So, I have a 4 and a 1 year old, and a small dilemma regarding the big sister's "need" for privacy. I am sure this is an issue we will revisit on this blog with greater seriousness in ten years, however, I am currently wondering about the validity of a child requesting privacy.You know what I mean, she is hard at 4-yr.-0ld-work in her room -- creating a My Little Pony corral or something -- and in saunters her, newly walking, destructive one-year-old brother. She wails, "Mommmmy, can you get him … [Read more...]

Last night I was preparing dinner and juggling the "crazies" of the evening hour--whiny children, a play doh extravaganza on the dinner table, food prep in full effect, a famished dog needing to be fed and watered. It was shaping up to be like many of the 5pm's of days past.But then in the middle of it all, amidst the chaos and confusion, we all heard the same thing and stopped.It was a baby giggle coming from the Exersaucer wiggling in the middle of the kitchen. I must have done something … [Read more...]

This is Dh's last week of paternity leave, and I have decided to ease the transition by pretending, during the day, that he is not actually here. This has meant two days of "real" school work while he does errands or other work around the house in the mornings.I am doing this trial run because Tex wrote that she needs to be aware of her "ups and downs." and set herself up for success. I followed her advice and reflected on why I was so afraid of DH going back to work, and what I could do … [Read more...]

Could someone please explain to me why books have dust jackets? Are they, as the name implies, to keep dust off of the books? Or to make books look pretty?I just don't know what to do with the dust jackets. If I leave them on, they get torn and I feel badly, but now I have a stash of dust jackets and I have no idea what to do with them. Should I keep them? I am very clutter-phobic, so the thought of a big pile of paper that I will never use gives me chills. I know we have some librarians who … [Read more...]

"Fireproof is an excellent film that makes marriage commitment real and attainable with Christ's grace." ~ Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of LouisvilleIf anyone has trouble viewing the video above, here is a link to the website where you can view the movie trailer.Fireproof comes out today on DVD, and looks like a thought-provoking movie!  If any of our readers have seen this movie, please comment and let us know your thoughts! … [Read more...]

I was surprised to learn of other food product recalls from stores around the country!Be informed and aware... … [Read more...]

My eyes are starting to fall out from staring at booster seat explanations and statistics and reviews online... I hope you don't mind if I take a shortcut and ask for your advice.Here's our situation: baby Angelina is about ready for a convertible carseat. We already have two Evenflo Titan Vs which we love, but I can't fathom getting a third, and I'm not sure if we even have room for a third in the backseat of our car (a Toyota Camry). So I'm hoping we can move Bella (turning 4 in May) into a … [Read more...]

I thought our readers might be interested in this article by my grandfather's cousin, who is still an active journalist at 82 years of age. Interestingly, two New York City moms were mentioned for Clinton's New York Senate seat, Caroline Kennedy, and a current congressional Rep, Caroline Maloney (a Princeton parent). Neither of them got it. Sometimes I wonder if I will re-enter the workforce one day, and how I will answer for the large "employment" gap on my resume, certainly our time is not … [Read more...]

I will go to YouTube and listen to a romantic song that reminds me of our courtship and the days when I ached to be married to him... I will spend 10 minutes with my kids today looking at pictures of hilarious past adventures with him... I will be sure to remember lipstick, fragrance, and a cute outfit when he arrives home tonight... and then I will let my kids see me drop everything and hug the love of my life extra-long when he walks in the door. And another long hug and kiss or two after … [Read more...]