Giving New Meaning to Parenting

This past weekend we took our daughters on their first camping trip. It has been a few years since my husband and I have been camping, and doing so with children added a necessity to be prepared for everything. A few weeks ago we purchased them hot pink sleeping bags. I didn’t think they would [...]

The older boys (nearly 12 years old) went on a camping trip to Mammouth Cave in Kentucky with their Scout troop this week. As soon as I heard about the trip in January, they were signed up. What an amazing opportunity! I was jealous to not be going along with them.
Over the [...]

For a good many of you, it’s holiday time at your house. Lots to do, lots to enjoy, especially when you’ve got kids. I’ve spent some time reading through what seems an endless array of web pages focused on Easter and Passover projects for kids. Here’s just a few interesting sites – my hope is [...]

Ever wanted a mini-chalkboard in your purse?  I love carrying around this mini-whiteboard in my diaper bag!  We use it for our grocery list, for occupying bored kiddos, for drawing maps to random people asking for directions, etc.  Of all the things in my bag, this is one of my most versatile items!  Here are [...]

We made it to March! Phew. Spring will be here soon in my neck o’ the woods. I’ve been in the mood to plan ahead a little bit this year, and thought I’d share some of ideas I found online for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. For an historical and encyclopedic definition [...]

Kids have fears. We all have our thoughts on how to address them. The noted literacy activist, Pam Allyn, wrote a thoughtful essay on how bedtime stories can ease childhood fears. The essay also includes fantastic recommendations for bedtime books (and who doesn’t love a good book recommendation?) -
“When the sun goes down, fears come [...]

My husband takes an annual ski trip each January. He is an avid skier and since we live in Arizona doesn’t get to snow ski nearly as much as he would like. I feel he deserves this trip since he is the main financial contributor to our family. He allows me the opportunity to stay [...]

This summer seemed to fly by.   Between the usual summer festivities, two grandmothers in the hospital and my triathlons it seems like it happened in the blink of eye or perhaps I should say the drop of a sippy cup.
Next weekend is my last triathlon of the season.  I have to say that I’m looking [...]

This weekend we took advantage of beautiful weather by riding our bikes around the university campus where my husband works.  We stopped at the library and picked out a few books to borrow.  We continued on to the student union, which houses an enormous aquarium that never fails to delight us.  We then looped back [...]