it's my girls' world

Monday, November 17, 2014

The thaw of Scrooge

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm usually Santa's Elf. This is definitely my favourite time of year from the spirit of the season to the carols, the giving, to the shopping, the parties to the cheeseball movies (and the actual cheeseballs too actually), the baking to the lights and decorations.... I love it all! I begin mid- November and don't stop until January 6th.

This year however, it's been a little different. As some of you know, early this year, D lost his brother and it's been very sad for our family. Sunil spent several Christmases with us and we would have fun celebrating--- eating lots of treats, buying presents, decorating and very subtly fighting between us (him and me) for the remote-- I'd want to watch my Christmas movies and he'd prefer the action flicks of the day. He was always very thoughtful in his gift giving and we often conspired on this. So this year, we'll miss him and I've been more Ebenezer than Elf.

But the kids... and my kids (well C anyways) look forward to the season throughout the year. Like her mama ( I guess my Christmas spirit in seasons past was very infectious) , this is her most special season. She has been looking forward to it all year and talks about it daily. Carols have begun in our house and she is looking through catalogues and reading holiday books already.

So I chug on 'cause first and foremost I'm a mom. And that's what we do. Our season will be quieter, a (more subdued)tree will be put up, we will sing our carols and we will do our baking. Because also, that's what Sunil would want. For us and our kids.

And you know, bit by bit by bit I'm slowly thawing out. A random carol overheard in the mall made me smile. The scent of a Christmas candle (only second to fall candles) made me happy... and then on Saturday, we took our kids to our local Christmas parade with some friends as one of my friends' kids was in the parade. It was fuh-reezing but between the carols, the candy canes, the characters and the floats, I began to feel more and more Christmas spirit and gratefulness for this special, special time of the year.

All bundled up...

My kids basically had tim-bits (donut holes) and cookies for dinner.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Linking up today with The Grateful Heart with Ember Grey

PS. My mom has double knee surgery today in NYC. Thoughts and prayers and all our love your way, mama! We love you always.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Friday favourites- everyday life favourite pics

Oh my sickness!! I just had an awful 24 hour bug that lasted from the moment I got up yesterday to almost this morning.... I barely ever get sick. The last time I had a stomach flu was in 2012. Nothing except extreme nausea and headaches--- and no, not preggo. It was so bad that I could not even drop off and pick up my kids to school. But you know what helps out sick mamas--- very good mama friends... My sweet friend Jenn picked up A from school and fed her lunch, made her nap and entertained her until the afternoon. When she dropped her off, she came armed with chicken noodle soup and ginger ale-- the only thing I had all of yesterday! So yes, thank God for sweet friends! And awesome husbands--- D came home early and did everything with the girls until this morning...

So I'm better--- not working out, walking fast sort of better but able to put something in my stomach, sit at a computer and able to take my babies to school better.

Since I didn't have time to prepare my usual favourites on Friday post, I thought I would do my favourite pics for the week post. I got this idea from Mix and Match Mama to post a pic a day everyday this year... so I've been doing that in 2014 and these are my favourite pics for Week 45! My bloggy friend Liz from Simply Complex Mom commented this week that our life seems so busy, fun and blessed.... and that's exactly what I feel our life is!

# 311

Jenn and I at a charity event/auction we were on a committee for.... a wonderful night!

#312

Thankfully the kids had no school the next day because the mommas were t.i.r.e.d. We took them to McD's for a happy meal!

#313

C loves her some Menchies--- a Mix and Match fro-yo place in our neighbourhood. Her creations are insane-- insane I tell ya'

(to show you how insane they were, she threw up that night- part Menchies, part mexican, part awful cough that agitated her)

#oversharing

#314

Because weekends are apparently for eating, the next day we headed to the Mill for a wonderful lunch. C is such a trooper, she was totally ill and had a couple bites of a waffle but still had some fun nonetheless #takesafterhermama

#315

Anjali spilled cereal all over the rug so Cass helped to clean it up. She did however tell me to post it on my blog 'it's my girls' world' along with the caption 'My sweet Cass helping me clean up..' I don't make these things up folks!

