How I Got My Kid Excited for the First Day of School

So, let's face it - the first day of school is a nerve-wracking experience for many children, especially those starting preschool or kindergarten for the first time.  As a parent, it is challenging to acknowledge your child's fears, but also maintain an upbeat excitement about the daunting first day.  This year, my household experienced our FIRST first day of school.  Ever.  My oldest son started Pre-K.  Having never experienced this before, I wracked my brain to come up with ideas on how to help my son cope with his anxiety and, at the same time, get my son excited to experience school for the first time.  I am by no means a First-Day-of-School-Expert, but, maybe some of my ideas can inspire you to help make your child's first day as painless as possible.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.  This means that if you click on and/or buy something through the link, I will receive a small commission.  And after a few small commissions, I can head over to Starbucks to grab the most caffeine-laden product that they sell because sleep is for wusses.  At least in my house it is.  

Talk About It

My son and I - and the whole family - talked frequently throughout the summer about the first day of school.  We talked about what he would get to do at school and what he might learn about.  We also talked about his fears and anxieties.  Acknowledging that it was alright for him to feel nervous and excited at the same time really helped. 

Pick Out Awesome School Supplies (on a budget)

A Que Powerbag would have been an awesome pick for a new backpack.  Can you imagine?  My son would have been the only preschooler with Bluetooth.  (Excuse me while I gag).  In all seriousness, I was NOT about to spend $80.00 on a new back pack for a five year old. 

But, I also wanted my son to express himself when choosing his school supplies.  This meant that when he insisted on the oversized Hamburger Backpack (only $9.99 at Walmart!!!), I did not offer my unsolicited opinion.  If the Hamburger Backpack made him feel more excited and at ease about starting school then by all means, we were bringing that dang backpack home!  (Unless it would have been priced at $80.00.  Then the Hamburger Backpack would have been promptly returned to the rack.)  

I continued the "you-pick-it-as-long-as-its-not-expensive" trend throughout the school supply shopping process.  I did not comment on any clothing that he chose (as long as it was appropriate for school), nor did I give my opinion on the color or brand of supplies that he chose.  Removing my fears or insecurities about how others *might* perceive him helped to project a positive thought process for my son.

Make the Night Before the First Day Special

Similar to Christmas or Hanukkah or a birthday I made an extra effort to make the night before the first day of school special for my son.  We had "Alphabet Soup" for dinner (my husband's homemade chicken soup with alphabet shaped noodles), and I told my son it would get his brain ready to learn at school.  We also took a fun night-before-school photo.  While my son slept, I decorated the family room with crepe paper to create and excited, celebratory mood the next day.  I tried to keep the evening as positive and peaceful as possible for my son.  We also established our new routine of laying out clothes and going to bed early.

The First Day of School (!!!)

Needless to say, I could not sleep the night before school started.  I was so excited (and truth be told, nervous) for my son:  would he like the children in his class?  would he have a nice teacher?  would he cry?  Once my son awoke, we went to the kitchen to try out our AMAZING new Olaf waffle maker. 

These Olaf waffles eased some fears and definitely produced some smiles.  They also got my son to eat breakfast (SCORE!).

After breakfast, we took our obligatory First-Day-of-School photos, and I kept my iPhone in my pocket so that I could whip it out any time I had the urge to play paparazzi.  We drove to the school and talked about how much fun my son was going to have.  We parked and walked in (I love walking my son into his class - it gives him security and, quite frankly, gives me peace, too). 

My son was a little unsure at first, but once he put his things down and looked around, he was ready to fly solo.  My son did not cry at all, but I held back tears as I hugged him and kissed him and coaxed my younger son out of the classroom.  I drove to a gas station where I cried to my mom in the parking lot.  And my younger son sensed my sadness and suggested that we go to the car wash to cheer up.  (Well, it was more like "Mommy sad go carrrrrr wash be happy").  And we laughed the entire car wash.  And before we knew it, it was time to go pick up my older son and hear all about his wonderful day at school.

Continuing the Excitement

I am so pleased that every morning this week my older son has told me how excited he is to go back to school.  We talk about what he learned every day, and we practice what he learned, too.  Keeping him excited will keep him engaged, and it is my goal to help him stay excited about school until he graduates from college.  And once he graduates from college, he can start dating.  So, little girl that plays tag with my son on the playground at school, you're super adorable but, you'll have to wait a couple of decades before you can date my son.  #SorryNotSorry.

A Day in the Life of a WAHM

OK, I am going to be real here - I had no idea what the acronym WAHM was when my first son was born.  And when I would scour the internet for "schedules" and "activities" for work at home moms, I kept coming across this WAHM word.  WAHM?!?  Turns out it stands for Work-At-Home-Mom.  As my youngest son would say, "dinger dinger winner!"  Needless to say, I figured out the WAHM thing pretty quickly, and nearly five years later, I thought I had it down to a science.  Until my older son started preschool for the first time.  I was never able to find a solid WAHM schedule when my oldest son was born, so here is a peek at a current but ever-changing schedule of this WAHM.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.  This means that if you click on and/or buy something through the link, I will receive a small commission.  And after a few small commissions, I can head over to Starbucks to grab the most caffeine-laden product that they sell because sleep is for wusses.  At least in my house it is.  

Night before - everyone lays out their clothes for the next day.  Clothing placed on the bathroom counter and clean socks placed inside shoes by the front door.  Backpack is packed and kids "order" their breakfast for the next morning.

6:45 - 7:00 am Mom wakes up - really, let's be honest, it depends how much attention my hair needs that day.  I was not born with naturally easy hair.  Half is wavy, half is curly, and when left to its own devices, it resembles medusa.  

7:30 am Gremlins Children wake up and get dressed - usually they are up before 7:30 and hang out in the bathroom with me while I get ready.  No TV before they are dressed (this is my mother's advice and it has worked wonders in getting everyone ready on time).  In order to leave the bathroom, the kids must use the toilet, brush teeth and hair, and put on their clothes.  I also start a load of laundry.

7:45 am Prepare and Eat Breakfast - this week we have been on an Olaf Waffle (see below) kick.  They sit at the kitchen table and eat.  I apply the no TV rule here, too, otherwise they eat at a pace rivaled only by a 100 year old tortoise.

8:00 am Playtime (and disaster recovery mode) - While I clean up after breakfast, the children of the corn play.  By this point they aren't interested in the TV and usually are excited to play with their toys.  This is also usually when "disaster" strikes.  So far this week I have used this half hour to:  mop the floor after my husband stepped in dog poop while walking the dogs; and mopped the floor, bathed my son, bathed two dogs, and bleached the tub after my son projectile vomited Olaf all over the hallway.  Hence, I call this "disaster recovery mode".

8:30 am Get shoes on - When the clock strikes 8:30 am, all kernels must report to the front door and put on their shoes.  My oldest son has gotten really good at putting on his own socks and shoes, and my younger son usually opts for his hamburger-crocs.  Everyone must use the toilet, then we collect our things and head out the door by 8:35 am.

8:45 am School Drop Off - I enjoy walking my older son to his class, so we make sure to arrive at his school right at the beginning of the drop off time slot.  We are fortunate to live literally five minutes away from his school, so this makes it easy to get there early.  We walk to my older son's class, encourage him to follow the rules and put his folder away, and then we say our goodbyes.  My younger son asks every day if he can stay.  When I tell him no, he gets to go with me, he looks as if I just crushed his soul and is devastated that he must return home with the she-devil also known as his mother.  And on that happy note, we say goodbye to the staff and head to the car.

9:00 am Go Home - OK, this is a blatant lie.  Sometimes I stop for a Mocha at McDonald's.  And then I take the scenic route and drive my awesome mini-van right by Mark Ruffalo's house on the off chance that he might walk out and wave for me and my mom mobile to come say hello.  And see his mansion.  And take a ride in his limo.  And then I remember I have to get home and switch the laundry.

9:15 am Get Ready to Work - get my computer turned on and my paperwork organized.  I also get an activity set up for my younger son (example:  today was ripping paper and gluing with a glue stick; yesterday, it was shoving as many figures into a toy elevator as he could and then complaining that it got stuck).  If I did not stop at McDonald's, this is when I eat cookies my healthy, nutritious breakfast.

