Stains, Stains, Go Away!

Living with boys creates a lot of laundry and a plethora of stains.  I have just finished my tenth load of the weekend and I am finally done.  I can only imagine much time my friends who have many more children than I do spend doing their laundry!  The mounds of laundry does not frustrated me as much as the stains.  Washing things multiple times is very annoying.

                    

This week I had my son's school soccer uniform sent back so I could wash it again.  There was a stain apparently that I did not see that "the inspector" did.  Oh my word- the woman must have had a magnifying glass.  So here I am soaking the stain again after I had already washed the blooming thing twice trying to get a dirt stain off of a white jersey.

I had recently spent some time on the internet looking at DIY projects and had been testing DIY spot remover.  The recipe works really well and it does not have the chemicals that are in products in the store.  Make sure you look for Dawn when you are in the Dollar Tree because they do not always carry it and Dawn can be a bit expensive in the grocery store.  If it does not get the stain out, boil some water, add Oxiclean, and soak overnight.

Homemade Miracle Cleaner

1 part Dawn dish washing liquid (original)

2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide 

1 spray bottle

Happy Cleaning!!

Love her like a friend

My seven-year-old informed me this afternoon that one of his friends was teasing him about loving a girl in his class.  He shared with me how he handled the situation in a matter-of-fact tone of voice he said, "Mom, I just told him I love her like a friend.  I mean, I am not going to marry her.  I am too young!"  Although he could not see me, I smiled.  He then went on to tell me that he had thought about marrying this particular child, but he would wait and see.  I replied, "Well, you do not have to make that decision right now.  You are only in second grade."

This is one of the many times that I wish I had a magic pause, rewind, and record button handy.  If only there was a way to capture this moment in time and all the other sweet moments we have shared along the way.  As my heart continued to melt while my little guy was chatting away, I was contemplating how I could make this moment go on forever.   How can I possibly remember every precious conversation I have with him?  How can I slow down time so he can stay little just a bit longer?  How is it that he is already seven?

Kids grow up so fast and it is so important to take time to enjoy them. We can all get bogged down in the craziness of life as we try to meet all the demands of work and home. It is important for all of us to take time to talk, listen, and "be with" our child(ren).  Take tons of pictures, videos, and write down special conversations because before you know it, he will love her more than a friend.

What Every Sports Parent Should Have In The Back Of Their Car

I recently was at a soccer game in the middle of a tobacco field when I was in need of a bathroom.  If you are not from North Carolina, you might think it is odd to have a soccer game in the middle of a tobacco field.  Actually, if you are from North Carolina, you might think it is odd!  Yes, it is quite an experience to get a whiff of tobacco (I felt like I should be in a barn)  while watching your child play.  Of course when you are playing out in the middle of no where, you are excited when you see a porta-pottie in the distance.   One has to be in a personal crisis to enter one, but desperate times call for desperate measures.   Upon leaving the porta-pottie, I suddenly realized I did not have hand sanitizer in my game day travel bag.  Yuck!  

So here is my updated list of things that every parent need to have in the back of their car for game day.  I have scoured the internet and consulted with my mom friends to make an inclusive list. No matter what the sport we all should be prepared.  This list does not include the sports uniform or equipment that your child needs to have in his/her sports bag.  It is a list of items you can leave in your car to be used during the season as needed.  Or in some cases, all year long.

Feel free to comment and I will add items if we need.www.kimewilliamslcsw.com 

*Blanket and Towel- can be used to sit on during a game; wrap in when it is freezing outside; lay down in the car to protect interiors when your player is covered in mud; and stinky, wet uniforms can be wrapped in and separated from other items.

* Umbrella- can be used rain or shine.

* Folding chairs/seat cushions- can be used if the field does not have bleachers, or if you want to be comfy during the game.     

* Bottles of water- kids need to stay hydrated when playing any sport.  I keep a few bottles in my tote bag in case of emergency (forgetting water or running out).  

* Health snack- crackers or other snacks that can be stored in the back of the car are helpful to have on hand.  When kids are little most coaches have parents bring a half-time and after game snack.  This does change when children get older and it is a good thing to have snacks on hand.  Kids are starving once they end play and sometimes cannot even make it a mile down the road without needing some fuel.  

* Sun screen and bug spray

*First aid kit- band aids, Neosporin; Tylenol/Advil; ChapStick; hydrocortisone cream; Benadryl; tape; gauze; instant ice pack (for bruises or aches and pains)

* Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, tissues-  good for boys who immediately grab something to eat after pulling their hands out of disgusting hockey or goalie gloves!

* Lysol spray- for the smelly cleats, pads, gloves, etc. which will smell up you entire car. 

* Mom supplies- extra hair ties, sun glasses, lip balm

* Trash bags and Ziploc bags

* Sharpie Marker

* Deodorant, Shampoo, Body Wash

Welcome to Rocks and Smelly Socks

This week while driving my son from a school soccer game straight to a club soccer practice, I started laughing out loud as I was struck by how funny and busy life is with a child in middle school. Here I was driving down the road with my middle school boy literally changing his clothes in the front seat. As he was changing from one soccer uniform to another, the most repugnant odor of smelly soccer socks permeated through the car.  My stomach did a flip flop and my head began to ache as the smell almost knocked me out.  I tried to discretely roll down the window as to not hurt his feelings.  My attempt was not successful.  I have thought often thought of writing a blog about parenting boys on and off throughout the years, but never seem to get around to it.  I have thought about how hysterical life is with boys in the house and how there has not been a dull moment since my oldest entered my life twelve years ago.  I think that a blog would be helpful to write for my own personal sanity and to maybe help others as they parent their boys.  I know that we at least will get a good laugh.  I know that raising girls is equally as difficult, but I do not have any.  If I did, I would blog about them!

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Feel free to comment and give tips along the way.  Looking forward to a new blogging adventure!