Where's Your"No Matter What Friend"

I think this is required for everyone at every stage, phase, of life but when I really wanted it was when I became a mother. The reason is because when you think of having a child you just picture this endless happiness no one tells you the other stuff that comes along with it. The restless nights. Being torn between working and staying home. Postpartum depression. Coping with the changes of your body and responsibilities and roles in life. Yeah see you need someone you can turn to who can listen. Respond when you want to hear it or just listen when you want to just vent.

If you don't have this person or group then try to find that person. If you have that person or group be grateful for them. It's amazing how much easier life has been for me to have so many amazing ladies in my life at really all different levels of my life I can call my "no matter what" girls. It wasn't always so easy to have that "no matter what" friend when I became a mom.  I was a young mom so it was more difficult to have someone who I could relate to or welcome me in to give me guidance. I think that is why I am so passionate about helping other moms. Being their "no matter what" helping them see how life can be even when it's not all perfect or when you lost hours of sleep. I feel it's my life passion to really give back since I didn't have that and so yearned for it when I first had a child. 

I am grateful for my "no matter what" life friends. My "no matter what" mommy friends. So no matter what you are dealing with in life take a second and thank those who have helped you and more importantly try to be someone else's "no matter what" friend. To be able to help others really brings rewards into your life. Not material rewards just self gratification rewards. 

Baseball & Beer Unite On Feb 23rd

Join The Bridgeport Bluefish for a fun and exciting FeBREWary with the BREWfish on Thursday, February 23. 

The event will take place at Brewport Brewing Company in Bridgeport from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Guests will have the opportunity to check out all the unique brews that Brewport has to offer. There will also be raffles throughout the night as well as special Bluefish 20^th Anniversary merchandise for sale.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

$35 gets you two drink vouchers, pizza and salad. To learn more about this  event, CLICK HERE, call the Bluefish Ticket Office at 203-210-BLUE, or email tickets@birdgeportbluefish.com.

Sunday Motivation: Spread Happiness

Source: The Good Quote

What It's Really Like Baking With Toddlers: Enjoy The Present

It was already a long day. They were crabby at dinner. One refused to put her shirt back on the other their pants.  I layed on the couch for five minutes and then said who wants to help mommy bake. I needed to make brownies for my mother in law's birthday celebration and lunch today with my family. So I pulled up their chairs and said lets go. 

Bad idea from the beginning...

My middle one went to grab her book off the container to have next to her which then knocked my glass of fresca all over the floor. I didn't even speak 

I took out the mop and cleaned up the mess. 

Ok kids let's try this again... 

I give them each a box of brownie mix and asked them to open the box. Just then realized my youngest had a stinky diaper. So my husband takes her in the play room to get changed. I reassure her we will wait. My middle one is playing with the bag filled with brownie powder. As my husband walks back in with my youngest we hear a pop and see brownie powder shoot up in the air. 

"This isn't how I envisioned my life" I said to my husband. "I just want to bake some freaking brownies" 

Clean up another mess and then can start yet again. Now I am a little red faced. Tempered. Mad lady. But pull it together and am quiet. Which is not my norm. I am normally very vocal so when I am mad and quiet that means I am beyond pissed. 

I allow them to add mini Oreos in and once their fingers hit their mouth they are off duty. So my middle one sits out and watches her little sister go to work. 

After they look at me and say thank you Mommy. Thank you?! That was an awful experience I thought. But see it was awful for me but not them. 

I remember being able to bake in peace. Alone or even with one kid in a high chair and one next to me. Now two toddlers is overwhelming. But they don't remember that. They see they got to make brownies and eat mini Oreos before bed. They enjoyed the experience while I reflected on past experiences. They enjoyed the moment and I compared it in my head to past experiences.

That moment taught me a lot. I know sounds silly. It taught me to enjoy the moment. 

Friday Motivation: Life Is Short

Drinks To Help Allergy, Blood Pressure, Immune System & Thyroid

Source: Instagram: Thyroid Cancer Sucks

Crockpot Short Ribs: Asian Flair

Just because I am a mom doesn't mean I have to always cook like a mom! My crockpot Asian short ribs over sesame pasta received a "my compliments to the chef" from my 8 year old. High five to me! Here's how I made them:

What You Need:

Short Ribs

Korean BBQ sauce sauce

Pam oil spray

Olive Oil

Salt

Ginger Paste

Soy Sauce

Sesame Oil

A Crockpot

Angel hair pasta

Spray the crockpot with Pam olive oil- makes clean up super easy. Place short ribs in crockpot. Mix one cup of Korean BBQ sauce with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 2 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of ginger spread (minced works). Pour over short ribs. Cook on low heat 6 hours. 

