This year it was a nice quiet Mother's Day around here.  We had a lazy morning, and then had a nice lunch with my mother and step-father.  We practiced social distancing, but its the good-bye hugs and kisses that are missing. 

On Saturday, the boys were willingly participants in digging up the yard to make the garden plot.  They especially loved the part where they could use the shovel and hoe.  I have to remind myself to allow them to use these tools, as they will need to know how one day and they are old enough now to do the work.  It is a small area of the yard, but starting from scratch makes it seem like a big project.  Having the boys with me and helping sure made it seem so much easier.  (i know this isnt a new concept at all, but its been only me for so long that I forget what teamwork is like.)

The gift I had ordered for Grandma didnt arrive in time so I had to come up with something else to give her, and trying to stick to my budget, I got creative.  I made mini bundt cakes - lemon with cream cheese glaze frosting.  I am pretty proud of myself at how they turned out.  (ive had those little bee candies in the house probably for year ... just had to have them!)

I packaged them up nicely and delivered them to my Mom Village, you know those moms you rely on for picking up kids, watching kids, schoolwork bitching, etc.  A simple thank you gesture for them. 

The creativity resurgence during the quarantine has been a bit surprising.  But I am embracing it. And I am pleased with the results. 

where flowers bloom, so does hope ~ lady bird johnson

Day 17.

This is really hard, being home with the boys working and schooling and keeping all of us busy and active.  I cant give 100% to my work, because I have to balance the boys.  I cant give 100% to their learning because I have to work.  I am making three meals a day, cleaning the kitchen three times a day, sweeping the floors every single day.  We are eating food faster than we normally would since we are home all the time.  Laundry is always never ending but I cant keep up, with Theo changing his clothes four times a day.  I've lost track of the dates and days. 

The peak of this virus isnt near yet.  They are anticipating two more weeks until peak.  I am losing sleep over the deaths.  Lives are being stolen because of this.  I dont want to blame China, but I do blame them.  Why didnt they listen to that doctor?  Why do they have to be so controlling and release information as they feel they need to?  Especially when its as serious as this.  This is impacting everything and everyone. 

On the flip side, I have organized the spice cabinet.  I cleaned and organized the pantry.  I organized and swept the garage.  I started the process to paint the window and door trim in my bedroom, Max's bedroom and the kitchen.  I pulled up a thousand crocus bulbs in the yard.  I finished a sweater, but ripped it out and have started again. 

I am on my third book since being home.  Max built a giant Lego set that he had.  Theo is drawing. 

Our garden seedlings are growing. 

Hope.

Friday afternoon, our state governor announced a 'stay at home' policy to hopefully increase the amount of social distancing.  This is to slow the spread of the Coronavirus.  By that time Friday I was physically and mentally exhausted.  My manager called and advised I do what I need to for myself and the boys - whether that was go to the grocery store one last time, get gas, or whatever I needed. 

I have all these activities and websites written down for the boys, and I have a list of things to do around the house for me - paint the window trim, clean out the boys toys, finish knitting my sweater, etc. 

But instead, I printed out a coloring book from one of my favorite independent magazines, Taproot.  They were kind to offer this for free.  They know coloring is relaxing and engages the creative parts of the brain.  And so that is what I did on Friday night.  I colored.  Because I couldnt deal with all this. 

I wont lie, its getting to be a bit much.  Locked up in your house, the little news I do watch is not good, the boys are climbing the walls to no fault of their own.  I didnt accomplish anything I wanted to this weekend.  I'll give myself that break, be a little kind to myself. 

We did make it out for a walk on Sunday afternoon, but not without complaining.  I social distanced myself from their complaints.  As always, the fresh air helped.  We were in better moods when we got home. 

Mothers Day 2015.  

Its not often that I take a half way decent picture, and with my boys.  Yesterday at the school's Valentine party, this one was snapped.  

 Unlike her oldest brother, she doesn't have years of time alone with us. She has one day a week, she has bedtimes, she has moments here and moments there. It is quite different.

