The promise of a new dog was under the Christmas tree… something my kids have been begging for for years. My kids came downstairs on Christmas morning and their response to the news of our new family member was underwhelming. It was then, combined with the fact that it was the first Christmas in which…
parenting
Holiday Moments and Gift Ideas
It’s kind of crazy how memories can overwhelm you sometimes. I was sitting here thinking about Jingle, the dog that goes along with the Hallmark Jingle All the Way Interactive storybook. My daughter, Ella, has really taken to this stuffed dog. He gets buckled into seat belts, sits by her feet at dinner, snuggles in…
Family Meetings and Encouraging Words
We sit down and have a family meeting on Sunday evenings. It’s a way for our family of 6 to make sure we are all on the same page for the upcoming week, celebrate accomplishments from the prior week, and more. We assign chores, distribute allowance, plan our weekly menu and share our goals for…
Pepper Pancakes?
When we visit my parents in Mission, Texas each year (near South Padre) there is always plenty of memory making fun happening. We get to go to the beach… We swim in their retirement community pool and hot tub under the palm trees… We go to the zoo… We hang out and get to explore…
Fantasy Versus Reality {Recipe: Peaches & Cream Frozen Cocktail}
I woke up with an itch… the road trip itch. I nudged my husband. “Let’s get out of town… go someplace for the day.” It’d be a happy day, full of picture taking, shopping for props at antique stores, prancing through fields while notes from The Sound of Music filled the air. We all pile…
Happiness Report #17 – Happiness Down to My Soul
It’s a rainy, stay inside with a good book and cup of coffee kind of day. A snuggly, beautiful, happy day. What better kind of day then to share a little happiness with you all? I am bubbling over with happiness today because Nick and I had the opportunity to bring recording artist, Shannon Curtis,…
Best Friends Forever
Let’s talk friendship, shall we? I don’t have a best friend. I’ve always been one of those girls to have a lot of good friends but as an adult, not a best girl friend. You know, that one friend you can call up and she’ll drop everything and be there in minutes with chocolate ice…
How Can She Possibly…?
How can she possibly be ready? I woke up at midnight with a tightness in my chest, grasping for breath. In the dark of the night, it felt like the walls were closing in on me. It was then I realized my pillow was wet and tear soaked. As a mom who has stayed home…
It Takes a Village… Not to Mention Wine and Coffee
I’ve always known and hoped that I would be a mom. When I was in Kindergarten, we had a “Star of the Week” program where the star would be interviewed. One of the questions in the interview was “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My immediate answer, firmly stated without any…
Raising Money Smart Kids with Tykoon
A few weeks ago I reached out to those of you who follow Dine & Dish on Facebook asking for advice on chores and allowance. We have struggled since day one finding a consistent method that works for our family. With 4 kids at 4 different ages, it’s difficult to figure out something that works…
