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March 29, 2012
Freaking scooters!
Recently, I purchased new scooters for both Julian and Winterlyn. When I brought them home the kids were so super excited. They threw on their helmets as they ripped open the boxes.
Sadly, the scooters were folded down. There were instructions that seemed very easy. Perhaps way too easy!
I was feeling all “I got this” as I began to follow the very detailed picture by picture, step by step “Crystal fool proof “guide. Both Julian and Winterlyn stood over me, anxious. I heard Winterlyn whisper under her breath “Hurry up already!”.
First, place your hand at the base, push. Take your other hand and pull up the handle bars. Ok, easy enough.
Not!
I tried forever, and I just could not get the darn scooters to unfold. Jacob tried. Julian tried and Winterlyn tried. We each tried one scooter, than the other; over and over again.
We were at it for an hour before I decided to get help from the man that lives across the street. This guy is awesome; he is my “rent-a-husband”. However, he told us that he was rushing out the door, but he would look at it later.
Ah, but this was an emergency! So, we walked down the street to another house. This family has a zillion kids; so clearly, they know how to unfold a scooter or two, or a zillion. The mom answered the door and tried to unfold the scooters no avail. After about ten minutes she said “Let’s go to John’s house, he will be able to do it”.
So off we went.
John is the street grump. He has no children, his lawn is perfect and he enjoys guarding it. He is a very big man who loves to mow his lawn with no shirt on while smoking a cigar. Once, I saw him get his mail in tight white underwear. I really don’t think I have recovered from that sight.
Unfortunately, my children enjoy pestering John. They like to play “ding dong ditch” with him and they just adore running through his sprinklers. I was, of course, apprehensive about knocking on his door, to say the least!
Guess what? John was clueless. Really, he looked at it and was like “Um, I have no idea how to do this”. He even scratched his head and said “eeeeeeeehhhhh”.
Defeated, the kids and I went home. I started dinner while the kids sadly sat on the front steps. I overheard them complaining about their new, unusable, scooters:
“I like our old ones better!’
“These suck!”
“Maybe she will return them and get better ones?”
“Freaking scooters!”
I felt so bad for the kids.
I went out and tried once again, and got so darn frustrated; I completely lost my cool. I had a hissy fit.
That’s right, a down and out tantrum! I said “I cannot believe I wasted my money on this junk”.
Oh I was HOT as I threw a scooter over my head and on the lawn.
Guess what?
You won’t believe this but… the scooter opened up!
Just like that.
The kids and I started jumping up and down, giving hi-fives and screaming our famous “WE GOT THIS!” Before I knew it, Julian grabbed the other scooter, threw it on the ground, and it opened up too.
Amazing!
The entire situation reminds me of my own life as a single mom. When I first became a single mom I would face problems passively. I would try, but I would tell myself “there is just no way”. I never really had the gumption to grab the bull by the horns and aggressively handle my life. I wanted to be successful because of my children, but ultimately I just didn’t believe in myself because I was beaten down so much. At that time, it was easier to seek help from others instead of having the confidence to depend on myself. Not only did I seek help, but I also would seek advice and approval (which believe me, I never got!).
Over the years I have learned that being a single mom means fighting not only for my children, but also for myself; it means having guts to defying the odds. It means standing on my own two feet, pushing, moving forward, never giving up and never looking back.
Sadly, the scooters were folded down. There were instructions that seemed very easy. Perhaps way too easy!
I was feeling all “I got this” as I began to follow the very detailed picture by picture, step by step “
First, place your hand at the base, push. Take your other hand and pull up the handle bars. Ok, easy enough.
Not!
I tried forever, and I just could not get the darn scooters to unfold. Jacob tried. Julian tried and Winterlyn tried. We each tried one scooter, than the other; over and over again.
We were at it for an hour before I decided to get help from the man that lives across the street. This guy is awesome; he is my “rent-a-husband”. However, he told us that he was rushing out the door, but he would look at it later.
