A Good Enough Mom

Summer Traveling Hacks for Vacationing with Kids

By • June 21, 2018 • About, Recipes

Ah, the family summer vacation! Traveling with kids is certainly an adventure. At times it can be wonderful. There is nothing like seeing the world through the curious eyes of a child. However, sometime after that second bathroom stop and first meltdown, that wonder begins to fade. We’ve put together a collection of travel hacks to simplify your trip and hopefully create a more pleasant environment for everyone.

Our Favorite Travel Hacks

Packing: Plan Before You Go

No matter how many times I’ve traveled with my three kids, I still always feel like I’m forgetting something! These packing lists help me feel more calm and organized. Also, it’s important to remember that, unless you’ll be traveling in the middle of nowhere, most commonly forgotten travel essentials can be purchased wherever you go. Try not to stress too much.

The Ultimate Packing List from Smarter Travel

Traveling with Baby Packing List from Our Handcrafted Life

Ultimate List of Road Trip Necessities from Peanut Blossom

Beach and Pool Packing List from Life With Heidi

Carry-on Checklist for International Flights

For Older Kids, Try this Packing List Kids Can Use To Pack Themselves from Kristi at I Should Be Mopping The Floor. That blog title is my favorite!

Be sure to fit the Travel Mamas for a great collection of packing lists, a directory on baby gear rental companies, and much more. One of my favorites is their Airplane Travel Kit for Babies and Toddlers.

 

Keep ’em Fed, Keep ’em Happy!

Snackle Boxes-My friend swears that this is one of the most important elements of a successful road trip with her 3 boys. Click on the photo to get your own!

 

Or try these snack trays. This ingenious mom even put a chalkboard on hers so they double as a fun activity.

 

  • Leave the sippy cups at home and turn any cup into one with these Silikids Siliskins, or you can make your own with cling wrap.

  • Freeze water bottle or juice boxes instead of packing ice packs.

 

 

Staying Comfortable on the Road and in the Air

No Bob Panda– I haven’t tried this personally, but it seems like a soft, comfortable way to avoid slumped over heads in the car seat.

 

Travel pillow or Foot rest– These can make kids more comfortable in the car, and also provide neck, shoulder and back support. They’ve also been known to make children’s car naps last longer. Hallelujah! A happy kid is the most important element of a pleasant trip.

Pacifiers- If your child is still using a pacifier to soothe themselves, you want to have lots of backups. I often drive my three kids to Ohio while my husband is at home working. I always felt like the pacis must have a magnetic pull that draws them into the most difficult to find hidden spaces of my van. Trust me, you don’t want to be without one when you need it most. Use a small tupperware to keep extra pacis clean and easy to find. Store it somewhere easy to reach, like your center console.

 

Keeping The Car Organized and Clean-ish

We bring along this JJ Cole Diaper Caddy that has held up since our eight year old was born. There is room for plenty of diapers, wipes and there is a compartment where we keep diaper cream, children’s ipuprofen, medicine syringes, bandies, etc. I also love this Wipe case from Skip Hop. It makes diapers changes on the go so easy! I kept one of these in my car at all times for years. You never know when you’re going to need it.

 

 

  • Bring an extra sheet to cover the floor of the car and/or the seats. When you get where you need to go you can just remove the sheet and shake out all the crumb

 

Use a cereal storage container as a portable trash can.

 

 

 

Use cupcake liners to keep cup holders clean.

 

 

Keep the car organized with these cheap dollar store containers and caddies.

 


Entertain Me!

 

  • Kid-friendly headphones- My kids love these Cozy Phones. I love that they stay on and are comfortable. Also, the cord that comes with them is soft and not rubbery.

 

 

 

 

Use metal baking trays as a hard surface for kids to color, eat or play with magnets on.

 

 

Buy cheap window clings to keep kids busy during long flights.

 

Better Safe Than Sorry

 

  • Don’t forget to include a first aid kit: I love this DIY Kit from Mama Cheaps. It’s small enough to put under the passenger seat in the car or in a carryon on an airplane.

 

 

  • On one of our last trips, we got a flat tire. Neither my husband or I had a clue how to change it, so this would’ve really come in handy.

 

  • I love this bracelet idea, especially if you have a child who likes to wander. If they get lost in a busy airport or highway rest area, people will be able to call you right away. Find the beads here.

 

Gear for When You Get There

These items can easily be folded down and put into a car or stuffed into a suitcase:

  • Mac Folding Wagon– Carry luggage and all that baby gear with this large wagon that folds down as small as an umbrella stroller.

 

 

 

  • White Noise Machine– I’ve had this one for eight years. It’s very simple and a little bulky, but it travels really well and works like a charm.

 

For everything you need that you can’t bring with you:

  • Baby Gear Delivery Service– If you desperately need a crib, high chair or even toys to keep your kids happy during your trip, check out this directory to find baby gear that can be delivered right to your hotel or rental.

 

More Great Links

Check out Modern Mom Blog for a VERY Comprehensive Guide to Air Travel with Baby or Toddler

Amazing List of Travel Hacks

They aren’t kidding about those airplane bathroom changing “tables”, but don’t let them scare you off. Travel with kids is possible! (But, yeah, if you can get people to come to you, you should do that.)

