From the category archives:

Free/Cheap

‘Nuff said.

Is time-out a waste of time?

August 23, 2011

I bet you are hoping that I know the answer to this question. I sure don’t. The school that Julian attended for his bridge-K year asked us not to use time-outs at home. We stopped using that term, but called it “taking a break” and it meant pretty much the same thing. Now that Scarlett [...]

Activity #309: Get a free 8×10 portrait

August 15, 2011

Look at my son. Sigh. This photo was taken almost six years ago at a photoshoot for my former employer who had a last minute need for a baby model. Although I am usually opposed to studio photography, there is something about it that’s easy to look at. I guess that’s why our parents took [...]

‘Nuff said.

Activity #8: Go to bookstore events

August 8, 2011

Don’t miss the opportunity to let someone else entertain your baby. Go to a bookstore during story time. Some will even serve you a latte. This is your 32nd rookie mom challenge. Many of these storytimes happen during the work day but some are on weekends. Use the “search by zip code” feature on the [...]

Activity #129: Make a mini water table

July 24, 2011

Misty’s found a way for her baby to enjoy some summertime water fun: Fill baby’s high chair tray with water for warm weather splashing! I love this activity for hot, housebound babies everywhere (especially those of us jailed by an older napping child). Baby Madeline’s high chair has a very deep lip, enough to hold [...]

‘Nuff said.

Activity #505: Create a princess tutu

July 13, 2011

Girl parents, I know: you didn’t think your little baby, so bald and androgynous for a whole year, would begin crawling, walking, then talking about princesses and demanding tutus — but it happened. Well, you just have to learn to live with it. But here’s an easy project – no sewing or glue – that [...]

Dating my son on Lombard Street (sponsored)

June 27, 2011

When Julian has a day off from school that Scarlett doesn’t have, I usually take him on a special date. We have done karaoke, gone to a kid’s art museum, seen a movie in San Francisco, and hit The Exploratorium. Recently we went to Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world. Lombard Street is [...]

‘Nuff said.

Count your steps

June 27, 2011

Your 26th weekly challenge is to invest in a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps each day. You’ll be surprised how many steps a mom can take just running around the house, but if you’re going to reach 10,000, you’ll need to take a walk outside for sure. This is good motivation to get some [...]

Activity #277: Camp in your own backyard

June 21, 2011

In theory, my family likes to camp. We celebrated Holden’s first birthday with a camp-out barbecue bash. We camped in a big group when I was pregnant with Milo (pregnant camping is questionable). More often, we fall apart trying to reserve a spot, pack the gear, be healthy, and coordinate with friends. One solution: Pitch [...]

‘Nuff said.

Activity #301: Host an ugly baby (clothes) contest

June 20, 2011

Dress up your baby in the worst, ugliest gift outfit and invite over some other poorly dressed babies for a costume party and ugly-clothing contest. Dorky gifts, ratty hand-me-downs, and hopeless mismatches can finally have their day. Try not to be offended if your idea of cutest-outfit-ever winds up on one of the other models. [...]

Activity #207: Play in another kind of nursery

May 30, 2011

Your weekly challenge is to enjoy the rainbow of colors at an outdoor plant nursery. Let her touch/listen to the wind chimes on display, tour the orchid hot-house, and watch the koi in the water garden pond (the bright-colored fish swarm up to greet kids because they expect food). A baby carrier is perfect to [...]

‘Nuff said.

Activity #80: Let your infant dress himself

May 18, 2011

I used to see 3-year olds around town dressed in wild combinations of stripes, gingham, rainbow tights and superhero capes. I wondered when my baby would look that creative and charming.* Then it dawned on me and I began to create wild combinations and increase the creativity in my infant’s wardrobe. If your baby is [...]

Activity #124: Go to a Farmers’ Market

May 16, 2011

Navigating the stroller through the market area is a challenge and there are so many things to look at for your baby, it’s worth the effort. Does this not sound like enough action for you? Believe me, it is. You will see other babies, musicians, and tasty food. Look around and choose a vegetable your [...]

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