Yummy treats for the little ones...and you!

Being a mom of two little ones, time is never something you seem to want to waste, or have a lot of. Regardless, you want to make sure what you are feeding your kids, and yourself, is nutritious overall and tastes good.  

I often try to make sure that whatever I am making the kids, is the same, or similar, to what I am going to eat (who wants to make 3 different meals each meal).  Having said all that, kids need snacks and, I really believe, treats as well.  Now giving cookies, candies, and so forth, in moderation is fine...kids are only kids once right.  However, if you want to make them enjoy eating nutritious foods too, there are ways to make some good foods into treats as well.  I found that when grocery shopping, I was getting frustrated with the amount of sugar in any kids treat. I mean really, no one needs to have that much sugar and not getting anything else out of it.  

I also felt, through the day that I enjoyed an occasional treat, but trying to lose the baby weight, I didn't want to eat anything sugar-filled.  I have a certain taste for subtle sweet, but yummy and light in nature.  

Luckily, I found that messing around in the kitchen often resulted in not only satisfying my cravings,  but my toddler loved them too!

Here are some guilt-free items I often make at home.  They are low in sugar, super-healthy, and I promise so tasty.  

Milk Milkshakes

I make these on the regular, love them, and they are always a hit at my house.  I know the immediate connotation to milkshakes is ice cream, but I don't remember the last time I used ice cream in a milkshake.  The taste is not compromised by just sticking to milk and frozen fruits, and you can play around and make it different every time.

I just add milk, ice, a banana, vanilla and blend away.   This is the simple basic recipe.  But 90% of the time I remix this by adding various different ingredients.  Here are my favourite combinations (make your own, play around).

Milk, frozen strawberries, banana, vanilla, 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter

Milk, frozen blueberries, bran muffin, a dab of chocolate syrup 

Milk, oranges, strawberries, banana, ice  (you may need to strain the pulp of the oranges slightly)

Milk, mixed frozen berries, vanilla greek yogurt, peach slices

Note:  

I sometimes add in almond milk, or nut butters to any combinations for a boost of protein

Blueberry Peach Milkshake

Mommy and Caiden Blueberry Bran Milkshakes

Peanut Butter Banana Pucks

I love these.  Now they never turn out as pretty as I intend, but my kid doesn't care.  When they are done, you can eat as a frozen treat, or use them in a milkshake!

Ingredients: Bananas, Peanut Butter, Cocoa or Melting Chocolate, Margarine

1. Slice Bananas (however many you want, and however thick you want).  

2. Spread them on baking sheets, covered with wax paper.

3. On each slice, top with a nut butter of choice (I use peanut or almond, and always opt for natural).

4. On low heat, simmer some water. Place a small bowl above the pot of water.  

5. Within that bowl, add your desired amount of cocoa or melting chocolate.  If the chocolate is dry and not melting smoothly, add a teaspoon of margarine.  Mix consistently in the bowl, until you have a smooth chocolate dipping sauce

6. Remove the chocolate from the heat, one by one dip the banana slices in the chocolate sauce.  Coat as much as you like (just the tops or the whole thing, it's up to you).  Once coated, place back on the wax paper.  Do this one by one until done.

7.  Place in the freezer until fully chilled and chocolate has set.

8.  Enjoy!

Tips:  

- I use a toothpick to lift each slice into the chocolate sauce.

- Once frozen, I usually freezer bag them, for the occasional treat.  To my admission, they can be rich, so you may not want to have a lot at once.

Natural Peanut Butter - ready to top a banana slice

Yogurt or Milk Pops

I cannot say enough, how awesome these are.  In fact, we rarely buy popsicles because of this!  I used an old family tradition of making milk pops with my grandfather.  He used to just take milk, food colouring, add sugar and freeze them.  I grew up on these (as did many other Fijian families), and I wanted to have those yummy special treats carry on within my own family.  So I do these classic pops, but often slightly remix (and often I don't need to add sugar).

All you need to do is mix this up, I use a blender.  And freeze in popcicle molds.  Here are some concoctions I have tried and my kid eats it up!

Classic: Milk, vanilla, food colouring, a touch of sugar

Milk, strawberries and coconut shavings (sweetened)

Milk, blueberries, and a touch of orange juice

Milk, vanilla, mango, a splash of pineapple juice or orange juice

Tips:

-Substitute the milk for yogurt in any recipe, for a more creamy taste

-Feel free to add sugar to sweeten, in moderation.  With the fresh and ripe fruit, I rarely feel the need.

