feeling the love...

Well, I'm quite excited to have been asked to participate in "The Working Mom Interviews" over at Be Positive Mom, a great blog I happened across as I was becoming acquainted with the world of blogging just a few short months ago. The author, Steph, is a wonderful and sweet person, and I've really enjoyed corresponding with her, and was so touched when she asked to interview me as part of her new series!

The first interview (Working Mom Guilt) was published on September 1st, and mine will be coming out on October 1st, focusing on getting back to work after maternity leave. Exciting stuff, I tell you! Check out the 'up and coming' page and you'll see a link to my little ol' blog!

So, I'll certainly let you know when the article is published, but until then, be sure to pop by and check out the first interview, and everything else Steph has to share on her fabulous site!

breakthrough!!

Well, its been several weeks since returning from camp. The week that was SO much fun, but completely ruined the sleeping habits of our sweet little girl. After a week of cuddling with mommy & daddy, returning home found her requiring the same attention - cuddles every night until she fell asleep. Well, tonight, after weeks of trying, she finally went to bed on her own again. Phewf!

We've never had a challenge with getting Lady M to bed in the past; she's always been very good about singing a song, reading a book, getting a kiss and saying 'night-night'. Then, right before we left for camp, we had just settled her into her new room, and she'd gotten the hang out of sleeping in there, becoming familiar and comfortable with her new surroundings. Then one week went and changed it all. Screwed up all of our hard work!

Its funny how with kids it just takes one small thing to really alter their habits (which of course are always changing anyways, and just when you think you've figured one out, something changes it...but I digress). This was probably one of the toughest though because it forced Cal or I into an 8:30pm slumber on many occasions each week (its tough not to pass out when you lay your head on the pillow!) Not that I'm completely opposed to that, mind you, I like my sleep (A LOT) but its just not always necessary!

So, tonight its just Lady M and I, and she went to sleep with only my beautiful rendition of Baby Beluga, a kiss goodnight and a couple of tears. Success.

Happily, I am now downstairs in the family room and thought to myself "great! I can get my reading for school done since I have class tomorrow!" Well, best laid plans. The hubby is out with my car, and my books are in the trunk.  So, if I can't read, I suppose I'll write!

Hope everyone else is having a great night!

i'm a student again!

Last night I began a new chapter in my life...I have gone back to school to begin my Masters degree. Its been part of my greater life plan for some time now, but the time has finally arrived!

My week of teaching at camp each summer fills me with happiness. Several years ago when I was trying to figure out my next academic pursuit, it was my love for this one week that made my decision clear - I am meant to get a Master of Education degree. However, first things first.

I already had a degree in English, and rather than jumping right into my MEd program, I decided I wanted to make use of a stepping stone that was dangled right before my eyes - a program that would grant me my Bachelor of Education in five short semesters, thanks to my past studies and the beautiful world of transfer credits. So, in September 2007 I began my BEd, and in June 2009 I graduated on a beautiful sunny day. In that same time period I became pregnant and had my daughter, so decided that rather than stick with my plan to begin my Masters in September 2009 I would enjoy the remainder of my maternity leave, soak up more playtime with my little sweetie and start the following year.

So, here we are - the following year has arrived oh-so-quickly and its back to school time already. So, last night I headed to my first class - a foundational course that very broadly covers social and cultural contexts of education: aka. anything related to education. Fabulous!

With the syllabus in hand, I now know that in the next twelve weeks I will produce two remarkable papers, and give one memorable ten-minute presentation. Not too shabby! But even more importantly, at the end of 12 weeks, I will be one step closer to having the next degree; the one I have looked forward to starting for a while now. And I must admit, I have missed being in school in the last year...I crave the added challenge, the learning, the interaction. I will miss reading for pleasure over the next few months as I work my way through my four textbooks, but will soak up everything I can in the meantime...

things that go bump in the night

I suppose its natural that kids are going to fall out of bed, right? But aren't most kids under two in one of those little toddler beds with very little wiggle room? My little munchkin is in a beautiful, big queen sized bed, yet she still finds a way to wiggle her way right off the bed!

She's been in that bed for probably two months, and we've rushed in to pick her up off the floor three times now. After the first tumble, we moved the room around a little bit making the potential falling space a little safer. (Namely, we moved the night table to a different space in her room). We also packed her in with more pillows on the two open sides of the bed (bed rails don't seem to fit her plush, pillow top mattress very well) and we thought we were doing just fine.

