WHERE did her socks go?

I really enjoy the relaxing-busy nature of a weekend.  I like sleeping in (or not, as it wasn't my turn today), having a morning shopping trip (or having it cancelled, as it was rainy), and generally lazing around and doing things at my own pace- I mean, who doesn't?!??
Today was a little tougher, as it was raining steadily all day and Erika decided to go to sleep late last night and wake up early, thus ensuring a volatile child.  She was excitable, extremely happy or cranky, at the drop of a hat. (Sometimes all at the same time) Despite the inclement weather, Rick and I decided for sanity sake to head out around 11:30 to find some lunch and burn off some energy mall-walking.  It was a great decision!!
She unwillingly went down for an afternoon nap (albeit a bit late), and slept for a solid 2.5 hours.  I was a bit curious as to what went though her mind when I went in to wake her and saw her sockless...

 <Lookit those cute little toes.  xoxox>

THEN have her turn over and see this....

Her socks on her hands.  Oh, Erika.  :)

Makes you really wonder what happens, or what goes through their minds as they fall asleep.



What a difference!

What a difference the weather makes.  Over the past 5 days, the weather has turned around, keeping positive overnight, and going up to double digits during the day.  Erika and I have made a couple trips to our local playground already, and what a change a year makes.  The very 1st time we went, she fearlessly climbed to the high twisty slide without assistance.  I was stunned.  The last time we were there (about late Oct or so) she would NEVER do that.  In fact, she needed me to climb up to the small slide with her.  It just shows me that her confidence and steadiness of foot has advanced so much since then.  It's difficult to see progress when you're around them every day, but this is really obvious.  Next time we head there I promise to take photos!  She blows my mind.
Also, with the disappearance of the snow, my allergies have come on full-force.  I have a sensitivity to snow mold and ragweed, which makes Spring and Late Summer very difficult; I feel like I have a cold in the mornings and evenings.  Not during the day, however, when I'm inside.  Annoying to say the least!  It's minor enough not to want to medicate (dry itchy cough and stuffiness) but enough to irritate. :/
Student-led conferences tomorrow. It's a chance for the students to show off what they've learned and done this year.  It's A LOT of work for me before hand- selection of work samples, writing of reflections, and finishing projects.  The day if student-led, however, it just makes for a long day! The idea is for parents to came and celebrate their child's accomplishments and progress, and not hear me drone on and on.  We'll see how it goes!! 

Ice Cream, Rainbows and Dinner for 2.5

I looked back on my blog and realized that the topics were mainly negative.  Shame on me.  I have a great life, and there is very little to be upset about.  I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, and a great job that I look forward to daily.  Today was an great day.
Today Erika and I went grocery shopping as usual.  Even though it was busy, it was very enjoyable.  As per usual, she raced down the aisles, charmed the bakery ladies out of a cookie, and shouted "follow me" through the rest of the trip.  It was awesome.  I persuaded her into leaving by the promise of a walk when we got home.  Not a great sacrifice, as it was an amazing day outside. We went door-to-door after we arrived home collecting for the Cancer society.  Erika was a charmer and begged to visit "More houses, Mama??!?" even after our work was done.  What a girlie.
As a reward, we treated her to ice cream, for the 1st time this season.  I introduced Erika to the phenomenon of the DQ Dip.  OMG, she loved it.  She didn't eat much of the ice cream or cone underneath, but enjoyed much the same.  :)

Then we got home, and Erika made the afternoon extra-adorable by hunting for rainbows though out the house created by the front door windows.  She would claim a "rainbow" as her own, lay down beside it and yell "no touch!!".  It was very cute and made for an entertaining spectacle.  When the sun went away, she was very distraught.  Adorable none-the-less.

**Note the adoration when looking at her "rainbow" on the floor**

Today was a very simple plan of quesadillas for dinner.  Whilst out shopping, however, Rick get creative and decided to make Panzit.  Rick is a professional Chef.  He cannot, by sheer instinct, make ANYTHING on small scale.  When making dinner,we inevitably have leftovers.  If I for one enjoyed leftovers for dinner the next day, this would be a good thing.  Unfortunately, because I take a lot of leftovers for lunch, I do not enjoy eating them the day after for dinner as well.  In any case, he made panzit (a Filipino dish consisting of rice noodles, chicken/shrimp/pork with cabbage, carrots, celery, onions and garlic in a dark soy and fish sauce) for himself, me and our daughter. Such is the result:

Yeah, that's a medium size mixing bowl.  Not kidding.  I could bring the leftovers to a family of 5 and they would easily have leftovers from my leftovers.  It was so great.  I love having a chef for a husband; he makes amazing meals.  There are challenges, however.  I haven't even mentioned what he leaves the kitchen like after he cooks.
Amazing day.  Anyone want leftovers?  Or even better, join us for dinner??

