Before:

Let me start off by saying my 7-year-old Annabelle is anything but typical. She hates princesses. Unicorns don’t do much for her. She’s all about Pokémon, Minecraft, and learning about animals. For the most part, she has done well handling the pandemic. She is an introvert, despite the fact that she is very 床上接吻 at school and karate. (She’s just like me- I’m fun and I love my friends, but I also love staying 床上接吻 and away from crowds- so there are a lot of aspects of quarantine life that work well for us.)

This school year, however, would prove to be an even bigger change. Not only would she be going back to school in a pandemic and expected to wear a mask all day, she would also be attending a brand new school with new kids. That’s why I wanted to do something special to make this year exciting!

The Process of going Pink!

If we were going to do this right, I knew I needed to see my girls at Lark Salon. They make you feel like family, so where else would I go to pamper my baby girl?

Meagan at Lark (公肉奉公hd中字: @MeaganatLark) is the color queen! So I tossed the idea out to her and the salon owner, Sara. They had a field day with it and even better, made Annabelle feel like a million bucks being in the fancy salon. First Meagan highlighted her hair using several foils underneath her top layer for a peekaboo effect.

Her color lifted to blonde so well! She looked like an adult almost immediately! I nearly stopped at the blonde because I thought it was so beautiful! That’s when it really set in for Annabelle. We had tried doing streaks at 床上接吻 when she was younger and it never took. So to see such a big difference was thrilling!

After cutting her hair, Meagan added the pink dye and let that set for another 45 minutes.

Reveal:

Look at those smiling eyes underneath that mask! I am amazed by all the different ways we can now style her hair to show a lot or just a little pink.

It took somewhere between 2.5 to 3 hours, but it was worth it. We were all obsessed with how it turned out. It was way better than anything I had seen or even asked for! As we left, Annabelle told me she was “going to rule 公肉奉公hd中字 with this hair!”

It definitely gave her the confidence and excitement like I had hoped. She was so ready to go to school and thought the new kids would think she was a rock star. In my mind, she is!

She got 床上接吻 from school that day and had already made a few friends (mostly boys). “The boys just surround me.” They had already created a Minecraft club at recess. I think she’s gonna fit in just fine at this new school!

I hope your kids have a good school year, no matter if they’re in class, learning remotely, or 床上接吻 schooled. Find ways to celebrate the milestones, no matter what life is trying to throw your way! Let me know what you’re doing to make this year special for your kids. Drop a comment below or follow me on 公肉奉公hd中字: @the.公肉奉公hd中字.课中坏事.mom

Once we got the kids to sleep, we snuck out to the garage and grabbed a few Christmas decorations and a small tree!

In the morning, my husband and I got into our Christmas onesies, and brought pajamas up to the kids. They thought *that* was going to be the fun part… then they came downstairs!

You can see we only gave them a couple presents each and I gave them both advent calendars that had 12 small prizes in them that I bought after last Christmas at Michael’s. It was just enough to bring a smile to their faces without being overwhelmed.

Matching Christmas jammies made it feel real! Side note: It hit 100 degrees outside this day… but the a/c kept it nice and cool inside!

We watched “The Grinch”, 床上接吻 Alone, and Elf over the weekend. Perfect for snuggling! In hindsight, I wish I would’ve made hot chocolate!

Josh made a Christmas ham and threw a summery spin on dinner by roasting corn on the cob on the Blackstone grill.

Then we got messy and made Christmas cookies. Full disclosure, I bought the cube kind of pre-made dough, rolled it in some flour and we used cookie cutters.

They were crazy, but they had a good time. A memory we won’t soon forget from this crazy period in all our lives.

Have you done Christmas in July before? I’d love to see pics or hear your ideas! Comment below or find me on 公肉奉公hd中字: @the.公肉奉公hd中字.课中坏事.mom

课中坏事 in news during a pandemic has been a rollercoaster ride- from the adrenaline highs of constantly breaking news to the lows of 课中坏事 from 床上接吻 while trying to 床上接吻 school the kids.

It actually led us to break our apartment lease early and buy a house! [That’s for a different blog post!] Instead, I want to refocus on finding ways to have fun again with my family while being still being safe.

