Quarantine Homeschool Routine and Homemade Butter
Last month, if you would have told me we would be on a state lockdown with stay in place orders due to a pandemic I would have said you’ve been watching too much Walking Dead. I’d suggest you take a little break from the post-apocalyptic tv show binging. I never would have guessed this could all be real.
But here we are.
Day who knows what of quarantine...
Most days I wear the same sweatpants from the day before promising I’ll actually pull myself together and get dressed... only it rarely happens. My husband knows what this hot mess express looks like, bags and all. He’s already stuck with me so what’s the point of actual pants? Sweats will do in a pandemic.
My husband and I attempt to work from home with three rowdy boys and an almost 2 month old baby who’s decided she rules the house. Oh did I mention we’re supposed to be teaching our kids now too...
I send my kids to public school because I know I can’t hack it as a homeschool mom!
I tried. I blew it. I happily sent them to their school each day knowing full well teachers are my hero! Now it’s all on me. I have to entertain the kids, teach them so they don’t lose it all, and remind them they aren’t wild animals. I mean come on... is it that hard to throw the freaking granola bar wrappers away when you’re done???
After about a week of no routine I finally bought workbooks for all the kids. I thought letting them hack the summer routine now would be fine. Then I remembered that we’re rarely home in the summer. “Summer routine” while stuck at home was terrible. The worst. I decided homeschooling it was. The workbooks have worked out surprisingly well. It’s mainly review for the kids so they don’t complain about getting it done each day. We set a 30 minute timer and they get through with as many pages as they can. If they do their best work they get a sticker and damn do they want those stickers. I’ve decided I want my own sticker reward each day. If I make it until 5 without a glass of wine I get a sticker!
Once the workbooks are done it’s chore time. I write the kids chores on the fridge with a dry erase marker. Each kid has their own list they are in charge of. The lists have the basic things like get dressed, brush teeth, make your bed. They also have the kids weekly room assignment. We used to give the kids a single chore to get done each day, but that seem too easy. Now each kid is assigned a room during the week. They are responsible for keeping that room tidy. For example one kid gets the kitchen. That means they have to unload the dishwasher, sweep the floor, and wipe down the counters. They each have to tidy up their room about 1 to 2 times a day. We are a little looser with the kitchen over something like the dining room, but it works out really well. Obviously no kid wants the kitchen and they are so excited at the end of the week when it goes on to the next brother!
Read more about our chore lists here
Typically during this time, I am in my office on work phone calls or trying to get my list done. My schedule is pretty flexible for work, so I try to get everything done in the mornings. That way I’m not scrambling throughout the day trying to check off my to do list. Some days this works out really nicely. Other days I’m having zoom calls while rocking a baby and texting my children threats for the next one who knocks on my door or passes a note under the door asking to play video games. Somehow I’ve become less scary to them. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. Apparently they’ve learned all my threats are useless and I won’t follow through. One day I really will kick them out of the house and make them live off the land…
If my kids haven’t killed each other by this point, I send them outside for a little bit while I get my third or fourth glass of iced coffee. I feed the baby and make sure she’s all good to go and then call the kids back in to start reading. Our family absolutely loves reading. My oldest son is in second grade, but reads at a third-grade level. This by no means has anything to do with my parenting skills, it’s all him. He straight up loves to read and devours all books. My first grade son has followed in his brothers footsteps. He is a first grader reading at almost a second grade level!
I will admit, my husband and I are ridiculously proud that our kids love to read so much. As everything in the world seems to be upside down right now, one thing we try to do every day regardless of anything that’s happened is read together. Sometimes the kids go up to my husbands office and will read on his couch. Sometimes they hang upside down the couch, reading to themselves. Since they've been home from school we started reading together while curled up on the couch. The kids pass around Emelia like a little doll while I read to them. We decided to start a new book and while looking around I found my prized possession. I found a copy of Little House on the Prairie and our bookshelves.
Growing up I used to be obsessed with this book series. I was so obsessed that I even started waking up at 5:30, before the bus picked me up to watch it on Nick at Night. Let’s take a second to remember Nick at Night. Hands up if used to stay up as late as you could or wake up as early as you could to watch it! It used to be a badge of honor between my brother and I and who could stay up until 10 when Nick At Nite would come on.
I wasn’t sure what the kids would think, but they have already become obsessed. They love hearing about living off the land, hunting, and what it was like for the Ingles to live on the Prairie. We even got my husband in on the action. All five of us eagerly listen to each new chapter and talk about everything afterwards!
One of my friends saw how into the series we started getting and shared an activity to make her own butter. We just talked about it in the book and I knew the kids would love it. Plus if Ma can till the fields while Pa is injured in bed or make clothes for the entire family I can make some freaking butter with the kids!
Check out the recipe below! It was so easy! We modified it a bit and the kids danced around the house shaking up their little jars until they had butter! They couldn’t believe they made butter with their own two hands! We even made banana bread so they could try out their butter!
I loved seeing the kids do this activity because it brought the book to life for them. Like you all know, I’m truly far from a homeschool mom. My homeschool mom friends are hero’s in my eyes! If I can do this project with the kids, you can too!
ALSO, if you haven’t read The Little House On The Prairie series, now is the time! You can even buy the whole series on Apple TV for under $20. The first two episodes are slow but then it gets going.
[amd-yrecipe-recipe:47]
Cinnamon Ornaments Recipe
Christmas isn't complete without adorable handmade cinnamon ornaments. Add in adorable little helpers and some cinnamon and you've got a party!
Christmas Eve Traditions
Growing up, Christmas Eve was one of the most special nights of the year. My family would all go to my grandparents house and my grandma would spoil us all rotten with delicious food and amazing company. It was the evening we all looked forward to all year long.I always knew I wanted to carry on my grandmother's holiday traditions with my own family.I wanted them to see when they were so special to all of us growing up and to be able to start a few of our own. One tradition they love is decorating ornaments on Christmas Eve.As a little girl I always knew it was Christmas Eve by the smell of cinnamon. My grandmother's kitchen would be filled with the smell of cinnamon and she baked our ornaments. I don't know if she knew just how much I loved waiting at the table for them to be done. I loved watching her mix the ingredients together, roll out the dough, and then eagerly wait for them to be done.When they cooled we would all take turns decorating them. Parents sat down with their kids and wrestled over the best ones. When they finished, they would write their names and the year on their ornament, and put it on the tree.You could look at any of our Christmas trees and see dozens of ornaments from over the years. They fill our homes with the smell of cinnamon and remind us of how much fun we had making them.
Cinnamon Ornaments Recipe
Ingredients:
1 C Cinnamon1 C ApplesauceString*Optional* Glitter
Directions:
Pre-heat your oven to 250 degrees.Combine the cinnamon and applesauce in a small bowl.When your ingredients are completely mixed together, sprinkle cinnamon on a cutting board and roll out your dough. Your dough should be about 1/2 inch thick.Pick out a few of your favorite cookies cutters and cut out your ornaments. Be sure to poke a hole at the top so you can attach string to it later. Lay down a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and spread out your ornaments.Cook your ornaments for 2-3 hours until they're hard. Or you can leave then out overnight until they dry completely.Now they're ready for decorating!
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
First Pregnancy Verses Fourth Pregnancy!
