True Love is…a smoldering dishwasher, puking child, & exhaustion!?!

February 14, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Based upon the title you might be thinking what kind of twisted freak is this woman? Lol! And trust me; I would have thought the same thing just days ago, Sunday to be exact. On Sunday life was perfect but of course I didn’t realize that because I was frantically getting ready for the week, meal planning, doing laundry, helping kiddos with their Valentine’s, etc. I am a sucker for all holidays and Valentine’s Day is the Olympics of holidays for me. I find so much joy in smothering all my sweethearts with love, heart shaped everything, gifts, surprises, and of course a fabulous meal. I had everything planned out perfectly, this year I was going to surprise the kids after school with balloons in the car, take them to a movie, and come home to a dinner table adorn with heart shaped waffles, eggs, strawberries, X & O shaped bacon (yep, I am that mom…coming to terms with it is the first step), chocolates, etc.

It was going to blow them away; it would be my best surprise yet (even better than taking them to Boyd’s for the Retro candies for school), we are talking Pinterest Perfection! But life had other plans, turns out the surprise was on me!

Sunday: Nothing like traumatizing the kids during bedtime!

Sunday night the kiddos headed up to bed after dinner and I prepped leftovers in the kitchen for lunch the next day. I was standing by the sink and suddenly, out of know where, the dishwasher made a spark followed by a sizzle, and then started smoking. The darn thing wasn’t even running!?! I called in my husband for reinforcements and rushed downstairs to turn off the breaker. (Something about water and electricity just didn’t sit well with me). Apparently like most things in our household the circuit breaker is a bit wonky when it comes to the labels. What seemed like a minute to me must have felt like an eternity to my husband because he frantically yelled down, “just turn it off!”. So naturally, I panicked. I just started flipping switches two at a time, including the one to the upstairs and basement. The high pitched screams that pierced my eardrum were clear indications that I flipped the wrong switch and now not only were the children freaking out in the dark upstairs, but, I too was in the dark downstairs. Meanwhile the dishwasher continued melting & smoking while my husband stood by helplessly. I eventually managed to manipulate the switches in the dark, turned off the electricity to the kitchen, and turned back on the electrically to the basement and upstairs. As I made my way back up to the kitchen I could hear the dog’s paws rushing down the stairs from above, he had left his post upstairs with the kids to check things out. After knocking a few things over with his cone of shame that he obtained thanks to double ear infections he came barreling around the corner to a dark kitchen with one path of light streaming from a flashlight on the floor that illuminated the cloud of smoke coming from the dishwasher. Once he saw that smoke he started barking ferociously which resulted in the kids practically sliding down the stairs in fright. And there the entire family stood at 9:30pm assembled in the dark kitchen in shock and amazement. It felt like a dramatic scene from a play. The flashlight gave the dishwasher the perfect spotlight and the smoke added a nice dramatic effect. The smell of plastic burning began to fill the room. Thankfully my husband was able to pull the dishwasher out from under the counter and unplug it, but when doing so the dog saw this great beast of a smoking appliance as a threat and tried to attack, retreating in fear each time but none the less barking his cone of shame head off. Crisis mostly averted.

Monday: She’s upstairs puking!

Monday night after dinner I cleared the table and carefully stacked the dirty dishes on top of the other dirty dishes…I am getting quit good at balancing them; it’s almost an art, lol! And then I sat down with my 5^th grader and we put the finishing touches on their Valentines for school the next day. All three kiddos were super excited for their Valentine’s Day party the next day, since they kind of got robbed of their party at Christmas time due to a snow day their anticipation was super amplified. They checked the forecast for the next day and let out a huge sigh of relief when they saw that fog, snow, and ice were nowhere on the radar. Each sat out their clothes…pinks, reds, and even a tutu with gold glitter hearts was the preferred apparel for our little fashionista.

Everything was going so smoothly and then it happened. My husband came downstairs to let me know, “She’s puking upstairs”. My heart sank. I knew what that meant; someone wasn’t wearing her gold glitter heart tutu tomorrow, wasn’t passing out Valentines, and wasn’t going to be attending her Valentine’s Day party.

