We just went through our second spring break in quarantine. Unfortunately, that’s the only similarity from last year. Last year spring break started on March 13. Lockdown was brand new. I was running on adrenaline and fear. I didn’t know how long it would last but I assumed it would be 2 weeks maybe a little longer 😳. The weather was beautiful and we went family bike riding, had a family party, baked, started a workout program, and worked on organizing our brand new home!
Fast forward a year and I am no longer feeling the adrenaline to say the least 😂. It has been a long year. A year that has tried my patience and my imagination. All of my fun ideas ran out a good 9 months ago. The thought of 2 weeks of spring break pretty much sounded like Mommy hell to me.
Cue the guilt.
What kind of Mother am I? These poor kids have suffered a year of no birthdays, not seeing their family, no travel, and no sleepovers. HBear is even unable to attend the Royal Winnipeg Ballet camp she worked so hard to attend! They have sacrificed a year and to a child, a year feels like 5! They deserved a full spring break of fun and games and planned activities but what they got was a grumpy Mom who is burnt out from Covid fatigue.
I feel terrible. Out of the 2 weeks I worked a week so that meant no camps, no Grandma and Grandpa, no Papa and J, just each other 😬. Now I’m sure that’s how my spring breaks used to go but I don’t remember because none of my spring breaks as a child ever stood out to me! I’m trying to keep that in mind as I berate myself for not planning something special for March break. The weather was crappy, the numbers are skyrocketing, And I just feel tired.
I need to shake it off. Spring break wasn’t great but they won’t remember this one. They will remember all the other spring breaks that were amazing! They’re going to remember our trip to Vancouver a few years ago, HBear’s first trip to Calgary with just Papa, pottery camps, parties and bike rides in sunny weather. This will just be a blip in their memories… I hope 😬😆. I realize that this pandemic has lasted longer than any of us thought and even with vaccines on the way it still feels like this is a never ending situation. I am a planner and there’s nothing to plan for. I’ve gotten comfortable being 100% antisocial and I am scared that I will have forgotten how to fit into society when this does end. Spring break is a wake up call for me, I need to get my head in the game because we have just been put under a more strict lockdown than we have been in previously, staying in isn’t going anywhere so I need to get creative once again! I am putting spring break behind me and looking forward to this weekend, Easter!
If other Moms are out there feeling the same way as me I just want you to know that you’re not alone. It may feel like we are alone because we literally are alone in our houses 😂 but you aren’t! We are all feeling ready for this all to be over and a little bit anxious that this is all going to be over soon 😂. We are all in this… Together 💛
Check out How Was Your Week, Honey? Epiosde #217 Growing Up Sucks HERE! This week we discuss the harsh realities of growing up. Topics: allergies, teenagers, shopping, Tiger, RBG, Monty Python, The New Mighty Ducks, Jagmeet Singh, & drug evidence.
I also did some Easter baking the other day! I still have so much guilt about spring break that I was hoping that yummy baked goods would help to celebrate our second Easter without family and friends. I made my Nana/Mom’s famous chocolate chip cookies and added Easter M&Ms, my new favourite banana bread recipe, and Easter thumbprint cookies with homemade chocolate frosting! Ninja I mean the Girls were so delighted! I promise to share the chocolate chip cookie recipe and banana bread recipe soon but today I want to share these ridiculously easy Easter Thumbprint Cookies that I topped with chocolate frosting and with everybody’s favourite, Cadbury Mini eggs! I’m not much of a baker but these were so simple and SO tasty! Happy Easter everyone!
Thai Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Slaw
Adapted from Carlsbad Cravings
3 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 tablespoon, oil
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
8-10 taco size flour tortillas
1/4 cup crushed peanuts
chopped cilantro
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 teaspoons ginger, grated
4 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 teaspoons Asian chili sauce
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 cups fresh pineapple, chopped
1 package broccoli slaw
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/3 cup green onions, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
In a large bowl whisk the soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, ginger, garlic, chili sauce, basil, pepper, coriander, turmeric and cornstarch. Add chicken and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Add slaw, pineapple, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, rice vinegar and lime juice to a large bowl and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot and rippling. Add chicken and marinade and cook until completely cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
Spoon chicken into desired amount of tortillas and top with pineapple slaw, chopped peanuts and additional cilantro.
Easter Thumbprint Cookies
Adapted from Six Sisters’ Stuff
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 – 3 tablespoons hot water
24 mini Cadbury eggs
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl beat together butter and sugar until creamy.
Add in egg and vanilla and mix well.
Add in flour, baking powder and salt until blended. Do not over mix.
Roll dough into small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 – 11 minutes.
Remove from oven and quickly press thumb into the top of each cookie.
Remove from cookie sheet and cool completely.
Melt butter in small mixing bowl in microwave.
Then add in cocoa, powdered sugar, vanilla and hot water.
Mix until smooth and creamy.
Spoon the chocolate frosting into each thumbprint and top with a mini Cadbury egg.