-I sometimes add the food colouring of the natural colour, to just make the pop brighter, or sometimes do without it completely

Strawberry coconut milk pops in the making

Milk pops ready to be frozen

Banana ice cream (without the cream)

I saw this first on a kids TV show, and they called it banana swirl.  I had to try it, and sure enough, when you take frozen bananas and just blend them (in a decent blender), it creams together beautifully, looking just like ice cream.  Except, without the cream and no added sugar.  Add some sprinkles and topping, and you can seriously pull it off as actual ice cream.  So why not!

You can keep it simple, just bananas. However, I find that adding a touch of milk and vanilla, makes it just a tad softer/creamier, and I just love the vanilla taste, so can't do without it.

I have added other frozen fruits, or a touch of chocolate syrup sometimes as well as just bananas. 

1. Slice bananas

2. Freeze, in a freezer bag

3. Once frozen, add in a blender (with or without milk or vanilla) and blend away.  

Tips:

- If you opt to use with milk, remember to add just a touch, as you don't want to make it too soft or liquidy.  I add about a tablespoon at a time, only because I don't have an industrial blender and this makes it softer.

- Feel free to mix it up and try different combinations, add other frozen fruits to give it a bit more excitement, or to create your own unique "ice" cream.  However, just be sure it is frozen to keep the ice cream texture in tact.

Simple, delicious banana ice cream

Your kids will love these treats, and I am pretty sure you will too!

A Superbowl to Remember

Both Caiden and Rayna's first Superbowls have resulted in the Denver Broncos winning the AFC championship and advancing to the Superbowl.  Both my kids are lucky for Dad and Nana's favourite football team.  What are the chances huh?  Both kids firsts, Broncos win AFC for both.

In 2014, the Broncos ended up losing to Seattle.  However, this time, in 2016, they won!

What a victory, it was glorious to see the team you root for all season win the championship,  and of course to celebrate with your family.   What made it even more special was the fact that, for Vick, it was the first time his team won while he was here,  among family and friends (previous Superbowl wins were when he lived in Greece).  So nonetheless, it was special for my family.

All the playoff games we dressed the kids up, as well as ourselves, in Broncos gear.  We also just happened to watch them all within the comfort of our own home.  So naturally,  we had to watch Superbowl at home too.  We took a risk though,  we bought the kids new gear just for game day.   Rayna sported an orange sleeper, covered in the Broncos logo, while Caiden sported a Manning jersey.  Vick and I ordered new gear also, special Broncos Superbowl 50 bound shirts (mine read "we run the AFC").  Needless to say,  we were crazy excited.   However, due to some delays in processing, our shirts didn't get shipped on time...bummer!  Maybe it was a sign to not change it up totally. 

So game day, my little Broncos family got ready in orange and blue, we completely decorated the house in Broncos memorabilia, set up a table full of food and drinks, had our friends over,  and had an awesome time watching the boys win this one (though I will admit it wasn't the most exciting of games).  

Caiden didn't really care that much, and taking photos of him was like pulling teeth. Having said that,  he learned to say "Go Broncos" really well.  Rayna was a trooper. She was in the living room with us the whole time and even napped and had dinner while the game was on.   No one wanted to move her (for sake of not jinxing anything), and, frankly, she really may have been the lucky charm, at least in our eyes.

The win came with us popping some champagne,  birthday cake for our friend Neelam, dancing, singing and lots of cheering.   Then as we were settling down, my parents show up at the door.  Dad is wearing his retro Elway jersey and wearing his authentic Broncos helmet.   The crowd goes wild again!

Overall,  it was a great day and I was so happy.  I was happy my husband and dad's team won.   I was happy it was a fun celebration.  Really though,  I was so happy to have been with my family.  It could've easily been a "go out with the guys" event, but to be there together,  dressed as a unit, taking pictures and just sharing these moments is what makes life so awesome.

Here are some pictures of our Superbowl 50.

Go Broncos!!! 

Caiden ran away, but a great pic of 3/4 of the fam jam

Chandras and Bains posing in their Broncos gear

That smile!

They have been waiting a while to celebrate this moment.

Little Ray posing with the helmet

It's literally almost the size of her.

Nana holding the lucky charm.

Pin, Vick, Father in Law and Dad - happy as can be

The birthday girl and me!

The kids watching the first playoff game.

Vick and the dads

This was definitely voted the best picture of the day.  Ray and her Uncle Nelly, looks like she is consoling him as the Broncos beat the Panthers...who can be upset after looking at that face though!

