Sleepocalypse? I’m Taking the #BetterSleep Challenge

better sleep council

This post has been sponsored by the Better Sleep Council, in the form of a new bed (yay!). No monetary compensation has been received and, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Did you know that May is Better Sleep Month? Now, that is a holiday I can truly embrace. When was the [...]

Perfect Balance: #YopaYogurt

Tips for finding more balance in your life

Last year, I chose the word Balance to be my word of the year. After a rough 2011, I was determined to create more balance in my home, family, work, and personal life. I kept the word balance in my head all year….but I’m not sure I really achieved it. And so I decided to [...]

9 Winter Photography Tips For the Everyday Photographer

Winter photography tips

As a California native, dealing with cold temperatures and snow on the ground was not something that came naturally for me, camera in hand or otherwise. But now, as a mom and photographer living on the East Coast where we have very distinct and sometimes severe weather, I’ve needed to learn a few things about [...]

Tips for Effective Study Time

study-time-tips

Progress reports for the first marking period were sent home a little over a week ago. The reports were full of A’s and B’s, O’s and S’s, and lots of +’s. I’m very proud of my kids and the great students that they are. I think the biggest school-related challenge that I have (now that [...]

Tips for Selling on eBay #SellOnEBAY

ebay Mom and Roo wraps

My journey as an eBay seller… After my 5th child was born back in 2005, I discovered and fell head over heels in love with a brand new trend – baby wearing. Yes, mothers have been wearing their babies for ages, but it wasn’t until my last baby was born that I started seeing women [...]

School Year Survival Tips

school year survival tips

The 2012-2013 school year is well underway, and with kids in 11th, 8th, 6th, 4th, and 2nd grades….after school hours around here are hectic. Lots of homework, lots of reading, and they still have chores to do. The kids get home everyday starting at 2:30 – three by bus and two by foot. And when [...]

Tips for a Happy Summer Break – Big Family “How Do You Do It?” Series

tips for a happy summer vacation

Do you ever feel like the mom in the picture above, playing a massive game of tug-of-war during the summer just to maintain a sense of sanity with the kids? How often do YOU hear: “Mom! I’m bored!” “What are we going to do today?” “Mom, when are you going to be dooooone?” I adore [...]

Meal Time Tips From a Big Family – “How Do You Do It?” Series

meal time tips big family

I love to cook. I love to EAT more, but I do love to cook, and I dare say I’m rather good at it most of the time. I have a few challenges with cooking, though, that tend to minimize the enjoyment that I get from the task. As a mom of 5 kids, I [...]

How Do You Do It? – How This Big Family Manages CLEANING

featuredcleaning

I’ve joined a few of my blogging friends who also have big families in a new series called “How Do You Do It?” – exploring how moms of big families handle things like cleaning, homework, dinner time, car pooling, discipline….you name it! In fact, if you have a “How Do You Do It?” question for [...]

5 Easy Steps to a Mommy Makeover

woman exercising on treadmill

Plastic surgery is becoming more popular among Americans, with about a 5 percent increase in cosmetic procedures per year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2011 report. Patients had over one and a half million surgical procedures and over 13 million total cosmetic procedures. An increasing number of these are performed on new [...]