Category: Mumsie Madness

The College Freshman is Coming Home!

So, the college freshman is coming home for the first time since August to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family.  Now we are all sooo excited to see her and can’t wait for her to walk through that door!  However, she has not bothered to call, text or send an email in the last 2 months…unless of course she needed something and then it was all about her:)  Let me say that I realize this is absolutely normal, but….it still irritates me. 

So my question to you Chix is do I just ignore the issue and enjoy the few days that she is home, or do I casually bring up her lack of communication before she leaves to go and finish out her semester.  I do not want to seem needy, but an occasional note to say that she is still in the land of the living would be just lovely:)  I have sent her many lovely notes over the past few months…

Let me just make it clear that I am not looking for long drawn out conversations with my offspring while she is at college…because I know that she is ohh so busy with those 12 credits that she is taking.  Not having to work and only taking 12 credits…..seems like an absolute vacation to me; funnily enough I think that she may be treating it as such.  I realize that college freshman need to find their way and fly….but completely ignoring texts, hmmmmm…I know that she answers ALL of the other texts that she receives as I get the bill. Just the ones sent by her parents lay sadly unanswered….lol.

Last week I saw another mom of a college freshman at the grocery store and she asked how my offspring was faring.  I noted that she absolutely loved school and the reason that I knew this was that I had not heard from her.  This other mom eagerly agreed and added that her offspring also did not answer her texts and she felt incredibly hurt by the lack of communication. 

She went as far to tell me that she had bought a book on how to deal with sending your child off to college and the changes that will occur.  Well that made me feel a bit better as I was not actually hurt by my offspring (I realize that it is normal), but that I was more irritatingly amused by the entire situation.  Off to work I schlep every morning at the crack of dawn, as my DD sleeps until noon daily and attends 12 hours of class a week.  Hmmmmm….something seems wrong with this situation.  The least she can do is send me some motivating notes or messages that will encourage me to keep going to work so that I can pay for her fun!

Any of you chix out there with thoughts on this issue…..feel free to chime in and let me know how you would handle or NOT handle this situation. 

ZippyChix Recap:

  1. The college freshman is coming home for Thanksgiving….hug her tightly or lecture her incessantly for lack of communication??
  2. Should your child feel obligated to call their parent occasionally, answer texts, and emails…or is it OK for them to ignore parental attempts at communication?
  3. Who remembers those college days…sleeping until noon, partying all night…hmmm maybe I am just envious and want to vicariously relive those years:)

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love, 

The Zippy Chix

22 Comments by admin on November 18, 2010
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Teacher Gifts for the Holidays

So, I’m gearing up for the holiday rush, and truly love this time of year.  I reminisce over the magical experiences I have had over the years, both as a child and as a parent.  My kids have already had the Elf on the Shelf make his first appearance, and the excitement vibrates through our house every morning when “Benny” is found after his gleeful evening at the North Pole.  Like clockwork my kids are on their best behavior…I should have started this earlier!!  We are happy and contented as we eagerly approach the holidays. 

However, I have a question for my fellow bloggers….at what point do you cap teacher gifts?  Between bus drivers, CCD teachers, classroom teachers and speech therapists, I have calculated 19 individual gifts from my children.  Granted I give token gifts (often bought from Lakeside Collections), but I know that the list could be expanded to include PE teachers, music teachers, school secretaries, school principal, etc…but at some point I have to say NO!  I am thankful for all the people who care for my children, but the holidays can bring insanity with it, and I’m all about staying light and breezy too!

Does anyone have a rule of thumb for calculating gift giving to people who work closely with your child or children?  What are some popular gift ideas?  I personally like to give edible gifts, such as muffin or cookie mixes in jars , or scent diffusers in holiday containers.  These gifts can be found for as little as $5.00 to $10.00 a piece, which adds up when you have a long list of receivers!  In my opinion, teachers most likely receive several small gifts from many children, and over the years this can probably be a bit daunting if the items create a sense of hoarding.  They don’t quite know what to do with the gifts, but don’t want to get rid of them for sentimental reasons.  For this reason, I like to provide gifts that can only last a short period of time…What are your thoughts??

