Bunch of happy campers

I know, I'm not posting. But we've been busy relaxing. Every weekend, we are up at the beach and during the week I'm playing catch up! So for now, you get this!

It's Eli's party...

I love birthdays. Have I mentioned that before? :)

We celebrated Eli's birthday early with a small family party and Eli proved that he had the blowing candles thing down pat! (Seriously, how cute is this picture? and that dimple... swoon!)

On July 10, his actual birthday, we had a small party with one of our friends and our good neighbours. It started the way all my kids' birthdays start - facepainting! I might be biased but I'm going to say it - cutest tiger ever. He kept roaring all day long.

And of course, there was a cute, little cake. I wanted to make a train but after asking him many yes and no questions, we finally figured out that he would like a farm cake. It was a hit! Eli loved pointing to the animals and making all the sounds.

I kept the party pretty laid back. Chelsea kept asking "What are we going to DO at the party? Craft? Treasure hunt?" I explained we were going to do nothing. The kids could play in the backyard, and we would visit and eat a very complicated, gourmet meal of burgers and chips.

Eli had fun opening all his presents. Eli enjoyed his new castle, golf set, books and bike. 

 And we finished the party blowing out more candles. Great day, great party, and great little boy!

Eli is two!

This sweet, sweet baby turned two! I wish I could say, "It just felt like yesterday..." but honestly, that's not true. It feels like he's always been a part of us, and I don't remember life without him. 

He's grown into a cheeky little mischievous monkey. He is amazing, smart, and loves so strong.

He still naps in the morning and afternoon and will start melting down by 7:15 if he isn't getting ready for bed. Instead of singing at night time, he is finally into reading books and will insist on you reading at least 3 books, but will beg for more and more. He definitely has his favourite books and insists it's those ones that we read.

He still self soothes by playing with his hair at the back, tapping the middle finger on his head. He also will put himself on the timeout step if he is crying for no reason. He calms down so quickly and then will come and apologize. He still uses a soother for night and because he is really struggling with his bottom eye teeth coming in, we do let him have it at certain inconsolable times of the day.

He still isn't speaking which can be frustrating for allllll of us. It's hard for his siblings not to compare him to other kids around him and we often get asked why Eli can't talk. Soon enough!

He loves to explore and do everything that the big kids are doing.

Thanks for an amazing two years, Buddy boy. We love you to the moon and back!

Just add water

I am working on a blog post about this guy's 2nd birthday, but I needed to share these. 

Eli is developing a serious passion for watering flowers. I'm fairly certain mine are the best watered flowers on the block. 

Muffin Top

Well, now that I got your attention, this is actually about the whole muffin, not just the top. ;)

I've made a few new muffin recipes lately that have turned out fantastic. Now my kids apparently only eat banana chocolate chip muffins and repeatedly tell me this, every time I try to serve them something else. Every. Single. Time. However, I keep trying.

But, I digress. There's just something that I love about making muffins. It's quick and easy and just so down-to-earth motherly and homey. You have all the ingredients on hand. Plus, they are great gifts to pass out, (who doesn't love a fresh muffin?) or a snack for when the neighbourhood kids are over, or when a friend comes over for tea.

So, here you go. Some new favourite muffin recipes for you. Let me know if you try any!

Banana Muffins
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup margarine
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
3 medium mashed bananas
1 cup chocolate chips

Put flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir together and make a well in centre. Cream butter, sugar and one egg at a time. Mix in sour cream and bananas. Pour into well and stir to mix. Fill muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 18 - 20 minutes.

Best Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins
1/3 cup canola oil

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup chopped rhubarb

3/4 cup chopped strawberries

turbinado (raw) sugar for topping (I just used regular.)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease or line muffin pan with liners. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder and set aside. In a large bowl, mix oil, egg, milk and vanilla by hand or with a mixer until well blended.

Add dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Fold in strawberries and rhubarb. Fill muffin cups 1/2-2/3 full of batter and sprinkle tops with turbinado sugar.

Bake ~20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into muffin comes out clean.

To Die For Blueberry Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg    
1/3 cup milk

1 cup fresh blueberries

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.

Enjoy!

Ah, Siesta!

Summertime in this household is busy. We are outside, all the time. Playing in the backyard, playing at the parks, weeding the garden, walking, riding our bikes, watering flowers, swimming... you name it. We pack it all in. 

