20+ Things You Can Do For Mom This Mother's Day
20+ Things To Do With Mom On Mother's Day
Mother's Day is the day momma long for every year. It's the day we can get away with as many hugs and kisses from our kids as we want, we get spoiled, and we get a break.I'm going to tell you a little secret today. You may go out of your way to find the most elaborate and special gift you can find, but it doesn't have to be hard. All we want is to put our feet up for a bit and have some fun!Here are a few ways you can spoil your mom this Mother's Day!
Write her a letter
Write her a letter telling her how much you love her. You will always be her little baby and those little letters will mean the world to her.
Draw her a picture
Maybe you're a little too young to write a letter. No worries, you can draw momma a picture!
Make her breakfast
You may think a big and elaborate breakfast is what she wants, but breakfast in bed is the answer. She doesn't even have to put her make up on! She simply has to roll over and enjoy a delicious breakfast in bed.
Record a video
Take some time to record a video and let her know how much you love her. You can even throw in a few of your favorite memories.
Rub her feet
Pamper you momma. She spend her whole day taking care of everyone and today is her day. Have her sit down, relax, and rub her feet.
Clean the house
Cleaning is the absolute LAST thing your mom wants to do today. While she sits down, clean up the house.
Take her out on a family adventure
Take her out for a fun adventure. It could be a hike or even a movie she's been dying to see.
Do a game night
Turn off the TV and bring out the board games. Sometimes mom just wants to spend some good quality time with her family and game night is just the way for it to happen.
Send momma away for the weekend
Be an over achiever and schedule a weekend getaway for momma. You can work it out with one of her friends and send her away for a spa getaway.
Pamper momma
Don't stop at rubbing her feet, pamper her all day. You can play with her hair, scratch her back, and even bring her snacks when ever she wants!
Surprise her with a fun day out
Surprise her with a fun day out and about. Momma spends so much of her time in the house or doing things for the family. Take her out for an entire day and let her choose everything!
Look at old pictures with momma
Take out the photo albums and go down memory lane.
Put on a skit
Spend some time practicing to put on a funny skit for mom.
Let her use the bathroom alone
Trust me. If she has little kids, SHE NEEDS THIS.
Go grocery shopping
Find her grocery list and go grocery shopping for her. Get the brands she normally gets, if you remember. This is the gift that will keep giving back all week!
Put all the electronics away
Put all of the electronics away on her day. She just wants to spend time with you and talking to you while you're on your phone isn't the same thing. I'm talking to you dads!
Let her hug and kiss you as much as she wants to
As kids get older, you may not want as many hugs and kisses all day. Let her indulge today. Come on, she's your mom!
Buy her a fun class
Does she have a hobby she enjoys? Buy her a class to have more fun with it!
Book her a mani/pedi
Send her out to get a mani/pedi. They're so relaxing and will make her feel great.
LET HER SLEEP
This is the absolute best gift you can get mom. Let the woman sleep! She's been deprived ever since she started her motherhood journey and today is the day to let her sleep as long as she wants!
How will you spoil your mom this Mother's Day?
I Can Finally Breathe Again
Have you ever had a moment where you realize you've been holding your breath for a long time?
A moment where you finally take a deep breath and realize things are ok? This is exactly how I felt this month, let me tell you why.My family and I are coming out of a rough season. Our youngest has been dealing with febrile seizures and it's caused us to put a lot of things on hold. It was something we needed to do.If he got sick, we would cancel all of our plans and simply stay home.If he got sick, my husband and I knew we were in for a long night of waking up every 3 hours to give him Motrin.If he got sick, we had to check his temperature every 30 minutes to make sure he wasn't spiking a fever.It became our routine. We knew what we needed to do and the moment he got sick, we'd go on autopilot. It went on like this for the last year. I didn't even realize how exhausted I was until earlier this month.We went into my son's neurologist and she said she wanted to get more tests done. She wanted to see if he was indeed dealing with febrile seizures or if it was something more. Waiting for those results were the longest few days in my life. The morning finally came and we went in to hear the results.She walked into the room and told us everything came back normal and it was indeed febrile seizures. This was the answer we were hoping and praying for because it means he'll grow out of them!
In that moment, I let out a deep breath.
What I didn't realize was that I'd been holding my breath for months. I was so scared to actually let myself breath. I didn't know when the next seizure would come... I didn't know when I would finally hit my breaking point...This year has been hard on our family, but we didn't let it ruin our year. When Luke was sick, we'd stay have to stay home all day, and we'd turn it into an adventure. We'd turn our living room upside down and we'd build the biggest fort we could.When Luke would have to stay at the hospital, family and friends would come and make sure the other kids had a little mini vacation.
Life happens.
Things don't always go as planned and that's ok. This year was incredibly stressful. No one wants to see their baby go through something they can't stop. No one wants to see that look on their baby's face post-seizure and know how scared they are.The reality is we could have taken everything that we experienced this year and let it ruin us or we could take it and grow as a family. We chose to grow. We chose to teach our kids how to respond to life when it gets hard.We learned how to depend on each other as a family. We learned how to make the best of an awful situation. We learned how to laugh even when all you want to do is cry.Now, we've learned to celebrate as a family.
7 Things Kids Shouldn't Expect On Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a treasured day for moms. It's not just special because of the adorable handmade gifts and flowers they get... No, it's much more that that. It's special because it means...The. Whole. Day. Is.About.Them. As a mother, every day is spent taking care of other people. From morning until night they're taking care of little and big people. While mother's love taking care of their brood, they save up all of our selfishness for one day. Mother's Day
Here are 7 things children should not expect to happen on Mother's day...
A home cooked dinner.
Any type of emotional support all day.
Don't expect mom to give you emotional support all day. You will need to find support in your siblings, other family member, or dad. Mom's off. She will not care about your boo boos, your argument over who had the lego first, or the fact that she won't make you food. None of it. Don't waste time.
To see mom in the morning.
Moms work all day, every day, 24 hours a day. Sleeping in is the biggest rarity in her life. Do not expect to see her on Mother's day morning. She will be sleeping. As long as she possibly can. If she has little kids her body might rebel against her, telling her she has to wake up. Then you, as the child, shouldn't expect anything other than the blame. Because it really is your fault.
Diapers to be changed
You can't be too shocked that mom has no desire to change dirty diapers... At all. Don't expect any diapers to be changed on this glorious day. Not a grand babies... Not a child's... You should help a little sibling out or teach them to do it. Mom is off the hook!
