That Friday Post

Wow, it's sure been awhile since I did one of these. Life is seriously crazy, exhausting, so much fun, all at the same time, leaving very little time for me on here!I am literally in bed at 8:30 every night (and I don't really mind!)  So, while I have few spare minutes, I will share a few things!

ONE

 I have been reading this book. I have never laughed out loud like this at a book before. I picked it up at the library a few weeks ago, and just a few nights ago began reading it! Seriously, it's too funny!!! Read it!

She has a blog too, and I should probably start reading it! I'm sure its just as funny as her book!!

TWO

 This week, my friend Tawnya posted this post about how to get better photo of your kiddos! So, I followed her guidelines and snapped these photos of Palmer, using natural light and capturing her in her everyday moments! 

THREE

 I'm going to share a few of my favorite reads from the past week. I haven't had much time to do blog reading the past little while, but these ones I really liked!

7 Tips for Maintaining Inner Peace - Pig and Dac

8 Things My Daughter Has Taught Me - Seven Graces

A Letter To My Friend, The Toddler Mama - Newlyweds: North

FOUR

 This week is Palmer's last week of gymnastics. I have to say, she has come a really long way from when we first started it 2 months ago. This girl can jump, roll, and hang like the best 2 year old gymnast out there! Unfortunately, we missed the sign up deadline for the next session, so we will be back at it in the Fall. 

FIVE

Have you entered the giveaway for some cute leggings from Happy Campers Kids Clothing yet?? Check out this post for details on how to enter. And, like THIS instagram post for an entry!

Happy Weekend Everyone! And don't forget to stop back tomorrow for the Saturday Spotlight. We took a break last week, but we are back this week, and can't wait to read all your great posts!!!

Another Friday Post

Time again for another Friday post. 

O N E ||  This week I ventured out and tried something new for supper and it was DELICIOUS!!! Mitch was saying a few days ago that "bacon wrapped anything is delicious" so I searched through Pinterest and found some bacon wrapped stuffed chicken! SO YUM! I may have to start doing more adventerous recipes to try because this one turned out great!!  

T W O ||  Yesterday was Palmer's birthday. Sweet girl turned two! We kept it pretty low key around here yesterday. We asked her what she wanted for supper and she told us "soup noodles" A.K.A. Kraft Dinner. So, the birthday girl got what she wanted and we all enjoyed some soup noodles and chicken nuggets for supper. Since had cake at the dayhome that afternoon, we opted for a slightly less unhealthy option for our after dinner treat. We had a fruit, marshmallow and melted chocolate party! Then we rocked out to some T. Swift - Shake It Off, Palmer's favorite song!

T H R E E ||  I have not yet even begun to plan for Palmer's party next weekend!! We are having it next Saturday but I haven't even started to get things organized at all. Hopefully the party is not a complete flop! But really, how hard can it be to entertain a handful of 2 year olds?!?  If anyone has any fun party ideas, I am all ears!!! 

F O U R ||  It's my birthday tomorrow! WHAT?!?! Yup...I get to celebrate me tomorrow! Although I plan on spending the majority of my day sleeping (due to being on night shift), I'm hoping to eat some delicious food and be around my favorite people!!! 

F I V E  ||  What is a blog post without promoting myself?? Tawnya and I have had a great response from our Saturday Spotlight!! We are coming into the 4th week now and we have had some really great posts linked up! I have found some great new blogs to follow! So, be sure to stop by Saturday (or anytime next week; it runs through Thursday) with your best posts of the week for your chance to be featured with social media shoutouts!!! And, of course, to find some great new blogs to read!

The Grits Blog (Follow Here)     //     Alycia (Follow Here)     //     Kristen (Follow Here)

Rules are there are no rules! 

Please link-up to whatever you like! 

All that we ask is, if you wish, please follow us via the links above and that you link back to this blog - so that other's can join in and mingle! 

Happy Little Friday Everyone!

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An InLinkz Link-up

2014 Recap and An Announcement!

First, I want to let you all know about a fun new link-up starting in the New Year. Every Saturday, come link-up your favorite posts of the week with me and one of my bests, Tawnya for The Saturday Spotlight. I love linking-up. Its a great way to read some great new blogs or posts that you may have missed or may not have otherwise read! Link-ups are where I have found some really great blogs to read and met some truly wonderful people. So, grab a button and be sure to meet us Saturdays for the Saturday Spolight for your chance to be featured!!

