Best Pancake Recipe - Turning Breakfast into a Fun Activity

This is the BEST pancake recipe! Time saving tip: Plan ahead and mix the dry ingredients in jars in advance then, on the day of cooking, simply add the milk and eggs. Alternatively, make a batch at once and store cooked pancakes in ziploc bags so you can easily warm up throughout the week. The latter was the strategy used in this video (and hence why the chocolate chips not rapidly melting). The placing of chocolate chips is a great activity to support FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT --- of course, healthier options would be using fresh berries but it's school break so the kids are enjoying a special treat. :)

Recipe:
2 cups flour
5 tsp baking powder
4 T sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
2 cups milk

Steps:
1. Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.
2. Combine all ingredients.
3. Cook & enjoy!

Traveling With Children: A Few Tips

We like to travel. We are somewhat addicted to traveling. Having a family does not stop us or slow us down... perhaps it even encourages us more. We want to expose our children to different experiences as best as we are able to. With kids, we have been to Germany, Italy, France, Hawaii, across Canada and the northern USA so --- BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI (not yet to Newfoundland)... Maine, Washington DC, New York City, Philadelphia, Wisconsin Dells, Mt. Rushmore, Seattle, etc. For a 6 year old and 3 year old, that's not too shabby. For adults, we like to think that's not too shabby. With all of this traveling with children, we have learned a few things:

1. Activities in ziplock bags is convenient; keeps them sorted and more accessible.
2. Limit the activities you bring. Too many provides too many choices and takes up too much space. 3 for each child is appropriate.
3. Mega blocks provide a surprisingly great activity. They are big enough to not get lost and easy to contain.
4. Only use electronic devices after a set period of travel where the child(ren) have been calm.
5. Any opportunity to allow the children to run around, take advantage of: seatbelt sign is off on the airplane, let them stand/walk by the washrooms; washroom pit stop on a long car ride, allow 5 minutes for them to run around - set a timer if you have to so 5 minutes doesn't become 45 but allow sufficient time for everyone to stretch their legs. By setting the timer, children are made aware (even if there is a bit of a learning curve) how long they are able to race around.
6. Any opportunity to let the children rest, take advantage of it. If you are driving and the children are sleeping, keep driving as long as your body (and itinerary) appropriately allows. 
7. With sleeping arrangements, don't be afraid to convert the bathroom into another bedroom or temporary living room. On our cross country trip our children were aged 2 and 4 and sleeping in the same room was difficult. A routine that ended up working well for us was putting the 2 year old down for the night while the 4 year old had a prong longed bath. We even set up blankets on the bathroom floor to allow him to watch a show while his younger brother fell asleep. In the morning, because the younger child always woke earlier, he and I would watch a show in the bathroom while the rest of the slept. 

I am sure that I will add to this list but there is a start...

....We have been fortunate enough to travel from Canada to Germany several times. "Dad" is born and raised there so that is certainly part of the motivation but it has enabled us to have some notable experiences. If you are ever in Berlin, the zoo is an absolutely must!!  Below are a few snapshots of some of the animals we have been able to see. The animals are exceptionally well cared for and the proximity which you can get to them is phenomenal... and with that, I will sign off for today. Stay tuned for more snapshots of our travels.

Comparing Children: just don't do it

We have started to take the boys skating. It's become a weekly thing. They both enjoy it and although it does not come easy for them, they are having fun.

Our oldest lacks muscle tone. He could not process protein like a "normal" child and instead, protein consumption sent him into a comatose state; extreme lethargy, sudden high fevers, spontaneous - projectile vomiting... Not fun. BUT... he is out growing it. We are exceptionally fortunate to have a child with metabolic disturbances who grows out of it. We are blessed. Supporting his development to assist him in "catching up" presents numerous situations which test our patience to a level that I never knew existed.

When your child is at the playground or hockey rink, have you ever found yourself admiring the physical abilities of other children there?... Then, you catch yourself --- as you inadvertently are comparing your child. That used to be us. Selfishly, one of the blessings of our son's health adversity is that we have genuinely stopped comparing our child to others.... I highlight this as such a blessing because I think it makes us better parents; we focus and celebrate our child without the distractions comparisons may present.  However; that does not stop others. I listen to them share proudly about their child's accomplishments as they continually offer, well-meaning but non-constructive, suggestions that are so specific within the realm of a child's development, I cringe.

At our last visit to the rink, I  mistakenly asked the age of another child as this child's skills were exceptional and it provided and easy means to begin a conversation... He was 6. My son is 6. This other child was literally skating laps around our son. When our son stands and shuffles, we get excited. The passive tension rapidly rose as this other parent began suggesting everything to teach our son how to play hockey... We listened but stepped aside feeling really awkward and judged.

Our child is having fun in activity that helps him increase his strength, balance, coordination and support muscle growth.... We'll take that and proudly brag via posting a video of his newly acquired skills to You Tube. See for yourself: happy, healthy and determined. There is no need compare him to others.

"You're a mom." -- the answer to...everything.

Have you heard that line, "you're a mom" and suddenly that statement is apparently an answer.... To everything.

