Recipe #12 "Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti"

Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti with Garlic Toast

What you need:
- 1 or 2 (2 pound) Spaghetti Squashes. (1 makes plenty for 2 if you serve it with a side like I did, but more   people means more squash needed)
- Favorite low calorie pasta sauce
- Raw Carrots
- Zucchini (I do this dish the exact same week I do this dish  (http://ihavenipplestoo.blogspot.ca/2013/05/recipe-11-zucchini-pizza-boats.html) since they both require the same sauce. It saves on groceries.  I do the Zucchini Pizza boats first so the first night and two days later do this dish, so that the hallowed out zucchini doesn't get soft.
- Black olives (optional)
- Diced white onions (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Finely Shredded Parmesan cheese
- No salt added seasoning blend (I use Mrs Dash but anything goes)
- Buns or bread for the garlic bread
- garlic powder
- parsley (optional)

Steps:
1) Preheat over to 425 degrees, Slice Spaghetti Squash in half length wise

2) Using a fork get all the seeds and "pumpkin stuff" out of there. It should look like a boat, don't worry the spaghetti squash stuff is still there under the thin layer.

3) Sprinkle on some of your no salt seasoning around the hollowed out part.

4) bake in the oven on an oven tray for 55 minutes.

5) Make the sauce (or if you made the "Zucchini Boats" earlier in the week then microwave or reheat in a sauce pan just before the squash is done.) pour spaghetti sauce in a bowl, and finely dice the carrots (I use my "SlapChop"), zucchini, white onions and black olives.

6) Once squash is done cooking use a fork to scrap out the squash spaghetti strands and place them in a medium (or large) bowl.

7) make your garlic toast, butter or margarine on a bun half, add some garlic powder (I use roasted garlic powder) a bit or parsley flakes and shredded Parmesan cheese. Bake till brown. (2-5 minutes)

8) Once all strands are out toss the strands in the bowl with 2-3 tablespoons of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese. add some salt and pepper to taste.

9) Plate some spaghetti squash like you would regular spaghetti and top with some sauce and some more Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy with a lovely glass of red wine (or two glasses depending on how the kids were that day)!!

Pancake Fun Shapes

Holidays bring three things around to my house.

1) In-Laws or Family.

2) Babysitters (said in-laws or family babysit while my wife and I go out with a friend couple we don't get to see enough)

and

3) PANCAKES!!!!

My father in-law loves making pancakes for everybody, and we love eating them.  I think we have created quite a friendly competition between his pancakes and my world famous crepes (http://ihavenipplestoo.blogspot.ca/2013/03/recipe-7-my-world-famous-crepe-recipe.html) with the ladies enjoying the benefits of a friendly rivalry.

I think I win because whenever my crepes are done there are none left for leftovers, while there are always pancakes leftover no matter how many people are eating them.

Which left us a bit of a problem.  What to do with all those leftover pancakes?

Here is a great mini solution for your toddlers and kids at home.

Take their favorite shaped cookie cutter and cut them fun shapes.

They can then "dip" them a small container of syrup.

Great for taking to preschool, school or the park.  Fun for all the kids and like we learned in this blog post (http://ihavenipplestoo.blogspot.ca/2013/03/secret-sanity-tips-of-stay-at-home-dad.html) one new thing makes all old things seem new to kids. So even if they won't eat the big round pancakes, I almost guarantee you they will eat these ones.

Enjoy.

Recipe #11 Zucchini Pizza Boats

Recipe #11 Zucchini Pizza Boats

What you need: 
- 1-2 Zucchini's per person (get ones that are fairly thick as you are gutting them)
- 1/2 a jar of Spaghetti Sauce (I made "sloppy joe's" earlier in the week and used half for that recipe and half for this recipe you can also make this (http://ihavenipplestoo.blogspot.ca/2013/02/recipe-1-grilled-stuffed-mini-peppers.html) recipe in the week too so that you aren't wasting spaghetti sauce.)
- 2 Long carrots
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Mini Grape Tomatoes (optional)
- Black Olives (optional)
- a side of your choice I chose Couscous, but Quiona works as does rice. or a salad if you prefer with garlic toast.

Step #1
Preheat the over to 450 degrees.
Cut the ends off of your zucchini and wash them.

Step #2
Cut the zucchini's in half length wise and using a knife and a spoon, gut the insides making a canoe.
SAVE THE INSIDE STUFF IN A SEPARATE BOWL.

Step #3
Take the saved inside stuff and dice them really small (I used my "Slapchop" for quick work)
Peel and dice the two carrots the same way.

Step #4
Mix the diced carrots and zucchini in a bowl with the spaghetti sauce, stir them together really well.

Step #5
Arrange the hollowed out zucchini boats on a baking tray and take a spoon and fill the hollowed out zucchini boats with the sauce, not all the way to the top as they will bubble and boil while being cooked.

