learning begins

As school starts to wind down, I start to pack away some of the papers that came home.  The purging of the classrooms began last week, and all of the hard work and effort, reflected on painted paper, typed projects and old tests, have started to make it's way into our memory files.

I had an interesting conversation with my husband about all the grandiose ideas of avoiding brain drain this summer, and keeping up my children's reading, writing and arithmetic during the time off.  He smiled in agreeance but I knew in that smile, that he thought I was setting myself up for dreams that won't necessarily become reality.

Maybe instead being a "teacher" this summer, this time I'll be the student instead.  Maybe I'll learn and be inspired to enjoy the bewilderment of seeing, smelling, experiencing the freedom of summer through my children's eyes.

My delightful daughter knows that you don't need any reason to dress up as a superhero and wear a tiara at the same time.  That every day is a day to become a superhero in your heart, to conquer the world, with a tiara, knight's shield, or princess gown in tow.

My inquisitive son knows that sometimes he will do things that test his mother's boundaries (and patience), and he too is exploring the world of adolescence, and trying to build a solid bridge that will connect between his childhood and manhood.  And although he will get frustrated with the limitations that will certainly greet him, he will keep on trying until the act of trying is no longer difficult.

So as school is done for the year, my kids will put away their backpacks and test the world around them.  And while doing this, I guess the real learning for me...begins.

Easy Oven Fries

During the summer, one of the rare treats I love to indulge in, is eating a tray of fries from a "chip truck".  Here's a more healthy, non fried version of those "chip truck" delights.

Ingredients

• 2 large baking or russet potatoes, peeled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves

Directions

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Cut the potatoes in half horizontally, then cut into strips, approximately 1/3-inch-thick 
• Place the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for approximately 10 minutes.
• Remove from water and dry thoroughly. 
• Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and rosemary. 
• Place fries on cast iron skillet.  (a cookie sheet works well too).
• Roast until browned and cooked through, turning occasionally, approximately 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy.

surrender

When I engage my children in conversation about what they did at school, one of the most important subjects that I usually pay closest attention to, is recess.  I know that sounds counter-intuitive to what I "should" be interested in, because of course, when you send your child into an academic environment, the most important thing should be those academics, right?

When I listen to my children talk about which group of friends they played with at recess, what games they played, or how they resolved any playground conflicts, for me it's peek through a window into a part of their lives that is a little more difficult to control.  Sometimes the playground stories are a little heartbreakingly difficult to hear as a parent.  Stories of teasing, accidental injuries, disagreements...yes, many of those conflicts are common among the school set. But when I hear some of these stories, I have to admit, sometimes deep down I just want to go to their school and make all of their problems go away.

But we have to remember that the playground is filled with children with various backgrounds, ethnicities, traditions...or just kids with their own "story", and that parents who micromanage their children's relationships, I think, do more harm than good.  If the parents are always solving problems for their children, how can these children learn this very important lesson on their own when their parents are not around?   How will they ever learn to cope, deal, understand and get along with those who are different from them.  Because EVERYONE is different.

http://atrandom.ca

I've come across a beautiful documentary, "@Random", about those affected with Tourette Syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 100 North Americans (the average age of onset is 7 years old, so if you look around the playground, there is a good chance you'll see someone with Tourette). The filmmakers collected many films and arranged them randomly, so every time someone watches the documentary, it would be different.  Just like Tourette Syndrome.

And today, the Tourette Syndrome Foundation launched an awareness campaign that touches on that very point of experiencing what it's like to be in someone else's shoes.  For 24 hours, you can experience what it’s like to have Tourette Syndrome by giving up control of your Tweets. (For more information, see surrenderyoursay.com or follow the hashtag #SurrenderYourSay on Twitter)

http://www.tourette.ca

Watching the @Random documentary is an amazing reminder that we are all different, we all have a story, and as adults, we need model and teach our children that understanding each other is the first step to getting along.

It also is a reminder to me, that as my children get older my need to control is the one thing I need to learn to surrender, in order for them to grow.

happy father's day

delightful

I remember when I was a young girl, I would visit my neighbour's house to play, and on lazy summer afternoons, we'd get two large bowls in her kitchen, as she would sift through her mother's cupboards for anything that was sweet and sticky.

