https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog daily 0.75 2023-04-06 https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/7-things-i-stopped-doing-in-order-to-become-a-happier-mom monthly 0.5 2023-04-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/729912d4-82cb-4c48-9123-cb2de83b1833/pexels-george-milton-7034032.jpg Blog - 7 Things I Stopped Doing in Order to Become a Happier Mom 5. Use nap/quiet time for chores - While this really does depend on the stage of parenthood one is in; now that my kids are a bit older and have a chunk of time in the afternoon each day for ‘quiet time’, I do not use this time to get chores done. While I often do have to use this time to take care of certain things such as making phone calls, showering, etc, I don’t use this time for doing dishes, meal prep or cleaning. The reasons being; I am tired and need time to just ‘be’ without doing all the things for everyone else. Motherhood is exhausting, you simply need to take a break, as well as do things that you enjoy too. Also, it’s okay to do those chores when your kids are around. It’s good for them to see what all is involved in running a household. They can even help with some of the tasks. Getting involved is a great way to teach responsibility and share in the work - everyone benefits from this! https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/2022-holiday-gift-guide monthly 0.5 2023-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/962ae23c-b9d5-4c8d-bb3f-e9050b40a7d5/IMG_4703+2+Large.jpeg Blog - 2022 Holiday Gift Guide - Ideas for Dad: Board/card games - my family and I are big into playing games. We host game nights with friends pretty often, and we have quite a few that are perfect for 4-6 players. Here are some favorites: Moose Master (hilarious game for a small group!), Beyond Balderdash, What Do You Meme?, Wits & Wagers, Dixit, The Resistance, and more (just ask - I have plenty of recs!) Pizza slice container - for the pizza enthusiast who gets frustrated that no regular tupperware ever fits! Wireless charging station - lots of options to choose from based on specific needs, but a great option to charge all your devices in one spot. Grill lights - perfect for grilling when it gets dark out too soon. Gift cards - to their fave places such as: Best Buy, Cabela’s, Amazon, Menards, Home Depot, etc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/8ebde859-0696-45b3-929c-acd08562d4d5/IMG_3729+Large.jpeg Blog - 2022 Holiday Gift Guide - Ideas for Kids: ‘You Choose’ book - My toddler can’t get enough of this book. She requests to read it multiple times a day and loves to choose something different each time! I believe there are a few different ones in the series. Kids hammock - great for outdoor or even indoor use, this hammock is perfect for kids, and can even be attached underneath a loft bed or the ‘Kura” bed from Ikea! Art portfolio - If you’re looking for a way to organize all the art pieces your child brings home from school, keep it all organized in one place like an art portfolio that you can look back on over the years. Travel tray - for long road trips or even indoor use when your child needs a surface to draw on; this travel desk is a life-saver for keeping them occupied with their fun art projects or whatever they may need a table for. Memberships - one of my favorite types of gifts to give is an experience gift! Buying a pass or membership to one of their favorite places (i.e. zoo, water park, science museum, etc) is a wonderful way to get them outside the house and to explore something new and exciting that they can revisit whenever they’d like. https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/thriving-through-transitions monthly 0.5 2023-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/9b950fb2-e4c0-485c-a8a0-254786d8ac2d/lockers-gc1f826b50_1920.jpg Blog - Thriving Through Transitions - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/551784b9-1763-47df-8541-5e99dc0b3fd7/sports-shoe-g6557d746d_1920.jpg Blog - Thriving Through Transitions - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/8471d3e5-941d-42d5-885a-e3d9943ff2a2/priscilla-du-preez-CeW--PHwpGc-unsplash.jpg Blog - Thriving Through Transitions - Transition tips for moms: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/be2584cb-19bb-43c2-b398-34d45a900508/pexels-caleb-oquendo-3877563.jpg Blog - Thriving Through Transitions - Transition tips for kids: https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/21-toddler-must-haves monthly 0.5 2022-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/82743e40-cc2a-4671-b039-cbc0721da0dc/IMG_2503+Large.jpeg