The house to be cleaned
Unless she wants to dance! The house could combust on mother's day and she wouldn't care. It's her day!
Fake laughter at your not funny jokes
I hate to break it to you, but not even mom will give you a pitty laugh today. You'll either have to actually be funny or try the day after Mother's day.
Mediation
This is the day all kids will have to duke it out. Instead of helping you deal with your problems rationally, she will give you boxing gloves and tell you to enjoy.
The one thing you should expect is to do absolutely everything for your mom and wait on her hand and foot.All.Day.Long.
Multiracial Motherhood: How We Celebrate Multiple Cultures In Our Family
I'm very excited to be continuing our Multiracial Motherhood series this morning. So far we've walked along the journey with Sara and Larisha. They've shared a bit about their family with us and what they've learned in raising a multiracial family. Today, Becky from Kid World Citizen is joining us! There family has traveled the world to make sure their kids are raised with a global mindset and today she is teaching us a few of her secrets. 
Meet Momma Becky!
My husband and I met when he was an exchange student from Mexico spending a year at University of Illinois, while I was a student there. I had just returned from a semester in Spain and was matched up with a "buddy" exchange student who I was supposed to show around.From the moment I met Toño at our welcome picnic, we were instantly drawn to each other. Despite huge language barriers, we managed to talk for hours about everything under the sun. It was such a fun semester of studying, dancing, and running together.Thanks to long-distance phone calls, trips between the US and Mexico, and a lot of patience and love, we got married in the year 2000. Our 5 kids have joined out family in different ways. First, we had our 2 sweet biological daughters: the loves of our lives, who make us smile every day... but we knew our family was't complete.
We adopted our oldest sun when he was almost 4, and his contagious, playful smiles instantly endeared us to our playful son. We decided to expand our family again when we adopted Ricky from Ethiopia. An inquisitive ball of energy, Ricky injected our family with a spirit of curiosity. Two girls, two boys, and we were a balanced, happy family--- but we still had this little voice telling us that we weren't complete.As we rode the roller coaster of becoming foster parents, we met our bundle of exuberant, intense joy: Mario. There is not a person who meets him who doesn't fall in love with this little ham.Having so many diverse cultures forming the foundation of our family has been incredibly enriching. We try to celebrate and honor our heritage cultures both in big ways (such as important holidays) and also little ways (through cuisine, home decor, books, etc).
We've learned that in the hustle and bustle of carpooling and swim team, homework and housework- sometimes the easier route would be to let time pass by without a mention of our backgrounds. But- and we are not perfect- we have to consciously try to always make our cultures an integral part of our daily lives by having friends from diverse backgrounds, choosing a neighborhood that reflects our family's cultures, and having open communication with our kids about race, ethnicity, and what it means to be growing up as "x" in the US.My advice to other multiracial families would be to embrace and learn about your loved ones' cultures as much as you can, so that you end up creating your own family culture that is a blend of customs and traditions from both sides.
Finally, if at all possible, travel and immerse yourself to truly learn about your partner's background, language, and really the heart and soul of what makes them who they are. Our family has bonded so much by traveling together, while developing a pride in and love for each others' countries.It's this love and respect that builds us up and helps us support each other.
Follow Becky along on her journey here!
Our Multiracial Family Mentors
Holidays are full of chaos and sweet memories in our family.
What can you expect when you get so many people together in one home!Easter this year was no different. As most of you know, we recently moved to North Carolina which sadly is only further away from family. We absolutely love my husband's job change, as it means he hardly ever travels anymore, but being away from family is hard.Throughout our marriage, my husband and I have always lived by one side of our families. It's changed over the years as we've moved around, but family was always there.Now, the closest family member is about 8 hours from our home. We're no strangers to road trips, so I see plenty of road trips over the summer to spend time with the kid's uthas, chininas, uncles, and nanamas.In the meantime, we definitely miss everyone. This is why Easter was so special this year. My husband's pinni, uncle, cousins, and mom came to spend the holiday weekend at our new house!We were so excited to show everything off and show them the new town and home we've fallen in love with.Our home was bustling with people all weekend and it truly made our new house feel like our home. My husband and I love having family stay with us!One of the best parts of the weekend was seeing our kids spend time with their uthas and chinina (cousins).They are being raised in a multiracial family like my kids are and I'm always so encouraged watching them. Their parents have made such a strong effort to blend Eastern and Western culture within their family. They've always been our go to family for advice on how to blend. They've been doing it for 22 years!Sometimes I lay in bed at night wondering if I'm doing it well enough.I get worried I won't be able to bring Indian culture into our family as much as I want it to be.I worry my kids won't truly understand how rich and beautiful Indian culture is.Then I see their cousins and see that it's possible. They have a deep love for both cultures. It may be shown differently, but it's there. As they get older, their pride for both cultures only gets stronger.
What are their secrets? What have they done throughout their kid's lives to make this a reality?
Travel
They have traveled to India as a family multiple times. It seems simple, but spending time in India takes what they've learned from their parents about Indian culture and takes it to the next level. There's only so much you can say and at a certain point you have to show them.Our family has yet to take our kids to India as my son is dealing with health issues, but we save every year so that we can make it a reality. We want to show our kids what it looked like for daddy to live in India.Traveling to India isn't just for the kids, it's for our marriage too. I want to see India and actually spend time there. I want to experience India with my husband.
Food
If you glance in their fridge or pantry, you'll see traditional dishes for both cultures and fusion dishes. You can look at the table and see one kid eating a samosa, one eating a mango, and one eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Their kids are comfortable with both cuisines and I love it.We try and do the same with our kids. Our staple meals consist of keema curry, pasta, burgers, and chicken tikka masala. I do the best I can to make sure both cultures are represented throughout the week in my meal plan. Although if it was up to me it would be all Indian food because I'm obsessed!
Open Minds
This couple is completely open to their spouse's culture. While Pinni grew up in India, she has no problem embracing her husband's family culture. She wants him to know she values and loves his family, culture, and everything that has made him the person he is today.The same can be said about the way he treats her. He travels with her to India, he wears traditional Indian clothes, and makes sure his kids use the appropriate Indian terms for family members.The best part is that he has taught me so much about what it means to embrace Indian culture. He has been my go to person for advice so many times.Having an open mind in a multiracial family is vital. There are going to be so many times your culture will push you towards different directions. You and your partner have to be open to trying things a different way.
Do you have a multiracial family in your life that you look up to? What have they taught you?