Before serving cooked short ribs boil a box of Angel hair pasta. When finish drain water. Add pasta back to pot. Pour two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of sesame oil over pasta and stir. 

The most easiest yet yummy dinner ever!

Mommy CT Is In 3rd Place: Please Vote

Please Vote for MOMMY CT I just got notified I am currently in third place for Best Social Media Mom In CT

Would be great to win and love sharing my love for CT places. 

I can't see who voted but currently am in third place. ❤️ to you all!! 

https://mommypoppins.com/CTbesties

Great Words To Live By: Rest in Peace

Source: Country Living Magazine 

Wednesday Motivation: Take That Step

Homemade Valentines: Super Sweet

Feel like being creative? Well I found some super cute and easy homemade Valentines that are perfect to create with your little ones.

Source: Facebook Crafty Morning

Source: Pinterest

Source: parentmap.com

Follow Me On Twitter

Happy Tuesday All!

To learn about local upcoming events and news please follow me on Twitter

www.twitter.com/mommyct2009

As always I appreciate your continued support!

Restaurant Week At Mohegan Sun

Who says casinos are just for gambling?! I love walking around the casinos. Always so entertaining and now you get to catch a deal too during their restaurant week.

Check out which restaurants are participating: https://mohegansun.com/events-and-promotions/schedule-of-events/restaurant-week.html

The Ultimate Oreo Pie: Easy Too!

Calling Chocolate and Oreo lovers. I have found your match...Oreo Pudding Pie and super easy to make too. 

Ok ok you may have tried this before but I am going to share anyway. I made this over the weekend and it's yummy and easy. 

What you need:

Package of instant chocolate pudding

Milk

Package of Oreos

Already made pie crust 

Follow directions on package of pudding box. Break up Oreos. Start laying in already made pie crust. You can use an Oreo pie crust or a Graham cracker pie crust. One layer pudding. Next Oreos. Repeat. Chill in fridge one hour. 

I always bake with my girls. I guess it's been a while since I made pudding because my little one kept shouting "now add the eggs and oil" She wasn't grasping the concept that all pudding needed was the package mix and milk. 

Enjoy!

Want To Change The World? Then Lead By Example

Let's Give Each Other A Break...This Parenting Stuff Is Rough

It was a long day and finally the last kid up fell alseep I plopped myself on the couch,literally and closed my eyes. Within minutes I hear: Someone just woke up said my husband. "Oh crap" I shouted and ran upstairs.

My youngest was feverish so I brought her into my room and we layed in bed. Before I know it I woke up two hours later. She was super crappy. I gave her medicine and put her back into her room. She asked for me to lay on the floor just then her sister woke up. "God this has got to be a joke" I said to myself. I reassured her sister I was there and she asked me to lay in her bed.

I literally was hanging off her bed to please both children. At this point in the situation you begin to question EVERYTHING and pray to God. 

I mean all crazy stuff was going through my head. My eyes burned from

being up yet again. I knew I would have a full day today with getting three kids out of the house. Making breakfast lunch and dinner. Working and then after school activities and a meeting at school I had to be at tonight, so I just wanted some solid sleep. 

At that moment of praying for everyone to just sleep so I could sleep started to make me a little nutty, I started to think of any pressure I had ever felt from someone about my parenting skills or habits, it all started to come to surface and I was mad. 

Overtired, crabby and mad. Not a good combo. And I recognized it all real

quick. Being able to recognize that being tired was making me mad made it easier to calm down BUT it did make me want to say a couple of things...

Let's stop judging eachother. 

Let's focus on giving people more praise and credit.

If you can't say anything nice then stay quiet and keep your opinion to yourself.  

