Hoffman's Hideaway: An Amazing Summer! Pt 1 of who knows!

Monday, August 8, 2011

An Amazing Summer! Pt 1 of who knows!

For those of you who follow along on facebook, I think it looks like we have spent the ENTIRE summer on vacation. Honestly, it FEELS like we have. It feels like I am emptying bags and luggage and repacking every week. I think the kiddos are looking forward to going back to school just so they can settle into a routine! In less than a week I will have 2 children in school full time. I am refusing to blog about that right now for fear of my mother emotions taking over and I end up blubbering like an idiot.

We left the week after Cole got out of school, loaded the car and went to Toronto for 10 days. Daddy, who had to work there for the week was able to join in for some fun time in the evenings and weekend. This would be the kids first exposure to things like a subway, LARGE open markets, and their first official trip out of the country. They were troopers about exploring, finding our way when we got lost and just in general being really relaxed and taking in all the really cool sites! Although Toronto was not on my "Bucket List" of places I wanted to see, I think it is one of the most amazing cities in the world! I am so glad we went.

Toronto is amazingly diverse both ethnically and culturally. It is very interesting to see these groups intertwined in the same restaurants, museums, areas and just on the street. It proved for some great conversation starters and learning moments for both kids.

We enjoyed the CN tower, Casa Loma (A Real Life Castle), The Science Museum, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and and trip to a wonderful park. The kiddos were Subway Pros by the end of the week and they were really good at asking for directions. Cole's comment at the end of the week was "Ya know mom, you can find nice people willing to help anywhere." It is my hope that he carries that knowledge his entire life.

On the way home, Border Patrol asked if we had anything to declare. I laughed and said, "Yeah, I have a 5 year old that can't/won't walk in flip flops, an 11 year old that is tired of his little sister, more dirty laundry than I want to deal with, 10 open bags of snacks and lots of left over Canadian coins. Border Patrol boy was not amused.

At the CN Tower

They make a Moose noise when they do this, which I find soooo funny. I doubt others find it that amusing.

Cole was trying to spin her till she puked. What a loving brother!

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A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.