tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58729520321888693492024-02-19T07:16:48.395-08:00All you need is LOVEIn a nutshell, this blog documents my family and me, a fulltime mother of 4, wife and childcare provider. Whether it's jumping through the hoops of parenthood, cultivating a marriage around 4 children, or redecorating our country home, here are the sweets & sours of our life and why all we need is love to get through.
Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-9431870327035151092015-04-30T04:39:00.001-07:002015-04-30T06:36:23.589-07:00Guest Post - House of Boys<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
It never ceases to amaze me how a room with two sleeping boys, ages four and two, can smell like a frat house. They’re still just wee ones, but already I’m seeing glimpses of my future. </div>
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I am the sole girl in a house full of boys. This becomes abundantly clear to me in moments when a room erupts in laughter over booger explosions or bodily functions that result in foul smells, when they ask dad to play sports with them because he’s better at it, or when they want to do things “like dad,” such as peeing standing up. I’m assured by several men I know, especially those who only have brothers, that it’s only bound to get worse. Maybe worse is a harsh way to put it, but the point is, there will always be things for which my sons will default to my husband and situations in which I'll be somewhat sidelined.</div>
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That's not to say that there aren't days when it's supremely awesome to be the reigning queen. As much as I’m the odd gal out in some respects, being the only one does hold certain advantages. My littles are learning early that proper respect is important, and they’re all quick to shower me with love and thanks when I make their favourite meal or help them with a fun project. They’re turning into little gentlemen, just like their dad, and they all know how to make mama feel special.</div>
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And I'd be remiss not to mention the inevitable question that comes with this scenario: "Are you going to try again for a girl?" It always strikes me funny, as if to say I might have the opportunity to choose. If we were to decide to have a third child, it would be to expand our family, regardless of sex.
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I’d rather not speculate, in writing at least, on the future of my fertility. Though, I will say that it is sort of weird to think that I may never have a daughter. I guess because my mum has both a daughter and a son, my mother in law has both, and many of my friends have both, I had a notion in the back of my mind that I’d be in the same situation, to get to forge a mother-daughter relationship in which I was the former instead of the latter.</div>
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But the truth is, no matter what the future holds, I'm very content with my happy, hectic little home just the way it is. I've grown quite accustomed to my house full of boys. Super heroes, Hot Wheels, Lego and sports gear are my game.
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I have two completely unique kids who give me more fulfillment than I ever thought possible. I wouldn't give up my boys for all the tutus and hair bows in the world. Motherhood is motherhood - regardless of which way the coin flips, you always win.
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Lindsey Bunin is mum to two busy boys, wife to a pretty perfect husband (who is also a twin!) and a full time editor. She lives in the suburbs of Halifax and blogs at <a class="_553k" href="http://www.mamasmanuscript.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.mamasmanuscript.wordpress.com</a> and <a class="_553k" href="http://thechronicleherald.ca/author/lindsey-bunin-my-hectic-home" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://thechronicleherald.ca/author/lindsey-bunin-my-hectic-home</a>.</div>
Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-57243847825845848242015-04-16T08:10:00.001-07:002015-04-16T08:10:08.152-07:00The week the Husband leftLast week. my Husband flew to Vienna to visit his twin brother Shane<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> for 10 days. Which meant leaving me alone<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> with all 4 kids for 10 days. Mike works alot<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> which leaves me to referee the kids frequently on my own<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> but never for this long.<br />
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Compared to many other families<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> 10 days is just a hiccup. There are <i>so</i> many spouses who have to travel for work and ones who are forced to be left alone with their kids for so much longer! Those parents deserve medals<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> a free puppy<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> or a trip to Disney!<br />
It's not easy to be home as the primary parent and it's not easy to be the parent away from your loved ones. Although Mike was touring a beautiful historic city and enjoying all you can eat ribs<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> while I was hosting birthday parties<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> cleaning throw up and breaking up fist fights.<br />
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Here are a few tips that helped me survive my "<i>spouse-less stay-cation</i>"!<br />
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<b><i>Keep in contact</i></b><br />
Nowadays<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> with Facebook and Skype<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> it's easy to keep in contact with loved ones who are far away.<br />
We skyped with Mike every few days to check in and catch up on his trip. We sent pictures and Facebook messages daily<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> updating him on our happenings at home<br />
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<b><i>Ask for help</i></b><br />
I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by family and friends who were able to help out when I needed them. Helping to drive a kid to an appointment<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> drop them at dance class<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> or even keep one for an overnight! The help was very much appreciated.<br />
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<b><i>Do something special</i></b><br />
Just because Mike was away didn't mean we couldn't do something fun right here at home! I took the kids to a hotel for a night and we ordered pizza<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> swam in the pool and watched an in-room movie. (that we received free of charge because Jessee told them it was her Birthday and that their father had left them for Easter) They obviously took pity on us!Who knows what they were thinking! Haha!<br />It was a great way to take their mind off Mike being away<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> and it was nice to treat them to a little get-away as well.<br />
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<b><i>Find time for yourself</i></b><br />
Whether it was cleaning to some music<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> watching a movie<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> or enjoying a glass of wine and surfing the web<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> I made sure to set aside a few evenings just for me<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> doing whatever I wanted to do.<br />
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<b><i>Set up an organized schedule</i></b><br />
Since I was the only one doing the dishes<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> laundry and house cleaning<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> I set up a little schedule for myself so I wouldn't get overwhelmed. For example<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> laundry in the morning<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> dishes and tidying up in the afternoon and my evenings were free to spend with the kids!<br />
<br /><br />Now he's back! Reality continues on<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 15.8719997406006px;">,</span> and I have a cupboard full of delicious Austrian chocolate. It just might have been worth it :)<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-30373599166202835482015-04-01T05:40:00.000-07:002015-04-01T12:25:00.403-07:00Guest Post - First Time Mom - Preparation, labor, and what comes after.<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.3520002365112px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Jen is a very dear friend<span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">, </span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">who I'm pleased to welcome as this week's guest blogger! She chats about being a mom for the first time and relives the good</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;"> the bad</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;"> and the ugly</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">. She resides in Pictou and shares her cozy</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;"> country homestead with her husband Ted</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">, </span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">5 month old son Colton</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;"> and their 2 dogs</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;"> Maggie and Jake</span><span style="line-height: 14.3520002365112px;">.</span><br />
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So, I'm a first time mom. It's taken me years and dollars to get here but I've made it! No one really tells you the truth about it (thanks, "friends" haha) so you don't know until you're in it. It's the hardest job I've ever had, and I've worked with troubled youth and drunks (which aren't all that different from each other). But it is also the most rewarding job I've ever had. I didn't know love until I saw this mini version of my husband and I. Life changing.
