Thursday, May 2, 2013

Morning Madness





“Good morning, time to get up”
“Uggggggh! I don’t want to go to (insert any activity here)”

This is what I have to deal with. EVERY MORNING. It’s exhausting. A few weeks ago I saw a blog post written by a woman with a seemingly perfect family – where the children wake and get dressed on their own, come down for breakfast without incident. Where does this blogger live? Can I bring my kids to you? ……. Please?

I don’t know, maybe it’s because they are 5 and 6 years old but they never want to get out of bed. Ever. Even on the weekends: “Nooooo, I’m tired!” No one even asked them to get out of bed!

My son is even more difficult than my daughter – I have to pull teeth to get him to do anything:
“Let’s go to the playground”
“Nooooooo, I don’t want to!”

“Let’s go to the birthday party”
“Noooooo, I don’t want to!”

“Let’s go get some ice cream”
“Nooooooooooooo!”


Clearly, I am doing something wrong. I am convinced I am just a horrible, evil mother who makes her children go to school, playgrounds, parties, etc. Everything I have tried to do to make our mornings easier just doesn't work.


Please tell me I am not the only mother suffering through this every morning.




Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Technical Difficulties

 
 
 

 
Sorry I haven't posted anything in a couple of days. Seems like there is a new problem every time I try to post.

I hope to finally have this worked out and a new post up by Thursday.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Book Review: Making Marriage Simple


Making Marriage Simple was written by husband and wife team Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt. They have been couple counselors for over 20 years and are also the authors of books like Getting the Love You Want and Keeping the Love You Find.  I got my copy on Amazon but I'm sure you can find it at any bookstore/major website..... 


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Take a hike!

The best part about Spring is getting to exercise outside! I love going for walks and jogging. 
 



Do you jog? If not you should give it a try, even if you just go for a walk. It's so nice, it's like a quick little get away from everything.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

101 in 1001: multitasking at its best!

I took care of two goals from my 101 in 1001 list in one shot (sorta). #59: "Plan 12 date nights for the hubs and I" AND #19: "Pick things from the entertainment book and do them." 


The hubs and I usually have our date nights inside so I thought if we plan a night out once a month, that’s not spending too much money, right? (RIGHT!). So I started searching Pinterest for date night ideas but was blown away with the many options. And, like a sign from the universe, right next to my laptop was the entertainment book.....

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Supper Sunday - Our first head wound

 

Well, better late than never, right? I'm sorry this post is so late, it's been a pretty crazy weekend. We actually just experienced our first minor head wound and it scared the hell out of all of us. I have never been so scared (and helpless) for my one of my children before. Luckily, it was just a tiny cut.

After we got all cleaned up and realized there was no need to go to the emergency room, we settled down to enjoy my daughters favorite drink: Lemonade. We had regular lemonade but here is another lemonade that we often make:
 
 
 


Friday, April 19, 2013

Friday Favorites: My 10 Favorite Apps


A screen shot of my phone :-)



Open letter to my children: In your life you will have to make many difficult decisions. Most of these decisions I will not be able to help you with, as you will have to decide on your own. 
The only decision I can help you with is iPhone or Android? And the answer is and will always be IPHONE!

I'm just kidding! But I do have an iPhone and this week I would like to share with you all my favorite non-gaming apps. So let's get to it:

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Do my kids really need to learn about God?


While lying next to my daughter the other night, she asked all sorts of questions about God. The one that really got me was “Will God help me if I ever need him?” I had to hold back from crying because I knew it would confuse her. After assuring her that God would always be there for her, she fell asleep…. and I laid there, wide awake, wondering if what I just said was even true and if I should have told her that.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Yes! Beach Weather!





Well, we did get in some beach time - it was a little chilly but we still had fun!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Spring Fun Bucket List - Free Printable

2 years ago, I started making monthly activity calendars for the kids as a way to ensure we had some sort of fun family activity every day. They loved it, as soon as I’d get home from work every day they would ask me “what are we doing today?” and we’d walk over to the refrigerator (where the paper was posted) and I’d read today the day’s activity. It could be anything: movie night, play dough, color, etc.


Sunday, April 14, 2013

Supper Sunday

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We aren't doing much this weekend - just relaxing and playing outside (it's still a little cold but the kids don't seem to mind).  I just bought some sunflower seeds so we are going to plant those today. I also want to plant carrots since we use so many of them for our juices. More on that in a later post.
 
