Courage to Change GIVEAWAY

Super excited to kick the year off with a giveaway on LB,BO.  When I saw that Shell, from Things I Can’t Say, was looking for bloggers to test out and giveaway board games from Courage to Change, games designed for kids with special needs, I knew that it was an opportunity I should jump on.  All the games that I was able to chose from were tempting….but I focused on one that I thought would help and be fun for my special little man.
One of the things that we (Aiden’s Preschool teachers and I) are working on with him is routine and rules. We are planning on putting him in all day kindergarten next year, knowing that it could be tough, to get him use to those routines and rules that go along with being in school ALL day.  So that when he gets to first grade, he has them down pat and can focus on the learning.  So….when I saw “The Classroom Behavior Game”, I knew that would be a great one to work on these skills with him to prepare him for next year.  I also thought that it would be a fun game to take into the school so that his classmates could enjoy it and learn some of the rules as well.

After watching the video about the game and who it caters to, I knew that it would be a fantastic game for Aiden.  And for Jakob!  It will be a fun way for Jakob to teach Aiden how to behave in school, and maybe remind Jakob too!! :)
I am REALLY looking forward to getting the game – my stalking the tracking number says it will be here in three days.  You could have a chance to win one too! a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Be sure to check back here next week for a review of the game itself, after the boys and I get to play it a few times and take it into Aiden’s class for his friends to give it a whirl.

Soccer Mama?

I have dreams of being a Hockey Mama….maybe unrealistic dreams since the boys have yet to go ice skating.  Peabody may kill me – or revoke my Canadian Citizenship. There isn’t a local place to take them.  I guess I need to do more research and just expect to drive a good distance to get them some ice time.  Worth it, right?

In the meantime, I am a Soccer Mama.  Jakob is playing with the YMCA this summer.  He is super excited and doing fantastic.  I thought he would be upset when they lost their first THREE games….but his understanding of sportsmanship has gotten better with age.  I remember when he tried soccer in GA and hated to lose or not score a goal….now he is able to shrug it off….even with a 7-0 score against his team.

Aiden really wants to play, but after much discussion we decided that he just wasn’t ready or able to process the team concept.  But next year, he will run the field.

This past weekend was fabulous.  Having his whole family, and extended family out on the sidelines cheering Jakob on was nothing short of awesome.  With Mom, Ron, Tim and Nicole visiting, Jakob had his own cheer squad out there.  He LOVED it.

I guess I should be glad that he is having fun, learning teamwork, and that with soccer there is no 5am cold rink time.

There will be hockey in their future though….you can count on it!

 

Monkey Monday…..FINALLY!

The day finally came…Aiden has been waiting for this day all summer.  Actually, he has probably been waiting for it since the last day of school.  Today was the day.  Aiden’s first day of school finally came.  Today was the first day of Preschool for Aiden.  Thank goodness.  Taking Jakob to school last week and having to tell Aiden that he would have to wait a week was just torture.  Absolute torture.  He didn’t understand.

This morning when we all woke up to start the day, I whispered to him “it’s the first day of school for you, do you want to see Teacher Shelley?” , he practically JUMPED out of bed.  He was so excited and so proud. 

Just look at this smile and see….

Could his grin get any bigger?  He had a great first day, full of old friends and new, and happy that he got to go to school, finally, just like his big brother.

Monkey and Military Monday

A couple of weeks ago, Jason’s Platoon was helping put on a field day at a local elementary school, including bringing a few of their vehicles for the kids to climb on and explore.  Jason invited me to bring the boys so they could see the new vehicles that Daddy was working with (Jason is no long on the M1A tank)…..of course I said YES!  They would love it.  It was the perfect day, warm – not hot, sun was shining – not a cloud in the sky, though of course we forgot the sunscreen.  The boys ended up with red cheeks, and Mama ended up with one heck of a sunburn.  Oh well, was almost worth it.

Here are some pictures of our afternoon. 

Please make note of the name of the MGS….CUPCAKE!!!  Perfect right?

It was a great afternoon and the boys and I really enjoyed seeing who and what Daddy’s working with.  Now to see if I can get them to come to Jakob and Aiden’s school next year….

Thoughtful Thursday

It’s not them, it’s me…

I realized this morning that the escalation in naughty behaviour by my precious little boys isn’t actually so, and that the problem has been with the way that I have been reacting to said behaviour.  I have lost my Zen Mama Groove.  I am usually a much more mellow, easy going Mama.  Not letting the small things get to me.  Something changed.  Since the move here I have been saying that they boys behaviour has deteriorated to the point of disaster, and that I am at my wits end.  But maybe it is me.  Have I just given up trying?  Have I just lost the ability to handle them?  To have fun with them and enjoy their craziness and go with the flow?  I think so.  And this makes me sad. 

