it's my girls' world

Yay for Wednesday--- says no one ever ;-)!

 I figured since it's January and still not too late, I'd touch base on those new year resolutions!! Before we commence with 2020, let's take a look back at 2019 and how I did.

Reduce single use plastics

Yep, we are still chugging along. We do what we can and bring our bags and bottles whenever we can. But man, so many things still come in plastic containers....even so many of our fruits and veggies!!! And so many herbs dry out when we use our mesh.As much as possible if we absolutely must have plastic, we reuse them as much as possible-- like refilling a plastic water bottle so it's no longer single use! 

Eat more (sustainably sourced) fish

Wednesdays are now usually fish days at our house so I'm pleased that we got this in there. As much as possible as well, I find myself ordering seafood when we eat out as well. My body feels better but my wallet doesn't-- ha! In a perfect world, I'd like to become pescatarian but chicken is just so easy! Oh but I didn't get into eating sardines as much as I wanted to!

Call my friends and family more

Yes and no. I still call the same old people, sometimes I do call others as well but life gets in the way of constantly being in touch!

And now onto

I usually have a few but this year, it's very simple. My main focus is to embrace meditation more. I've meditated off and on since twenties without too much success. Then I started guided meditation most mornings and this seems to really work for me. Using the Headspace app, I started in the fall of 2019 and now D gifted me an unlimited subscription for 2020. I enjoy the self awareness that it brings, the stress reduction, the mindfulness and the overall well being. 

So yeah, it will have over arching effects in many  other areas of my life so not too much more resolutions. 

Interior Design

My living/dining space is due for a bit of a refresh so D and I hope to do some of this in the spring and summer of this year.... Exciting!!

We usually try to support the kiddos in their goals as well so this year C (10) wants to smile better in pics-- a hilarious but true goal;  and A wants to watch her tone when speaking- also worthwhile LOL.

Do you have lots of resolutions this year or just the main one like I do?

Make your Wednesday wonderful, lovelies!!!

Hello Lovelies and Happy New Year! I'm back from a longer than planned break and boy did I miss this little space of mine. I figure that a good way to start back blogging with a bang is to talk about those new year resolutions. I've mentioned before that I'm more of a tactical person so I need details in those resolutions and to make them more actionable. That way I'm setting myself up for a win.

Before  we get into 2019 resolutions, let's take a look back at 2018's.

Get more immersed in yoga. 

I certainly did lots of yoga through the year, both at home and at the gym. I even got a little yoga subscription. I did not get to practice twice weekly like I wanted to though as my time in the gym is limited and a yoga studio is out of the question with the kids' schedule right now.  And if I'm not going to the gym as often as I'd like, yoga is the thing that I give up first to get the cardio in instead. I can however do an assisted wheel and on occasion, I've even managed to lift my head a couple inches off the floor when trying to do it! Yay me!

Continue to get that blue light out of the room

Fail! I started back using my ipad for reading and it was all downhill from there. :-)

Work on my kids manners'

I think they're okay. With the occasional sass and forgetting to say please but I'll count this one as a win.

Teaching the kids about saving, spending and donating to charity

Hmmmm..... I have a spender still so though she gives she doesn't save as much as I'd like. The other one is fine though and she is okay with not spending every single cent!  There is some giving for sure... but saving, not so much. So it's a work in progress!

And now onto 2019

Clearly, by now we know I have some air in my jumps LOL

I usually do a couple for me personally and a couple for me as a parent.

Reduce my use of single use plastics.

I think we're pretty good but even so, every time I have to sort out recycling, I'm displeased with how much plastic we still use. every.single.time. So as much as possible, this is on the agenda for our family this year. A blog post to follow soon of what we are trying our best to do.

Eat more fish

I've cut back on the amount of fish I eat over the years simply because of a certain daughter who complains every time I cook it. Well, no more kiddo! This year, I'm going to up the amount of sustainably sourced and omega rich fish we are consuming at least once or twice a week... because found my fitness told me too. This website took my genetic data and made some recommendations. And they said to eat sardines as well! So let's see. Sidenote, I also take a supplement. 