I hope these resources and ideas will help make your travels go smoothly this summer!

Happy Trails, Peeps!

♥ Erin

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Mommin’ Aint Easy- A Comprehensive List of Support Resources for Richmond Parents

By • June 14, 2018 • About, Mom Life, Parenting, Richmond

So, I’ve been at this mom thing for over eight years now, but I still have so much to learn. One of the most important things I have learned, the fact that took me the longest to concede, is that I can’t do it alone. Motherhood is tough! Sometimes I have so many balls in the air, I go to bed with my head spinning, and not just from those two glasses of wine I drank before bedtime. We now have an enormous and varied amount of responsibilities, and we all need help and support sometimes to get it all done, and to not go insane while doing it all.  Remember, it’s not a sign of failure to ask for help. This is something I’ve struggled with for years! Getting help for ourselves and our families is the smartest and strongest thing we can do as mothers!

Here are the local resources that I’ve personally used to simplify, or improve, my mom life. Click on the links below for more details and directions.

 

Favorite Places to Go With Babies/Toddlers:

  • Jumpology – This trampoline arena has a specific time, 9-10 am, just for kids 6 and under.
  • Pump It Up– The inflatable play area has Toddler Playtime on select Tuesdays from 10am – 11:30am for only $6.
  • Music Together– Parent and Child music classes that come with a CD and song book. Check the link for locations across the Richmond area.
  • Melody Magic Music Studio-This music studio on Lauderdale Ave. runs Kindermusik classes, beginner piano lessons and themed playdates.
  • Willow Lawn Mommy and Me– Join Willow Lawn on the second Wednesday of EVERY month from 10am to 11:30am for a free morning out with live entertainment and activities designed to enhance parents´ interaction with their children held in The Square at Willow Lawn.
  • Cartwheels and Coffee– Children ages six and under can enjoy playing in their enclosed playland while their grown-ups relax in the cafe with a great cup of locally roasted Blanchards coffee. They also have weekly events such as yoga, art and music classes. They even have a separate small play area for babies.
  • GABC Music and Movement -This fun music class takes place every Wednesday, 10-10:45, with a separate playspace open 9:30-11 for play before and after class. Classes are inside Grove Avenue Baptist Church and are $5/child and $3/additional siblings.
  • Henrico County Public Library Storytime– Storytimes run most mornings, M-Th, and they sometimes have family story times on Saturdays.  Click on the link to get the current story time schedule.
  • Romp n’ Roll– My two year old is obsessed with these toddler gymnastics classes. They also offer art and music classes.

 

Shopping Your Life Easier:

Amazon Prime Now- I’m sure by now most of you know about this two-hour Amazon delivery service open to all prime members, but it’s so life-changing that I’m adding it here, just in case. Did you know they even deliver wine and beer now?! Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly love Amazon any more than I already do!

Target–  If Amazon is my boyfriend, then Target is definitely my BFF. Check out all the ways to save:

  1. If you haven’t already, stop what you’re doing and sign-up for a Target debit card. It’s not another credit card. You can do this! You’ll save 5% on every thing you buy there, including purchases made at their Starbucks cafes!
  2. Download the Target App– They are phasing out their Cartwheel app and making all of those discounts available inside the Target App. Try to look through the available discounts and add them before you leave your house. I usually forget to do this and end up manually scanning each of my cart items to see if any of them are discounted while my kids scream that they’re hungry and want to go home.
  3. Check out this post here for more ways to save at Target.

Kroger Clicklist- I’ve been using this online shopping program for the past 6 months. It is amazing to get my shopping done in front of the TV and then pick it up without having to get any kids out of the car! I also save money because I’m not making impulse purchases or giving in to the whims of my tiny dictators while shopping. Don’t forget to add digital coupons onto your card before you checkout.

Walmart Savings Catcher– You can use this app to scan your Walmart receipts. If you’ve purchased something that they find cheaper somewhere else, they will refund you the difference. Find more specific details here.

 

Keeping Kids Healthy Through Every Stage:

  • KidMed– This urgent care, designed especially for kids, has been a godsend for us many times. (Like the time my then 20 month old son climbed over the baby gate and fell down 12 stairs at 5 pm on a Friday!!) With 4 locations, they are very convenient. Hours are M-F, 2-10 pm and Weekends, 10 am-9 pm.
  • Dental resource guide-This was created by River Run Dental. My entire family sees these dentists, and the hygienists are great with my kids. There are many other pediatric dentists offices in Richmond, (Check out those voted Best in Richmond here.), but this works best for us.
  • Family therapy–Partners in Parenting– This is an outstanding office that works with not only children, but also their parents to teach them strategies to help their kids cope with difficult stages and situations.
  • Speech/OT/PT Services
  1. Speech/Language Providers– Here’s a list of local speech providers. My family has personal experience working with Maria Zanetti, and she does amazing things for kids with speech and language processing disorders.
  2. Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia– This is the place to contact if you’re having concerns with your toddler’s speech development. It is a several step process, and they will first have you come in for a screening. We went through the process in the Spring, so feel free to message me with any questions.
  3. Prana OT- We have personal experience working with both of the occupational therapists in this office and recommend them highly for children with motor development and sensory processing issues.