Tuesday: Calgon take me away!

So here I sit, Tuesday morning and I am absolutely exhausted after getting up 8+ times with my poor baby girl. My kitchen counters are filled with mountains of dirty dishes, laundry needs to be done, rooms need to be cleaned (and sanitized), that darn dog just managed to annihilate his cone of shame, and my Valentine’s Day plans that I was so looking forward to are a bust. And yet I am over the moon, and no, that’s not just the ridiculous combination of exhaustion and caffeine talking.

This year I finally get it! I finally realize the true treasures of Valentine’s Day, granted I had to go on one twisted, crazy, exhausting scavenger hunt to find them but find them I did! And it turns out they have been here all along but I have been so distracted by my own expectations that I couldn’t see them. The dishwasher dying it’s slow smoky death revealed a part of my husband I had taken for granted, he is not only our family’s provider but our protector, he is willing to risk his life for our family…there is no amount of roses that can equal that! I learned that in my regimented ways I have missed out on precious moments…sitting with my 5^th grader and putting together Valentines while talking about life brought me more joy than a million boxes of chocolate. But the biggest take away from this crazy week (thus far-God may have more lessons in store!), and it was something that dawned on me when I rushed to my daughter’s side for the 5^th time at 4:30am, I learned that I am enough! My children don’t need fancy balloons, food shaped like hearts; the best gift I can give them is my unconditional love, day, or night, no matter the circumstances, no amount of store bought anything or fancy food can replace a mother’s love. Thus I am over the moon, bursting with blessings & love sans the typical Valentine’s Day garb.

I know it sounds so cliché but this Valentine’s Day the gifts I am most thankful for is my husband, children, my family’s health, and all the amazing people in my life…dishes be damned! 😉

Happy Valentine’s Day, loves! Cheers to finding the REAL treasures in your life!

10 Ways to Keep Kids Active in Toledo This Winter

February 4, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

Its official Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow; we will have 6 more weeks of winter! 6 more weeks of the kids getting home from school just before dark, 6 more weeks of not just cold temps, but, wind chill temps too! And let’s be honest, we live in Northwest Ohio, 6 weeks is being generous, sometimes Spring time weather doesn’t grace us with its presence until mid-May! Pair all that with the fact that The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stipulates that children need at least 60 minutes of aerobic activity a day… (Specifically; vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on at least 3 days per week, muscle strengthening activities, such as gymnastics or push-ups, at least 3 days per week, and bone strengthening activities, such as jumping rope or running, at least 3 days per week as part of your child’s 60 or more minutes). (Source; https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/ )…and to further complicate the issue one can’t forget about homework, parents’ work schedule, evening activities, and the lure of the screen. It’s enough to make even the most optimistic parent want to just toss in the towel, call it a winter, and hibernate till spring.

First things first, let’s check those screens into the Mobile Motel where they can recharge and rest up for a few hours. (I would encourage your family to come up with check-in and check-out times that suit your family’s schedule. Having the screens out of site and out of mind will help remove that temptation. Added bonus, you will always know where the screen is & it will be charged. Winning!!).

