Saturday Rambles~ Week in review!!

I know I've become a bit slack with posting. Here I am again this morning with not much to say. We are both feeling much better, though Jaelon seems a little more tired than usual. Not sure if jumping right into our usual weekly activities was a good idea for him.  I've even added a playdate every Monday with our new friends!

It's been a pretty good week, Monday like I said Jaelon had a playdate with his new friend. We've gotten together every week for the last few weeks, have so much fun out and the time goes by so fast. It's really nice to have another mom to go out with, the kids play and we have a nice chat. We're dog sitting (in a way) for a month, the cutest little puppy, Jaelon for the most part doesn't care much if he's around. So naturally the puppy won't leave him alone! Pictures to come!

Tuesday was playgroup, Jaelon wasn't in the mood to be there so we stayed for about an hour. Came home and took the dog for a walk since it was just to early to go inside. Wednesday was our other playgroup. Thursday we stayed home for the morning and played out back then went to the pet store and mall. Friday, I was hoping to try Geocaching but we went to the mall instead!  I picked up a few Christmas gifts for my boy, thankfully he doesn't actually realize what I'm buying... For the most part anyways!!!  He did get to pick out his new winter hat and mitts from The Children's Place, gosh I love that store! And here we are at Saturday, watching the dog for the whole day. I think a nice walk is in order!!!

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend. Only 2 days to go before Halloween!!!!!
Keep safe, have fun!!

Roxanne

Wordless Wednesday!!

Life Outside~Apple picking!!

After a good week spent at my mom's, we are home now. The weather was horrible, extremely windy and sometimes rainy. We still managed to get outside, Jaelon had fun splashing in the muddy puddles and watching the horses!

We did get to do some apple picking as well. Jaelon didn't have a nap, so he was a bit of a treat for the first little while. He was excited to ride the Appleland train, when time to get off he had a nice 20 minute tantrum. Once that was over, he was content to sit in the wagon and munch away at an apple! My niece had a great time, "testing" the apples as she picked them.  It was a wonderful day and I now have lots of apples to do some baking!! More pictures to come :)

Saturday Rambles!!

I've been sitting here staring at the monitor for sometime now. Jaelon is still sound asleep so I thought I would take the time to post. One problem, I still don't know what to write about today. I guess your in for a bit of rambling!

I have a list of things that I want to bake, it seems that my list gets bigger every week! I made some really good Cinnamon buns last week (thanks to one April Mommy for the recipe!), so good in fact that I over indulged. I'm sure I felt every last one that I ate forming itself onto my hips and butt!! They were definitely worth it and Jaelon LOVED them too!  A few things on my list to bake, S'mores cookies (a favourite of mine), Kitchen Sink cookies (another fave of mine!), Apple Bread, Apple crisp, Applesauce (we're going apple picking, so I'll have a ton of apples to do something with!) Peanut butter cookies (very easy, seems to be Jaelon`s fave!) Pepperoni pizza monkey bread, Lemon Loaf (both these recipes, I just got from some April Mommies!)  WOW, this is a really unhealthy list.... well at least there are apples involved, it can`t be that unhealthy.

My reading list is not very long, I am about half way through The Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi. It`s pretty good so far. I still have to read The Help.  I`m in need of some good authors to start reading, I like a little mystery with a bit of romance thrown in. I like reading some books that have been made into a movie. Some biographies are alright but I really have to be interested in the person.  I should invest in an E-reader, one day that will happen!! 

Well that`s me for another day, time to get this day started! Until tomorrow, keep smiling!!!!

Roxanne

Thankful Thursday

I really never thought I would say this, I am thankful I was laid off from the new job I had been at for only six months. I was five months pregnant and had already decided if it was possible, I wasn't going to return (of course I didn't mention that part out loud). Although at the time I really was not at all thankful, I WAS five months pregnant and going it alone. Do you know how scared, worried and stressed I was trying NOT to be?  Now I look at it as a blessing in disguise, I am able to stay home and take care of my boy. Watching and being a part of every first in his life and not miss a single milestone.  Don't get me wrong, I am very much pro daycare and pro working parents. I have come to love not working and being a stay at home mom though. Now with more opportunity to turn things around, go back to school (soon) and start a whole new career.
Being thankful for my little boy is a complete understatement.  Yes, Jaelon is quite busy and can get into everything he's not suppose to. How many children aren't like that at this age? I'm so thankful that he can be such an easy going little boy, he is an absolutely wonderful sleeper and has been since I brought him home.  He is a good eater, though he does go through spurts. One day he loves all fruits, the next day he hates them! I'm thankful that he has a love for the outdoors, lets face it I only like being outside when the weather is nice and warm. Having him around makes ME get out twice as much! There are times when I'm just watching Jaelon, thinking WOW I have a 2.5 year old. It's so hard to believe that he was just a little 4 pound baby. So I am very thankful for my little boy, as busy as he is, he is always very happy!!

