Spring brings out the happy in me like nothing else (with the one exception being family holidays traveling and exploring with my DH and the Sprouts). It is so miraculous to wake up every morning with the sun higher in the sky, the birds louder in their celebratory chorus, and the world a shade greener than it was yesterday.
Even though I was not quite ready for the weekend to end this morning, it wasn't too hard to get out of bed. After my first morning run of the spring (I have been running after school or during lunch so far) I was in fine form to tackle a chaotic day at school.
This week is crazy; in a good way. We have a travelling planetarium here, a travelling theatre troupe here and science fair right in the middle of it all. And that is crammed into three-and-a-half days!
By Friday we will be more than ready for another weekend. But today I am full of the happiness of spring and the birds' singing, and I am ready for any challenge (I hope).
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Happier Easter
Well, today turned our Easter weekend all around. And I am thankful for it.
We started with an announcement from Jo that he was HUNGRY! In traditional Jo style it was shouted at the top of his lungs from his room to ours. That was great news, as when he is sick he doesn't want to eat anything. Hooray for grumbly tummies.
Since the smaller Sprout was finally healthy it was time to do our Easter weekend (all in one day). No lazing about in jammies this morning. We had eggs to hunt!
The Sprouts each had two colours of plastic eggs to hunt for outside. When they had both found all their eggs, they brought them in and opened them up. Inside were clues to where their Easter baskets could be found. Jo's clues were a picture puzzle. Fi's clues were word chunks that she had to assemble into a sentence. The treasure was hidden in the dryer.
Then is was a quick pack-up and a dash into town. Both LK and I were feeling a bit cabin feverish (two days with a little boy sweating all over me is not my favourite way to spend the weekend). We needed to get out of the house. And we really needed groceries.
After all the necessary errands were taken care of it was time to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. We went to the park. There we discovered that we are no longer the parents of little kids. Our kids are less playgrounders and more explorers. So we left the park for a hiking trail. This was much more every body's speed and went terrifically well.
Until we climbed down from the hill over the train tracks and found the OPP waiting for us. Oops! Apparently somebody had phoned in that there were kids on the tracks. We weren't technically on the tracks at all. And we were being responsible grown-ups by hiking with our kids. However, some caring soul who was watching out for the safety of the community was being cautious. To be clear, there were no signs to warn us off. In fact the trail had a little sign about 500 metres before the tracks that said "Tunnel" and led straight to the tracks. To me that is an invitation to explore.
Anyway, out of concern for the "kids on the tracks", trains were being held up and the police were sent out to check things out. We apologized. The OPP guys were lovely, in fact Jo made friends with them as we walked back to their car. They gave the Sprouts the grand tour of their cruiser and talked to Jo on the megaphone. He was quiet shy in the moment, but told us all about it on the way home (like we weren't right there beside him).
We ended the day with our first visit of the season to DQ. It was especially sweet since this was the first day that we had to peel layers off and felt too warm by the end of our hike.
I can feel summer just around the corner.
We started with an announcement from Jo that he was HUNGRY! In traditional Jo style it was shouted at the top of his lungs from his room to ours. That was great news, as when he is sick he doesn't want to eat anything. Hooray for grumbly tummies.
Since the smaller Sprout was finally healthy it was time to do our Easter weekend (all in one day). No lazing about in jammies this morning. We had eggs to hunt!
The Sprouts each had two colours of plastic eggs to hunt for outside. When they had both found all their eggs, they brought them in and opened them up. Inside were clues to where their Easter baskets could be found. Jo's clues were a picture puzzle. Fi's clues were word chunks that she had to assemble into a sentence. The treasure was hidden in the dryer.
Then is was a quick pack-up and a dash into town. Both LK and I were feeling a bit cabin feverish (two days with a little boy sweating all over me is not my favourite way to spend the weekend). We needed to get out of the house. And we really needed groceries.
After all the necessary errands were taken care of it was time to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. We went to the park. There we discovered that we are no longer the parents of little kids. Our kids are less playgrounders and more explorers. So we left the park for a hiking trail. This was much more every body's speed and went terrifically well.
