Honey and Vitamins - What's Your Take?

 

Over and over again, I keep hearing about the benefits of 1 tbsp of local, raw honey taken every day.  Just google "benefits of honey" and the examples are endless.  So I finally picked some up yesterday and I'm going to give it a whirl. 

 

How many of you use honey regularly? 

 

What kind do you buy? 

 

Do you give it to your kids?

 

The other thing I keep hearing is that your typical One-A-Day vitamin is a waste of money.  Apparently hardly any of it gets absorbed before it leaves your system.  There are many lists of "best vitamins" and it may shock you to see where yours ranks. 

 

Do you take a daily vitamin? 

 

What brand do you prefer?

 

What other things do you take to keep healthy?  We give our kids probiotics and I'd like to think it's helped us on many occasions.  We buy chewable ones from Whole Foods.

 

 

The Winter Hutch Display and V-Day Decorating

 

 

After Christmas I decided to keep out some snowmen again like I did last year.  I was going to take them down this past weekend, but then the forecasters thought it might snow this week so I left them up a bit longer.  Big bummer on the snow...not much at all.

 

But now it's time to decorate for Valentine's Day.  Mainly because I'm asked everyday, "When are we decorating for Valentine's Day?" by the kids.

 

Do you decorate for Valentine's Day? 

 

I will swap out the snowmen for hearts and love and stuff.  Luckily I took photos last year, so I can easily duplicate.

 

 

   

The Good Nite Lite

 

In one of my recent SAHM discovery posts, I mentioned the Good Nite Lite.  I've got to admit, it's not the cutest thing...looks a bit creepy to me in broad daylight.  However, I love it.  Seriously. 

 

You see, Charlotte doesn't fall far from the tree.  And she takes after her momma.  So she doesn't seem to really need 8-10 hours of sleep each night.  She used to get up by 6:00 every day.  Every. Day.  And nothing could convince her to stay in bed. 

 

Enter...the Good Nite Lite.

 

You set the "bedtime" hour and it turns into a night-light "moon" named "Miss Moon" at our house.  Which also helps with bedtime..."Miss Moon is telling you it's time to get to bed!"  And for us it doesn't seem too bright at all.

 

And then you set a waking time for "Mr. Sun" to arrive each morning.  It's a visual-cue to the kids that it's ok to get out of bed.

 

Does it work immediately?  No.  You have to consider what time your kid is already getting up and gradually set the waking time over a few days or weeks to adjust their schedule to when you actually want them up.  We worked in 15 minute increments moving Charlotte from 5:45 to 7:00. 

 

Did it work for us?  I'm going with a YES.  There was an adjustment period and we did have to walk her back to her room a few mornings and make her sit there until "Mr. Sun" arrived - even if it was only for a few minutes just to prove the point.  However, now I can say that 99% of the time, she comes into our room and immediately says, "Mr. Sun is here!" and it's after 7:00.

 

I also had to convince Stella that it was OK to stay IN BED even if the sun arrived.  She's definitely our sleeper.  But she's also the rule follower and thought if the sun was up...she should be as well.  Now she knows if she hears Charlotte get up, sees the sun, but is still tired...she can roll over and keep sleeping!

 

The biggest bummer is the supply.  I had to wait a few weeks once I decided to actually get one.  They are hard to get on Amazon.  I only realized they were back in stock by following the Good Nite Lite Facebook page.  I think they are sold out again, but the FB page says more to come very soon.

 

And I might just have to snag one for Henry's room...

 

What time do your kids get up in the morning?

 

Do you use a "waking" clock/visual for your kids? 

 

Do you like it?

 

   

More Things I've Learned as a SAHM

My how they've grown in ONE year!!  

Some of you enjoyed my recent post on what I've quickly learned about being a Stay-At-Home-Mom.  Well, 2-weeks in and I'm discovering more and more. 

 

So here are the latest observations:

 

1. My hands are cracked and bleeding from all of the dish-rinsing, table-wiping, hand-washing after helping every.single.child in the bathroom constantly, etc.

 

2. If you want a real challenge, decide to be a SAHM and then for your first two weeks in that new role, make sure your husband is out of town far away.

 

3. Also, make sure you are still finishing up a project for the job you actually already quit.

 

4. And while you're at it, make sure your kids hate transition as much as mine.  Seriously, they screamed and cried all morning because they missed pajama day at daycare today...because they got to be home with me. all. day.  In their pajamas.

 

5.  And just go ahead and decide to get rid of your son's crib.

 

6.  And since you're that ambitious, you might as well get serious about potty training. 

 

7. So I'm Exhausted.  I am.

 

8. And when you're already exhausted, you might as well start Boot Camp.  If the kids don't kick your butt, it will.

 

9. However, getting up at 7:00 AM is much more fun than 5:02.  I'm loving that part. 

 

10. I do believe I have the Good Nite Lite to thank for that.  Watch for a post later this week on how it really is keeping Charlotte in her bed later in the mornings.

 

 

 

New at Target...Skeggings?!?!

