Halloween Decorating

Halloween decorating felt like a pretty big deal around here this year. Seeing that this is the first year that the kids are actually living in a place where Halloween is celebrated it is a pretty big deal. On Saturday the kids helped to put up some decorations inside and outside. Oh man, I love these kids. They love to help so much and the smiles on their faces while they help just warms my heart. And the way that they beam when they get to look and see all that they were able to do and help with is incredible. Feeling pretty blessed right now. 

Atticus loved getting to work on his cutting skills to help me cut out the bats. 

Milayla helped out with the banner. That smile!!

And then with the bats.

Jason handled the bats that were up higher.

The kids and I added a little green-eyed-monster to our toilet

And a spider web table runner to the table.

Some pumpkins to our door.

And some more fun decorations on the yard.

We had so much fun and the kids love getting to show off the hard work they did. Hoping to get a pumpkin or two carved before Halloween!

Montreal Meltdown

You know those moments that aren't your greatest when you feel you really should have known better but at the time, you really didn't? Maybe I'm the only one who has them.

I debated whether or not I would put these thoughts on this blog and finally decided to the affirmative seeing as I would like to keep things realistic on here. I love being positive and focusing on the positive in life. That's what this blog is all about; all those wonderful treasures that weave themselves within an ordinary day. The problem is that we still don't have ordinary days - not even a new version of ordinary days and there is no sign of them yet on the horizon. So finding those little treasures amidst the chaos just feels plain hard. Like looking for tiny flecks of gold in a dirt pit - it's messy, frustrating and stressful.

Perhaps the most frustrating bit is that I know a lot of this boils down to me needing to say 'no' to all the things that seem to have gotten piled up on us upon our arrival. Saying 'no' to all those things that are good, just not the best for us right now. For example, we were cramming visits with all of our old friends and our new friends in an effort for us and the kids to settle in. Which was craziness; not because we don't love our friends but because we all settle in best with some down time as a family (though Jason is often an exception to that rule). And once we are settled in, accepted and comfortable with our surroundings then let the hosting begin.

In this journey of settling in I am learning how the kids adjust similarly on some things and so very differently on others. It is a hard journey as their mom to know just how to tailor situations to push them the right ways and just enough to grow further without it being too much that they regress further than before.

I made the error of packing in playdates. It was in a genuine attempt to find a way for the kids to feel more comfortable around the kids at church. It didn't work. Our kids just kept asking when we would get to do a fieldtrip with just us or stay home and do Mommy School. They (Atticus in particular) were looking for those things that they used to do in Germany. I didn't quite get it until one day Atticus said to me, "Mommy, I miss how we used to sit on the floor with big piles of books for a long time when we were in Germany.". So what did I do? I said 'no' - not to Atticus and Milayla but to everything else. I said no to all those extras that I thought were helping that really weren't. I took the cue from them and raised the bar a little bit higher each and every day. It was running so smoothly. The kids were doing so great. Until Sunday came.

Sunday. ugh. Church. I feel horrible to be in such a state about church right now. But, unfortunately, this is where the meltdown portion of this blog entry comes in.

The ward primary leaders (who oversee the classes for the 18month olds to 11 year olds at church) informed me a few weeks back that they have this policy that there are no parents allowed in Primary or nursery. Excuse me!? This seriously sent me into a bit of culture shock. Here I was with two children that we just trekked across the globe who were happy making nice progress on their terms and now I was being asked to leave them alone to cry it out or in Atticus' case, scream it out. I adhered and I left. I should have known better. I should have trusted my momma instinct because - it didn't work. The children just came right back to us. Again and again and again. Against the 'rules' Jason stayed with Atticus in his class for a few weeks. Then we had a little chat with Atticus at home about how much we trust his teachers and what a great job they are doing. Atticus agreed and he went happily off to class on his own for several weeks and we would get to walk home to the sound of him gushing about how great his class was. Unfortunately, we were not having such success with nursery for Milayla (who had the unfortunate opportunity to be bitten and scratched..) or in sharing time for Atticus, who is not keen on anyone but the music conductor in there. This last Sunday was not my shining moment. Actually, that is a gross understatement.

