DIY Lava Lamp

Cabin fever?  Yes, this is a constant problem in our house right now.  I do my best to keep them busy and occupied, but sometimes we just need to spice up our routine a bit. My favorite way to change things up is to do fun experiments with the kids. Not to mention, it's the most fun way to teach science when you unschool. My stepdaughter asked me the other day if I'd tried to make lava lamps with Alka-Seltzer. As a Pinterest addict, I couldn't believe I hadn't heard about this. So I looked it up and it looked super easy and super fun!

Today was a perfect day to try something new.  We already had all the supplies we needed, except the Alka-Seltzer. After a quick run to the store, we were good to go. I recommend you try this kooky experiment with your kiddos.

Supplies You Need-

empty plastic bottles (water bottles, pop bottles, etc)

water

vegetable oil (canola oil, olive oil, etc)

food coloring

Alka-Seltzer 

glitter or beads-optional

Directions-

1. Remove labels and wash empty plastic bottles

2. Fill bottle 1/3 full with water

3. Add 5-10 drops of food coloring, swirl to mix

4. Fill the rest of the bottle with oil, stopping an inch or two from the top

5. Take 6-8 Alka-Seltzer tablets and break them into smaller pieces

6. Add tablet pieces to the bottles and watch the reaction

 ***The reaction happens quickly and the tablet pieces are "used up" quickly

We decided just to put the lids back on the bottles and save it for another day when we want to try the experiment again. But the kids also had fun just shaking the bottles up and watching the oil and water swirl around and separate. I plan to do this experiment again adding glitter  and beads to one bottle and adding the liquid from a glow stick to one bottle. There are many different possibilities you could try out. I promise not only will the kids love it, but the parents will too! 

I hope you all enjoy this post and enjoy doing the experiment! Let me know in the comments how yours worked out and if you tried adding anything else to your lava lamps. Have a great day and make some kooky memories each and every day. 

Thank You For Washable Markers!!

When you spend all day with your kids, or even part of the day, you can't be attached to them at all times! Thank goodness.  We have to keep the house fairly clean and stay sane.  But then when we do leave them alone for a few minutes, it turns you into a very paranoid person. Listening closely for either screaming and fighting, or even worse...silence! Silence means they've found something to hold their attention and it's a 50/50 chance whether it's going to involve a big clean up for us parents!

Today my tired and cranky 3 year old asked for the markers to color. We've had plenty of talks, and by that I mean a lot of yelling by me, about not coloring on anything other than his coloring books. So I decided it was time to trust him and to be honest, I didn't want to hear his whining for the ninety-seventh time today. I admit it, we all of our weak moments where we just hope for the best.  I've had issues once or twice with him mistaking his skin for his coloring book. I think it's a right of passage for little kiddos to use markers all over themselves, pets or walls.

I finished the dishes, took a deep breath and headed out to the living room to check on him. But as I walked past the kids' room and heard evil giggles, my stomach clinched. And there stood my sweet, precious kiddos standing in front of the mirror. As I looked closer, I saw my son with a black marker, coloring all over his face. And right beside him was my daughter encouraging him and telling him where he should be coloring himself. What?!?!?!

I grabbed the marker and asked my daughter what was going on.  She said that it was his idea, like that made it ok. I asked why she didn't come and tell me or at least encourage him not to do it. Her response was, because it was funny. Ok, I had to give her that one. Honestly the more I looked at him, the harder it was not to laugh. I realized this wasn't the end of the world and it could've been the walls or the TV or the cat. And I remembered something else...they were washable markers! These days, most markers or paint say washable-but it's not always true.

I ran bath water, got him out of his clothes and tried not to "cry over spilled milk". My kids weren't hurt and didn't damage anything-so was it really that big of deal? When I asked him what he did, he looked so happy. And when he smiled, I realized he'd even colored his teeth, and I couldn't hold in my laughter any longer. After 20 minutes of playing in the bath and washing his face a few times-he was back to normal! Thank you Crayola for the washable coloring book markers and I praised myself for buying them, knowing that he would probably end up coloring himself at some point.

So I guess my point is that we have to pick and choose our battles. I told him not to do it again or he wouldn't get the markers anymore. As a mom who overreacts sometimes, it's easy to fall into that pattern. No, I don't want him to do it again-but I also had to remind myself that he's 3 and I'm the one who decided it was a good idea to do dishes while he had markers in another room. So no harm was done, everyone was safe and sound. Try to consider if it's really worth yelling or punishing the kids sometimes and just be thankful for washable markers!

Thanks for reading and I'd love it if you would follow my blog or follow me on social media. I hope you all have a great day and be kind to each other and yourself!!

Cheddar Bacon Pasta

Cheese makes everything better!! In my family, that's just a fact. And I'll admit I'm not the healthiest

eater. Pasta, cheese and bacon are three of my to five favorite foods.  Yummy, easy and cheesy-you can't go wrong!


Ingredients

1 pound pasta-cooked. I prefer rotini, but you could use any type

1/2 tsp garlic powder

4 tbsp. butter or margarine

3 tbsp. flour

2 c milk

2 1/2 c shredded Cheddar or Colby jack cheese

1 pound bacon-cooked and chopped

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

In a large saucepan, melt better over med heat. Add flour and whisk. Cook for 1 min. Slowly add milk while whisking. Continue to stir till it begins to thicken. Add garlic powder, salt and pepper. Now add 2 cups of shredded cheese and stir till all the cheese is melted and incorporated. Stir cooked, chopped and drained bacon into cheese sauce. In a separate large pan, cook rotini according to package directions. Drain, combine with cheese mixture till the pasta is completely covered. Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Pour cheesy pasta into dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 15 mins. Allow 5-10 mins  before serving. 

Hope you enjoy this easy, quick recipe! Follow my blog and keep an eye out for more recipes and articles. Please leave comments and I'd love it if you followed me on social media. Have a great day and be kind to yourselves and others. 

I Hope My Kids Believe In Magic!

We have established the fact that I am a proud nerd and geek, but I also have another side to me. My hippie, free spirited side still believes in magic! And I want my kids to believe also.

I know that sounds a little kooky, but that belief is also what inspires their imaginations. As our children "grow up" younger and faster these days, I want them to hold on to their innocence for as long as possible. I want them to believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. Not to use it as a tool to make them behave or to lord it over them as a threat. But to encourage that excitement and joy, not just for the holidays. I want them to look for magic in the world, each and every day.  

I want them to hold on to the hope that as we take a walk in the woods, they might catch sight of a fairy. Or maybe they'll spot a sprite fluttering around a quiet pond. But I also want them to see the magic in nature. The way flowers die each winter and then return even stronger each spring. How an octopus can change color, in the blink of an eye, in order to hide from danger. The feeling of awe and excitement and hope we feel when we see a sunset. A rainbow or the smell of rain. These are all things that we cherish and help us stay grounded when we're hurt. 

There is a scientific explanation for almost everything that happens in nature, but for some of us, it feels more like a type of magic. A type of appreciation that we tend to lose and take for granted as we get older. We get caught up in the chaos and frustration of everyday life. As a society, we grow more cynical day by day. I am a true believer in science of all of types and I am thankful for all the advances we've made. We shouldn't forget there is wonder in nature and isn't created by any human. 

This is a gift I want to pass on to my kids. I want them to value education and also value what happens, naturally, all around them. So yes I want my kiddos to believe in magical creatures and the spirit of magical characters. The excitement and happiness our kids feel during the holidays isn't just about the gifts they'll receive. It's the closeness of family and the joy in their hearts. What kids see in magic is a possibility of something amazing happening. Something that surprises them and doesn't happen every day. And I feel that the more they believe in those possibilities, the more they will look around to find those small surprises and truly appreciate them.

Thanks for reading and I'd love for you to follow this blog. You never what kooky things I'll decide to write about each day! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and please be kind to yourself and others!

Parenting During A Divorce

The biggest goal I have right now is trying not to scar my kids for life during our divorce! But exactly what's the best way to handle it?

Recently I heard a quote on a TV show and it hit home! "I wasn't a good wife, but I'm a good mom". I plan to stay a good mom. I can't claim that I've handled things perfectly up till now, but I intend to do better from now on. I know the basics. Don't fight in front of the kids. Don't talk bad, to your kids, about the other parent. Try to be a team when parenting.

Divorce is hard on everyone, and the kids are hurting too. They're probably scared and unsure about what will happen in the future. Take your kids' ages into account. My 3 year old doesn't really know what's happening, but even he has questions. But you also have to consider your child's personality when answering their questions. My 7 year old daughter understands more about what's happening, but she's extremely sensitive.  She's also very smart, observant and precocious.

Right now I'm focusing on trying to stick to our routine the best I can. Their dad works 60-70 hours a week, so they're used to him not being home a lot. But he comes over almost everyday to see them. They don't ask "where's daddy" too often though. What broke my heart the most was the first time my daughter said we weren't a family anymore. I explained that we're still a family, just the look of our family has changed.

Since my kiddos are with me basically 24/7 right now, I feel like I have to be the one dealing with the majority of their questions and sometimes that's frustrating. But I just remind myself to look at things from their point of view. And be honest, but not always brutally honest. They don't need to know too many details.  It's not their divorce.  What they need to know, more than anything else, is that you and your ex still love them more than anything!!

Right now, their dad and I, are co-parenting the best we can. But remember, if you had differences in parenting before the divorce-they will probably seem a lot more extreme now. But make sure you don't make the kids feel guilty for loving both of you equally. Your kids are not a competition! Give them your full attention and don't try to buy or demand their affection! Make sure they know you're there for them, no matter what happens and that you're there to support them the best you can.

In order to take care of your kids, you have to take care of yourself too! Physically, psychologically and emotionally. If you feel like you or your kids need extra help, get it! There's no shame in needing help. Whether it's for advice or someone to talk to or vent to. At the beginning, I admit, I felt like I was failing my kids. I felt like I was such a wreck and so scared, that I wasn't doing my best for my precious kiddos. But I tried to put on my strong, happy face and carry on like it was any other day. Sometimes I succeeded, other times not so much. But I always made sure I was there for them, any way they needed me to be. I tried to keep them occupied as much as I could. We did lots of crafts, projects and cooking together. It was good for all of us! It kept our minds occupied  and strengthened our bond.

Just do your best, that's all we can truly ask of ourselves. Sometimes you'll have to play it by ear or wing it, but just remember to do what's best for them!! Have faith in yourself as a parent and be kind to them! They're already upset and confused, don't add to their stress.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Please leave a comment or feel free to private message me. My email and Facebook  are on my contact page. I'd really love to hear from you! Be kind to yourselves and to others!

How To Stay Close to Your Stepchildren During a Divorce

One of the biggest fears I had when my marriage ended was what would happen to my relationship with my stepdaughter! Each person's situation is different but I'll tell you my story.

When my ex-husband and I starting dating, he had a beautiful daughter who was just turning one. At the time, I thought I didn't want to have children of my own. But I was excited to be a part of her life. Honestly I fell in love with her before I fell in love with her dad!

Being a part of her life is what convinced me that I wanted to have my own little kiddos. She was with us several days a week and we included her in everything we could. I think it helped because I had a friendly relationship with her mom also. I know I wasn't a perfect step mom, but I tried my best. We never fought much and never really went through a phase where we didn't get along. As she became a teenager, she pulled away a little but I figured that was normal. Looking back now, I'm sure she knew that her dad and I weren't getting along. Her and her dad have always been very close.

When our marriage ended, I know I began pulling away from her. I was afraid she would take her dad's side and I didn't know what she was hearing from him. But most of all, I pulled away because I knew I'd eventually lose her. Once my ex got his own place and would only be here when he picked up the kids- that meant I wouldn't be seeing her very much. I felt her pull away from me too and it just broke my heart. On top of the obvious break up awkwardness, she was also introduced to the new woman her dad was seeing. I'll admit that I was embarrassed, jealous, angry and scared of being replaced.

I asked her dad several times how he thought I should handle the situation. He said it was between her and I, and he wasn't getting involved. I was clueless!! I felt like I wasn't good enough at being an adult to handle it. Adulting is not always my strong suit!! But one day I decided to put on my step mom big girl panties and take the leap. I text her and apologized for pushing her away and I admitted to her that I just didn't know the best way to handle the situation. She told me that she had felt the same way and just didn't know how to act towards me either. I think it was natural for us to distance ourselves from each other because it was just an odd situation. I told her that I would always consider her partly mine and that I hoped I could remain part of her life. She told me that she'd always consider me part of her family. To say the least, a huge weight was lifted off my heart and I felt like now we had jumped over this hurdle.

My stepdaughter is a beautiful, amazing, sweet and hilarious young lady!  She is turning 14 in less than  2 weeks, which breaks my heart!  I've watched her and been there as she's grown up into such a great person!  She has been an outstanding big sister since the day each of my children were born and continues to be now.  The kids and I are so lucky to have this kooky and wonderful girl as a part of our lives! And I am so lucky that she is understanding enough to see that I didn't always handle things like an expert, but I'm doing my best now.

Since the night I text her to apologize, we have actually grown closer! She knows how much I love her and that I don't want to lose her. Whatever happens in her dad's life, I know that her and I will remain friends. That's the key to our relationship right now,  friendship and love! You divorce spouses, not kids! They have no control over being brought into a marriage or being taken out of a marriage. You can't blame them for how they choose to react to the situation. They are just as confused and unsure as we are and trying to handle things the best way they know how. So the only advice I will give anyone in a similar situation is just to talk to them. If you have a good relationship with them, you can discuss things with them and decide how to deal with it. Don't turn your back on them out of anger or fear. It will be awkward sometimes, but you can get through it together!!

I hope you all enjoyed this post and I truly hope I've helped at least one person who may be going through the same struggles right now!  Thanks so much for reading and I'd love to have you follow my blog, or follow me on social media! Have a great day and be kind to yourself!!

Starting Over at 40

Turning 40 didn't bother me. Turning 40 in the midst of my life being in a total upheaval did bother me! That day all I could think about was that this is not where I saw myself being at 40 years old.  I was single after 12 years and would eventually have to start dating again. The thought of dating makes me cringe to be honest! But dating is pretty low on my list of concerns right now. I'm more concerned that I'm currently a SAHM, with no job and no money saved up. And to be very honest, I'm still emotionally a mess after the break up.  I know there are many women, and men, that have been in a similar situation. I truly believe that relating to other people, and hearing their stories, can help you heal. Or at least not feel so alone.

Eight months ago, my "husband" told me he wanted out. We actually divorced a few years ago, but got back together shortly after the divorce was final. We didn't remarry though. But as far as I was concerned, he was still my husband. I knew we had problems and honestly I didn't know how to fix things. In the back of my mind, I always had hope that things would get better and we'd figure out how to be happy! But I also didn't foresee us splitting up again anytime in the near future. My first reaction was to beg for another chance at working through our problems, which he totally shot down. Then I was terrified about how it would effect our kids. Then I was terrified about losing my step-daughter, that I've been with since she was one.  I'll be talking about that more in the next post.  And then the heartbreak, rejection, humiliation and feelings of being a failure set in. All of those feelings totally suck!!!

I've been a SAHM for almost 2 years and I love it! I want to be at home with my kids. Its the hardest, and most rewarding, job I've ever had! To be totally honest, I don't want to go back to working outside the home. Dealing with babysitters, finding a job with no college degree and making sure I can continue to homeschool my kids. When we first split, I applied to tons of places that would pay enough for me to support the kids and I. But that didn't work out well. So then I was determined to find an online job or ways to make money at home. That hasn't worked out well either. I don't really have any specific direction for my life right now, other than being a mom. After years of considering it, I decided to start a couple blogs. Thinking it would a good outlet for my yo-yo of daily emotions.  But not being computer savvy, I felt like I was doing everything wrong. I was confused at every step and had no idea what I was doing! I still don't. I can't figure out how to switch from wordpress.com to wordpress.org for my other blog. On this one, I still have 23 days before I can switch to self-hosted.

For the last 8 months, my ex and I have had an unorthodox break up. Due to the situation and circumstances, I still see him everyday. But during that entire time, I've also had a front row seat as he falls in love with another woman. That definitely doesn't help you get over the heartbreak, anger and feelings of failure!! But he has also continued to give me enough money to pay the bills without me going back to work right away. We even share a vehicle right now. I'm grateful for his help, but I hate being completely reliant on him. And I know time is running out and I'll have to start supporting my family on my own soon. I know it'll help me get over the situation easier once I'm not dependent on him, but it seems like everything I try hasn't panned out and honestly I'm just discouraged at this point!

Many of us have self-esteem issues. And going through a break up just beats your self image down more and more. I used to be a free-spirited, bubbly, optimistic young woman. But lets be honest. Now I'm 50 pounds overweight, cynical, unemployed, broke and feel like my kids are the only thing I've ever done right! And now I feel like I've let my kids down because I'm stuck in a rut and not strong enough to pull myself out. But that's nothing that millions of others haven't felt. I know I just have to find the strength to pull myself up, kick myself in the booty and do whatever I have to do. All I truly care about is being the best mother I can be and being a good person! So that's what I have to stay focused on each and every day!

Ok, so now you've listened to a small description of my crazy situation, and listened to me whine about my situation. And I thank you for that. Maybe you can relate to my situation and my feelings. In the next few posts, I plan to talk more about my current situation. Including how to deal with the kids during our break up, how my stepdaughter and I are dealing with the situation and how I'm ever gonna get my 'groove' back in order to date again...one day!  I hope you'll follow my blog and keep reading. Also, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. And please, please, please leave comments down below or message me personally. I'd  love to hear if you've been in a similar situation or if you have any advice for me!! Hope you all have a great day!!