A Funny Things Happened At The Walk-In Clinic

Little Bear woke up the other day with an ear infection.  I mean, I'm no doctor, but she was definitely sick, and she was definitely having ear troubles.  So off to the walk-in clinic we went.

Once at the clinic, I handed her OHIP card to the lady at the front desk, she swiped her card, and told me, "Little Bear has no OHIP coverage.  It has been cancelled."

I know what you're thinking.  What?  Cancelled?  Can that really happen?  I know because I was thinking the same thing.  "What?  Cancelled?  Can that really happen?"  I said to the lady.  "Yes.  It can.  You'll have to call the OHIP office on Monday.  In the meantime, if you would still like to see the doctor, that will be $75."  So I handed her my MasterCard, which felt entirely un-Canadian.  Paying for a doctor's visit?  What's next, declaring a nation-wide ban on Tim Bits?  Will people stop saying sorry for things they need not be sorry about, but can't help it because they're all just so darn polite?  That's a Canada I just don't want to live in.

Anyway, we saw the doctor and yes, Little Bear had an ear infection.  We picked up her amoxicillin and headed home to wait in wonderment until Monday arrived and we could call the OHIP office and put an end to this OHIP mystery.

First thing Monday morning my husband called the OHIP office.  This is what they told him.  Get ready, it's a good one...

"Oh, yes, well, we sent Little Bear a survey in the mail and it was returned, marked undeliverable.  We here at the OHIP office figured that meant your 5-year-old moved and didn't bother to call us with her new address.  So, we cancelled her OHIP coverage knowing that the next time she was at a walk-in clinic or a hospital emergency room, and tried to use her OHIP card, she would realize the coverage was cancelled.  Then, on Monday, when she called us to find out why, we could update her new address."  OK.  I'm paraphrasing a bit, but that was the gist of what was said.  They cancelled her OHIP to force her to call and update her address.  But the funny thing is, we didn't move, and no, she didn't either.  Because she's 5.  She's 5 and, call her crazy, still lives at home.  And even if at the ripe old age of 5 she did decide to move out and rent a condo downtown, she wouldn't know how to call the OHIP office to update her address.  She only recently figured out how to zip up her coat.       

I don't actually know why the address is so important.  So what if she moved downtown, the important thing is that she lives in Ontario, right?  That's what the O in OHIP stands for.  I could see if she wanted to go to an out-of-province kindergarten, and packed up her things and moved to Alberta.  But then, flying to Ontario with an ear infection would seem like a long way to go for amoxicillin, don't you think?  I guess maybe she could have flown home for a visit, and caught the ear infection from someone on the plane (can you catch an ear infection?) and when she got here she decided to use her OHIP card to visit the walk-in clinic for free, which she really shouldn't have done, since she now lives in Alberta.  In that case, maybe it does make sense that OHIP cancelled her coverage.  Hmm.  I guess I owe you an apology, OHIP office.  I'm sorry for getting so angry.  Let's get a 10-pack of Tim Bits and call a truce.     

 

  

10 Reasons Lacrosse Is Better Than Hockey

Full disclosure, I'm not a sports fan.  I lived in Phoenix the year they were in the Superbowl, and I'm still not sure if the team playing was the Phoenix Coyotes or the Arizona Coyotes.  Oh wait, I think that's hockey...maybe it was the Phoenix Cardinals.  Arizona Cardinals?  Anyway, I think I've made my point.  Not huge sports fan.  But, I am a mom, and this mom will jump at any opportunity to leave the house.  Last Friday, such an opportunity arose.  My friend Kate invited me to a Toronto Rock Lacrosse game, and, if you've been following along, then you know that I jumped at the opportunity to leave the house.  Even if it meant going to a sporting event.  But you know what?  I actually liked it!  

