Orange ya glad you came over?

We had some friends over on Sunday.

Things got a little silly.

We sure are going to miss these monkeys when they move to FarFarAway.

Plus, because I'm such a cool mom, we decorated cupcakes. Those things were loaded with sprinkles and sugar!!

So much fun!

My week.

In addition to tons of cakes last week, Baby Boy (like that Shelly?) broke out in chicken pox. He really didn't get as many as Chelsea, but his seemed to be bigger and more painful looking.

Now, this next photo may be used as an ad for vaccinating. :( This was Gavin's worst morning for sure. He was miserable and it took a while for the Benadryl to kick in. Not even the magic sippy cup of juice could soothe him.

We survived with lots of cuddles. This picture shows a few of his worst ones, by his eyebrow and right under his eye.

But alas, we survived.

Obviously, by choosing not to vaccinate, I made the choice for my kids to get the chicken pox. There were moments when it was horrible and I cried because they were crying and itchy and I felt guilty for allowing my children's perfect, soft, pudgy skin to get all scabby, but in the end, we survived and it's all over with. It really was a good time for them to get chicken pox, if there ever is a good time.

Quick post

Things I adore.

#1 - chubby, dimple cheeks.
#2 - beautiful girls enjoying a heart sprinkle cupcake before bed.

That's all.

Always in the back of my mind

I don't think I've ever been so nervous.

This comes close to the time that I was a grade 1 teacher for 6 weeks, but when I was doing that, I had so much support that I knew I could do it. (Although I did cry about 3 times in the principal's office during those first few weeks!)

I am not ready. I haven't done anything to prepare except sort through my boxes. I have so many boxes still in my garage because they are full of grade 6 stuff that won't be used this year. It made me really sad to see all that time, hard work and effort be packed away.

I know that teaching grade 3 and 4 will be a growing experience for me. It's good to get out of the box we put ourselves in. But right now, it just looks so overwhelming. I like feeling proficient and confident. But right now, I don't know how to teach grade 3, grade 4 or a split grade. I don't know how to effectively manage the time between the two grades and not to mention it's needing to learn seven new curriculums - Gr 3 math, science and social studies, Gr 4 math, science and social studies, oh and Gr 4 French too! If I was teaching a new grade, I probably wouldn't be so overwhelmed. Grade 3? Sure. Grade 4? Sure. But together? Sigh.

Sigh.

Anyone out there want a grade 6 teacher? Please? I'm really good at grade 6.

Harvest for Kids

Yesterday, Winkler set the record for having the most combines harvesting one field at the same time. It was to happen just on the field to the south of us, so we packed up the kids and went walking. It was really well set up, with displays and activities for kids happening in the centre of the field. There was even a shuttle service/hayride to get into the centre.

That was Chelsea's favourite part I think.

There were 100 combines on one side of the field and 100 on the other side, so when they harvested, they were heading towards each other.

There were a lot of combines.

(Thanks AD for the picture!)

The petting zoo is always a hit with the kids.

With Gavin walking, it is much easier for him to enjoy the animals.

The true Gavin face - lips pursed, loudly saying "ooooo" over and over.

And, of course, the kiddie train.

Finally, at 12:00, they were off! We had thought ahead, and made sure to watch the harvesting from the dike right close to our house. This way, we avoided the dust and the crowds when it was time to come home.

perfect little ol' me. hahhahaaha

So here's the thing. I think I've got it all figured out now.


I'm a perfectionist. I always strive to be the best, do the best, etc. I'm sure it comes from being a middle child, sandwiched in between an older sister and a younger brother who was very sick when he was born. I'm an attention-seeker, and that makes me loud. In school, I was a teacher's pet, and I'm embarrassed to say that this continued on through my university years. I always got very good grades (with the exception of my first Biology exam in university) and I had high expectations of myself.


This whole perfectionist thing is why I'm struggling now. (I am always afraid to bare this on my blog because I'm afraid of offending someone or having someone judge me, but over the past few months I've begun to come into myself. This is who I am - take it or leave it, but I'm not changing to please anyone anymore.)