I've learned a few things about preparation, labor and what comes after and I feel I should share them with my fellow moms and moms to be.</div>
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For me, pregnancy was the easiest part. Yeah you're worried, sleep deprived and hungry...none of that goes away. In fact, it's magnified...sleep is a thing of the past so get used to it. I promise you will learn to function on the least amount of sleep you've ever gotten in your life. You worry about EVERYTHING. His first cold, is he eating enough? Is he warm enough? Is he too warm? Even his poop. It's normal and you will figure it out.</div>
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A wise woman once gave me excellent advice, she told me not to worry, there is nothing you can do about it and everyone does it so the doctors and nurses don't care (I don't believe that) but you WILL poop while giving birth. Since I was numb of pain, I seriously thought about it half of the time I was in labor. I still don't know if I did because I didn't ask and I don't wanna know! I did, however, spray pee all over my doctor. TMI? </div>
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You WILL think you are a crazy person. You think pregnancy hormones were bad? I cried multiple times a day for a week and a half. I legit thought I was losing it. My wonderful public health nurse assured me it was normal and then I got over it. I realized I wasn't crazy and my husband is the most understanding man on the planet.</div>
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Some hot topics...circumcision, bed sharing and immunization. No matter who you talk to, there is always debate. According to the good ol world wide web, all 3 will kill your baby. I've done 2 out if the three and happy to say my child is still breathing (yay me). It's all personal preference and you will do what works for you and your baby.</div>
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Babies are loud sleepers. Like, super loud. Like there is a goat baaing and tooting in your bedroom. When they aren't waking the whole household, you will check their breathing. It's normal and they will grow out of it. Thankfully! </div>
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Breastfeeding is hard but, like a Jillian Michaels video, you have to try work through the pain. Soon enough you'll barely feel it (unless your baby dramatically pulls away and takes your nipple with them) and it's worth it. Nipple cream is your best friend...apply generously. And if you can't, or decide not to breastfeed, don't feel guilty or let anyone make you feel guilty. Your kid is being fed and that's all that matters. </div>
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Prep two months in advance. ..pack a bag, make food you can freeze. Packing while panicking isn't good. You'll end up taking something useless like sunglasses....and you'll forget important things like the thickest pads on the planet. If you don't prep food, you'll be living off toast and cereal because it's easy. </div>
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Don't read books...ok do, but know that just like adults all babies are different. What works for your friend's baby may not work for yours. My pediatrician told me I am the expert of my baby...I'm getting there! </div>
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There is so much more, and there is more for me to learn, but there is a few to get you started <span class="emoticon emoticon_smile" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yP/r/L62RtSzJww3.png); background-position: 0px -8520px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 26px 8660px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: top; width: 16px;" title=":)"></span><br />
Happy mothering!
Jen
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colton at 5 months</td></tr>
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-76956682641710992962015-03-27T07:40:00.003-07:002015-04-01T09:41:00.159-07:00Guest Post - First Time Mom - The battle of the Momzilla<div class="p1">
Amanda is a childhood friend of mine and a first time mother. She juggles motherhood, a home-based business with Arbonne and expresses a passion for art. She resides in Toronto with her husband, Mike and their 4 month old son, Murray. </div>
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The battle of the Momzilla</div>
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There were few things that scared me about becoming a parent. I wasn’t fussed about pregnancy, or even giving birth. After all, we have been doing it for millions of years, I was sure I could handle it. Right up there, however, in the top 5 things that scared me about being a mom, was the battles that ensue between other moms – bullying, judgment, infliction of guilt over the cruelty of exposing your newborn to non organic cotton, soothers, rock music, you name it. <br />
My husband and I had countless discussions over the course of our pregnancy on how we were going to do this parenting thing – Breastfeeding, disposable diapers, feeding on demand, and perhaps most important, no co-sleeping. Under no circumstances. In his own bed, that is what is best. After all, co-sleepers end up being co-sleeping, sooky 8 year olds., and before you know it, you don’t even know what the other adult looks like naked, it has been so long since you have actually slept together without another wee human in between you.</div>
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We had our little boy in November, and I prepared myself for battle. The battle of the Momzilla. I was skeptical to even enter the world of “mommy meet ups”, but being a social animal, knew it would be a long winter if I didn’t at least give it a go.</div>
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So, I entered the ring. I listened with “sympathy” and secretive pride at the stories of sleepless co-sleeping nights, the other parent in a totally different room; latching problems, feeding positions. I waited for the looks of disdain and judgment as I pulled out my earth filling disposable diapers. Held my breath for “tsks” as I tentatively shared that I left my son alone in his crib while showering, and left him upstairs at bedtime, had never laid down while feeding. But those “tsks”, those judgmental looks, never came. </div>
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And then it hit me. I was the Momzilla. I had an idea in my head, as much as I said I didn’t, that my parenting was the right way. That somehow, I had the correct manual on how to raise a human being. My opinions melted away, and for the first time, really listened to the experiences of others. </div>
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Cloth diapers are environmentally great, and not that inconvenient. Did you know that some daycares don’t allow kids to use them while in their care? And it is the best way.</div>
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Sometimes breastfeeding doesn’t work. And then the baby drinks formula, and it is the best way. Moms go back to work, leave their kids with a nanny, breast pump every two hours in their power suit in the office bathroom stall, and see their kids on weekends. And this is the best way.</div>
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And some parents co-sleep. They wake up everyday with that little person snuggled so close, feeling safe and warm until they are ready to go to their own bed on their own, and their family is all there, in the bed, together. And this is the best way. </div>
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I am now so grateful to be a part of a group of strong, courageous, fun, loving new moms. There are late night/ early morning texts of panic or celebration, tears, belly shaking laughter, strolls in the park. We talk about our babies, about other things besides our babies. We drink beer. We watch 50 Shades of Grey. We leave our judgments at the door. </div>
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And we know that we are the best mom. Each and every one of us. We are the best mom.</div>
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-69778544870768360982015-03-16T07:17:00.000-07:002015-03-16T07:20:13.189-07:00How to survive a StaycationIt's March Break for my kids this week and sadly we aren't going anywhere. I've explained to the kids we're having a "stay-cation". It's like a vacation<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> but where we stay at home.<br />
After the screaming and swearing died down<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> I presented my suggestions for a super<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> awesome staycation. These ideas are easy<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> creative and cheap!<br />
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<i><u>Theme days </u></i><br />
Kids love to dress up! Create a theme day from a movie or book.<br />
We had a Toy Story theme day where the kids dressed up as characters from the movie and we watched all 3 movies throughout the day.<br />
