Sugar-Free Easter

With Easter fast approaching, I've been thinking about what I want to do for Gavin for Easter. He'll be in Regina with family, but I still want to do an egg hunt here when he gets home! I know that when he's in Regina he'll probably get more than enough of all the sweet, sugary stuff that usually goes along with Easter, so I want to aim for a sugar-free Easter (in our house at least!). So I thought I would do a little round up of sugar-free Easter gifts. 

1. jellycat bunny
2. spring or easter themed books
3. rain gear
4. junior gardening kit
5. froggy kickball
6. little garden tools
7. not so sugary snacks in plastic eggs (maybe not sugar-free, but almost ;)
8. hide and squeak eggs

A few more ideas (not pictured):

-activities: tickets to the zoo, museum, etc.
-a craft you can do together
-easter-themed origami (Gavin has been obsessed with origami boats lately, I might put a bunny or chick in his easter basket)
-bunny dress up clothes
-egg-shaped crayons
-a spring themed colouring book
-rubber duckies

What are your plans for easter this year?

Travelling with a Kid: Favourite Tips & Lessons Learned

Let me start off by saying that we were so lucky to have a 2:1 parent to child ratio for this flying business. I'm sure this makes one of the biggest differences. Even though Gavin is a good kid, it's just nice to have two parents. When we flew to and from Hawaii, we had over 14 hours of total travel time (cars, planes & airports) each direction. With that said, Gavin is used to long drives so he is well trained for travel. I still spent a lot of time gathering tips beforehand and learned some lessons from the experience and I thought it was worth sharing here with you.

1. Gadgets are great. 



Letting go of usual limits on screen time helps the whole travelling thing go easier. A lesson I've learned from our many road trips is that it's best to wait a couple hours or more to bring these things out. Kids are in better spirits earlier in the trip (and so are parents). It's a much more welcome break for everyone if you bring those things out later. You're also able to save battery power in case you really need that gadget to keep everyone sane near the end of a long trip! 
(ps - fun, kid-size headphones help)


2. Prepare yourself with lots of healthy snacks ahead of time. 

It's cheaper, more convenient and probably better for you. I left as many things in their original packaging as possible and brought a kid-friendly dish so we had options (and to avoid problems at customs/security).

3. Stash some treats in your purse. For rewards... or bribery if things get desperate.

4. Bring an empty travel cup for kids (sippy cup or this is what we brought). 

Fill it with water or milk once you're through security.

5. Keep wet wipes & tissues close at hand because kids (and adults!) can be messy and flight attendants aren't always right there with napkins when you spill a glass of coke all over your stuff.

6. Bring new stuff. 

You don't have to go crazy with this, but new things are more exciting for kids. I put together books of activities for Gavin at home (printable colouring pages, etc.) and made him some star shaped crayons from what we already had. Free stuff, but new and exciting (bonus: star crayons don't roll away!). We also invested in a new book based on his current obsession with Star Wars because Hawaii seemed a little far to take a library book.

7. As parents, take turns. 

Being stuck in a jet with 200+ other people for 6 hours is tough on anyone. If it is weighing on your family, switch things up to keep everyone happy. We were lucky enough to have two parents and one child so one of us could be free to do our own thing if the other was playing with Gavin. On one of our long flights we saw a family of four with a each parent with one child in a two-seater row (one in front of the other). The mom struggled the whole flight with the cranky, restless toddler while the dad sat on his iPad with the older child who behaved perfectly. It's not my place to judge, I'm just saying if I were in their shoes, I would swap kids every now and then. 

8. Remember your manners. We didn't have the option to choose our seats when we booked our flight, and there was only one flight where all three of us were assigned seats together. For 3 of 4 flights our seats were scattered all over the plane. While it seems like common sense that at least one parent should be beside a four year old child, crew members and other passengers went out of their way accommodate us on our flights. Being polite, rather than entitled, and showing appreciation is important. 

9. Dress your kids in bright clothes. 

You never intend to let your child out of your sight, but if it happens they will stand out in a crowd.

10. Sarongs make great blankets. 

They are large enough for a child, but pack up small. Once you arrive, you can use it at the beach.

11. Consider using a trunki for kids. 

When we arrived back in Canada at 7 a.m. Monday morning we were late, tired, and had to run all over the huge Vancouver airport to get to our next flight. Being able to pull Gavin on this thing helped immensely. Even in normal circumstances, it's so nice to have. Gavin could also pull it himself and he thought it was so fun that he would gladly sit on it while we waited in lineups rather than running away from us! Plus people at the airport loved it, everyone stared, we got lots of questions about it and Gavin chatted with the only other child we saw with one.