Call my friends and family more.

I'm pretty good at keeping in touch via text but seriously, the people I'm in touch with via telephone or facetime, I find our connection being stronger with... Hi Chad and Geets!  The human connection is missing with a text. So this year, the pledge is to call more friends and family with the girls or by myself. 

And for the kids:

Support them in their New Year's Resolutions

This year C wants to eat less sugar and A wants to stop crying for no reason (her words). So I will try to equip them with their tools to do that!

Thank You Notes

The girls are going to start to write thank you notes. Letter writing is so important and I want my girls to get it. I even got them some personalised stationery to begin. 

What are your resolutions for 2019? Are you tactical like me or do you have an over-arching theme? 

New year, new link up... with Shay and Erika for How We... Wednesdays. Today it's all about the New Year's resolutions. I've mentioned before that I'm a tactical person so I love a few actionable resolutions-- I feel like I have a better chance of success that way. #hedgingmybets. The time I said get house plants- yes. The time I said intention as my word of the year- no. 

So I set small resolutions and then I go from there. 

Before we get into 2018, let's look back at 2017

Eye Care

This year I wanted to take good care of my eyes- well under eyes-LOL by using an eye cream every night. So far, so good. I barely miss a day. 

Hydrating My Kids

It worked with one. One is obsessed with water now. Not the other. We have to keep trying with our little eight year old rebel. 

Play with my kids

So, I would give myself a five out of ten for this one. We play board games, play Just Dance and do puzzles but not a whole, whole lot. Life is just so busy sometimes and parenting just takes over. 

Fix the Lighting in the house

Done and done. All the orange, red and blue lighting from the past owners-- done! New dining fixtures times two- done! New LED and energy saving lights- also done!

Now onto 2018

Get more immersed in yoga. 

In the last two months of 2017, I started hot yoga and have begun to really appreciate the practice in a major way. I feel such a difference in my mind and body. There are so many different types at my gym and I've really come to look forward to a couple of the classes so I try to do it twice weekly. I'd like to expand my wheelhouse. I don't know what form this is going to take: trying a dedicated studio, increasing the number of classes I do. Oh and I'd really love to do a wheel by myself (I've done it assisted) if at all possible in 2018 but because of my back and the spinal rod in it, I'm not sure it's possible.  Right now, my head remains on the floor. If I could just lift my head a couple inches, I'd be thrilled.

Continue to get that blue light out of the room

Over the summer, I stopped reading my iPad in bed except on weekends and I find that it made such a difference in my sleep patterns. I lapsed a bit over the holidays  but I really need to get back on track!

Work on my kids manners'

Don't get me wrong, my kids aren't remarkably unmannerly or anything, I just find that manners in this age are not always the greatest. I'm determined to make sure my kids try their best to show respect to their elders and peers and aren't 'those kids'.We all have slip ups but we can try!

Teaching the kids about saving, spending and donating to charity

I have a spender (the kid, not me LOL) here. There is some giving for sure... but saving, not so much. So this year is the year to learn about saving!

What are your resolutions? Are you tactical like me or do you have an over-arching theme? What works for you? 

D was home so we slipped out for a quick lunch.

My friend Jenn made these awesome caramel apples for the girls but mama might have had some also.

After some pumpkin chili and a threat to cancel Halloween due to some misbehaviour from a certain eight year old, we took the mandatory pics and went on our way!

This red panda got into the role.... she was wearing pajamas and a jacket underneath.

And finally our stash for the night. Our neighbourhood is so generous and they look so forward to my kids coming to their homes.... books, flashlights, quarters and loads of candy

And now for some currently with Anne ....

Realizing: that life is short. The days are long but the years are so, so short. I posted this on FB yesterday and certainly realised that! Snuggle those babies, mamas.

