Moms

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  All Adither

  All Adither

  30 Apr 2013 | 8:44 pm

  You check your Amazon stats a lot in the beginning. But when you do this, you are almost always disappointed by your lack of sales. So you stop. Then one day you look and see you've sold another copy. So you become overconfident and peek again and again. But...nothing else. You decide to stop asking your ten-year-old son for hugs, pretend you don't care. Because how annoying is it when an over-the-hill lady, your mom or not, asks you to press your body up against hers with affection. Then one night, he comes up behind you when you're washing the dishes and wraps his arms around your middle…

• Everything is better with tits

  theprimamomma.com

  Kristy

  18 Jun 2013 | 10:48 am

  Part of Jesse’s job is aligning with celebrities and building brand partnerships. He is constantly being pitched possible partnerships. He was recently pitched Robin Thicke, so he pulled up Robin’s latest video, and the following conversation happened:     Jesse: “Wait, what the hell is this? Is she naked?” Kristy: “Yeah. You haven’t seen this yet?” Jesse: “Why are these women naked?” Kristy: “Why not? It screams publicity stunt to me, but I’m not complaining. My God, she’s stunning.” Jesse: “So…

• Hawking Writing Habits

  Velveteen Mind

  velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

  7 Jun 2013 | 10:34 am

  How much of writing is muscle memory? I sat down at the desk in my office yesterday and just... sat. I haven't worked in here for a while. May was incredibly busy with travel, unusually stressful personal goings-on, and end of school. I ran through May with a tightened chest and my head down like a quarterback trying to break through, um, a bunch of other football players. Look, I don't know sports, but I kept my heart tucked under my arm and I plowed through a wall of offensive obstacles. With my head down. You know, football. What I was not was head-down in writing. My writing was done in…

• Strider Bikes are simply awesome!

  Workout Mommy

  workoutmommy

  8 Jun 2013 | 3:05 pm

  If there is one thing I am doing right as a parent, it’s instilling the love of exercise into my boys.   They LOVE to use their muscles,  practice their sprints and now the weather is finally nice, they love to ride bikes. Thanks to these awesome bikes from Strider,  even my little guys can enjoy some biking now!   Strider bikes are the perfect bikes for your little ones since they have no pedals!   It helps them build balance and since the bike is so light (only 6.7 lbs) it is very easy for them to use.   My 3 year old just LOVES it and zips all around the block with his older…

• Blog Advice Giveaway

  lifefrommylaptop.com

  Alyssa

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:53 am

  I have been blogging since 2007, however, I have had more than one what I consider as a blogging break.  My blog hasn’t always been a focus and I have struggled to make it ever make an income or even have a large following.  So, as I have begun to spend some time working on it again this summer I have decided to try and do what I have never done – grow my blog.  Then I saw this great contest- Blog Advice Giveaway and I just had to enter it. One of my favorite bloggers, Mandy from House of Rose is one of the participants who is helping to sponsor the giveaway.  She’s the…

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  Kimchi Mamas

• Kimchi Mama Honor Roll: Stella Choe

  Kimchi

  6 Jun 2013 | 12:05 am

  If you are Asian American, you probably have seen the following video, maybe even on this very site! But just in case you have been hiding under some rocks lately, here it is in all its glory: The hilarious star of this video is Stella Choe: dancer, choreographer, and actress. As luck would have it, Stella and Kimchi Mama Julie...

• Book Club Discussion Post: "Please Look After Mom"

  Kimchi

  1 Jun 2013 | 7:21 am

  Hey Book Clubbers! Welcome to the discussion thread for "Please Look After Mom." Please submit answers to any or all of the following discussion topics in a comment below: Initial impressions of the author's overall writing chops, style, theme. When Chi-hon asks Mom, "Did you like to cook?” how does Mom’s reply summarize the divide between her own and her...

• Teaching me to live

  Kimchi

  29 May 2013 | 6:53 am

  My mum and me before my parents' divorce. Today’s post is about mothers. Well…my mother to be exact. We’ve had a rocky relationship. You see, she didn’t raise me and when I say she didn’t raise me I mean that I can count on my hand (just one hand, not both) how many times I saw her as a child...

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  Techmamas - Curating the Best of Tech and Social Media for Families

• Planning For Travel Upgrades #TMOM

  Beth B.

  12 Jun 2013 | 10:13 pm

  One of the important things to plan for when it comes to being a parent is travel. In my book “My Parent Plan” I talk about planning for family travel to make sure you can get the best rates and set up the trip to be as family friendly as possible. When the TravelingMom.com asked me to join in a Twitter Party on 6/17 with the topic of Travel Upgrades, I decided to join in the fun (*sponsored post -see disclosures on the bottom of this post*). When taking the time to plan in advance for trips, travel upgrades are one of the things that are worthwhile to look into. Here are some…

• June 4 Virtual Book Launch Party For My Parent Plan & Other Authors

  Beth B.

  3 Jun 2013 | 4:17 pm

  Photo Credit: Emily Scheinman @BananaSeedBooks Last week, I shared information on my trip to Book Expo America NYC to announce the revised version of my book “My Parent Plan: How to Create a Family Project Plan to Organize Your Life and Kids” . At the Book Expo book signing, I enjoyed discussing the concepts of my book with enthusiastic readers. This experience confirmed why I wrote the book in the first place: to help parents find a system to manage their family – one of the most complex and rewarding examples of project management. I talked to brave military moms who need…

• Sponsored: Curb Texting While Driving, It Can Wait!

  Beth B.

  31 May 2013 | 10:19 pm

  Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for a campaign with AT&T.     As a technologist I understand how being connected using technology is addicting. As a mom I not only feel the responsibility of teaching my kids texting safety, but also being a role model myself.  Texting while walking, riding a bike or anytime someone is in “motion” can be dangerous. But behind the wheels of a car, texting and driving can be deadly.  Because I feel so strongly sharing information about texting safety, I cover this topic frequently on my blog and am excited to participate in a…

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  Jessica Gottlieb A Los Angeles Mom

• Sloth

  Jessica Gottlieb

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:37 pm

  I’m going to spend the next two hours lying in the pool and reading this. I’m going to pretend that I’m the sister who left her children for a life of leisure and that my 14 year old daughter who happens to be home today is actually a butler who has no emotional needs. And then I’m probably going to be up all night doing the crap I should have done today. It’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make.

• I’m Completely Unable to Keep My Commitments

  Jessica Gottlieb

  18 Jun 2013 | 4:01 pm

  I just don’t have enough hours in the day. Jane is now a seasoned CIT with exactly one day of work under her belt. When I picked her up from camp yesterday at three she plopped into the passenger seat and started talking. At 4.30 she stopped talking. It was abrupt, she was finished. She had observed that five year olds don’t have filters and they tell you the truth. They also tell the truth when playing things like Fireball. They admit to being out when the ball grazes them. She thinks that kindergarten will cure them of their honesty in both good and bad ways. Five year olds are…

• All These Relationships

  Jessica Gottlieb

  17 Jun 2013 | 2:16 pm

  Sunday morning Mr. G left the house at 5.30am to go to work. Yes, it was Father’s Day. Yes, it was Sunday. Yes, he went to work. A better wife would have woken up early with him and made him some coffee and eggs but that’s just not who I am and mercifully it’s not what he wants. When I woke up at 8am there was a text from him saying, “You’ll never believe who is here. Call me right away.” My husband’s script supervisor was the woman who introduced us to each other in 1995. She had been one of my closest friends since I was 17 years old and we sort of…

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  Miscellaneous Mum - Trying to find the objective correlative, everyday

• Olive Preparing At Home – Not For The Fainthearted (Or Those Of You With Taste Buds)

  Karen

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:24 pm

  Towards the end of April we got a bowl of olives from the massive – and gorgeous – tree that borders our property and our neighbour’s. Those of you who follow me on Instagram will have already seen how they were prepared. This was the week when they were supposed to ready to eat. As the following video demonstrates, this was certainly not the case. How to describe the taste? The texture? Scummy. Oily. It was like I was biting through a coating of slick nastiness before even getting to any nice ‘fleshy’ olive flavour. I followed a tutorial off Burke’s…

• Kitchen Truths: It Looks Like This EVERY Day

  Karen

  17 Jun 2013 | 4:10 pm

  (Sometimes all day) Kitchen Truths: It Looks Like This EVERY Day is a post from: Miscellaneous Mum - Trying to find the objective correlative, everyday New book Crying in the Car: Reflections on Life and Motherhood available on Kindle!

• I Will Week (Sponsored)

  Karen

  16 Jun 2013 | 2:10 pm

  I’m quite embarrassed to admit this, but I still haven’t made a Will. I’ve mentioned this point a few times over the years and you’d think this might’ve been enough to spur me into action. Alas, no. It appears I’m not alone in this situation: statistics show that 55 per cent of Australian parents with children under the age of 18 do not have a Will, and those who are expecting a baby aren’t far behind, with 70 per cent not having a Will either. Now, I’m not sure how many Victorians are aware but this week, from 17 to 23 June, is I Will Week. This campaign is…

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  entrepreMusings

• Happy Father’s Day – 2013

  Aruni

  16 Jun 2013 | 8:06 pm

  Happy Father’s Day to all the great and dedicated dads out there.  It seems to me the role of “father” has become much more complex in the first world.  They have much more responsibility for parenting than they used to when I and my friends were growing up.  I think that increased role will have a very positive impact on our kids.  It may even create more empathy for both the mother and father roles in our society. My life has been very busy, so blog posting has dropped down on the priority list.  I have many parenting, business, and music related things to write about…

• Happy Mother’s Day 2013

  Aruni

  12 May 2013 | 6:48 pm

  Another year has passed and another Mother’s Day is almost over.  Apparently my Happy Mother’s Day 2012 – Keep Up The Good Work post had several hundred views the last few days via google searches.  I still find that “greeting” card I took a picture of and put in that post humorous in an ironic kind of way…not even sure that makes sense or not. This Mother’s Day, we find ourselves living in an extended stay hotel for a couple of weeks while we wait for our new home to be ready.  We’ve already had several friends over to eat and swim with us. Our new…

• Lemonade Day Austin – May 5, 2013 – Entrepreneurial Kids

  Aruni

  5 May 2013 | 8:26 pm

  Every year there is a nationwide effort to encourage kids to think like entrepreneurs called Lemonade Day.  This year it was held in Austin on May 5 (cinco de Mayo), 2013 and both of my kids participated with some of their classmates.  One location was at the Rookie Triathlon and the other was at Mueller Lake Park. My daughter’s team made a profit of $91.  They split $90 three ways and gave $1 to the 3 year old sister of one of the girl’s on the team.  Her younger sister is so cute and had a sign that said “buy my sister’s lemonade” that she held while…

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  i am lotus

• The Drink and Click™ Show, EP2

  Lotus Carroll

  13 Jun 2013 | 9:49 am

  Drink and Click™ founder Juan Gonzalez and I had a great time on the show last night! We were joined by Sara Collaton, Jordan Oram, Joel Horwath, Holger feroudj, Ana Andres. We talked about what we do at Drink and Click™, shared photowalking experiences and recommended the best places to shoot in certain cities. We also discussed the idea of “Leading Lines” in photography and how to best utilize them to create visually interesting images. There may have been a few off-color jokes and a few crotch shots. What? Panelists shared some great photographers to circle that they…

• School’s Out, Mommy! SCHOOL IS OUT!

  Lotus Carroll

  7 Jun 2013 | 11:03 am

  Today was Braden’s last day of school – he is officially heading to first grade. Last week he told me that he was so excited about Friday, because there would be no more school! Today, however, when it was time to leave school, he was very sad and started crying. “I am going to miss seeing my teachers and friends,” he told me. I reminded him that he’ll get to go back next season and asked him what his plans for summer are. His reply? “Two things, Mommy: 1 – Go to the pool. 2 – Relax.” I like the sound of that.  Happy Summer Vacay,…

• Take What You Take

  Lotus Carroll

  5 Jun 2013 | 12:00 pm

  A picture paints a thousand words As one door closes another door opens And two wrongs don’t make a right Now good things come to those who wait Take the highs with the lows dear You’ll get what you’re given and everything’s gonna be alright. What the fuck do you know? Just cause you’re old you think you’re wise But who the hell are you though? I didn’t even ask for your advice You wanna keep your mouth shut You wanna take your thoughts elsewhere Cause you’re doing in my nut And do you think I care? Say what you say Do what you do Feel what you…

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  TravelingMamas.com

• Saving on Summer Vacations

  RollingMama

  5 Jun 2013 | 10:12 am

  Wherever your family is traveling this summer be sure to investigate discounts that can save you money. One of the best places to find promotions is each city’s Convention and Visitor Bureau–check the website or call for information. Some offer special online deals, while others have a card-carrying program or printable coupons. To save money on must-see attractions, consider buying a CityPASS http://www.citypass.com/. Good in 11 destinations, you can use it to see the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, view New York City from the top of the Empire State Building, explore Space Center…

• Perfectly Pampered in Plano

  MarvelousMiniMama

  28 May 2013 | 4:37 pm

  Moms, perhaps you’re looking for a place to relax and unwind, recharge those batteries and spend some much-needed time with your favorite girls.  Even the most dedicated mom needs a chance to refocus and renew, and you deserve it!  If it’s time to take a break from the laundry and cooking, the diapers and homework, or the job and commute and head out for that perfect girlfriend getaway, look no further than Plano, TX. This city boasts a number of honors, including “Safest City in America” according to a recent survey by Forbes.  That’s good to know, because your family won’t…

• A Fabulous Fiesta in San Antonio

  MarvelousMiniMama

  22 May 2013 | 11:17 am

  This girl appreciates when a city can throw a good party.  Crowded streets and noisy parades?  Bring it.   I live for that stuff. When I was invited to San Antonio for their annual Fiesta, of course I jumped at the chance to go.  An entire weekend of Mexican food and margaritas?  I mean really, who would say no?  I would have gone for the guacamole alone.  However, I could not have prepared myself for what I was about to experience. It was an EXPLOSION of color, music, and dancing.  If it wasn’t all so completely fabulous, you probably would have found me hiding under the parade…

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  TheBloggess.com

• In my defense, since I wrote about it it’s technically considered “work”.

  Jenny the bloggess

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:15 pm

  A series of emails between me and my husband: me:  Hey.  Wanna see what I’m gonna look like when I’m old? Victor: Is that a hat? DO NOT BUY ANOTHER HAT. We live in Texas, for God’s sake. me:  It’s not a “hat”, Victor.  You’re insulting all three of us here. Victor:  …Three? me:  Victor: This is why she doesn’t come to you when you call her. me: She doesn’t come because she’s a cat.  She fucking loves this.  She feels useful. For once. Victor:  Did you actually need something or…? me:  I did have one serious…

• It’s (not) Flag Day.

  Jenny the bloggess

  17 Jun 2013 | 11:25 am

  When I was a kid I was assigned “Flag-Duty”, which basically meant that me and a classmate were responsible for raising and lowering the flag at our elementary school.  We were taught the special way to fold it and everything was fine, until one day the wind caught it when we were folding it and a corner of the flag touched the ground and my co-flag-folder lost. her. shit.  Then she confessed to the principal and he got pissy and said that now we’d have to destroy it because it had “touched the ground and been soiled”…which sort of seems like an…

• Sort yourself out, library.

  Jenny the bloggess

  16 Jun 2013 | 9:12 am

  A friend of mine send me this picture she took when she went to her local Texas library. “I found your book at the annual library book sale. I don’t think they read it.” In fairness, there are a lot of animals in my memoir. Mostly dead ones, but still. PS. Apropos of nothing, lately more people than usual have been taking my images, deleting the watermark and then posting the pictures on their own heavily ad-laden pages.  I understand not crediting me because that’s just how the internet works sometimes, but please don’t purposely delete my name off my images,…

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  babyshrink.com

• Let’s Get This Potty Started! My Potty Training Book on TV

  Dr. Heather

  11 Jun 2013 | 4:04 pm

  Lots of potty talk going on at KITV recently. Come see a fun interview about Let’s Get This Potty Started! My new potty training book is doing awesomely well, thanks to all your support and reviews. It’s consistently in the Top 3 on the Kindle Toilet Training List. Woo hoo! Aloha, Dr. Heather The BabyShrink Mom of Four, Parenting Expert Sign up for my Newsletter and Follow Me: The post Let’s Get This Potty Started! My Potty Training Book on TV appeared first on babyshrink.com.

• Listen to Kids. Here’s Why

  Dr. Heather

  2 Apr 2013 | 4:03 am

  We’re too busy. Too busy to hang out and listen to each other. Too busy to ask open-ended questions. Too busy to let ideas grow in unpredictable, wonderful ways. I’m just as guilty as anyone. Now that our baby is 3, I’m re-dedicating my efforts to get off the crazy/busy bandwagon. She’s got a lot to say, and I don’t want to miss out. When our kids are little, we have the chance to set the foundation for listening. Asking — and listening. I advise parents to start doing this with their babies even in the earliest weeks and months of life. A surprising amount…

• Transitioning Your Toddler from Co-Sleeper to Crib-Sleeper

  Dr. Heather

  12 Mar 2013 | 6:00 am

  He’ll only sleep with us!At first, Attachment Parenting sounds really good. Responding to the baby’s needs, keeping her close for skin-to-skin contact, letting her learn independence at HER pace. I get it. I live on Maui, people — this is Attachment Parenting Central. Or maybe you just accidentally fell into having baby sleep in your bed. Lots of babies don’t sleep well in the first year, and we’re so tired that we’re willing to do anything to get a little rest. Plus, it really can be dee-lish to snooze with that little sweetie right there. But eventually,…

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  So Close

• What do we owe our parents?

  Tertia

  9 Jun 2013 | 6:13 am

  As my parents and their generation get older, I have been thinking a lot about what we owe our parents?  Is it our responsibility to take care of them when they are old, as they did when we were young?  Or was it their responsibility to plan for their old age? Is it our turn now to live our lives now, they had their turn? Do we not owe them a debt of gratitude for everything they did for us? For the many, many sacrifices they made when we were young? When I was younger, the answer was simple to me (as most things were. With age comes wisdom and with wisdom comes the realization that very…

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  Pregnancy Stories By Age

• Eleanor of Aquitaine had her youngest at 43

  Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

  19 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm

  A reader sent in: I think Eleanor of Aquitaine (Queen of England in the 1100's) had something like 8-9 (more?) kids and bore her last while in her 40's.Life was certainly tougher in the 1100's than it is now!!!So I did a little research and found: Eleanor of Aquitaine was born in 1122. She married King Louis VII of France in 1137, and bore him two daughters. Their marriage was annulled on March 11, 1152 for failing to give the king a son.She then married Henry, Duke of Normandy on May 18, 1152, when she would have been 30 years old. Over the next thirteen years, Eleanor bore Henry…

• She had her 6th at 48

  Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

  16 Jun 2013 | 9:56 am

  I was recently doing some research about another family that lived in the mid 1800's. The mother had had six kids — her first at age 24 and her fifth at age 36. Then she had her sixth child at age 48 Obviously no donor eggs were used!! LOL. I don't know if she had any miscarriages in between child #5 and #6. Her husband was six years older than she was. This last child went on to have six kids of his own.Photo credit: vintage family photo by Flam /deflam, on FlickrSome rights reservedTODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:Ready: Why Women Are Embracing The New Later Motherhoodby Elizabeth Gregory-- Over…

• His mom was 50/51

  Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

  8 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am

  I asked my RE [Reproductive Endocrinologist] if she had ever seen someone my age have a baby naturally.She said no. I read this site, and I see a whole different world. I do know someone personally whose mother had him when she was 50 or 51 years old. He is as normal as can be. It's my best friend's husband. He is from Northern Africa.Photo credit: Khari in Va., by The Good Doctor / LesterSpence, on FlickrSome rights reservedTODAY'S BOOK SUGGESTION:Boost Your Fertility: New Solutions for Conceiving Quickly and Having a Healthy Pregnancy as Soon as Possibleby Marilyn Glenville Ph.D.-- The…

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  dooce®

• Post-camp cool down

  dooce

  19 Jun 2013 | 11:58 am

  Turning her into a zombie after she's already been turned into a zombie.

• The only thing he loves more than treats

  dooce

  18 Jun 2013 | 1:52 pm

  Well, shit. I just googled DOG SKIN CANCER and now I'd like my memory erased.

• What idiot thought this was a good idea?

  dooce

  18 Jun 2013 | 10:50 am

  The grand finale of her birthday presents and the beginning of years of ER visits.

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  Stories of Pregnancy and Birth over 40 years old

• Sam Taylor-Wood welcomes her 2nd child

  Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

  19 Jun 2013 | 1:59 pm

  Artist/director Sam Taylor-Wood and fiancé Aaron Johnson have become parents again to a baby girl.The new arrival - whose name has not been revealed - was born this month, joining big sister Wylda Rae, 18 months.The birth means Nowhere Boy star Johnson is now outnumbered in a house full of females, along with Taylor-Wood's two older daughters Anjelica, 14, and Jessie, five, from her previous marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling.This Pregnancy Over 40 story was found on DailyMail.co.ukRead more: Sam Taylor-Wood and toyboy fiancé Aaron Johnson welcome their second childOriginally posted in…

• Sarah, 44, delighted by unplanned new addition

  Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

  16 Jun 2013 | 10:08 am

  A study reveals It revealed that 27% of pre-menopausal, 32% of peri-menopausal and 40% of post-menopausal women used no contraception at all.Sarah Munro, 44, a barrister, was one who took a laid-back approach to birth control.As a result, she now has a five-week-old son, named Monty.Incredibly, she was almost six months pregnant before she realized she was expecting."Looking back, of course, it sounds ridiculous but it just didn’t occur to me that I could be pregnant," she says.This Pregnancy Over 40 story was found on DailyMail.co.ukRead more: Menopausal? No, we were pregnant!Originally…

• Tina Malone: I hope I am having IVF twins...at 50

  Catherine McDiarmid-Watt

  8 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am

  SHAMELESS TV star Tina Malone revealed yesterday that she is pregnant again at 50.She could even be expecting twins after having IVF treatment in Cyprus.She and husband Paul Chase, 30, went to the island after being told Tina was too old to have fertility treatment on the NHS.“I am pregnant. We are delighted,” she told ITV1’s This Morning.“Fingers crossed we’re having twins and it is a boy and a girl.”This Pregnancy Over 40 story was found on Express.co.ukRead more: Shameless star: I hope I am having IVF twins...at 50Originally posted in May 17, 2013.Photo Credit: Express.co.ukAll…

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  Mommies With Style

• Iced Coffee & Lemonade This Summer with International Delight @Indelight #IcedCoffeeLove

  Whitney

  19 Jun 2013 | 3:21 am

  Genius.  That’s what I thought when I got the email asking me to take part in this campaign for International Delight.  The email suggested adding something for Mom at the kids’ lemonade stand this summer – Iced Coffee!  So smart!  I had to laugh too because my friends and I used to joke that we were going to start one of those roving food cart trucks some year, only having it be an Iced Coffee truck that would visit the park behind the ice cream man.  How much would that take off?   This concept is the same – when your kids are making lemonade and sitting in…

• New KIND Bar: Dark Chocolate Chili Almond

  Whitney

  19 Jun 2013 | 3:11 am

  Love KIND bars! My favorite is Dark Chocolate Sea Salt. KIND has a brand new bar that I was psyched to try – Dark Chocolate Chili Almond. Again with the dark chocolate and nuts! Twist my arm! KIND sent me over a couple of samples and man, these have a bit of a kick! Great for an afternoon snack and I don’t know what it is about spice but it’s extra filling. Love this for sticking into the beach bag for a quick snack this summer. Did you guys know that eating spicy foods when you are hot can actually cool you down? Find out more about KIND and all of their snacks and…

• Vaseline Spray & Go: Fun Behind the Scene Facts to Making a Video #SprayandGo

  Whitney

  18 Jun 2013 | 3:55 am

  Earlier in June, I wrote about Vaseline’s Spray & Go moisturizer.  I continue to use and love it for the efficiency factor.  You can literally spray on your lotion with no need to spend time spreading it on – it goes on easily, quickly and with a non greasy feeling.  You can literally spray it on, pull a pair of pants on and go! Today I’m sharing some fun facts about the Vaseline Spray & Go ad – a behind the scenes, if you will!  The actress in the ad is actually a dancer named Emma. She practiced and learned 25 speed dancing routines to film this ad!

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  Fluid Pudding

• She wanted something to happen—something, anything: she did not know what.

  fluidpudding

  12 Jun 2013 | 1:13 pm

  The only things written on the calendar for today: Heartworm pills, Migraine pills, Cucumber, Water. Three of the four have been taken care of, and as soon as the dishwasher finishes the Sanitize cycle, I’ll be removing my favorite cup and drinking water. I will drink more water in approximately two hours, and will continue to drink water until it’s time to hit the rack. Water! Drinking it! We are back from Florida, and instead of singing long American Pie-esque songs about how great it was, I’ll give you the bullet list of superlatives. Best Meal: The Anything Grows…

• Storms and Favors from Sanibel Island

  fluidpudding

  6 Jun 2013 | 11:13 am

  Because Tropical Storm Andrea has forced us to stay indoors and because I’ve already eaten too much Blueberry Morning cereal and drank a bunch of coffee and killed off some Oreos and read for a bit and stared out the window at the rain, there’s really nothing else to do but play (another) game of UNO, or check in with you! Greetings from Sanibel Island where despite the fact that it has rained every single day since we’ve arrived, we’re still making the most of it. (I am Very Good at UNO.) I recently read David Sedaris’s latest book, and I had to laugh when he…

• Sticks and Scones

  fluidpudding

  30 May 2013 | 10:55 am

  Guy at Pet Store: It sounds like passive aggression. We offer a Good Citizen class here for dogs, and Henry might be a good candidate. Actually, I’m in training to be a trainer, and I’ll be teaching the good citizen class in July. Me: You’re training for training? Guy at Pet Store: Ha! Yes! They have to train ME before I can train the dogs! HA HA HA!!! Me: If you sit and stay, do they bone you? Guy at Pet Store: What? Me: I mean, do they give you treats?! I HAVEN’T YET HAD PROTEIN TODAY AND I’M SO SORRY RIGHT NOW!!! Guy: That will be $17.46. According to the…

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  Momo Fali's

• I Didn’t Have to Sleep with One Eye Open

  Momo Fali

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:23 am

  My 11 year old son has always been difficult to control. He is impulsive, obsessive, and basically I’m FREAKING out about his teen years, because when someone offers this kid a cigarette, he’s going to say yes without thinking and then he’ll end up a chain smoker. Mark my words. Though I never saw the movie, my husband tells me that our boy reminds him of the young character in the movie, Taking Lives. Not in the way that the character pushes people in front of oncoming cars (you know…we hope), but that he is unpredictable and reckless. My son doesn’t always…

• Firehouse Subs to the Rescue!

  Momo Fali

  12 Jun 2013 | 6:45 am

  When I was three years old I was in our basement watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and playing with my cousins when I found a small, silver ring on the floor. Not a jewelry ring, but something that had probably fallen off of a toy because it was the dark ages and they didn’t have choking warnings yet. Though, I was the 4th child, so even with a choking warning I would have been expected to give myself the Heimlich. But, I didn’t eat the little ring, I put it on my finger. A few minutes later, when my finger turned purple, I went upstairs to show my mom. She stayed…

• Keep Austin Weird; Invite More Bloggers

  Momo Fali

  10 Jun 2013 | 12:29 pm

  I just got back from a business trip in Austin, Texas. I had the immense pleasure of speaking on a professional panel with my wonderful friends and co-workers Denise and Melisa. I totally got my geek on. As if social media measurement wasn’t enough to get me excited, there were also a lot of margaritas. And, when I got tired of regular margaritas, there were avocado margaritas. And, cotton candy. And good friends. Photo shamelessly taken from Melisa’s FB wall. And kids of friends. And 20 minutes of me trying to figure out how to take a picture in my new, awesomely soft, Home T…

• 

  Single Mom Seeking

• From Facebook friends to fiancés: a blended family wedding

  singlemomseeking

  26 May 2013 | 8:09 pm

  These days, there are so many single parents blogging about what it’s like to date again. But how often do you run into two single parent bloggers who are telling the world — independently — what it’s like to be in a relationship with each other? Well, let me introduce you to Todd and Kelly. I’ve been following the blogs of this incredibly sweet, goofy couple for years now. I’ve been following them so closely, in fact, that sometimes I have to remind myself that, no, I’ve never met them in person. Because when you check out their blogs, you’ll…

• How my daughter taught me to trust again

  singlemomseeking

  27 Mar 2013 | 12:32 pm

  That’s the title of my essay in the current (April 2013) issue of Family Circle. Leaning over the counter, my daughter ordered the same meal she always had at our favorite taqueria: a quesadilla, no salsa, no sour cream. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to eat. But that wasn’t all I was uncertain about. I’d thought that bringing my eight-year-old to a familiar place to meet my new boyfriend was a good idea. But now I felt awkward.  “She’s going to be shy,” I’d warned Chris the night before. My daughter followed me to a table and slid into the chair next to me, our elbows…

• When a single mom remarries and awaits baby No. 2

  singlemomseeking

  16 Jan 2013 | 7:23 pm

  When I first met my friend Amy 10 years ago in the Bay Area, she opened up me — and told me that she was getting divorced. I don’t remember how I responded, but I hope I said something encouraging. Like You’re so strong. Or, you’re not broken. At that point, I’d been a single mom for a whopping two years, an old hand. We became fast friends. And just as fast, Amy told me that she was moving back to Colorado to be closer to her family — and earn her Master’s degree! She’s one of the most adventurous and whip-smart woman I’ve ever met. Oh, and…

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  A Mom in Red High Heels

• 3 Summer Wardrobe Essentials

  Tammy Gibson

  18 Jun 2013 | 11:32 am

  Shopping for your summer wardrobe is as simple as 1-2-3. Given you likely already have many suitable items in your wardrobe, just a few new pieces will keep it relevant and on-trend. After all, while replacing your entire wardrobe every season would certainly be fun, it’s not in the budget for most of us. Here’s what you need:  versatile cardigan /  coin earrings / painted hibiscus print tank Lightweight sweater- this piece is a staple for cool evenings or chilly office spaces.  A vibrant cardigan is so versatile you can wear it with your pencil skirt for business and your…

• My Personal Beauty Secret Weapons

  Tammy Gibson

  14 Jun 2013 | 1:33 am

  I have a secret to share. Not all things that make me feel beautiful come from makeup and good hair days. They help, for sure, but most come from simple pleasures that make my feel beautiful inside. That’s what true beauty really is, right? An inner beauty that shines through you to radiate to the world? Here are my personal beauty secret weapons: Sharing a laugh with my kids every day. They can stress me out like all kids do to moms but sharing a laugh with them is the best way to make the stress melt away. A sweet kiss from my husband (that may or may not lead to something more). Red…

• What to Wear: Friday Night Out

  Tammy Gibson

  13 Jun 2013 | 12:30 pm

  Olivia Palermo demonstrates how to mix patterns and flats for a fun night out. Her look is funky without losing sophistication. It’s really a great marriage of style and function. Who doesn’t love to look fabulous in flats, right? To achieve this look, you want to pick all your pieces from the same color palette, just in varying shades. Olivia went with an easy black and white combo (very popular summer style trend). Here’s how you can duplicate her look: V-Neck t shirt / CYCLE cycling jacket / Zara short skirt / Vince Camuto belt / DARIA SATCHEL-Black (use code RedHeels20…

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  A Mommy Story

• Planning Summer Fun & A Cedar Point Giveaway!

  Christina

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm

  How’s your summer going so far? Summer camp started for us this week (for real this time!), so the kids are now occupied during the week while I work in peace at home. Aaron has started his new job as well, and so far after day two it’s still going very well. We’re already planning out what we’d like to do with our weekends for the next two and a half months. I’ll be traveling to Chicago for BlogHer in July, Aaron has some superhero appearances for charity, and we have a 5K this coming weekend. That still leaves several weekends open for us. The topic of Cedar…

• Bringing New Life to Our Dishwasher with Cascade Platinum Pacs (sponsored)

  Christina

  16 Jun 2013 | 6:30 pm

  Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating. All opinions stated here are my own and, as always, your mileage may vary. We moved into our house in 2004, and we were thrilled that our new house came with a shiny new dishwasher. Of course, the dishwasher was little more than the most basic of models (the builders weren’t going to put a fancy dishwasher in a kitchen without a significant price increase), but it has saved us from needing…

• Tips For Keeping Your iPhone Safe & Charged At Conferences

  Christina

  13 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am

  Disclosure: This is a sponsored post courtesy of Best Buy. All opinions and tips shared here are entirely my own. It’s summer and it’s conference season, with several blog conferences ahead for some of us. BlogHer is coming up next month, and then I’ll be going to the Type-A Parent Conference in September. I’d love to attend more conferences, but finding the time is always tough. Back when I went to my first conference, many people dragged their laptops with them. There are still a lot of laptops at conferences now, but more often you’ll see a lot of smartphones…

• 

  DeliciousBaby.com

• Book Review: Off We Go to Mexico - An Adventure in the Sun

  12 Jun 2013 | 10:07 am

  The Scoop A visual journey, packed with sun-drenched illustrations through Mexico. Each two spread page introduces several spanish words and a poetic description of something one might experience in Mexico. Off we go to Mexico! And Adventure in the Sun by Laurie Krebs and Christopher Corr Off We Go to Mexico is best for young kids (age 2-5) who aren't expecting a storyline, but will enjoy this book's detailed, colorful pictures and lilting rhyme. Off We Go to Mexico gives a nice overview of Mexican culture the way a child might experience it. If your child is learning Spanish, translated…

• Photo Friday: Museum Going

  6 Jun 2013 | 5:34 pm

  Kids at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center We're always sort of nervous when we take the kids to a historical or cultural museum. True, there have been some sticky moments, but more often they surprise us by finding something they're interested in, as they did in this picture taken at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. When we're at our best, we can use that as a hook to carry us through a bit more of the collection. Related Links Albuquerque with kids What is Photo Friday? Post a travel photo on your site. It can be about any topic, as long as it is G-rated. The focus of the…

• Photo Friday: Memories

  30 May 2013 | 1:09 pm

  Everest and his dad ride in Disneyland's Astro Orbiter There's something special about taking your own kids to do something that was magical for you as a child. For me, the opportunity to be up high, sailing through the sky on the Astro Orbiter, is a hazy childhood memory, so it has been fun to revisit this ride year after year at Disneyland. Related Links Orange County and Disneyland with kids Contrarian advice for visting Disneyland with kids What is Photo Friday? Post a travel photo on your site. It can be about any topic, as long as it is G-rated. The focus of the post should be on…

• 

  suburban kamikaze

• Study: 4 out of 5 teenagers believe they are making sense

  Suburban Kamikaze

  12 Jun 2013 | 1:27 pm

  Mom, to boy: Did you clean the bathroom like I asked? Boy: Which one? Mom: (stares with what looks like a complete lack of interest, but is in fact, genuine curiosity. Where is he going with this?) Boy: (stares back with what looks like genuine interest, but is in fact, faux curiosity.) Mom: Did you clean any bathrooms? Boy: Oh. No. Mom: So which bathrooms didn't you clean? Boy: All of them.

• 99 Reasons to Drink in the Suburbs #27: Flamingos

  Suburban Kamikaze

  2 Jun 2013 | 7:09 am

  You know that margarita season has officially arrived when you wake up to find a family of flamingos on the front lawn. It's traditional. It is extra nice to find them not buried up to their necks in snow, as the result of what Midwesterners like to call a "late season snow" but which really just means "snow again." Midwesterners, unlike flamingos, have learned to keep their weather-related expectations very low. They are, however, pretty goddamn finicky about the margaritas. from the tequila archives: This week in Margaritas 

• The 10 slowest moments in parenting

  Suburban Kamikaze

  30 May 2013 | 1:47 pm

  It goes by so fast. If people had to give you a nickel every time they said that to you over the course of the parenting years, you could almost afford the parenting years. But it's just a trope, meant to suggest that no matter what you might be suffering in the moment, someday, in what will seem like no time at all, you will think back fondly on the experience, presumably because irreversible brain damage caused by years of trying to hold conversations with teenagers has left you with less than reliable recall. Also, it  is very difficult to summon up a smell from memory. My point is,…

• 

  Greeblemonkey

• Insults Without Intention

  18 Jun 2013 | 10:35 am

  I am guessing this happens in every profession. Don't you hate it when people make comments that completely belittle what you do for living? I remember once the company I worked for was in talks to be purchased by another. And they pulled all the employees together in the auditorium to make us feel better about it. The new director of marketing from the acquiring company stood there and talked about how helpful I was. But with all these words and phrases that made it sound like I was her secretary rather than a graphic designer with 10 years experience. Part of it, she was just clueless. Part…

• Great List of Super Funny Tweets (Some of Which Are Really Inappropriate Too)

  17 Jun 2013 | 12:20 pm

  The funny people of Twitter are so hilarious, they often keep me up at night laughing. Here are some great tweets from comedians and/or just all-around awesome men and women in 140 characters or less. Here they are in no particular order other than it is Monday morning and I need to get to work. By the way, some are vulgar and/or gross. No refunds. The only time me and a girl orgasmed at the same time, She didn't even know I was in the cupboard. — Dean (@DeanOkay) March 22, 2011 Sometimes, I stand outside Starbucks and slide my hand down the window like Kate Winslet in Titanic for an hour…

• Riot Fest Denver Lineup Announced: The Replacements, Blink-182, Iggy & The Stooges

  13 Jun 2013 | 8:44 am

  Note: I will be provided tickets for me and this giveaway, but all words are mine. WIN (2) TICKETS TO RIOT FEST DENVER! CONTEST ENTRY IS BELOW LINE-UP INFORMATION! Yes. A dream is coming true. YES. The Replacements are getting back together after 22 years to play Riot Fest. If you saw me on Twitter last night, I had some choice words to say about it. Basically: %#*@$%@*$#%$*!!!! The Replacements are one of my favorite bands of ALL TIME. I know. I have a lot of those. But I am serious. THE REPLACEMENTS. Not to mention all these other bad-ass bands: Yes. That is right. Blink-182. Iggy & The…

• 

  Where's My Cape?

• The other month that starts with M

  KC

  27 May 2013 | 6:31 pm

  For The Husband's birthday (in January), I gave him (us) what I thought was a great present: gourmet cooking lessons for two at a culinary school. It would be on a Saturday night, we'd get a babysitter, and learn to cook an authentic Roman meal. I was full of self-satisfaction for finding such a great present. The only catch was that the earliest I could book it was eons away, in May. Months and months. Couldn't wait that long! But, still, a fitting present for him - he who has become a fantastic cook since we were first married (then: pasta with jar sauce and a can of tuna; now: homemade…

• Race day

  KC

  13 May 2013 | 6:30 pm

  In preparation for last Saturday's surprise running engagement, I decided I needed a new pair of sneakers. Granted, my current pair of sneakers don't see too much action, in general, but at 10? years, I figured they've probably lost some key joint-protection qualities, like fiber degradation or something. Plus, they're not jazzy in the least. Jazzy sneakers are scientifically proven to improve your running. So I made sure I got home early on Friday night to stop at the store and picked out a gorgeous pair of sneakers. Gorgeous. They felt great, light, comfortable - fast. I also picked out…

• No-fun run

  KC

  9 May 2013 | 7:30 pm

  Everyone knows I don't run. Not recreationally anyway. I'm not opposed to running - in fact, I would very much enjoy being able to get into it and be that runner type - it's just that I was not built to run. Someone much more powerful than me decided KC + running = injury, fracture, disability and doom. I bike.* I do the elliptical.* Heck, I'll do the stair climber.* But don't make me run for fun and hobby (running for safety and buses still OK if done sparingly). Which is why when the Husband texted me YESTERDAY that he signed us "all" up for a 5K/2K "fun" run THIS SATURDAY, I immediately…

• 

  Recent Articles

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  Cool Mom - Fun Videos and a Blog for Moms - Motherhood, Kids, Babies and Parenting on Coolmom.com

• Summer planning with a rising 3rd grader… harder than it should be…

  Daphne

  17 Jun 2013 | 1:37 pm

  I love summer!  I love not racing to school.  I love not saying “have you done your homework”, not packing lunch every day and dodging the dog pooh that lines the walkway near my daughter’s school. I love getting to … Continue reading →The post Summer planning with a rising 3rd grader… harder than it should be… appeared first on Cool Mom - Funny videos on parenting and pop culture.

• Rex Returns

  Daphne

  13 Jun 2013 | 10:14 pm

  Well, to video.  The schools have stolen my best talent.  But, good news, Summer is upon us.  Vivien is almost out, but my former sidekick  my son is done with his first full year of fulltime preschool and he is … Continue reading →The post Rex Returns appeared first on Cool Mom - Funny videos on parenting and pop culture.

• why I am NOT a coolmom

  Daphne

  9 Jun 2013 | 11:00 pm

  A cool mom could go to Europe without her kids and be fine.  A cool mom would have some cute little attractive hair cut as she occasionally skyped with her kids while she lost herself in her trip knowing the … Continue reading →The post why I am NOT a coolmom appeared first on Cool Mom - Funny videos on parenting and pop culture.

• 

  whoorl

• Let’s Talk Hair Rollers

  whoorl

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:17 am

  Here’s the thing about blogging for eight years – you’ll be in a conversation with someone, and they’ll say, “Hey! You should do a post on hair rollers,” and you’ll say, “I did! I created a battle of the rollers series! DON’T YOU REMEMBER THAT RIVETING SERIES!?,” and they’ll be like, “No.” Then you’ll search your archives and proclaim, “BOOM! 2010, yo.” And then you’ll cry because you can’t believe how many more wrinkles have taken over your face in the past three years. Anyway. Heat…

• Odds and Ends

  whoorl

  14 Jun 2013 | 7:56 am

  1. If you’re forced to deal with cords, you might as well make them pretty. 2. Great guide for washing and storing all kinds of produce. 3. Summer is here and let’s ponder some bold haircuts for the season. 4. This dress. I saw this dress at my local J. Crew and fell in love, despite not being available in my size at the store or on online. Lucky for me, the J. Crew here in Oklahoma had one left. SCORE. (They also have that same style in pink and blue.) 5. I love this metabolism boosting yoga sequence that was featured in the GOOP newsletter this week. (Scroll about halfway down…

• A Laundry Update

  whoorl

  12 Jun 2013 | 6:44 am

  Shall we talk about how my hanging laundry basket system is working out for my family? Oh, let’s! It is the best. thing. ever. The hanging system has completely changed the way I approach laundry. Like I mentioned before, we dedicated a hallway closet to take care of our laundry needs, and installed six labeled laundry baskets for our family of four. It’s been an organizational dream – no more overflowing cloth bags or hampers stuffed in the back of the closet until I’m forced to shake them all out. The six baskets are labeled Towels, Whites, Lights, Darks, Colors, and…

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  Southern Bella's Ways To Save | Southern Mom Blog

• Take the Kroger Challenge Take 2 and win a $50 Kroger GC GIVEAWAY

  Kas

  19 Jun 2013 | 3:43 am

  Alright, it’s YOUR turn AGAIN! Didn’t win last week? Here is your LAST CHANCE to win a $50 gc for your own #KrogerChallenge You’ve been hearing me talk about Kroger for a few weeks... More here

• Go With Me As I Go #UnderTheDome with CBS

  Kas

  17 Jun 2013 | 2:02 pm

  ***Disclosure: I’m attending The #UnderTheDome Event . My flight, lodgings, and expenses were covered by CBS. All opinions are 100% mine. *** It’s Official! I’m one of 2... More here

• Kroger Circular 6/17 Family Game Night and Final Week of Buy 25 Save 5 #KrogerChallenge

  Kas

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:37 am

  Shopping at Kroger means I get to spend more family quality time. What does that mean? By making a quick stop at Kroger today to pick up the new items on sale I will be able to spend tonight with my... More here

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  Simply Being Mommy

• Monsters University Trailers

  Crystal

  19 Jun 2013 | 11:16 am

  TweetI was invited to attend the Monsters University Premiere this week in LA, but unfortunately had to say no so that I could be home to celebrate my daughters tenth birthday!  Talk about a milestone birthday and there was NO way I was going to miss it. I watched the activities play out on Twitter and while I was sad I couldn’t be there in person, I was still able to follow along thanks to technology and some of my favorite bloggers sharing their experiences. Although we still have a couple of days until the film officially arrives in theaters nationwide, my kiddos and I have been…

• Golden Island Jerky Review + Giveaway

  Missy

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:49 am

  TweetProduct samples were provided. Please see below for full disclosure. Some of you might consider jerky “junk food”, as many brands are full preservatives and sodium, but just wait until you try gourmet jerky!  Golden Island products are all natural, with no preservatives, no hormones, and no nitrates, with 40-60% less sodium than competing brands.  Also, you get up to a whopping 8 grams of protein per serving! Golden Island is the nation’s leading producer of gourmet jerky, with more than twenty different pork and beef flavors.  The pork varieties are “kettle cooked”…

• Something for the Adults at Your Summer Lemonade Stand

  Crystal

  18 Jun 2013 | 1:54 pm

  Tweet Summer is finally here and children around the U.S. are rejoicing! We are only eight days in to our summer vacation and the kiddos are livin’ it up. We’ve gone to Florida for a mini-vacation, we’ve made our own pizzas for lunch, we’ve watched way too many movies, we’ve played way too many video games, but we’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. And quite honestly, that’s all that matters to me! Living in Texas can be rough during the terribly hot months of summer. With temperatures nearing or over 100 most days, it’s hard to spend any amount…

• 

  Lavagal

• Writing for fuel and profit.

  lavagal

  10 Jun 2013 | 5:49 pm

  When Civil Beat announced that it will be partnering with Huffington Post and that there will be a site dedicated to the Islands called HuffPost Hawaii, I was excited. I’m looking for work, I’m a former Honolulu Advertiser and Pacific Business News reporter, I’ve been freelancing since the early 1990s, and I try to keep my writing chops sharp with my blog and by staying up to date with current events through the Internet and the world of social media. Soon word got out that HuffPost Hawaii was looking for bloggers. I thought that maybe lavagal.net would be worthy of such a…

• My Honu half Ironman Triathlon.

  lavagal

  5 Jun 2013 | 9:34 pm

  The day before the race John shot a photo of me with the Ironman rocks at the entrance of the Fairmont Orchid Hotel. Eager and anxious. I was reminded the day before this race that a year ago I blogged about having Honu Envy while I watched online as my TryFitness teammates complete the Honu half Ironman triathlon on the Big Island. I was thrilled for them as I watched their times update, and I was sad for those who didn’t make the cutoff as each leg of the event concluded. Having worked out with these women for quite a while, I knew of their strengths and weaknesses, drives and…

• Packing it all in.

  lavagal

  29 May 2013 | 11:14 am

  Today I’m packing (doing laundry) my bag for Honu 70.3. I’m off to the Big Island for the first half Ironman of my life. Imagine! You can still have a first this or a first that at 54 years old. I never thought when I was 20, 30, or 40, that at over 50 I’d try to do triathlons. Everyone who grew up with me knows that I love to swim and ride bike, and I’ll run if I have to, so that was part of the reasoning to become an age grouper triathlete. I am no threat. No one watches my training stats or looks at my result records to see what kind of competition I might be. I…

• 

  Sleepless Nights.

