There Are Only Moments of Happiness
Call me a Luddite. I had a simple $15 flip cell phone when I jumped into a smart phone. The iPhone4 had just been release so I got the soon to be obsolete version for nearly free. It was like fast-forwarding into the future: Internet connection, apps, email, video, and easy texting. Still, part of ...
Mother’s Day Gift that Last Throughout the Year
Today we are honored to have Alison Butler of The Petit Cadeau posting and sharing this thoughtful gift idea. Mothers. How do you express eternal gratitude to someone on one day of the year? It seems sort of insignificant, doesn’t it? The older I get, the more I struggle with gift ideas for my mother. ...
ABC Rainbow Game
They say, “April showers bring May flowers” and our Seattle skies have definitely been rainy this month. But over the last few weeks, those sprinkles have often been mixed with sunshine, making the perfect recipe for rainbows. My boys {3.5 and almost 2} and I get excited every time we discover one. Since I love ...
Involve Your Kids in Trip Planning
Today I am over at Melissa & Doug sharing 3-Steps to Ensure Your Don’t Need a Vacation FROM Vacation. One way to ensure your trip is stress free is to involve your children in planning the adventure. A family meeting is the perfect opportunity to empower your children by letting them be involved in vacation ...
Mary Poppins {in an Instagram}
1. “Oh girls, I accidentally forgot to give you one of your presents. I was cleaning and I found it today.” *Let’s just say a Christmas gift in the middle of April generates a tad bit more excitement. 2. We started the morning off with a date at Starbucks. Mmmm, dual cinnamon rolls. 3. Three ...
In the Next Lane
Twice a week my husband Shad takes our girls to swim club. I’m honored to have him writing today. Below is his story. Quinn smiles and waves from Lane One, “We’re doing flip turns!” I give her a thumbs-up and stick my flipper-clad foot out of the water and say, “I get to use flippers,” ...
10-Steps to a Successful Family Meeting
As parents, we have one primary longstanding goal: to ensure our children feel loved. I can’t help but think of the love song More Than Words by Extreme. (I sang this tune 763 times as an 8th grader.) How do we build a strong family dynamic and SHOW our children we love them? Hosting a ...
Simple Moments with Faraway Family
We are honored to have Carolyn of The Pleasantest Thing guest posting today. Learn about how she helps her son remember the joy in the simple moments they’ve spent with distant family. Have you ever thought about creating a “family book” to celebrate time spent with loved ones? We created a book that included pictures ...
7 Books for Your Little Gumshoe
Our children enjoy a lot of screen time under the guise of “educational” apps and shows. iPads, on-demand TV, and video games are competing for attention. We want our girls to read to help them succeed in school. More importantly though, we want them to treasure the joy of reading. A book is an opportunity ...
7 Pre-trip Educational Adventures
Have you ever driven the coast of California? A few years back, I enjoyed a tour exploring the history of William Randolph Hearst and his ocean-side home. Growing up, Hearst studied on the road with his mother while traveling throughout Europe. This is where his passion for art and creativity stems. Only through freedom and ...
