Zooooooom...

Last year, Alizée took part in an incredible activity; paint a real car. A volunteer agreed to let students paint her car. Previously, the girls worked on a small-scale car made of clay. The dynamism on the art level at her school is unbelievable. It had been an uncommon experience which she will remember for a long time, especially since the clay car is lying on a dresser with other art, in the basement, or, if you prefer, in Alizée's domain!

13 Reasons for Watching Too Much TV

1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Brothers and Sisters
3. Amy
4. October Road
5. House
6. Medium
7. CSI Miami
8. CSI
9. Law and Order SVU
10. Crossing Jordan
11. Will and Grace
12. Numbers
13. Tout le monde en parle

Teenagers Home

2 weeks ago I had a discussion with the owner of a videoclub. He told me how difficult teaching must be (true) especially when it's with teenagers (FALSE!).
Adolescence is such a great period, at home anyway. Not always easy I admit but those who suffer the most are the teenagers themselves, not the others. This life period is a key moment, a time for analysis, feedback, questioning, projection in the future, acquisition of autonomy. My, my...!

It's the moment where you want to be hugged by Mom, but not in front of your friends (come on!). A moment where you want your mother to take an appointment to the hair dresser but want to be accompanied (and not only to pay for the hair dresser). That's when you want to do it all, and nothing at all, where you dream of freedom but still hope for someone to be there, just in case. Being an adolescent is laugh a lot and cry a little (when it's the opposite, start worrying). This "awful" time is there to discover ourself a little more; talents, personal qualities, strengths, weaknesses too, interests, future projects.

I've enjoyed every moment with my daughters from their birth and I must admit I was afraid of this moment. Knowing what I know now, I'd laugh at myself! I still have a few years before my 2 daughters' teenage years are over and I can tell you that I cherish every second. Because, after that, you know, it will be ... take-off! I'm not nostalgic, nor worried but every present moment is tasting so good. Hurray for my teens!

Spring, Spring, Are You There?

Yeah, spring, are you there for good? Yes? Sure about that? You won't change your mind in a couple of days, right? Great.

Miranda did this "wallpaper" last year and it reminds me the pleasure I get when I do gardening. Especially since I learned to take it easy, otherwise, my back hurts too much... I've reduced my "play" area, it helps.

Gardening drawings. Notice the ladybug on the yellow flower, pretty (click on the picture to enlarge). Miranda has this funny details meticulousness. Other particularity, the colors of my gardening tools are exactly the same. These fresh drawings, spring-ish are on her art wall in her bedroom (next to Mighty Cat). Wait 'til I show you her Toutânkhamon, a piece of art!

13 Boys' Names I Like

1. Noah
2. Quentin
3. Maxence
4. Mathis
5. Collin
6. Graham
7. Theo
8. Sydney
9. Ian
10. Connor
11. Youri
12. Jeff
13. Ludovic

Mini Braids

My daughters have had long hair for a long time. I remember the time when I had to supervise the washing of those hair. What could I do when they left for summer camps? A bad experience with lice (during one of those camps) and the mini braids became a summer tradition. Of course the girls have grown up and braids are less frequent. But I remember the evenings spent in front of the TV (had to keep them sitting still for a couple of hours), the colored rubber bands (they could choose if they wanted only one color or a variety), the comb and the glass of water to wet the drying hair. Hours of pure joy, really. And a little guessing game as a bonus: How many braids on Alizée's head? Miranda's? Funny moment; when it was time to undo the braids; the result could be a nice curly head or some kind of hair mound. It was hilarious. Come on girls, mini braids again this summer?

Children at the Restaurant

Going out to the restaurant with the llittle family (meaning with children that are still quite young) could be a rock 'n roll event. Even more if parents didn't plan it at all. Because kids in a restaurant with unprepared parents = lots of noise, angry customers around you and a waitress dreaming of Valium! When I'm sitting next to kids in a restaurant (mine are too old now, so I spy), I can't help myself but noticing... A-Ha, nothing to keep them busy. A-Ha, parents talking while children are doing whatever they want. A-Ha bad habits and behaviours. Besides new born (then, nothing can be planned, really...), here are a few ideas to make the moment spent at the restaurant a great success and to go back home happy-happy-joy-joy!

