Terrible Two's...Temper Tantrum Three's!!

Meltdowns in public are never good, especially if they involve your child.

When I see meltdowns of little ones, my heart immediately goes out the parent while I thank my lucky stars that it’s not my kid causing the scene.

Miss Sassy

I actually live in fear of the meltdown. I would like to think that I am a tough parent, but in all honesty, when I see the hints of a temper tantrum outside of my home (stomping feet, frown, furrowed brow, clenched fists) I will do almost anything necessary to avoid it.

And that means give in.

I am proud to say that the other night, while at dinner at a restaurant, Stella tried to use the threat of a meltdown. To make a long story short, she was given a balloon, didn’t listen, and up to the ceiling it went. She was sad, so we told her we would get her another when we finished dinner — if she was patient. She wasn’t patient. So she didn’t get a balloon.

Meltdown.

And I held my ground. Even though hubby took 9-month-old Carter and made a bee line for the front door, I stayed in the middle of the restaurant and help my ground. Through the tears, screaming, apologetic looks from the diners, and all.

Stella cried all the way to the car and the 10-minute car ride home. Mommy held her ground.

Of course, as they all do, Stella finally calmed down. Later that night, feeling guilty but proud, I told Stella that I was sorry that she had been sad and disappointed about the balloon. She told me that it was okay and that next time, she was just going to listen.

Score one for Mommy.

Celebrating Motherhood With A DIY Honey And Yogurt Face Mask

May is Pregnancy Awareness month and whether you’re currently expecting or your little ones are all grown up, it’s a great time to celebrate healthy and holistic treatments for mamas. My babies are getting bigger everyday, but staying healthy and stress free is more important to me now more than ever.

When I was working full time in the travel industry, I would utilize the relaxing spas located at many of the world’s best resorts to recover from jet lag.  Now as a full-time mother, with precious lives in my hands, I am a lot more conscious of how to live a more holistic lifestyle year round. I have always loved a good spa treatment, and with the joys of motherhood causing my "laugh lines" to grow deeper, I love the anti-aging benefits of rejuvenating face masks. Since spring always adds extra activities to my family’s already hectic schedule, it is during this time that I love to pull out my tried and true at-home beauty treatments when I can't make it to the spa.

Today’s beauty treatment was inspired by the Kahala's Hotel, Resort and Spa, one of the best hotels in Honolulu. Their signature anti-aging facial uses only the best all-natural ingredients, which left my skin feeling strong and renewed. Using the finest products Mother Nature has to offer, you too can feel the healing powers of one Honolulu’s best-kept secrets.

Below you will find the recipe for the Honey and Yogurt Moisturizing Face Mask to keep you looking and feeling young. 

Honey and Yogurt Moisturizing Face Mask

•    1/2 cup plain yogurt
•    2 Tablespoons Aloe Vera gel
•    1 Tablespoon honey
•    1/2 peeled cucumber
•    a few drops of chamomile oil


Pulse all ingredients in a food processor, just until combined. Apply liberally all over face and neck, making sure to avoid eyes. Leave on for at least 15 minutes to give it time to fully penetrate the skin and work its magic. Rinse off in the shower or remove with a soft, damp cloth. If you don’t use the entire
mask, you may store in a tightly sealed container in
the refrigerator for a few days until you’re able to
rejuvenate again. Enjoy!


By Kendra Thornton, guest writer

I Run And Now I Run For Boston

Since I pride on being able to call myself a runner, and running is the ONLY thing that I will take time and do for myself, the events at the Boston Marathon have really affected me.

I know that terrible things happen in the world, and I am always saddened and trouble by heinous acts that happen on a daily basis (so much I rarely watch the news,) but this one really got to me.

Since I have run a number of race events, my last half marathon was two weeks ago, I felt sheer horror when I saw what happened at the Boston Marathon. I had been watching the race online since it started. I watched the men’s, women’s and push winners cross the finish line. I asked my hubby if he thought Boston was a realistic goal for me. I dreamed.

And then the bombings occurred. I immediately knew what it felt like to run in a race knowing that your loved ones were waiting at the finish line. I couldn’t imagine being in the situation. My heart broke and my stomach turned over.

After some time, I had to turn the television off.

I am going to cut to the good part. And there is one. During times that seem to be the very darkest, humans always pull together to help part the clouds and let the sunshine in. So many events popped up via social media to honor, to unite, and to take a stand. I wanted to do them all.

I came across a movement called Run For Boston. It was simple, and I liked that. There were three things to do. First, run. Second, wear blue or yellow on your run. Third, make a Run For Boston sign with the name of your city on it and upload it to the Facebook page. Easy peasy.

Runners for Boston - Long Beach, CA

On Wednesday night, a group gathered at a local park. Some were part of my Galloway running group. Others just wanted to Run For Boston. We are now all friends. We had our strollers, our dogs, and the kids. It was a family affair.

We walked and ran for Boston along with thousands across the country.  We put Long Beach, CA on the map for Run For Boston.

I don’t know why I am always surprised at the compassion and love of others. I was tickled that strangers chose to come out on their own to take a run in honor of the Boston Marathon Bombings. We even had people at the park thank us for doing what we are doing.

Most importantly, our kids got to see the good that can come out of people. With the terrible events monopolizing the news, it is important that they know that love does prevail, as does compassion and strength.

There were other groups that came together this week for the same reasons. Some running groups gathered hundreds while some runners grabbed their neighbor. But to me, numbers don’t matter because in this event, we are all united for Boston.

Add Some Fun To Your Fruits and Vegetables

Getting most kids to eat fruits and vegetables can be a difficult task.  While we all know that it’s important, I know that many parents give up the fight because sometimes, after a long day, they just don’t have the energy.

