I’ve been a stay at home mom for the past few years.  Now that my little one started daycare a few weeks ago, she keeps asking me what I do after I drop her off.   I tell her I go to work.  Her answer: “But mommy, only daddy goes to work, you have to stay at home and wait for me!”  I was really taken aback.  My daughter thinks that moms don’t work, what have i taught her?  I went through a whole rationalization and wondered if I had skewed her views of womens roles and limited her ambitions in life??!?

I took  a step back and told myself to lighten up!  That’s what she knows for now.  She’ll realize how things are later on when I go back to work and she goes to daycare full time.

She then asks me if I will going to an appointment then come back to pick her up.  I said “No, I’m going to work”.  She got very agitated and insisted that I go to my “pointment” and come straight back to get her.  “Mommy, you don’t go to work!” she stomps her foot.  I was wondering why she was so upset and asked why I couldn’t just go to work?  her logical answer: “Because work finishes late, it’s dark outside like when daddy comes home.  You go to your pointment and come and get me “wickly”!”

I finally realized she didn’t want me to be “working” simply because she wanted me to pick her up earlier from the daycare.  In her mind, me going to work meant a longer daycare stay for her!

How could I forget, the world revolves around her, not me or anyone else!!  Aren’t I glad I bit off all my nails in panic for this :)

Gotta love their logic! <3

Recently I’ve been feeling quite uncomfortable in my own skin.  I’ve been very jumpy, grumpy and cranky.  Over the last few days, things seemed to spiral out of control, I felt like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!!  I was being pulled in many directions, confused, tired and unfocussed. 

Today, I finally lost it completely.  The kids drove me nuts and when they threw tantrums, I’m embarrassed to say I threw a big one myself.  I yelled and ranted until my throat was raw and I even stormed out of the room!!  Let me tell you, that is one way to get your kids attention…..they were both standing there mouths wide open, staring.  In the middle of all this drama, I started giggling.  That confused them even more which only sent me into hysterics, then I was almost in tears again a few seconds later! (see I told you Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!).   Wish I could blame it on PMS!

The whole experience left me drained, unnerved and very tired.  I was fed up of feeling this way so I asked my spiritual cousin for advice and did some research on the internet so here’s what I finally did based on what I got from both sources:

1- Dance, dance, dance, dance (I grabbed my girls and we danced our butts off)

2- Laugh and smile (my girls were wiggling and laughing and it was contagious – do this step even if you don’t feel like it)

3-  Clear yourself and home from all negative energy (I opened all the windows and let fresh air come in and imagined all bad energy leaving but feel free to research more detailed methods online)

4- Meditate and clean your chakras (I have never been good at this so I lit a candle and stared at it and imagined myself peaceful and quiet.  Worked better for me)

5- Take a deep breath every time you feel these emotions and don’t let them drag you down!

6-   My all time favorite though is, go hug a tree! Reconnect with nature and breathe in some serenity.  I enjoyed doing that.  It was peaceful; I even sat under the tree for a few minutes and just let myself be. (I wonder what my neighbors would have thought had they come out at that moment.)

There isn’t a miracle cure but I do feel calmer than I had in the past few days.  I think I will try steps 1, 2 and 6 again tomorrow; they did make me smile

Good look and I hope this helps you find some sanity and peace! xo

Technorati Tags: calm, clean your home, clear negative energy, dance, feeling nutty, feeling unbalanced, hug, hug a tree, laugh, meditate, peaceful, serene, serenity, tired

You can’t replace old friends!   They are wonderful and precious, you can’t have that type of history with just anyone.  It takes time and effort to make

Tonight I had dinner with a college friend.  We live quite far apart and I hadn’t seen her in almost 6 years and yet every time we see one another or talk on the phone, it feels like we’ve only been apart for a few days.  We always manage to pick up right where we left off. 

As much as its fun to reminisce about the good old days and the fun we had in college, it feels like that life is so alien to us now.  We’ve done a lot and been through so much!  We looked at each other and couldn’t believe we were sitting here together with husbands and children wondering where the time went. 

Personally, I was wondering when did we grow up!!!  We were just kids ourselves yesterday and now we’re full blown adults, responsible for our own children.  Don’t ask me why but my mind was boggled.

Now back to old friends, because of the history shared with an old friend, they know exactly what you mean with just a few words.  Conversation just flows and we were laughing  and reconnecting like kindered spirits. 

Old friends are comfortable, familiar, safe and rare!  I treasure my old friends and love them dearly and only wish to be able to see them as often as possible and continue down our paths together.

Until we meet again!  I miss you!

