Seems like that #MotherhoodChallenge went as quick as it came. Did you hear about it last week? Or maybe, like me, you just saw a slew of news articles and bloggers not on board. To sum up, mothers were "challenged" by a friend to share a small number of photos, on social media, of the moments that made them feel most proud to be a mom, using the hashtag #MotherhoodChallenge. It opened up all kinds of doors for controversy, which may be the reason why it was cut short before making it's way around my social media... So maybe this makes my weigh in a little late to the game. But, after some recent parenting happenings, I couldn't help but think about what some are saying about this hashtag trend...

And it all started with my oldest being a total bedtime asshole.

I can type that last word up there because I'm guilty of being that highlight reel parent, sometimes... One of the complaints about the challenge was the selection of "perfect" proud parenting photos...

I can also type that last word up there because she's not actually an asshole, she's just two.

And there's your parenting challenge.

This side, that is, the "real" side, was embraced by some people participating in the hashtag challenge, too.

And you know what? I'm on board for both versions! Your proudest moments should be your highlights and they should be the small victories like surviving (and conquering) bedtime. I like to embrace both versions of parenthood on my social media, especially here on my blog.

Who doesn't like to share/see cute kid photos?

Here ya go!

And who doesn't appreciate a #reallife #momlife toddler tale?

It all began with the kicking of the bedroom door... Sly, independence-grower (that's my nice version for two year old A-hole) just knew that was her key out as to not wake her sister sleeping next door. And then somehow it became the norm for an entire week!

Sleep. That seriously is my biggest parenting challenge!

No other aspects of parenting (yet!) make me worry/stress/feel all the feels more than (lack of) sleep. It's the one thing, for my kids, I don't think I have control or confidence in (yet ;))

That being said, nothing makes me feel more proud than getting my girls to bed, without a hitch, and them sleeping all night long.

And, nothing makes me feel more un-proud as a parent as when my sleep lacking self becomes impatient, frustrated and angry with my sleepless children.

Oh the challenges!

So let's back this up. Motherhood is full of challenges.

Do I think this challenge had good intentions? Yes.

Do I think this challenge was shoving parenthood perfection in everyone's face who has trouble conceiving, who's kids are less than perfect, who has too much time to overthink about "mommy wars" and why this challenge is a bad idea? Um, no. OK, maybe that last one.

Do I think this challenge was necessary? No!

Ultimately, people will always have something to say. And with social media these days, people will always have something to share, hashtag challenges or not. So stick with the moments that matter to you, whether that be highlights, outtakes or a bit of both.

And never let anyone tell you not to share something you are proud of!!!

Like tonight, this typed post sponsored by two little ladies who went to bed early and one proud mama ;)

* If you liked reading this post, it would really mean a lot to me if you share the love :) As always, thank you for reading! XO *

Valentine's Day is one of my favourite holidays!

Firstly, I love love.

I love making the cards.

I love the sweets.

I love the heart shaped everything.

To some, it's overrated, it's cheesy. Maybe... sometimes.

Love certainly should be expressed & celebrated every day. But when you add kids to the mix, Valentine's Day, like other holidays, gains a little extra magic. Here's a look back at some of our festive fun via my camera roll.

Dollar store art supplies kept us busy for a few days. We made cards to mail to family and used the rest to decorate our playroom door.

We hosted a small Valentine's brunch for some mamas & friends on Saturday.
The kids had fun with playdough and dress up.
I made pancakes and festive fruit cups. And these addictive sweet & salty snacks.

To make:
- spread pretzels on baking sheet
- top with a Hershey kiss
- bake for 5 minutes at 250*
- top with m&m or smartie
- let cool & enjoy :)

I had no luck getting the girls to slow down for a photo opp, so here's a throwback to my chubby wubby Valentine xoxo

We're all about the festive eats & treats! For Valentine's Day breakfast we had protein pancakes with pomegranate.
At naptime I enjoyed some me time with my basket of goodies from Matthew.
What girl doesn't love flowers, but who really wouldn't love an edible bouquet instead ;)

I let the girls in on the treats after naptime, and we all enjoyed a mini banana split. Especially my adorable pigtailed girlie :)

Hope you all had a fun Valentine's weekend with your loved ones.

And I want to say THANK YOU very much for all of your love on my last blog post! I am always surprised by the number of site visits.
I truly appreciate all of your comments and likes here and on Facebook. It encourages me so much to keep sharing our stories :)

I'm working on a good one for next time, but for now I couldn't resist this mini photo dump. XO

Halle took her first ballet class about a month ago.

Her first non-drop-in, non-parented class (!)

She was so excited!

The week before, we went to the dance store to pick out her clothes & ballet slippers. She was in tutu heaven! Dress up is her thang! She was over the moon to get home to try on her outfit. We decided that bodysuit and skirt would be for class only, so bathing suits and play tutus quickly became the go-to choice of clothing (...for the last month.)

