I'm BACK!?

When the kids get sick...which sometimes seems to be monthly, especially when they are in school. The germs go from child to child and then to the parents!! Although it seems that only I get it...my husband bypasses a lot of the sicknesses...mostly because he works LONG hours and outdoors. This past cold was minor with the kids. Minor as in no one wakes during the night to complain of a sore throat, fever, vomiting, plugged nose and just feeling miserable to the point where sleeping on Mommy feels better! It was a simple cold.....one night they go to bed, the next morning they have the sniffles...that's it!

When I got it...BAM...this is my first day feeling more like me, normal to some degree.....and this is day 8 of the cold. This is the first day of not taking Advil or DayQuil....I was starting to feel like a junky...gotta pop pills to feel better! I had a sore throat for a week...and it wasn't normal...it was like I swallowed a ball and it hurt to swallow....and I still haven't slept through the night....but at least the kids didn't get it!! So I shouldn't complain!!

So....that's what happened to me...in case you were wondering?? It was hard and is hard...you cant call in sick as a parent...somehow you have to muster on, and try to get the job done. Perhaps bedtime for the kids come earlier and relying on Hubby becomes more of a NEED. I am thankful that when Matt came home from working 12 hours...he slapped on his Daddy Hat quickly and got to what needed to be done. Thank YOU!!

Now that I am back(kinda)....I am ready to clean this HOUSE from top to bottom, sort and organize...reclaim my HOME...and start baking more often. The one thing with being sick and loosing my sense of smell and taste...you loose weight...cause really, who wants to eat something that you cant taste...there is no FUN in that!! Eating was boring!! I'm still waiting for my taste and smell to come back....I'm blocked solid! Just letting you know! LOL!

Understanding GREY HAIRS!!

This morning, while putting my hair in a ponytail, standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom, I noticed something....a new grey hair! Come on!!! (Its bad enough that I have my Aunt pointing out to me the age that I will be this year...OMG...seriously..I don't think I will be that AGE, what happened?? But that's another BLOG.) I have a few more grey hairs...and I know there are some that welcome this change, a sign of maturity, dignity...BUT NOT ME...I run and hide and cry over a new grey hair....I still feel 16!! What has happened?? While trying not to focus on the grey hair that is sticking right out(why is it that all greys kinda go kinky??) I thought about why I was getting them.  Then it came to me...it was because of my children!! Did I have greys before kids?? NO!! One of the downsides to having children!!! That and stretch marks(but again that is another BLOG)!!

While washing my face, it started to come together...the thought process of grey hair. We get our first grey during pregnancy, more around the time when we realize that THAT BABY has to come out of THERE....after seeing videos at those birthing classes. I have to admit...Matt and I went for the first child...I freaked out when seeing pics for the first time and hearing and reading what was going to happen to me. It was then that I realized, perhaps we didn't think this whole thing through....could we turn back the clock...please!!! We even skipped the last class....we knew what was going to happen and we paid just over three hundred dollars to be terrified??? So that is the story of the FIRST grey hair. During the birthing process you receive a few more grey hairs....come on...who wouldn't!! My kids were 10 pounds and 12 ounces, 11 pounds and 6 ounces and the last child was an even 10 pounds....so yah...I got some more grey hairs!!! AND they weren't C-Sections...naturally and the epidurals were late!!!

So with three kids, two of which are boys...I am bound to get some more grey hair. Then throw in a husband(cause all us ladies know that our husbands can be kids at times.....and we love them dearly!!)...I'm bound to have my share of grey hairs. Now this new grey hair....it came last night after spending an hour trying to help Josh, my six year old, do his Math homework.....and it was only addition!!! We got to the point where I knew he was finished when I asked him, "what is 2 plus 4?" and he was using all his fingers to count and answered, "14?" AND it just wasn't simple adding...the teacher was doing a different way of adding, counting by tens...which honestly, I don't know why she did this, whats wrong with the old way of adding 22 + 42....that's where Josh was getting lost and I was ready to RUN to the LCBO to quench my frustration!! BUT he finally saw a small light of understanding......and we left it at that!!!

