As I told one of my favorite parent friends that we did Peacock Lane last night he asked but why?? I said, with big eyes, I don’t know? I’m tired from the ice skating birthday party on Sunday too BUT it was a ped only night at Peacock Lane. woohoo! He said, but why would you do that? Driving down Peacock Lane is so much nicer. And at that moment it did sound easier. I was brushing Pepper’s hair and cutting her pink satin ribbon for the ponytail bow. It’s day 2 of Blaize and Pepper wearing big huge, satin bows in their hair. Their idea 🙂 (Remember Little House on the Prairie? We’re on season 3)  Blaize’s teacher greeted Blaize this morning and said said “oh another big bow for you?!” Montessori schools are awesome and oh so honest. Haha! Pep living her best life waiting for her hot cocoa to cool off. 🙂

After I did big bows, big hugs and kisses and hustled off to hot yoga I remembered why I drug my kids to SE Portland on a Monday night at 6pm to walk Peacock Lane. Because I LOVE fresh air and ADVENTURE. I heard a lot of questions and a fair amount of complaints but Pepper’s smile in that Charlie Brown house made it all worth it. And mama got a ton of fresh air. One of my favorite houses on Peacock Lane. As we were walking by the owner came out of his house to greet the crowds and Blaize said is that Dr. Seuss?! hahahaThis huge, happy smile is ONE of the many reasons I rallied to walk Peacock Lane last night with my sis and her pod.The whole gang wiggling down Peacock Lane like one big herd

I’m lucky. I’m almost 45 years old. I’m a single mom with three young children who I adore. I spend most of my time being the best mom I can be for them. Reading parenting books, teaching kindness and respect. Modeling high integrity with my words and actions with them and other people. Staying positive and diplomatic when their emotions get hot. And 7 year old identical twin girls have some big emotions. And I feel lucky to hold space for them as I believe they deserve. In my opinion, all kids deserve to have their kid brain nurtured with age appropriate lessons and so much love and compassion.

Getting the right snacks that are healthy and always having their water cups full with the right color of straws. Looking them in the eye when we talk. Listening, problem solving, creating and snuggling them as much as possible. It keeps me busy in a way I can’t explain to a married mom with 3 kids.

But also, I have an amazing job that forces me to take care of me. Lucky is how I feel. I always knew I wanted to be a flight attendant AND a mom even when I flew for Northwest Airlines back in 1998.

Good news is that I have a strong intrinsic motivation to workout, practice yoga and a deep hunger to keep learning and playing. This was built long before I had kids and continues to thrive even as I mostly think of myself as Blaize, Pepper and Kai’s mama.

Longboard surfing is my newest hobby and it has my full attention. Learning to carry this 9 foot plus beast on top of my head to the beach with the wind and the Japanese tourists took me 3 months to learn. It’s still one of my proudest parts about learning to surf. Nobody talks about how hard it is to learn to balance and carry that big ass board on your head except for me.I love to call it like it is. So when the 20 somethings start to look at me kinda funny, I shut it down hard and fast and remind them that I could be your mom 😂 #truth

So I feel lucky that this mom bod can learn an intense sport like longboard surfing. Surfers make it look easy. I’m telling you loud and clear there is nothing easy about learning to surf in your 40’s post 3 babies.

After surfing a few times a month for about a year, I received the best compliment ever last weekend. A surf instructor (not mine) yelled, “your paddle looks good and strong!” Whaaaat?! Really? Paddling is something I’ve worked on and talked about constantly. Then like any good, honest human he also yelled “your problem is you’re looking back at the wave and it’s killing your momentum AND you’re in the wrong spot. Haha! I love the truth tellers.

Never a dull moment when you’re learning a new sport in your 40’s.

What’s on your learning list in 2020? Love to hear your big goals!

