Personalized Alphabet Print

My son Eric is almost 2 years old (where has the time gone?). I honestly can't believe he's almost two already! He's still in his crib, but I know we'll have to move him to a bed soon, so this had me thinking about updating his nursery to a 'big boy' room. Which is also timed nicely, because I think we're going to start looking for a new house within the next six months (a post on that topic will come later).
He's really gotten into the learning stage at this point (he can already count to 15 - sorry, proud mommy moment), but I really want to start incorporating this learning into his room. 

To start, I went to Etsy. I wanted to find a nice alphabet print to hang in his room since he's also starting to learn the alphabet right now. I came across mytinytotcreative and found the perfect personalized alphabet print. The colours will match his new room perfectly (blue and white) and the letters are clear and easy to read. It also reminds him how much I love him :)

The frame was not included.

Until I can start working on his room, I've just put the print on Eric's bookshelf.

I think it's a nice touch to have in a kids room, but I'm curious to know - how have you incorporated learning into your kids room?

-  Lisa

A Dinosaur Birthday!

My nephew turned two a couple of weeks ago and I just have to share some photo's from his dinosaur birthday! We had a casual party with close family and friends, but the dinosaur theme was cute and goes with Logan's BIG personality really well. View the pictures below.

Table Centrepiece

Inexpensive dinosaur food accessories from Dollarama.

Homemade Dinosaur cake. Cute!

This is the Birthday Boy and his Auntie. He's pretty cute huh? He also really enjoyed his cake!

I have to say, the cake was one of the best things when it came to the dinosaur theme. My sister Shannon made this cake on her own - no template, picture or instructions - strictly on her own. The cake itself is a two-layer chocolate cake covered in homemade buttercream. The grass is coloured butter cream, the dirt is crushed Oreo's and brown sugar, and the water is clear piping gel with blue food colouring.

What do you think, the dinosaur party is pretty cool eh?

- Lisa

A Commitment to Blogging

I started this blog with the intention of blogging on an almost a daily basis. Clearly, I failed at that goal. Well, you may have noticed that I did change a part of the layout and updated the background and fonts on my blog. I did this because I am making a commitment you myself - and you - to blog at least every other day.

I have a lot of ideas rolling around in my head that I want to write down and share and I am hoping to share these ideas with you and at the same time, garner interest and bring people to my blog for certain topics/information.

Please join me in my blogging journey - I really apreciate the support.

- Lisa

A Quick Cooking Tip - Potatoes

I made a roast in the slow cooker for the first time this past Sunday night (which turned out great btw). I just added water, onions and carrots (the roast was already seasoned). With it we just served potatoes, and gravy of course.

We're not huge potatoes fans here, so we only have them once in a while. I think this is partly because when you boil potatoes the water always boils over and makes a huge mess. Well, not anymore, as I discovered one of the best tricks ever!

Tip: When boiling a pot of potatoes, put a wooden spoon over the pot. This will stop the water from boiling over.
 

(Hmm, I wonder if we'll eat more potatoes now).

This saved me a clean-up job that sometimes had me scrubbing for at least 10 - 15 minutes.

I hope you give this a try - enjoy!

Lisa

Race for Kids

Hi Everyone,

I am participating in the Race for Kids, in support of the Boys' & Girls' Clubs of Hamilton. This is truly something close to my heart and a great cause. If you would like to donate generously, please feel free to visit my teams (Road Runners) page and sponsor us. Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your generousity!
http://bgccan.akaraisin.com/pledge/Team/Home.aspx?seid=5145&mid=10&tid=43568 

- Lisa

Nail Envy

I'm not sure about everyone else, but since giving birth to my son, my nails have been bitter and cracked. I used to love giving myself manicures and pedicures (and I still do), but I am finding it hard to keep up!

I used to actually give myself French manicures, but since my nails don't stay long anymore I am just using a clear top coat polish or colour. My fair skin has always made it hard to find the right colour, but now I think I may have actually found something I like and I wanted to share it with you in case you may have the same problem.

The nail polish is Xtreme Wear by Sally Hansen in 'Twisted Pink'. Picture is below.

(thoughts?)

It looks really cute on your toes too!

- Lisa

Chocolate Pretzel Buttons

This past Valentine's Day, we held a bake sale at my work so we could raise some funds for the Social Club (for which I am happy to be part of). So, with a little Pinterest inspiration, I made some chocolate preztel buttons to sell.

These little treats are so easy to make (fun too!). All you need is pretzels, Hershey Hugs and/or Kisses and Smarties. Here's how to make them

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

2. Line the sheet with pretzels (square or other). I used the Great Value brand mini pretzels.













3. Place a Hershey Hug and/or Kiss in the centre of each pretzel. I found the Hershey Kisses easier to work with.













4. Bake the pretzels for 3 - 5 minutes, until soft. Make sure the chocolate is not completely melted. The chocolate should still hold shape.

5. Press the Smarties gently in the centre of each chocolate. Press firmly, but not all the way. The chocolate should have a little button shape.

6. Pop the cookie sheet in the fridge for a few minutes to cool, and remove from the tray.

7. Enjoy! This is how they should look.

For the bake sale, I wrapped three preztel buttons in celophane with a ribbon and sold them for $0.75 each, and they sold out!

These are a great treat to make with the kids and for any occasion. I hope you enjoy!

Lisa