Easy DIY Highchair Cover

So you remember taking precious time picking out the perfect highchair?  And if you were like me after 6 months of breastfeeding you loved the idea of some meals not seated at the cafe de Mama!  This sweet picture below is the first bite of rice cereal my son ate.  Look at how sweet he is and how cute that chair is.  So what's the problem here?  That stupid set of chair covers and straps are not washing machine washable.  WHERE were my brain cells when I picked this out and why didn't they read that?  Oh yeah I was growing a human being and so my brain was way more needed in that area, so for at least 18 months I was as close to brain dead on many levels.  Some call it pregnancy brain, some call it mommy brain.  I personally call it unfair and just another blow you don't really know you have coming from the miracle of growing/raising a child!  But I digress, I will have to do another post about all the stuff I had no idea was going to happen to me cuz nobody had the balls to tell me (yeah you know who you are and I will pay you back for it).



Look at how pristine this chair is!

Anyway, after many attempts to keep this sucker clean without being able to put it in my magnificent washing machine (I have a serious crush on my washer and dryer - they are so special to me - we might need a moment here) I had to come up with another option and here it is. My T-shirt Highchair Cover! It is so awesome to me because I have about 5 of them so when one is gross off it goes and into the washer!  It is wonderful because it covers more than just the cloth areas but some of the hard to clean parts as well.  It is saving me time and money!  Two things this penny pincher loves!

Can you imagine the amount of cleaning it would have taken!
 

Here is one of my covers - not cute but does the job and keeps things much cleaner!

 

It may be dirty but better the cover than the chair!


So here is the how to.  First, I find that an extra large T-shirt works best for pretty much any chair.  You know you or your significant other (there has to be a better term - lets make one - your Siggy - yep I like it - you may use it - I am good at sharing!) have about 10 T-shirt you got in some event, sport, school, or buying disaster that needs a new use - here it is!

Put the T-shirt on the chair like shown below - no it will not fit without a few modifications.





 

Go to the back of the chair and find the middle of the bottom of the shirt.

 

 

Cut up the shirt like shown leaving about 6 inches from the collar. (That is my Gracie - she likes to hide from the kid and seems to think the highchair can save her!)

 

Now you can see how the shirt can cover most all of the fabric ( if you wanted to get fancy and really cover it you could cut some of the extra off the back or side to "patch" the head hole but it generally stays pretty clean - your call). 

Yes, this is the hubs college shirt from his freshman year in soccer and yes he was good, but more importantly he was a hottie!

 

 

Okay now where the straps are you will pinch the fabric. If you want to make this all symmetrical you could measure and all that jazz but come on it is going to be covered in all sorts of pureed mess so go easy on yourself!

 

 

Cut a hole large enough to get the strap through but not too large so that much food can get thru.

 

 

See so easy! Repeat for all straps, including if you have a 5 point harness.

 

 

Finished product! Now you can turn it inside out or whatever but why not enjoy those charity walk t-shirts a little more before you have to make them into rags.

 

 

This is what the kid was doing while I was finishing this. What you cannot see is the poor dog running away because said kid came at her outta nowhere with a headbutt. My kid loves to headbutt - so proud.

 

P.S.  That is a PVC free clear shower curtain that we use under the highchair to keep the floor clean.  It works like a dream!  We have 2 so when one is gross we throw it in the washer and put the other down.  Otherwise you can just spot clean it!  It is great for food messes as well as crafts!

Happy making parenting life easier crafting!

Can a Mama Get a Minute?

There are things in life you have to be able to do no matter what.  Then there are just times you need a Mama Minute - which might just equal enough time to stuff a whole Twinkie (that you have stowed away just for you and only you) in your mouth fast enough so that the kids or significant other do not see it and want some!  Here are a few ways to buy yourself a few that yes indeed I have used them and I am not ashamed! Sanity is priceless!

Lunch/shower! I LOVE to get my kiddo in his highchair in our tiny bathroom and give him his lunch and jump in the shower and actually get a full shower.  We put on some music and I sing out in the shower and he enjoys his lunch.  There might be some mess to clean up but you know what that is why I chose washable paint and easy to clean flooring!  Today he was even content enough that I got to pluck my eyebrows! That hadn't happened in a week! I know what you are thinking, "How is that getting time to yourself?"  Well since this kid seems to have some sort of radar that detects when I am going to shower and that is the exact time when he wakes up from a nap - how does he do that - I have to find a way.  I tried waking up before he does and everytime he wakes up while I am in the shower!  I tried showering at night but dang it, I need a daytime shower to feel human! So thus the Lunch (or breakfast in come occasions)/shower was born!

