Cinderella

We all know the story of Cinderella....dysfunctional family, humble beautiful gal, fairy godmothers, love & happily-ever-afters.
A Calgary company and generous others are working to provide a deserving grade twelve girl the chance to be Cinderella for a day. This includes a day of pampering including the dress for their graduation day. Let's face it, when you're 17 what's more important than grad?
To support this cause go shopping! Shop designer items that are gently loved at the Meadow Lark Park community hall on Sunday March 9 form 10-4.
I think it's a great cause and could really change the pace for a deserving young Cinderellie.

Cinderella

We all know the story of Cinderella....dysfunctional family, humble beautiful gal, fairy godmothers, love & happily-ever-afters.
A Calgary company and generous others are working to provide a deserving grade twelve girl the chance to be Cinderella for a day. This includes a day of pampering including the dress for their graduation day. Let's face it, when you're 17 what's more important than grad?
To support this cause go shopping! Shop designer items that are gently loved at the Meadow Lark Park community hall on Sunday March 9 form 10-4.
I think it's a great cause and could really change the pace for a deserving young Cinderellie.

"Oh Momma..."

Today's highlight...
While playing with W today, I would wear his favorite baby blue & white polka dot blanket around my head like a large, satin new head of hair and then proceed to strut around the house with this crazy, weird walk. W loved it as only a 2 yr old could. The giggling was loud and belly induced as he would follow me stating, "W's blanket, not Momma's hat!!" Then I would fall onto the floor as he would drag the blanket off my head, still gasping with laughter. The icing on the cake, was when he leaned over, looked me in the eye and said between giggles, "Oh Momma, that's cray Momma. You crazy Momma!"

Now, this moment is what parenting is all about.

"Oh Momma..."

Today's highlight...
While playing with W today, I would wear his favorite baby blue & white polka dot blanket around my head like a large, satin new head of hair and then proceed to strut around the house with this crazy, weird walk. W loved it as only a 2 yr old could. The giggling was loud and belly induced as he would follow me stating, "W's blanket, not Momma's hat!!" Then I would fall onto the floor as he would drag the blanket off my head, still gasping with laughter. The icing on the cake, was when he leaned over, looked me in the eye and said between giggles, "Oh Momma, that's cray Momma. You crazy Momma!"

Now, this moment is what parenting is all about.

"Schlumpadinka"

The Schulumpadinka....a mother who has let herself go. Oprah's term.
I have become one. You know, not taking care of my appearance to the best of my ability...not even to the good enough ability...more the "that'll-have-to-do" level.
It's time for a change.
Growing up and looking back I see that my mom really put herself last. When I was a little girl, my mom always curled & set her hair...I remember her sitting at the table with a round mirror set in a wooden frame as she put those awful pokey grey wire curlers in her hair....and she always wore red lipstick and colorful fortrel mini dresses with floral appliques. She was a farm wife too. And only wore pants when she was gardening, in the field or the barns. This all changed. For many, many years (all my pre-teen, teen & early adulthood) my mom let all this go and did nothing for herself. How sad. (This has now come full circle...no fortrel mini dresses again, but lipstick is back, and some sort of hairstyle and matching outfits and earrings and longer nails and more jewellery...)
Prior to my favorite husband and my wedding we attended a marriage class, and this topic was one we discussed and brought me to tears.
Well, here I am. A bonafide SCHLUMPADINKA. This is not what I want for myself, my children or my husband.
It's time for an intervention.
So this weekend I went to the MAC counter for some coverup to assist with the black & blue circles that a lack of sleep has blessed me with, then I ventured over to the clothing dpt for a couple of items that were on super sale (%50 off & %40 off the lowest ticketed price...WUHOO!!) and tomorrow?! Well, tomorrow I am off to my sister's for the morning where a lovely stylist is meeting us to cut & color my hair. A fun, funky color! Chunks of color. Such as purple or fuschia or blue. "I'm gonna wash that grey right outa my hair..." Sing it with me!
High maintenance is not my thing any more. It's just not feasible and I have zero interest in extending that much energy, BUT there's got to be a happy medium between zero and high.
So, here's to leaving the Schlumpadinka lifestyle behind. I may even bite the bullet and throw out those sweatpant-levis I love so much. The "jeans" that are so faded and baggy that after one wear they hang below my flabby cesarean belly and the crotch touches my knees....those attractive ones.....I MAY even find the strenght to part with them.
So, to all you mom-readers, take care of you. Do not let those fashionable fortrel mini-dresses become a forgotten misty memory.
Hopefully, I can do the same.

