Southbrook Winery

This summer/ fall David will be working at Southbrook Winery. This was his first choice winery/ vineyard, so we're both really excited about this opportunity. Southbrook is an organic winery and is also one of the only biodynamic wineries in Canada. This will be a great experience and place to learn more about organic and biodynamic practices in regards to wine making.

Glasses

Sarah was having fun with her play glasses the other day. I took out the lenses when I realized how trippy they were on the eyes. Such a funny girl! Today was a big day for Sarah. She did her shapes peg puzzle all by herself, did a couple of summersaults and knows how to count to three (mostly 2 and 3). Sarah doesn't have many words yet. However, during the last few days she suddenly seems to be taking off adding a couple new words each day.

At the Park

We've been loving the warmer weather out here. This means lots more walks and visit to the park. It rained the other day so the park was still pretty wet (Sarah's wet and dirty pants).

Calvin's first time on the swings. He wasn't too sure what to think of it.

Our little thumb sucker, so cute!

It's so nice that Sarah's at the age where she can play by herself on the playground. She climbs up the stairs and then goes down the bigger slide, over and over again.

Sarah's new Leash

Sarah has always been very active and a little on the crazy side. She sits well in a stroller or grocery cart for a little while, but it doesn't take long until she is doing all that she can to get free. Sarah can get out of ANY strap/ harness in a seat. If she's determined she will find a way. This is usually accompanied by crying and sometimes screaming, it's just no fun. Last week we saw someone with their child on a leash, it seemed brilliant. So we figured enough was enough, it was time to buy a child harness/ leash for Sarah too.

We've used it twice already, at Costco and Superstore. It has been wonderful!!! She can experience freedom and is actually pretty good about not touching everything in sight. By the time we have left the store/ place she has had a good walk and is ready to sit down in the car. This means no crying or struggle. The verdict so far= the leash is a wonderful! We can give Sarah freedom, she can walk and be safe. This is a good thing!

The leash will indeed be coming with us to BC. It will be great to have at the airport and during travelling for sure!

BC Bound!

Yesterday we finally bought our tickets to come to BC for a visit. We arrive May 3 (late) and leave May 18. Two whole weeks with family and friends!

While I'm excited about seeing everyone there is already so much I'm not looking forward to (all involving the kids), the packing and amount of stuff we'll need, time difference for two kids, lack of schedules/ difficulty for naps, etc.

So I'm already thinking of our schedule/ plan while we're out. We're hoping to have Calvin's dedication at South Abby while we're out as well as Sarah's 2nd birthday (same day). Ah.. good times. I know it will all come together but it's always a lot of work to make sure we get to see everyone and have a general plan for our time out. We're hoping to make good use of my mom's condo social room. If that works out then we can put the kids to bed in the evening and have some get togethers as well.

If you're hoping to get together with us while we're out and have a difficult schedule please e-mail me asap so we can make it happen. Since most people are busy with work during the days that will be our most available time as well.

Pulled Pork...so...good!

When Jon and Laura were here us two girls were talking about cooking and the lovely crock pot. I happen to love my crock pot and use it almost once a week. I think that everyone agrees that the crock pot is great, however it seems that few actually put it to use. Anyways, we were talking about good crock pot recipes and since I have quite a few that we love I thought I would try to post a bunch in the next couple of weeks.

The first recipe is for pulled pork. I had actually never even had pulled pork until we moved to Ontario. It seems to be much more popular here, as we saw and tasted it at several food and fairs here. It's super easy to make, delicious and is awesome the next day and the next day (also freezes great).

Pulled Pork

-A tray of pork chops, boneless (we get ours from Costco when it's on sale, about $10)
-1 (14 oz) can beef broth or equal amount of water and beef soup stock

-1/4 cup brewed coffee

-salt & pepper to taste

-BBQ Sauce, we love the Diana's Southwest

Rub salt & pepper on pork, pour broth & coffee over.
Cook 6-8 hours on low in the slow cooker.
About an hour or 2 before you want to eat, pull the meat apart with a couple of forks.

Cover the meat with 3/4 of the BBQ sauce and cook for another hour on low.

**I've found that if you use frozen meat, defrost for a bit in the microwave first and then put in the crock pot without anything added. After a couple of hours drain the liquid and then add the stock and brewed coffee. If you don't drain, it will be a bit too watery, still good though.

