Putting Up The Christmas Tree

This past weekend was filled with magical Christmas events for my kids.

First, we bundled up and sat curb side to watch our local Santa Claus parade.

Then we had a special visit to Santa's secret cabin in the forest at Knox Farms.

When we arrived at Santa's hidden abode, Mrs. Claus and Santa welcomed us in, calling the children by name, and spending about 5 individual minutes with each child, talking about what a good boy they had been and what they might want from Santa.

My boys were in absolute awe as Santa and Mrs. Claus correctly named each item that was on their Christmas wish list and reminded them to be sweet to each other (I believe Mrs. Claus asked them to give lots of hugs and to not fight...). After their special one-on-one time, they were treated to hot chocolate and cookies care of two elves, and then we took a walk down Santa's secret path back to our waiting horse-drawn sleigh for a ride back to our cars.  It was such a special afternoon- one that I'm sure will help keep our babies believing in the man in the red suit for years to come!

Finally, we spent Sunday putting up our Christmas tree.

Our youngest is now 3 years old and he was thrilled to finally help out with all the ornaments, lights and crystal icicles. Check out the process:

And we were all pretty pleased with our finished product!  

A great way to cap off a festive, holiday filled weekend:)

I'm not your friend

Yesterday afternoon I told my eldest son (Z) I wasn't his friend.

He was mad (he is a redhead after all, so being angry isn't a new thing around here). He had been playing lego with his younger brother, but his brother wasn't "doing it right" and now Z wanted me to step in and build some type of ship from Star Wars.

But guess what? I didn't want to. And so I didn't.

I told him no.

He grumbled and complained and kicked up a fuss.

I told him no again.

He whined and cried and destroyed his already built lego creation.

I told him no a third time. I reminded him that I had already spent a good chunk of the day focused on them. I had taken them to swimming lessons (that I paid for), spent an hour in the freezing cold at the park while they played, pushed them both on swings, rode bikes and scooters, chalked on the driveway, fed them at least 8,000 meals (ok, that's an exaggeration, more like 1,500 meals and snacks because, BOYS), and helped them both make masks so they could look like Batman. I was tired, and I still had dinner to make, work of my own to do, a sick cat to attend to and a floor to sweep.

It wasn't that I needed time "alone", I just needed time to hear my own thoughts, get dinner on the table and breathe. Also, I don't like playing lego.

But my explanation of why I couldn't build some Star Wars ship thingy didn't fly with Z. And he threw an even bigger, redheaded tantrum. He said I was "THE WORST MOM EVER" and that I was "SO MEAN TO HIM ALWAYS". He crossed his arms and kicked his feet and railed against a mom who would dare to not drop it all to build him a lego ship.

So I looked at him and told him "I'm not your friend". Because I'm not.

I'm his mother. I love him more than anything and would do anything to help him, but building Star Wars ship thingys actually isn't something I am obligated or desire to do.

Because keeping my kids "entertained" is not my job as a parent.

But that is where I have previously failed as a mom.

I used to equate my kid's happiness with a lack of boredom. It didn't matter if I had dishes, dinner, or work- if either boy needed me to play, I was there. I created games, I looked up Star Wars thingys on Google so I could build them, I played so many rounds of Jenga you wouldn't even believe! And then I would stay up until midnight getting all the stuff done in my house or work life that I had ignored because I had a bored(ish) kid.

It wasn't until this year that I realized how wrong I was.

Listen, it's not that playing with your kids or helping them out is wrong- it isn't...in fact it's an awesome thing do to. But what I had been teaching my boys by constantly dropping EVERYTHING to be their "playmate" is that they are not responsible for their own entertainment (or "happiness") and that their mom is their friend. And both of those lessons are not ones I wish to teach my sons.

I am not my kids friend. I am their parent. I am here to love the heck out of them and care for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs. I am here to listen to their joy and pain. I am here to comfort, scold, direct and encourage. I am here to love them unconditionally but reprimand (yes, even yell) when they are wrong. I am here to teach them and facilitate experiences that will help them grow into productive adults.

