Practicing Conversation

“Mommy, when I go to Winter Camp today will I know anyone? Asks Ronin.
“There might be some kids from Hockey.” I say.
“Mommy, lets practice conversation so I know how to make friends.” Says Ronin.
“First, baby you can ask a kid his name and then if he likes hockey.”
“Okay. Mommy I be me and you be you. Hi!” says Ronin
“Hi!” I say
“Do you like hockey?”
“Yes I do” I say.
“I play in Dollard at the civic center and I have a Montreal Canadiens jersey.” Says Ronin.
“See Ronin you can do this.” I say.
“Yes and I can also talk about Star Wars and playing soldiers in battle.” Say Ronin.
“Do you feel better now?” I ask.
“Yeah. Let’s go already!” Ronin races to the car.
Thank G-d for my well adjusted 5 year old.

An elf took Ronin's Santa letter

We put up our Christmas tree yesterday. The kids loved it. Autumn sang Hanouka songs the entire time. I couldn’t stop laughing. Ronin wrote a letter to Santa and placed it into the Santa letterbox we have hanging from the tree. The picture that he had drawn was of the family and Santa with a BIG bag full of presents for us because we have been very good this year.

“I helped Daddy move to Montreal, and I help teach Autumn a lot of stuff all the time!’ said Ronin. This morning Ronin ran over to the tree and told me “Daddy has a secret connection the Santa’s elves. An elf picked up my letter and Daddy said that the elf brings Santa all the last minute letters. It is lucky that we are in Montreal and so close to the North Pole now.” Said Ronin.

Looking outside it looks The North Pole.

CPE Hebrew Foundation for Autumn

I am such a good mom. I am. I want Autumn an Ronin in the best daycare that I could afford. When we arrived in Montreal we placed them into a daycare with one of their cousins. Within two week and seventy calls later I got them into another one, which was much nicer. They are very happy there. Ronin is learning a lot of French and Autumn is experiencing full time school in a very nurturing environment. In August I placed Autumn again on the waiting lists for the Jewish daycares. I applied and sent in all the applications. I followed up. Today Autumn got into the CPE Hebrew Foundation Pre-K for August 2011. I have already applied for Ronin to attend the Kindergarten in the fall as well. I am thrilled. Everyone will be learning Hebrew, French and English. This is a good day.

Hanouka Day 7

Last night Autumn and I played Princess Barbie’s. She changes their diapers and “they play in he pink car.” Autumn loves her Princess Barbie’s and calls them “my friends, mon amies”. Right now her favorite is Ariel. Ronin really likes Jasmine. He likes “her long hair and special earrings. Makes her a little more fancy you know.” Snow White gets playtime but she is definitely a rung below Belle.

Autumn:
“Momma, I love Hanouka and my presents. I love my friends and snow and pink. My Ronin is my best friend. Where Leno going?” and she chases after the cat and “wants to pet her soft on the fur.” As Autumn disappears I hear a meow and a giggle and realize that Autumn found Leno under the table. “Her tail is moving Momma.” Autumn says. “Be careful Autumn. Don’t make Leno stressed. Her tail moves fast when she has the stress,” Ronin informs us all.

First serious snowfall in Montreal Dec 7, 2010

I am being punished I know. The first snow in Montreal was billed at 2-4cm. After I googled and consulted Facebook friends (thank you Janet Blank) Okay 2.5cm = 1 inch. I woke up to 17-18cm. What the f is that? My addled brain calculated 7-9 inches. G-d I miss my inches and feet and my Fahrenheit.

So why am I being punished? Since that was my basic premise here. This is why. I have a temper and say things I shouldn’t say. Like this morning Ronin lost Autumn’s new Hanouka present from last night. When approached Ronin said he didn’t touch it. I had already scolded him for playing with it at 6:30am this morning and waking her up.

He did and was careless. I said “Maybe we should go into your room and throw away one of your toys?” I did this to inspire him into movement. I wanted him to care about finding something that he lost that belonged to Autumn. But it didn’t. I found the toy, which annoyed me more as I hate being annoyed over lost toys. Too petty for me but it drives me bonkers! So Ronin was annoyed at me for being mean and I was annoyed at Ronin was not caring and the snow came and punished me.

But we sang the shma the entire way there and we arrived just fine. Took me an 75 mins to get back home when it should have taken 15 minutes but everyone is safe. Sean will pikc them up and I have cancelled our haircuts for tonight. Like hell I am driving again today.

When we got to school Ronin kissed Autumn and said "I'm sorry I lost your phone. I do care. I will show you and not say it."