Canada Day Weekend 2016

Happy Monday everyone! What a fantastic weekend around these parts! Friday was Canada Day and we had so much fun celebrating in many ways! 

The events started out on Thursday in our hometown with the community Canada Day festivities which began with a BBQ! 

Then to gather to get ready for the Canada Day parade. 

Olaf was in our parade this year and Sam walked straight up to him to give him a hug! He was so excited. I didn't even know he would know who he was! 

The parade was great and it was awesome that SO many kids showed up to ride in the parade with their decorated bikes! We all headed down for the flag raising ceremony. Love this group shot of the Canada Day Committee in our new shirts that we are hoping to sell next year! 

There was entertainment in the park for the kiddos while the sun went down! By 10 it was fireworks time! My favorite moment! You work at the fundraising events so that these beautiful fireworks were possible. I love to hear the cheering and clapping at the end. And to see all the people that have come out to watch them! Wow! Such a special moment. 

The party continued with all night dancing! Ryan and I weren't home and in bed until 4 AM! Ugh! The next morning was rough. 

But that morning we went and got Sam, cleaned up the hall and hung out. When Sam napped, we napped which was needed in order for us to function. 3 hours of sleep is just not enough! 

Saturday morning Ryan had to work so Sam and I hung out around come getting some chores done. 

Back in the Spring Ryan and I offered up our pool area in the Canada Day committee online auction. It included supper and drinks and on Saturday, we hosted the winning bidders! It turned out that we are friends with the bidders so it turned out to be a really fun evening chatting, laughing and relaxing! 

Bonnie wanted to have her own alter ego name so we came up with Clyde. 

I love to play hostess. I love to plan and execute the menu. We had Pioneer Woman's ranch style chicken, roasted sweet potatoes with rosemary, pasta salad, garden salad, homemade bread and homemade ice cream cookies for dessert! Yum! 

We had a fairly warm afternoon but as the sun went down so did the temperature! We got a fire going and we all gathered around for more drinks and chatting. I couldn't believe how fast the time flew by! 

We were very thankful for my brother and sister-in-law who took Sam for the night! We walked across the road to get him the next morning and ended up staying for over an hour to visit. 

That afternoon Ryan headed to the golf course, Sam went for a nap and I relaxed by the pool with the newest Emily Giffin Book! 

When I woke Sam up, we headed out to start the irrigation (COME ON RAIN!). He is so good and listens when we are out doing farm stuff. He just loves to sit and look around. 

Since it was just us, I decided we should head out and get chipstand for supper. I figured we could split a chicken finger platter. I guess he was hungry because he hogged all the food! I had a few fries but he kept getting mad at me when I would take any. 

This was all that was left from his huge platter! 

We then headed across the road for ice cream and ended up getting to sit with Mady, Tanner and Stacy!

What a super busy weekend and one that didn't have a lot of sleep (which I am struggling with today) but it was all worth it! 

How was your weekend? 

xo 

Healthy Summer Treat - TODDLER APPROVED!

Happy Wednesday everyone! I was suppose to be working in the city today but opted out knowing that my drive would have been a nightmare with the traffic because President Obama is coming to town! So glad I have the flexibility to choose which days work for me. 

Feeling excited over the last couple days as things gear up for the BIG Canada Day festivities hosted in our small town! We go ALL out and it's gearing up to be a great celebration this year! Very much looking forward to it.

Lately, I have been trying to make more and more things at home. Bread, jam, and even our own ice cream. I just wanted to share with you one of my favorite homemade Popsicle treats I have been making. 

Ingredients: 

- 2 cups of your favorite fruit - For this recipe I used strawberries but we really like it with orange or peach as well! 

- Coconut milk 

- 2/3 TBSP of maple syrup (we use 3, Sam likes it sweet!)

And that's it...pretty simple right? 

I always add my fruit first so that it gets nice and blended first. Then add a full can of coconut milk and the maple syrup. 

Blend it all up! I like to run it on the "blend" option first and then "liquefy". 

These ice pop molds I got at a No Frills 2 years ago for $1! I have used them SO much! 

Once everything is nice and blended, I slowly pour the mix into each mold leaving about 1/2 inch of head space for the stick. 

If I make these in the morning, by supper they are usually ready to enjoy! Just run each Pop under warm water for a few seconds to release from the mold. 

5 Minutes after giving it to my toddler....:) 

Because of the fresh fruit, the coconut flavor is very mild and the Popsicle tastes more like creamsicle! Yum! This is also really good with fruit that is getting a little mushy. I usually have all the ingredients on hand so it is ready way to whip up a quick and delicious summer dessert! 

xo 

Full Saturday And An Old Fashioned Sunday

Happy Monday everyone! What a glorious sight to wake up to this morning...PUDDLES! We have been in desperate need of some rain. Things were getting crispy around here. At this point, with irrigation things are staying alive but not really growing. 

