Melanie, Author at We're Parents

Dear Dad – A Mom’s Tired Plea

March 17, 2015 by Melanie Leave a Comment

Dear Dad….

The baby is crying again.

He just won’t sleep. We are tired and getting cranky ourselves. Dreaming of hitting the sheets and our comfy down pillow. Isn’t that funny? We are dreaming of dreaming. These tired eyes are getting darker circles by the minute, while the babies cries are getting louder. I have been rocking the baby for almost two hours, and each time I set him down his eyes burst open and the tears stream down his face. Back to square one.

And then you come up and ask, “Why is he crying? Why won’t he sleep?”

Please don’t! Asking this does not help, in fact it makes things worse. If I knew what was wrong, I would fix it. This comment can fill my insides with steam, as I am already frazzled and tired.

Dear Dad…

Please just keep this silly comment to yourself. Leave me to the cries, or you take the reigns. But please don’t ask me why the baby is crying. We are both so tired, but neither of us will be sleeping like this.

I take the baby back to our bed, I can feel your eyes rolling from across the room. I’m tired, he’s tired. We need sleep.

You ask, “will he be in our bed until college?”

Not helping dad.

I, too, dream of days of uninterrupted sleep without a baby’s foot in my ribs and a pillow to myself. In fact, it all seems like a distant memory that I barely remember. So please don’t tell me you are tired in the morning, I am tired too. I don’t think I’ve hit a full REM cycle since the baby was born. So for now, I am off to bed, with baby in tow. So please don’t ask me when the baby will sleep on his own. In his crib. All night.

Right now I just choose sleep. Any tiny glimpse of it. I will do whatever allows me to lay my head on a pillow with my eyes closed tight.

Dear Dad…

We love you. But please don’t say those words.

Maybe I am just cranky and maybe I just need some sleep. But those are two comments that are enough to drive this mommy mad. We get enough backhanded comments from outsiders. Let’s keep these two comments out of the house. We will all be a lot happier. If you want to help, grab the baby and let me take a nap. Or make us another pot of coffee. Even better, Mothers Day is coming up… I envision a nice spa day. We know you don’t mean it, you may not even know that it frustrates us. Like I said, I might just be tried and cranky.

With Love,

Mommy

Welcome to Time for Mom!

Welcome to the final Time for Mom link up! Yes, you read that correctly, this week will be the last week for Time for Mom. The four of us co-hostesses discussed this recently and decided that while we had a good run, Time for Mom has run it’s course. We will all continue to write about parenting and “kid stuff” on our blogs, so please follow along on each of our pages for many more posts to come! Melissa will continue her parenting/preemie Tuesday posts, Brie will continue writing her fantastic parenting posts, Larisha will continue sharing her natural parenting tips and Rachel will keep writing about kids activities and toddler friendly recipes.

Thanks for the wonderful years of Time for Mom everyone! If you wish to keep sharing your post with us weekly, please feel free to request to join our group Pinterest board, Time for Mom Superstars!

Don’t forget to link up today for our last hurrah!

Time for Mom is a place for mom bloggers to link up and connect with other mom bloggers! You do not have to link up a post about parenting only, your post can be about anything as long as you’re a mom! We only ask that it is today’s post or a recent one, and that you don’t link up the same post each week. Please remember to check out a few others in the hop! It’s no fun to link and run! We are here to build a community of mom bloggers and get to know each other!

Please be sure to take a moment to follow your host and co-hosts in some way!

Rachel @ Can’t Google Everything

Larisha @ We’re Parents

Brie @ {…a breezy life}

Melissa @ Two Miracles

Every week each of the co-hosts picks a blogger to feature from the week before! Check out our picks from last week’s link up!

-Hint of Green Pancakes

-Vertical Distressed Pallet Wall

-9 Ways to Teach Feelings

-Ready or Not, It’s Potty Training Time!

Thanks for linking up! It’s a fun time doing this link up and we will miss everyone sharing weekly! You can still share with us by joining our group Pinterest board called “Time for Mom Superstars”

Be sure to say “hi” if it’s your first time linking up!

