I know nobody is perfect, but we all do our best don't we? Sometimes our best is extraordinary and noteworthy, and sometimes our best is managing to get everyone fed and that is it. Our Mothers, I think, are not truly appreciated until we ourselves have children. Kids don't notice that you give them the best berries from the basket, or the last bit of milk, or that the last sip from the water bottle when you are out. They don't know how sometimes it is hard to pay for a great daycare, though you manage - somehow. It is just not in them. They are, for the most part - ungrateful - and that is ok, cause if they were cognizant of all that mom does on a minute to minute basis they would all need therapy by age 5. So, I guess you just don't know till you are a mom yourself.
So on Mother's day I have a lot of mother's to think about.
My mom: is awesome. At 18 she decided that she could do it. That she could be a mother - and a great one. She made a home for us, that was filled with love, adventure and fun. We were always making things, playing outside, dreaming. She inspires me daily, and I strive to be like her - with my own kids.
She always made us the best halloween costumes, and encouraged us to build gnome homes in the snow. She also indulged our fashion sense and made us the formal dresses and fancy attire we desired. She also made us cabbage patch dolls, because the real ones were too expensive. We were ungrateful wretches! I look at that now and see all the time she put into those and it makes me weep.
My mom has taught me a lot of things, like drawing the sparkle in an eye, how to make french toast, the basics of sewing. She also taught me how to look at people, and that everyone is equal. She is a light, and everyone she knows sees it. When I visit her at work - I know. She is an easy person to love.
She made my world (with my dad of course) and it seemed easy - though I am sure it wasn't always.
My Auntie Cie. I remember snuggling with, and swinging in her colourful skirts. She always has a whimsy about her. She collect(ed) music boxes and trinkets, and always had candy on the table in a pot. I never felt unwelcome in her home. She was my go to - when I needed another place to go. She has always been there for me, and I have been happy to stand in as an honorary kid.
Oma, the grand Matriarch of our family - the glue - the amazing glue. I hope to have 1/2 the strength this woman possesses. She is full of stories, and love and yummy, yummy baking. A sounding board for all the grandkids, another place to be when others may be too prickly. Another door always open with a cup of tea.
All the women in my family (there a lot of us). You are beautiful and strong. And I like that I like you not just cause we are family. This journey of motherhood has been shared by several of us now, and I am amazed at how easily it comes to you all, and glad.
My mother-in-law, who is lovable, quirky and funny, and did her very best with almost nothing with two very busy boys. By herself. That is admirable, and I can't even imagine. I often think about her on the nights when Shawn is out and I am putting both the kids to bed. Single parents - my hats off to you!
My friends. Those whom I was really young with and still hold dear, some mothers, some aunties. You know who you are. You make me laugh. You know that even if we don't talk for months that I still love you and I know it is true of you also. You have been there through heartbreak and joy, through tragedy and
I have had a rip roaring good time illustrating this book - Don't Invite Dinosaurs to Dinner - it is the most art in the shortest amount of time I have ever done (my own fault) I promised I could. This one is written by Neil Griffiths and will be published by Red Robin Books this fall. Here are some images!
Today, mucking about in the garden we had the loveliest surprise... Lavender - the smell wafting around our feet. After a very long winter, we've FINALLY been out weeding, planning and preparing for this year's growing season. This year is so much different with Baby Z loving being outside and mucking around with her big bro.
Here is some new art for the book - Don't invite Dinosaurs to dinner (coming this fall) and my new venture - making tutu's (did you know I moonlight as a Fairy Godmother?).
I can't wait to post pictures of the new ones I have just made, all golds and red - and I've put a few surprises into the other ones... so if you know of any twirling kiddies, I may have just the thing for them!
I hope you are enjoying this first taste of spring (at least here) as well.
More art for new Dino Book... Red Robin Books - coming this fall.
This time last year I was pacing. In Labour. We had come home after spending the afternoon with our midwife, with instructions to have a glass of wine, some gravol and to get some sleep (my choice, in order to avoid the hospital and morphine). In hopes that our little girl would decide to flip in the night. A week long back labour - wrapping up. I was ready. Mo was dropped off at a friends house. The closing ceremonies for the Olympics on the TV. Me in the tub, trying desperately to find some measure of comfort in the 3 minutes I had between each contraction.
Then the voice from downstairs. Shawn. "Peg, We should go. They are really, really close together." Bags packed - again - we headed to the car. What ensued was a car ride I will never, ever forget. 170 kms an hour, I almost ripped off the fabric on the top of my car. The baby had seemingly flipped, and was trying to get out. We were 57 kms from the nearest hospital. My car has never gone that fast, nor had we ever run so many red lights. Thankfully, it was 3 am. I remember Shawn asking me if we should stop at the rest stop on the 401 to call an ambulance. I remember thinking, ' holy crap, we are going to have this baby in the car.' but not telling him.