**S*T*R*E*S*S**

This time of the year is stressful.  Late April is the time where school administrators take a hard look at their numbers for next year and make some staffing decisions.  As a teacher, you either hope that you're in a small enough school that there's 1 of your position and you have to stay there, or a big enough school where there are other options.  I am in the latter.  My school has over 1000 students.  There are always people retiring, movement within the school, or others choosing to leave.  That doesn't eliminate the stress of this time of year, though.
I have had many, many teaching roles.  When I first graduated, I taught high school, thinking that was the best fit for me.  A few years of the arrogance of 17 year olds convinced me that it was not the right choice.  I moved down to grade 9 (still in a high school), then grade 8, then grade 7, and finally settled in at grade 6.  Subjects varied as well, including Gr 12 ELA (Ack, Othello), Grade 10 Geography, Grade 9 Social Studies, Grade 7/8 ELA and Social Studies, Grades 4-8 Basic French, and... get ready for this... Grade 2 Phys Ed.
With this varied age and subject range, I shouldn't worry much.  I do anyhow. :/
I have been teaching Grade 6 ever since getting back from my Maternity Leave.  I worry about my job because I think it's the best fit ever.  I enjoy the age, the curriculum, and the whole concept of "owning" a group of students.  It's a lot of work, but very much worth it at the some time. 

Decisions are still up in the air and being finilized, but I'll give you more details as I have them.

On a very happy note, it's the long weekend...

Fears.

I have many.  In fact, if my fears/apprehensions are not worked out in good time (i.e. at least days before I have to deal with them) they often haunt me.  I'm sure I'll come up with a part 2-3-4 for this topic, but here is one that plagues me regularly.
THE NEED FOR ADVANCE PLANNING.  Now, I suppose this applies to a lot of situations for the masses, but in the case of my job it's pretty specific.  For example, I need to know in my mind what I will be teaching for the next month or so.  I suppose to teachers this isn't unusual, but for me it's imperative that I have my schedule, photocopies, and plan in place.  I may not appear organized- my desk is often a mess, my marking not always up-to-date, but I always, always know where I am going.  When there is doubt, it keeps me up nights.  When I taught French this was not much of an issue, as I had an amazing mentor that is a master teacher.  Her methods are tried and true, and she is 100% reliable should I go astray.  Now, teaching grade 6 all subjects and being responsible for filling the hours of the school day for a group of students, it's a bit more challenging.  Not to say I'm not up for the challenge, but it's at times hard.

Advance planning for me also applies to my fear of finding parking when I go to a locale.  I DO NOT go somewhere without knowing where I can park my car.  If there is a fear of not finding parking, I will either change my plans or go ridiculously early for where I have to be.  (In the case of a conference.)  As Rick and I have 1 car, he often drops me off at work.  I still maintain a paid parking spot in the parking lot, so as to have a guaranteed place in the mornings to park.  When I subbed for many different schools, I would often get there 30-45 min ahead of schedule to figure out parking.  Neurotic, I know. What would happen if I don't find parking right away? Probably nothing, but the idea of it makes me break into a cold sweat.

For this reason, I avoid driving downtown on my own or other places with limited parking. The idea for this post came from another blog about a bakery I want to visit.  Unfortunately, it's located in the exchange district.  :(  I likely will never venture there.  I can't even explain the stress.  I wanted to buy Erika a jacket from MEC (Their ONLY location being on Portage Ave.) for Spring... not going to happen.  I found another option. (I even considered at one point to mail order it to me.) I will very willingly go these places as a passenger- it's like the responsibility of parking is lifted off my shoulders.  I've even tried tempting Ricky to drive with me to this bakery, but as sweets are not his thing, I have not been successful yet. I'm still trying!!!

Oh yeah, there will be more to come as I could go on and on and on. Hmmm... maybe this isn't such a good idea.... 

On raising a 2 year old...

I never claim to be an expert at anything.  In fact, I very much enjoy playing the student at times, as I'm surrounded by them all day on weekdays.  I like learning new things; and with my daughter it's a very steep learning curve- much as she has!  :)  The will of a 2 year old is extreme, as like the moods.  Some tried and true methods have definitely gotten me through tough days.  Here's 2 I like:
Warning.  No, I'm not warning you...it's about giving notice. :) The arguments I have avoided with Erika by simply giving a simple countdown has been amazing.  "Erika, we're going to bed soon"  "Bedtime in a few minutes" "Bedtime right away"...etc.  The more warning I give, the less arguments.  I start about a half-hour/20 min before, and it's been successful 99% of the time.  The meltdowns happen when I forget; like at the grocery store or on a walk.  Oh, the tantrums; she's an expert at those.
 The other is the old-time reverse phychology.  Mornings are my enemy with time constraints and variety of moods.  Reverse psychology (which I know will not work for very long) has been a life-saver many times.  "No, Erika, you can't wear that shirt." "I don't want you to wear your rubber boots"  I could go on.  Now, I know this is almost letting her defy me in her mind, but has very much preserved my sanity some mornings.
 

