Sweet Sassy Studio

7 Months!

2012-01-22T19:23:00.000-08:00

Wow Baby! You are 7 Months old!

You LOVE watermelon (the rind). Your Daddy made the mistake of eating a piece in front of you tonight and you couldn't take your eyes off of him. Blueberry-banana, avocado, squash from Uncle Derele's farm, sweet potatoes, all your usual favorites, don't have a chance if watermelon is near by!

You sit so well. In fact your Daddy and I marvel at how we can sit you on the carpet (with a few pillows just in case) with your toy bucket close and how you can play by yourself for so long. You may not nap but you love to pick each one of your yous out of the bucket and have a good long look/play with each one. You use both hands to pick up toys and can move a toy from one hand to the other. EVERYTHING goes in your mouth. Sorry Spiderman.

You wave. I must video the wave soon. It melts my heart. Your one little arm flapping up and down with such excitement.

You had your shots last week and were a champ. Barely a whimper and fine for the rest of the day.

You could watch your big brother for days. Your eyes follow him every where possible and when you are in a different room you perk up if you hear his voice. You laugh a full out belly laugh at his silly dances.

You still are up 2-3 times a night. Ugg. You like to eat......85th percentile you like to eat so much.

I will be leaving you twice a week for 3 hours starting soon while I help others learn about the importance of health safety and nutrition of children. It is going to be soooo hard to be away from you even though you will be in the best hands I know. (thanks Dad).

You are seven months old. I tell you each day how much I love you and how lucky I am to be your Mommy. You are so special and sweet and easy going, just like your Daddy.

spider for lunch

2012-01-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

It is all about spiders around here. Spiderman to be exact. If radio active spiders to one into Spiderman I wonder what a peanut butter spider would turn one into? So a friend joined us for lunch.
He didn't last long.

brothers

2012-01-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

Big Brother: You are continually so kind and easy going it amazes me. You never complain or peep when I am too busy to play because your little brother needs me. You share your toys happily, you wait quietly for your turn for attention and you genuinely love to make your little brother laugh.
Little Brother: Your laugh melts all our hearts. You are not exactly easy going but your smile and big blue eyes always make up for it. Your legs go go go when you see Mommy and your arms go up up up when you want up. You love to watch your big brother do anything. You are happiest when he plays beside you. You love to try to get big brothers cup-it seems like you are growing up so quickly.

the lesson

2012-01-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

THIS is how you carry scissors Mom.

This is how I carry scissors at school.

(Ummm, wow. When did you grow up? When did you start listening to rules? You are so proud to go to school. You love school. You love your friends. gee, I love you. Actually, I adore you. I am so lucky to be your Mom.)

Hello 2012!

2012-01-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

The plans, oh, the plans!

Taking time for a picture during a wonderful day of skating by the river was a great plan!

So much to do this year I can't wait!

Good Bye 2011

2011-12-30T17:30:00.000-08:00

I can only dream of what what joys 2012 will bring.....

Spiderman in our House and in our Hearts...

2011-12-29T17:38:00.000-08:00

As told by the artist: Spiderman is being bitten by two radio active spiders.

got it!

2011-12-27T17:34:00.000-08:00

Finally managed to get a picture of those two little teeth.

Luv Ya Little Blue eyes!

love....

2011-12-24T05:40:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a year full of peace and love in 2012!

brothers

2011-12-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

Oh you two.

Melt.

My.

Heart. One so curious and young.

One so wise and knowing.

Big Brother you seem so big and strong.
Baby Brother you are so sweet and so small.

I wonder how you two will grow.

I wonder what a brothers bond will be like.

Will you be close?

Will you play or argue?

Will you stand up for each other?

Will you be competitive?

Will you be friends?

Will you travel Europe together?

Little Brother, will you always be little?

Big Brother, will you always be so gentle and kind, supportive and proud....

...last question answered.

Oh you two.

The fun has begun!

letter to Santa

2011-12-22T20:43:00.000-08:00

We wrote.
We stamped.

We found a mailbox.

We were ready.

1st letter to Santa.

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

OK, we did.....

2011-12-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

Do you know that yellow glove?

Oh yes it is.....

I can't wait to pull these pictures out someday when our boys are grown.

Wholesome (frivolous and unhealthy) family fun back in the 2011's.

Crazy parents-what were they thinking?

random craziness

2011-12-20T19:38:00.000-08:00

Pa is a storm trooper-Big Brother made him put "Mankie" on his head to play the role.

Note: candy cane weapon and Jedi in training
Winter Wonderland visit.
Not crazy at all.

Hmm-where is Big Brother?

(look in the laundry) Here he is!

Ah, tradition. My kind of crazy fun.

chalk board bubbles

2011-12-19T19:14:00.000-08:00

We are having fun getting ready to visit with family and friends!
Play dates and cousins are filling up our days!

And this big brother is being very...

6 months!

2011-12-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

Bright eyes.....
Big personality....

Huge appetite!

You are 6 Months Old Today!

You love to eat.

Spaghetti squash from Aunty Connies garden is you favorite.

You also love sweet potatoes, pears, apples and blueberries.

