A Royal "Princess Party" R.S.V.P

We were recently invited to a Princess Party. The invitation is a pink and white crown cut out with the following invitation:

"By Royal Order

You are cordially imvited to

The celebration of 

Princess Friend

Third Birthday

Saturday, September 12th 2015

2:00-4:00 pm

Address included"

Did you know that all invitations from her royal majesty are actually Orders. Orders which we mere day to day people need to obey! I of course googled a proper response to the queens invitation. 

This great website has more details: http://www.debretts.com/forms-address/royal-family/communicating-queen/invitations-and-queen

Our reply:

Sir and Lady Our Names and Lady Baby girl present their compliments to the Mater of Household and have the honour to obey Her Majesty, Princess Piper's command, and will partake in festivities on September 12th at 2.00 o'clock

My baby girl is already planning her outfit, a tiara and tutu skirt. We arent encouraging full on princess dresses yet. Perhaps Ill remake her baptismal gown into a ceeam color skirt for her? She has many pretty dresses, I think I'd rather wncourage her to wear "real" clothes. I do t want the schmata Princess dresses we see eventually falling apart, torn, ripped, etc. Our kids pretwnd play &  dress up often, and I really don't think she's missing out in any way. I can't wait ro get some inspiration from the kids in attendance.

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud 

Poem: Husbands Love; "You have given me wings"

Husband's Love

Today you told me you loved me so much,

That you don't even know,

You couldn't place why that was,

But a few ideas you wanted to show:

What a good job I've done with the boys, or maybe tending to you?

As for the house cleaning, not so much,

But we agree it's kept tidy too.

We laugh, often and sometimes hard,

It can even lead to tears,

And if we're feeling somewhat jarred,

other times we share our deepest fears.

But today, you realized what it is, 

that feeling that brings you Close to me,

It's not the kids, house or jokes,

it's just letting you be free! 

The story behind the poem:

I had supported my husband through college as his "editor" on his various papers. This continued into his first and second jobs in administration. Then I supported him when he joined a principal training program and was gone 5 times over the course of a year to visit other school districts nationwide. 

He said one night I had "given him his wings" to be free to pursue his career. And I was happy to help.

by: Areyousureaboutthatblog Author
Not Authorized for Reproduction Without Permission

Make Mistakes. Breath, Reflect. and Laugh.Out.Loud

Poem: Decorating with Things I Find

Yes, my kids fall asleep in the car when we drive back from an activity or errand. So I would let them sleep. They loved it. My grandma would ALWAYS COMPLAIN, how uncomfortable, how miserable for the kids. Move them to their bed.

As a kid who grew up on the road I loved sleeping in the car. I still do. The movement and motion of the road makes a great napping. So I wouldn't transfer the kids, unless I had to. And in time I discovered driving around and letting the kids sleep was not uncomfortable, miserable, or making them unhappy.

When driving around I saw first hand the first world benefit we have, and our neighbors, where having an excess of items and being able to throw good, quality things away.

No photos here... just some thoughts on the trash.

POEM // DECORATING WITH THINGS I FIND

I Listed things I found,
In the neighborhood when driving around.
My kids would nap in the car,
Why should I wake their dreams from afar.

An antique table, who's trim can be fixed in a breeze,
a little glue could allow this table to hold my keys. 

An entire play lot for my kids,
a slide, a hut and tunnel in it.

Kitchen chairs made of solid wood,
found by my uncle in the hood.

Even a pair of jeans once owned,
were thrown out, forgotten, alone.

Dumpster diving is a skill,
one that I do not do well.

However this excess that we have,
throw it out, by a new one instead.

Plastic is cheap, a small price to pay,
for the convenience of instant replacement to stay.

The value of quality, workmanship and expertise,
I feel is lost. But not in my home,
not to be tossed.

Out out out in the cold.
A new couch, a rug, a lamp,
from the home.

NEW UPDATE :: YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Make mistakes, breathe and laugh.out.loud!

