That Friday Post

I'm glad this week is nearly over! I couldn't be more happy the weekend is here!!!

1. The girls have both been sick all week. We went to my parents place in Saskatchewan last Friday, and since then, they have both had runny noses and coughs. It has seriously been booger central around here and I will be so happy when its over! This mama has had enough of the nose-wiping duty.

2. And....since the girls have both been sick, I haven't made it to the gym all week. I didn't want to be that person who brings their sick kid to the gym daycare only to make all the other kids sick! I did make it out for a run, but with the wind we've been having lately, it's no fun! I will definitely be back to GoodLife Fitness next week to get in a class or two of BodyPump! I always feel great after a good fitness class!! Plus, did you read this post??

3.  My sweet friend, Tawnya, is amazing. With me being home alone all week, (including the in-laws aka babysitter when needed) and the girls being sick, she was so sweet and dropped off a bag of goodies for us. She had some delicious homemade soup and biscuits for dinner, fresh blueberry muffins, sugar candies (my favourite) and some wine. Everything a mama needed! I have the greatest friends ever!

4. Speaking of the greatest friends ever...I am looking forward to Monday's bachelor finale! Every Monday since the show started we have been getting together. We each bring a snack and we watch Ben and gossip for 2 hours. It makes for a great night out. This week, we will be going all out, even ordering a Chris Harrison cake! I have to say, I truly have no idea who he picks, but I hope its Lauren B!!

5. If you haven't seen it already, you should go check out Tuesday's collaboration with Tiny Inspirations. It is a cute, Canadian company making teething necklaces! And, I have a discount code!

HAPPY WEEKENDING, MY FRIENDS!

The Girls Have Been Sick, So I Made a List

I have always been an active individual. I grew up playing sports; soccer for many years, including University level soccer, volleyball and basketball in high school, running races, etc. But, after university, working out sort of went in ebbs and flows. I worked out, I got pregnant and it tapered off. I tried working out again, but life with a little one was hectic. I finally got into a good routine of working out about 4 times a week, which I think is a really good amount of times.

This past week, I haven't really had a chance to make it to they gym, with both girls being sick all week. I got in a run and one night of core work at home, but it really got me thinking about working out and why I do it. So, I made my "top 5 reasons I workout" list:

1. It's my ME time. Life is crazy. Life with two little ones is especially crazy. Getting to the gym or out for a run is my time for me. Its my time to unwind from the craziness that is two small children. It is time for me to do something for myself. Whether its a gym workout or running with both girls sleeping in the stroller, its my time dedicated to me.

2. To feel good about myself.  Like I said, my workouts have gone in ebbs and flows. I can tell the weeks I don't workout, or don't workout as often as I should. I feel sluggish and blah. When I workout, I feel strong and more energetic and I quite simply, just look and feel better! I am now 5 months post baby and I feel great.

3. To keep up good health. We truly don't get sick in this family too often. The girls have been sick all this week, but before that, Charlie never, and Palmer very rarely. I don't remember the last time I was sick either (fingers crossed I'm not jinxing myself here). I know that keeping strong and being active is a huge contributor to this! 

4. Its fun! I was recently invited to join a friend for BodyPump at GoodLife Fitness and have been to a few more classes since. I love it. Working out with friends in a fun, energetic environment is amazing. There is a little friendly competition going on, and I always feel like I get a great workout in.

5. To be the best role model for my girls I can be. I want to show my girls that staying active is fun. I want them to see that exercise is a lifestyle; one that requires dedication, but is so worth it. I want them to aspire to be healthy young women, and by showing them early on, I hope that it comes natural to them. I envision us being a family that hikes, and bikes, and does all these fun, healthy, family activities, so showing them to stay active early is important to me.

*Disclosure: This post was written as part of the GoodLife Fitness Blogger Ambassador Program

Tiny Inspirations: Shop Spotlight

I love finding truly great, practical products to use for my babies, so when I came across this Canadian company, Tiny Inspirations, I knew I found something great. 

Tiny Inspirations is a teething accessories company, creating necklaces, bracelets, teethers, pacifier clips and accessories with beautiful modern shapes, colours and styles. Erica was so kind to send the girls and I a few pieces, and we all love them! We had a chance to use the pacifier/toy clip this past weekend while travelling, and it was a life saver in the car. Clipping either a toy or a soother to the car seat made it so it was never out of reach for Charlie! 

Palmer was absolutely thrilled with her pink and purple necklace. It has easily become one of her favourite pieces to wear (and if you know Palmer at all, you will know she is often seen with multiple accessories on, all chosen by herself, of course!) I think one thing she loves about it the most is that it looks like mommy's, and I'll admit, I love that about it too!

One thing I really love about my necklace is that it is so versatile. It can be dressed up or dressed down. No matter how you wear it, you actually cannot tell they are silicone teething beads! Erica has a large range of simple, every day styles that I truly love. The one I have is the Mabelyn (and she gave us a matching kids one!) I also really love the natural, simple look of Grace and the unique boldness of the Victoria (fun fact: all Erica's necklaces are named after someone amazing in her life who gave her courage and support!)

The main reason I love my necklace though, is the practicality of it. Wearing it while I am nursing Charlie is perfect for the grabby stage. I love that this necklace gives her something to hang on to and play with while nursing, rather than clawing at my face or pulling my hair. 