Have a Theme Day/Weekend

We celebrated Christmas in July and it was a big hit! We surprised the kids by putting out a few decorations, wrapping a few small gifts, watching Christmas movies, and baking cookies. It was a wonderful weekend! I’m thinking of doing a Halloween day soon!

Outdoor Backyard Movie

I bought a projector off Amazon for about $100 and a FireStick. Boom! Instant “Drive In Theater” will an unlimited selection. You can be as fancy or as budget-friendly as you want, and the kids are bound to find it magical! You can use a white sheet, the side of your house, or invest in a projector screen.

Stroll a Lavender Farm

Okay, maybe you don’t have a lavender farm near you, but I found out we do, and I have every intention of visiting it this summer. Lavender is not only beautiful, it’s proven to have calming effects when breathed in, consumed, or absorbed through the skin. How perfect is that for all the stress and anxiety you’ve likely experienced during quarantine?! If you aren’t near a farm, get some lavender tea or diffuse some lavender essential oil! Or find a coffee shop that serves up lavender lattes- like Dripped + Draped in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood!

Family Pool Day

Thanks to a generous and anonymous donor, Omaha will open multiple pools this summer. And when it comes to COVID, visiting a pool is actually one of the safer public events to partake in because there’s a low risk of spread. If you’re still concerned, a kiddie pool or a sprinkler will still do the trick.

Find Your Beach

Maybe it’s the ocean, a lake, or maybe you need to fake it with some sand, an umbrella, and a kiddie pool.

Have Fun with Food

With all the meals you’re likely having at 床上接吻, consider creating a taco bar or a sundae bar. Do a “baking show” with the kids. Try a fancy Pinterest recipe and see if you nail it or fail it!

Visit the Farmers Market

Fresh air, fresh fruits and veggies, what more could you ask for? Visiting a Farmers Market is a great way to support local, avoid the busy grocery store, and shop outdoors while maintaining 床上接吻 distancing.

Explore a New Park or Trail

Most of us have made it a point to get outdoors during the pandemic. (What else is there to do?) Now that the weather is nice, why not try a new park or trail in your state.

Go Tanking or Tubing

If you’re in Nebraska- try Tanking! Four of us adults went and had fun. We played a game and drank along the Elkhorn River for about a 4-hour ride. Would be great with kids because there’s not much effort. I think next time, I’d want to go tubing so I can be in the water more often, but this was a very easy way to enjoy the river and fun to try something different!

Rescue Rangers

Who remembers Chip, Dale, Gadget, Zipper and Monterey Jack!? The theme song alone is worth your time. My kids love this 90s fave!

Tale Spin

So when I was little, I questioned how Baloo the bear from Jungle Book was all of a sudden a pilot bear wearing clothes. Now as an adult, I can get all those answers thanks to Wikipedia! There’s actually a lot of drama associated with this show.

Gummi Bears

I actually didn’t introduce this one to my kids, but came 床上接吻 to find them watching it on their own one day. I remember being jealous of the kids who had the Disney Channel (when it was a premium on cable) solely because I couldn’t watch this show.

Doug

Disney’s Doug is actually the reason I bought into Disney+ in the first place. I was a much bigger fan of the Nickelodeon version, but it’s still a great show that always has a good moral, especially for 床上接吻 situations.

Recess

Who remembers Disney’s One Saturday Morning?! Recess was such a staple on Saturdays during my childhood. A fun one to share with your kids!

Duck Tales

That theme song tho. The gold coin pool for Scrooge to dive into? Timeless classic that all kids will enjoy.

Darkwing Duck

Was every intro song in the 90s just SO GOOD!? This Duck Tales spin off has lots of action and lots of great music

Even Stevens

If you have a tween or teen, time to introduce them to Even Stevens! As a bonus, you’ll remember why you first fell in love with Shia LaBeouf.

Lizzie McGuire

…And while you’re at it, stop by and come of age with Hilary Duff as Lizzie McGuire. It’s crazy to think she’s just another mom like us now!

Boy Meets World

Duh!!!! I almost didn’t put this on here because it seems SO obvious that everyone would be binge watching it. The former TGIF hit show will have us all cheering on Cory and Topanga for seasons! And swooning over Will Friedle until his character Eric Matthews gets too quirky for comfort

Visit a new destination

This doesn’t have to mean travel across the globe. I wanted to make sure this list was doable for anyone on any budget. Maybe it’s visiting a new campground in town. Maybe a new state. Certainly if you can afford an international trip, do it! 2020 should be all about the experiences!

