For those of you who read these ramblings of my experiences in motherhood, I have changed the name of my blog to encompass some changes in my life. The new name has a very simple meaning. Let's break it down into two parts, shall we?
"Single Mom". I assume that my readers are smart. The phrase itself is easy to understand; the life of a single mother is not. Being a single mom is hard work, just like for any parent. This single mom battles frustration, exhaustion, loneliness, financial strain, mom-guilt, etc. But, I embrace the pride that follows a successful day. I relish the hugs and random drool kisses. I wake up every day and make the choice to be strong, courageous, determined, thankful, and positive. That is a lot of choices to make when you are barely awake and your son is performing a ballet of "trust falls" and rail jumps in his crib at 6 a.m. when he should be sleeping. But, oh, that laugh of his. Music. His happy demeanor, thriving development, awesome health, and how he falls into an easy sleep are proof enough to me that I am rocking this mom thing :)
"Double Shot". I know what you are thinking. Bring me ALL the alcohol!!! But that isn't the case or the meaning here. When I say "double shot" I mean, when I screw up I'm calling mulligan...until I get it right. And if I never get it right then it will be fine the way it is. I am not perfect. I will screw up. I get that. Besides, this mindset helps me battle the pressure of being a single mom and the scrutiny that it entails. And if that doesn't work...well, then line up the shooters and bring on the chocolate milk. Mama had a rough day :)
Showing posts with label childhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childhood. Show all posts
Monday, December 23, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Happy Birthday to Me?
Well, it finally happened to me. I turned 30 years old yesterday. I tried avoiding it but the universe didn't get my memo. Oh well.
Looking back on this last year I am amazed, proud, blown away. I thought I would be horribly sad to be leaving my twenties. Does it suck? Yeah. But not too bad.
During my last year in my twenties I had my little munchkin. My mom was 29 when she had me. It is a pretty awesome way to go out. I was born at 4:46 a.m. on May 29. (I am beginning to think the number 29 may have some significance). At 4:46 on the morning of my birthday, I was feeding my son. Ironic, huh? I finally started chasing my dream of going to college. Which is going great so far! And I am creating a home life that I have always wanted. See why it is so hard to let go of being 29?
These last thirty years have been fun, exhausting, strengthening, and all together amazing. Looking at Kendrick, I often wonder how I got as far as I did without him. Or anyone in my life for that matter. I know I wouldn't make it now knowing what I have, and would be without.
So I look forward to these next thirty years. They will be full of love, anticipation, excitement, and probably a fair share of annoyance from Nick! I can say that because he doesn't read these posts. I kid, but seriously.
Thank you to everyone for the beautiful birthday wishes, your unrelenting support, and begrudgingly admitted love ;)
Looking back on this last year I am amazed, proud, blown away. I thought I would be horribly sad to be leaving my twenties. Does it suck? Yeah. But not too bad.
During my last year in my twenties I had my little munchkin. My mom was 29 when she had me. It is a pretty awesome way to go out. I was born at 4:46 a.m. on May 29. (I am beginning to think the number 29 may have some significance). At 4:46 on the morning of my birthday, I was feeding my son. Ironic, huh? I finally started chasing my dream of going to college. Which is going great so far! And I am creating a home life that I have always wanted. See why it is so hard to let go of being 29?
These last thirty years have been fun, exhausting, strengthening, and all together amazing. Looking at Kendrick, I often wonder how I got as far as I did without him. Or anyone in my life for that matter. I know I wouldn't make it now knowing what I have, and would be without.
So I look forward to these next thirty years. They will be full of love, anticipation, excitement, and probably a fair share of annoyance from Nick! I can say that because he doesn't read these posts. I kid, but seriously.
Thank you to everyone for the beautiful birthday wishes, your unrelenting support, and begrudgingly admitted love ;)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Salty Toes and Squishy Dough
Kendrick made Mother's Day presents for his Grandmas. I know it was a while ago, but I am a busy girl. Anyone else find it ironic that I blog about being a mom and yet I am just now getting around to this topic?
I digress.
Look at what my son made!!!!
Here is how:
Salt Dough Footprint
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup salt
1/4 cup warm water
Preheat oven to 200. Mix flour and salt. Add water. Mix then knead. May need to add a little flour here and there while kneading. You don't want the dough to be sticky...or crumbly. I formed a ball by tossing it from hand to hand, like a ball and mitt. Place dough ball on wax paper on a smooth plate. Place wax paper on the top as well. Flatten into a thick circle. I then made flat, circular motions on the top to give the dough a smooth surface. It makes for a good print! Remove the wax paper from the top only. Grab your munchkin! Kendrick's foot got stuck to the dough the first time so I put flour on his foot before making the impression. He looked at me weird...
Once you make the impression and are happy with it, put it on a baking sheet and bake for 2 to 3 hours.
Once it is done, paint it a color of your choosing. I chose a pearled paint so the foot indentations would show up nicely. I sprayed a clear gloss coat to finish it off!
Handmade Card
I saw this idea on Pinterest and once again in real life. It is simple and fun.
I cut a piece of construction paper in the Grandmas' favorite color. Then I placed drops and squiggles of acrylic paints onto the paper, placed it in a gallon size Ziploc bag, and sealed it shut. I placed the bag in front of Kendrick and let him just play with it to get the paint squished around. Once he was finished doing a phenomenal job, I removed the card and let the paint dry. I flipped it over and wrote a message to them from Kendrick! Voila!! Refrigerator art!
I digress.
