Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tasty Tuesdays

I am going to start this new feature on my bloggy blog where every Tuesday I will post either a super scrumptious recipe or a foodie tip!

First things first.

All parents NEED these two simple yet unbelievably helpful tools in the kitchen.
The melon baller (double ended) and the pizza cutter.

The melon-baller makes eating more fun. I swear that eating melon or any other fruit or anything else you can think of in a fun shape makes it more delicious. Seriously. This thing will be your best friend. I have melon-balled all melons, apples, ice cream, jello, pineapple, made tiny cookies, etc.

The pizza cutter is the answer to sandwich making hell. My daughter will not eat the crust no matter how hard I try. Using the pizza cutter, I can quickly trim off all offending crusts and slice up her sandwich in no time! I use it for cutting up french toast and pancakes into bite-sized morsels. And of course, pizza!

You can thank me later.... :)

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Long weekend blog hop!

Participating in this great blog hop again....most are fun blogs by moms for moms.

Have fun making new friends! I would appreciate those stopping by to follow me via GFC (if able..there have been issues!) or Facebook. I always follow back! Share the love :)

Thursday, May 26, 2011

free good karma

Free Karma!! Who can say no to that!!

I have made the top ten of the "Be the Boss" contest by Coast Capital!! woo hoo!

I can win $2000 just by getting the most votes on my entry.
My entry will be posted under the “finalist” tab !

Go to this link to vote for me. http://on.fb.me/ccsbetheboss
Important! You must “like” the Facebook page to vote! Important!!

The vote count will happen on May 31st! So do it now!! I am currently in second place...but if everyone votes just once (you can do it once a week) I could WIN!! 
 
Voting only takes 4 seconds...I timed it.

Thanks
cat

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

unda presha


I discovered lately that I work best under pressure. When others may crack and crumble under some kind of pressure...I grow strong. Like a superhero that steals other energy....or a diamond...oh yes a diamond!

This realization was made as I literally RAN as a mowed our lawn (all 1/4 acre of it) because I knew that my son was going to wake up soon and the forecast was calling for rain for the remainder of the week. I got our whole yard done in no time. Now, normally I wouldn't even think about cranking up the ole lawn shredder and tackling our hayfield (you think I kid, but I do not... we have hay). But the challenge of getting the whole thing done today in less than an hour was WAY too tempting.

I have a new outlook on why I do the things I do. I don't procrastinate...I create challenges for myself. I think that sounds better...don't you!

Do you share this need for challenge in your life? How do you meet it?

Friday, May 20, 2011

is this it??


So according to some, the world ends tomorrow at 6pm.

I got to thinking what I would do if I actually believed that... Here are my top ten...(who am I kidding...make it five! I only have till 6pm...most days I haven't even showered by then)... things to do before 6pm on the day the world ends!
  1. cuddle my loves every chance I got
  2. go for a hike with my family and hold their little hands the whole way
  3. eat chocolate and ice cream for all meals
  4. tell each of my children and my husband how amazing they are in their own unique way
  5. hold a dance party in the kitchen
What would you do???

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

wordless wednesday

eat your heart out Elton John....


Do I have the next Bieber on my hands here???? 
Better break out the video camera and start posting on You Tube!!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

party time!

I LOVE party planning....love every little aspect of it. I even applied to be a wedding planner at a big fancy pants hotel once with zero experience and got short-listed after an interview because of this passion!

So, one of my greatest joys as a mom is being able to plan some cool parties for my kiddo's birthday!
Now.... if I had a TON of money, my parties would be red carpet worthy, but alas...home with no income as a mommy tends to make for a more frugal party! So that is when sheer creativity and resourcefulness comes into play.

The first step that I do when planning is creating a theme. I find it easier to organize around a theme...even if it is just a colour palette.

For Kai's first birthday last week, I did a Truck theme. He loves pushing around little cars and trucks right now, so it was perfect for him (another tip...make the party personal!).

Here are a few pictures from the event for you to gain some inspiration from (another tip....get inspiration!).







Saturday, May 7, 2011

AWESOME recipe

We tried this tonight....everybody, even my picky 3 year old loved it! I added a nice salad and crunchy rolls for easy and yummy dinner.
I hear they freeze well!
enjoy!

Weelicious ™ – Fast, Easy & Fresh Homemade Home Made Baby Food Babyfood Recipes, Toddler Food and recipes for the entire family! » Blog Archive » Spinach Ricotta Bites

Reuse recycle fashionably!

I found this tutorial on making a loop scarf out of an old tee shirt. Genius....and super cute too!
I have made two!! I have a thing for light scarves these days. Easy to wear accessory with a baby in arms!!

 Click here for the tutorial over at Shwin&Shwin.

Friday, May 6, 2011

"honey, I LOVE this book"


I recently finished reading "Honey, I Wrecked the Kids" by Alyson Schafer. I loved every page. She writes it like you are having a conversation with a good friend - who also knows a lot about parenting! Her philosophy is based on Adlerian family therapy. I had studied this a bit in University (yawn), but Alyson has written this book so anybody and understand and actually USE the ideology.

It outlines and provides great examples of her approach to parenting, which is helping to empower our children and become co-operative people in our homes and society. If you are a parent who want their child to be a strong independent thoughtful person, and you as a parent want to be more understanding and encouraging - get. this. book.

Even if you just skim it or read the chapter about encouraging your child, you will find a practical and useful tools to add to your parenting toolbox. I started to implement some of her suggestions right away and I was BLOWN AWAY by how well her techniques worked. Here is an example:

  • Getting out of the house can be a struggle sometimes. So I decided to try one of her suggestions of asking for help from my child instead of telling my child - reducing perceived power struggles. So I asked Hana to do me a solid and get her boots on for me while I did the baby's jacket up. Her response "okay mama" and on went the boots. Her usual response to my " put your boots on please" was "no - hmph" as she went squealing down the hallway. 


I was shocked. It worked and it was so easy!!! I just changed how I talk to her, changed how I viewed the situation.... no charts, stickers, punishment etc. Our days together have been blissful since I have been using the ideas in this book.

Please please read it.... for your sanity and for your kid's mental health!! You won't regret it.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

blog hop!

Participating in my first blog hop this weekend...fun way to find new cool blogs....
Here is the list! Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Join me on Facebook

Well I am going to attempt it.... I joined Facebook as a blogger!

Please Like my page so I can start doing fun things like GIVEAWAYS!!!!!

Yippie Momma Facebook page

fresh approach to the da da duuuuh....tantrum

The following link is to an article I found on the Mothering website. It is a great new way to look at tantrums in a new way....oftentimes making it easier for us and them!

Take a look.... I found it refreshing.
http://www.mothering.com/parenting/a-fresh-approach-to-tantrums#

Monday, May 2, 2011

my baby is ONE!

Yesterday, my little bundle of joy (literally) turned the big O.N.E. I am not too sure how that happened already, but alas, here we are!

As the saying goes, "the days are long, but the years are short".

I made a little video montage to celebrate his first year and would like to share it with you! It is a facebook link as blogger won't let me post such a big video!

Kai's First Year