Step #6
Cover the sauce filled zucchini boats with shredded mozzarella cheese. Top with sliced mini grape tomatoes and sliced black olives if you like.

Step #7
Put in the preheated oven for 20 minutes (or until the cheese is melted and turning brown), the longer you cook it the softer the zucchini will be.

Step #8
Make your side while the zucchini is cooking.

I know last blog post (http://ihavenipplestoo.blogspot.ca/2013/04/its-not-vegetables-fault-its-food.html) I promised to share a Brussel Sprout recipe to prove that posts point, but I forgot to take pictures of the meal. I will post that recipe soon I promise, but this recipe proves that point too!  I never ate Zucchini as a kid or young adult and I love it now. Thank you "Food Network".

It's not the Vegetables fault, it's the "Food Networks" fault!!

I've come to the realization that I don't actually hate cooked carrots.

I hate the way my mom cooks carrots!!!!

Growing up I dreaded seeing cooked carrots on the plate, because they were always soggy and tasted too much like butter.  I always thought that one of the best parts of growing up was not having to eat cooked carrots anymore.  I'm an adult and if I don't want to eat cooked carrots then I won't.

I would go to buffets and load my plate with a smorgasbord of meats and seafood, but NO veggies.  Thinking that they would taste awful. I remember one time a complete stranger asking me one time "You gonna put any veggies on that plate?" and me saying without a beat: "If I wanted veggies one my plate I wouldn't have moved out of my parents house".

The truth of the matter is I have avoided all kinds of vegetables:

Cooked carrots

Brussel sprouts

Zucchini

Asparagus

Spinach

Egg Plant

But this isn't the vegetables fault. It's my mothers fault. Or maybe it's the "Food Networks" fault!!

If the "Food Network" aired in the 1980's, then it's quite possible that the way I used to look at food would have changed completely.

My mother may have learned that it doesn't take 30 minutes to cook a pork-chop, and that pork-chops don't only need to be served only with "cream of mushroom soup" poured over them.

My mother may have learned that carrots don't only need to be "steamed" till they are almost soup, but that they can be sauteed, fried, BBQ'd or "lightly steamed".

My mother may have learned that there are more cultures of food other than her own, "Chinese food" and "Italian". (I never tried Vietnamese food until I was in my 20's and Sushi until I was in my late 20's, that's my parents fault because they never introduced me to the amazing flavors of the many nations of the world.)

The truth of the matter is my mouth, tongue and taste buds are loving my late 30's eating experience. I am trying to cook new things and I am enjoying eating new things.  I am loving the many ways to eat cooked carrots be it in a Sushi roll, Steak roll, soup, sauteed or grilled.

I can't blame my mother for her cooking skills as I still have to see her all the time.

So I blame the "Food Network"!!

Don't get me wrong "Food Network" I love you!

I love the 1 hour of silence I get when the "wifey" watches one of your shows.

I love the new flavors and tastes my mouth experiences when the "wifey" cooks a new recipe she learned from that 1 hour of silence.

I love the fact that there are more "F-Bombs" per 30 minutes on your network than HBO.

And I love Chopped! Oh what will the mystery basket reveal next episode?

PS: I still hate "sweet potatoes" and "Yams"!!!

PPS: I have a great Brussel Spouts recipe which I will post later this week which will solidify this blogs statement.

Recipe #10 Steak Veggie rolls (Cowboy Sushi)

Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls: 

I saw this recipe on Pintrest and thought I'd make it last week for my wife for date night.

It turned out awesome!! (Great way to get my wife to eat steak, small portions are nice)

Ingredients: (makes 8-10 rolls)

* 8-10 thin sliced sirloin

* Salt & Pepper (according to taste)

* 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

* Any steak seasoning you like (I used Thai sweet chili to off set the Worcestershire sauce) 

* 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Veggie filling -

* 1 carrot

* 1 bell pepper

* 1/2 a zucchini (depending on size)

* 5-6 green onions

* 2 cloves of garlic

* 1 tsp Italian herb seasoning

For the Balsamic glaze sauce-

* 2 tsp butter

* 2 tbsp finely chopped shallots

* 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

* 2 tbsp brown sugar

* 1/4 cup beef broth

Method:

1)  Start by prepping the steak. Trim of as much fat as you can, and cut the steak into 3 inch wide strips. You can then tenderize the meat with a meat hammer (if you’re using sirloin it doesn't need any tenderizing but you still may want to make it flatter)

2) Season the steak pieces generously on both sides with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce and your choice of steak sauce. And let them sit in the marinade for at least 30 mins if not a couple hours.

3) While the steak is marinating you can prep the filling for them. Chop up the carrot, bell pepper and zucchini into matchstick size pieces, little longer than the width of the steak strips. I used a mandolin slicer to jet thin sliced and hand cut them to make matchsticks. I then cut the green onion in a similar size and sliced them in half length wise. For the garlic, simply peel and crush the cloves with the flat side of your knife, just enough to bruise them.