Bananas are OK, peas and beans are a no go. (but Mommy will sneak them into other things!)

You have 2 teeth and they are SHARP!

You are getting up in the night when your feet get stuck in the bars of your crib. Oh how I long for bumpers......

You love bath time.

You laugh out loud at your brother, even when he pretends to attack you with Spiderman and/or Iron man and or swords.

You stare at your big brother and love to pull his hair, nose or anything else on him you can touch. (he loves it too!)

You smile and wiggle when your Daddy comes home from work. You seem to be in a good mood when ever Daddy is near.

You tolerate your car seat but rather be at home on your play mat in front of the fire or looking out the window being held by Pa.

You watch things/people very intently.

Everyone still comments on your big blue eyes.

Your laugh melts my heart.

I cherish each day and moment we have because I know someday not so far away you will be able to wriggle out of my cuddles and not want me to carry you everywhere I go.

Secretly, I don't mind when you get up in the night all that much. I know it will end someday. Right now, it is our time. I can snuggle my face close to yours and feel your warm breath on my cheek and hear each of your sweet little breaths. I watch you in my arms and wonder what your first word will be, whether you will like Spiderman or Iron more and what your wife will look like.

Thank you for a wonderful 6 months.

I am so lucky to be your Mom.

fleur de sel caramels

2011-12-16T07:21:00.000-08:00

That delicious book has drawn me in again......

...and my helper likes it too.

He was the cutter, I wrapped.

We both ate, and ate......

Quite possibly my new favorite sweet to make.

miette

2011-12-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

This was a little gift that I gave myself early.

Have you heard about it?

The recipes are intense.

I have baked each day since I brought that book entered my kitchen.

Monday-carrot cake

Tuesday-chocolate muffins

Wednesday-yellow cake

Thursday- chocolate wafers

Friday- fleur de sel caramels

Saturday-fleur de sel caramels

Next......to try.......chocolate fleur de sel caramels.

The recipes are not from home ec class (sorry Noreen!)

but will knock the socks off a beginner baker like myself. Great directions with find-able ingredients.

I will share my fleur de sel caramels adventure on Friday!

studio time

2011-12-13T06:41:00.000-08:00

This was a quick and fun
activity we tried this week.
I saw this idea a while ago and colours just happen to be the theme at school right now.
Perfect.

Ready.. aim.....ART!

It was messier than I had expected.

Have many garbage bags spread out if you try this. We did it in the studio, concrete floor are forgiving.

Poor yellow ninja had to have a bath after this project-he was watching quietly from under the easel.
I think I'd try it again, but outside. And I do a series of 3 or 4 canvases.

I wonder what the sun would do to the crayons on a hot day.....

orange day

2011-12-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

It was colour week at school. I picked up big brother for lunch. We were out of bread. We went to pick up a few groceries. He saw the oranges, "It is orange day tomorrow!"

That's all it took. (I love excitement over healthy food)

We got 2 of each kind we saw. He filled up his own cart. I unpacked groceries. Big brother unpacked groceries.
Smallest to biggest.
Counting by 1's and 2's.
Which ones roll well, which ones don't......

and the taste test.

Some had seeds.

Some were very juicy.

Some were very sour (kumquats)

And some were just right.

Next is yellow day....better stock up on bananas!

we sang

2011-12-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

I think some people donated so we would stop singing (heh, heh)Our biggest fan came out to donate.

...and my heart feels good.

We sang this little present right to sleep.

practice makes.....

2011-12-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

us.....

Happy!

We have been practicing our 5 favorite songs.

Must Be Santa

Jingle Bell Rock

Frosty

Up on the Roof Top (not my choice)

and

Jingle Bells

For a good reason. (other than it is totally fun even though my husband mocks my great voice-he calls me "enthusiastic" Hey, I think that is the same work my kindergarten music teacher used......!)

Our family is spending some time thinking of others this season.

I know my boys are young but I want them to know the importance of giving time for others.

And I want them to eventually know what the season is really about.

This Saturday we will not hit the malls or make lists of wants.

We will spend our morning ringing bells for the Salvation Army.

Each night for the last few weeks we have been practicing our songs and discussing with our 3 year old what we will be doing.

This is our choice and I hope to make it a tradition.

So if you are local, bring your spare change and ear plugs to the 8th Street Superstore from 10:30-11:30 am on Saturday December 10th-we'll be there!

making eyes

2011-12-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

This was easy.

Make little white dots using a basic royal icing. I use 1 cup+ icing sugar to 1 egg white. You want it fairly firm to keep a nice round shape but not too firm or you will get mountains. Let them dry a little-I left them for an hour.
Then add little black dots. Just a touch will due. Wouldn't a colour be nice too......next time!
I like my pupils raised a bit.
I also generally make a few more than I need so I can make good eyeball matches. (and a few are rejects)
They need to dry a really long time to be hard enough to stack-I left mine out for 3 days before I used them.

cake ball kids

2011-12-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

Oh these were too much fun!I love making "sweet" treats!

My gal pal and I whipped these up after making a few dozen cake balls for her little guy's birthday.

