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Spring Time Update

Mom Life, Uncategorized

Springtime 2022

Spring is here and for some reason I feel a new level of energy and excitement. These last few weeks has been extremely busy and rushed at my 9-5 which translates to overwhelm and exhaustion in my marriage and motherhood. So I am definitely looking forward to all of the joy and peace that Spring brings. 

Honestly, Spring is my second favorite time of year, next to summer (because hot mom summer never gets old). I love the freshness of the air (y’all could keep the pollen), the long spring evenings, the beautiful weather and the unspoken shift in everyone’s mood; including mines. 

Since the beginning of the year, I have had five international trips and one local and to say that I have been living out of my suitcase and abandoning my responsibilities, as mom and wife, is an understatement. As we move into Q2, I have big goals for me and my family which will require me to not only be present, but to also be prepared, so I am using this new week to set goals, align and make sure that I am on track with the resolutions I set at the beginning of the year. This includes my fitness goals. 

At the beginning of 2022, I signed up for the E2M program because I was tired of the consistent starting and stopping when it came to my fitness goals. The program is awesome, easy to commit to and made a huge difference and then I had too many cheat days and skipped so much sessions that I am back to my 2021 pandemic weight. Last week, my mom told me that it’s time to get serious about it because I look like I am carrying three people in my body(🙄). Now while I know she is being unnecessarily mean and aggressive for no good reason, I do know that it’s time to get back in control of what I am putting into my body. So as we usher in Spring, what better time to get started. 

Life has been life-ing but I am committed to getting myself back on a routine along with meal prepping and doing the things I need to do to reach the goals that I have. Are you with me?!?! Let’s be accountability buddies! First step, let’s get organized! Here are five things I am doing this week to get myself all the way together:

  • Clean out refrigerator & pantry. Getting rid of everything that is old, unhealthy and simply no longer needed. Cleaning out the shelves and preparing for a fresh start. 
  • Grocery shopping. We have been eating out so much lately, it’s very hard to choose healthy options. Grocery shopping forces me to cook which usually means healthier eating.
  • Organized calendar. The kids are back to school every day which means I have the time to get things done. Organizing my life has been difficult managing them kids at home so them back in school face to face frees up time for me to work uninterrupted. 
  • Rest & Reset. I never understood what people meant when they said the best way to be productive is by resting, until I became a wife and mom. Doing everything while burnt out is 0/10 and I definitely do not recommend. 
  • Scheduling date night. I don’t know about y’all but I like my husband. I like hanging with him, laughing with him and all the things. So I am always happier when we are able to spend one-on-one time together without the kids. 

What are you doing this week to end Q1 strong and get ready for Q2? 

Sending out light and love as you Spring into this new month🌸💕💐

Holiday Baking with Healthy Heights

Food + Recipes, Mom Life

Baking with my favorite girl – Keethemamabee

One of my absolute favorite things to do during the holidays is bake goodies with my kids. It is something about the kitchen, music playing in the background and the smell of yummy goodness that just screams holiday for us.

This year, we are making even more holiday treats but this time with a healthy taste and not sacrificing the flavor or the fun! Healthy Heights’ shake mix is a clinically studied, pediatrician developed shake mix that contains the nutrients kids need to grow. It’s great for picky eaters, like my toddler, kids in need of a protein boost, those behind on the growth curve, or for everyday use in smoothies and recipes, a win win for both kids!

Baking with baby – keethemamabee

What I love most about the Healthy Heights shake mix is that it can be used in a variety of ways, from a simple mix + milk blender bottle shake all the way to adding into baked goods and dinner entrees that may otherwise be lacking in protein. If you know me, I am the queen of finding ways to get kids to eat better without them knowing so this definitely makes adding protein to their daily intake so much easier.

The holidays can come with so much junk food. Healthy Heights protein mix give us parents the option to make something a little different with our kids and have fun in the kitchen together. The products have quality ingredients that are a great source of protein, they are developed by pediatricians and clinically tested; perfect for growing kids over the age of 3!

Top Toddler Pick for Black Friday- Coco Village

Mom Life

Honestly, I have contemplated buying more things to put in my home this holiday because let’s face it, if you are a mom, you know the struggle of having toys and gadgets everywhere you turn and no space to actually live. However, every time I see my kids together playing, learning and creating moments, it makes the messy house all worth it.

