owls & monsters

The Makings Of A Home Sweet Home

2018-06-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

|A product within this post was sent to me for the purpose of an honest review, all opinions are 100% my own.|

In the Fall our family went through a major change, a pleasant and very welcome change as we bought our very first home!

Having our own home has been a dream since our dating/engaged days. Fast forward 9 years and we are finally here, livin' the dream! The house came (and continues) with a lot of time consuming reno's, but it has been fun and exciting to transform and refresh this place into a welcoming, safe, loved home of our own.

Our first plan of attack was to get this place acceptable to bring children into, to make it liveable, and to care for some areas that needed some prompt attention! We made the top floor our priority and spent a good month cleaning, changing out fixtures, repairing walls, painting, and refinishing the upstairs floors.

Our biggest and proudest accomplishment so far has been refinishing the old wood floors, it took a good couple days, a lot of sweat, and maybe some tears... but we did it! It changes the whole feel of the upstairs, going with black was the opposite of what we were originally intending (we were going to go with a bare wood finish) but when we got this crazy idea we just went with it, and I'm so glad we did! I love it, and I love that its still a stain so the wood grain still shows for a natural feel with a modern vibe!

Now that its done we want to take care of them, not to the point we can't live the chaotic busy life we lead, but to protect our hard work to last for years to come. The very first way we did this way spending a little bit more on higher quality stain and sealer. Then the more practical ways are putting those little stick on protectors things for every piece of furniture that could be pushed, pulled or moved about on the floors. And lastly we choose natural products that will still clean effectively but aren't harsh and break down the surface or are harmful to us or our kids, in the general day to day cleaning we do this with the E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop.

It's chemical free which sets my momma heart at ease when the kids want to help, which leads me to say the telescopic handle is the best because it adjusts to be perfect height for me and the littles! It's so easy to maneuver around under couches, beds, ceilings...anywhere, and with the extra material on the sides it can even get the baseboards all in one sweep. Oh and did I mention its washable?! Unlike other products you aren't succumbing to our cultural wasteful lifestyle, this mop head is reusable for up to 300 washes, yaaaaassss!

On a sidetone I will warn you now, if your thinking of going with a dark finish floor, dust will show like no other! This may not bother you now but it means you have to give it a swipe every couple days to keep the dust at bay and the sun shining in shows every last little speck. This is one thing I wish the mop was better at, and probably why they have the "Floor & Wall Duster" mop head, I'm sure it does exactly what I want and will probably invest in one soon! My other wish has nothing really to do with its function but just aesthetics, I wish it was a darker colour so that in the long run it doesn't perpetually look dirty even after washing. Regardless of those minor issues its still an amazing tool to bring into your cleaning regime, it saves time and money on extra cleaning products, somehow its design in the fibres is proven to kill 99% of all bacterias with just water... yah you heard me, water!

E-Cloth has been my number one go to for changing over to more economical sustainable lifestyle, it baffles me that we can use a product and still have the same cleaning power as common household brands that are so wasteful and harmful to us and our environment, for this reason alone I couldn't be happier with this product and brand ....and with that we want to share with you! Hop on over to our Instagram for a chance to win your very own Deep Clean Mop!! (contest ends July.1st, 2018 @12 p.m. PST)

Life Made Easy With Ergobaby

2017-10-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

| Ergobaby provided the Omni 360 for the purpose of this review. |
| Within this post are affiliate links. Like always all words and opinions are 100% my own. |

Today I have the honour of sharing one of my favourite baby gear products with you! Let me introduce to you... Ergobaby! They are the makers of some really comfortable ergonomic baby carriers.

Flash back to my first pregnancy, I got wind of Ergobaby from a friend of mine and was gifted the Organic Original Carrier at my baby shower. I was immediately won over by a couple things: its ergonomic design that supports your baby hips properly; its UV protected sunhood; and that it was made from super soft organic cotton. I was a new mom with a babe that wouldn't play contently on her own, or stay sleeping for long periods of time, and because of that my sanity stretched very, very thin, very, very quickly! I needed to be able to go about my day like any other person, and this carrier was my saving grace! Ry would fall asleep within minutes and stay sleeping in it for way longer than if I were to put her down. It enabled me to complete simple chores and rest my aching arms.

Apart from the normal day to day use this carrier came with us everywhere... to the US, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, South Korea... everywhere! I'm actually amazed that it survived all that we put it through, but it did! The only wear it showed was that it faded, and hello... I think that can be expected when you expose it to 9 months of daily scorching hot Thailand sunshine.

When we returned to Canada I sold our original because we scored big time getting a second hand (but still new in box) Ergo Sport along with the new infant insert (it's a way better design, good job Ergo!). I love this carrier, its black and sleek, its more lightweight and breathable than the original, and it has a more fitted design around the tummy/hip area, which for my body type I just felt way more comfortable in it. The only thing I feel it lacked in comparison to the original was the comfy padded shoulder straps.

Now we are the proud owners of the Omni 360! Ever since the 360 design came out I have had serious carrier envy! The day it arrived at our door I literally did a happy dance, Adelyne too, I think we were both equally excited! I'm also not going to lie, I kind of had some baby fever when we got it (I said kind of... no more babies, its not happening!). I just have loved these carriers so much raising our kids and would love to use this one to its fullest potential with a snuggly little newborn (someone lend me your baby! haha), and the added bonus is this design doesn't even need an infant insert, I love that!

Back to when it first arrived, Adelyne and I literally tried each and every position right away! It's just so versatile for the early stages of life, newborn right to toddlerhood! I have always loved the front carry - facing parent position, its always a winner when you want to connect with your babe with some warm snuggles or get a nap in on the go. The hip carry is great for giving your bub a little more visual to the outside world, and the position to get a breastfeed happening. The back carry, my personal fave, gives you more mobility and full use of your arms, and it allows your babe to see but still be able to snuggle if needed. And all new to us is the front carry - facing out position, this is Adelyne's favourite, she calls it her "seat", she gets to see everything around her and she just can't stop smiling when in this position!

The Omni brought back for me the comfy shoulder straps, it still sports the UV protect privacy hood, it has extra head support for babe if needed, it still has that fitted feel with added lumbar support, and they redesigned the handy zipper pocket all ergo's have, by moving it and making it detachable (hello modernized fanny pack!). I love their trendy design and basic colour options, they're all neutral enough to be like an added accessory to your outfit of the day. And the versatility... this carrier is seriously the bee's knees of all carriers, with the multitude of positions and the crossable shoulder straps it can fit all kinds of body types, men included (Ain't nothing more sexy than a baby wearing dad!), and we all know in the carrier world comfort is so important! With the Omni your bound to find at least one way that is comfortable for both you and your babe!

I honestly can't rave enough about Ergobaby and especially this new design of the Omni 360! The quality of these carriers is outstanding! It is and has been for 6 years an essential item for raising our kids. It lives in the car because I still use it frequently, and Adelyne is over 2 years old now! It's perfect for wandering around markets, malls, and grocery shopping ... you know those places where you don't want little hands touching everything. It's gives us the ability to always be on the go, never mind rushing home to get naps in, nap times happen anywhere, like when we're watching Daddy or Rylee play soccer. It lets us stay active as a family with hikes and the walks to get Rylee from the bus stop. This carrier is a dream, and I'm seriously going to grieve the day Adelyne, our last baby, grows out of it!

Back To School : Simple Traditions

2017-09-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

School Season is here! Kids have returned to school, did you do anything commemorate the day or wish you had?!

We ourselves have a grade one'er and a preschooler on our hands! As a parent these are big moments for our kids (and us)! It's a weird, exciting, slightly terrifying transition going from 24/7 parents to only seeing our kids about 6 or so hours a day! This is why I want to share some simple ways you can commemorate this big change and even start a yearly tradition for each new school year!

1. Take A Picture

Last year when Rylee started Kindergarten we started our first tradition by capturing her on her way in her first day of school outfit with an old picture frame I refurbished into a chalkboard. This year we did the same thing for her first day of grade one and for Zachery's first day of preschool!

2. Celebrate With A Special Treat

Last year we took Rylee out to her favourite restaurant, Chinese. This year we did take out and celebrated at home. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or super expensive, but taking a time out with your child with a hot chocolate date, or going for ice cream, or bake some cupcakes is a great way to celebrate their big day and create a fun memory with them.

3. First Day of School Questionnaire

I saw this everywhere on social media this year, we do this for birthdays so I opted out but its still a great idea! Ask your child some simple questions like, "whats your favourite colour?", "Who's your best friend?", "What do you want to be when you grow up?", and so on. This is a great to hold on to and compare over the years.

4. Create Something

Most first days back to school are half days, set aside your afternoon to create something with your child. You could go all out with a paint your own pottery session, paint or craft class, or keep it budget friendly by creating something at home. One idea could be making a shrinky dink keychain of their handprint, as the years go by you'll have a cute mini keepsake of how they've grown, check it out the tutorial here.

5. A Special Gift

I'm not about over spending or creating a materialistic tradition, but think about holding on to one of their back to school essentials (new shoes, t-shirt, backpack), get them the one thing they had their eye on and surprise them when they wake up for their first day back to school. Another good and educational idea could be a new book from a series or author they love.

Good luck with the back to school transitions with early wake ups and tired little people. One day they will be grown and enjoying these moments now will be something you never regret!

Family Camping Checklist

2017-09-06T00:41:00.001-07:00

It's the last weekend of summer, grab your family and this Camping Checklist and enjoy these fleeting moments of freedom and great weather before our mundane West Coast rains sets in and the routines of back to school pick up.

This summer we embarked on our first ever camping adventure as a family! Surprisingly with three children, five and under, it went considerably well, so well that we want to do it all over again...and again! (I've always loved camping, I can thank my Mom and Dad for that, my husband however he was the one who needed some winning over... mission accomplished!)

The week prior to us leaving we joked that this trip could be the end of our marriage (not really), but it was super stressful! Leading up to it Sevio was working a ton plus had deadlines to make with his online courses, and I had my hands full with the kids and what felt like a gagillion appointments. I did all the packing and organizing the day before we left, it was awful, but, out of it I can share with you an easy checklist to get you started off right to a great family weekend away.

I'm typically a Type-A minimalist packer (is that a thing?), everything has its rightful place and there's no need truckin' around more than you need to... thus why I create lists. Everything goes into a category and then I pack accordingly trying to make everything that should be together, be together, in the most concise way... it's one of my "cute" quirks being so OCD in my packing ways.

Once loaded up, and people this is another good reason to be organized, we still had room to spare... which is something amazing when you have to climb in and out of a vehicle multiple times for pee and food breaks with three little people! Anyways, back on point, we loaded up and left with the rising sun on the first boat to the mainland. Our first pit stop was Abbotsford to fuel up, then Hope for caffeine (mom fuel), then Merritt for lunch (where it was snowing ash from the crazy forest fires), and arrived in Kamloops, our final destination by mid day to set up camp. The kids were amazing, I actually don't think there were any meltdowns that whole trip.

We stayed right along the Thompson River, it wasn't anything fancy, it wasn't remote, or have any special amenities, but it was all we needed and we got a great flat grassy site that had a big tree to give us shade, and we were about 30 feet from a mini beach access. The kids had fun unloading the van and "helping" daddy set up the tent. We borrowed an 8 man tent for this trip and it was amazing how spacious it was for our crew of five.

We were there for a soccer tournament that Sevio was playing in, so we watched a lot of soccer in two days, played at the beach, and just hung out with the other players and their families. On our last afternoon at the campsite a bunch of the guys had preplanned making a DIY waterslide along the banks of the river. It was a great last moment to end on, the kids had a blast sliding down this man made slide built into the sandy bank lined with a huge plastic sheet fed by a water pump one of the guys had brought... that was truly camping at its finest!

Don't forget to download your free Family Camping Checklist Printable and have fun adventuring!

Smile Project : Month 8

2017-08-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

This summer has been such a whirlwind of events that goodness me, I actually forgot about the Smile Project! Thankfully I'm only a week late with month 8, and it is for this very reason that I love this project, it reminds me each month to pick up my camera and capture our kids as they grow.

This month changes have occurred, though you may not be able to tell. Rylee got her Rapunzel long hair trimmed back about 4 inches, and she's sporting a Band-Aid due to her brother sitting on her head as she went down a slide... slide burn...ouch! Zach physically hasn't changed much but this last month his personality has. He's asserting himself more and wants his voice to be heard, which with his lack of clarity in his speech it is frustrating for everyone involved! Adie, my little peanut, is still just as cute and wild as ever, her hair may have gotten crazier and quite frankly her personality too.

Rylee:

Zachery:

Adelyne:

Adelyne Turns Two : 20 Questions

2017-08-03T09:35:00.001-07:00

It's 20 Question time! Every year around each kid's birthdays I like to document what their current fave things are. It's simple, we ask the same 20 questions every year, and as time goes on we'll have something to look back on to see how much they change over the years.

You can read past years of the kid's "20 Questions Interviews" here.

This time around, its our baby who is no longer a baby, Adelyne Quinn! She's just turned two on the 26th of July. This birthday in particular is such a bitter sweet moment! Adie is our last "planned" babe (you never know, the odds could defy us :P), so cue an over exaggerated fist pump and cue this momma shedding a few tears over a season of life that will no longer exist!

So let's get to it, we'll see how well she does, this should be the last year I have to fill in some blanks due to her limited vocabulary!

| Please Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation. |

20 Questions for Adelyne : Year Two

1 // What is your favourite color? All colors.

2 // What is your favourite toy? Melissa & Doug Fold Up Princess Castle

3 // What is your favourite fruit? All kinds, but watermelon has been a current fave.

4 // What is your favourite movie? Paw Patrol

5 // What is your favourite outfit? her birthday suit!

6 // What is your favourite thing to eat for lunch? Hot dogs.
7 // What is your favourite game? Peek-a-boo.
8 // What is your favourite animal? Dinosaurs and puppies.
9 // What is your favourite treat? Andy! (aka: candy)
10 // What is your favourite book? Carry and Learn Numbers Board Book.
11 // What is your favourite song? Sleeping Bunnies
12 // Who is your best friend? Rylee.
13 // What is your favourite drink? Dauder (Water).
14 // What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Babies and unc-ee (monkey).
15 // What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast? Sausages.

16 // What is your favourite thing to do outside? Play in the dirt.
17 // What is your favourite word? Whhhhhhy?
18 // What is your favourite thing to do? Eat.
19 // What is the latest thing you've learned? Lots of new words, and starting to sit on the potty.
20 // What do you want to be when you grow up? Can't answer this one yet.

Smile Project : Month 7

2017-07-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

Here we are, month seven of the smile project! Now, less than a year left of capturing a child's smile, watching their personalities, their understanding, and their physical looks evolving.

As I've gone through this project, I've been so thankful for it! Gone are the days of basically having my camera attached to me, half the time I barely even know where it is anymore. This phase of life with three littles is busy, and having the smile project in my life makes sure I get at least one picture of each kid every month... for that I'm so grateful!

For a look back of months past, click here!

Here is miss smiley Rylee:

and my handsome little man, Zachery:

and the ever silly Adelyne:

Last Day of Kindergarten : Rylee

2017-06-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Today was the last day of school! Are you excited? Or does the thought of two months home with all your kids get you totally overwhelmed?

Our oldest, Rylee, graduated from kindergarten today and I for one, am totally ecstatic! No more forced schedules, no more early wake ups (for Rylee at least), and no more fighting to get out the door! And we get to see Rylee all day, everyday. That alone is the icing on the cake, I love having her home. She may be one more kid to care for, but she's a helpful kid, and she's at an age where I can actually hang out with her and do crafts or other fun things.

To celebrate her last day we took her to her favourite restaurant, Chinese food, where she got to pick whatever she wanted (iced tea and a whole plate of sweet and sour balls to herself). I know it may "just" be kindergarten but I'm still so proud of her! Over the year she's learned to count from 1-100 and to count in multiples of 10 up to 100, she's started reading basic words, she's taught herself how to skip, she can do some basic addition, and her artwork has improved significantly!

Just for fun, below you'll see her first day of kindergarten. Putting these two pictures together I can actually see she's grown (hard to believe, this girl grows at a snails pace!), and her face has definitely matured, she just looks so much more confident! This girl blows me away, she's such a spitfire, with so much personality and independence all rolled into one. I hope everyday we as parents can do right by her and set her on paths that help her grow, she's got so much potential and so much good in her that I just can't wait to see where she soars.

Gettin' Ready for Summer With E-Cloth

2017-06-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

|This product was sent to me for the purpose of an honest review, all opinions are 100% my own.|

Are you looking for a more natural way to clean around the house? For household products that are safe enough even for your kids to use and still get 99% of those nasty bacteria's? Then you need to give ECloth a try!

If you recall a little while back we partnered with E-Cloth showcasing a more natural approach to household cleaning with their glass cleaning cloth. Well today I'm super excited to share another one of their great products with you, the Universal Stone, and if you check out our Instagram you can enter to win one for yourself! (giveaway open to US/Canadian residents only)

Summer has finally arrived here on the West Coast and one way we love to spend our evenings is having a good ol' BBQ! Now, you may or may not be like us, and go to open up your barbeque after its winter hibernation and discover the loveliness of last years leftovers... whoops... barf!

That's where Ecloth's Universal Stone became our saving grace, this stuff has a clay base to it and is completely eco-friendly and free of nasty toxins so many cleaning products have these days. Cleaning the barbeque is not a chore I ever enjoy, but the universal stone amazed me how it cut through the built up grease and gunk!