So that's where the NEW grey hair came from. I have three kids, two which are boys....I am afraid that I'll be totally grey by the end of Grade 8. I'm scared to see what high school brings...but by then, I would have bought shares in L'Oreal Hair Colouring and I wont care. But right now...when I feel too young for the greys....it makes me sad....and I settle for blaming the kids....which in turn they feel bad and give me extra hugs!!  So all in all.....everything kinda works out!

PS. DON'T tweeze your greys....they just come back...coarser and kinkier!!

January Blues.....

They say that the third Monday in January is the worst...for various reasons, mostly cause our Credit card bills come pouring in...everything we did from the Holiday Season is reflected on that statement. Perhaps it is then, as we go over it, we realize that a certain so and so didn't really deserve that gift, especially if they only got you a spatula...that's right, I got a spatula from someone!!! Next year, they are down graded to a generic gift..perhaps soap!

January also has COLD, miserable weather.  We are back in routines and are coming off our high from the Holidays(now what am I suppose to do?)  And the next holiday that we have to look forward to is Family Day(and that's if you live in Ontario...and that's in February). So other than that Holiday and waiting for Spring....we try our best to get through the cold, dreary months.  Which for me, means improving on our home...and buying flowers!!! Flowers can cheer me up quickly....a burst of bright colours placed about...reminding me of Summer!

I LOVE these flowers and the colours!!

After we got a rug for the living room....it was time to change the wall colour...gotta match!!! After watching HGTV, and having various paint samples taped to the wall, I chose a colour...actually it was down to two colours and Josh chose the one I was liking, but I just couldn't choose it...but Josh did, so that confirmed my choice was right! We chose Luminary Yellow...normally I don't pick a colour from the yellow family for the living room...but something drew me to it...perhaps it reminded me of Spring and Summer....its light and cheery and goes great with the furniture. Now its all done!!! (Except for the curtains.)

I love my living room....slowly the HOME is becoming what I want. The kitchen and the rest of the rooms are complete...it was just the living room and our bedroom(I still want some romantic elements in there, but not girly, don't want to scare Matt). Now...I am just waiting for the curtains...back ordered....they are energy efficient...soon I can block out the WINTER months and focus on the sunny, light living room......waiting for Spring!!!

Its a VENT...sorry...its bothering me BUT....

I picked up Josh from school this afternoon. Living up north, its been turning cold all throughout the day, and ice seems to be everywhere(I haven't seen a sander/salter truck).  There is a crosswalk from the school to the side street, signs are posted.  We got to the end of the sidewalk, and like I taught MY kids, they stopped and LOOKED both ways. There was a pick up trucking coming along....it did not look like they were speeding at all...so we were going to wait for him to past or for him to stop(some cars still don't stop and keep going, never making eye contact with you...seriously...is it that much trouble for you to stop, and let kids cross??) We were waiting, when all of a sudden a kid comes running out to cross the road. The truck screeched and swerved down a side road...not to hit the kid. The driver then turned around and gave the kid a dirty look. The mother who was walking up the road, listening to her IPOD...didn't know what happened.

I had to say something to the Mother....she should know...tell her son about stopping and looking both ways...cause neither of them cared. So I told her...not blaming her son...but just explained how he just missed the truck. Her reply, " yah the roads are bad, the driver should be going slower." WHAT!!!!!! It was your kid who didn't look!! I just shut my mouth and walked on.....I then explained to Josh what just happened and expressed passionately how you have to stop, before crossing any street!! He understood and so did Katie!!! PLEASE PARENTS TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO LOOK BOTH WAYS!! I could have witnessed something more serious than it was!! It is still bothering me how this parent blamed the driver.........

Friday the 13th!!

