Tag Archives: kid

3 Easy Tips for Disneyland First Timers

March 5, 2016 Aubrey 4 Comments

My family is fresh off its first trip to Disneyland and there are so many thing I want to share about our experience, namely a few “insider” tips that I wanted to share. I say “insider,” because I learned the value of these tips after being on the inside. If you’re reading this post as you plan to take your kiddos for the first time, chances are you’re probably trying to sort out and absorb the overwhelming amount of info out can find about planning a trip to Disneyland. I did my fair share of pre-planning and felt pretty confident going in with my crash prep for the trip, I wrote about that here. Right now I want to give you a heads up about a few easy ways to make your trip a little more memorable.

1. 1st Visit Button

First up, a FREE souvenir… Be sure to pick up a 1st Visit button! It was a cute giveaway that can be proudly worn to show off that it’s your very first time. I wouldn’t have even known about this, save for one of the park attendants, who asked if I had one for my kids. He gladly gave them to me, making us feel that much more welcome for their first visit! I saw some people wearing other like buttons and pins, so maybe it’s a “thing” and they have them for all sorts of stuff…keep your eyes open.

A photo posted by Aubrey Aquino (@fifty3weeks) on Mar 4, 2016 at 6:51pm PST

2. Character Breakfast

If it’s your first trip to Disneyland (or Disney World), I would highly suggest making reservations for a character meal. We chose to do Breakfast with Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn on Main Street USA inside Disneyland. It was easy to get a reservation – I think I did mine a week ahead of time, and it’s so worth it! Note – you do need the admission ticket for Disneyland in addition to a reservation for the meal. I wasn’t sure how my boys would react to the characters in person and it was a great ice breaker.

This was our first activity of the day and we got into the park a little early, before it opened through a special entry marked for the character breakfast! It was a breakfast buffet with all the standard favorites. The food was good, but more than the food you are paying for the experience. The characters continuously made the rounds, each stopping at our table multiple times…taking photos, high fiving, interacting and signing the boys’ autograph books.

We met Rafiki, Tigger, Pooh Bear, Dale, Fairy Godmother, Max, Hook, Eeyore and of course Minnie Mouse!

**BONUS – Scoop up the FREE souvenir button, showing you went to the breakfast!

3. Ride Photos

Several of the rides at Disneyland snap your photo during your excursion and at the end of the experience you can view the picture and email it to yourself free of charge. Another great memory saved in a photo, at no extra charge. At first glance I thought it would be a photo they’d try to sell to me, so it was a pleasant surprise to realize it was complimentary. We got one snap from the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters ride.

All in all, our visit was exceptional. Other than our tickets for entry and buying each of our kids a Disneyland hat, we made it out without breaking the bank. We brought a few snacks/munchies and my dollar store finds like the autograph books and neon, glow in the dark goodies for when the sun went down…and managed to steer clear of any over the top, unplanned purchases!

Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Sarah Harmsen

February 26, 2016 Aubrey 2 Comments

Name: Sarah Harmsen
Child & Age: Evelyn (20 months old)
Hometown/Current Location: Madison, WI
Quick Bio: I’m Sarah, a lifestyle blogger living in southern Wisconsin. My heart is happiest when I feel at home. I’m a mother, a wife, a planner and creator. I love turning spaces into places of comfort and elevating everyday experiences into something special. I graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin and made a career out of planning events. After having my beautiful daughter Evelyn Louise, I quickly realized balancing work and motherhood is quite the challenge, but one that makes life so rich and rewarding. Motivated by my desire to give Evie a beautiful childhood, I strive for balance between work and home and make the best of the time I do have with my family.

BLOG: www.sugarmaplenotes.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/sugarmaplenotes
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/sugarmaplenotes
TWITTER: twitter.com/misssarahlouise
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/sugarmaplenotes
BLOGLOVIN: https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/sugar-maple-notes-14548083

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: Being a mom is a huge part of who I am since having my daughter Evelyn. To me, there is not a “mom” version of myself and a “me” version of myself. It’s all the same. That being said, I do think it’s important to take time out to do things just for me. I have struggled with feeling guilt over this and I write more about how I’m working to change that in my blog post “A Fresh Start To A New Year”. This year, I’m focusing on my health, taking time out to read, and continuing on my blogging journey.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Don’t be so hard on yourself. Becoming a mom is a learning process. It’s okay, if you don’t have it all figured out right away because things change daily. Once you think you have something figured out, your child is probably moving on to the next stage! Have fun with it and be flexible. Lean on the people around you for support and don’t compare yourself to other moms. We’re all in different situations.