I initially scraped the grill with our wire brush and removed all the lose grill and underneath metal parts. I then used the applicator sponge that comes with the stone, ran it under water, rubbed it on the stone, squished it a few times and with virtually no more effort than washing the dishes I had all the barbeque bits cleaned and looking almost new again!

Once I got all the barbeque bits back in their rightful spots I used the stone and sponge to clean the stainless steel and the glass polishing cloth to wipe it all streak free. Doesn't it look good!

I am seriously impressed with this product, and I continue to be. We use it regularly on our glass stovetop, which used to be a time consuming chore, now it takes one minute to clean even with the worst caked on, burnt on crud. I've also used it on our bathtub to remove heavy soap scum. And I've used it to clean and shine up the bottom of our pots and pans. I was even surprised by the versatility of the sponge, I thought for sure after the BBQ that it would be done for, but, it survived, it didn't even tear! It obviously turned black from all that grime but I've actually found that it essentially self cleans itself as I keep using it.

I absolutely love that it makes the hard chores easy, it cuts through grime with ease, and in essence saves me time (and sweat) to get back to fun things, like enjoying a glass of iced tea and eating a good ol' juicy burger! Now go win yourself one (check out owls + monsters on Instagram), and good luck!

Smile Project : Month 6

2017-06-15T19:35:00.000-07:00

We are officially half way through the Smile Project! I thought it'd be fun to showcase what we've captured so far with each of the kids. See how they've grown, how they've come to follow instruction, and how they interpret what it is to "smile".

So here goes! First up is the oldest of course, miss Rylee... whom I think shows herself to be more playful and comfortable in front of the camera. She may not change much physically but I can definitely see her maturing in her eyes... especially this month (hah!).

Month 1

Month 2

Month 3

Month 4

Month 5

and the latest, Month 6

Next up is Mr. Zachery! As you can see he's been a goofball right from the beginning. What you don't see in the pictures is his ability to take instruction and his eagerness to have his picture taken, when he sees me setting up the tripod he gets giddy and can't wait to get in front of the camera... I love it!

Month 1

Month 2

Month 3

Month 4

Month 5

Month 6

Last but not least, Adelyne! She has been the hardest to capture since her attention span is like that of a hummingbird, I'm actually amazed I've managed to get relatively clear shots of her haha. I love with her that you can see the most change, her hair is longer and more wild, she has more teeth, and her outward appearance changing from baby to toddler.

Month 1

Month 2

Month 3

Month 4

Month 5

Month 6

Party Planning 101

2017-05-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

| This post was published in cooperation with Paperless Post |

It's no secret I love planning themed birthday parties for my kids. It's not something I ever thought I'd do, and much to my husbands dismay, it's something I seriously enjoy doing! It takes a lot of hands on work, and frugal penny pinching, but the creativity behind planning a party to fit each child's current fave fad, and doing it with them is a lot of fun.

Whether your throwing an indoor or backyard bash, with a few balloons and streamers, or bringing in the circus tent, today I have for you some tricks of the trade to make it all come together! Hopefully these tips will help keep you on budget, remind you why your throwing this party, and minimize the stress that can come when creating an amazing celebration.

1. To Theme or Not To Theme? If your first reaction is that a themed party is going to rob you of every penny you own, stop, this is a myth. If you can't afford the marching band, blow up castles, and real life puppy party favors, then like me the dollarstores will be your best friend! You can be as elaborate as you want by doing things yourself, or just picking a theme that the dollarstore carries (princess, sports, Hawaiian, a specific color scheme...). Key point to remember is: know your limit, play within it!

2. Remember Who Your Celebrating! This party is not about you, put your party planning dreams as aspirations aside for a moment and ask your child what they want. You may be surprised with the idea they come up with and getting them involved adds a whole new level of excitement for their special day. Rylee has picked her last two parties, a princess theme and a royal tea party, and Zach went with Paw Patrol on his third birthday. If your kids aren't old enough to verbalize an idea, go with what they are currently loving or something that you see in them that you want to showcase.

3. It's NEVER Too Early To Plan. Birthdays sneak up on you, if you can plan ahead of time this will be your saving grace! Especially if your a DIY'er! This doesn't mean you have to pick a date, but simply pick your theme, get your pinterest idea board going, and get a head start on some of those time consuming crafts (like a homemade pinata, princess crowns, or party games). Having your idea in your head may save you money too, you never know when you might come across some amazing clearance sale that fits your theme perfectly... and it gives you time to comparison shop while your just going about your regular day to day shopping.

4. Timing is Everything. Choosing what time of day is crucial for a fun filled celebration. Think about your child's nap times, schedule around it, the worst thing you can do is not take their needs into consideration... this correlates with remembering who your celebrating! Birthday Party's are overwhelming to begin with for little people, they are the center of attention, and the last thing you want is them to be throwing the worst kind of temper tantrum because grandma so and so got them the wrong color thingamajig! These episodes can theoretically be avoided with keeping their regular feeding and sleeping schedules in place!

5. Picking a Date. This is my least favourite thing to do, its hard to find a day that works for everyone. But before making your invitations set in stone be sure to check with those essential guests (whether its that favourite aunt, grandparent, or best friend), you want to do your best to pick a day and time that those important people can be there.

6. Invitations! This is one of my favorite things to do. I have made them myself, I've ordered cards online, and most recently I've teamed up with Paperless Post to create a more eco-friendly alternative to party invitations by going digital for Adelyne's upcoming second birthday! Going digital is definitely more cost effective and in this technology run day and age your going to get a quicker response from people whether they can make it or not. Paperless Post has so many options to choose from and are super easy to customize, it literally took me less than an hour to completely make their "Tropicale" invite fit our "Twotti Fruitti" theme. And bonus, if your not ready to jump full on into the digital world of invites, you still have the option of ordering them to hand out or stick in the mail. And I just have to say my inner party planning nerd LOVES the matching envelope liners... these little pineapples + palms kill me!

| I received free product as compensation for this review. In no way are my words altered, all opinions are 100% my own|

Smile Project : Month Five

2017-05-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit late with this month shots from the Smile Project. We've had a lot going on, lots of new things a brewing, and blogging for me had to take a back seat. I did, however, take the pictures on time... editing and posting just took until this very moment.