Stirring: lots and lots of soups. Our favourites are Trinidadian corn soup, chicken tortilla vegetable soup, white turkey chili and butternut squash but we are always trying new recipes.

Appreciating: that we got a few late summer days in October as boy did the temps start dipping--- brrrrrrr.......

Investigating: how to set up affiliate links from Canada. The struggle is real, friends. Americans have way more options!! 

Following The Fashionable Hostess on Instagram and I'm obsessed.

May your November be a great one!!!

 Yep, the month of June is here! Let's take a look at May's goals and what we did.

 

Kids

-Get some glasses for a little girl -sigh! I knew it was coming as D and I are near sighted (we both had surgery) but I still can't help feel a little sad.

- Read about the weather. I bought A this book on weather and I intend for us to read it with the kids-- some of it is a little advanced for a four year old but we'll try.
(We started but somehow lost steam- there is always next month)

- When it's nice out and we don't have extra curricular- we will be outside for a bit- even if Mama has lots to do inside!

- Start soccer drills and technique with C(well kind of)

 

D

- Celebrate D's birthday first with an intimate dinner with another family-- I get the ingredients and our friend is cooking- and then with a food truck inspired Victoria Day party. Lots of grocery shopping and prep. 
Done and done. See here for the Food Truck Eats Party
 

House

- Finish spring cleaning the girls' closet. I started last month and need to finish this one up. so.much.stuff to pack away, bring out from storage and purge.

- Once that's done, complete my closet. D did his a couple months ago and his is putting mine to shame. 

- Open and clean the pool ( before the party hopefully!)

- Open the sprinkler system. 

 - Get some lighting done! We're talking pennants, sconces and chandeliers--- the stuff that my dreams are made off! So.so.exciting
(In progress, like 40% done)  

A sneak peek

Me:

- Work out at least 5 times a week even if somedays it's a small workout
(so, so close. I missed one workout)

- Order and do a three day Shakeology cleanse 


And just a few goals for June as there's lots going on:

Kids:
- Start soccer drills for C and swimming for both kids
- Decide if we are doing one more camp for each kid
- Get end of year teacher gifts in order
- Spend lots of time outdoors
- Continue reading with A
- Work on our summer bucket list

House:
- Bathroom cabinets here we come!! (not an easy undertaking for sure)
- Finish our home lighting project
- Family coat closet! 

Me:
- Work out at least 17 times this month. 
- Eat clean-- except for events. Then we splurge.
- Try not to splurge too much at events lol. 
- Lose two pounds (slow and steady wins the race, right?!)
- Pack and re-pack for all the stuff going on in June

And a look at

Planning--

for the hectic month ahead. Two weddings (BOTH out of town), my in laws visiting next week, a road trip and the end of the school year. It's a busy one that's for sure! 

Wishing--

that Mother Nature decides that sun is in order soon and that this summer will be an active, healthy, fun one for us all.

Learning--

that the days are long but the years are short. Mamas, snuggle those babies and enjoy it. In due course, they'll be learning the meaning of onomatopoeia and using it correctly too! 

Also, in enjoying life, something will always have to give AND THAT's OKAY. Be it fitness, the house, something with the kids, work etc-- there's no one who can have it all!

Browsing-- 

Fancy earrings for an outdoor wedding in June. A friend told me that  J. Crew has great fancy costume jewelry and she's so right. Their stuff is on point!

Going-- 

To weddings, parties, road trips, NYC, Vermont and on a Disney Cruise! This summer will be a packed one.

Have an awesome day!

Early enough in May to still do monthly goals, not so? This is the first monthly goals that I've done since 2017 began. Tax season had me swamped and every spare minute was spent on some sort of expense statement.

Here's a few of the things that on our list for May-- one of my very favourite months of the year.

-Get some glasses for a little girl -sigh! I knew it was coming as D and I are near sighted (we both had surgery) but I still can't help feel a little sad.