12 Things You Understand If You're Mixed Race
1. You know your parents are angry when they yell at you in a different language
2. Friends felt awkward at your house
3. People assume you aren't related to your parents
4. Fusion food was normal in your house
5. Your family can't ever agree on how spicy food is
6. Only half of your family thinks they need sunblock
7. People will ask you questions all the time
People are constantly asking you questions about your ethnicity and family.
8. Filling out forms gets a little confusing
9. Explaining your name to people
10. Having to hear "it doesn't count you're only half"
11. Over people trying to guess your ethnicity
12. Not being fluent in the languages your family speaks
Which one can you relate to the most?
If you liked this, you'll LOVE this one!
Introducing A Babysitter To My Multiracial Family
Introducing A Babysitter To My Multiracial Family
Part of the reason our family clicked with her immediately was that we made sure she was comfortable with some of the unique qualities of our multiracial family. For the most part, our family is just like any other. However, there are a few customs and traditions that make us stand out.I wanted to make sure she was aware of them and also felt comfortable in our home. Here are a few things we did that you should too!
Make Sure Your Babysitter Is Aware Of Some Of The Language
While my children aren't fluent in Telugu, they do use many words throughout their conversations. It's important to let your new babysitter know a few words they're going to hear your kids say.This situation came up for us after our first experience with a babysitter. We left for the evening and found out afterward our four years old was frustrated. He had been trying to ask for milk all evening, but the babysitter couldn't understand what he was asking for. She would go to the fridge, Levi would ask for palu, and she would bring back juice.I didn't think about the fact that my kids used Telugu words throughout their conversations. Most of the things they say are milk, water, talking about a runny nose, and family member's names.From then on, we made sure to explain different words our kids use frequently. We also explain that family names sound different in Indian culture.This helps to prepare your babysitter as well as making sure there aren't going to be any language barriers while you're away.
Teach Your Babysitter About Your Family's Customs
If your babysitter doesn't know your family well, they aren't going to be aware of some of your family's customs. It's important to teach them about daily customs your family has. Most parents walk their new babysitters through their daily routine and as a multiracial family, you have to walk them through your customs as well.In our family, some of our customs are eating Indian food with our hands, referring to elders with their title (Mrs., Miss, Mr., etc), and our oldest child gets to correct our kids because he's their unna.Prepare your babysitter for the customs they're going to see and encourage them to try out a few if they're comfortable. My kids love teaching their babysitters how to eat Indian food with their hands and it becomes the sweetest bonding moment between them.
Invite Your Babysitter To Spend An Afternoon With Your Family
The best way for your babysitter to get to know your family is to invite them over for an afternoon. Go to the park together or even play in the backyard.This allows your babysitter to see your family in action and to make sure they get time to play with your kids while you're home. It makes it more comfortable for everyone all around.
Answer Any Questions They May Have
After an afternoon together, sit down with your new babysitter and ask them if they have any questions. Being introduced to a new culture can feel uncomfortable to some people. Most of that feeling is fueled by ignorance. They don't know enough about your culture to feel at ease.Make sure they know they can ask you anything. This breaks down any cultural barriers that may be there as well as making sure you're they are comfortable with your kids.
What do you do when introducing a babysitter to your multiracial family?
Sarla In The Sky: Kid Review Addition
This post is sponsored by Bharat Babies. As always all opinions are my own.
The Best Part Of Women's History Month
Throughout the month of March, my kids and I have been diving into history. My boys have learned about so many influential women in history. They've learned about Helen Keller's determination, Sacagawea's adventures, Harriet Tubman's courage, and Mother Theresa's compassion.I love watching their little eyes light up as we dive into new adventures. This month has taught them so many things! They know that women can do anything they set their minds to and have even seen how courageous women have changed our world for the better.The best part is how it's inspired them!
Let's Meet Sarla!
One of our favorite women in history is Sarla Thakral. She was the first Indian women to become a pilot! Her story is beautiful because despite all odds, she flew!Women have been told throughout history that they aren't as good as men. Social standards have told them that some things should be left for men. Sarla was a woman and living in India. Women are still struggling for equality in different parts of India so imagine how it must have been for her years ago!I was so excited when I found our new book, Sarla In The Sky. I've been obsessed with Bharat Babies' Books for a while now and I couldn't wait to get my hands on their new young reader book!My kids were just as excited! They eagerly checked the mail every day while we waited for it to arrive.
A 5 Year Old's Book Review!
Fun Facts About Sarla Thakral
After reading Sarla In The Sky, my kids wanted to learn more about her and her life. We had learned so much throughout our new book and were thirsty for more! Here are a few of our favorite facts!Sarla's plane was called the Gypsy MothShe had to log thousands of flight hours to get her pilot's licenseShe was born in 1914She was 21 when she got her pilot's licenseShe flew the Gypsy Moth in a sareeShe had a daughter
Learn about Sarla's story on your own and pick up a copy of Sarla In The Sky today!
Multiracial Motherhood: How Can You Bring Families Together?
What Can We Learn From One Mother's Story?
Happy Friday!Fridays are my favorite for so many reasons. They mean my husband gets to be home all weekend with us, they mean family night, and they means another mother is joining us for Family Fridays!This series is so special to my heart because it’s a chance for mothers to come together and share their experiences with their own multiracial family. The beautiful thing is that all of our families are unique. They all have their own special qualities, unique challenges, and different experiences.Today, Larisha from We're Parents blog is joining us! She's going to share about her multiracial family and one thing she's found that can bring all families together!
Let's Meet Larisha!
Hey y'all! I'm so excited to have the opportunity to share a bit about our family with The Almost Indian Wife crew, thanks to Brittany.Let's start with a bit of a background.I'm Larisha, a Caucasian American, born and raised in the hills of West Virginia. Andrew, my fiance, is a Jamaican American, born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey. Together we raise our two young daughters in New Jersey, just a short drive from where he grew up, while running our website, We're Parents, together.
Now let's rewind a bit.
Andrew and I met in 2005 during a History class freshman year at West Virginia University (Go 'Eers). The chemistry was always there, but I had a boyfriend and it wasn't until 2009 that we officially started dating. I was working on my Masters and he had just finished up his undergrad degree. He was moving back to New Jersey and we dated long distance for 3 months, then we decided that he would move in with me (WHOA, that was fast!). A few months later, we moved to New Jersey, and the rest is history (pun intended)It's been a whirlwind of an adventure and while we could tell you the stories of people asking if the girls are biologically mine, or the looks that we've received over the years while holding hands, you've probably heard all of that before or most likely experienced it yourselves.Today, I want to focus on how we've blended our cultures together SLOWLLLYYY. It was really important to me for his mom to like me. I knew she was hesitant about me. Andrew quickly informed me that if she wanted me to understand what she was saying, she would speak so I could understand. If she didn't, I wouldn't. His family speaks a strong dialect of Jamaican Patois, and while 90% of the time at this point in our relationship I can understand them, this advice still holds true to this day. Luckily, he did let me know earlier on that based on how she spoke to me, he knew she liked me.