We'd spend the afternoon together, creating an interesting concoction...chocolate sauce, maple syrup, bananas, cookies, cake mix...we'd dump it ALL in our bowls, and eat our new found recipe.  Her Mother would walk in, and we'd coerce her to "taste test" our new culinary delight.  And through her grimacing smile, she would always say, "delightful".

The other day, my daughter wanted to make her Dad, a Father's Day breakfast.  She took some pecan tarts, removed the pecans, added nutella and topped it all off with marshmallows.  It was an interesting mixture, although the only thing my eyes saw were the mounds of sticky pecans stacked on the table....and what it at first seem to resemble (at a glance)...a "present" from our dog.

After a few laughs with my misunderstanding, she showed me her lovely surprise.  Four lovely tarts, one for each of us to enjoy (with a birthday candle, no less!), for Father's Day morning.  Now, I'm not sure how long these would stay fresh...or if they would possibly be consumed before Father's Day this Sunday.  However, I neatly packed them in containers in hopes we could try them on the weekend.  I couldn't help but wonder if this is the beginning of my child's culinary experiments.

I hope it is.  And with every bite we'll taste on Father's Day or with future "taste testing experiments"...it will always be delightful.

Happy Father's Day

Dump Cake

(makes approx. 12-16 servings)

Ingredients

• 19 oz. (540 ml) can of cherry pie filling
• 19 oz (540 ml) can of apple pie filling (or omit the cherry pie filling and use two cans of apple).
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 white cake mix
• 1 cup melted butter
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup of almonds

Directions

• Lightly grease a glass 9x13 dish.
• Layer or "dump" the above ingredients in order as listed.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes to an hour, until cake is brown on top and bubbling on the sides. 
• Serve warm with ice cream.

Enjoy.

smell the coffee

With a plethora of options that bombard us on a daily basis, both with the everyday (like buying groceries), to the more complicated (like the path to raising our children), sometimes I think having too many choices have actually paralyzed us from making one singular, intelligent, well informed decision.

I remember a simpler time, when as a child, ice cream primarily came in three flavours:  vanilla, chocolate or strawberry.  I remember a time when ketchup came in a glass bottle, and not two shelves with variations such as organic, sugar-free or an upside-down-so-it-is-easy-to-pour version.  I remember a time when finding something to do after school was easy...I'd roller skate along the sidewalk, with the theme to "Ice Castles" (a popular 70's movie) in my head. And although my parents did their share of chauffeuring my brother and I around to various extra curricular activities, the choices were limited...and back then, it seemed our decisions on "what to do" seemed so clear.

With summer around the corner, I've yet again started to create a list of things to do this summer.  But like last summer, my list is a little different than your average "what to do" list.  It speaks more to what I want my children to remember about summer...not what I want them to accomplish.  They are only so young for such a short period of time, and instead of signing them up for more schedules,  I've changed my outlook on this precious time we have together, and plan on exploring life's little pleasures.

Like biking to the creek to find crayfish (do those still exist?).  Or lying underneath the sprinkler in the backyard on a hot summer day and just watch the curved water drops sway back and forth on top of the grass.  Or just rest on a picnic blanket to read or see shapes in the clouds.

And as the kids create those wonderful childhood summer memories, I too, will enjoy waking up to the aroma of freshly made coffee, and now and then, enjoy a little cake for breakfast (gasp!)...to start our summer day discovering life's little pleasures.

Streusel Topped Coffee Cake

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cups white sugar, 1 cup of brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda

Streusel

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
• Grease and flour baking pan (I used a loaf pan, bundt pans work well too)
• In a large bowl, cream butter and 1 cups white sugar, 1 cup of brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. 
• Add flour, baking powder and baking soda, then beat until well combined.
• Pour batter into Bundt pan. 
• In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the batter.
• Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.

Enjoy!

the ride

One of my earliest memories of visiting our local theme park (Canada's Wonderland), oddly enough, was eating a taco.  I'm sure I've eaten tacos before, but there was something about this particular one that made it memorable.  It was the beginning of summer, and with all the excitement of this brand new theme park (it had just opened in May of that year), the smells of popcorn, corn dogs and sweet soda pop, added with the feeling of pure exhilaration of being somewhere new, made this taco seem like the best thing I've ever eaten.  Or maybe it was also the year I was actually tall enough...just past that little "height line" that indicated that I was big enough to go on the "big" kid rides. That this was the first of many "big" rides that I would conquer in my life.

It's amazing how the human body works and how our senses are trained at such a young age to store little memories...little clues stored away in the back of our minds.  And when the grown up version of us needs to remember...to remember that moment in time when things were so much simpler and innocent, a heavenly scent of something so very specific to that memory does just that...releases the clues out of storage, and transports you back in time.

Many years later, I can still remember where I was standing while I consumed this crispy meat filled delight.  And to this day, whenever I eat (or smell) a taco, I can still hear the clanking of the wheels on the steel as I gripped the handlebars tightly as the car slowly approaching it's peak.  I remember the feeling of the wind gusting in my hair as the coaster rolled downwards.  I was a little scared...but at the same time, I also felt free.

As the temperature warms and the grass starts to grow, the smells of the freshly cut lawn now evokes that feeling that summer is almost here.  That soon, we will be storing our backpacks away, grabbing our swimsuits or sun hats, and heading out the door for a new adventure for the day.

And although my kids have already experienced some "big kid rides" (at Disney), I'm hoping this summer, my kids can visit Canada's Wonderland for their first time.  Now that both of them are just the right height, they too can enjoy some of the many "big" kid rides that I enjoyed.  And maybe that taco stand is still there...who knows.  But whatever we do, see or eat, I hope they continue to "conquer" the roller coasters of life...

...and enjoy the ride.

Pantry Tacos

(serves 4)

I usually don't like all the MSG in taco seasoning, so I buy just the taco shells and use the ingredients in my pantry to make the "sauce" for the meat.  

Ingredients

• 10 taco shells
• 1 lb. ground beef (I like the organic ground beef...it seems less greasy).
• 1 onion
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. italian seasoning
• 1 can of tomato paste (156ml)
• 1 plum tomato, chopped
• 2 cups shredded old cheddar (to garnish)
• Sour Cream (optional, to garnish)
• Avocado (optional, to garnish)

Directions

• Brown the ground beef in a saute pan or cast iron skillet until almost cooked through.
• Add onions, garlic, and italian seasoning, and cook until the beef is cooked and onion is soft.
• Add the tomato paste then the plum tomatoes.
• Let simmer until the tomato paste becomes thick and saucy.
• Follow instructions on heating taco shells.
• Add the beef and garnish as desired.

Enjoy!

unexpected

It's difficult to not feel a little anxious about the tornado that hit Oklahoma this week.  As rescue efforts are underway, specifically at two elementary schools that were demolished in the path of destruction, as I read about the children who were rescued, or watch videos of the moments that parents are reunited with their children, as harrowing as it is to watch, there is a part of me that seeks comfort in hearing these stories.

As a child, I found news of natural disasters fascinating, mostly because I was more interested in listening to the stories of survival, and how the heroes and first responders are a big part of that survival. I'm not sure if I was just an inquisitive child or if I was driven by fear in the belief that if I closely paid attention to the news, I would remember what the survivors did, and then I too, would be a survivor if ever in an emergency situation.

Now as a parent, when I hear news of natural disasters, sometimes my mind runs scenarios.  You can say it is like running an emergency drill in my head. What is the fastest route to the kid's school?  Where is the nearest hospital?  What can I teach them now, without scaring them, so they are somewhat prepared? 

As much as I know one can not always be 100% prepared for everything, and to accept that the road we take will lead us to a predetermined fate, I thought I'd share some good resources to help parents (or teachers) to teach children about Emergency Preparedness.  Although this won't prevent or be a guarantee that we won't suffer through a natural disaster, it might help us be a little more prepared...to expect the unexpected.

 Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Oklahoma.

