What Are You Hoping To Get Surprised With For Valentine's Day?

My Valentine's Creativity Is Back...

"My house may not be perfect, my patience is sometimes short, but one thing that I know is that I love my girls with all my heart" JF

I was bummed to be overwhelmed with work that I didn't give Valentine's Day much attention. I did basic stuff with the girls but normally do a bunch of crafts. My husband is in charge of buying their gifts. But I usually do something small too 

So I was laying on the couch tonight and felt drained and realized I don't have to feel this way. I jumped up and started to decorate and made the girls a brownie heart. Now I am super excited to see their faces tomorrow morning. 

It's easy to feel overwhelmed and over worked but when you feel like that take a time out and do something that makes your soul happy. Enjoy your Valentine's Day Everyone!

Baking Banana Bread With Toddlers

I had two containers of frozen bananas and extra ripe ones on my container that needed to be used up. We spent the day reorganizing the house and moving around furniture. I turned to my husband and said I wanted to bake. He thought I was nuts.

Right before dinner I pulled up two chairs and my little ones went to work. Now keep in mind one is almost four and the other is two and a half years old. Yes there was some flour on the floor and a bit yelling on my part but it's amazing how much they can do. My middle

one is super careful now when we bake. She takes her time and what really struck me is she broke the yokes of the eggs with the hand whisk before mixing. 

When their big sister came home they ran to her to show her what they made. Delicious and amazing and building memories all at the same time!

My banana recipe: http://mommyct.blogspot.com/2016/02/best-banana-bread-recipe.html?m=1

Crockpot Mexican Chicken Soft Tacos

So you know that crockpot Mexican chicken I made the other day...well that was tonight's amazing dinner!

All you have to do is add blackbeans and yellow rice and stuff in corn tortilla. Squeeze a lime over before serving and there's dinner. Delicious 

Save Time With Freshly: Comes Fresh Comes Already Cooked

I love Blue Apron I really do but then I came across this company, Freshly. Where natural, fresh, COOKED meals come delievered to your door and all you have to do is take 2 minutes to warm it up. Same price as the other services that come having to cook from start to finish. Pretty cool! https://www.freshly.com

Crockpot Mexican Chicken

Super easy and delicious!  

What you need:

package of organic chicken breast

package of taco mix

 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing- I have seen this recipe with ranch powder 

1/4 cup of water

Rinse chicken, spray crockpot with Pam spray- helps with cleanup- add chicken, top with taco mix, ranch and water. Bakes for 4 hours in crockpot. Shred with a fork. 

Serve with black beans, Mexican rice, and wraps. Be sure to squeeze some lime on it. Amazing! 

Do You Have The Courage?

It's like a constant battle with one self as to letting things go verse saying no way I can still be, do, have what I want to be, do, have! 

Do you have the courage?

Best Pancake Mix

We had a 2 hr delay this morning and my girls asked for pancakes. No problem...I open my pantry and then remembered I used the last of the bisquick. Um change of plans,I said, it will have to be from scratch. They agreed and I actually picked the first recipe that didn't require buttermilk and it was easy and delicious. Thanks allrecipes.com

Mix all dry ingredients. Form a little hole is center. Crack in egg add butter and milk. Mix and cook. Delicious!

Perfect Valentine's for Children: Enjoy The Laugh

Dry Dock Bar & Grille In Norwalk CT

Always loved this place and love the new decor even more. The new owners took over and revamped it. Jamie used to be behind the bar and now he's an owner. Truly a great story. You can tell the love for that place has been put into their new menu and love the way it's setup inside. 

They graciously donated some gift certificates for our schools walkathon so when I went to pick them up I had to get food to go too- I mean the smell alone driving by is enough to stop in. Their Dijon burger has always been my favorite and the fried calamari didn't stand a chance with my little ones-finished in minutes. 

Check them out: http://drydockbarandgrille.com

Snow Storm 2017 Be Ready...

Brace yourself...a Snow Storm is on its way. I spent the last 72 hours as a single parent and the night I schedule a night out they are predicting a foot of snow. Putting my husband on daddy duty and may hide in my office tomorrow and nap.

Who am I kidding...I never sit still. I plan on doing their school valentines and making cocoa and have a new slide set my friend found for me on a Tag Sale site that I hope kids can enjoy in the snow. 

For those who get to sleep in well lucky you. For us parents that don't try to embrace being snowed in with your little ones and enjoy your Snow Day!

Canoli Dip Paired With Apples: Guilt Free Treat

I made Canoli dip over the weekend and had some left over. I went to hang at my sisters this morning ano brought some to her. She said I had to try the apples they got at Costco. That's when my light bulb went off: Canoli dip and apples- amazing and guilt free treat!

Canoli dip recipe: http://mommyct.blogspot.com/2016/02/valentine-day-desserts.html?m=1

Leading In 3rd Place Please Vote For Mommy CT

Such an honor to be nominated for "Best Social Media Mom" please take the time to vote for Mommy CT https://mommypoppins.com/CTbesties

Currently I am leading in 3rd place and would be awesome to take 1st place. I really love sharing my views, stories, recipes, local events and funny humor to help get through my journey of mommyhood with you all. Voting is private and we do not get to see who votes for us. Thanks for following and appreciate your vote!

Parenting Job Description

Source: The Mom Network

How Mom's Really Clean: Hysterical and True

Crepe Party In Your Backyard

La Petite France closed their store front but are still doing inhouse Crepe Parties and Crepe outdoor cart parties.  Yum, what an elegant yet fun treat. Check out their site to learn more. http://www.lpfcafe.com/catering/book-our-crepe-cart/

Monday Motivation: Be You

Super Bowl 2017 Humor

Honestly the food, half time show and commericials are why I watch but I must admit I stayed up late to watch the overtime and for once it was really an amazing game. Congrats Pats!