 

Great Websites For Local Resources:

Richmondmom.com– If you’re not visiting this site regularly, you need to start. It has resources and local info for basically every area of parenthood. Some of my personal favorites are:

These three sites also provide great local resources for parents, and update frequently to share kid-friendly events around town:

Completelykidsrichmond.com

MacaroniKid.com

Hula Frog.com

 

My Current Favorite Mom/Food Blogs:

Modern Parents, Messy Kids Blog– This site has a lot of great ideas to keep you and your family organized and parenting tips to keep you sane.

30 Handmade Days Blog– So many good finds here! Printables to keep you organized, Mom-tested experiments to try, craft projects you can actually make without pulling your hair out. Seriously awesome stuff!

Momastery.com– Glennon Doyle Melton is the author here,  and I love her. I feel like she says all of the things I want to say, but can’t put into words. Her honest advice on motherhood and self-love is very powerful.

Damndelicious.net– I initially started visiting this blog to make her awesome quinoa chili, but kept coming back for all of the easy, tasty recipes.

Thugkitchen.com– This site has a tri-fecta of some of my favorite things- 1) Amazing, easy vegan recipes 2) A large side of snark and 3) Enough cursing to make a sailor blush. #winning

Minimalistbaker.com– You can find quick, healthy meals here with 10 ingredients or less. My favorites I’ve personally tried are her banana bread granola and the crispy peanut tofu and cauliflower rice stir-fry.

Halfbakedharvest.com– Come check out Tieghan’s amazing and beautiful food that is surprisingly easy to make.

Now that I’ve completely overloaded you with information, I want to leave you with this: Forget all that bullshit about the mom who can do it all and who has it all together. She is a myth! Behind that well-polished facade and gleamingly perfect Instagram profile, she is probably a hot mess, or, at the very least, struggling just like the rest of us. Stop comparing yourself to people you don’t actually know.

We all have days we feel like we have this mom thing down and others when we feel like total failures who are strongly considering hiding under the bed with a jar of Nutella and never coming out! Even on your worst days, you are a good mom. Repeat after me: I Am A Good Mom! You’re showing up for your kids and just loving them, and that is enough. Use these resources. Talk to fellow moms who are out there in the trenches and, most importantly, listen, without judgement, without comparing, just neverending compassion and support.

♥ Erin

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Give Yourself Permission To…..

By • June 10, 2018 • About, Mom confessions, Mom humor, Mom Life

Good Morning Ladies,

Are you like me? Do you constantly beat yourself up for not meeting your own impossible expectations? We all really need to cut that out right now!  When you become a mother, you don’t turn in your human card and you don’t suddenly stop having needs of your own. It’s about damn time we start giving ourselves the break we deserve!  This post is really like a therapy session for me, but I hope it can help all of you beautiful mamas to give the mom guilt a rest!

Today I Am Giving Myself Permission….

  • To Take Time For Myself– It took me too long to stop equating going to Body Back or hiring a babysitter to go out to dinner as selfish. I used to only go out for the night after my kids were already asleep. Every parent needs time to themselves and time away from their kids to recharge their batteries. If I don’t take it, I can’t be the mom that my kids deserve.
  • To Reach For That Second Cup of Coffee or Alcoholic Beverage- Yes, I may have a slight addiction to caffeine and I may use alcohol to relax after  bedtime, but back off! After all, the days are long, but the years are short. At least that’s what every sweet old lady at Target keeps telling me!

  • To Say No– I’ve struggled with this my entire life, but it is ok to say no to friends and family when what they’re asking for just won’t work for you. I know it doesn’t feel good to have someone upset with you, but no one has ever died from disappointment. They’ll get over it and you’ll learn to put your own needs first.
  • To Have My Own Tantrum– We deal with loads of obnoxious and frustrating things daily with patience and grace, but sometimes we’re having a bad day, we’re sick, it’s “shark week”, etc. and we just can’t take it anymore! You’re allowed to cry, yell, have a timeout outside, whatever you need.

  • To Throw Away My Bathroom Scale– I need to do this for my own sanity, and I think you should too. Enough said.
  • To Not Clean My House– This is not a, you shouldn’t clean your house because you should be busy playing with your kids, thing. This is a, put the vacuum away and let the dishes sit in the sink while you sit on the couch with a trashy magazine, thing. God knows you deserve a break!

  • To Lock the Bathroom Door While I’m Taking a Bath– My kids can live without me for fifteen minutes. Yes kids, you do have two parents who are capable of opening the fridge.

  • To Not Send That Thank You Note–  If you know me, please never send me another thank you note. I know you are thankful for me and I am thankful for you. I’m always forgetting to send them, especially for my kids’ birthdays, and, when I do remember, they are always late. We can’t be perfect, and that’s ok.
  • To Let My Kids Watch Too Much TV– I know this is a hot topic, but sometimes I just have so much to get done and I can’t answer another question about which Pokemon I would want to be. It’s ok to let TV be your babysitter once in a while. I watched a ton of it as a kid and I turned out, debatably, fine!

