ICE CREAM THEME

On July 28, 2014July 28, 2014 By JillIn Funny kids, Mommy Musings, THEMES, What's Going On?Leave a comment

Her nails have never been without polish, her hair is always perfect, her outfits – never without the perfect coordinating accessories – my mother – has always been… pretty much perfect, or so I thought, I mean, nobody’s perfect, right?

She still is, without a doubt, pretty composed, non excessive, gorgeous, always put together, well spoken, and very practical (among other fabulous things…)

One day she shared with me this memory, about how she was at the beach with her friend and ate a creamsicle ice cream cone…and then wanted another- so she had two ice cream cones that day…this is a lady who never binges or goes overboard with food so this was kind of a big deal – I picture my Mom enjoying her second cone with a smile….I love this story – it makes my Mom more “real” and makes me feel like it’s ok to be weak, to have a craving, and just let go…

Unfortunately, I have way too many “weak moments” in the land of overindulgence, but for this post, I am using the story about my mom to show that we are all human, and as far as my themes, I wasn’t able to finish all of my ideas…we had such a busy weekend but the kids had a blast at two BBQ’s so I think they made out just fine!

I think we as moms have been sold a bill of crap, Its like we are less than if we’re not super creative, amazingly talented, fabulously fit and skinny, feeding our kids creations like gluten free muffins made of coconut oil, organic flour, chia seeds, and flax)…

I’m certainly up for trying to make those type of muffins but if I just can’t find the time, it’s ok.

But we are real, humans, struggling mommas, who love our kids more than life itself, and it’s ok to be flawed, let your hair down, have three cupcakes ( once in a while), laugh at yourself , embrace your kid(s), and go to bed knowing you did your best, you tried things, and you were present in their day.

AND that’s my thought provoking piece that was inspired by ice cream…the following pictures are from ICE CREAM WEEK!

FRUIT CONES

COLORED POPCORN CONES (ask in comments if you want instructions)

GIANT ICECREAM CONE – marshmallows and chocolate chips on top (secured by frosting) and cone is graham cracker— after admiring the beauty, guests can scoop up the toppings with the crackers and enjoy!

THESE ARE CRAFTS, construction paper, glitter, Pom poms, glue, scissors, paper bowls…

ICE CREAM CONE CARD ON TOP OF Bottle as a party gift (I glued on rhinestones to jazz up the bottle)

CUTEST GIRLS EVER
ENJOYING ICECREAM CONE CANDY LOLLYPOPS …they had a few licks and I threw in the garbage

Too much candy, I know, but the lollies were an impulse buy, and you know what, oh well, there’s always next week for smarter decisions …the girls won’t be little
for long and one day they won’t want to do these things with me!

CRAFTS – construction paper, glitter, Pom poms, paper bowls, glue…
Tons of fun!

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I’m not Martha Stewart

On July 23, 2014July 23, 2014 By JillIn I need a glass of wine, Mommy Musings, THEMES, Uncategorized, What's Going On?3 Comments

“Gia, will you get off of the counter!”
“Uh, what do you want now?”
“Can you just wait please!”

It was six P.M. on a Monday and I thought I could whip up a quick pink colored popcorn all the while trying to make flounder florentine, sun dried tomato risotto, and broccoli…yes, it’s true – domestic diva here – I kind of rock, my husband gets meals like this every night, well most nights, a few nights…Ok maybe just once in a while – gotta keep him on his toes!

I was gone all day, but I just had to do this – because that’s what I had planned, for my ice cream theme week – I was doing fruit faux ice cream cones as well as colored popcorn cones…

All on a Monday…because that’s what the plan was…

I was following a google recipe – trying to get the pink ones done, and get dinner ready, all the while juggling the girls climbing on the counters – helping out and wanting to eat the popcorn, trying to cook. I was kind of getting stressed …I trusted a recipe I saw on Google, and it flopped – it didn’t work…the popcorn was all soggy and virtually disappeared, I wish I could call this person and ask her why her recipe was wrong…and I definitely contemplated trying another one…but it was ten at night and I was exhausted but I actually was going to do it!