I don't know about you...but I am not superstitious. Black cats, walking under a ladder, broken mirror, shoes on the table....I don't really believe in that. I see nothing wrong with a black cat. I wouldn't walk under a ladder, what if it fell...its a safety issue...especially if someone is up the ladder....duh!! Broken mirror....it only means a BIG mess that I have to clean up and I might end up cutting my finger....and the way things are going at times, I must be breaking a mirror daily..LOL! And shoes on the table...eeew....well that's just a health issue, don't put anything dirty on a table!! Common sense people!! So...as you can tell...I really don't believe in Friday the 13th stuff.....however, just in case...I'll stay home...not go anywhere except to pick up Josh from school......cause you never know.....BUT I don't believe in that sort of stuff!!! Do YOU!? 

UGH.....I just remembered that I have to go out tonight, do our weekly shopping....perhaps Matt wants to come(he can drive)......CAUSE I don't believe in that Friday the 13th stuff...not one little bit!!

Various things and the update on the KD Challenge!!

Well it has been a LONG week of sorts. Various issues has arised...some I wish to leave behind...almost like placing trash at the curbside and waiting for the garbage man to come around and take it away with him...if only!! Wouldn't life be easier...place all your worries, troubling issues, poisons of sorts at the curbside and wave good bye to them, as the muscular, unshaven, dirty sanitation worker hauls the bin in the hopper...and drives away to the next house, to collect their worries...life would be easier! As the New Year approached I thought to myself, cause I really don't make resolutions, I would clear my life of worries and issues that can make one sick.....I'm still trying to cleanse myself...I guess it can be a long process! I shouldn't focus on others...just focus on MY LITTLE FAMILY...cause in the end that's all that matters.....why cant I though??

Wouldn't it be AWESOME to move, pack up all your belongings, head out to another province...I suppose though, we would need a job first...then find a place to live!! But I can dream!!

As for the KD Challenge.....it is only week two and I am tired of KD. So we adapted our challenge to make it all pasta(or try too)...pasta is fast and easy and cheap and so many things can be added to it....right!? And we threw in rice too....why not mix it up a little!! (Although not rice and pasta mixed together.)The kids haven't complained, nor has the Hubby...so I guess things are OK!! AND you can make HUGE pots of this stuff!! And when in doubt...after the kids have eaten and I cant stomach KD anymore, I'll have a bowl of good old Cheerios...I LOVE Cheerios!!! Although we do cheat on the weekend..since we are all home....I'll make nice meals. So its KD/pasta/rice through the week...and nice meals on the weekend!! That's OK...right!!?

So here we go....getting ready for week three of KD and sorts.......gulp! I think though that Katie is getting tired of KD...she keeps asking me "when is it Summer?" Just a few more weeks Katie.....just a few more weeks!! LOL!

A Day of ME!!

As parents, after the Holiday rush and schedules returning to normal...we need a day of ME!! That is what I'm doing today...a day of ME...what do I want to do!? Two kids are in school and its just me and Alex(who doesn't count, cause I can put on his favourite movies and I can putter around, doing what I want to do). Its FINALLY here...ME DAY!!! All the chores are finished .  The house is clean and tidy. There is nothing more for me to do. I can't do laundry, I must wait till after 7pm(cheaper rates) so I must focus on catching up with shows!! Thats right.... I will be watching TV SHOWS that I PVR'd a few weeks ago!! I am in my PJ bottoms...kettle is on and I will be watching a marathon of Coronation Street!! It has been a long time coming. And I feel GREAT!!

I hope that YOU too can find that day to be a "ME Day"..and do what you want. Even read half a book with a BIG mug of tea, a long hot, bubble bath, or watching a favourite old movie. Call up an old friend that you haven't spoken to in ages....and just chat..just be! We as parents deserve a day of ME!! It helps us to be better parents!

So....enjoy your day...cause I will...at least till 3pm....then reality comes back when I have to pick up the darling kiddies....Cheers!!

Little things....that were said or mentioned through the Holidays!