9:30 am Feed the Dogs - yes, I have a special time carved out for dog feeding.  I have three dogs.  Three.  Dogs.  And one of them is picky and requires me to mix the perfect ratio of wet and dry food.  And then doesn't eat it anyway.

9:40 am Start Working - by this point in the morning, my younger son is occupied and I can sit down and review a few e-mails or files or schedule a meeting.  Sometimes if my younger son is restless, I allow him to watch a little TV at this point (he can only choose from a few shows, so TV time is limited).

11:40 am Get Ready to Pick Up Older Son - this is when I let the dogs out (yes, I am the answer to "who let the dogs out?") and have my younger son clean up a little, use the bathroom, and put on shoes.  We leave the house by 11:45 am.

11:45 am Pick Up Older Son - We pick up my older son and talk to his teacher if necessary.  Then we talk about his day as we head home.

12:00 pm Lunch - we usually arrive home by noon.  I am fortunate that my husband comes home for lunch every day, so we all prepare lunch together and sit down to eat.  I also use the lunch hour to fold a load of laundry, clean dishes, prepare dinner, and - if there's time - work on the blog.  The boys usually play with Legos or pretend play.

1:00 pm Afternoon Activities - Over the summer the boys had swim lessons, but since that is coming to an end this week, there is no need to put it in the schedule.  Currently, I set them up with an activity (coloring, drawing, pretend play, etc.).  My older son can have a little TV time during the afternoon if he chooses.

3:30 pm Get Ready to Go Outside - Again, I let the dogs out (this is why the original song was so long - I let the dogs out so much) and the boys use the bathroom and put on their shoes (or swim suits if we are heading to the pool).  I also offer the boys a snack before we leave.

4:00 pm Go Out and Play - I am very fortunate that I live within walking distance from my mom.  We meet most afternoons to get the boys outside to play and burn some energy and exercise. Even when my mom is not available to meet, I make it a point to get the boys out for at least an hour every day.  Activities include:  taking a walk, going to the park, swimming, bike riding - pretty much anything to burn all of the energy that they have stored up.  (OK, this is unrealistic - everyone knows that NO ONE can burn ALL of a little boy's energy).

5:00 pm Come Home - we are usually home by 5:00 pm.  The boys get cleaned up and we all meet in the kitchen to work on dinner together.  Once dinner is set, the boys go and play (usually very loudly) until dinner is ready.  (I have recently re-discovered the crock pot.  You bet this is how I will be preparing dinner for the foreseeable future).  I am convinced that they get louder whenever their dad is home.  Coincidence?  I think not.

6:00 pm Dinner Time - I aim to have dinner on the table by 6:00 pm.  Sometimes it is earlier.  Sometimes it is later.  You get the idea.  My older son helps with setting the table.  My younger son sits at the table and demands food.  At least everyone knows their role.

6:30 pm Clean Up - If we are fortunate enough to finish dinner by 6:30 pm, I usually clear the table and do the dishes.  Normally though, we are finished closer to 7:00 pm (each son has to use the bathroom during dinner like clockwork.  and they always ask for more food.  or another napkin.  or a different fork because the fork they are using touched the meat.)

7:00 pm Bath Time - the boys get their bath around 7:00 pm and the dogs get their dinner.  My husband and I each tackle one task.  I usually get to handle the splash zone, I mean bath time.

7:30 pm Pajamas and Teeth - by 7:30 pm the boys are out of the bath and have their pajamas on and their teeth brushed.  The have a half hour to finish playing while I straighten up and clear the clutter.  I also require the boys to lay out their clothing for the next day and "order" their breakfast for the next morning before they go play.

8:00 pm Bed Time - the boys use the bathroom and then report to the couch for a story (if they aren't wild - the rule is that they must remain calm if they want story time.  Big Mama doesn't read to a wild child.)

9:00 pm Get Back to Work - by this time, the kernels are sleeping and I have a couple of hours to finish working (if necessary) before showering and passing out.

