by Christina Refford | Uncategorized
Fewer things throw my kids into a tizzy of Christmastime anticipation as an advent calendar with its counting down of days. But the calendar grandma gets them with the waxy chocolate behind each door isn’t much to look at and barely makes it to the 25th.I think...
by Christina Refford | Uncategorized
My kids really want to be helper elves when it comes to wrapping the gifts, but after a roll of tape and a yard of paper, I’ve learned to enlist their help in other ways. So instead of handing them the safety scissors and gift wrap, I’m going to hand them...
by Christina Refford | DIY
I consider myself fortunate that I do not have to cook Thanksgiving dinner—as does most of my extended family, as they will tell you. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t help all you hosts out with some great (and inexpensive) Thanksgiving craft ideas, to...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
When the toy store ads appear in our Sunday newspaper, I’m mostly uninspired by all the blinky, noisy, plasticky stuff touted as The Next Big Thing. Would these really be the toys that Santa’s elves carefully assemble in the North Pole?But now, just in...
by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
As much as I love listening to the awesome music that comes my way as part of being CMP’s primary kids’ music reviewer, I find picking my favorites to be one of the harder tasks I have to do. It’s like deciding if I like salted caramel better than...
by Christina Refford | Baby
While most of us will give thanks on Thursday for Thanksgiving, there will also be many families giving thanks today, for National Adoption Day which falls almost midway through November’s National Adoption Month. In honor of this special time for so many, we...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
I was wondering if you could recommend a classic dollhouse for my two daughters’ Christmas gift? Would love any suggestions you have. Thank you!! -Amy Ooh, dollhouses! One of our favorite things to look for, now that there are so many to choose from. If...
by Christina Refford | DIY
Between a personal blog, a paper journal, Facebook and my memory, I have plenty of places to jot down those hilarious things my kids say. The problem is, I have too many places. But mama Alexandra of the creative Kinderpendent blog has designed a sweet little template...
by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
Like singer Laura Veirs, Massachusetts musician Alastair Moock has had a long and successful career playing American folk music for grown ups. And similarly, both musicians started making kids’ music after the birth of their children, but in a way that keeps...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
Before the 24-hour carols, the jammed parking lots, and those news stories about people fighting over the latest Elmo toy, there is Neighborhood Toy Store Day today, November 12. This is one that hits near and dear to our indie-loving hearts, as a great opportunity to...