These necklaces are a piece that can grow with your child. Right now, Charlie is 5 months old and plays with the necklace while she is learning her motor skills. Once she starts teething, the beads are completely safe for her to chew on. Hopefully, we get lucky with teething again and can breeze right through it, but if not, I know these products are safe for my baby. Then, once they aren't teething anymore, you can continue to wear them because they are pretty!

And, whats awesome is Erica is providing my readers and followers a 15% discount off your entire order with the code: 

ALYCIA 

So, head over to her site and check out all the other amazing products she has!! And, because she truly loves kids and children so much, she dedicates a portion of all her sales to the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. How amazing is she???

INSTAGRAM  WEBSITE 

*Disclaimer* Product was gifted to me by Tiny Inspirations in exchange for this review, however I only promote products in which I truly love and therefore all opinions are my own.

From The Mouth Of Palmer: Volume 3

This girl of ours is getting smarter and smarter by the day, and every day, there is something new and surprising that comes from her mouth. So, here is "From The Mouth of Palmer: Volume 3." You can find volume 1 and volume 2 here.

• One day I asked her "How did you get so smart." Palmer replied with, "I got it at Costco!" Like, duh mom, you can get anything at Costco!

• If something happens (like spilled drink, or knocking something over) she shrugs her shoulders and says "It's ok. It happens."

• Annoyed by me, she asked:
• P: Mom, what are you doing??
• Me: Playing with your hair.
• P: But, its not a toy!

• When sitting around the supper table, she will say "This is a nice party!" then go on to name everyone at the party!

• Her favourite thing is making Charlie smile and always says "Mom, look! I made Charlie smile!"

• "Mom, why is Charlie crying?" Because, honey. Babies cry.

• "Mom, can I be your helper?"

• She has this thing lately with washing her hair, so negotiates about bath time with "Otay, I'll have a bath but you can't use shampoop." Yes, she says shampoop!

• She's hit threenager status in full force, and I have to ask her numerous times to stop being a whiner. "Otay mommy. I don't want to be a whiner anymore!"

• Lately, we have been getting all kinds of Paw Patrol references. Half of them I don't even know. One of her favourites (which I assume is from Paw Patrol) is "Have an ear scratch."

• Still on the Paw Patrol reference, I asked her to go get me a kleenex for Charlie's boogers. She runs back. I said thank you and she replied with "No job is too big, no pup is too small"

• "Sure I can," is another common phrase from her. 

• "Can we go have breakfast now?" is asked every single morning, usually too early!

• and one of my favourites, "it's upside backwards!" whenever anything is upside-down, inside-out, or backwards.

• and, if she doesn't like something, or doesn't want you to do something, waving both hands back and forth, she says, "no, no, no, no, no!"

Archer & Antlers: Shop Spotlight and Giveaway

I love dressing the girls in cute, unique clothes, but they also need to be comfortable and practical, so when I came across Archer & Antlers a little while ago, I instantly fell in love with her designs. Not only does her small shop offer great products, but she is local, and Canadian so the price is right (and for my American friends, discounted 30% thanks to our poor dollar!).

This romper is just too cute. This vintage floral print is pretty and perfect for a little girl! Its trendy but vintage. LOVE! And, besides the fact that the prints are perfect for little babes, the quality of the work is like no other.  You can definitely tell the work will hold up to children playing! The fabric is a light and airy organic cotton, and oh, so soft! It has just the right amount of stretch, but holds its shape. 

You can definitely tell Kelsey has a tremendous passion for what she does; the quality and care put into each handmade piece is exceptional.  Kelsey is a Registered Nurse by trade (another thing I love about her!) but has always had a passion for design and sewing. When she was pregnant with her daughter, Sophia, she sewed the bedding because she couldn't find what she wanted. And again, when she was pregnant with her son, Archer. And that is when Archer & Antlers took off. She wanted something just for her, so began her Etsy shop. 

Kelsey at Archers and Antlers has some really great pieces and is launching her Spring line today! I have seen the sneak peeks on social media and they don't disappoint!! She has some cute new Spring rompers that I am dying to see. Kelsey is truly happy about her spring line because they are all pieces she would love to put on her own children.

                   "My new spring stuff is even more exciting because it is all stuff I would die 
                    to put on my own kids. That is what guides me in what I make. When I 
                    opened the shop, I didn't really know what I was about, I was just sewing, 
                    but I've done a lot of reflection as to what I want my shop to be and so I let 
                    Archer and Sophia guide that. I hope everyone enjoys my hard work."

Lucky for my readers, Kelsey is giving away a $35 shop credit for an item of your choice from Archer & Antlers. Head over to my Instagram to enter! And, make sure to let your friends know!

Archer & Antlers is restocking their shop today with some new Spring items, so definitely head over to see whats new! And, if you aren't already, you should check out her Facebook and Instagram and click "like" for all the newest updates! Let me know in the comments below which is your favourite new piece!!

INSTAGRAM   FACEBOOK   ETSY

*Disclaimer* Product was gifted to me by Archer & Antlers in exchange for this review, however I only promote products in which I truly love and therefore all opinions are my own.