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.