Thursday, August 31, 2017

Monthly Goals


I missed doing monthly goals for August because I didn't post during the last week of July.  Therefore my goals for July were:

Give some baby clothes to our neighbour and donate the rest.  Done.  

Buy some new work clothes for myself.  I have not done this yet.  I have good basic clothes so I have enough to get buy for now.  I do need to buy a suit or two. 

Get Q ready for daycare.  Done.  There is still a bit of shuttling items back and forth each day, but we have a handle on it, and he loves going to his new school.  We get reports and photos sent to us throughout the day on the Hi Mama app.  Here are a few.



Try some new restaurants in our neighbourhood.  Dave and I tried Lit, but we haven't had the opportunity to try the others yet.  I still have a few more weeks of part time work so hopefully we can grab lunch there a few times while I still have some days at home.


Book a hotel for New York and start planning what we are going to do.  Done.  Now to organize some restaurants ideas and maybe tickets to a show.

My goals for September are:

1. Clean out my drawers and closet.  A recurring theme, but it always needs to be done.
2. Get a haircut.
3. Finish writing in Q's baby book.  I haven't written anything for a few months so I need to do it soon before I forget everything.  It's only a book for his first year, so I don't have much left to do.
4. Bake more breads/muffins/cookies for breakfasts and school lunches.  It's so much easier when we have these ready to go.
5. Bring my lunch to work instead of buying it.  I used to be very good at this, and since I've been back I've gotten into the habit of buying something.  




Wednesday, August 30, 2017

What's up Wednesday

Linking up with SheafferShay, and Mel for What's up Wednesday.


What we're eating this week...
Sunday - Cheese Tortellini with tomato sauce
Monday - homemade pizza
Tuesday and Wednesday - not sure yet
Thursday - Burgers
Friday - Grilled chicken, pitas, greek salad
Saturday - Tacos

What I'm reminiscing about...
It has been 20 years since Princess Diana died.  I remember the night she died.  I was spending the night at my friend Janna's house and we were up late.  We heard about it right after the accident happened and then we turned the TV on and were watching when they announced she had died.  Dave and I saw the tunnel where the accident occurred when we were in Paris. 

What I'm loving...
Getting stuff organized.  Dave went on a cleaning spree last week and that included throwing stuff out and organizing drawers/closets.  We got rid of some baby things, organized E's closet, put some toys back in their proper place, among other things.  There is always more to do but he put a good dent in it.  

What we've been up to...
Taking it easy.  We had a busy summer with day camps, our trip down East, me going back to work, and Q starting daycare.  I mentioned in my post last week that we didn't get to do everything we wanted to do, but we still had fun.


What I'm dreading...
Making school lunches.  I am always looking for new ideas, and I did a pretty good job this summer, so I just need to keep that up!

What I'm working on...
Organizing my trip to NYC.  I have a rough itinerary for things we want to see, but the next step is finding places to eat.  There are so many good restaurants in New York, I don't want to get stuck eating somewhere crappy just because I'm not sure where to go.


What I'm excited about...
The first day of school. I have always loved school and I'm excited for E to meet his new teacher, see his friends, and get back into a routine.  Our back to school traditions include a good big breakfast, taking a photo on our front steps, walk to school, and walk home, and eat macaroni and cheese for supper.  Last year I picked up a fun cookie from Bake Sale for E's lunch so I'll see if I can get one this year too.

What I'm watching/reading...
I'm sort of watching Bachelor Pad, although I don't feel as invested in it as I have before.  We have been watching Game of Thrones, and we watch Ballers and Last Week Tonight.  Dave is watching I'm Dying Up Here, and I catch bits and pieces.  It's a pretty good show. 

For our book club this month, we read Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty.  This is the third book of hers I have read and I liked it just as much as the others.  She sort of used the same formula for this book as her others - you know something has happened and you don't know what. You get clues but it keeps you guessing.  The story also jumps back and forth between characters and timeframes with short chapters.  I like that style of book because it keeps me turning the pages.  Lots of good and complex characters in this book and I liked them all, despite some of their faults.  I found they were all very relatable.  I have heard that there is talk to make this into an HBO miniseries like they did with Big Little Lies, with some of the same actors.  If it had the same production value as Big Little Lies, it would be fantastic. 