We got this amazing Learning Tour from our friends at Coco Village and not only is it the perfect mini jungle gym for my little climber, it is also the best learning tool for a toddler who is seeking a little independence.

Being too little to do certain things can get frustrating for your little curious ones…Coco Village offers its new Learning Tower to combat that! By raising them up to counter height, the Learning Tower gives your little helpers the chance to explore food or toys independently and safely, always next to you. No need to run around or battle to cook with your arms full! As soon as your little ones are comfortable standing on their own, the Learning Tower gives them a unique opportunity to build their confidence and self-esteem while promoting both fine and motor skills.

Coco Village Learning Tower – Mango

Made of solid Birch wood and plywood, it is designed to allow your little ones to climb in and out of the tower by themselves using the adjustable step (3 different heights). The Learning Tower features an adjustable platform so it fully grows with your little partners.

Beyond play, the learning tool is awesome for allowing toddlers to do the things that they are learning through mimicking and teeth brushing is no exception!

Grab this awesome Learning Tower from www.cocovillage and access their VIP Black Friday Sale happening now using this link: https://bit.ly/2ZV5Mw5 . Check them out today enjoying all of the Black Friday savings with up to 70% off selected items. I guarantee that both you and your kids will love it!

How to Talk to Kids (so that they ACTUALLY listen)

Mom Life

As if the pandemic hasn’t been super exhausting for us parents, add some exhausted kids and what do you get? Attitude, behavioral issues and daily tantrums! That’s right, my ten year old daughter has officially reached the point in the pandemic where she is over virtual schooling, tired of not being able to hug her friends and sick of being told no for certain activities at the risk of catching the big C.

A Very Opinionated Preteen

About two weeks ago, I noticed that she was very distant; not paying attention in virtual school, twiddling her thumbs when I spoke and just was not here for any of it. Let me be clear, the typically pre-teen attitude has always been there, but typically my daughter is super excited about school, learning the whole nine yards. She is an over achiever in fact, and always try to show her leadership skills so this behavior was very off! Being so caught up with work, my toddler son who is on 100 from he wakes up until the moment he goes to sleep and annual budget planning; somehow I missed our usual (daily) check ins. She has been doing breakfast by herself because most mornings I am trying to catch up on work from the day before. Usually we take a walk during our lunch break, but with the end of year approaching, I have been using any and every “free time” to get work done.

Noticing her complete change, I intentionally set time out this weekend to connect. To begin, I allowed her to spend a night by her grandparents ( a mini staycation) away from her baby brother, who does not give her time by herself, and me. This was the break she needed! Once she got back, we spent the evening baking together, which has always been her favorite thing to do with me. On Sunday, I took her with me to go grocery shopping and then allowed her to get involved in cooking the family dinner. She absolutely loves cooking and this was the perfect opportunity to cook and reconnect.

This morning she is up and in great spirits; she got up on her own, made breakfast and came to ask if I wanted to join her (here comes the tears). One of the best lessons I have learned as a mother is learning how to talk to kids so that they will connect and listen. Here are some talking tips that has worked for me with a very moody and opinionated preteen:

Connect before directing: find a way to connect with your child in a way that is pure and genuine. Be present in the moment and give your child your full attention

Be an active listener: As a mom, sometimes it is hard for us to listen to our kids, especially when they are giving off an attitude and not listening. Learning to sit back and allow your kids to openly and freely express themselves is super important.

Give them space: You know that feelin you get when you are tired of being wanted and needed by your kids, your husband and everyone in between? Yes, the feeling you get when you just want to hang out with your girls, kids feel this way too. So give them space!

Stay Brief: The attention span of a child is typically very short. Keep your conversations short, sweet and to the point so that they are not bored and can grasp the lesson being taught.

Ask for Feedback: Children at a certain age can benefit from a level of independence, allowing them to be a part of the decision making process allows them to experience this independence while being a part of something.

Close the Conversations: If your child is requesting something, provide a complete answer. If you do not have the answer right away, give a deadline for when they can expect an answer. Do not leave things lingering.