"Schlumpadinka"

The Schulumpadinka....a mother who has let herself go. Oprah's term.
I have become one. You know, not taking care of my appearance to the best of my ability...not even to the good enough ability...more the "that'll-have-to-do" level.
It's time for a change.
Growing up and looking back I see that my mom really put herself last. When I was a little girl, my mom always curled & set her hair...I remember her sitting at the table with a round mirror set in a wooden frame as she put those awful pokey grey wire curlers in her hair....and she always wore red lipstick and colorful fortrel mini dresses with floral appliques. She was a farm wife too. And only wore pants when she was gardening, in the field or the barns. This all changed. For many, many years (all my pre-teen, teen & early adulthood) my mom let all this go and did nothing for herself. How sad. (This has now come full circle...no fortrel mini dresses again, but lipstick is back, and some sort of hairstyle and matching outfits and earrings and longer nails and more jewellery...)
Prior to my favorite husband and my wedding we attended a marriage class, and this topic was one we discussed and brought me to tears.
Well, here I am. A bonafide SCHLUMPADINKA. This is not what I want for myself, my children or my husband.
It's time for an intervention.
So this weekend I went to the MAC counter for some coverup to assist with the black & blue circles that a lack of sleep has blessed me with, then I ventured over to the clothing dpt for a couple of items that were on super sale (%50 off & %40 off the lowest ticketed price...WUHOO!!) and tomorrow?! Well, tomorrow I am off to my sister's for the morning where a lovely stylist is meeting us to cut & color my hair. A fun, funky color! Chunks of color. Such as purple or fuschia or blue. "I'm gonna wash that grey right outa my hair..." Sing it with me!
High maintenance is not my thing any more. It's just not feasible and I have zero interest in extending that much energy, BUT there's got to be a happy medium between zero and high.
So, here's to leaving the Schlumpadinka lifestyle behind. I may even bite the bullet and throw out those sweatpant-levis I love so much. The "jeans" that are so faded and baggy that after one wear they hang below my flabby cesarean belly and the crotch touches my knees....those attractive ones.....I MAY even find the strenght to part with them.
So, to all you mom-readers, take care of you. Do not let those fashionable fortrel mini-dresses become a forgotten misty memory.
Hopefully, I can do the same.

Wholesome Baby Food

Feeding the babies healthy food has always been a priority to me. And sometimes this has been a topic of conflict with other family members, but as a parent I think it's my job to start them off on the right nutritional path and defy their genetics. Of course, there are moments when we get off course. You know, when the toddler has a small bowl of mini marshmallows and mint chocolate chips for a snack! What! How did THAT happen?! Apparently, the best intentions become sidetracked.
However, for Baby R I recently made this recipe and he LOVED it!

Peachy Sweet Potatoes
1 sweet potato - peeled, steamed & mashed
1 can peaches packed in own juice - drained & mashed
1 TBsp wheat germ
1TBsp flour
2TBsp non hydrogenated margarine
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Mix & mash all together. Freezes in ice cube trays. Heat n serve.

Now, I'm on the search for some chick pea recipes. Maybe pureed and mixed with sugar free applesauce and a spice or two?
What do you feed your babes?

After Thought...
The Chickpea Pie was a hit.
Ground 1 large can of chickpeas as fine as possible. Rinse and drain first. Add equal amount of unsweetened apple sauce, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg and mix.

Wholesome Baby Food

Feeding the babies healthy food has always been a priority to me. And sometimes this has been a topic of conflict with other family members, but as a parent I think it's my job to start them off on the right nutritional path and defy their genetics. Of course, there are moments when we get off course. You know, when the toddler has a small bowl of mini marshmallows and mint chocolate chips for a snack! What! How did THAT happen?! Apparently, the best intentions become sidetracked.
However, for Baby R I recently made this recipe and he LOVED it!