12. Overplan, but don't overpack. 

Gavin didn't use all the stuff I put together for him to do on the plane, but I'm glad I had it just in case he didn't sleep overnight, or something. On the other hand, be smart about what you bring in your suitcase. I found it hard to pack for summer when it's currently winter at home. I packed light (for me), weeded out things that were unnecessary twice, and there were still some things I didn't wear. I also packed a straightener which was ridiculous for a curly-haired person like me on a tropical island. Lesson learned.

The World for Gavin

Every semester my university (and many others across the country) host a poster sale. Imaginus brings in hundreds of posters of all sizes, sets up massive displays for 3 days and (I'm assuming) makes a ton of cash. I've loved the poster sale since my sister first took me when I was in high school. My favourites are always the HUGE posters. 

A couple weeks ago it was at the U of L again and I wandered through. I spotted a bunch of maps and decided that I had to bring one home for Gavin. He has a thing for maps and I know that helping him explore what he is naturally curious about is so important. 

So I bought a giant map and I hung it in a strange place... right at his level. There wasn't enough room in any of the rooms, so I stuck it in the hallway near the front entrance. 

I can't even pretend that it looks right, but it makes sense for my little geographer. :) 

We've been using green painters tape to mark important points - where we live, where our family lives, where we have travelled recently or will travel soon.

Kid Friendly Bathroom

Over the last few months, Mason has taken an interest in teaching Gavin good hygiene habits and making him aware of their importance. Mason works with kids who may not have been taught these things early on, so he's come to recognize how important it is to share this awareness from an early age. Gavin already knows plenty about hygiene, but I wanted to take it to the next level and start making it his responsibility. Here are a few changes I made to our bathrooms that help him keep himself clean...

We have two bathrooms, and we use each for different things. So we need two stools so that he can reach the sink.

In the bathroom that he uses to go potty, there is some fun hand soap just for him because he doesn't normally like to use it. Now it is foamy, orange & has Elmo on the bottle - a little more enticing, no?

The other bathroom is where we keep brushes, combs, toothbrushes, facecloths, etc. So I made sure that Gavin has all these things in his reach. I used a decorative bowl I had laying around and put in his toothbrush, toothpaste, a facecloth, & a brush. 

Since the only mirror in our bathroom is on a medicine cabinet high on the wall, I bought a small mirror that sits on the counter at his level so he can see what he is doing. 

I also have a bunch of clean facecloths under the sink in a basket so he can easily get a fresh one & I can restock his bowl every day. 

I considered having somewhere to put laundry in the bathroom as well, but we have two separate laundry baskets (one for towels, one for clothes) just steps away so I decided against adding another.

The Negotiation

I've been meaning to put this up forever. It's from our trip at the beginning of August. Gavin likes to try to negotiate when we say no. He got his way this time, I just find the sequence of photos really funny. :)

He tried to climb the deer. Asked for help, I said no. He negotiated, and won. 

Play Time Test Log

As a parent I have found two problems that I have when it comes to finding new & exciting ways to play with Gavin:

1. Unless you point out new things or different things, he just wants to play cars.

2. I get lazy or overwhelmed by all the ideas for play that I see online and rarely just go pick one and do it. 

So to beat those things I decided to put together a fun binder of activities that we can do together. It took some prep time - going through a lot of sites I have pinned over the last few months and picking out ideas that I want to try - but was worth it.

The basic idea of the binder is to log the fun activities we've tried. Before we try the activity, I make a page about it with supplies, instructions, etc. There is space for a photo, a blank area for Gavin's comments and a box to be checked off when we've completed it. 

At first the book will be a way for us to try lots of new stuff, but as time goes by and we try many of them we'll be able to look through and find things that were fun so we can do them again. The photo will serve as a visual prompt for Gavin so he can remember what the activity was, and all the necessary information will be there for us to do it all over. Hopefully I'll keep adding new activities and we'll be able to find some favourites to do over again. 

I designed a cover page to slip in the front pocket of the binder and dividers for all the different categories I could think up. I printed them on kraft card stock (because I love the look of kraft) and used sticky tabs for the dividers. 

If anyone is interested in the templates for the dividers, just send me an email and I'll send you the files. :)

Read: Raising Freethinkers

This summer I've been getting into reading books for my own enjoyment and it's been awesome! It's so nice to read for the sake of reading and not just for school. I just finished the book Raising Freethinkers and I really enjoyed it. Religion isn't something I've ever discussed here, but that's mostly because I don't have one. I respect the diversity of people and their beliefs, as long as they don't cause harm. But I personally don't believe in any god, or deity, or universal intelligence... And while I admit that I am human and would prefer for Gavin to share my beliefs, I want him to make up his own mind about it all. If he decides to take another path then I will always support him (as long as he is causing no harm to himself and others).