These were the left over balls.....Note to self a double batch makes A TON of balls!Oh those crowns
Star crowns were so cute!
PERFECT for a princess party!
Hmmm....there are 4 BOYS between my gal pal and I....
Guess I'd better go figure out how to make cake ball R2D2's and C3P0's!

I Love Snowmen

2011-11-30T07:43:00.000-08:00

We have been singing songs about snowmen.

We have been reading books about snowmen.

You have been waiting so patiently to make one of your own.
Finally.

We laughed and played.

We rolled and rolled.

We laughed and played some more.
We made a new friend on our lawn.

At supper you said it was your favorite part of your day.

I love snowmen.

baby baby

2011-11-28T06:30:00.000-08:00

What can I say....you love to eat!

This is a super spoon, you can play and play because you can't choke yourself and it is super soft. Good for those gums and TWO teeth!

November 2011-Two teeth at 5months!

Good job baby brother!

tipi trouble

2011-11-25T06:42:00.000-08:00

I think I went up a tiny notch on the cool factor today.

I didn't have the heart to tell him his Grandpa did the hard part I was just the brains and sew-er of the operation.

It is a great design. Simple.

My sewing job...not so great.

The tipi has a bustle in the back where I tried to layer the fabric.

Spiderman didn't notice and I am sure the pre-K's will not either.

I would love to build one for the summer outside. It would be a great towel drying rack by the pool or lake.

Christmas Planners

2011-11-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

Looking for a way to get and stay organized this Christmas?

Then you must create yourself a Christmas Planner!

The girls came over the other night armed with great appetizers and their creativeness.

We got to work to help organize ourselves this Christmas.

Our motto be prepared and make lists! lists! lists!Composition notebooks were $1.
Ribbons scraps $0
Christmas scrapbook paper $10
Jewels and stickers and tags $3
For roughly $20 we worked liked bees and made 12 Christmas planners for friends and family....and ourselves of course!

They were super easy. Here is what we did.
Glue on ribbon, make sure you leave enough to tie-roughly 75cm.
Trace your front book cover onto your choice of paper. We found the book sizes to vary quite a bit so we did this individually for both front and back covers.
Embellish.
Add page separators. We labels ours to do, menu, gifts. Glue an envelope in the back for receipts. We also glues in November and December Calendar in the front for quick reference. There really is no wrong way to create and organization tool now is there!

dr seuss baby shower

2011-11-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome new baby!

The party was great. The girls did a great job of set up-my smartest girlfriend ever co-hosted with her Mom in law who is super great too. SGE (smartest girlfriend ever) remembered all the details-like the books. They looked awesome and filled out the spots on the table perfectly. The GREEN eggs (devilled eggs) were brilliant and a touch that everybody noticed. (Thumbs up to Grandma Donna for whipping those up and to holding my baby while I ran around taking pictures and eating her green eggs!)

Mmm, gummy fish.

These are regular bulk barn gumballs. I bought a big bag and sorted colours. It made for a really customised look and I know I'll use the other colours later.

These were a favorite to make.

I filled 1x8 bags with tiny fishy candies that went with the whole one fish, two fish, red fish, new fish theme just perfectly.

I had so much fun chatting with all the girls and can't wait until that new baby comes over for a play-date!

5 months

2011-11-18T19:26:00.000-08:00

Surprise! My sweet little boy you are 5months old already.

You have TWO TEETH!

Yup, early bird you are!

Your teeth have been bugging you at night and therefore we all hear about it. Many times. This past week we thought you were hungry so bought rice and oatmeal cereal for you. You still woke up every few hours. Hmmm. You were happy during the day just waking up 3-4 times a night. Hmmmm. Then POP! Two teeth.

You had 2 immunizations this month and gave Dr F a very dirty look when she was done. Other than that and a few tears you seem fine and handled it like a champ.

You smile at Pa the minute he walks in the house.

Your Dad scared the daylights out of you after coming home from work late and surprising you. You were all relaxed in your bathtub and chilling out when Daddy came in. You wouldn't even let him put your PJ's on you. (Ha ha-Mommy is your favorite!)

You gobble up your baby cereal at supper time.

You watch what people eat and drink like you are starving.

You reach for toys.

You like your rings best.

You can make 2 bugs pop out on your little bug poppy toy.

You say AAAaaa with a beautiful singing voice.

You sucked on your big brothers nose.

You tolerate a little shopping but HATE Fabricland. Must be the lights......

You are wearing 6-9 month clothes.

You are wearing all of your big brothers clothes-it is so sweet I just love seeing you grow into them.

You wake up at night because of your sore teeth/gums but you nurse and go right back to sleep.

You and your Dad usually play together for 1/2-1hour in the mornings so Mommy can sleep.
This usually involves you and Daddy being chased in circles downstairs by a crazed ninja or a brave knight wearing Spiderman Pj's and swinging one or several foam swords. Mommy knows this because she listens to every scream and footstep instead of sleeping.

You smile when someone smiles at you.

You are my sunshine.

You are 5 months old.

sticky hand

2011-11-17T19:19:00.000-08:00

What can I say?

You love your sticky hand.

