A Homeschool Mom's Fashion Blog Post (No Culottes)

Things I likety-like in my little "fashion" world:

• Learning how to embrace my wavy hair in a *new* short haircut. I don't have to do anything to if I don't want to. That's my favorite part. Oh, and choppy bangs. I LOVE mine uneven and messy. It distracts from the puffy "mom eyes." Try it, you'll like it. (If you don't have puffy "mom eyes," I would like to know your secret. Please, I am begging you!)

• Highlights & Lowlights (in hair): CHEAP. Thank you: http://www.seizethedeal.com/landing!

• Quality silver earrings that were purchased at a major discount (Thank you, Kohl's).

• Super craptastic red flower power ring (Thanks, Mom!). She knows I love me some tacky jewelry. I mean, a dollar? Really? How can you lose? You can't.

•  Fun blouse that I purchased two years ago, while shopping with my grandma, who I miss so bad I could cry. She's the only one who could really bring out the Reba accent in me. This blouse was way cheap. There was nothing like shopping for clothing bargains with my grandma. Well, I would buy the bargains, and she would buy the "bargains." (I may, or may not have been spoiled at times.) We laugh-snorted often.

•  Old Navy jeans ($15 sale).

•  Old Navy flip-flops ($1).  
  

NEVER pay full price for fashion. Let's face it, you'll have barf, snot, paint, food, grease, powder, or paw prints all over your new duds in no time.  You're a mom. Embrace it. Put the cashmere down, and walk S-L-O-W-L-Y away.

 

10 minute make-up plan:

This is for quick trips to the store/library/post office. This is not for when you want to look "Ooh-la-la," but are willing to settle for, "Nobody-is-screaming-and-babies-are-not-afraid-to-make-eye-contact."

• Foundation, swiped on with slightly damp make-up sponge. VERY light application.
• Light powder (translucent).
• Blush.
• Single color (neutral) eye shadow, swiped on with a brush.
• Mascara (top lashes only).
• Lipstick/gloss

 *NOTE* The nail polish is not a part of the 10 minute plan. I had a little extra time today.

What I do NOT like:

Stupid hems that need ironing.

(Don't you curl that lip up at me, cute little blouse!)

Nope, not doing my hair.

(I'm embracing my wavy hair, remember?)

Okay, so you know where this is going...right?

I THINK #25 is the "Cotton Setting."

What?

Like you haven't done this! ;)

P.S. I totally works!

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

Manic Mondays/Extra Crispy

The No.2 pencils are sharpened and all in a row.  Your dry-erase board has new markers and contains a cheeky, up-lifting message *scrolled in fancy print*. Each child has a color coordinated pencil box, filled with super cool character erasers, neon paper clips, princess/super hero stickers, and that rad bendy ruler you got with a coupon.You couldn't sleep last night. You woke 30 minutes early to make coffee, and rearrange your neatly printed school schedule one more time (you forgot to include "How to Write a Symphony in 3 Easy Steps"). Oh, you are positively GIDDY with the prospect of 180 days of school bliss! You can hear angels singing! Okay, maybe that is the baby crying, but it sounds exactly the same to you.

NOTE:

If you related to the above paragraph, you are either a first time mom in her Kindergarten year,

  OR

you are on crack.

Burn-out. It's inevitable. It can become chronic IF you are not willing to change things up a bit. It can become positively ominous if you don't pray about it, and ask the Lord to guide you back into some of that Kindergarten bliss. Okay, maybe those Kindergarten days are over, but there is no reason why you can't get those engines re-fueled. If God has called you to home school, then He will equip you to do it. The key is allowing Him to make the necessary changes. 

 

When the Play-Dough is dried out:

 

Start Fresh & Try Something New.

One of the biggest changes we made a few years ago, was switching to year-round home schooling. This was particularly helpful to our child who struggles with schedule changes. It helped all three of our kids to retain what they had learned, as our summer break is now only a month long. It's just long enough for me to re-order new school books, and everyone to catch their breath. It's short enough that we don't fall out of our schedule, or forget our times tables. There is a very long list of benefits we have reaped from this type of schedule, but we'll just stick to the point I am trying to make: It seriously helped us avoid a lot of burn-out. It gave us a lot more freedom. Never be afraid to start fresh, change something up, or throw out a book that isn't working. If it's not working, why keep doing it?

P.S. I am guilty of trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole. This is all new to me, so I am learning this on a daily basis. It's always easier said than done. Which is why...

You need to call in reinforcements.

YOU NEED A SUPPORT SYSTEM. Perhaps you need a large group to lean on, which is equipped with a plethora of advice and encouragement. Maybe you are like me, and just need someone who relates to you, cheers you on, and has similar challenges in her home school life. Maybe you need both. Whatever the case, get support! You cannot do this alone. 

Is your brain reduced to crumbs and syrupy residue?

Pull your brain off of the waffle iron of life, and cool off with some mommy time.

A friend and I try to meet monthly. We discuss writing (something we both love), teaching kids with challenges (something we both do), and sip tasty lattes (something we would not normally splurge on). I always leave feeling refreshed, and like I still had 20 more things to talk about. But, hey, there's always next time. ;) It keeps our brains from turning extra crispy on the waffle iron of life.

Stalk Groupon for hotel deals in your area. 

It's time for 

~Drum Roll~

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT! 

After finding said deal, invite a close friend, book hotel (split cost), and get ready for a girls' weekend away. Pack books, nail polish, comfy clothes, snacks, laptop (if you like to write), and whatever else you might need on a girls' weekend away. Plan on being total couch potatoes. Don't set the alarm. Sleep in late. Forget the free breakfast downstairs, you can always save your pennies and eat brunch somewhere else. This is about TOTAL VEGETATION. Here is the important part: Just do this with one girlfriend at a time. If you have a room full of women, you will end up staying up late, and returning home exhausted. That is counterproductive. You can always plan more nights away with other friends, if you like. 

Your Turn!

Do you have some burn-out busting strategies? If so, please join the conversation. Otherwise, I am just talking to myself. ;)

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit." (Ephesians 3:16)

Cheering you on and checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

Artificially Colored Manic Mondays

No gluten.

No chocolate.

No artificial colors...ever???

Sometimes, I find myself asking this question. Like yesterday, when a certain 7 year-old indulged in these:

Papa and Grammy gave Tate a package of them at a church event. I would like to clarify that my parents are NOT in trouble for giving him the candy! Our little man already has so many things in his culinary life that we have to say "no" to, that we are always happy to find him a treat that is gluten and chocolate free. My parents knew that we would not be upset by a little package of candy. They are very aware of his special diet, and take all precautions.

That said,

I was asking this same question on Saturday. You may recall a certain head spinning/sprinkle incident?

 

See here for details:http://flattiredhomeschool.blogspot.com/2011/07/tates-7-in-2011.html

I have observed normal boy-ish/hyper activity from Tate after (occasionally) allowing him to eat an artificially colored food. There are other times that it is immediately clear that he has

"Tasted the Rainbow."

~Insert child spinning on the floor for 30 minutes, like the Tasmanian Devil, HERE.~

It's a 50/50 chance with him. You never know how he is going to "react." This is why I am wondering if he is really reacting at all. Perhaps it is the Tourette's? Perhaps it is the ADHD? Both? 

Artificial colors?

What's your take? Have you experienced anything similar? Do your kids have food allergies/intolerances? What have you learned? Where have you struggled? Do you have any helpful resources that you would like to share?

YOUR input is valuable. Please feel free to answer one, or all of the above questions. I welcome your questions, as well. If we work together, perhaps our our Mondays can be a little less...

...MANIC. ;)

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,
Layla

Don't Judge Me!

5:00 p.m.,

Sunday.

(You can see where this is going.)

Don't judge...

...you know you wish you'd thought of it. ;)

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

 ~Dedicated to one of my favorite home school mommies: Sunshine Schuppel. A girl after my own heart. <3

Tate's 7 in 2011!!!

Our baby turned seven today. 

*sigh* 

It's hard to believe that he's already seven.

 (He managed to weasel that Paper Jam out of us one day early.)

Today was not the big party day. We are having two "BIG" parties (one for family, one for friends) in August, since Skyler, Blayne, and Tate have birthdays all in a row.

 BUT TODAY...

Today WAS the day that Tate got to pick out the dinner menu. 

(Skyler begged him to choose homemade Mac & Cheese, but was quickly reminded that he was not in charge of the menu. No. It HAD to come from a blue box!)

 Ahhh...the way to a 7 year-old's heart. :)

In the words of Tate himself, "Easy-peasy, nice & cheesy!"

Note the special birthday cup, which contained this:

 Fanta Strawberry, vintage 2011.

Next was Strawberry Cake with Dinosaur sprinkles.

We added a nice scoop of artificially colored ice cream

to go with the artificially colored sprinkles.

Mmm...

 The special ingredients induced calming effects.

Which led directly to Hyper Drive/Head Spinning Mode.

Not sure I reccomend artificial colors for an ADHD kid (that's still out for debate), but hey...

...it's his birthday, he can spin if he wants to!

It was also the day to spend his 

~HaPpItY BiRfDaY MoOlAh. :)~

(As I mentioned earlier, he actually spent a little bit of it last night, but who's counting?)

LEGO Store. 

(Need I say more?)

Who's ready for more ice cream and cake?

 

Artificially colored, of course!

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,
Layla

Headaches Are A Pain

So, this is day #4 of a migraine that just keeps getting bigger. It is growing inside my head like a swarm of bees on a bear's behind.

I have no idea what that means, but it sounds appropriate to my pain level.

The migraine meds make me a bit hyper, so I gave in and fed the pain comfort food.

My head is still playing it's crashing cymbals of agony, but my tummy is dancing to a happy beat. :)

Dinner ran a bit late tonight, 

so I started things out with veggies & dip.

While Skyler peeled potatoes, I fried up the meat balls. I know, I know...FRIED meat balls? I had the same thought, but...

The Pioneer Woman, well...

 ...she never lets you down.

(Note: This is especially tasty when served on *classy* paper plates.)

 

That's homemade gluten free gravy on Yukon gold mashed potatoes.

For the meat ball recipe, go here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/03/bbq-meatballs-comfort-food-to-the-max/

 

You can thank me later.

Of course, I craved dessert.

(What these babies looked like BEFORE powdered sugar.)

Since going gluten free, I have not tried my hand at making 

Russian Tea Cakes. 

Oh! How I have missed them!

 

I needed a quick recipe, so I gave the gluten free Betty Crocker ones a whirl.

They were like powdery balls of delight, that exploded in your mouth.

Buttery. 

Messy.

Delish.

 

You can find the recipe here: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/russian-tea-cakes/bfdc5af7-2538-40d1-a7d4-2477cd9452ec?sr=2&st=7#/?term=gluten+free+cookies&pi=3&mr=10

So, the next time you have a headache, feed it comfort food. I can guarantee that your migraine will not go away, but your family will appreciate your efforts. 

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,

Layla

Manic Mondays (You In?)

I have been wanting to post about Mondays for a while now. They tend to creep up on us, trying their best to smash all our hopes and dreams of blissful organization, and punctual school schedules. They rudely scream insults into our quiet time.

I am on to you, Monday. You're the evil sock villain, who scatters dirty laundry all over my was-clean-on-Friday house.

The nerve. 

I swear, Monday gobbled up my last ice cream bar.

Not cool, Monday, not cool.

But there is another reason why I have been wanting to post about Mondays. You see, I have this feeling that I am not alone. That there is a whole lot of other moms out there, gathering socks, and craving ice cream bars (with white chocolate and pecans).


Let me back up a bit. This is starting to sound a bit...manic.



Tourette's, coupled with ADHD. Asperger's, with accompanying hurdles.
These are a part of our home school make-up. They are commonly called "labels." Things we are supposed to talk quietly and discreetly about (hush-hush). We wouldn't want to disrupt the perfect order of the universe by exposing the fact that our kiddos, OUR HOME SCHOOLED KIDDOS, are struggling with *gasp* "imperfections" too! These are not shameful things. They are worth merit. These are valuable pieces of our children that we should hold delicately; yet firmly. We should lift our chins high KNOWING that these labels are not what define our children, but are a vital part of their very being. A portion of their story, which is still being written. Poetry.

Our children are BEAUTIFULLY made!

What has this got to do with Monday?

If you have a child with special needs, then you know just how menacing Mondays truly are to them. Kids with OCD cringe from the disruption of going from an entire week of school, to a weekend of craziness, back to a MONDAY of school. It interrupts their comfort of predictability, which causes distress on varying levels. Some days go better than others. Some days are like World War III. Some days, you want to spend the entire morning eating a box of ice cream bars, only coming out to make sure nothing is on fire.

I could go on and on. But not today. Today, I have a proposition. A plea. A cry for help...?

 Is there anyone out there picking up what I am laying down??? Am I the only one who would love a community of moms (with special needs kids, or kids with every day challenges) who could offer some support/advice? A sounding board (not a complain-a-thon)? A SAFE place where we can go to ask the hard questions, request prayers, and get support in a non-judgmental setting?

Hey, you in the closet, eating an ice cream bar...I'm talking to YOU!

Okay, moms, here is how it would work. Every Monday, I will come on here with a question, struggle, insight, praise, curriculum suggestion, or whatever else might pop into my head. Just a quick little blurb. Then YOU get to be the sounding board. You get to share your heart, advice, support, prayers, etc., with each other (and me...don't forget me!). Just one great big ol' Mommy Manic Monday bear hug. :)

I'll bring the ice cream bars, but you'll have to come out of the closet. ;)

Cheering you on & checking the fuel gauge,
Layla

P.S. Sorry this is late. I barely got it posted before Tuesday. I blame Monday.