Sweet.

I really wasn't planning on posting today.  As I mentioned in Wednesday's post, I've been feeling a little uninspired lately and haven't had a real "aha" moment for my blog.  I think it's mostly due to the fact that March is normally a very stressful month for me.  Chloe's birthday AND Joey's birthday on top of other family and friends' birthdays (my Grandma, our neighbors' daughters, etc.) are in March and I'm usually stressed out about gifts, cooking, and other party woes.

This week has been especially stressful because I had been worrying about Chloe's bake sale, her party bags coming in on time, paying the bills, Joey's doctor's appointment, and the upcoming birthdays we were invited to (3 in one day) this weekend.

Thankfully, Chloe's bake sale went swimmingly.  We ended up making Cranberry-Orange Scones thanks to the recipe and help from my Auntie Lucy.  She's my mom's sister and a second mother to me.  My kids absolutely adore her and they always get so excited when we visit her.

My mom bought the party bags for Chloe's classmates and it finally came in yesterday.  I was stressing out about it because I wanted to get the invitations out to the kids by today so that the parents would know that we'll be providing lunch and snacks for their kids on Tuesday so they don't have to plan lunch for them on that day.  We were able to pick up the box yesterday afternoon and Chloe took her invitations with her to school today to pass out.  This is her first year in school so she's super excited to celebrate with her class.

Joey had his appointment yesterday and he is finally cast-less!  He's not 100% yet and has to go to rehab (..but I said no, no no!...) for another three weeks but at least he's not hopping around with that dirty thing on his leg anymore!  And I'll be able to take a much needed break from doing EVERYTHING for him soon. (Love you, honey!)

And the icing on the cake was this little package that I got from Rachael!  It put a smile on my face and really lifted my spirits!  She's such a sweet person and I highly recommend that you go visit (& follow) her blog!  Plus she's got a pretty sweet giveaway going on right now that you should definitely enter!!!

Cheers to the freakin' weekend!

♥ Duckie.

Thursday Thoughts: Frikken Parenting

Being a mother, you tend to forget that not everyone has gained the same knowledge and skills that you have during your years (or months) of motherhood.  While my sister was here visiting, we went out to eat on several occasions and I had to share some of my parenting sense with her (she's 19 and not so experienced with handling kids) and I realized that I should include some parenting tips in my blog to share with all you non-mothers (and veteran mothers, too!).


Dining With Frikken Kids

 
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• Do NOT sit at the bar.  If you have more than one child like I do, sitting at a booth is much more convenient for you.  Otherwise, if one kid acts up you'd have to reach all the way over or get off your seat in order to smack them upside their head discipline them. 

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• ALWAYS order pre-cooked food.  Unless you sit your kids right in front of the stove at home while you cook, stay away from those 'cook it yourself' dishes.  Trust me, it's much more convenient - and isn't that what dining out is about?

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• NEVER open the toy before they eat their meal.  Otherwise, you just wasted $4.00 on a toy that'll probably not even make it out of the car.  But hey, if you got money to blow, then by all means.  YOLO!

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• DON'T order what they want.  Order what they'll eat.  Kids (especially my girls) always want to act more grown up so they try to order bigger meals or new things that they think they'll like and it ends up going to waste.  Save your money and just get the Mac & Cheese!  If you want them to try something new, make it.  You'll be able to show off your culinary skills while saving money by making smaller portions - just in case they don't like it! 

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• REMEMBER to keep calm.  If your kids don't have the best table manners yet, it's okay.  Kids will be kids.  Be patient with them...Unless they're climbing the table and going absolutely cray - then it's okay to smack them upside their head discipline them.

 Not sure if I'll make this a 'thing' yet, so let me know what you think!

Are you a mother?  What tips would you add to this list??

♥ Duckie.