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It’s March Break/Spring Break here and woohoo – the weather, with the exception of today’s off and on drizzle, has been cooperating!  What gorgeous SPRINGlike days we’ve been enjoying.   The kids (my monkeys and a couple of daycare sidekicks) were so thrilled that we got to spend hours outside on Monday – the playground was damp & spongy but with rain boots, who cares? And we broke out the chalk (it looks like we had a rash of bodies dropping dead on the driveway!)  We went for a walk and just enjoyed the fresh air without freezing – we even survived without mittens – wow!

Yesterday was a trip to the mall to buy new runners for the boys – we tried their ‘old’ ones on and it resulted in tears and squishy toes.  I think they’ve both had growth spurts.  Can you believe that with just a tad more than 18 months between them, they’ve got the same size feet?  And wanted the same shoes?  And they’re both in that awkward phase between ‘toddler’ shoes and ‘junior’ shoes?  And they like labels?   Shoe shopping with two little monkeys ≠  fun times!  Luckily, we found what we wanted at SportChek (always buy one, get one half off on kid shoes) so we limited the chaos to one location.   We found the cutest little DCs (phooey expensive!) for Kaleb – with real laces, yikes – and some Lego shoes for Justin (half price).  Ended up being about $35 each but I figure it was reasonable for ‘labels’ when you consider you can spend upwards of $30 at Payless for kids.  Sheesh!

We also hit the library and the rec centre (same building).  Boys are both registered for lessons – semi-private for Kaleb and group for Justin.   Different days.   I waited too long and got stuck scrounging for whatever spaces I could get.    (Remember that recent post about neglect and procrastination?)

Today we had some sidekicks spend the day again.  Because of the wet weather factor, we opted for an indoor day   The kids broke out board games, coloured, played Wii Family Game Night 2 from the library (free = fantastic!), watched “Diary of A Wimpy Kid” on Netflix, begged me to make chocolate chip banana muffins, exercised their fantastically amazing imaginations, did a little “freeze” dance and we experimented with making our own Chinese Yo-Yos (you know – those strips of paper wound tight around a dowel that you flick out and they coil back in?   Note:  scrapbook paper is too heavy but strips of wrapping paper worked great.   Tape it to an unsharpened pencil, wind it up and let it fly!   Cheap entertainment.)   Overall a busy day.   Although busy, I didn’t find it stressful per se – it’s amazing how different personalities contribute to different group dynamics and besides a few brotherly squabbles, they all got along pretty well.

Tomorrow is a playdate in the afternoon and I’ll probably head out to the local party store to look at some shower tea party supply options in the AM.   Hoping the hall I’ve rented doesn’t have a no-decor policy!  Didn’t see anything in the contract so fingers are crossed!

Friday, I get to wait in the passport office with the monkeys – more fun times ahead I’m sure.  Thank goodness for those wonderful, portable, easy-to-keep-them-amused gadgets also known as “DS’s”.  After that, we’ll see… and finally to kick off our last day of the break, Sunday afternoon we’ll be heading to the Rogers Centre to see Disney On Ice:  Toy Story 3.   (Coupon code:  SING on the $34 tickets.)   Note to anyone in Durham:  We don’t have a Ticketmaster outlet anymore…. you’re stuck driving to Scarborough or Lindsay.  I say save the gas money and pay the fee to print your own.  Seriously wish I had known all this before checking out – whoops!

Here is our menu of sorts for the week:
Monday – frozen pizza (we needed something fast before our 6:15 dental appointment)
Tuesday – Kev treated me to Boston Pizza, with 2 free kids meals, it was a nice treat.
Tonight – Spaghetti with meat sauce
Thursday – Italian sausage, roasted potatoes, mixed veggies  – where’s the green in honour of St. Patrick’s Day – hmmm we’ll have to think on that one!
Friday – Chicken of some variety
Saturday – ????  Your guess is as good as mine!

But hey, it’s been 2+ weeks since the big grocery shop and I just did a small top-up on the weekend so we’re doing okay.   Here’s hoping you’re all breakin’ out of your routine and breakin’ in your smiles!  Happy March Break!

I’ve reached a new low and will be dedicating today’s post to toilet seats.  In my own defense, when you’re outnumbered 3-1 in the male/female ratio, ‘potty talk’ becomes the (unfortunate) norm. 

Today we took a quick trip to Home Depot to buy a replacement seat for our ensuite toilet.  (We also had to replace the patio door handle because I broke the actual handle right off last week – but that’s another story!)  The builder-grade seat that came with the house has turned colour and started to peel – odd considering it’s the least-used bathroom in our home.   

We thought it would be a quick in and out – I mean how many toilet seat options can there really be?  And then reality hit and we remembered that nothing is ever a quick in and out with two monkeys in tow, multiple bathroom trips, an overwhelming level of energy and a wall of toilet seats.     We found what we needed – budget friendly basic white but this is what caught my eye:

Kohler Transitions(R) Quiet-Close(Tm) Toilet Seat

I know – it’s a toilet seat!  It’s not really worth getting excited about especially because we’re through the major potty stages, but, geez!, someone was thinking when they came up with this (apparently not unique according to Google) concept. 