Ah, but this was an emergency! So, we walked down the street to another house. This family has a zillion kids; so clearly, they know how to unfold a scooter or two, or a zillion. The mom answered the door and tried to unfold the scooters no avail. After about ten minutes she said “Let’s go to John’s house, he will be able to do it”.
So off we went.
John is the street grump. He has no children, his lawn is perfect and he enjoys guarding it. He is a very big man who loves to mow his lawn with no shirt on while smoking a cigar. Once, I saw him get his mail in tight white underwear. I really don’t think I have recovered from that sight.
Unfortunately, my children enjoy pestering John. They like to play “ding dong ditch” with him and they just adore running through his sprinklers. I was, of course, apprehensive about knocking on his door, to say the least!
Guess what? John was clueless. Really, he looked at it and was like “Um, I have no idea how to do this”. He even scratched his head and said “eeeeeeeehhhhh”.
Defeated, the kids and I went home. I started dinner while the kids sadly sat on the front steps. I overheard them complaining about their new, unusable, scooters:
“I like our old ones better!’
“These suck!”
“Maybe she will return them and get better ones?”
“Freaking scooters!”
I felt so bad for the kids.
I went out and tried once again, and got so darn frustrated; I completely lost my cool. I had a hissy fit.
That’s right, a down and out tantrum! I said “I cannot believe I wasted my money on this junk”.
Oh I was HOT as I threw a scooter over my head and on the lawn.
Guess what?
You won’t believe this but… the scooter opened up!
Just like that.
The kids and I started jumping up and down, giving hi-fives and screaming our famous “WE GOT THIS!” Before I knew it, Julian grabbed the other scooter, threw it on the ground, and it opened up too.
Amazing!
The entire situation reminds me of my own life as a single mom. When I first became a single mom I would face problems passively. I would try, but I would tell myself “there is just no way”. I never really had the gumption to grab the bull by the horns and aggressively handle my life. I wanted to be successful because of my children, but ultimately I just didn’t believe in myself because I was beaten down so much. At that time, it was easier to seek help from others instead of having the confidence to depend on myself. Not only did I seek help, but I also would seek advice and approval (which believe me, I never got!).
Over the years I have learned that being a single mom means fighting not only for my children, but also for myself; it means having guts to defying the odds. It means standing on my own two feet, pushing, moving forward, never giving up and never looking back.
March 27, 2012
Peanut Butter Pie.. oohhhh yum!
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 (5 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1/2 cup chocolate fudge sauce
Directions
1. In a heavy sauce pan over low heat, melt the butter and chocolate chips. Remove from heat and gently stir in rice cereal until coated. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie plate. Chill 30 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into prepared crust. Drizzle chocolate topping over pie and freeze for 4 hours or until firm. Keep in freezer until ready to serve, and return leftovers to the freezer as well.
March 16, 2012
March 13, 2012
People like that don’t matter!
I have discovered a new “juggling tool” at the local park; an electrical outlet! Yes!
Right under the pavilion is a perfect little spot for me, my textbooks and my laptop. It is such a perfect tool because in NJ the weather has been rather amazing and spring-like and because of my new “hook-up” we are able to go to the park where I can work on college stuff plus keep the kids happy. We even pack a cooler! : )
Clever, don’t ya think?
I don’t mean to be glued to my laptop but I have papers to write and grades to make and a degree to get for us. I mastered juggling because I do not want my children to see my college work as something that makes me too busy to be a mom. Therefore, I do my studying around their schedule so that things stay “normal” in their eyes.
Of course there is always some mom at the park who will make eye contact with me and roll her eyes in disgust because of the laptop. Gosh, I once even overheard a mom say to another mom “You would think she would play with her children instead of browsing the internet!”
Browsing?
Really?
I just chuckled at the thought!
I am a single mother who will do anything she can to make her children happy. I juggle work, college, three kids, a home and so much more than the average un-juggling non-single parent of three could ever understand.
