Published on Sunday, April 1, 2012 by caryn
I have this repertoire of recipes...staples that I always revert back to, particularly when I'm pressed for time or I'm simply lacking in the creativity department. These tried and true recipes are enjoyed by my family as is, and very often I'll prepare them as such, even if they do get a bit repetitive.
If I'm looking to change it up, sometimes I'll simply take ... Read More »
Published on Sunday, March 25, 2012 by caryn
A winter storm and a child under the weather...what's a mom to do? After a batch of gluten-free, vegan chocolate chip cookies, a stack of books, and a little bit of Dora, we decided to get our craft on. I really shouldn't complain, since other parts of the country experience a lot worse with regards to weather, and I'm in awe of how those moms keep their children ... Read More »
Published on Sunday, March 18, 2012 by caryn
My youngest recently turned two, signifying the end of the "baby" era...an era that has been bittersweet. I spent half of it wondering when it would get easier and the other half praying time would just stand still. But alas, unless something miraculous were to happen, my husband and I are pretty certain our cozy family of four is complete. That's not to say that ... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 by caryn
After a very mild winter and only a handful of rainy days, I am beginning to see the early signs of Spring. The days are getting a bit longer and we've had plenty of sunshine...perfect for enjoying the outdoors. We've already had our first official playdate of the season and my son, in particular is gearing up for a Spring and Summer filled with running, jumping, cl... Read More »
Published on Thursday, February 23, 2012 by caryn
Apparently in certain parts of the country, it's still winter! Today Southern California saw temperatures in the 80s, and despite our creative, homemade ventures, I just couldn't keep the kids inside. We're experiencing unseasonably warm weather, but it truly is still winter, and regardless of how temperate our climate is, sometimes it's too cold or rainy to be ou... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 15, 2011 by caryn
With less than 2 weeks before Christmas, I'm still putting the finishing touches on my holiday shopping. While I'm certain my children would be happy with almost any toy they receive, as a parent, it's difficult to sift through the vast amount of toys that line store shelves.
Shine from Yahoo just revealed their latest Get It Guide, perfectly timed for the holida... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 12, 2011 by caryn
I typically get so involved with shopping for friends and family that I end up scrambling last minute to fill stockings. And shopping for stocking stuffers is a challenge because I never want to buy anything just to fill a stocking, rather I prefer that it's useful and relevant to the recipient.
Earlier this week I headed over to Walmart to see if I could fill a ... Read More »
Published on Sunday, December 11, 2011 by caryn
Decorating gingerbread houses was a memorable tradition in my childhood home, and one I started with my son a few years back. Powell's Sweet Shoppe, our local candy store, which has this old-time look and feel to it, is offering pre-assembled cottages made from baked graham cracker to decorate this holiday season. For the past few years, we haven't bothered with h... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 1, 2011 by caryn
Earlier this year, I introduced my son to The Smurfs and he adores them. 2011 has been a year of nostalgia as I revisited some of the classics I enjoyed as a child.
On December 2nd, celebrate the holiday season with The Smurfs, will will be released on Blu-ray 3D and DVD as well as a 3-Disc Holiday Blu-ray/DVD Gift Set. The film, which is adorable, finds the Sm... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 1, 2011 by caryn
One of the things I struggle constantly with as a parent is determining how much screen time is appropriate, and the type of programming that is acceptable. I know that when my son is watching Disney Junior, he's being exposed to age-appropriate content that is stimulating, educational, and interactive.
[caption id="attachment_28606" align="alignright" width="146... Read More »
Published on Monday, November 14, 2011 by caryn
It seems like overnight, my children are outgrowing their clothes and shoes. I'm constantly cleaning out their drawers to ensure they're not wearing clothes that don't fit or are not fit to be worn in public. I shop for my kids regularly, both in stores and online. And while I'm not picky when it comes to brand names, I do prefer to purchase outfits from well-k... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner, Cherice!
While I don't enjoy or expose my children to much of what Halloween traditionally represented, I still allow them to engage in some of the more lighthearted activities like dressing up, carving a pumpkin, baking, and trick-or-treating. My son particularly enjoys dressing up like his favorite characters, ... Read More »
Published on Monday, September 12, 2011 by caryn
[caption id="attachment_26886" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Photo Credit: Dolphin Tale/Warner Bros."][/caption]
On September 23rd, Warner Bros. will debut Dolphin's Tale, a film inspired by the true story of a dolphin named Winter and the people who joined forces to save her life. When the young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, her tail i... Read More »
Published on Sunday, September 11, 2011 by caryn
If you follow me on Twitter, you may remember that just a few days ago, the executive producer of the PBS Kids hit show Curious George joined Totsy for a Twitter Party to celebrate their sale which is currently running on the site. The show is currently in it's 6th season and will celebrate it's 75 year anniversary next year.
My son and daughter are still huge fa... Read More »
Published on Friday, September 2, 2011 by caryn
Thank you to Fooz Kids for providing me with an All-In-One pack to review. The opinions I've expressed here are solely my own and represent my honest viewpoint.
When I was a child, the internet didn't exist. At least it didn't in my home. We didn't even own a computer until I was in high school, something that would shock most parents and children in today's so... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 by caryn
About a year ago, I really started pursuing my passion for photography. I invested in an SLR camera (and some other equipment), read some books, and gleaned wisdom at conferences and informally through photographers I know and admire. And then I did what is probably the most important part of learning to do something...I practiced...a lot. In fact, I'm still pract... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 by caryn
As a little girl growing up in LA, I have many fond memories of our family trips to Disneyland. I can remember the excitement of riding Space Mountain with my father, and the wonder as we sailed through the different countries on 'it's a small world.'
This year marks the 45th anniversary of 'it's a small world' at the Disneyland Resort and in celebration of this ... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by caryn
In true Disney magic, Mickey and his friends wowed us with dancing brooms, levitation, and transformation. Mickey's Magic Show merges professional illusionists with Disney characters in a show that will captivate both young and old. I'm not certain my son grasped most of the magic, but he really enjoyed seeing his favorite characters live on stage.
Here are som... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 by caryn
Very soon, I'll be sharing with you all about our Halloween Time experience at Disneyland. We have yet another Disney-filled weekend with Mickey's Magic Show debuting in Southern California on September 24th. This is a very short run of the show with performances in Thousand Oaks on the 24th and in Long Beach on the 25th and 26th. For a complete summary of the... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 by caryn
I can be somewhat of a geek when it comes to museums. Before children, you would often find me perusing the works of Monet and Renoir. I'm the museum goer who drives my husband crazy reading each caption word for word.
If you can believe it, I've never been to the California Science Center...not even as a child. However, being that it's the West Coast's large... Read More »