Unicorn Lover

Unicorn Lover

Zeenah (officially 7 now) is beyond obsessed with Unicorns…..I think she counts unicorns in her sleep!!

Before we move to Canada (December 2016 ) she was so distraught about not being able to celebrate her birthday with her closest friends…I could totally relate to her as its such a big change mixed with so many emotions. I couldn’t bare the thought of her never forgiving me of depriving her with one last big bash. I tried to ignore it as much as I can but as the departure date was getting closer I decided to do something…..

So what did I come up with…..A “fake” birthday off course!!!  As my house was chaos of boxes half unpacked and couldn’t bare the thought of planning a full fledged birthday I decided to actually give in and have it somewhere….. it was a mix of Unicorn and Spa.

 

I booked a full Spa birthday at Sparkle Nail Spa in Discovery Mall. It was a full day of pampering Zeenah’s closest friends followed by lunch at Chillis and obviously her Cake.

The girls were all pampered from head to toe! Nailpolish, hair, makeup and fancy tattoo art. I found the cutest thing when they all were attempting to carry Zeenah…..and she loved every moment of attention.

 

 

No birthday is ever complete without a family group picture….this in particular I love because you can see my mommy in the background!!! 

 

She made sure I made a Unicorn topper and decorated with Rainbow Meringues……

I think I did good in Making Life Memorable twice over for that matter when it comes to her 7th Birthday!!!! Stay tuned for a post about her “Real” birthday with her New friends.

Things I love

Things I love

There’s one thing that always makes me feel complete and that’s my hair…..I am done with ponytails and buns ever since I bought this one piece of equipment….by far this is my favorite curler ever.

Something quick and easy to complete any look and that’s the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret

It’s one of those things that has made me wonder how I ever survived without it!!! This helps Making life Memorable with the perfect curls….

Lunchbox and Schedules

Lunchbox and Schedules

I always like to make sure that my kids eat healthy and have a variety of foods so to avoid getting bored of the same packed lunches. When you have a busy schedule like our households planning comes a long way.

The first thing is to figure out a system and lists is the way to go!!! Yest at times life kinda gets in the way and your find yourself limited because you haven’t had time to go to the grocery store. That’s when you may resort to making unhealthy choices because lets face it “It’s Easy!” To avoid that I kinda have some sort of “Go To” choice that may not be completely healthy but its not junky.

My “Go To”, now remember 2 kids mean 2 different taste buds, so my quick fix that i make sure I never run out of in the house is…….. Turkey sandwich (bread for J and lettuce wrap for Zee) pickles on the side, no one likes a soggy sandwich! Cheese cubes, cucumber and apple slices. What’s your “Go To”?? Share in the comment section!

Maybe one day I’ll be fancy enough to make one of those fast videos of me prepping a lunch box  after all its also pushing my boundaries and  Making Life Memorable along the way!!

 

Olympian Distance Challenge

Olympian Distance Challenge

There’s nothing more important than to help your child learn the act of selflessness …. Jennah is participating in a distance challenge where she will swim as much as she can for 2 hours!! This is to help raise funds for the Alberta Diabetes Foundation and the Olympian Swim Club.

Zeenah will also be participating but on a smaller scope off course!!

Check out Jennah’s donation site CLICK HERE

Please help Jennah reach her goal by donating for a good cause!!! She’s Making Life Memorable one stroke at a time!!!

 

 

Fancy PhotoShoot-Easter

Fancy PhotoShoot-Easter

The wonderful thing i found about moving to Canada is the fact that you instantly become part of a community. With the help of social media and our “Community League” facbook page i got to virtually meet so many members of my community. It keeps me up-to-date without trying and knowing what new businesses are basically in our backyard!

This is exactly how I found out about the BODEUX PHOTOGRAPHY! We had the best time during the girls Easter photo session…

There was lots of gigles and laughs and Jared was absolutely amazing and patient when the girls were a little too silly!! And boy can the be extra silly!!!

Everything was super easy from the time we booked our session all the way to downloading the pictures!

 

As hard as it was to choose a picture to feature on the blog I figured I have to just blindly pick one!!

But then you don’t really get the essence of how much fun the girls had as much as this picture!!!

So the next time you are Making Life Memorable be sure to contact  BODEUX PHOTOGRAPHY I’m positive you’ll have a wonderful experience.

For more information contact Jared Bodeux

HELLO@BODEUX.CA

780.993.4154

Easter at PRAIRIE GARDENS

Easter at PRAIRIE GARDENS

I started off this post writing “I’m so Excite” then I realized this seems to be a reoccurring way to start…  That’s not good blogging technique but hey I’m really excited so I’m thrilled, enthused, delighted….or whatever adjective you choose about what we have planned for today!!!

We are taking the girls to PRAIRIE GARDENS to their Hop! Easter Festival I’m not sure if the girls are going to have much fun as I will!!!

I can’t wait to get there and do everything!!! If you’re interested the details for the00 are:

Good Friday April 14th, Saturday April 15th, Easter Sunday April 16th, and Holiday Monday April 17th.