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

9 Comments by admin on November 11, 2010
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Homework Horror

Whatever happened to the rule…10 minutes of homework per grade?  I must be seriously delusional for believing that!   I find that I become heavy footed and begin stomping around my kitchen every time I open my third grader’s backpack.  I’ve been known to sigh and mumble disapproving words under my breath, consciously monitoring my inclination to emit a string of curse words…With my mental temper tantrum in full rage, I look to my sweet child whose innocent enthusiasm to be given a “special project” is endearing.  I then make a willful attempt to back down from the proverbial edge, remind myself that I am a responsible grown-up, and make a half-hearted stab at encouragement muttering the lie, “This looks like fun.”

My third grader, who has historically been compliant and independent with her homework, had three hours of homework last Monday and two hours last Tuesday….that was just the start of the week!  Indeed, the whole year has not been this intense, but if this is a new trend, I am not liking it!  As part of the over-researched generation, I took to the internet to give me some guidance.  I found several bids that indicate that the 10 minute rule per grade is appropriate.  In fact, the National Education Association sites that the National PTA recommends just this.  What I found interesting, were a few articles that discussed the link between elementary school homework and achievement.  One such article references a well-known psychologist from Duke University, Harris M. Cooper, who is an expert on homework (I never knew there was such a thing).  His research has shown that although there appears to be a correlation between homework and improved achievement among middle and high school aged students, there appears to be no significant improvement in achievement for elementary school aged students.

When it comes to the youth of America, achievement may be operationally defined a million ways.  With the initiation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, standardized testing is here to stay.  When it comes to quantifying achievement, such tests are often used as the benchmark.   Some may argue that although achievement tests may not show remarkable improvement with the provision of homework, it may help children develop good study habits that will support their success in school when they get older.  Yet, some advocates assert that cultivating study skills at a young age is not always developmentally appropriate…..This chick certainly doesn’t know the answers to such questions.  However, it is a fact that the amount of homework for elementary age children has increased over the years.  Have our young children biologically evolved so drastically over years to warrant these increases?  I say let them be little!  They’re in school approximately seven hours a day, not including bus rides and aftercare in some cases.  If measurable achievement is not gained from the provision of extensive homework, why is it being given?  If the standard is 10 minutes per grade, then teachers need to stick to it.  I will attest that two and three hours of homework for my third grader are not beneficial following a long day at school.  Upon completion, she’s exhausted and has had no real opportunity to relax and play before bed.  I don’t believe that the psychological effect is worth the academic gain in such instances.  Enough is enough! 

Zippy Chix Recap:

Homework Horrors

  • The general recommendation for homework for elementary school children is 10 minutes per grade.  This is supported by the National PTA.
  • Studies show that increased amounts of homework for elementary school students does not translate into improved achievement at school. 
  • Are you having any issues with the amount of homework your child is getting?

Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love,

The Zippy Chix

22 Comments by admin on October 17, 2010
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Dear College Student

Dear readers as I try to navigate the torrential waters of having a college age student, I thought that you may be amused with this gentle reminder to encourage my freshman to remember why she is actually in school.  Feel free to use it as a template.  As always….I am staying light and breezy on this one….

Dear College Student,

I hope that all is well with you and that you are having a nice evening.  I had a lunch with Grandma today, it was really enjoyable.  She took me to a cool restaurant that had lots of vegetarian items. :)   We enjoyed your call while we were having lunch together….we had just been chatting about you.  Your ears must have been ringing.

Honey, I think that you need to consider getting a little more sleep.  I know that you are having a great time at school….and you know that I am ALL about fun and want you to enjoy yourself.  For years you have heard me retell stories of the great time that I had in college, however my phone bill came in today and it shows your phone texting in and out at all hours of the night.  No wonder you are exhausted and having trouble focusing on a book….you must be seeing double.  We had minimal technology when I was in college, so this was not an issue way back in the olden days. 

