It's Getting Hot in here {and my kids are crazy}

This is a sponsored post, but the opinions are all my own.
It's not even June and yet, Fresno has blessed us with some 100 degree days.  And while I'm sure there are some mid west and east coast friends that are shaking their head as I already begin to complain, let me tell you a little about Fresno summers.  This is only the beginning.  Soon, the temps will reach well over 100, and leaving the house to do anything will become my least favorite chore.  Trying to wrangle 2 kids under 5 in 100 degree temps?  Well lets just say I have friends with more than 2 that are my own personal heroes. 
So what can we do in 100 degree plus temps.  Well we can swim, which we do a lot at my momma's and my father in laws.  We can pay out the nose for play centers and indoor trampoline centers.  Or we can roll the dice and take a chance at the play center in the mall, or McDonalds where the plague is ready to take down your entire house hold.  Seriously just thinking about it makes me sick!
Or, we can just stay home.  And by doing that, we worry about the hours in front of the TV, the iPad, or the computer.  The heat makes both my littles crazy.  Especially if they can't go play outside, which is like their most favorite thing in the world.  Then they drive me crazy, because honestly, I hate sitting in 100 plus degree weather unless there is a pool nearby.  The first summer Caitlin was old enough to be bored with her toys, I got yarn, penne pasta, and markers to make necklaces.  It was a really poor attempt at crafting.  This was way before I started a blog, and before the birth of Pinterest, so I was a lost soul with my cranky and bored 2 year old.  I'm embarrassed to even share that!  But it's the truth.  Now as I have an almost 6 year old and a 3 year old, what else can we do, besides eat ice cream for every meal while watching Finding Nemo for the gazillionth time? Enter Babaa Box. A monthly subscription of activities for your little ones to survive the summer.  Delivered to your door, or digitally so you can print out activities and DIY ideas.  If you choose to have it delivered to your door, you will get books, puzzles, science projects, and games.  The possibilities are endless.

Fishing game for Summer fun

So what makes Babba Box different? Two things make BabbaBox different from all these other kids products and subscription services.
1) Solutions built to fit your life… The BabbaBox is designed by parents who understand that different situations call for different solutions.  While sitting down and spending an hour doing a project with your kids is fun, the reality is sometimes you are juggling dinner and need something they can do relatively independently.  
Each BabbaBox includes solutions specifically designed for four different occasions that are part of all parents’ routines: TV Free Mornings, Sanity Saving Weeknight Activities, Purposeful Weekend Plan, and Story time.
2) Have fun while building critical thinking skills… The BabbaBox is about so much more than just arts & crafts.  Each month includes a different combination of hands on projects, books, games, sensory activities, kid-friendly science, imaginative play and more.  And everything included is designed by BabbaCo’s early childhood experts to develop important critical thinking skills – of course while having a ton of fun in the process. There are also 3 super fun themes to help you survive the summer.  And they will be equally fun for both boys and girls.  Participating in a Babba Box subscription just may make you the cool mom on the block.  I can totally see the entire neighborhood wanting to join in the fun.  Which is fine as long as they bring their own snacks...  Check out the 3 themes that will help you survive whatever early summer mornings or late summer nights throw at you! June: Deep Sea Take a voyage to the bottom of the sea, enjoy a colorful book about some of our favorite creatures, make and plan an adorable fishing game, plus so many oceany activities. 
July: Camouflage Animals Where’d who go? Not only is camouflage on animals totally cool, but it also services a purpose – to help protect them. This month we will learn about all the amazing kinds of camouflage, play a little hide and seek ourselves and other well disguised fun! 
August: Pirate Treasure Bring your sea legs! This will be arguably our most fun theme yet, as we set out on an adventure, pirate-style. We will sing songs, meet famous pirates through an amazing book and become experts in life on the high seas! Check out Babba Box and if you like what you see, use “SURVIVE” at checkout to save 10% on any Summer Survival Pack.   In this house there are only 14 days left of school, and the temps keep climbing.  No more novice penne pasta crafting in this house.  This year we are going to survive summer with Babba Box! This post is part of the Surviving Summer Break with Babba Box campaign. This is a sponsored post, but all my opinions are my own. Content on the Babba Box subscription and campaign provided by Linqia.

Ready to Rock...

  The hiatus was shorter than expected.  That's because I have so much to tell you and so much to share.  So for today, I'll be brief.  

Pictures courtesy of Lora
I'm right behind Summer in the stripes, with the peace sign.

