Kid Bliss

Quick and Easy Parmesan Mayonnaise Chicken Strips

April 20, 2018

Chicken, coated in parmesan and mayonnaise, with crispy breadcrumbs. Yep, this one is a classic! A quick search of the internet (or mom’s recipe book) and you can find lots of variations on this recipe. Surprisingly, we only introduced it as a staple in our house a few months back. But it was such an instant hit with the boys (and so quick and easy), it’s now on our regular rotation.

Change it up

Changing up the recipe a bit, by slicing the chicken into strips and completely coating with the mayonnaise mix, made it less prone to being dry. It also made for better buy-in from my picky eaters (anything shaped like chicken fingers for the win)! And using both Italian and Panko bread crumbs together gives it more flavour and crunch!

Get the kids in on it

If your kids are like mine, and love getting their hands dirty, this is a good way to get them involved in making dinner (just make sure they wash before and after!) Easy to prep (you can even slice the chicken ahead of time), measure, and mix, it’s a great starter recipe for budding little chefs. Nothing screams fun to kids like getting your hands completely covered and gooey (using your hands really is the easiest way to get a good layer of mayo on the strips…just take your rings off first!)…

The Days Are Long But The Years Are Short – How Time Changes As Parents

April 12, 2018

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Time Flies By So Fast

A little thing happened at the bowling alley last night. (Like the beginning of all good stories…Lol!) There was a crossover of life stages that caught me by surprise, but also brought a smile to my face (and a little tear to my eye too).

A gathering of work colleagues at our local KingPin Bowl Lounge, to celebrate a birthday. I said I would drop in, as it was near to the airport, where my oldest attends Air Cadets. (Have I mentioned that I am currently in the stage of parenthood known as “taxi driver”? Those of you in this stage too are nodding your heads in understanding and solidarity).

I also had my youngest son with me. It’s the first time in a long time I’ve felt comfortable that he would behave in public without embarrassment (and he acted like a complete gentleman…proud mama moment!)

“Little Boy” Time

One of our co-workers, who is currently on mat leave, was there with baby boy in tow. I immediately scooped up the little guy (because I am magnetically attracted to the wee little ones it seems, and…baby!). There I was with a 4 month old in my arms, watching my 10 year old shaking hands around the table like a little man.

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Walk In The Woods – How To Get Your Kids (and You!) Outside

February 14, 2018

Hibernating In Winter Is Cool…

I am not known for winter outside activities. Snow and cold is just not my scene. Raise your hand if you are with me on this. I whisper to my kids in their sleep, “College in warmer climates.” I’m hoping the subliminal message takes root.

However, I am a mom, and just like most moms, we are always striving to be better. Common sense (not to mention endless scientific studies) tells us that getting the kids outside is far better for them (and for you and me!) than sitting inside at home, in front of a screen.

But right now there’s that issue of the snow, and the ice, and the cold. (Can you tell I’m whining just a bit?) And with kids so addicted to video games and iPads and cellphones, it’s hard to convince them that there is a whole world of outside winter activities, just waiting to be explored! Particularly when I am on the couch myself, laptop on my lap, under a cozy blanket, where this is the current forecast…

(Incidentally, if you are a weather buff that doesn’t mind a little profanity, there is a hilarious (yet accurate) app called What The Forecast? You can find it here. Today’s forecast was “Colder than the hubs of hell”. My kind of forecast!)

Getting Everyone Outside Is Better

Our life is not all hibernating and wool socks (I still go barefoot in the house most mornings). And I am pretty proud that, looking back through pictures, there are quite a few of us, outside, in the winter. One of my all time favourites…

Winter Family Day 2010 at Huron Natural Area

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I got angry at my 10-year old today…

August 14, 2017

I got angry at my 10-year old today...

I got angry at my 10 year old today. Not that this was the first time, nor the last time, I’m sure.

We had been having such a great day too. Slept in, talked a bit while snuggling in bed. He even said he wanted to take a break from video games today! Well, this morning. Okay, maybe until after breakfast.

We packed a picnic lunch and went to the park, laid on a blanket, and stared at the sky. “This is really nice, Mom. We should do this more!” Music to my momma ears! There’s something in my eye…

After lunch, we carried on through the park, stopping at the swings, where he made a friend or two. Once he tired of that, we headed off with the phone, in search of some Pokemon, and the unavoidable “Raid Boss Battle”, which has somehow become our summer routine.

Only for one more day this week. He’s back to his father’s house tomorrow. And then it’s my time. …