<a href="http://mitchalycia.blogspot.ca" target="_blank"><img alt="Saturday Spotlight" src="http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/xx142/alyciabaillie/saturdayspotlight1.png" /></a>

Now, onto my top 5 posts of 2014, as determined by you, my readers!

one  Being A Working Mama
"So, finding the balance between mom life, wife life and work life, yes it is hard sometimes. Its hard to juggle at times. Finding time for more stories, laundry, date nights, alone time - challenging but so worth it. I am a mother. A wife. A nurse. I love all my jobs, even if it is challenging at times."

two  Life Lessons Of A Nurse
"I learned that there are days when 8 hours feels like an eternity. There are times you will feel like there should be something more you could have done; like you missed something. There are days you will cry with frustration; for your patient, about your patient, for working short-staffed yet again.  There are days you will feel under appreciated. Yet, I wouldn't change my career for anything."

three  Finding Me
"I am a mother, and that makes up so much of who I am. Palmer is a part of me, and that changes me in so many ways, and that's OK. And with this motherhood, comes a new version of me, one waiting to be fully discovered."

four  That Time She Slammed The Door In My Face
"It was one of those mornings when the dog wanted out at an unearthly hour. Then, the minute I get cuddled back in my bed, he's barking and banging on his water dish. I rush down the stairs to make him stop, because, like I said, it's a hideous time of day and I don't want to wake the neighbours. Again, I head back to your bed, pull the blankets up, close my eyes and hear my toddler waking up. At first, it was just playful chatter; talking to her friends in the bed with her. Soon, it turned into "mama! mama... MAMA!!!""

five  Toddler Tantrums
"If she wants to eat dog food, OK! I'm sure its not going to kill her. She will figure out that it probably doesn't taste good and will maybe learn to not do it again."

What were your favorite posts?

What would you like to see more of from me in 2015??

Five Things I'm Looking Forward To Most During The Holidays

O N E   Heading home for the holidays. Since Palmer was born, we haven't been home much. With me working full-time and my parents being retired, it has always been easier for them to come here. This year, we are going to head home for a few days after Christmas (because I am working through Christmas) and I know everyone is looking forward to it.

T W O   Watching Palmer open her gifts. Most of the things we got her were just small little items, but watching her open all her gifts on Christmas morning will be so much fun. This year she will actually be able to unwrap her gifts herself and I think she understands a little more this year what is going on. She was actually really excited to put a gift under the tree the other day so I can't wait to see what she does when she gets to open them!

T H R E E  Amazing food!!!  Turkey, sweets, Christmas Eve smorgasbord of food...doesn't matter. I love it all. The food around the holidays is always yummy and I love the things that are special Christmas treats. Turkey dinner is my favorite dinner ever, probably because we only get in 2 or 3 times a year. Definitely something to look forward to!

F O U R  Spending 8 glorious days together as a family. Mitch and I don't often get days off together, really, only 2 weekends a month (because of my shift work schedule) so getting 8 days together as a family will be amazing. There is so much stuff I want to do together, like tobogganing, skating, and all those other fun outside winter activities!

F I V E  Relaxing. I feel like there is so much stress leading up to the holidays. Between that and working full time, finding time to relax can be hard. I am so looking forward to not having anything planned and just relaxing and enjoying the time off with my family and soaking up all the magic of the holidays!

What are you most looking forward to next week?

That Friday Post: Stocking Stuffers

How is it Friday again? The week just flew by, but that's OK with  me, because it means I get 3 days off!!! AND, we are that much closer to Christmas! YAY! And, with that being said, I will get on to my 5 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for myself!

one | EOS Soft Coconut Milk. This stuff is seriously my favorite chapstick EVER! I recently discovered it and seriously, its the bomb! Smells AH-MAZ-ING!

two | Essie nail polish, I'm loving all these colors below. Essie has to be my favorite nail polish brand and they have any color imaginable! 

three | This Urban Cowgirl Designs infinity scarf. I have been swooning over it since she first posted it on facebook.   

four | A set of stud earrings, like these ones from Aldo. I have honestly been wearing the same ones for, well, a long time. I don't wear dangle earrings because I don't want to wear them to work, but a new pair of studs would be perfect!

five |  Some Moroccan Oil Shampoo. This is my favorite stuff ever, and I have sadly, run out. Maybe Santa will have known that already?!?

