I stockpile craft supplies! I used to keep them put up, out of their reach. I didn’t want them to waste anything or make a monster of a mess. But, if they are not within their reach, then they are not being used. After a while, it seemed pretty pointless to keep everything up, when it was for them in the first place. So, I brought it all down, where they can easily access it. They are free to do anything they want, so long as it isn’t damaging and they clean up their mess. A lot of it does get wasted..like all this tape. Eventually, it’s just going to make it’s way to the garbage. And you know what? That’s fine with me. It wasn’t doing anything sitting way up on a shelf. They had fun and they weren’t fighting with each other. If an hour of peace costs me a few rolls of tape, I’ll take it!
Life
Birthday Cake Fixes Everything…
Those days when nothing seems to go right. That was my day yesterday. Gah!! I just couldn’t pull it together, no matter how hard I tried. I’m down a wingman since my husband is out of town this week. I mean…even when he’s here…I’m doing, doing, doing…it seems like around the clock. My husband is a very hands on dad. He is in the trenches with me for the most part. But, the fact is, I have a lot more on my plate. I am the homeschooler and primary caretaker for the tiny people when he is at work. Anyway, being the big shot I am, I thought I was pretty equipped to handle this week on my own. Enter…reality check.
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A Nature Inspired Halloween…
On any given day, you will find my children covered in dirt and grime. I really would like not to bathe them everyday, but that’s pretty much impossible around here. Once we are done with school, they make a beeline for the backyard. They are forever hunting down lizards, snails, frogs, worms, spiders, and the list goes on. I was summoned to the backyard yesterday where they proudly showed off the flies they fed a spider. Well…that’s not really my thang, but I’m sure the spider was appreciative of their efforts. They build these little forts for their creatures…usually out of twigs, leaves, and rocks…pretty much whatever they can get their hands on. I do love their imaginations and the way they love nature. …
Make A Difference Day…
Tomorrow, 10/26/13 is Make a Difference Day and I wanted to share with you these cards I created to help celebrate. Sometimes, it can be the littlest things that truly make a difference in someone’s life. I’ll be honest, I’ve been bad about instilling that in my kids on a regular basis. I know I’ve said it in passing, but sometimes you just don’t think to have certain conversations repeatedly. My kids are by no means spoiled, but today I talked to them in depth about how some kids have no toys. Or maybe they just have one. Some kids have only one outfit and maybe no shoes. It’s hard to know what actually sinks in with them, but I think they understood what I was trying to convey. So today, the kids and I spent the morning drawing pictures and and making watercolor confetti for a little girl in Africa who is being sponsored by a blog I follow, NewDayNewDeals. The owner, Sarah had posted that she was sending a care package to Selvine and would love it if her blog followers could send in some drawings, letters or cards. They were tickled just knowing what they had made would be traveling all the way to Africa. And though it’s something small, it’s sure to put a smile on the face of a little girl who doesn’t have much. 
We have plans to do more..hoping we can make a difference in someone’s life tomorrow! I encourage you to do the same! The cards are free to download and share!
Random Act of Kindness Cards
It’s not fall here…
There’s no other time of year that I detest living in South Florida more than fall. To put it quite simply, fall ceases to exist down here in these parts. It’s not fall here. And that, seriously affects my mood. I get a bad case of the blahs. This is why I haven’t posted lately. Not that I have run out of ideas, I’m just so unmotivated lately. Blah.
So today this package arrives. At first, I didn’t realize it was for me. My husband has caught my Amazon Prime bug and has been using it to order all of his boring stuff. Like wires and computer chips. BUZZKILL. Anyway, this package wasn’t from Amazon, but from Penguin Group…one of the world’s largest publishers. I’m sure you have at least one of their books in your house. 
A couple months ago, a suggested post showed up randomly in my Facebook newsfeed. It was a post from Penguin Kids about Dragons Love Tacos. You might remember, I put together a backyard shadow puppet show, based on Dragons Love Tacos. I clicked through the advert and on a whim I posted on their page how much we love that book. I also included a link to my blog post about the party. Turns out, they loved it! They asked if they could send me some books for inspiration and if they could share what I designed. Um…yeah!
