MOMS OF CONEJO VALLEY
  • Home
  • MOCV Group Information
    • How to join our Facebook Group
  • Anonymous Post
  • Referrals
  • MOCV Advertising
  • Kids Eat Free -Conejo Valley
  • MOCV Coupons & Savings
  • Indoor Playgrounds - Conejo Valley
  • MOCV Business Directory
  • Conejo Valley with Kids- Life with Momma On Fire
  • MOCV EVENTS
  • Restaurant Reviews
  • Job Postings
  • Conejo Valley Parks
  • MOMS Recipes
  • Baby Gear Reviews
  • Around the World with the Flames
  • Meet our Founder
  • MOCV Charity
  • Local Camps
  • The MOM Shop
  • MOCV Favorite Takeout
  • Summer Camp 2021
  • TEACHERS WISHLIST - Clear the list!
  • Women to Watch - In the Conejo Valley

Momma drinks coffee.
Lots and lots of coffee..

No more bored kids, here’s a new activity!

7/3/2019

0 Comments

 

With summer in full swing I feel like I’m constantly looking for “new” activities to keep them from saying THOSE words: I’m BORED! It’s a constant battle between not over exhausting them to the point of melt downs and keeping them active so they aren’t burning down the house.


Patriot loves building things, stacking things & putting things together.


I came across this straw constructor pack. It includes 300 pieces and a bag to keep them in.


He can build, build AND build! I figured with my Captain Destructo the straws weren’t going to last very long, we’re going on almost a month! I tried different straws and most worked! WIN!


This is definitely an activity that will keep them busy!




0 Comments

Swimsuits we LOVE!

7/2/2019

0 Comments

 
Summer is here & it’s bathing suit time!


When we were buying our home, my husband had one demand. It must have a pool and spa. We are in the water ALL the time so I’m constantly on the lookout for great suits! Here are some of my favorites.




Red Bathing Suit
This is one of my all time favorite suits! Especially when you’re chasing kids.
It has amazing tummy control and keeps the girls held up and in! This suit has full boot coverage and does not ride up!







Bikini with Strappy Front
If you’re in the market for a bikini don’t pass this one up! It a bit risqué, with the front criss cross but holds everything in. The bottoms to this bikini are a bit cheeky so beware if you’re looking for something with more coverage.







Black Bathing Suit
SEXY! This bathing suit may be a one piece but the deep “V” and tie top make it the super sexy. This is more of a “laying by the pool relaxing” not a “chase the kids” around suit. This bathing suit has full booty coverage.





Black Fringe
It hides it all! This is the perfect suit when you’re feeling a bit bloated because it hides it all and has great booty coverage. I ordered the navy and black, they are my go to!





Blue Tie Dye
Cupshe! Cupshe! Cupshe! Gets it right! This comfy suit has full coverage. It’s a great suit for chasing the kids around or water activities! This bathing suit has moderate booty coverage.





Keyhole Bikini
I wasn’t sure about this suit, but I love it! The top ties around the neck and has a keyhole. Beware of tan lines on this one especially on top. The bottoms are very cheeky and have a strap that goes around your hip below your waste.



0 Comments

Back To School in the New Year, how to roll into the New Year like a MOM Boss!

12/30/2018

0 Comments

 



Sometimes going back to school in January can be harder than going back to school in September.


We’ve all got comfy at school, our kids have started to get the school blues, homework battles have commenced, sports have ended and started again & you’re suppose to make the next year better than the previous.


But HOW!?
You’re a busy lady.
Work & home.
Husbands & co-parenting.
Homework & Sports.
Time for yourself & play time with them.
Friends & Family.
Life can be busy.
Every year most of us start the year with goals.
Make life easier.
Spend more time with the kids.
Eat healthier.
Make time for yourself.
Get a promotion.
Keep your home cleaner.
Whatever it may be, you’ve got something you want to achieve this year.


We’ve come up with some easy ways to prepare for daily life with kids to allow you the ability to grow and achieve what you set out to! The goals you set are the goals you get.


