when you're pleased to discover you're raising a good winner AND a good loser

You always have to wonder what is going through your kid's heads when they compete. We have a kid in a competitive sport. We learned that Illinois has a high amount of competitive gymnastics teams, almost more so than any other state! Due to this, we try to stay neutral on winning and losing. We try to remind her to simply try her best and we are proud no matter what.

Last week was our week for nationals. She went in with a big smile and a positive attitude. We reminded her to try hard, do her best and listen to her coaches. We said she will do great. We said we are proud no matter what. 

Well... this kid went out and KILLED IT on the first two events! I mean, trophies and cheers and all the things. It was amazing to witness. She was in her zone. We whooped and hollered and gave hugs and cheers all around. 

Event 3 and was good, but not the best. I hesitated to start the conversation, but she knew. She flat out said the warm-ups didn't feel right and that threw her off. She said she didn't do great. When the total scores came out she began jumping up and down saying, "I'm not last! You guys, I'm not last!" I was waiting for tears or frustration, but nope. Again, this kid continues to amaze us. She accepted that the routine didn't go great and was more excited that she placed at all. She's my "glass half full" kid.

Event 4 should've been a landslide. Unfortunately, it didn't go that way and she knew it. You could see it on her face. I wanted to run out there and give her a big hug, but we had to wait for her to come back to us. When she came back she was able to tell us where she made the mistake that resulted in her lower score. She patiently waited for the overall scores and rankings. She ended up POINT TWO POINTS from getting a medal. Point 2!!! She just kept saying, "Point 2!?!" 

All in all, it was a great week. She smiled and accepted her trophies. Then she smiled and accepted her ribbons. She thought through each routine to identify successes and mistakes. She wants to continue and is ready to head back to the gym.

After all this, I don't have to fear the tearful hysterics or the excessive gloating. We can handle the good and the bad news. We smile and nod graciously. We reflect. We smile and shake hands. We can do this!

dollar tree has all the fun!

I can't even remember how long we have had this little easel. I DO remember it was a random trip to Dollar Tree to grab seasonal items, snacks, fillers, or whatever. She wanted a tiny easel for her room to change out when she changes out her room decor for each season or holiday. Done. $1 for something cute and easy that we can enjoy together!

The chalkboard markers were on sale during a yarn run at Michael's, so this little easel really was a cheap and easy way to keep her entertained. This summer she wanted to try to draw fruit. I must say that for someone drawing freehand on a tiny chalkboard, she nailed it! I grabbed a skewer stick and got it wet so we could wipe away some of the color for details. It turned out better than expected. 

I even googled fruity summer sayings until we found one she liked. Here is to hoping for a sweet summer time! It has arrived! This year it is especially well deserved and exciting because we have fun plans all summer long. We hope everyone has a sweet summer time while school is out!

it's time for blue skies and sunshine

It is that time of year! I can see clear blue skies and beautiful blue waters in my immediate future! After the world's weirdest winter and a lot of fake spring time, I think we have finally hit the real deal. And let me say, it is about time! There are so many options for all the fun we are about to have.

Before fun, though, we have to play it practically. Two kinds of sunscreen have been purchased. Two kinds of bug spray have been purchased. We have already been sunburned, wind burned, and there has been ONE tick found and it's still only April. It can't all be fun and games, but I spent enough money on safety precautions so we can make summer as fun as possible. 

Life jackets will be required this summer on all activity lakes, activity ponds, and kayaks. Even though are kids are old enough now, you just never know and we want to play it safe and not sorry. There was some grumbling, but if you can't legally vote, then you don't get a family vote. Safety first! No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Fingers crossed that we make it safely to summer break without incident. We are so close! And then it's fun time! Here's to a summer full of fun, minimal sunburns, maximum water safety, NO ticks and loads of memories. This summer is simply about maxing, relaxing and making those memories before these kids get too old to want to have fun with their mamas 😀

kids are kids regardless of age (and regardless of what they say)

My daughter and her friend are these big cool teenagers now, but I see through it. As soon as we invited one of the little besties over, I asked what they wanted for lunch. Go figure. Macaroni and cheese with chicken nuggets. And, of course, Takis (gag). 

My kid wanted to make her friend lunch and I am down for that! However, she needed to show off her new vanity. Then they played with the dog. Then they did ALL the skin care (thanks YouTube for that unnecessary trend!). While they girled, I made the quickest, easiest lunch and even chopped up an apple so the lunch wouldn't be processed food with a side of red dye 40. We got a few Christmas platters with 4 dividers last holiday season, so I put their food into the divider plates. 

As soon as the girls sat down, there were ooohhhs and aaahhhs over the Christmas trays. It's the little things that count you guys! I make easy lunch and put it in cute platters instead of on a plate. They went bonkers over the cuteness. I got loads of thank you's and we were going to eat anyways! 

Don't let the term "teenager" fool you when you walk into this house. Yes, there are more products in her room than in Sephora. Yes, her floor is covered in clothes and who knows what. Yes, she talks to her Alexa each night like a goofball. BUT, chicken nuggets and their presentation will always go far with her just like they did when she was 3, 5, and also 7. 

Easter with a teenager ...

Back in the day, these holidays were a bit simpler! In our world, Jesus is the reason for the season. You dress up, go to church, and get a basket with some yummies and trinkets and call it good. Then commercialism hit. Pinterest hit. The Target dollar spot hit. It started looking a little different.

In the past 5 years, the Easter basket has been centered around summer fun: new swimsuit, goggles, seeds for the yard, cute planter/garden stuff for girls, and a little candy since this kid doesn't have a huge sweet tooth. But now? What does one do for a teenager who doesn't believe in the magic, but believes in the reason for the season? Bye bye seeds and gardening gloves. Bye bye bubbles and sidewalk chalk. Bye bye slime and goo.

Hit up your favorite small town store for all the inspo! We love Ric Rac Embellishments & Gifts. It is the cutest little store in downtown Rockton. You can wander through in any season to find something cute to take home. We were in there for a quick mother-daughter day to see the spring fun. These purses were IT for my kid. She was practically drooling. 

One Daisy purse, some fuzzy slippers, and fresh linen spray for her bedding and there you have it. A mature, yet girly, Easter basket. We upgraded jelly beans for sour patch kids, chocolate bunnies for Lindor chocolate, and slime for make up remover wipes. I now have a teenager 😪 It is okay. I will be fine. I just have something in my eye... 😉