Out of Ideas... HELP!!!

Ok... I know that I am a confessed Pinterest JUNKY... BUT, I haven't been on in a while (things are really getting busy around here).  I haven't seen/heard any great ideas in a while.  I KNOW that there are some awesome crafts and recipes floating around out there.  So, let's hear 'em.  I'm on my way to search through Pinterest and find some super fun things to do with the family RIGHT NOW.  But, if there's something you've done, snap a picture and send it my way handyhousemom@gmail.com.  I would LOVE to share it with the HH readers.

Happy Hump Day!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Phew... the holiday season is upon us, and in FULL effect in our house.  I chose to take on a part time retail job for the holidays (for both a little income and some time OUT of the house)... sooooooo, that has kept me busy and I've slacked a little on blogging :-(

And for that, I apologize.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I have chosen to do an anagram with a list of some of the things that I am thankful for... here goes...

Time- I'm thankful for the time that I've been given here on the earth.... for the time with my family, my kids, my husband, my friends... just VERY thankful!
Husband-  He's one of a kind and I'm BEYOND lucky to have found my soul mate.  I thank God for him    daily!!
Adventure-  As a wife/mom (of 2)/part time holiday employee/laundry doer/grocery getter/meal maker/ etc... finding time for adventure doesn't always happen.  BUT, when it does, I am extremely grateful.
Neighbors- (not in the literal sense) Neighbors are those close to me, maybe not in the house next door, but they're close in my heart.  Friendships like that are PRICELESS, I am BEYOND thankful for my dearest friends.
Kin-  I have been blessed with the greatest family.  They are the most supportive people I know.  It's amazing to me, though, that some of my 'family' members are NOT blood.
Service members-  EVERY day there are soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines (and anyone else I may have forgotten) as well as first responders that are working hard in the US and overseas for me, I HAVE to say, THAT makes me lucky- I'm VERY thankful for that!
Grace-  Eph 4:7 "But to each one of us, grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."  Grace is something that isn't easily given (by me), but I am SO thankful for God's grace (Lord knows I need it).
Income-  I am thankful that in this CRAZY economy, my husband has a job and can provide for his family.
Vehicle-  I am thankful for the 2 vehicles that we own.  That we can get from point A to point B and don't have to share.
Internet-  Technology is a blessing and sometimes a curse, but I do enjoy it's conveniences.
Necessities-  I am thankful for ALL of the basic necessities that I have at my fingertips.  There are so many people around the world that don't have nearly what I do.  I'm not sure that I always realize that.  I am so thankful for the 'basic' things that I have.
God-  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His ONE AND ONLY SON that whoever believes in Him, will not die, but have ETERNAL LIFE"... YUP, DEFINITELY thankful for that!!

So, HH readers... what is it that YOU are most thankful for this Thanksgiving Day?  I hope that you take a few minutes to count your blessings and enjoy the holiday and time with friends and family.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Holiday Traditions

Well, with only a little more than a week until Thanksgiving, dinner planning is in full swing.  I know that Thanksgiving in my parent's house was always about family, eating, and dessert. :-)  Well, now that I have my own family and we live out of town, going to visit the grandparents for every holiday just isn't feasible.  Loading up the 4 of us and heading in the car for 5 hours to spend 2 1/2 days with family and a LOOOOOOONG car ride to get home, well... it just isn't EASY.  So, we've decided that every other year we are going to stay in Savannah for the holidays.  It wasn't an easy decision but, I really think that my kids need  to experience our family traditions and waking up in their own house.  

So, that leaves me with the tough questions/planning.  How do I make traditions for our family?  I've already thought of some and thanks to Pinterest, added a few more to the list.  Here's what I have so far...

For Thanksgiving:

Gratitude Rolls- As guests arrive, they write something that they are thankful for on a piece of paper.  The paper is rolled into the crescent rolls and cooked.  When everyone eats their rolls, they get to guess who wrote what.

For Christmas:

The Elf on the Shelf- I have seen  this in action.  When I was teaching, kids talked about their elves and what mischief they got into.  The kids REALLY loved it and interacted with it.  We'll DEFINITELY be doing this one!!

Christmas Pajamas- This was a tradition that my mom did and I LOVE it!  We always got to open ONE gift Christmas Eve.  It was ALWAYS Pajamas (matching of course).  It honestly took us like 7 or 8 YEARS before each of us caught on that the gift was ALWAYS going to be pajamas.  But, our pictures Christmas morning were always cute and matching. :-)

So, those are really the only for SURE ideas that I have.  What about you?  What's something fun that you do around your house for the holidays!  Let's Chat....

Hospital Bag...Let's Chat...

Packing your bag can be a pretty overwhelming thing at times.  I mean, you've already been getting a nursery/house/clothes/lifestyle ready for your new addition but, packing your bag often gets put on the back burner.  The thing about labor is that you never now how things will go.  If you'll be in active labor for-ever or if things will go quickly.  Either way, "It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it" my dad always says this!!

Tantrums

I know that I have posted about this before... BUT, this is a different kid so, I feel like I'm not being repetitive.  First of all, why did I EVER think that my sweet angelic first child was ever naughty (I'm kidding here, kind of)??  Her level of naughtiness was NOTHING (that I remember) compared to what my sweet little 'Pistol Pete' (as I now OFTEN refer to him) is bringing to the table.  He is only 18 months old and has ANXIOUSLY entered the terrible twos... EARLY... what a blessing (eye roll... I'm being EXTREMELY sarcastic).

Right now, I am blessed with at LEAST 4 melt downs before lunch.  And these melt downs include ALL the works... SCREAMING, CRYING, HITTING, THROWING HIMSELF ON THE GROUND, SCREAMING, DOING A BACK BEND WHEN I TRY TO HOLD HIM, SCREAMING, did I remember to say screaming?  UGH!  I am honestly TRYING to be patient.  TRYING to find teachable moments, but DANG, it is NOOOOOOOOOOT EASY!

The gym is currently my hour or so saving grace.  I can go and run my brains out (or whatever) and he plays, nicely (no tantrums there) during the same time.  Yeah, did you catch that?  NO TANTRUMS for the nice ladies at the gym.  Don't get me wrong, I would be HUMILIATED if he did.  But, knowing that he saves all of his extra special fit throwing for M-E.... well, it doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :-(

Just today I'm trying to use time out.  The thing is, he doesn't really get it.  I sat him down (while he was SCREAMING so it isn't like he could hear me anyhow), and kept myself very calm (NOT easy).  I explained that he couldn't get up until he calmed down.  he would scream and reach for me to hold him.  I would hug him and then set him back down.  Which of course led to more screaming.  We did a cycle of that for probably close to 5 mins. (with screaming in the background the ENTIRE time).  Eventually, he calmed down.  I asked him to tell his sister he was sorry and he did and hugged her.  All was good... for about 5 minutes... It's just ridiculous and honestly, I just don't have the time or patience to sit there with him while he learns that it is socially unacceptable to throw a fit when things don't go your way.

I guess I will be getting started on the book that I got a while ago, Setting Limits with Your Strong Willed Child... now's as good a time as any, right?  Is there something spectacular that you've done?  Please feel free to post any and ALL advice that you have!

Reading and BOOOOOKS!! Let's Chat...

You know, as a former teacher, I realize how important reading is to kids (as most parents do as well).  However, I don't know that all parents realize how easy it is to make if fun and model for kids.  So, I wanted to share some reading tips with you that I've used in college, in my classroom and now, in my home to encourage reading.

Oh yes, there's another things you should know... in my spare time, I do NOT read.  I know, CRAZY right?!  Something about it always puts me to sleep.  I have trouble focusing when I read silently, therefore I have to read aloud to actually understand it... so, reading in public is out.  And WHO has time to read or get silence long enough to read at home??  OK... back to the list...

Fun Filled FALL Weekend

I can't say it enough... I LOVE FALL!  I love having the windows open (especially the part where my air is OFF and I'm saving money on the power bill- it's a win/win situation).  I love the smells of fall.  When I walk into the grocery store and I smell the cinnamon scented broom sticks, I get all warm and fuzzy.  I love the outdoor activities!  The fall festivals, the pumpkin patches, birthday parties, 5k races, trips to the zoo, pretty much EVERYTHING about being outside makes me happy!