I need to lighten up.  Find my place again.  I have started taking the steps to get back into the groove that I enjoy.  Playing with my boys, baking, creating, getting involved in volunteering, learning.  Do what makes me happy.  Tired of worrying what people think or perceive as reality and get back to what really matters.  My boys.  All three of them.  Be kinder.  Talk sweeter. And stop being so hard on myself. 

Wordless Wednesday

THIS is how you eat a cupcake….

Blueberry Pie Love

It is a week until Love Day.  I adore Love Day (otherwise known as Valentine’s Day)!  Even though I try to Love BIG every day, there is still that spark of Valentine’s Day that fills me with even more love.

To celebrate this upcoming day of love, I thought that it would be fun to shower my loved ones with some of my favorite goodies…..one for each day of the week before the big day.  Fun and full of love right? 

So today I decided to make a couple of mini Blueberry Pies.  I don’t think the boys have ever tried blueberry pie…..a shame, I know. 

Mini Blueberry Pie (makes 2 – enough to share with little ones)

Blueberry Pie:

Ingredients:

2 cups Fresh Blueberries

1/4 cup sugar

3 tbsp Flour

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Preheat the oven to 425 deg.

I will admit – I cheated and used a store bought crust – and this brings me a little shame (I suffer from sever pie crust failure).

Roll out the crust a little bigger than pre-made – you need it a bit bigger to cut out the right size for the bottom crust.  Use the edges of the pie dough to cut strips to make the lattice top.  I chose to cut out a few little hearts to celebrate the occasion.

Butter the cute mini pie plates, place the dough in the plate and make sure there aren’t any air bubbles under the crust.

Place berries in a medium sized bowl and gently stir in the sugar, flour, and lemon juice.  Let sit for a few minutes to merry before spooning into your pie shell.   Gently give the berries one last turn and then spoon the mixture into your pie shells. 

Take the strips of pie dough and create the lattice top.  Use a wet fingertip to secure the lattice to the bottom shell.  Cut off excess.

Using 1 egg and a tsp of water create an egg wash.  Brush the egg wash onto the crust and then sprinkle with some sugar.

Bake at 425 deg for 15 minutes.  Then reduce oven temp to 375 deg.  At this time check to see if the lattice top is getting too dark (mine was a little) – if it is tent the pies with foil.  Bake for another 30 – 40 minutes til filling is bubbly and crust looks baked.

Let cool before digging in.  I recommend eating Blueberry Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream, if you have it.

Enjoy….and don’t forget to Love BIG.

Thoughtful Thursday

Well, the Mama Guilt is on overload today.  My buttons are like a brand new touch mouse pad….so sensitive.  I am not sure what is going on, but Jakob and I have been battling for weeks.   We have our good days, and good moments, but for the most part we are not liking each other very much.  There are just a few behaviours that drive me up the wall, WHINING and BACK TALKING are at the top of that list.  Jakob has always been a whiner….he thinks that if he whines he will get what he wants. Not so much.  For some strange reason he has now decided that back talking is the way to go as well.  Again, not so much.  There are days that my tolerance for his behaviours is pretty high, but these last few days that is not the case.  I have spent more time yelling and arguing with him (I know, arguing with him is not the way to go), than I have loving on him.  This makes me feel so guilty.  I understand that this is just a few days out of a (hopefully) long life together, and that I shouldn’t let it get to me, that we all have these days….but it kills me.   

I want to have fun with my boys.  But it is hard for me to have fun with them when I don’t feel that they deserve it for acting poorly.  I am in a catch 22 position.  And here we are thinking about driving to the Jacksonville Zoo on Saturday….and Jakob has been misbehaving in school and he and I had a huge blow out this morning walking to school.  Do we still go?  Will he consider it a reward for his bad behaviour?  Or do we suffer for it too and stay home, knowing that it will be a rough day of whining that we didn’t get to go?

I need help.  I need a way to hold back my anger and not let this take over.  I need to figure out how to explain to Jakob that this behaviour wont be tolerated and that it is just disrespectful to talk to us like that.  I need to get back to parenting with love, not a raised voice and punishment.  I am taking any advice you may have for me.  Lay it on me, books, strategies, things that have worked for you, bribes, anything….please.  I feel desperate at this point.

AboutOne Twitter Chat….Raising Kids

I have recently discovered AboutOne.  It is an online website to “Safely Store and Manage Your Household Information”.  A great site to record memories, scan and keep important documents, and health info about the whole family. And now I am going to be a blogger for them, check it out.  (scroll down and you will see me!) I am going to write bi-monthly posts about Military Life….the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Today’s twitter chat was about raising kids.  Some great questions, some interesting answers.

