Homeschooling 
As far as handwriting skills go, my two older boys could not be more different. Bradley never enjoyed coloring or artistic activities, and the dexterity in his fingers was always a little behind. Even today, his handwriting is poor. Cameron, on the other hand, always loved painting, crayons, markers, and puzzles, and as a result, he is a much stronger writer today. My twins are going into preschool this fall, and as far as it depends on us, we want them to excel at handwriting. This summer, we are planning some "intentional fun" for our twins that will build their motor skills. Motor skills are movements muscles ...Read More
It Can Happen To Anyone: One Habit to Never Forget Your Child in The Car
This is a must read post if you have young children. Okay, deep breath. This is something almost no one else knows. I asked Trisha and Luke if I could share this guest post anonymously because I'm afraid of the eager-to-call-CPS-busy-bodies out there, but I feel strongly about sharing this story. It happened almost three years ago, and I'm just now brave enough to write it. Here's what you need to know about me: I'm a helicopter mom, admittedly. I own almost three dozen outlet protectors, 5 baby gates, and at least 5 child proof locks for our cupboards. I had a doorwall put in for the express purpose ...Read More
Foods Creamy Purple Cabbage with Bacon
This creamy purple cabbage with bacon recipe is so delicious that the whole family loves it. I really like purple cabbage. My kids really like purple cabbage. Plain ole' green cabbage they turn their nose up at. But there's something about the purple cabbage beckons them to eat it. Is it the color? The crunch? The extra vitamins in red cabbage? Loving This Creamy Purple Cabbage With Bacon Who cares what it is. I'm just happy it's a vegetable everyone in my family enjoys! I tend to think that beautiful color that appeals to us all, but it really doesn't matter. Our family loves it sauteed with just a ...Read More
Mackinac Island: Michigan Family Vacation Destinations
The Great Lakes contain around 35,000 islands, dozens of which have year-round populations. We happen to live less than 3½ hours from the Straights of Mackinac, the narrow waterway connecting Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, so recently we took a trip north with our two oldest boys before the tourist season began. If you're up for a ferry ride, you can easily get to Mackinac Island. Why should you consider Mackinac a possible vacation destination? 1. No Cars No kidding. Mackinac Island is the only U.S. community where motor vehicles are still outlawed. Of course, they have the standard emergency vehicles and snow ...Read More
The Hidden Blessing of Strong Willed Children
There was a time when my husband and I were rather skilled at patting ourselves on the back. I think it was pretty well-deserved. After all, we had given the world its very first angelic two-year-old. We were the best parents ever. She was compliant and sweet, cheerful and thoughtful. Yep. Best. Kid. Ever. "Terrible twos?" we scoffed in private. "Not our girl!" And then she turned three. Wow. Gone was our delightful little angel. In her place was... well, I'll let your imagination fill in the blanks. She was still agreeable as long as things were going her way. But when they weren't, you'd ...Read More
Easy Berry Smoothie (sugar-free and dairy-free)
This easy berry smoothie recipe is dairy-free and sugar-free and super delicious for breakfast or snack time. The kids love it (and so do us grown-ups). My oldest son used to claim he didn't like anything coconut. Don't put coconut in his cookies. No coconut flour. No coconut milk. Nada. Ugh! What's a mama to do? Sneak it in. That's what I did. Smoothies were our "gateway" to coconut consumption. While he was playing in the other room, this mama made delicious smoothies. Berry smoothies (like this one here), chocolate smoothies, pumpkin smoothies, and more. A Sneaky Easy Berry Smoothie... He couldn't ...Read More
Confessions of an Angry Dad (and how I learned not to lose it with my kids)
These are my honest confessions of being an angry dad. I used to love long road trips. I loved the adventure of the open road, experiencing new places, and seeing the countryside move by. Then I had kids. I don't know what it is about getting into the back seat of a van that turns my children into raving lunatics. Every toy or piece of junk suddenly becomes a catalyst for territorialism. Every slightly annoying action is magnified. Suddenly, "touching" becomes a federal crime worthy of being promulgated to the whole universe like a town crier proclaiming a king's edict. More than once my wife and I have ...Read More
A Skeptic’s Guide to Whole Foods
I know you're thinking "Really? Do we really need a skeptic's guide to whole food?" Yes. Yes we do. Let me ask you some simple questions. Do you have chips in your cupboard? Do you have packaged lunch meat in your fridge? Do you still buy cereal? Do you believe you are saving money at the store buying processed foods? If you answered yes to any of those questions then you need to read this post. I find too often we are in a hurry to "recreate" everything in our house to fit our idea of what food is because of the programming we have received from marketers. Does this mean we can't make combinations of ...Read More
