I’ve been struggling to write anything of substance these last few weeks. Still working, because I enjoy the familiarity, but struggling with meaning. I take photographs of everything in an attempt to capture every delicate, fleeting moment. I contemplate the things I’ve been afraid of, and how recent years have altered my perspective, and I find myself repeating a blunt new mantra to people from time to time. “I’m not worried.”
I’ve worn glasses or contacts since I was in third grade. Prior to that, nobody knew I had vision issues because my parents didn’t realize that comprehensive kids eye exams needed to be scheduled for my sister and I. To be fair, this was back in the day when many screenings and vaccinations were handled directly through the school nurse.
It’s the season for patriotic parties, beach bashes and barbecues! Lots of families like to incorporate their pets into celebrations, but it does require some extra diligence. Here are our tips for keeping your furry friends safe this summer.
My baby is about to start preschool. I have to admit that typing those words makes me feel a small bit of shock. Wasn’t he a baby yesterday? Didn’t he JUST figure out how to walk? Then I realize that we’re far beyond that point. He’s already begun loudly sounding out complicated words like “truck” (his tr sounds come out like f sounds, so that’s pretty amusing in the grocery store). One thing that makes these milestones easier is that we already went about finding the right preschool with our first son, four years ago.
We’ve still been on the road a bunch, and this dude has been along for the ride. All the rides! Traveling with a dog requires consideration of health issues, campsite and hotel standards, as well as awareness of various travel provider rules. Here is a complete dog travel checklist to help you get ready for your trip.
Having had four babies back-to-back (to-back-to-back), we get a lot of questions about baby gear. Tons of emails have asked which products we find essential, as traveling parents with a minimalist sensibility. What makes life easier? Which picks could we not do without? We’ve been all over the board with baby stuff as our family has grown and changed, but I do have a baby registry must-have that’s been on my list since baby number one. The brand has improved and tweaked this item over the years to the point that I can easily say it’s my top pick, hands-down.
When visitors ask how they can get a glimpse of historic Hollywood, there’s one property that everyone in the area immediately refers to. The Garland. Previously in use as Gene Autry’s horse ranch, Beverly Garland’s husband bought it and built a hotel that originally had water beds and shag carpet that the maids cleaned with rakes. True story.
Want a little peek at what Dad’s Day usually looks like around here? We honestly don’t go over the top with presents and activities, since Nate works almost every holiday. We keep it simple and sweet with some DIY activities or a Father’s Day printable that we pair with a gift he’s guaranteed to love.
We were invited to the media premiere of Incredibles 2 last weekend, which naturally called for some epic Incredibles 2 costumes (you know we love coming up with creative family Disneybounding outfits). I left the toddler and baby back home with Nate since they don’t do too well in theaters yet, which meant that I had to get creative with the characters that the big boys and I channeled. It also meant that this film hit home for me in more ways than one.
When we first started traveling, I had a conventional first aid kit. It got dismantled as certain things were needed and others weren’t. Ointments and some other often-used stuff earned a permanent spot in the diaper bag and other items were relegated to the glove box (we have yet to find a need for that space-age blanket). The pouch that gets tossed in my suitcase morphed over the years, and eventually shrunk into a modern medicine bag that holds items that help with the little emergencies we encounter fairly often.