While we were away last week, I took the kids to a small neighborhood playground a few times.
Since we’ve been visiting this same town twice a year for more than five years, I pretty much know my way around. I’m so thankful for this small, simple playground. It provides such a needed release for pent-up-in-a-hotel-room energy. [...]

I’m not sure where I first saw this tip, but it’s a super yummy one.
For a healthy (and summery!) snack, put a bunch of seedless grapes in the freezer. Whether you eat one at a time or a whole handful, they’re delightfully sweet and fat free! My kids absolutely love them and sometimes even call them [...]

Ever since we had Ferris, I have been meaning to take some photos of her and Evan together… mainly as a reference later to their size comparison.
Since Evan was a preemie, she’s still much smaller than her age. In fact, last week we met our friend’s seven month old baby and she is the same [...]

That’s what the price of milk is doing. It’s over the moon!
Yesterday, I bought a gallon for $3.82. Yikes. And that’s the generic store brand. The “real” brand was more than $4 a gallon. AUGH!
I remember when we first moved here a little more than six years ago, we could buy a gallon for $1.88. [...]

We’re back from our trip… I have many funny stories to tell. I’ll post photos soon, too. 
This morning, Evan was in one of her “loud” moods. (This is true most of the time. What she lacks in size, she makes up for in volume and pure spunk.) She likes to be seen AND heard, so she shouts [...]

I’m signing off for a week. As I wrote about yesterday, we’re headed to the land of “hup-twos” and about-faces. Where the rifles and yarns are spun. Where the Amish are plenteous and the kids rowdy.
From my post last year at this time, please remember:
And, finally, if you’re a burglar looking for a [...]

We’re going to be out of town all next week. It’s time for my hubby’s semi-annual gig as instructor at the Honor Guard Academy again. That means a week of no housework, occasional swimming, and me with five little ones in (two adjoining) hotel rooms. Time to get creative.
My parents came to visit today and took [...]

I’m a child of the 80’s. The majority of my younger childhood was in the eighties. (Not high school, mind you.) Admittedly, I’m one of those people who actually looks on those years somewhat fondly.
I enjoyed rolling up the sleeves on my T-shirts, doubling up on coordinating colored socks, playing games on my Commodore 64, and [...]

In an effort to get the kids to at least help with the housework, I find myself creating lots of “games” to get them motivated. Their current favorite is what they call the “Toy Number Game.” (That’s what they decided to call it when I made it up.)
Basically, it’s a race to see who can [...]

Connor used to climb in bed beside me every morning for a bit of special snuggle time. Unfortunately, that has pretty much stopped. Now he stands beside the bed and basically shouts, “Breff-kiss, Mommy. I want breffkiss. Get up… Now!” Not nearly as cute.
Two days ago, however, he let me snuggle him briefly. I took [...]