This project is supposed to encapsulate how each kid defines and expresses their joy through smiling. Each month is different just as these tiny humans are different, they change so fast and learn new things almost daily and as the months go on we will see how they change physically and more importantly mentally and emotionally as they develop more understanding of this world.

This month in particular has been short in the joy department, at least for this momma. We have been going through some hard development stages, with each kid trying to assert their independence in different ways, and usually in very patience trying ways. I've yelled and I've cried more than I want to admit! I have not demonstrated love, or patience well to my kids and it has rocked me as a Mother. It encourages me though, looking at these pictures, of my babies, each smiling in their own goofy ways. I haven't broken them, they still love me, I still love them, and we will come out of this with smiles on our faces, together.

Anyways that's just a glimpse of our journey... it's rough and bumpy! Its a time of being challenged, to learn and grow in my own attitudes and behaviour, and for my kids too. Its a season and it shall pass, and when it does we will all be better for it! There is joy in that alone!

Rylee:

Zachery:

Adelyne:

Smile Project : Month Four

2017-04-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Another month has flown by, here we are in month four of our "smile project"! These cuties are getting more and more character (more than I can handle!) and are really getting the hang of listening to their one instruction of "smile" while I snap one picture.

My favourite this month is miss Adelyne, she gave her classic smile that I've yet to capture, and I'm so happy this month we got it... forever... we have this girls crazy goofy joy captured!

Rylee

Zachery

Adelyne

6 Tips to Make Errands Easier With Kids

2017-03-22T12:36:00.001-07:00

I have had on occasion (quite often actually) people come up to me in sheer amazement that I'm out and about with my three young kids (5+under). Heck, looking back from where I came from sometimes I amaze myself... not that I have it all figured out or am the perfect mom (I'm SO not), but at least in this area of parenthood I have come a long way.

Truly you wouldn't believe I went through a phase in my early parenting days that I actually could not go to the store with my kid (pre multiple children days). I had to leave Rylee home with Sevio, even the thought of taking her with me threw me over the edge. Running errands turned into such a stressful, unpleasant, and not to mention unproductive event that I just opted for not doing it at all, or waiting till late when she was in bed. Can you say not healthy. Say it... NOT HEALTHY!

We are not meant to holed up in our homes, going slightly loopy because we have a kid(s). Kids are not a burden. Kids have needs that need to be met, and they have seasons of volatility, but they should not debilitate you from living life. You can do things you did prekid days. You can take them with you. You can have an enjoyable experience. And you can... pardon my French... get shit done!

So I've been there, I know how you can feel trapped in your own home, like staying in is a whole lot easier than facing the public eye of your volatile toddler. I've learned some tricks of the trade and hopefully sharing them will help some other mom out there that is feeling like I once did. I can promise your kids won't always behave while your out but if you incorporate some or all of these tips in regular day to day life your outings with your kid(s) can be productive + fun... yes, FUN!

Tip #1 Pretrip Assembly. This means all kids have recently had a snack or meal, all bums are freshly changed, and older children have sat on a toilet. Then your checklist: shoes, jackets, diaper bag, soothers, stroller/carrier... oh and don't forget your luke warm cup of coffee.

Tip #2 Be Prepared. This is crucial for your survival and the enjoyment level of everyone involved! Pack easy snacks (fruit, cut up veggies, granola bars, my homemade kiddie munchie mix, seaweed snack packs... anything your kids will surely eat), water/milk bottles. Kids turn into wild animals when left unfed for too long... hangry mini humans = bad news bears.

Tip #3 Know your limit, play within it. Kids have limits, there's only so much boring adult stuff they can handle. Create opportunities for fun, for us we make a pit stop at the grocery store bakery for a yummy cookie or cheese stick, for recycling day the kids take turns who gets to get out and help (they love it, and their learning to be little helpers... Bonus!), or make a pit stop for 10 or so minutes at the park to run off some of their exuberance. Also trust your mommy senses, you know when things are about to get hairy, it's ok to call it quits before it's too late. (bonus tip: have fun things that live in the car but don't forget to change them up once in a while... ex: books, coloring, small interactive toys)

tip#4 Prioritize. If your a list person, make a list of the most important things you need to get done. Do them first. That way if things turn sideways, and we all know they can and surely will, you will have gotten the most pressing "to do's" handled and can rest at ease that the important stuff has been taken care of. Everything else can wait for another day, no biggie!

Tip #5 Reward Good Behaviour. This doesn't have to mean giving them treats or tangible rewards but I do think its important to recognize and encourage your child when they have behaved well. Fill up their little love tanks with positive affirmation. Be purposeful in recognizing their good qualities and behaviour to build their character up. But treating them to a trip to the local coffee shop for a shared hot chocolate or smoothie once in awhile is great too!

Tip #6 Take it slow. Doing errands with small kids can get infuriating if we're trying to do too much or trying to rush their small little legs and curiosity along. Enjoy the moments of doing life together, make the time to let them explore and answer their questions. Also take the time to parent them, don't give in to their tantrums... they're smart, it just takes one time of giving in for them to know what to do to get what they want!