  • To Order Takeout- I love to cook and I do try to serve my kids a vegetable with every meal, but I’m no Gwyneth. My kids eat their fair share of McDonalds and Taco Bell, and they haven’t grown any extra body parts from all of that processed food yet!
  • To Go To Bed at 9 pm on Friday With No Shame– I still love a good night out, but sometimes it’s ok to admit that you’re not as young as you used to be and turn in early. Most days I’m exhausted all afternoon, but then have trouble sleeping at night so now, when I get the urge to pass out right after my kids are in bed, I take it.

  • To Lose My Temper– Yes, I yell at my kids. I get in bad moods, and I have bad days. I am not a perfect parent, and my kids don’t need me to be.
  • To Love My Mom Bod– This has been especially tough as I inch closer to forty. My metabolism has slowed to an almost complete stop and, despite my best efforts, my weight has been creeping up. I’m trying to accept my new body, and, instead of being disappointed or critical, to remember everything that it has accomplished and to be grateful for how healthy it is overall.

  • To Bust Out in Spontaneous Song and Dance When My Kids Leave for a Night at Their Grandparents’ House– I love my kids, but that doesn’t mean I have to spend every waking moment with them. It’s ok to be excited and happy to have some time away from them, and it doesn’t make you a bad parent. It just makes you an honest one.

  • To Take a Compliment– No more shrugging off compliments! No more, “Yeah, well, anyone can do that.” No more, “This, no, it’s not that special.” Let’s try, “Yes, you’re right. That does look great on me.” or, “Yes, I am awesome at that!” I mean, you don’t need to say that aloud, a simple thank you is great, but you get the point. Stop downplaying compliments! Now is the time to accept that you are awesome and appreciated!
  • To Celebrate and Appreciate Myself– Why am I so good at loving and taking care of my family and friends, but horrible at being caring and kind to myself? We all deserve to be cared for and feel special, especially when we put so much time and effort into giving to others. Though it would be nice, I can’t expect someone else to do it for me. I’m working on loving and caring for myself by trying to treat myself the way I treat other people I care about. It’s a work in progress, but I’m getting there!

Just in case it wasn’t clear, I’m also giving YOU permission to do all of these things, and anything else you need to do to keep sane. Not that you need my permission, of course, but you can feel free to blame me if you get any negative feedback while you’re taking care of yourself for a change. In fact, you can even send me the complainer’s phone number. I’ll sort them out! And don’t forget:

♥ Erin

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Father’s Day Gift Idea: Walk Alongside Me Keepsake Poem

By • June 5, 2018 • About

Father’s Day is just under two weeks away. Are you scrambling for something for your guy? Look no further than this sweet craft keepsake. It’s perfect if you still have tiny ones, and it’s especially great for a first Father’s Day. I help run a weekly playgroup for the RVA chapter of FIT4MOM and I just did this craft with them. It was so simple, but they all turned out super cute!

Get the free poem printable here

Once I made the printable, I sized it down to 90% and printed it onto regular 8.5 x 11 sized paper. Once it’s printed, cut around the white border and it will fit perfectly into an 8×10 picture frame. I purchased the one in the picture above from the Dollar Tree.

The space on the printable was large enough to fit my three year old’s hand and both of her feet, but I’m not sure it would work for children much older. One of the moms in our group added her three year old’s handprint to the top and her baby boy’s footprints on the bottom and it looked awesome! I used blue tempura paint, which washes off super easily and dries very quickly.

Print

Walk Alongside Me Daddy Keepsake

Ingredients

  • Tempura Paint
  • Sponges
  • Free Printable
  • Marker
  • Wet Washcloth or Wipes
  • Bowl

Instructions

  1. Add a small amount of tempura paint to the bowl.

  2. Dab a small amount of paint onto the sponge. Sponge the paint onto your child's hand and feet one at a time and place them wherever you'd like them.

  3. Once the paint dries you can add your child's name at the bottom and then either put it in an 8x10 frame or use it as is.

I hope you and your kids have as much fun as we did getting messy and making something special for our special guy!

♥ Erin

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Gifts Teachers and School Staff Will Truly Appreciate

By • June 1, 2018 • About, Gift Ideas, School daze

I know school is already out for many of you, but here in RVA we still have two more weeks. Only two more weeks until I get to spend every waking minute with my precious children. Oh joy….Oh rapture. That got me thinking about the wonderfully patient individuals who have been handling them all school year. God bless those teachers, those administrators, and don’t even get me started on what those poor bus drivers have to endure. We definitely can’t forget them.

If you want to thank those people who have managed to make it through the entire school year without running out screaming, a feat I’m not sure I’ll be able to match in just the first week at home with my kids, here are some great gift ideas that they will actually appreciate.

Truth.