I’ve been around the block before with this whole pregnancy thing. As most of you know, this is my fourth pregnancy. It’s my fourth time dealing with morning sickness, fourth time feeling the baby kick, fourth time feeling exhausted, and fourth time having no clue what I am doing…Granted, I will say I find myself looking things up on Google a little less. But let’s be honest. Mama to mama, we all Google the sh*t out of stuff. You start feeling the baby kick a lot more – you look up while you’re baby is moving so much. You feel like your baby isn't kicking as much as normal – you Google why your baby isn’t moving as much. You start craving sweet things – you start googling if it means you’re having a boy.Google is the guidebook for all things, and we all know it. Even fourth time mamas. I still can't believe how different this pregnancy is the fourth time around. I knew it would be different because it’s been a little while. My youngest will officially be five years older when his baby sister is born. Five years doesn’t seem like very long, but apparently, my body thinks otherwise.I can’t tell if this pregnancy is in a league of its own because I’m having a girl for the first time or because I’m officially in my 30s. According to my son, "Mom, you're not a young chick anymore." Let me tell you, this pregnancy is kicking my tail. I feel the same way now at 20 weeks that I did at the end of all three of my other pregnancies. @#$#
Let’s take a second and talk about the new things that have come along with this pregnancy.
First of all, it started off completely different.
I had always had a touch of morning sickness, but nothing could have prepared me for the level of morning sickness I would have with this baby girl. I even lost 7 pounds in my first trimester because I was so sick. Thankfully the morning sickness calms down after the first trimester. I still have bouts of it if I’m not careful and don’t eat or drink enough, but it’s much easier to maintain now.
You start showing like week two!
I have always showed pretty early, but the more pregnancies I've had, the crazier it got! I'm 20 weeks pregnant and people are shocked when I tell them how long I still have to go. First of all, thanks... I hate the shocked look! Makes me want to smack them upside their surprised little head! I haven't gained an insane amount yet, but it just pops out! I guess my body really knows what it's doing!
Everything hurts.
Round ligament pain. What the heck is that? I have never experienced this pain, but my stomach feels like it’s going to burst at any moment. I know it’s truly growing all the time, so why wouldn’t I experience some discomfort, but I have never noticed how uncomfortable it is to become a humongous pregnant woman.Then there’s also the super fun tailbone pain. I look like an idiot sitting as far on my side as possible because I don’t want any contact with a chair in my tailbone. Even my couch at home drives my tailbone crazy.
If you've had more than one pregnancy, you also notice that you tend to put things off more and more.
When I was pregnant with my first son, I couldn't wait to buy everything, get the room ready, and make sure everything was 100% ready for that baby to get here. The second pregnancy and on is a different story. Instead of worrying about getting it done as fast as possible, you put it off until the last moment. I know I’m only 20 weeks, but I just now got my very first baby items. I’m sure I will go crazy because it’s my very first girl and who doesn’t to buy all the adorable girl things at Target… I’m pretty sure everything else is going to have to wait, though. I think you just get so busy with your life and the kids you currently have, that you know everything else can get done when it needs to.Do you want to know what I’m looking forward to probably the most? Obviously, next to meeting my baby girl for the first time…
I can’t wait to spend time in the hospital.
I know some of you have your babies at home and some at hospitals. I think their are amazing benefits to both! In the past, I usually hated being in the hospital. I got out of the hospital as soon as I could to come home and rest in my own house; however, it’s starting to look like a vacation to me now. Going to a hospital without laundry, dishes, mediating three boys, and making dinner… I think I’ll take a hospital suit for all that. Actually, that’s a lie. I’ve never done the whole hospital food thing. I send my husband out 1 million times to fetch coffee and all the takeout my heart could desire.On top of all the new changes this pregnancy has brought with it, there’s also a new very special thing I’m able to do this around. My kids are very close together. They are all about two years apart. Which means they’ve all been too young to understand what it meant when I was pregnant truly. They understood a little bit so they could feel the baby kick, but that was it.
My kids understand I’m pregnant.
They all understand the fact that I am carrying their baby sister, and they can't wait to meet her. My youngest Lucas is a little on the fence on this whole thing, but he’s warming up to it every day. Every day the boys come up to me, rub my belly, and talk to their baby sister. They've even been telling me all the things I have to do when she’s born. They told me I need to make a bottle for them so they can feed her at least once a night so I can sleep and are currently in negotiations over changing it for us. I think I can win them over with a little bribery, but they aren’t so sure. Needless to say, this pregnancy is a whole different beast. There are some parts that are similar to my other pregnancies, but in general, it’s so different. I’m really curious to hear your stories. For those of you that I’ve had more than one pregnancy, did you notice a difference? What were some of the things that were difference in your pregnancies?
Movies For The Whole Family With Diverse Characters!
My kids love a good movie! Between family Friday’s and road trips, we’re always looking for new ones!I’ve always tried to be intentional in choosing movies with diverse main characters and breaking the mold that only white kids can lead the movie. Only a white kid can save the day. Nope, me and my brown boys don’t believe that. We know kids of all ethnic backgrounds can do what they set their minds to.It may seem like a simple thing, but surrounding your kids with diverse media is crucial. It helps us to breakdown stereotypes and teaches our kids that diversity is normal. The world is made up of so many different cultures and we should celebrate this as a family every day!As my boys get older, they’re even on the hunt for diverse movies too! We’ve made a great list over the years!Here are our favorites!
Movies For The Whole Family With Diverse Characters
1. Cinderella w Brandi2. Belle3. The Greatest Showman4. Anna and the King5. Bride and Prejudice6. Bend it like Beckham
7. Pocahontas8. Annie9. A Wrinkle in Time10. Home11. The Karate Kid12. Black Panther
13. Akeelah and the Bee14. Moana15. Are We There Yet16. Dr. Dolittle17. Princess and the Frog18. Jungle Book
19. Coco20. Book of Life21. Zapped22. My Babysitters a Vampire23. Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse24. Aladdin
Don’t see your favorites here? Tell me in the comments! We’d love to check it out!
How to care for biracial skin in the summer
Are you raising biracial children? Are you looking for ways to take care of biracial skin this summer? If so, I am here to help!All three of my boys have different skin types. One of my sons has what's considered "normal skin" and my other two kids have eczema. Even amongst the two with eczema, they vary in severity. It makes it tricky to find out what works best for all of them.I have spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the best skin care products for my biracial kids. Below are a few things that have worked for all of them!
How To Care For Biracial Skin This Summer
Less is more (space out baths)
Having a son with eczema has taught me that less is more. I used to think I needed to give him a bath every day to help with his breakouts. Instead of helping, it was only making it worse.I went to our family doctor, and she told me that daily baths aren't the right move. During the summer, space out your kid's baths with soap.Chlorine in pools can be tough on kid's skin. When they're finished swimming, you can rinse them off and put lotion on right away instead of a bath.
Moisturize
Summer activities tend to dry out kid's skin very fast. Get in the routine of lathering them up with lotion every day. This can be after the pool and before bed or any other routine that works for your family.We've tried quite a few lotions for our kids. We use Eucerin every day for all three boys. It's great for all of their skin types and does a great job trapping in all of the moisture!We also have Cortizone Eczema for my oldest, who suffers from eczema. It does have a smallamount of steroids in it, so I try only to use it for breakouts. I'd rather not use steroids, but for anyone with a child who suffers from eczema knows, you do what you have to do.
Go natural where you can
In addition to all of the great lotions out there, you can also try natural remedies. If you're looking for a natural moisturizer, you can use coconut oil. I love using it because it makes my boys smell amazing!I love it because it's natural AND has antibacterial properties. Which means it's just as good for my kids with normal skin types as it is for my son with eczema! I love anything that works for all of them!