For example, lately Adelyne has been refusing to stay in the grocery cart, she wants me to carry her. Have you ever tried to carry a child while trying to maneuver a cart around a store... no... just no. She's too young to be running free, and isn't to be trusted in the big part of the cart, she is extremely stubborn and is the queen of tantrums (no joke... inconsolable till you give in), so what do I do?! I give her a timeout, we find a spot out of the way and she sits for a 1 or 2 minute timeout right then and there, some may think that's harsh, but holy smokes IT WORKS! She doesn't even cry, she knows she's pushed it too far and does her time, and then she sits in her seat and we move on (*this will not work for every kid... just an example of taking the time to parent your kids in the heat of a moment without running for the hills or giving into their screaming fits)

There you have it, happier less stressful excursions are possible! Now go, get your kids and get out there! ... Good Luck!

10 Must Haves For Baby's First Library

2017-03-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

What better way to roll through March, the National Reading Month, by collecting some great titles for a new baby! I've made it easy for you by compiling, in my opinion, the top 10 list of must have books for any new little peanut in your life!

Don't think you have to be a expectant/new Mom or Dad for this list to be relevant for you... I tell you some of our favourite baby shower/birthday gifts for the kids have been books! Maybe we're just book nerds, but heck, books are something that I cherish for the snugly bonding memories they create.

All of these books are great in their own way, some are classics, and some are newbies in the book realm but still very much goodies! Check them out!

Top 10 Must Have Book For Babies First Library

| fyi this post contains affliate links |

1. Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown

The quintessential bedtime book! Bold yet simple illustrations hold your little one's attention while you subtly lull them to sleep with the sweet rhythms of this book.

2. Guess How Much I Love You

by Sam McBrainey

Oh how great it is when your child starts grasping how far and wide your love can go, all the way to the moon... and back.

3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

Take a stroll down memory lane as this is very likely a favourite from your own childhood. Who doesn't love the hungry caterpillar, he eats his way through the pages right to your heart!

4. Indestructables : Baby Faces

by Kate Merritt

The perfect book for any baby! The artwork is so colorful and let me just rave about how they are 100% Waterproof, chew proof, rip proof, non toxic and washable!

5. Love You Forever

By Robert Munsch

This classic captures a mothers everlasting love for her son and it will undoubtedly pull on your heart strings every single time you read it.

6. Tap The Magic Tree

by Christie Matheson

An interactive book for you and your toddler. Watch the pages come alive as your child taps, shakes, and jiggles the seasons to change.

7. The Paper Bag Princess

by Robert Munsch

A classic but not so typical fairy tale. It's a tale of courageous princess set to conquer a dragon to save her uh.... not so charming prince.

8. ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book

by Dr. Seuss

It's not your standard "ABC's", how could it be, it's Dr. Suess after all! Go against the traditional "A is for Apple" with this rhythmic complex tongue twister!

9. Belly Button Book

by Sandra Boynton

Who knew hippos rockin' crop tops and bare bellies could be so cute. You and your little will forever be calling your belly button "Bee bo" from here on out.

10. Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld

Not only do you get to learn the name of those big tractors and trucks your kiddo is so enthralled with, but its also the perfect book to unwind with right before bed.

Smile Project : Month 3

2017-03-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are, capturing our third month of the smile project! What is the smile project? Head back here to check out the beginnings, but in a nutshell, over the period of one year I will take one picture, every month, of each kid, with one instruction... Smile! What they give me is what I capture, one shot is all I get, unless it's completely a blur... which lets face it toddlers can get blurry real quick! In that case I try again a little bit later because I'm looking for their natural expression in that moment.

After this year is up we'll have 12 months of looking back over their unique take on expressing their characters through one single word. We'll see physical growth, emotional growth, and mental growth as they learn to understand instruction and their own definition of being joyful through the expression of smiling. I'm really looking forward to the end result. Here is month three.

Rylee:

Zachery:

Adelyne:

Kiddie Munchie Mix

2017-03-08T12:33:00.001-08:00

Today I'm sharing with you my favorite go to snack for our kids! It's simple, its yummy, it's got versitility and most importantly it keeps them busy and quiet!

This snack evolved because I spend a lot of time waiting around with Zach and Adie. Whether we're watching Rylee play soccer or gymnastics, or at Zach's speech therapy, or waiting for ferries (the bane of our West Coast existance)... whatever it is we spend a lot of time waiting. I've learned the hard way that being unprepared while waiting with toddlers is not an ideal situation, thus the creation of the Munchie Mix.

One of the best things about this is you can use whatever you want and make it however healthy you want. Changing it up is actually part of what makes it so great, because the kids never get bored of it!

Also if your kids are like mine, there's certain things they don't like (like Rylee doesn't like craisins), no big deal, make a base, store it, and when its snack time add to it. Heck throw in some sweets for movie night or a special treat and you just made yourself Mom of the year!

Kiddie Munchie Mix

Ingredients
Raisins
Craisins
Banana Chips
Wholewheat Sesame Sticks
Peanut Butter Panda Puff Cereal

*extra options*
Cheerios
Fish Crackers
Nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews...)
Pumpkin or Sunflower seeds
Pretzels
Other dried fruits (apricot, apple, mango...)
Chocolate chips
Mini Marshmellows
Reese's Pieces/Smarties

Put all your items in a bowl, give a stir, and store in an airtight container. Serve in little cups, ziploc bags, mason jars, or these handy "To Go Snack Catchers"! Enjoy your quiet nimbling at home or on the fly!

Celebrate Reading

2017-03-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

Did you know March is National Reading Awareness Month? I didn't till yesterday!

Reading is something that I enjoy doing with the kids, but I do not repeat books in one sitting... that drives me bonkers! We don't do it every night or day, but every couple days we'll sit down before bed, each kid with their own pick, and away we go down rabbit trails, counting apples, or magically making things appear and disappear with the turn of a page. There's so many great books out there, and it's always surprising which book each kid latches on to.

Books are so special and can hold so many memories, they are one thing we have a really hard time letting go of, and that's saying something for us (purging happens a lot in this household)! I remember a few months back I was taking one of the kids books to the recycle. Sevio caught me, I've never seen him react so emotionally to an object, "How could you?!", I was like, "Look at it... its corners are all frayed, the cover is bent so bad it's hanging on for dear life...".

