We had the best kick off to Christmas season here with a week of our town being covered in fresh dumps of powdery, white snow. Then the snow packed into ice for more winter adventures, luring us home to work on our Christmas crafts. I’ve made this snowflake ornament craft for three years now, but…
Category: MINDFUL PARENTING
My Baby’s Home for Christmas
I’m in the line at a T.J.Maxx property, waiting to purchase one more thing for my baby for Christmas. Her last-minute request for a “fancy, fluffy blanket” will do that to this mother’s homebody heart. After this, I’ll go by the market and consult my final list for the extra eggs, sugar, butter and eyeball…
Four Tips for Fostering Family Connection with Nature
I have been fortunate to have had a childhood with the magic of woods. When I moved away from that place in third grade, it was to the majestic mountains South America, a land filled with colors and flora I had never imagined before. Then, from fourth grade on I was in a more common,…
Open Hearted Holidays: Boundary Work for Better Family Gatherings
Before our move from Texas to Germany, I had never really come home for the holidays before. Now that I have had the experience to, even briefly, leave my home community and return for a visit, I feel like I’m gaining a better understanding of the intention behind so many little behaviors in my family…
Three Reasons Why Moms Need a Mindfulness Practice (& How to Start Your Own!)
A Note from Lilly: When I first met Azia, I was so struck by her beauty. Azia not only is just textbook gorgeous, she has an attractiveness about her where you feel like she’s hugging you through her smile. She is grounded in her peace and energized by her purpose. And as I stood talking…
The Best Boxed Book Sets for Children
Here we are at such a special time of year, when the weather is just right to think about the joy of reading at home and gift giving season is starting to trickle in. I love discovering new books with my daughter. I’ve found also, for big birthdays or school milestones, the fun of sharing…
Living the American Dream (in Germany)
I don’t want to speak for everyone, but there seems to be a collective existential thing going on. There’s just a lot to consider with how much is both possible and falling apart. For some, it feels like angst, maybe depression or bouts of panic. For some it’s their new era to be excited, empowered…
How to Make a German School Cone
I know and I cannot believe that we are thinking about Back to School again. I am never the one to start these conversations, as you can usually find me at the pool feeding my family sandwiches until 9:00 p.m. the day before The Big Day. As much as it pains me, I think our…
A Summer Garden Party
Our flat has access to a private garden for tenants. It has a keyed entry and is a pet-free area, which keeps it quiet and the perfect spot for picnics. Ironically, a family of foxes now lives in the garden, but they don’t seem to be as comfortable taking over a picnic. We were so…
How to Make Reading Fun for 8 Year Olds
Sharing stories with my daughter has been something I’ve looked forward to since before she was born and enjoyed all of her life. Now that we’re really growing into independent reading as well, it has been a good challenge on how to make reading fun for 8 year olds. These years began my feeling of…