Sunscreen
One of the biggest misconceptions is biracial kids don't need sunscreen... Whether your kids have a darker complexion or not, they still need sunscreen. It protects them from harmful UV rays while they're outside playing all summer.You can grab a sunscreen stick for their face and either the spray or lotion for the rest of their body. I love using the spray because it's way faster. Not to mention, it's easier to corral three boys and spray them than to wipe them all down one by one!
Troubleshooting
If your child is still dealing with skin issues after trying all of these tips, here are a few troubleshooting options.
Oatmeal Bath
If my son's skin gets too aggravated, I will blend up oatmeal to a fine powder. Then we sprinkle it into his bath. It's very mellow and soothing for skin.
Avoid Scented Soaps
When dealing with skin issues, it's best to avoid scented anything, especially soaps. Try to use unscented or even Johnson and Johnson's baby soap.
Diet
Oftentimes, diet can also be a source is skin irritation. Take a look at what your child is eating, and you can attempt to eliminate things like dairy for 30 days and see if it helps. Dairy was a trigger for my son.
Consult Your Family Doctor
The most important thing to do if your child is having skin issues is to consult their doctor. They may recommend the same things as above, or they may provide a stronger lotion/ointment.How do you care for your biracial child's skin all summer?
Hacks To Save Money This Summer With The Kids
Well, guys, we did it. Another school year and another start to a new summer. The feelings are everywhere. Some of us are super excited to be done with early morning, and others of us are terrified trying to figure out how we’re gonna make it through the whole summer.I’m here to help. I’m still new to the summer break game as my kids are pretty young. However, I’ve learned a few things over the last few years that have made my summers way better. Today I’m gonna tell you a few hacks our family uses to save money during the summer and still have a blast doing it.I’ll give you one hint to start out with… Keep it simple. I think as parents, we tend to over complicate things. We think we have to make up these big extravagant plans for the whole family to keep them busy during the summer. The thing is they just wanna have fun. They don’t care if you spent hundreds of dollars on some big vacation or take a day trip to your local beach.Think through one big thing to do with the kids, A handful of medium-sized things, and a ton of free things. Then you can take some time to think through what you’re going to do and when you’ll do it.You can do this. You can make it through an entire summer and save money, earning extra cool points with your kids because they’ll have a blast, and you will be stress-free… OK, maybe not be stress-free, but it’s more stress-free than you were last summer.
Get Water For The Kids
During the summer, this mama gets a little tired. I love to go out and grab an iced coffee on my way out to the park with the kids. The problem is everyone wants something as well. That could end up being about five bucks a kid. No thanks. Instead, I get the kids a grande water and have a little lemonade squeeze containers. All you need to do is put a couple squeezes into bigger water, and voilà, you have a minute. That right there saves me $15.Keep your freezer stocked: how many times do you have to hear from the kids, “I’m hungry. Can we stop for a snack?” Doesn’t matter if they just ate lunch or just snacking on tons of food, those kids are going to get hungry the second you leave the door. This is why I stock my freezer with sandwiches. On the way out the door at the kids just need to grab a sandwich on the go.About once or twice a week take an hour and whip up as many peanut butter and jelly or lunch meat and cheese sandwiches that you can. Put them each in a small sandwich baggie and pop it in the freezer. I like to keep mine on the top shelf of our freezer because my kids know right where to look for them.
Make a snack box
This one is very similar to freeze. Kids are constantly hungry and love to question you all day long on what they can have to eat. It ends up driving me completely bonkers. Instead of the guessing game, my kids know exactly what they could have for snacks each day.How do we do that?I have a box in my pantry full of snacks they can have. I even put one in my fridge. If my kids get hungry and want to snack, all they have to do is take a look in one of the snack boxes. You can have rules like two fridge snacks and one pantry snack a day or anything else that meets your fancy. I like to change things up every time I fill it up. My pantry snack box has things like crackers, granola bars, pre-popped popcorn, pretzels, or homemade trail mix. My fridge snack box has things like string cheese, applesauce, different kinds of fruit, and yogurt.
Meal plan
I know I know this one is always easier said than done. In fact, I am actually the worst of us. However, I will say every time I sit down and meal plan, I end up saving a ton of money. During the summer I even cheap By purchasing some pre-made meals like lasagna or pizzas. Another favorite of mine is to make two of every meal. When I make something for dinner, I’ll make enough for that night plus enough to freeze. I learned that from The blog fun cheap or free. Jordan page is fantastic at that, and I’ve been doing my best to do that on my own as well.Take your kids to the dollar movies: most towns have summer movies going on. They can range anywhere from 1 to 3 dollars and trust me they are worth it. Most of the movies are ones that have been out for a while, but the kids don’t care. They get to go out with their siblings and maybe even a few friends to see a movie in the theaters. Not to mention it’s a theater full of kids so nobody there expects them to be quiet. So I may have my oldest use it Siri wants to watch everything in the movie while my younger kids are talking to each other and giggling about the movie the whole time. Guess what… No one cares. Their kids are doing the exact same things.
Schedule play dates
Most of the time, your kids will be just as happy to go out somewhere crazy as they would be to have their friends over. You can have the kids over and put on a projector movie or take them to a local Splash Pad. Kids just like the change of routine, and they miss seeing their friends like they did in school all day. Ask your kids if you people that they want to see you during the summer and make it happen. You’ll gain extra cool points, and you even get some adult time with the mamas. Then you can talk about how your kids are driving you crazy over some coffee or sangria.
What are your summer money saving hacks?
Things I'll Be Doing INSTEAD of Going Black Friday Shopping
101 Things I'll Be Doing INSTEAD of Black Friday Shopping
Black Friday. I loved hearing all the crazy stories and I was always up for a good deal. The problem was every time I would bring it up, she would roll her eyes and walk away! She never took me!I had no idea how she could sleep through one of the best days of the year.As I got older, I started hearing more stories from friends that got a little too into the Black Friday spirit. My favorite story was from one of my friends in California. She and her family would sit down on Thanksgiving and plan out their strategy for Black Friday shopping. They knew how long it would take to get to each store, how long they could stay at each spot, and what they were looking for. There was no room for spontaneity... It was serious business. They would stay up all night because the first part of their strategy was to get as close to the beginning of the line at the first store as possible.Then the doors would open, everyone would start rushing in. Her family would split up with their walkie-talkies. That's right... Walkie. Talkies. Phones weren't enough because the service could be bad and then you'd have to revert back to Phoebe, Monica, and Rachel at the wedding dress sale... with whistles and all! (Please tell me you all know this reference and watched the episode!)I mean wow. That is a determined family if you ask me... I will say they always score and land some pretty amazing deals!
Why I Can't Stand Black Friday Shopping
I love the idea of Black Friday shopping. A day that offers things you things you already wanted to buy, but couldn't afford or didn't want to spend an arm and a leg, are now yours for a FRACTION of the price. However, Black Friday shopping isn't for the faint at heart.You have to drag you a%* out of bed before the sun comes up. I'm sorry but that right now means I'm out! I already have three kids that wake me up at irrational times of the morning. I've tried for 7 years to convince my kids that they should wake up when the sun comes out.NOPE.They don't care. This is why sleep has become SACRED in my house. You don't mess with my ability to get a few extra minutes of sleep and if you do, you better be ready to face the consequences...Not even Black Friday can tempt me to lose out on sleep. I'd rather stay at home, watching cartoons with my kids, and checking out whatever online deals I can find.That leads us to our second problem. Say you're insane and have somehow decided it would be worth your time to venture out on Black Friday. You probably have a list of things you want to look out for and get pumped. You go straight to the aisle where the first item is. Only.... there are about 500 other people doing the exact same thing. They woke up just as early and have no desire to let you get your hands on that item first.Then you have a choice. You either get fired up and try to get to it first or you take your defeat like a tough chick and run to the second thing.... ONLY THE PROBLEM IS PEOPLE ARE THERE TOO!!You may get lucky and get one or two things on your list and then you camp out in the line for the next 15 hours. It moves slower than the carpool line at your kid's school and you're now stuck for the rest of the day...Is it worth it?I considered it until online deals saved me just as much. Now, I just laugh when people ask me to join them.
