Tag: Lifestyle Mom

Mama’s: Welcome to The Chaos of “Maycember.”

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 6 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I am scrambling more and more looking at my May calendar than I do in December! Talk about total May madness.

My oldest is in Kindergarten so this is my first full year with all the school activities so I never really understood the meaning behind Maycember until this year. He brought home his May calendar from school about a week ago and I never knew there could be so many days that have things going on! Brings back so many memories though especially seeing field day on the calendar. But all the end of the year parties, teacher appreciation week, performances, field trips, spirit type week days.

I defiantly feel the pressure of trying to keep everything straight. Especially when you throw in all the extra activities for both kids. Ball games, dance recital, birthday parties, Mother’s day, Memorial day weekend, trying to be in two places at once at times.

The feeling of an endless to-do list is real.

And we wonder why it’s so easy to get burnt out as a mom?

The part keeping me going though? It’s just a season.

It will pass and I will look back and I’m sure wish I could do it all over again because secretly the chaos is fun. I love being busy with my kids. I love supporting them and cheering them on and being there for as much as I can and showing the people who deserve it how much we appreciate them.

But that isn’t saying that all of it isn’t overwhelming because it is.

To help break up the chaos a little I’ve started writing everything down.

Prioritizing and making lists on what to get each week for the week coming up.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I fortunately have a wonderful support system and have family to help when my husband and I can’t be in two places at once.

Push things that aren’t pivotal that month to later in the next month to help loosen the up load of things to do.

And most importantly give yourself grace, remember you are doing the best you can and no matter what, you are doing a wonderful job!

I am here rooting you all! We’ve got this.

Bring on Maycember!

The Joy’s of Potty Training & Spring Sports.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 18 Comments

How are you feeling momma’s? Anyone else feel the busy season of life brewing up? For some reason whenever Spring comes along, the older my kids get the more I just feel straight up busy. Defiantly a good busy though because I am desperate for that warmer weather and sunshine!

I’m looking at my May calendar and thinking how there is not a free weekend in it. Baseball opening day, dance recital weekends, school plays, birthday’s, Friend gatherings.

My kids are currently 5 and 3 and one of my favorite things has been having them try sports to see what they like and don’t like. So far my 5 year old son is loving baseball and if you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up his answer is to play for the Detroit Tigers. He’s taking a real liking to learning how to play hockey as well which is exciting and he just told me the other day he also wants to practice golf with daddy this Summer plus he tells me all about his playground adventures of playing basketball with his friends.

To say we may have our hands full with this one…

My 3 year old daughter is currently in dance which is so adorable to watch but lately she has been kicking balls around and wanting to play soccer. We are taking the Summer off of dance and our area has a fun rec program for her age that teaches tball, soccer and basketball so I am thinking that will be her activity for the warmer weather. She’s also begging to get out on the ice like her brother.

I never was much of a sports player but my husband was and I can tell he is just thriving in the newly developed sports era the kids are growing into. Which good for him, I have absolutely no problem being the on the sidelines and bleacher mom just ready with snacks after the games.

Speaking of my 3 year old, I can’t believe we are going to be a pull up free house soon. I honestly could not see the day ever coming and although it is bittersweet I would be lying if I said I wasn’t also excited about it.

Potty training my son was rough, lots of crying both him and I and frustration so when it was time for round two with my daughter and she started to show the same “I’m not doing it” attitude I was so nervous.

But….she took to it well after the first few times and we are on a good track and my relief is HUGE.

For a reward for doing so well these couple of weeks her grandma spoiled her and took her to get her nails painted which she has been asking to go with her to a nail appointment for a while and they turned out so cute! Fingers crossed it stays a positive experience for us all.

I am wishing you mama’s all the luck to you that are in your busy sports mom era, potty training era, newborn era, just mom era in general. We are all in this together the excitement, the tiredness, the hard parts. You are defiantly not alone.

May your coffee stay strong and the sunshine stay shining!

Morning Coffee Chats, Life Lately.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ Leave a comment

I can’t believe it’s already time to start saying Happy Holiday’s! Like where in the world did this year go!? 

