Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned, and not always the easy way. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?

So, without further ado, here are some things that I learned in June.

Things I learned in June

1. I discovered that while my son Jacob still doesn’t really enjoy having his haircut, he’ll now consent to wearing the cape, which is a big victory for that part of me that does not enjoy being covered in tiny hairs.

2. I learned that it’s really hard to have a peaceful walk through a labyrinth when you have a two-year-old and a six-year-old with you. But it’s awesome in a whole other way.

A sign in the labyrinth at the Midsummer Fete

3. I had my first slushie in living memory, and I found that brain freeze is just as unpleasant as I remember. But the frozen cream soda-y goodness was worth it.

4. I discovered that when your husband, brother-in-law and father-in-law have taken over your living room to watch game seven of the Stanley Cup final, the best thing you can do is take your kids to a green space for refuge.

Seeking refuge from the Stanley Cup final

5. I could no longer remember what day of the week it was within 24 hours of school ending. It was both startling and kind of awesome, all at the same time.

6. For about the eight millionth time, I discovered that when boiling water for pasta, it really helps to turn the burner on.

7. I learned that there is nothing better in the eyes of my train-loving boy than going to Day out with Thomas with his grandparents. And for my part, I really enjoyed watching my kids drive off, knowing that they were thrilled and I was going to get a little peace and quiet.

Jacob arrives home, covered in Thomas paraphernalia

8. I signed up to run 5K in the Run for the Cure as part of team Bloggers for Boobies. And then I remembered that the last time I did any kind of “run” was in 1992, when I was barely 16 years old, and I felt Great Terror. Please tell me I can do it!

9. I discovered that while I think an actual baby beluga is pretty much the cutest thing ever, my kids go wild for the plush version.

BeeBop the Beluga at the Vancouver Aquarium

10. I sampled the first of my garden produce for 2011. And I learned, once again, how sweet it is to eat food you grew yourself – especially when it’s a strawberry.

What did you learn in June? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in June, or add your own:

Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned, and not always the easy way. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?

So, without further ado, here are some things that I learned in May.

Things I learned in May

1. I learned that sometimes, all the toys in a dentist’s treasure chest are not enough to entice a 2-year-old to open his mouth.

2. I discovered that when one has children, one may discover random pickles on one’s carpeting.

I call this “Pickle on Carpet”. Or “Why yes, I do have kids, why do you ask?”

3. I helped my 6-year-old sign up for her first library card, and I love how proud she is of it. Books rock!

4. I learned just how dependent I am on childcare when Wonder Nanny had a family emergency, which required her to fly home (permanently) early on the morning that Jon and I were scheduled to speak at Northern Voice, the local blog conference.

Jon at Northern Voice the day before the childcare crisis

5. I learned that I have the most awesome in-laws ever, when they came riding in to rescue us from our childcare disaster.

6. I learned that the Universe wants me to take up karate again, when I won a free monthly pass to a karate studio at Vancouver Mom‘s “30 Ultimate Mom Bloggers” event. Unfortunately, though, the Universe didn’t pick a location that’s even remotely convenient to my home, so I may need to pass the prize along.

The fabulous ladies at the Vancouver Mom event

7. I am re-learning the superiority of fresh, local produce, with the summer farmers’ market opening. The growing season is getting off to a slow start, but every week there’s more, and I’m holding my breath for the first local strawberries.

8. I discovered the joy of the couple’s massage when my husband and I were treated to a night at a hotel and spa for our 10th wedding anniversary. It’s pretty much the same as a regular massage, but you get to share that lovely relaxed feeling afterwards, and since we didn’t have kids with us, there was nothing to interfere with the zen.

Sign in Harrison Hot Springs, the village where we spent our first kid-free night in a hotel since 2005

9. I said good-bye to my dark blue walls, and I am so happy that I did. Light is good, is all I can say.

10. I created my first writing portfolio, so I got to learn all about creating writing portfolios. This made me feel very serious and writer-ly, indeed. It also led me to learn that if you want to create a PDF with clickable links, Open Office is the way to go.

