We are all settling into the new routine. It still seems very busy but it is manageable and so far things are running smoothly. Hats off to those of you that do this 5 days a week.

Work is going really well. I still haven’t got over the novelty of having 8 hours to myself. Having to concentrate on something is actually enjoyable and then getting paid is a bonus. Going into the office that first week was pretty tiring. I picked a great week to start with company massage day and company lunch falling on the days I was in. Sitting in a massage chair at work gave me plenty of time to reflect on just how different life is in downtown Toronto. One day a week is definitely enough for me. Last week I hit company bagel breakfast day. I forgot how enjoyable eating is when you’re at work. Again, I’m glad I’m at home away from temptation for most of the week!

All three girls are adjusting really well to daycare. I have worked everything so that the girls still go to preschool 3 days a week. Claire is there 3 full days and from all reports is happy, but not eating or napping much. Nothing shocking there although it is nice to have someone who understands my frustration. There are 2 other little girls there part time who are around Claire’s age which is really nice.

Emma and Leah are doing well. They are growing up before our eyes and ready for school. We are probably going to keep them in preschool this summer just to keep things smooth for September. Emma has been quite defiant lately and she can be a challenge. She’s picked up some nasty habits like flat out refusing to do things and saying she won’t when you press her, sticking her tongue out at us, and the topper - saying na na na na boo boo. Man it’s grating. We are on top of it but it is very challenging to not lose my temper sometimes. It’s also nice to see that she can push my buttons when I thought no one would ever reach Leah status. Leah is happy go lucky these days. She is still highly emotional but now she just says she’s upset, or frustrated, or sad. She’s on top of all her emotions and she keeps us all informed. It’s hard not to laugh when she says things like “This is terrible. I’m upset at you.” Thankfully her happy times are just as intense.

They are fighting more these days like friends rather than siblings and I suspect some of it is stuff they pick up from school. One of them saying that they are bigger can send the other into a state of disaster or start them screaming that no, they are bigger. Again it is grating. They are also very kind to each other and Claire. They genuinely do things now to make the other one happy like sharing clothes. Even Leah gives up her favourite things and lets Emma borrow them.

Emma’s dress and hair obsession has reached a new high. Every day she tries to weasle her way into a dress. It kills me. I don’t understand how she doesn’t see that she looks way cuter in jeans and a sweatshirt. For the most part we are indulging her but I am going to have to start being more selective about what makes its way into her closet. Sorry Emma - you outgrew all the dresses…

We are now fully entrenched in the Disney vault and their imaginations have been captivated. They are always role playing and making up stories. Claire is always included either as Lucifer from Cinderella or Flounder from The Little Mermaid. I’m pretty sure she actually responds to both names. The old Disney movies are interesting. It amazes me how a movie like Bambi, which is mostly music, ever captivated children. It is a pretty telling sign of how far thngs have progressed (or maybe regressed). Yeah, not a big fan of Disney. Oh I almost forgot, the girls now want to go to Cinderella’s castle. They’ve told me it’s in Florida near Granny and Grandpa’s house. Maybe in a few years.

Until next time,
Evil Stepmother