Tag: Boy Mom

7 Fun Spring Break Activities For You and The Kids.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 36 Comments

Spring is upon us and with that comes Spring break!

Even though my son and daughter are still super young, I still think of Spring as the start of fun activities school aged or not.

We can finally get outside and play. Bring on the mud and grass stained clothes because I am so ready!

Today I thought I would share some great Spring break activities that you can do as a family, that still is a little more social distanced.

1. Break out the bubbles.

Just like bubble wrap, I feel like you’re never too old for bubbles! Bubbles are such a great inexpensive activity. You can make big bubbles, get a bubble machine or make some fun in a bin with bubbles and water. Definitely a great outdoor activity for the kids.

2. Take a day trip.

I love making a day out of a fun activity. We recently went to an indoor water park and my son had a blast. Even a trip to your local library or just finding in town activities to do are great as well!

3. Have a family movie night.

You can never go wrong with a movie night. One of my favorite things to do. Make some popcorn, set up a snack bar or ice cream station. Make some homemade icee’s. So much fun can come from a movie night.

4. Paint a masterpiece.

Painting is such a great activity no matter what age! Get creative with it and there’s so many things you could come up with! Or grab your chalk and head outside to chalk paint.

5. Have an outside adventure.

Check out your favorite trail, rock hunt at the beach, ride bikes, go rollerblading. Head to the park. Outside adventures are what I’m most excited about as the days get longer and hopefully warmer.

6. Sensory bins.

There is so much you can do with sensory bins and they are a hit at any age as well! I have lots of water bin ideas in mind for my son this Spring.

7. Fly a kite.

Spring is so perfect for kite flying! It can still be windy so get to the park and run around with a kite!

Let’s make this Spring a great one and enjoy it as much as we can! I know we all and definitely our kids need it!

What’s your favorite thing about Spring? Mine would be everything blooming and the excitement that Summer is coming.

Have a wonderful week!

Top 5 Everyday Cleaning Tips.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 50 Comments

Who is having some serious Spring fever?!

Believe it or not but I’m actually itching for the first really nice day to get here so I can open up the windows, put some rubber gloves on and do some major spring cleaning!

I’m here today to give you some everyday cleaning tips that will make it easier for you to keep your house up throughout the weeks.

In the winter I slack so much on these tips, it’s already dark by the time I get home from work and it’s the last thing I want to do on my days off. But when the days get longer and it’s still light out by 7pm, I get back in my groove.

Here’s my 5 everyday cleaning tips!

  • Get your laundry ready the day before.

This is a big one because I know we all secretly hate laundry! I’ll be honest though, I’m never ever fully caught up with laundry being a mom and then my husband and I’s clothes as well. I think maybe if I had a first floor laundry room instead of having to go up and down the stairs to the basement all day long, I would be happier. Enough of my laundry hate ranting though.

It makes it so much easier if you sort through your laundry the night before and get your piles ready, that way as soon as you wake up you can throw the first load in and just add to your other piles throughout the day. Instead of being up until 8pm finishing laundry, you’ll most likely be done by 2pm and that way you can have a glass of wine by 8pm 😉

  • Unload your dishwasher first thing in the morning.

I always unload my dishwasher before I leave for work or defiantly when I’m off. That way you’re just putting your dirty dishes in the dishwasher all day long and keeping your sink clean and dish free.

I LOVE a clean sink.

Plus it makes after dinner dishes so much easier to deal with. I don’t know about you but if I have a clean and dish free sink, I feel a whole lot better!

  • Make an every two day checklist.

I am a sucker for lists. I love lists. Grocery lists, everyday lists, work lists, CLEANING LISTS. List’s make my life easier and when I feel like I am slacking in the cleaning department and just dreading it because that means I’ll have to deep clean instead of the normal freshen up, I know I have to start making my every two day checklist again.

So basically you can do it however you want to. For me specifically my every two day checklist consists of..

  • Dusting
  • Vacuuming
  • Steam mop

and so on. You can make your list whatever you want but when it comes time for the weekend and if I’ve been doing that every two days then it makes cleaning the rest of the house sooo much easier and cuts down my time by a lot.

  • Do a mini cleaning pick up each night.

I’m sure a lot of you mama’s have this on your list. Toy’s usually get scattered all around the house. My son loves his toys everywhere and so does my puppy.

