Mail Order Fright

It’s beginning to look a lot like Halloween! Ghouls & goblins have come a-haunting and the crunch of recently fallen leaves marks your every step. Pathways glow from the flicker of twinkling jack-o-lanterns. Best of all, those growls, screeches & screams you hear won’t be my kids fighting over the remote. That alone makes it the most wondrous time of year.

It’s no secret when it comes to holidays, I’m partial to ones that don’t leave me fat, broke or wondering how I can be trusted to raise children when I can’t keep flowers alive. (I’m looking at you Thanksgiving, Christmas & Valentine’s Day.)

Not This Again: Five Stages of a Sick Kid

Get the lunches packed. Don’t forget to leave out the kids’ library books to be returned tomorrow. Sweep up the remainder of dinner from under the table. Why is there rice on the wall? How is that possible? Remember to set out your purse, with the keys on top. Note to self: find keys.

We‘ve all been there. Hectic night, no different than most others, but this one is in preparation for an even busier tomorrow. Big day at work or maybe that doctor’s appointment that you had to schedule two months in advance. Either way, tomorrow’s an important one, lots to do.

But we’re smart, mamas, we can keep it together. We’ve made a plan, prepped the kiddos and we willbe good to go. Obviously, that’s when IT happens, though.

Books for Kids Who Love Brown Faces

My love for reading, all things fantasy and the art of storytelling are passions I’ve cultivated my entire life. I can remember being very young and realizing, even then, that reading helped to open doors of understanding. I’d read anything around the house, age appropriate or not to my mother’s dismay, and anxiously looked forward to weekly library trips. Escaping into alternate worlds and watching as the protagonist championed the cause and defeated the villain (with strength I wished I had) was a favorite pastime for my sheltered younger self. It spurred a creative spirit in me I carry to this day.

That enthusiasm is one of the qualities I’d always hoped to pass down to my children. Contrary to my aversion to vegetables and knack for consistently singing the wrong lyrics to songs I’ve known for years, it was a trait they could actually be proud of.

Showers, Surprises & a Britax Stroller Review

This post is sponsored by Britax but all opinions and embarrassing anecdotes are my own! 

*****

Shortly after my husband & I found out I was expecting, we got even more exciting news. My friends wanted to throw us a baby shower and…drumroll…we needed to register for everything we’d like family & friends to buy! That’s right, not only were we getting a little mocha-colored ball of snuggly goodness out of the deal, we could also expect our loved ones to pay for all of her stuff? Why hadn’t we thought of this sooner?! 

We drove to our nearest baby boutique and went absolutely bananas. Boppy? Got that. Baby bouncer seat? Got that. Shopping cart cover? Got that. Wipes warmer? Well her tooshie can’t warm itself, can it? Got that! Playmat with the latest in pediatrician-recommended color-coded brain stimulating toys? Got two of those. When I say that we were stocked, please believe me, baby #1 wanted for nothing, lucky kid.

That face is because he just found out where the baby is coming out.

Come to think of it, maybe I should’ve taken note of everyone’s warm spirits and registered for that all-expenses paid couples vacation we’re still waiting on. Ah well, you live and you learn.

B is for Boo: A Brown Family Halloween

It's the most wonderful time of the year...(sing it with me)

With the kids trick or treating 

And everyone telling you have no fear,

It's the most wonderful time of the year.