The Ultimate Bond

The past weekend I was sent a pre-screener for an upcoming CBC Documentary called Abandon Ship: The Sinking of the SV Concordia that will air Feb 10 at 9pm (and 10pm on Friday Feb 11th).  It tells the story of The SV Concordia a floating highschool that sunk February 17, 2010 when a freak weather phenomenon called a microburst hit the tall ship causing her to capsize with 64 souls aboard. Produced by Dianne Carruthers-Wood whose own teen daughter was aboard the ship at the time of sinking.

I watched the documentary with my 14 year old and we both laughed and cried and I encourage you to watch this with your teens. It really shows that the bond they formed on the ship was what kept them alive and safe. Watching this brought back many memories of my own teenage years and the opportunites I was given to encourage independance. I was fortunate enough to get to go away to various summer camps and then just after I graduated from highschool was given the ultimate experience of moving over 2000 km away from home to work at Walt Disney World and represent the Canadian Pavillion at EPCOT Center.

December 2011 will mark my 20th anniversary of my first day there, and believe it or not I still keep in close contact with many of my co-workers from that year. We formed a bond and closeness that year that is hard to explain. Perhaps it’s the same for university students going to school out of town? My husband also had a similar experience right after highschool when he joined the Naval Reserves and got to sail around the world in his summers while he was saving up for university. After my year there it changed my outlook on what I wanted to do as a career. I knew that I wanted to “make people’s day” not “break them”.

I hope that someday my own daughter will be ready to venture out on her own for more experiences like these. She’s a little timid when it comes to social situations, although this past summer she stepped out of her comfort zone and went to a Two-Week summer Camp. Even though the documentary features a very scary situation for these young people it also showed us that it’s made them stronger.  Sixteen of the student “survivors” from the Concordia returned to the program when their new vessel left this past September. They wanted to finish what they started.

Do you have an away from home experince that you think changed you or made you who you are today?

Karma

I totally beleive in the power of karma especially after reading this recent Story about a young Calgary Flames usher who held the 50/50 ticket for a season ticket holder when he had to leave the game early. His offer if he won, was that he’d split the winnings! That 50/50 was $27,000 and now this 19 year old plans to put it towards education!

Karma comes in all shapes and forms and it hits you when you least expect it. Just a few weeks ago my mother was trying to figure out what to do with her old washer and dryer that she was replacing. They both worked and she wanted to try and get some money for them, at least enough to cover the delivery of the new set to her house. She posted them for sale on local classifieds sites with no bites. The date was quickly approaching when she needed to have them removed and decided to just post them for free. A very nice man and his wife arranged to come pick them up from their basement as their’s just stopped working and they needed something right away. Here’s where Karma comes to play!

My mom knew this man looked familiar, turns out earlier in the summer my step-dad was having trouble opening his shed door in the driveway due to a hole in the ashphalt. A couple of houses down there were some contractors replacing pavement and he asked the foreman if he could have a small amount to fix the hole. This man did even better and brought a couple of wheel barrows up and smoothed it out for him and didn’t ask for a dime. That foreman was the same man who came and picked up the washer and dryer from my mom! I asked her afterward if she was upset that she didn’t didn’t get any money for them to cover the delivery charges and she said, “Nope this was an even better feeling to know that what goes around, comes around”.

One of our new Bloggers Melissa is going to be writing about up upcoming adventures in Giving Back and I have a feeling that she’s going to have a lot of positive energy and Karma coming her way this year!

CBC's Village on a Diet

Last Spring we watched the show Food Revolution hosted by Jamie Oliver. It was based in an American town in West Virginia touted to be the “Fattest Town in America”. He came in and educated families about eating healthy. We watched it as a family and learned a lot of the dangers of processed foods. We seemed to have lost that momentum though and a new year is a great time to get it back again, especially when we’re dealing with some health issues in extended family members and trying to help them. Perhaps we can lead by example.

Enter in CBC’s new series called Village on a Diet. It aired last night and I caught bits and pieces of the show in the background while I recorded it on the PVR. Tonight we’ll plan to sit down as a family and watch the show and discuss any changes we can make. We’re not overweight, but our diets could really use an overhaul. I want to involve the kids on making healthy meal choices as well. So after watching each episode I’m going to report back here with some of the changes we can make together. One top priority will be looking for diabetic recipes and learning more about a diabetic diet. We have two family members who have been diagnosed with Type-2 and we want to learn how we can support them as well.

I’m going to start my day today by taking The Body Age Test from CBC’s Village on a Diet Site. I’ll report back later to let you know my results. I’m kind of nervous…

OK I’m back to report my Body Age Test Results and the verdict is… 43! Which is 6 years older than my actual age of 37. I’ve got some work to do! I’ll see if I can get Daddio to do the test today as well and see what his results are.

