ARE YOU READY? AM I?

So Christmas is officially in what...9 days? I'm not sure I am ready. I have everything hidden in bags in the basement. I am not really even sure what I have. I am starting to around things in my head. What do I have, who do I have to still buy for?

It's about now that I start to panic, maybe I haven't gotten everything I need, that maybe I have forgotten to buy something for someone. Lists are essential at this time of year. I have so many lists I start to get confused. The only problem with lists is that I tend to leave them around the house where the husband can read them. And now my 5 year old is starting to read and can figure out some words. Now I am worried she will be able to figure out what's on the list. Paranoia...I think so.

Anyway, I am going to spend the next week tallying up what do and don't have.

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

I just realized the date on my last post. Holy Cow! I promised myself that I would try to update on a more regular basis. So much for that. There is one bright spot, my laptop is now fixed. HURRAY! So you can expect some more regular post with pictures too! I know shocking. Post ya later

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

I am across a story at work ( I work in a newsroom) that was so moving. So moving it compelled me to learn more. The story was about a Secret Santa working mysteriously in Kansas City, handing out $100 bills to complete strangers, strangers in need.

This is what I learned about this Secret Santa...and others like him. They are part of the Society of Secret Santas


It is an anonymous group of individuals throughout the world, performing random acts of kindness to those less fortunate. They use their own money, without tax deductions. They give with love, always remaining anonymous.

It all started with Larry Dean Stewart. He was the creator and original Secret Santa. For more than 20 years, he played Santa. During those years he gave away about $1.3 million. Stewart remained anonymous for all those years. Three months before he died in January 2007 his identity was made public.

There is power in random acts of kindness.

SOMETHING COOL

So, as I mentioned in an earlier post I am a Twitter-er. I think I might actually be addicted...but that's a whole other issue. Maybe a topic for a later post. Anyway, back to the point of this post. I am meeting a lot of cool people on Twitter. You should really check it out...OK, at least wait to finish reading this post before you do. But speaking of cool people I began following this guy, humby is his Twitter name who is a co-founder of OpenZine.com . It is totally cool and totally free. The site allows you to create and then publish a full online magazine from start to finish by just pressing a few buttons and uploading a few pictures. You just give them the URL and that's it. You're a publisher!

And the ideas are endless.

This site could change the world of publishing forever. I can't wait to start working on my own magazine. I will keep you posted.

HEAR THE CHRISTMAS BELLS?

It's December! Already?! Wow, where has the time gone? Anyone?

JUST CALL ME WIMPY THE MOM

OK, let me explain. So I had to go to the dentist on Tuesday to have two, that's right, count em, two cavities filled. I got over the shock of that a while ago. Anyway, I had to get my mouth frozen bottom and top, and boy, oh boy, I forgot how big the needle really is and how much it hurts. My eyes watered and I was digging my nails into my palm. Luckily it didn't last more than a few minutes. Wimpy? Right?

Well, I felt wimpy considering what my little "M&M" went through more than that and was so brave and strong. She had surgery to repair an umbilical hernia about a week ago. She was up walking, with help, to the bathroom just hours after the procedure. By the next morning, she had shed her jammies and was pulling on tights, a skirt and tank outfit ( not warm enough for the cold Ontario winter-like weather, oh well, there's no telling her. She's a 3 year old Diva. A sweet Diva for sure) and was pretty much back to her old self. She is such a trooper. She made Momma so proud.

Wimpy The Mom..I think so.

MOM INTERVIEWS

I am working on a few upcoming articles. Today I had the pleasure of interviews 2 great ladies. Both are busy Moms who happen to host a great Mom show, actually it is The Mom Show.

Laurie Gelman and Catherine Marion both took some time out of their busy schedules to talk with me about being Moms.

Stay tuned. Article to come.

KIDS ASK THE FUNNIEST QUESTIONS!

It is true what they say about kids...they do say the funniest things. Case in point.

I went to the grocery story with "M" today before picking up my oldest daughter from school. We just had a couple of things to pick up. You should know that in the past weeks, "M" has become very curious about everything. She wants to know about everything, why and how. You get the picture.

So feeling rather chatty today, "M" decides the toilet paper isle is a great place to ask this..." Mommy, how do babies come out? Do they come out of your pee-pee?" It is important to remember "M" is only 3 years old. I laugh and say that maybe we could talk about in the car. To which she says "Do they come from here? ( pointing up her skirt) I answered yes and that seemed to appease her curiosity for the time being.