My dad is wildly into golf, and growing up, for a really long time, we only had one TV.  That meant Saturdays and Sundays you could find me and my dad on the couch watching golf.  Have you ever watched golf on TV?  Not fun.  If it weren't for our mutual love of eating cookies by the sleeve-full I definitely would have found something else to do.  Now that I'm married to a crazed hockey fanatic I have been subjected to more hockey games than any non-sports fan ever should be.  I know it's Canada's favourite game, but it sure isn't mine.  But being at the Rock game on Friday was a totally different experience.  I was exposed to a level of excitement and sports fandom I had never experienced before.  And so, I present to you, the 10 reasons lacrosse is better than hockey.

1. Music.  Music is played throughout the whole game!  Cool, exciting, get you pumped up music.  A very welcome change to the slapping of sticks and clinking of pucks against the crossbar. 

2. It's not cold.  Since Lacrosse isn't played on ice, the arena isn't cold.  This to me is a HUGE selling feature.  It's way more comfortable not to be freezing cold, obviously, but it also means that whatever cute outfit you pick out for the game will not be hidden by your huge parka. 

3. Free pizza.  Need I say more?  They run a contest at Rock games between two rows of seats, and the winning row wins pizza.  PIZZA!!  That's reason enough to go to a game, don't you think?

4. Free tickets.  Didn't win any pizza?  Don't worry.  They also give away free tickets to another amazing Rock game.  Which means another opportunity to win free pizza.  Which is awesome.

5. Super easy to follow.  The rules of lacrosse are simple.  Team A has 30 seconds to score, if they don't, the ball goes to team B.  Ok, I'm sure there are actually more rules than that, but that's all I know about the game, and that's all you really need to know.  I've been watching hockey with my husband for 14 years now and I still don't know what icing is.  Or off-side.  Or a 2 line pass.  Well, I know it's a pass that goes over 2 lines, but I can't for the life of my figure out why that is a bad thing.

6. High scores.  Lacrosse games typically are higher scoring than hockey games.  A higher score equals more excitement.  More excitement is always better than less excitement. 

7. Cheap tickets.  I'm not talking nose-bleed seats, I'm talking across the board cheap tickets.  I haven't been to a Leafs game in years because 1) most tickets are held by season's ticket holders 2) the tickets I can get are way too expensive and 3) I don't want to go to a hockey game (see reasons 1-10)

8. Cool mascot.  Iggy is the Rock mascot, and he's the coolest.  Don't tell, well, anyone, because it's a little embarrassing, but I kind of have a crush on Iggy...in a weird comic con / anime sort of way.

9. No $14 million contracts.  Lacrosse players don't sign million dollar contracts like NHL players do, and I like that.  Their egos stay in check, and they're out there playing lacrosse simply for the love of the game. 

10. The fans.  Lacrosse fans are awesome!  I know, because I am one now.  The crowd at the game was full of fans of all ages, not corporate guys trying to impress clients with fancy season's tickets.  Just a bunch of crazy fans drinking way too expensive beer, loving their free pizza and their warm cheap seats. 

 

Dear Teenager: A Few Things I Want You To Know

I live very close to a high school, and therefore regularly come in contact with groups of teenaged girls.  Seeing them reminds me of when I was a teenager, many years ago.  Having survived those tumultuous years, I feel as though I can offer some advice on how to make it through to the other side. And so, dear teenager, here are a few things I want you to know.

1) Don't be the most drunk person at the party.  It's not cute, it's not funny, it doesn't make you more likeable or attractive.  It will make you the butt of the joke and get you into trouble. 

2) Always play hard to get, it will serve you better than being too easy.  You are worth being respected, and if the boy really likes you for you, he will allow the relationship to run on your terms.

3) Especially with youth on your side, beauty comes naturally, education doesn't, so be sure to spend more time on the latter.  It will carry you farther in life.

4) If a boy breaks your heart, it may feel like the end of the world, but just think of how wonderfully amazing the boy who doesn't break your heart will be. 

5) Listen to your parents.  It's a drag, I know, but they really do have your best interest in mind and only want the best for you.

6) Your friends have a greater influence on your life than you realize.  Ditch the mean girls and surround yourself with real friends and relationships that are based on mutual respect.

