The Voice of Mom

A few months ago, I was asked to participate in the Flings Mom Panel, which is basically a group of moms who blog who are involved in the product launch of something called Flings Bins. (For the record, I am not paid for this, it just sounded interesting so I agreed).

Flings sent me a sample of one of their containers — a disposable container for collecting recyclables. Although it’s meant for using at parties and such, I have been using it to collect cans and bottles that we return to the grocery store for the deposits. It’s turned out to be the best collection method we’ve tried, since the container stands up in our broom closet and isn’t prone to tipping or spilling like a regular old bag would be.

Anyway, they passed along this July 4th video and I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

This week, our highlighted book is for kids. Feeding Penny Pig is the story of a lonely, hungry piggy bank who finds a new home when a kindly grandmothers sees her in the store and buys her for her granddaughter’s birthday.

Now, my kids have been long obsessed with piggy banks and this book has furthered that obsession. Now, they aren’t just interested in coins for their clinking into the banks, but because they want to make sure that their piggy banks are well fed. (more…)

Last Monday, I started reading My Life in France, a memoir by Julia Child with her grand-nephew Alex Prud’Homme. It’s a fantastic book that zips you through Julia’s life and meeting her beloved husband Paul before dwelling on her wonderful years in France, where she attended the Cordon Bleu, started a small cooking school with several friends and eventually wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

So far, I am nearly halfway through this amazing book. The lively writing literally transports you to Julia’s Paris. You can feel the cold set in as winter befalls, and shake your head at the rolling blackouts that prevent the students from actually cooking at the Cordon Bleu some days. When I mentioned on Facebook that I was reading it, a friend said that it feels like Julia is speaking to you on every page … it’s so true.

It’s as if Julia herself is telling me these stories — not me, the reader and one of many, but me, the person … and only me. What powerful writing.

Have you read this book? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

This weekend I read Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger.

I’ve read Salinger before. In middle school, I pondered my way through The Catcher in the Rye and wrote about it. I respect him as a storyteller and author, but his ideas make me squirm a bit since they are disturbing and raw. If nothing else, his writing really makes you think hard. Franny and Zooey is no exception.

The book is comprised of two short stories about the youngest members of the Glass family. The children of the family, all adults now, were stars of a radio program where they showcased their high-intellects. Both stories are related to Franny’s mental breakdown. (more…)

It’s April 15. (DUM-DA-DUM-DUM!) Have you filed your taxes and/or extension to file yet? Today is the day that it needs to be done.

There is an upside though: some businesses are trying to brighten your day today with freebies. Check out this great article on WalletPop to find out who is offering what gratis …

The first time that I made homemade salsa, I was in college. The recipe called for cilantro – an herb that I’d never had. I hated it. It was such a foreign and unusual taste … and not one that I enjoyed in any shape or form. I’ve since learned to tolerate this herb, for its important role in some cuisines … but I still cringe a little using it.

Turns out, I am so not along … and there may even be a scientific reason that some people just hate cilantro. Really and truly. The New York Times has a great article … read it.

A few years back, the various companies that make games started an advertising campaign about the joys of Family Game Night.  I kind of dismissed it because my two boys were not even close to being able to follow directions and let’s not even discuss what would happen if they lost a game.

Fast forward to now, I have an 8 year old and an almost 7 year old.  Both are capable of following directions and even losing – somewhat gracefully.  Since December, we have discovered the fun of playing good old fashioned board games.  You know the one’s you remember from your own childhood that were so fun to play?   Trouble and Monopoly were a couple of my favorites, which are now games we play as a family.

Trouble is still as I remembered it, that plastic bubble has to be popped to “roll the dice” and the never-ending need for the “6” so you can get all your guys out.  It really is a game of strategy, and it has been so fun watching as both of our boys try to figure out which move will put them in the best position to knock one of us out of the game. (more…)

Airbrushing is one of those hot-button issues that pops up from time to time. Sometimes its a starlet complaining about her waist being whittled away, sometimes it’s due to original photos being leaked out, showing how cellulite really does impact everyone. But this latest one is a shocker: a British magazine admitted recently to airbrushing the fat rolls from a baby … to make the photo look more natural.

“We lightened his eyes and his general skin tone, smoothed out any blotches and the creases on his arms,” he said. “But we want it to look natural.”

That’s what a casting director for Practical Parenting magazine in the UK said, according to an article on The Today Show’s website.

Perhaps that casting director needs a lessen or two on what is natural. Those fat rolls and blotches are completely natural; anything airbrushed is complete unnatural. Many young children have adorable, pinch-worthy little rolls that are fondly referred to as baby fat. It’s a sign of their hardiness. And as they grow and develop, those little rolls give away to adorable, strong bodies. That’s about as simple as things come. (more…)

My daughter adores Door-da (that’s Dora, in her cute two-year-old language). She could really do without television, if it weren’t for Dora and her buddy Boots and their cute adventures. For my part, I don’t really mind letting her watch an episode here and there since she always seems to learn something.

As for my four-year-old son, he adores the let’s-pretend adventures of the Backyardigans. While he doesn’t get to watch often (the show comes on after their bedtime), when he does he loves every second of it. I love that he gets to get worlds he wouldn’t normally know anything about — and it’s all pared down so that his young head can totally wrap around it.

All of this is a roundabout way of saying that my kids really like some of the child-friendly programming on Nick Jr. So, when I read about Storytime Live, a live-action show for kids that features Nick Jr. characters, I was really excited (check out the review I read on MomTrends). The live tour is traveling around the country and has dates listed through the end of August — so there is plenty of time (and plenty of places) to catch the show. (more…)

I love consignment stores since they help me save big money on kid clothes. I feel like I’m constantly bagging up clothing that is way too small for my daughter — of course, as that happens, she also needs more clothing to wear. A fairly recent discovery for me is Once Upon a Child, a chain of children’s consignment stores where parents can both shop for lightly used (or never used!) children’s gear and clothes. I discovered it about a year ago and keep going back.

Once Upon a Child sells baby gear, dance wear, toys, shoes, books, furniture, and tons of clothes.The clothes racks are divided by size, allowing you to quickly find what you are looking for. Stores stock the shelves with some adorable styles from brands including Carter’s and Hanna Anderson — and all for way less than retail. (more…)