Au Natural

*Knock on wood*, my family is not sick very often.  I don't think Maddy has ever even been on a prescribed medicine.  Tanner had a rough first year with ear infections but other than that, I like to think that we are a pretty healthy family.  We will get colds and the sniffles, but I like to prevent it before it happens but obviously, sometimes that is unavoidable, especially when your kids are exposed to school and daycares. 

I have always been one for a more natural cure as opposed to pumping my kids with medicine.  Don't get me wrong, we always keep Advil in the house for when a fever spikes and I usually have Benedryl in case of hives and usually some Gravol but for cold remedies - here are our faves:

Sage Wellness Nebulizer

 

 

This was a purchase I made last year when Ricky came down with the flu - he hadn't had the flu in forever and I wanted to avoid it for the rest of us.  He told me I was crazy for going out and buying this and that it won't work but I honestly think that he even likes it...I think it has prevented germs.  Investment: $59.95 (which isn't bad for a diffuser)

Sage Wellness Immune Booster 

 

This is the diffuser blend that I buy for the diffuser.  I have gone through two bottles already.  It's an antibacterial blend that helps with the germs.  It runs for about 3 hours and usually, I refill and keep it going all day.  The smell is very little - it's natural oils so there is no perfume that could cause headaches to people that are sensitive.  I find it has a tiny hint of licorice.
Investment: $19.95

Sage Wellness Immune Roll On

 

 

I received this as a gift when I bought the diffuser and oil.  It came in a pack called the Achoo Kit.  I have used this on everyone in our house.  When Ricky was sick a couple weeks ago, I or him, would keep rolling it over this throat area because he had a tickle in the throat.  I wouldn't say it cured him, but it kept the symptoms at bay and didn't come out as a sore throat. 
Investment: $22.95 (I didn't pay that cuz I got it in a kit)

Sage Wellness Head Cold Roll On

 

 

This was also in the Achoo Kit.  This works well when you roll it over your forehead.  It really helps when you have sinus issues.  It's almost immediate relief.
Investment: $19.95 (I didn't pay that cuz I got it in a kit)

Sage Peppermint Halo Wand

 

 

I have talked about this purchase and although it's pretty strong (and gives everyone else around you a headache), it feels nice and it actually helps relieve a headache.  It says 10 - 12 jabs for a normal headache and 15 - 20 for a migraine but I usually only put like 5 or 6 or it will give me a worse headache cuz it is strong. 
Investment: $26.95

DoTerra Breathe Stick

 

 

DoTerra is a company that also sells natural oils and products and I bought this breathe stick at my craft sale and I just finished it - and I need more.  It smells so good and it works like Vicks but it's all natural.  It's like a stick of deodorant and you just rub it over your throat and chest.  Ricky won't admit it but he likes this a lot.  He used it the most. 
Investment: $13.00

Camphor

 

 

Good ole camphor (a block of Vicks basically).  I have had this on my kids since the day they were born.  Any time one has some congestion or coughs, the camphor goes on.  I take a little newborn sock, cut it, put a chunk of camphor inside and pin in on the inside of their shirts / jammies.  My kids usually always smell like camphor.  It is actually hard to find sometimes.  You would think it would be near the Vicks, which it is sometimes but if it's not there, you will have to ask for it behind the counter. 
Investment: $1.00 - $2.00

Kids 0-9 Products

 

 

A couple years back, Health Canada said that kids under 6 could no longer have cough syrup...not due to anything in the syrup but because parents were overdosing their kids (without knowing it I hope).  I have always bought the Kids 0-9 brand line of natural cough syrups. 
Investment: $10

 Johnson's Soothing Vapor Bath

 

I love this stuff myself, not just the kids.  When they (or me) are congested, it feels nice to have a nice hot bath with this bubble bath.  With the steam, it really clears us up in no time.
Investment: $5.00

There you go - some products that are natural, good for the kids and still does the job without medicating them.

Happy Friday!

5 Things Thursday

 

1. Steel Magnolias - a classic that I can watch over and over again...

 

2. Dirty Dancing - another classic, and I love the music/soundtrack, I love the dancing and well, hello Patrick Swayze (I also thought that Baby really looked like my friends cousin, still do)

 

3. Coyote Ugly - I loved this movie when it came out and even though I don't own this, any time it's on TV, I watch it. I should buy it. I love the music and the storyline.

