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!

I wanna have some Pancakes with you - an Unwritten Song. Pancake Recipe Included

I am so happy to take some notes here about the Pancake song. You know how you stand over the stove and prep the batter, this little melody just popped in my mind as I poured batter into the pan, and my littles waited at the breakfast table. 

I wanna have some Pancakes with you, an Unwritten Song. Pancake Recipe Included

From: I wanna eat some pancakes with you! Summer 2015 > > 

The Summer Routine > >  eating. . . 

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 don't eat cereal every morning) and the kids eat something fresh everyday! Toast and fruit, leftovers, potato pancakes, etc. 

Today I am making pancakes from scratch, but we are not rushed - we have very little planned. We are on summer break, so why rush? The schedule today calls for some vintage shopping and the beach. I can use an iron skillet, and put a pat of butter before I ladle each little pancake. If course its more time consuming working on a small iron skillet (in the bottom photo I used my mom's skillet, but at home it's my 'plancha' from when we got married for heating tortillas - way too small), but ridiculously yummy too!! 

You know that moment as a parent - we feel it deep inside that we are nourishing our kids - and with the best ingredients we can. I was careful not to burn pancakes, or walk away from the stove to get the just right finish on them, . .  That just feeds my mommy soul.

When little younger son was born I think this song started. I would hum "I wanna have some pancakes with you. Oh don'tcha know it, Pancakes with you, I wanna show it." - Then one day I asked - as if a lyric was written - wanna add banana - or chocolate chips? What a yummy treat! "Pancakes with you, with you, love you."

The kids get plates and forks for breakfast, my older son came in the kitchen mid pancake making and started playing the iPad songs. By the time I get thru the batch of pancakes, and last few cup size pieces they are discussing their dreams, Men in Black and Donna Summers "I survive" which is playing on the ipad. Baby girl always adds a bonus to our time together: she was practicing her ballet spins. 

As we eat We will talk about the plan for the day and "make a plan." We posted about making a plan to help manage kids expectations here.

If you want the song lyrics I wanna have some pancakes with you song - they are here.

 Our recipe: "I wanna have some Pancakes with you" pancake recipe

・ 2 eggs 

・ 1 cup flour 

・ 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk 

・ Pinch of salt 

・ 2 teaspoons flat baking powder 

・ 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 

・ Several pats of butter 

・ Iron Skillet if you have one 

・ Add ons: either: chocolate chips, Banana slices, Blueberries or what ever mix in you enjoy from the fridge 

Pancake making instructions - the Steps: 

IN a large bowl, make a flower mound, put a circle hole in the middle with your spoon (think volcano projects) and cracked the eggs in to be in that area, begin to incorporate flour, and slowly start to add milk and continue whisking. 

Watch out for lumps - however don't worry if you have them. These are part of the homemade fun. Keep whisking. The secret to NOT getting lumps for me - is to add milk slowly to the bowl (1/8 - 1/4 cup at a time and keep on whisking. 

Warm the skillet, add a pat of butter, ladle in a quarter cup of pancakes - in small sizes. WHY? I just hate flipping large pancakes, or under cooking the center. So small makes for easy consistent meals.

The recipe here can make approximately 30 small pancakes. 

Layer in your chips or banana slices (or chips or fruit) into the freshly poured batter. Then take a spoon and just smooth over the banana slice with the freshly poured pancake batter with some of the batter on the cakes - it hasn't hardened yet.

Heat until one side is golden brown, (2 mins depending on your pan and the heat. The first batch it takes approximately three minutes, in sequential batches it'll take 1 to 2 minutes each side. 

After you clear the pancakes from the pan, add another pat of butter before adding more of the batter, this just adds an extra nice flavor to each batch of pancakes. 

As for the song, I wanna eat my pancakes with you . . . I'll write it one day. Until then the mellody is in my head.

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud AND SING! 

a quickr pickr post

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 

Celebrating my 4 Year Blogging Anniversary with The Top 4 Blog Posts

6 Years Later, these posts still roar the loudest! Thank you for your continued readership!!

I'm enjoying spending time with my kids, experiencing these early years in boring day to day activities, finding their joy while we run errands, and the fun projects and kid activities we do over-and-over-and-over at home. Raising kids has some simple joys: like when baby girl wants to hear the "put on Bumble Bee song" again. And then the frustration I know I'll feel when all 3 are in the car fighting who's song gets played first. During my short blogging experience, its 2014 and we're pushing year number 4, I've found that on days I feel like a loser mom who doesn't do enough,... That I do just that. Enough. We don't need to do more. We don't need to try EVERY Pinterest craft (although we do like to try new ones that are easily changed up with a little tweak). We simply need to keep our "routine" which keeps us sane and keeps us doing new things.

