Category Archives: Family

Gingerbread House Party Guide

Posted in Eats, Family, Parties, Sanity-Saving Ideas by

It’s sadly belated, but I’m finally posting my guide to hosting a successful gingerbread house party for grownups.

As I mentioned in this post, I revived my mother’s holiday tradition of hosting gingerbread house decorating parties for me and my friends by creating a grownups-only version 5 years ago. I don’t know if it’s the nostalgia, the tradition, or the few uninterrupted  hours of just-for-fun crafting and hanging out with friends that makes it something I look forward to every year.

2008 Gingerbread houses

First party: A friend and I pre-made all 16 houses and guests decorated. I’m never doing that again.

There’s quite a bit of prep, however, so I figured I’d share my tips and tricks with you in case YOU lovely readers decide to someday host your own version of this party. Now that I have 5 parties under my belt, I’ve got it down to a pretty efficient science. Continue reading →

Transcontinental Toddling

Posted in Babies, Family, Sanity-Saving Ideas, Travel by

This weekend, I took my 19-month daughter from Seattle to New York. Alone. In my lap.

I had my hesitations about taking the unnecessary adventure, but it paid off. I got to see some great old friends, introduce my daughter to their children, and see a little of the Big Apple during Christmastime. All around win. Here are the packing tips that helped us survive a redeye back East, and a 6.5 hour flight west. With a lap toddler.

Carry-on luggage

With only carry-on luggage, efficiency was key

Continue reading →

Hell-iday Shopping

Posted in Babies, Family, On the Cheap, Sanity-Saving Ideas by

I have to say it. I hate holiday shopping. I don’t get giddy over 5am freebies or salivate at the thought of finding the perfect parking spot. However, I do love a bargain. And I think I’ve cracked the code for surviving the absolute hell that is post-Thanksgiving-weekend Christmas shopping.

Holiday Shopping

Holiday shopping is the devil.

Continue reading →

Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge 2012

Posted in Beauty, Family, Fitness, Parties, Sanity-Saving Ideas, Travel by

In case you haven’t noticed, the holidays are HERE. So are the cookies, candy, cheeses, gingerbread lattes, overflowing buffets, and festive cocktails. I struggle with overindulgence during the holidays and have found it necessary to set boundaries and rules for myself to stay healthy. You may have heard that the average American gains 4-12 pounds in the 6 weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

Holiday food

It’s easy to see why we pack on the pounds!

Full disclosure: one year, I gained fourteen pounds in twelve days. THAT’S ONE-FOUR. As in, I averaged an intake in excess of 3500 calories above my normal intake Every. Single. Day. Enter the Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge.

You can do this with friends, coworkers, family, or just yourself. It’s simple, but not necessarily easy.

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Maintain Don't Gain Full Version

Click to access the full pdf version

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Maintain Don't Gain Holiday Weight Challenge

Click to access the simple pdf version

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Continue reading →

Rice Rice Baby

Posted in Babies, Family, On the Cheap, Sanity-Saving Ideas by

As autumn descends upon the Pacific Northwest, I’m faced with the prospect of limited outdoor playtime. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a hardy Seattleite, undeterred by a little drizzle and limited sunlight hours. But as a Seattleite with a toddler, the horror of endless hours indoors gives me chills. Her current favorite activities include climbing, slides, coloring (aka–crayons on any surface) and digging rocks, dirt, and sand. I already have a decent couch for climbing, but God forbid I bring a bucket of rocks or dirt into the house.

Enter the Rice “Sand” Box:

Rice Sand Box

Create your own “sand” box for those foul-weather days.

Continue reading →

Fruit Stand. Sit. Stay.

Posted in Eats, Family, Travel by

On our way back to Seattle from Yakima, we stopped at one of the many fruit stands dotting the Highway 82 landscape.

This one boasted “Fruit Antiques”. Well, probably Fruit AND Antiques, but I don’t think the sign painter had the room. Anyway, it was a good stopping point, so we headed in. They did not disappoint. The fruit was fresh, the antiques old, and the wines local. I snapped a few pics around the lot. Enjoy!

Committed Fruit Pears, peaches, and apples are in season! Continue reading →

Toddling Around Tokyo

Posted in Babies, Family, Sanity-Saving Ideas, Travel by

I’ve been dying to write this post, but every time I start, it spins out of control. There were so many cool things we experienced in the city that I want to share them ALL.
But I’m going to try and contain this post to “The Unofficial Committed Survival Guide to Playing Tourist in Tokyo with a Toddler.” Or something more concise and eloquent.

Continue reading →

Free Music in the Key of (Vitamin) D

Posted in Babies, Family, On the Cheap, Parties, Travel by

Seattle is an incredible city in the summer months. Between the long daylight hours (5am-10pm at the longest), gorgeous mild weather, and endless natural beauty, it’s hard to ever leave town.

Compound that with several free outdoor concert series. Free! They’re all kid- and dog-friendly, you can bring or buy food, and best of all, they’re outside.
Here are a few more excuses to stick around and fill your Vitamin D quotient:

UVillage Summer Concert Series

Free Concerts at UVillage: Every Wednesday, UVillage ropes off a large section of the parking lot and put on a free concert. This one is pretty cool–kid and dog friendly, food for purchase, beer for purchase, and activities for kids. Last year, I even got a free full-size Aveda lotion!

 
Free Concerts at Seattle City Hall

Free Concerts at City Hall Plaza: Every Thursday at noon, Seattle artists provide lunchtime entertainment in the sun.

 

 

Concerts at the Mural

Free Concerts at the Mural: Seattle Center puts on several Friday concerts in August. It’s a great location when the weather starts to get really warm. Great shaded area, beer garden, several bands, and you can bring a nice picnic or buy a light dinner. Last year we saw some quality musicians.

So bring your chair, a blanket, a picnic basket, and SPF, and stay in Seattle for the summer!

Happy Caturday 4

Posted in Pets by
Caturday punching me in the neck

Hey, if it’s comfy for me, it must be comfy for you.

BooBoo likes to park himself wherever is least convenient for the rest of us. This week, it was my neck. Smelly and inconvenient, but I let him stay long enough to get some photographic evidence.

Happy weekend, everyone!