I took a moment this morning to check on our East Valley Mom Bloggers Connect page. Wow. I found this wonderful blog about Strawberry Cupcakes with Almond Buttercreme. Oh, if only I had a reason to make these. (I may have to make one up!) There are other recipes, too.
With there being a big football game this weekend, I spent some time in the kitchen, but not a lot. I made fruit salad (YUMMY!), guacamole and a cheese platter. Nothing fancy, but all yummy and homemade (oh, except the cheese). …

Oh, I love good craft ideas.
So I was so happy when I looked over at Finley and Oliver on our EV Mom Bloggers Connect page.
There are not one, but two adorable Valentine’s Day crafts. You have to check them out. Plus, they look super easy.

Moms, if you need a break — and a massage — here’s your chance.
The next Mom’s Nite Out event is coming Wednesday. The event is hosted and organized by Choosing Love blogger (and EV Mom Bloggers Connect contributor) Wendy Wright.
Every mom who attends the event will receive a free chair massage at Mom’s Nite Out courtesy of BackFit Chiropractic & Rehab. Moms will also get a goodie bag of giveaways, learn more about local vendors and get a chance to chat with other moms. Food and drink available for purchase, …

Do you have a teen in your house?
Is that teen driving?
I’m years away from that point, but it terrifies me none the less.
Those first driving lessons with dad were – um – a bit laughable. I STILL remember all these years later hitting a garbage can on the street and jumping a curb.
It probably didn’t help that my first car was a 1970 Cutlass Supreme. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, it was BIG. Really BIG. Like, I don’t think any other vehicle, ever made, was that …

I decided to check in on one of our East Valley mom bloggers and found the best news on “Surviving Unemployment.”
After 3 years, 9 months and 12 days, her hubby is working again! You can tell by the posts that they feel very blessed right now!
Take a look at the blog. As someone who has been through it all, she shares great advice and wonderful tips for anyone facing financial struggles and job searches.

Arizona often ranks very high in the country for school choice. I wrote a piece for the Tribune last week about this fact – and asked different groups to talk about whether or not that translates into a better education system in the state.
Now I ask you. What choice do you make for your child’s education? Do you haveel you have a choice? In some cases, families choose their neighborhood school. Some choose private education. Some pick a program in a district on the way to work.
The reasons for the …

My husband can light up the face of any of our children just by walking into a room. My youngest wraps her whole body around his neck when she hugs him. My middle daughter loved it when daddy came to build gingerbread houses with her class in December. My son’s whole outlook can change when daddy is around.
So when I received an email about this promotion from the National Center for Fathering (fathers.com), I thought I would share.
This year, one “Super Dad” will receive more than a coffee mug for …

I picked up the kids tonight after work and school. We didn’t have gym, soccer or tutoring. My husband was working late and I’d had a long day juggling work and family obligations.
I got an email about an evening “family bounce” at a local spot, picked up the baby and off we went.
We were the only ones there at first. We danced. We sang. We threw balls at each other. I came home with three tired kiddos … and one relaxed momma.
Hopefully they’ll get enough sleep tonight!