   

Earlier this week a FB friend posted this photo on her wall.  I had to look twice.  "Skeggings"? What the heck?  Sounded a bit skanky.  (Yes, that was the first word that came my mind...probably not what the Target marketing team had in mind.) 

 

But then I thought again about it...a skirt with built in leggings?  Brilliant!  Non-skanky! (So maybe the Target marketing team was trying to lead me there?)

 

Especially for a girl you have to bribe with quarters to keep her skirts down.

 

So as much as I want to hate these because of their name (I'm still getting used to Stella asking to wear her jeggings), I might just have to get some.

 

 

Girls Night Out Bridesmaid Dress Ball

 

Some of you already saw this photo on Instagram or my FB page over the weekend.  A quick explanation for the rest of you... Well, I have to go to the Heart Ball next month and it's a black tie event.  My first formal event in years.  But no, I do not plan to wear my wedding dress! 

 

I was actually trying on some old formal gowns I have from ages ago when my husband worked for a Big Five Accounting firm.  (And yes, I say Big FIVE although there are now only four, because, he was with the fifth that no longer exists!  Anyone need an Arthur Andersen duffel bag??  We've got some Enron mugs we can include as well.  And he had no connection to Enron.)  But I digress.

 

So while I was putting on those gowns, the girls begged, try on your wedding dress!  So I did.  They were in awe.  (Are you in awe that I never had it boxed...um, it never made it to the dry cleaner at all.)

 

And then I remembered...didn't a friend once have a Girls Night Out Bridesmaid Dress Ball?  Or something like that?  Didn't her mom even show up in her own wedding gown?  I think I was living out of state, because although I remember hearing about the event (did you do it more than once?), I know I wasn't able to attend.  And still bummed about that.

 

So as the new year starts and I begin dreaming about spring...I'm also thinking that Prom Season would be the perfect time to host a Girls Night Out Ball.  I'm thinking you bring any and all of the old formal gowns you own.  If you don't want to wear them (or can't) you still dress up a bit - no yoga pants. 

 

And of course there would be prizes!  The prize categories could be endless fun.

 

Have you attended an event like this?

 

Would you?

 

Help me name the prize categories!

 

 

 

Yo Gabba Gabba Live! Review

 

 

 

So I'm sure some of you thought I was out of my mind when I shared I was going to the Yo Gabba Gabba Live! show.  In all honesty, I was a bit unsure about it myself.  But I knew the kids would enjoy it because we watch the show from time-to-time and they seem to like it.  Boy, was that an understatement.  Especially about my own boy.

 

 

Henry was more excited than I ever imagined once it started.  (It started on time which is a huge plus when you are with three small kids who keep asking, "When's it going to start?" over and over again while you're waiting.)  Henry was jumping and laughing and pointing throughout the whole thing.

 

I was able to grab one picture when the stage wasn't all completely lit up to prove we were indeed there. 

 

At intermission (which is my only complaint because it was 20-25 minutes = way. too. long.) Stella gave it two thumbs up.  And...so did I!

 

It was a very entertaining show.  And interactive.  I really loved that about it.  The kids were up dancing, singing, and shaking the sillies out the entire time.  They jumped, marched, and wiggled.  All while the characters sang their favorite songs.  DJ Lance Rock was there, of course.  But we were also surprised by a visit from Biz Markie.

 

A few of my kids' favorite songs I also happen to love because of the good messages shared.  "There's a Party in My Tummy" promotes trying new foods and particularly healthy options.  (The carrot is sad until it gets invited to the party in the tummy!)  Another song has you singing, "All our friends are different, but we love them all the same." 

 

Henry's favorite for the night was about bugs.  Stella and Charlotte preferred the song about not being afraid of the dark.  And everyone loved the "Goodbye" song followed by lots of confetti falling onto part of the audience.

 

 

Overall, the entire family enjoyed it.  I would not hesitate to see it again if it comes back next year.  I definitely recommend seeing it in a city near you.

 

For a complete list of tour dates, cities and show times, and a preview of the show, visit www.yogabbagabbalive.com.

    Disclosure: Yes, I went to this show with the kids. Yes, I received some free tickets. Yes, I am promoting it in exchange for aforementioned tickets. But, yes, I do like Yo Gabba Gabba or I wouldn't promote it for said tickets because I wouldn't have wanted to attend.     

Top 10 Things I'm Realizing Staying Home

   

After only three full days (and considering I was already used to one day home each week, we should probably say TWO whole days) I've come to the realization of the following as far as being a stay-at-home-mom:

 

1. I'm ALWAYS in the car.  Always.  Thank goodness I love my minivan.

 

2. I'm ALWAYS buckling and unbuckling 5-point harnesses.  Just today I buckled or unbuckled a car seat 30 times.  THIRTY.  Must exercise Stella's finger strength.

 

3. I need to come up with a game or contest to see who can get into the car seat the fastest and begin buckling on his/her own.  Seriously?  What is the aversion kids??

 

4. Being a car rider is glamorous when you are in kindergarten.  Being a car driver...just plain sucks when you have to drag three kids in and out of a school building twice a day.

