Just Hanging Around Being Supermom!

Each day I wake up and find myself on a new journey.  Whether I am having a Rockstar day or fueling myself with caffeine just to keep up with my kids, I do not stop until my kids are in bed.

Being a stay at home mom of 3, I find that the only way I can stay organized is with calendars and lists.
Between having 1 child in school full-time, 1 child in school 3 days a week, and my 3rd with me all day is just the start of how my days really go.

With school, activities and a part-time a babysitting job, I rarely find time to sit down, unless I am driving somewhere of course. 

Once the kids have been tended to, then I work on all of the events that I have volunteered for.  I love being involved and doing it at my own will, unlike a job that you have to attend when they tell you to.  Volunteering, I feel a sense of being in control of my schedule and participating when I can.  So when you see me on the PTS/PTA Board, Teaching Religious Ed classes, or Running Large Church or School events, don't be surprised. 

I am filled with many ideas that I love to share, and my husband just rolls his eyes when I attempt to add something else to my already busy schedule.  He begs me to say "NO!" but although I try to, I get suckered in and it comes out "Yes!"  I am someone who loves a challenge.

I just finished running our Church picnic this past weekend, and it really kept me going.  When our Picnic Committees all seemed to bow out with 2 weeks to the picnic, my running went into overdrive and I had to step up even more to make this event a success.  It always works out when you put your mind to something and follow through.  I am proud of my efforts and delighted that the picnic WAS a success!

We borrowed the Popcorn Machine from our Local Bank.

We sold Ice Cream Sundaes and Sno Cones

We even offered Hot Dog Meals for those who didn't bring a picnic lunch.

Our Cake Walk is always our most popular game.
C won a huge tray of Double Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The Bartlett Fire Department (Station 2) came to celebrate with us, allowed us to tour the truck, try on gear,
 and joined us for a prayer in remembering those affected by 9/11.



We all sent our Prayers to Heaven (tucked inside of a balloon).



We watched them until they floated into the clouds!

Higher and Higher!

At the end of the picnic, after clean up, I got home and just dropped.  I know what exhaustion feels like, and a nap was in order along with an early bedtime.  The next day I took a mental health day, and didn't work on anything, but the next day, I woke up ready to start working on the next thing that I have involved myself in.  My husband is supportive in everything I do, and although he hates to see me in Go GO GO Mode, in other words "stressed"!  He just goes along with it and tries to talk me out of doing it again next year!

Jonamac Orchard - Because Everyone Needs to go Apple Picking

There is nothing like Apple Picking with your family.  Yummy fresh apples! 

It is even more fun when you add friends to an already fun day!!!

A journey to Jonamac Orchard in Malta, IL left smiles on the faces of everyone!

Supermom's family of 5!

Tasting the Apples is the best part of getting to pick your own!

Mr. C and his Apple (he ate it all the way to the core)!

We didn't only pick Apples we also got to play!

And Feed the Animals!

Before my little princess freaked out!

It is always safe to feed the smallest goat!

Straight to the donkey!

We Bounced!

And attempted to find some shade!

From Apples to Animals, Bouncing to Bales of Hay,

Playing in Corn, on Bikes and Slides the kids had a Great Day! 

Once a year we journey with our friends to Jonamac Orchard for some fun and most of all APPLES.  They have a fabulous country store with Apple donuts, Taffy Apples, Fudge, Gifts and more!  They are reasonably priced for a full day of fun.  There is plenty to do for kids of all ages and I would recommend checking it out!
www.jonamacorchard.com

Where to next?  In October The Pumpkin Farm! 



When the KIDS are Driving YOU Nuts....Be CREATIVE!!!

I always wake up thinking I WILL get something done today!  My kids generally have another idea.  Once getting my oldest off to school, the little ones can usually find something to entertain themselves, but today, this wasn't the case.

So, I took a breath and gave them a box of crayons and told them to sort all of the broken ones into a bowl.  While they were doing this I was able to finish what I had started.

Miscellaneous Crayons

Next, we all started to remove the papers from the crayons, this took us a while but my 3 and 4 year old were still excited, so we continued.

Some crayons were easier than others to remove the wrappers.

The kids found it quite fun to break the crayons.  However, they were surprised at how hard it was to break some of them.  I had to use a cutting mat and knife to cut them into smaller pieces to fit into our Gingerbread Man Mold.

Filling the mold with broken crayons.

We filled the mold to the top and put them into the oven at 200 degrees.

They were in the oven for a good half hour, and still not all of the crayons melted completely.

I took them out to cool and when they were done.....

New crayon friend!

Circle of Crayon Friends!

I will make these again, it was a fun project to do with the kids and it kept them entertained for quite some time.  They would even be great for goodie bags for birthday's or school parties.

So, the next time the kids are driving you nuts, what are you going to do?

Next time....Homemade ice cream in a baggie!