Tiny Mitten Secrets

Songs for Michigan Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:40:34 PST

We're proud Michiganders. Even in the bitter of February after months of freezing ice and snow. It's hard not to be when the kids wake up to a surprise snowfall blanketing the back woods. Eyes sparkling. Smiles laughing. The fresh snow silence is unheard anywhere else. And, nothing's as cozy as a warm fire and soft blanket with winter's freeze at...

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Discipline: Laying Down the Law

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:22:50 PST

In two years of daycare, Jack's been in time out twice. Twice. I sometimes question if we're dealing with the same three-year-old. The one that whines for hours because he wants two gummy worms, not one. Who pushes his 14-month-old sister around five thousand times a day. Argues that he's not arguing. Claims he's being careful after hitting the...

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One Thing We Can't Live Without. Well, Two Things.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:51:26 PST

Almost a year ago I asked mommy friends, readers and followers a question: "What's the one thing you can't live without as a parent?" My plan was to take a personal survey. Compare trends. Post responses. And compare secrets. Maybe help us all uncover a new trick to help manage the madness. As answers poured in, I...

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Keeping the Christmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:42:06 PST

By now, the Christmas lights are off. Trees once covered in sparkles now cover the curbs (or, like ours, the bonfire pit). No more silly tricks by mischievous elves. I meant to get this post up before the holidays. Mainly to catch your inspiration before the tree hit the ground. But, the week before Christmas filled up quickly with colds,...

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Nursery Update: Peacock & Play for a Toddler

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:18:54 PST

Recently, we slightly re-arranged Ella's nursery to reflect her growth. Packed away the burp clothes. Removed the breakables. And, made playtime much more accessible. All modifications were made with no extra cost. Now, her room echoes a toddler's. For before pics of Ella's nursery, click here. When we created the...

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Ten Gifts for New Moms

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:02:25 PST

Color me strange, but I love holiday shopping. Not the actual parading of stores part. But, the browsing for the perfect present part. The brainstorming. The thought behind the gift that makes someone smile. Something they need. Could actually use. Or, holds sentimental value. I’m a mom. With two kids under four, I’m still considered a...

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Snapshot Series: Walk of Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:44:19 PST

It was Wednesday afternoon. The evening sun peeked through the windows. Lighting the kitchen in warm orange glow. Little coats and report sheets lazily scattered the kitchen island. Each telling a story of the day. I had picked the kids up early from daycare. My monthly routine when Justin is up north for a night. We had an hour before I...

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Birthday is for Butterflies

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:34:28 PST

Three weeks from today, Ella will be one. An entire year has whizzed by. Literally whizzed. With Jack, I couldn't wait for him to start walking. To turn one. And, gain his independence. But, not my little girl. I dream she stays small forever. So, just in time for the holiday madness, we're planning Ella's first birthday. Filled with...

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Kid-Approved Tortellini & Veggie Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:12:15 PDT

I'm not a chef. Won't pretend to be. Really, my husband understands the kitchen better than me. But, I do prefer a healthy meal. Filled with goodness to make the kids grow strong. And, something simple. Ingredients I can easily find at the supermarket. Finally, a recipe that takes less than 30 minutes and fits on an index card. I came across...

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ABC. Not as Easy as 123.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:44:29 PDT

Our three-year-old Jack has been singing the ABCs since he was just over two. Clearer than crystal. He can also count to 30. To ten in Spanish, with no help. But, when it comes to identifying letters and sounds or numbers, he's clueless. I hold up a "B," he boldly shouts "Jay!" I ask what letter dinosaur starts with he says "A,...

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Red Leaves and Green Snot

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:41:20 PDT

Well, it’s definitely fall. Not because of the cozy boots or vibrant leaves. But, because our family weathered our first sickness. As a parent, the beauty of autumn signifies the ugly of sick. Unending snot. Horrific coughs. Watery eyes. And, “well we can’t prescribe her anything” nod from the doctor. Puffy-eyed Ella with her first cold...

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Down on the Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:27:37 PDT

Before kids, I dreamed of creating the perfectly unique birthday party. From hand-crafted decorations to signature drinks, each birthday better than the last. But, today, our hectic life and crazy schedules leave little room for etching names on party favors and cooking homemade pot pies for 30-plus. So, for Jack's third birthday party I mixed a...

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Bounce House, Crab Legs, and a Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:48:12 PDT

Jack officially turned three on Sunday. One of my favorite days of the year. The one that signified the beginning of our family. And, when my heart began beating outside my body. It was the day I finally understood the best part of life. Jack woke to balloons covering the living room. Eggs and bacon for breakfast. Then, the best surprise...

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Snapshot Series: Praising My Three-Year-Old

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:00:40 PDT

The post below is a part of my Snapshot Series, an e-journal of my children. Like pages in a diary, I share the moments of laughter and smiles that keep my world turning. Captured like photographs. So when Jack leaves for college or Ella goes on her first date, I'll have these tiny memories to...

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Snapshot Series: All the Baby Moments I Would Have Missed

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:07:39 PDT

Today's post is a part of my Snapshot Series, an e-journal of my children. Like pages in a diary, I share the moments of laughter and smiles that keep my world turning. Captured like photographs. So when Jack leaves for college or Ella goes on her first date, I'll have these tiny memories to remember. Today was...

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It's in the Bag. The be...bag.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:30:36 PDT

I can’t remember the last time I cluttered a purse with nonsense. Now-a-days, it’s the diaper bag that’s full of it. Gum wrappers. Lip gloss. Tweezers. Multiple pens. Crinkled receipts. And, lost pennies. With a baby and preschooler, I’m usually handcuffed to a diaper bag. But lately, as Ella approaches one and potty training Jack is a...

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Combating the Most Common Illness Among Youngsters. Starting at the Gums.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:09:13 PDT

In the past month, Ella has taken to solid foods and sippy cups like a devoted Olympic gold medallist. It wasn’t easy. But, the road to victory never is. Razzed yogurt. Splattered formula. Mushed blueberries. And, protesting squeals. Much more of a mess at this age than her older brother was. But, my goal to kick the bottle by her first birthday...

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Two Kids. One Vacation. It Happens.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 09:55:05 PDT

Just four springs ago, Justin and I sipped frozen margaritas and lazily soaked up the Caribbean during our honeymoon in St. Maarten. Almost daily, we watched two parents with two toddlers fluster their way through vacation. “Let’s never bring our kids on vacations like this,” we promised each other. “How un-relaxing,” we cooed as one...

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Every Night's and All-Nighter When You're a Parent

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:01:44 PDT

In the past three years, the hubs and I have enjoyed about ten nights of uninterrupted sleep. That’s about 1,085 un-enjoyable days. I’m surprised dark, saggy bulges aren’t permanently tattooed under my eyes. Mornings after five-hour stretches feel like we’ve endlessly dozed on clouds. Best. Nights. Sleep. Ever. Sleeping in means 8 a.m. And,...

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Unjunking Junk Food. It's Unreal.

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:57:29 PDT

I could live off chocolate. And the days I forget to pack my lunch for work, I do. We stopped buying chocolate candy because it’s gone within hours. I just can’t resist. We’ve since stopped buying anything sweet. Our almost three-year-old can’t withstand treats. Mainly Skittles and Taffy. But, his eyes get all gooey, face in a smirk, when we...

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Summer "Bucket" List

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 07:04:11 PDT

There are many days I find us trapped in typical. Especially as we capture the warmth of Michigan’s summer. Head to the beach. Stroll downtown. Eat icecream. Explore the backyard. Blow bubbles. And, splash in the pool. It’s not that our regular activities aren’t fun. Just normal. And plenty of days we’ve gotten caught in the couch....

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The Fish Learns to Swim

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:06:15 PDT

Normal 0 Our summer is floating away. Literally. We’ve splashed plenty of afternoons away at the lake. Fished off the dock. Ate sand at the beach. Hunted for turtles on the paddleboat. And, treaded the slippery rocks of Lake Huron. We’re a typical lake-loving Michigan family. So our water adventures won’t stop here. We’ve got at...

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Away From My Blog Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:57:33 PDT

I’m a slacker. Blog slacker that is. Summer is washing away with fun and adventure. And I’m too busy to share it all. Sorry for that. But, I promise to fill up pages – and inspire – with some nifty things beginning next week. We’re headed north to the cabin for a week. For now, here’s a sneak peak of what’s to come. Happy Fourth all!

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Love Letters: Seventh Month of Ella

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:13:22 PDT

Our little Ella, Today you are seven months old. Petite wrists and ankles. Twinkling blue eyes. Chubby cheeky smile. And sassy squeals. I think you’ve found your volume for this family. Although you smile at everything, it takes a little time to find comfort with new faces. You now voice your dislike of the changing table. Wince at your...

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Dad Gifts in a Hurry

noreply@blogger.com (Leah B) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:10:43 PDT

I like to get creative and thoughtful with gifts. But usually little holidays, birthdays and special occasions creep up. Typically, I’ll remember the approaching date a week ahead. Leaving a little window for invention. And a large hole for simple, quick and rush delivery. Here’s a round up of some easy, yet unique Father’s Day gifts I...

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