It’s hard for me to believe that BlogHer was just a week ago. I have had a million thoughts racing through my head following the meeting, most of which I have posted about over at my personal blog Pop Discourse. I still have one more post forthcoming re: BlogHer programming; meanwhile, my fingers are worn to the nub so I will simply redirect you to plenty of engaging reading per my posts on the age of mommy blogger discontent, marketing to women of color, why I’ll be heading to BlogHer NYC in 2010, and ideas for how bloggers and sponsors can co-exist in harmony.

Image: with Tim Gunn; Credit: Tide Bounce Laundry Lounge

Many thanks to my BlogHer 2009 sponsors 360 Public Relations and Stonyfield Farm!

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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Never more evident as when you’re trying to pack for car or air travel, kids have a lot of stuff. And that’s why I think the Zoobie Pets from Alex Casey Baby are pretty cool. Available in 5 critter styles, these 3-in-1 washable plush pals can serve as stuffed animal, blanket, or pillow via Velcro latches, which is convenient for your kiddo and also means you have two less things to remember when you pack for trips. And for our 3rd birthday party Alex Casey Baby is offering two lucky readers a Zoobie Pet of their choice ($30 value each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Saturday, August 1).

Also, if you want to shop Alex Casey Baby now, use discount code BDAY1 to receive 15% off through 8/31/09.

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Today, Evadne’s husband Ray kindly steps in with a guest review of the FlameDisk, an eco-friendly alternative to charcoal grilling:

“I’m a BBQ snob and grill only with charcoal. I was a skeptic of the FlameDisk; however, I also was curious about how it would perform. It's touted as a no-hassle charcoal alternative that is eco-friendly (I guess charcoal is bad for the environment) and gives you 45 minutes of grill time.

I had put off trying the FlameDisk because of my love for charcoal, but the opportunity finally presented itself the other night. I had promised my wife that I would grill for dinner, but I ended up coming back from work later then I expected and the kids were hungry. The charcoal grill would take 15 minutes to get going…I immediately felt the FlameDisk beckoning. I could have dinner ready in 15 minutes.

I opened the packaging, placed the FlameDisk in the grill, and lit it on the first try with an almost silent poof. At first I wasn't sure if it was lit since the sunlight drowned out the flames; however, there was clearly a strong heat coming from the disk. A few seconds later, I had hot dogs on the grill. Convenient.

It was a little windy that day and I noticed that the flames from the disk would dance and never quite stay in one spot (which was problematic in keeping a steady heat source). I found that putting the lid on the grill kept the heat in and protected the flame from the wind. After a few minutes, the hot dogs were ready. Next up were the boneless chicken thighs. Using the same approach, the thighs cooked quickly and I got a nice sear (click on thumbnail above to enlarge image). Everything looked tasty and was done within 15 to 20 minutes of lighting the FlameDisk.

Now the true test: the taste. My wife and kids didn't notice any difference and thought everything was yummy. And while I missed the deep smoky flavor I get from charcoal, the food was still tasty and I could detect hints of smokiness. I also appreciated that my hair and clothing didn't stink of smoke.

So it appears, even as a charcoal and BBQ snob, I've found a place for the FlameDisk. It's definitely clean and convenient...and with three hungry little mouths to feed, getting food to the table quickly is a big deal.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Home; Solutions
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Plain and simple, I love dresses. They can be sweet, sophisticated, or smokin’ and, well, they make getting ready a breeze; just add shoes and accessories and go -- no separates coordination required. And next time you’re in the market for a dress -- be it for you, your daughter, or your BFF -- check out Shabby Apple, an online shop that is all about dresses for babies, girls, and women (including maternity!). For our 3rd birthday party Shabby Apple is offering one lucky reader their pretty and flattering eyelet Daisy Dress ($76 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Friday, July 31).

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When Laurel was a baby, one of my favorite places to visit – for resources, retail, and a remarkable sense of tranquility – was Isis Maternity. With locations in Arlington, Brookline, Needham, and Boston (plus programming at local hospitals and community organizations), Isis is a must-visit for expecting and new local moms. And for our 3rd birthday party, Isis Maternity is offering three lucky readers a $25 gift card for use at any of their locations. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Thursday, July 30).

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Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice shares tips for introducing carrots to your baby:

"Carrots are a wonderful source of Vitamin A and are abundant at the farmer’s markets right now. Babies obviously need their carrots cooked and mushed up (I recommend steaming over boiling, to retain more vitamins) and once they get their teeth, most young children prefer carrots raw, either plain or dipped in hummus or yogurt based dips.

Carrots & Nitrates

Moms with young babies just starting out on baby food ask me all the time about the nitrate thing with carrots. These moms are referring to “blue baby syndrome,” which can be caused by nitrates being turned into nitrites in the baby’s stomach. I never knew about this when my kids were babies, and so it never stopped me from giving them carrots at 6-7 months. But we are so unsure of our food systems nowadays – spinach scares, tomato scares – that we consumers have to find out the facts for ourselves. See my previous post about nitrates for detailed information about nitrates in a variety of vegetables, then try the below easy carrot recipe with your baby.

Pureed Carrots as a First Baby Food (6 months+)

I always recommend that moms add milk and maybe even baby rice to fruits and veggies for baby; it makes the mix more palatable. It’s hard to get carrots to mush up really smooth on their own, so adding some breast milk or formula is essential to get the right consistency for babies starting out on solids.

Serving veggies warm also makes them more palatable for babies.

Creamy Carrot Puree

Given frequency of use, plus the fact that I'm a tad obsessed with cute accessories, it’s no surprise that I think new moms well deserve pretty diaper bags. And if you’re looking to stash your baby gear in style, check out The Bumble Collection. Offering diaper bags and accessories in an assortment of ladylike and modern fabrics, for our 3rd birthday party The Bumble Collection is offering one lucky reader their fashionable and functional (it features a water and stain resistant lining, comfy strap, storage pockets, and changing pad, plus it's machine washable) Rebecca Tote ($124 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Wednesday, July 29).

