it's my girls' world

When I was in my twenties, I had allll the time for myself and go figure, I didn't need that time too much at all. Fast forward ten + years, two kids and a busy life, and now more than ever, I totally need my me time. Here are just a few ways I get my zen in the midst of all the crazy kids.

Early morning routine

In the morning, I try to get up before anyone else-- especially my lovely but needy kids. My cup of tea, vitamins and my iPad to check the news, my emails and blogs are my favourite way to begin my weekday. If I get even a half an hour in, I'm good to go. My seven year old has now started waking up and reading a bit before breakfast as well.

Exercise

I adore working out.... I drop the kids to school and hit the gym for a while. I feel so much better after I exercise... and a long hot shower after... everyone in my family loves long showers incidentally. We save the planet in other ways.

My blog

Even though it's mostly my family and our life I talk about, my blog is my little creativity corner where I get to sit and 'chat' for a while. It's a delayed conversation and all but my blog and my blog friendships have come to mean so much to me. 

Kitchen Clean Up Time

So this one might be a bit crazy but after dinner is done, D takes them down to get ready for bed and to play for a bit but I put on a show and get to work  packing the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen. Call me crazy (some might) but it is so relaxing and I feel great when my kitchen is sparkling before bedtime. 

Girl Time

Ever so often, I grab lunch, coffee, dinner  or even a phone call with a friend. Girlfriends are good for the soul.

Reading

All the time. I reread my books and about 5-10 new ones for the year especially at summer time. Love it.

Nighttime TV 

A little show before bed, some peppermint tea (on weekends a treat), folding some laundry(!?) and sometimes a little self done manicure.

When I have a little time to myself, I come back refreshed, recharged and ready. New mamas out there, me time is so important. Take it when you can! Even if it's just for a walk, a trip to the supermarket or coffee with a friend.

What about you? What do you do to get your 'me' time?

Linking up a little late on The Blended Blog with some of my favourite lovelies.

Hello Friday. I've been looking for you for three long days (Monday was a holiday here). Here are my five this week.

1- Happy Birthday to my mama! She is a favourite around here for sure with her good heart, generous nature, patience and kindness and we love her so! We wish her only the very, very best of health, light and love in the year ahead!

2- A's crack me up moment for the week-- when she told me that she knew our house's age. 311. No kiddo, the house number does not indicate it's age!

3- It's been so lovely these last couple days-- think mid Spring weather in February. It goes back to chillier temps this weekend so while it's nice we've made our way out a bit. This was from last Saturday when we made our way down to the river. It was still a bit cold so we bundled up a bit but the kids were able to swing, take a long walk and even have a mini snow-ball fight. 

4- So as part of genius hour in school, C offered to raise money to help the polar bears. That entailed knitting and then selling... wait for it.... 40 neck warmers and hats!  And she is a new knitter who only uses her loom. Though we are proud of her generous and giving heart, we think that she's over-reached just a bit.... 

Anyone want to buy a hat? Anyone?

5- And just some Friday funnies as we head into the weekend.

When my kids have a playdate and they decide to entertain themselves by painting.

I'm in fitbit challenge group and this is when I'm the bride instead of the bridesmaid-- finally creeping up to first.

When my crew sings and misses hits those high notes

Linking up with 

Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

This is Us (my very favourite), The Bachelor (ugg), Grey's Anatomy and Scandal(so dark!)

I've also started the earlier episodes of The Good Wife on NEtflix-- I started watching it in the final few seasons.

1- Has anyone tried piloxing? It's a combo of boxing, pilates and dancing and it's SO fun. There are a couple great videos on youtube. This one is a full workout that's not too hard but lots of fun.

2- And then there's blogilates. Now I'm a regular and the gym and I do some hard classes (talking to you Body Attack) but this lady does some toning with just your body weight and it is some hard stuff. Here's an eight minute arm workout that I've tried and it's really kinda hard! What are some of your favourite youtube workouts for days that the gym isn't possible?