I laughed so hard watching you play and play and play.

share day

2011-11-15T07:03:00.000-08:00

Share day is very important.

You love to shine.

You always shine in my eyes.

You took so much pride in carrying in your ocean my heart almost burst.

You had kids stop and ask what you were carrying you so many times it took us 15 minutes to make it to your locker.

I wish I could have heard you share but I am glad you have your own voice and are able to be independent enough to attend school on your own.

I am so proud of you.

You will always shine in my eyes.

If you show a boy how to make a sea urchin...

2011-11-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

If you show a boy how to make a sea urchin.......he will need to build an entire ocean.

In that ocean you will need a diver, seaweed, sea turtles, a mermaid, octopus, crab, lobsters, snails, sea horses, sea snakes, sea stars, a hammer head shark and a sting ray from the hair dressers. If you show a boy how to make a sea urchin he will need to make an ocean.
And here we are making a leather back sea turtle.
Plasticine was $1.

The fun we had was priceless.

Hours of fun. (in 3-6 minute increments!)

Lots of learning too.

Our ocean made for great share-day project.
We really love what the Montessori program is teaching. Even with a Masters degree and 15 years teaching experience I find I am learning more and more about early childhood education.

Learning truly never ends....like our growing ocean!

getting big

2011-11-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

Gee, we sure have been been busy lately!

Always Go! Go! Go!

We've had parties, play dates, pirate parties, baby showers and tons of crafting going on.

Check back for all our adventures and some super cool party ideas!

Gotta run!

little bear

2011-11-06T18:14:00.000-08:00

We had a great weekend hiking in mid October.

OK, 1km loop isn't usually a hike but it seems like a perfect distance with this little bear!

reading

2011-11-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

We love to read around here. Yes we are a family of bookworms! Big Brother is picking up all sorts of new sounds at school and can recognize his own name in print. Amazing.

Someday he will be reading to me.......

new shelves

2011-11-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'd love to do some updating in my kitchen.

Here is a simple update.

If I had my way I'd have plate rails so I could post 100 pictures around the house.

On the hunt for more creative ways to display my photos......

Happy Day!

2011-10-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

skull sidewalk chalk

2011-10-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

This was a quick easy and fun activity one warm Fall afternoon. Mix powdered paint and plaster, add water. Stir until thick like syrup and then pour into molds. Our skull mold was only $1. Perfect boy style chalk! Wait until it is dry, pop out and use your chalk. We love hop scotch around here.

Why make your own chalk?

It is a great lesson on liquids and solids. It is fun to make interesting shapes and colours. It is a good sequencing activity for 3 year olds!

pumpkin maze

2011-10-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

So fun. We love the pumpkin maze. It is free. It is inside. Inside is good for baby brothers in the cool crisp fall. You love to run. You love to hide. We have been twice so far. I wonder how many more times we will go. Your smile in the picture above tells me many many more.

Pumpkin Party Review

2011-10-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

Wow. Fall parties are great! So many well behaved kiddos makes for a really fun time!

Here are a few highlights!
yummy smores

pumpkin juice

tang and ginger ale)

Ahh! Monster cookie!

(eyes were a big hit, I will do a tutorial soon!)

Sucker hiding Ghosts.

Ooooooooo!

fun chalk board signs...

cute but not cute enough for Martha pumpkin balls

(thanks for your vote of support dear husband. (

He did tell me they were delish but just not magazine cover ready)

Pumpkin Pinata!

Broken open by Super Baby!

(we even heard a "Wow, that baby is really strong!" from the crowd!)

sack races

donut eating........with no hands!

(husbands previous comment about pumpkin balls was forgotten because he had to go to 4 different Tim Horten's to round up 18 old fashioned plain)

Scary potion making, we are still working on making a pattern with candies-fun and educational!

Pumpkin carving, serious business!

Even a surgeon needs his
Mommy's help sometimes!

Future Dr's I see!

Ahh, at last a warm cup of apple cider.

I enjoyed the last cup as I published this post.

What a great day!

Jack-O Lantern Cookie Fun

2011-10-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

What are we making?

It is yummy and fun!
Jack O Lantern cookies!

This guy is sad...

Good thing we have lots of extra smiles!

I had so much fun making these shapes! You have to think outside the box and make a few shapes using a sharp knife, thank you for granite counters. I am proud of my icing job, after many years of trying the pipe and fill technique it WORKED! I used about 1 3/4 cup icing sugar with one egg white for the pipe and diluted it with few DROPS of water for the fill. A simple royal icing. The black icing wasn't too bad on the teeth either, that was a nice surprise.

Putting together the faces together was so fun too. We enjoyed these cookies every day for almost a week!

We shared this treat with a friend at the pumpkin maze and he loved it too.

Definitely a do again for next year!

RSVP HERE!

2011-10-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

The band starts at 9pm!

See you then!

4 months

2011-10-20T19:33:00.000-07:00

You are four months old.

Daddy's says it feels like you have always been a part of our family and I can't help but agree.

You sleep all night but refuse to nap during the day.

You LOVE to be outside.

You love to be HELD outside but tolerate the stroller.