Until we climbed down from the hill over the train tracks and found the OPP waiting for us. Oops! Apparently somebody had phoned in that there were kids on the tracks. We weren't technically on the tracks at all. And we were being responsible grown-ups by hiking with our kids. However, some caring soul who was watching out for the safety of the community was being cautious. To be clear, there were no signs to warn us off. In fact the trail had a little sign about 500 metres before the tracks that said "Tunnel" and led straight to the tracks. To me that is an invitation to explore.
Anyway, out of concern for the "kids on the tracks", trains were being held up and the police were sent out to check things out. We apologized. The OPP guys were lovely, in fact Jo made friends with them as we walked back to their car. They gave the Sprouts the grand tour of their cruiser and talked to Jo on the megaphone. He was quiet shy in the moment, but told us all about it on the way home (like we weren't right there beside him).
We ended the day with our first visit of the season to DQ. It was especially sweet since this was the first day that we had to peel layers off and felt too warm by the end of our hike.
I can feel summer just around the corner.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Mopey Easter
My bundle-of-energy boy has been out of sorts the past few days. Yesterday he shocked us by crawling into our bed at 11:45am and promptly falling asleep for an hour. This is a boy who doesn't nap at all anymore.
Then he went outside after eating three bites of his lunch. He couldn't resist the lure of helping his papa with raking the lawn. An hour later he was inside again and curled up on the couch; out cold for another hour. After spending most of the afternoon on the couch, drifting in and out of sleep he picked at his dinner and wanted a bath and to be tucked into bed.
We tucked him in last night with the sinking feeling that we might be stuck here at home for Easter Sunday.
It is now 8:30 and the Sprout hasn't eaten his breakfast. He was up more times than I can count last night wanting water, feeling cold (even though he was burning up to the touch), or just needing a hug. He refused to take any Tylenol to bring his temperature down. This morning he is just warm, but still off his feed.
His mama is cross-eyed with exhaustion. I am a 8-9 hour-a-night kind of girl, and the nights where I get less than 7 hours of sleep are not pretty. Last night there was only one stint that was longer than an hour. I am the one who wants to curl up on the couch and nap the day away today.
Today I miss being only three blocks from church. With home that close I would push Jo to go. But an hour in the car with a feverish child and then turning right around if he can't handle it is not a challenge that I am up to today.
Missing Easter Sunday worship is making me mopey. That and being dead-tired.
Then he went outside after eating three bites of his lunch. He couldn't resist the lure of helping his papa with raking the lawn. An hour later he was inside again and curled up on the couch; out cold for another hour. After spending most of the afternoon on the couch, drifting in and out of sleep he picked at his dinner and wanted a bath and to be tucked into bed.
We tucked him in last night with the sinking feeling that we might be stuck here at home for Easter Sunday.
It is now 8:30 and the Sprout hasn't eaten his breakfast. He was up more times than I can count last night wanting water, feeling cold (even though he was burning up to the touch), or just needing a hug. He refused to take any Tylenol to bring his temperature down. This morning he is just warm, but still off his feed.
His mama is cross-eyed with exhaustion. I am a 8-9 hour-a-night kind of girl, and the nights where I get less than 7 hours of sleep are not pretty. Last night there was only one stint that was longer than an hour. I am the one who wants to curl up on the couch and nap the day away today.
Today I miss being only three blocks from church. With home that close I would push Jo to go. But an hour in the car with a feverish child and then turning right around if he can't handle it is not a challenge that I am up to today.
Missing Easter Sunday worship is making me mopey. That and being dead-tired.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A Teacher
Over the past two weeks my spouse has begun the difficult process of letting go of his first class. Your first class is special - they are big part of molding who you are as a teacher. For LK it is infinitely more special and difficult as he has spent almost two years with most of this class. They are a really wonderful group of students. And, as we often do with our students, he has grown to love them almost like they are his own kids.
If you read his blog you may have noticed that he has changed how he shares stories about his class. His ears have become attuned to their hearts. His heart celebrates their joys. He is a Teacher of the finest calibre.
I am incredibly proud of LK. He has demonstrated a level of faithfulness to his students that awes me. He has put his own wants and needs aside time after time to do what is best for them.
It is the same approach he brings to being a husband and father. I am so unworthy of this amazing man... and so blessed to have him in my life.