The lady grabbing a package of toilet paper was practically rolling over in the isle. I'm sure half the people waiting at the check out lines heard "M" as well.

Kids do say the funniest things. Do you have a funny parenting moment?

CHRISTMAS CRAZINESS

I know, I know.

Christmas is everywhere but it does seem early to be talking about Christmas. My hubbie and I have been talking about all the places and people we need to see this holiday season. Frankly, I am amazed at how much we have to do next month. We have a company kids party, dinner with friends, my parents holiday open house, Christmas dinner with the in-laws, meeting friends we haven't seen in years who are coming to Ontario from out West, Christmas dinner with my parents, and then drive to Florida. I'm sure I am forgetting a few things in there.

It may not seem like a lot, but remember I do have to get kids to school, get myself to work, write a couple of freelance articles, Christmas shop, pack for our trip. ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I'm tired just thinking about it.

I worry that the part of the holiday's that I love the most, spending time with friends and family, will get lost in the shuffle of Christmas. I especially love to curl up on the couch with the kids, with a great coffee or hot chocolate ( with lots of marshmallows), and watch great Christmas specials, like Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frosty, It's a Wonderful Life.

What's your favourite part of the holiday season? Do you have a favourite Christmas special on TV?

MUNSCH ON THIS!

My friend over at Urbanbaby & Toddler, http://www.urbanbaby.ca/ , just posted a really cool contest and I felt I just had to mention it too. It's too cool not to get excited about. Thanks Emma!

You could win a visit from Robert Munsch, the best-selling children's author and honourary chair of Family Literacy.

Today, the ABC Canada Literacy Foundation announced the 4th annual Munsch at Home contest for a chance to win a visit from Robert Munsch.

Families from all across Canada are being invited to write a short description about what your are doing to celebrate Family Literacy Day (FLD). Submit your event ideas and compete to have Robert Munsch attend your FLD celebration.

You have until 5 pm EST, December 12, 2008. ABC CANADA will accept contest entries from families anywhere in Canada who are planning FLD parties. To enter, families must mail their applications to ABC Canada Literacy Foundation. Download your application from the Family Literacy pages of the ABC Canada website at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

Get writing and get creative. I am already thinking about what we might do. I'm not sure who is more excited about a private visit by Robert Munsch...me or the kids??

I'M IMPRESSED

So, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I am becoming addicted to Twitter. It's great. I am meeting lots of great people and seeing and reading a lot of great blogs and websites. There are lots of fantastic people out there doing some fantastic things on the web. And you know what...it is inspiring me to do more with my blog. I started writing more than a year ago, just to keep writing fresh for me. While I write for a living as part of my day job, I don't consider it creative. News just isn't very creative for me. Now, I see that there is so much more that I could be doing, and should be doing. My goal over the next several months is to make my blog better...look better, read better... We'll see how I do.

I am open to any and all suggestions...constructive suggestions. ( be nice!!!)

LOST TOOTH...REALLY!!!

So my 5 year old daughter has been dealing with her first loose tooth the past couple weeks. Yesterday, it got really loose. She has been messing with it ever since. Wiggling it with her fingers, flicking it back and forth with her tongue, you get the idea, hoping that it would fall out. But it didn't.

So tonight, I am talking to my husband on the phone, while I am at work, and suddenly I can hear shouting in the background. Excitement. "Special K" is shouting, " It fell out. My tooth is gone" So my husband asks her where it is and then my daughter says " I don't know?"

So it seems while she was eating pasta and sauce the tooth disappeared. We think she swallowed her first tooth.

But what about the Tooth Fairy? My daughter is at home right now drawing a picture to put under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy.

I'M ALL A TWITTER

For a while I have been hearing about this thing called Twitter. I finally decided to check it out. I joined yesterday and, as I posted on Twitter, I think I am becoming addicted. I know, I know...it's like anything new. Maybe the shine will wear off but then again, maybe not.

I am still learning how to navigate around and to really use it but I am enjoying it. It's cool!

You should check it out.
http://www.twitter.com/

TICKLE ME PINK

I found this one tonight. Check it out.

http://www.pink-world.co.uk/

TILT: THINGS I LOVE THURSDAYS

I found this blog. It makes me smile. http://www.galadarling.com/. I discovered her after finally signing up for twitter.