Raising Freethinkers is a practical guide, mainly in a question & answer format, to parenting kids without a specific religion. The main goal is to encourage children to use critical thinking skills and figure out their own path in life. It doesn't suggest that parents should shield their kids from religion, but instead expose them to the many flavours of it. There is a focus on secular morals and ethics because, believe it or not, people without religion are perfectly capable of being as moral and ethical as anyone else. It also addresses some of the subjects that religion provides easy explanations for, like death, and others that religion (in my opinion) provides poor explanations for, like sexuality. 


I think this book, as well as the companion book Parenting Beyond Belief, are great resources for parents who want their kids to grow up without having their religious beliefs (or lack thereof) prescribed for them.






P.S. - if this stuff interests you, you might want to check out the author's blog, the parenting beyond belief forum and their recommended resources

A Film About Fathers

Last night Mason and I watched a fun documentary about dads, and I figured since it's Father's Day, I would share it with you. It's called The Other F Word (haha!) and is based around punk rockers nearing the middle of their life who are fathers.  

They talk about how they reconcile (or struggle to) their notorious anti-authority attitudes with their new roles as authority figures and role models. It was interesting, hilarious at some parts and heartbreaking at others. Parenting is such a fascinating and diverse experience, I love seeing how differently people can approach it, while still aiming for the same goals and learning the same lessons from it.





And seeing rough looking guys like Flea tear up talking about their kids is pretty sweet and eye-opening. And if you have netflix, it's on there to watch for free so give it a go next time you have 90 free minutes. :)

Food Friday: Kid Edition!

Have you heard of muffin tin meals? I tried them out with Gavin a couple weeks ago (and a few times since!) and had to share the idea with you. Gavin is obsessed with "snacks" and has a hate on for supper (and other meals to a lesser degree). So usually when we get home after daycare he asks for snacks and get grouchy when we tell him he has to wait for supper. He insists, "I don't want supper, I just want snacks".

The muffin tin meal idea means that he gets small portions of a bunch of different foods and it has gone over really well with him. I love it because he gets such small portions of things that he can't fill up on just carbs (like he prefers), he actually has to eat a variety. And he loves it because he gets "snacks for supper". Also, it's a great thing to feed him when I want to cook something spicy or kid-unfriendly.

Do you have any sneaking mealtime strategies for your kids?

Competition

Over the past few months, or maybe even a year, I have noticed that our biggest struggle with Gavin is getting him to tidy up his toys. He takes things out to play and has no interest in cleaning them up. He dawdles, ignores, resists, or refuses. It's just one of those things. I've tried cooperation, but he simply takes advantage. 

If I offer to help, he simply stops, or cooperates for a little while and then gets distracted or resistant. I've tried incentives, but he doesn't do the whole work-now-for-benefits-after. I've tried threats, but again, he either doesn't understand or doesn't care. And finally, I've tried competition... and it works. If I tell him that I'm going to do something faster than he is going to clean up - that it's a race - he is all over it.

But encouraging the use of competition as a motivator is not something I like. While I know that competition can be fun, I don't think that it's good to teach him that trying to "win" is a good reason to put effort into things.


Any suggestions?

Life Without Dad

You may not know this, but this past week Mason was away. Yup, five days without the d-a-d in the house. It's funny because Gavin and I have left him alone here for a few days before, but this time he left us. On his first flight (that's right, 25 and his first time on an airplane!) and his first trip anywhere below the 48th parallel (no, I don't mean the 49th). So even though Gavin and I have had some time away from Mason before, it was always in Regina where our entire family lives, so it wasn't really alone time. In Lethbridge, Gavin and I rarely socialize outside of school/work/daycare and we have no family here, which meant a lot of time for the two of us.


What was life like as a temporary single mom/only child duo?


-Gavin mysteriously ended up snoozing with me, every night! He went to sleep in his bed and I don't even remember him crawling in. Very, very sneaky, that boy.

-We spent a lot of time playing outside because after a couple hours inside together we started to turn on each other! I don't know what it was, but getting outdoors gave us the space we needed to enjoy each other's company instead of butting heads.

-We missed Mason's presence. The fun thing about parenting in pairs is that each parent generally brings something different to the equation, and we missed Mason's wild silliness. I definitely had to try to compensate for it and although I can't do justice to his crazy antics, I think it was good practice for me. We all need to get silly sometimes!

I guess we must have been really excited for Mason's homecoming because we drove 2 hours to Calgary to meet him at the airport! Gavin and I enjoyed some big city fun {see photos above} before the flight came in and then he had a snooze in my arms at the airport... 

which was adorable, but man is that kid heavy now! And now we're happy to have a weekend to just hang out as a trio again. :)

Gavin's Day: An Activity Chart

Right now I'm reading a book called Positive Discipline for Preschoolers. We sailed through the "terrible twos" with Gavin, but at three he is challenging us more. 


It's easy to misinterpret his behaviour as intentional misbehaviour, especially because he is so bright and talks so well. Taking any of his bad behaviour as intentional can lead to some frustrating situations, which we want to avoid. 


