Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned. 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 August.
Things I learned in August
1. I learned that when your firstborn is 5 1/2 and about to enter kindergarten, and she learns to swim, and she gets her 6-year molars, and your baby turns 2, you are sort of an emotional wreck. Where did the time go, I ask you?
2. I discovered that I can take 2 children to the fair, and not even cry once. (Big thanks to my friend Carrie for the invitation, and the fabulous Marilyn for coming along, too!)
Hannah and I, not crying on our way out of the fair
3. I canned peaches for the first time.
4. I watched Jacob on his first set of wheels, and it was delightful.
A boy and his balance bike
5. I experimented with fermenting my own dill pickles. It is still ongoing, but I will hopefully have an update by the time I report my September learnings. Preliminary results: super-easy, but skimming mold is kind of gross.
6. I helped the amazing Crunchy Carpets organize an “I’m Not Going to BlogHer Pity Party“, and it wasn’t pitiful at all. I suspect that when a bunch of people get together in the name of fun it never is.
Non-pitiful pity partiers
7. I asked you to share your story, and many of you responded, and I am so amazingly touched and inspired.
8. I learned that I am far from alone in my shopping cart neuroses. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to know that so many of you are also dedicated cart-returners.
9. I fell in love with my cherry pitter. Not only was it super-handy when I made cherry ice cream, but it works on olives, too. Although I haven’t tried olive ice cream (yet), so I can’t tell you how that would work.
The kids try out the new cherry pitter
10. I have found myself immersed back in the world of 2-year-olds throwing temper tantrums. I am remembering a lot of stuff that I’m pretty sure I forgot on purpose. Such as, how completely dedicated your toddler can be to having only one sock on, and how upset any attempt to change that situation can make him.
What about you? What did you learn in August? Please share! And read some of these fabulous posts to see what other people learned in August, or add your own:
Yay for the fair! I was pleasantly surprised at how well it went overall. In fact, I think I might, just MIGHT be ready to tackle D-land!
What I learned in August:
- Travelling long distances by car with a 2 year old can be much less stressful than you thought it would be, and quite enjoyable if you bring lots of grapes, Goldfish crackers, and pillows.
- Only bringing one kid’s music CD on said long car trip will drive you insane.
- Theme parks with your 2 year old are made easy by bringing your own stroller, even if it takes up half the trunk.
- Train rides are non negotiable to a boy toddler. You must ride them upon pain of tears.
- There is a reason why you buy Crayola washable crayons. Do not buy imitation brands that say they are washable. They are not.
- Play-Doh stains carpet. Doh!
- Eating local, fresh, from scratch foods here is considered much more normal and less “novelty” than in the States.
- Realized my family eats very healthy, compared to a lot of other families. Felt proud.
- Nathan Fillion is one funny dude on Twitter, and surprisingly fun to follow.
- Letting your husband golf more often means you get left home with the kid more, but you have a happier husband.
- Toddler heads are hard, and can really break noses with almost no effort when cuddling in bed half-awake.
Although the fair wiped me out, I actually felt really proud of myself for managing it as well as I did. Like Carrie said, it gives me hope that I’ll survive Disney with some sanity intact.
I think I forgot about the 2 year old tantrum thing too. Our ongoing issue is also sock related. Although in my case Em takes her socks off then cries to have them put on then cries because they’re on and take them off again. Lather rinse repeat until she’s in a fury. Why socks are such an issue is beyond me.
Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)’s last post … What I Learned- August 2010 & Wednesday of Few Words
I don’t get the 2 year old sock thing either and it seems 90% of them go through it – weird!
Things I learned in August:
That organizing, sorting, packing, selling and moving 10 years worth of household items is stressful, exhausting, and insane. Did I mention we had 30 days to pack up the house – yeah.
That parenting a three year old is more challenging than I remember.
That day trips to the zoo and the CN tower cost more than renting a cottage for a weekend.
That paying up front for dentist appointments for the family is very costly! Our previous dentist sent the claim directly to our benefits company and we paid the difference and now we pay up front, they submit and the benefit’s company eventually reimburses us. $1000 worth of dental work in August – ouch!