This parenthood journey is so tough. Truly it is! I don't even know if I got solid sleep last night and now I have to pull it together to get through my day and I know I am

Not alone. I bet most parents of toddlers slept like crap last night and I am sorry ! I wish you a great day and want to reassure you that you're an amazing parent. Even when your eyes burn from lack of sleep and you talk to yourself just to deal with your current situation. I get it. I do. And I have your back!

Stop Taking Things So Personally!

Mom Take A Picture

When your little says "Mom take a picture" you stop what you're doing and take a picture. 

So many times we are standing behind the camera capturing the moments of others that we tend to not think of ourselves. I was making lunch and she was sitting on the counter. My back was to her as she wrapped her arms around my neck. That's when she starting saying picture. Finally she shouted "Mom take a picture" and so I did and it melted my heart. 

Will You Be Marching? Women Equality That's The True Fight

Will you be marching? Why will you be marching?

I am not marching. Not because I don't believe in the cause I am not because let's face it I am on Mommy duty today so watching my kids BUT with that being said I need everyone to think about this. 

We shouldn't March to say Trump shouldn't be president. Let's face it enough Americans voted him in. We SHOULD March to not be degraded. Women we have come so so so far with being able to vote and work and take jobs in corporations and have a choice with abortions and our bodies, not be standing behind our men but beside them and some even infront. 

I know I know what media put out there could be "locker room" talk I mean who hasn't heard men say so much crap and degrading nasty things about women BUT we don't want our leader, our nations voice to have that mentality. He has daughters and a wife and he is now in the public eye to protect us. He's our leader and well let's face it President Trump you catch more bees with honey. Soften up a little bit and we all will be eating out of the Palm of your hand. 

Meantime who ever is Marching today. Do it with class and be safe! Rock On and Cheers To Girl Power!

Marchers and Protestors Know Your Rights: 

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/what-do-if-your-rights-are-violated-demonstration-or-protest

Source for picture: Scary Mommy

We Are All In This Together...Remain Hopeful!

Winter Festival at the Earthplace in Westport Saturday Jan 21st

While some people look for indoor activites during the winter the Earthplace is embracing this winter with their Winterfestival. Join them in Westport on Saturday January 21st. Admission $5 a person. Learn more here: Festival

 

Stop Being Practical...Start Being Happy!

"Life is short. Each year passes more quickly than the previous one. It is easy to deny yourself many of life's simple pleasures because you want to be practical. Forget about practical and decide instead to become a joy collector." Barbara Johnson

Just love this photo I came across online.

Source; The Drugs Don't Work, Discover What Does: Life is short, enjoy it!: http://thedrugsdontworkdiscoverwhatdoes.blogspot.com/2012/09/life-is-short-enjoy-it.html 

Cute Kids Bear Craft With Your Footprints

This just melted my heart. Super cute and super easy. 

Source: My Incredible Recipes 

Please Excuse The Mess I Have Children...

We Made Finals! Voting Crunch Time

So excited to be a Finalist for Best Mom Social Media in CT. Please vote for me Mommy CT 

link: https://mommypoppins.com/CTbesties

THANK YOU to all of those who already voted and helped me become a finalist. Appreciate the support xo

Have a great day!!

Why Social Media Is A Funny Thing

Let's face it you have those who love social media and those who hate it. My clients actually pay me to run their social media accounts because let's face it I am one of the ones who loves it. 

I am a mom who works from home. I don't get everyday interaction like full time working moms do. So social media is my outlet. I use it for the news. I use it for product updates. I use it to share my life...which yes sometimes I tend to be personal but I never post anything I wouldn't say to someone in conversation. I say what I post. It's just who I am. 

Here's where it can get tricky...

People who don't share much are looking, and I mean constantly looking. Don't kid yourself they are there watching. Which is totally fine because those who share on social media share for a reason. You share to share your story or events or to be inspired, or post to do the inspiring. Those who do not is totally fine but it's like going to the gym. You should never mock, judge, make fun of or use something against someone you see working out. They are trying to better themselves. They are trying new things, taking a chance, improving themselves sharing so others see they can do it too. 

Ok ok so maybe this is a better explanation. Social media connects you to avenues you can't connect solo anymore. It helps you stay connected to people near and far. I have a lot of family overseas and we feel close from connecting on social media. I have learned about a ton of events and deals from social media. 