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Today, Kate recommends revisiting Maurice Sendak:

“When I was a girl, my father often read to me before bed, using voices, accents, and enthusiasm that I can only endeavor to imitate now that the years have passed and I am reading to my daughter myself. One of my favorite books to read with my father was Maurice Sendak's Higglety Pigglety Pop!, a chapter book about the existential searchings of a fluffy dog named Jennie. Even as a child I recognized that the book had a sadness to it, a poignancy, and that it spoke to its young readers in a way that was subtler and more complex than a lot of the other fare available for my age group.

With my preschooler now discovering the pleasures of books - we recently found her 'reading' on her own when she awoke early one morning - I picked up a 10-cent copy of Where the Wild Things Are at a local library sale. I didn't remember the book well and wondered if she might find the illustrations scary, but we've both been charmed by its odd tale and loving resolution.

The well-known drawings are still peerless, and the text is almost poetry, with a cadence completely its own and unlike much else to be found in children's literature. The story is ambiguous - boy misbehaves and is punished, boy escapes punishment by joining a decadent fantasy world of monsters and capricious leadership, boy grows lonely and travels home - but the moral is one of pure love: his mother, to whom he was rude, has saved his warm supper for his return. No adults appear in the story, and the main character is certainly no model child. But the book is beautiful, and a joy to read. I also recently purchased Mudpuppy's beautiful floor puzzle with a scene from story, and my daughter immediately recognized it from our readings. Sendak is both enormously influential and still without match, and really worth a revisit.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids
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As adorable as baby fashion can be, one thing I love about gifting something other than baby clothing to new parents is the last and use factor; for example, babies drool and spit up (frequently) well beyond a 3-month onesie window, so something like Maisey Mae’s bright and cheery bibs and burp cloths will be appreciated both for style and longevity. Offered in personalized or standard designs, Maisey Mae’s gift sets are a particularly cute choice for shower gifts, and for our 3rd birthday party, Maisey Mae is gifting two lucky winners, one with their Larry the Lobster ($40 value) and one with their Girl Set 3 ($46 value) gift set. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Tuesday, July 28).

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Is it just me or do the cities north of Boston love to party? Once again, there are an impressive collection of festivals to the North this weekend. Consider these family friendly events: Salem CultureFest, the Lowell Folk Festival, and Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming.

Image credit: Salem CultureFest

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Few things in life appeal so universally as cookies do, and whether you order a batch online or visit their cookie clubhouse to decorate cookies with your kids, locally owned Wicked Good Cookies is sure to delight. Their photo cookie favors are particularly festive, and for our 3rd birthday party, Wicked Good Cookies is gifting one lucky winner with two dozen custom photo cookie favors ($75 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Friday, July 24).

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I’m thrilled to soon be on my way to Chicago for BlogHer, where I hope folks will cast away the social baggage in favor of engaging in a lot of awesome programming and rocking some really spectacular parties. If you’re heading to the meeting, I hope to meet you there! Feel free to @ me on Twitter or drop me an e-mail during the event if you’d like to connect.

I also wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to my BlogHer 2009 sponsors 360 Public Relations and Stonyfield Farm. Given that I run this site independently with zero budget, their support is hugely appreciated!

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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My friend Nooshi is truly impressive when it comes to hosting parties (whether they’re for grownups or kids) and her birthday parties for her son always are amazing. If you’re feeling up for a challenge, or simply want to glean a few of the basic ideas, check out the below write up of her son’s recent Outer Space Party. It is -- not surprisingly -- out of this world.

“Even before last year’s Messy Party, my son Jack insisted that his next party be a Space Party complete with a Zooma-Machine (his word to describe a magically fast rocket ship). Jack wanted to invite “everyone in the entire world” but we settled on his classmates, plus a few other close school friends. I like to include siblings and both parents whenever possible, so this brought our guest list up to about 50 people. That meant we weren’t adding any of our own good friends, but we’ve gotten to know Jack’s friends and their families over the years, and it’s a pretty fun group of people. I had a few goals for the party:

1. I didn’t want a cookie-cutter birthday party.

2. Is there any way to reduce the effort and stress of the event?

3. Make sure the kids have fun by offering a variety of activities for a variety of interests.

4. Make sure the parents have fun by offering decent food & drink, and ensuring the kids are engaged in activities so the parents can relax.

I’d say we succeeded on all fronts, with the exception of #2. There’s no way I could have pulled this off without help from my incredibly energetic and inventive husband Andrew, and my fabulously creative and talented mother. Here were the basic elements:

Invitations: I ordered the Solar System invitations from Tiny Prints, and was thrilled with the quality. Everyone raved about the invitations, and I think it contributed to our nearly 100% attendance. A good invitation really makes you want to go to a party.

Venue: Once again, we relied on trusty Filippello Park in Watertown. This place is great – it’s very private and there is a playground surrounded by a shelter, which offers built in rain cover and safe places for children to run free. Permits can be obtained through the Town of Watertown Recreation Department. There is no electricity, which makes for some minor challenges, but overall, this place is perfect.

Decorations: Because it was a space party, my wonderfully talented mother made a giant rocket ship cut-out from silver rigid insulation, which she attached to the climber. It was a bold and impressive gesture, and allowed us to go easy on any additional decorations. We brought a portable stereo rigged up to an iPod to play lots of Space themed music. We used white cloth tablecloths (which really dressed up the picnic tables) topped with mirrored tiles, assorted Transformers, and silver stars. Inflatable planets and a giant round rice paper lantern hung from the shelter.

Food & Drink: The party started at 10:30am, so we offered Starbucks coffee, water, orange juice, and champagne. We picked up some delicious quiche from local caterer Sensational Foods, and also offered mini bagels, fresh fruit, and yogurt in tubes.