Try a new restaurant

Again, this doesn’t have to be a fancy dinner, but it could be. Save up for a nice meal or just check out a new dive with a greasy burger. I love to search Yelp and find hidden gems when I’m looking for a new restaurant.

Have a self-care day

Hit the spa. Get a massage. Get your nails done. Get highlights. I’ve started splurging on getting my hair done. No more box color for me. I work too damn hard to put myself last all the time. If you’re still concerned about money, doing something as simple as buying some masks and soaps from the dollar store and doing your nails will go a long way. Or maybe it’s just taking a day to sleep in, pop in your ear buds, read a book, or go on a walk.

Go on a date

Finding time for your significant other is important, especially if you have a demanding job or kids. For Josh and I, we haven’t lived near family in years so it was hard to find a babysitter. We used that as an excuse for far too long. Find someone on Care.com or use a vacation day to have a day date while the kids are at daycare or school. If you’re not in a relationship, date yourself! You can’t expect someone to love you if you don’t love yourself. Enjoy your time alone. Go to dinner alone. Find confidence in your solo dates. Or grab your best friend and make it a girls/guys night out. Reconnect. Reminisce. Laugh.

Have a goal writing session

Sounds corny, but do it. Block out an hour or two and write down all your goals for 2020. What do you want out of your job? Your personal life? Your finances? Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? What do you need to organize?

Get your yearly physical

This one is so important. My husband hasn’t been to the doctor for a physical in years! I’ve got to get him there in 2020. For one, you get a free physical each year. Use this trip to talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have; A strange spot, a pain that won’t go away, abnormal stressing. By attending your annual physical, you may also catch a problem early- like pre-hypertension, pre-diabetes so you can start fixing it before it becomes a problem.

Find your tribe

Humans are 床上接吻 beings whether we like to admit it or not. At work, if I see an employee struggling, I encourage them to connect with their coworkers. Attend a net课中坏事 event. Talk to the moms in your child’s class. Put yourself out there. In this day and age, the nice thing is, even if you’re 床上接吻ly awkward or an introvert, you can also find your tribe online. Maybe it’s a Facebook group for moms, maybe it’s connecting with travelers on 公肉奉公hd中字. Have you heard of Mastermind groups? They’re groups (in-person or online) where you brainstorm with people who have different strengths. You’ll inspire each other, get new ideas, and find motivation.

Play like a kid

Yes! Just have a night of good old-fashioned fun this year. Go bowling. Play laser tag. Have ice cream. Hit up the arcade. Go swing at the local park. Slide down the slide.

Donate to a charity

Do. Some. Good. Donating doesn’t have to mean money. Donate your time. Go visit the animals at the shelter. Ring bells for the Salvation Army. At the very least, take Facebook up on its offer to ask people to donate to a charity of your choice for your birthday.

Read a book

I’m the worst at reading. I can read 床上接吻 media for four hours straight on my phone at night, but somehow I can’t find time to read a book. I only seem to do it on vacation. I’m going to try for at least five books this year, which I realize is nothing compared to some of you.

Try a new activity

Go axe-throwing. Paint. Try calligraphy. Step outside your comfort zone and try something new. If you’re bad at it, you’ll have a few laughs. If you’re good at it, you might just find a new hobby!

Have a board game night

Monopoly and the Game of Life are my favorites! Grab a couple board games and play with the kids. Pull out Cards Against Humanity and play with your friends. Pull yourselves away from the screens for a few hours and make some memories.

Go see a movie by yourself

I know this strikes fear into some of you. How can I be seen at the movies alone? We’re not 13 anymore. It’s cool to do stuff solo. When I worked overnights, I went to the movies sometimes by myself and it’s pretty liberating. For one, you get to pick whatever you want to see. You don’t have to worry about someone talking to you during the movie. You can laugh, cry, and no one will judge. PRO TIP: Go to a weekday matinee if possible. You might have the entire theater to yourself!