Update: Hubby did the test and it’s official, I’m a cradle robber! His actual age is 40 and his body age is 34, I was actually surprised by these results as it’s his side of the family that has diabetes!

Warehouse Shopping: Friend or Foe?

So our lovely city got it’s first Costco at the end of May, before that we would have to drive at least an hour and a half to hit the closest one so we never bothered with a membership as it was closer to drive to the US for grocery deals and unique items.

Now that Costco is here, I’m having mixed feelings about it. For a large family like ours buying in larger size quantities from Costco has been cost cutting, but I’d personally rather be buying more local fresh products and less prepackaged convenience foods. I’m also a numbers person, I know my prices and what’s a good deal, but they often change their prices without notice. They get you hooked on a product at the lower price and when you return to get more it’s gone up in price. This I really don’t like about Costco!

So how do you make warehouse shopping work for your family? Do you stick to certain staple items and deal items, or do you get your entire grocery orders there each week? I can honestly say, I’ve rarely stepped foot in my regular grocery stores since they opened. The other hard part of shopping there is the impulse purchases made in the General Merchandise section. Hubby and I did manage to each get a new pair of prescription glasses at a  really great price.

So are you a fan of warehouse clubs, or do you find you end up spending more money in the end?

End of Summer Blues

 

I absolutely love summer and the sunshine. I’d be perfectly happy in a warm climate all year round, but alas I live in Canada a country with four distinct seasons. When mid to late August rolls around every year I get anxious and antsy knowing that if there are things I wanted to do or accomplish in the warmer months it’ll now have to wait until next year.

Some things I really wanted to accomplish this summer that will now have to wait:

1. Teaching Mr. L. how to ride his bike without training wheels.

- The odds were really stacked against us with this. Firstly Liam’s bike (that was given to us by a kind CPO’er) was stolen in broad daylight right from our driveway. Fortunately we did have  a replacement bike but he found it really hard to pedal. In the spring I had envisioned us hanging out at Harbour Passage taking family bike rides all summer, but this was also thwarted by overhead construction on the City’s Harbour Bridge closing down the Cranberry Trail for the entire summer and next summer too. Boo!

2.  Getting to PEI for Camping

-Although we did get to do two weekends of camping I would have really liked to camp over on PEI again. The last time we were over was the summer of 2008 for just 2 nights, it would have been great to spend an entire week at Twin Shores Campground, but vacation time did not permit this summer. Instead we were able to take a few long weekends camping in Sussex and at my mothers summer place in Wickham on the St John River. (see photo at the top of this post)

3. Magic Mountain in Moncton 

-Magic Mountain is Atlantic Canada’s largest waterpark and since the kids really enjoyed Calypso Park outside of Ottawa I thought it would be great to finally be able to take them to Moncton’s smaller scale version. I’m still a little optimistic that we may still be able to fit it in, as I just received some free passes from a friend and they expire on Aug 31. I won’t completely rule it out yet.

4. Having friends and their families over 

-Each summer I say we’re going to have more get-togethers with friends, but we never seem to make it a priority. Although this year these efforts may have been discouraged by number 5 and not wanting to have to crisis clean everytime we wanted to have anyone over.

5. Getting the house organized and decluttered 

-Last summer you may remember I hired a professional organizer to help me with some hotspots in the house, specifically the basement/family room area. I’m happy to say that this area, is still “relatively” decluttered. I can’t say the same for the rest of the house, especially the kitchen and my new pantry. As well since Costco opened in town, my fridge and deep-freeze could use a good once over.

6. Teaching the boys to swim independently

-I had high hopes that the two bigger boys would be swimming independently this summer, but we just didn’t get out to my dad’s pool enough. Sadly we only got one swim day in at dad’s all summer and Ciaran missed it as he had pneumonia. I had thought about enrolling the boys in outdoor lessons, but was worried that the weather may not cooperate and with my skinny little microboys they’d be freezing and not want to go on foggy or overcast days. This turned out to be a mistake as this has to have been the best summer we have had in 20 years in the city!

I know there’s lots of other things that I’m missing, but these are the things that have been weighing on me the most as summer winds down. I know we’ve been extremely fortunate this summer to be able to do a fair amount of travelling. We’ve been able to take advantage of some great travel deals and even got to take my mother-in-law on one trip with us to Sebago Lake in Maine while Kenz was away at summer camp. I just can’t get that nagging feeling that I didn’t get everything accomplished and it makes me just a wee bit sad.

-So long Summer Twenty Ten, you will be missed!

Your friend,

Cara

The Highschool Decision

How did this happen? How am I old enough to be the mother of a child going into high school?

