Movie Monday-Christmas 2009

5 In 5

Five things we are planning to do in the next week to celebrate the season.

1. Tonight-Christmas play at Storybook Theatre. I LOVE theatre and my kids enjoy it, too. Can't wait until they are old enough to go with me to A Christmas Carol!
2. Tomorrow-Christmas play date with the moms and kids we hang out with. I heard a rumour there might be cookie decorating. And I get to meet a new baby!
3. Saturday-Heritage Park. We go every year, and this year we even got passes from a wonderful friend who works there. We have just been waiting for some reasonable weather!
4. Sunday-Grandma is taking the older boys to see a Heebee Jeebees Christmas concert. I wish I could go, because I think I would love it. I will be shooting video of babies and pregnant women. Not so bad.
5. Wednesday-Family Holiday Skating Party at Olympic Oval, put on by Calgary's Child Magazine. We went last year, and it was so much fun! Face painting, gingerbread man decorating, storytimes, and of course, skating!

I don't remember what we did at Christmas time before we had children. It could not have been nearly as fun!

Video Is My Thing

Just a couple of weeks ago I was shooting video of a photographer, cuz that's what I do, video. And we agreed that people should NOT try to take portraits of their own family, especially of their kids. It just doesn't work. That's what makes this so bad, because I know better. And, I know several awesome photographers that I could have booked to take these photos. IF, and you'll notice it's a big IF, I had not waited until December 9th to do it.

So, here is what happened when Paul and I attempted to get just one good shot of The Little One, to put in the frame beside his brothers' school photos.

"Come over here so Daddy can take your picture."

"I'd rather stand in the dark drinking my milk, Thanks."

"Please come over here. Look, I've got cars."

"Here, take a picture of my milk cup."

Not quite the angle we were looking for.

Really???

This is not working out at all.

"I am so done. I'm taking my cars and leaving."

The whole thing only lasted about 15 minutes before he had enough. We got these two useable shots. The lighting is not great, the pose is not perfect, but the boy...



Lesson learned...again. Plan ahead. Hire a professional. Next year.

Movie Monday

Here is the latest promo video for momcafe.



I have said it before, and I will say it now. These are great events, for working moms, stay at home moms, working at home moms, and almost anyone else. I am inspired each and every time.

Sitting With Santa?

Lately, I have seen some very nice photos of small children sitting with Santa. How do they do it???

"Get away from me!"

"Seriously, GET AWAY FROM ME!!!"

"Phew! That was a close one."

No Jolly Old Elf for this boy.

Note: When I was 4 years old (I actually remember it very clearly!), I screamed during the kindergarten Christmas celebration when they tried to put me on Santa's lap. Isn't it ironic?

5 In 5 Work-At-Home

Five reasons I LOVE working at home.

1. No Commute-The stress, the time, the ice and snow. I do not miss those days when traffic was bad, the roads were bad and I was late to pick up the kids from daycare. It makes me feel anxious just remembering those times.
2. No Daycare-Don't get me wrong. When the older boys were little, we had the most fantastic daycare, and I am thankful for the staff who not only cared for my children, but cared about them, as well. But when you factor in the cost, stress and lack of available spaces, it makes me grateful I can avoid daycare for The Little One, at least for now.
3. Tickle Breaks-I would give up the Starbucks and shopping lunches any day so I can instead stop my work for 15 minutes and do whatever it takes to induce laughter in a toddler.
4. Nap Time-Regardless of how organized you are or how productive you are, I have yet to meet a workplace boss who is cool with office naps. Yet, at home, as long as "the boss" is napping, I can nap, too.
5. Flexibility-Work extra hard today, go out for shopping and coffee tomorrow. If I am extra creative at 9pm, I can do my work then. If my kids are sick, I don't have to use my vacation days to take care of them. If I want to take 3 weeks off in the summer, I can plan accordingly.

Now, five things I MISS about having a full time job.

1. Starbucks. And shopping lunches.
2. Paid vacations.
3. A beginning and end to the work day.
4. Typing without anyone sitting on my lap, pulling on my leg, or throwing cars toward my head.
5. Co-workers, people to talk to, friends in the workplace.

Let's be honest, I still have #1 occasionally, you don't always get #3, and depending on the workplace, #4.

Now, back to work. Or maybe it's time for a Tickle Break...

'Tis The Season

Yesterday, the Christmas Season officially began in our house. It had nothing to do with American Thanksgiving, or Grey Cup, or the beginning of December. We were all home, with nothing else to do. Simple as that.

So, armed with popcorn, puffed wheat squares and hot chocolate, we gathered downstairs. Christmas music playing, toddler more interested in hot wheels than ornaments and lights, we put up the tree.

Making space...

Assembly...

One last piece...

Snack break...

