Home Management

Replace the missing tiles in the swimming pool. Yes, this task has been on my “home maintenance-to-do's” for quite some time, and last week, we finally got to cross it off the list! I discovered that the project had been started...

I was so excited when Baylor started to eat solid foods because it meant I could start to use my handy little appliance, the Beaba BabyCook. I gently steamed and pureed a month's worth of baby food the first...

It’s official now. Easton is crawling. My little man is on the move, and (OH MY!) how my world is changing. He’s everywhere and into everything already. Honestly, I approached this crawling milestone with equal portions of dread and...

This month, I threw three social gatherings in three days.  A wine tasting, a baby shower and a birthday party.  It was more than chaotic.  Between shopping, cleaning, invites and unexpected hiccups, I was spent at the end of...

As the relentless Arizona heat gives way to our version of fall, we look ahead to the holidays. For a child is there any time more magical? As a mom I've often felt the weight of creating these moments,...

A few weeks ago I set out to find a calendar for my two-year-old daughter, Baylor. I wanted her to be able to see what was on our calendar each day and learn the days of the week. To...

Happy Labor Day, Valley moms! Now, let’s talk about Christmas. Wait, wha…? I know it’s 100++ degrees out still and it’s even hard to believe that Halloween decorations are out in full force, but today I want to talk about kids...

I was so excited when I learned my husband and I were having a daughter. We were elated to pick out her name, wonder what she would be like, buy frilly pink dresses and of course, decorate her soon-to-be room....

I love taking a peek into people's diaper bags (or purses for you much more experienced and wiser moms). I'm not sure why but I feel like it gives me insight into that person's life - insight that I'd...

I'm constantly thinking about how dangerous our super-hot summers can be for children.  Everytime I hear of a drowning accident, child forgotten in a car or other tragic stories, my mind spins and I know that I'm not immune...

I am back with another post about food!!! Being 6 months pregnant, our cooking club is about my favorite thing right now. I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing than hanging out with a group of...

As a cloth AND disposable diapering mom, I hear on the playground all sorts of crazy tips about diapers, where to get them, who has the best ones AND even how to get the stinkies out of my cloth...

When my first child was born I bought a couple of popular baby sleep books. Without getting into a Big Ol’ Infant Sleep Debate, let’s just say that one of them in particular didn’t mesh with how I wanted...

I don’t know how many of you out there are like me in this regard or not, but I tend to stress about the unknown. I don’t care for surprises, I love knowing what I am getting myself into....

Easton has a favorite place in our house. It’s where we play, read stories, spend tummy time, and visit the “other baby”...It's his MIRROR WALL! See, he absolutely LOVES it! This was one of the easiest and cheapest projects I did...

Just the other day I had not one but TWO people complement me on my ability to keep my house neat and tidy.  In fact, I think the words were "you do a nice job keeping house."  The complement...

When I was a senior in high school, we were each asked to write a short statement to be included in the yearbook under our photo. I took that opportunity to first thank my family for their love and...

I don't know about you, but ever since having kids I've felt as if our schedules have gotten out of control.  And not with dinner parties, date nights or work functions. Instead our calendars are filled with playdates, routine...

One of my favorite mommy blogs, BecomingMom, has a series entitled “Mommy SOS” where she asks her readers to give their insight into various mommy-matters. I’ve always loved these posts as I feel like all of ...

This is a public service announcement.  Seriously, what kind of a friend would I be if I withheld VALUABLE information about cleaning?  If you know me, then you will know that I'm pretty mellow and "relaxed" about what "clean" means. ...

Last month, I shared my love of fresh produce that comes with the rising temperatures.  If you haven't gone to the Simple Farm, today's market day.  :)  Today, I want to share another hidden treasure in our town. So some...

Hello SMB readers, thanks for having me!! I am Moriah, and I am doing a guest post about our wonderful Scottsdale Cooking Club. Our fellow SCC blog writer, Mandi, was unable to attend our last meeting, so I agreed...

I can hardly believe it's been 1/2 year since Easton was born. The months are just flying by, and I feel blessed to be on this journey of motherhood. One of my favorite things over the last 6 months has...

Well, I guess it's official:  summer is here.  My summer angst isn't too different than most moms'...what do I do with the kids, what will the electric bill be in July, and how on earth am I going to...

I confess that I am writing this article at the eleventh hour in order to get it in on time.  Ahh that felt good.  I love good therapy ;) !  I have had the words “SMB article DUE” staring...

As I'm nearing the end of Pregnancy #2 I've recently forced myself to really consider what I've learned (and even NOT learned) during this season of life. Oftentimes it seems as if life just goes so quickly that it slips...

I have to admit before you keep reading, that I have historically been a terrible gift giver. It has nothing to do with not wanting to shower those I love with gifts, but rather the frustration that always came...

Have you noticed that the hip mama accessory these days is a big fancy (I think they call them SLR?) camera? Photography is a natural creative outlet for moms of young kids because – duh! – the perfect subjects...

Hello everyone! So nice to be back again! We had a wonderful time at Cooking Club last week. Unfortunately we were missing a lot of our group so we enjoyed a small and intimate gathering, where we actually got...

Can you believe Mother's Day is NEXT WEEKEND? I love Mother's Day... it really is one of my all-time favorite holidays :). Of course every day is Mother's Day in our world, but if you want to make May 8...