Family Time: Movies in the Park

taking pics in the dark, flash too bright for little eyes

Summer doesn't come soon enough for me living here in Canada... I don't excel at winter activities, so when the summer rolls around I am even more hands on momma than the rest of the year. Try to find fun things to do as a family and make moments the girls can remember for a lifetime to come.

After a day filled with park visits, soccer games, street party meeting, we had scheduled in our calendar a movie in the local park! Planned for weeks, with permits acquired from our city hall, equipment on loan and a neighbourhood excited with the idea of giving our little park some evening action!

Our view of the film

We debated about taking the girls since they are in toddler/kindergarten ages and bedtime is early in our house... and it doesn't get dark til after 9pm... but we decided sometimes bedtime can be put at the waste-side for special moments. What we did do was have dinner, and then get ready for bed. We washed up, put on our PJs, prepped our warm milk in a sippy cups and strollered up and headed out to the screening. That way if someone needed to pass out they already were laying down in the stroller.

It was fun, families on blankets, a concession stand, a viewing of "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" in honour of the spotting of the Fox who has been trolling around in our city neighbourhood! We brought some popcorn we made at home, blankets to ward off the mosquitoes and our vigor to sit through our first full length film.

I loved this outdoor chandelier

It was nice... what do you do to bring fun into the family during the summer?

Verdict Not-Guilty: Casey Anthony Trial

When I became a mother, and would do 3 am breast feedings I was glued to CNN... my night was filled with Anderson Cooper, Lou Dobbs and Larry King. I was glued, a permanent fixture on my bed for hours being mesmerized by the newest American issues. As a Canadian it was interesting to learn how different judicial systems we had, how opinionated and honest the newscasters were.

A lot of emotions were had when the Virginia Tech happened, I was horribly emotionally attached, and then more and more items horribly made my insides cry, I would wake up wanting to hear if there were updates. The Elections came up after that, made the topics a bit lighter to take in, but in 2008 while breast feeding #2, I heard about this little 2 year old gone missing.

I had become glued, I had wanted to know if they would find her. The grandparents all up in arms, the mother not really caring and a police department that seemed a little confused at the situation.

And then they indited Casey Anthony, I won't lie I felt it made sense... it made perfect sense. Presumptuous perhaps, but here I am late night breast feeding, loving, providing, and caressing my child while this mother seemed unfazed by the reality that her daughter was gone, now this isn't some horrible teen, but a very very young child who wouldn't know if it was even OK to cross the street.

Then you have the grandmother questioning her daughter with her statements. Does this get any weirder? Here is the grandmother asking questions, I as a stranger would ask, but this grandmother was an active member in the child's life and all of a sudden the child isn't around, just up and disappeared!

Months had passed, breastfeeding had stopped in my house.., and I had to take stock in the reality that I get emotionally attached to these cases and am without ability to do anything. I heard the trial had started, I wanted to watch, but didn't want to sensationalise the situation any further in my deeply tarnished heart from what I had already heard. It was hard as my twitter feed occasionally had a mom tweet a small update here and there in disgust. So much had gone wrong and I was catching glimpses. And every day I reminded myself don't go on CNN, just don't!

Yesterday, July 5th, 2011 at 2:15 the State of Florida, and the Orange County had the jury come out to read the verdict. My twitter feed was on fire, I turned on my CNN! Not Guilty, a not-guilty verdict was issued for Manslaughter, a Not-guilty for Child Abuse. I will not lie, to me she is guilty. Whatever the occurrence of how this poor hopeless child met her fate, the mother was guilty for her careless actions. If she had starved her child and the child had died from starvation or dehydration should would have been charged, she would have been found guilty.

