Graduation Day

Thursday the 14th of June was Sarah's graduation day. She is officially a PHD graduate. After a grueling year of learning letters and numbers, going on field trips, making friends, eating snacks and having fun, she earned her Preschool Half Days diploma. After a near miss of the ceremony because mommy couldn't find the car keys, she arrived in time to get ready secretly with the rest of her class. To our delight they processed in to the graduation song in full graduation cap and gown (too cute at this age!). Unfortunately the story takes a bit of a turn here when Sarah, bringing up the end of the line, took one look at the crowd assembled and broke into tears. No convincing could get her to go back with her friends so after a quick disrobing of the gown she and I sat at the front of the room on the floor and watched as her friends sang a few songs. We then watched the year in review through an adorable montage of pictures put to music. Wow how they change in such a short time. In order to receive their diploma they had to answer a skill testing question- What would you like to be when you grow up? Among many ballet dancers and future firemen, Sarah proclaimed she is going to be a highland dancer. (Guess I better get her registered for those lessons!) After presenting Mrs. Dueck with a small gift of appreciation ( how do you truly honour all the time, love and energy she gave to our kids?) we moved on to enjoy cookies and juice with family and friends. While the day may not have turned out as planned, it was awesome all the same. Grandma Judy, Grandma Val and Papa, along with Daddy, Ethan and Megan all were on hand to join in the fun and mark this first milestone in her academic career! (Okay I'm making it sound a bit grand for a preschool graduation but although there will be many more achievements this one really felt like a step between being a preschooler and being a big school kid). Coincedentally after the graduation Sarah and our family attended a BBQ at her new elementary school with all the other school kids on the block and their families. A fantastic time was had by all until a huge storm blew in and we all had to run for cover. After a brief sing-song in the van we all made a wet run to the house where we stayed for the night!

Sarah after the ceremony - we had to redress her so we could take a picture!

The one and only Mrs. Dueck & Sarah

Sarah and her friend Grace

Ethan after a few too many cookies!

Megan after someone snuck her a cookie with icing. Can you tell she is a third child? I think Sarah likely had to wait to have a cookie with icing until she was 2.

From the couch to 5KM in 2 months

Well here it is in black and white. My commitment to myself and the world that I am going to train myself to run 5KM. For some that will sound like a simple feat but for the running and athletically challenged that I am, I will be lucky to run around the block without needing a water break!. In an effort to get back in shape and lose the last of the baby weight that is making a nice home on my waist, thighs and elsewhere I thought I would attempt this running program I found on the Internet.

The first week starts with three days of alternating running 1 minute and walking 1.5 minutes for a total of 25 minutes. I did this on Monday last week (barely) and then didn't have 25 minutes free until Sunday night at 9 o'clock - go figure. So I started over again this week. So far I have run on Sunday night and Tuesday and so far I don't see the fun. Nope - can't say that I found any of it enjoyable. Certainly don't see why people would want to do this for lengthy periods of time. Eating popcorn or spinach dip would have been far more thrilling but I commit to push on. As you all as my witnesses I will continue to follow the program and let you know how it is going. Whether it takes me 2 months or more likely 2 years I will run 5KM someday ( at this point I can't see that being all at one time but who knows- miracles do happen)

The Chronicles of Potty Training

Well the time has come to begin the process of potty training Ethan. We have tried off and on in the last few months but it's time to get serious about it. While potty training may not be something you want to read about I am blogging it for history sake. I hope to have this blog as a keepsake for the kids and since potty training is about to consume our lives for awhile I feel the need to document a bit as we go along.


With Sarah I tried for a year, yes I said a year, to potty train her. We sat, we sang, we read, we set the timer, we wore pull-ups, diapers, panties, nothing and nothing worked. On Christmas Eve she got some already worn panties from her older cousin and the next morning she woke and decided she would wear them. We literally had 3 or 4 accidents and she was trained. Go figure.

With Ethan we thought we would wait until he showed signs of interest but he doesn't appear to be in much of a hurry. In trying to decide how to go about this we figured that he is the type of kid that rewards work well with. So last week I explained to him that if he used the potty he would get a gummy bear. Well he was most excited. Soon after this conversation I noticed him head into the corner which can only mean one thing! I suggested that we use the potty and then he could get a gummy bear. He excitedly replied " Yeah lets dump it in the potty and I can get a gummy bear" Apparently he had already finished his business in the diaper!!

Yesterday we tried again, this time I had the gummy bears in full view as added incentive. I also had gummy worms as I had created a new system : Bears for trying, worms for successes! I also agreed to let Sarah have one once in awhile when Ethan got them. Well the whole system back fired when Ethan tried and didn't have to go. Instead of being happy he got a bear for trying he was sad because he couldn't' go. I told him we would try again and he said no he wanted to go right now. After a quick anatomy lesson on how our bodies work (drinks go in, down and eventually out) he agreed to wait a few minutes. Alas by the end of the day still no luck but Sarah in an effort to get a gummy herself reminded me many times that Ethan should try again!

Until next time.....

It's So Hard to Teach Them Manners...