Question #1: What are your tips for traveling with children? Do you travel a lot with your family?

We use to travel quite a bit.  When we were living in Connecticut we were only about 8 hours from my parents and I would make the drive with Jakob (and then Aiden too) about every three months.  It was a long day of driving, but worth it.  Most visits it would be just me driving, leaving Jason at home, so I had to make sure I was prepared.  Snacks, drinks and toys all within reach.  I made sure that all the snacks were portioned out, and easy to open.  Drinks were either juice boxes or premade sippy cups.  And when Jakob and Aiden were infants I made sure to have water from home, or bottled water, for their bottles so that there wasn’t anything in the water that their tummies weren’t use to.

The other side of travelling with children is entertainment….keeping them occupied = happy children!  DVD players in the car was key for us….the perfect distraction.  Now it takes a bit more.  Both Aiden and Jakob are obsessed with my iTouch.  They love the games (the free apps are awesome), and the videos and sometimes the music.   I have a feeling it will be a lifesaver for our cross country trip to Washington.  8 days on the road…help me!

Question #2:  How much TV do you let your kids watch? Do you limit? What are their favourite shows?

I am guilty of my boys watching a lot of TV.  I know it isn’t right, I know it isn’t good for them….I know.  Enough said.

Shows…..Phineas and Ferb, Team Umizoomi, Magic School Bus, most of the shows on PBSKids, and the Food Network!!  LOL

Question #3: Has your child ever been bullied? Have you talked to them about this issue?

Jakob has not been bullied at school.  And Aiden isn’t in school.  Jakob is a pretty popular kid, bit of a teacher’s pet too.  But there have been days that he has come home and said others were mean to a friend, which strikes a convo about how it isn’t nice to be mean to someone.  He knows what is good and bad behaviour, what is nice and what is mean.  He’s a good egg.

Question #4: How do you give your children quality time?

Jason and I try our best to spend some one on one time with each of the boys.  Jakob is old enough to sit through a movie, but Aiden isn’t quite there yet, so Jakob gets some one on one time going to the occasional movie.  Aiden gets special treats like trips to the ice cream shop.  We also do things like taking one out to run errands while the other stays home. 

We also swap out bedtime.  We each take a boy, read or talk, and tuck in.  That way they are getting equal attention from us.

It’s important. We make it a priority.

Question #5: How do you treat yourself?

I am happy to say that I am pretty good at treating myself.  I work dinners out into our budget so that there are days that I don’t have to cook.  I take time with my friends to get our nails done, go out for lunch, or even go to the bookstore for a coffee and poke at some books.  I am lucky.  I have a great husband who understands that “if Mama ain’t happy, no one is happy”.  Jason is great at hanging with the boys so that Mama can have some me time.

I also find a few minutes at the end of the day to reflect.  I keep a gratitude journal and write the highlights of the day.  Things I am thankful for.   AboutOne has a section on their site for keeping track of memories and I am looking forward to adding to that part of my account as well.

Whew….Those are some great questions, and long answers.  It was a great opportunity to hear what some other mother’s are going through, and realizing that I am not alone, that we all have similar things going on, choices to make, and love for our children. I will definitely be participating in the AboutOne chats on twitter.  You can too!  Wednesday mornings, 10 am EST, #AOChat  See you there?

One Word Wednesday!

Fearless!

Monkey Monday

So....need a smile today? Check out Aiden....he likes to lick his lips and slurp when he sees something that he likes or thinks might be tasty....or just for grins! This kid makes me laugh!

Happy Monkey Monday!

Take Care,
Tania
Love Big, Bake Often

Monkey Monday....Big Brother Love

Jakob is a great big brother. When Aiden was born, actually even before he was born, Jakob would talk about "Baby Aiden". Jakob would hug and talk to my belly....talking to Aiden. Quite cute. And then when Aiden was born Jakob was all over him, some times the hugs were a little TOO tight! And they quickly became fast friends. Aiden loves his big brother....he follows him around and tries to do everything that Jakob does, and usually succeeds. Jakob does have his moments...especially when Aiden touches certain toys or blocks the TV. But he really loves him. He waits patiently for Aiden to wake up in the morning and after his nap...being quiet as he can be (which isn't very quiet). And then shows such joy in seeing Aiden - lots of Hi's and hugs to be had! It warms my heart that they are so close now. I hope they stay that way once Jakob goes to school this fall. I hope that Jakob continues to teach his little brother all about great food, bugs, dinosaurs, cars, books, good TV shows!, computer games, crayons, playdoh, etc, etc, etc. There will be so much for him to teach Aiden, and I think he is already doing such a great job.