  1. Make a list. What do you want to do this year? What are your goals? Are they realistic? Can you measure how close you are? What are the steps to get there?
  2. Plan your year. What vacations are coming up? Do you plan on doing any home improvements? It’s important to think ahead about things that can affect your finances. Life doesn’t get so stressful when you can save for expenses.
  3. Plan your months out ahead of time. If you have a partner, communicate with them what you have going on. Write it down or use your smart phone, but get yourself in the habit of knowing your schedule a month ahead of time.
  4. Plan your weeks, confirm appointments and add in any events that have popped up. Use your planner or digital calendar. This is a great place to write down a checklist for yourself, go back to your yearly goals and make sure you have items that are keeping you on the path of Achieving your goals.
  5. Be prepared!
  6. As a mom, it’s not just you that you have to prepare for the day, you’ve got one or more other people to dress, feed and of course remind to potty. These little people need you to help to prepare them for life, make them feel special, loved and confident. Mornings can be tough, with two little ones in our home, we might have a bit of yelling going on. So make it easier on yourself with these simply steps.
    1. Set clothes out for the next day. This is HUGE at our house. We have fashionista disguised as a 6 year old, and we’ve recently started letting her pick out her own clothing. Which as you can imagine can be very colorful at times. So I have her pick out her clothes while I pick out our 3 year olds clothes at night. If she chooses something that doesn’t quite match, it’s much easier to discuss/argue with her in the evening as opposed to a crabby patty in the morning.
    2. Pack lunches & fill water bottles, if you eat breakfast on the way to school (like we do! Just bein real) or at school, pack that too if you can! This makes it easy to grab and go in the morning. Fill water bottles with water so you don’t have any extra tasks. My kids are also big milk drinkers so I also fill their morning milk cups so I can just grab them!
    3. Set everything by the door! Don’t run around the house like a frazzled hot mess looking for watches, homework, chargers, etc. have everything you need sitting by the door. I have a purse and a “day bag” which is pretty much a carry on piece of luggage. It’s like my “working moms” briefcase. I use it for my calendars and work documents, make up case, charger case, lotion, body spray, random diaper and a few ninja turtles too ;). But it’s easy to throw stuff that needs to go with us and easy to carry.
    4. PROGRAM YOUR COFFEE POT. For the love of god woman, set your coffee pot so it’s just like a “Folgers” commercial as you awake to the lovely smell of warm caffeine! Set your coffee cups by the coffee pot if you’re a to-go drinker.
    5. If you allow your kids to watch tv as you get ready (no judging) make them get dressed and do hair before turning it on. We have a rule in our house that whoever wakes up and is dressed first, gets to choose what show to watch that day. It’s usually an all out brawl, but their dressed!
    6. Set and alarm on your phone for a 20 minute “pack it up” alarm. This gives me enough time to pack everything and everyone up in the car for the day and I don’t feel overly rushed.


The New Year can leave us all a little bit of a Hot Mess. We have goals we’re trying to achieve, move forward, but then we’ve got a ton of everyday tasks that can bog us down holding us back from getting those goals!
Change this year with our steps to make life just a bit smoother!




Planners we love!
-Erin Condren
-Plum Planner
-Happy Planner


Here’s the Digital Planner our family LOVES!



Cozi is a family organizing app that I use and love. It's free, try it. http://www.cozi.com/friends

0 Comments

Catering in the Conejo Valley

12/20/2018

0 Comments

 

It’s your kids birthday. Decorations. Party favors. Dessert Tables. Balloons. And on and on and on.
And then there’s food. A lot of food.
Feeding that many people is hard and let’s be honest, the task can be daunting.
Not only is it quite the task it can be super expensive!


We’ve put together some of our favorite catering options for you in the Conejo. Whether it be for a birthday or another event, these are great choices!