4) Now for the sauce, melt the butter in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and saute it for a minute or 2 until they turn soft and translucent  Add the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and beef stock and stir to mix everything well. Allow the sauce to come to a boil and reduce to almost half its volume. You’ll notice it starts becoming thicker and have the consistency of syrup. The butter also starts separating and comes to the top. Turn the heat off and transfer the sauce to a bowl.

5) In the same pan (no need to wash it) add a touch of olive oil and toss in the garlic cloves to allow them to flavor the oil for a few minutes. Turn the heat up to high and toss in the carrots, bell pepper and zucchini (there’s no need to cook the green onion) and stir fry the veggies for no longer than 2-3 minutes. Season them with the the Italian herb seasoning and salt and transfer the veggies to a bowl.

6) To assemble the steak rolls, simply take a strip of the marinated steak and lay it with the short side towards you. Place the veggies (don't forget the green onion!) in the middle and roll the beef up over the filling, securing it with toothpick. Repeat the same with the other rolls.

7) Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a touch of oil swirling to coat bottom. When hot, add beef rolls, seam side down, not touching and pan fry for a couple minutes. Then turn roll and cook it on all sides in the same way. Cook until you’re desired done-ness. (Thin steaks don't take long to cook at all) 

8) Remove the toothpick and serve with the balsamic glaze sauce spooned over the top of each roll.

Splash Park & Wading Pools in Calgary

Now that "Spring" is almost here, I've decided to compile a list complete with photos of my daughters favorite splash parks we visited last year (and will again this year).

Most Splash Park hours are (9 a.m. - 9 p.m.) and open mid June to September long weekend

1) Riley Park

Location: 800 12 St. N.W.

Park hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m.

- Wading pool - typically open mid June to September long weekend

- Picnic sites

- Playground Washrooms (seasonal)

- Water fountains (seasonal)

- Concession (independently operated)

2) Eau Claire Market 

Location: 3 St. & Riverfront Ave. S.W.

*Bonus take the c-train, pack a lunch and make a day of it.  

- Eau Claire Market - one of a kind shops and restaurants

- Wading pool/spray park

- Playground (near the wading pool, but a bigger one just across the bridge in the park) 

- Washrooms (seasonal)

- Water fountains (seasonal)

- Amphitheatre

- Pay parking available

3) Prairie Winds Park

Address: 223 Castleridge Blvd. N.E.

- Picnic site with cover

- Playground

- Wading pool and spray park - seasonal (9 a.m. - 9 p.m.) 

- Concession (seasonal)

- Massive hill perfect for rolling down

4) Rotary Park

By far my favorite of the splash parks (there isn't a great photo as the splash park was just renovated so I just copied an image from "Google Maps") 

 Location: 617 1 St. N.E.

Park hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m.

- New spray park (9 a.m. - 9 p.m.) - typically open mid June to September long weekend

- Playground areas 2 massive playgrounds for ALL ages of kids.

- Washrooms (seasonal) are directly in-between the splash park and the playgrounds.

- Water fountains (seasonal)

5) Canmore Park (Not in Canmore it's actually in the NW of Calgary) 

Location: 2836 Canmore Rd. N.W., parking lot located off 19 St. & Chicoutimi Dr. N.W. 

- New spray park now open! 

- Ball diamonds

- Washrooms (seasonal)

- Water fountains (seasonal)

- Pathways

- Benches

- Picnic tables

6) South Glenmore Park (Also known as Variety Park)

Address: 90 AV SW & 24 ST SW 

- Splash Park (seasonal)

- Playground 

- Washrooms (seasonal)

- Everything is all together and fenced in. 

7) Valley View Park

Address: 3103 28 ST SE

- Splash Park (seasonal)

- Playground

- Washrooms (seasonal)

- Water fountains (seasonal) 

Recipe #9 Italian Sausage with Pasta

Italian Sausage with Pasta

Ready in less than 20 minutes

Recipe serves 4 with leftovers for lunches.

What you need:

- 1 package of mild (or hot) Italian sausages (usually 6 in a pack)
- Pasta your choice (Penne, Spiral, bowties, spaghetti...)
- 1 package of "KNORR" Pasta Seasoning "Sun-dried Tomato Parmesan" flavor
- Black olives (if your family likes them, my family loves them)
- Green onions finely chopped
- 1 Pepper (Green, Red, Yellow or Orange you choose the color, I tend not to use green as we already have green in the dish from the green onions) NOT the hot kinds just the pepper kind.
- Mushrooms (fresh not canned unless there is no salt added) finely chopped
- Parmesan cheese (grated over top for a nice flavor kick)
- Fresh ground pepper for flavor after

Step #1
Take all the sausage out of it's skin.


