Christmas 2014

It's never too late to post about how our Christmas went. I'm just not sure if I remember all the details. Pretty sure it was a merry one :D

Lalaloopsy and Pokemon

Daddy opening his gift from the kids

Nintendo DS for this guy

happy with her tea cup set

Priceless reactions :D

SY 2014/2015

Leila in her Gr. 2 class

It seems like it was only yesterday when we brought Lance to school for his first day of Kindergarten but now he is in Grade 4 already! And Leila? I still can't believe she's in Grade 2 now.

I didn't get to take a picture of their first day (oooppps!) and I didn't even get to bring them to school that day, it was hubby who had to endure the chaos haha!

Just when I thought everything's perfect, a couple of weeks back, it snowed. Yes!!! Snow in September!!! So wrong especially when the kids don't even have winter boots yet :p

The sun is back though, have been for the past week or so, just when I bought the kids their winter boots :D

A+ for Effort

I wasn't going to post this originally because we didn't like the end result but looking at the pictures, Leila did have a lot of fun making this 5 minute chocolate chip cookie so here it goes...

 

Ours looked different from the recipe no wonder it didn't taste good enough for my little critics. I'm sure it is a great recipe which I managed to mess up even though it is a simple, no bake recipe (haha). Anyway, my little helper had fun and that's the most important thing I guess :D

Easy Kids' Lunch

Sometimes I plan ahead of time the kids' lunches, most often I don't. As long as I have what I need (cheese, bread, pizza sauce, fruit, crackers, perogies, hot dog, yogurt, pasta, etc) then I'm good.

One of their favorites is pizza quesadilla which I love making because it's so easy. If I run out of tortillas then I use any bread available then it becomes (pizza bread). I buy pizza sauce and tortillas on a regular basis (weekly) and usually mozzarella and marble cheese. The more types of cheese the merrier (and the pricier it gets). I don't buy the grated ones as they are so expensive. I have a great set of arms (huge actually) and can do the grating myself. We used to buy the cheese slices but I only used them for sandwiches so we switched to the cheese bars plus they give you more bang for your buck (frugal momma right here!)

See how easy it is to prepare this? It tastes really good especially when it's warm. My kids don't care though if it's warm or not, it's always a hit and they come home with empty lunch boxes :D

And may I just say, I love my grill pan. It's probably the most used cooking ware I have. It's very useful and hasn't let me down (just yet).

My Little Rascal

Much as I miss the kids the whole time they're in school, the moment they get home is also the most 'critical.' Tired is an understatement.  I can't think of a word to downplay the chaos :D

After some time out, hugs and kisses, Leila finally sat down and made vanilla butter mug cake. If there's one thing that would bring her out of her mood it's cooking. I made this for myself in the morning so I know the recipe works well.

After making the mug cake, she also made popsicles out of strawberry Greek yogurt, cool whip and milk. Wait, I think I got it wrong she made the popsicles first because it's ice cream that can turn her mood 360 degrees (just look at the pictures!)

showing off the flower shaped ice cream she made

See the puffy eyes? Well, that happens when someone's been bawling her eyes out but then again, the popsicle making and mug cake did the trick (whew!)

So there's (ice cream, mug cake, cooking) on the how to make Leila happy again list. Making to that list as well--- STRAWBERRIES!

strawberries dipped in sour cream and brown sugar

There goes my strawberries for my frozen strawberry daiquiri (haha!) but look at that face, she can eat them all as long as she stays jolly :D

One Colorful Afternoon

Minutes before the kids arrived from school, an idea popped on my head---rainbow spaghetti! Saw this on Pinterest awhile back but too scared (of the mess perhaps?) to try it. To be honest, I prefer working alone in the kitchen but spending time with the kids doing something exciting is also priceless. Besides, there's more to life than watching tv and using the ipad right?

green and purple for Leila

blue and red for Lance

Kids and mess are most definitely interrelated but hey, if it makes your kid creative, so be it. Playing in the rain, getting all muddy, going home with ripped or stained clothes are just some of the perks of being a kid. I think, when you don't let them get down and dirty, it somehow diminishes their sense of adventure.

taste test!

I want them to grow up bold and brave (not daredevils) but really exciting people. Someone who isn't afraid to get out there, confident and full of life, as colorful as these rainbow spaghetti :D

tada!

Look at that, so pretty! I wish we had more food color (next time there will be yellow and orange). The kids were so happy with how the rainbow spaghetti turned out. They want this for their lunch tomorrow.

how cool is that?

I can't wait to get more food color and try it on other pasta shapes. This is great for a rainbow themed partyyy!

eating time!

the finished product!

The kids' verdict? It tastes like regular spaghetti (of course!) but it's more awesome. Yay! Good job mom :D

Always Be My Babies

My babies! Where did the time go?

Mr. Mayor and the artist during career day in school. Lance was confused whether he wanted to be a president or a mayor but settled on being a mayor instead. According to him, he wants to take care of a city. He actually wanted to be an astronaut but after seeing the movie Gravity, let's just say he changed his mind. Next thing I know, he's telling me he wants to be a pilot. Kids and their dreams!

Leila on the other hand wants to be an artist (sometimes a nurse) or sometimes nothing (lol!)

Lance just turned 9. No birthday party this time around (he chose cash!) We surprised him with pizza and watched a movie.

Sweet Leila! Beware though she's got the temper of a bull. She likes to dress up more than five times per day. She likes to make a mess and she isn't a morning person (ugh!)

Definitely a daddy's girl!!!

Loves cooking with mommy.

Lance goofing around for the camera. This picture was sent to me by his friend's mom.

They love to play after school. Most of the time they take so long and I start to worry (ugh!)

I always sit by the window and wait for them to come home.

:D

Summer Road Trip 2013

Also found some pictures from our summer road trip to Idaho last year. Some pictures were taken by my little photographer Leila.

First stop was in Cranbrook, BC.

Somebody enjoyed taking pictures :D

Welcome to Silverwood Theme Park!

Boulder Beach

M O N T A N A

I needed this trip so bad after mom's sudden passing. It was a wonderful trip despite the timing and the kids had so much fun, that itself made this trip all the more memorable.

'Til our next road trip :D