Birthday Cake

According to the kids and my husband, a birthday is just not a birthday without cake.

I believe in making my own cakes fron scratch as much as possible, and let me tell you - I must really love my husband because this required me to turn on the oven on Sunday (+29C) in Calgary, with no air conditioning!

I also try and make his a different type / flavour of cake each year, this year I got my insperation from Pinterest - a Mint Chocolate Chip "Ice Cream" Cake. 

First a few pictures and the recipe to follow.

The birthday boy and his cake.

So after dinner, someone comes to snuggle with her Daddy:

While someone else finishes my piece of cake:

I turn my head for a minute and look at what happens.  Oh, he is so his father's son!

The cake was delish.  The cake itself is a fantastic classic chocolate cake, but the icing tasted so much like the ice cream it is made to resemble.

Hubby, myself and the kids all gave it 2 thumbs up!

Mint Chocolate Chip "Ice Cream" Cake

David Lebovitz Devil's Food Cake

9 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ½ cups cake flour

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon baking powder

½ cup butter, at room temperature

1 ½ cups white sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

½ cup strong coffee (cold)

½ cup milk

Preheat oven to 350F.

Butter two 9” round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper, set aside.

Sift together, cocoa powder, flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together for about 5 minutes.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.

Stir half the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, and then add the coffee and milk; continue stirring and then add the remaining half of the dry ingredients.

Divide the batter between the two pans, and bake for 25 minutes, or until done.

Cool completely before frosting.

Mint Chocolate Chip “Ice Cream” Icing

2 cups butter, at room temperature

6 cups icing sugar

2-3 teaspoons peppermint extract, adjust to taste

150g dark chocolate, very finely chopped

Green food colouring

Place the butter in the bowl of your stand mixer, beat on high with paddle attachment until fluffy and smooth.

Add the icing sugar one cup at a time (you might need slightly less or more), until you reach your desired icing consistency.

Add the peppermint extract to taste and the food colouring.  Gradually add the chocolate pieces.

Source: Raspberri Cupcakes Blog

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the best husband / partner in the world!

I can't tell you how old he is, but I can secretly tell you that next year I will be planning a big party to celebrate a birthday number that ends with a zero!  (I will let you figure that one out.)

We're having cake at our house tonight to celebrate - there's lots, so come by if you want.

Happy Father's Day

He is the most amazing father ever.

He is involved.

He engages.

He knows not just how to take the kids out of the house by himself to a park or play place, but he also knows when to do it so I get some space and time alone.

Really, truly, the best!

Little Girl and Daddy

Little Boy and Daddy

I interviewed the kids about their Daddy, it is pretty funny, enjoy.

How old is Daddy?
Little Girl: I don’t know?
Me: Do you want to guess?
Little Girl: No.
Me: How many numbers do you think Daddy is?
Little Girl: 4
Me: Do you think Daddy is older than you?
Little Girl: No, oh, I know he is 16.

Little Boy: I don’t know?
Me: How many numbers do you think Daddy is?
Little Boy: 3

How tall is Daddy?
Little Girl: Bigger than you.
Little Boy: I don’t know, taller than Mommy (whispered from little girl).

Where does Daddy work?
Little Girl: At his office.
Little Boy: At his work.
　
What does Daddy do all day at work?
Little Girl: He works.
Me: What kind of work?
Little Girl: Stuff on his computer.

Little Boy: He eats mint chocolate and pushes buttons on his computer.
　
What does Daddy do when he comes home from work?
Little Girl: He puts his stuff down, takes his jacket off, talks to you, eats lunch, gets dressed (changes is clothes); after he gets dressed then he comes downstairs and sometimes when you go to book club we all go in the basement and play.
Little Boy: He right away goes to bed.

What is Daddy’s favourite food?
Little Girl: Jelly beans, the black ones.
Little Boy: My favourite crackers (Bacon Dippers).
　
What is Daddy’s favourite colour?
Little Girl: Blue and white.
Little Boy: Blue.
　
Who is Daddy’s favourite person?
Little Girl: You.
Little Boy: I don’t know? His boss!
　
What does Daddy like better dgs or cats?
Little Girl: Dogs, no wait he likes cats.
Little Boy: Doggies.
　
What sports does Daddy play / do?
Little Girl: He plays, ummmm, golf ball.
Little Boy: He plays a game to put some balls in the hole.
　
What is Daddy’s favourite movie?
Little Girl: Hockey.
Little Boy: Dragon movie - that is my favourite too (How to Train Your Dragon).
　
Who does Daddy love?
Little Girl: Me and (Little boy) and you, everybody in the family.
Little Boy: Brutis.
　
Anything you want to tell me about Daddy?
Little Boy: For 3 days when he went to his hotel we had fun with you.
Little Boy: He plays games on his computer.

