Tag Archives: parent

The Role of A School Volunteer

June 25, 2019 Aubrey Leave a comment

A volunteer is defined as, “a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.” This past year I took on a regular volunteer role at my children’s school and my eyes have been opened to not only how important school volunteers are, but “how to” volunteer the right way.

I know there are some stereotypes that are associated with being a school volunteer, especially when it comes to being part of the PTA aka Parent Teacher Association. The thing is, being a school volunteer is a wonderful way to be more active in your child’s life an education, as well as a way for you to share your time and talents with others. These days, we are all stretched on time, but even if you can’t physically be at the school during school hours, there are other ways to get involved and lend a helping hand, and school community’s is always open to volunteers!

For me, being part of the PTA, as well as finding time to volunteer in the classroom has been a wonderful experience. I have gotten the opportunity to know other like-minded parents in the school community and I’m always in the loop with school events and happenings. My children enjoy having me around (for now), and they look forward to participating in all the activities going on, as well as making more school friends outside of their respective classrooms.

This year I had some challenges in the classroom of my younger child, and being an active parent who is regularly volunteering on campus held some weight when I was falsely accused of being a “liar” and using racially charged language. A lot can be said for building relationships and knowing who to talk to when unfortunate situations can occur, and in my case the credibility and “reputation” I had built as a volunteer, made a difference.

Here are some volunteer DO’s and DON’Ts….

DO make sure you are properly registered as a volunteer with the school office and district. This may include live scan (fingerprinting) and a background check. Yes, it may seem like a chore, but at the end of the day it is for the safety and security of the kids.
DO offer to pitch in and help when you can! Share your special talents, everything from designing school flyers, updating a website, selling raffle tickets or joining a planning committee. In the classroom you can read a book to the kids, cut paper, organize items, open snack packages at lunch, chaperone field trips, etc…
DO show respect and compassion for everyone on campus. We are all there with a common goal, and that’s ensuring that every child is having a good experience, because when that happens, you know your child is in a good place!
DON’T over volunteer. I say this with the utmost respect, and more so in regard to time spent in the classroom with kids. I’d say a good average for volunteer time in a class is once a week, 2 hours at a time.
DON’T use your volunteer time as “social” hour. Be mindful of your behavior on a school campus, (I believe) parents should hold themselves accountable to the same standards as the children in regard to acceptance, respect, bullying and safety. Remember, the kids look up to the “grown-ups” in the room..and they are always watching!
DON’T be a flake. Yes, volunteering is free and things do come up, but if you sign up for something, you’ve gotta come through and be reliable. If your circumstance changes and you are no longer able/available to help out, be sure to communicate with those in charge.

This year I did have an issue with a parent “volunteer” in my son’s class and I finally had to speak up when things just seemed way too “off,” and I’m glad I did. In a nutshell, said parent was volunteering 5+ hours a day in the class “volunteering,” come to find out this parent had not followed through on the proper background check protocol for being in the classroom 20+ hours a week, was tripping children and throwing objects (i.e. crayons) at the kids as a form of “play,” and was having rather personal conversations with students like my son about his race and ethnicity. This parent became so comfortable in the class, that he brought cupcakes to celebrate his own birthday. He was constantly giving the children gifts including money, key chains, cookies, cakes, etc… to the point where my radar was about to explode! On top of all of this, I believe he was misrepresenting himself as a “licensed” professional, however I could find no evidence of said license.

All this to say, volunteering at school is an awesome way to pitch in and show your child you want to be involved in their “world!” It certainly is a positive thing and warmly welcomed, but don’t be a creep. We always hear about school budget cuts and the state of education, and this is a way you can make a difference. Volunteers make schools stronger and better, but just make sure you’re there for the right reasons and are ready to work!

Mommy 101

Let’s Play…T-Ball!

April 22, 2017 Aubrey Leave a comment

This Spring our family has ventured into the wonderful world of T-Ball! Yup, this is just the beginning. We’re giving up our weekend and devoting it to practices and games, and so far, so good.

One of the advantages of having two kids who are a mere 53 weeks apart, is that when it comes to youth sports, they can be on the same team. I don’t know if it will always be that way, or work out (to my advantage) that way, but for now they are on the same T-Ball team, so I’m not being pulled between two locations, times, games, practices, etc… and I think it’s great they can start this experience together.