Blog - 21 Toddler Must-Haves - Toys & Activities: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/d4dfb450-2874-4787-bd5a-00f32c1dae06/IMG_2507+2+Large.jpg Blog - 21 Toddler Must-Haves - Safety: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/4d5963c7-0273-4a5c-acad-df877d602de9/IMG_2510+Large.jpeg Blog - 21 Toddler Must-Haves - Health & Personal Care: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/e2d5c075-d7b0-4412-86a4-5fb5e4791100/IMG_2501+Large.jpeg Blog - 21 Toddler Must-Haves - Convenience: https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/taking-care-of-your-mental-health-as-a-new-mom monthly 0.5 2022-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/bf39dc79-a210-443a-ba2a-11b7659bb909/IMG_0055.jpg Blog - Taking Care of Your Mental Health as a New Mom I waited far longer than I care to admit, but I decided I finally needed to get some help. It wasn’t until after my daughter turned one, that I reached out to my doctor and voiced my concerns. As nervous as I was to admit it, I talked with her about my postpartum anxiety and how it was affecting every area of my daily life. She suggested I speak with a psychiatrist, and referred me to a clinic. But then as a last minute thought, she also suggested that I might want to look into getting my thyroid levels checked. As ‘out of left field’ as this seemed to me, I will forever be grateful to her, as this was a life-changing suggestion. After a series of tests and doctor visits, I discovered that I actually had an auto-immune disorder and hyperthyroidism. What changed the game for me at that point was getting on a low-dose thyroid medication, making lifestyle and dietary changes, and speaking with a counselor who specializes in working with new moms. I am so glad that I made the decision that day to reach out for help, as it brought so many positive changes to both my life as well as my daughters’. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/eb0e9358-6051-4c43-8238-2f27b0ce6fdb/jenna-christina-cRHOrqzq3J8-unsplash.jpg Blog - Taking Care of Your Mental Health as a New Mom - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/5b25dda2-e682-4634-9282-d73e77f03024/IMG_5964+Large.jpg Blog - Taking Care of Your Mental Health as a New Mom We later found out from the doctor who delivered her, that the umbilical cord had been wrapped around her neck twice. My body was trying to protect both of us by trying to get her out in time. (I am forever in awe of how this all played out.) After delivery, I didn’t get to hold my baby girl for the first time until a few hours later. As soon as she was born, she was immediately rushed to the NICU; where she would spend the next few weeks of her life being hooked up to machines and sleeping inside of an incubator to sustain her. To be quite frank, the whole experience, including the following weeks, was traumatic for me; and I am still processing parts of it to this day. Over the last couple of years, I have opened up about this story to a couple close friends, and took the time to process how it has affected me and my family. I am so appreciative of the friends who have walked with me through this and offered their encouragement and a shoulder to cry on. I am also working my way through a birth trauma course, taking it at a pace that feels right for where I’m at and my current mental state. And whenever I am feeling especially anxious or triggered, I reach out to my therapist. Since that experience, I have learned to recognize the times when my mental health is starting to suffer, and I am now more proactive in taking appropriate measures earlier on before things progress. I am more attuned to my own needs, mentally and physically, and I address those as soon as I am able. Being aware of these things has been a game-changer for my own mental wellness, as well as my family’s. https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/36-of-the-biggest-lessons-ive-learned-in-life-so-far monthly 0.5 2023-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/e6ee0d23-aba7-4a2c-8b9b-f7b773b2f929/scott-broome-4KlDZK1xWqw-unsplash.jpg Blog - 36 of the Biggest Life Lessons I’ve Learned So Far - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/4ef08c49-9aaa-4a26-ab2c-f3c69378e59c/raimond-klavins-esFwZgGsl08-unsplash.jpg Blog - 36 of the Biggest Life Lessons I’ve Learned So Far - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/b9114cd0-c54b-4c2d-a96c-648fe49761bb/artem-kovalev-fk3XUcfTAvk-unsplash.jpg Blog - 36 of the Biggest Life Lessons I’ve Learned So Far - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/0e16f745-4194-40da-bace-16cf8022c8b2/eric-rothermel-FoKO4DpXamQ-unsplash.jpg Blog - 36 of the Biggest Life Lessons I’ve Learned So Far - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/ecbeb7be-c8a3-4f41-a2cd-6fbaaba71781/VP8A5715.jpg Blog - 36 of the Biggest Life Lessons I’ve Learned So Far As I celebrate the completion of another trip around the sun, I am reminded of the things I hold most valuable in my life and the lessons that I’ve learned along the way. I’ve experienced some pretty extraordinary highs on this journey, while I’ve also walked through some incredibly dark valleys, that I honestly didn’t think I would make it out of. With this reminder, comes a time of pause and reflection I often find myself in as I embrace the start of a new year. So, without further ado, here are some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my life so far (in no particular order). Every one of these is a real lesson I’ve had to personally learn, most of them the hard way, and my hope is that the wisdom I’ve gained from them can be useful to you as well, wherever you’re at in your own journey. https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/embracing-the-toddler-years monthly 0.5 2023-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/07e70da1-5599-488f-8e64-a16935e601c6/IMG_1963.jpg Blog - Embracing the Toddler Years Toddlerhood is a relatively short period of time consisting of huge intellectual growth and developmental leaps, as they are learning new things at an exponential rate. As I embark on this adventure of raising an active toddler, I just want to share some insights I’ve gained over time, in hopes that perhaps they might add a bit of a shift in perspective as they have in mine. If I had to sum up toddlerhood in the most basic sense, it would be that toddlers are explorers. Who can blame them? They are finally able to run around instead of crawling, they are starting to understand so much more than they did in infancy, and they are uber curious about how this thing called ‘life’ works on this giant spinning sphere. Let them explore. Now, I know that this can sometimes lead them to getting into things that we don’t want them to or are not safe. But the key here is to allow them to explore, safely. It’s all part of the learning process. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/ee90b9f5-1137-416b-8cf5-7cc48b3a365b/IMG_1272+Large.jpeg Blog - Embracing the Toddler Years - Ahh, toddlerhood. Whether you’re a parent or not, I would bet that a myriad of words come to mind at the mention of this magical age. Even if you don’t have kids of your own, I’m sure you have interacted with a toddler at one point or another and were able to quickly gain an impression of the wild range of emotions and behaviors that are exhibited at this stage. I can also pretty much guarantee that you’ve heard of terms such as the “terrible two’s” and “threenager”. Regardless of labels or perceptions one might have surrounding 1-3 year olds, I want to challenge you today in shifting the approach you take in viewing these years, and, if possible, perhaps even *gasp* embrace them. For me? Well, I’m smack dab in the middle of it. (…and serious respect goes out to those who have more than one in this stage at the same time. Can I buy you a coffee?!) Now, I’m not going to sugar coat anything or tell you to just ‘think differently’ about it and all will be peachy keen. What I will tell you however, is that on my second go-around of this stage, I am learning something new; every. single. day. Is it easy? Absolutely not. But am I learning and growing alongside my toddler as we navigate all the big feelings involved in exploring this great big world? Absolutely yes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/ad06deb3-a76e-4710-bbe1-e765bf4f92ba/IMG_4188+Large.jpeg Blog - Embracing the Toddler Years By allowing them the space and time to process their feelings with you, they are gaining skills in how to handle future disappointments in an effective manner. Of all the things that trigger tantrums, I’d say one of the more common sources of frustration comes down to lack of having their own say in the matter at hand. Toddlers are learning independence at this stage, and having choices is a game-changer for them! It can be the most subtle option, but when I offer my daughter a choice, her whole demeanor often changes instantly. Saying: “We need to brush your teeth now. Do you want to run or hop to the bathroom?” or “We have to leave the playground now. Do you want to go down the slide or on the swing one last