Solo Parenting

When I first met my husband he worked in a job that took him out of town every Monday morning and he did not return until Wednesday evening.

You might think this is difficult on a relationship but in fact it allowed us both some space and forced alone time.  We never ended up smothering each other or completely neglecting all our friends which is so common in new and exciting relationships.

He did this job for the first 2 years of our relationship and looking back I think it was great.

But of course, when that job changed and he was home every night it was much nicer, he was there all the time and as we started having kids – I needed him there every night. 

When I first had Little Girl he was in a job that took him out of town once in a while – sometimes for 3 – 4 nights in a row – but it wasn’t very often.

I remember HATING those business trips.
I was home all day with a baby, and then no one came home to ‘entertain’ me.
I used to invite friends over for dinner every night he was out of town – just to give me adult interaction / conversation.

But that job ended right around Little Girl’s first birthday and his next job – the one he has currently, has not taken him out of town at all – until today.

Today I am solo parenting. 

I might have super powers for only 3 days, but I belive single
 parents truly do have super powers.

This is the first time I will be solo parenting for more than one night in a row in over 4 years.

Can I honestly admit that I am looking forward to it?

I have so many friends that solo parent a lot (like almost all the time and for weeks if not months on end) that I feel bad in saying that.
But it’s only for 3 nights.

I know the kids are going to have the hardest time with this one – they always want the parent that is not there – of course because all kids believe that the other parent is going to let them have cookies 10 minutes before dinner is ready.

But I also know that they and I will get used to it.  We will get into a routine that might involve me getting up a little bit earlier in the morning, but I can guarantee you, the house will be cleaner these next 3 days than if he were at home.

What about you, do you solo parent much? 
Do you have special rules while you don’t have a partner, like let the kids sleep in your bed? Or watch TV at dinner time?

BTW, I let the kids have the TV on while we eat dinner when Hubby is not there – bad parent I know!

A Little Blogging Break

I hate to admit how bad I have been this past month at blogging, but I am sure I'm not the only one that takes a little break now and again from blogging.

Sometimes I guess I just needed to focus inward and not so much on blogging.

But here is an update and what has happened in our lives for the last 2 week (nothing earth shattering - no, I am NOT pregnant).

On Mother's Day I joined my friend Armig to support and cheer her on as she ran her first ever 10K in the Sporkcheck Mother's Day Run and Walk.
She met both her goals!
1. She did not stop at all and 2. she ran it in under 1 hour - 59:25 to be exact.


Armig before her race.

We went out to the trailer for May Long.
I have virtually no pictures, but we allowed the kids to stay up for the fire works they put on, it was a first for both of them and this picture came off my iPhone.

They both loved them - Little Boy especially, but I think that was only because he managed to have a late afternoon nap and was no where near as tired as Little Girl.



I planted my garden - here is what it looked like right after I planted it - excited right?

My strawberries are coming along quite well - as of right now they are bit bigger and we have flowers already.

My rhubarb is also doing well - I was really hoping to be able to to make jam with it this year, but I don't know if I will have enough - looking like I manage to make a crisp or two.
If you have rhubarb you want to off load, let me know - there might be a jar of strawberry rhubarb jam in it for you.



Little Girl has been loving her soccer - she even had Grandma and Grandpa come to cheer her on for a game (which she loved).

Little Girl got her hair cut the other day.
I know, not big news for everyone, but considering we have been growing it long forever, I was a little sad to see it get cut.

Before

After

But the biggest news in our lives right now is that Hubby started his new job today!
He is working for the same company, but has moved from inside sales to outside sales.

This has been something he has been working towards for a long time.  It means he will now be out of town 3 days a month.
So next week I get to solo parent for 3 days.  I have been very lucky so far - never have I had to solo parent both kids for longer than one night at a time.
But I am sure we will all do well - the kids  and I will get used to it.  But if you want to cook me dinner next week and drop it off at our house around 5pm - I am more than okay with that too.

