30 Days of Gratitude….a way for family to stay grounded

30 Days of Gratitude….a way for family to stay grounded

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I was disappointed this morning. I was watching the news and noticed that there was a commercial for Christmas, Christmas! It is only one day after Halloween and already the attention has turned to Christmas. What Happened to Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving seems to be one of those Holidays where retailers can’t make much of a profit so why not skip it all together? I did hear that Nordstrom has taken a stand and they will not be putting up their Christmas decorations or marketing Christmas until
after Thanksgiving, way to take an initiative Nordstrom’s (we don’t have one around here but this might call for a special trip, that is an initiative I can support!).

So, thanks to Nordstrom’s inspiration and my own passion for thanksgiving our family will be living 30 days of gratitude and we invite your family to do the same.  I realize as mothers we already give so much of ourselves to our family which is why this
needs to be a practical endeavor.  30 days of gratitude is not meant to be overwhelming or add stress to your life, in fact it should hopefully have quite the opposite effect on you and your family. Living gratitude can be quite fulfilling.

Gratitude is more than an attitude. Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and better relationships. These results prove that gratitude is more than polite manners and positive thinking. It is a way of life, and a wonderful legacy to leave our children. http://www.more4kids.info/184/teaching-gratitude/

So, when thinking about different ways to express gratitude think of simple acts of kindness, and make sure you get your children involved.  Sure mommy can grab the Halloween candy, throw it in a box, and mail it but without expressing the purpose behind the act the act goes unnoticed by your little ones.  So remember to share these acts and when possible contribute and express gratitude as a family.

To get your family started I am providing a few ideas for ways in which your family can demonstrate gratitude.

Turkey of Gratitude

The first week of November or, two weeks prior to Thanksgiving have your children begin writing down something they are grateful for each day. Then have them stick the feather in the Turkey. On Thanksgiving Day your family will have a lovely center piece of thanks.

How to make it: Cut a 1-inch sliver off the bottom of a 9-inch polystyrene ball. Wrap sphere neatly in thick dark-brown yarn, covering surface completely; knot on bottom. Make a 4-inch ball from light-brown yarn and attach to body with a wooden craft stick. Create simple facial features using felt: white circles (approximately the size of a quarter, with 1/8-inch pom-poms for pupils) for eyes, yellow triangles for the beak, and long red felt teardrops as the wattle. Cut feather shapes from colored craft paper and bend in half lengthwise to create seam. Glue wooden craft stick to the bottom third of the feather and insert in a fan shape on turkey body. (Parents Magazine)

Donate Halloween Candy

If you don’t know what to do with all that left over Halloween Candy, send it to Operation Shoebox and they will get it over to our troops! Every year they go through tons of candy that they send to our troops and would be happy to have your leftovers!

Our mailing address is:

Operation Shoebox

8360 Highway 25

Belleview, FL 34420

Help a neighbor, family member, or elderly rake leaves.

Donate Food to a Food Bank

Donate Food- What they Can Use

  • Peanut Butter
  • Canned Goods: Meats,
    Stews, Tuna Fish,
  • Pork & Beans, Navy
    Beans, Spam, Soup
  • Apple Sauce, Peaches,
    Pears, Fruit Cocktail
  • Green Beans, Corn, Peas and other vegetables
  • Dry Pasta and Ramen
    noodles
  • Dried Beans
  • Powdered Milk
  • Spaghetti Sauce,
    Tomato Sauce, Ravioli, Beefaroni
  • Macaroni & Cheese
    and other packaged dinners
  • Cereal
  • 100% Juice
  • Saltine Crackers
  • Toiletries: Toilet Paper, Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant, Feminine Napkins

The Food Bank accepts contributions of both food and non-food items. They accept donations from individuals and companies. To get more information on making a product donation please call 419-242-5000 or email the Outreach Coordinator, Jennifer Mirelez: jmirelez@toledofoodbank.org

Donate Toys to Charity-Nationwide Donation Pick Up

Donating toys to charity has never been easier thanks to the free toy donation pick up service offered by charities nationwide. Schedule a toy donation pick up today and donate toys to the local charity you choose. While the holiday season is a favorite time to donate toys to charity, toy donations are needed year-round. Budget-strapped families often don’t have enough money left at the end of the month for these extras that can brighten the day of a little one in need. Schedule a pick up today… http://www.donationtown.org/donation-pick-up.html

Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness Inc.

Mission Statement:

Our goal is to create positive and inspirational homemade
cards for children with life-threatening illnesses. We also want our “Love
Letters Pen Pals” to inspire others in their community to commit to making
a difference through our organization.

Be sure to checkout the guidelines and suggestions for holiday & birthday cards, and share the idea with others. http://loveletterscares.org/

Please Send Your Cards To:

Kaitlyn Chana

Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness, Inc.