I baked 3 desserts: A large sun cake, which essentially was a round 2-layer cake decorated with orange-yellow frosting and set on top of orange and yellow placemats that I cut to look like rays. Smaller earth cupcakes, which were chocolate cupcakes topped with white cream cheese frosting, and then these awesome “planet earth from space” cupcake toppers I found on Ebay. And "blue moon" cupcakes, which were no-bake blueberry cheesecake; the recipe was from Epicurious (I just made cupcakes instead of the large cake) and I topped with whipped cream and little American Flag toothpicks. The cheesecake was a great choice for a morning party.

Activities:

Through my performing and pedagogical musical roots, I’ve always believed that musicality is innate and that all kids (and grownups for that matter) deserve to have music in their lives. And for local parents who would like to engage their kids in group music and movement and also learn how to incorporate music in every day life at home, there’s Kindermusik at the Kangaroo Club. For our 3rd birthday party one lucky winner will receive an infant or toddler fall Kindermusik registration at Kangaroo Club (value $196 or $248 depending on session). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Thursday, July 23).

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Today, Heather offers a fabulous summer soup recipe:

“A friend from work shared this super yummy summer soup recipe. It’s the perfect blend of roasted red peppers and cilantro, with a lovely kick from a few other condiments. My friend managed to get the recipe from the café at her previous job so unfortunately I don't have the original source to credit; however, I remain grateful to the creator of this recipe for delivering this simple and healthy summertime soup!

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

For me, few things signal summer like lolling on the beach with a juicy book (which unfortunately means summer hasn’t quite arrived in my household…), and lucky for those looking to load up their beach bag with summer reads, Hachette Book Group generously is offering a bonanza of books for our 3rd birthday party. Five lucky winners each will receive a 10-book summer reads collection valued at $164 per set (titles listed below). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Wednesday, July 22).

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Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where I share the voices of fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Tori Stuart, mother of two and founder of locally based natural food company Zoe Foods. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous local mama!

Tori Stuart, Founder, Zoe Foods

Christine: Welcome, Tori! You’re a mother of two and the founder of Zoe Foods, a natural food company. Before we chat about your business, let’s back up. Can you tell us a little bit about what you were up to before launching your company?

Tori: I’ve always wanted to start my own business. I had lemonade stands when I was little, sold painted barrettes to local retailers in high school, and started some other small businesses while in college too. Right out of college, I sold advertising space and ran promotions/events for a couple of NYC magazines. Then I worked for two large advertising agencies in New York City (Grey Advertising and J. Walter Thompson). Just before I started Zoe Foods, I spent six years as a consultant where I learned about many different industries and had the opportunity to see how a small company was run.

Christine: One of your nominators described that your business was inspired by your mother; specifically, that you “saw the need for menopausal women like [your] mom to get more flax in their diet to minimize hot flashes” and that you decided to create all natural products using a similar recipe to what your mother was making for herself. It’s one thing to want your loved ones to eat better, but it’s another to create a product for mass consumption. What inspired you to go big?

Tori: I figured that if one person had a problem that needed to be solved, the odds were that many others were confronting the same challenge too. Since I knew I wanted to start my own business, this became the basis for founding Zoe Foods. When the company began, we produced a granola designed to help reduce the frequency and intensity of peri-menopausal hot flashes with about a tablespoon of ground flaxseed and about 5 g of soy protein per serving. As natural foods became mainstream, we broadened the positioning of Zoe’s Granolas and Bars to include all women and their families, not just peri-menopausal women. After all, 100% natural ingredients, whole grains, ground flaxseed, fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids are healthy for everyone.

Christine: Two of your nominators mentioned weight loss in relation to your product. Tell us more about this. Do you specifically advocate your product in conjunction with eating wellness plans?

Tori: I did not create Zoe’s Granolas and Bars with the specific goal of helping people to lose weight, or even as part of a weight loss program. Zoe’s Granola was designed to help mitigate hot flashes. To our surprise, consumers started writing in that they were losing weight since they had started eating Zoe’s Granolas and Bars. We have since concluded that because our products are high in fiber, with 7-8 grams of protein and 100% daily value of omega-3 fatty acids, people are actually satiated after a serving. So, they don’t tend to snack and have often replaced a higher calorie alternative with Zoe’s Granolas or Bars, and as a result, lose weight! Consumers wrote in about this so often, we decided to create a healthful meal plan of our own. In conjunction with a nutritionist, the Zoe Foods Healthy Meal Plan was born, and is available free on our website.

Christine: I love that you are an independent, local company but obviously it must be a tad intimidating to compete with larger competitors for grocery shelf space. Do you have a marketing team? How do you make your product stand out from the rest?

Tori: It’s not really intimidating, but rather frustrating. My marketing team consists of two people, me and my marketing director. Since we cannot compete with the large companies on consumer advertising, we use grassroots marketing. This means getting the word out through sampling, word of mouth, publicity, and now, social media. It is particularly difficult in this economy because retailers are less willing to take a chance on stocking a smaller brand that doesn’t have deep pockets for consumer marketing. For this reason, we are building our online sales and now do a healthy business with Amazon.com and our online store!

Zoe Foods products have always stood out from the competition based on their superior nutrition facts and great taste. We find that people buy Zoe’s Granolas and Bars the first time for the nutrition, the second time for the taste, and the third time for life!

Christine: You have two daughters. Tell us where you were with the development of Zoe Foods in relation to the arrival of your children.

Tori: When I started Zoe Foods I wasn’t married and didn’t have children or a dog. I worked around the clock and it’s hard to imagine being able to go from concept to a product on the shelf in fourteen months with a family to care for. However, I did have my first child just one year after Zoe’s Granola hit shelves, and then had my second child 17 months later! So other than the first year, I have always had to juggle Zoe Foods and my family.

Christine: What has been the most challenging thing about being a mamapreneur, juggling the high demands of your business with family life? Do you have any nuggets of wisdom for aspiring mamapreneurs?

Tori: The most challenging thing is definitely having the energy to juggle all the demands of business - from managing my team to overseeing sales, operations, and finance - while still making quality time for my family a priority. I find that I used to think of myself as well organized, but being a mamapreneur certainly puts my skills to the test. My nugget of wisdom may sound trite, but I have found it to be both true and extremely helpful: Don’t sweat the small stuff because life is too short and too precious. The important things always seem to get done!

Christine: It must be particularly meaningful to have a business centered around women’s health, given your mother’s inspiration and the fact that you have two daughters. Do your girls have a sense of what it is that you do and how it impacts women’s health?

Tori: My girls, now ages 6 ½ and 5, certainly grasp the understanding of what’s healthy and what is not, as far as food goes. As for a better understanding, they’re just too young. However, both my girls know that their mother works and makes a product that they can find in grocery stores like Shaw’s, and they know that this is very different from their friends’ mothers. I think there are times when they feel proud and others when they wish I was available to pick them up from school, like the other moms do.

Christine: Your motto is, “Keep dreaming, keep believing, keep achieving.” What’s the next thing – personal or professional – on your wish list?

Tori: One of my dreams is for my family and my sister’s family to take six months off to sail and explore while we home school our children.

Christine: We’ve talked all business up to now. Tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind or any hidden/unusual talents you may have.

Tori: From the above question, you probably have already gathered that I like to travel and to sail. I also love skiing, hiking, biking – basically anything outdoors. Photography has been a lifelong hobby and I enjoy seeing my five-year-old taking to it as she composes still life photo shoots with her stuffed animals that she’ll shoot with my old digital camera!

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Tori: What’s not to love? We have access to the culture of the city and the quiet of the country, while being near the ocean and the mountains. Who could ask for anything better?

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Boston Mamas Rock!; Local
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No matter the season, babies find comfort in being swaddled, and I’ve written before about the wonderful lightweight-ness of aden + anais’s cotton muslin wraps for summer babies. And in addition to these wraps (also available in winter weight), aden + anais offers sleeping bags that are lovely for keeping babies cozy yet ventilated when they want to be free of the baby burrito. For our 3rd birthday party, aden + anais is offering one lucky reader a 4-pack of muslin wraps or swaddling blankets + a sleeping bag (retail value: $74). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Tuesday, July 21).

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Having experienced the rigors of rehearsals and recitals and concerts in a former life, I have endless admiration for professional musicians. And you can show your support and enjoy plenty of music this and next month at the Regattabar at The Charles Hotel. This Sunday kicks off the Regattabar’s Kids Summer Music Series, which includes Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could, Baby Loves Salsa with The Jose Conde Band, Laughing Pizza, and Ben Rudnick. And Monday, July 20th signals the start of the Regattabar’s free Summer Courtyard Series, which includes the Katie Thiroux Trio, the International String Trio, Rocco & The Stompers, the Carlos Averhoff Jr. IRESI Project, and Gina Cimmelli.

At The Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge; 617-395-7757

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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Air travel is challenging for many families in this economy, but the good news is that there’s a way to grow your child’s awareness of the world on a budget (think staycation!). Little Passports offers monthly global adventure kit subscriptions that teach kids about new countries through letters, activities, souvenirs, and access to online games and activities. And for our 3rd birthday party, Little Passports is offering one lucky reader a 6-month subscription to their service (retail value: $66). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Saturday, July 18).

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Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth shares parenting points gleaned from the movie Away We Go:

"When I heard about Away We Go, a film about parenting, I asked my husband to join me to see the movie. Bob, a good critic, said, "I liked the movie. I liked the characters too, but I didn't see much point." I, on the other hand, thought the movie offered good acting but also heart, comedy, and romance. The New Yorker said the movie has a "ruminative" tone and I agree. After seeing the film I began to ruminate on several fine points of parenting the movie raised.

Keep expectations to a bare minimum. Others may turn out to be less helpful and less involved than we expect. In an early scene in the movie, the pregnant couple (Burt and Verona) arrives at the expectant grandparents' home for dinner. Excited talk about the baby's arrival ensues and the expectant couple feels that they need to dampen at least some of the grandparents' enthusiasm. Then, the couple learns that the grandparents are moving to Belgium a month before the baby is due. "You know this has been our lifelong dream," the new grandfather offers meekly. This message reminded me of a seminar in graduate school where we spent two hours discussing the difference between hopes and expectations. Our professor maintained that there is a huge difference between hopes and expectations and that ardent expectation may cause hurt and disappointment. So, as we raise kids, we can hope that parents, family, and friends will be there for us, but we need to apply the brakes regarding our expectations of people's involvement.

What looks like perfect parenting often isn't. In the movie, once the expectant couple finds out that Burt's parents are off to Europe, they wander North America looking for parental compatibility, parental role models, and parental bliss. After a few funny false starts, they think they find bliss and role models in Montreal. They arrive at their college friends' house and see that the exterior is impressive; inside, several children of varying ages play happy and imaginative games. However, during an evening out with the two couples, we find that the mom is full of angst and melancholy. This fictional example reflects an emotional reality: sometimes we expend way too much energy (energy we don't have a surplus of) thinking the grass is greener on the other family's lawn.

We'd like a village to help raise our children and there are footholds out there for us all. Burt and Verona search far and wide for their village. They long for a foothold and in the end learn that their stability was right there for them all along. As soon as my first child was born, I joined a mom's group and we kept meeting (without the kids) once a month at local restaurants for a dozen years. After nearly two decades of professionally facilitating new parents groups, moms continue to tell me their groups still meet, now including husbands and siblings. When my own parents moved to Florida, we joined a temple -- not because we were religious in any traditional way, but because we wanted a community. We also joined a babysitting co-op for bonding with other young families and for an occasional, essential night out. And this very website offers an incredible online community that offers advice, stories, and opportunities for events and connection. The village and the footholds we long for exist. Possibly not in the form or permutation we fantasized about, but never the less exist and in wonderful and unexpected ways.

The need to accept that uncertainty is our only definite. Ultimately Burt and Verona decide to settle at Verona's childhood home. She finds that you can go home again; it's just going to be different. Her parents have died and the home -- with a backyard that extends into the sea -- is a beautiful setting to raise a child. Finally, Burt sits on the back step and says, "This is perfect. Absolutely perfect." And Verona sits next to him and says, "I don't know if it will be. I'm just going to hope so, though." And now I'm reminded of my daughter Emmy's 27-month stint in the Peace Corps in Africa, mostly not within reach of a computer or cell phone. What got me through was putting one flip flop in front of the other, accepting the uncertainty, but believing all would be fine. It was. We need to accept our uncertainties. That's all we have...and away we go."

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Family Issues
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My passion for color truly blossomed during my postdoctoral fellowship (where I felt rather confined within grey cinderblock walls), and whether I'm perusing clothing, paper, décor, or textiles, I gravitate towards bold, modern, and pretty patterns. So it’s no wonder I adore Boston-based Chroma Lab’s bright and fresh wares. Skilled restorers of vintage furniture, Chroma Lab also creates pieces to order, such as their hand crafted birch plywood clocks, painted in cheery graphic patterns and a glossy finish. And for our 3rd birthday party, Chroma Lab is offering one lucky reader one of their fabulous clocks (retail value: $75). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Friday, July 17).

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Today, Jennifer recommends the Brockton Rox for a budget and family friendly baseball experience:

“Nothing says summer like America's favorite pastime, and there is unique pleasure in a leisurely afternoon at the ball park. Something about the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and a bag of peanuts has brought families together for generations. My husband and I love the history and tradition of baseball, but attending Major League games costs major money, and with four kids -- none of whom are guaranteed to last more than a few innings -- we've been keen to find a budget and family friendly alternative.

The Brockton Rox are a minor league baseball team that plays locally at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton (adjacent to Brockton High School). With ticket prices ranging from $5 to $15 and a clean, accessible stadium, the Rox make families their top priority, with special attention given to making the park experience hassle-free and enjoyable for those with kids in tow.

The size and layout of the ballpark is just right. With about 5000 seats, it's not overwhelming, but still feels like the real deal. The atmosphere is festive, with fireworks at Friday games, an enthusiastic cheer squad, and a kangaroo mascot who trolls the stands high-five’ing little fans. I especially recommend their Sunday Family Fun Days, where kids can play catch on the field before the game and run the bases afterward, the team sticks around for autographs, and free face painting and caricature drawings are offered during the game. An energetic staff entertains between innings, and if your squirmy little ones, like mine, need more than a seventh-inning stretch, you can take them for a bounce on the inflatables in the stadium's "Fun Zone." For those with infants, the stadium also offers the Rox-a-Bye-Baby Suite with a private nursing room and fully-stocked changing area.

My kids had a wonderful time, with all the magic of professional ball wrapped up in a perfectly kid-friendly afternoon. The hometown feel, the loyal, local fan-base, and the family-oriented programming are a recipe for a tradition in the making, and we’re all looking forward to our next ballgame.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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This may sound a little odd, but having diapered Laurel with basic rectangular cloth diapers + liners + covers (which proved more challenging to negotiate as Laurel grew older and squirmier), I experience a bit of diaper envy when I see the fabulous all in one's on the market. And lovely for those who wish to try, or already are, cloth diapering, for our 3rd birthday party eco boutique Global Enfant is offering a Baby BeeHinds cloth diaper gift pack that includes three diapers (one hemp, one bamboo, one magic all), one cover, and one wetbag (retail value: $91). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Thursday, July 16).

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My writing has taken me down memory lane recently, and I wanted to share two external posts that are relevant for parents, regarding the lessons we learn and pass on to our kids. I guest posted today at the Daily Grommet blog about lessons learned from summer vacations of past and present, and yesterday I posted at Pop Discourse (my personal blog) about ways to cope with the mounting stress I have observed in relation to BlogHer. Whether or not you’ll be in Chicago next week, the post speaks to the importance of shedding adolescent baggage and modeling behavior for your kids that is kind and accepting, not cruel and excluding.

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues
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Laurel and I both agree that a little bling (OK, in her case, a lot of bling...) goes a long way in lifting one's mood and outfit. And whether you want to purchase ready-to-go, made-to-order, or personalized goods, Hip Fusion Designs offers a unique collection of handcrafted metal, clay, and dichroic glass jewelry to suit different tastes. For our 3rd birthday party, Hip Fusion Designs is offering one lucky reader a $100 gift certificate to spend in their online store. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Weds., July 15).

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This past weekend our friend Rhoda introduced us to a dessert that impressively satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth while accommodating her lactose intolerance. Admittedly, though I adore tofu (it’s in the genes), as an avid classic baker I was a tad skeptical about tofu dessert, but this Easy Chocolate Tofu Pie truly surprised me. Essentially a chocolate pudding pie, the filling was smooth, rich, and chocolate-y, and the graham cracker crust offered a classic contrast; I also served strawberries on the side. Even Laurel – who consumed tofu by the handfuls as a toddler but no longer will touch it in cube form – gobbled her serving (even knowing it was tofu based).

This is a great dessert option to offer at parties where dairy allergies are an issue and it was such an impressive reflection of the real thing that I’m tempted to try more tofu desserts for the health benefits.