NO! - The Tantrum Anthem

I don't think I have ever heard the word "No" so much in my life before.

It's ironic, because it generally  comes in a sweet little person voice, followed by a definitive target (mom, dad, etc.), coupled with a laughable cute face, therefore making you laugh and get a little upset at the same time.

Well it isn't always funny.

I have heard no from my boy repeatedly for the past two days.  It has been so much, and so sudden, that I found myself sitting down with him and saying to him "but you are a boy that listens."  Then I ponder, "are you going to change that? please don't, I hate when kids don't listen and my kids will listen."

Well...time to wake up and smell the peanut butter...because it looks like Caiden is hitting another testy toddler phase.  Shoot. 

I sort of thought I had hurdled the tantrums and crazy stage of the terrible twos, and was relieved. I even thought to myself, "that wasn't so bad."  However, this is some new marked independence here; he closes his room door, pushes me on the other side, he tells me no when I ask him to do things he normally never resists, like brushing his teeth or picking up his toys and so on.  Sometimes it is a simple "no mom",  but the last two days these things, amongst others, have resulted in battles.  Two occasions led to the dreaded public tantrum...oh gosh yes it went there.

I have always felt bad for moms dealing with a tantrum in a shopping line, but yesterday I was that mom.  It doesn't last long,  the tantrum, but I wonder how many more does this guy have in him.

I decided I will take it in stride, I won't battle but I won't give in.  And, I will enlist my own army.  So grandparents have been told to not always give in, and we will nip it in the bud.

Today was a lot better,  and I think I know why. 
Initially, yes this can be frustrating and your first tendency is to be assertive.  However, going to bed defeated got me thinking,  I don't want to always battle him and I am sure he just thinks I am just not getting him.  So I read some notes from my Toddlers best chance book, had some awesome tea, got some sleep.  I woke up rejuvenated, today will be a success. 

It was much better...here is what I did different today, so some take away points if you need during your tantrum stages:

1.  Keep calm.  Each point of a tantrum or stand-off, remain calm.  Do not revert to anger yourself.  If he is not having it, you yelling more will not change it.  Keep calm and respond as you want him to.

2.  Ignore. He will eventually calm down, so ignore if you just don't know what he wants.  This isn't mean, it just shows you won't always give in and that it doesn't affect you.  This truly works...he totally saw that and calmed down himself.

3.  Distract.  If what he wants he can't have, you can ignore and then distract him with something else.  If he is still not having it, I actually turned my attention to his little sister with whatever I wanted him to do...and that worked also.

4.  Hug it out.  Offer the hugs and kisses despite the fact you kind of need a break...because it may just be the thing that calms you both down.  Lucky for me, my kid loves hugs.

5.  Tell yourself it is not your fault, or his.  He is not bad and you are not a bad parent.  This is a normal life stage.  He thinks you do not understand what he wants and showing he wants something specific, and you are trying to establish rules.  It is like a right of passage and all parents experience it at some point to some degree.

Needless to say, no major tantrums today and I feel confident I have some better tools to handle the next one.

I hope.

Pumpkin Patch, Ghost trains and SuperMom!

I should  have worn a Big S this Halloween.   In fact, I was so tired I am only getting around to blogging about  this now, nearly 2 weeks later.

Our Halloween festivities included a visit to the Stanley Park Ghost Train and Spooky Barn, and of course the Richmond Country  Farm Pumpkin  Patch.  

However, the trip to the pumpkin patch I ventured on all by myself..well me and my little ones.  What was I thinking????  I had nothing to do and because we hadn't  gotten a pumpkin yet, I thought we could just go to the farm, pick a pumpkin  and be on our merry way.  NO!  Although all the hay and farm animals and displays are awesome and easy enough  to walk around, I did not see any pumpkins.  In fact, you must take a hay ride on a wagon to get to the patch...I must have forgotten all this.  Here I was thinking, you show up, pose for cute pics and someone directs you to a bunch of little pumpkins.  So fumbling to put  Rayna in the Bjorn and handle Caiden (who took a liking to throwing apples in the pond that day) I did the bravest thing ever....I went on the wagon.  All the mud and glory of it later, we ended up with 3 cute pumpkins and a very happy guy.

I didn't  get the glorious awesome pictures I dreamed of but when I look back, it actually shows a wonderfully busy yet festive Halloween.

But next year I am only going to dress  as a Superhero, not be one.  Hehehe

Ghost train ride at Stanley Park

Vick and Caiden...and a witch?

