Over this past weekend our family had something happen that was really kinda funny and got me to thinking, "Does Daddy really know what he is doing when it comes to taking care of the kids?"
I will start this story out by letting you in on what happened at our house. I had absolutely no time to go Easter shopping over the past week so I, of course, was out shopping at 7:30pm the night before Easter. They whole day was nothing but busy and at 7:15pm my husband was taking my sons friend home so I could leave to get all my stuff done. Now I was feeling stressed. I had to get groceries and the items I needed to make desserts for my mother in laws house the next day. I had to get Easter candy and toys for the baskets. I also needed to find a basket and baby toys for our new little one. Can anyone say MIGRAINE! I was running like mad trying to make it to the Dollar Store to stock up on all my kids favorite candy. Still no basket for the poor baby. I ran into the grocery store picked up a few grocery items and said forget the rest, I will come back on Monday. I ran up the unbelievably overpriced toy isle and grabbed some baby toys and a few wiffle balls for my sons. Ran over to CVS where I found the As Seen On TV Slushy Maker and grabbed that for my daughter. Still no basket for the baby. Ran next door to TJ Max to see if they had baskets and of course, no basket, unless I wanted one that would hold the newspaper on the steps. Don't think I didn't contemplate it either! But I ended up with a monkey backpack that fit everything right inside. I will find a basket for next year.
But here is where the real story begins. I come home with the few grocery bags in my hand and was met at the door by my daughter. She had a very concerned look in her eye that I could see through the glass in the door. When I opened the door she said "Mommy, didn't you get my message?" I looked at my phone and said "No, my phone never rang. Why whats the matter?" As she was starting to speak, my husbands head pops around the corner and he states, "Can you please tell your daughter that I am a good father and I know what I am doing!"
Well come to find out, the baby started crying as soon as I left my house. Anyone that knows him will tell you that he is a great baby and never cries, but right now he is getting his top two teeth and that really doesn't feel so good. So, he can cry all he wants the poor guy.
Back to the story! Our daughter proceeds to tell me that he cried the whole time I was gone and Daddy only just got him to sleep. Now, Daddy's story goes like this. "You left the house and he started crying! Not the whimper cry but the he's in pain cry. I tried everything! Standing, sitting, rocking, walking, going outside, putting him in his bouncy and nothing worked until I just put him down in our bed and he finally went to sleep."
Well, this is what I would normally do if he was worked up but our daughter kept telling her father that he didn't know what he was doing! She told him "Ty never cries like that when Mommy is here!" and "I think I should just call mommy and let her know what is going on!" and "Are you sure you know what you are doing, Daddy?" He said she was relentless!
I have never laughed so hard on the inside than I did that night! Does he really not know what he is doing? Of course he knows what to do. Parents parent differently. He has his way and I have mine. We both know how to settle the baby down but it might not be the same way. Our daughter usually sees me with the baby and what I do because I am fortunate enough to be able to stay at home. I had to explain to her that Daddy does know what he is doing and that sometimes we need to give daddy some slack and let him figure out what to do with the baby because he doesn't get to spend as much time with him as we do. I then told her "I don't know how you made it 10 years with him as your father!" We all got a good laugh out of it and it will be a story told to the baby for years to come!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Allowance and Chores
Okay, I have found that Chores are not something my children want to do! I am sure it is not something your children want to do either! Really, who wants to do chores? I know there are days I don't want to do them! So, I had to come up with an incentive.
I went online searching for ways to entice my kids to do their chores. When I came across this great website called Allowance Manager https://allowancemanager.com/ . When I first started looking at this websites home page I thought to myself it looks to simple to be anything worth taking a look at. Well, I ended up looking and was really impressed with this simple little page. So I signed up and started exploring.
What I found was a great way to get your kids to do chores for their allowance. Allowance Manager has free chore sheet printouts that you can hang on the fridge and let your kids be responsible for the chores they need to do. The kids have to be responsible for not only doing them but marking them done on their chart. The site gives you great tips on how to keep your kids motivated with doing their chores. It tells you to set up an allowance that you will give to your child on a specific day of the week if their chores were completed.
My kids, being 9 and 10, are given the following chores. They will keep their rooms clean, set and clear the table at dinner each on opposite nights. They will do their homework without whining or complaining. They will keep all their belongings picked up in the main part of the house. Lastly, any sporting equipment will be put away when practice or a game is over. On Fridays, if all of their chores on their chore sheet are marked as done then they will get $5 to put in their piggy bank.
