10 Silly Ideas to Make Your Day More Fun

I ask the kids every day, 'What should we do today"? Some days they just stare at me. Other days we try to come up with new ideas. But I have a couple small things we can do every day to liven things up.

I adore my kids, but the three of us basically spend 24/7 together right now. And let's be honest, some days we just get tired of each other. We're all a little cranky sometimes and right now, cabin fever is an issue too.  But even when we're blah and a little irritable-we try to find little ways to have some fun!

Colored Pancakes-I can honestly say that we haven't eaten normal colored pancakes in years. Just add a couple drops of food coloring to your batter. Super easy way to spruce up breakfast. Or dinner. We have breakfast for dinner quite often. As soon as the kids hear we're having pancakes, they ask what color are we having this time.

BUBBLES-Who doesn't love blowing and chasing bubbles. I always used to think, we can't do that inside!! But I've decided it's no big deal. A lot worse gets spilled on my carpet everyday. Obviously vinyl or hardwood may be a little more treacherous. Slippery when wet!! It's a great way to take a little break and there's giggling galore.

Turn Up the Music-Whether you want to have your own little dance party or just blow off some steam. Great way to get some exercise or take a brain break during your homeschooling. My kids are crazy about Kids Bop. Many times we'll just find Kids Bop on YouTube, turn up the volume a little and dance like nobody is watching! If they are, they'll get their laughs for the day just watching me shake it.

Shaving Cream Bath paint-This always makes bath time more fun! For reasons I cannot understand, my kids usually object to baths. Too often we are at odds by the time its over. But this is one way to get them excited for baths. I just fill a cup with shaving cream and add a couple drops of food coloring and mix. Just make sure you don't add too much. The first time we played with it, my daughter had a purple tint to her arms the next day. I just bought a couple nylon bristle basting brushes and that's what they use as paint brushes. Easy clean up is an added bonus.

Quick Card Game-Take a little break from housework or enjoy some family fun time after dinner. War, Skip-Bo, Uno, Go Fish or countless other possibilities. Around Christmas we found a new card game that we really like. It's called Find it Fast. It was inexpensive, fun even for younger kids, there's several different versions and it doesn't take long to play one full game.

Watch a Funny Movie-Some days its just icky outside, you or the kids aren't feeling well or it's one of those blah days. Find a funny movie for the whole family or even have a movie marathon. Don't worry about getting the dishes or laundry done today. It'll still be there tomorrow. We all need a break sometimes, even the kids. Fix cocoa, popcorn or some other yummy treat. Just enjoy the movies and the time with your kiddos.

Sidewalk Chalk-One of our all time faves. Its cheap and there are endless games to play with it. Even if the weather is a little chilly or dreary outside, bundle up and grab the chalk. Our favorite game is to draw a town. Complete with roads, ponds, buildings and homes. Then you could even add in some other small toys.

Stay in Your PJ's-We actually do this once or twice a week. If you have no appointments that day and no one is coming to visit, why not?!?! Coincidentally, this is also one of our favorite reasons for homeschooling. But it just makes you feel a little more comfy, cozy and lighthearted all day.

Indoor/Outside Picnic-Toss a blanket on the living room floor or in the grass in the backyard, depending on the weather of course. Sometimes just a little break from your usual routine can shake things up. And the kids always think its fun. While I'm fixing our meal, they usually use their play food to make a meal for some of their stuffed animals. Then they join us for our picnic too!

Pictionary-You can make this as short or as long of a game as you want it to be. And if you're like me, my drawing isn't any betters than the kids'. Me drawing anything can always make my kids laugh.  Sometimes we'll have categories and other times we just pick whatever we want.

I know these all seem like pretty simple ideas, but that's the point actually. Nothing that is too time consuming, costs too much or takes any pre-planning.  You don't have to go to huge lengths or stress yourself out coming up with ideas to occupy yourselves. Just keep it simple and think outside the box. The simpler, the better sometimes! Just add a little fun in here and there. It can make a huge difference in your mood and the kids' moods!

Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know your simple, fun, everyday ideas. And please follow my blog, on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!!

The BEST Mac & Cheese Recipe EVER!!

We've tried so many different Mac & Cheese recipes! Not that I'm complaining. In this house anything with cheese is probably a favorite. I've tried stove-top and baked, and usually at least one type of mac & cheese is on the menu each week. They're normally easy, fairly quick, fairly cheap and super delish!!!

Here's the recipe for our favorite

Ingredients- 1-1 lb small curd cottage cheese
1 stick of unsalted butter-sliced
8 oz Velveeta-cubed
2 1/2 C boiling water
2 C dry macaroni (or any type of pasta)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Mix all ingredients in the pan. Bake uncovered for 45 mins. Stir every 15 minutes to help combine the ingredients as they melt. Let sit 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven.
Another great idea is to add smoked sausage, cooked bacon or cubed ham in with the other ingredients.
And that is it!! Told ya it was really easy and quick! I hope you decide to give it a try and please let me know how you liked it!! Enjoy!!