Further, it takes a very special type of woman to be a single mother. No one could ever tell me otherwise. Not to toot my own horn, but I can work circles around most and I do it with a big joyful smile on my face because… well, I got this!
I often wonder why women cut each other down so darn easily; especially moms. It’s shameful, actually. However, I am grateful that I am able to turn a deaf ear because people like that don’t matter.
Right under the pavilion is a perfect little spot for me, my textbooks and my laptop. It is such a perfect tool because in NJ the weather has been rather amazing and spring-like and because of my new “hook-up” we are able to go to the park where I can work on college stuff plus keep the kids happy. We even pack a cooler! : )
Clever, don’t ya think?
I don’t mean to be glued to my laptop but I have papers to write and grades to make and a degree to get for us. I mastered juggling because I do not want my children to see my college work as something that makes me too busy to be a mom. Therefore, I do my studying around their schedule so that things stay “normal” in their eyes.
Of course there is always some mom at the park who will make eye contact with me and roll her eyes in disgust because of the laptop. Gosh, I once even overheard a mom say to another mom “You would think she would play with her children instead of browsing the internet!”
Browsing?
Really?
I just chuckled at the thought!
I am a single mother who will do anything she can to make her children happy. I juggle work, college, three kids, a home and so much more than the average un-juggling non-single parent of three could ever understand.
Further, it takes a very special type of woman to be a single mother. No one could ever tell me otherwise. Not to toot my own horn, but I can work circles around most and I do it with a big joyful smile on my face because… well, I got this!
I often wonder why women cut each other down so darn easily; especially moms. It’s shameful, actually. However, I am grateful that I am able to turn a deaf ear because people like that don’t matter.
March 9, 2012
EASY Rag Rug Tutorial
I have all of these really cute shirts that Winterlyn has grown out of. They are so adorable and styles that she no longer likes (gone are the cute sparkle pink girlie shirts and in are the funky big tween shirts!).
So I was thinking to myself “What can I do with these precious shirts?” Gosh, I so don’t want to give them to Goodwill because most of them have sentimental value. Some came from people who adore her, such as her Grandmother. Some bring me back to special days, like the day we went to the lake for alone time and she wore a tie-dye that she made with colors of green, blue and purple.Today I searched online and I found a rather simple yet elegant DIY rag rug using shirts at This Vintage Chica. All you do is cut the shirts into strips and crochet them together; how simple is THAT? I am excited about doing this with Winterlyn, talk about the perfect “Mommy & Me” project. I can see us chatting and crocheting away...
Check it out by clicking HERE for the tutorial.
March 8, 2012
My Super Single Mum by Bronny and Muntsa
I just adore this book because it is so encouraging. My Super Single Mum presents a family of two: mother and daughter enjoying their day-to-day life, from dance parties to snuggling to kisses. When I first read this book I was like “Whoa.. that’s US!”. My children and I have so much fun and being a single mom is rather special and wonderful.
Thank you Bronny and Muntsa for such a great book highlighting single moms in such a SUPER positive and fun way.
March 7, 2012
March 6, 2012
Super CUTE Crispy Bunny Treats
12 PEEPS® marshmallow bunnies
6 cups crispy rice cereal
3 Tbsp. butter or non-hydrogenated margarine
4 cups miniature marshmallows or 10 oz. regular marshmallows
Freeze PEEPS® bunnies overnight. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat, add cereal and stir until well coated.
Evenly press the mixture into 13” x 9” cake pan, then firmly press the frozen PEEPS® Marshmallow Bunnies into crispy rice mixture. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Makes 12.
For even more Peeps recipes, check out “It’s a Peep Show! 10 ways to serve this favorite marshmallow“
March 5, 2012
Easter Bunny Light
March 4, 2012
Weekend in review
Julian and I really enjoyed our alone time together. On Friday we snuggled on the sofa and watched a movie together. On Saturday morning I took him to his Lego club. Because I usually have Jacob and Winterlyn I usually just drop Julian off. However, this time I was able to sit in the classroom with a cup of coffee, chat with the other parents and watch Julian. He was so happy and totally in his element.