The key -Food. No seriously.
Alan D. Wolfelt once said,
Through everything, his family has taught me about joy, togetherness, and the amazing bond that a family can having, bridging two extremely different cultures, one meal at a time.
Stay updated with Larisha by following her here!
Preparing For A Move With Kids
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PureLife40pk #CollectiveBias
Preparing For A Move With Kids
Over the last seven years, my husband and I have moved our family a total of 3 times. We've lived in four different states which means we've had to move our lives three times!We've learned quite a few things through trial and error. You know how it is when you move... You get so exhausted that you start cutting corners, only to end up at your new house with no idea where anything is. If you're not careful you end up in this predicament for much longer than expected!
Simple Tips To Follow For Your Next Move
Don't worry, I have a few tips for you that will make your next move a cinch!
Leave one small box of the kid's favorite toys out until the very last day
As you start packing up each room, be sure to leave out your kid's favorite items. In our house, this was a few stuffed animals, a building set, books for bedtime, cars, and some superheroes. It helped to reduce the mess by only having one box of toys and it was comforting for the boys. They were watching their home be packed away, but their favorite toys were by their sides.
Use plastic tubs instead of boxes
Boxes are nice, but at the end of the move, you're stuck with dozens and dozens of broken down boxes. This time around, we learned from the past and picked up a few dozen tubs. They were a bit spendier than picking up boxes, but made moving so much easier! They stacked on top of each other beautifully!
Label Label Label
The biggest headache is arriving at your new home and not being able to find anything! This is why labeling is so important. Label to the point you think you're overdoing it because I can promise you, you're not!
Stay Hydrated
The best thing you can do for your whole family while moving is to keep them hydrated! It helps keep their energy up, helps their body fight new sick bugs, and makes for much happier kiddos. Moving takes a lot out of your body so be preventative and keep them hydrated the entire time.
Put all of your essentials in the same box and label them so you can find them right away
There are always a few items you will need as soon as you get to your new home. Put all of these in 1-2 boxes and label them so you can find it easily.
Keep Hanging Clothes On The hanger
Use a garbage bag to hold all of your clothes on hangers. This way you can transport it easily without having to take them off the hangers. It means one less thing to do!
If you're breaking down furniture, keep all the pieces in one place
When you're breaking down furniture, you end up with dozens of little screws and bolts. Put the pieces for the furniture in a separate baggie. Then take all the bags you end up with and put them in a small box or container. This way there's not a way to lose pieces you need later!
Let the kids play outside
As your packing up the house, the worst thing is for the kids to get into boxes and start taking things out. Do yourself a favor and try to get them to play outside as much as you can even if that means you pick up a few cheap outside activities like chalk
Offer delicious food to people that help you move
Finding people to help you move can feel impossible. In reality, who wants to spend their whole day lifting boxes? All you need to entice them is some delicious food! Pick up some good snacks and tempting food.
Purge when you can
When you move you realize just how much junk you've acquired over the years. This is your opportunity to get rid of anything you haven't use in the last six months or can easily replace at your new house.
Start Your Next Moving Adventure With Nestlé® Pure Life® Water
Before you begin your next moving adventure, head to your local Sam's Club and pick up a case of Nestlé® Pure Life® Water. They're offering 40 bottles for the price of 35!
Nestlé® Pure Life® Water knows how important it is for a family to stay hydrated while moving. It's their goal to provide the best water for families. They even put their water through a 12 step process to make sure they're water is just what you need.Available in select Sam's Club stores, ask your Club Manager about getting Nestlé Pure Life Water in your store if it's unavailable.
Multiracial Motherhood: Our Multiracial Family Through Adoption
What We Can Learn From One Mother's Story
Happy Friday! I thought we could kick off the weekend by starting up one of my favorite series again!Family Fridays!This series is so special to my heart because it's a chance for mothers to come together and share their experiences with their own multiracial family. The beautiful thing is that all of our families are unique. They all have their own special qualities, unique challenges, and different experiences.Today, my lovely and gorgeous friend Sara is sharing about her mixed race family. They have taught my family and I so much about diligence because Sara goes out of her way to make sure their lives reflect a true multiracial community. Check out more about her story below!
Let's Meet Sara
Hello, everyone! I'm Sara and I am excited to be here at The Almost Indian Wife to share a little bit about my family with you! Our situation is a bit different than the ones you may be used to reading about here, in that our family's multiracial "status" did not come about because of my husband or myself, but because of our children. And before I dive in, can I confess something? I don't always feel like we really are multicultural. Do we want to be? Yes! Are we working toward it? Yes! Do we still have lots more to learn? GOOD GRIEF, YES. And that's why I think connecting with other multi-cultural families is such a cool thing! Okay, back to the introductions...My husband, Phil, and I have been married for almost nine years now and we have two children. We lived in Ohio up until the spring of 2016 when we moved to Illinois. Phil and I were foster parents for four years in Ohio, during which we met and then adopted both our daughter and son. Russell (5 years) is African American and Claire (4.5 years) is Caucasian. Our children are not related biologically (yes, some people ask!) and have very different birth stories and foster care experiences. 
One thing my children do have in common though, (among plenty of other things, trust me) is that they have two parents who acknowledge and celebrate the things that make each of them unique.
Speaking of unique, let's talk culture. What exactly is culture anyway? Here's one definition: "The customary beliefs, social forms, material traits of a racial, religious, or social group;" also, "the characteristic features of every day existence shared by people in a place or time." Reading those definitions reinforces a couple things to me. One: The racial majority in our family is white American. That seemed so silly to even type but there it is. And let's be real, white American culture is not one we have to make an effort to call attention to. Ya know?
Two: If we want to be truly multi-cultural -- embracing, celebrating and participating in our son's racial culture -- we have to be intentional.