Serve on a bun with a little extra BBQ sauce and sauteed onions.

Goes great with fresh veggies and/ or coleslaw. Since we're not huge coleslaw lovers (unless it's from White Spot), we love it with ...

Asian inspired noodle Salad

2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

/2 c toasted slivered almonds

1 c cubed chicken (optional)

small head of shredded cabbage

1 pkg of instant noodles (Saporro Ichiban or Mr. Noodle)

1-2 chopped green onion

Toast seeds and almonds about 5 min in a 350 degree oven, set aside.

Put chicken in a large bowl, add crumbled noodles, cabbage, and green onions

Stir together dressing (noodle seasoning packet, 1/3 c olive oil, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 3 Tbsp vinegar, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper). Mix with noodle/ cabbage mixture.

Store in a covered bowl overnight or all day. I made it up first thing in the morning and it was ready by dinner time. Just before serving, add almonds and sesame seeds. Mmm.. even Sarah loves it!

Calvin is 5 months

Our little boy is growing so fast; can't believe he's 5 months already (as of yesterday). Calvin continues to be a happy and content little guy. He enjoys "playing" with his toys, loves being in the excesaucer, watching his big sister and being held.

Still not sleeping through the night. In fact every night seems pretty different than the one before it. A couple of months ago each night seemed pretty the same, then who knows what happened. Oh well, he usually gets up twice each night. The other day he had a 9 hour stretch which was awesome, if only he could do that more often. We'll get there yet.

He puts everything in his mouth. Teeth are not far off for this little guy!

In the Sugar Bush

This morning we went to the Sugar bush for the maple syrup experience. Sarah LOVED being able to walk through the forrest. She was a very tired girl by the time we got home. Come on, let's go!
Our family. Amazing how much has changed since we visited the sugar bush last year!
Looking at the furs

Ah....so soft! She wanted to take this one home.

No maple syurup in this tin.

There were some people fiddling and playing guitar. Right away Sarah started dancing and jumping around. Many of the Chinese exchange students starting taking videos of her right away. I don't even want to know how many photos of her there is on all of their cameras!

Mmmmm...maple syrup taffy.

David, getting ready to try drilling a syrup tap into the tree

Our pretty little girl

Getting ready to take a horse drawn ride through the forrest (also ended up being a great place to change a stinky diaper)

Sarah loved the animal petting area.

Another fun outing with the family!

For the Love of Ketchup...and Pickles

Like most kids, Sarah LOVES ketchup, she would drink it if we let her (she's tried). The other day after she was done eating and dipping her chicken nuggets I gave her some pickles (another much loved food). The funny girl was dipping her pickles in the ketchup and saying mmmmm.... with every bite. I know that aunty Libby wouldn't approve of the pickles part but would be all about the ketchup.

Sarah's First Craft

On St. Patrick's Day we went to the Early Years Centre in the morning. Sarah LOVES stickers and has recently discovered the joys of glue. Therefore she was pretty keen to sit down at the craft table and "create." Her attention span is really short so she didn't sit for long, oh well, she did manage to get three shamrocks glued onto her St. Patrick's wreath.

He Reached for Me!

Yesterday Calvin reached for us for the first time, arms out, fully intentional. I was holding him first and then we reached out to David. We were both so excited! David wanted to see if he would reach to me as well, sure enough he reached out his little arms while smiling wide. It's amazing how such a simple gesture can make your heart totally melt! These are the moments that make it all worthwhile.

Calvin loves "playing" with toys and whatever he can grab. He is constantly reaching and grabbing, trying to put everything into his mouth, especially Sarah's hair. She isn't a big fan of having her hair tangled up in his wet little hands. I suppose pay back time has already started. Thankfully it seems that Sarah's negative jealous behaviour towards Calvin is almost over, thank goodness!

Always so relaxed and happy; love this little guy!

Fajitas For Dinner

Today I thought I'd post some pictures of daily life...just some candid dinner time shots. This was Sarah's first time having fajitas. She's had wraps before,but always finds them tricky to eat. Oh well, we all had some good laughs and enjoyed eating the delicious fajitas, yummy!

No fajitas for little Calvin yet. This is his usual place to be while we're eating. Today the weather is beautiful, bright blue skies and it's reasonably warm. Looks like I'll be taking the kiddies out for a walk when Sarah wakes up.