Back To School For Hubs {a story on how mama deals!}

Three weeks ago, the Hubs started going to school again. On top of his full time job,he is now in school Tuesday and Thursday nights, along with every other Saturday, ALL DAY. Talk about putting a kink in our family dynamics. My kiddos are so super sweet, but they are rough. So by the end of the day, Daddy comes home from work, and I get to escape to the grocery store, fabric store, dinner, or whatever for a little break. Not so much anymore. On school days, Hubs gets home and his schedule is a little like this:

 

Say "hi" to the fam

Shower

Take 5 minutes deciding on dinner (if I haven't already made his decision for him)

Eat

Say "good night" to the fam

Go to school

 

 

There is very little room for a break for mama in there. But I know deep down, school is only for 8 months. I can deal for 8 months right? {haha maybe...} But with Hubs back in school, it makes me miss the days of new notebooks, lectures, and classes. If I were going to go back to school, it would be a DU masters in business administration. I would love to get a business degree. It would be so useful in so many areas of life. Seriously, being a stay at home mom with a business degree... totally rad right? I would have the most beautifully organized expense charts, and money trackers. It would be pretty fun.

I am quite sure, until Hubs finishes school {oh, did I mention its to become a Sheriff???} I am just plain, not degree holding, crazed and dazed, and walking zombieish Mama. Some day I may go back to school, but for now, I am the wife of a man who works full time, goes to school part time, and is getting ready to have a career where he lays his life down everyday to make my little town safer for our babies. {major stud factor}

The super long days are hard. I am slowly learning to adjust to less "me" time, and more "mom" time. {Amen to all you single mamas out there, you all are incredible} I hope that once I get used to being alone more, I will start to craft more, and netflix and cheap wine will stop holding me hostage! Because, lets be honest, 4 hours alone after the kids go to bed... that's the perfect time to kick your feet up, catch up {and fall in love with} new shows, and have a pretty glass of wine.

Cheers to a wonderful Saturday, a day with my Hubs and the kiddos!

 

 

{This is a sponsored post for the University of Denver, however, all the
points and views are my own.}

School, School and More School!

I have a little school depression going on in this house. September rolls around, and I knew Brax would be heading back to school. Easy Peasy. Three days a week, 3 hours a day. Errand running time.
Mid summer, we realized there was a chance that Hubs would be starting school in the fall also. That was never really talked about, we just knew it was all part of the package. (More on the "package" later)
Then the mini-bombshell. Boden would be in school Mondays also. You see, Boden turned 2 in July. At his 2 year appt. I expressed my concerns, as he didn't talk very much. (We're talking 20 words max) Apparently I had expressed my concerns at his 18m appt also, which of course I cant remember 6 months ago! So, the Dr. said that we should get him an evaluation. Then, she said the word that up turned my family for 2 months. Autism. Its funny, how one little word can make your head turn to mush, and turn a totally together family, all wonky.
Autism.
Bo has some issues, which clearly are effecting his daily life, but really? Hes 2. No big deal right. So he doesn't talk, so he likes to line up his cars, and cans of soup. So what if he likes to be kind of repetitious. So what if he gets frustrated because he cant talk,and bangs his head, hits me, bites me, and tries to choke me out. So what right? Im the mom, I can fix it. By the way, hes 2. Isn't some of this normal?
I am certain that Boden understood everything that was going on in our family, after that doctors appointment. About 2 weeks later, he was using more words. He started repeating everything, and basically became my little parrot. I still was stressed out. What did I do wrong if they think my baby boy has Autism. My oldest is fine, in fact, he is so highly intelligent that I don't know what to do with him. (he is reading chapter books, and adding double digits at 4... Yeah, mommy brag moment) So, is Bo behind because I didn't have all the solo time with him that I did with Brax? Did I not read to him enough, did he learn about bad habits from watching Brother go through the "terrible Threes"? Because you know, as a mom, this is all my fault. It must be.
Well, after 2 evaluations, a failed attempt at a hearing test, and a parents meeting with the therapists, we came to the conclusion that Bo is behind in his social skills, and his communication skills. (Duh. Thanks for the heads up, guys??) Instead of going the route of speech and occupational therapies, they offered us a small "class" option. Mondays from 11- 12:45 Boden goes to "school" with 3 other little ones who are also behind. They have gross motor time, circle time, activity time, One on One time (there are 3 teachers in the classroom at all times) and the most important to Bo, outside time. He has started talking and expressing his needs with great improvement before school started last week, but even after only 2 classes, I can see a difference. There hasn't really been any further mention of the "A" word, but it is only a stigma if you make it one. My little guy is happy and healthy, and Autistic or not, I love the snot out of my little red headed monster.
So you can see that there is a lot of schooling going on in this household. My blog posts should begin to regulate as Hubs is gone 2 nights a week now. As long as I can get my boys to bed, its mommy time!!!


