Keep {Calm} & Carry On.

Pink & red paint + glitter galore + three little girls = Love.

 

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Don’t shoot me … but the girls and I have started our Valentine’s Day crafts here at home. Yes, I know. It’s ridiculous, right? Well, we live in Ontario … and it’s freezing out … and there is only snow everywhere … we are housebound many days … and so we craft. And having girls, well, hearts and candy type crafts are right up my girls’ alley.

 

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Thank you, Dollarama. I LOVE you.

 

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(Lucia’s potty training – hence the lack of clothing. She had just peed through her dress. Let the good times roll.)

 

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So much fun!!!!!

 

But don’t be fooled – my day was not all love and sparkles. I have to admit something. 

… one of my New Year’s resolutions, actually … 

 

PATIENCE. Especially during the hours of 4-7 p.m. Here, in my house. Yes, that is what we all have to come to know and cringe love … the Witching Hour.

 

Today was particularly bad. My now two year old (Happy Birthday, Lucia – yesterday!) and my three year old (fondly called Tarzan Jane) decided to outcry each other, outwhine each other … and it had been a long, long day … and dinner needed to be served … and the world just came crashing down … do you know that feeling? That wretched feeling?

 Please tell me I’m not alone. I’m sure many of you moms out there can relate. And often times, I’m patient with the children but am less patient with Hubalicious when gets home … so yes, patience … to get me through those ridiculous tear-filled afternoon hours. 
But what I really need to do is remember to keep calm and carry on. There’s only one way around the Witching Hour.

 

Just get. through. it.

 

Seriously. I desperately want one of these necklaces to remind me gently to be MORE patient each time I feel like I just can’t do it. Would you like a  little reminder, as well? 

HomeStudio has generously offered up one lucky blog reader this fantastic necklace as a giveaway prize …

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Yay, HomeStudio! Do you remember their giveaway last year?! They are an awesome business to work … they create adorable pendants on scrabble tiles! And I just love all the sayings on their pendants … go check them out at their store … they are so fun! Mark and Stef, you guys are fantastic!

All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog and your name will be entered into the giveaway. The winner will win a Keep Calm and Carry On pendant and a snake chain. What a great saying to wear close to your heart to remind you that you can get through whatever it is that is troubling you … 

 

Keep Calm and Carry On, my friends. 

P.S. Look at what I made in my coffee the other day!  

I need a bit more practice, but you CAN tell it’s a heart, right?

(Oh, Allison, I LOVE my mug!! It’s my new favorite mug!!!! Thank you!)

 

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January 12, 2010 - 2:16 pm

Anne I love, love, love that you blog your life and share it with all of us……..having never met you I can only say that those beautiful girls are sooo lucky to have a mommy like you….I’m sure you feel just as lucky. Your gilrs are going to remember all of the fantastic things that you do with them…….cheers to 2010, oh yes and love the necklace too!

January 10, 2010 - 1:52 pm

Stephanie Patience! That was my New Years resolution also!

January 9, 2010 - 11:02 pm

Mandey ; } I love checking your blog out daily! Always doing fun stuff with your kids…awesome! I love the necklace & I too have those dreaded hours some days with having 2 year old boy/girl twins along with 10 & 9 year old girls! Thanks for keeping it real! What a cool giveaway!

January 9, 2010 - 10:44 am

Mich What a lovely necklace this is….would love to win it…I think it is going to be my new mantra with the twins arriving soon…and you know I can relate to the witching hour(S)!! at my house. It certainly tests my patience level on a daily basis but us moms can do it. We are warriors right!!

January 9, 2010 - 10:17 am

Jennifer Oh Gillian, at our home between 4-7, the Crankerellas rather than Cinderellas comes out! So I can totally relate!=)

January 8, 2010 - 2:29 pm

Debbie I have checked your blog every day for over a year, and it always makes me smile! I love love love seeing the pictures of your beautiful little girls, and I hope someday to have my own. We are currently going through some infertility struggles, so that necklace would be a great reminder. Thanks!

January 8, 2010 - 11:42 am

Wanda I love the necklace! and what a great reminder (shhhh) that I sometimes need.

January 8, 2010 - 8:50 am

Michelle Love the necklace!

January 8, 2010 - 12:48 am

Victoria I LOVE that necklace! Cute! 🙂

January 8, 2010 - 12:16 am

Vanessa Amazing Necklace!!!!!!!!!! I love your blog!!! Your an amazing photographer!!! I’m a photographer as well..my photography blog is http://www.vanessaloyerphotography.blogspot.com

Enjoy! Thank you again!!