My family and I have had so much fun celebrating Halloween, the kids were Batman and a witch and the joy on their faces when they run around trick or treating is just precious. Halloween has always been one of my favorites but holidays in general are just my jam, especially as a mom. 

We are fully ready to dive into the holiday season though and I’d be lying if I said my tree wasn’t up already because it is and I love it. Just like they say, turkey tastes just as good with your Christmas tree up 😜🎄

This year has been a tough one on and off though but especially these last few weeks actually but I’m faithful and hopeful it will all be ok in the end. You can only pray about the things you cannot control and that’s what I’ve been doing. 

I’m really just ready to take a step back and relax this winter with my family. It’s been a big wake up call and one I wish I never would have gotten but family really is all that matters and the time you get to spend together is such a gift! It really, really is. 

I feel like we worry too much about the things that don’t matter the most and I am definitely guilty of it. 

My anxiety definitely gets in the way.

So let’s slow down, read those books you’ve had on your tbr for a while.

Watch those movies and shows that make you happy and relax.

Spend time with your family and loved ones.

Have game nights and date nights.

Just decompress.

That’s my goal the last two months of this year and I hope it’s yours too! (Last two months, so crazy!)

Thank you for letting me chat, sometimes I just come here to write because it helps get things out you want to say and do so I’m thankful for my readers ❤️

A Letter to My Sassy Little Girl That I So Needed.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 13 Comments

Dear Daughter,

I never knew how much I needed a little girl until you came into my life.

Your head full of hair and sweet little cheeks, nose and lips I could not stop staring at when you were born.

The dreamy after feeding smiles and the long nights of walking around rocking you while you wailed and wailed.

My sour patch kid, and I could not love you more.

Your independence and your strength are admiring. Of course keeping up with your older brother I’m sure has contributed to that strength and sassiness you have but that’s ok. I hope you never lose it. It’s so important to be strong and independent as a child and as an adult, especially as a woman. I just know you will move mountains.

I hope you know how beautiful you are, even now at two-years-old with your blonde curls and big blue eyes, that cheeky little grin. I hope you never stop saying “I so pretty” when you put on a new dress or a new bow in your hair that you love. My words to you will always, always stay positive and I only pray your words to yourself will as well.

I hope you know I will always be there for you as your mom but as your friend as well. I will never let you feel like you can’t come to me for anything, no matter what. I will be there to help, to teach and to comfort and to listen to you and your brother, always.

It’s such a privilege that I was picked to be your mama.

Always keep your strength, your sassiness, your sweetness and your attitude. Your independence and your love for adventure. Your positivity and your love for everyone in your life.

I am so blessed to be on this journey with you.

I love you baby girl.

Love always,

Your mama.

A Letter From One Kindergarten Mom to Another.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 16 Comments

Well, here we are.

This day seemed so far away for such a long time didn’t it? I thought so too and sometimes I still can’t believe we are on the full on school journey now.

It seems like just yesterday that we were rocking, burping, pacing the living room floor just trying to get adjusted to having a new baby and now our baby is growing up.

We were listening to baby shark on repeat and holding chubby little fingers to steady them while learning to walk. Going through the emotional journey of potty training and their preschool journey learning how to be a friend, leading us all to here.

This moment.

Kindergarten.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t keep me up at night thinking about it.

Just hoping and praying that it will be a great year and that he will thrive and be happy being in school and make lots of friends, be kind and have a wonderful teacher who is patient. That’s all you can ask for right? That’s what we have been teaching and preparing for.

Even sitting here typing I can’t help but cry and our first day is still a week away.

I guess I am writing this to let you know mama, you are not alone. Your fears are rational. It feels like you’re sending your baby out into the big scary world without being able to be there to protect them every minute of the day.

But I am choosing to embrace this new journey and make it the best I can for my little man. Making sure lunches are fun to open each day, volunteering for all I can, being involved in his school journey as much as I can. Attending every event or field trip he asks me to. I think that’s what helps your little one and you in this adjustment and school years to come.

So don’t be afraid to cry after hugs and drop off, don’t be afraid to think about your little one every second of their first week because it’s normal and it will happen.

Schedules might be a little more crazy, doubts might be a little more high, evenings a little more busy, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.

