Reflections on an Elf

I gave in this year and jumped on the "Elf on the Shelf" bandwagon. Which is funny considering I started to see this little elf-thingy pop up on my social media feeds (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) a couple of years ago and had NO idea what it was. I actually thought it was a really old tradition that I had never heard of and while it looked cute, I moved on and didn't think much more about it.

Then there was last year. Oh my goodness. It. Was. Everywhere. Due to a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out), I decided to do some investigating. I started asking around, trying to figure out what all the cool kids were doing.

A friend told me that it's a newer thing and it's a set you buy: a book (that explains the story) and an elf. She also warned me that it's a whole production. The elf watches the kids. Makes sure they are good and reports to Santa nightly. Then returns in a new spot in the house the next morning. (Oh, and the rules! Do NOT touch that elf...it will take away the magic!)

Well, I thought, that's cute enough. And I'm certainly not above using bribery to (attempt to) make my kids behave. 

So last year, on December 26, I took a little trip to Target. I thought maybe I could find one and maybe, just maybe, it would even be on sale since it was the day after Christmas.

But, no. It was not on sale and I was shocked to see the price. $29.95!

Before I continue, I am NOT judging you if you bought one at that price. I just had a hard time coming to terms with this new "tradition" I kept seeing pop up everywhere and the pressure I was feeling to participate (granted, of my own doing--certainly no one was forcing me to join in). Then, when I finally found this magical elf just to see the marketing machine hard at work, well, I felt a little disappointed. I decided it was just too expensive, for me.

So, that was that. We would not be participating. I was mostly ok with it. But I felt a little upset. Mainly because I really, really, really appreciate ANYTHING I can use to bribe my kids. ANY. LITTLE. THING.

Then a crazy thing happened! I went to a Barnes and Noble and there were the elves. For sale. $7. No book, but at least an elf.

I snatched one up, returned home and packed it away. Maybe I could make this work after all. 

Fast forward to a few weeks before Thanksgiving and on a whim I posted to some online garage sale sites that I was in search of an Elf on the Shelf book. Just the book, no elf. And a day later a woman posted that she had one and I could have it. $3.

$3! So, if you're keeping score, that means I got the Elf on the Shelf book and elf for $10, total. I was feeling pretty proud of myself.

Until 2 things happened.

1. My kids were absolutely petrified of her (Sparkles) at first.
2. I realized my elf wasn't the "official" elf and started to have some insecurities about that...which I quickly got over because, come on. $7. Winning.

My kids lost their fear by the next morning, but that first day was pretty funny. After they refused to walk or stand by where I had placed her she had landed for the day, my daughter asked, "Is it real or a stuffed animal? Will it stay in the living room?" At bedtime she added, "Make sure my door is closed." And my son kept saying, "I scared. It scary."

So I wrote a note Sparkles wrote a note (due to the wonderful advice of a good friend) and the next morning everything was forgotten. They were excited. It was a new thing--and they loved the hunt each morning. Where would she be? 
All was well in the world.

Until 2 more things happened.

1. I kept forgetting to find a new place before I went to bed and would wake up in a panic.
2. I started seeing all the "Why We Don't do the Elf on the Shelf" and "Participating in Elf on the Shelf is Ruining Your Child" or "Elf on the Shelf: The Worst Thing in the World and You Should be Angry About It" articles/blog posts. (*I may have embellished one, or more, of the titles.)

So, with any "cool new thing" the critics eventually enter with lots to say. I could link up to an article that explained all that is wrong with this "tradition" and do a point-counterpoint approach, but I don't have time for that. Because you know what?

Elf on the Shelf isn't for everyone. I have no desire to try to convince you that it is. You know your family, your kids. You know yourself. And trust me--if you have a hard time remembering to do something everyday, especially at night, then you might not want to do this. I wasn't joking when I wrote that I kept forgetting. I forgot more than I remembered.

Furthermore, I really don't think this is a topic that warrants a point-counterpoint article. 

Because, you know, it's a toy. 