Now this is what I really love about Allowance Manager! When I give them their money, they get to enter it into the website on their personalized bank record. So, they get to keep track of their earning and spending. It teaches them responsibility with money. I am not saying it works miracles! My son's money burns a hole in his pocket like nothing else. But, he gets to see where all of his money goes and he loves to try to spend it down to the last penny! My daughter is a saver and loves to watch her money grow. She loves to think about what she would like to buy and then says "Well if I save a little more I can buy something bigger and better!" My son will probably be living at home until he has to put me in a home and at that he will probably ship me off to my daughter because he will be broke, HAHAHA! And my daughter, from being such a saver, will be driving a Mercedes for her first car!
All kidding aside this is a fabulous way for them to not only do their chores but to learn what saving is. I recommend this website to everyone!
I went online searching for ways to entice my kids to do their chores. When I came across this great website called Allowance Manager https://allowancemanager.com/ . When I first started looking at this websites home page I thought to myself it looks to simple to be anything worth taking a look at. Well, I ended up looking and was really impressed with this simple little page. So I signed up and started exploring.
What I found was a great way to get your kids to do chores for their allowance. Allowance Manager has free chore sheet printouts that you can hang on the fridge and let your kids be responsible for the chores they need to do. The kids have to be responsible for not only doing them but marking them done on their chart. The site gives you great tips on how to keep your kids motivated with doing their chores. It tells you to set up an allowance that you will give to your child on a specific day of the week if their chores were completed.
My kids, being 9 and 10, are given the following chores. They will keep their rooms clean, set and clear the table at dinner each on opposite nights. They will do their homework without whining or complaining. They will keep all their belongings picked up in the main part of the house. Lastly, any sporting equipment will be put away when practice or a game is over. On Fridays, if all of their chores on their chore sheet are marked as done then they will get $5 to put in their piggy bank.
Now this is what I really love about Allowance Manager! When I give them their money, they get to enter it into the website on their personalized bank record. So, they get to keep track of their earning and spending. It teaches them responsibility with money. I am not saying it works miracles! My son's money burns a hole in his pocket like nothing else. But, he gets to see where all of his money goes and he loves to try to spend it down to the last penny! My daughter is a saver and loves to watch her money grow. She loves to think about what she would like to buy and then says "Well if I save a little more I can buy something bigger and better!" My son will probably be living at home until he has to put me in a home and at that he will probably ship me off to my daughter because he will be broke, HAHAHA! And my daughter, from being such a saver, will be driving a Mercedes for her first car!
All kidding aside this is a fabulous way for them to not only do their chores but to learn what saving is. I recommend this website to everyone!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Solid As A Rock
As a Mom, we wear many hats. We are everything to our husband and our kids. They count on us for everything and I count on my ability to almost be able to keep it together in every situation that they need me. But am I really a rock that keeps my family together?
This wasn't a job that I got a description for in the paper. I never circled it and got excited about what my salary was going to be. I never had an interview and was told what my responsibilities were going to be. When I watched movies or TV dramas motherhood looked so simple. The mothers managed to be put together and beautiful and their houses were spotless. They were able to come and go as they pleased. They were able to be at every sporting event in their children's lives. Even my mom's job seemed simple when I was young. What was it that she did? We were playing in the back yard and as far as I knew she made us breakfast lunch and dinner, right? Well the answer is wrong!
I don't think, as a mom, we let anyone no what our job entails. It is like a secret society and when we see another mother we know that they are in the same boat no matter how their situation differs from ours. As I said above, I have no job description or list of responsibilities. I had no formal job training before I had my kids so I wing it everyday. Everyday can bring a new challenge to make us question our strength!
With the kind of year my family has had, I am finding that I do have that strength of a rock. That does not mean that I do not have weak moments and that I don't have a few tears trickling down my face before I go to sleep at night. But, for the most part I keep my composure. Why do I keep it? Well, if I don't my family will for sure fall apart.
This all started 10 years ago when I had my daughter. I was in my early 20's. I was not married yet and was scared as hell of what was happening to me. I was miles and miles from my family, I am talking plane ride miles! But yet managed to get through it. Three months after my daughter was born I found myself yet again pregnant with my son and still no ring on my finger. People thought I was crazy, and well I have to say I probably was but this was the hand that I was dealt and I was going to do the best I could with what I had. This alone was making me a stronger mother and I didn't even realize it. After 9 years since my last child we welcomed a new son into our family. Again, bringing new challenges into our family.
