It was GAME ON at the Reese household this weekend.
The theme started – for better or worse – when my dad, visiting from California, broke out his iPhone to show my kids. We got talking about apps and I asked – not knowing the consequences – “Do you have Angry Birds?”
“What’s that?”
I said told him it’s a popular app game. To be honest I had never played it, nor do I did I have it on my phone. But I think it’s funny that there are now different versions of …

I love reading blogs. Sometimes my sleep deprivation is more from time spent reading than time spent caring for kiddos at night.
And I’m not alone. I knew I wasn’t. But I’d never gone on a search for East Valley mom bloggers.
Until now.
We made a call out there for bloggers. I love the ones we’ve found. What’s fun is many of them have niche topics they dive into. They write about motherhood, but also about blooming gardens and raising chickens in the desert (neither of which I’ve tried!). They’re crafting, caring …

Family von Reese was beckoned outside Sunday. Who can resist with the knowledge 110 is around the corner? It’s time to take advantage of this (77 outside! Really?) while it lasts.
The big kids grabbed their bikes and I put the baby in her stroller. She lights up when she sees the blue skies.
So do I.
We walked across the street to the playground by our house. I sat down on a bench. A dozen neighborhood kids shared stories about their weekends, played make-believe and raced their bikes, scooters and skateboards.
Then I …

I’m taking a blogging challenge from the Gypsy Mama today. She encouraged writers to take just five minutes to write based on her prompt: Deep Breath.
I sit here now with my two big kids in my bed, sound asleep. I heard their breath – the life giving air – in and out. They’re calm. Claiming that much needed sleep after a day of rush, rush, rush.
From swimming lessons to grocery shopping and chores. From playdates to birthday party.
And then, as the clock ticks toward 8, the deep breath.
In our house, it’s …

My kids didn’t brush their teeth yesterday morning.
I discovered this last night when we got home from my son’s spring concert. How do I know?
The bathroom NEVER looks this clean after they brush their teeth. Usually, there’s an open toothpaste tube and mouthwash all over the counter. Usually, their toothbrushes are still next to the sink.
Usually, our bathroom never looks this good. But it was cleaned Wednesday. And it still looked this way Thursday night.
Yup, caught by a clean bathroom.
But here’s the confession: When I saw this, I realized I’d …

I’ve not entered the world of childhood pageants. I could see where my daughter may enjoy it. But I don’t have time and it’s not a priority. She’s too busy with gymnastics and swimming and being a kid.
So, I don’t know anything about it.
But this story about a California pageant mom who uses Botox on her 8-year-old is causing a stir among moms nationwide, and now authorities.
In case you missed it, you can see the news story here.

Four years ago last month I began blogging. My first post was advice for my sister, who was then expecting her first child.
At that time, my son was 4 and my daughter was 2.
The paper was just developing the EV Moms brand and asked me to join in the discussion.
I didn’t even know what a blog was.
Today, I can barely go a day without checking in with my favorite mom blogs. Some cover general day-in-a-life topics, others discuss motherhood and spirituality and yet others offer advice on the home.
I’m addicted.
But …

My kids and I got an invite to a sneak peek into a children’s store opening here in the Valley (I’ll give you a clues: A mouse with big ears) last night.
I knew it meant we would be out late.
I knew it meant we would probably NOT get to the meeting I wanted to go to at church.
I knew it meant eating on the go, coming home to a PILE A MILE HIGH of dirty dishes at home and risking having cranky kids.
But we did it anyway.
A dear friend has …

My daughter is in LOVE with flip flops.
Being an Arizona baby, I suppose there is no surprise here. If she could, she’d wear them year-round.
Despite my urging, she’s worn them bicycle riding, running around at the park and climbing trees.
This morning my daughter tried to slip out the door in her flip flops.
Fact is, they’re not banned at school. But the students are not allowed to use the playground equipment if they’re in flip flops. That, one would think, would be fodder enough.
Apparently not quite.
“Absolutely not!” I said when I …

I hear the first footsteps at 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
My son comes to my pillow and crawls next to me.
“Cuddle time!” he says.
Being the first to rise, he steals that time to sneak in some “mommy time” before his sisters fight for my attention.
A few minutes later, we’re all downstairs.
“Can we play the Wii?”
It’s Mother’s Day morning. My mothering is in full swing. The baby wakes up and joins us. It’s time for a new diaper and rice cereal and pancakes for the family.
We take turns paying the games, then we …