my kids know (almost) everything

It seems lately I keep hearing "I know" from my kids.  I ask them to do something, "I know".  I tell them something new I just learned, "I know".  They ask for help with homework and before I can finish explaining the answer, they cut me off with "I know".  I remind them about something, "I know".  I yell at them for the 10th time to do something thinking surely they don't know what they are supposed to be doing and I still get "I know".  I'm wondering if anyone else also has children who know everything?

Jillian is bordering on clairvoyant.  It seems I can tell her almost anything and she says "I know".  Jillian is currently making duct tape items for her sister (for profit, Leah paid for these items...in advance).  Recently I told her a time I couldn't help with the messenger bag and she already knows.  I tell her when I will be able to help, she already knows!  I tell her what we are having for dinner just seconds after I've figured out what to make and that's right, she knows!! (then spends the next 30 minutes asking me over and over again what we are having, she knows, but only for a few minutes).

I'm thinking we need to change her name to The Amazing Jillian.  Although she has yet to prove these skills by sharing the information beforehand.  Jillian always waits until I tell her something first, THEN says "I know".  I'm skeptical.

I'm also doubtful about Kyle, despite his claims to know everything.  Why do I have to tell him 100 times to put laundry in a basket and then into the washing machine when his laundry hamper is full and he has no clean clothes?  And yet every time I tell him the answer is "I know".  Either he's bluffing or he does in fact know but just can't be bothered (hmm, this is actually likely given Kyle can't even be bothered to match a pair of socks, he frequently wears one white sock and one black sock...I'm not known to be a fashionista but even I know that's just wrong).

On the flip side, there are the things I think my kids should know after years of growing up with me as their mom and yet they seem absolutely shocked.  Asking for something 10 times after I've said no is going to make me annoyed (and loud), not change my mind.  Same thing for turning around to ask Dad after I've said no (or vice versa).  Just the other night at dinner Leah asks if she needs to eat her carrots.  "Yes" I answer and she says "BOTH of them?!" in the same incredulous tone I would expect if I had asked her to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro...backwards...with both arms tied behind her back.  And just to clarify these are baby carrots, 2 baby carrots on her plate.

That being said, Leah is also getting onto the "I know" bandwagon, although not nearly as often as her big brother and sister.  She is only 5 (almost 6) so she still has another year or two to learn everything.  Hopefully Kyle and Jillian are teaching her.

Art party

For Jillian's birthday party this year we decided to go with an art theme.  Jillian loves art projects and I thought it would be fun to do some with her new friends from school.  Jillian invited all of the girls in her class and 7 were able to come to the party.  We did dot trees on canvas, beaded keychains and watercolour bookmarks.  We also played a white elephant type game where the girls each unwrapped a gift or took one from someone else in the circle.

works of art...I love how we talked about the dot trees then the girls each made their own version and they are all different

making bookmarks with watercolour pencils

Beaded key chains 

After pizza the girls were all excited to play a round of cupcake wars.  This is one of Jillian's favourite tv shows and I thought it would be a fun twist on decorating their own cupcakes.  The girls were put into teams of 2 and given 2 cupcakes to decorate.  I was impressed with all of the girls, they put a lot of effort into a theme and it was great listening to them describe it as we went around the table.  We ended the party with take home bags to fill with gummies and other treats (because you can never have enough sugar!).

cupcake creations

Jillian had a great time, it as fun having her friends over to the house and I enjoyed getting to know some parents of the girls in her class.

artist palette cake for my artsy girl

Happy Birthday Jillian!

Happy 2014

Happy New Year...welcome 2014!

As I look back on 2013, I can say the biggest lesson learned was things can change and embracing change can be a good thing.  Lucky for me this was a positive change and nothing dire (no sickness or devastating news).  But I have learned to be able to go with the flow and not stress too much about the future.  If you had asked me in early 2013 about our life I thought I could have mapped out the next 10 years accurately.  Amazing how many things can change with one decision!  A new house, new city, new country, new schools, new friends.  The start of 2014 marks the 3 month anniversary of our move to Seattle.  We have made a good start in settling here in our new life but there's still work to be done to make this feel like home.

I'm looking forward to 2014.  I have been so proud of my kids and how well they have adjusted to our new life here in Seattle.  I look forward to watching them settle in even more and getting closer to new friends.  I am also looking forward to visiting Toronto in the summer to spend time with many dear friends and family.  And finally I'm looking forward to a family vacation...we don't have anything planned yet but there are many fun things to explore here on the west coast so I'm sure we will find something great to do as a family.

Let the adventures continue for our family and yours throughout 2014!