So for the last 10 years I have been raising my kids, and yes I did get the ring and the marriage 7 years ago! But we have had our fair share of ups and downs. A lot of them were down but we always managed to dig our way back out and see the light. I find that when we are having those dreaded down swings I am at my strongest. My problems cannot be my children's problems. They are kids and deserve to be kids. They shouldn't be worried about finances, houses, and parents problems. They should not be worried about anything other than doing good in school and playing with their friends.
I have a new found respect for my mom. I realize everyday that she was not just making my meals everyday! That everyday, added to the list of jobs she already had, there was at least 1 new job title added to the list. My list seems so grow and grow. Everyday I am a doctor or a nurse, a teacher or librarian, a therapist and a playmate. This is my small list. There are so many more I could add. But, if you are a mom you know all the work I do and I know all the work you do!
Stay Solid Moms!
This wasn't a job that I got a description for in the paper. I never circled it and got excited about what my salary was going to be. I never had an interview and was told what my responsibilities were going to be. When I watched movies or TV dramas motherhood looked so simple. The mothers managed to be put together and beautiful and their houses were spotless. They were able to come and go as they pleased. They were able to be at every sporting event in their children's lives. Even my mom's job seemed simple when I was young. What was it that she did? We were playing in the back yard and as far as I knew she made us breakfast lunch and dinner, right? Well the answer is wrong!
I don't think, as a mom, we let anyone no what our job entails. It is like a secret society and when we see another mother we know that they are in the same boat no matter how their situation differs from ours. As I said above, I have no job description or list of responsibilities. I had no formal job training before I had my kids so I wing it everyday. Everyday can bring a new challenge to make us question our strength!
With the kind of year my family has had, I am finding that I do have that strength of a rock. That does not mean that I do not have weak moments and that I don't have a few tears trickling down my face before I go to sleep at night. But, for the most part I keep my composure. Why do I keep it? Well, if I don't my family will for sure fall apart.
This all started 10 years ago when I had my daughter. I was in my early 20's. I was not married yet and was scared as hell of what was happening to me. I was miles and miles from my family, I am talking plane ride miles! But yet managed to get through it. Three months after my daughter was born I found myself yet again pregnant with my son and still no ring on my finger. People thought I was crazy, and well I have to say I probably was but this was the hand that I was dealt and I was going to do the best I could with what I had. This alone was making me a stronger mother and I didn't even realize it. After 9 years since my last child we welcomed a new son into our family. Again, bringing new challenges into our family.
So for the last 10 years I have been raising my kids, and yes I did get the ring and the marriage 7 years ago! But we have had our fair share of ups and downs. A lot of them were down but we always managed to dig our way back out and see the light. I find that when we are having those dreaded down swings I am at my strongest. My problems cannot be my children's problems. They are kids and deserve to be kids. They shouldn't be worried about finances, houses, and parents problems. They should not be worried about anything other than doing good in school and playing with their friends.
I have a new found respect for my mom. I realize everyday that she was not just making my meals everyday! That everyday, added to the list of jobs she already had, there was at least 1 new job title added to the list. My list seems so grow and grow. Everyday I am a doctor or a nurse, a teacher or librarian, a therapist and a playmate. This is my small list. There are so many more I could add. But, if you are a mom you know all the work I do and I know all the work you do!
Stay Solid Moms!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Summertime Outdoor Fun! 
Now that Spring is in the air, my kids are looking for activities to do outside. I was looking on Pinterest and found an idea that was for adults and decided to change it a little and make it into something for the kiddos!
Get a wooden picnic table. Old or unfinished works just as well as a new one. Just be sure that it is safe and sturdy. Buy two plastic window boxes. The ones that hold flowers. Remove one to two planks in the middle of the table and replace them with the window boxes! This becomes an instant art studio for the outside. Keep finger paints, paint brushes, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and whatever you can think of! You can also make this into a sand and water activity table and switch it back and forth. You can cover your table with a tarp and some bungee straps to keep it from being ruined by the weather!
This idea came from something I saw on Pinterest. It was a table where they removed the planks in the middle replaced it with a rain gutter and filled it with ice and served drinks in it for an outdoor party. My project could also be utilized in this way, but I think it would get more use doing it for the kids!
What not a better way to get them outside and using their imaginations!
Get a wooden picnic table. Old or unfinished works just as well as a new one. Just be sure that it is safe and sturdy. Buy two plastic window boxes. The ones that hold flowers. Remove one to two planks in the middle of the table and replace them with the window boxes! This becomes an instant art studio for the outside. Keep finger paints, paint brushes, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and whatever you can think of! You can also make this into a sand and water activity table and switch it back and forth. You can cover your table with a tarp and some bungee straps to keep it from being ruined by the weather!