Now just so you understand, even though you have withdrawn from the class that you abhorred, the other classes will still require your utmost attention.  The tests and quizzes and readings in those classes will require time and energy.  College work requires vigilance; I know that you are impatient sometimes and don’t like to spend too much time on any one thing, but you are going to have to use good time management skills in addition to clocking in more hours in dreamland.  

You need to learn to schedule your time and promise yourself that you will go to bed by a certain time during the week.  Try getting up earlier a few days a week and hitting the library or if your room is empty closing your door and cracking the old books.  If you want to achieve desirable grades you will need to make sure that you invest time daily when you are alert, fed, and feeling well or you will not get the most out of the college experience. 

That being said, with your current schedule there is still ample time for fun.  You know that I am so happy that you are enjoying a social life…just balance yourself.  Make sure that you make time for yourself, for school, for your girlfriends and for your boyfriend.  YOU can do it!!!! Time management is the key to all things!!!!

I love you very much,

MOM  XOXO  

That is the letter that I sent…..not quite the words that were in the forefront of my thoughts, but much more civil. :)   Has anyone had any experiences with college age children?  What are your secrets?

Zippy Recap:

  1. Even the most responsible college freshman will potentially falter
  2. When they are going to school hours away it is easy for them to push delete on an email….so be calm, cool and collected when writing your thoughts
  3. Picking up the phone or answering texts appears to be optional in college :)
  4. When all else fails take yourself back to when you were a freshman….hmmmmm my transcripts do not match the recollection of my actual grades

Stay light and breezy girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

19 Comments by admin on October 12, 2010
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Technology Rage

As I sit here attempting to open a Word document for my next light and breezy blog, I find my blood pressure rising and my frustration level increasing because my %@&* computer is not functioning properly.   I’ve heard of road rage, but I’m wondering if I have something called technology rage.  So, I want my computer to understand a few things:

Dear Computer,

I know you are not a living creature.  I know you probably don’t understand why I’m mad at you right now, but could you please hurry up.  I’m a momma with lots to say and no time.  Don’t you recognize that I depend on you to make my life more convenient and efficient!

And another thing, could you please stop beeping at me.  I have enough noise and chaos already.  You are supposed to make my life easier aren’t YOU????

I frequently get the message that I need to contact your administrator to fix a problem, but who might that actually be?  Could you please clarify since I’m your owner and don’t know how to fix the problem!

Sincerely,

Your Highly Dependent Owner and Slave!

Yes, my hobby and interest is to blog to other moms and women around the internet.  Yes, I work full time and run a household.  Still, it amazes me that only 10 years ago, I did not know what facebook was, did not have a laptop, hardly used my cell phone, and had no idea what it meant when someone said, “Google that.”!

As my dependency on technology and computers has heightened, I have also starting to wonder if there is a conspiracy going on…I mean my printer is always getting jammed or running out of toner at the most inconvenient of times.  My keyboard continues to pop out letter keys at me while I’m typing (already replaced one keyboard this year!), and my computer and internet service appears to run at a snails pace, no matter what internet service upgrade I’ve purchased.  At times, I could write faster than it takes to pull a word document up these days.  Yes, it may be time for a new laptop or a major upgrade…but seriously my computer is only a few years old….must we spend large quantities of money just to keep up with all the advances in technology only to have them last a few years before crashing!!

On the other hand, I can not live without my computer and all the accessories it comes with.  It’s kind of a love-hate relationship that I have accepted.  I only wish my computer would be a little less high maintenance…. Oh well, high maintenance is the nature of the game when you’re a multi tasking, frazzled, highly demanded upon kind of gal! 

Zippy Recap:

  • I often have to remind myself that the computer is not a living and breathing entity.
  • Sometimes I wonder if technology was invented as a conspiracy to drive the human race into a bunch of raging lunatics!
  • I still want to clarify that to contact the administrator when the computer is having an issue is not a good solution, when the administrator is me!
  • Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to vent my fury.  It always feels good to rant my feelings for the entire internet to see….oh if the Zippies could be so lucky!!!

Stay Lighter and Breezier than me girls! 

