Blog Archives

Commercial Break – Biking 101

3/28/2015

I love writing commercials for free. Advertising products that make other people money – it's my favorite. Over the years I've become quite good at charity-promoting my favorites while other bloggers promote crap and get paid for it. Hmmm...should have taken that course on creating a lucrative blog...oh well.

Are you thinking about teaching your toddler to ride a bike? STOP RIGHT NOW. Do NOT put on those training wheels! Spend the $100 on a Strider and save yourself years of headache.

Exhibit A – Axel Tries 2-wheels for the first time
Age: 4.5 years

Result: Training Wheels put back on. Retry in 6 months @ 5 Yr/Old

Exhibit B – Oliver tries Strider for the first time
Age: 1.5 years

Result: By the end of summer he is sitting and gliding.

Exhibit C – Oliver tries 2-wheels for the first time
Age: 2.5 years

Result: We un-boxed this bike 5 minutes before the video was taken.
He never looked back.
Barely out of diapers and riding to the park.

Convinced? I would never have thought he would be riding on a 2-wheeler at 2 years old. He kicked the diaper habit just last week.

What's the beauty of a Strider? Learning to balance and hold the weight of the bike on their own.

When are they ready to move to pedals? When they go so fast on the Strider that brakes become necessary. As they start to go faster, the only way to stop the Strider is with their feet...it's terrifying to watch. Get them on a bike with a coaster break and they'll never look back.

Congrats Oliver. Two HUGE milestones just months after graduating from your crib. Oh the places you'll go.

- Proud Mom

0 Comments

Full Time

3/20/2015

0 Comments

I worked a FULL week this week. Seriously – is this what other people do? Work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday? Jeez I'm tired. For the first time in 7 years I have spent time 5 days in a row without my children. I haven't picked anyone up sick, attended a child event or wiped any butts (Ollie is potty trained...shhh...don't say it too loudly).

I have been craving the full work week since I gave it up when Axel was born and I can't help but feel like I've graduated from toddler land to one of professional responsibility – where my priorities are well balanced. Of course I can only speak for myself here, but this just may be the best arrangement of all those that I've tried.

Mothers often speak of guilt. Guilt of being away, guilt of putting themselves first, guilt of not making a home-cooked meal and this week I said to hell with guilt. I might not be the best version of a mother on weeks like these, but I am a better version of myself. The moral of the story – kids can handle mothers who "do it all", mothers who, even when present, don't always make the best judgement calls.

While switching over to my new iPhone 6 today I found these two gems. Videos that prove that even when I'm on the job of "mommy dearest" sometimes I'm a better videographer than a voice of reason.

Go for it. Clock a few long hours at the office. Your kids might learn a lesson on independence – and will certainly become more adventurous when it comes to fast food.

Buenas Noches,
Jen

0 Comments

DIY Dream Catchers

3/13/2015

0 Comments

When I was 10 I was convinced that the dream catcher hanging over my bed held the key to a dreamy night sleep.

Legend has it that when you hang a dream catcher near where you sleep it catches the dreams as they float by. The good dreams know their way through the center of the "web" and the bad dreams become tangled – only to be destroyed by the first light of the morning sun.

My 5th grade teacher was heavily involved in the Native American community – I believe her husband was actually part of a tribe – last name "Drinkwine". Most of that school year was spent learning their culture and more importantly doing CRAFTS. It's a shame I'm not Native American because – dang – I'm GREAT at their handiwork!

Axel spotted a Dream Catcher on Pinterest as we were scrolling through so we scrounged around the studio for a few simple supplies and this is what we came up with.

Materials:
Embroidery hoop – 1 full hoop will make 2 Dream Catchers
Yarn – small scraps in fun colors
Beads – any kind will do
Feathers – can be bought at a craft store for $1.99 if you're scared of the bird flu

Enjoy making these quick crafts on a spring day. They would be a lovely thing to make with – say – a 1st grade class?

