BoyChild had a wonderful time in Disney and is back at home and wanting desperately to return for another trip. We all missed him so much I am so happy he is home. He is still such a cuddly little boy and loves getting and giving hugs and kisses. I know this will change very soon so I make sure I get lots so I can store them up. We called him every night and spoke about his day's activities. Boy, was he busy. I am so very happy that he had such a great time and he didn't really get homesick. He loved everything, the rides, shows, swimming every day, hanging out with his cousin, playing with his grandparents. I asked him if he missed home and he said: "No Mommy, I didn't miss home but I just wanted you, Daddy and GirlChild to be with me" I can't wait for our family to make that trip to Disney. I've never been. M. went with his grandparents when he was seven and on a family trip when he was around 12. So I think it would be really fun to have my kids show me around and take me on their favourite rides and shows. I know they would get a big kick out of being the "experts" about the Disney experience.
Unfortunately, due to the horrendous winter storm that is raging outside as I type this, I was unable to attend my Weights class this morning. I just didn't think it was wise to risk driving and either getting stuck in a snowdrift or getting into an accident. It's the second week that I've missed this class, last week I didn't go because I had to wait for a technician who was supposed to install something for our phone line. (Very annoying and I will rant about this at a later date)
In total I've only missed these two classes, and surprisingly I am very disappointed that I did miss them. I wasn't sure how committed I would feel about exercising. But I am truly sad that I'm not in class right now. I'm really trying to keep up with the classes and I even went to the kettlebells class on Wednesday even though the temperatures were Arctic like. I really feel great after I exercise and I know I need to take better care of myself. I hate having the muffin top belly. I bought some dresses the other day and I know I will have to buy some Spanx or other belly flattening device to wear under them. Sigh. I guess that's one of my big goals, get rid of the belly and build some more muscle, especially in my upper arms, nothing worse than flapping skin when you wave goodbye. As I was shovelling the driveway and sidewalk, I thought, well I'm getting a bit of a workout, so it's not all bad.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Eavesdropping
We were in the car last night driving BoyChild to his grandparents' house as their flight to Florida was at an ungodly hour and they were all being driven to the airport by M's brother.
GirlChild: who invented books?
BoyChild: Robert Munsch
GirlChild: that makes sense
The kids like to ask each other silly questions and tell goofy jokes, it's one of the best parts of long car rides. The not so fun stuff, bickering and teasing happen too A LOT, that's when we would gladly throw them both out of the car, so it's always nice when they are goofy and having fun.
About 12 years ago I read The Paper Bag Princess, from that moment on I was hooked on Robert Munsch. I buy all his books and they are among my children's favourites, he is the best.
GirlChild: who invented books?
BoyChild: Robert Munsch
GirlChild: that makes sense
The kids like to ask each other silly questions and tell goofy jokes, it's one of the best parts of long car rides. The not so fun stuff, bickering and teasing happen too A LOT, that's when we would gladly throw them both out of the car, so it's always nice when they are goofy and having fun.
About 12 years ago I read The Paper Bag Princess, from that moment on I was hooked on Robert Munsch. I buy all his books and they are among my children's favourites, he is the best.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Movies and Disney
M. and I went out on a "date night" this past Friday night, we haven't been out alone for a few months, so it was great to go out just the two of us. What made it even better was that we got to see the movie Juno. If you haven't seen it, go and see it right now, it's fabulous!. Amazing acting, witty, intelligent and searingly honest writing. It has a kick-ass cast, Alison Janney (I've loved her since I first watched her on The West Wing and she did an amazing job in American Beauty, her performance as a submissive and passive wife who is psychologically damaged by a controlling and sadistic husband), J.K. Simmons (he used to play a shrink on Law & Order) and the young actress in the lead role, Ellen Page (woohoo, she's Canadian and an extremely talented and brilliant actress).
On a completely different subject, BoyChild is heading to Florida tomorrow. M.'s parents are amazing and generous people. When the grandchildren each reach the age of 6 or 7, M's parents take them to Disney World for a week. GirlChild and her cousin went a few years ago, now it's BoyChild and his younger cousin's turn. Needless to say, he has been counting down the days for the past few months. I am so excited for him, I know he will have a fabulous time. But, he is my baby and I'm also a little worried. With GirlChild, even though she is my first child, I didn't have any concerns about her being away from us for a whole week. She is a very independent child and she had absolutely no bouts of homesickness. BoyChild is different. He usually does not like changes to his routine. I was trying to prepare him a few weeks ago and we were talking about the trip:
Me: You know you'll be going to Disney in a few weeks and you will have so much fun. But you know Mommy and Daddy won't be there and you may miss us a little bit, but that's okay because you'll be having so much fun and going on so many rides it will be great.