7) Youth is amazing and fleeting.  Don't waste it.  Don't be in a rush to grow up.

8) The one person who will be with you always, through the good times and the bad, is you, so make sure you treat her well.

This Year I Resolve To...

Well, it's that time of year again.  Time to make promises to ourselves that we won't keep.  It's resolution time. 

As 2014 started to wind down, I began thinking of what my new year's resolutions would be.  I had plans to lose weight, eat clean, walk every morning, be more patient with my kids, stay on top of the laundry, and watch less TV.  Then, I woke up the morning of January 1st and changed my mind.  Those resolutions just sounded like a recipe for disaster - things I knew I could never commit to for a whole year.  So, I came up with a couple new ones.

Resolution #1

I'm writing a book!  It's called 'The Joy Of Pregnancy?'  The problem is, I've been writing this book since I was pregnant the first time, in 2008.  Time to finish the book, don't you think?  So new year's resolution #1 is to finish this book once and for all.  I picked up these two books as a little inspiration, and research into the world of humour writing.  I've started reading Food: A Love Story and it's awesome.  I definitely recommend it.  And my book.  You should definitely read my book.  If I ever finish it.  I mean, when I finish it.

Resolution #2

I've always thought of myself as an organized person, but then, over the Christmas holidays, this happened.  How it happened I'm not quite sure, but I blame the kids and my husband.  So resolution #2 is to be more organized myself, and put in place organizational solutions that will keep my kids and husband more organized too.  I'll be blogging about the solutions I come up with, and whether or not they really work.

This is the playroom, the bane of my existence.  It seems no matter what I do, it ends up looking like this.  I'm trying to find a storage solution that makes it easy for the girls to find their toys, and put them away when they're done.  It's a pipe dream, I know...

 

The girls have their own rooms, but prefer to sleep in the same bed.  So, we made one room the sleeping room, and the other room the dressing room.  This room definitely needs some help.  I haven't really worked out a plan yet, but I better think of something fast.

This is my basement storage room.  The same thing happens every year.  All year long I put new things into the storage room, then Christmas comes and I can't get to my Christmas decorations.  So I end up emptying the whole room to bring out the decorations, then when Christmas is over I reorganize the room to fit everything back in again.  This year I hope to organize it for the last time.  Again, no real plan for this room, but I think a trip to Solutions is in my future. 

This is our laundry room / mud room.  Sigh.  I actually do have a plan for this room, thankfully, so stay tuned for my tips with this hard to manage space. 

What are your resolutions?  If you have any organizational tips, I'd love to hear them.  Let me know in the comments below.

Happy New Year!

Dear Cheryl Hickey: I'm Sorry For Staring.

There is something you should know about me.  I get start struck.  VERY easily.

We just got back from a trip to Great Wolf Lodge with some friends of ours and their kids.  Do you know who else was there?   Cheryl Hickey, from Entertainment Tonight Canada.  I know!  I ran into her at the water park.  And by ran into her at the water park I mean stared at her for way longer than one person should ever stare at another person, at the water park.  Let me explain...

We got to the water park with our friends and our kids, and as soon as I got into the pool, I spotted Cheryl (can I call her Cheryl?).  As I mentioned before, I was instantly star struck.  She looked beautiful, just like on TV.  I, on the other hand, had walked from our hotel room to the pool in my bathing suit, pajama pants, and knee high boots.  Why?  Because I didn't have a bathing suit cover up or another shoe option.  But, I didn't really care because I was one of what seemed like 1000 people on their way to the pool that day, and I didn't think anyone would notice, or care, what I was wearing.  But then I got to thinking; does Cheryl have the same luxury?  I mean, when she left her hotel room she knew she knew she was going to get noticed, she is Cheryl Hickey, after all,  so did she feel the need to pull herself together and look more presentable then say, I did that day?  That made me a bit sad, because everyone deserves a day off without having to worry about their hair, or makeup or questionable clothing choices, right?  But then I thought, maybe she's just one of those girls who pops out of bed looking perfect, and that made me a bit angry because don't you just hate those girls who wake up looking good?  I mean, come on!