Love,

The Zippy Chix

7 Comments by admin on October 7, 2010
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Zippy’s Top 10 List of Socially Awkward Moments

What can we say, they happen.  Either we do something that causes us to want to put our head in the sand or we are witness to a circumstance that makes us feel embarrassed or pushes us into hysterics at someone else’s expense.  I can recall several occasions that I have inappropriately burst into laughter and not been able to control myself knowing full well that I am being inconsiderate and downright tacky.  There are also those times when we fail to alert someone that they have some issue that is eliciting stares from bystanders, but we don’t want to reveal it to them in the hopes of not creating an uncomfortable situation (how’s that for backward logic?).  We don’t usually know when these occurrences will creep up, but they always do.  Let’s just face them and commiserate…

  1. Unexpected flatulence from an authority figure
  2. Walking out of the bathroom with your skirt tucked in your underwear
  3. Talking to someone who has a booger evading their nasal orifice
  4. You think someone is waving to you, you enthusiastically wave back, then realize that they were waving to the person next to you
  5. Chatting with a colleague who has food stuck in his teeth
  6. Armpit stains
  7. Having a heart-to-heart with a friend, while you accidently hit speed-dial on your cell phone and someone else hears you
  8. Being asked if you’re pregnant when you’re not
  9. Getting caught in a lie 
  10. Not remembering someone who clearly thinks you’re their BFF

Recovering from mishaps may not always be easy.  Whether you are the offender, the amused onlooker or the humiliated casualty, communication may be the only antidote to social awkwardness.  Own up and move on…..Then go cringe in private! 

Zippy Chix Recap:

Top 10 Socially Awkward Moments 

  • Each of us falls prey to socially embarrassing situations
  • Try to confront life’s little humiliations with tact.  Call it as it is if need be.
  • Please share your thoughts or add any other social mishaps to our list…

Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love, 

The Zippy Chix

Happy Weekend Girls!  Who Is Ready To Do Some Zippy Shopping?

Click here to visit our new Zippy Chix Shop!

6 Comments by admin on September 30, 2010
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Children and Planned Activities: When is it appropriate and when is enough enough??

Feeling tired, overworked, and overstressed?  Feeling like your life revolves around your children’s?  Most parents will answer “Yes” to these questions, but feel a sense of guilt because it is their belief that children should be exposed to many different opportunities in order to build character, self-esteem, and friendships.  Colleges add to this belief by creating admission standards that include extra-curricular activities as a determinant of how well-rounded a student is.  Some parents hope that maybe their child will receive a college scholarship if they are athletic stars, so push their kids as soon as they are old enough to learn a new skill. 

Well, this chick says being zippy doesn’t mean being overbooked!  Our Zippy Logo; “Stay Light and Breezy” is one that we use as a guidepost when making family and work decisions, because the alternative is to jump on the crazy bandwagon of a Mad society.

Therefore, it is our view that children need time to develop their imagination, their use of time, and their friendships through a period of scheduled Down Time.  I like what Dr. Alvin Rosenfeld, author of “The Over-Scheduled Child:  Avoiding the Hyper-Parenting Trap” has to say.  He states, “Childhood is for preparation.  It’s not a performance”.  How refreshing!!  He feels that over-scheduling our children actually has the reverse effect of improving self-esteem and confidence in young children.  In fact studies are starting to point to a different result…stressed out children, early burn-out, and increased episodes of anxiety, physical ailments, and drug use.

This is not to say that children should not do things they love, but balance and moderation are critical skills for children to learn too!    A great website that offers some great Down Time ideas is found here.  The idea is to schedule more unstructured play time and free time as a family, when children are still young, so that a strong foundation is built by the time they are older.

With well-meaning intentions, the current generation tends to over-program our younger children.  This may evolve into early burn out, leaving our older children under-programmed and vulnerable to harmful temptations?     

What are your experiences or thoughts regarding this new trend of hyper-parenting our little ones?  Should we cool it or do you think it’s a good way for children to build character?

