A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Sick Momming

I'm sick. Like, want to die because I feel like death, want to stay in bed all day and cry from the shear pain my body is in, kind of sick. I don't care to get into details, but trust me, things have not been pleasant in my world for the last couple of weeks. It's nothing major, it's nothing life threatening, but it has made parenting little ones with boundless energy a total nightmare. I have three bosses and they are all tyrants. Sicks days are not in the skimpy benefits package. No matter how shitty I feel, clothes still need to be washed, tummies still need to be filled, and household tasks need to be completed, Sick momming is no fun. NOT. AT. ALL.

Here are a few tips I've learned along the way to make sick momming a bit easier:

Let someone else deal with it. Figure out what tasks you can assign to other members of the family, rather than take on all responsibility to keep the home running. Maybe your eldest child can help out with laundry or dishes. Let your husband deal with chauffeuring the kids to their activities and handling the bath and bed time routines. Take up all those well-meaning friends on their offers to come over and help straighten up the house or cook dinner. You may be used to doing everything, but you don't HAVE to do everything, especially when your body is telling you not to.

Be okay with letting someone else deal with it. Not only do you have to divvy up the tasks to other family members, but you have to learn to be okay with letting them do it their way - which might not be as good as your way, but it's getting done in SOME way, and that's what's important. I have had to take lots of deeps breaths and let go of the control, but it beats the alternative of doing it myself. 

Allow kids to entertain themselves. If you are lucky enough to have children who can reasonably stay out of danger while you relax, let them entertain themselves. Whether that entertainment be in the form of an all day Disney Jr. marathon, or whether it means allowing them to cover their bodies in washable marker masterpieces, what doesn't kill them will allow you to get some much needed rest. Now's not the time to micromanage their entertainment. 

Put those self-sufficiency skills to the test. If you're kids haven't had a lesson in self-sufficiency yet, there's no time like the present. Have the kids fend for themselves a bit by making the things they need the most accessible. Have a bin of snacks within reach for little hands. Move juice boxes to the front of the fridge or prepare cups of milk and store in the fridge within reach for thirsty kids. Have a basket of coloring books, crayons, puzzles, etc out for easy play. Have your spouse prep lunch bag meals for the kids before leaving for work and leave in the fridge as an easy-to-grab lunch and/or dinner. 

Gather the family in a common area. If your kiddos need a little more of a watchful eye, do your best to confine yourself and the kiddos to one space. Set up camp in your family room or basement. Whatever room in the house makes the most important things accessible. I'm lucky that our basement/family room has a television, bathroom, plenty of space, the majority of the kids toys and a mini fridge. I block off the stairs with a baby gate and can easily take a much needed snooze without too much worry that I'll wake up to trouble.

Make family nap times a new rule. Mama needs a nap? Maybe everyone needs a nap.  Done.

And the most important tip -  cut yourself some slack. Yes, things do have to get done, but most of it can wait.  

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: The Not-So-Pretty Pictures

I am just going to say it - this will never be the blog with pretty pictures. You know the blogs I am talking about. The blogs with the pictures you covet and aspire to. The kind of pictures every blogger feels the need to emulate so every blog ends up looking the same. Unfortunately, that will never be this blog. It won't be for lack of desire, because who doesn't want pretty pictures? It will strictly be due to a lack of opportunity for these reasons:

My kids are not cooperative. Sure, we all know that perfectly sweet blog picture of the child leaning artfully against a wall was achieved after 50 shots and a lot of bribing, but here's the thing, I don't have the time, energy or patience for that.  Not to mention, my kids are never cooperative for photos. Like never, EVER! Getting a moderately decent picture of one of them alone is a tough enough task, I would have to sell my soul to the devil to get all three to cooperate. They are not swayed by bribes, tears or pleading. I have tried, believe me, I have tried. Without fail, all of my pictures feature the blur of a moving child, or at least one disgruntled look. (See pic above).

My walls are not white. White walls are all the rage in blogger-dom In fact, white everything is all the rage. Sometimes I feel like I have been thrust into the Arctic with all the white. It is pretty hard to screw up a picture taken against a white background. I, on the other-hand, am fighting against patterns and colors. I don't own enough white things, apparently, to use as a clean backdrop. Even if I wanted white walls, my kids would eventually fill them up with chocolate handprints. It just wasn't meant to be.

