The Young & the Restless?!?

This school year has marked a major milestone in my pre-teens life & a major coronary in mine. Junior High! Ahhhhh makes you nostalgic doesn't it? It sure makes me feel that way. Then I start to think about everything that actually went on those years of my life and I get a little sick. Sure my son definitely has all the makings of a 7th grader going on 20. I ask him how his day was, he responds "good" nothing more. He is moody at the drop of a dime, errr video game. He is into girls & cusses like a sailor when he thinks I'm not in ear shot. Not cool, but according to him he is beast. This is after all the same little boy who still wears SpongeBob jammies to bed. I see nothing wrong with walking him to school every morning and taking a brief survey of who he associates with, but I also know he would get picked on to no end if I did that. Ahhhh what to do. What to do?!? Enjoy it Zion, these are some of the best years of your life. Just know I will be watching from afar and maintaining control always.

Life is Miraculous!

A good friend of mine gave birth to her beautiful baby girl earlier this week. When I went to visit Mom and Baby all the feelings of wanting to hold my newborns came rushing back. Do you remember how you felt when your tiny miracle was placed in your arms? What a rush. Soooooo many emotions firing at you all at once, but one thing you knew for sure was that you loved this little person with a love so strong and different than you had ever felt before. I needed to hold her little blessing to be reminded of what I felt when I held mine. Raising children can be rough and sometimes I really do wonder how I became completely in charge and responsible for 4 of them?!? Insane, but then I held a newborn and remembered I am exactly the right person chosen to be their mother. I wish I could tell you all to go hold a newborn whenever you have doubts but I'm guessing that would be frowned upon in the hospitals. Instead take a moment to remember those baby days or if you are in the middle of the baby days even better. Just make sure that every dream you have/had for your precious baby that you try your hardest to make them a reality.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Beginning last week I have had a slew of sickness making the rounds amongst the little ones in my household. When Zion was a baby I would be on the phone with the pediatrician as soon as he sneezed. Now that I have 4 I'm not so paranoid the minute I see a runny nose. My line of thinking these days sorta goes like this; "if he still looks/acts that way tomorrow I'll call someone." I find it humorous that my pediatrician and I are on first name basis because we do see each other so much. Finding a GREAT doctor is tough and as far as I'm concerned I have hit the jackpot when it comes to mine! I just wanted to give a little word of wisdom this week. As a Hip Momma you have the best judgment when your child is feeling ill and don't ever second guess yourself, it's what makes you Hip.
Short and sweet this week because I have to do my Tylenol role call!
XOXO

Gamers Unite!

Much to my 11 year olds dismay I am not a gamer. Never have been really. The only reason I ever played board games with any of my children was totally for their benefit. I'm not sure if its a patience thing, a boredom thing, or what. The lack of enthusiasm only worsens when I think about video games. Zion has a torrid affair with video games which hurts my wallet. There has been quite a few times where I have spent a good amount of money only to have Zion come to me 30 minutes later to say the game wasnt what he expected. Ummmm its not like we can return it! Enter: Game Fly.



The perfect site for any gamer! For only $15.00 a month we can rent any game, keep them as long as we want, then pop them back into the mailbox and wait for our next pick. That whole thing of Zion discovering he doesn't like the game doesn't matter anymore. Plus for the Hip Momma on a budget I'd much rather shell out 15 bucks a month as opposed to one 60 dollar game! Check out the site! It's very user friendly and they are constantly running promotions such as "first month free" and etc...

When it comes to the 5 and under crowd I have found a gem of a game. Enter: Elefun.



This game is so cute! Also it takes the frustration of explaining the rules out because its so simple. My children think its magical. The rules of play are a cinch and it keeps them busy for a good 30 to 45 minutes. That's Hip Momma gold!

Milestones

Hey hey I'm back and in full effect fellow Hip Mommas! Don't fret either, I'll be here every Friday from now on! LUCKY YOU! This past month has been BUSY, to put it mildly. My son turned 2, my daughter started walking, my tween likes girls, and my 3 year old was confirmed in his diagnosis of Autism. All of these events occurring at the same time of a massive flare up of my health. Throw in the holiday and spring break and yes... it was BUSY! My health is besides the point when it comes to this blog however, I'm only mentioning it because it goes along with my topic, "Milestones."


When planning my now 2 yr. olds massive bash I went all out only to discover some of the novelty items I purchased for the party went unopened. LOL! It was a park party, which in my opinion are the best kind! Everyone had a great time including the guest of honor, Seven. I was reminded at the party of what great friends and family I have and all the contributions they make for my children it was awesome and humbling. A definite mile marker for me.


On the same day Seven turned 2, my daughter Hannah took her first step. Her first step on two feet and her first step into toddler hood. It was so bittersweet for me because I know this will be the last I will see this because she is in fact, my last baby. Her preferred means of getting around is still crawling which is perfectly fine!


I was however faced with the guilt of not having a massive blowout for her first birthday because I had just went all out for Seven's. I reminded myself over and over that she is not gonna remember and would prefer to eat cake in her highchair as opposed to having her whole routine messed up for something she isn't even aware. Please don't get me wrong, I'm all for big birthday bashes for the first birthday, that is when its your first kid. LOL, don't judge...