During the holidays, you spend MORE time with your kids(I know you should be anyways, but it seemed more so??) And during this period, you learn various things or things are said...mostly by your children!!

Josh, when Katie went to a birthday party, "I miss Katie...she is my friend!" I mentioned casually, "I thought that you once said that she bothers you and that you hate her!?" His reply," No....it wasn't her bothering me, it was me bothering me...I lied!"

Again Josh on a Sunday morning, coming into our bedroom....Matt was in the bathroom and Josh said to me, "I know what you were doing!?" "OK, what were we doing...." I asked non-challantly, but feeling guilty!!! "You were sexing!" HUH...what the ............I quickly just told him, "NO...we were kissing good morning to each other, that's all...you are a weird kid......go get dressed!" After further consultation with his Father(phew)....he learnt that from Sex and City...cause in that show they kiss. ((laughing))...NOW I do catch the odd show, but on prime time, when its FULLY EDITED!! That's how he caught that and Katie caught the idea of playing Shoe Store...hmmmm....perhaps I should watch more Tree House or Disney!

And throughout the Holidays there were hugs and I Love Yous and kids telling me that "YOU are my BEST FRIEND Mommy!"

AND then there was the POPULAR money talk(which we seem to always do). While at the mall, shopping for presents.....we walked past Kernel's, the smell always draws me in...but I always manage to stay away......on this particular day, Katie asked for popcorn and I said NO...we wanted to save for PEI and she agreed. We walked past.....a few minutes later she looked up at me and said "BUT I have my own money, I can get popcorn and we can still go to PEI!" She did have her own money...she takes her Dora purse everywhere with her.  And she DID have enough for a small bag. SO...after talking about spending money and saving money, we turned around and she got her own little bag of popcorn and gave the lady her money....."I am a BIG GIRL now Mommy, aren't I?!"  "Yes you are...you are all grown up!" Sigh....

With Katie spending her money, Josh wanted to do the same...but it was not popcorn he wanted.......he wanted movies!! He wanted Pirates of the Caribbean, number one and four. So...we cashed in his piggy bank. But before we did this, he was freaking out cause he didn't think that he would have enough money for the movies and PEI(he wants Cows Ice cream cones!!) So we talked about it!! He was nervous....but we realized he had enough money......his little blue piggy bank held $90...who knew!!! So he got his movies and has extra money ready for his Summer trip to PEI!! He was and is quite happy!!





Three years ago, we went to PEI....this is them in their GLORY, eating Cows Ice Cream!!!



Katie went to her FIRST Birthday Party!!!

This past weekend Katie went to her FIRST Birthday Party.....alone!! Here she was, four years old and invited to a classmates Birthday Party....we were both excited! We picked out two gifts at the Disney Store...one she already had, the other she WANTED TOO!! Tangled was the theme....since Katie and other girl love Tangled. Katie kept telling me" but I like the music box too...I don't have one, can I hold it longer!?" Finally after getting it wrapped and put away, she forgot about it. Then came the day for the party. She had a bath, did her hair, picked out clothes, got out her fancy shoes and we both did our nails ("we match...we are twins" she hummed).

I suppose I was more nervous for her....I shouldn't be, should I...but I cant help it! I was!! I told her that I would drop her off, and come back later for her, she would play with other classmates and have fun. And in my mind, I kept freaking out...she is going to be nervous, she will want me....BUT SHE WASN'T..it was just me!!! Going up to the house, she told me "I want to knock...OK!?" But before she could, the Birthday Girl swung open the door...ready to greet her guests. Katie went in and was gone...no turning back, she RAN in, flipped off her shoes, hung up her coat and was gone! I turned around, headed back to the van, with my hand on my heart..."my girl...first party!" Later, Matt mentioned, "do they have our number...just in case??" OH my GOD...they didn't and we were going out......what should we do?? Go back..give our number?? What?? These were the thoughts flying around in my head....but I didn't let Matt know, I just said "nah, its only three hours, she'll be fine!" Would she?????