Look at what my son made!!!!
 |
| A salt dough footprint and handmade card! |
Here is how:
Salt Dough Footprint
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup salt
1/4 cup warm water
Preheat oven to 200. Mix flour and salt. Add water. Mix then knead. May need to add a little flour here and there while kneading. You don't want the dough to be sticky...or crumbly. I formed a ball by tossing it from hand to hand, like a ball and mitt. Place dough ball on wax paper on a smooth plate. Place wax paper on the top as well. Flatten into a thick circle. I then made flat, circular motions on the top to give the dough a smooth surface. It makes for a good print! Remove the wax paper from the top only. Grab your munchkin! Kendrick's foot got stuck to the dough the first time so I put flour on his foot before making the impression. He looked at me weird...
Once you make the impression and are happy with it, put it on a baking sheet and bake for 2 to 3 hours.
Once it is done, paint it a color of your choosing. I chose a pearled paint so the foot indentations would show up nicely. I sprayed a clear gloss coat to finish it off!
Handmade Card
I saw this idea on Pinterest and once again in real life. It is simple and fun.
I cut a piece of construction paper in the Grandmas' favorite color. Then I placed drops and squiggles of acrylic paints onto the paper, placed it in a gallon size Ziploc bag, and sealed it shut. I placed the bag in front of Kendrick and let him just play with it to get the paint squished around. Once he was finished doing a phenomenal job, I removed the card and let the paint dry. I flipped it over and wrote a message to them from Kendrick! Voila!! Refrigerator art!
HAPPY FOOTPRINTING!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
You're sucking the fun out of it!
Whatever happened to letting kids be kids?
I am a competitive person by nature, but when an extra-curricular activity or interest starts feeling like a job, then you are doing it wrong; or teaching it wrong. It's different if a child wants to try out for a sport, band, or school play. Practice, practice, practice! But, constructively criticize instead of picking them apart.
I say this because just recently I took my nephew to his swim class. It was the third class in the series. I sat next to a mom and her dad. She had a child in the same level of the class as my nephew. During the entire 30 minute class they did nothing but pick apart the efforts of her kid. Apparently after your third class you should have the ability to out swim Michael Phelps, have perfect form, and be able to hold your breath for 5 minutes at a time. So after 30 minutes of picking this child apart, they said "Good job, buddy! It was perfect!" and that was all. They moved on to dinner plans. I roll my eyes.
First off, unclench. You can't expect that much out of a 9 year old kid after his third class. It's ridiculous. Parents are often the reason a child gives up on something that started out as fun, and new to learn.
Secondly, don't lie to the kid. What is he learning? They had no problem criticizing him when he was out of earshot, but when it came time to do it constructively they had nothing to say. The lesson doesn't stop when he gets out of the pool.
And lastly, yes I am judging them. I didn't hide my side eye look from them either. Frankly, I don't care. I'm sure my parenting style will be judged constantly. But I will not be the reason my child gives up on something he was excited about or interested in.
I am a competitive person by nature, but when an extra-curricular activity or interest starts feeling like a job, then you are doing it wrong; or teaching it wrong. It's different if a child wants to try out for a sport, band, or school play. Practice, practice, practice! But, constructively criticize instead of picking them apart.
I say this because just recently I took my nephew to his swim class. It was the third class in the series. I sat next to a mom and her dad. She had a child in the same level of the class as my nephew. During the entire 30 minute class they did nothing but pick apart the efforts of her kid. Apparently after your third class you should have the ability to out swim Michael Phelps, have perfect form, and be able to hold your breath for 5 minutes at a time. So after 30 minutes of picking this child apart, they said "Good job, buddy! It was perfect!" and that was all. They moved on to dinner plans. I roll my eyes.
First off, unclench. You can't expect that much out of a 9 year old kid after his third class. It's ridiculous. Parents are often the reason a child gives up on something that started out as fun, and new to learn.
Secondly, don't lie to the kid. What is he learning? They had no problem criticizing him when he was out of earshot, but when it came time to do it constructively they had nothing to say. The lesson doesn't stop when he gets out of the pool.
And lastly, yes I am judging them. I didn't hide my side eye look from them either. Frankly, I don't care. I'm sure my parenting style will be judged constantly. But I will not be the reason my child gives up on something he was excited about or interested in.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Pinterest may end up raising my child...
...because I have an addiction to pinning.
Wow! It does feel better to get it out!! Only 11 more steps until I'm cured. I have found some awesome ideas I want to try once the little one gets here. I seriously feel bad for this kid. This is a board that I started on my Pinterest dedicated to my son. I am curious to see if and how some of these tips and tricks work.
I have an endless list of crafts and DIY I want to do, and absolutely zero motivation to do any of it. I feel like once it is pinned to my board it is finished. His nursery would probably rock if I ever got around to doing it.
I am hoping to at least curb this addiction so I am not chasing my son around with thumb tacks and post it notes, screaming "But I saw this on Pinterest!!"
I can see it now. One day, he will be cruising the internet on some contraption that his out of touch mother will not understand, and he is going to come across his childhood. All neatly arranged on a virtual cork board. That's right, sweetheart. Your mom is a big, fat cheater.
Wow! It does feel better to get it out!! Only 11 more steps until I'm cured. I have found some awesome ideas I want to try once the little one gets here. I seriously feel bad for this kid. This is a board that I started on my Pinterest dedicated to my son. I am curious to see if and how some of these tips and tricks work.
I have an endless list of crafts and DIY I want to do, and absolutely zero motivation to do any of it. I feel like once it is pinned to my board it is finished. His nursery would probably rock if I ever got around to doing it.
I am hoping to at least curb this addiction so I am not chasing my son around with thumb tacks and post it notes, screaming "But I saw this on Pinterest!!"
I can see it now. One day, he will be cruising the internet on some contraption that his out of touch mother will not understand, and he is going to come across his childhood. All neatly arranged on a virtual cork board. That's right, sweetheart. Your mom is a big, fat cheater.
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