When we go to the park as a family the babies are happy playing on the slides and such, but for the bigs there is one option, and one option only:  the swings.  Back and forth is so lame.  All that matters is launching themselves as high and as far as possible.

Technically it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow.  But if you have kids you know the real Valentine’s Day revolves around class parties; thus Valentine’s Day is, for all practical purposes, today.  I’ll be making the rounds later on to watch my children get completely strung out on sugar and red dye #12. I’ll also be stealthily comparing […]

. . . because Jenna, the perky little Brownie from around the corner, came by this week toting her little wagon of sin (otherwise known as Girl Scout Cookies). Jenna: Hi Mrs. W, I’m selling Girl Scout cookies. You’re my first customer! Me: Hi Jenna. Unfortunately there’s this thing for grown-ups called Weight Watchers. Jenna: […]

Here are ten things that make me really happy (In no particular order): Looking out the window. I could sit for hours and just look out the window. Any window, really.  I just like to let my mind wander and think about whatever. Sometimes I’ll walk by a window and can’t resist stopping and staring. […]

I know what you’re thinking: the best broccoli? That’s like saying the friendliest wasp or the the funnest SAT test. It doesn’t exist.  But it does, mes amis, and it is delicious. And super easy to make. I won’t touch steamed broccoli with a ten foot pole anymore. It’s roasted… Read More

Ten years ago I begged my friend Nancy to show me how to knit. I learned the very basics and started knitting this hideous thing: It’s a bandage for people with leprosy. Not joking. Our church sent them to lepers in very poor parts of the world. Making leprosy bandages seemed so noble, at the […]

I’m off to smock a dress with a friend this morning (I’m so excited! I’ve always wanted to learn how!) and then the Thanksgiving preparations begin. I asked everybody in the family and it seems that we only care about mashed potatoes, rolls and dessert. We can’t exactly skip the turkey, but I think we’ll […]

I can already see your raised eyebrow and hear you muttering, “There isn’t one magic thing that we can do to make our children happy.” But there is! And, surprisingly, it doesn’t involve sports, music lessons or going to church. It’s eating dinner together as a family at least four nights… Read More

You might not believe this since I’m the mother of six, but it’s is my first year being a soccer mom. I’ve avoided the stigma of soccer mom-dom for many years, for the same reasons that many mothers refuse to drive minivans: you feel like you have lost every bit… Read More

If you remember the 70s and 80s very well you’ll recall the popularity of The Blonde. Farrah Fawcett, Olivia Newton John, Christie Brinkley, Jessica/Elizabeth from Sweet Valley High, and pretty much every smiling face in Seventeen Magazine was a girl with shiny blonde hair. The brunettes in the media were represented by Joanie on Happy […]

Tiffany (whose sunroom I’m very jealous of) had this great thing on her blog a while ago and it has intrigued me to no end.  It’s called formspring and the whole point of it is to ask people questions anonymously! How thrilling!  So if there’s anything you’ve ever wanted to ask me, now is your […]

I hate when people are so coy and call these items “feminine hygiene products”. Americans can be so Victorian about the weirdest things. Nevermind that there are tons of high school girls out there wearing short shorts that show their butt cheeks and skimpy little tank tops. But let’s not shock anyone by saying tampon. […]

In case you’re new to this blog, I’m pretty religious. But I’m not goofy about it (I hope!) It’s a big part of my life so I talk about it here on my blog.  And of course if it weirds you out you can unsubscribe. Or just come back when… Read More If you’re lucky enough […]

I was going to the bathroom, fan turned on to drown out the world (or at least my children), when I heard a furious pounding on my bedroom door.  I waited and the pounding continued.  Thinking somebody would be standing outside my door covered in blood or awaiting the Heimlich manoeuvre, I stumbled off the […]