Vio Family Adventure

I do not feed my child low calorie, fat free or sugar free items.  That is my choice.  Just as some choose not to put vaccinations into their child, B and I have decided not to pump our daughters with preservatives, additives and more junk then we know how to pronounce.  No, we also do not feed our children pre-packaged food.  No matter what you say, that won't change anytime soon either.  We choose to make and prepare our own food from the earliest point life allows us right now (without a farm of our own).  We grow whichever veggies and fruit in our yard that we can at this point.  What we can not grown on our own, we buy locally from friends or farms which we have visited/inspected. We participate in local CSAs. We make our bread/dough of any sort at home.
No, I do not use salt.
No, I do not use additives.
No, I do not use preservatives.
Why is that so hard to understand?  Why can some people not just accept that and respect our choice.  I have done hours, upon hours, upon hours of research on food/nutrition.  I have completed courses/classes/workshops.  Im not unknowledgable.  Im not just pulling this stuff out of my behind.  I know how many calories (proper, full calories), how much fat (good fats) ext a child at every age needs.  I have it drafted out.  I make sure each and everyday my children, no matter what (!), get exactly what their little bodies need to grow and develop to its optimal.  That is my choice.
I only feed my children organic, local grown white meat.
That is my choice.
I am a vegetarian and have been for months upon months.
That is my choice.
I am not making that final choice for my children.
I will leave that up to them.
Just because you want to feed your child "crap", and then sit back and wonder, why?, is none of my concern.  That is your choice.  Live with it.

Things have just been insane around here!  I figured since Im up early (and its raining, therefore my morning run is a no go, as is anything outside at this moment.  But, its much needed, we havnt had rain in suprisingly a while) I would jump in, do a quick catch up, and then hopefully get on to blogging about the real things in life.

I apologize for not keeping this up as of late.  Things have just been insane!  There has been lots going on in Lexis gym that has been keeping up busy.  Between the 9hours of training (Tues 4-7, Wed 4-7, Thurs 12-3), the fittings, meets, photo ops and optionals, it is been i.n.s.a.n.e!!  I don't even want to know what life will feel like when Brooklyn starts pre-comp (2006 group.  Yes, she got accepted into older :D ) in September!  Even though the 4hour training schedual will feel like a piece of cake.
Speaking of cake, things at shoppe have just been amazing!  Nothing like a little taste of the "Goody Shoppe".  Demand has been amazing, so there was no stepping back for end of the summer as planned.  I won't complain though, it has been so well worth it.  It has allowed us to change our entire family dynamic (THANKS DAD!) and give us everything we wanted.  I really hope our "supporters" (ok ok...dad, Lisa, Mom lol) know how much we appreciate allllllll they did/gave to make this possible.
Lexi starts school in 2 weeks, 1 day *sniff*.  Im in the odd mom camp and one of the few who are NOT looking forward to her child going back to school.  I have one of the best almost 6 year olds *super sniff* and the thought of her not being here with me everyday makes me so very, very sad.  She is excited, mom...not so much.  She got accepted into the 1/2 class this year, which is going to make things so much better for her.  There are 4 of them going, one who happens to be her best friend Beth and well, that definatly makes Alexis one happy camper ;D
Brooklyn is a little sad that she does not get to go to school this year with all her friends (its hard when she is the "baby" of her group) so we have built a mini "school room" so I can be teacher and Brooke can be student.  We've given it a few test runs and she LOVES it.  She eagerly sits with her workbooks Ive made, plays at the chalkboard, listens to our "lessons".  She is SO good, Im so lucky.  I will have to post our lesson boards, starting with "A", the first day of school (Sept. 7).
So things we have been up to since our amazing Europe trip.....paintballing, beach, friends, BBQs, parties, hiking, keeping up with my garden, swimming..........ect........ect......ect! lol

Ok, back later for real updates with pictures and all that good, juicy stuff.  Stayed tuned (yeah, you, I know your here) :)

Its been a while and since I have a bit of time, I though Id do a fav.  Its 758am.  The girls are still off in lala land.  I woke up at 530am for my morning run.   I feel SO good after a sunrise run, it is one of the best things for myself I started to do.  I got home at 645, got Bri up for work and headed to the shower ;)   Still gave me plenty of time for the day prep and even a goodbye snuggle.  *swoon*

So, here is what I decided for the day.

Breakfast - Veg breakfast patties (homemade - tempeh, water, veggie bouillon, rolled oats, tamari, extra virgin olive oil, sage, thyme, marjoram and a smidge of onion.) and ultimate fruit salad (kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, oranges, apples, brown sugar, fresh oats and slivered almonds).

Snack - I packed up some apples and natural PB for the play place

Lunch - Im taking the girls to Affinity (google it, Affinity in Hamilton, 87 John St South)

Snack - no snack needed, they will have a yummy dessert at Affinity :)

Dinner - tabouleh in pitas and veg kabobs on the BBQ

if we have a "before bed snack" after our walk, I'll let daddy decide.  That always makes him happy :)


And now, off to wait for my loves to wake up, get them fed and ready and off to Chatters for the morning.

HEY ALL MY BLOGGER FANS!!!!!  We are back from our amazing 16 days in Portugal.  I wish I had the time to get into all the details (and 2300 pictures) but that will have to wait a bit more (I know, I know.  Im sorry!!!).  I will get some spoilers up tonight, promise.  I just wanted to reassure you all we made it alive and well off the plane and are slowly getting back into the swing of realtiy.

There is so much going on as of late.  The website is 98% complete, Andy is just helping us with a few finishing touches and then I will post it for the "public" to view/order/whatever.  Brian is almost done the classes, and let me tell you, that man looks HOT in his "gear".  Maybe I will embroider his name on his "hat" lol.  hahaha.   Or we can match?   I'll get pics of that too, dont worry.

We've been super busy since we got back, thanks to my dad.  Mr. Business man and investor.  We seriously could not thank him more, even though 2 cities is more then we bargained for a few months back, its been worth it thus far.  So yeah, its a love hate relationship with that right now hahaha.

Other then that, getting ready for "back to school", helping some old parents iron out plans (sorry guys!) and continuing on with everything else, things have been normal.  Yes, as normal as they can be and have been since April. 

Stay tuned everyone, we have pics coming that you dont want to miss (vaca, summer, family, kitc, reno ext).