 While reviewing my posts and cleaning up labels I was pleased to find increased views (perhaps my Twitter shares is helping, or the fact that we have linked into the Insect Underworld?), and having nearly 7,000 page views is exciting for this simple mom from Chicago. 

 The Top 4 Most Viewed Posts 

My first posts stay the most popular after all these years. When I just had my first older son, I was hyper vigilant about trying to raise him to be confident. I had observed some strange behaviors in the men in my life, and my family is outnumbered by men at least 3:1 men to women. I wanted to understand what is the cause of the underlying behaviors was so as a mom I didn't repeat the issues that boys have. And so the post that you love so much came to life.

No. 1

Parenting Boys to Become Confident Men See the full post here.

My next obsession in trying to be a better mom was our Routine. Was I spending my day efficiently, we're there some mommy ideas that I could use to make even better use of my day? I wanted to incorporate school-like learning into our day. Since then I have learned that kids will learn everyday, we just need to let them observe and explore at their own pace. I used to try to "make a learning moment" and I discovered that moments will happen, as a mom I have to left my son take the time to watch the squirrel, read the book, or color when HE wants to and when he feels inspired. Granted that big lesson evolved over a few years, and big lessons were learned from his Preschool teacher. Talk about A-Ha moments. But back to schedules and routines. I knew I wanted to limit TV time, and since this post was written I would change one big aspect, I WOULD let my son watch a little more cartoons on PBS (no commercials) and watch movies at least once a week (similar to our movie nights now as a family of 5). What? Yes, limiting tube time is beneficial, Why? My older son is the only one of 3 kids who "zones out" in front of the TV. 

He's not concentrating on the show, he's literally engrossed in it. The other two younger ones don't become so engrossed. The TV can be in the background - like background noise almost - with them, unlike with my older son. I think changing this one aspect would help my son see TV as something normal, an almost everyday thing, and not something "special." Older son is 9 years old now and he no longer gets sucked up into the TV in a poltergeist-esque way. He's way more normal about watching TV, unless it's Life of Mammals, that still a regular feature flick here and he demands silence in the room as we watch so he can hear every detail being shared.

No. 2

The 2nd Place Most Popular Post 

Limiting Kids TV Time with a No TV Schedule 

See the Full Original Post Here. 

And if you limit kids TV, What should the kid be doing? There's plenty to do, as you'll see in the post.

No. 3 Two posts are tied for 3rd place. 

I started a Pinterest account for myself when I saw some friends posting the coolest kids activities on Facebook. As we started pinning Insects, I wanted to document our progress and started a Pinterest Page for this blog, find us here at Areyousureaboutthat/Pinterest.com 

The 3rd Place *tied* Most Popular Post 

Post for "Salt Glue and Paint Toddler Project" and "Sensory Bins and Bags: I spy, Ocean Blue and an African Habitat." 

These two inspirations came from Pinterest. We remade sensory bottles oh so many times... Sensory bins became my go to saving grace at friends homes to keep kids busy (when the toys we brought lost their fun). The kids would get immersed in the making of the sensory bags and would play with them for long periods of time. We evolved to using Sensory Bottles since they were cleaner (less leakage) and easier to manage to the kids. They could actually practice pouring into the small openings or use (extra fun) funnels. In our the Ocean Blue, I know the rich color of the bags.

Our 1st sensory bags - Red I-Spy complete with poem and the Blue Baby Oil Ocean Areyousureaboutthatblog
That rich color was made by mixing the food coloring with baby oil in one of the first steps. We still have that sensory bag, poured into a sensory bottle.

African Habitat Sensory Bin Areyousureaboutthatblog

The small animals in the habitat pictures helped me get a lot of click thrus from Pinterest. And yes, we have sensory bins in their holding corners that baby girl uses often even today. She prefers measuring tools to animals, and spends loads of time with them. She's even better at NOT pouring all the rice all over the floor (bonus). Younger son still occasionally enjoy the sensory bin even after he's started Kindergarten.

No 4.

The Most Researched and 4th place most Popular Post 

"Breastfeeding, A Collection of Tips from a Mom who Nursed for Several Years (okay, A Decade)." 

See the Original (yet lovingly refreshed) Full Post Here. 