She has this thing called Things I Love Thursdays. WHAT A GREAT IDEA.

WRITING

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am writing for a new online magazine, http://www.amotherworld.com/. I continue to write for Urbanbaby & Toddler, http://www.urbanbaby.ca/

Check out some of my articles.

GERMS, GERMS...EVERY WHERE

When it rains it pours, that is never truer when it comes to sickness in my house. The past few weeks I have been fighting off a cold, with a wicked cough to boot. All last week all I wanted to do was take a long nap, a week long nap really. That was not to be. While I was sick, my youngest got sick. She had a runny nose, cough, a persistent fever and then the vomiting began. ( hurray!) That lasted for two nights. Just what Mommy wants to do at 2 am...clean up vomit. Just when "M" got better, my oldest fell victim. As she walked out of school last Thursday she said, " Mommy, I don't feel very well." And, you guessed it, we got home and the puking began. Nice. Of course, it doesn't help that she has been coughing and wiping a runny nose for at least a week. We had another round of the vomiting on Sunday too. And is Mommy feeling better, not quite but I am on the road to recovery. I'm still waiting for that very long nap though.

What is it with kids? How do they manage to catch everything?

What's your best/worst sick kid story?

IT'S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Well, it is for my kids that is. My two girls have a hard time saying goodbye when it comes to play dates. Rarely do we have an easy goodbye. What we do get is a lot of crying and protesting. Sound familiar to anyone else?

It's a familiar story for Patsy Spanos. She is the mother of 2 1/2 year old twins and a 5 year old boy. She says she noticed things were not going smoothly when she put her oldest son in daycare ahead of the arrival of the twins. “From the very start his reaction was out of the normal range. I am talking about crying and screaming at the top of his lungs not for a little while but until his little lungs couldn't provide him the ability to go any longer.” says Spanos. He gets very attached with his friends and teachers and struggles when they leave or he leaves the classroom or play date.

Play-dates are king it seems these days. What kid would be without a few play-dates on their social calendar? We parents spend a lot of time making sure our children have friends and play dates but how much time do we take to teach our kids how to be good friends and have good play-dates. Parenting expert and author, Alyson Schafer says “like anything else I would treat it like a power struggle, I would treat it as a discipline issue that you need to train around” Schafer says it’s important to set out the ground rules early.

Spanos says communication is key for her. “Talking through the scenario and not being hard on him and taking baby steps in every situation helps.”, says Spanos.

Schafer stresses that you don't have to brilliant in the moment. You just have to offer choice. Schafer says marking play dates on a calendar is important. If children it’s on the calendar then it’s something to look forward to. Schafer also recommends weekly family meetings, giving everyone a chance to have a say in the planning.

More tips for a successful play-date
1. Give the other parent plenty of notice. This falls in line with Alyson Schafer’s recommendation to put play-dates on the calendar. Planning is a good idea.
2. Choose a mutually agreeable location.
3. Impose a time limit ahead of time. This step ensures that everyone knows what’s expected.
4. Set rules and make sure all children involved understand them.
5. Step aside and let the kids play. A hovering parent can add an unnatural element to children’s play and make everybody uncomfortable.

Patsy Spanos now blogs about the trials and tribulations of parenting at www.amotherworld.com . You can get more parenting tips from Alyson Schafer at her website, www.alyson.ca.

You and see the full article at http://www.urbanbaby.ca/parenting.htm#playdate

SPOTS

My little "M" said the cutest thing to me the other day.

First, something you should know, I have freckles. Lots of freckles and they are literally everywhere.

I was about to get into the shower the other day and "M" said to me, "Mom, are you washing off your spots?" I laughed. I had to explain to her that my spots don't come off.

It got me thinking though. I spent so many years growing up hating my freckles. It's hard to be different as a child. I did everything I could think of to cover them up. Now I am glad I have freckles. They do make me different and they keep me looking young-ish, even when I feel really old.

I realize how important it is to teach children to embrace themselves as they are and what makes them different. I hope I can teach my girls to love themselves as they are.

I MISS MY LAPTOP

I feel like I am not posting as often as I would like to these days. I must admit my broken laptop is having a real affect on the work I am producing. (Refer to previous post to read about what happened to my laptop.)