3- A's one-liner for the week-- come let me get you your boots for these giant feet of yours.  You know what kid, I'm not the only one with giant feet around here! And 8.5 ain't giant! 

4- And here's what's been going on lately around here...

When we go to the grocery, C asks for 10 things and I shoot her down. This is usually her reaction but it doesn't stop her from asking yet again next time.

D and I when both girls are showered and in bed by eight o'clock.

Our house on Feb 13th trying to get the class Valentines done and ready for school.

5- And in case, you need to play catch up...

Easy Valentine Shortbread Cookies

These Little Loves of Mine

Valentines 2017

Linking up with 

Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

I got these the day before from my Valentine...

Chocolate chip pancakes started the day off just right--- and left us in a bit of a sugar coma at 8 am.

Lunches were light and love themed as I knew there would be a couple treats in school-- they both left half a wrap despite my most valiant efforts at estimating.

D ordered some gourmet takeout from a local farm-fresh joint.  After violin and dance, we settled in for the night, opened some champs and used our wedding china and crystal-- just because we are fancy ;-)

We began with a wild mushroom soup with potato crisps. It was SO yummy

The girls enjoyed the cheesy pasta the restaurant provided for them as well.

Manicotti as our pasta course...

followed by some butter chicken with brown rice. Such a delicious meal and so nice to do it all at home.

We had way too much sugar after and then we played Pie Face, the girls' Valentine's present. We laughed so hard. Highly recommend it as a family game!

I also gave D his present- some Raffaelo, some notebooks and scotch ice cube trays-- totally random like I can be!

After putting the girls to bed, we then watched Bridget Jones' Baby before turning in for the night!

And that's a wrap for Feb 14th. I know that lots of people can't handle the crass commercialization of the day and yeah it can get pretty crazy. To us though, it's a fun day dedicated to celebrating love-- and that's just what we did... and had some chocolate while we were at it.

Happy Valentines' Day,  lovelies! Let's hope we all get a little spoilt today. Mine has already started :-)

On this Show & Tell Tuesday with Andrea, we're talking our loves. Here are mine...

D

My person since almost fourteen years ago. We started dating in our little island of Trinidad & Tobago for about 6 months. Then it was some long distance love for a little more than a year when he migrated back to Canada. I moved up here to go to do my MBA and we did some more long distance but this time only a couple hours. Fit in a graduation, another move, an engagement, quite a bit of travel and in 2006 we got married. 

D is so unassuming and at first glance, he might appear to be quiet and serious. But boy is he a funny one!  He is so humble, so smart and has such a pure heart. I've always said that the person you marry is the person who you choose to become your family-- and I'm so glad we chose each other. I simply cannot imagine a life with anyone else. 

 

 

C

My almost eight year old is my war buddy. Yeah, she made me a momma but in a weird way, I feel like we went through the learning and growing in this parenthood thing together.... all those early sleepless nights, our little outings and so much tiny adventures.  She is my spirit animal. We are SO alike. She loves reading, crafting, cooking, fashion, learning, party planning, her family and friends. My second grader is so full of life, fun and smarts. Her memory amazes me! She is my picky eater but living in a house with three other gourmands, she's trying her best. 

A

A is the teeniest person in the house at four and a half years (the half is very important) and thirty two pounds but she might very well have the biggest personality in the house. She is always chatting away about something or someone! She says the funniest things... like yesterday asking everyone if they had constant foot odour, apparently she saw it on TV and loved the sound of the phrase. She has the most infectious smile... boy, can she be moody though! She cries at the drop of a hat and gets very, very mad. She loves olives, Lego duplo, her friends and her mama.  

Other than these loves, I also adore the rest of my family, my girlfriends, black leggings,  makeup, Target, appetizers, hygge, fitness, entertaining, chocolate, menu planning and a complicated glass of red wine.... and that about covers it...

Have a wonderful chocolate filled day.

Need a last minute Valentine treat? My kids and I whipped these  delicious, buttery cookies up on this snowy pre Valentine Sunday. Apart from them sneaking pieces of dough and bits of sprinkles, these cookies are so simple to make with the little ones.