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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TIPs TO SURVIVE THE CAR LINE #backtoschool

8/27/2019

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Dear Mama,

We're back! Here is one of our  favorite blogs from 2015 - highlighting the joys of the car line. We'd love to hear your tips - please comment below!

My daughter started kindergarten this year! It has been an amazing adventure but with every adventure comes new things. This was the first time in my life I was introduced to a car line. My daughter's school is new this year and it is absolutely beautiful. With that being said the first week of school in the car line was an absolute nightmare.

If I had the luxury of being in the car line alone it wouldn't have been as bad but in tow with me I have my three year old son who is in the middle of an amazing tantrum phase. In addition to the tantrums, he knows that if he says he has to go potty , then he can get out of the car.

So let's do the math, tired mom, cranky three year old, and a really really long line of parents who are equally miserable. Here are some of the things that have happened to us so far:
  1. The first day of school I wasn't able to get my daughter until 5 PM, in the Vegas heat, she was hot, cranky, and thought I forgot about her and left her at school.
  2. My three year old decided that he had to poop and that it could not wait! We had to give up our precious spot in line, run into the school, and he used the restroom in the nurses office.
  3. We carpool a friend of the family as well one day we drove up to find him in a wheelchair because he hurt his ankle. (so scary!)
  4. The line was so backed up I was asked if I could fit into a very narrow opening, My confidence was a little to high and I hit a dad in the car line! He was not happy! I didn't damage his truck, just scraped a little paint on his tail light but still how mortifying!!
  5. My daughter came running at me full speed with her school folder in hand and flung all her papers everywhere! I got out to retrieve her papers and smacked my face on my rear view mirror, A+ for grace here! 
  6. There have a couple days where my son is so exhausted and over the wait that be the time we get my daughter in the car his screaming is so over the top that no one can think!! 
  7. I have made friends with most of the staff in the car line and I bring them cold water from time to time.

I think it is safe to say we've made a spectacle of ourselves and we are pretty well known in the car line! Here are some tips that I can pass along so that you too can survive the car line!

  1. Arrive early! You may have to wait for what feels to be a longer time but I have found getting a spot near the front is priceless!
  2. Bring snacks! And snacks for when those snacks run out. 
  3. Bring liquids, but monitor the liquids because too many liquids will cause a needed potty break.
  4. Bring paper, pencils, white boards, crafts, tablets, and anything else you have to try to pass the time!
  5. The car line is a perfect place to pay bills, balance a checkbook, do online shopping, make grocery lists, and catch up with family members!
  6. Above all, else take deep breaths! We will survive the car line!

How do you survive the car line?



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