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<u><i>Cupcake decorating</i></u><br />
This activity is not only delicious<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> but creative and keeps kids busy for at least a good hour.<br />
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<u><i>Movie Day</i></u><br />
Pop some popcorn<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> snuggle up in some comfy pjs and put on your favourite movies. If you need some inspiration<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> check out my <a href="http://talbot-macleans.blogspot.ca/2014/03/my-top-5-family-movies.html">Top 5 Family Movie Review</a><br />
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<u><i>Scavenger hunt</i></u><br />
In our case<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> the weather outside is frightful<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">, </span>so our hunt would take place inside.<br />
You can hide certain items yourself around the house<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> or send the kids to hunt for things you know are already in sight. Create a list of items and draw pictures for the little ones who can't read yet.<br />
Make it challenging (it'll take up more time) like finding a blue and white polka dot sock or something you know would be difficult to find.<br />
Group the kids into teams and send them on their way! Make sure to have a little treat or surprise at the end for them to enjoy:)<br />
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<u><i>Beach Party</i></u><br />
My kids are huge fans of beach parties! They put on bathing suits and turn our bathroom into a sunny destination!<br />
They lay out towels to "sunbathe" on<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> make fancy drinks and play some beach themed music. It's a perfect way to forget about all the snow outside the bathroom window! This is also a perfect time to paint some nails or rub on some temporary tattoos.<br />
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Tip: Make it extra fun by throwing some Barbie dolls into the party too! The bathtub is perfect for a Barbie pool party. Use facecloths for Barbie towels<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> plastic tupperware for boats<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> and the faucet serves as a perfect Barbie diving board.<br />
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<i><u>Get outside</u></i><br />
I've expressed before that we aren't a Winter season family<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">,</span> so this suggestion is for everyone but us.<br />
Try out a new activity like snow-shoeing or a sleigh ride. Pack some hot chocolate in a thermos to take along and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer!<br />
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I'd love to hear some of your ideas for a fabulous Staycation!<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-30396580873709685192015-03-13T05:54:00.001-07:002015-03-13T06:00:59.606-07:00Confessions of a Super-Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Behind the scenes!<br />
Baggy clothes, messy hair and the beginning of what will be a long history of back problems</td></tr>
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Occasionally, I've been referred to as a "supermom". This makes me laugh because I have a vision of a super-mom and it's not me. I wear no cape, have no super powers, or fly. <br />
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Wikipedia states that the word <i><b><a class="extiw" href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/supermom" title="wikt:supermom">supermom</a></b></i>
is a term used to describe a woman who, either out of choice or out of
necessity, tries to simultaneously excel in several occupations, one of
which is being a mother.<br />
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It's of course a flattering title. To think that someone believes I have the ability to do something that other women can't. Taking all my kids to the grocery store, organizing a birthday party or re-decorating a room while running a house-full of kids. These activities are more of a necessity and I don't ever expect to excel in them, haha!<br />
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Mothers who feed their kids only organic food. <br />
Mothers who are on time. <br />
Mothers who use cloth diapers. <br />
Those are <i>my</i> inspirations, <i>my</i> trying tasks.<br />
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I envy mothers who have their hair brushed, makeup on, and a stylish outfit to match. Correction, I'm <i>fascinated </i>by those mothers. Hell, if you've taken a shower, I'm intrigued.<br />
Where did they find the time and energy to do their hair, and put on makeup?<br />
Did they pick out that outfit from their collection of laundry baskets in their bedroom corner?<br />
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You're wearing heels to gymnastics class? How are you able to chase your kids across the parking lot in those?<br />
My normal wardrobe consists of yoga pants and a hoodie. There's no style there. <br />
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The truth is, every mom is a super-mom. Every mom faces parenting obstacles everyday, no matter how big or small. Whether you have 1 kid or 10, it's never easy. They often try my patience, can annoy me to the fullest, and exhaust the F@#$ out of me. But, I thrive off my children, live vicariously through them and absolutely adore them.<br />
Parenting is one of the hardest endeavors I've ever taken on. I chose it, and for me it's a necessity.<br />
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I love it.<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-8064944783559562292015-02-19T07:01:00.000-08:002015-02-19T07:14:47.619-08:00Candle Makeover<div style="text-align: left;">
I love candles. They're pretty<span class="st">,</span> smell nice and are great decorative items. </div>
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I had a few candles around the house that looked like this. They needed a little makeover!</div>
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I had a huge supply of decorative paper and decided to make a night out of it!</div>
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I cut the paper and wrapped it around the candle<span class="st">,</span>
gluing it in place on the back of the candle. I dug out some burlap and raffia from my craft box and tied that around the candle.</div>
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I had an empty spot on my buffet table that fit it perfectly.<br /></div>
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Ta da!<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-52165213472712765592015-02-05T08:11:00.001-08:002015-02-19T05:43:21.578-08:00Guest Post - Foster ParentingWhen I invite someone as a guest on the blog<span class="null">,</span> it's because they have something to share that I have no experience in writing about<span class="null">.</span> Foster parenting is a subject I find fascinating<span class="null">,</span> heart warming and truly interesting<span class="null">.</span><br />
My friend<span class="null">,</span> Karen and her husband have recently become foster parents and I've asked her to share their experiences<span class="null">.<br /></span><span class="null"></span><br />
When Brooke approached me about writing a guest
post on her blog about foster parenting, I spent several days deciding
what I should say. The truth is that being a foster parent is
terrifying, heartbreaking and completely worth it. We hug crack-exposed
toddlers. We listen to stories of how a parent was violently injured.
We do our best to explain that the police and “big people” that raided
the child’s home were doing it to protect her from dangers that she
didn’t even know existed. Our families see, first hand, the stories
that we used to only hear about in the news - stories that we would turn
off when we couldn’t bear it anymore. <br />
<br />
Being a foster parent is
one hundred times harder than I thought it would be, but it is one
thousand times as rewarding as I could have ever imagined. That
crack-exposed toddler will eventually hug us back and begin to trust
grown-ups. The kid, whose memory of their parent being injured was so
fresh in their mind when they came, will begin making new memories –
ones will with laughter, playing and love. The child who was terrified
of police will proudly parade around the house wearing not one, but two
sheriff’s badge stickers. <br />
<br />
When people find out I’m a foster
parent, most tell me they could never do it and add a statement like “I
would get too attached” or “I could never give them back.” I’m never
sure how to respond. I’m not sure how to politely say that it isn’t
about us. It’s about them. <br />
<br />
Without foster parents, these
children end up in shelters or group homes or worse. So what if you
could do it? What if you could “get too attached” and then “give them
back” when the time comes. Foster parents aren’t super heroes.
