Monthly Archives: March 2019

Tough Conversations

Posted on March 19, 2019     Leave a Comment

Talking to our kids about big things like protecting their bodies and safe versus unsafe touching can be a pretty heavy, uncomfortable, and overwhelming task. As parents, where do we start? How far do we go? How much do we share and what age do we even begin? I’m overwhelmed with the uncertainty of all […]

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If only I could keep you little… (a letter to my daughter)

Posted on March 12, 2019     4 Comments

My dear girl, you’ve always loved bedtime stories. Happy ones, silly ones, rhyming ones, teaching ones, nonsense ones… There’s just something about being able to wind down and snuggle up together with a cozy blanket and good book that makes this a time to love and look forward to. The bedtime story we chose recently […]

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kayla! I’m a mom of three sweet toddler tornadoes who have taught me that parenting is one great big oxymoron. My life is controlled chaos, full of contradicting elements, ideas, and thoughts! If you enjoy stories of real moments and raw parenting, then you’re in the right place! Thanks for stopping by!

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Oh look, it’s a wishing flower! (closes eyes and looks at the dandelion) I wish.... I wish... I wish for a Target gift card. 🤣 🤦🏼‍♀️ 🎯
My living room built-ins are currently showcasing some beautiful new artwork, thanks to my crafty, art-loving four and six-year-old daughters! Hey parents, let’s talk a minute about kids crafts... Back-to-school season is in full swing which means kids are coming home hot with backpacks and folders filled with coloring pages, worksheets, and glitter and glue creations. We can’t keep it all, right? What do you do with the art your kids come home with? I keep some. I display some. And yep, I throw some away too. (Quite a bit, actually)... 🤷🏼‍♀️ Share you tips and tricks and ideas, guys! #controlledchaostruths #kidsartsandcrafts #parentingtipsandtricks
Today was a big day for this preschool girl. Over the past week, she’s been talking and contemplating over what to wear for her official, “dress like what you want to be when you grow up’ day. She settled on a beautiful ballerina but as with every toddler led decision, there’s a backstory. This has been a huge ordeal for her. In fact, at any given moment over the last week, she has declared to be a bit of everything- a firefighter, teacher, superhero, doctor, gymnast, police officer, at one point, she even wanted to be a pony. That’s right, she wanted to grow up and be Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony. Sophia. How in the world will you be a pony when you grow up? You can’t be an animal, silly girl. Think about all the adults in the world with all the different kids of jobs. What kind of job do you want to have? What kind of person do you want to be when you get older? MOM! I just don’t know. I don’t know WHAT I want to be! ...I don’t want to be older. I just want to be your daughter when I grow up! Oh. Dear. Girl. Be still my heart. Actually, this felt more like a shot to the heart. A piercing moment. A moment I didn’t see coming. A moment I thought was defined by going through the motions of motherhood on a random Wednesday morning… but as I stood there, trying to reason with a daughter, I unexpectedly found myself in this sweet, memorable, ‘melt your momma’s heart like molten lava’ kind of moment. These are the days we parents live for, am I right? Moments of being struck in the gut by our little toddler tornadoes who drive us so crazy. Moments we think are normal circumstances but turn out to be memories we want to cling to forever... and here’s the thing- they don’t last long, these moments. In fact, it was only seconds later that my daughter had already moved on to something else. A new idea of what her future held. She eventually settled on becoming a ballerina, dressing herself in a leotard, sheer tights, and a pink tutu… but as the clock progressed and we continued with our morning, I couldn't let go of that moment. Sometimes, often times really, it is the most simple moments that lead to the most profound memories. #controlledchaostruths
Just thought I’d send a little mid-day Monday humor your way... 😉 We had the BEST time at my in-laws farm this past weekend and I totally wasn’t ready for the fun to end! Gator rides, swimming, grilling, music, dancing, visiting family, seeing old friends, volleyball, tag, digging in the sand... it was all perfect! I hope you had a great weekend too, friends! Here’s to a smooth sailing start to your week! Image credit via the very creative Kendall at @hello_happy_heart
Target alert! Guys, the dollar spot section at Target is filled with all kinds of fun fall finds right now… including this bound write-in recipe book. My 6-year-old daughter, who is currently obsessed with cooking, has fallen in love with hand-writing her favorite ‘go-to’ recipes in her own personal cookbook. Can you even imagine how much she is going to cherish this as she grows older and spends more time in the kitchen?!? Whether it’s food or possessions, handmade is the best made, and this $3 recipe book has quickly become an extremely special book in our house. Go get yourself one and start making memories with your kiddos in the kitchen! #controlledchaostruths #makingmemories #cookingwithkids #handmadeisthebestmade #targetdollarspotfinds
“I know I’m lucky. I know we have created these perfect, beautiful, magical, and enchanting little humans and I love them with all my heart. Our days are not all tears and tantrums and aching fatigue. Sometimes they’re full of uncontrollable laughter. Sometimes they’re full of cuddles and kisses and, “I love yous to the moon!”. Sometimes I can’t stop staring at their eyelashes and fingers and toes and I just want to squeeze them and talk to them and savor each moment. And sometimes... I just really wish I got to be the one who walks in the door at the end of the day. Calm. Unfazed by the mess. Slightly amused by the chaos. In control of my emotions. The hero who gets to take the helm and steer the ship.”. . To be fair, I bet he feels those same feelings some days too. And the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, no matter how filtered and glamorous we make it look. Being a stay at home parent is hard. Being a working parent is hard. Being an adult is hard. Heck, being a kid is hard. It’s all hard. It’s all awesome too. Perspective. Image credit via the queen of motherhood illustrations, Paula at @common_wild