Tag: parenting

Your uncensored weekly guide to perspective, mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three.

Weekly Mom Life Musings

This week I’m thinking about perspective. Specifically, perspective across many different areas. Also perspective on how my kids are growing up, in how we see things (even if we’re royalty, I’m still reading Prince Harry’s book), and how shifting our perspective can change our lives.

This week the world is talking about the State of the Union, Madonna’s face, Burt Bacharach, Chinese spy balloons, the earthquake in Turkey, the Grammys, Viola Davis’ EGOT, and the Super Bowl.

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below. That way, each time I post something new it will come straight to your inbox. Every week I’ll be sharing answers to the same questions, like a mom blog Mad Libs. If there is anything else you want to see, just let me know!

Please sign up below to receive this weekly guide via email!

What Am I Watching? What Are My Kids Watching?

My friend turned me on to the show All American a few years ago and I love it! Keeping with the theme of perspective it’s what life is like for a bunch of teenagers living in Los Angeles on different sides of town. It’s a really good show. Plus – Taye Digs.

My boys just finished She Hulk. I still can’t tell if they liked it or not. I guess that’s perspective from a green monster?

What Am I Eating?

We decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day early this year. We have a tradition where my husband makes an incredible meal of lamb, potatoes, and Brussel sprouts… and I… eat it. It’s a good compromise. It takes us back to our honeymoon in New Zealand where eating lamb was the thing to do.

What Am I Reading?

Yep I’m still reading Spare. That’s it. It’s great. My goal is to finish it by Wednesday. Do you think I can do it?

What Am I Writing?

Throughout this journey I’ve learned that when I’m going through something for the party it’s inspired me to write about it. I wrote this article about writing a speech while I was- wait for it – writing my speech. It may be my favorite one yet.

What Are We Playing?

We love this game – Chicken War. It’s a strategy game where you have to figure out who your opponent’s head chicken is. It’s really fun. Guess who won – I’ll give you a hint, it wasn’t me.

Where Are We Going?

My son loves planes, trains, and automobiles. I was so happy to take him back to the Intrepid Museum. Even better he was now old enough and tall enough to tour the submarine which was really cool. Talk about a change in perspective! Imagine living in a submarine for two months!

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

Putting how quickly kids grow up into perspective was the hot topic this week. I wrote this post in February of 2019. I did a good job showing some longitudinal photography (a hobby of mine!). It was nice to go back and read it. Time sure does fly.

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

While this wasn’t somewhere that I traveled it was super cool. In February of 2005 the orange flags of The Gates by Christo and Jeanne-Claude took over New York City’s Central Park. It was a cool public art installation that was really fun to walk through. It was even more fun to see a place so familiar to us through a different perspective.

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

From reels to posts and carousels, see what’s going. Basically I just did some silly dances about being cold, 90s moves, and staying up way too late. Plus I forces my kids to take a “numbers family” picture because I’m mean and it makes me happy.

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three and how I sometimes feel like a bigger shipwreck than the Titanic.

Weekly Mom Life Musings

Hello and welcome to February! We have so much happening this month! I hope I can keep up. Most of it focuses around my daughter so I’m glad I was able to sneak off and spend some one on one time with my son this week at the most anticipated event of the year for this sweet nine year old Titanic: The Exhibition in New York City!

This week the world is talking about Tom Brady retiring (again), Jennie Garth & Tori Spelling launching a home line for QVC, Beyoncé announcing a tour, Wakanda Forever coming to your couch, and Punxsutawney Phil prophetically predicting six more weeks of winter.

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below. That way, each time I post something new it will come straight to your inbox. Every week I’ll be sharing answers to the same questions, like a mom blog Mad Libs. If there is anything else you want to see, just let me know!

Please sign up below to receive this weekly guide via email!

What Am I Watching? What Are My Kids Watching?

My husband and I watched You People on Netflix this week. We liked it but shortly after watching it I started seeing so many negative reviews. This made me wonder if it is not a movie ok to like? It had a great cast and beautiful, colorful scenes, but I guess the topic and how people were portrayed in it was something to ponder.

My kids love the movie National Treasure (we even reenacted a scene on the steps at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia last Fall) so they have been loving the Disney+ show National Treasure: Edge of HIstory.

What Am I Eating?

