spring break catch up

Okay, so I'm a little behind on the spring break diary. I blame it completely on the fact that on Thursday evening the opportunity to go away for a couple days with my husband came up, and we grabbed it, hopped a ferry to Vancouver Island and just got back last night...meanwhile, back to reality.
So since I am now way behind, I will summarize spring break to this point. When I last left you, we had spend a lovely day out in Steveston eating oysters etc. The following day was supposed to be sunny, but the weatherman was playing a cruel trick and it was in fact pouring rain. While trying to figure out what to do to keep everyone entertained a friend emailed with an invite to play, so off we went. Spent the afternoon at her house, eating popcorn and attempting adult conversation while 5 little girls rampaged through the house. Most excellent, thank you Michelle! Another day checked off the calendar. Tuesday the weatherman was still insisting it was sunny while outside the rain continued...Kate suggested I google things to do on a rainy day - what a great idea - so I did, and within a few minutes we were getting organized to head downtown for an afternoon at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Their website said they were hosting spring break activities all afternoon each day for kids, and best of all, their admission etc was free - my kind of scene! So we invited my mother in law to join us, and hopped the sky train for downtown. Which of course is an adventure all of it's own. Once at the gallery, we had a quick picnic in the lobby, then headed inside, where the girls were handed clipboards and sent off on a scavenger hunt. Not sure what non spring break down adults thought of this, but the kids sure had fun. We worked our way gradually up each floor of the gallery, until we reached the top floor where they had converted their outdoor patio into an enclosed space called "the making place". Great view of the downtown area while the kids got busy creating structures to add to the already very large cityscape that the gallery had requested the visiting kids help to build. Elizabeth contributed a fire hall with fire truck, Emily built a suspension bridge complete with boats and a whale underneath, and Kate constructed the largest tower in the city out of rolls of newspaper. I am definitely not the world's most crafty person - thank goodness my mother in law was there to lend a hand, as she definitely IS a very crafty person - but I had a great time helping the kids with their projects. Then across the street to get much needed coffees for me and grammy, and then a walk back to the sky train station. Along the way we were entertained by buskers, one in particular who was quite fascinating - he was dressed as a satyr and playing a bagpipe while dancing around quite madly on his cloven feet, tres cool I have to say. Anyway, made it home again on the train, Em got to sit in the "driver's seat" so to speak, looked like she was driving, which naturally she thought was great. And ta da, another successful day in the books.More to follow....

Spring Break day 2

So on to Sunday. I woke up dreaming of oysters and beer - I know, I know, I guess that does seem a bit odd, but there you have it. The day was decent out, curling was over, so I commandeered the day and suggested we head to Steveston for lunch. Steveston for those of you who don't know is a local fishing community about 20 minutes from where I live (which happens to be another local fishing community) However Steveston is at the mouth of river where it meets the ocean, and has a large marina, and is pretty funky little village with some pretty serious fishing heritage. The kids enjoy it, so do we, and of course my hidden agenda is all about oysters and beer....it must be one of the first dry Sundays this year, and the cherry blossoms are out, and everyone is thinking come on spring, and so as we arrive, I can see that a lot of other people had the same idea as us, and it's going to be a busy little place in no time. I was hoping for a walk first, check out the docks, etc, but changed gears and we headed to my favorite watering hole by the marina, Shady Island. Just in time too, within minutes of arriving and being seated, both the front and back entrances were crowded with people wanting in too. The kids ate two orders of "the best chicken strips EVER!" as they called them - and they are good, none of that prepackaged crap, good old real big chunks of juicy chicken lovingly battered in their homemade italian seasoning, served up with grainy dijon mustard and home made fries. And of course Mike and I had a dozen raw oysters on the half shell, washed down with a caesar - which is a drink by the way, very Canadian, similar to a Bloody Mary, except that instead of tomato juice, it's made with Clamato juice, a patented beverage made up of tomato juice, spices and clam juice - and then yes, I had my beer, along with a big bowl of their clam chowder, ahhhhh. Now that I had my seafood etc cravings satisfied, we bundled back up and went for a walk on the docks, where the local fisherman are moored and have their latest catch displayed for sale. Plenty of shrimp and prawns, salmon too, and some tuna, some flounder, among a few other things. We didn't pick up anything today, as we still have quite a bit of fish in our freezer at home - we usually buy off the fisherman at our local dock from time to time. But always fun to look. A bit more walking about and then eventually home again. For once Sunday evening felt a bit luxurious, since I didn't have to hustle around gathering backpacks, making lunches for the next day, checking to see if there was any homework left undone, stuff like that. Instead, I settled back to watch the series finale of one of my favorite TV shows, Big Love, while the kids watched a movie downstairs. Oh yes, I didn't mention that I had rented a whack of movies to help tide us over this week. They wanted to have a "sleepover" in the basement, which never bodes well, since you know who can't usually sleep in her own bed, let alone on the pull out downstairs but what the hell. So they give a shot, and eventually I went and lay down beside Kate until she fell asleep - a matter of minutes - and so ends day 2.