Technorati Tags: friendship. reminiscing, Old friends

This is just a quick word to say I am sorry for not having been around much lately!  We’ve been renovating our back yard and working on a concrete slab project for the soon to come new oil tank!  We were forced to change it this year and that triggered a slew of projects we’ve been putting aside for a while. 

We are knee deep in digging, laying bricks, preparing the base for the cement block, taking down the old metal storage thingy (not really a shed more like an eyesore), painting the shed, building a new gate and clearing out some old and worn out in-ground flower boxes.  All the while making plans to entertain the kids!!

 We have gotten most of it done (my hubby being the real hero here!) but have decided to stop for now and take a few days to spend some serious quality time with the kids.  Planning a few fun outings for the next couple of days.  I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to having some fun and unwinding.

Will post some before and after pictures of these projects when I’ve had a chance to put them together.  The great thing is with some creativity, hard work and tons of patience we were able to get a fresh look to our backyard on a budget!!  Promise to share when I’ve caught my breath! 

Technorati Tags: backyard renovations, family time, oil tank cement block, quality time, restore deck, summer fun

My friends at GlitterThis.com are hosting MyCutiePie Photo contest.    Check out all the photo requirements, registration form and other contest details here:    Babies from newborn to 12 months are eligible to enter.  

Register your precious baby and have all your friends vote.  If your baby wins, you will receive an outfit (yours to keep) and your child will win one of their 6 Official Model spots. You can win  a onesie with your baby’s name or a cute saying on it. Or you could win a sailor outfit or a pettiskirt.

Registration begins on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, and ends on August 23, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Voting by the general public begins on August 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, and ends on September 27, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Good Luck!

I am so happy to announce Mommy Nuggets’ first ever giveaway to thank you all for coming back week after week and supporting me!  I have very much enjoyed writing this blog and making new friends along the way. 

This giveaway prize was graciously offered by The Party Works.  They have a wonderful variety of party supplies, cake decorations & baby shower party supplies providing over 4,000 different items in stock. 

The prize…………drum roll………………….. is a party pack for 8 from http://www.thepartyworks.com/search.php?keywords=party+pack+for+8/

This is just one example of a large variety of these sets, the winner will be able to choose the theme they like best! (themes for all ages available)

A standard party pack for 8 includes:

1. 8 invitations
2. Dinner plates
3. Dessert plates
4. Cups
5. Forks
6. Spoons
7. 16 napkins
8. Solid-color tablecover
9. Mylar balloon
10. 12 balloons (2 colors)
11. curling ribbon (2 colors)
12. crepe paper rolls (2 colors)
13. cake candles

(These may vary slightly between themes, check  each theme for exact content)

How to enter:

Just submit your name and e-mail, so I can contact the winner, and you’re entered.  It’s that simple!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The more times you enter the more chances you have to win

Thank you The Party Works for such a wonderful and practical prize!

Good luck and thank you again for your support!

This giveaway is open to legal residents in US only, 18+ only and will end on July 24, 2012 at 12:01am EST. Winner will be chosen at random using Rafflecopter and will be announced on the Mommy Nuggets blog and the Mommy Nuggets Facebook page.  The winner will have until July 28 to claim his/her prize otherwise a new winner will be picked.

Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Prize fulfillment is the responsibility of the sponsoring company. This blog and its author are not responsible for giveaway prizes that are lost in transit or damaged. This blog is also not responsible if a sponsor/company does not send prize(s).  Of course, every effort will be made to resolve the issue in the unlikely event of such a problem.  Good luck!  

I recently began my journey into a new decade!  A fancy way to say I just turned 40.  Now I don’t know if I have fully dealt with what that really means but I know that I have noticed some changes that come with this privilege.

Growing up and growing older means, I now do the things I used to poke fun at mom for doing!   Now I need to pause to say “So sorry mom!!!”  You were soooo justified!

I now talk to myself.  It’s true that with age we feel more comfortable in our own skin and are more confident than when we entered our twenties but come on!  I can’t like me that much!!  I talk to myself all the time, and I don’t mean little comments.  I have entire conversations with myself and am scared to admit, I sometimes answer me back!  The scariest part is when I get sooo into the conversation I catch my hands gesturing right along!!!  Yikes!!!!!

Just yesterday I spend half an hour running around the house in a big huff looking for my sunglasses.  I searched high and low and was starting to lose it when my toddler pointed to my head and said “Mommy look, here are your glasses!”  They were on my head the whole time.  Double yikes.

The weirdest and most annoying one is changing topics in mid sentence!!  What the??????  Is it 40’s type ADD??

