The thinking tree

When I was teaching I had a little guy in my kindergarten class who said his mom was putting up the tree that day, so that when he got home, it would be finished and waiting for him.

Downhearted.  That's how I felt, because I knew the mom was wanting everything to be perfect.  Just so. But, in her quest for perfection, what message was her little boy getting?

I can't imagine not having my boys in on the fun. It's the process that they'll remember when they're older.  Not the final product.  They'll take out the ornaments year after year and say, "oh, I remember this one."  And yes, an ornament was dropped and broken....but we got out the glue and put it back together.  Because that's what we do in our family....we don't throw away what isn't perfect.  The imperfect things still matter to us.

Costume-ability

The boys had a lovely Halloween.  We went out and about with a family that moved away this summer....but they came back for the night to let the boys trick-or-treat in their old neighbourhood.

Aidan's first experience with going door-to-door was adorable.  The first house we went to, he walked in, took his hat off and sat in their big comfy chair.  He didn't quite understand why we left so quickly, but then he got the hang of it (and I did too....I held him back.)

I hope everyone enjoyed their Halloween!

Aidan and the Great Pumpkin Patch

Aidan's Preschool class went for a trip to a local farm to pick a pumpkin out of the pumpkin patch.  He was quite the trooper...a lot of walking, a lot waiting, and a very bumpy hayride.  The woman in the third photo is Aidan's integrated service worker.  She's amazing, warm and lovely, and all the kids in the preschool love her. 

A Whole Whack of Love

That's my cousin Sharon.  I used to be the little kid listening to her tell stories to the adults about teaching on a First Nations Reserve.  I probably looked like I wasn't listening, because I was playing with Barbie Dolls, or colouring; but I was.  I grew up wanting to be like Sharon.

In '93 I moved out to Saskatchewan and got to know Sharon from an adult's point of view. Nothing really changed, I still looked up to her.  I wish I could be a fly on her classroom wall, 'cause I think I could learn a whole whack about teaching from her.

See the guy holding Aidan in the photo below?  He was only two when I moved to Saskatchwan.  I lived with Sharon for a couple of months helping to look after her kids while the school year ended.  They lived in the middle of the woods, and I used to be afraid that a bear would eat him.

I am so proud of Daniel.  When he holds Aidan, you can see the kind of person he is.  Caring. Kind. Sweet.  One of the good ones. 

Ring the Bell, Aidan!

When I go to work at the preschool (it's a co-op), we have to go in extra early to help clean and set up. On those days, Aidan gets to be the special helper. One of the duties that goes along with that is to ring the school bell when it's time for the rest of the children to come in.


I was so proud of him! He is really transitioning well into the program and new routine. I wish I had this on video. I also wish I had him on video as we walked to the preschool. I gave him his little cloth library bag to carry, and he giggled all the way down the sidewalk - swinging his library bag, holding my hand, and incredibly happy.

I love him so much, my heart is bursting with it :o)

Mon petite billy goat

My goodness...I've been a bad, bad blogger. So much going on, but not writing it down.

Okay, here is a little glimpse at a tiny scene of the day...

Today at preschool Aidan followed the arrival procedure without a fight. We waited outside until the duty kids rang the bells. Then, we entered the little red schoolhouse, hung his bag and coat up. Changed shoes, and washed hands. Then he put his name on the fridge door (without being guided to do so) before proceeding to play

Today was day 5, and during all of our previous visits I have had to hold him back from running in to play so that he could learn the routine. Previously he cried, twisted, turned, and made me feel like an evil, bad, horrible troll that wasn't letting him cross the bridge to get to the other side.

Today things clicked. I was so proud of him.

Today I was a very happy troll.

The Little Gull Project

This has been my crazy calling over the last few months.  Painting, making art cards, approaching business to sell art cards, starting The Little Gull blog, working with an amazing art printer - Scott at Art Ink Print,  planning with the local Down Syndrome Society, signing up for an ETSY account, making signage for stores.

I couldn't be happier.  Really.  The Little Gull feeds my soul and makes me feel I am a part of something bigger than just me.  It's a good feeling. 

I still get nervous approaching businesses, but so far they have been very kind.  One bookstore owner told me she was going out of art cards, that they simply didn't have room for them.  But, with regards to The Little Gull Project she said, "But this is different.  Let's go for it."