11:00 pm Sleep - since our family's motto is "Sleep is for Wusses" an 11:00 pm bed time rarely happens for me.  When it does, I am woken up 30 minutes later by one of the kernels.  My older one is usually frightened that there is lightning outside.  My younger one thinks everything is a spider and will sit up all night repeating the word "forty-eight".  Oh wait.  That was last night.  Yes, I got my Mocha this morning.

REPEAT.  Every. Day.

What does your schedule look like?  

2-Minute Strawberry Lemonade

Have you ever wanted to make a fun drink for your family but didn't want to make a mess with the blender?  Yeah, me too.  That is why I came up with the 2-Minute Strawberry Lemonade.  So easy, even your kids can help. 

OK, let's be honest here.  The REAL reason that I discovered this recipe is because I promised that I would make strawberry lemonade with my sons and forgot to buy strawberries at the supermarket.  And there was no way that I was schlepping back out in the rain with my little angels just to retrieve strawberries.  So, what to do, what to do.  I raided my pantry.  AHA!  Crystal light and Hershey's strawberry syrup.  I was onto something.  Check it out:

Ingredients

• 1 packet of crystal light lemonade mix
• 8 c. cold water
• 1/4 c. Hershey's strawberry syrup

 Instructions

1.  Pour crystal light packet and water into a large pitcher.  Stir to combine.

2.  Add Hershey's strawberry syrup.  Stir well to combine completely.

3.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

4.  Add ice cubes right before serving.

Voila.  You have just made strawberry lemonade.  You're welcome.

Planning a Lego Themed Party: Easy Minifigure Party Favor Buckets

My family loves throwing themed parties - especially birthday parties!  It is so much fun to get a little crafty and add your own touch to your child's party and it can save you some money and make a really memorable time for your kids (even if they are children of the corn sometimes).  With my oldest son's 5th (!!!) birthday only a couple of weeks away, we are in full on planning and crafting mode.  Here are instructions for creating Lego mini figure party favor buckets.

 Please note that this post contains affiliate links.  This means that if you click on and/or buy something through the link, I will receive a small commission.  And after a few small commissions, I can head over to Starbucks to grab the most caffeine-laden product that they sell because sleep is for wusses.  At least in my house it is.  

When my oldest son asked for a Lego party this year, I was slightly shocked.  I mean, he is into Legos and everything, but for his last two birthdays, we have hosted a garbage truck themed party.  He is REALLY into garbage trucks.  REALLY.  INTO.  GARBAGE.  TRUCKS.  So imagine my surprise when he requested Legos this year.  I went into full on crafty mom mode, and when we hit the party store, I let my creativity run (I kept it in check though - I did NOT want to spend big $$$ on pre-made items).  When I saw these yellow buckets, I instantly thought MINI FIGURE HEAD!  So, at only $0.99 each, I cleared out nearly all of the yellow buckets.  Sorry, Party City, I got into my hoarder mode.  Any way, here are the exact buckets that I used:

 Next, I had to gather my supplies.  Watch out folks - it's a long list:  yellow buckets, tape, and a black permanent market.  Overwhelming, I know.

Now, I am not terrible at drawing, but drawing straight lines and even circles are NOT in my bag of tricks.  So I went over to Google images to locate the perfect Mini Figure face to use as a template.  I chose the perfect face and had to play around with the scale.  I decided on this one (click on the photo to visit the original source, please!):

FYI I shrunk my to about 60% before printing in order to achieve a perfect fit for the bucket. 

After printing the face, I cut out the rectangle, and then I cut out the eyes and the mouth and taped the entire rectangle (now a stencil) onto the bucket.

I colored in the eyes and the mouth with the black permanent marker - this took a couple of coats to get it dark enough.  After the ink was dry (a few seconds), I removed the stencil and was staring into the eyes of my very own Lego mini figure party favor bucket!

Looks pretty good if I do say so myself (please share with your friends if you think so, too) - I can't wait to fill it up!  Stay tuned to see what I put in the mini figure party favor buckets!

PS - this bucket would also make an amazing trick or treat pail for a Lego themed Halloween costume!