How true.  I had two years of just Max and me.  Now its been one whole year with Max, Theo and I and I have to say that Theo is probably the happier baby because he has not only me but this awesome big brother.   He has someone to entertain him with fun stuff such as throwing a ball around the room (when he shouldnt be), jumping on the bed (when he shouldnt be), sharing lollipops (see where I am going with this?), and so on.  Max never had that.  Instead he had a paranoid first time mom. 

Growing up too fast, I tell ya. 

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Details:
Pattern : pants
Inspiration for the rear : AMH Quick Change Trouser
Material : Both from JoAnn's - camo corduroy + bike dot flannel
**probably could have moved the back yoke up another inch... next pair...**

Every day I am committed to spending quality no-tv time with Max and Theo.  Well, every day its on my to-do list.  It doesnt always happen. 

Though last night, I most certainly made the time as its been a late night every week - late leaving work, late getting home, late eating dinner, late getting to bed.  So last night I treated us to McD's for dinner, which we had while mobile (ie, in the car) so that when got home, all I had to do was put our things away and then we could play. 

And that we did.  We made the longest train track ever, to be used by the longest train ever.  (well ever in our house.)

My very first of many I am sure. 

Max had worn these jeans last week to school, where he had fallen and ripped the knee.  I am not surprised, these particular jeans used to belong to the twinkies and technically they were in better shape than expected after working their way thru two other boys. 

I am not sure if I am being,
-cheap.  Max is in a growth spurt right now.  These jeans are starting to get a little small for him, but I know the next size will be too big.  And to avoid spending money for as long as I can (though really kids jeans are not the bank-breaker), I decided to patch them. 

or
-nuturing my creative side.  I came up with the patch in my mind after seeing something like it elsewhere.  This is actually my second attempt at it.  This time I was armed with the right tools - a patch kit from the fabric store, plenty of interfacing and time.  (before I didnt have any of these items.)  I am pleased with the outcome.  Max declared this morning when we were putting these pants on that he didnt want to wear them.  I hyped up how cool the monkeys were and it worked, as we drove to school he kept repeating he had monkeys in his pants.  (this kid!)

Either way, I like the 'mom' feeling I got with this project.  Here's to many more handmade items for my boys. 

A few weeks back, I read this article on Huffington Post about taking pictures of our kids and how most times we, us moms, are rarely in the picture. 

I love that there is a follow-up article to this as well, about how so many moms have started including themselves in the pictures.

When I look at all the pictures I take of Max and Theo, its about one out of 75 to 100 I am included.  And want to the know the first thing I do when I take a picture of us together, or someone takes a picture of us?  I immediately look at myself and start criticizing everything about me, all the things that I think are wrong. 

In some years from now, Max and Theo will look at all these pictures, and see me, and will only see their mother, which they will think is beautiful.  Just as I do now with pictures I see of my mother and her kids. 

So I have been taking the ridiculous self-portraits with the kids, that no matter which angle you try, its never a really good picture. 

A couple months ago, Max kept saying his truck is stuck.  He would find a place anywhere he was when playing with his trucks and they would be 'stuck'.  I thought, 'aw, how cute. how creative.'  Well come to find out its a book they've been reading at school. 


1. He's riding his bike.


Because it is really. awesome.

My sister Sharon captured this. Thank you Sharon.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for capturing this special moment for me.  I love you!


Happy Memorial Day!  Enjoy your weekend!

Theodore 'Theo' Soltys Mensavage
May 24, 2012
7 lbs, 14 ounces
20 inches long

Mom and Theo are doing great.  Max is an *awesome* big brother.  When he came to visit today, and held Theo (with mama's assistance, of course) he kept saying, 'I got baby!', and then would lean in to kiss Theo.  Made my heart melt, and made me so proud. 

Life is really really good. 

Happy Mother's Day! 

Especially to my blog-world Mom's - Emily, Colleen, Mary (your still a mama!) and Lara.  I hope you get to do whatever it is that you want to do today!  And I hope you get lots of hugs and kisses from your lovelies!