So after staring at her for what was now a uncomfortable amount of time, contemplating how much time she put into getting ready for the pool, I decided I should go over and say hi.  But, what would I say?  "Hey, Cheryl!  How's it going?"  No.  I can't say that.  She doesn't know me, and that's a greeting for someone you know.  I could say "Excuse me, are you Cheryl Hickey?"  Then she'd say "Yup" and I'd say "I thought so" and then there would be an uncomfortable silence, and I'm not good with uncomfortable silences.  So that wouldn't work either.  I could just walk right up (or I guess wade over, since we were in a pool) and say "Cheryl Hickey!  I'm a big fan.  I love ET Canada" and she'd say "Thanks".   Then what?  Another uncomfortable silence.  So I decided to say nothing.  But that got me thinking some more...

If I were Cheryl Hickey, I would definitely want at least one day a year where I could wear my bathing suit, pajama pants, and knee high boots to the pool and have everyone just leave me alone.  I'd want one day where I could just play with my kids in the pool like everyone else, and not have anyone bother me with silly questions like "What's Rick Campanelli really like?"  But, if I were Cheryl Hickey, and I spent the whole day at the Great Wolf Lodge and no one noticed me or came over and said hi, I think that would bother me too.  I mean, I'm Cheryl Hickey!  I'm on TV!  I'm a big deal! 

What to do with Cheryl Hickey was really stressing me out, so I decided to talk it through with my friend Vanessa, who was on the trip with us.  I expressed my concerns about what to say, my questions about what a TV star does to get ready for a day at the pool, and my regret for staring at her for what was now an incredibly inappropriate amount of time.  And my friend Vanessa, my level headed, observant friend Vanessa, pointed out that there was a group of us awkward people, staring at Cheryl Hickey, not knowing what to say, but unable to turn away from the real life TV celebrity that swam amongst us.

And so, Cheryl Hickey, if you're reading this, on behalf of all the awkward swimmers at Great Wolf Lodge, we're sorry for staring.  Keep up the great entertainment reporting, and if I run into you again, I promise to give you your space.  Unless you want to grab a Starbucks, or lunch, or go to a red carpet event together.  I'm totally game for that too. 

My Thoughts On Marriage

Yesterday (December 10th) was my 9th wedding anniversary.  Holy crap.  Am I really old enough to have been married for 9 years?  Anyway...my husband is great an all, but I think the thing I am most grateful for is having a partner to parent with, because, lord knows I couldn't do this alone.  Next weekend we're going away for the night, to celebrate, which means I'm also thankful for Grandparents and their willingness to babysit.  It really does take a village, don't you think?

Speaking of Grandparents...

My Grandpa passed away in March, at the age of almost 93.  A couple months before, in January, he wrote some words of wisdom in a birthday card to my husband.  This is what he wrote.

'At your early age you have accomplished a lot.  We are sure many more will follow.  Maintain your hard-working habits, nevertheless, have in mind that health comes before wealth.  Eat well, sleep well, and above all, together with your dear wife, take good care of those little angels.'

My Grandparents were married for 66 years.  I have often wondered how they did it, but I think my Grandpa, in his words to my husband in his birthday card, may have revealed their secret.  My Grandparents did everything for their family.  With every decision, where to live, where to work, where to vacation, even what to eat, they thought of us first.  Their family meant the world to them, and was their most prized possession.  I think that's what kept them so bonded to each other.  They realized that they were true partners, building a life not only for themselves, but for their offspring and their offspring's offspring (as my Grandpa used to refer to us).  This common goal kept them working together, never in competition with one another.  They always respected each other, and respected how hard the other worked for the family.  My Grandpa worked and my Grandma stayed home, but neither thought their role was more important.  This respect for each other and wanting to build a family together, I think, was the key to their many many happy years together. 

And so, dear husband, if you're reading this (and you better be reading this), on this, our 9th wedding anniversary, I vow to always remember that we are partners, working toward a common goal of a happy family.  I will not take for granted what you bring to the table, and what you do for our family, and I promise to go easy on you when you load the dish washer wrong or leave your shoes and briefcase in the middle of the floor.

