Going for a walk again and again

October 2014 

When my older son was born we went for walks every single day, sometimes even twice a day. Regardless if it was the warmest, sunniest day or the chilliest winter in Chicago, every single day we walked again and again and again.

Going for a walk again and again

My grandmother, his great-grandmother's age old advice, baby should get fresh air every day, and get a little bit of red in their cheeks, that makes for a healthy happy child. And I continue that philosophy even till now, a whole nine years later with my younger son and baby girl.

I'll have to admit, it is nine years later, and we own a home and I have three children and I feel like there's lots more to do. We're also continuing some renovations in our basement and kitchen, so walking every day I'll admit is no longer my priority. However that doesn't mean it's not just as important as it was nearly a decade ago.

Taking a walk is such a simple thing, and I know moms can often feel overwhelmed when they see these great ideas from their friends on Facebook and Twitter doing crafts and activities with their kids. But honestly the best activity that I could've ever done with my children is the simple act of taking a walk.

It doesn't matter when, in the morning, in the afternoon, going to a nearby park, or even an after dinner stroll which is another frequent activity of ours, we keep going for a walk again and again. Walking is just one of those excellent activities because you can be completely engaged with your child. Talking about the changing colors of the trees and the leaves, I'm inspired because it's fall now. Or even in the winter time looking at the snow, throwing snowballs, enjoying the chill in the air, and then of course there's the nature fact even though we live in an urban area of Chicago, there is nature all around us. We listen to the squirrel squeak at each other or the birds chirping trying to identify the call of Blue Jays or Robins.

Going for a walk again and again
Photo taken on the walk

I had the benefit of starting early with my kids, and I've heard some of my neighbors say they think it's not that we walk around so often, that "their kids" would never want to do something as boring as taking a walk. So if you can start them early, otherwise try and engage your kids in simple acts on the walk, like see how many different colors we can find, how many shades of green there are, how many animals we can find, ooh - what's that sound you hear. As for the older ones try to position it as you-and-me time. I want to head about your day! it's just a way of connecting with them and you listening (i phone left at home for a whole 20 minutes) and not talking.

So I've been lazy, it's Halloween and there's lots of decorating and pumpkin carving, and we haven't been doing our double walks every day. After lunch I would usually take a stroll with baby girl before her nap, because all the fresh air makes for a well deserved nap that is nice and long. However we of course walk every day to go pick up the boys from school. Older son and younger son are now in a full day program at school which just leaves me time with her. And maybe that's where the laziness sets in? Being Type A isn't easy. When I'm not overloaded with work, I also feel ironically unmotivated. I know isn't that silly? When I'm not tempting to all three of the children, I feel like I'm being lazy which then turned out to be true laziness because I don't do much.  (I know, its like an illness, my version of don't do much, is not the version of most people's time too much, I admit it.)

Today is a vest day in Chicago. It's a nippy 48°, with a high of 55. Tomorrow is Halloween October 31, 2014. And I'm taking a walk with my baby girl.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON October 31, 2014. 

We've added a you tube channel since then . . . 

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.

Old Mom Meet New Mom The Inspiration Post

Once upon a time, while perusing Facebook, okay — wasting time — I came across this powerful post written as a letter from a Mother to her Daughter.

Thanks FB memories for reminding me of this. We shared this post on our Facebook page, and its here too.

Old Mom Meet New Mom The Inspiration Post

It's evident that all this is true. And at the time I felt like I shouldn't wait until my old age to make some realizations about motherhood and life. 

And so my post was born Old Mom meet New Mom. And then part II of the same name. This evolved into thinking more of my self awareness and simply "being a better mom." And many many many hashtags later - it has become my mom-tra. 

LETTER FROM A MOTHER TO A DAUGHTER:

"My dear girl, the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through.

If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don't interrupt to say: "You said the same thing a minute ago"... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don't want to take a bath, don't be mad and don't embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

Old Mom Meet New Mom The Inspiration Post

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don't look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life's issues every day... the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we're talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can't, don't be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don't let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked.

When those days come, don't feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love.

I'll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I've always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter."

Crying yet? Me too!

We always include our new youtube channel links at the end of each post  >>> 

Visit our youtube channel https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA for more of our adventures <<<

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

Whole 30 Sneaky Sugars

We have lost our minds and are trying the Whole30 Healthy Eating for 30 days program. And while there is plenty of internet info about what you can eat and recipes, we are struggling with the sugars. 

