Wonder Woman Wednesday- Why I Don't Care...and It's OK

                

                                         Photo by Suzie Bell Photography

   

This morning as my alarm went off, I thought "I got this!  It's Friday.  Just a couple of clients and the kids get out early from school!"  Imagine my disappointment when I realized it is Wednesday.  And just like that... My motivation and excitement was gone.  But I have still have a full day and the kids still have school.  After a few moments of moping, I got out of bed and started my morning routine.  Now don't get me wrong.  I love my job.  It's just nice to have a day off every once in a while.  One of those days when you say "I don't care."

We live in a society that indirectly peer pressures us into working in and out of the home.  No one person means to bullies us but Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest does.  If I'm friends with Sally on Facebook and every night she posts the epic home-cooked dinner she made after she got off work, it COULD make me feel bad about that oven ready lasagna I just popped in the oven.  I COULD feel like a bad mom/wife for not preparing a healthier meal for my family...but I DON'T CARE.  

That room mom that hand carves bunnies out of chocolate for the entire class should make me feel bad...but I don't care.

That mom at Starbucks with immaculately dressed kids (while my son is in shorts and cowboy boots) could make me feel like I'm a lazy mom...but I don't care.  

That friend that keeps her house tidy and organized every time I visit should make me feel lazy for not keeping mine the same way...but I don't care.

Why do I not care?  Because they are not me.  I value sleep.  I value time with my kids.  I value the time I spend cheering my kids on at their sporting events.  I value quiet time with hubs at night.  I value my own personal quiet time.  Organize the pantry or soak in a warm bath...hmmm, Yep I picked the last choice.  If my daughter and husband want to watch a marathon of "Criminal Minds," the laundry can wait until tomorrow.

I will get to the laundry room...eventually.

I will get dishes done...eventually.

I will cook a meal from scratch...eventually. 

I will organize my office...eventually.

"Everything will get done eventually" has became my motto lately.  For right now, I don't care and I am ok with that.

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Fun Friday- Not Your Typical Egg Hunt

                 

 Remember the days when you bought those simple colored plastic eggs, stuffed them with candy, and hid them all over the yard?  If it was a big family egg hunt, remember how the little ones would cry because the big kids were much faster and got all the eggs?  Wow, time has changed!  The annual egg hunt is ever changing.  

I only have 2 kids at home; 3 if you count the hubs!  We have done the traditional egg hunts but they are older this year.  I really wanted to do something different.  The "glow in the dark" hunt is cool but I don't ever buy the right size eggs or glow sticks.  Red is 13 and Chief is 8 so they need a challenge.  I thought about multiplication facts and give each kid a "fact family."  But I hate math.  

So I settled on a flashlight egg hunt.  Thought I was super smart and innovative until I went to Pinterest.  Yup, bubble busted!  Tons of ideas!  Everyone had the same basic premise- use a flashlight to find your assigned color eggs.  That's fine but I only have 2 kids.  What am I going to do with the other colors of eggs?  That's when hit me...MOVIE CHARACTERS!  Random, I know.  But that's how my brain works.  

So here's my twist on the egg hunt.  Each kid will have 8 egg of assorted colors.  Written on Red's eggs are characters from the Hunger Games like Catniss, Prim, Peeta. Etc.  Chief is on an "Incredibles" kick so his eggs will have Mr. Incredible, Elasti-Girl, Dash, etc.  The eggs will be hidden all over the yard right before dark.  Chief likes chocolate so his eggs will have m&m and Reese's.  Red gets "brace face" friendly snacks in her eggs.  At dark, they can go out with their flashlights and find their assigned eggs.  I am going to have 2 big gold prize eggs hidden.  Once they find their 8 eggs, then they can find their "Oscar" egg.  

I may just have to post an update to tell you either how fabulous this idea was or how big of a flop it was!  Hope your Friday is treating you good!

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Wonder Woman Wednesday-Countdown to 2015!

Happy New Year's Eve!!!  Can you believe how fast the year has went by?  It seems like just yesterday I was planning our NYE 2013...slighly depressing isn't it? The good thing is if 2014 wasn't your year, then 2015 has to be!!!!

Do you have any plans yet for the big night?  I am simple when it comes to ending a year.  I prefer to be home (in my pjs), hanging out with the kids and hubs, and maybe watching a little college footlball or  a movie.  Last year, I came up with activities for us to do every hour.  I had a white paper sack for each hour with things needed for the activity.  Some were big ones like making homemade pretzels (prep work was done earlier in the day), some were small like wearing mustaches or glow necklaces for the hour to take silly pictures.  We ended the night at midnight with a toast. The kids had sparkling cider in their wine glasses.  They thought that was fun. The  pictures we took at each hour I made into a short video using an app on my phone.  This year I plan to do the same but I am working on different activities.

Here's a sample of what our night looked like  1 year ago today:

           

To keep it low key and simple, keep these tips in mind:

1. Include things you will already be doing.  For example, make 7pm a sit down family dinner and talk about your year as a family.

2.  If you do crafts, keep them simple.  I bought 2 of those peel and stick penguin foam craft packets in the dollar bin at Target last year.

3.  Do things your family will enjoy.  Little man got new board games this year for Christmas so we are having a game time at some point in our evening.  The kids like to help me in the kitchen decorate cookies so that is another activity for us.   Plus we will need dessert after the homemade chili that is on the menu!

4.  Don't make it stressful.  I sat our sacks on the bar so we could see them.  The time was marked on each one.  Set an alarm on your phone if you are afraid you will forget.  Don't worry, the kids did not forget!

Lots of people think that just because you stay home on NYE that it has to be boring.  You could a similar countdown even if it is all adults!  Gear your activities toward who will be with you that night.  Most importantly, be safe if you do leave the house.  Wishing everyone a great nght and an even better 2015!!!!