Step #2
Cook pasta according to directions


Step #3
Place sausage out of it's skin in a frying pan set to medium/high Cook until it is no longer pink, it should look like ground beef when done.

Step #4 
While Sausage and Pasta are cooking chop all veggies for and place them in the frying pan with the cooked sausage.Turn heat down low and cover, stirring occasionally to make sure veggies are cooked.

Step #5 
Drain Pasta when ready. Put pasta back in Pot once drained and add the KNORR Pasta seasoning "Sun-dried Tomato Parmesan" following the directions on the package.  Mix it really good so all pasta is covered.

Step #6
Place pasta and add Sausage & Veggies on top of  the pasta.  Grate some Parmesan cheese on top, fresh pepper and serve.

Don't be only defined as being a mom (or a dad)

Don't lose you!!

In your amazing life you have been a daughter (or a son), a sister (or a brother), a student, a career woman (or career man) and now a mother (or father).

Don't lose or forget (insert your name here) and (insert education here) and (insert career here).

You aren't only defined as being a mom (or dad), you are defined by ALL your life's accomplishments.

Reminder that you will always be a mom (or dad) from this day forward, but your child will not always need/require your constant mothering (or fathering).  They will eventually go to school full days, eventually move out, eventually start their own family.

You give and give every single day being a parent.  Don't forget to take as well.

Take some time for you.

Buy wine and have a bath, read a book, watch a food network show, or rent "Magic Mike".

Take some time for you.

Being a stay-at-home parent (or "trophy spouse") means you are never allowed to call in sick, you are a parent 24/7 365 days a year until they are kindergarten age!!  Then if you are lucky you get 1/2 days to yourself (to the lucky few you get full days).

Take some time for you.

Some days I can get up and play, play and play. Other days I honestly can't.

I am not ashamed of doing the following:

We would be driving back from a play-date or the zoo or somewhere and my daughter would see a park and ask to go. Me not feeling it and wanting to go home, I would run the "windshield washers" on a nice day and explain to my 2 and 1/2 year old that it was raining.

Now before everybody starts getting upset, it's not like we went home and did nothing. We would play "princesses" or do a craft or play toys.

Take some time for you.

Every Friday our family does "Friday Family Fun Night", we make supper together and we watch a kids movie together as a family.

Take some time for you.

Every Saturday my wife and I have ourselves a date night.  We take turns planning a meal and cooking for each other.  We wait till our daughter goes to bed and while one of us is putting her to bed, the other is chilling wine, lighting candles and cooking a nice romantic meal.

Take some time for you.

For me it's that moment when the kids asleep and I'm chilling watching sports and having a cold one.

What do you do to take some time for you? 

Secret Sanity Tips from the early years of Baby

Some more of my secret sanity tips.

This time from the early years.

Tip #1

Sound Machine.

We found out about the benefits of having a sound machine next to your child the hard way.

When our daughter was born she was sent to NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), she wasn't a premie or anything like that. She was born with an issue. I'm not going to go into everything, but as a result she was having seizures and needed tests and she was monitored at the NICU for almost 2 weeks. To keep all the babies from crying at once, most if not all the babies had sound machines next to them.  This cuts out distracting noise and allows for deeper, calmer sleeps.

 These "Conair" sound machines have 10 settings everything from a heart beat to white noise to a flowing stream.

They are available at most stores: London Drugs, Wal-Mart, Superstore and are less than $25.

We continued to use it at home and bring it on vacations. It has been indispensable.

Best part?  Child doesn't wake up for parties at your house!!

Tip #2: 

Swaddling your baby.  This is essential for a great night sleep for you (and your baby).

Benefits of swaddling your baby:

Babies sleep longer!! Your baby is used to being tightly snuggled in the womb, swaddling brings this comforted sensation back to your baby.

Less Crying! Free moving arms and legs cause the baby to wake up or startle.  This upsets them and causes over stimulation. Babies cry to block out the stimuli.  Swaddling cuts down on movement and stimuli resulting in less crying and unnecessarily waking up.

Fewer Scratches! Newborn babies are like "Wolverine" from the X-men!  Their nails are extremely sharp and grow fast! When a baby is swaddled it is less likely to scratch it's own face and body.

How to properly swaddle your baby.

Thanks to the "Aden + Anais" website (http://www.adenandanais.com) for this simple step by step guide.

Aden & Anais are available in Canada with Free shipping from Babybot (http://babybot.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=aden+and+anais)

How to Swaddle Your Baby

STEP 1 
Lay the swaddle in a diamond shape and fold the top corner down to form a triangle. Place your baby in the center of the folded area with their head just above the fold of the swaddle. Ensure that your baby’s shoulders are still below the fold.

STEP 2 
Place your baby’s right arm slightly bent at the elbow flat against their body. Take the left side of the swaddle and bring it across your baby’s chest. Ensure their arm is securely under the fabric. Tuck the edge of the swaddle under their body to ensure a secure swaddle.