Yes, that is a banana on the toilet!

Let's face it, when you have small children you never get to go to the bathroom on your own.  So in order to get through a bathroom break without too much of an issue I have a basket of his bath toys he can play with anytime.  In fact I have read that kid a book when my intestinal tract was not feeling so kind!  He thought it was great fun to read in the bathroom.  Bonus - your kid gets that much more comfortable with what happens in the bathroom.  My crazy 18 month old now loves to sit on his potty when Mommy goes potty.  Oh the bonding!

 

I have at least a couple of "toys" in every single room of my house.  This way no matter where I am I can distract him with something.  In the kitchen he has kitchen stuff.  He likes to cook while I cook.  He will stir in his pots or pour with his milk jug.  Toys don't always have to be real toys.  In my bedroom he loves to play with the latches on an old trunk.  He can be distracted for several minutes by an unattended open drawer of clothes.  Yes, I then have to refold and put them away but you know what sometimes I need to just sit down.  The good news is that as kid age they seem to think helping is fun too so you might just get help putting it back away.

 

That item they want to play with but you never let them, yet you know it won't hurt them - do it.  I let my kid have our house phone, remote, rearrange the spice rack, etc.  He loves it.  I am paying attention but he thinks he is getting away with murder.  The funny thing is that they are actually learning while they do it.  He now knows how to turn on the TV.  He knows which button on the phone makes the ringer go off.  He will line the spices up in various patterns.  So it is kinda a win-win.

 Busted but its cool!

Put a toy away - take a new or old hidden toy out.  I love this so much.  First, it keeps my house from looking like I hoard kid's stuff.  Second, he acts like it is the best toy ever for at least 10 minutes!  I have noticed when I put away a toy he has played with for quite awhile and then bring it back out, he will play with it in new ways.  They learn so much so fast that everything changes and evolves for them.  For example, my son had a tool bench that he would only do a few of the musical things when he had it from 6 month to 12 months but when I got it back out at 15 months he was able to use the hammer with it and actually "pound" the nails down.  How cool is that!  He played with that sucker for about 45 minutes and I was able to clean the kitchen in peace!

Okay, I do not only use tricks for my kid.  Oh sweet husband of mine please do not use these against me!

Let's just say it here and now - men take serious bathroom time too.  How many women read in the bathroom? Well I wanna read too! So on occasion I may have some "faux" stomach issues - this is how a read a magazine once in a while.  I realized that I could just stash a magazine in there and sit on the bathroom rug for a few.  Sweet peace - oh I could light a candle too - "don't go in there for a few!" HA!

I may or may not hide sweets around the house.  I might value chocolate more than diamonds so I gotta keep some safe for Mom when times get rough.  Super mom to mom tip - no one wants to look in boxes of feminine products.

I have set up the majority of my house so that I can let my kid be free range. Now does that mean that he won't make a mega mess that I have to clean up or maybe get hurt? Nope. It means I have some freedom and so does he. He is free to explore but he keeps an eye on me too. This does mean that I have had to put away some of my pretty things but those are just that - things. Not having to worry about stuff getting broken or child proofing every little thing has allow both of us to be a little more free.  Besides dance parties can break out anywhere and we don't want to be worried about breakables!

When you are parenting you have to be creative and flexible. TV can only and should only do so much!

Did I hear the word "Muffins"?

So I never used to eat breakfast at breakfast.  I was the kid - into adulthood who lived through the morning on nothing but liquids.  My mom would get some nutrition in me with good ol' Carnation Instant Breakfast.  Every great once in awhile I would eat more - if donuts or some other sweet treat was involved.  Then even into my early twenties I would have a yogurt smoothie and coffee.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE breakfast foods.  I just hated to eat in the early a.m.   This all changed when I learned how blood sugar dips and without a steady supply of healthy food energy you get that "crash" feeling and then you eat more than you would and chances are worse than you would have -if only you would have had breakfast.  I became a breakfast fanatic!  I love trying out new healthy recipes for breakfast and all the better if they stretch for several breakfasts!  So today I bring you a combo post of Pinterest success and what came out of it - a recipe of mine.

See I took this woman's idea of a base recipe and then came up with this amazing muffin recipe that my son cannot get enough of and my husband asked to share at a work meeting!

