Can almost see the finish line...

Again, I am the last one awake in my house.   The silence is a beautiful thing!   This evening I have worked diligently to finish my final, large assignment for my Education 500 course, Educational Research and Methodology.   This class has been mostly content and has involved statistics (mathematics) I have not done in over 20 years.   It has required a lot of focus, relearning, and perseverance... with lots of frustration along the way.  The professor warned us to get started on this last assignment early, as it was a big one and I am glad she did.   I feel like I have been running a marathon (I've actually only ever run a half-marathon) and I have needed to pace myself... getting it done bit by bit.

So as I was about to pack it in for the night, you can imagine my delight to see an email in my inbox from the Harvard researcher who co-authored one of the two articles I am critiquing in my assignment.   I can't believe she took the time to respond to my email questions.   It has given me the necessary shot of energy I need to finish the final leg of the race!

I am almost there and I can't wait to taste the sweetness of victory tomorrow night when I hand in my paper - and it will be made even better, since tomorrow afternoon begins my spring break.

Surprises

I, similar to many other parents in BC struggled with what I was going to do with my kids today.  I had pre-scheduled (at least in my mind) that Mon - Wed this week I would tackle my large and final assignment for one of the two Masters classes I am taking this term.

Unfortunately there are always "surprises" and with the strike that is occurring this week, my children are now at home with me during the days that I had planned to get school work done.  Argh!

Knowing this, my kids were completely understanding when I explained that they would be spending the day with one of my friends who has kids the same age.  ~ I am so lucky to have friends who graciously swoop in and offer to help out when needed!

Anyway, I as I quickly hopped into the shower this morning my last words to the kids were "get your bathing suits on, pack your bags with your towel and underwear, and make your beds!"

To my "surprise" when I walked out of the bathroom ready to pounce on any child who hadn't completed  my instructions, I was shocked and touched that they had decided to make my bed for me, knowing that I was sooo busy!

My kids make me crazy!   I often have to tell them over and over and over again to do this or that.   But today they "surprised" me and it was wonderful!  I love my kids...

Simple Pleasures

One of the many gifts of having children is when they remind you to enjoy the simple things in life.   I was reminded of this at dinner tonight with Megan.   Thursday nights her and I eat alone.   I pick her up from dance at 6:30pm and by the time we get home, Scott and Matthew have headed out to Matt's soccer practice.

We call it "Girls Night" and I try to make it special.   Sometimes we go out to dinner, or I'll bring home a special dessert just for us.  Other nights are more typical but regardless, we both look forward to our time together.

Tonight our dinner conversation went like this:

Megan:  Today was just the best day ever.   It was so exciting, Mommy!

Me:  Really?  Why?

Megan:  It was the first day of the month.

Me:  Yes, it was.   I can't believe we are in March already.

Megan:  Yup.  But that's not why I was excited.  We got our desks moved.   Mrs. Monk always moves our desks on the first day of the month and when I go into my class I have to find my desk.   It is so much fun.

Me:  Wow, that would be fun.

Megan:  It is... and each time she moves us she put us with new friends.   I love my new group.  I am sitting with Nicola, Carter, and Logan M.

Me:  Maybe I should try this with my class.

Megan:  You should!!!

Megan:  (without missing a beat)  I sure hope it rains tomorrow.

Me:  Rain, are you kidding me?   I hope it is sunny.

Megan:  NO way!   I want it to rain.  I can't wait to use my new umbrella, it's going to be so exciting.

Wouldn't it be great if we could consider all days the "best day ever" just by getting to sit beside to new friends and looking forward to the rain.   The life of a child is truly a treasure!

Being Present

Tonight Scott reminded me that my balance scale has been tipped lately too much towards my studies and general learning interests.  He reminded me that I need to try to stay present with him and the kids.