We’re about to hit the halfway mark for the season, but I figured I might as well share some of my thoughts, tips and advice as a new T-Ball/baseball Mom…to date!

Plan Ahead and Research – Chances are, there are more than one (little league) for you to chose from in your area. And while many of youth leagues are similar, they are not the same. Plan ahead to find out when to register (early registration can save you money), check on the age requirements and find out when/where practices and games are held.

Talk to other Moms (and Dads) – I know I spoke to a friend of mine who has been pulling double duty with her boys, but she loves it. She gave me tips on what to look for and shared her experiences with me…she also passed on some hand me down gear that her boys had out grown! 😉 I also spoke to other parents who have already played in the league we were considering, so they gave me valuable insight that helped me decide to sign up, and I had a good idea of what to expect.

Don’t Go Overboard – It will be tempting to buy and spend on all the necessities for your ball player(s)…BUT it may be wise to wait – until you’re sure this will be a longer term investment. Sure there will be a few items you will need to purchase, however I suggest checking around for hand me down/gently used cleats and other equipment. A baseball glove is usually mandatory, but when they’re just starting out, it doesn’t need to be a top dollar, top of the line glove. It’s okay to be conservative with what you spend. On our team, we have team bats and helmets that we share, while the hats and team jerseys were covered in our registration fees, and coincidentally the Oakland A’s and Black Bear Diner sponsored the uniforms for all the T-Ball and Farm teams in our league! So then, I found inexpensive baseball pants, and purchased socks and belts to complete the uniform.

Pictures – Have your camera and/or phone ready to start snapping these memorable moments. In this day and age, we are so fortunate to be able to snap away and have all these images and videos instantly. Take advantage of it and enjoy! There will inevitably be the “professional” shots through the organization you join. You can buy their prints at your discretion, but again, no need to overdo it, as it gets expensive…but making sure to capture your own shots is free…you make sure you’re not shooting into the sun and that you frame it just right!

Be Social and Get Involved – I get it, sometimes you’re not trying to give up your free time or be extra social when you’re not on the (job) clock, and that’s fine, BUT be social enough to make sure it’s not only a good experience for the kids, but for the entire family. Parent involvement is key in youth sports, because many times they are just volunteer positions. You will see these families every weekend and we all want to make sure it’s a fun and fulfilling experience for everyone involved. So, be responsive and communicate about schedules for practices, games, snacks. etc… or volunteer to help out at practice. I’m sure the manager and other parents will appreciate it!

I’ll be sure to post again after our first T-Ball season ends..until then, “Let’s Play…T-Ball!!”

Mommy 101

Summer Days at the Ballpark

July 14, 2016 Aubrey Leave a comment

I’m not much of a baseball person, not for lack of understanding, but more-so my short-attention span! However, there’s something about spending a summer day at the ballpark that just screams family fun. And, one way to treat the whole family out to a game and not break the bank is to attend a minor league baseball game.

So far this season, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a few in my own Bay Area backyard in San Jose at Municipal Stadium to cheer on the San Jose Giants. When we lived in Virginia we had attended a few Norfolk Tides games, but they have nothing on the family-friendliness and additional festivities at a game in San Jose.

We attended a 4th of July game and even at a sold out maximum capacity, the crowd is still a manageable 4,000-ish…so lines aren’t too long, parking isn’t a pain and there’s plenty of room to move. My boys easily bumped into the team mascot, Gigante, who graciously gave us a photo.

They have several huge inflatables (bounce house style), where kids can slide, jump and try their interactive baseball skills by throwing a strike or swinging a bat. I can’t tell you how proud my boys were to win tickets to future games by throwing a “strike.” It was definitely a highlight, that they won’t soon forget.

And, did I mention that you can get really up close to the action, Both of my boys each managed to snag a ball during batting practice before the game. I mean, how cool is that!? So, yes, take them out to a (minor) league ballgame and if you’re in the Bay Area, find the way to San Jose!

Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Lexy

July 1, 2016 Aubrey Leave a comment

Name: Lexy
Children & Ages: Kaysen (2.5 yrs) & Brixton (12 weeks)
Hometown/Current Location: Idaho
Quick Bio: I am Lexy. A wife. Mother. and Blogger.I love that I have the opportunity to stay at home with my boys and watch them grow. All I have ever wanted to do my entire life is to me a mother and I was finally given that blessing 2 years ago when we witnessed our first beautiful son come into this world and just so recently with our second! I love everything that has to do with being a mom, even the messy stuff. That’s what life is about, finding the happiness in all things and that is what we blog is about!

Blog: www.goofsngiggles.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goofsngiggles/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goofsngiggles/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/goofsngiggles/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/goofsngiggles/

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: Being a mom is HARD work. Doesn’t matter what anyone else says that is just a fact. When you feel like you have accomplished so many things in a day but you don’t feel like anyone recognizes your hard work just know that you are amazing! I used to have a really difficult time when my efforts weren’t being recognized but in my blog post “The Fragile Worth of a Mother,” I figured out the secret. We have to find our worth within ourselves, that is nobody’s responsibility but our own. It is so amazing to be able to sit down after a long day of cleaning the entire house, and taking care of a sick child and know that you are worth it!

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I would say that my parenting style is pretty relaxed. Don’t get me wrong, I would love for my son to obey my every wish and command. That isn’t the way a 2 year old’s mind works though. When I can see that my son is truly upset or sad I get down to his level and ask him why he is feeling that way. For me this allows him to see that I understand that he is sad and that I am there to help him.

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: The most memorable moment of mom life would definitely be the day that I had Kaysen. That day will go down as history as one of the most beautiful and special days of my whole life. Kaysen is the one who gave me the gift of becoming a mother. I remember the emotions pouring through me as the doctor handed me my son for the first time. What a miracle it was to watch that boy take his first breath as he looked right at me, I knew that he knew I was his mommy.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: I have learned more and more how NOT perfect I am. I never could have imagined how difficult it was to be a mom. The responsibilities that come along with being a parent are scary and endless. You are responsible for a living, breathing, human being. When I mess up (which is about 15 times a day), I just have to tell my self that “It’s ok, you’re not perfect, try harder.” Who wants a perfect mom anyways?? That would be no fun!

Mommy 101

Toddlers x Weddings

May 12, 2016 Aubrey 1 Comment

A toddler can add that little something extra to just about any event. Perhaps it’s the instant enthusiasm, never ending energy or just that wide-eyed innocence and the unassuming personality, but whatever it is, when there’s a toddler around, nothing is certain.

One event toddlers aren’t always welcome at is a wedding, many times these are “adult only” events, which is totally fine by me. However, my boys have had the opportunity to attend and be a part of two weddings already in their toddlerhood! Last year one of my sisters got married, and just last month, my brother also took the plunge. And — since we are family and my boys are the only nephews…they got to be ring bearers for each occasion.

All that being said, my littles did great for both events, but I’m not gonna lie, it was slightly stressful for me to manage two super-active ring bearers. Some of the worries I had were, would they cooperate and wear the fancy clothes? Could they follow instructions and carry a pillow down the aisle? Are they going to smile for pictures? How will they fare during the ceremony?

I think everyone understands – or at least they should, that they are kids who can still count their number of years in this world on one hand, so imperfect behavior is acceptable. However, since I’ve now experienced 2 weddings with my 2 ring bearers, I figured I’d offer my tips on how to make the pairing of toddlers and weddings a little easier for the Moms (and Dads) in charge!

Wait to change them. We didn’t stay at the hotel where the wedding was taking place, but I knew better than to put them in their “fancy” clothes before we got to the venue. Kids will be kids, and in my case, boys will be boys. I held off as long as I could before putting them in their monkey suits.

Plan their attire. In our case(s), the brides pretty much gave me some input on what they wanted the boys to wear, but they left it to me to make the ultimate decision. In our more recent wedding, it was a bit more formal, so I chose to keep the boys in slacks, vest and (clip on) bow ties with canvas sneakers, as opposed to jacket and dress shoes.

Talk it out. A lot of times, we don’t think our kids are paying attention, but they can hear you loud and clear. How they choose to respond is an entirely different subject. I found it really helped to start talking about the event way before it ever happened. Prep them for what to expect and get them excited about what it will look like, who’s going to be there and how important their job is at the event.