However, I don't joke around when it comes to naps (or sleeping). That's a solid 2-3 hours of peace that I cherish. And at night, Eli is in bed at 7:00 and the older two, 8:15 at the latest. It does shorten our evening activities, but well-rested kids are totally worth it. So as busy as our days are, I still schedule time every afternoon for naps for the baby. We are home every afternoon so that Eli can get a good, solid nap. 

But Gavin? He doesn't need naps. He's a big boy. He's going to Kindergarten. He's 5 now. See? 

He most certainly does NOT need a nap!

Nope, this big boy can just play and play all day long.

 Today's "non-napping" position was the kicker.

Man, to sleep like that would be a dream!

Swimming Lessons and Gummy Worms

My kids love the water. For swimming lessons this year, Gavin was in level 1, but we quickly realized that he would not be passing. You see, it's pretty hard to learn how to swim or pass a level when you decide that there is no way that you are putting your head under water. Hello, stubborn boy! But, he is pretty stinkin' cute and really did have fun even though the weather was really never hot or sunny.

This girl in level 3, however, adored the water, charmed her instructors and loved learning more about swimming.

Chelsea proudly displaying her level 3 badge.

Gavin's teacher gently explaining to him that he didn't pass, and Gavin not caring, simply wondering when he gets his gummy worms. He had no idea what passing meant. In a strange twist of events, I don't think anyone in his class passed, so he'll be in the same group next year again.

 Good thing we have this pool for these fishies to live in this summer... if it ever warms up enough! This has been a cold June!

C'mon summer weather! We need you!

Rainy Day Randomness

Today was the 33rd rainy, gloomy day in a row. Okay, maybe not, but it sure felt like it. My kids were simply done. I let them snack too much, watch too much tv, play too much wii and generally just be lazy potatoes for the majority of the day. I'm okay with that. Plus, Eli had a really gloriously long nap so I had oodles of time to work on the following useless questions throughout the day, rather than getting anything really important accomplished. So, because I was bored and had nothing better to do, and you are reading this now, continue on, my friends, and read the following useless information.

1. IF YOU COULD CHANGE YOUR REAL NAME WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I was very happy to change my last time when I got married, but then I realized I was changing my name to be *almost* rhyming. C'mon Amanda Hildebrand(a)? Also, I know 5 other Amanda Hildebrands, so that kind of gets old after a while. I'd love to have a different first time, simply because mine is so common, but I'm so indecisive with the little things, I couldn't imagine making a huge change like that. 

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Saturday, when I had the flu and thought it was never going to end. (Yes, I am slightly dramatic, but I can't stand puking.)

3. YOU’RE GIVEN 1 MILLION DOLLARS, WHAT WOULD YOU SPEND IT ON?
I'd build a house in the country with a massive wrap around porch and lots and lots of trees, set up accounts for the kids' education, and probably buy something a little cooler than the mint green minivan that I drive. But who are we kidding.... a million dollars really doesn't go that far. 

4. NAME ONE THING YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING OVER 30?
Being established, settled, and happy. Okay, that's 3. I cheated.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yup. A whole slew of them. Okay, only three and anyone reading this knows that.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Absolutely. I think I'm hilarious, often so much that I laugh at myself.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
No.
(Oh wait. There's still no font for sarcasm, so you might not recognize that for what it was.) Yes, I use sarcasm, more often than I should.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR WISDOM TEETH?
Nope. Had them all out when I was 18.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Uh no.Never. I feel sick from heights on the third rung of a step ladder.

10. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The ability to fold AND put away laundry fresh from the dryer.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No. Is this a thing people actually do?

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Absolutely. Unless you mean strong enough to lift heavy things like furniture and boxes - then no. My princess complex kicks in.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Strawberry. 

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their smile.

15. RED OR PINK?
Pink.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
How I see myself. Woah, deep, I know. 

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Two of my close friends from university.

18. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?
One look around my house would indicate owl, but I'm pretty partial to prairie dogs, especially the ones we used to illegally feed at the zoo.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Flip flops, in the house. That way I can pretend my floors are clean.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Taco salad.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
My kids playing wii and the howling wind. 

22. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TELEVISION PROGRAM?
Full House. Fresh Prince. Family Matters. All of the above?

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Lemon. My boys' necks after a nap. Men's cologne. Supper in the making when I walk through the door.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My husband.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Beach, all the way.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Like on tv? None. Ever. When my kids are playing, baseball. 

27. HAIR COLOR?
Naturally, pretty dark, with some grey starting to show. However, I do get my hair done every few months to try to disguise that.