We had been trying for weeks to adhere to the "no parent in primary" policy with no success (this was partly why we had the overdose of playdates). Despite not finding any such policy in the church handbook I didn't want to start a stir because I was already pretty irritated with it and didn't think it would help. Well, after 2 hours of Atticus and I both missing our classes, I picked up Milayla (who had been left to cry it out - not something she is typically happy about) and both kids were miserable (Milayla took cues off her big brother which typically works out well for us but not this day). Long story short - I wanted answers.

WHY were Jason and I needing to adhere to this ridiculous rule? The rule that we broke and as a result Atticus loves his class!? The rule that is no where in the handbook!? It was breaking my heart to see my kids feel unwelcome in Primary just the way they are - kids going through big change and needing some of that change to be a little gentler. It did not go well. I was emotional. That's dangerous. When I saw that the sparkle my kids have in their eyes about church and the people there was starting to fade because of the situation I switched into protective mama bear mode. I was an emotional woman looking out for the best for her kids talking to emotional women just following orders. Yes, they were just following orders from the leaders at the next level. So on I went to contact them to be told that though it is not a church guideline, it is her guideline and she is sticking to it. I felt like she just slapped a door on the primary room door that said "welcome to Primary - only pre-adjusted children allowed".

I know, I know. I probably overreacted. And my kids will likely have forgotten about this all come next Sunday. But, I am doubtful that they will have improved in their comfort level in Primary because there is nothing being done to help them. They don't feel welcome there. Despite Jason and I oozing our compliments to all the great things about the primary (the music leader is incredible! And both Atticus and Milayla have PHENOMENAL teachers!) the kids won't budge on their opinion. They need that comfort level to step forward - it's how they tick. I'm guessing that will evolve as they get older and become more aware of stepping out of their comfort zone, and as we continue to raise the bar to challenge them.

In the meantime I am probably the most unwelcome person in the entire ward right now. Which is a shame. It's a great ward. Super diverse. I have heard prayers in more languages in the last couple months than in my entire life and I'm loving it. Though the wonderfulness of the ward is currently one of those gold flecks in my big dirt pile that I am having trouble getting to. Of course, very little sleep each and every night is not a matter that is helping any of this. So off I go now, to divulge in a piece of early Halloween candy and attempt some sleep (because chocolate helps me sleep....but not really...).


***And just because there are some people who read this who may not know me all that well, there is a slight humour to this post. I do love the people in our ward. I don't love the rule, but I do love the people. Though, my emotional meltdown probably didn't convey that love all that well. *sigh*. That's what repentance is for, right? Time to start the apology letters... I do have a knack for feeling really really horrible, guilty and terrible about even the slightest chance that I have hurt or offended someone...

September iPhone

September via the iPhone

The kids reunited with our bikes. And a great 80 year old basement backdrop. We're hoping to see about painting it. The smiles on those faces is wonderful!

The kids have their toys again and have read as many books as they can and built many a tower in the first week that they were un packed.

We have had beautiful weather. It's finally starting to turn into chilly autumn and I haven't yet figured out how to embrace that. But loving the blue skies.

Loving the colors of Autumn

Milayla is cooking up a storm in that little kitchen of theirs and always anxious to share it with mommy.

This picture is kind of gross. But that's how the water looked after cleaning one room in our apartment. This was AFTER the cleaning lady cleaned it. We've done a lot of scrubbing around here. Guess that means that we should just be grateful that we have a home to scrub!

The kids excited to have our table set up (which is not in a different room) even though it was still covered in boxes at this point.

Lots of playgrounds to discover while the weather is still decent for it.

The kids love to climb. The plan is to start wall climbing soon - hopefully in the new year!

Atticus warmed up pretty quickly to my friend, Carol, who he thinks is pretty funny. This picture doesn't show it very well, but they're buddies now.

Atticus has finally taken a liking to his bowtie and has been asking for one in a different color. I love it.

The kids were super excited to get to go to the birthday party for these awesome girls! Mila and Tali. I somehow missed getting a picture of them both.

The kids made pirates and fairies at this really great art studio in Montreal. Both kids picked making a pirate.

And then they painted a little sandy island for the pirate to be glued to. Milayla opted to leave the sandy island out of the picture and said her pirate can fly. Imagination. It's awesome.

The kids did great and had such fun celebrating with Mila and Tali. It was so nice for them to have some friends so quickly after we moved here.

The finished masterpieces!

Atticus'

Milayla's

We're loving market here and wishing that it was closer. And loving that our stroller is so great for filling with out tasty veggies.