Thinking of us as heroes makes our job seem unattainable for the average
person, but it isn’t. Anyone that can love a child can be a foster
parent. <br />
<br />
Imagine for a moment that you could “give them back.”
As foster parents, we have to be happy for them when they are reuniting
with their parents or moving in with a family member. We celebrate
with them, laugh with them and jump up and down with them when the call
comes to tell them that they are going home. We help them pack their
things and send them on their way, smiling. Then, when they are pulling
out of the driveway in their social worker’s car, the tears will come.
Behind the closed doors of a now empty bedroom, we allow ourselves to
grieve for the child we just lost, and we remind ourselves that it isn’t
about us.
It’s about them. <br />
<br />
<span class="null">“A hundred years from now it will not matter
what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of
car I drove... but the world may be different because I was important in
the life of a child.”
- Forest E. Witcraft</span><br />
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Karen resides in South Carolina with her husband<span class="null">,</span> Chris and their three children<span class="null">. </span>They both work full-time<span class="null">,</span> raise their own family<span class="null">,</span> and still find time to open their loving home to children who are in need of one<span class="null"><span class="null">. </span> </span>They <span class="null"></span>have been foster parents since September and are enjoying every minute of it!<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-89586119155898299412015-01-29T07:21:00.001-08:002015-01-29T07:22:35.260-08:00Bath-time FunBaths are probably one of my kid's favourite in-house activities. They all love water<span class="_Tgc">, </span>the warmth and playing with tub toys. Evening baths are a great way to calm my kids down from a busy day and get them in the mind-frame for bedtime *cringe*<br />
It's also a great time for me<span class="_Tgc">,</span> because it keeps them entertained so I can get some evening housework done. I can bring a basket of laundry to fold into the bathroom while they are there<span class="_Tgc">, </span>clean the bathroom and since their bedrooms are adjacent to the bathroom<span class="_Tgc">,</span> it's a great opportunity to spend some time in there tidying up or put laundry away.<br />
<br />
And who doesn't love the thought of a squeaky clean kid? Is it just me?<br />
<br />
Bubbles can get tiresome and even certain tub toys can overstay their welcome. Here are a few fun and easy accessories that can really make bath-time a "splash"!<br />
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<i><b>Glowsticks</b></i><br />
Turn off the lights and toss some glowsticks in the water (make sure to check there are no leaks first). Kids will have a great time watching the water light up!<br />
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<b><i>Strainer</i></b><br />Who doesn't have one of these in the kitchen? Kids will love dipping it
under water and making it rain. Or use a clean sponge to create the same
effect.<br />
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<b><i>Bath Crayons</i></b><br />
These look like alot of fun! However since I hate mess and destruction<span class="_Tgc">,</span> I'll never buy them.<br />
Here is a great link to make your <a href="http://./">own</a>!<br />
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<b><i>Have a beach party</i></b><br />
Play some music<span class="_Tgc">,</span> lay out some towels on the floor<span class="_Tgc">, and</span> make some fancy drinks. If you have an indoor tree<span class="_Tgc">,</span> bring it in to create a tropical feel.<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-87011583162246747432015-01-20T17:38:00.001-08:002015-01-20T17:38:21.730-08:00Entryway Makeover Part 3Our entryway has undergone a few changes over the last few months. After repainting the walls<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> removing the carpet<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> and painting the stairs<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> another new change was made.<br />
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If you need to catch up<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> view my previous post on my entryway <a href="http://talbot-macleans.blogspot.ca/2013/05/entryway-makeover.html">here</a>.</div>
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For years<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> we hung our coats and displayed our shoes in our teeny<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> tiny entryway. It was cramped<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> messy<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> and uninviting. I've always loved having an entryway table to decorate<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> and felt this house was missing it.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWO8vC8F6ePSsRODEgw29wZVB9NMwiuva5EDhxCcHhxUciwwcLvh3seIo4gfWdtJFjF4FGPtYiSBW3GJOByE33Wv9txHav8VceqZmbeiU-Ph706Cw2qb4mDUxJ5wfAR5cPZPzb7E3TTA/s1600/20141110_132812-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWO8vC8F6ePSsRODEgw29wZVB9NMwiuva5EDhxCcHhxUciwwcLvh3seIo4gfWdtJFjF4FGPtYiSBW3GJOByE33Wv9txHav8VceqZmbeiU-Ph706Cw2qb4mDUxJ5wfAR5cPZPzb7E3TTA/s1600/20141110_132812-2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
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I had my father build a table measured to size and reused an older mirror I had stored in the basement. The table served as a perfect spot to display our "Family Rules". Since our front door has no window<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">, </span>the hallway is quite dark. So<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> to brighten things up I plugged in my <a href="https://deannehendsbee.scentsy.ca/Static/Bio">Scentsy</a> lamp<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> which also creates a welcoming smell for anyone who comes in the front door! I have a<strike> thing</strike> obsession for baskets and thought the bottom shelf would be a perfect home for one. It's perfect for storing a pair of mittens<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">,</span> keys or miscellaneous items.</div>
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This project cost me $0 since I reused all my decor from other areas in the house. Bonus.</div>
Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-82531393145021499362015-01-14T08:54:00.001-08:002015-01-31T17:02:31.478-08:00 Why having a large family rocks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI12iTI1L37ZYv2MpGQza2fpnryQhBQzURb7Hrc3gwj9a459uMpfz_V2O5HGujFu97lvJ1VHitDVjptLkAf86_6YCpfCCUdPIPhfx6LYO4x4_ndgJIplqth27tEYdNfeX4QyMf8589CgI/s1600/10689425_10152640795143387_4804133311782220675_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI12iTI1L37ZYv2MpGQza2fpnryQhBQzURb7Hrc3gwj9a459uMpfz_V2O5HGujFu97lvJ1VHitDVjptLkAf86_6YCpfCCUdPIPhfx6LYO4x4_ndgJIplqth27tEYdNfeX4QyMf8589CgI/s1600/10689425_10152640795143387_4804133311782220675_n.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In this day and age a family of six is considered a "large family"<span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">.</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> We </span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">just barely fi</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">t in a minivan</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">, n</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">ever qualify for vacation packages (family of four only!) and always get denied in those "kids eat free" gimmicks (only one kid per adult)</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I grew up as an only child and later gained a step brother</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;">,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> and a half brother</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;">,</span> so I never experienced a houseful of siblings</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">. Unlike my husband who is one of three kids</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> all very close in age</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">. Although I never imagined I'd have four kids</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I feel very blessed that my kids will grow up with such a wonderfully</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> large support system</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">. They'll always have someone in their corner</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> cheering them on from the sidelines and coaching them from behind the stage</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Of course there are several pros and even <i>more</i> cons to having a large family</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> but I thought I'd start the year off right and be thankful for the pros of my wild and crazy household!