Wife, Mom, Homemaker, Teacher, Writer. I wear a lot of different hats these days. With my husband, four sons, and one daughter, I make my home in a suburb of Kansas City. A California girl at heart, I've felt a little like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, only my new locale is Kansas!
However, with this great crew, life is never boring. Parenting five kids ten and under provides me with lots of humorous and instructive material. I enjoy writing about a number of topics, including parenting, homekeeping, cooking, crafting with kids, and family fun. My work has been published in over 65 regional parenting publications.
Lest you think I'm writing purely from anecdotal evidence, know that I draw much of my expertise from my educational background. I earned a B.A. in French Literature at the University of California at Santa Barbara; that's a lot of writing - both in French and English! A year later, I received my Master's degree in Education, also from UCSB.
I spent one year living abroad, studying at l'Universite de Bordeaux in France and traveling throughout Europe. For several years I worked in the California public school system, teaching English, French, and Yearbook.
A former high school teacher, I now spend my days caring for my husband, children, and home. I have the added privilege of providing my children with private instruction at home. (That's legal jargon for: We homeschool.)
Mother of Five Remains Sane and Loves to Write About It
Cooking Out with the Kids
Graduations, Father's Day, Fourth of July, Post-Baseball Game get-togethers, these are the events that signify summer. They are also occasions that scream for a BBQ. What a perfect time to do some cooking (out) with the kids! Featuring kid-friendly Fruit Sparkly Coolers, Cheesy Taters, Homemade Ranch Dip, Garlic Bread, a great Soy-Ginger Marinade, and Easy Ice Cream Sandwiches, this article covers all the bases. (One-time rights are available. Article word count is 683, additional sidebar is 135.)
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Inspiration for a Great Moms' Night Out
It probably wasn’t too long ago that today's moms were driving down the road listening to Cyndi Lauper belt out the lyrics, “When the working day is done, Oh, girls, They wanna have fu-un.” Time has, nonetheless, marched on since then. The side ponytails have been replaced with classic bobs, and those fingerless lace gloves went the way of a garage sale many moons ago. But, some things don’t change. After a day of diapers, carpools, and homework, an evening of fun is a welcome treat to many mothers.
This article elaborates on how a fun night out with the girls can be as simple as grabbing dinner and a movie together or as elaborate as a slumber party weekend. At just over 1300 words, this piece can easily be localized as it features activities such as scrapbooking, ceramic painting, preparing mosaics, dining out, and visiting a meal-prep kitchen. One-time rights are available.
Viva La Fiesta! A Cinco de Mayo Meal from the Kids' Kitchen
What kid doesn't like Mexican food? Tacos, tostadas, tortillas -- there's something for everyone. And a family doesn't have to pay a high price at a full-service restaurant or settle for the drive-thru pseudo-taco stand. Parents and kids can prepare easy Mexican food at home. And what better time to try it than Cinco de Mayo?
Featuring a brief history of Cinco de Mayo and enrichment activities as well as several kid-friendly recipes, this piece is sure to bring a festive flair to any home. (706 words)
Summer Snack Attack? Make It Easy, Make It Healthy
Remember summer vacation and the endless trips to the pantry, the frig, the freezer in search of a snack? Kids can drive their parents to distraction trying to keep them fed during that three month hiatus called summertime. And if we're not careful, our kids can consume 2 tons of Cocoa Covered Sugar Bombs and Cheesy MSG Puffies. The time has come to prepare for the snack attack!
This article presents easy and creative tips for parents to help their children learn good snacking habits. At 800 words, it explores nutrition, healthy pantry options, and implementing regular exercise into the summer schedule.
Breakfast in Bed: Step By Step Tips for Dads and Kids
Sometimes Dads need a little nudge in the right direction. Especially when it comes to Mother's Day. It's not a birthday. It's not an anniversary. It's not Christmas. However, it is Mother's Day, for pete's sake! And most mothers desire a little acknowledgement for nine months of aches, pains, nausea, vomiting, not to mention whatever happened in the delivery room, and the years of diaper changes, nose wipes, and homework helps that follow.