As for dinner, I am most looking forward to the Baby Back Ribs. It seems like anytime I make something covered in BBQ sauce, it's a big hit with the whole family. I find myself wanting to put bbq sauce on everything, in hopes that the kids will eat it lol.
 
 

Friday, April 12, 2013

Friday Favorites - Movies




Today is a gloomy, rainy day - perfect for a Movie Night at home. I prefer watching movies at home, rather than at the theater: At home we have ultra comfy seats, we can drink whatever we want, and we can have as much popcorn & ice cream as can possibly consume! 

Here are some of our favorite movies:

Thursday, April 11, 2013

101 in 1001

One thing that I do to keep focused on things important to me is to make challenges for myself. Earlier this year I discovered the website Day Zero and absolutely fell in love with the 101 in 1001 idea.
 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Wishing for Summer

We just had two lovely summer-ish days recently. Makes me think back to all the fun we had last year.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Spring Cleaning - Free Printable!

As a working mom, I really don't have enough time to do all the spring cleaning in one or two days. It usually takes me a week to get everything done. I have a list for each room then my little helpers and I tackle one room until everything on our list is checked off. After we are done with a room, it's time for a snack (this part has nothing to do with spring cleaning but it is crucial in our family). 

Today I am going to share with you my spring cleaning list....

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Supper Sunday

Supper Sunday


I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. This weekend is another busy one for us: Saturday was filled with the kids sports and classmates birthday parties, today we are going to Wrestlemaina! I don't know who is more excited, me or the kids.
 
Lately hubs and I have been juicing. I never thought I'd love juice this much! I guess I never drank fruit drink from the store because it's packed with so much sugar. But making our own healthy juice is the best - even the kids like it.  And it really is so simple: just grab a bunch of veggies, a piece of fruit (to get some natural sugars) and your done!



 

Friday, April 5, 2013

Friday Favorites - Bath & Body



TGIF! Another week as gone by so quickly. I feel like I haven't gotten to do any "me time" things.

Here are some of my favorite bath & body products. Hopefully I will get to indulge in all of them sometime this weekend!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Ultimate Blog Party!!!



I am so excited to join the 2013 Ultimate Blog Party! Being that my blog is brand new, I have only seen UBP from a readers point of view but this year I’m joining in on the fun!

For those of you who don’t know me (and I know that is A LOT of people lol!), my name is Ellie, I’m The 30ish Mom. I am a married mother of two children. When I’m not working, attending school functions, or driving someone to a game or meeting, you can find me reading on some sort of electronic device. It’s hard not to get lost in all my responsibilities; I try to make time doing something I enjoy that’s just for me. This blog is one of them!

My posts usually consist of meal plans, hot topics relating to women/parenting/marriage, DIY, sometimes just plain funny (like Why is Mom Always in the Bathroom?), and pretty much anything that has been helpful in my everyday life.

I am ALWAYS doing something online - find me on Google +, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

See you next time!

~Ellie.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Wordless Wednesday - Favorite Passtime




My daughter playing her favorite game in her "most favorite place ever" - Chucke Cheese.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

April Fools Date Night


DATE NIGHT!


Yesterday I surprised the hubs but not with a prank, but with a special date night. I worked in the April Fools theme into it a little. I made and printed this out on postcard paper:


Sunday, March 31, 2013

Meal Plan March 31 - April 6

Happy Easter!!


I hope everyone is enjoying time with their family/friends today. We had a simple dinner with the family and of course a egg hunt. Whatever your plans for today, enjoy!
from Taste of Home


As part of our dinner today I cooked lamb. It was the first time I've ever made it so I was pretty nervous as to how it would turn out. Sometimes my first attempts at a new dish aren't too good. Well, I am happy to report that EVERYONE LOVED IT! Woohoo!





Friday, March 29, 2013

Friday Favorites - April Fools!



TGIF! It's been such a hectic week and with Easter only a couple of days away, it's just going to get even more busy. I am happy this week is coming to a end soon.

With so much going on, I look forward to relaxing and being silly on April 1st. So this week's theme is April Fools pranks. Here's our favorites:

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Liebster Award

 



It's been a crazy week and I went two days (TWO WHOLE DAYS!) without being on the computer. I know, two days isn't that horrible but it felt like a long time to me. I will seek professional help on my internet addiction, I promise (I am lying).