It is just not as easy to write and post pictures when I can't be near the kids. My husband and our friend were kind enough to set up a computer in our third floor office but it's just not the same. I can't work in the office for longer than five minutes at a time because the kids insist on screaming for me from the far reaches of the house when I am not is their direct line of sight.

Anyone else have the same problem being productive when kids are around?

I apologize for not keeping the blog as up-to-date as I should. I hope to be able to put up more pictures soon. I am looking to order a new screen soon and hope to have the laptop repaired very soon.

I must admit I never really realized how much I love being able to work where ever I want...or need.

SAY GOODBYE TO SUMMER

All I can say is...I can't believe summer is almost over. It's that last long weekend of the summer season and the kids get back to school on Tuesday. OMG!

We are heading up to the cottage for a few days of rest and relaxation. I can't wait to get up to the dock.

THIS MAKES ME LAUGH

Another good one to put on your favourites list. I just discovered this blog. It is hilarious. Check it out when you need something to give you a laugh.

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

I am smiling as I post this just remembering some of the cakes.

ANOTHER FIND

In my quest for knowledge, about stuff in general and blogging in particular, I have discovered another great resource. Tina Su is a successful blogger, which is great but her blog/website is a great resource for life in general. Check it out and you will see what I mean. It is great reading!

http://thinksimplenow.com/

SLEEP BABY, SLEEP ...PLEASE!

I just wanted to put the link to Dr. Heather Pizzo's website. She has a lot of great tips and advice. Check it out.

http://www.thebabysleepcoach.com/about.html

I would love to hear from other parents out there facing the sleep issue. What do you do to get your child to sleep at night? Any tips or tricks?

SLEEP BABY, SLEEP

I have blessed to have a child that has never really slept well at night. And really never has. I have also been blessed to have a child who does sleep well. Always has. The biggest challenge has been that the child that doesn't sleep well is my first born. New parents and a new, non-sleeping, baby are not a good mix. We naturally thought she would grow out of it, she never really has. I have often wondered how much of a role my husband and I played in our daughter's poor sleeping routine. Then our second daughter was born, a naturally good sleeper from the get-go, something that continues today.

I recently had the pleasure of asking a sleep expert about sleep and soothing babies. Dr. Heather Pizzo, The Baby Sleep Coach, has some great tips and advice for new and old parents. I know these tips are helping me to make changes and improvements, I hope they are helpful for you too.

THE BABY SLEEP COACH’S 7 MAGIC INGREDIENTS FOR SLEEP

1. BE CONSISTENT. Dr. Pizzo says parents need to choose a method and stick with it.

2.BE PREDICTABLE: Infants and toddlers thrive on predictability and routine. It is important for them to know what is coming next.

3.COMMUNICATE: Communication is important both between you and your spouse, and between you and your child. Parents need to be on the same page as each other.

4. FLEXIBILITY: It needs to be understood that a routine does not mean following a clock or a rigid schedule, says Dr. Pizzo.

5. SLEEP INDUCES SLEEP: A consistent bedtime routine sets your baby's internal clock so that she's naturally sleepy at a predictable time. A consistent wake up time is as important.

6. ELIMINATE ALL SLEEP AIDS: Eliminate the use of sleep aids like rocking, swinging, sucking after the age of three to four months. Babies need to fall asleep on their own.

7. TRANSITIONAL OBJECTS: Babies often choose an object as their security object, which is there for them in the night when you are not, it could be a toy or a blankie.

This was all part of research for an article I wrote for Urban Baby & Toddler, http://urbanbaby.ca/. For more on soothing your baby or helping your child get to sleep and stay asleep, check out the article in the Fall issue of the magazine.

WHAT DO I WANT IT TO BE?

I have been posting to this blog for about a year now. As I have mentioned before, I work in radio news, that's my full time gig, but I have been working as a freelance writer for about 2 years now. I would love to be able to make enough money writing articles that I could put an end to my full time gig. I have lots of ideas swirling around my head.

I originally started the blog just to keep the ideas flowing and to keep writing on a regular basis. It has certainly helped me learn to keep at it, to keep writing and to get me thinking. Now I really need to start thinking about taking this to the next level. I spend countless hours looking at other blogs, reading on the Internet and researching. There are lots of successful blogs and online business out there, especially by Moms. It is inspiring for sure.

I hope that in the months to come I can work at improving this blog and to take small steps toward my future and what I want it all to be.