When I joined the Pinterest community, I experience all the shared advice available about breastfeeding your baby. Wow, what I would've given to have had a Pinterest type of site and later app to use as a breastfeeding resource. To be able to dig thru already sourced and pinned ideas and tips... But at the same time this post was inspired. 

I am obsessive when I research an idea. And when I started nursing I had a collection of (my) issues. There was so much I didn't know. In communities around the world kids grow up seeing women nurse. Mothers, cousins, sisters, aunts... It's everywhere! I didn't have this experience. And when I did have an aunt who was nursing my two cousins, I vividly remember she closed the door when she nursed her son. It wasn't for privacy, it was her version of some of those "weird men behaviors" I mentioned I noticed in my family. My reading and research brought my a whole collection of tips and advice that I felt were untapped. NOW many of these sites are booming, but some of my tips remain unsaid. I knew I needed to keep updating The Collection of Breastfeeding Tips when my cousin, who successfully nursed 3 daughters had a problem with her 4th baby, a son. I shared my advice for a SNS supplemental nursing system tube, which saved my nursing experience with my younger son and baby girl.

So I updated the post, added some pics, and links where I could still find them. But it seems the advice and tips was better then the links (which a quick google search would help in). 

Thanks for reading my blog, about our fun and adventures.... And of course the Insects. 

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

Follow me on Twitter to see more of our (Mis)Adventures

Suddenly I See that I am a part of this amazing world, and my job is to raise my two Gentleman and a Lady to the best of my ability. I share our adventures, bug collecting, and general mom at home joys.

The @Minstr0Interior part? I am the "Minister of the Interior" (of my home), of our lives. Until my kids grow up, I am in charge of doing my best, and teaching them everything I know and I'm learning, so they have an (as) excellent as possible example on how they can do it all in their own lives.

We had a nice conversation with friends about life as a stay at home mom, money, life with kids, running a business and all that comes with these life roles rolled into one. Just like a department, in the Ministry, with many sub-jobs helping the Minister run the Interior.


Follow Us on Twitter

I'm still fun, mostly funny, and ALWAYS enjoying time with my kids. We bug collect in Chicago and during all of our explorations of this Amazing World.

   


And see lots of Pinterest Options for some of my Inspirations and Creations at 
My Pinner Name: Are You Sure About That
Pinterest/com/areyousureaboutthat

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

The Halloween "Black and White Witch" Strikes Again, Swapping Candy for Toys

Have you heard of a new tradition of the Black and White Witch? After the trick-or-treats are collected, if your house is anything like ours, she is an amazing fun way to solve the excess candy problem. Yes, I know, just EAT the candy... And we do, but as you'll note from these pictures our 3 kids easily collected 10 pounds of candy! 

Our Halloween candy tends to last all year! Seriously ALL YEAR!  And the way that it lasts all year? Well the black-and-white witch takes care of it. She is a relative of the tooth-fairy,  third cousins, once removed. 

Last year she left us this poem on our front stoop explaining how her operation works:

"I am the witch who is Black and White, 

I fill your Halloween with fright. 

After tonight I must fly away, 

and return to scare the children another day. 

But before I leave I will cast a spell, 

which will not make you feel well. 

You will ache, quake and feel yucky inside… 

But there's a way to put all this aside. 

To break my spell you must give me some sweets, 

but only the ones you don't want to eat! 

I need the sugar to keep me alive, 

until next Halloween I'll survive.

And in exchange for the treats you leave, 

I'll give you something you won't believe! 

For every girl and boy,

you will awake to a brand-new toy! 

Break my spell unless you want to feel yucky inside, 

and get me on my broomstick ride. 

And tomorrow morning you will delight, 

with the toy I've left in your sight. 

Love the Black-&-White Witch"

Last years appearance was a tremendous hit. 

An All Hallows Eve Tradition

During a filling spaghetti dinner (leaving less room for post trick or treat candy), we talk about the All Hallows Eve tradition, and why we dress like ghouls and goblins going house to house to collect candy (do you know why?) 

We dressed warm this year under our costumes to a snowy Chicago Halloween. And even tho we only hit 2-blocks for Trick or Treating, we really scored the mother load of candy. 

The boys sorted their candy, and put their absolute favorites in our candy jar (B&W Witch won't take it since she avoids glass jars). Then they leave out their Halloween Candy Buckets with leftovers for the Witch to take. She returns the favor with a toy. 