But I am not their friend.

I am their parent.

And what a disservice I have been doing by allowing them to think otherwise. What a disservice to them, as future adults, to think of the person in authority as a buddy and someone who bends to their whims and desires with the snap of a finger.

And so I have began to remind them- often in the middle of a tantrum, but then more calmly after the dust has settled- that I am not their friend. I am not responsible for neither their play time nor their creativity. I am not the root cause of their boredom and I am not responsible for their constant entertainment.

In the end, Z built his own version of a Star Wars ship thingy (I did look it up on my phone so he could try to replicate it, for what it's worth). My younger built a tower of blocks. Z eventually ambled over and said I wasn't THE WORST mom on earth (gee thanks), and I got dinner on the table.

It wasn't exactly a monumental moment in our house, or even a lightbulb moment for me, but rather a  (noisy, full of yelling and whining) reminder that being a parent is hard. But being a parent that falls into the "friend" category and caters to your child's every fancy is even harder.

Amazon Family

I love books. My kids love books (PHEW! I think every parent breathes a sigh of relief when their kids actually ask for books!).

And as much as I wish I could visit bookstores and libraries on a regular basis, our lives are already so busy that browsing the shelves for a new read (or for anything really) has often fallen to the wayside in favour of the convenience of browsing online.

And that's why I love Amazon. 

I'm sure you're familiar with the services that Amazon offers - books, DVDs, CDs - but they have recently launched a new platform that I am so excited to share with you!

Amazon.ca has launched Amazon Family. Amazon Family members will receive 20% off diaper subscriptions and Unlimited FREE Two-Day Shipping on eligible items with Amazon Prime. The membership program also provides new and expecting families with promotions and discounts, available exclusively for Amazon Family members. After a 30 day free trial, Amazon Family members will continue to enjoy those benefits as part of a Prime membership for the annual fee of CAD $79.   

Let's face it- parenting is so awesome but it isn't cheap! Amazon Family was created to offer families amazing price-points on all those essentials your family needs (I'm thinking diapers, toys, strollers, and more!) and even better they offer awesome advantages, including

  

• 20% off diapers with a Subscribe & Save subscription.
• Unlimited FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items with Amazon Prime, including strollers, high chairs, car seats and more.
• Access to Amazon Family exclusive discounts and offers on key necessities, including items for the nursery, toys, newborn accessories, children’s books and more. 

Best? When you buy it, it's delivered to your door! The convenience, the prices, the one-stop-shop-from-home-in-your-pjs, all make it totally worth it!

And for me? Well, I opted to use my subscription to load up my emerging reader with books he could succeed in reading and my wee book lover with his favourite books (FRRRROOOOOOGGGGYYYYYYY!). I can safely say that the price points for all items were spot on (and I'm not just talking books!) and having my purchases dropped off at my door really made my life that much easier.

Make sure you visit Amazon Family today and compare their products and prices with the stores you're currently shopping at. I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised:)

Coffee Delivered To Your Door

How many times have you gone foraging in your kitchen, praying you'll find some coffee because you forgot to pick some up the last time you were at the store? I know it's not just me!

How many times have you wished there was a coffee delivery service that would deliver fresh coffee beans to your door? I know it's not just me! (also, I think I've wished there was a wine delivery service, and I am positive it's not just me!).

Enter Coast to Coast Coffee! They have recognized the need for a delivery service that brings the good stuff (or the 'nectar of life' as I call it) directly to your mail box. That's right: freshly roasted, Organic and Fair Trade coffees can now be ordered online and delivered to you- no matter where you live in Canada!

And the BEST PART? Delivery is FREE!!!!

What I love the most about Coast to Coast Coffee is that they are not only providing superior quality organic and fair trade coffees (roasted and shipped the same day you order for peak freshness), but they are offering convenience and quality at amazing prices. 

Having lived in a very rural town in Saskatchewan, I understand how hard it is to get really good coffee beans at a really good price. And even now that I live in a major city centre, I still struggle with finding a high quality coffee that I can brew and enjoy at home. 

