also under the weather, which never helps.  But it's definitely on the calendar again for next year!  

Our Extended Birthday Celebrations

The Ducklings 4th Birthday fell on a Thursday, so we began our birthday bash that evening with a lovely dinner (and cake) with Opa and Nana, as well as Grammy and Grampy who flew down from New Brunswick to join in the festivities.  Colin and Evelyn wore the birthday hats they made in school... Keith's went missing somewhere along the way.

Colin at his birthday dinner

Malcolm never needs a reason to party, but this one did happen to include homemade pizza and chocolate cake

Keith, sans chapeau

Evelyn thought it was "the best cake ever".  Thank you, Daddy!

The anticipation... I can't manage to sing and videotape at the same time, which is likely better for us all.

On Friday, The Ducklings went to the Carp Fair with Grammy, Grampy and Daddy and had a blast.  There were even a few rides....

On Saturday, they thoroughly enjoyed their birthday party!  Thanks to everyone who dropped by, especially Aunt Deborah (and Liam and Siobhan) for coming up with the brilliant "decorate your own party hat" craft, and for facilitating it.  I guess old habits die hard!  And Aunt Jane, for helping to keep a lid on the chaos.  It was wonderful to see so many of our friends and family.  

Nana and Evelyn enjoy their cupcakes

The Doctors Irving diagnose a serious case of too much fun

And after several rounds of hot dogs, hamburgers, cake and pies in various forms, chips and fries over several days (this is a given with 3 day long birthday binges!), we're moving on to Monday morning: back to school, work and sensible eating... once we make our way through the leftovers, of course.

Everyone had so much fun!  We missed Aunt Benny and Uncle Sepp, but we look forward to celebrating with them next year.

Hat Weather?! And Too Late For Love...

Really?!  

It's not even the end of September!

One of the most entertaining (and heartwarming) experiences of The Ducklings first weeks at school is listening to them learn the national anthem, which they sing every morning in class.  In fact, their interpretations of the lyrics (which are, admittedly, a little odd and archaic) have ignited more impassioned, fiery debates than most witnessed in the hallowed halls of Parliament.

They have the "O, Canada" part down, but what comes next is hotly contested.  Evelyn insists its "our home and natee law," and then, "too late for love".  Whereas Keith is - unsurprisingly - convinced it's "too pastry love"... or maybe, "to pastry, love"?  No matter how many times I tell them that it's "true patriot love", they don't believe me.  "Patriot" is not a word they know, whereas "pastry" is definitely a favourite.  They sing the bilingual version, so once they get to the French verses, the Ducklings become even more creative.   They have a reasonable facsimile of "Car ton bras", but "épopée" throws them for a loop every time, and they end up descending into fits of bathroom humour hysteria.

I honestly don't know how their teachers keep a straight face through an entire classroom of children doing the same thing....

First Days Of School

Well, it finally happened:  the day I was both dreading and anticipating for the past few years.  I remember noting to my sister in February, 2013 that we would both be signing our children up for full-day kindergarten in one year's time, and marvelling at that monumental shift.  I watched them walk out the front door on their first day of preschool last September, thinking that in one short year's time, they would be on their way to kindergarten and the beginning of a scholastic career, that - for better or for worse - would take us through the next 13+ years.  That felt big.  Really, really big.

In retrospect, it felt a lot bigger then, than it does now.  Perhaps it's because I when I look at my articulate, funny, active and - gasp - increasingly reasonable almost-four-year-olds, I can see that they are ready for this newest challenge.  I'm not sending my wee two year olds out into The World.  They've grown up so much, even in the past month.  Perhaps it's because I was proactive in getting them ready.  From the social interaction they practised (and struggled with, in cases) at preschool and every other opportunity I could contrive; to identifying and addressing Colin's sensory needs; to meeting teachers beforehand and getting used to our new routines (and lunchboxes!) well in advance, I did it all with an eye to Thursday, September 4th.  After that moment, it would be in their hands.  I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they'll be fine.  In time, in their own time, they'll find their way.   And, upon reflection, every milestone has unfolded like that.  You set the stage, you encourage, and then you step back and watch with a bittersweet mixture of amazement and conviction.  You can do this.

