what to teach about christmas

since writing this blog there has been so many things i've wanted to comment on during the day, but when the evening comes and the kids are in bed i'm usually planning the next day in my head. i hope that as my writing skills develop and i get into a better habit of writing to this blog, i'll be able to record more of the precious moments and small miracles which are such a a large part of my family life.

that being said, i've had quite a philosophical collection of thoughts today. christmas. how do i make christmas, christmas? what family traditions do i want to create or pass on? what "meaning" do i want to teach to my children about christmas? do i teach them about the story of jesus christ? do i engage them in the fantasy of father christmas? what's more, how can i teach my children about religious tolerance and social inequality? how can i teach them about the gift of giving and the art of receiving?

maggie will be three and half this christmas and she is much more aware of her surroundings than last year. she is beginning to notice differences between herself and those around her from skin color to physical size, sex and age. i am yet to come up with a way to help her understand that there are those who are less fortunate than us and those who are more fortunate than us. nore have i figured out how to teach her about the story of jesus let alone which version (1st testament, 2nd testament, koran...). for right now, i am settled on introducing and keeping a few family traditions this year -- chistmas light walk on christmas eve, cookie baking, tree, etc.

there is one thing i know of for sure. chistmas is a time to let those you love, know that they're loved, thought of and cared for. it's all about spending time with people, making a phone call, sending a card or email. it's about connecting with yourself and with others.

becoming mom

on becoming a mom i have lost -:

sleep
all inhibitions about bodily functions and crevices
fear of spiders and other creepy-crawlies
modesty
and casual acquaintances


on becoming a mom i have gained -:

a few pounds and grey hairs
a sense of humor
true friends
stellar arm muscles

and a profound sense of being.

What I want for my children

so my big sister is coming out to visit me and i am addicted to checking her myspace profile. i think i've practically ingested every single detail she's added or changed. i love her so much. i always will. sometimes i'm enamored by her, sometimes i want to shake her by the shoulders and ask her "why!?' i've no doubt her mind boggles over the things i do too and given the things she has said and done for me, i am certain she loves me unconditionally too.

however, growing up we were often at odds with each other. when i became a mother i became fearful that it would be the same for my children. i was concerned for the hurt and pain my children might bring on each other and the hurt and pain eric and i might unwittingly put upon our children. ever since my first child was born i have been conscious of the inevitable second child that we dreamed of having and sought a "magic ingredient" that will teach my children the ways of "getting along" rather than fighting and abusing or bullying each other through their growing years.

today i had an epiphany about it all while i was browsing my sister's myspace profile. the bottom line is that despite everthing, from the small stuff to the big stuff, the protective love i have for my sister has been unfaltering. despite the distance between us, figuratively and literally, we are sisters and we are there for each other when it really matters.

So, while i hope for a peaceful household of loving siblings -- what i will strive for is the same kind of love my sister and i share.

more of the same

nothing new to report about today, but there has been a few lovely moments.

maggie asked me today if we were "in a pile of cars" when we were stuck in some traffic. it was lol funny when she said it. so, so cute. i also weighed ryan today and he came in at 15 and a half pounds! such a giant -- he'll be three months in five days. there's still no telling what he'll look like when he's maggie age, he seems to be changing every day in one small way or another. he's holding on to his hair well, but it's definitely falling out. and i just love his smiling dimples that he flashes with his big gummy grin – it's one of the few traits i can lay claims to.

i managed to do a very simple yet overwhelming thing tonight -- i put together a tasty, fresh and healthy meal for everyone. tilapia fish with a parmesan dressing, brown rice and a yummy green salad. ooh it was good. much better than ordering in :-) the fish dressing was a little on the salty side for my taste but we all gobbled it up.

now what to cook for tuesday's dinner. i love my fish but i'm thinking of looking for a nice veggie dish....

a good conversation

i have five minutes here and wanted to document the wonders a good conversation can do for the soul.

i just got back from picking up maggie at her pre-school and got talking to two other mothers. it was just small talk, but it did wonders for my spirit. i think it's because the other mothers were quite like myself. no pretensions -- just basic good people.

it feels good to know there are others like yourself out there.

everyday, something new.....

maggie climbed out of the bath tub on her own today while i was in her bedroom, fixing it up for her bedtime. she has grown, grown, grown. she managed to climb in and out several times (with me present this time) and showed me just how easy it was for her to do.

mental note to self -- don't leave maggie alone in bathroom. ever.

i have also discovered why it is that maggie insists on leaving the bedroom light on a low dim. so she can see her books. not because she's afraid of monsters in the closet or under her bed, but so she can see her books.

ahhh. bless her little cotton socks

so i'm thinking...

so i'm thinking.... i need to get in shape. i'd say back in shape, but that wouldn't really be very honest. i don't think i ever been physically fit. i've lucked out with good genes which have helped me keep a slender statue but that's about it. i'm interested in getting a new book "you are what you eat" based off a u.k. tv show (thanks for the rec. jojo).

i realize, of course, the effort really needs to come from within and i think i'm at a place in life where i can really apply myself to the task. generally speaking i do try to choose healthy options but you can only have so much take-out for that to still be true :-). i usually also only eat when i notice i'm hungry which is often right after i notice that i'm feeling irritable -- not good.

my first couple of goals are to do with my general eating habits. my plan is to eat at regular intervals (actually having breakfast would be a good start), include more fruit and veg in my diet and drink more water. the long term goal is to provide healthy and quick "no fuss" meals at home for myself and growing family as a everyday occurrence and less of a momentuous occasion -- a task i find much more daunting and overwhelming than any other.

so, i guess i'll be blogging my progress from time to time on here.... anyone got some recipies they want to share?