Ultimately, one of the goals is to eliminate sugar in your diet. For some whole30 can mean a Number of things - but we embrace the "let go of the sugar crave" help. 

I found this great sugar reference on whole30.com when a friend Recommended a by product of alcohol sugar often found in gum. You guessed it, not only is xylitol not allowed, no sugars are allowed and No Gum! 

Whole 30 Sneaky Sugars

Please don't be a close talker with me until February. Im using loads of onions and garlic as a seasoning, and now since gum is out . . .  Just keep your distance.

Here is the graph if sneaky sugars to watch out for, yes read labels!! 

See the website here >> https://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-sugar.pdf

Whole 30 Sneaky Sugars

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and laugh.out.loud. (When crying from missing sugar.)

Death of classmate: A poem about healing

Death of classmate // Healing

No more shooting mom

Listening to the news

Telling my son to play dead

Mom what's that

Basketball games rivalries end in death

Buy a gun for $100 on the corner

Everyone knows where

Sister cry for food

Sister city to play

Sister city a new town
for the death of a child

Pendragon, Pendleton,
shot in a park,
5 blocks from the President's home

Performed at the inaugural

Died at attention.

Gun control won't cut it,

Video games won't cut it,

Mental health registry won't cut it,

Where are the shooters parents,

Where is the raising of a child.

The shootings in Chicago have gone insane. And while this was during the Obama administration, I was deeply affected. We discuss the why's at home. White privilege, poverty, cycles of abuse and the insanity of shootings. What do we tell the children? We talk about these issues openly. And then I deal with my kids saying they are scared when we know we are safe at home. This is not our world, but it hurts my heart.

One day, this will change.

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 and keep breathing.

Talking through School Projects. Getting it done Before We Start Working

When my kids come home with the project from school, we talk about it and talk about it and talk about it. Often long before it's due. We talk about the aspects of the project, making sure that they fully understand what to do. How much time each task will take. And then we start to brainstorm on ideas. We start to talk about what they would like to write about then what mom or dad would like to write about and sometimes they'll even ask their brothers and sisters what they think.

"We talk about it, and talk about it, and talk about it.." over and over again.

Talking through School Projects. Getting it done Before We Start Working

A lot of this parenting thing, turns out, it conversation. And luckily we have a lot of time in the car to talk and talk and talk. We found the creative thinking and problem-solving is becoming an issue more and more with kids in the schools. We find that children have a hard time coming up with WHAT to write about when they have a free-form essay. Not our kids though. And I really think that this process is a big part of the reason why they do so well. We encourage them to come up with three totally different ideas for a paper and it takes 48 to 72 hours to do that, we're fine with it. We except the craziest ideas, the funniest ideas, and the stupidest ideas.

"To create a love of learning you have to create a love of the process."

Obviously as parents we will steer them away from using the stupid topics for a school paper. (Is there a stupid topic? See the update below.) But if they want to write a separate essay for mom and dad they can do it on the silly subjects, and yes they do sometimes. And we get a good little giggle To create a love of learning you have to create a love of the process. And just like we adults will come across a problem and talk about it with our friends for days on end, children to need to process their work in their little brains for a few days or hours ahead of time if they have that time before project is due.

Recently my younger son's first grade teacher sent out an email asking about his first computer based projects. He will be presenting to the class on different types of rock. I let her know that our process is talking about the project for at least a day or so, and he too felt very very happy to let her know that he thought about his project for a day. And then he came home and gave me three or four totally separate ideas of what he wants to include in his project. All because we talked about it. This from a six-year-old.

Favorite Post: When the teacher said we wouldn't be in outer space in my sons lifetime

We are using everyone of his ideas, from what type of paper to use, we are to show real pieces of rock that we have at home (see our rock collection post), and we will print out some online. He wants to print the words in all different colors (having worked in marketing I know that that will not look the best, but it's HIS project). But this is about his learning process.

Allow time in the learning process. Allow kids to make mistakes, type super slow, and cut outside the lines. This is how they learn.

Update: Is there a stupid topic for a school project? 

Of course I THINK there is. But I have learned thru the years to let the boys pick their own topics. They have to make mistakes so the can learn for themselves what works and what does not. I can explain over and over but if they experience it for themselves, that is a lesson that will remain with them in the long run.

I have learned to ask teacher for rubrics. To review with the boys WHT the teachers grade on, giving them specifics for their project. And in this process if the subject they selected doesn't fit the rubric, we may need  a new one. But usually the boys create and think thru ways to get it done. And there is so much to be said for them going thru this self discovery and creativity process.