1. Bring them stuff to keep them busy: crayons, paper, mini photo album, little cars (you can draw a road on the paper placemat, it's great!), finger puppets, small building blocks, figurines, card game, small book, etc.

Not a good idea: anything that makes too much noise, anything that can break (you want to avoid drama, right?), small parts that can get lost (more drama) and the usual daily toys (you need a little novelty here if you want to keep their attention).

2. Keep them busy while waiting: learning to put butter on bread is a great challenge, draw with them, have them participate if there's a salad or bread bar, tell fun stories, make them laugh (your neighbours will find it so cute and who knows, you might help them be happy for a while!), talk about how much you're proud of them (forget about blaming them, it's not the right time).

3. Avoid going to the restaurant when children (or parents) are too exhausted. You'd better keep this activity for a better moment.

4. Plan a survival kit, just in case (pacifier, bottle, blankie, extra diapers...).

5. Enjoy small pleasures: now that everyone is sitting at the table at the same time, that the meal will be prepared by someone else and that there won't be any fight to know who's turn it is to clear up the table and do the dishes, that's something!

Magical thinking? Come on...
Don't think that it's at the restaurant that you'll be able to teach your children good table manners. Everyone can tell if your children never sit still during meal time, that you let them play with their glass of water and other behaviours that might not be ideal.
In fact, it's at home that you must work the hardest to teach them good manners. The reward is when at the restaurant, they do well on their own. And then, aren't we proud of our progenitor? Mostly if next to us is a mommy running after the younger one who just decided to train for cross-country crawling between waitresses while the oldest is making a huge fuss because there are mushrooms in her plate that touch the potatoes and that daddy-dearest is watching sports news on the gigantic flat screen TV. You harvest what you sowed, unfortunately. So let's start right now: what a Monday! But the rest of the week will get better...

Recycling Superman

Since she was 4, Alizée has had a little crush on Superman. What am I saying? She's hooked on the super hero! At 5, for Halloween, I found her a Superman costume. Saying that it was worn would be minimizing the thing. Time flew but her passion is still there. It took different shapes but the interest is definitely present. So much that instead of saying goodbye to the old costume, it ends its days recycled into a cushion, an idea and creation by Alizée. Isn't it ingenious the way she included the cape to the cushion ? Unconventional sewing is a family thing...

13 Girls' Names I Like

1. Delphine
2. Hannah
3. Margaux
4. Gentiane
5. Cassiopea
6. Louliko
7. Danaé
8. Madison
9. Romy
10. Leah
11. Dorothée
12. Mati
13. Salomée

New Haircut

Not a very good day: my neck hurts and my head feels like it wants to fall into pieces. What do you do then? Make yourself pretty. And, if needed, ask for help. Thanks Jo-Anne for the great haircut. I was clearly ashamed of my cranial hair: tough to tame, sad, faded, so or-di-nary. A little spontaneity was essential for my emotional survival tremendously affected by the awful spring (it's snowing now, darn...). In 2 weeks it will be Sophie's turn to refresh my hair color (icicles revealing my age are all over th e place). And then, then, then... Then my head will officially be spring-ish! I almost feel like my headache is fading away since my hairdresser started cutting my hair. Spring cleaning is on and it's worth it, it feels so great!

13 cars I Like

1. Volvo S40
2. BMW 3 Series Cabriolet
3. Honda C-RV
4. VW EOS
5. Subaru Legacy
6. Accord Hybrid
7. Alfa Romeo
8. Audi A3
9. Volvo XC90
10. Saab 9-3 Convertible
11. VW Touareg
12. Prius Touring
13. Volvo C30

Elliot and Anaïs

I just got back from visiting my godchildren: Elliot and Anaïs, lively as can be. Spending time with them means dealing with difference. Because being twins also means being different. Of course, the fact that they are a boy and a girl is a major difference. Well, as I think about it, there are lots of things they have in common: do arts and crafts, laugh, receive surprises from their godmother. And I'm paying myself a treat! Today, was Easter chocolate special. I love preparing little gifts and they love receiving them: two (or three?) peas in a pot!
The picture was taken after our "we-are-six-years-old" shopping spree. Then I realized how much they are different... and similar! Thanks E & A for the laughs, the funny faces and your spontaneous comments. Love yah!