Source: compwalla.wordpress.com via Kristin on Pinterest

 

Source: compwalla.wordpress.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Her basic Muffin Mix is a great way to start experimenting with ingredients.  I did a first version that was pretty good with apples and cinnamon but these are what I would like to think of as coffeehouse good!

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

For 2 dozen

Preheat oven to 400 and spray muffin tins with non stick flour spray.

2 cups of whole wheat flour

2 cups of quick cooking oatmeal

2 Tbsp of baking powder

scant 1/2 tsp of salt

1 cup of skim milk

1 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt

2 eggs

1/3 cup of applesauce

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

2-3 mashed bananas

2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

2/3 cup of packed brown sugar

1 Tbsp of honey

Mix dry, add wet, add the rest. Mix until just moistened. Fill muffin cups nearly full.

Sprinkle with brown sugar. (This gives it a great slightly sweet crunchy top!)

Bake for 18 minutes.

Let cool for at least 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

If you wanted to go healthier (sad for you - just kidding - I should be healthier too!) you could substitute raisins for the chocolate chips, egg substitute for the eggs, and Splenda for the brown sugar.

 

It wasn't me - it was one of the other Tired Mom Personalities!

So just to make sure we are all clear that I am no kinda perfect mom, today I will be sharing some of the madness that has been taking place.  Just an FYI there will be some personal information about me that may be disturbing to some readers.  Judge me all you want.  I don't care.  I prefer to live my life in a very honest and open manner.  This means I like to share - a lot, pretty much what most people think is too much.  But you know what?  I have always found that it relates to someone.  I have gotten more thank yous for things I have had the balls to say (yep I wrote balls - it happens to be my go to word and I say it doesn't have to be a dirty word - it might just be balls!). Alright enough on with my crazy show.
So my kid has been on a sleep protest for what seems like forever.  Naps are less than an hour, wakes up every night for at least a half an hour, whatnot.  I cannot remember the last night I got a decent night's sleep.  Oh wait, yes I do.  It was November 10, 2012 11pm- 10am Las Vegas, NV. That's right.  I went to Vegas and I got sleep!  Anyway, the lack of sleep gets to you and sometimes you get well I would like to say a little bit of multiple personalities. So lets visit some of mine shall we?

1. Meanie Mom - oh she's as mad as hell and she's not gonna take it anymore (movie reference - if you know it shout it out!)!!!!!  You better either help her out NOW or get the $%#@ outta her way.  This mom has been known to yell at others (including her sweet child), throw things (if I step on that car, dog toy, pile of newspapers, etc one more time, it is getting chucked straight at someone's shins - mom's don't hit heads -causes too much potential work later), and probably more stuff I have blocked out in anger.
2. Bargaining Mom - I will just let him sleep in my bed just this once (for the 5th night in a row) so we can all get some sleep - all the while getting kicked in the head and sucker punched in the back, why yes you may play with my tampons so I can pluck my chin hair (okay if any men are reading this - and quite frankly I hope some are. I have plenty of goodness to share with you too, I hope this and many other facts about ladies does not shock you too much), lunch in your highchair in the bathroom so I can take a shower and cry in a little bit of peace - yep done it, and the ever popular - cookies for a meal just so you eat something - you bet (I believe it was the great Billy Cosby who said something about chocolate cake being okay for breakfast because it has eggs and milk in it- ha good stuff!).
3. Pretty much comatose Mom - this mom has zoned out so she has no idea that you have managed to get the remote and somehow locked up the TV (NOOOO!  Now how will I keep you occupied while sitting here barely holding it together?), put stuff in the dryer only to find later that there was still a large piece of broccoli wedged in somewhere that made it thru but strangely looks like it shrunk (who knew the dryer could even shrink food!), or stares at her child playing with something for several moments only to realize that what they are playing with happens to be a 50 Cent CD (no, not the price for those of you know do not know who that is) and is trying to see if it bends - go ahead kid - not like I can ever let you know that I listen to gangsta rap with explicit (man is that a hard word to spell -especially with little sleep) lyrics but for everyone else - yes, yes I do - when that kid is not around this mama needs some inappropriateness loud and proud!
4. Just plain at her wits end Mom - this is the sitting in the corner rocking and sobbing mom, the mom that is pretty sure she has ruined this sweet child that God blessed her with, has let the exhaustion take over and the thoughts that she is doing everything wrong (you should never have let him sleep in your bed, you shouldn't rock him to sleep, you aren't doing it right - other moms just let them work it out themselves - I am not judging how anyone else gets their kids to sleep either - we all find what works for us and our individual kids), and you can't sleep when sleep is an actual option because you are too worried about - work, bills, your health, the housework, exercise, the dog, what other people think, and maybe a little about some of the things you would like to do for yourself.  This mom is just holding it together as long as she can.  

