Parenting and a Sweet Baby

This is not my typical post but I saw a couple of things recently that I thought others might find interesting. I caught the tail end of a documentary about parenting on Doc Zone. It is called Hyper Parents & Coddled Kids the little blurb explained that it explores the cultural pressures on parents to be hyper-parents and the impact it has on their children.  It basically talks about a tendency to over parent.  Since I only watched the end, I went and looked online to see if I could find the rest and I did.  If you so inclined have look and you can watch the whole episode. (Since I am an SFU alumni, I was also happy to see clips of it in the documentary).  I found it really interesting.

Hyper Parents & Coddled Kids - Doc Zone | CBC-TV

The second item, is a blog I found this morning about sweet baby Avery, it is written by her parents who are trying to bring awareness to the genetic disease SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy).  In addition, her parents are trying to live life fully as a family with whatever time they are given with their daughter.  I'm at a bit of a loss to describe this properly, so just jump over using the link and have a look.

Avery's Bucket List: SMAvery :`

My sweet babies.

Ethan's New Pillow

Don't let the smile in the above picture fool you.  Like every parent, I enjoy choosing and making things for my children for their birthday.  I take joy in "knowing" my daughter and finding something that I think she will  like and even become special.  A week ago today was Hannah's third birthday.  To mark that special day I came up with a brilliant idea.  Not only did I think it was fantastic but all those I told thought it was great too.  I was jazzed.  So excited I pleaded with Andrew to give it to her on her birthday and not at her party.

You see I took Hannah's shirt, the one she called her favorite and most perfect shirt, in all the drama that only a 2 year can come up with and made it into a pillow. The shirt that had special meaning for me as well because "You Are My Sunshine" is our special song.  Here is a couple of pictures of her wearing her green shirt.

Recently, the shirt had become too small and I thought a pillow would be great way to keep this favorite around.  The night of her birthday Hannah was handed the gift bag with the pillow while I sat perched on the couch ready to snap that picture of her face when she saw it.  She was excited as she pulled it out and looked at me, smile stretched across her face.  Then she said it.  I knew she didn't understand.

She looked at me and earnestly and said "I love Ethan's new little pillow".  I tried to explain to her that it was her pillow and that I made it with her special shirt.  But she looked confused and repeated.  "I will put in Ethan's crib, its his little pillow".  Andrew tried to explain.  It didn't matter she already had it fixed her mind.  A couple of days later I tried to explain again.  But this time she wouldn't even entertain the possibility of questioning the pillow's ownership.

She put her hands on her hips, and wore an angry face.  If you know Hannah you know this look well and she said:

"It's Ethan's pillow and I.....DON'T.....WANT......IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope Ethan likes his new pillow.

Wordless Wednesday

Hannah is 3

This weekend was spent (in addition to Easter) Hannah's 3rd birthday.  The weather was perfect and I know that Hannah really enjoyed her party being surrounded by friends and family who love her.  Here is a look at her day with pictures.  If you make it to the bottom you will find Hannah's basket photos.

I love this photo.

Basket Photos:  I love taking these pictures.  I can see how much the kids are growing.

See the previous basket photos click here

Letter T wrap-up/Letter U preview

It's been a busy week, but I managed to get things ready for the letter U.  Better late than never, or maybe they are just early for next week. This past week was spent getting ready for both Hannah's birthday, Easter, as well as a follow-up on Ethan's eye.  The follow up it's self was an easy half day gone.  Here is a review of some of the things we did for the letter T:

Triangle file folder game was a big hit

This picture was taken while Ethan was still my little pirate boy and I wondered if that made it more difficult to string the beads but he did just fine.

Here is Hannah's tool belt.  As soon as we put it on and I snapped the picture she promptly took it off so I could  "hang it up"

Playing with their letter box.

This activity was their combined favorite.  I drew a capital T on their piece of card stock, after which they taped on pieces of scotch tape and painted their picture.  When it was all dry, Hannah and Ethan peeled of the tape and I cut them out.

Here is a look ahead at the Letter U:

Letter Box: Upside down, umbrella, letter U and the u bean bag.  There is also a red bridge block with a button UNDER it.

Match the smarties under the cup matching game.

Letter U craft, when we finish gluing it together, Hannah and Ethan can fingerprint on some rain.(Source: No Time For Flash Cards)

Dotting and Pinning the Letter U

Umbrella matching puzzles, to make it a little more interesting I added the foam shapes to put on top of the puzzle pieces.(Source: Confessions of a Homeschooler)

Happy Easter,

Kristina

Wordless Wednesday

First Haircuts

We finally (mommy finally) decided it was time for some hair cuts.  Hannah and Ethan have never had their hair cuts and so I was a little hesitant.  I didn't want to cut Hannah's hair because I didn't want to loose her curls.  Ethan's was delayed over and over because I knew once he had a hair cut he would look like a big boy.

Before: Hannah

Before: Ethan

 During

After: Ethan

 After: Hannah

I think they turned out well.  Best part; the place we took them doesn't charge for first haircuts.