Spring Break is one of my favorite times for spending time with my kids. The weather is nicer than Winter Break, so we can spend time outdoors and exploring things around the DC area. And the time is shorter than Summer Break so we don’t get tired of each other (wait….did I really say that?)….
How to Increase Family Bonding With Technology
Some people would cringe after hearing what I’m about to say, but I’m going to stick with my opinion here: A good deal of my family’s best bonding time is spent on electronics. I used to think of technology – television, computers, mobile phones, iPads, iTouches, etc – as isolating devices. Often they are. But…
Healthy Body = Happy Body
There’s something about the fresh air and the emergence of Spring that awakens my senses and makes me energized to be more active, eat more fresh foods, and enjoy the outdoors. This is nothing surprising – I do believe that Spring was meant to be this way. Several days ago, I wrote about my search…
Tips for Safe Teen Smartphone Use
I got my first cell phone as a Christmas present in December 2000. At the time, I thought it was an extreme extravagance. I wondered why I would ever truly need one. The evolution of cell phone use Flash forward 11+ years. We have four cell phone lines in our home and no longer have…
It’s All About Balance…Health, Wellness, and #DigestiveCare
I mentioned at the beginning of the year that I am not a huge fan of New Year’s Resolutions. I need to lose weight, yes (a fact that I am painfully reminded of each time I look in the mirror or squeeze into a freshly washed pair of jeans). I need to incorporate more activity…
Five Tips for Working at Home, Successfully
Working at home can be rewarding but also very challenging. My friend, Kate Canterbury, from The Guavalicious Life has some fabulous tips for making the home business a success. Last year I started working at home part time. And by that I mean I added on a professional job to my full time work at…
5 Tips to Keep Romance Alive 365 Days a Year {+ Giveaway}
I was recently asked the question “What do you do post-Valentine’s Day to stay connected and keep the romance alive all year long?” And I immediately thought, “Do I?” With 5 kids, school, a billion activities, and both of us working at home, we are currently seeing more of each other than ever before. We’re…
How to Visit New York City With Family On a Budget
This past Saturday, I used some free Amtrak tickets to take my family (yes, all 7 of us!) to New York City for the day. Because we are within 3 hours of the heart of New York City, I consider a trip to New York City a Staycation. I have traveled to New York City…
Fight Cold, Cough, and Flu Season With #FloridaOJ
You might have heard me mention a time or two that we have been sick around here. Yes, I am getting over pneumonia, and although (thank goodness) no one else in the family has been quite as sick as I’ve been, the cold-cough-flu bugs have hit every single one of us this season. It seems…
Tips for Hosting a Successful Party
Those who know me currently might laugh at this post’s title, considering the fact that I am totally not a party person. I have a great time when I attend parties but I really prefer not to be the one in charge. The funny thing is, despite my discomfort at being the hostess, I admit…