 

Creative Gift Card Gifts- Teachers love gift cards. We all know this. However, for some, a gift card can feel impersonal. Change that by doing one of the following:

  • Add to Their Classroom Library– Find a book that is age-appropriate for the grade they teach. On the inside cover, tape a gift card of your choice and on the back cover have your student write their teacher a sweet note or draw them a picture and sign their name.
  • Fill Up Their Cup– Buy an inexpensive water bottle, large cup or mason jar and place the gift card in the center of it. Next add some things you either know your child’s teacher likes or things most people like such as hershey kisses, chapstick, a small tube of sunscreen, nail polish, gum, etc. Finish it off with some ribbon or a label with your child’s name.
  • Supply Them with Supplies– Visit the Dollar Tree for inexpensive school supplies. Teachers always need extras! Put them all in a plastic bin or basket, tie a ribbon around it and tape the gift card on the top.
  • Don’t Forget the Bus Driver– Use these easy printables to personalize your bus driver’s gift card gift or use these gift tags to add a more personal touch to any gift you plan to give them. My kids have two different bus drivers so I’ll be making them chocolate chip cookies.

Get Them Summer-Ready– Stop at Five Below and purchase a beach bag and beach towel and then add in a few of these other ideas: magazines, a beach read, sunglasses, sunscreen, protein bars, a water bottle, lip balm. If you want to get fancy you can attach one of these free printables to the bag from Havalah at Sisters, What.

Write a Note From the Heart– It’s been awhile since I’ve been teaching, but I still remember the sweet note that one of my students’ mothers wrote to me at the end of the school year eleven years ago. (OMG, that adorable first-grader is graduating from high school! Holy shit, I’m old!) Hearing how I’d helped them get through a particularly tough year was the highest praise and best gift I’d ever received. Teachers don’t go into the profession for the glamour and money, they do it because they want to make a difference. Telling them that they did a great job gives them a reason to keep on going!

Make Them a Teacher/Bus Driver Emergency Kit– I love this idea from Jessica at Timeout With Mom. This sweet kit contains everything they could need from extra deodorant to gum to wrinkle releaser.

I’m here to tell you that, at the end of the day, teachers aren’t going to care about the cutesy presentation and the rhyming, personalized gift tags. They will appreciate that you thought of them. There really isn’t a need to overthink it.

If you’ll be home with your kids all summer, like me, may the force be with you! I’ll be posting next week on setting up a summer schedule that will help kids stay on a routine while still having lots of fun.

♥ Erin

 

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June-olutions Are The New Black. Yes, dammit, I will make this a thing!

By • May 29, 2018 • About, body image, Mom confessions, Mom Life

It’s almost summer! This is mostly thrilling, especially after the winter and 2nd winter we’ve had, but is anyone else kicking themselves for not sticking to their New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier and workout more? I am no where near where I hoped I’d be with swimsuit season looming, but really, who gives a fuck!? Can we all promise to quit the body shaming this summer and instead focus on our mental health with self-love and self-care?

My June-olutions:

I will praise my body for being healthy and strong enough to give birth, feed and care for my baby. It’s easy to get caught up in what our bodies are not. However, when we spend all our time focusing on losing the baby weight, or just finding our abs again (speaking from personal experience here), we lose sight of everything our bodies have done and continue to do every day. Our bodies have so much more to offer than just perky boobs and a flat stomach.

I will look in the mirror and give myself at least one compliment every day. Doing the opposite is so much easier, I grant you, but why are we doing that crap to ourselves. I know you’re all hot mamas and there has to be at least one thing you like about your bodies. If you’re still having trouble, ask a girl friend because, I assure you, they will have a list of your finest attributes ready to go before you finish asking the question.

I will be more active with my family. Working out seven days a week is a great goal, but it’s not always doable. If instead you resolve to play, to run, to wrestle with your kids, you’ll be working out without even knowing it and having a blast in the process. If you have older kids, try signing up for some fun runs or walks together, start family karate lessons or go ice skating.

I will laugh more. We should all strive for more laughter this year! Let’s laugh more with our kids. Let’s laugh more at ourselves. Let’s see life for the crazy, sometimes painful, sometimes joy-filled, roller coaster ride that it is and just laugh!

I will remove the words, “I’m fine”, from my vocabulary. Sometimes you are just NOT fine! Be honest with your family and, especially, be honest with yourself. Talk to your spouse when you are angry or hurt. When a trusted friend or family member asks how you are and you’re really struggling, by all means, share with them. You’re not a burden to them. They love you and will gladly take time to be there for you. It’s ok to not be ok all of the time.

I will make the invisible visible. The hardest part of motherhood has to be the mental workload. Someone has to remember to schedule the well check-ups, research preschools and remember to pick up a gift for some random two year old’s birthday party. It’s easy to ask your spouse to do the dishes or change the laundry, but all of this other invisible work typically goes unnoticed. The pressure to be on top of everything all of the time is exhausting! Get your spouse in on the invisible work by asking them to pick out that gift or to research and find a good and reliable babysitter. The world doesn’t have to rest on your shoulders!

 I will ask for help when I need it. This goes along with the last two, and it is something I struggled with even before having kids. You DO NOT get extra good mom points for doing everything completely on your own. When a friend notices the overwhelmed look on your face and asks if they can keep your kids for a few hours, let them. When the bagger at the grocery store sees you have your hands full and asks if they can walk you out to your car, let them. When you’re sick and can barely get out of bed, ask your husband to come home from work early or call a babysitter. No one can do this job completely alone, so cut the shit and accept the help!

