Coming Soon

Rory is going to be taking over Modern Mom Malarkey this month! To celebrate the Olympics, he has decided to try as many Olympic events as he possibly can. Watch for the videos and comments coming soon!

Auntie

While kayaking with my oldest niece today, I was reminded how blessed I am and how wonderful a child's perspective can be. The next best thing to being a Mom is being an Auntie.

Me: Kadence, I haven't seen you in a long time because Uncle Steve and I were on a trip...What is new?

K: I HAVEN'T seen you in awhile. Were you on your Iceland trip?

Me: (Surprised that she even knows about this) No, that is not for awhile yet. Did you find Iceland on your globe at home?

K: Oh, yes! It is little! I think you can kayak when you get there.

Me: (once again surprised at this little minion's awareness...) For sure! I will be kayaking there for sure. I am excited to go, but I sure will miss you (kiss her head). I get to see volcanoes too!

K: Wow! What year is it that you are going? I think I will come with you. Auntie, I would be a great trip taker.



I am almost in tears, and grinning ear to ear at this point. We are out in the kayak, just the two of us. The sun is shining and the water is still and this kid is breaking my heart in all the right ways. Of course you will be a good travel companion, kid. I know it. Someday, you can hop on that plane with me. I can't wait. Keep studying that old globe (maybe I'll buy you one that doesn't have the "Soviet Credit Union" on it.) 😁

Hockey Mom Survival Kit

1. Positive Peers: You need to surround yourself with morning people. The kind that greet you with bright eyes even before they have had coffee and say things like "What a beautiful sunrise!" as you glue your sleepy, time changed rear to the cold cement seat.... come to think of it...I am pretty sure I need to sit beside some different moms...or bring coffee. (No worries, I am only speaking of my dearest of friends who pre-approved this comment and have threatened to smack me if I keep greeting them in such ways).

2. Kleenex: The rink is cold. You will sniffle. You will cry with joy. You will laugh until you cry, You will be smacked for being too much of a morning person and need to soak up the blood from your bleeding nose. You WILL sit beside Moms who need Kleenex and expect that if you are writing a blog post about needing it, that you are obviously now the team supplier of said product.

3. Warm Clothes: I know you are thinking that this seems logical but you would be AMAZED at how cold some people were at our first two hockey games. I mean, they could communicate and move about freely, but a prepared hockey Mom has tights, lulus, sweatpants, socks, more socks, a heating pad, 3 shirts, a jacket, scarf, toque, mitts (the kind that can text the score to anyone and everyone who likely doesn't care to know it), baked potatoes in their pockets, and likely a heated quilt from their trunk.

4. Mitts: Now this must be a category all on its own. The chosen mittens must be properly tested. If, while wearing these mittens you cannot be heard while you are clapping, then there is no point to wearing them. Freeze your fingers. If you can find mittens that are a) warm, b) texting capable, and c) loud enough to be heard when you clap...then you have won the hockey mom jackpot.

5. Coins and small bills: Hockey clubs help keep costs down by doing 50-50 raffles at every game. Don't be a downer. Support the rink. Buy some 50-50. These kids are making life long friends, learning something new, and are being physically active. They love their skates. Bring your coins.

6. No, you do not need a cow bell.

7. Camera: Your scrapbooks will not be the same without 50 kazillion blurry streaks on what appears to be a hockey ice surface. A selfie a game is always acceptable. The facebook world eagerly awaits ANOTHER smiling picture of your darling Sidney Crosby as he prepares to go on the ice. True story.

8. A Thesaurus: There are many ways to creatively cheer. One does not need to linger on "GET AFTER IT." If you have a thesaurus, you can be the malarkiest, modern hockey mom around. You can also find a better word than 'malarkiest.' Behold the arena crowd and your son or daughter beam with delight as you scream out, "AQUIRE THE EBONY DISC!" or, "SHIFT HASTILY DOWN THE ICE!" Most importantly: Keep it positive. These are your beautiful, intelligent children. I know they are all going to the NHL, and they will appreciate your smile and encouragement en route there.

9. Gum: A polite diversion for anyone in the crowd who needs a reminder to keep it positive. Jawbreakers might be very fun. The VOLUNTEERS that coach and the REFS who are doing their best to please everyone...deserve NOTHING other than our constant thanks. Daily. Maybe even every minute of every day. Even then, the thanks is not enough.

10. Google: For when your seven year old is explaining off side and you don't know what they are talking about.

Happy Hockey Season! For those that celebrate the momentous start of the season, I bid you good luck and many wonderful rink memories. For those that don't, and don't understand why we do...I hope you at least enjoy a laugh as we roll out of bed early on a Saturday while you sleep in. Better yet...come enjoy some laughs with some great Moms and Dads. www.centralplainshockey.com
I highly recommend the Novice Mustangs. Bring your loud mitts and your heartiest smiles and cheers (unless it is early morning...in which case...just bring coffee).