Image credit: The Cook’s Thesaurus

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing; Home; Recipes
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I’m all for recycling baby gear, but the reality is that some of the high use, in-the-spit-up-zone items get rather tired in a hurry. Luckily, locally based Papa Products has created an easy way to customize new or spruce up used baby carriers. Simply pull the machine washable, fastener free 1Z on your carrier (it works with Bjorn, Chicco, Infantino, and other structured front carriers) and you’ve instantly got a fresh look. And for our 3rd birthday party, Papa Products is offering two lucky readers a non-custom or custom monogrammed 1Z (retail value: $39.99 each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Tuesday, July 14).

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Back in May, Boston Mamas was nominated by Nickelodeon as Boston’s best parenting blog, and the contest finally is coming to a close. Would you please rock the vote for BostonMamas.com and even share the link with friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.? Daily voting is allowed until July 15 and it literally takes a couple of seconds to cast a vote. Thanks so much for your support! (Note: An easy click over button is available in the left sidebar here and on the Boston Mamas Facebook page.)

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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Last year Kristin detailed the impressive results delivered by Profound Beauty’s customized hair care system, and how cool is it that they also have products that can take you from bad hair day to a more palatable climate entirely? For our 3rd birthday party, Profound Beauty is offering one lucky reader their Atmosphere Collection (retail value: $89), which includes a trio of products that can transport your hair to sleek and shiny (arctic), separated and textured (desert), or dewy and pliable (tropical) climates. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Saturday, July 11).

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Here’s a good excuse to get your summer weekends started early: the Highland Street Foundation is celebrating their 20th anniversary by offering Free Fun Fridays (free admission to local fabulous resources) for the rest of the summer. Today’s offering is admission to the JFK Presidential Library & Museum; upcoming admissions include the Boston Harbor Island Alliance, Franklin Park Zoo, Boston Children’s Museum, Plimoth Plantation, Stone Zoo, Peabody Essex Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, and Springfield Museums.

Image credit: Franklin Park Zoo

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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I love gifting expectant friends with cuddly, comforting, and useful objects, and 'Lina Bean delivers just that with its pretty and modern collection of baby blankets and accessories. And today, 'Lina Bean kicks off our 3rd birthday party by offering one lucky reader a bib, burp cloth, blanket, & blankie set of their choice from the 'Lina Bean coordinated collection (retail value: $110). In addition to being easy on mama's eye, these items will keep baby clean, cozy, and adorably coordinated. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Friday, July 10).

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Today I reflect on the birth of this site, and how we’re going to rock the celebration together:

Even though Boston Mamas is a major part of my identity, it’s still hard for me to believe that today marks the site’s 3rd birthday. At this time three years ago I was wading miserably through my postdoctoral fellowship, probably as close as I’ve ever come to a nervous breakdown. I didn’t officially leave academia until September 2006, but I vividly remember having the “aha!” moment to create the site in June 2006, followed by an intense flurry of writing and designing in the wee hours between Laurel’s nursings (how I was even remotely functional during the day I cannot say), and the site’s launch just a few weeks later, on July 9, 2006. After three years of professional dissatisfaction and major dysfunction with my advisor, my creative spirit finally was reawakened and moving forward.

There’s been no shortage of excitement in the last three years, whether it has been technical debilitation, getting dumped for my first TV interview because I wouldn’t allow the producers to film footage of Laurel on the potty, recruiting contributing writers, wrestling with the one company who stiffed me on sponsorship fee (though at least they delivered the prize to the winner), starting the Boston Mamas mamapreneur business network and Boston Mamas local parent resource page, having my web host pull the plug on me without notice, introducing the Boston Mamas Rock! series, designing cute tees, meeting amazing bloggers through events, battling it out with Boston.com, or receiving all sorts of generous and kind press and accolades that still stun me to this day.

But beyond all of these ups and downs, the thing that keeps me grounded is YOU. There’s no point to doing what I’m doing unless I’m creating content that is interesting, informative, and useful, and if there are people who are reading this content. Even though I regret not having the time to respond to every piece of correspondence, I love reading your thoughtful comments and emails and I am so grateful that people take the time to hop on the site amidst their very busy days.

I’m completely candid with people about the fact that of all the professional hats I wear (blogger, graphic designer, freelance writer and editor) Boston Mamas is the least lucrative (i.e., via the very obvious advertising tiles…do I need to say again how much I hate advertorials?) but the most time consuming. But in lots of ways it's also the most interactive and rewarding. I'm so grateful this site is part of my life.

Now, on to the celebration. I love a good party and I love presents and since Boston Mamas readers actually tag in from all over the map, we're going to rock an online party. I have rounded up a collection of awesome and generous sponsors who are donating fabulous goods to be won. All you need to do is stop by daily, and when you see a birthday giveaway post that features an item you’d like to win, enter per the instructions.

I’ll close here with a final thank you for being a Boston Mamas reader. And now I’m off to launch the first birthday giveaway!

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (15) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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The lovely Melissa Massello of Shoestring Magazine passed along this cool lead: Starma Circus is hosting a free interactive program – Suddenly Circus! – in lower income Somerville neighborhoods. Members of Starma’s afterschool circus programs will be on hand to entertain and collaborate with community members and passersby. You can find Suddenly Circus! at the Argenziano School’s Lincoln Park (July 9), Winter Hill Community School Playground (July 16), and Central Hill Playground (August 1).

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Today, Kate shares the benefits that have come from following her daughter’s itch to walk:

“When I was pregnant, I spent many happy hours considering which stroller to buy. I read reviews, talked to friends, discreetly checked out the latest models on the sidewalks of my neighborhood, and weighed cost against style, durability, and fabulousness. In retrospect, I'll admit that I put more emphasis on the look of the thing than on its actual operation, but it was my first pregnancy and I had no real idea what it would mean to transport a newborn and then baby and then toddler on four wheels and in all seasons.

After my daughter was born and I had gathered my courage to take her out into the New England winter, I developed a more nuanced sense of what was really valuable in a stroller, and I've since tried out multiple brands and designs (our original stroller, which I picked out with happy anticipation when I was six months pregnant, having long ago been sold to an expectant mother). It has sometimes been a hassle - I have vivid memories of being wedged on crowded buses with my oversized stroller taking up the aisle and lots of dirty looks coming my way - but I've always been proud to push my daughter in front of me as we explore the city together.

We're now on our fifth stroller, and my daughter is a long-legged preschooler who has been itching to walk on her own for several months now. But I hesitated. Filled with anxiety about traffic and impatient pedestrians and patches of ice and mysterious gross things on the sidewalk, I put her off until a few weeks ago, when the time suddenly felt right to give it a try.

The walk from her preschool to our apartment building is no more than seven blocks, and mostly made up of broad sidewalks and parks. It's a busy neighborhood, though, and I wasn't sure how she would do navigating the noise and activity on our route. As in most things, she has impressed me. From the first day, she walked like a pro, deftly avoiding the clots of rowdy teenagers, stopping at the intersections to check for cars, and holding my hand with more assiduousness than she usually pays to my instructions. She sometimes dilly-dallies, but she also walks straight and sure and with a sense that she has as much right to the sidewalk as anyone else.

Most interestingly, I've found that our conversations, particularly those when we walk home from school, have become more complex and sophisticated. Without the stroller between us, we walk alongside each other and talk -- really talk -- in a way that is both new and wonderful. I'll confess to a slight nostalgia for my tiny baby in her big stroller, but seeing her more independent and more out in the world has been worth the pangs.”

Image credit: Christine Koh

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues
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I’m always striving for simplicity in life and this approach definitely translates to how I operate in the kitchen. For my second monthly column as Minimalist Mama at Shoestring Magazine, I share a super easy "six or less" summer menu (dishes each comprising six or less ingredients) that will satisfy kids and grownups throughout the summer. Enjoy!

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing; Home; Recipes
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Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice shares tips and recipes to bump up calcium intake for the whole family:

“Many children are lactose intolerant and therefore cannot get calcium from milk products. Apart from calcium supplements recommended by your pediatrician, bone broths (aka. stock) are a good way to get calcium – be it beef, lamb, or chicken broth. Broth is a nutritious base for hot or cold soups, or braised meat or vegetable dishes that require liquid be added to them. It also gives dishes a deeper flavor than simply adding water.

A few broth-making pointers

Probably due at least in part to feeling conspicuous as one of a few minority families in our town growing up, I have a residual thing about blending in when I travel. Though I don’t bat an eyelash when I see tourists out and about, you'll never catch me holding up a map at a congested intersection in an unfamiliar city. So on my recent trip to San Francisco, I was thrilled to discover Moleskine’s City Notebook.

Gifted by my gracious hosts in San Francisco (along with an excellent City Walks guide), Moleskine’s City Notebook series includes petite, ultra subtle travel journals for 45 major cities around the world. The San Francisco notebook was utterly perfect, including public transit and indexed street maps, transportation information (air, train, taxi, etc.), and plenty of blank and tabbed pages to chart itineraries or jot down notes about favorite spots (for me, Emporio Rulli and Britex Fabrics).

While exploring the city, I loved being able to nonchalantly consult this little black book to plot my next adventure or reorient myself, all the while simply appearing as if I was jotting notes in a journal or looking up an address or phone number. When I next visit an unfamiliar city, I’ll definitely pick up another Moleskine City Notebook in advance of my trip.

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Gifts & Paper; Home; Travel
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I'm a tad remiss in reporting, but wanted to share some recent kind media mentions. A couple of weeks ago I was quoted in Joanna Weiss’s Boston Globe feature on imperfect parenting confessionals. And last week I was included in FOX25 Boston’s special report on mom bloggers. Given the brouhaha that has erupted amidst the blogging community re: product reviews, I was particularly pleased that my comments on ethics and transparency made the cut.

Posting these additions to the press page reminded me that I forgot to post a shout out to skirt! Boston for the generous full pager of me and Laurel in their print May edition. Thank you belatedly, skirt! Boston; it was an honor to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Web (Admin)
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In May I signed on as a March of Dimes mom, through which I will donate one post per month to pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, newborn, or general family topics. In honor of Father’s Day, June’s suggested topic was – not surprisingly – dad issues. I know I’m a few days late in sharing my thoughts on this topic, but there’s a good reason why.

Tomorrow marks the four-year anniversary of my father’s death, and sometimes it seems as if I just saw my dad yesterday, and other times it feels like forever ago. But what remains the same is the palpable feeling of loss and longing. I actually spent a lot of time with my dad in his final year so I feel very resolved about our relationship, but basically, I just miss him, especially in those moments where Laurel’s expressions or actions are so reflective of him.

To be perfectly honest, my dad was not the easiest person to have as a parent; he was strict and his expectations extremely high. He wanted my siblings and me to be #1 students, #1 citizens, and to make a #1 impact on the world professionally and as parents. My siblings and I endured some (now seemingly) comical manifestations of these expectations, such as being instructed to drop and do 5-10 push ups for every incorrect answer when we were quizzed on vocabulary (I still wonder how I made it out of adolescence lacking both an impressive vocabulary and killer upper body strength). Yet despite the pressure, and through the years, my dad’s lessons clearly made an impact on me. So without further ado, for my March of Dimes mom post I wanted to share some of these lessons, which are relevant for fathers and parents in general.

The value of work. Though at times I resented how extreme my dad was about developing a strong work ethic, there’s no doubt that this is a major part of who I am today. As kids, my siblings and I worked long hours in the family business and as I grew older, I always assumed that there wasn’t anything that couldn’t be achieved by hard work, whether it was working crazy hours to put myself through college or forgoing sleep to meet absurd work deadlines. And while I don’t necessarily want such extreme circumstances for Laurel, I do believe that kids benefit from learning about the value of money and work.