This package couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m completely inspired by all of these adorable books they have sent me. I can’t wait to start this project and share with everyone!
All By Myself…
I’ve never been really any good at taking time for myself. Even pre motherhood. Whenever I find myself with free time, I always seem to find something to do, that really has nothing to do with taking some me time. What’s wrong with me? Can I get a clue please? I think now more than ever, especially with my homeschooling undertaking, it is crucial that I take time for myself. I’m not talking about going out by myself or with girlfriends. Yes, that is great too…and I love it every bit as much. No, what I’m talking about is being alone in my house. All. By. Myself.
Well, the opportunity presented itself yesterday when my husband was going out to watch football. It just so happens, a friend stopped by and invited us to watch the game with her and her husband. Me, not really caring about football, declined, but then she offered to help Chris with the kids if he wanted to bring them along. Yes, my husband needs help, where as I manage 3 on a daily basis. I know..right? I thought, great…I’ll send Jacks and Savannah along. Thinking it might be a little too much trouble to send Annie, I’ll just keep her home with me. She can be a teensy bit of handful at times…um…actually, all the time. I tend to be my own worst enemy in relinquishing control over the kids. I feel if I’m not there, then I can’t be in control of the situation. I kept thinking my husband will get too involved in the game and one of my babies would go missing. But then, I realized he is completely capable of taking care of these children, and besides, they all really wanted to go. Plus, my friend was there as his back up. So, I did something I rarely do. I let him walk out of our house with all three kids. GASP!
I was alone in my house for almost FOUR hours. As soon as they left, I drew the shades and closed all the shutters. I wasn’t going to risk anyone knowing I was home. Then, that’s when the crazy thoughts started creeping in. Let me just pick up a little…I thought. Then, I’ll cook dinner while they’re gone, so it will be ready when they get back...and I could really get a lot of laundry done too. It’s a sickness I tell you! It’s like I have something to prove. Like I need to prove to my husband and kids that I don’t need to take any down time? Like I need to take care of them at every opportunity? I sat there for a minute debating…knowing if I did those things…there would be no accolades for me and I would have wasted perfectly good alone time. Whoopity do da…Mom cleaned and cooked again! I mean honestly, how many times can I wow them with that horse and pony show? So, I took one look at my mess of a house and said, “Not happening!” Instead, I poured myself a heaping glass of wine and went on a self induced Netflix binge.
It was beyond glorious! Besides wine, there was skipping, a Josh Duhamel movie, and lots of giddy laughter. Clearly, I have been denying myself. Momma’s had a taste of the good life and she’s staking her claim for more. Of course, in theory, that sounds sublime. Now, I just need to make it happen.
One Day Never…
It’s been quiet around here these last couple of weeks. I’ve had my hands full with projects, homeschooling, and just endless amounts of life duties in general, so I’ve been left with no time to blog. I constantly struggle with my time constraints. I don’t know how to explain it, except to say it’s like I’m at war with myself. My only me time comes after 10:00 pm. Sometimes, even later than that. I have non sleeping children. In case you parents of sleeping children are wondering…yeah it blows. Just to get them to sleep, is a time suck. I’m not talking 5 minutes. On average, it’s a two hour ordeal. Chris will usually lie down with Jacks and Savannah until they’ve fallen asleep. I have to stay with Annie in our room, or else she keeps the other two up with her night time antics. Antics such as naked banshee screaming around the house, pooping in the undies, peeing on the floor, pooping ON the potty {please don’t confuse that with pooping IN the potty}. Then, there is the general night time chatter that has no end in sight. So, when I finally have time for me…I’m just too exhausted.
Obviously, I realize I could have much bigger problems. My complaint on the scale of complaints is relatively low, but still legit. I love being around my kids. I am blessed beyond measure to have these three loves in my life. But, I also love NOT being around my kids. I am around them all day. All the day long! Yes, I’m the crazy momma who just started homeschooling. Even though homeschooling gives me less time for myself, I absolutely love it. Still, I am human and…there’s no way to sugarcoat this, but my kids get on my nerves. The way I explain it to my husband is, if they aren’t in bed early enough and then they get up too early the next morning, there hasn’t been enough time for me to fully recover from yesterday. I’m starting a new day already a little resentful. Then it just starts building. Imagine how that goes after living the same loop day upon day. Week after freaking week. It goes like this…I flip my shit. I lose my marbles. I wig out.