I am becoming more forgetful.  I was talking with hubby at the breakfast table and asked him to please pass the potato (while I pointed towards it).  He froze and just stared at me.  I meant to the say salt (close enough right??? needless to say I teared up after that one!) Eeeeek!!

This is scary stuff no one warns you about!!  The only ray of light and joy I see so far is the older I get ,the less I care!!  I very often find myself thinking “I don’t give a flying fig!”

I guess that is the wisdom that comes with age that I keep hearing about

Technorati Tags: ADD, forgetful, older and wiser, talking to self, turning 40

Hubby and I haven’t had a date night in months and I was feeling in desparate need of a break.  This afternoon mom offered to take the girls so we can get out for a bit.  It was a last minute plan but these usually turn out to be the best.  We decided to go to the Old Port of Montreal to have dinner and walk by the water.  We walked into a sushi bar (always a treat on date night) and I have to admit it is now my all time favorite Sushi joint. 

Tokyo Sushi Bar is a small but beautifully decorated restaurant with warm and friendly service and amazing food!  I love their Dynamite roll and my hubby is addicted to their Spider roll.  We also tried one of the Chef’s special rolls, Bazooka!,  and Oh My God it was FANTASTIC!  I don’t know how to describe it other than say it was exotic, delicious, decadent and tasted fresh with a bit of zest.  My husband used every garnish on the plate (oranges, lemons and  strawberries) to soak up the sauce and any bits of sushi that fell out.  It will be a definite repeat.  Can’t wait to try their Chef’s special King! roll next time.

I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful restaurant whenever you’re in the area.  Tell them Mommy Nuggets sent you!

Technorati Tags: date night, eating out options, old port, restaurant, Restaurant idea, Sushi, Sushi Bar, Tokyou Sushi bar

I was taking my daughter to school this morning and noticed that other drivers were especially distracted today!  The woman in the car behind was applying several coats of mascara and inching her car forward stalling all sorts of traffic behind us.  I switched lanes as she almost rear ended me while looking for her lip gloss!!  Happy to report she passed me then swerved the car into the left lane, scaring the crap out of that driver.  Thankfully no accident.

Once that was done, the man in the car in front of me had 2 dogs in the car; one very large Doberman in the front seat.  He kept looking at his big dog and talking to him rather than drive.  He then suddenly stopped in front of me (for nor reason at all) so that his big ass dog can move to the back seat.  Luckily I had had my cup of coffee this morning and my reflexes were good (and it seems the driver behind me had some caffeine in him too!)  he started to drive again then stopped again suddenly to discipline the little dog in the back seat!! I finally gave in and gave big honk!! he moved along then suddenly pulled over to sort his pets out.

I thought since I was almost at the school, I was home free but I was sadly mistaken as the woman in the lane beside me was so engrossed in texting she was driving without even looking up and no hands on the wheel!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!  she was slowly moving into my lane!!  I honked to get her attention then since her window was lowered, I did the same with mine and gave her a piece of my mind!

All this on a 8 minute drive!  By the time I got to the school my nerves were shot and my mood ruined!  The simple message I have is this:

“When you sit in your car just freakin DRIVE!!”

This message brought to you by a mother who will tell you off and kick your ass if you endanger my kids!  In this day and age, Get a clue people!- Thank you

Technorati Tags: don't put make up and drive, don't text and drive, Drive safely, other's safety, rules of the road

I was giving my little 2 year old her bath this afternoon and she was playing around with the water and squealing at the floating bubbles.  She was happily rambling away while I was washing her little feet and tiny toes, when all of a sudden, I burst into tears.  I am not just talking about crying, I am talking about big time weeping with tears, runny nose, hiccups, the whole nine yards.  The poor little thing got startled, I felt so bad!

She looked right into my eyes and asked me “What’s woong mommy?” After a few big gulps of air, I managed to get a hold of myself and told her “Nothing is wrong but I will miss you my sweet!”  I was not expecting an answer but she somberly looked me straight in the eye and said “I know, I will miss you too but that’s OK you don’t have to cry” She caressed my cheek and smiled.  Needles to say, that opened up the floodgates again!

Once I got over her wizened reply and was done hugging and kissing that little face, I realized what it was that made me cry.  I will miss my kids when they’re all grown up.  I will miss feeding them, playing with them, bathing them, kissing their little cheeks and toes and tucking them in at night; for some reason that really hit me hard.  I will long for the days when they fit on my lap and I could nibble their little toes.

Change is inevitable and I wish you a healthy and happy life my girls and I promise to continue taking care of you to the best of my ability until you are ready to fly on you own.  But of this I am sure, I will miss you my sweets!

Technorati Tags: empty nest, growing up, love, mother's anxiety, motherhood, mothering, parenthood, toddler