BACK TO SCHOOL READY

How did the summer go so quickly and do we really need to look at the calendar or do we just look outside?  Have you noticed the nights are getting darker earlier, the leaves are starting to turn – ssshhhh.  Yep Fall is upon us and with Fall and “Back to School” for the kids.  It could be said back to school for the Mom’s too!

I was at a local department store yesterday and saw a lot of Mom’s (and Dad’s) with kids crowding the hallways looking around.  Certainly the isle which hosts the new binders, paper and sparkly pens was busy.  It was almost like Christmas with the hustle and bustle.  Are you ready Mom’s and Dad’s so many things to think about as that first day of school approaches.  You have the new first day of school outfit, the supply list for the school supplies (don’t forget the labels).  Labels yes they are a great item when you spending so much of your hard-earned monies only to find out your child returns home without his new hat, coat or shoes on.  How does a child lose a shoe?  I don’t know about that one, but I have seen shoes in the lost in found.

I am heading out today for a trip to the water – yes it is a little drizzly and not the sunniest but we are going to squeeze in every last bit of summer holidays there is.  I hope you and your family have had some time to enjoy a little slower pace this summer and are going to find some more sand and surf days to just enjoy each other’s company before the new season ramps up the lives for many of us parents.

Talk soon ~

Nancy

SO THIS IS WHAT FIVE LOOKS LIKE

My baby boy turned five today!  How does it happen? I am sure these words resonate with you if you are a parent.

I had the luxury of putting my little four-year old boy to bed last night and we snuggled together for a while and he fell asleep in my arms.  I must admit I fell asleep too, it had been a long day.  But before we nodded off, we had a little chat about how things would be different tomorrow when he turned 5.

We both agreed he would be stronger, faster, smarter and more handsome.  I kissed him and told him goodnight and woke up this morning with him calling for mommy or daddy.  Of course Mommy was the first one up, he needed a little snuggle because he had a bad dream.  We looked at each other and he did look a little bit stronger, faster, smarter and probably more handsome too!

A few of Noah’s favorite things:

Bologna

Buns

Cars and trucks

Playing with his big sister Meaghan

Giggling

Saying “chicken-butt”

Making Funny sounds with his nose

Scared of the dark

Loves scary movies

Rides his bike very fast, and doesn’t think he needs his training wheels

Awesome hockey, soccer player dude

Loves his family and his new friends at JK

Love you forever and ever Noah – now you are officially in your 6th year.  My wish for you is to do all the things you love and more this brand new year ahead.  I know I will watch you grow and grow to more handsome, smarter, and stronger every day and every year!  SLOW DOWN…..

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Could you unplug from your technology for a week. I did (almost) and I really enjoyed it! I travelled recently the Dominican Republic with a girlfriend and had so much fun.  Observing everyone on their devices I wondered what was so important that they had to have their phones with them at all times.  Maybe I did miss my camera feature I have grown fond of or checking my Facebook updates.  Ok maybe checking my email updates every hour.  But I did none of the above for a week and it was freeing.  I must admit I am addicted like many other to my phone and I don’t like that I am so dependant on my phone.  I could never understand those people walking across the road checking their phones.  Were they not afraid of getting hit by a car of walking into oncoming traffic.  We are always looking down.  What have we become as a society.  Am I one of those people.

 It began before I left, I was having problems with my cell phone. I spilled water on my new cell phone (my first ever fancy phone ever)… I am slow to catch on to technology.   My replacement phone we bought off kijji – does not connect to the WiFi properly, it seems I am using a lot of data.  Needless to say I was hesitant to bring my phone to the Caribbean, as I did not want to incur hundreds of dollars on roaming charges.  I could not connect and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise!

  What a freedom not to be connected to the outside world. Away from emails, phones, Facebook. Just me, the ocean and my book. Thanks to the person who decided to borrow my book I left on my lounges the first day, (I guess you really wanted to read it). Well I am happy to report that was the worse thing that happened on my trip. I have a horror story of travelling to the Caribbean with a girlfriend, (I will save that for another time).

My friend who I travelled with had her cell phone, as she needed it for business.  I must admit I borrowed her phone to make a quick phone call to the family to let them know I was having a great time and see them when I get home.  I was a little teary talking to the kids and missing them so I made it short and sweet.

A week away from my responsibilities of everyday – just what the Doctor ordered, a little Vitamin D and a dose of freedom. Ahhhh the power of the sun and the water, it is so healing for the soul. I haven’t been away for a while and so enjoyed my every moment. We stayed at a beautiful 5 star, all-inclusive resort, need I say more.

So many memories, we danced till the wee hours one night and jumped fully clothed into the pool to cool off. I won the blackjack tournament by the pool and had to spend yet another night at the casino and walked out with cash in my pocket woot – woot!

I watched a whole family one night in the lobby one night – all had their heads down and all were on their cell phones. I watched them for several hours while my girlfriend and I played the coolest ever board-game and the poor mother (who was the only one who didn’t have a phone) was left to socialize on her own. I think if I were her I would have got up and left. Watching another couple, I saw her on her I-pad and the man like the other women was left alone. What has this world come to…..

