Wordless Wednesday: Peaceful Moments in Holland

The Neighbourhood Kids

I've been waiting for the day where my kids would say "Can I go outside and play with the kids?".

It's only been a short time that the neighbourhood has had a bunch of kids my children's age.

About a year ago my son wanted to play outside with the kids but he was much younger than the others and I had my doubts about leaving my little guy out on his own with kids eight or nine years old.

But over the course of the year we have gotten several families with more kids Ducky's age. And as he got older his boundaries got a bit bigger. He could go to the park, if he asked first, he also needed to stay within my house and the neighbour's house if Chicky was with him and he was to never cross the street.

Sounds rather harsh, but the crossing the street was for my peace of mind,  apparently we have former Nascar drivers living in the area who have never heard of a 40km zone. Plus we live in an area where everything is literally connected to everything. So he can go to the park walk behind the house a couple of minutes later, walk to every kid's house and never have to cross the street.

So this summer the kids are having a field day coming in and out of the house, playing with their friends and having that independence I had when I was growing but was so scared to give them last year.

Which means I have met all the neighbourhood kids.

The first kids I met, I knew their mom from dance class and we became neighbours and instantly our kids were playing with each other. And after a while, more and more kids were coming out of the woodworks.

It's fun to have a gaggle of kids just show up randomly at your house just filthy and drenched in sweat. You ask them if they were having fun and seven different voices tell you about what they were doing all at in fast forward mode!

I actually was looking forward to the day that I could give the neighbourhood kids a popsicle and be the mom who organizes a big water balloon fight! And now I can!

I love where we live!

Momversation Monday: Are You Addicted to the Internet?

Good Morning!!!

And I bet you have already either, checked your emails, gone of Facebook or tweeted something right?!

Momversation Monday is all about addiction to the internet! Are you addicted?

"Hello my name is Vanessa and I'm addicted to the internet"

I'm online the second after I get my kids breakfast. And I'm constantly going back to my laptop to see what is going on, what's in the news, updating my status and blogging. This goes on until the time I go to sleep.

I don't just use my laptop, I can be seen using various devides. In fact I've been caught turning off my laptop and instantly grabbing for my iPod or my husband's iPad.

I find for myself I need to be connected to what's going on. We had a thunderstorm last week and with a tornado warning in effect, I wasn't going to take any chances! I went out to coffee with my friend as planned  and while we were talking we were both looking for the latest weather announcement.  When I got home I noticed the internet was slow so what do I do? I text a friend of mine to give me the updates! Yes, forget the old fashion battery powered radio, text a friend for the info!

Most of what I do online is communicating with my friends and family because we all move so often. It's the only way to get news and information from everyone in one place without having to call and interrupt their day. I know, I just said that! But to be fair, I have called during a nap time and woken up a kid or caught a friend in the middle of a workout or cleaning and I don't like it when I'm in the middle of one of those things and the phone goes off!

It usually starts as checking the email for a second to taken a photo with my camera phone and tweeting the photo, to commenting on other people's photos, and reading friends blogs. My husband has yet to see me today without some form of internet in my hands.

But I do have to say I did go a whole week without the internet! While I was away last week, I could barely go online except to Skype to my husband and kids. So I know it can be done.... If there was no internet in the house... 

So I admit it! I'm addicted to the internet. I like to have the connections of other people and I can't get enough of it! What about you? Are you addicted to the internet?  Can you go a whole day without it?

You can admit it!

Later days! But we all know I'll be back in a hour!

Momversation Monday: Should School Uniforms Be Mandatory?

Happy Monday everyone!

Today's Momversation Monday is all about school uniforms.

I was on my kids school website and I noticed that there was question that was asked about school uniforms and if they were going to become mandatory. The answer was yes, and I was super excited to see this!

Why would I be excited about a uniform? I'm sure most people that know me would think I would be anti-uniform, since I've worn and hated my school uniform from grade 7 through to 12.
As a teenager, yes I will completely admit that I was not a fan of wearing the uniform.

