From Frazzled to Fun

The case of trying to thwart the snooper...I worked so hard at it a few Decembers ago that I have yet to find that sweater that my daughter pined for and I was sure she would not have the self-control to leave alone! (It's probably 2 sizes too small at this point....)

Do snoopers get active at your house before Christmas?

Oh, the thought of those gifts makes things soooo tempting!

It's time for you to get sneaky, girls. 

I've got a few tips for you:

• DO NOT hide in “traditional” places where kids will search (i.e. the floor or shelf of your closet, under the bed, etc.)
• DO keep track of where the gifts are kept. Jot down in notes on your phone where to find things when it is wrapping time.
• DO keep as many gifts hidden in one place as possible. Ideas:
  • In an empty diaper box (put one layer of diapers on top to cover)
  • In a large suitcase stored in its usual spot
  • In a grocery bag that is hung around the neck of a...

Thought about family photos this year yet?

While we most likely have all had more time with our children than we had anticipated this year, we may not have thought much about how they have grown and changed through the course of it.

Because our mental space has been filled up with the "extras" of pandemic and election concerns, I thought you might appreciate a little nudge that this might be a good time to think about a family picture.

Here are a few questions to help you make a great plan for family pictures this year:

• Color theme?
  • some solids
  • mix in a few touches of patterns to tie colors together
• Pose considerations
  • try to have everyone touching at least one other person (i.e. hand on a shoulder, etc.)
  • for older kids, remind them that if it bends, to bend it a little (elbows, knees, etc) so they don't appear stiff
  • when in doubt, lay on your tummies and pile the kids on top (hides bigger waistlines and also gets everyone really close in for the picture)
  • ...

On a recent three-day trip to the mountains, I failed to check the kids’ suitcases.

Ten minutes down the road I glanced down at my youngest daughter’s feet and noticed she was wearing her white dressy heels. (You would have thought I might notice this before, especially since she was also wearing a fancy dress.)

“You packed other shoes, right?” I asked.

“No.”

“Not even flip flops?” Not only had she not packed any play shoes, but she hadn’t packed undies, pajamas or her toothbrush.

But there she sat with her doll on her lap, and surrounded by her doll stroller, doll backpack, and doll beauty salon chair! It cost us about a half hour in the turn around, but thankfully we were able to get her tennis shoes and everything else she needed before leaving town. When we arrived at our destination, we opened up her suitcase to find the doll’s entire wardrobe complete with all the accessories! (She hadn’t missed a thing!)

What...