Written on September 1, 2010
About once a week I receive an email, tweet, or Facebook message that begins like this,
Hi, Amy, I know you're really busy, but I heard you're the person to come to with Disney vacation questions...
More often than not there is a question about Disney Dining. Which character meals should we reserve, should I really get the dining plan, what is this I hear about free dining in the fall, how does the reservation system work....the questions go on and on. Later this month I will be attending an event here in DC sponsored by Disney with the purpose of learning more about Disney Dining including their free dining offer this fall.
This is your chance! Ask all of the Disney Dining questions you have in the comments section here and I promise to come back from the event with answers!
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Written on August 31, 2010
My four year old son is incredibly excited for back to school, but sadly there is a two and a half week spread between when big sister started school and when his pre-school begins. While keeping Noah happy without Emma presents an incredible parenting challenge (last year he asked me to do his hair with her barrettes by about day three...), it also gives me an opportunity to play school with him here at home. Noah loves to read and does so fluently, thinks numbers and math games are fun even asking me the answer to infinity minus google, but avoids writing unless it's critical such as creating a "No Girls Allowed" sign or a love note to his mother on a magnadoodle. I'm taking this week of alone time as my chance to sneak a little writing into our week.
Mission: Encourage 4 year old to practice lower case letters
Method: ...
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Written on August 30, 2010
The last month has been a whirlwind in my home, and quite frankly, it isn't going to calm down any time soon. Rather than have our mostly peaceful summer dwindle to a quiet close, we instead wrapped up summer vacation with my four day trip to the BlogHer Conference in NYC followed almost immediately by a three day family trip to Pennsylvania, writing a contract on a new home and having it accepted, flying with the family to spend four day in Texas, and returning only to find ourselves in the middle of home inspections and back to school preparation.
Today Emma started first grade. As I tucked her in last night we talked about riding the bus, making new friends, packing to move, painting her new room...so many big things on the mind of a little girl. In times of stress, many children turn inward, unsure of what to say, ...
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Written on August 29, 2010
The other morning while I was quickly getting ready to rush off to something with the kids, I noticed that my daughter had placed this bracelet on my bathroom counter. During Vacation Bible School this summer, each child was given a blue "Watch for God" bracelet and asked to do just that throughout their day. I remember thinking at the time what a great idea it was to focus the kids on signs of God and God's love all around them...but it didn't dawn on me that perhaps all the moms standing in the back of the sanctuary - keys in hand, babies on hips, Blackberries buzzing with the next appointment reminder - should each receive a bracelet as well. How many times in our day do we stop for a moment and notice God's presence?
Most of us have seen the Liberty Mutual commercial where people find inspiration ...
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Written on August 28, 2010
With a house upside-down in preparation for the big move to our new home, my mind wanders from time to time to what the next house will look like when shelves are put back together, boxes unpacked, and curtains hung. In my favorite daydreams, I've also decorated the new house for Christmas. There's a huge fir tree in the corner of our family room, a fire roaring in the gas fireplace, and garland made of evergreen draping down the staircase.
Even though it's August and my mind should be focused on back-to-school, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! To get in the holiday spirit - whatever the holiday - this week's Survey Saturday asks...
What is your favorite holiday?online surveys
Join in the fun and weigh in with this week's Survey Saturday poll!
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Written on August 27, 2010
Two years ago I had the opportunity to review the new Writing Fundamentals line from Mead and was so impressed with the concept, the quality, and my children's reaction to the products that I included them in my Top Five Gifts of 2008. Mead is a brand that is trusted by parents and students throughout the country - in fact, I track client projects in a Mead 5 Star Notebook - so it is no surprise that they would bring us Writing Fundamentals, a series of fun products that build and facilitate the skills of beginning writers. The new expanded line, which is broken into skill appropriate stages, includes products such as cutting activities, stencil work, connect-the-dot sheets, dry erase books, journals and more. Mead's Writing Fundamentals products are available nationwide at Walmart, Target and Staples at prices ranging from $3.99 to $6.99
Today's ...
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Written on August 27, 2010
For much of the country, Monday is back-to-school day. Yes, some of you have already sent your children off for another fun and exciting year, and some will probably enjoy a summer vacation that lingers until after Labor Day, but for most of us, this weekend is our last chance for back-to-school supply shopping. I know that many of you are like me and wait to the last minute as supply lists change and grow in the days before school begins and while attending open houses. For those of you heading out to your local big box or office supply store this weekend, there are some great ways to save money on back to school shopping. Try these "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" inspired tips to be green and save green!
There are five ways that my family saved money just in the one image above. Can you spot them?
Reduce:
Notice that pencil ...
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