Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today is rainy and yucky and none of us feel like doing much outside of the house.
So, I have decided to bake today.
When I say I've decided to bake - I mean BAKE.
I don't mean my usual habit of buying a muffin mix and adding an egg. Nope. I went out and bought ingredients, and I started whipping stuff up.
So far I've made banana bread (and Matty was an incredible banana masher). I've peach/blueberry crisp, and I've made chocolate chip cookies. It turns out that Matthew loves baking with me.
Between the mixing, the sampling and the rolling of cookies we have been in major production this morning.
Meanwhile, Mike has been finishing up our bedroom. He's done sanding and now he's painting the part of the room that I couldn't do because the dry wall goo had to set and dry.
It looks like by the end of the weekend we will have full stomachs and a re-done bedroom.
And, in the middle of all of it I plan to take a nice long nap and enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with a lazy Saturday.
Matthew has decided that he wants to chill and watch television today. Normally I try to get him out and active. But, today ...
I think it's the perfect day to eat popcorn and watch some favourite tv. Sometimes he snuggles up with me to watch a favourite show. Sometimes Rosie cuddles up with him to watch tv, and sometimes he's been pulling his toys out and just enjoying life.
Maybe this isn't the best parenting tactic. But, honestly, I think it's what we all need this weekend. There are always other weekends to get out and do stuff.
I had actually debated going to the CNE today, but I realized that the last thing in the world ANY of us feel like doing. So why try???
Tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow I'll be spending the afternoon at a wedding shower, a very cool shower for a childhood friend that I rarely get to see - and I can't wait. And, though I probably shouldn't admit this, I'm also excited because she's the world's most amazing chef at a pretty well known restaurant, and her catering company is catering it ... yummy!
So here's to quiet summer days and a little relaxation.
And, if anyone wants some baking ... you know who to call!

Grrr ...

I try not to be bothered too much by people who are just annoying. However.
Do you know what really bugs me? People who are overly judgemental and don't know what they are speaking about.
I had a conversation with someone about kids the other day. It came up in conversation that when I had my child it was a difficult time. I don't talk much about it. Really, I'm not one of those people who wants to share their birth story.
But it wasn't pretty. I don't dwell, but it still angers me a little. What I will say is that having a tough birth (and I know I'm not alone) made for a tough start as a mom.
I had anticipated being that mom who has coffee with her friends while her adorable baby sleeps in the stroller next to her.
Ha.
The first time I had a post-baby coffee outside of my home was when Matt was 6 weeks and my mom took me out to Starbucks. He screamed so much that I insisted on going back to the car because so many people were staring.
My point is this: before Matthew I was the type of person who was up for just about anything. I rarely take a sick day. I was just a generally strong person.
This child has been kicking my butt since day one.
And, I'm a better person for it. I'm way more empathetic and kind. I'm grateful.
But, this person told me that no matter how hard the birth is, it's all in the attitude. If you decide you can get up and go out and conquer the world you can.
It's all in attitude.
Who cares that breastfeeding is hard - you're just a wimp.
Usually I let these things pass. But this really annoyed me. Today I am still annoyed. I feel much better having written this. But still.
Grrr....
Keep your opinions to yourself.

3k ... woo hoo!

Last night Matthew and I decided to go on a bike ride. Well, he went for a bike ride and I walked/jogged and stopped a lot according to his pace.
It was fun.
My sister mentioned that my nieces wanted to see Matt, and I've been trying to get back to working out consistently. So, I figured that we may as well walk to their house. I learned from running that their house was exactly 3km away from us, so it was a really nice running distance for me. (I know, for some people that's a warm up).
I figured that now that Matthew really likes riding his trike, or as he calls it his motorcycle, it would be a fun adventure.
It really was.
We took about half an hour - which is pretty good considering that we walked through every.single.bus shelter, looked at several different cars, and sang about 20 rounds of B-I-N-G-O and Old Macdonald.
I have to admit, by the time I got to my sister's house I was feeling pretty good about things. We had a fun walk, we sang, we hung out - and I was getting coffee when I got there.
Little does my sister know that we will likely do this over and over and over again. Luckily she has a van with a car seat that fits Matt perfectly, so we were able to throw his trike in the trunk and she drove us home.
It was pretty nice.
And, I'm really impressed that Matt was able to go 3 k. In all honesty, I think he would have happily ridden all the way back. That child does not tire.

Corn Muffins ...

I've been on a bit of an eating healthy quest.
I wouldn't call it obsessive, but I've been encouraging my family to eat healthier. We've had tons of fruit and vegetables lately and we're trying to make sure that our bread is whole wheat not white, etc.(10 trips to Ben & Jerry's in 7 days is the exception to this!!!)
So, when I was in the grocery store the other day I decided it was time to kick my new found Tim Horton's muffin addiction. For the last few weeks I'd been ordering a chocolate chip muffin when I got my decaf coffee.
So, I decided to buy the organic corn muffin mix.
Yum yum.
Okay, so I have to admit that I didn't really make them organic because you're supposed to add an organic egg and organic oil to the mix. (should have read that part). But whatever. My heart was in the right place.
Matthew helped me whip up the muffins, and I promised he could have one for breakfast.
So, today I got up nice and early and cut up strawberries for him. And then I got him a muffin.
I went back into the kitchen and I heard a blood curdling scream. I ran out thinking maybe one of the cats had hurt him or something.
There he was sobbing. Before I could even ask he shouted between sobs "Mommy! You gave me yucky food. whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhy?"
The poor child looked like he had been poisoned and was so disgusted by these muffins that he needed to immediately spit it out.
Oops.
I think I'll stick to cereal or maybe find a new package.
So much for going healthy!