Peachy Sweet Potatoes
1 sweet potato - peeled, steamed & mashed
1 can peaches packed in own juice - drained & mashed
1 TBsp wheat germ
1TBsp flour
2TBsp non hydrogenated margarine
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Mix & mash all together. Freezes in ice cube trays. Heat n serve.

Now, I'm on the search for some chick pea recipes. Maybe pureed and mixed with sugar free applesauce and a spice or two?
What do you feed your babes?

After Thought...
The Chickpea Pie was a hit.
Ground 1 large can of chickpeas as fine as possible. Rinse and drain first. Add equal amount of unsweetened apple sauce, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg and mix.

Equal Time

9 months in and 9 months out. It's amazing that R has been a part of our lives in one way or another for the past 18 months.
R is 9 months old.
Our little man is so fun. He's smiley,chatty yet shy when others are around, doesn't sleep through the night, has two teeth, eats solids like they've always been on the menu,crawls and loves, loves, LOVES to stand! However, I noticed that he is starting to walk along furniture a little bit. Aahhh! No walking! Standing is enough, but walking? I'm so not ready for that. (Isn't it terrible when you don't want your children to advance just yet?!)
He's our little lovebug. I can't get enough of him and wish I had more time for just him. But that's the wish of all mothers with more than one child I suppose. So, I will continue to enjoy our sunny boy, kiss his squishable cheeks and enjoy listenting to his belly laugh when he's tickled.....until the day comes that he won't let me tickle him anymore.

Equal Time

9 months in and 9 months out. It's amazing that R has been a part of our lives in one way or another for the past 18 months.
R is 9 months old.
Our little man is so fun. He's smiley,chatty yet shy when others are around, doesn't sleep through the night, has two teeth, eats solids like they've always been on the menu,crawls and loves, loves, LOVES to stand! However, I noticed that he is starting to walk along furniture a little bit. Aahhh! No walking! Standing is enough, but walking? I'm so not ready for that. (Isn't it terrible when you don't want your children to advance just yet?!)
He's our little lovebug. I can't get enough of him and wish I had more time for just him. But that's the wish of all mothers with more than one child I suppose. So, I will continue to enjoy our sunny boy, kiss his squishable cheeks and enjoy listenting to his belly laugh when he's tickled.....until the day comes that he won't let me tickle him anymore.

Lists

Are you a list-maker? The To Do list, the Done list, the grocery list, the what I want in a partner/spouse list? In my college and employment days, there was always a list to be made and adhered to. My husband is a list maker....in fact on our flight home during our honeymoon we made a To-Do List...really!Today we made a list of sorts that tops all the others I've created in the past, today we listed our house.
Yup. For Sale. It's official. Sometime in the future we will be leaving Calgary and beginnning a new chapter in a small town east of here. Not too far east. Commutable even although commuting is over-rated.
So here we go...Breathe in through the nose....hold it...breathe out....aaahhhh... repeat....

Lists

Are you a list-maker? The To Do list, the Done list, the grocery list, the what I want in a partner/spouse list? In my college and employment days, there was always a list to be made and adhered to. My husband is a list maker....in fact on our flight home during our honeymoon we made a To-Do List...really!Today we made a list of sorts that tops all the others I've created in the past, today we listed our house.
Yup. For Sale. It's official. Sometime in the future we will be leaving Calgary and beginnning a new chapter in a small town east of here. Not too far east. Commutable even although commuting is over-rated.
So here we go...Breathe in through the nose....hold it...breathe out....aaahhhh... repeat....

Hearts Afire

It's Valentine's Day. Hope a little cupid sets your day on fire.

Hearts Afire

It's Valentine's Day. Hope a little cupid sets your day on fire.

Birthday!Birthday!

Happy Wishes to Two of our favorite Mittens!
May there be cake, special toys and festivities.
Have a super-fun day.

Birthday!Birthday!

Happy Wishes to Two of our favorite Mittens!
May there be cake, special toys and festivities.
Have a super-fun day.

The Scent of a Mother

If you're a mother, or have one, what's your scent of a mother? Cookies? Vanilla? Cigarettes & perfume?
At the RWB household, it's vomit, vicks vapour rub, diapering supplies, and Pro solve carpet spot remover. Aromatic isn't it?
The week of poor health continues...