And so, when Thursday morning arrived, and they got up, got dressed, ate a big breakfast and walked out the front door with their backpacks on, it felt a little anticlimactic.  Edward dropped them off at their school door, and off they went - only one with a few tears.  An hour  later, the resource teacher left a message on our phone telling me they were doing beautifully.  They came home excited, and the next day they didn't even notice Edward leave.  The biggest tears have been over the exceptionally sad fact that we don't live far enough away to quality for the school bus.

I know there will be challenges ahead - already, we've had a boy who pushed on the playground, and another who chased them around at lunch.  And we'll see how they feel about it all on Monday morning.  But this is what it's about - learning about other people.  These experiences, good and bad, will bring our children's own values and beliefs into sharper focus.  This is something that Edward and I cannot teach them.  It isn't always an easy lesson, but it is an essential one.

First day of school.  Someone accidentally hit someone else with their overstuffed backpack.  And that someone else was not amused, although someone was trying to make amends.

Still not amused.  Still trying to make amends.  Still no good picture of the first day of the rest of their (scholastic) lives.

Such is life:  the drama you think will ensue and have prepared for, is usurped by the drama you never anticipated...

Three @ Four!

It's that time of year!  Party time!  Not to be confused with school-starting-time, which may only be a reason to party for me (more on that, later).

The Ducklings are turning FOUR!  We would love you to celebrate with us.

Where:  Our house
When:   Saturday, September 27 from 10am to noon

As usual, it's a very informal, open-house gathering with no RSVPs and cupcakes for all!  Best wishes, only.

We hope to see you then!

Cottage 2014

Two weeks after Edward and The Ducklings left for the cottage, Malcolm, my parents and I packed up and drove east.  We did the drive over two days, and it was as painless as one could hope, even with the seemingly endless rain and road.  We arrived to warmth and sun in Shediac.  I wish I could say the weather stayed that way for the next 10 days, but as Murphy's Law dictates, that only happened two days before we left.  However, that still allowed us time to fit in a delicious lobster dinner!

All four kids and I travelled home on Monday - Edward and my parents left by car the day before.  I had members of the crew comment on how "brave" (not quite the word I'd use... but much more flattering) I was to attempt solo airplane travel with all of them, but I figured I could deal with such a short flight.  It started off pretty well, thanks largely to Edward's mother, Ann (aka Grammy) who made a picnic lunch for us to eat in the airport departure lounge, and accompanied us right to the gate.  The rest of the flight was a little more challenging - trying to help a kid pee in a tiny airplane bathroom whilst holding a heavy, wriggly baby took some creativity - but I know we did okay when the elderly ladies in front of us complimented The Ducklings on their behaviour.

The Ducklings came home a little more wild, a little more tanned and a lot happier.  They get to free-range, there.  Marshmellows roasted over a bonfire waaay past bedtime, trikes on the tennis court, shell collecting on the beach, sleeping in, dinner on the lawn, running in the waves.  Every bit of it essential to who they are, and to who they will become.  To have a retreat like this is good for the soul, and we are grateful they have the opportunity to experience it.  

Sometimes, in the depths of winter as we rush them into snowsuits, push them through their days and layer on the "if you don'ts", "come heres", "go theres" and "do thises", there is a definite peace of mind knowing an antidote exists.   I've promised them that on days like those, we'll take out paper and a pen and list all of the things we'll do next summer at The Shore.

Pants are optional at the cottage... well, for the under 5 set....

Bedtime story with Daddy 

Viewing an amazing private car collection (thank you, Bob, for organizing this!)

Is it possible the older boys enjoyed the cars even more?  Keith with Opa

Colin with Grampy

Parades in pjs!  With hats.  And neon yellow cavemen.

More of the parade - hats, noisemakers, cat kites, barefeet.  Aunt Sandra as the parade marshall, and Uncle Tom on the accordion.

Wagon rides (thanks to the Strattons for allow us to wagon-jack your family reunion!)

Grampy, Grammy and crew

Riding off into the sunset

Home again, home again...