Zippy Recap:

  • Parents feel the pressure to over-program little children in an effort to get them ahead and improve self-esteem and self-confidence.
  • Studies are beginning to find that the opposite effect is happening to our youth over the long term.
  • Scheduling Down Time is more important than providing kids with multiple extra-curricular activities.
  • Our older children, who have experienced burn out, are now left with more free-time and less scheduled time, which may leave them open to undesirable choices after school.
  • Families that play together, stay together….so let’s play!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

3 Comments by admin on September 28, 2010
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Beaten Down by Bedtime Battles!

Calling all Zippy readers….Please Help!  My children have decided to gang up on my husband and me.  We would be spurned by Nanny 911 and identified as bad bad parents.    Yes, we are guilty of tolerating a terrible incident that happens almost every night…it is what we call the Big Bad Bedtime Battle!  I never believed this would take place under my roof…I let my infants cry it out so they would miraculously begin sleeping through the night, which they did at an early age.  They were put to bed awake in an effort to teach them how to self-calm and enter the bliss of slumber on their own.  I prided myself because they were great sleepers at SUCH an early age…but then my self-righteousness decided to kick me in the you-know-what! 

It all started with the transition from the crib to the bed, which changed the circumstances that led to the demise of my well adjusted sleeping children…I have yet to recover from these turn of events!

Now, bedtime starts with a warning time of 5 minutes, reading a book in bed, and me tip-toeing out of the room.  Soon a small quivering voice travels through the air, “Mommy, can you sleep with me one more time!”  That is the voice of my middle child whom I call my one-more-time child since she uses this line quite often in an attempt to get what she feels she deserves!  So, exhausted and defeated I lie down “One More Time”…which translates into 10 more times after 10 more attempts at leaving.  Part of my weakness with allowing this to continue is that she shares her room with her sister, and I don’t want my middle child to disturb my eldest.  The other part is just pure fatigue!  The problem with this madness, is my youngest is now jumping on the “lie-down-with-me-one-more-time” bandwagon leading to ganging up on Mom at bedtime…..

Where’s Dad during all this you ask?  Well, he’s typically passed out already or attempts to help, but then gives up because it’s Mom they want…One More Time!  

So, I continue to lie down “one more time=10 more times” every night.  Finally, the moment of peace arrives, and I sneak out of their room directly to my bed.  This leaves little time to unwind and enjoy quality time with my husband, much to his dismay and mine.  I know something should be done, but I don’t seem to have it in me once the end of the day is near.  Do you have any suggestions or do you agonize with this nighttime dilemma as well?  I’d love to hear from you!

Zippy Recap:

  • Easy sleeping infants does not = easy sleeping children!
  • You can do it right at the start, but this does not guarantee it will stay that way!
  • Bedtime=Battle in this chick’s house!
  • Help….anyone???? 

Stay Light and Breezy (or sleepy)!!!

Love,

The Zippy Chix

3 Comments by admin on September 21, 2010
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Family Friday Fun

Most of us love TGIF!  Happiness has a tendency to fill the air every Friday, when those that work a typical M-F week get to the end of it.  This Zippy is one of many who relishes Friday evenings as a moment to take a breath and slow down.  I will admit, fifteen years ago I often thought of Fridays as a time to go out to Happy Hour or find a local bar to chat with friends and meet new people, but this chick has definitely altered her lifestyle dramatically by getting married and having kids.  Instead my Fridays have taken on a new persona…one that I call “Family Fridays”.  Family Friday has become a weekly tradition and sorta happened by accident.  But hey, isn’t that the way most great things happen….when you least expect it or don’t plan on something it kind of just happens!

About a year ago, this lady got tired of making dinner every night, especially during a long week of multi tasking, working, running the household, and keeping pace with everyone’s wants, needs, and desires….all but my own of course!

It began with a desperate call for pizza one Friday, because mama didn’t want to cook one night….and the Friday after that, and the next Friday after that, and the Friday after the next Friday after that….well you know where I’m going with this!  Anyway, the kids started referring to Friday as Pizza Night*, which became a new mantra in our house…pizza night in 4 more days, pizza night in 3 more days….I found myself counting how many more dinners I had to think about until Friday…Woo Hoo! 

