Category: Ideas + Advice for Families

Cinderella Review

I was invited to take my family to a magical IMAX screening last weekend of Disney’s Cinderella 2015 coming to theaters March 13th.

Event images right of movie poster in collage below by Maribel Farina Photography

Cinderella Movie 2015

Cinderella, the classic Disney fairy tale we grew up with is coming to theaters this Friday in a new production unlike any Cinderella you have seen before.

We had the pleasure of viewing Cinderella The IMAX Experience in which the picture and imagery was so visually appealing it felt like the sparkles from The Fairy Godmother’s magic wand might actually jump off the screen and sprinkle the audience!

The movie, directed by Kenneth Branagh, stays true to the original movie, with few changes.

A young girl, Ella (Lily James) loses her mother as a girl and years later her father remarries a widow. Sweet Ella, in a promise she made to her dying mother to “have courage and be kind,” is ready to welcome her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters (Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera) into their home with open arms and an open heart….

On Happiness in Motherhood

This post is a personal one on happiness in motherhood and how to be a happier mom and it starts with this…

happiness

The other day I was cleaning out the dresser next to my bed and found a folded letter written on lined paper. My husband and I must have been in an argument and I took pen to paper to get all my feelings out.  I wrote it on 10-28-2008 and must not have ever given it to him (if you are reading this Stefan, you’re welcome.)

At the time I wrote this letter, I had a 2-year-old toddler and a high maintenance one at that (bless her).

Looking at the date, I must have been very hormonal because I didn’t know it yet, but I would find out I was pregnant with her baby sister 3 days later on Halloween. If I thought life was hard on THAT day, mama didn’t know what was in store with two children!

It brought back so many memories of that time in my life when I was exhausted, unbalanced and stretched to my limits between staying home with my toddler and trying to run this blog on my own. Those years for me were completely joyous and magical, but also SO FREAKING HARD.  I was not very happy. Not like I am today.

Here is an excerpt of what I wrote to my husband:

The At-Home Barista

 

I would like to share today my obsession with my electric milk frother for tired moms everywhere fueled on coffee. Links to product on affiliate links to help support our blog coffee addiction.

electric milk frother

 I’m no barista…

…but I sure have found a way to save some money and make my own Cafe Au’Laits.

Sure, when I was working a full-time outside sales job, Starbucks and Peets weren’t just an option, but a necessity. Fast forward a few years and now I find the concept of “stopping for coffee” laughable with a 2 and 5 year old….

How to Help Kids Who Are Afraid of the Dark

Lately, my preschooler has announced that he is afraid of the dark…and bedtime has been more of a challenge.  I know that kiddos go through different phases at different times, and I figured that some other kids and parents must be going through the same thing.  Today, I’d like to talk about how to help… Continue reading How to Help Kids Who Are Afraid of the Dark

Local Love: Fun For You and Your Little Ones!

Toddler Camp OC_Final[sponsor]

Today, I’m excited to share all about Toddler Camp OC with you – a weekly outing designed specifically for toddlers that provides a themed “adventure” for parents (or caregivers) and their child to experience all the best local spots, entertainment and kid programs.

Toddler Camp OC is a fantastic way to get out with your little ones and enjoy your local community, while meeting new friends (both parents and kids!).

Because as we moms know, it takes a village (right?!), and there is nothing better than meeting other moms who are going through the same stages and phases you are, while letting your kiddos meet other kiddos their own age.  Plus, at Toddler Camp OC, you’ll probably learn about places and programs you didn’t even realize existed……….