But we all watch enough CSI, Law & Order, Criminal Minds to know that your best bet to find a missing child is within the first 48hrs. So for this woman to keep up a front, go out drinking and dancing while her mother calls at night to ask where her granddaughter was... seems like negligence causing bodily harm/death. If one is drunk or high and crashes there car, they might not have had motive, may not even remember doing it, but will pay large amounts of time in jail for causing or perpetuating death without taking concern for their fellow man when getting behind the wheel of their car. Can we not say that not taking concern of your own child should warrant punishment if during your lax and ignorant stance on your child where-abouts which then causes them to die. Does no guilt fall on this behaviour?

I horribly feel that no justice was served today, verdicts yes, judicial system did it's job... blah blah blah.... but no justice. This horribly innocent 2 year old will be lost, her soul perhaps in peace, in heaven being coddled by Angels (at least this is my hope for her) will never get the justice for her life lost, for every child whose life is lost after hers that will never get the proper coverage for negligence of parenting!

Tonight there will be a vigil across the nations to keep your porch lights on for Caylee Anthony, to light her way home and let her know she was not forgotten in the show that was the trial for her justice. I will secretly grieve for her little body as my daughters have both passed the age of 2 and are beautiful and smart. I am reminded that this beauty will never get to be more than a Headline story.

Pushing through Me as Mom!

Lately I have been bombarded with comments and conversations about being Mom, being Social Mom and a Mom Blogger.

When did being pigeon-holed into a category make people feel the right to pass judgement, I read a blog about non-moms being the evil that the perils of being mom were misunderstood... but we're we moms not non-moms at one point in time. Then I read scathing twitter comments my most disturbing; "mom bloggers write blogs just so they can feel cool again." Best part it was from a fellow female. I don't understand this harbouring of resentment, I don't understand the lack of consideration in your fellow, human or even your fellow female.

I am a MOM, I may have worked in Editorial for a brief moment, been in the social circle before having kids, and please cool.... anyone even using the term can't really consider themselves cool! But when did a mom writing and sharing become so unattractive to those who don't have kids... why I ask, why do I care? Well because at one point in time some single living it up women will become the moms that they disparage in public forums.

I call it as it is, a huge amount of foot in mouth syndrome, where without taking precautions we speak without thinking. I take responsibility for the opinions I make, but I also like being called out on my shit, because I believe that owning up to offending people, learning from your lack of knowledge on a subject and just listening to an other's point of view makes me smarter and wiser on the subject may it reoccur in my life.

But most of all, I feel I have to defend my choice in parenthood, I wanted babies, I don't care that I worked in the most scathing industry that doesn't promote bearing children, I don't care that I have a social life that isn't very "mommy".... I don't like being pigeon-holed.... and believe that people do things for different reasons, it would be as I sitting here and commenting on why one doesn't have children, or moms who chose to stay home with their kids and don't leave their house... we do what "WE" want!

I do what I want... I want to stop feeling the need to defend my position. I want to be free of titles given to me by others, I want to be the funnest most outgoing mom, who does crafts with her girls, who goes swimming with them at the pool, who comes home and gets ready for a tweet-up or drinks with a girlfriend. Because I want to be me!

I tweeted this statement the other day; people assumed I was upset about something but I am just stating the obvious!

I am me, I am the best me I can be, I can't be you, you can't be me, there is only one of me!

Bethenny Frankel is beyond Mompreneur!

Have you heard of Bethenny Frankel? If not I might be concerned you've been living under a rock.

I first took notice of Bethenny when she appeared on the Apprentice Martha Stewart, she was a fast talking New Yorker. I was single then and she represented everything I ever wanted for myself... go-getting in the biggest city in the world. My life led me in a different direction, but then I hadn't seen Bethenny on my screen for years.

Then the Real Housewives Series started and the New York version started and she appeared on my screen all over again. Here I was watching her unfold her whole life on TV for the audience to watch and see so much about her. But we started to watch her grow this company called Skinny Girl.

Now you might say well I don't watch reality TV, but it doesn't matter... she now is making waves on the cover of Forbes for her business savvy. Because not only did she grow her Skinny Girl product, it's going to grow and be a money maker. Best part as a female is that she taught the licquor companies that Women are worth catering to in the spirits industry and not listening to us is suicide.

