52 Books: Gene Zion's Harry the Dirty Dog

April 27, 2016


I purchased Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion long before my son was even a thought in my mind -- I have always enjoyed children's books -- but as book number seven on our 52 Books journey, it has quickly become a favourite. If you are tired of taking baths, and want to follow along on an adventure with the cutest little dog, then this book might become your favourite too -- but you're allowed to change your mind about the baths.



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What I Wore: My Handmade Shirt from Pakistan

April 23, 2016


I am a lucky girl. A little while ago, a lady I work with went back home for a visit in Pakistan. She offered to have some shirts made for me by her tailor. And so she asked for my measurements, took one of my shirts with her as a pattern for the tailor, and I eagerly awaited her to return.

When she came back, she gave me three beautiful shirts that had been handmade from the most amazing fabric. She said that she had picked out fabrics that she would enjoy wearing, and what I ended up getting was the most wonderful fabric that feels like you are not wearing anything. It is so soft and floats away from my body in the most breathable fashion. 

I am told that it is the summer fabric that is used on the tunics and clothing that is worn during the hottest part of Pakistan's year, and I know that it is going to be perfect for our hot days here.




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Shop Update: Cards for Honorary Moms

April 18, 2016

This year I've made the card that I made for my own mom last Mother's Day available -- Because You've Helped Me Grow -- and included another card for all of the women in our lives that aren't our mothers, but hold a special place in our hearts. I chose to make a card like this -- My Chosen Mom - because I thought of all of the people out there that don't have a mom, or necessarily have a good relationship with their mother, that would like to acknowledge the ladies that have taken over that roll...for our honorary moms!



 
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52 Books: Christopher Franceschelli's Alpha Block

April 14, 2016


The sixth book in the 52 Books series is one of my favourite alphabet books. Alpha Block by Christopher Franceschelli is simple and follows the formula of "A is for...B is for..." but the illustrations are fantastic, and it's almost like a lit-the-flap book in that you need to turn the page of the giant letter cutout to see what "A" is really for. I was sucked in by the sheer size of the book during a visit to the book store. Though it's not very tall or wide, it is very thick paper, like a board book, making for a rather large book. I really like the seemingly interactive quality it has, as well. A few of the letter spawned a learning session, and we watched some videos of a violin because of it.



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Now He Is 5: The Birthday Party

April 11, 2016


It's amazing how a week and a half has gone by since we had his 5th birthday party. It was a simple affair this year. Usually we have family over for supper and cake, but this year we took him out for supper to Boston Pizza and then invited everyone over for cake and snacks. 

He requested something called Texas Brownies, and I asked my mom if she wouldn't mind making them -- although I am getting better, her's are still the best. The night before his party, Little Boy helped me make lemonade -- which is a favourite drink that he discovered in Walt Disney World. 

We also made sure to have his favourite chips and some candies that he enjoys. As always, it was a fun-filled evening spent with some of the people that he loves the most.


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Shop Update: 100% Cotton Canvas Block-Printed Tote Bags

April 08, 2016

I am so pleased to announce our new product line to you today. With the help of my wonderful mom and dad, we have created these 100% Cotton Canvas tote bags with block printed images on them -- our logo and the POP-cicle print. I think they are so cute!



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52 Books: Steve Antony's The Queen's Hat

April 07, 2016


Book number five in the 52 Books series was a fun find at the bookstore last year -- you might remember it from one of the 52 Weeks portraits. We love reading this book because it takes us around London, England to different tourist sites -- and a little bit further, too -- following the Queen and her men, with the help of one of her Corgis, as they chase after one of her beloved hats. But I won't spoil the ending for you, as it's rather delightful and you need to find out for yourself.



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Bake It: Mini Vegan Cupcakes with Chocolate Glaze

April 04, 2016


We celebrated my son's 5th birthday on Friday, and so he and I decided we needed to take some cupcakes to school to let his friends in on the celebrations. We made these delicious vegan cupcakes from A Beautiful Mess, and added a delicious chocolate glaze on top instead of icing. What's nice about the glaze is that it is a more subtle hint of sweet rather than the over-powering sweetness that traditional icing can sometimes have. We also made them mini because bite-size is nice for smaller people -- they are less likely to waste them, too. We cut the cooking time roughly in half and let them bake for 10-13 minutes.

What you will need:
1/4 cup Cocoa
3 tablespoons Water
2 tablespoons Margarine (I used vegetarian)
2 tablespoons Corn Syrup
2 cups Icing Sugar (confectioners sugar)
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla

What you need to do:
Stir the cocoa, water, syrup and margarine in a sauce pan until smooth, melted and heated. Remove from heat and beat in vanilla and icing sugar. More water or icing sugar might have to be added depending on desired thickness. Drizzle over a cake or spread on cupcakes.


Store the cupcakes in the fridge to avoid the glaze melting all over the place. It also makes the cupcakes a little firmer, and I think that makes them even more delicious :)



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Now He is 5

April 02, 2016


I know that I will say this every year, but it is hard to believe that he is already five. It is unbelievable that almost six years ago I got to share the life-altering news with my family that my husband and I would be having a baby, and all of the love and excitement that surrounded it. It's surreal that the photo he is holding in this new photo of him was when he was just 3-days-old, and that we now get to snuggle another precious little baby that is his baby cousin -- he thought the photo that he is holding was me holding his baby cousin.

To my precious boy, you have grown so much and developed quite the personality. You know what you want and do whatever you can to attain it or make it happen. You always have a little plan in your head about different situations and what you think will occur -- you often share these plans in the form of steps...Step 1...Step 2...until the plan is complete. But, you also know that sometimes you cannot do the things that you want, and understand when we reason with you -- you are also quite the little bargainer.

I like that you are getting more into imaginative play. Your favourite game right now is to have a super power that freezes people. You also love playing board games, doing puzzles and dot-to-dots, and working on little work books that help you with your numbers and letters. You've always had an interest in numbers and letters, and I'm glad to see that growing into an understanding about money, the cost of items we buy, and what the letters on the page say for instructions, signs, and in your books.

The joy that you get from playing outside in your sandbox, riding your bike or skooter, playing at the park, or drawing with chalk on the driveway makes me so happy. The outside world is one that you should be free and excited to explore, and we will never stop you or take that away from you. You have also built up quite a love of swimming, miniature golf and bowling, and ask to do these frequently. You will even invent your own games that involve miniature golf or bowling somehow.

In the fall you will enter school for the first time, and we are excited about the possibilities and how much your world will expand. It will be a new adventure, and one that we are happy to take with you as we have done with every adventure in your life so far. You bring such joy and life to our lives, and we wouldn't have it any other way.


 


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