Top Centre - Clockwise: Peach Skipping rope | Amazon, Denim Dress | Joe Fresh, Hair Bows | Gift from Auntie Nicole, Bracelet | Etsy, Pink T Shirt | Joe Fresh, Sweater Dress | H&M, Blue Jumper & Red/White T-Shirt | H&M, Polly Pockets & Tiny Toys | My 90’s childhood collection, Where the Sidewalk Ends | Birthday gift from Mimi & Yeye, Animal Upon Animal | Amazon, Readers | Gifts from Auntie Susan, Jean Shorts | Carters, Jeans | Old Navy, Pre School Math & Literacy | Amazon, Necklace & Bracelet | Birthday Gift from Auntie Nicole & Uncle Jude, Pink Shoes | Winners, Mermaid Pyjamas | Old Navy, Wild Flower Pyjamas | Old Navy, Sunglasses | H&M, Sneakers | Zara, Rainboots | H&M, Dress Shop | my 90’s childhood collection, Hedhghog Family | Chapters, Rain jacket | Old Navy, Socks | H&M

Having Zoë’s last semester of preschool cancelled, we had to shift gears at home and in our daughter’s overall daily life. This capsule is very indicative of the direction that the COVID 19 pandemic took us and her.

New to Her

Denim Dress

A birthday dress. She loves wearing dresses these days.

Rain Jacket

What kid wouldn’t want a see-through rain jacket? These were the thoughts I had running through my mind pre COVID world when I was in Old Navy late February. I am very glad I picked it up. It was a hit. She adores it

Pink Dress Shoes

On our last outing before the pandemic, Zoë strolled through winners and picked up this pair of shoes. Already more of a shopper than her mama and with a keen eye, I couldn’t deny her this pair. We said we would put them aside for her easter outfit. (little did we know easter events would all be in the house this year, either way, we brought them out for easter and she adores them.)

Still Going Strong

Pyjamas

Although a couple of sets of pyjamas wore out in the knee (inevitable) she still has plenty of pairs to keep her going and will probably fit still this coming autumn. I love the patterns Old Navy produces for kids.

H&M Rainboots

Ordered over a year ago these rainboots I purchased was a size too big for her at the time but has proven to be a smart choice as they fit perfectly and I assume they will for at least the duration of this year.

Readers

A gift from a great aunt awhile ago, these readers are becoming the method in which Zoë is gaining her reading skills. Seeing her understand the process of reading is such a thrill.

Time to Go

*not pictured here

Worn out socks & Pyjama Pants

This season plenty of worn-out socks and pyjama pants were tossed. Thankfully we still have plenty on hand and are in no great need to replace any.

This year marks the first year that we are introducing our almost five-year-old to watching movies.

Growing up, my sister and I didn’t have Cable with the endless channels and tv shows to watch. What we did have were parents who curated and created an experience around watching films. VHS tapes were aplenty in our house and if there was a TV movie or Hallmark special on, my mother would take a VHS over to my grandparent’s house and get it taped so we could watch it later.

As a rule, growing up, we watched films together first. Usually, it was over a pizza, a special dinner or dessert. Some sort of treat (even if just a bowl of ice cream) and we would all share in the experience. Once we had all watched the film together we were free to re-watch on our own time, but always, as a rule, we watched movies together first. Bonding over stories, the comedy, and quotes of films became a love language for my family. (I can, if needed, quote the entirety of ‘The Emporer’s New Groove’ on demand.)

I adored that tradition and this year we start a version of it ourselves with Zoë. We haven’t watched many films with her until now, partly due to her personality not being ready and another, in part, knowing that she has her whole life to catch up on all things ‘screen related’.

This year we will be watching a new film with her a movie a month. 12 Movies in 2020.

So far we have watched:

JAN: Frozen
FEB: Lady and the Tramp

Projected:

MAR: Mary Poppins

This past Autumn, the beginning of pre-school was an adjustment of weekly colds, new friends and experiences.

Although I am sure we are not free from the colds from classmates, I am so thrilled to see that all of these new experiences have brought our little one, who is full of life, into a new sense of herself.

As she has been adjusting, so have I.

Learning how to capitalize on the time that we have apart and find what works with this new life while also realizing it is just a stepping stone into this coming Autumn when she begins her first year in Elementry School.

What We’ve Been Capitalizing On

Time Apart

While she has been in preschool, I have been embracing the time as admin hours. Catch up on emails, write up interviews, social media for work purposes and get the ball rolling for various projects. I have learned that although I am not able to dig into too many things during those hours, I can get a lot of things moving and addressed.

Playdates

We have begun having meaningful playdates amidst the busy of life and learning what it means to create meaningful and caring friendships. Seeing the connection that has begun to grow between Zoë and one of her friends has brought so much joy and excitement into our lives.

Learning at Home

When at home we are doing our best to create space for her to freely play while also sneaking in some mindful learning. Some of the ways we do this are through a great gift from her Great Grandmother in the Kiwi Crate subscription package she is receiving now which sends you a package of learning and creative activities to do monthly. Learning to follow along with words and pick out / read the connecting words (to, a, and, the), watching a new film monthly, exploring music through playlists, piano, and her new Ukelele, etc.

Weekends

Capitalizing on the weekends in what the season has to offer by exploring the farmers market, going out in the snow and making use of a gift we received in a year pass to the Discovery Centre in Downtown Halifax.

Pre School is a huge step into this souls independent journey. We are blessed to be able to provide her with an atmosphere that creates space for imagination, learning and group interaction.

I found myself internally very aware and emotional on what this milestone means for her and I specifically. As her mother and primary care giver, these are the necessary growing pains that will spring board her and I into a new type of mother and daughter.

A stepping stone.

Above all else, we hope we are able to encourage and cultivate how she uniquely learns and interacts with her world. That she experiences this school year as a way to practice her voice, learn how she learns best and finds some joy in the exploring, creating and practicing new skills.