Bonus Post - A pep-talk is always a good idea.

I am feeling a little down on myself today after eating all those brownies, not being fun enough to the kids, not being able to instantly heal the little infection on baby-girl's finger and not magically transforming this house into a clean, tidy sanctuary-ish oasis.

This is a little pep-talk dedicated to me, from me. You are welcome to share it if you need a pep talk too. I think everyone deserves a little pep talk. On second thought, I dedicate it to you instead of me. (its still a little bit for me though, ok.)

-You have lots of good things going for you. You just need to open up your mind to the positive things around you.
-Your house is not perfect because it is not a show-home, it is a family home. So what if there is a little pee on the floor in the bathroom, that's what four year old's do.
-So, you didn't fit in breakfast or lunch, you ate some junk instead. You did make a big salad that included all four food groups for a snack. You can make some more good choices for the rest of the day because there is no junk in the house left to eat.
-That little baby that is crying, again, still loves you and doesn't care that your hair is a mess, the house is a mess, your clothes are a mess and that you really would rather be sleeping right now. She just cares that you are there to hold her. You can do that.

....baby crying. yup. She doesn't care about pep talks either. I can go hold her though. I've got this.

Good luck everyone. Positive thoughts, positive life, positive results.
YOU CAN DO IT!

My drug experiment (also known as trying coffee)

For starters, I am not a coffee drinker. I hate the taste. I LOVE the aroma. 
When I read a hilarious entry to one of my favorite blogs this week Parenting, Illustrated with Crappy Pictures, I started thinking about taking up the habit.  It is, after all, safer than cocaine. 
(No, Stupid, I have not and will not try cocaine)


For years I have watched other people as they mutter the words "I need a coffee" before they can do anything that requires mental alertness. I rolled my eyes at them. Eat some fruit and have a glass of cold water I say. I have always had enough energy to sort of keep up with my boys and the house and everything. Why would I need to start a caffeine addiction? It tastes nasty. 


So, anyways, Crappy Mom illustrates a compelling scenario. More energy to make life more fun for the kids, I start to envision this. Looks good. I am  a little less energetic after having baby #3 a couple of months ago. I am getting more and more interested in this coffee phenomenon. Thinking of the children after all. I start to envision myself running back and forth giggling with the boys, staying peppy, doing smiley bicep curls with the baby... All of this could be worth the yuck and nasty after-breath of a heavenly scented coffee. 
I think this calls for an experimental moment!!!


I am a beginner at coffee so, I start slow. I will infuse a little coffee into my beloved hot chocolate. My mesh loose tea ball thingy looks like a good way to deliver coffee to the hot chocolate. I scoop some of the coffee into the mesh ball thing and swirl it around my mug. Much of the coffee makes it through the mesh. Eww. I am determined though. Nothing will stop me from trying Experiment Coffee Buzz. I smell the concoction, smells good. I taste it... tastes like coffee that wants to be something better, like a hot chocolate. I drink it anyways and wait for the magic to happen. Fifteen minutes or so later I text my husband. He drinks coffee sometimes to combat fatigue and be a better parent; he would know about this stuff. His brilliant reply is this, "coffee works when you believe it works". Maybe I should go full tilt next time and have an actual coffee? The only difference I noticed was an unusual facial tick in the chin/lower lip area. Was it the coffee? Don't care cause I really need to brush my teeth and swish a little mouthwash now.


I think I'll stick to cold water and fruit. My kids will never experience a perky coffee-mom. Sorry guys, Experimental Failure.