P.O. Box 161058

Altamonte Springs, FL 32716-1058

While you are filling your freezer make an additional meal for a neighbor or loved one

Drive-thru random act of Kindness

The next time you go through a drive-thru pay for the person’s order behind you, or a fraction of the person’s order behind you.  They will be delightfully surprised to hear that the complete stranger in front of them just paid for their drink and/or meal.

Volunteer at the Local Ronald McDonald House

Volunteer at the Local Ronald McDonald House

You could……

  • Bring homemade cookies or cupcakes for families. Or help children bake and decorate them.
  • Organize a craft project for children
  • Host a pizza party, ice cream social, or popcorn & movie night
  • Make welcome goodie bags and care packages for families
  • Make quilts, afghans or knitted hats and mittens for families

Give thanks for each other around the dinner table (we do this on
Sundays)

Each family member takes a turn and express why they are thankful for each of the other family members, specifically something they did that day.

Send a Letter to a Soldier

http://www.letterstosoldiers.org/write-letter

Call a friend who doesn’t live in town and ask them how their day is going.

Mobile Meals of Toledo

Home Delivered Meal Programs: Volunteer 1 -1/2 hours a day, two days per month or offer to substitute on an on-call basis.

Have kiddos send a Thank you for being a great friend Card.

http://www.kidprintables.com/thankyounotes/

I will be sharing updates on my families 30 days of gratitude every Thankful Thursday. There are so many ways to express gratitude everyday. Maybe your family has a special Thanksgiving ritual that illustrates gratitude, if so, please share.

Momup! Monday: Tattoo Barbie

Momup! Monday: Tattoo Barbie

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Mama’s to do list:

  • Morning drop off
  • Tape Power Ranger Costume (it has a huge whole on the shoulder, I really need to learn how to sew, duct taping is starting to look bad. He is going to look like a wounded Power Ranger and we can’t have that!)
  • Make the house look presentable (The in-laws are coming over for Halloween which is truly a blessing)
  • Clean out diaper bag (there is a funky smell coming from it, that is never good)
  • Momup! Monday
  • Make Princess Birthday Invitations
  • Get everything ready for trick or treating

Okay, the Power Ranger costume is patched up and my four-year-old is a little upset because it looks weird. But that is what happens when you start wearing your Halloween costume four weeks before Halloween and continue to wear it practically every day leading up to Halloween. That costume owes us nothing!

I located the funky smell that was coming from the diaper bag but, unfortunately I still can’t describe exactly what it is.  If I had to guess I would say a mashed up banana with a few goldfish, and a side of play-dough, but
that is just a guess.

Finally, I have a hot cup of tea in hand (my throat is killing me) and I am ready to Momup!

This week’s topic is: Tattoo Barbie

 

Also, click on this link to hear what other moms are saying…..http://www.hulu.com/watch/294444/abc-good-morning-america-parents-up-in-arms-over-tattooed-barbie-doll

So….what are your thoughts? Is she just a funky fashionista? If so, what image is she sending young girls? What would you tell you daughter or niece if she asked for this Barbie?

 

 

Here is to Licking the Spoon!

Here is to Licking the Spoon!

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Here is to Licking in the Spoon!

While the kiddos were making their lunches last night my four-year-old nonchalantly expressed that the best part of a PB & J sandwich is licking the spoon.  Interesting I thought, not making the sandwich, or eating the sandwich, but licking the spoon.  Then I remembered when I was kid, and the best part of brownies was licking the spoon from the brownie mix. Then darn salmonella came into the picture and took that enjoyment out of childhood.

As I carried on with my winding down the evening routine (clean kitchen, double-check the clothes for tomorrow, GPS the book bags & folders) my little Power Ranger’s comment radiated in my mind.   Licking the spoon did bring so much joy as a child. Partially because it was a huge spoon with yummy chocolate, but also because it allowed for a brief reflection and appreciation for how far we had gotten with the brownie mix and added to the anticipation for the cooked brownies.  Just like the age-old saying, life is a journey, not a destination.  Well, in the Brownie mix bowl or PB & J sandwich that is life licking the spoon is a vital step on the journey, one that should not be skipped. Unfortunately somewhere between childhood, salmonella, and adulthood licking the spoon has been left out of life.

Moms are often the worst offenders; we get caught up in the logistics of motherhood. We are often so focused on laundry, dishes, and planning for future events both big, and small, (school lunch, trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthday Party, etc.) that we forget to slow down and lick the spoon.

So, I am declaring today the day that I lick the spoon (metaphorically speaking, salmonella is real people!). I am stopping, sitting, and sipping on some tea while I reflect on the past few weeks, appreciate the time spent with family and friends, and anticipate the future.

Here are my licks…..

