11 For 2011

I know I am a month late in posting these, but the following are 11 things that I would like to accomplish or continue to do in 2011. I don't look at this list as resolutions per se, but rather ways to improve myself and my life. And if I don't accomplish everything listed, that is OK, at least I have given them a shot. So in no particular order they are:

1. Practice Bikram Yoga at least 2 times a week.
2. Journal - try for every other day.
3. Lose 30 to 40 more pounds.
4. Impose 1 in 1 out rule regarding my clothing. What this means is that if I put a new item in my closet, I will take out an item and donate it.
5. Continue to cut out processed foods and incorporate more raw and natural food into our family diet.
6. Complete the Organize Now book that my brother got me for Christmas. (Note: This books breaks down organization into 52 weeks, so I will at least have until Mid-February 2012 to complete.)
7. Continue with my running/exercise program. I will strive to sweat at least once a day.
8. Get outside more to play and enjoy our surroundings with Arabella.
9. Go back to school to further my education.
10. Teach Arabella Spanish since my French lessons are a fiasco. I figure that I should be able to teach her the basics since I have 7 years of Spanish under my belt.
11. Do at least one new craft project with Arabella a week. She loves arts and crafts so this will be a fun one. Plus it gives us some great bonding time.

Stay tuned for status updates to see how they are going!

Shiver Fest

This afternoon, we headed out to Hudson for their annual Shiver Fest. It was a nice day for it, not too cold, -8.5 c (about 22 F), not windy and the sun was shining brightly. All we had to do was dress warm and we were ready to go. The Shiver Fest takes place on frozen Pine Lake...yes, you read that right, ON THE LAKE! I know what you are thinking, a festival/party on a lake? I was a little hesitant and all the warning bells were going off in me head, especially when I heard that there would be a bonfire and fireworks on the lake, but I had to let the American inhibitions go and be like the locals, even if it sounds a little crazy, right? I am trying to tell myself they know what they are doing since when lac des Deux Montagnes freezes in the winter instead of having the ferry, cars drive back and forth across the frozen lake. There will be more on that in another post, but for now, back to the Shiver Fest. It was a fun afternoon filled with games, music, ice skating, sleigh rides and food. We met up with a group of our friends and had a great time. Arabella loved to go on the sleigh ride around the lake, I think she went at least 4 times, if not more. She had fun being pulled in her sled across the ice and even joined in the tug-of-war! It was so nice to be in the fresh air and having a fun filled afternoon. We ended up leaving early since my feet were frozen and Arabella had started to get cold too, so we missed the bonfire and fireworks, but it was still worth it. It wiped Arabella out and I am ready to hit the hay myself!
Laura and I with Arabella and Allyson on one of the many sleigh rides we took!
Arabella lending her might to the tug-of-war.

She's A Superstar!?!

Today while out for our walk Jay was trying to take a few pictures of Arabella and from her response, you would think she was a superstar and he was the paparazzi! You can actually hear her say "No Pictures". He was able to catch her on video, she is just too funny! Maybe she should be in Hollywood instead of Montreal??

Saturday Snow

I went out with some friends last night and while we were at dinner, it started to snow. The drive home wasn't bad and I had no idea it would continue to snow through the night and for most of today. When I woke up, it was still snowing and everything looked so beautiful. I decided that after lunch we should go out and enjoy it since it wasn't too cold out, it was about 28 degrees F which is a nice change from the very cold temps we have been having. Plus, we were hoping that the fresh air and playing in the snow would tire Arabella out so she would take a good nap while I prepared dinner for our friends that were coming over this evening. Once we were all bundled up, we grabbed Arabella's sled and headed outside. It was so nice to be outside enjoying the weather...I know it sounds odd, but I really do like the snow and am hoping that we start to get more snowy weather soon! We took a nice walk around the neighborhood and then played in the yard for a little while. We had a great time!

Too Much Time On My Hands???

