Stay at home/school

Hey Mama’s how are y’all  hold’n up! 

I really wish I blogged everyday since the beginning of this pandemic because the waves of emotions and adjusting has been, ummmm sorta like a rollercoaster. 

We are on DAY 40!!! So let me recap for my blog records :)

This all started on the first day of the kids March break! I won’t lie, it was all pretty exciting in a weird way. Being lucky enough to work from home and keep our family inside and staying home.  The kids were up late, lots of movies and screen time and junk food as mommy and daddy were glued to the news with anxiety but smiling faces to keep everyone in as normal and fun state as possible. 

The news talked about the rise in cases and the extra precautions we all have to take. Articles and news stories about washing produce and wiping groceries, wearing masks and gloves when you are out. It got very overwhelming at times. I panicked about food in our fridge and if we had enough of there was a total lockdown.  I made list after list of things we needed. Thankfully we haven’t had a strict lockdown here in our province. 

Whatsapp chats with alll our groups of friends and families kept us super busy exchanging thoughts and support.

And now here we are day 40. 

I think we are on week 3 of the official roll out from our schools for homeschooling.  Something that is new for all of us.  Teachers working extra hard to provide their students with as much support as possible. Parents trying to juggle homeschooling, work, multiple kids and a household. The busiest kind of busy! 

All while keeping it together.  Every family dynamic is different and every family does things differently. What works for me, might not for you. These are not normal times and we all have to make the best of it. 

These are the things that work for us during this crazy time.  

We have a light schedule. It’s not a strict one either. If the kids need extra sleep then they get it. They are usually up for 9am anyway. 

We enjoy breakfast together, no rushing. Plus mama needs a full cup of coffee before we fully start our day ha! 

After breakfast we head over to our workspace. Getting the boys to pay attention when they want to play instead and giggle and distract each other is no easy task haha! Some days are easier than others. We just roll with it! 

While I try and help my grade 3 with math and English, I get my 4yo to practice tracing and coloring. Then I switch over to help my 4yo with reading and site words. 

We work on school stuff for about 2 hours in the morning. The amount of work the school sends is about 1 hour a day, but we usually take 2 hours.  They complete their lessons that their teachers send by 12pm each day. 

Then it’s a free for all! Haha. They get to play in the backyard, have lunch and snacks, figure out fun games to play, relax and watch movies. I also have my time to work on my project and do house work while they have fun playing. 

This is what is working for us. This is what keeps my kids happy and having fun at home and not feeling the stress of the outside world. 

We have open communication with them, and help them understand what the whole world is going through and the changes to society right now. We have donated to food banks and those in need and pray everyday for the world and those who lost their lives to this virus. 🙏🏻

I want them to remember this time as calming as possible. I want them to remember how we were all lucky to be home together for months with love. Staying home to keep us and others safe. FaceTiming and phone calls to stay connected to those we love.

We are making history right now and we all need to be as gentle with each other as possible. 

Here’s to another day at home :) flattening that curve! 

Growing with love and care.

This little plant was given to me on valentines day. Little k planted it at daycare.  I am not good with keeping plants alive :/ but I've been taking special care of this one. And It's growing so much! 

I bought a new vase for it, I even cut a little piece and re- planted, so we can grow another one!

;) happy weekend. 

A pat on the back, mom.

Whoa whoa whoa! How many ah ha moments until the big ah ha moment! Ha! 

I've been really soul searching lately and uncovering a lot of deep experiences that has made me who I am today. It's painful and tough to touch on some experiences of the past. But with looking within I'm uncovering a new me. An awareness of the old me and how I want the new me to be with a balance. 

Having a child really brings out a lot if different emotions. Ones that sneak up on you in different situations.  So I now know the meaning behind life learning. 

This little boy is my light. My everything.

Seeing him go off to daycare today waving, saying bye bye and blowing me a kiss just melted my heart!

Us moms don't give ourselves enough pats on the backs. We usually kick ourselves down when we think we've done something wrong. Let's face it, some days I feel like I've done everything wrong!

Today I gave myself a pat on the back. 

Seeing my little independent 23 month old say bye to me this morning with a smile and ready to take on his day with confidence, I know I did some things right :)

So moms! Let's pat ourselves on the back today for doing a great job! We ARE doing a great job! 

A year on hold... what goals?

I'm not sure if any other mom feels the same sometimes, but I feel like my life has been on hold since little one arrived. Of course now with my beautiful son in our lives things have changed, the first year especially takes your everything as you are taking care of this new little person, learning too and enjoying every moment. I always said that my little one comes first no matter what! But I do see that we need some balance. I read many blogs and I see the mom's that seem to have it all together and I think, how!!! Some days I feel stuck and there's so much to do that I do nothing at all ha!

Last night I was reading my blog profile and I didn't even recognize my own writing haha! I use to do that?... and that?.. oh ya! I totally forgot who I was before I became a mom! I want baby K to see that side of me too! Not just being his mommy part! :)

So here I am trying to find that balance! Getting back to my goals. Weight loss goals, travel goals, self improvement goals, family goals, dream goals! This is my blog... Growing towards a dream! And this year of learning to be a mom (which is life learning ha!) is all part of growing towards my dreams too!

My friend over at That Extra 20 Pounds blogged about the Happiness Project. So I decided to buy the book last night on my ipad :) and I can't wait to get started!

My goal this month is to start slowly with balancing all areas in my life.

How do you balance it all?

Baby smiles make my day

This morning I woke up feeling a little down. Questioning how I do everything with my baby boy. It was a "oh no! Am I doing things right!?" I started wondering if I'm under feeding or over feeding Baby K, should I be on more of schedule, should I play with him more or have more toys. When should I wean him from breast feeding, how long will it take me, when I give him milk should it be in a bottle or a sippy cup, should I offer him the pacifier only at night and not at all during the day. Do I hold him enough or maybe no enough... A million things in my head doubting myself, doubting everything I'm doing or want to do. What's right? what's wrong?

Then I look at my boy and he is smiling and happy and healthy and I know I'm doing something right. I'm doing what works for our family and that is right for us . I know some might find it weird that these things may stress a mom out, but they do. I want to make the best decisions for my baby boy, and I know I will make a lot of mistakes as a mom. But it's our job to think of what's best for our little ones and at times it can freak us out.

But a smiling baby is definitely reassurance that I'm on the right track.