FUN TIME FAM FIT
  • Blog
  • About
  • Best Of
  • Talks

Happy 2019!

2/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture

​Happy New Year!

...Happy February!

New year's goals are kind of my jam... actually I always sort of liked September ('new school year') goals, but over the last couple years I have had my intentions ready and written for the year ahead January 1st.

And then this year happened...
My intentions were not ready.
My intentions did not get written.

Well, I did write them down... gradually... through the month in scattered notes... but not all in one place, looking pretty like I usually do after I've already written and edited them for the second or third time.

This year was a slower start for me. Hard to believe really! I didn't and don't even feel the desire to publish my goals over the internet or social media. I just kept my list quiet and growing as ideas popped in to my head.

Truthfully, much of my list hasn't changed from last year. But my vibe towards my goals has changed. Last year, this time, I was so (literally) full of new life! I had this big ready-to-make-things-happen energy surrounding my goals that I just don't have this year.

Honestly, it's helped me weed out what I don't want and get clear on what I do, going forward. I'm feeling really peaceful and accepting of my conclusion to change my mind about some things I used to want to do because I simply don't want to do them anymore.

And even though I don't feel that same overall motivation, that clarity has been everything! It's the clarity rather than that life force that I need because with the clarity I will better find and use the energy needed to pursue the goals I truly want!

Picture
pinterest find via the shift network

​I hope typing that helps someone to have a light bulb moment. Or gives you an opportunity to reflect and become clear on what you want for the year ahead.

And maybe that looks like letting go of old goals, old relationships, old shoulda-coulda-wouldas and following your own damn path to what you truly want!

That's the kind of energy and kind of writing I'm bringing to the blog this year!

I'm still sticking with my format of "happy", "new" and "year" goals that I wrote about in this post last year. It's where I break down my list of intentions in to things that make me happy, new things to try and goals I want to accomplish in 2019. It's been a fun and helpful way of doing things!

I'll also be creating ongoing intentions throughout the year. Last year was monthly. This year may be more seasonal or following the moon cycles. Yep, moon cycles. If you haven't already discovered moon manifesting magic, I challenge you to check it out. Even if it sounds completely crazy, increasing your mindfulness about the potential (I'll save deets for another post) energy surrounding nature's cycles is seriously worth it. I spent last year writing personal, just for me, intentions nearly every full and new moon and what came to be and what patterns cycled round was fascinating!

Ok! So! However your New Year began, wherever you find yourself reading this post. Just start.

When you close this, take a big breath, find a quiet moment,  reflect and dream up those intentions for the months to come in 2019.

What happy new things will you pursue this year?

…

What will you "chase"?
What will you "choose"?
What will you "cherish"?

I'll be bringing you more on the idea of those words and what they mean to myself and some other inspiring souls soon ;)

2019, I'm ready for you!
​

Picture
via Instagram @morganharpernichols
0 Comments

Favourite Fall Photos

11/26/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture

The holiday season is well on it’s way! I think I’m more on the ball with Christmas shopping than ever and it’s still November. Which brings me to, it’s still November! Which means it’s still Fall.

Is it just me or does hype for everything start a little earlier each year?!

It seems everyone is ready to jump in to Fall early August, with over a month left of actual Summer season. Then everyone is ready for Christmas as soon as Halloween ends. It’s great to look forward to things, I’m certainly getting in to the holiday spirit, but I think it takes away from the present moment. We’re so busy worried about what’s next that we’re done with what IS while it’s happening!

So, even though the land of Instagram is moving on from pumpkin errrythang,. I'm playing catch up on all our Fall festive fun!

At the end of August I took a social media break. Partly to be more present for those present moments. To soak up the transitions of my girls starting school and unplug from everyone else’s “noise.”

It was honestly freeing. Part of me didn’t even want to plug back in... but social media is a blessing in many other ways to plug in to the things we *want* to plug in to! So here I am, back again.