Every night I do a mini pick up. I fold up all the blankets, pick up all the toys, put away all the chargers and smart device’s used that day. Clean up the kitchen and coffee table. I just do a quick sweep of everything that got used a lot that day before I go to bed so I wake up more refreshed and not staring at a big huge mess.

Trust me though, it doesn’t happen every single night!

  • Clean your countertops and used tables everyday.

The last thing I try to do everyday is wipe down my countertops, kitchen table and coffee table. They are used the most throughout the day so no matter what there’s always crumbs or some kind of weird stain on them. I just like to do that everyday to keep them fresh and clean since they are some of the first things you go to when you wake up or when you get home.

Those are my everyday cleaning tips I have for you that I, myself do. I hope you enjoyed this post and I wish you all good luck in the Spring cleaning phase that’s coming!

I know I have so much decluttering to do especially in the clothes and toy area.

What are some of your cleaning tips you use daily?

I also have a free weekly cleaning checklist down below you can download and use this Spring! I’m sure excited about it.

Easy Creamy Chicken Enchilada’s.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 45 Comments

I don’t know about you but I loveeeee enchilada’s!

They are so yummy and this happens to be one of the most requested dinners that my husband asks for and that’s saying something for Mr. food critic.

This recipe is so easy and has very minimal ingredients. The prep time doesn’t even take long as well so let’s get into it!

Ingredients

3-4 cups cooked and shredded rotisserie chicken

1 medium onion chopped up

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 cup sour cream

1 large can or two small cans enchilada sauce

3 cups shredded cheese Mexican blend

10 flour tortillas

Preheat your oven to 350 F

In a large pan over medium heat add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and add your onions. Cook until translucent and soft.

Combine chicken and onions in your pan and stir.

Pour 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce over your mixture and stir just enough to coat the mixture.

Add sour cream and stir.

Turn off heat and add 2 cups of shredded cheese and combine until it’s nice and creamy and cheesy.

Pour just enough enchilada sauce over your baking pan to coat the bottom.

Fill up your tortillas. Spoon a little sauce onto it and then add your mixture.

Roll your tortilla and place in the baking dish. Repeat with all until your dish is filled.

Pour the rest of your enchilada sauce on the top of all of your tortillas and also top them with another cup of cheese.

Cover with foil and bake 20-30 min. Remove foil the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Enjoy!

I love this recipe. I usually serve it with some Spanish rice and it’s so good!

Let me know if you try it and enjoy it!

Thank you for reading 🙂

Why Book Lovers Feel More.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 41 Comments

Fun little tid bit about me, I am a total book worm. Before having my kids, any free time I had usually consisted of writing and reading. My favorite hobbies by far and every chance I get, my nose is in a book.

Tell me if you can relate but I feel like whenever you finish a really good book, sometimes you are just at a loss. You connect so well with the characters, you go through their journey with them and then just like that, it’s all over and you feel like you just lost a friend.

Books to me are so powerful, I love all the emotions you can get just from reading one book. You can laugh with the characters, you can cry with them and feel their pain and their heartbreak. There’s nothing better to me than an emotional book, I am a sucker for them. Books to me are like my safe haven. Ever since I was little if I just wanted to get away or just clear my mind from whatever was going on, my first instinct was to grab my favorite book and curl up and get lost in it. I love the connection it gives you, it takes your mind right to where the author decided you should be.

“When reading, we don’t fall in love with the characters appearance. We fall in love with their words, their thoughts, and their hearts. We fall in love with their souls.”

Another confession, I’ve always wished I had the talent and creativity to create a story that the reading world would love, to connect your readers to the characters you have fallen so in love with as you’ve created them and come to know them. That has to be the best reward as an author, to listen to your readers feedback. To find out who their favorite characters were, or what book boyfriend they love the most (we all have one!) I love when I find a book and find out the author actually cried while writing it, just the emotional bond we all find with books is amazing to me.

“We lose ourselves in books, we find ourselves there too.”

We book lovers feel emotions like no other, in the way we interpret words, in the way that our hearts and mind follow whatever story we are into. I love finding characters who relate to what i’m feeling, just like when you hear a song that just tells your story, some characters just tell our own stories so well in their own words. Let’s keep connecting and keep feeling every chance we get, I will always find my safe haven in a good ol’ book.

