“Where is my Olaf Snow Cone Maker?”
Reasons #161, why this mom gets nothing done around here!
And yet an innocent question like the above is one of the biggest reasons, why I seriously don’t seem to get much accomplished as of lately around here.
Granted, on the day and moment in question, I was sadly lacking motivation to be honest, but still.
My own deficit of internal drive set aside, nothing is worse than being impeded from my goals at any given time.
Still, my children, like most, very innocently have their own unique tendency to disturb my train of thought for any and all of their needs.
The above is only one instance, but still I hadn’t thought of said snow cone maker since my younger daughter’s birthday last November, when she was gifted this Frozen themed toy.
This past November, we partied it up for her 4th birthday!
But in that very moment, it was the only thing on both my girls’ minds as they were watching YouTube on their iPad, which were to keep them happily distracted addicted from indeed preventing me from working, where they were somehow reintroduced to the snow cone maker in question.
I tried, but ultimately failed to keep them from wanting to find this machine that deep down I knew would probably produce some sort of mess or at the very least make my day that much more chaotic.
Yet, fail I did and so I walked calmly away from my mostly blank Word document on computer screen, searching until I found the icy making capable device in my hall closet and snow cones were indeed now on the agenda to be made that afternoon.
The lesson, I re-learned that fateful summer afternoon, was as Olaf would say, In Summer, and Elsa would chime in, “Let It Go” moms.
And still when all else fails, when life throws you snow cone distractions, make snow cones out of it or at the very least some more simple, but effective summer vacation memories.
“When life throws you snow cone distractions, make snow cones out of it…”
However, if you are a parent, who is still looking for how on how to keep from getting distracted take a look at these suggestions as I am truly the last person to give advice though on this myself from the evidenced snowiness above!
This post was written for the One Word Blog Linkup that is hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons and yours truly, too.
The words for this week are: Innocent or Dance; Please feel free to linkup and join us this week.
[inlinkz_linkup id=555257 mode=1]
**On a side note, I am just fresh back from Disney World with my family and am slowly getting back into the swing of things this week. Also, my husband and I are attending two concerts this week with Jimmy Buffet at the beach here and Zach Brown at Citi Field, as well. So, please understand as I am re-entering reality here and trying my best to adjust being home, as well as still enjoying the last few weeks of summer vacation, too still. I promise to share more of our Disney adventures soon, but for now I will share that Disney was absolutely amazing and honestly hope we can go back soon.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
No joke, I know exactly where everything is in my house. I don’t know how I do it, but when my kids ask, I always know where to tell them to look.
Janine says
I know same here, Robin and also can tell my husband, too! 😉
Leanne@crestingthehill says
snow cone memories last much longer than incomplete Word documents – I’m glad you and your girls had the chance to do something fun and you got the side-benefit of a lovely post out of it 🙂
Janine says
Aw, thanks Leanne and I just couldn’t agree more. Definitely trying my best to remember this lesson when all else fails here 😉
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says
Ah, yes! The kid distractions!!! Mine are older than yours, but still very distracting!!! 🙂 Hope you all had a wonderful time at Disney!! Glad to have you back!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Lisa and so glad to be back!! 🙂
Seana Turner says
Being constantly interrupted was one of the toughest parts of motherhood for me. My nature is to be in control and focused, but with little ones around who had their own agenda, I struggled to complete a thought. It can be hard to complete “brain” tasks with so many distractions. Sometimes I found an hour of babysitting was the only way I could accomplish something:)
Janine says
I hear you Seana and I thank god for both grandmothers here, who do that when it is truly necessary, but still the distractions can totally change the course of an afternoon still here.
Bill says
Too funny! I didn’t even know they made a machine like that. I used to say I needed to pick my battles with my son….was it worth it to say no in a particular instance? Was what I was doing more important than what he wanted?
Have a great Wednesday, Janine!
Janine says
So true Bill and it is definitely all about picking my battles wisely here now. Happy Wednesday once again to you, too 🙂
Tamara says
Well I still haven’t shared from part 2 of my Disney trip, and that was in January!
So it’s been a lot of months of distractions. I’ll be back there already before I share. I’m the worst sometimes!
The Sno-Cone maker does look amazing and it’s funny the things they think about and how they ask about them at some of the worst times.
Janine says
Tamara, you just made me feel a bit better, but still I am seriously having a hard time coming back right now and knowing that there is only 2 weeks left of summer vacation. Just want to enjoy as much of it as I can while I can if that makes sense.
Julie says
What a sweet story – yes you got distracted from your work, probably quite a lengthy distraction, but amazing memories were formed that you just can’t replace 🙂
Janine says
Totally 100% agree with you, Julie and the memories are really what last! 🙂
Aunt Gloria says
You’re a good mom! Snow Cones made the day for the girls…..and another vacation memory hopefully. Hope to see you soon. Enjoy the concerts and these last weeks of summer vacation. Time is flying by! xxoo
Janine says
Time is seriously flying, Aunt Gloria, but as always thank you and hope to see you again soon, too xoxo 😉
Jen says
Sweet! Could you get the darn thing to work? I think I need a machine gun to crank the handle of ours and only like a teaspoon of shaved ice comes out at a time! I guess the first time we used it as a family…. therein is a memory for our family books, eh?
Janine says
Jen, that crank seriously was a pain in my tush, but yes eventually we got it to work, but did indeed take some muscle power! 😉
Diane Roark says
Janine,
Enjoy the rest of the summer with your kids. All of mine have already started back to school and I am missing them so much my heart constantly hurts.
I am so glad to see you are home safe. I missed you! I hope you have a wonderful vacation. I cannot wait to see some Disney posts when you get back into the swing of things.
Many many blessings!
