Never in my wildest dreams

Can you feel my pride through the screen?  Can you tell I'm welling up with tears as I write this?

  

On Wednesday Ava participated in her first ever Cross Country Meet as part of her school team.  Never ever in my wildest dreams did I think a child of mine would ever run cross country... to be totally honest I don't even run in the pouring rain!  I can't believe what courage and confidence it took for her to run in that race.  In my head she is a shy little babe who has such a hard time trying new things but she proved me totally wrong!  I was beaming with pride and cheering with all of my heart.  I'm sure I embarrassed her a million times over and it is very questionable as to whether she will be permitting me to attend next year.  I'm already thinking about making banners and perhaps even t-shirts!

the good, the bad, the funny and the mysterious

THE GOOD
I took Anthony to the Aviary yesterday and we hiked to Sassafras point.  The weather was amazing, he was able to fashion a variety of weapons from sticks, and we stood for a long time under the cherry blossoms.  The best part is that this morning of excitement was totally FREE because I was able to find 3 hour parking on the street instead of paying for parking in the lot as I usually do.

okay, the water looks gross in this picture but believe me when I tell you it was actually beautiful!

THE BAD
In a super duper rush I had to use a ATM that did not belong to my bank to get money for Ava's piano lesson (an exception from our challenge) and was charged an additional fee.  I am impressed that I was actually phased by this because usually I don't care but I hate that I spent money unnecessarily.  Better planning next time!

THE FUNNY
The kids think it is hilarious to tell jokes constantly.  Personally I am getting tired of fake laughing.  I will recount a few of the ones that stick out in my mind.
1. Ava:what did the cow do on the weekend?..... he went to the moooooovie theatre 

2. Ava: why did the donkey stand in the middle of the road?...... because he wanted to die (a little morbid don't you think?)

3. Anthony: What did the puffer fish say to the cow?....... want to go to the poopy tootie theatre?

They really only get more and more ridiculous.  Next week I will pass along some of the knock knock jokes they are telling.

THE MYSTERIOUS

Why does this ukelele keep showing up on my bathroom floor? No one will own up to it.

We did it!

We did it!!! Aside from necessary weekly groceries, Ava's yoga class and a church donation we did not spend a cent this weekend. I am very very proud of us!  

This weekend we...

                             :: harvested a delicious bunch of chives growing in our backyard

 :: foraged for onion tops growing through our neighbours fence...oooh very adventurous

 :: babysat my niece Layla and measured everything in sight.  Anthony measured everything"4-8-9" and insisted that I write it down...EVERY TIME!

:: made our mark at the Green Cottage...one of the many stops on our Doors Open Hamilton 2013 tour

                                     :: received TWO FREE strawberry plants for our garden

 :: watched a salsa class taking place at the Worker's Arts and Heritage Centre.   It sounds like they have a ton of interesting classes there.  Steel drums here I come!

::  a local photographer taking some pics of the kids at Doors Open.  Having kids pose for pictures always has such random and awkward results.  

:: we spent a lot of time staring at this!  

                                            :: started top-secret mother's day projects

 :: ate a lot of parmesan popcorn. I'm not sure the daily recommended dose of such a treat but we far exceeded it Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

While there were some moments that I could have benefited from some major retail therapy or a portuguese custard tart this weekend on the whole I loved not buying anything.

I found that it made being out and about with the kids much less stressful.  I didn't have to argue about whether they could buy something or not.  The answer was always no and I found that they caught on very quickly.   We also enjoyed taking our time with each thing we did because we were not rushing to see what we were going to "get" next.  The pressure was OFF!

This week coming up is a busy one for us, one where I would usually need a take out meal to help me keep up.  I'm excited to start planning so we can get through it unscathed.

So proud but oh #SewSad

Well, we have made it to day 3 without any spending mishaps.  The weather has been amazing here the last couple of days.  This has made adhering to no spending easier because we were just happy to be outdoors soaking up the sun.  Let's be honest though, I have made enough lifestyle changes (ahem, attempted diets) to know that the first few days are the easiest and then once you think you have a handle on it...BOOM...sabotage!   I am still really pumped about this challenge and hope my motivation continues until I have some strong habits formed so I can resist temptation.

What changes have we made you ask? Well let me tell you, we have gotten into the habit of taking our cars to the carwash and having them cleaned inside and out.  While this is super fun and loved by the whole family, it is a colossal WANT and not NEED. 

 Guess what....

We took advantage of the nice weather and washed the car in our driveway. I can hear you all cheering for us right now.  This is a small step in the right direction and I am proud!

The aftermath of carwash 2013

This weekend is going to be very difficult for Sri and I because the kids are going for a sleep over.  That would usually mean going out for dinner and then maybe a movie/show.  What will that mean for us now?   I know we had better make some sort of a plan or it will be PAINFUL!  I would love to hear some suggestions for a spending free date night...right now I've got nothing.  

