I wanted to post an update on my Unglued progress. I am loving this book. Loving. It is the perfect book for me to read right now, at a time that I feel seriously unglued. The book repeats over and over to put the word of God in your heart. Read the word, memorize the word, meditate on the word. Well, I think now's a good time to tell everyone that I'm about 3 weeks in to reading through the Bible in 90 days. I haven't told you (or many people at all) that because, frankly, it scares me. It's a lot of reading and I don't want to fail. I've started (and quit) reading the Bible from cover to cover, in chronological order, New Testament first... you name it, I've tried it. And I always quit. It's hard. There are some places, especially in the Old Testament that make me go cross-eyed. But, I'm going into week 3 tomorrow and I'm in Deuteronomy. Which means I'm passed Exodus AND Leviticus! Woot woot! Those are a couple of my stumbling blocks from the past. So, those are behind me and I've told the world (or at least my 3 readers) that I'm doing this, so now you're holding me accountable, right?
In other news.... I want to start some new projects around the house. As most of you know, we just finished a ginormous outdoor renovation that I LOVE and I'm super-excited to enjoy it even more once we can light up the fireplace and curl up in front of it. It's been awhile since we've taken on a project inside the house. Here are the things I want to do... in order. Jason, if you're reading this, don't fall over.... I don't plan on trying to do all of these at once! ;)
I would like to move Julianne's room upstairs. My thought was to keep Julianne downstairs until we have another baby.... but I don't know when/if that's going to happen. And since Julianne wakes up at every. single. sound. I think it would be great to move her upstairs and away from the morning business. Jason gets up at tooearly:thirty and I get up about an hour later at tooearlyforme:thirty. Well, as soon as we start stirring, guess who's up! I tuck her back in her bed so that I can have a minute of quiet (or an hour since I'm reading like a ton of God's word daily)... but she's still up too early... which means she's super crabby and exhausted. Will moving her upstairs actually help? I don't know *I hate it when people ask and answer their own questions, don't you?? Super annoying.* But I want to try. Julianne moved into the room we totally decorated for Lucy. In fact, the only things we changed were the name sign on the wall (and that took like a year) and I had a friend paint a sign to put over the changing table. Nothing else changed. At all.
We totally re-did Lucy and Adelaide's room about 2 years ago and then we moved Adelaide into the guest room when she started Kindergarten (and bought her some bedding to make it look like she's not sleeping in the guest room). We had always thought at least 2 of the kids would share a room... but right now, we don't like the combinations. Lucy wakes up too early (do you see a trend?) and Adelaide really needs her rest because she's in big school all day. So, instead of bunking Lucy and Julianne together (which I think would only result in them waking up earlier and earlier), I would like to move Julianne into the other guest room upstairs. We would then have a guest room downstairs. In order to convince Jason this would work for our future plans, is to tell him that we can paint the downstairs room that has always been a nursery gray. I will use gray if we ever use that room as a nursery again. I promise. :) Anyway, it would be a guest room now and if we have another child (or two), it will remain the guest room/nursery. And all of our children, for now, will be upstairs along with the playroom. Sounds like a great idea to me!!! So, first and foremost, I would like to turn the guest room upstairs into Juli's big girl room and I would like for it to look like this.
If anyone would like to offer their expertise on repurposing furniture or other things into furniture, I'd love a good lesson... we would like to furnish this room on a dime. :)
And I would like to paint the downstairs room gray and move the upstairs furniture into this room for our guest room. I would love repurpose an old, beat-up mantle into a headboard like this one. I should take a moment to mention that I don't really like anything else going on in this room.... other than the headboard.
Next on my list is the pantry/laundry room. I have asked a friend to make these. My laundry room is tiny, and the storage isn't very functional. It does have some great cabinets above the washer/dryer that I'm too short to reach without a step stool and a counter opposite the washer/dryer with a utility sink. So, it has some bones that are great, but the use of the space hasn't reached it's potential. I think the use of the pedestal under the washer/dryer will be great for sorting laundry and actually using that space. Then I would like the other side of my laundry room, under the counter to look like this.
While all that is going on, I would love to paint the laundry room a fun color I wouldn't be able to get away with in the rest of the house, like a fun orange or hot pink. :) Since it's so small, though, I might need to settle for a soothing green or Tiffany blue. I wonder if Jason would go for a chandelier in there? Hmmmm....
Speaking of under-utilized spaces, my pantry... it's kinda pathetic. I know, I know... I'm thankful I have a pantry. I really am. But, only half of it is really used... actually less than half. It's the size of a small closet, but the only shelves in there are on the back wall... and they stop about 3 feet from the floor. We are losing some major function in the pantry. I would love to yank all of the wire shelves out and toss them... paint and then get a great closet shelving system put in that will actually work for us. Like with real shelves that won't let stuff fall through and that cans can't sit on levelly.
Something like this pantry.
Okay for long term, I would love to see about having my kitchen cabinets painted and glazed.
And super long term, I would like to pretty much rip out the entire master bathroom with it's beautiful but totally uncomfortable bathtub and start over.
Please don't take this post to mean that I'm not thankful for our beautiful home. I am. But I want to make it our's and I want to make it work for us.
I don't see a point in keeping a perfectly suitable room upstairs just for guests that come once every three months or so (sorry grandparents)... we live here every day and I want it to work first and foremost for us. And I didn't envision all of our girls having their own rooms, but if that's what gives everyone the most sleep, split 'em up! Anyway.... stay tuned... I'm looking to start switching stuff up here soon.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
I am doing some things right...
Yesterday in my Mommy melt-down post, I pretty much bashed myself as a parent. It was just that kind of day. I felt "unglued" from the time my feet hit the floor. But today I want to take a different approach. I'm a good mom. I believe that. I do think that "good moms" always think there are things that we should be doing better. That's what makes us good moms. Bad moms don't care how they're doing things. Right?
Well, here are some things I think we are doing well (or things that show we are doing well). First of all, I'm pretty "hard" on our children. Hard is in quotations because I don't think it's that bad, but I do require some sort of responsibility and accountability on their part. They are little bitty people.... that grow up (very quickly) into grown up people. And those grown up people will be expected to live in society and interact with people and take care of themselves. Therefore, I want to raise little ladies that are prepared for that. I want my children to have good manners and to be thoughtful. Which they are (with the exception of the gas that Julianne passed in church last night... please excuse her... if you were close to us, she did say it wasn't funny... but it was). My children are thoughtful. I wish I could record their prayers at night. They remember to pray for people that I don't even think about again. We pray for their teachers and their friends, anyone that wasn't at school and some that were there but were acting mean, we pray for friends that are sick and for Mr. Chuck (our minister), we pray for our Great Grandmothers and all of our extended family. We are doing a good job. Our children know the most important skill they will ever learn. To talk to God.
