“I’m for sure losing my shit over this nap bullshit today.”

So started an awesome and epic voicemail left by a dear friend. Her kid is two. I get it. Some other awesome quotes from the nearly 3 min long voicemail include…“Oh my GOD!”, “I don’t know, I just don’t know!”, and “What the fuuuuuck!?!”. There was a lot of nervous (borderline insane?) laughter.

This frantic call happened to be about naps. It could have been about any number of toddler issues including, but not limited to: foods they won’t eat, foods they must have right now, wrinkles in socks, bedtime routine, going potty, doing something themselves, refusing to do something themselves, pacifiers, lovies, screen time, nose blowing, hand washing, hair brushing, teeth brushing, the blue cup or the green cup or the spoon not the fork…the list is endless. Because, well, toddler. But I am actually not here to talk about toddler “issues” (check out this post for that) or even nap issues. Nope, I want to talk about her feelings and her truths and how she’s perfectly normal being imperfect….

My friend, it should be noted before we begin, is a kickass mom. She juggles a lot and she makes it look easy and her kid is freaking awesome. But she was having a rough day, she was having a hard time figuring out her child and she was having a little meltdown of her own. (We’ve all been there before. Here’s my epic meltdown confession.) And so she called me. Now, maybe she thinks I’m some kid-whisperer (nope!) or that I have all the answers (bwhahahaha!) or I know some voo-doo to make kids nap (I wish!). But really, she needed someone to whom she could vent and be honest, she needed someone to hear her and not judge, someone who would commiserate and just listen with an occasional “been there” or “that sucks”.

Listen, please: you are not alone and your feelings are normal and sometimes you yell or get frustrated or don’t especially like your kid. That is ok. YOU ARE OK!

Let me say it again: YOU ARE OK! YOU ARE NORMAL! YOUR FEELINGS ARE VALID!

This is especially true for new mommas or moms who feel isolated or those that think they are the only ones feeling however it is they are feeling. I assure you, you are not alone. You are not the only one. And there is nothing wrong with you. What is wrong, is our society. We have created this culture of “perfectness” and we see perfectly adorable Instagram posts and perfectly made crafts on Pinterest and perfectly funny quips about how a toddler is “testing”. Then someone “confesses” their “big sin” with “oh I’m such a bad mom, I needed to take a two minute break by myself. But then I was fine and we baked cookies and sang songs and we are perfectly happy now!” Blah! None of it is real. That is NOT real life. A mom yelling in rage at her husband because she’s overtired – that’s real life! A frustrated mom throwing the kids entire plate of dinner in the trash – that’s real life. A mom crying to her best friend and admitting that she just plain old doesn’t like her kid today – you guessed it, REAL FUCKING LIFE!

Now I’m going to be my typical pessimistic, loud-mouth self: where did we fuck up so much?! What is wrong with our society!?!? Where is our real village?! We have dozens of friends and neighborhood women who will bring us a casserole or pick up our kids from school. We have twenty people we can text to run over Motrin when our kid is sick, and they’ll do it in 15 min! But most of us don’t have a single other woman we can call right this second and let it all out. And I mean ALL of it – the bad, the ugly, and the insane.  We don’t have a network that will actually hold us when we are racked with sobs from the guilt. We don’t have someone, or at least we don’t think we have someone, who will still like us when we confess our failings. Why can’t we mommas be honest with ourselves and our friends? Who are we trying to impress? Well, I guess each other….but why?!

And here’s the really big thing…this isn’t limited to moms. I think women have this facade all the time, even our “bad days”, we beautify them for others. Or make it a joke. Even our “confessions”, we water them down or gloss over them. We don’t admit the really bad things we think…and then, of course, it creates this cycle where we assume they ARE really bad thoughts because we don’t hear anyone else having them. But it’s a ruse, a big screwed up game. Because when you do let your guard down, when you do find that person or two with whom you can truly be honest, you find out THEY ARE JUST AS MESSED UP AS YOU! And it’s amazing and mind-blowing and freeing!