Parenting Isn’t Easy – A Reflection of Love

February 24, 2015 by Melanie Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: Adapted from MorgueFile

Parenting isn’t Easy at All.

It’s 9:30pm.

You’re washing your face and trying to keep your eyes open. The day is done, until the baby wakes for his 1am feeding, you can’t help but feel run down. Your hair is a mess, there are several unexplainable stains on your shirt. The bags under your eyes have replaced the ones that used to be in your closet. You can’t help but wonder where you have gone. The girl who was spontaneous, carefree and well put together.
You run a warm bath hoping to get a few moments to yourself. You head downstairs to pour a glass of wine and grab a book that you bought last year and still haven’t opened. Before you head back upstairs hubby asks if his jeans are clean for tomorrow. You shrug and head back down to the laundry, you knew you forgot something.

But don’t you always?

The clothes are sitting sopping wet in the washer. You give them a quick sniff and throw them in the dryer with a few extra dryer sheets. You take a deep breath and head back upstairs and fall onto the couch. You hit the cushions and feel your eyes starting to close. Suddenly you remember the bath water is running. You get to the bathroom just in time to see the water pour over onto the floor.

Perfect.

Another mess to clean. Your relaxing bath turned into yet another chore. You soak up the water and then sink into the tub. You take a sip of your wine, and slowly lower your head under the water.

“Mommy, mommy”

Did you just hear someone calling you? No, the children are asleep.

“Mommy, mommy”

There it is again, your oldest is awake. Great!

You pull yourself out of the water and open the door.

“Mommy” he says with a smile on his face. And then wraps his arms around you. “I love you”

You breath. The frown on your face turns into a smile. Your short lived bath, and tired eyes are no longer on your mind.

This is what makes you realize that none of that matters. True love, the perfect ending to your night. Those tiny arms around your waist.

“I love you too little man, I love you too”

Parenting isn’t easy, but it’s the little moments that make you realize it’s all worth it.

This post was originally part of Time for Mom, a mom blogger link up. Check out other posts from our co-hosts on their sites:

Rachel @ Can’t Google Everything

Brie @ {…a breezy life}

5 Bonus Benefits of Breastfeeding

February 17, 2015 by Melanie Leave a Comment

Are there really benefits to breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a beautiful experience. One of the best decisions I made in my life was to breast feed my boys. Not only is it extremely beneficial for their health; helping to protect them against many illnesses, while also lowering the risk of SIDS. I love the bond and special moments I share with my children while nursing. The amazing snuggles they give me and the comfort I can provide them fills my heart with warmth. But along with those precious moments that will never be replaced or forgotten there are also fun benefits of breastfeeding given to you, the mama, while nursing your children.

Here’s 5 BONUS benefits of breastfeeding

I get to sit on my tush for a few minutes– several times a day. As moms we live a busy life of go, go, go. Many hours spent chasing after and playing with our children, and running them doctors appointments and soccer practices. So those moments when my 6 month old wants to have his Mama milk, I get at least 15 minutes to sit down and relax where I don’t feel like I should be doing something else.
Playing off the above. While nursing I browse facebook, chat with friends, look up things on Pinterest I will probably never recreate, and catch up on TV shows I usually fall asleep to at night. I may be feeding my child, but I consider this “me” time too.
You get to be a little lazy. This is one of my favorite bonus benefits of breastfeeding. Remember the newborn stage and the constant feedings? Of coarse you do! I loved not having to get out of bed to make bottles in the middle of the night. All I had to do was life up my shirt and it’s party time. My baby is fed and I didn’t open an eye. The feedings may not be as constant now in the wee hours of the morning, but I still have the luxury of laying in bed instead of trudging my tired butt downstairs to the kitchen to make a bottle.
Get to make hubby help. When hubby hollers, “Honey the big one pooped” I get to respond with, “Oh sorry babe… You will have to change it, I have a baby on the boob.” (Yes- I’m extremely sorry I won’t be able to smell that wretched odor that evacuates from my toddlers rear)
The ability to disappear. Though I am not shy about nursing. I have nursed at theme parks, family picnics, birthday parties, the mall, and while grocery shopping to name a few. It can provide a great escape if you want some quite time or to avoid certain people. Oh sorry I have to go feed the baby- I’ll be back in 20. (Maybe, if we don’t fall asleep in bed or if I don’t play catch up on my TV shows) #sorryimnotsorry