The Scent of a Mother

If you're a mother, or have one, what's your scent of a mother? Cookies? Vanilla? Cigarettes & perfume?
At the RWB household, it's vomit, vicks vapour rub, diapering supplies, and Pro solve carpet spot remover. Aromatic isn't it?
The week of poor health continues...

Budding Artists

Last Tuesday our little pal three doors down joined us for a morning of Jello Painting. It was a hit! The only problem is now I have to teach the kids to NOT eat paint, since Jello Paint tastes great won't all paint taste like raspberries?
Jello Paint
Mix Jello powder with just enough water to make a paste. Paint away.
Once dry it smells like the flavor and has a twinkly sparkle to it.

Budding Artists

Last Tuesday our little pal three doors down joined us for a morning of Jello Painting. It was a hit! The only problem is now I have to teach the kids to NOT eat paint, since Jello Paint tastes great won't all paint taste like raspberries?
Jello Paint
Mix Jello powder with just enough water to make a paste. Paint away.
Once dry it smells like the flavor and has a twinkly sparkle to it.

29 Months

W has reached the 29 month mark. Before I know it I'll be blogging about his 3rd birthday.
What a guy our W is! He's a talker. His speech is wonderfully clear for his age and it's really quite fun to listen to him. Sometimes at night when he's winding down you can listen to him talk about each little detail of his day while he's laying in bed. Last night he was again talking about Uncle B and Uncle B's fireplace and candle. The details he remembers! W also likes to sing so on any given day you can hear him singing the Alphabet Song (L-M-N-O-P...)The Little Drummer Boy (Pa-Pa-Pum-Pum)or reciting his books..."This kid make me crazy!"
W continues to be a physically active fella which includes playing horsie on the back of the couch (much to my chagrin), acting out scenes from his favorite DVDs and just generally running, and jumping around the house.
The usual toddler challenges are experienced by W too. Such as sharing. Especially with his baby brother. He's getting quite good about giving R another toy once he's taken one away from him, but R is also getting good at hanging on to said toy that is being removed so there's been one or two moments of R getting dragged to the ground while holding onto a toy for dear life. W will apologize and kiss R's head afterwards. He also talks to his brother if the babe is sad, "You okay R? Okay R! Momma R is really sad." That's pretty sweet.
W is a wonder. He's funny & enjoys humour..."That's funny!" He can be temperamental and determined, but can't we all? He's got to have some of my characteristics and not be just his dad's little boy!
It'll be fun to see what development brings for W next month.

29 Months

W has reached the 29 month mark. Before I know it I'll be blogging about his 3rd birthday.
What a guy our W is! He's a talker. His speech is wonderfully clear for his age and it's really quite fun to listen to him. Sometimes at night when he's winding down you can listen to him talk about each little detail of his day while he's laying in bed. Last night he was again talking about Uncle B and Uncle B's fireplace and candle. The details he remembers! W also likes to sing so on any given day you can hear him singing the Alphabet Song (L-M-N-O-P...)The Little Drummer Boy (Pa-Pa-Pum-Pum)or reciting his books..."This kid make me crazy!"
W continues to be a physically active fella which includes playing horsie on the back of the couch (much to my chagrin), acting out scenes from his favorite DVDs and just generally running, and jumping around the house.
The usual toddler challenges are experienced by W too. Such as sharing. Especially with his baby brother. He's getting quite good about giving R another toy once he's taken one away from him, but R is also getting good at hanging on to said toy that is being removed so there's been one or two moments of R getting dragged to the ground while holding onto a toy for dear life. W will apologize and kiss R's head afterwards. He also talks to his brother if the babe is sad, "You okay R? Okay R! Momma R is really sad." That's pretty sweet.
W is a wonder. He's funny & enjoys humour..."That's funny!" He can be temperamental and determined, but can't we all? He's got to have some of my characteristics and not be just his dad's little boy!
It'll be fun to see what development brings for W next month.