Coast to Coast Coffee takes care of all those needs and they're Canadian to boot!

We ordered our first batch of coffee beans and had them in our mailbox within 3 days! Service, right?

How our beans arrived- freshly roasted and ready to be enjoyed!

And truthfully, the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans in the morning is a reason to get out of bed. Even better, fresh roasted coffee is naturally sweeter and higher in antioxidants than the stale, canned stuff you buy at the store.

Can you smell the delicious freshly ground coffee aroma through your screen?

 And the best part is that the coffee is REALLY REALLY REALLY delicious! We chose a medium roast for our first batch (yum!) but we are signing up for a SURPRISE ME! monthly delivery so that we receive a new origin and blend of coffee in our mailbox each and every month. 

Heaven in a cup!

Check out their offerings at www.coasttocoastcoffee.ca and try them out today! I can personally guarantee that you won't be disappointed!

The New Gig

So, yes, I haven't been around. In fact, I haven't written since August.

But there is good reason, I promise.

And so, what has kept me from this space for about a month?

Well, I have a new job.

Yes, that's me! I am hosting a LIVE daytime television talk show! AHHHHHHHHHHH

Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever hoped for something like this in my life, but the opportunity appeared to audition, I just knew that I could not pass it up. Imagine my surprise when, after going in for a screen test, I got the gig.

So I have been absent learning how to read a teleprompter, using an IFB (earpiece for the control room to speak to me in), trying to tame my natural inclination to speak like a valley-girl circa 1980, and learning the ropes of live television (which, I have discovered, is never, ever smooth but always ends up looking amazing thanks to the magicians that work behind the scenes).

Phew.

And it has been crazy hard work, but oh my word, it has been the most fun I have ever had! I mean, I cannot believe that someone is LETTING me go on air for an hour each day and just have fun. I have never learned so much (or so quickly) but it really is a blast and I'm so lucky that I get to take over this maternity leave contract and spend the next year on television!

Here are a few of the awesome guests I've gotten to hang out with. (oh, and FYI, I have literally eaten something prepared by an executive chef at least 3 times a week. That's just the icing on the awesome sundae!)

What an awesome adventure I'm on! I'm getting to grow and learn, and do something I love! This is one of those times when #blessed is legit.

I keep reminding myself...

Kraft Food Hacker Semi-Finalist!

WHOOOO! A week or so ago, I submitted a video to be Kraft Canada's first ever Food Hacker! 

And guess what? I made it to the semi-finals!!!

I will be participating in a Twitterview (an interview on Twitter) TONIGHT (Monday, August 11) during the Kraft Food Hack Twitter Party from 8:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and I'd love for you to join in the fun:)

Why am I the perfect candidate for this job?

Well, I'm not trained chef, but I did teach myself how to cook. 
Way back in 1998, when I left home for university, I didn't know how to do much more than boil water or microwave a pre-made meal. After gaining the Freshman 20 (that's a thing, right?), I decided I needed to learn how to cook...and so I began experimenting in the kitchen.

Remember, this was a time before Food Network, food blogging, online 'how-to' videos, etc. This was a time when you had to call your mom, call your grandma (who I would consider to be the original food hacker in my life!), or buy a cookbook and figure out cooking for yourself. I made a lot of mistakes in the kitchen (I still do!) but I also learned a lot about cooking.

I have learned that I love great food and I love making great food for others. I also learned that great food does not have to be time consuming or expensive (a lesson that has served me well as my family has grown!). Anything that makes my time in the kitchen a little bit easier is right up my alley! I also learned that I love fiddling with recipes- if I eat something delicious at a restaurant, I go home and try to recreate it Sarah-style. If I'm at a party, I spend too much time at the serving stations checking out their ingredients and then (you guessed it!) recreating it at home (Sarah-style- quick and easy, of course). Heck, I'm pretty sure I am the queen of making something out of next to nothing!

To top it off, I live for social media and love tweeting, blogging, facebooking and writing and have spent the better part of the past 2 years as an on-air personality, discussing "hot topics" in the news and parenting issues. I feel like I was born to talk on air and love engaging with a variety of audiences on a variety of topics. Having been a poor college student, a newly-wed, a new mom and now a harried mom of two, I know I am able to relate to people during all stages of their life.