Tuesday while we were meeting a friend for lunch, we heard a fire truck. Lucy's first reaction was, "Mommy, are we going to pray?" We did. And we do every time we hear a fire truck or ambulance. And I'm thankful they want to. They are learning to be thoughtful and to understand (as much as they can) the feelings of others and how scared they must be if they needed to call 911.
I think we are doing a good job because most people enjoy being around our children. We've all been around the kid(s) that drive us nuts. I don't want my children to be that way. Let me be clear. My children are normal children. They can be clingy and annoying.... but overall, they are great kids. And most people enjoy spending (limited amounts of) time with them. :)
I don't like for my children to run around in restaurants or stare over the booth at people. I've been known to say, "They don't think you're as cute as I do." Is that mean? I don't think so... it's true. I think my children are beautiful and hilarious and the best kids on the planet. But I do realize that other people don't think they're as cute as I do. You know how I know that??? Because I don't think other people's kids are all that cute. I just don't. I enjoy (a tiny bit) a cute story every now and then, but 99.999% of the time, I don't really think the story is anywhere near as cute as anything my kids do. And that's normal, I think.
We demand respect. I expect to hear yes ma'am and no ma'am, yes sir and no sir from my children. We live in the south. That's what we do. They are learning (through trial and error, sometimes) the things they can and can't say to us. Sometimes the line between friend/parent is crossed and we have to remind them that they need to watch their tone. But they're learning. And we make it clear when the line has been crossed.
I'm very thankful for my children. And their daddy that holds the same standard of discipline that I do. I don't know what I would do if Jason and I didn't agree on parenting. I can't imagine how difficult that would be to have a very strict parent and one that just lets everything go. We are on the same page most of the time.... at least when he can keep a straight face... hehe.
Well, it's almost time for the troops to get up for school, but I just had to give myself a little pat on the back... I think I'm a pretty good mama... and I have bad days... just like all the other good mamas. But I'm trying. I'm doing my best to raise good kids into great adults. I pray every day I don't mess them up too badly. :)
Have a great day!
Well, here are some things I think we are doing well (or things that show we are doing well). First of all, I'm pretty "hard" on our children. Hard is in quotations because I don't think it's that bad, but I do require some sort of responsibility and accountability on their part. They are little bitty people.... that grow up (very quickly) into grown up people. And those grown up people will be expected to live in society and interact with people and take care of themselves. Therefore, I want to raise little ladies that are prepared for that. I want my children to have good manners and to be thoughtful. Which they are (with the exception of the gas that Julianne passed in church last night... please excuse her... if you were close to us, she did say it wasn't funny... but it was). My children are thoughtful. I wish I could record their prayers at night. They remember to pray for people that I don't even think about again. We pray for their teachers and their friends, anyone that wasn't at school and some that were there but were acting mean, we pray for friends that are sick and for Mr. Chuck (our minister), we pray for our Great Grandmothers and all of our extended family. We are doing a good job. Our children know the most important skill they will ever learn. To talk to God.
Tuesday while we were meeting a friend for lunch, we heard a fire truck. Lucy's first reaction was, "Mommy, are we going to pray?" We did. And we do every time we hear a fire truck or ambulance. And I'm thankful they want to. They are learning to be thoughtful and to understand (as much as they can) the feelings of others and how scared they must be if they needed to call 911.
I think we are doing a good job because most people enjoy being around our children. We've all been around the kid(s) that drive us nuts. I don't want my children to be that way. Let me be clear. My children are normal children. They can be clingy and annoying.... but overall, they are great kids. And most people enjoy spending (limited amounts of) time with them. :)
I don't like for my children to run around in restaurants or stare over the booth at people. I've been known to say, "They don't think you're as cute as I do." Is that mean? I don't think so... it's true. I think my children are beautiful and hilarious and the best kids on the planet. But I do realize that other people don't think they're as cute as I do. You know how I know that??? Because I don't think other people's kids are all that cute. I just don't. I enjoy (a tiny bit) a cute story every now and then, but 99.999% of the time, I don't really think the story is anywhere near as cute as anything my kids do. And that's normal, I think.
We demand respect. I expect to hear yes ma'am and no ma'am, yes sir and no sir from my children. We live in the south. That's what we do. They are learning (through trial and error, sometimes) the things they can and can't say to us. Sometimes the line between friend/parent is crossed and we have to remind them that they need to watch their tone. But they're learning. And we make it clear when the line has been crossed.
I'm very thankful for my children. And their daddy that holds the same standard of discipline that I do. I don't know what I would do if Jason and I didn't agree on parenting. I can't imagine how difficult that would be to have a very strict parent and one that just lets everything go. We are on the same page most of the time.... at least when he can keep a straight face... hehe.
Well, it's almost time for the troops to get up for school, but I just had to give myself a little pat on the back... I think I'm a pretty good mama... and I have bad days... just like all the other good mamas. But I'm trying. I'm doing my best to raise good kids into great adults. I pray every day I don't mess them up too badly. :)
Have a great day!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Back in the saddle
We've been back in school for a week and a half (well, Adelaide has) and I am SO ready for our routine to be perfected and life to return to "normal." Adelaide's teacher, Mrs. Collins, is wonderful and we are so very excited for this year! Mrs. Collins is so structured and organized and that's just what Adelaide needed this year. We are working on personal responsibility and taking care of your things.
That is exactly what prompted my mommy-meltdown this morning. I've been really proud of myself the last couple of weeks. I've had all of her clothes picked out and ready. I've packed her lunch the night before and had everything ready and in her folder in her backpack. Her responsibility is to get up (she got an alarm clock this year.... more on that later), make her bed and come downstairs. I fix breakfast, she gets dressed and brushes her teeth. Then she's supposed to get her backpack. I don't think that's too much for an almost 7 year old!!! Well, I have to remind her everyday to get her backpack... and it's hanging on a hook by the back door! I know I know, she's only gone to school for 8 days, but still!!! That's your only job... get your backpack!
So, after gently reminding her to get her back pack *again* I get everyone buckled to pick up our neighbor for carpool. I stop at our stop sign only to see Lucy's BRAND NEW pair of Uggs that my mom sent her YESTERDAY!!! She's worn them exactly 1 time and they were left outside overnight.
I'll take a moment to tell you I've been reading the book "Unglued" by Lysa Terkuerst (I have no idea if that's spelled right). I think I've been doing better at being calm and gentle and choosing my actions, but for the experience we had this morning, I need a sequel called, "Un-super-glued." Because it was ugly, folks. Really ugly. I like things to be orderly and calm and I like for everyone to have responsibility for their own things and their own spaces... and that's not really happening. At all.