This past week it has been High School Open House in our district. The grade 8 students are all invited into the area high schools each evening of the week where they showcase the benefits of attending each school.

Mackenzie has had her choice narrowed down between 2 schools that are within close walking distance (yay no more driving for me!) one of these school’s being her father’s high school and the other be my old stomping ground!

Tuesday evening was  the night we toured her father’s old school. To be fair I wasn’t feeling the best so I know my outlook on the school could have been a little more positive that evening. As well one the kids doing our tour was being really negative and complaining there were too many people on “his tour”. After we broke away from the tour things started looking up when we found the Art dept and Mackenzie found the Life Skills room handing out red and white cupcakes and little cartons chocolate milk. Since the school hallways are very narrow, I felt a little claustrophobic with the large crowds that attended that evening. All in all it was a positive experience for Mackenzie and she liked the school and that’s what matters most.

Last night we headed down to my old high school. Her dad wasn’t able to go as he needed to stay home with the boys. Once we walked in the doors so many good memories came back to me.  I tried to share a few with Mackenzie, but she seemed really annoyed with me so I tried to contain my excitement. The first part of the open house Mackenzie did not enjoy. The kids on the stage and their screaming and yelling and displays of “school spirit” were too much for her.  She does not do well with noise. Once the principal spoke and introduced some of the teachers we were given the option of doing a tour and going off on our own.  We decided since I knew the school quite well we’d just do our own tour. We met up with one of Mackenzie’s classmates and went on our way.

I guess one of the benefits of having a  child in your early twenties is that they have the opportunity to have the same teachers you had in school. In Kindergarten Mackenzie had a teacher I had in 4th grade, and I was surprised to see so many teachers at my old high school that were there when I was- who, I should mention still look exactly the same! I was also impressed by the resources that were now available at the school. A whole Math Help Dept and resource teachers that are accessible anytime and the International Baccalaureate Program including Art. The other school does not offer IB but may also have these resource opportunities but I didn’t see them showcased when we were there on Tuesday evening.

In the end I know it’s her decision, and I really hope that it’s her that makes the decision and not a group of friends. I guess secretly deep down inside I always just assumed she would have chosen the school I went to. I’m thinking she’s going to choose the other school and I hope she’s happy with her decision.

Here’s a photo I snapped last night in the Physics Lab, of Mackenzie with Mr Turner who happened to teach there when I attended.

There’s also a High School Q&A new at CPO this month, for other parents trying to help their kids make this important decision- be sure to check it out!

Savour the Baby Days

Yesterday while volunteering at our local Car Seat Safety Clinic, I got to hold a tiny newborn while his mom was busy with my fellow technicians. As I held this little seven pounder it brought me back to when my four were that small.  It seems so long ago that my youngest Finn was a newborn.  He’s quickly approaching three years old, where did the time go?

The first year of a baby’s life goes by so quickly yet when you’re in the midst of it seems to drag along and be never ending. The sleepless nights, teething, extra laundry, back to back nursing sessions and the countless diaper changes all seem like a distant memory now. If you’re in the midst of it all now and are burned out try and remember that you will get through it.  I made it through four times which still amazes me!

So my advice to you don’t rush the milestones with your babies. Enjoy this time with them knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t be in a rush to start those solids (many doctors are rushing these too early), or move baby to the next stage car seat (unless they exceed the weight or height limits of course) or don’t think you are doing something wrong because your baby is still not sleeping through the night.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned being the mother of four is that no two babies are alike. They will all do things on their schedule, now is the time to savour those quiet late night feeds and folding little onesies really isn’t that bad at all!  Trust me as your kids grow so do their clothes and your loads of laundry! Take the time to document this first year, take lots of photos and videos and write about this first year of your baby’s life.  I wish I had done more of this with my children.

So did holding that wee newborn give me any pangs for a number five?  Not on your life!  Finn’s name is short for Finn-ished!

Here’s a shot of Finn minutes old and now at almost three.  Believe me when I say the time has gone too fast!  Where did my baby go?

Remembrance Day- A Family Tradition

 

Remembrance Day has evolved into much more than wearing poppies and a moment of silence in my house, it’s become a day to remember family members who are no longer with us and cherish those who still are.
This family tradition started long before I met my husband Andrew and his family. Andrew’s maternal grandfather Charles, who served nine years as a trooper in WWII with the Princess Louise Dragoon Guard, had passed away on October 30th, 1988. Every year he had marched with the veterans in our local Remembrance Day ceremony. It was decided that since he was no longer able to be there physically, the family would all attend the ceremony and get together afterwards to visit his grave and have some soup. Twenty-one years later, this tradition still continues.