So yeah…I lost it last week. I couldn’t look at one more drawing, read one more book, make one more Santa list {hello…we are in September!}, hear Mommy one more time, make one more breakfast, lunch, or dinner, clean up one more breakfast, lunch, or dinner, reprimand the same child for the same thing again, pick up another toy, clean up another potty mess, listen to more crying, more whining, hold my pee for another two hours again. Nope I just couldn’t cope…so I wigged. There was yelling, sobbing, ugly crying, and erratic hand and arm movements. I’m sure I looked like a real piece. I had my own little private showing of The Lunatic Monologues, or so I thought. Somewhere mid-wig, I got an Amazon Prime delivery. We have glass front doors and when approached, you can easily see a Mom getting wiggy with it.
I felt so bad. I was full of regret. I self medicated with Reese’s peanut butter pumpkins, then went to bed with a load of Mom Guilt. When all I really wanted to do was binge watch Damages, instead I had all these thoughts running through my head. Why can’t they just listen? How do these other Mom’s do it? Do their children sleep? Do they secretly lose it? Do their kids get on their nerves? Am I bad Mom for saying my kids get on my nerves? Glenn Close is a force! I really shouldn’t have had so many pumpkins. Big. Huge. Sigh. I know my kids are loved to the nth degree, more importantly they know it. I know, they have probably forgotten all about my little episode. So, I should ease up on my internal Mom bashing. I know I just had a bad day. I know one day I will miss this. I will not miss “this”, but I will miss this part of their lives. I know, one day never, I’ll be the perfect Mom. For now, good enough Mom and barely hanging on Mom will have to do. I know this will be okay. I also know to pull my shades the next time I lose it.
First Day of Homeschool…
This was my debut week of homeschooling. I wanted to keep things on the norm, so keeping with tradition, we printed out our “First Day” signs from Little Bitty Design Studio.
Here’s Jacks overdoing it…
Savannah rolling with it…
Annie not cooperating with it…
All together now…
It’s going to be a great year!!
Cooler Heads Prevail…
My Mom always told me, You get more bees with honey. She also turned my elementary school upside down, when she found out I had been paddled in the first grade. I’m a lot like my mom. I am not at all a confrontational person, but when I feel threatened, I have been known to lash out. Verbally. Ooops. My bad.
Here’s the deal. I’m just a Mom, who struggles everyday to keep it together. Some days are better than others, but most are not A + days. What you see here, is filtered. It’s bits and pieces. I am not the ever shining example of what I want my kids to be…at least not in every moment.
Today started in a rush. I hate when I feel rushed! The kids were dragging, because they wouldn’t go to sleep. That’s a whole other post. We had to be at Savannah’s tennis lesson at 9:00. Of course, I hit the mother load of bridge traffic today. I really, really don’t like being stuck on a bridge. All sorts of scenarios race through my head and I have to rehearse my plan of action should one actually happen. Anyway, we were about 10 minutes late. Her instructor was completely understanding…so no problem there.
As with all the tennis lessons before this one, the whole crew was there. Jacks and Annie kind of just chill. They’ll gather the balls and put them back in the basket. I guess Annie worked up a sweat, so she stripped naked on the courts. Bless it! I cannot keep that girl clothed!! She normally just walks around the house naked, eats dinner naked, plays in the backyard naked, but now she’s escalated to public nudity. Sweet. I got her redressed, only for her to pay me back by peeing all over the courts. Of course, I didn’t bring an extra change of clothes, because honestly, I’m over bringing an extra change of clothes. I ditched the diaper bag a couple of months ago. I’m not hauling gear anymore. I mean, you’re potty trained! There are no takesies backsies. Luckily, she didn’t wet too much of her clothes, but she had to go commando the remainder of the lesson.