What I'm listening to...
I'm listening to This American Life podcasts again.  When I wasn't working, I didn't find a good opportunity to listen to podcasts because I wasn't in the car twice a day.  I really enjoy this program and the stories they produce.  I heard about some podcasts for kids the other day and I want to download some for E.  He likes listening to stories in the car, so I'll see what I can find for him.

What I'm wearing...
Yesterday I wore my golf clothes because I got to golf in a tournament.  I golfed a couple of times last year, but this was my first time this year. 

What I'm doing this weekend...
Camping at The Pinery Provincial Park.  We went there for Labour Day weekend last year too. 


What I'm looking forward to next month...
The first day of school, a cottage weekend, my trip to New York, and Q's 1st birthday.

What else is new...
Our yard is being landscaped starting this week.  We are levelling it and building a couple of retaining walls.  Then we will have a green space in our backyard and we are really looking forward to that.  We have used our front yard for the kiddie pool and to play catch but the backyard is a more appropriate place for those activities.  
This is kind of the before picture. First of all our neighbours put up a new fence this year, then we will build up a couple of more steps, and beyond that will be the green space.  We also have a tree house that will undergo some renovations next summer. 


Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Show and Tell Tuesday

Linking up with Andrea for Show and Tell Tuesday.


Today's topic is what our best day ever would look like. 

I would want to sleep in a little bit, but not for too long.  I don't like sleeping in too late so I can enjoy the day.  I would want breakfast and coffee waiting for me when I got up, and no dishes.  

I'd like to spend the day outside in pleasant weather - sun shining, not too hot, shady spots, and no bugs.  We could do anything, hang out at the beach, go swimming at a pool, walk around, bike, etc.  If we didn't have any schedule then we could relax rather than having to rush somewhere.  


Lunch from a food truck or something on a patio would be great.  I love eating meals outside.  


It is always nice to spend the afternoon at home, with some quiet time for everyone.  Reading and a nap is right up my alley.  Having friends and family come over for the afternoon and evening would finish our this perfect day.  Spending some more time outside, sharing a meal (preferably that someone else cooks and cleans up), a bonfire, sparklers, lawn games, maybe fireworks, and no jackets required.  




I did a post like this before and I see this day is pretty similar to that one.


Monday, August 28, 2017

Weekend Recap

 I was not working on Friday, as usual, so I went to Ikea with Q for a few things in the morning.  I have had a running list for awhile and finally got there to buy those things - plastic cups and bowls, roll of craft paper, and cutting board, and then I had to buy some paper napkins because I always do, and we also got some square storage containers and a mat for the front entryway.  The Sherway Gardens Farmers Market has moved across the street from the Ikea to the church parking lot so we went over there afterwards and picked up some melon and bread and sausage rolls.  I used to go to that market often and I do love it.

After lunch, while Q was napping, Dave and I went through E's closet to organize it.  Then I took on the monumental task of organizing his clothes.  I cleaned out all of the clothes in his drawers that are too small, and then went through the other clothes from age 2 to 5 and moved some things around.  I'm happy I got that done!

We went over to our neighbours' house for supper.  It was so nice not to have to cook supper and we loved the company.
 Sure, you can eat chips after supper.


On Saturday morning, I cut this tomato for a cream cheese and tomato sandwich for my breakfast. I couldn't believe how red this tomato was so I had to take a photo.

After nap time, we went out to Burlington to visit our friends who had just bought a new house.  We had lunch with them and had a nice visit. 

Their yard is huge!  We'll be back next summer when the pool is installed ;)

Dave's parents spent the night with us on Saturday.  They were on their way home from Nova Scotia and they were picking up E to have him visit with them for a few days.  We had ribs for supper and they were so good, but I forgot to take a photo. 

They left mid morning and in the afternoon I went to get my nails done.  While I was up the street I also got a coffee and cookie and read my book.   It was a nice afternoon.

After Q woke up we went for a walk to the park and played in the grass for a little bit.





We had an easy supper, and Q tried real milk (not formula) for the first time.  He liked it!

After he went to bed, I did a few things on the computer, Dave watched his new show "I'm Dying Up Here" and then we made up a charcuterie board and some martinis to watch Game of Thrones.  

Friday, August 25, 2017

Friday Favourites

Linking up with AndreaErika, and Narci for Friday Favourites.