 

4. Burlesque - this is a newer movie compared to the rest of the list but I really like the music and it's an okay movie performance for Christina Aguilera, not a fan of Cher though.

 

5. Adventures in Babysitting - this is an oldie as well, and I think my favourite part is right at the beginning when Chris is dancing around her room to "Then He Kissed Me" - I loved her big bed and wanted one (that's a reason to love a movie, right?)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- brown rice cakes with peanut butter

- this weekend we get our new table

- that it was pretty nice out yesterday

- planning Maddy's spa party

- Kid's Baking Championship has started again and Maddy and I get to watch it together

- Fosters started Monday night

- when Tanner will randomly tell me he loves me (and it's a lot...but it's not just me, it's anyone...he does it at daycare too, out of the blue, he'll be like Sophie, me love you)

- getting my craft on this weekend (for the spa party)

- I sorted out a work related mix up

- relaxation music is actually soothing and relaxing...I have been listening to some to download for the spa party and it's quite enjoyable

- hopefully booking a massage soon (100% covered)

- benefits through work...100% medical and basic dental, then 50% other dental work, then the secondary benefits (Ricky's) kick in for that, AND I have a benefit Visa card that allows me $1,600 additional for anything that is not covered...so we are basically covered 100% for everything!

- my sister in law turns the big 3-0 today!  Happy Birthday Sue!

Isn't she purty?

- Luke Bryan and Karen Fairchild's "Home Alone Tonight"

What are you loving today?

Working from Home

When I started this new job, they basically asked me what I wanted, I told them and I got everything I wanted.  One of the things that I suggested was that I have a laptop so that I could work from home when need be.

I didn't want to take advantage of working from home and really, it's pointless for me because Ricky and I travel together, so if I were to stay home, he would have to pay for parking that day (because I am the one that parks and it's free).  So, it's really only when necessary.

Why I love working from home:

- I can get up at our regular 5:30 am alarm but instead of starting in two hours,  I can get an early start

- My co-workers all work in the UK which is 5 hours ahead of us...so when I normally get to work at 8 am, it's already 1:00 pm there so an early start is better cuz if I need any guidance or anything, they are readily available.

- I love that I can just stay in my jammies and sit on my couch

- I love that I can watch Scandal on the TV while working on my laptop

- I can get supper ready, do laundry and clean

- I can quit early because I started two hours earlier

- I love that when we have appointments (like yesterday when the couch repair guy came), I don't have to waste a vacation day, I just work from home

- when it's bad weather and we don't want to go in, I can work from home (this is normally only if Ricky is not coming into work)

- if the kids are sick, or daycare is sick/closed, or Maddy has a PD day (and no other arrangements can be made), we can arrange to stay at home and I can work

I have leave and sick leave but why use a good vacation day while you have to wait at home from 8 am - 5 pm for a contractor?  That sucks...so having the ability to work from home is great!  I wouldn't want to do it all the time, I like getting out and going to work.  I like the change in atmosphere, I like being in the city.  I am missing my morning Cool Lime Refresher from Starbucks however ;)

Do you have the luxury of working from home?

{Weekend Review}

Friday we left work early, grabbed a few things at the grocery store (that ended up another $300, stupid healthy eating) and then had supper at my parents and came home.  Maddy and Ricky went to cards.  I watched a few episodes of Scandal and Tanner and I were in bed by 9.

Saturday morning we got up, packed our things and headed out.  First stop was a rink about 15 mins away.  It was nice getting there early cuz we were the only ones there and this is good considering our kids don't know how to skate yet.  We bought them each a set of these Skateez which work awesome.  It's basically training wheels for skates...it lets them keep their balance.  Tanner took off right away and was doing good and didn't care about falling.  Maddy on the other hand, scared of her own shadow and took a lot longer to let go of the boards and let herself go, eventually, she was taking it slow and steady and eventually, the pace picked up.  We were there about half an hour before others started arriving and eventually we got off the ice.  We had a good hour and a half though.  After that, we headed to the city to Tracy and Butter's for supper.  Well, we were there for lunch, so I brought some homemade soup and just chilled for the afternoon.  Friends Maria and Johnny Hot Nuts came over which was nice cuz we hadn't seen them in FOREVER. 