Some of you might appreciate a catch up on snippets of the fun we were up to during that time. And it’s helpful for me to journal some of our happenings to document that season and welcome what’s next!
​
Picture
Picture
Picture

Halle started Kindergarten! Our school’s program is only half day and she goes in the afternoon. It’s been a big change for her but she loves it. I can’t believe how much she has grown in just a couple months!

Autumn also started Preschool this year before going to Kinder next year. She is going two afternoons a week and loves it!

This gives me a (super quick) window of time to spend one on one with Jordan or sometimes a day date with Matthew, when he’s off. The girls miss having “built in” friends everyday like they did with my dayhome so they enjoy socializing at school. And this time is much appreciated by me to get things done or simply relax.
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

My sister came to visit us during September. This was her first time meeting Jordan. It was great to have her here while Matthew was away to help me with the transition in to school drop offs. It’s a lot of going and I haven’t had to experience that yet...

It was great to simply catch up and we took in some sights around the city! Although early Fall was much colder than as of late. We went to Granary Road and the Calgary Corn Maze.
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Next up was Autumn and Matthew’s birthdays! Year 4 and 30! Autumn hosted her first big kid birthday party at our house. We had some animal activities, old school party games and a glow dance party - cause who doesn’t love that! For Matthew’s, a crowd of us went to a Calgary Hitmen game.

My dad was able to make a quick weekend visit then too! We always enjoy any time we can spend with grandparents.
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

October brought us more visits to the Corn Maze. And, luckily, more sunshine too! We love spending the afternoons there. We love the mini doughnuts too ;)

Surprisingly, this was our first year actually carving pumpkins with the kids. Other years we’ve just used them as decor or painted and decorated them. It was fun to do this together this year. And I loved having the pumpkin seeds to roast and add to oatmeal and salads :)
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

This Fall Autumn is taking ballet and Halle joined Sparks. Halle really enjoyed her day camp in October! We made an adventure out of that day by heading to the mountains to hike Johnston Canyon.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! The girls both had parties at school and it’s always special to celebrate another baby’s “first.” The weather was great for trick or treating and the girls went farther than ever before! We also started a new tradition of having a campfire in our driveway. I handed out treats there and hung out with neighbours and friends. It was better than driving our dogs bonkers and juggling a baby back and forth to the door.
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

In other Fall news, the season brought lots of fresh air fun and times spent as a family and with friends. The girls and I also joined a mommy group and have enjoyed connecting with new families through school.

As shared in my last post, I still have big dreams for this space. While sometimes I think I talk a big talk (and don’t take that action) it comes down to a priority struggle for me sometimes. After all, the time being present and the times you see in those photos is what it’s all about. If I can swing doing extra on the side to make my soul happy then that’s just icing on the cake!

One thing I did change up, in a surprising way, was jump back in to designing Keep Collective. There’s a lot more I’d like to share about this but for now it’s just something fun for me! A way to be creative, design reminders of what matters most and help spread some happy with others. And I’ve got big plans on how I want to weave all my dreams together and be more fearless when it comes to doing the things I want that bring me joy!

In saying that, I hope these photos spread some joy to you. I hope Fall was filled with many happy memories for you and yours. I hope you took time to unplug and be present. And, if you didn’t, try it this season. It will be even better during the “most wonderful time of the year!”

Thanks, as always, for reading and following along with our growing family! XO

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Summer Live List

7/30/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture

Today I’m sharing our summer live list. Lots of things we plan (or have already checked off) to do around Calgary. Plus seasonal things you could do anywhere!

This summer has been much different than 2017. Last year brought us tons of adventure. We camped nearly every weekend Matthew was home plus some longer trips and a vacation home to Newfoundland. Weekends were all the sweeter for exploring our city with the girls because I was working full time. My dayhome was more fun during summer too because of all our extra outdoor time.