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

Teacher Gifts. 5 ideas for teacher gifts you haven't seen

Teacher Gifts - 5 ideas for teacher gifts you haven't seen. Because all teachers are awesome. 

And while they love the coffee certificates, and plants, and home made gifts (not so much) and WINE! Lotsa Wine! ... these ideas may take your teacher love to the next level. Let's see what "Teacher Gifts. 5 ideas for teacher gifts you haven't seen" for this years teacher appreciation week. 

TEACHER GIFTS you haven't seen.

Treasure Chest

Provide each child with a small envelope and ask the family to contribute a summer 'treasure'.

It can be anything - an inspirational quote, a thank you note, a small toy, photo, movie tickets, or even a gift certificate to your favorite local book store, restaurant or salon. Package the sealed envelopes in a toy treasure box (or a box with a photo of a treasure chest) add chocolate coins and present it to the teacher with this note:

"We've treasured your teaching all year long. 

Please enjoy these small treasures from all of us. 

(Opening one per day this summer takes more patience, but brings more delight!)"

Summer Reading Escape

Ask parents to provide their favorite gently used books and magazines.

Package them in a colorful beach tote with a new beach towel, sunscreen and water bottle. If your class is the cash-gathering kind, purchase a Kindle or Nook and an online gift certificate.

(Use VolunteerSpot's FREE ONLINE SIGN UP SHEET to request your group donation and reminders will be automatic and easy!) 

Garden Gadgets

If you're teacher is a gardener, ask members of the class to donate seed packets, garden tools or small gift certificates to a home and garden supply store.

Package the gifts in a large watering can with a bow and a potted plant. (VolunteerSpot Tip: Use this theme idea and replicate with other hobbies - art baskets, cooking supplies, etc.) 

Thank You Bouquet

Teachers will tell you when asked, the thing they appreciated most (over another candle, or school-themed trinket), was a simple thank you note.

1. Send two colorful index cards home with each child. 
2. Write one thank you note yourself and have your child write one too - be sure to make it personal (sentence starters below). 
3. Gather up all the notecards and assemble them in a colorful basket with a foam bottom. 
4. Use florist note-card holder picks to hold the thank you cards. (Supplies available at any craft store). Parents may want to include photos or gift cards also. 

You're extra special because...

Thank you for...

I love how you... 

This year you've taught me...

This gift can easily be stepped up with Gift Certificates. We have one class take up a collection of certificates for a Teacher who was getting married. From $5 Home Depot cards and Amazon gift cards, to the PTO collection. She was truly touched and it was an EPIC Staff Wedding Gift. 

A Few Hours Off

Things get stressful towards the end of the year with tests and all the kids getting antsy for summer vacation.

Ask parents to take turns helping in the classroom. Suggestions might include: organizing a reading circle, hosting an end of the year party (starring parents), or helping with end-of-year packing and moving teacher supplies from the classroom.

Make the end of the school year a celebration, not just because your kids are escaping school! Remember the good times of the past year, and thank their teacher for their hard work.

Remember anything you give is appreciated and memorable. Event a little note to say "Thanks!"

Make mistakes. Breathe, reflect and laugh out loud! 

Well You are a Bossy Little Girl

When I was a little girl I remember being told "you are bossy," on a regular basis. "Don't be like that, NO ONE WILL LIKE YOU." I still hear it today. In my head.

I had very strong emotions as a child, yes I cried when I lost at checkers to my cheating grandfather and uncle's. Of course it didn't help that they teased me when I lost which encourage the crying. But I digress.

I was a little bossy pants, I often lead the games that we played after school. I frequently made the rules and told the other kids how to play want to play where to play. I remember the nuns at school telling me that nobody likes a bossy girl. Our next-door neighbor who's two boys I played with would tell me that I'm too bossy for being a girl.

Even my dear old dad, who I would say has taught me a lot about leadership and what not to do, would tell me that I'm too bossy.

Every Little Girl who is told she is bossy, should be told instead she has GREAT
leadership skills. - My inner child.

When I reflect on this, I think I only have one more thing to add. This morning at 10 o'clock I'll be running and a conference call for my clients project that I am handling.

Stay strong little girls. I simply tell my daughter to be polite in her bossy moments. When she is telling other kids what to do, I remind her to be nice in her words, not sassy. I don't want her to be considered the "B" word, as can often happen. Sometimes it's not What you say, it really is How you say it.