10 Ways to Keep Kids Active in Toledo This Winter:

Walk to school! We started walking to school this year and while there was a bit of resistance in the beginning we have all come to enjoy and look forward to our walks in the morning. And recently our school introduced Active4.Me. It is a program that promotes physical activity and walkable communities. Active4.Me uses a barcode system to keep track of students’ active trips to and from school, CO2, calories, miles and how much gas savings for each student, their classroom, grade or for the whole district. It notifies parents that children have arrived safely, students can win prizes, and it is a great way to promote safe active communities. Website: https://www.active4.me/index
Earn Prizes for being Active!?! Winter Quest by Metroparks Toledo is a great initiative to get everyone outdoors and active. Simply download your journal, track your activity, and submit it via a message on the Metropark’s Facebook page or in person to be entered into a drawing for a prize. Names are drawn every Monday….but hurry Winter Quest end February 28^th. Website: https://metroparkstoledo.com/discover/special-events-and-programs/winter-quest/
Feel like life with kids is a 3-ring circus? Why not make it official and sign them up for Circus Classes! Birds Eye View Circus is Toledo’s Premiere Circus School and Performance Space. They offer Trapeze, Silks, Lyra, Aerial, Tight Wire, etc. drop in or classes for youth and adults. Website: https://birdseyeviewcircus.com/
Make it a family date at Ohio Skate! Why let the kids have all the fun? Skate rentals are reasonably priced to accommodate most budgets. For list of locations, prices, hours, etc. click on link to website: http://www.ohioskate.com/
Spend the Day at Maumee Bay State Park! The Lodge offers Day Passes Sunday- Thursday (8am-10pm). Children 2 & under are FREE, Children 3 & Up and Adults are $12 + tax for the day. That means you have all access to the locker rooms, sauna, hot tub, pool, splash area, kids area, arcade space, & fireplaces. What’s more, if it snows you can sled down the big hill, and if we get 6 inches you can rent skis too…then go warm up by the fireplace with hot cocoa or take a dip in the hot tub. This is a great one for Sundays, family fun days!! Website: http://www.maumeebaystateparklodge.com/
Ice ice baby! Take the kiddos to the only open air ice rink in northwest Ohio & southeast Michigan, at Ottawa Park!! General Admission is $4 (3 & under are free) Skate rental is $2. For directions, hours, etc. click on link to their website: http://www.ottawapark.org/outdoor-ice-rink-ottawa-park-toledo.html
Say Cheese! Enjoy a Photo Scavenger Hunt at the Park(s)! Since the Parks uphold the motto of “Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints.”- Chief Seattle- a photo scavenger hunt is perfect! Put together a quick list of items to find, grab the camera, and have kiddos snap shots as you walk one of the trails. To add to the fun and adventure, challenge yourselves to visit a different park each week, print off the kiddos’ findings and let them put together a winter book with all their pictures.
Prefer a more climate controlled park? One that is bright long after the sun goes down? Then head for the sky, Sky Zone! Half hour jump times are just $10, one hour is $15, for more pricing options and hours (Toddler Time: Fridays 10am-12pm, $8 per toddler, parents are FREE) click on website link….don’t forget your Sky Socks! Website: https://www.skyzone.com/toledo
Swing sets indoors!?! Dreams do come true! Take the kiddos to Sylvania Playland where they can enjoy five inflatables, four swing sets, & a toddler area. Care to extend the fun? Play a game of glow-in-the-dark mini golf, 18 holes, with 4 awesome themes (underwater, pirates, dinosaurs, knights and dragons). For location, hours, and pricing click on the link to the website: http://www.sylvaniaplayland.com/
There’s only one place your child can go to sail on a pirate ship, narrowly escape a monster shark, trek the jungle among gorillas and iguanas, weave his way through a dazzling maze, defy gravity, visit a neighboring kingdom’s castle, and then take a seat on his own castle’s throne – all in one day! Funigans!! Kiddos can bounce, slide, jump, and run around on their giant inflatables, play Lazer tag, and challenge one another in the arcade. For location, hours, pricing, etc. click on link to website: http://www.funagins.com/

Have a favorite activity that your kiddos enjoy during the winter time that didn’t make the list? Please share.

Michigan Science Center

January 3, 2017January 4, 2017momonthegoinholytoledo

“Awesome!”, “Cool!”, “Amazing!” those are the replies my 11, 9, & 6 year olds gave when asked what they thought about their experience at Michigan Science Center. Michigan Science Center is a hands-on STEM based museum located in Detroit, Michigan. We ventured up there and had the pleasure of partaking in their Glow Night. Glow Nights are special evening hours, 6-9pm, with discounted pricing (now through the 6^th of Jan.), and some added Holiday fun. But best off all it provided us the opportunity to see what amazing exhibits, displays, and activities one can do, see, interact with, & even make at Michigan Science Center (MiSci).

Our visit…..