You come in each day to Big Brother's school to pick him up. You smile at anyone who smiles at you. (with a small exception of the meter reader guy-he was kinda spooky).

You are up at 5am like clock work.

You can now splash enough water out of your bathtub to completely soak the floor and anyone in a 1 foot radius.

You twist and turn to keep sight of that super hero brother of yours.

You light up when you see your Daddy.

You make smacking noises with your mouth when you see your Mommy.

Everyone comments on your big eyes.

Everyone says how much you look like your Daddy.

I love you so much I whisper that I missed you when I pick you up each morning. My heart rejoices when I snuggle you still so warm snuggled in your fuzzy sleeper as I pick you up out of your crib. You smile your sleepy smile at me and I blink back tears because I love you so much.

You are four months old.

Pumpkin Treat Bags

2011-10-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

These are a quick fun craft to make.
We used tissue paper cut into large squares.
Put a few treats in the middle.
Gathered up the edges and secured with green tape.

Ta Da!
A Pumpkin Present!

Halloween Cookies

2011-10-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

We are having a great month. This is our favorite cookie recipe-they are really great cookies.
We added orange and black chocolate candies to dress them up for a Halloween.
Gotta love bulk barn!

gummy bears party favors

2011-10-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

For a gal pals Birthday. G Bears are her fav.

Gummy Bears are a favorite of mine as well-what is your favorite treat?

Fall Light

2011-10-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

There was a cool light coming in through our front room windows the other day.

I caught a quiet moment between Daddy and son.

pumpkin smores a nice guest favor

2011-10-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

Here is another sweet treat idea!

Get your pumpkin Peeps ready!

I made individual bags and used the tag below as a bag tag to share with guests. Had to try a few on the assembly line-yummy!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

2011-10-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

And my boys even let me dress them in nice Thanksgiving-y colours!

Yes, from the outside we do look quite normal. Read on.

Nice happy family, Pa holding baby awww, so cute.

Look closely- see big brother.

What in the world is he doing??!!

Looks like someone got his head stuck in a frame. Big Brother was not happy.

Frame removal was simple. Good thing we had a Dr. in the house.

Here was my masterpiece!

Seriously, I had been dreaming this up for weeks!

The Chef had to help me with the feet and peppers. Shiny side out!

This is was my kind of bird!

Delicious!

what 2 weeks of casa does....

2011-10-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

First a few "ffff's" for Mommy.

(sound, not letter name. That is how they do it in Casa) Then over to show the neighbors!

I am sooooooo proud!

18

2011-10-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

My nephew turned 18.

Making boy cupcakes apparently does not involve purple.

I tried to make them as BAD as I could.....

I thought the skull fruit cups were quite bad also.

Guess I need to brush up on my boy-parties!

book order

2011-10-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

Your 1st book order.

You are 3.5.

You poured over the pictures of the books.

I said as a reward for going to school everyday you could choose one book.

You found a Scooby Doo book with zombies and scary scare crows. You circled it 10 times. You love Scooby and scary scare crows. I left the room to get your brother. You also circled a Star Wars book about 15 times.

You didn't ask. You didn't whine. You just put the lid back on your pen and smiled.

Your Dad came home and saw the book order form. We both smiled because we are so proud you love books. We love that you know what you want. Your Dad circled a few more books and wrote a rather large check.

Your 1st book order.

Hey locals. You know whooooo you are. RSVP below.

2011-10-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

pumpkin bags

2011-10-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Bag

Themes, seasons, parties,

I love them all.

A house full of boys keeps me pretty busy and there are soooo may ideas I want to try but little time.

This sweet pumpkin bag is a-dor-able!

macaroons

2011-09-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

I can't stop making these delicious...

pretty......

sweet...

sometimes berry infused macaroons!

The recipe is so simple.

The result so wonderful.

I bake them on parchment paper I have cut out using a paper punch-pretty cute idea make the macaroon present so elegantly. Another recipe for the cupboard door!

teacher treat

2011-09-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

This was a great way to start the year.

Gumballs are serious treats in our house.

The offer of a gumball puts a rush on any task Mommy desires!

bag fun

2011-09-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

I like this idea too.

magent fun

2011-09-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

another for my to do list

great idea

2011-09-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

I love this.

macarons

2011-09-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

If I can make these with a 3 year old with chick pox and a 3 month old non napping baby under foot anyone can!

Cousin Saucy made my mouth water so I used her recipe.

My macarons are not as pretty as hers, no "feet" but I'll work on it.

You must try making these, it was fun and simple and they are so versatile. As I practice I want to whip up a batch with chocolate ganache!

today.....

2011-09-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

last night

2011-09-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

...this book was read.

legoman

2011-09-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

I really need another party to plan.

See more great fondant ideas here

3 months old

2011-09-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

Baby Brother you are 3 months old today!

I can't believe that we just welcomed you into this world, it feels like you have always been a part of our family.You smile for almost everyone and give Daddy big belly laughs that make my heart sing. You are not scared of you big Uncle T. You do not like your car seat and vehicles must stay in motion or the driver hears about it from you.You make the saddest sad faces I have ever seen.