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

Summer Bucket List - Second week of Summer

Second week of Summer 2015

We have had a wonderful start to the summer. Logging long days, early mornings, and we are only in our first week with all 3 kids. My younger sons school dismissal was a week earlier then older sons.

The Summer Routine

Being a mom, staying at home, can feel mundane. You are a slave to the stove, snack queen, mediator of the sibling rivalry, etc. Etc. 

While I am making pancakes this morning, a moment of I can't believe I'm cooking again overtook me. However we aren't rushing. Eventho i sort of put this burden on myself since we dont eat cereal every morning, the kids eat something fresh everyday! Toast and fruit, leftovers, potatoe pancakes, etc. Today I am making pancakes from scratch, but we are not rushed, so I can use a skillet, and put a pat of butter before I lattle each batch. If course its more time consuming, but ridiculously yummy too!! We are on summer break, why rush? The schedule today calls for some vintage shopping and the beach.

The kids get plates and forks for breakfast, my older son came in the kitchen mid pancake making and started playing the iPad songs. As I finish they are discussing their dreams, Men in Black and Donna Summers "I survive" which is playing, and baby girl was practicing her ballet spins. 

As we eat We will talk about the plan for the day and "make a plan." 

A Little Walk

Why do we protest? What do we tell our kids and family members who do not understand the protest?

I recently came across what is one of the most powerful example of WHY people who gather are actually doing something. For those who "don't understand" why there was a March on Washington organized by Women... it is to bring attention to a large number of issue that still need attention. Yes it really is that simple. The best sign of the day was "I can't believe I still have to protest this sh$t."

Want to relate to kids about the March? Read further below the grey "A Little Walk."

Examples from History include ---

People want to belittle this effort by calling it a "little walk." "What's a little walk going to do," they say.

A little walk by protesters to Boston Harbor sparked a nation's independence from a monarchy. 

A little walk from Selma to Montgomery, and from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial sparked the enactment of civil rights legislation for the American descendants of former slaves and changed the world's conscience about hate and the importance of nonviolent protest against the evils of this world.

A little walk by students and young people to Washington, DC helped to change America's conscience about the Vietnam War. 

A little walk by a Chinese boy in Tianamin Square helped the world see the oppressive regime of the People's Republic of China.

A little walk by protesters in Cape Town, galvanized the world against South Africa's apartheid regime, and helped to free the Freedom Fighter who was in jail for over 2 decades, who would one day become South Africa's first Black President. 

A little walk by tired and frustrated citizens to Tahir Square in Egypt caused a 30 year President to resign. 

Little walks are powerful and can change a nation. Little walks are powerful and can change the world.

#WhyIMarch 

----------

A series of Photos from the Protest are available thru my Flickr Feed. Click on it.

#WhyIMarch our photos from the Chicago Women's March on Washington. March, 2017

My older son initially did not want to attend the march with mom. He was concerned about it being a "Women's March" and being the only boy there. My husband, a history buff reminded him about the March's he is learning about in his 6th grade class. King, Freedan, Civil Rights, ERA, etc. The conversation was "go and take part in something bigger than you." You don't want to regret not going when in 20 years people will probably talk about this March and this Election, you can say you were a part of it.  Yes, it really is that simple to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. 

"Yes, it really is that simple 

to be a part of something 

bigger than ourselves. " - Husband

And my husband for safety sake did not want me to take the little ones. One day earlier, in Washington during President Trump's inauguration the protests did get violent and vandalism occurred at the corner Starbuck's. For that reason, if I would need to "run away from danger," Older Son can keep up with you. I am happy to report that the purported nearly 250,000 who attended were peaceful with no violence reported.

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 add to this sentiment . . . Walk with me my sister and together we can change the world!

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud and walk with me sister.

Dont Be a Perfect Mom (or Dad or Guardian), Your Screwing Up Your KidsFuture!

Back when I was planning my older sons 8th birthday I blogged about the ease (and pain) that comes along with making memorable birthdays. Which "memorable birthdays" could be a post all their own. I do t think our parents generation put that much pressure on themselves "making" a great day beyond friends and cake.

So as I logged the days successes and failures I realized that being "the Perfect Mom" who doesn't make mistakes is screwing up our kids! Where in life is there continual perfection? Of course there are the perfect blooms in flowers and amazing perfect sunsets. But is everyday that way? Doesn't the flower wilt? Isn't there smog or clouds to hide the setting sun? And so goes parenting. 

