Don't Force Things Quote

Feel Good Song: Avicii - The Days

Love this song!

Feel Good Song: Walk The Moon- Shut Up And Dance With Me

Our Lessons in Life

It was a predictable behavior. Doing something that I said I was going to do just doing it before I could and I was so annoyed because it was like give me credit if you're gonna do the same thing. As always this one person felt the need to compete. I don't compete. I am comfortable with you I am. I have what I have cause of the amount of work I put into my life. But this one always competes and it makes me want to stay further and further away.

You attract what is happening my family said. Your lesson in life is to not let this person bother you anymore. 

It's true, they were right. We all have lessons we are handed in life. We all have people we couldn't live without and people we wish we could push out. This person and I could have a friendship if they weren't always trying to compete with me, every second and opportunity arises they do something so obvious to others that it's saw how transparent they are.   But reality is this is YOUR life and lesson and journey. They have to find their own path. 

Don't let anyone change your path.  Don't let anyone take anything away from you. This person I have to pray for and ask that they find peace within themselves. 

I am at peace with myself. I wish everyone could be too! 

Feel Good Song: Sheppard - Geronimo

Stop Competing

You are only truly at peace with yourself and who you are once you overcome the need to compete with others.

Stamford Nature Center Membership Deal

Great Deal!! A family plus 10 free guest passes plus free admission to their festivals for one year $89. Great place for picnics and outings with the kids and family too. 

Check it out here!

How To Make Baby Food

I must say this is super easy. If you know how to boil water than the rest is up to you. I am a fan of making baby food. The two foods I do NOT make are bananas- because they turn brown and carrots-because one of the girls old Drs told me if could turn the kids blood a different color. Again don't quote me but it stuck in my mind and so I I just buy those two types already pre-made.

I was taught you should always introduce a new food for three-five days to see if your child has a reaction to it. And always introduce the food early in the day so doesn't interrupt their sleep if they do end up havinf a reaction to it. If it passes the test then you can start combining foods that your child has tolerated.

You start off with enough water to just cover the food. For some reason I always use fresh fruit but frozen vegetables. Boil until you can mash it with a fork. After with the water you used pour food and water into a blender and blend. You are all set. Never add salt or flavoring. The naturals flavore of the food is enough for them. This is easy and cheap and so healthy. 

To help ease my daughter into vegetables I add the vegetable to butternut squah or apples and blend together to add some natural sweetness. 

Apple sauce, butternut squash and string beans with butternut squash. Breakfast,lunch and dinner for the week. 

Again always confirm with your doctor before starting your child on food and be sure to follow their guidelines.

Happy cooking!!! 

Marriage Joke: 45 Year Old ...

No Two Kids Are The Same

Why do we treat our kids the same if they ARE not the same? Now I don't mean give one kid something and nothing to the other. What I mean is we act like they are all the same person and like the same things but they don't. An example if you were to give your children a snack plate would they eat the same things?

So I gave both my daughters a plate. Same amount of food. Same items. 

After about ten minutes I went back to see what they ate. Now this is a lot for my two year old but check out who ate what. 

My two year old:

My 6 year old:

So even though my 6 year old ate more the stuff left on her plate is different than my 2 year old. 

See our kids are all different. They like different things so why do we try to push the same things on them? Is it to make things easier for us?

I do believe they all should try the same things at least once but then after we should really accommodate what they enjoy like an individual. 

Our goal isn't to have them be alike. Our goal is for us to find out who they each are and let that part of them shine. 

My Children Are My Best Therapy Quote

"My children really are the best type of therapy for me. It's all that other stuff in life that drives me crazy!" JCF

If You Don't Like Something Then Say Something

You are always taught that customer service is key to success in business. Being a Marketing Major I was taught early on that word of mouth is the most effective tool for Marketing.  Many times people jump at the chance to give a bad review sometimes giving a good one is just as effective with a helpful tip.

