A fierce tribe of Minnesota moms who believe in their kids, each other and coconut oil.
One of the baby-related items I have used the most over the last six and a half years was actually a gift from my doula after the birth of my first baby. At the time, I naively thought that a Baby Bjorn was the only hands-free baby device anyone would ever want or need, but I am so thankful that Megan introduced me to the simplicity of the pouch sling, especially the Minnesota-mama-made ones by BlueBerriest. Read more
What a concept Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath has! Let’s change our way of thinking, the American way of thinking, into something more productive and less degrading. Let’s focus on maximizing our natural strengths rather than devoting hours/days/weeks of our lives trying to improve our weaknesses. I read this book and took this test as a team building exercise at work but I highly recommend this book for everyone in the world, not just the work world. Use this knowledge to help build relationships with your significant other and coworkers, even parents and children (if they can understand the questions). Read more
As I wrote last week, big, outdoor toys like picnic tables and sandboxes are a ton of fun — and crazy expensive. In this article, I take on an old, faded lady-bug sandbox and make it into a like-new play space, thanks to a good scrubbing and a coat of paint! Read more
Sometimes I wonder how we survived before we had a Learning Tower. I cannot say enough good things about this product to explain just what a game-changer it has been in our home! I was inspired to get one after seeing a friend from California post a picture of her daughter standing on one while helping in the kitchen. It looked so sturdy and safe compared to standing on a chair, which is just what my 18-month-old monkey had learned how to do, nearly giving me at least one heart attack per day … and usually more. (Even the knife block in the far back corner of the kitchen counter wasn’t safe from his reach!) Read more
Around the time my daughter turned 1, I thought it was time we get more outdoor toys for her since she could walk and needed to move. I wanted to get her a sandbox, a table, some chairs, a castle, a cozy coupe, and the list goes on. Then, I looked up the prices. “Jeepers creepers” said the Minnesotan, “that ain’t cheap!”
My father then began collecting outdoor toys and furniture from curbs and garage sales. Most had obviously spent their lives in the sun and were well loved. While they definitely served their purpose, they looked like crap. I was turned on to the idea of spray painting the furniture and toys by my great-aunt, and let me tell you, it was amazing! Read more
My husband and I have traveled frequently by car and by air with our three kids since they were tiny. We purchased this Chicco Capri Lightweight Stroller (an umbrella-style stroller) over five years ago on the advice of a friend when preparing for our first airplane trip after our oldest was too heavy for me to wear comfortably for long periods of time, and it has held up amazingly well.
Other than its durability, it has two major advantages in my mind: Read more
In the mama group I’m part of on Facebook, I’d say one of the top questions asked by pregnant moms is: “What are the most necessary products you purchased/received for those first few months of Mommyhood?”
I thought I’d write about what got me through those first six months before they get hazier than they already are (my son is almost 13 months old now). Read more
The Evenflo Exersaucer Jumper, shown here in “Safari” or “Safari Friends,” is one of my daughter’s favorite places to be. Read more
My FIRST experience with a menstrual cup was about five years ago when I was in the camping section at REI. I saw it and was immediately grossed out! Who would ever use this!? I figured it was something for hippies who lived in the woods and only ate carrots. Read more
I’ll confess something. We got the Skip Hop Treetop Friends Activity Gym because it was the only one we found that wasn’t so ugly we couldn’t stand to have it in our house. Read more