I wrote my first post for this blog 5 years ago today – about potty training. From discipline to crazy mornings to nighttime issues to teeth falling out (ICK!), tales of my kids – and my parenting – have covered the gamut.
Being the education reporter at the Tribune, I’ve tried to include that, too.
But I admit, I’m still struggling to find my voice here.
Some days, I enjoy sharing stories of quiet, fun times with the kids. Others, life is crazy at the Reese house.
Please tell me I’m not the only …

If you have kids, you’re likely taking photos.
If you’re taking photos, like me, they’re likely stuck somewhere in a camera, a computer, or – eek! – your phone. I just checked. There are 400 pictures in my phone. Wow.
With a winter storm coming down on Arizona this weekend – maybe we’ll get RAIN! – I think we’ll be spending time indoors Sunday. A lot of time.
I wish I had a photo to show you – that would make 401 on my phone – of my dining room table. It’s covered …

I swear I put the charger for my Nook in the basket on my dresser.
And the video display for the baby monitor? It was just downstairs on the counter, right?
My favorite pair of earrings were safely tucked into the top drawer of my nightstand.
At least, I THOUGHT that’s where I put all that stuff.
With three kids and a two-story home, and all the stuff between the walls, floor and ceiling, items are bound to go missing.
Don’t start me on the single socks that have a home in, not one, but …

Do you ever feel this way, moms? That change is ever present? I’ve really felt it recently. Sometimes I wish it would stop!
I first glimpsed it on Sunday – tiny buds of green on the formerly barren trees around our park. Today, they’re full leaves.
A sign of a new season. Change.
There’s been lots of change around our lives in the past few months: many families – and friends – have moved away, two friends soon to welcome babies, one sport dropped and another began. As much as we want things …

The kids and I had big plans Monday when they were out of school. We had our annual MLK Day lunch and playdate with friends, an afternoon at Bounce U and gymnastics in the evening.
My big kids – 7 and 9 – always have to have SOMETHING to do in the car, be it a book to read, a movie to watch or an electronic device to play with. It was a 20 minute drive or so to our friend’s house so I knew they would grab a few things.
Little …

As many moms can attest, sometimes we are the last ones to bed at night, last to eat breakfast (if we eat at all), last to go to the doctor when we are sick. Sometimes a hat substitutes for a shower and “me time” is found in the 40 minutes of dance class once a week.
I’m guilty of all of the above. But I know mentally, physically and spiritually I want (and need) to do a better job taking care of me so I can be a better mom, a …

I didn’t realize how exhausting baking every day (well, nearly every day) December 2010 was until I didn’t do it this year.
I just pulled down “the baking box” for its location in the pantry. For the past 12 months, bits and pieces of it have been used. But what I found – coconut, cocoa, icing, icing tips, sprinkles – remained until I just dumped much of it in the trash.
We did bake this year, don’t get me wrong. And I can’t wait to try out my new cake pop maker …

Wow. If you’re a parent like me, the house looks like a tornado came through, there are dirty dishes everywhere, and dozens of new clothes and a few toys are to be put away. You know what? I’m on vacation. They kids can play with their new toys, stay in PJs all day and eat the leftovers in the kitchen. We’ll clean up tomorrow. Or not.
I hope you and yours have a very joyous post-Christmas week and a happy New Year!

Last night I took the kids out to eat, sort of. We hit a local Mexican restaurant for take out, but I did have to take all three kids in with me to collect my food. I didn’t think I could handle all three by myself eating in the restaurant (Been there, done that.  I’m usually exhausted afterward.)
My kids are fairly well behaved, but very active at restaurants, so we just don’t do it that much. And when we do, we tend to pick out places that are “kid friendly.”
I …

It’s a trend, apparently.
For the second time in a week, I’ve dropped the kids off at school only to have to return within the hour.
Last week was the best excuse: I had to bring SHOES to a child. (He went to school with sandals, but needed running shoes for running club.)
That same day, I had to bring a lunch to school that was forgotten.
Today, as I dropped the kids off I heard, “Mom, it’s cold. I need a jacket.”
He was right. He did. And he didn’t know how cold it …