Friday night I needed to get out! I was feeling a little cabin fevered lately. Ryan is away every Wednesday and Thursday for activities and week after week, I am at home. I love to be at home but I am envious of how carefree Ryan can be to just pick up and leave whenever he wants. For me to leave I need to ensure arrangements for Sam, supper needs to be made and other things laid out. 

Friday was my night out! We had some car arrangement problems but my brother came to the rescue and let me borrow his Mustang! Great way to start the night out! Top down on a beautiful summer day! 

First stop was for pedicures! My feet were in desperate need of some pampering! I really need to make an effort to do this more often because somehow when my feet are done, I feel more put together.  

Right next door is a yummy Italian place called Fresco! Where I got a salad and stone oven pizza! 

Finally, last stop was one of my favorite places, Value Village. Yes, I love a good thrifty shopping. And I also find the prices of Value Village to be getting expensive but with careful looking you can still find some great treasures and pieces that are way below their retail value. I got a pair of Ricki's jeans for $9, Reitmans shorts for $8 and this AWESOME wool Holt Renfrew for $4! I can't wait to wear it this winter with my grey pea-coat! 

I was up early preparing for a fun and busy Saturday with my boys! We were off to do some work but we were going to make it fun too! To save some money, I even made us breakfast for the road and extra bonus to eating on the road, getting the early start! 

After a couple of work stops, Ryan was busy doing some work and Sam and I quickly played at a park for 40 minutes! 

When the work was done we packed up and drove to Petawawa. If you are ever driving by (or just take a special trip), go to the Petawawa Civic Centre! This place is amazing! New play structures, mini putt, bathrooms, picnic area and huge splash pad! 

We ate our picnic quickly because Sam couldn't wait to get wet! 

I wish I could share with you his happy squeals and giggles! Sam was in his glory! 

Sam had a 1.5 hour truck nap and since he slept so good in the truck, we opted for one more stop, strawberry picking! We had opted out of picking our own last year but thought we'd give it a try. Sam wasn't the easiest but we were pretty much the only ones there so it didn't matter. He probably hate half a basket! ha ha! 

16 L of strawberries for our enjoyment! 

After such a busy Saturday, we were looking forward to quiet Sunday at home. I woke up before the boys and got to work at cleaning my berries. I also made some homemade bread which ended up as French toast. Strawberries with EVERY meal on Sunday! ha ha! 

Ryan has convinced me to start making (instead of buying) bread for the next month. One dough cycle makes two loaves and so starting this week, we will only eat homemade bread. It does taste WAY better but will I be able to always have some on hand? 

We puttered around the house, played in the sandbox, I weeded my garden before it got too hot, we made some strawberry jam and both boys when down for a afternoon nap. While they napped I went for a swim, read my book and knitted on the front porch! A great Sunday well spent! 

How was your weekend? 

xo 

New Play Area

Happy Friday everyone! And Happy St.Jean to all of my Quebec friends. Yes, I am working. We take the long weekend in August instead of this holiday. Which actually I kind of prefer. It was always weird to me to have two long weekends in a row and then none again until September! Yuck! 

Either way, the weekend is almost here and it is suppose to be beautiful! We are actually planning a little fun outing as a family tomorrow (as well as working) but we are gonna make the work day fun with Sam. Pack a picnic and head to a splash pad. 

We will also be spending a lot of time enjoying our home. Sam is LOVING his new outdoor space. As soon as we get home he plays until supper. Rushes through his meal and then goes back out to play before bed! It's been great! 

Looking back we really started this project before Sam's birthday! We wanted to get Sam a new play structure. The one that was there was mine. Rotting and almost dangerous in some area's. Everything just needed a little face life. 

Before: 

We got this beautiful play structure on sale at Canadian Tire with birthday money Sam received. He is not a big swing fan right now but loves the slide and the little play area in the bottom!  

For a few days Sam just loved to play with his new play structure and then Daddy filled up the area with sand! 

We considered lots of things. Keeping it on the grass, mulch but then decided a sand filled area was better! Easier to maintain and we thought Sam would enjoy it more. He loves to drive it in with his trucks. 

We also wanted to get some kind of border. We considered lots of options but finally decided on Armour stone as we liked the idea of it being part of the play area. It kind of gives it a little castle feel. 

These stones ended up being the complicated part of the process. These suckers were HEAVY and hard to move and place. 500-700 pounds per stone! 

Since we were in the process, I also wanted to re-vamp the outside of the play house! Some little things that would make it feel more "homey". Shutters, new stairs, painted doors and windows, window boxes (with flowers) and....

A mail box! 

Since there were some curious people, here is what the inside looks like! Pretty plain but I want to tackle organizing, painting and making the inside as cozy as the outside! 

We made little fun stepping stones and Sam loves to go to each one telling us which color it is! They were easy and cheap to do! Took a big log from the farm, cut 5 into rounds, sanded them and spray painted them fun/bright colors! 

And here is the finished product! 

Not only do we love how it turned out but more importantly, Sam is loving this space! We are getting so much use out of it and I know we will for years! It was a lot of work but we get to enjoy it for the rest of the summer! 

Happy Friday! 

xo