Apple Picking Adventures

September marks one of two family traditions that we have established over the years: apple picking.

Let's talk a bit about traditions, shall we?

I'm actually not big on them.

I feel like we live in an overindulgent era that makes every perceived holiday and tradition a "must do" (I see you and the parental peer pressure that comes with 'Elf on the Shelf' *shudders*)

Not every holiday needs its own marker and tradition. A "must do" for every event cheapens the excitement and anticipation of a much-loved yearly tradition. I want my boys to grow up with one or two special, annual family events that have true meaning to us, that we look forward to and talk about year round, and that we make time for year after year, no matter what we have going on.

Apple picking happens to be that tradition for us (the other is decorating our Christmas tree while drinking egg nog- I don't really know how it became a tradition, but the kids talk about getting to drink egg nog all year round, so we will go with it).

We are so lucky to live in an area of Canada that finds itself with an overflowing bounty of apples in September and October. Empire, Courtland, Honey Crisp, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, McIntosh- they are everywhere and plentiful and they are beyond delicious.

If you have never had an apple plucked straight from the branch that has lovingly grown it, you are missing out. I don't know that I can aptly describe the the crispness, the juiciness, the aroma you inhale as you bite into it. I'm not sure I can even explain what it feels like to hold that fresh apple in your hand-slightly dewy and perfect for picking- listening for the slight snap as you twist it and break it off its branch. I wish I could recount the excitement on my kids faces as they walk into the orchard, running up and down the rows, screaming in delight when they spot the perfect (way up top, I need daddy to pick me up) apple.

So I'll show you instead.

Mandatory mom & kids photo- if only they would stay still and someone would teach them how to actually smile for a photo! And if only I had kept my sunglasses on (so bright!).

Gotta get the good ones

And you certainly can't let your younger brother have all the fun!

Of course the corn maze may ACTUALLY be the best part!

Perfect size!

The perfect apple tree

And yet another perfect tree- they were everywhere!

Why is full day kindergarten still a mess?

Every morning my 4 year old lies on the floor, crying, and begs me not to send him to school.

He's a kid that went to daycare and camps and Sunday School. He is used to me leaving him in a group setting with an adult (sometimes an adult that is still a stranger) in charge. He has never cried or begged me not to go.

But then he started Junior Kindergarten.

This isn't my first rodeo. I have an older son who has gone through JK, so I went through the mental checklist that I am sure most parents go through:

• Introduce him to the teacher ahead of time (check, because his teacher was his brother's kindergarten teacher and she is amazing)
• Make sure he knows some kids at the school (check)
• Organize a bus buddy that makes him feel safe (check, his brother and another girl on the street)
• Talk about school: what to expect, how to behave, how to make friends (check, check)
• Pray and hope it goes well (triple check)

Except for us it did not go well.
It went the exact opposite of well.
He has spent the past weeks crying daily and begging me not to send him back to "that place".

Why?

"Because there are too many kids and it's not fun."
"Because I never know where to go or where my class is."
"Because I can't find my friends on the playground."

Because his classroom is overwhelmingly full of kids.

As a former teacher and a parent I LOVE the idea of full day kindergarten. I think it gives our youngest the ability to learn and develop skills that will help them flourish as they grow. I also agree that our kids need to learn to fail, learn to adapt and learn to handle new situations, even at a young age.

What I don't agree with- and what I realize is causing my son and many others like him immense stress as he endeavours to acclimate to school- is extreme class size.

30- 35 kids in a kindergarten classroom is not just too much, it's practically unmanageable.

A happy first day of school picture (before we
went into the classroom)

We live in a suburban neighbourhood that was built for families. Too bad they didn't build enough schools or allocate enough space. Our kindergarten classrooms are bursting at the seams. Our phenomenal teachers are forced to control the crowd of chaos that ensues when an overstuffed classroom of 4 and 5 year olds is seen as the "norm".  The pen (which is what they call the kindergarten playground, sadly) is another place of chaotic crowd control.

It seems that schools didn't learn their lesson from the 2014-15 school year. It seems that capping class sizes still isn't a priority despite the fact that the over abundance of kids makes learning (and even playing, which is the basis of full day kindergarten, isn't it?) nearly impossible. It seems that doing what is best for our kids is not even a consideration.

Do our kids need to adapt to new situations? Sure! Do our kids need to learn to navigate stressful situations? Yes! Do our kids need to be overwhelmed to the point of tears on a daily basis and given less of an opportunity to learn to love school simply because it isn't a priority to make class sizes manageable and realistic? I don't think so.

How do you jam 30-35 four and five year olds into a classroom with one teacher and one ECE and expect them to learn anything? How do you cram that many kids in a room and expect them to feel anything other than stressed out and overwhelmed? Common sense says, you don't.

Our country is one of the most progressive and revered- and yet the way we approach our education system says that education isn't a priority and, even worse, our kids are not a priority. As I wipe away my son's tears and tell him it's ok to be nervous and he will figure out his way in that sea of kids,  it pains me to see us making the same mistakes when it comes to our public schools- not learning from them- and failing our youngest and most vulnerable over and over again.

Worst Canadian Cities for Fall Allergies (& How To Survive)

I recently began writing for a fantastic "mom" site - Momtastic - as their Canadian connection:)

I am thrilled to work with such a fantastic group of women and fantastically talented editors. I am even more excited to help bring a Canadian voice (you know our voice- and our spelling- is different right?) to an already flourishing American publication.

My first article deals with something that is near to my heart- fall allergies. We are in the thick of fall allergies at my house- especially my oldest son who living with a tissue box never more than an arms length away.  Hence, my obsession with combating fall allergies.

Without further ado, here's a sneak peak at my first article:

According to Best Health, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor, Halifax, and Yellowknife are the worst Canadian cities for fall allergy sufferers. But why are allergies so bad in the fall?

The simple answer: ragweed pollen.

You can’t escape this allergen because it is literally everywhere during the fall. So, if you are anything like me and my kids, you spend most of this beautiful, beautiful season blowing your nose and wiping your watery eyes and looking for any kind of relief. But fall allergies do not have to be awful—in fact, there are ways to beat the fall allergy season (before it even begins, in some cases!). Find out how by reading the rest of my Momtastic post...

Don't let those beautiful fall leaves fool you- allergens abound!

I Turned 35

It feels very wrong to put it out there, but I turned 35 this month.

For some reason, turning 35 years old has been hard. 

Maybe it's because 35 feels old to me- I mean (don't slap me) but it's only 5 more years until I am 40. 

Maybe it's because both of my kids are in school now and I am suffering from a bit of baby envy (despite the fact I have no desire to have another baby, especially at 35!).

Maybe it's because I have spent the last few years working in a young person's world that made me feel like I was way younger than I am. 

Maybe it's because 35 makes me feel like I need to stop shopping at Garage and Dynamite and start spending my money at Laura and Tristan (on sweaters and pleated slacks, of course). 

Whatever the reason, the turning of 35 has been hard.

Only made easier by a phenomenal cake creation care of Cocoa Lane Sweeterie, the massive hugs of my two favourite boys who love me no matter what, and the realization that I have to suck it the hell up because- whether I like it or not- I'm 35, and all the pouting and hiding in the world won't change that.

Here's to a fantastic, life changing year!