Parenting is lots of ups and downs, but exciting and so very enjoyable.  She's growing so fast, and her little mind always surprises me!!

Oh, and an update on the glowing tushie rash; the warm soapless baking soda bath/dry time/corn starch was a winner, and helped take the sting out of the rash quickly.  Helped by the fact the intestinal disturbances went down significantly, she's almost back to normal already.  Good stuff. Yay!!

Corn starch?? Zinc? To apply or not to apply...

If you haven't guessed alreay, I'm talking about diaper rash.  Not the normal, run-of-the-mill kind with daily diaper changes, but the angry, "glowing" kind brought on by intestinal disturbances and bad poops.  (That's enough detail on that topic!!)  In any case, Erika has been suffering from these disturbances for a little over 24 hours now, and her poor skin is raw from this.  Now, I am all about trial-and-error, but sometimes you just want someone to tell you the answer.  Enter the internet. 
According to Rick, who has more patience for reading of internet-advice than I do, there are a million and one opinions.  Some say corn starch is the answer, some say avoid it like the plague.  Same for talc/baby powder.  Other recommend vasaline (tried, not working) or a zinc-based cream (awful to apply to raw skin).  There was even one...get ready for this... that said to apply Vicks Vapo Rub to the rash.  All I have to say to this is...OUCH! (Nope, didn't try it.)
I think it really comes down to what I thought at first, trial and error.  No one, other that a medical doctor about a straight-forward medical problem, is able to give you the miracle cure.  So tonight we're trying a warm soapless bath with baking soda and a liberal application of corn starch afterwards.  (The corn starch upon reccommendation of my Mother.)  Who knows, might be the right combination for my little one. To sweeten the deal, the corn starch was easy to apply.  :)  I'm hoping the intestinal disturbances are almost done with, and her skin can begin the road to recovery.  Fingers crossed.

Had to share a weekend cuddle:

Will let you know what works for me so I can add to the million and one opinions out there.  I'd hate not to be counted amongst the masses. 

A trifle more of the trifle?

A super-busy Saturday.  Today was caught up with grocery shopping for a family dinner (more on this to come), house cleaning, meeting up with a good friend to purchase some wonderful hand-me-down clothing for Erika, and the family coming over mid-afternoon to visit and have dinner.  Whew.

Thankfully, I am not a Superstore frequenter.  I am usually on my own (Rick cares not for it) and have Erika with me to go grocery shopping, and that place is not condusive to 1 parent and active 2 year old.  I very much prefer Safeway, and am willing to pay the little extra to let Erika race up and down the aisles without much fear of her being bowled down by crowds.  (not to mention they have Starbucks...)  I enjoy the clothes and specialty items at Superstore, but will only venture there on off-times, and without child.  Today, as I heard from many, Superstore had a "no tax" event, and you couldn't convince me to go there; even if they had a "no pay for anything" event.  Have I ever mentioned my slight claustrophobia? Yikes, crowds scare me.  At Safeway, I bought some spring flowers to brighten up the house; Erika enjoyed them. :)

After Safeway, whilst my lovely husband was home cleaning the house, I headed to a friend's house to sort through possible clothing buys for Erika.  Wow, was it a find.  I got her next wardrobe of pajamas, many summer choices, and spring/fall clothes too.  Amazing.  I'm still on a shopping high.

THEN, the family came over.  Rick prepared an amazing meal the consisted of philo wrapped chicken with a sauteed onion, chevre and rosemary filling, and the amazing spinach and feta risotto. Broccoli salad (with almonds, red onion, raisins...Mmmmm) brought by my mother.  My sister, who is known for her elaborate and delicious desserts, made a trifle that was a work of art.  Layers of chocolate cake, pudding, whipped cream, and cherries all topped with skor bits.  Wow... you want some.  She left me the leftovers- she must like me a whole lot.  :)  It was an amazing meal- I don't think I'm ever going to eat again. 

It was an great day.

I have to tease you with a picture of the trifle...

Looking ahead, and the downhill slide.

