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The calm before the storm

Many of us in the PNW got a taste of the wind storms that the fall and winter months often bring yesterday. Of course, I could share my thoughts and experiences with it but as I sat snuggled in my home, enjoying the blustery day and the gas fireplace and had tea with my daughter all I could think was this ” I wish this moment would last”.

In my world I find moments of calm hard to come by. I thrive in a busy life and love being on the go with my favorite side kick in tow. Yet, as I think of the next 6 weeks and the buzz already in the air of Holiday preparations, the shopping, the invites and the unending pressure of making each moment count. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to share the magic of the Season with my family. I also, don’t want to wake up in Jan exhausted, unable to recall what we did because it was such a flurry of chaos, and have a large debt to show for the “fun” we had.

Over the next few days I want to share a few of the ways Wholeness Nanny and You can help you through this Holiday Season. I would love to hear your feedback and your tips so comment below and lets make this a magical time for kids, parents, and nannies alike.

Outdoor Activities

My morning commute…the view that is!

Today’s little moment of thanks is for my morning commute. Not the drive, or the hour (way too early for this gal!), or the terrible drivers but for the views.

I am blessed to have some of the most amazing views along my drive into work. It helps that I head in at the same hour as nearly all of Seattle, leading me to be forced to stop and admire the beauty around me. I understand beauty is in the eye of the beholder so some of what I describe next may not fit your definition but I’d ask you drive it once on a gorgeous sunrise before totally axing this gratitude of mine.

This is my commute which I do solo, so I have no video or photo proof but believe me I have tried many times and there comes a point I had to decide safety first…

Here is just a “glimpse” of what I get to see and am grateful to enjoy:

-The port of Seattle with a backdrop of West Seattle. Ferries heading off to the islands which are often sprinkled with clouds off in the distance.

-The stadiums with Seattle’s top athletes starring me down.

– A stretch of I-90 where I am blinded by the sun rising, shocked by looming Mt Rainier, and in awe of what Bellevue looks like shrouded in fog.

– Bald eagles soaring, cranes gliding, gulls playing in the wind and hawks spying me from the light posts.

I hate mornings, not much will convince me otherwise but no matter what my grump level is, my wonderful and often unexpected views while heading in to face “the world” is just enough. Just enough to make it all worth it, to change my mood, uplift my spirit, and remind me how lucky I am to have this day.

Image result for mt rainier from I-90 floating bridge

Image result for sunrise from I-90 floating bridge

Outdoor Activities

Time to give thanks!

Good bye, October…Hello November!

One of my favorite months! November is my month to reset and prepare for the craziness of the holiday season. Each year in November I try to be more mindful, take time to give back, appreciate each little blessing, and spend the month bettering myself and hopefully spreading a positive vibe around.

On that note, this months’s blogs will be dedicated to those very things…

Today I am thankful for the beautiful state I live in. It has to be one of the most beautiful places I know of. I spent my weekend surround by mountain views, fall colors, and nature. My heart was happy, my mind at peace, and for a few days the hustle and bustle of work and city life were not even on the radar. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this small moment in time where I was able to be at one with mother nature, let my every worry disappear in the breeze while the sunshine warmed my face.

Thank you Mt Rainier for the amazing weekend!

Uncategorized

To trick or treat? Who has the practice?

Let’s face it, Halloween is a little weird. I can’t even imagine what I was thinking those first few years of being stuffed into a costume, told to wander around in the dark, approach dark and spooky houses and receive candy from strangers. I suppose for me, it was a little easier then some. I had three older sisters, these gals always kept me in the loop. With older siblings you get the heads up about these things, like “don’t be scared, those aren’t real bones in the grass.” or “don’t go to that house, there is a guy who always jumps out to scare the kids.” or “always hit up this house, the give away king size candy bars!” What if you didn’t have that? What if you were the oldest? Or an only? Who helps you figure it all out?

Image result for trick or treat

Here’s the good news…there are now place one can go to try out the whole trick or treating thing before the big day. Places you can go and see others wearing costumes and knocking on doors but the lights are on and the people aren’t so scary. There is no harm in preparing your little one for one of the strangest nights of the year.

Image result for trick or treat

Here are some of the safe spots to give trick or treating a practice run for you and your youngsters:

Children’s Hospital:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Seattle Children’s Autism Center, 4909 25th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Contact: Call 206-987-0299 for more information.
Cost: Free. No RSVP needed.

Woodland Park Zoo:

boobash

pumpkin bash featuring boomazium

WHEN: Oct 28 – Oct 29 at 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Phinney Ridge , Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, Wa

COST: Free with admission or membership

AGES: All

Renton Landing:

WHEN: Oct 30, 2016 at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Renton, The Landing in Renton, 1215 N. Landing Way, Renton, Wa

COST: Free

AGES: All

Image result for trick or treat

Indoor Categories

Halloween crafts…time to decorate!

It’s already halfway through this spooky month that kicks off fall and a domino of holidays. I thought it’d be a fun time to share a couple super quick and easy crafts you (or your nanny) could do with your little one to get into the Halloween mood…these are kid friendly, not crafts to spark fear and nightmares.

These are some of my favorite crafts I’ve done year after year with my clients at work. Some of these do require a little more supervision (think paint or scissors) but all in all can be completed fairly independently. I find having one example done ahead of time helps little crafts understand the crafts at hand.

Spider Web– this requires some fine motor practice from little hands and a tiny bit of prep from the adults. I would do the paint in phases, this could be a multiple day projects or be used in a home “lesson”…incorporate a web hunt in the back yard, read some stories about spiders, sing itsy-bitsy spider. spider wed *Don’t forget to add the age of those hands on the back…it’s fun to watch the spider grow each year if you repeat this craft.