STEP 3 
Fold the bottom of the swaddle up & over your baby’s feet.

STEP 4 
Finally, place your baby’s left arm slightly bent at the elbow against their body, take the right side of the swaddle & bring it across your baby’s chest. Tuck the excess fabric underneath your baby to secure the swaddle.

Tip #3 

If the baby is crying the baby is breathing. 

I got this advice from a single parent mom who raised her child on their own from the age of 17.  

What this advice means is that there are times when you are going to get stressed, you are going to get frustrated and there are going to be times when you don't know what to do. 

If the baby is crying uncontrollably and you are getting in those can't figure what to do and stress is running high stages.  Put the baby down safely in their crib and take a moment.  Catch your breath and remind yourself that if the baby is crying the baby is breathing!!  

(Also another tip for those nights is watching a video called: "Happiest Baby on the Block" which gives you tips to settle babies down and prevent those types of nights. 

http://www.happiestbaby.com/

TIP #4

Read this book. 

"Go the "F" to Sleep" 

Sample page:

It is NOT a book for you to read to your child!!  It is a book for parents to read.  It is a lighthearted story about a child who can't fall asleep.  

Also when you read this book realize this guys kids is an angel and it was just one of those nights (listed in Tip #3) which inspired the story. 

Here is the audio recording of the book read by Mr. Samuel L Jackson.  

(WARNING ADULT LANGUAGE!!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIBqd1kxoQk

Recipe #8 Moist Perfectly cooked Pork Chops

Pork chops

Ingredients: 

- 1 pork chop per person
- Olive oil for frying (just a splash)
- 2 cloves of garlic, skin on crushed
- small bunch of Thyme (fresh or powder, but fresh is always better)
- butter (1/4 cup) for basting
- salt & pepper for flavoring

Top top your pork chops

I personally like them plain, there is plenty of flavor with the above ingredients but my wife loves either apple sauce or salsa with cilantro or salsa with Chipotle flavor. You'l notice salsa with cilantro in the picture.

Sides:

Your choice, homemade salad, Caesar salad, steamed veggies, anything healthy.

Step #1

- using a sharp knife make cuts in the fat of the chop (about 5mm deep and about 3-4 cm apart.  DON'T CUT INTO THE MEAT, just the fat), this will keep the pork chop from curling.
- season pork chops with salt and pepper really well on both sides, pound the seasoning into the meat.

Step #2

- Place frying pan over high heat until hot and add a splash of oil.
- add the pork chops, garlic and thyme and fry for 2-3 minutes (until colored).
- turn and fry for another 2-3 minutes, push the thyme under the chops and break up the garlic a little.

Step #3

(this technique came from "Gordon Ramsay's" ultimate cooking course)
- towards the end of cooking time add the butter and baste the chops. (to baste you tip the frying pan towards you slightly creating a "pool" at the bottom of melted butter, garlic and thyme, take a large metal spoon and repeatedly pour over the melted butter and stuff over the chops) This will speed up the cooking time while keeping the pork chops moist. Place the garlic on top of the pork chops while you are doing this to let them soak in the flavor.

Do this for about 1-2 minutes.

Step #4 

- place the pork chops on a separate plate and let rest for 5 minutes (occasionally spooning over the basting butter now and again.)

Step #5

- place chops on serving plates and top with your choice of topping and eat with your choice of side.

The Best Story I Will Ever Write

People who know me know that I have been writing stories for a very long time, my best friends know that I have been "making up stories" for even longer!

I am trying to become a professional writer. I am writing comic book stories everyday. I AM NOT DRAWING THEM!! (I leave that part to people who actually have skills)  You will understand why in a minute.

I am writing everyday now.

But since the sun is shining and softball season is almost here.  It got me thinking about the first "comic book" I ever wrote.

The first comic book I ever wrote took me almost a year to complete.  I wrote every word and I drew every picture. (The drawing by far took the longest)

So far only a handful of people have ever seen it or read it.

It is by far the greatest writing accomplishment of my life, and the story I am most proud of.

Here it is: "The Story of a Girl and a Boy"

This book was how I proposed to my wife Renee.

The ring was taped to the last page and when she got to that page, I got down on my knee and asked her to be my wife.

She said: "Thank You!"

I paused.

Waited a moment and another moment and finally she said "Yes".

I started writing "The Story of a Girl and a Boy" over 12 years ago this May.

At the time a comic book reading/skateboard riding/child care working/geek asked the prettiest girl he had ever seen out on a date to the "batting cages".

She said yes.

 Little do most people know, but that comic book reading/skateboard riding/child care working/geek started saving for an engagement "ring" his very next pay cheque.

I started putting the book together shortly after that.

Little over a year later we were married.

We have been together ever since.

She is still the prettiest thing I have ever seen.