January 8, 2010 - 12:04 am

Christine Jensen What an awesome pendant…and a reminder that I totally need! THanks 🙂

January 7, 2010 - 11:32 pm

Candice Oh my absolute cuteness!! I gotta start following your sweet blog! Ok- how long have I drooled over this necklace and saying- but I’ve never seen it in FUSCHIA!!! Ekkk- pink’s my fav too! Gotta have it 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

January 7, 2010 - 11:14 pm

Tricia Nugen I have asked for the same thing this year PATIENCE. I don’t care if I don’t make my health goal but lord grant me patience before I buy stock in Sally’s to cover all the gray hair these two precious children have caused… ( and I try to say precious like a wicked witch) it makes me laugh and brings me back to my happy place!

January 7, 2010 - 11:14 pm

Anne It’s all in the attitude. it would be a great little reminder! annemolino at hotmail dot com

January 7, 2010 - 11:08 pm

Amy Priddy :||: Priddy Creations Love the crafts you and your kids did. I need to find something cute like that to do with my three monkeys!

Love the necklace. It is totally fitting for me right now as all three of my kids have been passing around a virus and have been home all week (which makes for 3 weeks home). SERENITY NOW!! I like the simple jewelry so this would be perfect if I won!

Thanks so much for the giveaway!

January 7, 2010 - 10:42 pm

Amy I definitely know what you mean. All I asked for Christmas from Santa was some patience – and I’m still trying to decide if I got it? I do know that I’ve become really good at tuning out crying children. I love the crafts that you’ve done with the girls – I’ll have to make a trip to dollarama myself. Love the necklace.

January 7, 2010 - 10:39 pm

~love you know i can relate. especially about the part of better patience w/ kiddos than hubby. working on that! he deserves my patience, too. (especially when he hasn’t been the one toying with it from 3-4:30.) =)

January 7, 2010 - 10:21 pm

ROSE:) O.M.G…..first of all YES YES YES I can relate to these moments when I wanna join in and cry too(which I did at 2:00-4:30 this morning) with my 2 year old who just wants MOMMIE!!!! Secondly, I felt bad today and went to the famous Dollarama…and bought ALL the same stuff as you did for Valentine’s Day and started painting already!!!! Too funny..they almost all look the same!LOL
I luv the necklace quote…if I don’t win it I will make one and wrap it around my neck to remind myself!

January 7, 2010 - 10:21 pm

Barb Mason You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. ~Franklin P. Jones

I think everyone completely understands where you are coming from Gillian!!!

Lovin’ that necklace!!!

January 7, 2010 - 8:32 pm

Janet coming from a mother of two, who are now 24 and 22 I am glad to say they are now that age. I personally think that it is programmed into their little brains (all of them) between the hours of 4 – 7, ugh…Gillian, this too shall pass…keep strong and carry on!
and one day they will love you forever….and no crying!

January 7, 2010 - 7:54 pm

Maredyth Yah I am pretty sure you are talking about my house also. Everyone is burnt out and hungry from a long day at school and work. Not a good combo. I have a sign in my house with that saying and it has become somewhat of a mantra for me. We all need a little patience. You are not alone my friend!

January 7, 2010 - 7:51 pm

Catherine Oh, do I ever know what you’re talking about! It’s good to hear that I’m not alone. What is it about kids between home from school and bedtime? It’s just CRAZY!

January 7, 2010 - 6:00 pm

Rachelle Hlaj Oooh Gillian! I can really relate to this! The witching hour is a perfect name for the hours between 3:30-8 that I just want to flee and run screaming into the hills! You’re not alone and we can all use just a little more patience. What a beautiful necklace-hope I win!

January 7, 2010 - 2:28 pm

Sarah It sounds like you’re describing my house….why is it that the kids start acting up RIGHT when dinner needs to be prepared and put on the table??? My poor hubby walks in at 5pm with at least one of the girls crying or screaming!!…sometimes it’s me that wants to go on a time-out!!

January 7, 2010 - 1:58 pm

Lori Collins Your life isn’t all lollypops and bubblegum?! hehe I LOVE the valentines crafts and I love that necklace! Words to live by, but I wish it was easier to do!

January 7, 2010 - 1:38 pm

Carry Our “witching hour” is 5-7 here, I just try and remind myself to breathe and remember that they too are just as frazzled.(which is really hard sometimes) I want to thank you for all your craft ideas, they really help warm the winter months at our house too! Have a fabulous week Gillian.

January 7, 2010 - 11:08 am

Keri Kitto-Fast To be honest it’s nice to hear that your life isn’t always pink sparkles and cozy fires!! lol!! I too need more patience this year. Especially with hubby, he seems to come home right at our witching hour when I am done!!! It’s a beautiful {crazy} life with 3 little girls!!!

January 7, 2010 - 10:45 am

Heather Rivlin OK Gillian, you totally wrote that as if you were living my life…so glad to know I am not the only one. With three boys running around, that tile could save my life…or someone else’s when the going gets rough. I wonder if they’d make me one with my kids names on it? hmmmm so adorable!