  It's taken me almost a week to wrap my head around Elevate.  I'm sure you noticed from my Instagram feed that I was knee deep in blogger heaven last Saturday.  It took me the entire week to savor and reflect on the people, the speakers, and the message.  To write one post entirely dedicated to the Elevate Conference would not do it justice, so I'll be writing three over the next week.  I promise to make them fun and exciting, and not at all like your boring neighbors vacation pictures.    I also have products to review, shout outs to give, a Mother's Day post to share...   All exciting stuff right?   So I'm ready to rock.  Even if I haven't done a stitch of laundry, a bit of cleaning, or even tried to do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred again.  Because guys, Jillian almost killed me!  So, I'm diving back into the the things I love most.  Writing and this blog.  And more importantly you, because if I learned anything last Saturday, it's that blogging is powerful.  And while my blog might not save any lives, it does introduce me to people that do.  It allows me to make lasting friendships over social media, and it gives me the blessing of having a voice.    Stay tuned for stories that will make you laugh, and maybe even cry.    Because I'm back, and whether my family likes it or not, I'm ready to rock.    

Mother's Day {Friday Funnies}

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It's almost Mother's Day, and I'm not here to pat myself on the back.  I'm here to share some of the funny things I've discovered about motherhood.  Motherhood is a crap shoot.  Some days it's all rosy and sweet smelling, and sometimes it stinks.  I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  We've all been there.  So in honor of a holiday for moms that's not really a holiday for moms, here is something to make you laugh about the hardest job you ever had.  The only job that makes you pull out your hair.  The only job that makes you want to run away, yet when you are alone for 5 minutes you immediately miss your children.   

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 I wrote a post in the very beginning titled Take this job and shove it.  I pose the question, that if you saw the job description for motherhood on Craig's list, would you even apply?  Because come on, it's a really tough gig and it pays in love.  Which is great, but love rarely buys you the box of wine that is sometimes required to get through the day.  Also I'd like to have this printed on a shirt, because I do get the question, "so what do you do?".  And some days I really want to say, bitch I do EVERYTHING!  

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You don't realize that when you pack you bag for the hospital, you are also packing your bags for a guilt trip.    From the moment you push that child from your loins you are on the guilt cruise of your life.  Sure there are cocktails and sometimes chocolate, but it's a never ending trip of guilt.  You want to take a shower?  The baby might need to nurse, guilt trip.  You want to take a few hours away with your girlfriends for drinks? What if the baby needs you?  Guilt trip.  You have to return to work, only to miss some milestones of your beautiful infant babe?  Guilt trip.  It really is the vacation that never ends.  Even when you think you are beyond soul crushing guilt, your child will come home and say, "but so and so's mom was there".  And that's when you check another bag for your guilt trip.  

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I feel like this is misleading as it should say a mother's mind.  This is what it's like to be a mother.  There are not enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks at hand.  Sure it starts out really simple, round the clock feedings, diaper changes, and naps.  But then people expect you to get all productive and stuff.  What's up with that?  Like they expect you to do things like get dressed and wash your hair.  Also they expect you to wear things other than yoga pants.  It only gets better from there.  Then you are expected to take your kid to preschool at an ungodly hour, and look like a real person.  Because there will be other moms there with two times the kids you have, who have on make-up and freshly ironed capri pants (seriously, true story).  There are a never ending amount of tabs to be opened on any given day.  It's truly what motherhood is all about. 

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Moms, this is what it's like when you have a toddler.  I'm sure you are laughing but I'm dead serious.  Your darling baby goes from sweet and cuddly, to mildly (or strongly) annoying over night.  And since they are proud of the new found independence they have, they want to do everything their self.  And by everything, I mean everything that you could do infinity times faster.  Putting on the shoes of a toddler that wants to do it their self takes a millennial.  And when you try to help, they scream at you.  Of course they do, because their way is better, right?  So this mother's day, keep this little picture in your heart as you watch your toddler feed themselves with a fork, when you know a spoon would be more appropriate, and enjoy watching them dirty their fourth shirt of the day.  

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Every day, I decide that I'm not going to clean my house, because my kids are home and they will just destroy it anyway.  This is not the science that works for my husband but it works for me.  I spent a year stressing over the mess, only to conclude that the only appropriate time to clean is at night when the kids are sleeping.  And even then I have major reservations about it since, they will be up and have destroyed the house again in less than 12 hours.  As you can tell, I set my standards pretty high.  Next time someone comes over and it looks like you are operating a day care center out of your house, just tell them that you like to clean at night when the kids are asleep as not to interfere with their imagination.  You can't bring yourself to interfere with the childhood memories that they are making.  Who would challenge such an excellent mother?  Your welcome.