Addressing Parental Concerns, Knowledge is Power. Communication is the Key

It takes a lot of courage in today's world to be brutally honest. To basically expose the raw, true feelings you have will open you up to commentary, more so then ever with social media! And to go even further, and "open up" in your own community, your back yard, to possible even further potential commentary from your fellow neighbor, that takes courage.

Opening up from the heart, and sharing your perspective can create a fury of negative comments. Add the factor of a special needs kid, and you can hear a wide variety of comments, as I have thru the years - in both private, catholic and public school arenas. When my younger son was in a class with a special needs boy, a big comment was about "inclusion" or "why are my kids exposed to special needs?"

I was very moved to receive this GREAT letter from a parent (name excluded) of a Down Syndrome boy in our Kindergarten class. My younger son has provided a lot of information about this in hos daily report" after school. How the day went, What we learned, and play time with new friemd. He has also learned about Down's in class, but it was so refreshing to get a letter addressing parental questions and concerns - directly. Parent to parent... BRAVO!


Addressing Parental Concerns, Knowledge is Power, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Sometimes there isn't enough communication about the important stuff and supporting our special needs community. I did email the mom "kudos" on her really well written letter addressing curiosity and questions. I just had to share...

If you are reading this post, please post a comment below on what you liked - or didn't  - about this read. Does the topic interest you and you want to know more? Submit a question and I am happy to tackle it.

I do feel that's it's often unfortunate that these letters even have to go out, however Downs Syndrome and special needs situations are beyond the experience (and therefore the understanding) or many families. However, even with out the knowledge, empathy should always be present.

All you need to do is say "Hello." If you can't say hi, at least smile in their direction. Don't exclude a special needs kid because of how they look or talk, that is a CHILD who wants compassion as much as "normal" looking kids do.

I've made plenty of mistakes in the special needs arena (like telling a new mom of a Down's baby that she looked great {having lost all the pregnancy weight}, she replied Honestly: it was due the depression she was coping with and sitting crying on the shower floor - insert foot in my mouth!), but I correct my own ignorance, learn from experiences, and most importantly try to exemplify good, true, loving behavior for my kids to observe. Like simply saying "hello!"

(As for all those complaints, it's often what those yelling the loudest don't see. A little kid, who is just a little different. Who hugs, smiles and can share just like their kids. . . It may take them a little longer, or they may be shy at first. But the real problem here is not the special needs child, the real problem is us parents, who can't see beyond their illness/disability. My kids luckily just see their friend!)

NEW UPDATE :: YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT BLOG

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Make Mistakes. Breathe, reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud.

Intellectual Isolation, and Stay at Home Mom Boredom Syndrome

Time flies. I empathize with moms I see, because I remember.

As I once posted in a poem, I'm not one of the stay at home mom's who likes to gossip. I don't share my private family details just to fill the time and talk about something, anything, while waiting to pick up my kids at school. I "don't cackle with the hens."

How can I keep to myself and NOT seem like a prude? Or worse, a snob! I am not, really. I just don't idle chit-chat. I like to talk about travel, politics, humor, books, kids activities, abilities, current events, cooking and meal planning... I like talking about subjects that take more than 5 minutes. And no - I do not like to gossip. Period.

Well, being so reclusive in my younger years as a new mom had an unexpected side effect.

NEW UPDATE >>> 
Learn About our new You Tube Channel at the end of this blog. 

See It Live >>>  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Of course I talk to people, I say hello, talk about perhaps a recent activity, or place we visited or ran into someone at. But I don't stand around talking about the teachers, the kids, or the issues. That's the kind of "gossip" I don't partake in, unless its with my grandmother or my mom - just a little.

I always say hello to my neighbors and smile, but I don't stop to chat, instead I keep walking. Some conversation have turned and when they do it's about so and so and when they did such and such.... I don't want to hear the gossip of this teacher or that. And frankly it isn't any of our (or my) business! 

And so with this non-gossipy, don't wanna chit-chat about nothing approach to life causes an unusual side effect.

Intellectual Isolation and Stay at Home Mom Boredom Syndrome

The stay at home mom syndrome many of us feel. This Isolation from other adults, from the mental stimulation we get when we "work" with others or "on the job." This mental or Intellectual Isolation causes a sadness sometimes, a lack of motivation, and even irritation. 