My closing thoughts from that blog post highlight the need for lack of perfection as a mom and dad. We pick up here after the days review of what went well in planning my sons birthday experience, and didn't go so well with near HUGE errors... When it hit me:

"But then I was thinking, it's a good thing that I screw up. 

Not such terrible screw ups, to completely ruin the day, but it's also not the perfection that the "Facebook pictures" or pinterest make it seem to be. Because one day my sons will want to find a partner in life, and if boys look for girls similar to their moms, I CAN'T be "perfect" because then he will never get married!?! What things will she need to perfectly do for him? Never burn his food? Never miss buying a gift? Always ironing clothes and making elegant bento box lunches? Who is perfect? 

And do I want a perfect Daughter-in-Law? No thank you. I do not want Barbie figure, Martha Stewart cookin, Nanny Jo rearing at my house! I want her to be normal. Not high maintenance perfection.

(Even Martha Stewart has a "team" helping her along the crafty way.) 

It's healthier ti live in reality, to laugh at her Making Mistakes that will be on the road of life, and more importantly to learn from them. I want her to Laugh.Out.Loud. & to be honest to herself and him when things go crazy.... And things will go wrong,... they have to, because that's Life.  Forks in the road are everywhere, she will beed to have some coping skills to deal with it if my son will have sanity in his life. Hopefully the partner t-he-y marries stays calm at a dilemma and can see an adventure instead, an opportunity for trying something new, and not a pitch fork!

I admit that I mess with my own kids for this very reason: Life doesn't always go the way we want. And when it doesn't I don't get to just freak out, scream, cry, blame them, rant or rave. They are watching - intentionally or not - to see how mom handles that life challenge/dilemma. And hopefully when the time comes I have set enough good examples that the boys will pick a girl who adjusts easily. 

On our growing up journey, I'm continually being honest with the boys 

1. because that helps build their character 

2. they won't say I lied to them while they were growing up

3. and I'm praying my honesty will lead to less "mom you screwed me up because..." 

So ladies (and dads striving at perfection, this applies to us all) Don't Do It! Don't be the perfect mom. Daughter-in-Law's thank me later. 

The days are long the years are short. Make mistakes." A lot of mistakes. 

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, breath, reflect, and don't forget to laugh.out.loud. 

Five Great Lessons for Montessori Elementary - An Introduction and Lesson Idea List to Supplement School Work

We love learning. We mostly love fun learning. Sometimes the kids come up with the idea of what we will explore, and other times mommy plans a lesson. I'm a huge advocate of supplementing school work. While I cannot replace the 7 hours of school work and experience that happens during the day, I can add value to what they are learning. 

And so I research approaches and ideas that work for our lifestyle.  School curriculum tends to give information in "bite size pieces." I don't feel the boys are immersed in learning, or getting in depth understanding of subjects, especially if the solar system lasts on e chapter. I also think that since there is so MUCH we can learn - that ongoing hunger for information keeps our discussions going. 

While I am not going to tackle homeschooling, for reasons listed in another post, I do love to supplement their learning at home. And that's where this type of research comes on.

I read a lot of science based texts. I read National Geographic monthly, I watch nova and nature on PBS, and when my husband is watching his marvel comics or new hero shows, I am in the other room not watching them. 

"I gather a stack of books at the library and

the kids pick which ones we take home. We

read thru them, discuss certain photos, and

I google their questions ... a lot."

I am the nerd at the party who cannot share her bug collecting amateur entomology, most find it gross. (But I will say many people who follow our insect collecting do find it interesting.) And so I share with my captive audience, my kids. Next is astrology because we got an AWESOME TELESCOPE.... that's for this summer 2016.

When you talk to your kids, what can you talk about? A list of Questions to Keep and Use

Talk to your kids, that's all we hear. My classic go to line instead of how was school is "did an alien visit your class today?" I always get a giggle and it leads to "no, but what did happen was...." I still ask this questions 10 years into parenting - -

I found these questions not long ago. It was actually from a dating article on how to get to know your partner better. I love these questions on getting to know someone better. Even when it comes to my kids. Talk about getting their perspective. And getting to know them on a deeper level. Or event my own partner. My husband and I discussed a few of these one night. And it was nice, pure fun.

"Did an alien visit your class today?" 