Not interested...

That is NOT where the garland goes...

Time for ornaments...

Evenly spaced, please...

Checking out the finished product...

Voila!

The boys did a fantastic job tree decorating, with very little help from me. Now, when can they start present shopping, cookie baking and turkey cooking?

Ask For What You Want

And other bits of inspiration.

I attended a momcafe event this morning. Actually, I was working. I frequently shoot video at these events and cut together a promo package for their website. So, basically, I drink lattes, eat pastries and fruit, and press record when they start talking. Good work if you can get it.

And, of course, I get inspired. Every single one of these events has contributed to my life in some way. Today's was no exception. Television host, Tara McCool, talked about her experiences "balancing" motherhood and career. Ellen Percival, from Calgary's Child Magazine, talked about following her dreams while raising a family. Both had stories of mistakes made, opportunities seized and minds changed. (Other people's minds and their own.) They answered questions about how to get media coverage for small business, and how to make the most of your advertising budget.

My favourite bit of inspiration from Tara today was this..."Ask for what you want." It is so simple and yet we so often don't do it. We hope and pray. We hint and hint. But we are afraid to ask. Seriously, just ask. "I would like you to help me promote my business." "Can you take the kids while I work today?" "Let's do this meeting over the phone to save time." What is the worst that can happen? Someone says no. You are no further behind than you were before, so just ask. And say please.

Ellen talked for a while about how her and her business partner started the magazine, from their homes, kids in the background. And I was already impressed and inspired. Then, she told us how her business partner died in an accident a few years ago. She said the only way she could get through the tragedy was to remember what her partner, and friend, had always told her. "You can do it. You can do anything." Wow! Talk about inspiring!

Ask for what you want.

You can do it. You can do anything.

I have a feeling those two quotes will get me through a few challenges in the future.

Thanks, Tara and Ellen!

Working At Home

I only have a few minutes to write this cuz my favourite daytime program is about to be on TV. There is a load of laundry I have to fold, the dishwasher needs to be emptied, and the house is unusually quiet, making me wonder where the toddler has gone. Ah, such is the life of the work-at-home Mom. Or work-at-home anyone, actually. It seems like a great idea, the best idea. No commuting. No office politics. No getting dressed. Just get up, poor yourself a coffee and get to work. If only it were that easy.

The catch? The distractions. Oh, so many distractions. If you have any children at home with you, the list is endless. From homework assignments to household chores. Baby rocking. Toddler tantrums. And these things don't usually wait for you to be done your work. Even if your kids are in school, or you don't have any children at home, there are 101 things to get your attention when you should be working. Grocery shopping. Minor household repairs. Major household renovations. And we always convince ourselves we can do it all at once.

So, is it possible to actually "work" at home? I have been pondering that question since I decided to try it. I'm not sure I have the answer, but I have decided to dedicate a few blog posts to the thoughts I have on the subject. I hope you find them interesting.

Now, back to my regularly schedule program!

Catching Up

I noticed that it has been a ridiculous amount of time since I have posted.

So, I tried to write a 5 in 5 updating you on what I've been so busy doing that I couldn't write. I came up with one and a half things and they weren't very interesting.

Then I tried to write a glowing description of all my wonderful friends. It wasn't hard to do, it just seemed to become more about me than them. Sigh.

Oh, I know! I'll post some photos! Ya, we've have taken exactly 6 pictures since halloween, and 3 of them are of the empty hallway!?!

Video??? Nope, nothing new to upload.

Some days (or weeks?) seem to be better for blogging than others. I will try again tomorrow.

5 In 5-Gratitude Journal

This week, I am particularly grateful for the people in my life.

1. The doctors, nurses and staff at The Alberta Children's Hospital, specifically the anesthesiologist who allowed me to be in the OR while my baby went to sleep, the recovery nurse who had someone come get me when my baby woke up screaming, and the day surgery nurse who said "If all he drinks is milk, let's give him some milk!"
2. My Dad, who fixed one running toilet, and replaced another leaking one, installing the new toilet the night before his trip to Toronto, instead of shopping or packing for his trip.
3. My Mom, who used some of her vacation time to stay with us for the last week, picking up kids from school, holding down The Little One while I put ointment in his eye, providing company and conversation while we were housebound.
4. Friends who wished us well on Monday, asked how things were going on Tuesday, and generally understood that even minor surgery is a major deal when it's our littlest family members. Specifically the friends who agreed to spend a bit of their leisure time at our house this afternoon, and those who gave up the visit (and cinnamon buns) and stayed home to avoid transferring germs.
5. My husband, who pumpkin hunts, family dances and trick-or-treats, not to mention bedtime reads, behavior disciplines and hospital waits with me. I'm a Mom, I have 3 children to raise. If I absolutely had to, I could do it all alone. But I am so, so glad I don't have to, and I am extremely grateful for my partner in parenting, and in life.

