On being a free-range vs. helicopter parent

October 8, 2012 By

“Mom, when can I just be by myself?”

My 8-year-old daughter asked me this question last summer as we sat by a stream near our house. I knew what she meant. She’s independent like me and would love nothing better than to leave the house and explore her environs on her own terms. And I want that for her, too. My childhood was brimming with solo adventures that are the foundation of how I still live my life. I’d like nothing better than to set her loose.

But then I think of Jessica Ridgeway, the 10-year-old Colorado girl who went missing while walking to a park three blocks from home on her way to school.

As a mom, I’ve struggled with CLICK TO READ ON

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Uncategorized

What not to say to your Canadian mother-in-law

October 7, 2012 By

Me: “Jamie, I’m talking to my mom about Thanksgiving today. Don’t you have something you want to say to her?”


Jamie: “You’re a month early.”

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Humor, Jamie

The Big Explosion and the Pumpkin Cake That Wasn’t

October 4, 2012 By

Food is a big part of our party, specifically pumpkin food. This year, I had Jamie include the link to my Pinterest board I dedicated unto pumpkin recipes in our invitation. The ideas were limitless: pumpkin spice cannoli, pumpkin caramel blondies, pumpkin brownies, buckle and pumpkin Oreo cheesecake.

And not one person used any of those recipes (sob).

However, I did. I’ve always loved better than s&x cake and was delighted to find a pumpkin version. I quickly scanned the recipe noting the ingredients and went shopping. I was super busy the evening before the party so figured I’d make the yellow cake and then finish all the toppings in the morning.

But my biggest mistake? In my haste, I didn’t reread the recipe.

The next morning, I woke up with the sinking feeling I’d messed up and I was correct. I had assumed the pumpkin was included in the topping when it was actually a part of the cake. If it was any other party, I would have just adapted and made a Tres Leche cake (my FAVORITE) but it was a pumpkin party and I needed a pumpkin cake!

And so I started again from scratch (sob).

In the end, I’m glad I did because it was delish.

But lest you think that’s all that went wrong, think again. Mere 10 minutes before our guests started arriving, I made three different lemonades. My neighbor Jenn had generously loaned me three cute pitchers and I’d snagged another neighbor Meredith’s darling homemade  lemonade stand.

All the makings for a banner beverage corner? Think again.

I was mixing the pink lemonade with a wooden spoon when out of NO WHERE, there was an explosion…and then gushing lemonade EVERYWHERE. It took me about 10 seconds to register what happened. I’m not sure the physics on the situation but as the spoon brushed the side of the glass container, it literally blew a huge hole open right in the middle. The explosion was so powerful, Jamie estimates there was pink lemonade, lemons, glass and ice spewed within a 10-foot radius.

Because isn’t that what every hostess wants to have happen 10 minutes before her party??!!!

Instead of greeting the early guests with a smile and a pumpkin, they instead got a mop and a scowl.

Here is a shot of the completed lemonade stand and you will note it is devoid of pink lemonade.

For obvious reasons.

==========

Pumpkin Better Than… Cake
Something Swanky

Ingredients:
  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 small can pumpkin puree
  • 1 – 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 – 8 oz. tub cool whip
  • 1/2 bag Heath Bits
  • Caramel Sundae Sauce
 Directions:
  1. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix and pumpkin puree until a smooth batter forms.
  2. Pour batter into a well greased 9×13 baking dish. Bake at 350º according to the directions for a 9×13 cake on the cake mix box.
  3. Let cool for about 10 minutes after baking. Using the bottom of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the top of the cake.
  4. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, filling the holes. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  5. Spread the cool whip over top of cake. Sprinkle on the heath bits, and drizzle caramel over top (just to your liking). Refrigerate for 3-4 hours, or overnight (best).
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Foodie Tagged With:

The Children’s Division–Or Would That Be “Division Among the Children?”

October 3, 2012 By

At the Great Pumpkin’s weigh-off, the children’s division is almost an after-thought. “Ahh, look at the cute little pumpkins! Hurry them through and let’s get on to the big daddies.”

This year was the exception.

