101 Things to do Before the End of Summer

Summer time play

Summer break starts in just a few weeks. I am in shock. My kids have attended summer camp the last few years and I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with them all day when they are home for Summer vacation. I used to look forward to Summer and the extra time with [...]

A Caterpillar Named Mason – PSF/GMYBS

Caterpillar to chrysalis

It’s Caterpillar Project season in 2nd grade. Caterpillars and chrysalis’ and mallow plants are all Reese has wanted to talk about this week. So when she brought a fuzzy caterpillar home on a stick on Tuesday, I figured it would be fun for her to observe it for a few hours. It’s our policy to [...]

Savoring Spring

Savoring Spring

I’ve been thinking a lot about savoring the season – not only the Spring, which I am loving, but this season of my life….which I am not loving so much. According to this month’s Fishful Thinking newsletter message from Dr. Karen Reivich, savoring is an important part of happiness. Dr. Reivich suggests thinking about the [...]

Finding Balance and Being Present

One of the hardest things about making the transition from dedicated-stay-at-home mom of young children to a work-at-home mom of older kids was finding a balance between getting my work done and giving my kids (and my house) the attention that they deserve. It is a constant concern for me, and one of those issues [...]

The Love List

The Love list

I am sitting at my desk. I am trying to start a post inspired by a fantastic conference call I was on tonight with Dr. Karen Reivich and my fellow faculty moms with the Fishful Thinking program. For an hour we shared and discussed how our families give and receive love. It’s just before 9:30 [...]

My Motivation

Skinny beach picture

This year, I did something I typically don’t do. I made a New Years Resolution. I usually steer clear of the ever-popular New Years Resolutions because the idea of setting goals once a year has always turned me off. I like the idea of always striving to be better and setting goals as they are [...]

Thanksgiving Daily

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! While you’re taking a break from the holiday preparations today, here is a short video about noticing the little, ordinary things of beauty. This weekend, while you are thinking about the things that you are thankful for, I challenge you to do one of these great Gratitude-Inspiring activities from Fishful Thinking. They [...]

Critical

crane on a penny

Help me win the Amazing Avocado Big Hit Grand Prize ($5000!) for my yummy Avocado recipe by voting daily for me at http://www.theamazingavocado.com/bighit/vote.php?id=8 I love my kids. They are strong, caring, beautiful children. I love being a mom. I love that I can stay home with them, even if I am busier now than I [...]

The Face of a Happy Child

Reese @ mcdonalds

This is the face of a child eating a Happy Meal (she doesn’t get to eat those very often!). This is the face of a happy child. This is the face of a child enjoying her mama’s undivided attention. A child with an unexpected, spontaneous 3 hour mommy-daughter date. This is the face of a [...]

Indoor and Outdoor Activities For Summer

Summer activities for kids

For some of you, Summer is already in full swing. For others (like us) Summer hasn’t quite started yet, but will be here before we know it. The transition from full time school to full time play can be tough. It’s important (for us) to maintain a routine, even if that routine is different than [...]