Get ready to open a new new perspective on your kids. The answer I heard were pretty awesome. The first time I sat with older son he asked me one Question and I asked him one. However when I took younger son out for "mommy and me" breakfast he loved these questions - and we went thru the whole list!! 

• What do you like to dream about?
• What is your best memory this school year?
• Who is your hero? Why?
• How would you describe your family?
• If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
• What are you most proud of yourself for?
• Who is the kindest person you know? Why?
• What do you like most about your best friend?
• What is one thing you would like to learn to do well?
• If you were an animal what one would you be and why?
• When is the last time someone hurt your feelings? How did you react?
• Do you know someone who is going though a hard time? How can you help them?
• What is the scariest thing that happened this year?
• If you could keep only one thing, out of everything you have, what would it be?
• Who do you think is really successful? Why?
• What's the best thing about your teacher this year?
• When do you feel misunderstood by grown-ups?
• What three words best describe you?
• What's something that makes you angry?
• What's the best compliment you ever received?

Charlie Brown on Exhibit at the Peggy Notebart
Nature Museum, Nature Based Excerpts. Sometimes my conversation
with the kids goes the same route...

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud. and Ask Lotsa Questions!

Crazy Easy No Bake Granola Bars

My dear cousin passed along this recipe. cannot even think of how many times I have made these. I am posting them here because I lose recipes and other notes all the time. . . the blog serves many a purpose. I am forever indebted to my cousin who passed this along from her co-worker. All I had to do was ask at our cousins weekly play dates.


No Bake GRANOLA BARS

Ingredients: 

2 C Oats (Quick or Old Fashioned)

½ C Chopped walnuts

2 T Flaxseed

4 T Wheat germ

2 C Unsweetened puff cereal

1 C Dried fruits

½ C Peanut butter(creamy or crunchy- add a little extra if using chunky)

½ C Brown sugar

½ C Honey

1 t Vanilla

Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Mix all dry ingredients, add dried fruit.
In a pan on the stove melt together brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Stir for a few minutes while bubbly. Pour over your dry mixture and stir. Pour into the pan, spread out and pat down firmly. Cut into bars, can be refrigerated.


Yeah - I know, so easy! 

More ways I get recipes. I just need the ingredients list and
I can figure out the ratios. . . Listed from most to least in quantity
in the recipe. Happy Eating. Yum. 

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

Kids shoes - make sure they fit

There are three key areas of the foot that you should focus on when buying toddler shoes: the front of the shoe, the back, and the width. All three will play a part in whether or not the shoe fits properly.

I started buying our kids shoes as they outgrew their little keen and slip on pre walking supports. And I realized I didnt know much about actual shoe buying procedures. 

So here are the results of my own homework.

"First, you want the appropriate length in the front of the shoe," says Tillett, who is also a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "The general rule of thumb is you want about a centimeter to a half inch of space in the front of the shoe. Too big [and] they could be unstable; too small and it constrains the foot."

The tongue of the shoe and the edges where the laces or Velcro are usually located should be parallel; if there is too much space between them, the shoe maybe too tight, and if they overlap too much, the shoe is too loose, Tillett says.

The rule of thumb here is that you should be able to slip your pinky finger in the heel, but only up to the first knuckle. Anything more than that and the shoe is too big, and anything less and it's too tight."

follow one last simple test that worked for my mom, and is still my go to method. When buying toddler shoes: Ask your little one to walk around in them and then run a little. Their reaction speaks volumes.

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

Carpenter Bee Fed Sugar Water

Carpenter Bee, fed sugar wAter, but was found again. > > We found a carpenter bee on May 4, on our walk back home from dropping the boys off at school. He was soaking wet, probably from the nights rain storm that had just ended a few hours earlier. Baby girl (3 years old) picked him up even tho his legs were still moving. She screamed a little and I calmed her saying "he wont hurt you." I found a small piece of paper and placed bee on that. She held him - gently - the entire way home. I asked her if we should try to save him first? Or just pin him? She said lets try to help him live. > > I had just read an article on bees that lay helpless, sometimes all they need is a little sugar water to get them back on their feet again. > > When we arrived at home I filled a short lipped lid with a splash of filtered water and teaspoon of white sugar. I use agave in my coffee religiously, but I keep sugar on hand for baking. Chocolate chop cookies just aren't as good without white sugar... > > See more of our adventures at areyousureaboutthatblog dot blogspot dot com > > I angled the lid on a brick piece - and baby girl placed him (upside down) on the lid. I picked him right side up and near the waters edge.then we covered him with a paper tent so a bird wouldnt get a quick snack! Then took this picture. We waited a few minutes, but he just sat there. So we went inside to go about our day and check back later. > > > > Maybe an hour later we peeked out the kitchen window and noticed he was gone! Yaayyy. But our success was short lived. The afternoon was sunny and humid. So after school chores and homework we headed to the park. > > On our walk home, there was the same bee, laying by our garage in the alley. Is it the same bee? Sure is, notice the markings on his back. Same bare spot. Also a good way to Identify carpenter bees (bald back). > > Here he is pinned using an 001 stainless steel pin on the pinning block. > > > > > Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud

Handmade Easy Elephant Paws for Baby Girl or as a Gift.

Homemade Easy Elephant Paws Costume for Kids

After sewing the schools costumes this year, my daughters reminding me that she wants elephant paws (a la one of the shows characters). I finished embroidering my boys jerseys, which was thrilling all its own. I can't believe sometimes how easy it is to learn new things. So of course after I showed baby girl that I had finished the boys names, she asked "Whats for me?" Mommy suddenly remembered the Elephant Paws request. And so a star was born... 

Well a basement singer. My universal sewing machine made in Japan is the rock star of this performance. I had made practice stitches of each setting to remember for future use. Said sewing stitch aid as also used here in this project. Baby girl pulled up a chair and sat next to me the whole 20 minutes of sewing. She asked lots of questions and I answered each one as I sewed. Logistics: the elephant paws were sewn wrong way facing first to be inverted when complete. First sew on nails. Then 3 layers if felt. Between the top two layers I stuffed the bunting (using what I had on hand). Then I sewed layer 1-2 closed. I don't want her hands touching the stuffing, pulling it out, getting it dirty, etc. 

Beautiful Purple Elephant Paws, with pink nails. My Daughters color choices can't be beat!  Getting paws on by herself, "but mommy I need help." Nope! "Just like daddy said, if you want your new bracelet - or in your case paws - you need to be able to put it on yourself."  And she did!! 

Baby girl is so excited to try on her elephant paws! 

Trying on her new elephant paws. Pink painted toe nails. Nice touch! 

Date: May 15, 2015

 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

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.

Crushed Inspirations in the form of a House Guest

On December 18, 2015 a gift basket greeted our house guest! Our 13-year old cousin from Guatemala received: a teddy bear, Spiderman slippers, a national geographic kids (his reading level since his primary language is Spanish), a pair of longjohns to prepare for the Chicago cold and a journal I made him with his name on it and an American Eagle background. 

In my fantasy brain he was going to write a few sentences everyday on the variety of activities we will do... Like I had done when we visited Guatemala in 2000 and 2002 and 2003. And he would of course have said "Thank You" for the considerations for his comfort and feeling at home.

Nada - zilch - zip - zero - zippo! My shock and horror to the experiences that would follow. Okay, he wasn't a little terrorist, but this teenager put my to work on my parenting skills that I thought were pretty darn good. I approached this situation with humor, creativity and occasionally, in the later weeks I showed my emotion and tears so my sweet cousin could see I was genuine, human, and not always a rock.

As for this post, I am reminded that I enjoy blogging. I enjoy keeping this e-journal for myself documenting and reflecting on the issues that face me as a mom. Blogging has helped me process through issues and child hood matters, which in turn, I hope is helping make me a better mother. But my writing inspiration came to a screeching halt in the form of a teenager! Our 2-month house guest.

Who knew mild disrespect, cave like hibernation and incessant COMPLAINING could lead me to stop doing what I love. Teenagers have powers beyond there own understanding. The ability to whittle us down to core emotions, and without all their effort wear down our intellectual ability.

Its T minus 3 days to his departure and I'm feeling like me again. It took me this long to "break" some of our dear 14-year old cousins bad habits and bring him over to our side of reality. As with most kids, I think hes a hood boy, however his own alienation into PS4 games and you tube videos All.Day.Long. Created a monster! A child who uses minimal vocabulary, who is BORED without high level intense stimulation that video games provide. Going for a walk, or theatre and dinner at Medieval Times wasn't enough to squish his boredom. Even worse, movement over 20 minutes cause muscle pains in his legs and arms.

Over the course if the last few weeks  I learned A LOT about teenagers, my feelings about parenting in difficult circumstances, and handling a house guest who needs to be "retrained" to respect adults. This experience of tending to our cousin during his 2 month visit here has prepared me for my own teenagers who will be here sooner then later... And I hope I can muster the strength to make the changes I SEE we MUST do NOW, to prevent frustration - for them and us parents - in the future. 