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: Teach by example. Kids are sponges and they soak up every little thing you do. I’ve been amazed now that my daughter is 20 months old how often I catch her mimicking me or her dad. It’s been eye opening. Just yesterday, I was building a fire in the fireplace and she came up beside me and starting crumpling newspaper and handing it to me and blowing her lips towards the fireplace, just like mom. I catch her watching me so intently, it’s important to remember that. That’s why I make sure my actions reflect what I want her to learn. Number one, I want her to grow up to be kind. She has a big heart already for such a little girl, and I want to make sure she knows how proud of her I am when she uses it.

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: The day Evelyn was born. My family grew from two to three. Suddenly life wasn’t just about me, but about my family and baby who needs me to survive. That is a moment you can’t describe. It’s the beginning of a new kind of selfless love you only have for your child. Having a child forces you to slow down and enjoy the little things. Suddenly being home on the weekend, making breakfast and enjoying a cup a coffee in pajamas with your husband and baby is the best kind of day. And you’re perfectly happy with that.

Mommy 101

Planning for Disneyland

February 25, 2016 Aubrey 1 Comment

I don’t know who’s more excited, me or them!?!? My boys will get their first trip to Disneyland this week and I can’t hardly wait. I’ve done a lot of thinking, talking and (crash) planning to try and plan, prepare and execute a successful trip…and now the bags are getting packed and I think we’re just about ready to go!

As this trip approaches, I really want to attempt to be laid back and flexible in this very first Disneyland family outing. Growing up in California, Disneyland was one of the trips I always looked forward to and just thinking about going back there – the last time I went was in the 90’s, and now taking my offspring, is super exciting!! We live about a 6 hour drive north on I-5, but we’re going to fly (2 toddlers + 6 hours in a car = no bueno), and first stop will be visiting with friends in SoCal, before eventually landing in Anaheim.

I’ve gotten some great tips from friends and family on simple ways to save money and/or the don’t miss opportunities for our visit! First off, my cousin told me to make reservations for a character breakfast. I’m so glad she reminded me of this, because it’ll be great to get my boys the one on one meet and greet with a few characters, that way we won’t have to hunt them down in the park!

Along those same lines, she suggested I purchase and personalize an autograph book, so the boys can get those coveted signatures form all the Disney characters they encounter. I found this fun, hardcover Mickey and Friends journals at Dollar Tree, and I personalized them with stickers too.

Also on my trip to the dollar store and dollar aisle in Target, I found all kinds of light sticks, bracelets and perfect glow in the dark “souvenirs,” that will conveniently pop up when the sun goes down and we wait for the electrical parade! I’m SURE this is going to save me more than a few dollars.

I also found some Mickey-themed tissue and Star Wars bracelets, plus I dug up Minnie and Mickey ears we took home from a Mickey Mouse party a while back! I purchased them Mickey Mouse shirts to wear for our outing (I got one each for me and their Daddy too), and I borrowed a City Mini double stroller because I’m sure at some point their little limbs will be tired.

All in all, I think we are good to. Other helpful tips I’ve been given include checking out the Anaheim Target store because they have an entire “Disney” section, as well as keeping lots of sanitizer, baby wipes and bringing in our own snacks and water bottles. I’ll be sure to write a follow up on this post with any other Disneyland tips, tricks and advice of what worked (or didn’t), for us!

Mommy 101

Discover the Dinosaurs

February 23, 2016 Aubrey 2 Comments

We did a Sunday Funday outing to “Discover the Dinosaurs.” It’s a traveling exhibit and we had the opportunity to catch it during its 2016 San Jose stop. My boys aren’t super into the prehistoric animals, but besides the actual dinos on display, there were also activities to engage the kids, so we checked it out.

We went first thing in the morning when they opened and on the way to the convention center we did our best to get the boys excited about seeing the dinosaurs. It was great when we walked in and they didn’t immediately get scared.

The dinosaurs on display are pretty big and make “life-like” movements. I don’t think they are life-size, but to a 3-footer toddler, I’m sure they come across larger than life. We enjoyed looking at them and reading the different names and teaching those terms to the boys, very educational. This part doesn’t really take too much time, you can do it in 30 minutes give or take, depending on how much or how little time you spend looking at the creatures.

