Occasionally, I do write more than 2,200 characters (thanks for the limit, Instagram), and when I do, you will find those words here. I also love participating in Calling It Home’s One Room Challenge, which happens every spring and fall. You can find past rooms I’ve worked on here. Want some help with your own One Room Challenge? Let me know so that we can get planning for the next round!
I don’t know about you, but in my house, we often find ourselves saying “no excuses” when we talk to our kids about communication. You know the drill.
Parent: So. Where have you been?
Teen: Uhhh.
Parent: Is your phone broken?
Teen: No. I was going to call you but…
Parent: What about your fingers? Are they broken?
Teen: No. I was uhhh…
Parent: So, you were just MIA? No call, no note, no nada?
Teen: <blank stare>
Read MoreLast summer, on a random Thursday, I threw a cowboy party for the kids. I gathered up some hats and bandanas, made some cookie dough, added balloons, and it was a party.
It was not a big deal in terms of preparation. It was certainly no mermaid party. But it was a fun surprise for the kids and all of them – even the teens – had a great afternoon.
Read MoreThis post is sponsored by the fine folks at Wayfair who asked one simple question: tell us about your dream patio. All opinions in this post are my own. As if you had to ask.
Do you know who is in need of an outdoor space makeover? My mom.
Mom moved to Idaho from Louisiana two winters ago. The house she purchased had been sitting vacant for quite possibly forever, which meant that most of the backyard landscaping had gone to weed. We are talking nothing but dandelions and dirt. Not a single blade of grass. Mom has invested some serious energy getting her yard in shape. It is high time for her to enjoy the space that she’s worked so hard to clean up.
Read MoreEvery time I throw a party, there is at least one point in the preparation stage, typically two or three days before the party, when I think to myself that I must by absolutely crazy to be doing whatever it is I am doing at that very moment. Last week, that moment came when I was painting glitter scales on a cardboard mermaid photo backdrop. For a birthday party. For five-year-olds.
Read MoreIn case you’ve been in a social media black hole, Mother’s Day is right around the corner (May 10th to be specific). And while it should not be necessary to have a separate category of cards and gifts for the non-bio moms in our lives, today we are going to talk about cards for step-moms. But first, we are going to talk about step-moms.
Read MoreFive years ago today, I was life-flighted during a hail storm from my local hospital to the nearest hospital with a neo-natal unit. It sounds totally dramatic and I suppose it was, but I was so drugged up, I remember very little of it. My sister-in-law can tell you the details. She got to fly in the co-pilot’s seat since the three nurses (dubbed “The Charlie’s Angels” by my sister-in-law) and I took up all the room in the back of the plane. It was a small plane.
Read MoreRemember a few weeks ago (ok, seven weeks ago, but who’s counting?) when I said my twins were already getting into planning mode for their 5th birthday? Do you also remember how I told you that the twins had decided on a knight and princess themed birthday party? They were dead set on the idea. They were pinning things. We bought a dragon piñata. We searched the dollar store for decorations. They were all, “Mom, let’s make swords.” And “Mom, can we [editor’s note: “we” always means “mom” when my kids use it in this context] make everyone dragon tails? ” And “Mom, what if someone doesn’t want to dress like princess? I can ask everyone what they want to be and then you can make them all a costume.”
Read MoreI thought you might want to see where I'm working these days. I managed to go from idea board to reality. It's a miracle.
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