But I will say this. My kids loved it. They jumped out of bed each morning saying "I wonder where Sparkles will be today? Let's see if we can find her!" And they'd go together on a great hunt.

It made me so happy to see them excited and working together to find the elf. When my daughter was at her sickest she still wanted to find Sparkles. Which caused me to do some quick thinking because I, of course, forgot to move her and she went right to the old spot before I could adjust. I improvised and said she was so worried about E that she stayed the whole night and will be reporting to Santa that night. I think it worked, she didn't ask again. But then again, she was really sick. I could have probably said anything & she wouldn't have cared.

The moral of the story: Elf on the Shelf was fun. I'll probably do it again--or be forced to, since I introduced this new tradition to them...and because Grandma got Sparkles a Christmas present: some new clothes and a pet (yes, apparently the little elf gets a reindeer) for next year. The kids are already talking about giving her the gifts.
But I'm not complaining. Seeing the joy on their faces each morning made any middle of the night scramble well worth it.

{P.S. If you like reading about my holiday craziness, check out the first time we visited a tree farm for our Christmas tree or all our picture-perfect visits to Santa over the years.}

xo Sara

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Friday Favorites

My current favorite thing is...

Spending New Year's Eve with my husband!

I'm really not a huge NYE party person. If I had it my way we would celebrate as a family, in our house, very low-key. But, you see, I'm married to a rock star (at least that's what he tells me) and if I want to spend NYE with my spouse I need to go where he is since he's working.

NYE is the biggest party night of the year so of course a working band in the Twin Cities would be booked. Marc's band (American Bootleg -- FB/Twitter/Instagram) has been lucky enough to have a recurring gig at Lord Fletcher's every year. I've spent more NYEs at Lord Fletcher's than I can remember (due to there being so many not because of other reasons...). 

I don't always love it but some years I really embrace it. The year before we got pregnant with Elena was a big year. The bandmates had all their friends there (some coming from out of town) and we had a pre-party and a post-party. It's amazing the energy you have pre-kids. And all of us were pre-kids in those days. Ahhhhh, youth. 

Last year the wives of the bandmates decided to get all fancied up. It was fun dressing up (especially with my endless supply of accessories) and going out. Plus, I was able to once again wear my most favorite little black lace dress I got in Vegas. I don't have very many reasons to wear a LBD (shocking as a stay-at-home-mom, I know) and this one is a really cute party dress. So my dressed up self had a good time ringing in the new year.

Then there are the years that I'm really not all that excited to be hanging in a bar. Specifically NYE 2009. Pregnant and tired. Not really a "party on" year.  Luckily in 2010, when I was once again pregnant AND had a 7 month at home, the band did not have a gig. A rarity for that crazy night, but couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

The older the kids get the more I want to celebrate with them...do the old "turn back the clocks a few hours" trick, have a little party and count down with them. Or host something--friends can come over and we can have a low-key night at our house with the kids and their friends celebrating in the basement. Oh the plans I'd make...

But, for now, I'll just settle for being with my husband when the clock strikes midnight no matter where he is. Whether it's at home or at a bar, I want to ring in the new year by the side of the man I'll travel that year with.

I'm content with this being my view on New Year's Eves going forward, as long as I get my kiss at midnight. Which I always do--get out of my way dancers. 
Happy 2015!

{P.S. In case you want more NYE fun, here's my post from last year--where you can see my most favorite little black dress!}

xo Sara

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Year in Review--2014

2014 was a whirlwind of fun. Here are some highlights. 

By far the biggest thing that happened this year was that my sister got married. This event monopolized a good chunk of my summer with supporting her through it all. I wrote an emotional post that was probably the hardest thing I've ever published for several reasons. Mainly because I never want my words to hurt anyone, but sometimes you need to stand up and let your voice be heard, no matter the cost. Because not saying anything hurts more. This was one of those times. 