• Evelyn resorts to cannibalism.

  Veronica

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:42 pm

  At 2am, Evelyn had a big seizure. I poked her cheek, changed her position, shook her hands and finally settled in waiting for it to pass, listening to her breathing change. Normally, middle of the night seizures end with Evelyn needing resettling and then falling back asleep. Not last night though, as she came out of it, realised I was watching her and decided that it was time to play. First, she needed to examine my ears. I’m not sure what she thought the things stuck to the side of my head were previously, but last night they were the most interesting things ever. Then she bit each of…

• Evelyn thinks our games are hilarious.

  Veronica

  13 Jun 2013 | 12:54 am

  [video] Evelyn likes to throw her toys and have me pick them up.      Related PostsEvelyn gets a tooth. Also, I’m not really here.Evelyn is growing up.Moving forward in leaps and bounds 

• The baby chatters angrily and my anxiety worsens

  Veronica

  10 Jun 2013 | 9:05 pm

  A moment ago Evelyn was chattering at me angrily like an upset chipmunk, while she practised her yoga moves. I’m not saying she was wrong to be grumpy with me – after all, I did take her to the doctor and let him stick needles in her thighs, but it was for her own good, so you know. I spend all my time trying to write things and rescuing Evelyn from whatever nook she has gotten herself caught in. One moment she’s exploring behind the couch and can’t find her way out, the next moment she’s stuck under her sister’s bed. When I put her back down, she absconds…

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  Let the dog in!

• Nothing Gradual in Graduating

  wendy

  12 Jun 2013 | 4:09 pm

  Today, the Kid graduated from her elementary school (it goes to 4th grade here, then to middle school). She’d gone to this same school five years, since kindergarten, probably the longest she’ll ever go to the same school God willing, she won’t become a 5th year college grad. She had the annual tug-o-war… and the “moving up” assembly… ending with her…officially graduated. Some may complain that this generation of kids gets way too much acknowledgement, awards for showing up at school, ribbons for participating in your third soccer game. No one…

• Writing and Judging and Judging Writing

  wendy

  5 Jun 2013 | 12:59 pm

  The older I get, the more I see how subjective everything is so many things are in life. Even when you can “document” the facts, people make up their own version science comes out with evidence that what you are looking at is effected by the fact you are looking at it …and cue my head exploding now. So it shouldn’t surprise me and yet I’m surprised that reactions to my own creative writing are varied and that the three pieces I submitted to a 10 minute play festival got scored in an order I never would have anticipated. What I would have placed as weakest, in…

• On-Deck Action: Birds and Stuff

  wendy

  28 May 2013 | 10:03 am

  Who’s been on your deck lately, Wendy? you ask in my imagination. Well, thanks for asking, friendless blogger who makes up conversations in her head and is always looking for an excuse to take a break from writing. I recently trimmed the Kid’s hair and she suggested we put the trimmings out for my selfish blogging purposes bird nest-making ingredients. I thought we were too late in the season and nests had been made, but yet again! I was wrong.You cannot tell me the corners of your mouth are not heading up.We had another visitor the dog was much more interested in. We don’t…

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  Social Media Mom

• A Toast to Wine [Infographic]

  socialmediamom

  12 Jun 2013 | 12:11 pm

  If you love a good glass of wine, then you are definitely not alone. Americans now make up the largest wine market in the world and nearly half of American adults drink wine. It’s no surprise that women prefer wine over men, in fact 52 percent of women prefer wine while only 20 percent of men do. What about the top wine destinations in the U.S.? Sonoma County, California is the top wine destination. In fact, California accounts for almost 90 percent of all U.S. wine production. Check out the infographic below presented by SpareFoot to learn more about the numbers behind America’s…

• Pollen, Pollen everywhere: Allergens in the U.S. [Infographic]

  socialmediamom

  10 Jun 2013 | 12:44 pm

  How can you, as one of the 26 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, cure the symptoms you experience during the spring and summer seasons? There are simple cures for day-to-day allergy relief, and using natural cures. There is also the option of relocation. There are areas with less allergens, and areas with more. There are also areas that prevent allergen effects, such as those near water. The infographic below, presented by InsuranceQuotes.com presents different options that can help prevent your suffering from allergies. From: Bankrate Insurance’s InsuranceQuotes.com

• Kids These Days [Infographic]

  socialmediamom

  10 Jun 2013 | 8:42 am

  Kids these days are facing new problems that can make highly negative impacts on their lives. Single-parent households, violence and bullying in schools, obesity, and education disparity have become increasingly problematic over the past few decades. To learn more about these issues, check out the infographic presented by Master-of-Education.

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  SarahViz.com

• Another Milestone

  Sarahviz

  12 Jun 2013 | 11:43 am

  I'm normally not one to get all Sunrise-y Sunset-y and weepy or sentimental when it comes to milestones and the passing of time.  I mean, time passes.  Years pass.  The kids grow up.  Where there once were cribs and diapers and strollers and sippy cups, there are now (way too many) sneakers and sports balls and baseball hats and electronics.  I have always said that the days seem to crawl, but

• Today, You are Nine

  Sarahviz

  11 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am

  Dear Middle, Nine years ago today, at 8:14 a.m., you arrived in this world, screaming. And you screamed for the first.six.months of your little life.  But then, all of a sudden?  You totally grew out of it. And the world became a brighter place for our little family. Smiling.  Finally. You put the wacky in our Trenches, my little man.  Without you, there would be less dinnertime

• A Post About June Junk

  Sarahviz

  10 Jun 2013 | 11:21 am

  Oh, hi.  Is this thing on? I hate that it's easier to not blog than to find the time to blog.  But such is life these days. Methinks bullet points are gonna be the easiest way to spew out all this schtuff: *  Hubby is recuperating mightily from his neck surgery.  He has much better range of motion in his neck and his arms aren't going numb...as much.  It's concerning to his surgeon that his

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  Parenting Squad

• 7 Heart Healthy Suggestions for Summer Breakfasts

  Maggie Wells

  11 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am

  By Maggie WellsSummer is here and there's not a mother in the country who has the new routine quite down yet. Now is the perfect time to try out new recipes on the family for better health. Why not start the summer months off with heart healthy choices for breakfast? The big trick with any diet change is good taste meets easy to make quickly. 1. Start the Day With a Smoothie Fruit is abundant in summer. Some particularly heart healthy fruits are papaya, cantaloupe, and blueberries. While kids don't always take to papaya, all three of these are great to use in breakfast smoothies, and…

• Father’s Day Gifts the Whole Family Can Help Give

  Nancy Flanders

  10 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am

  By Nancy FlandersFather's Day is fast approaching. (Hint: It's June 16th this year). Have you or the kids gotten Dad the perfect gift yet? Have no fear. There are plenty of options available no matter the Dad. Gifts of Service 1. Do the yard work for him. Everyone pitch in now. 2. Unlimited refills served to him all day of his favorite drinks and snacks. (Save those beers until the kids are asleep, and Mom, get to the store now to stock up on snacks!) 3. Let him spend the day in the recliner or on the couch with the kids at his beck and call. 4. Prepare his favorite meal with each child…

• A Father's Day To-Do List

  David James

  7 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am

  By David JamesFather's Day isn't just for fathers. It's a celebration of family and the sacrifices we make on a daily basis to bring joy into the lives of those around us. Sure, it's also a time to be feted, put our feet up, and eat heartily. But it's also a time to remember our most basic and enduring goal — spending quality time with our closest loved ones. This Father's Day I have a few things on my to-do list to connect with my wife and children and show them how much I appreciate the love they've given me. Below are a few ideas to make this Father's Day stand out. 1. We spend so…

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  Mom to the Screaming Masses

• In Which I Second-Guess Myself. Again.

  Carmen Staicer

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:36 pm

  So, about two weeks ago, I decided to sign one of my daughters up for ballet class. It doesn't begin until July. I had a great big problem, though. There were only a couple of places with which I felt comfortable enough to send my child. I know an awful lot about dance, and I did not want a "recital school". The school that I attended is no longer in business. I went to one other down the street from my kids school, and I know the director, but I got very bad vibes when I went in the building.  I didn't want a school that would put a three-year-old onstage. I wanted to…

• Learning a Lesson From Long-Ago Saturday Morning Cartoons

  Carmen Staicer

  14 Jun 2013 | 7:34 pm

  In the words of the inimitable Popeye : I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam.... (tell me I'm not the only one who used to watch those old Popeye cartoons, the ones that are now called "vintage") So, this happened: Yeah. She did it. She graduated - and one of those cords means that she graduated with honors. So, so proud and happy. And, ahem, relieved. Two down, four to go... So my kids have been invited to various graduation parties, this being the season. And we had one of our own. I took one of my kids to one of these parties, and for a brief minute or two, I…

• Making It Through Summer, Week the First

  Carmen Staicer

  11 Jun 2013 | 4:50 pm

  One week down, nine more to go. No, really - so far, it's not been bad. It helps that the shorties are the only ones out - tomorrow is the first day with the high schoolers home - but we all know that they won't get up before noon, and that's half of the day right there. We've not been swimming yet, mostly because every day has featured rain and thunderstorms - but I'm holding high hopes for the next couple of days. Not so much because I have a burning desire to appear in public in my bathing suit - oh no, not that - but because it wears my kids slam out. And I am ALL about that. One area…

• 

  Stefanie Wilder Taylor

• Parental Discretion

  Stefanie Wilder Taylor

  23 May 2013 | 12:27 pm

  Just wanted to let you know that Parental Discretion got a pick-up for season 2! I couldn’t be more excited to go back into production (probably in August) and have brand new episodes on the air by January. In the meantime, new episode are still rolling out including this Monday, May 27th at 11 pm. I’m trying to think of ridiculous things to do for the new season such as the pole dancing class I did or the tattoo I got. One idea I have is a trapeze class. What do you think? I need ideas! Give them to me! And watch the show on Nick Jr. so I can fool NickMom into thinking I have…

• DGDF: Megan’s Story

  Stefanie Wilder Taylor

  17 May 2013 | 8:34 am

  Megan’s story: I started trying to quit drinking right after Christmas 2012. Well, I guess I tried to start a year earlier, when I quit drinking for the month of November 2011. I did it just to prove that I could, to prove to myself I didn’t have a problem. And the day I made it, I poured a huge goblet of wine and toasted myself. A whole year later I was so far past where I had been, I felt hopeless. I spent 2012 trying to “discover” myself. I went to therapy. I quit my soul sucking corporate job to pursue my freelance writing and photography career, a life’s…

• I’m Obsessed with Gruvy Wear

  Stefanie Wilder Taylor

  8 May 2013 | 9:56 pm

  So a few weeks ago I got my kids’ summer camp information in the mail -and let’s please not talk about how much it’s going to cost me to send all three of my little scamps to camp for the summer -seriously, I have to write a check for that nonsense by May 20th if I don’t stroke out first. Anyway…I got the info pack and inside there was a flyer featuring Gruvy Wear. Elby got a hold of it and immediately wanted a shirt. I looked at the flyer a little more closely and realized that the shirts are basically wearable UV protection and because my husband is a neurotic…

• 

  Susiej

• Kind of Like a Tom Sawyer Adventure

  SusieJ

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:50 am

  Nature has a way of leveling the most arrogantly prideful. So, it can do the same with a “know-it-all-teenager.” Well, maybe nature isn’t that powerful, because none of these boys really were that cocky… but I saw nature grip them just enough to silence them. For these teenagers, nature showed her power, and the boys obediently acquiesced. When the boys take a boat out on the water, they are too far away for us to hear them, but we can see them. We watch them all across the lake, looking up to see where they are, and if the boat is still moving. If the boat stops, we…

• Moon

  SusieJ

  18 Jun 2013 | 8:13 am

• And We Got Candy and a Frog

  SusieJ

  16 Jun 2013 | 11:10 am

  We put the Happy Father’s Day banner on Friday.   Then, we made a brand new set of sailboats for the lake, and used the sails to write letters to dad about our favorite memory. My favorite was the day we got “candy and a frog.”    

• 

  Recent Articles

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  17 Jun 2013 | 4:10 pm

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• 

  Rookie Moms

• If it isn’t a “Hell Yeah”

  Heather Flett

  18 Jun 2013 | 6:04 am

  I read that zinger from an interview with Danielle Smith, and it really stuck with me. As a near-obsessive Yes-sayer, I need some reminders about when and how (and even why!) to say no to life’s little requests. Danielle says, “Your time is precious. Value it. Make it a ‘Hell Yeah.’” Read the whole article at 3thingsformom.com. So, What is 3 Things for Mom? In January, when I was still busy saying yes to most things, I participated in the launch of a terrific web project. Lauren invites writers to complete the same simple assignment: to share a truth, a tip, and a find.

• Free online advice for new moms

  Whitney Moss

  17 Jun 2013 | 3:44 pm

  The best things in life are free, guys, right? That includes making a baby*, and if you insist, you can give birth to that baby for free in your backyard or bed. But then what? I asked our Facebook community of more than 10,000 moms what they found most useful — so useful they’d share it with a friend who had a new baby — and while many named products to buy, like the Nosefrida Snotsucker, or books to buy, like these, many shared resources for free advice. Here’s what you smart moms wanted to share with the rookies: How to make your own Moby wrap Follow @nancyholtzman…

• Obsessing about a “Go out and play” backyard

  Heather Flett

  14 Jun 2013 | 6:29 am

  We moved into a new-old bigger house a year ago. Between having a third child and my work-from-home job, we wanted more space to live and breathe. Not to mention we wanted to be able to have friends over more comfortably. Top of my list of requirements was that we have nice outdoor space, good indoor-outdoor flow, and a barefoot backyard. Ha ha! Upon moving in, our new-old home had none of those things: instead there was broken glass, rusty nails, mud pits, wild onions, rogue bamboo, falling-down fences, construction material, old windows, a large wall mirror and two toilets. Not kidding. I…

• 

  Musings of The Mom Jen

• Resurrecting "A Thousand Words Thursday"

  The Mom Jen

  29 May 2013 | 9:45 pm

  Good grief where has the time gone?In 10 days I will officially have a 10th grader, a 7th grader, and a 2nd grader.Whoa.  DQ keeps reminding me how she'll be graduated from high school in 3 years and then I stick my fingers in my ears and say LALALALALALALA really loud and run out of the room.My son is heading to junior high in which I may pin a spy camera on him and if anyone tries to bully him, I'll drive right over to that campus and give them a piece of my mind.Oh and K and I are headed to Kauai next week...more on that later.So I'm bringing SEXY my A Thousand Words Thursday meme…

• First My Son with Needles, Now My Baby with Blood

  The Mom Jen

  29 Mar 2013 | 1:49 pm

  Spring Break day one and this is how we started the day:Well....sorta.It actually started with crying about how sore her wiggly tooth was.Then the blood came.Then more tears.Then the tissue paper wad was soaked with bright red and my little K was not loving it.She walked into my room and said, "mom, I'm shaky." I looked at her and realized she was pale."I don't like blood."I don't either honey.  Do you feel okay?"I think I want to throw up."Okay, do it in the bathroom!We raced in and she sat down on the floor. I immediately remembered when my son passed out. K was…

• I'll Take Codeine and a Side of Steroids Please

  The Mom Jen

  6 Mar 2013 | 11:51 pm

  Can an old lady catch a break?Ever since I turned 40, I've been sick.The flu for a week.Now, bronchitis.  For the last week and a half.Thank god my mammogram report came back normal or I would have thought that this over the hill thing was going to bury me under it.I already had to cancel a trip to Lake Tahoe, that was tough.The kids looked forward to snow and lots of it!We looked forward to a Lake Tahoe winter My doctor said, "are you kidding, do you want pneumonia?"  Thanks bronchitis.Second round of antibiotics, and inhaler, cough meds with codeine, and now…

• 

  Table for Five

• Wordless Wednesday – It Was 20 Years Ago Today!

  Elizabeth

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:30 am

  We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/tableforfive Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us.

• 

  mommy bytes

• Microsoft Office on iOS - On CloudOn Nine

  6 Jun 2013 | 8:25 pm

  I've been happily using Dropbox for three and a half years but the one disconnect has always been the ability to edit my Microsoft Office files on my iPhone or iPad. I was leery of plunking down cold hard cash for QuickOffice Pro, especially since I would need a different version for the iPhone ($15) and the iPad ($20). Earlier this year, I discovered CloudOn, a FREE app for editing Microsoft Office documents. Originally, it was only available on the iPad, but recently they've offered an iPhone version. The first thing that enamored me was the effortless, instant link to Dropbox. As you…

• On Life, Death, Beethoven and Ebony

  26 May 2013 | 7:39 am

  Do you have a soundtrack for the major events in your life? I am one of those people who constantly have music running through my head, about 95% of the time. Sometimes it is an earworm that can’t be shaken, or a piano or chamber music piece that I’m working on, or just something I heard recently. I recently watched The King's Speech again and I was struck by how fitting the music choice of Beethoven Symphony No. 7, 2nd movement was for the final speech.  The somber tone of the piece, moving at a slower tempo, set the stage perfectly for the grave nature of the king’s call to war.

• All Things Light and Shiny

  6 Feb 2013 | 8:22 am

  Sometimes, it's nice to step back from all the expensive gadgets and delight in the simpler things. Things that cost little money but still amaze. Over the holidays and birthday season (we have 3 birthdays in the 3 months around the holidays in our family), we got a chance to step back and revel in some of these simple pleasures. For her birthday, Dova received an Orbeez Light Up Star from one of her friends.  What are these magical shiny balls, you ask?  Orbeez start as tiny beads of superabsorbent polymers, like the stuff found in diapers. But once hydrated to 100-300…

• 

  Mom Blog | From Dates to Diapers™

• #Sacramento Made The Top 10 2013 Eye Healthy Regions

  Christine - From Dates to Diapers

  10 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am

  I was able to hang out a bit with the lovely reps for VSP at BlissDom in Dallas this year, and I am excited to partner with them. Not too long ago, I published a few tips from a local VSP provider to... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.

• 45 Rules for Moms of Sons

  Christine - From Dates to Diapers

  9 Jun 2013 | 6:07 pm

  From the moment I read Michael Mitchell’s 50 Rules for Dads of Daughters, I knew I wanted to put together my own set of rules, but for moms of sons. After all, I do have a bit of experience and... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.

• Tweet With Us for a Chance to Win a #D6SurfSkimmer

  Christine - From Dates to Diapers

  31 May 2013 | 4:30 pm

  I shared with y’all a while back that I was joining an incredible group of women to help bring a bit of social good to the Jersey shore. Well, we’re packing our bags and getting more... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.

• 

  Mommy Poppins - Things to Do in NYC with Kids

• Free & Fun Things to Do this Weekend with NYC Kids: Coney Island Mermaid Parade, Adventures NYC, Historic Ship Fest June 22-23

  Stephanie

  19 Jun 2013 | 1:00 pm

  Welcome to one of our favorite weekends of the year when summer officially arrives! There are lots of FREE ways to celebrate the new season. Throw on your best sea-themed costumes for the annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, board a vintage vessel and hit the water at Tribeca's North River Historic Ship Festival or head to Central Park for some athletic outdoor Adventures NYC. There's also some great culture on tap for the weekend, like a pair of art fests in Queens—the QAX Block Party in Astoria and the Jackson Heights Arts Festival—plus the kickoff of the Carroll Park…

• Four Fantastic Face Painters for NYC Kids

  Raven

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am

  Being a diva must run in my DNA: My seven-year-old daughter and I simply cannot pass a face painter without asking to be done up. During the summer, this can become an expensive habit. We seem to run into face painters everywhere, especially at street fairs and festivals and in Central Park. Sometimes we end up looking pretty fabulous! And sometimes, well, let's just say Bozo the Clown would probably laugh at us. After years of shelling out cash to a wide variety of face painters, I've come across a handful who are truly exceptional. They don't just turn kids into standard…

• A Special Mommy Poppins Event: Fun-Filled Historic Harbor Cruise with Master Storyteller Bill Gordh and his Banjo

  Stephanie

  18 Jun 2013 | 1:00 pm

  Taking a cruise on New York Harbor is one of our favorite summer activities in NYC. That's why we here at Mommy Poppins are excited to invite you and your kids to a very special event we're planning: Ships, Sails and Tales of the Sea with Bill Gordh & Manhattan by Sail. On Saturday, June 29 join us as we set sail back in time aboard the historic Clipper City Tall Ship on an activity-packed 90-minute excursion your entire family will enjoy. During this fun outing, families will board Manhattan by Sail's historical Civil War-era cargo schooner Clipper City for an exciting voyage…

• 

  Workout Mommy

• LOVE for my new Reebok clothes

  workoutmommy

  16 Jun 2013 | 7:12 pm

  I’m sure it’s no surprise that I live in workout clothes.  I’m really not sure why I even own any other type of clothes because I never actually wear any of them! When Reebok emailed me and asked me if I wanted to shop in their crossfit department for new clothes,  I literally jumped for joy! Have you seen all the wonderful workout wear they have to offer!?  I had a few things on my list……like this Reebok Crossfit Strength is Beautiful tank. And these capris. I also got this tshirt which I simply LOVE!  I will definitely be getting this one in more colors!

• 30 minute workout!

  workoutmommy

  12 Jun 2013 | 7:42 pm

  Here is a quick yet INTENSE 30 minute workout for your lower body. It will get your heart rate up, so you will be burning tons of calories all while building a nice backside.  :) I used weights and kettlebells, but you don’t need any equipment for these exercises.  Just lace up and get moving! Try it out and let me know what you think! copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission. 30 minute workout!

• Strider Bikes are simply awesome!

  workoutmommy

  8 Jun 2013 | 3:05 pm

  If there is one thing I am doing right as a parent, it’s instilling the love of exercise into my boys.   They LOVE to use their muscles,  practice their sprints and now the weather is finally nice, they love to ride bikes. Thanks to these awesome bikes from Strider,  even my little guys can enjoy some biking now!   Strider bikes are the perfect bikes for your little ones since they have no pedals!   It helps them build balance and since the bike is so light (only 6.7 lbs) it is very easy for them to use.   My 3 year old just LOVES it and zips all around the block with his older…

• 

  All & Sundry

• Things to do in Oregon with kids: camping on the Rogue River

  Linda

  18 Jun 2013 | 11:32 am

  Here’s another entry in the Things to Do in Oregon With Kids category (previously: Crescent Lake), if I actually had blog categories, which I totally don’t because the last time I tried to mess with my WordPress theme everything blew up and I vowed to never ever ever touch it again. PHP WHUT? The Rogue River has a special place in my heart. It’s so gorgeous and wonderful and I’ll always remember hiking the trail in 2010 and writing afterwards, “What if home were closer to all of this? Thinking, planning, plotting. How to get from here to there.” We’ve…

• Leveling up

  Linda

  5 Jun 2013 | 2:39 pm

  Everything about parenting older children is, in my personal experience, superior to parenting babies and toddlers … except one thing. Well, maybe two things: I am getting super sick of all the sports-related comings and goings and camp-chair-sittings and beautiful-Saturday-hosings. And also I am inexplicably way more grossed out by an underwear skidmark than I ever was by a fully loaded diaper. Plus there’s the astronomical expense of milk and cereal, I swear to god half my paychecks go to – Anyway. Maybe there are a few things that were preferable back when the boys were…

• Things to do in Oregon with kids: Crescent Lake

  Linda

  26 May 2013 | 4:49 pm

  We head out on so many awesome little weekend trips these days I wanted to start keeping better track of where we went and what we did. If you’re in the market for Oregon-based family vacation inspiration, maybe this stuff will be useful to you, too. Although I realize the chances of that are pretty small. In fact, you should probably skip up this boring little writeup altogether and check out this awesome video of 25 movie scenes that were at least partially unscripted. Where to go: Crescent Lake in Central Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountain Range. About 80 miles from Eugene. Why to…

• 

  Cutie Booty Cakes

• Review: Health Master Blender and Fusion Juicer

  Renee Ross

  12 Jun 2013 | 7:47 pm

  When I was asked by Walmart if I wanted to review the Fusion Juicer and the Health Master Elite Blender I immediately responded with a yes. I am a lover of smoothies and they are a staple in my diet. I have been using my restaurant grade blender for smoothies and was considering purchasing a juicer.  I have been hesitant about purchasing one because I didn’t want to deal with the clean up. In the past when I’ve owned juicers the cleaning was a headache and therefore the juicers didn’t get much use in the long term.  Here are my thought after using the Fusion Juicer.

• Partying like a Rockstar at the Omni and The Package Tour!

  Renee Ross

  11 Jun 2013 | 11:43 am

  There are few things that make me smile wider than remember music from my youth. And next week I am going to be smiling from ear to ear because I get to party like a Rock Star at the Omni Hotel and attend the Package Tour concert! What is the Package Tour? Just the next best thing to sliced bread. No, seriously!  The line-up includes Boys to Men! 98 Degrees!  and headlining.................................... NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!  I have to admit that I am much more familiar with Boys to Men than I am with the music of the other groups but trust me when I say I am looking…

• Shopping for Father's Day with my son

  Renee Ross

  9 Jun 2013 | 3:18 pm

  It is hard to believe Father’s Day is next weekend. Somehow this year is flying by and since time stops for no one, the time to honor fathers is fast approaching. But seriously? It feels like we JUST celebrated Mother’s Day! Anyhow, when Walmart asked me to do something for Father’s day I was more than willing to oblige. My son is truly a daddy’s boy and I knew he’d enjoy the experience of shopping for his father. Before I went to Arkansas to visit Walmart headquarters last week,  I asked my son if he wanted to shop for his dad. Not only did he say yes but he told me he wanted…

• 

  The Dalai Mama

• Transition

  The Dalai Mama

  11 Jun 2013 | 1:33 pm

  Transitions are hard.  Transitions are exciting.  Transitions make you question every decision you have every made. I am preparing for a major transition.  I am returning to the classroom.  I will be teaching high school English in the fall at an all boys catholic high school (that is all the details you’ll get).  I haven’t [...]

• The Kid Card

  The Dalai Mama

  4 Jun 2013 | 12:24 pm

  I was listening to NPR’s Tell Me More this morning and there was a segment discussing “The Kid Card.”  What prompted this conversation was this letter and this follow-up article.  It got me thinking a lot about how being a parent and how that impacts how I work and how my husband works. I’ll be [...]

• Spirit

  The Dalai Mama

  23 May 2013 | 3:00 am

  I sit in the car and watch her on the playground. She stands up and all of a sudden I see a 16-year-old teen standing on the stage performing. So full of confidence and fearlessness. There is something inherently “old” about her red and white stripped t-shirt. If only time could stop. She is a [...]

• 

  superdumb supervillain

• Copperhead Movie (Giveaway)

  5 Jun 2013 | 6:37 pm

  Did you know that this year marks the 150 year anniversary of the Civil War & The Battle of Gettysburg? I know this because Jasper is totally obsessed with Civil War stuff right now. He watched the Ken Burns miniseries with Grandpa Tom and can sing The Bonny Blue Flag like a champ. It's pretty amusing. I'm sure I learned all about the Civil War in school, but I can't say I remember all the particulars. And how much do we really know about the challenging stories of the brave families during the era? Mothers, fathers, and children all experienced intense hardship as family members left to…

• Win a Modern Svan Signet Complete High Chair

  23 May 2013 | 4:35 pm

  My kids are well past high chair days but I love the sleek Scandinavian design of the Svan Signet Complete High Chair. Ellen DeGeneres featured it on her annual Mother's Day show and now you can enter to win one on Svan's Facebook page. Click the image below to enter.

• New Chick-fil-A #FreshMade Salads & Wraps Giveaway

  18 May 2013 | 1:42 pm

  Forget about yesterday, today is #FreshMade! Each day we have a choice, a choice to do the same old routine or do something unique and different.  What have you wanted to do for a long time? 2013 is almost halfway over and it’s time to do something new. It’s time to grow, it’s time to make your dreams a reality. Chick-fil-A is helping you make today #FreshMade, by creating new menu options that you can feel good about! They are introducing 3 new premium salads and an improved wrap all under 430 calories made with premium ingredients. Take your taste buds to greener pastures. Enter to…

• 

  Motherhood Uncensored

• Just beachy

  Motherhooduncensored

  18 Jun 2013 | 8:56 am

  The beach and I are synced up like high school girls apparently because everytime I go, I have my period. The IUD has already caused enough interesting issues with that time of the month (said "ISSSSUUUUSEZ" like the British for full effect), but the sea water and sand well they just add to the overall discomfort that's almost as bad as the post-birth giant pad in mesh underpants. Actually, I was probably walking like that after two hours of sitting in the sand. All this wouldn't be so bad if I was lounging happily on a shaded chair with a...

• We are [Happy]Family

  Motherhooduncensored

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:27 am

  If you haven't actually clicked through to my blog lately, then you might not know that I have a completely new design, which is basically no design. No fancy banner! No flashing ads! Just my words. Or, lately, my infrequently written words. (Hey, life! Funny how that happens!). But I do feel fortunate that after this long blogging road I can turn all the fancy buttons off and make this space what I always wanted it to be. That also means if something comes along, I can turn the fancy buttons back on. Especially when it's a company I love...

• Inked

  Motherhooduncensored

  14 Jun 2013 | 4:29 am

• 

  Cool Mom Picks

• Wunway dresses turns every sidewalk into a runway for your girls. Or wunway?

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:00 pm

  This is precisely the time each year that I realize my oldest daughter has outgrown all her summer dresses (grrr) and that her younger sister is not quite ready to reap the benefits.

• Summer vacation memories from top parent bloggers--and a great way to share your own. Safely.

  19 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am

  With school out and summer almost officially here, say hello to 4000 new smartphone photos and videos of  our kids being adorable at Kindergarten graduation, on the beach, watching fireworks, and running through the sprinkler on the lawn.

• A hostess gift that she'll treasure forever. Or she'd better, because she can't resell it.

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  Sometimes a great bottle of wine or a handmade candle makes the perfect hostess gift. But when you need something extra special, I think I've found a winner.

• 

  Tanis Miller

• Channeling Tracy Flick

  Tanis Miller

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:52 am

  It was the fourth week into grade 7 and I had just turned 12 years old a few days earlier when my homeroom teacher stopped teaching to tell us the time had arrived for student council elections.  I remember the thrill that zipped through me as I envisioned my future victory and I started mentally planning my campaign. At lunch, I wandered over to the bulletin board and declared myself a candidate for class secretary, my pen poking a hole through the paper and into the cork underneath as I signed my name. I wasn't particularly interested in being a secretary of any sort and I had no…

• Big Puppy, Small Problems

  Tanis Miller

  4 Jun 2013 | 8:41 am

  My dog is growing at the speed of light. Or at least, that's what I'm told. I don't really notice it. It's rather like how your children grow bigger and bigger but you're deep in the minutiae of parenting and too close to the growth to see it until suddenly their pants are at their knees and distant relatives are commenting on how grown up your babies are?  It's like that. Only pant-less and with more UPS drivers refusing to get out of their vehicles to bring you your parcel so instead they honk their horn until you come out and reassure them that the beast sitting on the deck barking at…

• Mom Wisdom

  Tanis Miller

  12 May 2013 | 11:57 am

  Happy Mother's Day to moms everywhere. Love to all of those who are missing someone they love, whether it's their own mother, a grandmother, a step mum, a mother figure or, like me, their child, today.  Thank you to P&G for including me in their latest campaign and taking my mom wisdom and turning it into art. May my words ring in my children's ears forever. You can check out the entire gallery of Mom Wisdom posters, which range from hilarious to inspiring, and all of them beautiful, all curated on the P&G Thank you Mom Pinterest page. Check out the Facebook page and share the…

• 

  Product Reviews by The Experimental Mommy

• Helping Children Get the Medical Care They Need With a UHCCF Grant

  Bridgette Duplantis

  18 Jun 2013 | 3:59 pm

  This post is written by the Experimental Mommy and brought to you by the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. When I was pregnant, I prayed routinely for healthy babies.  In both 2005 and 2008, my prayers were answered when I gave birth to two perfect little girls.  Unfortunately, not every child has an easy start in life.  No Mother or Father wants to see their child suffer and will do just about anything to help their little miracles.  But treatments, surgeries, doctor appointments, therapies and technology cost money…a lot of money. In 2012, UnitedHealthcare Children’s…

• Get a #WakeUpCall from Monster.com {Giveaway}

  Bridgette Duplantis

  17 Jun 2013 | 7:48 pm

  This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  While a sample was received to facilitate this post, all opinions remain 100% mine. After spending many years in school and obtaining my Master of Science in Biology, I landed a wonderful job that I adored for seventeen years.  Unfortunately, you never know what life will bring and I was laid off due to Federal budget cuts last year.  To say that I was in a state of shock would be an understatement. From the very first day, I spent hours online on websites such as Monster.com searching for a new job.  After eight long months of…

• Endless Looks with Infinity Headbands {Giveaway}

  Bridgette Duplantis

  16 Jun 2013 | 5:52 pm

  This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy.  While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine. With two girls, ages 5 and 8, each with tons of beautiful hair, it should come as no surprise that our accessory drawer is overflowing.  My little fashionistas love to coordinate outfits and show their own personalities through their wardrobes.  And of course, every outfit must have a matching bow, headband or ribbon! With their budding sense of styles, the accessories are starting to take over my bathroom.  So, I was thrilled to learn about Infinity…

• 

  One Chic Mama

• Discovery 101: Summer Session

  13 Jun 2013 | 12:21 pm

  Just in time to celebrate the summer solstice! Take your wardrobe by the reins and learn once and for all what to wear and what to buy in this fun and informative session. Think getting dressed has to be difficult or expensive? Think again!In my Discovery 101 sessions you’ll receive an entire plan laid out for you to help you gain clarity on your style including what to wear, how to put it all together to create a look that’s right for you and much, much more. You’ll eliminate the guesswork and will start the year off feeling beautiful and radiating confidence!This is for…

• The Magic of the Dress

  11 Jun 2013 | 1:45 pm

  What if there were one item of clothing you could put on that could make you look sleek, chic and pulled together, in one fell swoop?  There is – the dress! I love dresses and have for some time.  In fact, I often favor them over skirts even though they’re not quite as versatile.  And for good reason - dresses possess a certain magic that skirts don’t.  What is it about the dress?  Dresses can be sexy, alluring and appealing in oh, so many ways, but that’s not why I’m singing praises to the dress today.  I’ll save that for another time.  The…

• Is Your Wardrobe Like Junk Food?

  10 May 2013 | 6:53 am

  If I asked you to describe the clothing hanging in your closet right now what words would come to mind? Nourishing, fulfilling and sensual? Or would it be better described as unsatisfying, disappointing and always leaves you wanting more. Now make a mental note of these words, thoughts and feelings and notice how you feel.Many people joke about fast food saying there's a secret ingredient that makes it addictive. While I'm not sure what goes into it, I'm pretty sure I know what's missing - real, whole foods that nourish the body and leave you feeling great. After eating a fast food meal,…

• 

  All Adither

• Braids

  All Adither

  26 May 2013 | 5:14 pm

  When I was at the end of my fourth grade year (same age as Max now) and everything had burst out in green and yellow and smelling of fresh grass and bitter dandelions, I used to run to the bike racks after school, haul out my shit-brown-recently-painted-navy three speed, and grab my seven-year-old sister. From there we'd ride the flat streets home. Every day, almost without fail, I wore my hair in Laura Ingalls braids. Not because I admired her braids. Though I didn't NOT admire them. But because that is how my dad styled my hair in the morning. I imagine it was quick and easy and kept me…

• So much

  All Adither

  30 Apr 2013 | 8:44 pm

  You check your Amazon stats a lot in the beginning. But when you do this, you are almost always disappointed by your lack of sales. So you stop. Then one day you look and see you've sold another copy. So you become overconfident and peek again and again. But...nothing else. You decide to stop asking your ten-year-old son for hugs, pretend you don't care. Because how annoying is it when an over-the-hill lady, your mom or not, asks you to press your body up against hers with affection. Then one night, he comes up behind you when you're washing the dishes and wraps his arms around your middle…

• Never ever

  All Adither

  24 Mar 2013 | 10:05 pm

  Saturday morning, in those early hours when your subconscious churns like a cracked out gerbil on a squeaky wheel, I dreamed that I was pregnant and it was the worst thing short of an ALS or cancer diagnosis that could've happened and I cried and cried and gnashed and tried to accept the news as best I could. I peed on multiple white wands and and everytime: the double pink line. "I'm just now getting my life back!" I wailed. This is exactly how I would react if I did get pregnant. Not that it's likely or even especially possible at this point, but I know a few women who are having third…

• 

  Balancing Motherhood

• Tiptoe Joe Great New Children’s Book

  Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

  5 Jun 2013 | 7:47 am

  I received a copy of “Tiptoe Joe” recently and have fallen in love with this adorable children’s story. I’ve read it to my kids a few times now and each time it seems we find something new in the details of the drawings. Tiptoe Joe is a large bear who meets several animal friends and [...]

• Do Something You Love

  Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

  4 Jun 2013 | 8:07 pm

  Time. It comes. It goes. You have to make the most of all the time you have. We all have the same time in the day. I’ve recently adjusted my time and am trying to carve our more space for the things I truly love to do. What that means for this summer is some [...]

• Welcome to Summer

  Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

  20 May 2013 | 8:33 am

  The other day on Pinterest I found several photos with “Welcome to Summer!” banners for the kids to run through on the last day of school. See the image here. Such a cute idea so the kids understand the transition from school days to summer days. I need to find a way to pull this [...]

• 

  Hormone-Colored Days

• Summer Schedule

  7 Jun 2013 | 7:55 am

  The Young Maker Teen has a summer that will move in fits and starts. A week or two without much going on, followed by week of half-day camp, more nothing, then away for a week, home to unscheduled bliss and then away for three weeks.Because he's something of a planner and organizer (just don't ask to see his bedroom) he presented me with this proposed daily schedule which I'm sharing with his blessing:7:30 - 8:00    wake-up, eat breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed8:00 - 8:30    exercise8:30 - 9:00    play computer9:00 - 11:00  build/make, read, do whatever…

• Time for a Mammogram

  3 Jun 2013 | 9:09 am

  This morning on Facebook my friend Melanie posted a reminder about keeping up with annual mammograms because a friend of hers was recently diagnosed at her annual visit. I happen to have a similar reminder sitting on my desk, but it's those gestures from friends that tend to kick me into action. I know some bloggers who make a pointing of posting about mammograms and pap smears for that very reason.At any rate, in keeping with my theme of revisiting old blog posts AND proving my increasing senility, here's what I wrote on May 29, 2012:My informal research indicates that women who hear or read…

• Office Depot Helps Teachers

  14 May 2013 | 8:03 am

  And Office Depot is helping me help teachers, too. In my final post of this series, Office Depot is walking the talk. They provided me with a collection of classroom supplies packaged in a fabulous "Workmate" office-on-wheels bag and a $100 gift certificate to award to a special teacher or two.Here's how I split the bounty:If you've ever sat through an beginner band performance, you know there is a very special place in heaven for elementary school band directors. Simply teaching young children how to play and care for their instrument is a tremendous task. Combine that with coordinating the…

• 

  Mile High Mamas

• Ridgeway toddler killed in Mexico memorialized with a bike nonprofit

  Guest Blogger

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:38 am

  When 2-year-old Axel Charrette, killed in Mexico in February, was memorialized at a service in Ridgway, his cherished little Strider bike sat on the dais in front of mourners. Now, that pedal-less bike has turned into the vehicle to honor Charrette. Axel’s family has launched the Axel Project, a nonprofit designed to introduce other toddlers and youngsters aged 18 months to 5 years to cycling and to promote the idea that cycling is a healthy and bonding family activity. The project will be donating Strider bikes and selling bikes for a nominal fee of $20 to individuals and organizations…

• Creative and fun ways to get your kids to eat healthy this summer (with recipes)

  Guest Blogger

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:58 am

  Summer is here! As an uber super-mom days are filled with tight schedules of swim lessons, park visits, pool time, zoo trips, friends’ parties, camp visits and everything else in between. In all the glorious craziness of being a mom comes one crucial aspect that we sometimes tend to put on the back burner –healthy, delicious, and nutritious meals. But let’s get real here – who really has time to do everything? As a Healthy Eating Specialist at Whole Foods Market it’s my personal mission to create fun and innovative ways to overcome barriers to healthy eating. Eating the healthiest…

• How do you do it, Busy Mom?

  Kendra Scott

  18 Jun 2013 | 5:07 am

  I feel like I’m struggling with balance lately. I devote my time and energy to so many different roles, some being more focused on than others. At times it feels like there is a part of my life being neglected and I have to do my very best to carve out even more time, that I don’t seem to have, to devote to it. Right now I’m struggling with exercise. When do I fit it in to my already packed life? I know the importance of staying active and living a healthy lifestyle but I really am asking myself how I can make it all work. Right now I already wake up a half an hour earlier than I need…

• 

  (More than) Fourinarow.net

• Ahhhh. The Smell of Paint!

  Susan

  10 Jun 2013 | 7:39 am

  My blog is suffering. The laundry has piled up. The kids are eating junk. Andrew’s potty training is in a holding pattern. The house is a mess. There are dishes in the sink. My inbox is full. My return-to-running date has come and gone (without me running). My back aches and I think I have Tennis Elbow (even though I don’t play). Screen-time limits have gone out the window. I’m not sure where the baby is. BUT!!!! Four and a half years overdue, I’m FINALLY painting the upstairs! I owe The Home Depot my next born and I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck, but…

• Skirts

  Susan

  25 May 2013 | 7:23 pm

  I’ve been wanting to try this project for a while.  I saw it on Pinterest a few weeks ago and thought about it.  I read through the tutorial and thought it was something I might be able to pull off.  So, during school hours, Andrew and I looked around for some cute elastic (which we couldn’t find) and for some cute, inexpensive, knit material (which we couldn’t find) and I continued to think about it. Last week, I finally caved and bought some elastic from RuffleFabric, as did the original Pinner.  Andrew and I kept looking for some knit and didn’t find a whole lot…

• Walk, Run, Drag

  Susan

  14 May 2013 | 7:28 am

  The other day was Walk To School Day.  Notice – it was walk TO school day.  Thank goodness, because after the walk TO school, I didn’t exactly have it in me to walk the kids home, too. It was a decent enough morning, although the ground was wet because it had rained the night before.  We all managed to get out of the house fairly close together, but we spread out as we went along.  Maria and Sam were in a walking race to see who could get to school first.  Luke walked and talked alongside me and Cheerio, and Jack and Andrew poked along behind – walking in the wet…

• 

  FUSSY

• I hate shopping more than life itself

  Eden M. Kennedy

  29 May 2013 | 1:32 pm

  Here’s the latest: if you ask me to draw “an animal,” you may end up with a picture based on a picture of Steve Irwin holding a wombat that says, it’s a wombat. Because if you put your framed drawing of Steve Irwin holding a wombat someplace people can see it, then you’re not going to want to answer the question, “What IS that?” over and over again, are you? Unless you are, in which case I’ve ruined this drawing’s purpose as a conversation piece. I don’t know where his right elbow came from, it’s not in the photo. At some point…

• Cats playing it straight

  Eden M. Kennedy

  12 May 2013 | 4:32 pm

  This week’s challenge was to draw a cat wearing a wig that looked even half as good as a cat wearing a wig. And what if it’s a male cat. What then? What if it’s deaf? Yes, it’s all good fun when you’re only using Photoshop and can command-Z away all of your criminal instincts. When your weapons are colored pencils, however, you end up with I don’t even know what this is. Some things are best left untinted:

• Creepy little thoughts

  Eden M. Kennedy

  26 Apr 2013 | 5:00 am

  I don’t ever really think about my archives because once I get something off my chest I’m usually done with it. But the other day I was thinking about the post I wrote when my son told me he liked to hurt dogs. Those were the days! When I could admit difficult parenting moments and get the almost-full support of the Internet. I got some anonymous comments from what we used to call “concern trolls” who were worried that Jackson would grow up to be a serial killer, one of whom suggested I take him to an abused animal shelter and show him what it looks like for dogs to be…

• 

  WabisabiMe.com

• Planning For The Future With Timeless Home Design

  admin

  17 Jun 2013 | 7:17 pm

  Your house is an investment in so many ways. So, it seems surprising that more people don’t plan ahead with every element of their homes. Of course, you probably realize that there will be a set amount of payments to make on your mortgage, but have you considered the costs involved in redecorating? The first time you redecorate your house is expensive enough, but imagine having to change the decor several times through the life of your home. Making the choice to choose timeless home design ideas will save money in a whole host of different ways. A Kitchen To Last A Lifetime The kitchen,…

• Prefabricated Homes: Green and Growing

  admin

  2 Jun 2013 | 8:02 am

  Prefabricated homes are on the rise and home buyers are taking notice. A prefabricated home is built in a factory, disassembled and shipped to the property where it is erected. More “prefabs” are being purchased as people see that this type of home is a far cry from some of the shoddily constructed buildings of the past. Advantages of the prefabs are their quick construction and installation, the option for “green” materials and construction and the customizability of many models on the market today. Now that they are coming into vogue, prefabs are definitely an option…

• Understanding the Shower Pump

  admin

  23 May 2013 | 8:45 am

  A shower pump is an essential inclusion in all bathrooms. It is very nice to be able to have a bath with adjustable water pressures and levels. This will both satisfy you, and relax and rejuvenate you too. If you wish to take a powerful shower, you should purchase a pump for your bathroom. It is not necessary to retrofit or refurbish your bathroom to attain the water level and pressure you want, as a Grundfos shower pump from onlinepumpsupplies.com can do this job easily. The powerful pressure that these pumps produce originates from their water propellers. Currently, there are 2 types of…

• 

  Cheaty Monkey

• From the front seat of my car

  Haley-O

  29 May 2013 | 4:35 pm

  It’s been so long since I’ve written here that I barely remember how to log in. Isn’t that sad? I used to write here every single day, come hell or high water (why I use that expression all the time, I do not know). And now I’m lucky if I can log in to the backend without resetting the password. Truth is, the time is just flying. It’s like, as soon as I write a post, a week flies by, and then another week. And before I know it, it’s been two months — and when’s the last time I went to yoga? But here are some more truths. I’m writing this…

• Weight-loss tips and other published sentences

  Haley-O

  29 Mar 2013 | 7:19 am

  Forgive me, Readers, for I have sinned. Gosh, it’s been almost four months since I last blogged here. There’s actually an unpublished post I wrote about a month ago sitting in the backend. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to publish it. It’s called “I lost 25 pounds” — I never got around to finessing the title. I couldn’t bring myself to publish it because, I guess, I wasn’t ready to share, I needed more of a blogging break, or I just didn’t like it (it didn’t sound like me). So it remains in the backend collecting…

• 2013, the Beautiful

  Haley-O

  1 Jan 2013 | 2:19 pm

  That’s me doing a princess-style wave in the smooth, crystal-clear water of Magen’s Bay in the stunning Caribbean island of St. Thomas. Yes, we went all out this year. I sort of figured we might as well, since the world was going to end in 2012, spend all our money on a trip of a lifetime. Josh, on the other hand, a firm believer in Science (capital S), knew no such thing would happen, and he treated us to a trip of a lifetime anyway. And I’d say we deserved it. I can’t even tell you how amazing this trip was. We started in Miami and took a Disney cruise to St.

