{Happy Mother's Day!}

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Why hello there!

Just taking a break from some gorgeous weather and fun with the kids!

As the weather improves and we look ahead to summer, the kids are requiring more and more of my time. This doesn't happen overnight. 

Life changes gradually.

The first child clearly brings the most change in our lives as we kiss our carefree living goodbye and become tied to schedules, sleep patterns and parenting books about schedules and sleep patterns.

We wear JOE FRESH because we can get our groceries in the same place.

We start accumulating late fees from our library visits...not for ourselves, but for the kids. A bag full of board books and Elmo DVDs adds up quickly!

By the time the second child rolls around, we're pretty sure we've got it all figured out. We are well used to our new 5 maybe 6 hour a night sleep (interrupted, of course) and our ears have adjusted to new heights of volume. We can hold our toddler's hand while also carrying the baby seat in the crook of our elbow and the overstuffed diaper bag across our chest. Oh yes, we know how it's done.

We might even try a new venture, start a blog or a stay-at-home-business...we've just become so excellent at multi-tasking we think we can take on the world!

There is nothing more motivating than the idea of being home with your kids and making a living.

What's amazing is that there are so many incredibly talented, creative, smart and funny MOMS out there! Before all of their talents and passions...they are moms. Who love their kids and want to be there for them. 

For the scraped knees, for the first goal at soccer, for the first time they attempt saying their siblings' name. 

Small moments and big memories.

When I had Ember, I thought I could continue to just "do it all".

More so this year than ever before, I've noticed having to put myself in the backseat.

This part of life is a hard lesson. 

The things we want to do sometimes can take away from what our children want to do.

And isn't it just as much their lives as it is ours?

As an adult, I remind myself that I had a great childhood and I am in a position to grant my children that as well.

This Sunday is Mother's Day, and it only seems right to wish you all a very happy Mother's Day weekend!!

Spend $50 or more between May 10-12 and receive a SURPRISE GWP!!

We have had a tremendous year at Barla Banana Boutique.

Things picked up at our ONE YEAR mark and we introduced some new members to the team to help with the load.

We are planning to take a few steps back in the upcoming months. 

To spend time with family.

To review our goals.

To improve what is great and make changes where things can be better!

We cannot thank you enough for your loyalty over the last year and a half!

Please note that we will still be available for communications via

customerservice@barlabanana.com

Facebook

Twitter

And the shop will remain open:

Barla Banana Boutique

Hope you have a wonderful summer and pop in to say "hi" on the page sometime!!

Much love, 

{Summer Ju-Ju-Be and Farfalle Toki Doki!}

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The wait is finally over!

Summer Ju-Ju-Be and Toki Doki launch tomorrow, May 1st at 12pm EST, 9am PST!!

Have you been dreaming about the delicious Mint Chip or the glorious Early Sunrise??

Orders of $25 or more on Mint Chip and Early Sunrise will receive a summer print coin purse!!

One per customer order, while supplies last!

The sunny, fun new Toki Doki print, Farfalle, has sure turned some heads!

We're super excited to be including Summer Toki Doki in the launch as well!!

With a $40 Toki Doki purchase, receive a Farfalle coin purse!

One per customer order, while quantities last!

No need to make a comment on your order...if the criteria has been met to receive a coin purse, it will be automatically added to your order! 

And who LOVES the new launch time!!!????

We launch 9am PST, 12pm EST

Happy May 1st, everyone!

{Happy 33!}

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note to self

It's my birthday today! Happy 33 to me!

Here's a what's making me HAPPY today!

April 15th is always the beginning of a new year for me, and I like to think of it as the day to crack out the sunshine...it's like my very own "first day of spring"!

Happy 33! by b3michelle featuring a h & m

Equipment cashmere crewneck sweater
315 CAD - farfetch.com

H M h m
31 CAD - hm.com

J.Crew pleated shorts
66 CAD - jcrew.com

TOMS canvas wedge
70 CAD - toms.com

Orla Kiely zipper wallet
125 CAD - harveynichols.com

Zipper wallet
73 CAD - cyfashionc.com

Tsumori Chisato printed scarve
395 CAD - lagarconne.com

Hope you're having a terrific day!!

{Open House. And a Painted Union Jack Rug.}

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We've been scurrying around with our heads down in the last few months.

We always seem to have some sort of home project going on. That's just the nature of having a 30-something year old house...maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.

It's probably about time we bought shares in Home Depot!

More than that though, it's because we have our house on the market.

Every weekend an open house, showings twice-three times per week...and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning!!

It never ends!

What did that quote say..."Cleaning up with kids around is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos." There's nothing truer than that statement!

I always love hearing the feedback that viewers have to say about our house...but one common theme is remaining strong...