Summer is coming to an end.  This is E's last week of camp.  We liked some more than others, but they were all good safe places for him to spend his days.  We liked that most of them were easy to walk or bike to.  

I made these pancakes for Q this week.  He loves them.

I picked up a couple of my favourite soaps for hostess gifts this week.  

On Wednesday I did a post about some of our current favourite kids' books and shows.


I stopped in at McDonalds to get a McFlurry for Dave earlier this week.  I decided to get a hot fudge sundae for myself.  They always remind me of my Nana.

Here we go everyone, one week of summer left and then school!  Enjoy it!


Thursday, August 24, 2017

Recipe - Toddler Food

Q has finished eating purées and mostly eats what we are having ourselves.  Sometimes though, what we are eating doesn't really work for him, so I wanted to make some things that would be ready in the freezer in case he needed something just for him.  These recipes also worked in cleaning up some of the frozen purées I had in the freezer.  I used the Baby Bullet to make all of Q's food (and E's when he was a baby).  It was great, but it's now time to move on.


Toddler Pancakes

2 bananas
1/2 cup applesauce (although this time I used puréed peaches)
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup oatmeal (quick oats)
1/2 whole wheat flour

Mash the bananas and add the applesauce, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon.  Mix until smooth.  Stir in the oatmeal and flour.  Mix until combined.

Spoon out onto a preheated pan or griddle in small amounts. You may need to use cooking spray or butter depending on how non-stick your pan is.

Make them fairly small for little hands. I got about 18 out of this batch.

Chicken Bites

3/4 cups puréed cooked chicken (I used my leftover baby food but you could also just cook up some ground chicken or turkey)
1/2 cup puréed pear
1/2 cup puréed apple
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp paprika
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 egg

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until fully combined.  Scoop into greased mini-muffin tins (or just roll into a meatball shape and place on a cookie sheet).

Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 15 to 18 minutes until firm.  Makes approximately 18.

Q is a pro at eating these meatballs now.  The other day I made them with chopped spinach instead of the zucchini and they were just as good.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Media Wednesday

I thought it was time to update our favourite kids shows and books.  I last did a post about our favourite books here and favourite tv shows here.  These books and shows are still on our radar, but there are new ones to add.

Sid the Science Kid.  This show is on Netflix and I like it because they are always learning about something.  It's a Jim Henson production so the animation is good.  I think the girl with the glasses has Asperger's; I love the diversity.


Justin Time. This is another Netflix show. Justin and Squidgy are always travelling in time and place to meet up with their friend Olive.  She teaches them about something new, and it always relates back to the problem Justin was having at the beginning of the show.  It's pretty intelligent and I like Squidgy.  It is also based in Toronto which is cool.


Story Bots.  This is also on Netflix.  I think we have seen all of these episodes so it hasn't been on for awhile, but it is really cute.  They make little jokes that the parents would appreciate and it's a smart show.




Odd Squad.  A TV Ontario show, filmed in Toronto.  It's ridiculous but I love it.  There are math and word problems sprinkled throughout, and it's all kids.  One of the main characters is Diana on the new Anne series which is neat.


Onto the books.  We have been working with E and his reading over the summer.  We have always read to him, but we have expanded into some longer chapter style books.

Captain Underpants.  This is a popular choice for lots of kids now, particularly because of the movie that came out this summer.  We only just picked up a copy at the library this week, but E is already pretty interested in it.  It's not something he can read on his own yet, but we are still encouraging books of all sorts.  Tra la la!


Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot.  This is by the author as Captain Underpants and we have picked up a few of these from the library already.  The storylines are right up E's alley.  Fighting robots, aliens, lots of sound effects, etc.

Jon Klassen books. I only just realized he was Canadian as I was writing this post and looking for photos of his books.  I love his style of book where sometimes the illustrations do the talking, like in This is Not My Hat.  The drawings are exquisite.



The OK Book.  This is one of the ones that E read for his book club.  I liked the message a lot.  It's about trying a lot of different things and being okay but not necessarily excellent.  This is the story of my life (and I say that with fondness, not contempt).  We put a lot of pressure on our kids to excel at things but really most of them are going to be pretty average and that's okay too.   E liked that the person in the book was an "OK".

What are some of your current favourites?