Try a new style

Spend a day off trying on clothes you’d never wear; Put on that bold, red lipstick. COLOR IN YOUR EYEBROWS! It took me 32 years to figure out how to color in my eyebrows. I should’ve been doing this for years! You’ll never know what you like and what you’ll look best in if you don’t try!

Do something to connect with your spiritual side

Maybe it’s reading scripture or praying. Maybe it’s just taking a walk in nature and breathing in fresh air. Maybe it’s yoga.

Compliment a stranger

We should do this more than once a year, but make it a goal. There have been many times where I liked someone’s outfit or thought they had beautiful hair– I should have told them. They may have needed that compliment that day. You can never go wrong saying something nice to someone.

Organize something

We all need to organize something. Maybe it’s your closet, your drawers, or your finances! Decluttering your life is good for your mind. Check out Marie Kondo or A Bowl Full of Lemons. They’re organizing geniuses who will help get you motivated!

Do something artsy

Find a new appreciation for beauty by doing something artsy. Sketch, paint, craft, body paint (wink, wink)… grab some color pencils and one of those adult coloring books. It’ll be good for your stress level!

Take a bubble bath

We have this huge, deep-soaker tub in our apartment, and yet I never take a bath. Always showering because I feel like I never have the time for a bath. MAKE TIME. Force yourself to decompress. Get one of these cool bath trays and multi-task by reading, too!

Update your resume

Even if you’re not looking for a new job any time soon, it’s always a good practice to keep your resume updated. For one, you may forget some of your accomplishments if you wait too long in between updates, or your company could reach out to you out of the blue for a promotion.

What’s on your 2020 Bucket List? Drop ideas in the comments below or connect with me on 公肉奉公hd中字: @The.公肉奉公hd中字.课中坏事.Mom

Mulhall’s

This Christmas tree farm is sure to get you into the holiday spirit whether you buy a real Christmas tree or are just looking for a few good photo ops.

Both kids loved seeing the reindeer! It was magical for them! Mulhall’s also has tons of indoor and outdoor plants as well as decor for purchase.

Brite Ideas: Santa helicopter visit

This has become a tradition for us. The first weekend of November, Santa flies in on the Husker helicopter.

Pro Tip: While all the kids are crowded outside around Santa, run in and get in line to get your photos with Santa. The line gets long fast, but the free photos are worth it!

You can also get Christmas decor inspiration or buy some new goods for your collection.

Junkstock’s Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland at Sycamore Farms is the perfect dose of farmhouse vintage Christmas! You’ll find hundreds of vendors from the midwest and beyond, unique gifts, and tasty treats! The best part though is all the family photo ops!

Go hungry so you can try out the local food trucks. Stop and grab hot chocolate or a coffee from the Sycamore Farms Coffeehouse

Stop by the bonfire pit and see the live farm animals near the nativity scene. You can also take a winter hayrack ride.

The best spot though is Santa’s Mountain, complete with a roller slide, straight out of ‘A Christmas Movie.’ Sadly, Annabelle didn’t want to wait in line, but we did go into the Grinch’s cave which was an awesome touch.

For more on what you need to know before attending any Junkstock event, check out my other blog post!

Catch “The Nutcracker” at the Orpheum

The American Midwest Ballet brings this timeless story to life at Omaha’s beautiful Orpheum Theatre. Snag a pair of tickets as an early Christmas present!

Shopping & Holiday Lights in the Old Market

Omaha’s most beautiful neighborhood (in my opinion) glams up for the holidays. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride over cobblestone streets as you eat, drink, and shop local.

Other stops and recommendations:

• The Durham Museum: See the massive tree at Omaha’s Union Station
• Lauritzen Gardens: Omaha’s botanical playground transforms into a winter wonderland
• Joslyn Castle : Visit the ghost of Christmas Past in Omaha’s gorgeous old castle
• Hot Shops Winter Open House: Check out incredible art from 80+ artists
• Omaha Gingerbread Festival: This Omaha tradition is free and has a new location for 2019
• Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo: Enjoy Supper with Santa or Penguins and Pancakes

I will sis最新地址 to update this blog post as we check more stops off our list. Please let me know in the comments below where we need to visit this year! Or drop by and say hi on 公肉奉公hd中字: @the.公肉奉公hd中字.课中坏事.mom