- Read about the weather. I bought A this book on weather and I intend for us to read it with the kids-- some of it is a little advanced for a four year old but we'll try.

- When it's nice out and we don't have extra curricular- we will be outside for a bit- even if Mama has lots to do inside!

- Start soccer drills and technique with C

- Celebrate D's birthday first with an intimate dinner with another family-- I get the ingredients and our friend is cooking- and then with a food truck inspired Victoria Day party. Lots of grocery shopping and prep.

- Finish spring cleaning the girls' closet. I started last month and need to finish this one up. so.much.stuff to pack away, bring out from storage and purge.

- Once that's done, complete my closet. D did his a couple months ago and his is putting mine to shame. 

- Open and clean the pool ( before the party hopefully!)

- Open the sprinkler system. 

 - Get some lighting done! We're talking pennants, sconces and chandeliers--- the stuff that my dreams are made off! So.so.exciting

- Work out at least 5 times a week even if somedays it's a small workout

- Order and do a three day Shakeology cleanse

And onto some currently with Anne from In Residence 

Life lately has been filled with a lot of germs! After a bare recovery from the stomach bug to end all bugs, I came down with a lovely cold/flu comb. As it was so soon after the first special, super bug, this one hit me hard. No energy, lots of napping, soups and hygge.... 

Since we're almost in February (7 weeks 'til spring!!) and I totally dropped the January resolution ball, I figured that this was as good a time as any  to share my intentions for 2017.

So, I'm totally a tactical person and I like actionable resolutions--- like that time I chose a word of the year (intention) as my resolution... yeah that didn't work. But like the other time when I resolved to floss more... that stuck-- and I still floss daily. My dentist is a happy one.  

Let's rewind to my 2016 resolutions first!

Well we made it there in one piece and lots got done before we even got there! Our walls are painted and artwork is hung. Things have found a place though they may not stay there (I'm talking to you guest bedroom and messy study.) and there might be one or maybe two boxes left to unpack... so check but smooth and seamless were very ambitious words.

 Okay, so I totally purged before we moved last January and I'm constantly purging the girls' toys and clothes. I do also follow her method of rolling clothes and ask myself if something 'sparks joy'beofre I buy it or even keep it. But I didn't finish the book yet. I have high hopes to but something else always comes up!

 I am SO proud of this one! I did it.... after years or wanting to.  I totally had help though. My friend Dani found a store that was selling plants 20% off  and no tax! Then she spent and afternoon and helped me choose plants (based on size, lighting and ease of care), pots and other necessities. And then she took another couple hours of another day to help me pot and place them. SO THANK YOU, DANI! And guess what?! They are still alive after a year. I'm even moving them now, seeing how they respond to different lights and how they look in different spots. Yeah, I'm shamelessly patting myself so hard on this one I might fall over. 

Now onto

Here are my very few resolutions for this year... Remember I aim small but realistic.

I don't play with my girls enough. I feed them, teach them, read to them and chat with them but I rarely play with them. I'm always running around cleaning or folding laundry or something. So this year, we're going to play. We played Just Dance as a family the other day and laughed so hard, we very nearly cried. But then C and I were trying to knit together and I read the instructions and very nearly cried! Win some and lose some I guess.

As I'm getting older, I'm so seeing it in my eyes so I need to be more vigilant about a depuffer and eye cream and incorporating it into my skin care routine. I always forget the eyes!!

My kids way prefer milk or juice to water. They only really get juice when we go out, at a party or when they are sick but boy do they love it. They will rarely if ever choose water though and I'm the total opposite. Give me water everyday all day. I'm thirsty always! That 's changing though... mom mission.

Totally random I know but there are a few pieces that are driving me a little crazy in our house... like the red, orange and blue fixtures we have giving us coloured lighting in the house... ugh!  This needs my attention in 2017 for sure!

What about you? Do you have one big resolution or many little ones like me?

 I'll be popping in and out these days. I  do some part time work and it really picks up until tax season is over.Have a great day!