In 2013 Bey Blades were all the rage! This year, my dad dropped off more toys that he's filtered from my brothers room... these Awesome Dragon Creatures. Each child gets 2, mom added the candy in the dragons mouths for effect :-) (And I have a sneaky suspicion the rest of the dragons will make an appearance at Christmas! The kids will have a whole set.)

As for the candy, that plastic bag is filled with this years take, it's weighing easily 7 pounds ... I took M&M's out for tomorrow mornings pancakes (the kids will be suffering sugar withdrawal and M&M pancakes are a good fix). Mommy took her butterfingers and Hersey's stash, Dad gets Twix and Kit Kats. The candy bag destiny awaits on the top shelf of the pantry and I will use the goods to refill the candy jar throughout the year.

Happy trick or treats this Halloween. I hope the Black and White Witch makes an appearance at your house soon... Even up to a few days after the Hallow's Eve.

Happy Halloween!

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

Why we Eat Cereal for Dessert, and NOT for Breakfast (Making a Better Choice)

The demands of the world dictate that cereal must be consumed by children. How could I be so cruel and keep such a treat away from them? Those circular colorful treats, that taste sweet, and even change the color of the milk... We like them as a topping on yogurt or as a dry snack. I know, are you reading the right blog? YES! I am the same mostly healthy mom trying to accommodate my children/s demands and their healthy needs. Can you imagine such a conversation at home "Hey Kids, We aren't ever eating cereal again for breakfast?" Oh the Drama. . . But When I DID SAY "What do you guys think of moving Cereal to Dessert Time?" was a success.

I recently picked up a thrift store copy of the book "Eat This Not That, Supermarket survival guide." I saw this book authors presentation on some talk show years ago... it was informative, extremely. We put in so many unknown ingredients into our bodies when we eat packaged foods. I can't even pronounce some of the ingredients!
 

So when I came across the book I purchased it. Just initially thumbing thru I saw the few packaged items I do purchase listed and they're great alternative ideas. As well as some great sauces and condiments that are referenced (which I have totally forgotten about as a nice way to dress up meals and for sides). These said sauces and condiments are a nice way to substitute flavor as you remove unnecessary calories to help in weight loss/maintenance.

I recently lost over 25 pounds last year, and not intentionally which is the ironic part. It was totally accidental loss... I swapped white sugar for agave nectar in my coffee, I added more fruits to my day as a snack, I stopped buying kid selected desserts and went back to old habits of only High Quality Desserts. I Made a lot of other changes in our home before this 25 pound weight loss and you can read about them here.

As we all should know weight gain, and excess weight gain especially, comes from
1. Eating Larger portions (calories) then our bodies and activity levels need, and
2. Eating excess amounts of sugar, often unknown quantities to us!

(*As an Aside: I read an awesome article in National Geographic magazine on the history of sugar and how we have arrived at our current American sugar intake levels. The results were SHOCKING as consumers average 22 teaspoons of added sugar per day!  I personally lost over 25 pounds this last year and I credit my number 1 reason for successfully loosing the weight and keeping it off is switching from white sugar to agave nectar. I'll have to write a separate post about this amazing life changing step that I took. And NO I didn't completely cut out sugar/y sweets because I want to enjoy the finer things in life....see the post.)

In "Eat This, Not That" the authors cover many packaged products, including cereals. The little thought bubble inserts are loaded with helpful information on MAKING A BETTER CHOICE. The book lists brands of popular cereal, and their top nasty ingredients and grams of sugar per serving. On the opposing page they list alternative brands and better choice ideas in the cereal category including healthier or better ingredients and lower sugar quantities. However the best information on this page was our life changing decision... "Treat Cereal as Dessert."



Our visit to Wagner Farm, where a cow took great interest in us. We always ask the kids "Where did our food that we are eating come from?" If they can't tell me it is usually a quick way of identifying "highly processed" foods, like cereal.

Cereal has just as much sugar as Desserts do. Do you serve ice cream for breakfast, eclairs, chocolate cake perhaps (and I am sorry to say toaster strudels, donuts and the like fall into the dessert category). Well for us, NO WE do NOT serve dessert for breakfast, so why should I serve cereal with the same amounts of sugar in it?

I bookmarked this page, and after dinner shared it with the family at the dinner table. I read from the book to the kids. Even my 5 year old son understood what it meant to eat one bowl of cereal or 3 candy bars... he responded "mommy, my tummy would hurt!"

