Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Wednesday of Few Words: The Makings of a Most Excellent Weekend

I've never met a weekend I didn't like.  But you need sunshine, family, and perhaps a special outing or two to make it a most excellent weekend.  It all came together in the perfect combination for us this past weekend.  It was the first truly spring-like weather we've had this year, and it filled me with optimism.  It didn't hurt that we were riding the high of Friday's sonogram.

In addition to the glorious weather, we enjoyed a trip to the local farmer's market, a visit with Lilah's Grandma and Papa, and the birthday party of a very cute three-year-old.

Recognize this guy?  He's one of the stars of Schwartz Chronicles.
Complete with face-painting,



Funky glasses,

You might also recognize this guy from See Theo Run.

Balloon animals,



And all around partying like rock stars.


Basically, the recipe for a great party!

Sunday saw us enjoying the beautiful weather at Granville Island.

We fed the ducks and geese,



Rode the mini merry-go-round,



(After some initial trepidation, of course)


 Cheated at arcade games,


And soaked in the sunshine.


Weekends like this sustain me; fuel me to get through the weekly grind.  And the great thing about weekends?  Is that they come every five days!



"Always strive to excel, but only on weekends. ~Richard Rorty" 



Live and Love...Out Loudand
 then, she {snapped}

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Even Steven

If you've been following along, you may know that we're expecting a sibling for the Lilahbility in August.  We'd asked her many times, and she always seemed to flip-flop between wanting a brother or a sister.
Well, on Friday we got our answer.  And I think the look on this guy's face pretty much says it all:

More testosterone?  Yes, please!

We obviously would have been happy with either, but it's kind of nice to get one of each for a complete collection, you know?  There's something about the symmetry of it - I am a sucker for even numbers and symmetry.  Must be the Virgo in me.

I think someone else is pretty pleased about it too:

She's a Cancer, but she has nothing against a little symmetry.

And of course, I must admit that the shopaholic shopping enthusiast in me is just a teeny bit thrilled at the world of possibilities this opens up!

Best of all? Is that one little word at the bottom of the sonogram:

Baby brother-to-be.


Sunday, March 18, 2012

Terrific Two-and-a-half.

Monday's shadow is quickly creeping across the weekend's memories.  But fear not, there is a bright spot on the horizon: Monday Listicles!  The Listmaster, inspired by her son, has tasked us with writing a list about why it's great to be a kid.

Well, all I know is that two-and-a-half seems pretty terrific, and here is just a small sampling of the reasons why I believe this to be true:



1.  It is socially acceptable - cute, even- to be a messy eater and end up with food all over your face.

2.  You can rock a ladybug umbrella like nobody's business.

3.  Kinder Surprise.  'Nuff said.

4.  Pile-ons!

5.  Pizza for dinner three nights in a row?  Sure!  Everyone is just happy to see you eat something that contains 3 out of the four food groups.

6.  You're clever enough to do jigsaw puzzles but still young enough to get applause every. single. time you complete one.

7.  Birthday parties (and hence, cupcakes) aplenty!

8.  Needing 12 hours of sleep each night plus an afternoon nap is far from frowned upon.

9.   You can create your own eclectic outfits without worrying about visits from the fashion police.  Polka dot rain boots totally go with a skirt and tights.  And don't forget the magic wand for good measure!

10.  Temper tantrums are still de rigeur, which means you can get away with quite a lot.  (No photo included on this item, for obvious reasons.)




So tell me, what's your favourite age, and why?

Monday, March 12, 2012

Things I Am Great At

Last week I said I would write a list of things I am great at to balance out the list 10 things at which I totally suck.  I wanted to do this, not out of self-aggrandizement or to make myself look better in the eyes of others, but out of a desire to to stay positive and optimistic.  I believe that what you put out into the universe matters, and I work hard to tip the balance of my own output more towards the positive than the negative.  And this space - this little corner of the internet that I call my own - is a cornerstone of that positivity.  I need to be kind to myself here.  Because, if I can't do that here, where can I do it?

But this list is proving even harder to write than I could have imagined.  I am tempted to joke around or be self-deprecating; to say things like "I am great at starting things and not finishing them."  I want to qualify each statement, with a "but" or a "sometimes" or an explanation of what makes me think I am good at these things or of who put that idea into my head.  But to do that would be to remove much of the power of this exercise.  And so here I sit, forcing myself to make bold, unqualified statements about things at which I consider myself to be very good.  I am skipping the numbered list format, just this once, because it isn't important how many items I come up with, simply that I do.

I am good at knowing myself; knowing my limits, projecting how I am likely to react in a given situation, and planning accordingly.

I am a natural athlete.

I throw myself whole-heartedly into my passions.

I am good at letting others know where my personal boundaries are and I am good at saying no when necessary.

I am great at eating.  (I know, I know, I wasn't supposed to do that.  But I couldn't help myself.  I was raised to consider this a great skill.)

I am great at keeping others' secrets.

I am good at bending the rules just a touch to suit my own purposes while still continuing to be a generally rule-abiding, productive citizen.

I am strong and determined.

I have a great track record for creating cute offspring.  One for one so far!




Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?...

......................................................
...And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.


—Marianne Williamson



Your turn!  What are you great at?

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Mars Krispie Squares

Our favourite dessert recipes around here are quick, easy, toddler-friendly, and deliciously sweet.  This one, shared with me by a coworker, fits the bill perfectly.  We've added our own flair, of course.

Mars Krispie Squares, Lilah Style

1.  Put on a cute apron - looking adorable in the kitchen makes the food taste better.

2.  Melt 1/2 a cup of butter with 4 Mars Bars over low heat, stirring frequently until melted and smooth.


3.  Mix together with 2 cups of Rice Krispies.




4.  Pack mixture flat into a square(ish) pan.



5.  Lick the spoon.  Yum!


6.  Cool in fridge, about 2 hours, or overnight, if your mom says it's time for bed before the pan has cooled.

7.  Melt a package (minus a few handfuls here or there) of milk chocolate chips in the microwave, about a minute on high, removing at the 30 second mark to stir.



8.  Pour melted chocoloate on top of squares, smoothing with a spatula.



9.  Put pan back in the fridge and allow to cool for at least an hour before cutting.

10.  High five!





Mama’s Losin’ It

Let's BEE Friends


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Black & White Birthday

Happy 2nd birthday to one sweet, adorable little nephew!



This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com
Photo Challenge Submission


and
 then, she {snapped}Live and Love...Out Loud

Black and White Wednesday

Monday, March 5, 2012

A Daughter...


 
"A daughter may outgrow your lap,
but she will never outgrow your heart."
-Author Unknown

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