That Friday Post: Christmas Traditions

I seriously cannot even believe the holidays are right around the corner. Christmas is creeping up so fast and I am not nearly prepared for it!  I am especially excited for this holiday season because Palmer will understand it a little bit more and I cannot wait to see her on Christmas morning with all her gifts from Santa and I just know she will get spoiled!

I want to touch on some family traditions I hope to begin. Since our little family of 3 only began 22 months ago, I want to start some new family traditions this year that I really hope to continue on for years to come!

one | A couple weekends ago, we as a family, set up all the Christmas decorations and trimmed the tree. Palmer didn't quite get it but I know next year she will be excited for it! It's tough when they are still little and don't really understand what is happening. But, nevertheless, we all had fun. Palmer loved pulling out each little ornament and handing it to Mitch or I to hang on the tree. And she was just in awe when we light it up! So cute!  I think there is something so magical about a Christmas tree, and it makes the upcoming holidays seem that much more exciting!

two | Another tradition I hope to carry through with is getting a special little ornament for Palmer (and each child after) every year. Last year we made one for Palmer, using her hand print. It really is so cute. I want to find a special decoration for the tree each year that Palmer can call her own, and even one day, take with her to decorate her own tree with her own family. I think this will end up being something that Palmer will look forward to each year as the Christmas season approaches and I think it would be something really special for Palmer to keep with her as she grows!

three | I know this year we will begin the usual tradition of setting out a snack for Santa and his reindeer before bed, and what better way than with homemade cookies??? I always loved doing this and waking up in the morning, making sure Santa got his snacks and the reindeer ate their carrots and reading the special letter Santa left for us beside the empty plate. I knew they had a very busy night ahead of them and having those snacks were probably just what they needed! I hope Palmer enjoys doing this just as much as I did.

four | I know you have already read about our special little elf, Chippy. Seriously you guys, Palmer wakes up every morning asking about Chippy. I didn't think she would get it, but she does. She hunts around for the little elf, seeing what kind of mischief he has gotten himself into this time. I think this is a cute little tradition to carry on; reminding kids about the magic of Christmas. 

five |  Finally, to round out this post, I want, on each Christmas, to get a family photo. We don't get enough of these and what better time to do it than on Christmas, a time meant to be with family. It is the perfect reason to document our family; during a time full of joy and being with family. 

Christmas 2013

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions???

ALSO, have you entered yourself into the giveaway??? Great to win a bit of extra $$$ before the holidays!!!

Friday Favorites From The Past Week

ONE:: The holiday season is in full swing around here and we have been taking advantage of all the fun activities that come along with it! Last Friday we headed downtown to the park for the Bright Lights Festival. They had movies in the park, hot chocolate, popcorn, lights displays, and sleigh rides.  It really was fun and I think Palmer had a good time. She had her first taste of hot chocolate and she especially loved the horses! We had to wait in line for awhile, but it was worth it!!! 

TWO:: We took out all our Christmas decorations and set up the tree! Palmer wasn't really too sure what to think of it all, but she was helping to rearrange the ornaments on the tree every day this week! I am really excited about Christmas this year because I think Palmer will understand a bit better what is going on and I can't wait to see her reaction to all her new gifts!

THREE:: This beanie from Baby Elle Apparel. Palmer seriously can't be any cuter. I love her in a beanie and last week it was the perfect Fall weather to be matched up with a vest and sneakers!
We have a matching mama beanie too, seen here.

FOUR:: Can we talk for a minute about this new EOS lip balm I found the other day?? I LOVE IT! Soft Coconut Milk. It is my absolute new favorite. I hope Santa hears this and I can find some in my stocking next month! 

FIVE:: I'm planning on making our Christmas cards this week coming up so I need to decide on some photos to use. There are so many great cards and companies out there, it makes it hard to choose. I found a couple I like - I just need to find the right photos to use with them. I am hoping to get a head start on cards this year and get them send out the first week of December.

simply to impress || tiny prints

Lets celebrate making it through another week by

 linking your blog and/ or your instagram below. 
You may link up any post.
 Remember, visiting other blogs and/ or Instagram links is what makes a successful blog hop.
This hop runs from every week. Starting Friday morning to Wednesday morning.
Be kind and grab a TGIF BLOG HOP button below.

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RULES

1. PLEASE Follow your host and cohost blog's via GFC or BLOGLOVIN

2. Please Follow the hosts and co-hosts on Instagram if you link-up your account below.

3. Please leave a comment stating that you are following and where so we can follow you back and get to know you! Sometimes it can be hard to know which is a new follower and we don't want you to think we're rude.