This year we haven’t done any camping and I’m really missing it. With Jordan born the end of May and nothing in the books we just haven’t gotten our trailer out this season. Instead we are back to days filled with outside time and going places to keep out of the house (read: for me to stay sane.) And of course to make wonderful memories.
​

Picture
Picture

Here’s a peek in to our adventures!
  •  X As many beach days at the lake as we can get :)
  • Lake events:
    • Stampede Breakfast
    • Duck Race (Funny or not so funny story... I mixed up the dates/times for both those events #momfail)
    • Movie in the Park
  • X Canada Day at Spruce Meadows
  • Inglewood Night Market (July 13)
  • X Baby Group with Sam the Mama Coach (Friday’s 9-11 at Auburn Bay Co-op Community Room)
  • X Bragg Creek Days (July 21-22)
  • X Water Festival in Chestermere (July 28)
  • Inglewood Sunfest (August 4)
  • Sweet Summer Corn Festival (August 11 at Calgary Corn Maze)
  • Globalfest Fireworks (August 16-25)
  • Mommy Connections Teddy Bear Picnic (August 24)
  • Konmari event (August 26)
  • SUP / Born to be Adventurous Mama Meet Ups
  • Movies at the Meadows (Wednesday’s in August at Spruce Meadows
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
​
  • Granary Road
  • Visit City of Calgary Pools / Splash Pads
    • X Ogden
  • X Okotoks Spray Park
  • X Somerset Splash Pad
  • X Ralph Klein Natural Playground
  • U-pick Farm Berry Picking
  • Iron Horse Park
  • Calaway Park
  • X Calgary Zoo
  • X Explore Neighbourhood Playgrounds (Maybe I’ll do another post with some of our favourites. Calgary Playground Review is a s great resource!)
​​​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Plan TIU Meet Up
  • X Hot Mama Health and Fitness Postpartum Classes
  • X Watch Daddy’s Softball Games
  • X Drop in Play Gym at Remington YMCA
  • Play at Calgary Public Library
    • X Quarry Park
    • Fish Creek
  • See Hotel Transylvania 3 in Theatres
  • Go for Ice Cream @
    • X XO Ice Cream & Waffles​
    • Village Ice Cream
  • Hikes with kids
    • X Forgetmenot Pond
    • Elbow Falls
    • Johnson Canyon
  • X Backyard Slip and Slide
  • Trail Walks and Bike Rides
    • X Fish Creek Park
  • Road Trip to Edmonton
  • X Tent in the Backyard
  • Calgary Farmers Market
  • Decorate front porch
  • Find food trucks
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

The list continues to grow but that’s what we’ve got for now. We always make time for spontaneous fun too!


I feel lucky to live in a city with so many amenities and fun events. And to have such a beautiful “backyard” to explore.

If you’re reading from away, let this inspire you to seek out events in your town. Summer time is filled with festivals and markets. Social media makes it easy to discover new things or community groups. Days with kids are made exciting simply by packing up a picnic and heading to a park in a new neighbourhood. I know for us, being outside and “exploring” makes our day 1000X better!

If you have any fun recommendations for us with a newborn in tow, leave them in the comments :)

Thanks for reading XO

PS. More snaps from summer in this post.
​

Picture
Picture
1 Comment
<<Previous

    W e l c o m e

    Picture
    I'm Katie
    &
    this is my
    personal blog
    where I share...


    reflection + real life daydreams + ideas
    intentions + ins
    piration to:

    chase fun
    choose time
    cherish family
    challenge fitness
    ​
    ~

    stay a while
    read a story
    connect your heart

    and join a community of intentional women ready to create lives they love centred around fun, family + fitness

    be inspired to find what you chase / choose / cherish

    Navigation

    Find favourite past posts on the Best Of page or browse posts by category:

    Categories

    All
    Autumn
    Beautycounter
    Career
    Daddy
    Daily Calendar Project
    Eats
    Family
    Halle: Month By Month
    Health
    Health + Wellness
    Holidays
    Inspire
    Jordan
    Motherhood
    New Things
    Pregnancy
    Reality Rain Cheque
    Real Life
    Vlog
    Weekends


    Connect

    Instagram
    @katiekeepshealthy

    ​
    Facebook
    fun time fam fit blog

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.