mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

{recipe}: Cheesy BBQ Open-Faced Sloppy Joes

I admit it.  I am definitely not one who enjoys being in the kitchen.  Nope.  Not while I could be spending time with my kids throwing a football or playing charades or just hangin' with them.  So, when it comes to weeknight meal planning I try and keep it simple.  No, scratch that, I DO keep it simple!  I look for recipes that are hearty, somewhat healthy, and that are of course delicious!  My brood of boys are pretty picky {well, not my hubs -- he'll eat just about anything!} so I have to be careful about trying new things on them.  Luckily for me, this recipe was a complete hit with everyone, including me!

Playdates gone digital

What is it with playdates these days?  Both of my older kids (ages 9 and 7) have had several playdates in recent weeks and it seems like kids are no longer "playing" on the playdates.  Rather, they are obsessed with playing video games with one another.  It totally bothers the hubs and I that playdates have turned into this kind of digital madness.  What ever happened to actually playing with each other?  Like playing Legos or board games or tag outside?  Are we the only ones with kids who insist on playing Minecraft when they have friends over?  Sheesh. 

I find myself constantly saying to my kids, "why don't you actually play something with each other instead of just play on your iPods?".  But, alas, the kids say that IS their version of playing on a playdate.

This summer we've decided to have one screen-free day per week in order to get the kids to detox from their laptops, iPods, XBOX, and other devices.  The kids have actually not complained too much about it and I'm enjoying watching them use their creative brains to stay busy sans devices.

What about your kids -- do they still play alongside their friends during playdates?  How do you help encourage that? 

Better Together | My Summer Wardrobe & P&G

{Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by P&G. With Tide®, Downy® and Bounce®, you can keep your summer fashions looking new up to 50% longer.* Text CLEAN to TARGET (827438) for mobile coupons. *vs. leading value detergent alone}

As I was going through my closet the past couple of weeks, I found myself saying, "what in the heck did I wear before I was pregnant?" because I felt like my wardrobe was seriously lacking.  I mean, I have a pretty killer maternity wardrobe but it's not like I can {or want} to wear items from it year-round!

So, I've enjoyed doing a little bit of shopping lately and putting some simple and fun outfits together.  For me the key is staying true to my style while also staying comfortable.  Running around with 4 little boys in tow means I aim for comfort first and foremost.  But, I never do so at the expense of not feeling stylish.  

My boys and busy on-the-go snacking

{Disclosure:  This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Dole Packaged Foods, LLC. However, all opinions expressed are my own.}

With summer upon us, my hubs and our brood of boys will undoubtedly be on the move shuffling our kids to and from their busy seasonal activities.  Of course, since about the time my oldest was a toddler, I've not gone out on errands or activities without some sort of snack food stashed in my bag of tricks purse.  Especially with boys -- they're always asking for a snack and digging around looking for something to munch on.  

Post-Mastitis | I'm back from the dead.

So last week was the first official start to the summer.  It was the kids' first full week of being out of school and I had grand plans for us.  And then my boobage got in the way.

Last Saturday we all had an amazing time at a local family festival that we go to every year.  We had a blast.  One of our favorites was performing -- The Imagination Movers.

{review + giveaway}: Saving Money On New Huggies With SureFit + Dollar General

{The following is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Huggies, Dollar General has provided me with a $25 gift card for review and will supply a $20 gift card to one reader for this giveaway.  However all opinions expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines, 16 C.F.R Part 255.}

 

It's so funny how easily you forget how many diapers new babies really go through.  My sweet Andrew, baby #4 for us, is just a little over 6 weeks old and has already gone through LOTS of diapers since birth!  He started out in size 1 and is now rounding the corner to size 3 very quickly!  Yes, he skipped the newborn size altogether -- just a given when you're born weighing 9 pounds I guess!

{recipe}: Spinach and Swiss Cheese Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

I am a little over 6 weeks post-partum and have found myself in a dinner rut.  Not only do I not feel like cooking, but I can't even come up with any ideas, it seems.  It was amazing to have so many wonderful people bring my family yummy dinners right after we had Andrew and I am so grateful.  

Home Ownership Sometimes Bites

Things have gotten a little bit hairy around these parts.  And by "hairy" I don't mean the usual kinda "crazy" that you would think.  Ok, well, scratch that --things have been kinda crazy.  But what I actually mean is that a little hairy creature has wreaked havoc on our home recently.  Just take a look for yourself:

Family room turned day care

Do you ever just look around your house and wonder, "Where did all this crap-ola come from?"!  That's what I've been doing a lot of lately.  Don't get me wrong - I do love having all of the fun baby gear that help make my life as a busy mom easier, but DANG if the sight of my family room doesn't make me cringe and feel so cluttered!

Just shy of 6 short weeks of having our sweet Andrew in our lives and we've got nearly half a dozen baby "things" that take up valuable real estate in our family room - where we spend tons of time.  By the time you add the bassinet, swing, activity mat, bounce chair, etc. into the mix, it starts to feel just a tad bit like a day care.  I say this to my husband at least daily.  Sigh.

I know the time will come where I will long for the days of all the cluttery things that my growing family has accumulated, but for now I just wish it didn't make me crazy!  Ah, the joys of motherhood. 

How do you cope with all the kid gear and toys that seem to accumulate in your home?

{review + giveaway} | Microsoft Store #GoMicrosoft

{Disclosure:  The following is a sponsored post in collaboration with The Motherhood & Microsoft Stores.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  No one is the boss of me!}

If you're a tech-junkie like I am, you have GOT to take a little field trip to one of the 30+ Microsoft retail stores featuring tons of fun gadgets that the whole family will enjoy taking a peek at!