Two key examples occurred tonight.   First when Megan asked me to scribe a story for her (she injured one of her fingers badly while bowling yesterday and can't write properly).  While I was busy at the computer, she asked me three times to help her write and each time my response was "in just a minute".   Well, the feisty, determined little girl that she is, got tired of that response and when into the garage to ask her Daddy (Scott) who was playing hockey with Matthew, to help her.   Scott told her to come in and relay the message to Mommy to "get off the computer".  


Second example was later in the evening, when I had to ask Scott a couple of times what I just missed in the episode of Grey's Anatomy that we were watching together... or shall I say he was watching and I was masterminding my "To Do" list for tomorrow.  


Lately I have been "obsessed" with Technology 2.0 and find it hard to pull myself away from the screen.   I love learning and have been trying out new programs such as Evernote, Google Presentations, Google Reader, and so on.  I have never been a person who goes at things half way, be it projects, baking or learning...   that is just not the way I roll.  Instead I chase after things at full speed and sometimes (a lot of the times) become consumed along the way.   Generally this is 'good thing' as it has helped me to accomplish many goals and dreams, but tonight I was happy to have my best friend and husband remind me of what is really important in my life.  


As I did one last little check-in with my computer on my way up to bed I stumbled upon this "To Do List" Vimeo and it was like the universe was reaching out and talking to me!   It was serendipitous... 

Digital Natives

Last Friday I arrived home from a professional development day exhausted but full of exciting knowledge to share with my children.   Among the many things I learned, was a new Ipad app call NFB Pixstop.   It is an app that allows allows one to create their own short stop-motion films with ease and fluidity.  When I read about the app online, it was written that it is for 10 year olds and up, but I came home and taught Megan and Matthew and within minutes Megan, who is 6, was making "Teddy" movies.  Megan wants Teddy to become famous so I promised I would post on her movies on my blog.   I am still in awe of the fact that within 10 minutes of being shown how to use this app, Megan was able to create the movie below.

Confessions of a mom...

Recently my son has been bringing home his recorder to practice.  He is eager to show me the "songs" he has learned and is proud of his accomplishments... each time he plays a song correctly,  his music teacher ties different colour strings around the recorder.  He is so proud of his strings!

I sit and smile as he plays... like a good mom should, but each time he misses a note and the recorder belts out a loud, screeching, nails on chalkboard like sound, I wonder to myself how on earth does his poor music teacher do it???  Not to mention, she has 24 little darlings belting out songs on their recorders and likely not in unison!

Exciting News

Today I am wondering about the impending changes in my life.  I am pleased to announce that next September I will be working at UBC as an Adjunct Faculty Professor.  This has been a dream of mine for many years and I am so excited to be able to pursue this amazing opportunity.

Fifteen years ago, when I began my B.Ed at UBC I met my own faculty advisor, Cheryl Douglas who showed me a new way of teaching.   She and other outstanding educators since, have inspired me in so many ways and have positively shaped my practice and helped me to grow professionally.   I will forever be indebted to colleagues/educators such as, Cheryl, Janice, Jean, Rosamar, Rika, Joanne, Kathyrn, Marianne, Karen, Steve, Jen, both Michelles, Adrienne, Susan, Lisa, Melanie, Andrew, Mike, Braunwyn, Hieu, Caroline, Megan, Lana and many others (my list could go on and on).   Now that I have been teaching for several years, and am broadening my knowledge of education through my Graduate studies, I feel ready to try my hand at mentoring teacher candidates and hopefully inspire a few along the way.

As I prepare our family for my busier schedule (I will be going from working 50% to 80% - 4 days total - 3 days at UBC and 1 day at Errington Elementary) I hope that they will be able to adjust without too much trouble. Scott is very proud and supportive and together I know we can navigate the waters.   Tomorrow we meet with a prospective young lady interested in doing before and after school care for us.  She is a college student who seems enthusiastic, caring and experienced with kids so I hope that she will meet our needs and assist in making the transition from having mommy home to someone else, less stressful for M & M.  We plan to have whomever we hire start one day/week until June so that the kids can begin to form a relationship with her.  This way the changes in September might be eased.  


With all change, I have mixed feelings of excitement, nervousness, worries, and many wonders!