 

Bette Midler vs Ariana Grande. But Who Is Really To Blame?

Recently, Bette Midler took aim at Ariana Grande.  In a nutshell, she said "Trust your talent. You don't have to make a whore out of yourself to get ahead."  My first reaction was, that's a bit harsh, but, you go Bette!  It's true, maybe I'm getting old, or maybe it's because I'm a mom of two little girls, but I don't think our young pop idols need to be so sexualized. But, then I got to thinking.  Is it right to pick on Ariana?  I mean, I can't really blame her, she works in an industry where she is competing for stage time with people like Jennifer Lopez.   

Did you see Jennifer's performance at this year's American Music Awards?  That girl can dance!  She was up there with her oiled up legs, her tiny waste and her wind machine, rubbing booties with Iggy Azalea.  So, what else do we expect Ariana to do?  But, I can't really fault Jennifer.  She's just trying to compete with Kim Kardashian for media coverage. 

Ah yes.  Kim Kardashian.  I'm sure by now we've all seen her pictures in Paper magazine.  The outrage that she, a mother, would pose nude! But, I can't really fault her for doing it.  This is how Kim has always made her living.  It's not very realistic of us to expect her to put on a sweater set and get a job at a bank.  She's just trying to keep her ratings up. 

I don't think the blame should be placed on Ariana Grande, or Jennifer Lopez, or even Kim Kardashian.  The problem isn't that Ariana Grande is all sexed up on stage.  The problem is that millions of us tune in to watch it.   The problem isn't Jennifer Lopez singing a song with lyrics like "All the sexy girls in the party.  Go and grab a man, bring him to the dance floor.  Go on let them jeans touch you while you're dancing.  It's his birthday, give him what he ask for (Let me show you how to do it)."  The problem is that we put this song and it's performance on prime time TV.  The problem isn't that Kim Kardashian posed nude for Paper magazine.  The problem is that the photos are so easily accessed with a simple Google search.

The celebrities that we criticize for being too sexualized and setting a bad example for our young girls, are really just giving us what we want.  Guess we should be more careful with what we ask for. 

What I Learned About Life From An Old Man At Starbucks

I was at Starbucks the other day, and there was an old man in line behind me.  He leaned forward and said, "Nice day out."  I turned my head and said "Ya, looks like it's going to be".  Then he started talking to me about this and that, and I ended up standing there, talking to him until my chai latte was ready.  When it was ready, I grabbed it, told the old man to have a nice day and he said "It was nice talking to you, dear.  Take care."

I left Starbucks feeling happier than usual.  This old man and his pleasant small talk really put me in a good mood.  I drove out of the parking lot and waved a car to go ahead, even though it was clearly my turn.  When I was out running my errands, I held the door for people, and smiled as they walked through.  I had a little more patience with my kids.  All because of the small talk I made with the old man at Starbucks.  It got me thinking.

The old man grew up in a time when you would walk down the street, make eye contact with the people you passed, and smile or say hello.  You would greet your butcher by name and ask him what was fresh.  You sat on your front porch in the hopes of seeing your neighbours so you could say hello and ask how little Johnny made out at his soccer game, or ask how your neighbours ailing mother was doing.  He grew up in a time where it was common place to strike up a conversation while waiting in line at the bank.  Everyone knew everyone's business, not because they were nosey, but because they cared.  People genuinely cared about other people. 

We now live in a time where we don't make eye contact with the people we pass on the street, because our heads are buried in our smart phones.  We walk past them, as if we didn't even see them.  We don't greet our butcher by name, because we don't know his name.  We rush from our car into the house, and therefore don't know our neighbours.  But we do notice that they haven't cut their grass or brought in their blue bins.  And we are quick to point out our neighbours house-keeping flaws to our friends.  We don't strike up a conversation at the bank because we are doing our banking online or at the drive-thru window.  We still know each other's business, not because we care, but because it showed up on our twitter and Facebook feed.  We've stopped talking to strangers on the street, and started fighting with strangers on the internet. 