4. Tweet the hop below to help us grow. It's greatly appreciated. 

5. Be social.  Meet new friends. 

*You do not need an Instagram account to link up.

Every first Friday of the month we will be hosting a lovely GIVEAWAY!

:: Three Sisters and us ::Mice In The Kitchen :: Second Chances Girl ::CompleteBliss Blog :: My Silly Little Gang ::

                                                                                                                                                               

    

Meet This Weeks TGIF CoHost

Crazily Normal

I am a 20-something wife to Mitch, mama to Palmer and fur-baby Leaf. 

Crazily Normal is my space to share all our adventures and daily musings as we navigate our way through this crazy thing called life!  

Want to be our next cohost and be featured? Click here!!

                         The TGIF HOP is looking for bloggers like YOU to co-host with us!

                                                                                                                                                       

This Weeks TGIF Feature

From the blog of: Three Kids and a Fish  

Be sure to check her blog out here.

easy-fall-inspired-recipe-for-5-minute

My Friday Five: Holiday Gift Ideas

I really don't have anything in mind as far as major Christmas gifts this year. I think Christmas is all about Palmer now, and watching her excitement Christmas morning, opening all her gifts. Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning to me over the past few years and I have to say, I am actually really excited to watch Palmer Christmas morning. I think this year, she will actually start to understand a little bit what is going on. We plan to do the Elf On The Shelf this year too. I think Palmer will love waking up in the morning, searching for her Elf. We were gifted an Elf On The Shelf this year by Mitchell's Nanny and Aunt, so we will start watching the video soon and maybe Palmer will recognize her elf when the time comes.

Anyways, back to this post....My Christmas wish list.
(I really don't expect any of these things at all, but I wouldn't be mad if I got some of these things)

01. White Cami from Garage. I wear one of these every. single. day. I prefer to wear them under my shirts almost all the time and all the ones I have are getting old, so adding a few more to my collection would be ideal for me!

02. I am a sucker for Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue. It is by far my favorite perfume.

03. New Running Shoes. They don't have to be these ones from Nike exactly, but I love bright, flashy colors.

04. A new gym/tote/everyday bag from LuluLemon. I love the color of this one and I know Lululemon has awesome quality bags and would last me for a long while.

05. Pajama pants. I am a sucker for pajama pants. I often change from work clothes to comfy lounge pants (aka pajama pants) and only wear nice pants (aka jeans) when I have something I need to do outside of the house!. I have a couple Old Navy pairs and I really like them. Plus, they are a great price!

And as a bonus....have you checked out my giveaway?? Find the perfect little (or big) beanie for that stylish someone in your life. Its super easy to get entered! Check it out here!

(check out where I'm linking up here)

Friday 5: Winter Things

Well, winter is here. The piercing cold air that burns your face the minute you step outside. The days of bundling up in your winter jacket, mittens, touque and your big Sorel's. The waking up that little bit earlier to make sure the car is warm before you start your trek to work. Yup, its here. It has been (what seems like) brutally cold here in Lethbridge, like -22 with a windchill of -30! That cold. UGH. 

But, instead of hating winter, I'm going to make a list of 5 things I want to do this winter....

one:: Go sledding. We went last year down this pitiful little hill near the park by our house, but this year, I think Palmer will enjoy riding down a bigger hill. Mitch and I would have fun too, especially hearing Palmer laughing and having fun! 

two:: Build a snowman. This is another thing I've not done in a LONG time!!! We definitely get enough snow around here to build one, or two, or eight!!!

three:: Go ice skating. Again, I don't think I've been ice skating in over 10 years. I enjoy it and I'm good enough that I don't fall, so maybe we need to give it a try too.

four:: Teach myself to knit and/or crochet. I've seen lots of posts of people making their own cozy scarves and it got me thinking, I can do that too!! Any ideas where to start???? 

five:: Stock pile some slow cooker freezer meals. There is nothing better than coming home from a long day at work to your supper already being cooked for you! Getting out of the cold to the smells of delicious food... What are your favorite slow cooker freezer recipes?? I'd love to hear it. 

linking up here

and....before you leave, have you entered the ItFitBand Headband Giveaway????

Oh Hey, Friday!