Keep up the good work Big Brother Jakob...you sure do ROCK!!

Take care,

Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

Mother's Day....

Mother's Day this year is a little bitter sweet. I am totally blessed with my amazing two boys and a pretty good husband too. And I thank them for all the Mama Love today....it has been a great laid back, easy going day.

But I miss my Omi. I miss my Grandmother. This is our first Mother's Day without her. On top of Mother's Day, May 6th was Omi and Opa's wedding anniversary, and tomorrow was her birthday. It's sad. She was such an amazing woman, a great mother to four children, a fantastic grandmother to 5 grandchildren, and friend to anyone who would have her! She was the reason many of us travelled to Ontario, just to visit her. I made many trips up in the car with the boys in the winter just to go and see her. She was a beacon. And now that light is dark. We all miss her.

So this Mother's Day I think of her, of those she left behind, and how fragmented we all are since she as gone. That reason that brought us together on so many occasions is gone. Will we ever all be together again like we use to be? I doubt it. And that makes me sad. I see the relationships disintegrating and there is nothing I can do about it. Again, it makes me sad.

But today is a day of celebration, celebrating ME! As a Mama to two amazing little boys - who never cease to amaze me in all that they do. I am loved. I love. And that is what matters today.

Happy Mother's Day to my Mother. Happy Mother's Day to my Omi (thank you for watching over me!). Happy Mother's Day to my Aunt, my cousin, my BFF's..and to all the other Moms out there. Hope you all had a great and well appreciated day.

Take care,
Tania
Love Big, Bake Often

NaBloPoMo - May....can I do it?

I am thinking about trying to complete NaBloPoMo again for the month of May....It was a challenge for April, and I really enjoyed it. I want to do it again. It is great exposure, great patience and helps me improve my writing...I think!


But all I have today is these pics of Aiden "reading a book". It is my birthday today and I have been busy spending time with the boys and just got back from dinner out at Carraba's with the family. I wish Aiden came with a volume button, but at least this time no one complained!


Anyway... I noticed that Aiden was a little quiet today...and found him doing this...

Sitting in the middle of Jake's room in the sunshine reading a book....and yes he is in his diaper...he likes to have his pants off!!

More to come tomorrow...need to go eat some birthday "dessert". Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! I am an old lady now - 35! Yikes! But I guess it's ok since I don't feel it at ALL! Young at heart!


Take Care,
Tania
Love Big, Bake Often

Thoughtful Thursday...Beginning of Summer

I cannot believe I am typing that.... Summer is starting here in GA. It got up to 85 degrees here today. It was HOT. So if this is what it is like in spring, I am really scared of what summer is going to be like. But the first signs of summer makes me think about what I love about summer. Late nights, late sunsets, popsicles, the smell of sunscreen (always a must), bug spray (going to buy stock, they are horrible here), grilling out (Jason's term), BBQ's with friends, hanging out in the driveway having beers with neighbours, trips to the ice cream store..... and so much more! So tonight we began our trip into summer by having popsicles after dinner, the yummy corn syrupy bad for you kind! YUM! It was the first popsicle of the season....and Aiden's first ever! Too much fun! Had to be done! And a good thing it happened on tubby night!

What are some of the first signs of summer for you? What do you look forward to as the season changes to summer? Favourite summer memory?

Here are the boys first summer popsicle pics:

Good times, good times! Now it is time for those tubbies....

Take care,

Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

Baked Oatmeal...a recipe from a BFF

My friend J brought this recipe to a playgroup years ago, and I was hooked. I was making it like crazy in CT. It is yummy warm, fresh out of the oven, and I like it cold out of the fridge. A batch does not last long in our house. Jakob devours it and I can't stop eating it once it is made. For some reason I haven't made it in ages. What was I thinking? ...it's healthy, nutritious, and delish...the perfect snack for my hungry little men. Today when I was definitely needing a good baking session and not sure what to bake, it popped into my head...BAKED OATMEAL! I knew I had all the simple ingredients and so it was a no-brainer.

It is a chewy, dense granola bar with no crunch...and I like to put LOTS of raisins in it too...yummy nature's candy! All the flavour of a bowl of granola!

Baked Oatmeal,

recipe courtesy of Miss J

2 c Rolled Oats

1/2 tsp salt

1 c Skim Milk

1/2 c Applesauce

1/4 c Sugar

2 Eggs

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder (just realized I didn't put this in today!! hmmmm and it still worked out!)

1 tsp Vanilla (I always put more!)

