A few days in paradise

landing in nassau in the rain

After being home for just over a week from camping, we packed up and headed on another family vacation . . . to the Bahamas!  Our good friends, Denise and Davidson moved to Nassau about 2 years ago and we were super-excited to see them again along with their adorable daughter, Mila.  Emil's mother and youngest sister, Addie, also joined us on our sojourn.

Much to our dismay, we landed at Linden Pinding International Airport during a summer storm. Thankfully, it was the only one during our short trip.

Indio, Emil, and Addie spent most of their days in the water -- ocean and pool -- while Emil's mom and I relaxed with music, reading material, and drinks on the beach. After a hectic few weeks, it was a much needed break.

the water was ridiculous! softest sand, clearest water.

Each evening, we met up with Denise, Davidson, and Mila for dinner.  We feasted on Bahamian specialties such as conch fritters, grouper, and rice and peas.  We were on a mission to find the best conch fritters on the island, and I have to say Frankie Gone Bananas at the Arawak Cay Fish Fry won, hands down! It was so wonderful to sit and catch up with our old friends, though it made me miss them even more.

how lucky we were to have such gorgeous hostesses: denise and baby mila!

my little mer-boy

coconuts on the beach

my sunshine

We spent one evening at Davidson's parents' house, which sits right on the water. The views from the house were mesmerizing. Imagine waking up every morning to the sound of the waves in your backyard! Of course, we also heard tales of the many hurricanes that have hit the Bahamas. Davidson's mom, Ada, cooked us a delicious West Indian meal of beef curry, coconut rice, plantains, and daal puri. The meal was completed with a traditional Guyanese dessert: cassava pone.

the view from davidson's parents' deck . . . crazy!

Though this was a vacation to a foreign land, it was a treat to feel so "at home" with Denise and Davidson and his parents. Our time with them made this trip even more special.

bahamians love canadians

the comforts of home

Our time in paradise was fleeting and it seemed like we were packing up for home just as we got used to it all. We were welcomed to New York by a huge thunderstorm only moments after we landed. It seemed fitting that our trip ended with a [meteorological] bang since it began with one too.

landing at laguardia

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Rituals: AM vs. PM

creating a math test for my class while drinking a grande extra-hot low-foam lactaid bold misto with two pumps vanilla . . . kept warm by alicia's cozy.

winding down at the end of the day with tetley tea and a piece of birthday chocolate . . . thanks, p!

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What I loved in October

The past month was chock-full of product suggestions from friends. Here are a few that have become staples in my life already:

I was lucky enough to lots of face time with Paula over the last two weeks, and of course, that meant sharing our fave items that get us through the day [besides wine!].

1. While at the Dollarama checkout counter, my eyes caught sight of a Reese Bar. Now, being a huge fan of chocolate and peanut butter, it was hard to look away, but I did...until a voice behind me said, "Have you tried these? Mmmm, they're so good!" [I never said she was a good influence!] And yes, it was! I ate the bar over the course of almost a week, savouring each little piece while reading in bed. I'm glad this is a limited edition, though I may just have to make a Dollarama run soon, before they run out!


2. Being moms, Paula and I are always looking for new and exciting snacks for our kids, who seem to get bored of anything we buy in bulk. [You liked it last week, which is why I stocked up this week!] On a short grocery store trip [read: Indio was with us, thus the shortness of the trip], Paula pointed out Voortman's Ginger Kids packed with *whole wheat goodness*. I just had to pick up a pack for Indio. Funny thing is, I think he's had one cookie so far while they've become a complement to my evening cup of tea. Hey, they're good for me! It says so right on the package!


3. Since having Indio, my hair has become more curly/wavy. No really, I'm serious! Of course, the wonderful combo of only knowing how to style my hair straight and not having enough time to do such styling, I've been looking like a hot, frizzy mess most days. Nooreen, my go-to makeup and hair gf [she did my wedding makeup!] continues to put up my with constant badgering of how to get my hair to look like hers. Her new fave curly products have become my new faves too! Pantene's Curly Hair Series are a product-phobe's dream! The Curl Enhancing Spray Gel and Satin Hold Hairspray don't make my hair crunchy and I can apply them over and over again for a few days without my hair looking greasy. If I was organized enough I would even show you a pic of what my hair looks like today, day #3 since washing it.
   

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^via

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Technicolour Thursday: week 42.5

[day 290: Blast from the past.]

[day 291: A ritual since I was just wee--a hot cup of tea in the afternoon.]

[day 292: My brother is one of Indy's favourite people...probably because they both love causing trouble.]

[day 293: One of the *attack pinecones* that came after Cassius.]

[day 294: Fellow Torontonians, did you vote? I did, but was dismayed by the results.]

[day 295: Exploring numeration at the Ontario Early Years Centre.]

[day 296: Children of the Corn--pink for Lisa's amazing strength.]

[day 297: Not technically my photo but a good one nonetheless...in Manhattan, sent to me from E.]

[day 298: Fido enjoying the smell of exhaust fumes.]

[day 299: Something about this photo is pure cuteness.]