Uncle B

For the love of Uncle B, we have two little boys who are absolutely over the moon for their uncle. R just can't tell us so yet, but he is. Now, W. Well, it's evident on a daily basis how much his Uncle B means to him. For example, any super fun toy in the house must have been from Uncle B as W will hold it up to show me the toy and say, "Uncle B gave." Uncle B is a generous guy as his penchant for giving has now moved on to household items. For example, the measuring cups used while W & I are making cookies, "Uncle B gave."
And then there's our "Ever-Lovin' Family". This is a routine that W and I go through. I tell W that Momma loves him so-o-o-o much and W mentions his dad and brother to which I respond the same & at the end we say we're an ever-lovin family. (A little sappy & cheesy I know, but W loves it). Now Uncle B is added to the mix. W: "B loves?" Me: "Uncle B loves W s-o-o-o- much!" He's the last member of our "ever-lovin' family".
As for the little babe , he's enjoying his Uncle B too. There's no one who can put R to sleep as easily as B. I leave the two of them alone for a few minutes and R is asleep in B's lap. It's a sweet sight.
So, wherever you are Uncle B, thanks for giving us every toy in the house and the measuring cups, and...the list just goes on....and thanks for being a part of our boys' ever-lovin' family.

Uncle B

For the love of Uncle B, we have two little boys who are absolutely over the moon for their uncle. R just can't tell us so yet, but he is. Now, W. Well, it's evident on a daily basis how much his Uncle B means to him. For example, any super fun toy in the house must have been from Uncle B as W will hold it up to show me the toy and say, "Uncle B gave." Uncle B is a generous guy as his penchant for giving has now moved on to household items. For example, the measuring cups used while W & I are making cookies, "Uncle B gave."
And then there's our "Ever-Lovin' Family". This is a routine that W and I go through. I tell W that Momma loves him so-o-o-o much and W mentions his dad and brother to which I respond the same & at the end we say we're an ever-lovin family. (A little sappy & cheesy I know, but W loves it). Now Uncle B is added to the mix. W: "B loves?" Me: "Uncle B loves W s-o-o-o- much!" He's the last member of our "ever-lovin' family".
As for the little babe , he's enjoying his Uncle B too. There's no one who can put R to sleep as easily as B. I leave the two of them alone for a few minutes and R is asleep in B's lap. It's a sweet sight.
So, wherever you are Uncle B, thanks for giving us every toy in the house and the measuring cups, and...the list just goes on....and thanks for being a part of our boys' ever-lovin' family.

Cough, cough

The RWB household is experiencing illness, yet again. W has another cold and this time it's not just a mucous-fest as the hacking, constant cough is included. I feel so badly for the little fella as it's hard on him. Sleep isn't nearly as fitful, the tender skin around his nose is in for a kleenex beating, and he probably aches all over.
If only there was remedy. The OTC meds don't really help at all. I add echinacea to his drinks all day long with hopes of boosting something in his immunity. W will have old man hands from handwashing and using anti-bacterial wipes.
So, after all my complaining, here's to wishes for good health, fort knox type immunity and restful sleep. May you have this all too.

Cough, cough

The RWB household is experiencing illness, yet again. W has another cold and this time it's not just a mucous-fest as the hacking, constant cough is included. I feel so badly for the little fella as it's hard on him. Sleep isn't nearly as fitful, the tender skin around his nose is in for a kleenex beating, and he probably aches all over.
If only there was remedy. The OTC meds don't really help at all. I add echinacea to his drinks all day long with hopes of boosting something in his immunity. W will have old man hands from handwashing and using anti-bacterial wipes.
So, after all my complaining, here's to wishes for good health, fort knox type immunity and restful sleep. May you have this all too.

A Thousand Words

It's been said before that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, then, how does one explain that this blog has become only wordy and lost the visual aspect?
Pure prioritizing...or lack thereof. At the moment there are over 200 pictures on the camera waiting to be downloaded. 200! And I haven't even been on vacation! One day soon, I'll make the time to re-connect all the acoutrements for this computer. Then this blog and it's vast readership (ha!ha!) will be flooded with a pictoral example of the RWB life.

A Thousand Words

It's been said before that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, then, how does one explain that this blog has become only wordy and lost the visual aspect?
Pure prioritizing...or lack thereof. At the moment there are over 200 pictures on the camera waiting to be downloaded. 200! And I haven't even been on vacation! One day soon, I'll make the time to re-connect all the acoutrements for this computer. Then this blog and it's vast readership (ha!ha!) will be flooded with a pictoral example of the RWB life.

