I tagged along with my husband a few months ago to a product release party for some really cool Knog bike lights called Blinders – resulting in my review of the bike lock below. Strong Man Bike Lock I worked all summer at a hot dog stand in 1986 to buy the bike I am [...]
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Thrilled to have an article in WestCoast Families’ May Issue! There is something about being in print that is very exciting for this online writer. Thanks for the opportunity and for some generous folks who passed my name along – that’s what it’s all about! Open publication – Free publishing – More camp
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Taking Back Mama Brain
Mamabrain, mommybrain, placentahead, whatever you want to call it. To me this has come to be a negative term when I’m struggling to stay organized and on schedule (with a smile on my face). This blog features ways that I’ve discovered along the way – it might be a tip, or a tool I’ve found useful, or some ways me and my kids are having fun.
I was warned about ‘mama brain’ or ‘mommy brain’ when I was pregnant with my first baby – and I have to admit the hormones, lack of sleep, caffeine deprivation, and huge responsibilities associated with parenting can make me feel a bit delirious and/or cranky. Let’s face it, there are some things about being a parent that are repetitive… combine that with the lack of sleep often associated with round the clock childcare and the days easily start to blur together.
While I have been known to put the coffee pot in the fridge and the cheddar cheese in the cutlery drawer (both true stories), I was adamant that I was actually using my brain a whole lot more than I did before. I think most people would agree it takes a Mama Brain, not a ‘mamabrain’ to be an efficient (and sane) ChairMom of the Horde.
Kids Parties
Video Dance Party for Kids
Mama Brain Dance Party I start to fade at around by 3pm (if not earlier) so I like to host a dance party for my two little girls and these are some of our favorite videos. It's also a great way to get their wiggles out before dinner time - ...Read More »Teddy Bear Birthday
Handmade Birthday Banner
Happy Birthday Sign
This is the banner I made for my daughter's first birthday party. It was a teddy bear theme and the colors were pink and brown. I printed the letters onto vellum paper from our computer and then cut the letters into squares (they don't have to...Read More »Happy Halloween!
These Halloween party snacks are (sort of) healthy and 100% stress free!
Cheesy Bats and Cracker Moons
You could also use a witch cookie cutter and then some sort of veggie as a broom (parsley? chives? a thin strip of celery fringed at one end?).
Check out my other kid friendly recipes...Read More »Crazy Beautiful Cupcakes
Sometimes I have to remind myself to just let go of the controls and let my little girl make a mess. Here is a reminder of the beauty that can result from complete creative freedom. My little girl decorated these cupcakes on her third birthday and then we took them...Read More »White Chocolate Cheese Ball
Chocolate Part
I used a recipe at food.com for a White Chocolate and Hazelnut Ball, but I didn't use the hazelnut coating. Instead of the suggested ginger biscuits and chocolate chip bread I served the ball with chocolate cookies, pocky sticks, and raisin cinnamon bread. The ball was popular with both...Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Pumpkin Head Pancake
Happy Halloween from Mama Brain!
It's a wholewheat pancake with orange slice jack-o-lantern garnish (and a banana for a stem). A spookily wholesome breakfast to counter balance all of the candy we're going to eat later today! (Okay, who am I kidding, we've been eating Halloween candy for a few weeks....Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Ladybug Sandwich
Mama Brain says, “Go ahead, play with your food!”
<<<more crafty toddler meals
More fun with cream cheese and jam on whole grain bread (and blueberries). You may have noticed that this is a popular lunch around here, so just in case you're wondering if that's all I feed my three year...Read More »Party Mama: Ladybug Picnic
My daughter's 3rd birthday is approaching, so this Mama has birthday parties on the brain. Here's one idea (I did this for her first birthday party). This milestone birthday party included many more adults than children (lots of family and friends to share the big event), but future ...Read More »Fun Kids Meals
Fun Kids Meals - Eggs in a Nest
Tuna Sandwich for Kids
Your kids can build these nest themselves, too. It's a cheese bun with tuna filling and grape eggs. I used some parsley for foliage.