time?” This leaves them feeling empowered. While this simple method is not going to work in every situation, I’m well aware; you’d be surprised at how many times it has offered relief in times of frustration or defiance. Also, toddlers love to help. It’s true. And I know what you’re thinking: “They’re not actually helping…if anything, it’s slowing me down.” I get it, I do. I’m not saying you should let them help you cook at the stove or anything like that. But even the smallest of tasks can give your toddler a sense of responsibility. My daughter loves to help me stir my coffee or whatever I’m baking. She also loves to ‘help’ sweep the floors with her toy broom. Make it simple and fun, and this will produce such a rewarding feeling for your little one! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/60467724-aa37-4e8d-b916-db2067b0b838/IMG_7362.jpg Blog - Embracing the Toddler Years - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/5-simple-weeknight-meals-that-are-kiddo-approved monthly 0.5 2022-04-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/30d5d9cf-64a4-45f5-8936-5ef3b7220921/chicken_bake.jpeg Blog - 5 Simple Weeknight Meals (That are kiddo-approved!) - Chicken and Veggie Bake Equipment: 9”x13” glass baking dish, oven, tin foil Ingredients: 1 lb fresh chicken breasts 3 small-medium sized potatoes 12-16 oz cooking/simmer sauce of choice (see note) 8 oz (appx) frozen or fresh chopped peppers and onions (I use half a bag of this frozen combo) Seasoning of choice to compliment sauce Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray bottom of baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil. Cut up all chicken and potatoes into appx 1 in. cubes, place in baking dish Add veggies evenly to the dish. Add sauce to the dish, and stir all to combine. Top with seasoning to taste. Cover dish with tin foil. Bake at 400 degrees for 33 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked through. Once removed, let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy! Notes: Target has several great sauce options - my favorites to use are Panang Curry, Pad Thai, Thai Peanut, or you can use a dressing/marinade of choice for whatever flavor profile you’re after. May use chicken breast tenders in place of full size chicken breasts, and not cut up the chicken, if short on time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/f1f9dc2b-8d6a-44fd-9396-5090ac04a4cb/chicken_nachos.jpeg Blog - 5 Simple Weeknight Meals (That are kiddo-approved!) - Zesty Chicken Nachos Equipment: Instant Pot, oven, sheet pan Ingredients: Chile lime seasoning of your choice (my fave is Tajin) Salt Pepper Tortilla chips (enough to cover a medium sheet pan) 1 lb fresh chicken breast tenders 1 cup chicken broth (or water) Pinto or black beans Shredded mozzarella cheese Salsa Taco sauce Optional: Fresh tomatoes Cilantro Red onions Green onions Avocado Directions: Place tenders along bottom of Instant Pot. Pour in chicken broth (enough to cover the tenders). Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and seasoning to taste. Give everything a brief toss to combine. Cover with the lid, slide into locked position, and set the lid valve to ‘sealing’. Pressure cook on high for 10 minutes (see step 9), followed by a 5 minute natural release. Carefully flip the valve to ‘venting’ to release remaining pressure, and wait for float valve to drop. Remove the lid and use two forks to shred the chicken. WHILE the chicken is cooking: preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Layer the tortilla chips along the pan. Chop up tomatoes, fresh cilantro, avocados, green onions, or whatever toppings you prefer. 10.Once the chicken is ready and shredded, spread evenly over the chips. 11. Spread the beans, salsa, taco sauce, and mozzarella over the chicken. (see note) 12. Bake at 300 degrees for 5-8 minutes. 13. Take pan out and let sit for a minute. Then top with remaining toppings - as much as you prefer. 14. Sprinkle additional lime seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over the top to taste. Enjoy! Note: Amounts of these ingredients are not listed, as they are up to you and your preference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/336f1f8d-ef90-497c-a6e0-9f04e73f7a65/korean_beef.jpeg Blog - 5 Simple Weeknight Meals (That are kiddo-approved!) - Make it stand out Korean Beef Stir-Fry Equipment: Skillet, small bowl, rice cooker (or a way to cook fresh rice) Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef 3 garlic cloves, minced (see note) ¼ C. packed brown sugar ¼ C. soy sauce (or coconut aminos for GF) 2 tsp Sesame oil ¼ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes ¼ tsp black pepper 2 C. hot cooked white or brown rice 8 oz (appx) frozen or fresh chopped peppers and onions Sesame seeds, and/or chopped green onions for garnish (optional) Directions: If using a rice cooker, prepare 2 C. of rice, so it’s cooking while you perform the following steps. Combine the following in a small bowl: brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Stir well until fully mixed. Set aside. Cook the ground beef into crumbles, along with the garlic in the skillet over medium heat until the beef is fully cooked. Drain. Add veggies and cook another couple minutes. Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and veggies, stir well. Lower the heat, and let simmer for another minute or two. Serve over hot rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if preferred. Enjoy! Note: If short on time, can use minced garlic from a jar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/b7176a9e-45d2-4552-b1c4-f3fa7a08d158/garlic_butter_pork.jpeg Blog - 5 Simple Weeknight Meals (That are kiddo-approved!) - Make it stand out Garlic Butter Pork Chops Equipment: Skillet Ingredients: 1 lb. boneless pork chops Coarse salt Black pepper 1 tbsp. cooking oil 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted Fresh thyme 4 cloves of garlic, minced Lemon wedges or lemon juice Directions: Season both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper Heat skillet on medium-high heat. Add cooking oil, melted butter and thyme. Sear and cook the pork for appx. 3 minutes on each side or until light golden brown. Add garlic to the pan and saute until light brown. Meanwhile, continue to flip pork over. Add a pinch of salt. Remove pork from heat. Serve with lemon wedges or top pork with lemon juice to taste. Top with additional thyme as well, as desired. Enjoy! Well, there you have it. A few simple weeknight meals that will take the stress out of mealtime in a busy household. Let me know if you happen to try any of these out and what you think! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/074b2eeb-14c5-4882-80a4-d6b6c1dd94eb/Instant_pasta.jpeg Blog - 5 Simple Weeknight Meals (That are kiddo-approved!) - Instant Pot-sta Equipment: Instant Pot, skillet Ingredients: 1 lb lean ground beef 1 tbsp oil 3 tsp minced garlic 3 tsp Italian seasoning 24 oz marinara sauce of choice 2 C. water 1½ C. beef broth 16 oz. short uncooked pasta noodles (such as penne, rigatoni, rotini, etc. I use GF rotini) 1 tsp onion powder ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 1 C. shredded mozzarella cheese Directions: Add the following to the Instant Pot - marinara, water, broth, noodles, onion powder, red pepper flakes. Then give it a good stir to combine. Cover with the lid, slide into locked position, and set the lid valve to ‘sealing’. Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. WHILE the pasta is cooking: Once the IP reads ‘8 minutes’ left, add oil to the skillet and start cooking the beef, into crumbles, until fully cooked through. Drain beef, then add Italian seasoning and garlic and continue cooking during last couple minutes until IP is finished. 4. Once IP cooking is complete, do a ‘quick release’ and remove lid once the float valve has dropped. 5. Stir in ground beef and cheese until combined. Top with additional Italian seasoning as desired. Serve and enjoy! https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/how-to-stay-organized-in-the-busyness-of-motherhood monthly 0.5 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/7f8c84e2-c8f5-4296-97d1-a0027cef4e63/Planner+Bundle.jpg Blog - How to Stay Organized in the Busyness of Motherhood - Planner Bundle If you’re feeling ambitious and want to add more of these tools to your toolbox all at once and save at the same time, this 6-in-1 bundle is a great option for you as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/60112fdc-0402-4e27-9ecb-3d9710e49cd8/Daily+Planner+-+1.jpg Blog - How to Stay Organized in the Busyness of Motherhood - Planners Using a planner is a great option for those, like myself, whose schedule is constantly changing. I admit, that I get bored with routine very quickly, and I need variety in my days. I’m always trying to come up with creative ways to spend our time - whether it be trying out new parks, play-dates with friends, or discovering new places to go check out. A planner works well for this because I can visualize what my day/week is going to look like, list out my priorities and to-do’s, and track all the things in one spot. Available in a Monthly (Dated or