jahsmomwrites23

[jahsmomwrites23]

Memorial Day @ LA County Fair 🌤️🫶🏽✨

A peaceful car ride away, soaking up the beautiful views of the California mountains and valleys until parking traffic slowed to a creep. It was the absolute LAST day of the fair and it was super hot outside, but we had such a great time that we walked the entire fairgrounds 3-4 times. Our method is to go directly to the back of the park and make our way to the front/exit, but there was way too much to see and do. Here's how it went:

In the absolute back of the park was a BUNCH of real life trains! They were "Choo-Choo"-ing and letting people come on and look around, so we walked the row of trains while my little one told Daddy what colors they were ☺️

We then walked the reserve area, met Smokey the Bear and saw snakes, lizards and other reptiles before entering the exhibit of flowers. We walked inside each building to view the exhibits, crafts, shops and animals. There was literally a little bit of everything, I'm talking table-scapes, cakes and cookies, and all sorts of pastries, not just in the exhibit, but these were competition submissions and winners.

My little one enjoyed a fry & corn dog, while I enjoyed a margarita and got the cool LAC Fair shaker souvenir (which was a great score for my home made Iced Shaken Espressos!) Refueled and ready to go, we took the little guy to go see the motorcycles & low-riders. He enjoyed this part the most and I feel this is where we got to get the most immersed in all types of LA cultures. Along the rows of vehicles there were all types of organizations, kiosks and stalls by multiple ethnicities/nationalities, communities and businesses.

My favorite parts were the flowers and having enough space to walk comfortably with the hubs, little guy & stroller. Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as packed as I thought it would be on the last day (but we also did not stay for the fireworks that night.)

There's a video to accompany this blog on my personal TikTok page 🌤️🫶🏽👩🏽‍💻✨

If you came for the Dodgers' Hat.

[jahsmomwrites23]

Toddler Color Lesson 🫧🌈🌤️✨

Intro: Review colors first - this allows you to establish a foundation. (I suggest adding them on the wall in their room!) Then sort toys by color together. Some good options are cars, food, or blocks. *I like to leave them sorted so after the lesson they are more inclined to name colors as they pick them out*

READ: Happiness Is A Rainbow *or any color/rainbow book* talk to your little one about the different animals, colors, and elements in the book. Try to keep them engaged by pointing, making sounds, and animating your voice.

Watch: Start with Ms.Rachel I Love the Rainbow, then sing and dance through other color focused favorites *I usually cut on the playlist below for educational screen time while I set up our color area.*

Color: Pick a coloring sheet that has as many elements from the book as you can. Talk about and name all of these colors and animals. +Bonus: Do animal walks or sounds for any in the book.

Free Play - let your little color until their heart is content, then switch at some point to free play with the same sorted toys from earlier.

My tips:

Adjust based on your kid’s interest and attention span. For example, I try to get 15 minutes at a time of learning but if he isn’t into the activity I’ll move on to the next one. I suggest set up the color area during the first video and try to wait until the longer videos for the actual color session.

Swap the books & videos for any you love or think apply - The options are endless! 🌤️🫶🏽✨

Get the printable here. Get the playlist here.

I am not trying to sell you anything (THIS IS FREE!) I used to be an educator and as a parent, I am very passionate about parents being their child's 1st teacher. I do small lessons like these with my child daily and after 8 months he knew his colors, alphabets, numbers, and left from his right.

[jahsmomwrites23]

Big Boy's Birthday - SoCal Baseball Tour Pt.1 | Our First Family Padres Game

     My husband, my son and I are HUGE foodies, big travelers & YouTube watchers, so when I found Jaycation, I was thankful for a deep dive of SD food. I watched a few of his videos about PetcoPark and began to plot which restaurants I would try inside. My husband and I would frequent baseball games when we lived in Atlanta so when we moved to San Diego nothing changed. Our first visit was while I was still pregnant, which means I was gifted the opportunity to see my little bump run around the stadium instead of carrying him this time. This gave me all the warm and fuzzies because as much of a headache you think it would be to take a toddler to an MLB game, it really is not.

*Stadium Experience*

We have a secret parking spot where we pay 40$ to have a short walk to the gates. There were fans in our seats but the staff was kind enough to find us seats in the section with a better view for the little guy. We ordered chicken tenders, fries & onion rings. Just letting any other toddler moms know, this was his first time having whole tenders and he has devoured them since!

My only suggestions:

Score your Padres Gear Beforehand Here!

Get a see through bag with essentials for the kid, carrier if you need, otherwise let the little guy walk in and around.

Carry them to their seat and invest in noise canceling headphones. (I later scored some from the bullseye section!)

     The ads in the Jaycation videos always just so happen to be the Visit San Diego Ads. I call myself a journalist and researcher, so of course I visited the website. The San Diego Tourism Authority keeps it updated on what's new to do in the area, outdoor activities, food, arts and history, entertainment or travel news and events. (Bookmark this site if you are like me and run out of ideas of how to occupy your littles!) I poked around a bit on this website and was able to plan our weekends for the next few months or so based on interests and events. 

     I poked around a bit more on the Padres & Petco websites, did some more googling and “YouTube-ing.” That's when I found the Giveaways & KidsFest Giveaways (more info here.) I already knew we would be back, but now we have to plan our next Petco visit strategically enough to get som eof this awesome gear! San Diego has been an exciting place for our family to get out and explore, while also being immersed in the different cultures it has to offer. There are endless activities and reasons to bring your family to explore San Diego, enjoy a game and have a great time! 

[jahsmomwrites23]

Happy Receptionists' Day

National Receptionists' Day | 5.8.24

A short article posted via my LinkedIn based on personal experiences.

