My name is Rennay and I'm a nerd.
It feels good to admit it. That's the first step, I've heard. So there it is: I am a nerd. I'm not a pocket-protector-wearing, lives-in-my-mom's-basement, indulges-in-role-playing-games kind of nerd, but rather a can-carry-on-a-conversation-and-has-basic-social-skills nerd, but a nerd nonetheless.
I thought I had my nerdiness under control but this weekend I realized that I really don't. The kids were each at sleepovers, Bryce was at a hockey tournament, and I had the house to myself. I could have done anything, gone anywhere. What did I do? I did put some time in on the elliptical (which is impressive) and then I read my book for a few hours. Then I read Carmen's book because I had told her Judy Blume was my favourite growing up and I couldn't remember the story line to back up that claim. Then I did about 10 crossword puzzles, both online and ones I print off from the newspaper. Lastly, I played a little online Boggle. That was an eye opener -- it turns out I'm still the geeky kid who brought books on road trips and worked hard in school and got annoyed by typos on billboards.
But is it really so bad to read a couple books a week or play Scrabble or jot down words I don't know so I can look them up later (too far?) or get so excited to see Carmen devouring books like I did and do or get revved up about new episodes of Big Bang Theory? It could be worse. Hell, we nerds can be cool. We've just got to lose the pocket protectors.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Resolutions
Christmas is over, 2010 is a mere memory, and I have high hopes for a great 2011. In past years I have made promises to myself in January that never really saw the light of March. This year I am doing things a bit differently. I have made only one resolution for 2011: to do away with resolutions altogether. So far so good. It's a good thing I made that resolution too -- I would have been disappointed in myself quite early into the new year. Between ducking into the pantry to scarf down leftover Christmas chocolates without the kids seeing or spending days on end as an extention of the couch, huddled under a cozy blanket instead of on the elliptical trainer sweating out the tonnes of cookies and treats I've indulged in over the past month, I would have failed at my traditional resolutions. Instead of resolutions I've just vowed to do my best to treat me a bit better: maybe get back to the gym or at least increase the physical activity, cut out some of the crappy food that has become a habit, see friends more, and make time for me so that I'm less of a raging lunatic around here. Fingers crossed it will be a calm, healthy, and happy year.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The Day After Christmas
Twas the day after Christmas
And throughout chez McLean
The house was in shambles,
The children, insane.
Noisy toys echo down and upstairs
Nerf bullets sting bottoms but nobody cares.
Boxes are stacked, poised to fall on poor Farley
The mass of recycling truly is gnarly!
Transformers and RC cars are keeping Ben happy
So the clothes and books his mom bought seem slightly less crappy.
There are ribbons and paper and gift bags aplenty!
With new clothes and bling Carmen looks about twenty!
Between the presents and chocolates and the constant snacking
One thing is for sure – this Christmas ain’t lacking.
Happy Holidays to you from Bryce and Ren
And of course the two monsters, Carmen and Ben.
May you dry out from the parties, embrace shortbread weight,
And may 2011 be totally great!
And throughout chez McLean
The house was in shambles,
The children, insane.
Noisy toys echo down and upstairs
Nerf bullets sting bottoms but nobody cares.
Boxes are stacked, poised to fall on poor Farley
The mass of recycling truly is gnarly!
Transformers and RC cars are keeping Ben happy
So the clothes and books his mom bought seem slightly less crappy.
There are ribbons and paper and gift bags aplenty!
With new clothes and bling Carmen looks about twenty!
Between the presents and chocolates and the constant snacking
One thing is for sure – this Christmas ain’t lacking.
Happy Holidays to you from Bryce and Ren
And of course the two monsters, Carmen and Ben.
May you dry out from the parties, embrace shortbread weight,
And may 2011 be totally great!
Friday, November 5, 2010
November 5
My son turns five today. It's hard to believe it's been so long since he showed up, nine days early, to turn our world on its ear. And every year I celebrate the angel that entered the world on November 5 and I take a minute to remember one who left it the same day more than 20 years before.