But why can’t moms and women just be honest with each other all the time? Why do we always try to hide, or at least mitigate our shortcomings, especially our emotions? Why is it so rare to have friends to whom you can say the really ugly things you sometimes think? Let’s be honest, it’s usually about our own selves. Yes, sometimes I think how much I don’t like a particular kid that day…but I always still feel like I love them. But if I’m brutally honest, it’s much more common for me to think about how much I don’t like myself. Or how I’ve screwed up. Or how I did this or that thing wrong. And in the past I bottled that all up…until it was eating away at me. But I am lucky, so damn lucky, that I have a few treasured friends that I can say the really bad stuff to…and they get it. They don’t judge me. They listen and they say “that sucks”. They don’t necessarily try to fix it. Sometimes you just need someone to show you that they’ll love you even if you aren’t perfect or, maybe even better, they love you because you aren’t perfect…just like them.

Anyway, when I talked to my friend, it felt so very good. I loved being able to just listen and commiserate and it felt absolutely fantastic when she said “I know I can tell you this and you won’t think less of me.” That sounds selfish, but I think, I hope, it felt just as good for her. I hope I helped her feel normal and loved, not despite of her flaws, but because of them. Because our flaws, all our imperfections, are what make us beautiful and unique and perfectly imperfect women and mothers. 🙂

I just posted this pic on IG….

And while it is true that I was about to do some meal planning and make sure my calendar was up-to-date. And also it was true that I had gotten a (yummy) cookie and coffee to assist me with that task. This picture is not really truthful. What I didn’t take a picture of was the messy kitchen counter or the basket full of clothes to be folded. What you can’t tell is that the coffee has been reheated three times already. And this was my fourth (and probably not last) cookie today. And I didn’t mention in my post that about 30 seconds after this was snapped the baby woke up. Again. And the reason I have to sit down with a coffee to “update” my calendar is because my freaking inbox is so overflowing, I have no idea what is going on past today (and I’m probably forgetting something today, if I’m honest).

So, while the picture is maybe an accurate snapshot of one split second, if is not an accurate portrayal of my day. Or my life. My life is much messier. I think most of IG is like that…not so much out-and-out lies, but certainly not a realistic representation of real life or a normal day. And I also think knowing that, taking everything you see on social media with a grain is salt, is maybe one of the keys to modern day happiness. 😉

While we all want to start the new year fresh, maybe with recently konmari-ed closets, our poor teachers (often literally poor because we don’t pay public school teachers enough!) are starting the new calendar year with broken crayons, dried up markers, and stubby pencils. Worse, to restock their dwindling supplies, they have to use their own money (side note: when I taught public school, I spent hundreds of my own money every year…and that was just what I kept track of!). That’s where you come in…you can help a teacher and show your appreciation by simply asking them what they need and helping them procure it! It’s the least you can do for someone who spends hours every day, week after week, with your perfectly-behaved little darling. 😉

If you have it within your own budget, then please, go pick up their needed supplies, stick on a quick “thank you for all you do” post it note, and make them feel loved and appreciated. That’s what we did last week…I asked my two kids’ teachers what they most needed, they told me, and we delivered. (Also, think what a great lesson this is for your kids!)

Kinder needed glue sticks and 1st grade needed dry erase markers!

If your personal budget doesn’t allow or their needs list is quite lengthy, then ask for their wish list and share it with other parents or even neighbors – you might be surprised who is willing to help with specific needs. Last year, I asked our public school kinder teachers what they needed and had a small list…I posted it on our local neighborhood Facebook page and several generous people, who didn’t even have kids at the school, dropped all of the items on my porch within two days! Our teachers were so shocked and you could tell it really inspired them to know the whole community cared! Plus, what kid doesn’t get excited about fresh crayons?! You can also pool your money with other parents…a small $5 donation from 10-20 families can really add up and can restock their entire classroom with things they need to finish the year (glue sticks, copy paper, Clorox wipes).

One more note – you don’t have to just ask your own kids’ classroom teacher! If your teacher doesn’t need anything or has already been taken care of, ask another teacher! Don’t forget specials teachers like the librarian and music teacher; or the reading specialist or special education teachers!