The house hunt went on forever but at least it came to an end. The kids quite enjoyed exploring all the nooks and crannies of each and every place. We found ONE place that had a backyard and I so wished that it would have worked out so the kids could have a place right outback to go and play - it didn't. They seem to love were we are at though and Atticus enjoys calling our playroom their backyard. While they can't build snowmen in the playroom I am happy that they enjoy it.

The kids have closets for the first time ever. This has multiplied their enjoyment of hide and seek to an unfathomable level. We play at least once a day; usually more.

Milayla got tired of waiting for toilet training (which I was waiting to be in our permanent place for) and pulled out the toilet seat while we were in the furnished place still. Guess we better get started! She is pretty happy with herself.

She is also pretty keen to learn how to drive. But that's going to have to wait yet.

We saw a lot of apartments and we had different strategies throughout the days of how to make it a fun family activity. One day it was a challenge to try and take artsy photos on the phone. The kids loved it. We had fun, too. This seems to be the only one that was left on my phone though. Sad!

The excitement about the library here is unbelievable. We come home with stacks and stacks of books every single time. When we get to the library the kids hunker down in this one row of books and just start stacking them up beside themselves as they go along. It's beautiful. I love that Jason gets to read to them in french more now. I'm very slowly learning to read french again as well which is great.

one day Atticus devised a plan that he can read multiple books at once if he sets them up together. Nicely done. But not very great for reading.

Atticus and Milayla decided one day that it was time to start putting up Christmas decorations. I told them we needed to wait a little longer. So they put up their lego tree in the mean time. So sweet.

Lots of picnics at the park!

And then getting to walk home with daddy when he meets us after work.

A good month. I could have done with less apartment visits but I think we did pretty good at finding a little balance and good ways to handle the full days. We did it!

General Conference, Apple Picking and Pie

On the first weekend of October every year (and the first weekend in April) we get to gather together with our family and our church community to listen to messages from the prophet of our church along with other leaders. The event is called General Conference. This year we were pretty excited to have the live broadcasts at times which made it possible for us to watch them live as opposed to watching them a but later via internet broadcasting. This also meant that we could gather together at our local meeting house with other members in the area and listen all together. It felt pretty special to be able to sit in the chapel with our family and the other families in our area. It was also the first year that the kids were able to watch all 4 sessions of General Conference and they were doing really well with recognizing some of the leadership. Not too shabby for a 2 and 4 year old. Their favorite part? Getting to watch President Monson wave to all the people in Conference building. It was a wonderful conference, as always, and I am looking forward to getting my conference issue Ensign so that I can start high lighting and studying (I think I'll get another one of those conference journals as well!). 

Well, to preface all those great conference session we woke up early to head out of the city to an apple picking farm. We lucked out and picked the perfect farm. It was nestled in some beautiful rolling hills that were covered in autumn colored trees. The drive was spectacular. The rain held off just long enough for us to pick a 20lb bag of apples (which we are still enjoying in various forms). We had a tractor ride out to the orchard and played on the great playground afterward. The fresh air and a little escape from the busy city was the perfect way to kick off the conference weekend. 

Then, between conference sessions, we made our conference apple pie on step at time. After all the sessions we all sat down and talked about our favorite parts of conference. Atticus is old enough now that he is starting to really remember our little traditions and I think it helps Milayla to get excited about them as well.

It was a great weekend and though it was very full between the apple picking and 4 sessions (plus the priesthood session for Jason) we really enjoyed the break from the very full days of trying to get familiar with Montreal and settle into our new home.

It was a great spiritual refill.

Now, enough with the randomly inserted apple picking pictures - please enjoy the photos of our apple collecting :)

LOVE those little pigtails that always seem to be falling out..

Atticus was in search of just the right apples to put into our pie

Look! more apples!

I wish you could see Milayla's facial expression in this one a bit better. It was priceless. 

Milayla decided to lick the apples that she picked before putting them in the bag. It's a good thing we've washed them before sharing :)

Everyone eager to head up the ladder

Trying to see where the good apples are

The Atticus and Milayla series: 

I love these kids.

Our tractor ride back to the farmhouse and playground. Beautiful surroundings!

Milayla LOVES these gumboots. They were perfect for marching around those rows of apple trees!

Having fun on the playground

I think I need some more practice at getting top crusts to work. But here is the pie before it went in the oven. I forgot to snap a photo of it after it was baked when it looked much more appealing.