The words we use for ourselves and for our children have the power to create or destroy their souls. I'm not talking about "everyone gets a participation trophy" stuff here, I mean the deep down you-matter-as-a-person stuff. There are enough destructive influences in the world. I feel it so important that we follow the example of Mr. Rogers and fill our children with as much love and goodness as Keep Reading >>
“Earworm” Will Stay With You For Years
Children's music requires introduction and/or revision of key concepts, with catchy music, and clever lyrics thrown in. If the music is not also palatable to the adults, it won't last. It's not an easy balance to strike. However Sean McCollough's music passes that test and goes the extra mile. I received this album free of charge for the purpose of this review. Clever lyrics are especially Keep Reading >>
What I Hope My Children Learn From Me
While parenting is largely synonymous with teaching, we often wonder if anything is getting through. There is SO MUCH to teach, but is any of it sinking in? Do the kids even hear me? How can I possibly teach them everything they're supposed to know and be and do, even if they did hang on to my every word? (Side note: if your children hang on to your every word please teach me your ways. I'll be Keep Reading >>
Visit Staunton, Virginia
The small city of Staunton, Virginia lies between Lexington, VA, and Harrisonburg, VA. This quirky little city is full of shops, restaurants, museums, a replica of Shakespeare's Blackfriars Playhouse, Mary Baldwin University, and so much more. We took a weekend visit to this charming little city and decided to share it with all of you. American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse Keep Reading >>
Nobody Warns You
Nobody warns you. Photo by Andreas Wohlfahrt from Pexels Any woman who brings a child into the world must travel through the valley of the shadow of death. The journey can be harrowing and the results are sometimes devastating, sometimes blissful. But no one dare warn the uninitiated for fear of scaring them off. Nobody warns you. They tell you babies are expensive: Keep Reading >>
Life Lessons from the Move
We moved from Texas to Michigan. It was quick in the beginning and slow in the end. It was excruciating and wonderful and everything in between. Moving - everything goes! Nothing had gone according to plan. (Well, one thing did: we got an offer on our second day of showings. Yay us!) Yet despite nothing going to plan everything has worked out. I was explaining to the children that we just Keep Reading >>
A Conversation with Randy Kaplan
Rarely do we get the opportunity to pick the minds of those whom we admire. Randy Kaplan is brilliantly creative and clever. He's also ridiculously busy. After his recent show at a local library I was able to sit down with him for a couple of minutes and ask some of my more pressing questions. Rather than summarize our conversation I've decided to transcribe the whole conversation, editing out Keep Reading >>
Shake It and Break It, with Randy Kaplan
In advance of the release of his newest album, Randy Kaplan is on the road again. Fortunately for me, one of his stops was nearby so my youngest and I were able to catch him live and sit down for a few minutes after the concert to talk. First things first, and you know I've said this before: if you ever get the chance to see a children's performer live, do it. All the better if you know the Keep Reading >>
Call a Truce in Your Cleaning Wars
There once was a time when every time I cleaned my husband got suddenly hungry for chips and my kids complained that the house stank. Those were the vinegar days. The vinegar days mark the beginning of my quest to improve the indoor air quality in my home. I was also concerned with using cleansers that would not harm my family if accidentally ingested. I've since also become concerned with other Keep Reading >>
Kindred Brings Us All Together
Take note: with the very first song on the very first listen of this new album, my son said "I like this music!" He sang along with the chorus. On our first listen. He likewise sang along with the second song on the album. Whenever we got into the car without his older brothers and we could listen to this album he reminded me "I like this music." This little man has listened to music his Keep Reading >>