Friday, April 6, 2012

Photo Friday! Getting Ready For Easter!

Were getting ready for the Bunny! 
Who I'm sure will be hopping into your home soon too... and in our house were pulling out our ears!

And we were all smiles until...

Happy Easter!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Tell The Truth Thursday! Disney World Mom Guilt!

Last week friends of ours and their daughter (the little girl I sit for) left for vacation... to Florida...

It was a surprise for her so nothing was said as to where she was going until she was already left for her vacation and she was headed to the land of Mickey and Minnie! Later Delaney asked me when she was coming back to play I explained that she was on vacation and she would be back in a few weeks. Delaney asked where did she go on vacation? I didn't want to lie to her and knowing that when she returns from her adventure her friend is going to want to share her stories and tell us all about meeting Mickey and Minnie and all the princesses! And why shouldn't she... as a small child (even as a grown up) it's an adventure and certainly something to remember and share!

So I let Delaney in on the secret... "She is gone to Florida... she is gone to meet Mickey Mouse in Disney Land!" and while I am confident that I am a good Momma, I am confident that even though I didn't go to Disney as a child I'm perfectly ok... I knew what was coming....

She looked up at me with those puppy dog eyes and sighed loudly and said "I'd like to go meet Mickey Mouse you know..."

And my heart broke into a million pieces I kinda fell apart inside... I wish that I could make everyone of her wishes come true and give her whatever her little heart desires... but I guess that is what it means to be a Momma... wishing that you could give your kiddos everything and anything and dealing with the guilt of not being able to give it to them if you can't.

All I could say to her was "Maybe some day..."

And TRUTH be told she never mentioned it again and hasn't even said that she would like to go on vacation, so I know its not going to ruin her life that Momma and Daddy can't take her to Mickey Mouse or that her vacation this year might just be a camping trip or a long visit to Nana and Poppa's house. But in the back of my mind I keep hearing that small voice say "I'd Like to meet Mickey Mouse you know..."

What is your Momma guilt Truth this week? Do you find it hard not to give your kiddos everything that they want?

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Working Out Wednesday! The Best Kept Weight loss Secret!

As you may or may not know I am/was a certified Personal Trainer, I worked with female only clients in a big name gym here in Canada for almost 2 years before moving to the business/customer service side of the company.  I still have all my knowledge of course... (Insert in your own singing voice because my is certainly not the one you want to hear.... they can't take that away from meeeeee... ) So I thought that I would share some of my knowledge here as I am sure that many of you are just as diverse as I am and are not just looking for recipes, crafts and things to do with your kids and families. So here starts a new theme....



So as of late I have been working out with and training my girlfriends, we meet at least 3 times a week. Recently one of those friends posted on Facebook that she has lost X amount of weight and was feeling fabulous, as one of her friends and one of her many motivators I wrote a big congrats and that she was awesome! About an hour later another of her friends wrote back... I'm going south soon I need your secrets. (p.s. I hate that every time you comment on a persons status it tells you that so and so commented too like I needed to know that those 12 other people who I don't know posted as well....)  When I read this all I thought and all I wanted to post back was....


HERE IS THE SECRET... Its the best kept fitness and weight loss secret out there...
Eat right and exercise regularly!

Sure its out there but really no one pays any attention to this solution because it takes time, you have to work at this solution and you have to want it bad enough that you will stick to it... Sure the whole world wants to loose some weight or get more toned or try to get healthier but if you don't want to put in the work you aren't going to see the results...

I wish that I could tell you that there was a magic pill that will help you lose weight and become healthy and thin by tomorrow but it just doesn't exist... Sure there are plenty of fad diets and loads of at home plans and even more quick fixes that claim to be the cure and they may have some results but long term they aren't good for you, they don't last and they aren't worth the money!

With that said here are my recommendations for a healthy lifestyle.
(before you change your lifestyle or start a workout plan consult your doctor to be sure they approve.)

Eat a balanced diet that includes eating sweets, meats, fruits, veggies, and starch. Don't deny yourself one food or another. Be smart and limit your portions of the foods you know aren't the best for you. When you deny yourself foods that you want like chocolate you are making yourself more likely to fail and give up on your goals and yourself.

Exercise... even just a few times a week to start, and when start to get your endurance up increase your workouts or just extend them. Walking, running, or the cross trainer for cardiovascular training and some simple strength training are all you need and you can do them at home... Although I find that it is more motivating to work out in the gym because you know A) that you are paying for the membership so why let it waste and B) you have a place to go without distractions that is ready, prepared and fully stocked with everything you might need for your workout!

There you have it very wordy, very long winded but simple enough workout and eat right.
Next Wednesday look for another great workout tip!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

50th Birthday Party! Record Cupcake Stand!

As I have mentioned before we celebrated my Mom's 50th birthday with a great party with family and friends and a super fun purple black and gold/record theme...

And if you have been reading for a while you will know that when it comes to parties I love to make as much of the decor and anything else that I can... not only because it makes it more cost efficient but also because it makes it more personal. If you make even the little things you are making things that show your guests a little more about the person you are honoring.


For my mom's party I knew there would be cupcakes... what's a party without cupcakes!
And when there are cupcakes you need cupcake stands... These were super easy to make and pretty frugal too!

This is what you need!
(Yes I have a zebra glue gun! It's kinda awesome! hehe)

We got our records at a second hand store for $1 or less, the spacers are just plastic disposable cups we got at the dollar store and the glass filler is just Easter grass... so total each stand cost about $2 or less.

I just hot glued the cups to the records after I filled the cups with the Easter grass... took about 5 minutes for each stand!

But we didn't just use them for the cupcakes but also as center pieces on the tables with the favors as well!
Simple, fast and cute too! 

I still have a few more projects to show and I can't wait to share them!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Make It Monday! Easy Mac and Cheese!

You may remember a few weeks ago when I showed you my scalloped potatoes...

Well today I'm taking the easy way out of Make it Monday but its good because if you make the recipe that I shared in the scalloped potato post you can too!

If you remember when you make the recipe for the sauce to put on the potatoes you reserve 1/2 the sauce and you can freeze it for later and make scalloped potatoes on the fly.... but I ended up making this quick change and turning the potato sauce to make the creamiest and cheesiest Mac and Cheese EVER!


To make it I thawed the sauce, warmed it in a pot and melted about 1/4c shredded cheese into the sauce then I added cooked penne pasta rather than elbow noodles, top with a bit more cheese and popped it in the oven. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes and serve to your fairies and regular children alike...


I love a recipe that I can get double duty out of. It makes me so happy when I can save time and money on supper... What are your favorite double duty recipes?