These bonus benefits of breastfeeding above along with the health benefits and bonding moments make breastfeeding a fantastic choice for you and your child. I am almost 7 months in with my youngest son with no plans to stop in the near future, and why would I? Those perks make extended breast feeding sound even better. So excuse me while I go lay down… I mean feed my son.

Welcome to Time for Mom!

Please be sure to take a moment to follow your host and co-hosts in some way!

Rachel @ Can’t Google Everything

Larisha @ We’re Parents

Brie @ {…a breezy life}

And if you didn’t get enough of us on our blogs, check out our Time for Mom Superstars Pinterest Board! Each week we will pin some of our favorites from the link up to the board! Check it out and see who was pinned!

Follow Rachel B // Cant Google Everything’s board Time for Mom Superstars on Pinterest.

Every week each of the co-hosts picks a blogger to feature from the week before! Check out our picks from last week’s link up!

10 Educational Apps for Preschoolers DIY Heart Shaped Crayons

Captain America Shield

Thanks for linking up! By linking up with us you are opting in to our weekly email reminder for this hop and giving us permission to use an image from your blog if chosen for our weekly featured posts. We will always link back to your post when we use your image when we feature you!

Be sure to say “hi” if it’s your first time linking up!

Valentines Crafts for Kids – A Canvas of Love

February 10, 2015 by Melanie Leave a Comment

**Disclosure: Affiliate links contained in this post

Looking for the perfect valentines crafts for kids idea at the last minute?

Here it is. Valentine’s Day is a time to express your gratitude to loved ones, usually in the form of cards, flowers and chocolate; however, if you’ve been searching for a unique gift for loved ones, or a keepsake for your own home, below are the instructions for one of the easiest, cutest, Valentines crafts for kids to do on canvas.

What you will need:
A blank canvas (we used 12*24- you will need room for handprints, a footprint and a small quote)
Red Paint
A fine paint brush
Child or children (I used my toddler and infant)
Foil & tape ( this is what I put the paint on)

Tablecloth (to protect your table from messy hands or spilled paint)

Step One: Lay down the table cloth and then squirt some red paint onto the foil. (I tapped the foil down so it didn’t lift when we pressed hands and feet into the paint)

Step Two: If two children are making this craft, I recommend having the older child do this first step. Have your child get red paint on one hand and rub it onto their other hand. After both hands are covered press their hands in the shape of a heart onto the canvas towards the upper right hand side. (I cleaned my son’s hands before moving on)

Step Three: Press the foot of your infant (or the same child if only one child is making this canvas.) Once the foot is covered in paint press it onto the canvas on the opposite side towards the bottom. (I then cleaned my son’s foot)

Step Four: This is where you take over- unless your child is older and has a steady hand. Write near the heart. “From the bottom of my/our heart to” (choose your wording depending on if you have one child or two making the canvas) Next to the footprint write: “to the tip of my/our toes”

Step Five: Below “to the tip of our toes” in bigger letters I wrote: “We Love You!” If it is one child this would say “I Love You”

Step Six: I wrote the names of the boys on the bottom of the canvas along with the month and year to help remember when they created this art when we look back on it in the future.

We love this valentines crafts for kids so much that we are keeping this canvas for ourselves and are hanging it on our wall in the living room. We have a spot where we change out the canvas art the boys create as the seasons change. This was a quick project but is very cute, so we may make a few more for family members. I love art projects that have their hand or footprints so we can see how they grow as the years pass, incorporating other designs and words into them makes them even more memorable. I hope you enjoy this canvas art and quality crafting time as much as we did.

Welcome to Time for Mom!

Please be sure to take a moment to follow your host and co-hosts in some way!