So this was the beginning of a new ritual in our home, which has gone a bit further…because I am more relaxed and less burdened with thinking about what to cook and cooking a 3 course meal, we have more time to watch a movie together.  The kids gather pillows and blankets, we lie down with a big bowl of popcorn* (check out our blog called Popcorn Throwback), and snuggle together for a family evening of fun. 

Recently, we have stopped ordering pizza (for budgetary reasons) and have started making our own individual pizzas.  The kids love making faces on their pizzas using a variety of toppings and enjoy making their own meal.  It’s easy enough and the five of us gather around the table creating our own pizzas….after 10 minutes of baking, we are ready to enjoy!  This is followed by our movie and popcorn. 

It is sad, but I know these days are numbered, because one Friday my children will start making plans with their friends, and do the things I did a few decades ago.  But I hope our time together, every Friday, will be a memory they hold dear in the future.  In the meantime, I love my Family Friday Fun and look forward to it AND not just because it gets me off the hook for planning a meal either! 

The Zippy Chix would love to hear about other family fun rituals that you and your family do together…please share!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

*If some of you are attempting to follow a low carb diet after reading our Stella blog, George offers alternatives to pizza crust and other delectable treats if popcorn is not an option, so don’t let that get in the way of a great time!

Smart and Trendy Moms

8 Comments by admin on September 17, 2010
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Baby Blues or Cheers for Children?

It’s that time of year again, and this Zippy launched child #2 to Kindergarten this week.  It felt like déjà vu, since my girls are only a grade apart and I went through this experience last school year with my eldest child.  What a feeling.  Watching my two girls step onto the school bus was both sentimental and elating for me.  The cliché that children grow up fast was one that I never truly recognized until this moment.  Although, I have one more child to go (my youngest started pre-school this week, which is also a milestone for him), my household is officially a baby-free zone…this from a mom who was either pregnant or nursing for four consecutive years!  I never thought the day would come, but it has. 

What did I do when the bus pulled away with my two girls, and my son was dropped off at his new pre-school?  I’ll admit, I did get a bit teary, but mostly I had a big smile on my face…it felt good to see the independent spirits of my children as they stepped into their new roles and I stepped into mine.  What does this mean for me exactly?  I am learning that every new stage has its new set of challenges.  For me, it is coordinating homework, after-school activities, dinner, and bath time in a 3-4 hour period of time….any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 

As I transition into a new era of parenting, I feel good about what has been accomplished in these short years.  I also know that little people=little problems and big people=bigger problems, but I am ready to embrace the next phase with open arms.  I look back fondly at my kids’ baby pictures and hope that I will continue to create wonderful memories as we move forward.  Here’s to a successful school year!

Zippy Questions:

1.  For those with babies still in the home, what are your thoughts about babies growing up and moving on to the next phase of life?

2.  For those whose youngest is now in a school program, are you glad or sad to be moving past the baby phase of parenthood?

2 Comments by admin on September 1, 2010
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Help With the Sunday Sales Flyers

I just love sitting down with a cup of coffee and perusing the Sunday paper sale inserts.  For some strange reason, we frequently tend to receive the Sunday sales on Saturdays, but that just gives me a jump on things I guess… or perhaps compounds my issues as you will soon see.

I must admit that I do run into a bit of trouble with keeping track of what is on sale where once I’ve gone through all of the sales.  I will generally find a particular item at a great price in one flyer and by the time I’ve gone through them all, I can’t remember where I saw that item in the first place.  I hate to waste time and have to go through them all again to find said item so I am instituting a new procedure this week to help me (attempt) to keep things organized. 

This is what I’m trying out:  I am cutting out the sale item from the particular sale flyer (making sure that the store is identified), and keeping a small collection of these particular items in a small envelope in my purse.  On  the outside of the envelope I write all the stores that have a particularly good sale item for that week so that the list will cue me to look inside the envelope to find what particular sale item was at any particular store. 

Frequently, I find myself at a store and cannot remember what it was that I had seen on sale or wanted to purchase if I were to swing by for anything else.  For example, there is a 10 pack of colored Sharpies on sale for $5 this week at Target and I am at Target weekly, especially since my Target now carries groceries :) .  I always need Sharpies for home and work, but would likely miss this great price at Target if I was just relying on my memory, and thus end up paying double someplace else in the future when I specifically need new Sharpies.  I guess there’s also an art to predicting what items will be needed in the future and balancing that so as not to become a hoarder of items. 