Spring break is the factor.  After the break, it all is a slide towards the end of the school year.  There is always so much going on in April, May and June that you don't ever have time to breathe and time really flies. 
To give non-educators an insight;  the last 3 months is the culminating of work for student-led conferences, planning/taking many outdoor field trips, spending of school budgets, drama and fixation on how your job/position could change for the next year, teaching family life in Health, and of course dealing with spring and the mess and twitterpated pre-teens.

Main Entry:	twitterpated
Part of Speech:	adj
Definition:	confused by affection or infatuation

Yeah.  So, really, my week went by in a blink.  Also, to make matters worse (or better, as you look at it) I'm away for 5 teaching days this month for various professional development days.  Crazy!  This is my life for the last 3 months of school.  I LOVE IT.
I love the fact that everything is getting out of the winter doldrums, everyone is coming alive, and students get more and more animated as summer approaches.  With a lot of the basics taught in Math and Language Arts, and classroom routines firmly in place already, this is the time students shine- I see amazing growth with the confidence they have gained.  They joke around more, they're comfortable around classmates, I know them well, and we have a good relationship.  The days get longer and there's sunshine left when I get home from school.  It's awesome.  :)

8 Years....

Married 8 years today, together for many more than that.  Wouldn't change a thing, love my Ricky.  Off to spend the evening together.  Xoxooxoxoxox

I win, telemarketers, I WIN.

I'm okay with phone solicitors.  We all need to make a living, and I'm okay with listening to a company's offer, or taking a short survey if I have the time.  I know a lot of people that have or still do work for call centers, and they're working for a dollar like everyone else.  I'm happy I don't have to do that job; it must be very hard, so I don't want their job to be any more difficult than it already can be.  I think there's a list somewhere (or MANY lists) with my name on it as a potential ear, or perhaps a possible client.
Don't get me wrong.  I get tired from time to time of the polite yet pushy salespeople, don't always listen to their speech and sometimes beg off the survey (especially the political ones- I really dislike politics!).  More often than not, though, I listen.

I get A LOT of phone calls (by name) of offers to buy insurance, lengthy  political surveys, and other questionnaires.  Today, the phone call was a little different.  At about 5:15, Rick sees an "877" number on the phone, and automatically hands it over.  Not ever one to leave a phone ringing, I answer.  The man identifies himself by name and asks for me. (Surprise, surprise.) He then goes on to ask about my day (it was long), and asks how I'm enjoying the weather (blech).  After that, he jumps into his offer of a "cancer allocation".  Now, get this, if I ever would come down with cancer, (how appropriate, since this is Cancer Awareness Month) I would then be eligible to receive up to $151 000 to spend as I see fit.  :/ Now, I was fully willing to let him continue on in this ridiculous offer (practice makes perfect at your job) as I was just sitting and watching TV with Erika.  Erika was talking to me a bit now and then, and in the middle of his sales pitch for his "cancer allocation", he abruptly stops and asks me if this was a good time for me.  I told him it was okay, he could continue, but he then went on to suggest he call me back.  Confused, I ask him why.  He says "I hear a baby in the background; you must be busy...I will call you back at another time." He then quickly ends the call.

Huh.  First time I've ever been let go by a telemarketer.  I guess that means I win.  :)

Raising a foodie.

Erika has always eaten well since starting solid food. Once she was introduced to the world of flavor and texture, she hasn't looked back.  That's not to say we don't have issues; I mean, she often refuses protein (sometimes I think she's going to grow up to be a vegetarian), and gets into phases where she loves/hates a particular item.  (i.e. honey, carrots, broccoli, etc.)  Her tastes are so varied and random that most times I'm not surprised how dinner turns out! 

Most people assume, that because Rick is a chef by trade that we eat fabulously all of the time.  Please let me dispel that myth.  Our dinner preparation habits are like any regular family.  There are days of very simple meals, days of elaborate ones, and days where we order delivery. (too many)  It is surprising to some that Rick does not exercise his culinary muscles every day.  There are a lot of days, however, that our family's taste buds and palates are treated very well...and yesterday was one of those.  Despite still being under the weather; Rick presented this for dinner: 

Bacon wrapped chicken with a thyme demi-glaze, honey buttered carrots, and spinach and feta risotto.

OMG.

It was great.  Now, Erika's been on a carrot kick lately, so I thought that that would be the #1 item she would go for, with everything else playing second fiddle.  She surprised me yet again by jumping into the risotto, and with every bite saying "Mmmm....".  :)  It was awesome.  She even had seconds.

It was very much enjoyed!! 

On a side note, our bathroom is now fully complete, with a mirror found/bought/installed and plugs/switches replaced.  So happy with the result; it's a good feeling of accomplishment for the break.

YAY, done!