Sunday, March 24, 2013

Meal Plan - March 24-30


Happy Sunday, everyone!

 
 







I've been craving a lot of desserts lately. One of my favorites is brownies! I could eat brownies all day everyday (as long as I have enough milk).








 

Friday, March 22, 2013

Friday Favorites 3/22/13




Easter is just around the corner. What is it about Easter that makes me want to spend more time outside? I always feel like I've been in a cave for months, then Easter comes and I think "grass, flowers, sunlight...this is what I've been missing!"
 
This weeks theme is Easter and here's our favorites for this week:
 
 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Why Is Mommy Always In The Bathroom?




I remember a long time ago when the bathroom used to be a place to only shower and use the toilet. Not at more. All sorts of business takes place in the bathroom now. Ever since my children began walking and screaming talking I seem to have less and less space in my own home to do things for myself. Phone calls, writing, reading, etc. are now all done in the bathroom. It has become my escape room.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

To Do Tuesday - Lunchbox Notes


I always used the free printable lunch box notes I would find on Pinterest but I've recently began making my own because it's more personable. I include the kids names and mention specific things that pertain to what’s going on that week.

Here’s how I made my lunchbox notes…..



Sunday, March 17, 2013

Meal Plan March 17-23


Happy Sunday, everyone!

 
 




This week I am making a family favorite - Lasagna. The kiddies are pretty picky so when I make something they actually love, I am just the most grateful mom ever. "Make Once, Eat Twice Lasagna" (Taste of Home) is the best tasting recipe I've found so far and it has the added bonus of directions for freezing half the batch for later.




Friday, March 15, 2013

Friday Favorites


Welcome to Friday Favorites! Every Friday I'll share with you some things that have become a must have in my house during the past week. These are not just my personal picks, but picks from everyone in the house: the hubby, the kids, and "house hold" - something everyone enjoyed.
I am a sucker for themes, so every week will be a different theme, depending on what is going on in my personal life.
This weeks theme is Books and here's our favorites for the week:

Thursday, March 14, 2013

What About Your Friends?

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There are certain friends that, even if they may not have children themselves, are still making an effort to be a part of your life and find common interests again.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Totally Useless Baby Items

MommyCubed: The Most Useless Baby Items

Mommy Blog Hoppers

I decided to have a little fun with this post. I saw a linky on mommybloghoppers.com, this month's theme was too good to past up! 

Sunday, March 10, 2013

What's for Dinner? March 10-16


Happy Sunday, everyone!

Every Sunday I will share my dinner plans for the week and provide a link to the recipe. 

Why is meal planning important?

It's a total money and life saver! When I come home from work, I'm not scrambling around the kitchen trying to think of something to make for dinner. Those nights are never good, because you know you will just end up driving to some fast food place and spending at least 40 bucks.  Also, it save's so much money when you know exactly what you need to get from the grocery store, instead of wondering around trying to think of meals while in the store. I've been there, done that. Trust me, meal planning is the way to go. 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Is Dressing Modestly Still Important?

No Thank You
Spring is almost here and my favorite stores already have bathing suits on the sales racks. Seeing them reminded me of conversations I had with my daughter last summer regarding swimwear. She asked for a two-piece bathing suit last summer. I said “sure” thinking that she wanted a tank top and the little shorts for a bottom. Well, was I totally wrong! When we got to the store she had a fit because in her mind I had already promised her but I just could not buy my 4 year-old a bikini! Then I had to hear the sob story of all her friends at school wear them. Sure enough – we go to the pool party and a few of her friends had on bikinis.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Introducing The 30ish Mom





My name is Ellie, I’m the 30ish Mom. I am a married mother of two sometimes  rambunctious but always adorable children. When I’m not working, attending school functions, or driving someone to a game or  meeting, you can find me reading on some sort of electronic device.  It’s hard not to get lost in all my responsibilities; I try to make time doing something I enjoy that’s just for me. Writing/reading blogs is one of them!

On The 30ish Mom you will find marriage advice, home organizing tips, activities and crafts for children, projects, book/product reviews, etc. Basically, my posts will be on all things that have inspired or helped me keep up this juggling act and make life a little easier (and fun!).


Stay connected! Find me on Google + , InstagramFacebookTwitter, and Pinterest