I really hope my kids find a love for books. Right now they really love them and learning new things from each book they have which as a mom and as a bookworm, makes me so happy!

Top 4 Beauty NEEDS for Busy Moms

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 26 Comments

I am celebrating 10 years of being a mom this week! I still remember the moment that I first looked into our little girls big eyes. It’s crazy how fast that time flies!

This week I wanted to tell you my top 5 beauty must haves. If there is one thing that I’ve learned in the past decade of “momming”, it’s that some time self-care isn’t a long luxurious bubble bath, or a day trip to the spa. Sometimes it’s simply getting your self presentable within the 10 minutes you have before bolting out the door in the morning.

Revlon One-Step

This little device has changed my life SIGNIFICANTLY! It has literally knocked a half an hour of time off my routine. I had asked my husband to get it for me for my birthday, and he did, and I have used it every day since. The best thing about it was I could dry and style my hair at one time, and for being a busy lady, it drastically improved my life!

Nuetrogena Hydro-Boost Line

I cannot recommend this product line more! I started using the moisturizer the moment it came out. I have dry skin, but in the winter it turns extremely dry! This line has literally saved my skin. It gives me that nice dewy glow without looking oily and greasy. It is perfect under makeup, but quite honestly it’s made me comfortable in my own skin too. That’s a lot of pressure for a product!

Vaseline

I think Vaseline is a very under rated product. I use it for literally everything! Lips, eyebrows, even on my cheek bones to give an extra glow. My hands have been dry and cracking for the past year now, and at night time I will coat the top of my hands. So soothing!

Good Concealer

I don’t use foundation anymore. Even before masks over took our faces. I started buying a good concealer. I started with Tarte Shape Tape, and then Elf came out with a dupe. It’s the 16h Camo Concealer. I honestly can’t tell a difference, but I’m no expert. I just apply under my eyes, depending on how dark the circles are, blend it out, and go!

Wow, I’m not going to lie. I totally inteded doing my top 5, but it’s “mid winter break” and they are still responsible for school work “virtually”.

Hope you enjoyed my top four beauty tips!

Adventures of a Toddler/Puppy Mom.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 42 Comments

So I’m a pretty big optimist. It’s definitely one of my weaknesses but also strengths.

I had this perfect picture in my mind when thinking of getting a puppy. Anyone who knows my sweet bub knows how much he loves dogs.

Every time he sees a dog he points to them and yells dog! Excitement in his eyes. So my hubby and I were so excited at the opportunity to bring a pup home shortly after Christmas.

Well…..my son still loves dogs but a new puppy in his home getting the same attention he does?

Uhhh yeah…didn’t go as planned

I was so worried about if Boomer would bite Easton and all of that but I didn’t realize I would have to worry about bub being nice more!

I think I yell NO or STOP and there’s definitely some GET OUT OF THERE’s about 20 times a day.

But soon it eventually turned into one of those TikTok videos (if I knew how to make one I would) when they say “what I thought having a toddler and puppy would be like” then it rolls into “what I got” and you suddenly hear the bad sh*t song come on.

Not even joking, these two are partners in crime and when I say they get into everything I mean EVERYTHING.

I don’t even know what’s hidden under my couches with the little hands pushing things be the little tail wagging around.

Bub is sweet but has learned how to get into the dog food container and secretly feeds Boomer extra food even if it’s just a few pieces at a time.

I now never ever go to the bathroom alone. There is a toddler getting into the vanity and there’s a puppy getting into the bathroom trash.

When I leave the room and it’s quiet, you better bet mischief is happening.

But we are a little over a month into this new toddler and puppy life and they are slowly getting used to each other.

Yes there’s some puppy bites.

Yes there are accidents.

Yes there is some tail pulling.

But we are navigating and embracing this new adventure (told you embracing was my 2021 motto!)

And it’s been fun and exhausting and super cute and the cuddles are the best ever because I get cuddles from both and sometimes at the same time! I missed my feet being warmed by soft fur❤️

Moral of the story is, I love my little family so much! I can’t wait to share more adventures of Bub and Boomer with you all!

Soup Saturday’s! Loaded Baked Potato.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 31 Comments

My family and I started a tradition this past fall. We love soups around here, so we decided that every Saturday (almost), we would all help make some soup!

We’ve done chili, cheddar broccoli, chicken noodle and our absolute favorite Loaded Baked Potato!

