Another Big Move

I’ve been really quiet since my rebirth and that’s because we have big news to share!

Most know the story but for some of you who are new here, I’m from NY. No…not NYC…the state of NY. Specifically, Upstate (the better part of NY altogether!) The only thing NYC has to do with upstate is the atrociously high taxes it causes us! Toblerone and I met there actually. It holds a very special place in our hearts and of course our friends and most of my family is there.

I try to think back about when I first decided to follow him to Germany and I must have been drunk. I’m surprised I went at the end of the day. That was a major risk and I think my little 25yr old brain didn’t have ANY idea of what I was getting into. Somehow I thought, “I’ll just move back home if I don’t like it!” The reality is, I can’t just go home when my “home” (Harley and Tobes) wouldn’t be coming with me. It was more complicated than I thought.

I went to Germany with a huge carry on bag of German cuisine cookbooks (seriously) very unsure of what my future would hold and after 4 years it giving it the old college try, we decided moving back to the states was best for us. Tobes got a job that shipped us over to Michigan and although it was the US, it still was 9+ hours away. So I went from a 9+ hour flight to an equally as long of a drive. Not sure it was a win.

Chilling at a winery in the black forest

Every time that we did make it back to NY we always talked about how our hearts were warm and we felt relaxed. Much of that has to do with the atmosphere my mom’s house presents and also because of the friendships we have there. We have a tribe.

The goal was always to make it back closer to family and out of nowhere the stars aligned and here we are…going back to NY. We’ll be 20 minutes from everyone and we are bubbling over from excitement thinking about how different our life will be now. Not just for us but for the kids.

Ten years later…home. I’m no longer tribeless.

Finally holidays that will mean something. Traditions to continue. Birthday parties to have. It all finally makes sense. Finally.

We left a couple days before Thanksgiving and we’ve been shacking up with the prenatal units until we close on our new house after New Years. It’s been a surprisingly easy transition. The kids are adjusting nicely and Toblerone fits right in at his new job. All is well so far!!

Until next time, Readers!!! Xoxoxoxo

The Calming Corner

Three-year-olds are ridiculous. They are emotionally charged, whiny, and logically disconnected.

My dudes are not exempt from the nonsense, unfortunately, and so I’ve had to curve my “parenting skills” constantly. Even more so, with twins, you have to change the way you parent each kid as both are completely different individuals with completely different needs. It’s been a challenge, to say the least.

Blondie is what the modern world is now calling a “spirited kid.” What is that you ask? Let’s be real…he’s full of the devil! Full of energy, spite, and love. He is sensitive and high-strung, loving yet psychotic, lol. No for real…he’s a tough cookie but I am certain he will do amazing things when he’s older. Own a Fortune 500 company or cure cancer. But for now, he’s a doozy and I’ve been trying to find ways to comfort him before his massive blowups happen.

 

Brownie is the complete opposite. He wouldn’t hurt a fly but is very very sensitive. To the point where if we tell him not to do something and logically explain why not to do said thing, he will throw himself on the ground as if he was shot down. He literally just falls out of his chair without bracing his fall. It’s pretty hilarious actually. Kind of like those fainting goats. That being said, he doesn’t get in trouble much but he also won’t listen when you tell him “No.” So, it’s a bit out of control on both ends here.

I began to dig around for an all-around thing that would work for both extremely different children. I’m not sure where I first heard of the idea of a calming corner but I happened to search a bit and found a zillion things on Pinterest and other places about it. Phew! I’m not the only mother who has lost her damn mind and needs SERENITY NOW!

 

***wooooosssssaaaaaahhhhh***

 

First things first, we had to find a spot to have this said Calming Corner. I don’t know why but setting it up in the formal dining area was good enough. I needed to have these two jokesters in plain view so another room wouldn’t have worked. Then I trucked over or mom-vanned it over to the dollar store and grabbed all the essentials to make a calming corner..well..calm.

So in our bucket is:

2 sensory bottles (1 with glitter, the other a lava lamp look)

3 playdough filled balloons with different emotions drawn on them (Happy, Sad, Angry) which act as a stress ball of sorts.

1 snuggly bug

2 squrimy thingies (I bet you like it when I talk about technical, don’t ya!?)

1 firm yet squishable football

1 rubix cube

 

The only rule that is set with this area is that when they are done playing there, they have to put all the toys back in the bucket so they are ready for the next person to use. Essentially, the idea is that we try to catch them before they are upset or if we see that they are starting to get emotional about a situation we ask them if they want to go to the calming corner for a little bit. They are allowed to bring their blankets, loveys, and pacifiers with them if they want and they can choose when they are done. Both boys have sat there quietly for 15-20 minutes at times.

This is not to replace time-outs. It’s supposed to be a “safe space” where they can go to try to identify their emotions and work out how to handle them. It’s not easy being green or three for that matter and this so far has been a great option for both of them. At this point, I’m willing to try anything to get these kids to quit their antics but let’s face it, toddlers will be toddlers.

Hell, I should throw myself in the calming corner and see if they leave me alone for a minute actually! (Going to go try that right now! I’ll report back! ha!)

 

Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxoxoxo

Here I Go Again

It’s been ages! 3 years to be exact and I have been missing this creative outlet of mine. Life is VERY different than what it was when I first started this blog and now with more grace and perspective, I’m ready to get back up in the saddle, so to speak.