Things I'd Rather Do Than Go Black Friday Shopping
Sleep the entire day...
Eat all the leftover Thanksgiving food.
Make a fool of myself and play hilarious games with the family.
Think about all the crazy people out there going Black Friday shopping.
Work on my magic skills.
Watch a Bollywood movie!
Listen to my son tell me all about Fortnite...
Drink my weight in coffee.
EAT LEFTOVER PIE.
How To Feed A Big Family On A Budget
I remember finding out I was having my third little boy. We had been so excited to be pregnant again and just assumed it would be a girl. I mean statistics had to be on our side after two boys... right?My husband was out of town traveling for work and I couldn't wait for him to get back to hear the results of the ultrasound. I asked the ultrasound tech to write it on a piece of paper for me so I could FaceTime Joel and find out together.He was so excited when I called him. He couldn't wait to hear what I was about to tell him.I slowly opened the envelope, giving myself two full seconds before I could look at the paper. When I looked down, I couldn't believe what I was reading.BOY.Don't get me wrong. I would have been happy for a boy or a girl, I just couldn't believe it. I was so convinced the little baby growing inside of my belly was a boy. It hadn't even occurred to us that we could be having a boy. We even had a girl name picked out!I started to think maybe they were wrong. Maybe her little arm or foot was between her legs....Well, a few months later, I was greeted with one of the most beautiful little boys. They were right! It's funny to think back on because I can't imagine my little family any other way than it is now. I absolutely love having all boys! I love the chaos, the sword fighting, and even their wiggly nature.There is one thing, however, that everyone warned me about. It was always at the front of their minds when I told them I had three boys...
THEY'RE GOING TO EAT YOU OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME...
It was always in my mind, but they ease you into it first. When they were little, they were just little scavengers. They would see Joel and I eating, then sneak over to pick things off our plates. Then they started asking for snacks. Then they wanted seconds on meals...I've watched our grocery budget slowly get higher... and higher... and higher...Here's the deal. There's no way my kids were going to start eating less, so I knew I needed to do something. If I didn't, I was going to end up with three kids in high school and a grocery bill the size of my house payment!After enough complaining, my friends started telling me their tricks and tips for feeding their big families!
How To Feed A Big Family On A Budget
Meal plan.
Meal planning has been all the rage for years... but have you ever jumped on the bandwagon? I didn't until I started seeing our groceries fly off the pantry shelves, freezer, and fridge. Now, I'm seeing just how necessary it is.Necessary or not, meal planning can be HARD!If you don't do it right, it becomes a bigger pain in the a*$ than the grocery bill itself! This is why you need to start small. Write down a list of meals for the week. Then do your best to keep with it.I typically write ours on our fridge. Then the kids and hubby can look at it in the morning and see if it sounds good. Most of the time they start switching meals around, but it still works! The main goal behind meal planning is to use what you have at home instead of going to the store for last minute little trips. I don't know about you but those last minute trips get us every time!
------START MEAL PLANNING BY MAKING ALMOND CHICKEN CURRY ------
Buy in bulk.
Take a look around the house for a week or so and make a list of things you go through quickly. This might be paper goods, meat, bread, milk, etc. Then start buying those items in bulk at the beginning of the month.Now, rule number one when buying in bulk is to stick with things you KNOW you go through fast. Otherwise, you'll become a mild hoarder and have an endless trove of mustard and cheese instead of what you really need.We get most of our bulk items from Costco. It tends to be cheaper than anywhere else and the quality is great. You can also price check to other stores like Walmart and see which ones are cheaper.
Make freezer meals.
One of my favorite tricks in our house it to make a double batch for dinner. I make one for the day of and another portion to throw in a tin foil pan to keep for later. You're already going through the work of making one so why not throw in a few more ingredients to make more.These are amazing for busy school nights or end of the paycheck nights! It helps make your groceries last and takes some of the extra work out of it.
-----START PREPARING FREEZER MEALS AND MAKE PAV BHAJI-----
Prepare your own individual school snacks.
There was a brief time in my kid's life where I completely got rid of snacks. I was over this routine of spending hours in the kitchen making dinner and then being greeted with kids who weren't hungry.Over. It.Then I went "overboard mom" and got rid of all the snacks in the house. I decided it was better for the kids not to have them and eat all of their meals. The problem was we started sports and school. Snacks became a necessity once again.The problem with kid's snacks are they're freaking expensive! They make us believe pre-portioned snacks are worth the extra cost. Nope. We started buying snacks in bulk and them splitting them up into little snack bags ourselves. Way cheaper!
Shop online when you can.
I'm not sure if your kids are like mine, but the second they walk into a grocery store the "I want's" and the "Can't I have's" start up! They don't stop until they decide to give up the demands for the whining.All of this went away when I discovered online grocery! More and more grocery stores are offering the ability to order your groceries online and either pick up in front of the store or have them deliver it to you.Watch out for the hidden prices and fees. Some places offer it for free and others charge a pretty hefty price. Walmart grocery online pick up is free, but they charge for delivery. Costco offers a free delivery service through Insta-cart which is heavenly!Look around and see what your local grocery stores offer.
Get organized.
As you buy in bulk, you can start to lose track of what you have. Do your best to keep your freezer, fridge, and pantry organized. You can develop a system so you know where to look as well as clean it out often.I like to keep a freezer list. If you have a deep freezer like we do, it's hard to know what's at the very bottom. Keep an up to date list to help you figure out the best meal plan.
DON'T SHOP HUNGRY.
Last, but not least... This is the most important rule of all. Do not ever go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. You'll end up coming home with french bread, cinnamon toast crunch, donuts, and ice cream.While it might be nice the night you get home, shopping hungry always ends badly. Eat a big meal, make your meal plan, and then go shopping. This way you stick to your budget and your bank will thank you!
How do you keep up with your big family and keep costs down?
How To Keep Up With Your Family's Laundry
Laundry...
Laundry has been my least favorite chore around the house since I was in high school. I would do anything to get out of doing it, but somehow my mom always made it MY chore.Now, I have three kids, one husband, and two dogs... this means I have A LOT of laundry to do each week. I always had great intentions to get it done right as I took it out of the dryer, but life would happen and it would end up tossed onto a couch or into my black hole of a closet.My whole family knew about the black hole in the closet. If they needed more clean clothes, they would begrudgingly walk to the closet. They knew they had a HUGE pile of clothes to look through and tried to do it quickly.I'd love to say it only lasted for a week, but... it was much longer than that. It was the one chore I just couldn't keep up with!Some weeks were better than others, but overall it was just overwhelming.Then this summer happened. I decided enough was enough and I wanted to get a handle on laundry. If I can become an EX LAUNDRY PROCRASTINATOR then you can too!
If you're trying to keep up with laundry for your whole family, follow these simple steps.
Purge!
Get rid of it all! Okay, maybe not all the clothes, but get skim down for everyone. Do your kids really need 20 shirts? Nope. Go through and get rid of clothes with stains, clothes they don't wear, and then throw a few more in the bag.
Put clothes in storage.