Most Foods Consumed On Super Bowl Sunday

1.33 BILLION wings and 11 million slices of pizza. Did your favorite Super Bowl foods make the list? http://abcnews.go.com/US/staggering-amounts-food-eaten-super-bowl-sunday/story?id=45217629

Saturday Night Mommy Humor

Oh how my Saturday nights have changed...

Vegetable Soup: Powerhouse Iron Soup

My two year old loves her vegetables and the real dark green ones are her favorite. The other morning she asked for soup. I pulled out whatever I had in the freezer and fridge and started cooking. 

What you Need:

2 chicken bouillon cubes- I like

Knorr brand

Four cups of water- follow instructions on back of chicken boulion box

Frozen veggies

A half box of spaghetti

Two eggs

Boil water. Add bouillon cubes. Break up pasta add to water. Add vegetables. When soup is about ten Minutes from being done crack the eggs- one at a time- into the soup. Stir  with  a fork

to break up the eggs.  Was delicious! 

I Became Everything I Swore I Would Never Be

Not sure I can point the finger to anyone on this but myself to blame for realizing I am became everything I never wanted to be. I mean I swore to myself I would never do this and sure enough I did.

Growing up I remember always seeing the run down, overweight, stressed out mom. She would be out with her family and everyone but her has it together. I swore NEVER me. Guess again! I am exactly that! 

I am exactly that mom: run down, over weight and can't believe how I leave the house. It's like do I spend time doing my makeup or pack the kids lunches...yeah lunches wins everytime.

I know sounds silly, just get up earlier would be the best solution but in my house the minute I open my eyes someone wakes up. My magnetic energy must be super strong to attract my kids attention the minute my eyes open. 

I swore I would never lose it. Never lose my creative touch. My love for painting and drawing. Yep that too gone...I think my canvas with my art supplies are four years old. I haven't picked up my sketch pad or painted. I haven't even done a drawing of my 2 year old yet. 

Recently my sister broke her collar bone and I suggested she read a book I wrote and edit for me to pass time. I sent it to my sister and said I haven't read it in 8 years. 8 YEARS. My book has been sitting on my laptop. Sitting there waiting to be edited and never turned back to give it any TLC. Then my other book has been in my head for 8 years and never written. Can you imagine?! Thinking of this book. Picturing it yet never taking the time to write it out. Pathetic I know. 

So now if my friend were in my shoes I would say make time and do it. Yeah yeah let's all laugh together. But reality is I need to manage my time better to make room for these things. 

What you send out to the universe you receive. 

This week I got notified that my daughter was offered a full time pre k spot at her school. That means she would do the same in the Fall and my two year old would be there in mornings and so that means ALL my kids will be at school in the morning. Imagine that. I just gained 15 hours of me time and instead of thanking the universe I almost cried. That this was it. That my mornings with them will soon be gone. That this me time I have yearned for was soon happening and I was a little upset about it. My babies were growing up. 

In six months my fantasy of me time will finally be a reality. I can join a gym. Work more. Write more. Shower after drop off. Do my makeup in peace. Be me again. So this so called woman I never wanted to be has six more months until she gets to get her shit together again. 

Tears of joy and tears of sorrow. See you can't gain something without losing something. That's the battle of parenthood. You can't gain more time for "me" without giving up time doing something else. 

For now I need to embrace this woman I never wanted to be and realize she doesn't always have to be a piece of me!

Why I Still Have My Christmas Cards Up

The tree came down a while ago and all the decorations put back in boxes and put away in storage BUT for some reason I cannot take down my holiday cards. 

Maybe it's because of the smiles that are gleaming in them, maybe it's the fun memories attached to them. See how can you be in a bad mood when you look up and see happiness around you?! So no I haven't taken down the holiday cards yet but they do still make me smile, days, weeks and months later they are just as special as the day I opened them and I am not ready to let them go!

Music Theatre Of Connecticut Is Coming To Norwalk

Drink Your Vegetables: Green Machine By Naked

Some of my children like veggies some don't but they all do like juice. My husband actually brought this home one day. He was at Costco and they were giving out samples. The kids were eager to try it- which shocked me. It's delicious sweet. Not griddy. Not greeny.  Now in the morning they get a small glass and I must say its pretty awesome. Filled with a lot of vitamins and iron! We call it the green "monster" drink.

Best of the Gold Coast 2017: Did Your Favorites Get Nominated?

It's always fun to show your favorite Autobody shop, restaurant, bar, caterer, or food truck some love. Moffley Media "Best Of The Gold Coast" voting is open. Unfortunately there isn't a category for best blog YET- but am hoping to work with them on adding it. In the meantime take some time and show some love to your local businesses. Best of luck to all the nominees!

Vote Now: 

http://email.mofflymedia.com/best-of-the-gold-coast-vote?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Happy 1st Of The Month

What a busy yet good day. At this time of night I reflect and give thanks for not losing my mind but actually am pretty impressed with how much I can conquer and still smile saying goodnight to my little ones. 

I went for my Thyroid checkup and my levels are completely off. Which a part doesn't suprise me. I have been battling dry skin and have put on some extra pounds. When she said she was upping my dose I was a little nervous since I do have an extreme amount of energy already. 

As I ramble on I want you all to know that everyday is a new day. Vision the things you conquered through the day and give thanks for the good, mediated and release the thoughts of the bad and put it away. 

I like to count backwards starting with 10. Focus on your breathing. Envision a drawer and put away all the things that didn't make you smile. Trust me it works. 

Cheers to a new month and a good month and a healthy month!

Thanks for reading!

MommyCT

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!