  • El Sancho Loco Taqueria -Not only is the owner Joe always willing to donate to a good cause, the food is incredible! We used El Sancho for my daughters birthday last year and it was a hit! We did Bean & Cheese burritos (her favorite!!) for the kids which they loved! For the adults I did chicken and cheese enchiladas, rice, beans and salad. It was easy to re heat and the best part is I didn’t have to cook anything!
  • Roma Deli- My son LOVES spaghetti so this is my go to for his birthday and our events at the studio (We used Roma for our Black Belt Testing this year. There was plenty of food and he let me choose two different sauce options). Roma has an awesome chicken, pasta, salad, and bread meal deal. It’s great for big groups!
  • In & Out Burger - did you know!? Yep! It’s true, you can do In & Out for a party! When I ordered I called a few days ahead of time and let them know I’d be placing a big order. They ask me to order the day of but would make a note. So at 10am the day of the party I sent the hubby off to order Burgers, Cheeseburgers and Grilled cheese sandwiches! When he ordered he asked them to make all the burgers and cheeseburgers plain with lettuce, tomato, onion, spread, and ketchup. He ordered 50+ at 10am, and told them what time he’d come back. Viola! I sent him back just before the party and not only was it ready but it was all separated (including condiments) in their cardboard boxes which I served everything in. EVERYONE was happy!


El Sancho Loco
Roma Deli
0 Comments

Welcome to the world of a Threenager.

6/27/2018

0 Comments

 
Let’s talk 3 year olds for a minute.
They are busy little people with lots of energy! Keeping them on a schedule and entertained while doing all the 92847464849 tasks you need to get done can be challenging. We’ve come up with a few quick reminders and tips to help you!
Picture
What things should a 3 year old do everyday?


🛁Hygiene
From morning to night this is an important one! When we get up in the morning, we head straight to the bathroom (also to avoid accidents!), potty & wash our hands. Before we leave the house you’ll find us brushing our teeth & hair, getting dressed. Sometimes we let them pick out their own outfits, yikes... and sometimes we change, A LOT! We talk about clothes matching and appropriate attire. We help them to make decisions on what they should were. Why do I do this? Because all day long we tell them what to do, and this is my chance to let her choose, let her be in control and have her own style.
During the day we’re constantly reminding them to wash hands, and of course wiping messing faces! We also keep LOTS of wipeys & hand sanitizer handy!
Our kids are in daycare & camp, and that means germs! So once we arrive home we change, well, some of us do and then there’s Patriot. You can usually find him in a diaper. Clothes go in the laundry room too! After dinner it’s bath time. We don’t wash hair everyday. Why? Lice freak me out, and I’ve heard they like clean hair. So. We wash hair 2/3 times per week depending on the week.
After bath its lotion (we’ve got one with ezcema, so this is a step we cannot miss!), teeth, and pajamas.
And one more time before bed, potty and wash hands!
Picture
Read
Every.Single.Day!!!! We just started reading boxcar children with our 5 year old and I AM so excited! It’s one of my favorites and brings up so many discussion topics. Our 3 year old loves the ABC book right now, it has a bunch of pictures for each of the letters and he loves saying what they all are.


Picture
Art
Color, Paint, Chalk, just get them creating! We run a summer camp and today we made shields out of cardboard! We painted it and decorated it with leftover craft supplies like jewels, feathers & stickers! You can use any medium you’d like, just color their world! Our kindergartener absolutely loved talking about the color wheel in school this year, she constantly talks about what color makes best and loves to mix them and make her own colors. We started incorporating mixing colors with our 3 year old, and to see the sparkle in his eye when he makes green is amazing!
Picture
🤸🏼‍♂️Large/Small Motor Skill Activities
Running, rolling, throwing, sorting, pouring, stacking, riding, climbing- tire those little energizer bunnies out! Work on hoping on two feet, one foot, backward, forwards, zig zag running, bear crawling! Choose a different motor skill to work on each day and watch your child to see where you need to adjust regularly!


