...TACKLING AFTER SCHOOL ROUTINES AND HOMEWORK

I'm a bit of an overzealous mom, I'm not ashamed to say (well maybe a little ashamed) so I've been giving munchkin "homework" for a little while now. In my mind - to balance out the "screen time" guilt and make sure she was "in the know" and on track from a learning perspective. (I LOVE these Kumon and BrainQuest books).  But this year - 1st Grade is the first year she's had actual homework from school. So as we are getting into the routine of carpool and after school activities, I've found it helpful to get some organization around our new REAL homework.

Side thought: I am still a little new at this mama thing, still having a lot of firsts, so sometimes I have these surreal moments like, "Wow, I am REALLY somebodies mama and helping this little person with their homework?!! CRAZY?

But I digress. I wanted to share what we were doing around here as it relates to after school routines and homework in case it was helpful to you...

In an effort to stay sane and not run around like a crazy person when we get home, we try very hard to do something like this:

10 mins     Unpacking backpacks and waterbottles and such

We spend some time getting every thing out of the car. Otherwise it continues to look like I am planning on driving cross country and have packed all the necessary items. So out come the backpacks and sweaters and shoes and books and toys that seem to make their way into the car every day. 

20 mins     PBS Kids/Snack Time

I do like to make sure she has a little time to unwind from the day before we jump in to tackling homework if possible. It keeps the eye rolling (from both sides) to a minimum.

15-20 mins     Homework/Dinner Prep

The teachers are very organized with homework and thankfully munchkin is pretty well self directed. I read over the instructions with her to make sure she understands and then step in the kitchen to start preparing dinner, popping over to answer any questions she might have.

15 mins     Chores

For the six year old consists of putting away the silverware. Hopefully at some point in the day I have emptied the dishwasher.

15 mins     Violin Practice

Little h likes to sit next to his "sissy" with his toy Ukelele and practice. This cracks me up and gets on her nerves simultaneously. 

15 mins     Spend some time playing with little h 

In an attempt to foster a good relationship between those two who are 3.5 years apart, I try to force gently encourage them to hang out doing something they both like - reading, puzzles, sword fighting?

45 mins     Free Time

A couple times during the week we have after school activities in which case, "free time" is cut shorter. But this is the hang time before dinner.

Dinner

That little person in the back is watching Sesame Street, or Leap Frog Counting Circus, or something with letters and numbers (homework prep) don't judge me:-) 

Oh this little "homework" caddy makes things much easier at homework time too. Everything we need to do our homework in one space, so we aren't searching for glue and scissors and tape. I even stick these little Annies Homegrown Organic cookies as a little treat to make homework time a bit more enjoyable.

For us it helps to have a:

Designated space: A clean and clear dining room table works for us. I like to have her close so that I can get to her quickly with questions or help, and not too far away because she doesn't prefer to be off all alone.

Designated Time: Knowing what to expect when we get home helps to keep down on the frustration of ripping her away from playing and makes homework less of a dreaded activity.

Designated Tools: The 'Homework Caddy" is off limits for any other activities/crafts. That way its always stocked and ready to go.

Distractions for the little brother: A younger sibling can prove to have its share of distractions when trying to get homework done, So I try very hard to keep him occupied - we color when she's doing her homework, play the ukelele when she's doing violin and I try and have him "help" me in the kitchen when she's doing homework.

THIS IS SO EXHAUSTING.   So far its working out pretty good.

Any sanity saving tips you'd like to share are SO WELCOME HERE.

xxB

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HELLO SEPTEMBER - LOOKING FORWARD TO FALL

photo

I've got tons of these little guys still growing outside.. so I'm digging up recipes to try and make sure I don't waste a one. Ran across this photo and recipe which totally reminded me that FALL IS LOOMING and I"M SO EXCITED. It is definitely my favorite season. The prelude to so much fun...

We've been going to the same little church yard Pumpkin Patch for years… Maybe this year we'll do the corn maze, hay ride route?!

Now that school is underway, we are starting to get the munchkins together for {Giggle Girls} book club… We've got a new format and a new calendar and will be focusing on themes (adventure, friendship, travel...) this season. Now I need a book club of my own… Any local atlanta mom's (or ladies) down?

