Fun Food Friday!!

I got this recipe years ago from a girl I used to work with. So simple and you can add/change whatever to make it suit your tastes (I like to add a little pepper!)
Hasbrown Delite

1 1/2 bags frozen hashbrowns (diced or shredded)
2 medium onions
2 cans cream of chicken soup
227g grated cheese
1/4c  melted butter or margarine
500ml  sour cream

Mix sour cream, butter and chicken soup together. Add in hashbrowns, onions and cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for an hour.
Freezes well!


This one is great for kids, Halloween, birthday parties... Even just for fun!!

Bug Juice

2 10oz pkgs  frozen strawberries (defrosted)
1 6oz  can lemonade (thawed)
1 quart  ginger ale
2c  raisins and/or dried cranberries
6  gummy worms

Mix strawberries and lemonade in blender until smooth and thick. Gradually add ginger ale. Pour into punch bowl, stir in any remaining ginger ale and add raisins. Place gummy worms on the rim of the bowl for a swampy effect.  Makes about 10 servings.

Thankful Thursday-- for sisters--

For my little sister Randall,

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there. (Amy Li)

Today,  I am thankful for you.  Inspite of  our considerable age difference, we are so close.  I would not want that to change for anything in the world.  You may be "crazy" (oh you know you "crazy"!!), you may be loud (you know you loud!), you may be wilder (YES you are...okay, okay, maybe not so much now!) but I wouldn't ask for another sister.  As we become older I find the closer we become. I know that no matter what happens in my life I will always have a little sister to be there showing support, having my back and whatever else may come up I know you'll be there.   I really hadn't realized how much I needed some 100% adult time until you surprise birthday kidnapped me. Now don't get me wrong I love being a mom but having a hot dinner, conversation and laughs with no kids around was a nice break.

  It just goes to show that a true sister is a friend who listens with her heart. This is something you do more often than not. No matter how different we are,  we have the same sisterly love for each other.  I am thankful for you, for everything you do, sometimes say and Jaelon is lucky to have a loud and crazy aunt/godmother like you!  

So thanks Sista, your the best and Love you everyday!

Rox

Wordless Wednesday~ Nothing but smiles!!

 My smily boy, a week after his eye surgery!

Awww what a ham!!!

With his empty container, eating Blueberries!!

(Having issues uploading for some reason so enjoy the 3 pics.)

Until tomorrow,

Roxanne

5 Good things today!

1.  Jaelon left his diaper on in bed, so no wakeing up at 4 am to change him and bedding!

2.  I was able to enjoy two cups of herbal tea this morning before the day really started!

3.  Took Jaelon to meet up with my new mommy friend and her kids and have plans to get together again next week.

4. I didn't have to cook dinner tonight, my roommate did that!!

5.  Jaelon really enjoyed swimming, he's becoming quite the fish. I think we were laughing the entire time we were in the water!


Those are my 5 good things that happened today!!

Catching up

My birthday kidnapping was great fun! We just went to lunch at Jack Astor's, lunch was pretty good, the dessert was the best part (naturally!!) Red velvet cake with chocolate sauce and cream filling. So good and just at Jack Astor's, who would have thought it!!  Dinner was at a Thai restaurant in little Italy of all places, LOL! Oh our server was something else. The food was okay but I don't think I would go back. Then of course drinks and dancing!  My ankle has been quite sore so dancing was at a very minimum. All in all it was a good weekend and a nice much needed break from all things kid related.  It was so nice of my sister to plan this for me, and also a good sign I'm getting older. I was completely clueless right up until the last minute.

Jaelon spent Saturday afternoon with my mom and step dad, then the night with my dad and step mom. Sunday, my sister and I headed back to my mom's to help them move. That was a little chaotic and I didn't get home till almost 11pm. My dad dropped Jaelon off at home with my roommates. He didn't take to that well and wouldn't settle for bedtime, so when I came home he was just laying down on the couch. I think he was just thrown with him coming home and I wasn't here. I took him to bed, did a quick version of our bedtime routine and he was down and out 10 minutes later!  We both slept in this morning, though Jaelon was still quite tired, he was asking to go back to bed 3 hours later. 