Rachel @ Can’t Google Everything

Larisha @ We’re Parents

Brie @ {…a breezy life}

Follow Rachel B // Cant Google Everything’s board Time for Mom Superstars on Pinterest.

Every week each of the co-hosts picks a blogger to feature from the week before! Check out our picks from last week’s link up!

DIY Nailhead Bulletin Board

Color Week: Red

Plantains and Cheese Recipe

Be sure to say “hi” if it’s your first time linking up!

10 Things I Miss About Pregnancy

January 27, 2015 by Melanie 2 Comments

As women we know pregnancy is an amazing experience with a beautiful outcome. There are so many precious moments that we miss once our bundles of joy arrive; hearing their heartbeat from inside, the first kicks, and little baby hiccups. But along with the sweet loving moments of pregnancy, there are a few other things I miss that aren’t talked about quite as often.

1. Napping without judgment. Napping several times a day during pregnancy was completely acceptable. And people were more willing to watch the kids. I feel this was mostly because they didn’t want to deal with the wrath of my raging hormones if they shot down my request.

2. The crazy, huge meals at all times of the day. Eating ice cream, an entire package of sausage, and shrimp for breakfast was considered a well balanced meal. I also loved that I could eat down and eat an entire package of Oreos without blinking an eye.

3. The pregnancy “excuse”. Invitations can be declined without hurt feelings. If you don’t want to go somewhere you have an excuse no one will question. “Sorry I am just so tired” or “I have the worst morning sickness.” (Even if you aren’t squatting over a toilet at that exact moment, no one will question you).

4. Litter Boxes. I hate them. I love my cat, but I DESPISE the litter box. During pregnancy, this becomes hubby’s chore. Even if he gets home late from work he is in charge of that nasty box of cat excrement. This alone makes me want to get pregnant again.

5. The Pregnancy Truth serum. For 9 months of your life you can tell it how it is and no one will say anything back to you. If I did this now I would be called many things none of which are pleasant.

6. The free pass. If the house was a little less tidy when hubby came home from work, no mention of the toddler tornado would be discussed. And he would clean up even after working for 7 hours and his commute. This also worked with the wretched toddler poop diapers. With the enhanced sense of smell, this duty became his. And that is glorious.

7. Doing the deed. You are exhausted for 90% of the pregnancy. The hormones, the sickness, the weight; the last thing I thought about was getting it on. When you aren’t pregnant you suck it up for love, but when I am pregnant “I’m Tired” is an acceptable excuse. No questions asked, no sulking, no guilt.

8. You carry the weight, but lift none. No heavy lifting. Maybe this is just me. But I have moved twice while pregnant. So I personally adore this. I sit my pleasantly plump self down and direct traffic.

9. Spandex! Spandex clothes no matter the occasion are highly acceptable when you are pregnant. Especially in the later months, they are typically the only acceptable leaving the house clothes you can breath in. I hate jeans (those terribly uncomfortable garments), but leggings, oh…..they are so cozy. #teamspandex

10. Your craving is my command. Knowing that if you had a craving at 3am for Chick-fil-A french fries, bananas Popsicles, and YooHoo (no other chocolate milk will suffice) Hubby will run to three different places just to satisfy your pregnancy cravings. If I woke him for a craving now he would laugh in my face, roll over, and go back to sleep.

Can you relate to any of my missed pregnancy moments? Do you have any you would like to add? If I didn’t love the taste of wine so much and the fact that I can see my feet I might just get pregnant again.

Welcome to Time for Mom!

Please be sure to take a moment to follow your host and co-hosts in some way!

Rachel @ Can’t Google Everything

Larisha @ We’re Parents

Brie @ {…a breezy life}

Melissa @ Two Miracles

Follow Rachel B // Cant Google Everything’s board Time for Mom Superstars on Pinterest.

Every week each of the co-hosts picks a blogger to feature from the week before! Check out our picks from last week’s link up!

Please add our button to your page to help spread the word about Time for Mom!

<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://cantgoogleeverything.blogspot.com/search/label/Time%20for%20Mom" title="Time for Mom"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/14384285982_55c6998fef_m.jpg" alt="Time for Mom" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
<p>

Be sure to say “hi” if it’s your first time linking up!

