Paper is Evil: Dealing With Kids’ School Papers
Another big and often overwhelming source of paper is kids' schoolwork. There are a few things you can do to manage the oceans of paper that sneak into your home via the backpack. First, decide whether you're going to keep it all or just a few select items. If it's a...
Paper is Evil: Cut Junk Mail Off at the Source
Okay, here are some tricks to stopping the junk mail from hitting your mailbox in the first place. Credit card offers: you can opt out for 5 years or permanently at OptOutPrescreen.com. You can also choose to opt back into offers should you change your mind in the...
Birthday Serenade
Today is my birthday. I'm planning to spend the day with quilting buddies at an all-day sewing event so Hubby, the boys, and my in-laws celebrated at dinner last night. The cake was delicious! Hubby had a baker make it and she calls it canolli cake. I'll be enjoying...
Preparing Pumpkin
The boys are incredibly fond of pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread, especially if it's home made. I cooked and froze my own pumpkin a couple of years ago and it worked out really well so I just did it again today. First, I bought pie pumpkins. These are smaller than your...
Sleeping Saga
I wrote my weekly post over at ForeverParenting.com about our adventures in sleeping with Captain Earthquake. Captain Earthquake earned his name with his sleeping habits. He’s never been one to stay in bed all night. When he was in the crib, I was up at least a few...
Paper is Evil: Dealing with Mail
Paper comes at us from all directions, doesn't it? I know I've had my share of piles over the years. Okay, to be honest I still have piles. One to file, and one to go through (crazy mail carrier! Keeps bringing me more paper.) Here are some strategies to help keep...
Fond Family Memories
A friend said something recently that got me thinking about funny things my dad does. He's a big tree fanatic, and I mean big. In 1976 he and my mother planted one thousand blue spruce seedlings. Sadly 500 of them got mowed under by a farmer who was, uhhhh, not...
And On a Lighter Note…
I walked into the younger boys' room after bedtime to put a final toy away tonight when The Manager wanted to ask a question: "Mom, when a skunk makes its toot, does it have to hold its nose?" That kid NEVER stops thinking. Earnest Parenting: helping keep humor...
Facing a Parting, The Update
The only predictable thing about kids is they're unpredictable. We had a kids' craft event at church yesterday afternoon, and my friend D was there. You know, the one who's leaving. It was super hard watching her talk to a few of the other ladies, saying some...
Facing a Parting
We're going to have to break some bad news to the boys today. A family that we've been close with for over 6 years is leaving our church; tomorrow is their last day. We'll still be friends, and hopefully see each other once or twice a month. But Sunday mornings are...