If your kids get overstimulated like mine, you might need to help them regulate. How does this work? Sometimes we take a towel and wipe the yuckies off. Sometimes we rock in the rocking chair with deep squeezes. But our most successful is a reset.

If you are Xennial or Millennial, you know the code. Maybe even late Gen X would know it. Do you? 

Inspired by Slice of Lisa’s 3 Things post structure from last year, I am going to write 5 Things lists on each of the days with 5 in them. Today I’m going to start with: 5 Things I Do To Protect My Peace

Did you ever play this game? I’m usually pretty good at it. I’ll give you my two truths and a lie then post some pictures to hide the big reveal. What are yours?

Each Friday, I am hoping to list some things I am thankful for from throughout the week. So continuing for this week on Friday the 13th…

Every morning, McKenna is the last to leave her bed. I wake up all the kids at 6:45 then go make my coffee. The boys are usually up and at the kitchen table for breakfast by 7:00am.

Not McKenna. 

I pester her until I leave the house with requests of PROOF OF LIFE. This is to ensure she hasn’t fallen back to sleep—or is awakened again if she has.

Borrowing this structure from The Musing Millennial. Writing a slice about my observations from my spot in the bed using all my senses. Coincidentally, also a great way to ground yourself when you are feeling over stimulated.

He didn’t eat much yesterday. At our regularly scheduled Great Grandpa Sunday Dinner Date, he just sat in my lap and nibbled a saltine. He ordered his pancakes to go. He cuddled up in bed with me at 6pm—5pm in his pre daylight savings time mind. His temp was elevated. Ugh. He was going to miss his super star of the week poster presentation.

I started crocheting in college. My RA taught a bunch of us some basic stitches and I’ve never forgotten. I crocheted a lot in while school—I made blankets for everyone. If you are a family member, you may have been the recipient of a blanket I fuller expected to have been long ago donated. I had completely forgotten about it for years and years. 

I have this thing about rainbows. I always seem to see them when I’m just having…a day. Maybe it is because they arrive after a storm and those will always put me in a foul mood. Or maybe it is because they just appear when I’m feeling a little down. Who knows.