Chaos Managers Unite!

Am I the only one that is feeling this right now? I went from spending my days creating party invitations and printables (mixed with trying to exercise and clean my house) to homeschool monitor, lunch lady and coworker (my husband is working from home as well now). My house is always in a stage of mess. My kids aren't even little anymore, but the number of times I've tripped over Fort Nite figurines is steadily rising. Screen time is the basic schedule of everyday between online school curriculum, video games and TV (there is no shame in my coping through corona game)!

In all serioussness though what are you doing to get through long days couped up at home with kids that would normally be at school? Some things I'm doing are; trying to give myself grace. That's right. Normally I would have shame if my

kids spent hours on end playing video games. (they feel like they're living their best life by the way!) So I'm giving myself grace. The circumstances we're in are unusual. In all honestly, though I was following the news it was unexpected in some ways. So I give myself grace. That is a big coping mechanism for me. I'm also making my kids take an hour off of everything every single day. I thrive with quiet. And though it may seem like a forced hour of no screens is counter productive I have to report that it has been my sanity saver. Every afternoon for an hour before I start dinner every screen is turned off. They can read, they

can play board games, they can play with toys. They can do anything they want that doesn't involve bothering me or an electronic device. And during this time I read a book and recharge my batteries (I turn off screens too). This has been saving me. And I'm proud to report that my boys have been so good, letting their imaginations run wild. I had to laugh when my 12 year old came downstairs yesterday with the connect four game. I never would've thought he would reach for that, but they were laughing and giggling and playing and it was the best thing. And it helped me recharge. I love it when they interact and play so well together, especially after a couple of weeks without a break from each other. Their laughter breathes life into me. I've also found that writing down a few things I'm grateful for helps to keep me grounded. This helps tremendously.

The other things I'm doing for my own sanity are exercising and baths! Exercising really helps me channel those anxious feelings. It helps me to get out the nervous energy and makes me feel like I'm doing something. I'm lucky enough that we have several home workout options. We have a treadmill, a total gym and a punching bag. Not to mention the countless youtube videos and I have some old Zumba dvds. So exercise is something that I live for everyday and my boys are living for it too. And lastly (for now) baths. A hot bath with soothing bath salts are also good for the soul and just what this mama needs. I love a little solitude in the evenings (not every evening) and this helps so much. These are my current sanity savers. I'm sure they will evolve as we go throught this process. This is all unchartered territory and there has been a learning curve for me. What are you doing to thrive during this time? What does life look like for you and your family? I hope you continue to thrive as the chaos coordinator in your home. Leave me a comment and let me know how you're doing.

Here s the link ito the stickers featured in this post. Chaos manager sticker bundle.

Be the Sunshine

I love this quote, "when you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine." We are living in unprecedented times. In the blink of an eye we woke up to a whole new world. There's a lot to be scared about. A disease that is tearing through the world at break neck speed. It's so easy to slip into negativity. Especially if you're following guidlines and "social distancing" or self quarantining. It's hard to live in this world right now and keep a smile on your face. At our house we have chosen to follow guidlines and stay home. We want to help flatten the curve. It's hard. My husband is working from home.

I'm navigating trying to keep up my normal routine with the addition of overseeing online distance learning with my kids. We're surviving. Some days it all feels like too much. The heaviness of the world is bringing everyone down. Some days I can't take another minute of news or headlines that I see on social media. But I am trying to stay postive. For my family, for my friends and to bring light into the world.

I'm a firm beliver that energy is contagious. I belive that if we are trying to put some positivity into the world it will spread. I challenge you try to put some joy into your day everyday, during these times and after. It's the little things that can add up and create joy. What I'm doing at my house is trying to enjoy every extra snuggle with my boys. My oldest is approaching the teen years and I know there will be a time not too far off that he won't want to spend time with us, so I'm soaking these moments up. I'm trying to play more games and improve the quality of my time with my kids. Those things bring me joy. I'm exercising everyday and getting dressed everyday. (not always with makeup). Those little normals are keeping me feeling good. I put this little sunshine sticker in our shop. It's a freebie, I hope you will download it. Print it and put it somewhere to remind you to make your own sunshine. Even though the world feels clowdy we can be our own light. I challenge you to try to find some sunshine in everyday. It's going to help you, your family and your community to feel that sunshine too. It's contagious.

Teacher Appreciation Week

PTA moms all over are currently planning their teacher appreciation weeks. With hopes of cute ideas and adorable ways to treat the hardworking teachers that deserve so much. One of the first things Leah and I ever collaborated on was teacher appreciation week. (there have been a few epic collaborations, I'm thinking about our duct tape pokeball halloween buckets) We had the privelage of decorating our guys kindergarten teachers door a few years ago and it was so cute. What a fun memory that is for me.

I wanted to leave this post starting the way that I envisioned it in my mind. A cute little post about door decorating and fun little things. But the fact is, our world is changing right now. Things are not normal and I have to face it. The fact is, there probably are moms out there still planning " just in case we're back to school teacher appreciation scenarios". And I am definitely going to be showing my darling designs (Click the image to see them).

But there is a good chance that most of the country will be out of school for weeks or months. And if that's the case teacher appreciation is going to take on new meanings. Teachers everywhere are currently diving in to learn to lecture and navigate new online platforms in order to reach and teach their students. They are giving it their all because that's what teachers do. I had the joy and privelage of working as a resource paraeducator for the two years prior to our move to Texas, I've seen teachers first hand. And if there is one thing I learned it's that teachers know how to hussle and their every thought is for their students, at school and at home. Teachers are champions. And so I propose that even if teachers can't be celebrated in the way we are used to, that they are still celebrated. Take the time to send them an email, or one of these cute thank you digital files that I'm including (free download). Cause "donut you know they deserve it". They are still putting in their 150% to make sure our kids have the education they need and deserve. So send them a digital message and have uber eats deliver them something yummy (and local) to show them that we see them, we are grateful for them and frankly we love them for all they do for our kids. Thank you teachers everywhere.