Where to begin? I’ve left you all for so long. Last you heard from me was when I had the twins and then poof…I was gone. Because let’s face it – TWINS ARE HARD! We are now in the “threenager” phase which frankly has me kicking my butt for not relishing in how easy the “terrible twos” were. I wish I could say I have a good handle on these kids but truth be told, I’m hanging on by the necks of their shirts. They are ridiculous and as the days go on I’ll be sure to let you in on all that is them and their twinado tyrants.

So do you want the good news or bad news first?

Bad news first? Well alright then.

This is bad news, actually, horrible and horrifically sad news…we had to say goodbye to our beloved Harley Noodle Jones Butt Butt. I’ll get into that in another post because he deserves his own space. But man. Losing my guy has left me utterly heartbroken and if it wasn’t for the fact that I have little humans who need me to function at full force each day, I would be on the ground in tears for eternity. He was my baby and the gaping hole in my life since he left is excruciating.

Yes, I know people lose their children and parents and that is also horrifically sad but he was my person. Furry and slobbery…my person. More on all that is Harley later though.

But we can’t just have bad news and not follow it up with good news. This is actually great news! My life clearly wasn’t hectic enough so we decided to add yet ANOTHER kid to the mix. And this time… ITS A GIRL!!! Praise baby Jesus and all the pink fluff and tulle he created!!! No, but seriously, this is my best work yet. I mean…LOOK at this face! Can you even deal?!

So I’ll be signing off for now but in a really small nutshell, that is life the last 3 years with a whole lot of other nonsense in between (which I’ll also get to.) Looking forward to getting back into the blogging world…I’ve missed it dearly! I’m hoping you all will take me back in with open arms!

Until next time, Readers!! xoxoxoxoxo

Throwback Thursday

Today’s Throwback is dedicated to my brother who has a birthday today!!! Happy birthday Big Bro! 🙂

Here’s a picture of him…doing god knows what to me as a baby!

Until next time, Readers!!!! Xoxoxoxoxo

Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreign

For this weeks challenge I happened to come across a twist of “foreign” on something that is familiar. We all remember the “play food” as a child. The German children get German food. Complete with wurst and sauerkraut! And well as Swabisch soup and a breakfast set complete with Nutella! Take a look!

Until next time, Readers!! Xoxoxo

I Am A Mother

First and foremost – Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there!!! Especially to my mom. She’s the greatest person in the world, my best friend, my confidant, and the mother everyone dreams about having. She’s perfect in every way and thank you, mom, for guiding me into the person I am today. Now to figure out how to clone you so I can have you here in Germany with me! 🙂

Here’s a dose of cuteness of me and my mom when I was just a wee thing:

I read this post yesterday written on the Still Standing website – a place for women who handle loss or infertility. The post was titled, ” I AM a Mother,” eloquently so. Whether you read through it or not, it comes at a time that I needed to hear it. Today celebrates the women who physically have children but what about the women who are trying. The women who want nothing more than to have their own.

Children come so easily to many and too easily for some who don’t deserve them. I salute the mothers who have children here on earth already but more importantly, I give a big giant mother’s day hug to those of us who have been mothers for longer. Mothers to the children we’re trying so hard to have. The poking, prodding, surgeries, hormones that ruin us, etc just to bring our child home. This mother’s day is for you.

Me and my nephew – he’s fresh out of the oven!

A lot of women take for granted that they are able to just pop out kids without major complications. What about those who are left without…every mother’s day that passes the ping in your heart tightens. You put a smile on your face when others show you pictures of their babies growing older. Thank you for sharing your blessing with the world…we LOVE your babies. (That was NOT sarcastic by the way.) I just can’t wait to show off mine one day, hopefully. Make sure to say Happy Mother’s Day too all the women you know that wish to have a child as well as those with children currently. Don’t leave anyone out!

Happy Mother’s Day to ALL the moms.

My Visit With German Students

I just returned only minutes ago from a classroom where I got to sit and hang out with a bunch of German Kids for 50 minutes. Even though I should be cleaning for my big Halloween party tonight I had to stop for a moment and write about this experience because I’m just so excited about it. These kids were fantastic!!! I think I’m finally settled on what I want to be in life..It only took me 10 years but teaching would be ideal.

So my friend here is an English teacher and she asked me to come in and talk with the kids since they are learning about NY and NYC. Perfect! I was a little worried if they would understand me or if they would think I’m strange but they were so great. They laughed at all the right things, they listened as I told them about my experience with 9/11, just an all around great atmosphere. And here’s the fun part…they were all totally into my sweet spider rings and candy corn that I made them try. (Yes, made them!) It’s America’s #1 Candy! 🙂

(Great face….I know….lol)

So here are a few pics of me with the kids, I told the kids I would post them today already. I had so much fun and would love to come back around Christmas time and hang out with them again! 🙂  They spoke EXCELLENT English, I mean, seriously. I’m still trying to learn English but they were so great and had 5 questions each ready to throw at me! They all really made my day! 🙂

My new buddies!

Crazy Faces!

Pic with our sweet rings!

Special thanks to my Mom back home for sending me all the goodies I needed for this day to be a success! 🙂

Until next time, Readers!!! xoxoxox