I love pretend play.
Kids love pretend play. They learn so much in the process.
Our favorite pretend play theme is cooking, but I’m a little snobby about the toys Grace uses. Without exception, KidKraft toys are good enough to get into our living room. Grace’s kitchen is from KidKraft.
I was happy to learn about Pretend Play Kitchens. Pretend Play Kitchens sells KidKraft (and other great brands) at well below the original price. It’s the best of both worlds!
Want to read more about the products we received from Pretend Play Kitchens? Visit …

A little bit of desire makes a world of difference in taking better pictures.
Actually, a little bit of desire and a couple of new tricks make a world of difference in taking better pictures.
All new parents have the desire to take great pictures of their baby, right? I know I did.
I also know that I was supremely frustrated by the fact that the pictures of my new baby were washed out or blurry or boring. I had this amazingly gorgeous baby, and I wanted the photos of her to be …

I am a reader. I love the written word.
You would never have known, right?
Since before she was born, I have been reading to Grace. There was a time, early on, when I was seriously concerned that Grace might never develop the love affair with books that I have. I was distraught.
It turns out that Grace loves to read. At 2, Grace’s favorite toys are her books. She wants to be read to all the time, and she loves pretending to read to others.
When V.Tech contacted me to review their new …

Remember when I posted about my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad trip to the fabric store?
I asked for advice. I got some advice, but mostly I found commiseration: on Facebook, in the post’s comments, on Twitter, and even by email. 
I was grateful for the suggestions. I was touched that so many of you wanted to help me, and that you went out on a limb by talking to me about what you do with your kids.
I was overwhelmed by the people who said, “We’ve all been there. Let me …

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I had a book that claimed it would talk to my like my best friend would. It promised to make me laugh and give me the real low down on pregnancy. I wasn’t impressed, and I traded it off in the PaperBack Swap.
Ever since, I’ve been skeptical of any author that told me she was going to tell me the real truth like my girlfriends would.
A few weeks ago, Heather at Maternal Spark asked if I’d participate in her latest wwWhipUp event for …

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii
One month ago, I started the EA Sports Active 30 day Challenge.
I wish I’d taken measurements like some of my fellow BlogHer reviewers, because I think there would be an appreciable difference between then and now.
Alas, hindsight is 20/20. I can tell you that I’ve lost 13 pounds, despite the fact that I’m working out every other day and I had to take a few extra days off. And that I haven’t changed my eating …

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii
Yesterday, I had a discussion with two friends who are at different points in the EA Sports Active 30 day challenge. One of them complained that she felt slovenly taking every third day off. “It’s just too much rest,” she said.
Too much rest? Is there such a thing?
I don’t want to portray my friend in a negative light. She was simply stating that she prefers to do a workout each day, and she appreciates that …

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii
Every time someone who’s overweight says they’re going to exercise and get healthy, I say a little prayer for them. I so hope it goes well for them.
Statistics say that it doesn’t usually go well, so I know they need all the help they can get.
I fell off the wagon after only a few days of using my EA Sports Active.
It wasn’t entirely my fault.
It never is, right?
I pushed my injured body too hard. …

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii
I want to be active and healthy.
It’s not going to be easy. On May 1, I was injured in a car crash. I was sitting at a red light when another car hit me from behind. I was pushed into the car ahead of me, my car was demolished, and I suffered neck and back injuries. I haven’t be able to work or even move around much since it happened.
I go to physical therapy …

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii
Why am I participating in the EA Sports Active 30 day Challenge?
In one month and two days, I’ll turn 30. I want to be 30 and healthy. I want to be 30 and active. I want to be 30 and attractive and sexy. I’m committed to being a better role model for my daughter.
I am spending the next 30 days working on those goals with the EA Sports Active. I’ve struggled with my weight for …