Family

Do you do date nights with your kids

July 19, 2011 by Jennifer 3 Comments

Date nights have become such awesome experiences this summer with our girls. Now, ever since we have had kids, my husband and I would do dates with both girls with us. For example, I would take the girls out to lunch and a manicure altogether. Hubby would take the girls out for breakfast. Last month we decided to change up the dates. We started one-on-one dates with our girls. Hubby would take M and go on a special outing. I would take L and go on a special outing. Then the next week, we would switch girls and go on another outing. The girls are enjoying every minute of these dates. The quality time they are getting with each parent is what makes this so special in their eyes. Even hubby and I have to admit, that we are really enjoying it so much as well.

M proclaimed on the last date:

This has been the best day mommy and daddy.

5 dates you can do with your kids this summer

1. Go to the movies. So many great movies are on the big screen now that are suitable for kids and adults. It is a great way to beat the heat too.

2. Visit a local museum. There are so many children’s museums across the country. Pick one and go be a kid for the day. Your child will love you getting on their level for a change.

3. Enjoy an ice cream cone. What child doesn’t love some good ole fashion ice cream cones? If you can’t do dairy then enjoy a smoothie or sno-cone instead. Turning off your cell phones and enjoy a conversation with just you and your child while enjoying a delicious treat.

4. Go to breakfast. The girls love having Dunkin Donut dates with daddy. They get to enjoy a special donut and daddy gets to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee. Win-win for daddy and child.

5. Head to the park. Swinging on the swings, sliding down the slide, chasing the child through the park are all things that will brings lots of smiles to a child face. Just knowing they have your undivided attention will mean the world to them.

Have fun, create special memories and enjoy the quality one-on-one time. The dates will be memories forever in your child’s mind.

How I became the breadwinner

July 12, 2011 by Jennifer 17 Comments

The question comes up a lot in conversations that I have had lately, “How did you become the breadwinner in your family?”

Being a new media mom has definitely been a big perk for my family. It all started when I went on maternity leave with my oldest daughter M. I planned to take 12 weeks of leave. After the 11th week, my supervisor called me to set-up my return date. This hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew right then, there was no way that I could leave my 12 week old baby girl and go to work. My supervisor tried all kinds of schedule arrangements, but it all came down to me ultimately turning in my resignation. I wanted to be the one to raise my baby girl. After I decided not to go back to my corporate job after my maternity leave, I stepped out on a leap of faith and began researching work at home jobs. My first telecommuting job was with Hotels.com. It allowed me to still provide to the family income, all the while still being able to be home with my baby girl. I have telecommuted ever since. Back in 2005, I began to get into internet marketing and started my blog here at OneMomsWorld.com. Ever since then, I have watched the world wide web grow into more of a Web 2.0 web. I knew that Social Media was calling my name and I reached out full force into the social media world. Here I am today, fulfilling my dream in being a social media consultant.

Does work at home moms lack social skills?

The one thing I was very surprised, is how much I would miss adult conversations. I know once my husband would arrive home, I would talk his ear off. He would always comment, I see you didn’t get to talk to anyone else today HA! I have a huge network of online friends that we all have been talking online since early 2003. We all met through a work at home message board and have been great friends and supporting partners ever since. We may have never met in person, but we always know we are there for each other. It is pretty funny to look back on because, you never heard of mom bloggers back in 2004 or 2005 when we all first started and now the internet is so filled with wonderful mom bloggers. Technology is so awesome. Now with social media being such a huge world, I never lack adult conversations anymore. The only thing I lack is being able to shower and get us all dressed before 9am!

So you may ask, well exactly how did you get into the social media world?

I love talking about my kids and sharing our adventures, so what better way than to use social media and blog our adventures. Sharing parenting views and encouraging other parents is what I love to do each and every day. It is just an extra perk to get paid for what you love to do! In all seriousness, success is what you make of your life. If you have a passion for something, run with your passion. I do say though, you definitely need to make sure you have a balance in your work and your family. I make sure to develop weekly plans and outings for my girls. We will have craft time, technology time, and rest time so I can ensure I am getting in my work hours and the girls are not just sitting around doing nothing. The girls can be right there with me on their kid’s table doing the activities so they feel like they are “working” as well!

Grow your network with what you are passionate about. Network with other moms on Facebook and Twitter. Social Media has allowed me to make such lifelong friendships with so many great moms. We understand each other and I will always have encouragement and support at every minute of every hour. You never know who you network with can lead to a job as well, so make sure you are presenting yourself in a positive manner.

