I was equally amazed at my 8 year old when they had Hat's for Haiti day. He loathes participating in any of these kinds of dress up days but this time, he chose to take in a donation regardless of the fact that he wouldn't participate. And I agree, the sibling turf wars are indeed, head ache inducing!

I hear you, I will likely be complaining about the snow come Jan 15 if it's not -50 with the windchill. It will be though, so there's little risk :)

I am like your husband, every year, to my husband's chagrin, I somehow, magically make my snowman collection grow. At least they don't tangle, right?

Girl, it DOES get easier. My boys are 8 and 5 and that part goes away. I won't tell you about the other parts that get hard, nope, ignorance is bliss. I felt exactly like you did and you know what helped immensley was we went away, just the four of us. And my laptop did not come. We just spent time together, playing and having fun. It did wonders for me because I felt like I was being a mom full time again. We came home refreshed and renewed with better balance. It's easy to beat ourselves up but really if everyone is still alive and kicking, we done good!

Yes! It was our superstore too, must be the same "improvement" plan. There is no time for a map in my well oiled machine!

Amy, it was Superstore this time. Safeway did it about 5 years ago, apparently I have gotten over that reorg. And I have seen some women make changes just for the sake of making changes too..somehow it's about proving themselves? But I know what you mean ;)

I hate loot bags filled with dollar store junk! I am not as brave as you to do none at all so I do a puzzle or a book for each kid instead. It costs the same and I know it will make it past next week.

wow, it sounds idyllic to me, and the advantages are so numerous! (also, very jealous!)

The truth is always the best, I agee. Children are ridiculously good at coping and with such a wonderful Mommy to guide her, she's set for life. Ps sorry about the loss of Tigger, they are always gone too soon if you ask me.

sometimes I can't even believe what people will let their kids do! Their excuse was probably, well he wanted to and he threw a fit and we had to let him! Or maybe not but it seems that kids today do run the show sometimes....

Ha! You have a great attitude, I was in the anxious, get this over with group, both times. But you are so right, it will happen when it happens and for the love of Pete would everyone leave you alone already! ;)

Amen, amen. Sleep makes me a nice person. No sleep, "incurable asshole". I love that btw!

Ha! I am so taking this advice, thanks!

I have no problem pulling my kids from school infrequently even if they aren't sick. We always got to miss school as kids for ski trips and I loved it. One time we had company from across the country so I let my son miss grade 1...I mean, they only come once every two years, what's a day of grade 1 for time with cousins? :)

I am not so good with the killing with kindness but I totally see your point. I wasn't actually on my bike, it was my kids (under 6), I was walking and that particular instance was on a pathway that is intended for both pedestrians and bikes. I hear you though, adults riding on the sidewalk is a no no!

Kyoot, I am in complete denial that it is going to happen anyway no matter how I parent. I have some awesome rose coloured glasses let me tell you ;) In all seriousness, you are right though. All I can do is model and teach, the rest is up to them. And there is also the over my dead body will you ever act like that.....

Amen and amen. I know that there are so many excellent tween out there, in fact I have neices and cousins who would never act like some of the ones we run into in our neighborhood. They have simply been taught better.

Well yes, that's what I meant when I said I asked politely...don't remember my exact words but I am fairly certain they included excuse us and please.. I completely believe in modelling the appropriate behaviour, do I always succeed? Hell no. But I also don't really think one should have to ask for common courtesy... I was taught to be aware of others and make room.

Every parent's biggest question. I have been lucky, so far, with my own kids. But I remember when my mom did try to intervene and it did no good. The reason it didn't work was was the other parent though, not my mom. I guess if a kid is a bully in the first place, the parent is probably clueless was what I learned from that! Sigh, who knew it got harder, huh? :)

This is very insightful, so far we have only had to deal with hte loss of grandparent's pets and it hasn't been too bad. You have great ideas here on how to handle a loved one, thanks!

Been there Karen. It seems to be par for the course for the toddler years. One day it will go perfectly, the next you are running out barely holding the kicking, screaming, writhing toddler under one arm. The other arm is necessary to push anyone who might get between you and the door out of the way. Good times, good times.

I am as contradicted as you Samantha. It's not a decision I could ever make yet, I don't judge her. In Sask, there haven't been as many ramifications yet but like everything else, it's simply delayed here. It will come. We were done at two kids about 5 years ago so the recession has no impact on our decision. My husband had a vasectomy and that's that. Excellent post on the topic!

I am so happy for you! I tried to just be a stay at home mom when I just had one son, it didn't go well. I was back to an office job when he was a year and half. I hated it. Even though it was only part time. When on mat leave with sone #2 I decided to stay home and got the amazing opportunity to work from home. I don't know if I'll ever go back to an office job! Congratulations!

I wish I would have travelled. I took a year off to work at Orange Julius. That was exciting. But it did make me realize I had the brain capacity for so much more and I went back to school at got a degree and a professional designation. But it wasn't any fun.....

I do remember those songs Nicole, and I even remember think whoa, that's a bit much, even as a kid. There's a line and somehow we have ended up so far past the line, we can't even see it anymore.