Me Either Monday

Ok bloggy friends, it's time to get original! I saw a "Not Me Monday" on a friend's blog years ago and it turns out she got it from another blog. I want CantClockOut to be totally created by yours truly, so I'm changing Not Me Monday to Me Either Monday. Same idea, but at least I won't feel like a copycat ;) So here we go!

Me Either Monday

Have you ever lost hours of precious sleep lying awake terrified because you were home alone and thought someone was in your house...

Or been too embarrassed to leave your house because you had a sudden outbreak that created a "zit mustache" on your face...

Or gave your kid a skittle for peeing on the potty, only to have him try to stick it in his butt??

...Yea, me either!

Please share yours in the comment section! We all love to laugh so don't be shy!

Nothin' Fancy Friday: Papi's Playhouse

My Dad has a lot of time, tools, and creativity.  Hence, he built Ben an awesome "playhouse!" I had to share it with you all - even though it isn't finished yet, I thought it was pretty cool!  The most impressive part is that he did it entirely from scratch!

Here is the "entrance" to the playhouse.  

 Inside the door is a sandbox! 

When you need a break from playing, you can relax on the bench and have a snack at one of the two mini tables!

 Inside, just above the sandbox, is a secret cubby!  What kid wouldn't love that??

 My dad's neighbor's kids had outgrown their swing set so he offered the parts up to my dad.  He reconfigured it and used some swings and the slide, and repurposed a lot of the wood.

We can't forget about the sliding windows and the ball track in the sandbox! You put a ping pong ball or golf ball in the small hole on the left, watch it roll down the chute through the plastic window and it pops out of the pipe at the bottom! 

It has already gotten lots of use!  Thanks, Dad!!! =D

I hope you are outside enjoying the summer! 

Have a great weekend!

Just A Thought... Thursday

Thad, you might want to work on those casting skills. I already know you are a great catch! Just a thought...

hahahahahahaha 

I love corny jokes! =D

Toddler Tip Tuesday: Shopping With Tots

Shopping without kids is without a doubt much more peaceful, pleasant, and productive.  Here are a few tips for those times when you have no choice but to take your tot(s) along for the ride:

 1. Plan ahead! Make a list and try your best to stick to it. Knowing the layout of the store and putting your list in order is a huge help!

2. Don't expect your toddler to last beyond two stops (i.e. bank, grocery store, department store, etc). I read that somewhere...

3.  What is one of the most helpful "tricks" when it comes to parenting?  One word: DISTRACTION. It's become an art form, really.  I always get Ben an apple when we grocery shop.  It keeps him occupied and he gets a healthy snack! I make sure I grab a produce bag to throw it in when it's time to checkout.  My friend, Jess Wehner, gives her kiddo popcorn to snack on while she shops.

4.  Let the kids help.  Ben loves putting things in the cart, opening the frozen food doors, and putting things onto the checkout belt.

5. Try to go right after or long before a nap is due.  After breakfast is the best time for us.

Need a little more encouragement?  Just think - I know bringing my kids to the store can be a good thing because I don't have the luxury of just "looking around" - and for me, that translates to saving money! haha

Happy Shopping, Friends!

Just A Thought Thursday

Hey Ben, you might want to reconsider your "hugging" technique - it strongly resembles a headlock.  

Just a thought.

Feel free to leave your own 'just a thought' on this photo in the comment section below!

Wisdom Wednesday: I Was Going To...

I Was Going To...
    By Sarah Nurmi

I was going to teach until retirement... but my kids took priority.

I was going to stay out late with friends...but my kids took priority.

I was going to scrapbook and make cards last night... but my kids took priority.

I was going to have a guest room... but my kids took priority.

I was going to get ALL the laundry done in one day... but my kids took priority.

I was going to buy some new clothes...but my kids took priority.

I was going to go on an evening run... but my kids took priority.

I was going to take a shower...but my kids took priority.

I was going to be a self-seeking, self-interested, egocentric ME ME ME... but my kids took priority.



Thank you, Benjamin Eero & Gianna Brooklyn for teaching me what it truly means to love others more than you love yourself.

Toddler Tip Tuesday: Why Didn't I Think of That??

I came across Today's Toddler Tip in Parents Magazine:  

Juice box in a cup.

It has all the fun & excitement of a juice box, yet eliminates the mess that little squeeze-happy hands make! 

Yay for simple, easy fixes!