Emergency Preparedness Guides for Parents & Teachers

Various "Expect the Unexpected" materials at the Red Cross

A Parent's Guides about Emergency Preparedness

(Link here)

great together

Like most siblings, my kids fight like cats and dogs.  They also play just as hard.  There is a special bond between siblings and although sometimes they fight (okay, maybe often), there is always this silent code of forgiveness.  When they fight, it sometimes remind me of the old Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercial, in which two people, one eating peanut butter and one eating chocolate would crash into each other, one person exclaiming "You got your peanut butter on my chocolate!" while the other would say "You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!". Then they would sample the chocolate-peanut butter mixture and realize how great the combination of the two really is. "Two great tastes that taste great together." {source}

The other week, my son was not feeling well, so he had to stay home while my daughter attended school.  On the car ride there, I could sense that my daughter was feeling uneasy.  At first, I wasn't sure if she was feeling under the weather like her brother was, or if she wanted to stay home just so she can play with the dog.

As we approached the school, she said "I don't want to go to school".

After making sure she wasn't feeling really ill, I told her that she would have a great day with her friends, as usual.  But she said her brother wasn't there, and it won't feel the same.  She likes it when she knows her brother is around, you know...just in case. After a few minutes of reassurance and meeting up with her friends, she quickly forgot our conversation and headed into her classroom, giggling with her classmates.

When I returned home, my son asked sleepily if his sister was okay.  My heart stopped.  Is my mother's instinct off, and is there something that both of them are intuitively sensing that I should pay attention to?  I hesitantly told him she was fine, but missed having him there at school.  I guess I had a worried look on my face...my son smiled and admittedly said that sometimes he checks to see what she's doing, and sometimes she checks to see him play with his friends.  They look out for each other, and he sensed that she would be feeling a little nervous at school today.

And so, all day, I thought (okay, worried a little), about how her school day would be.  When I picked her up at the end of the day, she was still all smiles and had a good day at school, but wanted to go home as quickly as possible ("to see the dog").  When she got home, she ran up the stairs to see if her brother was feeling better.  They chatted briefly, argued a little, then she ran to play with the dog.

I guess I'll have to remember that sometimes they collide and fight, deep down they do really care about each other, and really are "two great kids, that are great together".

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
(makes approx. 2 dozen cookies)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup mini chocolate peanut butter cups (like Reese's Mini's...President's Choice also makes a good one)

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. 
• Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture.
• Stir in the oats then fold in the mini peanut butter cups. 
• Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not overbake.
• Cool for 2 minutes and store in airtight container.

Enjoy.

new mom

I forgot what it's like to have a newborn in the house.  It's amazing how our recollection of life with babies seem so different when viewed in retrospect.  Sometimes those early years of exhaustion seem to pale in comparison with the new challenges each life stage brings as your children grow up with their own mind, voice, determination, and opinion.

After a few weeks of settling in with our new puppy, I was re-introduced again with that "new Mom" feeling of adjusting to a schedule that is dictated mostly by a creature no bigger than ten pounds. Trying to prepare for hosting our annual Mother's Day gathering this weekend, along with chauffeuring kids to school, swimming, birthday parties and hockey games all while trying to keep with a training-in-progress puppy's schedule has definitely been trying, and as we manoeuvre through this new phase in our lives, there are some things that I've kept reminding myself.

I looked back to when I first became a mother and tried to apply some lessons learned.  Surprisingly this has (somewhat) helped us get through this "new mother" phase with the puppy.

1)  They will sleep through the night eventually.  Just hang in there.  Be strong.
2)  What goes in, comes out.  So only feed the best you can afford.  If it's not organic, then get food as pure to it's original source that you can. (i.e. no dyes, preservatives, chemicals, artificial anything).  Remember they are what they eat.
3)  Setting a precedent with good habits as early as possible helps make things a little easier, so they don't have to be re-taught again later (usually with defiance).
4)  You don't need to buy EVERY toy/gizmo/hot-designer-item...usually just a few key basics to start will work.  As they grow, your needs and their tastes will change.  Buy accordingly.
5)  It does get a little easier (at least, less labour intensive!).  You will settle into a routine and find those moments where you can get a "break" again.