Yes, it was a great weekend, Thanks again to my sister. You are the best little sister a girl could have!!!! 

Until tomorrow, keep smiling!!

Roxanne

Surprise Saturday!!!

Well no fun recipie post yesterday. Friday was not a great day for me, trying to get things figured out with subsidy so my boy can start daycare part time. He needs a little more help with his development skills and daycare will be perfect for him!! I hope that everything works out, I can start a new online course and fly through it. Otherwise, I wait till after the holidays. Today though should be a super day!!

Packed up the boy and headed to my mom's with intentions of helping her pack up and get ready to move to their new much bigger house. Turns out my sister had a different plan!! To kidnap me and head off to Toronto to party it up for my birthday. So I type this from her place in T.O. Jaelon is having a sleepover with his grandparents and I get to have a night out with ADULTS!!! Oh the fun that will be had, as well as the drinks too.  Should be a fantastic night! 

I'm off to get myself together for a fab lunch with my bestie! I had to post something today, I want to keep up with this blog. Will give details on my kidnapping tomorrow when I have more time to sit down!!!

Until tomorrow, Keep smiling!!!

Roxanne

Thankful Thursday~ To my April/May Mommies

 Today, I would like to thank the wonderful mom's from BBCCanada. April/May Mommies are a great group to be apart of and I am so happy that I joined. When I started on BBC it was to join the single parents board, a place to try and get some comfort and advice with becoming a single parent. It started out great then slowly started to dry up. I discovered the birth clubs and jumped in. 

Two years later our club is still going strong. Being able to share stories, milestones, ask for/offer advice, grieve or just in need of a place to rant is so great. Although I haven't personally met any of them, I am glad they are part of my life (in a sense). It's because of  them I was inspired to start this blog.  There may be days where I do focus on the "single" aspect of being a parent.  Though when I "check" in with these mom's, I never feel like the odd one out.  It's nice to not feel judged, left out or have to work at making friendships. These ladies are a great bunch and I'm grateful for being able to share anything with them.  Our children brought us all together, they keep us going on together (with a few other similar interests too) and one day I hope we will all get to meet in one place!

So thanks Mommies, I would be at a loss without our club.


Roxanne

Wordless Wednesday~ Looking back!

One hour old!

The bouncy chair he was to small for but loved!

Hated getting dressed. 1 week old!

The hat sized birth to 3mths. Didn't include Preemie's I guess!!

1wk old, first trip to Grandma's!



3mths!







5mths!





5mths old!



All things Jaelon!

To say that I always thought I wanted a little girl would be an understatement.  Clothes alone, I can walk into a store and have 5 different outfits picked. For boys, I will be there forever. No bright colours, full of logo's and prints, just not as much fun! Girls are (usually) crafty, in to the softer things. Boys are about Trucks, construction, bugs and more "risky" (usually!)


I'm grateful for my little man. I still have a hard time picking out clothes and the bug thing is less than to be desired.  But they are such a joy and keep everything interesting, I wouldn't change it for the world!! 


At 29 months, Jaelon is into:

• Cars, trucks, buses- anything with wheels that he can flip over and make the wheels spin.
• Books- anything will work but books with songs are his favourite
• Picking flowers- I think it's more because he's not suppose to!
• Chalking- hand him a piece of paper and some crayons and it's no way, let him go outside and do some side walk chalk and he's a happy camper!
• Containers- Yes, containers! He loves walking around with empty Tupperware.
• Doors- anything to open and slam shut
• Singing/ Finger plays- always a calmer.
• Climbing and jumping off- don't even get me started!!
• Animals- he has most animal sounds down, his favourite animal is the horse (at least for now!)
• Swimming- he's such a fish, just loves the water!

Jaelon wears:

• Size 24mths, 2T and 3T tops. 3T is actually to big but I put it on him anyways.
• size 2T and 3T pants. Again with 3T the pants are to big, but with the adjustable waste I still put him in them!
• size 5 diapers
• size 7 shoes.