Then they had a few dino rides. My older toddler wasn’t interested, but my 2-year old chose to take his turn riding the Triceratops! Right after that they had sandboxes set up where kids could brush away the sand and discover fossils. This was cool for maybe 5-10 minutes, but the big attraction for my kids was the inflatables area.

My boys are big on the bouncies and this is where we spent most of our time. They had a pretty good variety of bouncy houses with slides, big bounce areas and obstacles for both smaller and bigger kids.

Other attraction were a mini-golf set up, coloring area and a “mining” area, with the latter requiring an additional charge to the admission.

Overall, it was a fun outing, in total we spent less than 2 hours there total. I’d say this exhibit is best for kids ages 3-7, and/or babes who LOVE dinosaurs. If you think the dinos may come across scary, that wasn’t an issue with us, but I did see at least one kid hesitate to do a dinosaur ride. The cost of admission may be a bit steep, a family of four is about $100, not sure if price is dependent on location.

Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Jessica Glaze

February 19, 2016 Aubrey Leave a comment

Name: Jessica Glaze
Children & Ages: Carter (4) & Monroe (2)
Hometown/Current Location: I grew up in Chicago but I call San Diego home. I moved to San Diego when I was 18 and lived there until our recent move to Toronto.
Quick Bio: I am a mom and a wife, and that is exactly what I want to be doing with my life right now. When I graduated high school, I moved to California for college. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. After that, I completed a Master’s Degree in Education with a credential in School Counseling. During that time in graduate school, I got married and knocked up, so I decided I wanted to put my family first and I never pursued a career in the school system.

I am married to a retired professional paintball player turned professional coach. We have two kids and we are a pretty awesome parenting team, if I do say so myself. As a family, we always keep our eyes towards Jesus.

Through all of my life experiences I have learned one thing and that is that my strongest asset is my independence. I was fiercely independent as a child and teenage, I really honed in on that skill when I left my friends and family and moved across the country alone. Now as a mom, I am a free range parent to my core, so that I can teach my kids the value of independence.

Through all of my life, I have always said there is one way to describe my personality and that is through Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Keep up with Jessica on her blog at http://theglazebrigade.com/

Instagram: Instagram.com/jessicaglaze

Facebook: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jglazephotography

Twitter: Twitter.com/Jess_Glaze

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/JessicaGlaze

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: I married a really amazing man that doesn’t even flinch when I tell him I have plans or when I hand him the kids and say, “make yourself some spaghetti,” before walking out the door. This makes it really easy for me to have a girls night out or just go to the mall alone. I am sure to not take advantage and I also exchange him the same courtesy when he needs time with friends. He is also super supportive of my blog and my desire to be a social media influencer and that is where I really get to spend time doing something for myself.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Ditch 1,2,3 magic. When your child is running to the street, do you want them to stop when you say “stop” or when you say “3”? Your children need to listen to you the first time you make a request of them and 1,2,3 magic tells them they have 2 chances to disobey before they have to listen.

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I am a crunchy, free range, strict, God fearing mama and I wear that badge with honor.

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date? A
A: I once started loading my groceries into someone else’s car on accident and the owners of the car walked up behind me at the exact moment I realized it was the wrong car! I was mortified and I apologized a million times before I walked away!

Q: As a Mommy what is it that you feel you do “right”?
A: I feel that staying home with my kids and being available to them 24/7 is the thing that I do right.

Mommy 101

Snow Play at Spicer Sno Park

February 17, 2016 Aubrey 4 Comments

One of the great things about living in (Northern) California is having all kinds of “nature” at your doorstep. You can head to the coast for some beach time, or hit the hills and trails for a hike….there’s also the Sierra Nevada’s which provide for some awesome SNOW PLAY!!

Personally, I’m not much of a cold weather person. I’ve been fortunate to grow up and live in places where it really doesn’t ever snow, so that has worked out well for me. I have gone skiing and tried my hand at snowboarding, but at the end of the day, I’m gonna be okay if I never do either again.

However, because I believe in doing my best to expose my kids to new experiences and trying to cultivate family time activities, I made it a point for us to enjoy the “El Nino” snow, that’s just a short drive away. Last year my boys did get to see snow for the first time while we were living in Virginia, but I must say, snow in California is something special.

I did my due diligence in researching areas which weren’t far from home, didn’t have a big price tag and could provide us with a fun day of snow play! The big thing around the Bay Area is Lake Tahoe, but if you don’t aim so far north and think more direct east….you can avoid the Tahoe traffic, and find lots of areas to enjoy too!

