City scene by Benjamin

I came home one day to this really beautiful piece of art by my son Benjamin. He and our caregiver had built this little town completely out of the backs of cereal boxes, paint, felts, scissors, glue and tape. It took them all afternoon, and even when it was "finished," Benjamin was still fiddling around with it in order to make it "perfect."

Try something like this with your kids! My 3-year-old daughter Lauren joined in on the fun and made her own simpler version of Benjamin's town.

I did a bad thing

Apparently. I didn't think it was so bad until my husband chastised me for it after I told him what had happened.

So I was dropping off my 6-year-old son Benjamin to his first-grade class. We got to the door of his classroom and Benjamin just ran in. I looked around and realized I hadn't said, "I love you" to him yet. So I did what every loving mother would do: I called "I love you" in through the classroom door. After waiting 3 seconds for a response and not getting one from my little boy, I decided to try again. This time, much louder. It is reasonable to, when you think someone hasn't heard you, speak louder, right? Right.

"Benjamin, I lo-o-o-ve y-o-ou!" I yelled out again, this time poking my head into the classroom. I got a peek at his face and he was within earshot, but his face was blank and he still didn't answer me with his usual, "I love you, Mommy."

Luckily, his teacher Mr. R. came to the rescue. Mr. R. cupped his hands around his mouth (you know, to get more volume, like using a megaphone), and bellowed out, "Benjamin, say 'I love you' to your mom!" That did it. Benjamin very obediently and quickly said, "I love you, Mommy."

Nothing wrong with that right? We were merely expressing our love for one another. The world could use a little more love.

Not so, says my husband, especially when we're expressing it out loud in front of his entire class. It's embarrassing, he says, for our first-grader. Which would explain the delayed response to my repeated 'I love yous'.

I have to be honest. I didn't like this lesson from my husband one bit. I still think what the world needs now is love sweet love, and my children are going to be the happy (and maybe a little embarrassed) recipients of my love sweet love because I say so.

The Mommy-Please-Don't-Go Blues

My 3-year-old has got it bad. This week, she decided, after 3 years of being easy-going, that she doesn't want me to go anywhere anymore. Her favourite (and not very effective, but hey, she's 3) techniques for keeping me at home?
• Shutting the door to whatever room I'm in so I can't get out
• Hiding my shoes
• Lying on the mat by the front door so as to block my way out (she also claims she can't move her arms or legs as she lies prostrate)
• Pleading with me thusly, "Mommy, please don't leave me. I love you so much. I will be so sad without you!"
• Asking me for a hug to say goodbye and then hanging on for dear life and refusing to let go.

And, her fallback technique...
• Crying her eyes out and clinging to my pant leg as I try to walk away -- almost always with tears in my eyes.

Multi-season Sleep Sac by Agoo is pure genius

Have you seen the 3-in-1 Sleep Sac by Agoo? It's pure genius. The features of this Sleep Sac make the product perfect for any season.

1. For winter months, just put in the quilt insert.
2. For fall or spring, use the lighter fleece layer instead.
3. And for summer, use no insert.

Et voila. There you have your 3-in-1.

Other features include snaps on the side and a zipper closure at the bottom so you can put baby in and take baby out easily.

Sleep sacks are a great way to keep baby cozy and comfy without using blankets, which experts warn could be a SIDS risk.

The Agoo 3-in-1 Sleep Sac retails for $129.95. It is available in blue or pink and comes in one size.

SuperSunday, Super Fun!

I took my preschooler and first-grader to SuperSunday at the Vancouver Art Gallery this past Sunday, and it was a blast! Art-inspired projects for kids to participate in included: drawing, painting, collage, building... there was more than we could have possibly taken part in. There were different stations for different activities. When we got to each station, we were given a little direction and then the kids were set free to create as their hearts desired. The volunteers walked around to give lots of positive feedback as the kids did their thing, and offered a helping hand where a helping hand was needed. It was fabulous!

It all took place right in the gallery, on each of the 4 floors. We really liked going from floor to floor, because you had to walk through the exhibitions to get to the next thing, and seeing different artwork elicited lots of questions from my kids.

We spent 1-1/2 hours there only because we had another thing to get to. But if my children had their way, we would have spent hours there. In truth, I could have spent much longer there too. I have a little creative side too, and just loved being able to express it in this encouraging environment.

SuperSunday happens the 3rd Sunday of every month, from 12 to 5 pm. Cost is $12 per adult; kids under 12 are free (donations to cover the cost of materials however are gratefully accepted). Admission is free for members.

Early Start Mandarin Bilingual Program for public schools!

I just learned about this movement to get Mandarin taught in Vancouver's public schools for K to Grade 3, and I am excited. Personally, I'd love my children to learn Mandarin while they're young -- research shows that younger children learn a second language more easily than when they're older. So, here's the 411 on how to be part of this initiative.

Early Start Mandarin Bilingual Program in Vancouver Public Schools
Mandarin is the most spoken language in the world today and early immersion is the key to lifelong fluency. Do you want your child to get a head start on learning? We are working with the Vancouver School Board to launch an Early Start Mandarin Bilingual Program for Kindergarten to Grade Three, beginning in September 2009. Find out how you can be part of making this program a reality for your child!

Parent Information Session
Tuesday, September 30, 7:00pm
Kensington Community Centre
5175 Dumfries Street, Vancouver (at Knight Street and East 37th Ave)
Email RSVP to parents4mandarin@yahoo.com

For more information, please visit:
www.mandarinforbcschools.org

Happy REAL New Year

I don't care what anyone says. September 1 marks the start of the real New Year. It's when school starts. It's when the weather suddenly changes. It's when we our kids begin all their new activities.

So, Happy New Year, everyone!