5 At Home Date Night Ideas

January 20, 2015 by Melanie 3 Comments

5 at home date night ideas

Once you have children it can be hard to find time for yourself, let alone your relationship. It can be hard or near impossible to arrange a date night. You may not have anyone to watch your children, you can’t afford it, or you are just too tired to leave the house. I am here to tell you to take your love life off of the back burner and put it in the oven and turn the heat up. Below is a list of at home date night ideas to show the love while spending little to no money.

1. Movie Nights- Once a week or month whatever you can make work for you as a couple. Pick a movie, make snacks, snuggle up on the couch, and most importantly put the electronics away. (Two hours without a phone or computer will not kill you) Switch up the genre each time; take turns in the drivers’ seat. (Variety and change can be fun and if neither of you like it, laugh about it later) We bought a book that recommends 1000 movies you need to see before you die; it is separated into different genres. We like to go through and pick random movies neither of us has seen. You don’t need to buy the book, Google is just as good.

2. Spa Night- Enjoy a Bubble Bath, give each other a back, foot, neck rub, listen to soothing music and enjoy some wine or champagne. (You both work hard whether it be in or out of the house- unplug and unwind, you will thank me later)

3. Sports Night! Hubby will LOVE this one. Did you go to the same college or different colleges? No college, what about Professional sports teams (there are sports for every season I am sure there is one you can agree on) Wear your team colors, if you like different teams try to find a game where they play each other. This can make for a fun competitive night. Men love when you show enthusiasm in something they like (lets face it they do it for us pretty often). Place a bet on the team you think will win (winning team gets a massage, makes dinner, baths the kids) Make sports food snacks: chips, hot dogs, burgers, beer. You can make it extra fun if you score tickets and go to the game.

4. Game Night- This is one of our favorites. I think I might be a little competitive. Pull out some old board games, set it up in bed, play some music that was popular when you and hubby first met. It makes you feel like a young carefree couple again. Again you can put some wagers on the win. Perfect game time snacks (cheese, crackers, popcorn, wine)

5. Cook Together (okay so this might have to happen later than normal dinner time once the kids are asleep but I swear it will be worth it) Google a fancy recipe (something you wouldn’t serve the kids- mostly because they wouldn’t eat it and it would be too expensive to waste) Work together, show each other your inner chef. Share a bottle of wine, micro brews, or make some fancy cocktails) Sometimes we pretend we are on a competitive cooking show. Not only will you have fun but you will reward yourself with a delicious meal.

These are just a few fun at home date night ideas that can bring the spark back into your relationship. Write these ideas or others on a Popsicle stick, keep them in a jar and pull on out at least once a month and spend some quality time together. You deserve it and afterwards you will notice the difference.

Looking for a simple way to bring you and hubby closer each night? Turn off your phone after the kids are asleep, turn on a favorite TV show and snuggle on the couch. JT and I do this each night after we put the boys to bed, and it a definite mood changer. It’s not one of our at home date night ideas, but it is our time to relax and show our love for each other not just as mom and dad but as a couple.

What I wasn’t told before I had kids..

January 13, 2015 by Melanie 3 Comments

*Disclosure: Affiliate links may be contained in this post. We receive a small commission for purchases and thank you for helping us continue to run our site.

When you get pregnant for the first time, everyone has unwarranted parenting advice they feel the need to share with you. Granted, some of it is useful and appreciated, most of it however is nuts. And if it is coming from your parents or in-laws, it is most likely outdated. They tend to take offense when you do not praise their advice or do as they did, but that is a whole other subject. Despite all this advice, they have a tendency to leave out the important things. Here’s a few examples of what I wasn’t told before I had kids…

Spontaneity? What is that? Remember those random weekend getaways with girlfriends… Those are in the past. {que Sarah Mclachlan– “I will remember you…”} The only spontaneity left in your life will be when you get sprayed in the face with pee or when your child arbitrarily vomits in an isle at Target… (Not quite as fun as that weekend getaway to New Orleans)

