It's December and the count down officially begins. As the month rolls by, time seems to tick faster and the next thing you know it's office parties, kids parties, schools out and you are scrambling about to get the little things done. In such times it can be easy to jump out and buy 'whatever' at 'whatever' cost. Handmade may not be your first thought but handmade doesn't necessarily mean time consuming, sometimes it can done relatively quickly and at a low cost. 

These little packages contain homemade chocolate cookies, wrapped in wax paper, packed into brown paper bags, embelished with ribbon and mini ornaments. They tasted good (you have to taste test them don't you), looked good and the total wrapping costs was $5.00. 

There you go, exhibit A on handmade done pretty quickly and at a low cost. 
These were made with co-workers in mind. What do you think, would you like them?

When I first spotted her, just over eight years ago, she was playing with her water bowl. She was pouncing on it and knocking it about like it was prey. She was only about two months old but already feisty. I fell in love! The following week, that very same Salt & Pepper Miniature Schnauzer was in our home, our first dog and my husband and I named her Dakota. For the next four years it was just the three of us and she ruled our home and our hearts. 

Then one day we insulted her, she wouldn't look at us for days and all because we brought home our newborn daughter. Oh the insult! It seemed she wasn't fond of the baby, if we were downstairs, she would go upstairs. If we went into any room she was in, she would simply leave. 

The day the baby gates went up was yet another insult. She couldn't escape anymore and so would just sit with her back to us! Fifteen months after our daughter arrived we brought home our newborn son. Yet again, she did not approve. Nap times and bedtimes became her favourite times, for she had us and the house all to herself, belly rubs, ear scratching, lounging on the couch with us and zero competition. It wasn't until our oldest was three that she came around...we found my daughter giving her a belly rub and Dakota purring like a kitten! Finally she would let them pet her, she would give them kisses and snuggle with them if they weren't feeling well. 

This year however our sweet Dakota started to have some issues, seizures and pancreatitis. Being a terrier her stubbornness and strength (plus some medicine) would help her push through and bounce right back. This weekend, sadly she couldn't push through. Our sweet little Dakota fell ill, went downhill fast and was left in state that I simply can't write about. We started the weekend with her sleeping at the foot of our bed but it did not end that way. Our sweet Dakota is gone. My heart is broken. 
Despite my attempt to explain this to the kids (three and four), they don't really understand and I am partly greatful for this. We loved her, we miss her terribly, even now as I write this I find myself in tears but I write this to honour her. She was with us for eight years, she was yappy, stubborn, a hand full but most of all she was loved. Thank-you Dakota, for your unconditional love and being a part of our family. 

Rest in peace my sweet girl (Dakota 2004-2012)

My little boy is officially three years old. Where does the time go! With the end of summer here, my big girl saying good-bye to pre-school and prepping for Kindergarten and with my little man's party...it's been busy around here. Like many three year olds, my little one is a huge 'Cars' fan...he would probably watch that movie a thousand times if we let him. So what better theme for his party this year then Cars.

I love to throw the kids their parties but as I have said before, I try to do it using what I have and without breaking the bank. My best deal found this time around was the large decal that covered almost the entire sliding door; found it in a little run down local party shop for $5! With a little time, some bargain shopping and creatively using existing items, I think the place looked pretty good. 

The kids loved it, he especially got a huge kick when he woke up and found the house decorated with all things Cars! More importantly we were in the company of our amazing family, we celebrated another milestone and we made him smile...now isn't that really what it's all about? 

Alright, perhaps I am not FREAKING out but I am getting nervous excited. Why? Because my little girl, my 4 year old is getting ready to go to "big girl" school. She is finishing up the month in her pre-school and will officially be entering kindergarten in September. Thankfully she goes to an amazing pre-school and she is fully equipped with the skills and courage to start. At home, we've been talking about what to expect, what she'll need to do and what her schedule will be like. However, I have been dragging my feet on the tangible prepping, backpacks, lunch bags, drink container, etc, perhaps in an attempt to delay this reality. I know she'll be fine but I can't help but worry too. Crazy mommy I know!

So two weeks ago I stopped dragging my feet and almost bought 5 different back packs, 5 different lunch bags, 5 different canteens, well you get the picture. However, in the end she doesn't want anything new...she is still partial to her Skip Hop Zoo Pack. She has had it for 2 years now and still loves it so I will be sending her to school with that and a new matching Skip Hop Zoo Lunchie. I'm adding to that a new Red Klean Kanteen and a Rubbermaid Lunch Blox Container Set which does all fit into the Lunchie when all the pieces are laid flat.

So we are set and ready to go. How about you? Are you set? Any advice for a first timer like me or soothing words...I'd appreciate them :)

SOLUTION: What I did have on hand was about a million plastic spoons. So I used these plastic spoons instead and the kids thought it was the funniest and strangest thing to find a spoon in their popsicle. 

ENHANCEMENT: Get a spoonful of yogurt on each spoon and freeze them just until they are hard and then stick them in the filled popsicles molds and then freeze.

RESULT: Not only a spoon surprise but with the enhanced version you get a yogurt filled popsicle.

It was an on the fly fix to a problem that the kids loved.

