We just returned from one of our summer vacations and oh how much we will miss the good times together. To capture our memories, one of the things we do is a bedtime ritual called, “Review the Holiday,” where we recount the highlights of our vacation. A hands-on way to cement our happy memories is with […]
Hooray for vacation and stay at home days! Well, except for those days when the weather is too hot or too cold to get outside and run off all the extra energy from being cooped up. Even though we rotate toys - I hide stuffed animals in the attic and store birthday and holiday gifts in […]
Glitter, upcycling, and independent play: these are a few of my favorite things. When we received a box brimming with Glitter Glue, Painters Markers, School Glue and Glue Sticks from Elmer’s last weekend, I knew EXACTLY what we would do - get our craft on and create a homemade play town with items straight from […]
After our maiden voyage to Disneyland was such a magical success, we can’t wait to visit again. Short and sweet, here are our Top Ten Tips for Disneyland With Preschoolers. Don’t forget to check out our detailed post on Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers, with tips on when to visit the park, what attractions not to […]
Disneyland is truly the happiest place on Earth. I hadn’t visited the park since 1987, so I was excited to take the kids (4 and 5 years old) on their maiden voyage, but I had no idea how absolutely magical the experience would be. Watching the children’s hearts nearly explode with joy was the best part […]
Keeping the kids occupied (meaning, not putting them in front of the TV and making sure they’re safe and not killing one another) while we prep dinner is sometimes challenging for us. A fun way to turn what can be a difficult time into an opportunity for learning is this simple Counting by Tens math […]
We’ve been in our new house for about half a year now, but after unpacking our boxes and getting our 1950’s Rancher fixed up, we haven’t really begun to make the house our home. Part of the reason is that we will be remodeling eventually, so making a big investment on statement pieces or committing […]
I’m thrilled to be participating in the Second Annual School’s Out! Top 10 Summer Learning Activities series and sharing our Top Ten Ways to Keep Kids Thinking over Summer Break with you. If you’re like me, you want your children to enjoy the beautiful summer weather, play in the dirt, swim in the pool and just […]
If you’re like us, you’re scrambling to make one hundred homemade Valentines for your children’s classroom Valentine’s Day Exchange and need something quick, cheap, and fun. Lucky for all you last-minute crafters, we’re sharing our simple Magic Heart Wands that will help your child spread some love this Valentine’s Day. All you need is: A […]
It’s been over 20 years in the making, but it’s finally happened. We just moved into our Forever House over Thanksgiving week. It couldn’t be more fitting that we moved that week because there is so much to be thankful for. We are right next door to the house I grew up in and the […]
DIY Memory Box Display
DIY Board Games for Kids
Easy Homemade Play Town
Top Ten Tips For Disneyland With Preschoolers
Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers
Easy Kitchen Math: Counting By Tens
5 Creative Ways To Upgrade Your Home Style
Summer Learning Activities for Kids: Top Ten Ways To Keep Kids Thinking
{Homemade Valentines} Magic Heart Wands
Home Sweet Home
July 15, 2012 in All Posts, Laugh
They say that children teach us, not the other way around. Whoever they are -they were right. If it weren’t for my kids, I would never have learned to: 1) Perfect pretending perfection. “Of course it’s supposed to look like that, honey - I didn’t forget the wings. Sally’s butterfly costume is post-metamorphosis, while yours is […]
June 25, 2012 in All Posts, Laugh
Things that would have sounded totally crazy to me 3 years ago are now completely normal. This change happened to coincide with the birth of my first child, so my sleep-deprived brain tells me: My kids literally have driven me crazy. Thanks, guys. You know you’re off your rocker nursing glider when: You think you […]
December 31, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh
I was nauseated for most of the holidays, which was great for me because I lost six pounds, but horrible because I couldn’t make or shop for presents and stocking stuffers or properly prep for all the festivities. It would have been totally awful except that I have these wonderfully fond memories to laugh back […]
December 17, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh
We weren’t a holiday card family growing up. But Hubby is a big time card guy. He takes pride in being the first card of the season and it’s the primary way he keeps in touch with many of his relatives overseas. I always wonder, though - especially in times like these - what goes […]
September 8, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh
I’m in the process of moving from WordPress.com to WordPress.org, but it’s not exactly working out as I had planned. You do need a lot more knowledge of how the software works, coding, etc., instead of the fabulous plug n’ play I have gotten used to over the past few months. So that means I […]
September 1, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh, Parenting
Yesterday was Jane’s first day of school. At 2 years, 7 months, my little baby went off to preschool. I thought there would be tears on somebody’s part: mine or hers. Or possibly both. But instead, it was one of the best days we’ve shared so far. Jane was giddy with excitement and couldn’t wait […]
August 30, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh, Parenting
We’ve had several fish over the past year: goldfish, neon tetras, feeders. Somehow none of them have ever lasted more than a few days. Now whenever Jane sees a fish, she says, “Mommy, is that fish going to die?“* Lately, I’ve found myself promising to get her a rabbit, since I figure it’s easier to […]
August 23, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh, Parenting
I love that Jane loves music. She has her favorite songs, like “I’m Yours,” by Jason Mraz, which she can sing by heart from start to finish, and classics from my parents’ time like “A Summer Song,” by Chad and Jeremy. We don’t censor what she listens to. Today she looked up at me and […]
August 16, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh
Every family has that one story. You know, like our dad friend who traveled with his four sick kids on a transatlantic flight and had to sit in a layered mess of spit-up, vomit and diarrhea for the entire flight while he tended to his brood single-handedly. After today, if there was any doubt whether we’re […]
August 15, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh, Parenting
Looking back, Weeks One and Two were seriously hectic. Luckily, we were on vacation for Weeks Three and Four. Even though it technically wasn’t a “vacation” vacation - more a visit home to the in-laws’ - it was wonderful to get away from our routine and put some distance between working life and my new […]