Separate all your clothes into seasons. Only keep out the clothes your kids are actually wearing all the time. Then you can put the rest in a plastic tub and store it for later.
Create a laundry system.
Find a system to make it all easier. I ordered a laundry hamper that separates all my laundry. I separate whites, my and my husband's darks, towels, my kid's darks, and bedding. This helps me to keep up with it all and actually wash everything.
Teach the kids to fold their own laundry.
As clothes come out of the dryer I like to separate them for my kids. I put each kid's pile on their bed. Then they get to take care of it. Depending on their age they can fold, hang up, or simply put in their drawer. It gives them a sense of independence and also helps momma out!
Do laundry the same day every week.
Create a schedule for yourself. Whether it be towels on Monday, kid's clothes on Wednesday... Find a routine that works out well for you and be consistent. Put it on your fridge or in your phone. Just do it.
Don't wait.
We've all forgotten about the clothes in the washer and ended up running it again... or maybe for a third time.. Stop the cycle!*Ha. Did you catch the pun? Mom joke? It's okay still proud!*The second the washer is done, put it in the dryer, then fold it right away!
Bedtime Routine For Multiple Kids
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RAMomSolutions #CollectiveBias
I absolutely love spending time with my kids all day, but I don't think there's a mom out there who doesn't watch the clock as bedtime approaches. You either watch it because you can't wait to get a moment's peace or you know the "trauma" your bedtime routine brings about...I've been in both camps. There have been seasons where my kids HATED bedtime. They would do anything they possibly could to get out of going to sleep. The excuses would range from being constantly thirsty all the way to there's a monster in their closet. Then you deal with the crowd mentality when you have multiple kids. It's all contagious. All of your kids could be fine one moment and then losing their you know what the next. It only required one of your kids to mention the monster or how thirsty they are... Then they all start experiencing the same thing.I've even noticed that I'm able to predict how bedtime will go. I start watching them before I announce that it's bedtime and try to see how hyper they are, how sensitive they are, or just how much chaos is going on.I thought going to school would help. They were bound to be exhausted after a full day of school... Right? Wrong. It only ended up causing one kid to be exhausted while the others thought they were big enough to pull all-nighters!I end up scrambling at night trying to convince them to go to sleep, knowing full well they have to get up early the next morning...Is it possible for bedtime to actually go smoothly?YES!After about a week of craziness, I knew something needed to change. When your kids don't sleep well, you don't sleep well, and a tired momma ain't no one's friend!
Our Bedtime Tips and Routine
This bedtime routine has made a HUGE impact on how our evenings go. Our kids have learned our new routine and they even look forward to it after dinner.
Bath Time.
The first and most important part of bedtime is bathtime. I used to have my kids take a shower before school started, but it ended up taking FOREVER. Instead, we do bathtime at night because it helps them to calm down and get relaxed.Our oldest runs upstairs after dinner and starts the bath for him and his brothers. The new addition to our routine is JOHNSON'S® Calming Shampoo. I've always been a huge fan of JOHNSON’S® products for my kids because their products are made up of over 90% of naturally derived ingredients. They truly care about what we use for our kids and that matters to this momma.Not to mention it has a pump top! I don't know about you but I typically have my hands full and the new pump top makes it much easier to wash up the kids while I also play referee.
PJ's And Brush Teeth
Then my kids head over and get snuggled up in their PJ's and brush their teeth. They are obsessed with getting off the sugar bugs so I never have to beg them to brush their teeth! They even make me inspect their teeth when they're finished.
Set Out Clothes For Tomorrow
I let my kids pick out their own clothes for the next day. They love having the freedom to pick it all out and get it ready for school. Sometimes I help them find things that actually match and other times I let them live their best lives! Giving your kids little bits of freedom like this goes a long way.
Reading Lights On For The Big Kids
The big kids are allowed to read for thirty minutes while using their booklights. I don't think they've ever lasted the full thirty minutes but it also counts as the kid's school reading! That works right?
Set The Alarm
The last and final thing we do is set the alarm. The kids all take turns being able to set it and it lets them know when they can get up in the morning. Yes, I have early risers on my hands and they would get up at 4 am if I let them. I have to KEEP them in bed until 6 am. Having the alarm clock helps because they know to look at the time before they hop out in the morning.
What To Do Next
Create your own bedtime routine. Whether you use ours or start something new that fits your family well. Make it fun and stay consistent.You also need to head over to Rite Aid to pick up your own JOHNSON’S® baby products. They're our go-to stop! Everyone there is so friendly and they always make it a positive experience.Our favorites are COTTONTOUCH™ Wash & Shampoo, COTTONTOUCH™ Daily Face & Body Lotion, and JOHNSON'S® Calming Shampoo. The new Cottontouch products JOHNSON’S® has is amazing! They are specifically designed to be gentle enough on newborn skin and they don't leave a gross residue behind. I have kids with sensitive skin so that's huge for me. I need to know the products my kid are using are safe and natural.Don't forget to get your savings today! You can save $1 on any 1 JOHNSON'S® lotion, wash, or hair care item!
Episode 6: Celebrating International Adoption With Tiffany
Meet Tiffany!
Today we're chatting with Tiffany Bluhm! She is a wife, momma, Bible teacher, writer extraordinaire. I have been reading her blog and listening to her on podcasts for years now!After we recorded today's episode, we even realized our lives have collided in real life! A few years ago, my husband was at the She Speak's conference working, and Tiffany just so happened to attend. She was able to see my husband teaching at the conference and she had no idea that he was my husband until I mentioned where he worked. Not to mention, she currently lives in Seattle which is only a few hours away from where I grew up in the Pacific North West.A bit of background on Tiffany and her family... Tiffany is an East Indian women who is married to her wonderful husband. Together they are raising a beautiful multiethnic family with their two little boys. I love seeing how transparent they are as a family and it has been a huge encouragement to my family.
Today, Tiffany is sharing her family's story in adopting their little boy Jericho.
As an adopted woman herself, she had a heart for adoption. However, her and her husband had no idea how quickly they'd throw themselves into the process until it began. She knew she had to be 25 years old to adopt internationally... So what did they do? She and her husband filled out all the paperwork and sent it off on her 25th birthday!They pursued adoption in Uganda, and the process ended up taking them two years! Two years of waiting to bring their little boy home. They had originally set out to adopt two little ones, but complications prevented them from adopting one of the children.Tiffany and her husband spent four months in Uganda getting to know Jericho before they were able to bring him home. Jericho hit it off right away with his new family; however, the concept of daddy was foreign. Jericho ended up calling him uncle for a while at first because that's what he knew.One thing you need to know about Tiffany and her husband is they didn't walk into the adoption process blindly. Her background is in social justice, and she understood that adoption wasn't all rainbows and butterflies.
"Adoption is born our of loss, and there's no getting around that."
As a family, Tiffany and her husband walked alongside Jericho. They started the family mantra early on, "Family for the long haul." They wanted Jericho to know they were with him for the good and hard times.Shortly after arriving home, they put Jericho in trauma counseling. Tiffany knew how vital counseling would be for her son because he had strong memories growing up in Uganda and now creating a new home in the US.
This year the Bluhm's celebrated their 5th adoption anniversary with Jericho!
Over the last five years, they have learned what it means to be a strong family. This means talking... a lot! They talk about it all from Jericho noticing the last of diversity in books he reads to the diversity in his own family. They've walked through some difficult seasons a family, but they do it together.Tiffany says adoption has been the best decision of her entire life after marrying her husband. She knew it wouldn't always be easy, but also knew it would change her family for the better. She has grown as a person and has seen the blessing adoption has had on her life and family.Raising a multiethnic family means you will face unique challenges. Jericho is learning how to stand up against stereotypes and what he can do as a leader. He has a big heart to lead and that means he has a HUGE opportunity to make a change around him.