Sure, not everyone is a mom but most people hustle. So, why not talk about it, laugh about it and share it? I’ve always been a passionate person with a lot of hustle. Whether it was teaching spin classes, running marathons or traveling. Hustling and squeezing it all in has always been my game. Little did I know, that there ain’t nothing like the “mom hustle.” Growing up my mom made it look so easy and pretty! Haha! Still not sure how she did all the wonderful things she did while wearing full makeup no less. But she did and did it well-fancy dinners and all. Well, I’ve got my own little hustle game that includes the usual housework, laundry and everyday adventures. Fancy dinners, not so much. Outdoor and daily adventures, yes please!Love and SOOO much of it. Pepper is grabbing my face for her favorite “true love” kiss.Me, snuggling all 3 littles almost 4 years ago. This would be my inside “mom hustle.”Me, tossing the mom hustle at Back to School night. Just a little family grocery shopping in the pearl. There’s nothing like grocery shopping with 3 little kids in tow. Haha!

Yes, we play Pokemon Go. Yes, we like it. Yes, we are safe. Last summer when Pokemon Go came out, I downloaded it thinking it would be fun for Kai. Turns out, it’s fun for both of us!

I know the Pokemon Go gets a lot of bad press. Much like the rest of my life, I focus on the positive parts. Such as getting outside and walking all around the city to find Pokemon. As long as you’re safe and use common sense, I believe getting out and about with Pokemon Go is always better than drawing the shades and parking it on the couch in front of the gameboy/ipad/Wi or whatever other zombie device you prefer.

My kids are trained to chant “Eyes up, phone down” anytime we near crossing a street. Personally, I think this is a good chant for anyone walking outside whether you’re texting, emailing or rocking the Pokemon Go. The new meaning to double fisted. Last summer, I started my own game on another phone. This lasted for a short time.

After taking a few months off from the Pokemon Go, we are back at it! I love to fill Kai’s bag with goodies by walking around the city and collecting goodies at poke stops for him. Like any good kid, he likes to “use the stuff I collect” so we make a pretty rad team if you ask me.

In the beginning of Pokemon Go, it’s really easy to Level Up because it only takes 1000 points or so. That goes away once you hit level 20. We are so close to leveling up to 24 and I will not stop until we do. Lol! Spoken like the Dedicated Pokemon Go mama that I am. Happy Adventuring my friends!

UPDATE: Less than 24hours and I was able to Level up to 24! Hardwork and dedication really do pay off. 🙂

You know how they say you spend 1/3 of your life in bed so buy a good mattress? Well, it feels like I spend 1/3 of my life doing laundry. These little people below love to CHANGE their clothes all day long. I’ve implemented a new house rule of wearing jammies for 2 nights. Even that is not sticking well, because they forget a lot. Kai always looks surprised when I remind him as he’s tearing his jammies off and throwing them in the laundry basket. And Blaize and Pepper are the worst for constantly changing clothes. They’ll look at a princess dress, put it on for a hot minute and call it “dirty” long before it’s time. Lately, they all help me (in their own special way) with laundry from washing to folding Hoping it’s going to change sometime soon. And if it doesn’t, I’ll just relish these crazy group hugs that bring me to my knees and make me smile. Our group hugs often slide to the ground. It’s something to see especially in public at Starbucks.Our infamous sock pile that makes me dizzy

Last year, Blaize and Pepper called the streetcar the “choo choo” this year they call it the train. Things are changing. Riding the streetcar is still a treat for my little peanuts. Pretty sure I’m the only one who drags the double Bob stroller with me on city adventures. What can I say, it’s a great place to stow your purse and snacks and little people if their feet get tired. Posing outside the downtown library.It’s hard to tell but Pepper was so happy riding the streetcar. Continue reading →

It keeps coming up, in yoga, in life and in books. “Lean into it.” As I enter a new year and reflect on 2015 and dream about 2016, I’m leaning in…

I’m leaning into being a full time babymama with 3 year old identical twin girls and a 5 1/2 year old spirited little boy. I’m leaning into turning 40 last year and embracing my health and wellness like never before. I’m leaning into learning more about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. I’m leaning into playing, giggling and snuggling my big, beautiful life with 3 little people by my side.

Happy new year from our big, little family to yours. I hope you join me and lean into your “new normal” in 2016!