[day 300: Retro-ish board book I wanted to buy for Indy.]

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Music to my ears

I'm sitting on Paula's couch alone, catching up on my blog reading, with the lo hum of Indio and his two little friends playing in the background. This newfound independence is fantastic...mine and his!

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Mall Walking

[ready to feast on pad sew noodles]

Recently, Indy and I ventured to a mall together. [This is a big deal since Indy already abhors shopping though I think it's more the sounds and lights in the mall than the actual shopping...he's much like his papa in this respect.] We met up with Paula, who came prepared with toys and books for Indy...and she didn't even have her own kids with her! Now that's a prepared mom!

I was amazed at the number of other moms with strollers crawling the mall and kept thinking, "Why are there so many moms here in the middle of the day?" only to realize, "Duh, I'm one of them and this is the best time for us because all the other people are at work!" Only difference? My kid wanted to run amok and touch everything while all the other babes were either sleeping or watching the world go by perched in their strollers.

Though we didn't stay as long as I could have sans bébé [that whole nap schedule thing got in the way] and I didn't buy anything for myself, we had a great day and Indio was so tired that he fell asleep before we left the parking lot. [Guess it's tiring trying to outrun your mama at every clothing rack!]

[dollar store treasures that complement the current firetruck/garbage truck obsession...just hope they don't contain BPA or whatever other chemicals I should be scared of.]

Paula and I have already set our next mall date, but this time Indio already has other plans!

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Hope

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As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins today I can't help but think that the number of loved ones I know affected by the different types of cancer is on the rise. Even though we have already lost so many, I still have hope for all those still with us.

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From the mouths of babes

Conversation between a friend and her 3-yr daughter overheard at E's soccer game.

Mom: Ally, what do you have there? [trying to see what's in Ally's hand.]
Ally: A pony[tail holder].
Mom: [quickly snatching object] Ah no, Ally, that's not a pony! [as she tries to discreetly throw the used condom rim away from her daughter.]

Ally is not pleased.

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It's a Photo Swap!

I recently joined Rhianne's [from For the easily distracted...] second annual photo swap. This is my first foray into the world of online swaps, though I've been intrigued for sometime now, especially reading about all the wonderful swaps Faiza is a part of.

I chose this swap as my first because of its simple rules:

"Each photoswapper either takes a roll of film
or buys a disposable camera

it has to be something that you develop
and they take photos just for their swap partner,
then send the cameras/films to each other
and develop the other persons photos.
(and posts them on their blogs for everyone to see of course)"

I've been dying to break out a roll of film [such an odd commodity in this digital age] for awhile now, but haven't had a reason to delve into the unknown. I was worried that I would *waste* the film on photos that wouldn't be any good. But now I have to get over that! I actually have the camera that my parents used to take all my baby photos in my possession, so I think I may use it for this project.

My partner is Leslie, who has already written me a great email and has a fantastic blog! We have so much in common and I'm excited to see what she has in store for me.

The deadline for the swap is August 6. I'll post Leslie's photos as soon as I develop them!

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Best Team Name: Keep On S'meylin!

^even Cassius got in on the action

Sunday was the perfect day to go for a walk, and that we did! As part of team Keep On S'myelin we spent the morning in Pickering at the Multiple Sclerosis walk. For his very first charity walk, Indy slept in his stroller, while we completed the 5km course around the neighbourhood.

It was an honour to walk with Paula in support of MS research. There was something so wonderful to see so many participants in Keep On S'myelin t-shirts. We even won an award for *Best Team Name*! I'm looking forward to this becoming a yearly tradition for our family.

^the team

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Keep on S'myelin keeps on walking

On Sunday, April 18, 2010, my family and I will be walking with one of my oldest and dearest friends in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

Paula has lived with MS for the last 10 years, but if you were to meet her, you'd never guess it. From the moment she gets up in the morning to the minute her head hits her pillow, she is on the go. She is a fantastic mom to 2 young children, a great wife and a wonderful friend. She doesn't let MS slow her down, when she can help it. She even designed the fantastic logo above for the team's t-shirt!

We believe that we will help to end multiple sclerosis. If you want to support this cause click here or the logo above.

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Foto Friday: week 10

Second week of posting south of the border.

[day 64: After sitting in rush hour traffic for almost 3 hrs, we wound down with some tasty West Indian food and Guyanese soda.]

[day 65: Familiarity=busy laundromat on a Saturday morning. Egg & cheese sandwich and a large *light & sweet* coffee to pass the time.]

[day 66: Making important calls for grandpa.]

[day 67: Long lost friends hamming it up. Two extra shots from day 67 below.]

[Thematic bathroom reading.]

[Good wine & good friends.]

[day 68: Indio doesn't even know what refined sugar tastes like, yet I swear I see some drooling going on.]

[day 69: Infectious giggles.]

[day 70: Roasting marshmallows at Kili lounge in Brooklyn.]

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One more sleep!

We are heading to NYC [with stops in Buffalo and Albany] tomorrow for a visit with friends and family. How fitting is the fortune I found in my cookie at dinner tonight? Now if only I could get all the packing done!

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