My kids in the distance. Picnic Lunch. A large open space feeling of Isolation.

But this can be overcome.

I know my staying home with the kids is drawing to a close. When my baby girl starts school I am going back to work, and I am ready for that. I enjoy working, I enjoy being engaged and making a difference. I also like spending time with adults and having a higher level thinking process and conversation. As a result of knowing things will change, I treasure this time, yes even when I feel blah, because I know it isn't forever!!! I will be on a new path within two years or so.

Okay, I'm also an optimist. So when I do have a project, or a craft, task or mission I enjoy the work. I don't complain about the task with my kid/s. When I made the school musical costumes a mom from the previous year STILL complained to me about how hard it was, so time consuming, "I know what your going thru she said."  No, no you don't! I FELT INSPIRED, Motivated, thrilled to be "working" in the theatre (my passion). The kids we're so responsive to my help. They would get one piece of their costume and were transformed in their performance on stage. Knowing that the kids totally appreciated my work, and watching the leads "become their character" as they wore those costumes I Made - was a powerful feeling! I was proud, pleased with my work (yet, of course still critical on how I could've done this or that detail even better if I had more time). No worries because I will have another chance with the next show.

If you are reading this post, please post a comment below on what you liked - or didn't  - about this read. Does the topic interest you and you want to know more? Submit a question and I am happy to tackle it.

When I lack adult conversation and spend my whole day with kids, my brain seems to function at a lower level. I find myself loosing words and not able to find that one specific descriptive word and find myself explaining things instead. When writing this blog, I stepped away to make coffee when trying to remember the word "analysis." [I do blog to keep my brain engaged in higher level order thinking an to help me process my day/s so it's not all one big blur.]

Surprisingly, on some days the craftiness seems to bubble over where I am finding inspiration often for crafts. Perhaps this is how my brain stays engaged?  By finding ways to push itself, resulting in creativity?

I watch documentaries and have stuck with my commitment to read my National Geographic magazine every month. I try to read the books on my reading list... But that isn't as easy. I cant get my brain to get into the book. For some reason I can't focus in as well as  I used too.

During the day, while I am cooking lunch or dinner, I find myself binge watching shows on Netflix. Afterwards I will read a few bloggers analysis online about the episode and then I think thru my perspective. I think this "mental exercise" also keeps my brain stimulated.

What crap nonsense is that? Binge watching and later "thinking about" the characters or plot is improving or challenging my brain?? I don't know this for a fact, but I do find myself being more creative with little problems throughout the day after this "think about it" exercise. I have found myself staying calmer with the kids, addressing their needs and answering them with appropriate problem solving techniques. Forget about it when it comes to my crafts, I have become super crafty with quick inspirations and ideas flooding my brain! 

I didn't blog about making our school musicals costumes, but in 12 days I was amazed at the quality of costumes I made --- with no former experience! Unless you count my kids halloween costumes thru the years! 100 kids dressed, and fit to their characters, and more then just colorful t-shirts. Yaay! I can only assume that trying to remain intellectually stimulated helped the fire of creativity!

Originally Posted in 2012.

NEW UPDATE :: YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT BLOG

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Enrolling in a Kindergarten Reading Study with UIC for Younger Son

Through our neighborhood school, we have an opportunity to enroll in a University of Illinois at Chicago study and reading and kindergartners. We read every night as a family either my husband or I will read to our five-year-old son and two-year-old daughter and then our older son will either read on his own, join us for the book. Currently we're reading the Harry Potter series (with breaks for other books in between) and I'll read outloud for all of us as a group together in bed. This year 2014, a questionnaire came home about are interested in enrolling in the reading study, we thought that it would be something interesting to do and participate in. So after talking with husband we decided to enroll.

Two Updates are posted below on the program progress. 

