Hi, I'm Xavia, The Messiful Mama. I am the mother of 4 amazing, spirited children who save my life everyday. I pour myself into parenting and, although, there are plenty of days where that effort is full of chaos and drama and sometimes even hair pulling, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

  • Confess the Mess,  Manage the Mess

    Sometimes “No” means “Go ask Daddy!”

      Sometimes kids can get a little stir crazy and their behavior is a lot less than rewardable. Sometimes those times are also the time when Mama needs a break. So, while I would have most certainly said no to their request for a trip to the Strong Museum of Play, if Daddy says yes and leaves me with the house to myself for a few hours, I look the other way  and pretend to give him a hard time later. Mommy gets a couple “mental health” hours, the kids get to run around and get all that energy out, Daddy gets to be the hero, I say it’s a…

  • Manage the Mess

    Share Dog Needs A Bath

    I’m not OCD, I’m not a germaphobe but I was certainly less than enthusiastic when “Share Dog” came home for the weekend. The idea of a stuffed animal that has made its way through several homes being all cuddled up in mine, let’s just say I’m already planning the farewell party. How about a “Share Mr. Potato Head”, or anything I can dunk in a bucket of vinegar water and sanitize just a bit? I get the whole idea behind it, though, and she’s super excited so, into the steam cycle he goes 🙂

  • The Kitchen Sink

    This Little Piggie Holds Your Money

    Today’s theme for Picture Book Month is piggies and today’s craft is super simple and super cute; your kiddies will squeal I’m sure. After reading “Hampire”, by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, I was inspired to create a craft that was just as cute as the book; enter Water Bottle Piggie Banks. Here’s what you’ll need: *Empty/Dry mini water bottles (these 12 oz “go size” Poland Spring bottles worked very well) *Printed Duck Tape (Have fun, these little piggies don’t have to just be pink) *Beads (4 for each bank) *Scissors *Black Sharpie *Is it a Pig? Is it a vampire? “Hampire” is a fun little mystery I’m sure your kids will enjoy; you…

  • Dish Towel Diaries

    Best Banana Bread Ever

    Dear Dish Towel,    I’m pretty sure they leave the bananas to rot on purpose; the fruit flies appreciate the gesture. I, on the other hand, am not always in the mood to make bread and wish they would just eat the daggon  bananas. Today, however, there’s motivation in the air, AKA “Daddy took the kids to the play gym” so, banana bread it is; I do, after all, make the best!   Mama’s Mini Banana Bread  

  • Mama Drama

    Judgy Wudgy Was A Bear

    Judgey Wudgey was a bear but, she should never ever be another mama! I’ve become a bit of a watcher; I am fascinated by mothers. If you ever catch me staring, I am harmless I promise; I just find mamas amazing. How we do what we do, day in and day out is incredible and if you’re reading this and you don’t know, YOU are amazing! While I enjoying watching mamas in action, though, it breaks my heart to watch one mother judging another. I’ve seen the looks and heard the comments and I am standing up to say, It stops here! We all are in a different place, physically,…

  • Featured,  Manage the Mess

    5 Laws You Didn’t Even Know You Were Breaking

    Well, they may not be actual laws, but they Should be! I’d like to start by filing a claim about the candy display at checkout. As if eye level candy wasn’t enough, some stores have even gone and added a Back light; come on! I tell my kids, “Don’t tease if you don’t want it taken” so I’m not even sure if I really consider it stealing. I have the “paying vs stealing” conversation with them all the time but I can’t guarantee it will stick before they turn 4. I’m on my Ps and Qs, I swear, but I must admit I have Missed a snatch or 2. My one…

  • Confess the Mess,  Featured,  Mom of the Year Award

    The 10 Things That Will Likely Keep Me From Winning “Mother of the Year”

    10 Reasons Why I'll Never Win Mother of the Year

    I know I can’t be the only one who practices accepting an award. I’m very gracious, and my speeches always include a big “Thank you to my fans!” I never forget get choked up, waiving my hand in front of my eyes to hold back the tears. I’ve won Grammy’s and Oscars. I’ve even won a Tony. I’ve tried practicing my speech for winning Mother of the Year too but, somehow, in my imagination I never quite make it to the podium. I can’t say I’m surprised, though. There are 10 very distinct reasons I will likely lose the award before I ever have a chance to hold the golden pacifier,…

  • Manage the Mess,  Uncategorized

    6 Things You Can Do to Unwind Right Now

    There are definitely stressors that are unique to motherhood, but you certainly do not need to be a mama to be familiar with anxiety. I’ve dealt with varying degrees of depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and, although, I’ve gotten worlds better in understanding and managing myself I still have triggers here and there that trip me up and lately I’ve been feeling like I want to peel my skin back and scream through my toenails. I’m not quite sure what it is about mid to late may that gets me revved up. It may be all the chaos that seems to go along with the…

  • Confess the Mess,  Featured

    Now that’s what I call a “Messiful Mama”!

    Rewind to a week ago today. It’s Mother’s Day, I have the perfect little post coming down the pipeline then BOOM; Life.Gets.Messy! A trip to Urgent Care turns into a trip the the ED, turns into 4 days in the hospital with my oldest daughter. Needless to say, it left me physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. Cortisol. Levels. Rise There’s some more follow up to be done but for the moment we’re home, and she’s fine; I on the other hand, not so much. I am awesome in a crisis, the go to gal when ish gets real BUT… Afterwards all those flight or fight hormones wear off and my…