My third child is two and a half. She’s killing me today. Over the last couple days she has climbed up the washing machine to get in the medicine cabinet, colored her entire face with a purple marker, destroyed all my makeup as she got “boodeefull,” walked out the front door without a word, refuses… Read More 11 things to do when Mom can’t take any more
I often describe the troubling times I have with my children on this blog (like here, here and here), but today I had some clarity. As I sit here in a rare moment of being completely alone on a rainy morning, I’m thinking of the ways the kids have enriched my life and character. Yes,… Read More Have your kids changed your character?
How to get kids to take turns. How to get kids to stop complaining. And how about getting a kid to decide on a Halloween costume! I’m covering all of these today in my list of favorite mom hacks. And just to make sure this post is not misleading you into thinking that I have… Read More 14 favorite mom hacks
Today I’m adding two-year-old girl gifts my kid gift series. Clara turned two in April and I’m fascinated to see the difference between her and her brothers tastes in toys. She likes some things that they did, of course, but then she wants to carry a little purse around and always has a baby under… Read More Gift ideas for 2-year-old girls
Clara has really amped up her game since she turned two. She learned how to open doors and climb out of her crib in one day. The next day I put her down 34 times for her nap. The following day, 60 times. 60 times! We put all the bar stools in the garage because she climbs… Read More 25 effective toddler discipline strategies
I am a stay-at-home-mom and also work from home. Marcello does all his office work here as well. For awhile our house looked like a daycare blew up, but because we eat, sleep, play and work all in this one space, we had to simplify and get organized! On top of spending loads of time at home,… Read More How I organize my house with kids
Clara’s favorite place at our local children’s museum is the play house. It has a kitchen, table, high chair, ironing board, food. She could play there for an hour, but her brothers never let her. So I thought I would try to recreate that space in her room with things we already had. And she loves it!… Read More Making a bedroom a playroom
I am so excited about having an advent calendar this year! Last year I was thinking of activities last minute and shoving them in the doors when the kids weren’t looking. But this time I’ve got a plan! And I’ll share it with you. I’m adding a few new things to our Christmas activity list. I thought… Read More Printable Christmas activities for advent
Need a Christmas or birthday gift for a one-year old girl? This is my third time being a mother to a one year old and I’m a little more cynical wiser about toy choices. Pit balls in a wading pool, not a great idea. More toys is not better. And too many toys with batteries… Read More Gift ideas for 1 year old girls
This is a tricky post to write. But if I don’t write it, I would feel dishonest. I’ve been going through a bout of depression and lots of I-don’t-wanna-be-a-mom-today moments for the last month. I said it. It’s not pretty. It sounds ungrateful. But it’s still true. Depression is not a common enemy of mine,… Read More When Mama is TIRED
Last night my visiting aunt was hysterically laughing at my life. She literally said “I’m laughing at your life,” which made the rest of the family snort with laughter! I love that about her. Watching the ridiculous chaos my kids embody reminded her of when her boys were small. She couldn’t help but giggle at our everyday nonsense of… Read More On going from 2 to 3 kids
This is my second time potty training. My first time, I potty trained my oldest son at about two years and three months. I read a couple articles online and gave it a go. We had a few messes, but he caught on fast and was fully trained in two or three days. I thought the second… Read More Potty training 101