What did you learn in May? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in May, or add your own:

I had a problem scheduling this post, so you may have seen a version of this yesterday. My apologies for the confusion. Oh, and while I have your attention, if you’re Canadian make sure to get out and vote today!

Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned, and not always the easy way. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?

So, without further ado, here are some things that I learned in April.

Things I learned in April

1. I found out that my cat has tartar, and I feel slightly guilty about that. But I’m too afraid of her to actually attempt to brush her teeth.

2. I learned that Hannah has been paying attention, when she correctly identified the statue at Vancouver International Airport as appearing on the $20 bill. Her father and I, on the other hand, had to pull out our wallets to be sure.

3. I discovered that if you attempt to pull surgical glue out of your hair, the hair will come with it.

4. I learned that a 6-year-old takes her flower girl duties much more seriously than a 3-year-old does.

6-year-old flower girl smiling demurely

3-year-old flower girl behaving like a 3-year-old

5. I found out that I’m so used to leaving the bathroom door open for my kids that I will completely forget to close it when I have guests.

6. I discovered that my children have no qualms whatsoever about dancing around in their underwear for our local MP when he comes campaigning, no matter how many times I tell them to stop.

7. I learned the sweetness of seeing the girl you met at 10 years old walking down the aisle on your father-in-law’s arm.

8. I heard my 2-year-old tell his first knock knock joke. It was totally unintelligible, but it was hilarious all the same.

9. I ate my first dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s, and wondered how I’d lived this long without them in my life. I also lamented the fact that Trader Joe’s is not in Canada all over again.

10. I learned the freedom of saying “no” to something that doesn’t work for me.

What did you learn in April? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in April, or add your own:

Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned, and not always the easy way. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?

So, without further ado, here are some things that I learned in March.

Things I learned in March

What did you learn in March? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in March, or add your own:

1. I re-discovered the uniquely impatient feeling that comes from waiting for seeds to sprout.

There’s a lot of potential in these dirt-filled pots

2. I found out the hard way that even though your 2 1/2 year old was pretty cool at his last haircut, he may still melt down, shrieking and leaping out of his chair, at his next haircut.

3. I learned the joy that comes with receiving your first participation medal.

Hannah is really proud of her “golden” medal

4. When Hannah went to art camp I found out that while she may do more worrying in advance, I will be the one left sniffling as she heads off without so much as a backwards glance on her first day.

5. I discovered that Jacob bats left, even though he appears to be right-handed. His dad is the same way.

Once we moved Jacob to the other side of the T-ball post, he hit the ball much farther

6. I learned, for approximately the 8 millionth time, that the oven works much better when it’s actually turned on. Hopefully this time it finally takes.

7. I could have guessed this one, but we discovered firsthand that fabric markers are fun, and make for awesome skirts.

Hannah and I collaborated on this skirt

8. I submitted my very first panel proposal, to speak at Northern Voice with Kerry and Vincent, and I was accepted. Hooray!

9. I learned that while driving downtown to ride the miniature train is fun, it’s pretty much tied with sitting in the non-moving Lightning McQueen car at the mall on the toddler fun charts.

Jacob and his dad living it up at the mall

10. I survived my first ever Spring Break as a parent with very little trauma. Hooray!

What did you learn in March? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in March, or add your own:

Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned, and not always the easy way. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?

So, without further ado, here are some things that I learned in February.

Things I learned in February

1. I became the mother of a 6-year-old.

2. I learned that I must surely have made a parenting mistake somewhere, because that 6-year-old is in love with Justin Bieber.

The Biebs at the NBA All-Star Game, as drawn by my daughter Hannah

3. I threw my first kids’ birthday party, at my house no less, and survived to tell the tale.

4. Expanding on #3, I discovered that if you’re going to cut enough felt to make 12 no-sew felt flower barrettes, you are likely to get a blister from all the scissoring.

