The "Dining" Table

So, I was looking through some photos the other day, because that's what I do, and I was struck by the number of photos that include my dining table. Let me clarify that the only "dining" table in my house is in the kitchen. Nevertheless, it is a rectangle table with 6 chairs around it, and there is a high chair at one end. And it is intended to be the place where we eat. But it is so much more than that.

It is at this table where pumpkins are carved, and photos of glowing jack-o-lanterns taken, every year. Every video of singing Happy Birthday to little boys (and their parents and some grandparents, aunts and uncles, for that matter) includes this table. Photos of family gatherings, from Christmas dinners to Sunday game nights. Video of first finger paintings, and toddlers learning to climb up on a chair without hitting their heads on the table.

And then I thought about all the things that happen at this table that are not in photos or video. Of course, we eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and more snacks at the table. We also do homework, wrap presents, try out new toys, plan vacations, read the newspaper, decorate Easter eggs and visit with friends and family at this table. And so much more than that.

My point, if I have one, is this. The next time I hear a parenting expert suggest that I gather my family around the table for dinner, I will simply gather my family around the table. After all, dinner or not, it is where the family gathers.

Website!!!

Hello friends. Against all odds, the website is finally finished. Fully revised and quite pretty, I must say. It took a little longer than expected, but it looks almost exactly how I hoped, so it was worth the wait. I must say a giant "Thanks" to my personal webmaster, who solved flash video issues and contact form problems in between reading bedtime stories and emptying the dishwasher, after a full day of fighting his own fires. He is my hero!

I would love to hear what you think of the site. http://www.smallwonder.ca

The Firsts and The Lasts

I have been thinking about these things a lot lately. Babies have so many firsts that we almost lose track. Smiles, giggles, laughs. Rollovers, crawls, steps. Teeth. Words. Foods. The list goes on and on. And then, as our children get a little older they start to have some lasts. The last time they say "mot" instead of "milk". The last time you can pick them up off the floor when they fall. The last time they can ride the boat swings. The question is, which ones are more important to hold onto, the firsts or the lasts?

I recently read a story book that focused on the lasts, and how we should pay more attention to them. When I read it, a tear came to my eye. When my seven year old son read it, he sobbed. He thought about his baby brother growing up, and then he thought about himself leaving home someday, and it made him so sad, he could hardly speak.

The way I look at it, and what I told my son, is that every last leads to another first, and that is exciting. When his baby brother stops saying "Ma ma ma" he will start saying "Mommy". When they can no longer go on the swings, they will be able to go on the big ferris wheel. When they leave home one day, they will have their own place where I can go visit them. I am not saying I am not nostalgic for their early days and years. Time goes so fast and it is so hard to appreciate every moment. Its nice to look back at photos and video and remember those days. I would just rather spend more time thinking about the wonderful moments to come.

I think that focusing on the firsts represents progress and looking to the future of more firsts. Focusing on the lasts, even just the word "last", makes me feel like I'm getting stuck in the past.

I'll tell you one thing for sure. My son and I are never going to read that story again.

Support Your Local Mompreneur

It may just where I am in my life, or the people I am associated with these days, but I know a lot of Mompreneurs. This morning I saw the creator of The Mompreneur magazine on BT, and I was reminded of what an amazing trend this is. Think about it. Women, most of whom had full time careers before they had children, have now decided that instead of going back to a position with a steady paycheck and predictable hours, they will take the second biggest risk of their lives, right after the first! Are we crazy!!??!!

I can only answer for myself. Becoming a Mompreneur was a choice for me that came from many directions. It was about flexibility, doing something I loved, and being available for my children. I have said those things before. And I could have found those things elsewhere. Mostly, becoming a Mompreneur was about showing my children that anything is possible if you work hard, commit to it, and get right back up after you fall. And maybe proving that to myself, as well.

This weekend there is a Mompreneur show at the Blackfoot Inn. Its free, so go and check out the ingenuity and creativity of these savvy business women. I guarantee you will find more than one product or service that will make you say "Why didn't anyone do this sooner?" And you will be supporting your local Mompreneurs.

Another Adventure Begins

It took about 6 shopping trips to assemble all the gear. Elbow pads, knee pads, shoulder pads, face mask, neck protector, special shorts, protective "cup", new skates, hockey sticks. Two of everything. And 2 giant bags to carry it all in. It took 25 minutes to get it all packed into the bags, and get the kids in the car. 7 minutes to drive to the rink, another 25 minutes to get both kids fully dressed and on the ice. Finally, for the first time, they are playing hockey. There are even a couple of kids they know out there with them. And as I am about to dig the camera out, my husband tells me that there is a sign on the door that says "absolutely no recording devices" of any kind allowed. Are you kidding me???!!! Well, you will just have to trust me on this one. They worked hard, and they loved it! I guess there are some memories we still have to keep in our minds, and share with our children one story at a time.

Coming Soon

No, it is not another baby. Seriously.

Coming soon...a redesigned SmallWonder.ca!!!

I decided that it will never get done unless I start telling people about it. Now, I will feel foolish if I don't get the site finished. So, there it is, a promise to all of you that there will be something new in the next few weeks. New layout, revised pricing information, added products and some fun stuff, too. I can't wait for it to be done. I hope you like it.

Taking Care of Business

Small Wonder was supposed to solve all my problems. I could do business from home, take my 2 boys to and from school, and have plenty of time left over for shopping! It seemed like a flawless plan. But as we all know, life throws you curve balls, and ours was a third baby boy. Now, he is an absolute angel and the most wonderful curve ball we have had the pleasure of being thrown. Still, life and business are not happening exactly how I had planned. I am now so exhausted most of the time, I can't imagine taking on any work, or marketing my business, or updating the website, which needs it badly. And when I do occasionally get a burst of energy, probably induced by an overdose of caffeine, it seems there is not enough time between feedings to get anything done.

If you happen to be a Mom and/or a business person, you know that this is not an unusual circumstance. The real surprise is that both business and parenthood benefit from the same strategy. Baby steps. Make little strides every day. Break things down into small, do-able tasks that can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less. It sounds simple, but getting a small something done is better than doing nothing because its all too overwhelming.

So, will I be Super Mom to three boys and a multi-million dollar business woman? Probably not. I may never be either of those things. Can I move closer to my ultimate goals of raising a happy family and finding a little success for myself? You bet. One baby step at a time.