Well - that is all that is new for us, I promise to try and be a better blogger now - I do promise some more book reviews and hopefully some recipes coming up soon.

Have a good weekend!

Learning to Skip Rope

You know that man I wrote about a few days ago.
I only told you the story about how we met, I did not tell you what I have subsequently found out.

When I met him, I had no idea what kind of man he would be 9 years later.
I had no way of knowing what kind of Dad he would be.

I can honestly admit, I was a little apprehensive while I was pregnant with Little Girl, because until I had a significant baby belly, he used to get frustrated with me for coming home, laying on the couch completely exhausted after a simple day of work.
He asked me (more than once), "What is wrong with you?  Why are you so tired?"
To which, I used to say calmly in my super nice wife voice "I AM PREGNANT.  HOW DO YOU FORGET THIS?"

Yes, his Mother will agree with me, he is not known for his memory.

But back to the kind of Dad he is.
First, he spend quite a bit of time this winter with Little Girl working on teaching her how to skate, and this past weekend when she said she wanted to learn how to skip, he grabbed a rope, and started teaching her.

At first she had a hard time with the timing, so I jumped in (literally) and showed her how it works - but let me tell you, the last time I probably skipped like that was around 25 years ago, it is a lot different now.
25 years ago, I didn't have any boobs. 
I was not wearing a sports bra - let's just say both hubby and I were killing ourselves laughing at how much more 'movement' there is when you skip rope at our age now.

Back to Little Girl - she did great, it did not take her long to figure out the timing (with the help of a super fantastic, patient Father), and now all she wants to do is skip rope.


I can't remember how old I was when I learned how to skip rope, but I do know, I was not 5 years old and being taught by my father.

Getting to Know Us - Hubby

Since I did a blog post about our dog, I guess that means I have to continue with the rest of the family.

Next up: Hubby!

Instead of me telling you all about where he was born and how old he was when he lost his virginity (joking), I thought I would tell you about how we met.

Hubby is from Ontario, grew up in Toronto, but in 1997 he moved to Calgary with some friends.

The friends have all since gone home and lost touch with each other, but he stayed.
From what he tells me, he fell in love with the city, met some great friends and got very acquainted with the mountains.

In early 2003, he decided to take a part time job and landed one at the Saltlik Restaurant in DT Calgary.

In early 2003, I needed more money, and looking to make some new friends and hopefully find a boyfriend, I got a part time job at the same restaurant.

We were in the same training group and met on the first day.

He was actually the first person I spoke to in the training group.

We were friendly, but the whole group was.  After our last training session, we all headed out for drinks together where I did not believe he was as old as he claimed to be (29) and insisted on some ID. Hmm, sure enough he was 29 – but did not look it at all – he looked way younger.

Fast forward a few months, and my birthday was coming up, I invited a whole bunch of people to come out dancing and drinking.

He had a prior engagement, so could not attend, but instead he gave me a birthday card, saying that he would take me out later to celebrate.

I was in shock.

I had not looked at him that way yet, but obviously he had.

A few weeks later we finally were able to connect and go out for a drink together, and about a week after that we went out for dinner together.

There was no looking back.  We started dating mid-May 2003, and by September of the same year we were moving into a new apartment together.
We lived in our downtown rental together for 9 months before we bought our first house together and moved to the burbs.

We moved June 2004 and in September while on holidays on the beach in Tofino at sunset, he asked me to marry him.

Of course I said yes. And we got married in October 2005.

The rest is history as they might say, a dog, and 2 kids later and still as much in love as the day I said yes.

I wanted to include some pictures of him and I from early in our relationship, but everything we have from then is on film still, I have never transferred it over to digital, so the best I can give you are pictures from the last few years.

It is amazing how hard it is to find pictures of him with out at least one kid in the pictures.
Note to self: take more pictures of Hubby and not just when he has a kid doing something cute.

Summer 2011

Heli-Hiking August 2009

It is funny how many pictures I have of these 2 sleeping together.

Our family - December 2011

Funny

I thought I would share a very funny picture.

This weekend hubby was in the washroom, as he might have spent just a little bit too much tine in there.

The kids decided they needed to lock him in the washroom, I was in the kitchen not really paying attention to what they were doing, but when he tried to get out, I got the call - "Jenny, can you please help me?"