After a homemade turkey meal, we sat around, talked and played cards.  Around 8, we decided to head to the casino and we were there only for an hour (and no win).

Sunday was a lazy day.  I wanted to clean the house and get meals and suppers ready...and that's what we did.  I made two kinds of muffins for the week, cut veggies, made a pan of hamburger and then made a chili for supper and got some meals ready for the week.  Maddy finished her homework, did her chores and then her friend Madi came over almost at the same time that Hollie and the twins showed up for a little visit.  We had supper, baths and I nursed a headache for the rest of the night.  My eyes were super heavy and I was beat...in bed at 7:30!

Today I am working from home cuz I am waiting for a guy to come and repair (or replace) our couch!  I love setting up at home in my jammies!

How was your weekend?

Dinner Fail

You all know that we are trying to eat healthier and for the most part, it's going good but lately I am running into issues...well one issue.

I buy all the food, I spend my weekends washing and chopping veggies, seasoning, preparing and chopping meat for all the new meals that I have incorporated into a somewhat meal plan for the week only to get negative comments at supper time.

It's very discouraging.  Do you think I like coming home and making supper?  I actually hate it, I hate it because I am sick of the same thing...so that is why I have been bringing some new dishes to the table.  Some are a hit, while others are a complete miss.  I think Ricky knows not to say anything because I get a little snappy.

Wednesday night I had a meeting at the school, so Tuesday night I prepped supper so that it can be a quick transition so that I could leave for my meeting and have everything cleaned up.  That plan worked well.  Tuesday night I decided to make these mini chicken pot pie muffins.  I had cooked, diced chicken prepared already.  I added it to a bowl with some cooked chunks of potatoes, shredded carrots, peas, and corn and prepared some Bisquick.  I greased two muffin tins (so 24 muffins) and put 1 tbsp. of Bisquick, then 1/4 of the pot pie mixture and topped it off with more Bisquick.  I cooked them for 25 mins and took them out.  Once cooled, in a container and into the fridge.  I knew with no liquid that they were going to be dry, so the only thing I would have to do when I got home was make a little sauce with Cream of Chicken soup.  Easy peasy!  I was sure the kids would love them.

As soon as I told Maddy what we were having, this is how the conversation went:
Maddy: "I HATE chicken pot pie"
Me: "Good, this isn't technically chicken pot pie...it's muffins"
Maddy: "Can I make something else?  You always say if we don't like it, to get our own supper, I'll have some cereal"
Me: "No, you are going to try it, you are being silly, there is NO reason you don't like these."
Maddy: "I don't like chicken pot pie"
Me: "THIS ISN'T CHICKEN POT PIE"
Maddy: "I don't like the crust"
Me: "There is no crust, these are muffins" (HAHAHA, got ya)

SO we sit down, I make Maddy try one and she pushes it around her plate and basically nibbling at one chunk on her fork (she eventually has a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios). Tanner wouldn't even sit down, he looked at it and was like "gross, yuck, me no like". He finally had a few bites only after I fed him (good thing with him, he actually probably likes it but he's in this phase of wanting people to feed him)

I almost flipped out but I calmed down and just ate my muffin and ignored everyone else.  I was waiting...I was waiting for Ricky's comments...but he actually some what liked them, I guess.

At the end of the meal of course, I had like 18 out of the 24 left and I was like what the heck am I going to do with them?  Just then my neighbour came over knocking on the door (cuz she was hopping in with me to go to the meeting) and well guess who got the chicken pot pie muffins?  My exact words to her were "hey, would you like these things I made, apparently my kids don't care that there are kids in third world countries that STARVE, and I have all this food left, please take it"...and she did!

Guess what...she emailed me this morning to say they were AWESOME!

Anyways, you win some, you lose some I guess.  Something that I thought would be so kid friendly were soooo not apparently. 

Happy Weekend!

5 Things I Want to Do This Winter

1. Go to Winterlude

2. Eat a Beavertail

3. Take the kids skating

4. Go sliding at night

5. Make a snow angel

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- the fact that my whole family loved the lettuce wraps I made for dinner the other night...Ricky sorta laughed and was like "what is this" but Maddy ate three of them!

