Early Riser? What's Up With that!!! AHHHHHHHH

Okay- let me help you understand this VERY IMPORTANT FACT about me  ...I have, my entire life been a NIGHT OWL. (okay that's actually not a VERY IMPORTANT FACT about me but important to know as you read this post.)

(painting by renditionsbyreesa)

Until now!   

All of the sudden, I'm waking up at 4 or 5  am, doing my devotions, unloading the dishwasher, doing a load of laundry, running to the store at 5 or 6 am and getting to know the stock crew at our local Super center because it's just us at that time of day.        WUUHHHAAAATTTT???  

What is happening to me?  This is not me?  My whole life I've done things just the opposite.  I really got going around 9 or 10 am..  I may be up before then but not really functioning too well.    I had a couple of sweet spots of productivity in my day that were around 3-5 PM  and then after 8 pm till 12 or 1 in the morning.   That is just how I rolled.  I was good with that..I enjoyed it.  

How on earth did I suddenly morph into this morning person who's wide awake at 5 am skippity-dodahing through my day and my to-do list. ( no offense to early risers, especially since I may be joining your ranks?! ...I love you just as much as night owls...I'm just use to the night owl thing)
      
  I do not think that early risers are better moms, or more organized etc... same for my fellow night owls... however you organize your day, getting things done after the sun goes down or before it comes up or a little both... I'm not judging.

I had a rhythm..I liked my night owl rhythm...I owned it, worked it  and all that good stuff.  And now... I'm this early bird person... and I'm perplexed and confused.   I get a lot done before 8 am but I feel out of rhythm.  

I am blessed to have a choice, I'm a Stay At Home, Homeschooling Mom so  we have a "routine" more so than a "time schedule".  We get certain things done on certain days and what time we got started varies.   Guess we'll be getting started earlier these days.

What are you?  Early Riser or Night owl?  Do you wish you were one or the other?

I'm not sure if this is a phase or not-  Whatever happens, I'll have to own it.  Maybe if I keep getting up at 4 am I'll start taking naps in the afternoon! Oh how fun..then I could be an early riser and a nightowl.  Hmmm I'll work on that.

Santa Claus IS REAL!!

My oldest is 9 and I just had the SANTA conversation I've been dreading .

We were watching one of our annual Santa Cartoon movies and he looks at me and says:

"Mom, there's a rumor going around that Santa isn't real.  You'd tell me if he wasn't real wouldn't you?"

GULP.  Deer in headlights look.  

breathe.... breathe..... breathe....

I say: "Connor, Lets talk about this a little later, after the movie okay?"

Connor says: " Sure !"

So needless to say...I didn't really see the rest of the movie.   My mind was going 90 to nothing on how I was going to tell him about Santa.   I mean, I knew this day would come and I knew what I would probably say.  When the day finally got here, I was more concerned with whether Connor would feel I betrayed him.  

 It turned out very well. (much better than I anticipated.)  Here's the summary.

My husband and I sat down with Connor and said we wanted to talk to him about the "rumor" he'd heard about Santa not being real.  I continued by saying that:

Santa was a real man.  He was a Christian with a very huge heart for children and helping the needy.   He was a wealthy young man and was known for his generosity.    His Name was Nicolas but over time as stories about him were told he became known as Santa Claus.   The Original St. Nicolas/Santa Claus is not living.   But "Santa Claus" is VERY real, it's just not who you thought it was.    Alot of parents really respected St. Nick and wanted to carrying on his attitude of giving and sharing and the joy that brings.   So, parents decided to be "Santa  Claus" on Christmas. 

Connor then asked- well what about the sleigh and the flying reindeer?

I said- Well, those are fiction.  When people told and retold stories a lot of things got added.  Those are some of the "magical" things that people added to the true part to make fun books, movies etc.   Do you understand how Mommy n Daddy being "Santa Claus" is about carrying on a tradition of giving and generosity and fun.

Connor, with a huge at peace smile on his face said - Yes, St. Nick had a spirit of joy and giving.  It's cool he was a Christian.

***** me breathing a sigh of relief ****
 

Connor was surprisingly calm and OK with all of this information.  I guess I was expecting a little disappointment or irritation that we'd tried to "pull one over" on him.  But he amazed me.  He thought it was totally cool that parents carried on spirit of "Santa Claus" for their kids.  Christmas is still magical for him.....even now that he knows exactly WHO Santa Claus is....