Brand Loyalty Let's Chat...

So, if you're a 'serious' coupon user... OR if you're someone who wants to be, then brand loyalty is something that you are familiar with.  I would LOVE to do some serious couponing.  BUT, I will confess to you that I am pretty loyal when it comes to some things.  Even though they cost more and RARELY go on sale :-(

I have learned that buying the store brand is not always the best deal.

I NEED a do over...

So yeah... ever have those days when you're like... wait... WHY did I get out of bed?  Yeah... I... FEEL... YOU!!!!  Let me just run through my morning, not because I need sympathy... because I want to share it with you and maybe give you a chuckle (since I am now able to laugh myself... the kids are sleeping... WHEW).

It started off with my daughter (who usually sleeps until 7/730) bee bopped into our bedroom at 545AM announcing that she 'wake-eh up'... YOU HEARD ME RIGHT... FIVE FORTY-FIVE!!!  UGH!  I scooped her up and told her that it was still night night time and she crawled in bed and slept with us (maybe I should get her one of those night lights that tell you when it's morning.  NAH... she really NEVER does this).  No worries, just as she fell asleep little brother chimed in... 630 and we were up and at it.  I picked Wyatt up out of his crib.  As I was carrying him to grab a diaper and change him, I realized that my shirt was now wet.  YUP... his diaper was saturated!  GREAT.

Bedrooms... Let's Chat...

Ok... so... our house was great when we bought it (I mean, it still IS but... read on...).  2 adults moving out of 600 sq ft apartment downtown into a 1200ish sq ft house!  3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms... I mean, PLENTY... right?!  We had our room, a guest room and an office.

Well, then... as planned.. baby number 1 came.  So, we said good bye to the guest room (the office has a pull out couch... so we could still have overnight guests).  2 years later came baby number 2.  So... you guessed it... office is no longer (as I sit at the dining room table with the laptop typing this).

Any of you out there that have kids or even if you've been to a house with kids... you'll be able to relate to this... they have a LOT of 'stuff'.  SERIOUSLY... trucks, balls, dress up clothes, crayons, blocks, and on and on and on.  I got tired of picking up toys from EVERY room of the house (with their help, of course).  Selling the house isn't really an option right now... the housing market... well, it's no bueno.  So, I opted for plan B.

Plan B: Have a 'sleeping room' and a 'play room' (the play room still has the pull out couch).  The sleeping room has beds and clothes.  THAT IS IT (well, that's the idea).  The playroom has ALL toys.

So yeah, maybe I forgot to mention that my munchkins are 1 (16mo) and 3.  I left my little man in a crib and big sister is in her big girl bed still.  Getting to sleep is actually not too bad (yet).  Yes, they giggle and play for a bit but it usually doesn't take too long for them to fall asleep.  The kicker is WAKING up!  My 3yr old can (and needs to) sleep til 730/8 in the morning if we'd let her.  BUT her brother likes to rise and shine at 6 eat breakfast and play and then go back to sleep around 7/730.  DRIVES ME CRAZY!  Out of the 8 days that we've been sharing a room, she has slept later than him may 3 times!!!!!

Please tell me that they'll adjust!  I need them to adjust! I would LOVE it if they would sleep later than 6... but if that doesn't change, at least I just need her to be able to sleep through the 'noise' coming from her brother!!!  Come one y'all give me some words of wisdom.  I'm LOVING the playroom (such fun decorating... thank you Pinterest!  I'm using the FREE 8x10 canvas too).  I don't think that I'll change that.  Any other thoughts for helping her sleep through the crying?  Or ways to make him sleep a little longer??

Let's Chat...

Happy Labor Day! Let's Chat...

What a GREAT time of year!  College football season just started (GO DAWGS!!), Labor Day is here, schools are back in session, before we know it the weather will be getting cooler and leaves will be changing color.