Having kids who actually listen is a very hard job but not impossible. Practice consistently doing the above and watch the difference it makes!

Working Mom of Two Working from Home Routine & Tips

Mom Life, Uncategorized

2020 Work Station while juggling a new born and a pre-teen

It is the week before the start of the new school year and I received an email from my eldest daughter’s school administration advising that we are entering the new school year virtual, AGAIN. I would be lying if I said that I did not expect it but somewhere in me thought there was hope and that the kids would be back to physical school.

Enjoying time with my little on our lunch break.

Let me just begin by saying, being a mom with the flexibility to work from home has been the most amazing feeling. Being able to be involved in the day to day life of my kids, participate in the dropping off and pick up of the kids and enjoying fun time with the kids without the stress of working outside of the home has been a true blessing; but it also comes with its challenges. The biggest challenge of them all is setting boundaries; for work, for my kids, for my husband. For this, I have routines in place that helps me to balance most areas of my life and make things a little bit more comfortable and exciting. Think Happy Wife, Happy Life!

  1. I get up an hour earlier than my kids to create my to do lists for the day. Set my intentions. Drink my coffee uninterrupted and exercise (sometimes). This hour makes all the difference in getting my day started.
  2. We have a morning and evening routine. Whether you want to accept it or not, kids strive better when they follow a routine. For us that means waking up at 7am with a bedtime of 8pm- no exceptions. Both our morning and evening routines includes a shower, family devotions and a time to connect with the kids, this works for us and may not work for everyone but having some structure makes all the difference.
  3. Independence. I am the mom that fosters independence. I don’t believe in kids being up under me all the time. For this, I create a schedule of activities for my kids to do which includes time for independent play and time outside every day. That gives me the time to spend getting work done, reaching clients and sending out emails.
  4. Logging out of work. A part of maintaining the daily balance as a work at home mom is implementing boundaries and knowing when to log out. Sometimes because of my schedule and the balancing act of kids, I can find myself up late working even after the kids have gone to bed, knowing when to log out and set boundaries on work is also imperative. Just like the kids and work, hubby requires uninterrupted time and creating boundaries allows just that. Setting my alarm at 6pm as an indication to put work down keeps me present.
  5. Finally and most importantly, leave room for error. Having a plan is always good but any mom would tell you that most often than not, plans do not go as planned. Be flexible in every situation, maybe the kids are sick or you need to attend a meeting in the market after “work”, know that there will be the occasional moments when routines and schedules requires flexibility and to accommodate whatever you are dealing with; and that is okay!

    Prioritizing based on importance in each moment is one of the many joys working from home provides; take advantage of the privileges’ you have been blessed with!
You got this!

Staycation at Comfort Suites, Paradise Island

Uncategorized

Thomas Family Staycation

We are coming off of a high from our amazing weekend staycation at Comfort Suites, Paradise Island, this past weekend and I am feeling relaxed, recharged and re-energized! The amazing team at Comfort Suites invited us to enjoy three days and two nights at this incredible property and we couldn’t be more pleased with our stay. The hotel is located on Paradise Island, Nassau Bahamas and is complete with all the amenities you need to enjoy a perfect family getaway. The amenity package includes but is not limited to, complimentary hot a la carte breakfast daily, free wifi and parking, complimentary access to Atlantis Aquaventure and the big score for any family with kids is that all kids under 11 years old, stay, play and eat free for the duration of their stay; how suite is that!

Comfort Suites, Paradise Island

On Friday morning, my husband and I took the Coivd Rapid Antigen test as it was a requirement for checking into the hotel. Once we were all packed up, we headed out for a fantastic weekend! Upon checking into the hotel, we were greeted by the friendly staff who requested our negative COVID test results and checked our tempertures. We were also asked to sanitize before heading to the check in counter. We immediately felt more relaxed and comfortable given the measures they are taking to ensure the safety for all guests. From the 6ft social distancing stickers to sanitizers throughout the property and staff wearing masks, there was no room for error.