 

It Gets Better Campaign

I wanted to highlight the IT GETS BETTER CAMPAIGN , which reaches out to Gay and Lesbian teens that are experiencing bullying.  BUT not just Gay and Lesbians- Bullying in general.
(which I also addressed in a previous post) It breaks my heart, makes me angry and brings out my soapbox... so here goes.

Watch this video-

YouTube video: Ellen Degeneres on Bullying

  Bullying is a growing problem.  Any verbal or physical intimidation- to demean, devalue, coerce or intimidate another person is bullying. It is a growing problem and one that needs to be aggressively addressed by parents with their children.  We talk about sex, drugs, drinking, texting while driving.  Bullying or Being Bullied should, in my opinion be right up there with all of those very important things.   Is it?

Parents- Don't assume that your kid is not a BULLY or that they are not being Bullied.     Have you communicated with your children that Bullying is not acceptable, it is violent behavior.  We discuss physical fighting/bullying and abuse, we need to discuss verbal bullying/abuse.  It's rampant, it starts very young.    Many people dismiss verbal bullying as "Kids will be kids".  Parents take on an attitude of  " Is someone bleeding? Then leave me alone "         The attitude that verbal hits are somehow "not as bad" as a physical  hits is widespread and very misguided.  A hit to a child's self-worth and value is devastating.

A lot of children, unfortunately learn bullying from their parents.  When you make fun of them for messing up, or make them feel bad for being clumsy, or tell them that you don't understand why they can't be like all the other kids, they spill something and you say you can't even take them in public without them embarrassing you. ..... Do you honestly think you aren't hitting them?  You are wounding them?  Your opinion of them matters to them- builds them up or tears them down-

While it is important to discuss bullying with your children, it is even more VITAL that you live out  anti-bullying in your actions.  SHOW THEM!  I'm constantly surprised at how many adults still participate in bullying..by excluding a neighbor , team parent,  dance parent, small group parent or whatever activity... The whispers, the snide remarks, it's sad, it's immature, and you are teaching your kids how to treat people, because they are watching what you say and what you do.

Watch this:


You tube video: Bully Dads 

Read this:

You Just Broke Your Child- Congratulations! 

Whether you are a child, teen or adult-   

Hear this...

You deserve to be treated with respect.  

You deserve to be who you are without a physical or verbal threat being hurled in your direction.  

Your existence isn't in vain, your life is worth living-even though right now it may seem very hard.     

IT WILL GET BETTER.   

 

I pray that you will use  the resources I list in this post to help you hang on,   so you can get to the place where IT IS BETTER...

Please Live to See  IT GETS BETTER.

Do you or child know what to do if you see someone being bullied?


Do you or child know what to do if you become the target of a bully?

Please be informed- Get help-   check out the following links.

 Stop Bullying Now!

You tube- Joel Burns- Encouraging Video

Check out my other post on Bullying with Resources

It Gets Better Project

Let Them Eat Cake! Day 1 Homeschool 2010

We love cake at my house...and brownies and all that fun sweet stuff.

So when a sweet friend of mine gave me the idea for a  "first day of homeschooling lesson" that involved cake I was intrigued.

Here's my version of the Baking Lesson:

Connor (9) and Sara (6) were given the following instructions:

Today- you are to make a cake from scratch.  You may not use a cake mix.  You get to create the recipe all by yourself.  Mommy and Daddy can not help you...you are in charge of what goes into the cake and how much of each ingredient you put in to the cake.

They were so excited to jump into their first day of school.  Sara even said- "Wow! This is going to be the best school year EVER!  We get to make cake on our first day."

So off they went..with their mixing bowls  and wooden spoons to mix their cake ingredients together.  As they were assembling their ingredients, they made comments such as:

" ooo I'm so excited to make my own cake"
"I can't wait to taste it!"
"I've never made my own cake all by myself before!"
"I want to add a "surprise" to my cake."

They were so sure their cakes would be culinary masterpieces that they had my niece Raychel write down each ingredient just in case we wanted to make it again sometime.

Here are their Recipes:

Here are their Cakes!

They were optimistic, yet  a bit skeptical to take the first bite of their creation.

I wish..you could have watched the expression on each of their faces as they took the first bite!

BLEH!

Um..Mom, do i have to eat anymore of this?

I don't think I want to keep this.

Then we talked about the experience-

1. It seemed like a lot of fun making the cakes but the results were bad.

2. It was fun to be in charge of what they were doing but no fun that their cakes tasted so icky.

Then- we made Brownies... with a recipe.

Connor and Sara followed the instructions to the letter with Mommy's help each step of the way.