Good Bye Cereal
Cereal is a great marketing campaign, similar to Orange Juice, making it a "Must Have Staple" in the American diet. Granted serving cereal is Easy and fast, and that has helped maintain the popularity. But serving sliced apples and peanut butter (which I have served for breakfast) is full of healthy natural sugars, and is in NO COMPARISON to cereal so much healthier for the breakfast eater. My kids feel full longer eating real foods - and not cereal. They don't have that pre-lunch crash after eating a sugary breakfast either.

Once last thing. My kids were all over this "Cool" idea of "eating cereal for breakfast" when we first agreed to it. And for the first 2 weeks (only) they requested cereal for dessert. Then the idea sort of lost it's appeal, I don't know why? It could be because when I do serve dessert at home 2-3 times per week, it is good quality dessert. We don't serve too many refined sugar treats. Instead we use/purchase desserts made with fine quality ingredients: real creams (not cool whip), butters (not margarines), and high quality sugars. The taste of the desserts are amazing, and sometimes very simple.

Desserts We buy:
- Lindor or E. Wendel High Qulity Chocolate Bars, and each person gets 2-3 squares for dessert. Our local fruit store carries these brands, but Godiva, and even Hersey's are "better" qulity chocolates.
- Assortments of nuts or shelled Pistachios. These always go fast.
- Desserts from international bakeries and friends travels like Truffles from France and Baklava from the Middle Eastern Grocer on my monthly visit.
- Angel Wings, or Chrusciki,  from our local bakery. A light butter treat thats great with coffee or tea.
- Good quality ice cream, gelatos and Italian ice.
- Cakes from our local bakery (not Jewel or chain store bakeries). Including Apple Pie, Fruit Pies, Small Tortes made with fresh ingredients.

THE NO COST DIFFERENCE OF QUALITY DESSERT

We have a small local bakery and a nearby international grocer that bakes there own bread and desserts daily. The ingredients are high quality and sometimes pricier then some items that sit on shelves for a few days. But in the end THE COST IS THE SAME. Why?

First of all we eat less dessert, only 2-3 times a week and the servings are small. So we consume less calories less often.

Second, because we are eating small portion and less often we are basically spending the same amount of money, just the per serving price is higher, however the quality is far improved. Quality matters (said the women who lost 25 pounds!) because your body processes natural sugar differently then highly processed ingredients that maintain a products shelf life. Your also consuming less unnatural ingredients which is also better for your body and weight loss / weight maintenance.

As I said before, helping the kids make a change to Eating Cereal for Dessert is also a great way to move away from eating cereal for breakfast.

Good luck in making changes at home for healthier eating. It's not always easy, but the journey is fun.

Orignal Post April, 2014
Make Mistakes. Breathe, Reflect, and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Poem: Making the Best of it

You have to make the best of it,

You have to make the most of it. 

You can't complain about it for years,

That just brings more tears.

Some days are mundane,

Other days are plain.

The children will grow,

The lawn he'll mow.

It's a peaceful life,

Without much strife.

If you make the best of it.

If you make the most of it.

The Story Behind the Poem

One day I was sitting contemplating my career change. How different it is. How challenging in Good ways and in ways that made me look at myself as a person. When you decide to become a stay a home mom, you might not realize EXACTLY what your getting into. No ones gonna tell you good job, no bonus, no promotion. Coming from a corporate structure with a clear "reward for your efforts" strategy to, well, self motivation - - - is very very very hard. But when you arrive. . . It feel oh so great!

 

I do know that constantly reading and staying on top of new and evolving information is important to help keep your sanity too. Read about those ideas here.

by: Areyousureaboutthatblog Author
Not Authorized for Reproduction Without Permission

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

Converted 12 x 9 foot Playroom into Centers

We have finally remodeled the playroom. I have been inspired to use centers (separate spaces) with in ONE Room for the kids. They often need their own "private" space to play, uninterrupted and not bothered by prying eyes and hands from their brothers and sister.

We've managed to play here a few times and it seems to be working nicely for those moments the kids want some quiet playtime (they love each other, but everyone needs a break from their siblings). 

Converted 12 x 9 foot Playroom into Centers, a photo by areyousureaboutthatblog on Flickr.

Everyone's Asleep and I Went out to Browse the Stores... and IT FELT AWESOME!

Now in 2016, thankfully This still happens... But much less often. As a mom you just gotta Get Out sometimes

I remember when my uncle was married. After they'd had there kids, his wife would always run out for milk or groceries after everyone was in bed. He was incredibly over protective and hated having her out at night. IN case "something" would happen. Yes, we live in a big city, but in really good areas too.