The Skinny Girl Margarita is hands down great... a mere 100 calories per serving, it touches to heart strings of the women not looking to gain weight but drink with the big boys, their girlfriends or even when they just need a drink alone! Guilt free... don't be mistaken, drinkers are concerned, head over to your closest local bar and ask the bartender what the most ask for drink from a female is and he will oblige with Vodka & Soda... but it isn't a fun drink. Trust me I've tried consuming it, not worth the effort! But that's the Diet girls drink of choice.

Finally in Canada (been in select US stores for a while now) we have options, and to help promote the Skinny Girl Margarita Bethenny chose to making appearances in Toronto and Vancouver. I wasn't going to miss out... here is a woman who is trying to balance a very lucrative business, motherhood and dealing with celebrity.

And Bethenny has come full circle for me, she is representing the newest dream I have for myself, Business woman with child (I have more than 1) but with perseverance to grow a business to make it successful and to never take no for an answer. She really inspires the new generation of women. It was a pleasure meeting her for multiple reasons, her smile infectious, her graciousness filled up the room.

Who is your business model? Who is your mom mentor?

Mother's Day!

Hope all you lovelies out there celebrated a great Mother's Day... Mine was remarkably quiet! We have been mending away sick toddlers and I got to take a nap and just veg out without many expectations from me.

While I appreciate today was all about me, I am greatly thankful of my husband because on a daily basis he is my team member in parenting and is the yin to my yang so that I can be the best mom I can be. I always am floored that 4 years ago I became a mom and then a mom to 2 with a blink of the eye.

It has been the best decision I ever took, one I was confident I could succeed in, one that I never look back wishing I hadn't done. On days I wish I had quiet and that my girls would just play nice without bickering about who held a toy longer over the other... but when those days actually arrive I feel I might suffer from empty nesting, so for now I am relishing the Lego's on my floor, the constant noise in my house and the unstoppable amount of hugs I get daily.

Hope you all had a great one!

Jukari Fit!

So you might notice that on occasions I hit serious work out highs, I easily get distracted and am always looking to find the next best workout to get my body where I believe I want it to be... still hasn't gotten there, but here's hoping!

I was invited to the Jukari Fit to Fly event from their creators Cirque du Soleil and Reebok! I had seen this workout on TV before, by all means I am a celebrity junkie and never miss a story. But when I was invited to this I couldn't turn it down for how fun the opportunity to get to do the same workout I have seen Brooke Burke and Brooklyn Decker do! Please I will give anything to have either body, and well... Brooke Burke let's me to believe Momma can fly too!

Here in Toronto, the first location to house this great fitness experience was the King West Fitness, what a great space for this fitness routine. I was unfortunately in high heels at this event and didn't get a chance to try it out but my girl friend did and has already booked sessions to do it. Fun is the number one key!

In Canada you can only go to classes in Toronto and gyms in Quebec, they have locations in the UK, Hong Kong and nationwide in the US. So there is no excuse, time to fly baby! Best thing I can say is it really brings out that fun girl in you!

Cheers!~

Banana Orange Coconut Loaf

I really love baking and creating new things for us all to eat in the house... but a few of us in the house have been sick, and I felt like filling my daughter with freshly squeezed Orange Juice, so I squeezed about 7 oranges for our drinks and was left with a ton of pulp on the machine. What to do, I will not waste all that fiber.

So baking was the only option!

Banana Orange Coconut Loaf

2 cups of Flour ( I used 1 cup of All Purpose White flour + 1 cup of Whole Wheat flour)

2/3 cup of sugar

1/3 cup of Butter

2 Eggs

1 tsp of Baking Powder

1/2 tsp of Baking Soda

2 bananas

1/3 of cup of Orange Pulp

1/2 of Coconut (toasted coconut are just as good)

1 tsp of Vanilla Extract

Glaze

1/3 of a cup of Icing sugar

Milk

Set the over for 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Blend the Sugar and butter first. Add the eggs until fluffy. Add the Vanilla extract and the orange pulp. Mash the bananas in a bowl.