ME on the left and this is the ONLY High School Photo
you will EVER see! 

However as a semi-grown adult, I do see the benefits of a uniform.

First I LOVE the fact that the uniform would be saving me money. Back to school shopping as Tanis Miller of The Redneck Mommy (if you don't know who she is you are TOTALLY missing out!!) said is so expensive! You have to take out a small loan for everything they need for back to school. And now I have two kids who need back to school clothes and it will only get worse as they get older when trends and their own personalities start to shine.

Mild panic attack!!!!


Alright. I'm done.

Uniforms make the school more about school and less of a fashion show. You can't get picked on for what you are wearing because, guess what, it's all the same! It takes the status symbol away of name brand clothes and puts everyone on a even playing field.

They also force kids to look presentable in public. I don't understand the pants down to your ankles look even when I was I teenager. It would make me feel a little more at ease that my kids leave the house without having to be judged on their appearance, not just from school friends but from our community. Think about it. How many times have you as an adult assumed a group of kids were up to no go because of how they looked? Thankfully I still have a ways to go before my kids are teenagers!

That's how I feel about uniforms, tell me what you think! Are you opposed to uniforms? Do you think they are a good idea?
Comment below!

When Sun And Drinks Are Involved

My friend for the day!

I thought I'd tell you about one of the things that we did while we were on vacation visiting Cpl. Mayhem's parents.

We went to Uncle Russell and Barb's cottage one day and we had a blast!

Catching some sun, watching the kids play and my sister-in-law "K" and I were having a couple of drinks and enjoying the fact that we were getting a nice break while the men we watching the little ones.

What kid could be bored here?

After a couple of hours of me sitting in the sun and having a couple drinks Uncle Russell and I were talking and laughing about anything and everything when my mother-in-law asked me to hold on to her watch.

Happy Birthday M!!!

As the day went on we had some birthday cake for my brother-in-law and got some work done on the cottage it was time for us to go and meet some friends for a movie.

As we are walking in the door to my in-laws house, my mother in law asked me if I had her watch. I grab my hand and ask "Didn't I give it you already?"

She says no and I told her I'd look through my stuff. Except... I don't remember ever taking off OR putting it away!

In a panic I try flip through my Roladex of memory trying to think what I did with when she handed the watch to me.

I put it on my wrist, I was laughing with Russell enjoying the sun talking about a suntan competition between the two of us. The kids needed some more sunscreen. I put some on the kids and rub some on my arms.... and then all of a sudden Russell and I both reach for something. Russell says "Don't worry it was just the chips Chicky dropped", so we go about our tanning and drinking.

I know where it is!

"Call Aunt Barb", Cpl. Mayhem says to me.

Where we spent most of the day!

"Barb, I know where Cindy's watch is. You know where Russell and I were the entire day. Stand there and look down, it's in the water."

"Vanessa it's there and guess what? It still works!"

Lucked out!!!

Remembering Oma

Today we remember my grandmother, Oma.

I wish we had gotten to know her better.

I mean really know her.

We will miss you.

RIP

Enter the Soldier Coming Home Contest!

credit by: Soldier Coming Home Website

Soldier Coming Home Contest, in association with Fisher House and My Country Hits 2 wants YOU in their video!!!

Upload a video of your soldier coming home and they will be featured on their website Soldier Coming Home. They will then pick their favorite top 10 and those videos will be added to their music video "Soldier Coming home" by Jamie O'Neil which will air on music channels like GAC and CMT. 

Whoever has their favorite video will win a trip to Nashville to be on TV when the video premieres on GAC!

Send your video in!! Your friends and family can help you win by going on the website and viewing your video. The more views you get the better your chances to win that trip to Nashville!!!

GOOD LUCK!

Momversation Monday: Do Your Parents Undermine Your Parenting Skills

Hi everyone!
To keep myself distracted from crying or losing my mind I decided to write a couple of posts before I left for Holland.

Today's Momversation is all about grandparents undermining your authority. Do yours enjoy breaking the rules that took you forever to establish?