spring break day 1

and yes we're off. I am going to attempt to keep up with this on a daily basis, or at least play catch like I am now, so that I can track our spring break progress. Two weeks is a loooonnnggg time to keep the peace around here with no school to structure our days.

So....day 1 was Saturday. My husband was off to play in his curling club's men's semi final game - end of the season already. It was wet out, but not actively raining hard, so after everyone was fed and watered, we harnessed up the dog and the girls and I took off for a walk around the neighborhood to blow off some it's spring break so what are we going to do today steam. Got home an hour later and one pair of pants the worse for wear (Kate tripped over a rock and landed on her knees in some mud), we took off to watch the rest of Dad's game. The curling club is in our local rec centre, but recently the club became privately managed and so we now have the luxury of being able to take the kids up to the viewing lounge above the ice, where we can sit in comfort, fireplace crackling, watch the game, visit with the rest of the curling gang, the kids drink hot chocolate and I can enjoy a beer. We used to have to sit down below on a hard bench by ourselves because the liquor law prohibited the kids from being able to sit upstairs with the civilized people. Anyway, that went well, and they won the game, came briefly upstairs to join us before heading back down to start the men's final. We watched for awhile till the natives got too restless, then said our goodbyes and good lucks and went home. A little while later Mike returned home too, triumphant in his win and bearing sushi for dinner, yeah! And a good time was had by all. Really. It was a good night, other than of course being joined by Kate at bedtime - she slept on her little mattress on the floor by my bed that I keep handy for her. So a good start to SB (spring break), and the weather man is calling for sun all week, could it be possible?

luck of the Irish

Yeah, St. Patrick's Day to the rescue!!! After the previous days fairly desperate mood, Thursday went swimmingly. Because it was St. Patrick's day, and I totally underestimated the power of their little or should I say great big imaginations. After spending the day at school apparently talking about nothing other than leprechauns and the mischief they get up to, including having each of their classrooms somewhat ransacked by said leprechauns while they were out at recess - they knew it was leprechauns because of the tiny bits of gold and the tiny sparkly shamrocks that were left scattered about - the kids arrived home to my house totally united in their goal to do just one thing - catch a leprechaun. So all five girls proceeded to spend the next couple hours outside building traps. I had to poke holes in old coffee cans, help dig holes, and scout around for other various items that might prove useful in luring the little men into their clutches. When the rain started to finally come down too hard, they gave their traps one last check and then with systems a go, they came inside. At this point I got a little anxious, thinking that maybe now I might have to deal with breaking up some family feuding, but they were so psyched out by the whole leprechaun thing that they were afraid to go play in the basement playroom where they usually go. Instead, they stayed close by me, and asked if they could all just work on some crafts in their "dressing room", where they could hear me in the kitchen I guess. Normally of course they don't want me close enough to actually hear everything they say, but I guess the magic of the day inspired a little neediness in them that I didn't mind at all. So the rest of the afternoon passed without any incidents between the kids, hooray! Unfortunately the next magical creature type of day doesn't come until Easter, so I think I will have to just come up with some of my own for the next couple weeks of Spring Break, on the days when I have a houseful of girls on the verge of playing odd man out with somebody. Something like the little known toilet paper fairy - watch out, just when you're sure you have lots, and right when you really need some, suddenly it all disappears. And there's no one around to hear your cries for help...Or the knot fairy, you know, the one who messes up your hair at night while you sleep, causing your mother to have to spend an excruciating amount of time trying to get the knots out of your hair. Bet we could spend some time building, setting, and monitoring some traps for those wicked little creatures.
It's good to have a game plan. :)