Going to pick her up, I was first....with another parent. At the door a few kids were playing and having fun.....but I couldn't see Katie...where was she!?
After some kids called her name....she came up stairs.  She was all dressed up....she was wearing Belle's dress and was sad that she had to come home!!! Another little girl asked her, "ohh Katie...do you have to leave!?" Katie replied, "yah, my mom is here" as she pointed to me...there was a look on her face, sad that I came back to early to get her!! I guess at the end of it all, it was just me worrying about her first party! She is growing up and moving on, while I stand behind her, clutching my heart...my baby!!

New Rug means "its time to change the decor!"

For a few years now I have wanted an area rug...something to make the living room cozy, to connect everything, to keep our feet warm on a cold, Canadian winter's day.....but I never found anything that I liked.  Or I did find something, but it was too expensive(I have expensive taste....which Hubby does not like). I will tell him from time to time, why buy this when its only $50 and will fall apart in a few months?? Buy GOOD quality things!  Then there are other times when I talk myself out of a rug, well the kids are messy, I don't want stains! I'll wait till they are older!  So basically I never do anything but look in magazines, watch shows and dream about one day owning a rug!

That day came this past weekend!! I ordered on line, from Sears an area rug, 7X10 and it was on sale..limited time, almost half price...I couldn't resist any longer!!! Now that it is laid out on the floor....I question it...starring at it for long periods...is this what I want?? My Hubby says nothing now...but I know what he is thinking, and I love him for putting up with me...it must be hard at times. However, I will stare at the rug and ponder my expensive decision?? This rug means that I must paint the walls, and change the curtains! LOL!! Poor Hubby!!!

The RUG....dont pay attention  to the sheets over the NEW couches(its keeping them pristine) and they come off when company comes over!

Now when we first bought our home....I think I settled too quickly on curtains. Now I am having remorse...on various things. I know that paint colour is easy....a quick update that is NOT expensive(and I love to paint...so no worries). But curtains...that seems like another story. I have seen shows or read magazines where they chose a fabric and make LOVELY curtains...but that's not us...we are on a budget...so the hunt was on! And just yesterday, I found on line(yet again) curtains that have a heavy back to keep sunlight out and "suppose to keep the heat in, during the winter" which sounds AWESOME!!!  Picking colours from the computer can be hard! Are they really that colour?? So I did...Hazelnut...lets hope...fingers crossed!!  Sadly they are back ordered till February 9th!! (Seems soo far away!) 

With ordering on line(which I love), you can read other customers comments about the curtains, and they seem to be a GOOD brand! So, with a new rug, comes new curtains...and now I have various paint chips taped to my wall...I want to bring a certain green out from the rug! Which was hard to do, I laid the chip samples on the rug and the dog came around and took some! After struggling with her to release the samples...I think I have narrowed my choices down! That is why they are now taped to the wall!

So.....with the kids back in school...what do I decide to do....re-decorate the living room!! Whats next?? I would really like to re-vamp my BEDROOM....bring ROMANCE alive...not that its lacking in any way, I just want my room to sing with romance and coziness as soon as you enter the room! An escape from the rest of the house where the children are slowly taking everything over!!

Time to CELEBRATE!! Back to SCHOOL!!

As parents, who either work out of the home(or in home) or who stay at home to raise the kids....its time to CELEBRATE....the KIDS have gone back to school!! Can I get a AMEN.....thank you!!! It feels like it has been a LONG TWO WEEK HOLIDAY!! Sure we had Christmas and various other celebrations and then throw in the New Year, its been busy. Kids at home, scattered about the levels, running, making messes...making me have a few more grey hairs....I am thankful for SCHOOL!!! Time to get back to our schedules, our normal routines.