We had the best lunch at Ana Bar and Eatery in Hudson Yards this week. This gorgeous quick serve restaurant is on the second floor of the destination shopping pavilion and worth going to all on it’s own. From the view to the live Jazz music (on the weekends from 3pm-5pm), to the 30+ “by the pound” food, to the freestanding stations – Bianca Latte, Tacos & Tequila, and the Roman style pizza counter, our bellies were beyond happy. Ana Bar and Eatery was the perfect solution for indecisive lunch people like us because we often want to eat different things, and finding a restaurant can be a challenge.

What Am I Reading?

I’m still hanging with Haz this week. So far I’ve read about his time at Eton and being labeled a “bad boy”. However, he promises his behavior didn’t warrant this title forced upon him by the British press. If this stuff is true, it’s sad this poor “Spare” had to keep taking one for the team. I’m really enjoying this book. I just wish I had more time to read it!

What Am I Writing?

This week I wrote an ode to my amazing girlfriends for Mitzvah Market titled “Thank You For Being A Friend“. It’s been so much fun planning our kid’s mitzvahs together with this group of ladies. I also highlight how special it is to have a long term group of friends like this and how it is such a gift to watch each other’s kids grow up. Included as well is a tribute to a friend’s parents who have had the same group of friends for the last forty years. I loved watching this “parent circle” dance at their son’s wedding and then again at their grandson’s Bar Mitzvah. I’m glad including them made them as happy as I was to see this beautiful act.

What Are We Playing?

This week I lost against my six year old at Uno. I won the first round so I thought I had a chance. Silly me. He probably let me win that round to trick me. But he has no teeth, so I win there.

Where Are We Going?

We are a family of Titanic lovers – or Titaniacs – so Titanic: The Exhibition was one of the most anticipated events coming to New York for us in a long time. This Titanic exhibit was filled with artifacts from passengers aboard the Titanic, and images of prominent crew and passengers. Admission includes an audio guide which was well designed and informative. We loved the iceberg shaped sheet of ice and the model with one of the ship’s sides removed so you could see inside of it.

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

Even though Phil predicts more winter, it’s somewhat mild weather here in New York. With that said it is a great time to throw on a coat and visit one of Long Island’s great playgrounds! The good news is they are free so if you get cold, you can just leave.

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

This picture is from Jamaica in January of 2007. My husband and I booked a brand new resort that looked gorgeous. We wondered why it was so inexpensive… well we found out the reason upon arrival. It was not yet built. Ok, I should say most of it was built, but definitely not all of it. We tried to make the best of it and in the end they gave us a refund so in essence it all became just a funny story. I also like this picture because I read “Y2K” fashion is coming back hard and here I’m rocking a Bordeaux colored velour Juicy Couture track suit. I’d love to go back to Jamaica one day. Even more if the hotel has running water.

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week I had some fun picking out an animal to donate from Heifer International‘s “Most Wanted” list for Valentine’s Day (check them out, it makes a great “out of the box” gift). Then getting these gorgeous iridescent tote bags from Nush Nush ready for our party and finally highlighting my love of coffee in this fun Scary Mommy mug.

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three. Plus, sometimes we find peace in monster trucks…

Weekly Mom Life Musings

Happy Lunar New Year! I hope you were able to get out and celebrate this beautiful and colorful holiday! We had a fun week including some quality mother son bonding time watching monster trucks crush things. I joked the first time I saw this phenomenon that all these years I thought yoga was my Zen. Turns out I got more satisfaction from monster trucks. Ha!

This week the world is talking about Splash Mountain closing, football, the year of the rabbit, Buzz Aldrin getting married on his 93rd birthday, the M & M people retiring, and Marie Kondo giving up (however I still love the clothes in my drawers folded “Marie Kondo style”).

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below. That way, each time I post something new it will come straight to your inbox. Every week I’ll be sharing answers to the same questions, like a mom blog Mad Libs. If there is anything else you want to see, just let me know!

Please sign up below to receive this weekly guide via email!

What Am I Watching? What Are My Kids Watching?

We got caught up in all the hoopla around Knives Out: Glass Onion and loved it. We were worried since it was the second in the series that we’d miss something watching the second one first, but they are not sequential. It was such a fun movie we decided to watch the first one… second. Knives Out the OG. We are split on which one was better. I vote for Edward Norton – I mean Glass Onion, where as my husband votes for Ana De Armas – I mean the first one.

Since my little one is doing a unit on penguins right now (in 1st grade) we thought we’d show them the movie Happy Feet. This movie came out a year after we got married and we went to see it on our anniversary. Don’t worry, we also did cooler stuff to celebrate too. It was fun to share it with them especially since we haven’t seen it since 2006!

What Am I Eating?

There’s really nothing more to this than I just want to openly state my love for oatmeal. In fact, I often remember hotels by their oatmeal. Which I will be the first to admit is strange. For example – the Eden Resort & Suites in Lancaster, PA had excellent oatmeal. Yes we went there in 2016. Yes I’m still talking about it. But it was that good. Maybe one day we can return and in addition to all of the attractions of the area, I can enjoy a bowl once again. However, to be clear, the beautiful creation above is from Chef Ross’ kitchen. The only other person in my house who loves oatmeal as much as me – and makes himself a bowl like a king every morning.

What Am I Reading?

Is it just me or are you equally all into Prince Harry right now? His interviews and Netfix show worked on me. TELL ME MORE! I was so excited to start his book and excited to join the library waiting list early before the 750 other people got the same idea. As I said to Chef Ross, I understand there are three sides to every story so I’m taking his recollections with a grain of salt. But I do believe the first person narratives he’s sharing are true. Equally, I think it’s interesting how he speaks about how losing his mother at such a young age and in such a public way really affected him. Specifically how he had to console strangers dealing with HIS mother’s death.

I think it’s funny that his author citation is “Prince Harry”. With that said, do you think they file the book under P or H? Or maybe W?

What Am I Writing?

This week I wrote a piece for Mitzvah Market titled “L’Dor V’Dor – Keeping Healthy Before The Bar Mitzvah“. I was inspired to write it after my Dad told me a story about how his parents wouldn’t let him go to a Brooklyn Dodgers game the week before his Bar Mitzvah – ensuring he’d stay healthy for the big day. The conversation started by me saying how unhappy my daughter was with me that I want her to take it easy before her big day. It seems like with many things there is continuity in trying to keep your kids healthy the week before their mitzvah.

What Are We Playing?

Here we have yet another game that I lost to my six year – Battleship. This is one of my favorite childhood games and I’m happy I now have someone to play it with. I’m an only child. Womp Womp. I was so close to winning this one but his two piece Destroyer outsmarted me with it’s stealth hiding. Meanwhile, my nine year old sat down next to me to spy for both parties and then told me when he plays he lines the ships up in proper Naval order. To which I responded… “that’s a thing? Why don’t you play this game with your brother and let me finish my book”.

Where Are We Going? Oh Yeah, Monster Trucks!

Oh boy did we have fun this week! We were so excited to be back at the Nassau Coliseum for Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live! This year we were lucky to be hosted at the pre-show Crash Zone where we walked the event floor, met the drivers and trucks up personally, and got some autographs. I was very excited to meet Taylor Holman – the female driver of Demo Derby and winner of the Champions Cup the night before. In addition, I loved learning she’s a nurse when she’s not driving a monster truck! I thought that was pretty cool. But I loved even more when she came out of her truck to hug her dad – Bobby Holman – for winning one of the competitions.

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

There are so many movies that define the 80s and thus my childhood. I loved putting together this post titled “Fun 80’s Movies To Watch With Your Family Today!“. My kids love watching them because many are inappropriate despite their PG or PG-13 rating. In fact, we call this category 80s PG. I’m pretty sure the amount joy my kids get from hearing these choice words is equal to the amount of joy we get traveling back to our youth with Molly Ringwald and Marty McFly. However, sometimes the movie ends and they turn to us and say “what in the world was that”? To be honest, sometimes watching a movie now thorough a forty four year old’s eyes, I have to say the same thing.

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

In 2008 I worked for Christian Dior managing their US customer service department and helping to launch their e-commerce website. They sent me to Paris for two weeks of training. It was before we had kids so therefore I was young, filled with energy, and equipped with an expense account. As you can imagine, it was a great trip. Once my training ended my husband flew over (his first trip to Europe!) and we hung in the 4th. Which is cool Paris talk for the fashionable Marais district.

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week I complained about laundry, pretended to be 17 like Edward Cullen, and found a very cute group of customers to portray in my video about Popular Book Company’s new affiliate program. I love this company’s workbooks (as do my kids). Plus of course I posted about monster trucks!

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.

Your uncensored weekly guide to mom life and the crazy inner thoughts of this tired mom of three.

Weekly Mom Life Musings

Welcome, welcome! This week was an eventful one for our health (I spent the night in the ER after fainting), but hopefully by press time everyone in my house of mirth will be fully recovered. The weather has been mild making my kids sad because all they want is for it to snow so they can play in the snow.