What I am planning the the stories and things that happened will make their way to this blog... For now I am happy to have found my writing voice again and to get my house back. Older son keeps saying he's so happy to get his Bed back!

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

Behind the Tag Line How I Make Mistakes, Breathe, Reflect and LaughOut Loud

The Story behind the blog tag line ...

My original tag line was "The Days are Long, the Years are short," with a later added: "Enjoy every moment." All true. I witnessed how quickly my son grew, daily changes in him physically, and the pace at which he learned new things and built on those ideas blew me away. But then came my oh so many mommy mistakes. Make Mistakes I realized that I make a lot of mistakes, a lot. 

Make Mistakes

In our projects where I expected my then 2-year old to attach stickers "exactly" in the right place. In my "quick to anger"  behaviors. In how I handled situations "badly"... mistakes were everywhere. And even tho I did many things well (see other blog posts where we are having more fun than not) my personal irritation was my own mistakes. I felt bad. I felt I was a mommy failure. 

"I felt bad. I felt I was a mommy failure." 

It's a bad mix of being type A, and my Catholic upbringing. Thanks sister(s) Xavier, Vienia, and the like. But I knew I wouldn't want to stay at home if I kept feeling guilty. I think I offset my guilt with some of those crazy over the top projects. The kids scrapbooks with all our cool projects, especially "Project time with Magazine clippings" - my favorite. And perhaps that's why I always took young son everywhere, cool fun activities which he loved were perhaps subconsciously to help make up for all that yelling. (I'm rattling thru a reflection here, your living a moment of reflection in my head.) Everything's meant to be tho. You can't grow without failure to learn from. 

Reflect

I needed to yell, like I heard often in my childhood, so I COULD CHANGE. I needed to have Catholic Guilt so I COULD CHANGE and grow to not feel bad any more. And into my life came reflection. I can say it was life changing! I was introduced to "reflecting" by my husband. (It was a "new to me" and "new theory" being used by his Principal Preparation Certification Program. I started to reflect on my mommy mistakes, and I CHOSE to do things differently, from yelling at my kids, breaking the cycle in our family multi-generational get angry and yell at kids, changing how I talk (tone and words) to my kids, our approach to school, etc., etc., etc., Reflecting became a part of my mommy process. And its hard, sometimes I'd cry and my behavior earlier in the day. "How could I ...." 

I didn't always journal about it, but I did often discuss things with my hubby, my mom, some other close friends, and then  I'd often blog about those big moments. But mostly the work was for me, to acknowledge and commit to change. Yelling and criticizing is just not an option. Realizing, and then embracing, that my kids and others will do things differently and work at their own pace. And accept it!

"I discovered a better closing thought for me: I would definitely continue to Make Mistakes. Even tho I learn everyday ..."

Now, I reflect (often and on everything) and learn from those faux pas. And so, I discovered a better closing thought for me: I would definitely continue to Make Mistakes. Even tho I learn everyday, mistakes and accidents still happen, far less often, but they do happen on occasion.

Breathe 

My skill I had mastered to stop the anger was taking a deep breath, and Breathing in helped me let it go (and stop getting mad at everything). I also witnessed my younger son start overreacting to minor situations in a way older son hadn't. I knew more change needed to happen. Daniel Tiger had a great episode and song we'd sing, when you get mad, taking a deep breath & count to 5. It helped younger son and me. This step doesn't stop, and doesn't end. Anger is something deep inside of us. Sometimes warranted, and sometimes simply and overreaction, I still have some triggers, but I'm learning, and re-learning to transcend that anger, and transition it to better emotional responses instead. Frustration is okay, yelling is not. 

Laugh.Out.Loud 

I'm a crazy woman. I'm funny, I love to laugh, I love to play and have fun. I often will push "social" boundaries and live a little on the "safe" edge, to do what's write or get a laugh. Either way, I laugh at myself, often. I have to because my life can get a little,looney with my 3 monkeys. I love them passionately with all my soul! And I have to laugh to keep my sanity. The periods in between the words emphasize that's the end... The Laughter should be the final phase, to living, loving, and being with kids should often be days filled with lots and lots of laughter. I laugh out loud at myself, and with them. 

I do it all for these 3. Always worth it. 

And so... Make mistakes. Breathe, Reflect, and Laugh.Out.Loud