Can you believe another week has come and gone and we are now a few days deep into November? I can't believe how fast the time is going and how quickly the winter and Christmas are approaching! So, here are a few kind-of-winter-related items for my Friday Five

one: We have signed Palmer up for gymnastics starting in January. I think she is really going to like it! Shes so full of energy and always on the move, so I think this will be a good place for her to have fun and run and jump and play! I'm excited to start and watch her have so much fun!

two: I received this awesome beanie in the mail last week from a small Etsy shop, Baby Elle Apparel, here in Alberta and I'm in love with it! Dress it up, dress it down, it's a perfect accessory. The material is so soft and I love the way it fits. It is the perfect piece to top off your fall wardrobe! Thanks Brittany!!

three: Every year, our local radio stations team up and hold an auction where numerous local business offer up prizes. To be honest, I'm not really sure what the proceeds go to, although I'm sure it's something meaningful towards the community. Anyways, we ended up getting a year family pass to the local YMCA for half price. Good deal! We both get a gym membership, swimming, all the fitness classes, the parent and tot stuff...We are pretty happy with it! It will give us all a good reason to keep active throughout the winter!

four: I recently tried the Essential Oils that many people are talking about. I thought they were just this hocus pocus stuff but I think they actually worked! I was fighting off a cold last week, and working nights wasn't helping my cause, but I tried the Thieves essential oil along with some Lemon and it cleared my sinuses right up! I always tried out the Lavender and peace and calming before sleep and it worked like a charm. I always struggle with sleeping while I'm on nights, but this made it much better!!! I think theses may be essential as winter sneaks up on us! Have you tried any of these or other essential oils??

five:I am so excited to finally have a weekend off. It seems like FOREVER since we have had a family weekend. it will be nice to just relax, get some things done around the house and be together before I have to go back to work on Monday. Mitch on the other hand, gets Monday and Tuesday off too!

I'm linking up here 

Oh Hey, Friday and A Co-Host Linkup

One: have you noticed the new blog design??? I was due for an update; a refresher you might say. I'm loving the clean simplicity of it. Huge props to Sally::C Webs Biz

Two: I've been spending the last two days trying to fight off this cold I can feel brewing inside! Stuffy nose and a scratchy throat. I'm hoping this is the worst of it and all the Echinacea, Vitamin C and green smoothies I've been taking is working!

Three: It's Halloween!! I've never really been one to dress up (in my adult years anyways) and Halloween was just another day for a long time. Now that Palmer is able to partake in Halloween and enjoy a piece of candy or two, it's turned more fun again. I love seeing all the sweet little costumes out there! 

Four: Have you checked out the cash giveaway from Monday's post???  If not, you better get over there and have your chance at winning some cash!!!!

Five: This week I'm co-hosting a fun link-up with some fun ladies for TGIF....

Welcome To The TGIF Hop!

Lets celebrate making it through another week by

 linking your blog and/ or your instagram below. 
You may link up any post.
 Remember, visiting other blogs and/ or Instagram links is what makes a successful blog hop.
This hop runs from every week. Starting Friday morning to Wednesday morning.
Be kind and grab a TGIF BLOG HOP button below.

Grab a button and spread the love of TGIF because who doesn't love Fridays?!

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RULES

1. PLEASE Follow your host and cohost blog's via GFC or BLOGLOVIN

2. Please Follow the hosts and co-hosts on Instagram if you link-up your account below.

3. Please leave a comment stating that you are following and where so we can follow you back and get to know you! Sometimes it can be hard to know which is a new follower and we don't want you to think we're rude.

4. Tweet the hop below to help us grow. It's greatly appreciated. 

5. Be social.  Meet new friends. 

*You do not need an Instagram account to link up.

Every first Friday of the month we will be hosting a lovely GIVEAWAY!

:: Three Sisters and us ::Mice In The Kitchen :: Second Chances Girl ::CompleteBliss Blog :: My Silly Little Gang ::

                                                                                                                                                               

     

Meet TGIF's Weekly Cohost

Crazily Normal

http://mitchalycia.blogspot.ca

I am a 20-something wife to Mitch, mama to Palmer and fur-baby Leaf.

 Crazily Normal is my space to share all our adventures and daily musings as we navigate our way through this crazy thing called life!  

Want to be our next cohost and be featured? Click here!!

The TGIF HOP is looking for bloggers like YOU to cohost with us!

                                                                                                                                                       

This Weeks TGIF Feature

From the blog of: JRRM BLOG

Be sure to check her blog out here.

Halloween On A Budget

 Help us spread the word about this HOP by clicking "tweet" below!!

Linking up here