0 Comments

Over-committed.

3/9/2015

0 Comments

I have a sign on my head. The sign says, "Ask me to do shit that is both time consuming and annoying." I have been trying to wash the sign off for years.

When Axel started elementary school I must have had the "deer in headlights look" and within 5 minutes of the first open house I was targeted by the PTA. By the looks of the other women at the table my instant answer was, "NO!!!" I ran away from that table and never looked back at the micromanagers who would like to micromanage me. (Ok...the $7 it cost to join the PTA had a little something to do with my not joining...how petty...I'll bring my own cookies and juice.)

Just because I didn't join the sorority that is the PTA doesn't mean I am not still recruited as a volunteer. I LOVE to volunteer at the school. Re-phrase that...AXEL loves me to volunteer at the school. For his benefit I have joined the ranks of the book fair, the school carnival, field-trips, classroom parties, etc.

I send canned goods for the food shelf, books for Africa (still confused on how they can enjoy reading books in English), I'm constantly donating outerwear to the other kids of the school as Axel can't seem to keep track of his mittens.

I work in the lunchroom, can be spotted playing "crossing guard" and I help with reading. It's a full time "JOB".

Here's where the trouble comes in. Aside from my daily commitment to the local elementary school I'm on an Arden Hills City Committee, in charge of the neighborhood garage sale, the neighborhood picnic, created the neighborhood directory last year and the list goes on.

As of late the volunteering has crept into my professional life and it seems as though I'm not billing for the hours I could.

How the hell does this happen? If I'm not being targeted by a sweet-little-old-lady neighbor to take over some remedial organizational task, I'm being called at 5am from a recess helper who has a sick kid.

Have I not expressed that I have "sick kids" too? Why am I setting the excuse bar so high? Because I appear more rested than the rest I'm expected to carry the load of those who are "just to busy?"

I'm putting my foot down. I'M DONE. What's in it for me? Seriously. What's in it for me?

Are you feeling over-committed? Take a break. I give you permission.

- Jen

I found this gem from when we rented the houseboat last fall. So darn fun!

0 Comments

Welcome. I'm Twin Cities Jen.

Commercial Break – Biking 101

Exhibit A – Axel Tries 2-wheels for the first time
Age: 4.5 years

Result: Training Wheels put back on. Retry in 6 months @ 5 Yr/Old

Exhibit B – Oliver tries Strider for the first time
Age: 1.5 years

Result: By the end of summer he is sitting and gliding.

Exhibit C – Oliver tries 2-wheels for the first time
Age: 2.5 years

Result: We un-boxed this bike 5 minutes before the video was taken.
He never looked back.
Barely out of diapers and riding to the park.

Full Time

DIY Dream Catchers

Over-committed.

NEW - I'm searchable!

Grab my button:

Archives

Welcome. I'm Twin Cities Jen.

Commercial Break – Biking 101

Exhibit A – Axel Tries 2-wheels for the first timeAge: 4.5 years

Result: Training Wheels put back on. Retry in 6 months @ 5 Yr/Old

Exhibit B – Oliver tries Strider for the first timeAge: 1.5 years

Result: By the end of summer he is sitting and gliding.

Exhibit C – Oliver tries 2-wheels for the first timeAge: 2.5 years

Result: We un-boxed this bike 5 minutes before the video was taken. He never looked back. Barely out of diapers and riding to the park.

Full Time

DIY Dream Catchers

Over-committed.

NEW - I'm searchable!

Grab my button:

Archives

Exhibit A – Axel Tries 2-wheels for the first time
Age: 4.5 years

Exhibit B – Oliver tries Strider for the first time
Age: 1.5 years

Exhibit C – Oliver tries 2-wheels for the first time
Age: 2.5 years

Result: We un-boxed this bike 5 minutes before the video was taken.
He never looked back.
Barely out of diapers and riding to the park.