Mighty Cat

Miranda has been the cat's best friend forever. What's sad for her is that her sister and mother are allergic to animals so it's out of the question to have any at home. And, hum, animals and I aren't exactly pals if you see what I mean... Luckily for Miranda, at her dad's place, two nice cats are part of the family. To compensate, here, we have the chance to see her drawings of kitties here and there, which is cool. Notice the mouse (top right) and the funny cat watching it matter-of-factly. Too cute!

13 Things I Like About Home

1. My workspace

2. Our huge couch
3. The colors on the walls
4. The patio made by Claude
5. Our spa style bathroom
6. The large area around the house
7. The mature trees
8. My daughters' bedrooms that express who they are
9. The flooring in the masters' bedroom
10. All the curtains in the house
11. The windows
12. The fact that lights comes from everywhere
13. The homemade furniture in the masters' bedroom

Peace and Love

I'm working on the Culture of Peace for my "real" job. What I'm discovering is fascinating. Well, everyone knows what peace is about, right? In fact, that's my biggest surprise, I'm learning a lot more on the topic than I previously thought. I'm starting to see links between different elements that form peace. Because not being in the middle of a war doesn't mean living peacefully. There are the essential needs that need to be addressed, followed by the fact that one's desire shouldn't affect negatively the well-being of others. It is important to accomplish ourselves without exploiting others. "Where there's a man, there's manhood"... That may change. It doesn't require a lot to make a difference. When the contagion starts spreading we could see major changes. If everyone started with a daily action, we'd notice it rapidly. Feeling like starting making peace around you? Come here and make your selection!

Pocket Money

Is it a good idea to give children pocket money? I think it is. We learn to manage, to deal with what we have, so if we want them to deal with money appropriately... The right time should be around when children start school. Don't wait for the notion of money to fall from somewhere or hope that they will be good consumers at once. Kids even start consuming way before school time. I believe that children who buy impulsively at the age of 6 have a chance to avoid doing that later. They will buy cheap stuff that will break after 2 minutes, cry like crazy and forget. Or, better, not forget. Remember it next time they feel like buying other cheap knick-knacks. It's when you experiment "for real" that you remember best. Giving children allowance, at first, often means letting them waste their money and talking about it afterwards. Real life for real learning!

Should you ask for anything in return? Nope, not a good idea... If chores -whatever they are- become paid jobs, you're stuck in the wrong paradigm, no one will get out of it a winner. Pocket money is a way to learn, not a salary. Of course, if there's a major situation it can be used as punishment (we're talking something exceptional) because it still is a privilege. And privileges can be lost. Avoid blackmail though, it won't serve your goal (I don't mind, I'd rather have you keep my allowance and you end up playing a very dull game).

How much? It depends on different factors: age, needs and available resources. A few years ago I received a substantial raise, my daughters received a raise as well, it was a celebration for everyone! The important thing is to evaluate and discuss this aspect with your children.

How often? If you want your children to learn to work on a budget (yes, yes, it's possible!) or plan to buy more expensive items it has to be done on a regular basis. Personally, I give it to my children the same day I receive my pay check. So every 2 weeks, on Thursday, it's allowance time. And I'm dealing with it. It's not the children who have to come see me and ask for their allowance. I am their model of reliability and it's so important...

Can children learn to buy smartly? Of course! With their money, my daughters take the time to analyze their needs (do I want it or do I need it?), check prices and quality. In fact to make pocket money a satisfying and rich experience, you need to talk with your children. You must explain taxes, hidden fees, marketing techniques -that are very aggressive- and encourage them to save (open a bank account with and for them, make sure they have their own ATM card, hey, we're in 2007!). My next experience with my daughters: manage money over the Internet and in a few years, credit cards. My my, still lots to do. Well, that's life, right?

Stuffed Heart

A mother's love is supposedly unconditional. Right, but what about children's love towards their mom? I don't know about you, but personally, my daughters love me, nothing less than tremendously.
When my daughter discovered the wonderful world of sewing (am I having a certain influence here?), I received this fabric heart filled with love -bien sûr- with an embroidered "Mom" that means what it means. It's Alizée (yes, the great winner of the Radio-Canada contest Fais ton Kif-kif!) who offered me this love present a few years ago.
Isn't love wonderful? But when it comes from the flesh of your flesh, it goes straight to your heart, wets your eyes and gives you the shivers for a while. I look at this little red heart and I know. I know that our love is unconditional, both ways. I can't ask for anything better. Nothing...