 

5.  Can't wait until it's pouring down rain.  See above.

 

6. Wearing jeans as a car driver?  Remember the old Sesame Street song, "One of these things is not like the others..."?  Unless you are a man, it's yoga pants in the pick-up line.  So that stereotype?  True ladies.

 

7. Not only have I showered every day (yep) and worn my jeans (yep), but I also put on some makeup.  Stella: "Mom, why are you doing that?  You don't go to work anymore!"  But I forgot my earrings.  Charlotte: "Mom, are your ears still pierced?"

 

8. Just how many times can you load/unload a dishwasher in a day?  At what point is it no longer annoying?  These kids use TONS of kitchenware!

 

9. And saving money?  "Think of all the money you'll save in gas, work clothes, eating out for lunch, etc. by not working."  Um, hello!  See #8.  Everything I'm saving is going right back out in dishwasher detergent, food, etc.

 

10. Henry poops all day long.  (Also affecting #9 since wipes were included with daycare.) And Charlotte holds water like a camel.

 

 

Do You Drive a Minivan?



 

It's honestly hard to think of a time before my minivan. And if you'd told me three years ago that I'd own a minivan, I would have LAUGHED. in. your. face.  It was one of my goals in life.  To NEVER own a minivan.  Like ever (yes, too much Taylor Swift lately). 

 

But, when one has three kids in three years and a very small garage...a minivan it is.  And now, like many others, I'm a total convert.  And eating my words.  I wish we'd have gotten it even sooner than we did.

 

Lately I've had a couple of friends ask about my minivan...do I like it?  Why did I buy it?  What should a person look for when deciding?  Etc.  So this post if for them. 

 

PLEASE chime in with your comments.  Because below...is just one girl's opinion.

 

Things I considered:

 

First and foremost, I'm a brand snob brand loyal.  Always have been.  Always will be.  So to begin with there were only two choices for me - the Honda or the Toyota.  I test-drove both and immediately preferred the Sienna most likely because it looked and felt just like the Camry I was driving at the time.

 

I searched for a used Sienna and that's like finding a needle in a haystack if a) you don't want it to be ancient or b) you don't want it to be a newer-used previous rental van with 100,000 miles on it.

 

So we went back to the Toyota dealer to look at a new model closer.  And wasn't crazy about the look or the usability.

 

Actually, I HATED the new model of the Toyota Sienna (I think they released it in 2011?).  This is where I get VERY quirky.  Everyone has to know what the van will do for them.  For me, I would have THREE kids I had to help buckle into car seats.  So I had to reach the third child in the back (heck, Stella still needs some help today with her 5-point harness).  The newer Sienna did not allow the middle-row bucket seats to slide together and create access to the third row anymore.  So basically you had to either flip a seat down OR climb through the middle.  Over a non-removable cup holder station in the middle of the aisle.  Neither preferable for me.

 

For me, it became all about where I'd put the car seats and how I wanted to get the kids in and out of the van.  And how I'd use the space for groceries, hauling bigger items, etc.  Some people put more kids in the last row of the car and take a seat out of the middle.  No thanks.  I like the extra space in the very back and the ability to flip down half of the third row if necessary.  So I knew I wanted 2 kids in the middle and the third in the rear.  These are things you have to think about. 

 

Some friends needed the 8th seat that the Honda offers.  Not necessary for us.  Again, more you have to consider.

 

How many kids will be in it? How many car seats? How many extra riders? How often?  How much will you haul other things? Where do you want the groceries? The stroller?  How often will you take road trips? Do you have a pet you have to consider as well? 

 

Luckily I wasn't in immediate need of the minivan at the time.  I gave myself about 6 months to find one.  I searched and searched and finally found a year-old Sienna in Oklahoma City through CarMax.  Apparently a woman thought she wanted a minivan, bought it, drove it 5,000 miles and drove it back to the lot and asked for a huge SUV.  So the Sienna she hated became mine.

 

Now it's your turn...

 

What are you driving?

 

How many kids/car seats are you putting in it?

 

Why do you love it/loathe it? 

 

 

 

Summer Camps...already??

I'm not officially a SAHM yet (gotta make it through Friday!), but I'm already thinking about Summer Camps.  Yep, I said SUMMER.

 

Whether you are a working parent, a working parent with the summer off, or a SAHM, you know that summer will be here before we know it and kids need to be out of our hair, bribed to leave us alone, entertained kept busy with educational activities. 

 

Soon (maybe after one more big snow), this is the scene we will all be looking forward to...fun in the sun again! 

 

 

 

 

I just received an email from our local county parks advertising Summer Day Camps.  Registration started TODAY.  So being the planner that I am, I immediately started to panic.  I thought I had a bit longer to ponder filling the weeks of summer.  But these camps sound fun!  Pony Camp?  Are you kidding me?  My cowgirls would LOVE it.

 

So my question to all of you is...how do your kids spend the summer?

 

Are you the sole provider of entertainment?

 

Does your daycare have a summer program?

 

Do you have a sitter?

 

Do you belong to a pool? 

 

Do you take turns with other SAHMs to provide activities/ideas?

 

Do your kids attend summer camps?  If so, which ones?