I understand now that she felt "trapped" in her house, with her kids. But this was all by her own doing of course. She'd never even take the kids to the park! EVER!! (Well, nearly not ever.) I on the other hand am constantly out at a park, library, museum or something with the kids. But today I played her card. And it felt AWESOME!!!

We did nothing except take my older son to school in the morning. Then we were in our pjs All Day. Napped. Snacked. Wrapped gifts. Snacked some more and then picked up older son from school. I felt  > blah <  today.  So when husband came home it was bedtime anyway. Our new earlier beds so we can get up at 7:00 am instead of 7:15 a.m. 

I'm not even holiday shopping, thanks amazon! I do need 2 grab bag gifts and some t-shirts, but that's a quick stop even with kids in tow. I just wanted to get out, and browse, alone!

So I did. I was out the door, in my pjs, in 21 degree cold winter weather, to shop. Not my usual fun. But it was so refreshing to browse, in a store, for nothing, alone. My kids are usually quite cooperative too. They get a toy or a book to stay busy and I grab my stuff and go.

This however, felt so, aaahhhhh! 

Then I went to a second store to pick up juice and house needs - an ice cream. Everyone's asleep so I'm making the most of things. I'll get to eat ice cream, alone, without worrying about kids spilling their melted remains everywhere. And I can even finish binge watching Dexter. Creepy and weird Dexter, and ice cream. Tonight was a real treat :-)

( Just for the record we are going to the museum tomorrow nearly all day. Younger son Is off From School already, it's a free admission day, and we did read a book about the exhibit we will see too. So today wasn't a total loss. )

Make mistakes. Breath. Reflect. Laugh Out Loud.

December 10, 2013

It Can Be Easy to Make Time for Mommy Moments and Quality Kid Moments too

I just put my baby girl and young son down for their naps. At 18 months she sleeps nearly 2 hours and he's 4 sleeping only sometimes, but always resting (for at least 20 minutes).

As I take him upstairs, holding hands, we talk about what we can do after resting time. He wants to play at the park. I tuck him in, give him a kiss, put on some songs he likes and say sleep tight. That took a whole 5 minutes? Maybe 7? I could've easily sent him up alone to get into bed. I have lunch to make, dinner, fold 2 baskets of clothes, and write up some insect labels, insights my older sons 2nd grade memory book, get my coffee, etc., etc., etc...  When isn't there a list of things to do?

And that's when it hit me... Above our bed I finally hung up our Fathers Day Hands and Feet Project. Check it out here. And baby girls feet have a quote written in the space between her prints, "The best things in life aren't things!" While my to do list is exhaustive and infinite, my sons childhood is not. Capturing a few minutes everyday with him in between my to do list is a great way to stay connected and not get caught up in "the things" that don't matter. Will I remember the piles if laundry, probably, and with a feeling of sheer exhaustion accompanying that thought. But I will also remember that nearly everyday, I walked my son upstairs for his nap, had a chat, and got a snuggle and kiss from his cute face - now that's a memory worth stopping everything for!!

Here's some quick ways to get some great mommy moments (and memories) for a lifetime:

1. One of the best pieces of advice from my Older Sons preschool packet was "take 15 minutes every hour to spend with your child." Sounds insane I know. And no it's not easy for multitasking moms. But who said this parenting thing is easy? Our kids long for their parents attention, so why not do it on your time?

Now, you may think 15 minutes is a lot, and for some it is. But the opposite is that every time your kid comes to you, you end up saying "not now," "maybe later" and "honey mommys busy." Tell me again when your getting that kid time in? When I found myself saying these No in these creative ways, I knew I had to make a change. Here's what I've done over the last few years. Pick one habit to start. Do it for 3 days, then a week, it'll come easier then you think.

15 Minute Mommy Moments: 

- when its cleanup time, I take a moment to "help" the kids get started, instead of standing over them dictating where things go, we lead by example, and put a few toys away whole recommending where there tots should go to. We clean up together. I do not do it for them.

- when they start watching TV I sit down with them for a few minutes. It helps me monitor what there watching while snuggling with my older son who usually isn't interested anymore!

- we eat all meals together at the table!! Granted its not snuggling, but it's a positive interaction where we connect by talking about the day and our family plans.

- walking my son in to bed for nap time, sometimes we even read a book together while baby girl nurses to sleep.

The days are long, but the years are very very short. 