I don’t think the picture I’ve shown is the exact model we found as the monkeys flip-flipped up every toilet seat on display, but the idea is there:  a toilet seat with built in potty!  The one in store was cheaper and the potty insert stays tucked into the lid magnetically.  Great idea and I wish I’d known about these when we forayed into the overwhelming world of potty training.   If budget was not a concern, I’d still consider replacing at least two of our toilet seats to avoid little bums splashing into the bowl and the ick-factor of the removable potty inserts.  Hmmm….



This sweet little card was made for my niece – although I think she’s still just a little too young to appreciate it.

And last but not least, the “dream big” card  was crafted for my brother’s birthday using scraps – but it’s one of my favourite to-date!

The weather can’t seem to make up it’s mind.  Is it spring?  Is it winter?  Let’s freeze one day, snow the next and melt it all down a few days later.   I find the weather actually affects my cravings and eating habits – and this wonky weather has me just as confused as it seems to be.   I want light spring-time meals, I want tummy-warming comfy food, I want someone else to cook for me for once!

I made it 2 weeks without doing a major grocery shop again (so proud!) – with just a quick run to replace some of the consumables (aren’t all groceries consumable?  I don’t think that’s the word I want… but my brain is not cooperating this morning.)

Here is our mealplan for the next week aka – week 5:

• Turkey Pasta Bake (made this last night so I just have to bake in the oven – hooray for easy meals!)
• Turkey Stew
• Turkey Pot Pie (using leftovers from the Turkey Stew)
• Maple Chicken, Brocolli & Rice
• Perfect Roast Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes, Spinach Citrus Salad & Fresh Cut Veggies
• Pulled Pork, Fresh Rolls & Asian Coleslaw
• Pulled Pork Pizza

& a spare:

• Lasagna

All of it sounds delicious… although I seem to be going through a poultry phase. Strange!  I’ve never made the turkey stew or turkey pot pie but I figure it should be simple enough to substitute the turkey for the chicken in a couple of my no-fail recipes.  

Now that I’ve made up my mind, let’s hope the weather will do the same…and preferably leaning towards spring!

I’m skipping the wishlist today.   I’m seriously slipping because I skipped Monday’s meal plan (we had enough groceries remaining from last week and dining misadventures that we’re borrowing from the last one.)
Now that I think about it, Friday’s post was a day late too!  Such is life in the Brown household.  Always late or off-schedule.  

I could take the time to come up with some wishes… but really I’m feeling satisfied today and there’s nothing ‘jumping’ out at me that I ‘want’.  Oh sure, there’s lots that I want… just nothing to throw into a collage and talk about. 

I’ve been workin on more shower details for April – including the finishing touches on the last of the 40 handcrafted invitations.   For today, I’ve had it with ribbon, charms & embossing powder.  Our venue is booked (Aurora Seniors’ Centre), colour scheme selected and I think we’ve picked the favours we’re going to use.   We’ll be throwing a tea-style shower – lots of finger foods, mixing and mingling!  Still no thoughts on shower games – I don’t want anything too cheesy, and we only have a 3 hour window for all our fun.  Any thoughts or tips on hosting a fantastic shower?   Any good game ideas?  

Best part of all of this shower stuff?  No boys… and I get to dress up!  Bring on my fun & flirty Madden Girl Rosette Pumps!

So I’m going to make this quick – I’m in the car (passenger seat!) typing with my thumbs. Ignore the typos please! We’re all dressed up for a night in the city – it’s my sister’s engagement party and I’m so happy for a grown-up night out.

I realize that it’s Saturday but in finite if Family Day here in Ontario on Monday, here are some affordable family fun boredom busters:

1) Teddy Bear Picnic – great for the under 6 crowd. Simple fun that encourages you to use your imagination. Grab a quilt, your favorite stuffy, some honey sandwiches and lay out your spread and enjoy!

2) Slumber Party – stay in your pjs, build a fort, tell silly stories and don’t forget the microwave s’mores.

3) Family Game Night – break out the board games, start a tournament on the Wii. Encourage your kids to take turns, play fair and the rediscover the importance of laughter.

4) scavenger hunt or any variation thereof. Got some pirates? Draw a map and make sure there’s some hidden treasure to discover at the end. Looking for dimple? Sometimes we play the uninspired Alphabet Game – search the house or neighborhood for all the letters A to Z.

5). Movie Marathon – let everyone pick their faves (no complaints!) get your comfies, order pizza, pop the popcorn and settle in for mindless together time. Cuddles in the couch are a definite must!

Happy family Day – enjoy the ones you’ve got!

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I know that many think it’s just another big Hallmark holiday but it doesn’t have to be.  I realise that we shouldn’t limit ourselves to expressing our love once a year but honestly – who does that?  Sure it can be gimicky and a big cashgrab but if you think outside the box you can express your love (today or anyday) without spending a dime.    I mean, really, we should be thankful more than just Thanksgiving but you don’t see people boycotting the turkey!