For me, today is about just hanging out and watching the clock TICK-TOCK as SLOW as physically possible because that is what these last 10 days feel like.  Eternity. 

Lately I've been finding I dont spend a lot of time with Max.  He has mastered the art of Independent Play.  For the most part of last week I carried this tremendous, crippling guilt because of it.

Why has Max mastered Independent Play?  Because I am trying to keep up with all my responsibilities that usually or can be split between a two parent household - you know cooking, cleaning, laundry, bills, etc. 

Each weekend I go into the weekend purposely making no plans so that I can spend quality time with Max, and each weekend, on Sunday nights as I rock him to sleep my heart sinks to my stomach and I feel bad because I didnt get to spend too much time with him. 

(of course all of this could be solved by me not doing the cleaning, cooking, laundry and we can live like slobs but be deliriously happy)

Today I tried to spend some time with Max.  It doesnt help when he's being the typical toddler/two year old.  We went to the park this morning, stopped at the grocery store where he got to use the kiddie cart and walk through the store (where he normally sits in the big cart).  After nap, I sat him on my bed, taught him how to change the dvd's in the computer and I folded clothes while he 'watched' all of his videos.  Then we colored and played with all my scrapbooking supplies.

This is the result of that 30 minute activity:


I had asked my sister Sharon earlier in the week if this guilt subsides, she said eventually it does.  It gets worse before it gets better. 

I just hope Max doesnt hate me, and will want to spend time with me after I end my pity/guilt party.

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A mom friend, Cristina, gave me a suggestion earlier this week about doing things after Max goes to bed.  Not sure why I didnt think of it myself or two years ago, but once I start getting my energy back after #2, I might have to give this a try.  Common sense, right??  Duh, Melissa.

I took this photo this morning when Max came into the bathroom as I was getting ready for work, just after he woke up and got himself out of bed. 

Next week, school is celebrating the Week of the Young Child.  They asked the parents to write a letter to their child(ren) about how special they are.

I realized I havent written a letter to Max in a while.  And when I started this I found myself saying the cliche stuff - i'd give my life for you, nothing else in the world matters, they are the best things that happened to me, etc. 

I left some of that in, but one of the last sentences I wrote basically summarized how I feel about Max. 

Now that is how I feel.  Of course I love him.  Of course I think I am pretty damn lucky he is a well-behaved kid.  Of course, he makes me smile, and I feel a happiness and joy I've never experienced before...but in the end, he brought me to life.  He's opened me up to experience all of this.  I love him so much.  :)

(Now if I could only get him to eat!)

Ever heard of the The Sneaky Chef?  Or the concept to hide fruits and veggies in kid favorite foods? 

Not me.

Max's pediatrician told me about this concept, referenced the cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld, when I was asking about nutrition and how can I get Max to eat more fruits and veggies.  I hopped on Amazon, looked up Deceptively Delicious, and found so-so reviews.  I also saw The Sneaky Chef, and in its reviews someone did a comparison of the two cookbooks/methods.  Hands down this person preferred The Sneaky Chef. 

I went to TSC's website, was able to try a free recipe (Orange Puree), and I'm impressed.  I made the Chicken Parm Pops.  Max didnt touch them (I dont think he likes things on his chicken nuggets!), but I tasted them and you cannot tell the pasta sauce contains carrots and sweet potatoes. 

I ordered the book.  (mind you I ordered a used book for a fraction of the price, like almost 80% difference!, thank you used book sellers!)


1 1/2 cups of frozen fruit (I used strawberries)
1/2 cup store bought juice (she recommends pomegranate which I will try, but I just used orange)
2 tsp sugar

Add all ingredients into food processor and process until smooth.

The results are a soft sorbet...still very yummy!  I put the left overs in the freezer to firm up.   

Of course I added whip cream and sprinkles to make it fun...Max took two bites of the whip cream and decided he was done.  (This is a whole other subject on how to get your toddler to eat!)

But I loved it!

What I need to get is a proper food processor, my blender has been overused and is practically burnt out!