Do your kids already have cabin fever this winter? Then check out these great toys that will be sure to help keep kids active even during the long winter months. I had a chance to sample most of these toys while I was at the Time to Play Showcase in September. We also learned about the hotlist for top toys. It was tons of fun! 1. Nickelodeon Dance 2 My daughter and I love Just Dance so this game was definitely going to make the list! The dance party’s back and bigger than ever in Nickelodeon Dance 2! Perfect when you can’t...
Dear Santa, We Still Believe In You…
Do your kids still believe in Santa Clause? Mine do! We still write our letters to Santa and even leave him a little gift. I was having a chat with a girlfriend the other day that shared that she was criticized for “feeding into” the Santa Clause story with her children. I have heard of some moms disputing whether or not telling their kids about Santa was a good or bad idea. I never understood the harm in believing and celebrating Santa Clause but would never think to criticize a mom that does not. In our home, my children know...
Wrinkles Are The Least of My Worries
I thought I was years away from caring about aging but lately it’s been top of mind. While I still think I am young, my body seems to think differently. It’s not the wrinkles that I’m noticing, it’s the weight gain. Just in this last year I gained 10 pounds. The weight gain started after having lost a lot of weight after an intense year of running four races. I was slimmer than I had been in years. Although I expected to put some weight back on after I finished training, I never expected to put on this much. The biggest...
Legally Mom: Real Women’s Stories of Balancing Motherhood & Law Practice
What a day today. I came home from work excited and happy about all the recent changes in my life. To start, I have a new job! After ten years of a career in the law, I have decided to take a leap of faith and follow my passion and make a total switch. More on the switch in a minute. Instead, let’s back up to a few years ago when I received an email from Anne Murphy Brown about a book she was in the process of authoring: Legally Mom: Real Women’s Stories of Balancing Motherhood and Law Practice. ...
Turn Airport Layovers Into Playovers
Air travel may be a luxury, but when you’re on a long layover with children, it rarely feels that way. Traveling with small children or babies rarely feels like a vacation. When you know you’re in for a long layover, packing some healthy snacks and dressing in comfortable clothes is priority number one for the kids. But once the essential needs are met and you need to kill 4 or 5 hours, a little forethought will go a long way to help make traveling with kids a more enjoyable experience. Sure, you can try to nap, catch up on the book...
Black Thursday Is Stealing Thanksgiving Dinner
Has anyone else noticed that Black Friday is quickly dying and becoming Black Thursday? As more and more stores announce their “Black Friday” hours, I can’t help but notice that Black Friday hours are starting Thursday evening and encroaching upon what should be time with the family during Thanksgiving dinner. As of now, the big electronic and toy retailers will be opening their doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night (before the kids are even in bed!). So what is a savvy shopper supposed to do? Miss out on the great deals or forgo the pumpkin pie and wait in...
Inspire Your Mini Chef – Cooking With Kids
Cooking with children can be such a rewarding and fun way to spend quality time with your children. Of my three children, my daughter is the one most interested in joining me in the kitchen on a regular basis. Cooking and writing her own cookbooks gets her all super excited. Her love for cooking started around age four. She was always at my side ready and eager to help me in the kitchen. At that time, cooking with her was a bit of a tricky and time-consuming affair. There was no doubt I needed a heaping dose of patience as I watched...
Election 2012: Four More Years!
President Obama has won re-election! This morning I woke up proud and happy. Proud to be an American that has the right as a woman, a minority, and mother to freely exercise my right to vote along side so many others. Also proud that so many women, Latinos, and African-Americans also exercised their rights and became an integral part of what helped re-elect President Obama into a second term. As the President wrapped up his acceptance speech, another feeling took over me. One of overwhelming happiness for the First Family. This is our nation’s first family. Seeing Mrs. Obama, Sasha, and Malia take the...
A Loving Legacy
Today I wanted to take a moment to honor the legacy of a man that meant so much to me, my grandfather. Four years ago today my family lost “Papa Jean” to cancer. My grandfather was a man of many core values including believing firmly in eating healthy, physical fitness, and walking the Rosary every morning. This was a formula, he believed, was the key to helping him live to his goal of 100 years. He was close as we lost him only a few weeks shy of his 97th birthday. As I child I remember being so in awe of Papa...
Spooktacular Fun With Halloween Apps!
I love getting into the spooky, Halloween spirit and this year I was really excited to learn that T-Mobile has put together a list of fun Android and Windows Phone applications that is sure to get you and your little zombies in the Halloween spirit! And I didn’t forget safety on Halloween either! Help your tweens or teens be prepared for a night of going door-to-door with the safety apps below. Take a look at these apps that will help make your evening a spooktacular and safe event! Spooky Halloween Apps! Spooky Sounds – Scare your coworkers and friends every time...