I feel like I'm doing the work of 12 people and the least you could do IS PICK UP YOUR BRAND NEW BOOTS AND TAKE THEM INTO THE STINKING HOUSE!!!!! *deep breath* That deep breath was supposed to calm me, instead I used it to take another breath and light into them about how I need help and that they need to be picking up their stuff and remembering their backpack and putting away their laundry.... on... and on.... and on. Fail. Again.
So, I'm making progress, imperfect progress. But progress.
I apologized for flipping out, but asked them to PLEASE for the love of mankind and all things in this world that are good, pick up your shoes!
I even sent Adelaide's teacher an email and told her that I acted like a crazy person this morning and I was regretting it and would she please give Adelaide an extra pat on the back today?
Okay, there. I feel better.
I told Lucy that since she wasn't taking care of her shoes, I was thinking of making her wear the same pair of shoes for a whole week (that's like serious torture for my shoe-loving Lucy). I told her at the end of the week, if she was learning to take care of her things, I would let her have her other shoes back. She responded with, "will I get any money?" Um, no. This isn't a reward... it's a consequence. I don't know if I'll stick with that since she obviously doesn't understand the connection of the two.
Lucy and Julianne met their teachers yesterday and we are so excited for this year! I know Lucy and Julianne are very excited to start, too. They aren't understanding why Adelaide gets to go to school and they don't.
So, as far as routines and schedules... they're coming. And I'm oh so ready to embrace them.
That is exactly what prompted my mommy-meltdown this morning. I've been really proud of myself the last couple of weeks. I've had all of her clothes picked out and ready. I've packed her lunch the night before and had everything ready and in her folder in her backpack. Her responsibility is to get up (she got an alarm clock this year.... more on that later), make her bed and come downstairs. I fix breakfast, she gets dressed and brushes her teeth. Then she's supposed to get her backpack. I don't think that's too much for an almost 7 year old!!! Well, I have to remind her everyday to get her backpack... and it's hanging on a hook by the back door! I know I know, she's only gone to school for 8 days, but still!!! That's your only job... get your backpack!
So, after gently reminding her to get her back pack *again* I get everyone buckled to pick up our neighbor for carpool. I stop at our stop sign only to see Lucy's BRAND NEW pair of Uggs that my mom sent her YESTERDAY!!! She's worn them exactly 1 time and they were left outside overnight.
I'll take a moment to tell you I've been reading the book "Unglued" by Lysa Terkuerst (I have no idea if that's spelled right). I think I've been doing better at being calm and gentle and choosing my actions, but for the experience we had this morning, I need a sequel called, "Un-super-glued." Because it was ugly, folks. Really ugly. I like things to be orderly and calm and I like for everyone to have responsibility for their own things and their own spaces... and that's not really happening. At all.
I feel like I'm doing the work of 12 people and the least you could do IS PICK UP YOUR BRAND NEW BOOTS AND TAKE THEM INTO THE STINKING HOUSE!!!!! *deep breath* That deep breath was supposed to calm me, instead I used it to take another breath and light into them about how I need help and that they need to be picking up their stuff and remembering their backpack and putting away their laundry.... on... and on.... and on. Fail. Again.
So, I'm making progress, imperfect progress. But progress.
I apologized for flipping out, but asked them to PLEASE for the love of mankind and all things in this world that are good, pick up your shoes!
I even sent Adelaide's teacher an email and told her that I acted like a crazy person this morning and I was regretting it and would she please give Adelaide an extra pat on the back today?
Okay, there. I feel better.
I told Lucy that since she wasn't taking care of her shoes, I was thinking of making her wear the same pair of shoes for a whole week (that's like serious torture for my shoe-loving Lucy). I told her at the end of the week, if she was learning to take care of her things, I would let her have her other shoes back. She responded with, "will I get any money?" Um, no. This isn't a reward... it's a consequence. I don't know if I'll stick with that since she obviously doesn't understand the connection of the two.
Lucy and Julianne met their teachers yesterday and we are so excited for this year! I know Lucy and Julianne are very excited to start, too. They aren't understanding why Adelaide gets to go to school and they don't.
So, as far as routines and schedules... they're coming. And I'm oh so ready to embrace them.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Back to school time! Schedules and goals
Well, it's almost that time of year again! Back to school time! I love this time of year! Not just because it means I get a little bit of a break while my kids are in school (although, I admit, I'm a little excited about that.... it's been a busy summer!) but I've always thought that the hype of buying school supplies and a new backpack and lunchbox is so much fun! And my girls get SO excited about meeting their teachers and their new friends!!! It's just very exciting!
Plus, it means fall is soon to come, which is my favorite season! Fall means pumpkin (do you guys know how much I love pumpkin everything?), football (I loved football season before I lived in a football state, so now it's even more fun!), cool evenings but warm enough days to play outside, leggings (I hope this leggings trend never gets old... it's like wearing sweats all the time), soup, chili nights, family time and beautiful leaves. I can't wait. Okay, that's enough wishing my life away.
But for reals, it is so much fun to live through Adelaide's excitement! Lucy and Julianne are excited, too, but Adelaide meets her teacher on Friday and starts first grade on Monday, so right now is her time! She seriously checked the mail 100 times the last several days waiting on her teacher letter! She was so disappointed when it didn't come as expected! When she read her letter, her eyes just beamed! She has Mrs. Collins. She doesn't know anything about Mrs. Collins, but she is thrilled to just know her name! It's fun to get on facebook and find out who all is in her class! Remember when we were kids and we had to wait and look around or call everyone to find out who's in our class!? Well, thank goodness for facebook! I knew within minutes that Adelaide had several friends in her class!!!
I know this is going to be a great year! I can't believe Adelaide is a first grader! This is almost more shocking than Kindergarten! Kindergarten still sounds sort of little... but FIRST grade!? When did that happen!?
So, this week, our last week of summer with all the kiddies home, we are making the best of it! Monday was super busy for me, but Jason took the girls to eat at Tip Top Grill and to run and play in the park. Tuesday we went to the zoo with Hope, Braden and Brooks. They drove all the way from Florence to play with us. We had a great day!!!
Today we are hitting McWane with Amilia and Bella, Adelaide's friends from 4K, tomorrow we have a playdate with Ayla, Adelaide's most favorite friend from Kindergarten (she's also in Adelaide's first grade class, and I couldn't be more excited because her mama and I also became good friends over the last year. Friday, we meet Adelaide's teacher!! I mean, really, what a fun week!
I am so thankful for a summer with my kiddos, but we really operate better on a schedule. Here is my hope, plan and dream for this school year. I love to be organized. Sometimes my yearning to be organized doesn't actually last into staying organized. A lot of being organized, at least for me, is finding a system that works for us. So, sometimes I spend what seems like forever creating a system and then I figure out that it doesn't really work well for us. That is disappointing, but I'm doing better at realizing that we just have to move on to something else if that doesn't work.
