Seated at the dinner table, surrounded by my beautiful family--each of my boys taking a moment to say what they are thankful for, and how they are going to make the upcoming year a great one. I smile to myself and think how I resolve to be a better mother. More kind. More patient. More loving. Yes, I think 2017 is going to be my year. 20 minutes later, cleaning the kitchen after that same blessed dinner with the boys' help. One is knocking full cups of juice off the ta

What I pictured in my mind: “I will pull out all of the craft supplies so the boys can have fun during their Spring Break making Easter cards for their grandmothers and great-grandmothers. I will let their imaginations run wild—they can use paint, paper, glitter, glue, jewels, stickers, everything I can find. The grandmas will be so happy we thought of them, and will treasure these beautiful masterpieces forever!” What actually happened: The boys got bored after about two m

The decision was easy. I remember feeling comforted by how simply it came, given that at the time I felt sure it had to be the most difficult decision of my life. So I held her hand as they took her off of the machines and even three years later I recall exactly how her hands felt in mine. And as we waited for the most agonizing four minutes, I knew that this was the end, and though painful, I would start the journey upward. Tomorrow. I was wrong. That was no where nea

I’ve been meaning to put together a list of parenting hacks, tips, and tools for a long time. People are always asking me—how do you do it all? What are your secrets? Well, here’s the secret: Not only do I not do it all, I don’t know how I’ve managed to do much of anything the last three years in particular. Yes, it’s true, I am below average at maintaining a sub-par existence in mediocrity. However, even I have blindly stumbled upon a few gems along the way, which I glad

Children love playing games. Whether playing hide ‘n seek, or engaged in an entertaining round of “chase-me-around-the-kitchen-table- before-you-force-me-to-put-on-pants,” there is little more frustrating than trying to physically locate and/or contain a child in your own home. And, as many parents have learned, it is extremely difficult to apprehend a child that does not want to be caught. Years of experience have shown that the best way to gather children is to play by a

Last night, my four-year old was helping me tidy the kitchen. He was telling me about all the healthy food he's going to make for me, "when he's a man." He said, "You can come over everyday to eat my healthy food, and be the babysitter for my kids." Then he looked up at me with his big, round, eyes and said, "And Mommy? If the kids are being wild, just text me." #funnykidquotes #growinguptoofast #parenting #stuffkidssay #reading #funnymom

(As seen on Scary Mommy) I hear Real Housewives of Dallas is scheduled to debut this year. Even though I’ve gotten away from watching the franchise in the recent years, I do believe I will watch a few episodes of my home town in case it stars anyone I know. As if. I watched an episode of that new one in Potomac the other day, and it only emphasized what I already believed…In what world can these women be described as real housewives? Don’t take that as shade—the women are

My 2-year old came in singing a song from the episode of Teen TItans, Go! he just watched: "I'm a boy, a really cool boy. I'm a boy, a really cool boy." I started singing along, but he stopped me and said, "Don't sing that. You not the really cool boy." "So, who am I?" I asked him. He paused and thought about htis for a moment before saying, "You the Batman." #batman #boymom #teentitansgo #superhero #supermom #parenting #funnykidquotes #stuffkidssay

Everyone was enjoying the pound cake I made for the New Year, and my sister said, "You put your foot in this cake!" Later I noticed that my four-year old wasn't finishing his slice. I asked him why and he said, "I don't want it because you put your feet in it." We laughed and tried to explain to him it was only an expression, but he wasn't have any of it. That evening he came to me and rested his head on my shoulder. He said, "Mommy, will you please make another cake tomor

I remember the day it changed. I changed. The day I officially snapped. The week before I was due with my third child, I had to return something at Best Buy and because of whatever market research they’ve done that tells them their customers need a flatbed/dolly for large appliances more than a regular basket that holds small items (or say, an additional child), I had to hold each of my then two toddlers by the hand with the box tucked under my arm. I stood in what was an

I love my house. It isn’t perfect, but yet it is perfect for our family. It is a great investment, has “good bones” if you will, and although we have our list of to dos, it is a wonderful home for our family. I have been working a lot lately, and I’ve started to see dust collecting in the corners, the cabinetry smudged with too many fingerprints, and noticed the bottom of the boys’ feet are dirty at the end of the day. For the first time I find myself contemplating hiring

The new Coldplay album, A Head Full of Dreams, released today and we are excited! I say "we" because I've been playing Coldplay for my kids since they were born. True fact, I heard my current favorite Coldplay song, Viva la Vida, while on my maternity leave with my first son and the album dropped about two days after I went back to work. So all four of my kids have been listening to these guys their entire lives. Last night they were singing True Love so loudly on the way

4 year-old: "Mmmm...the pizza smells so good! My nose is eating the smell. I can't wait to get my tasty lips on it!" So, now I know who to call next time I have writer's block, or I'm finding it difficult to describe a scene using the senses. #nanowrimo #nano2015 #pizza #amwriting #amediting #parenting #writersblock #stuffkidssay #tgif

I’ve just reached a milestone in my parenting experience. I’ve spent most of my time up to now just trying to teach kids the basics--like, you know, how to use a toilet, or put on two of the same shoes. Those who follow regularly know that it’s pretty much still touch and go. And then, today in the car, I experienced a life-changing moment. Let me explain. I’ve been listening to Pentatonix lately, and when they first made it into our rotation I explained to my boys that the

I know you’ve had a long day in the office today. It was a long, stressful end to an even longer stressful week. I’m sure you are anxious to get home, kick your feet up on the couch, and begin a quiet weekend full of rest. Which is why I regretfully must ask you to please avert your eyes from the large pile of unclean dishes on the counter. I know it will be the first thing that greets you as you walk into the kitchen, and yet I ask you to look away. I beg you instead to

I haven't written much (code: at all) about my attempt to live a healthier lifestyle that includes working out regularly and a sensible diet. Mostly because I don't want to hold myself accountable. But I've lost over 15 pounds now, so I figure I should own it and try to really whip myself into shape. I'm about three pounds from my pre-mommy weight, and eight pounds from my goal. My all-time low weight is probably not reasonable considering I reached it during my third preg

I am really cheap. No, it’s okay. It doesn’t insult me—I’m quite proud to pinch a penny until it bleeds a quarter. It’s a finely-tuned skill I’ve been working on. I’m to the point now, when I see someone flashing their new shoes or clothes, or some expensive toy I don’t get jealous, I actually silently gloat about my Payless shoes and the clothes I’ve been wearing since high school like some twisted badge of honor. So I have never been very brand loyal, as I will purcha

I was making the baby's milk at the same time as my coffee. Eventually I realized that I put the cream and sugar in his milk, and Miralax in my coffee. Needless to say, he loved it. Let's hope this second attempt works out a little better for me. #coffee #miralax #parenting #mombrain #oops

I never buy Legos because I always feel they are just an expensive way to litter my floors as they slowly disappear into oblivion. Still, I always feel a little guilty when I see the boys' future engineer and architect friends building their Lego creations. Then today, I found $1 (72 piece) packs of generic building bricks at Target! They aren't made of the exact same plastic, nor are they as shiny as Legos. But they build just as unique structures and get scattered and lo

My son has been wearing his backpack since 5:30 this morning. I guess he's just as ready for school to start as I am. #parenting #backtoschool #summer