👭👬Socialization
Talk & play!
Go on a play date, sign up for a class, meet a friend at the park, head to a free indoor playground, or just simply have a conversation during a meal!
Picture
Eat!
This is the time when our little munchkins can get very picky. Make sure to switch up your child’s meals. Don’t get stuck on the Mac n Cheese, chicken nugget, banana diet. Try new foods, put new foods on their plate. Give them the options to try them!
If you’re having trouble eating meals, try your best to cut down on the snacking.
Picture
0 Comments

Babysitter Guidlines

9/26/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
I work. A lot. Good Babysitters are life!

When it comes to bringing someone into your home to watch your children, IT IS A BIG DEAL. This person has your most prized possessions, inside your most expensive purchase, your home.

I started babysitting at 12 years old, 3 boys 6,3 and 1. It was INTENSE. Today we would say that's crazy! I agree!! But I did it, I worked the entire summer for $8 per hour. I was loooooaded for a teenager! I spent it all at Claire's...

Before I started babysitting my mom gave me some tips that I think are SO important.
​
1. NEVER leave the children alone. Period. They are your responsibility and you are in their territory. They will get ya, their like ninjas.

2. Feed the children, and while they eat do the dishes.
Oh, and if there's any other dishes do those too. It's just nice. (My sitter does this when I leave dishes, and it is A TREAT!)

3. Check Diapers often & be sure the children are clean/bathed/hair brushed/teeth brushed/pajama'd and ready for bed when mom & dad arrive home.
*If your unsure if they want you to do this, ask!

4. Have them write down phone numbers & emergency contacts before they leave, find out if they have any allergies, and if there is absolutely something they should not do or some where they should not go.

5. Play with the children!! Play freeze dance, color, go outside and play soccer, INTERACT.
This is what you are being paid to do.

6. When mom/dad arrive home, be sure the house is in the condition they left it, or better. If they play with a toy, they pick it up before they get out another. Just because this isn't your home, doesn't mean it's ok to let the children deystroy it. Again, you're being paid to oversee the children's behavior.

7. Let the parents know what you did & what you fed them along with any important information about the day.

And Some of our Favorites from MOCV members:
Keep the Children Alive.
Stay off your phone.
Do not lose the children.
Dont Burn the house down.
Get off your phone.
But, if you do burn down the
​house, be sure to get the children and animals out.
Please no permanent markers, please. PLEASE!
Please do not let them eat every fruit snack packet in the house.
For the love of god get off your phone.
Please do not invite any friends over without my permission, especially your boyfriend.
Stay off your phone!
don't let them manipulate you. Oreo cookies in bed at 10:00 is NEVER an option.
Put the phone down.
if you give them something to drink before bed, make sure they go potty. Unless your coming back for clean up tomorrow......
Make them Laugh!
PHONE DOWN.
Channel your inner child!
I'm looking for ward to sleeping in the next day, so be sure to exhaust them.




Bonus info for MOMS of Teenage girls:
CRPD offers a babysitting training course along with cpr classes, this is a great way to get the basics!


2 Comments

Hand over the candied bacon & nobody gets hurt.

8/27/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
Seriously though, this stuff his heaven and one of the many reasons we love Stacked!
Eating out in our house these days is like going into battle while carrying your luggage and a 30 pound out of control 2 year old with a 5 year old screaming about how she wants to go to the "white chocolate store".
I am not kidding.
​
Picture
But don't worry MOCV, Stacked is here to give you everything you want! Like Watermelon Mojitos!
Picture
Just Kidding.... Kind of. ;)
But seriously, they have so much to choose from.
Burgers, Salad, Mac n Cheese, Pizza & more! You can have it your way or choose on of their creations!
1 Comment

Sweet Mommas Boy or Daddy's Beast!

6/15/2017

0 Comments

 

Sweet Patriot turns two, and I remember the day he was born.