As parents......I think we deserve a BREAK...a mini vacation...lets all fly away somewhere warm, tropical...with no worries...except to wonder if we put on enough sun screen and should we have that extra cocktail!?!  In REALITY....we'll just dream about that vacation and think one day, when the kids are older and have moved out(yah right)...we'll go!!

As a kid, I loved the HOLIDAYS...it was great!! Sleep, play...no worries, just FUN FUN FUN!! I never thought about how my Mom felt having us at home. NOW as a parent.....I am rethinking the holidays ...why should they have two weeks off...lets just have one week....they need to be educated, feed their minds.....empower them....cause one day they will be looking after us!

So, this is a SHORT blog...I just want to let you all know how EXCITED I am that the kids are back in school!! WOO HOO!! I get a little time back for me!! ME TIME...I remember those days.....

Why are they FINALLY GOOD on the last day of HOLIDAYS!?

Why is it when the LAST day of HOLIDAYS comes around.....they start being good?? This morning, I woke up to Katie in the bathroom...Josh then sneaks downstairs to use the one down there, he returns....and quietly plays with Alex(who is still in bed)....then Katie comes out of the bathroom(finally, I don't know what she is doing in there...never do) and Josh questions her..."did you flush?  You have to flush!  Did you wash your hands with warm water!?" Katie replies in a whisper, "oh I forgot...I'll flush now!" And she proceeds to flush quietly(like you can), she slowly pushes the handle down...and slowly you hear the toilet to start up....it was funny! Then Josh invites her to play in his room with Alex.....they go in and close the door! I was shocked!!

The QUIETNESS actually proceeded quite a bit through the morning.  I got to drink my COFFEE and watch the NEWS in PEACE....how often can you say that!? HUH!? Not very often!!! Why couldn't they do this EVERYDAY??

It would have saved me a few grey hairs........

PS. I am even enjoying QUIET TIME now.....and ate my Cadbury Mini Eggs...secretly...I am LOVING today!!! Signs of a GOOD WEEKEND to come!!

KD as a HEALTHY meal???

So...with so many comments on various ways to eat Kraft Dinner...I will be attempting to do most of them and come up with my own variations, with the help of my kids, after all....its them that have to eat it!! In case you missed my earlier blog we are attempting to eat KD(kids choice) for a month(or so) in order to save for OUR Family Trip to PEI this Summer! This month so far our meals have consisted of Turkey Stew...who knew how far it could stretch. The last cup or so of the stew went into the Day One of KD(kids were not impressed.....but I said it would stretch the box and add some protein/veggies into it. Now I know there are "healthy" KD choices out there.  Some added with wheat and others have veggies built right into the macaroni(but it tasted NOT so GOOD). So Turkey Stew it was......wont do that again! Mental note made!

Its funny how if one wants to save money for something...or just make that DOLLAR stretch....we turn to pasta! Pasta is cheap...and filling and you can add sooo much to it...so many variations. Pasta is not the star of the meal, but an accompliment, the flavours that you add become the star as the pasta absorbs that particular spice/herb/vegetable/protein....whatever you add!

So with that in mind, last nights dinner was PASTA(surprise)...Sea Shell shape pasta(going with the east coast theme) tossed with lots of Shakti mushrooms, onions, garlic in a cream sauce(and lets not kid around, it wasn't cream...mere milk) with grated Parmesan cheese(I gotta have the real thing too!!) and chopped chives on top! They ate it all and wanted more!!  With that recipe(my own) you can add anything...from peppers, zucchini and various meats(chicken, shrimp)...grilling them too would be GREAT! That recipe is one that I will be repeating......for months to come!!

I guess I answered my own question......KD can be healthy...it just depends on what you add to it!!  Which that can be hard...we are told to eat FRESH fruit and veggies...but today so many of them are expensive and come winter, they are MORE expensive and hard to obtain. Periodically you hear about bad crops, too much rain, drought...which all drives up the prices! SO it will become a weekly thing...see first if its on sale and then adjust my menu of KD!! I know too...I will be turning to FROZEN veg.......since I heard from various chefs......they pick the veg/fruit at their peak, freeze them and we get all their goodness!