BoyChild: (looking up at me with his big brown eyes) But I miss you already.
(I'm trying not to cry, so I blink back my tears.)
Me: You will have Grandmer and Grandfather there with you and they are so much fun and you'll be doing so many new and great things you won't miss us for very long. Remember, we're sending our pictures with you, so you can look at them if you miss us. And don't forget your grandparents have a cell phone and you can call us whenever you want.
BoyChild: okay, but I'll still miss you.
I know he will have a wonderful time and I really, really pray that my concerns are groundless and even if he does get homesick it will be shortlived and not too traumatic for him and his grandparents.
On a completely different subject, BoyChild is heading to Florida tomorrow. M.'s parents are amazing and generous people. When the grandchildren each reach the age of 6 or 7, M's parents take them to Disney World for a week. GirlChild and her cousin went a few years ago, now it's BoyChild and his younger cousin's turn. Needless to say, he has been counting down the days for the past few months. I am so excited for him, I know he will have a fabulous time. But, he is my baby and I'm also a little worried. With GirlChild, even though she is my first child, I didn't have any concerns about her being away from us for a whole week. She is a very independent child and she had absolutely no bouts of homesickness. BoyChild is different. He usually does not like changes to his routine. I was trying to prepare him a few weeks ago and we were talking about the trip:
Me: You know you'll be going to Disney in a few weeks and you will have so much fun. But you know Mommy and Daddy won't be there and you may miss us a little bit, but that's okay because you'll be having so much fun and going on so many rides it will be great.
BoyChild: (looking up at me with his big brown eyes) But I miss you already.
(I'm trying not to cry, so I blink back my tears.)
Me: You will have Grandmer and Grandfather there with you and they are so much fun and you'll be doing so many new and great things you won't miss us for very long. Remember, we're sending our pictures with you, so you can look at them if you miss us. And don't forget your grandparents have a cell phone and you can call us whenever you want.
BoyChild: okay, but I'll still miss you.
I know he will have a wonderful time and I really, really pray that my concerns are groundless and even if he does get homesick it will be shortlived and not too traumatic for him and his grandparents.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Stuff
Well, the party I had two weeks ago went well. We had 10 people, they are all parents of my kids' friends. Some I know quite well, others I wanted to get to know better. It was a good mix, everyone seemed to have a good time, but you can tell we're getting older by the time midnight came around the threat of the carriage turning into a pumpkin was quite iminent and we all called it a night. I remember pre-children when parties rarely started before 11 pm, how times have changed.
Christmas went well. My mother was quite normal and cheerful on Christmas Day and there were no meltdowns or temper tantrums, thank God for minor miracles! I was very grateful for the lovely day we all enjoyed.
My cousin stayed with us for the two weeks during the holidays and we had a great time getting to know her better. She's really nice and very sweet. She made a really nice dinner for us, a delicious Japanese curry dish which we all enjoyed. The children had fun playing with her and she did some Korean tutoring with them which GirlChild really enjoyed. I liked being able to practise my Korean with her and she was a great help when we prepared food for the party. I am so glad to have this opportunity to get to know one of my Korean relatives.
My Mom is estranged from all of her siblings. I really miss not having more contact with my relatives, especially from my Dad's side, they are fairly normal. Unlike my Mom's side of the family, who are mostly crazy and can be quite mean. My maternal grandmother is one tough and mean lady. The stories I heard from some cousins when we visited years ago, were eye opening to say the least. My sister and I were sent to live with my grandparents for almost three years, when we were very young. Apparently, my grandmother kept a locked cabinet which held medicine and special food and treats. This food and medicine were kept for our use only. My cousins were not allowed this special food or medicine. I can't imagine a grandmother doing that to her other grandchildren, but that was halmoni. Since my mother had given halmoni a lot of money to help take care of us she used it for us exclusively. I know my mother and I don't think this was her intention, I know she would not have been upset if she knew the money was also used to help out the other family members.
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I've been to a few more exercise classes and while I can't say I "enjoyed" them I can say I felt good and very proud of myself for actually going and trying them out. I'm going to try and attend three classes a week. One will be a weights class, I went again yesterday and I can actually walk today without screaming in agony(unlike last Saturday, when I was whimpering whenever I had to climb stairs or walk more than five feet) The other class is one where kettlebells are used, in case you don't know what they are suffice to say they were probably invented by a sadist. I actually completed the class, but I know that is only because there were various exercise stations using different equipment other than the kettlebells and I got a great cardio workout. I went to a yoga class this morning I stretched, relaxed and was able to just breathe and think, pure bliss! It really helped that the yoga teacher really took the time to explain the different poses and I actually felt like I knew what I was doing, woohoo! I'm really hopeful that I can keep myself motivated to keep on with this new exercise regimen. It really helps that I have a friend who attends classes regularly, I'm hoping that I can be inspired by her and the fact that we will be going to some of the same classes together. Let's hope that this will help get me off my butt when I would much rather stay at home with a good book.