#316

Daddy had Remembrance Day off but went to work to tie up some loose ends so A and I met him for lunch. We may have kept it secret from C who loves a good lunch at a restaurant.

#317

My baby is growing up!

Have a wonderful weekend, people. Mine will one of R&R.

Linking up with

Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

Amanda for Friday Favourites

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Pretty on the inside

C: Mommy, do you think am I pretty?

Me: Of course you are. But what matters most, sweetie, is that you're beautiful on the inside... and kind... and smart... and strong...

C: Yeah, yeah but am I pretty on the OUTSIDE?! (gesturing to her face)

It was a pretty funny convo, I admit it.... Yes, I believe in taking care of myself- my skin, hair and body. My array of makeup and beauty products would astound you. I have tons of hair styling stuff and my exercise equipment and gym memberships are very important to me. I strive for blemish free skin, shiny hair and a healthy body as do so many of us. Even at home with my kids, you'd almost never find me in sweats. I feel good when I look good.

But though I do all these things and I love a compliment or two, I really and truly believe it's what on the inside that counts most of all. When all is said and done, youth and looks fade and things sag. Something better be good on the inside to make you happy throughout your life! I need my girls to understand this. I want them to be kind, prayerful, strong, smart, considerate, responsible and respectful girls. I teach them to say please and thank you, to share their toys, to recycle and to pack away their toys. I do these things but then I also buy them beautiful dresses, I condition and comb their hair and buy them fun accessories!

So yes, I love when people tell me that my daughters are beautiful/cute/adorable--- cause let's face it, they are :-). Dress up is fun and compliments are cool. However, it's my job as a parent though to teach them that it is not everything. It's their characters that will determine their lives and how they live it. As parents, D and I will be trying day by day, bit by bit to strengthen the character traits we think are important. As we do, it is my hope that they understand that being pretty on the inside is most important.

Linking up with Annie and Nat for Thoughts on Thursday.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Come on in.... to my little laundry room!

When we were looking for a house more than five years ago, D was all like "It must have a laundry room on the upper level." I was like "Meh, whatevs. I like the window seat in that house." Note, this was pre-kids so I had no idea of the mountains of laundry that would ensue in the upcoming months. I didn't see the big deal in having a basement laundry room like we did in our last house.Thankfully, ~~in this situation~~ my husband had more foresight than I did. So yes, given the amazing amount of laundry I do (with my five year old, she tries on something and tries to put it in the wash), the best part of my little laundry room is that it is upstairs with all of the bedrooms. Even though I like to bring my laundry downstairs sometimes to fold while I'm watching TV.... but I digress.

And then the house didn't come with the washer and dryer so D's like "Wouldn't it be cool to get a coloured washer and dryer?" In my eight months preggo state, I once again was ambivalent and just went along with it. So that's how we got our fire-engine red washer and dryer. And you know what? Having a brightly coloured washer and dryer does make doing laundry in the winter months that much more fun.... well as fun as laundry ever could be! And almost every single person who has seen our washer and dryer has commented on how much they love the colour.

So not to give him total credit.... but he really deserves it... he also got a nicer sink installed and a small laundry sorter to put right next to the washer also.... both Lowe's purchases. All of us have hampers in our room so that sorter is for our towels, sheets and kitchen stuff.

There's no space for hanging stuff as I just hang them in our respective bedrooms immediately. There is however tons of room for storing cleaning supplies and laundry detergent.

The laundry is not totally complete. I really want to get some fun artwork and maybe some cool cupboard door knobs whenever next Anthro has a huge sale.

So yes, this is D's room... his labour of love if you will... for his wife who does all his laundry :-)

While we're at it, here are a few laundry tips to make life easier:

1- Do your laundry after 7 at night or on weekends. People, the savings really add up and it's great for the environment. If you have a newer washer, you can even set the time.

2- Fold your clothes as soon as it gets out of the dryer nice and warm--- cuts down big time on the ironing.

3- A couple tennis balls in the dryer also cut down on the wrinkles without the dryer sheets.

No post tomorrow as I really wanted to squeeze this one into Andrea's linkup.