The State Fair! Going to the fair was so much fun for me as a kid - cotton candy, candied apples, and funnel cakes YES PLEASE. Hopefully I will have been able to buckle down long enough on this little healthy eating detox I'M GIVING MY BEST SHOT to splurge a little.

Oh and this chocolate chip banana bread.. I'm addicted:-(

I know it's not quite fall yet but,  It's SOOOO HOT OUTSIDE!!! I'm talking in the 90's every day.. So I'm pretty ready for some cool crisp air and even more ready to dive into fall porches, sweaters, and warm drinks.. and chili… yes please - the list goes on.

For more Fall Inspiration, here's what I'm drooling over, over on Pinterest.  Oh and find the recipe for these gorgeous heirloom tomatoes with parmesan crumbles here.

Is it just me, or are you looking forward to fall too?

xxB

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I have a confession to make. I have never had pumpkin pie. As a matter of fact. I dont think I've ever tasted a pumpkin or had pumpkin anything (maybe a pumpkin spice latte)?? I'm a sweet potato girl. From the South so I guess that's just how I was raised. Additionally, although we are going over to a friends for Thanksgiving, I am insisting on making an entire Thanksgiving Feast. I prepped everything yesterday and am ready to get this party started at 5:30 a.m. Oddly, I'm kinda excited about it. I guess that's just how I was raised too. So I'll be basting, and baking, and roasting today and thinking of my family back home and my little family here in Atlanta... and how THANKFUL I am for really just everything.  

Munchkin got her first "report card" and her marks were stellar. Yes I'm bragging:-/ You would have thought I was opening her SAT scores, I was so nervous, HA! As a reward for being such a good student, and listener at school, H is taking her and a couple of her chums to see Disneys' FROZEN and have some frozen treats next door at the Johnny Rockets:-)

H is doing SO WELL at work. He's getting good marks too:-) and I am SUPER proud of him:-) I wonder what type of reward I should give him?

And this little h. Such a handful, and I mean it. Boys are something different. You can usually find me running behind him in various places around town. "Who's little boy is this?" I hear in the distance as I catch up out of breath and round the corner. I thank GOD for his active, inquisitive, terrible, terrificness.

We are all healthy. Not too many sniffles and fevers and such. I know that sounds trivial, when there are people fighting so  much more. But for now, and for us, we are well. Which reminds me to pray for healing for everyone who needs it.

I am continuing to make this house our home. Little by little, I am transforming every little nook and cranny and making our mark on our special place.

I LOVE this pic of me and the munchkin. Can I say that??!! Part of some family photos a friend took of us a a couple of weeks ago.  I think she has my cheeks but thats about it:-) I'm certain I gave birth to her though. 20 years from now it will be classic right?

Last year, my family came to town and we were doing this and this (quick and easy place cards)!! And this year we'll be nibbling and watching the Macy's Parade and then heading over to spend time being thankful for GOOD FRIENDS.

The babes are up, coffee in hand... Let the Games Begin!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Come and see what we are up to over on Instagram and such.. I'd love to see what you are up to too!!

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P.S. A very special birthday wish to my Me-Ma whom I miss very much and cant wait to see at Christmas!

Me Ma's are the bestest!

The Weekend in SIX PIX

I hope you had an amazing weekend and an even better Fathers Day!

I headed home to Jacksonville, FL to hang with friends and family. Its funny that even though I'v been living in Atlanta for 10 years now, I still consider Jax my home.  Well, we celebrated one of my oldest and dearest friends impending nuptials and got to spend some time with the Grand Daddy (yes, thats what I said.. I'm from the South:-)

Here are some of my favorite moments from the weekend:

picking peaches from grand daddys garden

a beautiful bridal shower for my bestie (on the right) with my favorite cousin

these delicious red velvet cupcakes (with a little added bling by bailey blue events).

checking out the new Super Man Movie (A surprise fathers day gift) with hubs.

road trippin' with my man of steel:-)

winding down with Papa Bear from a whirlwind trip.

Photo Credits: me and my instagram feed.

What was your favorite part of this Fathers Day weekend? 


I'd love to see for myself! Please leave your facebook, instagram link in comments.

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I really hope you Have an AWESOME week!

Mommy Chronicles {PTO}

In the garage this morning just as I was about to get in the car the munchkin exclaimed, "I have a headache, can you buckle me in." And I lost it!

My reply: "IM NOT FEELING WELL EITHER!!! WHOSE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF MOMMY???!!!!!" Ooopsie.

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In my defense - I've been under the weather for about a week now. Is it me or do I talk about coughs (and poo) in every post? The winter months tend to wreak havoc on my house full of asthmatics... And we pass it around like we are running a relay.

So yes, being a stay at home mom has its perks. I love these little people like nobodies business and making them happy and healthy (and smart, and brave, and talented...) is my life's work. but I'm just saying.. Can I get a sick day?

One where I can get some tea and some noodles and stay in bed and watch movies (and blog) and all the magic still happens (i.e. everyone gets fed, and where they need to go, and the house does not look like the Tazmanian Devil dropped by)...

But I digress...

Back to my story.. So after I counted to 7 (nope I dont even get 10 seconds to myself).. And took a few deep breaths. I walked around to her side of the car. Clicked her seatbelt. And looked into her eyes and said (in my regular voice),"remember, mommy isn't feeling very well, so I'm going to need you to cut me some slack and help mommy today. I should not have yelled. That is not the way we talk to each other. I love you very much." Tears were dried (mine not hers) and we jammed to Beyonce .... Err French lessons on the way to preschool.

I hate it when I lose my temper with the kids.. But sometimes to say a few cuss' words you just need a minute.

How do you handle being under the weather and Magical Mom at the same time?

xx,
Bunnie

Just a Mom? + A Valentine Play Date

I must admit I have been pretty mad at this person for blogging like everyday (and with a newborn no less) I mean how in the hell?! This person literally just screamed at me for 2.5 hours straight . All the while I was trying so hard to remember to be grateful and start the day with LOVE!!! 

Not happening. 

I even read a few more chapters of The Secret last night before bed, determined to have an amazing and productive day. Instead, Mostly this morning, I cried in the closet and wondered if it was too early to start spanking my almost 10 month old (it is and I did not). But truly, it would help if I had just one predictable hour during the day. 

Dear God, Dear Michelle Obama, Dear Oprah, Dear Lesley - Please help me. My worst fear in life now is being "Just a Mom." Although I left my MBA having, well paying corporate gig to do just that. Its just that everyday I feel that urge, the tugging, the whisper to do and be more. For myself, my family. To be successful. By who's standard Is what I'm still working out.

Okay so back to Lesley. Whom I think is an awesome amazing person. I LOVE, LOVE her blog and she is actually the one who inspired me way back when (the munchkin was born) to blog about my little family. So obviously I want to be just like this chic (and this one, oh and this one) when I grow up. And I will.

I wrote this entire post while baby boy was strapped to my chest in the Ergo (maybe that's the ticket?). And now that its 8:27 am and he has finally fallen asleep. I think I'll start over with a (quick) cup of tea (A Chai Latte is my favorite). Somehow I managed to get dressed, make breakfast and lunch and get munchkin ready for school (yes, patting myself in the back) in between crying fits (mine not his). So it seems today's post over on Lesley's blog was right on time:-)

Whew!!

So in an effort to rejigger todays frequency and focus on the things that I am grateful (to God) for. I wanted to post these lovely pics from this play date turned sweet little Valentines Day celebration.

As a party planner I usually have plenty in my arsenal to throw an impromptu soiree.  We had cupcakes and decorated tea mugs and also made sweet little felt barrettes with a hair clip and my trusty hot glue gun.  Munchkin also made valentine friendship bracelets for her pals.

How will you be celebrating V Day?

xx,

Bunnie

P.S. Many, Many thanks to one of my favorite people for taking that little rascal off my hands for a bit this morning. You SAVED MY LIFE (and his).

holiday wrap up.

i know its over. tell that to the folks who still have their lights up. and are still turning them on every night.

at any rate, if we are not judging them.. i figured i'd be in the clear for being fashionably late with posting some pix from my favorite moments during this past holiday season..

my next post will be entitled, "happy new year"!

at our house, you get new pajamas on Christmas Eve. since my hubby gets a little obsessed with Christmas themed movies (especially A Christmas Story) these flannel pantalones were the perfect gift.  The munchkin helped to pick them out.

ah. couldnt wait for this reaction.. she had been asking for a back pack like one of her school pals, so we surprised her with this.. she doesnt leave home with out it.

check it out!!!

we even got a little snow.. but we dont need that to start a fire.. if its below fifty and we have wood in stock..its all good:-)

something to eat, something to read, something to wear, and something you need. and small enough to fit in these stockings..

Pop Pop and munchkin..and his new Notre Dame sweatshirt thanks to Daddy.

I made two sweet potatoe pies, which turned out quite well I might say.. I gained 7 pounds over the holidays.. may have something to do with eating pie for breakfast every day?

since i have to drag the munchkin out of the playground sand box kicking and screaming everyday we thought this might lure her home..

one of my most favorite things is checking the mailbox for Christmas cards.. my mother in law asked why all the cards looked the same.. i think Tiny Prints is probably pulling through this recession just fine:-) they do have REALLY cute stuff.

this year, in lieu of our annual holiday party we opted to do a kid friendly after Christmas brunch the day after Christmas..

visiting and relaxing with family are the icing on the cake during this special time of year.. it's definitely a reminder of what's most important in this life.

hope your holidays were super special...

so proud..

 trying to think of a way to express these feelings without writing a novel.. or bursting into tears.. or getting way too homesick..

what i really want to say is how absolutely proud i am to be born into a family that sticks together like glue and continues to show me the woman i someday hope to be...

my grandmother, who is the strongest, bravest, spunkiest, person i know gave us a little surprise recently which caused us all to stop what we were doing and wherever we were, pack up to be by her side. there is no place i'd rather be.

she taught us how infinitely important FAMILY is. And how important having a relationship with GOD is . 

She planted a seed in her children that grew so deep and strong in my mother that she has since been called to teach and preach his Gospel. my mother is also, the strongest, bravest, and most selfless person i know..

their lights shine so bright. i would follow them anywhere..

we love weekends!!!

one of these days i'm going to figure out how to attend church on sundays regularly again.. it's been just a tad hard to do with a toddler. we've tried it a couple of times and pretty much get dressed to sit in church and entertain the munchkin until its time to go. mom says take her to the nursery at the church.. maybe if they had video cams streaming live to my cell phone.. in the mean time.. we've been resting on the Sabbath day (to keep it Holy:-) and spending much family time.. we did get out for a bit for some ice cream before the storm.. but before we had a little of this:

 and did a little of this:

 however the highlight of the weekend was celebrating the hubby's birthday.. we had a few friends over and made the most delicious little turkey and beef sliders... with the hubby's favorite brews and GiGi's famous Sangria.. it made for the perfect Saturday.. thanks to all who weathered the storm to help us celebrate.. 

 munchkin made daddy this:

and got him this super cute classic trench to weather those days on campus. 

i got him to do a little modeling for me.. he's such a natural:-)

happy birthday bubby!!!

happy belated..

i'm not sure where to go with this but before the moment is gone i thought i'd post some of my favorite pics from my birthday... it got a little lost in the shuffle with an impromptu 3:00 a.m. emergency room visit. but not to worry all is well now thanks to the good Lord and an albuterol inhaler:-(

at any rate.. why didnt any one tell me that saba wasnt anything special.. i mean i wasnt looking for linen table cloths but it was kinda like mcdonalds with pasta... oh well.. these were the highlights..

 

my two favorite people can make any place seem 5 star:-)

so to kick the weekend off some very lovely ladies took me to see sex adn the city 2  (which i LOVED!!)followed by a night of grooving to eighties tunes at east atlanta loung.. way too much fun!

one of my dearest, affectionately known as "lee-lee"  graced us with her presence and even spent some time digging and planting with the little munchkin!!

and then there was barbeque.. well sort of.. hubby grilled the best wings ever..and we topped them off with cupcakes and all the fixin's :-)

everyone even came in thier own rendition pearls and khakis..

 

another of my favorite people paid me a surprise birthday visit all the way from columbia.. yay!!

is that blackie-o?

  

  

 

supa sexy!

 and there you have it.. another year older and wiser (hopefully)..