It’s never easy to be the new kid. Unfamiliar faces, an unexplored campus, and seemingly strange dynamics all await your child on day one, and they know it. Imagine your child skipping happily into a new classroom, making ten friends, and having someone to sit next to at lunch. Got that out of your system? […]
“Play is the work of a child.” -Maria Montessori It’s the last day of the month and my submission for SMB is due within 24 hours, or else I will not be eligible for an entry into a drawing for a fabulous prize. The perks of being a contributor are really good! I seem to […]
My first-born turns 5 this month, …and it seems like a really big deal. I’ve been working this mom gig for basically 5 years now, and trust me when I say that I am nowhere near being an expert, or even knowing anything at all. But I do feel like on this auspicious birthday, that I have […]
Recently I’ve been repeatedly confronted with the idea that parenting isn’t always convenient, but it’s always worth it. I haven’t thought too much about this as my kiddos are 4 and 1, but it’s becoming ever more apparent that the time for complicated questions and concerns is here for our 4 year old. I am […]
My sweet husband and I just welcomed our third bundle of joy, giving us three under five — two in diapers. What were we thinking?? Also, who in their right mind has a third kid in August in Phoenix?! ….but that’s another blog post for another day. For two of our pregnancies, we elected to leave […]
When I first approached the subject of mom tribes I was missing my California life, specifically my life as a mom of babies and toddlers. I was missing the camaraderie that comes from new motherhood, the swapping of baby food recipes and how-to’ s of potty training. I was missing the park meetups, long stroller […]
Before the school year ended, I talked to a mom who was on her way to pick her son up from t-ball and then drop her daughter off at swim team, in between getting supplies for their after-school art enrichment class and finding glitter for crazy hair day at school. Immediately the voice of comparison […]
New moms get so many product “suggestions” thrown their way. “This is the best carseat!” “Use this and your child will sleep!” “These onesies are double the price, but the best on the market.” You spend thousands of dollars before the baby is even born, and guess what? You probably won’t even use half the […]
Summer brings a smile to a Mom’s face in most states, but here it’s the dreaded months where we have to find alternatives to the parks we love. Thankfully the Valley is getting better at offering indoor activities in Scottsdale for kids and some even go the extra mile to offer toddler-friendly times. As I […]
Motherhood brings pictures. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of pictures a year. We try to capture every precious moment and although we use many to share with friends on social media, there are those we take to keep for ourselves those are the pictures that will make us cry tears of nostalgia when our babies are in college. […]
Dear Blue Bell, What? Did you really think I forgot?? When a teensy, weensy listeria outbreak forced us apart in April of 2015, I choked down Blue Bunny in a rebound attempt. It’s been nearly 2 years, and I’m not too proud to admit it: I……. never got over you. We grew up a mere 90 […]
I love a good workout on Thanksgiving morning. I fully admit, it makes me feel less guilty when the pies come out of the kitchen, or when I reach for seconds of mashed potatoes and gravy. It also helps me stay in my normal workout routine and show my kids exercise is part of a healthy […]
Our first born is celebrating her birthday this month and as I reflect on my almost seven years of motherhood, I am in awe of all the amazing experiences and moments we’ve shared as a family. I’m also very humbled by life lessons that come with motherhood. For me, realizing that “asking for help is […]
I have a love/hate relationship with the last three months of the year. I love it because the weather tends to be pretty much perfect, the holidays are upon us, and it’s just the most wonderful time of the year. I also hate it because my family usually has to decline the fun events, or my husband and I have to go […]
I think one of the most meaningful gifts you can give someone is a potted plant. But I’ve learned that potted plants are more difficult to keep alive than they look, and after lamenting to a friend that I’ve had dozens die on me, I was informed in order for certain potted plants to live past […]
Click here to donate A toy box: Just a simple way to ease the fears of children going in for treatment at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. My heart breaks every time I take my daughter to PCH and I see all the hundreds (and thousands) of innocent children getting treated for conditions that are serious and […]