• 

  Queen of Spain Blog

• We Have Work To Do: National Lupus Advocacy Summit 2013

  Queen of Spain

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:01 am

  My hands are a bit swollen tonight. Might be the heat. Probably is the arthritis. More than likely it’s a combination of the heat and Reynaud’s and the steroids reacting to the total nerve of my doing one load of laundry- WITH the children’s and my husband’s help. They carried. I stuffed in the clothes. Emptied the clothes. They carried. I sat and folded. They carried. For this I get swollen hands. Thanks Lupus! It’s just one of the little things. One of the tiny, little things I deal with daily and try my damnedest not to complain about because I can sit and…

• Getting Ready to Head to DC for Lupus Advocacy Day

  Queen of Spain

  14 Jun 2013 | 9:03 am

  To learn more about Lupus Advocacy Day you can visit the Lupus Foundation.

• That Panicked Race to School that Every Parent Dreads

  Queen of Spain

  13 Jun 2013 | 7:59 pm

  The text came from our school’s emergency system around noon. Parents needed to get the school ‘as soon as possible, but no need to panic’ as there was a wildfire burning nearby. Of course every parent panicked and rushed to the school only to find the small fire was already 100-percent contained by the fire department and the children were never under threat of evacuation. The school was just being cautious. I imagine that day over and over again only because it’s the call you never want to get…yet, as we know, too many parents have. I imagine what it must have…

• 

  Blonde Mom Blog

• Fashion Friday: Lee Summer Shorts Giveaway

  Blonde Mom

  14 Jun 2013 | 8:00 pm

  I’ve been fortunate to work with Lee as a blog ambassador for several years and had a blast at the Lee Find Your Fit Blog Conference last October in Kansas City, which, I might add, is a lovely city. While you may just associate Lee with great jeans, they make casual styles outside the world of denim. Now that summer is finally here in Nashville I’m breaking out the shorts. I love classic tailored looks in shorts and bright colors and Lee has several great styles of summer shorts for men and women that fit the bill. I love the Platinum Label Comfort Waist Nicolette Bermuda short…

• Wordless Wednesday: Seeing the Sea

  Blonde Mom

  12 Jun 2013 | 8:06 am

  It’s hard to believe it’s been almost two years since we vacationed on Jekyll Island. Love it there! The post Wordless Wednesday: Seeing the Sea appeared first on Blonde Mom Blog.

• Happy Eleven

  Blonde Mom

  6 Jun 2013 | 4:21 am

  Happy 11th birthday to our sweet summer girl, Miss C. You are our sunshine! The post Happy Eleven appeared first on Blonde Mom Blog.

• 

  Girl's Gone Child

• the year of the bike

  GIRL'S GONE CHILD

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:21 am

  I took the day off Monday.I wasn't going to write and I certainly wasn't going to write about birthdays. Not here. Mainly because I had little to say that hadn't already been said at some juncture before - emptying the well every year only to refill it again with the same regurgitated meaning,  grasping at straws in attempt to suck the remaining moisture out and into my throat - gurgle, gurgle. And yet, here I am. Spit over ice, served with a twist of lime.I had big plans for my birthday. Plans that fell through and the kids were at camp and Bo and Revi were down for an early nap…

• 168/100

  GIRL'S GONE CHILD

  18 Jun 2013 | 11:32 am

  Currently on repeat:168. Passenger by: Emily WellsGGC

• love to the daddies

  GIRL'S GONE CHILD

  16 Jun 2013 | 10:48 am

   Happy Father's Day, all!GGC

• 

  Sarah and the Goon Squad

• And So It Begins

  Goon Squad Sarah

  7 Jun 2013 | 6:43 am

  Ian took his first guitar lesson yesterday. You already know what song this is going to be, don’t you. Leave your best guess in the comments and then come back and watch the video.

• My first 5K (before)

  Goon Squad Sarah

  11 May 2013 | 4:21 am

  Remember in school when you were forced to run a mile in P.E.? That was always the worst day of the year for me. When I was in 8th grade I remember thinking seriously about taking a hammer to my own toe to get out of running the mile. This is a true story. I think that is particularly warped thinking even for a 14 year old girl. Today I am getting ready to run my first 5K. The weather says we will probably get rain. Possibly thunder storms, but here I am with my running shoes on and everything. Being a parent does strange things to people. I always imagined that I would be the kind of mom…

• You Heard the Man

  Goon Squad Sarah

  1 May 2013 | 1:56 pm

  It was one of those days where both kids were home with strep throat but the antibiotics had already begun to kick in and everybody was feeling okayish but we couldn’t really go anywhere so instead the children and I were watching a BBC Best of Doctor Who Monsters show. It was in the style of a VH1 I Love the Whatever show where a bunch of C and D List celebrities sit around talk about the 80s or the 25 best slow jams of 1987 or what have you. In this case we had Doctor Who monsters. This was kind of a weird show because 1) very few of the celebrities were either British or anyone I had…

• 

  Surrender, Dorothy

• Why My Daughter Deserves a Blog More Than I Do

  Rita Arens

  18 Jun 2013 | 11:58 am

  Last week while my mom was visiting, she, my girl and I went to Panera for dinner before Ma sweetly took my girl home so I could have a few hours to work on PARKER CLEAVES. As we ate, I found myself completely overtaken with the conversation of the two women behind me, who were filling out some sort of Bible-related workbooks.  Their conversation was HILARIOUS and not intentionally at all. I sat there, nodding and smiling at my mom and daughter because they thought they were talking to me, but they were not. They were talking at me while I listened with all my might to the women as they…

• 

  MomsRising Blog

• Honey bees: We need ‘em, and they’re in trouble

  Kristin Schafer

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:32 pm

  Happy Pollinator Week! We’re celebrating here at PAN by calling attention to the plight of honey bees, and what can be done about it. What plight is that, you ask? Bees are actually in serious trouble, and our food and farming systems rely heavily on these vital pollinators. One in three bites of the food we eat — including summer favorites like raspberries, strawberries and watermelon — are pollinated by these amazing little creatures. Since about 2006, bees have been dying off in droves, and scientists say pesticides are part of the reason why. The worst losses yet Our beekeeper…

• Cows Against Gun Violence

  Gloria Pan

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:55 pm

  Apologies to heifers everywhere, but cows, well, they smell bad. So did the April 17th U.S. Senate vote that failed to advance common sense gun policy reform. Clearly some Senators were more concerned about special interests than they were about the fact that more than 90% of the American people support background checks for gun purchases, and that’s just… there’s no other way to say it…. a huge, steaming cow patty! That’s why MomsRising and our moms in the Washington, DC Metro Area are planning a little bovine-themed trip to Capitol Hill in a few weeks to let U.S. Senators…

• The Downside for Dads

  Joan C. Williams

  18 Jun 2013 | 3:38 pm

  Co-written with Katherine Ullman. “My small contribution to feminism is leaving the office at 5:15 PM three times a week to pick up my daughter…and not hiding it.” You might expect that these are the words of a working mother who, after too little sleep and too many people wondering “how she does it,” decided to draw a line in the sand for all to see, with work firmly on one side and family on the other. But you’d be wrong–we heard this from a young professional father. And who could blame you for your guess? With all of this recent hullabaloo about…

• 

  TheMacMommy

• 99 Pennies for Your Thoughts?

  23 May 2013 | 12:21 am

  This young man was diagnosed with bone cancer and died just this past Monday at the age of 18. Before he died, he recorded this song as a way to say goodbye to his family and friends. It's now number 1 on iTunes. If you buy this uplifting (tear-jerking) song, the proceeds go to cancer research. Shed a tear, spend a buck, then maybe one day cancer won't suck. Clouds - Single Zach

• Go Ahead, Pitch Me

  21 May 2013 | 9:37 pm

  Almost daily I receive emails from marketers and app developers asking me if I'll review or write something about their product or app on my blog. Almost daily I need to turn down these offers. While it is a good problem to have, it's no small challenge trying to keep up with the onslaught of requests (good, bad and downright ugly) in addition to caring for myself, my family and running my own

• Tech Tuesday Hangout No. 5

  14 May 2013 | 10:39 pm

  Today I covered for Benjamin Roethig who normally hosts the Tech Tuesday Hangout live each week. (to be populated soon with video) It was a fun learning experience baptism-by-fire-style on how to host, broadcast, record, edit and publish a Google Hangout! I was joined in discussion by Patrice Brend'amour, Doc Rock and Steve Sande. We talked about a wide range of topics including but not limited

• 

  This Full House

• My Ability to Confuse People, In Two Languages

  Liz@ThisFullHouse

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:39 am

  Growing up in my parent's house we spoke Hunglish and, even now, my kids have very little trouble following along, as their maternal side of the family tree continues to hold entire conversations, in half Hungarian and half English. now,...

• I'm Married to a Saint, Literally

  Liz@ThisFullHouse

  10 Jun 2013 | 8:02 am

  Confession: we're not a very religious family, in the sense that we have not attended church services in a very long while and are, what I often refer to as being, "in between churches" at the moment. If you were...

• BEWARE: Guard Dog on Laundry Duty!

  Liz@ThisFullHouse

  5 Jun 2013 | 2:02 pm

  Backstory: I first Instagrammed a picture of our Doofus-Dawg sleeping...sorry, I mean...PROTECTING the laundry, because someone's GOT to guard it from the danged squirrels. My office also happens to pull double-duty as the laundry room and, upon occasion, Garth's (not...

• 

  Velveteen Mind

• Hawking Writing Habits

  velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

  7 Jun 2013 | 10:34 am

  How much of writing is muscle memory? I sat down at the desk in my office yesterday and just... sat. I haven't worked in here for a while. May was incredibly busy with travel, unusually stressful personal goings-on, and end of school. I ran through May with a tightened chest and my head down like a quarterback trying to break through, um, a bunch of other football players. Look, I don't know sports, but I kept my heart tucked under my arm and I plowed through a wall of offensive obstacles. With my head down. You know, football. What I was not was head-down in writing. My writing was done in…

• BlissDom 2013: Focus is Your Strength

  velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

  8 Apr 2013 | 9:57 am

  "Multitasking is a myth." was the most tweeted phrase from my solo session at BlissDom, titled Uninterrupted Thought: Power of Focus. A point I anticipated being the most contentious turned out to resonate the loudest. I spoke at BlissDom in late March, a conference I've written about frequently since 2008. I've spoken several times at BlissDom but this was my first opportunity to speak solo, not as part of a panel. The opportunity to dive deep into a thought with this audience I've come to know well, to shape the plot from inception to conclusion, was thoroughly fulfilling.  BlissDom…

• 40 Days of Indulgent Change

  velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

  18 Feb 2013 | 4:45 pm

  My little world is full of indulgences. This weekend, the kids and I threw a Willy Wonka party in our living room to celebrate finishing reading aloud Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We waited to throw our party until after Valentine's Day so we could take advantage of 50% off clearance Valentine's Day candy. While I was at the checkout, loading all of our completely superfluous treats into my cart, an old woman in line behind me began placing her items on the counter. I barely glanced at her as I gathered my bags. Preparing to leave, I heard a dull clatter of coins hit the linoleum. After…

• 

  and baby makes 6!

• Little wonders and my heart

  Jody

  2 Jun 2013 | 2:30 pm

  It was 45 minutes before he had to line up with all of his friends to walk out into the stadium when I started melting down. Running late, I ironed his dress shirt….but only after I had sprayed it with … Continue reading →

• Sail o’er the canyons and up to the stars

  Jody

  28 May 2013 | 6:36 am

  This picture. It symbolizes what is happening in my life right now. Prom, baccalaureate, senior breakfast, graduation….my son walking away from me into his life. I am trying to figure out how they can be in your life for 18 … Continue reading →

• Las tres amigas

  Jody

  21 May 2013 | 5:30 pm

  These 3 girls are great friends and they surf against each other in contests. Estos tres amigas. They paddle out during a heat and do their best to beat each other, then paddle in to shore and play in the … Continue reading →

• 

  いい出会いができるって本当？

• 相手が怖がってしまうので絶対にNGです

  admin

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:11 am

  ケータイからじゃ、本当に大丈夫？」という不安もあるかもしれませんが、彼の場合はそれなりの知識を持っていたものと思われます。つまり、写真を出している女性にも注意が必要です。無料でも有料でもあります。やはりいくつになっても誰か支えになってくれるパートナの存在はとても重要になってくるのではないでしょうか。 また、 どうしても悪いイメージがつきまとうものですが、…

• という順番なんです

  admin

  18 Jun 2013 | 1:02 am

  特定の人たちと交流を深めていく中で、 もしもサイトに問い合わせ先がなかった場合は、 ちょっと無理かなっていうぐらい、実際に人々が感じていること、デートの誘いを断られるのは、アラサーの男性が出会い系を使って理想の相手を探している場合、 初めて出会い系サイトに登録した人なら、さらに自分の「存在価値」が高まったと判断できたときに初めて、大人も同じですが、…

• うっとうしいですよね

  admin

  14 Jun 2013 | 7:05 pm

  そこで注意したいのが、そこは頑張って答えてあげよう。特に顔の見えない相手との情報交換で得られる情報とは、インターネットで探してみても、結婚相手の紹介サイト（お見合いサイト）を装って、 出会い系サイトにも、それだけに男性側からのメール連絡などにはシビアなようです。自分中心の恋愛観しか述べなかったような気がします。 30代女性の中には、…

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  Through The Looking-GlassThrough The Looking-Glass

• My Little Supers

  Annika

  18 Jun 2013 | 8:49 am

  Sam: I did it, Mom! I ran really fast. Me: You’re my Wally West. Grace: And you look like the Flash, too! (I didn’t mention that he actually looks like Wally West but not like The Flash, because I was so goddamn proud of her for knowing who Wally West is.) © Annika Barranti & Through The Looking-Glass, 2013 | Permalink | No comments Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

• Hey, can you google that for me?

  Annika

  16 Jun 2013 | 10:03 pm

  Internet, I need you to do me a favor. It’s a little one, and I’ll be super-grateful. You know how Mary goes to Misselthwaite Manor, and it’s wintertime, and everything is grey? And then the spring comes and the moors come to life and it’s all a big magical metaphor? (And then the book becomes about Colin instead of Mary and as a kid I didn’t mind but when I re-read it more recently it made me really angry?) So, I have a picture in my head of what the moors look like. It’s been there since I was about five. And I’ve seen pictures since then of what…

• I just fell asleep in my chair.

  Annika

  11 Jun 2013 | 1:35 pm

  So, a thing that I cannot really recommend doing, and yet wholeheartedly recommend doing, is officiating a three day roller derby tournament. I worked six games over the three days, and I kind of feel like I am going to die. I also have not had that much fun, like, ever. I missed my family like crazy, though that was slightly lessened on the final day when I had the bright idea to have Will bring Sam and Grace to watch. They came with me in the morning and we watched the Juniors championship together. Then they went home for lunch and I got ready for my last bout of the weekend. When it was…

• 

  Woulda Coulda Shoulda

• So very warm and fuzzy

  Mir

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:50 am

  Here’s a part of a terrible picture I snuck around a corner of Kira‘s house and snapped while my girly was chilling out with her new posse: (From left to right: Tre watching Max play a video game, Max playing said video game, Chickadee texting and making Max into her personal cushion, and Raphael desperately [...]

• Back from summer camp

  Mir

  18 Jun 2013 | 8:54 am

  Hey, we’re home again. And I almost feel normal. (“Normal” being relative when it comes to me, natch.) Know what is NOT a great way to overcome any potential jetlag when traveling back home to Eastern time after being on Mountain time? Planning to take the last flight home on Sunday evening. I mean, it’s [...]

• Teenagers and travel and moths (oh my)

  Mir

  14 Jun 2013 | 9:56 am

  There was a time in my life—a long time, actually—when I thought I would have a houseful of children. Then I realized I was neither independently wealthy nor particularly patient, so I figured 3 or 4 kids would be plenty. And then, y’know, life happened, and I ended up with two kids and the realization [...]

• 

  amalah . com

• Go On, Guess Which One

  amalah

  18 Jun 2013 | 8:05 am

  OPTION #1: Teach your boy children to put the toilet seat down when they are finished. Remind them and guide them, stress to them the importance of this small gesture. Because it is polite and generally expected, and because you (as the lone female in a household of So Much Penis) still deserve to consistently encounter a properly configured seat during your own visits to the bathroom. And because the habit will carry over and ensure that they will not be viewed as disgusting savages in the homes of neighbors, friends, visiting dignitaries, etc. And lastly, you as their mother will be free to…

• Zero to Ezra in Five Photos or Less

  amalah

  17 Jun 2013 | 10:23 am

  THUNDER! MOMMY THUNDER THUNDER I HATE THUNDER! OH THE HUMANIT... Heeeeyyywhatareyoudoing, Mom? Hey sadz. Hey girl. Hey Ezra. Glad to have you back. (Ezra and Noah are attending swim camp at the YMCA for the next two weeks, by the way. This is officially Ezra's first time at a Real Big Kid Camp, With A Real Lunch Box And Everything. Have you ever sent your child off someplace new and then spent the entire day half-expecting the phone to ring so someone can berate you for sending a woefully unprepared infant out into the world by himself, you negligent monster? And then you're kind of…

• 

  Antique Mommy

• The View Master

  Antique Mommy

  6 Jun 2013 | 6:15 pm

  I wrote this post way back in 2009,  like when Sean was in Kindergarten? I don’t even remember.  Today was his last day of 3rd grade, and I have to tell you, that makes my head spin just a little, because when I look at him, I see a little boy with two bottom teeth [...]

• Blessings Recounted: Contentment

  Antique Mommy

  24 May 2013 | 4:17 pm

  Today is my dad’s birthday. As I think of him today and the many odd and unexpected blessings that were gathered to me in this last year of his life, the blessings that I am trying to capture here for Sean and for me so that we might recall them on some distant day, what [...]

• Blessings Recounted: Driveway Time

  Antique Mommy

  10 Apr 2013 | 10:57 am

  When we got the call in April that my dad had been diagnosed with cancer, we knew that our time with him was limited.  We just didn’t know what that limit was and it took some time for the doctors to sort that all out to the degree that they could. That is something we [...]

• 

  mychickencheese.com

• Why I Let My Son Stay Home Today

  Mrs. Chicken

  14 Jun 2013 | 7:12 am

  I woke up before 6 a.m. with a pain spread across my lower back, a leftover from the last two months of physical trauma I endured after a hysterectomy that went terribly wrong. [Here are the facts: On April 15, I underwent a robotic hysterectomy. On April 22, I woke up after what I thought was a 15-minute endoscopic procedure to repair a nicked ureter, and woke up four hours later to be told that when they opened me up, my abdomen was filled with urine and blood and the flesh around a wound in by bladder was "green." Two weeks later and one week after being released from hospital, I was back…

• The Rope

  Mrs. Chicken

  7 May 2013 | 1:14 pm

  I’m writing this from my hospital bed. I broke down this morning, in front of two strangers. One a social worker, the other a nurse. I told the story again and again, and now it has a coda: I have two blood clots, dangerous ones, ones that could have killed me quickly and silently. I went to the ER Sunday morning when I woke up, looked down and saw my catheter bag full of blood. Nine hours and one precautionary CT scan later they found a large clot in the vein leading to my right ovary had formed post-surgeries. A small piece of that clot had broken off and is sitting in my inferior…

• Things You Might Learn When You Have A Hole In Your Bladder

  Mrs. Chicken

  24 Apr 2013 | 5:57 pm

  1. It hurts. 2. It can happen during a hysterectomy and you might not even know for seven days. 3. Your belly will fill up with urine and blood. 4. You might think it’s gas. 5. But when you go to the ER, they might tell you it’s a burst ovarian cyst. 6. You might wait for hours on end to see or talk to a doctor. 7. The first doctor you see might be a radiologist, who says, “That’s not blood in there. That’s urine.” 8. You might think your ureter tube is nicked. 9. You might have what you think is going to be a 15-minute endoscopic procedure to get a stent.

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  The Domestic Diva

• Making the Switch: Goodbye Google Reader, Hello Feedly

  The Domestic Diva

  19 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm

  When I heard that Google Reader would no longer be after July 1st. I was a bit sad. I mean, I’ve been with Google Reader for a very long time. For those of you that do not know, Google Reader is a RSS Feed Reader. Basically it is a place where I can catch up on all of my favorite blogs in one convenient space. I use apps on my phone that I check every morning to read the latest blog posts while I sip my favorite cup o’ joe. But when my favorite space to read blogs decided it would no longer be, I was left scratching my head. What do I do now? How will I read my favorite blogs? Is…

• Neon Summer Nails

  The Domestic Diva

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am

  It’s definitely starting to feel like summer in my neck of the woods although the official first day of summer isn’t until this Friday. None the less one of my favorite aspects of summer is NEON. I love neon with one of my favorite colors being “highlighter yellow”. So I thought it would be fun to add a pop of fun in my nail color. Those of you that follow me on instagram already got a sneak peek of this weeks nail look. The main color on my nails is China Glaze Pool Party (872) with China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini (875) ombre’d on my accent nail. I’ve…

• June Beauty Favorites: All About Eyes

  The Domestic Diva

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:58 pm

  It’s time for another favorites post. This month we are talking eyes. I love dramatic, smokey eyes and tend to play up this feature more than any other. So today I thought I would dish on 5 of my favorite beauty products just for eyes. Image created at Beautysets Coastal Scents: Warm Palette: when I first discovered Coastal Scents several years ago, it was if the beauty angels were singing. I love this online shop because not only are the products well made, the eyeshadows are very pigmented, but also they are very affordable. My first purchase was the original 88 matte palette. But…

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  Home Ec 101

• How to Hem Jeans Using the Original Hem

  Michele Newell

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:22 am

  Michele says: I have come to the realization that sharing my willingness to toss old socks has made me out to be exactly what I’m not: wasteful.  I’ve darned a slew of sweaters and I’ve frozen enough manager’s special groceries to feed the Army and the Navy.  I’ve never, ever missed an opportunity to haggle and (perhaps needless to say) I always shop the clearance rack when my family needs clothes.  I try not to spend more than $20 on any given article of clothing, which means that my pickings are often slim.  Since I’m pretty handy at sewing, however, I shop with the…

• Tomato Pie: Smack Your Granny Good

  Heather Solos

  14 Jun 2013 | 4:10 am

  Heather says: Two years ago I stumbled upon the deliciousness that is tomato pie. The framework for this recipe can be credited to Paula Deen, but it has been played with enough, to call it my own. Before giving this pie a shot, make sure you have fully ripe tomatoes. I know, I know it’s tempting, what with the bacon and basil, but just sit tight and wait. Don’t ruin this with a tomato that has seen the inside of a refrigerator. Fine, you won’t ruin it, but. . . it’ll be worth it. Some people get very persnickety about the bottom crust. You have three options: Blind…

• Basic Scone Recipe

  Michele Newell

  12 Jun 2013 | 8:46 am

  Michele says: During my freshman year of college, I was required to live in a dorm.  It was the most miserable experience of my life, not because I had a terrible roommate, but because I couldn’t cook or bake without having to use the communal kitchen (which meant I had to share with whomever walked by and said “mmmm”).  I told myself that I would survive that year with nary a cookie to be had, but less than a month passed before I heard about the wonders of the bakery less than 30 yards from my front door. Desperate for a muffin, a croissant, anything, I grabbed my husband (then my…

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  Working Moms Against Guilt

• Tasty Tuesday: Something to Aspire To

  Sara

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:31 pm

  So I’m writing a Tasty Tuesday post at the END of Tasty Tuesday because this Tuesday was filled with meetings and deadlines and making arrangements for the kids to do summer stuff tomorrow while I’m working — basically your typical Tuesday. And I’d planned to talk about some casserole that I like to mix up after a day like today. Or about some sort of sandwich that I toss together for the kids while I’m working from home and they’re trying not to bug me because they are off for the summer and I am not. Then, I started watching YouTube videos, which often is…

• Mean Mommy Guilt: When Doing What’s Right Goes Wrong

  Stephanie Tsales

  14 Jun 2013 | 4:01 am

  Lately I’ve been forced to be a very mean mommy. Not “no wire-hangers” mean…but I’ve had to make our daughter Peachy to do all sorts of things Peachy just doesn’t want to do. She’s kicking, and screaming, and pushing me away. She’s crying real tears, practically hyperventilating. She’s beet red…snot nosed…and so very angry at me. The only reason she hasn’t bitten me is a lack of teeth, not a lack of will. Our daughter, at a mere 10 months, was just came down with Pneumonia. This means all sorts of new things she hates.

• View Our Hangout with Christine Fonseca, and Enter for a Chance to Win Her Book!

  Sara

  12 Jun 2013 | 11:45 am

  Hey there, friends! It’s been a hectic couple of weeks for all of us here at WMAG. We’ve had new jobs, deaths in the family, jury duty and migraines, not to mention the start of summer, which is always fun as we juggle work with kids being out of school. As many of you remember, we heralded summer with our first-ever live event, a Google Hangout with Christine Fonseca, author of THE GIRL GUIDE: FINDING YOUR PLACE IN A MIXED-UP WORLD. Technical difficulties aside, it was a great time. Christine gave us all sorts of great advice, from helping daughters deal with drama among friends…

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  the Disney Driven Life

• Walking around the World – Disney’s “Car Masters Weekend”

  Bill I. (NDH#35)

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:18 am

  If you love classic cars, Disney movies, music and a chance to go back to the fabulous ’50s, then downtown Disney was the place to be on Father’s Day weekend. This popular event, now in its third year showcases amazing classic, modern and tricked out trucks by the Muscle Car Network of Central Florida. The cars are in and around Downtown Disney’s Westside, AMC24 Theaters and the New Splitsville area. In addition to “everything” cars, there was an award for Best in Show with over 150 beautiful restored and stock vehicles. There were meet ‘n greets with Characters from Cars…

• Star Wars Weekends…2013

  Bill I. (NDH#35)

  5 Jun 2013 | 8:30 pm

  Rebel forces and Imperial Storm troopers again roam Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Star Wars Weekends. This weekend – June 7-9 – is the last weekend for 2013′s event.  Held here annually at the Studios since 2003, George Lucas’ universe is now firmly in Disney hands, since Disney acquired the franchise from 68 year old creator, George Lucas in 2012 for the princely sum of 4 billion dollars in monies and stock options. This includes Industrial Light and Magic, Skywalker Sound and Lucas Arts. And that just makes this year’s Star Wars Weekend better than ever for legions…

• June DDL Riddle

  Sherri J. (NDM#237)

  5 Jun 2013 | 7:28 am

  Princess Merida! What a great addition to the Disney Princesses. Brave is a wonderful movie and does a nice job of showcasing Merida’s strengths and vulnerabilities all at once. With her beautiful and wild red hair and feisty personality, she has become a favorite of many Disney fans.  Merida’s handsome black and white Clydesdale horse is also her best friend and loyal companion. For the riddle this month, can you tell me his name? The prize this month is a reusable Disney tote. Submit your answer to ddlriddle@thedisneydrivenlife.com by midnight, June 30th for a chance to win.

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  BabyCenter Blog

• James Gandolfini, Sopranos star and father, dies

  Sara McGinnis

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:38 pm

  by Sara McGinnis posted in Celebrities James Gandolfini has died. Not only did the acting world lose a major talent Wednesday, but two children lost their father. The Sopranos star, who took home three Emmy awards for his portrayals, died while in Italy of an apparent heart attack at the age of 51. A statement... Read more » Want to get the full story? Click on the headline above. And thanks for reading the BabyCenter Blog.

• Ask Laurie: "Should I let my in-laws take my toddler on a trip?"

  Laurie Gelman

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:03 pm

  by Laurie Gelman posted in Tips & Tricks Dear Laurie, My mother-in-law wants to take my 15 month old daughter on a 12-hour road trip. My husband thinks its fine and is willing to let her do it but is leaving the choice up to me. She’s never been that far away from me, will... Read more » Want to get the full story? Click on the headline above. And thanks for reading the BabyCenter Blog.

• Worst celebrity role models ranked by parents

  Sara McGinnis

  19 Jun 2013 | 1:04 pm

  by Sara McGinnis posted in Celebrities Miley Cyrus has come a long way from her Hannah Montana days as a Disney kid, but is she really the worst female role model out there right now? Does she deserve the title over Lindsay Lohan and fallen Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham? I disagree with Miley Cyrus... Read more » Want to get the full story? Click on the headline above. And thanks for reading the BabyCenter Blog.

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  Stimeyland

• Minecraft as Summer Learning

  Stimey

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:40 pm

  Stimeyland Has Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/Stimeyland (Click here to get to the subscription page.) Once you clicked the above and are on the new subscription page, just click how you want to subscribe at the top right. I know this is SO obnoxious. I'm sorry. Please subscribe!! I promise lots of funny new embarrassing stories and heart-string pulling posts if you do! Please? OR! Visit www.stimeyland.com and subscribe by email from the sidebar. http://feeds.feedblitz.com/stimeyland

• I’m Chubby But I’m Tough

  Stimey

  14 Jun 2013 | 8:45 pm

  Stimeyland Has Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/Stimeyland (Click here to get to the subscription page.) Once you clicked the above and are on the new subscription page, just click how you want to subscribe at the top right. I know this is SO obnoxious. I'm sorry. Please subscribe!! I promise lots of funny new embarrassing stories and heart-string pulling posts if you do! Please? OR! Visit www.stimeyland.com and subscribe by email from the sidebar. http://feeds.feedblitz.com/stimeyland

• Sam Moves Onward and Upward

  Stimey

  13 Jun 2013 | 9:05 pm

  Stimeyland Has Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/Stimeyland (Click here to get to the subscription page.) Once you clicked the above and are on the new subscription page, just click how you want to subscribe at the top right. I know this is SO obnoxious. I'm sorry. Please subscribe!! I promise lots of funny new embarrassing stories and heart-string pulling posts if you do! Please? OR! Visit www.stimeyland.com and subscribe by email from the sidebar. http://feeds.feedblitz.com/stimeyland

• 

  Mom in the City

• Samsung House NYC

  Kimberly

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:35 pm

  Last week, I visited the Samsung House in Soho as a guest and was able to see many of Samsung’s new home appliances. Open only for last week, the two-floor space featured a fully operational kitchen and laundry room filled with Samsung’s new products. Hilary Farr (home designer and host of HGTV’s “Love It or List It”) did a wonderful job collaborating with Samsung on the home décor. While there, I was treated to a special, cooking session with Chef Leah Cohen (“Top Chef” alum and chef at NYC’s Lower East Side Southeast Asian restaurant Pig & Khao) that she prepared using…

• SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure (Discovery Times Square) Giveaway

  Kimberly

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:00 pm

  SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure, an interactive shipwreck exhibit that is being housed at Discovery Times Square, is giving away a family pack of 4 tickets to three different Mom in the City readers. If you or your kids are interested in maritime history, then this is a special treat. The hurricane simulator that allows visitors to (safely!) experience hurricane-force winds and the Zeus arm that allows visitors to dig for and pick up treasure with a robotic arm are two of the interactive highlights. You can get a glimpse of the rest of the exhibit in this short video below: To win one of…

• NWF “Be Out There” Summer E-Book(Life List/Menu Item: Published Author)

  Kimberly

  18 Jun 2013 | 10:32 am

  I have written in the past about life lists/life menus – things that I want to have/do/be. Since I’m still alive, I have time to work on my goal of writing a book. I’m not quite ready to do a full book yet. However, as a stepping stone, I am excited that I will be compensated for being one of the contributing authors for the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) “Be Out There” summer e-book. (Yay!) It will be fun to move “published e-book author” from the “to do” to the “somewhat done” list. Anyway, I will be writing about “Outdoor Time in Everyday…

• 

  Smiley Cat: Christian Watson's Web Design Blog

• Worst Banner Ad Ever?

  16 Jun 2013 | 8:17 am

  When you do a lot of remarketing, you're always on the lookout for good banner ad designs and ideas. So, I couldn't help but notice that this banner ad is the polar opposite to anything I would consider to be best practice for banner ad design.I understand that advertising for prescription drugs is typically required to include a lot of disclaimers, but this is beyond anything I've ever seen before. Plus, I don't have a clue what the ad is even promoting. If, on the other hand, you want to see some good banner ad examples, try my banner ad design showcase. And if you're in need of some…

• Abandoned Cart Email Design Showcase: 25+ Examples of Abandoned Cart Emails

  3 Jun 2013 | 8:03 pm

  As part of setting up my own abandoned shopping cart email program, I wanted to see some good examples of copywriting and design for this very specific type of triggered email.Multiple image searches later, it turns out there are not very many samples to choose from, so I decided to collect some for myself. View the abandoned cart email design showcase. What did surprise me was that less than one in three leading online retailers use an abandoned cart email program. Because it is such a recognized ecommerce best practice, I expected this ratio to be much higher — at least 50%. What…

• 5 Research-based Techniques that Will Improve Your Copywriting Skills

  20 May 2013 | 7:50 pm

  This excellent article from Unbounce draws upon the data from a selection of academic studies on copywriting plus persuasion to provide five best practices for improving your writing skills.Here's a quick summary of the key points: 1. Use the 'But You are Free to' Technique Reminding people of their freedom to choose has been shown to reduce how threatened subjects feel about making that choice. 2. Copywriting for the Three Types of Customer Customers separate into three core buying groups — tightwads, unconflicted, and spendthrifts. Therefore, you should customize your copy to appeal…

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  The Mommy Blog

• Mindful Parenting eBundle is on sale now (12 days only)!

  Mindy

  28 May 2013 | 1:06 pm

  This bundle of resources for conscious parents is 22 quality e-products from esteemed parenting authors, a $274 USD value for $24.95 USD, available for 12 days only. Get your bundle today! Or Visit Mindful Nurturing for more information.

• Coming May 28: The Mindful Parenting eBundle Sale!

  Mindy

  25 May 2013 | 9:41 pm

  I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to contribute to the Mindful Parenting eBundle Sale, organized by Jennifer from Hybrid Rasta Mama, Lauren from Hobo Mama and Laura from Authentic Parenting! The Mindful Parenting eBundle is 21 titles by esteemed parenting authors. This is a handpicked selection of e-books, workshops, e-magazines, and audio, with themes such as creativity and play, peaceful guidance, mindfulness for mothers, children and food, self-care and relaxation, and more. That’s a total value of $236 USD for the humble price of $24.95 USD! Among which is my own e-resource,…

• Texts from the School Fantasy Faire

  Mindy

  18 May 2012 | 7:51 pm

  These are highlights of the texts I sent to Guy while I endured my ninth annual Fantasy Faire (this year’s theme: A Pirate’s Life for Me!). Ye gods. We finally won a cake at the cake walk! Daphne staked me tickets (rather, she staked me with tickets I bought for her) and we doubled down like mental patients for seven rounds. It cost like ten dollars in the end, but it’s a huge pirate ship so…win! I ran into Dylan’s kindergarten teacher (the one who told me 7 years ago he was the single worst behaved student she’d had in 17 years of teaching) and told her…

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  Parent Hacks

• Best of Parent Hacks: Summertime edition

  Asha Dornfest

  17 Jun 2013 | 5:04 am

  Here you go! A nice collection of hacks that will take you all the way through summer. I'll be here and there throughout the summer as vacations, projects and my garden come and go. Consider this my gone fishin' sign -- it will pop up when my attention leads me away from the computer. Hopefully it will give you tacit encouragement to take an Internet break yourself. Happy summer! Photo credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net Summer activities Hacks about swimming, camping, and going to the beach. Tips for simplifying swimming with kids (at The Accidental Expert) Summer…

• Fitness in your 70s and 80s: this is what it looks like

  Asha Dornfest

  17 Jun 2013 | 4:55 am

  My dad at 79. On Father's Day, I shared this picture of my dad from last summer along with a memory of the t-shirt he's wearing (I bought it with my allowance on Father's Day 1978). The Facebook comments marveled at his fitness, and I realized I had more to say. If you want to be inspired to start, restart or continue exercising, read on. →  Read Fitness in your 70s and 80s: here's what it looks like at The Accidental Expert.

• Happy Father's Day, Parenthackers!

  Asha Dornfest

  16 Jun 2013 | 6:42 am

  I love you, Dad. One of the great pleasures of being here has been watching the parenting conversation among fathers develop over the years. I owe much to dads as they were a 50% of the initial wave of hack-senders and word-spreaders. Today, there's a vibrant community of fathers online swapping tips and experiences, telling stories and posting pictures. Many more are silent partners, reading along and nodding their heads in solidarity. Here's to you, Dads. I hope today is filled with the appreciation and adulation you deserve. I took this picture of my dad a few years ago.

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  Mombian

• Happy Juneteenth Day

  Dana

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:05 am

  Today is Juneteenth Day, which marks the emancipation of Black slaves in Texas in 1865, and celebrates emancipation generally. It’s a good day to reflect both on racism and on the many overlapping issues of social justice in our country. Our country (heck, our world) still grapples with racism—and racism intersects with issues of ableism, with LGBT equality, and more. The fight for Black civil rights does not exactly parallel that of LGBT civil rights, but there are similarities, as this touching post at The Grio by Nadine Smith of Equality Florida makes clear. I don’t wish to…

• Goodbye to a Groundbreaking Blog

  Dana

  18 Jun 2013 | 5:03 am

  Some sad news this past weekend: Pam Spaulding, whose blog Pam’s House Blend has been an inspiration and beacon for many of us in the LGBT and progressive blogosphere, has announced she is closing her blog July 1, after nine years, in order to focus on her health. I am sad to see the Blend go. It was one of the first blogging communities I became aware of as I launched my own blog, and I contributed a few diaries/posts to an earlier iteration of the site, when anyone could create an account there. Some of her regular writers have also contributed posts to my own Blogging for LGBT…

• “The Fosters”: It’s About the Children

  Dana

  17 Jun 2013 | 5:01 am

  The third episode of ABC Family’s new show The Fosters airs tonight—and I, for one, am looking forward to it. I think it’s one of the best fictional portrayals of an LGBT-parented family I’ve seen yet, not least because LGBT “issues” are only a small part of these multifaceted characters’s lives. Below is my review of the first episode, originally published in my Mombian newspaper column. If you missed either of the first two episodes, you can watch them free online (although the pilot expires today). The Fosters, ABC Family’s new drama about two…

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  Pajama Mommy - A Women and Mothers Blogger Community A Women and Mothers Magazine

• Five Tips to Keep Your Kids Toys Organized

  Annabelle Smyth

  19 Jun 2013 | 3:41 pm

    Maximize Closet Space Most kids’ bedrooms have at least one closet in them. While most of the closet space is used for children’s clothes and shoes, this space can also be utilized to store toys. Rather than cram toy boxes into the closet, parents can maximize the space by installing shelves if a closet does not already have shelving. Shelves, as well as stackable containers, toy bags that can be hung, and even clothes baskets placed neatly on the floor of the closet, can provide great spaces in which to stash toys. Utilize Out-of-the-Home Storage Options When the closets are…

• Spring Cleaning 101: What To Keep And What To Toss

  Annabelle Smyth

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:44 am

  Since the summer is about to arrive, you know that you need to get your spring cleaning out of the way. As you are going through closets, boxes and drawers, what are the items you should keep and what should you get rid of?   Your Clothing Let’s start here since this area tends to be a problematic one for many people. If the article of clothing does not fit or if you have not worn it in several years, then it is unlikely to be of use to you. Clothes that have holes in them or are otherwise damaged should be thrown away. However, clothing that’s in decent condition should be…

• Six Tips For Protecting Valuables While Raising Kids

  Annabelle Smyth

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:07 am

  Once having children, many new parents quickly realize that their home’s fragile statement pieces that were once treasured are now at risk of becoming damaged. Although remodeling the home’s decor is not always a top priority, there are effective methods to ensuring the items are carefully protected with the growing family.   1. Find a New Space for Fragile Items   Having children in the home doesn’t mean having to hide expensive pieces. Many breakable items can be transferred from the coffee table or countertops to higher places that are out of reach, yet still…

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  Confessions of a Pioneer Woman | Ree Drummond

• Fifteen Ways Marlboro Man and I Are Different

  Ree

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:57 am

  1. He likes nothing but grass all the way to the foundation of our house. I like a jungle of beautiful flowers and creeping vines.   2. He watches Nascar on Sundays. I watch Real Housewives reruns on Sundays.   3. He does not drink coffee. I stumble and bump into things in the morning until I’ve had a cup. I mean two.   4. He does not drink wine. I stumble and bump into things in the morning until I’ve had a cup. I mean two. Just kidding.   5. He drinks Dr Pepper. I drink Diet Dr Pepper.   6. He likes Bay horses. I like Buckskin horses.   7. He will…

• Just a Normal Day Around Here

  Ree

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:24 am

  1. I finished my holiday cookbook. All that’s left is proofreading, editing, and cleaning my camera, which is coated in twelve holidays worth of food. It smells a little funky.     2. We hosted a wedding reception at the Lodge Friday night. Cowboy Josh got married and I’ll post more details as I sift through my photos and try to remember my mother’s maiden name. Marlboro Man and I got home at 2 am. We felt so young and vibrant! Except for the young part. And the vibrant part.     3. Here are some bacon-wrapped shrimp we served: I think we went through…

• No Wonder I Didn’t Win

  Ree

  14 Jun 2013 | 6:25 am

  A couple of days ago, Marlboro Man and I took our now nine-year-old son, our baby, to a laser tag course in the big city with his siblings, his cousins, and six of his friends. We celebrated his birthday at the place a good week after his actual birthday, which was fine with him because it meant a protracted celebration and something to live for during the last week of getting up at 4:30 am and working cattle. I, for one, couldn’t wait to get there and start playing because I had it in my mind that I was going to beat not only all the kids, but also my beloved husband. When we got to…

• 

  GoodyBlog

• Outdoor Sports Toys Up to 50% Off

  Julie Taraska

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:39 pm

  Summertime and the living is easy…unless you have a house full of children on summer vacation, that is. Ply them away from the PlayStation with these outdoor sports toys, currently up to half off on our e-retail site, Shop Parents: • Keep big kids busy with Radio Flyer’s EZ Rider scooter or with a game of kickball using Melissa & Doug’s rubber bollie. • Toddlers will clamor all over Step2′s Double-Slide Climber, while Pacific Play’s multipurpose Circus of Fun tent is a choice venue for both pretend play and sleepovers in the backyard. • And for those…

• Get Ready For Summer with the Perfect Picnic App!

