Mommy Octopus

I realized we have a bunch of new readers lately and thought I’d do a fun post.  First off, I’m Erin and I write this blog!  Below is me via Instagram right after I got a hair cut.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Mommy Octopus

1. I’m actually shy until you get to know me.  Then I won’t shut up 🙂
2. Being in front of crowds makes me nauseous.  I didn’t make it to my graduation because I was so nervous and sick.  You’ll never see me on TV or giving speeches for that reason.  Too nerve-racking!
3. I never intended to be a homeschooling mom.  I always planned on being a teacher, though.
4. I prefer 60s and 70s music.  I really don’t even know what songs are popular right now!
5. My biggest struggle is being content.
6. I got married at 18.  Still married to the same guy 11 years and 4 kids later.
7. I hate seafood.  Can’t even stand the smell.  My poor hubby loves it and I rarely cook it.
8. My dream car would be a Corvette.  One day maybe it will come true.
9. I absolutely love dark chocolate.  My candy of choice would be Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.  I’m not a huge fan of just sugary candy and I do not like caramel.
10. I recently got a treadmill off Craigslist for cheap.  I’m working on the 10K Pro app and hope to maybe go to Disney in February for the Princess race.

Hope you enjoyed this post!  I’d love to get to know more about ya’ll too!

I sat down with my kiddos and asked them to help me make a list of fun things to do this summer.  Our goal is to accomplish them!  Here’s our list! Feel free to comment and add some more ideas!

1. Play in the sprinkler
2. Make our own bubble solution and blow bubbles
3. Roller skate
4. Go on a hike
5. Ride bikes
6. Go to playground
7. Library summer reading
8. Go to a play
9. Summer movies at theater
10. Put on swimsuits and wash the van
11. Make and eat popsicles
12. Visit a friend
13. Go for icecream at night in our pajamas
14. Sleep under the stars
15. Make a bonfire and roast marshmallows
16. Plant flowers
17. Make our own icecream
18. Visit Grandma’s house
19. Fly a kite
20. Jump rope
21. Paint our own shirts
22. Put together a huge LEGO city
23. Play a board game
24. Bird watch
25. Make a fort out of the couch and blankets
26. Work on our sticker mosaics
27. Put on a play
28. Make a treasure hunt
29. Campout in living room
30. Visit a fire station
31. Go to the zoo
32. Turn on music and dance
33. Have a picnic
34. Go to the lake
35. Write a journal about summer activities
36. Make an obstacle course
37. Create a terrarium
38. Go to a museum
39. Have a yard sale
40. Make a time capsule
41. Paint
42. Learn something new
43. Geocache
44. Watch the sunrise/sunset
45. Water gun fight
46. Play with the dog
47. Hop in the car and go back roads to discover something new
48. Write a poem
49. Invite friends over for a cookout
50. Make a new friend

First of all, yum!  I wanted to make granola today but couldn’t find a recipe with the ingredients that I had on hand and I really didn’t want white sugar or salt or funky stuff so I decided to make my own!  It was a huge hit!  If you’re looking for dried mixed berries, I actually got mine at Aldi.

Here goes!

One of my sweet daughers

Today I ran out to the store closest to my house to pick up one item.  As typical, I unbuckled all my children, ages 9,6,3,2 and brought them into the store with me.  I never think twice about it – everyone always goes in.  We got our one item along with a snack I got talked into buying and went back to the van to get in.

Out of the corner of my eye, I look over to the car on the other side of my van and notice children in the back seat.  An infant in a carseat and a toddler who was probably in the 2-3 year old range.  The toddler appeared to be looking for his mom and I very concerned he would either try to climb out on his own, or that a stranger would notice the car running and try to take off with it.

I loaded my kids in and stood outside in between the cars and waited and watched.  A few minutes later, the adult came came out and got in the car and drove off.  In her hands was a 4 pack of Angel Soft toilet paper.

My heart stopped.  She put her children at risk for toilet paper?  I thought about saying something to her but I just couldn’t bring myself to at the time.  It honestly just made me sad.  I said a prayer for her sweet babies and for whatever she may be going through that required her to leave the kids in the car alone.  Perhaps a kid had the stomach bug and she didn’t want them to puke in the store.  Perhaps she is a single mom and just spent the last of her money getting toilet paper.  I do not know her situation.

Do I think this is acceptable?  Absolutely not.  I was about to call the police when she came out.

This brings to me a question.  At what age is it acceptable to leave my children in the car alone?  And for how long?  What would you say or do in this situation?

Quiet 2 year olds can never be a good thing.  I went looking for my 2 year old and found her hiding…. with the canister of sprinkles!  Happy as could be, though!  And no mess, just quietly chomping away at each little colored star at a time.

(and ignore the dirty face – she had been playing outside right before she found the sprinkles!)

What kind of mischief have your quiet children gotten into?

Ready for a bug free summer? Homemade bug spray is a natural alternative to conventional sprays. It’s safe and effective, and all the ingredients are natural. The essential oils lemon, lavender, rose geranium, mint, clove, thyme, sweet orange, rosemary, eucalyptus, tea tree, sage, oregano, cedarwood, citronella, and basil are all very effective in repelling insects. Try a few and see which one is right for you. Add a little Vitamin E oil to your bug spray and it last longer. Here’s my favorite recipe that I use for my family.

Homemade Insect Repellent

• 85% percent witch hazel
• 15% distilled or boiled water
• 10-15 drops essential oil
• 1-2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 capsule Vitamin E oil (optional)

Combine witch hazel, water, essential oil, and apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle. Pop open the Vitamin E capsule and squeeze the oil into the bottle. Shake to combine. Spray on and reapply as needed.

This totally made my day today.  I must be doing something right! I walked into the kitchen and my 6 year old son proudly told me that he was doing the dishes this morning. Yay!  What a blessing and surprise!

And yes, that’s a rainbow band-aid on his head – mosquito bite!