My Sister in law RyLee, has been a part of the Canadian music scene for over 10 years and this year she was recognized for her hard work. RyLee won the East Coast Music Awards Country Recording of the Year!

trying to take the littles back to Nashville

We're so proud of you RyLee!!!

A visit good for the soul

It has been far too long since I've seen my dear friend Laura and her family. They live out west and were finally able to come home for a visit. I was a little over excited because I was finally going to get my hands on their newest addition Noah.

Noah is a very special guy. He has already proven that he has a strong spirit and his mother's stubbornness! The minute I held him, my heart felt a little more complete. His big brother Elijah is just as sweet as ever. He came running up to me, giving big hugs telling me he has missed me his whole life (serious heart melt!!)

Look who else loves Noah

The kids had a great time playing together.

Not really sure what is happening here...

and then came the crash before the second wind

oh look who likes hockey too...

Our visit was over in the blink of an eye and I will totally admit that I cried my eyes out as I drove away from dropping Laura and her family off at the airport hotel. Being separated by a country sucks. Especially when we see how well our kids get along. It sucks but its life. And one thing Laura has taught me this year more than ever is that while you have no control over the challenges that are going to come your way, you totally control how you face them.

Love you George!

St. Patrick's Day Fun

Ahh St. Patrick's Day....this year we went without the Leprechaun peeing green in our toilet, little green footprints and the lucky charms, focusing on rainbows instead.

St. Patrick's Day Breakfast of champions

 Weekday mornings are a blur, so on the weekends we take our time....and we usually serve up buttermilk pancakes for breakfast. I divided and coloured the batter and then made the pancakes with just 1 tbsp each of batter on the grill.

batter coloured with Wilton food gel

Daddy's stack

 I was hesitant to give the kids this much food colouring but for one day I don't think it's the end of the world...plus I paired them up with rainbow fruit skewers!

How could you not Kiss these Irish cheeks!

remember this shirt?..next year it will be a skirt

I can't believe how big my littles are getting. I just had to pull up some comparisons. Where is the time going?

Last year...look at that hair...

Last year...my little Elton

Wordless Wednesday

Hamin' it up with the ECMA

Snack Time! (for mommies)

Weight Watchers is good. If I can find things to eat that are low in points and that satisfy the sweet tooth, then I'll be golden...let's face it..I didn't gain weight because I eat too many veggies (bloody Superstore fresh donuts...) So I have turned to my favorite resource Pinterest and here is what I came up with

"Brownie" bites & Peanut Butter Oatmeal "Cookies"

Raw "Brownie" Bites: (adapted from Triumph Wellness)
(16 balls- 2 WWPP each)

• 1 1/4 cups walnuts
• 13-14 large dates, pitted
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

1. Place walnuts in a food processor.
2. Process until finely ground.
3. Add remaining ingredients and process until all mixed and uniformly crumbly.
4. With the machine running, add a few drops of water at a time, just until the mass starts to stick together in a big ball. (Better to add too little that too much!)
5. Roll mixture into balls
6. ENJOY!

Raw Peanut Butter Oatmeal "Cookies"
18 balls (1 WWPP each)

Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 13-14 large pitted dates
• 2 Tbsp peanut butter 
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Put oats in food processor.
2. Process until finely ground.
3. Add remaining ingredients and process until fully combined.
4. Add a few drops of water if needed to form balls.
5. Form into balls 

These were delicious and the kids ate them up! I'm loving the health benefits that making more "raw" food in our diets has for everyone. I haven't crossed the whole way to raw but I am heading back to my way more neurotic about what we eat, most especially what the kids eat. I'll never reach goal if I don't start paying more attention and planning snacks...and to my horror I discovered that my favorite Second Cup baked good has 17 WWPP per item.....no more chocolate covered oatcakes for me!

just a random adorable picture to make you smile!

Wordless Wednesday

Love those little lips!