Southern Blessed Chaos: kids

Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Southern Blessed Chaos March 26, 2019 shopping

Creative Easter Baskets for the Entire Family

Its almost here...Easter! That wonderful time of year when Spring emerges from her long winter nap.

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Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and there is a wonderful scent of renewal in the air! Who doesn't love Spring, right?

Easter egg hunts, the warm sunshine, kids playing in the yard, cookies baking, Easter dinner being planned, and all that marvelous chocolate and goodies that the Easter Bunny brings. There is so much to look forward to! Did I mention all the marvelous chocolate?!

Of course, the annual trek through our living room by that notorious and elusive Easter Bunny is my kids favorite thing! And, I have to admit, planning those baskets and fixing them up are kinda my favorite thing, too. That and the chocolate, of course!

If you've read my post regarding Simple Ways to Make a Cancer Patient Smile, you already know how much I love baskets to brighten someone's day!

But what happens when the Easter Bunny (aka Mom) gets a little tired of the same-old same-old? Here's a hint, #mamaninja to the rescue!

Before I start my list, let us get a misconception out of our heads.

An Easter basket DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A BASKET.

Whaaat?!

Yep. You heard me right. It can be anything that can be of use anytime of the year! Also, don't forget, Easter baskets can be and should be for everyone in the family, not just the kids!

Now that we have that little nugget of info out of the way, let's get creative!

For the Baby or Mom to Be

Basket Ideas:

Baby bath, small hamper, decorative shelf box, diaper bag, hanging diaper cubby

Fillers:

Rubber ducky, wash cloths, bibs, sun hat, baby lotion, sunscreen, towels, engraved baby bible, diapers, travel wipes, car sun visor, changing table mat, rompers, cute little diaper covers for girls, coupon for baby pictures to be made, baby's 1st Easter scrapbooking supplies

For the Little Boy

Basket Ideas

New toy box, sand pail and shovel, plastic bucket with name painted, small inflatable pool, plastic tool box, toy crate, small indoor ball pit, a pirates ship, a toy grill, a big dump truck, little red wagon, toy wheel barrow

Fillers

Ball pit balls, plastic tool set, grill accessories, legos, floor puzzle, giant coloring book, crayons, stickers, craft or drawing paper, matchbox cars and trucks, Lil' Swimmers or new bathing suit, bath toys, bath paint, bubbles, magnetic fridge letters, hooded towel, stuffed animals, picture books, rock painting kit, baseball cap, sunglasses, new shorts and tee shirt, sandals, water shoes, glow sticks, playground ball, toy sword, pirate costume

For the Little Girl

Basket Ideas

New toy box, Barbie car, doll house, baby carriage, wooden crate with name painted, caboodle, jewelry box, plastic bucket, inflatable pool or ball pit, little red wagon, toy wheel barrow

Fillers

Barbies, dolls, doll clothes, tutu, furniture for doll house, headbands, bows, sunglasses, Lil' Swimmers or new bathing suit, sunglasses, sun hat, purse, toy makeup, stickers, craft or drawing paper, giant coloring book, colors, rock painting kit, butterfly net, bath toys or bath paint, hooded towel, picture books, tea set, stuffed animals, magic wand, tiara, playground ball, glow stick necklace or bracelets, dress up clothes or shoes

For the Pre-Teen or Teen Girl

Basket Ideas

Overnight bag, large purse, makeup case, small laundry hamper, large caboodle, wooden crate for books, new backpack

Fillers

Makeup and brushes, nail polish and accessories, new hair brush, scrunchies and hair ties, scarf, wallet, locker mirror, books, CD, DVD, iTunes card, small bluetooth speaker, posters for bedroom, strand of Christmas lights for bedroom, flip flops, shades, new bathing suit, school tee shirt, a pool float, water bottle or travel cup, cross necklace, bracelet or ear rings, light up charger cords, ear buds, new phone case, beach towel, a diary or journal

For the Pre-teen or Teen Boy

Basket Ideas

Tool box, tackle box, duffle bag, new backpack, a foot locker, sports gear bag, laundry basket

Fillers

Tools, fishing tackle, rod and reel, iTunes card, books, flip flops, pocket knife, a good flashlight, sleeping bag, new bathing trunks, school tee shirt, canteen, water bottle or travel cup, baseball cap, shades, new sports ball or equipment, sport gloves, binaculars, bluetooth speakers, CD, DVD, new charger cords, beach towel, ear buds

For Dad or the Man in Your Life

Basket Ideas

Tool chest, tackle box, minnow bucket, ice chest (full of crawfish!), ammo lock box, duffel bag, briefcase, hiking backpack, a new charcoal grill, car wash bucket

Fillers

Wallet, tools, mechanic gloves, tackle, new rod and reel, bluetooth speakers, car speakers, CD, DVD, BBQ grill accessories, BBQ apron, a steak branding iron, steak and burger seasonings, books, cologne or after shave, a beard and mustache trimmer, a subscription to his favorite magazine, baseball cap, shades, car detailing supplies, new rake or water hose, set of bungee cords or new tie downs, hunting knife

For Mom or the Lady in Your Life

Basket Ideas

Picnic basket, makeup bag, beach bag, tool box, decorative box, jewelry armoire, flower window box, a new large decorative flower pot, a decorative serving bowl, chip and dip bowl

Fillers

Jewelry, wine glasses (with wine!), gift card for mani, pedi, or spa trip, electric racer, fuzzy slippers, flip flops, ankle bracelet, self tanning lotion (the good stuff!), new sunglasses with case and a clip for her visor, garden gloves, gardening stool and apron, fresh flower bulbs to plant, books, a journal, a pretty bookmark, a new Bible cover, a stuffed animal (yes, we love them, too!), CD, DVD, a subscription to her favorite magazine, perfume, and dont forget the chocolates!

