Why I Stopped Potty Training My Kids

No more diapers. When Cora made the transition into "big girl panties" my potty training days were over.
Can I get a high five, fist bump, spirit fingers?
There was no sadness in my house when Cora stopped wearing diapers. I don't miss them at all. After changing diapers for almost 18 years and I don't know how many diapers that adds up to, but I'm sure it's in the thousands or tens of thousands.
Now that all seven... read more ❯
Simple Ways to Eat at Home

I know for some people it can be hard to break the habit of eating out, especially if cooking is not your passion or speciality. If you are struggling financially, or working towards a financial goal eating at home is a great way to save money.
How do you start a habit of eating at home? When we were working to get out of debt I did a few things that made eating at home easier... read more ❯
101 Things to Do on a Snow Day with Kids

Growing up in Florida, I had no idea what a "snow day" was until I moved up north. I also had no idea of the importance of snow day activities, until I spent a winter stuck inside a tiny apartment with my toddler.
I also became very familiar with this routine:
Dress all the kids up for snow (30 minutes)
Watch kids play in the snow (10 minutes)
Make kids hot chocolate after they come in... read more ❯
Christmas Punch

Do you love punch like I do? I'm a huge fan of it, but I never have a good recipe. Most of my punch experience comes from school parties of that sickeningly red Hawaiian punch mixed with 7-up.
While I'm not saying I wouldn't drink that punch down even today I'd be lying! But it's definitely a bit on the sweet side for me. Plus, no one wants bright red teeth at Christmas dinner.
This... read more ❯
DIY Christmas Cloche

Growing up, my grandmother had a Christmas decoration that always fascinated me. It was an old terrarium she had repurposed to make an enclosed Christmas village, with snow, little elves, reindeer, and tiny trees.
I haven't seen it in years, but the memory has always stuck with me because I thought it was such a unique, magical craft. When I think of childhood Christmases, that little terrarium always comes to mind.
Because of that, for years... read more ❯
Christmas Garland (Kid's DIY)

After unpacking all our Christmas decor this year, I realized quickly that most of my holiday season was going to be just a series of me saying "don't touch that!" while my kids continued their attempts to touch and rearrange all the breakable decorations that have lasted generations before them.
They just love being a part of the decorating process, but it's hard when
1. The decorations are breakable (as previously mentioned) and
2. I... read more ❯