Seashell arts and crafts

I'm not sure if staying home makes the kids crazier- or me. We are normally out all day- most days, except for days like today since Chloe wasn't feeling well. I was up all night with her coughing and vomiting so I was  happy to lay low today. We took a nice, long walk and then came home to do a craft that was perfect to do on a lay low day.

Chloe collected shells on the beach last week and took them home. I bought paint and some paintbrushes on our outing today- covered their little outdoor table with newspaper- and let em' rip!      

I prepared the table first, setting up their stations with the Crayola washable paint and Crayola paintbrushes. I had the sparkles from Easter so I put them out as well knowing they would be a hit with Chloe. They had such a great time painting the shells- they painted for way over an hour!

The paint got on everything & my backyard will forever be sparkly- but I have to say, much to my surprise- the paint came out of all of our clothing!

A day I thought was going to drag- ended up being such an amazing one. On my next trip to CVS, I'll be sure to pick up another box of Crayola paints to keep on hand for a rainy or sick day.

One of Chloe's shell creations

Sunblock tips for children

My kids know I take protecting their skin seriously. So does my friend Marianne who makes fun of my sunblock antics! Chloe doesn't want to get sunburned so she is really good at letting me do my thing! One of her cousins got a wicked one last summer and she hasn't forgotten it since! She'll say, "Ma, sunblock is important so I don't get sunburned like Jackie", every time I apply it! Max is a pain in the ass...he screams, runs away- hides! I have gotten it down to a science so I would like to share my craft with you!

• Applying sunblock before leaving the house is a must. I do so before putting their bathing suits on. This ensures an even application that wont leave my kids with any surprise sunburn marks in areas I would have missed with their suits on. I truly think this makes a huge difference. I also think its much better chasing Max around my own house rather than looking like a crazy person chasing him elsewhere!
• Using sunblock made specifically for faces is important to me- for both my children and for myself. I love Neutrogena pure & free baby faces SPF 50+. It's ultra gentle so it doesn't burn their eyes. They haven't complained about stinging eyes once since we began using it. I actually use it too!
• I always apply a cream on their body for the first application in the house. I feel as though a cream provides a better base of protection than a spray does. I use Banana Boat Natural Reflect Baby SPF 50+. Its 100% naturally sourced, is paraben and PABA free and is as mild as water. If harsh chemicals worry you, this can ease your woes.
• I reapply with a spray throughout the day. I love Neutrogena wet skin kids SPF 70. Spraying them while they are jumping in and out of the pool or digging in the sand is much easier than applying cream! This formula was specially designed to repel  water and can be applied directly to wet skin...perfect for the little beach bunny on the go!
• Always remember their ears...they can get pretty crispy if you forget!
• If you part your daughters hair- be sure to sunblock her scalp. I have burned my own one too many times so I am very careful not to with Chloe's.

We love the Summer and being outdoors all day long! The sun is a beautiful thing- as long as skin is protected from the not so beautiful elements of it. I hope my tips help to protect your little loves like they do mine. Enjoy these long summer days with your little ones!

Chloe & Max hangin 10!! Chloe can't even take the anticipation of the next wave!

Max schooling Chloe on good form!

Max practicing his moves on the long board!

                                    

Suddenly Lance Armstrong!



Spin Room at Rok Fitness

Much like Weezy, I just moved on up to a deluxe gym! My new gym is so nice it makes me want to be there! I do elliptical in their cardio theater!

I think the change of environment was great for my workout routine- especially since I added spin classes to my regimen. I took a class the first day I joined...nearly keeled over halfway through- but LOVED it once the class was complete! So much so that I went to another the next day- and the day after that as well. I love how fast the class goes and I have no time for my mind to race! I come out drenched which makes me feel like I got my ultimate workout in. Sounds great, right?

Yes- the workout is great. What's not great is that I pulled a muscle in my left calf. This is what happens when one thinks she is suddenly Lance Armstrong! So- 5 classes in and I'm out for a few day...and I MISS it!!! Just when I was making it through the class without cursing myself for taking it!

I'm hoping to be back on Sunday. Can you imagine? Actually hoping to be back by Sunday of all days?? !! I'm excited that I found something that gets me psyched enough to miss it when I cannot do it.

If your caught up in a workout rut- try a new gym. I'm so happy I did!

Hello Crazy. Come here often?

Last Monday, I had the breast biopsy done. I expected it to be very painful but was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't! I am an absolute baby with needles so I wouldn't look at anything going on during the procedure. I closed my eyes, blasted Adelle on my Ipad, and zoned off. I hardly felt the needle or anything else after. I was given instructions not to lift the kids for a few days- probably the hardest part next to waiting for the results. My mom took both kids overnight which made getting the biopsy worth every moment of  anxiety before and after this ordeal!

I rested in bed that entire day...ALONE! It felt amazing. In the back of my mind, I wondered what the outcome would be, and feared the phone call.

Tuesday late in the day, I received the call from the office that everything is OKAY! I was relieved of my menacing thoughts and fears two days early. The office had told me they would call Thursday so I was so thankful to be let off the hook sooner than anticipated. I feel so lucky, like I was given another chance at my life.

From this experience and all of the thoughts of "what if" that came along with it, I re-evaluated myself. During this self evaluation, it dawned upon me how uptight I have become! I have to teach myself how to relax and take life day by day...to not sweat the small stuff- TO RELAX!!!! Becoming a mom has magnified this part of me that has definitely come out in the past from time to time- but by no means defined me like I feel it does now.

