We want to hear how you do it, Moms! Are you a mom in Edmonton, a career mom, a stay-at-home mom, an entrepreneur mom, something somewhere in between? Contact us (kjristen@urbaninfant.ca) to be profiled!
Tell us about you, your children and where you live
My name is Amanda. I am a 38 year old woman who, after living in many, many other places, has returned to live in Fort Saskatchewan, where I was born and raised. I am married to Troy a VW fanatic, mechanic and entrepreneur. We have been friends for 19 years and married for nearly 13. Troy and I have a six year old son named Micah. He is crazy for Lego and his friends and is a pretty fantastic kid, if you ask me. We also have a daughter, Eleanor, who is almost 1. She is still living in Haiti at the orphanage that we are adopting her from. She is beautiful and perfect and has Down Syndrome.
Do you have help? (incl childcare, housework, personal assistant)
Nope, but wouldn’t a personal assistant be fun, I think they would mostly clean and drink coffee with me.
Best hobby?
Cooking and baking are my most frequently practiced hobbies, but I am working on getting better at photography (head shots/portraits intrigue me) and I really love writing a real, “old fashioned” letter. You know, one with a pen and paper – but I don’t do it nearly often enough.
Extracurricular activities for you?
Reading, I love getting lost in a good book.
Extracurricular activities for your babe/children?
We live in a neighbourhood surrounded by some other fantastic families and we spend as much time as possible hanging out in our back alley (yep, we are redeeming the back alley’s reputation) with a gang of terrific kids. Drawing chalk cities, riding bikes and skateboards, playing with dogs, these things equal a great activity for us. Parks, playgrounds, sprinklers, toboggan hills… just get us outside and we are happy.
In the next months we will be diving in to the world of Down Syndrome and hope to be advocates for people with this unique perspective on the world.
What does a typical family day look like to you (Saturday/Sunday)?
Our best Saturdays have NOTHING on the calendar. They include lots of lego, coffee and outdoor fun! Sundays mean church for us and some time with the beautiful people that make up our faith community.
Who cooks dinner?
Me. Unless I just really am craving a frozen pizza, bad Chinese food, oran egg – then Troy’s the cook.
How does the grocery shopping get done, by whom, with the kids, and do you use coupons?
Right now I am at home full time so I do the groceries while the boys are at school and work.
How often do you buy something for yourself?
Once in a while I let myself wander through Winners or the Clothing and Kitchen department at Superstore, that’s where the real self indulgence happens for me… ya, not too often.
Do you exercise and if so, how/when do you fit the time in to do that?
Walking is my thing, with random bouts of running for a few months at a time, until the desire fades. I do not enjoy exercising indoors, so do my best to get out and walk as often as I can. I have recently found a way to combine my love or walking with my love of a great book. Audio-books-are-changing-my-life!!!
Favourite movie?
For year it was “Dead Poets Society” but lately, I think I’d have to say Bridesmaids – go figure, people change.
Favourite nookie song?
Van Morrison – Crazy Love. NO Contest!
Favourite beverage special coffee, cocktail?
Coffee – Americano with an extra shot and cream or, Spiced Whiskey and Ginger, depends on the morning.
Favourite pair of shoes?
I bought a pair of boots in Northern Ontario at some little shop about 9 years ago. They are still my favourite and I am constantly on a mission to replace them as they are getting pretty rough. Those or a great pair of Miz Mooz leather wedges.
‘Cannot leave home without it’ item?
I’d like to be original, but I suppose that the real answer is my iphone.
Thank you for sharing with all of us Amanda! Thanks for being an Urban Infant reader!