Your Big Brother makes you smile and you love watching him do anything at all. He defends and protects you fiercely and only wants to poke you with his play foam swords "a little".

You sleep well through the night but have not started napping quite yet. You like to be held and you cuddle so well it is hard to put you down sometimes. You are cute and everyone has something to say about your big blue eyes. Daddy's nurses think you look like him, I sure hope you are smart like him too.

cupcake box

2011-09-15T19:42:00.000-07:00

LOVE.THIS.

found here

LOVE. THIS.

found here

choke cherry jam label

2011-09-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

Yummy jam deserves yummy jam labels. I feel like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter.

what we are into this September!

2011-09-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

Cousin Saucy always lets us know her cool finds and what great adventures she is tackling each season. Here are a few things we are having fun experimenting with this September!

MMMM...Macaroons. Homemade coconut macaroons. Need I say more. I will post a fav recipe and cute presentation idea later on this month. Backpack for school! Big Brothers first day is next week!
Cake balls! I am always looking for a reason to bake these yummy balls!

Cute bags. My fabric stash is bursting so I am ready to make a bunch just to declutter!

My new employer!

Lego men. We love our legomen. We make Lego ladies too. Yes, they have pony tail hair for Lego now, so cool.

I cannot live without this. The tint is perfect and the ginger is both refreshing and yummy. The ginger really helped me when I was prego.

Get your mousse ready! My big brother the hair care expert set me up with this super tool after my hairdresser told me to toss my old school hot rollers and join 2011. Best part-no clip marks! I have never mastered the actual curling iron and thanks to PM I will never have to now!

What about you, what are you into.....

Mama Orpan Marinara

2011-09-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is one of those recipes that when you can't find it you panic. A great reason to tape it to your cupboard door. You know the place, the place you reserve for only the very best and special recipes. This recipe was passed down to me from Mama Orpan herself. Mama Orpan is a wonderful woman I had the luck to work with when teaching. She shared everything from recipes to speech therapy games and many words that helped heal worrisome hearts. She could even give a new Mom the kind of pat on the back that would help her through many sleepless nights without even realizing it. When she shared this recipe she told me her children loved it and couldn't bare to eat the store bought marinara anymore, what a nice thought. Sure enough the first time I made it for my boyfriend, now, husband (who proudly boasts that one of the reasons he married me is because of my cooking!) this recipe was a huge hit. Big brother had it just as soon as spaghetti was allowed to touch his lips-even though he called it paint for a year or two. And now as i smell the marinara simmering on the stove I think about little brother and his first taste of the rich goodness of this homemade marinara. What can I say, Thank You Mama Orpan!

cupcakes to go go go

2011-09-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

We did many funny things this summer.

Making cupcakes to take over to a friends was easy as pie using these sweet little take out containers. Delivering cupcakes with a 3 year old has never been as low stress thanks to our handy "to go" containers!

home made popsicles

2011-09-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

We made berry delicious Popsicles many times this summer.

We used our magic bullet to blend up many great frozen treats.

Here is our special recipe for

Berry Delicious Popsicles

1 cup mixed berries (we used blueberries, strawberries and raspberries from Uncle Derele's Farm)

1/3 cup yogurt (we are really into Greek yogurt right now!)

1/3 cup juice

Blend in magic bullet until smooth. Pour into Popsicle molds. Let sit 6-12 hours. When frozen run mold under warm water to loosen. Enjoy a healthy homemade treat!

jam

2011-09-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

I've had a few jam making parties trying to draw out these last few days of summer.

Strawberry Rhubarb, Honeyberry and Choke Cherry are the jams we made this season. The Choke Cherry is actually a jelly, a first try for me and it is yummy! We picked gallons at the farm and I saved every drop of juice! Thanks pickers!

Choke Cherry Jam

I boiled the berries just covered in water until the flesh peeled from the stone. The I strained the juice using a cheese cloth. Dripping is best but I squeezed. Using 3 3/4 cups juice to 5 cups sugar I brought to a boil and then added the pectin, 2 pouches of liquid, and brought up to a roil boil for 1 minute. Skim foam. Pour into jars and process. Easy and delicious. A new favorite for sure!

butterflies

2011-09-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post these for ages.

We had to set them free the day after I came home from the hospital.

Initially I had wanted to plan a release party with proper photos. Maybe next year. This small release was nice.

peanuts

2011-08-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

Life has many lessons.

Today we shared the lesson of not chasing or running, not packing up to go anywhere or buy anything.

Today we just sat and shelled peanuts.

Simple, easy and yummy fun.

invasion

2011-08-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

Legomen are slow invading my house!

There is even a look a like "Mommy" Lego-WOMAN! (the brown hairded mis matched overall wearing holding a cup of tea legoman)

(great for fine motor-and I am having a ton of fun ordering new Lego pieces!)

family talent night 2011

2011-08-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

The talent was amazing.

Can't wait for next year!

beaver creek

2011-08-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

We spent a nice family day hiking.

This big brother has a smile that melts my heart.

I've been taking an online photography class from a fellow blogger I just love. The $ from her class is going to help with an adoption. Love that.