Jaelon will eat:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Bread
• Tomatoes
• Pasta
• Rice
• "Peanut butter" Cereal
• Applesauce
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Salmon
• Onions
• Pizza
• Watermelon- with a fork only!
• Anything I'm eating
• and many more!!

He is still behind with speech, it is coming along slowly but he's so happy and content minus the ever popular Toddler behaviour! Everything will come together and I'll be wishing for the days when he didn't talk, I'm sure.  Minus the tantrums, I love this age. Watching them learn and discover is so cute to see.


Enjoy the day!

Roxanne

Movie Monday!

I don't really have much to write about today, at least I can't think of much to write about.  I did tell myself if I was going to start a blog I was going to keep at it.  Today is going to be brief so let's talk movies!!  I'm usually so all about kid related things, that movies seem to be the one adult thing I take advantage of. I try for once a month, but that doesn't always happen.  I don't have a specific favourite but I have a big love for them. Perhaps watching them allows you to escape from everyday life? I don't know what it is really, I just know that I love them.  I've seen way to many to recount over the years, but the latest one I saw was "The Help".  I thought it was so great, some good lines, funny, sad and made you think a bit. Mostly made me think and feel sad for those days, how people treated other people solely on race.  To think that there is still certain area's that may still have that way of life. I'm not aiming to start anything here, I was just thinking out loud. 

Moving along, the movie is based on the novel of the same name. Which I am for sure going to add to my must read list - we'll get to that another day- It's plot is set in the time of the Civil Rights, it does have some well-known names as well as some not so known ones. Oh you know, the ones where you've seen them in a ton of things but have never known their name! LOL!  Anyways, I have to be very brief as a certain little boy is waking from his nap!  I would recommend this movie, I found it really entertaining. I thought Emma Stone was good as the main character, nice to see her in a bit more serious role. Though I did get a laugh from "Easy A".  Geez you would think I would be better at the whole movie critic thing. I guess that's why I'm not one!!!  

Promise I'll get down to the nitty-gritty stuff. Though I am loving the "Theme Day" thing, I think I've just created my own!!!

Enjoy,

Roxanne

Sunday, a day for reflection

I thought now that summer is clearly over, I would look back on the things we did to enjoy the season.  Probably not the type of reflection you were expecting, hmmm maybe next week!


My summer wasn't as packed full with things to do or places to go this year, like other years.  We did get a trip in to African Lion's Safari, which was super fun! Jaelon loved the splash pad and the elephants the most! We didn't get to the beach even once this summer, though we did go for Ice cream at Shaw's.  I think going to St. Mary's Quarry was the highlight of the summer, it was my first time as well as Jaelon's. He didn't care for it much at first but warmed up to the idea and ended up having a blast! So that's definitely on the list of things to do again next summer.  We went to Storybook Gardens, again Jaelon loved the splash pad the most!  I managed to start and finish a refresher English course online, all while Jaelon was sleeping. Still waiting on a final grade, though with this strike going on who knows how long a wait that will be.  Aside from many trips to the library, the Y for swimming, many trips to the park and our weekly time spent at playgroup. This summer was pretty adventre-less. We did spend a lot of time outside though so that's always good!!

The fall/winter season bring on: My birthday (in four days, ouch!!), Thanksgiving, Halloween (my fave) and Christmas.  Lots of travelling around should be happening!! 


Until tomorrow, enjoy the day!!

Roxanne

Fun Food Friday!!

I've made many pizza doughs, this one seems to be a fave all around!

Pizza Dough

1pkg      yeast
1tsp.      brown sugar
1tsp.      salt
2Tblsp. Olive oil
1 1/2tsp Italian (basil or oregano) seasoning
1 1/2c.   Warm water
3 1/2c.    Flour

Dissolve yeast and brown sugar, stir in Olive oil and seasoning into yeast.
Mix in flour and water, knead and let rise.
Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes.

These cupcakes are a big hit with the kiddies! Made them for Jaelon's birthday but instead of regular cupcakes, I did ice cream cone cupcakes!!