My kids don't have a monochrome wardrobe.  Although I dig the black, white and grey look, and my kids do have a fair share of trendy pieces, I have succumbed to the fact that they are children and not tiny adults. Because they are children, they have a natural attraction to outrageously gaudy clothing, and color combinations that would even make a clown cringe. I would like to grace you with pictures of my kids in a constant stylish state but, chances are, you're going to see them more often than not, in t-shirts featuring cartoon characters. (See above pic... again).

I have no time to be artsy. There will be no pictures of my feet with a Starbucks coffee cup strategically cropped in the corner of the shot. There will be no carefully strewn objects placed with the transparent attempt to make said objects appear random. There will be no children in directed poses disguised as authentic.  There just won't be, and do you know why? Because I don't have the time, or brain cells to think of those things. Pre-kids I could stage a "natural" scene with the best of them, but three kids, two dogs and one cat later, I'm fighting against the odds of everything getting knocked over, broken or covered in fur before I'm able to click the shutter release. Lame, but true, in the words of the great Sweet Brown, "Ain't nobody got time for that!"


So there you have it, just a few of the reasons why you won't find pretty pictures on this blog. Although you will not find the prettiest of pictures here, I can guarantee that they will all be honest... even if honesty does come in the form of nose picking.

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Date Night Adventures

Any parent knows, that once kids come into the picture, date nights with your spouse are hard to come by. I have friends that have gone years - YEARS - without a weekend away with their significant other. Connecting with your spouse is so important and often gets lost in the shuffle of kid activities, school, and general child rearing. Not to mention the barrier of getting some poor sucker to actually watch your kids so you can slip away. Although my husband and I have managed to get away a few times over the years - shout out to grandparents! - date nights are still few and far between. However when we DO get to shake off the kids for a few hours, or even a few days, I'm itching for adventure and dinner and a movie is far down on my list of things to do.  If you're like me and want to do something a little different with your spouse, here are some of my favorite, no-so-typical summer date ideas:

1. Hanging by a thread. My husband and I recently went on a weekend adventure that was unforgettable. We spent a day hanging by a couple of ropes and climbing through a tree top obstacle course. The ropes course took us through a series of rope swings, cargo net climbs, suspended wobbly structures and zip lines - all which tested our physical abilities. We had a complete blast and it was a great way to spend our time. On the same note, mountain climbing, rappelling and indoor rock climbing are also at the top of the list for fun date activities.

2. Take a hike. Going for a hike is a great way to bond with your spouse. Just you, your love and the great outdoors. No distractions mean the perfect opportunity to re-connect after a busy week. A challenging hike will help build feelings of cooperation and support with your partner as you navigate the terrain together; a more low key train can be made romantic with a pack full of picnic food.

3. Beach Camping. Is there anything more romantic than camping overnight on a beach? I think not! Not only is it super romantic, but it puts a twist on traditional camp settings. The sound of the waves makes for a peaceful sleep and crisp, ocean air is a refreshing wake up.

4. Get cooking. Even if being in the kitchen isn't your favorite thing, taking a cooking class together will be a fun and memorable experience. Joint cooking projects will promote team work and solo cooking projects can provide a little friendly competition. Plus, you'll learn a new recipe to add to your dinner menu at home!

5. Who dunnit? Inactive adventures make for an awesome date night outing and put your ability to problem solve as a couple to the test. Murder mystery dinners are easily found with a little research in most areas - plus you get dinner, so it's a win-win! Interactive games like Escape the Room are also all the rage lately!  Those who live near major cities are likely to get lucky in finding something similar.

6. Shoot 'Em Up. Get an adrenaline rush by shooting up targets at the gun range and your significant other will never want to get on your bad side again. Just kidding!

7. Paint the town red. If real guns aren't your thing, consider spending the day at a paintball range. This is an activity that might be closer to your comfort zone, and is even MORE fun!

8. Run, Baby, Run! Obstacle and mud  runs are a blast, and provide such a great experience for couples to build their partnership as they motivate, cheer and physically help each other along a challenging course. In addition, extra bonding time can be earned if you train together, or turn it into a family affair by getting the kids involved in the training process. If you are looking for something a little less messy, some alternatives are the equally fun bubble runs, color runs and water inflatable runs that many areas offer.

