(Snow) Much Winter Fun

To say that we have been stuck indoors is quite an understatement. The Northeast has been hit hard with snow the last few weeks canceling school, playgroup, and most socialization! Additionally the first few weeks of January our house was in full recovery mode from Christmas break so we barely left the house in the afternoons. All of this adds up to a stir crazy mommy, toddler, and baby!

So we have been trying to get out of the house each morning by trekking to the gym or school. Adelaide can stretch her legs and play. Aspen can crawl around with other babies. Mommy can get in a little cardio, shake at the barre, or relaxation at yoga.

It has been way too cold to take the kids out into the snow to play unfortunately. I am hoping that the temps will warm up (at least into the 30s) so we can make snow angels and Aspen can touch his first snow!

In the afternoons, we have been taking advantage of the many indoor play places around Westchester. Plus making playdates with other stir crazy families!

Haircut? Yes any excuse to leave the house!

The Play Place was the perfect place for the kids to run around, slide down slides, chase & kick soccer balls, and eat oreos!

Play dates with Aidan are always so much fun!

WeeZee had so much to do and see for these kiddos...

Aspen has been rocking out at Kidville in our Rockin' Railroad class...

Adelaide and I enjoyed our first ice skating sesh together...

Winter wishes that you are staying warm and sane through all the snow!!

Gone Girl: A Movie Review

I am late to this party I know, but man am I glad that I arrived! I hadn't read the book yet was dying to see the movie. While Gone Girl was in theaters, we weren't able to make it to see the film. Last week Ryan was traveling all weed and I had caught up on my shows. Both babies were in bed and it was only 8pm. So I decided to rent Gone Girl on the tv.

Nick Dunne (Affleck) becomes the center of the investigation when his wife goes missing on the day of their 5th wedding anniversary. Police begin piecing together the crime scene and events leading up to Amy (Rosamund Pike) going missing. All signs point to Nick. But in a very dark and twisted storyline, things begin to unravel and aren't exactly as they seem. Utterly surreal at times. Intense and edgy. Leaving you hanging onto your seat from minute to minute.

I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense throughout the film and my mind raced about it for several days after watching it. I highly recommend this movie especially if you like a good flick that makes your mind work!

A Collins Baby: Coming August 2015

So over Christmas break, among all of the surprise parties we were hosting and the holiday celebrations that we were attending, a HUGE surprise was shared with us...

Yep that is correct...these two love birds are going to be parents!

I couldn't be more excited for my little brother Shane and sister-in-law Amanda. Adding another baby to our family, especially a sibling's first child, is just such a great thing. I know that the two of them will be great parents and I cannot wait to meet my new niece or nephew in August!!

Life Letters: Key to your soul...a Journey into the Self

My friend and sorority sister, Alyshia, recently wrote and published her first book "Life Letters." A self help book designed to awaken your soul and journey into yourself. I ordered my copy on Amazon and a few days later had the book in my hand. Its a quick read and the concept is simple, but oh so powerful. As we journey through life, we often lose ourselves along the way. I know since becoming a wife and a mother sometimes the things that I like get pushed aside. So much so that I forget the things that I actually like!

"Life Letters" is about rediscovering yourself, your interests, your dreams, your desires. By intently focusing on you, the discovery process is awesome. Brainstorming your shortcomings. Then brainstorming your dreams. Narrowing down your focus. Followed by writing yourself letters of exploration and making dreams a reality. Finishing up with the fun of executing those love letters to yourself on a monthly basis.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Life Letters" immediately.

I for one cannot wait to open my first letter on my birthday! No better way to kick off 32 than with rediscovering myself and being true to me :)

The Guilt of a Mother: True Life Confessions

At some point after Adelaide was born, I read an article about how parents should stop saying "no" and redirect the conversation. I guess I should have read it a few more times as Adelaide can't get enough of telling Ryan and I "no."

If you want to take a look at yourself and how you behave, take a look at your child sometime. Its quite a sobering feeling. It makes you stop and think how you talk to your child, your spouse, and others.

For example, 95% of the time Adelaide says "please" or "thank you" to me because that is how I generally ask her for or to do things. She hardly says those words to Ryan because he doesn't use them towards anyone.

But although I have manners, I have heard my child say *with the exact feelings and meaning that I do it* "damnit" when she is frustrated with something. I do catch myself laughing from time to time as this tiny little toddler captures the essence and beauty of honest life. However I am not 100% sure that I want her exploiting that honesty at school.

I also hear her say "stop it" and "give me" all too much. So much that I am trying to be extremely aware of my own behavior and ways of asking/telling.

Before becoming a mom, I lived with relatively few regrets. And not much guilt at all. Well since becoming a mother, I feel like the guilt is often too overwhelming for my liking. Guilt for not being strict enough. Guilt for being too strict. Guilt for rocking Adelaide that extra time even though I know she is asking for it just to stay awake a little longer. Guilt for not rocking her even longer. Guilt for raising my voice. Guilt for losing my patience. Guilt for giving her that extra cookies (ah well I actually don't feel guilt over that ;) ).

I often wonder at what point does a mother lose her guilt. At what point does she give herself the benefit of the doubt. At what point does she say to herself, "hey listen you are doing the best job that you possibly can so give yourself a break." Or does that never come? Because just like in all other things, there is always room for improvement.

I hope that someday I am able to forgive myself for the mistakes I have made as a mother. I hope that my children will forgive me too. And I hope that when they become parents, they will understand how truly rewarding but difficult it is to be the best parent you can be. I hope they will always know that everything I have done and will done is with love.