Christmas went well. My mother was quite normal and cheerful on Christmas Day and there were no meltdowns or temper tantrums, thank God for minor miracles! I was very grateful for the lovely day we all enjoyed.
My cousin stayed with us for the two weeks during the holidays and we had a great time getting to know her better. She's really nice and very sweet. She made a really nice dinner for us, a delicious Japanese curry dish which we all enjoyed. The children had fun playing with her and she did some Korean tutoring with them which GirlChild really enjoyed. I liked being able to practise my Korean with her and she was a great help when we prepared food for the party. I am so glad to have this opportunity to get to know one of my Korean relatives.
My Mom is estranged from all of her siblings. I really miss not having more contact with my relatives, especially from my Dad's side, they are fairly normal. Unlike my Mom's side of the family, who are mostly crazy and can be quite mean. My maternal grandmother is one tough and mean lady. The stories I heard from some cousins when we visited years ago, were eye opening to say the least. My sister and I were sent to live with my grandparents for almost three years, when we were very young. Apparently, my grandmother kept a locked cabinet which held medicine and special food and treats. This food and medicine were kept for our use only. My cousins were not allowed this special food or medicine. I can't imagine a grandmother doing that to her other grandchildren, but that was halmoni. Since my mother had given halmoni a lot of money to help take care of us she used it for us exclusively. I know my mother and I don't think this was her intention, I know she would not have been upset if she knew the money was also used to help out the other family members.
--------------------------------
I've been to a few more exercise classes and while I can't say I "enjoyed" them I can say I felt good and very proud of myself for actually going and trying them out. I'm going to try and attend three classes a week. One will be a weights class, I went again yesterday and I can actually walk today without screaming in agony(unlike last Saturday, when I was whimpering whenever I had to climb stairs or walk more than five feet) The other class is one where kettlebells are used, in case you don't know what they are suffice to say they were probably invented by a sadist. I actually completed the class, but I know that is only because there were various exercise stations using different equipment other than the kettlebells and I got a great cardio workout. I went to a yoga class this morning I stretched, relaxed and was able to just breathe and think, pure bliss! It really helped that the yoga teacher really took the time to explain the different poses and I actually felt like I knew what I was doing, woohoo! I'm really hopeful that I can keep myself motivated to keep on with this new exercise regimen. It really helps that I have a friend who attends classes regularly, I'm hoping that I can be inspired by her and the fact that we will be going to some of the same classes together. Let's hope that this will help get me off my butt when I would much rather stay at home with a good book.
Friday, January 11, 2008
My body is mush
Just got back from working out. The last time I worked out I was pregnant with BoyChild...over six years ago. I.am.in.pain. My muscles (and I use that term loosely) feel like jelly. My legs were shaking as I walked out of the gym.
It's not some hot, sleek, shiny gym, it's actually the basement of an old church. But the instructor was very, very upbeat and not in the sugar sweet fake way, she kept everyone motivated and was encouraging and energetic. She made my body do things it hasn't done since I was a kid. It was a weights class, so most of the people were using 8 or 12 lb weights, whereas I was using the 2 and 5 lb weights, I felt no shame, I didn't want to maim or injure myself or anyone else around me. So even though my body is feeling like mush and I know I will not be able to get out of bed tomorrow, I am really proud of myself for actually getting off my butt and going. A good friend of mine belongs to the gym and it really helped to have her there to show me the ropes. I got a one month unlimited pass and will see what other classes might work into my schedule. Wish me luck. I'm off to take a very, very long hot shower.
It's not some hot, sleek, shiny gym, it's actually the basement of an old church. But the instructor was very, very upbeat and not in the sugar sweet fake way, she kept everyone motivated and was encouraging and energetic. She made my body do things it hasn't done since I was a kid. It was a weights class, so most of the people were using 8 or 12 lb weights, whereas I was using the 2 and 5 lb weights, I felt no shame, I didn't want to maim or injure myself or anyone else around me. So even though my body is feeling like mush and I know I will not be able to get out of bed tomorrow, I am really proud of myself for actually getting off my butt and going. A good friend of mine belongs to the gym and it really helped to have her there to show me the ropes. I got a one month unlimited pass and will see what other classes might work into my schedule. Wish me luck. I'm off to take a very, very long hot shower.
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