It really is the little things and it really does take a village, whether raising kids or teaching them. 🙂

I would really like to talk about this term “threenager”. First, a confession – I myself have used it. Not regularly, but I’ve uttered it on more than one occasion. And sometimes it sort of feels accurate. But really? I think it’s a stupid term. It’s sort of insulting to teenagers (not that they probably care) and I think it’s kind of insulting to three year olds too.

Here’s the thing – it’s fucking hard to be three. HARD! You don’t know what you want sometimes and when you do know what you want these stupid adults won’t let you have it/do it. You’ve got big emotions that you don’t have words for and it seems no one can understand you. You want to be independent so badly but you still need help and comfort. You’re trying to figuring out this whole big giant, messy world and everyone around you is so busy and hurried and you feel rushed all the time. You don’t want to take a nap – you might miss something! – but being three really takes it out of you! And then bedtime, my goodness, do you know how scary the dark can be?! Or the fear or having an accident when you’re trying so hard to prove you’re a big kid who doesn’t need diapers? Or worse, when you like diapers because they mean mom smiles and chats with you while changing them…but everyone is telling you only babies wear diapers. and you are NOT a baby! but you kind of still are, just a little.

Being three is CONFUSING and EXHAUSTING and EMOTIONALLY DRAINING.

Being three sounds a lot like being a first (or fourth!) time parent. Or a teenager. Or a freshman in college. Or any number of times in our lives when we are faced with change or growth or outside pressure and emotions come into play and sometimes even adults act like a “threenager” and you know what? That’s all ok and normal. (See my last post!)

Listen, I get it, “threenager” is cute and concise and we can all bond over it at the playground. It does make the tantrums a little more bearable sometimes, to have a term that everyone understands. But the term “threenager” sort of sweeps all of the emotion and confusion and growing and figuring out under the rug…..and for me, remembering all that my kids are going through is what gets me through the tough times. Thinking about their feelings makes me sympathetic and helps me help them deal with being three.

Because they aren’t a “threenager” they are just three. And its hard to be three. And it’s our job to help them with hard things.

And just because I want you to know that I UNDERSTAND….here is a picture of my three year old eating a breakfast taco and giving me “a look”…

what?!

A breakfast taco, btw, that he begged me to make, watched me cook (there is a perfectly fried egg in there, damnit!) while hopping around underfoot asking if it was ready every five seconds, ran to the table to eat, and then as soon as it was served, he threw an epic fit because he DID NOT WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE THAT! (I don’t have the slightest idea what he was expecting, I make these several times a week and they always look the same.) After about ten minutes of screaming, foot stomping, chair rearranging (don’t ask), and general fit throwing, he finally pushed his chair back in, sat down, and happily ate the wrong-looking taco. He declared it delicious. I still have no idea what it was all about, but I suspect he was just having a hard time being three. Sometimes I have a hard time being thirty-seven. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I don’t even know what to say. Today sucked. It was bad. The baby slept terribly last night which meant I started out the day with a sleep deficit (and I need my sleep, this is something anyone who knows me knows to be true). My husband is out of town (for work) so that means getting up early, getting everyone dressed and fed and medicine taken (allergy for one, asthma for another) and teeth brushed and shoes on and bags packed and and and…it’s chaos. Or a race. Or both. I don’t know, it’s insane. Oh and don’t forget the baby, he needs to be changed and nursed at some point. And the dog. And myself, at least I need to brush teeth for the sake of the other people I will see. In any case, mornings when my husband is gone are especially difficult. Add in the very little sleep and, oh did I mention, it was the first day back to school after three weeks at home. Oy! It was rough.

