getting ready for Christmas

Seizing Moments of Productivity

This post is brought to you by nap time for one baby and the fact that the toddler is completely engrossed in Astroblast’s smoothie station….. for the moment. It shall also be sponsored my momma’s oh so festive Caralan’s & coffee, but that is between you and I. The past weekend and start to this week has been non-stop, and we are only half way through it. I am wrapping up with craft fairs and focusing only on online orders for my baby business Deer Baby, and one last pop-up shop event next week. Hubby has been busy with work, and many of you other realtors know, the work doesn’t stop just because it’s Sunday. Then there’s the babies. Busy, busy babies. Hallie has been a mile a minute, from morning until night. For the most part, she is full of giggles, mischief and spilt apple sauce. Yesterday however was tantrum-Tuesday and boy did girlfriend live up to it. Conveniently, I discovered this on Facebook and found it extremely appropriate for my life these days.

It’s on those days where your toddler is crying for the 78th time before 9am that you do one of two things. Wish for a reset button on the day to start things over, or pray the next ten hours flies by so that you can have a glass of wine in peace, call it a day and pray for a better one tomorrow. Funnily enough, I always find that when I am at the breaking point of patience, completely frustrated and sleep deprived, the next day my kids are absolute angels. They sleep, they eat well, and comply with all of my plans for the day. Little masterminds that they are have me in the palm of their hand. How can we play with mommy’s head today?! God help me when one is four and the other is two…. I am already feeling a little outnumbered and they don’t yet have the ability to plot against me together. Good times ahead my tiny tots!

As I write this, Hallie has decided it would be a fabulous idea to tape unused diapers to the living room window. I guess I deserve that for leaving a roll of tape out on what I thought was a very high countertop. Apparently her arms are those of Gumby and she can now reach everything. It’s a good thing diapers fall from the sky and we really do not go through that many at all on a daily basis….. She still grins at me while completing this artsy task and looks cute as pie. Good looks get you far!

So with all of the chaos and mischievous fun happening at the Hayward house, I managed to sneak out moments throughout the day to be productive and get some housework done! By housework of course I mean Christmas decorating. Today I wanted to share a few fun shots of our festive moments throughout the house. We do not have a large space to play with and I really wanted to avoid the feeling that Santa threw up in my living room. It was all about finding a nice balance and I am happy to say I didn’t go that overboard. We don’t have our Christmas tree yet so that could really push the envelope, but we will cross that bridge on December 10th. That is when we set out for the perfect tree. Henry always makes fun of me because I have no concept of ceiling height. In my mind we have ten foot ceilings when really they are probably 7 feet. The perfect tree for me would be about 20 feet tall and require a couple of ladders to decorate. Maybe in my next house! So far Hallie has managed to keep her sticky fingers off of most of our decorations, but I have a feeling it will be a different story once the tree goes up.

And with that, one baby is awake and the little lady has emptied goldfish crackers all over the sofa. Time to find something to do that productive to them! Cookie baking time anyone?

Welcoming Winter

I don’t know about you but I felt a huge sense of relief when I was packing up all of our Halloween decorations. October was exhausting! It was tons of fun with all of the festivities going on and even though it is one of my favourite times of the year, I was happy to see the end of it. I am ready for November. Ready for Winter! That is one thing I love about where we live now. You actually get to experience full seasons. In Vancouver, it was a lot of rain, or non-rainy days. I don’t want to sound like a negative nelly but it’s true! They are in for a soggy winter too unfortunately. In Kamloops we get a really pretty transition in-between seasons. Though I might freeze my ass off more so than my Coastal friends, at least my toes will be dry. I am however a total wimp when it comes to being cold. I am cold majority of the time! But as long as you dress appropriately, getting out in the cooler weather (not to mention the snow!) can be exactly what everyone needs- especially kids. So I am welcoming November with open, bundled up arms and am super excited to get planning some fun activities for the babies and I. It has been a couple years but it just might be time to bring back the ‘Holiday Bucket List‘ too. Nothing like a giant chalkboard in your kitchen to remind you of all of the things you want to get done! There are quite a few things happening in Kamloops this time of year too. Last year I was pregnant and violently ill (thanks again for that Jackson) so I wasn’t exactly a jolly sport when it came to doing things. I managed to get away with it too as Hallie was younger and perfectly okay with being lazy and snuggling with me all day long. Now, not so much! I know that cheeky little girl is going to want to get her hands into all of the fun that the season brings. We will not be able to hide from the great outdoors either – if that girl doesn’t spend at least a couple of hours outside each day, the crazy really comes out in her. This momma might need some Baileys in her coffee this time round to keep up! Jackson is too little to know what is going on but we will string that adorable little smile along for the ride. So what is on your holiday to-do list? I already have a couple of things in mind.

Spirit Holiday Train Ride – hot cocoa included of course!

CP Holiday Train with Dallas Smith performing – whoop whoop!

Santa Parade downtown – even though last year we could barely get through the entire parade it was so darn cold. This year we shall better prepare ourselves!

Adults only getaway to Sun Peaks for a night – get our Christmas drinks on!

Family getaway to Sun Peaks – alright alright, they get some fun too!

The search for the perfect Christmas Tree – and cutting it down ourselves of course. ‘It’s not going in our living room Russ’.

Taking both kids in matching pjs to visit Santa Clause.

Introducing Elf on the Shelf to Hallie. She won’t understand the concept of behaving for the elf yet, but I do think she will get a kick out of searching for it every morning.

