Lessons from a 4- Year Old

Ok, so I have to be honest and admit that my greatest moments in life happened only after having my kid. It's like becoming a mother gave me a clean slate to start a new life ( and boy did I need it!) Each year as my daughter gets older, I find new ways to appreciate her. She's four now and to be honest, what I am learning each day from her, is truly profound. Here are a few lessons I am currently learning from my chocolate drop:

Good Memory Matters
You want to test the memory of a four year old? Promise them candy, cake or ice-cream. Often times I make promises with my daughter that I have no intention of keeping, but I know that it will get her to do what I want for that moment. Wait. Don't get excited just yet; it comes back to haunt you; and most times its in a MAJOR way! To this day I owe her a cupcake, a popsicle, and a trip to the candy store.
Side note: I promise to fulfill these at some point. For real.

Holding Grudges is for the Birds
The best thing I love about my daughter's love for me is that its truly unconditional. We disagree, she cries, we talk and then we are back at it (selfies in the parking lot)! Can you imagine every relationship being this way?! The fact that she can be disciplined for bad behavior and still run to give me a hug and kiss just makes my day!

Food is NOT  that Important
I don't know about you but if I'm not eating every two hours of the day, you can find me somewhere passed out wondering when the next meal will come.  Food is my everything (and can possibly explain my current size).  However, let's face it, food  as often as we adults consume, isn't a requirement. If she can go 5-hours with just water and some fruit, ruling the playground, who am I?

Please and Thank You are the Magic Words
You know how when you get older you sometimes forget your manners aka you are rude. My daughter never allows me to forget the magic words. Like ever! While I get annoyed when she finds the most inappropriate times to correct me (usually in front of others). its so refreshing to have the constant reminder that manners matters and saying kind words are important!

The lessons I am learning and reminded of from my four year old are timely reminders that there is growth in every thing we do. The way she articulates her thoughts are out of this world and I am eager to see what the years ahead would bring.

Here's to lessons from my 4- year old!

Enter to Win the Ultimate Mommy Makeover with MUA Shauna Sinclaire

Hey Dolls!

Last week I posted on my 5-Minute Mommy Make Routine, and received lots of feedback from our Jazzy Moms. Seeing the feedback led me to reach out to local Make Up Artist, Shauna Sinclaire to partner together to bring to my readers the Ultimate Mommy Makeover Giveaway! 

Yes, you read correct. You or a mom like you, now have the chance to enter to win a Glam Makeover! Learn the dos and don'ts of make up application, re-energize your inner diva and step out a Glam Mom.

Rules For Giveaway: 

1. Like the Jazzy Moms Facebook Page.
2. Like the Shauna Sinclaire MUA Facebook Page.
3. Tell us your every day make up routine. 
4. Share with other Jazzy Moms!
   * Subject to citizens and residents of The Bahamas only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Shauna Sinclaire: 
Shauna Sinclair is a professional makeup artist who specializes in makeup application with a special focus on weddings, portraits, beauty and glamour.

FAQ Friday

In an earlier post I mentioned that this time around I'm going to be more authentic and more Keiani. In my attempt to make this a reality, I'm introducing FAQ Fridays! During these blog posts, I will explore a little deeper, who I am and why I blog. This section will also be used for bloggers that want to share their story.

FAQ: why do you blog?

Blogging is for me what alcohol is for some. It's therapeutic. Blogging allows me to speak my mind, share my thoughts and have a voice in this world where often times many of us are left unnoticed. It also allows me to better my stress. As a mom with a full time job completing my masters degree and involved in so many side projects, life becomes demanding at time, to offset this, I take to blogger to release.

FAQ: how is it being a single mother?

I'd be lying if I said every day is easy. BUT, I love it! I love the challenge of raising my daughter, teaching her new things and watching her develop into an amazing young lady. I do get lonely and sometimes I sit and wonder how it would be different if her dad and I stayed together, but the support and love she gets from both our families, is just the right balance! Plus, I'm comforted by the fact that I won't be single for ever. (Fingers crossed)

FAQ: what is your parenting style?

Open, creative and modern. OK let's clear one thing up, I discipline my kid. No I don't spank her often, nor do I throw things at her, but I teach her discipline. Growing up, I quickly recognized how much more tragic it was for privileges to be taken away than for me to get "spanking" and with this guide, I teach my daughter. She loves watching Barbie and the dream house on my tablet so when she starts being ridiculous, there goes the priviledge! She's four and at a time where she's curious about everything not only that she repeats whatever she hears, which has become my biggest heartache. I want to filter the things she say especially in public but I don't want her to feel like she does have a voice. This is still a work in progress but hopefully we can figure something out.

FAQ: you seem happy, are you really happy?

Happiness is a choice. And every morning I wake up, I stop and give God thanks for my blessings. I can ask for so much more in life, but I have been blessed beyond measure that it would be selfish of me not to show my gratitude for the blessings I have in my life. I am happy,  I love where I am in life and love even more the opportunities for growth. I love life and enjoy every moment of it.

There you have it, four of the most frequently asked questions I receive. Do you have a question for me? Leave them in the comments and the will be answered next week. Until next time, have a great weekend!

Anni
Living life

Back to School Party

Its two weeks out from the start of school and my kid is way too excited! I mean, she talks about K4 just about everyday. How she's going to be in big girl school, wearing a big girl bag, doing big girl homework and with a big girl teacher. When did school become so exciting?!

Meanwhile, I'm here nervous because she's entering a new grade level which translates to a new teacher that I must trust to properly take care of her and monitor her while she's in school, new friends she would be interacting with, a new environment; this all makes me nervous! Certainly I can not forget the homework, every night, at least three subjects daily.  Excited? I think not!

Excited or not, back to school is here, who's ready?! Here's a Jazzy Moms check list for preparing for your kids to go back to school:

1. Always be prepared: the worst part of background to school is the traffic, beat back to school blues by prepping the evening before; lunch, uniforms, hair (if it can last) even selecting underwear if you can.

2. Time makes everything better: give yourself time. Time for milk to spill on their freshly pressed uniforms, time for a flat tire and most importantly time for resentment on the first day of school. No matter how excited they may seem, a new environment is tough to deal with, allow them time to adjust.

3. Enjoy the moment: if you are anything like me, you panic the moment things do not go as planned.  But remember that like every other growing experience, its important to enjoy every moment. Whether that means taking fifty pictures of her in her uniform or sitting in the car for an five minutes to watch her in the school yard; appreciate the blessing you've been given to be a mom!

Summer's over! Let's go back to school.

Xoxo,

Ms. Jazzy

Back to Blogging

Three years ago, I discovered the power of blogging; not only is it a great way to connect with persons beyond my direct circle, but it is the ultimate solution to chronicling life's memorable moments. From the birth of a kid to grad school problems, blogging has been the outlet that I've used to make the best of each day, while living out loud!

In finalizing my decision to get back to it, a few thoughts came to mind. Should I reformat my former blog and build from it? Should I start a new? What would my blog be about? How many times will I write? What is the blog's purpose? (Yup, this time Imma do it big!) So after months of deliberation, I decided that starting a new would be my best decision! Why? Because, I want my now to be reflected now not on who I was before.

That being said, Welcome to the blog! Here, I promise to give content that is real, inspiring and authentically me! There's going to be honesty (the good and bad kind), wine, Adaya and lots of Adaya and the many unique experiences that I have as I journey through life as a Jazzy Mom!

So put your feet up, grab a glass and let's connect, one blog post at a time.


Anni,
The Jazzy Mom