I had grand ambitions of baking a fancy madeira wine cake for each of my neighbors this year... guess how far I've gotten. I think, instead, I'm going to make a batch or two of these over-sized chocolate marshmallows with the kids and gift a few to each neighbor. I love Janssen's idea of putting them on a stick and adding them to a decorative bag filled with hot cocoa mix in the bottom! Psst one quick thing... Christmas is coming SOON, be sure to check out our SUPER POPULAR toy gift guide … [Read more...]
Top 10 Parenting Books for Raising Girls
Next month, I'll be having my third child and my third girl. Which means that parenting little girls is always on my mind. Whether you have a single daughter or a whole slew of them, these books are full of great advice on how to handle all manner of parenting issues, from education to bullying to the princess obsessions. Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-proof Girls in the Early Grades by Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert. Bullying is a hot issue right now, and this book is … [Read more...]
Books for the Fourth of July
Our resident children's librarian, Janssen, is here today with her picks for injecting a little history into your 4th of July celebration. Get those library cards ready! Let's be honest - on the Fourth of July, you'll probably be outside, watching parades, having a neighborhood BBQ, and watching (or setting off!) fireworks. There may not be a lot of time for reading. So we're sharing this book list a little early so you'll have time to read these books with your kids before the big day. This … [Read more...]
7 Books to Get Your Kids to Stop Fighting All the Time
One of the things I want most for our family is a loving family culture, where unkindness and fighting isn't part of the daily makeup of our lives. But with three children all fairly close in age (they are each about two years apart), this can be a tall order. Probably just about every parent can relate to those moment where you can't take the bickering and teasing any longer and you just want to scream, "Can't you all just get along?!" I know I'm not alone in that because there are … [Read more...]
Strawberry Cream Cheese Flag Cookie Cups
Whether you're hosting the 4th of July BBQ this year or attending one, this super simple dessert idea is sure to please. Of course I love the festive presentation but my favorite part is that once you bite in you realize that what looks like a mini cup cake is actually a cookie. Plus it would go great with our homemade blueberry lemonade soda. And don't miss the variations at the bottom of the post - I'm digging the breakfast idea. Here's Janssen with the recipe... The Fourth of July is … [Read more...]
The Best Potty Training Books: 7 Books to Get You and Your Little One Through
Looking for some potty training tips? You might want to start with our super popular post, The 5 Biggest Potty Training Mistakes (and maybe also this potty training tip for some self-sustaining humor). After that, head over to Amazon or your local library because as with almost all parenting challenges, it's always helpful to have a book for both you and your kiddo to help tackle it! Here's our resident children's librarian, Janssen, with her best picks on the topic... Are there any … [Read more...]
Free Printable: Family New Year Resolutions
I love the start of a new year. As much as I adore the holidays, there is something so refreshing about taking down all the decorations, getting back into a normal work and school routine, and thinking about what you want to accomplish in the new year. For my entire childhood, setting goals for the new year was a huge part of our family culture. My dad printed out little spreadsheets for us to fill in with different goals about money, school, health, hobbies, and relationships. We'd … [Read more...]
The 8 Best Parenting Books for Willful and Spirited Kids
Is there anything better than those moments where you snuggle your baby in a rocking chair before softly putting them to bed? Or cuddling with a chatty toddler on the couch on a snowy afternoon? But some parenting moments are much less pleasant and can have you tearing out your hair, wondering when the real parent is going to show up and deal with these difficult scenarios. One reason I love books to help me in my parenting is that the book isn't biased toward my child (either positively … [Read more...]
7 Books Perfect for the Beach or the Backyard
Spring Break season is here, and alongside choosing the right swimsuit, my top packing priority is always finding the best books to bring along to read poolside. Or, if you're not traveling, a great read can still offer a fun escape even if you're sitting on your couch. And the good news is that if you don't get to some of these during Spring Break, summer vacation is just around the corner! Here are seven books perfect for the beach or the backyard... One True Loves by Taylor … [Read more...]