We are always taking the pictures, so we asked the guys to take a picture of us with the wee ones...this is the best shot they got, thanks guys.

He loved all the hay!

Halloween family selfie!

Rayna's pumpkin

Pumpkin carving!!

Mud and Pumpkins

Aside from the pumpkins, he loved the animals at the farm

Just proof Ray was there too

Our little ladybug!

Chase is on the case!

I Have Changed.

I am a different person...post pregnancies.

Obviously having children evokes changes within,  changes priorities,  changes sleep patterns, even changes how much love you could project.  All these are the anticipated and well-welcomed changes.

However,  as I sit here in silence as my kids sleep and me and hubby watch TV, while eating turkey sandwiches, I realize, "what the heck? I am eating a pickle.  I don't like pickles, but I am eating it in my sandwich and it tastes good...wow I have changed."  

This got me thinking...what else has changed?

So I made a list here of things that are different now, and likely some moms will agree.

1.  My feet
I already had big feet but they have grown and have yet to shrink back!

2.  My affinity to vinegar based foods.
I always loved olives and such, however I now can eat various pickled items that the old me would have overlooked...mmm yummy pickles.

3.  My ability to not break the seal.
Needless to say this is gone (sorry if this is T.M.I.).  That's all I will say about that.

4.  Going to bed without removing make-up.
This was a huge no-no before, but now after coming home from an event, some days I just want to pass out after putting the kids down, so yeah...disgustingly it happens.   I am sure this will eventually go back.

5.  My cool normal self. You know those crazy women we hear about that you swear you will never be...yeahhh I take that back.  You do not want to deal with me past 10pm.

6.  My inner tendency to people please.
Basically if I can be there for you I will,  but my kids come first and if that bothers anyone, where the old me would lose sleep over how to make it work, now I expect understanding or c'est la vie.  Time is too precious to waste it on worrying about everything else and everyone...don't worry be happy is no longer a cliché.

7.  Me being A.Ok. with a night in.  There was a time where Saturday night meant I had to have plans...not anymore.  I gladly look forward to a quiet evening at home where I actually get a chance to chillax.  It is not boring,  it is sheer awesomeness not trying to prove how awesome I am.

8.  My being on top of every chart topping song.  Nowadays,  unless it is overplayed,  I likely do not know what the heck I am hearing at a party. My repertoire of music at the moment includes Old McDonald,  Twinkle Twinkle, and various theme songs to popular shows on Treehouse.

9.  My stomach.
It is bigger, yes, however what I refer to here is my ability to have a stronger stomach when it comes to disgusting things such as vomit, diaper messes and so forth.  You truly have no choice as a parent,  it is something I feared I would be a tad grossed out by...but even the biggest of poop messes has kept me unphased.

10.  Last but not least...and likely the most affected: My memory.
Dear lordy lordy lordy...please help me remember where I put my keys, phone and any item I was holding onto 5 minutes ago.  I used to be on top of the ball, knew where all my stuff was and everyone else's,  now I am lucky if I can remember anything at all.  I literally forget why I came into a room and as such make a list of everything I must do each day.  Admittedly I am a but ditzy...I used to be smart...I swear it.

Well that is my list.  I am sure there are some others that can go up here, but I have probably forgotten (haha...no really though).

Do you moms out there have any other good ones to share?  I would love to hear!

Cheers to changes!

She is precious.

As I hear her little cries and squirming about, I know it's diaper change plus feed time for my little girl.

She knows I am there as I stop before picking her up to just peer into her crib for a second or two.  She sees me and even in the dim illumination from the nightlight, I can see her smile.  She smiles her own unique, heart-warming,  delectable smile, fully opening her mouth wide and then almost shyly tilting her head to the side. She knows I am staring and smiling back.   Then I pick her up and, although she is only 3 months and petite,  as I put her slightly on my shoulder and chest, she wraps her tiny arms around me gently as if hugging me. 

There I stand with my baby...in an embrace in the middle of the night and thinking "How did I get so lucky? I want to remember these moments forever...before she grows up and starts to piss me off".

Right now, other than the crazy events of the year we have had (sibling wedding, cousins weddings, sibling engagement,  new nephew,  friends having babies plus a baby of our own), my day-to-day life is quite ordinary and routine.  I get up, take care of my kids, clean, play, eat, etc. etc.  So it is easy to assume one gets bogged down and stuck in the cyclical pattern of unpredictability...but I feel that is far from the truth.  Well life with a toddler is never unpredictable, but I truly love being a mom and cherishing these little life moments.   I catch myself often watching and observing and then completely coddling my kids.  Of course this is not on the days where I am beyond exhausted and begging them to let me sleep...oh yes I have those days too. 