BONUS: If the kids know that popsicles are for dessert, their dinner plates empty really quickly. Truly a win-win-solution!

This was a great weekend! We had wonderful, co-operative and happy children all weekend. This doesn't happen too often so we soaked up every moment of it. My husband, being the amazing man he is, took our happy kids out to run errands all morning the one day leaving me with the house to myself. I buckled down and did nothing but enjoy my coffee, the silence and a magazine. It was fantastic and so is my husband. The best result of this however is the absolute joy the kids get of having special quality time with daddy. They are over the moon when they get back, they talk of how much fun they had, the treats they scored and the places they went. They enjoy that time with him so much, he is a wonderful father and that makes my heart melt.

That also got me thinking about my own father. I loved having that special time with my dad too. We use to hit the arcades, the ice cream shops, the comic book stores, he would ride the roller coasters with me and do just about anything for me.
In fact this weekend my parents were over for a BBQ dinner when my father heard the ice cream truck...he looked at me a said "let's go!"....so here I am, a grown woman with my father running down the street to catch the ice cream truck! It was great. 

It really was a happy weekend and I am reminded of how blessed I am to have such a great father in my life and how blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband but even more so a great father for my own children. Although Father's day isn't here yet, I think they deserve to be celebrated early. So thank-you to my Father and my husband....you are great men and I love you both.

The kids and I are now making our plans to spoil their daddy on Father's day....what are you plans?

A while ago I was watching my children play dress up. My daughter was covered head to toe in pink, gold, purple, diamonds, pearls, clashing stripped leggings, sparkly shoes, heart shaped glasses and a wand. My son had a tie, vest, work gloves, hard hat and a shopping cart (quite a sight). They were having such a great time. I finally asked "who" they were pretending to be and their answer was the most amazing and inspiring answer...my daughter said they were themselves, they didn't like to be anyone else because they liked who they were, they were just a little different but that was ok! 
I know they are just toddlers but as a mother it was wonderful to hear. I certainly hope that I can that nurture that thought, that concept of loving who you are, of being yourself even if you are different. It was a small moment but certainly a wonderful moment. 
What was your recent moment of wonderful?

Everyday I pick up the kids from their preschool and scramble about to make a meal that is semi healthy, sort of balanced and maybe even slightly tasty. This is challenging for me mostly because I don't enjoy cooking and quite frankly, I am not a great cook. My food isn't bad but my menu is limited and I have on occasion burnt a thing or two. There isn't too much that makes weekday cooking exciting for me but yesterday was different. I was making spaghetti with meat balls (which my daughter "looooves" unless it's made be me) and since the kids were playing so well with each other, I decided not to entertain myself by playing with them. Instead I checked my email while I stirred the pasta and what do I see in my inbox? I see that I had won a Blog giveaway! 

I truthfully don't participate in lot of these but I am particular fan of this site and her product. "Her" is Laura Clempson from www.cupcakesforclara.com and she makes the cutest paper dolls, awesome stationery, sewing kits and even toys. What I like about her line from a creative perspective is her branding, her humour and how she has successfully given her characters personalities. As a mother of a young and very girlie girl, I love the idea of paper dolls, the simplicity, the portability and the opportunity to have free, creative, unplugged play. I entered the giveaway more as a way to support a product that I like and plan to buy but then I also ended up winning! I didn't win the grand prize (it was a good one too) but I did win the Runners Up prize of her Colin Gift Set which you see above and can check out here in more detail. It'll be a few days before we get him but I am eager for my daughter to have some new old school fun.

In the little burst of excitement of finding out I won, sending Laura some info and showing my daughter her whole line of dolls...I forgot what I was suppose to be doing, oops! So although my spaghetti was a little overcooked and the meatballs a little browner then intended, it still tasted pretty good - even my daughter ate all of it. Perhaps I was just in a good mood of winning something, perhaps my daughter was in a good mood from the promise of a new doll or maybe my cooking is getting better?  Pretty sure it wasn't the latter but either way, it made cooking much more exciting for me.
Hmmmm...perhaps this can be the start of a new trend, Colin today...lottery tomorrow! Hellooo personal chef!
What is the last thing you won and what would you outsource?

I hope all the mothers out there had a great Mothers Day weekend. It was so great to see families out on walks or bike rides, fathers with kids buying flowers and patio's filled with mom's getting a break from cooking. I too was spoiled this weekend, starting with sleeping in...that alone was wonderful (funny how extra sleep is like winning the lottery)! We had so much fun over the weekend and I felt so appreciated. Spent some time with my own mother too which is always great and yummy (she's such a good cook).
Amongst all this fun, we also had some tears, battles and tantrums...my kids are 4 and almost 3, so that just seems to be a norm for us right now. Although I sometimes want to hide in the closet...I am blessed to have them and blessed to have an amazing husband. Parenthood isn't easy but the wonderful moments are what fill my heart and my memories. So thank-you to my husband and kids for a great weekend and for all the wonderful new memories. Today however, I have a sick and cranky boy on my hands so if you can't find me...just look in the closet ;)

What are your new memories from this weekend or are you hiding in the closet too?