More fun kids meals here....Read More »Toddler Apple Snacks
These fun shapes are a combination of healthy snack and craft - now that my kids are older, they love to cut out the shapes themselves (and then eat them!). Sometimes I just cut one shape out and slip it in with the regular slices when I send a snack...Read More »Happy Halloween!
These Halloween party snacks are (sort of) healthy and 100% stress free!
Cheesy Bats and Cracker Moons
You could also use a witch cookie cutter and then some sort of veggie as a broom (parsley? chives? a thin strip of celery fringed at one end?).
Check out my other kid friendly recipes...Read More »Kids Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni Duck Face
Funny face made with macaroni and cheese hair and a peach beak. The eyes are zucchini rounds with a dab of ranch and tiny cherry tomatoes out of the garden. The rest of the peach was served in a bowl to share for dessert afterwards. The vegetables are...Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Tuna Boats
Toddler Tuna Melts
These tuna boats aren't the most attractive, but I wanted to share the idea anyways. Boats are english muffins cut in half, covered with tuna salad (toddler version is just tuna, mayo, and a tiny bit of mustard, dill and black pepper). Cover with a thin slice of...Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Irene on Rye
Scrambled Yellow Hair
Inspired by one of my favorite Tom Waits' songs, 'The Ghosts of Saturday Night,' a song I often think of when I'm in the kitchen up to my elbows in dish soap or mashed banana or that sippy cup full of milk that got lost under the couch...Read More »Funny Kids: Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Cheese Girl Sandwiches
For the longest time I thought my daughter was saying cheese grill sandwich, not cheese girl sandwich- until I heard her tell her dad that he could only have cheese boy sandwiches.
...Read More »Bacon Wrapped Cheese Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf
That's right, you heard me... it's meatloaf made from ground turkey, wrapped in bacon, and stuffed with cheese.
Get the recipe here....Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Pumpkin Head Pancake
Happy Halloween from Mama Brain!
It's a wholewheat pancake with orange slice jack-o-lantern garnish (and a banana for a stem). A spookily wholesome breakfast to counter balance all of the candy we're going to eat later today! (Okay, who am I kidding, we've been eating Halloween candy for a few weeks....Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Home Sweet Home
Mama Brain says, “Go ahead, play with your food!”
<<<< previous
My daughter had a lot of fun with this house. If you have a slow-eater, it might not be the best choice for you. I'm always trying to get my kid to slow down and take smaller bites, so this...Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Ladybug Sandwich
Mama Brain says, “Go ahead, play with your food!”
<<<more crafty toddler meals
More fun with cream cheese and jam on whole grain bread (and blueberries). You may have noticed that this is a popular lunch around here, so just in case you're wondering if that's all I feed my three year...Read More »Toddler Meals: Butternut Chicken Cheese Roll Ups
Butternut Chicken and Cheese Roll Ups
I originally mentioned this recipe in my Butternut Ball Bonanza post, but now I finally remembered to snap a picture...
Toddler Recipe: Roll Ups
1/3 of a Wholewheat or Flax wrap
1 ball butternut squash (warmed up)
Shredded Cheese
Thin strips chicken breast
Caesar Salad
Spread squash and sprinkle cheese over...Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Butterfly
Kids Meals: Fun With Food
Mama Brain says, “Go ahead, play with your food!”
<<<previous crafty toddler meal next crafty toddler meal>>>
More fun with cream cheese and jam on whole grain bread (and a cheese string). You may have noticed that this is a popular lunch around here...
...Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Flower
Kids Meals: Fun With Food
Mama Brain says, "Go ahead, play with your food!"
<<Previous Crafty Toddler Meal Pics Next Crafty Toddler Meal>>>
Flowers are the easiest to do. This flower is made out a cheese string with a banana center and mango flower petals. The leaves are spinach bites (made by...Read More »Crafty Toddler Meals: Elephant Sandwich
Kids Meals: Fun With Food
Mama Brain says, "Go ahead, play with your food!"