This idea came from something I saw on Pinterest. It was a table where they removed the planks in the middle replaced it with a rain gutter and filled it with ice and served drinks in it for an outdoor party. My project could also be utilized in this way, but I think it would get more use doing it for the kids!
What not a better way to get them outside and using their imaginations!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Gardening with kids!
Now that spring is here it is time to start thinking about gardening. A garden can seem like an overwhelming task, I know from experience! But over the last couple of years I have figured out a way to make it a little easier.
My parents had a huge garden in our back yard when I was growing up. They would grow asparagus, peppers, tomatoes, corn, and cantaloupes just to name a few. My Dad would be tilling the garden in the early spring to loosen to dirt. He would go to my aunts farm to get manure to fertilize the garden. It was a lot of work. Now, I do not have that kind of will to do a garden! I love the idea of fresh veggies but don't have that kind of time to put into a large garden. So, I have come up with an inexpensive and fun way to garden with kids.
When kids are hands on with the process they tend to try the veggies and fruits that they grow. It is a great way to get them to try new things and it teaches them responsibility.
To keep it inexpensive and from having to dig up your yard, buy a plastic kiddie pool. They run about $10 and you can find them at lots of stores. Drill holes in the bottom of the pool. This will allow for adequate drainage. Buy a nice rich quality soil and fill the pool. Find some cinder blocks or a wooden pallet for the pool to sit on. Place your pool in a sunny area and remember once it is filled it will be hard to move. One thing I would splurge on is the plants. If you are going to grow them from a seed, use starter pots inside to let the plant get a good start.
Since this garden is meant for the kids take them to help pick out the plants. Plant practical things that you and your family will use. I like tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, peppers. By picking 4 kinds of plants it will allow you to section the pool off into 4 and you won't have overcrowding. My family loves Cantaloupe and Watermelon, but this garden won't support these fruits. These are 2 fruits that will take over a garden. If you choose to plant these pick a small area and mound up the soil. My parents had a trick they used for these fruits. They would mound up the dirt and place a tire on the top. Then they would plant the fruit inside of the tire. It keeps them from taking over a large area!
Have your kids water the garden every morning, evening, or both. The hot summer sun can be harsh and will dry out the soil easily. Be sure to cover your garden with a sheet at the first sign of a frost.
Now simply watch as your garden produces some yummy fruits and veggies. Your kids will be excited to see what all their hard work has done!
My parents had a huge garden in our back yard when I was growing up. They would grow asparagus, peppers, tomatoes, corn, and cantaloupes just to name a few. My Dad would be tilling the garden in the early spring to loosen to dirt. He would go to my aunts farm to get manure to fertilize the garden. It was a lot of work. Now, I do not have that kind of will to do a garden! I love the idea of fresh veggies but don't have that kind of time to put into a large garden. So, I have come up with an inexpensive and fun way to garden with kids.
When kids are hands on with the process they tend to try the veggies and fruits that they grow. It is a great way to get them to try new things and it teaches them responsibility.
To keep it inexpensive and from having to dig up your yard, buy a plastic kiddie pool. They run about $10 and you can find them at lots of stores. Drill holes in the bottom of the pool. This will allow for adequate drainage. Buy a nice rich quality soil and fill the pool. Find some cinder blocks or a wooden pallet for the pool to sit on. Place your pool in a sunny area and remember once it is filled it will be hard to move. One thing I would splurge on is the plants. If you are going to grow them from a seed, use starter pots inside to let the plant get a good start.
Since this garden is meant for the kids take them to help pick out the plants. Plant practical things that you and your family will use. I like tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, peppers. By picking 4 kinds of plants it will allow you to section the pool off into 4 and you won't have overcrowding. My family loves Cantaloupe and Watermelon, but this garden won't support these fruits. These are 2 fruits that will take over a garden. If you choose to plant these pick a small area and mound up the soil. My parents had a trick they used for these fruits. They would mound up the dirt and place a tire on the top. Then they would plant the fruit inside of the tire. It keeps them from taking over a large area!
Have your kids water the garden every morning, evening, or both. The hot summer sun can be harsh and will dry out the soil easily. Be sure to cover your garden with a sheet at the first sign of a frost.