January 7, 2010 - 10:17 am

katlott I think I will use this as my new mantra!

January 7, 2010 - 10:15 am

Sherri Smith ((HUGS)) I feel for you Gillian. Patience is a virtue (not an automatic gimmee in life)because it is so hard to come by and hold onto. Your ‘hubalicious’ needs some too, not just the girlies. My friend has her husband take her kids for the first 2 hours after he gets home so she can defrazzle. It makes patience a little easier for her to come by. LOVE the necklace(s).

January 7, 2010 - 9:49 am

Monica I love this necklace…think I will visit their site more often!! Thanks Gillian for sharing!

January 7, 2010 - 8:24 am

Jen Of course you are not alone..I don’t know you but I can totally relate as Iam sure a million more mommies can too 🙂 I have four children and well I am sure you can imagine MY witching hours 🙂 Yes patience…where are you?

January 7, 2010 - 2:05 am

Chelsey Okay, this is seriously crazy. Minus the Valentine Day Crafting (we have bday’s galore that month … hmmmm, maybe that’s why I never really think about Valentines!) … this is my life. You have stepped into my parlor. Hello, welcome. 😉

January 7, 2010 - 12:10 am

Kerry As women we tend to put too much pressure on ourselves to be the perfect mom, daughter, wife and friend. Sometimes, we do need a gentle reminder to say to us that we are doing the best we can for today.

January 7, 2010 - 12:06 am

Michelle Quinton Thanx for the link. Checked it out…. AM thinking one of those tiles should go on hubby’s keychain – or a tattoo on his forehead. Luvd it. Good pricing too, considering USA. Nice stuf! Thanx for keeping us connected to the good side of life.

January 7, 2010 - 12:01 am

Kari When my son is in school, Mackenzee is an angel.. but once he gets home… that’s when the witching hour begins, and it ends after they go to bed… which mackenzee continues to come out until i finally threaten to take away her babies.. then she will settle… and I have my peace.. That is a really good saying.. Keep Calm and Carry on… I really like that.. take a deep breath.. count to 10.. and carry on!

January 6, 2010 - 11:51 pm

pammelah I don’t know what this witching hour thing is.. my children are all perfect.. they walk thu the door bursting with helpfulness and love for one another, and my babies.. well in between giggling like cherubs and feeding themselves healthy snacks, they nap. sigh. poor you. lol I’ll pray for you. just for you, because I love you so.. I’ll escape..er..leave my perfect home and we’ll go get coffee with double yum shots and I’ll regale you with stories of my perfect angels.(If I can un-crazy glue the car keys from the toilet seat)

January 6, 2010 - 11:44 pm

Rebekah Peterson I think any mother can relate with you!!! As long as we can focus on the joys through it all too!

January 6, 2010 - 11:34 pm

Jenn As a mom of four, I totally relate. Like the others have said, this too shall pass… I 100% agree! Either I inherited(over time) great patience or the kiddo’s outgrew the witching hour(s).
Hang in there, the best is yet to come

January 6, 2010 - 11:11 pm

Mom Awh, Gillian…. I know the feeling too as I remember it well. Thanks for being honest and for letting us know …. we will pray for you and other mommies 🙂
I HAVE that necklace and LOVE it. But I would still love to win one. Thank you Gillian, and Home Studio for your generosity.

January 6, 2010 - 10:45 pm

Charlene This too shall pass. Really it does! But in the event that it seems like it never will might I suggest a large glass of mummy-juice (red or white)?

January 6, 2010 - 10:41 pm

Tanya Frew I love this necklace. The Britts had it right!!! In December i bought their matches. They arrived quickly and my friend loved them! So fun:)

January 6, 2010 - 10:41 pm

Tara Gigi, my hours are 4-8pm. patience is something you and i are both apparently not so hot at 😉
many tears are shed during these hours, i can relate for sure. Let’s hope the following months ahead I can absorb some patience from my daughter, who is an expert at waiting and staying calm. Loving all your photos you post and the cutest stories to go along with them. Keep it up!

January 6, 2010 - 10:41 pm

melissa I totally understand… Ms. Lily’s witching hour is from 5 – 6:30 when her father comes home and miraculously she is no longer cranky, tired, grumpy, upset, crying…. and he doesn’t understand why I am stressed out cause she is happy 🙂 I love all the crafts that you do with your girls.

January 12, 2010 - 4:26 pm

Mondays. » Gigi Blog […] last Monday? The Keep Calm and Carry On kinda day. Well, I’m glad I am not alone in that battle … a lot of you guys responded on the blog […]

January 8, 2010 - 12:50 am

Cupcake Pops! » Gigi Blog […] P.S. Don’t forget the giveaway below!!!! […]