Sweet memories...

A dear friend of mine sent us a beautiful new hat for Anaïs (thanks wave kaia)!! As soon as Anaïs opened it she decided she would give her 'old' hat to Leo (thank goodness it's a white bunny hat so it can be passed along without too much sensation). And what followed was mama getting to enjoy a little photo shoot with two of my munchkins. I just love their smiles, their connection, and the way the 'pose'.

Leo trying on his new hat

Anaïs trying on her new hat

posing for the camera... love the way Ana is looking at her brother

a true 'pose' smile by Anaïs

Look of love between brother and sister

hey, that's my eye... Anaïs LOVES this photo!!

love my little bugs 

Ana is so patient with her little brother

lovin' it!!!

Seriously...  she is only 2!!

Healing Chai Tea

This is positively one of my favourite liquid escapes... a warm chai tea with steamed milk (of any variety) and a touch of maple syrup. Simply preparing it fills the entire home with a scent of warmth and goodness... like a delicious hug for the senses. It is a recipe that I acquired from a dear friend, true inspiration, and phenomenal ayurvedic nutritionist and yoga leader... Christine of Fearless Cooking and Shunnya Yoga Centre. Christine calls this drink "mental clarity and energy all in one cup."

Ingredients:
2 litres Water
15 Whole Cloves
20 Green Cardamom Pods (cracked slightly)
20 Black Peppercorns
3   Cinnamon Sticks
8   Slices Gingerroot (peeled; fresh ginger can be easily peeled with a  small spoon)
1/2 tsp Black Tea (or green tea or herbal, or your very own blend... as you prefer)
Splash of Milk, any variety


Instructions:
Bring water to a boil, add the cloves and continue boiling for one minute. Add cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, ginger and tea. Cover, and continue boiling for 20-30 minutes.  Strain.

Serve with steamed/frothed milk and sweeten with maple syrup, honey or agave (if desired... i usually drink it with a little steamed almond milk: delicious).

Each of the ingredients adds their own health benefits...
Black Tea provides antioxidants which are known to lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure.
Cloves invigorate and help generate heat in the body, making them useful during cold and flu season.
Ginger strengthens and heals the digestive and respiratory systems, removes congestion, soothes sore throat, and relieves body aches.
Cinnamon acts as a stimulant to the other herbs and spices enabling them to work faster. It is also great for the bones.
Black pepper adds warmth to the body.
Cardamom stimulates the mind and gives clarity. It also acts as an antidote to caffeine.
Boiled Milk eases the assimilation of the herbs and prevents irritation of the colon and stomach.

When each of my babies were just born, I added star of anise (to ease their tummy's) and used chamomile flowers (instead of tea) to relax both me and my little angels. It's always fun to experiment and try to add new flavours... the aroma and the heat of this concoction is so soothing for my soul.

children are miraculous

I positively adore SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy). I am inspired by her creativity, her honesty, her ability to put her feelings on paper with so much charm, her willingness to dream... and she will always remind me of one of my dearest friends with whom I shared my initial love affair with her first books when we started reading them over a decade ago.

The other day, I received a special treat... a friend sent me a copy of this wonderful poem. It reminded me again of how very blessed I am to be with my children every single day. I am smitten by the colourful way in which this poem dances between the challenges and joy that parenting offers. It is, no doubt, hard work to raise a child and to 'really' love a child. Though I am most certain that every parent loves their child the best way they can... parenthood pushes us to experience ourselves as we truly are, and challenges us to grow into the people we most want to be... in the eyes of our children and in our own hearts. In this way, children really are miraculous. So often we think that we are here to teach them (as their parents, their teachers), and yet many of my most humbling and greatest learning moments have come from the lessons taught by my kids... as little as they are. Their ability to be present, their ability to engage with the world, their ability to play without boundaries... it is magic.

I think my favourite line (at this moment, for as time changes my thoughts may too) is about finding elephants... because Anaïs adores elephants, and because we always tell Isabel she has a memory like an elephant, and because the girls and i have a song about all the different animals and we all like the elephants. Makes me want to wake them both up right now and give each one a kiss. Perhaps a better plan is to join them in dreamland and look forward to hugs and giggles and sillies tomorrow.
Hmmmm... I also love the one about reading books out loud... with joy; and imagining yourself magic; and encouraging silly; and... well, i like it all... ha, ha!!! And so wanted to share it and place it somewhere to remind me in a simple, colourful way just how much magic there is in every single day. And when I forget and falter in my ways, I can come back here, regain perspective and always try again.