The survey was pretty simple, asking you about your child's abilities in your opinion in reading and math. How well do you think they'll do over a long time. With reading and math. And it also asked about the parents levels of education. There was a questionnaire for myself and a questionnaire for my husband. The interesting part to me was that at the end of the survey they asked questions along the lines of gender bias and reading and math. Things like usually girls are better in reading. And then do you agree or disagree on the scale with the statement. Also boys are usually better in math. And then all children can learn. On the Parent sections of the questionaire your number to the statements were drawn differently along the lines of child intelligence and being able to change a child's intelligence and abilities in reading and math, and agreeing or disagreeing with those statements.

I strongly disagreed with my parent my statements. I think that both boys and girls can equally learn in math and reading. It has to do with simply supporting their abilities, and supplementing where they don't have strengths in certain areas. Ironically, my husband wasn't in the strongly disagree category he was in the one next to it disagree for some of the categories. I'm sure they'll be a dialogue about that at home later. As for today I got to pick up our iPad mini which had the app that we are to use four times a week preinstalled. It will keep track of our reading and the questions that we ask our son. The study is not keeping track of answers, which I thought was interesting. Because I think there is something to be said for children who are understanding what they're reading and what is being read to them. However there are questions at the bottom of the app for "we wines, little kids, and big kids. So I most certainly will be participating in all levels of the questioning just so we can challenge our younger son into some higher-level thinking.

If you are reading this post, please post a comment below on what you liked - or didn't  - about this read. Does the topic interest you and you want to know more? Submit a question and I am happy to tackle it.

Originally we thought we were required to read every night for 15 minutes with our child, now finding out when we picked up the iPad mini that we really have to simply read the daily passage and ask the question, and it's only four times a week so I don't anticipate the reading taking 15 minutes but I do anticipate that that conversation about what we read will take that long.

As for our younger son, I'll be sure to be telling him that he is a participant in the study. We will most definitely get a copy of the journal in which the study will be published. This way my kids can see on the backend of what it means to be a participant in the study in the work that is involved. Maybe if they choose to have scientific careers this study participation and understanding what is involved (logistics) is something that would interest them in the future?

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud 




Update: 2015

We liked participating in the UIC Reading Study. The iPad came with a preloaded app called BLT (Bed Time Learning). The passages to read everynight were short - maybe 1-2 minutes to read with a series of one to four questions to ask and encourage discussion afterwards. You could also choose to record the discussion.

The passages were interesting subjects, and a few of them were timely with current events. However, spelling errors, at a graduate level program, are UNACCEPTABLE! Granted I am a detail freak - however when working with the public you build into the system some sort of cross check for spelling and editing. Then when I emailed the group help email, they said they'd get to it.....still waiting. We have the app and errors didn't get changed. Now that's unfortunate.

As for the reading, we snuggled with the iPad, which "felt" different then snuggling with the books we have. My younger son pointed out his "popcorn" words while we read - that was cool (disruptive, but good for him). There weren't the fun pictures that books have relating to the text. Instead it was 1 pic for the story. The questions were simple - having the child recall basic facts from the story. However when we read we discuss the story, favorite parts, how we felt, and ultimately it relates to a current event in our lives or a recent story .... the simplicity of the questions was a turn off for my son and I. But we continued reading passages and I'd ask my own questions.


Update 2016
My son met at the local library with one of the researchers. He answered a series of questions and we received a $25 gift card. Even tho we no longer participate in the actual reading of the app. he became part of something like their "non participant" control group. 
This year I received another questionnaire packet which I completed and mailed back. We are participating because Young Son said it was interesting and he didn't mind. 

Recommended for New Moms the MMR Vaccine, but There Is Another Option which helps with Shingles too.

After I gave birth to my Baby Girl in January 2010, I was informed that my rubella resistance was low and an MMR, Measles, Mumps Rubella vaccine booster was recommended.

I DO believe in vaccines. I DO NOT believe in Doctors / CDC Vaccination Schedule which is a completely separate post.

So I went ahead and got the MMR booster before my discharge from the hospital. Since then I have had three family members come down with the shingles virus. Shingles is HORRIBLE!