I think we're all so busy trying to get to the next place, run the next errand, get to the next meeting, that we never realize or enjoy where we are.  I too am guilty of this.  I was in a rush that day at Starbucks, and didn't think I had time to make small talk with a stranger.  But, it changed my whole day.  Put me in a great mood that lasted.  Imagine if we all had come in contact with that old man that day.  If we all had taken a bit of time to talk to a stranger, open a door, wave someone on while driving.  How different would that day have been?  The small talk the old man and I made that day was mostly centered around the tragic shooting in Ottawa in October.  Maybe we'd all be nicer to each other, if we start being nicer to each other. 

Only Children, Unite!

I’m an only child, and I have two kids.  When people find this out, they inevitably say, “Oh, you have two kids because you are an only child, right?” to which I always say, "No.  I had two kids because I wanted two kids, not because I thought Little Bear needed a sibling."

The idea that I, or anyone else, needs a sibling, is a pretty vague one.  What kind of sibling?  A same-sex sibling, or one of the opposite sex?  Should the sibling be two years older, or five years younger?  If one sibling is so great, are two even better?  What about four?  Or seven?  Everyone is so quick to tell me and other only children that we need a sibling, but they never suggest which sibling relationship is best.  Or maybe they're all the best.  Maybe any sibling is better than being a poor, only child.  Well, this only child begs to differ.  Sure, I may have missed out on something by not having a sibling, but I would suggest that everyone else missed out on something by not being an only child.

Ok, so there is one major downside to being an only child.  The stereotypes that go along with it.  So I'm going to put to rest, once and for all, the misconceptions that everyone seems to have about us.

We're lonely.  I am not now, nor have I ever been, lonely.  I had two parents, five cousins, and a neighbourhood full of friends.  If I wanted to play Barbies and needed someone to be Ken, I would go next door and call on my friend Christina.  It's worth noting that she too is an only child, and also turned out all right.  But, if I wanted to sit on the couch by myself with a bowl of Cheerios and watch Full House, I could.  If I wanted to sit quietly and read or colour, without anyone bothering me, I could do that too.

We're spoiled.  I find this one particularly insulting, for a couple reasons.  Spoiled is a mean word.  Spoiled means gone bad, rotten, of no use.  Like spoiled milk.  No one likes spoiled milk.  I'm not spoiled.  I'm perfectly useful, and well within my expiration date.  It also suggests that my parents did something wrong, that they spoiled me and now I'm a brat that the rest of the world has to deal with.  My parents are the best.  Don't mess with my parents.  There are definitely a lot of entitled kids roaming around, who have had the world handed to them on a silver platter, but that is a parenting style, not a direct result of being an only child. 

We don't know how to share.   This one is just ridiculous.  I'd argue that we are more likely to share than those with siblings, who had to fight over the last chicken nugget or whose turn it was to pick the movie.  Siblings aren't known for sharing.  I'm a mother of two siblings.  Sharing is not one of their best qualities.  But, my girls share with their friends, just like I shared with my friends.  That's how I made friends.  I'd invite them over to play, and win them over by letting them use my Barbie car. 

We're bossy.  No, we're not.  Some of us are, sure, but it has nothing to do with being an only child.  Crazy Plates is the most bossy person I know.  She's not an only child.  Only children are thought to be bossy because the perception is that we are used to always getting our way, and therefore think we should always get our way.  Not true.  If I always got my way with my parents, I would have had a TV in my bedroom, and I would have been allowed to watch Arsenio Hall on school nights.  No.  Bossy didn't fly with my parents.

We don't understand the value of a dollar.  This idea is similar to the idea that we're spoiled.  It is thought that only children get everything they want, since there is only one child to provide for, and are therefore entitled kids who never have to work for anything.  I had my first babysitting job at 12 years old, and saved up to buy mirrored closet doors for my bedroom.  My parents always made it known that they would provide for me the necessities, but for the fun stuff, I was on my own.  Knowing the value of a dollar isn't something you're born with, like freckles or brown hair.  It's something that is taught.  Usually by your parents.     