I hate getting Kohl's cash because that means I will just go back and spend more money. So I used Kohl's cash for a purchase online. I didn't like how something fit so I want to the store to return it. I was informed I wasn't going to get credit back from using the Kohl's cash. I was pretty mad. So I picked out two new pairs of pants and end up spending even more. I just couldn't shake it so I emailed customer service. They responded and said they would apply the Kohl's cash to my next order. SMART. See now they made me happy and gave me a reason to shop some more.

I received a coupon from Sports Authority as a thank you for placing a recent order. It was perfect timing because I needed to order another item. I tried three times to put the coupon code in and had no luck. I called customer service and they said the brand I was purchasing is excluded from any coupons. So I said fine and processed my order. Moments later I received a survey asking to fill out my experience. I gave it all high marks and in the comments section I added how I was disappointed they couldn't apply coupon codes towards that brand. Guess What? They emailed me back and said this one time they would apply my coupon towards that purchase. SMART: Now they have a happy customer and what did it cost them?

See saying something is good! It's also all about the approach. You know that phrase "you catch more bees with honey" well that applies to life and business. I wasn't rude, I just expressed how I was disappointed and in turn they did two things; they made the customer happy AND they caused the customer to shop more.

What GOOD customer service experience have you received?

How Do You Handle Change?

Waffles with a Twist

We all have a favorite food that brings us comfort when we aren't feeling well. Peanut Butter and Jelly happens to be mine. If I bring out the peanut butter and jelly it's a sign that I am not feeling well.

I have been battling a cold/sinus issue and this morning when my daughter said she wanted waffles for breakfast I could only think of one thing: Peanut Butter and Jelly Waffles! 

My husband looked at me like I was crazy until he took a bite. After that I made him his own. 

All you have to do is make waffles with your favorite recipe or use the frozen ones you get at the store. Add peanut butter to one waffle. Put jelly of the other one and then stack them like a sandwich. I even tried it with syrup: YUM!

Portraits By Shawnalee at the Childhood Portraits: Our Children, Our Future Event

I enrolled my daughter to participate in the Childhood Portraits: Our Children, Our Future event run by the The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, The Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum and Stepping Stones Museum for Children. The whole experience has been amazing. 

 

At first we didn't even make the cut since they only had 25 spots and were on a waiting list but then we got an email that my daughter was given a spot to participate. It started with a meet and greet event at Stepping Stones where we got to meet all the artists and check out their work. Then we got to hand in our three artist top picks to do our child's portrait. I was hoping we would get Shawnalee because since she too is a mom of three I could see how well she would be working with my daughter and I must say I was right. Gratefully we received notice that my daughter was chosen to be teamed

up with Shawnalee. 

 

She came over a couple of times and really got to know my daughter. Her patience is amazing and talents really showed through in her work. The drafts came out great!! She really has been amazing to work with. Below is the details to the event and some "drafts"- they are so amazing I can't wait to see the finished product and see it in the art show. To learn more about Portraits by Shawnalee please visit www.shawnalee.com

EVENT:

The FINE ART PORTRAIT EXHIBITION opening is scheduled for Saturday MAY 9, 2015, 3 pm - 5 pm at The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk and is open to the public. Please come out and show your support to these amazing artists and you will get a chance to enjoy their amazing work!

 

            Portraits By Shawnalee

Surround Yourself With Good People

The Easter Bunny Visits Westfarms Mall

Start off the Easter Holiday right! "Hop" on down to the Westfarms Mall to meet the Easter Bunny!

Beginning Friday, March 13th, the Easter Bunny eggcitedly awaits visitors in Bunnyville, a charming, three-dimensional Bunny town featuring the Hoppin’ Fresh Bakery, Hare Salon and 24 Carrot Bank. The last stop in Bunnyville is a professional photo with the Easter Bunny in front of his Bunny House. Children will receive a small gift from the Bunny just for visiting. 

Hours of operation are Monday – Saturday 10 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM through Saturday, April 4th.