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Never has an ecard described motherhood better.  This is what the first 3 years of motherhood looked like for me.  And you know what?  There is nothing wrong with that.  Motherhood is insane.  It's the only thing women gladly sign up for.  It's embraced fully.  It's competitive.  And it's the only job that no matter how shitty the day, no matter how terrible the tantrums (mine and the kids), we moms still work every day to better ourselves.  We strive to be better mothers with puke on our shirts, and poop on our hands.  We plot and plan our next moves.  We pin a thousand pins for one birthday party, for one teacher appreciation gift, for one Elf on the Shelf Christmas.  We throw our selves into the fire.  We forgo the last piece of anything.  We even eat our meals standing up if thats what it takes.  
So what's the big deal if we have it all and give our all while staying into our pajamas all day.
Why would we bother getting out of our pajamas?   That would just make more laundry for us to do.
    Have a happy Mother's Day, and if someone offers their help, TAKE IT. If someone offers do the cooking accept. And if some one offers you a drink, tell them to make it a double.

Hiatus

This post started as a Coffee Date to link up.  Then I thought I might turn it into a Hello Monday.  Then I decided to just post it as it.  My life has been full.  To the brim with work, home, activities, and lots and lots of room mother responsibilities that I wasn't quite prepared for.  Throw in Mother's day next Sunday, with Elevate the day before, and I'm spent.  Like emotionally, physically, and literally spent.
  So, I'm going to go on hiatus.     Because being tasked with writing something these days seems overwhelming.  Trying to schedule posts has seemed daunting.  Even trying to come up with new content has thrown me for a loop.  I've taken to writing in a notebook or on scraps of paper, and even then I've got nothing.  I think it's because my mind is so busy.  So full with the things on the "to do" list.  I can't relax enough to let out my anxiety, my stress, my worries.
  I hate to say I'm busy, because I despise the word.  Am I really more busy than you?  Am I busier than my neighbor, who has 3 kids, and a full time job?  Am I busier than my other neighbor who stays home and runs a family daycare?  Probably not, so I will say that my life is full.  And the fullness is driving me a little mad.  As in I'm losing my mind, and little pieces of me are breaking away.  So I need to pull back.  Just a little.
I've been putting off taking a brief hiatus.  I keep thinking "this will be the week", and then things like birthdays and anniversaries pop up.  Next week is Mother's Day, and I'm working on a Mother's day post, but that may be all I can crank out next week.  With life being full, I'm sacrificing sleep to blog, and that's not doing me or my writing any favors.  
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, next Saturday is Elevate, and Sunday Mother's Day.  Slowly but surely I'm getting ready for the week ahead, but I'm also super stressed about it.  That tells me that I need to pull back, breathe and relax.  This morning I was almost paralysed with the enormity of the commitments I have made.  The tasks still left to do.  It's taken me all day just to get here to post this little ditty that I originally wrote last Wednesday night.  As I edit I think, I haven't visited a single social media all day.  That is very unlike me.  But today, I'm focused on the task of rearranging, organizing, and planning for the week ahead.  The blogger in me is still stressed that I have no idea what I'm wearing on Saturday.  Yes, I'm obsessing about a blogging conference as if it were a prom, but it is kind of a prom for bloggers right?
Stressful Megan equals bitchy Megan, which equals a big sad face for the family.  I don't want to be Mad Mommy.  I want to be happy and in the moment mommy.  The only way to do that is to know my limits, admit that I can't do it all (and do I really want to), and say "no", more than I say yes.  That is so damn hard for me.  It's times like these that my type A personality comes back like a bad habit I had forgotten.
So I'm going to take a hiatus.  Perhaps until after Elevate.  To really enjoy it.  Let it all sink in and then write a really great post about it.  Some of my dearest bloggy friends are going to be there.  I can't wait to hug them in real life.  Those people who I've gotten to know on Instagram.  The ones who I helped welcome their babies, celebrate new jobs or shop openings, enjoy pictures of their family adventures.  That will really be something for my over extended heart.
So look for a few posts next week.  A recap perhaps.  A Mother's Day tribute.  And then I'll be posting after Elevate.  I won't be gone long.  Just long enough to breathe again.  To relax again.  To come back and put all I've got into it again.
Because I love this space.  I love you guys who read and comment, and share this life with me.  So thank you, very much. I won't be gone long, just long enough to get right with it all.

It's OK {confessions}

It's OK that this post has been in my drafts for almost 2 weeks.
It's OK that instead of setting it up to publish earlier I watched the Mindy Project and Call the Midwife while Mac napped and the Hubbs was outside with Caitlin.  It's OK because I could actually hear the dialogue.
It's OK that I served dinner outside on one large serving tray.  PB & J, goldfish, animal cookies and cuties.  This is what working has reduced me too... Who am I kidding.  This is nothing out of the ordinary.