9. Ready! Set! Go! A little friendly competition is always good for a couple. Place your bets and rev your engines, as you challenge your partner to a race. Check around for a nearby indoor or outdoor go-kart course and  fulfill your need for speed on the track. Loser pays for dinner!

10. Off the beaten path. Take your date off the beaten path, literally, with an off-roading adventure. Gear up and board an ATV/UTV for an experience you'll never forget. Travel terrain together or ride solo, either way it'll be a good time and give you plenty of fun memories.The couple that gets muddy together, stays together... or something like that.


Now that I've shared a few of my favorite non-traditional date day ideas, tell me your favorite date activities to do with your significant other.

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: What No One Tells You About Having a Kid With ADHD

As a therapist, ADHD was never in my wheelhouse. That changed the year my then 6-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD. This diagnosis did not come as a surprise, my husband has ADHD, but it did open my eyes as a therapist, and as a mother, to the challenges kids with the diagnosis face. Challenges that go beyond the stereotypical image of a child who is easily distracted or hyperactive. There is so much more to ADHD that I have learned along my journey. Here's some of what I have learned:

My kid says "weird" things.  Kids with ADHD are often impulsive. This impulsiveness may manifest verbally. Children may blurt out things that may not make sense, or seem strange. They may even blurt out things that seem concerning.

One day my son, who was having a particularly challenging day, was in the midst of a meltdown. With a glint of rage in his eyes, he turned to me and shouted, "I'm going to blow up this house and everyone in it!" The mom side of me immediately got alarmed and wondered if I had a future psychopath on my hands. The therapist in me knew that this wasn't my sweet boy speaking, it was the impulsiveness speaking. The part of the brain that doesn't pause before blurting out whatever words are running around in his mind. Sometimes what comes out of my son's mouth is funny in a "Kids Say The Darnedest Things" kind of way. Sometimes it is so cringe-worthy, I want to dig a deep hole and hide.

What to Do:

Teach children to take a deep breath and count to 10 before talking. This encourages children to not blurt out first thoughts, and gives your child a chance to consider their words.

When you observe your child making impulsive statements, pull him aside and discuss why the statement was inappropriate or harmful. Encourage apologies for any hurtful words. Speak with your child privately, rather than address the statements in front of an audience.

The challenge of friendships. Many kids with ADHD may experience difficulties in making friends. This is often because children with ADHD are impulsive in nature and these impulsivities translate to off-putting behaviors on the playground, such as making unfiltered statements, interrupting others, displaying thoughtless behavior or creating disruptions.

When my son entered kindergarten, his uniqueness became more apparent to peers. Kids were starting to notice that my son was different. Nothing is more heartbreaking than to have your child come home and tell you that the other kids don't like him. Unfortunately, my son, although a sensitive soul, has a tendency to speak without thinking, often saying things that are hurtful. He will intrude on - and interrupt - conversations. He will disrupt a child who is quietly playing. He will walk away mid-conversation. Things that weren't as noticeable in preschool, began to raise eyebrows in elementary. My son's tendency to miss social cues will only become more noticeable with age.

What to Do:

Social skills groups are a great way to learn how to interact with peers. Check with your school or local counseling centers for age appropriate groups.

Role-play common social situations with your child. This will help ease any social anxieties and give your child the opportunity to practice appropriate interactions.

Evel Knievel has nothing on this kid. Children with ADHD can be the ultimate risk takers. Most people expect children with ADHD to be overly energetic, but most do not expect to be witness to impulsivity-driven, dangerous acts. A child with ADHD may run into traffic, climb on top of the refrigerator, hang from the second floor banister, whack a beehive with a bat - the possibilities are endless. The bigger the kids, the more dangerous things become. Teenagers with ADHD are particularly susceptible to engaging in reckless drug and alcohol use, as well as sexual activity.

When my son was still running into traffic at age five, I knew that this was way more than just typical hyperactivity. While you expect to have to use the death grip on a 2 or 3 year old in a parking lot, you don't think of an older child needing as much reminder and supervision about the dangers of moving vehicles. Or, so I thought. My son would catch the gleam of a penny or hear the bark of a lone dog in the distance and would be consumed with one thought - the thought to run towards whatever attracted his attention. He would bolt without warning into a sea of moving cars. My heart has stopped beating more times than I can count.