My Grandma Jean died on November 5, 1982. I was only 9 but I remember her so clearly: her laugh, the songs she sang, her gift of Smurfs and Smarties every time we visited, her doing handstands against the fence, her amazing food. I think of her a lot, wishing she could have watched us grow up, could have met my kids, could have had the chance to really enjoy life. She deserved that. So did we. Grandma Jean was a force, and she was taken too soon.
I like to think that Ben and all of his energy, his strength, his sweetness rushed to be born to balance out what was lost on that date, and he's doing a pretty good job of it! Happy Birthday, little man. Great-Grandma Jean would be proud!
My Grandma Jean died on November 5, 1982. I was only 9 but I remember her so clearly: her laugh, the songs she sang, her gift of Smurfs and Smarties every time we visited, her doing handstands against the fence, her amazing food. I think of her a lot, wishing she could have watched us grow up, could have met my kids, could have had the chance to really enjoy life. She deserved that. So did we. Grandma Jean was a force, and she was taken too soon.
I like to think that Ben and all of his energy, his strength, his sweetness rushed to be born to balance out what was lost on that date, and he's doing a pretty good job of it! Happy Birthday, little man. Great-Grandma Jean would be proud!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Hockey
It was bound to happen but now it's official. I'm a hockey mom. Ben started hockey last weekend at 4 years old. He was out there in his full gear, leaning on his stick for balance, showing off his Flames jersey, inching his way across the ice. He was so cute (other than the few tears about ill-fitting socks and then ill-suited games) and he had fun out there. Of course he wants to PLAY hockey not just learn to skate but he's starting to realize that he has to do one before the other. There were some kids skating like pros out there, which made me feel like we should have been teaching him long ago. There were also some kids who couldn't stand up or get back up once they fell. He's somewhere in between. I know he'll be fine out there. He's ready. I'm just not sure I am.
I started thinking, as my butt began to freeze to the bleachers, that I was going to be out here early Saturday mornings for a decade or two. I'm going to watch my little boy learn to skate, learn to check and take a hit, and probably watch him get into a scrap or two if he's anything like his father on the ice. I'll most likely curse the 'hockey parents' that freak out about bad calls and bad coaching and celebrate the boys' victories, both on the scoreboard and off. I'm going to watch my baby grow up -- granted measured by all the new,expensive gear that it'll take to keep up with him, but well worth the investment!
He shuffled off the ice for the first time a better skater than when he shuffled onto it and I was so proud that he'd gotten out there and was eager to go back again. So I'll pack Carmen and I a warm blanket and cushion and to-go mugs and we'll gladly sit and watch the show.
I started thinking, as my butt began to freeze to the bleachers, that I was going to be out here early Saturday mornings for a decade or two. I'm going to watch my little boy learn to skate, learn to check and take a hit, and probably watch him get into a scrap or two if he's anything like his father on the ice. I'll most likely curse the 'hockey parents' that freak out about bad calls and bad coaching and celebrate the boys' victories, both on the scoreboard and off. I'm going to watch my baby grow up -- granted measured by all the new,expensive gear that it'll take to keep up with him, but well worth the investment!
He shuffled off the ice for the first time a better skater than when he shuffled onto it and I was so proud that he'd gotten out there and was eager to go back again. So I'll pack Carmen and I a warm blanket and cushion and to-go mugs and we'll gladly sit and watch the show.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
School Time
Carmen got up early this morning. She NEVER gets up early. She was just too excited to sleep. She wanted to get to school, to take on grade two. She got dressed in her graphic T, blue pleated uniform-type skirt, and knee-high socks, brushed her hair (which she insisted I blow dry with a roller brush last night)and even cleaned her glasses. She was ready. Over breakfast she wondered who she'd be sitting with, what they'd do on the first day, if there was going to be any new kids in her class, and if they would be doing the Christmas concert or the spring one this year. She wanted to come home for lunch to tell me all about her day -- but only this once. Then she wanted to stay at school with her friends.