NOPE! Forget all rational thought, that "Pajama Time" book never made it out the front door! It was one of the first books the kids latched onto, so it holds lots of memories of snuggles in pajamas before bedtime. And it's not just Sevio that holds on... I still have books from my childhood, I made my mom search boxes upon boxes for two Grimms Fairytale books my Dad used to always read me... it's all about the memories!

Over the month of March I'll post some great reads for different ages, what we're currently reading, and some ideas of how to get your kid excited for reading! Stay tuned and be sure to sign up for our email list so you don't miss a thing!

Adelyne : 18 Month Update

2017-02-20T14:40:00.001-08:00

Toddlerhood and up only exists in this house from here on out! I have very much mixed emotions about this! Every new milestone Adelyne hits excites me and breaks my heart just a little bit. She's our last baby and a part of me wants her to stay just that, a baby, forever, and then the frazzled realist in me pipes up and sees we are getting closer to a less demanding life... which this momma desperately needs!

Adelyne recently hit her 18 month milestone and boy has she changed since her 12 month update. She's 22lbs 13oz now and has grown 2.5 inches making her 29.5in tall; she's got 10 teeth (4 molars, 4 up top, and 2 bottom); her hair is long enough to be considered a mullet when its not constantly matted (she's the first one to be blessed...or cursed? with curly hair); and she's in 18m/2T clothes and size 4/5 shoes.

She's started to really vocalize herself and can say: Bubba (milk), water, puppy, hat, go, no (that's her favourite), yep or yah, Dad/Mama, cold, in there, stop, hot dog, and bowl... you know the essentials. She's also started recognizing where her body parts are and can point when asked where her hair, nose, teeth, tongue, bum, belly button, feet, and hands are.

She's feisty as ever and is impatient and demanding for what she wants (bad combo). She's yet to learn the ability to share (she hoards her toys and pounces on anyone who touches them). She's super kind and gentle to animals. She's a great cuddler (when she sits still...) and gives the sweetest hugs and kisses.

She still loves her food, the more the better, and some faves are apples, kiwi, yogurt, avocado, craisins, rice, mac&cheese, and much to my dismay... hotdogs are her absolute favorite thing. Her favorite things to play with currently are my Ipod, and her sisters Melissa & Doug Folding Princess Castle. Her favourite books are Robert Munsch's "The Paper Bag Princess Board Book" and Sandra Boynton's "Belly Button Book". Other things she loves is stealing grandma's breakfast, hot tub time, and playing tag, Things she's not highly fond of: her car seat, brushing her teeth, and other kids sitting on my lap.

Smile Project : Month Two

2017-02-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

Last month I introduced to you what I call the smile project. It's simple, every month for one year, I give the kids one Instruction ("Smile!"), and take one picture (so long as its not a complete blur then yes one picture!).

You can check out the first month here to compare how these monkeys show off for the camera. Rylee this month was super eager to pose in front of the camera, Zachery was not so impressed, and Adelyne apparently thought it was a good idea to hide her smiles... all show great expressions of their character and I'm super excited to get to month three, stay tuned!

Rylee

Zachery

Adelyne

DIY: Valentines Inspired Bird Feeders

2017-02-09T19:51:00.002-08:00

Alright who else on the West Coast got swallowed up by a blanket of white stuff? I may be the only one, but I actually really enjoyed the big dump. It made everything a beautiful winter wonderland. The shoveling sucked, but I did get lots of exercise and fresh air. The power didn't go out for very long (YAY BC Hydro!). And I got lots of projects finished up that I kept pushing to the side!

Heart shaped bird feeders was one of those projects we knocked off the to do list, (original recipe found over HERE). Zach helped me with this valentines craft and it was relatively quick and painless. While the kids lunched I whipped up the ingredients (no this isn't a "naptime craft" says the mother of three :P). When Zach was ready he helped me scoop the birdseed concoction into a heart cookie cutter, I popped them out and that was it! As Rylee would say, "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeesy."

Supply List:

Cookie Sheet

Parchment Paper

Twine

Cookie Cutter

Cooking Spray

Straw/Chopstick/or Bamboo skewer

Mixing Bowl

Ingredients:

6 Tbsp Flour

1.5 Tbsp Corn Syrup

1/2 an envelope of unflavoured Gelatin

1/4 cup Water

2 Cups Bird Seed (I just bought ours in bulk from the pet section of the grocery store)

*this recipe makes approximately 12 hearts in a 2" heart cookie cutter

What You Gotta Do:

Step 1: Add your flour, corn syrup, gelatin, and water into a bowl and mix until they resemble liquid glue. Add your birdseed and mix it all together.

Step 2: Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spray the inside of your cookie cutter with cooking spray. (You will need to respray your cookie cutter every couple hearts)

Step 3: Place your cookie cutter on parchment paper and fill with birdseed mix, pressing down firmly to pack it in.

Step 4: Using your skewer poke a hole through the heart.

Step 5: Remove heart from cookie cutter carefully and place on parchment paper to dry (I let mine sit 24hrs but that was overkill, 8hrs is probably good).

Step 6: Insert twine through the hole, (if your hole closed over while drying, don't panic, just reinsert your skewer), tie a knot and your done! Attach a tag if your giving as a gift or just go hang it outside and watch the birdies come!

Zachery Turns Three

2017-02-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

We just celebrated Zachery's third birthday, well sort of, time really escapes me as it's already been two weeks! Recently I've been watching a lot of our old home videos from our time in Thailand and it almost feels like another life reminiscing that's where Zachery was born and spent the first four months of his life.

The beginning of his life was very much an adventure (He's already been to five different countries!), fast forward three years, we haven't traveled to anywhere cool and exotic, but his personality shines through and through as a little explorer. He loves to be outside wandering around collecting things; he loves to climb things; jump off things; pretend we're on a roller coaster when we're driving (I'm not saying I drive fast, but where we live there are a lot of windy curvy roads!); he's fearless, carefree, and beats to his own drum.