Our timing to start the challenge could have been way better.  Today is Sew Hungry on Ottawa St N in Hamilton.  This food truck rally will be amazing and I have to admit that I am really really going to miss it.  The kids and I went last year and had so much delicious fun.  Check out their website to see which trucks are participating and to plan your detailed route.  If you go please fill me in detail by detail!  

A FREE event worth mentioning is the 11th annual Doors Open Hamilton this Saturday and Sunday.  Check out their site to see which landmark buildings are open to the public.  The kids and I will definitely be taking advantage of free admission to the downtown featured sites.

I would like to say a huge thank you, we have received so much support and encouragement about our decision and it really means a lot to us!

Enjoy your weekend and hopefully the weather co-operates wherever you are and whatever you are doing!

a whole new ballgame

kids acting scared and excited at once... the way Sri and I are feeling right now!

"I want this... I NEED that.... can I have, can I have, can I have.... PLEEEEASE!!"  That is how we sound in this family a lot of the time...adults included.  I am so sad that we are not happy and grateful for what we actually do have and are always looking for the next best thing.  I have done so many "major clean-outs" that I could have established my own thrift store...no joke.  We are over-consumers.  We don't just buy one t-shirt, we buy 5 because "hey, they are cheap right!"  We have bookshelves, closets, craft rooms and stomachs to show for it.   

One afternoon in my frustration and of course procrastination I was researching organizing tips (wasting time on Pinterest) and I came across The Compact.  This is a group of people who have decided to challenge themselves for a year and not buy anything new...with some exceptions.  I dismissed this idea right away.   BUT ,(I think you know what's coming here) the other day I took the kids shopping to buy them a few things that they NEEDED and you know what.... those "needs" were left in a bag at the front door for days, totally forgotten about.

WE ARE TAKING THIS CHALLENGE!

May 1st 2013 -May 1st 2014 

we will buy nothing new (with some exceptions like underwear and groceries)

we will assess purchases by wants v.s needs

we will barter and buy used if the item is necessary

we will always prioritize experiences before stuff

we will eat AT HOME at all times (even when I don't feel like cooking.... PB&J will be our default)

we will use what we have and MAKE IT WORK!

I would like to make it clear that we are not "playing poor" or "anti-consumerism" we are just looking to become more conscience consumers and teach our children and ourselves that we don't need all of the things that we think we do to make us happy.  I would love my kids to be super excited when they receive a gift not just like...okay where's the next one?  That is my goal!

Wish us luck and please check in often to follow our journey.

hello, goodbye

note:: I had this post prepared a few days ago but blogger is not allowing me to upload pictures.  I have been trying to figure it out and can't so I am posting without pictures.  SORRY!

HELLO

:: December

:: Gwen, our Elf on the Shelf with a twist (more about her another day)

:: snow... and the constant sledding demands in this 1/4"snowfall we just had

:: the idea of Christmas creating with a deadline.... nothing like a little Christmas stress

:: homemade version of angry birds using Jenga blocks and Korean Gonggi

:: a new somersaulter in the house

GOODBYE and good riddance

:: Movember.  Don't get me wrong, I am not against the cause, just super sick of disgusting amounts of creepy facial hair.everywhere I look.   Of course NO picture required

Nailed it!

This fundraising trailer for an upcoming documentary sums up perfectly how I have been feeling recently.  I am so excited to see this film in its entirety!

Happy Diwali!

  Sri and I decided that we should start introducing the kids to some of his Hindu traditions and beliefs so I thought a party was a great way to jump right in!  Yesterday was the first day (of four) of Diwali.  This is also known as the Festival of Lights and is the biggest of all Hindu festivals.  

 

                                                         We really partied hard!

                           We decorated mason jars with tissue paper to make lanterns.  Our intention was to put them outside for when Sri got home but we got sidetracked and forgot all about it.

                              Anthony's lanterns were slapped together in typical boy fashion

Ava took her time and placed each piece of tissue paper carefully... it actually became painful to watch.

We read the story of Diwali from here and re-enacted it several times.  Anthony was obviously the hero, shooting me (the 10 headed demon) and killing me.   He LOVED it!!!! 

We enjoyed an Indian meal by candlelight.  (ordered from Gate of India....the best!)

To cap off the night we had a traditional Indian dessert.

Fortune cookies- found at the back of the fridge by Anthony!

The kids truly loved learning about Diwali.  I think I had better start my research because I have a feeling that next year the they are going to want to kick it up a few notches.... maybe a trip to India?? in my dreams!

highly recommended

I don't think it would surprise any of you to find out that we have a lot of art supplies around the house. We go through phases as to which are our favourites.... Sharpies tend to get a lot of use as does SPARKLE GLUE.  I thought I would just let you know what we are loving right now.

We are addicted to using our set of Stabilo Woody 3 in 1 pencils.  These chubby little pencils/crayons/watercolours have helped to amp up the art output to crazy proportions.  