GREAT FINDS #2

I just stumbled over this site. I am loving it and learning a lot.

Check it out!
http://www.problogger.net/

HUBBIE WAS GREAT!

So the Hubbie did a great job. He looked good too! Way to go Ken!

PLUG FOR MY HUBBIE

If you know me well, you already know what my husband does for a living. If you don't check out http://www.draxhall.com/ or http://ledkillalives.blogspot.com/. He is going to be on T.V. tomorrow night. Here in the Toronto area it will on Space @ 7:30 pm Eastern. It's not his first television appearance ( he is an old pro!) but first one in a a while. Check it out!

WEEKEND AT THE COTTAGE

So, I was a little stressed today ( see previous post) but I have come up with one way to chill out all on my own. We just spent last weekend at the cottage. We got back on Tuesday. So nice. Happy memories. I can feel the stress leaving me now. AHHHHH!

ONE STRESSED MAMMA!

Do you ever have those days? From the moment you get up, actually even before you get out of bed, you just know it is going to be a challenging day. Well, I was having one of those days today. I was ready to pull out my hair. The kids started fighting even before I was dressed. I hadn't even had a cup of coffee yet. By the time I had to leave for work at 4 o'clock, I was tense. No exactly the kind of mood you want to be in for a traffic riddled drive into Toronto.

What do you to shake off the stress? Any suggestions, ANYONE?

COMPUTERS MAKE ME CRY!

So I have had a major computer crisis. I don't want to get into what one said child did to one said laptop but let's just say I can't use it. Besides the fact that Mommy was more than a little mad, I have three articles to finish before the end of the month. Of course if any of you are looking at a calendar right now...THAT'S IN TWO SLEEPS!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

No I'm not stressing.

OK, crisis averted for now. I walked up the stairs to my husband's office to use his computer. The house is quiet, kids are at dance camp for a few hours, so I get typing. I have to re-enter all my notes because the originals are on my computer. All I can say is thankfully I emailed my work-in-progress to myself. Boy, that was a real moment of brilliance for Mommy. Those are rare. I work for an hour.. making serious progress right? Wrong? Why you say....because when I go to save the computer freezes. An hours worth of work gone in seconds. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Breathe.....breathe....OK, I'm OK now.

I have mastered the husband's computer. Well, not really but enough to get 2 of three articles done. One more to go.

A MOTHER WHO NEEDS OTHER MOTHERS

A little while ago I discovered a networking site for Moms (but that just doesn't say enough about what the site is really about for me). It's called www.workitmom.com.

I have to say, while I am still finding my way around, and know that I am not yet using it to it's full potential, it is proving to be a great place to meet other Moms and get lots of information. I mean useful information! There are lots of blog posts. Great reading. It is GREAT just to read how tired, tired, tired other Mothers are and to hear all the great things other Moms are going. It is inspiring.

MOTHERS NEED A LITTLE MOTHERING TOO!

I have been fighting off a summer cold. UGH!! Fever, chills, and a cough. Details I'm sure not everyone needed to know..but it's out there now. I can't really afford to be sick right now. And even as I say that I wonder....Is there every a good time to be sick? Anyway, I digress. I took a sick day from my full time job yesterday, my sorry attempt to get better. Silly really. Why would Mommy get a real sick day. A sick day to everyone else just means Mom is home for the whole day. To my girls it's just a regular day on the farm. Life doesn't stop for them if Mom is sick. Where can a sick mom get a real sick day? You know the kind....the kind I used to have before kids, curled up in bed in my jammies, watching mindless t.v. with tea or ginger ale. Oh, did I forget to mention, sleeping the entire afternoon. AHHHHHH, I can dream can't I?

A YEAR....and counting!

WOW! I just realized I have been blogging for a year. It was this month last year that I decided to try my hand at blogging.

OK, so I have not be the best at keeping up with posting new stuff...and OK, so no one really reads it. It's OK. It keeps me writing. And I know if I keep writing, eventually I will be successful at it, people will read it.

Happy Anniversary to me!

WRITING...or something like it.

I am a writer. I have mentioned that before I am sure. My day job I work in radio news, just the latest version of myself really. I have spent the last 10 years, give or take a day or two, working in broadcast news. The last couple of years I worked hard at being a freelance magazine writer. It's a bit more creative. I write about what I know, being a MOM! And of course there is this blog...a constant work in progress. I constantly think about how to improve...and hense, I am always seeking out other sites and blogs. I have probably logged hundreds of hours surfing and reading others.