When I first had Ducky I found that both my mom and mother-in-law did without even noticing that they were doing it. They were grandmothers! They have the God given right to spoil!

The one thing I found really hard was when I was visiting my parents in Panama when Ducky was  18 months old and I wanted to wean him from being rocked to sleep and I had a system set:

1. Bedtime routine set up- story, snuggle, rock for a couple of minute and in the crib.
2. Go back in every couple of minutes, sooth without picking him up and leave, repeat if needed.

Except my mom hated hearing her grandson crying and would pick him up right away.

I have to say that has been the worst of my problems.

Oh maybe not. My in-laws broke the "No Pop" rule and I was really upset.

But you know what? Most situations are easily handled if you just talk to your parents about it. I told them how I needed them to back me up in my decisions and they were all very willing to listen.

Tell me your worst story of your parents undermining your parenting.

Death In The Family

Yesterday morning I got a phone call from my mother. It was 7:30am and I had both kids sleeping next to me.

Mom called to let me know that my grandmother (Oma) passed away in her sleep. I was upset to hear the news but relieved that my father, who was visiting her for her birthday this Saturday, was able to spend some time with her.

So I'll be away for a week.

I'm flying to Holland for the funeral and I'll be beck as soon as I'm home.

They Have Gone Too Far In My Opinion!

A couple of months back I was opening the mail with Ducky and Chicky, I received an envelope with no name or address and I gave it to the kids to open because I thought it was junk mail.

To my horror, as the kids we pulling the letter out I saw what it was a grabbed it from their hands and shoved it into the garbage as soon as I could. The kids were upset with me and all I could say was sorry but they didn't need to see what was inside it.

The letter was from a local pro-life group. With very graphic details to explain their point. They dropped this letter into my mailbox and into my home where two innocent children could see it.

I was ok a couple of months ago because I had control of the situation. I was able to remove the graphic photos from my children in time. But I was angry that this had happened!

Today's outing send Cpl. Mayhem and I over the edge!

On our way home from the grocery store, we saw a bunch of people with amazingly large signs on the side of the road. As we got closer we realized we had seen the photos before and they were the pro-life group with the same graphic photos, ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! The only road going through two towns, unless you decided to go on the highway. You can't miss them!

My kids were in the car and I had no way of shielding them from what they were about to see!

We stopped at the police station to see what could be done but all we got was a phone call from the police chief giving us the written speech they were provided about how the group is well organized, know their rights and what they can and can't do.

"We appreciate and understand your concern, but there is nothing legally we can do", he said.

I'm all for freedom of speech and the right to gather in a public venue but when did we as a society lose the right to be shielded from such graphic photos? And the worst part about it is according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, their rights are protected but not mine?

Kids grow up too fast these days and today was not the day I wanted to have the conversation about what they saw or have to comfort them from  the nightmares of the photos tonight.

Let me also state that I'm not here to bash the pro-life group or stop them from using their freedoms to assemble, or their freedom of speech. If they want to talk to me about their cause, I will stop and talk to them. I just don't feel the need for my children to be forced to see the pictures.

Rant over.

Tooth Fairy Horror PT.2

After my one night Cirque du Soleil performance. I thought I'd hang up my wings until the next tooth.

WELL I WAS WRONG!

After speaking to my mother-in-law the night before she asked me if I could give her the envelope with the tooth inside. My guess was for a scrapbook and I said sure. Once I made the less than graceful exit out of the room I walked the envelope down to her and went to bed.

While making plans with Cpl. Mayhem in our room, Ducky comes running in and says that the tooth fairy didn't take to tooth after all.
I was confused by that statement and asked him what he was talking about.

"Mom, I found the envelope in Nanny's room, I opened it up and the tooth... was still there".

I wasn't sure which to be more horrified by, the fact that my son was digging into his grandmother's things or the fact that I can't BS my way out of this one.

Cpl. Mayhem and I try to do damage control, but now Ducky has become more suspicious now.