Excited Daughter after realizing we were here to spend the weekend

We walked into our beautiful room and was surprised by the amazingly detailed snacks, a note from the staff and a guide to help us navigate the property during our stay. My daughter was so excited and could not stop talking about the VIP treatment we were receiving. The hotel room was really nice and had the perfect layout for a family. Our room had a full living room area that overlooked the garden and the view was very relaxing. The bathroom was perfect with a deep tub to bathe the kiddies in and a nice shower for the adults. The vanity area was seperate which was great for our family because it allowed one person to use the bathroom while I did my makeup. In the words on my nine year old daughter “we should live in this room forever, it is perfect!”.

After relaxing in our room for awhile, it was time for dinner. We went to dinner at Crusoe’s Restaurant, which is on property. The wait staff at the restaurant were super energetic and friendly, the food was Bahamian perfection and the ambiance nice but kid friendly! I indulged in the native grouper dish, my hubby enjoyed the West Indian Style Chicken with mushrooms and my daughter completed a yummy bowl of homemade spagetti and meatballs. We thought our main course was good, until we had the dessert. Thankfully, our room was close enough for us to waddle back and enjoy the rest of the night.

The next day, we woke up and went for breakfast. The service was excellent, the breakfast came within 15 minutes of us being seated and was fresh and hot. We had a family breakfast around the poolside and enjoyed watching the birds. We had a mix of bacon, scrambled eggs, grits, toast, fresh fruits, muffins, danishes and orange juice. Might I remind you that this is offered to guests complimentary! After breakfast, we spent some time around the pool and went back into the room to enjoy the very comfy beds and watch cartoons together.

The frozen drinks are perfect even for adults with a little something extra 🙂

We had a light lunch with frozen drinks around the swim up pool because we could not wait to head back to Crusoe’s later that night for dinner. This time I got the Crack Conch Dinner, my daughter had a personal pan cheese pizza and hubby went with his favorite from the night before. I’m not saying that the Guava Bread Pudding is the best thing I ever ate, but it is in my top three!

Nassau Grouper Dinner & West Indian Style Chicken with Peas n Rice
Kids Spagetti & Meatballs

The next day we got up early to grab breakfast and head over to Aquaventure water park at Atalntis. Knowing that we would be out in the sun all day, we ensured that we had a hot meal to get the day going. Having the access to Aquaventure was a major perk as the kids felt like they were on a whole new adventure! From the aquarium, to the water park and beach access, at the end of the day, they were both done a win for any mother!

A La Carte Breakfast
Day at Aquaventure
Fun at Atlantis

I am so thankful for Comfort Suites and for this incredible family staycation. This was a much-needed getaway for our family, and I am now hooked on this local experience. I can’t wait to go back in the summer and enjoy the food and drinks around the swimup pool. If you’re in the Nassau and need a little getaway for you and the family or traveling to the area, Comfort Suites, Paradise Island is the place to go. They will undoubtedly take care of you. If you are a local, you can enjoy this awesome experience for only $128.00 per night now until May 31st 2021. See details below:

Local Blow Out Sale

Thank you Comfort Suites for the best staycation experience!

10 Things You Can Do Now to “Spring Forward”

Food + Recipes, Mom Life

Growing up in The Bahamas meant that we never really experienced seasons. The only indicator we really had of season changes was my mom changing out the decorations every so often. Spring was always the most important. She took Spring Cleaning to a new level, it always felt like Spring was an opportunity to start over. This was and still is one of the things I admire most about my mom as a home maker, her ability to make the house feel like home every day! Following my mom’s lead, here are a few things you can do now, to Spring forward and get everyone in the “season”:

  1. Fresh Flowers: nothing says SPRING like a nice set of flowers, Whether it is hand picked or store bought, flowers can brighten up a room, enhance the feel of the home and bring joy.

2. Closet Clean Out: out with the old and in with the new, or so the saying goes. Getting rid of old clothes and last season fits makes room for the spring dresses and sandals that will be added.

3. Rearrange Furniture: Keeping your home fresh and attractive doesnt mean buying new furniture every season (unless you got it like that). Simply rearranging furniture to add excitement may be all you need!

4. Add Pillows: I love me a good pillow! Adding themes each season to your home furniture allows you to give old furniture a new look and feel for every time.

5. Renovate the Bathrooms: this can be as simple or as complex as needed; but a spring bathroom renovation can definitely change the feel of your home.

6. Pain the walls: this can be done outside or inside or both, find a color that is “spring ready” and switch it up a little.