Tanya’s last post … Pockets of time
Great job on taking the kids to the fair on your own. I thought I was brave going to Centennial Beach on my own. I was also pretty emotional this month about how quickly my kids are growing up. It is bitter sweet.
Lisa
Lisa’s last post … Wordless Wednesday
Eww – I didn’t know their was mold skimming involved in fermented pickles. I was considering trying them next year.
And I so want to can peaches and pears. I think that’s my next stop on the preserving train.
BluebirdMama’s last post … Briefly August
Done!
harriet Fancott’s last post … What I learned on my summer vacation
Oh, the mold got me all confused and I committed a terrible there/their sin. Please don’t mind me. I do have a better grasp of grammar than that.
BluebirdMama’s last post … Briefly August
Oh how those kids grow up so fast…. and it is so bitter-sweet!
katepickle’s last post … Things I Learnt in August…
That sock thing is a big issue in our house too. Don’t any one dare mess with his sock configuration, what ever that may be today. I’m right there with you on being a mess. Cedric starts preschool next week. Next week!
Laura’s last post … Wordless Wednesday- The Object of my Desire
I didn’t write one of these posts per se but my Wordless (ahem, I mean wordy) Wednesday post today is perfect for this because it was all about learning how us girls in the family are all able to take risks/face our fears and actually not fall off the chair lift (metaphorically and literally speaking!)
Thanks for the linky opportunity Amber!
And if you want to see an unflattering photo of me on a bunjee cord then go check me out.
Writing what you learned at the end of the month is a good idea!
1. I learned that being a new stay at home mom is harder than I thought it would be (resigned July 28th).
2. It’s better to be organized when you move. I have no idea where my stuff is.
3. I was reminded how much socializing is important for my attitude and mood.
4. I can find new places in a new city!
5. It takes a village to raise a child: my mom and sister watched my 1 year old for a day and taught her how to crawl up stairs, something that I hadn’t bothered to do.
6. I learned that every day I MUST make the decision to be happy and think positive thoughts.
7. And… I found BBC News on the radio! (I thought it was gone forever since I haven’t found it in the past two years).
I learned that running can be fun until it hurts. Except I really drove the lesson home today. So technically that should be saved for Things I Learned in September, right?
PS. How is your book coming along? I don’t remember seeing a recent post on it, but may have missed a post or two with this crazy schedule I’m keeping right now!
Jennifer’s last post … These words don’t belong to me
I am currently collecting stories. Slowly. I will be posting an update sometime this month, hopefully.
In August I discovered a little bit more of what I am passionate about. It felt good. I always thought school could help with this, and maybe it can, but maybe it is a process of maturing as well. Loved your August lessons!
Wendy Irene (Give Love Create Happiness)’s last post … New Blog Friends
I hope your little climber is ok after his fall! Hope I can work out your widget, and add my link.
Francesca’s last post … from here and afar
I learned all the lyrics to the Winnie the Pooh song, after many corrections from my two year old.
Thanks for the glide bike recommendation. It’s definitely helped Q-ster start to get the hang of his big bike, and we’ll be able to pass it along to Buster soon (I hope.)
Lady M’s last post … Five Green and Speckled Frogs
I’m a little late to the party, but I just linked up with what I learned in August.
I’m also still planning to share my story (because, as usual, I have a lot to say), but time seems to be passing at the speed of light! How long are you going to leave that open?
Amanda’s last post … August 2010 Recap
I’m hoping to get the first round of stories in by September 17, although that’s a soft deadline. And if typing it out doesn’t work for you, we can absolutely set up a time to chat on the phone.
wait, there is a cherry pitter? I will add this to the things I learned in September!
Sara’s last post … Kids & Vinyl Tableclothes
late to the party …. but, done!
pomomama’s last post … so that was August
Hey there, I came across a yummy looking ice cream recipe, and, well… you’re kind of the only person I know who has an ice cream maker… hmpfh. Anyways… here’s the link: http://blog.mightyleaf.com/green-tea-ice-cream-sound-good/#more-2455
I hope you maybe have a chance to give this a try, because I’m kind of wondering how it would come out
Sara’s last post … Green Clover and Aloe by Jenness Farm