March 13, 2008 by Barbara.

The other night at bedtime, Reid asked for her Care Bears. As I handed them to her, I said, “Here’s Thomas and CareB.” Reid told me that she had decided to call CareB something else. She actually told me the name but I’m afraid I’ve blocked it. I find it quite off-putting that she wants to change CareB’s name. I know it’s not rational but there it is. I’m okay with Thomas sometimes being a girl and at other times being a boy, though he is mostly a boy lately. Gender confusion is easier for me to accept, I guess. I’m even okay with Hair Baby and Bald Baby each sometimes being called “Daisy”. But CareB has a special place in my heart.

All this to say that I told Reid that she couldn’t just change CareB’s name willy-nilly like that. And - this is the part I should have kept to myself - I said, “How would you like it if I called you ‘Molly’?” We had considered “Molly” when I was pregnant but ultimately didn’t choose it (obviously ;+). Reid told me that it wasn’t her name and so I restated my position about CareB’s name. Yes, I was arguing with a 3 year old. Then, it got worse. Reid said that she was calling her <insert name here> and I said, “Good night, Molly.” At which point Reid started crying. Remember it was bedtime and that’s a tough enough time when you’re 3 without your mother tormenting you. I tried soothing her, having remembered that I’m the mama, but Reid asked for Ken and so I got him. He gave her some hugs and kisses and she settled down. She didn’t rat me out but when I spoke with Ken after Reid was asleep, I came clean. Ken is more interested in Reid getting a good night’s sleep and having a good morning than in defending CareB’s right to her name. He almost always remembers to be the grown-up.

I havn’t called Reid “Molly” since that night. She hasn’t called CareB by any other name either, mind you, but I’ll resist the urge if she does.

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March 13, 2008 by Barbara.

I’m writing this list to help remember that there are more museums in Ottawa than the 2 or 3 we go to most often. And, of course, to help anyone who is looking for a museum to visit in Ottawa and since it’s day 4 of spring break, there may be more people than usual looking for a diversion. I have written about many of these museums previously.

1. Canadian Children’s Museum - this museum is part of the Museum of Civilization but it is specifically designed for children and their families, as the name indicates
2. Canada Aviation Museum - Ken and Reid like this museum, I am not so keen on it but they look at me like I’m crazy when I say I’d rather stay home
3. Science and Technology Museum - Reid calls this the “train museum” for the locomotive room but there is so much more to see and do
4. Canada Agricultural Museum - spring is a great time to visit “the Farm”, as Reid calls it, to see the baby animals
5. National Gallery of Canada - this is another museum that we haven’t been to since Reid was tiny but it deserves a visit
6. Canadian Museum of Nature - Reid likes the dinosaur room and the area where the kids pretend to be in the bird sanctuary
7. Canadian Museum of Civilization - I’d thought Reid was too young at 3.5 to go into the main part of the Museum of Civilization but we went in January with an older cousin and she hadenjoyed a number of the displays
8. Canadian War Museum - Kids seem to be interested in the military vehicles and uniforms and the museum has activities especially for kids
9. Canada Postal Museum - this museum is also lodged at the Museum of Civilization. I’m always pleasantly surprised by the special activities they have, like the dog sled during Winterlude
10. Bytown Museum – season starts April 5^th - we haven’t been to the Bytown since Reid was born. It is on my list for this summer.
11. Cumberland Heritage Village – season starts May 20^th - there is usually a special theme for each Sunday during the summer. Our favourite last year was the Firefighter and Protective Services Day in July.
12. Pinhey’s Point Historic Site – season starts May 20^th - we’ve never been to Pinhey’s Point but I noticed it had interesting special events last summer and will try to get there this summer
13. Billingsbridge National Historic Site – season starts May 11^th - it’s been far too long since I was last at the Billingsbridge Estate. I hope that they’ll still be offering the “tea and tours” this summer. I think Reid will be able to handle both this year.

There are others with lists of 13 things you might find interesting as part of Thursday Thirteen.

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