The other thing that stands out the most and is my most favourite thing about him is that he's our little joy giver. His smile is goofy, his laugh is contagious, and he's a complete ham in a crowd of people. I can't tell you how many times a week people notice how happy he is and the twinkle in his eye. Its always encouraging amidst these hard toddler stages, it reminds me to stop and just enjoy him and all his awesomeness. I mean it's a truly wonderful thing to watch such a tiny person (my tiny person!) lift the mood of an entire room of people.

Here's a few pics from his paw patrol party

DIY: Recycled Valentines Crayons

2017-01-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

If you are like us, storing the mother load of old broken crayons, hoping one day the kids will give them another chance knowing full well it will never happen... then worry not, and waste not my friends this little diy is for you! Give those useless, unwanted crayons a new life by breaking them down, melting them, and creating brand new fun shaped crayons. Your kids will love them, and it makes for a great gift!

This craft is easy enough for your kids to help out, has minimal mess, and basically free!

What you will need:

Crayons

Baking sheet

Silicone ice cube trays (IKEA has cute ones for $1! And fyi you will never get the wax out of them, go cheap on this one.)

Step 1: Remove the wrappers off the crayons. This I discovered is a great way to distract your kids all afternoon, with their hands at work and their excitement level to make something, they are more than eager to stick to this project (disclaimer: not all kids will behave accordingly, haha).

**Optional** Step 2: Sort crayons into like colors. This is only if you are planning on making solid or ombre like color schemes. Otherwise if your don't care what colors your new crayons turn out then do not worry about this step.

Step 3: Break up your crayons into 1/2" or less pieces, the smaller the pieces means they melt quicker and less chance of colors bleeding together while baking.

Step 4: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. While your waiting, sort your colors into your molds, fill them till their slightly overfull.

Step 5: Stick your molds on a baking tray (you do not want this spilling in your oven... it will be your worst nightmare), and if your concerned at all for your baking sheet you can put wax/parchment paper down to protect it. Leave to bake for 10 to 15 minutes or till crayons are completely melted.

Step 6: Remove from oven (carefully!) and let cool in tray till hardened.

Zachery Turns Three : 20 Questions

2017-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Zachery just turned three, and you know what that means! It's 20 Question time! Every year I like to document what their current favorite things are. It's 20 questions, the same 20 questions every year, and as time goes on we'll have something to look back on and laugh at and see how much they change over the years.

You can read past years from the kids answers from last year here.

20 Questions for Zachery : Year Three

1 // What is your favourite color? Red.

2 // What is your favourite toy? Water Shooter.

3 // What is your favourite fruit? Mango.

4 // What is your favourite movie? Not movie but tv show... Paw Patrol.

5 // What is your favourite outfit? Underwear.... or nothing at all.

6 // What is your favourite thing to eat for lunch? Macaroni.
7 // What is your favourite game? Snakes & Ladders
8 // What is your favourite animal? Velociraptor or other dinosaurs that bite.
9 // What is your favourite treat? Lollipop.
10 // What is your favourite book? My Big Dinosaur Book.
11 // What is your favourite song? Deep Deep Water (also know as Deep Cries Out - Bethel Kids).
12 // Who is your best friend? Mommy & Rylee, not daddy (his words not mine haha!).
13 // What is your favourite drink? Smoothie.
14 // What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Dinosaur and soosie.
15 // What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes.

16 // What is your favourite thing to do outside? Ride bikes.
17 // What is your favourite word? Pop.
18 // What is your favourite thing to do? Watch TV and ride bikes.
19 // What is the latest thing you've learned? Hold his breath underwater, put his clothes on by himself.
20 // What do you want to be when you grow up? A car crasher (I'm concerned already...).

Review + Giveaway : E-Cloth

2017-01-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

|This product was sent to me for the purpose of an honest review, all opinions are 100% my own.|

As the kids have gotten older, I am always trying to find easy and effective ways to get them involved with helping around the house. Rylee in particular, being the oldest, actually has shown interest in wanting to help when I am cleaning up... a kid who wants to help... say whatttt?!

Most recently I've noticed Rylee follows me around like a hawk when I'm cleaning windows, she just wants to help! Its a pretty simple task, but it's a task that I use a chemical window cleaner for, something of which I am not comfortable leaving her on her own using.

That's where E-Cloth and their impeccable timing come into the picture... a company committed to a safer, chemical free way of cleaning (did I say good timing?). They have provided us with one of their Glass + Polishing cloths for review, and surprise... they were kind enough to provide another for one of you lucky readers to win!

The glass and polishing cloth in particular is for cleaning windows and mirrors (duh!), but also, it surprised me that it can be used for stainless steel, chrome, granite and marble! It's a microfiber cloth that all you need is water and badda bing, badda boom your cleaning (yes actually! killing 99% of surface bacteria), and saving money (no more cleaning products), and protecting the environment and your family (from the now nonessential chemical cleaning products)... this is a win, win, win situation if you ask me!

Rylee was over the moon the day her hot pink one arrived in the mail, poor kid had to wait a few days till we finally remembered to pick up a spray bottle for her to put water in.

Once she had her spray bottle in hand she was determined to wash every mirror and window she could reach, it was awesome! That's one less chore I don't have to worry about, and because the cloth is designed to be streak free, I don't even have to go back and do touch ups over her hard work, I love it!

I love her heart to help, and I love that she has fun doing something that to me is totally and completely mundane. It's truly a beautiful thing when we can teach our kids to be a part of the team called family. Giving them responsibility, teaching them to work hard, and giving them something to be proud of!

Thanks E-Cloth for providing us a cleaning solution that we can be worry free while getting our kids involved in everyday chores.

Giveaway:

Enter below for your chance to win yourself your very own Glass + Polishing Cloth!! Terms and conditions apply. This giveaway is open to US + Canadian entrants only. The giveaway will end on the 31st of January 2017. One winner will be chosen at random.

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