It's OK that I was way too tired to write a post last night, so I skipped it.  It was also my anniversary, so I spent some quality time with the Hubbs.
It's OK that it wasn't that kind of quality time.  It was the watching the movie 50/50 kind of quality time.
It's OK that I'm exhausted beyond belief, but sadly when I get into my bed, I worry about what the next day will bring.  What I have to add to my to do list.  What I know isn't going to get done.
It's OK, that I'm secretly enjoying work right now, because I get to listen to books on my iPod.  Like A Discovery, The HOST, and Life after Life.
It's OK that I'm really missing my kids, even though I complain about the crazy when I'm home.
It's OK that we started a Saturday with donuts and a trip to Target.  Because I didn't want to wait and serve breakfast at home.  It's OK that I bribed them with the donuts so they would put on their shoes and hurry up.

It's OK that the same Saturday ended with a fudgescicle.  At 9 o'clock at night.  It's OK because I still had to go to the grocery store for eggs, fruit snacks, and fruit.

It's OK that I broke the cardinal rule of blogging.  I got dressed up, makeup and all and didn't take one single what I wore picture.  What's up with that.  It's OK, because I got a picture of my best friend and I at her baby shower.

It's OK that I had to cut work a few Fridays ago to take Mac to the doctor.  It's OK that I totally lied about what happens at "the lab".  It's OK that I popped a peanut butter chocolate egg in her mouth right after her blood was drawn.  It's OK that I paid close to 8 bucks for a grilled cheese meal, chips, a banana, and a bottle of water.   It's OK because I was happy to do it.

It's OK that some weeks fly by faster than others.  It's OK when 7 out of 7 dinners are fast food or cereal.  It's OK when breakfast is on the run.  It's OK that I'm kind of recycling this post.  
Because if it can't be perfect, then it has to be OK.

Linking up with Neely for it's OK

Dear Mr. Crutchfield {Happy Anniversary}

Dear Mr. Crutchfield, I regret to inform you that this is a post about you.  In the past I know that you have taken issue with posts of this nature.  My sincerest apologies, however today is our wedding anniversary.  It should be noted, on record, that I thought our Anniversary was Wednesday.  Make no mistake, I do know the actual date of our anniversary, I just counted days wrong.  Much like the the budgets and spending limits you give me, I'm horrible at numbers.  I digress, this is a post dedicated to you, and all of the things I love and well sometimes hate about you.  I knew who you were when I married you, and you knew me.  Granted there are few surprises, the biggest being that you finally said yes.  Happy 8th, which I'm sure to you feels like 80.  It feels like 80 to me too, but I don't mind a bit.   Enjoy your post and your time in the spotlight. Sincerely, Your wife

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It's so true that from the moment we met there was this strange attraction.  While we may have said we hated each other in the beginning, it's more like we couldn't stand to be apart from the other.  We have never recovered, because there is no single remedy for crazy, stupid, reckless, love.

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This is the text book definition of our marriage.  However it's totally true.  Back before we got "together" that one last time, my mom asked me if I could really live with out you.  I told her it wasn't possible.  So she told me to cut the shit and just accept you for who you are.  She's a smart lady.  But you also had to accept me for me.  There are times, days, even months when I think, I just might have to cut you, but then I'd be sad.  I don't want to do this life without you.  And let's face it, you with out me?  It just wouldn't work.

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I am crazy.  I admit that.  I also jump to conclusions.  I know that I'm not the easiest person to live with.  Just remember you are at times not cake walk either.  We do however compliment each other in the crazy.  It just sucks when we go crazy together.  But when we are crazy stupid and watching Beerfest together, or videos on YouTube, it's a little piece of heaven

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Sometimes when we are having one of our "moments", I really wish this was on a tshirt.  In my size.  Not yours.  I still can't look at this ecard without laughing.  It reminds me of you so much!  There have been rare, very rare moments when you have been right.  But who's counting?

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We made a third person and a fourth.  I always knew you would be a great dad. You probably don't remember but one night when we were semi-dating, we went to John's New England with some of your pledges on Wednesday night for beers and karaoke.  There was a family there with a little guy, probably about five.  He was trying to play some video game while standing on a chair, and you went over and helped him out.  Next thing I knew, you two were hi-fiving, and I was in love.  In a really stupid way, because I knew right then that I wanted to have your babies.  So a few years later I did.

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You are sometimes.  But so am I.  So in a way we balance each other out.   It doesn't really matter because I love you anyway.  Plus some of my favorite stories start with you being an a-hole to someone else.  You have this way of being an a-hole and being hilarious at the same time.  It's like a gift.  Which keeps on giving whether we like it or not.