I have recently realized just how frequently one of my coworkers says this to me. However, it is more in the context that I share stories about my kids --- and am personally realizing, inadvertently, too much. This did get me reflecting though on just how frequently those three words have become such a prevalent statement in a variety of contexts. For example:

My husband and I were talking about getting things done around the house with the kids... I was frustrated and finally, directly, asked, "how am I able to do this --- and this and this, then?" His response, "you're a mom." Long pause. He then continued, "you guys are super human. I don't know how you do it, you just do." It that supposed to be a compliment?

Imagine a casual dinner conversation... There is a transition of topics that you don't notice but your friend without children catches on without reservation where as, you are totally oblivious:
Me: interesting...son, put your penis back in your pants... So, what other opportunities are you looking into?
Friend: ummmm.... That's obviously not the first time you've said that.
Me: Sorry, said which?
Friend: son...
Me: oh, that. That's the phase were in now so I don't notice it anymore. Maybe I should be more aware of the words coming out of my mouth..."
Friend: nah, you're a mom.

Have you experienced the "you're a mom" response? Share your story in the comments below.

Add more in the comments below!

My 3 Year Old Teacher

Important lessons learned this week alongside a 3 year old:

1. If you let your 3 year old walk the dog down a hill on a cement sidewalk, be prepared for tears. If you don't allow them to do so, tears and.... if you do, well....

2. Doing so will very likely result in crying - those painful screaming cries - and two "broken legs"... aka, scraped knees.

3. "Broken legs" can be healed with popcorn and a children's favourite tv show.

4. When a 3 year old is angry, take the time to listen. Really, really listen. They are likely angry because they have not been heard. In all seriousness we ran into quite an issue this week with our child hitting and spitting at his teacher. Yes - you read that right and yes - I just posted that publicly.  And, approximately two weeks ago there was an issue where he deliberately tripped every child in the class. Yes - I just admitted that and posted it publicly, too.

While obviously we need to address these behaviours, in each case we learned - from listening - that he was standing up for himself and that is a characteristic and attribute we want to continue to encourage. So, how does one encourage the behaviour, recognize the strengths in the child's character and squash the perceived undesirable behaviour?...

Now, am I becoming THAT parent? The one that you want to avoid because if my child hurts you on the playground I am going to standby and support them.... reality check! Of course I am going to standby and support them BUT, I won't standby and support the behaviour. Those are two critically different "elements".

And with that, I am going to step away from the computer to make breakfast and lunch for my 3 year to ensure they are fully fueled to add some new karate chop actions to his seemingly aggressive moves... ;)

This is the face of a child who may hit, spit, kick... but, is also filled with a lot of love!

Baby Takes a Bath in a Bucket (& I save you $$$ AND sanity!!! ;) )

Who has not bathed their child in a sink or bucket?!? Why do baby bathtub exist?... if somehow, somewhere a reader has stumbled onto this blog:

1. Tell me how you came across it because, well - I am mostly posting and talking to myself when I do.... I am not crazy though --- I think. Hold that thought...

2. If you know of a new parent or soon-to-be new parent, have them watch this video to save themselves $20 and not buy a baby bathtub... a bucket is MUCH more practical and will grow with this child becoming their future laundry basket....

... Which brings me to a new "rule"(we have introduced into our house) and a "save your sanity tip"  --- children can sort their own laundry, carry a laundry bin down stairs AND load it into the washer... we have introduced this with our 6 year old AND 3 year old. Yup, at the age of 3?!??!  We could have checked this item off of our "to-do" list THREE YEARS AGO!!!

p.s. We are not lazy parents... we like to think of ourselves as "strategic". We are transparent with our children that we are a team and asked them why the parents should do these things by themselves, when the children and more than capable of assisting. They have an understanding that we all have responsibilities to maintaining a household --- and if we work together to accomplish our responsibilities that also means we have more time to play together. One word you will not hear in our home, "chore"... you will hear however, "respect" and "responsibility" as daily messages. And, speaking of respect, I will respect my sole reader's time and stop rambling now... before you go though, WATCH this video!

Unclogging a toilet by 6:15am, the day is bound for success!

Well, we (I) vanished for a little while... Life became so busy. I am sure you can relate. There is no sign things will slow down but it's essential to find those moments of pause to reflect or simply, breathe.

It's not quite 6am yet and I find myself attempting just that. Meantime, the kids are up -- being "pleasantly wrangled" in their room.... We have a few morning "rules" in our house: 1. No getting out of their rooms until after 6 (we tried 7 but we need to be out of the house by then so that became unrealistic and 2. They must be dressed before coming out. The exception to this is if they have to go to the washroom; they then go to washroom, wash up and back to their rooms. These tactics I highly recommend --- set the time that works for you but lay out such expectations, it can help save your sanity.

Sorry for rambling - drunken ping pong style with thoughts in multiple directions... You're going inside a mommy brain; would you expect anything else? My 3 year old has gotten up to go the washroom and, with that, a roll of toilet paper and a clogged toilet. It is now 6:11am. The day cannot get started without declogging a toilet before 6:15am. Look at that! I am ahead of schedule... It IS possible? ;).

I will be keeping this short but wanted to commit to posting something. Taking a few minutes while committing to having a HOT cup of coffee...  the whole cup while it is still HOT helps set myself up for a successful day. Time now to pack lunches, make breakfast and get out the door.... I hope you find a chance to sit and breathe today, take one minute to do so; I challenge you. xo