June 24, 2024
Monday, the 17th – Today, we tried an activity that I had seen on TikTok and it was a smashing success! Seriously, if you have young children, try this!!! I call it the “Animal Clean Up Station”. It was originally for Farm Animals. However, I wanted this to be an activity where I used materials around my home, but I could only find a few farm animals and then some zoo animals.
Needed materials – chocolate cake mix, bowl for cake mix, bowl for water, animals of your choice (farm, zoo, dinosaurs, etc.), tooth brush, water, and soap.
Step 1: You need a bucket/pan and a box of Chocolate Cake Mix. (If you have multiple kids that don’t like to share, have one bucket per child). I had one box of cake mix and I split it in half for my two children. This box was approximately $2 at Food Lion.
Step 2: Put water in the bins and mix until you have create a muddy substance. You can make this as thick or as wet as you want. (For a thick mud, add less water and for more liquid, add more.)
Step 3: Find animals around your house, preferably with no holes, slits, or cut outs in them. You will then place the animals in the muddy substance.
Step 4: Grab a third bowl and feel it with soapy water. I would suggest using your child’s hair/body wash that won’t burn their eyes. Create your soapy water, grab or mud / animals, and go outside because it get’s a little messy! Also, slide the animals in the mud until they are covered.
Step 5: Get your child(ren) a toothbrush and let them go at it! The goal is for them to use the toothbrush and soapy water to clean the “mud” off of their animals. My kids spent an hour doing this, it was wonderful!
Tuesday, the 18th – Today, my mama and I decided to take the boys to Chuck E Cheese, followed by Sonic for their playground and lunch. Since Reed is 4 an Dawson is 2, their attention span is not very long. We decided to play games at Chuck E Cheese for 30 minutes. The price for each child to have unlimited games for 30 minutes was $20, totaling to $40 for both of my kids. If you are thinking of taking your toddler to Chuck E Cheese, definitely be mindful of whether or not they will actually use the game card for 30 minutes. However, my boys played so good and had a great time, I’m sure yours will too!
After Chuck E Cheese, we took the boys to Sonic for a snack and to play on the playground. They loved it!
**For this trip, we went to Goldsboro!
Wednesday, the 19th – Today, we visited a friends home to eat lunch and play on their waterslide. My friend does have kids of her own, but they are a little bit older than my two, and LOVE playing with Reed and Dawson. And of course, my kids love having their attention.
If you are considering a water slide, but scared to spend the money…. JUST DO IT!!!
We had this one when Dawson was born. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098DFX45R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Lol today my friend was in the giving mood and gave the boys (and my husband) their GOATS. I don’t know who was more excited… my kids, my husband, or Megan because she was sick of them. But, we have now added two goats to our farm. Megan ALSO chose to give their toddler kitchen to my boys and they LOVE it. They never received a kitchen due to it being a “girly” toys. Instead, we decided to give them a grill instead. However, they absolutely love the kitchen so much more than the grill. (If you are a boy mama and they want a kitchen, just get it. Lol don’t be like me.)
Thursday, the 20th – Today, I took Reed to his very first movie at the theater. We went to see Inside Out 2 with two of his friends while Dawson stayed with our babysitter. (Dawson is not into movies and will not sit still!) We use one of the movie theaters in Jacksonville; Kalli 12. I linked it below. It is a very nice theater, but it does get a little warm. However, we use it every time, so the warmth is not too bad to where we won’t go back!
Theater Link – https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/greenville-nc/amc-classic-kalli-12?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=local
Tip #1 – Buy candy prior to going to the movie. We stocked up at the Dollar General Market in Beulaville. They have a ton of $1 candy. I also got him a character juice to have during the movie.
Tip #2 – Sit at the end of the aisle incase you and your child need to get up during the movie.
Friday, the 21st – Today, I took both of the boys to a local church’s Life Center for an aquarium show. The Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shore had an event through our library, so we decided (last minute) to meet some friends. It was fun, but I did confirm that you should ALWAYS bring snacks if you have a toddler. Whether it is for 30 minutes or 3 hours… bring snacks! It also won’t hurt to bring some for other kids. Lol I have learned that when you are with a group of kids and one child is having a snack, the other kids always want some.
Later that evening, we went to my brother’s girlfriend’s graduation party. My youngest found a new love for balloons. Seriously, he played “bayball” the entire time we were inside! Right after dinner, the boys and I went to the playground for them to run freely. It doesn’t matter where we are… if there is a playground, we find it.
Saturday, the 22nd – Today, Jared played in a Softball tournament for the majority of the day. It was a fairly hot day, but the boys did so good!!! After the tournament, we went for dinner at The Mad Boar for my brother’s birthday. We love The Mad Boar for many reasons. Two of which are; we never have to wait for a table and there is live music on Saturday nights. However, for this dinner, we did make a reservation earlier in the day. https://www.madboar.com/
Tip: Back a “Possibly Bag” and keep in the back of your car for when you may possibly need it!! I often am rushing out of the house and with two toddlers, it is very easy to forget small items like sunscreen. It is very nice to have a bag in the back of your car that has extra supplies in the case that you forget something at home OR make a list minute decision to do something fun. In this bag I keep, but do not limit, the following:
– Toddler an extra outfit, You an extra outfit, Diapers, Wipes, Toddler Undies, Sunscreen, Bug Repellant, Bathing Suit, Towel, Chair (not in your bag), etc..
Sunday, the 23rd – Today, we went to my parents’ house for my sister’s graduation party. It was very hot, but it turned out really good. If you live in Eastern NC, then you know how stinkin hot it is right now. DRINK YOUR WATER!
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This week turned out to be very busy for us! However, I thrive off of a busy schedule because it prevents me from sitting inside, miserable and over stimulated, with two toddlers that are bored and destroying the house with their toys. I also thrive off of my Cleaning Chart that I talked about in my last blog. (If you missed it, make sure to back and read it to get more information and to get visuals!)
With my cleaning chart, I dedicate one week day to a specific room in my house. This helps my entire house stay (somewhat) clean. However, I don’t mean that every room stays spotless after one day. What I do mean is; Do you have time to wake up and clean your toilets, wipe down your ceiling fans, dust your cabinets, wash your bed sheets, and clean your shower? No, you probably don’t have time for all of that and if you do.. then you probably spent all day and you more than likely didn’t clean everything that needed it. My cleaning chart helps by giving all of those tasks it’s own day. However, there are multiple things we could do for a specific room, but if you don’t want to deep clean the entire room, just focus on one task! (Example: For your kitchen, this Tuesday you can clean out your refrigerator and next Tuesday, you can clean your oven.) You don’t have to spend all day on that room. With my cleaning chart, I typically spend about an hour to two hours cleaning.
**This cleaning chart does not include dishes, laundry, and basic cleaning (toys, post dinner, vacuuming, sweeping, etc). This gets done every day, as needed.
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If you made it through the entirety of this blog, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Come back next Monday for another Summer Week Recap!
Talk soon,
Taylor <3
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