Friendships will change, some may even completely vanish. But that’s okay! You are a changed woman, your life is no longer what it once was- it makes sense that the people in it change too. You are no longer going out for nightly martinis, or dancing the night away. (Unless perhaps you are taking your daughter to dance lessons and martinis are replaced with Starbucks)

Finding a babysitter is not as easy as it appeared in “The Baby-Sitters Club.” No way in hell I am going up to a bulletin board at the grocery store and trusting someone on there with my children. (unless of coarse it was Kristy and her gang- they were awesome)

One of the BIGGEST pieces of advice people will give you…. “Nap when they are Napping” I call bull. Occasionally that may be an option, but honestly that’s when I get my best cleaning done. No little helpers helping you “fold” the laundry. And if I am not cleaning, I am enjoying a shower… ALONE!

Bubble baths- those are your spa days- and now that you are a mom, a bubble bath is an amazing, amazing gift. Especially if you can spend more than 15 minutes soaking in the bath and possibly have time to drink an entire glass of wine and read a chapter in a book that has most likely been sitting on your night stand for 3 months. Uninterrupted showers rarely happen. In fact showering alone, with no one else in the bathroom peering at you from behind the shower curtain is a foreign concept once you hit the toddler stage.

Mom guilt- it is an extremely powerful and awful thing. And it will be with you for a long time. (I didn’t buy organic, I only breastfed my daughter for a year, I didn’t breastfeed at all, Pinterest {oh my Pinterest}). Just remember these things do not define you and you are a wonderful mother whether you baked your cupcakes from scratch or picked them up 15 minutes before the party from the local grocery store.

There will be A LOT of crying. (Happy tears, scared tears, worried tears, tired tears) Just know you aren’t alone- we all secretly and not so secretly cry.

This is a tough one…..

There will be days you want to throw in the towel. You will think you aren’t cut out for motherhood, and you may miss your old life, and contemplate running away from it all. That moment will fade quicker that it even crossed your mind. You will look at your child, be flooded with such a strong emotional bond that you will want to cry for even letting those thoughts cross your mind. (Don’t worry you’re not alone here either) Just remember every rough moment brings 20 more happy ones.

But remember always; no matter what they do, you will never feel a stronger love for anything in the world. They are your life, they may drive you crazy, but they also make you smile and laugh and love like never before.

Welcome to Time for Mom!

Please be sure to take a moment to follow your host and co-hosts in some way!

Rachel @ Can’t Google Everything

Larisha @ We’re Parents

Brie @ {…a breezy life}

Melissa @ Two Miracles

Every week each of the co-hosts picks a blogger to feature from the week before! Check out our picks from last week’s link up!

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Word of the Year
Things I Could Stop Doing in the New Year
Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Please add our button to your page to help spread the word about Time for Mom!

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://cantgoogleeverything.blogspot.com/search/label/Time%20for%20Mom" title="Time for Mom"><img src="https://wereparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/14384285982_55c6998fef_m.jpg" alt="Time for Mom" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Be sure to say “hi” if it’s your first time linking up!

If Toddlers Made New Year’s Resolutions!

January 5, 2015 by Melanie 2 Comments

*Disclosure: Affiliate links may be contained in this post. We receive a small commission for purchases and thank you for helping us continue to run our site.

As we begin the New Year and make our resolutions of what we hope to accomplish, do you ever wonder what children would declare are their resolutions? Below is what I envision they would be.

I’m going to wake up every day at 4:00am. (This will give me more time to play, they say playing is learning.)

I will also stop napping (I don’t want my mommy to be lonely)

I will start sleeping in a big kid bed now too. I will sleep with mom and dad every night. They have a really big bed.

A new hair cut for a new me. (If I do it myself I will save my parents money too)

I will refresh my wardrobe- I will throw all of my clothes into the trash when mommy isn’t looking and color with markers on them when Dad leaves the room. Then we will need to buy new ones

I will watch what I eat (literally- I will stare at it but eat none of it)

Daddy always says we need to take care of our planet. I will no longer bath. That will help save a lot of water.