- that summer daycamp in our area has been brought to the table and may actually happen this year...bonus, there could be one in Quyon!!

- fun filled weekends...it feels like so much is happening from now till March

- we got new wipers - which is great cuz the other stupid $60 Reflex Ice (winter ones) that I bought wouldn't stay locked and kept literally falling off which meant we wouldn't be able to turn them on except if we were stopped (and even at that, we held our breath to see if the wiper would fly off and the bracket would scratch the window)

- lots of exciting things happening at work these days...a new hire in the next coming weeks!

- meal planning and having everything ready to go when we get home!

- trying to figure out if we are going to take the plunge and join my sister in law and brother in law on a cruise next year...it's a big cost and we must start saving...yesterday!

- the other night on the way home, I told Tanner we were going to have a party for his birthday with our family and we are going to have pizza.  He's all like I looooooooove pizza...but me want cake too...but pizza first!

- laying in bed at night watching Scandal

What are you loving today?

Healthy Eating Update

Our household has become healthy conscious for the last couple of weeks and I am happy to report that it is somewhat successful (but I am not liking that it costs much more in groceries).

 

Ricky is doing great.  We are doing this for him of course but at the same time, it's not hurting us, so why not.  Ricky has cut out all Pepsi, which was huge for him but going on two weeks with no Pepsi, he's doing great.  He pretty much just drinks straight water, and milk at meals.

 

Ricky's biggest problem was night time snacking.  It seemed that an hour after supper, he would reach for that bag of chips and grab his Pepsi and he would pretty near eat that whole bag of chips.  This was going to be the biggest issue.  Some of his substitutes have been:

• Granny Smith apple
• Rice Works crackers alone or with a salsa dip (1/2 avocado, greek yogurt and salsa)
• Melba Toast with light "cow cheese"
• Carrots

Usually his lunches are whatever we have for supper the night before, so I have been prepping and making healthier suppers and watching portion control.  I wouldn't say that we have cut out everything but the way we look at it is, homemade supper is better than anything processed.  We have been:

• eating brown rice instead of white
• eating more quinoa
• eating lots of veggies (that are available right now)
• making my own seasoning blends
• home baked cookies, muffins and granola bars
• whole wheat or veggie pasta

 If supper didn't have leftovers, he will take:

• homemade chicken salad sandwich (greek yogurt instead of mayo and on brown bread)
• veggies
• some lean meat with crackers and cheese
• Glory Bowls (which is rice, protein, veggies, and a homemade dressing)
• salads

Ricky will not eat breakfast when he first gets up, so he'll have his coffee and usually once at work, he will have a muffin and/or banana.  Mid morning snack will be his hard boiled eggs. 

 Eating healthy doesn't bug me, frankly, I could eat all my meals with no meat and just eat stir fry's but my family will not.  Ricky will try new things and will enjoy it but you cannot start feeding him the same thing every day or he will just get sick of it.  Like salads, he will not take a salad every day.  We are learning some new tricks, tips and recipes. 

 

The kids...they are a hit or miss.  Maddy for the most part enjoys everything and she's very health conscious for her age.  Her lunches have to be completely healthy and she helps prepare them.  Tanner on the other hand...I have to trick veggies into him (even though he eats them fine at daycare) and I am getting sick of having a full blown out fight every supper...so usually I cave and he will have something different. 

 

We are doing great!   We just have to incorporate some exercise into all this and I think that Ricky will feel even better.  He says he feels better already, so we'll see.  He has no goal in mind, he just wants to see himself lose.  He gets easily discouraged, especially if he's doing all this and the scale isn't going down but we're here for him and we'll do it together!

 

Any tips or tricks to help us?? 

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday night we ran and picked up a few groceries for the week (which sucks because everything is so $$ and when you are trying to eat healthy but spending $200 a week just replenishing your fruits and veggies, that sucks).  When we got home, we had a quick supper, put everything away and went up to my grandparents for a bit.

Saturday morning I woke up feeling like a big pile of poop!  I was not feeling 100% which made for a pretty lazy day.  I had intentions of cleaning...I did the bathroom sink...I had intentions of doing laundry...got one load done.  I had intentions of preparing meals for the week...I made some toast.  I literally was in and out of naps all day.