</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><i><u>You're never alone</u></i></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">There is never a dull moment with a house full of kids! Our evenings can easily turn into an impromptu play</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> baseball game or dance party</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">.</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> You always have a friend to talk to and enjoy your time with</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">. </span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">The house is never empty and with so many of us</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> it feels like a party everyday!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I've had the pleasure of experiencing all the important moments in life four times</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">. Watching each kid walk</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> talk and jump on the school bus for the first time never gets old</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><u><i><b>You're always learning</b></i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My kids will always have a playmate! Therefore</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> teaching each other how to share</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> take turns and look after one other</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">. They'll experience several life events as they get older and learn from their siblings</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">We're always celebrating something! Birthdays</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> anniversaries and graduations</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">. Special holidays</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">,</span><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> like Christmas and Halloween are so much fun with four kids!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpvyBbcS9Zl10DouujbR-qShpU6qX8dr90ax7zfg2SvIpnJu02R5MCMPy8LfG6rqifOm2wWm0Z2kuMVwTc-1WiJnLcbEHKJblpAXktVHNWf7MoMVwJ06qd1WJvyzuUnk8fcG2xedf9vM/s1600/1912389_10152645223773387_5108560705067154926_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpvyBbcS9Zl10DouujbR-qShpU6qX8dr90ax7zfg2SvIpnJu02R5MCMPy8LfG6rqifOm2wWm0Z2kuMVwTc-1WiJnLcbEHKJblpAXktVHNWf7MoMVwJ06qd1WJvyzuUnk8fcG2xedf9vM/s1600/1912389_10152645223773387_5108560705067154926_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Needless to say, happy families come in all sizes. I experienced a wonderful childhood in a small family, and my kids are having great childhoods here in our crowded house.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;">Yes</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;">, </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;">my kids will grow up wearing hand-me-downs, sharing a room, and adjusting to a large level of noise and a hectic household</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;">,</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;"> but it works for them and for all of us</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 16.079999923706055px; text-align: justify;"> and that's the most important thing!</span></span><br />
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-78631166162351798012015-01-07T05:29:00.000-08:002015-01-07T05:37:21.418-08:00When Ninja Turtles have BirthdaysMy youngest turned 4 today<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">.</span> Im still in shock<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">.</span> The day he was born still feels like it was yesterday and when I look back on the last 4 years<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span>it seems like a blur<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">. </span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">Being the youngest boy in a family of 3 girls was going to be a challenge</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">or so I thought</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">.</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"> I envisioned him growing up surrounded by the femininity of his sisters and inheriting their love of hosting tea parties</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">playing dress-up and watching Disney Princess movies</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">. </span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">When in fact</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">,</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;"> he is the complete opposite! He fits into society's version of a boy - rough</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">loves swords</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">cars and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! I have no idea how</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">I now find myself crawling out of my comfort zone of fashion and nail glitter to dinosaurs and action figures</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">. </span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's new and kind of exciting for me</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">nstead of a Birthday of butterflies and Justin Beiber</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">,</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I had the pleasure of decorating my house with turtles and ninja weapons</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; line-height: 15px;">Since Im terrified of </span><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 15px;">balloons my aunt made these really cute turtle balloons! Simply made with ribbon and craft eyes</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">.</span><br />
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Snacks were green drinks<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">,</span> chips and of course pizza<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">.</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> </span></div>
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And what party isn't complete with themed cupcakes?</div>
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-89552810301418096792015-01-02T17:46:00.001-08:002015-01-02T17:51:13.275-08:00Top 5 Blog Posts of 2014No need for an explanation. These are my most favourite blog posts from my year!<br />
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1. <a href="http://talbot-macleans.blogspot.ca/2014/07/frozen-birthday-party.html">Lily's Frozen Birthday Party</a><br />
I love the movie Frozen almost as much as I love The Little Mermaid<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">, </span>my ultimate favourite. Anything Disney<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">,</span> musical and involves princesses. Not to mention my love for organizing a party<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">,</span> and a themed one at that! I had a lot of fun with this!<br />
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2 <a href="http://talbot-macleans.blogspot.ca/2014/06/taking-your-kids-out-in-public.html">Taking your kids out in public</a><br />
Sometimes it's good to vent and show people that your life isn't all sunshine and happiness. <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">T</span></span>hat no family is perfect and sometimes if you see me sipping wine at an unusual hour<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">,</span> you won't judge me. I really enjoyed writing this one!<br />
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3<a href="http://talbot-macleans.blogspot.ca/2014/05/blog-birthdays.html">My Blog's First Birthday</a><br />
This was a huge day for me. Big. HUGE.<br />
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4 My Guest Posts<br />
Having wonderful friends that want to be involved with my blog and share their stories with my readers is a huge blessing. Im sure all of you enjoyed the change in host as well (haha!)<br />
You can catch up with those ladies <a href="http://talbot-macleans.blogspot.ca/search/label/Guest%20Posts">here</a>.<br />
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5 <a href="http://talbot-macleans.blogspot.ca/2014/01/the-floor-that-almost-wasnt.html">The floor that almost wasn't</a><br />