I just got home from doing some sale shopping for school clothes (my oldest munchkin starts school tomorrow) and I got pretty lucky!  Gotta LOVE a deal...

So on this wonderful first Monday of September... aka Labor Day... what is your favorite thing to do?  Do you and your family have an awesome tradition?  Do you go on a family vacation?  Are you a mega sale shopper?  Do you have to work?  :-(

Let's Chat...

Whatever you do today, I hope that you enjoy today (and every day)... because there's nothing better than living EVERY day as if it were your last.  HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!

Dinner Time! Let's Chat...

I'm telling you what... I think that if my little girl tells me ONE MORE TIME that she doesn't want to eat dinner... I might just LOSE IT!  My husband and I have tried EVERYTHING (I'm pretty sure)!  Here's a list of what we've tried... don't judge ;-)

Baby Proofing! Let's Chat...

Ok so... my 15 month old is now officially EVERYWHERE!  I mean, he has been everywhere for a while (crawling like a MAD MAN).  But, now that he's walking, his confidence level seems to have sky rocketed!  So, now comes the decision on baby proofing. 

 Thanks  to steveandheather.net for this picture.

So, to what degree do YOU baby proof? 

My theory has been with both kids to NOT relocate everything in the house but, to TEACH them what we are allowed to play with and touch OR the things that are NOT to be touched.  It isn't easy by ANY means, lots of chasing and following and LOTS of redirecting.  I just feel like when we go to a friend's house, they may or may not have curious toddlers that they have baby proofed for.  So then what?  Do I walk into my friend's house and start picking up anything that is breakable? 

On the other hand, there are some safety issues where (I think) baby proofing should take place... and lucky for us, there are GREAT products out there to help.  Here are some of the ones that I have used and learned to really like (please feel free to comment below with any others you've used and like).

Safety 1st Outlets & Appliance Safety Kit- I REALLY like this because it has the AWESOME covers that you have to twist a plug to plug it in.  We've had the old school ones, but my son could pop those out and plug them back in before he was even a year old!

Cabinet Locks (with knobs)- So I have these locks for my cabinets with knobs that are next to each other.  They work pretty well.  Easy for parents to use and tricky for the munchkins to figure out!

Cabinet Locks (without knobs)- I have 1 cabinet that doesn't have a 'partner' so this type of lock works wonderfully.  The only downside is that installing it involves a drill.  It isn't 'easy' to install... but it is easy to use!

Baby Gate- There are LOTS of different types of baby gates.  This is one that my friend has to block her stairs and it is nice because it's taller than others and is pretty sturdy! 
Play Yard- So, I have really enjoyed this.  I am able to section off part of the room where Wyatt can safely play without worry.  I actually have it NOT in a hexagon.  I have it tied to his crib and then attached to a bookshelf to stay up.  So he has a pretty good size play area.  I can unload groceries while he plays on his own.

Ok... I'm SURE that there are more things that I use or have used.  But, that is all I can think of for now.  Please feel free to share products or comments below!

Let's Chat...

Working out? WHO has time for THAT? Let's Chat...

ok... I don't know about all of you but I know that I WISH that I had enough time in the day and enough gumption to work out in some way EVERY day.  Honestly, I joined the YMCA this year and I LOVE it!  I go often but, there are days when it just doesn't work into my schedule.  I do know that days that I start my day with exercising in some fashion, I just feel better about myself. 

So, I've brainstormed some ideas of ways that I can make healthier choices or get a 'workout' around the house or in my everyday life.  Please feel free to comment below and add ANY other GREAT ideas!!