odd man out

Why oh why can't they all just get along? Why does there always have to be an odd man out? It's so survival of the fittest - don't show any signs of weakness or you're a goner. My spidey senses have been on high alert for a few weeks now - Kate won't sleep in her room again being the glaring sign that something is wrong. Then other signs, like comments about how she hopes it will rain so they can stay inside at lunchtime. When I ask about that, Kate just says that it's more fun to stay inside with the teacher. Hmmm. And then the weekly battle with her cousin continues. And then yesterday she showed up in the office at lunch recess to say she had a stomach ache, and was lying down when I arrived. And when I asked her what was wrong, she wouldn't talk to me. No words at all. A nod of the head or a shake was all I could get out of her. Back at home I coaxed more out of her - and it seems that she spends most outdoor recesses alone, because whenever she tries to play with someone, another child comes along and scoops up her friend, leaving her alone. She gave me specific examples, how one child in a grade above her called her stupid and took off with the girl she had asked to play with, how another child won't let her sit beside another girl in class, and worst of all, that something had occurred between her and her sister Emily and her cousin. But she wouldn't tell me exactly what. So after school when I had my girls plus my nieces I kept an eye on things, and sure enough, witnessed Kate being shut down by one of my nieces. So I had to have a conversation about how we speak to each other, and how we treat each other, and how we never leave someone out especially if they've asked to join a game. I was talking in generalities, not pointing a finger at anyone at all, but suddenly my niece burst out that she had said "no" to playing with Kate at school that day because she didn't feel like playing with her when she asked, and that's why they had run away from her. I asked who was "they" and she and Emily looked at each other, and Emily said "me". So then I had the that's not acceptable conversation, and the I'm disappointed in you guys conversation, and the how would you feel conversation. Again trying to direct it to the room, not only to the two girls.
Anyway, apologies were given without my having to suggest it, and accepted, and the dust settled for the time being. This is really hard though. I mean, bad enough when you realize that one of your kids is having trouble with other kids, trouble making friends etc, but far worse when her own family is involved. Not to mention much trickier for me to deal with. Don't want to hurt feelings, or point fingers or anything.
Had another chat with just my girls this morning on the subject of family and sisters and sticking together when they're out in the world, not letting anyone hurt one of their sisters, not ever taking sides against a sister. Oh the irony. I hear the words coming out of my mouth and can't help but think of my own sister and I, and what a mess our own sibling relationship is. However, all I can do is attempt to do better with my girls, teach them to do better with each other.
Anyway, got through the morning, got them to school, and had a few minutes with their teacher to bring her up to speed on the dynamic between the kids at the moment. And headed home, crossing my fingers that today is a better day, and trying to figure out what I am going to do with all five girls again after school today - because it's early dismissal, which tacks on an extra hour for mayhem to ensue. Whatever I come up with it will involve keeping them so busy they won't have time to get into any monkey business, at least not today, not on my watch!