I love food, and I love making meals for my little girl. One game we like to play: I arrange her lunch into a picture and ask her to guess what it is. Here is one example, I'll...Read More »Homemade Baby Food: Chicken Yam Carrot Stew
Chicken Yam Carrot Stew
A photo of one of my stews, made in a crock pot for my 8 month old daughter. I posted the recipe a while ago ("Mama Brain Baby Food") but just remembered to take a picture now.
The stew on the left is straight out of the crockpot...Read More »Mama Brain Baby Food
Homemade Baby Food That's a No-Brainer?
The process of making my own baby food seemed overwhelming until I actually started.
Here's one easy way to make sure your baby (or toddler) is getting enough servings of vegetables: a stew that includes two servings of vegetables at every meal. (More, if you...Read More »Butternut Ball Bonanza
While I was making dinner tonight I became inspired. I snapped a photo of my butternut balls and here are some tips related to them.
Freezing Foods for Babies and Toddlers
Freeze food in meal-size portions. Cook an entire butternut squash or sweet potato and then make them into balls. Freeze...Read More »Tips and Tools
Organization and planning takes the drama out of mama.
I worked in retail management for more years than I’d like to admit to, and a corporate training department after that – before I became a mom. With zero parenting experience, I found that I relied on my previous work experience pretty heavily.
I found that if I implemented organizational tools, and other systems and strategies from my experience in the business world – I could put the day-to-day drudgery aspects of parenthood on automatic pilot and enjoy more quality time with my daughter and more peace of mind for myself.
Writer Mama: WestCoast Families Magazine
Thrilled to have an article in WestCoast Families' May Issue! There is something about being in print that is very exciting for this online writer. Thanks for the opportunity and for some generous folks who passed my name along - that's what it's all about! Open publication - Free publishing -...Read More »Children Daily Schedule
Kids Daily Schedule
I've been using this schedule ever since I had my second child. At first I used it to keep my toddler daughter's routine consistent (and life less stressful) while I was at the hospital having her little sister. I continue to use it almost 2 years later -...Read More »Quick Household Tips
Some Tips and Tricks I Use To Defeat The Drudgery
Some things I've discovered to make the drudgery aspects of parenting and householding bearable. Some of these household tips save time, some are just fun. If you already know about these or they just seem obvious to you, please don't tell...Read More »Daily Schedule For Two Kids
I recently updated my Toddler schedule to accommodate a toddler and a preschooler because I went back to school and I wanted to ensure my children's schedules remained consistent while up to 3 different caregivers took over my daily mama duties.
The Freedom of a Daily Routine
I get some grief from...Read More »Daily Schedule For Two Kids Part 2
Schedule for Toddlers and Preschool Age Children
Evening Schedule
Here is part two of the schedule. Click here to see the morning part of the schedule.
Check out my Weekly Planner for Childcare if you need a schedule to stick on the fridge with spots for meals, activities, snacks, caregiver name(s), etc....Read More »Weekly Planner For Childcare
Childcare Schedule: Snacks, Activities, Meals
I'm going to be out of the home 5 days a week for the next 12 weeks and my two children will be cared for by up to four different people during the day each week (two main caregivers with occasional help from another friend and...Read More »Forget Your Password? Again?
There are so many helpful resources and fun communities available for parents online. However, I've found it challenging to remember the login and password I used to register which has kept me from participating. I have my top secret unique passwords for my online financial transactions and for my professional...Read More »Potty Training Strategy #487
I've learned parenting is all about discipline... self-discipline.
Lack of sleep, morning sickness, and busy schedules: one of our biggest mistakes in potty training our oldest child is our failure to stick her on the potty regularly. Now our daughter is well into her "terrible" twos and refuses to comply...Read More »Toddler Schedule - Example
Here is an example of one day in the life of a toddler.