When we put the brownies in the oven, we talked a bit about which experience they felt was more successful.  They both, without hesitation agreed that they enjoyed making the brownies even more than creating their very own cakes from scratch.

Now when the brownies came out of the oven and tasted FABULOUS!!  Well...they certainly were huge fans of following instructions

The point/moral of this lesson-

Success- takes a lot of different ingredients mixed together.  Math, Science, History etc..
Mommy n Daddy's  job is to train and equip Connor and Sara to live Successful adult lives.  The way we do that is by instructing them everyday in a variety of subjects.  Once they have all the ingredients ...and know how to use them...they will be well equipped to live happy, successful adult lives.

I wasn't quite sure at first..if this lesson would really have a ton of impact.  Until Connor explained it in his own words to his friend like this...

"I could try to do stuff all by myself and not follow instructions, but that will just mean trouble.  If I let Mom n Dad teach me how to do stuff, even stuff I don't like, I have a better shot at being a success when I grow up."

Well..there you go!

Sara says- "I don't want that icky cake...I want the yummy brownies.  I like following instructions Mom, I didn't understand it all, but I'm glad you helped me with the brownies, they are awesome!"

Bow Holder Ideas

This post is for Cassidy...she was viciously attacked this morning by out of control hair bows gone wild!!   Cassidy..has shared some pretty neat organizational ideas ...as well as food ideas...via Facebook and Food Prude.   (she's a very organized type of gal!)   But..if you have girls..you know...hair bows..multiply while you sleep.  You start out with 3 or 4 and wake with 100's covering the counters, under furniture... you're innocently eating cereal and WHAT..how did a hair bow get in my cereal!!  (okay...maybe I'm exaggerating a tad!)

So..I went on a Blog quest for creative BOW ORGANIZATION IDEAS.  Below I'm listing some fun options. I hope you find something that works for you.  That's right ladies..I do what I can to support those in the battle against the bows.

How Does She 

had this cute Idea! Along with 6 other links to some fab organizational ideas..

Below is a fun idea from

My Magic Mom

 

I don't have a picture for this Ballet Tutu Holder but it's worth a click for  a look-see!


Don't want to make your own or just don't have time?

Here are some links for cute options to purchase.

1. Check out ETSY . In the search box type in "Hair bow Organizer" and you'll get a list of several handmade options ...most are quite adorable and somewhat unique.  Many offer custom and personalization options.

2. Bambina Ballerina- if price is no object..these are cuteness!

3. Tutu Girl- they have a lot of cute stuff besides the hair bow holders!

4. Miss Priss

5. Nobby Neez Kids

6. Embroidery Garden

7. Zelly Belly Boutique


Best of luck as you endeavor to conquer the rapid reproduction of hair bows in your household.

The Perfect Parent....Um...not here...

Although we may all hope for and maybe even dream for ...THE ANSWER (to becoming the PERFECT PARENT).      Let me put it out there..that THE ANSWER (to becoming a PERFECT PARENT) does not exist.    One cookie cutter approach just won't get the job done ...in my opinion.

Doing what is in the best interest of your family, is unique to each family..because your family situation is different..the personality of parents, kids, career, hours, school situations, family situation... etc are all different creating a unique dynamic within your family that is unlike any other.  It's a FAMILY THUMBPRINT if you will...some things are the same... but not all things are the same..and the things that are different..creates the inability to create a step by step cookie cutter plan for THE PERFECT FAMILY.  

  There are certainly some fantastic books out there that can guide and direct us into making wise choices with and for our families.   But to take a book and follow it to the letter is many times ineffective (not always..but many times)...  There are matters of the heart that I believe across the board we all need to address...obedience, respect, manners, kindness, thoughtfulness etc....But what does that look like... it is DIFFERENT..for you than for me.....

For me...as I am in the thick of the parenting journey...I can be an information, researchaholic.  If there's a parenting book I've probably read it...if there's a parenting idea..I've probably researched it...  But having said that...I'm certainly not a parenting expert...I don't always know what to do....sometimes I have no clue I even need to be doing something ......I do not implement everything I read, I certainly don't agree with everything I read either.  What I feel is important is to process information..and ask ourselves..How does this information apply to my family...our personalities, our lifestyle etc...is this doable, is it necessary, will it benefit my family?   While the Parent sitting next to you may get a resounding YES..you may get a maybe and another parent a big fat NO WAY!  Is one parent right and the other wrong?  I say NO WAY!  Each parent ...after examining their unique situation can answer those questions different and all be on the right path for their family...  Mom works, Mom doesn't work, home school, public or private school....These again..are not right and wrong issues ...they are individual family choices that are simply NOT a right or wrong issue. Can't say that too many times can I...that it's not a right or wrong thing..and that families needs are unique and just because it works for you or me doesn't mean it's parenting law and should work for everyone ...and if they don't do what we do then they are obviously a slacker parent.... Can I say enough..so many parenting choices are not RIGHT OR WRONG...they are sometimes merely preference...sometimes just different..not even good, better, best...just DIFFERENT...can I say all that enough???..no I can't...