My parents said Art is a wonderful way to learn. I think I like art. I will color a canvas on the walls and floors, this will take a lot of work but I am committed to finish this project.

I promise to practice more- I will practice my singing. Each day I will sing the “Frozen” soundtrack no less than 25 times.

My mom always tells me, “Why can’t you behave the way you do at Grandmas at home?” So I will run around, eat all of the cookies, and bang on pots and pans. Grandma loves when I make pretty music for her. And I love cookies, so this will be really fun for me too.

I hope my parents are happy with all of the changes I promise to make this year. I will not let them down. Daddy told me “quitters never win.” I am very proud of myself. I think I’ll tell my friends so they can make their parents proud too.

Toddler DIY Wreath Craft

December 22, 2014 by Melanie Leave a Comment

*Disclosure: This is a guest post. Thoughts and opinions may differ from ours. Affiliate links may be contained in this post. We receive a small commission for purchases and thank you for helping us continue to run our site.

A wreath on the door at Christmas time is a wonderful way to welcome people to your home. Wreaths are a staple in displaying the Christmas Spirit. But as I was digging through our decorations this year I realized our wreath had seen better days. I thought what better way to make holiday memories and spread Christmas cheer, than to have my toddler make us a replacement wreath. Below are instructions on how to create your own holiday wreath with memories made to last a lifetime.

What you will need:
Cardboard box (cereal would work too)
Paper plate (I used the thicker kind made from recycled material, they are sturdier)
Scissors (I did all of the cutting)
Paintbrushes
Paint (green and red)
Glue (hot or super- again I did this)
Ribbon (red or green)

First I drew two candy canes on the cardboard and then cut them out. Then I gave my son red paint and a paint brush and let him create art. He spent about 15 minutes painting the candy canes and then informed me when he was done with them.

Next I cut a circle out of the middle of the paper plate. This will be the actual wreath. I then gave him a new paintbrush and some green paint. Again I let him paint for as long as he wanted.

After cleaning up the art supplies and my son I put the wreath and candy canes in a safe place to dry. Once dry, I glued the candy canes towards the bottom of the wreath. I cut a small hole at the top of the wreath (a hole punch would be easier, but I could not find ours) and then tied the ribbon through he top and hung it on our front door.

A fun art project for your toddler becomes a beautiful handmade wreath full of wonderful memories. To keep a reminder of when this was made I wrote his name and the year on the back of the paper plate (wreath). It’s also a great project to do every year and compare their artistic skills throughout the years. I hope your family has as much fun with this crafted wreath as we did.

About the author: Melanie resides just south of Pittsburgh with her fiancé Jon and their two sons: Jace (who will be two in December) and Jaedyn (who was born in July). They are a cloth diapering, baby-wearing, breastfeeding, semi-crunchy family.

Why Mothers Drink Wine (Real Responses from Mothers)

December 9, 2014 by Melanie Leave a Comment

There is nothing in the world that compares to happiness of becoming a mom. These tiny little people brighten each day and show you a love you have never experienced before. However, along with the smiles, laughs and endearing moments those precious little bundles of joy can drive you absolutely insane. There will be days you are not sure you will make it through, and for those days we turn to wine. Below are some real life situations that have led everyday moms to fill up their wine glass at the end of the day. Share a laugh and a glass of wine with me, you deserve it.

Because you have adapted to living on 4 hours of sleep (on a good night)
Because you wake up with a foot in your face every morning
Because your toddler decided smashing strawberries and using them to “paint” on the wall was a good idea
Because your husbands coworkers are coming over and you have to take off the yoga pants and put on jeans
Because your son found a packet of soy sauce and squirted it all over the carpet
Because every day from sun up to sun down you hear – Mom, Mom, Mama, Mother, Mommmmmmmm
Because what is that smell in the car
Because you just cleaned the playroom and your four year old walks into the room
Because you watched the same episode of that whiney Caillou for the 5th time today
Because your child found a sharpie and the couch
Because bath time with your son makes it look like a hurricane just hit
Because you wrestle a screaming alligator every diaper change
Because of Daylight Savings Time (enough said)
Because your child protested his nap and then your in-laws showed up unexpectedly
Because you found your toddler standing on the coffee table pouring out the salt
Because as soon as you sat down to eat your daughter needed another glass of milk
Because you haven’t ate a warm meal in the past 2 years
Because your child just stuck his hand in his own poop and smeared it all over the wall, again
Because you don’t know the last time you went to the bathroom alone
Because you envy your husband for going to the bathroom alone
Because it tastes better than your salty tears
Because you are hiding in your closet for a moment of silence and wine pairs great with that Snickers. Right?
Because you son is potty training
Because of the Legos you step on daily
Because your husband is working overtime
Because you just went grocery shopping with 3 kids
Because the Holidays are coming (just thinking about it makes you want to drink)
Because you haven’t showered in 3 days (but who’s counting)

