Rockin' that lunch box!

If you haven't already see or heard about the Goodbyn Lunchbox then here I am to tell you about it!! I started seeing design blogs post about the design and practicality of this months ago and it seems to be taking the market by storm.
With lots of room to put all your child's snacks and food/drink for the day it's a hit with moms, and kids love that it comes with stickers so they can personalize there own byn. Check out at www.goodbyn.com or at www.bellylaughs.ca for more info.

paperwhites

There are 4 living plants in our house.

These plants are survivors. Hardy. These plants can handle me remembering to water them after weeks of abandonment. These plants can say they really live.

Well for the next 2 months or so they will have visitors. I'm not sure how long they will stay.. but I hope long enough to bloom anyway.

After a 20 minute drive to Carleton Place Nurseries yesterday, E was able to pick out our own paperwhite bulbs. That place is gorgeous and really left me inspired! If you're in the Ottawa area I suggest there Christmas Shop- I've never been to a better one!



It didn't take long for us to plant the bulbs in dirt (that I dug from the empty lot beside our house..is that bad?) we have 2 of our 6 bulbs planted, watered and ready to nurture. The others are wrapped in a paper bag in our freezer, in case these bulbs actually grow.

And here is how our new plant looks now.



I found the picture below on Wikipedia when I was researching Narcissus or paperwhites. I hope I can show you something a little like this in a months time.

take me away from here

I don't know about you, but I haven't had many date nights in the last 4 years. My husband and I have gone out to dinner a handful of times, gone to roller derby, a few concerts and even an art gallery. We were even lucky enough to get a mini vacation to Nova Scotia once, but the rest of the time.. It's not that we couldn't find a babysitter.. it's that we're just so darn tired and busy that I've used my FREE time to do such exciting things as sleep, run errands and clean the house.

The babysitter really got the good end of the deal on those trips.

In a week J will be two and we won't have a baby in the house anymore. I've got to get use to the idea that we have a very independent toddler and a Kindergartner now. I'm finding it sad to say goodbye to the baby years but I'm looking forward to devoting a little more time to my other relationships. So I'm bringing back date night and I'm throwing in a twist. Discovering our city again. It's changed a lot in the 4 years we've been changing diapers. So if you've ever dreamed of visiting the National Capital.. here's a couple things I've just learned about or that I am remembering fondly that sound kinda fun!

*Bowling. There's great bowling allies in every city and anyone can bowl!

*Museums.

*Spend the weekend at the Brookstreet Hotel and enjoy fabulous food, golf, gym, and spa facilies.

*Play Lazer Quest.

*Catch an NHL game at Scotiabank Place

*Spend the day (or weekend) at Le Nordik

*Drive through Gatineau Park

*Take a bus tour downtown.

*Tour the Parliment Buildings

*Head out to Yuk Yuks comedy club for a night of laughs

*Go to the Casino or Racetrack

*Go Ballooning

I haven't made my short list yet, but I'm hoping we'll get that babysitter soon and I can start crossing things off the list.

Do you have any ideas?

A new tradition

I suppose I didn't notice the first year or two, but it seems I've started a Holiday tradition for MY little family and I love it. But first.. I've got plenty of posts planned for the holiday season- some I'm so excited about I can't help but spill the beans a bit. First I have some great crafts planned including Fingerprint snow men. Then I'll be posting about the newest baking and decorating ideas I've come across.

Today's post is one of my favourite! Our family likes to seal the memory of Christmas in ceramic at Gotta Paint. Every year since my first was born, I've been going to Gotta Paint and making something with the kids hand prints to commemorate the year. This year I'm thinking of a plate with the kids hand prints as the antlers. I've done hand and foot Christmas ornaments and plates. Here's last years plate- E's hands are on the bottom and J's hand is on the top. Then E decorated the tree with ornaments. She got a little crazy with the trunk and I always smile when I see it.

how embarassing!

Watergeeks Insulated Stainless Steal Bottle

I'm just gonna come right out and admit it. since Which is no big deal since I don't have any readers yet..... I never, ever use a re-usable water bottle. I have one that I don't like and haven't felt guilty enough yet to purchase one I do like.

I know. My bad.

I guess to put it into perspective you should know I'm not a big fan of water. It's just so bloody boring. The only time I feel it's necessary is during a spin class or after brushing my teeth. Is that so weird? I'm more a soft drink kinda gal. Which is probably it's own separate blog post for another time. Anyhoo.. In my search for great stocking stuffers this year I came across some reusable bottles that I might be tempted to purchase. This is so unusual for me I thought I'd share.

I came across the Watergeeks bottles after hearing some positive comments on a mom board and I'm impressed! This thing is double wall insulated for hot or cold and has a large opening so you can stuff ice cubes in but a small opening that's far more comfortable to drink out of plus a built in tea strainer. Good Golly! I'm finally interested.

window shopping for wreaths

A Fabulous Etsy find

Find this wreath on Etsy here

Find this wreath on Etsy


I am not impressed with the stereo-typical Christmas wreaths that are smeared all over the grocery stores, Home Depot, Lowes, Canadian Tire and Sears. I find them all the same. So as I've mentioned before.. I'm on the hunt.. and these are the wreaths I'm in love with today.

who doesn't like a deal?

With a 2 & 4 year old.. it seems that with every load of laundry something one size bigger is going through the wash for the first time.. and 2 somethings are going in the too-small-now basket never to return. It's sad to see the kids clothes go. I have a memory box for just that reason. Well.. more like a memory 'Rubbermaid container' for each of my little heroes so I can save those special onsies, shoes and Halloween costumes for years to come.

So what to do with the piles and piles of clothes that have been adding up? Consign! I wouldn't recommend this as a steady source of income for anyone but it's great to see clothing get reused and appreciated by the new owner. It's also nice to get a couple dollars back to keep buying the new clothes that we always seem to be needing. Check your area for a local consignment store and follow these tips:

*Contact the store first to see what the terms of the consignment are. What % will you be making on the items? How many items can you drop off at one time? Some stores only take a certain amount of items. Some stores will return items to you if they are not fit for consignment, and others will donate any items they decide not to sell.

*Keep a list of the items you are consigning if you plan to pick any unsold items up.

*Does the store require a photo identification to cash out your account? (you want to make sure your money is only going to get cashed out to you!)

For all those new clothes we are always buying.. I'm ALWAYS on the look out for a good sale. What about you? If you're as excited about sales as I am check out BargainMoose.Ca in Canada or look for a coupon/bargain blog in your area.

Happy shopping:)

tis the season to find cards

The Stationery Position Polar Peace Card

TinyPrints.Com Photo Card

VistaPrint.Ca with customizable Caricatures
Penny People Designs Photo Cards

Holiday cards seem to be so much fun to send out and receive when pictures of little ones go with them. Some years its the only way we'll see some of our family & friends so it's become quite the search for the perfect holiday card & the perfect picture to go in it. Well.. with some of these cards your pictures can BE the card! Above are a few of my favourite companies because the their styles, designs, freebies and prices!

if I could invite myself for dinner...

I'd love to be invited to this table. This project is on my short list of awesome ideas to try. Get the details at Elsie Marleys blog: http://feeds.feedburner.com/elsiemarley