The plans were to take them to see Turbo after the lesson. But, Annapeeonthecourtsbelle cramped my style. I didn’t want to go all the way home for a change of clothes, so I did the most reasonable thing and stopped in Target to buy some new undies and whatever shorts were on clearance. I also let them pick out some $1 candy, because I’m not paying those outrageous movie concession prices. We were on are way back to the front, Savannah wasn’t paying attention to where she was going {which I always correct}…when I hear a very loud and mean voice say the following as she pummeled through the store on her scooter:
YOOHOO!!! STOP LOOKING AT THE FLOOR!! GET YOUR HEAD UP AND PAY ATTENTION!! YOU ALMOST RAN INTO ME!!!
You see my brain only had a split second to try and stop myself for what was about to happen. I mean, this lady was yelling at my child. MY CHILD!! Fortunately, Savannah was still in lala land and Annie was too into her candy to care. There were unpleasantries exchanged or better yet, doled out…as I was the only speaking. She was definitely taken back. Good! You just can’t go around talking to people like that. Especially, MY children. Then, Jacks called me out. You shouldn’t have said those things to her. He was right and I acknowledged that. I could and should have handled it better. Proud that my boy knew better than me! Cooler heads prevail.
We made it to the movies. I got there 30 minutes early. With three kids…that might as well be 24 hours early. Shoot me now! Cute movie, what I saw of it. I made FOUR bathroom trips. Shoot me again! Savannah had a meltdown because I threw the rest of her king size Nerds in the trash. Did I mention Annie peed on the floor at the movies? After the FOUR bathroom trips?? It’s a good thing scooter lady and myself crossed paths before the movie. She got off lucky!
A New Adventure…
I have had a busy couple of days around here. We celebrated Jackson’s 6th birthday yesterday. I know it’s so cliché, but where does the time go? It seems just like yesterday it was just the three of us. Anyway, I opted out of a full blown birthday party this year. Instead we set up a tent in the living room and had a birthday camp out.
Part of my decorations were these fairy dusted stars. I had Chris hang them from the ceiling and if you’ve ever worked with glittered anything, you know it gets everywhere. His entire face was sparkling and was looking a little like David Bowie á la Labryinth.
Today, I was an organizing mad woman. For the last three months, I’ve been working on Jackson’s room makeover…adding pieces here and there. I found this adorable bull the other day at Homegoods. Has anyone ever actually called a bull adorable? I can’t wait to get it hung on the wall!
With the new haul of birthday toys, it was time to purge some older ones! First to go, was hole in the head mermaid. If you know me, you know I have a strong aversion to stuffed animals. And though she’s technically not an animal, but a mythical creature…she is stuffed. More importantly, she has a gaping hole in her head, so she’s cooked.
Savannah did her usual bug/creature hunting today. It’s something new everyday. Today, it was this nice juicy slug she dug out of the garden. It was pretty nasty the way it was all writhing around through her fingers. Do slugs writhe?
So, I haven’t made this public knowledge on my blog yet, but a new adventure awaits me. I decided to homeschool Jacks and Savannah this year. It’s been on my heart for a long time. I finally took the plunge this summer when I notified our district that I intended to homeschool. Up until that point, I was still on the fence and wasn’t sure I could make the jump. In the end, I did and I feel better for it. Jacks will be in 1st grade and Savannah will be Pre Kindergarten. What you’re looking at here, is a stack of some curriculum I’ll be using. Oh…and another a bull. Yeah, it’s just kind of piled there. I’ve peeked and it’s really overwhelming. Not the actual content, but the lesson planning.
Which brings me to this. My August lesson plans. Notice the blank page. Yep. We officially start next week. I’ve got to break this down…cause yeah…it’s happening.
I found this really cool knit fabric today. It reminded me of a mermaid, with the scallop detail. Maybe I’ll make Savannah a new mermaid. I swear, I’m such an enabler.
I have some busy days ahead, especially with my new homeschool adventure. I’m excited to get started and see where this lead us. I would love to hear from any other homeschoolers out there. Do you use lesson plans? Do you plan yearly or weekly?