FRIDAY has come, my friends!! Hallelujah! Today, I wanted to try something new and do a round up of my favorite moments/things from the week. So here goes!

ONE

How cute are these two?! And can you say, "TWINS?!" She get it from her daddy

TWO

We've been having seriously chilly and rainy weather here this week so a big bowl of this yummy soup was perfect!

THREE

Honest Co. Stain Spray

I don't think I've ever been so excited to see berry stains on Saidey's shirt so that I could try out a new product. I love Honest Company products and this one is no exception!

FOUR

I am so proud of this girl, I've seen her come out of her shell, and make some serious progress. We can't wait to see her continue to take on new challenges and progress even more this Summer!

FIVE

The Bachelorette- yes, much to the chagrin of Will, I sat down this Monday AND Tuesday to indulge in some shenanigans that is known as The Bachelorette. I told myself I wouldn't watch this season because I was NOT into the new twist but alas, I couldn't stay away and now, needless to say, I'm HOOKED. Well played, ABC, well played.

SIX

Stitch Fix- received my fourth fix and I'm keeping all items!

 So, there ya' have it- my top 6 moments/things from the week! What was the best part of YOUR week?! If you say FRIDAY, I'm with ya! :) Hope everyone has a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!

See ya on Monday and the challenge I'm going to take on for the month of June! 

What I Want My Mom To Know on Mother's Day

I've thought for a few weeks about how I would approach writing about Mother's Day. I thought I might write about my own journey into motherhood but then I decided to instead, write about my mom and the things she has taught me. There are so many lessons I have learned from my mom that it is hard to narrow them all down to write about in this one blog post. I've written this before, but my mom and I have had our struggles- mostly because I didn't know how to express my feelings and communicate with her- and maybe the same went for her as well. I was dealing with things that had happened and didn't know how to deal with them, so I turned inward, blocking everyone out, including her. Despite not turning to her when I should have, my mom taught me so much about life and without a doubt has made me into the person I am today.

I learned the true meaning of unconditional love, being open minded and accepting (and not just tolerant) of all, of what it's like to forgive and give second chances, of being selfless, and seeing the good in others. As I've gotten older and started my own family, I've made decisions that sometimes my mom doesn't always agree with. Whether we agree or disagree, I can count on my mom to keep it real with me and bring me back from the clouds if I need it. Recently, we were talking and she mentioned how I don't need her anymore. I want to let her know, along with anyone else reading this, that at no point in one's life will they NOT need their mother and how far from the truth that comment was. I still need and WANT a mom. I still want and need her to give me reality checks and tell me like it is- I might not always like it or agree with it but I want to hear it, I NEED to hear it. And I also want to let her know that just because I've decided to parent in different ways than I was parented- doesn't mean I think the way I was parented was wrong. In fact, she has taught me how to make smart decisions, based on what is right for yourself and your family- period. She showed me what it is like to do what works for your family and that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. That's the lesson she taught me. So maybe, I've decided to cloth diaper or breastfeed and she didn't. She provided me the chance to become independent and confident in making those choices. And although different than what she had decided, definitely not better or superior.

As I've gotten older, I think its been an adjustment from the mother-daughter relationship we had to mothering a daughter who has started her own family. But on Mother's Day and everyday, I want my mom to know how much I love her and appreciate everything she has ever done for me. And that I still need her, even if I don't act like it. I also need her to know that our relationship is always going to be in progress- never perfect but again, as she has taught me- she will be there for me no matter what. Even if we don't agree about something. And that's what family is all about.

And to my amazing mother in law, Mary- I am so blessed to have you in my life and for accepting me into your family. I have to thank you for raising an incredible son as well as loving me like your own.

Happy Mother's Day

Time INS VS Time OUTS

If you are a parent of a toddler, you probably are pretty well versed in the well known time-out. We've probably all heard the do's and don'ts of time out- every minute for however old the child is, etc. For a lot of parents, time outs can be an effective strategy and I do believe that it can be effective if it's implemented correctly.  Just enter "time out" on Google and you instantly have at your fingertips expert (and not so expert) advice on how to do a time out.


In the past year or so, we've started doing time ins. Sometimes, when our kids are acting up, our first reaction is to isolate them or take them away from the situation/person etc. And that is appropriate for some situations. Some kids just need to take time away from whatever the trigger has been. I have found that in our house, a lot of acting out behaviors were simply a cry for attention. And that's another thing that happens- we start to deny attention when acting up occurs so as not to continue giving attention when they're seeking it in such negative ways. But sometimes, doing the opposite is much more effective. So, obviously depending on the situation and severity of the behavior- we do time ins. If Sophia is struggling or not listening, I simply take her hand and have her spend time with me. She might help me with something I'm doing at the moment, or we might simply sit together quietly. I have found that this strategy works just as effective, if not more, than time outs.