Undated), Weekly or Daily format, you can choose whichever one works best for you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/5c9573be-5f3c-4e4b-8101-9b04c96c1aec/Meal+Planning+Bundle.jpg Blog - How to Stay Organized in the Busyness of Motherhood - Meal Planner and Grocery List Meal planning and grocery shopping are things that honestly used to stress me out. I think we as moms, who are already making hundreds of micro-decisions every day, can get burnt out in this area quickly. When I started to become more intentional with planning out my week in advance, I found that meal planning was key in easing my stress load throughout the week. The grocery list is handy in that it breaks down the sections for you. (Tip: I laminated mine and stick it on the fridge. Using a dry-erase marker, I can quickly add items to the list and wipe off after shopping. It saves on paper and time!) You can find the Grocery List here, the Meal Planner here, or you can save a bit with the bundle here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/aa2c0993-0754-4bc8-a88a-ade62e89948f/Weekly+Schedule+-+1.jpg Blog - How to Stay Organized in the Busyness of Motherhood - Weekly Schedule Whether you’re a working parent, stay-at-home-parent, or perhaps even a college student - this weekly format can be a great option if your schedule generally stays pretty consistent. Available in either a Sunday or Monday start - both are included with your download. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/8d17ea08-1fd6-48cf-8cb8-d43e10637eb1/Habit+Tracker+-+1.jpg Blog - How to Stay Organized in the Busyness of Motherhood - Habit Tracker Tracking your habits is an easy way to stay accountable, and helps you see the progress made towards building better habits or working on your goals. It can be fun too! A visualization tool such as this Habit Tracker can provide motivation and inspiration to keep going! https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/21-items-im-loving-for-momlife monthly 0.5 2022-02-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/16d89992-fb76-4ec0-8d8b-12eb491fe586/annemarie-gruden-ed8Z_sVPaJc-unsplash.jpg Blog - 21 Items I’m Loving for #momlife - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.creativeleaspeaking.com/blog/simple-valentines-day-activities-to-do-with-the-kiddos monthly 0.5 2022-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/f650d2a8-f0fc-47eb-81be-444796426040/IMG_0357.jpg Blog - Simple Valentine’s Day Activities to do with the Kiddos - 3.) 3-D Heart card Anyone else remember making 3-D pop up cards in elementary school? I always thought those were so fun to make. You can easily make your own version with your kids! I’ve attached a photo of the steps in creating one. The whole card took us less than 10 minutes to make. Simply start by taking a piece of construction paper and folding it in half ‘hamburger’ style. Then you will cut two slits, about 1-2 inches apart, and 2 inches in, along the outer edge that’s folded (as pictured). Next, you will open up the card and push the cut part through so it folds the opposite way inside. Then you can cut out a heart shape from another piece of paper and attach it to the ‘pop up’ part inside, using glue or tape. You can then decorate the outside, and even attach a heart to cover up the part that’s cut out on the side if you prefer. Write a message inside, and you’re all set. Have the kids color inside and/or sign their names and give this sweet homemade card to a loved one. 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Once you’re done, flip over to the other side and write one thing you love about that person. Kids often get excited to share these things. Then use a hole punch on one corner of the heart. Lastly, use a piece of string of any sort to string through the hole on each heart, and hang it up somewhere in your house where you’ll see it. This provides a great gratitude practice as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60d627d7428671213b105977/46a010cb-04ce-41f0-abaf-54d03ba41a5b/pexels-adria%CC%81n-nemes-3254052.jpg Blog - Simple Valentine’s Day Activities to do with the Kiddos - 1.) Heart Walk Take a stroll through your neighborhood, local nature trail, or even your house if you’d like - and pick out (or just take a picture of) anything shaped like a heart. Maybe time yourselves and see who can find the most during your walk. You’ll discover there are more out there than you realize. I often see leaves or rocks shaped like hearts when I’m out for a walk, and it makes me smile. 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