Today I am a little bit of all four plus probably more. I set my alarm for 6:30am so maybe today I could shower in peace, exercise, or get some work done before I am in 100% Mommymode, but this kid woke up at 6:28am. I cried in the shower as my son ate his lunch and threw food on the bathroom floor.  I let him happily run off with my tampons.  I stood in the bathroom not moving, not really sure what to do next and not sure where he was or what he was doing.  I should be napping, working, or paying bills right now but instead I am writing this post. 

I know you are saying, "Hey nut job, why aren't you doing one of those "more important things"?  You don't get anything for doing this."  At least that is what I have inferred from some comments I have gotten.  But the truth is, this is making me feel better.  All that stuff will be there when I am done but some of my feelings I have now been able to let go of.  See this stay at home, work from home, crafter, perfectionist mom; whom seems to be very outgoing; has actually become a little introverted.  Becoming a mom somehow made me think I needed to do it all and do it all more or less alone.  Now let me say I am by no means alone.  I have a wonderful husband, family, and friends but I have that uncanny knack for...well I'm not even sure how to describe it but if you are anything like me, you just know what I am talking about.

So now that I have gotten that out I suppose I shall (no one says shall much anymore - oh another tired mom personality - lack of focus - only half of the dishe...oh an M&M on the floor...oh crap don't put that on the dog - she doesn't like that!) go do something more important!  But hey if you see any of those moms today help them out or give them a hug!  They were probably your mom at one time or maybe you someday!  And oh, let's not forget the dads and other caregivers - they have those days and personalities too!


*** Little extra - if you like this post please share, consider following via means to your right-->, or comment.  Also if you are on Pinterest (ah my sweet love) I have added a board on my page to let others pin items they would like to see me attempt!  Please join in or let me know if you would like to join us!



(this will happen again right?)

Pinterest successes and maybe a little failure



Okay by now you have probably figured out that I am fairly obsessed with Pinterest.  I probably spend way too much time pinning things I will more than likely never do but hey we can all dream right? Well today in honor of the fact that my kid is sleeping like it is only a suggestion, I thought I would share a few easy recipes and other items you can do with little to no sleep with success!

Okay, lets get this out of the way.  Yes, I give my kid sugar.  Yes, I give him sugar at breakfast sometimes.  I enjoyed sugar as a kid and grew up fine.  Moderation is the key with anything in life and we should all get to enjoy sweets now and then!  Phew I feel better. On with the show! 

Cinnamon Roll Waffles rock my face off!

Source: healthymealpins.com via Kristin on Pinterest

    So here is how mine turned out:

So good I could lick my monitor a little! They are crispy on the outside but not hard like they are from the oven, and so soft and good on the inside!  I obviously put 4 in at time because I used the generic original ones.

 

And here is my son enjoying them! He ate two of the four!

 

Next up Quinoa! Okay if you are like me you were saying, "what is this quin-oo-wa stuff and why do I want to eat it?"  Well first let me help you with how it is said, because it took me forever to get it right.  It is pronounced "keen-wah"  and it is stupid easy to work with and delicious.  With that said be careful when measuring and pouring - these little suckers want to run everywhere and if you spill them you will be finding them for potentially years.

So I thought I would start out simple and found this recipe on Pinterest (have I mentioned my love affair yet) but adapted it just a smidge.



Source: whatsfordinner-momwhatsfordinner.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa - adapted from Mom What's for Dinner

1 cup quinoa, well rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
2 cups  shredded cheddar cheese

Add quinoa, broth and broccoli to a large pot.

Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the quinoa is tender (tiny taste test).  Add the cheese - in my world I do not ever measure cheese - I add until I am happy about the cheesiness! Let it melt into the other goodness and enjoy!

The hubs was very skeptical about quinoa but liked this so much he finished what was left in the pot!  Just think of the possibilities with this recipe!  I am thinking next time quinoa, diced onions, and chicken broth - then add diced Italian style tomatoes and mozzarella (by the way I was so sure there was a "t" in mozzarella - dang it spelling is hard!).