What's For Dinner: Bean, Kale, and Spinach Soup

Monday nights are the worst for me.  Coming off the weekend and back into the hectic work-week leaves me less than creative when it comes to making a Monday night dinner.  This is why I usually love to make soups on Monday nights.  Soups are easy, satisfying, and when you use ingredients like beans, kale, and spinach, soups are healthy and guilt-free, too!

I tried this recipe for the first time last week, and it was such a hit with the family that I had to share it with you, too.  It's an easy recipe that you can put together quickly after work and maybe even have time to sit down for a few minutes while it cooks.  HAHA who am I kidding?  No parents ever have a minute to sit down.  Sorry for the false alarm there, folks.  But, my soup recipe is still awesome - and bonus points if you have the patience to let your children of the corn help.  Check it out:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 large parsnip, peeled and diced
• 1 small zucchini, diced
• 1 small yellow squash, diced
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste
• 32 ounces of chicken stock (or broth, either will work - you could also use vegetable stock)
• 2 cans (approx. 14 oz. each) of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (approx. 14 oz.) of diced tomatoes with juices
• 1 1/2 c. baby spinach
• 1 1/2 c. baby kale
• 1 tablespoon of white vinegar

Instructions

1.  In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Once hot, add onion, celery, carrot, parsnip, zucchini, and squash.  Cook for about 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent.

2.  Add the garlic and cook for another minute.  Then add the bay leaves, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  Stir to combine.

3.  Slowly add the broth, beans, and tomatoes.  Stir to combine and bring to a boil.

4.  Add the spinach and kale.  Stir to combine, cover, and simmer for at least 15-20 minutes.  (Mine simmered for about 30 minutes because World War III broke out in my living room over a half-eaten yellow crayon).

5.  [Optional] for a smoother soup, use an immersion blender at this point to puree some (or all) of the soup.  I pureed about half of the vegetables and left the remaining vegetables for a chunkier texture.

6.  Add the vinegar.  Stir to combine and taste - feel free to add more of the seasonings to taste at this point.

Unfortunately, I did not capture a photo of the final finished product - but the above photo is close enough.  This is because my younger kernel angel was trying to beat the dog with a rubber Mike Wazowski doll and my older one asked me 5,408 times if he could take my order because he was the waiter at the restaurant.  The saddest part?  Mike Wazowski ultimately lost a foot and I provided my dinner order to the "waiter" 5,408 times.

Why You Should 100% Take Your Baby to Disney

My family LOVES Disney, and we are fortunate to have annual passes which allow us to visit the Walt Disney World Resort several times per year.  My husband and I have loved Disney since we were dating, and we never let having children stop us from visiting the parks.  We get the question a lot about whether it is "worth it" to bring such young children to Disney.  In a nutshell, yes, it is 100% totally "WORTH IT" to bring your baby to Disney.

Our oldest son was only three months old when he embarked on his fist Disney vacation.  We were a little nervous about how we would feed him on time, and whether the changing areas would be clean enough for our precious baby.  But, with our pediatrician's blessing, we made the several hour drive [side note:  keeping an infant happy in the car is a whole different article....] to the happiest place on Earth - and I am so happy that we did.

We checked into our on-site hotel, and almost immediately the cast members flocked and asked if it was our son's first visit.  We sheepishly shook our heads "yes" not knowing what to expect - I mean, he was only 3 months old!  The cast members presented our son with his First Visit button, which we promptly clipped to his stroller.  We were so excited to begin making memories with our son.  Even if my son does not remember his first trip, I will forever have this trip branded in my memory and in my heart.  Not get sappy, but I honestly reach for these memories when I am struggling or sad or just missing my baby that is now almost five. (Please excuse me for a moment while I go grab a tissue...my eyes are raining....)

So, the question that all of you are asking, "why is it worth it if my child won't remember a darn thing?"  The answer is simple.  It is worth it because YOU will remember.  You will remember every little detail and joyous smile that your child displays.  I remember my oldest son had the biggest, widest eyes and most awe-struck smile as he watched the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing lights during that first trip.  I remember my second son cooing with excitement during his first Small World ride (yes, we brought our second son when he was only three months old, too).  I remember all of these things.  And I cherish these memories more than gold.