I think the only things a kid really needs are a loving family and a happy childhood.  I had both.  I had parents who loved me, taught me right from wrong, and watched my ballet recitals.  I had friends to go to the park with, who came over for dinner, and who I told all my secrets to.  Would a sibling have made things better?  Maybe.  But I have no complaints about my siblingless childhood, and if I could go back and do it again, I wouldn't change a thing.  Ok, so there were a few wardrobe flops and a bad boyfriend choice in high school that I would change, but other than that, I'd keep it all the same.    

Back To School Fashions

All the day time talk shows are showing back to school fashions for kids, and since I have two fashionistas in the making, I thought I'd do a fashion show of my own.  But first, my thoughts on kids fashion.  You didn't think I'd write a blog post without sharing my opinion, did you?

Most days I let my girls chose their own clothes.  I don't mean I show them a pink shirt and a purple shirt and let them chose between the two, I mean I tell them if it's hot or cold outside, and then let them pick out an outfit.  Sometimes they wear a party dress to the grocery store, sometimes they wear their pajamas to the park, and sometimes they wear their bathing suits to bed, as I discussed in a previous post.  I think kids should be kids, free to express themselves and their creativity.  It's only our stuffy adult conventions that say we shouldn't wear a formal dress to the grocery store, but why not?  I enjoy watching my girls try out new outfits.  Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes, not so much.  But, they're learning what they like to wear, and developing a personal style that some adults are still struggling with.  Here are a few of my favourite outfits.  Little Bear has a bit more styling experience under her belt, and she's getting pretty good at it.  She's into accessorizing these days.  She rarely leaves the house without her pink purse, her phone, a necklace, and an armful of bracelets.  She gets her love of accessories from me.  Remember my necklace collection?

In this first ensemble, Little Bear is wearing a striped t-shirt with flowers.  She's paired it with a colourful polka dotted skirt.  A bold mix of patterns, that only she could pull off.  Runners with no socks is part of her signature style.  Big Baby is wearing last season's snowsuit from Joe Fresh.

In this outfit, Little Bear is wearing her favourite pink cardigan.  It's a staple in her wardrobe.  She's paired it with a simple black t-shirt and my infinity scarf.  Her track pants with gold stars add a bit of unexpected fun to this look.  

Crazy Plates is wearing a white t-shirt under my mom's sequined tank top, and has paired it with Nike Shox and a pendent necklace.  She's still developing her style, but I think she nailed it with this outfit.

This is one of my most favourite looks that Little Bear has put together.  A bright orange tank top, brown tutu, sneakers and knee socks, paired with a colourful necklace, her pink purse, and of course, her phone.  Big Baby is taking more of a fashion risk, wearing only her under garments and an arm party on each wrist.  

Little Bear is once again sporting her favourite pink cardigan, this time with a star patterned skirt and leggings.  Her purple shoes pick up the purple flowers in her hat.  Big Baby is wearing Little Bears striped shirt with flowers as a dress.

This shot shows the versatility of the above outfit.  Layering is key with the unpredictable weather we've been having, and perfect for back to school.

On a related note, I also let the girls' creativity run wild when doing art projects.  It's boring to colour inside the lines all the time.  Art is definitely a personal expression, and if the girls want to colour the sun blue and the grass yellow, so be it.  This art project was supposed to be a Plasticine fairy standing on the grass with a blue sky behind her.  These are their interpretations.  Little Bear's is on the left, Crazy Plates' is on the right.

 

Stay at Home Mom, Party of One...

Today was the girls' last day of school before summer break.  Holy Hannah, this day causes me so much anxiety.  So this year, I decided not to let it bother me.  To treat it like any other day.  I got up, like I always do, and got the girls ready for school.  I decided to do something fancy with Crazy Plates' hair, and Little Bear decided to try her hand at her own hair.  This was the result...

