A week filled with friends, family and many activities has me feeling blessed, a bit frenzied, excited as a little kid and wanting to hunker down and rest with those I hold dear. See you next week! Enjoy every moment in the way you feel is best and forget all the rest! Love, Vicky, H, The Fifth Element, The Comedian and TD … [Read more...]
The 2014 Ford C-MAX Energi and #onetankofgood
Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC's only. 2014 Ford C-MAX Energi We all want to do good this time of year and help out our fellow man. Normally, I do the whole donation of food, clothing and give money to various charities. This year, I wanted and felt the real need to get involved and do more. Ford asked me to review their C-MAX Energi and incorporate it into their One Tank of Good campaign. It sums up to mean, what can you do with one tank of gas? With the Ford C-MAX Energi it felt limitless! For three weeks I put out the word with friends, family, co-workers, whoever I could think of that the girls and I were holding a clothing drive to benefit ACTS in Dumfries, VA. In particular, I wanted to give … [Read more...]
Good Stuff for the Holidays- Numi Organic Tea & Udi’s Tasty Treats
Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC's only. Need a bit of holiday cheer? I don't know about you but I'm feeling less than jolly this week as deadlines loom both before and during the holidays and the kids will be out of school in just a few days. There is cleaning, cooking, wrapping and shopping to do and I am trying not to freak out. I need a few indulges that won't add-on anymore holiday-induced pounds or leave me feeling nauseous, bloated and lethargic. I'm loving my two latest finds. They are just perfect for this time of year. … [Read more...]
Our Holiday Gift Ideas with American Girl
Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC's only. Three girls with three hearts devoted to American Girl means we spend a lot of time going through each and every American Girl catalog that comes to our house. That catalog is like the big fat Sears catalog was to me when I was growing up. They spend hours circling things, discussing items and talking about who they imagine they will give so many of the dolls and accessories to, if only they had an unlimited bank account. This year I rounded up the girls and asked them to tell me their top three items they would like to receive or give to friends. … [Read more...]
What We Are Reading Right Now
I will fully cop to the fact that I pick up seasonally appropriate books for the kids at the library each year. I also pull any turkey, fall or Thanksgiving-related books off their bedroom bookshelves and out front and center to read at bed and nap times. I do the same thing for Christmas, Halloween, Easter and birthdays. I'm kind of a freak. If I were to let it go further I would place them all in a basket in the living room as well. Crazy, much? Yes, I think that is. Right now the Christmas books are being pulled out whether I'm ready to read them or not. This one is our latest and greatest. … [Read more...]
Scenes From A Weekend- Breaking the Mold
Sometimes you need to move out of your comfort zone. For H that means breaking the mold and love of home parties for the kids. For me and The Fifth Element it means going to a place like Chuck E. Cheese where we have to interact with lots of people, deal with various types of spaces, colors, loud sounds and music and a whole mash-up of multiple whirling activities all at once for hours on end. Heaven for The Comedian getting her birthday party wish, but harder to navigate for The Fifth Element and I and our SPD issues. Feeling perfectly at home even with a large jersey-wearing mouse. … [Read more...]
The Comedian Turns 5
In some ways it seems that it took forever to get here. As the middle child we worry that you would get lost in the shuffle. Accepting what your big sister TD passes down to you, what you learn by her example and what people think you will be like as her sibling. Already. All that worry. It wasn't needed. It all rolls off you like water off a ducks back. … [Read more...]
You Don’t Have to Break Bad to Get a Healthy Home
Disclosure: I participated in this program on behalf of Seventh Generation and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own. Ahem! I am fully admitting right now that I'm going to climb atop my precarious little soapbox and give you a small spiel. Don't worry, it won't take long and I swear I don't actually bite. I drove my neighbors and friends crazy for a while, I will cop to that, but who doesn't when they realize they have the power to change something in small ways but that produces a big impact? I'm talking about the toxins and chemicals that are in your home. Lurking under sinks in the obvious places but also in the not so obvious places like the umbilical cord of a newborn child. SAY WHAT? … [Read more...]
Attention Must Be Paid
I feel like these words, this simple phrase, totally lifted from O magazine this month just resonates with me. From the attention we pay to our newborn child or brand new puppy to the attention we give to our partner on a daily basis. That attention is the root to the devotion we so often seek and crave. I'm letting it just sink in and ruminate within me in hopes that it will bubble over into real and faithful action. … [Read more...]
Sweet Cravings 50 Seductive Desserts for a Gluten Free Lifestyle
S'mores Tartlettes When I texted my friend last week that I was making S'mores Tartlettes she replied, "Why are you doing that when there are only two days left before Halloween?!" I told her I was a glutton and left it at that. I didn't mention that these were sinfully delicious, ganache tartlettes that were also gluten-free. I needed to try them. Yes, needed. Oh yes, indeed. … [Read more...]