Love Thy Neighbor: A Lesson in Serving

This week has been one for the record books. It has been a long six days since the historic flooding in our community began. What was supposed to be my daughter's first day of school turned into the beginning of a frightening event taking lives and leaving utter devastation in our area. Water though receded in most areas, still threatens friends we know. During our "quarantine" constant questions from our preschooler about when she could return to school and why so many houses are under water and what is that loud noise (helicopters) that has become all too frequent.  What is most definitely a tragedy, has also become an opportunity to teach about acts of kindness and sacrifice. The many acts of heroism and selflessness are much needed reminders of "love thy neighbor" mentality so often absent in our society. These are the lessons I wish to instill in my children instead of sheltering them from the reality of what is going on. 

We have been blessed that our neighborhood looks like a regular rainy day with the exception of more cars at homes housing loved ones who were not so fortunate.  While anxious to pitch in helping friends and co-workers clean up the devastating aftermath, I find my self home bound entertaining my two little girls.  Due to travel restrictions I have only been able to show my daughters that even small acts like donating diapers and food to shelter victims is important. While I wish I could provide more assistance, I also understand that there are times when providing love and protection to my own family is enough. So while my husband has returned to work and helping in our community  my most important job is teaching my children how to pray, have faith and be ready and willing to help as opportunities present themselves. Our community has seen an outpouring of love and support.  Those who have lost their homes and cars remain full of hope and are ready to rebuild. So instead of feeling frustrated and stuck at home I will continue to teach my children how to help and support others in times of need. Our area will rebuild and will regain more strength working together supporting each other.  It's hard to describe everything we have seen and experienced but we count our blessings that we avoided any flooding and are in a position to assist our friends. 

40,000+: Homes damaged

6,900,000,000,000: Gallons of rain in 1 week

31.39: Inches of rain in one day

20,000+: People rescued

500 years: Expected frequency of a flood of this magnitude

12: Parishes declared as disaster areas

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has established a flood relief fund. To donate, visit braf.org/louisiana-flood-relief, which also provides links for donating to employee assistance funds of several companies.

Every picture tells a story!

Yesterday I had the honor of taking Baby K's photo for her first birthday.  Now I am by no means a professional photographer, I am just your average do-it-yourself kind of girl learning how to shoot in manual. So when asked by our good friends to take pictures for their daughter's first birthday I was nervous but excited to be part of such a special day.  

So with a well-rested subject and the backdrops and props all set up we set off to shoot the "perfect" birthday pictures.  All that was left was a few outfit changes to capture that first birthday smile and excitement. Well, capturing those picturesque moments took on a whole new meaning when we were chasing around an almost one-year-old between four different outfit changes, snack time, and balloons. My preschooler was even helping chase around Baby K to try to put her bow back on.  Try to get an on-the-move 12-month-old to sit still in a chair and smile in a couple of shots. 

393 pictures later we did capture the smiles, giggles, and even a few tears.  Some of my favorite shots were the ones that were not staged but the in between running around shots. 

Oh, the adventures of capturing that "perfect" shot was so much fun and I can not wait to do it again in a few months for my little one's first birthday. Happy Birthday, K! Now I'm off to finish up the smash cake for tomorrow!

A New Kind of Clean!

Why I love my Dyson!

Let’s be honest, I would much rather be spending my time elsewhere, but cleaning has to be part of my regular routine. Between chasing my now 8 month-old around and helping my preschooler play dress up, the house still needs cleaning. This summer I really started to try to simplify our home and create more manageable routines. In doing so decided I needed a new vacuum cleaner because ours was losing its oomph. So I researched which option would fit into my now simplified, hurried routine and I found the Dyson Cinetic Animal Canister Vacuum!

I have only owned upright vacuums previously some with bags (Oreck) and some without (Hoover) and nothing has compared to this cleaning machine. Upon opening the box it was as easy as “1,2,3” clicking all the parts into place and then I was on my way. It was so light and easy and the body just rolled along behind. The power and versatility make this the best household vacuum I have ever owned, hands down.  I have never had so much fun cleaning!

10 reasons this is the best vacuum I have ever owned:

1.       Powerful suction. Patented Radial Root Cyclone technology ensures no suction loss. This vacuum has power and it picks up everything!

2.    Hygienic bin emptying. To empty the dirt into the trash is easy, you just push a button. There is not getting your hands dirty.

3.    Ball™ technology. Turns on the spot and follows you effortlessly around the home, without the awkward moves.

4.    Attachments galore. There are a number of different cleaning attachments that help you tackle the whole house floor to ceiling. My favorite attachments are the dusting tools!

5.    Nothing extra needed. Nearly all other vacuum cleaners are made needing replacement filters or bags—which obviously cost more money. Dyson vacuum cleaners do not need either! So while the initial cost may be high future repair or placement bills will not be.

6.    HEPA filtration, it expels clean air. As a mom with awful allergies and kids with allergies, I’m very thankful for this feature. The Dyson’s post-motor filter expels air that’s cleaner than the air you breathe. It captures allergens removing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. 

7.    Removes dirt and dust from every floor. The only turbine tool with a brush bar controlled at the handle. No bending down required to adjust the suction just roll on to different surfaces.

8.     Retractable cord. Need I say more? With one button the cord easily retracts back into the body of the canister with no winding needed.

9.    Simply easy. With a simple click, you can change out the accessories and even remove the brush head with a snap, click done.

10.   Easy reach. The arm can reach under tables and beds without having to switch to an attachment like a standup vacuum would have to. This saves me so much time when having to vacuum around and under the kid’s tables and toys.

I know your question – is it worth the price? Now that I own a Dyson, I can say that the answer is positively YES. This is better than any vacuum I’ve ever had by a long shot!

---Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and I did not receive any products in exchange for my review. ---

We had a ball and made a splash!

Well, we ended our summer vacation with a splash and had a ball at cousin's birthday party. The beach ball sugar cookies were a hit at the party and while they were not the best I got back on the decorating train and love it.  I was even able to attempt to document the cookie making process with the extra sets of hand helping with the kids. 

Roll Out Sugar Cookies

With an electric mixer, cream butter (room temp) and sugar for about 5 minutes on medium speed with the paddle attachment. Beat in eggs just until combined. I usually do not have the time to wait for room temp. unless I am planning ahead and let's be honest with two kids running around I have to use nap time wisely. So my handy dandy hand grater is the perfect weapon for getting the butter ready to mix. 

Add salt, vanilla and almond extract mixing for about 10 seconds on low.

Add in flour and mix until dough is pulling away  from the sides of the bowl. In humid weather add up to 1/4 cup more flour if needed.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes. 

Remove dough from the fridge and preheat oven to 325 degrees.

To roll out, put the dough on top of parchment paper in between two 1/4" wooden dowels. Then roll out with a roller and cut desired shapes.

Put shapes onto a greased cookie sheet and put in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on a cooling rack.

Decorate with royal icing!

Roll Out Sugar Cookies

Yield approximately 20-25 medium sized cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 c. butter (at room temp)
• 2 c. sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 5 1/2 c. all purpose flour

Instructions:

1. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar for about 5 minutes on medium speed with the paddle attachment. Beat in eggs just until combined.
2. Add salt, vanilla and almond extract mixing for about 10 seconds on low.
3. Add in flour and mix until dough is pulling away from the sides of the bowl. In humid weather add up to 1/4 cup more flour if needed.
4. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes. 
5. Remove dough from the fridge and preheat oven to 325 degrees.
6. To roll out, put the dough on top of parchment paper in between two 1/4" wooden dowels. Then roll out with a roller and cut desired shapes.
7. Put shapes onto a greased cookie sheet and put in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on a cooling rack.
9. Decorate!

Mayhem + Momcation booked!

When does mommy get to eat? Can mommy get quiet time? Please give me 5 minutes with no crying!

Tonight was a circus act trying to get the kids fed and clean while fans are being installed at the cousin’s house. Yes, we are still on vacation - day 9 to be exact - and there is still chaos everywhere we go. Between the crying and screaming, I can’t even get through the baby proofing and into the pantry for a chocolate fix to heal my pounding head. Help me now!! 

Now, I love getting the kids together. Especially since all of our family is out of state. We take every chance we can to get the cousins together.  Nevertheless, I feel like I am being filmed for the "Bad Moms" movie and I am waiting or the cameras to appear. I have to say I cannot wait for the movie to come out, to get some sense that the commotion surrounding me is normal for a mom.

On another note, we did book our trip to Punta Cana in 2017. The count down is on, 11 months 'til paradise! Momcation was booked faster than it takes to change a dirty diaper. No kids, no crying, and no schedules. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a mom and I love my kids but sometimes a momcation is necessary and there is no guilt here.  I can't wait to actually have time to get ready and enjoy dinner without a child needing me the minute I try to put food in my mouth... now that is the dream. So, as I wrap up this last week of summer and last week of vacation, I relish these crazy moments and remember that even in the midst of my momcation bliss I will miss the moments of mayhem that are my kids (but only for a moment).

PreK/Kindergarten Flip Cards

PDF Flip Cards

Follow the link for your free flip cards. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 

Are we there yet? (Traveling with kids)

Are we there yet? (Traveling with kids)

This has been a very eventful summer which means lots of traveling. Today just topped it off with the "Are we there yet?" 20 minutes into our 5+ hour drive. After the explanation, I then heard "I need to use the potty." Of course, it is in a stretch of nowhere where there are no options for stopping. We finally resolved the bathroom issue and then continued on our way and my must have traveling tips saved the day. These 3 items are a must for traveling with kids and making my trip without the husband possible. We have tried a number of different entertainment options and things to make traveling with kids a breeze and these are my absolute must haves.

1. Magformers

These magnets with a dollar store cake pan are the best interactive backseat toy for my preschooler. Just flip and build. All of the pieces stay in the pan while she builds and she just reaches below to grab more. The best part is the easy clean up and storage. She can build and entertain herself for longer than the many other options I have tried.

2. Look and Find Books (our favorite is Frozen but there are lots of different options out there)

This one is great on its own and also introduces the idea of playing the look and find game outside of the car when they start getting older. My preschooler loves books and today this one helped me when she was getting restless and we played countdown look and find to find the mile markers 1-10 counting down the miles to the state line. She instantly became excited and distracted from her initial tireless disposition.

3.  Individual wrapped toilet seat covers  

This is always in my car and diaper bag because when a kid has to go they have to go. I never know where we might be and the oversized cover allows my child to sit comfortably and protected. I like the individually wrapped ones since they are easier to grab and go. Amazon has many different options and different size but my go to are the Potty Shields XL.

Now that we have arrived and with limited meltdowns it's time for some rest and relaxation.  Who am I kidding same chaos different location and I wouldn’t have it any other way.