We gathered up her new indoor shoes, backpack, and snack bag and headed outside. Before we left I insisted on the first-day-of-school picture, which she happily mugged for. As I snapped the picture and headed toward her school, I couldn't help noticing how grown up she looks all of a sudden. How grown up she acts sometimes. She grabbed the dog's leash and raced ahead of us, Benny not far behind her. I know it won't be long before she's walking herself to school... but I'm glad it's not yet.
We gathered up her new indoor shoes, backpack, and snack bag and headed outside. Before we left I insisted on the first-day-of-school picture, which she happily mugged for. As I snapped the picture and headed toward her school, I couldn't help noticing how grown up she looks all of a sudden. How grown up she acts sometimes. She grabbed the dog's leash and raced ahead of us, Benny not far behind her. I know it won't be long before she's walking herself to school... but I'm glad it's not yet.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Apples and Oranges
Apples and Oranges
When I had Carmen, it was like magic. She slept well, ate well, was easy going, and she grew into a sweet and smart toddler. When I got pregnant again I thought I had the tiger by the tail. I knew what I was doing; after all, I had done this all before. Like so many times since, I discovered how wrong a person can be when it comes to trying to figure out raising children.
I found myself with a fussy little baby boy who cried for no apparent reason. Where his sister had slept like an angel in her car seat, Ben chose that time to scream bloody murder until we reached our destination. Carmen and I skated through feedings and diaper changes without so much as a rash. Ben and I, on the other hand, were plagued by painful diaper rashes and thrush that not only turned breastfeeding into a toe-curling, miserable experience but also stained his mouth (and his clothes) purple from the gentian violet treatment—just in time for his first Christmas pictures.
Now Carmen is an independent, confident, nurturing almost-second-grader. She loves to read, do crafts and play games. She loves to help out in the kitchen and worries about stains on her clothes. Ben is happiest with club in hand smashing whatever happens to venture into his path, all the while wearing his watermelon and berry stains on his shirt like a badge. He can’t resist kicking or karate chopping toys and people alike as he passes by. He peed in his Crocs one day and in a bucket in the backyard another – something his sister would never dream of doing even if she had the equipment to do so.
I never imagined kids that came from the same mix of DNA could be so different. If I have taken nothing else from the last seven years it has been that comparing my two kids is like trying to compare apples and oranges. My little “fruits” are both sweet and fantastic but totally unique. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When I had Carmen, it was like magic. She slept well, ate well, was easy going, and she grew into a sweet and smart toddler. When I got pregnant again I thought I had the tiger by the tail. I knew what I was doing; after all, I had done this all before. Like so many times since, I discovered how wrong a person can be when it comes to trying to figure out raising children.
I found myself with a fussy little baby boy who cried for no apparent reason. Where his sister had slept like an angel in her car seat, Ben chose that time to scream bloody murder until we reached our destination. Carmen and I skated through feedings and diaper changes without so much as a rash. Ben and I, on the other hand, were plagued by painful diaper rashes and thrush that not only turned breastfeeding into a toe-curling, miserable experience but also stained his mouth (and his clothes) purple from the gentian violet treatment—just in time for his first Christmas pictures.
Now Carmen is an independent, confident, nurturing almost-second-grader. She loves to read, do crafts and play games. She loves to help out in the kitchen and worries about stains on her clothes. Ben is happiest with club in hand smashing whatever happens to venture into his path, all the while wearing his watermelon and berry stains on his shirt like a badge. He can’t resist kicking or karate chopping toys and people alike as he passes by. He peed in his Crocs one day and in a bucket in the backyard another – something his sister would never dream of doing even if she had the equipment to do so.
I never imagined kids that came from the same mix of DNA could be so different. If I have taken nothing else from the last seven years it has been that comparing my two kids is like trying to compare apples and oranges. My little “fruits” are both sweet and fantastic but totally unique. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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