Where things get personal...never take anything on the internet personal. Never let it cause a fight or judge a character or ruin friendships or cause family drama. Set that aside. If you're going to use social media be prepared for what you see and hear and those posting be prepared to be judged...because you will be whether people tell you or not. But most of all do it because you have good intentions whether posting or viewing. Don't view to judge! Don't post to cause trouble. 

Social media sites have really taken over all our free time so when you use it try to let it be worthwhile and most of all try to use it in a positive way. 

Stop Caring So Much About Being A Perfect Mom

It was a long day. Fun but long. By bed time I had enough. My oldest daughter asked me "Mom do you still love us even when you yell at us?" "Of course" I replied "I will always love you all no matter what. Whether I am happy, sad, mad or angry. Do you still love mommy even when I yell at you?" "Yes mommy of course."

There's no "perfect mom" just be you and you'll be just fine!

Admire Those Who Stand Up For What They Believe In

Whale Exhibit At Maritime Center: Such A Fun Morning

What a great opportunity to have this aquarium in our town. It's always so much fun and information. The kids really enjoy seeing the animals and fish and all the interactive games they can play.

Today we were able to go inside a giant 40 foot whale. Inside it showed the whales organs and we learned some history and information on Whales.  Like their teeth are no like typical teeth and they have three stomachs...Yep three! This exhibit is temporary but they do have a ton of other amazing things to see!

http://www.maritimeaquarium.org

Then the girls played with their interactive fish game. They pick a fish, color it, name it and then it swims out onto the big screen. It's so cool to see it come right to life!

Then off course all the fish tanks had some super cute and not so cute fish. My girls went nuts, especially my three year old, when they spotted "Dory"

If you're in town be sure to swing by and check out the Maritime Aquarium. Really worth the trip! 

Was a great morning!

Dear Sleep...When Will I See You Again?

Reality is having three little ones means someone is always up. Which means they can sense the others are awake and slowly all three climb into your bed which magically can fit all five of us. 

I try to rationalize and say they don't like sleep because we are such cool parents but to be honest I would be a much happier person if I didn't have to leave sleep before 6:00 am.  

Please Vote For Mommy CT

Dear Readers

I am so excited and honored that my Mommy blog got nominated for "Best Social Media Mom or Dad in Connecticut" for my Mommy CT blog 

Please take the time and vote for me Mommy CT 

Appreciate your support!!! 

https://mommypoppins.com/CTbesties

At My Age I Need Glasses...Magic Filled Glasses

These are the best type of glasses!

Source: Scary Mommy on Instagram

A Recipe Book Of Fairytale Cocktails: Cocktails by Cody

Perfect for Disney lovers and cocktail lovers- did you ever think you could pair the two?! Genius! This book is filled with fairytale cocktail recipes and images to go along with it. Pretty amazing!

Check them out: https://m.facebook.com/Codys.cocktails/

Good Morning It's A New Day!

We tend to carry out stuff from the previous day but how different would ️our outlook on life be if we woke up and viewed it as a new day. A new start. To leave the previous day's sorrow and worries and problems behind. Like a new beginning.  If we didn't hang on to things that bothered us from day before or week or year or years. If we didn't hang onto any of it then you would be truly able to wake up and enjoy the new day! Everyday! 

Parenting Humor...We Never Have The Right Answers

Calling All Runners Color Vibe Coming To Norwalk In April

What a fun event! Now they will be coming to Norwalk. You can learn more and register to run here: http://www.thecolorvibe.com/norwalk.php

April 8th at Veteran's Park Norwalk CT. 

Thursday Motivation: The Meaning Of Life

Kid Friendly Hair Salon Opens In Wilton CT

How cute is this new salon! A friend went to it and I had to share. Perfect for your little ones who can hang out in one of these adorable cars while getting a haircut. 

Check them out on facebook: facebook.com/SuperScissorswilton

Mommy's Payback Time...

Enjoy the laugh!

Source: Mommy_Scape on Instagram

Chocolate Lovers Chocolate Expo Is Coming To CT Jan 29th

Calling all chocolate lovers...I am sure there are quite a bunch of you who would love to be in a room full of chocolate. Well no need to dream any longer your reality is taking place end of this month! Come to the Martime Aquarium on January 29th and see it all for yourself.

Purchase Tickets Here:

http://www.maritimeaquarium.org/fun-learning/events/upcoming-events