Diane
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Diane and we had a wonderful trip at Disney. I promise to share here very soon all about it. Extra hugs tonight xoxo 😉
Mary Hill says
I love the times when we get sidetracked to make golden memories with our children. I touched on parenting seasons in my post too in a way. Thanks for hosting.
Janine says
Aw, Mary love that you too touched upon parenting seasons, too 😉
Chris Carter says
Oh girl, do I KNOW about those distractions!! Every. Single. Day.
I hope you got a little work done, anyway!!
Have a BLAST at those concerts!! Oh my gosh how FUN!!! And pace yourself, with the re-entry… I know it can be so so so overwhelming!! But it will all be here – so no hurry!! THESE days are meant for you and your family!!
Janine says
Thank you so much, Chris and I agree these are definitely the days for my family right now 😉
Bev says
I tried to do some work when Eve was up the other day and I gave up after 5 minutes. This summer has been all about making memories with her, and it’s been so worth stepping back from work. Enjoy the concerts and welcome back from your trip!
Janine says
Thanks Bev and same here as this summer was all for my girls and making tons of memories, too 😉
Allie says
Sooooooooooooo distracted. It’s terrible. And the kids are back in school, have been for two weeks . Motivation? What’s that?????
Janine says
Allie, I just commented on your blog about this, but I get it in spades and my motivation has been so low this past summer with our Disney vacation included in the mix. Hoping we can both find some better motivation as we head into the fall now.
Dara says
making memories! we have a snow cone machine too…hopefully my kids don’t ask about it any time soon! lol.
Janine says
Dara, hoping since Disney now they forgot about it and don’t ask again anytime soon either LOL!
Nellie says
So happy you are back Janine!! Missed you! Looking forward to your posts again. Take your time reentering!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Nellie and missed you a ton, too!!
Kristen says
So glad you are back! So glad you had a good time…
I have been neglecting my blog and just being with the girls, work can wait right? School is just around the corner…sigh.
Janine says
Kristen, seriously the same here and no wonder why we get along so well. Seriously, we have another week and half before school starts and I want to enjoy as much of it all as I can before it is over now, too. Just glad it isn’t just me and thank you for telling me this here today <3
Rea says
WELCOME BACK Janine!!
Ohhh kids!! Reiko would always ask me where his toys are even when he knows where he placed them the night before. LOL.
Janine says
Aw, thanks Rea and so glad to be back 😉
Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly says
How fun!! As snow cones are pretty unknown here in Germany, I only have one snow cone memory of my father-in-law actually getting a pickle brine-flavored snow cone. I didn’t even want to try it, the girls did, and while Lily grinned and bore the taste, Violet actually started crying. I still laughed, because she wouldn’t believe that shaved ice can indeed be disgusting 🙂
Janine says
Aw, was smiling at your memory here and they never know until they try I suppose 😉
Kristi Campbell says
OMG YES!!! Tucker always says “but where is my ______?” I’m like um dude! You know where it is better than I do!! Also yikes. School. The routine. I’m both looking so forward to it and also sad it’s so soon (WHAT I know but I am). xo
Janine says
I am so with you and very conflicted with summer coming to end here now soon, as well!! xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Ahh, yes, the child distractions. The Word document will always be there but your kids and the snow cone machine… not so much. We need to say yes to the “distractions” every once in a while.
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Janine says
I truly couldn’t agree with you more, Jennifer and those distractions are most definitely worth it and than some. Have a lovely day, as well today xoxo 😉
Jhanis says
There MUST be a reaaly good reason for these kind of distractions other than to annoy the mothers, right? 😀
Looking forward to your Disney post and wishing you seamless re-entry Janine! 😀
Janine says
Aw, thanks Jhanis and am getting there slowly but surely;)
Dana says
I saw your Disney pics on FB – can’t wait to hear all about it! Don’t worry – I still haven’t finished writing about our vacation, and it was in July!
I had to make snowballs at the teen night at the pool last week – I hope your machine was less complicated than the one I attempted to use!
Janine says
Thanks so much Dana and I think I am jus about ready to share Disney this week on my blog, but going to be a long post though. And I know I did take more time this summer than I have in 3 years time blogging, but truly glad I did, because my heart and soul was with my kids for sure. As for the snow cone maker was a bit tricky here, too and hopeful they will forget about it again for a bit now 😉
Lauren says
What a sweet and happy story. I completely understand the child distractions part, but your sweet memories are such a good reminder of the best parts of life. I often find that I come up with an even better post or idea once I separate myself from it for a little while. Hope your family enjoyed Disney! We love it.
Janine says
I agree so much Lauren and Disney was absolutely amazing. Seriously still can’t stop thinking about it 😉
Michele says
I am so happy you gave into your daughters wishes. You can’t get these moments back once they are gone!
Janine says
Aw, I so agree, Michele and thank you so much 😉
Leslie says
I can’t tell you how many toys I’ve tried to hide from my kids (ice cream makers, anyone?). Usually we’re able to hold off on them until a grandparent is in town! At least it looks like you made some great memories with it!
Janine says
Definitely great memories and thanks so much Leslie as much as I wanted to hide it, I truly couldn’t that day 😉
Stacey Gannett says
Great post, Janine! You are so right, that sometimes we have to just let it go. That quality time with the kids is more important than anything. Have an amazing weekend!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Stacey and wishing you a wonderful weekend, too 🙂
The Pinterested Parent says
I always end up loving these little distractions. They do always end up being the best moments. Our snow cone maker broke over the summer & now you have me wanting a new one.
Janine says
I know and just couldn’t agree more and too bad you didn’t live closer as we could so make snow cones together with our girls as that would be so much fun 😉
Rabia @TheLiebers says
Is this similar to the Snoopy Sno Cone maker I had in my childhood? That’s what it reminds me of!
Janine says
It is most definitely similar and you are so right about this, Rabia.