Reading on the run

I believe very much in the importance of reading to your children. I started doing it when Oliver was just a few weeks old and tried right from the beginning to make it part of our daily routine. Then it was easy.

Lately it's been very hard to continue with it because he won't sit still. I've given up at bed time because I find he's just too tired and gets whiny. Any other time he will sit for the first page or two but then is climbing off my lap and is on the run again. I've even given up story books and only read books that have one picture and one word per page thinking that may keep his attention a little longer. That didn't work either.

My latest attempt has been to read a story to him in the bathtub. We've been doing it for 3 nights now and although he doesn't seem to pay attention to what I'm saying, he can't get away from me and I know he hears me. I also like that he can't grab the book, he can't try and rip out the pages and I can actually go back to reading stories again.

I'm sure I'm not alone with these problems. I'd love to hear what other moms have done to keep reading to a busy little one. As always, thanks in advance for any advice I get.

Cake swap

I went to bed last night with a belly ache and no wonder when you take a look at this table.

Meaghan suggested we have a cake swap for our next girls night which we ended up having at my place. Everyone brought a sweet of some kind and we pulled number to see who picked first. I got number one so I chose the one I made... the double chocolate cheesecake. The person with number 2 had the choice to take from the table or steal from me and so on. Needless to say I didn't get to keep my cheesecake but I did end up with 'Sex in a Pan' which is mighty yummy. But I'm not stupid... When I made my cake I poured a little of the filling in a muffin tin so I had 2 individual sizes ones just for me. And Nick, but mostly for me.

It was a really good night with games, prizes, gossip, snacks and lots of laughs. It was just what I needed to get me out of my blahs and give me a better outlook on the week ahead. Maybe it's just the sugar rush but I'll take it.

The door to the blues

I've had a serious case of the blah's lately. It seems like every day is the same, and every day is boring. I am grasping at straws for things to blog about which I'm sure you've noticed. My housework, which isn't my best event anyway, is piling up cause I don't have the energy to do much but the minimum necessities.


Adding to the blues is the frustration of having a busy 13 month old. Why, WHY does he insist on opening the door 80 times a day when I clearly tell him no every time. I've done everything I know to get him to stop and all he does is smile at me and do it again. If the door didn't lead to the bathroom where he is obsessed with the toilet I'd let him play with it but playing in the toilet is just not cool. Unfortunately the door we have, and the toilet are not built for the standard baby proofing mechanisms and I haven't been able to come up with any brilliant makeshift ideas. Duct tape doesn't work well on doors. I guess if I was going to be here longer I would put a hook on it. I just thought of that. Note to self: get some for the new house..... Now I'm babbling.

Anyway, I know this is normal for kids this age but wow is it frustrating. I've done a good job of baby proofing the rest of the house and he has the run of it. I just don't understand why he insists on doing the one thing I don't want him to do. Welcome to parenting huh?


I love my son, I love my son, I love my son..... but being a parent is hard sometimes!

My newest parka

I finally got the fur on my latest sewing project and took a few minutes to take some self portraits. (I should have changed out of my PJ pants I guess)  The best part of my new coat? The inside pockets!

And the funky lining.

He went to Jared!

I'm watching the Bachelor and writing a post about the fever Oliver had today and thinking that it could be the worst, most boring post I've ever writen. Lucky for you, during the last commercial break there was a 30 second spot where this guy was telling the story of how he met his girlfriend and at the end, he asked her to marry him (with a diamond from Jared of course) so now I'm going to blog about that.

Call me traditional but I think a proposal should be between 2 people and not for millions during a bad reality show. The same goes with proposals at hockey games, at family reunions, in restaraunts.... or any other public venues. Even if you're really sure and would of course say yes, I think the pressure of everyone watching makes it so much less special. Can you imagine being proposed to where all of North America is asked to log on to some website to see if you said yes? I think that's mortifying. Maybe it's just me. Then again, who am I to judge, I'm watching the Bachelor which may be the worst show ever put on TV. But I do love watching crazy woman make fools of themselves on TV.  I should really turn it off and go read a book or something.

Off topic... how is it that all 25 of the woman fall in love with the guy? None of them meet him and say, you know, he's great but he's just not my type. Great casting? I think it's more like surpreme female competition. 

12 days till the big O

Get your mind out of the gutter... I mean the Olympics! I'm on the count down along with many others for something I've been looking forward to for so long. I remember the day that they made the big announcement that Vancouver was getting the games. I was living in Edmonton at the time, I lived alone and I sat on my bed bed watching and I cried in happiness.

You may remember the post telling you how I got to see the torch go through my home town in November. That was a dream come true and I thought it was so exciting to be part of the Olympics even in that tiny way. And yup, I cried just a little. Yesterday, they announced that Clara Hughes would carry our flag for the opening ceremonies. I watched the press conference and again, tears.

I don't know what it is. I've always been a big Olympic fan. It's something I've learned from my mom who will also be sitting there for those 2 weeks, watching every moment she can. I think I may have got the tears from her too. I think more so I'm extremely proud and excited that Canada is getting to host such a great event. I can't explain the pride I feel when I see the maple leaf coming out of the tunnel as the Canadians enter the stadium at the opening ceremony. And to think this time our flag will have the honor of entering last. And when I hear the anthem played at a medal ceremony, well, I think you got it by now.

I know not everyone feels the same and probably think I'm crazy. My husband would fall under that category. Then there are the people who are hugely anti-Olympics. I understand much of their protests and feel they may have some good points but I choose to think about the positives that the games bring. Among those positives are my tears.

The Works

I think all northern residents would agree that one of the best things about a trip south is getting to eat at restaurants. This past weekend I of course had McDonalds which is always my favorite but I did try a new place that I have to recommend. It's called 'The Works' and they call themselves a 'Gourmet Burger Bistro'.  

If I counted correctly they have a whopping 71 burgers on their menu. You start by deciding what type of meat you want and can choose from beef, chicken, turkey, veggie or a portobello mushroom cap. If you want to get really exotic you can have domestic elk. Then they have 67 different toppings to choose from. Think of the possibilities! The toppings range from the usual to the increasingly unusual but there really is something for everyone. Here are just a few that I found interesting....

Big Ben Plus- Montreal smoked meat, sauerkraut and swiss.
Fine Erb Herb- Gently spiced with basil, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, garlic and swiss.
Johnny Be Goat-  Goat cheese, warm leaf spinach and roasted red peppers.
Kamikaze- Jalapeno, chipotle and banana peppers, cheddar cheese and hotter than hell sauce.
Crappy Tire- Pineapple ring, sweet and spicy sauce and brie cheese.
The Sweet Ride- Caramelized onions, half a ripe pear and brie cheese.

Then there are a couple that I just can't imagine anyone ordering...

San Francisco Treat- Real Kraft dinner and cheddar
Hold The Phone- Peanut butter, cream cheese and jack cheese
SK8R Boy- Peanut butter, jack cheese and strip bacon.

Along with a crazy good selection of sides this place serves up a great meal. For the record, I suggest the tower of rings to start. They come with a choice of great dipping sauces but they are big so you'll want to share! Check them out at worksburger.com