-- My step mother had it - age 58. She developed a rash all over bot her arms and neck. She itched horribly and had severe pain. She still went to work (which blows my mind that we allow this contagious disease in workplaces. Who wants to stay home and ache. I too would want to get my mind off things, and the pain. But I don't think putting others at risk is AT ALL a responsible act. Why hasn't there been a law limiting social interaction with this disease?). On a scale of 1-10, about a 8, she'd say a 6.

-- My mother had it as a small rash on her chest/breast area. Causing aching and pain, on a scale of 1-10, about a 5 in pain, and a 9 in irritation. My mom also went to work, see comment above.

-- Lastly, my 83 year old grandmother had shingles. A thin red line developed along her back, near her bra strap. She thought it was an irritation, until the pain set in 5 days later. The rash stayed small. On a scale of 1-10, about a 8 in pain, and 10 for the family's burden and hearing about it every day.

As employees of CPS, we have this wellness / survey program as a health insurance requirement. I was reading my wellness report and saw the Recommended Health Vaccination Schedule for Adults. And the Shingles Vaccine was listed for 60+, however the Varicella vaccine for Chickenpox was also listed.

My Wellness Preventative Health Vaccine Assessment (copied from my personal wellness page) Includes:

Shingles Vaccine

Age 60+: 1 dose

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine

Age 19+: 2 doses (if no evidence of prior 2-dose vaccination or of immunity)

Well upon further reading it turns out Merck, the manufacturer of both these vaccines makes a combo vaccine for MMRV- a combination measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox vaccine, and zoster, or shingles vaccine. I wish I'd know this because I would have preferred the combination shot MMRV instead of the standard MMR for me. I was exposed to my Step Mother, Mother and Grandmother while they had there shingles, my children were not. However, I don't want to suffer this disease. And I'll be requesting the Varicella Booster / and or shingles ASAP.

Original Post: February 24, 2014

Make Mistakes. Breathe. Reflect. And Laugh.Out.Loud

A Day in the Life of Being a Mom, Evolution of Our Daily Schedule

A day on the life of #beingamom. What do you do all day? We Stay at Home Moms (SAHM) LOVE that question. I prefer "family manager" because I do way more then "Stay at Home." There's loads of moms on lockdown. And Loads more who are actively raising their kids and taking this privilege by the horns. I hope I am that mom.

I have posted our NO T.V. Schedule here. And this is one of my most popular posts. This is an updated version. And Yes, you will notice there IS TV time in our routine. I mentioned why absolutely NO television or tube time for my older son was a bad choice!

Here you go! A day in the life of a Stay at Home (Family Manager) mom.

Mom's days are busy, all the time! But WHAT do I do? My facebook friends can see the bug collecting, kids outing, and nature stuff. But those are our "outing days" that we squeeze into our reality. And our reality is also busy eventho it can be mundane at times.

My highlights are the moments with my kids. Reading books, at the park, playing outside, and cuddling - because there's always time for cuddling!

I think of my day in parts. In blocks of time where "I have responsibilities" to fullfill or in blocks of time that "I can fill:"

Daily Time Blocks

7:00 - 8:00 a.m. Morning routine to get to school.

8:30 - 11:30 a.m. get thing done like errands outside the house if needed.

And coffee!!

11:30 - 2:00 p.m. lunch and nap time for baby girl. I either nap with her or get a project list item worked on.

2:00 - 6:00 p.m. after school responsibilities and dinner.

7:00 p.m. Bedtime routine

9:00 p.m. Hopefully the day is over and we are looking forward to tomorrow.

Yesterday

Morning Routine

6:45 am Alarm goes off

Hopefully I've awoken before it rings and turned over. I still snooze until 7:00 (terrible habit, I know).

7:05 get up

Usually 1-2 boys are already dressed or getting dressed

Either get dressed for the day, or if I lack motivation stay in PJs.

Breakfast for the kids.

Make lunches + 1 snack for older son.

Walk to school and back (get in first batch of 2,000 steps).

Back home...

8:20 a.m.

Make coffee.

Get baby girl started on cartoons.

Preview Facebook and Twitter News.