Practice makes perfect. Well, practice helps, but you can never really be sure how they will react when the spotlight is on them. However, talking over the “directions,” walking it through at the venue and going over it a few times should make a difference. Note — my guys were easy breezy at the rehearsal, but when all the flower petals were laid, the music was playing and the room was full, they got a bit overwhelmed.

Pack snacks. If you have a toddler, this is a given all the time, and a wedding is no exception. I only wished I had stashed a couple applesauce packets or some fruit snacks in my purse during the ceremony… But yeah, sometimes the wait between ceremony and dinner reception can be a little much for your munchkin, so be prepared. We actually had leftover pizza from lunch to hold them over and then after the ceremony made sure to get them some crackers and juice to hold them over.

Don’t be too serious. It’s a wedding, it’s a “grown up” event, but be careful not to put too much pressure on a toddler or yourself. Chances are if they are in a wedding at such a young age they are family or very close to the bride and groom, and they will understand. Now, one of mine will probably provide some of the soundtrack to my brother’s ceremony, as he was a little overcome by his duties, but it’ll be okay.

Be prepared for tears. Both of mine displayed a bit of waterworks at separate times during our last wedding event. One was embarrassed and let all his emotion go, while the other was caught off guard with the clapping and cheering when the bride was kissed and the new couple announced. So, have the tissue on tap because if you’re toddlers don’t need it, someone else in the crowd might.

Now, when it’s all said and done, have fun, let loose and take it out on the dance floor!

A video posted by Aubrey Aquino (@fifty3weeks) on Apr 24, 2016 at 8:26am PDT

Mommy 101

10 Tips for Celebrating When Your Baby Turns ONE!

April 1, 2016 Aubrey 3 Comments

A guest post written for 53 Weeks.

Your baby is turning 1!!! It’s time to enjoy and celebrate this major milestone! Here are 10 tips that helped this mama out!

Pick a theme

Picking a theme can be fun and it helps you stay focused and helps organize the direction of the party.

We decided to go with an “Alice in Wonderland” theme. My daughter has an adventurous spirit and is full on wonder so it was a natural choice for us!

Ready, set, shop!

Now that you have your theme, it’s time to set a budget. Remembering that in the end it isn’t how expensive your party is but how memorable and fun it was for everyone.

The first place to start for me was shopping online at party supply sites. They have great deals and so much to choose from! From there check out your local dollar store. It’s amazing what you can find for a $1! I headed to a local wholesale lantern store to purchase all the colorful lanterns that we hung from the ceiling. I ordered most party supplies on Black Friday and took advantage of the discounts. If there is a holiday coming up take advantage of the savings!

Guest list

Make a list and check it twice! You’ll need to know how many people you want to invite in order to plan successfully. This will help you decide on location, budget and overall work. Surround that little one with loved ones who have made the year so special! It takes a village, right?

We decided to invite about 75 people. Below is our group shot (blurred to respect privacy).

Location, location, location

Now where to have the bday bash? Keep weather in mind – not so fun having a jumpy house outside if it’s raining. Can you accommodate all guests in your home? Is a restaurant more your style and letting staff handle the set up & clean up?

We decided on a recreation center. The blank space allowed us to decorate freely and there were no time restraints which allowed us to enjoy the party without watching the clock.

What’s on the menu?

Try to be creative and work with your theme. Also, keep in mind how convenient it will all be. No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen during their child’s party.

We decided on sandwiches which were individually wrapped with salads as sides. This made it easy for all and allowed many variations and choices. Best of all – no one is heating anything up or running around. For the cake, I decided on going with cupcakes which are very convenient. No cutting, no passing out, no mess. I purchased a cupcake stand on amazon for presentation. Our daughter, of course, had her individual smash cake. I was able to find a cute cake topper on Etsy.

Planning ahead will help you stay sane (kinda).

A first birthday is a big deal and one may feel the pressure to have it all be great. But now that you’re a mom, who has the time to be Martha Stewart? I started planning about two months prior. The time also allows for extra creativity and DIY projects. I shopped online, made calls and completed projects all during my daughter’s naps.

Dress the part!

Get your guests involved and make everyone feel like they are part of the fun! Children love to see fantasy come to life.