Stella and now little Carter have always been decent eaters. Stella eats fruits and vegetables but definitely has to be in the mood for them.  If she feels like carrots, and carrots are on menu, then she’s gobbling them down. If she wants brussel sprouts and I serve carrots, then she’s choking them down as if I gave her dirt to eat.

Stella laying out her new delivery.

Carter, although we are still on baby food, seems to eat anything we put in front of him. I can tell his distaste by nothing more than a small grimace at first bite. He still eats the stuff anyway. Since he is my second child, I know this may not last for long.

One of the best things that I have done for my family is to sign up for a produce delivery service. There are many of these coming into existence ranging from services that support local services to larger services that full produce from various regions.

The great thing about the produce service is that is shows up on my doorstep early Tuesday mornings. Stella loves to wake up and look through the box. I then will let her choose what fruits and vegetables she wants us to eat for a snack or dinner. I have found that her interest in eating fruits and vegetables has grown immensely.

We are not eating things that I normally would never buy – rainbow chard, grapefruit, parsnips are showing up at the table (and being eaten) in addition to some family favorites like strawberries, apples, asparagus and brussel sprouts.

It may not be for everyone, but for us, having fresh produce delivered to our home and gotten us to eat our fruits and vegetables “outside the box” and has proven to be some fun for the little ones too.

Haute Mom Must Have Technology

Tablets & iPhone for All Ages

It wasn’t that long ago that computer equipment, like laptops, was mainly used for business purposes. Now, thanks to the emergence to technologies like tablets, Kindles, and iPhones, everyone can utilize all the new tech toys that are available, regardless of ability level.

It’s all about the iPhone

One of the most popular products on the market today is the iPhone. They are used by both kids and businesses alike. The amount of apps available at the App Store from Apple can fit every need, regardless of a person’s tech-level. So no matter if you need to edit a spreadsheet or just want to find fun games, as the commercials say, “there’s an app for that.”

Something people love to do with their iPhones is purchase different covers and cases to fit their mood and style. There are so many different ways to customize your iPhone case, it is almost inconceivable. Many people love to do custom iPhone photo cases with their favorite pictures of family and friends. Shutterfly offers great options for iPhone cases for any level of creativity. Many iPhone users today have several cases so they can switch things up depending on their style or mood that day.

Tablets

Tablets and the iPad have also revolutionized the computing market. Just as powerful as laptops in many cases, using a tablet is a great way to take portable computing to an entirely new level. Just like the iPad has an app store, non-iOS tablets (namely the Android platform) has their own app store called Google Play. With tablets today, you can do more than just answer email messages. You can read books, watch movies, play games, and plenty more. And one of the best parts of using a tablet is that it weighs far less than a laptop, making it perfect for travel, and to entertain the kids!

So regardless of your ability level or budget, think about what you would use your tablet for and then go and try them out at your local electronics store before you make you final decision. Then once you made your purchase, you will find plenty of covers and accessories to make your tech toy your own.

Written by guest blogger Kristin Lynn Stewart

It's All About Being a Mom

Being a mom is hard. I learned that long time ago, when I had my first child.  And just when I thought I had figured it all out, I got pregnant. And now I have two little ones. Stella is just shy of three years old and our new addition, Carter is seven months.

My reward for sucking it up.

To make things a little more complicated, I just went back to work. Back to work as in my full time job and my part-time evening job. I love both jobs so it wasn’t difficult to go back except for the fact that now all the other things that have to get done have to wait until after 5 pm.

Some people say since the hubby is home (he lost his job at the beginning of 2013,) he can do those things that need to get done around the house.  For those of you who have hubbies, you can laugh with me. Ha.

Every now and then, I feel like a superhero. And it’s a good feeling.  Yesterday, I got to work at 7 a.m. I ran home at lunch to nurse Carter. I had to be at my second job by 4:00 and got back home around 6:00. I threw dinner on the stove, put the running shoes on and hit the pavement for a four mile run. I got back in time to have dinner with my family. Granted I was sweaty but beggars can’t be choosers.

There was a day when I might have thrown myself a pity party.  I would have been bummed because I had too many things to do to go out for a run.  Or I would have felt guilty for choosing to run (which keeps me sane) and then ordering take out, or not having dinner with my kids.

But this time I grabbed the bull by the horns and took charge. It felt good.  I have learned that sometimes, you just have to suck it up. Because maybe, every now and then, you can be a good mom. And that is what it's all about.

Back to Work...Again

The time has come again. My second extended child care leave is coming to an end and I am about to transition from the world of Stay At Home Moms into that of the Working Mom. Times two.

I am so gratfeul to have been able to spend seven months at home with our little guy. The same amount of time that I had with Stella. I could not enjoy my time with my little ones any more than I have been and I am so fortunate to have a job where I am able to do this.

Of course, I am mixed with excitement and anxiety as I spend one last week at home. Going back to work means having a full time job as well as a part time job, but now with two little babes instead of one. I worry about the house, cooking dinner, and being able to have enough energy to be a good mom and wife.

This time, instead of having to find a nanny, the hubby will be staying at home with little Carter as he has been out of work since January. I am comforted knowing that the kids will have one parent around even though I know that eventhough one parent is home, the laundry and the cleaning is no more likely to be done (you all know what I mean.)

We took Stella out of day care last week to take advantage of a rare, end of winter, amazingly warm day. It was declared family time at the beach and aside from being Carter's first time there, we had a blast.

This maked me so thankful for my family and the time that we do have together. Remind me that next week when my alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m.