What to Do:

When a child displays severely dangerous activity, it is best to consult professionals. Seek specialists in ADHD. A variety of therapies are available to help decrease impulsiveness and assist in establishing safer outlets for your child's energy.

You thought nights with a newborn were bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. Children with ADHD often experience challenges "shutting off" their brain. That little mind is constantly filled with thoughts and images, and that doesn't stop just because the little hand on the clock hits 9. You may find your child is refusing to go to bed, stating that he/she is not tired, and if they do make it to bed, they are wide-awake for the majority of the night. Many kids with ADHD - those on meds AND those not on meds - experience sleep issues. For children who are on medication, stimulants are usually the culprit and decreasing or stopping the dosage will typically eliminate sleep issues. For those children not on medication, developing healthy sleep patters requires a bit more trial and error.

My son actually slept like a baby, when he was a baby. Not a peep would be heard out of him until the morning. Then somewhere around toddler-hood, a myriad of sleep issues crept in. Getting him to sleep was an exhausting experience, but only for me as he would be wide awake hours after I would drop into bed out of defeat. I would spend hours begging and pleading with him to go to bed, only to spend the majority of my night escorting him back to his room when he would wake me in the middle of the night requesting snacks, water or "something to do" because he was "bored." We finally found a rhythm that works for us, but the journey getting there was a long one.

What to Do:

Setting a routine will help define sleep expectations for your child. Set a reasonable bedtime and have a set routine for the 2 hours leading up to bedtime. Include quiet time with no electronics or stimulating activity, a warm bath, and downtime by reading a book or listening to soothing music in the routine.  Replace bright lights with warm, soft lights to create a serene sleep space.

Low self-esteem struggles. Many kids with ADHD experience low self-esteem. Kids with ADHD tend to have more academic and social struggles. At home, the symptoms associated with ADHD may lend to a tense family dynamic. An overwhelmed parent may become easily frustrated by ADHD behaviors. Children with ADHD are used to being criticized for their lack of attention, forgetfulness, poor social skills and behavior. This criticism from others quickly turns into a nasty inner critic that takes a toll on a child's self-esteem.

Being a parent of a child with ADHD is no doubt overwhelming at times. It's easy to feel frustrated when nothing seems to work to calm your wild child. Before my son was diagnosed, he struggled with an array of social, academic and behavioral challenges. The frustration my son was feeling over his lack of self-control, combined with the frustrations my husband and I were feeling over the challenges, led to a strained home environment. In the midst of all this I noticed that my son didn't seem as eager to try new things for fear of failing and didn't seem as confident. I'll never forget the day my son came to me and said, "I know everybody hates me because I always mess up. I'm dumb and I know it." Talk about a punch to the gut.

What to Do:

Take a step back and look at what you as a parent, may unintentionally be doing to feed your child's self-esteem monster. Don't compare your child to others. Recognize what your child is doing right, and stop focusing in what your child is doing wrong.

Focus on your child's strengths and involve him/her in activities that will allow him/her to excel.

Allow your child to succeed by breaking up tasks into smaller steps, simplifying goals and directions and making accomplishments attainable rather than complicated.

ADHD looks different with every child, and every child's journey is different. With love, support and understanding each child has the ability to excel in their own way. I have learned to find the positive in my son's energetic spirit and cherish all parts of this journey we are taking together.

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Into the (Sun)Light

I've always been very sensitive to changes in nature. As someone who is very connected to nature, this was never a surprise. As a child, I grew up in Southern California, land of  perpetual summer and sunshine. Moving the the East Coast was a major shock to my system. It was hard for me to adjust to the change in seasons as a child, and became even tougher as I grew older. The winters weren't physically taxing to me, they were emotionally brutal. The gloomy darkness of winter was something was something that struck me to the core. I didn't find beauty in the snow. I didn't take comfort in the idea of thick layers. All I felt about the East Coast winter months was emptiness, loneliness and despair. It wasn't until many years later, as an adult, that I realized the intense sadness I felt during this time of the year wasn't just an extreme dislike for the winter, it was a pretty significant dip into depression.