Ducky even confronted my mother-in-law and told her that he wanted the tooth back to try again tonight.

SIGH! He's too smart for his own good.

Tooth Fairy Horror PT.1

While on vacation Ducky lost his second tooth. Which is great and everything except for one thing. The tooth fairy visit.

We started by talking up the tooth fairy, putting the tooth in an envelope and we put it under the pillow. I went out to visit my girlfriends and when I came home, my mother-in-law told me that Ducky's tooth was put on the nightstand because he did not want the tooth fairy to miss it.

Now knowing the kids were both asleep...

In walks the "tooth fairy", looking around the room where Ducky and Chicky are sleeping and thinking of the monumental task of getting the tooth and putting the money down without waking the kids.

The task the first time around was very easy because of location. When Ducky lost his tooth at my parents place, he was sleeping alone on a twin bed where I could walk in and out without him noticing. This time he was in a queen bed on the far end of the room blocked by Chicky.

I first start by going around the bed, but we moved the chest out of the way to fit my niece's playpen for a nap and was not put back. Block!
So I try climbing from the top of the bed, there were enough pillows there that I can maneuver around the two sleeping kids. I try to reach for the envelope and successfully retrieve it! But not the hard part, leaning in to put the coins IN it's place! Here I go.... leaning, leaning.... CREACK!!! Crap! The bed is making noise as I lean on it! Ducky and Chicky both start to move a little. As I'm trying to adjust myself so I don't fall on the kids, because I never said I was a graceful tooth fairy, the coins start to jingle in my hands slowly waking the kids up.

Now I bet if Cpl. Mayhem or my in-laws were to walk into the room they would have seen me hanging from the bed in a frozen Spiderman like state, holding my breath like a thief who is hiding the fact that he is in the room.

I LOOKED RIDICULOUS! I officially fired myself when I was done with that gig and now plan to hire an outsider for this craziness! I don't get paid enough for the mission impossible stuff.

Anyway, Ducky got his money and was none the wiser until the next day....

What I Hate The Most Today

I hate that we haven't spoken in so long for something so petty.

I hate that you have forgotten all the memories we had when were younger.

I hate that you don't know my kids.

I hate that when we were speaking you never made the time for me, even though you thought I never had time for you.

I hate that you took me out of your life for no reason at all.

And I hate that I found out you were engaged to someone I've never met through an email you sent to dad.

I hate missing you and I hate that I might not be there for your special day.

Congratulations on your engagement little sis.

One of last photos we took. My graduation from
Radio and Television

Momversation Monday: Do You Feel Judged By Other Moms?

Happy Monday everyone!

I've been on a summer hiatus which is why you haven't seen a lot of post here.

But this Momversation perked my interest and I felt like I needed to write on this topic.

Judgement by other moms happens. It's more common than getting unsolicited advice. Or if you are lucky like me you might have gotten the culmination of both in one shot!

I never understood judging another mom. The only person who should judge how a mother is doing is themselves. No one knows what's best for another woman's child except for the mother herself. Why do we as a community of mothers feel the need to judge each other?

Why does it matter if I bake things for my kids school bake sale or if I get them at the store. Why is it such a big deal if I choose to stay at home or go back to school/ job.  And my personal favourite WHY IS IT ANYONE'S BUSINESS HOW I RAISE MY KIDS?

With Chicky going to school in the fall I've been getting the question: What are you going to do with yourself once both kids are in school? I have given every person who as asked very different answers (mainly because I'm undecided and saying my options out loud helps in the decision making), and yet every time I give an answer I get the same reaction. More questions, "have you thought of going back to work?", "Is going back to school an option for you?", "Why would you want to go back to work? I'd hate to miss on what the kids are doing in school".

I do have a question to all the moms who judge others: Does my decisions affect your everyday life? If I don't parent your way will your world stop? And how would you feel if I was judging you?

We are all doing the best we can with the information we have. We should be helping each other instead of making each other feel bad for the choices we have made for our families.

Just my opinion. Share yours!