The rest was right out of a movie. We pull up, crooked, in front of the hospital (the car stayed there till 7 am with no ticket). A wheelchair shoved at us as we came in and a dude who looked a little tipsy - saying - 'Hey, you are the 5th one tonight!'. And so I was. We are flying down the hallway to the elevator, the wheelchair is collapsing, shawn is running and my feet are dragging underneath. I can feel the giant bag of 'birthing stuff' I thought I'd need, massage oils, snacks - etc - bouncing behind Shawn. I am laughing hysterically and puffing at the same time. As the elevator door closes, I see our midwife running down the hall shouting - "I am here!".
We get to Connell 5 and a nurse asks me how dilated I am. Now that is a heck of a question. Most women I know do not know that info at the time, unless you have just been checked. Then I hear her tell the midwife there are no more rooms. So, into an assessment room we go - where we stayed till 9 the next morning.
I was pretty dedicated to a drug-free birth this time after what happened the first time, and thankfully there was no time for all of that anyway. It was go time. With no drip bag holder available, by hubby held the antibiotics up in one arm, while mopping my brow and feeding me ice. I am pretty sure he had eight arms that night. I loved him before then, but after that - he rocks my world.
Our little girl was ushered into the world that morning, 10lbs, 1 oz. With a broken collarbone and a need to be in ICU for almost a week. Time for us both to repair. I felt good. I felt strong. I felt lucky.
ICU is a hopeful, miraculous and very sad place.
Since then, she has not stopped moving. She is so tough. She rolled at 3.5 months and got around that way - until she started to crawl at 5.5 months - walking at 9.5 months and now she is unstoppable.
Tonight she tried to climb up her high chair for dinner, and then tried to climb in the tub for her bath.
Something tells me I will be chasing this little monkey around for the rest of my life.
Happy Birthday dear daughter. I love you.
I am please to announce my upcoming book - Tooter's Stinky Wish, by
Brian Cretney, published by
Fitzhenry and Whiteside. Coming this spring to a bookstore near you! Loved working on this book - fantastic art direction and great story - look for it soon!
It used to be that bedtime was a family ritual, that is, before there were four of us. We would take turns reading, all snuggled into our sons double bed. We'd tell stories in the dark and it was our time together, to end the day. When our daughter was born, I had to leave this cosy time - and join another one. Now, at bedtime, I listen to my husband and son reading together as I quietly nursnuggle (thanks Elaine) my little one... and I am amazed. The power a dad has when he reads with a child, esp a boy - is tremendous. He waits patiently for him to sound out the words. He reads the books that our son chooses and he never gets sucked into 'just one more book'. It is three Picture books, or chapters from a 'big kid book'. As I lie there, I think - he is teaching him - and doing it so well.
I miss it, and part of me looks forward to the time we can go back and forth, getting each child's special time - but for now, I will listen. It brings tears to my eyes I love it so much.
Then there is Valentine's day - and I wonder - when did loot bags start getting handed out? Seriously people! Kids don't need that junk, you know. However, I did bake cookies - lol. So I guess I am just as bad. Mo and I worked on valentines on monday (not a school day). I did give him the option of going in to 'buy' some, and he said NO. "Homemade one's are better, and we don't need to go shopping every day!" Amen to that little wise man. I will keep that one close.
Layers and layers of old wallpaper and boards, only to find a sketchy structure underneath... and a century worth of squirrel nests, and one not so lucky, kind of petrified, squirrel. That is what you get for chewing on wires. I can say we have truly evicted them from our house, for awhile there I was afraid they might never leave.
I am so excited I can barely stand it. The above pictures are what the room looked like before (was supposed to be an easy reno -
About 6 years ago, I was at the OEYC here in Napanee. I did not know anyone, had a small and demanding baby and was feeling quite lost and lonely during the day. There were not too many people I felt I could connect with, not too many breastfeeding moms, and it seemed my other parenting philosophies also put me in the minority.
But, I saw a few other women and for some reason I wanted to befriend them... and so, I did. The rest as they say - is history. There were 5 of us in the beginning, going to aquafit with our kids, exercise class, baby yoga, Snoezelin rooming, many picnics in the park and at each others houses. We've shared our heartbreak, our pain, our happiness, our homes, our fears and our triumphs. We have offered each other our undying support and shoulders for crying, laughing or resting heads. We've used our hips to carry each others children when extra help was needed. We have our trust. We have our friendship.
Last year we saw one of our group move to Holland. It was sad for us, but they have made their way very well. And we are glad of it but still miss them.
Today, another dear friend moves to the USA for a great opportunity for her husband and family. I cannot express in words how much she is going to be missed. She is the one I called in tears the first day my boy got on the bus. She sang for us at our wedding. She is someone I could always count on, who liked my kids and did not mind doing me a favour watching them. Someone who guided me when it came to cloth diapers (and saved me a pile of money by passing hers on). Someone who is always ready with a hug, and no judgement. I could go on...
Their moving leaves a big hole in our everyday lives. The energy of the boys, the photos her husband is sooo good at taking and, well - her friendship. I wish them well and I know we will see them in the future - but it will be difficult to just call and say, "Hey, wanna meet at the park for a picnic?"
We love you guys. Good luck in NY.
xoxox
Day two at Marysville PS was... awesome. The work the kids did was fantastic, and it seemed like they were having lots of fun. I Hope to have some pictures to show, but painting silly things in front of 16 kids at a time is thrilling, and then watching them go back and use what you have shown them is even more so. So, I thank the school for having me - and if you would like me to create a program to fit within your curriculum - drop me a line!