1 TB Cinnamon

3/4 cup Raisins

Combine ingredients. Bake in sprayed 8" square pan and bake at 350 deg. 35-45 min. Keeps well in refrig. Eat cold or warm. Great for quick breakfast and snacks. 6 servings

Here is Aiden having his first taste of Baked Oatmeal! I think he likes it!

Take Care,

Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

Monkey Monday

That's all I got tonight!

My own peersonal rock stars!

Take Care,

Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

Easter Egg Hunt!

Today was my little baby boy's first Easter Egg Hunt, and Jakob's real first one with other kids. Jake has done others in our house the past couple of years, but nothing like this. I am not sure if it was just put on by one of the churches, or if it was the city association, but it was huge! Lots of business in the neighbourhood sponsored it, and they needed that sponsorship. There were SO many kids there. It was a mob scene! And Jason overheard someone comment that they had laid out 25,000 eggs! Crazy, right? They had it pretty organized. They divided up the park lawns and spread out eggs everywhere. Each area was for a different age group, 1&2's, 3&4's...etc, etc. So Jason went with Aiden and I took Jakob. What a mad house. The boys weren't phased at all, they were loving it. It was a beautiful sunny day, probably in the low 80's, with a slight breeze. (yes, low 80's in April- I will surely melt this summer!)

Jakob blew through the field at an alarming pace, filling his bucket very fast. So we were able to quickly head over to the younger kiddo's field and see Aiden figure out what to do with the eggs!! He did a great job. Daddy carried the bucket and Aiden toddled around grabbing a few eggs.

Jakob would not stop for me to get a good photo - this is the best I got!

Aiden and Daddy hard at work....

Big Brothers are good helpers.....

More Easter Extravaganza tomorrow.... egg hunt at home, brunch out (thank goodness), egg hunt with friends, and then yummy dinner at home with all kinds of yummy treats - pics and recipes tomorrow!

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

Take Care,

Tania Love Big, Bake Often

tv shows I shouldn't watch

Why do I do this to myself? I am sure to have nightmares all night. But I couldn't have known. I just wanted to watch a simple show. But of course, as I am in the middle of immunization drama, Private Practice on CBS has to run a show about a little boy who's mother chose not to immunize him after his older brother developed autism catches measles and dies. That's right dies. Now please understand, I am immunizing my boys. Jakob is fully immunized, and Aiden is on schedule. I have just decided that I want to split the MMR up and not do it in one shot. I think it is just too much for his little body. I have done alot more reading on the subject over the past year about autism and the links to immunization. And even though there is not concrete evidence either way I am following a gut feeling. As I told my friends, and I told Aiden's new doctor - there is something going off in my Mommy-Radar and I trust it. I trust that there is something in me telling me to do this. And so I am. I am going to go to the Health Department to have it done because they wont do it on post for us.

But back to tv - these damn shows catch me by surprise. Jason is smart - he wont watch shows that deal with sick or dying young kids, especially boys. I, on the other hand, HAVE to watch them and then I have nightmares for days and can't get the stories out of my head, or heart.

Am I the only one? Hope not.

Tania
Love big, Bake often

Jakob... oh, sweet Jakob

I have a question, it has been on my mind for what seems like a very long time...
WHEN DID MY SON BECOME SUCH A WHINY KID??
Oh, wait, I remember.... when we turned his life upside down. Now don't get me wrong, Jakob always had some whine in him. He threw the odd fit, and whined when he didn't get his way here and there. But these days he whines about absolutely everything. And I mean EVERYTHING!! You could offer him a chocolate chip cookie and he would find something to whine about it. Every time I ask him to do something we have a battle. He wont listen, he crumbles and whines at the drop of a hat. He fights me on so much. I just don't have the will to fight any more. Every morning I wake up and think that it will be a better day, that I will find the patience to deal with him and try a different approach. I have tried just about everything. I tried making light of it and joking him into cooperating, telling him I don't understand when he is whining and talking in his uber whiny voice, to putting him in time out when he begins to whine, and even just plain ignoring him when he starts to whine. Nothing has worked. I feel like I am being held captive when he begins to whine. We can't leave the house until he is ready to go, he wont get dressed until he pretty much feels like it. I can't physically force him to do something, I am worried and a little afraid that I would be too rough because that would be when I hit my wall and lose it. I really just want to have a good day. I want to have a day when everyone is happy, there is no whining, and we have alot of good laughs. There is no real reason for his whining, I feel like it has become a habit for him. So how do I break this habit before I lose my mind! And before he teaches Aiden to start talking and whining at the same time?!?!

HELP!!

Tania
Love Big, Bake Often