Sunday morning I work up feeling back to myself.  Phew - thank god it didn't linger.  I got up and started cooking some meat for the week.  I put two pork tenderloins in a sweet siracha marinade and cooked those for tonight's supper (pork lettuce wraps) and then I cooked up some chicken breasts and prepared our whole chicken we were having for supper.  I made a pot of brown rice and cut veggies.  The kids and I got dressed and headed to Church.  When we came home, Ricky had lunch ready and after that I did everything that I didn't get to do on Saturday.  I cleaned the washrooms, vacuumed and finished laundry.  Tracy, Butter and Kaitie were coming for supper so I made a chicken meal and had that all ready and made some Honey Oatmeal Raisin cookies.  We ended the night with baths and Scandal...and asleep by 8:30.

How was your weekend?

Friday - What a Week

This week has been...interesting!

First off, we had scary cold weather on Monday followed by snow the rest of the week...yesterday morning we woke up shocked to see snow seeing how it was only calling for light flurries only in the morning.

Ricky was sick all week and went back to work on Thursday (Thank God because two days of driving on crappy roads may have caused a heart attack)

Because Ricky was sick, I had to drive in alone.  Well, Monday I made it, we talked about that.  Tuesday was calling for snow so I made arrangements with my friend Vicky and her carpool buddies.  Wednesday, I had no choice but to go and I was not a happy camper...anyhoo, I made it.  Thursday, Ricky was back.

We have had lots of visitors in and out of the office this week so that kept me busy.  My International manager was also in town so we sat down a lot and I have lists of things to keep me busy.  Ouff!

Despite Ricky being sick, we have kept on track with our healthy eating.  What sucks though, having bought all these veggies and prepped food for Ricky's lunches and he hasn't been able to take them because he has been sick and no appetite (that may be one way of losing weight)

Our scale at home is reading ERR when you step on it - eek!

Tanner makes me laugh...his new thing this week is telling anyone who will listen that "Daddy not sick, he just pretending".  I got a text from my daycare saying that Tanner told her that first thing Monday morning.  I laughed.  Kids don't realize that you can have a cold or sinus issues (like Ricky) and not be puking.  Tanner associates being sick with puking and because Daddy isn't puking, he's just pretending.

Thank God he's not puking, Maddy would be very anxious, agitated and not happy.

Tanner has had a much better week in regards with his temper tantrums.

Maddy's first brownie meeting of the new year was cancelled this week because of snow and crappy roads, I was happy, she, not so much.

I feel that the days are flying by and when we get home, we are eating later, then baths and I find myself literally straightening my hair and going to bed...I finally did a load of laundry last night but I feel this weekend will be a good cleaning through the house.

School daycare is changing the hours...we usually drop off at 6:30 but now it's going to be 6:45 which isn't going to work (but apparently works for everyone else) so thank God my mom is close by and can bring her now. 

My friend Josee and I booked our tattoo day - she will be celebrating Liam Day (the birth and death of her son at birth) on February 25th and has been wanting to get a tattoo in his honor, so this year we are doing it.  I am getting this I think (I have bounced around so many ideas hence the reason I haven't gotten it yet).

Garth Brooks is coming to Ottawa and apparently that is a big thing.  I like the guy but I don't know if it would even be worth the wait to try and snag some tickets and I am not one to pay $$ for nose bleed section.  I am sure it's a great show, and if I won tickets, I would go for sure but I don't think I NEED to go (I would rather see Carrie Underwood in May).

Yesterday I witnessed a robbery...I was at the drug store and as I was walking out this older man came running out at the same time as me, bumping me out of the way.  The buzzers went off but no one moved...the cashier looked at me like it was me and she knew I paid so just waved me through.  I didn't know what to do.  This guy was running up the stairs and out the building...a guy that was walking in at the same time saw what had happened and told me to go with him and we spoke to the store and security. 

Happy Friday!

5 Reason's Why I Have Never Wanted a Vacation Down South

I have been thinking a lot lately about going down South.  Up until now, it was something I never really wanted to experience...but I think I am ready. 

1. Heat and Sun - this is probably the #1 reason people want to go down south...but I am fair skinned and a red head, therefore, me and the sun don't always mix.  I LOVE the heat don't get me wrong, but more of a heater in front of me sorta kind of heat.  When I am outside in the sun even for an hour, I feel sick to my stomach.  Solution: I finally bought a hat last summer so this could help on a trip down South!