I will be as kind to myself as I expect other people to be to my kids. OMG, I go full Mama Bear when I think someone is being cruel or unfair to my kids! Why, then, do I allow myself to say such horrible things about another person I claim to love, me! If I heard someone calling my kids fat, stupid or useless, there is honestly no telling what I’d do, but I’m guessing it would involve fire.

I will believe that I am enough. Being perfect is not the goal, unless you’re going for being perfectly average, but, honestly, some days I can’t even claim that. We need to remember that, while we struggle to plan the world’s most Pinterest perfect first birthday party or blame our kids’ minor illnesses on our lack of perfect housekeeping skills, our kids eyes are lighting up every time we enter a room. We are not perfect, and they could not love us more!

I will put my oxygen mask on first. This one is all about self-care. I know we all want to be great mothers, wives, daughters, etc., but that simply can’t be accomplished if we are too sleep-deprived, overwhelmed or depressed to function. If you’re not already doing this, please take time out for yourself. Lock yourself in the bathroom and meditate for five minutes. Go to a Moms Night Out and commiserate with other moms who’ve been there. Tell your spouse (Don’t ask!) that you’re going out to Target, and spend an hour mindlessly wandering the aisles. It will help. If that’s not enough, please find a therapist. Ask a mom you trust. You may think you’re the only one struggling and needing therapy, but you are not alone. It’s not a failure to admit that you need more help. In fact, it’s the bravest thing you can do for yourself and for your family.

I hope this summer brings you every happiness and the knowledge that you are strong, worthy and beautiful women that your sons and daughters can look up to.

♥ Erin

 

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Declutter Your Life-How-Tos for Organizing Your House and Your Mind This Spring

By • May 24, 2018 • About, Humble Abode

Some may call me a freak of nature, but I LOVE decluttering and organizing! I haven’t quite reached Monica Gellar status because I hate to clean. My floors are dirty and my windows need washin’, but my pantry is tidy and my countertops are clear! After organizing my closet, I find excuses to visit it as often as I can. There’s something so satisfying about a well-organized space, right? Right? No, just me? Well anyway, here are my top tips for decluttering your space and your life this spring.

Baby Steps Are OK. Tackle one room, or even just one drawer, at a time. Organizing your entire world can be seriously overwhelming.

Take Advice from Marie Kondo. In her book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Kondo preaches to only keep those things that spark joy. Thank other items for the part they’ve played in your life and then let them go. For assistance, consult the flow chart below:

 

For Clothes, Use the Hanger Trick. Go into your closet and make sure all your hangers are facing the same way. Once you wear an item, reverse the hanger. In one year, give away all the items with hangers still facing the first way. If you haven’t worn it once all year, it’s time to let it go.

Don’t Hold on to Things Because of Guilt. Let go of those things that are no longer useful or that you don’t even like, even if it makes you feel guilty because of how much you paid for them or because they were a gift. The items are yours to do with as you wish, and you deserve to have a house filled only with the things you love.

Create a Virtual Art Gallery. Save your childrens’ art digitally using the ArtKive app. My pack rat five year old has a need, nay, a burning desire, to save every piece of art, every worksheet, and every card she’s ever made or received. I’d be drowning in a sea of paper if not for this app.

Create Photo Mementos of Sentimental Items. If you have items taking up a lot of space in your house, items that are only valuable because of the sentiment attached to them, take a picture of them and then sell or donate them. Or, if you’re like my husband and the item is an old Bengals t-shirt from 1986 that is full of holes, throw it away! You can treasure the picture forever while making space in your life for the things you actually need.

Write it Down. Now that you’re a parent, you have, at a minimum, doubled the amount of things you need to keep track of on the regular. If you’re like me, you’re also exhausted and at times running on empty. This trifecta doesn’t exactly contribute to great memory skills. Just admit defeat and try to write everything down as soon as it comes into your brain because before you know it the baby will be sticking something up his nose and the toddler will be running to tell you that they peed, probably on the carpet.

Make Use of Your Phone. Find a great planning app and use it daily. I’ve used Planner Pro for a few years and it really helps me keep track of events and tasks in my life. Check out these other great apps to improve your organization here. I’m especially excited to try out LastPass because I’m always forgetting my passwords!

Declutter Your Inbox. Overwhelmed by all the junk mail I was receiving last year, I went on a mission to unsubscribe from the websites that sent me daily emails. It took some time on the front end, but now I’m not greeted with a million messages in my inbox each morning. Also, not getting regular emails boasting of sales from Zulily, Old Navy and Modcloth, to name but a few, has made a very positive impact on our bank account.

Divide Your To Do List. When trying to organize my life, making a good list always helps me get things done. However, when that list gets more than 20 items long, I find myself staring at it in panic and then going to the pantry to search for chocolate. Itemizing that to do list by day of the week really helps me stay sane. Completing three tasks Monday, three tasks Tuesday, etc. makes conquering that list feel a lot more manageable.

Get Kids In On the Act. This spring I’m having my kids do their own room decluttering for the first time. Once they’ve gathered the things they’re willing to part with, we’ll have a yard sale. Half of their profits will go in their college funds and the other half they can save for themselves. According to this article, you can also get kids involved in cleaning and organizing at as young as age two. They have a great chart that shows the kinds of tasks kids can be expected to accomplish at every age.

