I said I wouldn't be posting, but I couldn't help it! Here's a little blessing to start the day off right:For each new morning with its light,For rest and shelter of the night,For health and food,For love and friends,For everything Thy goodness sends.--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)Happy Thanksgiving! ...
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Eat, Drink and Be Merry!
This is my last post for the week... gonna take a few days off. And by "off", I mean I'll be slaving away in the kitchen and eating my way into a turkey coma. Gotta love stretchy maternity pants. So, as a final farewell before the holidays, I thought I'd pass on a few links for helpful ways to use leftovers and then a few things to do with your visitors during their stay in Charlotte.Click ...
‘Tis the Season for Generosity
A South Charlotte Playgroup Mom is helping keep needy kids warm and cozy this holiday season. Please take a moment to read the article below, provided by Meaghan Hinckley, for information on how you can help. Now through December 24, 2010, select Starbucks throughout the city will be hosting a pajama drive for the Pajama Program, a wonderful non-profit organization who provides new, warm pajamas ...
Get “Taken Care Of,” A Charlotte Mom Favorites Giveaway!
"Mommy?" That's something I hear a hundred times a day. And, however sweetly it comes out, it's always followed by a need..."I want milk. I wanna play trains. Can we go to the bookstore? Can I watch Bob the Builder? I have poop in pants." If you're a parent, you understand. "Mommy," is a precursor for tasks ranging from short-order cook to diaper changer. Yep, my son is taken care of. ...
The Thanksgiving Meal…. a last minute menu-helper
Many of us "new" parents are finding ourselves in the Thanksgiving hostess boat this year. Less willing to travel with children and all of the gear that comes with them, we are asking that people come to us. Which means we have to cook. Less than a week before the big event, I'm sure you all have your menus outlined, groceries list prepped, and maybe even have a few items pre-made. But... I've ...
A tisket a tasket , I found way too much stuff for my basket!
I realize, now, why so many of you have moved to the Blakeney area. I was confused for so long. I thought maybe it was more house for the money, better schools, something like that. But, after a visit to Home Goods, it's all become very clear. Thank God I don't have to move. A Home Goods has opened up in South Park. My only concern is my husband may leave me. After he realizes how much of ...
Chic Charlotte Mom Giveaway Winner!
Congrats to entry #21, Melissa F., the winner selected by Random.org. Now we'll all be so jealous of how stylin' you are. Especially me over here in my elastic waistband maternity pants! Let us know how the consultation went! Can't wait to hear the review!Another AWESOME giveaway coming up next week! ...
The Do-Able Toddler Playdate + Tater Tot Casserole Recipe!
When you become a parent, you become a playdate host. Congratulations. Welcome to my world. Playdates are fun. As an attendee at probably hundreds of playdates (note that I organize a 700-member playgroup), I think they are a fabulous way to get in some adult-time for me and some socialization and romping for my toddler. (And an excuse to eat Tater Tot casserole, which was not a dish I valued ...
Put a leash on it! An anonymous guest blog….
I have a confession to make, and it will make me very unpopular. So unpopular, in fact, that I am writing anonymously. So here goes: I don’t like your dog. I don’t want to pet your dog. I don’t want your dog to jump up on me, no matter how cute you think it is or how friendly you think your dog is being. I want no part of it. Before you render me heartless and cruel, please consider that I ...
A Nap-Time Negotiation
Graham is a very lucky boy. For his second birthday, he was showered with more gifts than we knew what to do with. And although people clearly love him, they may not love me. My husband may have made the comment, "You're friends don't like you that much," after opening box after box of puzzles with hundreds of pieces, crafts that would make a mess, and beeping-screeching-headache-inducing ...
What TO Wear – A Chic Charlotte Mom Giveaway
When I can't sleep at night (a rather common occurrence with this pregnancy), I watch TV. Sometimes it's Law & Order (I find the consistent doink-doink therapeutic), other times I get sucked into whatever is on TLC - What Not To Wear is a current fave.If you haven't seen it, two style gurus pick on some poor and frumpy woman. They video tape her unawares in her worst clothes, and then bombard ...
Acquiring Sign Language in Early Childhood, a guest blog by Kathleen Thomas
A great deal of research has clearly demonstrated that the early years – ages 2 to five – are the best time to educate children in different modes of communication and language. This goes beyond the spoken word (though it is an optimal time for children to learn a second language); many young children have an aptitude for signing as well. This is not as odd as you may think. As you know, many ...
Announcing our Applesauce Winner!
Congratulations to Lauren T., entrant #42, the winner of our three boxes of GoGo Squeez Applesauce. I hope your little one(s) enjoy this stuff as much as mine does! Thanks to everyone at Materne for making this giveaway possible. We appreciate you!Be on the lookout for our next fun giveaway launching on Monday! ...
Tit for Tat – A Lesson about Sharing on the Internet
I have long thought that parents tend to over-share. I realize I may be one of them. My son(s) may read my blog one day and realize I wanted girls. [Note to kids in the future: I love you dearly, but at one point I did want a daughter. Please don't hold that against me. I promise that I wouldn't trade you for the world.]Beyond gender preference, I may also dabble too much with the woes of ...
A “Southern” Gal’s Confession
I wasn't born in the South. But, I've put in almost 30 years here, so it's bound to count for something, right? Well, if you ask me, I feel pretty Southern. I think pearls go with almost any outfit, I'll eat fried chicken and biscuits any day of the week, and I honestly believe God made the sky Carolina Blue for a reason. Which is why, with some guilt, I feel I must admit... up until last week, I ...
The Verdict Is In….
One may have thought that I had done enough good deeds in between Graham's birth and this pregnancy to out-do any bad karma I may have had coming my way. Saying I would leave all boy-babies on the hillside back in my college days is definitely worthy of karma sending me one boy. But I've done good by this boy. And I feel like I've done lots of other good deeds that would allow karma to smile ...