Picture
I remember waking up in the morning. I was not in a good mood. I was convinced I was constipated, and I had a head cold, at 9 months pregnant I was a joy to be around. I dropped lib off at school and headed to the studio for summer camp. I was feistier than usually and I'll admit maaaaybe a bit snappy. By 9:30 I was done, I called the doctor and told them I needed something! I didn't feel good. I headed to the dr & when I got in he said, "let's just check & see how your doing". After checking me he says. "So ummmm. Im just going to send you over to the hospital now, your dilated to 5"😮 What? No way, I was not ready today, I had to go get a movie for summer camp, order lunch & I didn't have a plan for lib! I had just assumed I was being induced in a few days so of course didn't plan for any of it. Jake was alone at summer camp and I had driven myself to the dr. I convinced the doctor to give me an hour. I rushed to Best Buy, contractions and all, popped by the studio and came home to pack. Jake was suppose to meet me home, but after about 10 minutes I knew I couldn't wait so I waddled to the car and drove myself to the hospital....
I valet the car (thank god), grabbed my 19474738 bags, nursing pillow, purse and car seat (I have no clue why I felt the need to carry all of this myself) and waddled my way up to labor and delivery. When I finally arrived the nurses looked at me like I was nuts. They got me prepped and into bed & as the doctor checked, I had an option to get an epidural then or not at all. There was no waiting for jake... so I huddled over into my nurses arms and they started, jake walked in mid epidural and I don't think I could have been more relieved. They let me rest for about 30 minutes and then it was time. I pushed a few times before they realized he had the cord wrapped around your neck... twice. The neonatal team was called in. But no need, I pushed one more time and you were here! A head full of hair, roaring cry and the biggest brown eyes id ever seen. You snuggled write up to me and got yourself a spot in my heart. You have completed our family sweet boy. You test us to our limits and allow us to feel joy we never thought possible.
0 Comments

Great Big Family Play Date

5/8/2017

0 Comments

 
Follow Great Big Family Play Days on Instagram
Visit Great Big Family Play Day's Website
Visit Great Big Family Play Day's Facebook Page
What a fun afternoon! We did everything from play with the sand to paint boxes! We had a delish lunch from Lucilles BBQ, the kids devoured the Mac "n" Cheese, and for my picky eaters, that's impressive! I try to explain this event to people, and honestly it's one of a kind! I say it's like, every kind of specialty (well made) item you're not going to fine in Toys "r" us, birthday party ideas, snacks AND activities for your littles! Plan to be there all day too!! It'll take that long to get through everything! Be sure to follow #greatbigfamilyplayday on Instagram & twitter with the links above!

Check out our favorites from the day!
Couture Paintings - Face Painting
Lucilles BBQ
Au Fudge
City Moms App
SoCal Moms
0 Comments

3 Day Travel Guide to Palm Springs.

4/26/2017

0 Comments

 
Can you believe that I'm almost 34, I've lived in Southern California my entire life.... never been to Palm Springs! Ever... The Master rides quads for fun, and we go to Glamis quite a bit. If you've never been to Glamis, imagine an enormous sand box with no running water. For years we would head down to Glamis for some "fun"..... with no running water... and lots of sand.
We would drive by Palm Springs, and a girl could hope. Wish. Dream.
​
Picture
Flashback to this guy at 25 in that big ole' sand pit.
Well girls, wishes do come true! My dads bought a house in Palm Springs!!! Now there was no way the Master could say "no" to Palm Springs!!
Wahoo for vacations that include running water!

We spent our Spring Break 2017 in Palm Springs!
We put together a 3 day family travel guide for you.

You can also search our hashtag #theflamesdopalmsprings2017 to see all our photos!
​We arrived super late on a Wednesday. Our kids hate the car, hence why it's been so hard to do vacations. I refuse to drive any long distance with them, and the Master refuses to be trapped on an airplane with them. Their suuuuuper easy kids......

