My husband grew up in a "meat and potatoes" family, where dinner was prepared by his SAHM, who followed a strict weekly menu and dessert - most likely something homemade, sticky and very sweet - sometimes came first.

My brother and I, on the other hand, enjoyed our t.v. dinners (they also came with dessert!) lovingly placed on a fold-out tray in front, well, the television.

So, all things considered - though, our eating habits have changed and merged over the years - we are raising our children somewhere in the middle and semi-homemade.

I opened my 9-year-old daughter's lunchbox, reached in, pulled out a Twinkie and I just stood there, staring, with confusion written all over my face.

"What's wrong?"

My husband was hesitant to ask and patiently waited - as I disengaged my mental breaks - for a response.

"What's this?"

My poor husband was treading on dangerous ground, and he… Read More

Inspired by both my Hungarian parents and a terribly superstitious grandmother, my twin brother and I grew up in a house filled with lucky charms, herbal remedies and wonderfully scary stories of the old country.

I can still remember the times we'd spend downstairs - we shared a house and lived in a small apartment above my grandmother - curled up in her lap and listening to spirits lament the living, feeling as if they were floating just above… Read More

I love my three girls and cannot live a day, or kiss them goodnight, without telling them, "Mommy loves you!"

Their housekeeping habits, not so much!

Honestly, aren't girls supposed to be neater and why do my daughters insist that it's okay, living in a room so, you know?

Ick!

Don't even get me started on how long they take in the shower - I know, three girls...one bathroom...what did I expect? - thankfully, I don't… Read More

I have been blessed with many friends and - though, I haven't actually met most of them, you know, in person - I'm excited to be able to attend this year's BlogHer Conference in Chicago, where I hope to have the pleasure of finally getting together with some of the bloggiest... mommies... I read and... I am dying to meet... face-to-face!

I think.

Let's face it, sitting down at the… Read More

We're into the last 11 days of school, but - with my 11-year-old's 5th grade graduation and my 5-year-old graduating kindergarten - it is a very stressful time of year and reading Crank Mama's latest article in Rugrat Reprieve, I was able to relate to many of the signs that she believes signal it might be time for a Mommy Break.

"Laughing inappropriately when your kids get hurt, hoping your husband trips on the wet towel he

… Read More

I have a confession to make.

[looks left, looks right and quickly turns out the light before locking front door]

I am not a huge fan of last minute play dates.

[blows a sigh of relief]

My kids know the drill.

I will only schedule play dates with at least 24 hours notice and - unless, in an emergency, or whenever another mom's schedule is, you know, even crazier, than mine - in philosophy,… Read More