-DRINK WATER (click here)
-Park farther away (this is a big one for me... I am one of those types of people.  I would drive around for a LONG time trying to find a close parking spot)
-Take the stairs over the elevator or escalator
-Have a DANCE PARTY with the kiddos (this is TONS of fun!!)
-Play sports with the kids outside
-Jump rope
-Wear ankle weights (watch out... your legs feel wobbly after you take them off)
-Bike ride
-Piggy back rides (you can incorporate squats for an extra workout)
-Have fresh fruit options for snacks (good habits to start with the kiddos too)
-Work in the yard
(*calorie burning chart*)

Inexpensive exercise equipment to buy (to have and use at home without owning an entire gym):
-jump rope (GREAT cardio workout)
-exercise ball (you can do SO much on the ball... google it... but it is GREAT for your core and balance)
-hand weights (So these are a little pricey.  BUT, you really probably only need a set of 5lb weights and maybe some 8lb weights too.  Remember that you can use things around the house as weights too)
-kettle bells (The smaller ones are affordable.  The heavier ones get more expensive.  They are used in a lot of Crossfit workouts.)
-exercise band (Can often be used instead of weights to provide resistance.  My favorite... well, it hurts... but you know what I mean... exercise with the band is... to stand on it feet shoulder width apart.  Hold the handles either at hip or shoulder height to provide enough resistance.  Step right and left and burn your butt!!  It's a good one...)
-pull up bar
 
Here are some websites with GREAT ideas too:
-Working out while doing chores
-Working out at home with no equipment
-Working out without weights

Ok... well, that's what I came up with sitting here.  If I think of more, I'll comment.  You do the same, ok? 

Let's Chat...

Crying Kids in Public... Let's Chat...

No...this isn't my angel throwing
a fit in the middle of the mall... :-P

I think it's safe to say that at SOME point in our lives we have ALL rolled our eyes at someone who's kid was throwing a MAJOR tantrum.  I think it's also safe to say that that was probably BEFORE we had kids of our own.  Now, of course, there is ALWAYS an exception to the rule... but for the most part, it is hard to understand what is going on.  Instead of thinking to ourselves, "Man, I bet she is STRESSED out.  I wonder if I could help her out and make a silly face at her kiddo?"  We often think, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Get that kid under control!"  OR "When I have kids..."  OR  "What that kid needs is..."  I think you all get the idea... Needless to say, it is times like these that we really get into trouble!  We seal our fate.

So, let's hear it.  I KNOW we have ALL had situations where there was a kid throwing a fit in public (surely it wasn't your kid).  What worked?  What DIDN'T??  Do you have any good stories of someone saying something REALLY in appropriate on the rare occasion that it was your angel?  C'mon... let's chat...

Bedtime! Let's Chat...

So, from the time you bring your sweet angel home you (we) are striving to find a 'new normal'.  Frankly, that is JUST what it is... a 'NEW normal'.  What has been normal to you forEVER is now very VERY different!!  The very beginning is so tough adjusting and figuring everyone out.  But it doesn't take forever (hopefully) to get in some type of daily/nightly routine.  I know that when I was pregnant, I had a friend recommend a book, Baby Wise. 

Happy Memorial Day! Let's Chat...

I wanted to take a minute and wish everyone a

Happy Memorial Day! 

 

I hope that on this day you will not only enjoy the time with your friends and family but, that you will take a minute to stop and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have this day off.  American heroes are fighting diligently day in and day out, some unfortunately not making it home.  Please remember them and THEIR families today.  If you have someone that you would like us to remember on this Memorial Day, please feel free to comment and write their name and tell us anything else about them that you'd like to share.  This way we can make this holiday even more personal. 

 

Exersaucer? Jumperoo? Let's Chat...

Ok... so how about this one... Jumperoo?  Exersaucer?  Which do YOU prefer?  Why?  My kids have a jumperoo (MAINLY because it was a gift).  But, I know plenty of people with the exersaucer.  There are SO MANY choices out there. 

Here are some GREAT jumperoos (we have the rainforest one... LOVE IT)!  Click the link BELOW the picture to check it out!

Couponing... Let's Chat...

