The not knowing was what shocked me the most. If he had some logical reason then that would just be him trying to understand the way things work. However, this suggests that his thoughts are beginning to be formed by emotion. Oh dear, here come the teens. I don’t think we can go backwards from here!

I was nervous about the movie since neither of the kids have seen many real people in movies (as opposed to animated). I was also concerned that there would be a few moments for Ashleigh that may be a little too much. She can be quite sensitive and is still only 6.

All was fun for the first half and then the fire alarm went off. Ashleigh didn’t even have socks on! We quickly put on shoes and socks, gathered our stuff and exited. Everyone stood outside for probably around 15 minutes before being let back in. Apparently a cleaner bumped the alarm. (Oops) It was quite chilly out. Couldn’t have been more than a few degrees above zero. Fortunately, I had extra jackets in the car and a blanket. When we’d left home, we weren’t dressed to be outside since we were going from house to car to school and not walking very far. Luckily, our car is equipped for this situation. (Phew)

The second half was sad (when the government steps in and Elliot and ET both get very sick). Ashleigh watched in my lap. We quietly chatted through the scary bits and cuddled through the sad parts. I decided to use a new track and instead of telling her all would be fine, it’s OK, it’s just a movie, I simply agreed that it was a sad part and it’s OK to feel sad. Not sure if this worked or whether she just wasn’t very upset, but she managed to make it to the end and loved it.

Sam was interesting to watch. We all sit on mats on the floor. Some parents sit on chairs, I prefer to sit with the kids. A bunch of Sam’s classmates were sitting with us. They laughed together, discussed the “cool” parts and all went very quiet when ET was dying. The whole hall was very quiet and then cheered loudly when he came back to life. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a combined emotional response from any other movie at school movie nights. The boys loved it. Ashleigh and her friends loved it. What an excellent family movie.

The kids and I have since been making movie references and amusing ourselves with quotes. What a great age!

I believe they listen intently to me and truly absorb all of what they hear which could be broken down to “blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda”.

So here’s to them all – in the search of fame, it is our sweet 2yo Emily who has achieved our highest level so far. With her mixed Australian-Canadian accent, she has been around the world and back again, getting over 100 hits on youtube as she demands for a “fork n spoon” or was that her f*****n spoon?!

Such a proud time in my journey as a Mum!!!

Feel free to forward her beautiful video message to all who need a laugh particularly to any mother that is having a bad day, has had a bad day, has ever been embarrassed by their children for an inappropriate statement or inappropriate timing.

Bless our children for teaching us their depths of our hearts and our own inner child as we laugh at the things we shouldn’t.

Emily was having a moment during dinner when she threw her spoon and fork across the table. Sam took them, as we always do and wouldn’t give them back. Emily screamed at him demanding for her “fork n spoon”. I was involved in a conversation with Ashleigh at the time when I heard the fuss and just snapped my head around – “What happened? What did she say???”

Watch when there aren’t kids around!

Ashleigh today was watching her favourite movie and just chatting her thoughts out loud while I was busy in the kitchen. She decided a teacher in the movie must be the principal, then thought about this female character and quickly corrected herself stating “no, the princessipal”.

Emily lately has taken to renaming people and usually in direct relation to herself. She calls Sam “Emmy’s big brother”. Ashleigh for some time was “Emmy’s big sister” but has now been renamed “Emmy’s friend” or “my friend”. Some of her friends are “Emmy’s buddies” and some are “Emmy’s Duffer Doo buddies”. Today when Sammy was wrestling Emily, she was telling him to stop by stating “not Mommy’s daughter”. I guess quickly getting to the point is not her strength right now.

Emily also renames objects. Her high chair she calls “Emmy’s twinkle little star chair” It took a few days of repetition on this one for me to learn what she was referring to and then realise that the high chair has a star pattern on it. We’ve used it since Sam and never really stopped to think about it before.

Sam on the same topic but age adjusted today answered me with “…, Mum”. He said it and then looked for a reaction. We both just took a moment, not sure what to say. Nothing wrong with that, but I think it may be a milestone for him in growing up. I like hearing “Mummy”. Little kids say “Mummy”. I’m not ready for “Mum” yet. I’m not ready for big kids yet.

The whole idea of Halloween coming sends kids into a frenzy about how much candy they will accumulate Trick or Treating and the costumes they will be wearing.

For Australian readers, I have to explain that Halloween, always on the last day of October, is probably as high in excitement as Christmas and it’s all about the kids. So here’s how my kids enjoyed it…

Sam and Ashleigh both had small parties in their classrooms on the Friday. We contributed decorated brownies. They took their costumes to school and got to dress up for the afternoon. Costumes had to be altered because you cannot take extra pieces in (wands, swords, etc.) plus costumes that are warm enough for the evening need to be lightened since it’s just not that cold at school. All was fine. I was a little nervous that Ashleigh would have trouble getting her costume on or off and even rip it. It did however come home in one piece. Sam had a moment when he got home and thought he’d left a piece at school. After initial panic, Ashleigh (of course) found the missing piece and all was calm again!

Costumes…

We are describing 2009 as Sam’s year of Harry Potter. He read all seven books and watched all six movies over the two months of summer. He has started a Harry Potter club with friends at school and can’t think about much of anything except Harry Potter. Of course, that made it an easy choice for costume. We bought the cape, Bubba bought the wand, we borrowed the glasses and went through the wardrobe for shirt, sweater, pants and a tie. He was so excited!

Ashleigh did get a little creative with her ideas. I was expecting some form of princess, which we could go through her dress-up box. She however, came to the idea of a walking jack-o-lantern. Unfortunately, with little time and a Mummy who is creatively challenged, I took her off to Wal-mart to buy a ready to wear costume. We settled on what I suggested to her was a pumpkin witch since it was orange and black. This she accepted and she felt very cute. PLUS the costume lit up – a perfect feature for both safety and fun when trick or treating after dark.