I wish you the best of luck on the new school year! I hope it’s successful and fun and that you both enjoy it.

We’ve got this mama’s!

When Friends Become Like Family. Camping Trip!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 19 Comments

I feel like once I had my children and even more so that I have hit the age of 30, I realize more and more just how precious family and friendship really is.

Especially when those friends turn into becoming more like family. When your kids grow up together and you are best friends and they are little besties and it’s just a wonderful experience and I am so thankful for it.

It’s turned into a tradition to go on a mini Summer vacation each year towards the end of the Summer with friends and this year it was a Jellystone Park campground and it was a BLAST!

So many memories made.

They had everything you would need to keep kids occupied and it was all right there from pool, splash pad, waterpark, putt putt, fishing, parks, bike riding.

I loved the huge splashpad the most so the toddler’s could enjoy all the water fun too, it’s always stressful making sure you find somewhere where your young ones can participate and have fun too.

The cabins were really spacious and nice, fit two families perfectly and most had a view of the water so it was fun for fishing which my son did for the first time and now he loves it.

We had a rain day but even that was fun because the kids played board games and we were able to go to lunch to get them out and out of the cabin for a couple of hours until it cleared up for some water fun.

Our experience was such a great one and we can’t wait to go back again!

Have you ever been to a Jellystone park? I know they have a lot of them so curious who has been.

As Summer is coming to an end, I really hope you have all enjoyed it. I love Summer so I am sad to see it go, but it was defiantly a fun one with the kiddo’s and my hubby this year!

What was your favorite thing you did this Summer?

Dandelion Days.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 6 Comments

Some of my best memories of childhood are walking around picking dandelions as you go adventure outside just knowing it’s going to be the best day.

Spending a whole day outside getting dirty, swimming and being with family are my fondest memories and it’s what I strive for my children’s childhood.

Especially now.

So when my 4-year-old son came up to me while we were playing in the backyard after I was home from a long day at work and handed me a handpicked dandelion just for me I was so happy.

And then when my 2-year-old daughter followed suit and soon I was blessed with a bouquet of dandelions my heart burst.

So of course we had to make a wish on some of our dandelions, pick them apart and keep a couple as well.

As the days are becoming warmer and Summer finally is almost upon us I strive for dirt filled finger and toenails, chasing butterflies, bug hunting, riding bikes for hours, a day full of swimming.

There’s something so magical about a young learning mind. Creating fond memories for them that they will think back on when they are older just like me reminiscing on a dandelion.

So next time you see a dandelion, I hope you don’t get annoyed about the weed in your perfectly green lawn and think of it instead of happier Summer days spent soaking in the warmth that the world has to offer.

Peel apart the petals, make a wish and a perfect time to make some memories with your littles because it’s ones they will always remember.

It’s a gift.

Mom Friends and Coffee Chats

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 17 Comments

Hello friends!

You want to know what I think one of the biggest blessings in life are? Mom friends.

Even more specific, mom friends and coffee dates!

Seriously, it’s so nice to have someone to talk to who knows what you are going through, or at least has been there before. Everything just seems a bit more manageable when you have someone there that is deep in the trenches of motherhood just like you.

Sporting those messy buns, dark circles and weird stained clothes because for some reason, I don’t know about you but I find a weird stain from my kids yucky fingers on something I am wearing almost daily? Hope I’m not alone in that one.

Anyways, you just feel less alone! And let’s be honest here, motherhood can be extremely lonely.

A walk to a cute coffee shop, sunshine and some chit chat with a friend though? Could cure the soul I swear, even with kiddo’s tagging along.

Marissa and I did just that yesterday, she was kid free but I instantly squashed that when my little’s had to make the trip with us to an adorable coffee shop in our town, The Electric Coffee!

It’s such a cute spot with a fun seating area to chat, work or read a good book!

I just feel like I can take a deep breath when I get myself ready for the day, get outside in the sunshine and have an iced coffee in my hand. It sounds so cliché’ I know but in my life it really is the little things that make me the happiest.

So let’s talk about 5 ways to make yourself get out of the house and call up your mom friend because who says kids are the only ones who get to have play dates!?