Make mistakes, breath, and Laugh.Out.Loud

Summer Bucket List: Here's What we Didn't Do

I have to say that after reviewing my Summer Bucket List post I realized that so much DID NOT get done at home. And it's only fair to tell you that while I blog about a lot of fun that we have, and the occasional mishaps, we are a NORMAL CRAZY family. Here's what did not get done this summer.

What we DIDN'T Do this Summer!

• Laundry, where often we wore underwear for two days. (If you have never Googled "Piles of Laundry Pictures," totally do it!!! You will feel so much better about your self, either your above it, you just got a load done - and folded - or you can co-miserate with others.)
• Dishes, while I started my boys on unloading the dishwasher everyday, often dishes would sit for 2, 3, and 4 days.
• Sleep schedule. What sleep schedule?? We often napped in the car (with the engine off in the garage..I wasn't gonna risk WAKING 3 kids mid-transfer to their beds in the daytime, when I could easily lay my car chair back and nap too).
• We ate triscuits crackers for lunch or dinner (maybe with bits of cheese)
• ... and we were cleaning up using baby wipes instead of soap and water. OK, and we even washed out sticky hands in rain puddles.
• Spending time with Friends... we did a lot on our own as a family. We took very few walks with our best friends on the block. But we made a lot of new friends everywhere we went. 
• House work. We are so lucky to afford a cleaning lady, who comes every two weeks to help with maintaining a clean home. She washes the floors, launders the towels and our cloth napkins (I can't believe I haven't written a blog post about our Awesome Cloth Napkins at Home).

In addition there was some down time, and rather boring time, for the kids when mom had to:

• Go to the eye doctor to start figuring out what's wrong with my eyes blind spots.
• Take Young Son to the dentist for his first filling.
• Take baby girl for her 18 month doctors appointment and two shots.
• Mowing the lawn
• Having almost NO Tomatoes this year.
• Running errands and food shopping.
• Garage sale - HA The toys and stuff is piled HIGH in the basement

And there's so much more. While our trip to Japan was amazing, it also ate up two weeks in July for the actual trip and many... many... days in June spent packing, repacking and then actually packing. 

Non of this is complaining. Its just, well, reality with kids. 

The days are long but the years are short. 

Make mistakes, Breath, and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Summer Bucket List 2013 (with Chicagoland Area Web Page Links)

After finding lots of great ideas on Pinterest, and creating a MUST DO board for the kids, we finally sat down and wrote our Summer Bucket List. We did a lot of impromptu stuff this summer too - like the Waukegan Library Book Sale a friend posted about on Facebook. Instead of paying .50 cents per kids book and $1 for adults, I got a Big Red Bag of books for $5.

We did put the effort into actually writing out a Summer Bucket List and I like Sharing. At the end of this post is an update with a list of what we actually did, things not on the list, and moms tasks in addition to the list. We didn't craft nearly as much as we usually do either, because we were outside nearly EVERYDAY!!

2013, oUR family summer bucket list

       GO PLACES

□     BEACH!!                                           □     Go to the park (A LOT!!)

□     Water Park (A LOT!!!)                    □     Go bowling

□     Nature hunt (s)                                  □     Alphabet Scavenger hunt

□     Shapes Scavenger Hunt                    □     Have a picnic

□     See movie at a drive in                       □     Santa’s Village

□     Go to A Farm (Glenview)                  □     Wild West Town

□     Museum Days 

AT NIGHT

□        Catch fire flies                                  □        Use the Telescope in the Yard

□        Roast Marshmallows

COLLECT

□     Collect Bottle Caps to make an end of summer Mosaic

□     Bugs, Rocks, Feathers, and …

AT HOME OUTDOORS

□     !! Make JAPAN Paper Ring Chain Countdown !!

□     Grill dinner once a week                 □     Make recycled water pouring wall (pinterest)

□     Make Giant Ice Cube filled with plastic toys to CHIP APART

□     Roast Marshmallows                       □     Blow bubbles (Bubble Station)

□     Eat ice cream and popcorn for dinner

□     Outdoor Alphabet hunt                  □     Exploding Paint – make ART BOMBS

□     Make Bird Bath Mosaic                  □     Block Party

RAINY DAYS

□     Make Stained Glass: Draw Sharpie on wax paper looks like stained glass

□     Build a fort                                       □     Balloon Ninjas to shoot with Nerf Guns

□     Make Hands/Foot Paint Animals    

□     Make Hotwheels race track with drawn race course and tube

□     Make Jet packs from Soda Bottles  

□     Make GEO BOARD (Pegboard w rubber bands)

□     Bake Cookies!!!                                □     Make Fingerprint Ornmnt

□     Move Chalk board to kitchen (Keep family menus on)

□     Paint pebbles/rocks with glow in the dark paint to line the garden/walkway

□     Make MOONSAND                      □     Indoor ALPHABET HUNT

□     Make VOLCANO ERUPTIONS  

□     Make the Outdoor TIC TAC TOE from rocks and wood

□     IVORY SNOW Cloud                   □     Wii, & iPad 

*** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** 

BEACH

We went to the beach a lot. While my mom had the kids during our trip to Japan. They were at the beach nearly every day, sometimes 2x a day. 