This loaded baked potato soup is so so simple, but so so yummy!

No one in my daily complains about what we eat, which is a rarity when you have a 9 & 7 year old!

I’m going to share my recipe with you! It is something so simple, you could throw all the ingredients in the crock pot in the morning & it will be ready when you’re home.

We like to eat ours with a baguette or some type of bread. I’ve even served it with carrots and celery.

Here is what you will need! I just throw it all in the crock pot and set it on low for about 6 hours. You pretty much just want to make sure it’s all melted together.

  • 1 bag Hash browns
  • 1 block ofCream Cheese
  • 1 can Cream of Chicken soup
  • 2 bags Cheddar cheese (we like sharp)
  • Chicken broth
  • Bacon bits

I do save some bacon bits and cheese for on top once it’s in my bowl. You could also add chives or even sour cream if you wanted.

This recipe is so quick and simple, but it’s cheap too! Who doesn’t love a meal that you can throw together for under $15!

If you don’t know me personally, then you don’t know how MUCH I love Target. I am actually able to buy all the ingredients at my local Target, and it only has a very small grocery section.

I just wanted to say thank you for your patience as we navigate this crazy life of being working moms! We have a wonderful support from our friends and family!

Next week, I’m posting about my top five beauty must haves for being a busy mama! See you soon!

Cold Days & A Hot Bowl Of Chili.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 39 Comments

We have had some cold days and nights here in Michigan. Although our winter has been mild so far, I’m sure the snow and the cold is sure to drag on.

One of my favorite ways to warm up on a cold day?

My crockpot going and some chili cooking on low all day.

So today I thought I would share my chili recipe with you!

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

Half an onion

1 orange pepper

1 can of crushed tomatoes

1 can of kidney beans

1 can of tomato paste

Chili powder

Dice up your half an onion and orange pepper.

Brown your ground beef. Once browned add in the onion and pepper for flavor and to soften.

To your crockpot add your ground beef and onion and peppers.

Add your crushed tomatoes, not drained.

Add your kidney beans, drained.

Add your tomato paste and then stir all together.

Sprinkle on your chili powder and stir once more.

Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

For toppings we love cheese, sour cream and frito scoops!

We also love a thicker chili but you could definitely add tomato juice to it as well.

I hope you love this recipe! What do you love to add into your chili?

Share below and as always, thanks for reading!

Embrace The Chaos.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 38 Comments

Sometimes I just feel like life flies by right before my eyes but when I look, I’m still sitting in the same spot.

Each day is a new day but it’s the same routine.

So what do I do?

Embrace it.

Embrace the chaos.

That’s my motto for 2021.

The mess of toys.

The long sleepless nights and days.

The dirty laundry.

Dishes needing to be done everyday.

The screams and giggles and little feet padding down the hallway.

The crayon marks, the carpet stains.

Everything under the sun being under your couch. (Literally, I have no clue what some of the things even are…)

And under the stove…

And of course we can’t forget the refrigerator.

The feeling of there’s not enough coffee or wine in the world to help you today.

The deep breath you find yourself taking to keep your patience going.

The ache of your feet after a long day at work.

Embrace it all because how lucky are we to have it? Honestly.

I would never want to imagine a life without it. The chaos.

Embrace it all.

You’ve got this.

Happy New Year, I am Back!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 17 Comments

HI FRIENDS! Happy Monday!

Long time no talk. Were the Holidays crazy or what?

I was feeling so down because of how different everything was and what we couldn’t do. So I just focused on myself and my family and what we could still do.

It was definitely needed but guess what!? I am back and I thank you for being so patient. I have so much news and so many new ideas I can’t wait to dive into.

The cutest news?

We added to our family in December, we have a fur baby!

His name is Boomer and he’s an adorable Golden Retriever. So now I am officially super outnumbered with all boys in my house.

It’s definitely been an adjustment with an 18 month old and a puppy but it’s been fun! I will definitely talk more on that in another post.

But for now I just wanted to hop on here and say hi and let you know I’m still here!

It’s a new year and I can’t wait to freshen things up and get some new content rolling out.

Also, remember we do Saturday guest blogs and would love to line some up for the new year so email us at quirkyworkinmoms@gmail.com if you are interested please!

Again, thank you so much for being patient and I’m so glad to be back to writing for you all!