Anyways, here's the thing. Since May, I've lost 24 pounds. No tricks or gimmicks, no easy button, just a lot of watching everything I ate and working out and running A LOT. I realize 24 pounds sounds like a lot, but when you remember that I gained 70 during my pregnancy with G, I've got a lot to lose. Anyways, I tracked what I ate and ran all the time. I'm really good when I'm losing weight. Nothing tempts me.

Nothing except mini donuts.

Sigh.

And here's where the perfectionist part comes in. I cheated and ate mini donuts and dang they were good. Now I give amazing credit to those of you who can eat a little of something and it doesn't affect your diet. Those "100 cal snack pack" kind of girls. Those "just a few bites of a dessert are all I need" kind of girls. Those "let's have fries tonight" kinds.

I. am. not. that. girl.

Just puttin' that out there. I am a black or white kind of dieter. It is MUCH easier for me to say no, then to say yes a few times.

Once I cheat even a little, my whole day feels ruined. I figure, "Well, I cheated so today's a write off" even if it was only a few mini donuts, or whatever. So that night for supper, because I've already cheated, I'll cheat again. and again. and... well you get the picture. One little slip becomes a ridiculous slippery slope. If I'm not perfect, I figure, why bother?

Soooo.... this is embarrassing to admit, after the mini donut day, I was like, "Well, we're going on vacation soon and I know I'll be cheating then, so there's no point in watching what I eat now."

I know. It's ridiculous. But anyways, so for a week before we went on vacation and then while we were on vacation, I ate whatever. Nachos, white bread, bacon, eggs, ice cream, funnel cakes, oh and I did indulge in some fancy drinks too.

So, now I have to proudly say that since May, I've only lost 16 pounds. Sigh.

But, the good news is, I'm back on track. Food journal - check! Running and working out - check! Lots of water - check! No more diet pop - check!

I am really looking for an accountability person. Someone who wants to keep me in check a few times a week. Someone who'll look at my food journal and see what I'm doing for exercise. Just someone to make sure I am doing it. I need that. I need to know that I'm being evaluated.

Hey, I've proved many times in my life that all I want is an A+. I'm just looking for someone to give me a good grade. Anyone?

Stuff

I've finally decided on what I want in my dining room. I'm going to be putting up shelves on the south side around the window and filling them with all sorts of fun things. I bought a few things when we were in Grand Forks and I've spent WAY too much time on etsy the past two days.

I just bought this amazing cookie jar. I LOVE him. I seem to be developing a thing for owls.

I love art with words. I'm always drawn to words and phrases and mottos. This won't be going on my shelves, but on a different wall in the dining room.

I'm looking for an old Scrabble board so that I can assemble something like this to put on my shelves.

And now, instead of cleaning my kitchen, or resting with the fussy girl on the couch, I'm writing here instead. Geez, priorities, woman!

shickin' pocks

The pox are here...

The pox are there...
The pox are every, everywhere!

***

Sunday, Chelsea had a few weird blistery things on the back of her neck. Right away I suspected chicken pox, because she had been complaining of a headache for two days and had a fever the night before. Sure enough, as the day went on, more and more spots appeared.

These pictures were taken Tuesday morning. Since then, we've seen more spots and these ones have gotten a lot more fierce looking. Through this all, and I know we're still in the first few days, she has been amazing. She complains more about the headache than the itching. She only started complaining a bit about the itching this afternoon after her nap. She's since had two oatmeal baths. Bedtime tonight was a little rough, but all in all, I think she's doing great!

If there ever was a perfect time for C to get chicken pox, this is it. We had nothing planned this week and I'm not working yet, so we're getting in lots of cuddle time. We are praying for a quick recovery (with no scarring!).

** Update - well, this sucks. I've been up since 2 with a girl who can't sleep because she's itchy. We've watched some Mickey mouse clubhouse for the past few hours. I'm hoping she crashes soon. It doesn't itch when you sleep, right?? I'm going to be soooo tired tomorrow!