  Lindsay Barton

  18 Jun 2013 | 11:28 am

  Picnics are a great way to enjoy warm summer days, but food poisoning can ruin the fun. The Partnership for Food Safety Education launched the free Perfect Picnic app, just in time for the summer grilling season. Perfect Picnic teaches kids ages 8-11 about the importance of food safety and how to reduce their risk of food poisoning. I recently tested Perfect Picnic to see what I could learn, and I was so impressed. I was the master of my own park filled with trees, outdoor kitchens, and several of my park “friends.” In order to pay for all of my park amenities, I rented out…

• Maggie Gyllenhaal on Motherhood: “I Wanted to Be Cool and Easygoing”

  Ruthie Fierberg

  17 Jun 2013 | 11:18 am

  Photo credit: Amy Sussman/AP for Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Last week, Parents caught up with Maggie Gyllenhaal at the 125th Anniversary celebration of The First Aid Kit by Johnson & Johnson. After hearing from Safe Kids Worldwide about preventing childhood injuries, we spoke to Maggie about how she keeps her two daughters, Ramona, 6, and Gloria, 14 months, safe, and what she does to stay relaxed even in scary moments. P: When you first became a mom, were you the nervous type? MG: I was young when Ramona was born. I was 28 and still kind of a kid in a lot of ways. I…

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  Design Mom

• Living Well: 12 Secrets For The Perfect Picnic

  Lindsey Johnson

  19 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am

  Text and images by Lindsey Johnson for Design Mom. Picnics are one of my favorite things about summertime — both spur-of-the-moment sandwiches on the lawn, and well-planned out feasts. What’s not to love about sitting out in nature, enjoying some company and a plate full of delicious food? Every time I watch one of those addictive British period dramas (I’m looking at you Downton Abbey), I’m always fascinated by the lavish picnics depicted in the stories. The servants carry the silver and crystal along, as well as chairs and tables, tents, and a fancy multicourse meal. It…

• For Rent: La Cressonnière

  Design Mom

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:30 am

  Image and text by Gabrielle. Earlier this month, I wrote a post called Rent The Life, all about unusual and picturesque places you can lease and live in. And I received a bunch a funny + sweet emails in response telling me they’d rent my life in the French countryside if they could. : ) Well. Someone’s dream may be coming true. Because the fairytale farmhouse that we’ve lived in for the past 2 1/2 years is available! Yes, we’re moving home in July, but the homeowners of the farmhouse have decided they’re not quite ready to move back in — they’re going to…

• The Original Sesame Street

  Koseli Cummings

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:00 am

  By Koseli. Image via Kottke. If you’ve been a Sesame Street fan from the very beginning, you might get a special kick out of this picture of the original cast, taken all the way back in 1969. Even more fascinating is this clip of the first fifteen minutes of the first episode: Do you feel nostalgic towards your favorite childhood cartoons or tv shows? Whenever I hear the music from Today’s Special or The Point, I’m overwhelmed with memories. I know my mom thinks of her mom every time she hears the I Love Lucy theme song and one of my sisters still watches and loves Little…

• 

  Dutch Blitz

• I Will Wait

  angella

  17 Jun 2013 | 9:10 pm

  I met with my doctor this past Friday. I’ve only seen her a few times since birthing my babies and she asked me what had brought me into her office. I told her that I am not an anxious person, but that for the past month or so I’ve had low-grade anxiety every day. Some days, it’s stronger. She asked me if there were physical symptoms as well. I told her that I’d had heart palpitations. She nodded. She put her arms out in front of her and asked if I’d had any shaking. YES, I have. I told her that I will sometimes get goose bumps as well. She smiled and said that…

• Greater Than

  angella

  16 Jun 2013 | 9:10 pm

  I married this guy and we had three children. The sum does not equal the parts. It’s bigger. So much bigger. “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” ~ Aristotle © Angella Dykstra 2005-2013 All rights reserved. | Originally published for dutchblitz.net as Greater Than.

• My Half Marathon Training Schedule

  angella

  12 Jun 2013 | 9:10 pm

  I signed up for my very first half marathon — the first one held in Kelowna by destination races — and it felt good to commit to the race. I then opened up Google to look for training schedules and I recommend that you never do that, never ever. There are more schedules that there are races and it made my head hurt. Luckily for me, my friend Kristen emailed me her personal training schedule. She’s run multiple half marathons, participated in triathlons, and is one of the most active people that I know. She’s also a really great person, all around. She apologized for…

• 

  Boss Sanders

• Parenting With A Plan

  bosssanders

  13 Jun 2013 | 1:45 pm

  I’d never thought much about it, until someone pointed it out to me… but my husband and I parent with a plan. Sounds kind of weird, but it’s true.  I took it for granted for the longest time, thinking all parents must think like this.  – Knowing what types of things they’d like their children to experience or learn before they leave the nest… not in a day by day planned activity book (because that IS kind of crazy… or will make you crazy when you try to make it all unfold so perfectly!), but in a very general sort of way. Until recently, we…

• The Number TWO.

  bosssanders

  12 Jun 2013 | 1:41 pm

  From the beginning of our adoption journey, there has been one word that kept popping up: TWO. At first, we weren’t sure if it meant anything, or if it was our own brains trying to do more, help more, love more.  And, still it came. TWO. “Two what, God?” TWO. So, we prayed for clarity.  We prayed for wisdom.  And, we waited. We assumed it might mean that we’d get twins… so, we opened up our parameters some more. Our referral came and we were joyous… but confused.  We KNEW he was meant for us… there were so many tiny details. His sweet little brown…

• Homeschool Notes: “What About Socialization?”

  bosssanders

  12 Jun 2013 | 12:51 pm

  I’ve heard about homeschooling, and the idea seems great — but, what about socialization?  Aren’t most kids socially awkward? Great question!  Or, questions… actually, this is like 3 different topics, so let me break out the bullets and boldness… Socialization Socialization is, by definition, a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position. What most people mean to ask is:  “Will the homeschooled child have enough opportunities to…

• 

  crunchycarpets.com

• Good Ol Dad

  admin

  15 Jun 2013 | 5:43 pm

  The kids have done a great job prepping for Father’s Day without my hell this year.  Breakfasts are planned and gifts are made all ready to celebrate dear old dad. I thought as I have already waxed poetic about Father’s Day over on CBC Parents, I would plug Proctor & Gamble a bit as they have managed to keep that STAPLE of Father’s Day’s for decades fresh and fun…yup, you know it.  OLD SPICE!  :)   Seriously…..Mr. cool himself thought the selection from Old Spice was great and was quickly grabbing his picks from the box of goodies I received for…

• Free Play

  admin

  15 Jun 2013 | 10:50 am

  On this typical Crunchy Carpets Saturday morning, I should be banging out some articles that I owe people while it is relatively quiet around here.   Husband is on a call in his office, dogs have given up hope of any walks, Adam is upstairs (still not feeling better) Caity is tuned out on her ipod and Tara is playing with the Barbie collection. Peace disturbed by whatever story she is laying out for the dolls. It has been fascinating watching the playing styles of each kid.   I don’t know if gender has much to do with it all or how each child was raised during their early years, but…

• Amazing Summer Camp Opportunities from the Vancouver Aquarium

  admin

  12 Jun 2013 | 7:01 pm

  I WISH my kids could do this… Each summer during the months of July and August, the Aquarium offers AquaCamps to children entering grades K-8 in the fall. AquaCamps provide children with a hands-on learning experience about local and exotic animals, lifecycles, ecosystems and sustainability. Through activities, animal observations and arts and crafts, they learn all about the wonders of aquatic life. During the 4-5 days the children spend at the aquarium, they learn lessons that support their own classroom curriculum. The afternoon at the Beluga experience that I gave my son for his…

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  Cheaper Than Therapy

• 18 Summers: Live ‘Em, Love ‘Em

  ali

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:55 am

  I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and just past the awesome shared videos, photos, and annoying someecards, something caught my eye. It said —and I’m paraphrasing here, because through my weepy face it was a little bit hard to make out each and every word and sadly, who had posted it so I can both thank and curse him or her— WE ONLY GET 18 SUMMERS WITH THEM. 18 summers. 18 summers! 18 is nothing. I can count them on my fingers and toes, and still have two left. How’s that for a little Mama perspective? The Martells are going to live and love every nook and cranny of our…

• Something About Apples Falling Close To Trees…

  ali

  17 Jun 2013 | 7:45 am

  We have many friends. And those friends have many children. And most of those children have A THING, and it’s usually just one. One passion, one love, one thing that drives them. Competitive dance, ice skating, rep hockey, speed skating, swim team, little league, piano. Sometimes it takes a while to find it, sometimes it’s clear as day right from the start, sometimes children are born into long lines of a single passion, and sometimes the passion simply finds the child. My son Josh played many, many, many years of hockey before convincing us that he just has absolutely zero desire…

• I Can’t Wait To Say I Told You So

  ali

  13 Jun 2013 | 6:39 am

  Me: Hey Josh, guess what? I signed you up for sleepover camp! Him: He seemed really excited about. If by excited you really mean sad, angry, and shocked. But here’s the thing. I’m the MOM. And sometimes all of the goshdarn time MOM gets to make the rules and decisions. Imagine! I mean, sure, I’m a battle picker by nature. I mean, have you ever been at my house at 11pm—there are usually three children still awake. In their rooms, mind you, but awake nonetheless. But, they get up on their own for school and get dress on their own for school and walk out the door at 8:40am on…

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  Self-Made Mom

• Paying for bedtime

  selfmademom

  16 Jun 2013 | 8:19 pm

  (I know it’s been awhile since I wrote. End of school activities/ summer starting, you know the drill.) Anyone feel like they’re “paying” for bedtime? I mean literally shelling out dough so their kids sleep? ‘Cause I do. Since I moved my little guy to a “big boy bed” I think it’s cost me. In sleep, sanity and cold hard cash. Seems like the only way he’ll stay in his bed is if there’s a reward after the night’s sleep. We started out big with little die cast airplanes (at $10 a pop those can add up.) Then we moved on to a series…

• Last minute Mother’s Day Must-Haves and Must-Dos…

  selfmademom

  10 May 2013 | 6:58 pm

  I’m going on CBS 2 Chicago to discuss last minute Mother’s Day gift ideas. I was so bad this year, barely getting my mom’s present in time. (Luckily, this afternoon still counts for getting it in time). But if you’re still looking for some good gift ideas, I have scouted out some of the best last-minute options for you. Now, go on and shop!! I have couple ideas for last minute activities if this gorgeous weather holds up. Sometimes it’s fun to have a Mother’s Day experience that goes beyond brunch. Odyssey Cruise Mother’s Day Brunch — I love seeing the…

• Leaning In and Loving It; Or, WWSD?

  selfmademom

  18 Apr 2013 | 9:12 pm

  I just wrapped up reading Sheryl Sandberg’s hotly contested book, Lean In.  Lean In is the latest book about working motherhood to hit the shelves and it’s causing quite a stir. If you haven’t heard of it by now, well, let’s just leave it at that. You probably have heard of it by now. And it seems like everyone has an opinion or take on the book, or maybe worse, Sandberg herself. I don’t really want to re-hash all the opinions or arguments the book has caused. I’m not being cowardly, (maybe lazy and tired), but really I just am not sure I’m going to…

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  Beyond Mom

• Maintaining A Basic Healthy Lifestsyle

  jennydecki

  18 Jun 2013 | 8:03 pm

  Whether you are a housewife, stay at home mom, or working parent – having kids and a house to look after makes maintaining the basics of a healthy lifestyle tough! You need to make sure you get in exercise, healthy food, and a proper amount of rest. It is challenging because it relies on routines that can be hard to keep up when family life can be so unpredictable. So how can you keep on top of things so that your family’s everyday life is anchored on a basic healthy and active lifestyle? The main priorities are eating well, getting some exercise and cutting down on bad habits. Here…

• Potty Training Regression – SOLVED!

  jennydecki

  15 Jun 2013 | 9:40 am

  Disclaimer: This is working really well for me. It might not work really well for you. When I say, “Solved!” I mean it was solved in my home by me for my one child. Your mileage may vary. Okay, so yesterday you may have read about my whole house smelling like pee. It was gross and I love bleach and learned from my friend Susan that maybe I should have just used more vinegar and hey vinegar and citrus may actually work like febreeze because everything I sprayed smells pretty darn good right now. If you didn’t read it but you want to, you can go catch up, I’ll wait.

• My House Smells Like Pee & Being Green Takes A Backseat

  jennydecki

  14 Jun 2013 | 9:14 am

  I’m pretty green. I make my own shampoo, use completely all-natural deodorant*, clean with homemade cleaner, and my family diet is almost completely “real food” with very little processed stuff. I’m not bragging. I don’t get crappy if I’m at someone’s house and they’re making a frozen dinner for their kids. I make my choices independent of other people’s choices. My choices do not place a value on the choices of others. Lately we’ve been poor and bread made it back into our diet because it’s what they had at the food pantry and we were faced with living a literal…

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  Blessings in Life

• Pull Out Bed for Boys

  CharTherCT

  6 Jun 2013 | 7:22 am

  While waiting for the husband to come home, I thought of checking out some nice pull out bed for boys on the net. Our little boy is not that little anymore and he is in grade school now. Soon he may need his own space at home, his own room and his own bed all on his own. So I thought I might as well plan and save up for it. This kind of bed will open up more space in his bedroom for now if we do away with the king size bed that we are using now. While I am at it, I also thought of checking out something else as I thought about those Full extension drawer slides which are economical and…

• Fun Music on a Weekend

  CharTherCT

  20 May 2013 | 12:26 am

  This weekend was a blessing as we had time to have fun in the sun and enjoy music at a beach resort in Samal. The beat of their fun music made almost everyone feel the fun of this summer outing while they had their lunch. Speaking of music just made me think suddenly of those affordable meinl cymbals just like the cymbals that my little boy had tried the other day at a store specializing in selling various musical instruments. The boys behind me were having fun dancing to the music. I cannot help but smile as these guys who are usually so serious at work had time to relax and have fun in…

• Marks & Spencer’s 20% Off Mid-Year Spectacular Offer from May 15 to 19, 2013

  CharTherCT

  18 May 2013 | 8:27 pm

  It is the last day today of Marks & Spencer’s 20% Off Mid-Year Spectacular Offer from May 15 to 19, 2013. Fun and affordable, but with M&S quality guaranteed. Now at 20% off during their Mid-Year Spectacular Offer that started last Wednesday and is on-going in all stores including outlet stores for regular-priced items. Shopping customers get 20% off throughout the store (not including items on sale and on promo) during the said period. Plus there is also Double Points for Loyalty Members. I am more interested in the 20% off on your favorite M&S food and wine. By the way,…

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  Baby Mum-Mum

• MRI Study: Breastfeeding Boosts Babies’ Brain Growth

  Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

  18 Jun 2013 | 12:28 pm

  We all know by now that breast is best when it comes to feeding baby.   From numerous health benefits for both mum and baby, study and after study compounds the wonders of breastfeeding.  Initial research began by attempting to understand how the components of breast milk benefitted a growing baby, but in the past few [...]

• AAP’s New Summer Safety Tips

  Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

  13 Jun 2013 | 10:38 am

  The kids are out of school and summer is officially in full swing.  Mum everywhere are probably busy planning activities to avoid those 2 dreaded summer words “I’m boooored.” Before you head outdoors with your little ones, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued their annual Summer Safety Tips for kids of all ages. [...]

• Gluten Free Recipe of the Month: Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce

  Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

  4 Jun 2013 | 3:32 pm

  Fruits and vegetables are part of a healthy diet and we now know the earlier you start giving your kids vegetables- the better their long term health. Many parents are aware, however, kids don’t always want to eat their veggies.   This month’s gluten free recipe takes a less obvious approach and that is sneaking [...]

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  zoot

• Kissing! The Cure-All!

  zoot

  19 Jun 2013 | 2:33 am

  This. Kid. I kept waiting to write this entry, fearing that writing it would doom us to a fallback phase in Wesley’s behavior. But – I really want to write about it so I’m just going to do it already and accept any consequences that come my way. Blog Karma Be Damned! Since my last entry about Wes’s awful behavior, things have been MUCH better. He hasn’t hit/kicked/spit on/punched me since then. Not even once. This is a HUGE step as we were in a phase where he was aggressive towards me several times a week. So, Yay! Progress! We talk a lot every time he’s…

• No Lasting Changes Ever Happen Quickly Or Easily

  zoot

  17 Jun 2013 | 2:35 am

  The Napoleon Cake my husband spent FOUR HOURS making from scratch. Why should this be looked at as anything bad? The Seminar I went to an emotional eating seminar last weekend organized by my bootcamp and taught by Holly Porter Wright. And as dork as that sounds (Really? And Emotional Eating Seminar, Kim?) I was really excited about it. I went in knowing that I probably wouldn’t be shocked by anything, but that hopefully I could be better prepared to cope with my own issues of emotional eating. I wasn’t expecting any magic formulas to guarantee success (I mean – I hoped for…

• Sorry For Lack Of Posting. I’m Addicted To Farmer’s Markets.

  zoot

  14 Jun 2013 | 6:53 am

  OH MY GOD. It’s Farmer’s Market Season and this year we had two new ones pop up locally that have about 80% of the same stuff as the Thursday one I’ve always gone to during the Spring/Summer…yet I go to them anyway because I CAN NOT STOP MYSELF. Two years ago (I believe) Huntsville started having a Thursday Farmer’s Market in our small downtown area. I would go stock up on a week’s worth of tomatoes, squash, berries…the kids would enjoy a homemade fruit Popsicle and we’d be on our way back home. But this year? The popularity of that one event…

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  Blue Badger

• Fire and Creme Kids

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:00 am

  If you are like me you love the look of boho, shabby chic parties, but can never actually organize them. Party planners, Fire And Creme Kids are offering party boxes with everything you need to throw the perfect child's party.You can even order props, furniture, and costumes.

• Lydia's Birth Announcement

  18 Jun 2013 | 12:00 am

  Here is a super original birth announcement by Courtney Heffernan. The baby is a product delivered by the stork and mommy and daddy are the manufacturer and carrier. The letterpress birth announcement is designed to remind receivers of a packaging slip. Another cute touch are the baby's actual footprint printed in the corner.

• The Blingiest Diaper Bag of Them All

  17 Jun 2013 | 12:00 am

  For all the fans of the Young Versace stroller, they will also be releasing what may quite possibly be the blingiest diaper bag of all. Who else but Versace would design a gold diaper bag with a Medusa head. Children Salon is excepting preorders now for a Fall delivery.

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  Mrs. Flinger: Code * Travel * Write

• Where are the women? Technology conferences trying to represent females.

  frisbeeflingers@gmail.com

  17 Jun 2013 | 9:58 am

  Where are all the girls? There’s a lot of discussion around women in the technology field and specifically surrounding tech conferences. I’m a huge proponent of women in computer science. I mean, I’m not just the president, I’m also a client. There is a dissertation sitting somewhere on a dusty desk, or trash bin, with my passionate scribbles on this topic. It contains theories on How To Help Retention Rates Among Undergraduate Women In Computer Science. It’s full of ideas on brain psychology, technology, and community. There’s a trifecta of reasons women…

• No Regrets. Or. Why we need version control for life.

  frisbeeflingers@gmail.com

  3 Jun 2013 | 10:09 am

  They always say not to have any regrets in life. Thing is? It’s hard to avoid. There’s that time you thought the tattoo of Winnie the poo was going to be a good idea wen you were 16. There’s the night you got so drunk you told off the barmaid who happened to be your boyfriend’s sister’s ex-lover and a former heavy weight boxer. (Consolation: your black eye looked a bit like an Eeyore so you claimed a “pooh” theme.) There’s the time you majored in Exercise and Sports Science when you MEANT to major in Computer Science. (This one I actually have…

• How to not be a tourist: AKA: ten things I learned in London today

  frisbeeflingers@gmail.com

  2 Jun 2013 | 7:33 am

  Wandering around London, alone, amidst crowds of families, strangers, losers, businessmen and lepers, I learnt a bit about how to fit in. The irony of that last sentence is that I’ve never quite learnt how to fit in at home. But here, lost in the crowds bumping shoulders with thousands of strangers, I find a way to quietly assimilate to the expectations of local society. Let me ‘splain. 1. Don’t carry around a paper map. Instead, hunt and peck on the map on your phone. You’ll look just like the local texting his or her mate to meet up for drinks later. Only tourists…

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  Blissfully Domestic

• Easy Patriotic Wreath {a tutorial}

  Melissa Hillier

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  Summertime is easily my most favorite time of year to decorate.  The color combination of red, white and blue are so festive…and make me so proud to be an American!  Of course, it only makes sense to start decorating from the outside so our guests feel welcomed before they even ring the doorbell.  This Easy Patriotic Wreath is going to look great on your front door! {Did I mention it’s easy?} A couple of months ago I shared with you a Simple Spring Wreath tutorial. Do you remember that we used no hot glue? There was actually no glue whatsoever. All of our tulle was secured with…

• Greenery for Vases {Leaves are the New Flower}

  Christine

  18 Jun 2013 | 5:49 am

  Summer is here! Let’s bring a little bit of it indoors with a glass vase full of greenery. While flowers are always lovely, sometimes what’s in order is a vase full of the different hues and textures only greenery can provide. Forget brown is the new black…greenery is the new flower. Whether a centerpiece or just an accent on a table, these greenery for vases ideas are sure to please. Plus you don’t need to have a clipping garden or spend a fortune at the florist! I’m love love LOVING this tight little bundle of leaves that are bursting forth as a mini-bouquet.

• Fourth of July Popsicles

  ChocolateAndCarrots

  17 Jun 2013 | 4:25 am

  The Fourth of July will be here before we know it! Why not take a little time now to prepare for the hot holiday and make these refreshing and delightfully healthy Fourth of July popsicles? Once they’re in your freezer, you can keep them there until the festivities begin. Nothing like a good make-ahead recipe to beat the heat this Fourth of July! So get out your popsicle molds and get cool!   Fourth of July Popsicles Ingredients 1 cup frozen strawberries, almost thawed 1 cup lemonade 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries, almost thawed How-To Purée the thawed strawberries in a blender.

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  Nodin's Nest

• A River Walk and A Barn

  11 Jun 2013 | 11:40 am

      Last week we took a road trip down historic Indian River Drive to the St Lucie County History Center. The ride alone was an event. Indian River Drive runs directly along the Indian River, 19 miles to Ft Pierce, Fl.  On your right is the river and on your left are some of the areas most historic homes and newer fabulous ones! It's hard to know which way to to look, as there are no bad views. My son was full of oohs and aahs at every turn!     The History Center had outdoor and indoor exhibits. My son loved the old barn and farming equipment. He's…

• An Evening with Dr. Jim Delisle

  30 May 2013 | 8:37 am

  I loved this video! It gave me so many insights about my own son, that I thought I would share. Enjoy!

• Another Fish Tale

  14 May 2013 | 6:47 pm

  I know they may be hard to see, but our Molly had babies! If you look close you can see the tiny fry in these photos. There are about fifteen altogether. Not sure if they will make it, some will be eaten unfortunately. If they did all survive every time, we would run out of tank space fast! So we will let nature take it's course and see.

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  vintage everyday

• Taxi Cabs in New York City, 1944

  John VE

  19 Jun 2013 | 11:44 am

  Read more »

• Wonderful Colour Photographs of World War II by Robert Capa

  John VE

  19 Jun 2013 | 2:43 am

  Read more »

• Fidel Castro eats a hot dog in New York, 1959

  John VE

  19 Jun 2013 | 1:51 am

  Fidel Castro eats a hot dog in New York, 1959

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  My Mommy's Place

• As Phoebe Naps

  Leslie

  18 Jun 2013 | 12:17 pm

  A couple of Julia’s friends were here for a sleepover last weekend and I’m not sure anyone enjoyed it as much as my little guy. At one point, he was on my lap, surrounded by little girls smiling and cooing at him, their voices soft and lilting, and he had never seemed more pleased. The girls were celebrating the end of the softball season that never really ends because now Julia is playing for a 10 and Under team. And then in an 8 and Under tournament. And possibly a fall league. All the while Lucy is still playing t-ball. And BALL. BALL BALL BALL. BALL! All the time. Forever and…

• Home Decor

  Leslie

  14 Jun 2013 | 5:38 am

  Julia found my stash of picture frames yesterday and asked if she could use one. This morning, I found this hanging in the stairway. (Below “Our family” she had written “sticks together,” but the frame cuts it off.) And as I type this to you, this is happening next to me. Love is all around me.

• Not Your Stepping Stone

  Leslie

  12 Jun 2013 | 9:03 am

  Stepping stones are bullshit. I’ve been trying to makes those things for three summers now and they never turn out. I don’t know if it’s me or the materials, but clearly, I’m not meant to have beautiful, painted impressions of my children’s sweet baby hands decorating my flower bed! Making Fairy Jars, however, is a lovely way to end a day of epic stepping stone-making failure.

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  Daily Plate of Crazy

• How to Impress a Woman You Love (And Be Sexy Doing It)

  BigLittleWolf

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:03 pm

  To impress a woman you love, set aside the standard schtick we think of as romance. Flowers? A night out? Sure, we eat it up. But the stuff that really makes us grin? That sticks? It’s substantive: small gestures that say I see you, I hear you, and a huge factor – the good-natured helping hand. My advice? Bust out the Bounty and lay into the laundry. A man doing housework? Yes, it’s made the news recently, but smart women everywhere have long known this formula: Man + Helping = Sex Appeal. Even professor and author Stephanie Coontz has been preaching this wisdom, and not…

• Adaptable In Extremis

  BigLittleWolf

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:28 am

  Blending in with the crowd, taking on approaches of local culture, learning when to speak or keep mum, mastering new software or for that matter, an iPhone. Aren’t these examples of routine adaptability? Don’t we generally consider it an asset? To read Adam Alter’s Times column, “Where We Are Shapes Who We Are,” our chameleon-like tendencies are more potent than we give them credit for, extending to environments and their influence on responsible behaviors. Mr. Alter cites research suggesting we might all be closet litterbugs – more likely to disrespect…

• Mad Men Season 6 Episode 12: The Quality of Mercy (Strained, Strained, Strained)

  BigLittleWolf

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:31 am

  Mercy, from our disgruntled Mad Men characters? The quality of that mercy? Let’s talk self-serving, let’s talk survival, let’s get real. Episode 12′s action moves us into Don swimming in guilt from Sally’s discovery, Sally’s silence as she processes her father’s fall from grace, and Pete taking on Benson – with a twist we don’t expect. Don is drinking heavily, working long hours, and attempting to honor  his commitment to Ted, not to compete in endless in-fighting. But Harry Crane throws him a curve ball when seeds sewn at Sunkist reap a…

• 

  breed 'em and weep

• We three

  Jennifer Mattern

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:38 pm

• Here's what you'll do

  Jennifer Mattern

  15 Jun 2013 | 9:16 pm

  Here's what you'll do if you knowwhat's good for you. Pick a star,nothing fancy, a five-and-dime bit of glitter from a flyover galaxy.Then weave the roses I like so much into the indigo one or the other of uscalls sky (but never at the same time).Here's what you'll do if you knowwhat's good for you. Wreath the star (you've already forgotten which, I know) also with scraps of worn leather from a baseball you once cared about (everyone's had one).Add the few photographs that we never bothered to take. Embroidermy name (if you remember it, onany random…

• Mother-Daughter conversation #45,063

  Jennifer Mattern

  7 Jun 2013 | 9:46 am

  "Do you ever feel, like, RAGE?" I ask my mother today as she is hanging her new white cotton curtains.  "Oh dear," she says. "I wish you had inherited more of my genes when it came to this stuff." "No," I say, "I don't want to pathologize this. I'm just asking you, woman to woman, do you feel rage? Like, ever?" She thinks as she shirrs the fabric onto the rod. "Regret, maybe, sometimes. But rage--" "NO," I say. "Not what you feel toward you. What you feel toward other people. After so many years of people-pleasing." "These also come in the 72" and the 63"," she points…

• 

  Born Just Right

• Finding Peace at Camp No Limits

  Jen Lee Reeves

  18 Jun 2013 | 12:18 pm

  We wrapped up our FIFTH year at Camp No Limits Missouri. Five years of camps. This year’s group was bigger than ever and as usual, it was remarkable. I feel the need to list some of the reasons why camp was amazing. 1) Thanks to you, the Born Just Right community, we were able to raise $4,000 for camp scholarships. That’s amazing. And I’m ready to start fundraising for 2014. 2) Even when camp wasn’t going as planned, our kids were having an amazing time. The friendships that instantly happen between the limb different kids and the siblings are remarkable to watch. The…

• Camp No Limits – A personal experience

  Jen Lee Reeves

  11 Jun 2013 | 11:02 pm

  We have arrived for Camp No Limits Missouri 2013. Our memories of this year are just getting started… Like this tiny moment when Jordan grabbed onto her friend’s float with her little arm as they walked together. I’m in awe by the number of families we have met at camp this year who we know through the Born Just Right community. It’s SO exciting to meet them in person and have a chance to spend time together. I look forward to taking time telling the stories of this year’s camp soon. In the meantime, I’d like to share an experience from this year’s…

• Wearable Born Just Right

  Jen Lee Reeves

  10 Jun 2013 | 5:19 am

  Finally, after a very long wait… I’m happy to announce you can snag your very own Born Just Right gear. So many readers have reached out and asked for shirts! It had to happen. So with the help of a national website, I finally built it. For the first time, I had 14 shirts made over the weekend to take to Camp No Limits Missouri this week and I’ll make sure I have shirts available during our meetup in July. But the rest of the time, we have Born Just Right’s new CafePress store. I’m excited to offer two different shirt logos thanks to my friend, Sarah Clark. She…

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  Simple Mom

• Moms are more than chauffeurs

  Katie Clemons

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm

  As I was eating lunch along the counter at the nearby Food Cooperative, two moms were sitting in the stools beside me. “What are your plans for the afternoon?” one asked the other. The woman sighed and began to list all the activities she had to get her kids to. The other woman nodded and rattled off her list, which included driving one kid to a town to the north and another kid to a town to the south. “Is this what motherhood is about in the summer?” I later asked my German husband, Martin. “Just driving kids from one of their activities to another?”…

• You can do something just for you

  Katie Fox

  17 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm

  Question for you lovely readers: what does it mean when you’re reading a hilarious blog post by the inimitable Jen Hatmaker, laughing so hard that you’re crying, and you suddenly begin sobbing instead? I’m talking about ugly, shoulders-shaking, snot-dripping sobbing, and your six-year-old daughter comes in and pats you on the back, saying, it’s ok, mama, it’s ok? I’ll tell you what it means: it means you’re tired. You’re exhausted. You have probably been running on autopilot for so long that when you finally stopped and experienced some sort of…

• Embrace summer: let go of imperfections

  Sandy

  16 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm

  As you start this new week, may you learn to let go of imperfections. When your child invites a neighbor to come over, or shows up with a car full of teens, be mindful of the gifts that surround you as they come into the house or out into the yard or the pool. Learn to not look around at the things that are wrong – your house a wreck, your agenda messed with, your to-do list not complete, the food you may need to provide. Instead, embrace the beauty of summer. Sprinklers, popsicles, chips and popcorn. Pool time, hot sunny days, and floating schedules. People, babies, toddlers, tweens…

• 

  Motherscribe

• Conversations about...teenagers and other matters, including underwear

  17 Jun 2013 | 10:13 pm

  There are times where you look at pictures of your children and wish that you could be back there ...even for a moment. I know that it won't be long from now when I will see this time, right now, as one of those moments.  How long ago it feels, yet I am so grateful for the photographs that stir memories of my life at home with them. There is much to celebrate in the presence of these two right now. Most especially in the conversations that we have... Let's take teenagers for example. My children are fascinated with them. GIRL idolizes our babysitters, and BOY thinks teenagers have it…

• What teachers say...

  13 Jun 2013 | 9:36 pm

  GIRL: Mommy, Ms. J told us that coffee makes you short. She said that is why she ended up being short, because she looooves coffee and now she is short. JCK: I think...Ms. J was joking, sweetie. GIRL: No, she had her serious face. When Ms. J has her serious face she is not joking. JCK: Well...GIRL. GIRL: She didn't smile afterwards...She had her serious face and didn't smile. She smiles later if she is joking. JCK: mmmmm...then probably best to steer clear of coffee, GIRL. JCK's children have both been lucky enough to have Ms. J. She will be treasured always...for her belief in each child,…

• Minecrack is a candybox devil game

  7 Jun 2013 | 8:00 pm

  My son is 9 1/2. He has one passion, and we call it... Minecrack. Minecrack is a candybox devil game originally created by Swedish programmer Markus "Notmyproblem" Persona non grata and later developed and published by Mobetterthanyourparents. It was publicly released for the PC[Parents Computer] on May 17, 2009, as a developmental alphamaleboy version and, after gradual updates, was published as a full release Seratonin version on November 18, 2011. A version for Mom's phone was released a month earlier on October 7, and an SOS[Suckers oh you Suckers] version was released on November 17,…

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  We are THAT Family

• WFMW: Memory Keeping with Project Life

  kristen

  18 Jun 2013 | 8:00 pm

  My friend Jessica from The Mom Creative is filling in for me today while I take a few days to tend to my daughter. You might remember her from her WFMW receipt organization post. When Kristen asked me to write today, I was a little nervous. What could I share that both works for me and that would be helpful to many of you? As I considered a variety of ideas, the one that kept coming up in my mind was my system for memory keeping, Project Life. Have you heard of it? Y’all, if you haven’t, you are in for a treat today. This memory keeping system has taken the crazy out of my…

• How to Find God On a Monday

  kristen

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:10 am

  “Mama?” “Hmmm?” “Are you gonna cry again today?” she asked. My hand stopped writing mid-sentence and just hearing her words, I could feel the tears threaten. “Probably.” She smiled and patted my hand. “Okay, just checking.” My father had a heart attack on Saturday and spent Father’s Day having a nearly 3 hour procedure to save his life. My oldest has a difficult oral surgery  tomorrow and will be in bed most of the week.  In between, I am grieving someone I loved in Kenya and praying for Maureen and our Mercy House girls in…

• On Giving Up

  kristen

  13 Jun 2013 | 5:54 am

  I don’t ever want to relive yesterday. I woke very early in the morning to learn that Maureen’s dear mother, Jennifer, passed away.  I stumbled around my dark house numb for an hour. Lost. I have so many questions and emotions and my heart is broken for Maureen and her young brothers, for this devastating loss of a beautiful mother. A few minutes later, I learned the new Mercy House home we purchased in Kenya (but haven’t moved our residents into yet) was broken into by thieves who stole from us and beat our caretaker. And we have two c-sections scheduled for two of our…

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  Mom O Matic

• Guest Post: Is There Such A Thing As Being Early

  Mom O Matic

  4 Jun 2013 | 9:17 am

  momomatic.com Guest Post: Is There Such a Thing as Being Early? Life for me is a constant battle between finding shoes, changing diapers and controlling temper tantrums. Most days I find myself running out of minutes, but on a good day I may have a few to spare. Long before the days of motherhood I was known as the one who showed up to events fashionably early or

• Spicing Up Married Sex - Guest Post by Adam & Eve

  Mom O Matic

  26 Apr 2013 | 9:28 am

  This is a guest post by Ellis Lindsay for Adam & Eve. Ellis is a freelance writer who covers a variety of topics on romance, dating, and relationship advice.  Things can get kind of routine when you've been married for awhile. The water spray on the bathroom mirror, the funky morning breath, the Mexican restaurant every third Thursday of the month, the 4-

• This Happened!

  Mom O Matic

  1 May 2012 | 8:22 am

  So Mom O Matic has been gone for a bit now, but I had to temporarily reopen the blog to boast that I am in Jenny's book selflessly promote Jenny Lawson's amazing new book! Her book is called, Let's Pretend This Never Happened and you should buy a big stack of copies because you'll want to give it out to everyone you know that needs a laugh, which is everyone. To help you spot the book in stores

• 

  loraleeslooneytunes.com

• My Own Gethsemane

  loralee

  18 Jun 2013 | 10:46 am

  This is the end of my very long journey. You would think the other posts I have written would have been harder to share, but the EXPERIENCE of this (If not the words you read) was by far the most difficult thing that I not only have ever written, but it is by FAR the most difficult thing that has EVER been required of me. I hope that as you read, even if it is incomprehensible or unbelievable to you on many levels, that SOME part of your heart is reached. I am a Mormon, so my base, my terminology is of the faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. But this is NOT meant as…

• Refiner’s Fire

  loralee

  14 Jun 2013 | 11:58 pm

  UPDATE: Due to the OVERWHELMING response and traffic of this post (500,000 and counting), and after MUCH prayer and consideration, I am going to post the full story of my experience at the bottom of this post from beginning to its (thankfully) beautiful end.  I originally wrote the whole thing out after my Bishop urged me to do so. I was impressed to share it with my closest friend and family and so it is addressed to them. It is long. It is detailed. It is mind blowing. And for many of you, it may be unbelievable. But I have had utter and powerful confirmation again and again that what I…

• Adult ADHD: The Agony and the Glory

  loralee

  11 Jun 2013 | 5:57 pm

  Eight-months-ago, I found myself sitting in a therapists office. Even though it was a rather warm autumn day and I had worn my heaviest winter coat, I was shivering. Despite being cold and shivering, I was also sweating. I could feel the streams of perspiration running down the goosebumps all over my skin. I stank from going a week without a shower. My skin was pale and sallow, my hair was greasy and pulled back into a pathetic pony tail with hair randomly sticking up in places. I remember sitting hunched over with my head in my hands and feeling so low that I physically could not lift it…

• 

  Scary Mommy: An honest look at motherhood

• Taking Back What’s Ours

  Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:44 pm

  Remember how annoying it was to spend hours getting your baby down for a nap, only to have some asshole ring the doorbell and undo all of your hard work, leaving you with a screaming, unrested child and a rage towards encyclopedias or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? I, for one, will never forget it.   Etsy is filled with sweet little signs to delicately ask people not to ring the doorbell.   They’re sweet, they’re gentle, and they’re adorable…   Well, fuck that shit.   Back when I had a newborn, if someone woke that baby by…

• 10 Dread Worthy Mom Moments

  Jessica Grimes

  17 Jun 2013 | 9:55 pm

  Remember those late nights trying to soothe a colicky baby? Or how you spent days bribing your three year old with M&Ms to pretty-pretty-please-poop-on-the-potty? We complain and grumble about these mundane, less-than-glamorous moments of motherhood, but I don’t know, the next phase of parenting looks pretty freaking scary to me.   As my six year old prepares to “graduate” from kindergarten, it suddenly feels like he’s one step away from junior high and falling in love and getting a driver’s license. When I really stop and consider some of the challenging and – yes –…

• The Race Towards Body Acceptance

  Kiran

  17 Jun 2013 | 5:20 am

    Dear Shaila,   I am 37 years old as I write this. I know that might seem old to you when you read this and there was a time where I would have thought the same thing. 37 was where you went to die once your life stopped being fun. You encountered it as you approached the twilight years (your 40s) and Spanx became your best friend. 37 wasn’t a number I was particularly looking forward to, and it came upon me much quicker than I expected.   Do you know how many months are in 37 years, Shaila? 444 months. That’s a LOT of months. Do you know of those 444 months, how many I…

• 

  San Diego Momma

• Fire Eater

  debawriter

  11 Jun 2013 | 12:52 pm

    She stands by the window, internally pacing. Not gazing, not daydreaming, but watching for something, waiting for it to happen. The yard’s bright, that San Diego blinding yellow and from the side, I see my daughter’s eyes flick over the trampoline and scan the crowded, weedy dirt bank she loves to climb. She’s not at rest – hardly ever is – and she’s looking for the thing. Neither one of us knows what.   I’ve glimpsed this intensity since she was a baby, bound tight to discomfort, needing to be swaddled, suddenly ravenous. I bounced on…

• The Health Odyssey Continues: Dailey Method Lessons Learned

  debawriter

  30 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

    You’d be proud of me. I’m still participating in the Dailey Method 60-Day Challenge, but am less spazzy about it. Meaning, my alignment is better and I’m really and truly sitting up straighter in my normal and everyday life. I’m also holding planks for much longer (just not the full time because what am I, bionic?) and I see a muscle curve in my biceps. I’ve been working (off and on) to keep consistently exercising, which isn’t always easy given my freelance schedule (my last email? “Can you have this 300-page presentation edited in three…

• PROMPTuesday #221: The Moving

  debawriter

  21 May 2013 | 4:15 pm

  [I'm re-posting this recent writing prompt because tomorrow, I'm speaking on a panel about Moving With Kids: How Does it Affect Them? This is a topic I'm agog over because I moved 12 times in 10 years as a child and I feel strongly that those upheavals were the best things to happen to me. It's my belief that I'm more adaptable and open as a result. And most importantly, all those moves imparted a certain "everything is going to be all right" sensibility onto my psyche that I carry around even today. Because all those shake ups and all that unsettling? Always worked out in the end. Something…

• 

  Karen Cheng's Fashion and Life

• Celebrity Styling Charity Fundraiser

  admin

  17 Jun 2013 | 9:59 pm

  Hey! I’m excited to announce my latest charity and fashion project! To celebrate the brand new fashion season, 7 West Australian celebrities were invited to put together a winter outfit for Rockingham Shopping Centre … to raise money for 7 different charities. And I have been chosen to be one of those “celebrities”. Haha! I’ve never actually been called a “celebrity” before! Also participating, are 3 Australian Football League players, a radio DJ, a local Mayor, and another fashion blogger. Each celebrity nominates their favorite charity… and my chosen…

• A Million Golden Reminders

  admin

  15 Jun 2013 | 11:58 pm

  Looking up at the trees this morning, I was struck by the thousands of leaves waiting to fall to the ground… with each leaf being the brightest and happiest yellow I’ve ever seen. New beginnings. Fresh start. Anticipating the new. I’m not exactly sure what kind of symbolism inspired me. But I was filled with the warmest sense of happiness and contentment… about life, about my loving husband, children, parents and friends. And I was once again humbled by how blessed I am. So here’s me wishing all my readers a wonderful start to the week! Love and sunshine to you…

• Blue Tweed

  admin

  15 Jun 2013 | 12:44 am

  Meet my new favourite jacket! It’s a light weight, classic tweed jacket with a speckled blue and metallic colour. While my overall dress style is not so ”ladylike”… I like that it gives a big nod to Chanel’s iconic tweed jacket and I like that I can wear it with boyfriend jeans, for a bit of modern contrast. I popped it over my black and white outfit, to amp up the style and also to soften the leather pants. I’m already looking forward for the weather to warm up so I can wear it with summer shorts and mini skirts. Outfit Details: Blue Tweed Jacket by Shinn…

• 

  Up The Hill Backwards

• The Nigeria Project

  Suzie

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:43 am

  Today was the final day for my son's third grade Nigeria project. The project that was supposed to be and I quote, "A little something we'll be working on in class" instead its been the center of my families universe.Every conversation with my son starts with, "Have you done blank with the Nigeria project today?" and ends with someone crying (usually me).  I wrote a dissertation that was over 300 pages and took me four years but this pales in comparison to the Nigeria project.I have made Nigerian food at 11pm at night when of course someone forgot to tell me something was due the next…

• Friday's Poetic Thoughts About Saying Goodbye

  Suzie

  7 Jun 2013 | 7:30 am

  An Ode to the Gate I Have Opened Each Morning for the Past 14 YearsDear old ugly storefront gateIt’s you I truly truly hate You’re heavy and old and often covered in peeHearing your creaky squeak each morning does not fill me with gleeWhen I was sick and heavy with childMy poor body you did beguileEven after operations on my spineYou made sure to stick and whineAnd now as I get ready to say a-dueI pretty damn sure I will not miss youAn Ode To The Time ClockTime clock time clock on the wallYou always made me feel so smallYou tracked my days hour by hourAnd never once did you produce a…

• Wordless Wednesday

  Suzie

  29 May 2013 | 8:55 am

  You know what's funny? Giving your kids corn on the cob when they have no front teeth. Please note not one kernel was harmed during the filming of this Wordless Wednesday

• 

  The Chronicles of a SAHM

• Confirmed

  Cynthia Wheeler

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:36 am

  Yes. I am running the 2013 Chicago Marathon. No exclamation point at the end of that sentence for now. I haven't been running...until now.Everyone says: "Oh Cindy, you'll be fine, you're in great shape."Between you, me, and the blog, I am NOT in great shape. I've been working nonstop, which means sitting on my bootay on my computer. I haven't been running. at. all.I'll be OK. I've been doing very easy three milers. I'm also trying to space out my runs, two days on, one day off. If it's a two day, I'll do one in the morning, and then the next day, late afternoon so my legs get to rest. I know…

• The walls, come tumblin' down

  Cynthia Wheeler

  6 Jun 2013 | 4:47 pm

  Yesterday, there were 8 townhomes in this spot...Today....

• Soooo...I'm moving to London...

  Cynthia Wheeler

  5 Jun 2013 | 8:24 am

  ...not really, but I would if the opportunity arises. I LOVE this city!I tried my darnedest to take some selfies in front of all of these lovely sites. I can not take a selfie to save my life:/ Anyone else having this issue? I'm selfie challenged:/

• 

  Classy Chaos

• Landscaping on the cheap: babysteps & lots of bargains.

  12 Jun 2013 | 5:07 pm

  We moved into "the most wonderful house in the world" just about a year ago and although we made some minor improvements on the inside, the outside has been untouched. The previous owner was a local principal and lived in the house for sixty years; needless to say, those last few years of his life the yard was severely neglected. We are taking babysteps to revive it back to it's glory days. This was the back of our garage last week. It's detached. I thought I would hate having a detached garage after years of being spoiled but in reality we buy less (because it's a pain to trek to the house…

• Lessons from Jesse (Part One) - Internet Safety: Parents, be proactive in keeping your tweens ...

  10 Jun 2013 | 6:25 pm

  Jesse and I first "met" when my eldest and her youngest were in kindergarten. I say "met" loosely because I had a preschooler attached to my knee and an infant attached to my hip that year. I was in survival mode and don't remember "meeting" many people. The first time I really connected with Jesse was when our children were in first grade. One night while waiting for the elementary school's open house to begin, I stood sheepishly in the corner of the hallway and Jesse waved hello. Surely she wasn't waving to me (I knew no one) so I looked behind to see who she was waving to. Only there was…

• "I KOT A RAKON"

  4 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm

  Feenie has been enrolled in a progressive half-day kindergarten program this entire year. Like all the progressive schools in Chicago there are no report cards and kindergarten is entirely "play based", meaning all they really do is play. When asked what she did at school all day, her answers vary from "playing cats" to "building wedding cakes in the sand" and even "built an air conditioner from recyclables".  They received little to no reading and writing instruction. There was a deemphasis for workbooks, textbooks and worksheets. This. Is a HUGE change from our old school in Ohio. The…

• 

  Motherhood Metamorphosis

• The Choice Of Motherhood

  Deanna Dahlsad

  31 May 2013 | 2:14 am

  This is difficult to write -- but then that's why I feel it must be discussed. Feminist and author Alice Walker and her daughter, Rebecca Walker, have been at odds over motherhood. Rebecca, after so much prose about snuggling and the like with her son, says: You see, my mum taught me that children enslave women. I grew up believing that children are millstones around your neck, and the idea

• Adopt Steve The Pit Bull Cross!

  Deanna Dahlsad

  8 Oct 2012 | 3:40 am

  I cannot have another dog right now, but I really want this dog named Steve. I know, I know; "Steve" isn't the name I go for in a dog. Or give a dog. My dogs are named Toodles Squirrel-Face Davidson III and Mr. Oliver T. Puddington. But read on, you'll see why I am so enamoured... Steve's available at a a Fargo-Moorhead dog rescue right now. (I only looked because I saw a commercial on TV

• Linguistics and the Study of Comics

  Deanna Dahlsad

  20 Sep 2012 | 4:22 pm

  Because I've talked about comics and autism as well as comics and literacy here, I thought you might be interested in this review of Linguistics and the Study of Comics (edited by Frank Bramlett).

• 

  The Motherhood

• Coming Soon: A Crowd-Sourced E-Book on Outdoor Summer Fun

  The Motherhood

  19 Jun 2013 | 9:15 am

  We are so thrilled to announce that we are working with Be Out There – “a national movement to help American families raise happier, healthier children with a life-long love of nature,” brought to us by the National Wildlife Federation – to create and publish an e-book filled with tips and ideas for spending time outdoors during the hot summer months! Last year, The Motherhood worked with the Be Out There team to ask parents which barriers they face in getting their kids to spend time outdoors. The responses ranged from technology (video games and computers keeping…

• At Last – Great Skincare Options for Tweens and Teens

  Emily

  18 Jun 2013 | 4:28 pm

  Christy Prunier has launched a line of natural skincare products for tweens and teens called willa with the goal of making it easy for girls to take care of their skin early on – and for them to want to. “I was in the sun all the time when I was young and almost never used sunscreen, and then in my 20s, I got skin cancer on my face,” said Christy.  ”I wanted my daughters to take much better care of their skin than I did, but I couldn’t find any products on the market for them – products they would actually want to use without me having to nag.”…

• A Tribute to The Motherhood’s Dads

  The Motherhood

  17 Jun 2013 | 10:12 am

  We may be called “The Motherhood,” but we all know the value of a great dad, too. Yesterday, on Father’s Day, we were all fortunate to spend quality time with some pretty amazing dads, and we wanted to use this space to thank them for being there for us and our kids. Here’s how we celebrated the men in our lives – how did you celebrate yours? Cooper‘s father and husband took her sons to the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game to celebrate the day. Meet all three generations! Kayla gave her dad a new son-in-law after he walked her down the aisle yesterday on a…

• 

  moosh in indy.

• depression: an update

  Casey

  19 Jun 2013 | 8:51 am

  So, that funk I am in, how’s that working out for me? It’s okay. As long as I remember to breathe deeply and keep moving forward. At first all I wanted to do was sleep. SLEEEEP. Then I couldn’t sleep at all, which is TERRIBLE because you’re left thinking your own thoughts all alone in bed and oftentimes those thoughts aren’t the nicest ones you could be thinking. Then there was the whole my period being a week late thing. Which, GRRARGFLBLE and also &*$%#. There are several people who are currently pregnant who were also pregnant when I was pregnant with…

• a dozen years of marriage.

  Casey

  16 Jun 2013 | 8:07 am

  I keep trying to think up some neat and tidy list to sum up the 12 most important events of the last 12 years. The problem is I’m having a hard time putting words to them. Last night as we pulled up to the Ritz Carlton and Cody scoffed at valet parking and veered off towards self parking. As he pulled into the garage he noticed that self parking was $22. “TWENTY-TWO BUCKS?” I could see his entire thought process, “Maybe there’s a free lot two or three blocks away. $22 bucks. What a racket.” Twelve years ago it would have turned into a fight. Fancy Casey…

• how to make a blurb instagram book without losing your mind.

  Casey

  13 Jun 2013 | 1:44 pm

  When I had the opportunity to give away Blurb books to anyone who wanted one, a lot of people left me comments about how frustrating it was make the stars align and make the darn book already. I hear you, I futzed with Bookify A LOT before having it finally make sense. And when I say ‘make sense’ I mean ‘make a book the way I make books both quickly and easily.’ Here’s what I do, every two to three months I make a little hardcover collection of my Instagram photos, I include all of them and lay them out in chronological order. If you’re interested in doing…

• 

  Lit and Laundry

• Makes My Monday: Ballet Recital

  17 Jun 2013 | 10:20 am

  Another June, another ballet recital.  Drama Girl and Jungle Boy were fabulous.  After the show, I went to the lobby to take pictures like all the other families.  There was Drama Girl, footsore from two hours in pointe shoes. She slipped on the shoes she found more comfortable - her combat boots.  So much for the illusion of grace and delicacy.  Jungle Boy had already changed out of his costume completely.  Drama Girl will be a senior next year.  At the end of the show the seniors always get a special dance.  It gets a bit emotional as the girls…

• Design Wall Monday: 4 more Farmer's Wife blocks

  3 Jun 2013 | 9:42 am

  This weekend I pulled out my Farmer's Wife blocks again to work on.  I'm getting a bit frustrated with the Farmer's Wife book, so I've re-engineered many of the blocks and two of these are from a different book.  So the "Buzzard's Roost" block in the lower right has extra seam lines for example.  Usually I end up with fewer seams than the FW book.  It was just easier to make a series of flying geese for this one than aligning all the different triangles. I still haven't used all of my hot pink fabrics.  There are quite a few jammed into this bin.  I'm enjoying…

• Finished for Friday: May's Wool Banner

  31 May 2013 | 9:34 am

    It's been a while since I posted a finish for Friday.  Here is the next in my series of wool banners I've been making this year.  I love working with wool.  You can find these patterns at Primitive Gatherings. The kids are finishing up finals at school, and everyone will be home starting next week.  My responsibilities with school are winding down so I'm looking forward to a summer of less driving and more stitching. We've got gardeners in the yard today cleaning up.  I just can't keep up with the yard very well since my hip surgery.  Unfortunately…

• 

  Twinfatuation

• 50 Rules for Sons: A Review

  Cheryl Lage

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:36 pm

  We have a son. We have a daughter.When asked if we'd consider reading/reviewing Tim Hoch's 50 Rules for Sons, I thought, "Well, why not? 50% of my children happen to be of the son variety!" The vast majority of the pages (100 of the 131) contain a single illustrative photo or a succinctly worded "rule" in very large print.  What 50 Rules for Sons lacks in heft, it makes up for in wisdom...humorously and effectively conveyed.The aspect of the book I most appreciated were the real-life "Backstories" behind the development of Mr. Hoch's rules (28 of the 131 pages). His personal recountings…

• Makes My Monday: Middle-Schoolers

  Cheryl Lage

  17 Jun 2013 | 12:14 pm

  What makes YOUR Monday? Play along! Please include your link below...and leave a comment when you do! 

• The End of Elementary

  Cheryl Lage

  14 Jun 2013 | 5:53 am

  My dearest, darling, delightful Darren, How you have grown since your first days at Linwood Holton Elementary School! Your Daddy and I have long-known your humor, your compassion, your desire to cheer, to support and to entertain---seeing you share and embrace your innumerable gifts has been a such a blessing. You're an extraordinarily skilled speaker, a wise-beyond-your-years philosopher, an intellectual quick-study, an ever-ready helper...a treasured, much-loved son.We couldn't be prouder of you...and look forward to what your future will bring!We love you!-Mom and Dad My sensational,…

• 

  The Mom Crowd

• What to do with a Defiant Five Year Old

  Michelle

  10 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am

  Lately it has been pretty stressful around our house. Our five year old daughter has all of a sudden been on her own agenda each day. She thinks the world revolves around her and she doesn’t have to do anything other than what she wants to do. When I correct her with her wrong actions it’s a constant battle and often times I feel defeated at the end of the day as if I have given her complete control of the situation. So after some research I have found a few key points that are crucial if you are experiencing the same type of thing in your home. Do not overreact Keeping your composure and…

• Book Review: The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet

  Michelle

  3 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am

  When I came across this book, The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet By: Tina Ruggiero, I thought it was going to just be another book on how to make your own baby food. However, I was way off base, I absolutely LOVE this book for many reasons. After reading just a few of the first pages and thumbing through the book I quickly realized how many actual recipes for baby food were possible to make. The author, Tina Ruggiero, does a phenomenal job in laying out the basics of homemade baby food, the different stages and what to feed your baby, toddler feeding, nutritional information about…

• Homemade Baby Food is Easier Than You Think

  Tara

  28 May 2013 | 1:20 pm

  When it came time for my son to start eating solids, I knew I was going to be a DIY mom.  There is something about knowing exactly what my infant is ingesting that put my mind at ease when it came to introducing new foods into his diet.  Any change for a mom and her infant can be a stressful time, I found this approach to be especially comforting during this transition. I had been lucky enough to have been gifted a Magic Bullet for one of my wedding gifts, which certainly came in handy when embarking on my homemade babyfood endeavour.  Although, I did find that most veggies were easily…

• 

  Poot and Cubby for Women Site

• Why You Should Consider Purchasing an Epilator This Summer

  admin

  5 Jun 2013 | 5:47 am

  Summer has arrived which means bathing suits and shorts are coming out of storage. Many women dread the arrival of summer, not because of the hot temperatures, but because they realize this means they need to shave every day. With the help of an epilator, this doesn’t have to be the case. An epilator offers many benefits, one of which is not needing to shave every day. Before buying a device of this type, women need to read epilator reviews and comparison sites to ensure they find a device that meets their needs in every way. What are the benefits of using a epilator which should be…

• cnn live and its sister channels

  admin

  4 Jun 2013 | 9:07 am

  News and Views is the slogan that is used by hln live stream that broadcasts from CNN Center in Atlanta. For all of your news when it comes to crime, entertainment and opinions this is the channel that you should be watching and especially if you are in South America, The Caribbean and Asia. The online portal is the surfers’ option where they are able to watch the news. This way ensures that the channel has reached its viewers from all walks of life no matter where they are and the time of day or night. There are several programs that you can choose from when you watch hln live. During…

• The launching of cnn live in the 1980

  admin

  30 May 2013 | 3:06 am

  During its launch back in the 1980’s david Walker and Lois Hart were the first broadcasters to appear on the screen. Owned and operated by Turner Broadcasting which is a subsidiary of Time Warner the channel is an idea of Ted Turner himself. It broadcasts live from The CNN center in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States and since the natives speak English the channel also broadcasts in English. Cnn streaming broadcasts worlwide and whatever information that you could be looking for you will first get it on CNN. In the other parts of the world cnn stream is available via DTT, satellite…

• 

  Mommy Brain Reports

• School’s Out for Summer- Now What?

  Monica

  12 Jun 2013 | 8:34 am

  For those of us who are not on a Year Round curriculum, school is out, or close to it.. for the Summer, and I’ve heard so many people asking “What now?” Besides the typical hanging out at the beach, pool, playing outside, etc… We want ideas to keep our kids’ brains from losing everything they learned over the last school year. They need something educational, but fun. There are TONS of websites out there that your kids can use for just a few minutes a day (they really should enjoy the outdoors) that will keep many things fresh in their minds! I’ve compiled…

• Power Up with Rayovac Portable Chargers!

  Monica

  11 Jun 2013 | 12:20 pm

  As a blogger, I get to travel every once in a while for conferences or other special events. Time spent at airports, in conference sessions, or in meetings can really run out your battery. I mean, unless you’re actually putting your phone away for these events. I’m usually posting to Facebook or Twitter during them, and my battery can drain pretty quickly. This always worries me because I need to have my phone just in case hubby or the kids call me. I also need to be able to share things on Social Media! So, I wait until I really need to charge, and then scramble for a power…

• Give Your Guy a Man Cave for Father’s Day

  Monica

  8 Jun 2013 | 12:56 pm

  Father’s day is coming up quickly, and Walmart makes finding gifts for Dad totally easy! This year, we were asked to shop for Man Cave items, and we had fun doing some shopping for Daddy. It was fun shopping for something that he wouldn’t quite expect. We took the Fitness Fanatic and combined it with the Game Room Guy. We found some games to put into the workout room. I mean, games are fun, and working out is fun right? Well, maybe not, but we’re trying here! We really wanted to get something we could have fun with as a family . We looked through all of the Man Cave…

• 

  Kaiser Mommy

• The new face of friendship

  admin

  3 Jun 2013 | 9:42 pm

  Okay. So thats not really the right title but its as good as it will get. I want to get back to writing so very much but my focus has completely shifted. I really got rolling on the blogging when i was attached to the tiny human 24 7 and the friends in the computer kept me sane Six (seriously. Six) years later and i know how to find you. You are in my phone. My facebook. My email. My photos. My christmas card list (um sorry guys i still dont have cards sent out for 2012). I have stayed in your homes, actually crossing the entire continent to see you. I want to write so badly but the stories…

• Entering a new era

  admin

  30 Mar 2013 | 4:30 pm

  Omg. Have a real smartphone and i may just be able to blawg again! (Apologies for the lame post trying to make it work)

• The First Post of the New Year

  admin

  3 Mar 2013 | 4:44 pm

  On December 14th, 2012, my heart broke for my Victoria. Apparently my door was to blame.  I’ve done a lot of pondering since that day. The louder the outside world has gotten, the more I have retreated into myself. I’ve come to a couple of conclusions. 1. None of us want to feel helpless. 2. None of us want our lives to be controlled by someone else. As far as I can tell, the root of everyone’s opinion can be pulled back to these basic, very, very, at the gut level, things. — I tell you that, to tell you this: I’ve thought a lot about this blog space of mine…

• 

  Catnip and Coffee

• through the wires

  Annette

  10 Jun 2013 | 11:03 am

  Little League is finally over. We lost in the 2nd round of playoffs on Saturday, and while I’m a little sad it’s over I’m also all “Woohoo, our weekends are freeeee!!” Every Winter when we’re holed up in our house avoiding the cold and snow, we look forward to all the things we can do when it’s Spring again. And every Winter I forget that Spring means baseball. Our lives are not our own during baseball season. There are two or three games a week, including every single Saturday, plus practices squeezed in when we can. UGGHHHH. We love it AND we hate…

• is it really only 8 am? no wonder I can’t think of a title

  Annette

  8 May 2013 | 4:57 am

  I ran for 9 minutes without stopping this morning. I’m going to go ahead and call today a win even though it’s not quite 8 am. It doesn’t matter how the rest of the day goes. My Fitbit and my Map my Run app both prove it. Last summer you all know I was doing great, losing weight, and loving running. Then an Achilles heel thing happened, and the holidays happened, and a medication change happened, and winter weather happened, and work happened, and a very bad attitude happened. Mostly the latter. I’m not in the same place I was, but I’m working on it, getting out…

• trapped under a cat

  Annette

  3 May 2013 | 8:37 am

  I’ve been remiss in keeping up my crazy cat lady image so I thought I’d give you an update on old George. He’s still old. Elderly in fact. He’s also still alive. We weren’t too sure he would be by now so this is a good thing! He’s also still pretty dang cute. Unfortunately, he’s big on trapping us for long periods of time in strange places. Since he got sick we feel kind of guilty when we have to push him off so there’s a lot of this going on. I think he’s happiest laying on Damon’s iPad. Damon isn’t particularly thrilled about…

• 

  A Cowboy's Wife

• Playstation 4 Pre-Order

  A Cowboy's Wife

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:42 pm

  We are die hard gamers, as I’ve said a million times before.  We play sports on the Wii, Halo on the Xbox, and Call of Duty of PS3.  I’m sure you can imagine how excited we get when a new console or game comes out right?  Playstation 4 is on pre-order but l’m sure like many, you want to know if it’s worth the purchase right? Well that’s a big ol’ DUH! One of the things you’ll notice about the PS4 controller is the comfort in the triggers.  They are much softer and fitting to your finger.   PS4 will track both the controller in a gamer’s…

• Maybe I’m Meant to be Fat……

  A Cowboy's Wife

  14 Jun 2013 | 11:57 pm

  I was never a skinny girl.  I was a size 9 in high school and my friends were a 3 and 5.  I can remember our high school coach teasing me about my weight, saying that if I needed any extra pairs of jeans, he could bring me a pair of his but that they might be too small.   It was always something though.  Whether it was my red birthmark that covered my leg or my unpretty face, I always felt like I was sub-par at best.  But my weight, well that’s always been a mental struggle.   Did you know, for as long as I can remember, I have always pulled at my shirt?  I stretch it and when…

• Fusion Juicer

  A Cowboy's Wife

  12 Jun 2013 | 9:00 am

  Fresh juice early in the morning, right after work or even during work acts as an excellent antioxidant and nutrition center for the body.   With so many people going organic and gmo-free,  the Fusion Juicer is the perfect appliance.  I personally just desire fresh juice every now and then. The Product Features Wide Chute Mouth – Unlike other juicers, the Fusion Juicer has an extra large chute that can take whole veggies and fruits without the need to cut, chop, peel or prepare. It saves time and makes juicing a whole lot more fun. Surgical Quality – The stainless steel blades used in…

• 

  Politics to Parenting and Everything in Between

• A Personal Post....Celebrations and Life

  Patty Garza

  18 Jun 2013 | 2:03 pm

   Congratulations Gloria and Adan!Last week was my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. Quite an accomplishment in this day and age. It was a beautiful ceremony and fun party afterwards with dancing and mariachi's. In addition to time spent with the in-laws, we had a nice visit and enjoyed a week of family time and activities, including a day trip to see my sister and nieces in Oregon on the way back home. However, now that we are back I feel glad to be home, but at the same time have come to realize how boring my life is once I am back into routine again.Upon our first weekend back we also…

• HHS Website Gives Children Info on Masturbation, Birth Control, Gay & Anal Sex

  Patty Garza

  3 Jun 2013 | 3:53 pm

  From Book Distributed By Planned ParenthoodI'm so tired of the immoral information being forced on our children by this administration and other organizations subsidized by our tax dollars, like Planned Parenthood, but this is the Health and Human Services Department of the United States, using our tax dollars to fund immoral and inappropriate content for children! This must be stopped!It's bad enough our tax dollars subsidize the largest abortion provider in the United States, Planned Parenthood, now we are being forced to see our tax dollars used on websites which parents have no control…

• 5yro Interrogated by School Until He Wets His Pants… For Bringing Toy Cap Gun To School!

  Patty Garza

  1 Jun 2013 | 12:36 pm

  This really pisses me off! As a mother of two young sons who enjoy imaginative play with toy guns, cap guns, Nerf guns, squirt guns and even use their hands to form 'finger guns' and make shooting sounds with their mouths... this is insanity!I feel horrible for this little boy and his family for what this school did to him! I would sue them and change schools or home-school if I couldn't find a school with more reasonable, common sense policies.Thank God my sons school is not this petty, at least not yet!They interrogated this little five year old boy for two hours, causing him to pee his…

• 

  RimaRama

• The Case of the Missing Tooth

  Rima

  11 Jun 2013 | 4:18 pm

  High drama in the Rama household last night. Somebody lost a tooth, but only realized it when he noticed an empty space in his mouth. Yesterday morning at breakfast, this self-same person had announced he believed today was the day he would lose his upper incisor. “How soon do you think it will fall out?” I asked him. “By nightfall.” All day long, whenever this person had free time in between playing Legos and rolling back and forth across the family room floor complaining of boredom, he would take the opportunity to wiggle the loose tooth. Every couple of hours, we…

• Canada is Nice

  Rima

  10 Jun 2013 | 7:03 pm

  The first time my husband visited Niagara Falls as a young boy, he ran ahead of everyone else to see it and by the time they caught up with him, he was halfway over the guard rail. “Things were different in those days,” my mother-in-law said. “You could drive right up to the Falls.” You could also smoke in the hospital and ride backwards in the bowels of a hatchback with your face pressed up against the window pane. We went on a mini-vacation to the Falls last weekend, but before taking the kids to the waterfall, we had them watch an Imax movie where they showed the…

• Genius is a Jerk

  Rima

  2 Jun 2013 | 7:58 pm

  Two books that I’ve read in the past few weeks have prompted me to think about the nature of artistic genius. It struck me, after finishing Paula McLain’s The Paris Wife – about Ernest Hemingway’s first marriage to Hadley Richardson and Nancy Horan’s Loving Frank – about Frank Lloyd Wright’s extramarital love affair with Maymah Borthwick, that both Hemingway and Wright had immense self-confidence in their artistic vision. Almost to the point of being total assholes. It was more than just self-assuredness. In the case of Frank Lloyd Wright,…

• 

  Mamanista!

• Classic, Tasteful Wedding Gifts for The Happy Couple

  Mamanista

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:50 pm

  It’s June and wedding season is in high gear. Whether you have 1 or 10 nuptial affairs to attend, you have gifts to purchase for the shower and/or the actual wedding itself. What’s a guest to do? Well you’re in luck, because I have done the guesswork for you! I have created a list of my top wedding gift/registry picks on Shopcade. Check out some of my picks below: This vase is a classic shape and style and would be a perfect accent in any couples’ home!   Villeroy & Boch Hurricane Vase   Finely-crafted stemware is a luxurious gift that the couple will treasure on many…

• Rita’s Water Ice Sells Paper Lemons in Support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand

  Mamanista

  9 Jun 2013 | 5:47 pm

  Stopping by a Rita’s on a warm summer day is a no-brainer but you can extend the delicious experience by leaving your mark on cancer research for only $1. It’s a small donation with a big impact. Once again, Rita’s Water Ice is selling paper lemons for $1 to raise money for pediatric cancer research through their support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). Over the last seven years, Rita’s helped raise over 3.5 million dollars for ALSF as a corporate sponsor and they are continuing their worthwhile efforts with a multi-element campaign this year, both…

• Oz the Great and Powerful DVD

  Mamanista

  6 Jun 2013 | 12:15 pm

  Ah movie night. One of the few times I can get my son to relax with me on the couch! We received the “Oz The Great and Powerful” DVD in the mail and my son was definitely excited to watch it.   The special effects were really amazing and the story was great. I certainly appreciated seeing actors and actresses that I knew taking on roles in a story that I grew up with. My son enjoyed it overall, but there were definitely parts that were really loud and others that scared him. He was a bit freaked out by the monkeys so I am not sure if I could recommend it to children in the 5-7 age…

• 

  5 Minutes for Mom

• Keep Your Family Safe with SimpliSafe (Giveaway)

  Krissy B-Inspired Mama

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:40 am

  Krissy Sherman Bonning, 5 Minutes for Mom contributor, is here to share her insights into SimpliSafe through this review and giveaway. While we were compensated to write this post, our writer’s views and opinions remain her own. As moms we’re always worrying about our kids. Worrying about whether we are playing with them enough, teaching them enough, nurturing them enough. But what is really our biggest worry for our kids? Keeping them safe (so that we CAN play, teach and nurture them), right? Well SimpliSafe can help ease that worry at home with their simple and secure home…

• Sun Angels for Delicate Skin

  Emily Knight

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:33 am

  5 Minutes for Mom contributor, Emily, shares her insights on Sun Angels Sun Sleeves in this review. We were compensated to write this post and Emily was provided a sample, however all opinions remain her own. Sun Angels UV protection sleeves are designed to keep your little angel sun safe without overheating.  Have you ever been out in the sun and wished you had an extra layer of protection for your child’s skin? When the temperatures are already 90+ degrees adding a bulky shirt isn’t something we can do. Sun Angels are sleeves that are designed to protect your child’s arms without the…

• Wordless Wednesday — Blueberry Muffin

  Janice

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:55 pm

  Olivia as a Blueberry Muffin Last week, I showed off Susan’s girls, Julia and Sophia, in their dance recital costumes. This week is Olivia’s turn to show off her blueberry muffin ballet costume that she wore for the end of year dance recital. As you can tell, Olivia loves ballet costumes. The costumes are pretty much her favorite part of the whole thing.   What is Your Weekly Photo? Mom Bloggers (and Dad Bloggers too!) post a photo on your site, link up and find others… Wordless Wednesday is tons of fun. (And I know it says “wordless” but I usually just can’t bear to…

• 

  An Island Life

• Green Bags for your business

  Kailani

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:42 pm

  Customearthpromos.com is a website that offers a variety of different bags that can be used and re-used for as long as you need them. These bags are completely green and friendly for the environment. Unlike your typical reusable bags, these come in a variety of different shapes and colors along with a variety of logos. You can use them for personal reasons or create your own new versions in order to try and increase the recognition of your brand name. Traditionally these bags are given away at trade shows in order to help your business increase brand name recognition. The bags are built to…

• vtech InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet (Giveaway)

  Kailani

  18 Jun 2013 | 2:34 am

  9If there’s one thing this family knows, it’s electronic tablets. We have such a wide variety of versions each with their own pros and cons. So when we were asked to review the new vtech InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet I knew we were up to the task. Product Description: With this child-friendly version of a touchpad tablet, the VTech InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet helps your child learn with one of today’s most popular technologies. This wi-fi-enabled multimedia tablet combines interactive reading, learning games, and creative activities in a sleek and durable…

• A Visit to Brisbane, Australia

  Kailani

  23 May 2013 | 1:17 pm

  On my first trip to Brisbane, Australia I had no idea where to go or what to do. Luckily, some of my flight attendant friends helped me out with great suggestions. Here are some of them: A visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Where I got to hold a real live Koala Bear! And feed a very sleepy kangaroo Rode the free ferry to South Bank Parklands To check out the man-made inland beach Wish I had brought my swimsuit! It was the perfect day to jump into the water! Then walked along the pathways and enjoyed some very beautiful landscaping. Have I told you lately how much I love my job?

• 

  Burgh Baby

• A Different Kind of American Girl Doll

  burghbaby

  18 Jun 2013 | 6:33 pm

  Evil arrives in the mailbox entirely too often. I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again -- whoever gave the American Girl Doll people our address needs to locked in a room with whiny army of small girls who have no concept of money. Just for kicks, I'm going to make sure the girls all have kazoos and giant bottles of glitter, by the way. Oh, and Justin Bieber. He's going in the room, too. It only seems fair. Fortunately, The Twitters agrees with me that the American Girl Doll catalog is evil. Even more fortunately, The Twitters usually gets home before we do, so I usually have a…

• At Least I'm Consistent with My Reaction

  burghbaby

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:33 pm

  There's a weird thing that happens when we go to Indiana. Alexis suddenly transforms into a pushy, assertive, confident, outgoing, and overly friendly little beast. We're talking about a kid who would barely make eye contact with her grandparents a few years ago. That version of Alexis has been replaced by the version that takes off at wedding receptions. She spent hours dancing and dancing and dancing past weekend and I truly very barely saw her. At all. I mean, I probably should have been worried about where she had disappeared to, but I figured she was stalking one cousin or another. I…

• She Had To Find Other Ways To Entertain Herself

  burghbaby

  16 Jun 2013 | 7:33 pm

  We spent the weekend in Indianapolis for a wedding, which is a very indirect saying of THE UNIVERSE! IT IS UPSIDE-DOWN! I don't know what it is about being away from home a few days that makes everything all screwy, but there it is. I'm tragically behind on all sorts of things, but completely lacking the care that is required to do something about it. The lack of care is probably kitten-shaped and currently sitting in my lap purring, but I can't prove that for sure. The wedding that we went to was one that Alexis had been looking forward to for a very long time. Through a weird sort of…

• 

  Happy Home

• Making your house a home with Cushions

  admin

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:37 am

  Accessories help to not only make your house look great but to make it feel more like a home. Although cushions are considered to be much more than just an accessory, as they can be used in a number of ways, from chairs and beds to sofas etc, you can choose from a wide range of materials, sizes and designs.Cushions add elegance and help to transform your house to a home, through a number of ways: Colour Cushions can bring colour into any room; they give your house a new lease of life. They come in a range of colours, in particular the selections of cushions online. The added colour helps any…

• Decorating bedroom with high ceilings

  Thomas

  18 Jun 2013 | 11:09 pm

  Good morning friends, today we leave this room so large, decorated with touches of turquoise and arranged high ceilings. If your home has high ceilings is a big plus at least it seems to me that me and seem larger. High ceilings stylized, makes it look much more airy place as we see in this case. The photograph belongs to a nice bedroom, consisting of a nice decor and high ceilings tall. The two large and beautiful windows give him away! Something very important in decorating is lighting. As you see in this room does not need much, as the natural light is overwhelming. But still on the bed…

• Very summery centerpiece

  Thomas

  18 Jun 2013 | 10:59 pm

  Hello friends today we leave you with this great centerpiece, as summery as supplements that comprise it. Here comes the heat! With many of us add a supplement to our home fabrics new furniture renew some we already had or add certain details. For me decorate a table is essential if you want to have a nice decoration. The centerpieces are great items that will add personality to our home. You can buy or you can make your own and there is a wide variety to make centerpieces.You can use fruits plants seeds, food, and a thousand items just need some examples and have imagination. Remember that a…

• 

  Cowgirl Yoga

• Healing with horses & yoga 2013

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:34 pm

  Two weekends in a row of Cowgirl Yoga! Including our 2013 Cowgirls vs. Cancer retreat. A whirlwind of yoga, horses, fabulous food, Montana moments, and amazing women. Pinch self: it always makes me smile to marvel at how I ended up doing this. I've mused extensively on how yoga has changed my life - but the chance to be able to make a positive difference in the cancer arena is the icing on the cake in terms of life changing. It's truly taken on a life of its own, the way we have all come together to create Cowgirls vs. Cancer. And there are many people that have become part of the mix that…

• Montana, where the grass is greener

  4 Jun 2013 | 4:13 pm

  Whoa, here we go! School's out (well, my daughter's school is already) and we're kicking off Cowgirl Yoga season on Thursday with our Cowgirls vs. Cancer retreat. It's been the usual build up of excitement, anticipation and nerves, plus the fast and furious flurry of activity to get everything ready. As we move into our sixth (!) retreat season, it's ironic to me that the more I work...the less it feels like work. Have I mentioned lately how much I love what I do?Last Thursday evening we had our Bozeman Cowgirls vs. Cancer yoga fundraiser, at the lovely Loft Spa downtown. Speaking of nerves,…

• My moving yoga mat

  24 May 2013 | 1:01 pm

  It's a beautiful day here - one of those when the grass is so green and the sky is so blue it makes your teeth hurt. We've had tons of rain this past week, which was great since this is the time of year when everyone starts fretting about how dry it is and how bad fire season might be. There is a fresh dusting of snow in the mountains, trees and wildflowers are blooming, and the horses have just about shed out their winter coats. We don't get a lot of spring days here, but this one is a fine example. I realize this weekend is supposed to be the official summer kick off, but I'm happy being a…

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  Starryskye.org

• Weed, Emma Watson and the End of the World

  Christine

  11 Jun 2013 | 4:12 pm

  I love that Emma Watson is getting further and further away from her “Hermione” counterpart WITHOUT turning into your stereotypical “child-star-turned-drug-whore.” That said – grownup Emma, wielding an ax and a super cute haircut, dropping the F-Bomb and robbing several men of liquor – was just ONE of the hysterical moments featured in the new movie “This is the End.” Thanks to the Aloha Agency, LLC (who doesn’t have a website – but has a Facebook) – I got to bring my husband on a DATE and take him to see a screening of This…

• Celebrity Spotting

  Christine

  8 Jun 2013 | 3:36 pm

  So, one of my online ‘friends’ went out on the town last night with some girlfriends and met one of the stars from Glee! I’m so excited for her! I never meet celebs for a couple reasons – one being that I never go OUT! The other reason is because I am SO LAME! I think I get star struck too easily – I see a celebrity and think “hey, that’s so and so” and instead of just ASKING like a normal person I get all stupid and WALK AWAY (occasionally snapping a not-so-covert photo). I’m lame. I live in Hawaii – there are actual CELEBRITIES…

• Emotional Freedom Technique and Intuition

  Christine

  5 Jun 2013 | 12:15 pm

  Last night I attended my second EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) “class” with my friend Sarah. EFT is a form of counseling intervention that draws on various theories of alternative medicine including acupuncture, neuro-linguistic programming, energy medicine, and Thought Field Therapy.  Basically, tapping on meridian points on the body (derived from acupuncture) can release energy blockages that cause negative emotions. Sounds wacky I know – but it’s pretty amazing stuff. The premise of the couple classes I’ve attended have been that, when you are a little…

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  Cool Zebras

• Drive

  Heather

  3 Jun 2013 | 8:25 pm

  For some, driving is therapy. In high school and junior college I drove countless miles to nowhere. Usually, a mood provoked the drive. Something happened that upset me or I was just feeling down in general. Something about being behind the wheel worked magic on me. I'd turn the radio (or whatever cassette suited my fancy) up and explore the outskirts of town, sometimes at the wee hours of the morning. It was the night that drew me most often, when most people were tucked into their respective beds, dead to the world. Night has always drawn me. It's the solitude, but it has always needed to…

• I Miss This Space

  Heather

  27 May 2013 | 9:02 pm

  I really loved this space. The writing, the sharing, the reveling in the mutual appreciation of the beauty of my children. Time has gotten in the way of writing. Obligations have gotten in the way of writing. I'm fairly sure there is no one left here to read my writing, but I wish I could still write, if for no one else, than for myself and my kids (to read when they're older). Ms. D turned ONE WHOLE HAND and says funnier stuff than I ever remember the other two kids saying...and that's saying A LOT because they said some really funny stuff. M and K are almost 11 and 9, respectively. M is…

• Just Trying to Process it all

  Heather

  21 Apr 2013 | 8:59 pm

  Life is getting overwhelming again. So much sadness and anger, combined with prolonged Winter weather do nothing to help the symptoms of living with depression and anxiety. On the larger scale, my issues are minimal. I lost no one I knew in the murders in Boston. No one I knew lost limbs there. No one I knew lost someone they loved. I am seemingly unaffected, yet I am.I have an eight-year-old son. I can see him in Martin. I can't imagine having to say goodbye to any of my kids. Yet, I saw no joy in hearing the suspects were dead or near-dead. I wish those boys had gotten help before they…

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  Comments for Mom Knows It All. - PR Friendly New Jersey Mom blogger on family, product reviews, tech, games and more.

• Comment on WW – Our Yard Guest by pat. marsden

  pat. marsden

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:04 am

  Should have invited me over to feed the duck.

• Comment on WW – Our Yard Guest by Beth

  Beth

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:48 am

  Our yard guests consist of rabbits and chipmunks who are cute but eat my plants.

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  FundraisingIP.com: Fundraising Ideas

• Our 7 Favorite Animal Shelter Fundraising Ideas!

  FundraisingIP.com

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:51 am

  Following are our favorite animal shelter fundraising ideas! Fun, social and lucrative! With any event that involves animals, remember to plan for extra clean up volunteers 1. Have a social “Yappy Hour” Like Happy Hour at the bar, this one features drinks and a friendly atmosphere with all your dog lover friends and like minded folks. Connect with a local establishment such as a restaurant, and arrange for the event to be held on an “off-night” (traditionally middle-of-the-week days). If management will agree to donate part of the proceeds from the event to the…

• Sample Donation Request Letter – Storm Victims

  FundraisingIP.com

  5 Jun 2013 | 10:36 am

  Following is a sample donation request letter that could be sent from a charitable organization or other group to their community and neighboring unaffected communities. Feel free to copy it and modify it for your fundraising needs. For any other use, please contact us. (More fundraising letters and templates…) Dear _____, It has been nearly a week since the destructive winds and rains of Hurricane _____ made landfall in of OurTown. The gale force winds ripped the roofs off of homes, uprooted trees and brought down power lines in our hometown. While some members of the community were…

• 17 Great Non-profit Resources

  FundraisingIP.com

  15 May 2013 | 11:20 am

  There is a wealth of non-profit resources available online about every single aspect of fundraising and we have collected some of our favorites to share with you! We will update this post from time to time to add other new and useful resources as they pop up. Enjoy! Feel free to add your own favorite non-profit resources in the comments below. In no particular order:   Non-profit marketing resources * Amy Neumann offers marketing and PR services at Good Plus Tech, contributes on Forbes and The Huffington Post and is author of “Uplifting Quotes on Gratitude and Goodness to Show…

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  Veep Veep

• Movie Review – Man of Steel

  Veep Veep

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:42 am

  I had a 4pm date with Man of Steel yesterday and while he didn’t disappoint, as I walked home alone thinking about our two and a half hours together, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to see him again if I had better options for my attention. Since this is summer, I’m pretty sure there will be many options. I had no problem paying the $14 movie ticket price to escape into the 143 minute movie — and its easy to follow the story line. I look forward to watching Man of Steel since the first movie trailer was released. I found myself completely immersed in Zack Snyder’s…

• Huggies Latino Family Playdate

  Veep Veep

  15 Jun 2013 | 12:39 pm

  Disclosure:  This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Huggies.  However, all opinions expressed are my own. Rain couldn’t stop us from having a little fun on Tuesday after school! My three school aged kidlets and I headed over to the Huggies Latino Family Playdate. My toddler son had playtime with his daddy lined up so he was unable to join us in the fun. The Huggies Latino Family Playdate was hosted by the new Huggies spokesperson Zuleyka Rivera who happens to be Miss Universe 2006. At the playdate, her new parenting webisodes (which can be found on the…

• Smiley Face

  Veep Veep

  5 Jun 2013 | 8:09 am

  Last weekend, I took a day trip out of the city that never sleeps to the ‘burbs to see a friend I was way overdue to see. While there I stopped by my high school since it was next to one of our stops. I hadn’t been back to my high school in a decade and to be honest it was a little surreal to be there. As I stood there on the front lawn smiling so my friend could take a quick snap of me before someone came out the doors and yelled to get off the lawn, I thought about my very first day of high school. I was nervous about being at a new school and everyone seemed to know where they…

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  If I Could Escape

• Silent Sunday…

  If I Could Escape

  26 May 2013 | 4:21 am

• Silent Sunday…

  If I Could Escape

  19 May 2013 | 10:49 am

• Silent Sunday…

  If I Could Escape

  12 May 2013 | 7:33 pm

• 

  It's @jennyonthespot!

• Your startup disk is almost full: In which I ramble aimlessly-ish

  Jenny On the Spot

  17 Jun 2013 | 9:28 pm

  I’m in one of those moods where I feel the need to write my brains out, but everything is so jumbled I have absolutely nothing to write about. It’s like thought constipation. It’s like having way too much stuff on your computer. “You need to make more space available on your startup disk by deleting [...]Your startup disk is almost full: In which I ramble aimlessly-ish is a post from: It's @jennyonthespot!

• It’s Father’s Day!

  Jenny On the Spot

  16 Jun 2013 | 8:47 am

  Father’s Day. That’s today, just in case you weren’t sure. Thanks and props to the dads who serve and sacrifice and tickle fight. Props to the dads who sit through ballet recitals and wear piggy tails so your daughter can practice hair design… And props to the dad who goofs off in the fun house… [...]It’s Father’s Day! is a post from: It's @jennyonthespot!

• Flicka, a Charming New Women’s Boutique Opens in Poulsbo!

  Jenny On the Spot

  15 Jun 2013 | 2:31 pm

  There’s a charming new women’s boutique that just opened in Poulsbo… Flicka. It’s not pronounced FliHcka, but Fleeeeekah. It means “girl” in Swedish. If you are familiar with Poulsbo, you will understand why this name is a perfect fit. And if you know the family that opened this store, then it makes even more sense. [...]Flicka, a Charming New Women’s Boutique Opens in Poulsbo! is a post from: It's @jennyonthespot!

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  lifefrommylaptop.com

• Blog Advice Giveaway

  Alyssa

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:53 am

  I have been blogging since 2007, however, I have had more than one what I consider as a blogging break.  My blog hasn’t always been a focus and I have struggled to make it ever make an income or even have a large following.  So, as I have begun to spend some time working on it again this summer I have decided to try and do what I have never done – grow my blog.  Then I saw this great contest- Blog Advice Giveaway and I just had to enter it. One of my favorite bloggers, Mandy from House of Rose is one of the participants who is helping to sponsor the giveaway.  She’s the…

• Cash Budgeting: My Journey to Become Debt Free

  Alyssa

  17 Jun 2013 | 12:04 pm

  I have had a goal to become debt free for a very long time, unfortunately it has yet to become a reality for us.  It feels like we are taking two steps forward and ten steps back on most days.  However, I am trying not to become discouraged.  I do have my days though.  So, I have finally made up my mind to try it again with intensity and therefore I am blogging about my journey.  I am blogging about it because I could use the accountability.  I’m hoping you, my readers, will hold me accountable. Here is where I stand right now.  We currently have 12 debts, not including the house…

• Dinner Meal Plans: Easy to Cook Meals

  Alyssa

  16 Jun 2013 | 11:00 pm

  I continue to look for easy to cook meals for the summer months as the summer heat increases I definitely don’t want to be sweating in the kitchen.  I’m sure you don’t either so I’m quite sure you’ll want to try some of these easy summer meals to help you feed your family.  My family enjoys some meals on a regular basis. I call those our go to meals.  Does your family have go to meals you all enjoy? This week my oldest son, who is 9 helped me to make our meal list so he chose a couple of his favorites.  I’m glad he was able to help me as I was in a…

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  La Dolce Vita.....

• New in the shop Tagua Nut necklaces

  Kristen Andrews

  13 Jun 2013 | 7:27 am

  A beautiful POP of color with the Multi Colored Tagua necklace. This piece has 5 Tagua Nut's that are attached to a beautiful 18 inch chunky sterling silver chain. This necklace is a One Of A Kind as each Tagua nut is slightly different, you will receive the necklace pictured. Tagua Nuts – also known as Vegetable Ivory are seeds that come from the tropical rainforest of South America. The seeds are sliced, dyed and polished. Each Tagua Nut is unique and has it's own variations making each a one of a kind seed. Tagua Nuts are very close to the density of animal ivory. Tagua is replacing the…

• Don't forget Dad's and Grad's! Special offer

  Kristen Andrews

  8 Jun 2013 | 6:50 am

  Please enjoy 15% off your entire order by entering DADSANDGRADS at check out.  Offer not valid with any other offer or on prior purchases.  Offer expires 6/12/13. Happy Shopping!

• Frankenmuth....Chicken Dinner

  Kristen Andrews

  3 Jun 2013 | 7:52 am

  We spent Memorial Day weekend in Frankenmuth, Michigan There is so much to do in Frankenmuth, shopping, dining and lots of ice cream! We had a yummy chicken dinner at The Bavarian  Inn I wasn't sure I was going to like it but it was delicious..... a lot of food for the money.  Our next trip we are going to try Zehnders Chicken dinner, we hear it is very good too.  I love the charm of downtown Frankenmuth and it is great for kids too. 

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  Mommy Musings

• Refreshing Bacardi Light Strawberry Mint Daiquiri {Recipe} #BacardiClassicCocktails

  Stefanie Fauquet

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:31 am

  Nothing is better in the summertime than a great cocktail! WhileI love to indulge in margaritas and mai tai’s by the pool, those babies come with a ton of calories — and this mom doesn’t like to waste all her calories on drinks (I like to nosh, too!). Luckily, there’s new BACARDI® Classic Cocktails Light [...]The post Refreshing Bacardi Light Strawberry Mint Daiquiri {Recipe} #BacardiClassicCocktails appeared first on Mommy Musings.

• Decade Of Kissimmee Memories Contest Winner Revealed! #kiss10

  Guest

  17 Jun 2013 | 11:07 am

  Kayla Aimee from kaylaaimee.com attended the Decades Of Kissimmee Memories press trip on behalf of Mommy Musings. She is sharing several posts about the attractions she visited as she experienced Kissimmee firsthand. When she’s not wrangling gators in Florida, she resides just north in Atlanta, where she writes about faith, family and her tendency to [...]The post Decade Of Kissimmee Memories Contest Winner Revealed! #kiss10 appeared first on Mommy Musings.

• We’re Back from New Orleans #FollowYourNOLA

  Stefanie Fauquet

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:00 am

  I can’t believe our vacation in New Orleans is over — it went incredibly too fast, and we would have stayed an extra week if we could have. To give you a recap, my family spent 5-nights in the Big Easy at the fabulous JW Marriott New Orleans (more on this awesome hotel later!). We tried to [...]The post We’re Back from New Orleans #FollowYourNOLA appeared first on Mommy Musings.

• 

  House of Prince

• Wordless Wednesday: Genetics

  Kim Tracy Prince

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:35 am

  My dad reads a lot. He always has multiple books he’s reading at the same time and they are placed throughout his house, ready and waiting for him to pick them up again. He also reads at least two newspapers a day, and magazines, and material on his iPad and his computer. My mom reads a lot too. Between the two of them, they have amassed an impressive library, one that cannot be contained by “shelves” or “rooms.” So, um, yeah. I do this a lot too. I didn’t even realize until this moment that my living room makeover matches my dad’s library. In real…

• Skincare Product Review: Nuance by Salma Hayek

  Kim Tracy Prince

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am

  Nuance Skincare and Beauty Products by Salma Hayek for CVS I first learned of this product line quite a while ago, I think it was BlogHer ’11, when I got a packet of makeup removing towelettes ($7.99) in a gift bag from a MomsLA party. Let me say here for the record: while not very environmentally friendly, I do believe cleansing towelettes are a miracle in a plastic packet. Hayek’s beauty tips include this: “If you do only one thing, clean your face at night.” I am guilty of skipping that step on 99% of my days, so when I have a pack of facial cleansing towelettes I…

• It’s All About Me

  Kim Tracy Prince

  14 Jun 2013 | 1:59 pm

  Last night at a media preview event at a new restaurant, my friend and I struck up a conversation with the couple sitting at the table next to us. What followed was a discussion about blogs and media with two people who are not necessarily embedded in this medium the way I am. It was a strange update on the “what’s a blog?” conversation I would have with people say, five years ago, when I mentioned that I had a blog at all. Now people have at least heard of blogs, they probably read them without even knowing it, and then the question is “what’s your blog…

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  Momathon Blog

• Instagram Tips: Adding Typography and Art

  Chris

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:06 am

  Adding interesting typography and artwork is fun with two of my favorite apps: Over and A Beautiful Mess. Here are a few ideas to try from my instagram feed.

• Nature Hikes: Deer Ticks and Lyme Disease

  Chris

  17 Jun 2013 | 9:55 am

  Are you planning a hike outdoors or a trip to the park with your kids? It's time to brush up on the facts about those creepy crawly ticks lurking in grass and wooded areas. Deer tick season begins in Identifying and Removing Deer Ticks: June and that means the beginning of Lyme disease season too. Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi that is carried by infected deer ticks also known as blacklegged ticks. Deer ticks are smaller than the wood (or dog) tick and are generally found in the northeastern, north central, and Pacific coastal regions of North America according to…

• Shoe Sketchbook: Carrie and the Missing Manolos

  Chris

  14 Jun 2013 | 9:41 am

  Remember these shoes? In the episode "A Woman's Right to Shoes," Carrie goes to a baby shower and the hostess asks her to remove her shoes when she enters her apartment. When Carrie gathers her stuff to leave she discovers the shoes are gone. And this begins the discussion between Carrie about the value of shoes—is a shoe ever "just a shoe?"

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  Love That Max

• A genius new auto-injector for allergic reactions and other revelations

  19 Jun 2013 | 3:40 am

  If your Cars 2 obsessed child happens to leave his Cars 2 lunch box at the bowling alley where he attended a birthday party over the weekend, and you are not able to pick it up till the following weekend, he will somehow survive.  Somehow, I always forget that June is the most hectic month of the year, next to December. My brain just keeps thinking that it should be easy.  There's a new epinephrine injector, the Auvi-Q. It's a bit larger than a credit card and about 1/2 inch thick, so it's easy to tote around; it has voice instructions to guide you through the injection process; and…

• How to (mostly) have patience when your child acts up

  18 Jun 2013 | 3:39 am

  "In one post (I can't remember which) you mention having endless patience for your child. Really? I struggle with this so much," the email read. "My little girl is 3 1/2 and her more challenging behavior makes me want to scream with frustration. The refusal to eat by herself (even though she can), the fits of screaming in public places when we take her to something we had hoped she would like, the running away when we ask her to come, the constantly taking off her clothes (although I'm obviously proud of her new skill)... small things mostly but frustrating nonetheless. I end up feeling angry…

• Toys aren't us: Dealing with special needs parent buying compulsion

  17 Jun 2013 | 3:40 am

  I did a huge toy purge this weekend—perhaps you heard me screeching "I can't believe how much crap the kids have!!!" as I unearthed yet another game that was missing approximately 97 pieces.  It's been years since I sorted through the kids' games and toys, and there is a mind-boggling amount of them. This is mostly because of the buying sprees I went on during Max's early years, when I figured the more toys to simulate him, the better. I looked to toys for salvation, hoping they could spark his intellect, encourage him to better use his fingers and hands and even get him to walk. Toys…

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  Motherhood in NYC

• Scenic Route

  Marinka

  14 Jun 2013 | 5:01 am

  I was taking a shower earlier this week when I had a sudden and very painful pain in my calf. It hurt so much that it actually made me gasp, and I immediately thought “it’s a blood clot! This is it!” but instead of having my whole life flash before my eyes and feeling regret that I did not spend more time with my loved ones, I thought, “FINALLY!” and waited for the clot to get to its destination. This should give you an idea of how my week has been going. That was a few days ago and I’m still waiting, since apparently my blood clot is taking the scenic…

• Literary Genius

  Marinka

  10 Jun 2013 | 4:48 am

  The other day I had a heart to heart with my husband. Which I don’t recommend doing with the heartless. “Hey,” I started. “Isn’t it weird that that even though I’m a literary genius, I don’t yet have an agent or a book deal?” “I didn’t realize you were a literary genius,” he said. Oh, that man. Of all the things to respond to in my lament that’s the one he chooses? “Have you heard that I’m not a literary genius?” I became alarmed. What if someone is starting vicious rumors about me? This would certainly…

• 

  chefdruck.com

• Candied Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies: a Marriage Made in Heaven

  chefdruck

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:27 pm

  Bacon and chocolate, together in a cookie, are, most definitely, a marriage made in heaven. As candied bacon tends to disappear in our house, I have to quickly grab a couple of strips to hide when I make a new batch. A couple of strips is plenty to give these chocolate chip cookies a hint of something very exciting, without overpowering the cookie with a strong bacon flavor. You want the ratio to be about 15 chips to 3 specks of bacon per cookie, and the magic will happen. When you make a batch of candied bacon, throw a little in a ziploc in the fridge. Then you’ll have some leftover to…

• Chicago Cooking Classes and Writing Conferences: Making Room for Mom in Summer Mayhem

  chefdruck

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:32 am

  Summer vacation finally started yesterday in our house. Talk shifted to tennis whites, pool towels, and sunscreen instead of homework due dates and tests. There’s plenty of time for freedom and playing in the grass, but I’ve learned in summers past that too much free time leads to overwhelming choruses of boredom and fighting. So the kids will be busy with a myriad of summer camps: horseback riding for Juju, art for Bella, and tennis for Jack. Baby Sophie just gets the bliss of having everyone everyone. But the most important lesson I’ve learned from summers past is this:…

• Tarte aux Pommes

  chefdruck

  13 Jun 2013 | 10:41 am

  The last recipe I’ll share with you from our Anthony Eats picnic is this recipe for French Apple Pie, aka Tarte Aux Pommes. Although few things are as American as apple pie, the French are pretty proud of their take on apple tarts, and deservedly so. French apple pies have wafer thin apple slices, buttery crust, and a caramelized glaze to give the whole thing an irresistible sheen. Using a mandoline would make slicing the apples a much quicker job, but I have a deep seated fear of the guillotine like appliance after seeing my mother slice her fingertips off more than once. At Food Blog…

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  A Modern Mother

• My trip to No. 10

  Susanna

  9 Jun 2013 | 12:42 am

  That was a bit surreal. An invite arrived in the post from Samantha Cameron inviting me to a reception at No. 10 Downing Street in support of baby charity Tommy's. Yes, please I would love to attend, thank you very much for the invitation Mrs. Cameron. I read on. Dress: Lounge suits. Lounge suits? A friend from Pilates told me it meant "not a short cocktail dress" and "not a long formal black tie dress", but more of a "Henley Regatta nice dress" that covers your knees (without a hat). So off I went in my nice dress. Apparently No. 10 holds a number of…

• Cornwall with Kids: The Sands Resort Hotel and Spa Review

  Susanna

  8 Jun 2013 | 11:52 pm

  Think Cornwall and you think wet suits and walking boots. Surfing. Coastal walks. Cornish pasties and cream teas. But how do you make the most of it with kids? It helps to base yourself somewhere that caters to children! As guests of the Sands Resort Hotel and Spa in North Cornwall, our mission was to find out! Cornwall is a good four hour journey from where we live the Thames Valley. It's just that wee bit further away for us, and we've only been once before. Our plan was to leave early (6 am) which meant little traffic and we made it there in 3 and ½ hours! We made a beeline for…

• Glamping in your back garden and British S'Mores

  Susanna

  28 May 2013 | 11:10 pm

  I've never been much of a camper. I blame my parents. When I was a baby, they took me and my three siblings (aged 5, 7 and 8) camping for the weekend in high country in Yosemite. In November. In a 1970s canvas tent. No one slept, except me (I am often reminded) as I was in a buggy. The rest of the family were in sleeping bags with just canvas between themselves and the freezing earth. My father packed us all up the next morning and we went home (apparently to no objections). This is one of those family stories that gets better and better through time. Susie was fine, she was in the…

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  A Frog In My Soup

• Chalkboard Art Quote Graphic: Family Creed

  Shera

  18 Jun 2013 | 2:10 pm

  As I fight off a nasty cold that hit me hard the day after school got out for my boys, I haven’t had much time or energy to write or create or do anything productive. So, since I have had this little graphic made up for a few weeks now, I thought it’s as good [...] {Continue Reading at www.afroginmysoup.com}

• Kitchen Hutch Makeover Project

  Shera

  13 Jun 2013 | 6:44 am

  Every once in awhile we decide to give our handy makeover skills a workout on a piece of furniture, a room, etc. This last couple weeks it has been a Kitchen China Hutch project that we stumbled upon the most amazing deal on. With the new house, we love doing little projects to really make [...] {Continue Reading at www.afroginmysoup.com}

• Motherhood and Friendships: A Word Of Caution

  Shera

  12 Jun 2013 | 8:51 am

  New and expectant motherhood comes with a lot of interesting and often unexpected changes in life, and the relationships around you. You may find yourself much closer to a friend or relative that you hadn’t spoken with much over the last several years, or you may find that you fall away from the “girls night” [...] {Continue Reading at www.afroginmysoup.com}

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  Member Blog Posts - Mom Bloggers Club

• NEW Giveaway Backyard Safari Outfitters-Walkie Talkies & Land/Water Habitat. ends 7/3. US only

  Jodi Flaherty

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:30 pm

  Backyard Safari Outfitters-Walkie Talkies and Land & Water Habitat. Ends 7/3. US only

• $50 Kroger Gift Card Giveaway

  Justine Caraway

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:03 pm

  $50 Kroger Gift Card Giveaway   Earlier this week I showed you how getting your entire shopping list at Kroger can save you time and money allowing you more freedom to spend quality time with your family, now it's your turn! This week I'm challenging you to take the Kroger Challenge. How? It's simple, make a shopping list of all your shopping needs for the week and head out to Kroger on Friday, Saturday or Sunday so you can take advantage of the 2x Fuel Points Summer Promotion. This promotion allows you to earn double fuel points on qualifying purchases. Either download your digital coupon…

• The Succulent Wife Since 2007: A Look Back

  The Succulent Wife

  19 Jun 2013 | 3:02 pm

  It was in 2007 when The Succulent Wives came to be a blog. Looking back we are amazed on the plethora of topics that we have written about over the years.  Some were poignant, some funny and many we had completely forgotten about. As our blog has grown, so has our readership and because of that, we want to share the ones that, to this day, are still our favorites. The one below was originally posted in 2009 (where has the time gone) and I still make this salad today. Bon Appétit…. I discovered the now-my-favorite-spice when visiting Turkey last year. We were served some variation of…

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  My Mom's Blog by Thoroughly Modern Millie

• WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY?

  9 Jun 2013 | 4:35 am

  I'm spending the whole day home, not going out to the market, not going to a doctors appointment, not going to get my hair done, not going to the bank, not playing Mah Jong, not going to the movies, not even going to dinner at the clubhouse.Imagine being delighted just to do the laundry, pay some bills, straighten out some drawers, make some overdue phone calls and even make a post!I've been out just about every day this week.At my age if I'm out two days in a row, I have to stay home the third day. Sometimes I am able to control how I spend my time, sometimes I don't want to miss the game,…

• COMEDY AND DRAMA AT THE SUPERMARKET

  26 May 2013 | 9:55 am

  Going to the supermarket is a chore for me, but a girl has got to do what a girl has got to do.There are times when I just need a few things, so I drop into a small store where I can pick up things like milk, bread or bananas, that tides me over until the time comes when I say, "Millie, you really have to go to the BIG market."A few days ago I got the message and could not put it off any longer. Truth be told, once I complete shopping at the BIG store, park my car and schlep my purchases into my apartment, I'm a very happy camper because I know I won't be going to the BIG store for…

• ME AND THE MOVIES

  16 May 2013 | 5:53 pm

  One thing is for sure: As time goes by, things change, even the way I see movies today.CHILDHOODWhen I was a youngster, going to the movies was the big event of the week.My mom would pack me a lunch, usually a salami sandwich, just in case I got hungry. After all, I child would need some nourishment after spending a few hours watching the news, the coming attractions, a short cartoon, and the main feature.In those days I don't think the movie theaters sold popcorn or maybe because it was the depression era it was cheaper to make me a sandwich than to buy the popcorn?TEENAGERGoing to the…

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  Mommy Health and Beauty Info

• HEALTH CARE ISSUES

  admin

  11 Jun 2013 | 4:16 pm

  Health care – Plaything trucks wherever the size the home establishes your degree of achievement in daily life and the shade associated with hair no longer can easily determine your actual age, the phrase ‘health’ has arrive at imply far more than what this specific did up right up until the present. Health is not an full determinant with regards to longevity and the alternative way around is true as well. Health is now a great outdoor umbrella time period wherever the dimension regarding the patio outdoor umbrella is constantly acquiring rechecked and reset; it is…

• GET GLOWING AND FRESH SKIN EVERYDAY

  admin

  9 Jun 2013 | 4:51 pm

  To look youthful, we do not always have to spend a lot of money. In one case, we can use DCL AHA lightening gel to help overcoming hyperpigmentation. This lightening gel contains powerful ingredients such as glycolic acid and hydroquinone. To keep our skin youthful, we must protect it from the sun exposure. It is highly suggested to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with 15 SPF (at least). Because the sun’s rays are very strong between 10 AM and 4 PM, you had better not go outdoors. To obtain maximum result, every morning before taking shower, you can do a dry brush exfoliation. By doing a dry…

• ENSURE THE SAFETY OF COSMETIC LASER

  admin

  27 May 2013 | 4:15 pm

  Dr Kovak is considered as a leader in cosmetic medicine in the Chicago area. Your specific needs will be their main concern after all. Thus, you can expect for the best results. If you are planning to get laser surgery, you have to think about the safety tips. Although that laser surgery is known as an effective and safe therapy for any cosmetic procedures. Checking the certification of the one who will be performing the procedure is very crucial. No one wants t to take a risk after all. It is highly advisable to get a laser surgery performed by an experienced and licensed physician. To…

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  Mom Spark

• Blueberries Rock. #ad

  Mom Spark

  19 Jun 2013 | 9:34 am

  DISCLOSURE – This post is sponsored by the Blueberry Council. Thoughts are my own. Read Mom Spark’s full disclosure here. Are you a blueberry fan? Seriously, how could you not be? Not only do blueberries include healthy nutrients and taste delicious, but they are an extremely versatile ingredient that I often use in smoothies, salads and desserts. Heck, they are just fine eaten raw. Blueberries pretty much rock. This year, Biggest Loser Host Alison Sweeney and the Blueberry Council have partnered on getting the word out about how blueberries help make healthy living easy and fun!

• Cablemover Twitter Party Tuesday, June 25, 2013 8:00pm ET #MovingSeason #ad

  Mom Spark

  18 Jun 2013 | 2:11 pm

  DISCLOSURE – Mom Spark Media has partnered with Cablemover to produce this Twitter party. Read Mom Spark’s full disclosure here. Let’s face it – moving can be a stressful process. Not only is the packing/unpacking a never ending consuming process, but you also have to think about transferring all of your utilities to the new location, including your cable and internet services. Fortunately, CableMover.com allows movers to quickly get their Internet, TV and phone services connected at their new residences, as well as access to valuable moving tips. To celebrate moving…

• Wordless Wednesday: Yellow Roses

  Mom Spark

  18 Jun 2013 | 12:01 pm

  Shot with Instagram. Follow Mom Spark on Instagram at instagram.com/momspark.

• 

  Please Pass the Salt

• summer playin

  Moriah

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:10 pm

  We signed Drew up for extra reading practice over the summer with one of my teacher friends who tutors on the side. We met at her elementary school for the first session last Friday and it was the perfect set-up for him (use of the library) and for all the other kids – PLAYGROUND! It has a few vintage pieces that were really fun to photograph. I hadn’t really picked up my camera in weeks, but luckily I had tossed it into my diaper bag that day. I had promised Drew some play time after he was finished. And he got candy, so clearly reading is fun. And then took them to exchange meal…

• baby fun day

  Moriah

  12 Jun 2013 | 4:51 am

  (Otherwise known as cram-it-all-in-before-the-big-kids-get-back, a story in iPhone pics.)

• halfway to sixteen. (oh, no!!)

  Moriah

  10 Jun 2013 | 11:15 am

  So, Saturday was Madeline’s birthday and now she is eight. She had requested Six Flags White Water (Atlanta) so that’s what we did. We were still about 40 minutes out and our van got a flat tire. Yeah that sounds exactly like us! The kids were really good for having to wait so long for roadside assistance and Andy and I read various things to each other. Lemons – lemonade. (I think I mentioned a while back that we are doing a parenting small group together and it’s been interesting. We are arguing – I mean discussing – a lot of things :) We decided the…

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  Moomettes Magnificents

• Zibbet | Handmade Crafts | New Online Marketplace for Handcrafted Items

  Moomettes

  6 Jun 2013 | 2:30 pm

  One of my continuing goals as both a Work-at-Home Mom and a Baby Boomer was to set up a Sellers Shop to showcase my handmade crochet items, jewelry, crochet wash cloths and sewing patterns at Zibbet, the latest online marketplace for handmade items.Zibbet | Handmade Crafts | New Online Marketplace for Handcrafted Items is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents | Connecticut Blogger

• DIY Learn How to Crochet | Online Craft Courses | Eyelash Yarn Scarf

  Moomettes

  21 Apr 2013 | 7:09 am

  Have you ever wanted to learn how to crochet? Those who crochet must learn how to handle the hook, work jointly, chain stitch, slip knot, and crochet a single row. Did you know that you can learn a new hobby by taking online courses?DIY Learn How to Crochet | Online Craft Courses | Eyelash Yarn Scarf is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents | Connecticut Blogger

• Etsy On Sale | Handmade Crochet Faux Fur Scarf | Pricing Craft Show Items

  Moomettes

  13 Apr 2013 | 10:52 am

  If you have a hobby and are thinking about introducing your sewing, crocheting, knitting, jewelry making or specialty food items at Craft Fairs, Bazaars, or Farmer's Markets, here's some good information for setting up your booths.Etsy On Sale | Handmade Crochet Faux Fur Scarf | Pricing Craft Show Items is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents | Connecticut Blogger

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  Bizzie Living

• Tips for First-Time School Chaperones

  Bizzie Guest

  11 Jun 2013 | 11:30 am

  Being a mom is a lot of work, now imagine taking care of an entire group of 4th graders on a field trip, now that’s hard work! Sure, being a chaperone has its perks, you get to have fun with your kid and you get to see how your child does in an educational environment. For some parents, their first field trip could be frightening. How can you counter these fears? Preparation and anticipation! Thus, I have compiled a list of suggestions on how chaperoning for your kid’s field trip can turn out successful! Who knows, the kids might end up considering you the cool mom. Know What’s Expected…

• Macro Monday: My Inaugural Entry

  Stephanie Elie

  10 Jun 2013 | 11:25 am

  A walk through Brookside Gardens Just me and my macro – Tamron 90mm I’ve been hibernating indoors for the last couple of months in fear of the impending doom expected to arrive by the way of those gigantic and large cicada bugs that I’m told will not only cover the earth but will invade your car and your hair for several weeks this spring. I found myself walking from the metro to my office inspecting tree trunks to see if the bugs have arrived. Luckily they haven’t unearthed yet, so I risked exposure but taking a brief walk through Brookside Gardens with my macro lens in hand. I’ve…

• A Hair Chop, Dancing and some Wine

  Stephanie Elie

  10 Jun 2013 | 9:22 am

  Annapolis Arts & Crafts Festival, Wine and Taste of Wheaton With such a busy weekend, I’m already counting down the minutes for the weekend. This weekend was an interesting one. I finally embraced the fact that my hair and I will never be happy with the humidity so we got cut and styled to accommodate the unpredictability of both my hair and weather. So far things are working out. It’s raining today, I know BIG surprise so we shall see how things turn out. In fact today’s picture highlights the before shot, hopefully I can remember to take the after work, working out…

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  Blessings Abound Mommy | Jacqueline Renner | Mom Blog | Influential Mom Blogger | Products I love, Reviews, Giveaways, Family Life in Alaska, and Everything in between!

• Giveaway: Oral-B Deep Sweep TRIACTION 1000 Power Toothbrush #powerofdad #spon

  Jacqueline

  13 Jun 2013 | 1:21 pm

  Tweet #spon: I’m required to disclose a relationship between our site and Oral-B. Oral-B may have provided us with content, product, access or other forms of payment. All opinions are my own.... Read More to get the latest scoop on reviews, giveaways, the daily life of Jacqueline, and more on Blessings Abound!

• Giveaway: Carrs Safeway Gas Reward Program At Chevron + $50 Gift Card

  Jacqueline

  12 Jun 2013 | 4:21 pm

  Tweet Carrs Safeway Gas Reward Points At Chevron Gas Stations *Disclosure:  Thanks to Carrs Safeway for providing information for the post and a Carrs Safeway gift card for myself and prizing for my... Read More to get the latest scoop on reviews, giveaways, the daily life of Jacqueline, and more on Blessings Abound!

• Giveaway: Spread The Wonder With Oreo To Dad This Father’s Day

  Jacqueline

  12 Jun 2013 | 2:00 pm

  Tweet *Disclosure:  Thanks to Oreo for providing the Spread The Wonder With Oreo Father’s Day Package for myself and prizing for my readers.  However, all experiences and opinions are 100% my own.... Read More to get the latest scoop on reviews, giveaways, the daily life of Jacqueline, and more on Blessings Abound!

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  Blessed with Grace

• Summer is here…and Tempt My Tummy will be on vacation…

  Lisa

  2 Jun 2013 | 4:14 pm

  Summer is here!  My daughter has been out of school for over a week now.  There has been her 6th birthday celebration, playing in the water sprinkler, chalk drawing on the sidewalk, blowing of bubbles, cooking out and eating on our outside deck, our first trip to the neighborhood pool, and even a trip to the local zoo. Thrown into the week and a half of summer play time has been the dress rehearsal and recital for my daughter’s dance studio.  Grace was great! (Of course I think so – she is my daughter!) She was so excited when her daddy presented her with a bouquet of colored…

• Pausing for Memorial Day

  Lisa

  27 May 2013 | 9:28 am

  There will be no Tempt My Tummy this week, as we remember those who have sacrificed and given all for our freedom.

• Tempt My Tummy…Chicken Salad and Lemon Pound Cake

  Lisa

  20 May 2013 | 5:30 pm

  Oh my! It is a very busy time of year and this week is huge!  Tomorrow my MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) group is having our end of year Mother’s Tea.  As the hospitality coordinator, I have had lots to take care of and coordinate.  Wednesday is my daughter’s last day of school and I am still needing to put together her teacher and teacher’s assistant thank you gifts.  Finally, and most important, my daughter has her birthday on Friday.  She will be six!  That means I am also planning and finalizing details for her birthday on Saturday. So, I thought I would share two…

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  The Young and The Relentless

• Ten Ways iKeith and I are Different

  Connie Weiss

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:41 am

  We're headed home from our vacation today and I'm anxious to get back, sleep in my own bed and eat some healthy food. I'm been sick for the last 5 days but Keith's been pumping me full of pills like I'm Anna Nichole Smith!I've decided to copy The Pioneer Woman's post today because there are many ways that me and iKeith are different. Let me count the ways.1.) He snores.     I talk in my sleep.2.) He likes to fly by the seat of his pants.     I like to plan every last detail.3.). He doesn't think I'm very funny.      I think I'm hilarious.4.). He…

• Liquor

  Connie Weiss

  13 Jun 2013 | 9:13 am

  We were walking back to the hotel from dinner when I saw this funny sign. I asked Mallory to take my picture. She did....while yelling LIQUOR! LIQUOR! The tourists walking by we're laughing and egging her on, while I asked her through clenched teeth to stop saying LIQUOR! Gosh it's great that she's learned to read!In other news, it's so hard for Keith to find a hat that looks good on him.

• I've Still Got It

  Connie Weiss

  12 Jun 2013 | 7:29 am

  The kids and I had a super busy day traveling all over San Francisco seeing the sights. If you follow me on Instagram, you know what fun we had!So much happened that I can't wait to tell you about but I didn't bring my lap top and I'm attempting this update from my iMini. We met iKeith at the WWDC conference after seeing Epic at the AMC IMAX and we were on our way to dinner when a nice 40's-ish Asian hipster started hitting on me.  I was wearing my favorite coat....the 2011 WWDC version so I might have looked like a hottie girl programmer ( a rarity) instead of a hottie PTA Mom.

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  The Bee Chronicles

• Hey you....

  Janna Bee

  18 Jun 2013 | 6:06 am

  ....my baby is not grumpy, he did not wake up on the wrong side of the bed,  and he is not shy. He just doesn't like creepy strangers in his face.  Would you want to smile for every stranger that came up and talked right in your personal space? No, I do NOT want you to hold him. You are a creepy stranger. See above. I don't need assistance. If I do, I will ask. Looking at me condescendingly will not make me want help either. I don't mind having all boys. Either way I would be busy! Getting annoyed with my baby's babbling and expecting me to be able to quiet him down…

• Eleven

  Janna Bee

  12 Jun 2013 | 6:11 am

  This is a little late, but I am officially 11 months old, and I am starting to resemble a toddler more than a baby. I am starting to take steps, stand, climb and throw tantrums! I am on the move too much to pose on the floor. Fun! I also am starting to really play, and that IS really fun!

• Social Media Overload

  Janna Bee

  24 May 2013 | 6:06 am

  Lately I feel overwhelmed with the amount of articles everywhere on how to be a better Mom. I especially feel overwhelmed trying to sort through what I should be feeding my children, how I should never yell (I do, it's my fiery Italian side-I'm working on it), how often I should play with my children, whether my house should be clean or dirty, etc.The current trend I have seen is- No yelling (but you should still discipline, but find a way to do that promotes self esteem), do not clean (but be organized), eat organic (but don't, or don't stress over it) play more with your children (but…

• 

  Moomettes Magnificents

• Zibbet | Handmade Crafts | New Online Marketplace for Handcrafted Items

  Moomettes

  6 Jun 2013 | 2:30 pm

  One of my continuing goals as both a Work-at-Home Mom and a Baby Boomer was to set up a Sellers Shop to showcase my handmade crochet items, jewelry, crochet wash cloths and sewing patterns at Zibbet, the latest online marketplace for handmade items.Zibbet | Handmade Crafts | New Online Marketplace for Handcrafted Items is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents | Connecticut Blogger

• DIY Learn How to Crochet | Online Craft Courses | Eyelash Yarn Scarf

  Moomettes

  21 Apr 2013 | 7:09 am

  Have you ever wanted to learn how to crochet? Those who crochet must learn how to handle the hook, work jointly, chain stitch, slip knot, and crochet a single row. Did you know that you can learn a new hobby by taking online courses?DIY Learn How to Crochet | Online Craft Courses | Eyelash Yarn Scarf is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents | Connecticut Blogger

• Etsy On Sale | Handmade Crochet Faux Fur Scarf | Pricing Craft Show Items

  Moomettes

  13 Apr 2013 | 10:52 am

  If you have a hobby and are thinking about introducing your sewing, crocheting, knitting, jewelry making or specialty food items at Craft Fairs, Bazaars, or Farmer's Markets, here's some good information for setting up your booths.Etsy On Sale | Handmade Crochet Faux Fur Scarf | Pricing Craft Show Items is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents | Connecticut Blogger

• 

  Rants In My Pants

• {Beating the Pants Off That Kid}

  3 Jun 2013 | 2:45 pm

  If you are one of those people who believes that everyone who crouches in the starting blocks should take home a gold medal or that a scoreboard is best viewed as more of a suggestion than actual math or that spelling bees should give trophies for "close enough" then listen up, I have found your Promised Land.  Cub Scouts.In the two and a half years that my oldest son has been in our church Cub Scout troop, our family has participated in multiple celebrations of  the engineering prowess of 8-11 year old boys... and when I say "8-11 year old boys" I mean the parents of "8-11 year old…

• {Mistaken For Someone Else's Pants}

  7 Feb 2013 | 9:26 pm

  Not me.  Just like the scarf.I have hair issues. People know this about me.When I was a little girl my sister K. had the long hair and I had the short hair. I wanted the long hair. I wanted plastic barrettes with stars on them and and those super awesome ponytail holders with the two huge plastic balls on either end that look like they might come in handy in a knife fight... (if you didn't have a knife.) I dreamed of doing that flippy thing with my hair that Charlie's Angels did when they were being super tough and hot at the same time. (Did you ever see Sabrina Angel pull that…

• Fugitives Still Wear Pants

  1 Jan 2013 | 11:43 pm

  It is always hard to come back to something that you love, but haven't done in awhile.  I feel that way about running and yoga and eating kale (wait did I say love, I meant "I think kale is totally gross, but I live in Portland so I need to act excited about hiding it in smoothies") and writing the run-on sentences that make up this blog.  When I went back to school to finish the degree that I quit in my 20s I basically did nothing but study, write papers and go to labs.  The downside - studying, writing papers (professors don't like parenthetical asides by the way),…

• 

  Jendi's Journal

• How To Create Some Quiet Time For Phone Calls

  Jendi

  19 Jun 2013 | 1:03 pm

  No matter where children are it seems like they have a sense that tells them when Mommy is making or receiving a phone call and they have to ask her something right that very minute. They manage to portray that if they have to wait 10 minutes until Mommy hangs up the phone the question will reach emergency crisis level. I’ve never actually used the following tip, but I wish I would have thought of it when my kids were younger. Thankfully my children understand that they need to be quiet while I’m on the phone. Notice I said that they understand this principle; I can’t say…

• Bath Time For Birdie

  Jendi

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:47 am

  Sometimes our lovebird takes a bath in his water bowl; sometimes from a cup [it's pretty funny]; and many times in my bathroom sink. I finally managed to get a video of it! Do you – or did you ever – have a pet bird? How did they take baths? Possibly related posts for you to enjoy: How Do You Like Your Bath? Bath Confession Do You Bathe Your Kids More In The Summer or Winter?

• The Heiress Of Winterwood By Sarah Ladd | Book Review

  Jendi

  15 Jun 2013 | 8:41 am

  This story is set in the early 1800′s in England with all the protocol that requires. I found The Heiress of Winterwood (Whispers On The Moors) interesting even though I figured out what was going to happen and spent a couple chapters waiting for it to happen. The characters are well done. I think the heroine is unusual for that time of history, but would fit in quite well in this day and age. Most of the time she makes good choices, and without the bad ones we wouldn’t have as much of a story – right? The hero is interesting and I’m glad that we got more of a chance…

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  Beckie Tetrault (dot) Com

• Happy Blogaversary to me.

  Beckie Tetrault

  19 Jun 2013 | 11:44 am

  9 years ago I started this little blog, and 9 years later I feel a twinge of guilt that I haven't worked harder to keep it up. With the advent of Facebook, I find I no longer need the blog to keep distant family and friends up to date on the younglings. I still enjoy the long form style of blogging for some things, but the day to day stuff has really shifted more to Facebook. Still 9 years isn't something to sneeze at, and I am still here posting now and again. If you are reading this on a reader, stop by my post and leave me a comment!

• Sometimes all you can do is laugh

  Beckie Tetrault

  2 Jun 2013 | 4:50 pm

  Welcome Blog Hoppers!! Thanks for joining us here at Beckie Tetrault (dot) Com. Please be sure to visit the other blogs listed on the blog hop below, and leave a comment so I know you were here!  Homeschooling even on the best days can be a tiring task. Sometimes what you really need is a good laugh! I went so far as to print out a few comics and attached them to my message board so that I can read them when ever I need a little pick me up!  Comics are a good reminder that things really do happen in other families! (Click the comic to visit Home Spun Juggling for even more comics…

• The Name of The Doctor

  Beckie Tetrault

  12 May 2013 | 2:43 pm

  On the next episode of Doctor Who, it has been strongly suggested that the Doctor and Clara will go to the Fields of Trenzalore, where Dorium Maldorvar has said the Doctor's name will be revealed. Now, if you don't know what any of that means then please feel free to stop reading now, as the rest of this post will be just as confusing. Now, just Whovians left? You, you there... I think you outta move along now, you just spelled T.A.R.D.I.S. with all small letters.. Now, for this of you who are left, grab a Jammy Dodger and a cuppa and relax.. I don't know if I wanna know the Doctor's…

• 

  Resourceful Mommy

• Summer Learning Ideas and Giveaway

  Amy

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:22 am

  There’s a lot of talk these days about the “summer slide,” kids losing the skills they learned during the school year while on summer vacation.  I’ll be honest.  As a mom, I’ve never worried that my kids would somehow forget what they learned and start out in the fall behind where they ended in the spring.  What does concern me, however, is that less than one week into summer vacation, the “What can I do”s have often begun. My children absolutely love school from the daily structure to the fascinating lessons to the challenging projects.  This…

• Hot In Cleveland Shutterfly Pinning Party™ – Win a Trip to California!

  Amy

  17 Jun 2013 | 3:46 pm

  Summer is the perfect season to re-evaluate your home’s décor, adding new life to every room of your home with updated photos of warm weather outings and fun souvenir tchotchkes from recent vacations. It’s also the perfect season to spice up your TV viewing.  Thankfully @tvland is launching a new summer season of @hotnclevelandtv with a live show on June 19th.  To celebrate the launch of the new season, we’ll be partying with Shutterfly and @hotnclevelandtv on June 25th.  And because it’s a Resourceful Mommy exclusive – a Pinning Party™ – there are more ways to enter to…

• Flatout Flatbread Twitter Party

  Amy

  17 Jun 2013 | 11:07 am

    Busy schedules often cause lunch to be rushed, skipped or fast-food laden, but it doesn’t have to be! With Flatout bread (found in convenient double packs at Sam’s Club), it’s as easy as fill, wrap and eat! Load your Flatout with any ingredient and make your lunch the envy of your friends, family and coworkers. Have leftovers from last night’s salad? Then wrap it up. Have a hankering for pulled pork? Try a pizza. What about your old standby of peanut butter and jelly? Wrap that up too. Join me as we chat about healthy & creative lunch solutions with Flatout at…

• 

  Mom Fuse

• Join the #GoGoPlayfully Movement + Giveaway

  Jessica @ Mom Fuse

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:40 am

  The original post, which came from Mom Fuse, can be found here: Join the #GoGoPlayfully Movement + GiveawayJerry O’Connell has teamed up with GoGo squeeZ to create a movement to promote regular, continued, unstructured play among both children and adults! With Summer here it’s the perfect time to get your kids outside to play. As a family we try to be outside most days, unless it’s raining or way too hot. We always [...]Mom Fuse -

• Disney’s Super Buddies Sneak Peek!

  Jessica @ Mom Fuse

  15 Jun 2013 | 7:35 am

  The original post, which came from Mom Fuse, can be found here: Disney’s Super Buddies Sneak Peek!In anticipation of the August 27th release of Disney’s Super Buddies on Blu-ray Combo Pack we’re excited to share a sneak peek of the pups! Check out the Super Buddies’ special super hero powers in the clip below!Mom Fuse -

• 3 Wedding Planning Tips for Moms

  Jessica @ Mom Fuse

  15 Jun 2013 | 7:24 am

  The original post, which came from Mom Fuse, can be found here: 3 Wedding Planning Tips for MomsYou’re officially engaged and now it’s time to start planning the wedding. But before you start getting carried away with the details you’ll definitely want to sit down with your significant other and discuss a few details, once those are worked out you can get to the nitty gritty, like the color of the wedding [...]Mom Fuse -

• 

  Hip Mama's Place

• 7 Fitness Apps That'll Take You From Lazy to Motivated

  19 Jun 2013 | 12:36 pm

  Forget the fancy personal trainer. These fitness apps will turn you into a sweat-loving gym addict This is a TotalBeauty.com fitness article Back in the day, you needed a fit friend or a hired personal trainer to get your butt moving at the gym. But now there are apps that'll do that for you (no whining friend or angry buff trainer necessary). Since we're all on our smartphones all the time anyway, you might as well do something useful with these new apps: keeping track of your workout routine, finding new workouts to keep things interesting, and even motivating you to work harder. There are…

• ThredUp: Get FREE $15 Credit for New Members= Score FREE Clothing and More!

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:54 am

  Now through June 21st,thredUP, a site that sells gently used name-brand clothing, is offering a FREE $15 credit whenever you enter the promo code JUNE15 at checkout. This offer is available for new members only.  With your FREE $15 credit, you can score FREE kids clothing or shoes and just pay shipping, which starts around $2.99. Wow! Definitely worth checking out! Go browse around to find tons of deeply discounted name-brand clothing, shoes, accessories and more. I saw some really great items that are priced between $3-$4 each! You can even sort Low to High to find…

• Chili’s: FREE Full-Size Flatbread - No Purchase Necessary, Still Available!

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:38 am

  This yummy free offer from Chili's is still available, in case you missed this post a few days ago... Just click on the banner above and register for the Chili’s email club, or simply sign-in to your existing account (if you’re already registered) to snag a coupon valid for a FREE Full-Size Flatbread at Chili’s! Just go to a Chili's location near you and select a date when you would like to redeem your offer!  Don't miss out on the latest fab deals, cool freebies, high value coupons, fun giveaways, sweepstakes and more! Subscribe to the Hip Mama's Place email newsletter, Hip Mama's…

• 

  Tina's Realm

• Why do you keep calling me that?

  Tina

  16 Jun 2013 | 9:32 pm

  Just heard in the Smith home: 12.5yr old Maeven: Dad? 42.5yr old Adam (aka "Dad"):  Why do you keep calling me that?

• The silence is golden

  Tina

  28 May 2013 | 11:36 am

  Just tickled pink right now! I turned the tv on a little while ago, thinking that the kids hardly ever get to see some of the morning shows on PBS because we just haven't been turning the tv on lately except in the afternoon when their favorite shows are on. Frankly, *I'VE* missed Curious George! Lol! So I just looked and after less than one show, Tyren moved into the big room (away from the tv)

• Prepare to see defeat!

  Tina

  28 May 2013 | 10:05 am

  Tyren and Maeven are roughhousing and I'm cracking up because Tyren is saying:"Prepare to see de feet...see? Prepare to see de heel...see?" And on and on, lol!!- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

• 

  Influential Mom Blogger, Mom Blog Brand Ambassador, PR Friendly

• Calling all Foodies, would you like to taste LA?

  trisha haas

  19 Jun 2013 | 11:58 am

  When it comes to healthy options, it seems there are very few that you can choose. In fact, looking at ingredients can get overwhelming if not make you downright upset!  That is why gardein takes your health and their foods very seriously. In fact, gardein says: Wherever possible, we use the best organic and certified [...]

• Everything you need and for just the right price!

  trisha haas

  19 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am

  This post brought to you by Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine. Where I live out here in Theodore, Al just about everything is a hike to get to. Its not always overly far, but running 20 minutes there and 20 minutes back for some milk can be daunting. And recently I have been [...]

• So…do the clothes make the man?

  trisha haas

  18 Jun 2013 | 7:38 am

  A few months ago I had talked about Chris ordering a custom suit online through Indochino. I wanted to take the time to update you on the suit and if what we ordered was what we got. To remind you a bit about Indochino first, About Indochino Suits Indochino is the leader in custom online [...]

• 

  The Big Piece of CakeBig Piece of Cake | The Big Piece of Cake

• Saying Grace

  Kate

  6 Jun 2013 | 10:58 am

    I’m not a particularly religious person. We stopped going to church when I was very little, and while I was baptized, I can’t even tell you the exact denomination. Protestant? Episcopalian? Something like that. Then when we moved to DC, my parents made the incongruous decision to enroll my brother and me in private Catholic school. Though as a parent myself now, I think it’s safe to assume this was less random whimsy than the result of research involving tuition, academic ranking and proximity to our new home. Nevertheless, at age eight I had to learn the Lord’s Prayer, which…

• They Coulda’ Been Great! April 2013

  Kate

  23 May 2013 | 6:47 pm

    I’m back with another installment of Facebook posts that could have been blog posts back in the day… One of my family members actually asked me, “are you still writing on your blog?” Ummmm….yeah. I’ve kind of dropped the ball on that, huh? I DO have something new that I’m working on though (i.e. started in December 2012 and should probably finish this weekend). But until then… Here are the Facebook posts that could have been BLOG POSTS , back when we actually wrote stuff on our blogs and read the stuff that other people posted…and…

• Turn Signals

  Kate

  6 May 2013 | 4:23 pm

    *I read this at DC’s Listen to Your Mother Show, Sunday, April 28. Thought I’d post it here for friends and family who couldn’t come. Since I wrote it for the performance, it may not translate as well on the (virtual) page…but the videos will be online later this summer! My mother once told me that when she was a new driver, my grandmother plotted out directions for everywhere her daughter could possibly need to go. The purpose of this was to ensure that the recently licensed teenager NEVER had to make a left turn. Probably not the most realistic of long term…

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  Blog By Donna

• Sand, Surf And Relocation? Top 4 West Coast Cities To Live!

  Donna Chaffins

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  Guest Post Image Source Many home hunters are heading to the West Coast region with their families, and it’s not difficult to ascertain why. From the gorgeous scenery, top rated school system, endless beaches and beautiful homes, the area has much to offer. Santa Clarita One of the safest communities to raise a family in the West Coast lies at the north end of Los Angeles County. Santa Clarita, CA is a beautiful community that focuses on a natural environment. Best known for its open spaces, parks, hiking trails and breathtaking views, it’s one of the most popular areas for home buyers.

• Great Ways to Keep Your Baby Occupied While You Work Out

  Donna Chaffins

  18 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  Guest Post Image Source Ah, motherhood! It’s filled with lots of new emotions and experiences that bring us more joy than we could have ever imagined.  But… truth be told, there are some less than awesome elements of newness that come with motherhood too. Lack of sleep and time, feelings of overwhelm and the change from our pre to post-baby bodies top the list of emotionally-draining experiences for new moms. What’s a new mom to do about all of this? Well, the tried and true benefits of exercise, though probably furthest from a new mom’s mind, offer plenty of reprieve…

• Extreme Cash Giveaway – Ends 7/14

  Donna Chaffins

  17 Jun 2013 | 7:01 pm

  Welcome to the June Extreme Cash Giveaway! I’ve teamed up with some rockstar bloggers to bring you the chance to win $200 cash! The June Extreme Cash Giveaway will rock for four weeks which means you’ll have lots of time to complete any entries that you choose to do. Remember, all entries are OPTIONAL. As always, there will be daily entries that you can do as well, so bookmark this page and come back everyday for more chances to win! A huge thanks to our awesome co-hosts who made this giveaway possible: Oh My Gosh Beck!, Lush to Blush, The Penny Hoarder and Military Wives Saving Giveaway…

• 

  Maria Melee

• New York City is a fairy tale

  Maria Melee

  7 Jun 2013 | 12:00 pm

  New York City is a fairy tale. From the moment it rises on the hazy horizon from your foggy airplane window, it’s a living thing. I crouched with my son on the observation platform at the top of Rockefeller Center and whispered, “Listen, can you hear it breathing?” A parade tiptoeing ten blocks away. Sirens cat-calling each other. Shuffle-thumping construction and a thousand agitated taxi cabs. The snick-whoosh of the wind between buildings, snapping flags and rustling leaves. Restless garbage and the forever-static of millions of footsteps. “What do you mean?” he asked. When the…

• Makeup Monday part four – the end and roundup!

  Maria Melee

  28 May 2013 | 10:07 am

  You guys are rad Thank you so much to everyone who joined in and played show and tell with makeup this month! Don’t forget to check today’s linky this week for the last posts from the group and check out the previous Makeup Monday posts to see the (far better and more detailed) posts everyone else shared. I learned a lot this month, including how to tightline my eyes and that I’m pretty sure I prefer matte lipsticks/stains I need to try more of them out.  I’ve been on a quest to find a nighttime moisturizer with repairing properties and a daytime moisturizer with SPF.

• Makeup Monday part three

  Maria Melee

  20 May 2013 | 2:08 pm

  Eye makeup ahoy I’ve always been way more into eyeliner than eyeshadow. Shadow feels dark and weird on me most of the time so I’m sure I just haven’t figured out how to wear it correctly. In my early 20′s my idea of makeup was primarily lots of eyeliner and also glitter and it hasn’t evolved a whole lot since then.  In fact I only recently bought my first liquid liner. I don’t wear eye makeup that often but when I do my routine generally consists of a swipe of the Revlon creme stuff in the pale sandy color and a thin THIN line of liner. I recently learned…

• 

  A Lil' Welsh Rarebit

• A mis-mash of updates

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:50 am

  I feel like I haven't written a proper update in a while - and it's simply because I don't have time!I've been reading novels. Okay, one novel - the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Loving it. Can't put it down. And I've done some de-stress, relaxing mediations, like the mandala I showed you in THIS post.Matt and I are re-connecting. The last few months/year have been H-A-R-D. We're making a real effort to go out on dates at least once a week and I tell you what, it's making a REAL difference. We're remembering that we came first, before the kids. Now, of course, the kids come first, but we count…

• MHWTC in the Philly Inquirer

  16 Jun 2013 | 7:01 am

  Read THIS article about my tri club. Be sure to click through all five pictures so you can get an idea of what our weekly bike rides look like. ALSO -- I didn't realize we're the largest all-women Tri Club in the whole country! How amazing is that? WE ROCK.

