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DIY Autumn Arrangements

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Is it cooling down where you live yet?  Fall is definitely in the air here and with the crisp weather, comes a desire to fully immerse myself in Autumn.  Despite my penchant for DIY projects, I've never been much of a floral arrangement kind of girl (I actually just got my first wreath last Christmas). However, the web has been teeming with bold and beautiful autumn foliage lately.  So much so that I'm inspired to try out a DIY arrangement at home.  In no particluar order, here are my top six … [Read more...]

A Free Positive Parenting Webinar for MPMK Readers

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Why is it so difficult sometimes to get kids to listen? You know she heard you, but she ignores you. You ask again and still . . . no response.  If you're a regular around here, you know I'm a big proponent of positive parenting.  In fact, I often recommend posts and books on the topic.  I have to admit, though, despite how much I believe in these writings - I barely have time to read them myself.  Life is usually just too busy to allow for a few hours of reading to brush up on my parenting … [Read more...]

Giveaway: $100 to mama may i

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I'm so very excited about today's giveaway AND promotion. That's right, there's a discount code and a giveaway today from Mama May i, purveyor of handmade learning toys - yipee! In fact, if you just can't wait for the end of the post, you can use the code MPMK for 15% off - but do it quick, the code expires October 5, 2012. … [Read more...]

Family Connections One Dollar at a Time

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Did you know a dollar can be exciting? So much of life is how you look at it and how you live it. I parent my kids under the rule that you can always let the reigns out a bit, but it's a lot harder to take them in. For example, sometimes we will visit the candy store in the mall. You know with the big bins of sugar in every color of the rainbow? I let them pick three pieces each and it's exciting. … [Read more...]

POYEL: Organizing Your Paper Piles

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In a few days, we're once again sending the kids to the grandparents and embarking on a decluttering weekend.  If you're a regular here, you know we like to do this 3-4 times a year.  Along with giving our little ones quality bonding time with some of their favorite people, it gives the hubs and I the chance to tackle a few projects on our to-do list.   I haven't finalized the list of all I hope to accomplish yet, but I know for sure a new system for dealing with our ever-growing paper … [Read more...]

Handmade Halloween: Etsy Costume Roundup

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I know it's a little early for Halloween, but when talking costumes it never hurts to get ahead of the crowd.  I absolutely love the look of handmade Halloween costumes over store-bought.  But that doesn't mean I have the time, or for that matter the talent, to actually make them.  In the next few years I'm really going to try to work on my sewing skills (and on recognizing that it's about the effort and not a perfect product).  Hopefully I'll be ready to whip something up by the time my kids … [Read more...]

How to Style a White Tee

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Have you guys ever seen those "Closet Must Haves" or "10 Pieces Every Woman Must Own" lists in style magazines?  Usually, a white tee would make it onto those lists, but I never understood why.  I bought a white tee, only to have it sit in my closet because I never knew how to wear it.  It was always just a plain white tee to me, which then translated to me as a plain outfit. … [Read more...]

Fun with Logs

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At first I was feeling guilty that this post is long overdue - we started the series back in May after all. But now I'm thinking it might be just the time to re-visit the idea of natural outdoor play spaces. With summer coming to an end, so too is the time for running through the sprinklers and planting vegetable gardens. The return of cool, crisp fall weather is actually quite perfect for a more rustic approach to outdoor play. … [Read more...]

Book Club: Week Four

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After a small hiatus, our virtual book club is back and today we're discussing my favorite chapters yet of Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children - Becoming a Mindful Parent.  Examining who our children are (as well as who they're not) and exploring the question of "Is this All"?  Both topics drove home for me the importance of letting our children become their own person and defining ourselves outside of our roles as mothers. Additionally, the question of "Is this all?" is especially salient on … [Read more...]

Recreational Reading

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If you have young children, summer might not be the time of year where you get in a lot of your own reading. But now, with the summer reading lists tucked away and a routine emerging as school starts up, perhaps you'll have a chance to get some reading of your own squeezed in. If you're looking for suggestions, here are eight books I'd put on my "Not-Summer Reading List:" … [Read more...]

Easy Entertaining Idea: Pretty Fridge Storage

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Summer is coming to a close but, for many, entertaining season lasts far beyond backyard barbecues and patio margaritas. While we don't host dinner parties regularly, my husband and I do like to invite friends and coworkers over for a casual drink and some snacks on a whim. When we host an impromptu get together, I find myself buzzing around the kitchen trying to make the hodgepodge of items in our fridge into something presentable. This usually means taking out my dips du jour from the fridge … [Read more...]