I am thankful that I am a single mom, I don't have to work at co-parenting and I do not have that crazy, unnecessary drama that some single parents have. I am thankful that I have a voice, I can and will tell anyone that has this notion that being a stay at home parent is not work. I feel that I am more busy at home than I ever was while I was out in the work force.  This might not have been the plan or goal I set out for when I would become a mom. But when your handed lemons, you make some seriously damn good lemonade, right? And I'd like to think that I am well on my way past that damn good lemonade! There are days when I don't feel so thankful, when I'm struggling with the "having a family" dream, or when I'm struggling with trying to provide the best for my boy. In reality, I am providing the best for my boy, the best that I can and I do have my family, just me, my boy and our cat. That's one great little family and I am very thankful!!!

So tell me, what are you thankful for?

Keeping up!

Our weekend was pretty low key with still fighting off colds.  It seems that keeping things on the quiet end has helped!! Jaelon was back to his old self so Monday we had a playdate and enjoyed our time at the park. Naturally I didn't have my camera and missed some rather cute shots.  Today, we were back at playgroup number 1 and have our last swim class this evening.  Other than that I think it's going to be another low key week, we are heading back to my mom's and hopefully we'll be heading to Appleland! 

With things being pretty slow around here, it doesn't leave for much to write about.  I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far.  Life for this single mom has been a bit dull this week. I guess that should be a nice change!

Until tomorrow, keep smiling!
Roxanne

Week in review

Oh the lack of posts from me this week. This week has not been our usual week filled with things to do. It has been a slow and tiring week, I know I'm fighting off the start of a cold. Jaelon has been way out of sorts with being sick as well. He is on some antibiotics, which is great. One problem, he needs to take it with food.... So let me do the math here for you: Antibiotics to be taken with food + a little boy who is not feeling well, therefore NOT interested in eating = not so fun times and a frustrated and tired mommy.  Yes, I think that adds up pretty well! 

He has to go back to the doctor next week and the one question on my mind is why would he prescribe an antibiotic that requires food? Maybe there was a method to his thinking? However, my thinking is I understand not wanting to eat. Food is usually the last thing on my mind when I feel like absolute sh**t. The small amounts that Jaelon is eating, is merely because I am forcing him to eat. That's not fun either.

Let me quickly end on a positive note, Jaelon sat down and enjoyed doing a craft! He coloured AND glued :D slowly working his way back up to painting and messy crafts (YAAAYYYY!!!) I know it's the smallest of things that excite me!  Also, to whomever out there keeping up and reading my blog, Thanks and I'll do better next week with posting!

Enjoy the weekend and keep smiling!!

Roxanne

Wordless Wednesday- Life outside!

Life outside this weekend was a bit more than a challenge. Jaelon spent most of the weekend doped up but we still managed to get in an hour or so of outdoor time. Monday though we didn't get out at all, poor boy was just not well.

Weekend Wrap up-- Happy Thanksgiving--

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I certainly ate WAY to much and didn't care about it at the time, though now... well lets just leave that one alone!!  Reading another mom's blog just now, made me really LOL (and I mean LOL, Jaelon stirred for a moment or two) because I know exactly what she's talking about ;) Then you tell yourself that come Christmas there is no way you are going to eat that way... HMMMMM!!!! ( I wish I had more will power)
Anyways, we spent the weekend at my mother's, helping get everything in order for the big turkey dinner on Sunday.  Jaelon ended up coming down with something, had a high fever friday night, still feverish saturday and sunday.  On sunday with everyone being here, he handled the house full of people pretty well. My stepdad's brother kept referring to Jaelon as "having an old soul, he's just so laid back and calm you know he's feeling like sh**t but he's still quite content to be out walking around". Oh my poor boy, I haven't seen him like this since surgery day.  Even as I write this he is still not well, I think he was awake for all of 4 hours today. Hopefully I can get him in to the Dr tomorrow.

So that's been our weekend, we'll be heading home tomorrow and probably not doing a whole lot this week. It all depends on how the Lil man is feeling. It's been a great time spent at my mom's new place, I still can't wait to get back into my own bed though.  I hope my boy gets better sooner rather than later, it's so strange to not see him running around and being happy.  

Until tomorrow, Keep smiling!!

Rox

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I know I missed the weekly edition of Thankful Thursday, with Thanksgiving being this weekend I am very thankful. But really who isn't?? 

 As the weekend has approached, here I sit in my mother's new humble abode. With a ton (and I mean a ton) of unpacking and organizing left to be done.  Somehow she's planned a whole Turkey dinner for the entire family here.  We've been super busy shifting, unpacking and assembling things. I wonder if we'll have the place in good shape by Sunday?  Jaelon had a very very late night last night, so he's been quite out of sorts today. Yet in between organizing and such, I still had him outside!! (Oh, I'm sticking to this Life Outside Challenge!) 