It's inevitable...except from a vending machine.

Change is in the air.
Isn't change the most emotional, exciting and difficult part of life. My stomach turns, my mind runs away with me, me feet become cemented in the past and then it's time to get over it and move on.
How do you handle change? Embrace it? Stick your head in the sand?
How do you cope? (my FAVORITE question of the decade)

It's inevitable...except from a vending machine.

Change is in the air.
Isn't change the most emotional, exciting and difficult part of life. My stomach turns, my mind runs away with me, me feet become cemented in the past and then it's time to get over it and move on.
How do you handle change? Embrace it? Stick your head in the sand?
How do you cope? (my FAVORITE question of the decade)

Listen

The KAYA ladies have a fabulous acapella sound. It makes you want to move. Stirs your soul. Check them out.

PS:
Technical difficulties here....
go to myspace.com and search for The Kaya Ladies.

Listen

The KAYA ladies have a fabulous acapella sound. It makes you want to move. Stirs your soul. Check them out.

PS:
Technical difficulties here....
go to myspace.com and search for The Kaya Ladies.

Pie

Pie seems to be an American thing. (Puh-ii. Say it with a southern accent.) We Canadians are not the conoseurs of pie that our southern relatives are. Yesterday, I can across this recipe which was shared with me by my little Aunt Sis. My Grand Aunt Sis of Kentucky. She was an amazing lady and one day I'll write a tribute here for her as she is well worth knowing.
Until then, here's one of her pie recipes that is super easy and just as tasty. The name has always cracked me up though. Is Japan that land of raisins and coconuts? I do not know, but if this pie is indicitive of anything, then maybe so.
Japanese Pie
1 unbaked pie crust
1 stick of oleo melted (1/4 cup melted butter)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
Tbspn vinegar
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup coconut
1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans are awesome but any will do)
Mix well. Bake 40 minutes at 325.

This was our desert last night. The friends who were over for dinner asked for seconds and where I bought the pie from. Now there's a compliment!

Pie

Pie seems to be an American thing. (Puh-ii. Say it with a southern accent.) We Canadians are not the conoseurs of pie that our southern relatives are. Yesterday, I can across this recipe which was shared with me by my little Aunt Sis. My Grand Aunt Sis of Kentucky. She was an amazing lady and one day I'll write a tribute here for her as she is well worth knowing.
Until then, here's one of her pie recipes that is super easy and just as tasty. The name has always cracked me up though. Is Japan that land of raisins and coconuts? I do not know, but if this pie is indicitive of anything, then maybe so.
Japanese Pie
1 unbaked pie crust
1 stick of oleo melted (1/4 cup melted butter)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
Tbspn vinegar
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup coconut
1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans are awesome but any will do)
Mix well. Bake 40 minutes at 325.

This was our desert last night. The friends who were over for dinner asked for seconds and where I bought the pie from. Now there's a compliment!

Communication

W is talking up a storm these days and it's quite funny...not to forget enlightening as well. Last night at bedtime he would not stop talking...about anything that has happened in the last week it seemed.
"Guess what? Going Zoo!" (wishful thinking...)
"Mommy angry. Big spanks. Poor W."
"Mommy really sad. Poor Mom."
"Who made this big mess?"
"Hi Mom. I love Mom"
"Twinkle twinkle..."
"L-M-N-O-P..."

This has got to be one of my favorite developments of the 2yr old stage. It's fun, but there's no secrets in our home anylonger.

Communication

W is talking up a storm these days and it's quite funny...not to forget enlightening as well. Last night at bedtime he would not stop talking...about anything that has happened in the last week it seemed.
"Guess what? Going Zoo!" (wishful thinking...)
"Mommy angry. Big spanks. Poor W."
"Mommy really sad. Poor Mom."
"Who made this big mess?"
"Hi Mom. I love Mom"
"Twinkle twinkle..."
"L-M-N-O-P..."

This has got to be one of my favorite developments of the 2yr old stage. It's fun, but there's no secrets in our home anylonger.