April is Autism awareness month and also the 2nd month that I became fully aware. I cant say that I'm sad about the diagnosis more than I can say I'm relieved. Relieved that he can get the help he needs now. Anyone who has ever met Isaac knows how special he is and what a great kid he is. Isaac is EXHAUSTING, but now I know I'm not alone. The love and support that has been shown from everyone even the unexpected touches my heart. Once again THANK YOU!


Zion likes girls. HAHA! I knew it was coming and now it has. He is all mysterious now and won't talk to me in the way he did before. Which in Hip Momma language must mean "it's a girl!" It makes me want to hold onto this last bit of childhood that Zion does share with me about his make believe fighting stories and characters on Naruto with an iron fist. It wont be long until that wont be cool anymore, and maybe neither will I.


Parenting is not easy. I feel the biggest reason for this is the milestones. With each one they are walking further away from us all while saying "Look Ma! No Hands!"

Seasons

It's no secret, I'm a single mom. A very busy single mom. Every now and then I get in a rut because I get overwhelmed with all my motherly duties. The kids are all their own unique individual and require their own specifics. It goes as far as the sleeping arrangements and the starring role that I play between the hours of 8PM til about 6AM. None of my kids sleep through the night and they all wake up at different times. Often I find my 11 year old sneaking in a quick game while getting one of the others their midnight milk. I'm constantly on patrol.
What I have always found interesting is that I know I am employed at the hardest job of my life and it is in fact HARD! However, I wouldn't want it any other way. And just as it becomes soooo overwhelming that I feel as if I can't take another day of it something changes and its OK again. The weather maybe? I can't explain it but, we as our little family unit get back into the groove again. It's amazing.
It's a little short this week because I don't have much to report and things are pretty calm. Which is a GREAT thing. I also am proud to announce that Hip Momma has a home on the web now. Stay tuned because eventually ill be posting from the website. Now only if I could figure out what to do next with it! I'm learning halfheartedly on my own the ins and outs of web design for my blog so bare with me!

Got the stuck-in-the-house blues???

So my original topic for this weeks post was 5 must haves for play days at the park but.... since my east coast readers are in the middle of an epic snowy winter I have decided to change the subject. Instead we will explore the must haves for days being shut in the house, which is helpful to all my Phoenix residents as well since none of us dare to be out doors once June rolls around.
Countless hours spent inside with your children will send even the hippest of Mommas running for the nearest asylum. Have you ever noticed that there is nowhere to hide either? The best thing we can do is embrace and remember that the children are bored, bored, bored! The same toys, games, TV shows don't cut it for the 10th time in a row. Our children are depending on us for a solution because well, its our jobs.

*Got housework? include your kids! Yes, yes at first it seems like more trouble than its worth, but think about if you didn't engage them to help out, they would just be underneath your feet getting in the way. So which would you rather have? I'm not talking about play vacuums, brooms and stuff. I'm talking about the real thing. I often detach my vacuum hose and let them have at it, even it takes them 30 min to clean a corner of the room. Kids always always think the real thing is better and the toy versions just don't cut it. With older children they could care less about cleaning but then again older children can entertain themselves easier and often steer clear when housework is being done in fear of they may be asked to do something.


*Build a fort! I know we all can agree that forts rock on so many different levels. Such simple construction too! All that is needed is a sheet (or 2 or 3) and some strategically placed furniture and ta-da! Once constructed the possibilities are endless! Remember all those toys, games, and TV shows that were old news? Suddenly they become waaaaaay cool again because they are being done from inside the fort. That's Momma magic right there! Older children can't resist a good fort either and really neither can we. Its nostalgic.


*Do something involving scissors and glue. Yes I know it sounds messy and maybe dangerous but that's half the reason we hardly ever do things involving scissors and glue. My house is all tile so clean up is pretty easy. For those of you with carpet just spread out in your kitchen instead. I'm not sure why but kids love cutting paper and gluing it. If you wanna be real daring and even more Hip, involve glitter.

*And finally, Do the unexpected! If you normally don't allow your kids in your bed with popcorn and a movie, do it! Or if you are a strict bath at night kind of Momma, put them in the shower in the afternoon with an umbrella or even in the bath with some bubbles that they can blow. At my house we have playroom picnics at mealtime which is always so so cool of me. My point is mix it up a little and go the extra mile for sanity. A messy room is not that big of a deal. I know I would rather be in a happy mess than a angry palace.


Well, good luck staying sane and remember bedtime does come eventually!

The unconventional, and what works for you.