Copyright SARK 

Oooooo, we can even add a little melody to the words as we read them... singing always makes everything even brighter... at least in our house!!! I think that my girls (and boy) might grow up one day thinking that they grew up in a musical... and wondering why the rest of the world does not put a melody to everything they say and do?!? But hey, what would the world be without music? We certainly love to sing... and dance and play.

{Postscript (July 26th): Today I shared this SARK poem 'out loud' with Isabel. She giggled all the way through... and said her favourite lines are: "Encourage silly" and "Say yes as often as possible". She laughed out loud and shook her head at the thought of banging on pots and pans... perhaps a little too much noise for my little talker. And she insisted that kids are NOT small: "we are all big" she said.}

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

7 months

oh those lips...

Today Leo turns seven months and the time feels like it has passed in the blink of an eye. He is simply delicious. He fits into our family unit like he has always been here... except somehow it is even better. The girls adore him... and they shower him with affection every chance they get. He returns their love without hesitation and no one makes him giggle like Isabel and Anaïs. His papa also gets a fantastic greeting each time he comes home from work. We are usually sitting at the table eating dinner and the moment Leo hears papa's voice his arms start to flap up and down, he gets a grin that spreads from ear to ear, and he starts to squeal with joy. And he is still the cuddliest little guy happy to rest in the sling and watch the world go by around him... and every once in a  while, he falls asleep. Scrumptious. I know I won't get to do this forever, so I am truly savouring each moment I get.

lovin' the hand dimples

In the last month, Leo popped his two bottom teeth... he did it with such ease, like an old pro. So, he can now officially chew pieces off of celery and carrot sticks (rather than just gumming them). He loves sitting on his own and really taking in the world around him. I think he likes the sense of freedom that comes with sitting up straight, and the entirely new perspective he has within his own control.

This is the face he started to make days before his first tooth showed itself... little tongue coming out. It has stopped, but was so adorable for the short time.

Devouring Sophie the Giraffe (this is still the one we had from when Isabel was little... amazing)!!

Some loving' from Isabel... first thing in the morning.

No shortage of affection from big sister Anaïs... but what is she saying?

Life is good.

swing, swing, swing

It's such a simple, ordinary thing... a mere repetitive movement, a swing. Yet it is also full of potential, taking flight with a little push... inspiring imagination. 

The girls can spend hours engaging their bodies in the to and fro momentum... whether fast or slow, eyes open or eyes closed, voices singing or voices silent, legs straight and legs bent... touching the sky with a feeling of freedom, lightness and surrender to the possibilities. 

Anaïs adores swinging with her eyes closed these days

The Swing

by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

Till I can see so wide,

River and trees and cattle and all

Over the countryside–

Till I look down on the garden green,

Down on the roof so brown–

Up in the air I go flying again,

Up in the air and down!

three of my favourite faces...

Sometimes it is the simplest moments that are the most magical, the most inspiring, the most genuine. Sometimes it is a smile, a hug, a twinkle in the eye. Sometimes it is just being right here, right now... enjoying what is exactly in front of your eyes. Breathing in the magic that is life.

deliciously yummy...

Today Anaïs decided to feed Leo. The three of us (Anaïs, Leo and I) were eating dinner together. Oh that sounds so deliciously civilized... in reality, i was a feeding Leo, Anaïs was feeding me and herself, and I tried to get a real bit of food in any chance I could. At one point Anaïs asked for another helping of broccoli (one of the many mealtime requests that usually makes me feel more like a bouncing ball (up and down, up and down) rather than someone sitting down to eat a meal).

While I was up, Anaïs (who is two and a half) got out of her chair and settled into mine, and proceeded to feed Leo (who is six months). The laughter from Leo was unstoppable, and his smiles gave Anaïs even more confidence to continue.

It was positively delicious hearing the giggles with each bite, watching the food go (literally) all over the kitchen, and seeing the engaged look on the face of Anaïs as she opened her mouth and stayed so focused on the task of feeding her little brother. The spoon went in a little too far a few times, but Leo was not bothered one bit. As per his character, he took it all in stride...

The camera posed a temporary distraction for Leo...

But Anaïs quickly regained his attention with another spoonful... open mouth.

Anaïs was careful to ensure he got a little water to drink along with his meal

Leo was smitten by the loving care of his big sister.

well fed and with giggles dancing all around the kitchen.

this moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

not a perfect photo... but a positively perfect moment. The girls got their hands into the cookie jar... the look on Anaïs's face is priceless. It had already been a beautiful morning playing in the park... and this made it even better. simply delicious... sisters having fun together. it warms my heart how they adore each other... and oh how i love them both so much.

a little helping hand...

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm. As you grow older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others." ~ Audrey Hepburn

My children consistently teach me to look at the world a little differently, to try to be a better version of myself, to be present, to be kind to others and to the world around me... and today, Isabel taught me a lesson about asking for help.