I bought them at Mixed Media where they came highly recommended by the most adorable 4 year old, the owner's son, who hangs out with his Dad at the store some mornings and has great suggestions.  

I must say he really wasn't wrong.  We bought a pack of 10 which came with a great assortment of colours along with a sharpener.  There are also sold in packs of 6 or singly.  I plan on collecting all 18 colours.  Oh I mean, the kids are excited to collect all 18 colours.

We all have a different way we like to use these pencils.  I like to draw my picture with marker, colour in with the pencil and then dip a brush in some water to make a watercolour piece.  Ava likes to press really hard with the pencil to get a very rich colour and "HATES" adding water.  Anthony, as you can imagine, soaks his paper with water first and then just draws away and then uses his fingers to blend and get his desired effect.  The blue picture on the left on the piano is one of his... it is a "shark attacking the water".  

*hint* We now use this heavier weight paper (also bought at Mixed Media) so that the paper doesn't ball up or tear when adding water.  I also highly recommend this purchase!   Anthony was brought to tears a number of times when his picture disintegrated in front of his eyes.   I was being el cheapo and forcing the kids to use whatever paper we had.   Lesson learned. 

I really can't tell you how much fun we have been having creating with these pencils.  They would be an excellent gift for ANYONE you know! 

Thankful

This week I am thankful for so many moments.  

 Here are just a few I was smart enough to capture.

My Papa's 80th birthday!

Anthony taking HUNDREDS of pictures of his fingers

Baby feet....they can cheer me up anytime (BABY feet only!)

Austyn and her genius artistic ability

Witnessing the very first meeting of cousins who are sure to be the best of friends growing up.

My dad taking Anthony skating... my back is very thankful!

A BOWL OF DELICIOUSLY ROASTED POTATOES. 

going once, twice, three times and SOLD!

my beauty

endless possibilities

Ava's win....marshmallow butterscotch bars

our haul or should I call it our booty because that is exactly where it is headed!

the famous clipboard.  Ava was busy keeping track of bids and winners.  I can't help but save all of these papers.

The pie auction, oh the pie auction.....how I wish every weekend included a pie auction.  For anyone not familiar with the concept of said auction it is literally what it sounds like except that there were all kinds of delicious baked goods and not just pies.  This annual event is  held as part of the (99th) anniversary celebration of St. Paul's United Church here in Hamilton and was open to everyone... not just parishioners.  We had such a great time bidding, laughing, getting out of control and spending too much on way way too much baking.... the pile of treats we brought home (just on the heels of Halloween) was literally embarrassing.

We not only bought treats but also contributed a pie/cake.  After many delightful hours of research on Pinterest I ended up deciding to bake a pumpkin pecan pie cheesecake with a gingersnap crust using this recipe from the blog Piece, Love & Cooking (where I feel like I am packing on the pounds just looking at the pictures!).  The recipe is a bit confusing but with help from my friend Nikki we were able to muddle through it.  I am not sure how it tasted, obviously, but I can tell you that it smelled delish and that I was caught in a bidding war over it.   No, I was not ashamed to bid on my own contribution.  Wait, should I be?   I am proud to announce (please read BRAG) that my pie brought in the highest amount of money...$42!

You can bet that I am already planning for next year... nutella cheesecake, mini meringues, rainbow cake?  100th year anniversary means I am going to have to really kick it up a notch.  If any readers  in my area are interested in participating in this event or wanting to meet some of the nicest people ever please let me know and I can point you in the right direction!

waiting out the storm

                                                                      Source: Uploaded by user via Krista on Pinterest

The weather around here has been less than optimal recently.  We have had a few weeks of cold, windy and not good to play in, rain.  I have struggled to keep the kids occupied.  Yes, there have been a few marathon days of iCarly and Power Rangers Samarai but for the most part we have been having a good time playing together.  Wanna know my trick?

My sanity was saved by the playclip!

These amazing wooden clips work just like huge clothespins and are easy enough for young children to manipulate.  Around this house the main use of these clips is to hold our forts together.

see how easily the fabric clips the the edge of a stool!

We keep a basket around with our fort making supplies...a few sheets, scarves and play clips (bought here )... add in a few chairs, stools and any other clippable surface and the kids have a fort whipped up in no time.

Anthony loves fort construction! The axe is actually for "protection from invaders" in case you were wondering.
Ava is the "foreman" of the job, shouting out random numbers and then writing furiously on her clipboard.  Apparently we have passed her inspection and the fort is ready for action (or fake sleeping)

Oh, just in case forts aren't your thing, playclips can also be used as spiderweb shooters, nose pluggers, claws, earrings and oh so much more.

Gift idea!!! A fort kit.... a few flat sheets/scarves, a flashlight, a fantastic book and some playclips.  I'm sure that any child (and many adults) in your life would love to receive this ..... I WOULD!