If you read his blog you may have noticed that he has changed how he shares stories about his class. His ears have become attuned to their hearts. His heart celebrates their joys. He is a Teacher of the finest calibre.
I am incredibly proud of LK. He has demonstrated a level of faithfulness to his students that awes me. He has put his own wants and needs aside time after time to do what is best for them.
It is the same approach he brings to being a husband and father. I am so unworthy of this amazing man... and so blessed to have him in my life.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Coach K
Wednesday, halfway through lunch found me not sitting at my desk slogging through a pile of marking, or swapping ideas with colleagues via the WWW, but out on the dirt road towards the old reserve with 20 students. I was coaching the soccer team.
Some of you are saying, "What!?"
Because all who know me know that sports have never really been my thing. I am more of an arts diva; music, theatre, fashion. I was a complete klutz (according to my ever-so-accurate self concept) in high school and university.
As an adult I have not exactly turned into the sports queen, but I have discovered some activities that I really enjoy, and have the benefit of being good for me. Running is at the top of the list. Three years ago in our first winter here in the north I added cross-country skiing to that list, and last summer, canoeing.
This spring as the spring fever season began (which in our school means science fair, sports, random holidays, traditional holidays, and on and on) and the days of productive learning decrease exponentially each week, the season for soccer coaching has started. I ignored the season, as I assumed that the staff member who usually coaches the 4-6 team would want to do so again and life for me would continue as last year (trying madly to get as much learning into these last few weeks as possible). But I was wrong.
Said staff member is ready for a break, and that left my gr. 5 colleague and I. We decided that sharing the coaching was a good plan. So, as the runner, I volunteered to coach the fitness aspect of the team and lead training runs with the students. She has had an eager parent volunteer to work on skills and drills with the students. Together I think we will have a great time and a great team.
Since I was going to be out there anyway, why not invite the 7-8 team to join us?
And so I find myself wearing running gear to teach in three days a weeks right now. And as many classes sit down to their lunches, I head out the door with a group of 20+ students to run through the community. Lunch for the runners get squeezed in where we can find time.
And you know what... I am really enjoying myself. The kids are wonderful company. I get to listen to them share their thoughts about life, and start to understand them in a way that I never can in the classroom. The weather has been beautiful. The sunshine and fresh air are soul-food. And the result is a huge endorphin rush that lifts my mood in the middle of the day.
I wonder if students would be interested in a running club longer term?
Some of you are saying, "What!?"
Because all who know me know that sports have never really been my thing. I am more of an arts diva; music, theatre, fashion. I was a complete klutz (according to my ever-so-accurate self concept) in high school and university.
As an adult I have not exactly turned into the sports queen, but I have discovered some activities that I really enjoy, and have the benefit of being good for me. Running is at the top of the list. Three years ago in our first winter here in the north I added cross-country skiing to that list, and last summer, canoeing.
This spring as the spring fever season began (which in our school means science fair, sports, random holidays, traditional holidays, and on and on) and the days of productive learning decrease exponentially each week, the season for soccer coaching has started. I ignored the season, as I assumed that the staff member who usually coaches the 4-6 team would want to do so again and life for me would continue as last year (trying madly to get as much learning into these last few weeks as possible). But I was wrong.
Said staff member is ready for a break, and that left my gr. 5 colleague and I. We decided that sharing the coaching was a good plan. So, as the runner, I volunteered to coach the fitness aspect of the team and lead training runs with the students. She has had an eager parent volunteer to work on skills and drills with the students. Together I think we will have a great time and a great team.
Since I was going to be out there anyway, why not invite the 7-8 team to join us?
And so I find myself wearing running gear to teach in three days a weeks right now. And as many classes sit down to their lunches, I head out the door with a group of 20+ students to run through the community. Lunch for the runners get squeezed in where we can find time.
And you know what... I am really enjoying myself. The kids are wonderful company. I get to listen to them share their thoughts about life, and start to understand them in a way that I never can in the classroom. The weather has been beautiful. The sunshine and fresh air are soul-food. And the result is a huge endorphin rush that lifts my mood in the middle of the day.