We also chose some books about ballet at the library that week. We both enjoyed a board book called Bea at Ballet. I was drawn to the images and style of the book, and it was age appropriate for Halle. The librarian helped us find the Talulah ballet series picture books. These are beautifully illustrated, too, and the ballet stories are on point ;) (Harhar! I couldn't resist...) Halle sat and listened to them when we had one on one time, and because she was all about ballet, but they may be better suited for someone a little older or school aged.

Anyways, all the prep, all the anticipation, and then - the big day!

And it did not go as I expected...

We arrived early and put on her skirt and slippers with the other 2.5 - 3.5 year old girls. Some of them had taken class in the Fall and others were there for their first class, like us. Some seemed to know each other, or the parents did, some didn't. Classes take place at our community lake house, so I would assume most families live in our neighbourhood or not far. I'm hoping this will be a way for us to make friends in our area. That is if I have a chance to chat with these parents...

After getting ready in the change room we went downstairs with the other girls to wait outside the classroom door. There is a session right before so the students quickly swap out. Halle was all smiles, patiently waiting to meet her teacher. When the door opened, and the older girls came out, she ran on in skipping and twirling with the other girls. Their teacher stood in the doorway to say a quick hello and explain how things work. As mentioned, this is a non-parented class with the door closed so parents do not get to watch until the end of the season recital. Sometimes the door is left open on the first day so that the children can get comfortable, but since everyone had run I eagerly, she was going to try closing the door. And just as she did, Halle, who was out of my sight, came running and crying "I don't want to do ballet!"

What happened?

In that minute where I couldn't see her from the huddle of parents in the doorway, what changed?
Was it because she couldn't see me? Was it the door closing? Was it the other girls? Was she scared?

She took off up the stairs, "I don't want to do ballet."

It crossed my mind that we signed up for the nap time class, because the morning one was full, so maybe she was just tired?

Either way, I was shocked. Hadn't she just pranced in to the room?

But my friendly, typically fearless girl didn't want to go by herself.

Understandably, this was her first activity without me by her side or within eye sight. But I had underestimated her level of attachment. Despite thinking I had prepared her by telling her she got to dance with the big girls and her teacher all by herself while mommy and sis waited outside the door, she wasn't ready.

After a few minutes of waiting outside the open door, she was persuaded to enter when the teacher took out tiaras and magic wands.

She still spent most of the class sitting near me on the outside of the room. Occasionally she got up to take a prop or did what the girls were doing far away from the group.

For the rest of the week, whenever we'd talk about ballet or I'd tell family or friends how her class went, she'd say "Halle no like ballet, my crying." Was she saying this because she heard me saying it or was she really upset? And the most troubling one, she said "me can't do it."

Can't. Heartbreaking words from your child when it comes to learning something. Where did she even hear can't? Where did she learn that idea?

We continued to talk positively about ballet and explain that she would have fun learning how to dance at class. Luckily, dancing at home, dressing like a ballerina, and requesting (itty bitty) buns in her hair was still in full swing!

Week two, daddy was off work and brought her to class. Unfortunately there was a substitute teacher which didn't really help to maintain the level of consistency and comfort for Halle to get used to class. But she tried, with Matthew on the sidelines, of course. It sounds like she improved and ventured to the group a little more. She certainly was excited to have daddy with her :)

The next week, Autumn and I went with her again. We had had an early rise that day so I put Halle down for nap before class. I anticipated she would just have quiet time in her room, since we didn't have much time before we had to leave for dance. She ended up falling asleep which meant I had to wake her, after a not near long enough rest. She was tired and of course this brought on the emotions of not wanting to go to ballet. We were a few minutes late, but it worked out okay, because she had a mini meltdown outside the classroom door. When she calmed down, we entered the classroom quietly and Autumn and I sat by the door once again. This time, Halle joined the group. She did almost all of the activities, used props, waited her turn, and stayed with the other girls, except when they were on our side of the room ;)

I was so proud to see these improvements! We left class feeling positive!

Dance is cancelled this week because of the Family Day holiday. Hopefully that won't affect next week's session. With baby steps, the goal will be for her to go in by herself. I'm hoping if we can make connections with the other families she will feel more comfortable going without me knowing she has a friend or friends.

So, ballet has been a learning and growing experience for us all! It really is exciting to watch her grow up and to be doing her first 'real' 'big girl' activity. It has come with surprises but it has come with smiles watching how much she loves to dance at home and how much fun she is having being a ballerina.

I hope she continues to improve and enjoy class as much as she loves dancing with us. And I want her to know she can do it!

And that she can do and be whatever she wants to be, for that matter.

Dream big & keep twirling little one xoxo