Usually I:

Daily load of laundry, 1 washed 1 folded.

Put said laundry away.

In between play with baby girl, put a puzzle together, we are constantly chatting.

But today we are going grocery shopping. So I got dressed when we came back from drop off, and got coffee! Last night I made a yummy tomato soup and grilled cheese for dinner. It's been a cold Spring and we are in the mood for chili. By 9:00 am we are at the store. First at Target looking for a white straw hat for an event I have coming up. No luck.

Completed shopping, then pick up and drop off my Babcia at 11:00 a.m. She's sending a gift package to Poland. I usually drop her off at the mail facility. She likes taking the bus back home.

___________________________________

Usually: by 10:00 a.m. 

Get dressed for the day if I haven't already (Its ubber important for me to dress well, and show my kids the same).

Dress baby girl.

Pack a snack if needed.

10:30 a.m.

Run errands.

11:30 a.m.

Return home for lunch. Then nap time.

Then I can do something I want to do, hobby wise, or a project with baby girl. 

___________________________________

Today tho I am cooking.

Get home. Unpack groceries. Baby girl plays in toy room.

Start cooking that chili. Recipi is here.

Make a sandwich for lunch and eat.

We eat in the kitchen and read a book, or chat, or color to help baby girl eat.

12:45 p.m. it's her nap time so we read a book, or two. Then play music so she can fall asleep. (I have played gentle music for my kids to fall asleep to since their birth!) 

Sometimes I nap with her (since I need it and these snuggle moments are fleeting).

Today I have some tasks that I can do by baby girl. My chili needs to simmer for an hour. By 1:15 she's asleep.

I am on pinterest looking at how to make my own derby hat (for an upcoming event).

Afternoon Routine

2:00 I make a cup of tea and check the chili. (I am trying to cut back on my coffee intake so I am less irritable.)

At 2:15 my alarm will go off for school pick up reminder. 

Wake baby girl, give her something to drink, use the bathroom, get ready (my next 2,000 steps) to pick up the boys from school. Shoes, coats.

We pick up the boys and talk on the way home about their day, school work, and our girls day too. We often talk into homework time.

3:15 or so, if we didn't stop at the park we tend to be back with the boys in tow. They empty backpacks, lunch bags and change into play clothes. Unuforms go on their chairs for the next day, check pants for stains and get a fresh shirt. I prep snack. Baby girl trails them to hear about their day or play.

Snack and start homework Routine

4:00 p.m. Homework. I stay with the boys to help and start dinner.

Baby girl gets a project or plays.

5:00 p.m. homework is over, younger son gets to play while older son finishes up - at the kitchen table or the desk in his room. 

Dinner Routine and Some Playtime

We either wait for dad to get home to eat between 5:30-6:00 or start on our own if he is going to be late. Kids will do chores as needed like empty the dishwasher, put clothes away or sweep, feed the dog, wipe up spills, clear tables etc.

Set the dinner table with the kids help.

Helping with Garden chores and picking Red Current Bushes

Bedtime Routine

7:00 p.m. Get ready for bed.

Baths or showers. Change into PJs, brush our teeth.

7:30 Snuggles, secret feet tucks and read a book before bed. Hopefully we are done by 8:00 p.m. And I don't mind the hour commitment here. 

And so there goes the day! 

Previously over the years I would stay up and fold a basket of laundry, work on a project, watch TV and have a cup of tea. But then I find myself exhausted for the next day. Instead I get into bed. I chat with my husband, read, watch something on Netflix on the iPad, Pinterest, or mostly go to sleep.

And so the day starts again... Tomorrow.

Fridays are the start of the weekend!!

I make it a point to do a hobby or project list stuff on Friday. Otherwise I don't make much progress on "me" and "family" projects. I have found myself feeling less motivated too. Irony!!! Because I am energetic, idea filled and enthused all the time. And then my motivation lacks. I'll figure this out and get back on track. Thus Fridays are me days.

I make a project list so I can keep track of everything that needs to get done... And for the joy of crossing off the list! I'll have to post my to do list: and what keeps me busy in between my responsibilities. 

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud