Moms

Silicon Valley Moms Blog
Explaining the Ft. Hood Tragedy

svmgadmin

6 Nov 2009 | 8:32 pm

Cross posted from our sister blog, DC Metro Moms Blog. I grew up in a military family. My father was a career Air Force officer, as was his father. My brother joined the Army a few years after high school and served two tours in Bosnia before he got out. Of course then he gave my mother a heart attach by turning around and joining the Ohio National Guard. Thankfully, he returned from a tour in the Middle East late last year. My husband spent 20 years in the Navy - 3 on active duty and then 17 in the Navy Reserves. I also happen to live in the Hampton Roads area of…
Tips on Gratuity: Jump into it, or Around it?

Karianna

6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

We've been to a lot of birthday parties recently. People snicker and talk about "New Years Babies," but it is true. Our schedules are more booked now than they will be the rest of the school year or next summer. Many of the parties we've attended have been not in the person's home, but instead at a local bowling alley, pizza place, laser tag gig, or an "inflatable party zone." In the case of the latter, the entire party gets the run of a warehouse filled with slides, jumping pits, and other insanely fun things. (Insanely fun for the kids, just insane for the adults.)All in all, these parties…
The Waiting Room...it can be anywhere.

Maxine

5 Nov 2009 | 11:24 am

We arrive, sign in and wait. I watch another mother with two children enter. The speech therapist comes out and takes her older boy in for his time to play and practice better speech...her youngest wants to go too, "your turn is later in the week," she says. She leaves to play with the younger child. There is the other mother waiting with me in the room. She is quiet, looking stressed, just like I am feeling. Margo's occupational therapist arrives, and says, "OK Margo, its time to go play". I send her off with an…

Good Mom / Bad Mom
Clueless Coup

5 Nov 2009 | 10:02 pm

By Mindy Sterba, Parenteeng Survivor Jenny's in Japan. She left me in charge of the blog and I think it's about time! Things are going to be a little different around here from now on and I'm going to start...
Into the woods

3 Nov 2009 | 6:15 am

By Mindy Sterba, Parenteeng Survivor I drove out Eastward this week-end with the intention of 'getting away from it all'. I have a friend who travels around in an RV and is parked in Livingston for a while. We decided...
We were *never* in Kansas

30 Oct 2009 | 7:07 am

Jenny (bloggess & mom to a 5 year old) I dropped Hailey off at her school for her Kindergarten Halloween party this morning. She was the only girl in her class not dressed as a princess or Hannah Montana. My...

White Trash Mom
4 Year Old Mastered ‘Miracle’ Speech, Watch the Video!

Josh Sacco has watched the movie Miracle so many times, he can recite Kurt Russell's speech by heart. The movie is about the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team's legendary upset of Russia, has made quite an impression on the boy. This little guy is DARLING. Watch the Video ...
Jon Gosselin: Worst Ex Ever? Cast Your Vote!

Jon Gosselin. Could he win the award for worst ex ever? After Jon stopped TLC from filming the kids this past week because of his “epiphany”, he said he wanted to be friends with Kate. Huh? Jon went on national TV and claimed Kate Gosselin abused him? He has said he ...
Wichita: The Movie! Hollywood Finally Realizes What I’ve Known for Ages!

Wichita, the movie is now in production. The Wichita movie stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz and for reasons that are unclear, the flick is shooting near Boston? Why the producers would want to shoot the movie outside my lovely hometown is beyond me but I'm just glad Hollywood has finally ...

Kimchi Mamas
Open Thread Thursday

Kimchi

5 Nov 2009 | 9:12 am

Babies! Babies! Babies! Halloween's over, but the HOLIDAYS are just beginning . . . It's Open Thread Thursday . . . What's on YOUR mind? --The Kimchi Mamas
On Mothering

Kimchi

4 Nov 2009 | 9:07 am

My parents stayed with us for three weeks to help us take care of our newborn. When I first asked her to help us out with our baby, my mom responded, "I think American babies are different than Korean babies."...
Roots (part 3)

Kimchi

29 Oct 2009 | 10:16 pm

Read parts 1 and 2, here. Well, as you can probably guess, my youngest gomo (aunt) decided to immigrate to America. I have never ever asked her about this and I don't think she even knows that I know this...

Parentopia
Pipe Down Those Pipes

Aviva

29 Oct 2009 | 7:18 pm

The New York Times article For Some Parents, Shouting Is the New Spanking ran last week in the print version as well as on-line. That very day, we began receiving numerous emails from parents in search of alternatives to raising their voices. When we were both interviewed for the New York Time's piece, we expected the Times article would include a "what to do" component in their coverage. As we
Baby Einstein Offers Refund To Parents: It's been a long time comin' folks.

Devra and Aviva

24 Oct 2009 | 7:29 am

If you happened to be in the audience on a rainy cold November 9,2005 when we were speaking at the Stamford Jewish Community Center's Sara Walker Nursery School you would have heard us tell a group of over 120 parents, "Einstein did not have Baby Einstein videos and he seemed to have turned out okay." Now the makers of the video are facing that reality and finally 'fessing up that their videos
Is Shouting the New Spanking? IS IT? WELL?

Devra

22 Oct 2009 | 12:51 pm

Update! I will be part of a panel discussion today at 12:30 EST on MSNBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman Show. As I said on Twitter and Facebook, I am trying not to worry about a wardrobe malfunction. Although MochaMomma urged me to "PLEASE have a wardrobe malfunction, a planned one." Gotta admit, it's tempting. Too bad I don't have extra pasties from BlogHer '06. I hope you'll tune in and send me "

The Daily Bitch
NaDruBloMo is HERE!

aka_Monty

1 Nov 2009 | 5:47 am

As you "writers" know, the annual panic and pressure (that you bring on yourselves, of course, because you DO realize that you will NOT actually be tortured or put to death if you don't finish, right?) of NaNoWriMo is upon us beginning today!National Novel Writing Month. Seriously, I admire you people so much for even trying, I love the premise of NaNoWriMo, but frankly it's WAY too hard and far beyond my scope of capabilities. I actually signed up to try one year - long, long ago and far, far away - and I didn't even get started. My problem is that I simply can't write on demand, which is…
TEXT A THON!

aka_Monty

9 Sep 2009 | 2:57 pm

YES I KNOW, I HATE VIDEOS ON BLOGS.But I swear this time it's for a good cause. Would I lead you astray? Don't answer that. Shut up.As you may (or may NOT) know, September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.My grandma died of ovarian cancer, so this is a cause that is near and dear to me, just like my grandma was.My grandma was made of AWESOME. She always knew exactly how to cook my eggs. EXACTLY. EVERY SINGLE TIME.She taught me how to sop up the egg yolk with toast...and she always made toast under the broiler and it was the BEST EVER. She gave me coffee and homemade hot chocolate --no…
My Little Contribution

aka_Monty

4 Sep 2009 | 9:50 pm

WOO! All the audio files for each session from BlogHer Chicago '09 are posted for your listening pleasure!And if you listen carefully to the intros, you just might hear a familiar voice.CHECK THEM OUT!

Oh, The Joys
Imagine A World

6 Nov 2009 | 12:40 pm

Last night The Rooster announced that no one in her class likes the color pink."But that’s crazy," I said. "Imagine the world without pink!""There wouldn't be any pink in the sky during sunrise or sunset!""Imagine a world without pink lemonade or baby piglets!"The Mayor and The Rooster enthusiastically added their own list of pink things that would be missed.This evolved into an elaborate game of “Imagine the world without…”We imagined the world without a wole series of colors and then shifted to letters."What would the world be like without the letter B?" I asked."No butts!" The…
Obligatory Postween Photos

1 Nov 2009 | 7:28 am

Between the Halloween Candy Buy Back Program and the age-old Inter-Sibling Trade Negotiations, I had an hour off this morning!There must be something wrong with my children though... all the chocolate candy is in the bag for the soldiers and they only kept the sour, gummy, odd things.[Suddenly I'm feeling rather Semper Fi...]The CarversThe Rooster The MayorHappy Day of the Dead!
Capacitación en la Diversidad

28 Oct 2009 | 6:00 pm

Last night The Rooster chose Maria Shriver's book called "What's Wrong With Timmy?" as a bed time story.The book's intent is to help kids understand that some children live with disabilities. The book primarily focuses on the strengths of children with special needs and how much we all have in common, but there is one part of the book where other children make fun of the main character, Timmy, who has Downs Syndrome. Timmy is sometimes called rude names simply because he is different. "What do you think about that?" I asked The Rooster.Roo flipped her palms upwards and bounced her forearms up…

The OPMOM Blog
Beaune {Burgundy:Bourgogne}

Carrie Pacini

21 Oct 2009 | 10:57 am

Beaune is a beautifuly city to visit where the Middle Ages are still deeply rooted. Historically the town of Beaune received its name from the Gauls that inhabited the area and built the first houses around 52BC. After the invasion of the Barbarians, the city began to expand. It became the perfect crossroads between North, South, and East. The Dukes of Burgundy chose Beaune as their site for both the Palace and Parliament. Today Beaune is considered the capital of Burgundy wines. The Côte de Beaune and the Hautes Côtes de Beaune produce harmonious wines like Meursault, Pommard,…
Puligny-Montrachet {Burgundy:Bourgogne}

Carrie Pacini

3 Sep 2009 | 2:05 pm

After Champagne we were ready to explore Bourgogne and all of its riches. We stayed near Beaune in a small town called Puligny-Montrachet at the Hotel “Le Montrachet“. Our days were built around food and the most amazing wines in the world. My two favorite white wines are from this area Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. I was beyond estatic to say the least to be in the midst of not only great food and wine, but also the gorgeous countryside that produces them both. We ventured out on day trips and visited the vineyards in the area and in the evenings it…
French Kiss; Romantic, Eiffel Tower Moments

Emily Shearer

2 Sep 2009 | 8:54 am

“Well, it’s true what they say about Paris. I’m so sick of romance I could lose my omelette. People kissing everywhere, like they’re going without air, on a bet.” from “French Kiss” by David LaMotte It is true what they say, but to me, the romance wasn’t sickening at all. Lovers entwined on park benches, tongues down each other’s cafe cremes, melting into each other on the subway; it all just added to the allure that is Paris. The sunset light where it doesn’t even get dark until after 9, the lacy lingerie shops, the music…

TechMamas
The Internet Mommy Book Launch Party

Beth B.

23 Oct 2009 | 8:30 pm

I am taking a break from the non-stop socializing to blog about The Internet Mommy Book Launch party. The book is"inspiring interviews and stories from mothers who work and play online- How Social Networks Influence the Way Moms Make Money, View LIfe, Find Friends and Raise Kids". The book does a great job of sharing stories and information about how moms are taking their networking skills online. Kimberly Clayton Blaine is the author of the book. When I asked her what inspired her to write the book she explained: "all the support from other women I met online elevated the work that I…
Education Policies - A Rant

Beth B.

19 Oct 2009 | 10:36 am

Image via Wikipedia Just seeing the movie clip from Micheal Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" made me want to more publicly speak out against the bailout policies. One scene in particular was of Micheal Moore putting crime tape along some of the bailout players buildings at Wall Street and asking for "our money back". But there are other areas that I would like to speak out on and don't have much time - until I see my other moms posting on their blogs - then I can join in the fun. I always get inspired reading the posts on Silicon Valley Moms Group (where I am proud to be a co-founder of).
Just helped friends customize their blog, that was fun!

Beth B.

18 Oct 2009 | 2:00 pm

Many parents who consider themselves non techie are now either reading, setting up blogs of their own or trying to understand blogging because their tweens/teens have blogs.Luckily, I started blogging over 4 years ago and now my son, who is 10, is just becoming interested in blogging. Today I had to the honor of helping dear friends - that are going on an AMAZING year long sailing trip - finalize their blog. For anyone that is interested in following a family that set sail for a year - click here to see the blog: Mitgang/Gottesman Sailing Voyage Aboard Whatcha Gonna Do .They had done a great…

entrepreMusings
Contemplating A Blogging Break

Aruni

4 Nov 2009 | 8:07 pm

I’m seriously considering a very long blogging break while I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Or shall I say what I want this blog to be as it grows up. The posts have been kind of random lately…a bit out of focus like I feel these days. I was having lunch with one of my advisers today who always pumps me up. He’s almost 70 years old and calls himself a recycled dad because he has grand kids older than his youngest kids. I like him a lot because he’s used to working with strong, smart, professional women. In the company he founded some 30 years…
Happy Halloween

Aruni

31 Oct 2009 | 7:04 pm

I remember Halloween being one of my favorite holiday’s of the year as a kid and even as I got older. This year my son dressed up as a scary skeleton, my daughter dressed up as a princess, and I dressed up in an Egyptian princess (Queen Nefertiti) costume I’ve had laying around for probably 8 years from a Halloween party we had at the house. I think I surprised a few people who came to the door. In the last few years, I haven’t been that motivated to put on the costume while their dad took them out around the neighborhood. So I usually greeted people in my blue jeans…
About Laughter

Aruni

28 Oct 2009 | 3:40 pm

This post called About Laughter came to me while I was in the shower the other day. I guess I was thinking about About Sleep, About Writing and About Car Paint when the word “laughter” popped into my head and then a blog post started forming. Laughter is the best medicine is an age old saying and according to: Laughter is the ‘best medicine for your heart on the University of Maryland Medical Center, Laughter is the Best Medicine on HelpGuide.org, and Laughter is the Best Medicine on Science Daily, laughter can help prevent heart attacks, help the terminally ill, create…

babyshrink.com
Advice for a preschooler who HUGS too much

Dr. Heather

3 Nov 2009 | 12:54 pm

Dear Dr. Heather, My 3-year-old son started nursery school a few weeks ago. Everything is fine except that he hugs the other kids too much! They do not want him to hug them and they wind up hitting him or running from his approach. The teachers have tried to talk to him about it and asked me to please try again tonight. Today he came home with 2 more scratches on his face. I don’t know what to tell him to make him understand, and I want him to have a good experience at school. Help! London Dad Dear London Dad, Even though it may seem like your son is the only one with difficulties in…
All that anxiety for nothing!

Dr. Heather

20 Oct 2009 | 12:25 pm

Here’s Sasha Liana, 7 lbs, 13 ounces, 5 days old: After feeling lousy all day, it finally occurred to me that — duh — it might be labor. It was then that I decided to head down to our local Safeway, which inexplicably has the only supply of H1N1 vaccines on the island, to get my shot. After that, the contractions started. The whole thing from that point on was very fast, and we were only at the hospital for 3 hours when she was born — gratefully, without complications, and VERY easily. (And YES I had a form of an epidural, called an intrathecal, which worked wonders…
Being a good mom and NOT breastfeeding

Dr. Heather

13 Oct 2009 | 2:05 pm

So I’m still huge, and not yet in labor. Luckily the doctor has caved and agreed to schedule an induction for 10/19, if I haven’t delivered by then. But in the meantime I’m looking for anything to take my mind off the discomforts and anxieties of imminent labor. Reader Lisa made my day with this email: Dear Dr. Heather, I was googling the meaning of the term “mainstream parenting” and ran across your site. I read a lot of articles on BabyShrink, including one by the name of: The “Good-Enough Mother”: Are Breasts Required? This particular article made me feel…

Dooce
Halloween 2009

dooce

6 Nov 2009 | 12:22 pm

Halloween was a total blur, mainly because we spent the week leading up to it trying to iron out the bugs of the community website, and as usual I waited until the last minute to buy candy and the only thing left at the grocery store was really expensive dark chocolate that makes little kids throw up. Great. So now not only are we the reclusive Internet people who run some sort of online website, have you heard? That house where that little shit of a dog escaped the house one time and chased that woman who was jogging along, minding her own business, and caught up with her and grabbed the…
In the meantime

dooce

6 Nov 2009 | 8:31 am

I'm working on a huge Halloween post that should take me most of the day to put together (in between feeding and cuddling Marlo), but here's the sunset from last night. Had to share it. click image above to see the photo on dooce.comby dooce in Daily Photo© Armstrong Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Originally published by Heather B. Armstrong for dooce.com as In the meantime. This post cannot be republished without express written permission.
Featured community question

dooce

5 Nov 2009 | 9:06 am

I found this question from Becky O a little difficult to answer at first, and of course I had to keep pushing "never trust a man with two first names" out of my brain. Because that's just a dumb rule to live by. Because come on. CLIVE OWEN. I would trust him with my everything. by dooce in Community, Nubbin© Armstrong Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Originally published by Heather B. Armstrong for dooce.com as Featured community question. This post cannot be republished without express written permission.

Slouching Past 40
Hardware

slouchy

4 Nov 2009 | 7:10 am

Under a moon pregnant with light The woman lay sick, poisoned by Serpentine dreams, truth and lies Alike, in wordless languages: A yellowed old man, his belly strained By the canvas apron of his trade, Stood fast, weathering the storm of her: A tool I need!, she cried, But which? Clumsily he patted her with hands Gnarled and trembling, branches Buffeted by wind and rain and time. For what?, he asked. She bit her lip and tasted iron, Leaned in, a good conspirator, Whispered, To keep it all At bay, a tool like that. The man's eyes, hooded by near Epicanthal folds of age, trained True (if weakly…
Complicity

slouchy

1 Nov 2009 | 12:52 pm

What was it about Lenore that shouted victim as surely as if one of us had taped a note to her back? Was it her hesitant, two-footed way of disembarking the bus dropping her off at camp? Was it her rheumy eyes, her pale face, her lisp? Was it that one of her socks rode perpetually lower on her calf than the other? Or do children not need such obvious cues in order to spot a potential target? Is the language of us and them coded in their DNA as surely as their eye color? Lenore was the niece of one of the richest women in the United States. But her father…
Fire Island, 1977

slouchy

30 Oct 2009 | 1:14 pm

Imagine if you will two little girls, one nine years old, the other seven and a few days. They are long-time friends who reunite each summer in Fire Island, NY, where one girl’s grandfather owns a beach house. The beach house is on stilts, as many on the island are, for protection against high tides and hurricanes. It has a glorious wrap-around deck, the only downside being the super-size splinters that pierce each girl’s feet at least once a day. But it is the underbelly of the house that most interests the girls and that is the setting for much of their playtime,…

Single Mom Seeking
Love grows

singlemomseeking

6 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

Thanks so much to all of you for your recent comments about what it means to let a boyfriend or girlfriend step in and discipline. Your feedback has inspired some very LONG, thoughtful conversations between LG and me. This is good stuff! Your comments also encouraged more dialogue at the Boston Globe: writer Lylah Alphonse — a mom and step-mom to five kids — wrote her own post at Boston.com from the perspective of a step mom. “I think the answer depends on how you define ‘discipline,’ ” Lylah says. “In my case, I was (and am) comfortable with sending…
When do I let my boyfriend discipline my kid?

singlemomseeking

4 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am

“I never got around to being a father,” I overheard the Lucky Guy saying to some friends recently at a BBQ at his house. At that moment, I was coming around the corner with a big salad in my hands. Of course, I stopped mid-step to get the best possible chance at eavesdropping. “So, now,” he added, “I get to experience a little bit of what parenthood might have been like.” Whoa. Talk about wanting to just weep into that lettuce. For the record, let me say that from day one, I made it clear to LG that I’m the parent. (Hopefully, it didn’t sound…
My triggers

singlemomseeking

1 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pm

When T wrote about her “triggers” in her current relationship, I got the chills. My ex was also an alcoholic, too. I’ve struggled with co-dependency — and events from my current relationship “often trigger the past,” as Love Coach Rinatta says it. Remember when I wrote about the night that Lucky Guy’s car had been broken into? Well, there was a lot I didn‘t say. Yes, the car break-in did scare me, but here’s what really shook me up: I called LG right after turning off his car alarm. He was out of town with co-workers, and he didn’t…

Single Mom, Ms. Single Mama
Flying

mssinglemama

5 Nov 2009 | 7:04 pm

The plane lands with a jerk as I reach under the seat to rescue my purse from its lonely spot on the floor. I stretch my fingers into the darkness hoping my purse is the only thing I find. This is the last leg on a whirlwind of business trips. The first one to Baltimore and the second to Boulder. My team and I were in and out of each city in less than 36 hours. In Boulder, the whirlwind included scenery that takes your breath, steals it and then gives it back again. How about a mountain with your coffee? But now all I want is my purse, my keys, my car, John Bear and my bed. In that order.
Love

mssinglemama

2 Nov 2009 | 6:51 pm

My little sister wrote this unbelievable story. The main character, a young woman who has been mauled by a crazed dog feels as if the ugliness inside of her is now on the outside for everyone (namely the men she dates) to see. The short story is actually published, for real, in a for real publication – the Indiana Review. I highly recommend you find a copy. That story is a mish-mash of she and I’s dating lives during our early 20’s. Choosing the wrong men, dumping the right ones – all for the wrong reasons. But then facing those scars, bringing them out into the open…
Dread Pirate Benjamin

mssinglemama

2 Nov 2009 | 6:29 pm

Post removed by BlogHer for advertising conflicts. To view the video I made in honor of the car I can not mention, click here.

Busy Mom Blog
So, at least this started out as a real entry

31 Oct 2009 | 11:27 am

Man, I gotta write something that's not about a complaint, a funeral or volleyball. Um... OK, here we go... It's coming.. Actually, I had something written and Busy Boy looked over my shoulder and said, "No!!" since it was about something he said. Suffice to say it was pretty funny, and when he said it, he immediately caught himself and lamented, "That sounded like something Busy Girl would say!" Yes, indeed folks it's true that when your kids get older, it's harder to write about them for lots of reasons. Those reasons are not so much moral or ethical as they are practical since the kids can…
Life is shorter

27 Oct 2009 | 9:03 pm

My mother's friend died today. It's not like it was unexpected, but I never did get to see her. I spoke with her a couple of times, but the whole situation is/was a big fluffy social mess that I would love to explain, but I'm not even sure what it was. Suffice to say, there were no visitors allowed, and we'll leave it at that. At any rate, she's gone, and I'd like to say she died peacefully, but I'm not really sure. I hope she's reunited with my mother somewhere. She was pretty afraid of being sick, but saw how well my mother's death went and was comforted by that. In addition to losing a…
Eat this.

26 Oct 2009 | 9:08 pm

You know what I don't understand? People commenting on what others eat. On the Internet especially, what other people eat seems to be of great interest to some. I know many people have food preferences and beliefs they feel strongly about, but it's just that it's very rare (unless you are a dietitian or something) for a person to solicit feedback from other people on their diet. It doesn't really matter if you think the whole world is ignorant of the virtues/dangers of boxed food, food on the floor, half grains, whole grains or Laffy Taffy, I just think it's rude to comment on what someone is…

Rocks In My Dryer
Everything You Never Wanted To Know About the Book-Writing Process

Shannon

3 Nov 2009 | 7:26 pm

So many of you have dropped kind emails and comments, asking about the progress of the TypePad book. Sometimes I forget that I haven't blogged more about the process--instead, I've been unloading it all on my ever-patient husband and real-life friends who are thinking, I'm sure, yes, please unload this on your blog friends for a while.So here's the scoop, in numbered list format, because now that I'm writing a technical book I think in numbered and bulleted lists only. 1. We're almost finished.As of this week, the book is now officially, 100% written. If you…
31 Oct 2009 | 6:37 pm

Shannon

31 Oct 2009 | 6:37 pm

20 Things I Learned In a Week Without My Computer :: Conversion Diary Whole Chicken In a Crock Pot :: Happy HousewifeOne of these days I'll get over my fear of chicken innards and try this. Brave Affairs :: Holy Experience Fabric Pinwheels :: Portabellopixie OneLook Dictionary Search An interesting tool for writers. My Parents Were Awesome :: MyParentsWereAwesome.comWith all the snark in the blogosphere, I think this idea is a gem. (Don't miss the FoxNews clip on the sidebar.)How To Backstitch :: Needle In a Haystack (via TipJunkie)Embroidery really IS this easy--everyone should…
By the way...

Shannon

28 Oct 2009 | 11:39 pm

...if it looks like I'm doing weird stuff to my blog design, that's because I'm doing weird stuff to my blog design. It's all apart of this TypePad book, making sure I understand some things fully so I can document them. Instead of fiddling with my design in a saved folder, where no one could see it, I thought it would be way more fun to do it here.(Also, I kind of accidentally may or may not have deleted my main design and accidentally installed this one, and now I'm too tired to go back and change it. Or something like that.)Anyway, bear with me--the design may be…

Poshmama.com
Vote Yummy ~ Who's Your Favorite Transformation?

Holly Rigsby

Vote Yummy! The Fit Yummy Mummy 12 Week "Get Back To Fit" Fall Transformation Challenge has come to a grand finale! Out of the 200+ women who took this challenge on and after a very difficult decision process, the top 9 finalists have been chosen! Now YOU get to have a say as you take place in voting for who will take home the Grand Prize for the Yummy-est Results! Warning: This will not be easy...there are a total of 9 finalists. All with amazing before and after pictures and some powerful testimonials to go along with them. Voting begins NOW and will run until Thursday, November 5th at…
Happy Halloween Ghoul-friend!

Christine Spencer

Having friends is one of the great treats in life. Spending time together, sharing our lives, helping each other through scary stuff - it's a wickedly-wonderful thing to have friends! Laughing More and Having Fun Having fun is an important part of stress management. Because studies show such wonderful health and stress relief benefits to laughter and even the anticipation of laughter, having fun should be a priority in the life of anyone who wants better health, greater happiness and less stress. Here are some strategies for having more fun in your life: Have Friends Over More Often Most…
Avoid Holiday Binge and Bulge

Coach Jenn

Americans typcially gain between 5-10 pounds this time of year. Don't let it happen to you. Aiming to start a diet in January will not make up for splurging over the next two months. The smarter approach is to aim for a balance now so you don't have to dig yourself out of a two month binge. Here are some tips to help you avoid the holiday bulge: 1. Do not skip breakfast Many folks tend to skip a meal or even two so save room for the big dinner meal at holiday time. This is a huge mistake. Start your day with a satisfying protein meal such as eggs and whole grain toast. This will truly help…

All & Sundry
Stewing

sundry

6 Nov 2009 | 12:43 pm

Hey, thank you for the ideas, suggestions, and anecdotes with regards to ongoing childhood mystery ailments. Naturally, Riley seems perfectly fine today, excepting a brand NEW symptom: a husky, scratchy voice that sounds like the IT’S LINDSAY voiceover on The Soup. I’m considering whether to visit the pediatrician today, or go on Monday when it’s theoretically possible they’ll have some flu vaccinations available, which they are not scheduling but if you happen to be there for unrelated reasons they might give your kid a shot. *holds head, rocks back and forth in the…
Diagnosis: mystery

sundry

5 Nov 2009 | 8:41 pm

Okay, I could use some advice. Let’s say you have a four-year-old who has always been relatively healthy, aside from the usual childhoold viral suspects, and about six weeks ago he and his brother had a tandem night of Fever and Barf, the details of which you are still trying to suppress. About a week after that, he had another barfing episode, this one even more dramatic in that it very nearly happened in your own bed and involved a truly horrific skidding-through-another-person’s-barf-in-bare-feet incident which, again, you’re really trying to forget except that sometimes…
After some 23 years of this, you’d think I’d recognize the symptoms

sundry

4 Nov 2009 | 10:33 am

Man, that last post was kind of a drag, huh? You know what, I’ve been in a foul mood lately. I’m pissed off that JB probably can’t come to New Orleans with me. I’m sick of a no-longer-interesting work project that should have been finished months ago but continues to drag on and on and on with no end in sight. I’m irritated with my house for being a Sisyphean pit of clutter and laundry, and I’m practically apoplectic that we have fruit flies again after a weekend of guests who cannot finish a banana, preferring instead to leave the peel and uneaten half…

Attack of the Redneck Mommy
Hello Mr.Computer Teacher!

Redneck Mommy

6 Nov 2009 | 11:37 am

My son stormed through the front door after school the other day, tossed his backpack down and as he kicked off his shoes he glared at me and announced, “I’m really mad at you, Mom.” I looked at him and quickly ran through any possibilities of why he would come home and suddenly announce he was angry with me in my head. In the last 48 hours I had a.) eaten all of the chocolate bars in the Halloween stash after he specifically asked me not to b.) ignored the Do Not Enter MOM sign pinned on his door to plow through his private sanctum looking for hidden pieces of dirty laundry…
Just Call Me Tits McGee

Redneck Mommy

3 Nov 2009 | 9:43 am

***Post Update: For all of you curious to watch me make an arse of myself, the producers at Connect with Mark Kelley have obliged your requests and put my television mockery on line for your viewing pleasure. So grab some popcorn, say a Hail Mary, and thank the Heavens above that I’m not your Mother and then click this link. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.*** This summer, as I was sweltering at my uncle’s funeral, with rivulets of sweat trickling between my breasts and making my boobs itchy, Opportunity knocked at my door. There I was, discreetly trying scratch the itch…
It Takes A Real Woman To Look Like A Man

Redneck Mommy

2 Nov 2009 | 11:58 am

Last week my entire family was struck by the plague. Which is why this here little blog sat quiet and empty for so long. I was too busy mopping up puke and doling out Tylenol to the feverish masses to try and write. I’ve been asked if it was the dreaded Swine Flu that struck my family with such a heavy blow, but truth be told, I was too busy shivering and trying to stop the jack hammer trapped inside my head to bundle up my family to take them to the doctor and find out. In the end, it doesn’t matter which virus it was, we all survived it and my children learned a valuable life…

Balancing Motherhood
Sleep Is My Crack

Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

3 Nov 2009 | 6:31 pm

Let’s just say I’d rather be sleeping right now. It doesn’t matter what time of day you are reading this — if you are, and I’m awake, I’d rather be sleeping. I’m a sleep-deprived mom of two younguns (one is still a baby at a wee 7 months) who keep me busy these days. I realized [...]
Getting Ready For Halloween

Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

28 Oct 2009 | 6:22 pm

Halloween is just two days away, my son reminded me tonight. We tried on his costume so that I could be sure we had all the pieces/parts and wouldn’t be left scrambling at the last minute. We’re set. Not as lucky this year? Make a homemade Halloween costume — get ideas with this link. Still [...]
Tonsillectomy, Adenoidectomy and Tubes, OH MY!

Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

20 Oct 2009 | 8:45 am

My 3 and 1/2 year old son had to undergo a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and have tubes put in both ears. I did a lot of research online that I found very comforting, frightening and helpful. I decided to document what happened to use to help others who will have to deal with this with their [...]

CityMama™
Vegan Chickpea, Carrot, and Potato Burrito Filling

CityMama™

5 Nov 2009 | 5:19 pm

A saute of chickpeas, carrots, diced white potatoes, and sliced Field Roast artisan vegan potato-apple sausage will be tucked into warm tortillas, topped with salsa verde, and devoured. Wish you...
Penne with Sweet Onion Sauce

CityMama™

4 Nov 2009 | 8:56 am

I found this gorgeous pic at fun food blog Definitely Not Martha. Please visit her--her recipes look amazing! When I first tasted this sauce (at my aunt's house in Rome),...
Why Twitter Parties Don't Suck

CityMama™

3 Nov 2009 | 7:33 am

I've written about why Twitter parties don't suck over on The Cleverist, the new Clever Girls Collective blog. It's the blog attached to our social media marketing agency, and where...

Maneuvering Motherhood
Move Over, Atlanta! The Real Housewives Of Orange County Are Back

6 Nov 2009 | 9:43 am

In true reality TV fashion, we quickly change focus from the dramedy of Nene and Kim (who, by the way, eerily made peace between the end of taping and the beginning of the reunion, part one. Hmm, blackmail much, Kim?) to that of Gretchen and Tamra, and their collective drama of last season. Season five of The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered last night in true housewives’ fashion,
A Redneck’s Guide Ta Etiquette

4 Nov 2009 | 1:40 pm

I am not a redneck, nor do I play one on TV. I like designer tags. And sipping champagne. I wear my shoes. I am a class-ay chick! Oh…who the hell am I kidding?! Okay, so maybe I have a tad bit of redneck in me. I ain’t ever been the Barbie Doll type, that’s for sure. I do have a baby on my hip, I say hey y’all more than I should, and I can keep pace with the best of ‘em at the karaoke bar
Only Boring People Get Bored

2 Nov 2009 | 5:43 pm

I am not one to find myself bored; in fact, I don’t understand the concept of being bored. My activities and interests revolve around that which I value: my kids, my home, my family, my friends, my work as a freelance writer, contributing my voice at several sites in addition to sharing my thoughts here, my voracious appetite for books, advocating for abused women and children who suffer from

Cutie Booty Cakes
Tim Gunn

Renée aka Mekhismom

6 Nov 2009 | 3:19 pm

Today I was trying to find the photos of Mekhi trick or treating last week in Asheville with his best buddy Cinque, however I am unable to locate the photo. That is not surprising considering I have so many photos floating around on numerous cards and I need to get organized. I believe I've mentioned my lack of organization skills in the past (if anyone out there is type A, seriously organized and wants to provide tips? Call me- okay, email me - HELP!!). Anyway, here is a photo of Tim Gunn and I at BlogHer. He complimented me on my camera case which is shaped like a bowler bag - me,…
A wish for More Birthdays

Renée aka Mekhismom

5 Nov 2009 | 6:38 am

Photo by Larry BrownThis woman is my Aunt Helen, isn't she beautiful? Growing up I spent many days in Aunt Helen's kitchen, similar to many families, her kitchen was a gathering place. This is where she prepared great meals and on most holidays our entire family gathered at her home. I was extremely close to my aunt and her death was one of the first I experienced in my young life, over 20 years ago. Aunt Helen died of cancer and my last memory of her alive is seeing her hooked up to machines in a hospital bed, shrunken and sleeping. I didn't want to disturb her so I quietly left and she died…
Sweetgrass Spa

Renée aka Mekhismom

4 Nov 2009 | 5:26 am

Have you ever discovered a diamond in the rough, cleaned it up and delighted in the glittering sparkle of your newest find? I feel this way about Sweetgrass Spa. I have passed by this spa on more times than I can remember and never ventured in. This quaint spa is not the run of the mill place, it is more like visiting a neighbor whose home is so comfortable that you never want to leave. Whenever you visit warm tea, aromas too delicious for description, and furniture that is broken in like your favorite armchair awaits you.Imagine all of this, add spa services and then you will understand the…

Cool Mom Picks
Trying Funny Stuff makes me want my kids music with extra Jimmies

6 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

I don't want my kids to grow up listening to lame, easy-listening music which is why The Jimmies' fun-rock songs have been on heavy rotation since we got Make Your Own Someday, their first CD, a couple of years ago. A
Modern Hanukkah menorahs? Thanks, Jonathan Adler

6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

Jewish kids know all about the Hanukkah miracle but what they don't know is how hard it can be to celebrate that Hanukkah miracle in cool, modern style.
Adventures in Babysitting - now free from Care.com

6 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am

When it comes to finding childcare, I'm one of the lucky ones with built-in babysitters (as in, my parents) living a few blocks away. There's a downside or two to having my parents around the corner, trust me, but when it comes to finding someone to watch my kids I've got it pretty good.

Hormone-colored Days
Skinny dipping in the school pool and why advocating for gifted kids is like masturbating

3 Nov 2009 | 6:12 am

Yep, skinny dipping at school, that's how things worked in Chicago public schools back in the 1950s. Read on at Chicago Moms Blog.I think I'm going to work the old skinny dipping as school policy into my statement advocating for gifted children in Illinois at the upcoming state board of ed budget hearing. Honestly though, I'm tempted to talk about how advocating for gifted kids is like masturbating. I feel compelled to do it (advocate, I mean), and I'll feel good for doing it (for speaking up, I mean) but it's not a very productive use of my time.Color me cynical, but it seems to me that the…
Special Programs for Gifted Children: Luxuries or Necessities

2 Nov 2009 | 3:39 am

Last summer Candace Lindemann, Ed. M., a former colleague of mine from the Momformation blog, interviewed me for her piece Gifted Programs: Luxuries or Necessities? I'm a little late blogging about it, but no matter, the question is timeless.Because they sometimes only serve a small number (or by definition in the State of Illinois, a small percentage) of students, and high performing students at that, gifted programs are often seen as a luxury. How does a school justify a class for six students who seemingly excel when other students in the grade are still struggling to read?Gifted students…
Coming Home to Roost

31 Oct 2009 | 12:42 pm

Coming home to Roost.com, that is. Last week, I joined my friend Kim Tracy Prince of House of Prince fame over at Roost.com. Roost is a site that makes it easy to find a home almost anywhere in the US. Site visitors can browse the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) as well as get value added information like local market insights and industry news.I had used the Roost to sort of window shop (monitor shop?) for houses long before I started writing on the site, so it's nice that things came full circle--or they will once I'm able to purchase a new house.I'm writing about my wacky misadventures…

Fussy
Day 6: Your Moment of Zen

Eden Kennedy Onassis

6 Nov 2009 | 2:14 pm
Day the Fifth

Eden Kennedy Onassis

5 Nov 2009 | 12:55 pm

Last week I mentioned that I was not buying any clothes for a year. (On October 1, 2010, I plan to walk out of my house shedding the tattered remains of my dignity, drive straight to Nordstrom Rack, and buy whatever clump of garments I find closest to the door. If you see me standing at the register with an armload of ill-fitting sleeveless turtleneck sweaters in sherbet tones and crystal-studded capris, have pity. I'll probably knoweth not what I am doing.)Ironically, one of the books I received at the Broad Summit weekend last month was an InStyle magazine book on how to dress. I sat down…
#4, A Post About Bagels

Eden Kennedy Onassis

4 Nov 2009 | 10:35 am

Three times a year Jack's mom sends us a big Zabar's box containing a dozen bagels, two things of lox, a bag of cinnamon rugelach, a pound of coffee, and two containers of the best, most fattiest, heart-attackenest cream cheese in all the world (one regular, one chive).But we always sort of forget they're going to arrive. She normally sends one on Jack's birthday and one on Father's Day, but last Friday when a Zabar's box arrived at the door, Jack was all, Look! My mom sent us bagels for, uh, Halloween!I think they're for our anniversary, I said.Our what? said Jack.Monday was our thirteenth…

Queen of Spain Blog
Maine Voters Should Face My Kids

Queen of Spain

3 Nov 2009 | 9:55 pm

We went through this with Prop 8 in California, and now again in Maine. Well Maine voters, now it’s your turn. I want you to explain to my children why some people have more rights than others. I want you to explain to two, angelic faces why you think it’s ok for some people to be allowed to marry and not others. Sometimes, framing an issue through the eyes of a child really forces clarity on just how simple this all is. But no, that’s not how it will go. Instead, in the morning (and if they ask) I will tell my children how equal rights do not exist for certain people in the…
Candy

Queen of Spain

31 Oct 2009 | 11:46 pm

Happy Halloween everyone.
…just a quick rant about piggy flu and vaccines…

Queen of Spain

28 Oct 2009 | 11:41 pm

Can we all take off our tinfoil hats for just a second, please? Yes, you. I’d like to inject some sanity back into this vaccine debate, because it’s gotten way, way, way out of hand. Rational, smart, loving people are rejecting vaccines. Rational, smart, loving people feel they are better protecting their children by saying no to vaccines. In a handful of cases, this is true. There are those with allergies to the vaccine, those that are too young, those that have immune disorders that can’t vaccinate. Unless you are one of those people, we really need to talk. Science is…

Motherhood is the New MBA
How to Get a Copy of My Book

5 Nov 2009 | 4:47 am

There are a couple of ways you can buy my book. You can order on line at all the usual suspects:Amazon (also available in Kindle)BordersBarnes and NobleOr straight from the publisherYou should be able to buy it at the Borders or Barnes and Noble stores, but call ahead. I’ve heard stores have sold out or didn’t order copies. You can also buy them straight from me. This is the only way to get a
Next Stop - Cleveland

28 Oct 2009 | 5:56 am

Madison was a nice success. I thought the crowd was a little on the light side, but they pulled through. The next morning, I got emails from New York (publicist and agent) congratulating me.** I’ll be in Cleveland Ohio on Tuesday, November 3. I’ll be reading and signing at 7 pm at the Westlake Borders. Please join us! *** I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Valerie Breunig, Christopher Morris, and
KING 5 News Interview

12 Oct 2009 | 1:03 pm

In-Studio Interviews | Seattle News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | KING5.comPosted using ShareThis

acte gratuit: A look at life in between naps.
Kyoto Trip - Take 2

3 Nov 2009 | 3:07 am

We did half-day tours on two different days. Wednesday afternoon our tour took us to the nearby town of Nara where we visited the Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, and the Kasuga Shrine.Highlight: Biggest indoor Buddah in Biggest Wooden building. (Pretty darn cool.)Lowlight: Nara Park is home to 1200-2000 wild deer. They're cute. At first.And then they ATTACK!!!! Okay, maybe "attack" is too strong a word. But I like to approach wildlife. I don't like wildlife to approach me. And I DON'T like it biting at my pants or trying to plow over my small children. (Though, admittedly, it was incredibly…
Four Days in Kyoto

28 Oct 2009 | 6:13 pm

Not as long as Seven Years in Tibet, but adequate to get the job done.Confused?Last week we took a trip down to Kyoto for our first "in Japan" family vacation (probably last--it was exhausting). We left (via Shinkansen aka Bullet Train) Monday morning and came home Thursday night. (Kyoto is the setting for "Memoirs of a Geisha" and the former capital of Japan.)Turns out our three sons don't care much about the changing seat of power in ancient Japan or the historical significance of Buddhist or Shinto temples and their place in Japanese Religion. But they DO like bullet trains and Samurai…
Gabe's First Party

27 Oct 2009 | 6:17 am

Gabe was invited to his first "friend party" ever. Madeline's party was held at the Weasels' DenBefore the party:(He gave her a vintage Effanbee "Butterball" doll.)(Madeline is one of his BFF's and he mimics her speech and mannerisms quite a bit. And her foot stomp.)After the party:A good time was (obviously) had by all!

Velveteen Mind
These Small Hours

velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

1 Nov 2009 | 3:46 pm

Little Wonders - Rob Thomas *In celebration of our daughter’s birth and in thanks for all of your love and support, those are our kids’ real names in the photos above. Please don’t mention them in the comments, as I’d still like Google to think we named our children Q, Goose, and Olive. Truly, thank you for all of your kindness and encouragement. Not to mention your patience, as I’ve been very busy kissing those precious cheeks above the last couple of weeks. Detailed birth story to come… just as soon as I sleep more than 3 hours in a row. Whew! ;) In the meantime,…
A Lamaze Birth Plan for the Rest of Us

velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

14 Oct 2009 | 7:12 am

(Updates publishing at bottom of post + more on twitter)My hands smell like Dreft. I am surrounded, on my bed, by a foreign sea of pink. My belly periodically morphs into the shape of an almond, pointy end suggestively aiming toward the door… Every ten minutes. All signs suggest that I am in latent labor, though these contractions may be uneventful Braxton Hicks. No reason to split hairs, as I have an OB appointment this morning and a quick cervical check will solve the progress issue. Which leaves me just enough time to think. And think. And watch my shifting belly transform…
Icons and Inventory: I Can't Be Their Dooce to My Postpartum Depression

velveteenmind@gmail.com (Megan Jordan)

6 Oct 2009 | 2:36 pm

Did you notice that? A flash. A glimpse? An unexpected swell. Olive is due within weeks, if not days. All of my emotions have settled directly into my chest and occasionally push the breath right out of me. When I least expect it, they flood upward, into my face. They cloud my vision and fill my ears with a buzzing that drowns out everything else. They aren’t always the offspring of hope and desire. Those moments make me afraid that I will present with postpartum depression after Olive is born. That I will land myself the big fat PPD…

IzzyMom
What Kind of an Idiot Thinks This is Okay?

IzzyMom

14 Oct 2009 | 10:31 pm

Ahhh…it’s that time of year again. Time for witches and ghosts and goblins and of course, the trashy, slutty costumes for little girls that make my blood boil. But…I’ve railed about those plenty in the past. Everyone who gets mail probably already knows of a certain national party store chain that carries an assortment of inappropriate costumes for elementary aged girls which, given how I feel about corporate America sexualizing children, kinda makes me want to hurl. Before I go any further, though, let me ask if you, as a parent, make a habit of letting your 5-7 year…
Me vs. The Giant Corporation

IzzyMom

4 Oct 2009 | 11:09 pm

I have two kids and in the three years that we’ve had On-Demand movies with our Verizon fiber optic cable, it’s made me incredibly lazy in that I have no need to drive to Blockbuster and rent movies anymore. I just flip to the On-Demand menu and find whatever it is we want to watch. This is great when it’s just adults but not so great when it’s my kids who want to see a movie. Let me preface this story by saying we have every parental control available set on our TV. I’m a firm believer that kids are exposed to too much too soon in this world and I do everything…
I took this screenshot myself…

IzzyMom

23 Sep 2009 | 10:56 pm

The BEST word verification EVER. Also? Tired kids and coffee ice cream…a winning combination! Amy Lo saves the day AGAIN.

Through The Looking Glass
Sick Days

Annika

6 Nov 2009 | 11:03 am

If you’re pretty sure you were exposed to the swine flu, and your kid has a temperature but no other symptoms, it’s time to PANIC, right? Oh, fine. I won’t panic. You ruin all my fun. But you’ll excuse me if I do lay low for a few days and just watch movies with the little guy. Will is going to be out of town for just under 48 hours with his dad, so it is just me and sicko. I picked up some Tylenol for him in case his fever worsens, and we have plenty of food and drink. I am probably going to be bored out of my mind with no adult company, but I will manage somehow. (I…
Two Months

Annika

5 Nov 2009 | 9:42 am

Seriously? I’m having a BABY in two months? HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? Uh, don’t answer that. Technically we are mostly prepared (as much as we can be, anyway). Sure, there are a few things we need/want. Sure, there is the issue of sleeping arrangements and how we might convince Sam to give up his frequent spot in our bed to the baby. Sure, I am scared stiff about getting by without any paid leave for Will to stay home with us (we have saved all of his rollover vacation days, so he’ll be here for a couple weeks, but anything further is unpaid). But overall, we’re doing fine.
We interrupt this “How Not To Sew” series…

Annika

4 Nov 2009 | 12:11 pm

So you know the finger that I sewed last week? This morning I sliced it open with the bread knife. This marks only the second time I have cut myself with a kitchen knife, which means it surprised the hell out of me. I don’t think it is too bad, though it was revoltingly bloody. When I called Will he asked if I needed to go to the hospital and I laughed, because they would laugh at me if I went in for this. (Still, he was right to ask–when I called and he asked if I was OK, I said no; I never say no unless I am really not OK.) So. I can barely type, I can’t really knit, and…

Chicken And Cheese
NaBloWriMoGoEffYourself

Mrs. Chicken

4 Nov 2009 | 8:28 am

There once was a time when blogging every day during the month of November filled me the kind of glee and anticipation that children begin to feel on Thanksgiving, when Santa floats down a wide Manhattan boulevard signaling the Christmas season. Today, the idea of blogging every day during the month of November makes me feel like sticking a flaming hot poker up my own ass. I will not be participating this year, if you didn’t get the hint in the prior sentence. I do, however, feel like this space is sorely neglected these days, what with the BIG BIG project taking off and my paid gig…
My Three Loves

Mrs. Chicken

3 Nov 2009 | 5:16 am

Related PostsMrs. Chicken Loves Her Some Mamma
New Eyes

Mrs. Chicken

28 Oct 2009 | 9:40 pm

She is slight, with curly blond hair and a wide smile. She is soft-spoken and modest and has the air of a girl sheltered from the ugliness of the world. I show her into the family room. I am embarrassed by the stains on the carpet and damp with perspiration from a frantic, last-minute attempt to tidy up before she arrives. “Wow,” she says, turning her head slowly this way and that. “You have such a nice house! It is so big!” I’m taken aback; I mumble my thanks and bid her sit down on the couch, wincing as she pulls a toy out from underneath her. She holds it in…

Working Moms Against Guilt
Working Mom Power!

Sara

6 Nov 2009 | 12:22 pm

I just wanted to pop on here this afternoon and send a shout out to a working mom who is a REAL hero. We now are learning that the civilian police officer who stopped the shooting rampage in Fort Hood yesterday was Kimberly Munley, mom to a 3-year-old daughter and, from what it sounds like, one tough cookie."You go, girl" doesn't begin to do justice to the bravery this lady displayed. I'm proud it was a woman and a mom who took down that disturbed man, saving countless lives. Well done!
Friday Finds - November 6, 2009

Sara

6 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

Sara's Finds-- It's always a "find" when you discover somebody who can make you look great, even when you've just had a baby. As readers may already know (and are probably sick of hearing), I've got a book coming out in the next year or so, and I needed a good photo to go on my dust cover. I turned to Sarah Diebold, who not only got some awesome shots but also managed to airbrush out the dark under-eye circles and other signs of post-baby fatigue. Here's one of the shots I'm thinking of giving to my publishing house. Cincinnati-area authors, if you're looking for a good head shot, check Sarah…
Keeping Tabs on WMAGs Like You

Susan

4 Nov 2009 | 7:05 am

I'm often asked why I do this blog, and there are many answers. But the big reason I do it is to connect with other working moms against guilt and also help them feel like they're not alone. We're all dealing with lots of the same challenges, and celebrating some of the same joys -- why not do it as a community? Virtual, in real life, or some combination thereof. It's all good, in my opinion.One way I like to see what other interesting WMAGs have to say is by reading their blogs. If you've never noticed the "You Might Also Like" blogroll in our right-hand column, I hope you'll check it out. I…

Joy Unexpected
And the Rockets Red Glad...

5 Nov 2009 | 3:01 pm

About 2 weeks ago my daughter asked me to teach her The America Song, (aka The Star-Spangled Banner.) When your kid wants to learn The America Song, you freaking teach them The America Song. So, for 2 weeks straight, I have been singing it to her. Every morning. Every evening. Every car ride to school. Every car ride from school. She finally started to get the hang out of and asked me to "please not sing it with her anymore!" because "SHE KNOWS IT NOW SO STOP SINGING IT, MOM." And while I am very proud that my 5 year old (sort of. Almost. Kind of) knows The Star-Spangled Banner, I am maybe…
Bokeh Wednesday- Love edition

4 Nov 2009 | 9:53 am

"I love you, mama." she said as we walked hand in hand. "I love you too, baby girl." "And I love daddy. And my brothers. And I love myself." I love myself, she said. There was no conceit behind that statement. No ego involved. Simply her truth. She loves others as she loves her self. As a woman who grew up feeling shame about most every part of who I am, it was comforting to hear my daughter say those words. Those words were music to my ears, my heart, my soul. Because it is my hope that by loving who she is, caring for herself and living to her full potential, she will always be able to…
Bokeh Wednesday- Things In My Backyard, Edition

28 Oct 2009 | 12:08 pm

Mom In The City
10 Ways To Have A Green(er) Thanksgiving

Kimberly

6 Nov 2009 | 9:25 am

This year is flying back and Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away. For the next couple of weeks, we will be featuring some Thanksgiving related posts. We will start it off on a (light) green note. I like all of the suggestions from our guest post writers Lynn Colwell and Corey [...]
Exciting Opportunity For New And Expecting Moms

Kimberly

6 Nov 2009 | 5:49 am

I am interrupting our holiday giveaways for a moment in order to give several Mom in the City readers an exciting opportunity to earn some extra cash (which we can ALL use as the holiday season approaches)… If you live in the NYC Metro area and are one of the following: • a 1st time mom who [...]
Holiday Giveaway: Subscription To Little Passports

Kimberly

5 Nov 2009 | 8:10 pm

Have you heard about Little Passports yet? I was able to see and learn about this subscription service from Stefania of Clever Girls Collective while at Blogalicious 2009. There were several things that I like about the concept. Below are the top two: 1. It makes geography fun. I must admit that I [...]

Soapbox Mom
Being a Woman

Nicole SoapB

1 Nov 2009 | 11:19 am

…does not constitute a pre-existing condition. Women pay higher premiums and are sometimes denied coverage for ridiculously discriminatory reasons. Let’s beat the insurance companies. Now. Demand health insurance reform.
Be Aware of the Game

Nicole SoapB

18 Oct 2009 | 8:44 am

I urge you to spend just four minutes watching this video. Just four minutes. Then think about it. We can’t let ourselves be fooled, scared and tricked by the sophisticated, high stakes games played by the insurance companies. Not again.
My Son’s Credo

Nicole SoapB

14 Oct 2009 | 5:24 pm

As parents, we hope to instill good values in our children, but how do we know when they learn the lessons or whether they even hear us? Over the years I’ve wondered… Do they learn from what we do? How can we be sure? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a list of lessons, or a credo, if you will? Then, one day last week, my son handed me a typewritten sheet with the heading, “Life and How to Live It.” He explained that, after teaching the class George Washington’s 110 Rules of Civility, his teacher told the class that she wanted each of them to write a credo.

Mrs. Mogul
How Did Kate Hudson and A-Rod Celebrate The Yankees’ W [Digg]

5 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am

So how did Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez celebrate the Yankees winning the world series on Wednesday night? Kate joined Alex's mom, Lourdes Navarro, and
Taylor Swift's promo for SNL [Digg]

4 Nov 2009 | 11:12 pm

Video of Taylor Swift and Bill Hadar filming their promo.
Taylor Swift's promo for SNL

4 Nov 2009 | 11:07 pm

Taylor Swift and Bill Hadar made a short promo for this weekend's Saturday Night Live. Of course they had to put in a Kanye West joke in there. Are you going to watch it?MTV Shows

Miscellaneous Mum - Trying to find the objective correlative, everyday
5 Nov 2009 | 3:27 pm

Karen

5 Nov 2009 | 3:27 pm

“There’s mercy to be found at the bottom of a glass.” Not sure what that line means, I just wrote it. And that’s about as articulate as I’ll get today. Related posts:Panicking!*Untitled* **Not to be intentionally pretentious, either. Just saying**Your favourite blog post ever, by anyone, on any topic
Sometimes…just sometimes…

Karen

4 Nov 2009 | 2:05 pm

I will be flicking through old photos and I think, “Wow – my son does resemble me a little.” He’s not pure Adam after all. No related posts.
Our Halloween

Karen

3 Nov 2009 | 1:20 pm

We held an intimate, but nevertheless fun, Halloween party on Saturday night. Here are some of the photos: Adam drew some scary pictures which we hung on the wall. I made Halloween cupcakes (and by the way, since when did red and yellow make a funny shade of pink? No matter how I tried they just came out the wrong shade. You can’t quite tell here. In fact, here they look half decent. And anyway, the kids didn’t care.) We decorated the walls with orange and black crepe streamers, making the place look more like the Wests Tigers (Rugby League) were playing a Grand Final than…

Sarcastic Mom
Reason number 39756385 why renting a house blows.

Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus

4 Nov 2009 | 1:06 pm

And when I say “blows” I am not thinking about bubbles or dandelions. Or even that hot guy I saw standing in line at the grocery store the other day. Rawr. I’m referring more to hairy ballsacks, possibly even diseased ones. I have a good running list of reasons (39756385 items long, clearly) for this particular brand of Makes You Want To Vomit All Of Your Meals From Ever suckage, but today let’s talk about: “When Shit Breaks And Doesn’t Get Fixed In A Timely Manner” When shit breaks and you own your own house, the reason why it sucks is because you…
The stuff that gets in the way.

Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus

2 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

So, I have a confession: I have been having a hard time keeping my shit together lately. See also: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness, hair loss, and more!), See also: Miscarriage Anniversary Looming, See also: Financial Distress, See also: Marital Issues, See also: I’m a headcase. And it is true that I have had something like Writer’s Block for some time. I have long spaces of time when I believe I have nothing to say that you will be interested in reading. I sit down and think, “Surely I can come up with something!” And I open a…
Weekly Winners, October 25-31

Sarcastic Mom, aka Lotus

31 Oct 2009 | 11:42 pm

October 25th – 31st Some shots taken with my: Canon Powershot G9 Others taken with this loaner: Nikon Coolpix P90 (click through and view photo info to see which) Braden: “Screamitty Scream Scream” Dog: “The small gringo is particularly annoying.” A Slice of Tub Time Sittin’ In Slants ‘O Sun Resting For A Moment What Big Eyes You Have Flit, Flit, Flutter Biding His Time I Just Want You To Hold Me To view all my photos, visit my Flickr Photostream Weekly Winners Information Weekly Winners Prizes All My Past WW Posts If you do not follow the RULES your…

Adventures in Babywearing
a princess and a king

6 Nov 2009 | 1:43 pm

the leaves danced in our courtswirling twirlinglike timelike I don't knowlike what I've long forgotten like what I can rememberthe shadows are there even if you don't look for thembut so is the sun. Subscribe to my blog hereTwitter me- I'm babysteph
Ivy & Asher: Then and Now

4 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

fall 2008fall 2009That first photo was taken on Sarah's birthday one year ago when I got stuck (another cute photo alert) in two different fatal accidents and thought I'd never get to her. If you don't know this already, Sarah is superspecial to me. And today is her birthday.Wish her well- she's @sarahviola on Twitter and blogs over here. Happy Birthday, Sarah. xoxoSubscribe to my blog hereTwitter me- I'm babysteph
Sakura Bloom Triathlon: Round Two

4 Nov 2009 | 10:10 am

Sakura Bloom linen Essential in berry-spiceSakura Bloom Triathlon Contestants,Welcome to the second stage of the Sakura Bloom Triathlon! We hope that you are already enjoying your double-layer linen Essential sling. The double layer of linen creates even more support and comfort for you and your baby, and is one of our customer favorites.Your challenge with this sling is the photo challenge. We're not just looking for pretty smiles (although we do love those!) but photos that capture the joy of carrying your child in a sling. You can submit your entry via email and/or a post on your blog by…

TheBloggess.com
I’m in Japan and too sleep-deprived to come up with a good title. Also, I’m very, very grumpy.

Jenny the bloggess

6 Nov 2009 | 3:32 pm

So I’m still in Japan. Day 847. Or Day 6. Something like that. All the days blend together here because my nights and days are still mixed up and I haven’t slept more than 3 hours at a time and it all feels like I’m trapped in a weird Hunter S. Thompson story except that there are less drugs and more puddings that look like boobies and I spent the day disguised as a Japanese prostitute. Those links both take you to my satirical sex column, by the way, because they’re paying for all the really fucked up parts of this trip. Thanks, Eden Fantasys! Now my…
Sue me. I’m awesome.

Jenny the bloggess

30 Oct 2009 | 10:34 am

So this weekend I leave for Japan. ”Why?” you ask? Because it’s there. And also because I got drunk one night and Victor asked me if I’d go to Japan with him and apparently I said yes. This is what happens when you get drunk around Victor. You wake up in the morning and need a passport. Whenever I mention it to people they’re all “JAPAN! THAT’S AWESOME!” but to be honest I’m a terrible traveler and Japan scares the shit out of me and all I really know about Japan is that Godzilla was born there. Also, I may be mixing Japan up…
UPDATED! An open letter to the King of Germany who might actually only be a Prince. I didn’t really research it. But we’re at war now so you’ll probably hear about it on the news.

Jenny the bloggess

29 Oct 2009 | 10:00 am

Dear Mr. King of Germany: It has been brought to my attention that your daughter is either impersonating me or mocking me in her royal portrait. Exhibit A: I’ve been rockin’ this look for years so I can only assume this is an act of aggression on her part. That’s why this morning I declared war on Germany. I try not to judge people for their parenting skills but I can’t help but think this is kind of your fault for not reigning your daughter in (Get it? “Reigning”? Because you’re a king? I kill me.) but lucky for you, I am a kind and…

So Close
Max snacking on his favourite meal (toes)

Tertia Albertyn

3 Nov 2009 | 10:16 am

Superb picture quality thanks to the excellent -0,25 megapixel camera on my BB. (^*%*&^!
Why it is easier being a sinner

Tertia Albertyn

2 Nov 2009 | 6:37 am

I don't want to get into a whole religious debate, but I do want to say this: Sometimes you Lordy folk make it very difficult for even the Lordy to be Lordy.Look, I know that not all Christians are fanatical, judgmental, nasty, exclusive, ugly, condemnatory, critical finger-pointers. I know that most Christians are loving, caring good people who live their lives in faith and kindness. I know this because my sister is one of the nice ones who tries to live a good, godly life (whatever that might be) and hope that others might be persuaded to see the light or find the truth etc by seeing…
Trick or treat straight to hell?

Tertia Albertyn

1 Nov 2009 | 1:12 am

Judging from the tweets and FB updates, Halloween is HUUUUUUGE in the USA? I read somewhere that it is your second biggest holiday in the US? It is not a big thing in South Africa at all. A few kids go around trick or treating, but there isn't any hype about it.Last year, when we stayed in our old house, one of the moms arranged for her kids and mine to go for a stroll down the road trick or treating. Her kids are a year older and two years younger than mine, so the 4 of them and the two of us knocked on a few doors. The kids loved it.Adam has been asking me for a whole year…

mod*mom
net cetera :: chatting with kids about being online :: ftc

modmom

5 Nov 2009 | 12:06 pm

the federal trade commission wants mod*mom readers to read their new net cetera online guide about parenting your webhog kids in the internet.
i want a breast thermography scan for breast cancer :)

modmom

26 Oct 2009 | 4:14 pm

i want a thermascan digital mammogram at clear center for health in marin!medical director + founder, dr beth mcdougall says “breast thermography has the ability to warn women up to 10 years before any other procedure that a cancer may be forming." i'm interested in nonsurgical no radiation early diagnostic technology. i don't have faith in traditional mammograms, + a needless breast or lymph node biopsy is wasteful. i know these are controversial, but i'd still rather have one than a biopsy or mammogram.
my pal rob mahar taught martha stewart to make sock skeletons!!!

modmom

20 Oct 2009 | 8:47 pm

my pal, rob mahar taught martha stewart to make sock skeletons!!! here's the awesome video so you can make them too or buy a kit here :)

i obsess.
giving out love by the linkful.

Debbie Gorman

3 Nov 2009 | 3:16 pm

Don't you mind me, now. I'm just doing what I ought to have done weeks, nay, MONTHS ago.Glare balefully at me if you must, but I'd be much more pleased if you followed suit. Bless you if you do, too, because you'll be helping. And helping is good. And kind.(And if you hate people who wear t-shirts, especially mildly funny t-shirts, then so be it.It's on you.)
in pursuit of liberty.

Debbie Gorman

3 Nov 2009 | 12:44 am

my house is cluttered. my mind is equally so. but this place. oh, this, this clean, quiet space. it almost echoes, all of its smooth, glossy panel of white. i want to bathe in it. the milk sliding up along my arms, over my torso. rivulets of it like thick paint all along the achilles tendon of the stem of my brain. like a white apple.oh. steve jobs. you are GOOD.(you may now proceed with the laughing at my blinding funny.)while i washed dishes an hour ago, i recognized my urge to defy commands; even the ones with which i chastise myself. oh dear. this is far less…
Exit Dreamlessness; Enter Ridiculous/Treasured Family Activities of Pure Corny Corn

Debbie Gorman

30 Oct 2009 | 11:50 am

When I started taking Klonopin two years ago, and you may well remember my near-breakdown from lack of sleep for so, so long, the thing that helped me recognize the ADD, but, more important, made me get some damn sleep, I really needed it.I don't think I need it so much anymore. Well, I don't care whether I do. I've decided to remove it from my schedule. It's difficult to wean myself from; for two years, I have leaned on it, relied on it, to help me sleep when I simply couldn't believe I'd get through the night without at least one unbearable…

untanglingknots.com
My Superman

karla

31 Oct 2009 | 5:35 pm

This year, Nate was dressed up as Superman for Halloween. It wasn’t a strategic choice or anything, it was totally the only costume that fit at the consignment shop because that is just how I role. Yes, I accept hand-me-downs and shop second hand for children’s clothes because I just can’t justify spending $30 on name brand toddler jeans that he will outgrow in a week. Or, I guess in Nate’s case
Sleepover

karla

24 Oct 2009 | 12:54 pm

My Nephew is visiting this weekend and last night, after everyone was fed and high on chocolate we sat down to watch a cartoon. The result of two boys, very close in age rapidly progressed to strategic bed time procrastination, a series of circus worthy sofa bouncing acrobatics and giggle-inducing fart jokes.Here is the story of last night described to a `tee` in pictures, complete with a demand
Dear Santa

karla

17 Oct 2009 | 1:24 pm

This morning Nate opened the curtain in our family room, looked outside and up at the sky and out of totally nowhere began a very comprehensive dissertation to “Santa” about all the toys he wants. It was quite endearing actually, watching him stare wistfully out of the window wide-eyed and speaking animatedly to a mythical man about red cars and blue crayons.And once he was finished discussing

Pregnancy Stories By Age
I don't believe in - too old to have kids

Catherine

6 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

I'm a certified labour doula (professional labour assistant, or as some like to call me "professional birth coach."). I don't believe in "too old to have kids."I've assisted mothers aged 16 to 45, and can tell you their labours were no more difficult than those older or younger. Each family has been unique (I’ve assisted about 20), and each mother completely different.Older parents do have some advantages over younger: more likely to be financially stable, more life experience, more time to gain education on parenting topics, more confidence in their abilities.Life Begins... - Miscarriage…
I am 49, with a 4y and 6y old

Catherine

5 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

I am 49 and have two sons -- 4 and 6 years old. I am a stay at home mom and absolutely love it! I am very involved with their school.Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope & helpStories of Pregnancy over 44 years old - sharing stories I find online, for inspiration!You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options & suggestionsRecent Keyword Searches: pregnant at 53getting pregnant at 47pregnancy storiesbecoming pregnant at 43pregnant at 50
I am 49 with a 4y old active son

Catherine

4 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

I'm 49 with premature grey hair, a four year old active son and 23 year old and 21 year old children in college.Sometimes it's fun to get the senior discount and the free sucker at the bank on the same day!Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope & helpStories of Pregnancy over 44 years old - sharing stories I find online, for inspiration!You Can Get Pregnant in Your 40's - Sharing articles, discussing options & suggestionsRecent Keyword Searches: pregnant at 4945 and pregnant naturallypregnancy at 45 years oldpregnant at 53getting pregnant at 47

Stories of Pregnancy & Birth over 44 years old
Princess Lia, pregnant at 56

Catherine

1 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

This will be the first child of Paul and Lia. The princess was pregnant a few years ago, but lost the child and hopes this time she will manage to give birth to the child without problems.The future mother confirmed the pregnancy and said that she feels very well and has had no problem so far. Price Paul stated that princess Lia and him have wanted a heir for a long time and tried to have a child 5 years ago, but this was not possible.Read more...Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope & helpPregnancy Stories by Age - Daily blog of hope & inspiration!You Can Get Pregnant in…
Doctor defends pregnant woman, 56

Catherine

30 Oct 2009 | 6:00 am

Tuesday 23 January 2001 - The director of a Harley Street clinic which helped a 56-year-old woman to conceive twins accused critics yesterday of wanting a "police state" where people could not plan their own families.Professor Ian Craft, of the London Gynaecology and Fertility Centre, strongly defended its decision to treat Lynne Bezant, who will become the oldest mother of twins recorded in Britain.Mrs Bezant and her husband Derek, 55, from Oxfordshire, are expecting the babies in June. They already have three grown-up children.Read more...Life Begins... - Miscarriage stories of loss, hope…
I'm having a baby at 47

Catherine

26 Oct 2009 | 6:00 am

At 47, Luisa Dillner has four children she adores – the eldest is 21. And now she's pregnant with a fifth, the last thing she expected at her time of lifeFirst of all, my belt becomes tight. My low-carb diet has been working a treat so I am surprised and disappointed. I recap how much I've eaten over the past week. Then I start going off alcohol. In a big way, because alcohol now has an unpleasant, metallic taste. My partner notices, as I can't help noticing, that I haven't had a period for a while. Sweetly he puts an arm round me. "Maybe you're having an early menopause," he muses. "Don't…

Mom-101
The Yankees Parade: The view from a New Yorker

Mom101

6 Nov 2009 | 10:08 am

Let's just say you can't beat the view, the snacks are free, and the temperature is downright balmy.
Happy happy joy joy

Mom101

4 Nov 2009 | 4:17 am

I was really honored that yesterday, Gretchen Rubin, amazing author and happiness evangelist included me in her series of Happiness Project interviews. (You can also find it on Slate, which...wow. Kinda nice.) It seems like happiness is making a comeback. Or maybe because I'm interested in it, the happiness stuff is just finding me. This past spring, Meagan Francis launched The Happiest Mom to
Eulogy for a poop joke

Mom101

3 Nov 2009 | 5:22 am

Thalia came home last week informing us that Poop is now a bad word. Or so say her preschool teachers. RIP the poop joke. Its passing is sad and untimely, but not altogether unexpected. What can I say, we had a good run while we can, what with Thalia's President Poopyhead baby shirt, and Nate teaching her songs in which he substitutes the word Poop for pretty much anything. We try are trying

The Hot Mommas® Project - Teachable Role Models
Doctor Starts Children’s Clothing Line: Cindy Christine Parker’s Case

hotmommas

26 Oct 2009 | 8:11 pm

“We had no formal business or fashion or marketing education or experience. We knew we had a product that we strongly believed in and with this knowledge we knew we would not fail.” Student reaction: “One of the lessons that Parker’s case features is that a person can never be too prepared for what life is going to bring you when you least expect it.” From the Hot Mommas Project Learning Series Cindy Christine Parker’s “Dr. Ooh La La – Funky Clothes for Little Monsters and Girly Girls” Case themes include: family, confidence, individuality, dreams, change, and…
10/31 GWSB Women in Business Event – Thinking of an MBA?

hotmommas

26 Oct 2009 | 7:24 am

This is a good event for women in the DC area thinking of getting their MBA. Theoretically the event is closed, but, we think you could get in by emailing Jade at GW. Information about the Hot Mommas Project and the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership class taught by Kathy Korman Frey will be shared (Prof Frey is one of the panelists). (Here is a link to the Washington Post Magazine article on the class and the Hot Mommas Project P.s. GWSB was recently rated #2 in the nation by Princeton Review for “Greatest Opportunities for Women.”
From Challenging Childhood to Celebrated Writer: Delores Williams’ Case

hotmommas

19 Oct 2009 | 9:33 pm

“At the age of 15, she had had enough, and did the thing her mother had done, she walked out the door to never return.” Student reaction: It was stories like that of Delores Williams which allowed me to change my mentality and use the energy I put into justifying my failures to exploring the opportunities I did have and to succeed. From The Hot Mommas Project Learning Series: Delores Williams’ “Moving From Abandonment to Defining Herself“ Case themes include: professional drive and creativity, family, confidence, individuality, dreams, change, and relationships.

June Cleaver Nirvana
The Kids’ Plan

Texasholly

1 Nov 2009 | 2:40 am

Yesterday we were playing outside in the yard. As you may have gathered from my previous beaver issues, there are several places in the yard that has water. The water isn’t deep. More like a shallow stream that may or may not be moving and a 1 foot deep pond area that is fed by a very lazy spring. I try to keep the boys out of the water, not really for their safety, but for my sanity. Laundry makes me crazy. Anyway, yesterday I look over to the pond area and see only 1/2 of two of my children. I run over to get a closer look and they are perched on the rocks where their feet are…

Toddler Planet
Bad day at the ER

whymommy

6 Nov 2009 | 7:53 am

I’ve had a mastectomy, I warned the nurse who was bending over me to open my gown and place sticky electrodes on me for the EKG. “Hmmm?” she asked, pausing a moment in case there was something she didn’t fully understand. Just warning you, I said, since I’ve apparently scared nurses before, and they didn’t react well. “Oh, honey,” she told me, “No problem. I worked in oncology for years before I came down here. I’ve seen it all.” We made chit-chat about the hospital’s oncology ward, one of the better ones, and…
Why insurance companies should not make treatment decisions

whymommy

5 Nov 2009 | 11:23 am

“Get the crash cart!” “She’s going to code!” “Hang in there, honey, look into my eyes.” “Her pressure is 40 over 20 … and falling!” … Yesterday morning, I went to my primary care doctor for a followup. A simple office visit, nothing too exotic. But as I was leaving the office, the physician’s assistant stopped me. “How long have you been breathing like that?” she asked. Since yesterday, I replied, thinking, haven’t we been over this? I told you my symptoms at the start of the visit, and this…
Visiting Kennedy Space Center

whymommy

30 Oct 2009 | 10:09 am

My husband and I have always wanted to go to Kennedy Space Center together. We wanted to go when we were in college. We wanted to go when we were in graduate school (but by the time we were married and ready to travel, we were writing our dissertations). We wanted to go when we worked for NASA (but we worked for NASA, and were way too busy to vacation. Yes, I know (now) that that’s sad). We wanted to go when we had children (but we had children, and were way too busy still). We wanted to go when a mission I’d worked on launched (but, but, but … and we never went). A couple…

Fluid Pudding
This is why I can’t chill with the bird watchers.

fluidpudding

6 Nov 2009 | 10:58 am

The girls are home from school today. I’m not sure why, but I think it has something to do with either staff development or the birth of Matthew Sweet. As I prepared my very large cup of coffee this morning, I glanced out into the back yard where I noticed a fairly large bird with a red spot on his head. Me (still suffering from pregnancy brain, five years after the fact): Sssh! Girls! Come look at this! We have a red peckerhead in our back yard! Harper (scrambling toward the window): What’s a peckerhead? Me (still completely unaware of what I’m saying): A peckerhead is that…
I’m thinking of pulling out The House of Mirth again.

fluidpudding

5 Nov 2009 | 4:48 pm

The first book my book club read was Revolutionary Road. Because I recommended the book, I read it. On book club night, we watched the movie, discussed the book while eating at Canyon Cafe, and chose our next book . The second book my book club read was The Other Queen. I tried to read it. Really, I did. And when the book club scheduled the next gathering and I hadn’t even made it to the halfway point, I purchased the audio book. And I tried to get through it. But I failed. And when I went to the meeting to discuss the book, I spent most of my time discussing the lemon bars I had made.
I sort of love Jonathan Safran Foer. And long mittens.

fluidpudding

4 Nov 2009 | 3:41 pm

Thanks to all of you, my family will be eating chili for the next three weeks. High fives to one and all. I’m leaving the house in a few minutes to get a little bit sushified. I may or may not add on a trip to the book store to pick up Eating Animals. I’ve been cheating on my vegetarian sensibilities for the past few months, and I believe this book will put me right where I need to be. Most importantly, the holiday knitting has begun. So far, I have two mittens, neither of which have thumbs. I shall thumb them in the coming weeks, and they will be gifted to one of Meredith’s…

champuru.net
13 mo baby + bottle = FAIL

Donna

6 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pm

It’s one of those issues that make me feel like a failure as a mother. Baby Champuru is 13 months old and she still refuses to drink more than an ounce of liquid from a cup of any kind. We have six different kinds of cups: Nuby 2-handle cup with silicone spout, Nuby cup with flip-it straw top, Playtex Baby Einstein trainer cup, Dr. Brown’s training cup, Avent bottle trainer, and an open cup. Depending on her mood, she will take a few sips of water, but will quickly start batting away the cup or if she gets her little hands on it, she will promptly hurl it off her highchair. It…
13 months

Donna

5 Nov 2009 | 1:59 am

Age: 2 days shy of 13 months at time of check-up on November 2, 2009 Height: 29.5″ (65% percentile) Weight: 20 lb. 8 oz. (61% percentile) This month: Comprehension. The biggest development this month has been seeing Baby Champuru respond appropriately to requests or questions. She can identify correctly her toys: giraffe, elephant, monkey, angel, bucket, blocks, rings, train, shopping cart, tricycle, and books. When I ask her to bring one of these items to me, she will pick up the correct item and bring it to me. Point to parts of her body: head, eyes, nose, mouth, and arm. I ask…
Did she even miss me?

Donna

4 Nov 2009 | 12:16 am

Dark clouds loomed overhead and drizzly sprinkles were already starting to fall as I scampered to the car with my backpack and laptop bag slung over my shoulder. Hubby followed behind me, Baby Champuru cuddled snugly in his arms. They came outside to see mommy off on her first day of work. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of my departure, worried that it might set off a meltdown that Hubby would be left to deal with. So I casually said, “Mommy is going to work, baby. I’ll be back soon. You be a good girl today, okay? Bye, sweetie.” She looked at me…

Momo Fali's
Some Like it Hot

Momo Fali

4 Nov 2009 | 4:13 am

In the school kitchen where I work, things get hot. Not hot like a humid day in Florida, but hot like a humid day on the face of the sun.At any given moment we could have our ancient oven running, along with the convection oven and three warmers. Add in the steam from the dishwashing sinks and you have yourself your very own steam room. You know, kind of like a spa. Yesterday, I gave myself a green bean facial.The school doesn't have central air, so to cool the area we use a window air conditioner. That's right. A window air conditioner. If you stand in one particular spot by the trash can,…
Let it Go

Momo Fali

2 Nov 2009 | 4:04 am

There are a lot of things you give up when you have children. You simply have to learn to let some things go. Like a good night's sleep, disposable income and liquid assets.You also have to accept the muddy floors, juice stained school uniforms and beds that don't make themselves.You have to understand that the bathmat will get soaked, that little children like to smudge up the television, the computer monitor and the car windows, and even though a backpack has come home without the slightest remnant of a snack for over a month, it doesn't mean you won't look in there one day and suddenly…
Some See Double, I See Poultry

Momo Fali

28 Oct 2009 | 4:13 am

I have been known to do unusual things after taking Ambien. What is remarkable about these things is that I often have no recollection of them. Luckily I don't eat, drive or call people. Shout out to my big sister! Put down the phone Trish!Mostly, Ijust write. As it turns out, I did some of that last night. I vaguely remember penning notes to my two children and to my husband before I went to bed. I know they were love notes, left for them to read when they woke up. If you had asked me what those notes said this morning, however, I would have been clueless.So sometimes there are brief…

A Mom in Red High Heels - Beauty & Style Tips for Moms
U by Ungaro Color Collection for Avon

Tammy

6 Nov 2009 | 12:31 am

Celebrated for capturing the spirit of Paris through iconic designs, international fashion powerhouse Emanuel Ungaro brings effortless, chic sensibility to Avon’s debut U by Ungaro Color Collection. The collection is feminine yet edgy, making it the perfect collection for your softer side without suppressing your sophisticated urban side! Get the look with these products: U by Ungaro Face Shimmer Powder $20 U by Ungaro Eyeshadow Singles $13 U by Ungaro Lipstick $10 This exclusive holiday collection will be coming soon to Avon.com. WIN it before you can buy it! A Mom in Red High Heels is…
The Heidi Klum Collection 2009, Exotic Jewels

Tammy

5 Nov 2009 | 4:21 pm

I get excited seeing new Holiday Makeup Collections! They are always the best collections of the year, in my opinion. This particular collection is one of my favorites! Heidi Klum, mom of 4, model and savvy business woman, has turned out a gorgeous, rich and sparkling collection for Victoria Secret called Exotic Jewels. The collection is said to be inspired by the Indian-themed vow renewal ceremony she shared with husband Seal in Mexico last year. The collection Lip Gloss Lasting shine and rich, shimmering color. Passion Fruit $14 Perfect Lipstick Rich, creamy formula drenches lips in…
The All-You-Need Makeup Palette from Pixi by Petra

Tammy

4 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pm

Are you looking for the perfect makeup palette to take along wherever you go? With Pixi’s Petite Palette, who needs a make-up bag? Banish winter drab with this petite and perky set that gives an instant burst of classic Pixi shades that are perfect for everyday use. With its compact size you can touch-up your look on the move - just grab it and go! This palette has 4 eyeshades, blush and highlighter, lip stain and lip balm, perfect for experimenting with different shades and countless looks, in one hand sized palette. Discretely slide your entire look into your pocket. And with the slim…

ModernMom.com Recent Articles
Organizing a Thanksgiving Feast When Time & Money Are Short

4 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

Even if money and time are tight, you can have a wonderfully rich and full Thanksgiving. All it takes is a little organization and some willingness to let go of the need to do everything.
Sugar Mommas’ Boy Scout Campfire Bars

3 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

Boy Scout season has begun. (We haven’t forgotten about the Girl Scouts. They get a spotlight later.) The Sugar Mommas’ cubs just want to go outside and find some mud to roll in, a stick to swat, or a bow and arrow to shoot. All camping events end in…S’Mores. Here’s our take…a treat that can be packed to take anywhere and eaten anytime.
Jack-O-Lantern Cupcake

27 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Using candy to decorate seasonal goodies is a fun family activity and great way to add flare to your celebration. Turn your average cupcake into a Jack-O-Lantern. Start by baking and frosting a batch of 2” cupcakes. While you wait for the cupcakes to cool completely, wrangle up your favorite gum and candies. Gum is easy for kids to work because they can cut, twist and shape it to create patterns and details on your treats making them ready for display in the bakery window!

A Mommy Story
Perspective

Christina

3 Nov 2009 | 7:17 am

When I was a teen, growing up in a small Ohio town that I considered (back then) to be backwards, small-minded, and too confining for me, I dreamed of getting out of there and living a grand life. I had no idea what I wanted to do, but whatever it was, it was going to be exciting, it was going to open my world to new ideas and cultures, and I would never look back. Life would be one new experience after another.It was also during that time in my life that I never planned to grow old. (I also was in my "Kids? NEVER!" phase of life.) No, I didn't mean I was going to find some fountain of youth…
November is Prematurity Awareness Month

Christina

30 Oct 2009 | 8:39 pm

As many of you know, earlier in the year I was asked to be a March of Dimes Mom, serving as a blog ambassador to help raise awareness about prematurity and birth defects. I've always been a supporter of the March of Dimes and their cause, and I am honored to volunteer my time and a little of my words and blog space for them.I'm thankful that both of my daughters were healthy, full-term babies when they were born, but I can sympathize with those who aren't as lucky. My mom lost a daughter due to prematurity, a terrible moment in her life that I know she carries deep in her soul.November is…
Apple Girls

Christina

25 Oct 2009 | 6:01 pm

Last weekend was my brother-in-law's wedding. Our girls were asked to be the flower girls for the occasion, although actually they were "apple girls" holding baskets with an apple and fall leaves. I was so nervous about how they would behave. White dresses, walking in front of a crowd, staying quiet during a ceremony - all things that could go very, very wrong.And yet...Everything went amazingly well. The girls were a little restless before the ceremony, but when the time came, they only needed a little push from me to walk down the aisle. (It helps that Aaron was a groomsman, so they knew to…

DeliciousBaby.com
Photo Friday: Halloween In Seattle

5 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

Pumpkin Heads! Not too scary I sometimes hear people claim that our American cities lack a sense of community or somehow imply that city dwellers aren't "real" Americans. In my view, nothing could be further from the truth. I love my urban life. Limited real estate means that there are few big box stores, and I spend more time in independently owned markets, bakeries, toy stores, and book shops and getting to know the owners and employees. A tight knit parenting community means that I often run into friends and acquaintances when I am out and about. My kids grow up interacting with all kinds…
What's in My Airplane Busy Bag?

3 Nov 2009 | 9:36 pm

Contents of Airplane Busy Bag I took this photo of our airplane busy bag before flying down to Orange County a few weeks ago. I build a fresh busy bag before each trip based on what the kids are interested in at the moment. Between kids, and luggage, and snacks, there is always a lot to carry, so I try to keep the busy bag compact, and with this one I really succeeded. It doesn't look like much, but believe it or not, there was enough to do here to keep E and D busy for both the outbound and return flights! Here's what's inside (there are two of almost everything, one for each child)…
Weekly Travel Links and Giveaways

1 Nov 2009 | 7:43 pm

Here are a few stories I enjoyed this week. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to celebrate Halloween in Beijing A noisy child was kicked off a plane this week. Southwest has apologized to the mother (it sounds like they didn't give her any advance warning), but perhaps you want to read some of my tips for flying with kids. Here are some great photos and a story about a family visit to Yellowstone National Park Giveaways Journeywoman is giving away 6 reusable shopping bags, one of them stuffed with DK books If you are headed to Atlanta, enter to win World of Coca Cola tickets If you…

Type-A Mom News Feed
Mom's Choice Hot Toys and Gifts 2009

6 Nov 2009 | 4:27 pm

Forget the so-called experts in what's hot in toys and gifts this holiday season. Who really knows what kids want! The moms who hear their kids yell out, "I want that" to commercials and store displays, the moms who help kids write letters to Santa. Type-A Mom is compiling the real list of hot toys and gifts for 2009, but Read more...
Type-A Mom November Newsletter

5 Nov 2009 | 5:45 pm

This is the November issue of the Type-A Mom newsletter, featuring some exciting news. We've switched writers to receiving 100% of the article embed ad revenue, have several editor openings, launched Type-A Mom Magazine, and more. Read more...
Dinnertime for Single Parent Families

3 Nov 2009 | 10:17 pm

All right, admit it. You whipped up something quick for the kids and didn’t sit down with them for dinner. The laundry needed folding or you had to call your sister back. You either had a bag of chips and leftover Halloween candy or you finished off their plates while no one was looking After all, these kids waste so Read more...

Suburban Kamikaze
Study: 30 percent of fall leaves end up in house

Suburban Kamikaze

5 Nov 2009 | 10:43 am
Pop-Tart label to be serialized under new HarperCollins imprint

Suburban Kamikaze

4 Nov 2009 | 9:29 am
Tinkerbelle is so last week

Suburban Kamikaze

2 Nov 2009 | 11:42 am

They grow up so fast. One day you are hitting the "buy now" icon for a $29.99 Tinkerbelle costume and the next thing you know, they would not be caught dead in a Tinkerbelle costume at any price. It seems...

Greeblemonkey
The Night I Fell On My Face For The Pioneer Woman (And Greeblemix Winners!)

Aimee Greeblemonkey

6 Nov 2009 | 3:50 pm

Wow. What a crazy week. There are parts of this week that are literally sitting in a the corner and banging, banging, banging their head(s) up against a wall.Proof positive is the fact that it's taken until Friday to talk about adventures from Monday.So. You may know of a little web site called The Pioneer Woman- yes? Well, Ree just published a cookbook and has been taking the country by storm on a book tour. As evidenced by the massive turnout here in Denver this week. I have friends in her home state of Oklahoma, so I knew it would be crowded.But I guess I just wasn't prepared for the…
Five For Fighting - and November Greeblemix Contest!

Aimee Greeblemonkey

4 Nov 2009 | 6:32 am

So, when you are a music junkie and an email comes in that asks you to review a concert, what do you do? Run and scream around in your pajamas? ... No? Maybe that's just me.And even though I would not call myself a hard-core Five For Fighting fan (the name singer/songwriter John Ondrasik records under) - I certainly have several of his songs in my iTunes and respect the man enough to do an extra lap in my slippers. Particularly since it was an acoustic set - which I think plays to John's strengths exceptionally well.But first, let's talk about his opening act, Angel Taylor. She was the kind…
Win a trip to NYC! And a Makeover! And take me with you!

Aimee Greeblemonkey

2 Nov 2009 | 11:11 am

Remember how I have been working with Maghound for a while now? It was all about testing their site, telling them what I thought, work work work, blahdeeblah... UNTIL NOW. I am very stoked to offer you guys a chance to win their MAGnificent Makeover Sweepstakes. EVEN MORE stoked because if one of YOU win, *I* get to go with you.HAVE I MENTIONED THAT I HAVE *NEVER* BEEN TO NEW YORK CITY?Like, EVER?(I know.)Pathetic.So, get to it, friends.And tell em Greeblemonkey sent ya.==============================MAGnificent MAKEOVER SWEEPSTAKESfrom MAGHOUND and PEOPLE STYLEWATCHGRAND PRIZE: - Roundtrip…

Where's My Cape?
Tweeter Cheater

KC

5 Nov 2009 | 5:25 pm

Yes, after I swore up and down that I WOULD NEVER BE ON TWITTER. NEVER, I sent my very first tweets into the ether recently. No more than 2 actual people are following me--I'm pretty sure half of my followers are not actual people but possible alien pods-- but I decided that it would, in fact, not cause me to self-combust if I tested the waters. The truth is, I've been lurking there for months, dipping a single toe in the cold pool water, wondering if I should just go ahead and submerse an ankle. I'm cautious that way. Plus, I am VERY concerned of any additional time suckage of my limited…
Pimp Mama 3

KC

1 Nov 2009 | 2:34 pm

I missed Halloween last year. That sucked majorly. You may remember, though, that I was at a conference that was held at DISNEY WORLD and that The Husband and Girl joined me the day after Halloween. That part rocked. However, I did miss the actual day of costume (complete with Girl being squeezed into same tiger costume 2 years in a row - that was slightly sad. Glad I missed that part.) This year, we had two new costumes. (Boy is going to be brainwashed into wanting to be a tiger next year, if all goes as planned.) It was going to be great! Girl could not have been more enthused about her…
It's not a compliment if you have to explain it's a compliment

KC

28 Oct 2009 | 6:26 pm

I was sitting at my desk at work when a co-worker stuck her head in the cracked open door. "I saw you in the hallway and you looked 16." "You were walking and I just have never seen you that casual before. You looked like you were 16!" (Still not feeling it.) "I never see you wearing jeans!" "I'm wearing (black) Ann Taylor dress pants." "Well, I don't know! They're nice pants! You just looked so young! It's a compliment!" (Perhaps 25 would be a compliment. 16 is saying I look like I should be shopping for prom dresses and going to Hanna Montana concerts. I have no idea what to do with '16.'…

Cool Mom - Fun Videos and a Blog for Moms - Motherhood, Kids, Babies and Parenting on Coolmom.com
Momversation: Talking to Strangers

Daphne

6 Nov 2009 | 11:30 am

I'm not sure I ever really got this Momversation. I like hearing all of the mom bloggers in it, but Jessica was asking if we let our kids talk back to strangers, and I'm still not sure what the opposing sides of this are. Being polite to others is one issue that can be parsed here, but strangers is a different thing. If we are taking a walk and a stranger tells Vivien she has nice rain boots and Vivien launches into a story about them I don't go "shoosh, potential molester, walk on by." I'm there, I'm monitoring what is going on. I was raised to be a big…
Falling for Fall

admin

6 Nov 2009 | 12:14 am

The other day in LA, we had a chilly morning. I was excited that Fall had arrived. Sadly, by 11 it had not, and I was drenched in sweat (I know, cry me a river). But I can't wait to put on boots and hats. I love Autumnal dressing. Rex, however, is having second thoughts. Share
I'm So Flipping Tired…

Daphne

4 Nov 2009 | 9:14 pm

Morning Rex needed to be extra cute today. Yes, he is such a blessing, but woof. Today was one to muscle through. I have to fight writing the title of this blog in every blog post. Life was looking a tad rosier of late. I was only waking up once a night to nurse Rex. I could Ferberize him out of that as well, but I also do it for me so I don't have porn star breasts in the morning and so I can savor these fleeting moments of babyhood. At 3 a.m., I miss the lil guy. But last night all that Sprout food backfired. Rex woke up every 3 hours. Well, actually a tad more because sometimes I put…

The Committed Parent
Invoking the Gravitas of Affirmation

Mark Brady

1 Nov 2009 | 4:20 am

More than 50 years have passed and I can still clearly remember Mrs. Lieberman, my fourth grade teacher, announcing to the rest of the class: “Mark is a very good reader. He reads with excellent comprehension.” That single piece of praise shaped a significant part of my life thereafter – reading became a daily mainstay, as necessary for me as food, air and water. And then, in my early twenties I attended a talk in Ojai, California by the renown Indian spiritual teacher, J. Krishnamurti. I was flabbergasted when I heard him say that he never read books, that books were a distraction on…
The High Cost of Kvetching

Mark Brady

25 Oct 2009 | 4:34 am

The older I get the more whining and kvetching (naggy, critical griping) I seem to find myself doing. One example: I need to cut down on my American news-watching, especially the political/financial reporting, because I spend too much time finger-pointing and barking at the TV. In the either/or world between strategic optimism or defensive pessimism, I generally tend to excel on defense. It’s interesting to explore what goes on internally when I find myself reacting in this way. At the root of much of my reactivity often lies … fear. Fear that politicians are going to make the mess…
How to Beautify Your Disorganized Brain

Mark Brady

18 Oct 2009 | 5:05 am

In my early thirties I took a job as a psychology intern at a private residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed adolescents. Many of the residents came to that center having been physically, emotionally and sexually abused as young kids. As a result they had to be removed from their upper middle class home environments. The center was located on an abandoned farm up in northwestern Connecticut – a bucolic paradise, replete with old barns converted into cozy bunkhouses and comfortable work and meeting spaces, with acres of gardens and lovely hiking trails woven through the…

tallnlucky: blog
Woosy, Boot Camp, Chafing and Poop

Kristin

6 Nov 2009 | 12:52 pm

Nolan's been sick with what has been going around in concentric circles here: my Mom thinks we've all been variously afflicted with swine flu, and I'm not convinced either way but I've been making a lot of pumpkin soup, giving multiple leg rubs, and keeping the fireplace well stocked with crackling firelogs.A few things:1)A little story about humiliation on the Grade 5 basketball court2) Why I want to meet my ex's new girlfriendAnd a plea for your thoughts.Corey and I are running our first ever half marathon next weekend, on Sunday. We have been running like demons…
Riding the bus

Kristin

3 Nov 2009 | 9:48 am

I've never been in the Seattle airport before: it takes a few hours to fly there from my home, after Customs and hop-scotching around people with plaid luggage standing yawning on the moving sidewalks. Driving has always seemed the more efficient mode of transport.This terminal is grey, with soaring ceilings and random birds and we stand outside to garner strength for our next leg. His t-shirt, light green, still holds the evidence of the day previous: black mascara lines on the shoulders where I'd buried my head and cried. Two cowlicks export from his head, but he's…
God.

Kristin

2 Nov 2009 | 2:21 pm

That last post was a little heavy and dreary for a black November morning. I'm going to post tonight a picture I found from the Worst Day in My Fucking Life, ever, and the accompanying story. In the meantime, if you want, come visit me here and tell me why you do it anyway, even though it totally hurts.

whoorl
22 Oct 2009 | 4:04 pm

whoorl

22 Oct 2009 | 4:04 pm
Because you are on the edge of your seats…

whoorl

19 Oct 2009 | 1:58 pm

photo lovingly borrowed from Deb The Cheesecake Marbled Brownies I made for the bake sale this past weekend were a hit. Thank you to the lovely Holly, who not only also shares an intense addiction to white noise machines (we realized this while rooming together at the Broad Summit), but gives fantastic bake sale advice. (Currently enjoying the Quiet Noise iPhone app, by the way. I highly recommend the air conditioner sound.) Did I mention that when it comes to bake sale recipes, I’m set for the next 60 years? Thanks to you and you and you, the next time I need to bake something, I am…
The Perfume Diaries

whoorl

16 Oct 2009 | 7:54 am

Listen up, ladies and gents! I’m super excited to be working with Leslie Blodgett of Bare Escentuals and Sephora (OMG, pinch me) on a contest that starts today and goes through October 23, 2009. Many many MANY of you all need to enter immediately. Why? #1 – (1) grand prize winner and a guest will receive a luxurious vacation to Honolulu, Hawaii for 5 nights/6 days and a gift basket of Leslie’s Bare Skin collection (approx. $2000 value). #2 – (3) second place winners will receive a gift basket of Leslie’s Bare Skin Collection (over $100 value/each). #3 – The…

The Wink
Shuffles Evermore

Amanda

5 Nov 2009 | 6:38 pm

She is all blessing, all the more so for how often I forget and remember anew.Wrinkles over a nose that carries me back, reflections of ages I remember. Echoes of me, but better.Her eyes defy description, wide and luminous one moment, sly and bottomless the next. Her mouth a riddle, little dimples on either side and lips that purse and pucker, grin and scowl.The sounds of her voice cast a robust shadow from throaty to thunderous and the feel of her skin on mine sends whispers to core. Whether nursing or scrapping, her touch resurrects the oneness of pregnancy, toes fluttering to hands over my…
So proud of you, *baby*

Amanda

29 Oct 2009 | 6:17 pm

Have you ever watched your child and very nearly exploded with the force of your pride? Weeks pass when that's an hourly thing, other times it catches me off guard and I reel from the potency of it. I can honestly say it's one of the sweetest gifts I have found as a parent. Watching— no ownership, no jealousy, just an all-consuming need to multiply the celebration, to unfurl each ribbon of triumph and alert every tower, ensuring that sirens and applause enough attend the momentous event.Have you ever watched someone else's child do something that deserves a cheer? Scaling a ladder or…
Like Riding a Bike

Amanda

26 Oct 2009 | 5:09 pm

Autumn seems to spark a sense of hope for me (when I am not fretting over a sluggish real estate market, shattering cosmetics, dull skin, sore feet and sparsely decorated bank accounts.) I love the way the leave and wood fire smoke smell like new clothes from the Bon Marche in Eugene, Oregon circa 1983 and how the swirling leaves and gust of wind remind me of wind sprints and crunches at dusk. I am reminded of the way tomorrow is just around the corner, tempting me with all the things that might happen.I am finding this all multiplied now as I spend my mornings with the girls peeking through…

Secret Agent Josephine
New Norah!

josephine

6 Nov 2009 | 8:53 am

Something new from Norah Jones! I should change this to “I spy with my little ear” but you guys know what I mean. Norah’s new album is coming out on November 17th but you can listen to it now. I love it! Everyone who knows me in person knows I am a die-hard Norah fan. [...]
Deep thoughts from the lid of a sour cream container…

josephine

5 Nov 2009 | 8:23 am

I’ve been thinking about friendship lately. I was peeling open a container of sour cream the other day and it had one of those cliché sayings on it like, “Never let a small disagreement ruin a great friendship.” I’ve heard sayings like that a thousand times but for some reason seeing it on the [...]
Pop Sew Zip!

josephine

5 Nov 2009 | 7:22 am

A pop bottle? A purse? A zippy box? Who knows what it is, it’s just cool! I never thought of sewing on plastic bottles before. Was it hard to wrestle that bottle under the sewing machine needle? I guess I’ll just have to try it to find out! I love this whole site. [...]

Tumble Dry
Open to Interpretation

Amanda

6 Nov 2009 | 1:09 pm

There is direction, there is interpretation and then there is Fin."Give me a thumbs up, Ave.""Now you, Fin."And, scene..
Endings

Amanda

4 Nov 2009 | 11:31 am

I am not ashamed to admit that for every five books I read, I turn ahead to the last part in at least 4. I like knowing, somehow if I know that the hero is triumphant, the love is requited or that the child is saved, I can more easily enjoy the story. I suppose to some this may mean that I am not getting the full effect of the book, I will comfortably say, it's my choice.More and more I am learning how little a say I have in life. I can impact journeys, shape beginnings, but, when it comes down to it, I cannot change endings. The layers between loss have become more slender, the stretches of…
Burn

Amanda

26 Oct 2009 | 7:38 am

She usually points at the stained glass window and breathes a reverent, "Ah winnow, mama. Ah winnow," stretching out a pink finger and staring wide-eyed. This morning, going down a less travelled staircase, she was drawn to first the Choir Room and second the Sanctuary. We looked at the pictures of choir directors in robes and standing beside pianos, then at the faces of singing congregation members. "Ah singin' singers sing," she nodded. I smiled, taking her hand and leading her toward the door. She held her arms out and said, "Mama, 'old me?" She settled in my arms and we slipped down the…

Mommy Needs Coffee
I went to DC to take “The Hill” and DC took my breath away- Meeting the Five Moms and Dr. Drew

Jenn

24 Oct 2009 | 5:45 pm

When I was contacted by Edelman –the PR firm who represents the CHPA (Consumer Healthcare Products Association) and Five Moms– to attend meetings in Washington DC, it was a no-brainer for me as to whether or not I would say yes. (I would.) I have been in contact with the Five Moms organization since I first met them two and a half years ago. Seeing as it fell during Red Ribbon week in the month of October which also happens to be National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month and I happen to be a recovering addict, it all seemed to be fated to come together. When my daughter…
My Baby’s Diamonds Falling Down

Jenn

13 Oct 2009 | 6:16 pm

So many of you have emailed or asked me on Facebook how Gabriella is doing. She is still sick. She is still baffling doctors. We are still waiting on test results. The first phone call came yesterday saying she is dehydrated and has pneumonia. And? They are waiting on more test results from her blood to find more answers. Oh, the agony of watching my poor baby girl while the amazing nurses tried to draw blood from her dehydrated body. I know how much it hurt her. She was such a trooper! I cried just a bit watching but never when she saw me. They said they were still…
Sleepless Nights, Fevers and Worry: This Mom’s Weekend

Jenn

11 Oct 2009 | 8:50 pm

I am up blogging in the middle of the night because I cannot get rid of this horrible, scary nagging feeling about my daughter and her being so sick. I check on her about every 10 minutes. I check her temperature. I put cool rags on her. I rub her back and will her little body to be healthy, be strong and fight this fever and whatever virus is attacking her. You see, Gabby has been sick for days. Not the “Oh, honey, here is some juice and Advil, go back to bed” sick but the kind of sick where we are watching her around the clock and piggybacking meds to attempt to keep her…

Mamalogues®
One of My Favorite Faces on Earth

6 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am

He is every bit the character you think he is.
Scenes from Halloween

2 Nov 2009 | 8:59 am

A harried Halloween. It was a good weekend, even though we didn't get to carve pumpkins until, oh, late afternoon Halloween. When I was little I would spend Halloween at my Aunt Cayenne's house. My cousins would cover themselves and me with face paint, grab me by the hand, and take me out into the streets at night with all their friends while we begged for candy. There's a certain statement that goes along with store-bought costumes, but honestly, the do-it-yourselves are the best. My goal next year is to better prioritize and make that happen. And the house is quiet while the kids…
Nine

28 Oct 2009 | 12:41 pm

... years ago today I walked down the aisle on the arm of my stepfather and prayed that I wouldn't trip on my train. He gripped my arm because he's terrified of being the center of attention anywhere, especially family. I didn't look at the faces of all our family and friends, 200 of them, who came to witness the marriage of a young man whom they thought would never marry and a fresh-from-teenhood girl whom they also thought would never marry. No one is good enough, the girl and boy had thought. Until they met each other. I didn't look at my grandmother who sat in stony silence…

Mamma Loves...
Too Many Roads Not Taken

Mamma

6 Nov 2009 | 8:43 pm

The new year may mean the beginning of a new business for me. I know I can start it. Resources abound for getting it going. I'm pretty sure I can even get a client or two. What is holding me back is fear of failure, fear of making a bad decision, fear of hitting a wall.Intellectually, I know it takes hard work and trial and error to become a success. I already live with the regret of roads not taken for these same sorts of fears. The conflict inside is making me feel sea-sick.I want to move forward. I think it's a path I'm supposed to explore. I know the fears that are creeping in are the…
Best Blog Post Ever

Mamma

4 Nov 2009 | 6:23 pm

I had the best idea for a blog post as I was lying (or is it laying--I don't feel like Googling it) in bed last night. It occurred to me to get up and make a note about it, but it was such a perfect idea that I was sure I would remember it.I didn't. I want to say it had something to do with my mom, or motherhood, or being a queen, but I could be totally off. Maybe it had to do with the importance of reading to your children or how the Yankees threw last game so they could win the Series in their new stadium. It might have been a treatise exploring the finer points of a frozen Snicker's bar or…
Bottles on a Shelf

Mamma

3 Nov 2009 | 8:05 am

I've been listening to your personal jam session with Rock Band for the past hour and it makes me want to bottle you up so I can enjoy this moment over and over. Oh the shelf that bottle would sit on! It would be nestled in among thousands of other tiny glass jars--the ones holding the sounds of your baby giggles or the one that holds the image of your smile the day of your first tball game.If only I could have a shelf like that. One that I could visit any time to relive those experiences again and again.Tonight you're five. You haven't mastered reading yet, so you sing the words you know by…

Sleepless Nights
A big first

Veronica

5 Nov 2009 | 11:23 pm

I rang poison control today. Yes, it finally happened, I had to ring them. Amy took the lid off a spray bottle filled with pine-o-clean and eucalyptus oil and used the straw part (you know, the part that actually sucks up the liquid so it can be squirted? yes, that part) as a straw to drink her milk. The cup smelled like pine-o-clean, the straw smelled like pine-o-clean and her breath smelled like, you guessed it, pine-o-clean. Sigh. We were given instructions on what to watch for and what to expect, but basically, if your toddler ingests a mouthful or two of pine-o-clean, you’re not…
Highlights

Veronica

5 Nov 2009 | 12:51 am

When the highlight of your day was finding two freddo frogs inside one wrapper, you know it’s not been a good day. If when you found the freddos, you promptly snapped a photo so you could blog it, then it’s definitely not been a good day. NaBlo, it’s been lovely, but don’t think I can subject everyone to this quality all month. Gah.
Talking about my period.

Veronica

4 Nov 2009 | 12:40 am

AKA Too much information, so uh, walk away now if you’re one of my male readers. Today is day #5 of my period and I’ve bled through 3 pairs of underwear already today. Despite using tampons sized the equivalent of a small nation. Last night I bled through another 3 pairs of underwear and 2 pairs of pajama bottoms. I was still awake every hour to go to the toilet. Yesterday I bled through a tampon, a full sized maternity pad AND 3 panty liners I’d put on underneath the maternity pad just in case. That was within an hour. I’d just like to say a giant fuck you to my…

babyfruit: the miscarriage blog and motherhood diaries
Questioning iTunes 10 Best TV Shows for Kids

Aliza Sherman

6 Nov 2009 | 1:44 pm

Image by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML via Flickr...
Heart Ache is an Owie

Aliza Sherman

6 Sep 2009 | 9:47 am

NG was laying on the living room floor wrapped in her favorite blankie when she started to whine. "Owieeee." "Honey, what is it?" "Owieeee." "Are you okay? What's owie?" "Owieeee." I went over to see what was wrong. "Did you...
Cutting My Hair

Aliza Sherman

30 Aug 2009 | 12:31 pm

Why do we infuse our hair with so much emotion? Why does cutting it often elicit crying? Why do we cling to our long hair even as we age even though our hair is no longer healthy and the length...

Absolutely Bananas: Seattle mom blog
Vaccinate this.

bananas

25 Oct 2009 | 11:50 pm

In the last two weeks I have had swine flu and/or pneumonia about sixteen times. Now, when I say I “had” those things I don’t mean that I actually had them, but that I was pretty sure (100% confident) that I had them. Swine flu. And/or Pneumonia. Death was imminent. Only I didn’t. And it wasn’t. Which, when you calculate the freak-outs and heavy breathing and HOURS spent on webmd.com and cdc.gov, can result in only one thing: a mild feeling of disappointment. I mean seriously. I think it’s great that the government is madly working to create vaccines for…
Alarming

bananas

18 Sep 2009 | 9:59 pm

It used to be that whenever Jay would travel and leave CJ and I home alone, I didn’t sleep. I heard noises and thumps and bumps and I fretted and spent night after night in a half-wakened state of terrified delirium. Until we bought the alarm. It was expensive, the alarm, but no price was too high for my sleep and sanity. So I signed the contract, wrote a big check, put the stickers in the windows, and breathed a big sigh of relief. At last, our house is protected. Which is why I am dead asleep when the sirens erupt in a cacophony of blaring noise. In the middle of the night. A night…
The good neighbor

bananas

3 Sep 2009 | 9:08 pm

CJ and I are walking to the neighborhood coffee shop when out of the blue he says to me, “Mommy I cannot believe ALL THIS LITTER! How can people litter like this?” He shakes his head, horrified. “I don’t know,” I say. “Mommy!” CJ is deathly serious. He stops to face me and holds his hand out so that I have to stop too. “Mommy, listen.” “OK, ok, WHAT?” “Mommy, can I pick up the litter off our street? PLEEEEEEASE?” Of course I have to say yes. And so, as promised, the very same afternoon I give CJ an old pair of…

Let the dog in!
the new dog door

wendy

4 Nov 2009 | 8:58 pm

The oh-so-talented Hubs has been slogging away on home upgrades these past few ions years, projects that include replacing all our windows and doors. As we he neared the time to replace our main sliding door, we debated about whether to add a doggie door for Becca. Given this is the Let the dog in! blog, I knew it might ruin things, but also given the sheer volume of dog ins and outs happening here every day, plus my general laziness level, I might be ruined anyway. Ultimately, our worry about raccoons coming inside caused us to vote “no” on the doggie door. I repeat, we voted…
happy meow-o-ween!

wendy

31 Oct 2009 | 11:11 am

Betcha can’t guess what the Kid is this Halloween? Yes, a kitty, with a pink bell collar that, with any luck, will get “lost” very soon. I hope everyone scores some great treats today! Personally, I’m hoping she’ll get some Reece’s peanut butter cups I can abscond with. What treats are you hoping for? Copyright © 2009 Let the dog in!. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement and in BIG, BIG TROUBLE. Please contact…
family (computer) time

wendy

29 Oct 2009 | 9:24 pm

Now that she’s a ripe, old six year old, the Kid is getting more comfortable on computers. A little too comfortable. She’s making freaky self-portraits on iphoto. Plus, since reading and writing has entered her world, she’s begun creating Word documents and emailing (on my account). The hubs figured this might save us all some grief tonight, so he sent bedtime instructions to the Kid via email, but the Kid, naturally, had her own reply: (actual email addresses have been changed to deter other 6 year olds from emailing us) She did finally go to bed, but we found that laptops…

Social Media Mom
Good Eating on Any Budget

Ariela Ross

28 Oct 2009 | 12:34 pm

While there are dozens of official reports about the economy improving, the general population has yet to feel the effects of it. With unemployment rates hanging in the double-digit percentage points, it’s become apparent to the average family that it is time to modify their budget, and not in the desired direction. Going shopping these days, you may see some sort of common pattern. The department stores and ‘non-necessity’ stores are drastically marking down their prices. The same, however, does not go for grocery stores. Grocers are marking up prices, only to put them…
The FTC is Now Playing Ball with Bloggers

Holly Ord

6 Oct 2009 | 7:05 am

If you’re a blogger that receives any kind of payment, whether in the form of cash in exchange for writing a blog post or in the form of free products you’re reviewing on your blog, you are now subject to following new guidelines put into rule yesterday by the Federal Trade Commission. For the first time in 29 years, the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising has been amended and specifically targets new media outlets which includes not only blogging, but also Facebook and Twitter. If you have not yet been introduced to the new 81-page document…
National Grandparent’s Day Twitter Party

Holly Ord

8 Sep 2009 | 10:18 pm

National Grandparent’s Day (September 13th) is one of the most overlooked and neglected days of the year. While I’m sure more people recognize the day much more than other “national days of celebration” like for instance, Flag Day or Secretary Appreciation Day (no, I’m not making this up,) National Grandparent’s Day is one of those days that a great deal of people do not even know exists in the first place. Because of this, Grandparents.com and MomSelect have teamed up to kick off a celebration for Grandparent’s Day by holding a Twitter party. I have a unique…

Seattle Mom Blogs
Got Kids in the City this Weekend? Swing By Vermillion for Some Art

Carrie

6 Nov 2009 | 2:49 pm

Ryan Molenkamp and nephew McRae Of course I wouldn’t be saying this strictly because one of the artists just so happens to be my super talented brother, Ryan Molenkamp. Oh, who am I fooling? Of course I am. Well, at least a little bit. Wednesday night the husband, the kids, and I got a sneek peek at Vermillion’s upcoming show titled “We Built This to Leave,” which includes work from three amazing artists - Trevor Johnson, Sharon Arnold and Ryan Molenkamp. Located in the bustling neighborhood of Capitol Hill, Vermillion is easy to find and accessible, even for…
Win a Portrait Session for the Holidays!

Michelle

30 Oct 2009 | 9:09 am

Boy do we have an AMAZING giveaway for you just in time for the Holidays!! Enter for a chance to win one of two fabulous portrait session packages with Rebecca Ellison Photography! Grand Prize: The “Family Day” session value is $500 and description is: This package is designed for a more relaxed, interactive family session. We plan an activity for the whole family to do and spend three hours hanging out, playing and interacting while I capture the time. We can plan a picnic, a day at the park flying kites, a trip to the beach, or any other fun activity that will bring the entire…
The DonorsChoose Social Media Challenge!

Mona

24 Oct 2009 | 3:27 am

This is posted on behalf of JennyOnTheSpot. the kiddos Alright ladies. This one is for the children… and the teachers… therefore… the future! As usual, I am keeping things very non-dramatic. Look… the children… Have I pulled your tender mommy heart-strings? I was contacted by BlogHer a few weeks back. I was asked to be part of selecting local projects for their DonorsChoose Social Media Challenge… DonorsChoose is an online charity that makes it easy for everyone to help fund educational projects around the country. During the Social Media Challenge bloggers, Tweeters,…

Crunchy Domestic Goddess
Have H1N1 (Swine flu)? Take my survey

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

5 Nov 2009 | 9:32 am

It feels like all we are hearing about in the news are the extreme cases of H1N1 (namely the deaths and hospitalizations), and while they are worth noting for sure, they are definitely the minority. Because of this, I decided to create a survey to get information from the masses who have had H1N1 to find out just how it is affecting them. If you or someone in your family has had H1N1 (either confirmed or suspected), please complete the H1N1 survey. It only takes a couple minutes. Note: Please complete a NEW H1N1 survey for EACH person who has had H1N1. Also, please feel free to forward this…
The Halloween version of Wordless Wednesday

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

4 Nov 2009 | 11:24 am

It’s Wednesday and I’m sick and posting a few pics is all I can muster right now. :P This is what happens when you get a foot of snow before Halloween: Two days later “I’m melting, I’m melting!”: Happy Halloween from the mime, doggy, snow princess & Mr. Clean: See more Wordless Wednesday posts at the original WW home and at 5 Minutes for Mom. Don’t miss a single CDG post, subscribe to my blog.
Save the leaves! (for your compost bin, of course)

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

2 Nov 2009 | 9:40 am

At my house there is never a shortage of green material (also known as wet or nitrogen-rich matter) - orange peels, corn husks, dinner food scraps, yard waste, etc. - for my compost bin, but when it comes to finding brown (also known as dry or carbon-rich) material, in the past I’ve often ended up coming up short. The trick, of course, to getting compost to work and breakdown into that coveted nutrient-rich soil is to have the right combination of both green and brown matter. Two years ago, however, I posted my first Green Tip of the Week suggesting that my readers keep a bag or two (or…

In the Trenches of Mommyhood....
On Husbands, Wives and Hairstyles

Trenches of Mommyhood

6 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

As I was sitting eating dinner last night, Hubby looked over at me and said, "Can I ask you a question?"Whenever he asks me this, my guard immediately goes up. Because what usually follows is him asking me why I do something that he doesn't agree with. Every. Time.I hate that question. (He knows this.) And besides, it doesn't even make sense. By throwing that out there, you are ALREADY ASKING A QUESTION IN THE ASKING OF IT. Grrrr...Anyway.I responded snottily, "What?!""I was just wondering why your hair keeps getting darker. That's all."See, I had…
The Countdown is On!

Trenches of Mommyhood

5 Nov 2009 | 6:33 am

Yay! In appreciation of my readers, I am happy to announce that I will be hosting my (2nd Annual) 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!I already have some great treats lined up (think $100 gift cards...and jewelry...and a year's supply of bubble bath!) but would love to feature some of my readers' goods. Please contact me (sarahviz at yahoo dot com) if you have something you'd like me to promote, feature or SHOW OFF here in my Trenches. I'd love to help you help me!So stay tuned...Giveaways start December 1st!(...and feel free to steal my button that the lovely Kimi…
I Was Looking For an Excuse to Post This Pic

Trenches of Mommyhood

4 Nov 2009 | 8:07 am

(We make pumpkin carving FUN, dammit! From L to R: Eldest, Danny-911, Baby, Psycho Eyes Hubby, Squinty Eyes Me, Middle, and Sis(This was my lame attempt at a Wordless Wednesday. Notsomuch, huh?)

Parenting Squad
The Trouble with Elbow Sneezes

Lela Davidson

6 Nov 2009 | 1:46 pm

By Lela DavidsonThe elbow sneeze must be abolished. There I said it. Comment at will. I get the point of the elbow sneeze — in theory. But it doesn’t work and I’m about to smack some kids with the outside of my sneezy hand if they don’t go back to sneezing and coughing into their own hands. Here’s why. The Myth of the Elbow Sneeze The way the elbow sneeze (or cough) is supposed to work is that you sneeze into your elbow instead of your hand, thereby saving the surfaces you’re going to touch on the way to washing your nasty germs form your grubby hands.
Is Yelling the New Spanking? Why Not to Yell, and What to Do Instead.

Sierra Black

6 Nov 2009 | 8:03 am

By Sierra BlackLast winter, my older daughter and I fought The Sock Wars, an epoch marked by high-pitched tantrums and missed playdates because *someone* did not want to put her socks on. The final battle featured one of us yelling loudly and throwing socks at the other. Sad but true: the screaming sock-thrower in this story was not the four-year-old. I try, like most of my mommy colleagues, to be reasonable, kind, and fair with my kids. We do a whole lot of talking about feelings in this house. I make heroic efforts to be organized about their stuff and their schedules before anyone gets…
Parenting a High School Senior: How MUCH is this Going to Cost?

Debbie Dragon

5 Nov 2009 | 11:56 am

By Debbie DragonParenting doesn't come easy — or cheap! From the time we start buying disposable diapers, it can feel like we're a neverending ATM machine for doling out money for one thing, then another, throughout the time our children are growing up. Now, finally, your son or daughter is in the final year of high school — and you are beginning to realize the bills are still adding up — and fast. Between pictures and graduation, homecoming and prom, how much is that last year of high school going to run in terms of dollars and cents? Let's break down some of the…

Traveling with Baby
Natural Cold Care

Elisa Bricker

5 Nov 2009 | 10:01 pm

Welcome to a weekly series on Traveling with Baby, Health Happy Round-Up that focuses on multiple aspects of wholesome living and optimal health for the entire family. Each weekend, Traveling with Baby will share some insightful news, recipes, and tips to help you consider fresh new perspectives on wholesome and happy health. I’ve had my fair share of colds during my pregnancy – really though, is it ever “fair” to be pregnant and sick at the same time?! You probably already know you shouldn’t be taking over the counter medicine while pregnant if you can avoid it, so here…
Happy Green Baby Hearts Military Mamas

Dr. Dolly Garnecki

4 Nov 2009 | 5:57 pm

Recently, Teri Kent of Better World Betty interviewed me on green baby practices for the November issue of C-Ville Abode Magazine, on news stands now. I “heart” her post title, “Greening Up Baby.” Why didn’t I think of that? Also, I just found out that my article submission was selected for publication in a new Heart Series book by Sheryl Roush and Eldonna Lewis-Fernandez, called Heart of a Military Women. I’m SO excited about this! Previously, I was interviewed and submitted two selections to Michele Hunter Mirabile’s book, Your Mother Wears…
Wordless Wednesday: Bee-yuti-fall Day

Dr. Dolly Garnecki

3 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

A bee-yuti-fall day on Calvin’s birthday…fetching candy, balloons, and other treats on the leaf-covered UVa lawn on October 30th. There’s s’more evidence that your Mama let you have processed sugar (one day out of 365). Subscribe // Twitter me: drdolly Posted in Wordless Wednesday Tagged: Charlottesville chiropractor, Wordless Wednesday

All American Mommy
Motorola Evoke Giveaway

4 Nov 2009 | 3:33 pm

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAYS!We are so excited for Christmas this year! The fine Motorola folks have been so kind to sponsor this giveaway and I thought it was the perfect giveaway to kick off the season! Happy shopping from All American Mommy and Motorola! Please be sure to check the Holiday Gift Guide weekly!Motorola Evoke™ QA4 Motorola Evoke™ QA4 is designed to help you stay connected simply and seamlessly with your social circles and access the information you want, when you want it. With a full touch-screen, integrated widgets and real Web browsing1, this intuitive phone keeps…
Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

4 Nov 2009 | 8:04 am

Great for a party! Serve with raw vegetables such as cucumber slices, carrot sticks, andcelery. This is also good when spread on small slices of whole-grain bread and broiled.Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip1/2 cup light mayonnaise1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese2 teaspoons dried or 3 tablespoons fresh1 teaspoon chopped garlic1/2 teaspoon dried basil1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper1 package (10 ounces) frozen choppedspinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained,rinsed, and coarsely choppedPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together…
Winners Announced

2 Nov 2009 | 10:09 am

Congratulations to the most recent winners listed below! Please contact me if you haven't received my email yet (sometimes they get caught in spam). Shaklee - JenniferWendy GC - OMGSeriously5 pack DVDs - StephanieStay tuned for awesome holiday giveaways including a Motorolla Cell Phone, prizes from Energizer, a years supply of bubble bath, and much more!

Playgroups are No Place For Children
Blog Tip Sharing Project Redux: StumbleUpon School

Jennifer

6 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

StumbleUpon, StumbleUpon, StumbleUpon. I should confess that StumbleUpon (SU) often totally baffles me. Some posts go over well, others die a very quick death and I don’t really know why. I hear from so many of you that you’ve seen no traffic from SU and that you don’t really see the point of using it. I cannot promise that you’ll ever see any traffic from SU. There I said it. But I know that for me, anywhere from 10-75% of my daily traffic is generated because of SU. With that said, I have learned a few things about using SU that I think will help you. …
Suckers caught on camera

Jennifer

5 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

“Mommy! Make another pile of leaves!” both Carson and Ella begged. “We want to jump in them!” For what felt like the 50th time, I raked leaves into a big, jump-able pile. “If I rake these leaves for you guys, you better do cute stuff for Mommy’s camera! Promise??!!” I half negotiated, half begged. “No way,” Ella answered with her standard reply. Carson just rolled his eyes at me. Suckers. ©2009 Playgroups are No Place For Children. All Rights Reserved..
She needs the helmet

Jennifer

4 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm

One of the reasons I purposely had babies 18 months apart was because I hoped they’d be close friends and playmates growing up. Ella has never really had the chance to be a princess loving girly girl. Her favorite things are tractors, trains, and monster trucks, just like her big brother, Carson. Really, I think it’s a good thing that they like the same things. So far, they are the close friends I wanted them to be. Of course, Ella has had to learn to be tough, having Carson as her brother. Helmets, when playing with Carson, are usually a pretty good idea. (Not pictured: Carson…

Mom to the Screaming Masses
A Reader Asks a Blended Family Question and Ponders Soul Mates

Carmen Staicer

6 Nov 2009 | 6:23 pm

Jennifer asked: Hi Carmen, two ideas I'd like to hear about.. You've said before that your husband has other children. How do you handle being a step mom? I'm not a stepmom, but a step daughter and would be interested to hear how you work with that. And the other idea: I know you and your husband met and married fairly quickly. How did you know he was "the one?" What are your thoughts on soul mates and the like. Is it a matter of timing? do we have multiple "soul mates?" Just curious!Part One: the Stepparent/Stepdaughter part. This will be (mostly)…
A Late Night Phone Call

Carmen Staicer

5 Nov 2009 | 3:05 pm

My phone rang at 9:45 and it shocked me. Ok, so, technically, 9:45 isn't THAT late. But it's late enough for me. When my daughter answered the phone - for, really, if the phone rings it MUST be for her, especially since she's grounded (again!) and can't use her cell phone - I could tell from the things that she said that she didn't know who it was on the phone, but the conversation wasn't going well. I signaled for her to hand the receiver to me. "Hi. My name is Mr. XYZ and I'm with the Department of Defense. I'm conducting a background check on your…
I Admit It - I'm Obsessed

Carmen Staicer

4 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am

With party planning, that it. After all, I'm only turning 40 once. And this is my first birthday party since, well, I don't even know, and I'm not planning on having another until I turn 50. (If I live that long.)So I'm planning. I've already picked your brains regarding the music playlist. (Which, by the way, there were some awesome suggestions - I'm thinking I have some major music purchasing in my future!)Now I want to talk food. Specifically, what's your favorite party food?I wrote on the invite for people to bring a dish to share - which my son informed me is…

Baby on Bored
Tiny Ladies Wear Cuter Clothes

BabyonBored

6 Nov 2009 | 2:39 pm

A few days ago I was wandering the cosmetics section of my local CVS-I'm not bragging, just stating facts here, and I spotting an Asian woman who looked to be maybe 4' 11". Now, I'm not positive she was that short because I was too chicken to ask even though I really really wanted to know. I'm slightly obsessed with short people's heights because there's a good chance a full sized Sadie will only be 4'10or 4' 11" and I want to get a good picture of what that looks like. If it looks like that Asian woman it will be down right adorable. But then again, maybe the random short Asian woman was…
Let's Play a Game

BabyonBored

3 Nov 2009 | 3:52 pm

Games are an important part of a young child's development and if you're not playing lots of games with your child, chances are you're not a good parent. Trust me, I'm a really good judge. You might want to ask yourself why you refuse to put in the time. Are you selfish? Lazy? Just not that into it? Well, now that you've spent a few moments being really tough on yourself, maybe you're ready to try harder. Here are a few of my family's favorite games and I've included some instructions so you can try them for little to no expense on your wallet, but a high price on your sanity.Baby-So-Soft!
Baby On Bored is Buying...

BabyonBored

30 Oct 2009 | 11:16 am

Here's a new thing I'm bringing out. It could be just this week or maybe it's permanent. I don't know because I'm flaky. But I'm calling it "Shit I've bought or liked recently"1. Pieces of Happily Ever After - It's a novel and it should be a movie. It's beautiful. It's funny. It's deeply moving (I cried. Twice.) and it's got edge. Irene Zutell, the author, is a friend of mine and I went into reading it with slight trepidation because I always have that feeling like what if I don't like it? How will I tell my friend the truth? Well no worries there, I was completely taken aback by my love for…

doobleh-vay
Sorta Teal

amy turn sharp of doobleh-vay

6 Nov 2009 | 3:59 pm

Twice a week I am going to throw down some reposts for nablopomooriginally posted on 2/3/09)I would like to define itWhen it comes creeping aroundGive it a nameOr a reasonExplain it like a bad Rachael Ray recipeLike the argument unresolved at midnightLike the way carob tastesBut all I do is sling it over my shoulder and carry it aroundKeenly aware of the way it feelsBut unsure where it comes fromAll I know is my mojo left town yesterdayHitched a ride to some other lucky bastards houseWhere he floats around the room telling storiesAnd making them all laughHeads thrown backWhere he takes the…
blogging notes

amy turn sharp of doobleh-vay

5 Nov 2009 | 8:34 pm

I love that my friend Kelly is starting to blog for Working Mother.I know she loves the blog world and is dipping her feet in it now.She's hereCheck her out.Leave her a comment? You know how it feels to get one. :)And btw- Working Mother is a fab mag.I read it the other day at the gym. Um. Love.
And Miss Patty Valentine just nodded her head.

amy turn sharp of doobleh-vay

4 Nov 2009 | 4:39 pm

It took me about 10 song shuffles to find my groove while working out tonight.I was on the bike and peddling like a wussy until I found some Dylan and then I just snapped into it. "Hurricane" came on and I rolled right back to the early nineties, back into a dark faux wood paneled living room in a jalopy of a house that I shared with several cool girls.We would sit in slumpy lumpy old chairs that we rescued from the curb and listen to Dylan.Books would be open and dinner would be cooking and we would be smoking Meigs County gold and the world was pretty darn slow.I can't even think about that…

Don Mills Diva
Following my sun: the one where I say goodbye

Don Mills Diva

21 Oct 2009 | 6:33 pm

I know my recent absence from this space has been abrupt in light of the considerable effort I have spent the last two years convincing readers to invest in my life.I know that radio silence for a month is perhaps even disrespectful, given the fact that I have often drank deeply, nay greedily, from your virtually never-ending well of support and goodwill.But I hope you will forgive me when I explain that since I have last written, everything I used to assume about the way my life would play out has changed.At the beginning of the summer I applied for what I can only describe as my dream job:…
Ch-ch-ch-changes

Don Mills Diva

23 Sep 2009 | 5:00 am

There are some life-changing events afoot here at Casa DMD: I hope to be able to tell you what's happening in the next few days.Thanks for your patience.
Schooled

Don Mills Diva

16 Sep 2009 | 3:19 pm

The call from Graham's school came on Monday, barely an hour after I had settled into a busy day at work."We have Graham here in the office," said the voice at the other end of the phone. "He's not feeling very well and I think you'll have to come and get him.""What?! Is he okay?""I don't think it's serious," was the reply. "Here, I'll let you talk to him."There was a shuffling noise and then, Graham's voice, so thin and tiny that I instantly felt my chest ache as my heart swelled and pushed against it."I throwed up in the trash can Mommy. Are you going to come and get me?"I went and got…

Susiej
Write a Novel In 30 Days. Why?

SusieJ

6 Nov 2009 | 8:16 am

Twelve reasons why I’m writing a novel in 30 days , via NaNoWriMo. To respect authors of other books; especially the writers of books that compel me to say, “I could have written that.” To remember what I’ve forgotten: writing cures amnesia. Cures procrastination. I find myself willing to do anything, including “clean out the attic,” to avoid sitting in that chair for one more minute. Because it’s so nuts that I might actually have something here. Falling behind speaks to my “inner rebel” and keeps me from doing other destructive things.
Handwriting gives me chills

SusieJ

4 Nov 2009 | 4:04 pm

I keep the oddest sentimental things. The very last Christmas card my Grandmother signed in 1994 and sent off to me is stored with my Christmas ornaments. Every year when I open the card, I get a rush of chills when I look at her handwriting; it’s almost as if I’ve breathed life back into her, and she’s right here, right now. Her handwriting is more evocative of who she is than the photos I have of her. For that very reason, I tend to keep new Christmas cards as they arrive each year; this card may have the potential to be the very last one that person will send.To ensure I…
Forgot to warn my brother

SusieJ

3 Nov 2009 | 5:40 am

about The Batman Paper Doll. I came home from our trip (wish I was still there) and found one of the card-stock paper Batmans (we have several in hiding spots around the house), with parts cut out. My brother didn’t finish it either. Gotta’ love him for trying. Bookmark to: Hide Sites Related posts:Handwriting gives me chills I keep the oddest sentimental things. The very last Christmas...School Party Valentine Crafts School Party Valentine Crafts (Valentine Box Ideas are here.) I’ve...Potato-Leek Soup For Christmas If you’re my brother, you need to stop reading…

Chicky Chicky Baby
Need

Chicky Chicky Baby

4 Nov 2009 | 11:02 am

CC and I went to a local children's store today to exchange a hat and mitten set I had bought for Chicky. Despite my insistence she stop growing, she seemed to have had a growth spurt and needed a larger size. We were just going to run in, get the next size up, and leave because I had many more errands to do before we needed to head back to preschool for pickup when a family caught my attention on my way to the hat display.There was a woman about my age with her two young children, the oldest barely out of infancy and the little one around 4 months old, accompanied by someone I assumed to be…
*Insert voice of an adult in a Peanuts cartoon here*

Chicky Chicky Baby

28 Oct 2009 | 6:44 am

Okay, I need to address the elephant in the room - Why I'm not writing anymore.What? You don't see an elephant? It's right there. It's soiling the rug as we speak. It's an abomination! You just see a lumpy, smelly couch in need of replacing? Elephant, old couch. Toe-may-toe, Toe-mah-toe.Yeah, I'm busy. The kids are kicking my ass. They take up so many more hours than I was prepared to give up and most days I just don't have the time to give to my own creative outlets. Blah, blah, blah.Honestly, I just don't have the words. I use so many words every day - words to admonish, to soothe, to…
I know as their mom I should have warned them their faces would freeze this way

Chicky Chicky Baby

14 Oct 2009 | 6:12 pm

But as the woman who vomited for a combined 18 months while carrying them in my womb, I'll take the silly where I can get it.This is what happens when I say, "Make a silly face!" Wow.

crazedparent
Dispatch from the test kitchen: Spinach, leek and potato soup a la Sunset Magazine

Charlene Prince Birkeland

4 Nov 2009 | 9:33 pm

*I wrote a post to accompany this photo but Typepad ate it (the post, not the soup). I will repost it later, along with the other posts from the week after I transcribe them from my now beat up, ratty cornered journal. Short version? The soup was really, really good. And pretty too.Our weekly CSA box often dictates our meals. I love that it forces me to search for new ways to use vegetables and fruits.A few weeks ago, a vibrant green bunch of spinach arrived. Tired of spinach salad, I turned to one of my cooking bibles, any issue of Sunset magazine, after recalling that the October issue…
Things I love: Gold hoop earrings...

Charlene Prince Birkeland

3 Nov 2009 | 10:10 pm

My godparents, or compadres, visited almost every year from El Salvador. My godfather (padrino), Tio Ricardo, was my mom's brother, and his wife, my tia and godmother (madrina), is still alive.With each visit, they would bring dulce de leche, queso seco, and other various foods from El Salvador. But because I was their godchild, I would always receive a small box with words of love and blessings etched on the top in Tia's writing. Those boxes always contained beautiful, airy gold pieces of jewelry. Rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets. As I got older, they mixed in silver and gems,…
A music lesson: Before the iPod...

Charlene Prince Birkeland

2 Nov 2009 | 1:18 pm

A few weekends ago, I co-hosted a yard sale with my pal Kikirikee. While I managed to sell a decent amount of items we no longer needed at Casa Crazedparent, I also managed to bring home a few things as well. (This is always the case when you co-host a garage sale, si?) Along with several of Thomas the Tank Engine trains and accessories for Q., I bought a Walkman. A young boy, probably about 8 years old, was holding it and asking, "What is this thing?" Kikirikee and I explained that it played music. And then I proceeded to take it from his hands, ever so politely, and buy it. For…

BabyCenter: MOMformation
My sunshine gets a shade

MotherProof

6 Nov 2009 | 12:35 pm

In Colorado we get more than 320 days of sunshine each year. San Diego has nothing on us (except that large body of water they call the Pacific Ocean). The sunshine is great, but the sun exposure – especially in the car – makes me worry. Why do only rear-facing infant car seats have [...]
Babes’ Blog, Week 114: Little girls need their mommies to sleep with them

Betsy Shaw

6 Nov 2009 | 9:19 am

It’s hard to believe Isla’s going to be four. On the other hand, considering the time I’ve spent awake with her when I should have, could have, been sleeping, shouldn’t she be about eighteen by now? “What are you doing, Isla?” I asked her after breakfast yesterday, the day she learned that something called her birthday was [...]
Ask Annie: The toddler who won’t stop talking

Ann Pleshette Murphy

6 Nov 2009 | 5:35 am

Renowned parenting pro Ann Pleshette Murphy has volunteered to field your childrearing questions. This week, Annie gives advice on how to keep your sanity when your child’s developing love of language is pushing you to the brink. Michelle Says: My 23-month-old daughter is very energetic and creative. Her vocabulary is very clear and I’m very grateful for that. [...]

Rookie Moms
Activity #332: Take your toddler tailgating

RookieMom Heather

6 Nov 2009 | 4:35 am

I was way into football in high school and college: face-painting, dating the quarterback, the whole nine yards (which might actually be a military metaphor rather than a football metaphor, but whatever!). Since moving to San Francisco from America’s heartland (and marrying a man more interested in triathlon than touchdowns), my interest has waned. But if I were still a football chick (or had one of those football-loving partners), I can imagine a whole bunch of weekend afternoons trading naptime for tailgating. Baby Gabriel is 3 months old at his first game Amy is a mom of 4 year-old…
Activity #216: Reward your inner toddler

Whitney

5 Nov 2009 | 5:53 am

Some people you just like instantly. Even if you’ve only met them online through their blogs. This summer, my friend Isobel introduced me via email to Susie who is an artist and a writer. She is the same age as I am, and a mother of two kids who are the same ages and genders as mine. Now I read her blog, Inner Toddler. She’s so funny and real, I feel like she’s a friend. I loved Susie’s idea to let her son give HER stickers for good behavior, and I want to give it a try. Who cares if it doesn’t last? Sometimes just a few days on a new kick can infuse a new strain…
Activity #401: Master your household tasks

RookieMom Heather

4 Nov 2009 | 5:59 am

When I am queen of the universe, I will never ever have to do another dish. Nobody in my house will leave the cap off the toothpaste or leave a wet towel on the floor. And if, by chance, I ever do it, someone will pick up immediately after me without any judgment or dirty looks. Part of our task master (AKA referee) Since I’m not the official queen of anything and I still hate doing dishes, Alec and I used the Nest’s Task master checklist as a means to divide up our regular chores. TheNest.com is a sister site to wedding-planning site,The Knot, and it’s for newlyweds. I only…

A Little Space for Me
Good things about the weekend

Marylin

6 Nov 2009 | 3:16 pm

Not having to rush around to get ready to go anywhere. We can be lazy, snuggle up and watch movies together. Being able to decide what to do on a whim, and not have any other appointments in the way to work around. Having a wee drink or two and being “allowed” to have them. Xfactor. Lots of people to chat to seem to be about online at the weekends. Spending time with my boys. Cooking properly, cause I tend to not during the week. Always a good movie on to watch in the evenings. Just totally relaxing… Well, as much as you can with two littlies around! What do you like about…
In today’s news…

Marylin

5 Nov 2009 | 3:03 pm

The boys woke in the night AGAIN last night and wanted to start their day at 5.30. That was met by grunts and groans from me while I made Max up a bottle of milk to coax him back to sleep and informed Zack that if he didn’t go back to sleep then Santa wouldn’t want to bring him any presents. When picking up Zack from nursery we came to a stop at the school gates to see a gorgeous white horse called Jacob standing there with one of the mums who’d just got him on loan. AND I FORGOT MY DAMN CAMERA. Max didn’t seem that amused but I was hard-pushed to get Zack away from…
That was NOT a good night.

Marylin

4 Nov 2009 | 2:42 pm

I was just settled into my bed… dozing off… when a lil person came up to me complaining of sore knees. That was at about 00.30. I took him downstairs and gave him some medicine, in the hopes that it would calm him down enough to go back to sleep, took him back up and tucked him into his bed. Ten minutes later I heard a thud, followed by a giggle. Zack had jumped out of his bed and woken Max, who finds his big brother particularly amusing in the middle of the night when they should both be sleeping. I went back in, told off Zack and tucked him back in, did the same with (a very!

Missives From Suburbia
TMI

4 Nov 2009 | 1:41 pm

While wiping The Ambassador's derrière:THE AMBASSADOR: I want to see da poopy in da nakin.ME: (WIPING) You want to see the poopy what...?THE AMBASSADOR: I want to see da poopy in da nakin.ME: (STILL WIPING) I don't understand. THE AMBASSADOR: (EXASPERATED) I WANT TO SEE DA POOPY IN DA NAKIN!ME: Okay, look, I'm not deaf. I don't understand you. You want to see the poopy in the... what?THE AMBASSADOR: NAKIN!ME: Nakin.THE AMBASSADOR: (PLEASED) Yes. In da nakin.ME: Uhhh... OH! The poop on the napkin? On the wipe?THE AMBASSADOR: YES!ME: Here.THE AMBASSADOR: Dat not much poopy.ME: Well, there was…
Why My Marriage is Like a Coffee Table

18 Sep 2009 | 12:29 pm

After we'd begun dating, my then-boyfriend (now husband) and I went to our favorite flea market and scoured the antiques, looking for cool things for his house. I pointed out a lovely old copper tray to Hubby and told him it would make a great coffee table. When he told me to buy it, I said there was no point. While I loved the tray, could conceive of it being a table top, and even knew a furniture maker who could craft the base, I know myself all too well. Despite my best intentions, I would never get around to making it happen, and the tray would sit in my garage collecting dust. I had…
Yet Another Milestone

17 Sep 2009 | 6:25 pm

Two years ago today, Missives was born with this post.

Cheaper Than Theraphy - Musings of A Mom of 3
Hiding in My Cave

The Mom Jen

6 Nov 2009 | 2:18 pm

This week has been so incredibly blah.And by blah, I mean, I'm eating like there's no tomorrow.I mean comfort food is the only thing getting me through the week.I can't stay awake for all the funny shows.Each night I'm awakened on the couch by hubby telling me to go to bed.And, it's like 9:30pm.Is it the time change? I'm thinking it is.My youngest is rising by the light of day and falling asleep at 6pm.My Boy's soccer coached called practice at 5:15pm for lack of daylight.It's totally making me tired way too early.So far "standard time" can suck it.Do you think black-out shades in the morning…
A Thousand Words Thursday

The Mom Jen

4 Nov 2009 | 9:15 pm

November, 2000 DQ turned two this year. Her FAVORITE toy she got for her birthday was her tea set. Whether she had someone to "drink it" with or not, she could play tea party for hours, days, months. This year she is turning 11. This year she will be 11 on 11/11. She told us, "it would have been so cool to be born in 2000. Then i'd be 11 on 11/11/11. Oh and no more tea sets, big girl is asking for an iPod. *sigh*Want to join me in A Thousand Words Thursday, read and grab my button from HERE. Then write in your name and the URL(permalink) in the new MckLinky below.Please link only to "A…
I'm a Non-Neat

The Mom Jen

3 Nov 2009 | 2:04 pm

So I just got back from lunch with a friend.And what am I doing?Eating Frosted Flakes.Straight from the box.You should see the crumbs in the keyboard.Speaking of crumbs, the candy wrapper issue in my car is careening out of control.It's so hard being a non-neat.What's even harder?Being married to a non-neat.I truly have aspirations to be tidy and organized, I really do.But in reality, we're the messy family.Our car mimicks our home on a daily basis.Not unclean or unhealthy, just cluttery.Unfortunately our kids have inherited the finish and toss rule.I get angry, but they come by it…

Table for Five
Bedding deals from Kohls and SHOP.com

Elizabeth

6 Nov 2009 | 7:10 am

Are you familiar with Shop.com? It’s a comparison shopping site that pulls together information from over 2,000 stores so you can compare prices on what you want to buy before you make your purchase. Before you shop online, check Shop.com for discount codes, special sale prices, and deals on shipping. Once you choose the item and price you want, you are directed to the merchant’s site to checkout. It’s easy! My oldest son desperately needs a new comforter (he’s 13 and using one with race cars on it), and since I know Kohls Bedding is affordable, I went to Shop.com to…
Dona Nobis Pacem-2009 Blog Blast For Peace

Elizabeth

5 Nov 2009 | 3:28 pm

It started in October 2006 when Mimi from Mimi Writes had an idea based on her memories of 9/11. What if on one day, the entire blogosphere posted the same thing, a call for peace? She posted a few backgrounds of our Earth against a blue background and said, see if you can’t make something from this. Something that will remind your readers that it is possible for there to be Peace on Earth. To say she was on to something would be a vast understatement. Her idea spread like, well, wildfire. It spread across the blogosphere into nearly every one of the United States as well as 38…
F-Secure Internet Security & Gift Card Winners

Elizabeth

4 Nov 2009 | 10:22 am

I’m so excited for the four people who won this giveaway, they can start their Christmas shopping early with their $100 gift cards plus get their computer protected from malware and viruses! I used Random.org’s Sequence Generator, with 644 (the number of entries) as the top value, and here’s the sequence of winning comments: The winners, who each get a copy of F-Secure Internet Security 2010 and a randomly chosen $100 Gift Card are: #377 Eloise, Mommy2TwoGirls #295 Lindley, a subscriber #446 Theresa D., a subscriber #48 from “MU” a subscriber Congratulations!

mommy bytes
PSF - Finding the Perfect Pumpkin

5 Nov 2009 | 7:22 pm

On our trip to Parlee Farms in Tyngsboro, MA, the kids got to pick a few pumpkins for Halloween. Who doesn't love a pumpkin patch?Is this the pumpkin?It's heavy!Dova said, "I got boobs!!"Ahh! Adam found the perfect pumpkin and enjoyed the crisp Technicolor air. (Let's just say that I had a lot of issues with exposure settings while I was lying in the bark mulch, but enjoyed turning up the saturation in post processing.)The kids picked out the pattern for the Jack-o'-lantern and set me to work.Hope everyone had a happy Halloween!Hosted by Cecily and Emily--- Thanks for reading my feed. Please…
WW - Fall Flowers

3 Nov 2009 | 10:11 pm

What's this coming into view? A field of flowers! Rows and rows of the last beautiful fall flowers (these photos were taken on October 10). Adam was drawn to them. Dova was barely as tall as them. I took mostly boring shots of them. But then I let Adam use my camera. I would never have thought to take this beautiful bud against the sky! And these new and old flowers together. Good thing we have a photographer in the house (with a little post processing help from mom). Visit by Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom for more participants. --- Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to…
Silly Monkey Story - My Little Pig Roast

2 Nov 2009 | 8:41 pm

When Dova stuck this apple in her mouth while we were apple picking, it immediately reminded me of the pig roast we attended for my cousin's wedding.An uncanny resemblance, eh? OK, in real life, she's must cuter and tastier than a roasted pig.She managed to eat two whole apples while we were there. But with her two top teeth missing, I couldn't understand how she bit into her apples. Here's a clue: She ate them like a vampire with her vampire teeth!Hosted by Karen at 3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires.--- Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to comment!

From Dates to Diapers, and beyond! A Mommy Blog
Shiny

Christine

5 Nov 2009 | 11:20 pm

They’re red. They’re shiny. Watching the clothes spin ’round and ’round in them is mesmerizing. My husband thinks I’m strange., But my children share my fascination. In... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.
Clean at last!

Christine

5 Nov 2009 | 10:20 pm

I spent yesterday afternoon with my sister. We didn’t do anything fun, per se, but we accomplished a whole heck of a lot… Sara – the Organizing Queen – came over to help me... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.
Cousins

Christine

3 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

What happy and handsome fellas! Visit more Wordless Wednesday participants at 5 Minutes for Mom and Extraordinary Mothers. Visit Wordful Wednesday participants at Angie’s Circus Visit Mostly... Would you like to read the rest of this post? Be sure to visit fromdatestodiapers.com for the full post.

Mommy Poppins - Get more out of NYC with kids -
Links: How to recycle gadgets, Junk Food=Crack, H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Open, Baby Gift Ideas

mommy

6 Nov 2009 | 1:09 am

Some hopefully helpful and interesting links going into your weekend: Find out about the vaccination clinics opening this weekend for middle and high schoolers, the definitive resource on how to recycle your gadgets, great ideas for baby gifts for people that have no space, and our own contributor, Bess, was shown on Good Morning America this week in her "real" job. read more
New York City Kids Free Weekend Events for November 7-8: Fall Festivals, Family Arts Programs, Dance Parties and More

charlotte

5 Nov 2009 | 2:12 pm

You might still have left over Halloween candy hanging around (here’s some ideas of what to do with it), but the monster-filled events have come to an end here in the city. And that's not a bad thing. Fill this weekend with some decidedly Fall adventures like kite flying, chamber music for kiddies, family arts programs, dance parties, and much more. And don't forget to enter our giveaway for a free family photo portrait session Two winners will be chosen on Sunday. read more
New Tribeca Kids Film Club and 3 Other Cool Kids Movies Series

mommy

5 Nov 2009 | 1:47 am

Earlier this week we wrote about a website that helps you choose appropriate movies for your kids. Another way to find great movies for kids is to check out one of the local film series where aficionados have selected for you movies that are outstanding. And this week there's a new option because the people who bring you the Tribeca Film Festival are turning their filmy goodness to movies for kids with the brand new Tribeca Cinemas Kids Club. Read on for the scoop on this new film series where you can catch cool flicks for kids every other Saturday starting this weekend, plus three other cool…

Undomestic Diva
For RV

Megan Hook

6 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

Of all the days you're likely to read my blog, today isn't probably one of them. You're busy. You're running errands, picking up people from the airport, getting ready for your big engagement party this weekend because - OH MY GOD - you're getting married. You included me on the invitation to your engagement party as you always do, but there's like a bajillion (I counted) states that separate California and Georgia and well, you know I wanted to be there. If I could, I'd be there or you'd be here constantly for the next year, planning every little…
I need my own cooking show

Megan Hook

4 Nov 2009 | 7:57 pm

All these cooking shows on the various food channels bore the crap out of me. I mean, if you possess the skills to cook/bake/some-other-cooking-adjective-here then I'm sure these shows are super helpful with their fancy, gourmet recipes chock-full of ingredients I've never heard of, let alone own. But for the more... novice chef like myself, watching these chefs chop/dice/some-other-cutting-adjective-here is totally lost on me. Besides, unless you're a budding chef or a 'foodie' or whatever the new hip term is for people who like to make food and eat it, watching…
A normal conversation. For us.

Megan Hook

4 Nov 2009 | 4:31 am

Candy Ass and I have recently began engaging in what you young hip people call "texting" to keep in touch during the day when either he or I have something brief to say to the other that doesn't necessarily warrant interrupting a meeting or a child's tantrum for a phone call, yet are equally important bits of information that the other needs to hear or in this new-fangled case, read. Yesterday, I had just left the grocery store (where Candy Ass had asked me to buy more Big Sticks because we were out) when this little text exchange ocurred between the two of us: Me: Big…

Workout Mommy: fitness and exercise tips for busy moms and dads
This fit mommy lost 100 pounds to place 6th in the Mrs. Idaho competition!

workoutmommy

6 Nov 2009 | 1:05 am

It is time for another installment of “One Fit Mommy”! As I surf around the blogosphere, I come across fit moms (and dads too!) who inspire me to fitness. From there, I hunt them down and force them to tell me their secrets, which I then share with you! Today’s fit mommy is Jill, a busy mom of three who was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes just over three years ago. Since then, she has lost over 100 pounds and competed in the Mrs. Idaho competition, where she placed 6th! She blogs over at Get Up and Get Moving and is definitely an inspiration and “One Fit Mommy!”. Please…
Get a free workout from Gold’s gym and help raise awareness for Diabetes

workoutmommy

5 Nov 2009 | 1:54 am

**November is National Diabetes Month** Did you know that in the next 24 hours, 4,320 new cases of diabetes will be diagnosed? Did you know that diabetes doubles your risk for heart attack and stroke? I was not very familiar with Diabetes, either Type 1 or Type 2, but recently had a scare with Gestational Diabetes. Now, I’m trying to become more aware and have been checking out the Stop Diabetes website. It has tons of great information, including some of the popular myths of Diabetes. Here are a few that caught my eye: Myth: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually…
Exercise and depression

workoutmommy

3 Nov 2009 | 11:32 am

We’ve all read the reports about how exercise can help alleviate symptoms of depression, but how often do your really THINK about the connection? Right now, I feel like I’m living it. I cannot do much in the form of exercise anymore and I am miserable. (my family will back me on that as well!) I wake up feeling down, spend most of the day just waiting for it to end, and then have a hard time sleeping because I am just not happy. My kids get on my nerves, my husband cannot do anything right, and I have nothing left for my dog. (anyone want him?) In the words of my 4…

The Dalai Mama
Two is Beautiful

The Dalai Mama

3 Nov 2009 | 9:15 pm

More later on the birthdaygirl
Not This Year

The Dalai Mama

2 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am

I am sad to say that this is the first year that I won’t be doing NaBloPoMo. I am sad but also a little relieved. As busy has my life is and has been, I was terrified of this month. But then I decided I wasn’t going to do it. How liberating that was. I will try to post as much as I can this month–because I miss it so but I am not putting pressure on myself to post everyday. That would just be too much. This past weekend was a blur–Halloween, which is now Zoë’s favorite holiday. After we finished trick-or-treating because Noah wanted to be done,…
How Smart Do We Think We Are?

The Dalai Mama

28 Oct 2009 | 11:56 am

I know there are those who think we are the smartest, most evolutionarily savvy organisms on the earth. Well, I have to say that the Flu is smarter than us–all 400+ strains of it. I will first start by saying–I don’t get a flu shot. I will also say I didn’t get my kids a flu shot this year nor did I get them the H1N1 vaccination. Why you ask? No it isn’t because I am a bad mom and want them to get sick. It’s because I believe that they are gonna get the flu whether or not they get the shot. Last year the scientists picked the wrong strains of…

superdumb supervillain
Meet Norman Phartephant

6 Nov 2009 | 3:09 pm

I had some misgivings about agreeing to review a stuffed toy called Norman PhartEphant, a cuddly elephant plushie that farts when you squeeze his tail. (Eight distinct phart sounds!) Having a five year old and a two year old guarantees that we talk about bodily functions about a million times more... Visit www.superdumbsupervillain.com to read more…
Win a Kindle from Noobie!

6 Nov 2009 | 11:22 am

I just entered a contest to win a free Kindle from Noobie (worth $259!) and I wanted you to have a chance to win one too! All you need to do to enter is to click the button below: Visit www.superdumbsupervillain.com to read more…
Beauty Tip of the Day giveaway

4 Nov 2009 | 7:32 pm

Hopefully you've had a chance to check out the Beauty Tip of the Day widget in my side bar over the past month or so. It looks a lot like this: When you click on it, you get a daily dose of clever hints and information about beauty- body, face and hair– plus opportunities to receive free samples... Visit www.superdumbsupervillain.com to read more…

Motherhood Uncensored
H1N1 Take 2 (Does that make it H2N2?)

Motherhooduncensored

6 Nov 2009 | 7:49 am

Due to the shootings at Fort Hood, my CNN segment has been bumped to Monday, 10:30am EST. In the meantime, The Whipping Boy has redesigned by blog (seriously, click through you lazy feed readers - it's awesome, and make sure...
Hit me with your best [H1N1] shot

Motherhooduncensored

4 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

On Monday, I took my kids to get the H1N1 shot. I'd been on the fence about it since I knew they were coming out with it. Like many people, I was unsure of its efficacy and I was concerned...

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Life and Death and Writing it All Down

hipm0m

6 Nov 2009 | 11:26 pm

If you’re related to me, you may want to stop reading…or perhaps you should just start back at the beginning…For those of you who are a part of my online family, please (lie to me and) tell me you can relate. Too Much Information (TMI) I share everything here on this blog, more than I probably should. From the time I had to go to Urgent Care after a night of sex to the frustrations around my co-parenting challenges, my personal stories, along with all the emotions they stir, can be found here. I have nothing to hide. Why then, do the important people in my life feel as…
Forever Families

hipm0m

5 Nov 2009 | 8:56 pm

My son is an only child. Since his father and I divorced, I have changed my mind, nearly a dozen times, about having a second or even third child. My biological clock is ticking, and yet, I know that there are thousands of children that need a permanent address and I don’t know if I could bring another child into this world when there are so many already waiting… My sister had her second child a few years ago, which prompted many questions from my son. I answered with age-appropriate and accurate information. Recently, he’s been telling me that he wants a baby brother or…
How Thirsty Are You?

hipm0m

4 Nov 2009 | 11:17 am

By Steve Goodier Isn’t it wonderful when we get thirsty – not for water, but thirsty to chase a dream or to so something different? I think it is those people who crave something with an unquenchable thirst who, in the end, are likely to be most satisfied with their lives. Alan C. Elliott talks in his book, A Daily Dose of the American Dream, of a five-year study that was undertaken to discover what made some people extraordinarily successful. The study consisted of detailed research into the lives of 120 of the nation’s top artists, athletes, and scholars. He reports that…

DivineCaroline Parenting
Why Natural Childbirth?

Mary Blyth

6 Nov 2009 | 2:38 pm

Over and over again, I hear pregnant women tell me that the number one...
The Moment I Almost Missed ...

Genny Heikka

6 Nov 2009 | 10:26 am

It was after 9:30 p.m. on a school night.My husbandwas at ...
Rock-a-Bye Baby: Does Sleep Training Work?

Annie Tucker Morgan

5 Nov 2009 | 5:01 pm

New parenthood is great, isn't it? Your family has expanded, you...

A Smeddling Kiss
More... Angst.

Velma

4 Nov 2009 | 8:32 pm

After all my grandiose plans from the last post, I feel badly that all this day has given me to relate is worry and dread and sadness.Peanut is in a bad place these days, a darker place than he showed us in pre-school and kindergarten. There are a lot more tears, a lot more emotional outbursts, and a lot of bad and unacceptable behavior. There is kicking and shouting and throwing thing. There is self-injury and almost-but-not-quite biting behavior. Other children are starting to think of him as "the one who is always in trouble," and I absolutely cannot express how devastating this is, to me…
Boringest Mayor of Borington.

Velma

3 Nov 2009 | 7:14 pm

That's how I feel when I read back over MY OWN BLOG lately. This is not good. (Let me clarify: This is not how I feel about my life, it's just how I feel about my blog.) (And blogging. And commenting on other people's blogs. And my ability to write in general.)Nothing new, nothing earth shattering... just the realization that it's time to step up my game, NaBloPoMo or not. It's something I've been meaning to do, been thinking about doing for such a long time... so, yeah, I'm doing it.The blog redesign and move to Typepad will hopefully be happening within the next few weeks. I can't promise…
NaBloPoMore?

Velma

1 Nov 2009 | 4:07 pm

I dunno. I kind of sucked at it in September, and it's not like I've had much success posting lately. Still, I think I'll give it another whirl.Halloween was a success. The kids had fun, the weather was balmy, and we even ventured out for our very first door-to-door-in-the-dark trick or treating. The kids were thrilled, and for the first time they have enough candy left after the big "peanut-safe" candy dump to have that special childhood feeling of being able to luxuuuuriate in the candeeeeeeeee!Peanut dumped it all out again this morning and grouped it into piles by type - half a dozen…

Coming to a Nursery Near You
"Uh-oh" [Flickr]

dawniemom

4 Nov 2009 | 10:39 am

dawniemom posted a photo:
"Shadows" [Flickr]

dawniemom

4 Nov 2009 | 10:38 am

dawniemom posted a photo:
A birthday wish

dawn

4 Nov 2009 | 6:03 am

I have very few actual FRIENDS. I have tons of acquaintances, facebook “friends”, twitter “followers” – but very few FRIENDS. But one person that I DO call my friend, and to whom I... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

one plus two
the ants go marching

jen

5 Nov 2009 | 9:20 am

I'm cleaning up a few nights ago when J walks over to the verandah and opens the slider. Immediately he leaps back and streams of black ants come piling in covering his feet and crawling up his legs. He slams the door and starts jumping around, expletives abound.I run over and flip on the outside light and the porch looks as if it's alive, a black swarming mass of moving floor space. Marching ants. Holy shit. We quickly stomp on all the ants that made it inside and brush them out of J's hair and after some looking around, it appears that the ants are not only on the porch but climbing up the…
tricksters

jen

1 Nov 2009 | 5:30 pm

As many things go here, information regarding Very Important Events is often contradictory and somewhat loose. As Halloween approached, we tried to figure out customs and whatnot so as to allow M to have some sort of holiday while navigating the fact that Things Are Just Done Differently Here. So after several inquiries we thought we had it figured it and headed out to go to a few houses and trick or treat. The first two houses were practice, expat neighbors we know who were more than happy to offer a treat. But then we ventured over to our village friends, with our gorgeous little Dorothy…
working the land

jen

25 Oct 2009 | 1:28 pm

I've done a terrible job writing about the actual construction and transformation that's been going on at our land since we moved to the jungle. J spends backbreaking hours and days in the hot sun carefully planning, building, and creating our future home. While this doesn't do it justice, here are a few photos of our recently constructed earth bag structure. The whole thing was done by hand, the door and window frames were handmade, the bags will carefully filled with a mixture of sand and clay. J has spent countless, countless hours on this, not only in the building but in the art of…

One Chic Mama
Shades of Gray

5 Nov 2009 | 7:12 am

Want to know what's hot in nailcolor this fall? Then go gray! While you may be working to fight all that gray hair coming in, gray nails are very on trend right now.Shades of gray nailcolor range from the palest icy hues to the deepest charcoal, and come in matte, gloss or with some shimmer for a festive update to even your most simple jeans and a tee shirt ensemble. Think you're too old for gray nails? Think again! When shopping in Saks Fifth Avenue the other day I was stuck by the sales associates' lovely pewter nails. They repeated the color of her glasses and made a striking combination…
Belt Your Look

1 Nov 2009 | 4:06 am

This season belts are all the rage and have never looked better! This is exciting news because it now means that you don't have to pay a fortune to get a great looking belt. Good looking belts are widely available in all price ranges - and some of the least expensive belts may very well fool you! The belts for Autumn/Winter 2009 are a bit different from what we've seen in past years. The hottest looks feature textures ranging from studs to animal prints and come in widths to suit all shapes and sizes. The belts of the season are worn right at your natural waist, or perhaps even higher. Many…
A New Hue

28 Oct 2009 | 6:47 am

By now you all know how much I love collaborations. So when I heard that contemporary designer Trina Turk was designing a collection of tights for Hue, I was beside myself! Hue has been a favorite of mine for tights since, well, high-school, and never fails to disappoint with their current styling and well-made goods. With October drawing to a close and a nip in the air, tights are a wonderfully current addition to your skirts and dresses. Create a funky, upbeat look with tights by Trina Turk for Hue and add spark to your knee- or thigh-high boots. Tights are a fun way to add an unexpected…

Swistle
Startling News

Swistle

6 Nov 2009 | 2:40 pm

So let's see, what's new around here.William had a fever and a cough last weekend but is mostly better now. And this morning Edward woke up with a runny nose and now has a fever, and so I am back in the land of "Do I let the fever do its virus-frying work? Or is this high enough that I should try to bring it down?"Also, I got two cute sweaters at Goodwill for $1.99 each: a triceratops sweater for Henry and a Baby Gap zip-up rainbow-striped jacket/sweater for Elizabeth. I wish Goodwill wasn't so far from our house.Also, I made both brownies and fudge in one day, and I forgot the salt in the…
Not on the Ballot

Swistle

4 Nov 2009 | 1:05 pm

Here are some of the things I think there's more than one way to think about, and everyone can make their own decisions---no agreement necessary from one person to the next:what to eathow and where a baby should sleepbottle-feeding vs. breastfeedingwhat religion to followpublic school vs. private school vs. homeschoolingwhether to participate in advanced educationalcohol consumption, yea or naypremarital sex, yea or naywhether to use birth controlwhether to have childrenwhether to marryfixed-rate vs. variable-rate mortgagehow clean to keep the housea good name for a babyHere are some things I…
Acid Moods

Swistle

4 Nov 2009 | 4:06 am

I've written before about the ways I cope with mild depression (need I say that if you have a doozier depression, you should not consult ME, a blogger with zero qualifications of any kind, but should instead consult someone who possesses ACTUAL MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE?):1. A Pitiful List2. Day Sadness3. Easy, Inexpensive Ways to Feel BetterSunshine and lights, coffee and warm food, skin contact and cuddling, small purchases, funny stuff, things that smell nice, music, fish oil and vitamin D---those are the basics.But I haven't yet figured out how to deal with acid-in-the-stomach moods. Today I am…

All Adither
Waxed

All Adither

3 Nov 2009 | 9:02 pm

I make my call. Covert. Standing in the laundry room with the dryer doing its airy spin, muffling my voice. Later that afternoon I glance over both shoulders, then hop quickly into the car. I drive south, find the building along old railroad tracks that don’t get used much anymore. Head bowed, I stride inside and give my name. A woman named Tara greets me. She tells me to remove my coat and lie down on a cot, face up. I do. She shines a hot light in my face and proceeds to slather wax over the edges of my eyebrows. She yanks hard. I grin. I love the whole process. The warm paraffin, the…
You can't tell me it isn't

All Adither

1 Nov 2009 | 8:30 pm

Art in unexpected places. The wheel of a tractor. The way a girl's hair curls under her chin. How a boy looks when he, gap-toothed, laughs with abandon.The reinvigoration of hope and how it surges through you like hot liquid. The sound of an acoustic guitar played well. The taste and waxy pull of honeycomb. Sun hitting the fire-y leaves of a Japanese Maple. Gleaming railroad tracks. Watching someone do what they're best at.Art.All of it.
Saved by a pumpkin patch

All Adither

29 Oct 2009 | 8:32 pm

I took Fruit Bat and Kitty Cat to a pumpkin patch yesterday. The sky was low and gray, the weather nondescript. No breeze. No raindrops. Nothing except a nip in the air.And my children? They couldn't have been better. More cooperative. More precious.It was quiet, the pumpkin patch, but there were a few other small groups. One was a mother with three toddlers. She was overwhelmed. Beyond overwhelmed. She reminded me of myself last Saturday. The abundant mud drove her nuts. Her kids could do nothing right. They were too loud, too exuberant, too dirty. While part of me wanted to send her…

Jendi's Journal
If You Were Handed $1000

Jendi

6 Nov 2009 | 9:49 am

Quick question for you: You can type an answer in the questions or add a video at SayitFacetoFace.com. This post linked to Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So Kailani thought that on Fridays she would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for us to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy…
Having Children Changed Me

Jendi

5 Nov 2009 | 7:29 am

Over a year ago I read an editorial in a local paper that made me see red. The dude had written that he was tired of people commenting how having a baby changes everything. After all his baby was a whole month old and he was still the same. I felt sorry for him. I changed when I had children, and I believe it was for the better – at least after I got some sleep again it was for the better. [I'm not even referring to the physical changes of my body and house.] As soon as I drove home from the hospital my driving changed. I could just feel the accident waiting for me and my brand…
Ready To Accept Advertising

Jendi

3 Nov 2009 | 7:35 am

A big thank you to every one that completed my reader survey! I’m compiling statistics for my media kit so I can ask for advertising, sponsorship, plus have a better idea of who my target market is. Random.org picked #12 so congrats to sandbar86! I’ll e-mail you to confirm your address and get your Amazon gift card to you soon. Anyone interested in the demographics of this blog? I know that you all were just lying awake at night and wondering. Here’s some basic facts: Gender: 88% Female Age: 32 % in their twenties and 40% in their thirties Education: 40% have some…

Manic Mommies® Media, Inc.
Giveaway: HP Envy Beat Laptop with Intel Core i7!

Erin

6 Nov 2009 | 6:53 am

First, our hearts and prayers go out to the military families at Fort Hood. My dad was a marine in Vietnam and every day I thank God he made it out of there alive. I must admit, there are some days when I am so proud of our little baby, Manic Mommies. Today is one of them. I’ve been up since, I don’t know, 3am local time and my mind is racing. Registration for the Escape officially opens late this afternoon, but we’ve already had the pleasure of meeting a few awesome listeners who arrived here in Napa yesterday. (I have to say working with the Embassy Suites on this event…
Preparing to Escape is the hardest part

Kristin

4 Nov 2009 | 2:06 pm

I remember a couple of years ago my father (and boss) was frantically running around the office, mere hours before leaving on vacation, stating (half-joking, half-serious) “it’s just not worth it.” I knew, of course, what he meant. And it is on a day like today, when I’m 15 hours away from boarding a flight to Napa, California, that I agree. There is so much to do! First, you have the work stuff – making sure clients know you’ll be away; making sure colleagues know what might happen while you’re away (and remembering to be incredibly grateful that you…
He’s Doing Great This Year

Erin

3 Nov 2009 | 12:12 pm

It’s amazing what a matter of months can do for a 7-year-old boy. Last spring, I sat in meetings at my son’s school where I was told he was different from other boys his age. That he was too active. Too talkative. Too disruptive. My son went to weekly meetings with a guidance counselor, received a daily behavior chart that tracked his activities by the hour, and he attending morning meditation two days per week. Although he was reading well beyond his age, he was not in the top reading group because he couldn’t sit still and be quiet. In fact, he did everything he could to…

Greenie Weenie
Being in the musical moment

S. Joanna

4 Nov 2009 | 9:49 pm

I’m not sure how to explain the experience I just had. I went to a folksinging song circle this evening held by the Eugene Folklore Society. I had a vague idea of what to expect, having gone to some Golden Link Folk Singing Society and festival singarounds in Rochester. But, still, you never know. So I toted my guitar and songbook and followed the directions to a strangers house. (Don’t worry, it all turns out well.) As I walked in the door, a woman was sitting in the stairway, tuning her guitar. I was in the right place. Good. In the living room, a dozen people sat around in a…
Digital storytelling: the stories behind artifacts in my life

S. Joanna

1 Nov 2009 | 9:33 pm

Each one of us carries objects that hold cherished memories. Here are a few of mine.
Sleep sleep, baby, sleep

S. Joanna

30 Oct 2009 | 9:52 am

When Duncan was a newborn baby, it seemed he was impossible to get to sleep. I heard about friends just laying their babies in the crib and them sweetly falling asleep, no assistance required. Not Duncan. At least not for me. He would fuss and wriggle and fuss and fuss and fuss. Eventually he’d start crying, not sleeping. From Baby Duncan Duncan liked movement to go to sleep. For a while he went through a phase where he’d wake up at 3 a.m. and not fall back asleep until 4:30 a.m. I took the advice on sleeping when the baby slept so I could deal with it. Kevin worked nights so it…

Crazy Bloggin' Canuck: A Denver Mommy Blog
The party's over

2 Nov 2009 | 9:20 am

Halloween a.k.a. my month-long party is over.Well, month-and-a-half-long party if you count back to mid-September when I put out the decorations (much to Jamie's dismay).In the end, we had really easy costumes: Bode wanted to be a firefighter (again) and Haddie opted for a bat. I simply resurrected the bodysuit from her kitty costume last year, found a pair of butterfly wings at the thrift store that I spray-painted black, styled her hair into bat ears and had Jamie make her a mask.Cheapest Halloween ever.We participated in our neighborhood's annual parade and the procession was led by a fire…
This week in mommy blogger history

28 Oct 2009 | 3:15 pm

So, we've been busy.Getting snowed in with record-breaking snowfall and trying out the kids' new shovels.Building snow caves.And yes, we're in Colorado (though it looks a lot like Canada)Playing with the newest addition to our family.Making a Dry Ice Crystal Ball at our annual Halloween bash.(And miraculously, I did not blow up the house).Making "Incredibly" eerie ghost sounds with balloons.(I learned all these cool science experiments at a Steve Spangler Science event I attended. Checkout Mile High Mamas Creative Corner for more fun ideas).And just being cute.(Hadley is second from the left…
This is the week we've been dreading

26 Oct 2009 | 11:15 pm

My in-laws are moving to Utah at the end of the week.They have been an integral part of our survival since I moved to Denver seven years ago. When I had my children, my mother-in-law helped me in every way possible without ever overstepping her bounds.When Haddie was little, she took her every Wednesday so I could have a break. My in-laws would watch our kids when Jamie and I wanted to go backpacking, on week-long cruises or just on a date night.Basically, our life is over now.Or at least it will suck as much as the rest of you who don't have family nearby.On Saturday, my in-laws took the…

Denver Mile High Mamas
Nothing Bundt Cakes is Nothing Bundt Delicious!!

Laurie

6 Nov 2009 | 11:33 pm

Sometimes I find something so yummy and wonderful that I just have to share it with someone. Who better to share with than you guys? My sister lived in Texas and she was the one to ...
Weekly Event Round-up: Baby Buffalo, Trains, Mile High Magic, and more!

Guest Blogger

6 Nov 2009 | 4:54 am

Saturday. Bring your family to see North America’s largest land mammal right in Denver at Home on the Range out at The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Rick Keen/DPRA, Inc.) Three ...
Daily Deal-Weekend Freebies

Danielle

5 Nov 2009 | 10:30 pm

Lots of free Denver attractions this weekend. Friday is free admission into Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield from 9am to 5pm. Saturday is a free Day at the Denver Art Museum from 10am to 10pm. Then to end the weekend enjoy a ...

Three Boys and Me
The Dog Ate My Homework

Heather

30 Oct 2009 | 3:28 am

Halloween is our thing. We love dressing up. We love carving pumpkins. We love making our house spooky. We love burying ourselves in a big hole in the yard and jumping out at unsuspecting trick-or-treaters as they approach our door.Each year we try to come up with cool and unique pumpkin carving ideas. We spend hours looking for the perfect pumpkins to complete our plan. We carve pumpkins like this:This year, I carved an evil snowman made from three white pumpkins. It took forever to clean out the slimy, stringy white pumpkins. It looked great. Here is what is left of it:Yes - my dog ate my…
Beyond The Dead

Heather

27 Oct 2009 | 5:00 am

Every month or so, our school opens up a glass front case in front of the cafeteria and calls it the "School Store." They sell pencils, erasers, notebooks, key chains, and other little trinkets for $0.25 to $1.00. My boys look forward to these school store days so they can buy 100 tiny erasers for 50 cents.My entrepreneur Luke has figured out a new use for the school store. He buys highlighters for a quarter and then resells them to people visiting our house for $1.00. He has made his room a store. His desk is the display case. He has bags full of change. He has made signs of all of his…
And It Was John Who Showed Them This To Begin With

Heather

16 Oct 2009 | 4:00 am

I don't know what is more annoying - this:Or your kids watching this video over and over and then spending the rest of the week saying, "Hey, hey mom. KNIFE."

(More than) Fourinarow.net
Movie Day

Susan

5 Nov 2009 | 11:48 am

Over the weekend I successfully bribed the kids into cleaning the basement. I gathered them together and told them all that if they all did a top-notch job of cleaning the basement then we would go and get the final Star Wars movie: Revenge of the Sith. Usually, bribes don’t tend to work around here. I figured they might put in a little effort before they all started to kill each other. At best, I thought it’d take most of the day and a lot of “help” from me. Happily, I was wrong. They cleaned it – perfectly! Jack even vacuumed when they were…
A Low Threshold

Susan

2 Nov 2009 | 12:33 pm

Having had Sam at 32 weeks, my doctors this time felt it prudent to take some extra steps to prevent another preterm baby. These steps include injecting me WEEKLY with progesterone until I reach 36 weeks. Considering that the shots bring me from a 30% chance down to a 10% chance of having a preterm baby, I think it’s well worth it. Plus, other than the pain of the injection, there are virtually no side effects for me or for the baby. Virtually. After experiencing my first injection this afternoon, I think my OB left out a major side effect: mental anguish (mine) due to current…
Pumpkins

Susan

31 Oct 2009 | 6:49 am

Mommy Pie
The Last Dragonfly

mommypie

12 Oct 2009 | 2:35 pm

With temps getting down to the single digits at night, and snow on the ground, it’s hard to believe just last week it was warm. That’s the way things are in the Rockies (this part, at least) — one or two weeks of fall at the most. Which doesn’t actually bother me too much — I’m more of a cold-weather mama anyway. So to celebrate the end of summer, and possibly the last dragonfly of the year, I give you a video taken last week. (Forgive the shoddy camera work — forgot you can’t rotate the camera when it’s in movie mode. Duh.) Let me preface…
The Tooth Fairy’s first visit to the Pie House.

mommypie

29 Sep 2009 | 2:56 pm

Last night MP lost her first tooth. HER FIRST TOOTH! I may or may not have played a role in it falling out … “Oow, Mommy, you’re brushing too hard!” <<SNAP>> <<BLOOD>> “Did your tooth just come out?!?” MP spit a wad of blood into her palm (’atta girl!) and offered me its contents — a perfect pearly pink baby tooth that had been clinging to life by a few gummy threads for DAYS. It was time. We jumped up and down and, in our PJs, ran to Grammy and Poppy’s in the dark. We called Bobo and told him the news. We called…
Mommypie in L.A. Day Two.

mommypie

24 Sep 2009 | 2:04 am

So, Day Two in LA. You already know Day One was loaded with quality celebrity sightings … How, you ask, can it get any better? Oooh, my friends, get better it does. The day began once again on the Sony Pictures Lot (Did those 10 words really just come out of MY mouth?) where we had another course covering multiple Sony products, including their Handycam HDR-CX100 camcorder (which, in addition to recording amazingly crisp images, fits in a small evening bag! And it’s red!) and their Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 — Sony’s very cool new point-and-shoot. My two favorite features?

motherbumper
pink isn't always cute but is always dominating

motherbumper

3 Nov 2009 | 11:54 am

@TheCaffeinatrix and Moi in Central Park, as it should be Last week I had to pleasure of escaping the routine of my life and wreak some beautiful havoc with friends new and old. Yes folks, the AimingLow crew blasted through Boston and New York and the recaps are gathered over yonder. Anyhow, on the last day I was lollygagging around my hotel room -- because I'm really good at lollygagging, so
Verified as Complex in Nature

motherbumper

21 Oct 2009 | 7:21 am

Yesterday we went to the doctor and sure enough they confirmed what we suspected: Gigi is four. I'm not sure how it happened but it's true. She is four. FOUR. One, two, three, four. Overdone sentiments about wrinkles in time will be skipped and I'll just go directly to screaming with a generous helping of denial. We sat in the office for almost an hour discussing complex issues like
Coming to a city near you... it's MOTHERBUMPER LIVE!

motherbumper

18 Oct 2009 | 1:39 pm

Do you live anywhere near the following cities? TORONTO BOSTON NEW YORK CITY Yes? You do? AWESOME -- check these awesome tidbits out: TORONTO Catherine of Her Bad Mother fame and I are leading a course called Hands On Small Business (HOSB) over the next few weeks and there are four opportunities for you to join in. In a nutshell this is a course put together with the lovely ladies of Kirsty

The McMommy Chronicles
The Two Best Baby Gifts Ever.

5 Nov 2009 | 12:14 pm

My friend is having her first baby tomorrow morning.I called her today to wish her luck and asked how she was feeling today. She told me she was doing laundry, getting a manicure/pedicure, and doing some last minute things in the nursery.In my head?I just wanted to scream into the phone: "STOP EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING AND JUST GO TO BED. SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP!!! Sleep like it is the last sleep you will ever get in your life. TRUST ME ON THIS!"But of course I would never actually say that to an "about-to-be-a-first-time-mom-tomorrow morning" friend. It's like the unwritten rule of motherhood:…
GASP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 Nov 2009 | 3:59 pm

PAPRIKA JUST SHOWED UP AT MY BACK DOOR WITH THIS HIDEOUS THING ON:((GASP!!))))Does this mean she is someone else's cat????!!!THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!!Now what am I supposed to do? Double Stuff Oreo LOVES our family! And my family loves her! She hangs out all day long on our front porch, under our patio table, on the mat by the back door. She sits on my lap in the evening and purrs up a storm. The first thing my kids do when they wake up in the morning is run to the door to see if little Sprinkles is sitting there. SERIOUSLY, NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?! p.s. Call me bitter, but…
My Halloween Costume(s).

3 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm

Look, I'm just going to say it:I'm giving myself an "B" and "F" on my halloween costumes this year.Sigh. I know. You were expecting more of me, right?Let me break it down for you.I'm one of those who likes for the family to coordinate their Halloween costumes.Like last year....when we were all different versions of Super Heroes.{This is where I should insert a picture of us from last Halloween, all dressed as superheroes. But that would mean such a picture exists. It doesn't. I'm just full of disappointment today, aren't I?}This year, there was no coordination whatsoever. McDaddy and Carter…

imaginary binky
Shake it like a Polaroid picture

29 Oct 2009 | 10:08 pm

I don't know about you, but I think I already know how to do this exercise. *insert other witty dick jokes here*
Eighteen piles and a dozen roses

13 Oct 2009 | 11:33 am

If you know the song I just bastardized, well, kudos, my friend. It gets stuck in my head sometimes, much like another bizarre country tune that my childhood pals in East Texas and I would shout out as we were swaying on a tree swing. I know. It will haunt you forever. You're welcome. There's a point I was going to make with this. Let me remind myself.... Um... Ah. Okay. So, yes.
I'm movin' on up, to the east side

8 Oct 2009 | 6:11 pm

Pennsylvania, to be exact. Yes, dear reader whose face I would try to delicately read with my hands but cannot because I would never let you into my house when you're dressed like a tart and smelling of cheese, I am leaving Colorado and my beloved Denver for the literal greener pastures of southeastern Pennsylvania.Folks who know my exploits on other various things I spout upon are already aware

NINJA POODLES!
The Low-Carb Thing

2 Nov 2009 | 8:15 pm

For several months now, we've had a dietary shift of direction here...well, I have, and Alex and Bella have been along for the ride a little bit. What I've given up entirely are sugar and refined grains and potatoes, and I only consume the tiniest bit of whole grains. It's something I've known I should do for a long time, but it just sounded so HARD. No sugar? No cherry Coke from Sonic in the afternoon? No crackers with my cheese? NO BREAD? How would I live?I did a lot of reading, with the major influencers of the plan I ultimately chose being Gary Taubes' scared-straight treatise on food and…
Best Thing Written In this House Today

1 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pm

Clicky to view, or read transcript below screenshot:Mom, thank YOU for taking me out to go trunk-or-treating with you and trick-or-treating with Grayson! I wonder what I will be next year... Dracula? A Witch? Scary Godmother? (like in the show Scary Godmother) A Skeleton? What do you suggest? Godzilla? *laughs* The Incredible Hulk? (P.S. I made Elvis' hair with my Tigger Pop! *laughs again*) You tell me what you suggest! Elvis? E-Mail me back and tell me!I love her little *laugh* asides.
I Don't Need To Be This Needed

14 Oct 2009 | 11:15 pm

Really, I'm not that good a person. I don't have enough patience, enough compassion. If you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have said that I do...but I'd have been wrong. Because this life is wearing me out before my time. My stomach and my head always hurt, I'm more tired than is justifiable, and "irritable" does not begin to describe my state of mind.We've been to just about every doctor we can, and they're all coming up empty as far as a diagnosis for Alex, except that "probably" his bipolar disorder has morphed into a different form of the disease than what it has been for most of his life.

Musings of a Housewife
Fashion Friday: Styles I Don’t Get

Jo-Lynne

6 Nov 2009 | 5:34 am

Let’s change it up today! I thought rather than talking about fashion trends we like, we should talk about fashion trends we DON’T like, just for the heck of it. Lumberjack Plaid I just don’t get this look at all. Perhaps it’s because I don’t care for the button-down shirt as a whole, but you put a manly plaid on it, and it just looks, well, manly. To me. Perhaps if you have long, flowing tresses and a very fitted version of the shirt with a smaller scale plaid (as in the last picture on this post) AND the figure of a supermodel, you might be able to pull…
And So It Goes

Jo-Lynne

5 Nov 2009 | 7:28 am

It seems that a virus has taken hold of my two older kids and won’t let go. I feel like I’m living Ground Hogs Day. It all started about two weeks ago, when I got home from a Friday night event to discover that my middle child had come down with a fever. It was mild, and by Sunday morning she was better. Then on Thursday I got a call from school, and my son had a mild fever. By the next day he was much better, and he went out Trick-or-Treating on Saturday and all was well. Then on Tuesday of this week I was at the mall, perusing Gymboree and putting a few items on hold for…
Tried and True: Chicken Nuggets

Jo-Lynne

5 Nov 2009 | 7:15 am

Look what I made last night — chicken nuggets that tasted JUST like the kind you get for Chinese takeout with Sweet & Sour sauce. I fried them in lard and used a breading I found on Families.com. YUMMO. Here’s what I did: I heated my trusty iron skillet and melted about an inch of lard. Then I cut up 2 large chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. For the breading I did exactly as they directed — I mixed a cup of flour, ¼ tsp salt, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp pepper, and ½ tsp baking soda in a glass pie plate. Then I added ½ cup of water and 1TBSP vinegar. It was…

Mid-CenturyModernMoms
I'd Walk Away From This Deal or Why I Won't Deal with the Mass. RMV

Ora b

6 Nov 2009 | 5:51 am

------An extra post not really about teenagers, but about other tribulations of a mid-century modern mom. Ora just bought herself a new toy car. It's a 2010 Toyota Prius. Rosie adores it and is looking forward six years to college graduation when she can potentially call this car her own. The car was ordered before ora took off on her Spanish adventure. And then she waited. Last week, Ora was home sick with (the flu??)...
Sights to see on a visit to the daughter's campus apartment

Daisy OK

5 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am

This is the roommate's bedroom .The tiny rabbit is in there somewhere, hiding. "What if she (rabbit) chews on something and ruins it?" "Roomie won't know it until she moves out. Seriously." Rabbit, it turned out, was sleeping at the foot of the photographer (Husband), slightly to his right. She hides in odd places at times. Daughter found her in her backpack, chewing on the cord to her iPod. "Why is my backpack moving? Oh,...
Blokey Sensibilities

Ali T

4 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

My Davey's a lovely kid. He's aware of other people's needs, he's caring and considerate. He's funny, observant and switched on - even when he doesn't appear to be. He's also as lazy as I'll allow him to be with household chores. Sometimes that's pretty lazy because time constraints and being too lazy to nag remind him, or think of consequences, I just do the chore and get on with life. (I'm sure you're all...

Cheaty Monkey
The List

Haley-O

4 Nov 2009 | 9:08 pm

With the advent of twitter lists (which I doubt I’ll ever get around to making myself because I hardly have time to write to-do or shopping lists let alone SEVERAL lists dividing my friends into groups — high school much? — and unintentionally snubbing them, which is bound to happen)…what was I saying? I forget because I got distracted by Whitney and Jay’s conversation on this eve’s rerun of MTV’s The City…. That picture is so last year, like, when Jay and Whitney were still together. But I didn’t have time to find any current pics of…
“Muhneh” and the Cheaty Halloween

Haley-O

2 Nov 2009 | 8:54 pm

It started off well enough. Intentions were good. Lentil soup was simmering on the stove. Almonds, dates, agave, ginger and spices in the blender, and (my own invention) cut-off stocking standing by to strain the thing of any crunch whatsoever. Tweet was written…. Yes, it started off well enough. But, in the end? FAIL. Red hot fat X FAIL. Starting with one chocolate bar, and then another, and another. AND THE HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SEEDS. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. I COULDN’T STOP. Among the chocolates — a little bit of this…. And a little bit of…
Coat Crisis Averted

Haley-O

28 Oct 2009 | 10:31 pm

This week has been nonstop for me. In the middle of figuring out the whole H1N1 vaccine situation (my pediatrician is now recommending the vaccine, FYI), a very cold pumpkin-patch field trip, homework (homework?!), surprise sales, a newly stubborn little rascal, birthday party FAILS, and I COULD GO ON, I’m doing a cleanse from the book Radiant Health, Inner Wealth, written by my witty twitter friend Quintessence C. Challis. I’ll be sharing recipes at The Kitch when I get a chance. The cleanse itself is not that intense at all, so DON’T WORRY. So far my favourite part is…

Vintage Thirty
Warning: Does not Work Well With Small Children

2 Nov 2009 | 4:28 pm

This morning, a matter got my dander up. I know I'm a bitcher and moaner from way back. It doesn't take much to get me going. It is what I do. [Ohmygod you should hear me in the car. Everyone in the world is a bad driver except for me. And I will tell you exactly what you're doing wrong from the comfort, safety, and where you can't hear me inside my car.] But when it involves my children -well then- GET OUT OF MY WAY.My daughter approached me while I was packing up lunches into backpacks. "I want to buy my lunch today", she says. Which is fine, of course, and I say so. But she's anxiously…
Obligatory Post-Halloween Mash Up

1 Nov 2009 | 10:22 pm

(Is it just me or does the above pumpkin look a little like a worried and fatigued Charlie Brown?)(The pumpkins prepare for their night of housing candles and fire. They're not happy)(Sassy ladybug complete with black tights and leotard to get rid of that hoochie mama look)(Thirteen year olds wear a tiny Elvis on their head)(Zombie skeleton...pretty much speaks for itself)HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Maybe He's Still Searching for a Heart of Gold. And He's Gettin' Old.

29 Oct 2009 | 3:40 pm

For as long as I can remember my mother has wanted to see Neil Young in concert. Not Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Just Young. There was always one issue or another why that didn't happen. In 2008, Neil Young set off on his tour. Finally! And better yet, he'd be playing in Los Angeles within a week of my mother's birthday! My sisters and I smelled a birthday present made of WIN! I wrote a check and my sister took care of everything.Then, a day or so before the concert - it happened. In a panicked phone call, my sister explained that she recieved an email informing her that her credit card…

Everyday Lunasea
Letter to Santa

Lunasea

5 Nov 2009 | 11:10 am

Benjamin was in a crazy letter-writing mood a few weeks ago. He'd heard A. dictate his thank you letters from his birthday, so I think that's where these came from. To Santa: Dear Santa,Thank you for the toys you gave me and thank you for the R2-D2 robot. I hope Christmas comes after Thanksgiving and I'm going to be Darth Vader for Halloween and what are you going to be? I hope you're doing good. Send me some cool presents. Bye.To G: Dear Papa,Thank you for getting out of bed and thank you for giving me the proof set but I want another one soon and I want to go to ToysRUs and thank you for…
In a Therapy Mood

Lunasea

4 Nov 2009 | 9:34 pm

I've been in one my "therapy moods." That's what I call it when I want to tell everyone to just get over it. I guess it would be more accurately called a "non-therapy mood." The ironic thing is, I never feel this way in a session. I feel it afterward when I review things and think, "Wow. You've been stuck for how long, you come in and complain about it week after week and yet you don't DO anything about it." Most of the time, my perspective is such that I realize they CAN'T do anything about it and that's why they're there, but sometimes, with too many of those in a row, I lose some…
OK, Let's Try This Again

Lunasea

3 Nov 2009 | 6:48 pm

I've already screwed up NaBloPoMo, but they shouldn't have started November on a Sunday. Sunday and Monday are my busiest days, don't they know that?The problem I'm having with blogging is that now that I'm addicted to Facebook, and less so to Twitter - unless there's an earthquake, after which I'm on that twitter thing like (insert cliche here) - I can only think in 140 characters or less.So I'm going to try to blog every day from now until November 30 by just posting some status updates, and if they turn into something looking more like a blog post, all the better.Halloween was fun. We had…

Blonde Mom Blog
All She Wants For Christmas

Blonde Mom

5 Nov 2009 | 8:27 am

It’s not every day that you pick your kid up from school and she hands you a body part…OK OK a front tooth…inside a little plastic molar (for safe keeping.) Houston, we have a double whammy front tooth gap! The “tooth fairy” in the school office did the deed. As you can see, Miss C was not happy about it at all. Also it’s spirit week at school for the big fall fundraiser Friday (i.e. Good LORD could we have any more special outfit combinations and themes to remember in one week) and the day of the tooth reckoning was inside out and…
Slow Down! (Gasp) Don’t Run! (Gasp)

Blonde Mom

3 Nov 2009 | 5:11 pm

I watched nervously from front lawns as Miss A ran after her big sister and her friends. She navigated her way through shadowy yards and down dimly lit pathways leading to the candy mecca at each friendly glowing front porch. She ran ahead over and over, leaves crunching beneath her feet, always wanting to keep up with the bigger girls. My neighbor commented, “It’s tough to be the littlest one, isn’t it?” and another neighbor’s little boy, dressed like a hot dog complete with mustard, declared his love for Miss A. But she was a girl on a mission not to…
From SAHM to Working Mom, It’s A Family Affair That, Sadly, Does Not Include A Laundry Fairy

Blonde Mom

2 Nov 2009 | 10:41 am

In support of other women writers, today I’m trying a little something different on Blonde Mom Blog courtesy of Women on Writing (WOW)...a guest post as part of author Claudine Wolk’s blog book tour. Claudine is author of “It Gets Easier! and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers.” I’ve always been a “working mom,” whether it be full-time outside the home, working from home while Miss A was a baby, and now 30 hours a week split between the office four days a week and telecommuting on Fridays. I think we can all relate to the challenge of transitioning to…

dkmommyspot.com
Soul-Flower Kids’ or Adult’s Organic Cotton Tee Giveaway

Diane

5 Nov 2009 | 6:52 am

Click Here for Giveaways & Coupon Codes Add your giveaway Win a Circle Tee in the Pattern & Size of Your Choice, Kids' or Adults' I have come to love organic cotton. I always wonder what makes it so soft – is it the fact that the cotton is organic, or is it simply that the manufacturers care a little more about their end product? Perhaps it’s both. I suspect that’s the case with today’s featured company, Soul-Flower. “Cool Threads for Kind Heads” is their motto, and the men’s, women’s, and children’s ethical…
A Natural Hair Loss & Growth Remedy

Diane

4 Nov 2009 | 10:27 am

Today I’ll share the remedy I mentioned briefly in yesterday’s posting: a natural remedy for hair loss and hair growth. I’ve known of this remedy for quite sometime, but it really proved itself to me during my experiments as a no ‘poo person. (And for the record, I’m still no ‘poo, going on 6 months now!) The magic remedy is really a two-fold process as I’ve learned: rosemary oil and good old scalp scrubbing. I’ve always been a shedder; been losing hair all over every house I’ve ever lived in. It gets everywhere, and although…
dkM’s 800th Post!

Diane

3 Nov 2009 | 5:45 am

Vote for dkM for the Natural Beauty Blog Award! Click Here for Giveaways & Coupon Codes 800 Posts, Yet I Still Miss Writing with One of These I was going to write a post about hair loss and rosemary oil, but when I realized it was the 800th post for dkMommy Spot, I knew that just wouldn’t do. So instead I decided to write about nothing. Or something in the form of nothing, something being that this is the 800th post and should be marked accordingly. Probably not marked with a remedy to naturally remove Super Glue from the kitchen counter (anyone know, by the way? I…

Not Calm (dot com)
Finally

Jenijen

1 Nov 2009 | 8:24 pm

I finally got my own dot com. It's not ready yet, but come on over.
What is it up in the air for

Jenijen

29 Oct 2009 | 2:23 am

I live about a mile from the house I grew up in (the west coast house, that is) and Lex goes to the same middle school I did. Back then it was a junior high, and I still call it that because I'm old and cranky that way. Every day when I drive my younger kids to their elementary school, I drive past the house of the boy I had my first kiss with (this song was playing I thought it was about Magic Johnson, but I was a total goober in seventh grade). I am pretty sure that one of his wife's young cousiny relatives is on Lex's soccer team, but honestly I…
Arrrrgh, we be makin' the homemade candy corn

Jenijen

24 Oct 2009 | 4:34 pm

recipe hereThese are so good that I hid a stack from everyone else and we are making another batch after supper tonight. Sophie stopped her pumpkin carving last night (well, she enlisted SG to do all the work anyway, so really she just moved away from the pumpkin) so she could stand with me and make teensy little pumpkins out of some of the dough. The littlest one is the size of a barbie earring. So.Cute.Willow made some, too, and also a skeleton. Lex's soccer team won 8-0 today, Nate had a bye, Willow's team lost by one but she thinks they won and I'm…

Girl's Gone Child
My Parents (Are) Awesome

GIRL'S GONE CHILD

6 Nov 2009 | 10:28 am

I was going to submit this picture to My Parents Were Awesome but decided to post it here, instead. Wendelin Welsh and Lawrence Woolf at UCSD, Summer 1976The following winter, they married and five-years later, I was born, but in this picture (which currently resides on my fridge) Wendy and Larry were just two crazy college kids in love.Thirty-three years, three children and two grandchildren later, they still are. As a married person who knows how hard it can be, that's some seriously inspiring shit. My parents were awesome. They're even cooler now. Eating fish tacos with the grandkids,…
costumes of the literal kind

GIRL'S GONE CHILD

4 Nov 2009 | 7:59 pm

Archer trick-or-treats with friendsThe beauty of a child's imaginative naivete is that they believe. They believe a costume is a magical transformer - that people are what they say they are. That looks aren't deceiving.On Halloween (Archer) was a Chess King and his sister was a Flower Garden and his parents didn't look like they were supposed to look and that was REAL to him. And so? I went with it...More...GGC
18/100

GIRL'S GONE CHILD

3 Nov 2009 | 11:48 pm

This Tuesday's track has been on heavy rotation in the GGC household for a handful of years. It was Archer's favorite song for a minute before Bizet swooped in and effed everything up with that Carmen of his. Here's to Adam Green. And Jessica Simpson; America's muse.18. Jessica Simpson: Adam GreenGGC

Notes from the Trenches
Um, hello there…

Chris

4 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am

My life, it is overwhelming right now. Everytime I sit down to open my laptop I just don’t even have the energy to do it. Instead I have been: trick-or-treating (the amount of candy in my house should be against the law) making dentist appointments (see above) playing Duplos with my baby (shut-up he is a [...]
Might As Well Jump

Chris

31 Oct 2009 | 3:55 pm

This was not on my life list, but it really should have been. Bounce in a bounce house until you pee your pants. Also awesome is the fact that my oldest son grabbed my camera and took photos all on his own.
Random

Chris

29 Oct 2009 | 8:34 am

Things I just don’t get about school. Tomorrow is apparently pajama day at school. I am so confused by this. Why does anyone want to wear their pajamas out in public. Maybe all of your children have adorable, school appropriate pajamas, but uh, we do not. Pajamas at my house look like: 1) Old ill [...]

Sarah and the Goon Squad
I’m Going to Vote, but I am Still Mad at You

Goon Squad Sarah

3 Nov 2009 | 9:29 am

Dear Everybody Running for Everything, At this point the best way to earn my vote is to promise to propose legislation to make all those damn automated phone calls telling me who I should vote for illegal. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah ps – Stop calling my house after 8:30 PM, I have little kids. I hate you all.
On Handwriting

Goon Squad Sarah

1 Nov 2009 | 9:09 am

This is for Beth. Feel free to play along.
Quitters Never Win

Goon Squad Sarah

30 Oct 2009 | 8:05 pm

Last night I dreamed that I started smoking again. It was such a realistic dream that I can tell you exactly how many cigarettes I smoked. Three. I woke up feeling terrible about myself. When will this stop? My Mom quit smoking in 1980. It has been almost 30 years and I remain under strict instructions that whenever the doctors tell her that she is going to die (she is fine now, she has been telling us this for years) I am to bring a carton of Newports to the hospital where she will smoke them one by one. Yes, I know you can’t smoke in hospitals anymore. I am assuming we will be able…

Multi-Minding Mom
This Week in Review

6 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

Come see what I've been talking about at The Full Mommy this week. MADD's Power of Parents: Learn how to speak to your children about drinking and driving. Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories: Score in... (This is a partial feed. If you would like a FULL FEED, please subscribe to Multi-Minding Mom instead of this tired old summary feed. Trust me, all things are better in full feed.)
Foodie Friday: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

5 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

We were a little late carving our Jack-o-lantern this year, taking on the task on Halloween proper. But a track record of hungry (or just plain naughty) neighborhood squirrels may make same-day... (This is a partial feed. If you would like a FULL FEED, please subscribe to Multi-Minding Mom instead of this tired old summary feed. Trust me, all things are better in full feed.)
T1 Tuesday: Beginning the Insulin Pump

2 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm

Conservatively, my daughter has had: 2,156 finger pokes,1,617 injections by pen needle, and539 injections by syringesince her diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in May of 2008. It ends here. Well, not... (This is a partial feed. If you would like a FULL FEED, please subscribe to Multi-Minding Mom instead of this tired old summary feed. Trust me, all things are better in full feed.)

Suburban Turmoil
There's a Reason It's Called Suburban Turmoil

6 Nov 2009 | 6:35 am

What can I say, guys? This blog has been sadly neglected over the last few weeks, with good reason. I've gone on a roadtrip, continued adjusting to life as a kindergarten mom, chased after my 2-year-old son, weathered a few family crises, and lost ten pounds. Tis the season, I guess, for Turmoil. Never anticipated, never appreciated, but it happens and I just have to get through it the best I can.I hope pray think things may finally be getting straightened out and I've got lots of great posts coming up, starting on Monday. So thanks for sticking around- and stay tuned for the old Suburban…
From the Suburban Turmoil Mailbag

4 Nov 2009 | 5:48 am

Okay, so I get sort of a lot of weird e-mails (although hardly any trolls, which is great, given all the crazy things I've written about). If I can remember, I save them in an inbox folder for days like this, when I could use a good laugh. Here are a few good ones.Just Call Me Teri HatcherTo: Suburban TurmoilFrom: RatnaSubject: about suburbanHello Lindsay… firstly, Let me introduce myself, my name is ratna but just call me nanaI’m from Indonesia , and also I’m still as a student college in English departmentwell I’m so interest with you’re works… Your blogs…firstly, I like the…
Halloweeeeeen!

2 Nov 2009 | 1:28 pm

Halloween came and went and a good time was had by all.I congratulated myself on surviving yet another Halloween using items from our dress-up box in the playroom, although we had a near-crisis Wednesday, when we went to see the stage show of Little House on the Prairie" and Punky informed me afterward that she absolutely had to be Laura Ingalls for Halloween and nothing else would do.Fortunately, my kind friend Amanda had given her a prairie bonnet at the show, which went a long way toward making her last-minute costume happen. I paired it with a brown-patterned dress, added a fancy long…

Suburban Oblivion
More Google Wave Invites!

Sara

1 Nov 2009 | 11:49 am

Short and sweet- I have 11 more Google Wave invites to pass out, and no one to give them to! You know the drill, leave a comment and Monday night I will pick 11 random winners from the comments. Been living under a rock and are not sure what Wave is? Check this out. Like it? Share it!
Think the Drama Doesn’t Affect You? Think Again.

Sara

18 Oct 2009 | 8:16 pm

The last few days have been a bit rough in the blogosphere as many were rocked by finding out Nic, aka My Bottle’s Up fabricated a story regarding the TSA “kidnapping” her son for a full 10 minutes despite their clear policy to never separate a parent and child. With no hesitation do I use the word ‘fabricated’ because as of the time I write this post, TSA has updated their blog on this, and have now released ALL footage related to the incident, from every angle, and at no time was her son ever removed from her presence, period. Oddly enough, the worst part in…
Why the @mybottlesup Story Really Chaps My Ass

Sara

17 Oct 2009 | 6:21 pm

Yesterday a fairly well respected mommy blogger began a series of Tweets that went wild with retweets nearly from the second it was posted- TSA allegedly broke it’s own rule about never separating a parent and child, and ripped a baby from the arms of his distraught mother, taking him away from her and out of her sight for a full 10 minutes because of a pacifier clip that went off in the security checkpoint. She posted the very emotional story on her blog, describing in detail all that happened. Mothers were outraged, and everyone sympathized with her fury over this mistreatment as she…

Surrender, Dorothy
Girls Weekend

Rita Arens

6 Nov 2009 | 12:47 pm

I'm off to Lawrence in a few hours to celebrate Steph's pregnancy with two of our three college roommates. The last time we got together sans kids and husbands was in Florida, probably three or four years ago. I can't even remember. I haven't let myself think about it too much because this week has been so crazy busy, but now that I've completed the tasks that absolutely had to be done today, it's time to hop in the shower and pack and buy a box expensive bottle of fine wine so I can spend a day and two nights remembering what it is like to hang out.Remember…
When Kids Hit School, Parents Hit the Thesaurus

Rita Arens

4 Nov 2009 | 10:21 am

I was reading my friend Liz's blog yesterday. She wrote about how her daughter's teacher told her daughter that "poop" is a bad word, causing Liz and her partner to abandon their poop jokes. I, lover of the English language, consider no words to be bad. Just sometimes inappropriately used. I will not be winning any parenting awards when I say that I have a sailor's mouth, sometimes even around my daughter. I don't set out to say "fuck," it just occasionally happens. Still, it does make me somehow proud that she chastises me on my use of the word…
Novel-in-Progress: 46,000 Words

Rita Arens

3 Nov 2009 | 6:41 am

Now that it's November, people might think I'm doing NaNoWriMo, but I'm not. I've been working on this novel since June, and there is no way it's going to get done by the end of November. Ha ha ha ha ha. Ahem. Ha. But I did turn a corner last Friday. I ended the second third and rounded the corner in my head into the last full section of the book. I'm at 46,000 words now and still aiming for 75,000 before I start cutting. The novel is definitely feeling young adult at this point, and I think YA word count is supposed to be between 55,000 and 70,000 words. About…

Sweetney
Invictus

Sweetney

6 Nov 2009 | 10:09 am

This year, it's been about loss for me. Loss of my ten year relationship, my eight year marriage. Loss of faith, trust, stability, security, my sense of my own place in the world. Loss upon loss. Losses I can't even begin to articulate.
Baltimore: We will out-freak your city any day

Sweetney

4 Nov 2009 | 10:03 am

I need some help here. Please explain to me what the narrative is behind this little yard diorama I stumbled across Halloween night:
Song Of The Week: The xx, "Crystalised"

Sweetney

1 Nov 2009 | 6:37 pm

Scribbit | A Blog About Motherhood in Alaska
Ann Clark Cookie Cutters and Bear Hnads Mittens Giveaway

7 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

I've got a great snowy-day prize package here for you today, first Ann Clark, Ltd. has sweet little cookie cutters in all sorts of shapes--tea cups, dragonflies, high heel shoes, and--of course--holiday cutters. Copper and stainless steel.This prize, courtesy of Ann Clark, has a set of six holiday cutters in a pretty little gift box like you see here. Love that moose!Second, Bear Hands makes the cutest kid-warming mittens shaped like bear hands--get it? Bare hands? Anyway, in all colors and so many sizes they promise to be the "it" thing to cover those precious paws.Cookies? Mittens? Now all…
Winter Activities in Anchorage 2009

5 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

It's been cold this past week but still . . . no snow. Though I'm preparing and sending out my annual winter activities list because you know it can't hold off forever. One of these days we're going to get some of the white stuff.Never had a green Christmas yet.Here, in no particular order, are some of our favorite winter activities which we'll be sure to partake of this year. See you on the ski trails!1. Go ice fishing. The 23rd Annual Ice Fishing Jamboree out at Jewel Lake is free with poles, warm-up tents and all equipment provided--perfect for kids and adults alike. My own children love…
How to Make Corn Husk Dolls

4 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

We made these old-fashioned dolls this weekend and they were a big hit.I keep thinking this one needs a cute little bonnet and she'd be perfect . . . she's been christened "Rosie" by our friend Emily across the street.Here are step-by-step instructions on making your own, the only thing you need is some twine and some corn husks. If you're like me, you don't exactly have corn growing out back so the easiest thing to do is to go to the Mexican section of the supermarket and get a packet of dried corn husks for about two dollars.Remember the tamales from last week? Well one package of corn…

The Silent "I"
Planning a Trip to Easter Island

Glennia

5 Nov 2009 | 10:30 am

If you're interested in visiting Easter Island aka Isla de Pascua aka Rapa Nui aka "The Navel of the World," be forewarned that it is far, far away from any main airport hub and it will take a while to get there. Lan Chile flights out of Santiago, Chile leave twice weekly, stopping off in Easter Island en route to Tahiti. Your choices for direct flights are either out of Santiago or Papeete, Tahiti. Be sure to book your flights well in advance. Further, there are limited hotel rooms on the island, and no major American or European chains. The hotels are locally owned due to laws…
Carnival of Cities Blog Carnival: November 4, 2009 Edition

Glennia

4 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am

We have great group of travel bloggers providing their expert tips and advice on traveling in this week's Carnival of Cities! Join our intrepid travelers as they scour the globe for interesting, fun, and just plain cool places to go and things to see. I'll be your tour guide this week. USA Starting out on the East Coast, for all you baseball fans, Christian Carollo presents Back to Back: Philadelphia Phillies posted at Christian Carollo Photography. Christian documents last year's World Series winners and hopes for a repeat performance. Will they or won't they? Yankee fans might beg to…
Submit to the Carnival of Cities Blog Carnival

Glennia

1 Nov 2009 | 12:59 pm

On Wednesday, November 4, I'm honored to be hosting the Carnival of Cities Blog Carnival. If you have a recent blog post about a place you love, tips on traveling there, or just want to extol the virtues of your hometown, just submit your entry using the Carnival Submission Form at the Carnival of Cities and I will post it here. It's an easy way to generate some link-love for your blog and check out some other great travel and hometown writers in one place. The current Carnival is being hosted by the fabulous Vacation Gals, so check it out!

The Mac Mommy
On Our Way Home

5 Nov 2009 | 3:08 pm

Can't wait to see Lucian!!!Melissa Davis TheMacMommy Sent from my iPhone Posted via email from TheMacMommy
The Arrival of Keagan Rowan Davis

5 Nov 2009 | 12:05 am

Here are some photos taken over the past few days documenting the arrival of our newest son, Keagan Rowan.(see slideshow — if your browser lets it load — or click on the link to the online album.)Keagan was born on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 6:28 am via Cesarian Section performed at TMC in Tucson, Arizona.Keagan weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and measured 19 in. long. He latched on and nursed soon after delivery. http://picasaweb.google.com/themacmommy/KeaganRowanSArrival?feat=directlinkThe surgery went very well despite large amounts of scar tissue from the previous C-section that made it take…
Say Hello To Keagan

2 Nov 2009 | 10:07 pm

Daddy & Mommy are FINALLY going to try and rest now that Keagan has finally nursed again. He's great at it, just very lethargic at times. Posted via email from TheMacMommy

This Full House
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Times When You Just Can't See Your Desk for ALL the Unfolded Laundry!

Liz@thisfullhouse

4 Nov 2009 | 6:46 am

Laundry...FOLD THYSELF! Check out the Official Wordless Wednesday HQTag, you're it: Wordless Wednesday © 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.
All I Want for Christmas

Liz@thisfullhouse

2 Nov 2009 | 11:04 am

In case you're wondering whatever happened to Monday Mornings the Doofus-Dawg? He's lost in a pile of laundry. Aaaaanway, I was supposed to start my "real job" today (YAY!) but. they offered to give me an increase to 4 hours, 3 times per week and I took it (more milk money, double-YAY!) but, I don't start until next week (BOO!) and I've got somethin' else to show you. [grin]So, feel free to grab a cup of cawfee, or whatever, I'll wait! © 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.
Not So SAHM, Anymore

Liz@thisfullhouse

30 Oct 2009 | 6:01 am

Mom, but what BIG ARMS you have -- why, yes, the better to hug you with, my dear!For years (or, as long as this blog has existed...anyways) I have considered the phrase, "Stay-at-Home-Mom" an oxymoron, like: The Great Depression - to which, my in-laws insist that it was, in fact, you know, not so great. Dry lake - although, I don't seem to have an immediate problem with dry wine. Original copy - as opposed to, a copied original, I think. Clearly misunderstood - is one of my husband's favorite phrases, actually (he's married to me, I know, SHUDUP!) Makes no sense, right? Sort of like a house…

and baby makes 6!
Spooktacular

Jody

1 Nov 2009 | 11:07 am

I am pretty sure the best way to view the original Frankenstein movie is on the lawn of the local haunted mansion. My kids were totally fascinated by the story….if not a bit scared of the ominous backdrop behind the screen. I am not sure what that says about us that they can sit [...]
Ghost story

Jody

30 Oct 2009 | 9:16 am

I watch the western sky, The sun is sinking The geese are flying south It sets me thinking I did not miss you much I did not suffer What did not kill me Just made me tougher. When my beloved father died, my son was 35 weeks inside my womb. There is a joy and fierce protectiveness that comes with pregnancy. You will do [...]
You can do almost anything

Jody

5 Oct 2009 | 10:53 am

I wanna have the same last dream again The one where I wake up and I’m alive Just as the 4 walls close me within My eyes are opened up with pure sunlight. I’m the first to know, my dearest friends Even if your hope has burned with time Anything that’s dead shall be regrown And your vicious pain, your warning sign You [...]

Three Kid Circus
Snippets

6 Nov 2009 | 9:36 pm

NaBloPoMo #6 My six-year-old just spent the last hour sitting in a basket in the middle of the living room. My other two kids also wanted to sit in the basket, and when given the chance, likely would have stayed there all night, just to prevent their siblings from sitting in the basket. How can I work this to my advantage? Would adding another basket work? Kids that put themselves in a penalty basket are a-okay with me. laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller laller I did an awkward dance of joy after discovering a hidden stash…
Episode IV

5 Nov 2009 | 9:12 pm

NaBloPoMo #5 Seriously, someone needs to slap all the Star Wars references out of my head. Must be the CPAP breathing machine that makes me identify with Darth, and the newly honed Jedi (Jen-nai?) Mind Control powers I'm busting out all over the place. All I know is I've been running around making the wookie noise, as demonstrated by these fine fellows: Anyway, I'm just getting warmed up with the Star Wars conceit. Heh. Where was I? Ah yes... A NEW HOPE. So, we finally met with a surgeon, who gave us the low-down on all the pathology and MRIs and sonograms and mammograms and all that stuff.
Patience is not MY virtue

4 Nov 2009 | 10:09 pm

NaBloPoMo #4 You know what I hate? Trying to get through to insurance companies, doctors, medical centers and government offices. I have a feeling I'm going to be an expert at kicking down doors very shortly. This means I need some new boots, I think. Or a white uniform. HAI-YAH! image via

slackermama . com
Kidlets

Marilyn

4 Nov 2009 | 5:15 pm

I haven’t talked a lot about the rugrats lately. (Let’s not mention that I haven’t talked a whole lot about ANYTHING lately, shall we?) So I figured I should probably try to make up for that. Harry is back at school (at last!) after being off for the month of October. There were some nice things about him being around (he keeps Liam busy) and some not so nice things about him being around (he gets Liam all wound up and hyper). All in all, I’d say I was pretty happy to see him return to school. Even though it’s all half days this week. Stupid…
NaBloPoFail

Marilyn

3 Nov 2009 | 12:34 pm

So pretty much every year since I’ve been blogging, I’ve done NaBloPoMo. Except this year. You wanna hear my excuse? It’s really good, I swear. Ready? Okay. Here it is: I forgot. Seriously. I totally forgot. And because I’m an absentee internet-er on the weekend, I didn’t see other people’s NaBloPoMo posts until, oh, yesterday. Afternoon. *cough* I’m kinda disappointed in myself here. I mean, this is the confirmation that I have been sucking at this blogging this lately. I forgot NaBloPoMo, for crying out loud. I rocked that dang thing…
Forward (sorta) Progress

Marilyn

2 Nov 2009 | 11:51 am

So things are keeping on keeping on around here. On the weight loss/healthy eating thing, I have to give myself props. I’ve stuck with it. And there have been a few indulgences here and there but not as much as I would have expected. In many regards, it has been as simple as making the decision and sticking with it. But putting on my jeans from last year and having them snug? Sorta was a wakeup call. Time to lose some weight. This weekend, what with eating out at fast food joints several times, it wasn’t as hard as I would have expected. Kile has already been…

Karen Sugarpants
Things I’ve Learned By Being Quarantined To Our House For a Week. Has it Been a Week?

Karen Sugarpants

5 Nov 2009 | 2:23 pm

The dog likes to watch me do laundry. Her dishes are in the laundry room and at first I thought it was a silent plea for fresh water or new kibble, but even after I take care of her needs, she carefully watches me load, fold and reboot the laundry. I hope she is studying and will surprise me one day by taking on this dreaded chore. I would like to gather up all the telemarketers in the world, take them to a deserted island and never look back. That’s pretty much the nicest way I can say that. What’s hilarious is the Government’s Do Not Call List. What a bunch of…
They Pay Me in Beer, But At Least They Put a Lime In It.

Karen Sugarpants

4 Nov 2009 | 7:59 am

Guess who I’m writing for now? Only the coolest group of writers to ever grace the internet with their celebu-prowess and awesome-sparkley-cornholios: MAMAPOP! Yes, the lovely Sweetney asked me last week if I would like to join their team of SPESHUL RITERS and after totally-not-squeeing maybe-a-little squeeing, I said yes! It was like a marriage proposal without the kneeling, just like the MamaPop party at BlogHer was like a wedding without the silly vows. It was just the danc-y drunk-y part where everyone is all “I love you man.” And oh how I love me some MamaPop, man! So…
Protected: Blindsided

Karen Sugarpants

3 Nov 2009 | 10:04 am

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password:

TheBloggess.com
I’m in Japan and too sleep-deprived to come up with a good title. Also, I’m very, very grumpy.

Jenny the bloggess

6 Nov 2009 | 3:32 pm

So I’m still in Japan. Day 847. Or Day 6. Something like that. All the days blend together here because my nights and days are still mixed up and I haven’t slept more than 3 hours at a time and it all feels like I’m trapped in a weird Hunter S. Thompson story except that there are less drugs and more puddings that look like boobies and I spent the day disguised as a Japanese prostitute. Those links both take you to my satirical sex column, by the way, because they’re paying for all the really fucked up parts of this trip. Thanks, Eden Fantasys! Now my…
Sue me. I’m awesome.

Jenny the bloggess

30 Oct 2009 | 10:34 am

So this weekend I leave for Japan. ”Why?” you ask? Because it’s there. And also because I got drunk one night and Victor asked me if I’d go to Japan with him and apparently I said yes. This is what happens when you get drunk around Victor. You wake up in the morning and need a passport. Whenever I mention it to people they’re all “JAPAN! THAT’S AWESOME!” but to be honest I’m a terrible traveler and Japan scares the shit out of me and all I really know about Japan is that Godzilla was born there. Also, I may be mixing Japan up…
UPDATED! An open letter to the King of Germany who might actually only be a Prince. I didn’t really research it. But we’re at war now so you’ll probably hear about it on the news.

Jenny the bloggess

29 Oct 2009 | 10:00 am

Dear Mr. King of Germany: It has been brought to my attention that your daughter is either impersonating me or mocking me in her royal portrait. Exhibit A: I’ve been rockin’ this look for years so I can only assume this is an act of aggression on her part. That’s why this morning I declared war on Germany. I try not to judge people for their parenting skills but I can’t help but think this is kind of your fault for not reigning your daughter in (Get it? “Reigning”? Because you’re a king? I kill me.) but lucky for you, I am a kind and…

Woulda Coulda Shoulda
Love holds on

Mir

5 Nov 2009 | 10:38 am

Yesterday dawned and brought with it a fever and listlessness for the girlchild, so I got her brother packed off to school and her set up on the couch and tried to salvage the day. I worked, she dozed. Somewhere towards lunch I stopped to stroke her hair and prepare myself to murmur “Poor little [...]
Totally changing her name

Mir

3 Nov 2009 | 7:44 am

Licorice is pretty much exactly what we imagined, when people told us about how great it would be to adopt a rescue dog. “They’re just so grateful,” people said. “They bond to you in a way other dogs don’t. They just love you SO MUCH.” [Come to think of it, people tried to tell me that [...]
And a punny time was had by all

Mir

2 Nov 2009 | 6:56 am

Halloween dawned damp and full of expectation, here, and Chickadee was up and raring to go first thing in the morning. Monkey was still asleep at 9:30 when I went into his room to make sure he wasn’t dead, which meant, of course, that he was sick. “I’m FINE!” he groused, as I took his temperature. [...]

Scenes from the Crooked Maple...
SHOAH

Birdie

4 Nov 2009 | 7:09 pm

That's the Hebrew word for Holocaust.The history of Hitler's rise and the persecution of the Jews has always baffled me. To this day I cannot comprehend how a group of nations, previously civilized and modern, suddenly becomes overwhelmed with a sort of mass delusion that a certain section of their society had cost them the war, thus deserve extermination. I can't imagine that kind of complete hatred. Worst of all is that they did it using the title of "Christian". I just don't understand that.I believe that history always repeats itself in some way or another and I believe that this sort of…
Paine's Crisis

Birdie

3 Nov 2009 | 9:29 am

Thomas PaineThe Crisis(paragraph one)December 23, 1776THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be…
Look What Happened to My Family!!

Birdie

21 Oct 2009 | 11:10 am

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!StarringMad Scientist - GrammaFrankenstein - my DadWerewolf - BruddahBride of Frankenstein - my MomDracula - Big Daddy!Thanks Braddah for making it & sending it. What a hoot!

amalah . com
Sick Day

amalah

6 Nov 2009 | 7:54 am

I appear to have, as Sundry put it, a touch of the Hamthrax. Or some kind of flu. I went to bed with the beginnings of what I assumed was a cold and woke up in the grips of some horrible, lung-hacking, breath-sucking, stomach-purging, body-aching, I'm-hot-no-I'm-cold-so-cold-oh-my-God-get-these-covers-OFF-ME type of illness.It's awesome, let me tell you. I managed to drag my diseased ass out of bed and onto the landing where I begged Jason not to go to work and leeeeeeeave me with The Children, Oh God, Not The Children. Then I went back to bed and moaned piteously for awhile.
Five Toys That Are Made of Magic

amalah

4 Nov 2009 | 7:47 am

FULL DISCLOSURE: These are not paid product reviews. If they were, I probably would not get paid, because I'm not sure toy companies appreciate being compared to monstrous black magic hell demons. The links are Amazon Associates, meaning if you decide to buy a monstrous black magic hell demon today, you can click through and reward me with a shiny 1/8th of a penny, or you can open up Amazon in a different browser tab and navigate to the toys yourself, muttering "fuck you, Amalah" the whole time. I am totally fine with either.1. Hasbro Playskool Busy Ball Popper The Busy Ball…

Petroville
Big Things

Kimberly

5 Nov 2009 | 3:05 pm

I almost missed it. I got so caught up in the excitement that I forgot to celebrate my 1 year anniversary. It was one year ago yesterday, Election Day 2008, that I quit smoking cold turkey. Yes, I miss it and yes, I am a few pounds heavier but every time I am weak I remember how cancer took away one of my dearest friends. I recall the day I chose to break the nasty habit and I think, “Yes, I can.” One day at a time, one month at a time…and now it has been a whole year. Happy Anniversary to my lungs. The excitement I got caught up in is big news, too. I am now a contributor…
What Would They Tell Us?

Kimberly

1 Nov 2009 | 4:48 pm

We’ve all wondered it at one time or another… What would my pet say if they actually could talk? Well, I’ve got the next best thing. Follow me. Post from: Petroville No scraping. What Would They Tell Us? Share it: © Kimberly for Petroville, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments Add to del.icio.us Search blogs linking this post with Technorati Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Contests, Pussy Cats, The Danes.
Win Tickets to See the Dog Whisperer!

Kimberly

1 Nov 2009 | 2:46 pm

No, I am not kidding you but let’s not put the cart before the horse. We need to talk about this. First and foremost, my animals have issues. I have a 3yr old 150 pound Great Dane that squats when he goes out to pee. And when you let him back into the house, he wags his tail so hard that he breaks it open and leaves slashes of blood down my white hallways. Also? He poops on the driveway when the grass is wet. Have you seen a pile of Great Dane poop? This is a problem. My other dog, Kasey, a 12 yr old rescued mutt, is well behaved for the most part. On bad days, she’ll try to dig…

Antique Mommy
Ridiculously Easy Three Bean Soup

Antique Mommy

6 Nov 2009 | 3:54 am

I thought that going into the weekend you might want a recipe for a soup that is easy, hearty and most of all yummy. And there’s a good chance that you already have most, if not all, of the ingredients on hand. What I love about this bean soup is that it calls for vinegar [...]
The Happy Face In The Sky

Antique Mommy

4 Nov 2009 | 8:11 am

In his famous poem Ode to Immortality, Wordsworth wrote that our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting. I’ve always loved that imagery. I love the idea that at one time, in some unknown form, we dwelled with God, that we communed intimately with him, knew every line in his face, the softness of his [...]
Growth Spurts, Money Jars, The Circle Of Life And Other Things

Antique Mommy

2 Nov 2009 | 2:19 pm

About a year ago, Sean’s grandmother gave him a money jar which sits on top of his dresser. It is a big plastic jar that looks like a pickle jar, only it has a slot on the top which shows a digital reading of how much money has been deposited. The digital reading is about [...]

Babylune
Florida Baby Found

Eliza Ferree

6 Nov 2009 | 4:56 am

The Florida Missing baby has been found in a bit of a bizarre scene. As I last wrote the babysitter had admitted to writing a letter and demanding basically the state do something, when they state didn’t she did. IMG: Sxc.hu Apparently She carved or bought a cedar chest just big enough for Shannon to fit in and slid right under the bed. No one would’ve been wiser to a baby being under the bed, but it was discovered that a tiny infant was in fact in it and still very much alive. The only thing missing was a bottle. No clue where the baby will go right now but both women are being…
Update in Florida Missing Baby Case

Eliza Ferree

4 Nov 2009 | 4:35 pm

There has still been no sighting of baby Shannon, however a babysitter, Susan Baker, has come to the media with proof that she wrote the Govenor earlier this year explaining that this little girl had drug abusing parents and that she loved her and didn’t want to see it destroy the baby’s life. Police are now looking into seeing if there is a possible link in the disappearance, especially if nothing was ever done. IMG: Sxc.hu Back in 1987, Baker’s stepson who was only 3 disappeared and has never been found. She was charged back then with 10 years in prison for abuse. Could…
Leah’s Body Bib Winner

Eliza Ferree

3 Nov 2009 | 5:03 pm

One lucky reader won the Leah’s Body Bib, this contest got 21 entries, which kind of made me sad as I know I’ve seen more before. Leah handcrafted each item on her Etsy page and these adorable bibs go over the entire outfit so you never have to worry about a juice stain on that white t-shirt/white dress again. IMG: Leah's Place The winner will need to contact me via email homemom3@gmail.com with your mailing address so I can get it out to her. The winner of the contest was #14. helenlam The Zoo Animals design for the bib is really cute Congratulations to the happy winner,…

Tiny Mantras
A Gigantic, Happy Halloween

TZT

31 Oct 2009 | 5:57 am

Do you know where in the universe you might find this?400 years ago, Galileo concluded that it was orbiting this:And with that, humanity took a giant step toward the realization that Earth isn't the center of the universe.We've had a full week of being Jupiter. At parties. Out trick-or-treating. At school. At Perkins Observatory. Sometimes with Europa-esque cracked-ocean face paint, but mostly without. He even won honorable mention for his costume at our neighborhood party last weekend. We thought about festooning his cheeks with volcanoes à la Io, but with all of this Halloweening, Declan…
Change your luck

TZT

28 Oct 2009 | 7:47 am

Subscribe in a reader Copyright Tracy Zollinger Turner, Tinymantras.com, 2009.
Wild things

TZT

18 Oct 2009 | 7:08 am

There's this strange, displaced, unsettled feeling that can creep around you when you grow up with divorced parents. Places that you are supposed to call home don't always feel like they are yours. You're more likely to have people closely entangled in your life that haven't been invested in you all along... people who didn't know you when you were tiny and squishy and so clearly emanating the glow of endless possibilities. Even if they love you, they're as likely to fear as understand you when you act crazy or angry or pained or restless. They are less likely to know how to muster compassion…

gwendomama
We Made It!!

1 Nov 2009 | 11:15 am

This morning Bubbles woke up and asked me if today was The Big Day.Bubbles: Today is my birthday, Mama?Me: Yes! Today is your birthday!Bubbles: Today I am four?Me: Yes, today you are four! Happy Birthday!Bubbles: Oh, I'm four? I keep saying, 'am I four?' and you keep saying, 'not yet!', BUT I MADE IT!!!!Indeed!!!Happy Birthday, Bubbles - every day you bring more joy into my life than the day before.And, since you share my silly sense of humor....I hope you like your cheeseburger cupcakes.Love, Mama.
Fish Oil in Peanut Butter? Really?

23 Oct 2009 | 8:20 am

I wrote this about fish oil and peanut butter and pleasant surprises.
In Honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

20 Oct 2009 | 9:34 am

To the abuser; If you want to apologize to your victim, I mean really apologize (as in, 'you have genuine feelings of remorse'), here is my advice to you. Do not ever follow up your apology with a 'but...', thus rendering it no longer valid. Do not go on to say - yet again - that your actions were defensive. Unless someone was hurting you physically, threatening you with a weapon, or physically hurting another person, your actions were not defensive. 2.a) Chasing someone into a house to violently grab them, shake them, keep them from leaving a room, bruise, batter and choke (twice) does not…

The Domestic Diva
Halloween in Pictures

The Domestic Diva

6 Nov 2009 | 10:58 am

Halloween might have come and gone but that doesn’t mean there aren’t photos to remember the fun festivities. Here are the best shots from the week… Photog Superman and Dinosaur Darth Vader Glow (an elephant ear in sunlight) our oldest kidlet Smart Do you have any photos you would like to show off this week for Fotografi Friday? Leave links in the comment section so we can all come check them out. If you liked this post, you might like these as well:Happy Halloween!My Halloween Costume is an iPhone app?Walmart Exclusive Halloween Gear: ... Thank you for subscribing! You are…
My Favorite Wordpress Plugins

The Domestic Diva

5 Nov 2009 | 9:00 pm

I’ve been a fan of self-hosted wordpress since I made the switch from Blogger back in 2005. Over the past several years I’ve learned so much working with wordpress. One of the things that I have learned is that when trying to figure out how to do something, always ask yourself… Is there a Plugin for that? Wordpress Plugins make the world of Wordpress go ’round. So today I thought I would share some of my favorite wordpress plugins with you. Below is a list of plugins that ... Thank you for subscribing! You are reading the content summary of this post, please visit…
My Best Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Domestic Diva

5 Nov 2009 | 10:52 am

The other day my Mom was over to visit. We were sitting in the living room watching a movie together when I all of a sudden had a craving for hot chocolate. I sadly though had nothing more in the kitchen than Hershey kisses so I attempted to experiment if I could make hot chocolate with what I had on hand. The result was simply delicious. My mother quickly proclaimed that it was “the best hot chocolate” she had ever had. So I thought I’d ... Thank you for subscribing! You are reading the content summary of this post, please visit http://thedomesticdiva.org to finish reading…

Home Ec 101
Fearless Friday #25

Heather

6 Nov 2009 | 5:07 am

Heather says: Guess what! Chiiiiiiiicken butt. Sorry, my two year old has been saying that all week and it’s stuck in my head. It’s already Friday again, how does that happen? It’s a good thing I was ahead of the game by being fearless on Sunday when I played hostess to a large group. Everyone knew when I sent out the invite that chaos would reign supreme and the point of the gathering was to keep me from drowning in leftovers. There were kids zooming around hopped up in a post-Halloween sugar frenzy and at one point, every inch of counter space was in use. I need to…
Apple, Cranberry, Sage Dressing

Heather

5 Nov 2009 | 5:37 am

Heather says: Inside the bird it’s called stuffing, outside it’s dressing. Sometimes families or regions will call one the other. It doesn’t matter here. This recipe is for a savory dressing that contains sweet apple, tangy dried cranberry, and crunchy almonds. The original recipe called for sausage, but I use sausage in the cornbread dressing I serve. If you’d like to use sausage, use 1/2 pound of pork or turkey sausage. Brown it and use the drippings instead of the first 2 TBSPs of butter to saute the onions and celery. This recipe yields 10 servings and can easily…
Countdown to Turkey Day 2009: The Soft Menu Plan

Heather

4 Nov 2009 | 4:46 am

Heather says: Yay! Another pen and paper exercise or maybe if you’re wired weird and serving a bunch of people it’ll be a Google spreadsheet. I’m still being teased for that, if you must know. Today’s exercise is not the final menu. This one has three versions, your ideal Thanksgiving dinner, the one that would make everyone happy (you know with Granny’s Waldorf Salad, Aunt Teppy’s Green Bean Casserole, etc), and then the compromise that is the reality of the holiday. On the compromise menu make sure you include at least one item that will bring you joy.

Chicago Moms Blog
Explaining the Ft. Hood Tragedy

svmgadmin

6 Nov 2009 | 8:37 pm

Cross posted from our sister blog, DC Metro Moms Blog. I grew up in a military family. My father was a career Air Force officer, as was his father. My brother joined the Army a few years after high school and served two tours in Bosnia before he got out. Of course then he gave my mother a heart attach by turning around and joining the Ohio National Guard. Thankfully, he returned from a tour in the Middle East late last year. My husband spent 20 years in the Navy - 3 on active duty and then 17 in the Navy Reserves. I also happen to live in the Hampton Roads area of…
Local Option

Cynthia -

6 Nov 2009 | 2:16 am

Preferential seating at Millennium Park for Chicago residents? Really? That's what Alderman Eugene Schulter pitched at City Council budget hearings. He claims "You have people from the suburbs who get there earlier and glom on to all the seats..."I get the argument that Chicago taxpayers footed the bill, why don't they get first dibs on seats. I do. The reality is...Chicago taxpayers made up about 57%, while private donors picked up the other 43%. That aside, if folks from the suburbs want to drive in and plunk down their hard earned money to park and enjoy a free show, what kind of a message…
Rules of the Road

Susan @ 2KoP

5 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

There's a storm on the horizon, a battle brewing between motorists and cyclists, and it promises to be ugly, if not deadly. I'm not sure when bicyclists went rogue, when it became a badge of honor to cut off (and flip off) any motorist in their path, but suddenly I feel under siege by these two-wheeled renegades.Don't get me wrong, I like bike riding as much as the next woman. I was thrilled when my youngest finally joined the ranks of bike riders this summer. Personally, I was an early and avid rider and, even during my most aggressively anti-exercise phases, I have always enjoyed a…

DC Metro Moms
Explaining the Ft. Hood Tragedy

Lawyer Mama

6 Nov 2009 | 6:38 pm

I grew up in a military family. My father was a career Air Force officer, as was his father. My brother joined the Army a few years after high school and served two tours in Bosnia before he got out. Of course then he gave my mother a heart attach by turning around and joining the Ohio National Guard. Thankfully, he returned from a tour in the Middle East late last year. My husband spent 20 years in the Navy - 3 on active duty and then 17 in the Navy Reserves.I also happen to live in the Hampton Roads area of Southeast Virginia, home to one of the largest concentrations of military…
Get Thee Outside

Linda Kerr

6 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am

Welcome November! My second least favorite month (next to February) of all the months in the year. Perhaps you're thinking, really, does this lady rank her months? Well, it's not quite like that. Historically November and February are boring, unexciting, cold and usually wet months, sometimes here in Northern Virginia we'll get some snowy conditions. As a family who loves the outdoors, we have to readjust expectations during the yuckier days, weeks and months ahead. Four years ago, I had been trained by the wonderful Swedes, during our brief time in Stockholm, to embrace all weather…
Gym Childcare: Mandatory TV?

Jessica C.

6 Nov 2009 | 4:54 am

When a huge new gym with a low monthly fee opened a mile from my house, I was excited to try it out. During the tour, I asked about the TV in the childcare room. In my previous gym, the childcare worker yakked on the phone with her back to the room while the TV babysat her charges. "Well, some kids like to watch it, but it's not on all the time," the manager said.A few days later, I filled out the forms to leave my son there and asked the childcare worker the if she could turn off the blaring 80s sitcom that neither the 10-month-old baby on the floor nor the six-year-old girl coloring at a…

NYC Moms
Explaining the Ft. Hood Tragedy

svmgadmin

6 Nov 2009 | 8:40 pm

Cross posted from our sister blog, DC Metro Moms Blog. I grew up in a military family. My father was a career Air Force officer, as was his father. My brother joined the Army a few years after high school and served two tours in Bosnia before he got out. Of course then he gave my mother a heart attach by turning around and joining the Ohio National Guard. Thankfully, he returned from a tour in the Middle East late last year. My husband spent 20 years in the Navy - 3 on active duty and then 17 in the Navy Reserves. I also happen to live in the Hampton Roads area of…
How I Know I'm a Mom

KarenTV

6 Nov 2009 | 2:25 am

Dropping my son off at school one morning, he suddenly and urgently expressed the need to blow his nose. At that very moment, the bell rang. After frantically searching for a tissue to no avail, I took a deep breath, pulled up my sweater, and had him blow his gross green boogies right into my undershirt. I'm well versed in the routine of wiping a nose with my sleeve, rolling up said sleeve, and repeating that all day long (don't ask why I never seem to have tissues on hand). But a full on nose-blowing into my shirt? That moment, for me, punctuated the realization that…
Do Kids Need a Personal Trainer?

Marinka

5 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am

I read an article in this week's New York Post which alarmed me. Parents are hiring personal trainers for their children to help them lose weight. From what I gleaned, these children aren't morbidly obese, but they have a few extra pounds. One mom explained that their family is so busy that they do not have time to teach their 8 year old to ride a bike. Another mom is quoted as saying that NYC kids don't have time to be active. I get that they are busy. We are all busy. But when someone claims that we are too busy for their children to run around, to play sports, to ride…

BabyCenter: MOMformation
My sunshine gets a shade

MotherProof

6 Nov 2009 | 12:35 pm

In Colorado we get more than 320 days of sunshine each year. San Diego has nothing on us (except that large body of water they call the Pacific Ocean). The sunshine is great, but the sun exposure – especially in the car – makes me worry. Why do only rear-facing infant car seats have [...]
Babes’ Blog, Week 114: Little girls need their mommies to sleep with them

Betsy Shaw

6 Nov 2009 | 9:19 am

It’s hard to believe Isla’s going to be four. On the other hand, considering the time I’ve spent awake with her when I should have, could have, been sleeping, shouldn’t she be about eighteen by now? “What are you doing, Isla?” I asked her after breakfast yesterday, the day she learned that something called her birthday was [...]
Ask Annie: The toddler who won’t stop talking

Ann Pleshette Murphy

6 Nov 2009 | 5:35 am

Renowned parenting pro Ann Pleshette Murphy has volunteered to field your childrearing questions. This week, Annie gives advice on how to keep your sanity when your child’s developing love of language is pushing you to the brink. Michelle Says: My 23-month-old daughter is very energetic and creative. Her vocabulary is very clear and I’m very grateful for that. [...]

Stimeyland
They're Never Going to Let Me Forget

4 Nov 2009 | 6:04 pm

In case you missed this...Here is Quinn's artist's rendition of the event:Remember when I was so happy that he was starting to draw?I take it all back.
Sibling Responsibility

3 Nov 2009 | 12:38 pm

I've always thought that Jack is so lucky to have two such wonderful brothers. As a very shy young person myself, I know how important it is to have a sibling to help you out. I have vivid memories of my sister being asked to hang out with me during elementary school recess because she had friends and I didn't.However, no matter how glad I am that Jack has Sam and Quinn to help and teach him, it also pains me a little bit to give them the extra responsibility of helping to take care of him.Most of what I ask them to do are things kids would already do for neurotypical siblings. For instance,…
The Force Was Strong at My House

1 Nov 2009 | 7:43 pm

This post is mainly for my mother.A long time ago (you know, Saturday), in a galaxy far, far away (a.k.a. Maryland)...Two Jedis faced off against Darth Vader.Or you can refer to them as Charlie's Angels in Space.This is quite poss