Me and my minions

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Aidan, like most kids his age, loves Minions. And who wouldn’t? This animated film is just about the cutest children’s flick I’ve seen in ages. Though admittedly, I can’t decide which I enjoy more: Minions, Inside Out or the Toy Story series.

Children’s films have changed since I was young. No longer do the stories focus on the damsel in distress. The female characters are stronger. They are more independent. And where a love story exists, the happy-ever-after message focuses elsewhere. Frozen’s happy ending was about sacrifice and love of family. Brave’s was about personal growth and self discovery. Minion’s was about following, without regard, despicable people. Okay, so not the best message. But at least it wasn’t about rescuing the helpless princess, am I right? Continue reading

Celebrating the “training” years

IMG_5954Let’s not beat around the bush. It’s been a long, long, long time since my last post. So much has happened since last June when I temporarily retired my full-time mother status and crawled, much like an infant learning to walk, back into the corporate world.

I admit, shamefully, that I’ve ignored this site. Not because I couldn’t think of anything to post. And not because I didn’t come prepared with a back-up collection of recipes ready for my readers. I truly intended to continue posting, albeit less often, while working.

So what happened? To take a cue out of my blog title, I simply ran out of time. Continue reading

A Barnyard Bash — Celebrating Aidan’s 3rd Birthday

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Yesterday morning I woke up feeling like I ran a marathon. My body ached from my shoulders down to my toes. Despite having slept a good eight-hour spell, I was still exhausted. And don’t even get me started on the dehydration issues.

Except I didn’t run a 26-mile race. I didn’t run a half one. And I definitely didn’t complete the 10k. So what else could possibly put my body in such a state of exhaustion (sans alcohol of course)?

I planned an outdoor party for my son’s third birthday.

And then I got rained on.  Continue reading

Farmyard Birthday Plans — Egg Carton Thank You Gifts

IMG_4742Aidan’s 3rd birthday, a late June celebration, will be a very happy day for me and my family.

Our high-spirited son made us whole. He came into this world on the night of a massive thunder/lightning storm in Washington D.C. The storm knocked the power out of the city. Aidan’s name in Irish means the Celtic God of Fire. Coincidence? I think not. This kid has been a firecracker since the moment he came into this world. Continue reading

Edible Easter Baskets — Red Velvet Cupcakes & White Chocolate Cake Balls

IMG_4154A few Easters ago, my family and I were lucky enough to spend the holiday at my mother-in-law’s home in Ireland (and yes, I do say “lucky”, because yes, I do think my mother-in-law is pretty darn great).

I love the excitement this holiday brings to children. It’s also the only time of year where everyone collectively gets together to wear pastel colours. And well, that’s just pretty funny if you ask me. Continue reading

DIY Family Tree – the good, the bad, and the downright crazies

 

IMG_4082It’s not easy being away from your family.

Years ago when Stephen and I left Hong Kong it was because we wanted to be closer to home. Traveling 15-plus hours on a plane just to be home for the holidays was excruciating. And to even think of what would happen in case of an emergency put us in panic mode.

We didn’t always think this way. In our younger years, being away from family wasn’t very difficult because, well, we were in our 20s, a decade that should be renamed the “Selfish Decade” for all intent and purposes. This is your decade. Your time to find yourself, to think of only yourself, to discover your hopes, likes, deepest darkest desires, talents, and all the other things in this wonderful world that make us unique. I think this decade is critically important. And I don’t just say that because I had so much friggin fun in it!

This decade is what makes many of us, us. But it is also in this space that there is very little room for others. Even family. Continue reading