Sending Kids Back to School Healthy!

Ok, so we all know that when you walk into the classroom, its germ central. I am by no means a germophobe, but I really dont want to catch anything at preschool. There is always that kiddo that you look at and know, shouldnt be in school. Mom probably had all she could take, and needed to shower. (Isnt that what all of us moms do when our kids are at school?) But seriously, Moms (and Dads, too) lets try not to spread the same cold around the classroom for the next 9 months.

I am kind of on a rant, but really, there are sooo many simple things we can do to keep our kids healthy! First and Foremost: give your kids plenty of water! Yes, water. Not apple juice, not milk, not soda (yuck!) WATER. My cute boys ask for juice most of the time, so I might pour a splash in there, and add water. But my most favorite trick of all is to put water in a colored cup, so they cant tell its just plain old water, until they drink it! (Sneaky, sneaky!) Another fantastic idea is getting one of those water dispenser things. Nicolet Natural Artesian Water is one of those brands where you buy the big jugs that you can use to fill up your green water bottles. With the number of water bottles I go through, that might be cheaper!

Another thing you can do to keep your kids from passing their green nose around... dont feed them junk all the time. Your kids are hungry? Give them an apple to munch on, not a snickers bar. Lets be honest, yes, its much easier to unwrap something and hand it to your kiddo. But take the 3 minutes to walk your butt to the kitchen, and cut the apple up. America will thank you in the long run.

I am pretty lax as far as my kids washing their hands at home, but when we are out in public, Im the Nazi. I always carry hand sanitizer, and wet naps. Of course the good ol' fashion soap and water is the best, its not always the easiest. I love that at B's preschool they have an over abundance of sanitizer. I leave my "helper" days with dry hands, from over use of sanitizer. 

Lastly, if your adorable little child has a green and disgusting nose, a cough that hurts you to hear, or so much gunk coming out of their eyes that they can barely see, KEEP YOUR KIDS HOME!

 

As you can tell, school is fully back in at our house and we have the stuffy nose going 'round and round. I am soooo excited for flu season! ;)




*This is a sponsored post for Nicolet Natural Artesian Water, however,
all the points and views are my own.

Back to school Giveaway!

With school totally back in session for most of our kiddos now, I thought it was time for a fun little giveaway!

Brax is in preschool, M W F 8:45 to 11:15, so I am trying to run errands with Bo during those times. I have to have snacks handy, because there is no guarantee that Bo will have eaten breakfast by the time we take Brax to school. I just learned about the most awesome thing ever.... Shelf Safe Milk! {Seriously rad, for a family of dairy lovers}

I try to always have snacks handy, but that doesnt mean that I havent driven through the coffee stand just to get milk for my boys! This is seriously some exciting news for me.

 

After taking the quiz on my own, here is how our family ranked:

 



You are:

Your family is kept organized with the help of
a little friend we call technology. You’re always up to date with the latest time management apps that keep your family on schedule. Whether you’re Yelping a new place to grub or bidding on a hotel using Priceline... Apps, widgets, and wifi are your best friends. You’re always crunched for time but you and your kids love living the fast paced lifestyle. Fun is on your itinerary, and you’re looking to check it off!

 

 

 

So now for the fun part! I have a 4 pack to giveaway, for your snacks-on-the-go stash!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Schools Back In!!! {and so am I}

Apparently I needed a loooong blogging break. So I unintentionally stepped back from the computer, and went on Summer vacation. We didnt really do much, but it was a much needed family focus time!
I also took the time to read up on some blogging tips, and advice. Expect changes in the coming weeks, as things settle back into the school time schedule!

For now, here are some of our summer adventure pictures!

I got a little dab of new ink on my foot, so I now have pretty dashboard feet! :)

Bo on his first pair of roller skates!!!

There was only one pair of Lightning McQueen skates, so Brax graciously gave those to his brother, so that he could have Buzz Lightyear Blades!!

 

 

I cant wait to get back up and going. I have so much awesomeness planned, that I dont know what to do with myself! :)