Everyone loves the painted Union Jack rug!

It took several hours and several coats of paint and mixtures of paint...but it was a fun project and I love the way it looks in our house!

All distressed and food-splattered!

My husband thinks we should throw it on the table for bargaining power if people love it so much!

Hah!

Happy Weekend!

{Taking City Kids to the Country. A Lesson in Parenting.}

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We had a fabulous spring break and a very pleasant Easter!

The two weeks that seemed like such a long time for the kids to be off school, seemed to slip by like nothing.

On one of the early days into our spring break, we managed to get out of the 'burbs and back to the farm I spent manys-a-weekend at during my growing up years. It does not belong to my family, but  to one of my oldest and dearest friends whom I visited (rarely a weekend missed) between the years of 1993 and 1996. Her kids and mine are so close in age and alike in so many other ways, that hanging out in our adult/motherhood lives has been a cinch. 

My city kids, while well used to puddles, certainly had no idea how to handle clay-ruts-made-by-tractor-tire puddles, even getting one boot stuck in the "quicksand" to waist-deep submersion...not once, not twice....three times.

It felt like we were miles from anywhere, and I love the photo below where both youngest kids just gazed into the distance and took in the scene before them. The beauty!

After the third fall, I gave up that "city" feeling of wanting to clean her up right away. Not once did she show any sign of discomfort, either! I remember being like that. I didn't care how dirty I was. It was FUN. Being cold felt GOOD...Wet and cold felt even better. Invigorating. 

After the clothing change took place, she escaped from the lawn chair to join the boys on the grass...before I realized we'd failed to put boots back on her. Again...this seemed to add to the pure wonder of the experience.

Many times my husband and I have mused on the kind of parents we've become based on "high-density" living. We have our own home, but the size of our yard means we can see and hear our children wherever they are. At times this is wonderful. At times this is woeful.

I find myself over-protecting, micromanaging and problem solving for them.

Granted, the age of my kids are such that they still need a lot of guidance, they really don't need me to tell them for the 6th time not to climb on that. Or this. 

Not long ago, I made a realization that whether I am there or not, they will try it. 

They are going to climb.

They need to climb.

They will also jump.

From places a mom thinks is too high or too shaky or "out-of-bounds".

They will still do it.

And guess what?

...

They will be fine.

More than fine.

They will have confidence in themselves and learn to trust their own instincts about danger.

They might very well hurt themselves, but isn't that just the way of life?

Throwing rocks at a wasps nest means there's a chance you'll get stung. 

Every action has a consequence.

I make the mistake of thinking my kids can and will learn from my lectures and life experience "nuggets of wisdom". 

Something tells me the lectures make them want to do those things even more!

As the years go by, I find myself more relaxed in the parenting role because I know my kids will some day come to me for advice and guidance. They'll actually ASK me. There is a more optimal age for these discussions but for now, they will wait. 

Right now, my intentions are to let them be kids...climb, jump, shout (but not too loud ;) , play, get dirty, develop friendships (without me! Imagine!) and develop themselves.

It's hard to do when you watch their every move...and sometimes just by circumstance, like living in a small home with next to no outdoor space. Getting out to the farm was a great way to see the kids run free...and not worry about the dirt, noise and chaos!!

Hope you had a great spring break and Easter too!!

PS. We also got to snuggle the snuffliest, cuddliest little baby!

{Genetics and breakfast Popsicles.}

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Yep. They're related. 

Sometimes I hear people say, "Oh she's just like you!" or "Cole is more like you and the other two are more like your husband."

We know the genetics in this family are pretty strong and I love it. 

I actually kind of think my husband and I look alike in a weird way. 

So really, there's no surprise people are conflicted as to who each child looks like.

We just know they're ours.

The kids are enjoying "Breakfast Popsicles" which we moved onto when they showed signs of boredom from the smoothies I was concocting every morning.

These ones are simple but you can make them with really anything you like.

1 banana

1/2 cup frozen blueberries (or fresh if you have them)

3/4 cup frozen strawberries (fresh is good too!)

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

1 cup almond coconut milk (unsweetened)

A few splashes of kefir

Raw honey to taste

Blend in blender.

Pour into Popsicle moulds.

Freeze 2 or more hours.

Good for snacks as you're running out the door...and breakfast!

(Warning: When given to small children who are free to roam as they eat, be prepared to find many small pools of melted popsicle around the living room and in areas of high toddler distraction ;)

{Babies Wearing Animal Print.}

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It's probably my favorite fashion statement on Ember.

We love these tights, which today were called "giraffe legs" by a lady at the grocery store.

I think that description might be a little off. 

But I smiled and agreed anyway.

Because when I look at them, they just make me happy!