Okay and for one non food item - DIY bows

 

Source: bhg.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Used this to make a nice bow for my Christmas wreath and it turned out great! I used pens instead of dowels - on hand - no cost!!!
Finished product:

And just for fun one Pinterest item I tried and failed.
I made this and it was not addicting and the caramel topping got really watery and pretty gross. This was what someone else said,  "Also known as Apple Crack Dip because it's THAT addicting!"  It was however, not too shabby when I went at it with the immersion blender and then it was pretty decent but looked NOTHING like this!

Source: fakeitfrugal.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

So that is a little taste of my Pinterest trials.
Please post your Pinterest success and failures!
Oh and if you have any good quinoa recipes please share with the class!

2013 what am I going to do with you?

So I do not do resolutions so much as I do not like setting myself up for failure (I prefer for failure to happen naturally as it was intended).  I more like to think of them as a list of To Do's or goals for my life and I really don't set timelines of, in the next year.  Okay so that was all along the lines of vague, so I am going to put myself out there and announce some of my goals or to do's for the year and how I plan to work on them - cuz lets face it, when you are working on a major goal it is an evolving and changing thing.  Okay enough preface lets get down to it!

• Continue to "Green" my family's lifestyle - I recycle, donate what I can, I have even started using less chemicals but I know I can do more. 
• My goal here is to phase out all chemical based cleaners in my life.  I have got a start using vinegar and baking soda to clean the toilet!  I know many people think without the smell of bleach it isn't clean but I am here to tell you it bubbles and scrubs great.  Don't worry I will share all of my progress and tips!  The key is to think a little bit ahead of when you will run out of cleaner.  For example, I am not a fan of the detergents for dishwashers so I have been researching alternatives.  This is my favorite and I plan to test it this week!

Source: kingdomfirstmom.com via Kristin on Pinterest

•  Now let me be honest I want to do this as much for the environment and my family as I do for the ability to save money!  But sometimes I have to go with what is easy.  I have a serious love affair with Charlie's Soap for our laundry.  We cloth diaper (see I am saving money and the Earth) and this stuff is AMAZING.  I might have to do a longer feature on it in a Products I love post, but until then check them out!

                            Safe, non-toxic, biodegradable soap | Charlie's Soap

• Buying more foods from local farmers and organics.  This maybe a little more expensive but in the long run I am making a difference in what my family eats and our health so it is totally worth it.  In order to make this happen I am now ordering from http://www.greenbeandelivery.com/indianapolis/ and boy is it worth it.  We get fresh produce delivered weekly and feel more incentive to use it. 

There is so much more I want to do but you don't want to be reading this forever so I will check back in on my "greening" soon!

• Care for my body - We can all take better care of ourselves in many ways but this year I am focusing on being healthy.
• Make an appointment for skin check.  It is that simple.  Something we take for granted is so important - take time to make the important appointments for your health.  Some Dr.'s will let you schedule up to a year in advance and with most health insurance carriers and the new health care act prevention or wellness checks are free!  So get with it all ready!
• 30 minutes of movement at least 5 days a week.  Yes, I know that is vague but it is that simple too.  Maybe one day I go walk the mall with the kiddo and the next I vacuum and dust for 30 minutes.  It all counts. 
• 7 hours of sleep each 24 hrs.  Okay I have an 18 month old so sleep is never a guarantee but it is important so I will nap more if I need to and go to bed earlier if I need to.  Sleep is so important to everything we do.  I know my patience is much shorter with my son when I don't get about 7 hours.  So sweet Tempurpedic bed, lets snuggle up more!
• Cut myself some slack
• No one is harder on me than me.  I will admit it here and I now I am not alone, I want so badly to be perfect at everything.  It is not about how others see me but how I see myself.  This caused me a huge amount of anxiety for the first year or so of my son's life.  I really felt that I had to be the perfect mom who made everything from scratch, worked really well part time from home, and had a successful jewelry making business.  Oh did I mention a spotless home, perfect body, and happy husband?  Would I ever expect even half of those things from a friend?  Absolutely not.  Why should I expect them from me?  It has only been in about the last month that I have started to change my perceptions and be proud of everything I accomplish. 
• So how will I do this?  Yeah, how?  Well I really think only time will tell and everyday will be a chance to be kinder to myself.  So when I do mess up, it is just an opportunity to "hug" myself a little tighter, maybe do a little "Brightener", and try again.  At the end of the day it is about enjoying the simple moments more.