About once a month, the Hot Hudson Housewives get together for a D&B (a/k/a Ditch & Bitch). The D&B is an evening where we ditch the husbands and kids and get together for a girls night of wince, snacks and bitching/girl talk. We rotate houses and everyone brings something to drink or snack on. So when we had our D&B last week and I went to the store to pick up something to bring the strawberries caught my attention. Maybe it had to do with wanting summer and warm weather and they looked to good to be passed up. Plus they were on sale 2 packages for $5...even better since they are usually about $5 a package. So when we got home and Arabella was down for her nap, I was bored and decided to make the strawberries into a special treat for D&B. What do you think?

From this:

To this:

To the final outcome:
I think the came out great. And they tasted even better. So yes, last Tuesday, I had too much time on my hands, but no one at the D&B was complaining. Having too much time on my hands is not the norm, so I can't promise these at every D&B but you never know...

Little Mermaid

There is no denying that Arabella is a water baby. And since we went on out cruise in October, she has had an interest in mermaids. She even picked out a stuffed mermaid as her trip present that she now sleeps with. So when she was dressing herself the other night, this happened:

So for a brief moment before almost falling flat on the floor, she was a mermaid. I told her she can try to be a mermaid this summer, once all the snow melts!

Thursday's Thoughts

Hearing: The running of the dishwasher. I know this may sound odd, but the sound is soothing and relaxing to me at this moment.

Tasting: Roasted watermelon seeds from Adonis Market. I love them and they are the perfect after workout and before bed snack.

Seeing: Arabella's Valentine's Day projects that we started this week.


Smelling: Freshly laundered jeans right out of the dryer. I wish there was a way to make them stay so clean smelling longer

Feeling: Happy that tomorrow is Friday and looking forward to all the fun that is planned starting tomorrow morning...playgroup, swim lessons, Mom's Night Out, Bikram yoga, friends coming over for dinner and then the Shiver Fest. I am sure we can cram a few more things in...don't you?

Arabella's Art Class

Since Arabella enjoyed the art class she was taking in the Fall, I re-enrolled her for the Winter session. She really looks forward to going and I like how a story is read at the beginning of class and then the art/craft/project is in relation to the story. Yesterday we heard a story about snowmen and made the cutest craft, using a variety of different art supplies - we painted, used chalk, glue and cotton balls, no bake clay and a few others. She had a lot of fun doing this project and was very proud of it and couldn't wait to show Jay when he got home!

Care Packages

I love when I get mail from my Mom. She likes to send me what I call care packages, but instead of being a box, it is a larger envelope. I am sure she would send a care package or box more often, and every once in while and she does, but between the postage (it costs a fortune), filling out customs paperwork, and me quite possibly having to pay customs and duty on something, it is just easier to send an envelope. And I love it!! I never know what I am going to find when I open it up. There are recipes, articles that she finds interesting and I do too, things to do with Arabella, my Connecticut magazine that I subscribe to (they won't mail it internationally, so I have to have it sent to her house and she forwards it on to me) or quite possibly, it is something that will completely surprise me. And that is what happened today, I love it, a newspaper clipping from 1984!

Yes, that is me, before I was even 8 years old! I love everything about the article...the leg warmers, my determination, the Nike sneakers, my locked knee in the top photo (I just need to remember this in my Bikram yoga practice now), how flexible I was (and still am...must be those good gymnastics genes), and most of all, that Mom kept this. I means a lot to me to see things like this and to be able to share them with Arabella. And that I did, I showed her and she said "Wow, Arabella try" and she seemed in awe that I was once little and could do the same moves that she is doing. Thanks Mom, I love getting things like this, keep them coming!

New Low...

Yes, that says -26.0 c which is give or take -15 f and that doesn't count the wind chill! So for those of you who live farther south than us...no more complaining. You may have more snow on the ground than us, but it can't possibly be colder than us!