But then I decided I was tired – I came to my senses…because what the hell am I doing? I am not Martha Stewart! I don’t even make any money with this blog! The only thing I’m trying to do is make it to the top 25 on Top Mommy Blogs and my own husband doesn’t even remember to click the banner!

I sometimes wonder what I am doing with this blog and even my life…I’m constantly thinking I need to work on myself. But you know what, I’m tired.

I did my growing. I filled a lifetime of journals. I think I’m done.

I think that also goes for talking…or people who are always talking or thinking about what they’re going to do but NEVER DO IT!

Sorry – off on a tangent there…did I mention it’s 2 AM – can’t sleep!

I guess it takes a bout of insomnia to get me thinking – enough of corny projects like this…

I’ll just stick to the cooky crafts.

AND

I’ll just stick to being me. I’m busy enough, running marathons (figuratively), like this week, camp, the lake, cooking, play dates, ice cream theme crafts, play date treats, birthday party for a friend prep – oh my…the only thing I need to do is fit in some down time!

Down time – no blogging, no thinking about kids, no reading other blogs and comparing, no celebrity stalking (wishing I had those boobs or that booty…)

Ahhh, nothing better than coffee and a magazine!

So the pink popcorn didn’t work out but here’s a pic of our cute fruit ice-cream cones! Stay tuned for more of the exciting ice cream theme. Oh and I finally figured out how to do the popcorn!

THE MAKING OF THE FRUIT ICECREAM CONES

Now Gia wants this every night!

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Themes and Mommy Growth- Jewelry Week

On July 21, 2014July 21, 2014 By JillIn THEMES, Uncategorized, What's Going On?6 Comments

When I was in college, my Mom sent me this mouse pad (remember those?) and it had a motivational message on it. It said, “Do something.”

Yup, this simple task of simply doing something was a struggle for me (perhaps undiagnosed ADD?) I had all of this stuff in my head but couldn’t get going, continue going, that sort of a thing. This was particularly an issue in college, I couldn’t study well, write papers, or complete projects without major procrastination, and extreme debilitating anxiety. I remember wasting weeks writing index cards to study for an Anatomy exam… but then I didn’t really study the cards. I ended up failing that class and had to retake it…

This kind of a thing made the academic part of college and my work life difficult and very stressful. Extra thinking always plagues me… Researching, talking, wondering, a little progress, but mostly staying in a world of confusion, never feeling like I make a complete, satisfactory decision or complete a project with gusto is a frustrating part of my life.

And now your wondering, what does this have to do with anything? I decided to create weekly themes with the girls (for the summer) while working on some of my own problem areas…

This week was JEWELRY WEEK and my problem area that I worked on was too much thinking.

The following is the picture montage of the creative week.

Macaroni necklace and bracelets

POPCORN and gummy bear necklaces

FRUIT NECKLACES

Now we eat the fruit with yogurt- yum!

Candy necklaces – maybe not the best idea! BUT SO PRETTY!

Look at all of the candy! I think I have a problem with excess!

Making bead necklaces with friends!!! So much fun!

As for me, I took steps to just do it, buy some supplies and get working with the girls – not worrying about Ari having an accident in Michaels, perseverating on other messes in the house, getting distracted, etc…the usual thinking fluff that clogs my brain – the rust and gunk in the pipes preventing the flow of “Jilly water.” Yup, I decided to coin the flow of ideas in my head as Jilly water.

Here’s a picture of my chart. On top is an artistic masterpiece of a necklace. I colored in a “jewelry bead” at the end of the day and wrote a little note to myself. Mission accomplished – the question mark is for next week’s personal growth.

Who needs’s a self help book when you have this fab chart?

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The Girly Reports

Author: Jill

ICE CREAM THEME

I’m not Martha Stewart

Themes and Mommy Growth- Jewelry Week

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