We offered our guests their pick of hats as they walked into the party. Hats were purchased from a party supply store. Some of us wore costumes and had a blast! Our mini Alice looked adorable in her light blue tutu!

Gotta entertain the littles.

Try estimating how many children will be coming to the party and their ages. Kids want to enjoy themselves and be a part of the theme via games and activities.

I purchased a corn hole game and covered it with green fabric and glued some flowers on it. My husband printed out posters at work. We also printed out some coloring pages for the younger kids. We also hired someone to face paint and hand out balloons.

DIY with Love.

Crafty? Time to put your skills to work. Not crafty? Recruit friends and fam who are. Or now will be the time to become great friends with Pinterest and DIY tutorials on YouTube. Why DIY? Because sometimes you just can’t find what you want or need in a store. It can also be great way to save money.

For me, I enjoy DIY projects because I’m taking the time to do something out of love. Some DIYs I made were garland made out of dollar store playing cards, Queen’s guardsman which were made from dollar store poster board and construction paper and our table runners were also made by simply purchasing some fabric and sewing the sides. I also had some items which included pictures of her first year.

Have fun!

When all is said and done…ENJOY this special day! In the end it isn’t about the décor, it’s about celebrating their sweet life. A year has gone by and it probably all happened in the blink of an eye (despite the sleepless nights). So take it all in, these moments go by way too fast. Remember to take lots of pictures so your little one can look back on the celebration! Congrats you made it! Happy Birthday little one!

Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Brittany Kelley

March 18, 2016 Aubrey Leave a comment

Name: Brittany Kelley
Child & Age: Connor, 17 Months
Hometown/Current Location: Los Angeles, California
Quick Bio: I’m a wife, mother, help desk technician, and Blogger. Born & raised in one of the most beautiful places, Southern California, has given me a multicultural outlook on life and an affinity for art, food, traveling & family (which I feature on my blog, www.livinglifekelley.com & Instagram @livinglifekelley). I have a B.S. degree in Information Systems Security but currently majoring in Motherhood! A sisterhood & journey I wasn’t sure I would be apart of one day, but now I can’t see my life any other way! I was a stay at home mom for the first 15 months of my daughter’s life, so I have recently embarked on a new chapter as a working mom. Although my #1 (& most fullfulling) job is being a mom, it’s been fun re-discovering myself in the work force and getting back to exploring my career dreams.

Q: What is your “go to” snack/toy/show/trick when your kids start to fuss?
A: Singing! My daughter loves to sing and dance so when she gets cranky I like putting on a little show for her. It almost immediately changes her demeanor and is a great stress reliever for both of us to let our hair down a little and have some fun! 🙂

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: This is a tough one for new moms that I think I only recently started to master. When you’re breastfeeding (I did for 16 months) and/or a SAHM (stay at home mom) it’s definitely harder to do. But what has helped me is finding at least one hour a day for me time. Before I returned to work I would intentionally stay up later (after my daughter was in bed) just to have some time to catch up on some reading or (more often) one of my favorite shows, or to get some QT with hubby. It’s also been healthy having time away from my daughter to go on regular date nights or so that she can spend quality time with her grandparents, cousins, and other family.

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I like to “think outside of the box” so this definitely affects my parenting style. I am known for being very patient with my daughter and I believe in allowing her to explore things and places around her. I can already tell that in many ways she very observant and has an analytically mind (like me) and I like to cultivate that. As long something is not harmful to her, I try to let her explore or learn about it. I also try to follow her lead in a lot of ways too and don’t believe in forcing her into situations (or with people) she is not comfortable with (within reason).

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: My most memorable mommy moment(s) to date have definitely been breastfeeding my daughter! It’s is one of the proudest badges of honor I have worn as a mother because it was at times so challenging! Yet it was one of the MOST fulfilling things I have ever done for someone else. As result, we have such a bond, and I know that I gave her my very best throughout her 1st year. She is very independent, smart & happy toddler and I know that that was a big contributing factor for us.

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: LOL! My style is definitely evolving at the moment! I really just like to keep it simple, comfortable & classy! I feel like I’m just starting to get my style groove back since having my daughter. I’m currently really into statement necklaces and lipstick and find that they are easy ways to dress up an outfit. So my (self-imposed) uniform unusually consists of a neutral top, jeans, cute & comfortable flats or wedges & a popping necklace and lipstick. Violá!