I have often joked about having a case of the S.A.Ds (Seasonal Affective  Disorder) every winter, but apart from a handful of close friends, have never really spoken about my seasonal depression. This hasn't been intentional, it has a lot to do with not wanting to rehash negative feelings.  After experiencing a particularly brutal battle this past winter, I would love to forget that I spent the previous four months on edge, in tears and lacking in motivation and joy, but I have come to realize that is is something I should, and NEED, to talk about.

Seasonal depression mimics many of the same symptoms that you would find in clinical major depression. During the fall and winter months I can feel myself slowly slipping into a very negative head-space. The fall holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually distracting enough to keep me afloat during the day, with sadness creeping in towards the end of busy days. After New Year's the more powerful feelings of darkness begin to bulldoze their way through and it's all day event, no longer just contained to the bedtime hours. My usual active and energetic approach to life, slowly becomes replaced by feeling lethargic and hopeless. My lack of desire to do anything but stay in bed and cry from explainable sadness grows as the days become darker, colder and gloomier. My insomnia and anxiety kicks into high gear, and I become distracted, irritable, easily overwhelmed and hyper-sensitive. 

As a working mom with three little ones, a it's not easy to balance feelings of depression with the responsibilities of daily life. Most of the days are an internal battle between what I need to do and what I want to do. What I need to do is power through waking up early, getting the kids fed and ready for school, maintain the house, organize 5 schedules, keep up with work responsibilities and making sure life goes on without too many bumps. What I want to do is become a recluse who holes up in a dark room, sleeps until the sadness passes and has little human contact because that takes more effort than I have to exude. Without my kids and job, I could very easily go through the whole winter without feeling any sort of life. My kids and my responsibilities are my motivators, and even though most days I'm just going robotically through the motions, the alternative would be a lot worse. 

I have gotten a lot better over the years in managing my moods. I have become better at forcing myself out of the house on dreary days, just to get some fresh air and clarity. I incorporate events to look forward to. I make plans with friends. Most of the time, the "fake it until you make it" philosophy helps keep the darkness at bay, if even for only a few hours. In the meantime, I have a running mental calendar which reminds me of the (sun) light at the end of the dark, winter tunnel. 

Usually my transition from depression to normalcy is a seemingly overnight even. One day I wake up feeling lighter, freer, centered and balanced. The picture above was taken on March 21, 2015.  That picture marked my "transition" day this year. I drove down my street and was struck by the beauty of the sun shining through the end of winter's remains. The warmth of the sun melting the snow and breathing life back into nature, and me, is a feeling that lacks adequate words to explain. It is with no remorse or regret that I leave winter behind, and embrace summer. And, I certainly can't help but smile when I hear those little four words I waited months to feel, "You seem happy today!"

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Not Your Typical Soccer Mom

I never thought I would be a soccer mom.

Like never. Ever.

EVER.

We've never been a soccer family. I've never wanted to be a soccer family. Soccer was never on my radar. When we first mulled over what rec sport we would sign our son up for last year, soccer wasn't even a consideration, and we settled on wrestling. Wrestling has been amazing and awesome and a wonderful learning opportunity for my little dude. Midway through his second wrestling season he started pitching the idea of soccer.

"Craaaaaaaaaaaaaap!"

That was my initial thought. Mostly because I was counting down the weeks to the end of wrestling season. Those 7am meets, that last for four to five hours, were getting brutal. I was also looking forward to sort of having my weekends back.

But he kept asking. Kept pushing. Expressed eagerness. I usually don't give in a lot to my kids. I'm kind of mean that way sometimes. I like my "me" time, and the thought of adding another "activity" to our schedule when I wanted to spend my weekends in other ways wasn't appealing. The kid is quite persistent though, and his enthusiasm for a sport he really has no knowledge of beyond a few gym class games was quite endearing.

It was love at first kick. He had one practice under his belt before playing his first game. Only one practice and he had zero jitters. Zero doubt. Zero hesitation. Only one practice and he was confident in volunteering to be goalie right off the bat. Some might question if this was confidence or ignorance, but if you ever met my little guy, you would know that he's shy and takes time to warm up. It is so very rare that he goes into a situation with such sureness. I don't think I have ever seen his eyes filled with such excitement as I did at his first game. He was giving himself to this sport 100%. I'm not quite sure where this affection for soccer came from, but it is there to an undeniable level. He played with such excitement and such passion during that first game, that through my mom eyes, it was the most beautiful thing in the world to witness. Maybe he actually knew what he was talking about when he was pleading with me to sign him up. Hmmm.