So, what I'm PLANNING for the school year is to prepare a lot in the afternoon. I don't do nights. I'm an early bird. But I don't really get moving all that fast in the mornings anymore. Here's my reasoning.... hear me out. Julianne's room is right next to our bedroom. I love it this way because when she was tiny, we didn't have to worry about stairs when she got up during the night. It's still fine, but I don't really love how light of a sleeper she is. She wakes up at the beep of the coffee pot or the wood creaking when we walk. And now that she's in a regular bed, she is up as soon as she hears us stirring. You would think the third child would sleep through everything. You know we haven't been quiet for her... but she is a light sleeper... sometimes I don't think that's something you can "unlearn." All that to say, since she wakes up so easily, it makes the early morning prep less helpful. It doesn't do me a lot of good to wake up 2 hours before everyone else to pack lunches and get ready when she's up as soon as my feet hit the floor. So, my plan for this year is to get my lunch prep, backpack prep and clothes picked out in the afternoon. I'm going to try this for awhile. I think making lunches during the dinner prep is probably the best time for me. I'll already be bustling around in the kitchen, but it's before I'm exhausted. When I get the kiddos to bed, I'm done. I mean, like hit the couch as soon as I get downstairs, done. So, I think afternoon will work better for us.
My goal is to have backpacks loaded and clothes picked out the day before. We started this last year, but by the end of the year, we were scrambling in the morning to find clothes and library books... I want to do better this year. I don't want to rush every morning. I want us to have a calm breakfast and a happy start to the day. I'm still planning to get up early. I don't like waking up with my children. I like a few minutes with my coffee cup and my Bible before I see anyone and get bombarded with "I need a drink, what's for breakfast, Disney junior."
There, I wrote it down, so now I have to do it, right? Afternoon prep... remind me to tell you how it's going.
Plus, it means fall is soon to come, which is my favorite season! Fall means pumpkin (do you guys know how much I love pumpkin everything?), football (I loved football season before I lived in a football state, so now it's even more fun!), cool evenings but warm enough days to play outside, leggings (I hope this leggings trend never gets old... it's like wearing sweats all the time), soup, chili nights, family time and beautiful leaves. I can't wait. Okay, that's enough wishing my life away.
But for reals, it is so much fun to live through Adelaide's excitement! Lucy and Julianne are excited, too, but Adelaide meets her teacher on Friday and starts first grade on Monday, so right now is her time! She seriously checked the mail 100 times the last several days waiting on her teacher letter! She was so disappointed when it didn't come as expected! When she read her letter, her eyes just beamed! She has Mrs. Collins. She doesn't know anything about Mrs. Collins, but she is thrilled to just know her name! It's fun to get on facebook and find out who all is in her class! Remember when we were kids and we had to wait and look around or call everyone to find out who's in our class!? Well, thank goodness for facebook! I knew within minutes that Adelaide had several friends in her class!!!
I know this is going to be a great year! I can't believe Adelaide is a first grader! This is almost more shocking than Kindergarten! Kindergarten still sounds sort of little... but FIRST grade!? When did that happen!?
So, this week, our last week of summer with all the kiddies home, we are making the best of it! Monday was super busy for me, but Jason took the girls to eat at Tip Top Grill and to run and play in the park. Tuesday we went to the zoo with Hope, Braden and Brooks. They drove all the way from Florence to play with us. We had a great day!!!
Today we are hitting McWane with Amilia and Bella, Adelaide's friends from 4K, tomorrow we have a playdate with Ayla, Adelaide's most favorite friend from Kindergarten (she's also in Adelaide's first grade class, and I couldn't be more excited because her mama and I also became good friends over the last year. Friday, we meet Adelaide's teacher!! I mean, really, what a fun week!
I am so thankful for a summer with my kiddos, but we really operate better on a schedule. Here is my hope, plan and dream for this school year. I love to be organized. Sometimes my yearning to be organized doesn't actually last into staying organized. A lot of being organized, at least for me, is finding a system that works for us. So, sometimes I spend what seems like forever creating a system and then I figure out that it doesn't really work well for us. That is disappointing, but I'm doing better at realizing that we just have to move on to something else if that doesn't work.
So, what I'm PLANNING for the school year is to prepare a lot in the afternoon. I don't do nights. I'm an early bird. But I don't really get moving all that fast in the mornings anymore. Here's my reasoning.... hear me out. Julianne's room is right next to our bedroom. I love it this way because when she was tiny, we didn't have to worry about stairs when she got up during the night. It's still fine, but I don't really love how light of a sleeper she is. She wakes up at the beep of the coffee pot or the wood creaking when we walk. And now that she's in a regular bed, she is up as soon as she hears us stirring. You would think the third child would sleep through everything. You know we haven't been quiet for her... but she is a light sleeper... sometimes I don't think that's something you can "unlearn." All that to say, since she wakes up so easily, it makes the early morning prep less helpful. It doesn't do me a lot of good to wake up 2 hours before everyone else to pack lunches and get ready when she's up as soon as my feet hit the floor. So, my plan for this year is to get my lunch prep, backpack prep and clothes picked out in the afternoon. I'm going to try this for awhile. I think making lunches during the dinner prep is probably the best time for me. I'll already be bustling around in the kitchen, but it's before I'm exhausted. When I get the kiddos to bed, I'm done. I mean, like hit the couch as soon as I get downstairs, done. So, I think afternoon will work better for us.
My goal is to have backpacks loaded and clothes picked out the day before. We started this last year, but by the end of the year, we were scrambling in the morning to find clothes and library books... I want to do better this year. I don't want to rush every morning. I want us to have a calm breakfast and a happy start to the day. I'm still planning to get up early. I don't like waking up with my children. I like a few minutes with my coffee cup and my Bible before I see anyone and get bombarded with "I need a drink, what's for breakfast, Disney junior."
There, I wrote it down, so now I have to do it, right? Afternoon prep... remind me to tell you how it's going.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Julianne's birthday party
We are back in the normal swing of things... and by normal I mean, we're doing the no-fun stuff like laundry and meal planning that I've neglected the past... oh... forever. I vow that we will have clean towels and washcloths by bath time tonight. I hope. After our world travels this summer and my convention in Las Vegas and Julianne's birthday party.... I'm ready for life to return to "normal." Whatever that looks like around here. It sure has been a fun summer, though. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the early, packed schedule of school, but I am certainly looking forward to more structure to our days and an earlier bedtime. For all of us. I didn't take a ton of photos at convention, but here are a few. It really was such a fun trip. Minus the Las Vegas junk. I really don't like that place. I am very thankful to be involved with such a caring, giving company, though. The motto of Scentsy's founders is "give more than you take." I love that. I try to live that every day. Some days I do better than others, but it's definitely a goal.