Have a great weekend, and take the time to feel gratitude.

Toth Family Halloween 2009

It was a 2 day extravaganza of in and out of costume, up and down on sugar highs, and round and round the neighbourhood.

It started Thursday afternoon with a little decorating.

Friday afternoon was the Halloween Parade at school. They parade through the halls in their costumes, and afterward they have snacks and treats and play games or watch movies.
They went by in a blur.

So far, not too excited about costumes, on other people or himself.

The excitement grows on Friday evening at the school Family Dance. More treats, glow bracelets, music and a gang of boys running and running and running and running.

Starting to enjoy himself.

Daddy dressed up, too!

They had fog machines!

I'm sure breathing this stuff was not exactly good for them.

Saturday evening, costumes on, flashlights and bags in hand, all ready for The Main Event!

The Little One is starting to get the hang of this Halloween thing.

Trick or Treat!

This is the neighbourhood Halloween House.

They go all out. And there's a line-up at their door!

The house beside them. "Ditto"

Getting cold and tired. Time to head home!

It's all over but the candy eating. As you can tell, I LOVE Halloween!!! Can't wait until next year!

Pigs and Pumpkins

I wasn't going to post about this, cuz we totally stole the whole idea from T's blog. Then, something happened that made the whole experience more memorable, and unlikely to be attended by us again.

Here is the story...

The Little One 2.0

Last week, Toth Inc. released a new version of their latest, and some might say, most popular program. In some ways, this new download is not as user friendly as previous versions, but it runs faster, uses updated language and has more advanced features than earlier releases. With a little patience, this version will be even more satisfying than the last.

Here is a review of the key features of The Little One 2.0...

Play Mode
It's all about motion. Cars, trucks, trains, anything with wheels will do in this version, which isn't a big change. Added in are things like balls, musical devices and almost anything available in the Older Siblings 8.5 program. The increase in action play is sure to keep things fun!

Learning Mode
Language is being developed quickly, aided by the programmers at Toth Inc. Singing, reading and constant "talking" all make this portion of the program more interesting. The more you use it, the better it gets!
Warning: Some developments in the Learning Mode, such as door opening, stair climbing and light switching, seem relatively safe at the moment, but this reviewer feels these actions could lead to the program being compromised. Caution is advised.

Stand By Mode (previously Sleep Mode)
Much more complicated than earlier versions, with more user time needed to accomplish the same task. You can no longer simply enable Stand By Mode and walk away. In fact, users may need to contact Toth Inc. or search the web for crack codes to the Stand By function. But, it will be worth the time invested when results are achieved.

System Requirements
This update of The Little One requires stable hardware with the most current operating system. The more memory, the better, and it may take up most of your hard drive space, leaving room, of course, for the current version of Older Siblings. The supporting program, Applesauce, is still required, as well as Milk 1.0, and the Pizza plug-in.

The new version of The Little One 2.0 will, at first, seem more difficult to use and you may struggle with the independent nature of the program. We feel confident that this is temporary, and further updates will work out any bugs still remaining.

The Birthday Curse

It was The Little One's second birthday last weekend, as many of you know. Last year, he was perfectly healthy on his big day, but he, along with several other people who attended his party, got very sick afterward. He was so, so sick for days, with a fever and not able to keep anything down. This year, he was like that ON his big day.

I knew something wasn't quite right when I put him to bed the night before. He couldn't seem to get comfortable and took a long time to settle down. A few hours later, I was not so surprised to find him standing in his crib, crying and vomiting. 4 complete changes of sheets and pajamas later, and it was morning.

Paul and I drank a LOT of coffee and debated whether to cancel the party or go ahead with it. The Little One seemed in pretty good spirits in the morning, and we thought he might be feeling better. If we cancel it, when will we be able to reschedule? And the older kids were really looking forward to seeing their cousins. The final decision...warn everyone that The Little One was sick, and invite them to come on over anyway. And they did!!!

It turned out, he did not feel at all well, slept through some of the afternoon, and spent the rest of the time in my arms. Other than that, the party was a success. (He's not a crowd loving kid, so this may have been how it would have worked out even if he was feeling better.)

The night before, the boys and I made a roadway for the coffee table. Before the party the next day, The Little One got sick on it, so we had to make a new one.

The birthday cake, which the birthday boy did not eat.
We saved him some for 2 days later.

The cardboard box car we made for him.

He could not be less interested in opening presents.
Luckily, it is one of his brothers' favourite things to do!

Pink cheeks. Bruised head.
"Is this over yet???"

Happy Birthday, my little angel.
Hopefully, the curse will be broken next year.

PS: About 24 hours later he was as good as new!