7. Plant flowers: yes we know placing flowers in your home is a sure way to brighten up the inside, but what about planting flowers outside and starting a garden, Spring is definitely the best time to get started

8. Bake Fresh Cookies Daily: Okay, it doesn’t have to be cookies and it doesn’t have to be every day, but warm fresh baked cookies just gives the smell of a warm Spring day, am I right?

9. Add a Wreath: my mom did this trick well! She created a faux wreath once a year and swapped out the decorations for each season. It was an affordable and fun way to keep things fresh.

10. Make sure home smells like Spring: Flowers are great but adding a touch of Spring by placing candles and diffusers throughout the house is a great way to keep things fresh. Some of my favorite scents for the season include: Citrus, Cherry Blossom, Lavender, Fresh Linen, Water Lily and Amber just to name a few.

A Balanced Life: Can it really be achieved?

Uncategorized

I have always been a career woman. Prior to giving birth to my first child, I would have never considered motherhood. It was just not something I had on my mind. After my daughter, I knew that I still wanted an awesome career but now with child, I didn’t think it would be possible. I always heard people talk about balance and in most situations, it seems as if the odds are stacked up against women when it comes to balancing work life and home. So the question then is, is a balanced life really achievable? Can moms be successful in the workplace and home? Absolutely! I strongly believe that every woman has the ability to balance both home and work life without sacrificing anything in between.

Let’s dissect this a little bit. To begin with, it is important to note that balance for every person is completely different. What I consider achievable balance would be completely different from what my mom, sister or even my best friend thinks balance is; and that is completely ok! The key is to first understand why work life balance is so important and then find ways to achieve it. Work life balance is important because not only does it adds to the overall quality of life but when done right, work life balance can increase productivity, reduce stress, improve health and improve focus.

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
Having the right work balance will allow you to be present. When at work, you commit the necessary time and resources completing work and when at home, you are in the moment at home. The time allotted is clear and concise and there is never a need to bring work home or complete personal things at work.

REDUCEd STRESS
How many times have you felt exhausted by simply reading your to-do lists? It is like tasks are never completed and they continue to pile up on each other, work and home. Work-life balance allows you to be more equipped to handle stressful situations at work and home. Eliminating burnout, which is one key factor that stops so many of us moms from achieving balance.

IMPROVES HEALTH
Do you ever see those moms who work out every day, pack the perfect snacks for their kids, are always at PTA meetings volunteering and they just seem to have it all together? Yeah, those moms! They are the moms who understand that exercise and nutrition results in more energy and efficiency. With the proper work life balance, ensuring that health is a priority becomes easy.

IMPROVES FOCUS
Balance improves focus. When balance is achieved, there is clear separation of focus. While at work, moms can focus on getting things done, reaching their goals and climbing the corporate ladder; but at the end of the day, the stress from the busy work day is left in the workplace. Allowing for moms who are more present and in tune to the needs of kids, partners and the home.

WORK LIFE BALANCE IS ACHIEVABLE

It will require some adjustments in the beginning and will require time to successfully accomplish, but work life balance is achievable! Consider theses fundamental things you can start now to achieve the work life balance you are seeking:

  1. PRIORITIZE
    Not everything in your life is urgent. Some things can wait whether it is for work or home. Address issues according to their priority. Stop putting things off for later and tackle small issues before they become big problems.
  2. IMPLEMENT BOUNDARIES
    Know when to say no. When to stop a project. When to delegate. When to not answer a call. Understand that you can be a contributor to tasks and assignments without always being accessible.
  3. STAY ORGANIZED
    Always have a plan. An organized mom can rule the world. IN REAL LIFE! Remaining organized by removing clutter and chaos, creating schedules and making lists is key to staying on top of life both at work and home.
  4. TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS
    Even God had a day of rest! Remember in your scheduling to include necessary breaks and time for self care.

With the above considered, I absolutely believe that work life balance is not only important but achievable. Keeping in mind that balance doesn’t always mean the same thing for every person. Some days work will require more hours and other days tending to a sick baby or hubby will be the priority. Remember to remain flexible and adjust as you go. Are you aiming for work life balance? Let me know in the comments below.


Achieving Work Life Balance

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