Category: The Macaroni Mama Blog

Macaroni Mama tips, stories and facts about my family.

The Macaroni Mama Blog

Our New Normal

Christine

Hello friends!! Week two of quarantine has begun as well as our distance learning programs.

I have a 6th grader, a 3rd grader, and a preschooler. The girls have been doing really well, the teacher’s plans, instructions, and guidance has been wonderful. Emails have been returned quickly when we have questions.

I must admit I enjoy working with my preschooler, it’s fun to see what he’s learning and guide him along the way. He just started reading books and it’s amazing to see how quickly he’ll be a full-on reader.

We’ve been sticking to a school schedule, getting outside time. It’s been 60 degrees here so that is helpful. All that snow has melted away.

The kids have been getting their PE time via Youtube with Joe Wick’s daily PE classes, super fun, and the kids love it. He’s a PE teacher and will post a new workout each weekday.

    My kids enjoying their workouts with Joe!

    Hang in there Mamas, you are doing great and remember to take it one day at a time.

    Health, The Macaroni Mama Blog

    Give Us This Day Our Daily Schedule

    Christine

    Hello friends, self-quarantine day three, just had to stop and check it is Wednesday, lol.

    We have not started distance learning since we are still on spring break. The weather in Colorado has been warm so we have been getting outside most days.

    I had to make a schedule for us to limit screen time and get in some spring cleaning. I’ve scheduled a few donation pickups to get motivated.

    I made the schedule for our family just to give some sort of structure. I told my husband that I feel like the movie Groundhog’s Day, the same thing over and over.

    There have been many schedules popping up online, that you can just Google. I’ll attach mine as well.

    I didn’t type it all fancy because who has time for that?!?

    I’ve told my kids things are flexible and may change but we are organizing, purging and I know I feel better when my kitchen counter is uncluttered and things are organized.

    Just find what keeps you calm and do it one day at a time.

    Health, The Macaroni Mama Blog

    Social Distancing, Self-Quarantine and Coronavirus oh my…

    Christine

    Well, friends, it has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks so say the least. Last week my husband and I were packing to go on a 2nd honeymoon of sorts with a Southern Caribbean cruise. There was a bit of concern over this Coronavirus thing that was happening far away in China but nothing too bad, right?!?

    Cut to Friday where we decided to postpone our cruise, the kids are on a home learning program, mass panic in all the grocery stores, and a two-week quarantine for us all.

    Wait, what? How did we get here so fast? Being in the travel industry, I was constantly checking my email, business Facebook pages, cruise line Websites, Disney Websites, everything, I was on my phone constantly. It was very overwhelming, all over the travel industry, they were changing their iron-clad cancellation policies.

    I had some clients cancel, move things around and postpone including myself. I have been on hold countless hours to help my clients. Although the travel industry has taken so many hits right now, I know it will bounce back stronger and better. And I think Travel Advisors will flourish in the future. You want an advocate to fight for you, reschedule for you, be up to date on all the current news because, at times like this, the information was pouring in so quickly and changing hourly, how can my client keep up.

    I decided while the kids are home I am cutting back on social media, you guys, it was draining me. I was panicked, fearful and stressed out.

    I need to refocus on my family, our blessings and know that He has got this. My kids need to feel safe and I need to provide that for them.

    In these uncertain times, I can only pray, take care of my family, count my blessing, wash my hands and take it one day at a time. Raise your hand if you loved that show?

    Health, The Macaroni Mama Blog

    Snow Much Time at Home

    Christine

    In Denver, we have had a rough, cold winter so far. We usually get more sunny days than in Hawaii. But this winter has seemed looong, dark and cold. We haven’t had those days where you can go to the park and play. There is too much snow and ice and the playgrounds are all muddy.

    The cold and flu this year is pretty bad as well so we have been laying low so to speak and trying to avoid the germs out there too.

    This season, I am struggling with was to burn off my kid’s energy.

    My 5-year-old is a homebody, to begin with, and loves a good PJ day so he is more than happy to stay at home.

    Since he is Junior Kindergarten, we get a homework packet to do each week, so we do that daily. We also do some other type of school work, either cutting paper, writing our name or learning letters and numbers.

    He is in a huge Lego phase right now, so he loves to play with those. Our basement is like a Lego minefield at the moment.

    I also put all the many, many, many Christmas presents that Grandma and Grandpa had given my kids under my bed. My kids know whenever we are super bored, I let J pull a new toy from there. I also try to rotate toys so an “old” toy seems “new” again.

    Do you want to build a snowman? All else fails, bundle up, go outside and play in the snow with your kiddos. Make sure you have hot chocolate when you return, one of our favorites.

    A mom needs to be creative when stuck in the house. I also let him pick out 3 long books, that honestly at bedtime, I’m too tired to read. So I let J pick them out and he loves for me to read him these “special long books”.