2. Money - I hate spending money.  I do not like forking money out for myself so this would be a big chunk of money.  Solution: save all year!

3. The Kids - I have never left my kids for a whole weekend let alone what, 7 days...eek!  We were away from Maddy for a weekend once when she was like 2 (when we went to Fiddler Lake) and I seriously could not just calm down and enjoy myself, my mind was always thinking of her...BUT, I think I have reached the point now that I am okay to leave them (to save my sanity probably) Now, what bugs me with the kids is trying to figure out arrangements.  I think it would be better to wait another year when Tanner starts school.  My parents work all week and Tanner's daycare is 30 mins in the other direction...so that would be problematic. Solution: deal with it when the time comes!

4. Lack of Knowledge - I seriously don't even know where to begin to book a trip.  I think it would be better to go with a group of friends anyways, so I would hope that someone else could take the reins.  I need everything planned out - plane, hotel - all that jazz.  That is my solution!

5. Time Off - up until I started this job, I really never had vacation leave.  I worked for 7 years at Unisys and basically I banked my hours (and that was only 1 hour a week I gained) so to get a whole week off or whatever would be a lot of banked hours I would have to use.  Solution: my job now, I have 4 weeks!

Who wants to come??

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- Netflix, I never really got into Netflix and then I did.  I had lots of free time and access at my old work and got to watch shows like Gilmore Girls, The Mindy Project, Dawson's Creek and that Kimmie Schmidt one.  Then I sorta got off the Netflix bandwagon and then we reconnected again.  I am watching Scandal and Ricky and I have started Making of a Murderer to see what all the hype is about.

- when I make it into work all by myself on a scary, cold morning.  Now, let me recap...Ricky and I carpool, therefore, he is the driver.  This has been the norm for many years so when I am told that I have to go into work alone in the winter, I tend to get nervous.  Sunday, it rained ALL DAY...and I mean it's winter. I immediately start to panic because in my mind, everything is going to be glare ice and the highway will be a rink (because does salt/sand stick when it's doing nothing but rain right?).  I may have been up all night tossing and turning and trying to find a way that I could carpool with someone, BUT I put on my big girl pants and I got up, got dressed, got the kids ready and off we went.  I was very happy to see tons of sand just on my side road (not too happy that I spun on ice at the corner though) and once I got to the highway, it was okay.  Black ice in spots but I just took my time...and I made it!

- healthy eating and actually have more lunch options this week than I do supper ideas

- Brownies started back up last night, so Maddy was loving that

- being very busy this week at work with lots of visitors in the office

- that my bronchitis is better

- knowing how to put a windshield wiper back on when it becomes unlocked and flies across my hood (yep, that happened the day I had to drive in the scary cold all by myself)

What are you loving today?

Birthday Ideas

Maddy's birthday is coming.  She will be turning 9 (what?) on the 6th of February which happens to fall on a Saturday this year.  In years past we have done little gatherings, renting local halls (not enough space in my house) and last year she just wanted one friend over and we went to a local golf course where they were having a winter carnival (which ended up actually being pretty boring).

Two years ago she had a Spa Party...I had this lady come in and she basically pampered the girls for two hours - the price tag: over $200 plus tip just for her, that didn't include food and goodie bags.  She really enjoyed it though and after seeing what this lady did, I decided I will put on my own Spa Party this year!

I have been searching Pinterest and found some really cute, simple ideas.  I made the invitations yesterday and they have been ordered via Vista Print. 

She is going to invite 5 girls from her class.  They will arrive at 11 am and we will have our lunch right away.  I am planning on making little sandwiches, veggies, some cute little desserts (or cupcakes) and some mock cocktails perhaps...simple but yet, seemingly elegant (almost tea party-like).  Once the lunch is cleaned up, we'll start the pampering.

I found a recipe to make a natural chocolate facial mask using cocoa, oats, yogurt and honey.  While they are sitting there with their facial masks and cucumbers, each will have their own little bin with warm water and some fizzy salts to pamper their feet.  By the time I finish each girl and wipe off their masks, their feet will be done.