I hope that my newly adopted organizational procedure will greatly assist in saving my family some money with school supplies for example.  It seems like every store has some sort of school supplies on sale now, but inevitably, some of the needed items are not on sale and cost significantly more than at other stores.  Knowing what you need and where it is on sale is a challenge that I hope to conquer in order to save money and stay organized!  Any tips that you use will be greatly appreciated too!  Wish me luck and I’ll let you know how it turns out… 

Zippy Recap:

  • Keep a list of items that you know you will need (i.e. school supplies, toiletries, paper products, etc.)
  • Keep a list of frequently visited stores that have specific items of need on sale that week
  • Update those lists every Sunday when going through the Sunday Paper Sale Flyers
  • Make sure you keep the list with you so when you are shopping, you won’t forget where specific deals are
  • Don’t forget to recycle the sale flyers and old newspapers

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

1 Comment by admin on August 22, 2010
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Chair Court

“He pinched me”…”She is not the boss of me”…”He took my pencil”…”She kicked me”…”It’s mine”…As much as I hate to admit it, this nerve-racking banter floats through the airwaves in my house from time to time (sometimes daily…ugh!).  I’ve tried the timeouts and go to your rooms and the threat of losing TV privileges for the day.  Although these tried and true tactics have their place, they sometimes aren’t enough.  Perhaps this is a tribute to my less than stellar parenting attempts; however; I like to think that my angelic children are just linguistic prodigies who love to express themselves.  A friend of mine clued me in to a strategy that has worked wonders in my house when my two children have reached their boiling points.  Set them each in a chair and have them face each other.  My favorite part is that you WALK AWAY. They are not allowed to get up until they have reached some sort of resolution. 

Depending on the day, this process can take only five minutes, but has taken over an hour in my household when tensions are particularly high.  At times this approach can be accompanied by much arm folding, unique facial contortions and occasional fire breathing.  However, with time my little possessed monkeys are required to work through their sibling frustrations before any fun is to be had.  Chair court forces my kids to find their own solutions and reduces the chance of my head spinning around 360 degrees.  It’s a win-win situation in my book! 

Zippy Chix Recap:

Chair Court

  • Promotes problem solving among siblings
  • Decreases parental frustration when dealing with bickering
  • Encourages children to develop verbal skills when negotiating obstacles

Stay Light and Breezy Girls….

Love,

The Zippy Chix

7 Comments by admin on August 19, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness
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Top Five Mommy Moments

Looking back at the first years of motherhood, I have certainly had my share of bombshell moments.  You know what I mean…those instances you never imagined you would find yourself in!  This chick has taken part in numerous occurrences such as these, and has survived to tell about them.  I would love to hear about your crazy moments as well!

1.  What was the most repulsive duty you have found yourself doing as a mommy?

Zippy Chick #2:  scraping my 8 week old son’s diapers for poop samples…this took 3 days of scraping and dipping until all 4 vials were filled…this task was completed twice over the course of 2 weeks…thankfully all turned out well!

2.  What was one of your worst multi-tasking moments?

Zippy Chick #2:  nursing my newborn while sitting on the loo with tummy trouble!

3.  When your family brood has had one of those wild romps, what has been the most ridiculous place you have found yourself hiding?

Zippy Chick #2:  under my bed!

4.  Who keeps you going when the going gets tough?

Zippy Chick #2:  My Zippy Chicks!

5.  Do you have a memorable moment when your mother lioness came out?  If so, tell us!

Zippy Chick #2:  Ever since becoming a mom, I have become more defensive when kids tease other kids….I will speak my mind and can not ignore it like I once was able to!

If you are willing, please copy the above query and answer what you dare!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

 

7 Comments by admin on August 5, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness
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Toy Packaging…Errrrrrrr

This chick has had it!  My hands are swollen, cut up, and bleeding…no I haven’t been weeding in the flower garden, crafting, or constructing an amazing project…NO, I have been tackling this #$@* toy package that my son got for his birthday.  It is just a toy batman cave with a few super hero figurines, but you would think it was a million dollars the way it has been assembled for protection!

