1st Annual Happy Child Happy Smile Toy Drive

It has long been a dream of mine to hold a toy drive for children who are less fortunate. Well, this year my dream finally became a reality.

Our Superman Themed Holiday Card

Every year around the month of November I ask myself the same question: "what are we doing for our holiday card this year?"

After doing some research and looking for inspiration, this is what I came up with...

Three Legitimate Fears

I kick started this website with The 52 Things My Ositos Should Know About Their Mami-Bear Series back in August of this year. Here is No. 2: Describe 3 Legitimate Fears and Why You Have Them. 

Five Ways We Can Keep Nelson Mandela's Legacy Alive

On Thursday, December 5, 2013,  we lost one of the most remarkable, iconic souls the world has ever known. His name was Nelson Mandela and the world is a better place because he was in it.

A Family that Dresses Up Together, Stays to Together: Halloween 2013

Once upon a time, there were Six Little Osos who decided to dress up as Scarecrows....

Three Things I'm Reminded of by Paul Walker's Death

Death is never an easy subject to deal with no matter how you see it. It's no easier to deal with whether it be sudden or dreadfully anticipated by a terminal illness. It even has a way of impacting you when you've never actually met the person who's died. Case in point: Paul Walker's untimely death this past weekend.

Operation: Save the Trees and Fill a Need

About a month ago I received a note from JB's teacher asking parents for donations of copy paper. My first thought was: "I wonder if she'll accept recycled paper?"

Thanksgiving Away from Home

This year we decided to do things a little different. Because who doesn't like a challenge, right? Exactly. So, we decided to spend our Thanksgiving Holiday up in the cold, snowy mountains of The Poconos.  I didn't want to sacrifice the tradition of cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for my family so we agreed that I would do so at our new destination. I know, I know! What was I thinking? Bless my heart because the truth is - I wasn't thinking. Hindsight is always 20/20, I tell you.

JB's 4th Jawsome Birthday

Last summer we celebrated my son's 4th birthday by having a Shark-themed pool party in our yard. Truth be told, it rained on the original scheduled date so we had to postpone it until the following day. Oh well, life happens! We ended up having it on a Sunday. The weather was great, we had great company, and a overall great time. Like my oldest daughter, JB is a Summer Baby so the options for celebrating their birthdays are endless.

Love Letter to Baby Bear: 9 Month Milestone

Dear EB, 

I can't believe that just nine months ago we were sharing the same body! You were the last baby to use my belly as an incubator and as I reflect on the time that has gone by way too quickly,  I begin to realize that this is the last time I get to enjoy the ups and downs of raising a beautiful little baby. I'm not going to lie, that makes me really sad. You would think you were my only child and that I didn't do this three other times! The truth of the matter is, I love children. I especially love my own children and have been blessed and fortunate to have four of my very own.  I don't take that for granted, not for one second. People may say that children are a lot of work and they are, but, as cliché as it may sound, the rewards really are so much bigger than the work. You and your siblings bring me joy like no other.

20 Random Facts About Me!

Keeping with the Series: 52 Things My Ositos Should Know About Thier Mami-Bear, I've finally managed to compile a list of 20 random facts I want my little ositos to know about their Mami-Bear. So, here it goes.....

Back To School Madness: The 2013 Edition

As a mother of school-age children, the month of September marks an exciting time of new beginnings: new teachers, new friends, new clothes, new sneakers, new routines, new experiences. Everything is just new, new, new. And, while today marks the last day of Summer and I really enjoyed the relaxation that the summer months brought us, by the time August rolls around I start to crave structure and look forward to beginning the next school year. That being said, the 1st day of school has officially knocked on our door and passed us by! Woo hoo! And, as the first month of school almost comes to an end, I figured I would finally post the pictures of my little ositos' first day of school. I'm only about three weeks late but whose counting.

Love Letter to NB: Happy 10th Birthday!

The day is almost over but I wanted to make sure I posted this letter for NB, on her 10th birthday, before the day passed me by. 

52 Things My Ositos Should Know About Thier Mami-Bear: A Series on Who Jazzy Really Is.

Hello world! Hola and Bienvenidos!