Parenting


sticker_shock_prices_money
The college search I am enduring with my eldest child has followed nearly the same trajectory of information and emotions as buying a car.  To quote my father, buying a car is a “necessary evil” and in many ways buying a college education these days feels exactly the same. My breakthrough in this analogy comes […]

Sticker Price – College Searches and Car Dealerships


Second semester,  it is time to face facts –  the back to school honeymoon is OVER!  Don’t kid yourself or worse blame yourself that your goals for the school year are dwindling before your eyes.  You are not alone, I repeat, we are all rowing in this sinking boat. So, for goodness sake, let’s stop […]

The Back To School Honeymoon is OVER!


backpack_school 1 comment
You would think with 15 “first day of schools” under my belt (41 if you multiply that by the number/ages of the kids I have) that I would have this down. Well, you would be wrong, and I proved it in spectacular fashion this morning. All good first day of schools start the night before […]

First Day of School Fail, Saved by Text Message!



I love the unexpected.  I especially love when life gives you a moment in time that is so truly ordinary and void of expectation and suddenly (or even slowly) it turns into a pivotal moment.  An aha moment if you will, a moment of clarity and understanding. Now, I never could have anticipated being thankful […]

“No Space Between Us” from the movie Spanglish


cozi_pic
My first official book talk for Barbies in the Horse Bin ~ Living Better with Organized Children is scheduled at one of my favorite places, the Sandwich Public Library.   Please join me on Tuesday, March 10th at 6:30 pm, as I sign my first book (hmmm….what to say?) and donate it to a terrific group […]

Cozi Family Calendar to Sponsor Book Talk


movies_first_date
We covered it all for his first date, from cleanliness, to manners, to paying for the tickets.  He bought a new shirt and given his bouncy, happy demeanor all day, I could tell he was not only looking forward to his first date but he likes her.  I’m pretty sure, he really likes her.   I’ll […]

The First Date My Son Will Not Soon Forget and Neither Will I



run_toddler_converse
Today’s rainy, snowy, morning in New England reminds of one of my favorite “adventures” with toddlers!  The Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis, MA opens its doors early for walkers and in my case runners of all types.  I would pack my crew of twin toddlers and a three year old and head out for a […]

Adventure – Mall Runners


sports_coach_soccer
For the Love of the Game Dear Coach, Here is my child, a player for your team. This is difficult for me because I am entrusting you with a child I love more than life itself.It seems silly that a volunteer with 8 games and 6 practices can shape my child’s life, but it’s true. So […]

Dear Coach…. Sincerely, Every Parent


pumpkin_costume_twins 2 comments
October means pumpkins. I have never looked at a pumpkin without thinking of my twins and their first horrifying, yet funny visit to the pumpkin patch. Raising twins boys has its joys and challenges.  In my case, my twins are as polar opposite as you can get.  The best way I can describe these boys is to say […]

October and Pumpkins and Twins – Oh My!



Even though I am no longer in front of the classroom, the beginning of August makes my stomach clench at the thought of summer ending and heading BACK TO SCHOOL. I am definitely one of those teachers who loved teaching as much as I loved my time off.  Nevertheless, I must now fight the urge […]

Back To School Organizing!


1 comment
The summer basketball league is off and running and for the first time one of my children is no longer a player, she is now a coach. An ordinary request to volunteer, some emails, roster lists and shirt deliveries did not in any way alert me to the proud moment that would soon follow. As […]

Passing the Coaching Torch


screen_free_unplug_summer 11 comments
I wish I could say it was a great epiphany or the culmination of the study of great parenting journals that helped me arrive at the decision to go screen-free for the summer.  No, it was nothing like that at all, it was an honest to goodness, full-blown, hissy fit. One of those not to be proud of parenting […]

The Truth about “Going Screen Free” for the Summer!



1 comment
“You better take a jacket, it might rain.” “What about the permission slips?” “Did you pack your cleats?” “Hurry, the bus is coming!” “Do you have your music for band?” “Do you need money today?” “Where is the lunch I made?” Some version of these questions is fired out in rapid succession by every mom, […]

Teach Planning this Summer ~ Living Better with Organized Children!


spanglish_decisions_adam_sandler
I love the unexpected.  I love when life gives you a moment in time that is so truly ordinary and void of expectation and suddenly (or even slowly) it turns into a pivotal moment.  An aha moment if you will, a moment of clarity and understanding. I never anticipated being thankful for the nasty cold virus […]

No Space Between Us… (Spanglish, 2005)


1 comment
I received the best mother’s day card 16 years ago, in 1998, on my first Mother’s Day.  Don’t get me wrong, my kids have made me some absolutely lovely cards over the years, but it was the first card, the first year, presumably from my new infant daughter that still resonates with me today.  Everything […]

I got the Best Mother’s Day Card 16 years ago…



20 comments
Raising twins boys has its joys and challenges.  In my case, my twins are as polar opposite as you can get.  I have stated many times that they “split up the genes in the womb”.  You take outspoken, and I will take pensive, you take natural athleticism, and I’ll take analytical genius, you get the […]

Best Pumpkin Story Ever…