time change

It's really amazing how one hour can make such a difference. You wouldn't think it could. But everywhere I go, everyone I talk to the past couple of days is commenting on how hard it is to wake up and get going since we set our clocks forward Saturday night. The girls definitely haven't adjusted, and are noticing the change for sure. They can't fall asleep at night, and they can't wake up in the morning. Of course in Kate's case her entire circadian rhythm is out of whack, she just can't sleep at all, until about 6 am, and then of course she is dead to the world an hour or so later when she needs to be getting ready for school. Which means she is in ultra sensitive mode the rest of the day - keeping it together at school so far, but falling apart the moment she gets home, and battling her temper for the rest of evening. Sleep. It's like a miracle drug. Get a good sleep and all seems right with the world, you feel like you're ready for anything, you have ENERGY. Lack of sleep, especially a chronic lack of sleep, well, all your coping skills fly out the window, and life is pretty much a disaster. I'm not really sure I get the whole point of setting our clocks forward, setting them back again. Is it worth messing with our internal body clocks? Really? I'm sure the ancients didn't walk around every spring and fall saying "oh I know the sun dial says 8 o'clock but it's really 7 o'clock, don't forget!" At least as far as I know they didn't. Is it one of those things that we just go along with now, without questioning it's origins? Or it's current value and purpose? All I know is that in my house, everyone is messed up, everyone is tired, at night, no one can fall asleep, and in the morning no one can wake up. I know, I know, we'll adjust. People do. Our body clocks will gradually reset themselves, and we'll get to enjoy a little extra daylight at the end of the day. Which we would regardless, since the days are getting longer at this time of the year anyway - we are already getting more and more sunlight. Hence my questioning the purpose of this clock changing. Oh well. For now that's how it is, and we will all just have to bear with each other until our inner clocks reset themselves and we can get the right amount of precious sleep we need again. Thank god for coffee.

Emily day

I try to spend a day with each of my girls on their own, just me and them, whenever I can fit it in. Today was Emily's turn. As with the previous days I had spent with Elizabeth and Kate, it turned out to be a rainy not so nice to be outside day today. Which fit perfectly with our plans. After a late breakfast we got ourselves organized and made our getaway from the rest of the fam. First stop - movie theatre to pick up tickets to Rango. Check. Then with about 45 minutes to spare, we headed next door to Starbucks to grab a latte for me, and a" lemon poppyseed loaf "slice for Em - she has just recently started to really read and it still throws me off when I ask her what she wants and she reads off the signs batta bang  - I'm used to having to interpret. Then off to browse through the attached bookstore, which is doubly fun to visit as I used to manage it and so always someone there to have a social visit with. Or sometimes several someones, I used to be in charge and now I'm just a bad influence! Then off to pick up our popcorn and see the movie. Which was totally hilarious, amazing animation, great story, and of course the wonderful Johnny Depp shining through every minute of the film. The humor was often quick and subtle, perfect for adult and children like Em, who have an inborn comedy meter that helps them just get stuff that their contemporaries might not understand, let alone find funny. Back out into the rain afterwards, and agreed to attempt to go dress shopping for a wedding we are all going to in May for one of my dearest friends. The whole family is invited to the ceremony and reception, the girls first wedding, and they are so excited. Almost as much as me!!! The bride to be has asked her guests to wear spring colors so this is what we are in search of. Now, for a couple of 7 year olds and an 8 year old, this is pretty reasonable. But me? The eternal wearer of black??? It's going to be a challenge I figure. However, the stars must be aligned correctly because in no time Em is ooohhhing and aahhhing over a pretty blue and green sparkly dress. Then she finds one for her sister Elizabeth. Kate is more challenging, we both are fully aware of the fact that Kate likes what she likes, and nothing else. Finally Em finds a pretty rose coloured polka dot dress that we think will be just right. Then off to the ladies section where I see very little other than shades of black...then I spot a dusty red and black print dress, very nice, very fitted in all the right places, could be just the thing. So off to the change room we go, and miracle of miracles, my dress couldn't fit any better, and so does hers. We are almost skipping to the check out. As we exit I figure we have to put the cherry on the top of the perfect cake of a day we have had so far, so I tell Em we have one more stop to make before heading home. A quick car ride later, I walk her through the doors of my favorite local sushi restaurant, and she just about does cartwheels. We sit right up at the sushi bar so we can watch the stoic sushi chef create his beautiful sushi masterpieces. They are things of beauty, and we oohh and ahhhh his progress. Then it's our turn, and he hands us our orders with a wee smile and we dig in, with some hot green tea to wash them down. Em is a sushi lovers delight - she will try anything, and loves literally every kind of sushi we have ever given her. So we each tuck into our rolls and it's pretty obvious that we are both in sushi heaven. Some spicy tuna, chopped scallops, etc later, we head home. What a special day we had - can't wait till we a chance to spend one on one time like that together again!