Petite Gym Graduation

Today was the last day of Arabella's current session for Petite Gym. We brought Jay along to the class so he could see just how much she has improved, accomplished and grown since her last session. She loves to do the bars, does the perfect forward roll unassisted and what could be better than showing Dad/Jay her moves? Sometimes she has no patience for the singing, bubbles and other activities that are done in the class, she loves going so I re-enrolled her for the next Winter/Spring session. However, because of her being so much more developed and I want her to be challenged on the gymnastics's side, I think that over the Summer I am going to enroll her in WIMGYM, which is more gymnastics's oriented. Putting that aside, she did great, got another medal and had a fun time with Dad on a very cold Monday morning. Congratulations, Arabella, Mommy is so proud of you. I LOVE YOU!

She's Crafty

Since it has been so cold outside, we have been spending a lot of time indoors, much to our dismay. It has just been too bitter cold and windy to go out and play in the snow or go for a walk. So I have been catching up on my magazines and looking for fun things to do with Arabella. She loves to draw, paint and do other craft projects so we spend a decent amount of time doing that...much better than sitting in front of the TV! However, there are times when I come across a project or craft that a 2 1/2 year old just can't help with. So when my little helper is napping or in bed for the night, I break out my supplies. As much as I love when Arabella helps me, I sometimes like to do the projects on my own, it gives me some time much needed alone time and lets me clear my head.

When I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping in Florida, I came across my most recent project. I saw the cutest framed heart for Valentine's Day...yes, at Christmas, Home Goods already has out Valentine's Day decorations. I couldn't believe it, but really, it was less than 2 months away at the time! I figured I could do the same thing, only it wouldn't cost as much and would be nicer. So while out with mom at one of our favorite craft and decorating stores, Hobby Lobby, I picked up the materials to make it.

The materials:

A simple white picture frame, a piece of scrapbook paper, and buttons.

From there, I drew a heart on the scrapbook paper, and then began filling it in with the buttons. I attached the buttons with a glue gun. (I made a second one as a gift and used plain old Elmer's Glue which worked just as good.) Once it was done drying and cooling, I put the paper into the frame and Ta Da:


So the heart is not exactly perfect, but I still think it came out cute and it looks nice brightening up our wine table. I think it is a fun way to put a little Valentine's Day cheer into our house.
Since I have been feeling so crafty lately and I have a lot of little projects I would like to do, I think this posting may become a recurring theme. So follow along if you would like to see what fun decorating ideas I come up with!

East Coast Girls Stick Together

It is not often that a girl from Connecticut and a girl from New Jersey will get along. But when 2 Italian girls from the Tri-State area leave our comfort zones (Christa's husband Joe is also an engineer and here for work), we have to stick together! Arabella and I met Christa and Sophia through the Wee Wiggles in September but it seems like we have know them for so much longer. We have gotten together as families before and so when we had a snowy Saturday and needed a little fun we decided to have an impromptu get together with Christa, Sophia and Joe at our place. Arabella had a great time showing off her new Playdoh ice cream maker that she received at Christmas. Everyone had fun getting in on the action. Arabella also like showing Sophia how the maker worked. Once Arabella was in bed and Sophia was asleep, the adults were able to enjoy good wine, newly discovered cheese and some yummy chocolate fondue!
a

YUM, Cheese! We tried a new Danish blue, Nablosi (a traditional brined cheese from the Middle East - it is almost like a saltier version of Feta, I love it), Parmesan, Goat Cheese with Maple and Cranberry, and Havarti with Olives and Oregano.
The spread - olives, nuts, cheese and chocolate fondue for dessert!
Christa and I being silly - I love this Jersey Girl!

More Florida Fun

I was just going through all the pictures that I took while we were in Florida. I am always amazed by how many pictures we take when ever we go away or get together with family and friends! Arabella had fun hanging out with Macy and Rocco, lounging with Uncle Mike and dancing to Lady Gaga with Uncle Jeff! We even got to enjoy the fireplace on a chilly night while we did a puzzle together.

Wordless Wednesday

I know, it is a day late, but I still had to share...

