I found this globe on the street in front of our house and tucked it away for the perfect project. This week it finally found a home in the hidden corner by my kitchen sink. Mind you, I didn’t hook up the electrical on it- that’s a bit too much to squeeze in while Chloe is napping and Jack is playing cars. This is such a happy corner. Continue reading →

After a long week of tension with people in our apartment building, my feelings of living in a glass bowl have only magnified. I hate feeling like I’m walking  on egg shells and it is even more despairing to know that I am teaching my kids to do the same. “Shhhh…. stop yelling. You guys, did you hear me?.. Put your indoor feet on. Don’t let that drop on the floor. Can you say hello? Walk on this side of the sidewalk…” I’m not sure how to break this cycle. Continue reading →

As a kid I’d  stay up reading till one AM. Now I read when I’m alone in “the potty.” True story. HGTV magazine is like a 5 minute oasis. Ok, I do squeeze in a read outside the toilette. Here are a few books that have refreshed, inspired and challenged me lately. Continue reading →

This morning we dropped our daughter off for her first day of grande section (3rd year) of pre-school. As we posed for the first-day-of-school photo in front of the school, we were flanked by soldiers with machine guns and two more were flanking Dave who was taking the photo. SERIOUSLY PEOPLE! I dropped my baby off and left with men with big guns doing rounds of the neighborhood churches and schools. No wonder I was hyped up for like an hour after we dropped her off.
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A month ago our weekly menu needed a summer upgrade. I found two great pasta salads that appear bi-weekly on my menu plan. Both are “easily modifiable” for preschoolers (meaning I can leave the “yucky stuff” out and it’s still a decent meal for my kids).  Also, it can all be prepped ahead of time- just toss all the ingredients together before serving. Try it; it’s delicious. (Especially if you take the extra 7 minutes and make the ranch dressing yourself. Don’t be scared; I did it during the melting hour and we all made it to the table just fine.) Let me know if you try it! Continue reading →

Les Heures Heureuses, or Happy Hours, is a three day event where restaurants throughout Paris propose special little appetisers for 2 euros. My friend Anne-Laure, who has an amazing capacity to find great outings like this, invited me to go. On y go! (Let’s go!) Continue reading →

The Fourth of July snuck up on me. I was cruising  Facebook Friday and saw all the “Happy 4th of July” posts and remembered it is a whole themed event in the States– star spangled plates, cups, hats, t-shirts and Jell-o salads. It isn’t Wal-Mart’s impressive aisles of trinkets that I miss the most, it’s my family and the choked up pride I have that spills out when I have the rare opportunity to sing The Star Spangled Banner on the Fourth of July while watching fireworks illuminate the sky. I am American, and I am proud. I want my kids to get this, too.  Continue reading →

You may have noticed that the last month I’ve been posting a photo a day with the hashtag “beautyandgratitude.” (If not, you can check out my photos on Facebook or Instagram.) My dear friend Claire asked me yesterday why I decided to launch this project. “I didn’t want to be an angry mom anymore,” was the answer that came. Continue reading →

My mind has been cluttered lately and I’ve found it difficult to be present with my kids. I don’t want to just tick off the minutes to get through till Dave gets home; I want to hear their stories, see their eyes sparkle and line up a few more (dozen) Hot Wheels.

One small thing I’ve done this past week to help bring my mind into the present is conscientiously touch my kiddos when I’m near them. With Chloe Baby it is easy because I hold her a lot but I realised often my holding is more functional than intentional. So with her, I try to open my hand and have my whole palm hold her instead of just leaning her weight on my wrist. This has especially helped me be present as I nurse her.  But my favorite thing is to pat and kiss her soft baby skin- her baby legs, baby belly and baby cheeks. Continue reading →