I’ve been working on design plans for Coco’s room lately. She’s coming up on two, and her personality is really shining right now. She’s talking and singing and dancing. It’s a delight to watch her morph into such a… person. I’d been waiting to see who she was before really getting to work on her [...]

I’ve been looking for a dresser for Coco’s room for a while. Something simple, that would grow with her. I spied just that at Ikea not that long ago. I noticed it in the warehouse section, as I was heading to the check-out. But it was up on a platform, so I couldn’t get to [...]

“Toys with Integrity.” That’s the tag line for ImagiPLAY. It sounds snooty, right? But as a toy snob, I get it. The girls received another incredible gift today, from my brother-in-law and his family. And they get us. The girls. What kind of children’s “entertainment” we like in our home. And before you roll your [...]

I’m not into pink. Or prissy. Or fussy. Or Disney princesses. Personal preference. But last night, a close family friend stopped by with a gift for the girls. And insisted that they open it on the spot. No waiting until Christmas morning. She wanted to see their sweet little faces when the wrapping paper was [...]

An end-of-the-year gift to myself: the Comme des Garcons wallet. In gold. A little flashy for my usual tastes, but I had to have it. It spoke to me. And a splurge? Indeed. But when you factor in how many times, per day, that you whip out your wallet, it seems a little more practical. [...]

It’s become a running joke in my house that I’m losing my mind. I can’t remember where I put things. I’m forever leaving things behind. Once? I even drove off with a large stack of mail on the roof of my car. I’ve been using the momAgenda. My friend Sonja and I have been emailing [...]

My absolute favorite hat for kids is this one… It’s by La Folie. Called “Babe in the Woods.” Both of my girls wear this hat. It’s soft (no itchies here!), it’s warm, and it’s good-looking. It’s also on sale. I’m glad that it’s cold and snowy now. The girls will be wearing their hats. A [...]

So my trip to Heidelberg was lovely. It was just what the doctor ordered – a little time with my husband, kid-free, in a foreign country. And Germany is one of a few European countries I have not visited. It was perfect. We found a lot of hidden gems on the little side streets, off [...]

I am not the kind of girl who you will see toting around a Louis Vuitton purse. First of all, it’s just not my style. Second of all, I can’t stand walking in a room and seeing five other women with the same thing that I have on. And yes, I know that it’s bound [...]

Stepped into Old Navy today, just to check it out. I just discovered it as a gem, not that long ago, for the basics in kid’s clothing. I know I’m late to get on the bandwagon, but admittedly I can be a snob about these things. Nonetheless, I am loving the store. So much to [...]

I’ve been searching for a replacement for my Uggs. Forever now. I’ve been wearing one or another style of Uggs since 2000. Before anyone else was wearing them. And students on the campus of Iowa State University (don’t ask) looked at me, looked at my boots, looked back at me, and rolled their eyes. Fast-forward [...]

Some of my favorite classic children’s books. These just bring me back. I’m sure they’ll bring you back, too… “Caps for Sale.” This is such a simple book. In fact, it’s basic. The illustrations are simple. The story is simple. And yet, my oldest asks for it over and over. I think it must be [...]

Some of our current favorite books, in no particular order: “The Tao of Rudy.” It’s written by a local author. She also did her own illustrations, which are wonderfully vibrant paintings. She is also an artist. Truly gifted. I have bought this book for just about every child I know, to give to this year’s [...]

Kids have way too many toys these days. Mine included. In fact, I just spent yesterday evening packing up two trash bags and a moving carton with stuff that I then threw into a closet. I’ll pull them out down the road. When my girls have long since forgotten about them. But going through the [...]