How To Include Your Kids in Your Fandoms!

My precious kiddos may not understand, or appreciate, their mom's geeky obsessions yet-but that doesn't mean I can't combine my fandoms with some fun activities!

They may still be a little young for some of my favorites like Supernatural, Vampire Diaries and Dr. Who-but I have plenty of kid friendly fandoms to go around.

(Bare with me, as photography is not my strong suit. Also some activities I didn't take pictures of or we haven't actually done yet.)

Harry Potter-Make wands!! Find a good, sturdy twig laying in the front yard and that will work perfectly. Cover it with glue, using a glue gun. Once it cools enough to handle, wrap it in parchment or wax paper. Use your hands to mold the glue around the twig till you get the shape you like. Remove the parchment paper. Let the kids add beads, cording or little decorations. Once all the glue is dry, add a couple coats of paint. You can make it as "authentic" or as funky as your little wizard wants.

Marvel-Super-Hero capes!! Find an old t-shirt, or buy a cheap one. Cut the front of the shirt off, cutting along the side seams and the arm hole seams. Leave the collar attached. Cut the collar in the middle, in the front. Reattach the two sides with Velcro. This is the part that will go around your child's neck. And your done! Super easy and super cheap. Now decorate the back of the cape with any Marvel character's name or symbol, using paint or anything else you have on hand.

Percy Jackson-Create a quest for your half-bloods to complete! You can make this a mix of an obstacle course and a scavenger hunt. Give them clues to find the Helm of Darkness or Zeus' Master Bolt. Use pillows or stuffed animals to represent monsters they have to defeat. Use masking tape to create lines on the floor they have to follow, so they don't fall into any lava. Use your demi-god imagination!!

Merlin-Make shields!! Use leftover pieces of cardboard as a shield. Have the kids create a Coat of Arms and paint or draw it on the cardboard pieces. Then they can have a sword fight or team up to battle a dragon.

Minecraft-Real life play!! If your kids are Minecraft lovers like mine, you may already have foam diamond swords or plushy Minecraft animals. Save up some empty boxes and let the kids build with them. They can even paint the boxes like different Minecraft blocks.

Pokémon-Battles!! Use construction paper or other craft supplies to make the kids' favorite characters. Or even have them create new ones. My daughter has made tons of these and even makes poke balls to go with each one. Then we have little mock battles. Of course she almost always wins because I can never remember all moves they have.

My Little Pony-Create a new pony!! Find a MLP template or draw your own. Have the kids make up a name, a cutie mark and a personality for their new pony. Then they can design the new pony's colors and cutie marks on the picture!

Phineas and Ferb-What are we gonna do today?!?!?! The kids will have a blast coming up with crazy invention ideas. See if you can figure out how you would make it work and even build it, if possible. We couldn't really build jet packs, but we could draw them! Or the kids could even come up with a secret mission for Agent P. This would be a great way to sneak in a little writing practice.

Scooby-Doo-Solve a Mystery!! Make up a mystery that those meddling kids have to figure out. Leave clues or spooky footprints. And don't Leave some snacks along the way for Scooby and Shaggy to munch on.
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So basically just have fun!! There are countless ways to blend your likes and fun with the kids! Its a great way to introduce them to new things and to show them the things you enjoy. Plus it's a fun way for us kooky parents to feel like kids again too!! Have a great day and make some great memories!!

Be sure to share, subscribe or leave a comment. I would love to hear your stories if you try out any of these ideas or if you have ideas to share with me!!

Why I REALLY Decided To Start A Mom Blog!!

OK, lets get down to the nitty-gritty. I love that saying, don't you? Anyway, lets talk about why I started my mom blog.
Well there are a few reasons actually. First, I guess you could say that in my "dream life" I would've been a writer! I've always loved reading and I thought being an author and being able to express myself in words would be so satisfying. I've written in journals since I was a kid and tried my hand at poems and short stories when I was in my teens, but trust me, they weren't good! I've been an avid blog reader for years and I respected bloggers for their inventive ideas and I felt connected to them somehow. I had considered starting a blog once I started staying at home with my kids, but I just didn't have the guts. I thought "I'm not a writer" and "who would want to read it, besides my mom". Why do we do that to ourselves? We spend more time convincing ourselves that its a stupid idea than we do convincing ourselves that we are capable, and should just take a leap!
So that winds its way to my second reason for starting my blog(s).  I'll give you the shortened version though. About 8 months ago, my husband decided to leave. So I will definitely not be sharing any marriage or relationship tips, for your sake. But I was a SAHM with no job, no money saved up, no career to go back to, no college degree and after a few months I didn't even have a vehicle. I needed a car to get a job and a job to get a car. My ex and I have actually been sharing a car, but he needs it to go back and forth to work. I was in full panic mode obviously! But I don't want to sound like I'm "ex-bashing", so let me specify. I received my house as an inheritance and he had no desire for the house, so obviously the kids and I would still have a house. But he has sacrificed to make sure that the bills were paid and I had money for necessities even after he moved out. So I've been much luckier than most women in my situation. But the fact is, as he moves on with his life, he can't keep paying my bills. But more importantly, I don't want him to. I want, more than anything, to support my kids and I, on my own. So I tried making money online. But with no special qualifications and most companies wanting prior experience before hiring you, my big plans never worked out. So my desire to blog came back to the forefront of my crazy, over-thinking mind!  I have no problem with hard work and I'm more than willing to put the time and effort into it, but I'll be honest-I like staying at home with my kids. I've battled anxiety and insomnia most of my life, which tends to interfere with school and work schedules. But most importantly, I love being here to see each new thing they learn and not missing a moment! Plus I homeschool my daughter, and hopefully one day my son. And that's something else I love and want to continue to do.
Whew...that wasn't really a shortened version huh? So that takes me to my final reason. We live in a small town that doesn't have any homeschooling groups. And lets be honest, it can get lonely and tiresome being a stay at home mom sometimes. So I actually started my homeschooling blog first. I wanted to build relationships with other homeschool moms for new ideas, support and friendships. But as I am slowly learning the ends and outs of blogging, I decided to try out a different platform and thought I'd just start a new blog too. Why only try to connect with my fellow homeschoolers? I wanted to connect with all moms! And along the way-maybe I could learn new tips and tricks, new recipes, new game ideas and feel the support and comradery of fellow moms. If I work hard and continue learning each day, maybe I could even make a living doing something that I love! A way to express the thoughts running through my overactive mind, fulfilling my dream of writing-in a very small way, meeting new people, making new friends, being able to stay at home with my precious kiddos and possibly make a living at the same time? That truly would be a dream come true for me and a big personal triumph!!
So please e-mail me, message me, follow me, or all of the above. I'm anxious to meet lots of awesome women and learn new things each and every day. I'd love to hear your stories!!
So have a great day and be kind to yourselves and each other!!!

What's A Geek Mom To Do??

Both times I was pregnant, I dreamt of a nursery decorated like Hogwarts or a crib that looked like the Tardis. But since I married a non-geek, that never happened. But as my kids are getting older, I have hope!

I am a proud geek and a proud nerd. My 7 year old daughter thinks its funny, but I keep trying to convince her that its cool! When I got new glasses a few months ago, my daughter said "Mom, those glasses are so you. They're nerd glasses"!! She rolls her eyes every time she hears Harry Potter or Dr. Who, and my heart breaks a little. But she loves Minecraft, Pokémon and anything to do with dragons-so she has potential to be a lil geek like her momma!

Once we start reading the Potter books I honestly think she'll love them. Wizards, magic, potions and dragons-all things she loves. But also because so many of my geeky fandoms are full of great characters, friendships and triumphs. They stretch the imagination and encourage creativity. The adventures of Percy Jackson are a great way to learn about the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. Marvel is full of bravery and strong personalities. Merlin can teach her about Arthurian times and the great stories we all grew up hearing. I could go on and on, but I'll stop now.

These are ideas that I plan to use in our unschooling. It'll be a fun way of learning. It will encourage her to keep dreaming and keep nurturing the amazing imagination she has. My son is only 3, so it's yet to be seen if he will follow in his momma 's geeky footsteps!

Please follow my blog, on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. Please leave me comments about any of your geeky or nerdy fandoms!!  I hope you all have a great day and make some wonderful memories each and every day!!

Hello Fellow Krazy Parents

As parents we all have our krazy or kooky moments! But that's what makes us special, right? Hopefully we don't scar our children too badly as they grow into adults! I am starting this blog to speak to, help and support fellow krazy parents.

Some days we all need a little support. To feel like we aren't losing our minds and we're raising our kids the best we can. Many of us just wing it when it comes to our kooky kiddos.

As a stay at home mom, and a homeschooler, we have some pretty interesting days around here. But I hope to share some tips, tricks, recipes, homeschool ideas, parenting ideas and just crazy momma stories!

Please follow me and leave comments if you have suggestions, questions or tips for me! As a parent, a homeschooler and a blogger-I'm still learning everyday and I appreciate all the help you can offer!

Please keep coming back and reading!!

Have a great day and hang in there!!