The rules are the pumpkins need to be dropped off well in advance of the competition. The children’s started at 10 a.m. and the adults were supposed to follow at 11 a.m. Much to my annoyance (as one who HATES when people/events are late), this event has never started on time.

At 10 a.m., Hadley and Bode had the only pumpkin in the children’s division. Then 10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. By 10:45 a.m., we started doing our victory lap but no, wait! Our arch nemesis from years past showed up with three humdinger pumpkins. Meaning: HUGE.

The kids had not noticed their competition so we settled back, waiting for it to begin. When we saw the first pumpkin that was going to scale, Hadley was unimpressed.

“Wow, that’s small,” she scoffed.

 I tried to shush her but not before the mohawked kid and his brother in front of us turned around without missing a beat and snarled, “That’s my pumpkin.”

“And it’s a very nice one,” I assured him before lecturing Hadley about being a good sport. Turns out, she needed that lecture because out of the five pumpkins, hers was among the smallest.

To build suspense, pumpkins are measured from smallest to largest and Hadley and Bode’s was next. They were excited about the results: 203 pounds. And a great-looking pumpkin to boot!

But they didn’t win. In fact, there were three kids from the same family whose pumpkins got progressively bigger. By the time they got to the largest pumpkin–from a 5-year-old girl–the pumpkin was a foot taller than she was.

“622 pounds!” Jamie (the MC) announced.

Now, that’s impressive for any grower but common consensus was there was no way a kindergartner who couldn’t remember what city she was from could have grown it. The dad even later later it slip that they were all his pumpkins.

Disconcerting? Sure. The father should have just entered them in the adult competition and he still would have beat out half the competition. And it wasn’t that little girl’s fault–I’m sure she didn’t put herself up to it.

Haddie is a perceptive one. “I don’t think she did it by herself. In fact, I’m 100 percent sure she didn’t.”

Regardless of the fairness of the situation, there was a lesson to be learned. “It doesn’t matter,” I consoled. “Sometimes things just aren’t fair. But you got fourth place and you grew a really great pumpkin. That is something to be proud of.”

When the ribbons were handed out, I insisted they cheer for their competitors. Hadley begrudgingly obliged but mild-mannered Bode had been nursing a brutal blister from the monkey bars.

“I can’t,” he contested. “It hurts too much to clap.”

I couldn’t have agreed more, Little Dude.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, pumpkins

The ultimate in fall family travel

October 2, 2012 By

I’m excited to be part of an amazing team of travel writers at Travel Mamas where I’ll be contributing twice a month.

Translation: I have some FUN adventures on the horizon, including details of my trip to Coronado Island.

I’m always babbling on about Colorado’s giant pumpkin weigh-offs but did you know these events are held all over the nation? That’s right, folks. Jamie’s crazy is not limited within the confines of this great state.

So, please head over to Travel Mamas (click here) to get an inside scoop on where these fun events are held. I’ve also included some craaaaazy pictures of the world’s biggest pumpkins.

This ain’t one of them. But he sure is cute.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, pumpkins

Halloween savings and my cake pop trauma

October 1, 2012 By

This week, my Denver Post column talks about last year’s cake pop trauma and gives great advice on how to save on Halloween..

Not from me, of course. From an expert. :-)

================

I love this time of the year — from the harvest festivals to my obsession with eating all things pumpkin.

My favorite shopping day also arrives in the fall.

Sorry, Black Friday zealots, but I’m referencing Nov. 1, that hallowed day when all of the Halloween items just now beginning to show up in stores get marked down 50 percent or more.

Last year, I decided to save money by making my own Halloween treats. I opted for cake pops. If you’ve never tried them, these little single-serve cakes on a stick are especially delectable, and this from a non-cake lover.

I thought they’d be fun for my kids’ Halloween parties at school. As it turns out, there was nothing fun about making them.

Really, it was

Read more: Johnson: The horror of Halloween past signals lessons in smart holiday planning – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/smart/ci_21655562/horror-halloween-past-signals-lessons-smart-holiday-planning#ixzz285DbDl9C

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: holidays, Humor Tagged With:
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