Today I tucked Caiden into bed, and then re-tucked him in...he was so cute as he hugged me and then went back to sleep in his own room, own bed.  It wasn't that long ago I was picking him up from the crib.  So when I picked up my Rayna angel, I got the double  dose of love. 

She is a cuddler though for sure and geesh that smile...I wish I could create a sensory app where I download this warmth and feeling so I can just re-enact it in the future.  

She will be my last baby and I am so lucky, I know, to have another one that is happy, healthy and beautiful to the core. 

Now Rayna darling, please do not be a brat or handful in later years.  Someone please develop that app.

Goodnight...I am going to cuddle my precious baby back into her crib now.

Xoxo

2 - 2 and Under

Wow.

I have 2 kids, aged 2 and under. 

Wow....I can do it.   Some days I can barely, but some way and some how I do it.

Life being busy and crazy is an understatement.  I have now, only recently,  learned that my over-ambitous tendency to think I can still make plans and meet up with people whenever I like is, well, over-ambitous.   I needed to accept that, although I am managing and learning and getting better at it,  some days are damn unpredictable and now my response to anything is "I will try, depends on the kiddies."  

I have a new found respect for my own mom who mothered 4 kids, each being 2 or 3 years apart.  "How the hell did you do it woman?" 

While I have now mastered being with both on my own, packing them in and out of the car, and traveling by myself with both; I still need assistance when I reach my destination.  Caiden likes to run and play and completely embracing the terrible twos, while Rayna is a lot more chill but if she needs me it requires both hands...at which point Caiden (unless playing with trucks or watching Bubble Guppies) will suddenly want my attention too.  So I am still not brave enough to venture out shopping or park trips alone.   I will get there...I think.

Today, I over zealously have both kids in my room.  We have been training Caiden to sleep in his room and new bed, so hubby has been sleeping in his room to transition him...while I am up with Rayna.  Each morning after Vick goes to work Caiden comes into my room with blankie, his water bottle and a toy and climbs in...it's cliché adorable...big Awwww.  Well, today Caiden climbed in at night and passed out.  So I suggested leave him...maybe by cuddling with me he will sleep in and I get some Caiden cuddle time in.  I was excited.   However, I forget my angel baby Rayna is a party animal.   So needless to say it's 4am, I am awake. I have one kid sleeping laterally in my bed across all pillows, another on her second sleeper change, 5th diaper change and smiling as she spits up yet again. 

What was I thinking? 

Meanwhile I basically gave hubby the night off, I can hear him snoring.  Stupid me.  No further comment on that.

I also realized how ambitious it is to think you may be able to pull off everything. I try to be super everything and its humbling to admit I am human, my kids come first so that means I physically may not be able to do everything. 

So, here are just some things I now know and hopefully can pass on as advice:

1.  Accept that spit-up on shirts will become your accessory vs. those cool necklaces now collecting dust in your jewelry box...half broken from being tugged at so you no longer bother.

2.  It is perfectly normal to still be in your PJs at 2pm on some days, and yes unexpected guests or delivery people will see you in them.

3.  Showers are meant for night-time, when you have a spare person around.

4.  You cannot have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).  Reality is you can't be there like you used to for everyone else because you may not have the time or the energy and that is alright.  

5. You will need to let go of the fact you cannot control all happenings and therefore schedules, though awesome to have, some days go out the window.

6.  Accept help when you have it.  It does not make you less of a parent...don't abuse it, but if you have a spare hand and they are willing...use it!

7.  Everything comes in stages and phases.   Bad habits pass, sleepless nights pass, and they grow so fast...so let it be...take it all in.  If you cannot get to the dishes or laundary, leave it be...go play and take a time out...housework is not that important...always.

This is reality with 2 wee ones...the fun is sooooo fun, the tiring parts are worth it but yes very tiring.  And the crazy parts...well that's the beauty of it all.

My kids will be grown before I know it, this will be a distant memory and hopefully they will be as close as their ages.

This is one of those posts I am not over editing....it's raw late night mommyness.  It is 5am and I am going to now cuddle my son, who will be up in 2 hours ready to tackle the day while my daughter will sleep...sigh I hope they will love me forever...they better.

Goodnight (but really good morning)