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

2 1/4c      all purpose flour

1Tbls        baking powder

1/2tsp.     salt

1 2/3c      sugar

1/2c         softened butter or margerine
1c            milk
2tsp.        vanilla
3              egg whites
                               1c            crushed cookies (oreos!) plus additional for garnish
                                              vanilla frosting or any of your choosing!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Stir in sugar, add butter, milk and vanilla. Add egg whites and mix. Stir in crushed cookies.
Bake for 20 minutes. Once cool, frost, garnish and enjoy. Makes 24 cupcakes.

Everything else seems minor

You know, I truly believe that being a stay at home mom is a lot more work than actually being out in the workforce.  Most definitely being a Single stay at home mom is. 

I'm always thinking that, but last night or rather this morning at 4 am. As I was yet again, changing Jaelon's bedding. I was really wishing there was someone else to do it, HA HA! Very rarely do I think about the "single" aspect of my being a parent, until the middle of the night waking because my little boy won't leave his diaper on. I shouldn't really complain, he usually doesn't wake up unhappy. The nights that he does, he's over it just as quickly.  I guess it would be nice if one time, just one time, I didn't have to be the one to wake up and deal with it. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to wake up an hour or so before he does so I could have some time to myself. Sometimes I wish I didn't feel guilty for putting him to bed early because I'M tired.   

Inspite of all that, there is that one little moment, where he's learned a new word, tried to do something for himself, or wants to give a kiss and a cuddle, that make those other things all worth it.  That's when I remember why I choose to be a SAHM, I'm glad I get to actually be the first one to see my boy through all his milestones. Everything else is just minor!!

No other place to start than the beginning!!

A big hello to you, I am Roxanne and welcome to my blog!  I've only just started, so bare with me.  I am in no way a gifted writer, so prepare yourself now!! I've gone back and forth many times on starting a blog, first because really I don't think I have a lot to write about to keep things interesting. Second, sharing my feelings does not come easy to me. So why have I decided to jump on the blogging wagon?? To journal the life of a single mom (as exciting or not so much, as it may be), and to have a place to better share all experiences of my boy's childhood. Also, why not it may be fun!!! So let's get started.

As I've said, I'm Roxanne. I am 32 soon to be 33 yrs old, born and raised in Canada but my family is from Trinidad and Tobago. I'm single stay at home mom to a wonderful, adventurous and inquisitive 2 year old boy, Jaelon.  I have a love for movies, music and a ton of other stuff you may learn about.  I worked as (politically correct) a Child Care Provider for 13yrs before moving on to be a live-out nanny. That job lasted all of 6 months before my employer was laid off from his job, which in turn left me out of a job as well.  I was 5 months pregnant with my boy at the time. If it wasn't for my family and real close friends, I don't know what I would have done. Not being employed was a hard pill to swallow, all the things I imagined I would have when I started my family were just not attainable. A close friend to the family offered to take me in as I was sure going to have to give up my little apartment. While I was getting ready to move, I was admitted into the hospital with slight complications in my pregnancy. Which meant I had to rely on someone else to pack up my apartment and get ready for moving day. I was at 33 weeks when I was admitted and told that I would be there until baby was born. Fun times!!! Jaelon was born at 36 weeks via C-section, spent only a week in NICU before I was able to bring him home. Wouldn't you know it, he came home on moving day and things have just been hopping ever since!

Like I said, Jaelon is 2yrs old. He has never met his "father", I do not need nor have time for any drama so I do not keep in contact with him. I have made a promise to myself and Jaelon that if I am dating anyone, that guy will not be meet my little man unless the relationship is serious. I don't want random guys in and out of his life, not that I have random guys.... but you know what I mean!  Anyways, Jaelon has many more milestones to reach. Right now he is very much into animals and trucks, cars or basically anything with wheels. He is so not a crafty boy, which is a little hard to handle as I love crafting! He does love to be outside, sleeps exceptionally well and his eating habits aren't so bad either.  He's pretty easy going and very happy, though at times is a bit much. But he's two so that's just expected.  Even though I might say it, I wouldn't actually trade him in for anything in the world. 

I tend to ramble on, as you can see. But that's me in a nutshell! Hope you enjoyed and will come back. 

Roxanne