meditations of a blueberry

I've been busy working on my activities for the busy bag swap momstown is putting on. I chose to be in two different groups: the toddler group, and the pre-K group. I figured that with the new baby on his way, I am going to need lots of things to keep E busy while I am busy with his brother. I had a few ideas already from my teaching days, but ultimately, I found my ideas on Pinterest. I have just finished the activities, so I thought I would share them with you here! This is only one of the many, many sources that I found the toddler activity on! "I Spy" Containers What you need: -1 clear, plastic jar or bottle (a water bottle or small mayonnaise jar would work here. Just depends on your items, and how big you want it) -rice -small items (buttons, elastics, plastic letters, anything really!) What you do : 1. Add your items to your containers. 2. Pour in your rice.   3. Ta da! I also took pictures of each item in each container and printed the...

This weekend is Family Day weekend in Alberta. It's always a welcome break in what is usually a very cold month. This year winter has barely touched us (so far, I'm sure winter will be here, even if it's in May!), so I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my men outside.  In years past, I have actually used this weekend to travel home to see my family, especially since moving to Edmonton.  It can be really disappointing at times to not have them near me when I hear about all the fun things that others are doing with their families. For quite a while, I felt quite alone and isolated here. Yes, I had mrblueberry during this time, but sometimes that isn't enough. Sometimes a girl just needs girlfriends! It can be really hard to make friends as an adult. And since I didn't have a regular job, it was harder. There are many benefits to working as a substitute teacher, but getting to know the other teachers and forming friendships with coworkers is not ...

February. There has always been something to look forward to in February. Reading week always fell in February in university. Since moving to Alberta, there was always Family Day weekend (a welcome break that BC doesn't have!). And, of course, there is always Valentine's Day. Since 2010, however, I have not looked forward to this month, especially Valentine's Day. This year and the last, the day has snuck up on me and not until a day or two before did I realize what was passing. Valentine's Day was my due date with our angel baby. Two years ago, I should have been holding a newborn. Instead, I was halfway through a new pregnancy but still grieving the loss from the summer before. I remember feeling so off balance that year. I was excited to be pregnant, but I was also sad for what I had lost. And the guilt. Oh the guilt. I felt guilty for being happy about being pregnant because it felt like I was betraying the baby I lost. But then I felt guilty for feeling guilty bec...