    Some activities I’d like to try more are:

    • Homemade Playdough
    • More Arts and craft projects
    • Indoor picnic
    • Teddy Bear tea party
    • Make our own children’s book

    What are some of your favorite snow day activities? Please share in the comments below.

    Health

    January 2020

    Christine

    The New Year has come, there has been a lot about this being the new decade, a fresh start etc.

    I have fallen prey to that as well. Not so much as a New Years Resolution but more changing things in my life.

    I’ve kinda started with my 100 days to my birthday challenge. I have changed my mindset with my weight loss/lifestyle change.

    I started a gratitude journal each day.

    I’ve incorporated daily exercise, since my surgery it’s really been only walking but I can do it from home on my treadmill whilst I watch some reality TV. It’s a win-win.

    I’ve been doing daily training for my travel business, whether it’s destination training, resort training or listening to a Podcast on sales.

    I’ve been reading 15 pages of a self-development book daily.

    So January as come and gone and I’m still implementing my daily healthy habits, professionally and personally.

    The older I get, the easier I think it is to just keep the status quo. But I know my dreams and goals are bigger than that and I need to dream big which entails pushing me out of my comfort zone.

    To quote the book I’m reading “Chase the Lion” if your dream doesn’t scare you, it’s not big enough.

    2020 mantra perhaps?

    The Macaroni Mama Blog

    Mondays

    Christine

    I don’t know about you but a Monday after a school break is rough. We have gotten into a lazy, sleeping in routine. Not so much sleeping in but just stay in bed and rest since we don’t have to get up mode.

    I woke up dreading what lies ahead, waking up cranky, tired kids, thinking of something to make them for lunch, do we have matching socks today?

    On the bright side, only 3 weeks until Christmas vacation.

    Health

    WW

    Christine

    I’ve been on this health journey for a few months now and I feel like I was back and forth and back and forth. If I wasn’t seeing “fast” results I would jump over to a very restrictive yet “fast losing” program. After a few days of deprivation, I would totally fall off the wagon which would lead to guilt and more eating.

    I was in this cycle for a long time, probably the last 12 years. I’ve always felt that Weight Watchers was more of a lifestyle change that I could do forever. I always had it in the back of my head that this would do that program after I lost all my weight from one of these quick programs.

    Well, friends that have not worked and I go into this deprive/binge cycle. I have recommitted to Weight Watchers, now WW. No matter how slow or fast the weight comes off, it will come off and I am learning how to live my life.

    This week I was tempted to return to this quick fix program after I had not lost any weight this week. But I held strong and said no, keep with it, you will lose those pounds. You will see this through.

    Every time I go back to WW, I feel a sense of calm, a sense of peace. My family eats healthier with more fruits and veggies in the house and my kids are learning healthy eating habits.

    Join me on WW’s Freestyle program. With WW Freestyle,  It’s easier than ever to eat what you love & lose weight. Here’s one month free to explore!

    https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/invite-friends

    Around Town, The Macaroni Mama Blog

    The Best Laid Plans

    Christine
    Image result for best laid plans meme

    Fall break didn’t go as planned, I got a terrible sinus infection and ended up on the couch basically the entire time. Two rounds of antibiotics,, and two weeks of rest, finally did the trick.

    The kids slept over my mom’s house one day and had a fun day of shopping with her.

    Towards the end of the week I had to work at church and the kids came with me and hung out for most of the time and played with friends. I’m so thankful my job allows that.

    I had serious momguilt so I took them to Sky Zone on Friday so they could burn off some energy. It was crazy busy during Fall break but they jumped for 2 hours and had a blast.

    And Sunday after church, we went to the Museum of Nature and Science. We closed it down at 5PM and my oldest was in such a hurry to leave, she was terrified we would be locked inside the museum, like in the movie Night in the Museum, so funny!

    Overall, not what I had planned but sometime, slowing down and resting is what you need.

    And guess what, the kids enjoyed their break. I need to remind myself that sometimes, its OK to not be going here and there and just being together is enough.

    The Macaroni Mama Blog

    Pajama Day

    Christine

    With three kids and all their activities, school work, church, etc. we are super busy.

    Some days it’s just go, go, go.

    But every once in awhile, we STOP, stay in our pajamas, play games, watch a movie, maybe even bake something. And we don’t leave the house, just relax and spend time together.

    It’s much needed and the kids love it. And I think I love it even more.

    Of course you need some cute jammies, like these cute ones from Kohls.

    The Macaroni Mama Blog

    Fall Break

    Christine

    I can’t believe that next week is the kids Fall Break.

    I usually get a calendar out and plan out each day with crafts and/or outings.

    This year it’s a museum day, pumpkin patch day, maybe even do some baking another day. Our local library is doing a Fall Fest that week too so that will be another outing.

    We’ll try to get a Pajama Day in as well.

    As they get older we have to schedule around team practices and some appointments.

    I will be thrilled to have a week of no homework and not having to pack school lunches.