But I did get the kids to school on time, with a healthy breakfast (homemade breakfast tacos with sausage, eggs, and cheese!). So go me! But then we got back and my toddler decided today was going to be an everything-is-wrong-no-matter-what-I-will-throw-a-fit kinda day. If you’ve ever been around a toddler for long, you know those days. He didn’t want his orange shoes to be orange (seriously). He wanted physics to not exist. He asked for an apple, got an apple, and then screamed because he didn’t want THAT apple. I could go on but I’m feeling insane again just thinking about all his fits. I tried to distract him, I tried to calm him, I tried humor and counting and food and bribery…nope. Today he was just going to be three. *sigh*

And the baby that didn’t sleep well last night? You guessed it, he didn’t nap well either. He wanted momma – which is fine, that’s my job and I’m glad I’m his comfort. But he wanted me as his pillow all day. Sitting down. That doesn’t work with a toddler. And he did that very lovely thing where he pooped himself awake every time I got him to sleep. What is that?! Why?!? I think evolution should have made pooping while asleep obsolete…it least if only to help preserve moms’ sanity. He was just needy and time-consuming (more so than a baby usually is) and off-schedule and just hard today. Which happens and is to be expected sometimes, but it still isn’t fun.

Now I will say there was one lovely moment this morning where we got out the watercolors (see previous post!) and that was good. But when the big kids got home, one threw an absolute fit because we did watercolors without them. WTF?! I can’t win! Which reminds me…both kids came home from school HANGRY. I mean, grumpy, whining puddles of low blood sugar. Of course it was time to feed the baby who was also hangry (and tired) and I had a horrid ten minutes of complete chaos and meltdowns because everyone needed me at the same time and about fifteen things needed done at the exact same moment and no one was hearing me because of the hangry problem and somehow, by some miracle, I did not yell and I held it together and I got it done. I was actually pretty proud (oh pride, you fool). But it drained me.

Did I mention that I accomplished pretty much nothing today? I had a list…a realistic list, I know what days are like with a toddler and baby…but I had a list nonetheless of things that sort of needed done. Pick up medicine at the pharmacy, quick grocery store stop for fruit and lunch stuff, respond to an email, etc. Not one thing happened. Nada. It just was one of those days, nothing was easy, nothing worked out. And that really stresses me. I try to let it go, I do, but I get great joy and satisfaction from crossing things off a list and accomplishing something. And I really like my life in order. (Bwhahaha! I should have never had kids then!) So on top of being tired and all, I felt sort of deafened too.

And then, ladies and gentleman, it got worse. I can’t explain it, I don’t know what happened, but everyone was melting and losing it and needing me at once and two kids were crying and there was homework stress and the baby WOULD NOT NAP and physics was still getting the best of the three year old and I spilled the whole vacuum canister all over the kitchen and I really should have started dinner but was missing an ingredient and my son didn’t hear me WHEN I WAS TWO FEET FROM HIM and I absolutely lost my shit. No, I didn’t just lose it. It exploded. I was like the toddler. I yelled and actually stomped my feet (repeatedly) and slammed a door and then I cried. Oh it’s so embarrassing to think about now. I threw a damn tantrum just like a toddler. And as I stood there crying into my hands at the kitchen counter, I heard my oldest comfort the baby and and my toddler actually stopped his own fit (ha! I finally succeeded in distracting him!) and my daughter wrapped her arms around my legs and told me it would be alright. And maybe I should feel guilty, but all I felt was pride and love. Well, and embarrassed. (And still tired).

After I calmed myself down (which happens pretty damn quickly when you realize your kids have just witnessed you act completely ridiculous), I gathered them all around for big hugs and I apologized for my behavior. They all assured me, unprompted, that they understood and each gave me advice for how to calm down. 🙂 It was very sweet and made me feel that, even if I totally failed today, I was doing something right overall. Even adults have emotions, big ones, and while I wish I could have handled myself differently, I think it’s a valuable lesson for kids to know that adults are people too. And to see me having the same struggles they do. We talked a lot about what I could have done differently at dinner (random leftovers, I had given up by then) and it was a great learning opportunity for them all.

I’m not exactly sure why I typed this all out, maybe mostly as therapy for myself. But I also think it’s important for us, as parents, to share these sorts of things. This isn’t what we see on social media – at best, we see a funny hashtag like #momfail or a picture of a kid with the flour they’ve spilled all over. We make it funny. But this is real life and it’s not always cute or funny or Instagram perfect – and that’s ok. No, it isn’t ideal to lose it completely, I don’t recommend it as a parenting style, but it is going to happen and in fact it happens to us all at some point and it doesn’t mean we are bad or scarring our kids for life and we shouldn’t hide it. If anything, I probably would have been a lot better off venting to a friend earlier in the day.