Man I love that floor.<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-59955749656775964142014-12-16T12:25:00.000-08:002014-12-16T12:56:58.191-08:00When you touch the ElfOne of the #1 rules of the Elf on the Shelf is: You do<i> not</i> touch it. Ever.<br />
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In our house<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">,</span> we've made our own rule that only myself and my husband can pick our Elf<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">,</span> Sarah<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span> up to place her back on the shelf to watch over everyone for the day. This is our third year and no one has broken that rule<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">,</span> until now.</div>
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I knew it would be Noah.<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> H</span>e believes rules don't apply to him<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">,</span> living his life like Mike and I are Smokey and he's the Bandit.</div>
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I don't think it was the fact that he wrapped his hands around Sarah<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">,</span> or that he squeezed her excessively<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">,</span> but more-so that he threw her across the room! I don't remember much after that. There was loud screaming<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">,</span> crying and just chaos all over. My kids tend to over dramatize situations and this was the perfect opportunity to bring out the Broadway show. Running out of the room to hide and falling to the floor as if in intense agony.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sarahhhh"</td></tr>
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I had to stop the madness so I quickly turned to Google. I was instructed to place the Elf in the freezer and sprinkle cinnamon near her. Sadly this was the least ridiculous remedy. The freezer makes her feel like she's at the North Pole and cinnamon acts like a vitamin for elves. Obviously that makes sense right? In the Elf on the Shelf movie<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span> Taylor McTuttle (fantastic name) writes an apologetic letter to Santa and his Elf<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span> Chippy<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #373e4d; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span> returns completely healed.</div>
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This letter was actually mailed. The Post Office will have a good laugh the next morning!</div>
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The girls checked on her throughout the day to make sure she was alright and come the morning<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">,</span> Sarah was completely healed and stronger than ever! Working out and sweating sprinkles all over the place.</div>
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Another crisis adverted.</div>
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-14471440304811752372014-07-06T19:21:00.000-07:002014-07-06T19:22:07.531-07:00Frozen Birthday PartyFor Lily's 5th Birthday, we threw her a "Frozen" themed party. She loves the movie, the princesses and the song. It was a last minute idea and with a party budget already in place, I tossed around what I could. For those of you who are oblivious to this new Disney marvel of a movie, the basic theme is ice, snowflakes and everything cold.<br />
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I decorated the food table and made a backdrop to go behind it.<br />
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The backdrop was a sheer white curtain accented with snowflakes and sparkled ribbon. Using blue tissue paper, I cut it in shape of icicles and hung it amidst a homemade Birthday banner.</div>
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Included in the theme, was a white table cloth, blue kool-aid jammers and themed plates and napkins.</div>
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For dessert I showcased an Elsa cake (her dress was the cake!) and snowflake cupcakes.</div>
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The party was a hit and my girl was one happy 5 year old !</div>
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-39388584909440402312014-06-30T06:22:00.000-07:002014-06-30T06:22:39.595-07:00DIY Headband Holder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lily has an obsession with headbands. She wears them everyday, coordinates them with her outfits and even sleeps with them on. </div>
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This was how she stored them. The organizing freak inside me gagged every time I looked at them.</div>
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She found it hard to look for certain headbands, they constantly fell on the floor and could easily break when digging through them all. So I made her a headband holder!</div>
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This project took less than 15 minutes and was so easy!</div>
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I used a paper towel holder and roll and covered the roll with fabric using a hot glue gun.</div>
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I tucked in the ends and placed the roll back on the holder.</div>
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Ta Da !</div>
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-3646688842761764212014-06-23T05:28:00.002-07:002014-06-23T05:39:12.402-07:00Taking your kids out in publicAll parents fears this. Many parents try to avoid it. Some parents even succumb to drinking afterwards.<br />
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Taking your kids out in public.<br />
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Taking 1 kid, maybe 2 isn't so bad. You have 2 hands so you can easily hold theirs, or carry 1 under each arm. But what do you do when there is 4?<br />
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It's like they're circus performers. They see a crowd of people and they see what kind of reactions they can stir up.<br />
I swear people see us coming and they turn and run in terror. We're like a tornado. We surprise you, enter quietly at first and then destroy everything in our paths, leaving the mess and destruction as we run out the door.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appropriate Cinema Behavior </td></tr>
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Sometimes you have no choice and have to take all your kids with you. You <i>have</i> to go to the grocery store, you don't <i>want </i>to cook supper so you decide to eat out, or you'd<i> love </i>to have a family night out together. <br />
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You're afraid of what they might do, what people might see? They might sneak into the kitchen at a restaurant, call 911 from the payphone, take down a shelf of chocolate bars at the grocery store?<br />
Luckily these have all happened to me already, so I'm assuming it can't get much worse.<br />
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Or can it?<br />
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It's aIot like childbirth, you tend to forget about the painful experience. You forget about the last time you were out in public, and you talk yourself into believing it won't happen again? Your kids promise they'll be good, and you really want to believe them. <br />
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But don't.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you spill your drink, why not lick it off the table?.</td></tr>
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We learned a few tricks when it comes to taking our kids out in public. ( The hard way of course )</div>
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<b><i>Entertainment</i></b></div>
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My kids need constant stimulation. If you have to sit and wait somewhere, like a restaurant or Doctor's office, bring along some colouring books, a puzzle or some cards.</div>
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<b><i>Food</i></b></div>
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Kids stop talking when they're eating. Most of the time.</div>
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<b><i>Games</i></b></div>
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Kids love games! A quick game of "eye spy" can save you some stress while waiting in line for a coffee.</div>
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<b><i>Participaction</i></b></div>
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Involve your kids in what you're doing. Let them read the grocery list or push the cart. Most of the time they're acting out for attention. I find if I make them feel apart of what I'm doing, I'll get through my task quicker.<br />