I found a cute game that we will play that will involve painting their nails.  It's like Musical Chairs.  They will each start with a nail polish and pass it around, when the music stops, the nail polish color they have will be put on one nail...we'll call it Musical Manicure.

I always go way over with goodie bags - for this party, I may get the girls to make their own bath salts and/or homemade lipgloss (using Vaseline and sugar-free Kool-Aid) and then something simple like a nail file and a bottle of nail polish.  Keep in simple, right!

The party isn't over yet...I asked Jill if she would be willing to come over and maybe take pics (secretly, I may ask her to come for the whole thing and maybe give me a hand too haha) of the girls all dolled up.  I will create a backdrop and get some props that they can dress up and fool around for the camera.

I think I am more excited for a party like this - I would have LOVED something like this as a kid...so I hope Maddy will be equally excited.

Tanner's birthday is two weeks later...but we decided we aren't really doing anything - just family over for dinner or something.

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday...

- did groceries (lots of veggies and now zero space in fridge)
- got home early
- had supper at my parents
- Tanner and I stayed home while Maddy and Ricky went to cards
- watched a couple episodes of Scandal

Saturday...

- cleaned
- prepped veggies
- made a homemade soup (which was actually really yummy...I added one tiny little Thai chili pepper and it gave it just a bit of a kick)
- made muffins
- did laundry
- napped and watched Scandal
- went to my parents for supper again
- visited with my sister, brother in law and Rylie Roo (who refuses to give me kisses, but gives them to Ricky)

- bed early and watched more Scandal

Sunday...

- made meatballs
- prepped chicken breasts
- went to Church
- watched it rain all day
- Hollie and the girls came to visit
- made a meatball stew (with a yummy gravy that was just a can of brown gravy, a can of tomato soup, 1 cup of water and onion soup mix)
- had my parents over for supper
- watched an episode of Nightwatch
- bed early again watching Scandal (again)

How was your weekend?

First Week Back...done!

I have to admit, this week was hard...it was nice to get back to routine, but the early mornings and later nights took a toll on me.

This week...

- we dealt with some Tanner Tantrums at daycare...thankfully, it was only two nights

- we tackled math homework with Maddy and totally frustrated us (what the hell is a parallelogram and why is it important to the situational problem?)

- I went to the hospital to get checked and was diagnosed with bronchitis

- I left the kids and Ricky again on Wednesday night to play Bingo with Jill

- I continued to watch Scandal on Netflix at night (hence, the later nights)

- I started Friday Night Lights on DVD at work (background noise ya know)

- I was alone most of the week (my boss was travelling)

- I got a much need haircut

- was very cold...well for Monday and Tuesday anyways

- had a lunch date with my sister

- watched Ricky put together a new snow blower (now we want more snow to try it out)

- started planning the kids birthdays (Maddy is having a spa party and Tanner, I think is just a small family gathering)

- bought our Disney on Ice tickets (coupon code CFORCES for 20% off local friends)

- I received news that my friend is moving out West to join her husband (boo...I will miss her but thank god for things like Facetime and texting)

What did you accomplish this week?

5 Things I Love About Blogging

1. Memories.  Being able to just capture what is going on in our lives, a place to store my memories for my kids to reflect on later maybe

2. Meeting new people.  I have made some many "blog friends" from readers, from reading other posts and participating in exchanges.  I love hearing their stories and following their lives like we are actually best friends (I think there should be a blog meet up in Calgary area seeing how a big group of my blog friends are from there)

3. Getting new recipes.  As we start embarking on a healthier lifestyle for 2016, I find it helpful to read fellow blogs that live a healthy lifestyle.  A lot of fellow bloggers always have yummy, nutritious recipes on their blog and great links.

4. Reading about all these people that actually run...and exercise.  I read their posts about their workout routines and the number of marathons they have ran...and see how much energy they have and I will momentarily think "I should start jogging...I should start workout videos..."....I said momentarily haha!  I am too lazy I have come to realize.  I know it would make me feel better but until I have a bigger house (ideally with a basement), I don't have room to do much.  Boo!  Gyms around my work are outrageously priced...and I seriously think I may die of heart failure!

5. Comments.  When readers comment...they are far and in between,  but I do get some comments and I appreciate them, I just wish that more people commented (so....go!)

