Oh how I miss this age! I never thought I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps as a teacher until I spent so much time with these age groups. There was always something magical about toddlers and preschoolers. Maybe you don’t feel the same way as a parent in the thick of tantrums, potty…
2016 Holiday Gift Guides
It’s been a hard week and one where I’ve struggled to find the importance in my work especially when there seems like there are far more important things to do than write holiday gift guides. But here I am because for me, the holidays mean time with family, joy, and less stress and one way…
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Gets a Tech Savvy Upgrade with 2 Free New Apps
This is a sponsored post Sometimes it’s necessary to take a break from reality and have a little fun. Maybe your break comes from a great workout session and a rush of endorphins, a getaway to a fictional place thanks to a fabulous book, taking time out of your day for a massage in the…
From a Black Thumb to the White House Kitchen Garden: Things I’ve Learned as an Accidental Gardener
I used to be a houseplant serial killer despite aspirations of having a green thumb. Lush Boston ferns would succumb to too much heat and direct sun on our front porch while indoor plants would die a slow death from being overwatered and then neglected. I dreamed of having a lush fruit and vegetable garden…
2 Easy Ways to Save Time & Money with #CVS ExtraCare Rewards to #FindYourHealthy
This is a sponsored post If you shop at CVS like I do, you’re probably a member of their ExtraCare Rewards program but do you maximize the benefits that come when you sign up for a free account? Taking advantage of CVS ExtraCare Rewards doesn’t require you to be a contender for Extreme Couponing but…
How You Can Protect Little Lungs by Voting for Clean Air on November 8
This is a sponsored post When I was little and my family temporarily moved from Northern to Southern California, my mother used to look outside at the gray sky and put a sweater on me before sending me outside to play. Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, a gray sky meant the…
How to Secure Your Home for Holiday Travel
As a member of Master Lock’s Live Secure Safety Squad, I have been compensated for my time in writing this post and receive samples for review. The holidays are a joyous time filled with traditions plus time with loved ones and friends but in order to truly enjoy the season, it’s important to take steps to…
Thank You for Helping Haiti After Hurricane Matthew!
Known for beautiful waters and sandy beaches, the islands in the Caribbean are sought after destinations for travelers but somehow Haiti is overlooked by those craving rest and relaxation. Five years ago I started traveling to Haiti. My first trip was in 2012, just two years after the devastating 7.0 earthquake that claimed so many…
Why Interviewing Michelle Obama at the White House Felt Like Visiting a Good Friend
Despite living in the Washington, D.C. area for almost twenty years, an invitation to The White House is always special even if you’ve been before. Last week I went to the White House for the third time where my two day visit involved spending a glorious fall day planting basil, peppers, green beans, and sweet…
How to Create Effective Routines to Teach Middle School Study Habits at Home
This sponsored post is written in partnership with Workman Publishing Middle school. It’s a completely different ball game from elementary school. A new school where multiple elementary schools converge on a larger campus with more students, having lockers for the first time, figuring out bell times and how to get from one place to the…