In our case I chose the Spicer Sno Park – I have no idea why there is no “w,” but that’s how it’s listed. The California State Park system has 18 Sno-Parks to choose from in Northern California and the only cost is a $5 parking permit you can buy online or at designated locations on the way to your destination. Here’s a link to the map >> http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24867

Since we have toddlers and didn’t want to drive more than a few hours, we chose Spicer, off Highway 4. The play area has an ample parking lot and portable restroom on site. There was plenty of room to play, and you could take your pick of smaller hills, or steeper ones to slide down. We brought our own snow Saucers that I purchased at Big 5 before we left the Bay Area. And, everyone there pretty much knew the drill to bring their own sleds, toboggans or discs. Find more snow gear here.

All in all, it was a good day. We stayed for a couple ours to play and then went right back home. I also made/edited my first ever video mash up of the day, using iMovie on my iPhone! Press play below…

Product & Gear

Everyone Sleeps…Seriously

February 11, 2016 Aubrey 3 Comments

When you’re a parent, the topic of “is your kid a ‘good’ sleeper” tends to come up. Well, in my case, I’d say yes, my kids are good sleepers…but they aren’t perfect sleepers. And, as they grow and try to exercise their voice and push limits when it comes to napping and bedtime, whether or not they are a ‘good’ sleeper isn’t so much the problem, as is how can you get them to sleep peacefully with minimal stress. It’s an ongoing struggle, and I’ve written about sleep issues before…like HERE, HERE and HERE!

In my case, it’s a 1, 2 punch. My boys can be double trouble and if you try to get one to bed while the other gets to stay up…it’s an issue. Just like if one starts to have a meltdown or whine, sometimes the other feels he has to “act” the same way to get the attention too! Oy vey!!

Lately, we’ve been able to stick to a routine and they know when it’s time to hit the sack for the night…BUT the problem in our home is that many times when the “bed time” comes around, they are so wound up and still chalk full of energy, that it takes some effort and discussion to coax them into “sleepy time” mode. They will try and negotiate and give the “I’m not tired” excuse, and the reasons expand from there, to I’m hungry or I need to use the potty, I want more milk, water, etc… Anything and everything to stay awake. All the while I am just counting the seconds until I can wash dishes, take a shower, prep for the next day, write an email, return a phone call…. If you feel me, then keep reading.

So when I was introduced to the creator of a video series called “Everyone Sleeps,” I was all ears or maybe I should say all about the Zzzz’s!! Not only did Scott (the creator) rave about how the videos have worked wonders in his household, but it was very evident how passionate he was about this project AND that he wanted others to experience the peace that a good night’s sleep can provide when children are present! What’s really cool is how he came to make them in the first place…

“As Foster parents several years ago, my wife and I were presented with a challenge when we took in two siblings, 2 and 3 years old who suffered from severe night terrors and were afraid to sleep.”

Well, we’re still in the early stages of implementing and incorporating the videos into our daily bedtime routine…but already, I can see these videos working. Remember, I mentioned the excess energy when it’s time to “quiet down.” Well, the first time we played an Everyone Sleeps video, I immediately witnessed the calming effect. My toddlers were quick to point out the colors, shapes, animals, scenes and other visuals found in the video. All of it is set to pleasant music, easy listening if you will, and it works. I’ll tell you this, my younger sister who was watching on the couch with us…well the videos knocked her out in minutes – so it’s NOT exclusive to the 0 – 6 years it’s designed for! ha!

There are 3 volumes so far and a bonus pack, we are still working through the first few volumes. One of the things I also appreciate about the Everyone Sleeps videos is that you can watch them as a family, the video can be set to “loop” and continuously play… My hope is that by using these consistently, my boys will go to sleep in a calm way, not the fussy, fighting sleep state. And then hopefully that will lead them to sleep through the night and not wake up wanting some milk or trying to get into our bed! All of this eventually letting Mommy and Daddy sleep…thus EVERYONE SLEEPS!!!

If you are curious to learn more about the video series you can visit the Everyone Sleeps website HERE. And here’s a promo code for 25% off if you would like to order and try it for yourself. Enter “53 Weeks” at checkout for the discount >> http://everyonesleepsvideos.com/products

Good luck, good night and sleep tight!!

Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Jasmin Mohib

February 4, 2016 Aubrey Leave a comment

Name: Jasmin Mohib
Children & Ages: Amir Mohib- 4 Mahnaz Mohib- 5
Hometown/Current Location: Alameda, CA
Quick Bio: My “day” job is as a QA Tech for an outdoor clothing company in the Bay Area. I also model, dance (former Oakland Raiderette), serve as a brand ambassador/spokesmodel and face of FancyHair.co, plus I sing — currently recording an album. Soon, I will also launch my own business that consists of helping people achieve their dreams using various strategies. I am honored to be a board member of an organization called “WeAreSuperMoms” which helps empower Moms, and serves as a huge support group for Moms in the community.

I am a divorced mom of two (a boy and girl) ages 4&5. My ex-husband and I have been very successful at co-parenting and helping each other out. We think it is very important to maintain a friendship to make things smoother for our children.

You can connect with me on Instagram @officiallyjasmin or on Twitter: @nimsaj143

Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: When my children start to fuss my “go to” is entertaining them and letting them get loose, or get them laughing (it is also great for me because I relieve some stress too). I know how to juggle so they instantly forget what they are “upset” about when mommy starts juggling. My second is what I call dance party. I turn up the music (usually when they are in mid-fuss lol) and announce its dance party time. I lower the lights and put on one of those disco ball lighting and we dance all over. They get to release that tension and the laughter and dance moves are priceless memories I will forever cherish.

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: When I first became a Mommy I lost my sense of self. I had really bad post-partum too. What helped me change was really seeing my children noticing me. No matter what I am doing they will be watching me and learning from me. This is when I immediately woke up and went about changing my life, so I can show them by example, what I want for them. I am not a stranger to going after my dreams and I expect them to follow suit. I became more confident and it motivated me to go after everything I want because that is what I want for them. I began deleting things that may be an image of me settling for less, because I would be heartbroken if my children settled for anything. As a Mom you have to lead by example at all times (and own your mistakes too bc we are human first). My example for them (I hope) is a mother who has a strong sense of self but knows she will consistently be learning about herself too. I love it when they see me in fear or nervousness but also seeing that I will not allow that to stop me from going forward.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: The best advice to new Moms is you have to make sure your cup is full before you try to care for others. Take care of yourself first! For example, you need to eat in order for your children to get the best nutrients out of the breast milk, you need to sleep in order to best take care of your children. You need to do things that bring you joy and happiness so that you’ll be positive in the interactions with your children.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: Something I have learned about myself becoming a Mom is that I am more of a “MOM” then I thought I could be. The thought of becoming a mother was a horrifying thing for me (and a thing I can laugh at now). I was scared about the commitment of caring for a child forever (prob a hormonal thing). As soon as I had my babies I surprised myself by how many things just came naturally. Even more, every step of their lives that made them less dependent on me (first crawl, first steps, eating by themselves) made me sad like I was losing them. It is funny how the tables have turned.

Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Kristen Hewitt

January 28, 2016 Aubrey 9 Comments

Name: Kristen Hewitt
Children & Ages: Lila 6, Emylia 4
Hometown/Current Location: Minnesotan sweating it out in South Florida
Quick Bio: Kristen Hewitt is a two-time Emmy Award winning Television Reporter, Host, and Producer in South Florida for Fox Sun Sports and the Miami HEAT. (But she tells everyone she’s just a mom who talks on TV sometimes!) After struggling with infertility and finally having two daughters via IVF, she decided to work part-time. She chronicles the misadventures of working late nights in sports broadcasting and early morning with the kids on her site mommyinsports.com. Her work can also be seen on the Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, TODAY Parents, She Knows, and Mom Babble to name a few, and is continuing to produce her webshow Playtime. She strives everyday to find that elusive balance between work and home with grace, gratitude, and Pinot Grigio.

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Seriously, I should have tattooed this on my wrists when I first became a mom. The late nights, the teething, the potty training, it’s hard. But before you blink they’ll be six and so independent you’ll miss the baby stage like crazy. Hug em’ tight, hold them often, and and cherish every second that you can.

Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
A: Finding time between work and kids is TOUGH! I tried to get up before the kids to workout, but let’s be real….mama needs her sleep! I’ve found when things don’t add up, it’s time to subtract. If you can’t find time to work out, you need to cut something out to make the time. It’s crucial to your well being both physically and mentally. I work out at a park with a trainer 2-3 times a week, and often bring the girls. It’s so important that they learn to love fitness at an early age, and who better to teach by example than mom!?