Some of you may struggle with giving your child the "extra" attention when they're misbehaving. It may feel like giving in or sending the message that it's ok to behave in that way. But I encourage you to ask yourself about what your child's behavior is telling you. And just because you do a time in doesn't mean you don't talk about the behavior or consequences. We still have that conversation but it provides an opportunity to do so in an environment where we are really connected and makes it so much easier to address the behavior.


And sure, there are times when a break from each other is probably necessary for everyone!The aim of a time out is to give each of you space and for everyone to regroup, calm down and gather themselves.  But if you're finding most of your time outs are being used for your child to take off their clothes, pick their nose, hang upside down or it's further escalating a tantrum or behavior, a time in might be your answer. Do you do time out? Time ins? A mixture of both? Please share!

   

Time ins can really work!

 

Oh hey, Monday- it's you again

Happy Monday, all! I hope you all had a great weekend! It was another great weekend of fun at our house. We started it off with our weekly Friday pizza and movie night. The girls love to make their own personal size pizzas and of course, we have to finish it off with popcorn while we watch a movie in the basement.

Little pizza maker

On Saturday, we helped celebrate Nolan's 5th birthday party and after we got over our fear of putting on bright orange socks, we jumped and jumped and jumped. Sophia was pretty quiet with all the kids but she had fun and once we got home, she couldn't put down the cool Batman favors she got from the party. It was a refreshing break from all things princess and pink. Thanks Nolan and Ashley, we had so much fun! We spent a quiet evening in and finished off the night with a trip to Snookie's.

Jumping in puddles

I can't believe this girl is going to be 5 soon!

"Mom, these socks are ugly and weird." Only Sophia would worry about socks when there are wall to wall trampolines.

On Sunday, Will decided to take Sophia to the movie, Cinderella and so Saidey and I headed to the mall and shopped a little. Saidey and I had a little date at Panera before heading home for a nap. It was so nice to just spend the afternoon with Saidey as we don't get the chance to do so very often. The rest of the afternoon was spent finishing up a project I was working on and getting outside to enjoy the sunny weather.

Date at the movie theater!

My shopping and lunch date!

Chalkboard paint layer

First paint layer

Ta-da! The finished product.

Of course, Pinterest was the inspiration for this project. It was surprisingly easy and I didn't mess it up too bad. I say that because it seems as though my paint skills need slight improvement. If you look close enough you can see some spots where I didn't even it out. But hey, that just adds character, right?! Click here for the pin that I followed for directions.  As you can see, the only step I did not do was sandpaper the front. Frankly, I was scared I would mess that part up so I decided to leave it and I still think it looks ok. Overall, I am happy with how they turned out. Thank you to Pinterest once again for helping me attempt to be semi crafty!

Hope everyone has a great week! If you are liking what I have to say, please don't hesitate to like, share and follow my blog!

Thanks again to all those that do take the time to read and give me comments and feedback- I really appreciate it!

Do As I Say, Not as I Do

As Sophia has gotten older, I can't tell you how many times people have commented about how similar we are. Comments like, "Wow, THAT'S where she gets that from!" or "I've seen that from somewhere before." And it's true. There are so many mannerisms and traits that I see in Sophia that remind me of myself. From her slow to warm up personality to her strong willed stubborn side, I can confirm she gets them from me.

Passing on my love for Starbucks? Yup!

Since Saidey has started walking and talking, I have overheard Sophia in her mommy-like voice, reprimanding her little sister, sounding eerily identical to my voice and tone. At times, when I've been eye to eye in a standoff with Sophia- it's like looking in a mirror. And sometimes I can't help but laugh, especially when my four year old is reminding me to "Say it in a nice way, Mommy," complete with a hand on her hip and a pointed finger.


Lots of times when our similarities have been brought to my attention, I took it in stride and laughed about it, but there are times when I want to duck and hide as some of my less favorable traits have been passed on. She serves as my constant reminder that from the day she was born, it is my responsibility to raise a caring, loving individual who will contribute to society in a positive way. What a huge undertaking. Some days I feel the full weight of that responsibility, too. Her very first experiences will lay the foundation for the rest of her life and I play an imperative role in that.

My brown eyed girl :)

When I became a parent, I strove to become not only a better mom but a better human being. Someone who not only talks the talk but walks the walk. Because I know that there are now two sets of little eyes on me at all times- I know that I can talk and lecture all I want. It's my actions that will speak the loudest. It's my actions that my children are watching and taking in. Not what I say.
But here's the upside- I know I'm going to mess it up. I know that I will resort to saying, "Do as I say, not as I do," on more than one occasion on this adventure we call parenting. And I'm sure as they get older, they will be the first ones to point it out to me. But I can show them what making mistakes is all about and how to make it right. To be able to say, "You're right, I made a mistake." To admit when you're wrong and then take steps to make it right. And that's what parenthood is all about- trial and error and apologizing as you go, right?!

Gal #2 with a strong will. Like mother, like daughter

First Snookies visit of the season

And more to come, I'm sure!

So, tell me- what are some traits (positive or negative!) that you see in your child that they've inherited from you? Please share!

A great, eye opening video about how our actions impact our kids.