It's funny where a year starts, where it goes and how it ends. When 2014 started I was still doing some "fashion" posts...mainly centered around my accessories. Those posts have organically shifted to being on Instagram or my Stella & Dot Facebook page and this blog has become more about my experiences in motherhood, random thoughts and my adventures in general. However, here are a few times that I wrote about fashion: New Year's Eve; dressing up jeans and a white t (holy bushy eyebrows & bright red lips in this post--2 things I really don't do often); adding a pop of sunshine to grey; messy side braid fun; showing off the versatility of a favorite earring; a favorite statement necklace; my #selfie obsession; another statement necklace obsession; and having fun with personalized jewelry (doesn't everyone need a necklace that says #selfie?). 

2014 was the year I came to terms with my real age. I stopped joking that it was my 29th birthday. For a good reason...my daughter. Around that time I also treated myself to a big haircut--one that I loved--and need to do so again. Also, it would be nice to do this more than once a year. (Note to self: spoil yourself once in awhile!)

I finally organized my jewels. Like a real organizational system. It is beautiful. It's my favorite part of our bedroom. I also organized my thoughts and words into a blog I truly love. This blog (my third? try) launched in March and I haven't looked back since.

Oh, the lessons my kids have taught me this year. There have been so many--I truly believe at times more than I could ever hope to teach them. They've taught me to embrace the mess, actually to enjoy the mess, to look outside my tunnel vision, to celebrate the noise--because it means my kids are healthy and happy, to encourage imagination, to see the beautiful in the ugly, to know that I am enough for my kids and that I NEED to be in the picture with them, to celebrate the fact that girls like more than princesses and sometimes boys love princesses just as much as their sisters, to stop the reflex of saying no, to pause and watch what the kids are doing instead of assuming they are just making noise for the sake of being loud, and to appreciate the question why. Actually no. The question 'why' and I are not friends. That is a lesson I reject.

One theme I saw repeated in my posts is my coming to terms with their growing up. I'm slowly learning to let go of my daughter as she finds her own place in the world; I won't (and can't) always be there with her. In fact, we are quickly approaching a time where we will go whole days without being with each other. And B. My baby that's not a baby anymore--especially since we got rid of his crib. Now if we could just get rid of that diaper...

Lest you think I only write about my kids...I covered many other topics on this little blog of mine. I got personal at times (and can not thank you all for the amount of love and support I felt when I did) including when I wrote about my love/hate/love relationship with Spring in a tribute to my late father, how I faced fear and went to a conference where I knew no one, and why nurturing old friendships is just as important as making new friends. I also kept things light with a couple of "random" posts were I either answered questions, detailed what I was currently up to, or just wrote a list. 

My relationship with my spouse had a staring role here at times--probably more than the mister wants (the perils of having a writer for a wife). I wrote about the importance of working at our relationship and unplugging for a date night in, the blues of returning from vacation and missing him terribly, learning to communicate with each other post-kids (trust me, it changes), and how it was only with him at my side that I was able to get through the first few months of my daughter's life--especially after our lovely hospital stay. 

This year also brought a couple of new features. I did my first ever series on Twitter, which makes sense considering how much I love social media. Like really love social media. I also began doing monthly recaps and a weekly series: Friday favorites. Those favorites have included my love of civic duty; being nominated for fun blog awards; the vibrant theatre scene in Minneapolis; my love of all things Christmas including the music, Santa visits, and cookie decorating; and children who are healing from sicknesses. I also did a couple of Top Ten Lists--a fun post that I'm sure will be repeated soon. Plus, I reached a huge "bloggy" milestone: 100 posts! I can't wait to see where the next 100 posts take me. 

Finally, I took on the goal of completing a book a week for a complete year (I started in March) and have written a couple updates on this journey. One of my biggest lessons in this quest is even though reading is something I love and want to do, I need to make an effort. Because too often other things (ie: my DVR) get in the way of quality reading time.

Whew! What a year. I spent 2014 doing so many things I love--spending time with my husband, playing with my kids, going out with my friends, making new friends, drinking coffee, drinking wine, watching bad reality tv, reading and writing. Thank you for being a part of my year...I can't wait to see what 2015 brings. See you then!