Autumn Amazing Race

What a beautiful day! I make the bed and look out the window and ponder a great day out doors...only to see two kids on their iPods on the couch, watching netflix.

Challenge #1: Good morning Manns children! Today is the Autumn Amazing Race! Your first challenge is to get dressed and head outside. Take your iPod with you. You must use leaves and sticks to create a work of art. Once you have completed this challenge, send me a photo and wait for your next challenge.

Rory made a bird's nest

Challenge #2: Great Job! Now find a family member and take a photo of them beside a piece of harvesting equipment.

Kennedy found some burrs before I even gave her the challenge!

Challenge #3:  Search the yard for the most beautiful fall tree and take a photo looking up at it while lying underneath it.

Rory's Beautiful Tree

Challenge #4: Show me the math question 7+8 using acorns.

Challenge #5: Find a burr patch, take a photo of 5 stuck to your shirt.

Challenge #6: Show me you are ready for winter. You can use any winter clothing or toys you can find.

Kennedy is ready for snowboarding in the winter snow!

Challenge #7: It is almost hunting season! Find a spot that would make a really good blind and take a photo from there.

Challenge #8: Text a Grandma to help you write an acrostic poem about FALL. Take a screen shot OR Write an acrostic poem.

Challenge #9: Walk to the closest field and take a photo of yourself posing as a scarecrow...or take a photo of  an actual crow.

Challenge #10: Come help dig out the Fall decorating supplies!(my kids)

Cohen joined mid afternoon and proved to be the most creative...he gets top award for his ready for winter photo:

The YES year

Time for an update. I just realized I haven't wrote for a very long time. I have nothing exciting to offer my opinions on and nothing to rant about, but that is okay. Sometimes the best thing in life is just being. I just read over my Summer Bucket List and smiled remembering the completion of ALMOST every single one of those things. What a summer. I can't remember a summer with as much fun as this one.

The thing about summer is that it ends. My favorite month is September. I was so excited to finally turn 30 last year (I am the baby in our little circle of friends) and I vowed that during my 31st year I would live my life like no other year. I would conquer my anxiety issues and I would teach my kids that trying new things can be fun, exciting and worthwhile. I promised myself on Sept.8, 2013, that I would say YES to everything. This included kayaking which was a serious issue when you consider my fear of water. Because I use this page as my little online journal I want to highlight some of the BEST things to have come from my 31st year.

1) I had my first ever teaching job. I worked with a man who I admire and respect despite our different teaching styles. I am sad to not be sharing a classroom with him again. In fact, I am very anxious to not have a class to attend or to prepare for this fall. I know that everything happens for a reason and I am excited to see what this next year has in store for my career. I told Steve that if I did not have a job this fall that it would mean I was meant to be an author. He rolled his eyes but YES, maybe I should start on this crazy venture after all. Get all the stories onto paper...

2) Kayaking. Wow. This is one awesome sport and so good for the soul. Kim asked me to come kayaking one day. I said YES. Whether I was watching Rory master the blue kayak we bought or smiling as Kennedy pulled a friend behind her in it, or whether I was bumping into Kim and learning how to relax when there are little waves - this sport has become a new favorite.

3) Lazy Friday: Okay this has always been an important day in my life, but I have come to appreciate the wonderful people in my life even more this year. We are so lucky. For those that don't know, Lazy Friday is our tradition out here in Firdale. The thing about Lazy Friday is this: There are no rules. We are lazy. Sometimes Lazy Friday is just us ladies. Sometimes it is everyone in the neighborhood. Sometimes we even have Lazy Friday on Sunday! The most important part though is that we are together. It doesn't matter what kinds of fun and excitement we have planned during the week, there is nothing better than the text message "Lazy Friday tonight?"  "YES!" No matter who hosts, it is like coming home...A sigh of relief as we relax in my unorganized kitchen, or on Tammy's front step, at Kim's kitchen island, or in E6 at Shady Oaks. Kids, laughs and good eats.

4) Hockey Hair. I have become a more relaxed parent this year. They are kids. They are not perfect. Kennedy's nails are not always painted. Sometimes her hair looks like a rat's nest. For almost the entire month of July she wore the same dress. Ew. Rory decided on hockey hair and I have no problem telling people that YES he likes it and YES, I like it and no he is not getting a hair cut. So stop asking. I love his love of sports and enjoyed MANY Wheat King games and Penguin games (on television) with him this year. I guess in my 31st year, I also fell in love with hockey.

5) Baseball. I was terrified to take our little rec baseball team and put it back into a league. With good friends helping out and their constant encouragement, I was able to watch our little Rookies go from not knowing which way to run around the bases to one kid making a double play at our wind up YES! (high five). What a great group of kids and a great group of parents!

6) Fitness. I don't ever want to be posting what I do for exercise each day but I made a goal to become more physically active and to encourage my kids to be a part of it. I bought a beautiful new bike and I started running. YES, I will run in a glo-run this fall. My kids have done a triathlon and are doing their second in Portage on Sept.7.