Mummies!– this one is super cute and gives use to those condiment jars that are almost empty after all the summer barbecues. With very few materials needed yet painting with glue!- this slightly mess is craft is hit for kids and parents alike. Who doesn’t like one more light by the door on these dark, windy nights? I recommend using the battery operated tea lights for added safety (and they won’t get blown out).

mummies

Monster – so you may notice a theme with my crafts…if it can be done with recycled products that I have laying around the house, that’s my preference. Here’s one that is fun to do during a play date or with siblings. Get all the materials out, show them the picture, and see what kind of monsters your little monsters come up with. I love seeing how creative young minds can get.

monsters I think this is also a great craft for ridding your craft drawer of tiny bits of left over materials from past projects. It doesn’t have to look like much to you, it’s what it becomes in the hands of the artist that matters!

Candy Corn handprints– If you are one of those types who look at those tiny hands and can’t imagine that they will one day be as large as yours…this one is for you! It may take a tag team effort to avoid a paint-tastraphy (one holding hand, one prepared with paper towel to immediately wipe hands). Again, this craft leans toward the side of me who likes to repeat projects and see the growth…you could even start with year one on one side and add a candy corn each year to see the side by side comparison. All too often, we look down and realize we are staring at the heart of our “little” ones, not into there eyes- the grow sooooo fast!

candy corn

As I always recommend, Pinterest! It has endless ideas for crafts, decorating, teaching, learning…it’s an amazing tool to help any one turn a craft into a lesson, or a dream into reality!

Happy not so spooky October to you! Enjoy the changing of the seasons and all the fun of fall!

Hiring a Nanny

Thanks, Sis! or should I say”partner in crime?”

I am so blessed to have sisters. They are best friends, advisers, sounding boards, and confidants. I’ve recently been even more honored to begin business with one of these fabulous women.

I just wanted to send out a quick thank you to my sister and business partner, Staci. This weekend marks the first in many that we haven’t spent a few hours enjoying each others company. Whether for work or play, we have an amazing time together.

I hope you are recovering from the heart racing game this weekend, unwinding in your new space, and having almost as much fun as when we are together! You’re the best! Thank you for sharing this wild adventure with me, what an awesome gift!

Indoor Categories, Uncategorized

my “nothing” sunday

It’s been a really busy week for me. The time flew by and although I know I enjoyed it, it’s all a bit of a blur. I do know that I feel like today I got my feet back under me…chores are tackles, food is prepped, family time has been abundant. I love a good Sunday with “nothing” on the books!

My nothing started with a cup of coffee and cuddles with the cat. Which quickly was joined by the husband and the morning football games (we’ve got the red zone and a surface that bridges what might be missed by only one TV). As I felt the caffeine kicking in I was able to persuade my man to head to the store with me and get the last items needed for the week-went far better then anticipated. Home by noon.

In my need to pile as much into as small a time frame as possible, I got the Sunday brunch of home made biscuits and gravy going, prep for a soup to simmer, transfer now frozen pineapple into the smoothie container, hard boil eggs, and start the laundry…ALL before kickoff!!

I’ve got lunches and dinners for days, a clean bed to retire to, a happy husband and self (Thanks for a crazy game Seahawks), an empty sink…I think it’s time for a little me time! A really long and hot shower, my favorite bands playing in the background, and a evening of relaxing feeling set for the week.

I call today my “tornado” day…my one day a week where I go nuts, start as many projects as I feel confident I can complete before bed and just check of my to do list like I’m leaving town for weeks. When those long work days hit, and traffic slows my progress, I’m going to go home guilt free, slip into my cozy sweats and be grateful I was given time on the weekend to be lazy during the week…or at least have plan b and c in line to ward off stress!

Indoor Categories, Outdoor Activities

What’s happening in Seattle this October…

Image result for pumpkin

A new month of fun is upon us! Thankfully the weather is being somewhat cooperative so here’s my list of just a few of the fun things going on in the Seattle area.

Corn Maze! Fun at any age and a great way to practice those team building skills. Go as a family during the day or get a sitter and make a date night of spooky fun for just the grown ups!

Bob’s Corn Maze : Pumpkin patch, corn maze, fire pits, cow train, apple cannons and more!

bob 2

Carpinito Brothers: Pumpkin Patch, corn maze, hay rides and snacks!

Haunted Houses: Need I say more?

Georgetown Morgue: Open Thursdays-Sundays all October, VIP tickets available to skip lines, great food/bar scene in the neighborhood for after! GT morgue

Nightmare at Beaver Lake: An indoor/outdoor experience, the largest in Seattle area!

Other not so scary events:

Issaquah Salmon Days: Carnival, music, and a parade?!? This sounds like too much family fun. Check it out October 7th and 8th! Great event on the eastside!

Costume Carnival : Another family friendly and probably pretty adorable activity to end the month with.

Heard of any other awesome events?? Share it here!

Indoor Categories

Awesome event…this weekend!

Hey ladies of the Northwest! Hope this last push of sunshine and warmth has been as pleasing to you as it has been to me…I was afraid I had missed my chance to send off the sun with a proper goodbye last week. Fret not, it made one more glorious appearance, woohoo!

I just wanted to send a quick shout out to an amazing event that will be happening this Friday and Saturday in Everett, “Celebrating Women Expo!” This event will feature a ladies night Friday to enjoy spa services, live jazz, a bar and some wonderful women. Saturday over 80 vendors are going to gathered and offering you a jump start on your gift shopping and consultants to answer your burning questions!

It’s going to be an awesome event and for a great cause! I will be attending with my sister/business partner and would love to see you there!

Need more info? Just ask!

womens expo

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