                                                            

Okay I could go on and on but then no one really wants to hear all about me.  I encourage you to write down some goals and ways you can work on them.  We will revisit this in the future to check in on how I am doing and maybe how some of you brave souls who are willing to share are doing!  My biggest piece of advice on any goal is to break it down into smaller pieces and only take one piece of one goal at a time.  You cannot say I am going to lose weight and give up all sugar, cut 1200 calories, and run 15 miles in the first day and expect you can keep it all up.  Take small bites and you are less likely to choke - good advice for life!
Remember it is about doing better but mistakes and taking a different path than planned can end in results you never expected!
Happy journeys my friends!

Giving...yeah I'm down for that but how do I choose where?

So as the minutes tick down to 2013 those of us thinking about our year and, let's face it - tax deductions, how do you choose where your giving goes?  I mean let's be honest here, there are a ton of organizations that really need the help, not to mention all the institutions calling for money (as though it is not enough that I give you all my money and signed away my first born to attend your school (totally worth it!) you still want more?!), and then there is your church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious institution.  Of course in a perfect world (eh, that must be in some alternate universe 'cus it sure isn't here) you would have given all year and not just in a monetary way, but we are talking penny pincher tactics at this point!  Don't worry we will get to other ways to give in a future post!

Here are a few ways I use to help my family make this decision:

1. What organization has helped me in the past and I may continue to benefit from?  This one is a little selfish but you do need to soul search a bit.  My husband and I met in college (did not date until years later when we ran into each other - a story for another time) and both believe the scholarships, assistance, support, socialization, and education really helped to mold us into the people we are today and we hope to continue to share that with many others.  This could also be your place of worship, YMCA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, or any place that is "feeding you" physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. 
2. If you could give money to a cause in hopes that one day they will never need your money again, how great would that feel?  Think money for a cure for... you fill in that blank.  Most of us have been touched by some sort of disease or tragedy in our lives and would love to do something about it so our kids never will.  Maybe this is the Alzheimer's Association, The American Cancer Society, or MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving.  How wonderful would it be to someday be able to say I gave to a cause that cured that disease or ended drunk driving?!? 

                                    http://www.cancer.org/index


     3.  Quick if you had $100 to give and had to give it to charity, who would you give it too?  Your gut is a powerful thing.  Just pipe down and listen.  I will just say that rescue animals will win for me 9/10. 

Who would give up this face? She saved me too!

     4.  Research.  A duh.  Of course you should check into areas of giving that interest you before you give willy nilly (ha that was even funnier to type than to think!).  Remember some of the Hurricane Katrina money that did not go to the people of New Orleans?  Yeah, that is low but well there are some pretty rotten people out there so beware.

Charity Navigator is America's premier independent charity evaluator. They help charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing in-depth, objective ratings and analysis of the financial health and accountability & transparency of America's largest charities. Use Charity Navigator's simple searchable database to find a charity you can trust and support.

      5.  It never hurts to go with a charity you like that is also offering the ability for a match.  This may mean your own employer will provide a $1 for $1 match or maybe a % of your donation match.  Or maybe someone with a nice wad wants to help a little more and offer more incentive to others to give and offers a match.  Either way you have to think you are possibly doubling your giving without actually spending the extra.  Win-win-win!!

But the real lesson of this is just to get busy and give!  Trust me the benefits of giving far out way the extra latte you were going to get this week.  Just think, you could feed the hungry and watch your  weight by cutting eating out one time a month - that might be $5 a month but for a year that is $60 to potentially feed a family for up to a month in some situations.  How awesome is that? 

So get busy and give.  Oh and Happy New Year to all of you!!!!

I never knew how pretty my bathroom ceiling was (or thoughts while crying on the floor)