Not Me Monday: June 11th

I did [NOT] get to the store and 5 minutes later walk out because Ben would not sit down in the cart basket, was choking his sister, and then proceeded to jump in the cart. *sigh*

I did [NOT] totally spaz out when I couldn’t figure out how to install Ben’s car seat

I was [NOT] absolutely ecstatic over getting a dresser & nightstand to put in the loft for a very modest price – Thanks Jack & Amy Hough!!! (That’s when you know you are getting old… you get giddy over furniture!)

I did [NOT] use Ben’s uneaten chicken nuggets to put in my salad and considered it my protein for the day.

And finally, I did [NOT] use the booster seat and high chair as means of containing my kids so I could finish folding laundry without having my hard work strewn across the room.

What is something you did [NOT] do this week?

Nothin' Fancy Friday: Personalized (Bathroom) Decor

As we are getting settled after our move, I am having fun coming up with ways to decorate and, of course, organize our new home.

I just finished the kids' bathroom.  I love trying to define a space belonging to the kids, but I still want it to look classy. I'm not that into the cutesy froggy shower curtain with matching toothbrush holder and soap dispenser.  So, here is the look I went for:

I took some bath time pics of the kids, edited them on my computer (I don't have any fancy programs, I just use Windows Live - which came with my computer), then had 8 1/2 X 10 photos printed from Walmart.com.  They were just under $3 a piece I think.

 Gigi girl in her ducky towel!

Ben with a bubble beard!

Then, I found matted frames at Walmart for just $5!  Here are the photos all framed up and ready to hang:

Then I added this little gem on the vanity - it makes me smile every time I see it :)

Here it is all put together

And there you have it!  Of course, it all looks much better in person, but you get the idea! My next project will be the "playroom" in the loft.

*ANOTHER IDEA:  I originally printed those photos with the intention of hanging their towel beneath their picture - but after I picked up the photos I realized one was portrait and one was landscape so it didn't quite look right.  I'll hold on to that idea for next time, or when I feel like we need a change. :)

Wisdom Wednesday: Qualified?

Have you ever felt called to do something, but after giving it some extra thought decided you weren't "qualified" or "good enough" for the job?  It could be anything.  Maybe you felt a nudge to serve in your local church, homeless shelter, nursing home, etc. Maybe you've always wanted to volunteer in your kid's classroom, or offer help to a neighbor.  Maybe you wish you had a different job - that "dream" job. Then you second guessed yourself and it became a distant thought, at best.

Well, I heard a phrase the other day:

God doesn't choose the qualified, He qualifies the chosen.

What does that mean anyway?  It means if you truly feel that God is pointing you in a direction - that He has chosen for you - that you feel you aren't good enough, skilled enough, had enough training in... it doesn't matter.  God will pave the way for you. You just need to make your next step the first step. He will take it from there ;)

Toddler Tip Tuesday: Stranger Danger!

I picked up this great tip from my friend Nicole W...  

One of our biggest fears as parents is that our child(ren) will be abducted or kidnapped.  My toddler tip today: A Secret Password.  If anyone is to pick your child up from school, a party, practice, the park, etc. then they MUST tell your child the "secret password."  If the adult doesn't know the password, your child knows it is not safe to go anywhere with him/her.  It is important that your kiddo knows that it is a secret - that is not to be shared with anyone. Mommy and daddy are the ONLY ones who may share this special word with anyone.  Practice scenarios with your kids, too.  This will make them well equipped to deal with such a situation – God forbid it ever occurs.

I know I can’t implement this quite yet with Ben or Gigi but I certainly plan to when the time comes!  

Not Me Monday :: June 4th

When checking out a new church this weekend, I DID NOT almost laugh out loud in the middle of prayer when I realized the pastor reminded me of Schmidty from The New Girl 

#celebritylookalike 

 After coming back downstairs from changing Gigi's diaper, I DID NOT find Ben's legs and feet covered in pen #toddlerart 

 After hiring a babysitter to watch the kids so we could finish moving the last of our things to our new place, we DID NOT use some of that time to eat dinner out 

#minidate 

 And finally, I DID NOT say I would be "clocking out" of this blog until April 18th, only to return June 4th ;) #oops

 So tell me... What is something you did [not] do this week?? 

 ::: Happy Would-Be Birthday, Mom!!! Miss you so so much <3 :::

By Popular Demand...

Lately I have had several friends ask about and comment on my blog and how they love(d) reading it. Thank you, friends, for this encouragement! I took a sabbatical of sorts from the blogging world, but by popular demand I'm back!! I can't say that I will post everyday as I originally - and so ambitiously - set out to do when I created Can't Clock Out. But, I will do my best to keep inquiring minds inquired :) Enjoy!