In short, I am the perfect person to fill the inaugural "Food Hack" shoes for Kraft Canada:) and I welcome the opportunity to chat food with my fellow semi-finalists tonight!!! 

Wish me luck! xo

Foodie Friday: Stuffed Mushrooms

A few years ago I was hosting a get together at my house and decided, about an hour before guests

were to arrive, that I needed another appetizer to compliment my already prepared bruschetta. 

I ran to the grocery store, prepared to get all the ingredients I needed for stuffed mushrooms (these are a go-to fav at every party/event I have ever attended, so I figured my guests would love them). However, when I saw herb & garlic cream cheese on the shelf, I decided to throw caution to the wind and create my very own food hack. Guess what? They were a crazy hit, and I've been making herb& garlic cream cheese stuffed mushrooms ever since.

Recently, Kraft decided to host a food hackers competition and, as a certified* food hacker, I decided to make a one minute video to enter myself.

Here's my recipe for the best (and easiest) stuffed mushrooms you will ever make:

Thanks to my husband for skipping his nightly viewing of the Jays game to help me film this (and putting up with my 5 wardrobe changes). And thanks to Kraft for hosting such a fun competition. I love a good food hack and Lord knows I have a million of them born mostly out of necessity.









*not a legitimate certification but real, nonetheless

African Lion Safari: Go Wild!

If you live in Ontario, it's likely that you have heard the jingle for African Lion Safari. If you have a child who likes to parrot everything he hears, it's even more likely that the mere mention of African Lion Safari puts that jingle ear worm in your head for the rest of the day (sorry, not sorry!).

After months of jingle singing and begging to visit, however, my five year old got his wish- we finally visited African Lion Safari. Celebrating its 45th year (FOURTY-FIVE!), African Lion Safari is Canada's original safari adventure and I can personally say that it is a BLAST for the entire family!

Our boat awaits!

Upon arrival (you pay at the gates, while still in your car, which is so smart!), park your car in the free(!) parking lot and head out to the "African Queen" boat cruise. I suggest fitting in the boat cruise (and train ride) early if you have younger children, as the line ups become longer as the day progresses and wee ones have trouble waiting.
The African Queen boat will take you on a 15 minute leisurely cruise of the Water Safari Lake, where you'll see the cutest ring-tailed lemurs, spider monkeys and marabou storks, amongst other animals. My boys loved the boat in and of itself, but were especially thrilled to see so many animals on their own islands and (luckily) the animals were very active and spent a lot of time showing off for us!

Some nosey zebras going right up to a car

So close!

From there, I highly suggest taking the Safari Tour Bus into the Games Reserve for the highlight of this day trip- an up close and personal encounter with some of the most beautiful and majestic creatures nature has to offer. I would highly suggest the bus trip, in lieu of driving your own car (which is an option), as the driver is incredibly knowledgable and provides fantastic background information during the approximately 45 minute ride. We were incredibly lucky to see a plethora of babies on our trip and had the chance to get extremely close to one of my favourite animals, a beautiful giraffe. The highlight for my boys was the baboons- we watched them climbing on cars and hitching rides as some brave souls drove along. This was by far our favourite part of the day and a definite must-do that my boys are still talking about!

My favourite site of the day- I couldn't snap enough pictures

Lastly, I cannot recommend the Elephant Round-Up show enough. There are three shows at African Lion Safari (Parrot Paradise and Birds of Prey, and Elephant Round-Up) that are all excellent, but the Elephant Round-Up was by far our favourite. The elephants, along with their trainers, play soccer, basketball and do some painting, along with a few, fun high jinx thrown in for added entertainment. Unfortunately, it started pouring rain during our show, which made getting pictures impossible, but that didn't stop us from waiting around to touch an elephant after the show was done- such an amazing experience!