And you know, as tough as today was, we are all healthy and we have a roof over our heads and it could all be a lot worse. Of course, it could have been better too, but hey, you win some, you lose some. I’m going to bed now and I will take any good thoughts, positive vibes, prayers, or even voodoo dances (if that’s a thing) that we all get some good sleep. It’s amazing what sleep can do…and what lack of sleep can do!

Oh, and one more thing….this gem came out of today…. 😍😍😍

“Momma! Momma, take our picture! Take a picture of Frankie and his big brother!” ❤️

Ironically, I could write a novel based on this one sentence. Especially when it comes to kids and parenting. “Keep it simple.” is the single greatest advice that we all ignore. But I’m here to (quickly!) remind you that keeping it simple is your key to happiness when it comes to kids…you don’t need fancy or expensive toys or an elaborately planned activity. Often, those things only result in stress and mess and disappointment. Think simple….

Water colors. Yep, a couple bucks for the old-school crayola watercolors, get some plain paper, throw some water in a cup, and have a few paper towels standing by…and you have cheap, SIMPLE fun for at least 30 minutes. Plus, you get great art to hang up after you’re done!

I just let my toddler do his thing, but you can add in some questions and prompts to get them thinking about colors, tints, shades, mixing, primary and secondary, etc. You can paint a picture together, each taking a turn. You can “teach” how to paint a specific thing by doing it on your paper and having your child then “copy” onto theirs (much like those paint studios do for the group canvas painting). The options are endless, but overall, it’s a fun, cheap, and simple activity that you may have forgotten about…enjoy!

My Dearest Burke Thomas,

I have to write this letter because I failed, miserably, at documenting pretty much anything from your first two years of life. Your big brother has a detailed baby book, every date, every milestone is there, along with cute antidotes and even every single baby gift we received. Typical first kid. Your sister’s baby book is a little less full, having come only 17 months after her brother, but there are the important dates, first step, first tooth, first word. And then you, my little Peanut, arrived just 21 months after sister. Like everything since, you came when YOU wanted to, on your terms, and we’ve all been along for the ride since. I would use the excuse of juggling three kids three and under, but the truth is, it wasn’t the juggling so much that prevented me from ever opening your baby book. No, it was the LIVING, the enjoying, the loving.

You see, something finally clicked when you came along. It took you, my Sweet Boy, to show me the way. I don’t know what it was…that you were my tiniest (so funny now, since you are my biggest!)…that you screamed in pain for months on end and all I wanted to do was make you better…or maybe it was just every thing about YOU.  Your smile and your laugh, despite the belly issues. The way you would simply light up when any one of us spoke to you. Those big blue eyes and the big giant dimples. But I just got caught up in YOU. Every single thing about you made me happy. Your siblings loved you so deeply it hurt me to witness. Even your big sister…I was so worried, she was such a momma’s girl and she still loved her milkies, I was afraid she would be jealous or resent you. I could not have been more wrong – that girl loved you so fiercely. She still does. We all just enjoyed you so much, we loved loving you, watching you grow, just having you (finally!) in our family.

I may not have the slightest idea when you rolled over, but I can promise you we all cheered (Mary the loudest!). And your sense of humor…my goodness, I had no idea a little toddler could crack a joke, but as soon as you could talk, that’s what you did. And I think that’s about when we started calling you our middle child, which is funny, because you were the baby for just over 3 years. But you just fit the role. Peacekeeper, jokester, friends with both your siblings (who often “fought” over you), you needed (and got!) the most attention – and, of course, the empty baby book. I do wish I knew the date of a lot of those  things….but I am so glad I was too busy enjoying you to stop to write stuff down. Even thinking about them now…I can picture your smiling face when you first stood up, so very proud. And your big ol’ diaper butt swishing side to side when you crawled. Oh that smile when you had only those two bottom teeth! GAH! I can’t even stand how much I love you and the swell I feel thinking about these things.

