Happy New Year

December 31, 2010

Hello, dear friends.

There’s been a lot of talk recently of how people are really hoping 2011 is a lot better than 2010. There seem to have been an inordinate number of hard knocks this year amongst the people I know and love – too many falls, car accidents, chronic pains, malignant growths, financial troubles, imploding relationships, hospitalizations, and lives cut way too short. Even though we are an extremely fortunate group of people overall, it doesn’t mean we can’t hope for less of these kinds of pain.

Here’s what I wish for you in the New Year:

  • knowledge of whom you love, and who loves you, and especially why;
  • grace and competence in what you do each day;
  • conversations that comfort and sustain your mind;
  • things to pick you up when you’re feeling blue (sunshine, good music, hugs, hot tea, toddler kisses, whatever);
  • true communication when it matters most;
  • tranquil moments in which to breathe and relax;
  • someone to lean on and tell your problems to;
  • high-quality sleep;
  • high-quality hugs;
  • the resolution of your biggest stressor;
  • the fulfillment of your dearest wish;
  • and days that flood you with hope, well-being, and clarity.

Just for good measure, here is a li’l clip that never fails to make me smile, in all its cheesy, ridiculous beauty. As you know, I friggin’ love the singing and dancing. Especially when there are groovy Caribbean guys, mariachis, and a belly dancer with a shamadan to boot. And a cameo from adorable James Marsden. Not to mention key-changes so suave they make my ears hug themselves.

Happy New Year, and lots of love!

***


 

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A Late Christmas Present

December 29, 2010

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I know it’s not really Christmas any more, and frankly, I know a lot of people whose Christmases were actually pretty un-merry… but we’ll talk about that another time. I still hope for joy for all of you.

For now (and I apologize for the delay – I meant to post this on the very same day, and many things have prevented me), let’s just look at a cute video of that kid I hang out with all the time. If you want.

On Christmas Eve day, he and Auntie Em were chillin’ and being festive, and Em got this footage. (Thanks, Emi.) They were in the music room at my parents’ house, enjoying the window seat. In case you’re not sure of what the little guy is talking about, here are the topics he covers:

Categories: Humanitrivia, Toddlerama, Videoposts.

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School Snippets: Snow Fort Currency

December 20, 2010

Friday was a fun day: the last day of school before Christmas holidays. Treats out the wazoo, everybody in a good mood, movies in the gym for the kids (N.B. though: Santa Paws is too scary for kindergartners – the the evil foster mom with the incinerator freaked them out), and no expectations for the kids to get work done. And presents!

I’ve noticed a trend over my years of teaching. There’s something about the “last day” mentality that gives kids the freedom to hug you. I mean, some kids are regular huggers – my Grade 1 girls used to hug me daily – but older kids, and especially boys, don’t have this facility with hugging. Sometimes, it’s like they’ve waited all year to give you a hug, and finally decide it’s okay when they can attach “Merry Christmas” to it. Of course, I love hugs, but teachers are not supposed to initiate hugs with students, so you just have to wait for ‘em.

That day I was startled and tickled pink to be hugged by lots of boys – including some of the cool Grade 6 ones, and some of my most behaviourally undiscerning (and therefore most-scolded) Grade 2s. I can’t help wondering what happens in their minds, what inspires this affection from, for example, the kid I scold just about every period I see him because he’s usually doing the opposite of what he’s supposed to. Underneath it all, does he enjoy our teacher-student relationship? Because I don’t think he’s quite savvy enough to know that this would be an effective way to butter me up. Continued…

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An Evening with a Silly, Precocious Toddler

December 14, 2010

As promised, here are some videos. You may or may not find them interesting enough to watch all the way through – I do, but of course I’m a classic smitten mommy with no objectivity whatsoever. Feel free to stop, skip, pause, fast forward, whatever.

These clips are from yesterday evening. They demonstrate the kind of silliness that typically goes on after dinner in these parts. It’s ridiculously entertaining for us (besotted parents etc.) in person. Who needs witty dialogue or profound thoughts or intriguing plot lines when you have a toddler??

First, we have some drawing practise. It’s hard to find a good drawing method for a small person with limited fine motor skills. We’re thinking an easel would be easier (easelier).

Next, we have cookie wheedling and the Heart Game with Auntie Em. Continued…

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Kids Are Great

December 14, 2010

Perhaps it’s time to talk about some kids other than mine.

So, a week late… let’s talk about the school play, “A Night at the Wax Museum”. It was worth writing about, although the words will never do it justice.

It was a cute play, created by my colleague Mr. A and his actors, about two kids who get accidentally locked inside the “time tunnel” exhibit at a wax museum where (naturally) the statues come to life. Two actors, ten dancers, and three tech kids, all Grade 4-6 (except one especially talented Grade 3 dancer). I became sole choreographer for this when the main choreographer was prescribed bed rest for her pregnancy, and although I was worried for a minute there, it was incredibly fun.

I choreographed clips of swing, Elvis, Austin Powers, the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, and Black-Eyed Peas. Here are a few things I learned while researching different dance styles on YouTube:

  • The Bee Gees don’t even dance. They walk around with their big hair and high voices, and occasionally bob their heads. Were they sexy at the time? ‘Cuz… yeesh. I was disappointed.
  • Cyndi barely dances either, she just kinda flops around, being spunky. You should see my students doing her bouncy-headed “fun walk”, though. Priceless. Continued…

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Eighteen Months Old = A Year and a Half!

December 8, 2010

December 8th, 2010: My firstborn is a year-and-a-half old!

Dear E,

I wish there were a way you could know yourself. Like, when you’re fifteen or twenty-two, it would be great if you could hang out with your eighteen-month-old self. You would love you, just like everyone else does.

IMG 0727 225x300 Eighteen Months Old = A Year and a Half!

Sittin' on a punkin, wearin' the froggy robe. 'Nuff said.

IMG 0727 Eighteen Months Old = A Year and a Half!

Today I took you to the school play. You love the kids – you’ve been hanging around with them whenever I bring you to rehearsals – and they love you even more. They’ve dubbed themselves your fan club, and they can’t get enough of your cute little blond self – toddling around, calling out the colours and numbers and shapes you see, learning their names, giving lots of high-fives. They all want to be the one to pick you up or give you a hug or a kiss.

You were so good, sitting in my lap and watching the play, enjoying the music and dancing and lights. At one point, when it was quiet, you said, “On-off!” (there were flashy lights) and I could see some of the smiles on the kids’ faces get bigger because they could hear your squeaky little voice.

IMG 0736 225x300 Eighteen Months Old = A Year and a Half!

Getting ready to slide

Continued…

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