I’m pretty sure  Prairie Garden will be Making Life Memorable for us this Easter!

 

Easter Treats….

Easter Treats….

I’m so excited I get to send some treats to school with the girls!!! I’m convinced my DIY hobbies are turning into an addiction…….but still don’t care!!!

 

Due to some gluten and nut restrictions in class this Easter I’m sending something fun but simple!!! These Easter bags are filled with chocolate and sprinkle coated marshmallows and popcorn. A little sweet and a little salty is what I’m going with.

 

 

 

I also made little tags with the girls names to add something a little more personalized!!! Nothing too fancy just little bunnies on Polka labels with a small “Happy Easter” and each girls’ name.

 

 

Found some really cute Easter themes ziplock bags at Dollarama which made it that much easier than designing my own…..plus being Very cost effective!

I’m just keeping true to myself and what I love doing!

Making life Memorable one holiday at a time….

 

Easter Photo

Easter Photo

One of the nicest things since I’ve moved to Canada is that I don’t have to work so hard on recreating a celebratory atmosphere for the girls. Everyone celebrates too!!

With Easter around the corner everywhere I look are bunnies, eggs and chicks….So much to choose from that I end up feeling extremely overwhelmed and the fact that I still don’t have my usual plan. I’m going to miss my usual Easter egg hunt in my garden with my playgroup peeps!

Yet there’s so much to do around here I hope that I venture out to at least one event!

 

We did get to go to West Edmonton Mall and were surprised to see the bunny photo Op….I really felt like i was in one of those movies….My version would definitely be a “National Lampoons” one!

You can get yours done at West Edmonton Mall until April 17 at the Centre Stage, Level One, in front of Hudson’s Bay

Mon-Thu Noon to 7pm

Good Friday & Sunday Noon to 5pm

 

 

The girls loved all the fancy decorations on the stage and getting some cotton candy must have been another highlight too!!!

So If you haven’t already and you’re in Edmonton I suggest you get hopping and start Making Life Memorable!

Get them Greens

Get them Greens

Every household has their eating habits and I must say I’m blessed that my children defy the norms of “kid food” habits. I’m not sure if its because that’s just what we as parents eat and so they follow or because I never prepared kid food for them to begin with. Never the less I’m grateful no matter how it happened.

So tonight by popular demand its baked Brussels sprouts & Zucchini. The easiest recipe EVEEEEEER!!! You can basically use this method for ANY vegetable. So choose your family favorite and get prepping!

ZuchCUTbrslCUT

 

First off cut your veggies length-wise……

This is probably the most tedious part of the dish because after the first dozen you really get bored.

How people find cutting veggies relaxing is beyond me! Painfully time consuming!

 

 

Line a cookie sheet with parchments paper…now I’m not sure if there’s any baking purpose for this step but it for sure makes washing your cookie sheet a lot faster!! Another thing I can’t understand how people find washing dishes relaxing!

Drzl

Drizzle your veggies with olive oil. I also like to add Oregano and fresh ground black pepper. You can basically use what ever spice you like….. Paprika, dried parsley….etc Or some shredded Parmesan for an extra taste kick. Mix your veggies around to get them evenly coated.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in 400 degrees oven.  An vioala…. fancy baked veggies!

done

 

How’s that for Making Life Memorable one dish at a time!

Kisses, hugs & handshakes Oh My!

Kisses, hugs & handshakes Oh My!

Our lives are always ever changing and dynamic as ever. Some may have it all figured out, others are just happy letting it take its course. For us we always want more as a family. More time, more hobbies, more security more more and more of whatever.

After 17 years of my husband being in Kuwait and “letting it take its course” he finally decided its time for much “More” by moving “home” as he calls it. What that more is we have yet to see as our lives unfold with our very courageous (on my part at least) leap of faith.

Leaving my family, friends and life as I know it to a city, province and country that is completely and utterly new. The move to Canada was always inevitable in my husband’s eye. After all our girls and himself are Canadian ….It is their home, their future and their opportunities. But still we go back to all new to me and I basically have the opportunity to reinvent myself and start everything from scratch. New home, new friends, new lifestyle and new everything.

Among so many things to adjust to, which I’m sure i’ll touch base on every once in a while, there is one major thing that I’m finding very different & sometimes awkward and that’s our greetings. Back home the most common way of greeting each other is the 2 cheek kiss. Peck on the right, peck on the left and you’r set. Yes its stereotypical but true Middle Easterners are just really touchy feely in that way. When I was in college in the States it was always a “hello hug” simple and straight to the point. Then off course there’s the universal handshake when its someone you just meet or not very close too. Yet i find myself in Canada standing awkwardly more often than not. I’ve met several people and we have passed the polite handshake yet I realized I’m always the one that’s reaching in for a “hello hug” and because Canadians are known for their politeness they respond. Does that mean there isn’t a hug?? Am I supposed to just walk into a friends house and shrug and say “Hey whatsaaaaaap!”?? Hmmmm I should try that Because up until now (3 months into our move) I still wonder……..

NewHomeBLOG

 

 

 

So until I figure out my greeting I’ll continue Making Life Memorable in my own way in our new home!