AUTHOR ARCHIVES :

“Mean Girls” Getting Younger & Younger

As a Mom, I’m always worried about my kids, especially when they are not with me. My oldest daughter will be spending more time away in the fall as she heads to Kindergarten . So, when I heard a bullying story involving 5-year-olds this morning, my ears immediately perked up. Apparently, the “mean girls” phenomenon is hitting girls younger and younger. Check out this clip from “Good Morning America” if you missed it today.

It’s so sad that things are like this these days.  Do you worry about bullying in school?

Product Review: Tea Time

Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I am an avid coffee drinker. Some may even go so far as to say I’m a little addicted. I’ll just say I like it…a lot. So, when I was approached to try some new tea, I was a little skeptical. How good could a cup of tea actually taste? Since my new mantra for 2014 is to try new things, I thought why not. Plus, the woman who asked me sells the Steeped Tea, Inc. products with her young daughter. I thought it is just great that she is teaching her daughter the skills of business through something they both enjoy…tea. I just couldn’t say no!

On the rare occasion I do have a cup of tea, it is usually from your standard tea bag you can pick up at any grocery store. So, this was my first time actually seeping tea. I chose to test out the Cinnamon Stick Green Tea as my afternoon pick me up, in place of another cup of coffee.tea3

The tea comes in an easy to open resealable pouch. You just measure one teaspoon and put it in mesh ball infuser.  It was not only easy to fill, but also had a little hook to attach to the side of my cup so I didn’t have to go fishing inside a hot mug to yank it out. Once I seeped it for the recommended two minutes, I simply unhooked the latch and was able to enjoy my cup of green tea. tea2

The tea had a nice scent, not too overpowering, yet enough to know there was a hint of cinnamon. The taste was not only light, but also still gave me just the right boost of energy I needed to get through the rest of my day.

I’ve had plenty of other green teas before and some of the tastes are so strong they make you want to spit them out right away. That was certainly not the case with this Steeped Tea. I enjoyed my first cup so much I rebrewed the infuser again (it says up to three rebrews on the package).

Once I again, I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I’ve never tried to rebrew a regular tea bag, but my guess is, it probably wouldn’t taste so good!

So, would I recommend Steeped Tea? Definitely. Will I try it again? For sure. Should you try it too? Absolutely, especially if you’re looking for a smooth tea with great flavor.  *This is a sponsored posttea1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Do You Get Your Kids in Bed by 7?

Yep, its nine o’clock at night right now and both of my kids are still awake. I’m sure many of the so-called sleep experts and many other parents would put me in their books of shame. But, I’m not ashamed to admit that this is pretty typical in my house. My kids are not in bed by 7. Never have been and probably never will be. I’m also not ashamed to admit that I am jealous of the parents out there who can get their kids to close their eyes at 7 at night and not open them until 7 in the morning. Are some of you lying about your kids sleeping habits? I would love to put a nanny cam in your house to see if you are telling the truth!

I don’t want you to think I haven’t tried a more regimented bedtime routine. We do the whole story thing, tuck in, and night night, just like all the books and magazines tell you to do. Then we get untucked, read an encyclopedia and stay awake for hours. I just can’t seem to successfully force a bedtime on my kids. It’s not like my kids are up till midnight, but they are more in the nine to nine thirty range. Now, there’s a study that actually shows that the time parents choose for their kids may not jive with his or her internal body clock. This study is worth reading because it makes me feel like maybe my kids are not as crazy as I may have thought and maybe I’m not either. Maybe.

My kids do have a routine, but they just seem to fall asleep when they’re little body says enough is enough. Unfortunately, it’s not always when I’m ready to stare at the back of my eyelids for the next seven hours (that is seven, if I’m lucky….more like six). There have been plenty of nights when I try to get them in bed earlier, but it just doesn’t work. That is, unless I want temper tantrums and fights that make me angrier than when they took ALF off the air in the eighties.

With all that said, if you are one of those parents who HONESTLY get your kid to be early, enjoy it. Just know that I’m awake with jealously and already thinking of all the coffee I’m going to have to drink tomorrow to keep up with these energizer bunnies.

Night, night and sweet dreams…

Study Shows Women Need More Sleep

I’ll admit, I love to sleep. I mean, really, who doesn’t? But, with kids running around and calling your name 24/7, sleep takes a back seat when you’re a mom. If you’re like me, not getting enough sleepy gives you a serious case of the cranks. Now, there’s a study that may explain why. Apparently, women need more sleep than men. Check it out: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/duke-university-scientists-find-women-need-more-sleep-than-men/story-fneuz9ev-1226596253113!

 

My Kids’ New Year’s Resolutions

When the ball drops to signal the start of a new year, many of us will resolve to stop smoking, stop eating, start exercising, start being better people, etc. etc. Those are all great cliché resolutions that we can all cut and paste from year to year. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve resolved to do some of those things too. Come January 31st, I’m over it. That is, until next New Year’s Day!

But, I really wish both of my kids could make some resolutions of their own to improve their lives and the lives of those around them, i.e. me. With that said, here are some of things I’m praying the New Year’s fairy will make happen in 2014.

Mommy, I’m going to sleep in my own bed every night. You mean you won’t run into my room at 4 o’clock every morning and nuzzle your head in between my shoulder blades while giving me a good knee jerk in my lower back? Yes, mommy.