This is what I thought of as I laid on the floor of my bathroom crying my eyes out and glancing up at the ceiling. I had to laugh. How did I get here? Literally, I lay down to cry after another night of not being able to get my son to go to sleep in his own bed. Figuratively, well that's what I wanted to know. How did I become the mom who cannot get her child to self soothe? Why can't I just put him into his bed, and he go to sleep? Why am I a terrible mother? That is where this ends up.
That is where so many issues with motherhood end up with me. Do I truly believe I am a terrible mother? Sometimes. Like when I yelled at him this evening to just go to sleep. I let my frustration get the better of me. But then I think of all the good things I am doing for him. Healthy foods, teaching him to count his fingers, and more hugs and kisses than Hersey's can produce!
I know that this too shall pass. But in a world of Pinterest, Facebook, and blogs we all see and read these portrayals of perfection and when we hold the mirror up to ourselves we see those "epic fails'. Now I do not write this for a pity party. Any mom who is being honest will tell you they have had these days. I should say any parent or caregiver who cares has these days.
When I worked with people with dementia I knew they were not acting out because they chose to. They acted out because the disease took their ability to choose to act the way they would have wanted to. I have so much patience for them. I have to remind myself a child is no different. They do not really choose to act out. They act in the only ways they know how. If they do not have the tools to express what they want, what are they supposed to do?
So I guess I am saying to be kind. Be kind to the older woman who is asking you for the 10th time where her baby is. Be kind to the child who cries when you do not do what they want. But also be kind to yourself. Care giving is hard whether it be for a 1 year old or a 101 year old.
So what do I do next? I take a deep breath, a bite a chocolate, and remember he won't always feel or act his way; and get back in there! Parenting ain't no place for wimps!

Oh and a late Merry Christmas to all of you and your's! 

Put the credit card down - new toys are everywhere Part 1

Your house is filled with toys - that you already own. No, not the crazy loud toy with all the buttons and lights. But to the penny pincher's delight, there are so many things you can use as toys! I have turned around a toddler tantrum with some of these gems and you can too!

We all know about the beauty of cardboard and kids. But it never hurts to look at it in new ways. I have pinned many a new idea on my Pinterest page and I have kept more boxes than my hubs would like. In fact when I see something I need to throw away I start thinking, "Hey nut job what else could you do with this before you throw it out?" (Yes I call myself names, it's cool,  me and the "others" are just like that.) You will see what I mean as you scroll. Just please don't call Hoarders, by not buying toys (that is a Grandparent's job right?) and using everyday stuff I have kept my house just out of the range of natural disaster.

Standard disclaimer - don't try suing me. I may be a penny pincher but I still have no money - see my career choice! Anyway, always supervise your kids as needed, make sure items are appropriate, yadda yadda - aka use some sense and if you don't have any... well may Mr. Rogers be with you!

 

1.  Laundry Basket - are you kidding me this is a standard for years of fun. I remember my brother and I pushing each other down the icy ramped driveway in a laundry basket in high school. Yes, you read that right - never stop playing! But early on it is great to put a kiddo in with warm towels out of the dryer - start teaching them to fold and sort! Push them around in it like it is a go cart - add a steering wheel by giving them a large plastic lid. Sock balls are fun to play with but if you wanna spend a little, take your sweet buns to Target and pick up a bag of 150 plastic balls for $14.99. Instant ball pit!! Hours of fun - dumping the balls, picking up the balls, diving for hidden objects in the balls. You could also use the good ol' laundry basket as a cage like I liked to do with my brother, but some frown on that.

2.  An old wallet and "credit cards" - you can use those fake cards you get in the mail, used, empty gift cards, reward cards you know you are never gonna use but you signed up for because that girl behind the corner was pushy and you felt trapped, shoot my kid loves a good business card. They love to take them out of the slots and try to put them back in. Older kids love to think they have cards like their parents.

3.  An old wooden foot massager makes a great musical instrument either a drum stick or use something else to run up and down the ridges - great sound.  It can also be used as a phone or microphone as my son loves to do.

4.  Egg carton (cardboard is the best) - fun for sorting items, storing small toys, and best if you have some of the plastic Easter eggs.  I like to put small snacks in them.  He loves to shake them and find out what's in there!  Snack time and play time all in one!!!!  It's fun for pretend cooking too.

 

5.  Paper- Yep I give this kid all junk mail, printer paper to recycle, wrapping paper scraps, magazines, little pads of paper from hotels (you know you take them too).  Wrap up boxes with a snack or old toy in the box - some of the fun is unwrapping anyway.  Paper airplanes - My kiddo loves to chase them and then run back with it for me to throw again - until the day I first tried this I forgot how much fun it can be to fly paper airplanes!  Magazine are fun because they love the bright colors and even better if it has pictures of kids! Paper ball fight, laundry basketball, or volleyball. Oh the possibilities of paper!

Trust me I have many more and I will share but this is getting long!  Use your imagination and you are teaching your child to use theirs!  See what everyday items you can turn into great new adventures and share with the class!