And it is the whining that drives me crazy, makes me lose it, makes me want to hide from them. For 10 minutes, or an hour. Because there never seems to be a real reason for it. Never.

Right?

And please note, Lauren’s name can be substituted for Julia’s and vice versa.

1. Lauren is looking Julia.
2. Lauren didn’t look at Julia.
3. Lauren spoke.
4. Lauren isn’t listening to Julia.
5. Lauren is using the pink cup.
6. Lauren got (for her birthday) the toy Julia “wanted forever”, but has never mentioned.
7. Lauren is sitting to close to Julia.
8. Lauren is using a toy that Julia wasn’t using, but now wants.
9. Lauren is singing.
10. Lauren is called Lauren.
11. Lauren wants to watch Julia’s favorite movie.
12. Lauren said Julia’s name.
13. Lauren hugged me.
14. Lauren is wearing a dress.
15. Lauren is wearing pants.
16. Lauren used the purple crayon.
17. Lauren likes Hot Dogs.
18. Lauren wants the same lunch as Julia.
19. Lauren is breathing.

This post inspired by Jason Good. Check him out, he’s funny!

The post 19 Reasons My Girls Might Be Whining appeared first on Hooked and Happy.

And some of the activities that were suppose to be fun, ended up just being, well work.

“Let’s go play in the snow! We’ll sled, or walk, of jump around”. But behind that idea was work. A lot of work. All the snow gear had to be put on and most likely taken off before we got outside as Julia would need to go potty… even after I’d asked about 3 times.  Finally, I’d put it back on, we’d head out and last 5 minutes before a mitten came off and a bare hand landed in the snow and screams started. Oy.

Don’t get me wrong, I still did “fun” trips/things/activities, but they always seemed like a lot of work. And so much so I’d question why I bothered.

Until now.

Now the girls are are 2.5 and 5 years old. Now they are, dare I say it, easier.

With sunscreen and sunglasses on, yesterday we ventured to the zoo.

Where we had fun. For more than 2 hours!

   

I love this new stage. The one where we are doing lots of fun stuff and it doesn’t seen like work! Don’t you?

Linking up with:

The post Having Fun Isn’t Hard Anymore appeared first on Hooked and Happy.

Then I found this great recipe for Healthy 10 Minute Pizza Dough. And it seriously took 10 minutes.

What did we make? Sausage, Potato & Feta Empanadas.
I’ll post it later this week ;)

The post Healthy 10 Minute Pizza Dough appeared first on Hooked and Happy.

I’m sharing my likes and love on entertainment, and I’d love to know yours.

1. What was one of your favourite shows as a kid? Why?

It’s hard to pick one, but if I have to, I’d say the Cosby Show. I loved Cliff and Clair Huxtable. My favorite episode had to be when there was a funeral for Rudy’s fish and Theo closed the goldfish’s eyelids…. do you remember that?

2. Which actress(es) do you see on the red carpet and kinda wish you could be for a day (or three)?

Jennifer Garner. She seems so down to earth.

3. Which actor do you wish you could hang out with?

Daniel Craig. Yum.

4. What is one (or two or some) of your favorite movies that you have seen in the last few years?

Casino Royale, Skyfall, Winter’s Bone.

5. Who is one celebrity out there now that you could totally do without? That you wish would just disappear?

I hate to name names… but I’m with Loulou on this one, and I’d add a another double initialed person.

6. Have you ever met a celebrity? If so, who? What did you say/do when you met them?

Yes. I’m actually friends with a Sydney Olympic Gold Medalist. Fun!

7. What shows do you look forward to watching every week?

Vampire Diaries. What can I say, I’m young at heart.

Now I’d LOVE for you to leave your answers in comments!

The post My Pop Culture Loves appeared first on Hooked and Happy.

Healthy cookies? Sure!

However, I changed some things up, less sugar etc., and they turned out fine! (Changes in recipe.)

Both girls loved the cookies, especially the batter :)

The post Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chickpeas appeared first on Hooked and Happy.

I spotted you today. Your eyes ringed red from crying, cellphone in your hand, talking to a friend. I didn’t want to eavesdrop, but you stood a foot, or so, from where I was changing Julia after her swim class.

“Why?” You kept asking your friend. “Why, won’t he call me back?” You followed up with some questions that are all to familiar to me. “Why won’t he talk to me?” “Why did he break-up with me?” And then the most common one, “What did I do wrong?”

I longed to go over there and give you a hug. I wanted to wipe your tears, sit you down, and talk to you. I wanted to let you know a few things that only age can know.

You look young, maybe 14? I know some of this will be hard to hear while you are in such pain, but here you go.

He won’t be the only love you have, and most likely lose. Chances are you’ll feel this pain a couple more times and then, one day, maybe 5, or 10 years out, you’ll meet that someone. The someone you are meant to be with.

Don’t focus on what you did wrong. I’m pretty sure you didn’t do anything wrong. At your age, you can’t really do anything right, or wrong. You simply need to be you and be true to yourself. Don’t ever do anything to keep a boy. You shouldn’t need to. If he likes you, he likes you.

Instead, of crying over this boy, let him go, let it be. Go out have fun, invest in yourself. Play sports, take music lessons, hang out with your friends. When you least expect it, that right person will appear. Trust me, I know. I really do.

And now I want to thank you. You provided me with an opportunity for me to talk a little bit about boys with Julia. At 5, she may not understand what exactly was going on, but I did get the chance to to chat with her about feeling good about herself, about self-esteem.

Best Wishes,

Carolyn
xoxo

Is there anything you’d like to let the crying girl know?

The post An Open Letter to the Crying Teenager appeared first on Hooked and Happy.