So for Mother's Day this weekend,  I hope all Mothers, both new and experienced, enjoy a little break.  Because even when the little ones don't listen, wreck the furniture, have accidents in the house, and constantly demand your attention, just stop and look into their "puppy dog" eyes...their love usually puts things back into perspective.  And that's what's being a Mom is all about.

Happy Mother's Day

Crockpot Cocktail Meatballs 

(adapted from Allrecipes).

This recipe can be made even easier by using pre-made frozen meatballs.  I go back and forth between both (although I like the taste of homemade meatballs a little better).  When you're time crunched, this recipe is quick and easy, serves a large crowd, and can give you a little break from the kitchen so you can enjoy the company of guests.

Ingredients

Meatballs:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup ketchup or bbq sauce
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs (or cornflake crumbs)
• 1/3 cup parsley
• 1/4 cup parmesan (or 1 tsp. soy sauce for asian flair)
• 3 tablespoons minced onion

Sauce:

• 1 (8 ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
• 3/4 cup chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, water, bread crumbs, and minced onion. 
• Roll into small meatballs.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once until cooked.
• In a slow cooker blend the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice.
• Add meatballs, and simmer for 2-4 hours on low before serving.

Enjoy.

grand paws

When I was in labour with both of my children, there was this palpable feeling of nervousness mixed in with anticipation, culminated with this brave (or naive?) feeling that "we can get through this", which helped me get to the hospital with focused determination, even with severe labour pains.

Last weekend, I had that same feeling.  My palms were not sweaty, but slightly clammy.  Although it was only a 30 minute drive, I don't think I noticed too much other than the humming of the tires as we drove on the highway, and the whizzing sound of the cars speeding by me.  Small conversation was made between my husband and the kids, but I don't think any of us spoke too many words.  We were focused.

We arrived at this beautiful Victorian style home, and I barely put the car in park when the kids darted to the front door.  My husband and I took a deep breath, the same way we did when we first arrived at the hospital so many years ago, and followed the kids.

We were greeted with smiles as we entered the house.  This was the day we brought our new puppy home.

A few weeks ago, after we chose this puppy, we spent hours reading about about raising and training a dog.  My daughter spoke endlessly about our pup, and counted the sleeps until we could pick him up. When we first met the puppy litter (and the parents), it was a joyful dreamy time, like a baby shower, where all you can think of is the fun and sweetness of a newborn entering the home.  How wonderful our lives will change.  And we felt prepared.

The day we actually brought the puppy home was a different story...the conversation was different, and we weren't sure if we were really prepared.  Do we have everything?  Are we ready for the sleepless nights?  Will everything turn out alright?  Will this puppy fit into our family and lifestyle? My son asked, "Are we really ready for this?"

I didn't say much during our payment exchange...just the usual health and vet questions. Before we left, I guess I had that "what do we do now...we can't turn back" look on my face.   The breeder looked at me knowingly, and before we left he said "Don't worry.  If there are any questions, ANY questions...we're HERE.  Call me".  He looked at my kids cautiously playing and protecting our new puppy, then said "They'll be great parents...things will turn out great!".  Right then I realized that they were experiencing what I did when I first brought them home from the hospital.

When we took our new pup home, the kids played with, hugged and kissed our new puppy for hours and hours.  At dinner, they said our lives are now changed forever, and although it is a lot of work, getting this dog is one of the best things that has ever happened to us.  They said this dog is "so right for our family...it's like WE'RE parents now!"

I looked at how happy they were, and how much maturity they've gained even in just a short time since that day we brought our pup home.  I've never seen our daughter get up so early on her own and get ready for school just so she has extra time to help me feed and train the dog! And our son is learning about the dynamics of "alpha dogs" and setting behavioural precedence.  They're learning so much about responsibility...that it's not just about being responsible for their own behaviour, but also understanding their influence on their "little baby".

Maybe this is a glimpse of what I'll witness as a grandparent someday.  Ok...I'm getting ahead of myself way too quickly.  If bringing a dog into our home brings my kids the same joy as I have (and will always have) raising them in our world, then maybe the breeder is right...things will turn out great.