I wanted to write a quick post of some possible gifts to give to Dads’. I have covered Moms,Kids, crafts and trees. Its time to focus on Dad's.I think men get the yucky gift choices of Ties & Paperweights… lets face it most men have little interest in that stuff and I’m not sure what I’m about to offer as product advice will be much better. I like personalized gifts and recently I noticed some cool ideas online. I think homemade gifts with little handprints are especially cute. I just love snap fish and shutter fly .. you can add a picture... more

I don’t come from a Family that was big on Christmas Traditions. I mean we had a few but nothing out of the ordinary really sticks out from my memory banks. For example we never had our stockings filled. I don’t ever remember having stockings and if we did they were just decorations. I would like to start creating some traditions of my own and I have been scouring the net for some great ideas. I have had a Christmas Eve party every year since the 80’s. I have a few traditions that I incorporate every year and I will share them below.... more

Can you all tell I like making lists… as seen by my love of Top 5 & Top 10 blog posts. There are no shortages of gifts available for the younger child age 2-3. If a toddler in your life is into Dora,Disney, Elmo or Deigo then you will have no problem finding something to make them smile Christmas day. The Dora and Litte Mermaid merchandise in stores astounds me.There are so many toys out there and I thought I would share what is popular with my toddler. I tend to gravitate towards the simple educational stuff like puzzles & books. My daughter... more

In years gone by, when I have whined about not having Christmas lights on the outside of our house, my husband has always reminded me, "I told you. I don't do that (stuff)." To which I have always responded, "Yes, I know." Then we move on. That has been our routine for thirteen years.

It is important to note that my father was of the same mind. Not once, during my childhood, did we ever have outside decorations or lights on the house. No matter how much we whined, or carried on about it, or admired the lights of our other neighbors my father gruffly... more

Although I struggle mightily with issues of grief and loss during the holiday season, somehow, the seeds of resliency manage to push through the soil of my sorrow and yield a bountiful harvest of happiness and joy. Howz that for hyperbole? I wrote that line in those inflated terms in an attempt to communicate how incredible of a feat I think it is.

By the time all is said and done, I manage to enjoy the holidays, a lot. And I am thankful for that miracle. I know, without question, that I owe just about every bit of what joy I do experience... more

Is it just me or is the Christmas Spirit late in arriving this year? What’s with all the cranky people? We have received only two Christmas cards so far? Perhaps I just send mine out extra early? We visited my Mom yesterday and because her Children are grown she does not bother with a tree anymore. Come on Babushka what’s up with that? You deserve a little tree. My husband strung the lights outside but we cant plug them in do to a glitch with the cord. I’m so bummed about that. A fellow Mom in the toy department practically growled at me... more

This is our first Christmas as parents; our first Christmas with a toddler. The Christmas tree has been quite the center of excitement, wonder and temptaion for Livi and frustration for me. Overall I think our daughter had done well. She has not knocked it over yet. She has rearranged ornaments, broken an ornament and is fascinated with rubbing the prickly branches on her tummy ( a big red flag for sensory issues). When I put up the tree I did it when she was napping, she was able to see it sans decoration and was not so impressed by it. I... more

Soon our children will be home for Christmas break. I have been looking for things to keep my toddler busy during these long winter days indoors.I recently introduced playdoh but she seems to have the attention span of a fly and by the time I get everything set up she plays for three minutes and says “ all done”. There is a plethora of stuff online and I saved you some footwork& hopefully pop-ups by including some great links. I also love making homemade gifts so there is a link in there for that. I also included my sweet spoon gift idea.... more

I’m in the Holiday Spirit. I just love Christmas. I thought I would write a quick post on gifts to give a Preadoptive or Adoptive Mom. Just days before last Christmas I turned over the dossier I had worked so hard on. I was entering yet another Holiday Season childless. I was surpised when I received some small gifts from family that acknowledged that I was expecting. That meant the world to me. I encourage you to honor your paper pregnant friends & family. Happy Shopping. Want to share a story about a special gift you recieved? Got anything... more

On Thanksgiving we made the rounds to visit Family. Being a family of three is new to us, traveling and visiting with a toddler is even newer. Now I consider myself a well-prepared Mama. I’m one of those organized list makers- I write myself notes like (don’t forget sippy cup in fridge, don’t forget camera) Being as organized as I am I still goofed up and made mistakes. That got me to thinking about a post I could write about things to bring while visiting friends & family this Holiday Season. Feel free to let me know if you have any... more