The Sweeter Side of Mommyhood

I’m no expert in happiness. I don’t have all the answers and I’m sure what I have to share is not any kind of big revelation or amazing secret. But the following list of 10 changes I made in my life over the last year are things I can say without a doubt have made me happier, healthier and more content in general than any New Years goals or resolutions I’ve made in the past. So what are they? 10 foolproof ways to have a happy new year: Get up early. Resist me on this one all you want... this is a proven key to success, wellness and happiness. I wake up at 4:15 every week day and head to the gym for a half hour bootcamp class. By 6am I have already exercised, drank a whole thermos ... read more

This little diy is one I had swimming in my head all summer! How do I get more than one photo onto or into a Christmas ornament and not have it look cheesy? Itty bitty photo books? Photo garland? After a little trial and error I landed on these- photo filled ornaments that require basically just a printer and some clear packing tape! The end result is an interactive ornament that reveals a new memory every time you shake it. I used random photos but you could focus on on theme (a favorite trip or a specific person maybe!) or moments from this year. MATERIALS: Clear plastic ball ornaments Clear packing tapePrinter/papercomputer or double stick tape OPTIONAL: laminator (here’s ... read more

I’m so excited to share this incredible new gift idea from Free Hearts Signing- it’s the gift of American Sign Language. Because it’s a little bit tricky to gift an online course, Kate and Ashley have put together a really fun gift box of items from Deaf Owned and Deaf Community businesses! The box features some creative and useful ASL goodies as well as a code redeemable for a Free Hearts Signing sign language course. To see what’s included in the box, see below. To click over and order the box, click here. This would be a wonderful gift for grandparents, families of deaf kiddos, parents of little ones newly diagnosed with hearing loss, or even middle to high ... read more

Raise you hand if you’ve ever made pumpkin bars. Is your hand raised? Mine isn’t! Before today I had never made them and I don’t even have a memory of ever eating one. But my sister in law, Erica, gave my Mom and I her recipe for pumpkin bars and I’m 100% addicted. The original recipe (which I believe comes courtesy of Erica’s awesome Mama, hi Patty!) has 1/3 cup more granulated sugar. I tend to cut down on sugar in recipes like this just for personal preference on taste- not for health reasons, ha... give me all the treats. I also added vanilla to my pumpkin bar batter and omitted the baking soda that the original recipe calls for. Erica’s recipe calls for cream cheese frosting ... read more