Of course what kind of wife would I be if I did not snap a picture to show him and later blog about it.

Picture taken with my iPhone - sorry about the poor quality.

They piled everything they could find - movies, Little Girl's Leapster is in there.

The only thing that would have made this better was if I was not home at the time (he literally could not push the door open based on how they positioned the blue chair against the wall.

God, I love those kids!

A Debate

Little boy turned 3 a few months ago, and Little Girl is turning 5 in about a month.  The other day I was getting dressed in our room as hubby and the kids hung out on our bed.
Hubby told me I should not be getting dresses (aka – naked) in front of Little Girl anymore, since she is almost 5.

What?  I looked at him like he had 3 heads!  Are you kidding me?  She is a girl; I am a girl – why can she not see me naked?

I get that very soon I am going to have to close the door on Little Boy seeing me naked (I am thinking before his 4^th birthday for sure), but do I have to do the same for Little Girl?

I told Hubby, that I grew up seeing my mother naked well into my teenage years, and if we take the kids swimming, there are plenty of women in the change room where you see more than their ankles.

So I told him I would put this out on the blog and see what everyone one else has to say.

Is there an age that I should no longer let me daughter see me naked?

Daddies

As we raise our 2 children I often sit back and marvel at the different kinds of relationships children have with their parents.

I know quite a bit of it is due to each parent having different personalities, but more times than not, I hear from my girlfriends about how their children and my children are the same in wanting Daddy for things over Mommy.

Today Hubby is going to be the parent helper in Little Girl’s pre-school. 

She is beyond excited about it.

He is bringing the snack – okay I planned and prepped the entire snack – he just has to remember to actually bring it.

Does he want to be the helper today?  Not really, but he is going to do it because he loves his daughter and it is going to be so special for her to have him there.

Dad’s hold such a special place in a child’s heart, I am so lucky to have a husband that is involved in his kids’ lives.

He is an amazing father!

Fishing together last summer.

Working Weekend

This past weekend we headed out to the trailer and took advantage of the quiet campground to do a bunch of work.

Hubby finished cutting up and chopping the wood.

Little Boy helped.

Little Girl was a great help moving the wood.



I love how she has to wear a dress every day and it does not matter what the job is, she will do it in a dress.



 Even Brutis was tired at the end of the day.



This weekend we did what we call as our pre-shut down.  We are going out one more time this fall when we will shut down the trailer for the season, but this past trip was for cleaning up the summer stuff.

Deflating the water toys, cutting up the wood for next year, cleaning out the fridge, freezer and pantry of everything except what we will need for our last trip out.

What about you?  Are you done camping for the season?  If not, when is your last trip out?

A Wood Shed

This summer our project out at our campsite was to build a wood shed.

Hubby took a look at a few other wood shed around, planned it out and look at what we have now.

Of course I can't take a picture without the kids running in to be included.

We decided to make a smaller section for chair storage.  This will clean up our deck considerably with all the chairs now living in their new home.

Fishing

This summer Hubby and I were talking a lot about getting the kids a fishing rod.  Since we spend so much time out at the lake, why not.

I wanted to get them Disney fishing rods - follow the links - Princess and Cars.

They are cheap, small for small kids - I thought they were prefect.

But, we camp in BC.  So, when I sent Hubby into town to get them from Wal-Mart - they are way more expensive than in Calgary.

And he thought they needed more features.

So - he got them full size fishing rods - they had a little tackle box, which they love, but we have to keep all the hooks in Hubby's tackle box for safety reasons.

Hubby took them down the first time to the dock to fish - Little Boy has no patience, Little Girl has more - but alas, no fish bit in the first 10 minutes.

Now I get to come and help.  Here are some photos from our last time out - again, no fish biting in the first 10 minutes.

(Someone is going to have to tell them it takes longer.)

I Came Home...

Yesterday I came home to find my husband playing restaurant with the kids.

It was quite possibly the cutest, most precious thing I have ever seen.

Blankets from their beds were covering upside-down laundry baskets. 

He was addressing Little Girl as Mademoiselle, and Little Boy as Sir. 

He had fancy names for all the food they were eating (crackers and M&M’s), they had menus (take our pizza flyers).

I can only hope you are all as lucky as I am to have such a wonderful father of my children!