OK, now that I convinced you that you will make amazing memories, I know that you are asking whether it is difficult to handle a baby in the parks.  My answer is two-fold to this one.  It really depends on the temperament of your baby.  For us, the hardest part was getting up with the baby during the night and then spending the next day at the parks.  We were tired.  But our adrenaline and excitement kept us going.  If your baby is a sleeper - count your blessings.  If your baby gets tired easily, take a few breaks during the day.  If your baby is still bottle or breast feeding, no problem - stopping to feed your baby in the parks is no big deal.  There are plenty of benches and shaded, secluded spots; or, if you prefer a quieter, more private area, there is a "baby care center" in each park (click the link to find out more about the baby care centers).

Changing diapers is equally easy.  The restrooms are maintained well; and, if you are like me and bring a travel changing pad, cleanliness is not an issue.  There are plenty of restrooms throughout the parks, so finding a changing spot is never a problem.  As long as you pack accordingly (here are my Top 10 Items You Need When You Bring a Baby to Disney), feeding and changing are non-issues.

Will a trip with your baby be different than a trip with older children?  Yes.  Will it be a bad different?  No.  We have brought both of our children many times, and each time it is different - in a good way.  There is a new "favorite" ride each time, but there are also traditions that we engage in every trip:  a visit to the Goofy Candy Co., a ride on the carousel, and traveling back in time on Spaceship Earth.  My husband and I are not only building memories for our children, but for ourselves, as well.   (And I'd like to think that we are worthy of good memories, too). 

This post turned out longer than I anticipated, but I think it makes my opinion clear:  take your baby to Disney.  Take your baby out, on trips, into the world.  Not only will your baby learn from every sight, sound, and smell that (s)he experiences, but amazing memories will be created - even if you are the only one who remembers them.

I'd love to hear your thoughts - has anyone else considered bringing their baby to Disney?

Top 10 Items You Need When You Bring a Baby to Disney

As annual passholders, my family visits the Walt Disney World Resort several times per year.  Having brought babies as young as three months to the parks, I am pretty well versed in what to bring to the parks to keep your baby happy throughout the day.  To make it easy for you, I have narrowed it down to a list of the 10 most important items to pack when you bring your baby to Disney.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.  This means that if you click on and/or buy something through the link, I will receive a small commission.  And after a few small commissions, I can head over to Starbucks to grab the most caffeine-laden product that they sell because sleep is for wusses.  At least in my house it is.  

1.    First and foremost you need a GREAT BAG to carry all of your baby's necessities.  I prefer a bag that has several compartments for organizing and easy access.  I also like to use a bag that is rugged enough to withstand getting bumped and smashed (basically, don't bring your $2,000 designer bag).  My favorite bag is the DadGear Backpack.  We received ours as a gift nearly 5 years ago (and probably close to 20 trips to Disney ago) and it is still in great condition.  I use it for traveling, as well as every day uses (shuttling back and forth to swim lessons, day trips, shopping mall trips, etc.).

Here is the exact one that I use (and swear by):

2.     Once you have your awesome bag, there are some obvious items that you should stock it with - like DIAPERS.  My rule of thumb is to pack twice as many diapers as my child would normally use during the day (also, you can calculate to bring one diaper for every 1-2 hours that you will be in the park).  Also, I always purchase a big box of diapers to leave in the hotel room.  I find it cheaper and easier to do this rather than run out of diapers and have to purchase diapers on site or make a midnight run to a drug store.  Plus, it's easier for us to pack in the car.  If you are flying, the pouches inside of the big box would be easier to pack in a suitcase, too.

Also, while we're on the topic of diapers, you may also want to purchase swim diapers prior to your trip if you plan on swimming.

3.  Oh, and don't forget the wipes.

4.     While at Disney, you will undoubtedly be eating at restaurants at least a few times during your trip.  If your baby is old enough to sit at a highchair, you will definitely want to bring disposable Table Toppers.  My kids were the worst when it came to putting their food on a dirty table and then promptly proceeding to put the now-dirty-food into their mouths.  At Disney, the dirty-table-dilemma happens constantly (NOT that the tables are gross or disgusting - they are actually pretty well maintained - it is just my brain picturing millions of microscopic organisms swarming.  I picture this everywhere, not just Disney).  Table Toppers are lightweight, easy to pack, and disposable.  In other words, they're perfect.