Isabel is never shy about asking for a helping hand. Whether she is getting dressed, cleaning up, eating... anything really. She is equally as enthusiastic to offer a helping hand... to her siblings, to her friends, to anyone who will take it!! 

As a mom, I am often encouraging Isabel to 'do things on her own', 'by herself' (a phrase her little sister Anaïs has eagerly integrated into her repertoire: 'by self mama, by self'). Today, I was doing the same, as I suggested that she does not need to ask for help to do certain things, she can do it by herself. Her response followed: "Mama, I know I can do it by myself. But I'd like you to help me anyway." The words were not foreign, she had made this comment before. Yet this time, I paused. My mind raced to digest the lesson, my heart opened to embrace the moment. 

I began to wonder why I am so enthusiastic to nurture Isabel's independence, and less responsive to foster her ability to ask for help. While in words I do tell her she can always ask for help, in action (and in words) I also usually tell her she doesn't need to... she can do it on her own now. Yet as I played her words over in my mind I began to breathe more deeply. As I processed them, I began to question my motivation. 

As a grown up I often find it hard to ask for help... I always try to do everything 'by my self'. Why? Is it because I believe that if I can do it, then I should do it? Is it because I too was taught to do things 'by my self' as I was growing up? 

Certainly independence is a good quality to nurture in our children. But to what end. Isn't the idea of collaboration a much better lesson. It's true that sometimes my hands are (very) full, and I cannot offer the helping hand that is asked for... but I always want to try to have it available. The message from Isabel resonated in my cells... I have two hands... on to help others, the other to help myself. And I can encourage my kids to learn the same... not simply to give to others, but also to feel confident to receive and ask whenever they want to (not just because they need to... but also because it builds a stronger sense of community and friendship).

this moment... finger hold

{this moment} - A Friday ritual from Soulemama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

. . . . . . . .

holding hands

i know, i know... no words. but i have some i want to write so bear with me. this was a photo taken by a friend back in April... which i just recently received and instantly fell in love with. Anaïs holding on to my finger, her head tilted slightly, a soft smile on her face, the sun lighting up the nape of her neck and giving a glow to her hair. We are 'caught in motion'... as we so often are as mama's as little kids... and this photo freezes the motion in time. It is now.

Each time I look it at, it makes me smile... that deep inside smile that bubbles over into light, love, gratitude, and joy. I am blessed.

All three

I must admit that I am finding it exceedingly more difficult to catch all three of my little sprites in one photo frame!!! Seriously, they are either squirming, or looking away, or running off to something else, or... well, simply being kids and enjoying the moment and NOT posing (even if I try to creatively encourage their participation). It's funny how sometimes it is so much easier to get OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN to pose for the camera than my very own (ha, ha). Oh well. I still wanted to celebrate a little peak of all of them in ONE frame, so I made this montage of my favourite photo of each one of them (from this past month).
Leo was caught greeting Papa upon his return from a trip out of town... clearly he was not holding any grudges about his disappearance for a few days!!! Anaïs was enjoying her favourite game of peek-a-boo... and when playing with her you need to make sure to emphasize the 'boo' (she loves a little startle to really get the laughter going)!!! And Isabel was jumping in the trampoline with her hair catching static when Papa snuck this photo of her... she looks so grown up here it brings tears of joy to my heart to be reminded of just how quickly time flies (oh how often said, oh how true).

Wishing a spectacular 4th of July to all of my wonderful American friends!!!

Happy Canada Day!!!

It always makes me feel a little nostalgic to celebrate Canada Day from abroad... a tangible reminder that we are calling a place other than Canada our home for the present moment. Though we make the most of it and enjoy taking a moment... to make an ordinary day feel extraordinary simply by being together!!!

Happy birthday Canada... from Isabel and Anaïs!!

Our festivities were not quite as elaborate as those on Parliament Hill (especially with Royal visitors. Side note: Isabel was giddy with joy talking about the fact that the Prince and Princess were in Ottawa... that's where she was born, after all!!!)... so we are looking forward to photos!! Yet we enjoyed a perfectly beautiful day.

A lovely morning spent in the park. A delicious lunch at home. Then in the afternoon, we went to Usaquen to share some french fries, nachos and mango juice with good friends... and later for ice cream. Here are a few photos snapped with my phone of the girls having fun... memories to cherish. Leo was in the sling, so he and I did not make it into any photos today... but we were just as eager to wish Canada a Happy Birthday!!! 

Anaïs happily dripping chocolate ice-cream on papa's head!!! Thankfully, he is not too fussed.

Isabel doing a Happy Birthday Canada dance while holding on to her vanilla ice-cream.