I always tell you that you make my heart happy – it’s true. Even now, as you approach 3 1/2 and you play with little legos like a big kid and go potty by yourself and you’ve mastered so many of the milestones…my heart aches when I look at you. I still don’t know what it is about you, I guess it’s all of you. My Peanut Butter, my Rotten Potato, My Burkie Turkey, my Sweet Boy, and now, officially, finally, my middle child. It’s a role you were destined for….because for all the love you received from us when you were born, you have given it back a million times to your little brother. Above all else, you are the most generous with your love. It is a trait I hope you never lose. We are all so very lucky to have you as ours. And your squggles – please always give your momma squggles and hugs and kisses.

There is not a single moment I would change, even if I haven’t written one of them down. Thank you a million times for being you, my sweetest Sweet Peanut.

With All My Love, Momma

I have a confession. I am obsessed with my planner. I love it. I need it. I think it’s an unhealthy relationship because I seriously couldn’t function without her. (Yes, my planner is female, obviously. Just like a mom, she is the keeper of all the info and schedules and important dates and to-do lists…) Anyway, I would like to share with you just how fabulous she is but let me back up just a bit…

A frequent topic of conversation among my friends is how to be/stay organized. This seems to be a universal among women, stay-at-home parents, working parents…really, everyone I know. There are like five million (and I don’t think I’m exaggerating) apps and online calendars and personal organizers and paper planners and calendars and journals…it can be overwhelming. I don’t have THE answer, but I have some advice…from someone who really likes to be organized but often fails at it and someone who does have a decent amount to juggle (four kids at different schools with different schedules; husband who has events and early morning meetings and travels for work; household and family to run; and an inability to say no to volunteering).

I think the very first thing is to evaluate YOUR needs and preferences. I am a visual person and I like to be able to see the whole month or the whole day at once. I tried to commit to a whole year of electronic calendar/planning — it was torture and I hated it and I failed miserably — so relying on my phone or outlook or an app is not for me (so there’s half the options crossed off the potential list, only 2.5 million to go). I also tried a very small pocket planner one year — I make too many lists and like to write it all in one location — so “small” is not for me either. A friend is super into the bullet journalling thing and tried to “teach me” — I am easily overwhelmed and I also have a knack for creating pressure for myself — so guess what? Bullet journaling was also a no go…caused me STRESS and I do not need my planner to add stress to my life, that’s the exact opposite of what I want!

Admittedly, some of these options that don’t work for me may, in fact, be great for you and that’s awesome…there isn’t a “perfect” organization system that works for every single person, but I’m sure there is a perfect one out there for you (there was for me!). So evaluate for you and your needs and your preferences!

Now, if you ARE something like me…like and need to be organized (due to work or family life or both), prefer paper planners and/or are more visual and tactile, enjoy making lists…I might just have your solution. I will spare you all the details of my many, many failed attempts at finding the perfect planner for me and skip right to the good part…

BEHOLD! The Day Designer!

My 2018 Flagship Planner

Oh be still my heart! I love this thing! I know you’ve probably heard of it, this isn’t a new planner or something under the radar. They have a line at Target for goodness sakes and we all know if you’re even reading this blog, you’ve been to Target once or twice (a week!). But just hear me out. I love this planner. LOVE! I love that the monthly layout lets me see the whole month at once and gives me some space to write, but isn’t so big that it’s overwhelming or cumbersome. I love that each day has it’s own page…that lets me feel super organized, I can have everything for that one day in one place…my schedule, my to-do list, my dinner plans, etc. The layout just works for me! I am able to color-code, which is so visually appealing to me, I can even add a doodle or whatever if I’m so inclined, but there’s no pressure to “bullet journal” or whatever trendy thing the kids do these days with their fancy writing. (side note: do they all take classes to write in these trendy/cool ways? Is there an online teacher? a workbook? or am I just lacking from creative handwriting gene?!? Or maybe I’m just old.)

