Things My Kids Say As Posted On Twitter

Small moments can be as meaningful as big events. Not everything my kids say or do warrants a blog post (although they may feel differently on this one).  This is why I like to share this roundup and snippets of recent conversations I've had with M&J as shared on Twitter.

It took an 8 hour day of travel to determine that both of my kids thought life savers candy were called light sabers.

The boy child has started asking for a “sequel” when he wants seconds of food. No matter what he’s asking for seconds of I’m just too amused to say no #parenting

M accidentally dumps an entire jar of sprinkles on a birthday cake. M: sorry, but what do you expect? I am just a kid. #parenting

M: I wrote this amazing new song about nature. Me: what’s it called? M: free bird. Me: well that’s sure to be a hit. #parenting

M was crying this afternoon because she lost her burger. She isn't sure whether she finished eating it, left it out and the dog ate it, or it's just laying somewhere rotting. Somehow this feels like an early lesson in #adulting

J: mom so do you think I should produce a play called Richard Dreyfus the musical?

“We do not eat our dinner without pants or shirts on.” On today’s edition of things I say as a parent.

Here I Go Again - Virtually Hiking The Grand Canyon Update Two

It's been roughly a month since I provided an update on my virtual hike of the Grand Canyon through an app called My Virtual Fitness Challenge. To read more about my motivation for torturing myself through what my husband says is an "overly aggressive goal" click here. 

So, re: the challenge, full disclosure -  I have 27 more days to finish this (and 173.9KM left to go), and I I'm behind.  

One of the reasons I wanted to write about this was to help keep me accountable, and as this reads like a Captain's Log it seems fitting to say: It's been 64 days, at 276.7KM and I've fallen behind on my journey, by nine percent to be exact. 

I have excuses. But they're boring. My treadmill (a weapon of choice for this challenge) is acting up and I can't muster the patience to troubleshoot it. I finished the show Good Girls, which I was watching while using the exercise bike and haven't found anything else I like to watch while I log more hours. Work, homeschooling, family - I simply need to carve out more time.  My friend suggested I finally try Curb Your Enthusiasm, starting with the Seinfeld season so there is some familiarity.

I am determined to catch up and earn my medal at the end of this virtual journey. We've been watching The World's Toughest Race, Eco Challenge on Amazon Prime and it's time for me to show my grit and bring this home. Today, following her first morning of virtual school, my daughter Molly hiked 10.2KM with me and the dog while we enjoyed the afternoon sun. Seriously what an awesome nine year old! At this point I know who is going to be doing some bucket list hikes with me in a few years.

I just earned my 60 percent badge and am virtually approaching Mohawk Canyon, mostly because of this afternoon hike.  I'm not nearly there, but this isn't impossible. 

In the meantime I've been able to enjoy some spectacular views during hikes completed as a part of the challenge this summer. Hopefully I "fall" back into pace post autumnal equinox (pun intended). Until then, any well wishes are encouraged and appreciated. I'm hoping the next time I write about this it's in 27 days from the virtual finish line. I hope there is champagne!

Hiking the Cheltenham Badlands

 It's fall hiking season! This means no overheating, vibrant fall colours, fresh air, and beautiful Canadian nature. This weekend we explored the trails at the Cheltenham Badlands, a part of the Niagara Escarpment in the Caledon area, and it did not disappoint!  This protected area feels like it's far away from Ontario, despite being only 40 minutes from Toronto.

It costs $15 to book a time-slot for the Badlands to allow for proper social distancing during COVID-19. You will not be permitted to hike without a reservation. Since it's a popular hiking area, you'll need to book well in advance, particularly during the weekend. We booked this hike nine days in advance. Reservation times lots can be booked from 8AM to 7PM.

Once you arrive you'll have to prove to the staff that you have a reserved spot by showing them your reservation bar code. You are then given a parking pass, map, and one hour and a half to complete the hike. Sections of the trail are one way only to allow for proper social distancing. Dogs are allowed on the trails on leash only.

The Bruce Trail section of the hike is 1.3KM out and back (so 2.6KM total). It has dirt and rock paths, some raised wooden boardwalks in muddier areas, and some wooden staircases. 

The fall colours were just starting to come out for this hike. I imagine in a week or two their will be peak fall foliage here.

The Badlands portion of the trail is quite short at 0.32KM, but breathtaking. The Badlands was first formed at the bottom of an ancient sea over 400 million years ago. 

Several years ago you could climb on The Badlands, however this lead to severe erosion in the area. Today there are viewing platforms to allow you to enjoy the views, but without causing damage to this natural phenomenon. We chose to complete this section of the hike last as it's truly the crescendo of this journey.

We spent just under an hour hiking the park with several stops for photos and enjoying the views.

I highly recommend this hike. The Bruce Trail portion is short, but beginner nearing moderate with several inclines, steeper hills, and some roots on the pathway.  For those not interested in a longer hike you can explore just the Badlands section of the trail easily in about 10 minutes. This trail was really well marked and easy to navitate. The kids agree that this was one of the top five hikes of 2020, and you can't beat that.  Happy trails everyone!

