Time passes so quickly when you are a new parent, all the sleepless nights, the midnight feedings and the screeching sound of a baby crying can all be overwhelming. BUT then there are those tiny first giggles and that gummy smile that makes it all worthwhile, makes being a parent the best job in the world. 

Of course to me, my boys had the most insanely cutest smiles ever--I'm sure you can agree that yours did/does as well. I just love the way their little faces would light up with I tickled them or sang their favourite songs, moments I wish I could bottle up forever. Luckily, today we have cameras to capture them all and keep close to our hearts when they are 15 and asking to stay out past curfew...

In the meantime...look at these smiles and try not to crack a smirk yourself. 

Having fun with Fisher Price: 
I am very excited about the launch of Fisher-Price's new Laugh & Learn site! It’s a fun place on the FisherPrice.ca webpage (Fisherprice.ca > Brands > Laugh & Learn) that offers webisodes, fun games and activities, a place where you (well, your LOs) can meet the Laugh & Learn characters, enjoy fun apps and learn about what’s new and upcoming from our favourite brand! This site is stacked with fun and excitement that you and your children will love! 

Another Reason to SMILE!
To celebrate the launch of this new site, Fisher-Price will be hosting an AMAZING new contest called the Best Little Laugh!  This contest will be celebrating all those insanely-cute, over-the-top-adorable smiles, giggles and laughs. Starting today (May 22nd) you could share your baby's best little laugh and WIN great prizes too! PLUS: 1 lucky winner will be chosen every week!!  So hurry up and get snapping, dig up your old photos and enter for your chance!! 

To enter your child visit: www.fisherprice.com

 I love challenges, and I also love quick-easy recipes that are useful for parents who are on the run (like many of us are) so, when Sun-Maid® Raisin Bread challenged us to create an original recipe to be judged by leading Canadian chef Bob Villeneuve I jumped at the chance!

All entries have a chance to win a delicious Sun-Maid® catered brunch for 10 people just in time for Father’s Day (WOW).  PLUS entrants are automatically entered for a draw to win Sun-Maid® Raisin Bread for a year!!! Imagine all the possibilities!! 

For my recipe I decided to make Raisin Bread-Egg poppers as my quick, easy and nutritious recipe. I have tried this recipe both with bacon and without, and my children tend to like it better without. I personally LOVE bacon so on Sunday mornings I tend to make 6 with and 6 without the greasy good-stuff...but you be the judge ;)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 6 slices Sun-Maid Raisin Bread
• 3 eggs
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• Cheddar Cheese shredded
• Bacon (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter 6 standard muffin cups. With a rolling pin, flatten raisin bread slices. Cut each piece of bread in half and then press 2 halves into each muffin cup, overlapping slightly.  Brush bread with remaining butter.
   
2. If using bacon, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium (4 mins) until cooked but not crisp. 
3. Add eggs, bacon, and cheese in a large bowl and beat until mixed.
4. Season with salt and pepper and add egg mixture to the bread cups.
5. Bake until egg whites are just set, 20 to 25 minutes. Run a small knife around cups to loosen toasts.

**Serve warm**

For more creative recipes visit: http://www.sunmaid.ca

I am not personally a fan of soup, nor a fan of chickpeas or spinach....BUT I love this soup!
My mother and aunt have been making it for years and I have finally decided to make it at home for my boys. Since most kids hate veggies, I pureed theirs to look like what we like to call 'Swamp Soup.' Later I realized they liked the soup with the 'chunks' too...either way, this is a hearty and delicious soup the whole family can enjoy! PLUS it is the perfect meal when you are pressed for time or ingredients ;)

Ingredients:
1 Can Chickpeas (drained)
1 Handful of Spinach (Frozen or Fresh) Finely Chopped
4-5 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Cans of Water -use Chickpea can to measure
Salt and Pepper to Taste
2 Cloves Garlic Chopped
1 Medium Onion Chopped

Get Cookin!
1. In a medium saucepan mix all ingredients except for the spinach.
2. Let cook on medium-low for 1 hour
3. Use am electric mixer to mash all ingredients.
4. Place back on the stove and add in spinach.
5. Cook for another 20 mins.

Your meal is ready!

**For the 'Swamp Soup' version, simply blend before serving! 

What is your most favourite moment? The moment your felt your best? 
Remember it...
Never forget it....
Enter it for your chance to win 1 of 5 weekly prizes or a grand prize of the ENTIRE Grand Rouge line from Yves Rocher on Facebok!! Give yourself a reason to get beautiful! Relive that moment and dazzle!

I am a mama that worries...A LOT.

I worry that my children will go out into this world that is not safe anymore, I worry about how they will adapt to a harsh reality that is today. I worry that they will be too 'soft' to mesh well with others, and I worry that they will never ever get to see all the beauty that truly is around them.

Reality sucks. 

In light of the past events that have happened both last week and yesterday's bombings, restoring faith in humanity is really hard--especially when you are a protective mother. Nothing will ever cover the fear that I feel in my heart for my little angels, but I know that without compassion and love, we as a society will never evolve to something safe. 

My children taught me something yesterday. 

World events are horrible--yes. But what's worse is dwelling on the negative instead of watching every beautiful act that is happening right around us. Children see fun and beauty in such simple things, and I think it is about time we (I) start thinking the same way too.

Be thankful for what you have in the moment, never forget what has happened, and move forth with a little compassion--the world will see it!

Seems that the world has evolved to a place where we are actually backtracking....sad.

We need to stop the hatred, personal bias' and start loving and embracing differences in our society. Hair is not going to hurt anyone, but war and negativity will.

What do you think? Was the school 'going too far'?

Visit the website: http://www.disney.com/planes  
Like Disney’s PLANES on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/disneyplanes

 

I tested all the items listed below, and as you can see the patterns are just wonderfully hip and modern! the back of the bib and the blanket are super-soft and luxurious to the touch! I just love how light-weight they are and how well they wash too! This company has become a family-fave, and since becoming an aunt, will be visited often ;)

With $5 flat rate shipping in Canada and the U.S too!! Better stock up now and enjoy little luxuries for your prince or princess that will grow with them, and maintain their durability for years to come!

Tomorrow will be the day I let my little boy take a bus.

To most, this is not much of a leap or even a thought....
but to me...
It is the biggest event of my life.

I have managed to let him go to school, though it was hard, by convincing myself that I am 1 block away if he needs me. I have stocked him, made sure I was there 10 minutes early for drop-off and pick up, and I have counted the seconds until the bell rings every evening...just to see his smile.

But this...

Alone in the scary world, on a bus without ME....I can't breathe!
The anxiety and thoughts of 'what if' will not leave me. 

I know he needs to grow, I guess all children do. 
If I had known that motherhood would be this difficult, I surely would not have had two.

Until tomorrow I wait anxiously. 
Counting the seconds, 
Minutes,
and hours...


Until my baby can tell me of all the wonderful things he did on his own...without ME.

Perhaps it will get easier, or in my case, even harder...

But I guess that is what happens, when little people grow.



**To my sons, who are my life, my loves, my entire being. I wish I could stop the clocks and keep you in my arms forever. Have fun on your trip Cookie, I can't wait for you to give me a big hug when you return <3