CONGRATULATIONS JODI COOPER!!!!!!!!

You are our winner for the BROBO giveaway!!! :)

LAST DAY TO ENTER THE BROBO GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!

Remember to "Like" BROBO on Facebook and to shoot me a quick email notifying me that you have done so!!! The lucky winner will be chosen tomorrow morning!!!

https://www.facebook.com/heybrobo

Goodluck!!!! :)

Everything happens for a reason

I believe every part of this title to be true. I believe the some people are meant to be in our lives at one point or another, and help us and guide us through different stages of life.

When Sean and I moved in to the house that I currently live in, I rented out a townhouse that I lived in throughout college. One family that happened to rent from me was a lovely couple with a new baby girl named Sophia. We immediately clicked over our European backgrounds and values, and not only did they become my tenants, they became my very dear friends. We had dinners together, our children played together, we took turns babysitting and I met their family from Romania.  They became a part of our family.

Ramona was one of the very first people I talked to when Sean and I separated. I went over to her house and cried and cried. I don’t remember much of the conversation but what I remember is that she said to me: “You know Suzanne, maybe you met me for a reason, maybe I am here to help you get through this tough time in your life” I remember this so clear, and to be honest, I am so very thankful. I’m not sure what I would have done without them during this time. Ramona, Sophia, and Jon have become another extension of my family, I hope to always have them in my life, and I cannot wait to put our plans in motion to travel through Europe together.

This past weekend, I visited Ramona in Burlington. We had dinner out with her colleagues and played with little Sophia. Sophia helped me pick out my outfit, watched me get ready, and we played with dolls--the complete opposite of what Owen and I would be doing. Our play time involves ninja turtles, fort building, wrecking towers and play fighting. ;)

People are part of your life for a reason and purpose. I am so grateful for them, and I will never forget how they’ve helped me.

Below, are a few photo’s from our weekend :) 

       

The other day while we were at Apple Land, Owen picked out a little pumpkin to take home. He was extremely excited to draw the scary face on the pumpkin and for Mommy to carve it.

We got home and Owen started drawing his masterpiece, and as I was carving his pumpkin, my not so steady hand chopped, and cut his pumpkin into basically one hollowed out hole! Not sure how to even explain this properly without showing you, but I completely messed up on this pumpkin and it ended up looking like a oval pumpkin shaped candle holder! Lol

I’ve promised Owen we would carve another pumpkin before Halloween, but until then, I found online some Halloween inspired crafts to do at home (below) that I thought I’d share with all of you.

^^^Owen and painted pumpkins tonight which was a lot of fun, and bonus—no carving required! ;)^^^

I hope you are having a great week with your kiddo’s! :)

http://dollarstoremom.com/2011/10/orange-jack-o-lantern-kids-craft/

http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2011/10/14/painted-pumpkin-art-project/

http://funfamilycrafts.com/egg-carton-cup-eyeballs/

In the past few years for Halloween, Owen has sported a Halloween bib, a tiger costume, a race car mechanic costume, and for this year he will be dressing up as SPIDERMAN! 

If you have yet to pick out a costume for your child, or you need a little inspiration, follow the links below for some great costume ideas! 

http://www.marthastewart.com/1035179/top-10-homemade-halloween-costumes-kids/@center/276965/halloween

^^^Homemade costume ideas^^^

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/no-sew-halloween-costumes-for-kids&lnk=mostpop&loc=child

^^^Homemade costume ideas^^^

http://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/homemade-halloween-costume-ideas/

^^^Homemade costumes for kids^^^

http://www.costumeexpress.com/m/cx_kids/77

^^^Costumes and accessories for kids^^^

http://www.costumesupercenter.com/kids+halloween+costume.html

^^^Order online costumes for kids^^^

Pictures from Owen's 4th Birthday and our little trip to Apple Land! :)

                              ^^^Dinner out with my little one at Bertoldi's the night before he turned 4.^^^

^^^Hot Chocolate and morning cuddles with Mommy! Happy 4th Birthday my little one! ^^^

                                                ^^^London Knights game with our friends^^^

^^^Owen's Father giving Owen some Birthday love^^^

                                            ^^^Boy in a tub^^^ :)

^^^Apple Land and the pie that is no longer^^^

While browsing through photos this past week in preparation for Owen's 4th Birthday, it was wonderful to reflect on the times that these photos were taken, and that smile of his-- sends me over the moon with delight! :)

 Owen has several smiles, each and every one I love. One smile is mischievous, another is sweet, one is kind and another curious, one smile shows all of his tiny teeth, the other a little grin. Sometimes his smile is upside down, and I love that one too. His eyes light up with every smile, he is perfect to me. 

When Owen came into this world, he gave me a new smile of my own. A smile that I only see when I have pictures with him, my face lights up, I am glowing. 

My darling little boy has made me the luckiest lady on earth. This has been the best 4 years of my life and I feel so grateful to have been blessed with becoming a mother on October 18th, 2009. 

Wishing you my dear Owen, the Happiest of Birthdays.

Love always,

Mommy. x0x0

Before the days of daycare and Junior kindergarten Owen was rarely sick, I can only recall one time that he had a cold while at home with me.

 Those days are far gone, and even with my best efforts to ensure we wash our hands before every meal and as soon as we walk in the door, I cannot always count on my little one to be as germ-cautious as I am when I am not around.

With Owen also being a picky eater at times, I thought it was important to look into vitamins for kids that would give them not only the vitamins they need and may not be getting, but also help with fighting off germs and help to boost their immunity.

Yummi Bears Organic Immunity Health Gummy Vitamins are gluten and dairy free, allergen free (which means all of their products are manufactured in an allergen free facility and contain no yeast, wheat, milk, eggs, soy, gluten, salt, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, artificial colors, artificial flavors, salicylates, or preservative, and are certified organic.)

Yummi Bears contain essential vitamins, but also immune boosting properties like Echinacea, Rosehip and Astragals.

You can find out more about this product by following the link here: https://www.babyorganicjoy.ca/product-p/hero990002.htm

Only give Yummi Bears to children who can chew and swallow safely, and always consult your health care professional if you have any concerns.

By taking proper vitamins, eating a healthy diet, and staying active, we are decreasing our likely hood of these catching these pesky colds! After all, winter will be before we know it and I would rather be out playing in the snow with my little one, than curled up on the couch with the sniffles, wouldn’t you? :)

Have a great day everyone! :)

The very first thanksgiving weekend I spent without my family. I had other obligations in London and the timing was poor for me to be taking off to Ohio, where we usually gather. I missed my family immensely, but I was happy to have my little one by my side, my friends around me, and we celebrated darling Vanessa's 4th Birthday!! :) I hope you all enjoyed your thanksgiving!! Below are some photo's from ours. :)