The Monthly Layout

Anyway, I have used both the flagship original and the mini. They are really very similar and you can check out the pages layout on their website. I like that the mini is slightly smaller and fits in every bag I own. But, ultimately, I needed those extended day hours of the full size and I generally do not carry it with me, so the slightly larger size isn’t a deal breaker.  Also, this year I fell in love with the Secret Garden design and it only comes in large.  Isn’t she beautiful?! 🙂

One of the great things that I love about the Day Designer is the daily page layouts…and the fact that you can view all of their layouts on their website, print them out, and see if they are a good fit for you! (I did this before I purchased my first Day Designer and highly recommend) I color code my days because, well, I like the way it looks and it truly does help me stay organized. Here is a typical day for me…

So that’s it. Not some big secret. No complex system. Just a simple planner where I can keep everything in one place. It’s exactly what I need and not a lot else. There is “more” you can do with it, but no pressure – I have enough pressure and stress without my planner adding to it. This planner has served me well for three years and I’m excited to start on my fourth year with Day Designer! Any questions?!

Well, we had a baby. Actually, we already had three (as you know) and so we had a FOURTH baby. And you know what? Turns out, the fourth time is the charm, for us anyway. I had a great pregnancy, a fantastic birth, postpartum is going very well *knock on wood*, and our family feels complete. Whole. Perfect. We are all head-over-heels in love!

©2018KissMeForEternity

Sooooo….back to blogging! I took a little over five weeks completely off from most of life. It was FANTASTIC! Only took me four times, but I figured out this whole taking care of yourself thing and I truly said “no” to almost everything and just relaxed and healed and held my baby and spent time with my family. But I am rejoining the real world and that includes blogging, which I enjoy.

I’m thinking I need a birth post and a post on what to do (and not to do) when you visit someone with a newborn…I know those exist, but some don’t seem very “real world”. Speaking of real, I think I need a “all the real shit no one tells you” …like about pregnancy and childbirth and the newborn stage. What else should I talk about? Cloth diapering? What about how I keep track of our busy schedule? More food posts…like real people food posts, not chef shit that kids won’t eat and real people don’t have time to make. Oh, could also do a baby led weaning post…

So, give me some ideas and let me know what you want to see in future posts!

Remember, I am a normal, average mom. Three kids (fourth on the way), busy working husband, no family help or nanny, volunteer for too much. I have zero culinary training and I am not some fancy blogger that gets paid. My kids do not beg me for kale…they generally beg for ice cream. I say all that because most of the time when I see recipes on FB or Pinterest, they are marked as “easy” or “for kids” and they have 20+ ingredients or require three bowls or involve ingredients that are way too healthy for me (i.e. I don’t know what they are or where to buy them). It’s bullshit. That is not easy or kid friendly. Lets be real here. And while tree bark may be healthy, I bet it tastes like crap and I’m not battling my kids to eat it.

All that is to say, here is a recipe for banana bread that is actually easy! I basically always buy a big bunch of bananas and if we don’t eat them all, I make this. Everyone loves it and it does freeze (in muffin form) really well! I imagine you have all of these ingredients on hand, I promise your kids will love it, and it really is quick and a slightly healthier muffin or snack. I don’t know where my original banana bread recipe came from, but this one has been tweaked quite a bit through the years…this is the version I now make at least once or twice a month! Enjoy!

Easier, Healthier Banana Bread

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup oats
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• cinnamon and nutmeg as preferred (I like a lot, I suggest starting with 2-3 shakes of cinnamon and 1 shake of nutmeg)
• chocolate chips or nuts, if desired

Preheat oven to 350º.

Mash bananas and butter together with fork. Continuing to use fork, beat in eggs, applesauce, and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and stir into wet. Add chocolate chips or nuts, if desired.

Pour into greased loaf pan or lined muffin tins.

Bake loaf pan about 1 hour, muffins about 20 min. They are done with toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean.

That’s it! Seriously, try it and let me know what you think. It’s also a great way to round out a lunchbox bento box….my silly kids are still convinced this is a dessert! 🙂