5.  You may want to pick up some disposable child utensils, too.  From experience, these are much easier than trying to clean micro-spoons in a hotel sink.  

 

6.  OK, as long as we're talking about my fear of germs, let's also discuss the need for antibacterial wipes.  If your baby is old enough to touch anything, you need antibacterial wipes.  I use them to wipe hands, tables, highchairs, portable potty seats (discussed below), pretty much any surface that I can imagine a flock of germs (are they a flock? a gaggle? a pack?) having a frat party.  I only purchase the travel packs.  Much easier to put in my backpack (or purse...pocket...) and a few packs is just the right amount for a vacation.  (Plus, I imagine the crazy police coming to get me if I whip out a huge canister of antibacterial wipes and start wiping down the railings while I am in line for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.  I really would be tempted with a canister of wipes.  Don't test me.

7.  If your baby is potty trained.  Or in the process of potty training.  Or if you want to start potty training your child at Disney (don't laugh - it happened to us - our older son had to visit EVERY. BATHROOM. AT. DISNEY. and by the end of the trip he was nearly potty trained) - you need a portable potty seat.  It is easy to clean and much easier to pack and carry than a regular potty seat.  Also, it is much cleaner than letting your precious baby's behind touch the public toilet seat!

8.    As a parent, you are probably pretty familiar with accidents, wet clothes, spills, and poop diapers.  Why am I listing all of these things here?  Well, because when you are on vacation, these are all items that are difficult to carry with you (or dispose of politely) when you are away from home. Having a few Ziploc bags in your backpack will help store the wet items without damage to your backpack or stroller until you can get back to your hotel (or, let's face it, they help you get rid of a poop diaper without stinking up the place).

9.  I am a native Floridian, so trust me when I tell you that it GETS HOT in Florida.  Unless you are traveling between December and February, it is going to be hot.  If you are hot, your baby is hot, which means that you should think ahead and prepare to help keep your baby cool in the Florida heat.  One of my most favorite items when traveling to Disney with my kids in hot weather is the stroller fan.  First and foremost, it keeps your baby cool (we don't want any babies getting sick from the heat).  Second, it minimizes complaints from your kids, which helps keep parents cool.  So, get a stroller fan.  You'll thank me later.

10.  As long as we are talking about crazy Florida weather, let me warn you that it likes to rain in Florida.  Now, our rain storms are not all day gloomy weather - they are short, but heavy, downpours.  You don't want to get caught out in a Disney park without being prepared for rain - especially if you are traveling with a baby.  I always travel with ponchos for the entire family, and when the kids were babies, I also packed a stroller poncho.  A dry baby is a happy baby.  Remember that.

Hopefully my list of must haves for traveling to Disney with a baby was helpful.  These are tried and true items that I have used on many - MANY - trips to Walt Disney World and these items have undoubtedly made my life easier and my trip less stressful.  Oh, and one item I forgot to mention - YOUR CAMERA.  

Did I miss any items?  Let me know in the comments.

Sight Word Water Balloons

We are less than a week away from the first day of school.  Literally, the FIRST day of school - my oldest is starting preschool this year and we are so excited (and a little nervous).  So, I wanted to do something fun for the boys that would also help to kick-start their brains out of summer mode.  Of course, I turned to water balloons.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.  This means that if you click on and/or buy something through the link, I will receive a small commission.  And after a few small commissions, I can head over to Starbucks to grab the most caffeine-laden product that they sell because sleep is for wusses.  At least in my house it is.  

Water balloons are HUGE in our house.  We always keep some on hand; and, quite frankly, I have become a professional bathroom-sink-water-balloon-filler-upper.  But, after I made about 50 (yes, FIFTY) water balloons this morning, I think I will invest in something like this instead:

100 water balloons per minute?!  Count me in.  Seriously - I have blisters on my fingers from all of the bathroom sink water balloons.  But I know you aren't here to read about my blisters (at least I hope not) - here are the instructions for setting up a Sight Word Water Balloon game for your children
of the corn.

