Poison control anyone??

The day started out by calling poison control about 15 minutes before I would be taking my oldest son to school.  NOT exactly how I planned my day.  But thankfully all was ok, however I kept him home from school since I wanted to keep an eye on him and didn't know what the extra dosage of medication might do later in the day.  It was also one of those moments that make you realize that it could all be gone in an instant.

The day was actually WONDERFUL!  I got special, very much needed one on one time with my oldest while my toddler was in preschool and then later on got one on one time with my toddler who told me "it was the best day ever"!  

So wonderful that I found this poem later in the day--a great reminder that I needed to hear since today I didn't get much done on my "to do" list, although it was a mile long...and that was totally ok.  Somehow I'm at peace for once, even the the floors desperately need cleaned.  

Check it out-- Poem from MomentsADay.com called The Kitchen Can Wait

Weather: 80 with a chance of snowmen.....

So although it's 80 here in Chicago today, I find it a "must" to post this adorable idea from OneCreativeMommy.com's website for an Olaf snowman.  Oddly enough, this is the costume of choice for one of my boys this year and we literally just saw Frozen a week ago (loved it!!!).  

I'll post our "after" pictures once we complete this project but thought it would be a good one to share as we get ready for the long, cold winter in the midwest.  

Link:

Olaf sock snowman tutorial from OneCreativeMommy.Com

She's Baaaaaccckkkkk!!!!!

Oh look who's back!!!!!!   That's right....the crazy one.  Mom of 2 little boys.  Wife.  Homemaker?
So where did I leave off?  Hmmmm...from the looks of the blog photo, it's been a while.  I'm pretty sure my oldest is now driving.  Ok ok....maybe it hasn't been THAT long, but it's been a while.

The latest in a nutshell is that I lost my corporate job last fall after being there for over 10 years.  And I'm pretty sure I did a "happy dance" on the way out, but they won't turn over the video.  Last year I got in "better" shape, started running and losing weight and finished my first half marathon in September of 2014.  Yeah, you read that right.

Of course, fast forward a year and a few pounds have found their way back and I lost my map to the gym....BUT I'll get back....within this decade...I'm pretty sure of it.  Life has certainly gotten crazy.  I used to think that I would get "so much more done" if I wasn't working and my stress level would be nothing---but wow, was I wrong!  Guess what??  While at work no one can mess up the house.  Home 24/7 and crap happens.

Anyways---glad to be back.  I'll be posting some new recipes, craft ideas, stories..the latest bargains and more!  Don't miss it.....  :)
#sheisback
#momisnuts
#whatswiththehashtags
#icantstop
#seriously

Popcorn party!!!!

Do you really want to impress the kiddos?  Pop popcorn in a bag, in the microwave. 
Here's how it works:

• All you need is one brown "lunch bag" size paper bag

• Put about 1/4 cup of your favorite popping corn inside
• Fold down the top a bit so it doesn't pop all over your microwave
• Place in microwave---I use the "popcorn" button and listen for it to stop popping.

The kids are absolutely amazed that they get to make their own popcorn and can even eat it out of the bag if you'd like--just sprinkle with a bit of salt.  Otherwise, it pours out great in to a big bowl. 

Big letters....little letters....learn learn learn

As a mom of two boys who LOVE to play cars, I found this to be a fun, interactive way for them to learn their letters --both capital and lowercase. 

 

WHAT YOU NEED:

--Foam board

--26 matchbox style cars

--dot stickers for the letters (or I used a label maker)

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Be creative and have fun with this. 

I made "parking spaces" with capital letters and dotted some roads.  On the actual cars you will put the lowercase letters.  The GOAL is that they would match the lowercase and the uppercase. 

 

The kids have had a lot of fun with this.  In the larger spaces we have placed people, trucks, houses....whatever the day brings. 

 

HAPPY LEARNING!!

 

Thoughts on Diagnosis Day

Boy, sometimes I truly don't know how "real" bloggers do it.  Where do they find the TIME to keep up with these things????  But I digress.....

So I just had to re-post something that was shared with me on another board for special needs mama's, like myself.  This truly brought me to tears, but not in a "bad" way as much as a "it's going to be ok" way. 

If you have a child who has special needs, take a look at this youtube.com video---it's a great one!!

Please feel free to comment on this post and add some of your own feelings. 

Diagnosis Day--your thoughts 

HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE.....

In looking for a group to join of special needs moms in my area, I came upon this great posting on a blog about the REAL differences between "regular" moms vs those who have special needs kids, like myself.

My oldest son has speech apraxia with a very severe delay as well as sensory disorders and lastly, let's just call it "behaviorally challenged" for now.  I'm not in to labels, so honestly now sure how the "professionals" would label him today.  When you do the good-old fashioned google search he has a bit of them all, but nothing "black and white"--so waiting to post that label on him for a little while longer.  In comparing my two boys, I definitely am seeing signs that my youngest has sensory issues as well.

So on to the great stuff....

This posting really  made me laugh and smile this morning, when I really needed it.  Sometimes "regular" moms just don't "get" what us special needs moms go through on a day to day basis.  I know the grass is not always greener.  I also know though that having gone through what I have --and the millions of other moms of kids with special needs, that we also look at life differently.  We don't take things for granted like those might who have typical children.  Truly the small things make a HUGE difference in our world, both on a negative front as well as the positive.  When our child wakes up happy and doesn't have a complete meltdown before breakfast, I consider that a fabulous morning!  When I see my other child using words in the correct manner and appearing to develop "normally" in terms of language, I am ecstatic!!!    BUT when I have to remind my special needs child to put on his shoes eight times and then realize he's having a breakdown because he can't figure out the velcro, well--it's not such a great morning.

So check out this list....and see how the other half live....whichever half that may be for you!
HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE