Being an ex-teacher, a writer, and a mother, I am always on the lookout for picture books and stories that will fit special occasions.

Prime example. With the start of kindergarten just a little over a week away, I wanted to find a book to read to the Cheese Eater about the first day of school, something that would help emotionally prepare him for his big day and get him excited about starting school. Luckily, I found two books at my local… Read More

The battle has begun! And it happens around one o'clock every day.

The Cheese Eater was never a good nap taker. From the very beginning he fought taking naps, which would only end up being only an hour or so. But the Bald-head Monkey has always been a good nap taker. Once he's down, he'll conk out for a good three hours or more if you let him. That was until he started to fight the good naptime fight.

It all started when we moved… Read More

I wish I could take credit for this cute idea, but this fun back-to-school treat comes from Family Fun magazine. These "Candy Crayons," from the September '04 issue, are so easy to make. I made them as part of the party favors for the Cheese Eater's crayon coloring themed birthday party, but they are a perfect treat for your little one who is getting ready to head to pre-school or kindergarten. "Candy Crayons" are quick and inexpensive, and best of all, an easy cooking… Read More

Wouldn't it be nice if life was just one big vacation? I would prefer it, but unfortunately, it's never going to happen. So when the Golfer called from work last week and said, "Let's go on one more road trip before school starts," I was all over it.

I pulled out my handy dandy California travel bible, The Unofficial Guide to California with Kids, that has yet to steer me wrong. It didn't take me long to decide on driving to… Read More

I never actually thought it would happen, but I now actually enjoy exercising.

It's a miracle!

In her new book "I Feel Bad About My Neck", Nora Ephron says, "When you're young, you should put on a bikini and not take it off until you are thirty-four." Well, she's right and I wish I had followed that advice. But now that I am 34 years old, no matter how badly I want to turn back the clock and put on that… Read More

Oh, don't I wish!

I'm not sure what it's like in the rest of the country, but here in Southern California there's been a lot of soccer talk lately. You can't open the L.A. Times without seeing his face, which of course as far as I'm concerned, isn't a bad thing.

I must admit, I've never really been that into soccer, but both of my boys seem to enjoy it. Soccer is so huge in youth sports. For my boys, who are on the smaller side, soccer is… Read More