First, gather your supplies.  You will need:

• Water balloons (duh)
• A large bucket to keep the water balloons in (learn from my experience: use one bucket per child)
• Some chalk (hopefully yours is in better shape than mine)
• Some small bins (I'll leave you hanging on this one...read more to find out what these are for)

(I've included links to the products that I used at the bottom of this post).

After you've gathered your supplies, head out to a (SAFE) flat area where you are permitted to draw with chalk - we used our driveway.  Write sight words all over the driveway [Note:  I drew shapes for my younger son instead of words.  You could also do colors, numbers, letters, etc.]  Engage your child(ren) by asking them to help you with this step.

Once all of the words (or shapes, letters, numbers - you get the idea) are drawn, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!  Here's how you play:  call out the word (or shape, etc.) that you want your child to locate.  Once (s)he finds the correct spot, (s)he can drop the water balloon on the word.  Continue until all of the words have been splashed.

OK, here's where the little bins come in:  CLEAN UP TIME!  My children are obsessed - OBSESSED - with garbage trucks.  So, getting them to help clean up all of the bits required some pretend play and miniature garbage cans.  We actually raced to see who could pick up the most water balloon bits.  Thankfully, I DID NOT win.

Once everything is cleaned up, pat yourself on the back and get yourself a snack.  You deserve it.  No, really, you do.  My snack of choice was some plain vanilla yogurt mixed with fresh strawberries. And now it's back to work for me while my little angels play quietly with their pretend tool sets.  HA.  More like beat the #$*& out of each other with a plastic hammer. 

Here are links to the products similar to those that I used:

Sunday Turkey Meatloaf

So, I sat down to write about the awesome Turkey Meatloaf that my husband made for dinner last night when I realized that the house was quiet.  The. house. was. quiet.  Now, for normal people this is probably no big deal.  But in my house - with my kids - this signified a problem.  A BIG PROBLEM.  I went searching for my little trolls and lo and behold, I found them.  And their artwork.

Apparently my 4 year old thought that tagging his brother's shelves with graffiti was a good idea.  Is "5 POP" the name of a preschool gang?  I think I am in trouble here.

 

Thank goodness for Mr. Clean magic erasers, otherwise I think I would be in time out when my husband got home.  All of the crayon marking came off of the shelves.  And bed.  And walls.  And I sat those children of the corn down in front of the Paw Patrol for a beautiful thirty minutes of supervised quiet.  Ahhhhh......

OK, where was I?  Oh yes, the meatloaf.  My husband makes the BEST turkey meatloaf.  We usually choose to make it on Sundays because, really, who has more than 7.5 minutes to make dinner on a weeknight?

P.S. - I told him he would be famous if he shared his recipe with me.  Please help a girl out here or else I fear I will be on dog poop clean up duty for awhile - please share this recipe!

Obligatory First Post

I don't know why, but for me, first blog posts are always awkward - like the band geek at the homecoming dance (oh, wait, that was me).  But, I do know that my current setting sums up the theme of this blog pretty well.  As I sit here in my sons' bathroom writing this, at 1:45 in the afternoon, my two sons (ages 2 and 4.916666666 years old) are in a bathtub filled to the brim with Mr. Bubbles and eating popsicles.  My older son (you know, the one that is 4.9166666 years old) is correcting me that the flavor of his popsicle is not orange - it's orange cream - as he eats it with a plastic trowel that he found in the bucket of bath toys.  My younger son, on the other hand, is giving himself a full Mr. Bubble beard and attempting to dump a (toy) garbage can filled with water over his brother's head all why holding an orange cream popsicle.  And I really should be drafting affidavits, because I am a lawyer and that's what lawyers do.  But I am also a mom.

I am beyond fortunate that I have the opportunity to work mostly from home and spend time with my boys as they navigate from babies to toddlers to preschoolers.  But, sometimes it is tough forcing the business world and home life to align.  Simultaneously.  Day after day.  This blog details my successes (and struggles!) as a work-from-home mom.  I look forward to sharing a snapshot of my life with you, but, if you'll excuse me, I have to go break up a water spitting and pinching fight.  And then I'll get back to drafting those affidavits....