Things that people do to relax has the opposite effect on me. Laying on the beach used to be my favorite pastime. Now, I just cant seem to lay there without a racing mind! I used to love taking long, hot baths.  Now- I last a good 4 minutes and those are forced! I try so hard...just to lye there. I cant do it. Its the most unrelaxing place I can find myself- that is beside yoga class. I may as well shrink and be placed inside my own head because that's exactly where I am throughout the entire class- if I last the entire class. I cant stop thinking! I envy those yoga people!

I'm not a sitting mom at the park. I can't relax there either. I follow my kids around....always worried that if I don't- something will happen that I could have prevented.

Even home- I'm never sitting for longer than 3 minutes. There is always something to be done. A meal to be made, a snack to be gotten, a drink to be refilled, a game to be played, a doll whose hair needs to be braided...the list is endless as you moms know. Relaxing just isn't on it. Notice I didn't even throw in the cleaning. That can be a post on its own!

Admitting that I am a little crazy- like any other problem, is the first step in remedying my "situation".  As a mom of a four year old and a two year old, I don't see much success in my future! I'm always thinking...always worrying. I project ahead too much.

Mothering is overwhelming. I  don't want to let being overwhelmed consume me to the point where I'm not enjoying it. I know I have to start taking some me time so I can enjoy the we time more.

The idea of not being well enough to take care of my family or do the things I enjoy to do, scared me. Life is so precious and it takes situations like this to be reminded of that- unfortunately. I want to live life to the fullest and truly enjoy it. You only get one shot...might as well live it up.

This is something I am going to remind myself of when the going gets tough. I want to make a change for myself, for my kids. I have to learn to relax and enjoy this one time deal I am so lucky enough to be living.

Help a sister out- what do you guys do to relax...body & mind?

How to make cheeseless veggie pizza

I used to really enjoy cooking. Now, not so much! I think the cleanup has tainted my love of creating something from a bunch of different ingredients. One day I hope to get out of my food funk- but for now...I'm sticking to the easy!

Having a four year old and two year old definitely limits my time in the kitchen- so not only do I go for the easy... I go for the quick as well!

Here's a quick and easy cheeseless veggie pizza recipe that you can whip up. It so pretty- it doesn't even look whipped up!



  
                                  Cheeseless Veggie Pizza

1 Pkg. Pillsbury Pizza Dough
6 Yellow Squash
1 Bunch of Rosemary
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
6 Cloves of Garlic Chopped

Place Dough in a pan...rub olive oil on entire dough
Break off pieces of rosemary and sprinkle on top of dough.
Cook dough for about half the cooking time on the package.

In a separate pan saute olive oil & garlic. Add in Squash and cook until done. Set aside until dough is partially cooked.
When dough is done, take the squash mixture and put on top of dough and place back in the oven until pizza dough is slightly crispy.

Cut into squares and place on platter


                                Enjoy!!!

Most Helpful Parenting Books

A friend of mine is giving birth as I write this and it made me think about being a mom for the first time. It was such an overwhelming, emotional time for me. Before having my daughter, I had little experience with babies. I babysat as a teenager and changed a few diapers here and there...but I never took care of a baby that I couldn't hand back! So... I read.  A LOT! The more information- the better.

It was hard to connect to the books I read prior to having Chloe because I wasn't a mommy just yet.

However, once I became a mom, two books literally changed my life as a mom for the better.

I knew I wanted to start a sleep schedule when Chloe was around 6 months old- so I started my search with that. I came across Dr. Weissbluth's book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child- never imagining how much it would help me. I read the reviews on Amazon and a few excerpts from the book itself. Once I received it and began reading, I thought I made a mistake buying it. Its definitely not an easy read. Once I realized this, I sat with a highlighter while reading so I can remember and go back to what I found helpful and important. This is a great reference book that you will find yourself going back to time and time again. I learned how to let my child soothe herself to sleep. I learned that sleep is the most essential part of a happy family and to prioritize napping and bedtime. I learned to watch for sleepy cues and to get my baby to bed before the signs appeared.

Everything Marc Weissbluth explained to do- I tried...and it worked. It was amazing. My daughter was cranky and miserable until I got her on this sleep schedule. Chloe will be 5 in September and she is still a great sleeper to this day and I have this book to thank. She goes to sleep 7:30pm and wakes up around 7- 7:30am. Keeping her on schedule is still very important to me. It works for her and for my family.

A Mother's Circle, a Soho Parenting book, made me feel like everything I was doing...everything I was feeling as a new mommy-  was okay. It was the a reassurance that I needed. I connected to many of the mothers telling their stories and it made me feel normal. Most importantly, it taught me to be able to forgive myself for not having all the answers, for not always feeling like the perfect mother that we all imagine being prior to delivering an actual human being!. A Mother's Circle taught me that what works for your family is enough. I read and re-read this book because of how much I loved it. It will give you such a healthy, positive outlook on your parenting... I promise you will fall in love with it too!

                                                 I hope these books help you as much as they have me.

                                                                     Happy Reading!

How to make white sangria

I was so excited to see that my friend Nicole had made a white sangria last Saturday! As soon as the warm weather hits, I switch from red wine- to white. This is a perfect addition to your summer BBQ...or to your summer period!

Nicole's White Sangria!

1 bottle of Reisling Wine

                                                              1 Bottle of Chardonnay

                                                              20 oz. White Grape Juice

                                                              20 oz. Sprite

                                                              1 Bag of Frozen Blackberries

                                                              1 Bag of Frozen Mix Fruit (Strawberries,Mangos & Peaches)

                                                              1 Gala Apple Chopped

                                                              1 Orange ( Cut into small wedges)

Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher...the frozen fruit will act as the ice and keep it cold. Let sit for 4 hours.

Enjoy!