When I returned it was full on birthday party planning mode! I had a done a ton of prep work before I left (mostly while my girls were in Memphis for the week), but there are so many things that can't be done until the week of the party... in fact a lot falls on the day before... which stresses me out.
I had a list (of course I had a list, do you guys know me?). And I just worked to crossing off as much from the list as possible. I got all of it done except for the tissue paper poms that I really wanted to make, but finally decided I could let it go.
On to the party... Julianne loves Dora. Loves. So, it was a given that we would have a Dora party. I don't like character parties. This isn't meant to be harsh toward those of you that love characters. I just get overload. I don't like to see a character head on every piece of partyware. Dora plates, cups, cupcakes, party hats, toilet paper... I just can't stand it. So, I like to take a character and then plan a theme around it. You might remember our birthday parties from last year. The Sesame Street party was about as much character as I can handle.... but the details were primary colors. The Mary Poppins theme was probably my favorite ever.... and the Tangled party was a huge success.
Back to Dora. I thought it would be fun to have a Fiesta with Dora accents. It was just enough Dora for me! We had food from Salsaritas... which was perfect. They delivered it and set everything up! I would totally use them again. We had a nacho bar, which I think was great for the adults and kiddos.... although I'm pretty sure my kids didn't really eat. They were way too excited!
The decorations matched the invitations and I went with a color theme... bright, fun, fiesta colors.... teal, hot pink, yellow, orange, purple and lime green. I found the idea on Pinterest to use wrapping paper for table runners and that worked out perfect! I found wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby (can you say 40% off coupon) and it was just enough for all of the tables.... in exactly the right colors.
The invitations cracked me up.... even if I did write them. :)
They had very Dora wording... and I was afraid that people that didn't watch Dora wouldn't know what I was talking about, but they thought I was just being silly. The invitations said, "Come on, vamonos. Everybody let's go! Let's celebrate Julianne's third birthday with a Fiesta! (address and info) Did Swiper Swipe your day? (rsvp info). Dinner will be served, so make sure you let me know you're coming. If you don't get a taco, you'll be a Grumpy Old Troll!"
I loved the invitations! You can find the lovely lady that made them here.
We played some Dora games like Pin the Backpack on Dora. I just printed out backpacks and cut them out. The kids colored them and then we taped them on the custom drawn Dora (made by Daddy). We also had a Troll Bridge with shapes cut out that the kids had to put in place before they walked across the bridge. They were rewarded on both games with Dora fruit snacks.
I wish we had gotten a picture of the school supply stash! Julianne has been so blessed and we have more toys than anyone should... so we decided to take donations for our church's school supply drive instead of presents. That was very successful!!! I'm pretty sure they have collected everything they needed!
Thank you, again, to everyone that came and supported Julianne. It definitely takes a village to raise a child... and I'm convinced my children have the best Village in the land!
Stay tuned for two more birthday parties happening in October! For right now the themes will be Tinkerbell (although that's what Lucy requested last year and then she changed to Mary Poppins) and Lilo and Stitch (aka a luau).
When I returned it was full on birthday party planning mode! I had a done a ton of prep work before I left (mostly while my girls were in Memphis for the week), but there are so many things that can't be done until the week of the party... in fact a lot falls on the day before... which stresses me out.
I had a list (of course I had a list, do you guys know me?). And I just worked to crossing off as much from the list as possible. I got all of it done except for the tissue paper poms that I really wanted to make, but finally decided I could let it go.
On to the party... Julianne loves Dora. Loves. So, it was a given that we would have a Dora party. I don't like character parties. This isn't meant to be harsh toward those of you that love characters. I just get overload. I don't like to see a character head on every piece of partyware. Dora plates, cups, cupcakes, party hats, toilet paper... I just can't stand it. So, I like to take a character and then plan a theme around it. You might remember our birthday parties from last year. The Sesame Street party was about as much character as I can handle.... but the details were primary colors. The Mary Poppins theme was probably my favorite ever.... and the Tangled party was a huge success.
Back to Dora. I thought it would be fun to have a Fiesta with Dora accents. It was just enough Dora for me! We had food from Salsaritas... which was perfect. They delivered it and set everything up! I would totally use them again. We had a nacho bar, which I think was great for the adults and kiddos.... although I'm pretty sure my kids didn't really eat. They were way too excited!
The decorations matched the invitations and I went with a color theme... bright, fun, fiesta colors.... teal, hot pink, yellow, orange, purple and lime green. I found the idea on Pinterest to use wrapping paper for table runners and that worked out perfect! I found wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby (can you say 40% off coupon) and it was just enough for all of the tables.... in exactly the right colors.
The invitations cracked me up.... even if I did write them. :)
They had very Dora wording... and I was afraid that people that didn't watch Dora wouldn't know what I was talking about, but they thought I was just being silly. The invitations said, "Come on, vamonos. Everybody let's go! Let's celebrate Julianne's third birthday with a Fiesta! (address and info) Did Swiper Swipe your day? (rsvp info). Dinner will be served, so make sure you let me know you're coming. If you don't get a taco, you'll be a Grumpy Old Troll!"
I loved the invitations! You can find the lovely lady that made them here.
We played some Dora games like Pin the Backpack on Dora. I just printed out backpacks and cut them out. The kids colored them and then we taped them on the custom drawn Dora (made by Daddy). We also had a Troll Bridge with shapes cut out that the kids had to put in place before they walked across the bridge. They were rewarded on both games with Dora fruit snacks.
I wish we had gotten a picture of the school supply stash! Julianne has been so blessed and we have more toys than anyone should... so we decided to take donations for our church's school supply drive instead of presents. That was very successful!!! I'm pretty sure they have collected everything they needed!
Thank you, again, to everyone that came and supported Julianne. It definitely takes a village to raise a child... and I'm convinced my children have the best Village in the land!
Stay tuned for two more birthday parties happening in October! For right now the themes will be Tinkerbell (although that's what Lucy requested last year and then she changed to Mary Poppins) and Lilo and Stitch (aka a luau).
The ribbon banner the girls helped to make
I told you the invitations were adorbs.
Umbrella topiary with black beans... watch out, this might make another appearance in October. :)
Caroline with her mini-maracas
Kids table... Dora stickers, tiny pinatas, mini-maracas and Backpacks to color
The main pinata... full of goodies
Lucy and Dora... I see a resemblance. :)
Photo station... mustaches, sombrero, pancho thingy and maracas
The cake!
Sombrero cake
Lucy Goosey
Heather came to help me set up! Thanks, Heather!
Mimi and Pops got here just in time. Thanks for coming such a long way for such a short time.
Me and Suzanna
Senor Unibrow
Birthday girl
Juli closing her eyes and folding her hands for the blessing. sweet.
Braxton
Food!!
Party pad
Beautiful Corinne
Wheee!!!