First Stop- Engineering

Kiddos had a blast venturing across the 80-foot-long Mini Mac Bridge, traveling the roundabout, working the U.S. Steel Fun Factory and more…..

Next Stop-Health & Wellness

We discovered the importance of good nutrition and fitness, uncovered some of the hidden factors that affect our health both now and in the future, we learned how to make smart choices to improve our health, and had fun whacking sugar & fats!

Then we were off to the final Frontier-Space

We had a glimpse of the wonders of the universe and the history of human space travel….the rest of it was located on a level below us that wasn’t open in the evening…thus, we totally have to go back!

We enjoyed learning about the constellation in the winter sky and about Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, during the Planetarium show. Dassault Systèmes Planetarium features a Digistar® II projection system with 13,000-watt Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and a 50-foot-wide, three-story-high-dome, and comfy chairs.

Our final stop, Creatures of Light exhibit! (This special exhibit Ends Jan. 15th)

We voyaged to the otherworldly realm of bioluminescence — the creation of light by living organisms. We traveled through summer meadows, learned why Fireflies glow, ventured into a cave to see worms glowing, and the deep sea to explore this incredible natural phenomenon.

Glow Night was the perfect sampling of MiSci and it left us longing for more…so in order to satiate our appetite for science and fun we are already planning our next visit and it will include seeing….

Kidstruction

Kidstruction -Become an engineer and create structures with large vinyl blocks, giant planks, k’nex and more. Use tablets to experiment with design and participate in our building challenges. Included with paid general admission

Spark!Lab

Through hands-on activities, interactions with facilitators, and even conversations with inventors from the community, children and families engage in the process of invention. The self-led exploration that happens in this interactive space creates environments that support the creative and collaborative thinking so important to invention and entrepreneurship. Spark!Lab Smithsonian is where science center visitors become inventors and innovators.

Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre

Feel like you’re a part of the action. Showing films that entertain, educate and inspire, Michigan’s only IMAX® dome theatre surrounds audiences with an experience that thrills students and adults alike. Its 67.5-foot-wide, five-story high screen, modern stadium-style seating and state-of-the art technology creates an ultimate movie experience not to be missed!

We can’t wait to go back! Intrigued? Want to learn more? Perhaps plan your trip to MiSci today? Here are all the details….

Details

Phone: (313) 577-8400

Address: 5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202

Website: http://www.mi-sci.org/

Admission: General admission is $14/adult, $11/child 12 and under or senior citizen (60+). Children under age two are free. (If you have an Imagination Station Membership you will receive 50% OFF!! It is advised to use your discount and just pay a la carte for the IMAX ($6per person) & the Planetarium shows ($6 per person)…your savings is deeper with this option as opposed to waiving your discount and going with one of the packages they offer…I found the website admission info slightly confusing so I gave them a call and a lovely woman walked me through the admission options over the phone). They also offer 3 different package prices online that do provide a slight discounts, click on link to view those, http://www.mi-sci.org/visit/#admissions

Hours: Jan. 7 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 – 11 Closed for maintenance

Jan. 9 Normal hours resume:

M-T Closed

W-F 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sun noon-6 p.m.

Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Parking: http://www.mi-sci.org/visit/parking/

Amenities: Lockers, Coat Racks, & Café

Upcoming Events:

After Dark: Come spend your Third Thursday at After Dark, their monthly happy hour for ages 21+ only, while exploring exciting science concepts.

Upcoming After Dark dates and themes:

January 19 – Vintage Video Games
February 16 – Mardi Gras

FX Xpereince: Don’t miss out on MSC new FX: Family Xperience series the first Saturday of every month! All activities are included with paid general admission. Click on link to see schedule of events for 2017, http://www.mi-sci.org/discover/fx-family-experience/

Looking for more fun Indoor Adventures in SE Michigan and NW Ohio this winter? Click Here

Redirecting our Family’s Focus for Lent

March 4, 2014momonthegoinholytoledo

I have been reading the book, Balancing it All, by Candace Cameron Bure for our playgroup’s book club. It has really brought some topics to light regarding family and what my influence is a parent and wife. It has had me reflecting on ways to redirect my family’s focus and I cannot think of a better time to employ positive change than during Lent.