Challenge:
Tiffany's challenge for all of you is to research people who have been adopted and learn about them as a family. Did you know Superman was adopted!?
Head over and follow Tiffany today!
Switching From Nap Time To Quiet Time
Nap time used to be a special time in our home. It used to be my moment of sanity where I could take my first deep breath all day. Then my kids started to get older. Nap time started to change for each of them.My oldest went from a two hour nap to sitting in bed the whole time, begging to come out.My husband and I had to figure out what to do. I hoped Liam would just fall asleep, but no. Instead, his constant asking to get up would keep his brothers up. Then it hit us. Nap time had to change. The days of all three kids sleeping at the same time were over.We sat the boys down one night and told them nap times were changing and explained what they would look like.The younger two kept their nap times the same. They laid down while listening to an audible book and then could get up when it was over.
Momma Secret...
They never stayed awake until the book was done. They usually fell asleep about ten minutes in and I turned off their book when I could hear their snoring begin.The big change was for Liam. Instead of taking a nap he transitioned to quiet time.Liam lays down the same time his brothers do. Then he sets an hour timer. During quiet time he reads for 30 minutes and then he can play a video game on his iPad or keep reading until the timer goes off.Quiet time hasn't been as hard of a transition as I thought. Granted his brothers weren't thrilled about the idea, but they adjusted. Liam may be too old for a nap, but he still needs time during the day to calm down. It also gives momma sometime to herself.Are you about to transition to quiet time in your own home?
Here are a few ideas that you can start to implement with your own quiet time.
Separate your kids so your "quiet timer" can have a space to themselves. This can be on the couch, in a guest room, or even at the kitchen table. Then you can choose what their options are during quiet time.
Reading Time.
Give your kiddo a few picture books to read in bed or get them started on a new chapter book.
Coloring Books.
Have a stash of coloring books in their quiet space so they can pick one and quietly color.
Listen to a book.
Our kids love listening to books. You can get them started on a fun Podcast or let them listen to an Audible book.
Arts and Crafts.
Do you have a crafter on your hand? Get out the craft supplies and let them put their creative juices to work.
Pretend Play.
Let your kiddo play with their favorite action figures or quiet toys.What does quiet time look like in your home?
Momma's Quick Tip: How To Make Your Mornings Easier With Kids
I'm not sure about you guys, but mornings in our home can get a little Dr. Seuess... I mean kids sliding down banisters, dogs eating kid's forgotten breakfasts, half-naked kids, and exhausted parents. It gets crazy. You'd think summers would have made it a bit easier and my kids would be sleeping in.... but no. They are still waking up at the crack of dawn.This is exactly why I've tried to find a solution this summer. I have no desire for the craziness to continue into our new school year when we have even less time in the mornings. Nope.I need it better now.I did it. I found out a little trick that has been helping our mornings go much smoother! I taught my kids an independent routine in the mornings. It sounds simple enough, right?Here's what it looks like.
As soon as my kids roll out of the bed in the morning, they go to their chore charts. Here is where we got ours --> Chore Chart. Then my oldest helps everyone read the first step.
Make Beds.
The first thing they need to do is make their beds. It's one less thing to do later and it teaches them a great habit. Sometimes the little one needs help and they know everyone's beds need to be made. Instead of letting him fend for himself, they help each other.
Eat Breakfast.
I learned an amazing recipe from the Free Cheap Or Fun blogger herself. She taught her kids to make scrambled eggs in the microwave and it's a hit in our house! My oldest gets all the coffee mugs ready and makes his brothers eggs in the morning.He sprays the mug, cracks two eggs, whisks until his heart is content, and then pops it in the microwave for 1 minute and 20 seconds. Done.They love eggs so this fills their little tummies until I get up and make them pancakes or oatmeal.
Brush Teeth.
After breakfast, they all saunter upstairs to brush their teeth. Yes, I have to put that on their charts otherwise all their teeth would fall out of their little heads. They always try and skip brushing their teeth. This way they have to get it done to be done with chores for the day.
Clean Room.
It doesn't matter how often they clean their room, it's always a mess. I love having them start off their day with a clean room. I feel like it starts our day off smoothly and with the least amount of stress.By cleaning it often, it makes cleaning it up throughout the day much easier! Instead of an entire day's worth of mess, it's just a few hours.
Extra Chores.
This is the time for each kiddo to do their special chore. Some of these chores change each week to keep it exciting. Yes, my kids are still at the point that they're excited about chores and I plan to live it up as long as humanly possible.If you're trying to figure out what chores to give your kids, you can head over here for age-appropriate chore lists ---> Chore List.Once all the chores are done for the morning, my boys can watch a show. It's a great motivator because what child doesn't want to watch morning cartoons. Instead of watching it all morning, I make my kids earn it.By the time the whole house is awake and getting started for the day, we have a calm and peaceful home. I need all the peace and calm I can find with three boys. I've found by starting this routine, we've all started our day happier and there's been less fighting.The kids work together to finish up so they can watch their morning show. Obviously, some days are better than others. I simply remind them they all need to finish their chores to be done. It pushes them to encourage each other and offer to help when the little one needs a bit of a push.
What To Expect When Coming To Our Boy Filled Home
If you come over to our house be ready for.....
A full on Nerf gun battle.
You better be able to hold your own because they can smell weakness. You also have to have eyes in the back of your head so you can see when they switch out the nice nerf bullets for sharp and hard items. True story.
The kids to take it to far.
If you give in and play with our kids be ready for them to take it to far or never want to stop. You’re working them up so you better expect it! Be the boss and find your voice when you’re done.
Non stop snacking.
Little boys are never full. They snack all day long and it only gets worse as they get bigger. Even if you come to our house for dinner, you're going to see our kids eat fist, second, and third dinner. All little boys have an inner hobbit that they have to feed.
Huge imaginations.
There isn't anything like a little boy's imagination. It's never ending and it can take you to places you never imagined. You will get to see our kids turning their forks into planes, their bedrooms into lava filled caves, and the couch into a boat that's taking them to safety. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
A lot of noise.
It’s never quiet in our home. Our kids have one voice inside and outside. We remind them about five dozen times a day but even their whispers are freaking loud. If it does get quiet you better run because they’re getting into something!
Bathroom mysteries.
Okay, it's not really a mystery. Boys simply don't flush. It doesn't matter that I've asked them hundreds of times. It doesn't matter that it's disgusting. They're simply in such a hurry that they "don't have time" to flush the toilet when they're finished using it.
Best friends.
Our kids don’t just like having people over. They love it. If you play your cards right you’ll become auntie and uncle status before you know it and they’ll become your little buddy. They’ll have your back forever and never forget all the times you played with them.
To sum it up, you will never get bored when you come to our house...
Episode 2: Becky's Global Journey
The Almost Indian Family | Episode 2: Becky's Global Journey
Today, we're chatting with Becky from Kid World Citizen. She is a Spanish teacher turned world traveler with her multiethnic family. She and her family travel the world, learning about new cultures. She also helps teachers and parents who want to teach their own families about the world around them.Becky's love for the world comes across the entire episode as she shares how her family has been able to blend four cultures into one unique family. She jokes that her family has been called the United Nations family and I can definitely see why! She's answering your questions on adoption and world travel, sharing a glimpse into their big move to Mexico, and all the funny stories in between.Challenge: Make a family calendar with all of the cultural traditions that your family wants to do throughout the year. Don't forget to tag #TheAlmostIndianFamily as you take on the challenge! Becky and I can't wait to see what traditions your family chooses!
