Outdoor Play in the Winter

Sometimes I avoid outdoor play in the winter. Mostly because of all the time it takes to get everyone dressed. But I have to say when we take the time everyone benefits. We all get some much needed fresh air, expend some energy and get a little exercise in the process. Pip loves to pull out his bicycle, no matter the season - he calls it his motorcycle. And Emi finds anything she can to climb. It's cute. I love watching them. And I always feel better after a little fresh air mid winter.

Did you get out in the snow today?

xox
Margot

Hiatus and a Winter Warm-up!

It has been a while since I have been on here, I kept meaning to log on and share something but just couldn't find the time. I returned to work fulltime last year in March, when Emi was only 5months old. It was extremely hard, I definitely wouldn't recommend it if isn't something you have to do. But, one of the major benefits of working seasonally is an annual Hiatus. So at the end of November, I was done my fulltime contract and I finally had a little more time with the kiddos.

Now that it is January, and the Christmas rush has subsided, the kids and I are having many slow days at home. Catching up on little jobs around the house, playing in the fluffy snow, reading and watching movies, and lately enjoying lots of yummy hot chocolate. Recently Pip requested some hot chocolate, but we were out of mix. So I whipped up some hot cocoa, which we all liked immensely!

Winter Warm-up

2 big 'mugfuls' almond milk (or any milk of your choosing)

2 teaspoons cocoa powder

4 teaspoons honey (maple syrup or raw sugar work too)

1 drop of orange or peppermint Essential Oil

Warm milk in a saucepan on the stove, whisk in cocoa powder and honey pour into mugs. Add 1 drop of your preferred oil (for the adults) and mix up for a tasty treat!

I recently joined Young Living, and have to say I can't believe I didn't do it sooner! I have dabbled in Essential Oils for years now, but have never included oils in all aspects of my life. Young Living oils are therapeutic grade and 100% pure, also the only oils I would personally consume. I am steadily replacing everything in my home with essential oils, and enjoying the benefits of having them in my life!

Do you use essential oils in your home? Do you have any questions? I am happy to help!

xox

Margot

Winter Fun for Everyone

This weekend we packed the family up and headed North. I know, some of you are thinking 'don't they already live North?'. Well friends, we went further North.

It all started with an idea. We heard about the ice trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park, and thought it would make a fun winter destination. So we found a place to stay near-by and made a weekend of it. We bribed the boys with the promise of ice-fishing, and off we went.

Photo Credit: Nicole

We arrive at the cabin around supper time, on Friday. Moved in, had some food and the boys headed out to set-up the ice-hut for the weekend. The first night proved to be difficult to convince the pre-schooler to go to bed. Pip was just too excited about everything we had planned and refused to go to bed until almost midnight (yawn). In the morning we relaxed, ate some food, the boys did a little more fishing, and we headed out to Arrowhead in the afternoon.

Pip is still just learning how to skate, and in the beginning he wanted Daddy to carry him. Finally, dad decided on tough love. He put Pip on the ice trail and stood to the side. After a minute or two Pip was standing on his own, and trying to move forward. One of the cutest things I have seen since becoming a parent!

The ice trail is 1.3km loop, on an ice covered road through a campground. It has only been open for the last three years, and has become quite the popular winter destination. We went on a Saturday, which (after a little late research) is the busiest day! If you are thinking about heading up there perhaps try for a Sunday afternoon. Even though it was very busy, it was a lot of fun. I would love to go back sometime, but I think we will wait until the kidlets are a little bigger.

Emi rode in the chariot (thank goodness for that invention). And after skating like mad to lull her to sleep, she slept the entire time! She also had a great time snuggling with everyone during our cottage time. On our way out, our friends noticed that Arrowhead also has tubing, and decided to return the next morning for some more outdoor fun. I figured our little guys were too small for that, so we stayed behind and had a lazy time at the cottage.

Snuggling with Daddy and smiling at Pip.

We ended the entire weekend with an awesome fish fry once we got back home. All the time the boys spent in the ice-hut resulted in a big pile of fish to clean, fry and eat! And then everyone in this house had a big sleep. It was an awesome, but extremely exhausting weekend. I understand why some people choose to stay close to home with babes, but I think the fresh air was good for everyone!

Here's to our next outdoor adventure! Spend time in nature, you will feel better :)
xox
Margot

Life Lately...

Things are busy around the NaH household. Pip is getting closer to 3 than 2, and just never stops. He even decided that afternoon naps are no longer a necessity, which sometimes makes for a cranky afternoon. And Emi is 3.5months already! I'm just not sure how the time is passing so quickly, but I better hang onto my hat, because it is going amp up even more.

I just found out recently that I am headed back to work early this year. Towards the end of March I will be back to work full time, and Emi will only be 5months old. This is proving to be a lot of work as she has absolutely no interest in a bottle, and without one she will be one little grump. But I am trying to have a positive outlook and hope that things will get easier.

 

The other business in this household revolves around outdoor play, crafting and teaching. I organized an outdoor play group for Pip and other children around his age. The first one was a pretty big hit. We all bundled up, and went into the back yard to learn about some of the animals that are awake and active this time of the year. It is so amazing to watch children exploring the great outdoors. I am hoping to run some more in the future, and keep these kids learning about the world around them.

I am also gearing up for some rug-hooking activities, as well as a baby food workshop I will be instructing. More on those activities later.

How are things in your neck of the woods? Have any fun outside lately?
xox
Margot

Getting Back in the Swing

I know I have said this a few times now, but now it is actually happening. I was asked recently to share some of my experiences  and lifestyle choices over at a lovely space called Oh So Nourished. I couldn't be more excited to contribute, and I think it is going to help me get back into blogging, which I have missed.