About Westfarms:

Westfarms, the premier shopping center of central Connecticut, features anchor stores Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and JCPenney. The shopping center offers 160 stylish retailers and restaurants, many unique to the trade area, including Anthropologie, Apple, The Art of Shaving, Athleta, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Brio Tuscan Grille, California Pizza Kitchen, Coach, Free People, J.Crew, Kiehl’s Since 1851, LEGO, Louis Vuitton, LUSH, Michael Kors, Microsoft, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Tiffany & Co., True Religion Brand Jeans, Tommy Bahama, Tory Burch, Urban Outfitters and many more. The shopping center straddles the towns of Farmington and West Hartford, and is conveniently located at the intersection of I-84 and Route 9. 

For more information, call 860-561-3024

visit www.ShopWestfarms.com 

   (Photo courtesy of Sirica Marketing and PR)

My Family Makes Me Who I am

Forever grateful!

Sound Tigers 1st Responders Day April 19th 2015

April19th is The Sound Tigers1st Responders Day where they will be donating a portion of ticket sales back to benefit 3 different charities that are involved with First Responders, including Children's Connection in Norwalk.  Buy your tickets today: http://heroeshope.org/forms/1st-responders-day-2015.pdf

Your Life Is Your Story

Qdoba Mexican Grill Steps Up Their Queso With Two New Flavors

Have you ever had Qdoba Mexican Grill's Queso? No then you're def missing out. Don't believe me then go give it a try! http://www.qdoba.com/ 

Their queso is sooo yummy and gooey and perfect over nachos and on your burritos or tacos. Well now they added a new twist with introducing their new Bacon Jalapeno Queso and Quesomle-their blend of guacamole and queso.  I may have to order both next time I go! Check it out!





Qdoba Mexican Grill Queso

Motherhood: it's so hard yet so beautiful

I sent my husband pictures he replied he loved them and was a little jealous. He was envious that he was at work all day and I was with them. He wanted to make sure I enjoyed the kids. Of course I do I said. But it's hard. I am exhausted. It's a lot of work and I work and taking care of them is work too. But it's beautiful and I love it and wish I could be with them all the time. Just like this. Calm and happy but that's not how it always is. But we work hard for them. To be able to give them what they need and want and in return they give us this unconditional love and understanding. They will grow up so fast and all the other stuff won't matter. I keep trying to tell myself to sometimes forget everything else and cuddle with them as much as possible. To play with them as much as I can. It's ok if dinner is served late or the house isn't spotless. It's ok because that doesn't matter to them. Me being with them matters to them.

Strong Women

Cheers!

We Are All Connected

It's a small world and boy is it true! We are all connected one way or another.

She was my dental hygienist. I knew her for 17 years. So sweet and always happy. I became friends with her sister and cousin without knowing the connection. One day she messaged me that she saw a picture of my daughter with her niece. The connection clicked. Later found out her husband was good friends with my husband. We were connected and meant to be friends.  Small world...yes indeed!

How many times are you out and hear a friend knew another friend from completely different parts of the state. Or your friend's boyfriend went to school with your friend. The examples are endless. 

Even with dealing with business I often get calls "do you know..." And a message "hey I just got referred to your husband or parents business". My parents will call and say a girl came in and said she knew you.

 One day I was getting a mortgage broker and told her my husbands line of business she said wow I could use his help and after she helped me we hung up and he helped her. 

We are all connected and can learn from

one another. Never burn bridges with anyone. You never know when they will be circling back into your life. 

Always try to keep friendships open so you never run into an axkward moment. Always treat others the way you wanted to be treated. And most of all embrace the relationships you do have and connections you make. 

Skeleton Video: Diversity & Inclusion – Love Has No Labels (Gender, Color, Race, Disability) Skeleton Love Dance

Great Message! Under it all we are all the same!

She turned 2

Each child is unique but this one she's definitely one of a kind. Her beauty is striking. Her independence is admired. Her ability to tell you want she wants and needs without saying much words is impressive. She saved my life. I am forever grateful for her!