Follow Becky along on her journey by heading over to her blog and social media channels.
Blog/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram
Links Mentioned:
The Stage Of Motherhood We're Never Ready For
Okay, you guys true story I either need a new puppy or a baby.
It’s as simple as that. I’m ready for something because all I keep seeing in my Instagram feed our babies. So many freaking babies and all I want right now is to hold one and snuggle one and have one. The problem is I have a Husband. He doesn’t seem to think an Instagram feed full of itty bitty teeny tiny babies is a reason for one more child. Okay, maybe it’s the fact that he woke up to my three-year-old peeing in the garage and our five-year-old got threatened to get kicked out of gym childcare today?But you guys come on.
I’m going to chalk that up to a day full of mischievous little antics that remind me I’m a boy mom.
Okay, maybe I really don’t want any other things to add to my life right now. Maybe, I’m just going off to you guys so that I can somehow have reality come back into my mind and remind me that I am happy to be out of diapers for my kids and be able to sleep through the night.My husband and I are entering into a new phase of parenting. This is probably the real reason I’ve been thinking so much of having another baby lately.
This is my last year with my babies home in the morning.
This year my oldest son was the only one in school, and my other two babies got to stay home with mama all day long. Next year my five-year-old enters kindergarten and my baby will start going to preschool. Excuse me while I hide under my covers and cry my eyes out asking myself where my babies went.When I walk down the street with my boys, I always have one of them by the hand. It's usually Lukey Bear, my youngest. He always loved holding my hand. He'd look for it every time we went out together. Today, I noticed I was holding him by the wrist. It was the only way to hold onto him because he was trying to run off and walk with his big brothers.
Then it hit me.
He's becoming a big kid. They are becoming boys. They are no longer little toddlers and babies, but now they're boys. We are starting to go through countless pairs of jeans due to torn up knees. I’m realizing that I can’t get through one week with one grocery trip anymore. Instead, I have to constantly run to the store to feed these three endless bellies. They want to have grown-up conversations with me where they talk about their dreams for the future. They’re all about what school to their friends. They would just about anything if they thought their friends would like it.
I don’t know how all of you mothers out there have done this before me.
When I look at these boys, I always see our babies in their eyes. I remember the moment I first looked into their beautiful brown eyes. I remember rocking them to sleep countless nights. I remember nursing them in the middle of the night.Part of me is sad.
Part of me looks at them with tears in my eyes and wonders how it all went by so fast.
I remember people used to tell me to hold onto every single moment. They told me not to blink in fear of missing out on what was before me.I have to be honest. There’ve been so many times in motherhood that I've wished for seasons to be over. I’ve prayed to God that I could simply get through to the next day, get through to the next season, or my kids would finally sleep through the night so that I could get a moment's rest.It's not all been easy.
Motherhood requires us to sacrifice a little bit of time, ourselves, and more than I realized.
I would do it over and over, time and again, because it’s all led us to this point right now. My kids are who they are because of the sacrifices my husband and I have made for them. We would do anything for our kids.Motherhood is painful.Motherhood is a blessing.Motherhood has transformed my life more than words can express.Motherhood has given me hope on the hardest days.Right now, motherhood means letting go.It means I have to watch my little boys grow up before my very eyes and let them experience new adventures. I wish I could be that crazy mom follows them everywhere they go. It wouldn’t bother me to see the looks that I got from the other mother's wondering why in the world I can’t just hold on to the alone time I've finally gotten after all this time.But I doubt my Husband would let me be that crazy mom. Instead, we’re going to hold each other’s hands as we watch our kids go off to school next year. Even now they’re talking about it, deciding on backpacks they’re going to get, talking about lunch they're going to enjoy together, and getting more excited it as every moment passes.
The moment is going to come as I drop them off to their first day next year.
They’re going to get that fear in their eyes and run to momma. They’re going to wonder if they can do it if they can survive an entire day without mom and dad by their side. You guys I have to get myself to a point emotionally where I can hug them tight, give them a big kiss, and let them know that they can do anything they set their minds to. Even though inside I'm praying I can keep it together until I get out to the car.Motherhood means making the tough choices for our kids. It means being strong even when we feel weak.I have officially turned in to that mom that comes up to you on the street and says don’t blink. Hold on to every moment with your kids because it’s going to go by in a flash. Your babies are going to turn into little boys and girls, and they’re going to take everything that you've taught them and shown them about the world and put it into action on their own.
10 Ways To Keep Your Home Clean With Dogs
*This post is sponsored by The Libman Company but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.*
As most of you heard from our fun little "adoption" story, we now have two dogs.
We are a huge pet loving family, so it's not a big surprise that we've adopted two over the years, even if I did it while my husband was away on a work trip one time...Oops.What can I say? When the kids and I saw an adorable two-pound puppy, I couldn't help but take the little princess home.My problem is now we have two large dogs to keep up with. I already have three little boys who have a passion for making messes. Now, I have five little mess makers to follow around.It's simple really.They all clean up after themselves. They never forget to tidy up. They love to keep things clea... Okay, I can't even get through that sentence. All of my boys and both dogs live to wreck my house. If anything they're a little team that follows each other around tracking dirt everywhere they go.Don't worry. I'm here to share all the tips we've learned over the years.
10 Ways To Keep Your Home Clean With Dogs
1. Clean up the accidents correctly.
Even if you can't smell it, your pet does, and they will think it's the right spot to pee or poop. One of the best ways to clean it is to sprinkle baking soda over the area and spray it with vinegar. Let it dry completely and vacuum it up.
2. Keep your dog bowl and water bowl on a rubber mat.
Dogs are notorious for making a mess when eating and drinking. By placing their bowls on a rubber mat, it makes it harder to slide around.
3. Bathe your dogs frequently.
Bathing them frequently helps reduce their pet dander, shedding, and the dog smell we all "love." This helps a lot if your family deals with allergies.
4. Regular brushing.
If you have a dog that sheds, your best bet is regular brushing. Some dogs love being brushed, but most importantly it reduces the amount of dog hair in your home.
5. Get The Right Supplies.
Buy a mop with a detachable head that you can wash. I use the Libman Freedom® Spray Mop. It's my favorite because you can fill up the canister with any cleaner you want and the mop head is detachable. After you're done cleaning with it, you can take it off and throw it in the washing machine.
6. Train your dogs to lay on one spot.
It could be a dog bed or even a blanket. Make sure you wash it regularly. It will reduce the dog smell in your home and helps them not to track any built up dirt around your home.
7. Clean your dog's paws when they come inside.
There is nothing worse than coming into your kitchen and seeing muddy dog paw prints everywhere. Wipe their paws with a wet towel or wet wipe when they come inside. It will help you avoid any messy surprises.
8. Vacuum weekly and use lint rollers.
Dog hair... It gets everywhere when you have dogs, especially if you have a long-haired dog. You can avoid leaving the house looking like you have a full layer of it on your pants with one simple chore. Vacuum daily and use a lint roller on your couch.
9. Clean up your dog's toys.
Buy toys for your dogs that can get washed. You could throw them in a sink with hot soapy water or in the washing machine for the extra dirty toys.
10. Get a cubby for all of your dog's items.
Organize your home by keeping all of your dog's toys, food, and leashes in one area of your home. Then you won't find yourself searching the house for it when you need it right away.
What do you need to do next?