We're still pretty early into the season, but he is so in love with soccer that he starts talking about his next game, as we're on the way home from his current game. He's disappointed that practice is only once a week, and spends time after school in the backyard working on his soccer skills.

So maybe it is yet another activity during my weekend. It's another 8 weeks where I have to schedule grocery shopping and errands around games. It's another 8 weeks where I have to pile all the kids into the car and run them to practice during a busy week. It's another 8 weeks where I lose some time I could have spent aimlessly wandering around Target, or sitting at the beach with a book. It's another 8 weeks where I'll probably complain at least once. Or twice. Or a handful of times. But to see my kid love something, even if it's soccer, is so worth it.

But don't call me a soccer mom! I'm not quite ready for that title, yet.

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Hold Me Closer Tiny Dancer

Last spring I signed my oldest girl -  the tiny dancer in the middle of the bunch - up for dance class and a love affair began. A love affair between my little girl and the art of dance began; and a love affair of me being completely captivated and entranced as I watch my little one get lost in the music began. It's quite a glorious thing to see your child develop a passion. To see their little eyes fill with excitement. To know that their little hearts are full. In those times, all the daily frustrations that go along with parenting slip out of my mind and I give in to the complete awe of the moment. 

Every Saturday morning, mornings I'd much rather sleep in, my tiny dancer sneaks into my room and quietly whispers, "It's Saturday, mommy. I have my dance class today! I need to get ready." Sure, that request comes two hours too soon, but even in my slumbered state, I can respect her enthusiasm. While I'm still hitting the snooze button on my phone, my tiny dancer carefully selects one of her dance outfits, pulls on her tights and attempts to pull her hair into a bun. The sound of little feet fill the room as she instructs her younger sister on dance moves, and I'll finally roll out of bed as my husband serves the kids breakfast. There's at least five inquiries of  "Can we go now, mommy?" before I actually fill up my coffee cup and usher her out the door. 

I love watching her put on her ballet shoes. I remember the day she stopped asking me to help her. That day she looked at me with her big brown eyes full of pride and said, "You don't need to help me mommy. I'm a dancer. I can do it myself." Heart. On. The. Floor. That was the day I knew this was going to be her thing. This was going to be her heart. That is what makes Saturday morning wake up calls worth it. Some days she tentatively steps into the studio, other days she walks in confidently, and every day she comes walking out beaming with accomplishment.  

The new moms are always nervous, peering in the door, face pressed to the glass making sure their little one isn't consumed with tears or standing shyly in a corner. I'm usually able to play it cool and fill that 45 minutes aimlessly searching the internet, basking in the silence. Every so often I press my face against that glass. It always gives me butterflies.

As soon as she comes home, she rushes to "give a class" to her 18 month old sister. Because of this, the little one has some pretty smooth dance moves! My tiny dancer pleads with me to turn the music all the way up so the two can "put on a show." This show more often than not is accompanied by the Frozen soundtrack, but it is so fun to watch them dance that I don't even mind that I've heard "Let It Go" approximately five-hundred-thousand and sixty-two times. 

The rest of the day is full of random twirls, pliés and jumps, each one accompanied by excited giggles and requests of "Mom! Watch this!"

My tiny dancer, dances her way through every day, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Tooth Fairy Treasures

My 7-year-old finally lost his first tooth about a week and a half ago. Since I felt like his peers have been losing teeth for a couple of years now, I eventually gave up waiting around and rarely thought about this milestone. To say it caught me off guard when it finally did happen is an understatement. The tooth fell out during school and was sent home in a little envelope. My husband notified me of the event via text while I was at work. It was a busy work day, and I hardly had time to acknowledge the text, much less consider following through on any sort of Tooth Fairy plans. I got home from work at 9:00 pm that night, and while I rushed to get the kids showered and ready for bed, I feverishly racked my brain trying to figure out how to pull off the whole Tooth Fairy  thing. Working with kids on a daily basis gives me a lot of insight into what's trending these days. Word in the therapy office, amongst most of my clients, is that teeth are going for an average of $10-$20 a pop, and that is not exclusive to just first teeth. Say, what?! These kids are racking up! I was lucky to find a dollar under my pillow back in the day, and I didn't think things had changed that much.