We had so much fun at the zoo’s Pumpkin Path
It was really crowded but they did a great job of moving everyone along the path.
I wonder if they take timeout to lick the spoon.
Fisher Price gave these away and coupon for $10 off $50. All three of the kiddos love them!

 

I have enjoyed Wednesdays at the Farmer’s Market remote location.

 

 

Grabbing a snack and getting some fresh veggies, nothing like it!

 

Goodbye, see you in the Spring!

 

Story time fun at the Library

 

I am going to miss this, yes, even the tantrums. (No bubbles)

 

Anticipating the Future, Potty Training on the Go!

Moms with the holidays quickly approaching remember to take a moment to slow down and lick the spoon.

 

Taking On Too Much Tuesday

Taking On Too Much Tuesday

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Taking On Too Much Tuesday

Ever feel like you have bitten off more than you can chew?  Wish you had a mommy assistant? Today is one of those days for me.  I am just praying for a level-mommy head while I complete the necessary Tuesday tasks.

This mama’s to do list:

  • Morning drop off
  • Work on maintaining my professional credentials
    (time to put on the career cap)
  • Preschool pick-up
  • Costco Stop
  • Wash costumes for Story time tomorrow
  • Assemble Daisy Girl Scout Tunic for tomorrows meeting
  • Address remaining sticker club envelopes to be mailed (ASAP)
  • Elementary Pick-up
  • Post New Book for Book Club
  • Make cupcakes for Halloween Party
  • Dinner, baths, bed(thank GOD)

And we are off……

Gotta run in and get a few necessities, eggs, milk, cream, juice boxes for meeting tomorrow, and laundry detergent.

Okay, wish me luck with the assembling. If you noticed I purchased everything as iron-on.  As my grandfather so eloquently pointed out to me yesterday the sewing gene skips a generation.  My great-grandmother was an amazing sewer and my grandmother, not so much. My mother was the mom who sewed costumes, hemmed pants in seconds, made her own tablecloths and placements, etc. The gene has skipped me; I am the mom who would use duct tape to replace buttons if I could.  Since Iron-ons don’t always stay I also purchased a package of precut adhesive that you simply add to the patch, place on tunic, and then place the tunic in the dryer. It is supposed to really hold those suckers on there, I am crossing my fingers.  Here is to hopefully not burning down the house in the process.

 

This is such a fun idea. My two older kiddos each received this stick club information in the mail about two weeks ago.  The problem is the sheet request that you send it within 6 days, ahhhh.  So, it has taken me a minute or two to kick it old school and get ink, paper, envelopes, and stamps.  It just occurred to me as I type this that I could have scanned it and sent it via email to the other kiddos (but that would have been too easy and cheap).  So, keep your eyes open for an envelope in the mail, chances are good your kiddos might receive one and if they don’t you could start one.

I am so looking forward to starting this book. And I think the other moms in book club share similar feelings. Our last book was a bit more serious and we need lighthearted.

Product Description

“I don’t know how she does it!” is an often heard refrain about mothers today. Funnily enough, most moms agree, they have no idea how they get it done, or whether they even want the job. Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile spoke to mothers of every stripe,
working, stay-at-home, part-time and found a surprisingly similar trend in their interviews. After enthusing about her lucky life for twenty minutes, a mother would then break down and admit that her child’s first word was “Shrek.” As one mom put it, “Am I happy? The word that describes me best is challenged.” Fresh from the front lines of modern motherhood comes a book that uncovers the guilty secrets of moms today . . . in their own words. I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids diagnoses the craziness and offers real solutions, so that mothers can step out of the madness and learn to love motherhood as much as they love their kids.

 

Dinner tonight, Freaky Hot dog fingers, gives a whole new meaning to Finger Food. Granted it is not the healthiest but it is a fun treat to have around Halloween time.

I found this in a Parenting Magazine and thought the kiddos would get a kick out of it.

Hot to make:

1. Cut hot dogs in half, widthwise, and then lengthwise into quarters.

2. Open a package of crescent-roll dough and roll until very thin. Cut the dough into strips, and wrap around each piece of hot dog,
leaving a little bit of the tip uncovered. Bake as directed.

 

So, do you feel like you have taken on too much? Are you a serial Yes Mom? Remember the movie that Jim Carrey stared in call Yes Man?  Perhaps they should have a similar idea only focus on Moms that need to say no, they could title it No Mom?

 

Momup! Monday

Momup! Monday

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Mama’s to do list:

  • Morning drop off
  • Change sheets
  • Vacuum
  • Clean bathroom (Soo looking forward
    to this!)
  • Momup! Monday
  • Get Girls Scout tunic, troop numbers, book, etc.

Okay, the toilet is sparkling, beds all have clean sheets, most of the dog hair has been vacuumed, just made myself an iced coffee, and I am ready to momup!

So please, join me, you deserve a five-minute break (maybe even 10).