We don’t celebrate big (maybe when we were dating, I got the token romance and wooing) and from there it’s usually been meals in, light a few candles…. but this week we’re going for dinner (as a family) or Kevin’s bringing home takeout – probably a good thing because I made it two weeks without doing a grocery shop (minus milk & fruit) although I varied from the menu quite a bit.  Kaleb says “We should go out, Mommy, so you don’t have to cook and it’s less work for you.”  Ah, sweet kid!

I made pink cupcakes (found a box of cake mix – I’m out of flour!), iced them with Nutella (because I don’t even have icing sugar in the pantry), will top them with a shot of whipped cream and I melted down some white chocolate, tinted it pink and piped it into heart shapes to top the cupcakes.  This is more an afterschool treat for the daycare crew than a dessert for the family to enjoy.   We’ll also be making candy flowers – hearts cut out of paper, hole punched near the bottom then you thread a few onto a sucker (a round one like a tootsie pop) and voila, candy flower.   The older boys will complain but it a) keeps them busy for a few minutes and b) I’ve told them they don’t get the suckers if they don’t do the craft.  I’m so mean.
On top of this it’s Monday, and Valentine’s celebrations aside, I need to think about our meal plan/menu for the upcoming week – 6 meals because I’m not cooking tonight, and of course a spare.

Week 3:

• Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells – recipe courtesy of the Haute Apple Pie blog.  I’ll probably make mine with sausage or ground turkey rather than chicken.  Served with a ceasar (salad, not the drink) and probably some garlic bread or garlic sticks.  Did I mention I made the Nutella Orange French Toast recipe from that site?!  Lemme tell ya’ – BIG hit!
• Crockpot Pot Roast
• Beef Barley Soup (using the pot roast leftovers)
• Roasted Chicken Breasts, Ranch Roasted Potatoes & a veggie side
• Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad (or maybe I’ll make it with apples and cranberries this time) – good hot or cold, it’s a nice light-tasting alternative to a red sauce pasta.
• Chicken Ceasar Pitas

and a spare:

• Chicken Fingers & Sweet Potatoe Fries

Sounds delish… now if only I could restock my fridge, freezer and pantry without having to go to the grocery store.  I dislike grocery shopping.   Ah well… the end results are good!  Happy cooking!

She finally decided to make her arrival (and she definitely deserves a post all her own!)

The wait is thankfully over (as I’m sure her mom will agree!) I’m an auntie again to a sweet little princess. Congrats to my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews (James, Krystel, Knightley and Hawksley) on the safe arrival of their baby girl, Tahlia Victoria! She was born this morning at 2:38am and weighs 7lbs 2oz.

We will make the drive to see them this weekend.  The boys and I are so excited to give her cuddles and kisses.  She’s the first little girl in our family and will be treated like the princess she is!

So today’s post is a day late…. (a buck short and now I have a song stuck in my head!)   Yesterday just got away from me and I didn’t have much time to relax.  I had a bunch of friends over for tea this morning/afternoon and I always feel obligated to give the house a more-thorough clean than my usual midweek clean for some reason.  Craziness when I look at what 6 kids managed to do in that short 1 hour post-school this afternoon… sigh!  

Anyhow, here are some of the things I’ve been wishing for when it comes to outfitting my kitchen:

1. Cuisinart Single Serve Brewing System – I want to replace my first edition Tassimo which we never use and I love the features of this system, including the My K Cup feature and the great selection of flavoured K-Cups available.
2. Hanging Pot Rack – I don’t necessarily want this particular one but the idea of a pot rack always intrigues me, especially when I’m banging around in my overfilled cupboards.  I’d like a nice pot set to replace my well-used Pampered Chef set too!  (PS:  Did you know there are entire websites like this deciated to pot racks?!?)
3. One Touch Can Opener – I had this can opener.  I loved this can opener.  I dropped this can opener one too many times and it broke.  It got stuck on a can and in my infinite wisdom I tried to wrench it off and sliced open my fingers.  Ouch!  That was a few weeks ago and everytime I have to use my old fashioned twisty opener, I want my One Touch back! (Despite my mishap above, it leaves no sharp edges anywhere – great for accident prone me!)
4. Epicure Selections Turquoise Baker – I’ve wanted this baker since I first saw it in the catalogue.  I love the colour and how practical it is.  Do I need it?  Not a chance… but the 20cm./4 cup baker is on sale so I might just cave.
5. Breadmaker – Ok, funny story, I’ve had a breadmaker on my wishlist for years.  I love the smell and taste of fresh baked, homemade bread but I suck at the whole patience and kneading thing.  Kevin bought me a breadmaker the Christmas before last.  I returned it – it was an overbudget gift and for some reason I just wasn’t all that fond of a gift that meant ‘work’ for me.  (You know they’d want fresh bread every day!) I’m kicking myself for not keeping it.  I haven’t done much research on them lately, but I liked the features of this Cuisinart model.  One day, I say, one day.

What kitchen gadgets, tools, appliances or solutions are you craving?  Everyone has to have a kitchen fave – feel free to share!