The other day after supper Sarah asked Trevor if they could split the last piece of cake left over from a friend's birthday celebration we had had at our house the night before. Like a true grown-up, Trevor told her he would share "whatever he couldn't fit in his mouth!" Like a good wife I took pictures of the whole thing for you all to enjoy!!

Like I said -it's so hard to teach them manners ... when they are 36!!!

The Neighbourhood Gang

Ever since I started this blog I have wanted to include a section about our Neighbourhood Gang. Our neighbourhood is awesome - it's actually our street but the area is great too. Within five houses that are beside and across the street we have 14 kids plus one expected to arrive in October!(no - it's not us!) We have at least one kid born in each of the last 9 years with only a few overlaps. Every morning the little ones sit, pyjama clad on the step and watch the older ones go off to school on the bus. Spring days are filled with bug collecting and puddle jumping. Summer days are full of sprinkler running and Popsicle consumption. Fall is raking leaves and trick or treating while winter is all about snow angels and igloo building. With the way the Regina housing market is going, the value of our house is increasing by the day but it's little comparison to the value of the friendships we have forged in the past few years. The friends we have around us will forever be priceless! (sorry had to steal the MasterCard line as it fit so well). Here's a few pics of the gang in action that were taken over the last few months. I don't have pictures of all the kids as some are camera shy and others are just to busy for me to get a shot of them. I'll keep trying.

Connor is the oldest on the block and therefore often gets reluctantly pulled into the little kids games and activities. He is a fountain of knowledge about many things but is definitely our go to guy when it comes to bugs and insects. If you've got a question about something, he has the answer (or knows where to find it). He is also a great violinist - we can often here him practising through the window.

Ian is the resident athlete on the street. Whatever the weather there is always a soccer game, baseball game or hockey shoot out on his front step. In the summer it is squirt guns and water fights. Ian is also the proud owner of a mom that gives out candy so Peggy is never at a loss for kids on her doorstep!!

Presley is like an older sister to Sarah thus most of the time they are the best of friends. Like all siblings they have their moments but generally love to play dress up, Polly pockets or hairdresser together. Sarah is looking forward to Presley showing her the ropes at school next year as Presley will be a seasoned vet in Grade 3.

Christian is a sweet. lovable boy that is always willing to play the part of knight in shining armour, King, Dad or most recently the household cat! He also gives out free Ukrainian dance lessons and is attempting to teach Sarah french.

Mattea is a great friend to both Ethan and Sarah. She is Ethan's jumping partner on the trampoline and Sarah's dress-up partner in the play room. Mattea's mom and I have already found clothes that the girls traded or lent each other. Some how I thought clothes sharing with friends would have started at a later age but I suppose with my daughter I am not surprised!

Drew is Ethan's best buddy. Born three months apart Drew is the older woman! They have recently begun to play together fantastically. A favorite activity of theirs is to dance around the fire hydrant singing " Singing together, singing together" over and over. They are sometimes Trouble with a capital T, leading one another down the naughty path but oh how they have fun getting into mischief together. Next year they will be going to Preschool on Friday mornings (perhaps we should start praying for the teacher right now!!)

Tomas is one of Megan's little friends. The youngest of the Patterson clan (until October) he is happiest following the big kids around. When it comes to the trampoline he loves to have a turn with one of his siblings (Connor, Christian or Mattea).

This handsome guy is Megan's beau Kiedis (don't you just love those blue eyes). He lives on a street behind our house but is still a part of the gang. He and Megan like to climb on one another and poke each others eyes out. I'm sure they will grow up to be the best of friends.

One of our many trips to the park. We look like a daycare center when we all go!

The King, Queen and poor Mattea, who was nominated by her brother to be the servant that day!

Presley and Tomas posing at the park on the rocks. I had attempted to take a picture of all of the kids but do you know how hard it is to get 9 kids to look all in one direction and smile? hence the picture of 2 out of 9.

Sarah taking a spin on Presley's scooter.

Dad, Mom, Baby Ethan and sister Mattea. Interesting enough, Sarah and Ethan lived in Mexico while Christian and Mattea lived in Calgary!

Note: I'm not sure why Sarah thinks a mom dresses like that - you certainly won't find me in a pink fancy dress scrubbing the floors! (okay--bring on the jokes about me never scrubbing floors anyway!!)

It's just hit me - My baby is going to Kindergarten

Well I have to admit that 6 months ago I didn't understand why people get so worked up about their kids going to Kindergarten. I loved school and am excited for Sarah to start this new stage of her life. And yet as I sat at her Kindergarten orientation tonight and looked around the big gym and listened to the teachers talk about what the first year will be like -- I found myself close to tears on more than one occasion. How silly - I know- but it hit me - My baby is no longer a baby or a toddler or a preschooler but a school kid.


Where does the time go?

I remember when she was born and the nurses told me when she was only two hours old that she had a temper! Now I know when to expect that temper and what I can and can't do to calm it.


I remember our first trip to the park where she sat in the rocks and tried to eat them. Now our trips to that park are to watch her play soccer and play in the sprinklers.



I remember when she started crawling and she dragged a leg everywhere she went. We thought she would never get anywhere very fast and now I can't keep up with her.