Nigel exploring
Juli handing Mr. Nick something
Caroline
Braxton and Corinne... fast friends.
Julianne and her sugarwater delicious barrel drink
Hope
Coloring her backpack
Juli's main squeeze, Bobby.
Donnie keeping a watchful eye on the swings.
Pin the backpack on Dora.
Shy face
Jonathan, this might come back to haunt you
Happy Birthday to you!
That's the face of an angel.
Blow the candles out!
Adelaide and Emma
Some people asked about my party planning... I'll do a blog post on that soon. How I organize, how I plan and how I execute! :)
Friday, July 13, 2012
Packing tips (especially for packing up your children)
We've done a lot of traveling this summer... far more than usual! I've gotten pretty good at packing. In fact, I will dare to say I've got it down to a science. I've always been a list maker. I have lists for my lists. I love to be organized and I have to be because my memory is non-existant. So, here are my tips for packing... I use this more when packing for my children, but I think I'll use it for my trip to Vegas next week, too.
I start by making cards or pieces of paper with days and any activities that will be happening on a certain day that might need special clothing. For instance, when we went to the water park this week, I labeled the cards with what we would be doing on a specific day (water park day gets a bathing suit, cover up, and extra outfit for when we get out of the water).
My children are all going to my parents' house tomorrow for the WHOLE WEEK!!!! I'm secretly jumping up and down (which I know that no good mama is supposed to admit to... but it's been a long summer with very little down time for mama). I'm sure I'll miss them, but I sure am looking forward to a bit of a break. They will be going to VBS with my parents, so there's not really a certain thing they will need for each day. I wrote each day on an index card. If there are special instructions for a certain day, I include them, too.... like Friday night there's a waterslide... so the kids need a swimsuit and a t-shirt/shorts to wear over it. All that goes on the card.
There's also a card with "pajamas" and "panties" and "swimsuits." Sometimes the girls pick all their extras out for me and they bring them to this pile. Since I pretty much unpacked, washed the clothes with Jason's help and packed them up again, I already had a stack of pajamas and panties downstairs.
I like for my kids to match. Some people turn up their noses at this, but that's what I do. :)
They actually don't match as much anymore... because I have Lucy and she has a mind of her own (darn independence) and she doesn't like to wear what I pick out... and I like to pass down clothes... so Julianne pretty much had an entire closet full of clothes without me buying anything new.
ANYWAY... I have their matching outfits in a stack under certain days... once they are all accounted for under a certain day, I turn the card over face down. You'd be surprised how much effort it takes to find the same outfit in 3 different rooms (did I mention my kids put their own clothes away... even Julianne??? So... sometimes their clothes are a bit... hard to find). Once I turn over the cards that are finished, I can see what I still need to locate. Lucy needs a random set of playclothes for Thursday and Adelaide still needs a Matilda Jane outfit for Friday... for example). Once everything is done, I load it all up in the bag under days so that all of their stuff is together. I pack by day... not child. All three of their outfits will be together. All of their pajamas will be together.
There is also a list of things that need to be packed on the day we leave (like toothbrushes, loveys, pillows and blankets that they love).
I start by making cards or pieces of paper with days and any activities that will be happening on a certain day that might need special clothing. For instance, when we went to the water park this week, I labeled the cards with what we would be doing on a specific day (water park day gets a bathing suit, cover up, and extra outfit for when we get out of the water).
My children are all going to my parents' house tomorrow for the WHOLE WEEK!!!! I'm secretly jumping up and down (which I know that no good mama is supposed to admit to... but it's been a long summer with very little down time for mama). I'm sure I'll miss them, but I sure am looking forward to a bit of a break. They will be going to VBS with my parents, so there's not really a certain thing they will need for each day. I wrote each day on an index card. If there are special instructions for a certain day, I include them, too.... like Friday night there's a waterslide... so the kids need a swimsuit and a t-shirt/shorts to wear over it. All that goes on the card.
There's also a card with "pajamas" and "panties" and "swimsuits." Sometimes the girls pick all their extras out for me and they bring them to this pile. Since I pretty much unpacked, washed the clothes with Jason's help and packed them up again, I already had a stack of pajamas and panties downstairs.
I like for my kids to match. Some people turn up their noses at this, but that's what I do. :)
They actually don't match as much anymore... because I have Lucy and she has a mind of her own (darn independence) and she doesn't like to wear what I pick out... and I like to pass down clothes... so Julianne pretty much had an entire closet full of clothes without me buying anything new.
ANYWAY... I have their matching outfits in a stack under certain days... once they are all accounted for under a certain day, I turn the card over face down. You'd be surprised how much effort it takes to find the same outfit in 3 different rooms (did I mention my kids put their own clothes away... even Julianne??? So... sometimes their clothes are a bit... hard to find). Once I turn over the cards that are finished, I can see what I still need to locate. Lucy needs a random set of playclothes for Thursday and Adelaide still needs a Matilda Jane outfit for Friday... for example). Once everything is done, I load it all up in the bag under days so that all of their stuff is together. I pack by day... not child. All three of their outfits will be together. All of their pajamas will be together.
There is also a list of things that need to be packed on the day we leave (like toothbrushes, loveys, pillows and blankets that they love).
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Our trip to the Smoky Mountains and my tips for traveling with lots of children.
We are loaded down in the Swagger Wagon once again, leaving the Smoky Mountains. We got here on Monday and have been pretty much going full-speed everyday until our heads hit the pillow much later than our usual bedtime.
We found this place last year when Jason was asked to speak at a preaching conference called "Polishing the Pulpit." No, Jason isn't a preacher, but he was asked to speak on the Medical Aspects of the Bible, a lesson he's taught several times at our home congregation. He also spoke on demon possession and proper nutrition (He named this lesson, "Death by Potluck; Supersizing the Holy Spirit's temple".... ha!!!). We left the kids behind last time since we were going to multiple lectures and Jason would need to be able to focus on his material. The people that put this lectureship together are fantastic (and one is a good friend of our's) and they are VERY conservative. So, last year, we were pretty much commanded to not partake of the waterpark that is located at this resort/ conference center. Their hearts were in the right place... don't get me wrong. They didn't want any responsibility on their part if people struggled with lust or impure thoughts while at the waterpark. I get it. But, let's face it... there weren't many opportunities to lust at this waterpark. Unless you're a chubby-chaser. :)
Anyway, we knew last year at the conference that we wanted to go back with the girls to this water park.
We made plans in February to go this week. The girls LOVED it! There were tons of slides and smaller areas for the girls to play. Julianne had the time of her life on the swings. She could drag her feet through the water and splash in front and behind her while she was swinging. She lost her breath from laughing so hard! There was also an area with a giant bucket that dumps 1000 gallons of water every few minutes. There was a smallish slide, tons of levers to pull that shoot water, buckets to fill and such. They were in water-fun heaven. Adelaide and Jason tried out all the slides and loved them all... except the one Adelaide called "the mint." I'm going to try to come up with a picture of this one.... it was too fast and she wasn't a fan. But the rest of them she was thrilled with.