Neither my husband nor I are African American. And although our son is, he's been with us since he was two months old. Our white American culture is pretty much all he knows. So we have some work to do! What does this intentionality look like for us? Well, for starters, whenever I have the choice I choose African American. That might sound funny or off-putting but hear me out. It's not that we don't welcome and seek out other cultures. We absolutely do! But I'm here today talking specifically about my African American son and HIS culture and our desire for him to have racial mirrors in his life. If we want to raise a young man who embraces and is secure in his African American identity, he specifically needs African American people in his life. Okay, here's what I mean...Our community here in Illinois has a kids' sports program. So does the neighboring community. We're choosing to drive just a couple extra minutes to the neighboring community because it's more diverse. We figured there's a greater chance there for our son to have teammates and opponents and coaches who look like him than if he were playing on a sports team here. (Why didn't we choose to live there instead when we moved from Ohio, you ask? We wonder the same thing some times. Anyway...)When looking for a church to join, diversity was a priority for us. After Biblical teaching and gospel-centeredness, we looked for a place where our son could walk in and see people who looked like him. And not just in the pews, but on the stage speaking. In the classrooms teaching. In the small groups leading. When selecting books and toys for my kids, it's not difficult to find white baby dolls and white story characters and white action figures. In fact, if you're not purposely trying to avoid a whitewashed book and toy collection, you'll most likely end up with one. So when strolling through the store we see a giant Finn action figure (Star Wars main character who is African American- woo hoo!!), I snatch it up. A black baby doll for Claire? Yes, please. A picture book with black main characters instead of white ones? You get the idea. Now you might find this one silly, but I'm okay with that. When checking out at a store and I have the option (if it's not an insanely packed lane versus a totally empty one) I will choose a lane with a non-white cashier. 
We take our son to a black barber.
(A no-brainer.) This choice doesn't mean just one more racial mirror for my son. Every barber and almost every client there is African American. So, it means many. It means my son gets to be the majority. And my daughter and husband and I experience what it's like to be the minority. It means sitting and talking with people who share my son's culture. People who will tease me for never having seen "The Jeffersons" and who graciously and honestly answer my hair care questions. I'm telling you, walking into that shop where we are greeted by a packed room of 100% brown and black faces makes my heart swell with joy. Because the more we can immerse ourselves in African American culture, the more our family moves toward being truly multi-cultural. One more piece of advice. More important than all the little examples I shared above!
When seeking to embrace a culture that is not your own you have to first humbly acknowledge that you are not an expert.
And then start sharing your life with those who are! Become friends with people who are a part of your loved one's culture. Spend time with those who can help you understand the things you don't and who will lovingly correct you when you need it. I mean, read all the history you want; build the most diverse picture book library on planet earth; learn all the cultural traditions you can...but without real relationships with real people who know this culture, you will be missing out. And there you have it. We are a multi-racial family doing our best to recognize, embrace and encourage the unique identities of the precious children we've been entrusted with. We definitely don't have it all figured out but we're taking it one day at a time and learning as we go!
Follow Sara along on her journey and head over to her Instagram!
Apparently I've Become A Soccer Mom
My New Proud Title, Soccer Mom!
It happened. This week I officially became a soccer mom and a football mom! Both of my older kids started up sports this month and our life has definitely changed. Our house is cluttered with sports gear every day, our backyard has cones and nets, and our kids are begging to wear their uniforms all the time!Before I had kids, I was always hearing little jokes about being a soccer mom. It was usually references to what they wore or what their hair looked like. Now that I'm here.. they can make all the jokes they want! I love it! I'll even be the mom wearing their uniforms each week! OK maybe not they're uniform, but one in my size!I love the atmosphere when you go to a kid's game. The sidelines are filled with proud parents and kids are constantly looking to see what they're parents are doing. I'm pretty sure my four year old was looking to make sure I didn't move!
My Little Soccer Star
Levi, my four year old had the most free spirited game by far. He's in a four year old instructional league. Most of them are just trying to figure our how to kick a ball down the field and which goal is theres.Our kids play different sports at home, but this is the first time there is a competitive edge. It really helps you to see what sport they're passionate about. After watching Levi play in his first soccer game, I can officially say... I have no clue if we'll do it again next year!
Most of the time he danced, pranced, or crawled around on the field. He had more fun doing that than running after the ball. Granted he wasn't the only wanderer during the game, but I think I laughed the entire game.The picture above is him hanging out in the other team's net! He had more fun observing and being silly and to be honest it was such a perfect picture of his personality. Even though his team was losing, he wasn't bothered in the slightest. He was just making everyone smile!I don't know if he is a future soccer star, but I do know he's going to have fun finding what he's passionate about!
My Little Football Champ
Now, onto the football champ. I can't get over how cute they both looked in their uniforms! Especially Liam because he uniform is so big on him! He swims in it! It's a good reminder that he's the youngest on the team. It's a 6-8 year old league, but they let you play up a year. So, even though he's 5 they let him play in the 6 year old league. I expected there to be more 5 year olds, but nope!I think he'll be fine. He can handle his own with football and it's going to teach him a lot. Plus, he has an August birthday which means he's the youngest in most things. He's used to it and didn't seem intimidated at all.
Both of the kids had games at the same time so I ended up running back and forth to take pictures of both their games. I was looking through my pictures today and almost all of them are of the kids playing with their mouth guards!I think they felt really big having them and they probably feel really weird! I couldn't imagine having to play a game with a mouth guard in my mouth the whole time. Well, they don't seem to mind at all!
Being a soccer and football mom is so much fun. I've only been in this new season of our lives for a few weeks, but I'm already loving it! I love cheering them on from the sidelines!Be sure to follow me on Instagram so you can check us out each week at the kid's games!
Family Friendly Ways To Celebrate Women's History Month
Women's History Month Is For Everyone!
Women's history month has always been a special day to me. I grew up with a strong, single mother who took care of my brother and I. She made hard choices every day to make sure she was raising us the best way she could. She worked full time so we would have food on the table, made sure to be at every one of our extracurricular events, and showed us that women can do anything they set their minds to.Even now, I'm still inspired by her strength.She is a big part of why I am who I am today. She showed me that women can do anything, just how strong one person can be, and how to be an amazing mother.This is just one of many reasons Women's History Month means so much to me. We celebrate women all throughout March so the world doesn't forget what women have done throughout history.As a mother to three boys, Women's History Month looks a little different in our house. I don't have little girls to celebrate this month with and to teach them how they can be empowered by all of the strong women throughout history.Instead I have three little boys and this month is an opportunity to teach them to appreciate women. I want to raise boys that understand how to treat a woman, how to value a woman, and how to encourage other men to do the same thing.
Ways To Celebrate Women's History Month
Throughout the month of March, my family and I are finding different ways to celebrate women. We're going to dive into history and learn about strong and influential women and here are a few ways we plan on doing so and you should too.