After Lego club we got a quick breakfast and headed to the mall. He wanted to pick up a few more outfits for his bear a Build-a-Bear and he also wanted a new Lego Wii game.
The best part of the day was sitting at Barnes and Noble drinking hot apple cider while looking over books. It was wonderful sitting quietly and talking to him.
Saturday night we built some Legos together, watched a movie and played a few Wii games.
Today is Sunday and we are feeling pretty lazy. After church I spent most of the day reading for college while he spent it working on a Star Wars sticker book.
It was a lovely weekend. I feel like Julian and I reconnected. Next weekend I have all three kids PLUS eight essays are due. THIS should be interesting! : )
Flash From the Past: My mornings are typically crazy.
I wrote this over a year ago. One morning I was going crazy trying to figure out a buzzing noise that I kept hearing. At first I was in a panic because I thought something was broken (and we all know how much I hate spending money on repairs!). Turns out it was just my son playing a tick on me!
Well, this morning I had a little something extra to add to the mix; a buzzing sound.
Somewhere in my kitchen there was a buzzin.
For the life of me I could not figure out what the buzz was about.
I walked around each room in the house.
I crawled around each room in the house with my ear to the floor, listening.
I unplugged all of the electric appliances.
I opened the oven door.
I opened the refrigerator door and even stuck my head in the freezer.
I walked in the backyard.
I looked in the hampers and garbage cans.
I walked in the front yard
I walked down the street and around the block.
I went in the attic.
I called my mother.
I looked under the bed, and made a mental note to clean under the beds.
I yelled “BE QUIET” to the kids but for some reason they just laughed at me.
I even went into the crawl space.
Still, I could not figure out what the buzz was about.
However, I was certain it was in the kitchen. That is where the buzz was the loudest.
I stood in the middle of the kitchen scratching my butt and thinking the following:
- What the heck is that noise?
- How much is this going to cost me?
- Who do I call, a Plumber or Electrician or what?
- Do I go to work today or just deal with it tonight?
- Is the house going to blow up?
- Maybe it will stop on its own?
- Will it start a fire? .
In the middle of all of this thinking Jacob came flopping into the kitchen.
He was wearing his very cool Weezer shirt and his hair was spiked up to perfection, of course.
He had a very big grin on his face and it looked like he was ready to bust out laughing.
He opened the Microwave door and pulled out his super vibrating Winnie The Pooh toothbrush and innocently said “Oh yeah, I must have left this here last night. Sorry Mom!”
March 1, 2012
I am completely on cloud nine today.
I received the wonderful news that my Julian will no longer be in the Autism classroom next year. This year his teachers started the process of him being mainstreamed into the regular classroom, which he had been adjusting to fantastically. Therefore, next year he will be mainstreamed fully with support from a resource room. He will also continue to see a Behaviorist daily and his classroom will have a Paraprofessional.
I told him last night and he was not too thrilled, which I can understand. Change is not easy for him but I know he will be better-off in a larger classroom setting because he will be challenged more and he will further develop more social skills.
Now we have to celebrate! It is perfect timing because he and I will have alone time all weekend. He wants to go to a place called Playtime Junction; I love it there because they actually have a cozy little café for the parents. I usually bring a book and have some “me” time.
It is just so marvelous how everything is working out, I mean everything! Life is good at this particular moment. I humbly thank God.
I told him last night and he was not too thrilled, which I can understand. Change is not easy for him but I know he will be better-off in a larger classroom setting because he will be challenged more and he will further develop more social skills.
Now we have to celebrate! It is perfect timing because he and I will have alone time all weekend. He wants to go to a place called Playtime Junction; I love it there because they actually have a cozy little café for the parents. I usually bring a book and have some “me” time.
It is just so marvelous how everything is working out, I mean everything! Life is good at this particular moment. I humbly thank God.
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