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-73767265814073965992014-06-02T11:06:00.000-07:002014-06-02T13:19:44.748-07:00Bicycle makeover for under $10 !This season we scored some free bikes for the kids. Neither myself nor the kids are gender conscious when it comes to material things. However, the thought of Lily's first bike being yellow and black and covered with flames just wasn't acceptable. Whether it's her socks, headbands or even the way she writes her name, she's a girl who loves sparkles, purple and all things fancy.<br />
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This bike needed a Lily makeover.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbAltCot_obaaN2c9MYyWCq-7ZDxHDb-pbqTZFGdZqumfVLsYsGquKm9De9bon57TBzQmYJL9YOkx0xh0OJ5_Avy3tqjOs_SqbwBLUTtGQYz0wQlJBnofCtHPgC7E6vmp33MQOhszkJA/s1600/20140518_153053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbAltCot_obaaN2c9MYyWCq-7ZDxHDb-pbqTZFGdZqumfVLsYsGquKm9De9bon57TBzQmYJL9YOkx0xh0OJ5_Avy3tqjOs_SqbwBLUTtGQYz0wQlJBnofCtHPgC7E6vmp33MQOhszkJA/s1600/20140518_153053.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I used Krylon Outdoor gloss spray paint. It only cost $4.98! I taped up the pedals and covered the seat and wheels with plastic bags. This paint dryed in under 10 minutes and hardly needed a second coat.</div>
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I purchased this cute bike bell for $1.25!</div>
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I added on some handlebar streamers - $1.25!</div>
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Ta da !!</div>
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This makeover cost me a total of $7.48 and took me less than 30 minutes!</div>
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My baby girl is thrilled to be riding in style!</div>
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-64822496708361259262014-05-27T08:31:00.001-07:002014-05-27T08:33:37.557-07:00Blog Birthdays !Today my blog is a whole year old! I've been waiting a long time for this milestone.<br />
My husband had been telling me for months that I should begin a blog to share stories and pictures. One May morning, I wrote and shared my first post you can read <a href="http://talbot-macleans.blogspot.ca/2013/05/monday-mornings.html?m=0">here</a>.<br />
I thought Mike was crazy to suggest it, but he proved me wrong!<br />
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12 months later this little blog has shared 107 posts and seen 14493 page views. My blog has been featured on Shutterfly and held a spot within the Top 10 blogs on www.topmommyblogs.com.<br />
It's been a wonderful year of inspiration, creativity and fun! The phrase, " blog that" has become a household regular.<br />
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I've had the pleasure of sharing inspirational writings from good friends and creating fun recipes and activities.<br />
Along the way I've discovered how to challenge and express myself as a mother through my blog. It's also opened me up to the world of blogging. It's such an interesting world and fun to follow other people's lives and learn so much from them.<br />
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I've been so blessed to have the love and support of my family, friends and readers. Your positive comments and suggestions have been uplifting and enlightening.<br />
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Thank you, and Happy Birthday, blog!<br />
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Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-24032099372510436372014-05-19T06:30:00.000-07:002014-05-26T04:32:06.933-07:00Royal ProtocolFor years I've been a huge fan of the Royal Family. When I was 9 years old Princess Anne visited my hometown and I was lucky enough to present her with flowers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> My father and I circa 1991 with Princess Anne</td></tr>
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After the news of Diana's death, I became enthralled (that's polite for obsessed) with the Royals.I absolutely adored them, was fascinated by them and loved following their lives via television and magazines. The protocol, the castles, the hats! The fact that The Queen always wears the same style dress, just a different colour.<br />
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When Will and Kate got married, I followed the television coverage from the beginning. Awake at 3am with a brand new tea cup just for the occasion.<br />
When they honeymooned to PEI, I regretted not taking the 75 minute ferry ride to see them You can be sure I followed their every move via social media!<br />
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Now, my (almost) Royal dream is coming true. Charles and Camilla are coming to town and I've got tickets to the Welcoming Ceremony! !<br />
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Mike and I are taking the 3 girls plus my younger brother. We contemplated taking Noah, but then I remembered - throwing dinkies, temper tantrums and destructive behaviour. Security would be all over that toddler.<br />
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Would it be rude to bring my Will and Kate masks?<br />
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The tickets have lots of big words and are printed on cardstock. Now, that's fancy. A written protocol is included describing how to address the couple and how to properly bow and curtsey. As well as a proper dress code. It states "business casual" which means no jeans and no tuxedos. Anything in between is appropriate.<br />
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I am loving this.<br />
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But, most Importantly, what do I wear?!<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-5215593078226533792014-05-07T04:53:00.001-07:002014-05-07T04:53:20.681-07:00#Mom ProblemsAs a mom, some of the simplest problems really throw off your day!<br />
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You're stuck with a house full of kids and run out of dishwasher soap.<br />
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There's no room in your bed amidst all the dinosaurs.</div>
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Not 1 of these socks match.</div>
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No matter how hard you try, you can't stop singing Frozen's "Let it go". You just can't. </div>
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These are my Mom Problems.</div>
<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-56938773313210577082014-03-02T17:18:00.002-08:002014-03-03T07:28:42.635-08:00My top 5 Family Movies<div style="text-align: left;">
We spent the majority of Sunday watching movies. We had a very busy
week, so lazying around on the couch, losing ourselves in the imaginary
wonders of Wizardry and e-woks seemed like a great way to spend our day.<br />
Since
our kids range from the ages of 3-9 it's hard to always pin point an
appropriate movie that everyone enjoys. Here are a few that solved that
problem and remain family favorites!</div>
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<i><b>Harry Potter</b></i></div>
What's not to love about these movies? We love imagination and learning about a new world and way of life. It's full of magic, some laughs and just the right amount of scares. Mike and I can always sit down to watch these with the kids over and over again. Maybe it's the accents, the historic castles or Rob Pattinson's cameo.<br />
We enjoy movie collections because the stories continue on and my kids enjoy seeing their favorite characters grow. Luckily for us, we have a choice of 8 amazing installments of witchcraft and wizardry to enjoy. My 4 year old is obsessed with the movies, and my 3 year old regularly recites many of Harry's spells.<br />
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Another Amazing movie collection that we
never grow tired of. My kids love all the bright colors, music and
familiar toys in these series. My girls loved seeing Barbie and Ken come
to life together in the 3rd installment.<br />
Not to mention the few adult
jokes that amuse me every time. This collection has definitely
developed a kid-cult following and I know will be one of our family
favorites for years to come.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOS34mGRnJpCQqJjHy9hwOWngfysSLSqpciYjOrKKF9kC26T7ADptrh4OP8Tge2kaZH4t7KNXDLQK4eBRZX6pDa5bEFbzp7wtCjFZ2PlCkJKH1QU3c-o4AGV1FWQvur3OW4k9gC6D7zM/s1600/monsters_inc_ver1_xlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOS34mGRnJpCQqJjHy9hwOWngfysSLSqpciYjOrKKF9kC26T7ADptrh4OP8Tge2kaZH4t7KNXDLQK4eBRZX6pDa5bEFbzp7wtCjFZ2PlCkJKH1QU3c-o4AGV1FWQvur3OW4k9gC6D7zM/s1600/monsters_inc_ver1_xlg.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><i><b><br /><br /> Monsters Inc.</b></i></div>