Read Books About Powerful Women
Head to your local library or pick up a few books from Amazon that feature strong female characters. There are so many books out there right now that teach kids what women have done over the years. Mom and dad, you'll appreciate everything you learn too! Reading about these strong women will remind you exactly what this month is all about.A few of our favorite books on Women's History are Seeds Of Change, Step Stomp Stride, My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big A Little Girl Can Dream, Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride, Betsy Ross, and Susan B. Anthony.
Attend A Women's History Month Event In Your Neighborhood
Most towns will be holding different women's history events throughout the month of March. Look up on your town's website and find out the dates. These events are fun and typically free! Take the whole family and have a great time!
Talk To Your Child About Powerful Women In Their Life
Sit down with your kids over dinner and talk to them about powerful women in their lives. Tell your kids how they've inspired you. Find out who they've been inspired by and why. This is a great dialogue to have throughout the whole month.
Introduce Your Child To A New Powerful Woman In History Each Week
Take some time and choose a few women to really dive deep and learn about this month. Each week you can learn about what monumental way they contributed to history, a bit about their life, and what it means to your kids. Find out how life would have been different if they hadn't done what they did.
Watch A Movie
There are so many amazing movies out there that are talking about strong women in history. Take some time and find a few that your whole family would love. Cozy up on the couch with some popcorn and be inspired by these influential women!
Make Dinner For Mom And Say Thank You
Last, but not least, thank the influential women in your life. Or (dads this one is for YOU) make your kid's momma dinner. Remind your kids just how important their momma is and how they can appreciate her every day.
How will you be celebrating Women's History Month?
Toddler Approved Chores!
Are you looking for age appropriate chores for your family? This is a killer list of simple chores! Check it out and let us know your favorite!
This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you purchase the items listed, however I only recommend items we own and truly love!
Trying To Keep Up With The Mess
Life with three little boys under six years old is messy to say the least. These little boys attract dirt. I don't know how they do it, but they do. They have so much energy and everything they do somehow causes a big mess.They go play in their room... dump out all the toys.They go outside to jump on the trampoline... sneak all the pillows onto it.They eat lunch... more ends up on their clothes and table than in their mouths.They go to the bathroom... somehow miss the bowl EVERY TIME... (Seriously boys are gross).You tell them to play nicely while you switch laundry over (or restart the same load in the wash)... they decide it's the perfect time to get into your makeup.I could go on and on. They live to make those messes. While it drives me crazy cleaning it up, I can't expect them to sit still all day and be mess free. The look on their faces when they build their trampoline obstacle course is priceless.I love seeing their little imaginations go, however it doesn't mean mommy and daddy have to clean it all up.
Chore Time!
After finally realizing the idea of keeping my house clean all day just wasn't possible, I knew I had to do something. I refused to spend my whole day cleaning up their monstrous messes while they watch PJ Masks on the TV.But were they ready for chores?Were they too young?No way! My husband and I sat down and made a huge list of chores that needed to get done around the house. We even took some of the bigger chores and broke them down into simple steps.If your kids are walking and talking, they can clean up a mess.You'll thank me when you're the one sitting on the couch, drinking a juice box, watching Moana as they clean up their mess in the living room.Chores are a great way to teach your children responsibility at any age. They quickly realize the messes they make need to get cleaned up in the end. Plus, no momma or daddy should be doing all the cleaning in the house.As a family, you are all responsible to to take part in keeping it up.
Our Favorite Toddler Chores
These are a few of my family's favorite chores for our kids. I have a 2, 4, and 5 year old. Over the years we've had to find chores that work well for each of them and their ages.I even stopped by my son's preschool to ask the teacher for some ideas. They were great! Not to mention it spreads the load out at home.
How do you get your kids excited about chores?
Finding age appropriate chores is one thing, but getting your kids to actually do them is another. After a lot of trial and error (and a bit of yelling) we found the solution!We picked up a chore chart! This chore chart is great because you can change them out whenever you need to.Each week they work for something else. Sometimes they doing chores to work towards a family movie and other times we let them go and choose a small toy.They love looking to their chart to see how close they are to their goal! It's a great visual reminder and positive reinforcement. Every time they do a chore, they run to the board to put up a new magnet!
What is your favorite toddler approved chore?
I Was A Parenting Expert Before I Had Kids
I Was A Parenting Expert Before I Had Kids
I remember the conversations I used to have with my mom and aunt before I had kids. I would tell them all of my extraordinary plans for my children and I listed off all my ideas. I assumed since I had babysat the neighbors kids since I was ten years old, I'd be a perfect parent.I'd let my kids watch whatever they wanted because they'd be fine.They would never have tantrums in the middle of a Target aisle because I'd discipline them. They'd know better.The list went on and on. To my benefit I was twenty and thought I knew everything. Then I had three kids two years apart and realized things were much different than I thought they'd be.We've all been there. We let our kids do something and think to ourselves... wow. I swore I'd never do this, but I have no shame!
Things I Never Thought I'd Do As A Parent
Let my kids stay up until I went to bed.Let my kids eat candy.Tell my kids not to eat their boogers.Ask my son not to pee on his brother.Debate with my child over whether or not he's the boss.Let my kids sleep in my bed.Let my kids eat Goldfish crackers for dinner.Be tempted to not know my kids in public when they're being TERRIBLE!Have kids that throw huge, meltdown, throw themselves on the floor tantrums while in a store.Let my kids run around the backyard naked.Sleep in a shirt covered in newborn spit up.Be able to survive on a few brief moments of sleep.Hide in the bathroom from the kids so I can hear myself think.Love going grocery shopping alone.Not be able to survive without caffeine.Go to bed at 8pm.Actually enjoy kid's movies. Oops I've always loved them.Had three kids and thought hey, I can do one more.Leave a cart full of groceries because the kids just can't keep their #@$# together.Truly think my kids are funnier than every other kid.Sleep in newborn pee covered sheets because I just didn't care enough to loose even more sleep.Eat Goldfish for dinner because I didn't want to cook.Have to explain to my son why you shouldn't pee in your own eye.Have to fish an apple out of the toilet.Have to disappoint my child when I let them know Jesus doesn't live in their belly button.Have to stop my son mid stream when I find him peeing in a gatorade bottle.Pull my kids into my bed while daddy is away on a work trip and mommy is scared.Send my kids to fight off spiders while I scream from the couch.Feel a little heartbroken when my kids choose to play with their friends over their own mom.Get completely enraged when someone tells me my son is naughty.Realize my kids can be naughtier than I thought possible.Come down to see my son covered in makeup.Yell at my kids. A lot.Quietly crawl out of my kids room because they finally fell asleep and I want to join the world of grownups.Crave adult conversations so much that I go to Target as often as possible.Try to convince my husband to see a new Disney movie rather than the new action movie. Walk around the house singing the theme song to my kid's favorite morning cartoons.