The girls were extra excited to go to school today, partly because it was the last day, but mostly because they were both having pizza parties in their classrooms.  My husband was at a golf tournament all day, which also means all night because golf tournaments always involve dinner, prizes, and beer.  But for me, it was just a regular day.  Just like any other.  No reason to panic.  I got home from dropping the girls off, ready to tackle my chore list.  I had laundry and dishes to do, of course, because the laundry and dishes are really never done, but it was also deep-clean-the-kitchen day, and since I didn't get to it yesterday, it was also bathroom cleaning day.  Lucky me.  I stood in the doorway of the kitchen, looking at the pile of hair elastics on the floor, the cereal bowls on the counter, the sink full of dishes, the toys Crazy Plates had brought up from the basement, and realized that no matter how hard I tried to deny it, today was in fact, the last day of school.  Holy Hannah...

I decided that what I needed was not to spend the day cleaning the house.  I needed do take advantage of this day, do all the things I wasn't going to be able to do for the next two months.  And so I began to plan the 1st annual end of school party.  On the guest list - me.  This is what I came up with.

I started the day with a walk around the neighbourhood.  It was a sunny day, which I love, and I was able to walk at a regular pace, and didn't stop to pick up rocks or dandelions, and I didn't have to remind myself to look both ways before crossing the street.  Then I got in my car and went to Starbucks.  I got a grande extra hot soy chai latte and headed to my favourite nail salon.  I got a pedicure and a shellac manicure and this time, I got to pick the colour.  This is what I picked.  I was inspired by Ariel's make-up.

If you remember, this was the result when I let the girls choose my nail colour...

Once my nails were done, I picked up a bag of ketchup chips and headed home.  I poured myself a glass of Coke Zero, opened my bag of chips, and settled in for an hour of gossip with my friends, Melissa, Lainey, Jess, Cynthia, and Tracy.

Feeling relaxed and totally ready to face the summer, I picked the girls up from school.  It wasn't until I got home that I remembered that the dishes and laundry weren't done, and the kitchen and bathrooms still needed to be cleaned.  Oh well...guess it will have to wait until September...

The Secret Life of a Stay at Home Mom

I am a stay at home mom. 

But, before I begin, let me say that the purpose of this blog is not to suggest that the role of the stay at home mom is harder than that of the working mom.  My mom was a working mom and so I saw first hand the challenges it presents.  After putting in a full day’s work my mom would come home and try to make the most of the few hours we did have together – reading stories, playtime, dinner, and once I was in bed a load of laundry and a quick cup of tea before falling into bed herself.  I have great respect for the working mom, as does everyone else, and that is why I have written this blog. 

It seems as though, somewhere between the days of Leave it to Beaver and today, that the perception of the stay at home mom has gone from a loving, nurturing home-maker, a woman who makes her own mayonnaise, and volunteers for the PTA, to a woman who watches Ellen, goes to yoga, has lunch with her girlfriends, and sips lattes while getting her nails done.  I’ll admit that I too once thought to myself, what do these women do all day?  But, now that I am one, I realize just how much we do do.   

Being a stay at home mom can be utterly frustrating at times.  It's a thankless job, with no staff parties, no promotions, and no Christmas bonuses.  We're a misunderstood group, since most of our work is done at home.  I often drop the kids off at school in my pajamas, because why dress up when I'm just returning home to do laundry and clean out the basement storage room?  Yes, you may see me at the nail salon on a Tuesday afternoon, but that is because my weekends are full of kiddie parties and ballet lessons.  And really, we deserve nice nails too, right?  But being a stay at home mom can also be hilarious work.  Kids really do say the darndest things, and we're always there to hear them say it.  We become so proficient at all things domestic, that we can't help but laugh at our husbands as they look for a big bowl for their microwave popcorn.  I mean, come on, there are only so many places in the kitchen in which to store a big popcorn bowl, how hard can it be to find one?  

I hope you enjoy my blog, my rants, my musings, my occasional tips and my even more occasional uplifting thoughts on marriage and parenthood.