I wonder if students would be interested in a running club longer term?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Meanderings
My very favourite time of year is now. The school year is just starting to wind down, so I am not spending indecent amounts of time doing schoolwork every night. The days have stretched long enough to feel decadent, with the sun still staining the sky long after the Sprouts have been tucked into their beds. And the snow is only clinging on in small shady patches. A few more days of sunshine and the only winter left will be the ice on the lakes.
And the sunshine. Oh, that glorious, gorgeous, tension-melting sunshine! I want to bathe in it; with bubbles, for hours. I want to spend every moment that is available outside revelling in its warmth. I want to melt all the winter out of my bones and soak them in summer.
So I am sitting on the deck, soaking in the lovely, lovely warmth.
And in the background I am listening to the chatter of the Sprouts playing in their mudboots. They are searching for some kind of bronze staff (can you tell Fi has started reading fantasy?) and worms and red ants (can you tell that Jo loves critters?). I think the sunshine is inducing a state of peace between them that normally deosn't exist. They sure don't play this nicely when they are stuck inside in the rain.
Although we learned this weekend that rain isn't a sentence to stay inside all day. It's really an opportunity to use our umbrellas, splash pants, and rain coats. And a great time to get completely soaked to the skin and then warm up with hot chocolate.
Man, I love spring!
And the sunshine. Oh, that glorious, gorgeous, tension-melting sunshine! I want to bathe in it; with bubbles, for hours. I want to spend every moment that is available outside revelling in its warmth. I want to melt all the winter out of my bones and soak them in summer.
So I am sitting on the deck, soaking in the lovely, lovely warmth.
And in the background I am listening to the chatter of the Sprouts playing in their mudboots. They are searching for some kind of bronze staff (can you tell Fi has started reading fantasy?) and worms and red ants (can you tell that Jo loves critters?). I think the sunshine is inducing a state of peace between them that normally deosn't exist. They sure don't play this nicely when they are stuck inside in the rain.
Although we learned this weekend that rain isn't a sentence to stay inside all day. It's really an opportunity to use our umbrellas, splash pants, and rain coats. And a great time to get completely soaked to the skin and then warm up with hot chocolate.
Man, I love spring!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Morning Drive
The snow is more than halfway gone. All the banks that are left are littered with the sand from the snowplows. Roads are clear and mostly dry. Small streams of meltwater are wending their way to the lakes all over the place. The Sprouts were debating the process in the car on the way to school this morning.
"Mama, the snow is disappearing!" observed Jo, quite awed at the apparent miracle occuring before our eyes.
His very literal thinking sister corrected him, "It's not disappearing, it is melting."
"Disappearing."
"Melting."
Debate over. Bickering begins. Deep sighs from two tired parents in the front seat.
Listening to them reminds me of the arguments I used to have (well, to be truthful - occasionally still do have) with my own siblings. As long as both parties are dead set on being right, there is no finding peace. And both Sprouts were positive that they were right. Since they weren't shouting I just watched out the window and tried to tune it out.
"Mama, the snow is disappearing!" observed Jo, quite awed at the apparent miracle occuring before our eyes.
His very literal thinking sister corrected him, "It's not disappearing, it is melting."
"Disappearing."
"Melting."
Debate over. Bickering begins. Deep sighs from two tired parents in the front seat.
Listening to them reminds me of the arguments I used to have (well, to be truthful - occasionally still do have) with my own siblings. As long as both parties are dead set on being right, there is no finding peace. And both Sprouts were positive that they were right. Since they weren't shouting I just watched out the window and tried to tune it out.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Who'da Thunk?
I have been teasing my parents about moving up here for the past two years. It is a place where they would feel at home in many ways; it reminds me of Muskoka (on steroids) with a lot less people, there are lots of amazing people with ideas and dreams that would be interesting and exciting for my parents to get to know, and they would get lots of quality time with the Sprouts. And, really, they were the ones who started this whole pick-up-and-move-a-million-miles-away trend in our family when they started their own adventure.
However, they have my two sisters and my nephew living close to them where they are now. The closeness that they have with my sisters and nephew is really important to them. And they have their own siblings (my aunts and uncle) nearby as well, and are enjoying the relationships with them. Plus they live on a little lake in a little log cabin that is just about paradise. So, I thought that my teasing fell on deaf ears. But, ever hopeful, I figured it couldn't hurt to put it out there.