Coming to the conclusion that I have been slacking as a mom was not easy to admit. Slacking how? Well, structure for one. 2014 has not started off well. With all the snow days and the uncertainty of what the week holds I have become too flexible, too lenient, and structure has fallen by the wayside. I have fallen into a horrible pattern of just doing things myself. Landry, dishes, cleaning rooms, emptying trash, etc. to the point of exhaustion. I had never worked so hard and yet, I was being a lazy mom. I haven’t been nurturing in the evening, I raise my voice more often than I would like to admit, and I have not been doing the things I enjoy doing with the children, like reading stories and saying the Rosary in the evening.Thus I have come to the conclusion that the following need to be implemented in order for our family to redirect our focus on what is truly important, growing together in faith.

I have narrowed it down to 3 main areas in our lives that distract us away from God and God’s plan for family: Stress, Screens, and Materialism.

1) Start our Mornings off right. Instead of the kids having breakfast alone while my husband showers and gets ready for work and I run around like a chicken with its head cut off in search of pants, clean underwear, homework, etc. Everyone will be responsible (with a little guidance from mom) for their own clothes, book bags, etc. the night before and we have breakfast together. The family table need not be limited to dinner. Why not start the day off together. Over breakfast I will be reading LENT FOR CHILDREN, A Thought a Day, by Family Feast and Feria. My hope is to then have a short discussion and end with a prayer.

2) Be accountable for Screen Time. We currently have four televisions in our home and a laptop. The television in the living room has the Wii, Netflix, and cable. The television in the basement is hooked up to a DVD for viewing movies. And the laptop has educational websites and games the children enjoy. Just the other day I realized that between video games, Netflix shows, educational websites, and girls watching a movie that we were each entertained by a screen for 5 hours straight!! It is embarrassing to have to admit but owning it is the first step. We will be eliminating cable. But let’s be honest, that isn’t the main culprit. Netflix, though amazing as it is, is very addicting. I mean who doesn’t long to know what happens in the next episode? You definitely need to have self control when it comes to Netflix. But sometimes that willpower doesn’t kick in naturally so, in order to limit screen time I have purchased a kitchen timer for each of the children and we will be implementing the 2 hours or less screen time chart. Each week the children will receive the chart and they will be held accountable for their daily screen time.

3) Stop being a slave to the stuff! I spend way too much time assisting the children with cleanup of their rooms and family room. I would rather be spending that time doing something fun with them/as a family. The problem is they simply have way to much stuff. More stuff than their little minds can process. No child needs 30 Barbie’s; in fact the most they could play with at one time is 2, maybe 3. They also have an exorbitant amount of books, some are even duplicated. What we don’t have is adequate storage or space for all the stuff. Thus the stuff has got to go! I would love to sell tickets for $25 to enter my house and take what you can carry then use the funds for a family vacation. Unfortunately the hubby wasn’t to keen on a bunch of strangers perusing through our home so the next option, downsize. All nicer items will be sold to a secondhand store (children could use that money for their rice bowls), other items will be donated, and some have simply seen better days. I also like the fact that through this process the children can learn what is truly important and it isn’t the stuff, it is the people, their relationships, and most importantly their relationship with God. It is hard to have a relationships with God when you are surrounded by so many distractions a.k.a. Legos, Barbie’s, Power Rangers, cars, princess, etc. would love to do what this mother did, and who knows once I get started we still might…Why I took My Kids Toys Away.

I will also be incorporating the activities on this site, 40 Ideas for 40 Days.

Does your family have Lenten practices? How do you redirect your focus during Lent? Please share.

Reevaluating priorities: Where are you investing your time?

March 21, 2013momonthegoinholytoledo

Reevaluating priorities can be a daunting and somewhat humbling task. Coming to the realization that what you had thought was in your best interest and your family’s actually might not be, or basically admitting that you got it wrong, is quite humbling. But did you actually get it wrong or have circumstances simply changed?