Create a Weekend Bucket List. We all have those wonderful weekends from time to time where nothing is going on. Plan ahead and make a list of all the things you’d like to do when you have the time. This way on those precious weekends you won’t waste time figuring out what to do. You can just consult your list, and then be on your way to family fun!

Declutter Your Mind with Daily Meditation. This is so important, but honestly, meditation is like really nasty cough syrup for me. I know it’s good for me and know I need it, but it’s just so tough to take. However, I just found a book that I think will be a life-changing step towards my self-enlightenment. It’s called, “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics” and it’s written by ABC anchor, and “defender of worrying”, Dan Harris. So far I’ve only read the back cover, but I can already tell that this guy gets me. If he can do it, so can we!

It’s time to be more present in our lives, for our families and, most importantly, for ourselves. We can do this by clearing away the literal and figurative clutter and making space for the things that truly matter.  Get rid of the junk and the guilt and make time to breathe, to dream and to plan and think for yourself!

With Gratitude, Love and Clutter-Free Wishes,

Erin

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14 Easy and Cheap At Home Date Night Ideas

By • May 21, 2018 • About, Date night, Husband Stuff

For all those old, married folks out there, when’s the last time you had a date night?  Does your idea of a night in together revolve around Netflix? Are you and your spouse so tired by the end of the day that you have a hard time having a conversation with each other, let alone time for romance? Before kids, my husband and I used to go out all the time. After three kids we are always exhausted, and actual date nights out may be few and far between, but we’ve found that you can still have a great time with your spouse even if you spend the evening at home. Put the kids to bed and try one of these date night ideas.

♥ 14 Stay At Home Date Night Ideas ♥

1.Cook Something Together. Getting into the kitchen and creating together forces you to communicate in a different, more organic way. Put on some music and have fun shimmying around the kitchen. I recommend signing up for Cook In, a 12 month subscription service that sends out monthly date boxes that include: A themed menu, recipes with ingredient list, movies to watch, songs to listen to, and conversation starters geared around your relationship.

 

2. Chopped: Couples Edition. Make your own version of the popular cooking show, Chopped. Both of you can shop for 4-6 strange ingredients and then challenge your spouse to make a dessert out of the things you’ve chosen. This is a great time to get creative and have fun!

 

3. Create Something for your Home. My husband and I used to enjoy making each other things for Valentine’s Day, but how much fun would it be to make something together for the home that we share? Try this  I love you because sign, these 11 creative ideas. or these 35 Ikea DIY hacks

 

4. Get Playful. Play a game of Twister, Boggle or Scrabble. I know this isn’t exactly a wild night out, but playing games together can lead to lots of laughs (like when my husband always has to spell balls or crotch because he thinks he’s still a teenager) and some great conversation.

 

5. Cuddle Around the Fire. If you don’t already have one, invest in a fire pit. You can find a decent one on Amazon for just over $40. Take turns making s’mores or just snuggle on your spouse’s lap.

 

6. Have Your Own Wine/Beer Tasting. Buy a few different types to try, along with some food that pairs well, such as chocolate or cheese. Write down your thoughts on what you’ve tasted and compare notes.

 

7. Discover Your Inner Pop Star. YouTube has a karaoke version of just about every song you can imagine. Invest in a microphone like this one and take turns singing your hearts out, or better yet, sing some duets!

 

8.  Dance the Night Away. You can still go dancing even if you’re stuck at home. Look for DVDs at your local library, on Amazon or search for specific dances on YouTube.

 

9. Create Your Own Game Room. This may require an investment, but it doesn’t have to be a large one and all it really takes is one game. For example, my husband and I set up a dart board in our garage. Our neighbors had a shuffle board table and it provided us with hours of amusement.  Check on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for great deals on air hockey tables, foosball tables, arcade games, etc.

 

10. Write, Share and Discuss Your Bucket Lists. You’ll be surprised what you’ll learn about each other, even if you’ve been together for a long time.

 

11. Plan Your Next Vacation. Visit Trip Advisor to create a folder of hotel, restaurant and attraction ideas for your next trip.

 

12. Have Your Own Paint Night. Find cheap canvases and paint at Michaels and don’t forget to use their weekly coupons. Look for paint night tutorials on YouTube.

 

13. Read and Discuss a Book Together. Try the books Color Code by Taylor Hartman, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman or any of John Gottman’s relationship books.

 

14. Go Back to the Beginning. Write down the story of how you met and your first date and then take turns videotaping each other reading what you wrote. Keep the videos to share with your kids.

 

With the stresses and struggles of everyday life, it’s much more difficult for couples to sustain the romantic love they had when they got together. However, it can be done if you both agree to make it a priority. It may not look the way it did when you were first married, and keeping it may take time and effort, but it is worth it. Good luck!

♥ Erin

 

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Get Your Green On w/these 7 Delicious Salad Recipes

By • May 18, 2018 • All Things Food, Meal planning, Recipes

It’s fresh produce season! Make a trip to your local farmer’s market this weekend and try one of the gorgeous and tasty salad recipes.