I know from my own experiences growing up how it feels to be yelled at and (as much as I understand why parents react that way to kids) I don't want to be the parent to yell. Not unless there is a very good reason. And at three years old, I don't think there are many things a kid can do that qualify as a very good reason to yell.

Anyways, Gavin has been having a lot of trouble going to bed at night and this book has a chapter that speaks specifically to that. So the other night, in between laps back and forth to Gavin's room as he came out and was lead back to bed repeatedly, I read this chapter. 


It recommended having a sort of chart for bed time that has visual representations of what is done at bed time and that the child has had input on. We have been making verbal plans with Gavin for months now, and I thought that taking it to the next level with something visual would be a great step. Here is what I came up with.

I didn't take photos for a full out tutorial, but I can walk you through the process!


First I came up with all the possible things I would want for our plans (meals, playing, clean up, tooth brushing, etc) I made multiples of a few important ones. I printed them off of the computer and used Gavin's markers to draw pictures of what each one was about. Then, I used clear contact paper to laminate them. Finally, I put a square of adhesive velcro (the fuzzy side) on the back of each one.

For the chart itself, I just came up with a measurement that would fit 10-12 cards on it, with extra width so I could have a big pocket at the bottom for all the cards not in use. I cut out a piece for the pocket, hemmed the top, then sew the other 3 sides onto the main piece of fabric. Then I hemmed around all four sides of the main piece. I used my Silhouette to cut out the words "Gavin's Day" (his word choice) from flocked heat transfer material and ironed it onto the pocket. And finally I sewed a strip of velcro (the hook side) down the centre of the fabric from the top to the top of the pocket. 


To hang it, I just used tiny gold nails on all four corners and halfway down each long side. A little lazy, I know, but it needs to be held down at all four corners or pulling the velcro pieces off will be a serious pain.


I'm definitely happy with it. Yesterday was our first time using it and it went awesome. When we were putting together a plan for our evening he actually insisted on putting "Helping Time" on there so he could do some work. I had none to do so we just washed a few dishes by hand, and he was so proud of himself. He really wanted to vacuum after that, but I said "noooo way, that's dad's business!" I have my fingers crossed that it will help things run a little more smoothly around here!

Giving

When I was growing up, my sister and I were very fortunate. I don't mean that we were very fortunate in that we got everything we ever wanted and a pony too.

I mean that we were fortunate to have all we needed and more, but not too much. When all I wanted was a tommy hilfiger shirt in grade 7 because that's what my friends had, my parents did not buy it for me. I saved up some money and bought the silly thing myself. I had lots of toys, but they were valued possessions.

On the other hand, the quantity of toys that my son has acquired in his three years of life is absolutely astounding. Perhaps even appalling. I am not saying that we are ungrateful for the incredibly generous and loving family we have... quite the opposite actually. But I do fear sometimes that Gavin will be so well provided for that he won't understand how much he has to appreciate.

So last week when we got home with most of his new toys (that's right, we couldn't even fit them all in the car), we needed to clear out some space for them all. We sat down with him and had a talk about how there are kids who don't have things like he does and that we would like him to share with those kids. We talked about it in terms that he would understand and he responded surprisingly well. He was just fine helping us pack up old toys and books that he doesn't use anymore and then taking them to the Salvation Army!

On our way home, we were telling him how good it was for him to share and he went on about how happy he was. He said that some other boys were going to have his toys and they were going to be so happy (he said it in the cutest voice too!). Then he asked if maybe they could come to our house so he could share his new toys with them too. It was just too adorable. It never ceases to amaze me how much kids understand if you take the time to talk about it with them.

What are your thoughts on teaching kids to be grateful in a time when many of our kids can have anything they want, but many other still have little or nothing?

Gavin's Baby Book

It only took me two and a half years to get it made, but I finally have it in my hands!
{A little slow, I know.}

I started Gavin's baby book before he was born, actually. I kept track of the little details like when I first heard his heartbeat, and took a couple pictures of my huge belly. I'm not a big fan of the books you fill in by hand (blame it on my terrible handwriting), so I decided to design something on my computer. I had his name picked out already, so I made a cute cover with his name and his birthdate. Funny enough, I just put a random date on at first, but it was the right one! A few months later I decided that maybe I would make a scrapbook. I was seriously lacking in the skills to do it and not really ready to fork over the money for all the nice supplies, so that idea went down the drain. I ended up just keeping track of everything I would want in it and leaving it at that. Finally I started hearing about people making photobooks for baby books and I loved that idea.

I ended up going with Mixbook because I had a groupon for them (this is not a sponsored post). There's a lot of creative potential in their software, which I love, and in the end I'm so happy with Gavin's baby book. Here's a few pages from inside...

I love it! What type of baby book do you like best?