Nothing Ordinary About an Ordinary Routine »

Kids thrive on a routine – it helps them learn how to operate within a family structure, and provides them a sense of security in this often unpredictable world. As parents we know the value of scheduled mealtimes, naptimes, playtimes, and...

Trickling Up to a Healthy Balance »

One week, we read a study proclaiming coffee may cause us harm if we consume more than a certain amount per day. The next week can find us reading an article saying the same amount of coffee may improve our health. We need to drink {this many} glasses of water a day, then {this many} glasses changes to {this many}. {This much} wine helps; {this much} wine hurts. And this is just the liquid part of our diet! We practically need a spreadsheet to keep up.

Managing the Scheduling Monster »

Kids get plugged into time slots just like parents. We enroll our children in activities and their schedules appear as rigorous as those of high-powered executives with a staff of administrators. Our kids, however, lack a staff to orchestrate their lives; they need us: the moms and families who make it all happen.

Shopping Without the Dropping »

Remember the times when a day of shopping involved hanging out with friends and casually cruising from store to store, searching for fun, usually unnecessary, items? Now, as a parent, most shopping happens with kids in tow, lists itemized so nothing gets forgotten, carried on with a feeling more chore-like than hey-this-is-fun! *sigh*

Making Time for Creative, Healthy Snacking »

Busy kids and busy families need fuel for all the activities we plug into our days. Busy, busy, busy! All the running around our kids do requires energy for movin’ and shakin’! How to best keep snack time healthy while also making sure we add variety and different tastes? With just a little creativity, a dash of time, and a sprinkle of planning, snacks can become more than just family fuel.

Creative First Day of School Traditions »

Think back to your first days of school... did you sing a certain song to mark the day? Wear a special outfit? Do something unique to celebrate the beginning of another school year? The start of school gives families so many opportunities to have fun and create traditions.

6 Tips for Back to School Success »

How did we arrive at this time of the year already? It feels like we only just welcomed in the lazy days of summer and now our calendar says school days will arrive before we know it. As we anticipate the beginning of a new school year, we know this brings about a change of routine, shopping, excited kids, (maybe reluctant kids?), and lots of prep for success. No matter how much we get things ready, the first day of school can prove to be a bit hectic and stressful, as well as exciting and fun. This big day for our families only comes once a year! Preparing makes a huge difference.

Savory Summer Flavors – Time to Bring Out the Barbecue »

No matter if you grill chicken, vegetables, beef, fruit slices, pork, or more kebab skewers than you thought possible, summer means barbecue season. We love to pack up our kitchen goodies for outdoor fixings and move outside to cook when the heat gets turned up. Standing over an open grill with the sky above our heads turns cooking and meal preparation to an entirely different experience.

The Abundant Foods of Summer »

Summer bursts with excitement, freedom, activities and foods! We find ourselves filling our days with outdoor adventures and the energy level shifts from a focus on school schedules to open-ended, longer days during this season. Think back to how summer felt and tasted when you were growing up. You can sense it and taste it, can’t you?

Work/Life Balance is for Both Moms AND Dads! »

Over the past year, Sheryl Sandberg has worked tirelessly to redefine the modern perception of the “Working Mom.” As the Facebook COO, she is not only an influential businesswoman, but also a successful mother of two, passionate about empowering women and changing the perception of the working woman.

Cut the High Cost of College With These 4 Practical Tips »

Given the rise in college tuition these days, just about everyone is in search of financial aid and ways to reduce the price of attendance. Tuition alone at some private colleges and universities now tops $50,000 a year, and the price to attend public colleges and universities has skyrocketed recently, thanks to declining state support.

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