28. EYE COLOR?
Bluish greenish.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yup. Just one on my left eye. 

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Oh this is really baring my soul here. Poutine. Double cheeseburgers from McDonalds. Mini donuts. Nachos. Lemon pie. Any appetizer-style dip. Anything other than salad, really. 

31. FAVORITE MOVIE GENRE?
Chick flicks, I suppose. I don't like scary.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Movie? Who knows? I've been too busy having "Scandal" and "Suits" marathons.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Black. I pretty much live in my black zipup.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer. Could someone please tell Mother Nature this?

35. HAVE ANY BAD HABITS?
Absolutely. Who doesn't? But right now, I can't think of any. I'm guilty of wanting to use commas too often, that's for sure.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Ohh, see above. But I can elaborate more... fruit pizza. Lemon pie. Rhubarb square. Anything fruity over chocolately for sure.

37. WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO TRAVEL?
I'd love to see Italy, but I'm not really that fancy. We'll aim for Florida and Mexico a bunch more times though!

38. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY THINK ABOUT RIGHT BEFORE FALLING ASLEEP?
I fall asleep reading a book every night. It helps my mind unwind and shut down. Sometimes it's an hour, sometimes it's 4 minutes.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
"Midwives" by Chris Bohjalian

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Do people still own these? I don't.

41. FAVORITE SOUND?
The sound of water lapping on a beach, with no squealing children I am responsible for.

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Mexico

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Hmm.... well, I can decorate a mean cake, curl my tongue and be the only one clapping off-beat in a congregation of people singing praise and worship songs.

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Gilbert Plains. Wait, technically Dauphin, I would think.

45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
In a fantastic red house.

46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
I drive an 8 passenger, mint green mini-van. Reign in your jealousy, people.

47. ARE YOU MUSICALLY INCLINED?
Nope. See #43 above. However, this doesn't stop me from singing all the time.

48. WHEN DID YOU LAST LAUGH?
Today, after supper. Eli was playing duck, duck, goose on the trampoline with the neighbour kids and wasn't catching on and it was hilarious.

49. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU TEXTED?
Holly. 

50. WHAT IS YOUR SECRET GUILTY PLEASURE?
Country music. Shhh... don't tell.

51. WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I thought I'd be an optometrist. I even did a huge project in highschool on it. Then I went to university thinking I was going to be a pharmacist. 

Annnnd... that's it. Have a good night!

Sweet, sweet G turns 5.

Five years. Five. This seems almost unbelievable. In my head, this sweetie is always three. I find it hard to believe that he's so grown up. He's grown from this sweet faced, chubby one month old, to my still-squishy cheeked, brilliant cuddly boy. We celebrate 5 years of Gavin. 

For a cake, Gavin was unsure for the longest time. Once, when asked what he wanted for a cake, he responded, "an item cake." When I questioned him further, he said, "you know, a cake with items on it that might come in handy - like a hammer, a piece of tape, and ummm... a banana." He then said he wanted a Mario cake (again), a Skylanders cake (so complicated) and a Transformers cake (he doesn't even really know what they are.) Finally, one night when reading before bed, he said he wanted a cake with all the Mr. Men on it. Done deal! Easy enough. I put Mr. Happy, Mr. Sneeze, Mr. Small, Mr. Messy, Mr. Tickle, Mr. Funny and Mr. Noisy on his cake. He was thrilled. Plus, it was fun doing an upside down cake. 

 Gavin's birthday was made up of all of his favourite things: facepainting, a treasure hunt (complete with a piñata full of candy for the prize), carnival games and a craft.

His latest obsession is Skylanders (move over Mario, you've been replaced!) and he was so happy to get some characters to play with.

The treasure hunt had clues scattered all over the yard and even sent the group across to the school and over to our favourite neighbours' house. However, we weren't anticipating the rain, but the kids still did it - they just ran a little faster. We hung the piñata in the garage and the kids had a blast smashing it.

 I kept supper very simple - pigs in a blanket and cheezies. I usually go way overboard, so it was really hard to scale back, but all the kids had fun, and I wasn't super stressed out. Win-win!

 5 candles!

 When it was all over, he said, "Mommy. This was the best day ever. Ever. Like the ultimate ever!"
And that's why I go a little crazy over birthdays.

We also had a little celebration at Grandma and Grandpa's. Grandma surprised Gavin with a cake that had a working Mario racetrack all around the outside. It was pretty special. (The cake also had a heart on one half for me - Gavin and I have birthdays 3 days apart.)

It feels like it won't be long before I'm writing about this guy's number 6. Time can slow down anytime now!