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 May.
Things I learned in May
1. Jon and I discovered the magic of kindergarten orientation with Hannah. She raised her hand at every question, sang along with the songs, did the crafts and didn’t want to leave. I think that kindergarten is going to be great.
2. I re-learned the joys of a new toy. In this case, it was a digital camera.
My eye, in fish eye
3. I was overjoyed that 140 people took part in my book idea / blog survey. You guys rock! (I’ll be talking more about that on Friday.)
4. At Northern Voice I discovered that I am bloggable, and sat on the Family Matters panel.
See? Bloggable.
5. I discovered that it is possible to have a civil discussion about epidural use and availability. Colour me thrilled.
6. I learned that you pretty much either love or hate tempura dill pickles.
Tempura dill pickle recipe from The Gourmet Pregnancy
7. I learned that I can’t garden with Jacob by my side, if I want any of my plants to survive the experience.
8. I was thrilled that Jacob hit it off with his great grandfather, when 4 generations of Strocel men got together for the first time.
Ted Sr, Ted Jr, Jacob and Jon
9. I managed to make lunch using ingredients from my local farmer’s market, and it was good. Fresh food really does taste better.
10. I found joy in releasing baby salmon into the wild. May they live long and prosper.
Hannah releases her fish
What about you? 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:
May 2010 sounds like a great month for you! I especially love the 4 generations picture, that is wonderful.
.-= *pol´s last post ..The school system FORCES me to drug my son. =-.
4 Generations! We had were able to fly Q-ster to meet his great-grandma for a weekend when he was a baby, but that generation is gone now, sadly.
.-= Lady M´s last post ..Best Thing Ever =-.
The 4 men down the generations photo is precious. I just learned that there are lots of news at strocel.com that I don’t know about, and I can’t wait to learn the results of your survey & writing plans, and I’m so glad kindergarden orientation was magic! (I think I knew already about the pickles:))
.-= Francesca´s last post ..shared memories =-.
I really do think those pickles look delicious.
.-= harriet Fancott´s last post ..May rewind =-.
May was a busy month for ya!
I love the fish eye lens – I haven’t used mine in ages.
Wow – four generations! That’s awesome.
Very excited to hear about your writing plans! Will have to dig around for this later after I submit this comment. He he he.
Congrats on kindergarten orientation success! Looking forward to hearing about Hannah’s adventures this fall
.-= Mommy Quit´s last post ..Heat wave love =-.
I’m convinced I would love those pickles.
That picture is a keeper. Jon’s grandfather looks great!
.-= Marilyn´s last post ..Maple Leaf Foods: They’ve Improved Food Safety, So Can I Forgive Them? =-.
Just the topic of my latest post! Lessons learned…
http://www.mamarenew.ca/blog/2010/06/lessons-learned/
The biggest one for me is listening to my creative whims (far more brilliant than my sensible mind).
and you’re right, kindergarten is a lot of fun!
Sarah
Okay – tempura covered ANYTHING sounds awesome to me! When John worked in a fine restaurant, the cooks used to fry all kinds of things in tempura batter as a special little treat for the servers. They fried oreos, twinkies — all kinds of stuff. It was all delicious.
I honestly can’t even remember what I learned in May. I actually think I got dumber. This is what happens after the school year is over. My brain slowly leaks all the knowledge I try to squeeze in there over 2 semesters.
.-= TheFeministBreeder´s last post ..Saturday Nurse-In at Frederick MD Mall After Security Harasses Nursing Mother =-.
Two months ago my husband was diagnosed with cancer, albeit a “good” kind in that it’s low-grade, non-invasive and contained. He’s having a second surgery on Monday and the surgeon predicts positive results.
What I learned, though, (or maybe relearned is a better word) is that fear and trouble are made so much smaller when the love and care of family and friends is poured out to the person needing it. Truly, it was overwhelming and took me off guard almost as much as the diagnosis. I learned that I don’t have to be strong all the time, (my “go to” position), that it’s alright to be vulnerable, to talk about cancer and to let the love in.
I learned (remembered?) that love and life is all we have of real value in this short time together. And I learned that my adult children are capable of looking after me and their dad with as much love and devotion as we gave them all of their growing up years…..the same kind of love and care all of you wonderful parents of young chidren are giving on a daily basis. I learned that love is a circle and it’s our time to be on the receiving end. (Who knew?)
I am so deeply grateful for learning this. Thanks, Amber for asking. And I loved the 4 -generation photo , too. We have one with my Mom, who at 93 is still going strong!
May was a resounding month for me, in so many ways. But my single most important lesson: to live in the moment. I don’t know why it was so elusive to me before. But really, this has been a huge hurdle. And something clicked, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since.
.-= Christine LaRocque´s last post ..Blogging: Conversations in happiness and more =-.
What a month! We’re still two years away from kindergarten orientation. It must have been bittersweet to see how well your big girl took to school. Sounds like she’s ready! Good luck!
We just took a four generations photo this week, and my mother-in-law has a FIVE generations photo in her album!
I’ve never tried tempura dill pickles, but I feel strongly that I’d be one of the people who love them!
.-= Holly´s last post ..What I learned in May 2010 =-.
In May I (tried to) learn to appreciate what I have and not to wish for everything to be perfect. It’s hard not to compare babies in development and in sleep, but going to Northern Voice and trying to deal with 2 days of a baby there made me realize that my “hard” days at home are really not as “hard” as they could be. I am trying to be thankful of the little things, like how easily Aiden falls asleep now or how cute his little wave is.