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Since these are the only cards you are going to get today, Happy Anniversary.  Eight years married.  Together since, well it's debatable.  But it's been almost 13 years since we met, and we all know it was down hill from there.  When I really think about it I think that we are incredibly lucky that we have the love that we have.  We scream, we yell, we laugh, we love.  There are always more good days than bad.  Arguments can be halted by a joke.  But we have always put in the work.  From the very beginning.  It has never been easy.  If it was, we wouldn't have any fun.  I love you for a million reasons, but the main reason is because you are you.  And I love you.  I love your laugh, your jokes, your occasional OCD-ness.  It would seem that after eight years things would be boring and mundane.  But as always with you, it's just as entertaining as it was the first time we met.
Which just to clarify, you were the one being a dick.

Store Bought Cakes {Mac turns three}

  Store bought cakes do not a bad mother make.   Let's say it again.   Store bought cakes do not a bad mother make.   It's the truth.  Or so I keep telling myself.  This was the first year that I let birthdays go.  I asked for help.  I bought more things than I made.  I actually stressed that I wasn't going to make Mac's birthday special enough, or memorable enough.   Then I realized it didn't matter.   Mac had a blast turning three.  She only wanted two things: a stroller for her baby doll, and a chocolate cake.  Well precious girl, done and done.  

  Friday we kicked off our celebration with our neighbors in the front yard.  A double chocolate cake from Costco and vanilla ice cream.  Mac played with her friends, played in the dirt, and went to bed, dirty feet in all at 10:30.  She didn't notice that the napkins and the plates didn't match.  She didn't notice that the cake came in a plastic container.  She was too busy eating cake.  

  This is Miss Mac party bound.  Her shirt was bought at a craft fair, and her tutu is from Gymboree.  Her flippies are from Target.  I know right.  Oh and her moves are all her own.  She's pretty much owning three.  

 

Scenes from Mac's party.  Peppa Pig printables by this girl on Etsy.  Let me tell you she is amazing, and has Peppa Pig invitations!  She included cupcake wrappers and punch out circles with this kit.  Mommy knew that cupcakes and picks were way outta her time limit, so I didn't use them, but they were part of the party package.  Also she can customize the printable packs for you, and they don't break the bank.  Check her out!  Also the Peppa figurine is from Amazon.  

Mac really, really, really, wanted a Peppa Pig birthday.  We watch Peppa Pig on loop since I had the brilliant idea to DVR about 13 episodes.  We are a Peppa Pig family, since it's not unusual to find us using British accents!

 

 

This beautiful chocolate, chocolate cake is from Costco.  I added my own Peppa Pig as previously stated.  Here's the thing, I debated whether or not to make a cake like I did last year.  Or to make cupcakes, or to ask someone to make cupcakes.  Then I thought, why, when I can just buy one and add to it, or not.  Why put so much pressure on myself.  So I decided to screw homemade, and order this damn cake.  That everyone loved by the way.  No harm no foul, and we are on our way to ordering one for Caitlin's birthday in June!

 

We also held Mac's party at The Jungle Party House in our local Mall (we have two in this area and this is the smaller one).  It has an art area, a jungle gym, a bounce house, karaoke and dress up for the kids, and a pool table, air hockey table, an Wii, for the adults.  It was the best decision I have made when it comes to birthday parties.  I was cool (considering yesterday hit 90 degrees), it was clean, and I came home to a house that was still clean with no clean up.  I mean really, is there anything better?

 

 

Mac working on some serious birthday party art.

 

 

The hubbs took this picture right after we sang Happy Birthday.

She doesn't really like that, and she refused to blow out her candles!

 

 

However she didn't refuse any cake or ice cream.

I tried to get a smile out of her, this was the closest I got!

 

 

This my friends is the after party.

Because turning three is really hard.

I'm exhausted too, can you tell?

 

 

So once again in the spirit of some of my favorite bloggers (Chelsea, Summer), forgoing the usual Perfectly Pinterest birthday isn't a mommy fail, it's actually a mommy win.  I was less stressed.  I enjoyed myself so much more.  I had a great time, and didn't have to stay up the night before decorating ladybug cupcakes, and a ladybug cake (true story).  I didn't spend three weeks making a tank top dress, or hair bows, or pom poms, I didn't wake up at 5 in the morning to ensure that the pasta salad and sandwiches would be ready in time for the party.  I bought a store bought cake, some printables, and ordered sandwich trays.  I feel I out Pinterested any party.

 

Because a store bought cake does not a bad mother make.

 

Or so I keep telling myself.