PS: we still have our cat Mia.

Daughters first Hockey Games

So I am obviously a dad, and I try to incorporate sports into my daughters life as much as I can.

Up until recently my daughters sport interactions have been the following:

1) Her and I playing princess in the living room while the TV is on and daddy tries to catch peeks at the score in between the exploits of "Rapunzel" (her) and "Flynn Rider" (me). Other times she is "Izzy" and I am "Captain Hook" (from "Jake and the Neverland Pirates").

2) Coming to mommy and daddy's softball games where she gets "treats" (ice cream) in between games and digging in the dirt.

and

3) Daddy putting money in the swear jar because daddy cheers for really bad teams.

So I decided that since my daughter was 4 and a 1/2 now it was time for her first hockey game.   The tickets I get are on the lower bowl 8 rows from the glass, I am thinking there is no better seats to watch her first
game.

I thought it would be a great bonding experience and we could learn a lot about each other.

I ended up realizing two amazing things about my daughter last night.

Brynn and I dressed up for the game in our jerseys and headed down to the Arena early so we can take in everything.

Upon entering the Arena she was handed a "free mini hockey stick", and I'm thinking perfect if she thinks "free toys" are involved she'll want to come every time!

I got her a kids bag of popcorn, and 2 waters (One for her and one for me, since she leaves more than she takes most times she drinks out of a water bottle, if you know what I mean.) and headed for our seats early.

Sitting there she was marveled at the "two cars" on the ice and I informed here the were called "Zamboni's" to which she replied: "Za-Bambi's?" to which I replied: "Yes Za-bambi's".

Everything was going great, she was wearing her "leapfrog" kid headphones (http://shop.leapfrog.com/leapfrog/ca/en_CA/Headphones/productDetail/Leapster-Accessories/prod770007/ca_cat90012?selectedColor=&selectedSize=&navAction=jump&navCount=0&categoryNav=false) which fit her little ears perfectly, so that the noise doesn't hurt her ears. Eating popcorn and looking for "the puppy". (Harvey the Hound our teams mascot).

When all of a sudden the arena went dark and got really really loud.  Our daughter was marveled by everything she loved the lights, the colors and the giant TV.

When all of a sudden this happened:

The bursts of flames were too much and scared her!!  Instant hysterical tears, with bursts of "I want to go home!" "I want to go home!" appeared!

 I quickly sit her on my lap and try to settle her down.

This brings me to my first realization about my daughter.

Apparently my daughter is terrified of fire!!

Maybe it was "Bambi" or maybe it was "Lilo & Stitch" but flames now equal crazy hysterical tears.

Luckily for me I am always prepared and quick thinking lead me to plugging my iPhone into her headphones and putting on a movie!  This only slightly helped calm the tears.

After about 18 minutes (10 minutes of actual game time), the tears were finally gone. She was calm and actually started watching the game while looking up from her movie.

Then something happened....

The Flames scored and it started all over again!!

I was able to calm her down by the end of the period and she was able to enjoy watching the "puppy" walking on the ice during the intermission.  I took her to the potty (which I am happy to report where clean! Great job men who used the toilets that game), and to get her some soft serve chocolate ice cream before the 2nd period started in case the "flames" happened again when the hockey players arrived.

We arrive back to our seats 2 minutes into the second period, and she is enjoying "watching her movie" and eating ice cream, while every couple of minutes or so looking cautiously upwards towards where the "flames" appear.

Everything is going great, all the while I am hoping for a 1-0 score.

When it happened again....

The Flames scored!!!

Instant tears and "I want to go home!".  But this time I am ready.  There is still a 3/4 eaten ice cream in front of my daughter, and I inform her that we can't go until it's all eaten.

Which brings me to the second realization.

My daughter is immune to "brain freezes!!!"

Because that ice cream was eaten in 30 seconds and we were gone!!

(PS: Riding home my daughter asked why daddy's team was called the "flames".  I tried to pass on some knowledge, and started explaining about how the flames originally came from Atlanta and General Lee during the Civil War set fire to the city and that's how they got the name, and when the team was relocated to Calgary they kept the name. But I stopped myself part way through and told her... I'm not sure. But tonight I really wish we were called the Calgary "Butterflies" or "snowflakes".)

Recipe #7 My world Famous Crepe Recipe

Kelly's world famous Crepe recipe:

Recipe makes 6-8

What you need to make the crepes:

- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
- Splash of pure vanilla

What you need for presentation:

- Icing sugar
- 100% pure maple syrup
- fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, banana's, raspberries, peaches whatever you like)
- Cool whip (low fat)

COOKING DIRECTIONS:

1) In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine.  Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.

2) Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium/medium high heat.  Scoop the batter onto the frying pan (about 1/4 cup per crepe). Tilt the pan using a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.