ü  Loyola Beach

ü  Indiana Dunes

ü  Boogie Boards at Waukegan Beach

ü  Loyola Beach with our Cousins

GO PLACES

ü  Go to Parks –  a different park each Wednesday with our Cousins (splash pads, climbing gyms), our neighborhood park and surrounding parks, bicycling to the school park, and with Uncle Bogie.

ü  Water Park – only 1x because it was such a cool summer. But we did slip and slide with our neighborhood friends and in the yard. We also had a splash water fight with Dja Dja in his yard.

ü  Nature Hunt – when we were at the Nature Center with our Cousins we did this nature hunt. Totally Fun!  While at the Spring Valley Schaumburg Nature Center (so awesome, includes a ½ hour walk to a mini farm) our cousins granola bar was stolen by a Chicken there.

ü  Have a picnic – everywhere we go for a DAY outing I pack our (found in the alley) California Wheel Cooler with food and we picnic.

ü  Kohl’s Children’s Museum – purchased at 50% off with Travelzoo.com, great deal. Paid $19.50 for two instead of per person.

ü  Roast Marshmallows – with our Tia

ü  Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo (and picnic’s)

ü  2 weeks with Baba – went to Fair Oaks Dairy Farm, saw pigs and cows galore

ü  Glenview Wagner Farm – love this place.

COLLECT

ü  Bugs. We collect dead bugs and pin them. I collected Bugs in Japan and at home.

ü  Rocks at the beach and everywhere else.

AT HOME / OUTDOORS

ü  Make Japan Paper Ring Countdown Chain – read about it.

ü  Make GIANT ICE CUBE PICKER – filled with toys and rocks for the kids to destroy. From Pinterest

ü  Bubble Station – from Pinterest

ü  Build a fort – on rainy days.

ü  Make Hand and Foot Print animals – for fathers day – here’s the result.

ü  Played Wii – only 2x

We did one 2 crafts this summer, the Japan Countdown chain and Telescopes from Toilet Paper Tubes.

Not on the List

ü  On the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER we went to our local library. And to my pleasant surprise they had started the book club THAT DAY. So we joined up….Library Book Club – we joined our library’s book club. We read EVERYDAY this summer, alone, to eachother, and at night time! I AM PROUDEST OF READING EVERYDAY THIS SUMMER!!!

ü  Lake County Fair with Dad

ü  Bike Riding with mom and dad in the Forest, using the bike attachment for Baby boy and Girl to ride in.

ü  My older son chose “an experience” for his birthday instead of a party. We had dinner at “a fancy” restaurant and cake at home at my mom’s in Indiana. Older Sons birthday gift hunt and Trampoline Hunt/Map – see more here

ü  Got Geodes to crack open from our Uncle’s Trip to Colorado with his Cross Country Track Team

ü  Movie and Cookies and Ice Cream with Ciocia Jola, just because

ü  Pirates Cove Amusement Park (and we picnic’d) $11 per child and baby girl was free (they thought she was under 1).

ü  Wicker Park fest, where we grew radish and pinto beans using hydroponic gardening - we used a clear glove instead of the jar. Later these were planted at Baba's house. (This summer, families can watch plants grow without soil in a hydroponic garden)

We also made red current jam from our garden berries (and with frozen mixed berries). We gardened, planted carrots, tomatoes, pumpkins and a few flowers...

Mom actually planned the 4th Annual Block Party this year, booking the jump house, obtaining the permit, and buying kids crafts to paint, bead, and tattoo ourselves to no end.

I also was able to spray paint some ugly gold frames we had to display dads Fathers Day present of the kids hand and foot print animals (Pinterest Inspired). So glad that's done.

So it looks like I am keeping this list for next year. We actually completed about half of the list.....which means we can look forward to have a lot more fun in our future.

The Days are long, but the years are short....Make Mistakes, Breath and Laugh.Out.Loud