Haute Moms

Haute Mom: Kelsey Van Kirk

March 11, 2016 Aubrey Leave a comment

Name: Kelsey Van Kirk
Children & Ages: Julianna (5) Sophia (4) Chloe (2) Isabel (1)
Hometown/Current Location: Charlotte, NC
Quick Bio: Hey there, I’m Kelsey – wife, mama to four princesses, founder of TheHomeLovingWife.com and inspirational life coach for women. I am super passionate about inspiring and empowering women to create and live grace-filled lives of balance, beauty, simplicity and success. I believe that snuggling, chocolate and wine are good for your health, laughter is the best medicine for the soul and in the amazing, transformative power of love. You can follow along with me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Q: How do you balance being a Mommy and keeping your sense of self?
A: The biggest ways are by making sure to block out time in my life to do things I enjoy – things that fuel my soul. For me, fitness is huge. It makes me feel good about myself (not to mention gives me strength and energy, which every mama needs!) I also love to read, watch movies and enjoy time with my husband. Since launching my blog at the end of 2015 that has been a great way for me to reclaim a bit of who I was before having kids, while simultaneously incorporating who I am now into it. It’s given me a creative outlet that has also allowed me to pour into other women’s lives, which are two things that make me feel like me!

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” Oh, and can I add another?? “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Time and time again I see moms fall into a nasty cycle of feeling a crushing burden to take care of everything and everyone before themselves – and it’s an equation that just doesn’t add up! We mamas have to remember that in order to give our best to our families, we have to give our best to ourselves first.

Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
A: I get my kids in on the action, and they love it! We used to go to our local YMCA for 2 hours a day (because, free childcare, hello?!) but recently we’ve temporarily become a one-car household, so I’ve had to get creative. I will put on fun music and get the girls to join me for a dance party or I’ll put on a fitness DVD for them to do along with me. I find that including them is the only way I will get at-home workouts done. I’m just not motivated enough during this season to take the time for fitness when they’re all asleep! It’s working for now – but I do look forward to being able to get back to the gym. Although we will ALWAYS have our dance parties!

Q: How would you describe your parenting style?
A: I’ll be the first to admit that I struggle with being a helicopter parent – even now, after having 4 kids. You’d think I would have relaxed by now! I’ve always struggled with perfectionism and have many OCD tendencies, so it’s a daily challenge for me to allow my kids to try things and make mistakes instead of just doing everything for them. But my biggest parenting “philosophy”, if you will, is to be real. I am 100% honest and open with my kids about everything. I explain when I’m having a tough time and why and try to always take personal responsibility and apologize when I’ve been cranky or had a bad attitude. I want my kids to learn about life the way it really is so they know how to manage their own expectations, and I want them to learn how to effectively communicate with people. In our family we are all about teaching our kids to do everything motivated from a place of love and grace. And when we don’t get it right, we make it right.

Q: What’s your most memorable Mommy moment to date?
A: This might seem strange, but each of my birth experiences are what stick out. I absolutely loved childbirth because not only was it an incredibly intimate and connected experience with each of my children, but it also showed me how strong I could be and what I could overcome. I fought fiercely for my kids and knew after each of my births that I could do, would do anything for them.

Q: As a Mommy what is it that you feel you do “right”?
A: I think I’m good at communicating about life with my kids, while still nurturing their sense of curiosity and wonder. I love that they know they can come to me with questions and trust my responses. And I love that they seem to feel safe and loved no matter what they do.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: I grew up thinking of myself as being very fragile – like one day I might break under the weight of life. But becoming a mom has shown me time and time again how truly strong I am. I’ve overcome so much and fought to grow and adapt and become the person I am today. I never in a million years dreamed that I could be as strong as I feel now.

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: I am all about having good style, no matter if you are a mama who spends all your time at home, or if you go out into the world on the daily. For me personally, I love wearing pieces that are super cute and super functional. I’m all about comfort. I love my leggings and skinny jeans, cute and comfy tops and sweaters, and I adore a good sundress! My style can be pretty eclectic too. I like to mix classic and minimalist styles with a bit of rocker edge and some boho glam thrown in there for good measure!

Mommy 101

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.

…and 2 babies later