3) Cook the crepe for about 1 minute 1/2 - 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown (should almost look like the moon's face). Pick it up using the spatula (or use the "Father pancake flip" technique) and cook other side for about another minute.

4) Put cooked crepe on a plate, put desired fruit inside (I add some cool whip here also), and roll it up. Top with some more fruit, a dab of cool whip, drizzle with maple syrup and a pinch of icing sugar on top for presentation.

(It will take making these a couple of times to master them, but once you do they will be a family treat.) I make them for special occasions (mothers day, birthdays, family staying over).

Funniest thing I ever heard from a child

So this post is inspired by the fact that we now have a "Swear Jar" in our house.

So prior to a couple of weeks ago the funniest thing our daughter ever said were the following two things:

(yes I realize that they both involve "poop", and yes you can possibly chalk it up to the fact that it's a dad that is raising her.)

When my daughter was finally potty trained (see previous blog post on how that eventually happened) she was sitting on her Potty Chair (see photo below for the style) and I get her to call me when she is done.

                                       
She called me and I came to the bathroom and I saw my daughter jumping up and down with joy shouting "I pooped a "C"! I pooped a "C"!"

After looking into her potty I realized she was right, the poop had curled it self around the oval potty chair base making a perfect "C" shape. I was both proud of the fact she pooped on the potty by herself and that she recognized the letter "C".  (That's the work of the Preschool Prep videos for you)

Then a couple of weeks ago my daughter while running to the bathroom ran past our cat (Mia) who meowed, our daughter without missing a beat said "I can't pet you now Mia I have to go poop!"

Which brings me to the reason we have a swear jar in our house.

As a family we went on a trip to Canmore for some winter hiking.  We arrived at "Silver Tip Gold Course" and as we were getting out of the car, I asked my wife where our daughters gloves are, she didn't know so we both asked our daughter who replied: "Oh  "Sh*t" we forgot them!"

My wife and I both looked at each other and decided we needed a swear jar at home.  So we have one. Every bad word earns a dollar in the jar. (I would like to point out the worst word we say in front of our daughter was the Sh-word, but words like Stupid, Idiot and Crap all get $$ in the jar.)

Which brings me to the funniest thing I have ever heard children say:

I was working in an elementary school and doing the preschool class.  A group of 4 year olds were playing in the "fort" (which was just a table with a blanket over it) when I heard the following:

Boy 1: "My dad does the F-word!"

Boy 2: "My mom even does the F-word!"

Boy 3: "My dad does the F-word all the time!"

All kids together: "GROSS!"

I then asked the group to come out and talk to me.  All 3 boys did. I asked them what they were talking about.  None of them wanted to say.  I assured them that they won't get into trouble if they told the truth.

Eventually "Boy 1" told me that they were talking about the "F-word".

I asked them why they were talking about that word.

"Boy 2" pointed to "Boy 1" and said: "Because "boy 1" did the "F-word"!

I then had a huge sigh of relief, realizing that the "f-word" in this case was "Fart".  

Recipe #6 Easy Linguine Carbonara

Linguine Carbonara

Cooking time less than 30 minutes!!!

What you need:

- Linguine
- Green Onions
- Parmesan Cheese
- Bacon
- "Club House" Alfredo sauce in package
- Fresh ground pepper

What to do:

Step #1

Cook Pasta according to package

Step #2

Cook bacon according to directions

Step #3

While pasta is still cooking cook sauce according to directions

Step #4

Chop green onions really small along with cooked bacon.

Step #5

Drain cooked pasta and put some on each plate, add some green onions, bacon and a spoonful or more of the sauce per plate.  Grate some fresh Parmesan cheese on top and serve. Add some fresh ground pepper for taste.

Potty Training: Do's and Don'ts

I have a confession to make.

I don't like dogs.

Part of the reason is because I was bit by a couple of dogs when I was a kid.

So I guess I should amend the previous statement.

I am afraid of dogs.

But I know that without that fear of dogs, I would never own one.  The main reason being is picking up poop!  I know that if I had to clean up a dogs poop I would have to clean up my own vomit as well.

I have a very weak stomach.

So I hear people who know me say "Don't you own a cat? How does your cat's litter get changed?"

Answer: Yes I do own a cat and a really long pooper-scooper! If I could find longer ones I would. Sometimes for really bad litters I just dump the whole thing out and start fresh again.

Which brings me to today's blog post topic.

Potty Training.

This was by far the "milestone" I was least looking forward to. Our daughter was 2 so I started "training" her.

Another truth moment just to let you know where my head was at during this "training period":

When our daughter was a baby for some reason all her poops smelled like BBQ Chicken to me, I didn't eat BBQ Chicken for 8 months!!

But I digress.

After 6 months of trial and error and error and error and even more error (see below).  My wife not so nicely told me that this was ridiculous and that our daughter should be potty trained by now!!

So I did the guy thing.