 

Between A Rock & A Hard Place - Back to School

Covid-19 has been hard on all of us. Even as I type this I feel a need to add a hearty, 'Well duh." At the same time I know we have been lucky. Our family is safe and healthy and everyone is social distancing as best they can.

As the first day of school photos begin to roll in on social media I, like many parents, feel conflicted. We were given very little information and had to make monumental decisions about our kids education, all while weighing the mental and physical health of our kids, ourselves, and our families. At this time I know parents who have opted to move their children to smaller towns with less instances of COVID while they work from home, those who are sending them back to classrooms, parents participating in unschooling, homeschooling, and distance learning. All of us are crossing our fingers that we have made the right choices.  

We have opted for distance learning for Molly and Jack this year, mostly because my kids are going to be the youngest kids in the biggest classroom sizes as grade four students in the TDSB. How I feel about our decision varies from moment to moment, day to day. Both kids did well with online learning for grade three, particularly Jack with more one on one time spent on his studies with me at his side. We have a fantastic tutor who is going to help them when needed and caring sitters who are happy to step in and supervise online learning when I have pressing deadlines, and have enrolled the kids in a part-time nature program to get them some regular outdoor interaction with other kids. We don't need to close our bubble to the grandparents which is also a huge win. As a freelancer we have flexibility. I can shift much of my hours to assist them in distance learning. Sure it means a lot more early mornings and late nights so I can meet my deadlines, but I've been doing this for six months now, why not add another few onto the pile? Time with my kids is one of the reasons I went freelance, right? I wouldn't make other parents justify their decisions so why am I rationalize my own? Mostly cause none of us know what we're doing here. 

Sometimes I feel guilty that instead of growing my freelance business I am leaning into e-learning and out of business growth mode, something I was really excited about before the pandemic. At the same time there aren't as many work opportunities as there were pre-pandemic. It would be nice to have some silence in the house, whether it's to get some work done, or just enjoy a little bit of solitude. But these feel like luxuries and not necessities for us at this time. I recognize that we are so lucky to be in a position to do this. Hopefully we can pull it off with more good days than bad ones.

By nature I am a planner. I like to know what lies ahead and adjust my expectations accordingly. I am a typical Virgo and the lack of control I have felt in the past few months has been a struggle. I don't know if my kids will be in the same online class. I don't know their daily schedule, I don't know if it's going to conflict with other plans I have for work or for them. I also don't know if some of the supports, like reading group, will be available to them virtually. I don't know what hours are going to be asynchronous or synchronous and how we are going to juggle this amongst Zoom meetings, deadlines, and my husband slowly making his way back into the office. 

Asking your friends and family members whether they're sending their kids back into the classroom is a landmine. Everyone feels judged at a time when we're already isolated and it sucks.  In a time of mass judgement let's make this about support, not debate. I am going to like the back to school photos of your kids whether they're in front of a laptop at home or with a lunch box heading into your school. I am available for phone calls and socially distanced chats. Heck we even bought a heat lamp so we can have more visitors in our yard into the fall. Wishing you and your kids a safe back to school, where ever you are! 

It's my Party - Making A COVID Birthday Special

We normally throw a sizable birthday party for Molly and Jack. Since it's two kid birthday parties at once we like to spoil them a little. We usually outsource and have the party outside of the home because 1) it's two kids, 2) it minimizes clean-up and stress and 3) our house really isn't big enough for two birthday parties at the same time.

This year with COVID, social distancing, and significantly less contact with the outside world, we knew a traditional party wasn't in the cards, but we still wanted to make everyone feel special and loved. Instead we asked the kids to make a list over everyone who they wanted to see and have been in regular contact via Facetime play dates, family, social distance park plays etc. 

Next we asked them about special activities they wanted to do that would be permittable. 

As we wrapped up our last "birthday" activity, just under a month after their actual birthdays, I must admit I liked this better. Instead of being overwhelmed by a sea of children, planning and exhaustion, they were able to savour each experience and spend time with their friends with undivided attention. Next year, COVID or no COVID (hopefully no Covid) we may even opt for something similar.  Added bonus - It also saved us a fair bit of money.

Because it's summer and it's been fun to stretch things out, here are some of the ideas we had, ways we celebrated and ideas for future birthdays.  

16 Ideas for Social Distanced Birthday Fun

Tea Party in the Park

Outdoor Projector Screen Movie Night (we watched Lost Boys)

Lunch BBQ & Playdate

Park Water Balloon Fight

Backyard Sushi Dinner with A Friend

Classic Playground Park Play

Pie In The Face Shaving Cream Pie Fight

Jack and his uncle D.

Miniature Golf

Ice Cream Parlour or Truck Visit

Hike

Afternoon at the Beach

Some fancy cookies we bought for a celebration thanks to the Poop Cafe in Toronto 

Some fancy cookies we bought for a celebration thanks to the Poop Cafe in Toronto 

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Bike Rodeo/ Obstacle Course

Geocaching 

Outdoor Arts & Craft Class

Tie Dying Clothes

Have a great outdoor gathering idea as we move into colder weather? Please share!