I enjoy the writing. I am learning a lot about a lot and a lot about myself. Having said that I just wonder what I was thinking, writing three pieces in one month. I will get it done, there is no doubt about that BUT I just wonder how I will fit it all in. Kids, a full time job, part-time writing gig....homemaker, wife, cleaner, cook, gardener....You get the picture.

Sometimes I wonder how to find the balance. I write because it's really what I would love to be doing and also why I keep taking articles when my sked is already full. Maybe soon I can do it full time, and work from home.

Write On!

LOVE EM OR LEAVE EM

My girls are close in age, 2 years apart and I wonder if that is why the seem to fight so much. They love each other, I don't doubt that because they have many moments of sweetness and love.... BUT I regularly break up what feels like dozens of fights every week. They are usually scraps over little, insignificant things, like toys, stuff really.
Am I the only Mom tired of the fighting? The only one who wants to scream at the top of her lungs....ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!

HURRAY! DIAPERS, BE GONE!

These are exciting days. I now am the proud Momma of two beautiful girls who use the toilet. That's right you heard it. TWO!!! Count em. "M" has finally decided, on her own of course, the toilet is a good thing. About a week ago she said to my husband, " Dad, I need to go pee on the toilet." Naturally he was skeptical, especially considering we had been trying to get "M" to go on the toilet, on and off, for weeks. We always got protests, and even a few farts, but nothing more than that.

We worried that this toilet thing was a fluke but I can tell you that it is a trend that is here to stay. We have only had three accidents and two of those were while she was sleeping.

I say.....DIAPERS BE GONE!!!!

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

I can't believe it's June already. Time just seems to fly by as I get older. I remember when I was a child, it seemed like time moved so slowly. Don't you remember when the summer felt like it lasted forever.

Here I am realizing the end of June and the end of the school year is fast approaching. It feels like just yesterday that "Special K" was starting her first day of school, and now she is just days away from finishing her first year of school. I can't believe it.

It's funny how when we have bad days, all we can think about is wishing the day would hurry up and be over. It seems like we all spend so much time wishing days would end, that the weekend would hurry up and get here, that Monday would be over, etc. You get the point. Now I am wishing that time would slow down. It feels like my kids are growing up too fast, that time is just slipping away. I think I, like most people, need to slow down, work less, spend more time with my kids, and stop looking ahead to the future so much, and remember to live in the present. It's like a quote I heard not long ago ( I think it is from a movie, can't remember which one) live for today, it's a gift...that's why they call it the present.

Anyway, it just reminds me that my baby is growing up.

SHE IS 5!

Well, over the weekend my baby reached a birthday milestone. She turned 5! I can't believe it.

It was a busy birthday weekend that ended with a big birthday bowling bash ( glow in the dark bowling I should add)! 17 kids. Ouch!...in more ways than one. The important this is that my baby had a great time.

Pictures to follow soon I hope.

My baby is growing up fast.

WHERE AM I?

It seems like more than a few days since I have posted anything. It's not like anything extraordinary has happened that has garnered my attention. You know what has been happening? LIFE. And there is no denying that can get pretty ordinary, and yet extraordinary, all at the same time(now that I think about it).

My babies are growing up. "Special K" will be 5 in a matter of days. And little "M&M" isn't so little anymore. She won't even let me call her my baby anymore. What's with that? Why does that have to happen so soon.

I remember when "K" was born, when all my parent-friends and family told me to cherish every moment... it goes by in a blink. And boy were they right! It goes by even faster than I thought it would. I have to remind myself all the time to slow down, savour every sweet moment with my girls, and not to sweat the small stuff. That is my heartfelt advice to every parent or parent-to-be.

BEAUTY IN WEEDS

I love kids. They have such a way of looking at everything. Even the ordinary is beautiful, exciting and new.

Take a dandelion. A weed to most, but to my two girls, a beautiful flower to give to their Mommy. Today I received two beautiful bouquets of dandelions. How sweet is that!

BLOSSOMING WITH SPRING

It's amazing really. I have witnessed the blossoming of a young flower, my little "M&M". She has hibernated over the winter and now that spring is upon us she has found her voice. The once shy and quiet little girl out in public, is now loud, boisterous, chatty and rambunctious. Close friends and neighbours are finally meeting the "M" we (her family) have always known.