But then, early on Sunday morning I heard the 'thump' and then the instant tears. I ran into her room, and there she was - at the end of the bed! She had wiggled her way all the way to the foot of the bed, and then taken the plunge from there. Perhaps, subconsciously, she was trying to get to her toys which are at that end of the room, but something tells me she's just a wiggler. That is the reason we moved her to a 'big-girl' bed at 18 months, after all. However, the mattress was on the floor back then, and she never fell out.

I realize all kids fall out of bed at some point; surely I did too. However, its an awful sound to hear the thump and tears in the middle of the night. So, maybe now that she's fallen off every possible side of the bed, she has learned her lesson and we're in the clear? I guess we'll just wait and see...

30 day challenge - part v

Time to finish off this 30 day challenge...this is part five. I know, its supposed to be done over 30 days, but sometimes I like to break the rules, so, in five rather quick installments, you have it all!  If you're wanting to catch up on parts one, two, three, or four, please feel free. Otherwise...let's finish this up! 

 

Day 21 - a recipe

I swear by the Kraft Canada website..I get lots of yummy recipes from there! 

Day 22 - a website

Hmm...there are lots that I like. I'm a fan of Canadian Family...People...Etsy...and lately I read a lot of blogs too! 

Day 23 - a youtube video

This is a favourite in our house right now as Lady M loves the monkey (aka 'ee-ee'!) Jack Johnson - Upside Down

day 24 - where I have lived

I've lived in five different cities in Ontario, Canada...two as a kid, one as a university student, and two with my hubby. I've also lived in Karlstad, Sweden where I studied abroad while completing my first degree. (As a note, I'd live in Scandinavia again in a heartbeat. Sweden was gorgeous, but I think I'd choose Norway next time...)

day 25 - your day, in detail

Today? I awoke around 6:30am, showered and then got the munchkin up around 7am. We all got ready and left for work together (the hubby was driving us, as he had to do some work out that way today - kind of a nice treat to be chauferred!) We dropped the munchkin at daycare, the hubby dropped me at work where I put in a day. Hubby picked me up at 4:30, we went to get Lady M and then decided to have dinner out as a family. Came home...played...got the munchkin ready for bed, took out the garbage, cleaned dishes, and now here I am! 

day 26 - your week, in detail

This past week? Hmm...

• Saturday...1st birthday party for my friends daughter, sister-in-law's birthday dinner in the evening
• Sunday...beautiful wedding for some lovely friends
• Monday...relax, relax, relax...it was Labour Day!
• Tuesday...back to the grind...work all day, chill out at night
• Wednesday....work, home w/the fam
• Thursday...work, home for dinner, then running with the girls (and the munchkin!)
• Friday...work, out for dinner, home for family playtime

day 27 - pets

My beautiful puppy Dakota....we got her the year we got engaged...although very high energy at times, she's a sweetheart. 

day 28 - what's in my purse? 

What isn't in my purse? Wallet, keys, phone, soothers, pens, notebooks, shopping bags, umbrella, pencil case, mail, toddler sunglasses, lip gloss...

day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next year

Oh, I have lots!! You're going to have to follow my blog to find out...

day 30 - dream for the future

Happiness. 

back to school

When you work in a post-secondary institution, the first day back to school brings a great deal of entertainment and observation. Although I didn't have to get my little one ready for school quite yet (thankfully we still have two more years before that) I felt the bustle of a new school year as we were getting ready this morning, and even more so on my drive in to the office.

Here are my back to school observations:

The first day of school brought additional traffic on my ride in, and as always, I wondered - how do all of these people get the summer off?!

I discovered the obnoxious crossing guard at the corner by Lady M's daycare has returned to taunt me with his terrible road-crossing skills, walking as slowly as possible, oblivious to the fact he works at a very busy corner and should get the hell out of the way once the kids have safely crossed the road. And may I add, he is crossing high school students, so walk a little faster buddy, they're safe.

I arrived to a very full parking lot at the office, which has been blissfully empty all summer. However, with the return of the faculty, it was bound to happen!

Ahhh, the students. Each year they help make me feel a little older because, my goodness, they look so young! I am pleased to report, however, that during orientation last week I was not asked if I needed help finding a room as I have been every other year. I suppose its a little flattering though...

