Pic of the Day - Second Grade Homework

I've been complaining about my son's homework for three weeks now. I know it's not good to complain, but...

Pic of the Day - Birthday Requests Fulfilled

We have a tradition in this family...

Pic of the Day - And Just Like That!

And just like that, we're celebrating another birthday...

Pic of the Day - Sweet Mommy Moment

About this photo...

Pic of the Day - Marshmallow Challenge

Meet Sheila Spaghetti Sheghetti. The name affectionately given, by a group of my sixth graders, to the spaghetti tower above, that holds one lonely, sweet, gooey, melt in your mouth marshmallow...

Pic of the Day - Ready Or Not, Here They Come

Kids return to school on Monday, and all this week the teachers at my school were busy preparing for that exciting first day. As I was rushing out the door this evening, there were a million and one things I still had to do. But, ready or not, they'll be here on Monday...

Why Hillary Gives Me Hope and Inspiration

I don't usually do politics. I avoid talking about it in social gatherings because like education, religion and parenting, it can get people all "riled up" and emotional.  But never since Barack Obama have I been this fired up and hopeful about the upcoming elections.  I can agree that while both candidates may not appear to be "perfect," and I may not 100 percent agree with their policies or campaign tactics, one thing propels me to make my decision. And that is the candidate's character. Period. Let me be more clear.  It's their core values, it's what they stand for, it's who they're fighting for, it's who they've been all their life, it's their past activism. It's their character...

My Happy Place

What is the one place on earth that brings you the most happiness? For me, it's that place where, when you get there, you immediately start to smile, and all your worries and troubles just seem to fade away.  For me, that place is even happier when my family is there.  My happy place has always been the beach...

Staycations and Lemonade

When I first set eyes on this tower of Turkish limestone, Indian pink sandstone and Italian marble, I admit, I was intrigued by its beauty. It looks like we could be in an exotic country, on another continent, right? Except that we're not because this temple is located just minutes from where we live. During any "normal" summer, we would have been on our second getaway by now, but, as life would have it, we're on a staycation and making lemonade out of lemons...

On the Inevitable

She's a true talker. You know those people who when you see them, you know you're in for a long conversation.  You could say anything to her, and she always had a story to share. Always. I'm normally in a rush when I see her. But this time, I wasn't, thank God, and I took the time to listen to her. Really listen.  I sat down on the tiny bench made for little ones, fearing the planks wouldn't hold my weight. They did. And I patiently listened. It was as if I knew this would be an important conversation to have. It was. And it was the last one I would have with her. She passed away on Sunday...