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: My daughter at 4 said she didn’t like anything about herself. I realized my own self image was spilling over into her. I worked with her on complimenting ourselves and about 6 months later she told me she loved herself. She probably didn’t know what it meant at the time, but in that moment, I knew I had to teach self-love, kindness, and pride in ourselves more than anything. I wrote about it here and called it “My Best Day as a Mom So Far”…it’s my favorite piece to date I’ve ever written.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: How much time do you have? Seriously, I am who I am today because of them. When you look at our children it’s like looking at your own reflection. They make me want to be the best version of myself everyday. I truly believe we discover who we are supposed to be in our kids…they are the best gift in the world. They are the ones that are really teaching me who I want and need to be.

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: Ummm…I’m a HAUTE mess when it comes to fashion! Seriously, I’m a mid-westerner trying to survive among the glamorous in Miami! I prefer flip flops and maxi dresses, or baseball hats and leggings, but when I work, I usually pick dresses. (Now that my friends have taught me what to wear!) I like simple pieces with fun and colorful shoes and accessories. But not too high! Three inches are good for walking around a basketball arena all night!

Q: What’s the best surprise you’ve ever done for your kids/family?
A: Sunrises at the beach. Let’s face it, the kids wake up early, before the sun sometimes. So a couple times a year we pack up early and head to the beach for a sunrise breakfast. It’s always so much fun!

Mommy 101

I’m a Certified BOY MOM

January 22, 2016 Aubrey 2 Comments

I’m a Mom to 2 boys…and there are things they do and say that let me know they are ALL boy. As a disclaimer, I don’t have girls, so I’m not trying to generalize (or polarize) that these points only apply to boys, or that they’re representative of all boys, BUT for me, these 5 points clearly point to the fact that my egg was fertilized with a Y-chromosome on two separate occasions!

I try to do some “research” and compare notes with my fellow Moms…girl Moms if you will, and the consensus seems to show that my theory on if I had girls, we would be sitting around playing tea or dress up, would probably be true.

However, that’s not my experience (to date). My days are filled with high-impact energy and playing the zone, along with lots of “potty” talk and curious questions from the moment they open their eyes, until they use their last ounces of energy trying to fight bed time.

These are my TOP 5 tell-tale signs that I am a certified BOY MOM:

Dirt don’t hurt – My boys do not mind being dirty, there’s no hesitation when it comes to sticky, dirty, sweaty, wet, etc… I’m usually chasing them down with sanitizer or constantly dishing out instruction to wash hands. And – only my 2-year old is still in diapers, and he’ll tell me he’s got a dirty one, but that doesn’t always mean he wants me to change it! :/
Couch jumping – Nothing like couch surfing, one of my guys’ favorite pastimes is figuring out how to jump from couch to couch or climb up on the family room furniture, only to jump, dive, roll and launch off of said furniture onto the ground…and repeat!
Fart and Poop factors – Two of their favorite words, and the bonus is the act of producing a fart! If you’re gonna be a mom to a boy, it just comes with the territory. I’ve tried my best to play it off (once they discovered these words), and not pay it much mind or act like they are buzzwords, but it’s just like they know! They will find creative ways to use either term in a sentence or even put them in their favorite songs. When it comes to fart-ing…well, one does not like to be outdone by the other!
Energizer bunnies – My two rarely sit still, they are constantly moving. I’m always on the lookout for activities and ideas to keep them stimulated and busy. I love taking them outside for walks or to the playground to let them run around and work off some energy, but a lot of times I am the one run down before them. They just keep going and going….
Wrestlemania – There’s a lot of rough play…all day! Paired with the furniture jumping, I feel like a referee in the octagon or in a WWF ring. It’s one thing when they rough house with Dad, but my body isn’t quite as rugged and my tummy (when they both came out on c-sections) is a little more sensitive. However, that doesn’t stop them from using me for leverage or as a stepping stone/ladder to get from point A to point B.

Okay, so how’d I do? Anyone out there, can you relate? If you don’t have boys or maybe your boys aren’t quite so “typical” boy… this may not sound all that exciting, but actually, I look forward to it everyday. I feel like between the two of mine, I easily get in a daily workout and there is NEVER a dull moment.

And — did I mention how somewhere along the way, my boys have taken up picking wildflowers when we’re on a walk, to give to Mommy!?! I’m not saying that lets me know I am a boy Mom, but there’s definitely something about my baby boys presenting me with a flower that melts my heart every single time!

You’ve heard the term, “Boys will be boys.” I’m not gonna sugar coat it, it’s a busy, BUSY whirlwind life while trying to manage two very independent little men, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

…and 2 babies later