It's about 10 a.m.

The dog is walked. Supper is starting to simmer in the crock-pot. I would say that I'm having a pretty productive morning. Yes!

The little one is down for her first nap (which she desperately needs after her first few days of daycare and terrible napping). This is usually the time I devote to Layla... a craft, an activity, some quality one-on-one time with my "big" girl.

One look around the kitchen... do I clean up now? do I wait until lunch?

"Layla... do you want to help me do the dishes?"

It's really the perfect way to spend time with her and get something very practical done at the same time. She loves playing in the water, within 15-20 minutes all of my dishes are done and I have to convince her that it's time to do something else.

She was just over 1 1/2 last year... she recognized Santa (the red suit and beard) and "got" the whole present thing (and had more candy!).

It's hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. The 2009 holiday season is really creeping up on me and I blame the particularly beautiful month of November (mild, sunny... wonderful!) that we've been enjoying in Montreal. I'm used to seasonal grey and somber weather that tends to push me into thinking about the holidays early as a way to lift my spirits. Not so much this year. With just over 3 weeks to go, I've barely made a dent in my Christmas shopping and I have yet to send out invitations or make plans for holiday entertaining.

I'm not completely unprepared though. I did have the good sense to think ahead and invite a bunch of ladies over for an old fashioned cookie swap. If you've never heard of one of these, the idea is simple and brilliant. Instead of baking up a frenzy during the already busy month of December (trying to have as many yummy baked goods and tasty treats on hand for when family and friends are visiting during the holidays) I will bake a gi-normous batch of one or two types of cookies or bars, invite others to do the same - and then we will "swap". Voila! The results will be a scrumptious variety of home-made desserts to offer my guests. Not bad, huh?

Nothing is ever quite THAT simple or THAT easy. Not for me. If I'm hosting this swap then I want to be sure that my contribution is excellent. So with 2 weeks to go before the cookie party I have begun trying out new Christmas cookie recipes! Way to take the simple out of something that is meant to simplify my holiday preparations! Ah well. I enjoy baking... and it gives me a fun activity to do with Layla. AND maybe I'll find a new favorite recipe??? Maybe.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer (with the paddle attachment) cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla; beat until incorporated. With mixer on, gradually add flour mixture. Beat until dough comes together.
3. Scoop dough into tablespoon-size balls onto a baking sheet line with parchment paper. Bake until golden brown (about 15 minutes) Transfer to wire rack to cool.
4. Meanwhile, stir together confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and 2 Tablespoons water. Place wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Once cookies have cooled, top with icing. Sprinkle with sugar and let stand until set.

Dear Layla,

With the new school year around the corner - and Brandon headed back to work full time next week - I am going to be on my own at home with the girls for the first time in a while. I know that this is what most moms are used to (and that I have been very very lucky)... but I have to admit that I am going to miss having him around - whether it's to grab Meaghan for a minute or entertain Layla while I do something else. All that said... I'm a little nervous and feel the need to be at least a little more prepared. I need a plan.

I know, I know... I'm nervous for nothing. For starters I'll only actually be "alone" with both girls a couple of days a week. Layla will be at daycare (for at least part of the day) 3 days a week. This keeps her spot for when I go back to work and will give me a chance to do all the laundry and housework without her "help" :-) AND on top of that - Meaghan is at an incredible age (4 months) where she is napping well and starting to entertain herself but not actually moving anywhere yet... therefore not requiring constant supervision (!) Nevertheless I want to be prepared for the days that I have Layla (my high energy, into everything, toddler) with me all day.

This need for a "plan" led me to my local craft store (with Layla) to purchase some much needed craft supplies. We left with paint, pompoms, feathers, children's scissors, glitter pens, construction paper, etc. I also bought an Usborne activity book for pre-school aged children - "Animal Fun".




Painting is supposed to be fun... and after purchasing all the stuff required to paint at home I was very excited to sit down with Layla and give it a try. Sigh. These are the times where I realize that I have very high expectations of my two-year-old.




"Layla. Watch. You wet the paint brush, you wet the paint, then you paint"

"Don't mix the colors sweetie"

"Layla, what did Mama say?"

"Layla! You have to wash the paint brush before you use a new color!"

"Layla!"

It's really very silly. What was supposed to be a fun activity for us to do together while her baby sister was napping turned into a frustrating half hour of me trying to control a toddler with a paint brush! I wanted her to use one paint color at a time, clean her paint brush in between BUT not use too much water... AND paint a picture with more than just one color. Too many rules Mama! I'm sure that's what she was thinking. In the end, I'm not sure I actually taught her anything about my "painting rules" but I still think she had fun. And THAT is what's important.

Next time I'll try and chill a little when she reaches her already blue covered paint brush for the white paint!

A.