There are crazy mornings. And then there are comical ones.
Most times, they are one-in-the-same.
Like Monday: I left my phone upstairs so I missed the multiple calls and messages from my friend/babysitter that she was ill.
I didn’t check my phone until after my shower. And that was just 10 minutes before I had to take the big kids to school.
But I called another dear friend. “Remember our conversation about your offer to babysit in an emergency? It’s an emergency.”
She didn’t hesitate: What time? Where?
So after getting the three kids to their …

I confess, when it comes to loose teeth, I’m a big wimp.
I knew this before I had children. When they were younger, my nieces happily jumped in my face to show off their latest soon-to-be treasure for the tooth fairy.
And I had to look away!
Now my own kids are at the age where they’re creating toothless faces for school photos and family Christmas cards.
Last week, each child lost a tooth.
I didn’t know my son even HAD a loose tooth. Like the three he’s lost recently, this one came out at …

Last week, I took my three kiddos halfway across the country to visit my sister for spring break. We had a great time. We even spent one day playing in what was left of the snow bank by her house.
And though we have family all over the country, I think our trip marked the first time I’ve flown with an infant. We drive to California to visit my dad and family there and I think my youngest was a toddler before I travelled to the Midwest with her a few …

Seven schools participating in the event collected more than 70,000 diapers, including Summit School of Ahwatukee with 20,493 diapers.
The final tally from this year’s diaper drive more than doubled last year’s results.
“I am always amazed at the end result,” said Eileen Rogers, Baby Diaper Drive founder and Allerga Integrated Marketing & Print Solutions president. “This drive brings together all ages, individuals, families, companies, churches, sports teams all wanting to help Homeward Bound families on their journey to self-sufficiency.”
The diapers and supplies collected, as well as the cash contributions, will be …

And then, there was the school bus.
This week – for the first time in, um, a decade or more – I rode a school bus.
Growing up, we almost always lived close enough to school that I walked. My “bus riding” was limited to field trips and marching band activities in high school.
A field trip with my oldest child brought me face to face with that bus again. I had planned my day off, my lunch, my plans for the baby.
I hadn’t thought about the bus.
A funny thing happened – I …

Monday mornings should be easier at the house, but they’re not. We’ve started a “night before” routine (picking out clothes, showers, etc), which has improved the start of our week, but I’m still making adjustments.
But what if my Monday morning meant a trip out of town for work?
Boston-based violinist Jennifer Frautschi, 37, often faces that task, though not always on Mondays. As an acclaimed musician, she performs with symphonies across the country. Last weekend, she was in the Valley, performing three concerts with the Phoenix Symphony.
One example of her crazy …

Sunday morning I woke up early, loaded the three kids in the car and drove to Tempe Town Lake.
Our goal: To see Dean Karnazes, who is running across America. I got the chance to talk with Dean (literally, on the run last week via phone) and I showed the kids the “Live! With Regis and Kathy” website.
I even bought a pair of running shoes.
We arrived right after the 5k started, so we walked about half the path, then turned around to see the end of the event.
At one point I …