Our "holiday" card since I can never get my act together for an actual Christmas one, we always do a New Year card. This past summer we celebrated our 10 year anniversary and on that date we went back to the site of our wedding to document our life, 10 years later.

xo Sara

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'Twas the Night After Christmas...

....and all hell broke loose at the Mutchler abode. 

For a few hours I honestly thought we had entered the twilight zone. 

Christmas day was in the books and although different this year, still a fun day. 

But there were warning signs that we weren't anywhere near normal. With the kids still battling their illnesses and my husband and I trying hard to not catch what they had, it was a day filled with laughter and busyness with new toys, but also with tears, coughs, tempter tantrums, nebulizer treatments, medicine, and lots of laying around. Bedtime couldn't come soon enough. 

But it did come. After we tucked them into bed, mom and dad settled in to watch a movie. Something we don't do as much as we'd like. But after watching a couple of holiday favorites the night before, we decided to keep the movie train rolling and turned on "Catching Fire," the second installment of the Hunger Games series. As a huge fan of the books it was embarrassing that I still hadn't seen this movie...especially with the next movie already out in theaters. 

We got through the majority of the movie with no issues. But I was feeling a sore throat and coughing more. I knew I was probably done for, but I ignored it, and continued watching the movie. 

I should have gone to bed. Maybe the rest could have been prevented. Somehow. 

With about an hour left in the movie my daughter started crying. This was rare for her and typically only happens when she's sick. We went into her room to see what was the matter. 

She was inconsolable. We think it was a bad dream and had no luck calming her down. We got her up, gave her some water, walked around with her. She finally settled a little and we returned her to bed. She was still a little upset, but seemed to be calming so we left. 

We settled back in to continue the movie. Ten minutes later the crying started, again. We returned to her room to find her in worse shape than before. We went through every thing we could think of in an attempt to calm her. Once again we thought we got her relatively calm and we left. 

Only to have my son wake up and start fussing. We didn't go in right away, we assumed he had just been awoken by E's crying. But, after a bit, I began to realize his crying wasn't getting better. It was, in fact, getting worse. Plus, not wanting to disturb his sister who was finally quiet, we hit pause on the movie (again!) and entered his room. 

To a smell and a scene I hope to never repeat. 

B had taken off his socks, pajama bottoms...and diaper. And had wet the bed. The complete bed. He and the bed were soaked.

(Yes, it could have been worse...what you may be envisioning happened earlier in the day. His fascination with his diaper and what's in it is not ok. The boy really needs to get potty trained. We are trying everything...suggestions are welcome.)

So he took a bath. At midnight. Or one...I don't remember the time. Late.

And then my daughter started crying again.

So we got her up to join the party. 

Both kept saying they wanted to get up, it was morning. My husband had to show them how dark it was outside in an effort to convince them it was not morning. Then my daughter wanted to sleep on the couch. To watch a cartoon. To do anything...but return to bed.

We decided to redo our bedtime routine. B went down relatively easy, he was falling asleep during the story. But E. She was ready for a battle. 

It took close to another 1/2 hour to get her settled. Maybe even 45 minutes. By the time it was done not only was I exhausted due to the time, but I was mentally and emotionally drained. 

And I was definitely getting sick. 

But we did finish the movie. I think. 

Moral of the story: If you're a parent, don't try to watch a movie. Bad things happen.

{P.S. If you would like further evidence of my daughter's headstrong nature, look no further than here. A day in the life of E's thoughts or at least how I imagine them to be.}

xo Sara

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Friday Favorites

{A rare Sunday "Friday Favorites" post. This was all set to go for Friday and then I caught the plague so I delayed publishing. It's been a long week.}

My current favorite thing is... 

Healing children! 

There are a lot of families dealing with sicknesses, including my own. 'Tis the season, I suppose. While my three-year-old boy has a bad cold (oh my goodness that runny nose...I can't keep up!), it's my four-year-old girl who is really sick...we're talking nebulizer treatment sick. 

1st ever nebulizer treatment in clinic; becoming a pro at home.

After a pretty bad, and at times scary, 48 hours, she (and my son) are finally healing. This has resulted in a quieter Christmas week than we had planned. Which put me in a bit of a funk because one of my favorite things about this time of year is our extended family gathering on Christmas Eve. All my aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents...everyone who is local and able (we're talking 30+ people!)...gather to celebrate this special season. We have dinner, presents (of the white elephant variety) and just simply enjoy the company of our loved ones. However, we, as a family, had to miss it. My son and I were there for a bit, but I really wanted to be home with daddy and my little girl who just wasn't up for a big gathering. 

This resulted in my being a little sad this year. Christmas was different. Quieter. So I had a pity party. 

For approximately five minutes.

Then I got over it. Because what I needed--a happy family--I had. Sure I didn't get to participate in all the fun this year, but what I do have far outweighs what I'm lacking.

Today is a just a short little post to remember to be thankful for what really matters. For me that's the health and happiness of my family. Because nothing else really matters. 

These two...they love each other so much. Melts my heart.

And my favorite--a healing girl and cuddles.

{P.S. In case you missed it, here is the post I wrote to the tune of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" about not forgetting what this holiday is really all about. Also, here's something I wrote last year about the quietness of my house during a round of illness back then.}

xo Sara

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'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

'Twas the night before Christmas 
when all through the house, 
all were acting crazy
and mommy turned on the mouse.

"Kids, please watch this cartoon
and be quiet for a few, 
so mommy and daddy
can see all we have to do."

Presents to be wrapped
and, well, I can't lie...
because along with cards to write,
we still have some gifts to buy. 

Cookies for Santa
and carrots for the deer;
don't forget mommy's wine
and for daddy, some beer.

And then mom starts to panic,
where will she put it today? 
That darn elf on a shelf--
Wait! Tonight she goes away!

So much chaos 
So much noise
It's time to stop
and count our joys.

So off with the cartoon,
throw out the lists;
let's all gather round
to recount why the day exists.

This season is about joy
and love and family;
not all that other stuff--
just those you hold dearly. 

Don't forget the true meaning 
and don't put up a fight. 
Merry Christmas to all--
And to all a good night.

xo Sara

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Friday Favorites

My current favorite thing is... 

Cookie decorating day! 

My love for traditions has been well documented. And this past weekend we got to partake in one of my favorite yearly activities--our annual cookie bake and decorating day. 

My sister and I grew up doing this with my grandma and aunt and my mom took up the tradition after they passed away. And I'm so grateful for that because now my kids get to enjoy this yearly event and hopefully have as many memories from it as I do.

Growing up the biggest thing I got out of this day was a mega tummy ache because I probably ate more decorations than I actually used for the cookies. We had basically everything we could ever want to put on our sugar cookies and gingerbread men: frosting, sprinkles, chocolate chips, coconuts strips, cherries, m&ms, mints, licorice, nuts... We spent hours decorating cookies that years later I wonder if anyone actually ate because they were loaded with all. the. stuff.

My kids, at 3 and 4, are just entering the age of enjoying this activity. Especially my daughter. "Painting" cookies, as she refers to it.  

So every year my sister and I, my kids, and any cousins that care to decorate make the short little trek to my mom's house. She has the perfect setting for this adventure...see below. This was taken before the madness started. I love her dining area; a perfect space for a day of decorating. Plus, beautiful scenery right outside the window. 
Some of our masterpieces...and goodness do I have talented family members.
My sister-in-law made that smurf on the top row out of an upside down stocking. How freakin' cool is that? I also like her liberty bell and the profile of Santa, also created out of a stocking shape.

We always make a stocking for every family member that will be at our annual Christmas Eve gathering. It was a fun tradition that started accidentally but has stuck over the years.
Some other snapshots of the day. 
I also wanted to share a couple of last year's creations. First of all, did you know that if you just flip over the gingerbread man you get a reindeer? Yeah, my mind was blown, too. Also, my mom got creative and found this idea online: melted snowmen.

One thing we haven't made in several years that I always remember having with my dad's family is krumkake. I need to find a good recipe (and get some tools?) and do that...I loved that growing up. 

