Published on Monday, February 21, 2011 by caryn
I decided a long time ago that I wouldn't save our "good stuff" for the "right time." My son has several outfits and pairs of shoes he only wore a handful of times because I was saving them for a special time. That special time is now and whether he's going to school or we're hanging out at Disneyland, he's going to wear those adorable outfits we purchased and rec... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 21, 2011 by caryn
Did you know that a child should see a dentist for the first time at age 3? Or that how a toothpaste tastes can make or break the brushing experience for children? February is National Children's Dental Health Month and if you're like me, and have yet to take your child to the dentist, now is the time to do so.
To get children excited about a caring for their tee... Read More »
Published on Sunday, February 20, 2011 by caryn
As a nurse and a mom, I have a wealth of experience with illness. This year, we've had our share of colds and other annoyances, but are thankful that we've managed to avoid the flu, particularly because neither of my children are candidates for the immunization. Of all my tips on staying healthy during cold and flu season, I still maintain that hand washing is the m... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 18, 2011 by caryn
As I look back on the drama of cliques and"he loves me, he loves me not", I realize that high school plays a significant part in shaping a young person's life. Fortunately, I managed to escape relatively unscathed. In a society where some version of high school lives on via Facebook, comes a story about Marnie, who is forced to come face to face with her former high... Read More »
Published on Friday, February 18, 2011 by caryn
Earlier this week, I offered to serve as a panelist for a discussion about kids and technology. We talked a lot about screen time...how much time is spent in front of the computer, television, smart phone, or other hand-held gaming/learning device. I came away from the discussion with a renewed commitment to use screen time for my son's benefit.
I'm very carefu... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 17, 2011 by caryn
Sometimes I think I take the suggestion to eat "small, frequent meals" too literally and use it as an excuse to snack. While I should be snacking on raw veggies and hummus, sometimes I want something sweet or salty.
I was first introduced to popchips last year at the Natural Products Expo. These all-natural "popped" chips are made from wholesome potatoes with a... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by caryn
Upon check-in, you're greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne that you can enjoy in an expansive lounge, the bar, or a VIP suite. The ultra-hip vibe you get from the in-house DJ and modern, upscale decor might lead you to believe you're in a snazzy nightclub. Au contraire, you're at Le Posh in the heart of Hollywood.
Last week, I walked the red carpet... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Nan. Congrats!
There was a time when I'd see a new movie in the theaters every week. These days, I have to get my chick-flick fix on Netflix or Redbox while the kids are sleeping. While I enjoy a variety of film genres, romantic comedies are still my favorite.
Last week, Image Entertai... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by caryn
It's going to be a wet week here in Southern California, but the good news is, there are plenty of indoor activities to keep the kids active and entertained. Children, particularly preschoolers, are very curious little people. Why is a particularly common word in our household and I find myself fascinated that my son is so in touch with the world around him. One o... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by caryn
One of my goals this year is to prepare a majority of our meals at home Not only is it more affordable than our expensive taste in restaurants, it's healthier, since I am in control of the ingredients. As part of our focus on wellness, we're also aiming to get in the recommended amounts of fruits and veggies. All four of us struggle with consistent consumption o... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 by caryn
Last year, we sailed smoothly through cold and flu season, most likely due to the fact that my son was not in preschool. My daughter was an infant and I was worried about such a tiny baby being exposed to preschool germs. While we've managed to escape the flu this year, our entire household has been hit hard with colds, coughs, and the like.
[caption id="attachme... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 14, 2011 by caryn
My foodie husband and I love to eat out. Unfortunately, our gourmet preferences and small children limit how often we can dine out. When we do have the opportunity to visit a restaurant, I strive to be adventurous.
[caption id="attachment_22171" align="aligncenter" width="614" caption="Photo Credit: Marcie Taylor"][/caption]
Last week we were treated to dinn... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 14, 2011 by caryn
[caption id="attachment_22157" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Photo Credit: michiev "][/caption]
Over the weekend, we celebrated two birthdays, and as you can imagine, we're a little wiped! Birthdays, while enjoyable for my son, are challenging as far as food allergies are concerned. Fortunately, we've learned to be prepared. We always have a talk wi... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 14, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Nicole. Congrats!
The new year is the perfect time to focus on fitness and wellness. Before I had children, I walked and jogged to stay fit. These days, my fitness regimen is a bit sporadic and typcially involves walks with the kids or dancing on the Wii. While I'm nowhere near where I would n... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 14, 2011 by caryn
Two weeks ago, we were invited to the Walt Disney Studios Lot for a sneak peek of the brand new animated series, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, which debuts today on Disney Junior. My son, who is an avid Playhouse Disney fan, has been talking about the new "pirate show" for weeks!
Disney Junior, formerly Playhouse Disney, is a learning-focused channel specifi... Read More »
Published on Sunday, February 13, 2011 by caryn
Over the weekend, the hubby and I celebrated Valentine's Day by taking a little staycation in San Diego (our first time without kids in almost one year!). We stayed at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina and lounged most of the weekend. Since we tend to be foodies, we tried out two restaurants in the area...Costa Brava featuring the best tapas I... Read More »
Published on Sunday, February 13, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is JudyZ. Congrats!
I still remember those childhood days of pretend play with Barbie, Ken, and friends. In fact, my mother still keeps a small collection of my dolls that we will both give my daughter when she's old enough to play with them. While much has changed with Barbie and the gang, she still... Read More »
Published on Sunday, February 13, 2011 by caryn
My husband and I have owned 3 strollers in the 3+ years since we've become parents. The first stroller we owned was a travel system. I chose the system primarily for the car seat which, at the time, was rated as the safest on the market. Unfortunately that meant settling for a mediocre stroller. When my son was a baby, I won a luxury stroller, retiring the for... Read More »
Published on Sunday, February 13, 2011 by caryn
Yesterday, I had a bit of a "stress out" moment because when I went to a few of the stores in our area, they were almost completely sold out of Valentine's Day cards! I told my son he would have Toy Story cards to give out to his friends tomorrow during their Friendship Party and I didn't want him to be disappointed. Who knew that the shelves would be bare on th... Read More »
Published on Sunday, February 13, 2011 by caryn
I vaguely remember when sleeping for 8 or even 9 hours straight was the norm. These days, I'm happy if I can collectively get 6 or 7 hours of sleep. One co-sleeping, nursing baby who's yet to sleep through the night plus one 3 year old who sneaks into our bed around midnight equals chronic sleep interruption. Did I mention that my husband snores? Yes, I'm very... Read More »