What is one thing you've done after having kids that you swore you wouldn't?
6 Places Parents Can Find Refuge From Their Kids
Sometimes My Kids Drive Me A Little Crazy
Let's all take a moment and be honest with each other. Parent to parent. Sometimes you just need a break from your kids. Sometimes the, "mommy mommy MOMMY, " just gets to you. As a stay at home mom, I'm with my kids all day every day. While it is a huge blessing and I do love that I'm able to, it's hard to find a moment of solitude. Especially now that my oldest has decided he's done with naps.Our days tend to get a little chaotic to say the least.
A Little Peak At Our Day
6-7:30 am- Kids wake up and watch cartoons in mommy and daddy's bed7:30-8:30 am- Breakfast and daddy leaves8:30-12:30 Mommy does school with the kids, attempts to keep the them busy, and makes them lunch12:30-2:30 Nap for little kids and chaos for big brother2:30-4:30 Kids argue, play, argue, beg for dinner, and make a big mess4:30-5:30 Mom attempts to make dinner while kids beg for attention and food5:30-6:30 Dinner time and playing with daddy6:30-7:30 Kids get ready for bed, make a mess, clean up their mess, go to bed, and ask for a dozen drinks of waterThe next day we start it all over again.As you can see there isn't much time at all where momma gets any alone time. All day long my kids are right there next to me. Don't get me long, I love my time with my kids. I really do. The part that drives me crazy is the whining.I know you can all understand seeing as the number one show most hated by parents is Caillou. The reason behind all the hate is his whiny voice! Ahh. It just makes me cringe and it's the exact same feeling I have when my own kids whine.It's for this reason and a few others that this momma needs to find a little refuge during the day.
6 Places Parents Can Find Refuge From Their Kids
When things get a little crazy in our house I have a few places I use to get away from it all.
The Bathroom
I'm pretty sure the guys beat us to this one. No one has to get to the bathroom for that long... They know what they're doing. They're hiding from everyone in there! They grab their phone and use it as a bit of solitude.One of the best parts of this location is that there is a lock on the door. Even if your kids find you, they can't get to you!
The Kid's Room
If your kids are anything like mine, the last place they want to play is there own room. Finding them playing in their room is a miracle. If mom and dad happen to ask them to play there... they act like we're torturing them.How could you ask us to do that!?This is exactly why it's the best place to hide from them. It's the last place they'll look!
The Kitchen Floor
Sometimes, you can't manage to get anywhere else so you just plop yourself down on the kitchen floor. If you're lucky, they don't look in the actual kitchen. They usually just glance and move on. If I'm being honest, this is my go to spot when things get crazy at night.My husband has found me here more times than I'd like to admit!
The Shower
The moment I put my little monkey's to bed, I hop in the shower. First of all, it's relaxing and the perfect way to destress. Second of all, it means the hubby has to deal with the kids if they get out of bed. Momma is unavailable and daddy is the only one that can walk to them to their bed a few dozen times.Unless your husband gets wise to your plan and throws a naked baby into your shower with you...
The Car
I love car rides with my kids. They typically don't mind them and almost always fall asleep. Seriously, think about it. All the kids are strapped in and can't get into anything. If they're lucky they have something to play with to keep them busy.If all else fails, turn the music up.
Grocery Shopping
This was my go to hide out when my husband was traveling for work. He would come back from a long trip and the first thing I would do is take a drive to the grocery store. It didn't matter what I needed, I would walk up and down every aisle and just enjoy the peace.
What's your go to place you find refuge from your kids?
Screen Free Activities For The Whole Family
How To Unplug Your Family
Over the years screen time has become a normal part of our daily lives. We have our TV's on for big chunks of the day, sit on our phones, or let the kids play video games. There is a time and place for all of it, but how many hours do you spend with a screen in front of you?I challenge you to sit down for one day and track how much. You may not even realize how much it is.My biggest downfall is my phone. I may turn the TV off for the kids, but then I sit there working on my phone or scrolling through Facebook. It's nice to have a break from the chaotic day, but then reality hit me this week.My son came up to talk to me while I was on my phone. I didn't think twice about it because I was just looking through a few emails while he talked to me. Then he stormed away and I'm ashamed to say it took me a while to know he was upset.I finally noticed and went upstairs to see what he was doing. I found him pouting on his bed. I asked him what was wrong.Mom, you're not even listening to me! I was telling you something and all you cared about was your phone.It was like he punched me right in the gut. I felt terrible. The email could have waited but instead, I chose to put it first and my son felt it.As parents, we're busy all day. Whether you're at work or working in the house it gets busy. Technology has made our lives a lot easier. We have TV for entertainment, phones for pretty much everything, and so much more.The problem is that technology can get in the way of real human connection.I will be honest with all of you and admit that this isn't the first time this has happened. I have so many things on my plate and I tend to try and do it all at the same time.This year I'm challenging myself and my family to unplug.By unplugging we will be putting our relationships with each other first. I encourage you to join us! Unplugging will look different for all of us. My husband works 9-5 so during that time he has to be plugged in and that's ok. Look at your family's schedule and see where you have the ability to unplug.The kids and I try to unplug in the mornings so we can enjoy breakfast together and then do something fun. Then while they're asleep I take a bit of time to plug back in and get work done.
Screen Free Routines
Take a look at your daily routine and find opportunities to turn off the screens and unplug.
Enjoy Dinner Around The Dinner Table
Collect all the cell phones in the house and put them aside during dinner. This will mean your family actually has to talk during dinner and spend real quality time together.
Schedule Technology Free Times
Look at your schedule during the day and find a few blocks of time that you can schedule yourself to be "off the grid." Turn off the TV, set the phone down, and just enjoy time with your family.
Put The Phone Down When Talking To Your Kids
This is my biggest struggle. When your kids come up and talk to you make sure you put the phone down. The same goes for everyone else. Show people you value them by putting them first in that moment.
Screen Free Activites For The Whole Family
Family Walks
Make Dinner Together
Go On A Scavenger Hunt
Try Something New Together
Family Band!
Board Games
Treasure Hunt
Follow The Leader
What's your favorite screen-free activity?