Emily was a lot easier. She is far to young to have a preference but old enough to be swept up in the anticipation and excitement. So we dug up the old standard Tigger costume, which is really thick and warm for the night. It fit her perfectly and she was so excited. She announced at dinner before going out that she was “Tigger for candy”. Ahhh, that’s my girl – she quickly figured out the whole point to the crazy energy. It’s all about the chocolate and other treats you can get.

And my fourth child went off on his own and bought his own costume. I have to say, there is something very sexy about a man who can embrace his inner child at the appropriate time. Not only did Mark carve the pumpkins and decorate the outside of our house, but he also took the kids out Trick or Treating dressed as a pirate!

  So after some neighbours all gathered off went this band of incredibly interesting characters roaming the neighbourhood. Halloween really is the night for breaking all those safety rules – no roaming the neighbourhood after dark, no taking candy from strangers, not too much sugar before bed! It’s so fun – it’s great to have a night where you can break the rules.

After Trick or Treating, the kids gathered here (our own and neighbourhood kids) and pretended to be little rock stars, playing Guitar Hero Beatles on the XBox in the basement. I love that Halloween fell on a Saturday night amd wish it was always on a Saturday!

Happy Halloween to all!!!

The week started with a fun family visit to Saunders Farm where the kids got to run around, watch a puppet show, explore their way out of a maze and travel in true fall style on a hayride for thrills as we rode past skeletons, spiders and witches etc (all fake for Halloween – I hope).

The week was then spent gearing up for Halloween. This meant, while trying to stay on top of the usual madness of family life, I then baked and decorated enough brownies for two classes (Sam and Ash) plus cupcakes for an afternoon party; prepared other goodies for eating at afternoon party; prepared Halloween bags for take home from party; decorate outside of house; ensure all children have costumes; buy stuff to hand out Halloween night. Phew! I also threw in a couple of nights of dinner out with friends and one with Mark! Well done me!!

Sadly not enough kids came knocking on our door for “trick or treat” so we are left with loads of chips and chocolate because I wasn’t able to hand it all out. No real problem, I just have to get creative so I don’t sit down one cold autumn day and eat it all myself. That started on the night by handing out my favourites first (removing my own temptation) and later hiding Mark’s favourites so he can’t eat it all at once. We also offered the kids a candy purchase program. If they want to sell any of their stash to us we will pay and then Mark will take it to work and dump it in the office, making it someone else’s problem (always a nice way to approach life).

As I mentioned, we didn’t get a lot of kids knocking on our door. Mark took our kids out Trick or Treating leaving me home in the warmth to clean and answer the door. As there weren’t many kids, I cleaned quickly, poured myself a glass of wine and enjoyed the idea of the Halloween week coming to an end. Then my neighbour dropped in since it was so quiet outside. I figured she came for her own Trick or Treating, so I poured her a glass of wine and she hung out for a while. Then another neighbour popped in and I offered her a glass of wine. I figure the grown-ups also deserve their own treats!

Sam’s bike had a flat tire. So we left the bike at school, locked up. He walked home. No problem, since I have a big group of kids on the way home and some ride while some walk. All smooth so far.

Time to prepare for evening. All is organised for ringette. Since there is about 12 pieces of ringette uniform/equipment and Mark has not dressed Ash before, I pack bag according to what goes on first etc. In ringette bag I also pack diapers and wipes for Emily just in case. Girls organised! Now Sam.

Together, we organise snack, drink bottle, money for popcorn (he has to use his own) and warm clothes to wear home. At this point it’s hovering around 5 degrees and possibility of rain. We need gloves, neck warmer, hat, jacket and bike helmet. Same for me plus a bike pump.

Everyone is organised! I ride my bike to school. It’s 6pm and not too bad. Cold but dressed for it. Mark drops Sam off. We watch the movie then start packing up. I’m tired and want to go home. It’s about 9pm. Sam comes over and states in a mild panic that he forgot his bike lock. Somewhere I hear the sound of skidding tires from my plan coming to a sudden, crashing halt!

Mark is home with girls in bed. I turn to a good friend who kindly drives Sam home. We step outside. It’s raining and must be only about 2 degrees. I wipe my bike seat off and ride home by myself. It’s raining sideways and each time I turn a corner the rain switches directions to ensure a steady stream directly into my face the entire ride home. Somewhere, I think Mark has moved our house and street because it seems so much further away than when I figured out this plan only a few hours previously.

Irony ~ I got home, Sam is dry and warm and Mark gets in the car to drive up and pick up Sam’s bike. If this had been my plan all along, I could have gotten lifts both ways and stayed warm and dry. Now, I sit here with a cough that sits on my chest and wondering how strong my system is so that I don’t end up with the flu again.

Maybe, I do feel a Sunday flu coming on where Mark will have to keep the kids away from me tomorrow while I look after myself by staying in bed and watching TV all day. Cough, cough. Yeah I can feel it coming!

Life must be confusing when you take everything literally!

Emily is deiniftely listening these days but her recall of events needs some work. Yesterday I told her to keep off the road or the cars are going to run over her. This morning she walked on the road and announced “cars run over Emmy again!” Oops, I wonder how else she will retell our stories and how much trouble she will get me in.

Ashleigh is learning the art of giving guilt. She had a class trip to the farm today and has been asking me to go. I was unable to juggle it. First thing this morning, she came to my bed to ask if I could go. This afternoon, after the trip she asked why I couldn’t go. We had discussed this many times. I felt bad about not going but she just twisted teh knife in my heart. I will definitely make sure I pull in all resources to go on the next class trip. Ahh ~ the art of guilt ~ she’s good!