I say I was disconnected (almost) – I snuck a look at the Lobby Internet several times, catching up on world events. My favorite event was lying on my lounger by the ocean, listening to the waves while my toes were touching the sand.

I challenge you on your next week away to unplug from the world and feel the freedom of your senses. I recently heard on the news as I was driving the other day. The number one cause of accidents – is people being distracted while driving. It is more prevalent than drunk driving.

 Turn those phones off – pay attention – be present!

Talk soon

Nancy

No parent wants to hear “Ok lets treat him for LYME DISEASE – yes that looks like a TICK Bite!”  My son came home the other day and I noticed he had a bite mark on his leg after I gave him his bath.  Putting him to bed I asked him if something bit him and he thought something had.  The next day my husband said “Ok we are taking him to the Clinic to get checked”.  I was a little nervous and had a knot in my stomach as I had a sneaking suspicion he may have had a tick bite, as the pictures I saw online looked very similar and we are exposed to high risk areas where we vacation.

Upon inspecting his upper thigh where he had this rash the Doctor kinda of cringed when he saw it and began asking us if we where in an area recently where there is a high risk of ticks.  Sadly we had to answer yes.  We boat in an area in Lake Erie where there are signs posted in Turkey Point & Long Point.  Risk of Lyme Disease due to Tick Bites.  I quiver every time we drive by these signs and think how terrible it would be to be in contact with these creatures.  I remember watching a documentary years ago about how a women became very ill and could not be diagnosed as to what was causing her failing health and it was undetected Lyme Disease as in some cases it can be very tricky to diagnose.

Noah is taking penicillin antibiotics for 3 weeks (3 times a day).  The doctor suggested any other symptoms appearing (fever, muscle ache, joint stiffness to name a few) take him to the hospital immediately.  He said he is to be reassessed by his family doctor in 3 weeks.

One scary fact which we didn’t know is the rash (bullseye is the term), doesn’t always appear immediately, it can take up to 1 month to appear.  This is the case with Noah we where not at the boat for several weeks, so it probably took him a couple of weeks to appear on his body.  The doctor said to check kids full body after playing in areas where there is high risk of exposure to ticks. 

My “Mom Tip” is to seek immediate attention if they develop any type of rash in the next month after possible exposure.  I guess we have to go thru these things as Mom’s to help educate other parents along the way. 

 Lyme disease

I am sure Mr. Noah will be just fine, as he is being treated and not showing any other symptoms.  One positive note to share with parents who may be scared of this happening to them.  I read that is highly unlikely alot of ticks carry the disease, so the chances of developing the disease are slim.   OK – “you people who wrote that better be right!” 

My Noah is a very active, (did I mention very active), 4 year old ready to start taking the school bus to Kindergarten in a few weeks with Big Sis!  Stay tuned for his Kindergarten and  Back to School adventures………..

Talk soon ~

Nancy

WOW – August already, with less than a month to go before school. How did it go so quickly? I think this is on everyone’s minds this time of year. Yes it is still nice and sunny but I gotta tell you my plants aren’t looking as fresh as they did at the start of the season – maybe it is just my lack of plant maintenance? Or is it just that time of year! Most nights now you need a sweater, or is just me always chilly. Probably just MOI!

Back to school supplies, yes they are everywhere you go these days. Stopping into the drugstore see all those new pencils just glistening next to the sale priced flip-flops and suntan lotion. So if you are a new Mom sending your kids back to school or a veteran would are you stocking up on this year. Here is a little list to get you started. I think I still have the .29 lined paper left from last year! I always buy 10 or more, and feel like I too am heading back!

Pencils
Pens
Lined Paper
Erasers
Markers
Pencil Case
Ruler
Calculator
Kleenex
 LABELS

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Want to be the “Hit of the Party?”  Come on ….. who doesn’t want to feel like Martha Stewart some of the time!  Taking these crowd pleasers  to the party they ask “Did you make these?”  You can proudly answer “Yes I did”. What is so hard about a fruit kabob you ask? It is so simply – it is easy peazy!

Having the all the ingredients is key. Browsing the grocery store this week I eyed those wooden skewers sitting on the shelf. They seemed to jump into the cart without a second glance. With all of the fruit in season, it is smooth sailing.

 Ingredients:  Strawberries, Kiwi, Grapes, Oranges, & Wooden Skewers (use any of your favorite fruits)

(You could jazz it up with 2 Bonus Items) Cheese Cubes & Fruit Dip!

How do you do it?

Wash and cut all fruit – remember to keep them chunky for the sticks. Start sticking – being careful to slide them on slowly.  Cut the wooden sticks in half if you want a smaller version or if they fit on your platter nicer.   Remember Kiddies love to help in the kitchen. This is a great little project to do with the kiddies when you are attending your family or friend party  this summer! 

Fruit Dip Recipe: 8 oz. Creme Cheese 1/2 Cup marshmallow creme 2 Cups Frozen Whipped Topping 1/4 Unsweetened Pineapple Juice

(Mixy – Mixy and you are done.  Chill for 1 hour and arrange the skewers on a fancy platter with your dip in the middle).

 Chillax  –  SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE – Martha would be proud!

Talk soon ~

Nancy