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This movie brings real monsters to life,
throws in some hilarious comedy and invites us into another world of
imagination. It brings to life the familiar "Monster in the closest"
scenario and adds some humor to it. My son loves monsters and everything
about them, and enjoys watching this movie over and over again!<br /><br />
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<i><b> Enchanted</b></i></div>
We love movies with singing and dancing and
Enchanted has all of that. Plus the classic fairytale storyline, with a
touch of the 21st Century. How do you not fall in love with Giselle's
super sweet character and taste in fashion? It's a happy movie that
always makes me think of Springtime, warm weather and flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrYXnyBoWv1b2iaab6zRlwF_q5OOlZPGfmHcuH-ugwy-P1zOpTMSp1TaEI6_RsQbn6Jrksm6JpgnqAoxUdTZ-ncXAZAY4-UNwQzybRtkRmdykbLgCrnRDDquAjvjr9G_EsLucAupVvYQ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrYXnyBoWv1b2iaab6zRlwF_q5OOlZPGfmHcuH-ugwy-P1zOpTMSp1TaEI6_RsQbn6Jrksm6JpgnqAoxUdTZ-ncXAZAY4-UNwQzybRtkRmdykbLgCrnRDDquAjvjr9G_EsLucAupVvYQ/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><i><b><br /><br /> The Muppets</b></i></div>
One of the best things I love about being a parent is introducing my kids to movies and tv shows Mike and I loved as a kid. We both grew up watching The Muppets and made them a household name within our family. Every Muppet movie is a hit, but the 2011 film is one of our favorites. I love the wholesome, 50's era theme Disney created. It's a great plot, answering everyone's questions about the characters whereabouts since their Muppet Show days. It's silly, humorous and fun! <br />
Again, we fell in love with the music and dancing and even I find myself humming "Am I muppet?" now and again.<br />
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Of course, there are many more awesome movies. I could have easily made a top 50 list! I'd love to hear some of your family favorites and maybe add some new flicks to our list!Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-43341496766664725892014-02-21T13:53:00.001-08:002014-02-21T13:54:05.350-08:00Friday Fun Snack - Snow Ice Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember when I talked about "embracing Winter"? Today, we did just that!<br />
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Here's our recipe for Snow Ice Cream !!<br />
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1 huge bowl of snow (clean snow of course)<br />
1 cup of Sugar<br />
1 tbsp Vanilla<br />
1-2 cups Milk (depends on your desired consistency)<br />
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Mix it up !<br />
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Happy Weekend !!Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-78961943289473415242014-02-17T06:25:00.000-08:002014-02-17T06:26:11.756-08:00Travelling with KidsThis time of year, my Facebook Newsfeed is littered with pictures of People going on trips! Friends and family posing beside Mickey Mouse, laying on the beach, in front of a ski slope and packed up at the airport ready to hop a plane somewhere!<br />
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I'm very jealous.<br />
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We travel frequently with the kids and usually take a mid-winter trip. However, we stay within our budget, which means staying within a few hours drive of our house. This year we're forcing ourselves to stay put so that we can save our money for one of those big trips everyone is going on this time of year! <br />
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Traveling with kids is always a challenge, whether you're just driving a short distance, or hopping a plane for a foreign destination. <br />
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<i>Here are a few tips I think are worth sharing.</i><br />
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<i>1. Hotels</i><br />
When booking a hotel, check for family rates or if breakfast is included in the price. I rarely stay at a hotel that doesn't offer a complimentary breakfast. We're a cereal and toast type of a family who love buffet style meals. <br />
If you're traveling with a baby, check ahead to make sure they have proper baby sleeping essentials available so you don't have to lug along yours.<br />
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<i>2. Sticking Together</i><br />
My biggest fear on trips is that I'll lose a kid. In a new place, we always designate a meeting point in case
anyone gets separated and make sure the kids repeat the plan back to us to make sure they understand. It's a good idea to have them wear bright colored shirts, or similar colors so you can spot them in a crowd.<br />
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<i>3. Snacks</i><br />
We always pack a cooler of snacks whether it's for a long drive, or if we're headed to an Amusement Park. Park food can be abnormally expensive and not very healthy. If my kids want to survive a full day of fun, they need fruit and water, not french fries and Pepsi.<br />
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<i>4. Entertainment</i><br />
Whether you're waiting at the airport, on a plane or driving a long distance, your brain could use a break from entertaining. Pack some books, games or a gaming device. A few minutes of silence can be golden.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTYD1hSqRtzXLqgOb7RIlaE5HgnxXiFbkU-c3AxWHRk3EWN3QMED0PKmNuJcxI43Pavw47zM-jFnb14OtOZr0vISz5RpCQEL5jRgh4wrRICsf5k_4BVFey6BJ6tfACo2J1L-61I63L3E/s1600/45706_10151390370743387_2024469925_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTYD1hSqRtzXLqgOb7RIlaE5HgnxXiFbkU-c3AxWHRk3EWN3QMED0PKmNuJcxI43Pavw47zM-jFnb14OtOZr0vISz5RpCQEL5jRgh4wrRICsf5k_4BVFey6BJ6tfACo2J1L-61I63L3E/s1600/45706_10151390370743387_2024469925_n.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a><br />
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<i>5. Get Along Bag</i><br />
I always have a small bag of essentials with me like it's my 3rd leg. It can be a long walk back to the van and a huge waste of family time just for a new pair of underwear.<br />
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<i>6. Easy Pack-Up</i><br />
When you're packing to come home, do your best to make the unpacking as
smooth as possible. Put all the dirty clothes together in a bag so
they're ready for the wash and pack everyone's clothes separately so
clean clothes are easier to put back in drawers. I've been guilty of
just tossing everything in the suitcase and telling myself I'll worry
about it when I get home. I've discovered that when I get home is NOT
when I want to worry about organizing clothes, garbage and laundry.<br />
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Happy Traveling !!Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5872952032188869349.post-3761123311569414992014-02-13T05:22:00.002-08:002014-02-13T05:26:32.206-08:00Valentine's DayFor me, Valentine's Day has changed it's meaning entirely since I had kids. Once upon a time, I spent all my time and money on presents, surprises and romantic gestures for just 1 adult.<br />
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<i>Imagine.</i><br />
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Now, Valentine's Day means buying and helping Madison and Jessee fill out Valentines for both their classes and planning a Valentine's party for Lily and Noah, and the kids I babysit. Oh, if I remember, Mike gets a gift and card too!<br />
The kids love Valentine's Day. They enjoy making up all their Valentines for their classes, decorating bags, and dressing festive for the big day. Not to mention the thought of any type of "party" ! I love any reason to celebrate something, so I tend to go all out for such holidays too!<br />
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Of course, we should celebrate LOVE everyday, but Valentine's Day is a fun way for everyone to maybe go a little overboard on the love (which isn't a bad idea) and just have fun with it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Valentines!</td></tr>
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I'm planning a party today for the kids I babysit. We're decorating cookies, putting on Valentine tattoos and making heart hats from paper plates. You can find the tutorial <a href="http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/diy-holiday-hats-for-every-occasion/">here</a>.<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day !!<br />
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<br />Brooke @ All you need is Lovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09485388400711895527noreply@blogger.com0