On a happy home note: Pip started gymnastics today, he needed a little energy consuming activity with some other little people to help him burn through his energizer batteries. And Emi is getting huge! She is over 15lbs, has three chins, smiles constantly and is sleeping unbelievably well for a babe of not quite 3 months.

I will share some photos soon. :)

xox
Margot

Making Memories Last

When I was expecting Pip I had some Maternity photos done, and wanted badly to get newborn photos, including some nursing photos done - I never ended up getting any of the maternity photos and never had the time/money to get the newborn photos done. So this time round I was bound and determined, and am I ever happy I did.

As someone who is interested in photography, I always assume I will be able to find the time to take beautiful photos of my own. But that rarely ever happens. It is so worth it to have had these beautiful moments to look back on. When I saw that the lovely ladies at Glow Maternity had hired a photographer I decided I would inquire, and was so happy when I finally met Stephanie during my maternity shoot.

Here are a few of my favourites from the maternity shoot:

I was so happy to be able to capture a few moments with Pip. Unfortunately Daddy was not home that day so he missed out on the the photo op. We are lucky we fit it in when we did, because less than a week later, little miss Emi decided to make her entrance (5 days early).

These are a few of my favourites from the newborn shoot:

So precious. I love all of them, and I have no idea how I am going to choose which to print. However I am so glad I made the investment of time, energy and money to get these. In 20-something years when they are both grown I will be so happy to have these to look back on.

If you live in the Peterborough area and are looking for a maternity/newborn/family photographer I would highly recommend Stephanie from Glow Maternity. She is a beautiful person, and takes amazing photos!

xox
Margot

Welcome Babe!

We have been home a little over a week, but I haven't had the patience (until now) to sit down and share a little bit about our new family member :)

Pip would like to introduce his new baby sister, Emi (just a nickname).

She was born on Thursday October 30th, in the late afternoon and weighed 8lbs13oz. We couldn't be happier with the new little addition to our family. A few photos:

 Sleeping peacefully in her brother's hand-me-downs ;)

 I'm keeping this one for when she is a teenager... hehe

 A sneak peak of her newborn photos, I took this one, the photographer has many (better) others!

So there she is, our little bundle of joy! And our family is complete :) I will sleep again in 20 years or so.
xox
Margot

35 weeks, new rug kits, and more!

Another month just slipped right by, while I was... working, chasing a toddler, prepping for fall crafts, growing a baby, sleeping. Who knows. I can't believe it went as fast as it did. And now I am over 35 weeks pregnant, which means the new baby will be here before we all know it.

Normally this time of year, I transition from my busy summer job at the park to a quieter time with Pip at home, with some part time work and crafty business mixed in. This year with the new baby on the way I am still transitioning to spending more time at home, but I won't be working through the winter. I am however, going to try to spend some time on crafts. I have been working on some new rug-hooking kits as I have a few teaching/demonstration opportunities coming up.

This is my newest coaster kit: pumpkin spice, and I am working on hooking a couple other example coasters for previously developed kits. I have re-vamped the look of my kits to have better instructions, and a more visually appealing display page. I am hoping that will bring good sales at this year's Espanola Fibre Arts Festival.

I have a few more fall updates to share, but I will save them for another post or two :) Hopefully I can get back into a more regular posting schedule!

Margot

Simplify

 It is 2014! I just cannot believe the time that is flying by, before I know it my little man will be moving out and I will be wondering where in the world all those years went. Time to slow down.

I am sure everyone out there is busy making lists, New Year's resolutions, Goals, things to do, places to go, people to visit; and normally I would jump right in, but this year I am going to do something a little different. I am going to try to simply my life. I have felt so tired lately, and I have had more than my share of colds since winter graced us with his snowy presence. And I am beginning to realize that a wholesome life doesn't necessarily need to be filled to the brim with stuff, and commitments, and trips, and so on. So my one and only goal/resolution/plan this year is to simplify. I am not even going to put a specific requirement as to how, or when or with what I am going to simplify; I am just going to do it. I will, however, share my progress with you. And if you have decided to simplify any part of your life I'd love to hear all about it! Feel free to leave a comment below and tell me how, when, what! Or if you made a traditional resolution list, I'd be happy to hear about that too!

Here's to a happy, loving, simple 2014!
xox

Happy Hallowe'en!

Here are a few snaps of our very busy, but festive day!

We started off the day with some pumpkin carving, and both the boys tasted the pumpkin guts!

Then we had a short practice walk at Grandma and Grandpa's house (right after a screaming fit about wearing a vest!).

 

All suited up and ready to visit the neighbours, you can't see my hat, but it reads "successful big game hunter". See my big catch? And thanks to Cody for my awesome trick-or-treat tote! 

Tuckered little man. After all the adventures it was home for a sampling of the treats, a bath and then bed!

What a great day! Can't wait for the next adventure :)
xox

I blinked and then....

Two months had gone by....

My little baby became a toddling, babbling little boy....

Programming is into full swing at work....

Summer has arrived, and with it an intense heat wave!

Here is a glimpse into our last two months:

 

 

Spring walks in the forest, with red and white Trilliums!

Pip loves to explore the outdoors, he is watching Daddy cut the grass!

Playtime at the Park.

 Lately we've been beating the heat by putting our toes in the water, boating down the near-by river and drinking lots of ice cold drinks!

How is summer where you are? Are you finding good ways to stay cool?

xox

One...

Enjoying some sunshine on the deck!

It has been about one month since I posted on here. (Time is just flying by, I feel like I am dreaming.)

It is exactly one week until I start back to my summer job - full time here I come.

A little less than a month until my baby turns one!

It is all such a rush, sometimes I struggle to keep up - One day at a time!

Here's to summer, just around the corner!

xox