 This past Sunday in our church service the topic was parenting and the speakers touched on a few universally applicable topics that were  worth sharing...the speakers were:  Kym Carter of Legacy Moms and Ron Holton of RockPointe Church....(I'm totally paraphrasing what they said..so if you want to hear their eloquently worded full version...click here!..It's worth listening to..and what I'm posting here.isn't even CLOSE to all of what they shared.....)

         Be consistent- 

this creates security for your children.  

They know that the rules yesterday are the  rules today, tomorrow to infinite and beyond!!

That's some hard stuff to accomplish!! We get tired, annoyed, stressed, frustrated, busy ... but no one said parenting was easy...

       What we do now matters...the little things matter...and will impact our families.

       The days may be long...but the years are short! 

     Have a goal..have a vision..for what you want for your family..then get a plan in place for how to achieve those goals...

When I was a brand new parent...someone gave me this illustration regarding having a parenting/family vision...

Picture yourself and your family loaded up in the your vehicle...

         

ready and excited for a journey...   How did you know what to pack?    Because you knew where you were going.  You had a destination in mind...so you planned accordingly.   We put a lot of advance planning into so many things....why not plan  our family goals?

My husband and I have planned, adjusted the plan and continually evaluate and reevaluate the plan.
For us..homeschooling was  on our list of things we wanted to do...so we discussed that this meant I would need to stay home and how that affected our finances.  Was homeschooling a big enough priority to us that we wanted to deal with whatever financial stress or strain might occur from being a one income family.  For us...we chose..yes and we are on our homeschooling journey.    But as I've stated earlier...If we would have answered NO...or Not Now...we wouldn't have been WRONG...maybe your answer to homeschooling is...Not even interested..no thanks..yuck...ewww...that's okay...no really...it's okay...because to be a happy family...to be a good parent and to raise your children well...there's no cookie cutter method...it takes all kinds...to raise all kinds.  :)   

It's hard to know these days...How much freedom should I let them have? I don't want a full fledged FREE RANGE kid...that makes all his own decisions...but I don't want to be a ......GASP...

Helicopter Mom...no gasp ...the horror...   and listen..I've been her...I've also been less involved than maybe I should have ....  I'm trying to figure this out...and I'm making plenty of blunders along the way..... But that's okay...I'm not perfect...and I want my kids to know...it's okay not to be perfect.  Striving for excellence in all we do...is different than striving for a flawless perfect existence....   I can't say I know exactly what that means all of the time......I'm learning...each day...that I'm the Mom they need...flaws and all..it wasn't an accident..or a big bang or freak of nature kind of thing...God said...Robin (and he picked Jeff for them too..lets not forget Jeff...but this is MOMMILY EVER AFTER ..hahahhaha)..Connor and Sara need you...and regardless of my fears, flaws or frustrations...I'm gonna be the best Mommy to them and continue to learn as I go what exactly that is ...for us...and try desperately to remember..that it so doesn't need to look like the mommy next door, or that sat next to me at church or that does all the amazing crafts and knows all the cool places to go .....and that's okay...for them and for me...it's not a right and wrong kinda thing!


Okay.. ...stepping down from the podium...I'm done ...for now ...

Back To School Menu/Lunch Ideas

Can't believe the summer is almost over!! Whether you are sending your kiddos to public, private school or are a homeschooler- healthy lunch ideas are always on most of our minds...spring, summer, fall and winter!

I'm going to post a series of links with great lunch and planning ideas.   (I'm a link junky..and I'm willing to let you share in my collection of links.)

real simple: Back to School Meal Planner

Family Fun: Give Lunch a Punch 

tip junkie: Creative Lunches 

 

 

 

Living Locurto: Creative School Lunches 

Muffin Tin Mom ideas

okay- technically this isn't a school lunch idea...but is totally adaptable to lunch ideas! 

 Healthy Child: 20 Creative Lunches

 

Feel free to leave a comment and share some of your favorite lunchbox lunch ideas!