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Last Visit: May 27, 2008
Comments Made: 25
Topics Added/Edited: 0
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"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am a writer and a columnist for Disney's Dream Team and with my dear friend Emily Miles Terry, I've co-authored the New York Times Bestseller NESTING: It's a Chick Thing and IT'S A CHICK THING (www.chickstyle.com) I am a Jack of all trades, master of none but I'm always game to try new things. If you learn from your mistakes, you could consider me very well educated. If you can make me laugh, you own me, which is why my heart belongs to my husband and children.

My husband, Peter, is my rock and if I said I wanted to be a trapeze artist he would hang ropes in the back yard tomorrow. He's a man of action and faith. Our amazing children, Grace, 6, and Luke, 2, simultaneously stretch the limits of our sanity and make our world a perfectly sensible place. Grace is the quintessential "Daddy's Girl" but she knows where her hair is braided. Luke, is my "Mama"s Boy." He parrots back everything we say and it's hysterical and humbling to hear your words echo back in the sweet voice of a toddler.

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DreamTeamAme

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dream Team Newsletters I've Written

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

When little toys cause big problems.

A fun, simple project entertains a 6-year-old on a sick day.

3 comments

Create a clever centerpiece that helps guests remember to give thanks.

A bag of tricks makes time fly.

A fun, free alternative to expensive greeting cards.

7 comments

Kids feel a sense of completion after collecting mementos from their travels.

You might not need a special technique to teach kids shoe-tying.

2 comments

A unique product helps one mom get her toddler to finish his meals.

A fun, fancy alternative to homemade cupcakes.

10 comments

Tips for a do-it-yourself "museum school" for kids.

Keep kids busy with a seasonal journal.

11 comments

Helping kids get over their fear of trick-or-treating.

A simple way to make soap more fun.

Ideas for taking the pain out of helping kids write thank-you notes.

3 comments

A heartfelt way for families to express love during the holidays.

Trying to keep your kids busy so you can get some work done? Let your kids try this easy magazine project.

3 comments

A little pretending goes a long way in getting a 6-year-old to do her chores.

2 comments

Throw together a great, last-minute 4th of July party with these ideas.

2 comments

Indoor "gardening" delights kids eager for spring.

6 comments

Take time to pause for Thanksgiving in between Halloween and Christmas.

11 comments

How to keeps kids' behavior from getting out of hand at the grocery store.

12 comments

Watching cartoons can teach you a lot about storytelling and how kids think.

7 comments

Tips on making after-Christmas sale merchandise work for other holidays.

21 comments

A new spin on an old tradition eases fears of the Tooth Fairy.

Your home decor can be fashionable and kid-friendly.

6 comments

Handprints give a special touch to Valentine's Day cards.

2 comments

Great birthday party favors that won't break the bank.

Let your kids create their own custom postage stamps.

5 comments

Helping kids remember the importance of giving thanks and giving back.

11 comments

How to make Halloween decor fun instead of frightening.

1 comment

Keep track of kids' belongings by personalizing them with fun labels and tags.

16 comments

Take the sting out of morning routines with an easy plan.

3 comments

A clever art station for the car makes trips more pleasant.

4 comments

Helping kids appreciate family history.

9 comments

A sweet holiday tradition teaches kids patience and generosity.

Recreate fancy snacks with a few simple ideas.

11 comments

A handy "rescue pack" helps Mom prepare for life's little emergencies.

Mixing homemade bubbles is a must-try summertime activity.

12 comments

Planning a group party for kids with summer birthdays.

15 comments

All the fun of a sleepover without the stress of sleeping over.

1 comment

Springtime birdwatching inspires a mom-and-daughter art project.

6 comments

A special cookbook inspires mother and daughter to cook together.

2 comments

An empty Petri dish makes an irresistible photo frame.

Kids come up with creative craft ideas using materials already around the house.

1 comment

An outdoor craft cures a case of spring fever.

An easy idea to store kids' treasures.

What I've Been Talking About

In Response To:

Summertime Fruit Fun

June 04, 2008

I love the dip recipe--anything dippy holds my kids interest! We also love fruit "kabobs" drizzled with vanilla yogurt and berry "caterpillars" and for my little guy, I load up his little dump trunks with blueberries or grapes and he loves to unload them into his mouth. Hey whatever it takes! Right?

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In Response To:

"Climb the Walls" Birthday Party

June 03, 2008

We just had a climbing party for my daughter's 7th birthday and it was a huge hit with all the kids. Your suggestion for lining up parents to help with belaying is great--I didn't do it ahead of time but luckily a few were able to stay so the kids wouldn't have to wait very long in between climbs.

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In Response To:

Budget Kids' Room Makeover

May 30, 2008

Oh my goodness--I can so relate. My first graderm Grace, gets her "makeover madness" honestly--I love to do little renovations and changes to our home on an ongoing basis. One way I've discovered to help her keep things fresh is to have framed artwork in her room that we change every few months--with pictures that she draws. The initial investment was minimal--3 matted 11 X 14 frames bought on sale for $30 total--and she loves to create new pieces of art to proudly display in her room. It's like having her own little gallery.

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Guest Book

Currently 1 Guestbook Comment Added

princesssmermaid says:

November 29, 2007

I love the Elf on the Shelf idea. I went and purchased one last night but i would like some advice how he should appear in our home. Should i just leave him in the package with the book and have one of my kids stumble across it as if someone (Santa) left it for us or should I say, hay everyone, look what i picked up at the store? Love to hear some ideas.....Renee`

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