Today I was at
Family Space in Belleville - what a place! Belleville has to win hands-down as the most family friendly city. With the family bathrooms at the mall, awesome parks/skate parks... and Family Space, many rooms, lots of staff, fantastic programs - all under one roof. And to top it all off, one of Mo's favourite teachers froim his days at Loyalist works there. It was so nice to see her - and we will be going back to visit soon.
Tomorrow, we head to the Napanee Early Years Centre for one more reading for literacy week. I have to say - it has been fun, but I am TIRED, and I need some time at home to clean my house!
By: Peggy Collins,
on 10/12/2010
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New art for a Scholastic BIG book.... lots of fun.
We believe that a lot of movies - particularly the more violent ones - are not for little kids. Just a personal feeling that they are not really appropriate - ie. the ratings. Today, Mo came home talking about how he was playing at recess with the boys and they were playing Batman and Star Wars and he had no idea what they were. He played along for awhile, but the jig was soon up. Then, once again - he played by himself. Let me preface this and say - he JUST turned five.
Are we hampering his social development by making him the 'different' kid on the playground? Is his childhood going to be like mine? Amazing at home and terrible in the school yard? What are we to do? We read Roahl Dahl books (dark indeed), do not filter information about death and sickness, but explain it when asked. He watches the news with us, and we tell him the truth. He knows where his food comes from and where babies come from... and yet I feel like maybe, maybe we SHOULD let him watch these movies.
Then, this past weekend, we were at a beautiful wedding at Camp Wanakita. My Tent Sisters were there - fellow wild women of the woods (one was getting married), and my friends little guy - well - he is JUST LIKE mine. They played non-stop, in the sand, in the creek, in the trees. Not one mention of movies or superheroes, they talked bird calls and cool rocks. Too bad he lives all the way in Nelson, BC. They performed their made-up songs on the stage and ran themselves ragged at the party. SO neat to see, Mo has great friends - better than great friends, but this connection is was a rare jewel.
So, I guess, there has to be some sort of happy medium - but where is it exactly? In the meantime, well walk in the woods and enjoy some wholesome time - and let him just be a kid. Soon enough he will start arguing to watch things we don't agree with.
I am so excited to be going to Greenley's books again this Saturday, this time for my book -
In the Snow. Here is a fun activity you can do at home - build your own silly snowman!
So much has been going on, lots of exciting news... but not to share just yet... will keep you posted. In the meantime - enjoy these, and share with any teacher friends you may have. I am also now booking or school visits for 2011 - so email me today!
So much news to share, and no time to share it - just yet.
Wishing all of you the best Holiday ever, and a very happy New Year.
Please check back again in the new year for the unveiling of some exciting projects!
It has been awhile. I've been busy. Sick kids, sick me. Tobogganing, visiting, playing, visiting, celebrating, helping, sharing, loving... and all good things. But, now things are ramping up career-wise again.
It is ALMOST Literacy Week - which means a very busy time for me. I am excited this year, because I get to spend two days with an ENTIRE school, working on a very exciting project. I will be visiting The Marysville Public School on Wolfe Island for a book workshop. I am also visiting the Belleville and Napanee Early Years Centre's for stories and crafts.
Here is a bit of (AWESOME) news - In the Snow is in the January ELF Scholastic Book Club order. This is seriously something I have dreamed of my WHOLE life. Ever since I got my very first books from Scholastic - all new and shiny - just for me... I have wanted this. I am so excited, I hope it does well enough they will also sell In the Garden - we will see.
On the home front, we've decided that the best use for our back room is... drumroll please.... a STUDIO for me, and the kids. I could not be more thrilled. We were going to make it an adult space, but well - that is impossible right now, so we are moving me back there... it is magnificent, and almost done. Right now all my craft/art/easels are in our living space, my workspace had to move when baby #2 moved in - I happily obliged. But now, I get my very own work space, with room enough for a large work table and Mo's very own invention desk. Pictures to follow soon. Thank you to my dear husband who is doing the all of the work (and he is oh so talented). WAHOO!
Mo is reading, Zaley is walking and life is moving oh so fast. but fun.
Finishing up my first day of a two-day literacy workshop at Marysville Public School. Digesting what I learned, and hoping that the kids had fun. They certainly were excited! We're re-telling the folk tale the Enormous Potato... what they came up with was awesome - A leprochaun stuck in a pot of gold, the earth getting stuck in a black hole, an a moose stuck in a tree.. today they brainstormed, worked out the stories and started sketching - they are looking good!
A lovely school, small and intimate. Lovely teachers, funny kids. Looking forward to painting on Wednesday.
This is the first time I've done such a large group - so I hope it turns out well!
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0 Comments on Summer is Here... as of 1/1/1900
Way to go Peggy :) As mom's we do forget about ourselves, we put the kids first, and soon we are too tired to take care of ourselves. Soon your going to have this wonderful gift of extra energy....I think that's one of the best parts about getting fit...the energy...to not feel so dang tired all the time.
GO PEGGY GO :) :) :)