This week’s  Momup! Topic is: Little lies Moms tell their Children (for a good reason of course)

Watch the clip and comment below.

The little lies we tell our children, often times for their safety, or our own sanity?  I know I am guilty of telling a little lie or two to my kiddos.

One that comes to mind is the good old we need an appointment lie. Whenever the children say they would like to go somewhere like Chuck E. Cheese, Build-a-Bear,  Sylvania Playland, or any other child friendly and fun location that cost money, that is not in our budget, I tell them that we need to make an appointment.  I then explain that we can call and make an appointment for a future date when “they” have a time slot available. It has been doing the trick for the last 3 years.  I do worry however, our eldest is a smart cookie and one day one of her friends are going to say that they don’t require an appointment and blow the lid off my entire story.   Oh well, I will worry about that when the time comes.  Till then I am making appointments.

What little lie have you told your child or perhaps your child overheard you tell someone?

Please share.

Friday fright fun!

Friday fright fun!

momonthegoinholytoledo

Mama’s to do list:

  • Empty litter box & Clean dirty diapers (I like to take care of my crap in the morning)
  • Laundry
  • Drop off lunch money at school (someone forgot their lunch money)
  • Grocery Shopping (sorry again to the gentleman behind us for the wait, I am a coupon mom)
  • Friday Fright Fun!
  • Date Night

It was a crazy somewhat hectic day today but the pay off was exceptional. I am a firm believer in the work hard play hard motto.  So after putting my time in with all the boring mommy chores it was time for some Friday fright fun!

So to start off our Friday Fright Fun we popped the Walt Disney Halloween Songs & Sounds CD into the player, the kiddos raided the make-believe basket, and we boogied.  The kiddos continued to boogie while I made us some yummy fall Carmel apple sundaes.

Carmel Apple sundaes

Ingredients:

  • Two scoops vanilla frozen yogurt
  • ½ a medium-sized apple (which ever you prefer though, the granny smith contrast the caramel nicely) rinse and slice apple into bite sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp of caramel topping

Directions:

Place two scoops of yogurt in the sundae dish.  Place apple pieces on top of the yogurt then drizzle the caramel over the apples. Enjoy!

After our sundaes it was onto the craft.  The craft was a trick-or-treating bag.  I underestimated how much fun it could be doing a craft with the kiddos.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I thank God for moments like these, true quality time.

Trick-or-Treat Bags

I purchased everything from Hobby Lobby on Monroe Street.  This craft is economical so there is no need to break the bank.

What you need:

How to assemble:

Have your children trace from the template.  Then have the older ones cut out the figures, you will need to help the younger children.  Then let their imaginations run wild.

I had such a fun afternoon.  The kiddos will be using their trick-or-treating bags at the pumpkin path at the zoo tomorrow.  We can’t wait!

Well I am off to try to make myself presentable, date night!

Ghost of Halloween Costumes Past

Ghost of Halloween Costumes Past

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Mama’s to do list on this wet Wednesday:

  • Coffee, Coffee, Coffee
  • Drop off at school
  • Baby story time at the library
  • Hobby Lobby
  • Figure out where that weird smell is coming from
  • Go through Make-believe Basket
  • Go Buy a Wet Suit
  • Snack & Craft time

Well, it is that time of year again, time for the semi-annual review of the make-believe basket.  Our make-believe basket started four years ago when our eldest was almost two years old.  It started with her Halloween costume from that year and it has taken off and now includes over a dozen costumes and dress-ups.  Most of the make-believe clothes are from past Halloween’s but we have also accumulated a few from great deals after Halloween.  After Halloween the costumes are a steal from most of the second-hand stores.  I also like to stock up on accessories for future birthday parties examples include, tiaras, crowns, wands, pirate eye patches, masks, etc. There are often great deals on Halloween decorations too.

There is a method to this mama’s madness… I have decided to lay each costume out with accessories so that I can carefully review each for any holes, stains, missing pieces, etc. After the review each will be sent on their necessary mission, whether it be to the laundry room, rag bin(future hairball/dog puke cleaner-upper), patching place (nana’s house to be sewn), or, for those few fortunate costumes, on to next years inventory.

So, on with the show!

Holy Toledo, there was a lot of additional random stuff in this basket.  It was obviously the catch-all location for the random game pieces, legos, building blocks, ½ eaten apple (Oh dear, that must have been the smell. Alleluia! I can cross that off my to do list), my underwear (Really!?! I do not want to know), hair clips, and much more.

Mission complete! Our make-believe basket is back in top-notch condition and the kiddos now have some backup costumes should theirs fall prey to the random mud splash during the school Halloween parade or candy induced vomit fit, or whatever may attack their costumes.

Do tell, what are your kiddos going to be for Halloween? So, do you have a backup costume for your little one?