Growing Pains of All Ages

Yesterday I had both kids home. Not a big deal but definitely a day that required some planning. Or as it turns out, no planning at all.

You see, Alex has a mild fever and runny nose all weekend. Possible symptoms of teething. At 8 months, he is more than due. While I can't feel anything poking through in his mouth I know the poor guy is in a lot of pain. My sweet, smiley boy has become a total grump. Crying, kvetching and sleepy, he just isn't himself.

So plans to go to a 12 o'clock Pilates class quickly got shelved as the tears came streaming down his face before I could even get out of the door.

Then, Hannah who seems to be having some sort of "tantrum threes" pulls a few fast ones on me. The worst of them all was running from the park to my mom's house (right next door) by herself, not listening to my commands. All this following our morning activity of making a behavior chart with Xs marking the bad and stickers marking the good. At the end of the week, if there are more stickers than X's she gets a present. Needless to say, the 10 X's I gave her for running away are currently not working in our favor.

But in all honesty, the moment that lightened up the day was on the walk back home from my parent's house. The storm clouds were rolling in, I was pushing the double stroller and coercing Winston to stop smelling the roses. All of a sudden the skies opened up. Without a rain cover on board, we all got drenched (except for Alex who is small enough to stay sheltered). And we laughed about it.

I still smile writing this post. But think I have an even bigger smile on my face with one kid in daycare and the other happily napping :)

 

A Sweet Ending

Food Revolution Day came and went and with 6 weeks of intense planning I couldn't be happier with the result and the events that I put on for Jamie Oliver's Food Foundation.

And now with life settling back to normal, news that I received earlier in the month is finally sinking in. Sweetspot, the website I have been writing for over the course of the past 7 years shut down. It was an abrupt ending with literally no notice that has left my freelance writing career on the fence.

A deep sense of panic had me networking within minutes of hearing the news and I now have many prospects on the horizon as well as a new gig writing a What's Happening column for Urban Expressions.

While there is a definite void in my weekly writing schedule I know everything happens for a reason and now its time for me to sow new seeds and see what the future holds.

So to new beginnings...but before I officially say goodbye I wanted to share one of my last articles for Sweetmama that never ran. This one is definitely worth sharing with all you Montreal moms.

G’ymagine Opens a Fitness and Activity Centre in the Heart of the City

We moved to Old Montreal to be a true urban family. But it seems like whenever our kids want to have pure unadulterated fun, we need to head to the suburbs.

No more packing up the car and leaving the ‘hood thanks to G’ymagine. This new fitness and activity centre lies just west of Old Montreal in an unassuming space that is a whole lot of fun. Classes ($200/session) include ballet, hip hop, jiu jitsu, zumba and yoga and cater to children from four months to 12 years old.

And when class is not in session, we can always stop by to use the tumble room ($15/2 hours), fuel up at the luncheonette snack bar or sign up for a special workshop.

Now, that sounds like an urban oasis to us!

G’ymagine

www.gymagine.ca

1390 William (between Guy & de la Montagne)

514-419-7243

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Day Comes to Montreal

I have been busy these days. Really busy.

Sure, I have a 7 month old, a 3 year old and a dog to walk but here's what's been taking up most of my time this past month.

Through my work at FoodFun, I have been selected as an ambassador for Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Day? Sounds pretty amazing, right? But what exactly does that mean?

I am spearheading a local initiative to promote Montreal's real food scene. What is real food? Food that is locally grown, homemade and cooked with love. Nothing out of a box, bag or drive thru.

I'm so proud to share two events that I have planned and an additional two that I have encouraged here in Montreal.

The first is the Real Food Market! Would love to see you there as it will be an evening full of tasty eats that is completely accessible and affordable for all Montrealers. Visit the official Facebook page to RSVP.

The second, is an activity just for the kids.

Spring is the perfect time to get their hands dirty and learn about where their food comes from. This pea potting activity will be held at La Tasse Gamine for a nominal fee on May 19th at 10:30 am.

And lastly, Appetite for Books will be holding two events. A Jamie Oliver inspired boxed lunch on May 18 for just $10 and a community wide bake sale on May 19.

All of the proceeds from all four events will be donated to Jamie Oliver's Food Foundation, promoting food education projects worldwide.

Hope to see you at one (or all three!) of the events!