Arts & crafts for Hallie of the Christmas nature. We love getting messy lately in the kitchen with paints.

Seasonal baking – this one is for me! I love baking and this is the perfect time of year to overindulged and try out some fun new recipes.

Play the Christmas Vacation Drinking Game – mandatory this time of year, multiple times if you can.

Well clearly I could go on, and on, and on here….. Better get that chalkboard done up! Happy Wednesday and happy winter planning friends!

Getting Ready For Christmas

I am starting off this post with a full disclosure statement. I have been lazy. For like two weeks. Well lazy and sick. With what felt like the worst flu ever, I managed to fight my way through each day, doing the bare minimum when it came to ‘wifing’ and ‘mothering’. It’s not like anyone suffered (but sickly me) but there certainly weren’t any extra trips to the park or gloriously cooked meals. Sometimes you are just not on your game right? Since I am being totally honest, I should tell you that it was almost two weeks of being sick and lazy, the rest being in a sad mommy funk. Have you heard of this? I had never encountered the sad mommy funk before. Must be living in a new city, knowing very few people, and it being such a merry time of year. Funny how the holidays are so happy yet they can make you a little melancholic at the same time. So. What do we do when we have a problem? We google. Or in my case, visit Pinterest. Here is a great read on the ‘mommy funk’ with some excellent suggestions on how to break free. I was delighted to discover this fellow mommy blogger’s post and intend to check back in to her site again soon. That is the best part of looking up your problems. The discovery of new resources! Also, just for kicks when you are so sleep deprived that coffee can’t even help you, this post is full of good laughs. Another excellent discovery. Not that I am tired but I sure was a couple months ago! (Actually, I am taking that back – I am always tired. Pretty sure all parents are) Now that I have admitted to my sad mood, one that I am sure will pass with the start of another busy week showing it’s face tomorrow morning, onto more merrier thoughts.

We are in full swing for Christmas here. Santa parade, check. Hunting in the woods for the perfect tree, Griswold Style, check. Failure to find perfect tree so we went to the tree farm instead, check. Found perfect tree, check. I even got my act together and wrote Christmas cards this morning. Though writing is not my problem, actually posting them is. VOW: I will post all of the cards tomorrow. . . .

Miraculously, most of my Christmas shopping is done too! I chock that one up to my shopping problem (that I internally refuse to acknowledge) and fully admit that I have purchased at least seven presents for myself- from Santa of course. Wonder if I can actually get away with opening them on Christmas Day and have the Hubs not catch on…. It’s possible! This weeks Christmas goals include some holiday baking, a DIY craft/gift of different butter spreads (can’t wait to share it with you!) and some Christmas present wrapping. I discovered this morning that you cannot wrap a present with a toddler nearby. It’s impossible and I am pretty sure she ingested half of the said paper. Oh sh!t, and post the Christmas cards. I think that is a big enough to-do list for now, don’t you? Best not to get overwhelmed this time of year.

David’s Tea Time …. Holiday Advent Tea Calendar

It’s Not Going In our Yard Russ #lottasap

First Snowfall Of The Year

The little lady and I made it home from Vancouver yesterday afternoon safe and sound. Just as well we left when we did as the highway got 20 centimetres of snow overnight! It’s looking pretty white up there right now, not at all ideal for driving according to this gal. We also woke up to snow sprinkled all over the yard. It is so pretty! Hallie was too little last year to know what snow is, however this time she definitely knew something was different when she looked outside. She was pointing and full of baby babble and delighted screams. Unfortunately, by midday it was already starting to melt. We are supposed to get another dump overnight so hopefully tomorrow is just as snowy. Maybe even a bit more would be nice. The slightly melted snow did not stop us from bundling up in snow pants and loading baby girl into her red wagon for a little stroll along the river. She just loves that wagon. It gives her the perfect view of everything going on around her, and makes for the perfect bed of blankets. I discovered this morning that it also has cup holders, perfect for my latte this morning (or for icy cold discreet beers in the summertime!). After a very ‘Winter’ feeling morning, I am hoping to get hubby outside this afternoon to put up some Christmas lights! We watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation last night in hopes that our hero, Clark Griswold, would inspire us. I feel inspired, hubs not so much. He still thinks it is too early for anything Christmas related. He is sorely mistaken if he thinks we are waiting until December. The trick in my marriage is if I just start doing something that he would be better at, and if I do it bad enough, eventually he will step in to make it right. I happen to know for a fact that he is an expert at putting up Christmas lights. It’s all about strategy.

This sudden snowfall has a funny way of making you realize that there are a few necessities we require for Winter that we still do not have. I need to locate some proper footwear from Hallie so that she can play outside. Everyone in Kamloops has been recommending these boots by Stonz that slip over her cozy Padraigs. This may be the best solution for my chubby ankled angel. We also are going to need a little sled. Hallie loves being pulled around inside in the laundry hamper for fun, so I think she will LOVE a sled. I imagine all the second hand ones have been snatched up so I will more than likely have to buy new, like all the other mommies who neglected to think about this. Lastly, we are going to need to find some mittens that baby girl cannot pull off and launch across the playground. Are there ones that velcro up around her elbow? That would be perfect! Oh Winter we love you so! Can’t wait to see what our new city brings us- crossing fingers for a Winter Wonderland!

Gold Lips Mug From Lofty Living

Nate Berkus Sideplates – Last Year’s Holiday Collection (Sold Out From Target!)

Nothing like a romantic heart shaped egg to start the day off! (Find them here)

Time With Tiffany

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