Toddler Daily Schedule
Disclaimer Bit: The food portions are based on the Canadian Food Guide. Again, please keep in mind I am not a doctor or dietician and the food measurements I use probably don't match the servings described...Read More »Sharing a Schedule and the Tell Show Do Review Method
Example of a schedule for a two to three year old.
View the full schedule by clicking here.
Schedule Implementation
I made this information sheet up so that my mom and husband could take over my daughter's care for the first week back from the hospital after our second daughter was born....Read More »Butternut Ball Bonanza
While I was making dinner tonight I became inspired. I snapped a photo of my butternut balls and here are some tips related to them.
Freezing Foods for Babies and Toddlers
Freeze food in meal-size portions. Cook an entire butternut squash or sweet potato and then make them into balls. Freeze...Read More »Reviews
Product Reviews and Mama Views
Best Bike Lock: Me Like Strong Man
I tagged along with my husband a few months ago to a product release party for some really cool Knog bike lights called Blinders - resulting in my review of the bike lock below.
Strong Man Bike Lock
I worked all summer at a hot dog stand in 1986 to buy the...Read More »Mama Brain's Maternity Wardrobe Essentials Part 2
Maternity Wardrobe Tips The continuing story of this Mama Brain's thoughts on maternity clothing essentials. The Best Maternity Shirts I found that many maternity tops were not very practical from a cleavage standpoint, particularly if you have to bend over a lot during your daily routine. Some basic scoop necked or boat...Read More »Mama Brain's Maternity Wardrobe Essentials
Smart Maternity Clothes
What I Wish I Had Known About Maternity Clothing The First Time
I've been pregnant twice and I have to admit that in many ways I did it better the second time around (with one exception, I ate bacon and feta during my 2nd pregnancy, something I refused to...Read More »Useless Baby Product #5: Wipe Warmer
Mama Brain: The Straight Poop About Wipe Warmers
Seriously? Is a baby's butt really THAT sensitive to temperature?
In fact, I have the exact opposite view: a baby's hot bum sits in warm pee and poop quite a bit, also it's often trapped in some sort of fabric (or plastic) -...Read More »Geeks on the Brain: Geek Dad
Book Review: Geek Dad
I just reviewed Ken Denmead's book Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share at ishouldbenapping.com. Great projects for parents and kids, and I'd invite crafty moms out there to give them a try! Check out my review here.
...Read More »Friendships on the Brain: The Girls From Ames
I just reviewed Jeffrey Zaslow's book "The Girls From Ames" over at my all-things-non-mommy blog, I Should Be Napping. As the mother of two girls, I found this perspective on female friendships particularly interesting. ...Read More »Useless Baby Product #4: Plastic Baby Bathtub
Plastic Baby Bathtubs
First tip: don't try to fill one of these up and then move it, they are often flimsy. The handle broke on the one that I was given which nearly caused a big, wet mess and then became a finger-pinching menace to both me and my daughter. Also,...Read More »Mama Fit
"If you have to wear your husband's tshirt to cover that mummy tummy, put on some sexy underwear under those exercise pants..."
Read the full post over at my blog about all the other things I do when the kids are napping at ishouldbenapping.com....Read More »Useless Baby Product #1: Baby's Got Back Closures?
Who wants their baby to have to lay on snaps, buttons, or a zipper all day?
I'm guilty of disobeying my own credo here, but it is my firm belief that babies should only wear sleepers with zippers down the front. They should not have feet, so that the baby can...Read More »Best Baby Bibs, Baby!
The best type of bibs that I have encountered so far are these.
PEVA Coverall Bib
Reasons Why These Bibs are Brilliant:
You can just wipe them off. Or if they get really dirty you can rinse them out and hang them up to dry
They are made out of 100% Peva (completely vinyl...Read More »Cool Ways to Manage Temperature
Whether you are operating on less than two hours sleep, or just still dazed from the joys of the birth process - there are some things you just don't want to have to worry about.
Use these tools to take the guess work (and accompanying stress or possibly even danger)...Read More »