I didn't know exactly what the dollar rate on teeth would be in my house, but it definitely wasn't going to be $20. That night, I found a random $5 bill in the depths of my wallet, threw it in an envelope and used some markers to make it look semi-presentable. I included a joke from the fairy about my son snoring while he sleeps. It was the best I could do last minute. The next morning he appeared unimpressed by the $5 but laughed hysterically at the thought of the Tooth Fairy  noting that he snores.  I realized that although my kid likes to earn money, what he really likes, more than anything in the world, is the unexpected and the unusual. The kid loves a surprise, and money was not a surprise.

When my kiddo lost his second tooth a mere 4 days later, I was prepared. I grabbed a small glass jar and a handful of gemstones from my childhood collection. The next morning, when he woke up, my kiddo was happy to discover his tooth was gone and the Tooth Fairy had instead left a beautiful gift on his bedside table. He thought it was the coolest thing ever! And with that, it was determined that the tooth fairy would no longer leave money, because these gifts of little teeth are too precious to put a price tag on. Instead, the Fairy will leave a little piece of her magic behind in exchange. My son, who happens to know the real deal about the Easter Bunny and Santa, has no doubts about the existence of this feisty little tooth collecting fairy. After discovering his gift, he turned to me wide-eyed with excitement and wondered what treasure she would bring next. When he proudly showed his sisters his treasure, my 4-year-old immediately began to run her fingers along her teeth check for potential looseness. Her disappointment at all her teeth being in-tact was short lived and the kiddos began to rattle off potential gifts that may be fond next. Needless to say, our house is buzzing with excitement and wonder about when our fairy friend will visit next.

I gave myself major mom points for my flash of brilliance, and a pat on the back for saving myself many trips to the bank for actual cash.

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Meet Everly

Meet Everly. Everly is 19 months old and the baby of the bunch. She is spoiled with kisses daily by her big brother and sister. Everly has the best little toothy grin I have ever laid eyes on. Everly is as sweet as pie, but far from a pushover. In fact, she can be quite the little powerhouse. She's not afraid to rumble and tumble with kids 3 times her size, and she can already hold her own with the best of them!

Personality: Boisterous, silly, mischievous, affectionate, cheerful, curious

Interests: Exploring every inch of every surface of every place she sets foot in

Activities: running

Favorite Animated Characters: N/A

Collections: anything related to bunnies

Loves: playing with her big brother and sister, hugs, peek-a-boo, food

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Meet Amelia

This is Amelia. Amelia is 4 years old and is one of the most determined and independent spirits I have ever met. She is the MOXIE in Mox.ie and Mis.chief. Amelia is a perfect mix of a girly-girl and tomboy. She is truly my little partner in crime and reminds me a lot of myself - which can be a double edged sword at times!

Personality: Spunky, independent, caring, spirited, assertive, adventurous, artistic,

Interests: Playing dress up, pretending she's a princess, getting into her big brother's stash of cars and trucks,

Activities: dance, yoga

Favorite Animated Characters: Elsa and Anna (Frozen), Ariel (Little Mermaid), Batman

Collections: Mooshka Dolls, Little People Princesses

Loves: mermaids, fairies, performing song and dance routines, shopping with mommy, traveling.

A Little Moxie, A Little Mischief: Meet Aiden

Meet my 7-year old boy, Aiden. Aiden is a sensitive little soul with a wildly vivid imagination. Aiden's energy exudes from every pore of his body. This is probably not the happiest picture of him, but it is one of my favorites. My little boy wears his heart on his sleeve, and this picture embodies that. He is an emotional duplicate of his mama!

Personality: Sensitive, imaginative, kind, energetic, creative, persistent, playful, care-taker

Interests: Drawing robots and zombies, playing outside, building structures, playing board games

Activities: wrestling

Favorite Animated Characters: Yoshi (Super Mario Brothers)

Collections: Anything related to Super Mario Brothers and Skylanders

Loves: going out to eat, video games, dodgeball, magic tricks, telling bad jokes