I remember when she started talking and she said "Huh" all the time. I didn't think she would ever learn how to form a sentence and now frankly there are days when we can't shut her up! (and that is okay!).


I remember when I was sure she was going to go to Kindergarten in diapers because she would not learn to use the potty. Now she's the expert and is giving Ethan advice on how to use the potty.


I remember when she couldn't dress herself and now I don't remember a day that she hasn't dressed and re-dressed herself 15 times!

I remember when she was two and everything was "Mine Mine Mine". Now she is proud of herself when she recognizes that she has been generous.

I remember when she was 8 months old and she didn't want to leave my side. Now she can't wait to go to school on the bus with all the other kids from the neighbourhood.

Where does the time go? ( sniffle sniffle)

Bedtime is my favorite time of day!

I have to admit that there are just some days when bedtime can't come soon enough. Sorry kids - I know you will be reading this as adults and may think that is a terrible thing to say but man some days you just wear us out!

Tonight was not one of those nights however. Tonight I took the rare opportunity to lay down beside Ethan to get him to sleep. With Sarah we did this every night until we had Ethan and then painfully had to break her and us from the habit. The problem was that I loved those moments when she was still and calm. We had our best conversations at night when she was supposed to be going to sleep. I was as much to blame for her being awake as she was because I was asking her about her day and cherishing all her stories. When it came time to put Ethan in the big bed we decided that we couldn't start this habit with him because having Megan and Sarah to get to bed as well it was to difficult. Tonight though I did lay beside him because the girls were long asleep and he was wide awake. We chatted for a bit and then I told him I loved him. He reached over and took my face with his hands(which was an aww moment in itself) and said "I love you too Momma" (another awww). Right at that second his play watch that was about eye level to me started to flash a bright red and for a moment I was blinded. Well I started laughing and he started laughing and we couldn't stop. It was great. I would tell him it was time to sleep and we would look at each other and start laughing again. Who could pass up a moment like that. Pure laughter and love. Tonight bedtime was my favorite time of the day!

A Festival of Cultures

It was time once again for Regina's multicultural festival, MOSAIC, to take place this weekend. Having heard about it before, Trevor's parents decided to come up and see the kids and check it out with us. On Friday evening we picked up Trevor from his office and began our cross-cultural adventure at the LAOS pavilion where we saw some sword dancing and tasted some Vietnamese food.

From the LAOS pavilion we moved on to the Scottish one where we were treated to some bagpipe music and drumming. While sampling some fish and chips (& Papa tried the haggis) Sarah was mesmerized by the Highland Dancers. I can't say the same for Ethan!

Before leaving the kids had fun posing as a pair of Scottish folks. Ethan really didn't get why he was sticking his head through a hole but he had fun anyway.

From the Scottish pavilion we moved on to the Caribbean one. This is always a hit as they usually have good dancers and music and mango-pineapple ice cream. Last year they even had a dance teacher up on stage and kids were invited to go and learn to dance. Much to my surprise Sarah went up and had a blast. This year the kids got to see a fire dancer, which was essentially a guy setting a really bad example for all the kids there. He had sticks and danced and set them on fire and breathed fire etc. All in all not an act that you hope your kid will run home and try however they did enjoy watching it.

While we were there we ran into our friends and neighbours, Tim and Marnel and their girls Presley and Drew. Ethan and Drew had just as much fun running up and down the bleachers.

From the Caribbean we finished up the night at the First Nations Pavilion. While we didn't get to sample the bannock it sure smelled good. We did make it in time to see the jingle dancer and the hoop dancer who was absolutely amazing. Tired kids (and grown-ups) determined that this was that last stop for the night. Megan as always was a great sport all along our travels. She was just thrilled to hold the passport that got you in and chew on it.

Saturday we spent the morning painting our fence but made sure we were finished by 2 so that we could get to the Ukrainian pavilion in time to see our friend and neighbour Christian dance. We made it and the kids were thrilled to see their friend up on stage. Way to go Christian.

The afternoon was hot but we ventured from the Ukraine to Greece where we ate delicious souvlaki and Greek salad. Ethan was again less than thrilled with the dancing and singing however found it very amusing to hide behind the curtains along the wall and then run out laughing. It entertained him for quite awhile! Megan on the other hand had had enough and fell fast asleep. After a quick trip to the Philippine pavilion everyone had had enough and it was back home to cool off in the sprinkler. Next year we hope to make it to the Irish, Indian and

Francophone pavilions.

A picture's worth a thousand words

Sometimes I have tons of pictures that don't have much story to them. They are usually of the kids doing day to day stuff. Here are a few.

Megan (aka Splasher)

Sarah trying out some goggles

Ethan in his homemade, personally decorated airplane

Megan driving our toy car out back. I used to put her in it because it kept her in one place for a moment. That didn't last long though. Now she climbs out of it, back into it, out the back and one day I turned around and she was honking the horn with her bum.

Sarah feeding Megan - looks like there is more food on the shirt than in the mouth but they both seemed to be having fun. No wonder Megan is so little!

What do you do on a rainy day? Put on winter gloves, hats and scarves and sit on the step with your umbrella of course!