Potty Training

A week ago, we started potty training. Arabella has been interested for a while now and had been going on the potty off and on. So when we got home from Florida and the excitement of the holidays has settled down, we decided to get down to business. Potty training is no joke and takes all the patience and understanding. It is also hard for me since I like to be in control and this is one thing that I really have no control over whatsoever. But after a week of intense practice, all I have to say is - ARABELLA ROCKS!! Aside from a few accidents in the beginning, she has got it down pat. I am amazed at how quickly she has gotten it. I decided to do do a 3 day lock down at home...just staying home and letting her run around in training pants. I would ask her all the time if she had to use the potty. Most of the time she would say no, but as soon as she started to recognize the signals, she would say "Poops Coming" or "Pee Pee's Coming Momma" and we would take off running to her potty. Sometimes we wouldn't make it in time, but most of the time we did. And when she would go in her potty, we made a HUGE deal about it - hi-5's, lots of hugs and praise. She also gets a sticker for her "sticker wall" in the bathroom by her potty and then I would give her a window cling to put up on the sliding glass doors in our breakfast area. She would get so excited to show Jay when he was done working and then he would make a big deal over her accomplishments. Since she was doing so great, I decided to venture out to play group last Friday morning...I will admit, I was nervous. I was afraid that it would turn into a disaster, but my big girl, Arabella proved my nervousness wrong. She did so good. It is amazing what a big deal potty training is and how excited all of our friends are for her - us mommy's stick together and know how to support one another. There were no accidents at playgroup, in the car or when we were at lunch with our friends. She did wonderful all weekend and again today when we were at Petite Gym. I am anal about asking her if she has to go, but I know that my questioning will lessen over time as we both get the hang of this. But for now, I am so proud of you Arabella, keep up the great work!

Airplane Education

Every since I can remember my brother Mike has been obsessed with airplanes and flying. When he was little, he played with his Little People airport all the time (I think he still might have it in a box someplace) and his small metal "matchbox like" planes (it seemed like he had hundreds of them and it sure did hurt when you stepped on one accidentally. Grammie just told me that she found a whole box of them in her storage area...funny the things we keep). My parents would take him to the airport to watch the planes land and take off. When I was in high school, my boyfriend had his pilot's license and got Mike books from him to start learning more about flying - I remember seeing him reading them and they still are on his bookshelf. Mike even studied aviation in college. To this day, he loves airplanes and I am amazed at all the knowledge he has and now he is passing that knowledge onto Arabella. She loves airplanes and gets so excited when we get to fly someplace. She is great at spying them in the sky and yelling "airplane" as soon as she sees one. In the summer, the traffic pattern of the planes taking off and landing at the airport here in Montreal has them flying over our house - some of the planes are huge and Arabella loves it. It is the funniest thing when they fly over at night as I am putting her to sleep, as soon as she hears the noise, she makes you know what there is a plane flying over. When we flew home from Florida, we were lucky enough to have Uncle Mike and Grammie come to the gate with us. I got to spend a little more time with Grammie and Uncle Mike took Arabella all around the terminal. They stopped to look at all the different planes at the gates and he would tell her about each one - what type of plane it was, what they were doing to the planes, the watched them load and unload baggage - she was loving it and so was Uncle Mike! I dreamed that Uncle Mike and Arabella would have as close of a bond as they do, but I am so thankful for it...and I love that he wants to teach her so many things, most of all about aviation. Who knows, maybe one day she will turn out to be a pilot...now wouldn't that make Uncle Mike (and the rest of us proud)!

BUUUURRRRR!!!!

This morning it is pretty cold here...so no complaining that it is cold where you are, unless you can beat this temperature:

-23.3 C converts to -9.9 F...and we will venture out in the cold this morning...after we bundle up!

Swim Lessons

Last Friday was Arabella's first swim lesson since last summer and she did great! She is the youngest swimmer in her class, but she was able to keep up with the 3, 4 and 5 year olds in her class. She was very happy to be back in the pool and even got to spend some time playing with Giacomo, Allyson and Cynthia before her class started. She was shivering but wanted to keep swimming, she is such a water bug. Keep up the great work Arabella, momma is so proud of you!

Big jump without the bubble!
The smallest one in the class, but don't count her out, she kept up with them.
Having fun with Allyson, Giacomo and Cynthia!