A friend and I had an interesting revelation the other day while visiting over coffee. The visiting over coffee part itself has become a really rewarding part of my life lately. I’ve been taking some breaks from consuming social media – I’ll still post “outbound” (i.e. taking a photo on my phone and posting it) … Continue reading »
Our family recently teamed up with Colgate and Champions for Kids to help deliver Bright Smiles, Bright Futures to kids in our community. We love the campaign concept, because dental care really is key to a healthy life. Growing up, visiting the dentist regularly was just part of life (along with the torturous braces and … Continue reading »
When I was in elementary school, we lived in Kingston, Jamaica. We moved back to the United States shortly after my dad was attacked in our garage on the way to work one morning by two men – one wielding a heavy metal pipe and the other a machete. In that impoverished country, it’s pretty … Continue reading »
Read on for a chance to win a $75 home/baby-proofing kit from Safety 1st and Healthy Families! I think I’ve turned into a bit of a preparedness nerd… not a doomsday prepper by any means, but prone to doing things like stocking emergency kits and asking for second floor fire escape ladders for our playroom … Continue reading »
The nine year old is always after me to paint her nails. That moment, where she asks me to do that with her, is going to pass all too soon. We rush and rush through life, with me the consummate mom rushing her, like so: “Well, yes, we can paint your nails. But first, please … Continue reading »
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day: Walgreens has won my heart. Well, along with these two: There is a Walgreens located approximately 14 blocks from my house at the corner of Happy and Healthy (which happens to coincide with Walnut and Dixieland), and you have no idea how relieved I was when this became reality. … Continue reading »
We can pretty much close the books on November, which means that the final month of the year is upon us. This seems to send people into varying degrees of panic, and it can definitely feel like the grim reaper calling: tasks to wrap up, new year’s resolutions unachieved, the holidays upon us… While I’ve … Continue reading »
Over the river and through the woods Trot fast my dapple gray. Spring over the ground Like a hunting hound On this Thanksgiving Day, Hey! Over the river and through the woods Now Grandmother’s face I spy. Hurrah for the fun, Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie. – English folksong, It’s Raining, … Continue reading »
Last night I sat around smoldering embers with the child of Arkansas. She asked for another torch and then settled for sticking a branch into the flames and writing smoky letters using the night sky as her canvas. She bounced restlessly from chair to chair under the half moon, and finally settled down on the … Continue reading »
There’s a post up today over at Magpie Marketing on “How to Spark the Entrepreneurial Spirit in your Child.” It’s posted there because it was so relevant for business owners, marketers and professionals, but it was originally written and intended for parents. I find this is a tough thing – I want to raise entrepreneurial … Continue reading »
September is National Preparedness Month. There are a lot of special days, weeks and months to observe – in fact, a quick search of any solitary day may reveal a litany of causes to celebrate, from International Talk Like A Pirate Day (argh, matey – it’s on Sep. 19!) or National Clams on the Halfshell … Continue reading »
Or, What I Wish I’d Known About Parenting and Ancient Sea Monsters Circa 2003. When I was pregnant for the first time nearly a decade ago, I went through what I’ve learned is a common ailment affecting many new mothers-to-be: behavior best defined as psychosis. First, I grabbed copies of What to Expect When You’re … Continue reading »
When I was a kid, we lived in Jamaica… and yes, it was a phenomenal experience. My Dad has always been intrigued with the cosmos (it’s worth reading the origin of that word, in my opinion), and so I thought it was common during childhood to be pulled from bed in the middle of the … Continue reading »
When I was young, we lived in Kingston, Jamaica. Words can’t properly convey the true depth of a childhood spent by an American girl in the West Indies. It’s a story for another time… or a book. I attended Immaculate Conception Preparatory School, a private Catholic school where I was most certainly a minority in … Continue reading »
The lithe girl was handed a torch by her father, which seemed poignant and appropriate. It was formerly a substantial silver maple branch downed by a storm, resurrected for noble duty. Stuffed with coco liner remnants from an aging flower basket and wrapped in twine, it was doused in fuel and lit. She reached for … Continue reading »
We were informed at 8:04 p.m. of an approaching performance. While I waited for my baked potato to reach appropriate smushiness during a YOYO dinner night, as my mom would say – You’re On Your Own – I was rushed to the viewing gallery (i.e. the living room couch). An appropriately twirly dress was donned … Continue reading »
(Note: This post has been placed on both The Little Magpie and The Food Adventuress blogs, because hey – sometimes things overlap.) . So, true confessions: prior to 2010, I had never set foot in or even passed through the state of Wisconsin. I stand (rather, sit) before you chastened and convinced that Wisconsin … Continue reading »
Jemima Puddleduck and Flower Daisy came into our lives one morning near Easter when a tiny little girl (who is now a lean and limber almost-tween) wriggled with excitement en route to Orscheln Farm & Home. We’d checked with some family farms, and none had ducklings ready to go given the holiday. We found the … Continue reading »
>There’s a fun thing that happens on a Friday night (when you’re lame like me)… Assuming I haven’t been out and about on said Friday night (which is increasingly rare of late), nightfall finds me righting the kitchen. I don’t use the term “righting” lightly… I actually feel like I discovered a little early what … Continue reading »
As I think I’ve mentioned, my intent was to transition this Ainsley blog to our family blog, which I’ll do right after the first of the year. It’s hard to believe she is already three months old – it seems as though she just arrived. She’s proven to be an exceptionally animated, happy baby – … Continue reading »
