This weekend I saw a post on Facebook that went something like this: “When I grew up, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green. The End.” Luckily I’m able to laugh at myself, because this post is most likely directed at moms like me who like to turn every special occasion into a themed extravaganza. Take our annual St. Paddy Poker Party for example. Perhaps we should rename … Continue reading St. Paddy Poker Party
You know that moment when your daughter kinda sorta thinks she got a horse for Christmas, when in reality she got a JOB helping to care for someone else’s horse? Yeah. that happened here on Christmas morning: It all started a few months ago when Clark had an epiphany about Maggie: “She’s a 4-H girl!” he exclaimed. It’s so true. How had we not seen it … Continue reading Tuesdays with Rosie
Pumpkin pie is an anomaly to me: it smells like heaven in the oven, but I never, ever want to eat it. There’s no confusion for Clark or Sam: they’re all about the pumpkin pie, all the time. They love both the smell and the taste, as long as Cool Whip is involved. Because I’m (occasionally) a good wife and mother, I try my best … Continue reading Pumpkin Pie
This “Thirty Days of Gratitude” thing is going around Facebook right now. Last year I tried something similar, and it took me around 6 months to post two weeks of grateful posts. And lately I’m averaging one single blog post a month. So naturally I’m on board. I figure if I can shoot for more ordinary and less profound this might be doable. So here … Continue reading Halloween 2015
Today, finally, I am grateful for time. It’s the first day of winter break, and for the next two weeks life gets to slow down. Even amidst the craziness of the holidays, there is more time for the things that matter. Time to cook real breakfasts and eat better dinners. Time to take walks before the sun sets. Time to read, and time to write. … Continue reading Gratitude #10: Time
We avoided the crowds and spent the 4th of July with friends at their family cabin on a lake. Sunscreen was mandatory on this incredibly warm weekend, with temperatures pushing 80 degrees. Usually I take our children back to Nebraska in the summer so they can enjoy outdoor swimming, but on days like this it’s actually possible right here in Alaska! The kids bounced between … Continue reading No Fireworks Necessary
This year was a little rough for the Easter Bunny. He’s magical and all, but it’s hard to compete with eleven little Labrador puppies. Judging by the smile (or lack thereof) on our son’s face, chocolate labs bring much more joy than chocolate eggs: One of these little pups will be coming home with us on May 19, and the anticipation is already killing the kids. I must … Continue reading Puppies and Bunnies, Oh My!
We returned from Maui three weeks ago (eventually I will get around to posting some pictures from that amazing vacation!!) and since then it’s been all about Christmas. First on the to-do list was the family tree. This annual excursion is usually more National Lampoons than Norman Rockwell, but this year I must admit it was pretty darn easy. The snow was only ankle deep … Continue reading Ready or Not, Christmas is Tomorrow!
This year our Boo Crew went trick-or-treating without boots, snow bibs, or winter coats. Heck, they didn’t need a coat period. Here are the photos to prove it! Continue reading Boo Crew 2013
This world is full of both good witches and bad witches. I would like to introduce you to one of the good ones: This witch has one mission: to create magical memories for children. She’s pretty good at it too. Every year she plans a Halloween party that most families would pay to attend, but by some stroke of luck she invites our children for … Continue reading A Witch’s Dream
Profoundly Ordinary 