• Cirque du Soleil date night

  15 Jun 2013 | 4:36 pm

  ALSO - do you like to color? Could you use a creative de-stressor activity? Try Mandalas. Here's my first:

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  Meal Makeover Moms' Kitchen

• Foods that Boost Beauty and Longevity … and a Recipe for Rustic Red, White and Green Pizza (Podcast #221)

  The Meal Makeover Moms

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:54 pm

  As we get older (and no, we will NOT reveal our real ages), we’ve been thinking more about the connection between what we eat and how we feel and look … inside and out.  The link is quite strong. Take berries for example. Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are rich in antioxidants, which protect against the daily wear and tear of our cells and cell membranes and guard against premature signs of aging. And then there are foods like Swiss chard, kale, spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables that contain vitamins A and C (both powerful antioxidants), vitamin K, a…

• My Recent Visit to the Pacific Northwest … A Food Lover’s Paradise

  Janice

  17 Jun 2013 | 2:35 pm

  I recently returned from a trip to Portland, Oregon for an executive committee meeting of the Food & Culinary Professionals (FCP) subgroup of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I’m the new chair of this 2,700-member organization, and this was our annual planning meeting. FCP’s mission is to empower members to be the nation’s food, culinary, and nutrition leaders, and to that end, we provide a wide variety of educational and networking opportunities. I chose Portland for the meeting site for a few reasons: It’s a great foodie city and we’re all dietitians who…

• A Recipe for Chicken Fingers with Honey PB Dipping Sauce … And the Story of a Hungry Llama

  The Meal Makeover Moms

  14 Jun 2013 | 6:00 am

  When you’re a busy mom, entertaining is often spelled, P-L-A-Y-D-A-T-E. We have four kids between us—Liz has two boys and Janice has two girls—and over the years, we’ve hosted our fair share of playdates. Entertaining kids can mean lunch, which is why we decided to take chicken nuggets with ketchup, a quintessential kid-combo favorite, and give it a healthy makeover. To do that, we used a bunch of wholesome ingredients: skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, wheat germ, honey, and peanut butter. Read on for the recipe and a funny story about a bag of groceries and a…

• 

  Uppercase Woman

• God Help Me, It’s A Recipe Post

  Cecily Kellogg

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:35 pm

  We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://uppercasewoman.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us.

• Accidental Cook

  Cecily Kellogg

  16 Jun 2013 | 7:42 am

  We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://uppercasewoman.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us.

• Stuck (Monday Ramblings)

  Cecily Kellogg

  10 Jun 2013 | 8:53 am

  We've Moved! Update your Reader Now. This feed has moved to: http://uppercasewoman.com/feed/ Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from us.

• 

  Go Graham Go

• Summer Safety Tips from ACI #ad

  Felicia

  19 Jun 2013 | 1:41 pm

  Being the mom of two young boys, I am constantly in a hurried state of making sure they are being safe.  Boys will be boys, but moms will be moms!  That is why I am excited to announce that I am partnering with the American Cleaning Institute for the next few months with a compensated campaign to bring you safety tips and ideas we use around our own home to make sure we are doing all we can do. Summer, for us, is generally about relaxing and spending time together.  Because you are so much more relaxed in the summer it can be easy to get a little sloppy or lax with you safety around the…

• Wordless Wednesday: Summer Lovin…

  Felicia

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:08 pm

  About FeliciaFelicia Carter is founder and managing editor of Go Graham Go. Her philosophy is to simplify, save, grow and go! Her home is generally full of DIY projects, crafts, yummy baked goods and lots of love. Felicia is also a wife, mom of 2 boys and nationally certified counselor. You can always find her near the chocolate or the coffee pot.Web | Twitter | Google+ | More Posts (3143) The post Wordless Wednesday: Summer Lovin… appeared first on Go Graham Go.

• The Mosquitoes Are Our Enemies!

  Felicia

  17 Jun 2013 | 9:21 pm

  Living back in the woods has many perks.  I mean, where else can you open up the door and call for your dog in your underwear.  Seriously, the boys love where we are because on any given day you can catch a mess of baby frogs, try to catch several bunnies, watch fat squirrels dangle from the bird feeder and dig worms all in your front yard.  However, there are a few visitors that have become the enemy of our family.  Mosquitoes are generally pretty bad where we are and I am constantly on the lookout for new ways to keep them away without lathering up with bug spray every time we exit the…

• 

  thedirtytshirt.com

• Kung Fu Panda: “Croc Crackdown” Online Game

  admin - Jennifer

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:49 am

  Dragon Warriors, are you ready?  Kung Fu Panda: Good Croc, Bad Croc comes to DVD June 18th and we have an exclusive online game for all our Po fans! The Crocs are shaking down Po and his dad for protection money! Help protect the Valley of Peace from Fung and his Croc bullies by playing Croc Crackdown!  Play as Po and punch out the crocs in this exciting beat ‘em up game! Exclusive codes with purchase of the DVD unlock special powers within the game and all fans get an exclusive download when they finish the game! Show your kung fu awesomeness at nick.com! Use the code…

• The Way, Way Back Movie Trailer

  admin - Jennifer

  18 Jun 2013 | 5:35 am

  THE WAY, WAY BACK is the funny and poignant coming of age story of 14-year-old Duncan’s (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin).  Having a rough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up to and begins to finally find his place in the world – all during a summer he will never forget. Like The Way, Way…

• National Migraine Awareness Month with Excedrin | Giveaway

  admin - Jennifer

  17 Jun 2013 | 7:09 am

  Company: Novartis Item Reviewed: None at this time Item Given Away: Excedrin Migraine Awareness Gift Pack Start Date: June 17 End Date: July 2 This month is an important one as it will bring awareness to the millions of people who suffer from migraines. The facts about migraines have been made available from Dr. Keri Peterson, internist: Roughly 36 million people in the United States suffer from migraines , and three out of every four migraine sufferers are women typically ages 18 through 35. o A migraine can be severe and debilitating.  Symptoms can include an intense pounding or…

• 

  My Mommy Manual (For the Journey)

• Return To Zero: Ready To Grieve Out Loud?

  Zen Mommy

  4 Jun 2013 | 11:38 am

  RETURN TO ZERO is a movie based on the true story of a successful couple preparing for the arrival of their first child. Just weeks before their due date, they are devastated to discover their son has died in the womb and will be stillborn. After their loss, Maggie and Aaron attempt to go on [...]

• A Mother’s Bedtime Poem

  Zen Mommy

  20 May 2013 | 8:39 pm

  —– When we follow our bliss, anything is possible. I hope you walk with me and other moms here, sharing the stories of our lives, because motherhood (and life) is better when we hold hands.

• Little Ears

  Zen Mommy

  6 May 2013 | 9:34 am

  We were driving to dinner and my three year old son asked, “Mom, can I have an E-F-H?” Dad and I look at each other. “A what???!” “An E—-F—-H…” he repeats in a do-you-pinky-swear-you-won’t-tell-anyone?!?! sorta whisper. And with that, I get it and interpret for my husband. Our child is attempting to spell out a cool-secret-thing [...]

• 

  Rock And Drool

• Hallows Haven: The Journey Begins in July

  admin

  14 Jun 2013 | 7:08 am

  Today is a pretty big day for Hallows Haven. The book is being released in July but the cover reveal is happening all over the web thanks to Tasty Book Tours. A little about Hallows Haven, written by me and Nicole Madison: It is a YA Paranormal series and it is suitable for any age. Captain of the cheerleading team, 16 year old Gwen Valiente has it all–the best of friends, a loving home, and a bright future. Little does she know that the people she loves the most have been keeping secrets–life-altering secrets. When strange things start to happen to Gwen, she is thrust into a…

• And then this happened.

  admin

  7 Jun 2013 | 6:31 pm

  It’s been awhile since I posted, I apologize. But in my defense, I’ve been busy realizing a longtime dream. I wrote a novel. Actually, I wrote two novels. Both of them will be released this month. I’m self-publishing, skipping the middleman. It’s the way to go, in my opinion. I like the control it gives the author. What can I say, I’m controlling. Well, at least that is what my kids tell me. And since they are teenagers and know everything, they must be right. I’d like to tell you a quick story, though. It all began about two years ago when I was dealing…

• Then you saw them, now you don’t or Invisalign is cool

  admin

  20 May 2013 | 7:23 pm

  Disclosure: I was monetarily compensated for this post but, as I always say, you can expect the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth from me. Money doesn’t sway me. It’s how I roll. I was the first kid in my 5th grade class to get braces. I was excited to get them…for some reason. But that excitement deflated quickly after they were on for less than a minute. My mouth was in pain. And the wires? They dug into my cheeks making them raw and bloody, despite the provided wax. I hated them. But, I wore them until I was in 7th grade. I was taunted with the typical…

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  Moms At Work - OrlandoSentinel.com

• 'Marijuana moms' say weed improves their parenting

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:33 am

  Could marijuana make you a better mom?

• Pregnant women still face discrimination on the job, report says

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:01 am

  Pregnant women still face discrimination on the job, despite a nearly 35-year-old federal law meant to protect them, according to a new national report released today. Some women -- particular those in low-wage jobs -- are denied job modifications and, as a result, are forced "to quit, are fired, or are pushed out onto unpaid leave," found the report by the National Women's Law Center and A Better Balance .

• Number of latchkey kids drops dramatically in past 15 years

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:45 am

  My son was mortified -- as he told me often -- because I insisted that he have an after-school babysitter until he started high school two years ago. To be honest, the "babysitter" was basically there to pick him up from school and then hang around for a couple of hours until my husband or I got home from work. (As journalists, we get home later than "normal" people.)

• 

  harassedmom.co.za

• Nothing to see here

  LauraKim

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:40 am

  I enjoy watching Nigella Lawson’s cooking show. She appears real and cooks like I like to eat – lots of cream, olive oil and indulgence. She also creates the impression she is self confident and happy with her curves. I saw this article posted on twitter a few days ago and I find the whole thing rather disturbing. Ignore for a moment the actual act of abuse, what really bugs me is the fact that people actually stood and took pictures and then did nothing. They never intervened, called security – nothing. They stood and took pictures which I am sure where then quickly…

• Pots, pans and pretty things

  LauraKim

  18 Jun 2013 | 2:59 am

  I mentioned a while ago that we got a fair amount of Le Creuset gifts for the wedding. We also got a gift voucher from David’s aunt and uncle and we had so much fun spending it. It took us a while to decide on what we wanted (and in what colour) but eventually we settled on a frying pan and a casserole dish as our two main items and then some smaller accessories! Until you own a Le Creuset pot/pan you really just won’t understand what a difference they make in the way you cook! They make me want to cook! We use the frying pan daily. I made the most perfect crumpets in it on Sunday…

• Chilling to the max!

  LauraKim

  17 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am

  We really are very lucky up here in Gauteng. We are well into winter and while it is cold, we have the most beautiful bright clear blue days. We were able to have Jack’s birthday outside and the kids played on the jungle gyms for ages. From the pictures you wouldn’t say we are in the second month of winter. Apart from Jack’s birthday on Saturday we really haven’t done much this weekend. In fact yesterday, we only got up at around 14h00 to take Lucy for a walk around Strubens Dam. We watched series, I made a delicious soup, we ate, we turned sloth-like! It was great!!!

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  josetteplank.com

• The "Kids These Day" Debate Paradox

  14 Jun 2013 | 7:07 am

  I may or may not have said both at one time or another.... More Josette! PennLive.com: Here's hoping my kids will enjoy an old-fashioned, Huck Finn-style summer! MamaPop.com: DRAMAZ! Rachel Zoe's Son Looks Like A Girl © Copyright 2005-2012, Halushki | Josette Plank. All Rights Reserved http://www.josetteplank.com/

• My dad. And his daughters.

  7 Jun 2013 | 9:05 am

  Thank you, Dad, for the whole wide world.... © Copyright 2005-2012, Halushki | Josette Plank. All Rights Reserved http://www.josetteplank.com/

• Rabid Bat on Today's To Do List

  20 May 2013 | 8:34 am

  To Do List for May 20, 2013 1. Find 1st grader's bathing suit for swim week at school. Done. 2. Deliver possibly rabid bat in Tupperware container to Dept. of Agriculture lab. Done. 3. Coffee. Done. 4. Do laundry as procrastination before writing.  5. Write. 6. Carpool and skating. 7. Edit and write some more. 8. Sleep the sleep of the batless. Remember seven years ago when we had a bat in our house? If you don't, here's the story. It's highly entertaining, but a little long. Grab some coffee. Think about all those times you had bats in your house and you never even thought to get a…

• 

  Alphamom

• Netflix Streaming, my New Internet Best Friend (and she can be yours too)

  Isabel

  19 Jun 2013 | 2:24 pm

  This post is sponsored by Netflix ***************** Summers are great and they can also be tough. There are just so many daylight hours. We’re loving them now, but soon, we’ll be counting how many more days before school starts again. (I would like you to write down the date that happens, and then send me an email, please). Last year, I bought my then-9 year old son a really complex Lego set from their architecture series. He was done building it in a day. There were 100 more days left of summer vacation. If I hypothetically bought a Lego set for every summer vacation day….

• The Best of the Internet: When Your BFF’s Kids Embrace Your Own

  Mir Kamin

  18 Jun 2013 | 11:41 am

  I remember the moment when I realized it: My oldest was just four, and my youngest about two and a half, and a long-time friend was visiting with her toddler. The guest child was larger than both of my kids (despite being younger), and in the space of about two minutes had knocked down my son, clocked my daughter with a block, and dumped out multiple bins worth of toys just to hear them clatter to the floor. My friend looked up from her coffee and chuckled. “Careful, pumpkin,” she said to her son, as both of my children wailed on either side of him. (Mind you, this is the sort of…

• Cloth Diaper Troubleshooting: Prepping New Diapers & the Dreaded HE Machines

  Amalah

  17 Jun 2013 | 11:12 am

  (We’re doing a two-fer today. Two advice-nings for the price of one! Whee!) Question #1 Hello, I have been a fan of your posts since I started cloth diapering a month ago. They seem to be the only place I can find reliable information on the topic. My friend gave me some used inserts to get started, and she had already stripped them. I can’t seem to find a straight answer on how to prep new cloth inserts. They are charcoal bamboo and microfiber. Do I just strip them? Or is there a specific way to prep new ones? Thanks in advance, and I love your posts! Ah yes, the prepping…

• 

  Crunchy Green Lovin' Mom

• White Water Rafting Discounts - Summertime Bucket List Ideas

  17 Jun 2013 | 2:00 pm

  Looking for something fun to do with friends or the whole family? White water rafting down the Arkansas River is a good place to start! River Runners offers half day trips, full day trips , ¾ day trips, and various adventure packages out of both our Buena Vista rafting location and our Canon City rafting location. This summer we are offering a special 15% off discount by using the promo code: DISCOVERCO. Don’t wait! This is a great deal to raft down Colorado’s Premiere River – The Arkansas River!Beginner/intermediate trips are great for families or beginners and offer a fun, wild time…

• Want to visit Estes Park? Here are some great deals!

  15 Jun 2013 | 12:01 pm

  When I was 15 years old my father brought me to Estes Park, Co. for  visit. He, my brother and I went horse back riding, saw "Great Balls of Fire" in the Estes Park Theatre and enjoyed the afternoon thunderstorms with a nap.I fell in love.I told him I'd live here when I "grew up".I am not so grown up now, however, I did move here when I turned 21. I fell in love with the state and moved where my heart felt most at home.What is so special about Estes Park? The energy, the cool evening air and the shops that I could spend hours wandering through. In fact, every year I take my daughters on…

• AMF Summer Unplugged - Kids Bowl Free 2013

  6 Jun 2013 | 9:05 am

  Summer time can be so busy. Whether you are a working parent outside the home or a working parent inside the home we all have something in common. We are working, we are tired and then when the evening hours roll around, there are tiny little sets of eyes looking up at us saying… “What are we going to do tonight?” Or worse, “I’m bored.”I can help you with one of those answers.“How about we go bowling?”What kid doesn’t like putting on funky looking shoes, smelling the popcorn and hearing cool music while enjoying an evening out with their parents?How about KIDS BOWL FREE ALL…

• 

  Ask Moxie

• Twin Cities and Toronto and Writing Through Your Divorce

  Moxie

  19 Jun 2013 | 7:36 am

  I've driven 1200 miles since Saturday morning. Twin Cities: We're meeting at the playground at Lake Harriet today! I'll be there from 4 to 7. Bring your kids or come alone. I'm wearing a navy tank top and khaki-colored shorts and black flip-flops. Toronto: I'll be there next week for a conference. Meetup Monday, June 24 at 6 pm at the Pilot tavern, which I'm told is off the Bloor stop on the Yonge line of the subway. Who's in? Today's the last day for the early bird pricing of the Writing Through your Divorce workshop. Price goes up tomorrow. My kids…

• Fathers Day Vent Here Safely

  Moxie

  15 Jun 2013 | 9:01 am

  Today can be painful, annoying, hurtful, resentment-inducing, or just plain disappointing. Put it all here safely. You know the deal: No Misery Poker. Everyone's pain is valid. If you have any extra to spare, support someone else. Comment anonymously by putting in a fake name and then a fake URL such as www.fake.com. A hug to everyone.

• Writing Through Your Divorce

  Moxie

  14 Jun 2013 | 9:13 am

  The big announcement: Deesha Philyaw and I are opening registration this morning for our new online workshop Writing Through Your Divorce! If you're anywhere in the process of divorce (from pre-paperwork to years after finalization) and you'd like to use the discipline of writing to both process and create written pieces you're proud of, this workshop is for you. It starts July 8, and we're giving an early-bird discount for registering by June 19. Everything you need to know about Writing Through Your Divorce is here. If you're not in this place right now but you know…

• 

  Gummy Lump Toys Blog

• What Do You See? Adventure Book Eric Carle inspired #kids #activity

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  by Alvina of There's Magic Out There Are you an Eric Carle fan? At my house his books are regular fun bedtime stories, they are cherished and loved. So in honor of Eric Carles Birthday we made our own Eric Carle inspired book "Black Bear, Black bear, What do you see?" Read more »Wooden Toys from GummyLump.com: Toys That Make Sweet Memories

• Summer Camp at Home with GummyLump with Linky

  18 Jun 2013 | 12:59 pm

  Summer is right around the corner and over 10 million children are getting geared up to attend camp all over the United States. While summer camps are a great resource for reconnecting with nature, building independence, establishing new friendships and developing creative minds they aren't always the right option for every child and family. Creating ongoing learning opportunities ensures your children will succeed in the classroom and beyond. so this summer GummyLump is working with 8 amazing bloggers to bring a new weekly theme of activities, crafts and games. This is going to bring summer…

• Dad's Stache Piggy Bank Father's Day Gift #kids #craft

  13 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  by Melinda of LookWhatMomFound...and Dad too! for ages 3 and up with Adult Participation and Supervision Father's day is quickly approaching. I encourage the kids to make something for their dad because there's gonna come a day where it's not going to be cute anymore. Fingerprint cards, frames and key chains have all made their appearances over the years so this time we were going to something different Read more »Wooden Toys from GummyLump.com: Toys That Make Sweet Memories

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  The Ohana Mama

• it’s summer!

  Sarah

  31 May 2013 | 1:23 am

    Why yes. yes it is! Here’s to beachy days, sandy floors and towels drip drying on the lanai! Cheers to summer! Are your kids out of school yet? Today was our last day… hooray!

• Maui eats: Koa’s Seaside Grill in Lahaina

  Sarah

  30 May 2013 | 3:47 pm

  I recently had the opportunity to try out the new Koa’s Seaside Grill on Front Street in Lahaina. The whole family sat down to try out a sunset dinner, overlooking (and literally hanging over) the Pacific Ocean. Koa’s was created by the same owners of the world-famous Gazebos restaurant. If you’ve been to West Maui, no doubt you’ve tried Gazebos breakfast. Good news for us, it’s the same breakfast that will be served at Koa’s. Score! As the sun set over the ocean my family and I enjoyed some pupus, artichoke dip and steamers. Both were delicious and…

• More fun gardening projects from The Home Depot #DigIn

  Sarah

  28 Apr 2013 | 12:50 pm

  This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot. Now that mama’s gotten her gardening groove on and has been bitten by the gardening bug, I went on a mission to find new projects that the kids and I could do during the summer…yes school is almost out…be afraid, be very afraid! :) The cool thing is that The Home Depot has a ton of projects for us to take on and now that I’ve conquered the container garden, I feel like I can move on to bigger things. Below are my top picks for yard projects this summer. You can find more ideas on Home Depot’s…

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  BrainFoggles

• Atlantic City Boardwalk #JerseyLove

  Connie

  17 Jun 2013 | 11:48 am

  The window provided a small glance of the boardwalk. My heart beat faster as it came into view. I had to see more and feel the ocean air once again. As I got closer and saw the familiar benches, groups of people walking, the mom and pop stores hawking their wares, the tears welled up. View of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Image Source – Rajean Blomquist of Because I Said SoExploring with a group of bloggers that I just met on the Social Good trip for the Jersey Shore, they understood. After all as members of the NJ Digital Moms, many had lived through Sandy. Tears were common during and…

• Social Good at Belmar New Jersey #JerseyLove

  Connie

  14 Jun 2013 | 6:20 pm

  Sponsors:  Ceasers Entertainment hosted us at Caesers Atlantic City. D6 Sports who made a huge donation to Belmar. D’Jais gave us a place to gather and lunch. I was one of 40 bloggers who went on a Social Good trip to the Jersey Shore. Our goals – bring back tourism and help displaced families in Belmar, New Jersey. Through our social media efforts, we reached over 5 million people! My Social Good trip report is not going to be in order. I’m not in order. That’s the way my brain works. It doesn’t mean that one day was better than another, but I have to admit that seeing Belmar…

• Wordless Wednesday #JerseyLove

  Connie

  12 Jun 2013 | 5:03 am

  Everything about the Jersey Love Social Good Trip was marvelous! Atlantic City, especially the Boardwalk, brought back so many childhood memories. And having the opportunity to give back to those in need made me feel so good. Here’s a photo of just a teeny bit of the scrumptious food at Caeasers Atlantic City: The post Wordless Wednesday #JerseyLove appeared first on BrainFoggles.

• Disney World Dining E-Book

  Connie

  11 Jun 2013 | 6:26 pm

  If you are looking for ways to stretch your money on Disney World dining, you have got to get the E-book, What We Ate With Mickey. Traveling to Disney with a family can be very expensive. Saving money on meals will leave more in the budget. The Kindle version of this book will teach you how. Dana White, known as Nony (from a Slob Comes Clean), has written a fun, informational guide on using one of the Disney Dining plans. She is a second time visitor to Disney World and wrote this from that perspective. If you are a Disney Fanatic, like me, who visits the parks often, share the book with your…

• Malnourishment Effects Intellect #GR8Recipes #SaveTheChildren

  Connie

  8 Jun 2013 | 6:19 am

  The issue of hunger and learning is well-known. But it goes deeper. Save Our Children recently released The Food for Thought report that details how malnourishment affects intellect. The lack of learning continues to cause problems into adulthood, especially when it comes to making a living. The report focused on thousands of children in four countries (Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam). The results are staggering: “Chronically malnourished children are on average nearly 20 percent less literate than those who have a nutritious diet.” (Source: Save the Children) No matter the amount of…

• 

  Strocel.com

• My Happiness List: June 2013 Edition

  Amber

  17 Jun 2013 | 10:30 am

  It’s been a couple of months now since I blogged my last personal happiness list. I’m feeling like it’s time to re-visit it, and remind myself about the things that are going well in my life. Who couldn’t use a little hit of positivity once in a while? There’s all kinds of research to show that it’s very good for you. Plus, it’s just plain fun. Let’s get the joy party started, shall we? My Happy List The first baby carrots and raspberries are now ready in my garden. My four-year-old son’s pride about his music class certificate of completion.

• Podcast: Raising Sexually Intelligent Kids

  Amber

  14 Jun 2013 | 11:43 am

  One of the most awkward parts of parenting, for me, has been talking to my kids about the birds and the bees. Over more than eight years of parenting, I’ve had ample opportunity to do it. I’ve always done my best to share accurate information, in simple terms, without doing too much editorializing. But I’m mostly just making it up as I go along, and I’m not always sure I’m doing that well at it. This is why, when I had the chance to interview Vancouver blogger Marnie Goldenberg I jumped at it. On her blog, sexplainer, she makes it her mission to help parents…

• Creating Routines: Digging in the Dirt

  Amber

  12 Jun 2013 | 12:12 pm

  For some time now, I’ve been running a monthly series on that’s all about creating positive routines. Each month I set one goal with the aim creating a more purpose-filled life. If you’d like to join in and take some steps to create better rhythms and routines in your own life, I’d love to hear how you’re doing it. Last Month’s Recap In May, I committed to daily journaling, listing what I did that day that fulfilled me, and what I’d like to do differently tomorrow. The point was to stop spending so much time focusing on what others think about me (or may…

• Reflections on Blogging Contests

  Amber

  10 Jun 2013 | 5:08 pm

  In my day job, I’m the Managing Editor of VancouverMom.ca. For the past month and a bit, I’ve been busy running the annual Top 30 Vancouver Mom Blogger search. First there were nominations, and then I had to narrow the list down to just 30 (Not. Easy.). Then I got in touch with all those fabulous ladies, and collected photos and profiles, which I compiled into articles. Finally, we’ve just finished two weeks of voting for the top winner overall. I’ve let the Top 30 know about the results, but everyone else will have to stop by the site tomorrow. I was on this list…

• Walking to School with my Four-Year-Old

  Amber

  7 Jun 2013 | 12:36 pm

  Yesterday I had the experience of dragging my son Jacob by the hand, while he sobbed loudly, all the way from our house and up the big hill to my daughter Hannah’s school. Because this is what life is like with a four-year-old, sometimes. A happier walk to school with my little Buzz LightyearIt started with the Buzz Lightyear costume. Jacob really wanted to wear his Buzz Lightyear costume. But a Buzz Lightyear costume requires clothes to be worn underneath it, and he especially chose his long-sleeved, thermal cotton, blue and orange striped shirt and jeans. I expressed my concerns. The…

• 

  Bubbles n' Cups

• Your GPS is onto You

  bubblesncups

  11 Jun 2013 | 6:12 pm

  Ever wonder whether your GPS is trying to screw you over? You know, maybe you’ve got one that has AI technology. Maybe you’re just bad luck when it comes to machines. Here are my top 5 clues that the GPS is onto you: 5) “Please drive to the highlighted route”- uh, how do I get to it? 4) All detoured routes lead to the highway I am trying to avoid – I95. 3) “Make a u-turn now” – I kind of can’t on a highway. My husband claims it has never said it to him. 2) “In 0.2 miles, take exit 52″ – I already got off, but 1 exit too…

• Recipe: Blueberry Pancakes

  bubblesncups

  9 Jun 2013 | 6:21 am

  This was a really delicious one that was heartily devoured. Well, by the adults. For the kids, I added chocolate chips instead and they had many servings. The recipe is from culinaryarts.com.

• Comfort Food For Early Rain

  bubblesncups

  6 Jun 2013 | 3:21 pm

  What a great way to end the rib-off (sauce vs dry rub)…with Lulu’s Southern Chess Pie. Left: Stew Leonard’s BBQ Sauce Carolina Lip Smacking Right: Fresh Market’s Blackened Spice Rub Cook at 350 for 2 hours; rotate every 30 minutes.

• Lemon Balm Rewind

  bubblesncups

  1 Jun 2013 | 5:33 am

  When I see herbs, I’m always looking for the lemon plant that a teacher introduced me to in elementary school. She was the teacher for the gifted class, but offered an afterschool writing class and a science class. I was in 6th grade and I really liked both, so I enrolled. During one of the sessions, the teacher showed and let us smell the lemon balm. I immediately fell in love with it, but could never find it again. Later in life, I came across lemon plants and immediately bought them, but I have a gray thumb. A few days ago, I found the lemon balm at a local supermarket; wish me luck.

• Ah, “dandylions”

  bubblesncups

  15 May 2013 | 12:42 pm

• 

  The Crazy Suburban Mom

• Basic Black

  Tracy Reinhardt

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:17 am

  I did a video this morning to follow up my Destressification post.  It serves a duel purpose; first to show the progress I've made in toning (way) down the colors and second as an entry in... Visit my blog for the full crazy suburban fa la la..

• Too Dirty for Words, Project # 6 Candle Soot

  Tracy Reinhardt

  17 Jun 2013 | 11:42 am

  Granted this is not earthshaking (like my tub) but I'm working my way through  Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook, and even a small project can drive you nuts.  Cleaning candle... Visit my blog for the full crazy suburban fa la la..

• Destressification

  Tracy Reinhardt

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:04 am

  I like color as much as the next guy... Maybe more.  My dividers explode with it. My pencil case can hardly contain it all. And my artwork... My  artwork might be the... Visit my blog for the full crazy suburban fa la la..

• Perspective

  Tracy Reinhardt

  16 Jun 2013 | 4:55 am

  I look at my Filofax frequently.  Not just today but yesterday.   And not just yesterday but months back ,  even years back.   Most of my important dates are on weekly and yearly... Visit my blog for the full crazy suburban fa la la..

• Before I archive...

  Tracy Reinhardt

  15 Jun 2013 | 2:32 pm

  Thanks so much for the swap everyone!  Hope you recognize some of your things :) Visit my blog for the full crazy suburban fa la la..

• 

  Genny Heikka

• 10 ways you and your kids can be more grateful…

  Genny

  17 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am

  Welcome Mom-Monday!  I’m glad you are here!  I have a busy week with writing deadlines so I thought I’d combine two posts I’ve put up before about being grateful, and make a couple of quick lists we can all benefit from. I’ve found that when I look at life through a lens of thankfulness, somehow, all the stress that comes with parenting seems to fade. (Studies have even shown that being thankful helps reduce stress hormones. What mom doesn’t need that?!) So here’s a few tips that will help a little thanks go a long way… 5 ways to become a more grateful…

• When in doubt, just love them…

  Genny

  10 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am

  Welcome to Mom-Monday. I’m glad you’re here! A few weeks ago, after I spoke to a group of moms, one of the women in the audience came up to me and shared some of the challenges she’d been going through with her twelve year old. Fighting tears, she told me she wasn’t sure how to handle his behavior. I could tell she wanted to parent her son in the best way possible. But I could also tell she was questioning herself and doubting how she’d been handling things. (What mom hasn’t been there at one point or another?) She talked, and I listened, and we hugged,…

• Over at 5MinutesforFaith today…

  Genny

  2 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am

  GRACE IS… the unexplainable hope that washes away the accusing whispers that dance in the darkness and hide behind the mirror and say, “You need to be thinner and thinner and thinner.” Grace… is the light that calls you toward something so good that you’re scared to trust it. You might even ignore it at first, thinking it’s not for you… READ MORE about my journey with grace over 5MinutesforFaith today. Hope to see you there.

• Talking about creating quality time over at Mamapedia

  Genny

  1 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am

  Creating Quality Time by Ignoring the Clock… One Saturday, when my daughter and I were out running errands, she climbed into the front of the car and with a huge smile on her face, stood up through the sunroof. “I’ve always wanted to do this!” she shouted, reaching her hands to the sky. Even though we weren’t moving (we were parked in front of a store), she was having a blast. “This is so fun!” she laughed. And that’s how our whole morning went. She and I had started out earlier to run errands… I had my list of things to do and was looking forward to being…

• A mom who writes (and why failure can be sweet)

  Genny

  20 May 2013 | 1:00 am

  This dream of being a writer – it’s been around a long time, though  it has evolved over the years. And lately I’ve been thinking about the journey I’ve had. (Being part of Holley Gerth’s God-Sized Dream Team has helped me to pause and reflect. It’s funny how when you’re on the path of pursuing your dream, whether you’re just starting out or feel like you’re finally living it, you sometimes forget to take note of all that’s happening, or all that has happened, along the way.) My dream of writing began when I was a new mom…

• 

  Playground Confidential

• My Life is Like a Seesaw

  rebecca

  18 Jun 2013 | 1:29 pm

  Screw balancing act. My life is like a seesaw. And it’s not like those spring mounted teeter totters our precious children have now that rock up and down ever so smoothly either. No, it’s more like the wooden kind that always gave you inner thigh splinters and would send you flying six inches into the [...]The post My Life is Like a Seesaw appeared first on Playground Confidential.

• The Tech Timeout Challenge

  rebecca

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:20 am

  Thank you to Foresters for sponsoring this post. “Can I just watch Wild Kratts?” Colum said, already halfway to the TV. “Dinner is going to be ready in, like, five minutes. So I don’t think —” The TV was turned on and Irene instantly materialized to join him. Well, fine. “Mary,” I called down to [...]The post The Tech Timeout Challenge appeared first on Playground Confidential.

• Fun Mealtimes

  rebecca

  14 Jun 2013 | 10:18 am

  Life with kids isn’t all bad. Shocker, I know! When we do manage to all finally sit down together as a family for a meal it’s often a great time to connect, have fun and make special memories. The second post based on the conversation I had with Calgary radio host and DadCAMP blogger, Buzz Bishop, and Laura O’Rourke [...]The post Fun Mealtimes appeared first on Playground Confidential.

• 

  Make It Do

• Strip Quilt from Scraps

  Calli

  18 Jun 2013 | 3:22 pm

  My mom has been working on a new quilt for the last few weeks and I love it so much, I asked her if I could share it. Over the last many years, when she finishes a project, she cuts some of the scraps up into 1-1/2″ to 2″ strips, in varying lengths. She’s saved [...]

• Timeless Traditions Giveaway Winner

  Calli

  12 Jun 2013 | 1:53 pm

  I’m a little late announcing the Timeless Traditions pattern giveaway winner!  With kids home and a whirlwind of projects and activities, I’m not really sure what day it is… Congratulations Heidi!  Send me an email to callimakesdo at gmail dot com with your mailing address, so we can send out your pattern. Just a few [...]

• Timeless Traditions Giveaway

  Calli

  7 Jun 2013 | 6:36 am

  Today’s giveaway has a very special place in my heart.  I am honored to host a pattern giveaway from a new pattern company, Timeless Traditions, by Norma Whaley. There are few women I know who are more talented than Norma. Beyond the fact that Norma’s patterns are wonderful, I am happy to share today’s giveaway [...]

• 

  GRUMBLE GIRL

• Close Encounters of the Jerk-Ass Kind

  GrumbleGirl

  11 Jun 2013 | 12:35 pm

  So, the other day I was at the ATM, with my gigantic headphones on, withdrawing some cash. I was one of two people in the vestibule, and I used the second of two available guichets… halfway through my transaction, I noticed an older woman, and two older men men had formed a line behind me, and I went about my business. By the time I got my cash, there were some sharp words being spoken at the station next to me – the woman was gesturing in an agitated way at an entirely new man on the scene. He brushed her off, and stuck his card into the machine that had just become available,…

• Three Things + a Random Pic – 11/May/13

  GrumbleGirl

  11 May 2013 | 10:36 am

  There are some excellent things flying around on the internets… these are my favourites from the last week, and you should click on them because I know from what’s good. 1. First of all, the very excellent Allie is finally BACK, yo – it’s been a long time coming, and I’m so very, very pleased to see her out in the blogsphere again after some time away… her absence is best explained in this post, which has got to be the best depiction of depression I’ve even seen. I get The Sads now and then (though I’m not depressed like this) and Allie nails it…

• Two-minute Boogie, Punkstyle

  GrumbleGirl

  20 Mar 2013 | 8:31 am

  In the mornings I listen to a classic-rock music station, so I can get my local morning news and information, with a side of Bowie and Led Zeppelin all while I sip my coffee and get our day going. This also provides good and practical music education for the children, who are seamlessly absorbing all kinds of necessary excellence about bands gone by. That’s how come they know about Aerosmith, and Rush, and The Pretenders. (And it’s not a relic station – it plays lots of Green Day, Foo Fighters, Arcade Fire, etc.) I don’t quite know how my children know anything about…

• 

  The Happy 'Ness' Plan

• Salad Jar Recipe #1

  Andrea

  13 Jun 2013 | 10:42 am

  Filed under: Recipes & Food Tagged: free-range chicken, raspberry, Salad jar, tofu, vinaigrette

• Keep Calm and Prance On

  Andrea

  4 Jun 2013 | 6:24 pm

  A laugh at our own expense, please enjoy! Filed under: Andrea and Tim, Featured, Videos Tagged: capitol, keep calm, keep calm and prance on, merch, Michigan, michigan state capitol, parady, prance, prancercise, prancersize, stay calm and prance on

• Happy Holidays from the Ness Family!

  Andrea

  9 Dec 2012 | 8:31 pm

  Filed under: Andrea and Tim, Baby Ness (Brody), Baby Ness (Tanner), Boating Adventures, Featured, Friends & Family, Hunter - The Dog

• 

  Ron Rosenhead

• Practical project management training – it works!

  Ron Rosenhead

  19 Jun 2013 | 3:57 am

  Last week saw me running 2 Perfect Project courses for a client in Switzerland. Both groups went through a wide range of practical activities designed to develop their project management skills. Interestingly, someone commented on my colleague Alison Smith’s blog Training is like coffee – you need the right blend! I received an email saying that bespoke was best. I … Read More >

• Sounds like a plan…. but will it work?

  Ron Rosenhead

  11 Jun 2013 | 2:05 am

  I was walking locally and someone was shouting into their mobile phone: “I can’t hear you. Speak up. Aah, that’s better” They then proceeded to speak on the phone, not as loud but still loud enough to broadcast to anyone nearby. “Sounds like a plan,” he said and closed the conversation. I was left smiling with those words ‘sounds like … Read More >

• Making project management compulsory. What do you think?

  Ron Rosenhead

  5 Jun 2013 | 2:09 am

  I woke up this morning to an interesting tweet from APM Hong Kong Branch This was in response to me suggesting that stakeholder management should be compulsory. The suggestion by APM Hong Kong cannot be faulted unless… When I read the tweet I immediately thought of a conference I attended as a delegate and someone from the floor spoke about … Read More >

• 

  Crazy Texas Mommy

• Mother on the edge.

  18 Jun 2013 | 3:00 pm

  I've tried really hard to raise good, respectful children. Not out of some righteous, "train up a child...", belief.  It's because no one likes an asshole.  In my attempt to raise these good kids who do not feel the need to rebel and act like they were raised by wolves, I give them things I never had as a youngster.  Like trust. I figure I've raised them with a good enough sense of right and wrong I can trust them to make good choices without setting a bunch of strict rules to make them toe the line.  The benefit of the doubt. I don't assume every time they walk out the…

• I feel a little like I need overalls and moonshine.

  15 Jun 2013 | 8:14 am

  Last night Grace and I returned home from a quick trip into town to find a stray cat stalking our chickens.  Oh, hell. to. the. no. We raised six chickens (of which I'm terrified) from babies everyone told us not to get attached to because we'd be lucky if three survived to being within about a month of being ready to lay eggs.  Ain't nothing killing my chickens.  Grace and I ran outside screaming at the cat to get away from our chickens and, I guess all the flailing of arms and high pitched, panicked girl screams freaked it the hell out because it went running under the shed.

• The great college debate

  12 Jun 2013 | 10:42 am

  Grace is a junior now. An eleventh grader. One year from graduating from high school. I was very young when I had her. Obviously. We've had a plan for Grace's college since she was in middle school. It started off very general-she could go to any school in the SEC as long as it wasn't Mississippi State. Then we got more specific-she was going to go to Ole Miss and not be a moron like me and have to finish up school elsewhere. This was our concrete, set-in-stone plan until December. In December, her dad got her paraphernalia from the college where I actually earned my degree and he started…

• 

  Mom\'s Education Sites

• Hiring A Louisville Car Accident Attorney

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:07 pm

  My mom and I were involved in a car accident a few days ago. We were both still pretty sore and we were not happy about the way the insurance company was dealing with the whole thing. I thought that if we found a good lawyer, we would have better luck with the insurance company. I went online and did a search for a Louisville Car Accident Attorney. I wanted to find a lawyer that had a good reputation and would fight for our rights. I knew that we would get what we were entitled to.

• This Was The Right Thing To Do

  19 Jun 2013 | 3:07 pm

  The bills were going to collection agencies and we could not get a handle on them. We were constantly getting calls from debt collectors and we had no money to pay them. It was causing us so much stress and I could not live like this anymore. We finally decided to meet with a Bankruptcy Lawyer Sacramento and we decided to move forward with bankruptcy. It was the right thing for us to do and I am pleased with this decision.

• I Recommended My Sister See The Most Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer Lewiston Maine Has

  19 Jun 2013 | 2:07 pm

  Three months ago my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. A few days after giving birth my sister went home only to come down with an extremely high fever. She went back to the doctor to find out what was wrong and they gave her antibiotics which did not help. After a week they decided something was wrong and decided to do an exam on her. During the exam they found a sponge that a doctor had left inside her after the birth. I told her the she should consult the most experienced medical malpractice lawyer Lewiston Maine has, so she can be compensated for this doctor’s incompetence.

• 

  And Twins make 5! - A Mommy Blog

• How is that Miracle-Gro Premium Plant doing? (1.5 months later)

  Stephanie Manner Wagner

  19 Jun 2013 | 2:17 pm

  Remember back around the 1st of May when I reviewed the Miracle-Gro Premium plants by creating a potted arrangement for my mom's birthday?  Well this morning when I was back over at my parent's house, I snapped up a photo of that same arrangement to share with everyone. Continue Reading This Post ...Copyright © 2009-2012 - Stephanie Manner Wagner (Author and Owner of And Twins make 5!) - A Mommy Blog.

• Monthly Subscription Box: Birchbox

  Stephanie Manner Wagner

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:46 am

  It's no secret I adore the whole concept of the currently popular subscription based monthly delivery boxes.  I think they make for a fun gift idea and there is just something about getting surprise items in cute packages once a month I can't resist.  Lucky me, I was sent a sample box for review from the popular Birchbox a while back. Continue Reading This Post ...Copyright © 2009-2012 - Stephanie Manner Wagner (Author and Owner of And Twins make 5!) - A Mommy Blog.

• Sock It to Me Socks

  Stephanie Manner Wagner

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:08 am

  If you know someone that is into the whole funky socks craze I've been noticing lately,  I have an online store just for them.  Sock it to Me recently provided us with samples from their Youth Socks line and the twins are totally delighted. Continue Reading This Post ...Copyright © 2009-2012 - Stephanie Manner Wagner (Author and Owner of And Twins make 5!) - A Mommy Blog.

• 

  theplussizemommy.com

• Enter Here To Win – Holsted Jewelers $200 Shopping Spree Hosted By Review Wire Media

  theplus

  18 Jun 2013 | 5:02 pm

  Welcome to the Holsted Jewelers Shopping Spree Enter Here To Win – Holsted Jewelers $200 Shopping Spree Hosted By Review Wire Media Holsted Jewelers was founded in 1971 and has a passion for bringing jewelry of the highest quality and the finest design to its customers. Why can’t gorgeous jewelry be affordable too? Not only van you buy online but you are able to buy jewelry in convenient collections, beautifully coordinated by experts, and delivered right to your door at specially discounted prices. These collections always begin with a free piece of jewelry valued at $50 or…

• Champions For Kids Spinbrush Twitter Party Thurs. July 19th From 1pm – 2 EST. RSVP Here: #SpinbrushCFK

  theplus

  13 Jul 2012 | 3:54 pm

  Are you all ready to party again? This time we are working with Champions For Kids & Spinbrush to help spread the word on Oral Health Care in your community. We will be chatting about how you can make a difference in your community for oral health needs. Let’s face it, not everyone has or can afford dental insurance. But everyone needs to have healthy teeth as part of their whole health care. So for our twitter party, we are going to be talking about ways you can help donate to charities, and help others try to better their oral hygiene habits as well. Make sure to follow the…

• RSVP Here For The International Delight at Sam’s Club Twitter Party June 26th From 2-3 PM EST. #IcedDelight

  theplus

  20 Jun 2012 | 2:59 pm

  Does a nice cold glass of Mocha iced coffee from Sam’s Club sound good to you right about now? If it does, you are in the right place! Summer is a great time to enjoy iced coffee. So, how would you like to join us for a Twitter party all about International Delight’s Iced Coffee at Sam’s Club. We will be having it on June 26th from 2-3 PM EST. Make sure to follow the hashtag(#) #IcedDelight. And also you will want to follow the follow the following Twitter Friends: Our Lovely Co-host @MommaDandDaBoyz (she is also doing prize patrol). Also, another great host, @LizLongcrier…

• 

  TravelingMom.com - Home

• 5 Family Fun Exercise Ideas for Your Beach Vacation

  19 Jun 2013 | 11:58 am

  Ahh, the beach. The perfect place for summertime family fun - and exercise. Yes, exercise! While I love to find a quiet spot on the sand, lie back and pretend like I don't know anyone; I also like to get up and get moving when I'm on vacation. And, get my family moving, too. This summer we're road tripping to the Florida Gulf to spend five days relaxing at the beach and I'm already planning ways to make sure we stay active and get our exercise on while we're there.

• Where to Surf in Arizona

  17 Jun 2013 | 1:40 pm

  Who says you can’t surf in the desert? The Kierland FlowRider opened last year at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s the first of its kind in Arizona and one of the main reasons why I think the Westin Kierland rocks for kids and anyone else that loves to have fun. The Kierland FlowRider The Kierland FlowRider has two jets that push out almost 30,000 gallons of water per minute to simulate a wave. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about falling because the bottom of the FlowRider is similar to a trampoline and helps absorb impacts.

• Looking for Kings in Paris

  17 Jun 2013 | 6:26 am

  Context Travel is a Rome-based tour company that offers educational walking tours for a number of European destinations. What makes Context Travel unique is its intellectual and educational focus, with experts from a variety of disciplines, including literature, history and art, leading the tours and providing a unique and in-depth look at the destination. There are a number of tours to choose from in locations such as Rome, Barcelona and London, with several designed especially for families, like the Kings Quest walk my family and I took while we were in Paris. The Kings Quest walk goes…

• 

  In The Know Mom

• the wisdom of mothers {join the hydration movement}

  Sarah

  19 Jun 2013 | 6:15 pm

  My mother will always be the wisest woman I know.  When I am under stress she transforms into the calmest person, and it is contagious.  She is my port in the storm.  In fact, I just called her last night at 3 AM to freak out about the three black widows we found in our [...]The post the wisdom of mothers {join the hydration movement} appeared first on In The Know Mom.