Head over to your local store and buy the supplies you need today. The number one cleaning supply I have at home for my dogs is my Libman Freedom® Spray Mop. I love the fact that I can fill it up with any cleaner I want to use. I use different cleaners based on how dirty my floors are or what I'm cleaning up. The choices are endless!Not to mention, I love the ability I have to throw the green mop head straight into the washing machine after a messy day. It can hold up to at least 100 washes! I feel like it's always fresh and clean when I use it. The mop has a neck that can move around 360 degrees so you can get to the toughest spot in your house. It works great for our tile bathroom floors and even our kitchen hardwood floors!Head over to their site and find the closest retailer to you!
Three Reasons You Should Love Your Mother In Law
3 Reasons You Should Love Your Mother In Law
Oh, mother in laws.You know who they are. You fall in love with a man. Realize he’s the one. Then you meet his mother. You’re terrified because you know you have to impress her. You know you'll officially be in each other's lives forever and it needs to go well.Then you enter into a relationship full of ups and downs, bickering, laughter, and love. It’s easy to blame your mother in law for so many things, but that will change one day.I was recently at my friend's wedding and I melted during the mother-son dance. All I could think about was the fact that one day, I will have to give away three of my baby boys. Then we'll be transitioning into a new dynamic. It won’t just be my husband, little boys, and I anymore.
This is the first time I’ve thought about blending families from this perspective.
Now, I’m wondering who has it worse: the mother or daughter in law. The daughter in law is coming into a new family and has to navigate her way through a relationship with her mother in law. The mother in law has to step back and watch a new woman come into her baby boy’s life. Her relationship with her son changes and she has to navigate her way through both relationships.It’s easy to look at this stage in life and blame the mother in law for everything that goes sideways. That all changes the moment you look into your little boy’s eyes and he asks you if you will marry you one day.
Then you realize you will be the mother in law one day.
After my little three year old proposed to me, I had to explain to him he will fall in love with a girl one day and marry her. Do you know what he told me? He said I love you, mama, can I marry you?Yes. Yes, you can.Here are a few reasons you should remember how great your mother in law is...
She raised the man you fell in love with.
This woman raised the man you love. She taught him his first words, how to read, how to boil a pan of water, how to speak to women, and how to be a respectful man.
She handled all of the difficult years so you could reap the benefits.
She dealt with the endless teething nights, temper tantrum toddlerhood, and rebellious teenager years. Her consistency and hard work paved the way so you could have the sweet and gentle man he is today.
She trained him to treat you like a queen.
It’s because of her that he treats you so well. She taught him how to treat women by being a good example. He loved her and she taught him how to show her love by respecting her, loving her, and taking care of her.This woman is the reason you have this man you love. Take a second to realize how blessed you are to have your mother in law. You wouldn’t be where you are without her.
Share one story about you and your mother in law!
What It Means To Be An Anna In Our Multiracial Family
What It Means To Be An Anna In Our Multiracial Family
As a little girl, I always knew I wanted to have a big family. I loved having my brother with me growing up. We did everything together. We built forts together, we had epic movie nights on the weekends, we stood up for each other, and we always knew we weren't alone. We always had someone there to look out for us.Even if that meant I yelled at dumb kids on the bus when they decided to pick on my little brother. He was my little brother and I wasn't about to let anyone mess with him.
Along with all the good times, we had plenty of knock out, drag out fights. We were siblings, what else do you expect.
I loved my little brother, but as we got older it wasn't just fun. I had responsibilities as his big sister. I HAD to be there for him all the time. I HAD to look out for him to make sure he wasn't dumb enough to swallow a penny (which in fact he was dumb enough to do and did).Older siblings carry a lot of weight on their shoulders. You can ask any older sibling how it was growing up with little siblings and you'll instantly hear grumbling.It's one of many reasons my husband and I got along so well. We were both the oldest kids and knew exactly what the other one went through.
When we had our second son, we looked at our oldest with excitement and a bit of pity. We knew the road he was about to embark on.
In our multiracial family, we have raised our kids to understand what it means to be an anna. An anna is an older brother and it also carries a different meaning in our almost Indian family. It's a badge of honor for older brothers. It means it's not their responsibility to help raise their little brothers. They have to look out for them as they're little and even as they venture out into the real world as adults.Our oldest son, Liam became an anna when his little brother was born. Then Levi became an anna when Lukey was born.Their dad and I do everything we can to teach them how important this role is in each other's lives. It's not a burden like it feels like at times. It's a special bond they will always have with each other.
It doesn't matter where life takes them around the globe, they will always have each other.
The three amigos. They will always be partners in crime and I can't tell you how happy that makes me.It's not an easy road as an anna. It's hard. The weight is heavy, but the best part is they can all carry it together. Even as the little brother, they can look out for their anna. They can all be there when one of them needs help. They can all be there to love on each other. They can all push each other to be the best they can be.I know they'll even be there to cover each other's backs when one of them decides to be dumb. Even though I'll give them the mommy look of death when I catch them in the act (I'll secretly be smiling as I see what a strong unit they've become).
Being an anna isn't easy, but it's one of the most special things they'll have in their lives.
Finding Balance In Motherhood
Finding Balance In Motherhood
As I sit here after a long week, looking at my unfolded clothes, dirty dishes in the sink, unkept yard, and glass full of wine... I realize this week was anything but balanced.I've added a few new things to my plate and while it's not a crazy change, it's been just enough to send my routine into a full tailspin. The routine that once felt like it worked so well simply doesn't anymore.Isn't that just life though? You feel like things start to work well and then life throws you a few more plates to balance.
The more I talk about my lack of balance in life, the more you all start to stand up and say ME TOO! It truly does help to know we're not alone.
I used to look at my mom and think wow she has it all under control. She knows everything. She can handle it all.Now that I'm a mom, I realize that was anything from the truth. She just knew how to take it as it came at her. Then when we went to bed, she called her girlfriends crying that she had no idea what she was doing!Most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing.I call my girlfriends and go on and on about how completely out of control I feel. I know what my life should look like, but it never looks that way. I want things to run smoothly, I want my kids to flush the toilet when they're done, I want mornings to be easy, I want to finally follow my budget, I want to get along with my husband all the time, and I want to look flawless every day.The reality is the only thing on point every single day is the kid's bedtime. Which really just means, I make sure they go to bed at the same time EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I mean come on. I have three rowdy boys and momma likes her alone time at night. (Can I get an amen!?)
Why do we as moms constantly pressure ourselves to be perfect even though we've seen it never works?
In my mind, if I do things well enough I'll find this perfect balance. I'll look at my life and see that I have set the perfect routine, parented my kids perfectly, and run my house without a hitch.Well, guess what. IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. Listen to me carefully. There's no magic moment where everything comes together perfectly.
The magic comes when we realize perfection is unattainable and loving ourselves and our family needs to be the biggest priority.
If you want your life to be more balanced, you need to start by loving your family more. Your kids won't look back at their childhood and remember the perfect school year they had. Nope. They're going to remember the raw, messy, unplanned moments.Those are the times that will mean the most to them.Those are the moments that will come to your mind when you look back at your kids being little.I promise you if you just let go, life will become much better. If you stop trying to make perfect moments, you will stumble upon life-changing memories with your family.The truth is a balanced life doesn't look like a perfectly run household. It looks like a family that knows where their priorities are and puts the well being of their family above perfection.
Let it go, momma.
Stop trying to be the perfect mom you think your kids need and be the mom truly you are. The mom whos kids see right past her messy top bun and sees the woman who holds everything together in their little lives.