To top off the day, I would suggest a visit (or in our case multiple visits!) to the kids playground- full of fun things to climb and a ball pit that made my 3 year old squeal with delight- and the AMAZING water park (sadly, it was raining so my kids didn't get to partake but on a warm day I think it would be difficult to pull them away). Make sure you partake in some delicious food offerings (we had Pizza Pizza-yum!- but there were hot dog and fries stands near the water park that I would have loved to try out) and ice cream (!), and make a quick visit to the petting zoo before you leave.

Crazy baboons hitching a ride!

All in all, despite the rainy weather we encountered, our day at African Lion Safari was so much fun! If you're going, plan to spend the entire day- pack some snacks (the parking lot is very close and we were able to make a few trips back and forth so that we didn't have to drag a backpack around) and your swimsuit and have some fun!! There is so much to see and do and children (and adults!) of all ages will take something away from what proved to be an educational and fun day!
African Lion Safari is a fantastic place to spend the day with your family and make some memories to last a lifetime!

*Disclaimer: I was provided with free entry to African Lion Safari for my family of four but opinions are, as always, my own!

Arbitrary Rules

I realized last week I have a whole bunch of rules for my kids that have no real rhyme or reason to them- they were likely created in a lack of coffee haze or I will lose it if you ask for X one more time  rage and somehow managed to stick.

Honestly, I always thought I'd be a bit cooler as a parent. 

Pre-kids, I was positive I'd be relaxed with the "rules"- I always felt I had too many rules as a kid, although looking back I think my parents were pretty fair and not nearly the crazily strict monsters I made them out to be in my head. Post-kids? I think I'm actually more strict than I ever imagined I would be - fair, for the most part, but strict. 

And yet, as I was taking stock of our household recently, I wondered if I really needed all the rules I've imposed on my kids for no reason at all... or if it's those rules that have actually allowed me to maintain my sanity as I juggle a work-at-home job with having two (very strong willed) boys at home with me all.day.long.

Here's just a small peek into the window of my arbitrary rule making:

• no television before 8:30am (no clue why I made this rule- it would be so much easier for sleepy Sarah to just let them watch some cartoons in the morning)...and then, just to make it even harder on me...
• everyone must be dressed before the television goes on
• no juice before 11am (again, no rhyme or reason...just seemed like an ok time to have juice)
• no dessert after dinner (I think I made this rule after we had some ice cream one night and no one slept until 9:30pm. Now, if we are going to have dessert, we have it before dinner. I know, makes no sense!)
• no games on mommy's phone (I'm a real stickler about this one, and I'm not sure why- they'd probably be better behaved if I let them play on my phone occasionally)
• everyone must hug after an argument (they hate this, I think it actually causes more arguments in the end, and yet I still make them hug it out)
• maximum one piece of gum each day (this is super hard for the 3 year old who is known to swallow his -aspartame free, don't worry- gum...but I can't for the life of me remember why I made up this rule because my kids hardly ever have gum as it is)
• no flip flops (again, no clue why I made up this rule but I recently loosened my reigns on this one and bought the kids flip flops for the summer...providing they don't run in them)
• only ONE episode of Sheriff Callie each day (my 3 year old is obsessed with this show and wants to watch the same episodes over and over and over and over and over and over and over- this is one arbitrary rule I'm sticking with!)

Of course, there are a lot of "normal" rules that I'm pretty lax on (clean rooms? meh. your room, your mess, as long as there are no living creatures or fungal growths I'm ok) and some arbitrary rules that I take away pretty much right after I make them because I realize how ridiculous/irritating they are (I had a rule about not eating in the living room that I gave up on after a day because it made my life infinitely harder than it needed to be). There have been rules my kids have talked me out of (yes, fine, you can pick up the cats if you promise to be gentle) and rules I won't give up on no matter how difficult they make my life (learning enough self control and patience to sit still for at least 5 minutes without devices to distract is something I'm big on).

I don't have any plans to remove my arbitrary rules for the time being- they work, generally speaking, for our family- but it's interesting how and why we make the rules we do. 

So tell me, what are some arbitrary (silly) rules you have made up for your kids in the interest of saving your sanity?