One Less Battle in the Morning

One Less Battle in the Morning

We have arrived at the highly unanticipated “I can do it myself” stage in our household. Unfortunately, that includes things that my daughter really can’t do herself, like chopping vegetables with a big pointy knife. So in order to maintain some...
What’s Bub Got to Do With It?

What’s Bub Got to Do With It?

When my daughter is a bit older, she’s definitely going to be embarrassed by the nicknames I’ve given her, some of which are so long and absurd, they sound like a combination of Russian and Chinese as said by a person rolling marbles around in her mouth....
Wearing Your Dirty Laundry

Wearing Your Dirty Laundry

I love getting my tees for my friends’ kids because I know they actually get worn. (Unlike a few of the things we’ve received–enough said?) But a gift needs to be something a little more special than your average, run-of-the mill Hanes undershirt...
Buh-Bye, Burns

Buh-Bye, Burns

I was a fair-skinned child who grew up at a time when the sun was worshipped, not respected. Think baby oil and reflectors. Yikes. I had more than my share of heinous sunburns, and now that I know better, I’m doing my best to spare my children that pain–or...
Lettering in Toddler Fashion

Lettering in Toddler Fashion

Fall is in the air and I can almost smell the school lunches. Okay, so my toddler isn’t going to high school anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dress her like alittle varsity superstar. Take these personalized varsity tees created by Karen,...
Nice Package

Nice Package

I’m a sucker for great wrapping. Yep, I’m the one at gift exchanges who instead of shaking the box and examining its size and shape picks a present solely on the pretty paper — even as I end up the proud owner of a new electronic nose hair trimmer....
Let’s Hear it For Less Laundry!

Let’s Hear it For Less Laundry!

We all know that any eating, drooling, or art-making extravaganza on the part of your toddler is never pretty. But while you may successfully protect your child’s cute top with a smock, the pants are never so lucky. Beth Allums–mom, art teacher, and crafty...
Little Miss Can’t-Be-Matched

Little Miss Can’t-Be-Matched

You’ve surely heard the wisdom that if you buy socks for newborns and toddlers in a single color, such as white like I did, then you’ll never be without a matched pair. But just as you’re thinking you’ve outsmarted the dryer elves, along comes...
Look Ma, No Sparkles!

Look Ma, No Sparkles!

My older daughter, Mimi, is a princess-kittens-glittery flowers kind of girl. I can’t convince her to don any clothing that doesn’t scream I AM A GIRLY GIRL, most often in some shade of pink. Rosie, however, is more tomboy than princess, which makes...
SHOOOOOOOOOOE!

SHOOOOOOOOOOE!

Every year the World Cup brings in a new spate of obsessive soccer fans, and this year my own baby’s daddy was among the casualties–er, ranks. I’m not about to let him replace all the art in the baby’s room with team posters, but I...
The Other Layettes Will Be Jealous

The Other Layettes Will Be Jealous

Yes, you can purchase a "layette" as a baby gift–a complete set of boring onesies, bibs, and Victorian-era booties that I’m not sure ever make it out of the box, let alone the house. And then there are those sets that just make your ovaries...