Do you have a favorite sweet that you enjoy this time of year?

{P.S. Although I love decorating cookies they really aren't my favorite thing to eat...find out the food I could NOT live without and other random things about me here.}

xo Sara

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Top 10 Reasons My Daughter Cried This Morning

Having preschoolers is like constantly walking a tightrope of emotion. One wrong move and you crash and burn. Except it's not just a misstep that can cause a wreck, it's looking at them wrong. Or just looking at them. Doing something that you swear every other day they love but on that particular day it's enough to cause a complete breakdown. It's saying the wrong thing...which is usually followed by an hour of trying to figure out what the heck was said. 

So, in honor of the ever-shifting moods of preschoolers, here are the top 10 reasons my daughter cried this morning.

1. I didn't say "Good Morning" loud enough.
2. Then I said it too loud.
3. She asked for some lotion and I started to put it. I put it on the wrong spot. And then she wanted it off.
4. Her brother was looking at her.
5. My hair was down, she wanted it in a bun. Then the bun was not high enough.
6. Her arm was not going in her sweater the right way, "No arm! This way!"
7. Our dog was looking at her.
8. The placemat at the table was not perfectly placed on the edge.
9. I gave her the wrong cup for milk. 
10. I was looking at her.

And then repeat. It was a bad morning. But don't worry. It got better.

It got better after she went to bed and I got some wine.

**I wrote this awhile ago but never published it here. This list did make an appearance on my Facebook page. After a rough morning last week, I relived remembered it.**

{P.S. If you like Top 10 lists, here's my Top 10 Reasons My Daughter Got Out of Bed Last Night.}

xo Sara

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One Hundred

Wowza--this is my 100th post! Let's celebrate...with some *deep thoughts* by moi. 

100 posts ago I had no idea what would come from starting a blog. 

Today I've learned that success is defined in many ways and, for me, this blog is a success. It has taught me to be brave, given me the gift of community and reaffirmed my love of writing. 

100 posts ago I knew I just wanted needed to write.  

Today I still need to write. And my desire to write a book has grown tenfold. One day... 

100 posts ago I thought no one would read. (Well, except my mom and my husband and a few friends that I basically forced--love you guys!)

Today I actually have some readers that aren't contractually obligated to read...yay! Seriously, thank YOU so much for stopping in here and joining my little community. I appreciate you more than you can imagine...you verify that I am not shouting into the wind in the middle of a forest...you know, what I do everyday in my home. 

100 posts ago I didn't have a direction. I didn't know what I was I doing. 

Today I still don't know what I'm doing but I sure am having fun!

100 posts ago I read other blogs and was envious of the communities they had created and were a part of.

Today I am a part of that community because I became active. Blogging is more than just writing, it's joining a conversation that is ongoing. It's being brave to show your writing to people that don't go by "mom" or "husband." It takes action to make dreams come true. 

100 posts ago I thought I'd run out of things to write about.

Today I am constantly inspired. By my family (gotta love preschoolers--a constant source of entertainment and inspiration!), by my surroundings, by what I read. 

100 posts ago I didn't have a schedule, I just wrote when I wanted to, when I was inspired.

Today I do have a schedule and it has helped tremendously. And I have so many ideas and scheduled posts...it makes me think I could attempt to publish 5 days a week but then I get crazy stressed. So we'll be sticking with my Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule...for now.

100 posts ago I was scared.

Today I still get nervous--putting yourself out there like writers do with every post they publish takes bravery--but I'm not scared anymore. I actually get a little excited every time I publish something.

100 posts ago I thought this would be just another failed blog attempt; this is my 3rd blog I've started. But, the old saying is true: The third time really IS the charm!

Today I am celebrating 100 posts--so I must be doing something right! (To be fair, some of those posts I transferred over from my previous blog, but most have been done since I actively started blogging on this site, back at the beginning of 2014.)

This was a spur of the moment post, a reflection of 100 posts published. Thanks for being a part of the journey!

{P.S. If you want a little more background on my blogging adventure, here's a post you may like.}

xo Sara

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