Mommy, no more temper tantrums. They’re sooo 2013. You mean you won’t kick and scream like someone is pulling your nails out with a pair of pliers when I tell you we can’t watch Doc McSctuffins for the tenth time today? Yes, mommy.

Mommy, I will really share with my sister and not hit her over the head with a stuffed animal. You mean you’ll do it without me having to yell? Yes, mommy.

Mommy, I’ll go to bed when I’m supposed to and not try to stay up although I can’t even stand up straight. That would just be great. I know mommy, but that one probably isn’t going to happen so don’t get your hopes up!

So, these are just a few things I’m hoping will change when the clock strikes midnight. Only time will tell!

Happy 2014!

Starbucks Coffee Review

If you know me the least bit, you know I love my coffee. Morning, noon, and night, I rarely say no to a good brew. You could say I’m a bit of an addict, but with two little kids, can you blame me? Add all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and I’m really jolly for java 24/7! Having a nice hot cup of coffee really keeps me going, especially if it’s from Starbucks. Although I love my Hazelnut Macchiatos, I don’t have a barista just waiting to pop out of my cabinet like a jack in the box (what a great idea though!). That’s why brewing a pot of the Starbucks Holiday blend is the next best thing.

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Whether it’s a late night wrapping session two nights before Christmas (I know you’re doing it too), or getting goodies together Christmas Eve morning, it’s always great to have a cup of Starbucks Holiday Blend to keep you company while everyone either just fell asleep or hasn’t even woken up yet!

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I especially like this blend because of it’s mild taste. I like my coffee, but I don’t like to feel like an elf who’s going to fly off her shelf, if you know what I mean.  That’s why if I’m brewing a pot, it feels okay to go back for seconds…or even seconds and a half!

While I wouldn’t mind keeping the whole pot for myself, it is the season for sharing, so why not raise a mug with a friend!

So, if you want a chance to win a free pound of Holiday Blend to share, leave a comment below until December 30, 2013. I’ll pick a random winner on New Year’s Eve. Good Luck!

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Happy Holidays!

 

*This is a sponsored post

 

 

When Girls Want Fire Trucks

“Mommy, I want a fire truck for Christmas.”

I first heard those words about a month ago, and they haven’t stopped yet. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was more than a little surprised to hear my four-year-old daughter tell me and everyone else that this year. I guess I wouldn’t have been so shocked if she said she wanted a Barbie or another doll or some other toy she’s “supposed” to want. Even her teacher was intrigued when the words came out of my daughter’s mouth at the class Christmas party.

I really shouldn’t be all that flabbergasted because this was the same girl who told me she wanted a motorcycle for her birthday six months ago. I really dread what lies ahead when she turns sixteen! But, I digress. My point here is that I find it interesting that everyone, myself included, would find it so odd that a four-year-old girl would want a fire truck for Christmas. If she were a boy, no one would flinch. I think it just goes to show how set we still are when it comes to gender, kids and toys. What I find even most interesting is that my daughter doesn’t see anything strange or intriguing about it at all. It’s just comes naturally. She likes fire trucks, so she wants one. Period. I think that attitude is better than any gift I or Santa could ever give her.

Sometimes I wish I could see things so simply like that. I’m sure a lot of you out there would agree. When my daughter constantly tells me she wants to be a grown up, I constantly tell her being a kid is just the best. That’s because it is.

There are no “boy toys” or “girl toys”, just toys.

There are no white or black people, just people.

There are no ugly colors in the crayon box, just crayons.

There are no cheap or ugly gifts, just gifts.

I think you get what I’m saying here.

I think this year we should all see Christmas through a child’s eyes, where girls can get fire trucks and boys can get Easy Bake ovens, if they want.

Merry Christmas!

p.s. Santa is bringing a fire truck!

 

More Presence & Less Presents

‘Tis the season to be jolly and empty out your bank account. Right? For many people that is the case, especially if you have kids. If your kids are at the talking stage chances are you hear “I want” a lot when the latest toy commercial comes on. It’s just part of being a kid, especially at Christmas. If your kids don’t do it, I’m jealous.

With all that said, is it really necessary to give into every holiday “I want”? Call me a Grinch, but I really don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m buying my kids gifts this year, but I’m not dipping into their college fund to get that big smile on their faces and neither is Santa. I don’t really think you have to go big or go home when it comes to the holidays.

I’m trying to raise my girls to appreciate gifts, but not to expect them or to expect extravagant ones at that. Let me tell you, it is harder than finding Waldo. That’s why I’m trying to follow a mantra of “More presence, less presents”.

Do you know how many times my four-year-old asks me to play with her in one day? A lot would be an understatement. So, I leave the dust bunnies and the pile of dishes in the sink to have a tea party or play school with my girls.

I give them my presence.

It seems to go a lot further than dolls I bought them for their birthdays that are just sitting in a bin somewhere. It’s also a lot cheaper. Both my girls also love when I just sit and read them a book or color a picture. They love when we dance around like idiots, have a puppet show, or even just sit and watch some Doc McStuffins….together.

I give them my presence.

Sure, my kids have a favorite toy they do like to kick around and play with. But, for the most part, they make up their own games and scenarios in their little world of make believe. They invite me to be a part of it all.

So, I give them my presence.

I know teaching them about less presents and more presence may be above their four and two-year-old comprehension levels, but that’s not going to stop me. Not at all.

I will continue to give them my presence.