Pre-pre-school today

outside of Commonwealth Pool

having snacks

but I really like the flag part of kindergym

how is that for a smiley face??

look at the windblown hair! I am jealous!

Partly to do with mother-hood guilt, partly to do with wanting to see how the "other-half does it" (read - people with real jobs outside the home), and partly to do something with only Quinn; we enrolled in Stepping Up to Preschool. On paper we are to leave our children in the great hands of trained professionals for 45 minutes, all the while sipping on fresh brewed coffee and aimlessly catching up on current events. In reality we are standing at the back of the classroom trying to blend in with the other parents who's children will not let them open to doors to the outside world.

Quinn did amazingly well for a pint sized wonder who has done basically nothing without me right beside her. I even amazed myself by leaving for an entire 10 minutes before the teacher tracked me down in the cafe with a sobbing Quinners in her arms. She loves her mommy, what can I say? She settled quick for snack time, painted an Picaso'esq painting of a pink storm, and sung the "itsy-bitzy spider" song at the top of her lungs. As you can see from the photos, she did enjoy kindergym and would not have given a rat's arse if I was there or not.

She is the youngest there, by three months. And everyone cried. Even some mommies. Those that actually let the parents/grandparents/caregivers leave. I am proud of her. She sang her lungs out.

There is always the radio to listen to for the current events of the world anyhow, and it may be an acquired taste, but I like my coffee nuked at least once.

Hey, have you met me?

Have we met?

Allow me to introduce myself. I am hormonally induced crazy woman. Let me write out the math equation that brought me here:

September + new routine + skating fees + new skates + new daycare kiddies + Roger + a two year old + not enough sleep + bank balance dropping faster than a speeding bullet + PMS + being the only driver =

Hormonally induced crazy woman.

My talents include (in no particular order): crying, yelling, head spinning, not listening, wearing elastic waist pants, feeling bloated, carrying mother-guilt, drinking too much coffee, searching the web for a new island to live on, and driving my family nuts.

Wanna come over?

Can you say allergies?????

Zaiden.

We had friends for dinner last night, really good friends of Roger's that live in Victoria that we don't get to see near often enough. They have a beautiful baby boy, Zaiden, and Quinn and Hayley loved having a little one to cuddle and play hide-and-seek with.

As for dinner, that was another story. We had to put our heads together and come up with a meal that was.....gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, tasty and edible. Not an easy task. Shannon and I split the duty and came up with a wild and crazy concoction that even the girls attempted and ate some of. We did, however, make some steak kabobs for Roger the meat-eating carnivore that he is. Heaven forbid I hide some tofu or soy in his diet. We had a great meal, great conversation, and would do it again in an instant.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Can you just see how happy she is to start Grade 2? You should take a glimpse of me.......

Flashback without added drug use

Last night we were transported back in time. Who knew that Betty (the van) was also doing side-duty as a time machine? Yes, we teleported right into the land of big, bad hair; too-tight-stirrup-pants-on-too-fat-arses; misbehaved children and roll-back prices. They have got to place that huge smily face everywhere or there will be mass riots and fights over the latest "George" brand clothing. (I often wondered if that is what Boy George is doing now that he is unemployed in the music world? one has to wonder.....)

For those of you that do not know, I detest Walmart and all that it is. Not that I have anything against big box stores, I shop at Cosco. Not that I have any problem with having to match your clothing to a big blue vest everyday...to each their own. Not that I even have issues with their products and prices. It is simply this - I spent too much there.

I am cheap. Very cheap. I do not buy retail, I am known by name and shoe size at most neighbourhood thrift stores. I do not like anyone taking my money. God knows, I don't have much of it - so leave it in my overdrawn bank account where it belongs. Each and every time that I enter into the huge doors of Walmart stupid spray is vaporized on me leaving me a blubbering idiot. I wander aimlessly throughout the isles, throwing products in willy-nilly whether we need them or not. Price mark down on gerrycurl...I am in. Hmmm, diaper rash cream for the almost-potty-trained girly....chuck 'er in. Looky here, they got some flip-flops for $3! (see previous post...not needed any more of those suckers!)

We go in because for three days now we have been reaping in the missed-the-potty puddles on the floor. Quinners so wants to be a big girl so she is forgoing diapers. And the potty. And choosing to pee wherever, whenever and doing whatever. I am finding panties everywhere, and none of them mine. So with our other choice being a safety pin and a tee towel (safety pin already being used) we go get diapers.

God the hair we saw. Big, nasty, bangs straight up hair. Right out of my 1989 grad photos. Whoa. And who in their right mind takes their kids out in a diaper only? There was some strange people there, I kid you not.

So in the end, I get to the cashier, armed with diapers, new sippy cups and ketchup (great combo) and we high-tail it out of there. Getting in the van Roger and I have a bit of a chuckle on the sights and sounds of Langford Walmart, all the while realizing that is how we just spent our Friday night.

Pathetic.