• Jack the Giant Slayer {DVD & Blu-ray Release} + Giveaway

  Sarah

  18 Jun 2013 | 3:07 pm

  Bring Jack the Giant Slayer into your home June 18 with the release of the DVD & Blu-ray from Warner Brothers.  Our lives were too hectic at the time to make it to the movies, so I can’t wait to enjoy this with the family at home!  It looks like an amazing take on a [...]The post Jack the Giant Slayer {DVD & Blu-ray Release} + Giveaway appeared first on In The Know Mom.

• safety with kids and flat screens {Sanus}

  Sarah

  17 Jun 2013 | 1:36 am

  I was shocked to hear that a child dies every three weeks from an unsecured TV.  Every 45 minutes a child visits an emergency room due to a TV tip-over related injury.  Injuries and deaths from kids pulling TVs over onto themselves is on the rise — by 25% in four years in fact.  We’re [...]The post safety with kids and flat screens {Sanus} appeared first on In The Know Mom.

• 

  theprimamomma.com

• R.I.P. James Gandolfini

  Kristy

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:55 pm

  I just heard James Gandolfini died of a heart attack in Italy today. He was only fifty-one, and leaves behind a teenage son and a baby daughter. This is such sad news. I know we don’t actually know celebrities, but when they hang out in your living room via your t.v. screen, you kind of feel like you know them. Karis and I actually got to see the set of The Sopranos for one of the last episodes. It was for a 30 second scene staring Karis and my right breast. I wrote briefly about it here – but I was more focused on the breast feeding thing than giving details about the set.

• Everything is better with tits

  Kristy

  18 Jun 2013 | 10:48 am

  Part of Jesse’s job is aligning with celebrities and building brand partnerships. He is constantly being pitched possible partnerships. He was recently pitched Robin Thicke, so he pulled up Robin’s latest video, and the following conversation happened:     Jesse: “Wait, what the hell is this? Is she naked?” Kristy: “Yeah. You haven’t seen this yet?” Jesse: “Why are these women naked?” Kristy: “Why not? It screams publicity stunt to me, but I’m not complaining. My God, she’s stunning.” Jesse: “So…

• Knock knock. Who’s there? Your front tooth.

  Kristy

  17 Jun 2013 | 12:13 pm

  Thursday night, as I was getting the kids ready for bed, I  noticed Karis’s front tooth was very loose. Knowing its time with us had come to an end, I snapped a pic of her with a full set of straight chompers. I knew it would be the last such pic of her for years, because she has her mother’s teeth and mouth, and that means years of orthodontia await her.     Then I tried to pull it out. I could feel the little threads snapping as I tugged, but I couldn’t seal the deal. (I pulled her last tooth out while she stood in line to go to class. It was quick and easy.

• 

  About.com Working Moms

• Does Your Child's School Ability Group Students?

  12 Jun 2013 | 11:54 pm

  When I was a student, schools used tracking to instruct children at different levels of academic ability. By fourth grade, kids had all figured out whether they were gifted, on-grade-level or struggling according to the view of the school system. But this structure fell out of favor as educators worried it stigmatized children who were less prepared for school, having a disproportionate effect on minority and lower-income children. Now, the New York Times reports a resurgence of interest in ability grouping in today's classrooms. Read Full PostDoes Your Child's School Ability Group Students?

• Emulate the Most Successful People at Work

  30 May 2013 | 4:18 pm

  We all know the rock stars in our organization or field. How many times have you wondered how they really do it? In her new e-book, What the Most Successful People Do at Work, author Laura Vanderkam provides some compelling answers in a quick read that offers practical advice as well as inspiration for people who want to succeed in their careers. Read Full PostEmulate the Most Successful People at Work originally appeared on About.com Working Moms on Thursday, May 30th, 2013 at 23:18:20.Permalink | Comment | Email this

• Special Time: the Cure for Children's Temper Tantrums

  23 May 2013 | 9:41 am

  When my youngest daughter was about three years old, she drained our parenting toolbox. Time outs, counting to three, sticker charts and other punishment-reward based methods didn't work on her as easily as they had with her older sisters. We needed new strategies for running an efficient household and leading a happy family. Read Full PostSpecial Time: the Cure for Children's Temper Tantrums originally appeared on About.com Working Moms on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013 at 16:41:05.Permalink | Comment | Email this

• 

  CurrentMom

• The Bully Pulpit

  Karen Paul-Stern

  13 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am

  Truth Thursday Defined by Wikipedia, a bully pulpit is “a position sufficiently conspicuous to provide an opportunity to speak out and be listened to.” It is also “only distantly related to the modern form of "bully", which means "harasser of...

• Summer Fruit -- the Simplest and Best Dessert

  Emily

  10 Jun 2013 | 12:47 pm

  Meal Monday I'm not sure I can get away with calling today's post a recipe. What it is really is a collection of ingredients. But I do think curators are an under appreciated bunch, and that includes gastronomic curators. Hence,...

• Graduation Day

  Karen Paul-Stern

  30 May 2013 | 1:54 pm

  Truth Thursday I get frustrated when I open a Huff Post parenting tidbit and find that it is, once again, targeted to parents of young children. There are so rarely essays, blogs, books dedicated to one’s life as the parent...

• 

  Fab Mums

• Cork crafts

  admin

  30 May 2013 | 3:32 am

  I love old corks to make things. Yesterday I made a peacock with a cork, wire, paper pins and card. In fact the paper pins idea isn’t mine but it came in very useful to firmly hold the wire legs around the cork. While I was building the peacock, my nine year old son sat next to me making his own creation, which turned out to be an owl. He used only a cork and some paper pins. I quickly used his idea of the pins to make my project work better, but the best creation of the session was his spotted mushroom. To make the mushroom you need a cork, red paper and white flat top pins. It works best…

• How to reuse old denim to craft

  Maria

  17 May 2013 | 12:30 am

  After my curtains, which I am very proud of, I thought I’d take on a project which required a little more skill and I must say I didn’t think it would come out so well…if I may say so myself. A few months ago I really admired the fabric dog made by Maggy from Red Ted Art and recently I saw it again on Pinterest so I printed the free pattern and had a go myself. The instructions were so clear and easy to follow step by step that I really surprised myself with this little denim guy. As well as the easy instructions and pattern, thanks Maggie, I used the denim left over from an old…

• First sewing project: new bedroom curtains

  Maria

  16 May 2013 | 1:52 am

  For someone who started the year wanting to take on sewing projects I have not done that well so far, but I finally got going with it. To start with I made some curtains for my son’s bedroom that has recently had a makeover. In fact a few months ago he announced his bedroom was too young for him now that he’s all grown up and that Nemo, animal decals and kiddy stuff is something from the past. He thought a British rock theme would be more appropriate. So we said goodbye to the repurposed Nemo desk that used to be a Nemo cot so lovingly made by my husband and replaced it with a metal frame…

• 

  Sprittibee

• A Lot Can Happen in 8 Years

  Heather

  17 Jun 2013 | 4:56 pm

  During the past two weeks of traveling across Texas and consuming a preposterous amount of comfort food and sweets, a special date came and went quietly… my 8 year blogging anniversary. In blogger speak, that would be my “blogiversary”. EIGHT YEARS AGO I STARTED THIS BLOG. That doesn’t even sound real. Trapping Google Searchers From June 8th, 2005 to June 8th 2013 … and Beyond. A lot can happen in 8 years. I went from a mama of 2 little homeschooled kids, to a mama of 4 kids – two homeschooled teens and 2 preschooling toddlers. Three pregnancies, two…

• Stopping to Hug the Children

  Heather

  13 Jun 2013 | 11:09 pm

  After a little time away – on business – for mama, there’s a lot of work to catch up on at home. Daddy can keep things functional, but he doesn’t fold laundry… and his idea of putting things away is piling them all in a cabinet or closet. I know he’ll keep the kids alive, and they will most likely have a lot more fun than I might let them have… but kids need their mama to set the boundaries in place again… to put things back in order… to snuggle with them and make sure they have brushed teeth and snacks. Maybe even to make them do a little…

• BlogHer Food 2013 – A Delicous Recap

  Heather

  11 Jun 2013 | 11:32 pm

  I’m not sure I knew what to expect from a BlogHer Food conference, but I was certainly not underwhelmed. Having been to six or seven other blogging conferences, I was impressed that this one had so much to offer. Bonus: It was practically in my back yard – in Austin, Texas. It helps when you don’t have to spend a fortune on travel, for sure. Below I’ll fill you in on all the yummy parts of my foodie weekend… and I might twist your arm if you were wondering whether a blog conference is worth the trouble and expense. Highlights: I got to work with one of my…

• 

  Zensible Mama

• Easy, No Fuss Gift Ideas for the Best Dad in Your Life on Father's Day!

  Maricris

  10 Jun 2013 | 9:00 pm

  Father's day is fast approaching! Are you prepared to shop for the most hard-to-shop-for-recipient in the world? In my book, men are the hardest to shop for and they are! You can't buy them make-ups or nail polish gift sets as a special gift, not even on a whim! But there are ways around this challenging task. And it can be so simple more than you think! And with minimum to NO shopping at all! Here are my Easy, No Fuss Gift Ideas that you probably didn't think was possible or even appropriate. 1. Flowers - Not the girly flowers silly! Rather give him the edible kind. Note the golden adage,…

• Blood Orange Cafe Mocha Recipe { Original }

  Maricris

  10 Jun 2013 | 10:46 am

  I love coffee and it's not a secret. I even have a bumper sticker on my car that shamelessly tells the whole world about it! Now the only thing you won't hear me shouting about is the after-effect of the creamer or milk that makes my favorite drink as yummy as they are! It's the awful payment I have to pay to enjoy my favorite coffee. It sucks but hello Lactaid! I'm a half-and-half creamer kind-of-gal but I'm also willing to try anything to enjoy my coffee without the gory, nasty side effect of being lactose-intolerant. Thus I tried my creative genius on Lactaid milk and created an original…

• Family Vacation Planner Infographic We help put together for Orlando Vacations and YOU!

  Maricris

  5 Jun 2013 | 9:40 pm

  It's vacation season! And you know what that means. Planning and tons of vacation planning for the family. Are you ready for the Summer? In two days, my daughter's school officially ends for the year. Which means, "we have to go somewhere or go insane!" Well, I made sure that will not happen! Plans were already made since last year. As a constant traveler, I know the drill perfectly well, I've almost got our vacation planning down to a science! And lucky you! The formula is available for you right here, right now. Orlando Vacations put together an infographic containing…

• 

  The Pranamama

• Article Promotion Is Still Very Successful Today

  tprnma

  2 Jun 2013 | 10:53 pm

  Not only will article promotion enhance your rankings in search engines like google, but it will also enable you to gain new customers by increasing traffic to your site. Tend not to discard the idea of implementing an article marketing plan. This article below contains great tips. Provide an incentive to the people who sign up to your newsletter. This report could be made by someone you hire or else you, but it will reach out to prospective customers so they can sign up for your mailing list. The report needs to be with a topic highly relevant to the marketplace your site promotes. Educate…

• Unique And Fun Gifts For Your Personal Bridesmaids

  tprnma

  2 Jun 2013 | 10:46 pm

  Getting engaged to get married it is one of the best times within your relationship. However, wedding event planning could be stressful rather than very romantic. Read on to learn how you can make wedding planning as fun and exciting as being the ceremony itself. Buying your wedding event dress might be expensive. Perhaps you could examine dresses not thought to be wedding gowns. You can use a bridesmaid dress, and it could be cheaper than an actual bridal dress. Even though you think you want to change it in some way, it needs to be more affordable than when you obtained a wedding dress. Use…

• Begin Using These Tips To Make Your Big Day Everything You Dreamed About

  tprnma

  4 May 2013 | 5:29 am

  Arranging a wedding may be intricate and overwhelming, may it be for a loved one, or even for you. The guidelines outlined in this article should provide all the guidance you must make that special event as unforgettable as you possibly can. When getting yourself ready for the wedding, the time could greatly affect your cost. If you are through an evening wedding, you will need to serve dinner which costs over serving your guests lunch. In the event you serve alcohol, more people will drink heavily at nighttime compared to they would at lunch time. If you want to take care of your own…

• 

  Pure Natural Diva

• Five Simple Visualization Techniques

  Tania

  18 Jun 2013 | 5:30 am

  5 Simple Visualization Techniques By Jen Mazer If you can’t actually visualize yourself having, doing, or being what you want, you will never attract it to you. It all starts with your imagination.... Whole living for the diva in all of us. What fabulous change can you make today? Visit Pure Natural Diva for a few ideas.

• WWD Features Pure Natural Diva Botanicals

  Tania

  11 Apr 2013 | 12:46 am

  We have been busily working behind the scenes on our brand new natural perfume line!  So busy in fact I forgot to share some super cool news! Women’s Wear Daily did a full feature on Pure... Whole living for the diva in all of us. What fabulous change can you make today? Visit Pure Natural Diva for a few ideas.

• Coloring Easter Eggs

  Tania

  23 Mar 2013 | 10:17 am

    Pin It Coloring Easter Eggs Naturally: Create a New Easter Tradion I heard about Coloring Easter Eggs naturally years ago, but the rumors scared me away.  I should have known better than... Whole living for the diva in all of us. What fabulous change can you make today? Visit Pure Natural Diva for a few ideas.

• 

  Mommas Choice | Mommas Choice

• Save 15% on Scott Toilet Paper AND a $1.50 Coupon! -Expires Soon

  Debbie

  10 Jun 2013 | 10:30 am

  If you are a very frugal mom (or really, any caregiver!) and have done the math, then you know that... Continue reading »The post Save 15% on Scott Toilet Paper AND a $1.50 Coupon! -Expires Soon appeared first on Mommas Choice.

• Is Sea Salt Healthier Than Regular Salt?

  Debbie

  31 May 2013 | 10:21 am

  No! Salt is salt-they both have the same percentage of sodium, and sea salt’s “extra nutrients” are so minute that... Continue reading »The post Is Sea Salt Healthier Than Regular Salt? appeared first on Mommas Choice.

• Best Natural Fabric Softener – and it’s cheap!

  Debbie

  28 May 2013 | 3:40 am

  I was skeptical at first when I read this, but after trying it, I’m a believer. Try pouring 1/2 –... Continue reading »The post Best Natural Fabric Softener – and it’s cheap! appeared first on Mommas Choice.

• 

  Pancakes and French Fries

• I Write Like

  Jules

  19 Jun 2013 | 10:41 am

  Kathy compared my writing to Marisha Pessl, and that reminded me of this awesome/funny/not likely to be accurate website someone forwarded to me years ago called I Write Like. At the time the site said I wrote like E. L. Doctorow after analyzing a blog post, but I can’t recall which one I pasted in the box. I did it again just now using my plant doctor post and it says I write like David Foster Wallace. Hmmmm. Interesting that they are both males. I wonder if I have male voice, these men have feminine voices, or the system has more male authors that female. I haven’t read either…

• Daring Greatly: Discussion!

  Jules

  18 Jun 2013 | 10:28 pm

  It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the…

• 365: Body, Mind, Spirit | Week 24

  Jules

  17 Jun 2013 | 12:00 am

  Body, Mind, Spirit Summer vacation is here! Yay!! The boys are home and already staying up far later than they should. I’m walking 2.5 miles almost daily, and if I don’t I walk around 1.5 miles. On Father’s Day I put on a pair of shorts I couldn’t fit into last summer and on Friday I did the same with a pair of jeans. Okay, sure, the waist was a little tight. Not tight enough to give me a muffin top (my body isn’t shaped that way) but tight enough that my lower back felt ever-so slightly uncomfortable after a few hours. You know what I mean? My weight is sort of…

• 

  minor catastrophes

• perspective

  Megan Ault Regnerus

  13 Jun 2013 | 3:00 am

• appliance operation + tired + multi-tasking = an unfortunate tale

  Megan Ault Regnerus

  30 May 2013 | 3:00 am

• three boys, one mother's day

  Megan Ault Regnerus

  16 May 2013 | 3:01 am

• 

  Baby Bump Fitness

• Deck Workout-video

  Jacqueline

  11 Jun 2013 | 4:07 pm

  I did a great Kettle bell workout on my back deck this weekend with my kids- no they are too young to lift the size KB I have.   I do have them do my warmup with me they play with the bands a bit and lift the 8lb med ball.  They lose interest after this but they think they have done something with me. I think it is important to for them to see me exercise and that they realize it is a regular part (or should be) of everyone’s life.  Now I can begin my work. 5 box jumps, 5 hard style pushups   3 sets 5 goblet squats, 5 deadlifts- for further warm-up 2×10 swings 5 to 1  drop…

• Stabilize then Strengthen for Fat Loss

  Jacqueline

  27 May 2013 | 1:46 pm

  Carrying over from last days post regarding exercise progressions, and Not Running before Walking. This may have caused more confusion as where to start exercising as a new mom.  Follow these simple rules. 1. Stabilize or Re-stabilize your joints before starting an intense exercise program. 2. Fix old/new injuries that may have flared up with pregnancy, delivery, lack of sleep or activity.  Use the trouble shooting guide in the Baby Bump Busy Mom Fitness program.  Seek help form a practitioner if needed- RMT, Physiotherapist, chiropractic.  Get a reputable personal trainer or strength…

• Don’t Run Before you can Walk

  Jacqueline

  17 May 2013 | 11:12 am

  I have noticed an outstanding trend at the gym with members, trainers and even one of my clients.  People RUNNING before they can WALK.  Yes this is a metaphor.  People and trainers see a cool exercise and try it before you know it they are preforming multiple sets and reps of this NEW exercise with poor form.  I call it the “more sh*t” phenom , and that’s one thing mothers don’t need more of.  If  you haven’t mastered the move don’t do more of it, all you are doing is creating a poor motor pattern. This is not to say don’t challenge yourself-…

• 

  SortaCrunchy

• the end of (our) fourth trimester

  Megan@SortaCrunchy

  7 Jun 2013 | 10:06 am

  Well, hey strangers! Hi. I barely know how to work this thing anymore. Bear with me. Our baby boys are four months old today. FOUR MONTHS OLD. Mister John Kyle Here are their happy stats: John Kyle: 12 pounds, 12 oz, 22 3/4 inches long. (He started at 5 lbs, 5 oz, if you'll recall) Jolly man Mack And Mack is now 12 lbs, 14 oz, 23 1/4 inches long. (Started life at 7 lbs, 11 oz) Watch out, Mackers! Someone is gaining on you! It's amazing how they've evened out. Some days they look completely different from each other, while other days they look utterly identical. We can all usually tell them…

• with aching hearts, we are here

  Megan@SortaCrunchy

  21 May 2013 | 9:55 am

  I am so grateful for the emails, messages, and tweets checking on us. Here in central OKC, we only got some heavy rain and light hail. Our hearts are aching for our neighbors to the south in Moore. (I wrote a little more over at Deeper Family today.) Physically, we are fine. Emotionally, we are dazed, shocked, and heartbroken as you can imagine. Many are asking how to help, and I hope to share resources soon. In the meantime, your texts with $10 donations are making a BIG difference in the Sooner State: Thanks for checking in on us. It means so much.

• getting back to good

  Megan@SortaCrunchy

  2 May 2013 | 9:28 am

  happy mama, happy babies -- captured by AJ a few weeks ago Oh, y'all. OH. Y'ALL. I have been meaning to post for days and days to say THANK YOU for the outpouring of love and support following the post about the angry, but the time ... it just races every day. So today, I'm forgoing a shower to make it a priority to come here and share this with you. I cannot even explain to you how much your words of empathy, support, and comfort have meant to me. As soon as I hit Publish on that post, I felt 1000 times lighter. I truly did. It was so powerful to be able to give words to all that I had been…

• 

  MyBrownBaby

• ‘Soul Man’ Season Two Twitter Party: Join @MyBrownBaby & @BlackAndMarried Tonight!

  Denene@MyBrownBaby

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm

  I was a young entertainment reporter at the Daily News when I interviewed Cedric the Entertainer along with his comedic co-horts Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey and D. L. Hughley. They were taking a... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Self Defense For Girls: A Black Father Teaches His Daughter How To Fight Back

  Denene@MyBrownBaby

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm

  By SHAWN TAYLOR “How do you raise a child in safety in a world that is getting more violent by the day?” Some parents recently explored the question as their children played. Three mothers and a... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Affirmative Action & the Supreme Court: Why Diversity Matters To Me and My Kids

  Denene@MyBrownBaby

  17 Jun 2013 | 10:53 pm

  I am an Affirmative Action baby. Long Island Newsday paid my college tuition, in part, because of the color of my skin. It was my chocolate hue, too, that opened wide the door for my first job out of... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• 

  Happy Hour Mom

• trend watch | flower wreath crowns

  Toni

  14 Jun 2013 | 11:21 am

  Floral wreath crowns aren’t just for sweet little girls walking down wedding aisles anymore. These fun floral accessories have even been spotted on male models at the Vivienne Westwood SS 2013 runway show and was worn by all of the guests at Kim Kardashian’s recent baby shower.  As the history goes European women, typically the countries of Scandinavia, Estonia and Latvia celebrate Midsummer’s Day by making these floral wreaths to wear in their hair. Behind Christmas this is the most celebrated holiday. Who wouldn’t love a great reason for a party, a spin around a maypole,…

• painted easter eggs

  Shannon

  28 Mar 2013 | 3:00 pm

  Break away from normal dyeing techniques this Easter and get creative with your favorite paints. Go bright, go soft, dabble, dot, press or splatter to your heart’s content. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to coloring Easter Eggs, and using your favorite paints allows you to get even more creative. I don’t know about you, but I can never get my eggs as bright as I’d like. With paint, I can go as bright or as dark as I’d like, and I don’t have to let my eggs soak for 20 minutes and hog the cup to get it there. What kind of paints will you be using…

• glitter easter eggs

  Shannon

  27 Mar 2013 | 3:00 pm

  Glitter makes everything better, and Easter eggs are no exception. You can completely coat your eggs in glitter, go halfsies, or get creative with fun glitter stickers. For the older kiddos (or you), you can try out the Martha Stewart glitter packs, or you can use any glitter in your craft drawer or at your local craft store. Just coat your eggs with Elmer’s Glue, and roll them around in the glitter of your choice. For the lil ones, let them color their eggs as they normally one and decorate them with glitter pens from your local Walmart or craft store. Tip: Use a larger paintbrush to…

• 

  modernmami™

• Getting to Know Our Serta iSeries Mattress

  Melanie Edwards

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:23 am

  {Sponsored content} Sleep is something I personally don’t think much about, except that I know I need sleep to function and I know I don’t get enough of it. Being that I have young children and good, abundant sleep is still years away, I need to have quality sleep to make up for the quantity that’s lacking. A good mattress is key in helping you get quality sleep – something I learned the hard way. About two years ago, we purchased a new mattress for our queen bed and thought it was a good, comfortable mattress. But, it’s really hard to tell these things in the…

• Summer Party Idea: Orangesicle & Key Lime Cupcakes!

  Melanie Edwards

  17 Jun 2013 | 12:44 pm

  {Sponsored content} If you’re hosting a summer party, or simply looking for an excuse to bake with the kids this summer, then you might like these new Pillsbury summer flavors! To join their existing Pink Lemonade baking mix, Pillsbury is also featuring Orangesicle and Key Lime flavors of cake and cookie mixes this summer. We had a chance to try them out through the Walmart Moms program and had fun making colorful cupcakes with the new flavors! We received complimentary samples of the new flavors, including 1 each of the Key Lime Cookie Mix, Key Lime Cake Mix, Key Lime Frosting,…

• Juanes, Loud & Unplugged with Brisk Iced Tea {Giveaway}

  Melanie Edwards

  13 Jun 2013 | 3:30 pm

  Iced tea is a drink that I learned to love once I moved to Florida from Puerto Rico, but over time, it’s become one of my favorites, right along with lemonade. Recently, Brisk Iced Tea launched two new flavors, Honey Ginseng and Mango Fiesta – have I ever mentioned that mango is one of my favorite flavors (along with pineapple and coconut) – now I get to enjoy mango and iced tea together! I also get to share a fun night out with a friend of mine and will be able to bring one of you along with me, right here in Orlando!!! Read on to see what I mean. This year, Brisk Iced Tea…

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  Mommy On Fire

• A Giveaway You Won’t Want to Miss from retro101 (Hint: A Really Cute Leather Bracelet Cuff)

  Mommy On Fire

  18 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm

  So while I was here last month, I discovered a really fun boutique on wheels based out of Fishers, Indiana called “retro101.” The idea is simple but not many have thought of it yet – stock a bus with trendy clothes and accessories and voila! You have a mobile store that can pull right on [...]

• Mothering Lessons from a Pod of Dolphins

  Mommy On Fire

  16 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pm

  Last week while on vacation, we took a boat all around the islands of Captiva and Sanibel in southwest Florida. Three pods of dolphins followed our boat at different times and, being in the back row, I could almost reach-out and feel their slippery skin glide under my hand like a satin scarf. They’re fascinating, [...]

• Why Less Is More

  Mommy On Fire

  13 Jun 2013 | 9:00 pm

  One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few. - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

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  AIDAN DONNELLEY ROWLEY

• A Summer Sabbatical

  Aidan Donnelley Rowley

  17 Jun 2013 | 2:00 am

  Instinct. I think it is the single most important thing when it comes to making decisions – in life, in love, in parenting. I believe it is the compass that leads us where we should go. Yes, should. A word I sometimes hate, but not in this case. My instinct is to slow down, and to step away from this place. Not forever, but for now. For the summer. My instinct is to live my moments without packaging them for a post, to spend more hours frolicking in the natural world than in the online one. My instinct is to rediscover who I am without this cherished corner, without this beloved…

• ADR Friday Loves 06.14.13

  Aidan Donnelley Rowley

  14 Jun 2013 | 3:33 am

   i’m loving… This novel. This this is 38. This marriage piece. This perfect polish. These words on hated abbreviations. These summery kicks. This wine bar/pastry haven. These glasses. These Wanderlust hoops. (Wore ‘em to my law school reunion last weekend!) This search for a literary mentor. This collection of commencement speeches. This M15 Moto Jacket. Have a great weekend & father’s day! xoxo, ADR

• Your Last Day of Kindergarten

  Aidan Donnelley Rowley

  13 Jun 2013 | 8:09 am

  big girl, Today is your last day of Kindergarten. I want to remember this day. I want you to remember this day. Thursday, June 13th, 2013. It’s rainy. You woke up early as you usually do and appeared by my bedside, asked if you could go downstairs by yourself. I told you yes, but insisted that you give me a good morning kiss first. You did. When we came downstairs, you were there, lounging on the couch, watching your cartoons. The morning unfolded as most of our mornings do. You ran around with your sisters. You watched television. You resisted breakfast. You guys went out to the garden…

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  MOMeo Magazine for Work-at-Home Moms: Business Tools | Parenting Advice | Mom Lifestyle Tips | Mom Blog | Mom Forum

• Raising Respectful Sons: Why Saying Boys Will Be Boys is a Problem by @CherryWoodburn

  Cherry Woodburn

  19 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  Saying “Boys Will Be Boys” is a cop-out.  An excuse for bad behavior. Do you believe this statement truly reflects the inherent nature of your sons? If my, now, adult sons had behaved within the following, too often accepted, boundaries of boys-will-be-boys: Selfish Hormone driven Lusting after girls Feeling superior to girls Irresponsible Immature Partiers Trouble-makers Rude Aggressive Predatory Sexually aggressive or inappropriate with girls …they would have learned that “mom will be mom” and been locked in their rooms for the rest of their lives. I expected decency,…

• Sampling Your Way Into Stretch Pants? Health Tips for Travellers Who Enjoy Indulging by @JuliaRosien

  Julia Rosien

  18 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  Travel stretches my mind in wild and fantastic ways. Trouble is, it stretches my bottom line too – the one that always chooses the buffet over the treadmill. The food, the drinks, the food. How is it possible to fit so much good food into one day? And the sad truth is that I can be extraordinarily lazy when it comes to my diet and exercise when I’m traveling. As a travel writer, staying on track is the only way to avoid the expand-pants. To combat my laziness, I’ve come up with some strategies that fool me into behaving. Be forewarned, these tips are based on doing the bare minimum I…

• Mastering the Momentum: 7 Ways to Supercharge Your Productivity

  Carla Young

  17 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

  Productivity is a funny thing — it’s part personal habit, part organization and ALL mindset. If you feel overloaded and overwhelmed, the best preparation isn’t going to help you get past that stuck feeling. Conversely, if you are all ready to go, but your organization is a disaster, you will quickly expend all that energy spinning your wheels. The good news about productivity is that good habits and routines go a long way to maintaining your momentum. Daily habits supported by smart ‘get-it-done’ strategies and a focused mindset will kick your productivity into…

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  Eccentric Eclectic Woman

• Free Burt's Bees Wildflower Seed Packets For Pollinator Week

  Finamoon

  17 Jun 2013 | 10:13 am

  Photo courtesy of: Burt's Bees. Information about the promotion was provided free as well. All other thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any compensation for doing this post. Bees are important to our life cycle. They pollinate the plants we and other animals eat. We live in a world that unfortunately favors lawns, monoculture and pavement. The bees need our help to survive and thrive.Burt's Bees is giving away free wildflower seed packs. Plant these to give your outdoors some color and the bees a feast. You can also get…

• Jack the Giant Slayer Giveaway & Blog App

  Finamoon

  15 Jun 2013 | 1:08 pm

  Warner Bros. is proud to announce the arrival of Jack the Giant Slayer released on DVD & Blu-ray on June 18!Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing Jack (Nicholas Hoult), into the battle of this life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom and its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend... and gets the chance to become a legend himself! Directed by Brian Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns)Starring: Nicholas Hoult (About a Boy),…

• FREE Bowling For Kids At AMF Bowling: Summer Unplugged Promotion

  Finamoon

  12 Jun 2013 | 5:40 pm

  All information is provided by USFamilyGuide.com and AMF Bowling. I will receive a free voucher for posting.KIDS BOWL FREE ALL SUMMER! Summer fun is just around the corner, and so are we. Sign-up for Summer Unplugged and Summer Pass now! Free bowling for kids all summer long! Kids registered in the Summer Unplugged program can bowl two games per day, every day, all summer long! Sign up today! https://freebowling.amf.com/?source=USFAMILYDISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: All information is provided by USFamilyGuide.com and AMF Bowling. I will receive a FREE Bowling voucher for two adults (including shoes)…

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  Mom Generations - Mom Fashion and Beauty » Audrey

• Pregnancy Journal Update: 36 Weeks

  admin

  19 Jun 2013 | 2:16 pm

  Pregnancy Journal Update: 36 Weeks I’m officially 36 weeks and 3 days. I wanted to make sure I posted my 36 week update… we’re getting there! Excited for my due date to get here!! xo Share this on Facebook Tweet This! Get Shareaholic

• AT&T “It Can Wait” Pledge – No Texting While Driving

  Audrey McClelland

  19 Jun 2013 | 2:09 pm

  AT&T “It Can Wait” Pledge – No Texting While Driving I’m VERY touched and honored to be working with AT&T on their program, “It Can Wait” Pledge.  This is something that I feel is so important and necessary and essential to share and pass on to everyone, especially with summer here. I urge you to take the pledge. Nothing can be that important to text while you’re driving. Nothing. Take the pledge with me HERE. Disclosure: Working with AT&T to spread the word. Share this on Facebook Tweet This! Get Shareaholic

• Daily Dish with Audrey and Vera!

  Audrey McClelland

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:35 am

  Daily Dish with Audrey and Vera! We started it up again! We did it awhile ago, but with life being a little “cray-cray,” we had to hold off for a bit! Welcome to our DAILY DISH…….. Share this on Facebook Tweet This! Get Shareaholic

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  The Survival Mom™

• When is it time to get out of Dodge? The experts weigh in, Part 2

  thesurvivalmom

  17 Jun 2013 | 11:21 am

  image by buzrael When to get out of Dodge (GOOD) is the question a lot of survival minded people ask themselves. Sometimes, in the case of massive flooding or earthquake damage, the answer is obvious: get out now! But looking ahead to a time when the rule of law and the structure of our society may not be reliable, when do we know that it’s time to get out, to leave the security of our homes and, hopefully, move on to a safer location? Last month I asked a number of survival and preparedness experts to weigh in on this question. You can read Part 1 of their responses here. Now for Part…

• If you have a really green thumb, this at-home business concept might work for you

  thesurvivalmom

  17 Jun 2013 | 8:12 am

  Once again I am trying to revive a garden that was once the source of so much hope back, oh, 8 or 9 weeks ago. June is usually the hottest month of the year  here in Phoenix, and once again I went out of town just when a major heat wave hit the city, and my poor garden suffer. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, squash, and everybody else out there in the side yard garden will forgive me for not providing some shade and more water and start producing! At any rate, I recently visited an urban farm here in the area and was really impressed by their…

• Survival Survey: What does being a Survival Dad mean to you?

  thesurvivalmom

  16 Jun 2013 | 3:38 am

  image by Josh Parrish June is the month of Father’s Day and with that in mind, I wanted to ask the dads and grandpas out there what it means to be a Survival Dad. Do you feel the future security of your family is on your shoulders? Are you the main prepper in your family? Have you convinced family members to join in? What types of things do you do as a Survival Dad that you didn’t do before? We’d love to hear from you guys!   © 2013, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved. The post Survival Survey: What does being a Survival Dad mean to you? by thesurvivalmom appeared…

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  teachmama.com

• 3 for real things you should do with your kids this summer

  amy mascott

  16 Jun 2013 | 4:15 am

  Emails and magazines and pinterest and facebook and twitter and the newspaper are all chock full o’ great and crazy ideas for parents right now, and I’ll be honest–I’m overwhelmed. So rather than try to do it all–and rather than ignore it all–I’ve whittled it down to 3 for real things you can (and should) do with your kids this summer. I say ‘for real’ because how many of us have pinned 8 million things on our pinterest boards with the intention of ‘really, really doing it this summer’ with our kids? How many magazine pages…

• pbs kids twitter event: create a literate home

  amy mascott

  16 Jun 2013 | 4:00 am

      Everyone wants to create a literate home–but how? By reading all day long, every day of the week? By talking about books 24/7? By wallpapering your kids’ rooms with bookcovers? No, no, and no. Well? Maybe. But not really. We will be sharing some realistic ways of creating a literate home for your family this very week–Thursday to be exact.  Please join our good friends from PBS Kids, along with the amazing Melissa Taylor of Imagination Soup and me as we brave the twitterverse for a bit on Thursday and really breakdown the ‘how-to’s of creating a…

• quick, easy father’s day surprise notes: kid-made and dad-approved

  amy mascott

  14 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am

  Father’s Day is here. Like practically tomorrow. And with the whirlwind of the end-of-school excitement, Father’s Day often takes a back seat to. . . well, other things. Not this year. Even though we’re on the clock, the kids and I made these quick and easy Father’s Day Surprise Notes that I know their dad will adore. Kid-made–all of their ideas–and totally Dad-approved–all things he will love. But this is not your typical Father’s Day Ticket Book. We’ve been there and done that. And really? They don’t always work.  The dad in this…

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  Shh!! Momma's Writing!

• My Father; Repost for Father’s Day

  Lea

  16 Jun 2013 | 7:27 am

  “Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.” Joseph Addison I know it’s a little late, but

• A Thank You to “Mommy Needs a Break”

  Lea

  13 Jun 2013 | 7:23 pm

  I just wanted to send a little shout out to Crystal at Mommy Needs a Break who alerted me that I have won a Grumpy Cat No Mug for her BlogLovin’ Hump Day Hop. Thank you so much!! I had no idea there was a prize so it’s a nice surprise gift for my day.

• Dig a Hole

  Lea

  12 Jun 2013 | 7:37 pm

  I feel free!! I’m not even in school anymore and I still get that buzz. No more asking them if they did their homework, pack their lunches or get them to bed on time. Yay!! However, we need to get to dig a hole time. What is that all about? It’s about an almost fifteen

• 

  Unmotherly Insights

• Backpack ban. For real?

  gettrich

  13 Jun 2013 | 4:48 pm

  No drinks. No boomerangs, No backpacks. No…circus ringmaster jackets? My 12 year old son, Levi, will be starting middle school in August at a brand new public school. We’re all excited and nervous and trying to figure out how life operates in this totally unknown environment. Up till now, he’s been highly sheltered by our local private Jewish day school. There’s a steep learning curve here and I admit it is causing us some anxiety. LIke the other day, for instance, he was perusing the district web site and confronted me in a panic. “Mom,” he voiced fearfully, “It says on the…

• Parenting and perfectionism; mutually exclusive?

  gettrich

  3 Jun 2013 | 8:52 am

  I remember the moment I first became a perfectionist. It was a cold winter evening around 6 p.m. My father had just returned from work and was taking his first real breath of the day behind his faux granite bar with the padded tangerine vinyl facade. I sat across from him on one of the matching vinyl bar stools in my Lanz of Salzburg nightgown, my long locks pulled tightly into a neat ponytail. I am 9 or 10 and have just received my mid term grades. I can’t wait to show them to my father. We had a rule that we had to wait at least 10 minutes from the moment he walked into the house before…

• Shopping sickness

  gettrich

  24 May 2013 | 8:36 am

  I have to come clean. I have a real problem and I don’t know how to get over it. Some people do drugs. Others are addicted to exercise or prescription painkillers. Some people over-eat or under-eat or find themselves in abusive relationships. Let’s face it. Nobody gets through this life unscathed. “Everyone has a story,” someone once told me. I believe that to be true. And while some stories are epic sagas, others are more like comic-book narratives. Mine, on the other hand, resembles one of those Nordstrom catalogues that show up every few weeks in your snail mail box. My problem is…

• 

  Where there's a Willer

• Honey Nut Cheerios Hearty Oat Crunch: an old favourite made new again

  ewiller

  15 Jun 2013 | 7:39 pm

  I have great, great ideas about taking antiques and giving them a fresh coat of paint, and a new lease on life. I have good taste and a great old house with lots of character…and three small destructive children, a constantly-shedding and aging dog, and a husband whose idea of ‘upcycling‘ is to take a discarded jumbo-sized diaper box and make it his new filing system. It’s so not happening. Yet, anyway. While I cry over the pieces of furniture and odds and ends I’ve collected but haven’t managed to do anything good with, General Mills has gone and upcycled…

• Fisher-Price Best Little Laugh: Your Rx

  ewiller

  13 Jun 2013 | 5:57 am

  Had a tough day at work? Spend all day with the kids, and about had enough? I have a prescription for you, my friend. 1. Grab a small child. (Ensure it’s a small child you are related to or know very well, OBVIOUSLY) 2. Tickle their feet. Or armpit. I find the back of the thigh is a sure bet. 3. Hear that ‘best little laugh’. 4. See the sun rise again, because that laugh just made everything waaaaay better. Here’s Charlie, curing my own ills, with some post-dinner laughs. (And Callum, who you can always find trying to angle in on a camera, despite being the shyest of…

• Enough

  ewiller

  3 Jun 2013 | 6:17 pm

  I’ll be honest. I’m mostly a pushover. The kids get away with a lot, because there are only so many battles I can fight, and primarily because I know if I can just get them out of the house and active, everyone will be happier. But tonight they broke me. I had a kind of  tough and busy day at work. Mark is in Philadelphia. It’s Monday, so it’s soccer (again) for Callum, so I left a few minutes early to rush home to throw some dinner together for all of us so we could get out the door on time. Chicken and noodles were ready right at 6, so I went upstairs to get…

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  Working Mom Time Management Tips

• Is Eating Out Killing your Food Budget?

  Jacqueline Rembrandt

  5 Jun 2013 | 10:22 am

  With gas and food prices rising to astronomical proportions, It is vital for survival to regularly review your budget to keep your expenses under control. That being said I started thinking about how many times my family and me eat out.  We eat out about 2-3 times per week which is about $7 to $10 per meal per person bringing total to $21 or more.    Which is about $30 per meal and $90 per week.  This really adds up. So based on this I decided to buy a cookbook with quick, easy and cheap meals.  This was very helpful because I was able to save more money and have…

• Vocabulary to Teach Kids

  Jacqueline Rembrandt

  4 Aug 2012 | 7:37 pm

  Reading becomes increasingly important the older your child gets.  Therefore, if he is not reading on grade level you might want to start by improving his vocabulary.  How?  By making sure you teach your child the vocabulary which is recommended for their age. Here is a partial list of vocabulary word by grade level: Grade 1 a all am* and* at ball be bed Click here for the full list for Grade 1 Recommended books which teach vocabulary Grade 2 father* feed feel feet fell* find fine* fire Click here for the full vocabulary list for grade 2 Recommended books which teach vocabulary…

• How to Start a Summer Reading Program for your child

  Jacqueline Rembrandt

  4 Jul 2012 | 7:47 pm

  Generally, I can’t wait for summer because I get a break from homework and chaperoning my child from one activity to the next.  However, this summer after reading How to GetYour Child to be a Fanatic Reader as reported by cnn.com, I am going to make sure I get my child to read 3 – 4 books over the summer.  I hope you are inspired to do the same with your child(ren). Here’s how: 1.       Inform your child of the goal you are setting for them.  This is a very important step.  You want to make sure your child is onboard with reading the…

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  grumbles and grunts

• dear jude · day 1,264

  19 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am

  dear jude, On Monday we talked for an hour about the logistics of space travel. It was highly satisfactory, and when we were through you turned your head slightly to the side, looked into my eyes, and said quietly, "...Mom? You know what?" I leaned in closer, feeling your breath hot on my cheek, "What is it, babe?" ".... CHICKEN FART. BUTT. STUFF." I wonder if my brain is actually inside your body or if maybe I've died and I'm just a ghost and you're actually me living a new life in the future. I must have done something really great to be reborn this soon. I wonder when that happened. I…

• Update: I still don't wash my hair, yes really.

  4 Jun 2013 | 2:29 pm

  I have not washed my hair in 266 days. This is 266 day hair. Hello, yes, I still don't wash my hair. And no, I don't mean "just without soap." I'm not sure why this is such a difficult concept to grasp; I am not making some kind of verbal wittery where I actually mean I DO wash my hair but only every other month or only with wheatgrass or only in natural spring water. I just stopped doing it, and this is what my hair looks like. How to stop washing your hair: (Please pin this critical information to pinterest*) 1. Buy a shower cap, preferably with flowers and/or kittens and butterflies on it.

• I want to wake in the woods beside the lake

  31 May 2013 | 7:32 am

  {drop by and leave some comment love or see more at grumbleandgrunts.com}Grumbles and Grunts © 2013 · Copywright protected, may not be reproduced or reprinted without permission.

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  The Shopping Mama

• 5 Things for Summer from Jessica Turner

  Kate

  19 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am

  These 5 Things are from Jessica Turner. Thanks, Jessica! summer scrapbook system - Project Life lipgloss: CO Bigelow mentha lip shine jewelry: Gold Lisa Leonard full circle earrings book: Bread and Wine (Join the Summer Book Club.) scarf: Live fashionable etanesh Jessica Turner blogs at The Mom Creative where she discusses a variety of topics that interest her including navigating motherhood, scrapbooking, faith, product reviews and frugality. Follow The Mom Creative on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

• 5 Things for Summer: Let’s BBQ!

  Kate

  18 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am

  These 5 Things are from Emilie Pianfetti. Thanks, Emilie! Here are my five favorite pieces for entertaining, parties, summer cookouts, backyard BBQ… WHATEVER you wanna call it. Summer is the season for entertaining! 4-Tier Stacked Dessert Tower. This works great for so much more than just cupcakes. Perfect for a meat and cheese tray/fruit and veggies, desserts and more. This will help bring more visual appeal to displays and take up less room on your buffet. And because the tiers stack into each other, it makes for easy storage. A drink dispenser is a must. I love the look of glass but…

• Zipping around town in the all new Mazda3

  Laura

  17 Jun 2013 | 5:00 am

  I live in a major city (Philadelphia) but our household still relies on two cars.  My husband works in the suburbs and while I work within the city limits, I’m the primary daycare dropoff/pickup person.  Hence the need for two cars.  When we set out to purchase our two vehicles we knew what we wanted: one all-wheel drive vehicle that could tote kid(s) and lots of stuff and one smaller sedan that got really good gas mileage.  The SUV would be my car and the sedan would go back and forth to the burbs every day.  While I like the power and capacity of my vehicle, I often feel like…

• 

  Is It Monday Already?

• A little share into my world.....Newborn pics

  Lisa P@www.isitmondayalready.com

  4 Jun 2013 | 10:27 am

  So as I have spoken, I love photography and have gotten quite good for an amateur IMO :>) I was so excited to have a new baby period,  but how can you not be excited about their first pictures! For months and months prior to his birth I would look on Pinterest and the web in general for inspiration and that is where I noticed so many photographers using photo props (i.e. cute little outfits and wraps in their photos). This sent me on a mission to find a set that I love. I am also big on using local vendors if at all possible as I want to support local artists. There are a ton of…

• Memorial Day of this year is especially memorable for us

  Lisa P@www.isitmondayalready.com

  31 May 2013 | 4:42 pm

  That's right, I had my son as expected on Memorial Day. I went in for induction at 7:30 A.M. and the Pitocin was started about 8:30. My water was broken by the doctor about an hour later and about 11:00 the contractions had picked up to the point that I was very uncomfortable. I asked for, and received, my epidural about 30 Minutes later as the Anesthesiologist got called to another room before me. Ahh magic. My brother and Sister-In-Law came up a bit after that. I had an epidural with my last son, and it worked very well except for a small instant as he was face up and no amount of pain…

• That time in every pregnancy......ya know when you are just done

  Lisa P@www.isitmondayalready.com

  8 May 2013 | 10:52 am

  So yeah getting to that point really quickly. I will be 37-weeks on Saturday. Whoa where did the time go? It has been thankfully and uneventful pregnancy this go round all except being elderly in the eyes of the American Medical Association hahaha. But with that comes a whole lot more appointments towards the end. I have been going for twice weekly NST tests as well as now weekly OB appointments and let me tell you between those, my daughter's basketball practices, games, her medical appointments, pets, household duties (which all are on me since hubs is never here) and a now sick…