You Know You're A Parent If...
Being a parent is a whole new level of crazy.
It's exactly why you tend to surround yourself with other parents. You need people who just get it! You need friends that know exactly why you've worn the same shirt for three days in a row and don't judge you.
A parent is the only one who will truly understand how you feel because they've been there themselves! They instantly understand how crazy your morning is after your son decides to flush his apple down the toilet or when your kids unravel every toilet paper roll because they needed it to create a bad guy trap.
10 Feelings Every Parent Has Felt
In addition to our crazy stories there are also a few feelings every parent has experienced.
Disbelief
Pure Shock
Disgust
Pull Out Your Hair Frustration
Exhaustion
I've Had Enough!
Losing Your Mind
Justice
Fed Up
Proud
You know you're a parent if... Finish the sentence in the comments!
If you liked this post, you'll love these!
6 Lessons I Can Learn From My Single Self
Motherhood is beautiful and it's also one of the hardest things you'll ever do. Take a minute to learn from your younger self. 6 lessons I can learn from my single self.
Motherhood At It's Finest
Most women talk about the beauty in motherhood.The joys in pregnancy. Baby's first steps. Baby's first word. Watching your kids win awards at school. On the other hand, most women are ashamed to talk about the ugly side.Spit up on your favorite shirt. Sleepless nights. Tantrums. Miscarriage. Infertility.Motherhood is a beautiful, yet at times thankless job. In those moments, we need to take a lesson from our single selves.
6 Lessons I Can Learn From My Single Self
Get Dressed Up
Yes, even if you're just running to the grocery store. Throw on some lipgloss, a cute tunic and some leggings. Putting a little more effort into your appearance can change your outlook on your whole day.Don't believe me? Think back to the last time you got a compliment on your appearance (especially if you went through hell and high water to leave the house). I bet that made your day right?!Need some inspiration? Blast Beyoncé's All the Single Ladies while you get dressed!
Embrace Adult Interaction
This can be especially tough for stay at home moms with little kids. There's no shame in enrolling your kids in a half day Pre-K. Every mom needs a few hours of peace!Meet your girlfriend(s) for a coffee date at Chick-Fil-A or another kid friendly place.Talking to another adult gives you a break from Bubble Guppies & Paw Patrol.
Sit Down & Eat a Meal
You're probably standing up right now! Moms are on the go 24/6.We are running older kids to sports activities & music lessons, cooking dinner & assisting with homework & who knows what else.At dinner time while everyone else enjoys a meal, moms are often the ones standing. Take a load off, sit down & enjoy a meal with your family!
Take a Workout Class
When I was single, I lived for my weekly yoga, Zumba & kickboxing classes. I kept them up with my first child, but after adding a second baby to the family, the little extra time I had was spent either sleeping or catching up on housework.I miss the extra energy a work out class gave me.Now thanks to the ability to stream TV & YouTube, I often have a workout class in my living room.
Go Shopping & Buy Something For Yourself
When you were single, payday meant time for a manicure, lunch date with a friend, or a weekend getaway.Once you become a mom, every trip to the store ends up with things for your husband or the kids.Take some time to invest in yourself. Your family will thank you.
Go On a Date With Your Husband
Remember the thrill of finding the perfect date night outfit? It can be fun again! Don't wait until your anniversary to schedule a date with your other half.Your husband will thank you.
Did you fall in love with this post? Be sure to follow Diedre for more!
Unusual Things I've Discovered About My Family While Moving
We're Moving... Again..
If you've known me for long, you know my family has a thing for moving around. Since my husband and I have been married we've lived in California, Washington, Illinois, and now we're about to set off on our next adventure.North Carolina!We're sad to be closing this chapter of our lives in Illinois, but excited for something new in North Carolina. Not to mention the relocation means my husband doesn't have to travel for work anywhere near as much as he did last year!The kids had mixed feelings about moving... That is until my husband told them he'd be home now and *drumroll please* we'd be getting a new dog...I'm pretty sure the marriage rulebook says you have to check with your wife BEFORE you bribe you kids with a pet of any kind.. Luckily, I love dogs and we're about to have a lot more space.Little does he know I'm planning my revenge. He may or may not come home from work one day only to be greeted by a pet of my choice that I decided to surprise him with.Hmmm.. What would I get? A kangaroo? No. A monkey! Not quite right yet. Don't worry, I'll think of one!
5 Things I've Learned While Moving
Our family is pretty used to packing up our house. Over the years we've landed on a common theme and it's that we have way too much stuff! This time around we decided to get rid of as much as we can to make things a little easier.While packing I've uncovered some unusual things about my family...
My Kids Don't Actually Need Their Toys
I did things a little backwards this time. I most of the kid's toys first. I was waiting for them to start losing their minds, but it never happened. They didn't care. I left out one of each of their favorite toys and boxed up the rest. Then something crazy happened!They started using their imaginations even more!Instead of dumping out all their toys, they run around the house playing bad guys and superheroes! It's a different theme every day but they're having fun.
I'm A Hoarder
I thought I've purged a lot over the years, but I was wrong. In the last two weeks I have done at least 6 trips to Goodwill and each time I had a full trunk. They must think I'm crazy there.How does this woman own so much!?I donate everything in the trunk and come home, only to look around and realize their is so much left!
My Kid's Have Secret Stashes Around The House
I've always known my three year old likes to keep a little secret stash. He's done this since he was little and hid his pacifiers around the house.His go to spot is under his pillow. My husband and I check it before we go to bed at night and we're always surprised! We've found scissors, permanent markers, candy, and toys. If you ask him him about it he just gives you his sly little look and says it's our present.As we've been packing up the house, I'm starting to find little stashes around the house! They're everywhere!
I Love Purging
I have fallen in love with purging! I gave myself one box to keep all of our sentimental items and then had a little routine with the rest. I made myself touch everything I own and then I asked myself if I really needed it. If I didn't need it or haven't touched it in 3 months it went straight to the donation box.I don't want to show up at our next home and have it filled with things we don't need. I want to look around and see things that bring me joy.Hopefully my kids feel the same way when we get to the new house and they see quite a few missing toys!
I May Just Keep All Of My Stuff Boxed Up
We're one day away from the moving POD coming and I feel good. We're living out of a suitcase and eating fast food, but I don't have to clean all day. There are only a few things left which means the kids play with them and bring them with them.I'm not cleaning up after them all day or doing a tower of never ending dishes.I may just tell the POD to keep all of our stuff and just drop off the furniture!
Follow us on our journey here!