TACKLING THE HOLIDAYS
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SCARIEST TIME OF THE YEAR #hellonovember

11/4/2019

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Sure, Halloween is over, but the scariest time has JUST begun. November 1-January 1 has proven to be the absolute scariest time for our families. The holiday season is officially here!  

Each year, we promised to be done shopping by now, have the kids' toys purged, family photos planned and dinner menus crafted.  YET, small things like Youth Soccer League and Kindergarten have taken up more time than anticipated:  
  • Soccer takes more energy for Moms than kids. 
  • Home-school Pre-k to local Kindergarten is a *huuuuuuge* (insert D. Trump voice) transition.  
  • Adding hobbies to the Soccer season can be fatal. 
  • 3 year olds may watch planes fly overhead during soccer game. 
  • Shin guards itch, are not easy to find in little kid sizes and get lost every Saturday morning.  
  • Soccer cleats should come in BOGO so Mom can protect her toes. 
So, in an effort to get things in order - we will plan to attack all holiday efforts by 12/1. 
(Overzealous, yes! Practical, maybe): 
  1. Plan holiday family dinners - location, time and menu. 
  2. Pick out family card outfits NOW. 
  3. Schedule Christmas card pictures, determine recipients and prepare to mail by 12/1.  
  4. Purge all toy and learning stations to give away by Week 3 of November, have kids participate. 
  5. Decide Christmas decor/lights and tree position, take inventory and set-up on 11/29. 
  6. Schedule holiday festivities and purchase tickets in advance. 
  7. Do not overbook! 
 It's easy to plan peace on the first of November when all is quiet, the leaves are falling and the sugar from night is still lingering. My challenge is staying on task when the plan goes haywire - when my project deadline is nearing and the client needs more; when the family picture outfits need to be tweaked; when I remember my Wedding Anniversary is in December and the babysitting plans fall through, and most dramatically, when we've made it through December only to be reminded our Mom's birthday is 1/1. 

While it's a scary time, the amazing memories, days of gratitude and lessons we are teaching remind us that we wouldn't be the wives, moms, sisters, daughters without the frantic times of 11/1 to 1/1. 

How do you manage when your
calendar takes a hit? 

 

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FLASHBACK: 25 Weeks & Counting

10/18/2019

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What a six months! I like to recap our journey as Leave it to Mama grows in the setting that all Mamas can relate - pregnancy (see previous Post 13 weeks). We just made 25 weeks and it’s pretty amazing. LeavitittoMama.com has finished fetal development and we are heading to the final trimester. We are working on several new projects and cannot wait to share with our Mama community!

Since beginning our journey, we’ve celebrated our birthdays along with the husbands’ and all 5 kids; in addition to, my sister’s wedding, our grandfather’s 86th birthday and both Mother’s & Father’s day.  I’ve started several home renovations including a home gym, office and toddler room. Painting rooms and repurposing furniture were my summer thrills. Concurrently, my sister had her dream wedding, completed summer school and is heading back to school today along with her four year old. Time sure does fly when you are a MOM.

Terrible Twos

In the midst of my DIY renegade, I’ve spent time with my precious daughter. Her communication skills are growing by leaps and bounds. The best times are those when we have a debate:

Me: Put the toys away.

2: No Mom. I’m playing.

Me: (silence)

2: Thank you for listening, Mom.

I’ve noticed when I pause before speaking, she assumes I’ve been convinced of her ways. How peculiar. Yes, I’m a first time Mama. I find tons of things peculiar, which keeps me on my toes. I use the term ‘on my toes’ in hindsight. In the heat of the battle I’m offended and I find it annoying.

My little girl’s favorite phrases are:

  1. You look fabulous.
  2. Thank you for listening.
  3. Nevermind.
  4. Hashtag rude.

The most disturbing being the hashtag statement. I’m certain I’ve said the other phrases- but speaking in hashtags is not a part of my dialogue. Especially, when I know she is recording very syllable!

Each family gathering has turned into another place for the smallest children to battle for their THEIR toys, games or clothing. It’s a struggle. Before we get out of the car, I have to reiterate the rules - no hitting, no pushing and no biting. Last Saturday, they started slapping one another so we added no slapping to the rule book. They love each other so much but once they feel violated there’s no turning back. Luckily, we’ve figured out their patterns and can identify when they need time apart.

Circus Acts

Life as a Mama, wife, auntie, sister and friend definitely has its ups and downs. I struggle to ensure all parties are safe, nurtured and secure; which brought me to the idea that seeking balance may not be the best idea. In the circus, you have a tightrope walker, trapeze artist and juggler. I am most like the juggler – I prefer to have more than one thing to manage. The more unique the item, the easier it is for me to determine a rhythm. I also get a moment to hold each. Balancing on a rope leaves my mind to wander and flying through the air wouldn’t allow my mind to wander enough. SMH.

I’ve noticed other Mamas taking the trapeze and tight rope route. One requires soaring from task to task in an effortless fashion – having faith in the execution and starting over, if necessary. The others (tight ropers) are skilled, in that, they are very in tune with every movement and are unaffected by their surroundings – unless distracted.

The love for our children is what brought us together. We are different acts in the same circus (Motherhood). Joining forces maintains sanity in my world where juggling a knife, washer machine, toddler, iron and computer is the standard.

If you were to describe your Mama-isms as a circus act – which would it be?


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Product Review: Kiss Me Honey lip balm 

2/25/2016

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Living in Las Vegas causes dry skin, seasonal allergies and  cracked lips. Our goal is to find products that are free of chemicals and not tested on animals.  

Kiss Me Honey lip balm offers everything we need as Mamas on the go- it's cruelty-free, eco-friendly and organic. Did I mention it's made locally and can be used as a lip primer? I know, I know – it's unreal: 
  • Paraben free & all-natural ingredients: Organic beeswax, Organic coconut oil, Organic unrefined Shea butter, Vitamin E, Grapefruit seed extract, Organic sweet almond oil, Organic peppermint essential oil (for mint flavored) 
Pro: It goes on smooth and offers a soft pout for those early morning drop-offs, rushed trips to the market, dance class outings and youth sports events. Or even better – a sweet smooch for hubby! 

Con: Our
girls love it!
 

Tip: Buy them a tube and keep yours hidden. 

Thanks for bringing us into the HIVE! Check out the site:  

"Over the years, I have tried countless lip balms. I kept buying one after another finding likes and dislikes in each one. Then I decided to research the ingredients in lip balm products. I was surprised to find out that many lip balms are made with harmful chemicals and other ingredients that people should not be putting on their lips! Some of these ingredients do the reverse and dry lips instead of keeping them soft. 
So I decided to make my own lip balm which can also be used as a lip primer. I started melting away and found a wonderful organic formulation that was safe for adults and children. Thus Kiss Me Honey evolved!" - Kellie Duran, Founder 

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