As I sit here filling out kindergarten registration for my son and Child’s Day Out (program that gets children acclimated to the idea of being away from mom and dad, not like preschool, but rather the step before preschool, it is only one day a week for 2-1/2 hours) for our youngest I can’t help but reflect on how much my life is going to change next year. I am going to have 2 children in elementary school! Go figure, I feel like I am just getting this having a 1^st grader, preschooler, and toddler thing down and now things are going to change in less than 6 months! Part of me wants to scream’ BUT I DON’T WANNA!!!’ but where would that get me? Denial, that’s where. And while denial can be soothing at times it only delays the inevitable. So I am going to force myself past the all-inviting state of denial and venture towards reality.

And the reality is that I need to reevaluate my priorities. I have to be honest; I thought life was going to get so much easier once my kiddos were in elementary school. I mean, hello, they can dress themselves, bathe themselves, help make their lunch, etc. That sounds like a vacation compared to parenting a baby, toddler, and/or preschooler, right!? Wrong!

The truth of the matter is that yes, elementary aged children can do more for themselves with regard to the physical tasks. However they require so much guidance with the remainder of their lives, from homework, to helping make sense of friendships, and everything in-between. And since they are in school all day the only time left are those few hours between after school and bedtime. Of which often include an after school sport or activity, and homework! So you get about a solid hour if you are lucky. And that solid hour is often fragmented between driving to and from activity, dinner preparations, cleaning up before bed, and getting ready for the next day. And you know what, those really deep questions; they often arise during this fragmented time. If only children would talk and bring up serious questions when it was convenient for us parents, say between 6 and 7pm, how much easier life would be. Can you imagine? That would be awesome. I could then make it to Book Club, MOPS, Zumba, Dinner with the Gals, Dinner Co-op, Ladies Night Out, and Trivia Night, score! But they don’t. So what is the solution? Be present. Model the life lessons you want your children to learn. Reevaluate Priorities. Which can be really difficult especially for us social butterflies, there I said it!

So, in an effort to truly reevaluate my priorities (because, to be honest, this past year after being with a preschooler and toddler all day and 1^st grader after school I gladly welcomed a couple of evenings out for book club, dinner co-op, and dinner with the gals)But there isn’t enough days in the week for date night, two ‘me nights’, hubby’s night w/the boys, and still maintain a solid family foundation) and be MORE present now and in the future I have come up with a list of questions that I have been asking myself in order to determine which activities I should invest my time that is away from my family.

I ask myself these questions:

Does it correlate with my morals and values?

Will this have a neutral, positive, or negative influence my life?

Will it have a neutral, positive, or negative influence on the life of my children and husband?

Is it worth the time, the time I put into it, and the time away from my family?

Afterwards will I feel renewed, rested, peaceful and ready to be the best me I can be? Or will this be something that is draining?

Is there a long time commitment?

If after answering all these questions the conclusion is positive I then discuss it with my husband, and we will then see where the activity fits into our family’s schedule. We both firmly believe that family is of utmost priority but that in order to be the best spouse that we can be and parent it is healthy to have a day, evening away. So we have come to the conclusion that we will have no more than one evening a week away from the family. Then the next difficult task, trying to squeeze that evening in-between, the kids’ school of religion, soccer practice/games, t-ball practice/game, kiddos clubs, etc. And I suppose one day I might actually have to come to the realization that maybe a phone call with a friend will have to suffice as my ‘night out’.

One day my children will be grown and out of the house. At that time I will have all the time in the world to join clubs, co-ops, classes, etc. But I will never be able to get this time back, to get my children’s childhood years back. There is no redo. This is not a dress rehearsal so it is important that we do our best and be the best parents we can be. And yes, that does mean sacrificing things in the short-term, but oh, the abundance we will have in the long-term will be well worth it!

Did you think life was going to get much easier once your kiddos entered elementary school? How do you determine which activities are worth your time away from your family? Do you have a technique that you have found helpful? Please share.