Although, having such a late night didn't work to well for Jaelon (or mommy for that matter.) so outdoor time was a bit short.  Thankfully, the day is pretty much done and we get to do it all over again tomorrow. Only tomorrow my niece will be here as well. So I guess the day is not done for today,  off I go to try and get some more stuff put away!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, enjoy the long weekend!!

Until next time, keep smiling

Roxanne

Fun Food Friday!!

I only just came across this recipe a few days ago. Naturally I had to give it a try!!

French Toast Muffins*

3 eggs
1 1/2c  milk
1/3c sugar
1tbsp vanilla
1tsp cinnamon
10 slices multi grain bread, cubed
1c frozen berries
2tbsp Maple syrup.

Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until combined. Add cubed bread and toss gently until the egg mixture is absorbed. Add berries and toss gently to combine.  Divide mixture evenly into well greased muffin tin and drizzle with maple syrup.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25 min.  They freeze well and you can freeze them before you bake them as well.

I added a little more cinnamon because I like cinnamon and I used the smart bread since I've never liked french toast made with multi grain bread. It all still works and Jaelon loved them up!!!  So these are definately a most make and try.  (*Recipie taken from the Inspired Magazine from Sobey's)

Wordless Wednesday

Enjoying some colouring!!! That's a first :D 

 Having fun outisde!!

Ready for our walk to Playgroup!

Challenge...... Accepted!

Well I've decided to accept the challenge,  The Life Outside Challenge that is.  The challenge is to get outside with your kids everyday, rain, snow or shine for 90 days!  Naturally I only just got wind of it, so I'm starting a week or two late.  My greatest challenge will be when the weather becomes much colder. I hate being cold and going out in the snow unless I have to, which seems like such a great excuse to stay indoors.  So I am definitely excepting the challenge!! Jaelon loves being outside so we already spend a lot of time out.  Honestly, I try to spend as much time possible outside during the summer/spring weather. Because I know once fall/winter (mostly winter) hits, I just won't.  Of course, for Jaelon I do make an effort, a sad one, but none the less an effort. So I'm accepting the challenge and gosh darnit sticking to it! 

Now expenses are limited, so our outings will be more of the same old, same old, walks, park etc.  I am planning a trip to Appleland, for some apple picking and fun. That's a great little spot if you ever have the chance to go. The weekends are busier (obviously!) but they run their train only on weekends for the public and during the week for school tours.  The owners are really great on school tours, teaching the proper way to pick an apple "eye to the sky!"  WOW, HUUGE plug for Appleland right there!  Another planned outing is to Storybook Garden's for some Halloween fun but you'll hear about that later. 

Now it's time to get on with our day.
But first my question for you.... Are you in or Are you out???

Here is the link to the challenge:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/LifeOutsideChallenge

Until tomorrow, keep smiling!

Rox

Weekend wrap up-- Happy Monday!!

After a somewhat gloomy weekend, weather wise, we head into a new week.  Saturday was a fun day, going grocery shopping and getting up to the register to pay for everything only, to find I've left my wallet in the diaper bag at home.  Thankfully my roommate had money to cover me until we got back.  There's something I've never done before and boy did I feel silly!! Sunday was rainy and cold all day, so once again I get out some craft stuff to do with Jaelon. Surprise, he was into colouring this time, he sat and coloured for an hour!!! Yes, I was pretty excited, maybe soon he'll be into gluing and painting more.... Maybe.. I won't rush it!!  He did like helping to make the soft pretzels, a recipe I got from another mom, until his hands got dirty from the flour. So he was done helping pretty quick!

Today, looks like it could be another rainy day. So my plan to head out and continue cleaning up the backyard could be scrapped. But we could go for a walk in the rain, as long as it's just rain and not storming.  I finally have the pediatrician's referral so I can apply for subsidized daycare. I hope this does not take too long, I would love for Jaelon to be in daycare. Around other children and his speech development (which is quite behind) will improve so so much. So I've gotta get a rush on putting that referral in.  

This week is a short week.... Well for those out working, my weeks are never short and now that I think about it, I really don't get a "weekend".  Anyways, this week seems like I've got it jam packed with things to do. Playgroups, swimming, playdate, library, somewhere in there I've got to finish the backyard, then off to my mom's for Thanksgiving... Well minus the cleaning up the backyard I guess it's not jam packed. It's a normal week, Jaelon's a busy boy!!

 I noticed a few mom's are taking on a challenge that goes for 90 days with their kids. It sounds fun and a good way to get outside, even if it's cold (which is not my favourite time to be out). I'll have to "creep" their blogs again to see what it's all about.  I could do that... I will do that... Yes, I'm pretty sure I could do that... It's for Jaelon so I CAN do that. Details later!!


Until tomorrow, keep smiling!

Rox