Thriving Thursday

I'm not really sure what to call this post. I think I want to also make it reoccurring. Maybe a guest spot on the blog. Whatever the case, I wanted to share something that are making parenting a little easier and less stressful for me this week.

1. My friend, Flo, told me to create albums of your kids doing things that make you smile. This way when your kids are doing the opposite or driving you crazy, you can remind yourself of the many times that they are completely awesome. Elliott is absolutely obsessed with Bo and wants to play with him all the time, however Bo is a "These are the Rules of the Game" stage. Elliott never understands. But you can bet, that I've snapped pictures every time they are playing nicely together.

2. Maybe this post should actually be "Flo is the best mom ever". Because the second thing that is keeping me together is also from her. She taught me how to make this ridiculously easy Cinnamon Apple snack. Our kids go insane over it. They eat it plain, on yogurt, waffles, plus a million other things. All you do is cut up apples into cubes, put them in a skillet with about an inch of water and tons of cinnamon, then cook until the water is gone. Add to your snack list now.

3. Do laundry every day. You guys I hate putting away laundry. So I do a load everyday and then I can put it away quicker. It's no longer this long process of sorting into categories, I can quickly fold and put away laundry and it's done. Do laundry every day. Or actually whatever chore you hate, do it every day (if possible) that way you will typically spend less time doing it.

4. Wash your face while your kids brush their teeth. I don't know about you but at 9pm the very last thing I want to do is wash my face and my skin care routine. I've started to do it when my kids are in the bath or brushing their teeth. It's changed my life. Also, my kids see me taking care of myself which will hopefully instill the same idea of self-care.

5. We have been struggling with dinnertime. It's the one time of the day that we all can sit down and actually talk to each other. Bo is constantly on and off of his chair and we're nagging him for all of the things that we wish he was doing. "Sit on your bottom" or "Use your fork" could be Bo's new names. It's actually pretty easy- I found these spiders in my drawer of tricks and a piece of scrap. Bobby puts a spider in anytime Bo is clearing the table or saying please or thank you. Bo loves earning spiders and seeing how many times he can fill it up. It's very teachery and something that I worked hard to keep out of our house, but its exactly what is making dinners a truly enjoyable time for us.

What is helping you survive to make this week the very best that it can?

You've Got This.