Summer Kickoff

Readers, I have to be honest. I was dreading summer. To some extent, I still am - we tend to do better when we have a set schedule around here, and preschool was awesome in providing that. Plus, on Tuesday mornings I had plenty of time to myself to read or write or browse Target. I wouldn't be a SAHM if I didn't go to Target and find things I don't need but suddenly realize I want.

But yesterday, we hosted a small, last-minute, Memorial Day barbecue. Our next door neighbors (Cupcake's best friend) came over along with some friends who work with my husband and with whom we've had a lot of fun. We laughed. Drank a little wine. Had sliders and hot dogs and baked beans. Made homemade ice cream. The littles got a long - there was no Mineitis until the end of the evening. Sometimes, you don't even realize how much you miss connecting with people until you do it and it's all over. You realize you've been stuck changing diapers and worrying about school drop-offs and starting potty-training and getting all those things done (which probably *ahem* okay STILL haven't gotten done) and you've neglected to maybe take a breath and just talk and laugh with friends - to recharge the relaxation battery.

This morning, after the kids actually slept well. (Someday, perhaps I'll post about the sleeping or lack thereof we've dealt with, especially with Cupcake). They were happy. We were rested. And the weather is beautiful - not too hot. A wonderful breeze. I am sitting at the table, drinking coffee and watching Fruitman (the one year old) play outside with the bubble machine and then just stop in AWE of the grounds crew mowing the lawn in our back yard common area. He is enthralled. I walk out and have him sit on my lap, and he holds my hand and just watches. Cupcake (the 3 year old) is watching Clifford and still in her jammies and peeks her head out the door to watch (but not come out, because mowers are LOUD and she is not a fan of the loud unless of course, she's the one doing it).

Soon, I'll try to pack them in the car and go to the library and Target. Summer reading starts so we'll sign up. There will be some structure for lunch and quiet time. We'll still have baths every night, because it's summer and they'll be filthy from playing outside and being covered in sunscreen and dirt and grass. And there will be days with screaming and crying and tantrums. But maybe summer won't be so bad. Maybe, despite our lack of structure we'll still have a relaxed time. I think we all need it. I'll keep you posted.

Strawberries and Paychecks

As most people know, having children is EXPENSIVE. First, it's the gear: carseat, crib, stroller, carrier, diapers. Just FYI - I never had enough diapers or wipes, but I will never run out of tiny newborn blankets, despite the fact that I haven't had a newborn in over a year. So if you ever go to a baby shower two words of advice: 1) buy off the registry unless it's something special - like a homemade blanket they'll always have or 2) buy diapers in various sizes.

Later, those babies grow into toddlers who apparently need all. the. toys. And have to eat. We go through pounds of fruit in a week. I am not exaggerating. Between both my toddlers we can go through a quart of strawberries in about fifteen minutes. We buy bananas every week, sometimes more.

And now, we have preschool. And camps. And fun activities that cost money. Usually not extremely expensive activities, but it adds up. For a SAHM, it tends to leave you feeling guilty. You want to balance the activities with fun time at home (including t.v. time - shout out to Elmo!) but you also know you're not really contributing financially to the household. Unless you count Target runs with the Cartwheel app to save money.

So, I embarked on a job search. I don't want to put my kids in daycare. Soon enough my oldest will be in kindergarten every day. My youngest will be in preschool. So I will be able to swing a part-time gig soon. But soon doesn't help pay for swimming classes or strawberries. So I wanted to find something I could do during nap times and in the evening. Something online, from home. I considered writing, but for that I'd need time to build up a portfolio (well, I've started one, it'll just take longer). I am also working on a couple of novels (because someday I hope to be as wealthy as J.K. Rowling based on doing something awesome like getting published. I'm a dreamer). So I've applied for all sorts of things - data entry. Surveys. Online essay reading. So far, I have yet to hear back from any of these, but I'm really hoping it will come through very soon.

But it's so difficult to tell what is legitimate (and will actually pay you something that will really help out) and what is a scam. There are so many of those - pay a fee and you'll earn $30,000 a month with our proven program. Readers, you've seen these I'm sure. I have high hopes - I'm reliable, I can type extremely fast, I want to help out at home financially. Being a SAHM is rewarding in many ways, but no one pays you to raise the next generation! So wish me luck and hope something comes through. And if you are interested, I have some links that might help you out on your own search.

Welcome

Welcome to Hagus and Lightbulbs, a blog on everything I can think of that might be interesting to write and comment about. A little information about me: I am a stay at home mom to a little girl (3) and a little boy (1). In a prior life, I worked as a youth services librarian. I am a cupcake addict, a planner, and drink too much coffee. I read too much of everything, post too much on Facebook, and dream too much about Pinterest projects I will never try.