I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity and an even bigger believer in picking my battles. When my 3 year old wants to wear his football shirt for the 3rd time in a row with 2 pairs of gym shorts on, why fight it? My soon to be 2 year old still sucks on a binky for bedtime, and if it makes him sleep well, which makes me sleep well, why fight it? My 11 year old would rather go to bed in his street clothes than change into PJ's. I really don't know why he prefers this, but if he is in bed by 9PM why fight it? On Friday nights I don't bathe the kids and read a story rather I get them in their PJ's, pop popcorn and put on Sponge Bob DVD's and let them fall asleep in my bed. On nights that I'm really tired and don't feel like messing around in the kitchen I make an easy (sometimes microwaved) dinner and we have a picnic in the playroom. To me, there are just so many more things I could be doing with my children then spending time arguing with them about the little things. So this week I invite everyone to share what they do with their children that may not be so conventional in the parenting world, but works for your family.

Its no longer "baby fat" when she turns 1!

Isaac, Seven, and myself 6 months pregnant.


Hannah is my little healthy chunk-a-chunk, with an appetite to match. I love her creases in her thighs and her pot belly that always causes her tees to roll up. After Seven, who is the toddler version of Gandhi,I welcome all things baby fat! That is, except for when it comes to myself. My biological fat clock is ticking. With the alarm set to go off April 6th (Hannah's 1st birthday). Where is it written that all baby weight gained should be off by the time baby turns one? And we have to commemorate the weight loss with birthday cake?!?! No fair!! And even though I don't know the source of this unsaid rule, I believe in it. After April I can no longer (in my mind) say see the baby? That's why... When I think about it I have basically been consistently pregnant for 3 years soooooo that means I have a 3 year grace period, right? Ill tell you one thing, Hip Momma to Hip Momma it was culinary heaven those 3 years. But, now is the time to reap (but not eat) what I sowed.
So I'm beginning the diet of the century again. Since its a new decade I will call it the diet of the decade that way I wont be reminded of past failed attempts every time I speak of it. I understand the self esteem stuff and that I'm beautiful no matter what and so on but enough is enough and I live in Phoenix which means its shorts and tank tops by March. Also I have one of the best components to dieting, a diet buddy and fellow Hip Momma. In other words, someone to whine to about how hungry I am. Partners in (hunger) pain.
I can't wait til her first birthday and it's for all the sentimental reasons of course! She is my last baby and my only girl. Princess Hannah is turning one. And the baby fat will be where it should be... on the baby!

The not so perfect toy

I tend to always be on the lookout for the best toy that will keep my little ones entertained for more than 10 minutes and if im really lucky, a full half hour. so every Christmas I trudge out with the best of them searching... Every trip to Walmart/Target ( insert your super center of choice) I always take a cruise through the toy isles thinking that maybe this time I will find the mecca and my little ones will be enthralled with it for days on end. I have never had that luck. From what I can tell not too many of my fellow HipMommas have either. Recently I cleaned up and cleared out the playroom. Throwing away broken things. I call them "things" because clearly its a piece of a toy, but for which toy it is unknown. Anyways, I organized, shelved and decorated a happy place for my 2 toddlers and soon to be toddler-ette. Believe it or not a lot of the toys in there were Zions old ones.(Can we say hoarding Grandma?!? But, hey Thanks!) This revamping of the playroom is probably one of my best momma-moves in a long time. So score 1, make it 10 for the home team. What I have found to be rather interesting is that my kids could care less about all the expensive shiny things in there and prefer to dig out swimming goggles, old football helmets, and golf clubs. It got me to thinkin... even Zion has his pile of untouchable sticks outside in the corner of my yard. Zion is 11 so yes he prefers expensive things like XBox games, etc... But, more times than not I catch him playing with legos & hand made bow and arrows. The simplicity of kids is amazing, they will make ANYTHING fun. Why do we as parents always forget that a 100 bucks later? I can't even tell you that I will never buy an expensive toy again because lets face it, im a sucker for fads! Maybe I will just try to remember to read this post over again before my next outing to Walmart to remind myself that they are already having fun. Until next week...

Ice Cold

I have an entourage. Granted the members of my entourage are my children. To them I am that cool. Ill take it.
A few days ago I got in a somewhat heated discussion with my 11 year old. He wants EVERYTHING and he wants it now. Deep down I want to give him what he wants but the mother in me stops me from doing so. I want him to think I'm the cool mom but when I told him "no" and he has to work for what he wants. Cool Mom, not so much. It was one of those heartbreaking moment we face as parents when we have to use tough love.
The definition of "Cool" changes as we grow and then even more when we become parents. I remember riding around when I was younger with music blasting and the windows down so others could here the song I was listening to. As if saying "Oh _____'s new album, yeah I got it." Now I ride around with SpongeBob, Yo Gabba Gabba, and the Fresh Beats blaring in my car. My kids sing along, even Zion, and its a somewhat pleasant drive and that is ultra cool.
To my younger children I am sliced bread. I could be goin to the bathroom and they would want to be there because whatever it is that I'm doin has to be cooler than what they were doin. I find the humor in the fact that my 6th grader thinks I'm far from cool because in the 6th grade world that is what's cool.
So welcome to Hip Momma, my blog. Its an inside view of my chaotic life as a single Mom of 4 AMAZING and somewhat crazy children. I promise to be brutally honest and genuine. And that's Cool.

P.S. Once I get the hang of this my page will be a little more flashy...