7) I became an auntie again. 'nuff said. Let's hope that my 32nd year brings some more nieces and or nephews. I need to make more time to head north to see this precious gem. I am lucky to spend many hours with my other niece who turned 1 during my 31st year. YES I would like a nephew and maybe some more nieces Scott and Jeff!!!

8) I bought a ride on mower for the first time! This wasn't really something that I said YES too...but it was awesome anyway. I am now in love with mowing grass. "Regan, would you like a ride on mower? YES, I would, thank you."

9) By accident, a pumpkin plant became planted by my front door. Normally, I would have pulled it. I said YES when my kids asked if we could keep it. It has now taken over the entire front of my house. It is an hilarious addition to my YES plan. I can't wait to see if we actually have pumpkins this fall. This has been a lesson in patience and laughter...Going with the flow.

I have done so much this year. I am so excited for the next year. I have many goals. I want to take my cross country skiing coaches course, I want to watch more hockey, I want to conquer my little world with more YES answers. Nikki just asked me to play Rec Soccer. Normally, I would have shied away from such an idea...but YES has become a pretty powerful answer and I have learned that it is exciting to try something new. I also want to learn how to hook up the camper without help....wish me luck!

Summer Bucket List

1) Read some novels that are for ME.
2) Read Sharon Creech's Ruby Holler to the kids.
3) Teach Kennedy to play some piano.
4) Play guitar with Rory outside under the tree.
5) Build a pergula (sp?) on my deck. (Help Jeff!)
6) Strawberry pick with my kids and niece.
7) Go to see "Wicked" with my kids and Mom.
8) Force my Mom to watch the Wizard of Oz prior to #7.
9) Swimming Lessons in Carberry for the kids.
10) Take the kids golfing with Uncle Jeff and Auntie Jodiene.
11) Cheer for Kennedy at the Carberry Fair.
12) Camp with just Rory at Shady Oaks while Kennedy and Steve are away.
13) Buy a kayak. Kayak with Kim.
14) Watch the rest of Season 2 OITNB
15) Camp at Spruce Woods for the first time ever.
16) Hit up the Spray Park with my niece and kids.
17) Make homemade iced tea.
18) Watch Rainbow Stage's Little Mermaid so that Kennedy can see her character from Little Mermaid Jr.
19) Make fancy cupcakes.
20) Dig out the charcoal pencils and have some fun drawing with the kids.

In Defense of the iPod: The Farm Kid/Technology Balance

I wanted to write a piece about why I let my almost 7 year old take his iPod everywhere. His 9 year old sister does too. It is very easy to find article after article about how bad screen time is and how kids are needing to be more active and so on and so on. I agree with many of these articles but have found my own voice on the subject on the fence post of the argument. Technology bad? Technology good?

Well my friends...technology here.

Like it or not.

We live in a world where one to one devices in schools is not a far off fantasy worthy of laughing at but instead already happening! Why wouldn't I let me kids carry the devices that power their future? 

Now, before you get all upset with me...you need to know some important things.

A) My kids are very healthy...they play outside and imagine and create and run and jump and act.

B) My kids read. They read everyday. They read in our living room, in our bathroom, in the yard, on the deck, while they are camping, to their cousins, and sometimes...when they don't think I can see them...they even read to each other. They do well in school.

C) My kids have friends! Good ones! They get into trouble, they bicker, they invent, they celebrate.

D) AND I know this is going to go against every recent article I have read about how to be a good parent....they have IPODS that they can take where ever they want! They take photos, they make movies, they (eeek!) Play MINECRAFT (Parent of the Year is WAY too hard for me to win)...they text their grandparents, they have even been known to send spelling words to friends that live a distance away. They dance and sing. They YouTube musicals coming to Winnipeg and Google the Goldeyes' schedule. They find their favorite authors' websites and listen to stories downloaded from itunes. These are resourceful kids. AND I can brag. Because they are mine. And parents love to brag about their kids. Including me.

I do not believe that Technology Bad (said in cavewoman voice). I think that with every new change in our lifestyles comes hesitation and skepticism. New things are not easy. And these new things are changing fast. It is exhausting to keep up. Texting is evil - beware of Minecraft addiction - your kid's brain is going to mush. Maybe our kids' brains are working in different ways. That doesn't necessarily make it bad. Or maybe it is! I don't know...but I do know Apple is here.

 

SO instead of getting all worried that my kids are doomed to an anxiety filled, deaf, and robotic existence, I plan on making these my priorities:

1) Teaching  iPod etiquette (it doesn't go into the bathroom, you may not take photos of people if they don't want their photo taken)

2)  Teaching how to find the information they need in a safe and responsible way. What sources are reliable? You cannot believe everything you read.

3) Self Regulation - Vitamin D comes from the sun. Get outside. 

It is all about balance. Find the balance that makes you happy. I promise I will not judge you for your choice in not allowing your child technology yet, if you promise not to judge mine making science videos about how the baler works.