March Break mid week update

Tuesday -
Things accomplished: vacuuming, picking up all the toys left around the house, laundry
Moments of Fun: Twoonie matinee and lunch at a friend's place
Wednesday -
Things accomplished: hockey chauffeuring
Moments of Fun: Birthday morning for my now 6 year old!  SeaDogs hockey game in the evening
 

March Break Monday

Today marks the first official day off of March Break - yes I know the weekend...blah, blah, blah. But today was an actual day off.
Things accomplished: oil change on car and engine checked over
Fun extra for the kids: public skate for the boys and finished my movie with my 8 year old.
Not a bad start.
 

Just the two of us

Tonight, my hubby was out (working). And I had one of those brilliant mom moment ideas. I caught the attention of my oldest child and whispered in his ear, "Let's get the little ones to bed and then you and I can have some Mom and kid time". He beamed at this. Normally, I'm the pretty strict bedtime kind of Mom, but it's March Break, let's bend a few rules. I sent my oldest (8) downstairs for his own devotional time while I did bedtime with my younger two. Once they were all tucked up tight for the night and I was pretty sure they were actually sleeping and not just fake sleeping, I crept downstairs myself. I sent him back up on a few secret missions with the warning that if he woke his brother or sister the game would be over. He brought up my laptop and our movie while I made hot chocolate and caramel popcorn. We then snuggled up in my room and had a little cozy time, just the two of us. Sometimes I need that reminder that parenting is not all about keeping the rules and routine. Sometimes the best parts are the moments we take advantage of just to enjoy. This is one of those memories.

March Break for a Hockey Mom

While many friends are saying hello to sunny beaches or outlet malls, this March Break we are all about hockey.  With 2 in hockey this was bound to happen sooner or later.  My oldest (8) is really taking up most of our hockey time, but my littler guy (5) has his own this week too.  Our March break started off like this:
Saturday - J hockey at 9, E hockey game at 10:45 - different arenas in different cities (half an hour away)
Sunday - E hockey academy at yet another arena

And continues on like this:
Monday - E hockey practice at yes, that's right the 4th arena
Tuesday - our day off - twoonie matinee at the theatre with friends (Rise of the Guardians)
Wednesday - E - hockey academy at lunch, followed by regular hockey practice at supper, followed by an evening of watching our local hockey team with E's hockey team, and they are picking up the Chuck A Pucks at the 2nd intermission
Thursday - E - hockey tournament, yet another arena
Friday - E - more of the same tournament
Saturday - E hockey practice at 8:15, J hockey at 9 - different arenas, different cities
Sunday - E hockey academy
Total arenas: 6
Total towns: 4
Happy March Break everyone! 

 

Busy Teacher Mom

It is currently 11:26pm.  I am exhausted and wondering 'how did this happen exactly?'  Let's rewind:
2:15-all the students have left on the busses for home.
2:15-3:30 - return phone calls and emails, photocopy, lesson plan, mark, consult with other teachers
3:30 - head for home
3:40 - kiss kids and husband, pet dog - return phone calls and emails at home, sign field trip permission form
4:15 - get kids going on their chores, fold laundry, match socks and put away.  Assist daughter in cleaning up her 'I can do it myself messes'
4:45 - call my parents to chat while doing laundry-talk to my dad for a few minutes, mom will call back later
5:15 - visit with husband as he finishes up supper (thank goodness it is his night to cook)
5:30 - read with my kindergarten son and help him practice his words of the week
5:45 - supper - tacos!
6:10 - sit for a few minutes - chat with my daughter, catch up with my boys
6:30 - send the kids upstairs to pick up any messes and to put away their laundry
7:00 - answer phone, (my mom). Promise to call back later
7:02 - bedtime stories, cuddles and talk time with my kids
8:00- phone rings - chat with my mom and start marking math
8:40 - finish catching up - still marking math
10:00 - marking finished - takes notes on benchmark results and begin planning how to reteach math strategies
11:00 - go say goodnight to husband - in shock as I realize the clock says 11:03
11:05 - kiss husband goodnight - head upstairs, put on PJ's, brush teeth and get ready for bed.
11:26 - quick blog
11:41 - goodnight

Minnie Mouse Birthday Party!

My daughter was very clear about wanting a Minnie Mouse party for her birthday. This is the first year that she was inviting her little friends over for her birthday. So how in the world was I going to keep a group of 3 and 4 year olds busy indoors in January without spending a fortune? The last time I threw a party for a three year old, it was for my oldest child who has the good fortune of being born in July so everything was outdoors and in the sprinklers. January is not so cooperating. I decided to plan simple, classic activities. Knowing that at this age the parents stay helped too.

Setting the party scene

Pin the tail on the donkey is classic birthday party fun.  I have done many variations of this including pin the tooth on the T-Rex and put the clue on Blue.  This time it was Pin the Bow on Minnie Mouse.  I found a picture of Minnie online and started drawing on a sheet of poster paper.  I drew bows and cut them out at hockey practice one morning before the party.  Because the kids are young they had the option of playing or not playing, and being blindfolded or not. 

Minnie Mouse drawn by me for Pin the Bow on Minnie!

We wanted to put a few girly touches into the party.  I made three of these tissue paper flowers.  I put one up in the kitchen, one at the living room window and one on the hall light.  They are super cute and super easy to make.  Here's where I found the directions.  In fact my friend Krista loved them so much she asked me to show her how to do it and made a bunch for her daughter's princess party a couple of weeks later.

Giant Tissue Paper Flower

One thing I love about the dollar store is that it is easy to find party things.  I did find Minnie Mouse plates, napkins and cups.  I also bought a pink tablecloth, the tissue paper for the flowers, pink streamers and a few pieces of poster board.  I used the black and pink poster board for the Minnie "Toodles" on the window.

The food table

Candy Hunt for the treat bags

As far as activities went, I found these colour on bags to use as their treat bags.  I had them ready for the kids to colour as soon as they arrived.  I had also hidden candy treats all over the kitchen and living room for the kids to find - kind of like an Easter Egg hunt.  Once they found all the candy and put it in the bowl I split it evenly between the lot of them. 

Eat the doughnut off the string - no hands!

This activity was really cute and a lot of fun.  I had seen it on Pinterest as an outdoor game.  They had it as "The Doughnut Tree".  I adapted it for the indoors.  I secured a line of ribbon across the end of the room and tied doughnuts on strings to it.  We made sure the doughnuts were hanging at mouth level for the kids.  I also put a tablecloth on the floor to contain the crumbs.  The kids went away at trying to eat their doughnut without touching it.  What a hoot!

Fruit Loop Necklaces

We also went for the classic Froot Loop Necklace, which was a much quieter, but still fun activity.

Never underestimate the joy of putting out a bunch of balloons and putting on some dance music!

My husband thought I was nuts when I said one of the activities would be just letting the kids dance with balloons but it was probably the favorite activity of the day.  You just have to be prepared for a little craziness!

The Cake

Once these activities were done, we had the food (cheese pizza from Costco, some chips, fruit and veggies and apple juice), cake (homemade - check out the details here) and opened presents.  And that was it.  A successful 3 year old birthday party.  Kept it on budget and still a lot of fun!
 

One of those days

I've been having one of 'those days' - and then I saw this. It made me smile. Enjoy!