21/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Monkey: He's discovered the joy of a milkshake and a milk mustache!

Little Bean: She snuggles right in when it's time for a ride in the Ergo carrier. 

CURRENTLY LOVING: SUMMER TOTES

These summer totes by Jack Gomme Paris caught my eye this morning on our way to music class. The vibrant hues (there is a lemony yellow too) made me do a double-take of the Article.27 shop window on Queen Street West. Wouldn't this tote be pretty and handy to carry around this summer?

RECIPE: ZUCCHINI BREAD

This week we've been munching on some delicious zucchini bread from How to Feed a Family: The Sweet Potato Chronicles Cookbook. Slice it, spread cream cheese on it and you're good to go. It's a snack that has Monkey's stamp of approval.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat bran
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup grated carrot
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/2 cup pecan pieces

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together both flours, wheat bran, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. 

In another bowl, mix eggs, sugar, yogurt, vegetable oil and vanilla until well combined. Add the dry mixture and stir to combine well.

Stir in zucchini, carrot, raisins, apricots and pecan until everything is evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before turning the loaf out onto a rack to cool completely. 

Enjoy!

AN EVENING AT THE MIDWAY

We went to a small Midway this past weekend in Waterloo. It was such a fun evening complete with ice cream treats, kiddie rides, games and even a prize for Monkey. I don't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did while spinning around on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Little Bean couldn't help but squeal with delight as she watched from the sidelines ...

20/52

 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Monkey: Together, we're conquering the potty training this week. 

Little Bean: She's sitting up all by herself and so proud of it.

HAPPY {LONG} WEEKEND!

I'm happy to report that our magnolia tree bloomed this year! Bright, beautiful buttercup blooms. This is a big deal because we've only ever seen one or two blooms in the five years we've lived here. So now it finally feels like Spring and to celebrate, we're going to get outdoors this weekend with a hike, picnic and a backyard BBQ. Rain, rain go away!

19/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Monkey: His stories are so very expressive. 

Little Bean: Her laugh is infectious. 

LASTING FRIENDSHIPS

Every now and then my husband comes up with a gem of an analogy. This past weekend we were driving along, chatting about friendships and out popped this: Friendship is a continuing conversation through life. 

It was fitting for our day. We had just come back from an afternoon park visit with two dear friends -- friends I met in primary school and who remain important to this day. Our friendship runs the gamut from childhood antics and teenage rebellions to adventures through adulthood and now motherhood. I feel fortunate because our conversation is always easy, supportive and absolute fun.

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18/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Monkey: TV is a new thing to this kid -- he gets to watch cartoons while I put Little Bean down for her morning nap -- and now every conversation includes at least one mention of his friends on 'Paw Patrol'. 

Little Bean: These chubby, dimpled hands are very curious and reaching for everything.

MY NEW RUBBER BOOTS

For whatever reason, my rubber boots rarely last more than one or two years so I have come to know a thing or two about rubber boots. Have you searched for a pair lately? Hunter has cornered the rubber boots market. Walk into any store, stop at the rubber boot section and you'll find a rainbow of Hunter boots lining the shelves with little else. Look outside on a rainy day and you'll be bombarded by them on the sidewalks. I used to love Hunter boots (back when they only came in the traditional green, black and navy), but I find they aren't very durable for the price tag.

This year, I'm loving my new rubber boots by Sperry Top-Sider. The laces are fun, but the boots look just as good (and are more practical in puddles) without them.

Monkey loves walking in the rain and splashing in puddles, so I know what we'll be doing with the wet weekend coming up!

RECIPE: PEAR APPETIZER

Sliced pears with goat cheese, cranberries and pistachios is an easy yet impressive appetizer. I was tasked with preparing appetizers for a recent family gathering and this recipe was a definite success. I really wish I had taken a picture of my platter of pears because I promise they looked exactly like the picture (above) in the cookbook. It is that easy ...

Ingredients:
2 pears, cored and cut into two dozen slices
1/2 cup goat cheese
2 tablespoons pistachio pieces
2 tablespoons cranberries
1 tablespoon orange or lemon juice

Directions:
Toss sliced pears in orange or lemon juice to keep from browning. Spread goat cheese on the widest part of each slice and top with some cranberries and pistachio pieces. Alternatively, you can mix goat cheese, cranberries and pistachio pieces in a bowl and spread on each pear slice.

Enjoy!

FLEETING BABYHOOD

My friend Jacquie forewarned me that your second baby grows up so much faster than your first. I never imagined that statement could be so true. 

Little Bean is now six months old and I find myself feeling incredibly nostalgic for her babyhood. To be honest, I started feeling this way when she was just four months old. She's such a delight with her huge smile that lights up her whole face, her new found belly laugh and her absolute adoration of Monkey. Perhaps it's because I know she will be my last baby, or perhaps it's because of her engaging disposition that I want to hold on to precious day-to-day moments. 

Monkey's babyhood was sweet and seemed to move at a steady pace. I welcomed each stage of development, eager to see what was next. Now, I feel like I'm pining for Little Bean's babyhood and it's not even over. 

17/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Monkey: He loves heading to the park when the sun is shining. It's amazing to see how much more confident he is on the playground this year. 

Little Bean: She's rolling and rolling and rolling to get to where she wants to be. And where she wants to be is usually anywhere with Monkey.