She is a special little girl, just like her big sister, " Special K". They are real charmers. And now the dynamic duo are quite the team. Charming the pants off of everyone.

WARMER WINDS BLOW

All I have to say is finally. I am so happy that the warmer weather is finally here. The kids can head outdoors and play ( without putting on 40 lbs of winter wear).

It's amazing what a little fresh air can do!!!

WIND, WIND, GO AWAY!

Kids have such a sweet innocence.

Today, it was a very windy day where we live. In fact, there was a wind warning. The wind was so strong, it was blowing people down the sidewalk. A perfect day to be playing outside, right? My 2 1/2 year old thought so. The sun was shinning, who cares if the wind is whipping up a fury. But it even got too much for my little "M & M" ( a true lightweight, coming in at a burly 35 lbs). She had a perfect solution though for the pesky wind. She picked up a stick, used it like a wand, stood in the middle of our front yard and shouted at the top of her lungs,
"GO AWAY WIND! GO AWAY!" as she pointed her wooden want to the heavens above.
She had such confidence, never thinking the wind wouldn't bend to her will.

If only we could keep that power and confidence for every age and stage of our lives.

LOVE IT!

The Internet is a great place. Not only to entertain and inform but also to find cool stuff.

I came across this website, online store really, that has some of the neatest ( is that really a word?) stuff. The socks are really what caught my fancy. They are sold in three's. Strange, but let's face it, socks are always going missing. At my house, there are baskets of odd socks, my girls have one, and my husband and I have one. Now I can buy a pair with a spare for everyone in the house. The price is pretty good too!

Check it out.

http://www.littlemissmatched.com/Catalog/girls-socks

OLD ARTICLE, NEW POST

As I have mentioned, I am a freelance writer as wells as Mom and Radio News Editor. This is a link to an article I work for ParentsCanada magazine. Check it out.

http://www.parentscanada.com/developing/pre-school/articles.aspx?listingid=208

SICK. OH SO SICK!

So I had a lovely Easter long weekend. I was off work from Thursday right through to Sunday. Did lots of fun stuff with the family. But it all came to a screeching halt at about 5:30 am Monday morning with steady waves of nausea. Oh NO!. The dreaded stomach flu ( OK, so I know that's not the technical, medical term for it but you get the point.) Sorry to be graphic here, but the waves of vomiting hit me hard. I knew it wasn't long before the kids would get up and they didn't disappoint. Little "M & M" got up at about 6:30. She was very concerned for me. She would not leave my side, despite urging from DAD saying, "Mom isn't feeling well, maybe we should leave her alone." Now that's an understatement.

In a matter of hours, the vomiting stopped but the nausea didn't. So naturally I skipped breakfast and my usual, and very necessary morning coffee. And that didn't go unnoticed by my oldest girl, "Special K". While she was on the toilet ( because we all know that some of the best conversations happen in the bathroom!), she said, " Mom, why didn't you eat breakfast?"

I said, " Well, my tummy is upset and the smell of food is making me sick today." "Special K"; "Well Mom, you should really eat something. It's not good to not eat. You know what makes me feel better is chicken noodle soup. You should have some chicken noodle soup. It will make you feel."

The wisdom of children never ceases to amazing me.

EASTER WEEKEND

The girls and I went to an Easter egg hunt at one of our local garden centres. It was a lot of fun and made me think about how quickly time flies. This year both my girls are old enough to hunt for their own eggs and don't need good old Mom to help. This picture is from Easter two years ago.  

But while we are talking about the egg hunt, I should tell you one of my pet peeves about these kinds of events.  What is with the greediness? Why do some parents let their kids take more chocolate eggs than any child really needs or could eat? There  was some kids filling baskets with what looked like a years worth of chocolate. First, I don't want my kids having that much chocolate. It isn't good for them and it really isn't good for me to have that much in the house 

 (Mom and Dad always end up eating more than their share). Second, what happened to teaching your kids about sharing, only taking your fair share, and showing a little restraint? Am I being too judgemental here?

THE END OF MARCH BREAK MADNESS

AHHHHHHHHHH! It's Monday. I know it's strange to say that BUT Monday means the end of March break. And while my daughter doesn't go back to school til tomorrow, I am glad the crazed days of doing stuff are over. 