Along with the water-park, there was mini-golf, laser tag, a rock wall, mini-bowling, an indoor playground, and a huge arcade. We took advantage of all of that with the exception of laser tag... I wasn't prepared for the drama that might ensue in the dark with people chasing my little girls with laser guns.
I would recommend this place to anyone looking for some fun water-park time. The resort wasn't on their game this time as far as service goes, but the water-park didn't disappoint.
I'll try to give some highlights of our trip along with a few funny things the kids said...I'm typing in the car, so I'll try to update with photos when we get them uploaded.
We left Monday morning with our road trip binders found here. I also packed little toiletry bags that I found at Target that had a clear zipper pocket for markers, I also filled it with dry erase markers (for marking in their road trip binder (on page protectors), and a snack (animal crackers, gum and starbursts). As far as road trips go, I hate being in the car... as an adult.... much less with high maintenance children that are always demanding something. So, this trip, instead of dreading it, I tried to prepare better. Our normal trips to Memphis to see family are about 4 hours long (sometimes longer, sometimes shorter depending on how many times we have to stop). This trip was going to be quite a bit longer and I wanted to make it fun for all of us. In their road trip binders are several road trip games and a license plate game that Jason and I played also. It was a huge hit!
We arrived Monday around 3 (did I mention that nobody slept in the car?) and took a look around. I did my usual unpacking (I HATE living out of a suitcase) and then we went to eat dinner in the "kids eat free" restaurant. The kids restaurant boasted that kids eat free.... the fine print said that one child ate free with one adult purchase... and there's no "under 3 eat free" or anything like that. So, our bill was $70!!!! For gross food! That was our last meal at The Thirsty Miner. After dinner, we put our swimsuits on and headed for the indoor water-park. We played until 9:15!!! Our kids usually go to bed around 7:30 or 8, so this was huge treat for them! We bathed them and put them to bed. This part worried me. Our children all have their own rooms right now.... so they aren't used to sleeping all together... but they did great! They were all exhausted!!!
We got up and ate at Cracker Barrel (aka Cracker Bears according to Jules) and went back to get our swimsuits on again. We spent all day at the water park and arcade. During our afternoon at the arcade, we had Jason's biggest laugh of the trip. He and Lucy were driving one of the arcade cars and Adelaide was racing against them in her own car, while I held Julianne. At the beginning of the game, the game takes a picture of the driver which shows up in a little frame above the car, so you can see who you are racing against. Well, Jason held Lucy up to take her picture and I reached down to try to hold Adelaide up so it could snap her photo. Well, I was too late... instead of a picture of Adelaide, it took a picture straight down my shirt (while I was bent over trying to pick her up). Jason thought that was hilarious!!! So, all throughout the game and at the end when it showed the winners, there was a shot of my boobs, right on the screen. Lovely.
Wednesday, we got up and ate breakfast on the go while we drove through the mountains. It was rainy and gross, so the views weren't fantastic and it was a bit annoying to get everyone out with umbrellas and such. Also, there was a huge storm Sunday night that knocked down tons of trees, so a lot of the trails were closed (including Cade's Cove).
We visited the Cherokee Indian Village and learned all about the Cherokee indians and how they lived. Adelaide and Lucy hung on every word the tour guide said and really took it all in. Julianne and I even got to participate in a friendship dance.
We headed back over the mountain for our 3:30 reservation at the Dixie Stampede. We arrived just in time to take our seats. Julianne was considered a lap baby... which meant she didn't have a seat... so she would have to sit with me and eat from my plate.... which she certainly did. If you've never been to the Dixie Stampede, it was actually pretty fun, albeit a little hokey. The girls loved it and all say that was their favorite part of the trip.
Now we're headed home. It's going to be time to pack everyone up again for them to go to Memphis next week for VBS at my Mom's church. I must say, I'm looking forward to some quite time!!!!
So, here are my tips of things to leave in the car and have on hand for traveling with children (or just for emergencies on a daily basis).
1. Paper towels. (I don't use them at home, but on the road, they are necessary sometimes). Spills, accidents, gum, whatever... I keep a roll in the car.
2. Toilet paper, you never know.
3. Ziploc bags... these can be barf bags, collect trash if necessary, or whatever...
4. Snacks- mainly on a trip, but I usually try to have some sort of snack in the car. I try for dry, not messy snacks like goldfish, animal crackers, wheat thins... but this time I also packed Starbursts. Mainly because they take a long time to open and eat. :)
5. Wipes- I don't have to buy wipes anymore (so thankful), but I still keep them in the car... they're perfect for sticky hands, or for wiping off gross tables... or whatever.
6. A trash can- I found on pinterest to use a plastic cereal container for trash. I love this! I put a grocery bag in it.. and I can pass it around the car throughout our trip to collect trash. Then, I just pull the bag out when we get to our destination (or while we buy gas) and toss it.
7. Hand sanitizer- because I'm married to Jason McKeown.
8. A little potty- I used to keep a Baby Bjorn little potty in the car, but it got nasty. Every time it was used, I had to carry the whole thing inside and clean it. Not fun. I recently bought a portable potty that takes liners that fit over the whole seat and can be tossed after they're used. It is a little bit of a pain having to buy new liners, but it's not as bad as cleaning crusty pee out of the potty when we return from a trip. The potty folds up and fits in the seat pocket (in front of Juli) and can be used while in the car, or if a restroom is disgusting.... I've thought about using it before, but I'm pretty sure it has a weight limit.
9. A change of clothes. Right now, I only have a change for Jules, but I have plans to put at least an extra t-shirt for all of us incase we are the victim of someone's mess.
I also have dreams of putting some sort of organizer in the trunk with bug spray, sunscreen, bandaids, and some of the things I named above that aren't necessary for everyday use.
What all do you keep in your car? Does anyone have any road trip tips?
My next tip post will probably be on packing for a long trip with children. :)
We found this place last year when Jason was asked to speak at a preaching conference called "Polishing the Pulpit." No, Jason isn't a preacher, but he was asked to speak on the Medical Aspects of the Bible, a lesson he's taught several times at our home congregation. He also spoke on demon possession and proper nutrition (He named this lesson, "Death by Potluck; Supersizing the Holy Spirit's temple".... ha!!!). We left the kids behind last time since we were going to multiple lectures and Jason would need to be able to focus on his material. The people that put this lectureship together are fantastic (and one is a good friend of our's) and they are VERY conservative. So, last year, we were pretty much commanded to not partake of the waterpark that is located at this resort/ conference center. Their hearts were in the right place... don't get me wrong. They didn't want any responsibility on their part if people struggled with lust or impure thoughts while at the waterpark. I get it. But, let's face it... there weren't many opportunities to lust at this waterpark. Unless you're a chubby-chaser. :)
Anyway, we knew last year at the conference that we wanted to go back with the girls to this water park.