The value of helping others. I’ve always felt committed to helping others (I even recently filmed a webisode on the topic), no doubt due in part to my dad’s lessons. As kids, we were one of the few families on a street filled with elderly people, and during the winter my dad marched us up and down the street to shovel out the driveways and walkways of our elderly neighbors. Similarly, I find myself engaging with Laurel a lot over the topic of kindness and giving; these conversations are easy…I think she inherited my dad’s generous heart.

The power of one on one time. With seven kids in the mix, there wasn’t a lot of opportunity for one on one time. Not surprisingly, some of my strongest childhood memories include a couple of solo outings I had with my dad. If you have more than one child, try to give your kids the gift of one on one time, even if the time is brief.

The power of laughter. My dad typically was very seriously focused on working to support his family, but nothing cut tension and lifted the family mojo faster than hearing his big, generous laugh. It’s amazing that such a simple thing is so powerful.

Express affection. It wasn’t until my dad’s later years that he softened and became more forthright about expressing affection. And oh how I gobbled it up, just like a little kid. Don’t forget to give your kids plenty of hugs and kisses, even if you’ve collectively had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Continue bucking the trend. One thing that never failed to amuse my dad was how different fatherhood is for our generation. He seemed both incredulous and admiring of Jon’s stories of wrestling with the domestic, whether it was dinner or diapers. I am so grateful that fathers today are so much more involved; I hope this trend continues to evolve.

Ask for a better deal. My dad was the ultimate bargain hunter; he became famous for pushing back with salespeople, saying, “C’monnnnnn, give me a good price!” As a kid this used to embarrass me but it completely rubbed off on me; I often find myself asking for a better deal. And remarkably, I’ve found that sometimes you just have to ask; the offer is available but just not publicized.

Dream big. Growing up, I tended to feel as if my dad’s high expectations simply were attributable to general crazy parental pressure. That was probably part of the equation, but later it occurred to me that his expectations also reflected his faith in my siblings and me to make things happen. I’m glad that he helped me learn to dream, otherwise I likely would have never had the chance to write this post.

This may sound obvious, but I can’t emphasize enough: don’t take people and time for granted. Let go of old baggage so you can experience the good in people you care about in the now. I miss my dad tremendously, but I’m so grateful that I carry him and his lessons with me every day.

Image credit: Dad with Laurel, October 2004

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues
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Oh my, clear skies...let's all hope for them together for this holiday weekend shall we? And if you’re trying to find fireworks near you, Sheri passed along a handy link from Boston Central that features a date/town ordered list of Massachusetts fireworks displays. Associated Content also features a large town ordered roster of Massachusetts fireworks displays, including original source links.

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Although Laurel’s daycare runs year round, the summer tends to be a time for transition, and the recent departure of one of her friends reminded me of something I loved doing as a child: exchanging letters with pen pals. Laurel’s friend (or actually, her parents) left a colorful paper bag in each friend’s mail pouch with a sweet goodbye letter that included the friend's mailing address and a request to be pen pals. Also handily included: a note card and self-addressed stamped envelope to get the ball rolling.

During the ride home from school I explained the pen pal concept to Laurel and it was amazing to see her latch onto the idea. While I assembled dinner, she diligently worked on creating a princess castle collage and drawing inside the card (shown below) and together we wrote a message to paste on the back.

I still can’t get over what a simple and lovely idea this is: not only does pen pal’ing (is that even a verb?) offer a means to ease transition pangs, but I love the idea that it revives the art of written correspondence for the wee generation.

Pen and quill image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Gifts & Paper; Home
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Today, Heather shares ideas for ways to work in one on one time with siblings:

“With four children, ages 2-5, giving each of my children the individual attention they want is truly one of my greatest challenges. Many days it feels as if they all need a piece of me at the same time, especially in the 10 minutes after I come home from work. But I have learned that even as little as 5 minutes of daily one on one time does wonders for all of us. Below are some simple ways that I have managed to carve out quick one on one time with my children (of course, in some of these examples my husband needs to be home to supervise the other three).

Clothes change. When I run upstairs to change out of my work clothes I take one child with me. They love trying on my shoes, belts, and scarves!

Laundry. What is a chore to me is loads of fun for my kids. Adie especially loves to separate darks from whites and push the buttons to start the washer/dryer.

Mail. We have turned trips outside to get the mail into an adventure. Did we get any mail? How much? Big or small letters? Will takes great pride in carrying the mail into the house all by himself.

Bath time. Yes, it's absolutely more efficient put all the kids in the tub together but I make every effort to give each of my kids a solo bath once a week. They call it swimming since they can actually spread out.

Dancing. We love dancing in our house and while we all still dance together, I now pick one up and twirl him/her through the house to an entire song. Each of my kids gets an entire song to themselves, and I end up getting a bit of a workout!

Grocery shopping. Our grocery store offers child size shopping carts and my kids love to push the cart; each kid is allowed to select a special snack treat for the week. My 6-year-old Emma is such a helper reading prices and making sure we got everything on our list.

Showering. OK, OK, who knew it was a spectator sport, but my kids love chatting away through a shower curtain.

Quick errands. My son Theo grabs his shoes (and mine) and dashes to the door the second I mention running out for some quick errands.

Washing dishes. My toddlers each get giddy when I sit them on the counter with their feet in the 1/2 sink as I wash dishes and load the dishwasher.

The nice thing about most of these examples is that they help get things done around the house while allowing for a little one on one time with each child. My kids are learning to wait ever so patiently for my undivided attention and now instead of 8 hands pulling at me (literally) the minute I walk in the door, I hear 4 sweet little voices calling 'my turn.' I cherish these short but sweet windows of quality time with each of my children.”

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Jul 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Family Issues
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