Now, I understand that plastic packaging companies need to earn their keep, but my delicate hands just can’t take it!  I don’t mean to put anybody out of business, however, is it necessary to encapsulate every figurine, small accessory, and toy set in plastic with extra plastic ties and elastic bands?  Even more absurd is the toy that is screwed into cardboard inserts, so you have to go searching for a screwdriver while your 3 year old screams and tantrums for the toy to be opened!  It is not only an environmental disaster, but now my nerves are shot, adrenaline is pumping, and I am about to have my own mumsie tantrum!

Okay, so I have resumed my sense of composure, and have come up with a great gift idea for any mumsie out there who feels the same way I do….it’s called the Open It!  It is a plastic package opener (looks like wire cutters), but it comes equipped with a concealed double-sided screwdriver and even has a bottle opener for a cold beverage of choice (depends on how batty you feel…beer or wine cooler anyone?)…What a great invention for the crazed plastic openers out there!  Keep smiling girls; there is always a solution if you keep searching…

Zippy Recap:

  • Toy packaging will send anyone over the edge…it’s more than ridiculous and environmentally damaging…it causes mayhem in most families!
  • My delicate hands can’t open another plastic toy package again!
  • Open It!  Plastic Package Opener may be the answer…other than mandating laws that protect us from this outlandish packaging practice!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls… 

Love,

The Zippy Chix

5 Comments by admin on July 27, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness, Schwag
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Laura Mercier: Make-Up for Mumsies

Have you noticed as you get older, your make-up needs change?  I compare this to shoe shopping…in my teens and twenties, I could buy any shoe from Payless and my feet were foot loose and fancy free.  In contrast, my thirties have proved to be a bit more exclusive.  My metatarsals will only accept that which have proper padding and arch quality…more costly I’m afraid!

Like my shoe purchases, my make-up needs have certainly transformed from that found in CVS or the grocery store to a more limited product.  Although, I am on a strict budget, there are few items that require splurging, especially when sun spots and wrinkles become progressively more apparent.  It is well known that as we age, our nose droops and our eyes appear smaller and puffier.  Of course, this is the opposite outcome we seek, and help is considered necessary.

Recently, I have discovered an amazing make-up line, which is worth every penny.  Though high priced, Laura Mercier has become a must for this chick!  Since it is not found in many locations, I order my supplies on-line.  Ms. Mercier is well known among celebrities.  Her clients include but are not limited to:  Julia Roberts, Ashley Judd, Brooke Shields, and Meg Ryan.  I figure what’s good for them, is good for me, right???  This is a rhetorical question, so don’t answer that!

To get started, I highly recommend her eye colour and crème cheek colour brushes as well as her make-up sponges, which are worth the quality and last much longer than the economical brands.  They can be washed and re-used many times, so in the long term these accessories save money.  Ms. Mercier’s line highlights palates that are natural and radiant for all skin and eye color types, so choosing color is not a tedious process.  The quality is superior and long lasting.  I especially like the Illuminating Stick, which adds a nice glow to my cheeks without wearing off.  I do not find the mascara to be exceptional, so I don’t bother to add this to my shopping cart, but the blush, eye liner, eye shadow, and foundation/primer are all well worth it!

As a zippy chick, I aim to find quick and easy ways to feel good about myself (inside and out).  I do not consider myself vain, but motherhood has influenced my appearance and I intend to get back some control.  Laura has been a good start!

Zippy Chick Recap:

  • Like shoe buying, aging has forced me to be selective with my make-up purchases.
  • Laura Mercier’s line has been a great find…if she’s good enough for Julia Roberts, then she’s clearly good enough for me!
  • Thumbs down to the mascara; thumbs up to the brushes, blush, eye liner, eye shadow, and foundation/primer!
  • Laura’s palates are simple and radiant!

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix

1 Comment by admin on July 25, 2010
filed in Mumsie Madness
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