Picture
Day 1: Palm Springs Ariel Tram & Villagefest
Thursday morning we were up and ready to go!
We headed downtown for breakfast, we found a cute little French Restaurant, L' Atelier . The mimosas had a bit of strawberry in them which made them super tastey! We had eggs Benedict on a croissant, which tasted just like Paris... see the sign?
Prices were super reasonable & they had kid friendly food!
Picture
Visit L'Atelier Here
Picture
After breakfast we headed up the the San Jacinto Mountians!
We arrived around 11:30 and caught the 12:20 tram up. The wait was not long at all, it gave us plenty of time to check out the many decks for viewing the beautiful scenery!
Ariel Tram Tickets Here
Picture
The ride lasted about 10 minutes. Don't worry about where you stand, the floor rotates! There is no sitting on the tram on the way up, you must stand. If you have a backpack they'll ask you to take it off. There was a person at the top with a stroller, but I wouldn't assume you can take one. If you have a little one, be sure to bring a carrier.
Once you're at the top, it's breathtaking! The views are incredible and it's like you've entered another world! There is a restaurant, bar and gift shop at the top. But I highly recommend bringing a picnic lunch, there are a ton of tables behind the visitors center. There are trails that run along side creeks, patches of snow and bridges to cross! It is such a fun place to let the littles explore! You could easily spend a few hours exploring the area.
Picture
After our adventurous outing we headed back to the house and freshened up for Villagefest! If you are in town on a Thursday, this is a must! They shut down a portion of Palm Canyon Drive and it quickly fills up with vendors, art exhibits and food! There's no need to make dinner reservations, theres plenty of yummy food like Paella, Shwarma, Crepes & more!
Picture
Day 2: Wet & Wild plus Patriots first movie!
We were so excited to take Liberty to the water park because, duh. Slides & WATER!? The park opened at 11 and closed at 5. If you can buy your tickets in advance, do it! You can save a few bucks!
Wet and Wild was super clean & surprisingly quiet for spring break! We grabbed a few chairs on the grass under an easy up to plop our stuff down.
There was a ton of slides along with a wave pool & lazy river!
There are 2 restaurants on site, plus a bar!
But, be careful the one that serves the Carne Asada & tacos is only open a few hours. Wet & Wild allows you to bring in sports drinks & waters ONLY! They will ask you to throw anything else away. W & W supplies life jackets to so no need to bring your own.
After they kicked us out of the park, literally, we headed home to refresh and back out to the movies. This was patriots first movie. We headed to the Regal Theater in town, they have a ton of movies to choose from!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Day 3: The Living Desert
What a cool zoo! You guys, this is one of my favorites! I've been to zoo's all over, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Miami, its one of my most favorite things to see in a city! This zoo honestly felt like you were walking into another land. The animals are all fit perfect for the area and the extras are awesome! Liberty and the Master got to ride a camel! A camel! It was quite hot so make sure to arrive early. If you go in the fall/winter there are some hiking trails as well! There are a few indoor spaces with activities as well if you need to get out of the heat.
Picture
Picture
There is still so much to do we'll definitely be back!!


If you're a local business in Palm Springs & would like us to visit you to share our experience please email
us at momsofconejovalley@yahoo.com
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    May 2022
    May 2021
    April 2021
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    December 2018
    June 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture

If you have an event you’d like us to share, please email us at momsofconejovalley@yahoo.com

Events around the
​Conejo Valley


  • Home
  • MOCV Group Information
    • How to join our Facebook Group
  • Anonymous Post
  • Referrals
  • MOCV Advertising
  • Kids Eat Free -Conejo Valley
  • MOCV Coupons & Savings
  • Indoor Playgrounds - Conejo Valley
  • MOCV Business Directory
  • Conejo Valley with Kids- Life with Momma On Fire
  • MOCV EVENTS
  • Restaurant Reviews
  • Job Postings
  • Conejo Valley Parks
  • MOMS Recipes
  • Baby Gear Reviews
  • Around the World with the Flames
  • Meet our Founder
  • MOCV Charity
  • Local Camps
  • The MOM Shop
  • MOCV Favorite Takeout
  • Summer Camp 2021
  • TEACHERS WISHLIST - Clear the list!
  • Women to Watch - In the Conejo Valley