Hmmmm.....I wonder doing all this, will I lose that extra BABY FAT!?

Stay tuned....tonight's dinner will be.........

This NEW YEAR.......

I've already mentioned that I don't make Resolutions...well at least not out loud...that would be a mistake, cause come the end of the year, you will all know where I failed....and fail we all do(from time to time)...for some reason we have great intentions on making our Resolutions come true, whatever the resolution(s) is...but somewhere along the way, we slightly slip off the mark....and gradually fall! Therefore....I will not mention anything and just keep these little ideas to myself and if they work out...great...if not, well there is always next year...RIGHT!? And I suppose the year after that!!

However after mentioning this....I do want to tell you that we have an idea of a Summer Trip.   We thought about it last year, but it didn't happen, we played it safe.....BUT this year we are thinking again......nothing OUTRAGEOUS or anything, but staying in Canada and going back to the East Coast! Yes, Prince Edward Island. We were there three years ago and LOVED IT!! I lived there for about 4 1/2yrs, going to University....the best thing I ever did!! (Besides having the life I have now...of course!!)

The kids keep talking about PEI....so we are going to try again! The kids and I have suggested ideas to each other on how to save....its fun listening to their ideas. They want for a month, to eat Kraft Dinner...now as a kid, I ate this regularly and now I dislike it whole heartedly....but for them, they want to do this! I suppose I could eat cereal or have a PB&J sandwiches.....we'll see!! And so far, being just into the first week of January, come dinner time, when I ask for opinions ...they still say Mac and Cheese!! How many ways can one family eat Kraft Dinner for a month?? We also agreed that as a Family when buying something, we would stop and ask ourselves, "do we really need this? We do want to go to PEI!?" Lets see what happens, shall we!!



Charlottetown Harbour, outside COWS famous Icecream!!!



Who wouldn't want to WALK there and DREAM the afternoon away!?


So.... there you go dear Reader.....that is one resolution(so to speak)...will it happen?? We can try! Perhaps I need to litter our house with photos of PEI...a daily reminder of what we want to do this Summer!! You know of course this could lead to moving and living on PEI and someday opening a B&B....but that's another Dream...for another day!!

What causes me to gain control of my HOME!?

As you know...this week is a little crazy for me. Lousy, cold weather and I am trapped in the house with three kids and a dog...in a small, yet quaint home!! I realized last night, when things get crazy, and siblings hate each other, its time to bring out the LARGE glass bowl...place it on the kitchen island....open the fridge and take out the butter(cause butter is better...). Cut half a cup and place it in the bowl.......the kids start to quiet down and pay attention to what you are doing.  With no talking, I proceed to take out the flour, sugar(white and brown), eggs and of course some kind of chip(chocolate, butterscotch, or even peanut butter). It is then the KIDS stop everything, pull up a stool or chair and gather around the island!!

Peace.....utter peace.......and somehow they all start to love each other again and share in the duties of making cookies!!!! (Sometimes it doesn't matter what I am making, the point is that I am making something, something that they want to be part of.)

Last night, I started to make simple peanut butter chip cookies...but I had a change of heart...I added cocoa and chopped up about half a solid chocolate bar(good quality, mind you) and threw that in too with the P.B Chips......the awe of the kids as they watched me. As the cookies went into the oven, they sat at the oven window and watched the cookies swell into cakey-ness...and the thick, warm aroma of chocolaty-ness surrounded us...it was heavenly! They were quiet till all the cookies were made and two cookies were in each of  their tummies. 

After that the mood changed....it was quiet time, cartoons were on till about 45 minutes before bed, then stories and off to dreamland as the aroma of cookies lingered in our HOME!

Hibernation MEANS Hating!