Go for a walk.

One of the easiest ways to both enjoy your kids and friends is defiantly taking a walk. Find a trail to get some exercise. Walk your downtown area. Grab the bikes or rollerblades to make it extra fun for the kids.

Visit your favorite coffee shop.

Coffee dates are the best, chatting over coffee is one of my favorite things to do. It’s so relaxing and it is a great way to meet up with your friends and catch up.

Wine tasting.

Something I love as much as coffee? Wine! Wine nights are so fun and if you enjoy wine, I feel like wine tasting is the perfect moms night out!

Workout together.

Take a workout class together! Yoga or Zumba are always fun. Take a hike somewhere you both enjoy walking. Join a gym and plan weekly workouts.

Start a book club.

I love reading and so do a lot of my mom friends! So why not start a book club? You get to do what you love and share your favorite or least favorite parts with your friends.

So make sure to connect and make some time for yourself and your friends. They are so needed to survive this crazy adventure of motherhood.

Most importantly enjoy your favorite cup of coffee at your local coffee shop and chit chat a little, I promise you will feel refreshed! 🙂

To the mama’s having a bad week.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 16 Comments

I am right there with you.

For a patient person, my patience is thin and you know what? It’s ok.

Do I feel guilty about it? Sure.

Do I wish that every day could just be rainbows and butterflies? Absolutely.

This motherhood journey is not all rainbows and butterflies though, and boy don’t we know it.

The other day both my kids were crying. One because he couldn’t have a snack right before dinner and the other just because her big brother was crying and she thought she needed to as well.

A glass of wine and a bathroom break with the door actually shut and not being opened or pounded on sounded so amazing at that moment.

I feel like sometimes the pressure just builds up for us with every cry or every tantrum and it’s tough to not be bothered.

Throw in a long day at work and I am just exhausted thinking about it.

It’s hard to keep your head up as a mom.

I think sometimes we just feel beat down. Weather it be a rough night of sleep, a bad potty training day, a crying baby you just can’t seem to soothe, a guilty day of work when you just wish you were home, a sick kiddo that has you feeling miserable as well.

The list goes on and on.

It’s all ok though and I really hope you know that when you feel this way, how great of a mom you are.

It’s the toughest job in the world that you show up for every single day. But the reward? It’s the greatest of all time.

Keep your head up, make sure you take the breaks you need.

Take time for yourself, use your tribe of people when you need the help and DO NOT feel guilty about it.

Take a deep breath and know that the guilt will subside and there will be far more better days than bad ones.

Just know that you’re a wonderful mother and we are all in this together.

Driving While Pregnant – Cooper Hurley

Summer Bucket List Ideas For You & The Kids!

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 19 Comments

Warmer weather is finally here!!

There is just something about Summertime with your kids.

The days are longer and you just feel a sense of freedom for them and yourself. No more cold cooped up days.

Making the most of Summer matters so much for us moms. Anyone else feel the same?

It’s just such a great time to make special memories and just slow down. Soak it all in, take a breath of fresh air.

I feel like moods are lifted everywhere.

The sunshine and warmth just does wonders for everyone.

I thought it would be fun to come up with a bucket list for my family to check off this Summer.

Beach day

Fair Day

Zoo Day

Exploring your town

Slushy run

Summer sports

Park day and picnic

Long naps

Camping

Swimming

Outdoor movies

S’mores by the fire

Splash pad

Long walk

Bubbles

Baseball game

Outdoor concert

Ride bikes

Boat ride

Wilderness exploring

Watch a sunset and sunrise

Painting outside

Firework shows

Summer parades

Star gazing

Road trips

Putt putt

Cookout

Ice cream date

Lemonade stand

Make our own popsicles

Water gun/ water balloon fight

Dance in the rain

Read in a hammock

I am just so excited for Summer with the kids and my husband! Definitely checking off as much as I can on the Summer bucket list and adding as we go!

What’s on your bucket list this Summer?

Any exciting plans?

Get outside as much as you can and just enjoy every moment.

Slow down, take it all in and soak it all up 🙂

Enjoy those dirty little barefoot feet running around.