As the school year comes to an end, I know many parents (let’s be honest, in most cases it is the moms) are once again trying to come up with way to recognize their child’s classroom teacher. And as a full time Kindergarten teacher that has taught over 2 years during a pandemic, I do feel spoiling the teachers, support workers and other hardworking individuals in the schools should be a priority.
Ever since I can remember I loved to dance. When my cousins and I were younger we would make up dance routines and put on shows for the family. And even though I was a bit of book worm in high school, one of my favorite memories were the jazz classes and performances I did with my bestie at the local Community Centre. In University, you could find me every Thursday night at the SFU pub dancing to hip hop with my friends. Dare I say I even won one of their booty shaking contests (I hope my father isn’t reading this). Needless to say, dance, music and movement have always brought me joy and has been part of many of my happiest memories. Fast forward to present day, when life has definitely changed as a raise two children in my early forties, and dance is the one constant that helps me regulate my body and release all the stressors in my life. In recent years, as I grapple with my anxiety and navigate a broken mental system in our country, I can say with all honesty that dance and its community has saved my life and I have the people at Formation Studio to thank.
I think many mothers would agree that 9 times out of 10 you are the one behind the cameras taking photos of your kids and / or your kids with your husband. And then the 1 or 2 times you decide to get in front of the camera, the photos you get are rushed or awkward because weird, one of your kids is probably whining about needing a snack or your husband just isn’t all that great with his iPhone and takes the worst shots (sorry Mr. Wright). Or maybe you don’t get in front of the camera because you don’t feel all that attractive since having kids and don’t want that self to be documented. So then we just stay behind the camera, ultimately missing out. Been there, done that too my friends. Well, I am encouraging you to reevaluate and at the end of the post, I am doing a giveaway so maybe we can change that.
As I am sure many of you can relate to, while we social distance at home, I am trying to occupy the kids with different activities. With a three and a half year age gap, it isn’t always easy to find something they both get into. So when I challenged them to create the alphabet and numbers with building bricks, I didn’t know what to expect.
I was so excited when my brother and sister in-law announced they were having a baby. Not only would that mean a cousin for my kids to grow up with, but another baby for me to snuggle and love. And of course, when my sister in-law said she really wanted a sloth theme, I knew it would be fun to join in the planning.
I recently hosted a Halloween Party for my daughter (see the Ghoul Squad Halloween Party) and I was looking for easy treats to serve to her and her little friends. I decided to use my base as various Oreo cookies so it was consistent on the dessert table. I also added some vanilla cupcakes and bought a small cake that one could easily make. Since they were all a hit, I thought I would share them all with you here.
My daughter recently started Kindergarten and since I work full-time, I haven’t been able to meet most of her new little friends or their parents. I decided Halloween presented the perfect opportunity to host a small gathering to bring the parents and girls together in a social and fun environment. And of course, what a better way to celebrate with 5 year olds girls than dressing up, playing games and decorating cookies.
Back to school sure does creep up fast a furious after the summer break. Within in just a couple of days, families go from slow beach or lake days to setting alarms and rushing back into morning routines and school drop offs and pick ups. Then parents are bombarded with paperwork and communications from the school of all the things young and old students need and forms that need to be filled out and returned ASAP.