The students clothing is perhaps the most enjoyable part of the first day back. As students try to make a smashing first impression, they pull out their best duds and my goodness, do we see some fascinating outfits. Give them a week and they'll start to slip into comfies, but we'll enjoy the fashion show in the hallways for the next few days!

Its certainly an exciting time of year, and despite the added traffic and despicable crossing guard, I do enjoy the buzz that comes when the school fills up again for another school year.

30 day challenge - part iv

Let's continue on with the exciting 30-day challenge! So far, its taken me four days to get through the first 20...I like this trend! Again, if you're itching to catch up, visit parts one, two and three by clicking on the respective number. Or, moving right along to days 11-20. Enjoy!

Day 11 – a habit you wish you didn't have
Well, I mentioned this in an earlier post (a pile of clothes), but I really wish I wasn't so inclined to having a pile of clothes on my bedroom floor! I think I've been better since I wrote that post (although there was a mild explosion upon returning from our week at camp, as the entire week's packing ended up beside my bed; but that's beside the point). Although improving, this is definitely a habit I wish I didn't have! 

Day 12 – something you are OCD about

My handwriting. Anyone who knows me will surely agree with me here - its very important for me to have tidy, beautiful handwriting, I just can't help it! But, it sure makes my work notes, school notes and to-do lists look very pretty! 

Day 13 – a fictional book
Hmm, I talked about some of my favourites in a recent post (my favourite reads...), but one I didn't mention there was The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Its a really interesting book - with a rather unique premise. I would definitely recommend reading it if you have a chance, or if you're feeling lazy, you can just watch the movie, which I haven't seen, so please don't ask me for my opinion!

Day 14 – a non-fictional book
I don't think you can ever go wrong with Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl. I'm not sure I can even count how many times I've read this one over the years. If you haven't read this, your school system has failed you. Please immediately run to your nearest bookstore or library and get a copy. Thank you.

Day 15 – your dream house
Ooh, I wonder if my wonderful real estate agent is reading this?! ha ha! My dream house will be large, but not too large! Minimum 4-bedrooms, 3-bathrooms with a spacious master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom that boasts a soaker tub and stall shower. 

It will definitely have a big family room, big dining room and huge kitchen so I can entertain big groups of family and friends. And one GIANT pantry (that is perfectly organized and stocked) so I can entertain on a whim, and cook fabulous meals each night! In fact, everything will have awesome organizational ability - hidden drawers, closet organizers, secret storage compartments, etc. My home will also have a beautiful window seat on the sunniest side of the house, where I will sit and read!


The basement will likely be converted to a music studio for my hubby, so he can have that floor. (Aren't I sweet honey?!)

I will have a gardener who looks after all of my pristine landscaping, and a housekeeper who keeps my abode party-ready at any time. The house will be nice and tidy, but lived in and homey, and likely full of toys! Everything will have hand-selected designer furniture, decor and although my lovely dog Dakota will live there, it will somehow magically be dog-fur free!! 


Excuse me, I need to go negotiate a raise.

 
Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
"My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw. My dad played it for me at my wedding, and although I was so worried about the length of his speech in the moment (ever the planner), every time I listen to it now I'm in tears. Its beautiful. 

 
Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
I most proudly display my daughter's art work right now...its the most adorable thing ever! 

 
Day 18 – my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Ahh, my wedding. It was the most fabulous day...everything was done in teal and black, and it looked perfect for a good, Canadian winter wedding! (We were married in November). We had 4 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen and my photographer called me Tricia all day. Umm, thanks - my name is Kristin. 

The party lasted to the wee hours of the morning, and I'm proud to say I still have friends who talk about our wedding nearly 4 years after the fact. I loved my dress, had a gorgeous coat that my mother-in-law handmade for me, and my girls looked stunning in their dresses too. Of course, mango calla lillies were our flowers! I'm happy to say that if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing...especially my groom.

 
Day 19 – a talent of yours
I can share a shot perfectly with my darling friend Ashley. We're very proud of this accomplishment. Just ask us; we'll show you. 

Day 20 – a hobby of yours
Right now, running! I took up running this past spring and I absolutely love it! I took a clinic through Running Room and completed my first 5k race in July. The girls in my clinic were awesome, and since the end of the clinic the group of us have continued running together on our own time and we are training to complete a 10k race at the beginning of November. 


Until next time...