My passion is what has helped me get where I am today, sit and think… “What is my passion” – Pray and let God lead you in the direction you need to be in. You may have to start out small just like I did with my small gig with hotels.com but those small gigs are stepping stones to your one ultimate big gig. My ultimate big gig has me now being the breadwinner in the family.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to answer. Remember, The sky is the limit. Keep reaching for the stars!

Can Horses Really Provide Family Fun

July 11, 2011 by Jennifer 3 Comments

If you ask this certain question to my 6 year old, her answer would obviously be yes, but what about if we asked everyone else? We were able to see firsthand if horses really do provide family fun while we were at the Dixie Stampede in Branson, MO.

Our first glimpse of the horses was outside during the meet and greet before the pre-show. L’s eyes got really big and she would carefully study each horse as we walked by.

After taking in all the horses, it was time to head inside and grab our drinks. We had a pre-show to attend.

From the juggling balls flying everywhere to pigs chasing you, this video will be one of the best two minutes you have spent in a long time.

Are you slapping your knee and cheering along with the crowd? I knew you would. Let the fun not stop with just the entertainment. You are served a complete 4 course meal at the Dixie Stampede. Only problem, you are not served with any silverware. Both girls looked at me: “Mommy, how are we suppose to eat our food?” Your hands are your silverware my dears, yes!

The best creamy vegetable soup you will be served and a delicious mouth watering biscuit.

The food continues to come all through the show, so make sure you come hungry.

Full meal:

* A Mouth-Watering Tender Whole Rotisserie Chicken
* Delicious Hickory Smoked Barbecued Pork Loin
* Dixie Stampede’s Original Creamy Vegetable Soup
* Scrumptious Homemade Biscuit
* Hot Buttered Corn on the Cob
* Tasty Herb-basted Potato
* Dixie’s very own Specialty Dessert
* Unlimited Pepsi®, tea or coffee

The whole family will be raising their hands in cheering on the north vs. south, so be prepared for lots of laughs, screaming, singing and best of all – clean family fun!

We cannot wait to go back and experience the Dixie Stampede again. Until next time my folks….

Disclosure: Thank you to Dixie Stampede for inviting my family to a wonderful evening. I was not compensated for this post.

From NC Mountains to Utah Mountains

July 8, 2011 by Jennifer 5 Comments

Mama here took flight across the US yesterday to the beautiful state of Utah. I have wanted to visit here for a really long time and thanks to work finally was able to travel here. After seeing this beautiful state, I am definitely putting it on our bucket list so I can bring out hubby and the girls to experience this amazing state.

I knew once we reached the snow cap mountains in the airplane, this state would have me at hello.

After landing, got in the rental car and headed to the mountains in Park City, Utah. Look at this landscape.

I get to my room here at Canyons Resort and immediately go out on my balcony off my room and the view is breathtaking. I immediately had to take a picture and send home.

As soon as I saw all the kids in the pool, I started missing my girls even more. They would love it here.

Once the temps outside started dipping, the fireplace was perfect. I have missed a fireplace so much!

I can’t wait to share more pictures of my time here. Definitely recommend for a family vacation though with what I have seen so far. I will keep you posted.

How to have July 4th family fun

July 4, 2011 by Jennifer 3 Comments

Come on down to NC and a fun time is definitely in store for the entire family. We started out our July 4th fun in Blowing Rock, NC where they had their festivities on Saturday. The morning starts with fun games for the kids.

My precious M loves the outdoors as you can see. The girls headed with my Aunt for some water fun at the lake while hubby and I stayed to watch the beautiful hometown parade.

After picnic fun with the cousins in the afternoon, we headed over to the Blowing Rock Country Club for the fireworks show.

M was so excited to see all the fireworks as you can see here:

We then finally headed home after two weeks on the road and took part in our hometown festivities here with our wonderful friends over at Carolina Mama.

We had an absolute blast… take 2 minutes and join in the fun.

It was time to get in from the heat and enjoy some delicious 4th of July treats.

Cherry Yum-Yum that I came up with based off my Aunt’s recipe = 4pts Weight Watchers!

Red, white and blue stuffed strawberries. I changed up the recipe to make it zero points weight watchers. I used fat-free whip cream instead of cream cheese.

We topped off the evening with a Patriotic Mocktail!

Hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July! Here’s to more fun summer memories to come… :::cheers:::

Family

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