What do you love about blogging or reading blogs? 

What I'm Loving (and not loving) Wednesday

Loving: back to the routine
Not Loving: the alarm blasting at 5:35 am

Loving: that we have a hospital so close to home
Not Loving: that it sometimes takes hours, BUT city ER's are far worse

Loving: I am on meds for bronchitis
Not Loving: having bronchitis (or the codeine syrup, gag)

Loving: that we got snow
Not Loving: the flippin cold snap we are getting

Loving: when Tanner can be such a sweetie...
Not Loving: the episode we dealt with last night after daycare (in our case, it was tantrum two's, terrible three's and almost coming onto effin' fours)

Loving: that Tanner actually is okay with being on time out, he understand I guess that "he did the crime, he must do the time"
Not Loving: hearing him scream for the first half of his punishment

Loving: the work to rule situation at school is "on hold" which means no more strikes
Not Loving: that negotiations haven't been finalized, so anything could happen

Loving: my newest Netflix show: Scandal
Not Loving: that I don't have access to watch it at work (I may have access, but don't want to get caught haha)

Loving: that I am caught up with Grey's (sorta, I am on Season 12 but it's already playing on TV and I can't catch up really until it comes on Netflix)
Not Loving: that they killed Derek off...WTH

Happy Wednesday!

My New Year

I do not make New Year's resolutions...and never have.  Instead, this year I am going to make a list of things that I want to accomplish and do this year.

Welcome 2016!

- Save money (I am seriously thinking of a hot vacation next winter)

- Pay off debt (thankfully, that's not a lot)

- Get rid of lan line (now that everyone has cell phones and ours work great at home, why pay the stupid lan line bill of $75 for nothing)

- Keep blogging

- Have more date nights with the husband

- Do more family things (outings, game nights, movies etc...)

- Eat healthier

- Try to be more patient with the kids (this is a biggie)

- Buy a house (I can add that but will it happen, who knows)

- Succeed at work (August 2016 will be a year that I was at this job and I want to stay here and move forward)

- Try to relax more, control my OCD at home and be a more relaxed passenger to and from work

- Visit Nova Scotia

I don't want to make too big of a list...but this a good start.  There are some that are more elaborate but you have to start somewhere!

What are you wishing for in 2016?

{Weekend Rewind}

Thank the Lord, I am back to work.  I haven't had the luxury of having the week between Christmas and New Years off for a long while...and while I enjoyed not having to commute to work by myself in wintery conditions, the freakin' time slowly went by.  But today, I am back to work, Tanner is back at daycare and Maddy at school.  It was tough getting up at 5:30 am but we did it!

This is my typical weekend rewind but it's more like a week long...the days are seriously all jumbled, so here are some ups and downs:

- we got a big snow storm on...Tuesday I think.  Ottawa says we got 20 cm but in the rural areas, I can guarantee we got a lot more

- we shovelled three times that day AND my dad came with the tractor the first time

- Ricky ended up buying an electric snowblower...it can snow now!!

-  we got the snowmobile back and took it to the sliding hill to slide with the kids...twice (or maybe three times)

- I finished seasons 10 and 11 of Greys Anatomy and started Scandal

- New Years Eve day, we had dinner at my sister in law's, exchanged gifts and the kids got to see Cousin Brooke!

 - New Years Eve evening, we had drinks, snacks and played cards with my parents, Nanny and uncle.  We were home before midnight, but all of us (minus Maddy) were actually awake for the strike of midnight

- we stayed up later than normal but slept in past 8 am most mornings...oh and napped most afternoons (see why it's rough today)

- I cleaned and did lots of laundry

- games of Memory and Jenga were played

- we had to go out and buy a plunger because the upstairs toilet flooded...great times

- Saturday my parents kept the kids for the day/night and Ricky and I had a date day.

- We saw Daddy's Home (really good movie), then went to Brault to pay our bill and ended up buying a new kitchen table set (coming Jan 31), went to the Casino for a bit (won $100), tried to eat at Baton Rouge (no reservations meant a wait time and Ricky doesn't wait), did groceries, then finished the great date with...McDonalds (Ricky's point though, we ate inside rather than in the vehicle like normal...score lol)

I think that's about all...I am just glad that we are back to regular programming now!

 How were your holidays?