It was good. Now, I need to practice...... LOTS!

who is the cute baby?

2011-08-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

Cute? Who Me? Oh I am cute.....

Who could resist this look......

Sweet baby is now 2 months old.

All these smiles were for Mommy and Mommy only. Daddy was in Vegas. Big Brother was playing Lego men with Pa.

Lego men.....are they secretly invading your house?

4 friends

2011-08-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there were 4 friends.

Some friends were big and some were small.
They all loved to play.

They loved to chat about nothing and just enjoy the quiet sounds of summer.

(the shaggy hair friend removed his shirt when he saw his
older friend remove his-he wants to be big just like his older friend :)

The older friends were always very very kind to all the younger friends.

This made the Mommies very happy and proud.

What lucky friends.

talent night

2011-08-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Local Pals!

OOo! I can't wait for this years show!

Don't forget to sign up for the potluck in the comments!

give away QR STAMP!

2011-08-16T06:55:00.001-07:00

I just have let you know about this super cool give away!

for a QR stamp of your very own!

This 2 dimensional code is readable by smart phones! You can link it to your email or website or your blog! (I would totally link one to my blog!)

It all started when I just had to order one of these! I can't wait to get ours in the mail. A thank you note from a loving (and oh so so classy Aunty) made me realize I need one.

Here is the blog.

(don't forget to check out the other old school address stamps!)

ducks

2011-08-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

Did I ever tell you about my ducks?

Well, this was the old backyard.......yes, it does look quite different now. The water is clearer and well, we have no more ducklings. The story is long, the quick version is that sadly, a Mama duck laid her eggs and before we knew it we had a problem. 7 problems to be exact. Not shown is the ramp my Dad built so the babies could get in and out of the pond, oops I mean pool. Also not shown is the organic grain from Uncle Derele's farm. Also not shown is me running outside at 4 am because we heard alarming quacking that was really just a late night duck party. Eventually we had to relocate the family to a nearby pond. I tried every organization related to animals and birds and wildlife of any kind.

I knew I would marry this man when......

...he saved our ducks. He loved those quacking little fluffy bug eating babies as much as I did. He carefully caught them and I popped the bins into my jeep and sped off to set them free. I cried, he sighed.

The End

beachy cool free towel!

2011-08-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

Go HERE for more information! Picked up a box of my favorite multi-grain cereal today just so I could order my FREE towel!
Check your box and if you have enough super cute towels you can always donate one!
(shipping is free too!)

sweet surprise

2011-08-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

In the beginning...
We started our lives together...

NOW we CELEBRATE...3 years of joy!

Ahh a night out! A local restaurant patio-our usual date night spot.

..baby started to fuss just as we finished dinner..surprise! I wondered why my sweet husband had picked up my camera-he never touches it without permission!

This is real time surprise!
..and another sweet charm full of "love" for my collection!

(the box had been there all night-my sweet husband had thoughtfully got baby into his car seat as I finished getting ready! Nicely planned! Oh an dyes, baby is that well behaved most days!)

cousins

2011-08-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, we had fun!A cousin-ish photo shoot!

Had to sneak the newest cousin in too!

family bbq and fun photo props

2011-08-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

We have been loving spending lots of time with family lately! Ice Cream Bars...MMmmmmmmm!

Not a spare second to blog with photo props like these around.

We are not wasting a second inside when the summer weather is so wonderful.

We played with a "cousins" photo shoot.....

it was so fun!

Pictures of that to follow!

baby shower

2011-07-23T20:01:00.000-07:00

Can you have too much fun.... at a party with great friends and family ...with chalk bubbles....
...and fun themed drinks...

.....blueberry parting gifts....

...sweet baby pictures and diaper decorations everywhere...

....FABULOUS food.....

...tasty treats......

....tons of laughing.....

...sweet glowing Friends.....

..popcorn.....

...cheesy home movies....

(thanks honey, my closest girlfriends really enjoyed the impromptu video of my birth.....)

..and more great food and treats and advice and laughter!

I have the best friends.

Many of them even told my wonderful husband they enjoyed the movie..

...they must be really great friends!

ah ha! I did it!

2011-07-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

Thumbs up to anybody who can already make these.

Don't let those sweet and innocent looking simple balls fool you!

Alas, I have just joined your elite ball making club.
I am still very green at the art of cake pops but I can pull off one that

is actually edible and looks sweet enough to eat.

I am not as cool or smart as Bakerella but she is my inspiration. I can only dream of the pops she creates. One day....maybe one day I will be able to pull off a themed cake pop.

For now, solid colour with sprinkles will do.

Sticks-oh, you like them too! I found them here. I just put in another order for more fun "green" stuff-you'll love the store!

summer 2011

2011-07-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

and then....

2011-07-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

......my heart melted.

They were actually asleep.

Big Brother and I had a whole hour to "create" in the studio. We put sticker gem stones on wooden butterflies and practiced snipping paper.

It was a nice day.

wearable

2011-07-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

Love this idea.

I might have to add it to my to do list to make!

I found it here.

4 weeks old baby picture

2011-07-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

I am 4 weeks old!

That is a month!

I am a month old!