So, get creative with those baskets and see their faces light up! And let me know what your absolute favorite thing about Easter is below!

Don't forget to Pin for later!

Want more ideas to enjoy the Spring season? Check out my Spring Bucket List for Families!

As always, feel free to share and follow me on your favorite social Media!

Friday, February 16, 2018

Southern Blessed Chaos February 16, 2018 special needs

For my Son...19 Things I Love About You

19 years ago, the most precious thing happened. I became a Mom. I can't believe how fast the years can fly by.

In honor of your birthday, Chad, I wanted to share 19 reasons that I love you with all my heart.

1. I love how I had to teach you to cry, but you came here already knowing how to laugh.

2. I love how you have showed all those people and doctors wrong and thrived full of life.

3. I love how resilient you are. No matter how many doctors or therapists you have had to see, you kept doing it with a smile.

4. I love your smile.

5. I love your turbo charged personality.

6. I love how you always have something funny to say.

7. I love your laugh.

8. I love your goofy sense of humor.

9. I love your amazing talent of being able to stretch your ears out.

10. I love your clowning around.

11. I love how no one's watermelon is safe around you.

12. I love your country boy style.

13. I love how you find joy in the simple things.

14. I love how much you love animals and babies.

15. I love the fact that you inherited my love for holiday decorating.

16. I love your awesome tower building skills.

17. I love seeing your joy and enthusiasm in knocking them down.

18. I love your hugs.

19. I love you simply because you are YOU!

Happy Birthday, my Chad! May the force be with you always!

Want to know a little more about Chad? Check out the post Night to Shine...A Mom's Point of View!

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Sunday, April 12, 2015

Southern Blessed Chaos April 12, 2015 tourettes

Welcome to my Southern Blessed Chaos!

Let me introduce myself.

My name is Shannon Dewease and I grew up in a little town in South Mississippi.

I was born, however, in Louisiana. I guess you could say I was born a Cajun but raised a redneck!

Let's just say I'm a born and raised Southern country girl who loves her Southern roots!

I grew up at a time when your neighbors knew your name and came to check on you if they haven't seen you outside working on your flower beds recently.

Those same neighbors would, also, call you to let you know that their peas or corn was ready. So you would grab your bucket and head on over to share the bounty.

It was a time when front doors and cars were left unlocked, the screen doors had a squeak then that bang when shut, Grandmas always wore aprons, and hearing the crickets at night was all you needed to sleep.

Ahh... I love the South and those memories of bygone days. And those days are definitely gone.

Don't get me wrong! I love my air conditioner, my cell phone, and, well...all the luxuries of today! But everything is so much faster, sleeker, rushed, and chaotic!

It seems that the older I get, the more I have to remind myself to slow down and take time to just breathe. When I do, I can focus on the many many blessings in my life.

"Just slow down... and take time to breath"

Click to Tweet

So, that's how I came up with the name Southern Blessed Chaos.

Clear as mud, huh? Let me see if I can explain it a little better.

I am the very proud Mother of two children, both with separate special needs. I am homeschooling one while the other attends public school. My days are filled with numerous doctor appointments, IEP meetings, tantrums, and frustrations.

I have been "potty training" my son, Chad, for numerous years and he still waits until the very last second to run to the bathroom.

This results in him peeing slowly from one end of the house to the other as he tries to get to the bathroom. To learn more about Chad and his super powers (that's what we call his disabilities), feel free to check out the page dedicated to Meet Chad!

My daughter, Lauren ,who is being treated for Tourettes Syndrome, Asperger's, and high anxiety (you can read more about these conditions in my post Perceptions), has physical tics and will let out yips, screams, and random words with no notice.

She, also, will argue me down if I say that the sky is blue, not "teal peacock blue" as she sees it.

Meet Lauren page is still under construction, but to find out more about her super powers, check out The Laurenism!

Our house is not a quiet one, as you can see... Chaos.

But my chaos is blessed in so many ways. I have a hard working husband working long hours so that I can stay home. We don't have any extra money but by the beautiful Grace of God, family, and friends, we have what we need.

As I am, once again, cleaning up the four room path of pee, I can't help but to smile because when he does reach the bathroom he screams every time with self pride "Whew, I made it Mommy!"

My daughter, even though she is arguing with me, has amazing insight and sees the beauty in most everything. Yep, now that I take a second look, I think that sky is teal peacock blue.

So you see...Blessings.

Southern Blessed Chaos, my life contained in three wonderful words.

I hope you enjoyed hearing a little about my life. And I look forward to sharing more with you soon. But right now, I've gotta go. I just heard my son holler "Whew! I made it Mommy!"

Until next time, remember to look for the blessings!