• parenting teens
    Health

    My Back to School Fashion Rant #BTS

    August 4, 2013 - By 

    My daughter is not a Barbie. She will never fit into skinny jeans. She is my first born. My heart. A talented, kind-hearted, perfectionist who rocks pretty much everything she does. (with exception of ballet, which she could never get the hang of, and one tiny area of math called measurement ) She is not a Barbie. She is not standard issue. She is a beautiful, smart, healthy, athletic kid.  Payton swims like a fish, just got third place at a dive meet in town, sings soprano with an acting troupe. She loves science and drawing and collects other kids…

  • how_do_I_get_rid_of_monsters
    parenting

    How Do I Get Rid of Monsters?

    August 1, 2013 - By 

    How do I get rid of Monsters? Every single parent knows there comes a time when you ask yourself how do I get rid of monsters? How do I get my child to stop thinking there are monsters hiding in the closet or under the bed? How to get rid of monsters is something you will get good at. Trust me.   We have found several ways to get your child to sleep again. At one point my youngest was super convinced there were monsters hiding in her closet. Luckily that passed, but not without a bit of work on our part.…

  • parenting

    Great Mystery Box #Giveaways #Canada Only

    August 1, 2013 - By 

    A slew of Canadian bloggers teamed up to bring this great giveaway to you this month. I couldn’t resist sharing it and bringing this opportunity to my readers at thriftymommastips.com. Here’s what you need to know.  This amazing and fun mystery giveaway runs from August 1st – 15th. You can enter for a chance to win one of 4 amazing mystery boxes filled with surprise goodies you’re gonna love!  Each box contains specially themed-filled, brand-new goodies (save for media reviewed items, such as books and DVDs,) including:  Baby ($500+ value), Kids ($250+ value),  Health & Beauty ($500+ value),  and the…

  • Food - Travel

    Cheezborger #Travel #WordlessWednesday #Linky

    July 31, 2013 - By 

    Cheezborger, Cheezborger. Chips no Fries. Our last afternoon in Chicago we wanted something fast to eat and the Embassy Suites bell boy recommended this place, which I had never ever heard of, but is apparently a legend from Saturday Night Live Days. We walked in (Margarita Ibbott and I ) and it was totally skeevy. I tried to order something other than a cheeseburger and I thought the cook was going to lunge across the counter and strangle me. Good thing I didn’t ask him for french fries which is what I was really craving. This is a Wordless Wednesday…

  • family - Travel

    Win a Family Trip to Syracuse ARV $950

    July 30, 2013 - By 

    Welcome to the Syracuse Family Getaway Giveaway! This Giveaway is made possible by the Syracuse Tourism Organization! HOSTED BY: OTTAWA MOMMY CLUB CO-HOSTED BY: CANADIAN BLOG HOUSE ~ JOURNEYS OF THE ZOO ~ LIFE IN PLEASANT VILLE ~ SHANNON’S VIEW FROM HERE GETAWAY PACKAGE: 1 room with 2 double beds for 2 nights at Double Tree Hotel by Hilton for a family of four with buffet breakfast for four each morning based on availability. Valid through 4/30/14 4 Tickets (2 adult & 2 children) to the Pole Position Raceway in DestinyUSA 4 tickets (2 adult & 2 children) to the…

  • family travel - Travel

    First Day in Chicago #Blogher13 #travel #health

    July 28, 2013 - By 

    Day One in Chicago and we celebrated with a Sea Dog Cruise at Navy Pier, hosted by Madame Deals. The architectural and fireworks cruise was a fantastic way to see the night landscape in Chicago and a fun chance to catch up with some blogging friends. I woke up super early and grabbed a taxi to Margarita’s house where I knocked on the door at 4 a.m. and had no answer. Panicking just a wee bit, thinking she left without me, I rang her doorbell and she answered: “I hit snooze.” Half an hour later we were on the highway…

  • family

    #DIY How to Tie Dye: Ten Easy Steps

    July 27, 2013 - By 

    Before the girls went to camp and I headed off to Blogher’ 13 in Chicago, we had a week of manic hunting for things to do that would keep them busy enough not to kill or eat each other. I mean, we had a fun week of unscheduled activity. AKA crafting. This is one of the fun things we did together. Ainsley actually loved it so much she got all sweet and cuddly and cute.  Believe me when I say that is worth all the T-shirts in the world. 1000 times over.  How to Tie Dye: 1. Buy 100 %…

  • family

    Cousins #WordlessWednesday

    July 24, 2013 - By 

    Wordless Wednesday is a photo linkup. Last week we had the opportunity to get the kids together with their cousins. There’s something about being with your cousins that brings out the monkey in every child.

  • active family travel - Health - infertility - Parenting - parenting - special needs

    Hoping for Okay: Sending A Special Needs Child To Camp

    July 23, 2013 - By 

    Sending kids with special needs to camp is never simple. You have to vet camps hard to find one that might be capable of handling your children. Oh I know most make mention of inclusive policies and such. But, I have seen how this works in practice sometimes and it doesn’t. So, forgive me while I hold my breath and pray that this camp works this time. This morning, I woke fingers crossed and holding my breath. Today I have both kids at camp. No fires to put out. No demands beyond work. No calls from the camp stating: “What…

  • Travel

    Almost Ready My #Blogher13 #travel To Do List

    July 19, 2013 - By 

    It’s almost time again for #Blogher13 and I am happy to say I am almost ready. I have spent a large part of this week getting things in order. Of course it helped a wee bit that my kids have been enjoying Modern Martial Arts day camp in town. Awesome week for them equals much work done here.  My Conference Prep List. 1. Hair. Check. Cut and Freshened Up (I’m not about to say dyed so get over yourself.) 2. Pedicure. Done. Chicago Champagne shade of OPI nail polish (how could I resist as I am heading to Chicago for…