We made plans in February to go this week. The girls LOVED it! There were tons of slides and smaller areas for the girls to play. Julianne had the time of her life on the swings. She could drag her feet through the water and splash in front and behind her while she was swinging. She lost her breath from laughing so hard! There was also an area with a giant bucket that dumps 1000 gallons of water every few minutes. There was a smallish slide, tons of levers to pull that shoot water, buckets to fill and such. They were in water-fun heaven. Adelaide and Jason tried out all the slides and loved them all... except the one Adelaide called "the mint." I'm going to try to come up with a picture of this one.... it was too fast and she wasn't a fan. But the rest of them she was thrilled with.
Along with the water-park, there was mini-golf, laser tag, a rock wall, mini-bowling, an indoor playground, and a huge arcade. We took advantage of all of that with the exception of laser tag... I wasn't prepared for the drama that might ensue in the dark with people chasing my little girls with laser guns.
I would recommend this place to anyone looking for some fun water-park time. The resort wasn't on their game this time as far as service goes, but the water-park didn't disappoint.
I'll try to give some highlights of our trip along with a few funny things the kids said...I'm typing in the car, so I'll try to update with photos when we get them uploaded.
We left Monday morning with our road trip binders found here. I also packed little toiletry bags that I found at Target that had a clear zipper pocket for markers, I also filled it with dry erase markers (for marking in their road trip binder (on page protectors), and a snack (animal crackers, gum and starbursts). As far as road trips go, I hate being in the car... as an adult.... much less with high maintenance children that are always demanding something. So, this trip, instead of dreading it, I tried to prepare better. Our normal trips to Memphis to see family are about 4 hours long (sometimes longer, sometimes shorter depending on how many times we have to stop). This trip was going to be quite a bit longer and I wanted to make it fun for all of us. In their road trip binders are several road trip games and a license plate game that Jason and I played also. It was a huge hit!
We arrived Monday around 3 (did I mention that nobody slept in the car?) and took a look around. I did my usual unpacking (I HATE living out of a suitcase) and then we went to eat dinner in the "kids eat free" restaurant. The kids restaurant boasted that kids eat free.... the fine print said that one child ate free with one adult purchase... and there's no "under 3 eat free" or anything like that. So, our bill was $70!!!! For gross food! That was our last meal at The Thirsty Miner. After dinner, we put our swimsuits on and headed for the indoor water-park. We played until 9:15!!! Our kids usually go to bed around 7:30 or 8, so this was huge treat for them! We bathed them and put them to bed. This part worried me. Our children all have their own rooms right now.... so they aren't used to sleeping all together... but they did great! They were all exhausted!!!
We got up and ate at Cracker Barrel (aka Cracker Bears according to Jules) and went back to get our swimsuits on again. We spent all day at the water park and arcade. During our afternoon at the arcade, we had Jason's biggest laugh of the trip. He and Lucy were driving one of the arcade cars and Adelaide was racing against them in her own car, while I held Julianne. At the beginning of the game, the game takes a picture of the driver which shows up in a little frame above the car, so you can see who you are racing against. Well, Jason held Lucy up to take her picture and I reached down to try to hold Adelaide up so it could snap her photo. Well, I was too late... instead of a picture of Adelaide, it took a picture straight down my shirt (while I was bent over trying to pick her up). Jason thought that was hilarious!!! So, all throughout the game and at the end when it showed the winners, there was a shot of my boobs, right on the screen. Lovely.
Wednesday, we got up and ate breakfast on the go while we drove through the mountains. It was rainy and gross, so the views weren't fantastic and it was a bit annoying to get everyone out with umbrellas and such. Also, there was a huge storm Sunday night that knocked down tons of trees, so a lot of the trails were closed (including Cade's Cove).
We visited the Cherokee Indian Village and learned all about the Cherokee indians and how they lived. Adelaide and Lucy hung on every word the tour guide said and really took it all in. Julianne and I even got to participate in a friendship dance.
We headed back over the mountain for our 3:30 reservation at the Dixie Stampede. We arrived just in time to take our seats. Julianne was considered a lap baby... which meant she didn't have a seat... so she would have to sit with me and eat from my plate.... which she certainly did. If you've never been to the Dixie Stampede, it was actually pretty fun, albeit a little hokey. The girls loved it and all say that was their favorite part of the trip.
Now we're headed home. It's going to be time to pack everyone up again for them to go to Memphis next week for VBS at my Mom's church. I must say, I'm looking forward to some quite time!!!!
So, here are my tips of things to leave in the car and have on hand for traveling with children (or just for emergencies on a daily basis).
1. Paper towels. (I don't use them at home, but on the road, they are necessary sometimes). Spills, accidents, gum, whatever... I keep a roll in the car.
2. Toilet paper, you never know.
3. Ziploc bags... these can be barf bags, collect trash if necessary, or whatever...
4. Snacks- mainly on a trip, but I usually try to have some sort of snack in the car. I try for dry, not messy snacks like goldfish, animal crackers, wheat thins... but this time I also packed Starbursts. Mainly because they take a long time to open and eat. :)
5. Wipes- I don't have to buy wipes anymore (so thankful), but I still keep them in the car... they're perfect for sticky hands, or for wiping off gross tables... or whatever.
6. A trash can- I found on pinterest to use a plastic cereal container for trash. I love this! I put a grocery bag in it.. and I can pass it around the car throughout our trip to collect trash. Then, I just pull the bag out when we get to our destination (or while we buy gas) and toss it.
7. Hand sanitizer- because I'm married to Jason McKeown.
8. A little potty- I used to keep a Baby Bjorn little potty in the car, but it got nasty. Every time it was used, I had to carry the whole thing inside and clean it. Not fun. I recently bought a portable potty that takes liners that fit over the whole seat and can be tossed after they're used. It is a little bit of a pain having to buy new liners, but it's not as bad as cleaning crusty pee out of the potty when we return from a trip. The potty folds up and fits in the seat pocket (in front of Juli) and can be used while in the car, or if a restroom is disgusting.... I've thought about using it before, but I'm pretty sure it has a weight limit.
9. A change of clothes. Right now, I only have a change for Jules, but I have plans to put at least an extra t-shirt for all of us incase we are the victim of someone's mess.
I also have dreams of putting some sort of organizer in the trunk with bug spray, sunscreen, bandaids, and some of the things I named above that aren't necessary for everyday use.
What all do you keep in your car? Does anyone have any road trip tips?
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