I am officially the mom of a first grader. Last week we celebrated V's kindergarten graduation via Zoom, as one does during quarantine. I realize most people care more about high-school and college graduations, but we love to celebrate these moments in our family. Of course, it's not what I envisioned the end of her first school would turn out to be. I pictured gathering in her school cafeteria to ... Read more
Teacher Appreciation Day in Quarantine
Teachers deserve all the praise and much more. I've appreciated V's teachers before the pandemic forced me to facilitate my child's learning, but now even more so. V's teachers created lessons for the remaining weeks of school that contain activities for each subject. Each Monday-Thursday we find new lessons on her school iPad, while Fridays are catch-up days. I struggle with not only balancing ... Read more
Working From Home With Kids During the Pandemic
You would think that since I've worked from home with at least one child at home for a few years now I would be a pro at it now that both my girls are home every day, but I am not. The truth is the reason I was able to do it before the stay-at-home order was that one of my girls was in school until 3 p.m. and that I hired a babysitter to come over and care for my youngest on my busy workdays. Now ... Read more
What’s in My Kids’ Easter Baskets
** This post about what's in my kids' Easter baskets contains affiliate links. I'm trying to keep our daily life as normal as possible given the circumstances, and that includes planning to have an Easter egg hunt at home and give the girls their Easter baskets. This year I purchased their Easter basket gifts ahead of time, in early February. Luckily I have not needed to go anywhere to shop for ... Read more
Our New Normal | Quarantine Thoughts
Remember when I shared 2020 goals? March goals? I was so full of optimism, as I'm sure so many of us were, and then, well, you know. This past two and a half weeks of quarantine, as we all seem to be calling it, has been surreal. I've lost count of how many times I've asked myself whether this is real life. Is this actually happening? Right now the focus is figuring out this new normal. I've ... Read more
Favorite Children’s Books
**This post about our favorite children's books contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. My girls are both at such fun ages when they love to listen to (and try to read) colorful and inspiring children's books. If you are a parent or you spend a lot of time with young children, you might agree that not all children's books ... Read more
Mom Guilt and Lack of Sleep
This is a more personal post about some honest thoughts and mom guilt I've struggled with lately. I hope this helps anyone in a similar phase of life feel like they are not alone. It is past midnight and I can't sleep. I went to bed two hours ago, but as soon as my head hit the pillow our toddler woke up. This has been a common occurrence lately. Last summer I got through the newborn phase by ... Read more
How We Prepared Our 5-Year-Old for Kindergarten
V started kindergarten yesterday, which is mind-blowing. It's been a busy couple of weeks of shopping, attending classes, visiting her new school and meeting her teacher. We have tried to pump her up for the start of school and she seemed excited to go to a new school and make new friends. Yesterday morning we walked her to the school bus stop, because she wanted to ride with her friends in the ... Read more
My Thoughts on My Breastfeeding Experience
It's National Breastfeeding Week, and I wanted to give an update breastfeeding and my final thoughts on my experience. I wanted to revisit this because I recently talked with someone who was having some initial breastfeeding struggles and she wanted to hear about what has worked for me. After our talk she told me my story has given her hope that she can continue breastfeeding. I'll insert the ... Read more
Parenting Assumptions vs. the Reality of Motherhood
I was unsure if I would ever have kids. I always wanted to adopt but had no idea if I would be able to do it. I did, however, have opinions on things I would or wouldn't do as a parent. The past few years have taught me I was wrong on many of those assumptions. I'm sharing the things I said I would never do as a mom vs. what the reality has been. I said I would never cosleep. I never ... Read more