For a whole week I made charts and notes of all the times she went pee and poo. Trying to time it.

By the way this is a potty training DON'T!

I then did some research, and discovered some amazing videos which helped (me) our daughter.

These videos are designed to reinforce to your child what you are trying to do; listen to their body and being a big kid.

Video Titles:

"Potty Power!"

"Go Potty Go" (still got the song from this one in my head)

"Potty Time"

"Potty Perfect"

"It's Potty Time"

and many many more.  Check out your local library for all the potty training movies and books you can get. I know you will find some which will help you and your child.

Watch potty movies with your child are Potty DO'S!!

With my new found enthusiasm from the videos I decided to put her on the potty chair with a book and a couple of toys, (me with my iPad beside her) and wait it out. 5 minutes passed. NOTHING. 10 minutes passed. NOTHING. 15 minutes passed. NOTHING. So I was getting bored and she was getting hungry so I took her off. 5 minutes later... PEE!

My take from this was 20 minutes is the key!

It isn't the key.  I'm an idiot.

Putting child on potty chair hoping to force pee...  is a potty DON'T.

So while I am making no progress and my wife is getting more and more frustrated with my progress, I decided to go back to the experts again. THE INTERNET!!

I went to BabyCenter.ca and read their potty training tips. (http://www.babycenter.ca/potty-traininng) I also went to the Mayo Clinic and read their advice: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/potty-training/CC00060. Then I went to Today's Parent and read what they had to say. (http://www.todaysparent.com/toddler/potty-training-toddlers) and after I was done I thought I had enough information to get my child potty trained.

Doing internet research and getting more information before or while you are trying are Potty DO'S.

So with my head full of all this new information,the only thing that really stuck out in my head was... kids don't like the wet sensation of pee.

So I had the brilliant idea of putting regular "big girl" panties UNDER her diaper.  Hoping that the wet sensation would cure my daughter of the need for diapers.

I don't think I even have to tell you this.  But this was a potty DON'T.

So I literally went back to the drawing board and decided to do the reward system.  Some people do M&M's, toys, stickers. stamps, cookies, anything that works.

I started with stamps: 1 for pee and 2 for poo.

Using a reward systems for potty training successes is a Potty DO.

So how did we eventually get out daughter potty trained?

Truth of the matter is it took both of us (My wife was off for a week at Christmas time) working together on potty training for a week, watching potty movies, giving stickers for every time she dropped even a drop of pee in the potty, and it was done.

So I guess when it comes to Potty training there are a lot of DO'S and a lot more DON'TS, just remember this: Do DO'S, don't do DON'TS.

Grossest thing my child has ever done (so far)

This blog post came from an incident at my daughters swimming, which lead to a discussion among us parents who saw it.

To give you an idea of some of the gross things my daughter has done, I include this photo. This is my daughter being goofy and sticking Penne Pasta in her nose and eating it afterwards. But I assure you this is not even close to the grossest thing she has ever done.

I will tell you about the incident first then I will tell you about the discussion which followed.

I am sitting in the viewing area at my local "Y" watching my daughter doing her swimming lessons, and I happen to look over to the lap pool and see an older child "drinking out of the gutter".

He was literally sucking up water out of the gutter every 10 seconds or so.

It was gross!

For those of you who don't know the gutter is the blue part in the image below.

I laughingly pointed out the child to the parent sitting beside me on my left, and that parent said: "Oh no. It's mine!" and lowered her head in shame.

To which I laughed hysterically.

I then comforted the parent and told them the grossest thing my daughter ever did.

My daughter when she was 10 months old was crawling on the floor, and unannounced to me had thrown up on our hardwood floor. I then heard a noise, so I investigated. What I discovered was my daughter "sucking up" and eating her throw up.

That by far is the grossest thing she has ever done (yet).

Then the parent sitting next to me on my right said: "Oh yeah!  I can beat that."

You see her two kids (ages 5 and 3) were playing in the rec room while the mom was making lunch. When the mom came in to let the kids know it was lunch time, she noticed that they were using "aqua pens". She then asked the kids where they got the water and they pointed to the bathroom.  "From the sink?" the mom said surprised. "No mom from the toilet!" the youngest said proudly.

We all agreed that that was now the grossest thing any of the kids had ever done.

Then a final parent told us her story, which won the grand prize of grossest thing ever.

You see her youngest child a girl, loves watching her older brother doing all of his "big kid things".  So when he brushes his teeth she watches.  When he brushes she pretends to brush, when he rinses his mouth out afterwards so does she.  One time the younger child decided she really needed to rinse her mouth, and actually filled a cup up with water from the toilet and rinse her mouth and spit it out.

Her Kids are 3 and 1 & 1/2 and the older kid is potty trained but doesn't always flush the toilet.

This particular time the toilet hadn't been flushed.

Think about these stories next time your child eats their boogers or dirt.