At 948 words with a sidebar complete with checklist, this article offers that little bit of encouragement to Dad. Not only does it provide easy breakfast recipes for Dad and kids to prepare together, but it also suggests presentation ideas that will bring a smile and a surprise to any mom. All of this told in a light-hearted way.
Bloom Where You're Planted! Make Your New City Feel Like Home
What is a parent to do when faced with the dilemma of relocating to a new city? All of life seems in upheaval, and "home" seems non-existent. At just over 1100 words, this article outlines suggestions for families to settle into a new community and make it more "theirs". It could easily be localized for your area. Let me know if you are interested in running this piece and/or if you would like me to adapt it for your city.
Summertime....and the Cookin' is Easy
Summer is full of fun -- and wild and crazy schedules. We parents are tempted to beat a path to the nearest fast food joint rather than hassle with cooking on hot days. But, there must be a better way.
Take one rotisserie chicken, add a few prepared ingredients, and voilà! a quick and easy dinner for four. At 521 words, this article presents a number of simple, quick, and delicious menu ideas based on prepared ingredients. Each menu's ingredient list guarantees access to the quick check line. Now we're cookin'!
Make a Big TO DO Out of Summer! Plan to Have Fun!
Pretty soon parents all over will be making their summer "to do" lists: clean out the garage, repaint the kitchen, have a yard sale. But, really, summertime is made for lying in the hammock more often than mowing the lawn. And an exceptional summer takes a little planning. Otherwise, September will come and you’ll find that you and the kids have spent the last three months in front of the television set (or just worked on that list of chores). Life is so much richer than that! Now is the time to plan to have fun this summer.
At 1176 words, this article suggests creative ways to spend time this summer -- fun for the whole family. From homemade water parks to trips to the ballgame, no one will be at a loss for entertainment this season.
The Summer Play Day: It’s Not Just for Toddlers Anymore
Summertime, when children everywhere have free time on their hands, can be a challenge for parents who want to provide fun experiences for their kids, yet know that planning those experiences also involves some work and creativity. A regular summer playday for kids of all ages is the answer! It's the toddler playgroup all grown up, and it's easier than you think.
Featuring our family's very own Camp Wannalaffalotta, this piece offers real life examples for keeping kids entertained and safe during the summer. At 1087 words it gives parents step by step instructions on how to set up the playday as well as fun activities to mix it up with.
How Do You Spell Love? M.O.T.H.E.R.
Hallmark cards, flowers, candy. Those are all sweet gifts to give Mom on her special day. However, sometimes it's nice to think a little outside the box of chocolates.
This article offers some alternatives to those good ole' standbys. At 850 words, it suggests creative gift ideas that come together to spell MOTHER, as in an acrostic. For example, M is for massage. What Mom wouldn't love that? Gift ideas range from the extravagant to the absolutely free, but all will demonstrate your great love for the mom in your life.
Be a Champion of Breakfast: Help Your Family Start the Day Right
Remember those old Wheaties commericals? Joe Namath and other sports heros tried to convince us that we needed to have a good breakfast, namely the sponsors' cold cereal. But, it doesn't take a football great to run the message that the first meal of the day is not one to be missed. In fact, research has shown that breakfast contributes to a myriad of positive outcomes, including increased learning, better school attendance and even healthier weight. But, getting breakfast on the table before work and school is a challenge for many families.
At 775 words, this article contains creative ideas to help families get quick and healthy morning meals ready in time for the morning dash for work and school. Included is a 146 word sidebar that includes food suggestions and a recipe.
An Irish Feast from the Kids' Kitchen
St. Patrick's Day, though not an official holiday, is full of memory-making opportunities for kids. From wearing green to looking for the leprechaun and his pot of gold, kids of all ages get into the festivities. This article offers a great way for families to cook, eat and celebrate the day. It features a menu similar to one that Patrick might have eaten long ago on the Emerald Isle, but that kids and parents can prepare together. Word count is 851.
Tuning Out: Alternatives to Watching Television
Some families simply can't live without their daily dose of TV. Or so they think. This article presents family fun activities that don't include the TV. At about 950 words, it makes the case that a life without TV is certainly worth living - and produces good fruit in family dynamics.