Turns out it didn't. And the ears weren't deaf.
About two months ago I got a phone call from them. They were wondering if my dad's experiences and skills would be in any way useful to the school community here. My dad has done a lot of really amazing things in his life; and his skills are jigsaw fit with the needs of the school right now - the school is starting a co-op program to support young people learning employable skills in trades, and my dad has spend 40+ years working in the trades and working with young people in various contexts. Dad wants to pass along the skills that he has learned before he retires. Having two of his grandchildren down the road would by a lovely little perk.
After an initial conversation with the Director, and her request for his resume my teasing wish for Nana and Pop to be close to us seemed like it could actually come true. Of course, it was far from a done deal. Since there were many possibilities that could make it impossible, I tried really hard not to think too much about what an amazing thing it would be. Well, I failed in that. But I did manage to keep it quiet!
So, with a request for the Director to combine a visit with a chance to meet with the school board and discuss possibilities, Nana and Pop planned a visit this past week. It was an intense three days. But really wonderful. We got three whole days of time revelling in their company and advice and love. And the results make me over-the-moon happy.
In August Nana and Pop will be moving in as our neighbours-down-the-road for the school year. Dad will be working at the school as an industrial arts teacher. The vision is to support the newly formed co-op program with some in-school trades training. He is thrilled with the chance to share his love of craftsmanship, plus spend a year with the Sprouts. I am thrilled to get my parents here for a school-year and be able to interact in their lives in a way that I haven't been able to in over fifteen years.
I know that there will be some big challenges over the next year and a bit. I covet prayers for wisdom, patience, courage, stamina, and rich blessings for the whole shebang and everyone involved. And I am boggled at how what we thought would be an adventure for "just a year" is turning into a whole new life with challenges and joys that I never imagined. What an adventure all of life is. And what a treat to be surprised by joy all through it!
However, they have my two sisters and my nephew living close to them where they are now. The closeness that they have with my sisters and nephew is really important to them. And they have their own siblings (my aunts and uncle) nearby as well, and are enjoying the relationships with them. Plus they live on a little lake in a little log cabin that is just about paradise. So, I thought that my teasing fell on deaf ears. But, ever hopeful, I figured it couldn't hurt to put it out there.
Turns out it didn't. And the ears weren't deaf.
About two months ago I got a phone call from them. They were wondering if my dad's experiences and skills would be in any way useful to the school community here. My dad has done a lot of really amazing things in his life; and his skills are jigsaw fit with the needs of the school right now - the school is starting a co-op program to support young people learning employable skills in trades, and my dad has spend 40+ years working in the trades and working with young people in various contexts. Dad wants to pass along the skills that he has learned before he retires. Having two of his grandchildren down the road would by a lovely little perk.
After an initial conversation with the Director, and her request for his resume my teasing wish for Nana and Pop to be close to us seemed like it could actually come true. Of course, it was far from a done deal. Since there were many possibilities that could make it impossible, I tried really hard not to think too much about what an amazing thing it would be. Well, I failed in that. But I did manage to keep it quiet!
So, with a request for the Director to combine a visit with a chance to meet with the school board and discuss possibilities, Nana and Pop planned a visit this past week. It was an intense three days. But really wonderful. We got three whole days of time revelling in their company and advice and love. And the results make me over-the-moon happy.
In August Nana and Pop will be moving in as our neighbours-down-the-road for the school year. Dad will be working at the school as an industrial arts teacher. The vision is to support the newly formed co-op program with some in-school trades training. He is thrilled with the chance to share his love of craftsmanship, plus spend a year with the Sprouts. I am thrilled to get my parents here for a school-year and be able to interact in their lives in a way that I haven't been able to in over fifteen years.
I know that there will be some big challenges over the next year and a bit. I covet prayers for wisdom, patience, courage, stamina, and rich blessings for the whole shebang and everyone involved. And I am boggled at how what we thought would be an adventure for "just a year" is turning into a whole new life with challenges and joys that I never imagined. What an adventure all of life is. And what a treat to be surprised by joy all through it!
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