But most importantly, because we are tired, wine tastes good, and we DESERVE it.

Welcome to Time for Mom, the best parenting link up around!

Please be sure to take a moment to follow your host and co-hosts in some way!

Rachel @ Can’t Google Everything

Larisha @ We’re Parents

Brie @ {…a breezy life}

Melissa @ Two Miracles

Welcome to the big reveal of the Time for Mom Holiday Kids Craft Challenge! We were excited to see so many link ups with yours kids crafts and all the kids crafts post will be posted to our Kids Holiday Craft Board on Pinterest!

And now on to the part you’ve been waiting for, the winners!

Our two runners up are:

Yarn Christmas Tree by Busy Bee Kate! A super cute idea where you create a tree out of yarn with the help of your kid(s) and then have them decorate it using various odds and ends from your craft box!
I Spy Ornament by Krystal’s Kitsch! Have your kid(s) help you fill a clear plastic ornament with shredded gum wrappers, glitter and more to create a personalize I Spy ornament!

And now our grand prize winner…

These Candy Cane gift-tags from SAHM I Am are our challenge winner! These gift tags were created using peppermint scented shaving cream to marble the tags by her sons! Check out the full directions on her blog! Lauren’s craft swept the votes and the Time for Mom hostesses agreed she was the clear winner of our craft challenge and the giftcard prize! Congratulations Lauren!

Thanks to everyone who linked up and participated in our challenge this last week! Be sure to check out the pinterest board for all the kids crafts from the challenge, and let us know if you’d like to see another challenge again in the future!

Come link up this week with Time for Mom! All kinds of posts are welcome from all kinds of moms!

Please add our button to your page to help spread the word about Time for Mom!

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://cantgoogleeverything.blogspot.com/search/label/Time%20for%20Mom" title="Time for Mom"><img decoding="async" src="https://wereparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/14384285982_55c6998fef_m.jpg" alt="Time for Mom" style="border:none;" data-jpibfi-post-excerpt="" data-jpibfi-post-url="https://wereparents.com/why-mothers-drink-wine-real-responses-from-mothers/" data-jpibfi-post-title="Why Mothers Drink Wine (Real Responses from Mothers)" data-jpibfi-src="https://wereparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/14384285982_55c6998fef_m.jpg" ></a></div><br />

Dear Dad – A Mom’s Tired Plea

Welcome to Time for Mom!

Parenting Isn’t Easy – A Reflection of Love

Parenting isn’t Easy at All.

5 Bonus Benefits of Breastfeeding

Are there really benefits to breastfeeding?

Here’s 5 BONUS benefits of breastfeeding

Welcome to Time for Mom!

Valentines Crafts for Kids – A Canvas of Love

**Disclosure: Affiliate links contained in this post

Looking for the perfect valentines crafts for kids idea at the last minute?

Welcome to Time for Mom!

10 Things I Miss About Pregnancy

Welcome to Time for Mom!

5 At Home Date Night Ideas

5 at home date night ideas

What I wasn’t told before I had kids..

Welcome to Time for Mom!

If Toddlers Made New Year’s Resolutions!

Toddler DIY Wreath Craft

Why Mothers Drink Wine (Real Responses from Mothers)

Welcome to Time for Mom, the best parenting link up around!

Connect With Us

Even More Recent Posts