Laundry: The good, the bad, and the surprising

Laundry: The good, the bad, and the surprising

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SharePinTweet There are 14,233,064 posts about laundry on Instagram.  Actually, I made up that number, but I know it’s a lot.  #laundry alone has 2 million posts, and when you add in #laundryproblems, #laundrylife, etc. — you get my point — there is a lot of talk about laundry. What is it about laundry that makes us talk about it so much?   There is SO. MUCH. GOOD. in laundry: Fresh, clean clothes!!!!  No more stains, nice, bright colors, that super-clean…

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NAVIGATING HOLIDAYS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES: What’s REALLY scary about Halloween and beyond

NAVIGATING HOLIDAYS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES: What’s REALLY scary about Halloween and beyond

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SharePinTweet  I should have posted this weeks ago in preparation for Halloween, but didn’t have a chance to write it until now.  The good news is that it doesn’t just apply to Halloween, but to all holidays, to any eating occasion, really — for a food allergy family. Today is Halloween.  Spooky, right?  What’s REALLY scary it is navigating holidays with food allergies.  As I set out the candy in hopes of trick-or-treaters coming my way tonight (we shall see…

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The Best Days

The Best Days

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SharePinTweet  The best days were when you were a newborn.  I just held you and snuggled you and breathed you in.  You slept and you cuddled and you nestled in my arms and all we needed was each other. The best days were when you were a baby, and I could watch you discover the world — emotions, fingers, colors, toys, feet, people, sounds, smells, characters, textures.  Everything was a wonder to you, and you were every bit of amazing…

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teaching kindness
Can kindness be taught?

Can kindness be taught?

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SharePinTweet  Can kindness be taught?  I’m not sure, but I’m sure trying to find out. “Use your manners!” I call out with a sing-songy voice, checking the box on doing the right thing to raise my kids to be good human beings. But is that enough?  I don’t think so. Sometimes, no matter how great a role model I try to be – remembering my own “please” and “thank you,” my kids can be downright rude to each other, and…

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Bedazzled? Sure, why not? 5 simple ways to decorate pumpkins

Bedazzled? Sure, why not? 5 simple ways to decorate pumpkins

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SharePinTweetPumpkin spice latte, warm scarves, harvest-themed decorations, scented candles, mums, yada yada all the stuff we go crazy about during fall.  As excited as I was about my new fall themed throw pillows, though, my kids didn’t seem to care.  How dare they! Oh yeah — the kids.  They want some fun this fall, too, and not just in picking out a Halloween costume (and then changing their minds 14 times between October 10 and October 30). So, aside from…

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Fall family fun and how to get it done – a guide for the busy parent

Fall family fun and how to get it done – a guide for the busy parent

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SharePinTweetEveryone is talking about back-to-school right now . . . and you know what happens at the same time, right?  PUMPKIN.  SPICE.  EVERYTHING.  It’s fall, and it’s time for fall family fun! It creeps up on me every year (yes, I know .. .  it comes the same time every year, I get it . . . ) — suddenly weekends need to be filled with fall fests and cider and pumpkins and cute boots and fall scarves and kids’…

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back-to-school shopping - always an adventure
Back to School Shopping: Already, Again, and Always an Adventure

Back to School Shopping: Already, Again, and Always an Adventure

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SharePinTweet  OK, it’s August.  I get it – school where we live starts later this month.  But this year, as I’m bombarded with constant reminders of the impending first day of school (TV ads, in-store displays, radio ads, social media, and kids saying it’s not fair it starts so soon), I find myself wondering . . . do we really need to do any shopping? Sure, part of the rationale for not wanting to do it is because it’s summer! …

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all you need for the best family vacation
All you need for the best family vacation

All you need for the best family vacation

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SharePinTweetAnother summer, another family vacation.  We head to Cape Cod every year and stay at the same place, with the same friends.  It’s tradition.  And I love it.  The kids have been there enough times now that they feel comfortable and confident walking around the resort, and they get so excited at the thought of a beach and an outdoor pool and an indoor pool and a hot tub and mini golf and go-karts and arcade and ice cream. And…

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Ten must-have lists for summer survival
TEN lists of TEN you can’t live without this summer

TEN lists of TEN you can’t live without this summer

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SharePinTweetI live for lists.  And I love ideas.  And sometimes summer survival is rough.  So here are ten lists of ten things — your MUST-HAVE reference guide for this summer.  And that’s it.  One of the simplest blog posts ever.  Enjoy!     10 Simple Summer Snacks So. Many. Snack. Requests. Fruit salad (make your own or buy some) Popcorn (air-popped, microwaved, or bagged) Ice cream (because, summer) Cheese and crackers (so many options) Sliced peppers w/ Ranch dressing, or…

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Hey, obnoxious youth sports parents: LISTEN UP and SIMMER DOWN

Hey, obnoxious youth sports parents: LISTEN UP and SIMMER DOWN

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SharePinTweetI’m not one to complain a lot.  But when my husband calls me from a kids’ hockey tournament and tells me about the competing team’s parents taunting my kid’s team (these are 8-10-year old players, by the way), shouting profanity, and being downright horrible role models, my blood boils.   So, here’s my uncharacteristic rant.  I’m hoping some perspective from good old ME can help change this dynamic, though I’m guessing those of you who read this and agree are already in…

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