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This Weekend in RVA: 5/18-5/20

By • May 16, 2018 • About, Richmond

Happy Hump Day, people! A few weeks ago I posted an overwhelming list of events coming up in RVA this summer. It was a little much to take in, even for me, so I’m planning to post updated and shorter lists at different points throughout the summer. Check out the events going on in Richmond this weekend alone!

Awesome Local Events This Weekend: 5/18-5/20

Ashland Street Parties– Saturday, May 19th from 6:30-11:30 at 201 South Railroad Avenue. This is the first Ashland Street Party of the year. Come check out the beauty of Ashland while you listen to live music and enjoy some local food and drink. Check the website above for future dates.

Lebanese Festival– Friday, 5/18-Saturday 5/19 from 10am-10pm and Sunday, 5/20 from 10am-8pm-at St. Anthony’s Maronite Catholic Church– This is one of my favorites because the food is so good and the lines aren’t crazy long like the Greek fest. You’ll love it for the delicious Lebanese delicacies and the adorable kids doing traditional dances, and your kids will love it for the fun playground right on the church grounds.

Dominion River Rock– May 18th-20th,  Go to check out the pros competing in climbing, slackline, and freestyle bike events, or the flying pups in the Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs. Stay to enjoy the full schedule of awesome live bands taking the stage throughout the weekend! Some of the events charge for you to participate, but most of them are free and there is no admission charge.

Taste of Virginia at Kings Dominion– May 18th-20th–  Whether you love food, wine or coasters, the return of the park’s newest food festival is sure to be a great time! Their culinary team will be your guide as they whip up recipes inspired by the various regions of Virginia and serve up some of the best Virginia wines and entertainment. Be sure to enjoy Virginia themed dishes after a ride on our newest coaster, Twisted Timbers! Festival is included with park admission, food and beverages are an additional cost. Taste of Virginia runs Fridays (4-8), Saturdays (12-8) and Sunday (12-8)

Lake Anna Brewfest– May 19th from 12-5 pm at Lake Anna State Park– If you buy online before 5/19 tickets are $20 and you receive a free Brewfest sample mug, eight beer sample tickets, access to great and amazing food vendors from all around the Lake Anna area.

Public Safety Day– Saturday, May 19th from 10-1 at Bon Secours Westchester Emergency Center– Kick off National EMS and Police Week by coming out to enjoy all of the activities this day has to ofer including: FREE children’s bicycle helmets for the first 100 visitors,  FREE hot dogs, popcorn and drinks for the whole family, face painting, interact with a display of fire engines and ladder trucks, ambulances, police and sheriff cars, and more.

United By Music Southside Big Tent Community Festival– Friday, May 18th 5-8 pm and Saturday, May 19th 12:30-7:30 pm at the Southside Community Center presented by the Richmond Symphony. Friday night there will be a concert under the big tent featuring Latin dance band Bio Ritmo. Saturday is family day with performances by Richmond Public Schools and Legacy Band, culminating with a Dance Party with DJ Missing! Other activities are still in the works but are likely to include a skateboard competition in the skate park, a community art gallery showcasing work from local students and schools, and a Kid’s Zone you won’t want to miss!

Play Day 2018– Saturday, May 19th from 1-4 pm at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.  At Play Day, kids and adults make art projects in more than a dozen studios throughout VisArts’ 30,000-square foot facility. Admission is free. Be sure to check out which other RVA locales are participating in this national event. Last year’s events included Maymont, CMOR, Project Yoga and more!

Annual Asian-American Celebration– Saturday, May 19th from 11am-7pm, Greater Richmond Convention Center– The 21st Annual Asian-American Celebration will recognize the culture and heritage of the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. This free event will also include non-stop performances, hands-on workshops, food booths, and so much more!

Gallmeyer Farms Strawberry Fields Festival– Saturday May 19, 2018 from 10am-5pm
The Berry Patch. 3622 Darbytown Court, Richmond VA 23231-
Remember coolers, picnics and lawnchairs are always welcome at Gallmeyer Farms
● FREE admission & FREE parking
● Fresh local strawberries (pick your own or pre-picked)
and spring vegetables available
● Live music
● Craft vendors & local businesses
● Hay rides & pony rides (hay rides are free. Pony rides $5)
● Activities for all ages
● Food vendors

Explore the Outdoors– Sunday, May 20th 1-5 pm at Huguenot Park and the Studios of the Community Idea Stations. FREE day of hands-on fun exploring science and nature. This is a  special day in the park to give children and their families plenty of exciting outdoor experiences. Over fifty local community groups with expertise in outdoor adventure, healthy living, and environmental science will engage you in activities ranging from archery and fishing, paddle boarding (on dry land), gardening, camping, art making and much, much more.

The Johnny Z Festival– Sunday, May 20th, 12 PM – 6 PM at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery– Join us and celebrate the creative spirit of Richmond during this fun, FREE, kid-friendly event benefitting ART 180! Hardywood and Chop Suey Books present a variety of children’s activities including a moon bounce, face painting, and various artworks. Vendors from Bizarre Market showcase local arts and crafts, and, of course there will be plenty of food trucks and beer on draft.

Have a great weekend, y’all!

♥ Erin

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