I think I gave in to some sort of parent peer pressure or something. I just felt the need to do stuff with my kids. The crazy thing is they are only 4 and 2 and don't really even know what March break is. "Special K" only goes to school 2 days a week most weeks anyway.

I can't complain about the time I spent with my girls and their friends (I have to admit I did have fun), only that I am tired now. I am no spring chicken ya know!

MOVIE MOMENTS

I watched a really great movie. OK, it's really a children's movie BUT before you judge me you should watch it. It's Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. My kids loved it. And so did I...so DO I. I think it might top my favourite movies list. It's right up there with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins and Wonka. It has a really sweet message. It's all about the magic in all of us.

My favourite quote from the movie, one that I think everyone can use. "Life is an occasion. Rise to it"

MARCH BREAK MADNESS

So it's March Break for my oldest girl. She is very excited about the idea of March Break. She is only 4 and I don't think she really even knows what she is excited about it.

The madness of it all is that I have already been sucked into all the March break stuff. By stuff I mean activities. It's only Tuesday and I am tired. It has been two full days of fun. Today I dusted off my ice skates. (Gasp!) I haven't laced up the skates in about 15 years. I am happy to say I only hit the deck, flat on my butt once. (Hurray for me!)

Two days down, only three left to go.

MYSTERY FILM

 "Special K"  riding like the wind! " LOOKAT ME MOM"

I love discovering long lost mystery film. It doesn't happen often. We have a digital camera so we rarely see film but I also have an SLR camera with good old film. I love the feel of it in my hands and there is something about the feel and sound of advancing film. I am no camera expert, just the opposite, a complete amateur. 

So I have this bag of film. Not labeled. A mystery. I got the pictures developed and on it was pictures of "Special K" and "M & M" last summer. So fun.

"The perfect spot to finish my cereal." "M & M" decided that breakfast had to wait, it was a perfect day for a bike ride. So why not just throw your bowl of cereal in the bucket on the back of the bike. Truly breakfast on the go!

THEY CAN DRIVE YOU CRAZY

It just seems some days it can all get to ya. Ya know?

The kids can just drive you crazy. But then it's bed time. 

Tonight I put my girls to bed. Once we got past the bumpy part, it was smooth sailing. I read the bed time story and put my little angels to sleep. I then slipped out of the room with a big sigh of relief. I sat down to  watch some t.v. And then I hear it. The creak of the door. I look up to the top of the stairs and there I see my 2 year old, standing with bottle in hand and princess tiara on head. 

It's those sweet, funny moments that make the craziness of the day wash away.

VERY FUNNY!

I came across this really GREAT card company. The cards will make you laugh. They tell it like it is, all the while capturing some of the sweetest moments of being a parent. Check it out.


http://www.motherhoodwithattitude.com/home.php

WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THAT FREE TIME?

I got thinking about this the other day when I was considering article topics for some magazine pitches. Before my husband and I had kids, we seemed to have so much time on our hands. I am actually not sure what we did with it all. If only I could have it all back.

My husband agrees with me on this one. ( I know I said it, he agreed with me, openly. Ha Ha) It seemed that we had so much time and yet we never did anything really exciting. We didn't go on any exotic trips, we didn't do any major renovations, nothing exciting. I remember going to dinner and movies a lot. I remember just hanging out A LOT. But what is that? Couldn't we have used our time more wisely?

If only I could have that time back. Now a days it seems, with two full time jobs, mom and news editor, and two kids and a husband, there just isn't enough hours in the day. I remember hearing that from parents before I had kids and I remember thinking they were just exaggerating or just not organized enough. Now that I am a working parent, I find myself saying the same thing. And, as all you other overworked parents out there know, it is no exaggeration. THERE JUST ISN'T ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY.

I say again, where did all that free time go?

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

It feels like forever since I posted. 

Life has gotten busy since Christmas. We enjoyed a family vacation to Florida.  Once we got back, it was back to work for me, school for "Special K" and so it begins again. It is amazing how quickly the routine of life takes over. 

I think I need to find the balance again. Where do I start?

I am thinking a hot bath, nice glass of wine and a good book would be good. What do you think?

THE BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

For Christmas "Special K" wanted a digital camera. And no surprise Santa delivered. Here are a few snapshots she took with her new camera.