NO NO November

After talking with a couple of good girlfriends, and generally feeling like we needed to eat healthier and take better care of ourselves, we motivated each other to eat healthy for the whole month of November. It is so easy to slip into the habit of snacking after dinner, when the kids are asleep, and you are sitting down to your favorite show or book. And what do you usually snack on? I am betting it is not celery sticks!
Halloween is only a few days away, I always eat too much junk at Halloween, and I find that after Halloween I am the one consuming all the left over candy. Not this year!
No No November.
That is right...No more junk, no more sugar, and no more bad food choices.
It is fun to have a goal, and to know others are working towards the same thing. If you want to eat healthier in November, join me. There are no rules or regulations. We all know how to eat healthy, and we all know how to make smart food choices...so let's start making them!
Everyone can benefit from healthier eating. This is not about losing weight...this is about feeling better about yourself, and knowing that you have the willpower to say No to that sweet treat. Besides, when you are eating better, you will sleep better, and tend to be less cranky..which means you will be happier, right?
Of course, exercise is always going to help motivate me to keep eating well..so I am also going to walk every morning (at the inside track, with the my little one in the stroller) for 20-30 mins, after I drop off my older boys at school.
Good luck with setting your own goals, and if there are any other healthy eating tips out there..share with all of us. Or if you have a good idea for what helps you to stay away from junk food, that would be most appreciated...because I sure struggle with the temptation to eat sugar.

Night Race

Scott and I ran the Energizer Night Race in Stanley Park last night and were blessed to have good weather. The rain held off until we completed the race. 

I finished in 1:02:42, which is a PR for me. 

We live in such a beautiful area, and it is the first time that I have run around the sea wall. 

It was so neat to see everyone wearing bright t shirts, and headlamps. It was like a river of tiny lights bobbing along the entire sea wall. So amazing to be a part of it.

You deserve a hand!

October Teacher Gift Idea

Here is the one we saw on Pintrest...

And here is what my boys made today for their teachers.

In case you can't read...because I am terrible at taking pictures....it says, "Mrs._____, you deserve a HAND. Thanks for giving _____a SMOOTH start.

After smelling 10 different types, and even trying a few...they picked this hand lotion, which we hope will keep their teachers hands soft and smooth as the weather gets cold. Then they traced their hands, cut them out and stapled them together. Mom did the writing!

Three types of parents...which are you?

In the book, Kids are Worth it, there are three types of parents. Which one are you?

BRICK WALL

A brick wall is a nonliving thing, designed to resturic, to keep in and to keep out. Family structure is rigid and is used for control and power, both of which are in the hands of the parents. Kids are controlled, manipulated and made to mind. Parents direct, supervise, mini lecture, order, threaten, remind and worry over.

Examples: You will sit here all night if it takes you that long to finish your spinach. All the toys need to be put back exactly as you found them. I told you if you said that word again, I would wash your mouth out with soap. Eat those peas with your fork. You are such a crybaby. Touch that and you will be in your room for the rest of the day. Let’s see who can make the best cookies. If you wet your pants, you will go back to wearing diapers, just like a baby. Boys don’t cry. Put your coat on it is cold outside. You look better in the red one.

JELLYFISH

A jellyfish has no firm parts at all and reacts to every wave the comes along. Family structure is nonexistent, the need for it may not even be acknowledged or understood. Extremely lax in discipline, sets few limits, and tends to smother children. Anything the kids want, they get. Chaos surrounds bedtime, mealtime, chores, etc. Then the parents (in frustration and panic) tent to revert to threats, bribes and punishments.

Examples: Hold on, let me find a pencil in all this mess. The kids eat whatever they feel like. If they get fat, they get fat it is not my fault. You are such a sweet girl, I am going to buy you that pretty dress you say yesterday. You are such a klutz, I will set the table myself, I will pay this time, but next time you dent the car you will have to pay for it yourself. If you give me a hug, I will give you a cookie. I can’t make all the other kids be quiet while you study, what do you think this is, a library? He made me angry, so I hit him. I would love you more if you would cut your hair. If we don’t make a big deal of it, I am sure it will go away on it’s own. The teachers just don’t understand, I ditched school when I was young, it won’t hurt her to miss a few classes.

BACKBONE

A backbone is a living, supple spine that gives form and movement to the whole body. Family structure is present and firm and flexible and functional.

Examples: When you walk in puddles, your sneakers will get wet. The car starts when everyones seat belt if buckled. You will need to replace your friends jacket that you borrowed and lost. You can do it, I know you can. It is okay to cry, son..I am sad too that we will not be neighbours with their family anymore…let’s think of something we can do that will make the move a little easier for him. Let’s figure out where we can bike this weekend…I will check the bikes this time, who wants to fill the water bottle and make a snack. I am here if you need me. When you have  a gut feeling about something, trust your intuition. You will figure out a way to solve that problem, I know you can do it. I hear what you are saying. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Your red shoes are still wet, you can pick out another pair to wear to school. 

Jenny is a Brick Wall

Scott is a Backbone

Jenny is constantly battling for control, and Scott is gently reminding her to cool it.