September - Lucas @ 35 months

This is the longest I've ever gone without blogging ... what can I say? Life caught up with me; I've been so busy I haven't even had the time to facebook! I thought that with Lucas in school 4 times a week, I'd have more time but I find myself even busier. When Lucas is in school I do the groceries, clean the apartment, do the laundry (not everyday) and then its time to pick Luc and make lunch!

Recently Lucas has been resisting sleep so much he would only nap if I napped with him :)

He would cling onto me so that I could not escape and the slightest movement will stir him from his nap. Today however I managed to get out of bed without waking him and he went on to nap for the full 2 hours.

Ever since Lucas started school, he's been excited about going to school. Yes I am one of the lucky ones, as Lucas doesn't cry unconsolably when I leave him in school. He happily wakes up every morning asking for school. When the school gates open he's running off like the wind towards his classroom. His is one of the first few names remembered by his teachers and Lucas, I am very proud to say is one of the first in his class of 27 to recognize his name written on a laminated card. Every morning every kid has to pick up their names and stick it on the board for roll call. Lucas picked his up by himself the 2nd day at school.

However, when it comes to potty training, he's had 3 accidents in school so far; the last one was a biggie! Luckily he did it in his pants during playtime outside and right after, it was time to go home. I am not sure if his teacher noticed, cos I actually didn't notice anything when I went to pick him, until we got home.

Lucas and I fly off to Malaysia this Saturday, and hopefully he will be fully potty trained by the time he gets back to school after Toussaint.

Lucas' new room

Moving Day

Lucas enjoying the paddle pool on a hot hot day

My 1st "accident" - I found the car "stuck" to mine when I got out of the shops

Child labor!

Lucas & papa, both in PJs

Watering plants - his favourite pastime!

How to stop cats from pooing in your garden

Tried and tested method - my friend advised me to dig up the crap and then spray the area with diluted eucalyptus oil. I used tea tree oil instead, full strength. I put tea tree oil in all the areas the cats liked to "mark" AND then I used Vicks to line the walls. It was messy BUT it worked like a charm! The cats did not come back to poo. They still use my garden to cross over to my neighbour's garden which has become their new "toilet"!!!

I have also planted mint, rosemary, thyme and lavender on the perimeters of my garden as the cats do not like these plants!

Monday

Monday...

Now that I have a school going toddler, I find myself waking up earlier than usual; to get breakfast ready and myself ready before waking Lucas to get him ready for school. My angel's day went fine today - I can't help it, I worry everytime I drop him off; worry about potty accidents, worry about him throwing tantrums and screaming, worry that he would hurt himself playing in school, worry he would come home with head lice (the lice shampoo ads are everywhere on TV!!!) ...

Everytime I go pick Lucas up, I expect the teacher to tell me something is wrong. And everytime I breathe a sigh of relief when she doesn't say anything other than calling out to Lucas to let him know that I was there.

Anyway, first week of school and all, and the teachers are already starting their strike (no school tomorrow as the teachers are on strike!) I suppose that is one bad thing about public schools; but at least the school put a note in Lucas' communication book to let us know that they will be on strike...

Today I pretended to cry when Lucas pinched my cheeks and was surprised to hear him say "why you cry?" and after, he said "pourquoi tu pleure?"

I have a feeling that in a couple of months Lucas will be speaking more french than I... and I'd better start to buck up and finish my french exercises!!!

Fred finally "fenced" up the fence so that we would have more privacy. The fencing ( material made of branches) was not cheap at all (50 euros for 3 metres); but cheaper than using wood and more ecological than using plastic. Next up, we have to dig up all the thistle and dandelions in the garden, and hopefully plant some Fall shrubs - too late to start a potager now, we will do it next Spring instead.

I took a friend's advice about using tea tree oil and Vicks to deter the cats from coming into the garden - it seems to be working but then it rained tonight so I suppose I may have to redo the whole process tomorrow...

What a week!

The past week has been totally crazy for us. We finally moved into our new home (yay!!!!) with the help of some terrific friends. I really wasn't expecting a lot and was actually worried that we'd end up moving stuff by ourselves (even though our friends said they would help, I didn't think that the commitment level was that high), but on moving day, everyone turned up on time and since Fred had already started to move boxes of stuff the night before, we were off to a really good start.

The heavies (frigo, TV, cabinets etc) were done in a couple of hours. The girls were really fantastic - they helped me clean up the old apartment, including getting down on their knees and rubbing alcohol to get rid of marks left behind by Lucas' stickers. AND Cathy even made pizza for lunch - we ended up at my MIL's for lunch before resuming work at the new apartment. MIL took the task of taking care of Lucas for the entire day (a first, with many more to come I hope!) and prepared dinner for us later that night.

Week 1 in our new home, I still haven't unpacked another dozen boxes, most of which are my clothes and bags and shoes. The girls visited 2 days ago with a nectarine flan for tea. I have met our neighbours and the 2 neighborhood cats that regularly poo in my garden. (If anyone of you reading this has a tip on how to stop the cats from coming to my garden and making deposits - any help will be appreciated!)

On another note, Lucas started his ecole Maternelle last Thursday. He was one of the few kids who did not cry, but we did get reprimanded by the maitresse for putting pull-ups on him (I was worried about accidents, but the maitresse told me not to put any form of diapers on Lucas or else he has to stay home!!!)

So, I spent another sleepless night worrying about Lucas' potty training and sent him to school on Friday sans diaper. I spent another 3 hours worrying while he was in school but to my delight, he was dry and clean when I picked him up. AND he went to the school toilet to pee.

Back at home, Lucas is no longer using the diaper except when he goes to sleep - I am not ready to deal with sleepless nights changing linens just yet; and even when we go out, Lucas is able to be without his diaper. Of course there were a couple of accidents, but more with his "deposits".

Yesterday Lucas gave Fred his birthday present when he finally "ka-ka" sitting on the toilet. Later that evening he told me again "ka-ka" but then he got distracted by some food and I thought that he would do the deed later... but nope, he did it in his underwear while eating!

Same thing happened today when I went out grocery shopping and Lucas was home with Fred. He told Fred "ka-ka" and Fred thought he could wait but he didn't. Both times were our fault. Now if Lucas tells us "ka-ka" we will put him on the toilet ASAP.

One good thing I noticed at the school is that the maitresse managed to get Lucas to sit still. Both times when I went to pick him up, he was sitting down waiting for me. That in itself is a miracle. The maitresse (Noelle) told Fred that when Lucas doesn't listen she gives him "the look" :)

I am happy that Lucas has Noelle who is fantastic with him and shows him immediately who is the boss :) Lucas needs a lot of boundaries and Noelle knows it.

Next up, when Lucas is feeling more adjusted about the school, I will leave him there for lunch at the canteen.

We indeed have lots to be thankful for - good friends, a wonderful teacher for Lucas and our new home!