I am still 10lbs, maybe a little bigger, my newborn clothes are starting to fit quite snug.

I nap in very short bouts but sleep well at night so Mom says it is OK for now.

I love it when Dad comes home after work-I secretly save my smiles for him.

I like going for walks with Mom and my Big Brother and am really working on holding my head up so I can go in the swing at the park someday.

I like looking out the window.

I have had my passport pictures taken.

I cry only when I am hungry or need changed.

I love my monkey blanket and use it everyday for tummy time.

I am not a fan of swords, my Big Brother thinks he is a Ninja 27/7. (or Spiderman or Robinhood or Iron Man or Shaggy)

I however, am quite happy being a baby.....for now.

where is my picnic?

2011-07-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

You know your family has been having a great month of summer when your 3 year old very casually asks , "Where is my picnic?" while at the splash park. I guess he forgot that we had already had a picnic that day, it was after a delicious BBQ supper, and it was 1/2 hour away from bed time.

It was sweet the way he asked, not demanding, just innocent and sweet. This is one of our many splash parks. This one has the worst parking but best views- I love that old (not functional but rustic cool) bridge.

I also love the snack gadget I use almost everyday, it is pink but oh so functional for snacking!

3 weeks old baby picture

2011-07-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

I am almost 10 lbs.

I sleep from 8pm to 1 or 2 am. Then I am up again at 4, 6, 7 and 8. I must be a morning guy like my Dad. Poor Mom.

I love smiling at my Dad and being held by my Big Brother when he does not poke me with foam swords.

I have been to 3 splash parks, Pike lake once, the farm twice (mosquito's nearly carried me away!) and love to sleep poolside in my bassinet on the stroller.
I burp loudly and need to burp twice.

I only cry if I need changed or am hungry.

I have a bath every night and LOVE bath time.

Mommy tucks me in every night but Daddy always remembers to give me kiss.

I am 3 weeks old.

2 week picture

2011-07-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

I am 2 weeks old!

I am 8.5 lbs and have smiled at my Dad, Pa and Big Brother many times. Poor Mom is still waiting.

I love to eat eat eat.

I also enjoy stroller rides to the park.

I am not a big fan of shopping.

Daddy says HomeSense makes him cry too.

I am sleeping a little better every night.

I love to sleep on Dads chest and watch Scooby Doo.

I love it when Mom falls asleep feeding me it the night and we end up cuddling for 2-3 hours in the big comfy nursing chair in my room.

I make sweet noises and talk LOTS.

Everybody asks how old I am when we are out and I love the attention.

I have tried out my swing and I think I like it even though Mom thinks I am too little and makes Dad take me out.

Dad read me my first story I Can Teach My Dog to Talk.

I like everything my Dad does. Another thing we do to have fun is photo shoots.

OK, it is fun for me.

I am a week late in editing. Week 3 picture coming soon.

I absolutely love this blanket made especially for my little boy boy a super sweet teacher friend. I had no idea she could sew so well or read my mind as the blanket has monkeys on it and it coordinates perfectly with the banana shirt sticker theme. So smart. This is the official back-drop blanket for the next year as well as our favorite tummy time blanket! Thanks sweet friend!

1st day solo with 2 kiddos

2011-07-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Things to do with a newborn and a 3 year old.....

I can do this I can do this.

My wonderful husband went back to work today after a month at home. We miss him already and it is barely noon.

baby baby CAKES!

2011-07-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

Ooo, I don't have much time for baking right now but I am wishing for ones of these!

I think I might just have to treat myself...checking to see if they ship to Canada!

The only problem is I should to choose

just one.....which one do you like the best?

Lake Day Trip

2011-07-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

We had a great day.

Sun

Sand

Splashing

Swimming

Catching and releasing minnows.

Reed hunting.

Making waterfalls with Daddy.

Perfect.

Honeyberry Heaven

2011-07-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

Baby Brother had his first trip to the farm this past weekend!

We were shocked how big Uncle Derele's Honeyberries were!

They are twice the size of our berries in our backyard.

Mmmmm!

Big Brother was allowed to sneak some broccoli too-his favorite obviously!

(I am serious about that!)

From the time he was a baby this boy LOVED broccoli. I think it all goes back to Annabel Karmel's fishy cheese and broccoli that I made-she seriously has the BEST baby recipes ever. All the smart Mommies love her style! (thanks for the reminder Lisa, I'll have to dust off my old recipe books and read up on leeks!)

But for now its fresh broccoli and berries for us!

Here is our favorite Honeyberry Recipe.

We also love honeyberry vinaigrette on fresh farm spinach.

We are so lucky to have these kind farmers so close!
Not only do they grow the best veggies and fruit.......something else grows each time we visit....

LOVE!

abc stones

2011-07-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

Found these here!
So smart. I am inspired! What a great idea to do at the lake or camping.

Canada Day 2011

2011-07-01T13:47:00.001-07:00

Our first Canada Day as a family of 4! Race cars, popcorn and ninjas.
.....and Mounties!

......and FLAGS!

A great day!

(big brother shocked his Dad by knowing (most)the words to O'Canada!)