The office I was employed at was composed of three total agents & a single receptionist. The main agent was an older gentleman who made a habit out of my time there to not often address me by name or speak to me directly. I can only assume he was from a time where bosses & business owners felt it surplus to fraternize with subordinates or learn their names.

The other two agents were women, complete night & day on attendance and how approachable they were. Looking back, the two female agents and each sudden issue that arose with their clients definitely improved my attention to detail, client relations and problem solving skills to that of the creative realm.

The receptionist was moving up in the ranks to be the main agent's (personal) "executive" administrative assistant and was looking for an unwitting participant to take on her old grunt work. She considered herself among the 'who's who' in the area, and prided herself on her connections and gossip. Newly married in an inherited home, she made it clear she did not need the income, but was happy to have a career in the same city she grew up in.

As a receptionist, I spent my day-to-day answering calls, questions and messages while managing appointments & calendars for the three agents, and still accepting credit, debit & checking insurance payments, proving to be a skilled multi-tasker. I was able to demonstrate my organizational skills as much as the new executive administrator would let me (this was difficult with us both giving administrative and assistance and support to the office.) While enigmatic to me personally during the time, I am now most thankful to have gained experience in data entry (which would feed my accomplishments at the next job) and balancing Quickbooks to drop off deposits. We used Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, and excel Spreadsheets daily for written communication, drafting & typing memos and tracking policies.

All this said, I only lasted at that job for 6 months. Reception work is important and someone must do it, but there are so many ways you can make the experience more enjoyable or at least tolerable for the receptionist in your life. This position does not have to be as demeaning or require as much servitude as some may feel.

Some of the best ways you can celebrate your receptionist include but not limited to:

buy their lunch,

give a gift card for gas or a store they like,

give them a day off or early release from a shift.

[jahsmomwrites23]

Share for someone who needs this

If you’re not happy, it’s okay, you don’t have to meet anyone’s emotional expectations. It’s time to give a fuck about yourself. Everybody ain’t your assignment - that’s why you’re drained. Eliminate things that serve no purpose in your higher goals. Every interaction should be an investment adding to your life’s value.

Stop dodging the process, it’s the only way to grow. Just be here. And now. If we refrained from trying to control predict and live in the future, all the anxiety would end.

I don’t know about you, but I know what it feels like to be stuck on what steps to take next or what direction to go in. If you’re serious about change, you must navigate uncomfortable situations. Prepare yourself because God Is about to reveal something big in your life. 

On your journey, Pray for wisdom and inner peace. Watch your words, they are energy and life. You are living the word. Your mind is no match for your spirit. Feed your spirit and stop corrupting your mind.

[jahsmomwrites23]

Are you leading (or dealing) ?

Do you know your personal mission? What your goals, roles, challenges, or values are, or even how to birth the vision? Are you responsible & accountable for every action, reaction & decision? what are your ideal accomplishments and performance standards? how do you want to be perceived?

Are you aware of yourself? I mean really and deeply, in every aspect and area of your life? Is your emotional intelligence growing with every cultivated bite?

Overcoming self-limiting fears & self-doubt.

Heightened self-motivation, take initiative, consistently looking for bettwr and more effective ways to succeed.

Tough mental attitude - remain positive, overcome adversity, persistence, open to new opportunities

Are you a good Shepard practicing financial responsibility? Taking care of your body both mentally & physically?

Creating & achieving goals

Building habits to succeed - personal development is no easy feat. consistently pursue bigger opportunities.

Effectively manage time (remain organized & focused!)

[jahsmomwrites23]

Why are you so impatient & in such a hurry to get through life?

Affirm yourself:

I am thankful for every singly earthly experience, for they are both honors and blessings. I can rest knowing my life and everything I am rests in divine hands. I can breathe knowing I'll never go without all which I truly NEED. Doubt and insecurity, I release you. Clarity and confidence, I welcome you. Soul, I empower you. My happiness grows from within. With every new thought, I plant seeds of joy in my mind's garden. I'm a blooming bud of bliss. 

Inspire yourself & those around you:

Contentment is the means by which peace is cultivated. Dissatisfaction within yourself leads to restlessness. Even when things don't go according to plan, they are working in your favor. A wise one corrects the mind and allows life to respond accordingly. If you want to improve your mood, give gratitude. The easiest way to raise your vibration is through appreciation.

Every act of love brings happiness and harmony into the lives of all those involved. Your side doesn't always need to be heard even if you're right. Sometimes peace requires us to just be quiet. Don't adapt the energy in the room, influence the energy in the room! Leave your mark wherever your feet lead you.

To have better you must be better, you can't do the same thing and expect different results so transform your mind and habits. If you're serious about change, you have to allow yourself to be uncomfortable, stop dodging the process and go through it. 

Let the beauty of flowers remind you why the rain is necessary: there's beauty in chaos but you have to stay the course to see it. 

[jahsmomwrites23]

What's Life Teaching You Right Now?

Adaptability - Be prepared for unexpected changes. Be unwilling to settle. You can not lose & your story is already written, whatever you decide is the right decision. You are challenged to live a life without fear. Be brave! Say yes to you!

Strength - Love yourself. Learn your triggers & how to deal with them. Remove yourself from situations that are not for you and do not serve you. Set boundaries & don't give passes to people who ignore them. Be happy alone before tolerating nonsense just for relationships (romantic or not!) You have put enough other things first.

Growth, Gratitude & Faith - Even when you can't see a way forward: slow down, take it a day at a time, enjoy the blessings & accept the good flowing around you. Lean only on God for understanding & to light your path. Step out on faith!

Patience - Trust the process. If you are still trying to find the lesson, it will come full circle when the time is right. It will all fall into place exactly where its supposed to. Dig deep and find the pattern's root.