Not having a vehicle of ones own, means hibernating in this COLD COLD weather...with NO SCHOOL till next week(help..), and this lousy, snowy weather we are ALL inside....and the kids are starting to hate each other...which is funny, cause normally they "like" each other and "like" to do things with each other...but now its "I hate you! You are not my friend. I'm not talking to you again." And Alex who cannot communicate well enough, just screams and hits.....which is not funny, but I cant help but smile when I see the veins in his neck bulge as he yells at his siblings(because they won't share the cars and trucks)! Or his latest stint is to pull Katie's ponytail...he sure does get a good, firm grip on her hair. Again I laugh...but she is really in pain....I must be a bad Mother to do that!? Thoughts?? Then..... throw a dog in the mix who shadows everything I do...no wonder come 7:30pm I am antsy to get them all in bed!! Then I can lose myself in HGTV or in a book...currently I am reading The Da Vinci Code .......a little late, but I am enjoying it!! Which is funny cause when I worked at Indigo, that BOOK was everywhere and everyone was reading and talking about it...but I didn't want too...not till now...go figure!

I am sooo happy at the end of this week the weather will be warmer and SCHOOL starts on Monday....woo hoo!!!! Let me think for a minute....when is the next holiday??? March Break.....I better start planning something now!!!!

When is Spring again!? I miss my outdoor space...my extra room!!

What is BETTER??

Just a quick note, or comment, or a question I guess....What is Better....

Being woken up by your radio alarm that you can hit the snooze button a few times.....this way you can roll over, pull the covers up over your head and stay there till you are ready to get up.

OR......

Being woken up early by your two year old pulling your comforter, constantly saying "Mama" and trying to pull himself up on your bed(and he made it out of his bed cause your 6yr old LET HIM OUT!) I know this way you can not hit the SNOOZE button...YOU have to get up!!

Just wondering....which do you prefer!?


The SWEET Angel that WOKE me too early this MORNING!!



Happy New Year.....Here is SOME SNOW!

Since a few days after Christmas...it has been snowing off and on again...a little too late if you ask me and not wanted(if you asked me again). I am the type of girl that LOVES snow for Christmas...a White Winter Wonderland. Come Boxing Day, the SNOW can leave and not return again till next Christmas! I am sorry for all you skiers and winter sport lovers....but it has to go!! So its the New Year and we are into Day 2.....Hubby is working, kids are driving me batty, Dog is following me like a shadow and I am thawing my carcass from last year...turkey that is...its time to make Turkey Stew(probably why the dog is following me). For some reason it makes me feel all healthy inside....boiling down the meat and taking all the flavours out of the bones...making a rich broth and adding veggies and spices. Tonight I'll reheat it, and add a dollop of sour cream and fresh cut chives on top!! Also...I'll make my OWN cheesie, garlic biscuits...what else is better than that on a cold, snowy day??

What else is better you ask.....if the kids went back to school!!! Oh my Goodness....I've had enough!! Enough bickering, fighting, yelling and mess to last a year!!! Why couldn't they go to school today...or tomorrow?? HUH!?
Thankfully, they were not that GOOD today...I can tell them that they are having a nap...no BUTS....a NAP must be had!!! And they did go down...they are quietly in their rooms right now...hopefully sleeping...but as long as they don't come out till like 4(please) then I'll be happy!! I need silence...I need to hear myself breathe....I need QUIET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have thrown them outside...but I forgot to pick up the poop from the dog and it snowed through the night and all day today....its like a mine field out there...so its SAFER for them to stay inside...less for me to clean...if you know what I mean!!

So...its the second day of 2012. I've made a healthy dinner to last a few nights. I've organized my HOME to the best of my ability, tried to stay sane, threw the kids down for a nap, and I've seen enough snow to last me until next Christmas(sadly since I live in Canada...Northern Ontario...it will not be the last). How many more days till Spring??? Just wondering.......

PS. On that  New Years Resolution thing......I think I'll try to budget and save for a Summer, Family trip....the kids already agreed to eat a month of KD for dinner...so it can be possible to save for a trip!? We'll see......