9 of the 12 barrettes

5. Thanks to my children, I found joy in Valentine’s Day again.

6. For what feels like the 8 millionth time, I learned that my children’s ability to reach treats exceeds my estimation.

Jacob retrieving cookie tins from the top of the fridge

7. I took my first couple of forays into podcasting, thanks to Callie and Sarah.

8. I discovered the gift of a rest, when the Crafting my Life participants voted to take a week off.

9. I watched my 2-year-old fall in love with all things basketball.

Playing with an improvised hoop

10. I discovered that other people can care for my children when I attended a cultural event (and met the amazing Joyelle), and my husband stayed home and put the kids to bed.

What did you learn in February? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in February, or add your own:

Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned, and not always the easy way. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?

So, without further ado, here are some things that I learned in January.

Things I learned in January

1. I learned that posting a photo of a positive pregnancy test on my blog is likely to lead to rumours. For the record, I am using birth control and I am not pregnant, babylust notwithstanding.

This pregnancy test hails from the distant date of December, 2007

2. I launched the first session of my very first online course, Crafting my Life, and it is fabulous. I am really, really enjoying it.

3. I discovered that when 2-year-old Jacob has a choice between circle time and basketball, basketball wins every time. And I also discovered that a real basketball beats a regular bouncy ball hands down.

Jacob and his basketball

4. I started some serious de-cluttering, and felt like I lost about 50 pounds, all from my brain. It’s much lighter in my head now, in general.

5. I learned that Wayne Gretzky endorses green tea, and I found this … odd.

I’m not sure what green tea has to do with hockey, exactly

6. I learned that a cough can stick around for weeks, not really going anywhere or causing other problems. COUGH!

7. I discovered that a 2-year-old does not consider taking off his mitten before sticking his hand in a puddle, and then he complains when his mitten is wet.

That mitten is now wet, but he’s not really making the connection

8. I found out the hard way not to turn my back on my 2-year-old at the farmers market, or I will end up having to pay for some maple taffy, and my car will be sticky for weeks.

9. I learned that few things make my daughter as happy as being allowed to take off her coat on a cold day. I’m not sure I understand why.

Hannah is overjoyed to be coatless in January

10. I watched a lot of “Mad Men”. Now I’m finished all four seasons, and I feel sad. I miss Peggy Olson!

What did you learn in January? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in January, or add your own:

Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned, and not always the easy way. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?

So, without further ado, here are some things that I learned in November.

Things I learned in November

1. I learned that if you taunt the weather gods on the internet, it will come back to bite you.

Me: It’s still autumn, it’s far too early to think about Christmas. The Internet: BWAHAHA!

2. I found out a whole lot about farming from the fabulous Amy, and I am enchanted by what I discovered.

3. I learned that my husband’s little sister is engaged, and I am 17 kinds of thrilled for her and her sweetie. They are like a stack of waffles with awesomesauce.

4. I discovered once again that a haircut makes a kid look much older, instantly.

Before the haircut

After the haircut

5. I discovered that crushed candy canes are really good in homemade vanilla ice cream.

6. I made some Waldorf-inspired felt gnomes, and found that my 5-year-old cannot stomach the Waldorf no face thing.

Gnomes, which we are calling elves, and which Hannah improved with faces

7. I re-discovered the joy of having a really nice pencil sharpener – the kind that can make points so sharp they’re dangerous.

8. I tasted homemade oreos at a local cafe, and in so doing found the best cookies in the whole world.

Mmm, homemade oreo

9. I found out that it’s much harder than it should be to track down toddler rain boots in suburban Vancouver. Newsflash: it rains here. A lot.

10. I (reluctantly) welcomed a TV back into my home after more than two years TV-free. I’m pleased to say that I have successfully limited my viewing, and it was easier than I feared.

What about you? What did you learn in November? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in November, or add your own: