While browsing a local group on Facebook the other day, I came upon a post about childbirth and parenting. As always, you do have the negative with the positive and this group seems to turn negative every single time a 'Mommy' asks a question. In this Facebook group, a woman decided to voice her opinion about the 'right' way to go through delivery, recovery, and even parenting.
I have never had a cesarean section, nor would I EVER want one. Some people seem to think it is the easy way out. I'm not sure where they came up with that. They must have never seen a person go through one before. When I was pregnant with NL, I almost had to have a section because he was in the breech position. He turned just in the nick of time. Emergencies happen though and sometimes a section is the ONLY way to save Mommy and baby. That decision really is between the mother and the doctor.
Mothers, we need to stop comparing our ways with those of another Mother.
We need to be there for and with other mothers. First-time mommies need the help of more experienced mommies. I know. I have been a first-time mother and it wasn't all fun and games. I see SO many posts that knock mothers who bottle-feed, use disposable diapers, or use some unconventional way of parenting. SO what? The child will not turn out better by having breast milk; nor will they turn out better by using cloth diapers. In fact, they won't even remember their baby years. We, mothers, need to stop comparing and 'one-upping' other mothers. We are all in that same boat, trying to paddle to land and finding any means necessary to do so. We WANT our children to be happy, well fed, and clean. It doesn't matter HOW it is done, just that it IS done. Mothers, PLEASE, stop beating yourself up because you can't or forgot to do something. Love those children. That is the BEST thing in the world for a child.
Mothers, we need to stop comparing our children with others.
We need to help each other out, guide each other, and never judge when a mother doesn't do as we do. It is rather heartbreaking when I see a mother struggling. Then when speaking to another mother who saw that mother struggle belittle that mother. It DOESN'T matter how we parent. Unless a person is hurting a child physically or mentally, we should never jump in and judge. Every child is unique. They have their unique way of doing things and TIMES to do them. I really cringe when someone tells a mother, "Isn't he walking yet?" No, he is not. AND that is OKAY! Children do not always follow their peers and do things at the time that others do it. (It is okay to be concerned and ask your child's doctor about stages.) GG and I's boys ALL walked at different ages, got their teeth in at different ages, crawled at different ages, spoke at different ages, and ate 'real' food at different ages. They are all very healthy.
Our responsibility is to our children. If we take everything that people say to heart, we will never learn how to 'deal' with our children. SO much advice will be given. You can take each one and file it away. People will always give advice. It is what you do with that advice that will either help you or cut you down.
If you are a new mother, I wish you the best of luck in your journey. There will be very stressful times. I can't say that it will any less stressful as the years progress, because I don't know your story, But, you do learn how to 'deal' with those times. Just ALWAYS remember the good times.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Boys' School Lunches and Dinner Foods (Pictures to be posted soon)
Starting at the beginning of this school year (2015-16), we began our journey of providing our boys with their own homemade school lunch. I reviewed all sorts of lunch boxes, thermos containers, plastic containers, freezer jars, and other necessities.
After trying to find the right items for their lunches, I settled upon a Fit & Fresh lunch bag with a plastic container insert at Wal-mart for around $15. The insert held a hard freezable pack with 2 smaller plastic containers. There is enough space on the top for their short water bottles and thermos containers.
These bags work really well by keeping the food cold/hot. We went to several stores trying to find the Thermos brand containers with the stainless steel insert. I did not want just any brand, especially those with a plastic interior. At one Wal-mart, they had one Thermos brand with the stainless steel interior left. We bought it and went to another Wal-mart on the other side of the city to see if there were any available there. I had no such luck buying just a plain jane one.
GG left work a few days later and decided to go to Target to see if they had any available. They had the character ones, so MG chose one character, and JK chose another. That way we (I) don't get confused when I pack their lunches. Usually, I wake up early in the morning to pack them. Since I have 3 boys to pack for, I need as much time as possible to pack them. (I know I could easily get them to pack their own. I want to make sure that they take something healthy to school.)
Last week, their school lunches consisted of the following:
Monday ~ Pasta and meat sauce of their choice (thermos), Mandarin oranges or fruit cup, Pretzels, cheese stick, and Ritz crackers
Tuesday ~ Ham and cheese Pita, salad with green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery, grapes, and Doritos
Wednesday ~ Hard Boiled Eggs, Tuna fish, Ritz Crackers, grapes, and Pretzels
Thursday ~ same as Tuesday
Friday ~ Taco Boats with lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and chili meat, celery, grapes, Doritos, and peanut butter crackers
LB's lunch hour is at 12:35. I was able to eat with him in the lunchroom on Friday because I was substituting for a teacher and finished with the her duties. With it being so late, I was afraid that the hot food in the Thermos would not stay hot until the time he ate from the time I packed it. It, amazingly, wasn't cold or warm, but still quite hot. It has been a great experience with packing lunches. I just really dislike having to wash everything every evening for the next day.
I am from 'Cajun' country and our dinner menu is usually some that is very 'Cajun.' I do try to mix it up from time to time. (I really need to get pictures of our dinners to upload on here. :-))
On Monday, I took a day out and we ate from Taco Bell. (We don't eat out often.) It was SO good. We hadn't eaten there in quite awhile.
Tuesday, I didn't work, so we had Crockpot beef roast with medium grain rice and corn.
Wednesday, I baked some pork steaks, made some Suddenly Salad classic pasta, and green beans.
Thursday, GG and I cooked Taco Boats (The leftovers were put in the boys' lunch boxes the next day for them to have lunch.)
Friday, I put some chicken leg quarters in the Crockpot before leaving for work. I seasoned them really well. We had rice and broccoli with it.
These are just some examples of what I like to cook during the week. When I am working during the day, I like simple meals. I need to start a meal plan like I did last year. I got out of the habit of doing so. I need to make a meal plan for the boys' school lunches, as well. That way, when I go to the store, I know exactly what I want for the two weeks between GG's checks. I don't want to have to run to the store for something that I forgot when I should have made a list. ;-)
Hope you have a wonderful and safe Labor Day!
After trying to find the right items for their lunches, I settled upon a Fit & Fresh lunch bag with a plastic container insert at Wal-mart for around $15. The insert held a hard freezable pack with 2 smaller plastic containers. There is enough space on the top for their short water bottles and thermos containers.
These bags work really well by keeping the food cold/hot. We went to several stores trying to find the Thermos brand containers with the stainless steel insert. I did not want just any brand, especially those with a plastic interior. At one Wal-mart, they had one Thermos brand with the stainless steel interior left. We bought it and went to another Wal-mart on the other side of the city to see if there were any available there. I had no such luck buying just a plain jane one.
GG left work a few days later and decided to go to Target to see if they had any available. They had the character ones, so MG chose one character, and JK chose another. That way we (I) don't get confused when I pack their lunches. Usually, I wake up early in the morning to pack them. Since I have 3 boys to pack for, I need as much time as possible to pack them. (I know I could easily get them to pack their own. I want to make sure that they take something healthy to school.)
Last week, their school lunches consisted of the following:
Monday ~ Pasta and meat sauce of their choice (thermos), Mandarin oranges or fruit cup, Pretzels, cheese stick, and Ritz crackers
Tuesday ~ Ham and cheese Pita, salad with green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery, grapes, and Doritos
Wednesday ~ Hard Boiled Eggs, Tuna fish, Ritz Crackers, grapes, and Pretzels
Thursday ~ same as Tuesday
Friday ~ Taco Boats with lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and chili meat, celery, grapes, Doritos, and peanut butter crackers
LB's lunch hour is at 12:35. I was able to eat with him in the lunchroom on Friday because I was substituting for a teacher and finished with the her duties. With it being so late, I was afraid that the hot food in the Thermos would not stay hot until the time he ate from the time I packed it. It, amazingly, wasn't cold or warm, but still quite hot. It has been a great experience with packing lunches. I just really dislike having to wash everything every evening for the next day.
I am from 'Cajun' country and our dinner menu is usually some that is very 'Cajun.' I do try to mix it up from time to time. (I really need to get pictures of our dinners to upload on here. :-))
On Monday, I took a day out and we ate from Taco Bell. (We don't eat out often.) It was SO good. We hadn't eaten there in quite awhile.
Tuesday, I didn't work, so we had Crockpot beef roast with medium grain rice and corn.
Wednesday, I baked some pork steaks, made some Suddenly Salad classic pasta, and green beans.
Thursday, GG and I cooked Taco Boats (The leftovers were put in the boys' lunch boxes the next day for them to have lunch.)
Friday, I put some chicken leg quarters in the Crockpot before leaving for work. I seasoned them really well. We had rice and broccoli with it.
These are just some examples of what I like to cook during the week. When I am working during the day, I like simple meals. I need to start a meal plan like I did last year. I got out of the habit of doing so. I need to make a meal plan for the boys' school lunches, as well. That way, when I go to the store, I know exactly what I want for the two weeks between GG's checks. I don't want to have to run to the store for something that I forgot when I should have made a list. ;-)
Hope you have a wonderful and safe Labor Day!
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Been away...
I cannot believe that 2 years has passed by so fast. That is how long it has been since I wrote anything here. Life sometimes consumes me. GG and I are trying to settle our finances. It seems that when we finally get ahead, something needs our attention and our savings goes to whatever needs our attention.
GG lost his job back in 2012. We had savings and used it to live on until he received another job. I think the new job that he got hired for was a blessing in disguise. We are happier because he makes a better salary for working 40 hours than his previous job. It really is a dream job for him. He does get a few hours of overtime which helps us save some money.
August was a really financially stressful month. We had to buy school supplies and uniforms, pay school and classroom fees, extras, and buying lunch items for the boys' school lunches as JK told me that he never ate at school and I was paying school lunches for nothing for him. Then MG told me that he, too, did not eat lunch at school. GG and I decided not to send money for lunches and just fix them. It has been a work in progress. Once I get into a routine with it and make a meal plan, I think it will go that much smoother.
GG's truck's windshield is cracked. He cannot get an inspection sticker as it is now. We will need to shell out some money for that. This on top of buying everything last month is stressing me out.
I am working part-time in the educational field. I really love working with children. In fact, I thought about going back to school to become a full-time teacher; so this is what I plan on doing. I took my PRAXIS testing. I feel inadequate because I failed the math portion. At least I can take it again. It was just something that I wanted to accomplish and it brought me down. I do not intend this blog to be about anything negative. I will say this: There is a plan for me. I want to help out in providing for my family. I just don't get paid until the end of the month.
I am going to try to take advice from Dave Ramsey. I want to get rid of all of our excess debt. I am speaking of credit cards. How we got involved with credit cards is beyond me?! I think it is a backup solution for us and it has become a crutch that we carry. For the past 14 years, I have had card debt. I don't want to even imagine HOW much we have paid in interest to these companies.
With me working, we should be able to add extra payments to these companies and hopefully pay them all off before the end of the year next year. We have a Christmas savings account that we CANNOT touch until October. I have told GG that I want to take the money out of our account when it transfers into the checking account and ONLY use cash for our Christmas shopping.
This year, I cannot wait for Christmas. I don't know what it is. I dread the shopping. However, I cannot wait until we decorate. I also love Christmas movies. There is nothing like it. We have to get through Halloween and Thanksgiving first. ;-)
GG lost his job back in 2012. We had savings and used it to live on until he received another job. I think the new job that he got hired for was a blessing in disguise. We are happier because he makes a better salary for working 40 hours than his previous job. It really is a dream job for him. He does get a few hours of overtime which helps us save some money.
August was a really financially stressful month. We had to buy school supplies and uniforms, pay school and classroom fees, extras, and buying lunch items for the boys' school lunches as JK told me that he never ate at school and I was paying school lunches for nothing for him. Then MG told me that he, too, did not eat lunch at school. GG and I decided not to send money for lunches and just fix them. It has been a work in progress. Once I get into a routine with it and make a meal plan, I think it will go that much smoother.
GG's truck's windshield is cracked. He cannot get an inspection sticker as it is now. We will need to shell out some money for that. This on top of buying everything last month is stressing me out.
I am working part-time in the educational field. I really love working with children. In fact, I thought about going back to school to become a full-time teacher; so this is what I plan on doing. I took my PRAXIS testing. I feel inadequate because I failed the math portion. At least I can take it again. It was just something that I wanted to accomplish and it brought me down. I do not intend this blog to be about anything negative. I will say this: There is a plan for me. I want to help out in providing for my family. I just don't get paid until the end of the month.
I am going to try to take advice from Dave Ramsey. I want to get rid of all of our excess debt. I am speaking of credit cards. How we got involved with credit cards is beyond me?! I think it is a backup solution for us and it has become a crutch that we carry. For the past 14 years, I have had card debt. I don't want to even imagine HOW much we have paid in interest to these companies.
With me working, we should be able to add extra payments to these companies and hopefully pay them all off before the end of the year next year. We have a Christmas savings account that we CANNOT touch until October. I have told GG that I want to take the money out of our account when it transfers into the checking account and ONLY use cash for our Christmas shopping.
This year, I cannot wait for Christmas. I don't know what it is. I dread the shopping. However, I cannot wait until we decorate. I also love Christmas movies. There is nothing like it. We have to get through Halloween and Thanksgiving first. ;-)
Friday, July 19, 2013
Ideas for our Dream Home...
As I have mentioned in a previous post, GG and I are wanting to build a house. We are wanting to build within the next 2 years. We have some gorgeous views on our wooded property. I wish that we could put it smack dab in the middle near our half an acre pond. But the land dips down there, so we can't put it just anywhere. I absolutely love our trees. We have pine, sweet gun, catalpa, and large oak trees. It is nice and peaceful.
I want our house to be located quite a bit from the road. Our land is a corner property and runs along 2 different roads. Since I love nature, I want quite a bit of windows but don't want just anyone being able to look in. Having it off the road a bit helps alleviate this problem. Our old house is only 100 feet from the road. People could see us in our house when they would come down our road.
My idea of a perfect house is not ideal for our budget. If I won the lottery, then I could have my true dream home. Since I don't participate in it, there is little chance of that happening. So with working in a budget, these are our MUST HAVES!
1. Large Laundry Room
This is pretty much what I would want. However, I want either white cabinets or a light wood cabinet in here due to the lint that gets everywhere.
This one would be perfect if it had one more cubbie area.
I want our house to be located quite a bit from the road. Our land is a corner property and runs along 2 different roads. Since I love nature, I want quite a bit of windows but don't want just anyone being able to look in. Having it off the road a bit helps alleviate this problem. Our old house is only 100 feet from the road. People could see us in our house when they would come down our road.
My idea of a perfect house is not ideal for our budget. If I won the lottery, then I could have my true dream home. Since I don't participate in it, there is little chance of that happening. So with working in a budget, these are our MUST HAVES!
1. Large Laundry Room
My idea of a laundry room would consist of 2 washers and 2 dryers either side by side or one on top of the other. I would like a laundry sink with a hanging bar above it. There would be a counter for folding clothes. Baskets under the counters for dirty laundry, separated, of course. A window somewhere, since half of my time, I am doing something in the laundry room. With 6 of us, we dirty tons of clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, and other washable items like tablecloths, dishrags, and dishtowels. For me, shelves look cluttered, so I wouldn't have open shelves or cabinets. It needs to be in a convenient place. I rather it near the garage and back yard since the boys play outside a LOT.
***Disclaimer: These pictures do not belong to me. They are some that I found on different websites such as houzz.com. They are my inspirations pictures for ideas in my homebuilding.
Traditional Laundry Room by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators 2 Design Group
2. Mudroom With 3/4 Bath Nearby
My idea of a mudroom consists of a bench big enough for 6 of us to put on our shoes at one time. Cubbies above for storage. Coathooks for backsacks and jackets in the winter. There also needs to be a hat rack or hook on a wall. GG and the 3 older boys love baseball caps. I would also like a shoe storage closet preferably under the staircase. I don't like the boys bringing their shoes to their closet. It makes it dirty and nasty. I would rather have a closet for all the shoes to go. That way only one spot in the house is where the shoes will go. My dream would be that it would be easier to find shoes. I also would like a broom closet that houses all the cleaning supplies.
2. Mudroom With 3/4 Bath Nearby
My idea of a mudroom consists of a bench big enough for 6 of us to put on our shoes at one time. Cubbies above for storage. Coathooks for backsacks and jackets in the winter. There also needs to be a hat rack or hook on a wall. GG and the 3 older boys love baseball caps. I would also like a shoe storage closet preferably under the staircase. I don't like the boys bringing their shoes to their closet. It makes it dirty and nasty. I would rather have a closet for all the shoes to go. That way only one spot in the house is where the shoes will go. My dream would be that it would be easier to find shoes. I also would like a broom closet that houses all the cleaning supplies.
Traditional Bathroom by Minneapolis Design-Build Firms Metamorphosis Design-Build
3. Large Kitchen With Island
My dream kitchen is a LONG list of must haves. That is for another post. I do know that I want Ivory color main perimeter cabinets with glazed stained wood cabinets for the island. Tumbled marble with bronze fleur-de-lis accent tiles as the backsplash. Soapstone countertops on perimeter and granite on island. Several appliances that I would like: Full Fridge with matching cabinet panel, Tall tub dishwasher with panel, Single dishwasher drawer, 36-48" gas rangetop, Double Wall Ovens, Warming drawer, Freezer drawer, Ice maker machine, and Undercounter beverage cooler. Lighting is key in a kitchen. I want recessed lighting, undercabinet lighting, accent lighting over the cabinets, and pendants/mini-pendants.
3. Large Kitchen With Island
My dream kitchen is a LONG list of must haves. That is for another post. I do know that I want Ivory color main perimeter cabinets with glazed stained wood cabinets for the island. Tumbled marble with bronze fleur-de-lis accent tiles as the backsplash. Soapstone countertops on perimeter and granite on island. Several appliances that I would like: Full Fridge with matching cabinet panel, Tall tub dishwasher with panel, Single dishwasher drawer, 36-48" gas rangetop, Double Wall Ovens, Warming drawer, Freezer drawer, Ice maker machine, and Undercounter beverage cooler. Lighting is key in a kitchen. I want recessed lighting, undercabinet lighting, accent lighting over the cabinets, and pendants/mini-pendants.
Mediterranean Kitchen by Highwood Interior Designers & Decorators Letitia Holloway
4. Large Pantry
I really need tons of storage for all the food, paper goods, oils, seasonings, and different items that I don't want stored in kitchen cabinets. Having 4 children means shopping bulk most of the time. An ideal area to store all of these items would be the pantry.
5. Keeping Room attached to Kitchen
I am not one for two dining rooms. I would rather have a living area off of the kitchen with seating at the bar or island for eating.
4. Large Pantry
I really need tons of storage for all the food, paper goods, oils, seasonings, and different items that I don't want stored in kitchen cabinets. Having 4 children means shopping bulk most of the time. An ideal area to store all of these items would be the pantry.
5. Keeping Room attached to Kitchen
I am not one for two dining rooms. I would rather have a living area off of the kitchen with seating at the bar or island for eating.
Traditional Living Room by Beaufort Architects & Designers Allison Ramsey Architects
6. Large Master Bedroom with Sitting area
I would love a Master Bedroom that would fit a King Size Bed with 2 nightstands, a chest of drawer, and a large dresser along with two chairs and a small table. I love sitting in the room looking outdoors in the morning. I would also like a single French door to the back porch.
6. Large Master Bedroom with Sitting area
I would love a Master Bedroom that would fit a King Size Bed with 2 nightstands, a chest of drawer, and a large dresser along with two chairs and a small table. I love sitting in the room looking outdoors in the morning. I would also like a single French door to the back porch.
Traditional Bedroom by Charleston General Contractors Priester's Custom Contracting, LLC
7. Large Master Bath
My dream bath involves a slipper tub with a window over it, a 48" shower, a water closet, a small linen closet, separated his and her vanities, and double door entry into a large walk-in closet. The shower would be tiled and have body sprays as well as a rainshower head.
7. Large Master Bath
My dream bath involves a slipper tub with a window over it, a 48" shower, a water closet, a small linen closet, separated his and her vanities, and double door entry into a large walk-in closet. The shower would be tiled and have body sprays as well as a rainshower head.
Traditional Bathroom by Downers Grove Design-Build Firms Oakley Home Builders
8. Formal Dining Room
I want a dining room that is separated from the kitchen area. It will be open to the living room and foyer.
8. Formal Dining Room
I want a dining room that is separated from the kitchen area. It will be open to the living room and foyer.
Traditional Spaces by Tatum General Contractors Anthony Builders
9. Living Room
In my living room, I want it located at the rear of the house. There will be a fireplace that will be located in between 2 bookcases. On one side of one bookcase, the hall to the second and third bedrooms is here. On the side of the other bookcase will be the entryway to the Master Bedroom. I would love for it to have 12 ft ceilings.
9. Living Room
In my living room, I want it located at the rear of the house. There will be a fireplace that will be located in between 2 bookcases. On one side of one bookcase, the hall to the second and third bedrooms is here. On the side of the other bookcase will be the entryway to the Master Bedroom. I would love for it to have 12 ft ceilings.
Traditional Living Room by Charleston Interior Designers & Decorators Alix Bragg Interior Design
10. Important Items
There are many items that I want that won't have pictures because they aren't for the pleasure of viewing. There are some that are most needed here in Louisiana.
a. Slab Foundation
This is key in our home. I want stained concrete floors in most rooms except for the kitchen and keeping room. Those rooms I am wanting a brick floor.
10. Important Items
There are many items that I want that won't have pictures because they aren't for the pleasure of viewing. There are some that are most needed here in Louisiana.
a. Slab Foundation
This is key in our home. I want stained concrete floors in most rooms except for the kitchen and keeping room. Those rooms I am wanting a brick floor.
Traditional Basement by White Design-Build Firms The Southern Basement Company
b. Blown closed cell insulation
I have heard several people saying just how this keeps the cold air in during the summer and warm air in during the winter. I have fiberglass batts in the walls and blown in cellulose (newspaper) in the attic. It doesn't help our home keep temperature.
c. Low E Glazed Windows
These are really popular at the moment. I don't know if they work or if they are worth it, but I am willing to try it out.
d. High Seer Air Conditioner
I know the higher the seer number the more energy efficient you are going to be. I would like to have a separate zone system where you can turn off the bedrooms flow or keep it at a higher temperature while you are in the bedroom. I don't stay in my bedroom except for sleeping and waking in the morning to watch the sun rise.
b. Blown closed cell insulation
I have heard several people saying just how this keeps the cold air in during the summer and warm air in during the winter. I have fiberglass batts in the walls and blown in cellulose (newspaper) in the attic. It doesn't help our home keep temperature.
c. Low E Glazed Windows
These are really popular at the moment. I don't know if they work or if they are worth it, but I am willing to try it out.
d. High Seer Air Conditioner
I know the higher the seer number the more energy efficient you are going to be. I would like to have a separate zone system where you can turn off the bedrooms flow or keep it at a higher temperature while you are in the bedroom. I don't stay in my bedroom except for sleeping and waking in the morning to watch the sun rise.
School Uniforms
I have been buying uniforms since MG started public school in the 2nd grade. He was previously at a private school that allowed the children to wear "everyday" clothes. My experience with different name brands has been quite good. There are some that I most likely won't buy again. MG and JK always have problems finding the right uniform pants that will fit well. Pleated pants do NOT look good on any of my boys. Another problem that I have had with a couple of brands is that they fade quickly. By October, they are looking like cheap used clothing.
Since I am buying for three and not one anymore, I have to look more at prices than ever before. Paying in the teens for shirts and pants when MG was the only one that I was buying for. When JK started school, it wasn't that bad either. But when LG started school last year, it got to be too expensive to NOT shop when there were sales. JK and LG are in the same size shirt which makes it a LOT easier since I can just buy in bulk and be done with it. The pants, however, are a different story. JK wears a slim pants while LG wears a regular size pants.
I absolutely LOVE the George uniform shirts that can be found at Walmart. They are cheap but not cheap looking AND they keep their color year round. ***Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos that are shown. They were taken from the websites that are listed before the picture.
My favorite uniform pants has to be from The Children's Place. I've found that they last quite a while with my boys and stay looking new for quite some time as well!
However for MG, it is going to be a little harder this year. He doesn't fit in the sizes that are available at The Children's Place. When he first started, we would get him French Toast Uniforms. At the time, they were only found at Target. I absolutely loved them because they had the double knee. He is really rough with the knees of his pants. For some reason, he is the ONLY one who has had blow outs in the knees.
When these were at Target, they were really inexpensive. They have gone up in price since I bought them over 4 years ago. They aren't available at Target and I hate to buy something online just in case it doesn't fit. I always worry that I will send the clothes back and I won't a bigger/smaller size until after school starts leaving them without clothes. Without any other options, I would have to go and get them each a couple of pants and shirts and be out the money that I supposedly saved.
Old Navy shirts and pants wear well, but they fade horribly. I bought some Old Navy dark blue uniform pants. They faded within 3 weeks of wear. The same went for their shirts. I would probably buy their khaki uniform pants and white uniform shirts, though, but will probably not do anything colored.
Now, my children do not wear white on white or blue on blue clothes. They wear the khaki/blue or blue/white combinations. I usually buy my boys a couple of shorts, as well. The heat stays well into October and sometimes even in November, so shorts are worn quite often around here. Usually, I love the blue shorts, just because the shirt colors that our school allows go great with them. The shorts are from The Children's Place and the shirt is from Wal-mart.
These are what I buy for my children. Usually, it costs under $300 which is what I aim for when buying their school clothes at the beginning of the school year. It can get to be really expensive, but I try to cut cost wherever I see fit. Right now, all uniforms are on sale in my area. If these uniforms last the whole year, then I am proud of my accomplishment. If, however, they only 6 months, and I am paying full price in the middle of the year for more pants, I feel like I defeated the purpose. d
Good luck to all of you parents out there who have a first time entering student and don't have much more time before they enter school. It can be really stressful, I know. Just take deep breaths and you will be ok. The first day is the hardest. It never gets easier with each child either. Good luck to all you seasoned parents too. This means our children are getting older each time they enter a new school year.
Since I am buying for three and not one anymore, I have to look more at prices than ever before. Paying in the teens for shirts and pants when MG was the only one that I was buying for. When JK started school, it wasn't that bad either. But when LG started school last year, it got to be too expensive to NOT shop when there were sales. JK and LG are in the same size shirt which makes it a LOT easier since I can just buy in bulk and be done with it. The pants, however, are a different story. JK wears a slim pants while LG wears a regular size pants.
I absolutely LOVE the George uniform shirts that can be found at Walmart. They are cheap but not cheap looking AND they keep their color year round. ***Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos that are shown. They were taken from the websites that are listed before the picture.
My favorite uniform pants has to be from The Children's Place. I've found that they last quite a while with my boys and stay looking new for quite some time as well!
However for MG, it is going to be a little harder this year. He doesn't fit in the sizes that are available at The Children's Place. When he first started, we would get him French Toast Uniforms. At the time, they were only found at Target. I absolutely loved them because they had the double knee. He is really rough with the knees of his pants. For some reason, he is the ONLY one who has had blow outs in the knees.
When these were at Target, they were really inexpensive. They have gone up in price since I bought them over 4 years ago. They aren't available at Target and I hate to buy something online just in case it doesn't fit. I always worry that I will send the clothes back and I won't a bigger/smaller size until after school starts leaving them without clothes. Without any other options, I would have to go and get them each a couple of pants and shirts and be out the money that I supposedly saved.
Old Navy shirts and pants wear well, but they fade horribly. I bought some Old Navy dark blue uniform pants. They faded within 3 weeks of wear. The same went for their shirts. I would probably buy their khaki uniform pants and white uniform shirts, though, but will probably not do anything colored.
Now, my children do not wear white on white or blue on blue clothes. They wear the khaki/blue or blue/white combinations. I usually buy my boys a couple of shorts, as well. The heat stays well into October and sometimes even in November, so shorts are worn quite often around here. Usually, I love the blue shorts, just because the shirt colors that our school allows go great with them. The shorts are from The Children's Place and the shirt is from Wal-mart.
These are what I buy for my children. Usually, it costs under $300 which is what I aim for when buying their school clothes at the beginning of the school year. It can get to be really expensive, but I try to cut cost wherever I see fit. Right now, all uniforms are on sale in my area. If these uniforms last the whole year, then I am proud of my accomplishment. If, however, they only 6 months, and I am paying full price in the middle of the year for more pants, I feel like I defeated the purpose. d
Good luck to all of you parents out there who have a first time entering student and don't have much more time before they enter school. It can be really stressful, I know. Just take deep breaths and you will be ok. The first day is the hardest. It never gets easier with each child either. Good luck to all you seasoned parents too. This means our children are getting older each time they enter a new school year.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Weight Issues..
I am trying to lead a healthier life. I look for healthier solutions to foods that I like to eat. It is hard. I have been overweight for most of my life. I did lose weight when I was in high school and was thin a few years of college but gained it right back plus some when I became pregnant with MG a few months after GG and I got married. At the time, we were living in the country and really didn't have an option of going anywhere to do daily walks except the country roads. People speed down those roads so I really hated to take MG in his stroller down those roads.
I know that I can give all sorts of excuses for why I am overweight. People who are thin and have been thin their whole life don't understand the daily struggles that we, overweight people, have. Even some overweight people don't understand why people are more overweight than they are. Some just don't realize just how big they are and speak quite ill of overweight or obese people. I have learned over the years that there are more than one type of an overweight person. You have the ones that binge eat. You have the ones who eat constantly. You have the ones who eat small meals during the day and pig out at night. You have those who put too much on their plate at dinner time and overeat. You even have the ones who don't know just how many calories they are putting in their bodies. I am a combination of two: The "overeater" at certain meals and the binge eater. I don't eat all the time and I don't binge eat all the time either. Every so often, I get hungry for something and eat it. Usually it is during that time in the month that every woman has.
It amazes me that something that looks and tastes SO good could hold SO many calories. For example, I love Dairy Queen Blizzards. I got curious one day and went to their nutrition page online. Those things are such a high caloric food, one shouldn't eat much more the entire day. For a medium it was well over 700 calories. This was an eye opener. What I didn't realize was that calories are abundant in most of the foods that I like. I took a nutrition class that I needed for my degree. That was an amazing class. It helped me understand what I was doing "wrong" in my eating. It is all about choice and moderation. I got pregnant with NL not long after that class.
I feel that since NL is 19 months, almost 20 months, I need to get this body back in the shape it was pre-marriage and pre-pregnancies. Four pregnancies does a lot on a body. I don't believe in those "get thin quickly for a LOT of money" type diets. My philosophy on those types of diets is that they don't work. (Weight watchers is probably the only one that I totally understand. It is not about skipping meals. It is about eating right even with a snack) Why don't the fad diets work in the long run? Because you are not eating as you should. By adding something to your food or drinking shakes or skipping out on your foods, you are defeating the purpose. You are not on those things for the rest of your life. When you do happen to stop taking the pills or drinking the shakes or whatever diet you are on, you start eating the foods that you gave up. This means more calories, more saturated fats. Sure you tricked your body into losing weight, but your brain hasn't learned the process of foods. You could be thinner for a few months or even years(as long as you are on that product), but when you quit doing the "fad" diet, you gain it right back and possibly even more.
I have an issue with paying money to lose weight UNLESS it is a gym membership that you use. Exercising is probably the best thing that you can do. You have to keep with it, though, or it is truly useless. Even if you just go once a week, it is better than sitting at home eating. This is how I lost my weight all those years back and I am determined to do it again. It is really hard to lose weight this way, I know, but in the long run it is the best way. You get used to eating things that are good for you and if you do go overboard once in a while, you have the exercise that gets rid of those horrible calories. Remember: EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!!
I know that I can give all sorts of excuses for why I am overweight. People who are thin and have been thin their whole life don't understand the daily struggles that we, overweight people, have. Even some overweight people don't understand why people are more overweight than they are. Some just don't realize just how big they are and speak quite ill of overweight or obese people. I have learned over the years that there are more than one type of an overweight person. You have the ones that binge eat. You have the ones who eat constantly. You have the ones who eat small meals during the day and pig out at night. You have those who put too much on their plate at dinner time and overeat. You even have the ones who don't know just how many calories they are putting in their bodies. I am a combination of two: The "overeater" at certain meals and the binge eater. I don't eat all the time and I don't binge eat all the time either. Every so often, I get hungry for something and eat it. Usually it is during that time in the month that every woman has.
It amazes me that something that looks and tastes SO good could hold SO many calories. For example, I love Dairy Queen Blizzards. I got curious one day and went to their nutrition page online. Those things are such a high caloric food, one shouldn't eat much more the entire day. For a medium it was well over 700 calories. This was an eye opener. What I didn't realize was that calories are abundant in most of the foods that I like. I took a nutrition class that I needed for my degree. That was an amazing class. It helped me understand what I was doing "wrong" in my eating. It is all about choice and moderation. I got pregnant with NL not long after that class.
I feel that since NL is 19 months, almost 20 months, I need to get this body back in the shape it was pre-marriage and pre-pregnancies. Four pregnancies does a lot on a body. I don't believe in those "get thin quickly for a LOT of money" type diets. My philosophy on those types of diets is that they don't work. (Weight watchers is probably the only one that I totally understand. It is not about skipping meals. It is about eating right even with a snack) Why don't the fad diets work in the long run? Because you are not eating as you should. By adding something to your food or drinking shakes or skipping out on your foods, you are defeating the purpose. You are not on those things for the rest of your life. When you do happen to stop taking the pills or drinking the shakes or whatever diet you are on, you start eating the foods that you gave up. This means more calories, more saturated fats. Sure you tricked your body into losing weight, but your brain hasn't learned the process of foods. You could be thinner for a few months or even years(as long as you are on that product), but when you quit doing the "fad" diet, you gain it right back and possibly even more.
I have an issue with paying money to lose weight UNLESS it is a gym membership that you use. Exercising is probably the best thing that you can do. You have to keep with it, though, or it is truly useless. Even if you just go once a week, it is better than sitting at home eating. This is how I lost my weight all those years back and I am determined to do it again. It is really hard to lose weight this way, I know, but in the long run it is the best way. You get used to eating things that are good for you and if you do go overboard once in a while, you have the exercise that gets rid of those horrible calories. Remember: EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Almost that time of year again...School!
At this time of the year, my mind is always focusing on getting ready for three boys to enter into another school year. There are always supplies that are needed before they start. Last year I bought a ton of school supplies just in case the boys needed it during the school year. Stores have a habit of only selling their school supplies at a really low price at the beginning of the school year. I think about the whole year. Pencils break, colors get lost, paper gets used, folders bend, and glue is used. My boys are always coming home around Christmas time with a note that they need some of these items. This happened last year and every year since MG started school.
I like to get the list for everyone (MG won't have one in Jr. High) and write a list of everything I need then check off the items I already have such as manilla folders, folders with clasps, pencils, erasers, black composition books, crayons, glue, and rulers. Oh my, I have so many rulers that I have collected over the years. It is pretty easy to stock up during this time of the year. Thank Goodness, I would be paying an arm and a leg for things that are needed if not!
A new chapter in MG's life is about to start for him: Going into Junior High. How is that it feels like my own time in Junior High was not that long ago?! Yet it has been a little over 20 years since I started those years. I think every school year goes by faster than the last. Each summer zooms by so quickly that I get lightheaded just thinking about it. So anyway, I see a LOT of stores selling tons of schools supplies at a cheap rate. I really don't need much. MG is going to need some notebooks, pens, and pencils to start off the year. Uniforms are another story.
Buying uniforms for 3 different children in 3 different sizes can be a pain. Usually I shop at Old Navy, The Children's Place, or JC Penney for their uniforms. I am hoping that next week will be the week that they put them on sale for a great price. I absolutely LOVE the uniforms. No fighting with them for what they will wear or what shirt and pants match. It is all there for them to just put on after they wake up and eat breakfast. Some people don't like them because of the cost, but I like them because they are convenient for my boys.
This time of year also means that it is time to get back in the groove of going to bed and awaking early. I am an early riser; I love to see the sun come up as dawn peeks its beautiful head. My boys, however, love sleeping late. I made it a habit to see that they go to bed between 8-9 pm but I don't get them up early until the week before school. LG is probably the only one who is actually anxious to go back to school to see his friends. JK and MG are still on the fence about being ready. They have another 4 weeks to get ready. It is approaching quickly.
When do your children start school again? How do you prepare your children to get ready for school time again?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)