Now simply watch as your garden produces some yummy fruits and veggies. Your kids will be excited to see what all their hard work has done!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Spring Cleanig Week!
Spring has sprung and the overwhelming urge to clean is striking houses everywhere! But, it is such an overwhelming task. I always feel motivated to clean for a couple of hours and when all of my stuff is being pulled out I feel the overwhelming urge to sit down and quit cleaning! So, each day I am going to give out tips for spring cleaning.
I was watching Rachael Ray this morning and there was a man named Peter Walsh as a guest. They said he was a professional organizer. Really, there are people who like to clean? I mean I like a clean house but I am guilty of that overstuffed closet that no one is allowed to open cause everything will come falling out! My house by all counts looks picked up when I have company, but if Peter Walsh was to inspect my house, I would be screwed. There would be no pulling the wool over his eyes!
I listened intently on what he had to say. I learned from 1 tip that he said that I could spring clean and unclutter my house in 10 minutes a day for 1 week. "Impossible" I said! But no, it is possible and it is so simple. So, here it goes...
Take 2 trash bags and set a timer for 10 minutes. Walk around your house and fill 1 bag with items you do not use anymore and fill 1 bag with items that are trash. He said if 2 people do this by the end of the week you will have 14 bags of trash and 14 bags to donate to Good Will.
That sound so easy! So, this is going to be my project this week. But since I am in control of most of the cleaning, and my husband doesn't throw anything away, I will be doing it myself so I will have 7 bags of trash and 7 bags to donate. This will still be a huge dent in my spring cleaning and I should not feel overwhelmed by this huge task!
Happy Cleaning!
*New Cleaning Tip for Tuesday. If you are cleaning your lamp shades use a dryer sheet.It collects the dust easier than using a regular cloth and it will leave the room smelling fresh!
*New Cleaning Tip for Wednesday. Rug Scrubbing! If you don't want to hire someone to come in and scrub your rugs, Try renting a rug scrubbing machine. You can rent them from many grocery and hardware stores. It will leave a nice clean scent in your home and will make your home feel like it is sparking clean!
* Cleaning Tip for Thursday. Go Green cleaning your windows! Mix 1 cup distilled white vinegar with 3 cups of warm water. Use crumpled up black and white newspaper and dip it into your mix. Ring the newspaper until it stops dripping. Wash your windows and dry with a dry crumpled up newspaper.
If your windows seems to be greasy or there is tough grime build up, use 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol or lemon juice (no pulp) and that will cut through the tough messes!
I was watching Rachael Ray this morning and there was a man named Peter Walsh as a guest. They said he was a professional organizer. Really, there are people who like to clean? I mean I like a clean house but I am guilty of that overstuffed closet that no one is allowed to open cause everything will come falling out! My house by all counts looks picked up when I have company, but if Peter Walsh was to inspect my house, I would be screwed. There would be no pulling the wool over his eyes!
I listened intently on what he had to say. I learned from 1 tip that he said that I could spring clean and unclutter my house in 10 minutes a day for 1 week. "Impossible" I said! But no, it is possible and it is so simple. So, here it goes...
Take 2 trash bags and set a timer for 10 minutes. Walk around your house and fill 1 bag with items you do not use anymore and fill 1 bag with items that are trash. He said if 2 people do this by the end of the week you will have 14 bags of trash and 14 bags to donate to Good Will.
That sound so easy! So, this is going to be my project this week. But since I am in control of most of the cleaning, and my husband doesn't throw anything away, I will be doing it myself so I will have 7 bags of trash and 7 bags to donate. This will still be a huge dent in my spring cleaning and I should not feel overwhelmed by this huge task!
Happy Cleaning!
*New Cleaning Tip for Tuesday. If you are cleaning your lamp shades use a dryer sheet.It collects the dust easier than using a regular cloth and it will leave the room smelling fresh!
*New Cleaning Tip for Wednesday. Rug Scrubbing! If you don't want to hire someone to come in and scrub your rugs, Try renting a rug scrubbing machine. You can rent them from many grocery and hardware stores. It will leave a nice clean scent in your home and will make your home feel like it is sparking clean!
* Cleaning Tip for Thursday. Go Green cleaning your windows! Mix 1 cup distilled white vinegar with 3 cups of warm water. Use crumpled up black and white newspaper and dip it into your mix. Ring the newspaper until it stops dripping. Wash your windows and dry with a dry crumpled up newspaper.
If your windows seems to be greasy or there is tough grime build up, use 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol or lemon juice (no pulp) and that will cut through the tough messes!
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