Yesterday we had our tea party with Daddy then decided to head to the zoo. While we were there, L told me she had a sore in her mouth that really hurt. I could see it. It looked like she bit the inside of her cheek (and I know that hurts). She wasn't herself and even told me she didn't feel good. I asked what was bothering her she said her tummy and her cheek. She took a bit of a nap in the stroller (and the car once we left). We did a little bit of shopping (she seemed fine) every now and…

Waking up this morning I decided we would bake cookies for our swimming play date this afternoon. There's something magical for my girls about pouring a few random ingredients into a bowl; Then seeing something totally different come out of the oven as they hear the timer go off and they yell in unison, "DONE!"

M's second birthday was in December. She seemed to really understand what was going on. She knew we were going to Chuck E. Cheese for her party (and she was so excited), she knew she was going to get presents, family was coming because it was HER DAY! She loved looking the different cakes and picking out which one that SHE wanted. This WAS HER DAY COMING UP, AND SHE KNEW IT!



L on the other hand (although she is older), it had been ten months since her birthday, so…

If you’re the parent of a child in elementary school, you are likely very familiar with the concept of the “classroom party”.  As a mom of three, I spent many years helping to plan and organize these festive events for squirming, giggling kids.  And I loved every single minute of it!

And then after my kids…

Saturday night was Lou’s work party and I spent the day getting everything in the house perfect and my outfit ready since I was going to be spending the night in Ontario.  Whenever I leave the house overnight I am rather neurotic about making sure all laundry is done, everything is in it’s place and all my errands are done.  It’s like wearing clean underwear in case you’re in a accident, I don’t want to be caught with a hideous house…

So, I have been taking everything in I can learn about blogging - including blog hops, link parties, blog carnivals and all of that other stuff I have been hearing all of the mommy bloggers talking about that I have met over the past couple of weeks.

It can be a bit overwhelming, I have got to admit, when you see all of these things being talked about - yet no one seems to really explain what the heck any of it means!

From what I have gathered through a bit of research on my…

After I got knocked up, I spent a lot of time contemplating the important issues of pregnancy. The stuff that really matters about parenthood.

You know, like:

But when will I get to go to New York now?

Or:

Why did I not lose my post-wedding weight before I got pregnant and even fatter? 

And:

When can I legitimately start drinking wine again?

Obviously I am being facetious. I worried – worry – about lots of…

Welcome to my 15 Minutes to Fabulous series! I’ve been featuring some fantastic guest writers sharing ways to be fabulous in just 15 minutes. Let’s face it, give a busy woman 15 minutes of uninterrupted time and she can…

So it is Monday morning and I just got home from my walk with TT and Rorie and Lou came in from washing my filthy car.  He starts work late today, and after 2 beach days this weekend my car looked like a sandbox.  I was doing my stretches to try and fix my…

(http://www.craftymom101.com/2012/07/video-celebrating-2012-london-olympics.html)

(http://www.craftymom101.com/2012/07/craft-olympics-are-coming.html)

Jersey proudly shows off her fantastic torch

Back in 2008, when I was dating…

(http://www.craftymom101.com/2012/07/craft-olympic-sidewalk-fireworks.html)

the kids and I created some fantastic sidewalk fireworks in honor of our favorite part of the Olympics - the Opening Ceremonies! This is a stupidly cheap craft, and the only thing you have to buy is some sidewalk chalk, which any dollar store will have ready and waiting for you. With that said, we've found…

Is your least favorite part of your son’s birthday party putting together the favors? Does a themed birthday party make you twitch with anxiety? If you think Martha Stewart must be some sort of genius, check out these websites for inspiration.

Young Children

Some parents have it easy. When your child loves Dora the Explorer or dinosaurs, birthday party problems solve themselves. But when your youngest seems to love everything equally, where can you find…

I want to set a scene for you.  Sit back and get comfortable.

Imagine an adorable little 8 year old boy.  Freckles.  Big grin, ear to ear, showing the front tooth that's missing.  He's wearing a light blue polo shirt and jean shorts from the GAP.  He's got a big square package in his hands, almost too big for him to carry.  It's wrapped in shiny blue paper with robots on it.  He's running into a building with his friends.  He sits down at a table with Transformer plates and…

While scoping dates for my son's high school graduation party, I asked him if he had a gift wish list - should anyone happen to ask.



"Well, I need a …

We had Mr. B's 6th birthday party a couple of weekends ago, and since then, the moving train has taken off like the high speed bullet kind, which is one reason why I haven't had much time to post.  If you read about my crafty preparation for Miss P's party, then you've probably figured out that Mr. B's party was no exception.  I had printed out all of these old vintage sings for magicians, made some funky…

In the early 1980s, I went on a week-long Florida theme park tour with my father. I was around eight years old. It was my first big trip away from home, and exciting (to say the least). One of the now-defunct theme parks we stopped at was Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus’ aptly titled “Circus World”. It was a circus-themed park with many different attractions. At the time, it was the Winter quarters for the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, and that alone…

My son loves a good birthday party, and from a kid’s perspective, what’s not to love?  He's had all types of parties – bowling parties, Star Wars parties, karate parties, even a birthday party at Stew Leonard’s…

I've been feeling a little crummy about the time I've spent with the boys lately. Mostly because I've been glued to my computer. Which means, I've left Graham in front of the television or his own computer games, and I've left Will to torture his brother. Not the best parenting, I admit. But, I've been buried under work, and that's how I've been able to manage.

Regardless…

You know the scenario.  Balloons, cake, your kid waiting in anticipation on their friends to get to their birthday party.  You assume, as most rational people would, that because hardly anyone "regretted" the birthday party invitation that just about everyone is going to show up for your child's birthday party.  Your child is super excited and can't wait.  Then three kids show up out of about twenty.  Your child doesn't understand why the rest of their friends aren't there because…