Sift together the flours, baking soda, and baking powder. Now start combining the dry ingredients to the wet one with a folding motion with a spoon or baking spatula. Put some flour, some bananas and some coconut fold, repeat.

Put the mixture in Greased cooking pan, I used a 9x5 cake loaf but you can use cupcake, cake pans.

And enjoy!

Cheers!~

Finding One's Self!

I don't tend to blog a lot about Motherhood, being that I am one of the firsts of my friends to have babies I never felt it my place to bombard my friend with talks of poop, parenting, late nights and exhaustion. Not to mention the lack of connection with ones body after a whole other body has left your own. Do I do it to not deter my friends, perhaps--- I think being a Mother is great, and would never tell someone anything that could make them change their minds in having something that truly has brought such utter joy into my life.

But there is something about becoming a mom, the added pressures that most don't understand til you are a mom, and the lack of self care that happens while you are trying to be Super Mom! Your brain hits serious over drive, not being all you can be really allows your brain to go into overdrive in the lack of who you are without your children and how much you can be for them because you want them to be proud of their mama!

So while you are tugging and pulling with your brain, your diet, excercise, work and children are tugging and pulling at you physically. And many of us have our A-HA moments! Mine was when my arm broke (only because imagine all those tasks and thoughts and then not being allowed to do them because you are FORCED to heal), truly presented me without an option than to confront my thoughts and how little I was taking care of myself.

Many Mommies have these moments, and here at Mommy Doings it just wouldn't be right to share these stories so that we can all know we've been there and we can get passed it, but most of all we are NOT alone!

Cheers!~

A little bit of Sublime, to pass the time!

Last Friday I got to go to a beauty launch party! And when I realised it was a beauty event I knew the smartest thing to do was to invite my little cousin to come a long... no one loves make up like she does, so this was totally up her alley.

When we arrived at the L'Oreal Creative Labs her face lit up and I knew we were up for a good little launch! It's like they knew I was coming everything was my favorite shade of hot pink, we even ate strawberry mousse cups, but the guest of honour that night was Hair!

L'Oreal was launching for the first time in Canada their new Sublime Mousse hair dye, I think I have dyed my hair a million times since the age of 16, this was totally up my alley, especially since my roots are growing in and getting bored of this colour already! They had models with freshly dyed hair walking around and sharing their great new colour, and even the fabulous Eric Del Monaco (who you'll hear more about this week to come) showing us how great the product was to use and apply.

Now I couldn't go to such a great event and just come on here to brag, so the great people of L'Oreal put together a great little swag bag for a lucky reader of Mommydoings; this contest is unfortunately only for those who live in Canada.


So easy, just :

1- comment and let me know what sublime means to you and

2- follow the blog or like the facebook page, let me know which one you chose to do, and what your contact name is on it.

*contest runs til April 24th... don't miss out!*

Cheers!~

P90X-- Bring It!

My husband and I have been super busy, we have so many little projects on the go... we don't always get a chance to leave the house to fit in an excercise routine, I have tried it all currently loving my Zumba class which doesn't feel like a workout at all, and I really love light weight training of multiple moves in a muscle conditioning format.

But when my cousin kept touting the idea of how wonderful P90X was, I wasn't remotely close to believing her, the idea of doing a video/DVD workout seems so ridiculous to me, I am not easily motivated to get a serious sweat on in my home, while my fridge is an arm stretch away, while the option of watching TV gossip rags, soaps and other frivolous television shows.

But then my husband said he'd get on the bandwagon, and we've been working out together... it's been a perk and it gives us something further to bond with that doesn't take extra time out of our day to convince each other to do so. So we have been experiencing P90X through the eyes of Tony Horton, what a great physique this man has may I add.

Tell me what is your favorite excercise routine, what's your favorite way to burn calories? Do you work better at home in your own privacy or in a gym atmosphere? Do you need an instructor or trainer to motivate you?