Had an epiphany in the dentist chair today. No, it’s not that I need to quit eating doughnuts (that’s the epiphany I have at the gym). The dental hygienist handed me a bag with the toothbrush, toothpaste and floss in it and asked me to wait for the dentist. I looked at it and thought […]
A License to Con
If Santa is coming to your house this year, you have a golden opportunity to con your kids into good behavior. I learned about this from a friend (thank you, Susan!). You must get the Elf on the Shelf. You know when something is created by a mom, it’s going to help you. What is that, […]
Timing is Everything When You Are Stalking Yard Waste
I invited two friends over for Girls Night In to make wreaths tonight. I had everything ready, just needed to get the fresh greenery. 2 hours til go time: I go to Lowe’s. I bought some black garbage bags to put the tree trimmings in. While I was doing this, a couple of people were cleaning […]
Girls Night In
If you have childcare or budget restraints but still need to get your girlfriend time, consider Girl’s Night In. I have a friend, who’s husband travels every week so we started doing Girl’s Night In at her house so we could see her. We get together after her kids are in bed and each bring […]
Tips on Inexpensive Gifts for Kids
It’s that time of year again. Gift-giving time. Need to buy a lot of gifts for a lot of kids, but don’t want to break the bank? Check out places like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Ross and even HomeGoods. They have great prices on a variety of toys. Sometimes there is a blemish on the packaging, […]
Everything in a size 2 is cute
Even ugly clothes are cute when they are size 2. And at places like TJ Maxx and Ross, where I was today, the cutest clothes on the rack are in size 2. They lurk in the section with your size (not size 2) so you get all excited when you see them. It’s really one of the cruel things in life. […]
Dear Kiddo – Making Memories That Will Last a Lifetime
From pictures and video to scrapbooks and blogs, there are many ways to record events and memories of your kids. But the one that means the most to me is a simple letter. When my first child was born my husband and I wrote her a letter when we were in the hospital. The letter […]
#1 Rule of Sharing: Two Minutes
Here’s something I learned from another mom that works like a charm. Two kids want the same toy. A fight ensues. You can diffuse the situation with the 2-minutes rule. All you do is ask one child to ask the other if they can have the toy in 2 minutes. Typically they agree and both […]
Give Cinnamon Peas a Chance
I have a really hard time getting my kids to eat green veggies. My son, in particular, is very focused on sweets. Things like cinnamon rolls. So, I invented “cinnamon peas.” I made a big deal about it when I presented them to Charlie and he loves them and even asks for them. I even […]
It’s a Miracle!
At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, which this is not, I felt compelled to tell you what enzyme cleaner I used to clean up a mess made by my son. I used Nature’s Miracle, which I actually just borrowed from a friend with two dogs. It worked like a charm on my beautiful sofa and […]
Online Retailers
Amazon.com | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Nook
Now Available in iBooks!
Support a Small Business
Smart Toys & Books
The Adorable Child
Soap & Candle
Crib N' Carriage
Pickett Fences
- "No you cannot sit on brother's face. No sitting on faces!" -- Ravyn, Ramallah, Palastine
- “Sweetheart, please don't throw yogurt at kitty.” Like saying this would actually STOP her... - Anissa, Chicago, IL
- "Get your fingers out of your nose and START EATING!" -Me, Knoxville, TN
- “We don’t tie up our friends – even if they’re part of the game.” - Jackie, St. Louis, MO
- “Mama, I yawned and sauce came out!” (vomit)
– Sydney (3) Maryville, TN
- My husband has my babies all by himself this week. When I was leaving town today, I asked Walker if he thought they would be ok . He said, "Of course, Mama. You left us food and I have a light saber."
-- Walker (5) Tupelo, MS
- "You are really annoying, and it is NOT opposite day."
-- Bryce (6) to Reed (8) Eagain, MN
- "Mom: Do you think you can be good at school the rest of the week – it’s only two more days…
Son: I’m not sure… “I can’t tell the future and I don’t have a working time machine.”
– Ethan (6) Milwaukee, MI
- My husband: “Charlie, lay down here next to me so we can talk.” Charlie lays down nose-to-nose with him, pinches his nose and says, “I do this so I can’t smell your breath.” -- Charlie (4)
- “Once upon a time, at the healthy Mexican restaurant…” -- Charlie (3)
- “Mommy, you gotta lotta grass in your nose.” -- Molly (2)
- One of the mother’s day out teachers was stroking Charlie’s hair at nap time when he said, “My Daddy, he like it.” -- Charlie (2)
- “My dolly wants some M&Ms for a snack." -- Charlie (2)
- “I would like a snack of mayonnaise.” -- Charlie (3)