A Cheap Thrill

I have discovered the cheapest way to have fun on a backyard. Water guns... and not the crazy super soaker ones. All you have to do is go to Walmart and get the cheap ones... I bought an 8 pack for $8 and those little guns squirt far... I was soaked by the end of the fun! My three year old Jaxon loved it! All we did was chase each other and squirt each other and refill the guns and start all over. What a fun afternoon!

Book Review

I finished reading Fablehaven 4 Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary... I was pleasently surprised. There was one major twist that I only half figured out so I was still sort of shocked to learn it all. And I am left concerned about one character, so hopefully they will make another appearence in the last book. This wasnt my favorite of the 4 that I have read so far. But it was better then book 3 Grip of the Shawdow plague. I am starting to find this books pretty repetitive which is sort of dissappointing. Dont get me wrong I still enjoy them, but it always seems like everyone underestimates Kendra and Seths abilities and then they (kendra and seth) use their new magical powers to save the day again. Hopefully the final instalment will have more twists and turns. All and all Ill still buy these books because they are really fun, fast reads but I think 5 books was a bit much for the series... maybe 3 would have been better.

I am now taking a break from Fablehaven before I read book 5. I currently have the first book in the Kane Chronicals by Rick Riordan called The Red Pyramid. So Ill read that before I have to return it and then Ill read fablehave book 5. Keep watching for the book review on the Red Pyramid in a week... or so!

Chuck E Cheese

So here we are at my parents place up in Edmonton, and since it is monday its also family night and what do we do here in Edmonton for Family night?? Chuck E Cheese! And I learned something new about my sweetheart... he had never been to a Chuck E Cheese before! I WAS SHOCKED! But both Jaxon and Tim had a blast and we got lots of tickets (491) and Jaxon got to pick out 6 prizes this time. it was Awesome.
Jaxon is fairly new to Chuck E Cheese because we used it as a Potty training bride. Yes I am that kind of mom... I am not above briding my child. But the best part... it worked! I told Jaxon that if he could stay dry then he could keep coming back... and sure he still has his accidents, lets face it sometimes its a close call for even me, but I think its been only a handful in the months that he has been trained! I tell all parents take their untrained children to chuck E Cheese and then tell them they cant go back until they go on the potty... voila! Potty trained child... Yes it is that good!

Menu

I am about to head off to Edmonton for the week with my two boys. We will be visiting Mama and Papa while daddy goes camping. I am the anti camper and I know I need to get over it and take my boys camping but Jaxon just barely got potty trained and being slightly OCD will freak at the sight of the out house and the thought of Owen crawling around and eating who knows what (deer poop) from the ground makes me gag!
  Anyways... one thing I love about being at my moms is she is always as eager as I am to try new recipes! So here is a Menu filled with new recipes!
Monday - Chuck E Cheese (its Jaxons favorite Family Night when at Mama and Papas)
Tuesday - Crispy Ginger Lime Chicken
Wednesday - Moo Shu Pork
Thursday - Jerk Chicken
Friday - Pasta with sausage and swiss chard
Saturday - Leftovers
Sunday - Travel day (so dinner will be a surprise!)
   All of these recipes will come from Martha Stewarts Fresh Food Fast... its looks like a book filled with amazing recipes! So Ill let you know how it goes!

Breakfast Potato Skins

I have been trying to use up the food in my fridge before I leave for my mom's house for the week. Tonight was supposed to be pizza night but my fridge was already too full of leftovers for my liking. So I made up theses little beauties!
They are AMAZING!!!!

Breakfast Potato Skins

5 Russett Potatoes
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
2 egg yolks
2 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
about 1/2 cup sausage, diced (bacon would also work... but I had sausage)
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

1) If you dont have left over potatoes in the fridge; bake potatoes directly on the rack at 350 for 1 hour, allow to cool then cut them into quarters. Scoop out flesh, leaving 1/4 inch on shell. Brush both sides with Melted butter, place on a baking sheet skin side up and crisp at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
2)Prepare Topping; Mix ricotta, egg yolks, Parmesan cheese together. Season with salt and pepper.
3) Once potato skins are crisp flip them over (they should now be skin side down) and top with ricotta cheese and then sausage and then grated cheddar cheese. Broil until melted and bubbly.
4) ENJOY!

Heritage Park

Today we woke up to a deary cloudy day. Which was ok with me since it as house cleaning day. But Days were I am at home all day doing nothing too exciting make me miss the days were I am able to get my boys out of the house and doing something fun. So I thought Id share one of our favorite places here in Calgary. HERITAGE PARK. I am actually a little surprised at how much fun my three yr old Jaxon has when he is there. I bought an annual pass this year figuring it will force me to go and make use of the pass I had spent money on. We had been three times already this year and have many more visits planned. They have fun events through out the year, like Day out with Thomas, Rail Days, a Harvest Sale, etc, etc. but Jaxon's favorite part of this historical village is the Midway. He loves the rides. He is big enough to ride the mini ferris wheel on his own but I go on the rest with him. They have the catterpillar, the whip, a mini ferris wheel, a big ferris wheel, swings (which he has not attempted), a Carasoul and even mini boat swings.

Besides the Midway he also loves to ride the train the circles the park. Jaxon loves trains! We tried the Ferry but it was a but long for my little man.
My favorite stops??? Well the bakery is to die for and I have a sweet tooth so I always stop at the candy store too.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

  I love being Canadian! I may be baised but Im pretty sure Canada is totally awesome! To celebrate Canada Day we had a BBQ with friends. I had spent some time this afternoon making little quizzes for the BBQ but forgot to bring them over... yep Im that kind of mom! So here are my quizzes (I had to share them with someone!)
Canada… The Basics


1) What is the origin of the name "Canada"?
Canada is a name derived from the Huron-Iroquois kanata meaning, a village or settlement

2) Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada?
Sir John A. Macdonald

3) How many oceans touch Canada?
THREE - the Atlantic on the east, the Pacific on the west and the Arctic to the north

4) How many countries border Canada?
ONE - the United States of America

5) What are the provinces and territories?
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut.

6) When was the most recent territory in Canada formed?
April 1, 1999

7) In what year was O Canada proclaimed Canada’s National Anthem?
1980

8) What is the name of the highest mountain in Canada?
Mount Logan

9) How many time zones in Canada?
SIX

10) What are the capitals of the province’s and territories?
-BC – Victoria
-AB – Edmonton
-SK – Regina
-MB – Winnipeg
-ON – Toronto
-QC – Quebec City
-NB – Fredericton
-NS – Halifax
-PE – Charlottetown
-NL – St. John’s
-YK – Whitehorse
-NT – Yellowknife
-NU - Iqaluit

And here is the other one!
Famous Canadians


1) Who was the first French-Canadian Prime Minister of Canada?
Sir Wilfrid Laurier

2) Who led the Metis in the rebellions at Red River in 1870 and in the northwest in 1885?
Louis Riel

3) What is Laura Secord famous for?
Laura Secord warned the British of the impending attack on Canada by the Americans during the war of 1812 and because of this warning the British won the battle

4) Lucy Maud Montgomery published Anne of green Gables in what year?
1908

5) Who was the first Canadian in Space?
Marc Garneau

6) Who was the seamstress on the first Canadian flag
Joan O’Malley

7) George Orton was the first Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal. What sport was it for?
2500 m Steeplechase

8) Thomas Ryan invented what game?
5 Pin Bowling

9) This Canadian author studied for 7 years to be a Jesuit priest.
Robert Munsch

10) Who is often referred to has the Father of the underground railway/
William Still