 

I first experienced the Annual McCormick Remembrance Day festivities in November 2003. (Although I had been in the family since 2002, our son Liam was born on November 9, 2002 and we weren’t released from the hospital in time to make it.) It has since become one of my favourite family traditions. A way to remember fallen heroes, lost loved ones and appreciate the extended family that you may not get to see as often as you’d like in these busy times.

Andrew’s uncle Ralph McCormick usually says a few words and then we all recite the poem, In Flanders Fields in English (and occasionally my daughter Mackenzie will say it in French). We then all attend the local Remembrance Day ceremony and meet up at a central spot to travel together by car (there’s normally six to seven car loads). Along the route we make stops for family members to pay respects to loved ones at different graveyards. Our last stop is at Andrew’s grandparents’ where we remove our poppies and place them on the memorial wreath.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow   
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)

After being outdoors in the chill of November we all return to Andrew’s aunt and uncle’s home (Judy and Gary Lockhart) for hot soup compliments of all of the family matriarchs, although the past few years I have been bringing my Buttercup Squash Soup by request! It’s such an honour to be included in this family event, one that I hope will continue on for many years to come!

Be sure to visit The Memory Project- Stories of the Second World War  where you’ll find the incredible stories of service and sacrifice which are currently being collected and archived by The Memory Project.

On the Teen Ride

From the time my daughter was little she’s always been so different from myself. A friend of mine whose daughter is a few months older always used to joke we got the wrong kids! Her daughter was always so rough and tumble and Mackenzie was always super careful didn’t really enjoy sports and was a real girlie girl unlike my Tom Boyish ways growing up. Over the years I’ve always heard how much my own mother and I were alike so I just assumed that Kenz would eventually gain some similar traits.  Can you believe that it’s taken me 13 years to finally realize that that’s not going to happen.

I think many parents have so many expectations for their kids, but so often their expectations are too high and just not realistic.  I was the social butterfly, always around a group of friends, talking on the phone, having sleepovers etc. Mackenzie is just as content to be with a bound sketchbook and pen or a good novel  off in the corner by herself.  Is she lonely? Perhaps.  Do I worry about her? On a daily basis.  The thing is I need to accept her for who she is for her to grow as an individual. I can encourage her strengths like art and protect her from the things that cause anxiety.  These things are the very things I thrived off of when I was her age, organized group activities.  We’ve tried to encourage her to join Cadets and that was a bust, sports are not her thing, so our next step is finding something that she loves and that is art.

From the time she was very young I knew she had a talent. This is one of her drawings that she drew for me at age three.  Most kids at three years of age are still content to scribble on blank pages, but not Mackenzie she wanted to create art. Over the years she has continued and amazes us daily with her creations.  She’s always very modest and self critical, I think this may be the sign of a true artist?

She’s now branching out to different forms of drawing she has a computerized drawing Tablet and uses photo shop to colourize black and white sketches.  It truly amazes me on a daily basis.  Here’s a few recent things that I grabbed to scan when she wasn’t looking. She hates praise and I’m not sure if she realizes just how talented she is.

Just Like Riding a Bike!

It looks as though I haven’t forgotten! One thing I had forgotten was just how much I love to bike ride! Earlier this week I mentioned I’d like to get the boys one of those Tag-Along bikes that attaches to the back of an adult bike. The next thing I know I get an email from Sarah that someone is selling one locally!

Here’s what they look like:

The Trail-a-Bike is made by Adams and meant for 3-6 year olds. They were introduced in 1986, so parents could have a safe way to enjoy longer bike rides without their child trying to keep up on their own bikes or for those still learning.  They also help in introducing “traffic safety”concerns as well.  Seeing that my boys are very small for their age, I know we’ll get lots of use out of it!  We already had a bike seat for Finn, so the plan is to get Liam confident with peddling  using the Tag-along and then move him to his own bike.

This afternoon Liam and I biked approx 2 kms!  I’m so proud of him and he did really great!  This is a boy that’s never even used a bike with training wheels before!

Here’s  a shot I took of us of our reflection in one of the windows of Saint John’s new Cruise Ship terminal on Water Street.

Over the past few years we’ve been fortunate enough to have a fantastic new trail system evolving right along the harbour front dubbed the Cranberry Trail due to it’s red asphalt, but it’s official name is Harbour Passage.  It welcomes biking, walking, running and also my favourite- inline skating. I started inline skating about 17 years ago when I lived in Florida, but did not really have a great place to skate here at home until Harbour Passage came along, nor did many others in the area skate.  Now at any given time you’ll pass by someone inline skating on the “Passage”.  I’ve decided that I’d like to get out at least 3 times a week and either bike or skate during the fair weather season, wish me luck!