Ok... so I'm SURE that you have seen or at least HEARD about the couponing show on TLC... Extreme Couponing for Hoarders.  That IS what it's called, right?!  LOL!!  Unfortunately, it has people believing SO MANY things that quite simply, ARE.NOT.TRUE!  Couponing should be a blessing to your family.  It should save you money and NOT consume your life.  There are so many wonderful resources out there to get you started on the right foot.  I'm going to share a few things with you that I use in my grocery shopping/money saving/couponing trips (and I USED to be a grocery shopping HATER... I LOVE it now... it's a challenge :-))

First of all, I JUST signed up for emealz (if you don't know what I'm talking about, click here and CHECK.IT.OUT).  IT IS AMAZING!  Last week was my first week using the site.  She posts 7 recipes that go along with your grocery store choice/diet issues...ANYTHING!  Now, I do NOT make 7 meals in a week (we do leftovers or pizza sometimes).  So, I just chose the meals I wanted.  I picked 4 last week.  The second AWESOME part of the site is that it prints a GROCERY LIST!  The list shows which recipes each item matches, so I could cross out the ones that I wasn't using.  IF I would have made all 7 recipes, the total cost was $83, last week.  $83 TO FEED 4-6 PEOPLE 7 MEALS?!  That is crazy.  AND, that is NOT including any coupons.  So, if you have coupons you COULD save even more.  She just makes the lists according to deals. 

Ok... so once I've picked my meals and printed my list from her site, I go to a couponing site (there are a TON of them).  I mainly use 2... Saving My Family Money (this site is run by my cousin, so I'm a little partial to her) and Southern Savers.  From these sites, I create the ACTUAL list that I'll use at the grocery store.  I personally only put things on my list that are on sale (preferably a GOOD sale) that my family uses.  Here's a secret about grocery store sales... the product sales run in 6-8 week cycles!  With that said, if something is on a REALLY GOOD sale, then I'll stock up on what my family might use in a 6-8wk period.  NOT stock up on it for LIFE (like the people on that TLC show do).  There is NO NEED for 100 boxes of pasta.  If my family eats pasta 1/week (which we don't... but just for an example), then I would by 6 or 8 boxes.  These deal sites are very helpful because not only do they tell you which products are on sale, but they also tell you the coupons that match up with these deals (there are even some FREE ones that you can print from your computer...*each computer will only print 2 of each coupon.... sooooooooo, if you have more than one computer, or access to multiple computers, you can print more.  DO NOT copy the coupons... they have different codes).

Now, once I've made my 'deal' list and my 'meal' list, I start the coupon hunting.  Now, as a mother of a 3yr old and a 1yr old, clipping coupons, storing them and organzing them is NOT something I have time for (I'm SURE there are people who can relate).  BUT there's an answer for that too!  Coupon clipping services (again, there are TONS of these).  My favorite one is Our Coupon Clipping Service (I might be a little partial again... this one is run by my cousin and I ;-)).  If you search it though, you can find several.  These sites provide a SERVICE to you.  THEY clip, organize, and store the coupons for you.  You pay a small fee and they mail them to you.  Now, I'm SURE that there are some of you scratching your heads, VERY confused by this idea.  But, let me explain... I've made my 2 lists and I want the coupons that match.  I simply go to the site, click the coupons that match my products pick how many (remember the pasta example, that would have been 6 or 8 coupons... probably about $0.60-$0.80... if I had bought 6-8 NEWSPAPERS, it would cost A LOT MORE).  Does that make sense?  So, Now, I can shut the computer and wait for my coupons.  When they come in the mail, I take my lists and my envelope and get shopping.  It's THAT EASY!

Ok... so now, let's hear from you.  Any tips to offer?  Sites you use?  How bout experience?  Have you tried couponing?  Love it?  HATE it?  Let's chat...

Brainstorm...Let's Chat...

HAPPY HUMP DAY READERS!!

Hope today is off to a GREAT start for each and every one of you.  I've really been enjoying the 'Let's Chat' topics and the input that you have put in them!  I'm interested in what YOU would like to chat about... we've talked about, breastfeeding, making baby food, cloth diapers, LOTS of fun stuff... so what is on your mind?  I mean, we aren't all in the same stages of life.  What are issues or topics that would be interesting for you to read/chat about?  Comment below or email me (handyhousemom@gmail.com) with any ideas!  FYI... Wednesdays are the days that I post a Let's Chat topic... so keep an eye out for (hopefully) some fresh FUN new topics!!

Enjoy your day!!  The weekend is ALMOST here :-)