This week the world is talking about how they embodied the great Martin Luther King, Jr on MLK Day, That 90s Show (Do you know how much I love the 90s?!), basketball, the new Night Court on NBC, The Last Of Us on HBO, George Santos, Dolly Parton, David Crosby, Microsoft and Google layoffs, Madonna going on tour, and Alec Baldwin.

One of my 2023 goals is increasing my email list, so please sign up below. That way, each time I post something new it will come straight to your inbox. Every week I’ll be sharing answers to the same questions, like a mom blog Mad Libs. If there is anything else you want to see, just let me know!

Please sign up below to receive this weekly guide via email!

What Am I Watching? What Are My Kids Watching?

We noticed Twins is now on Netflix and jumped at the chance to show it to our kids. This is a fun 80s movie with Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Besides a few “80s PG” as we call it moments – some curses and the question – “Daddy, what’s a virgin?” they loved it. We joke that the rating’s guide has changed drastically over the years.

My kids love the show Series Of Unfortunate Events on Netflix so much they started watching it again. It is one of the few shows that make a 6, 9 & 12 year old happy simultaneously which is quite the feat.

What Am I Eating?

I was not intending to talk about Wildgrain* (a bake-from-frozen) delivery service again this week but then I tasted this Slow Fermented Olive Oil Ciabatta and have not been able to think of anything since. Bread just gets me. This was one of the most of delicious things I’ve tasted in a very long time.

*$10 off your first box + FREE Croissants in every box! (Limited to the first 50 people)

What Am I Reading?

I’ve had this book – Elsewhere: A Novel by Alexis Schaitkin – on my nightstand since it came out in June. I have been dying to read it. From the first paragraph it’s grabbed me. I don’t want to put it down. There is a big mystery unfolding and I’m dying to know what the secret is in this town! But I shouldn’t be surprised that I love it. I love all of Celadon‘s books!

What Am I Writing?

My Mitzvah Market post titled “The Invisible Load of Bar Mitzvah Planning” is quite near and dear to my heart. As a mom planning every aspect of my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah myself – and then a big trip three days later – I’m totally overwhelmed. I knew planning this (very special) event in our lives would be a lot. However, I did not anticipate all the invisible things that would come with it.

What Are We Playing?

Always a favorite on my annual Holiday Gift Guide, we have yet another game that my six year old consistently beats me at – Sequence. This game is easy and fun and can be played with 2 or 3 players. His favorite part is getting a one eyed Jack so he can take off one of my pieces and rub it in my face. He’s lucky he’s cute. It’s such a fun game and one both kids and adults can enjoy (my top criteria).

Where Are We Going?

One of my favorite places to go is UrbanGlass in Brooklyn. I used to glassblow at camp and it remains one of my favorite hobbies thirty years later. I found out a few years back that UrbanGlass offers seasonal open studios where you can enjoy their demonstrations, take part in their free activities, and even sign up for glassblowing if you want to try it! It’s perfect for beginners or someone who hasn’t done it in a while and wants to get back to it. They offer amazing classes for people of all ages – from kids to adults – and generous scholarship programs. If you’ve wanted to try glassblowing but never knew where to start, check out their next open house on March 12th, 2023.

Old Blog Post I’m Thinking About

I love looking at my blog’s statistics and seeing what posts people are reading this week. I’m guessing with the new year people are really into making vision boards. I had so much fun making vision boards with my kids a few years back and writing this guide “Vision Boards: A Great Camp Mom Project“. It was great to combine my love of arts and crafts with my love of recycling. Plus this is an easy, free, colorful activity you can do at any time. I’ve kept this image on my blog’s homepage for years because it makes me so happy. I love all of the colors and how the big block M jumps out (Go Blue!).

Before Mom Life. Thinking Of A Place I Went Long Ago

In January of 2004 my husband (then boyfriend) and I went on a cruise to the Caribbean. We went to Martinique, St. Thomas, St. John, Barbados, Aruba, and Puerto Rico. It was our second time going to Puerto Rico and we fell in love with it so much we decided to have our destination wedding there a year later. At the time of our cruise we had no money and agreed to just take whatever cabin we could get for the least expensive price. We ended up with a non-descript inside cabin and I want to say the whole cruise cost us $1,000. The room didn’t matter at all. We were young, happy to get away, and excited to sit on lounge chairs and read books.

I remember reading The Da Vinci Code – which had just come out – and I couldn’t put it down. We spent most nights walking around the track at the top of the boat amazed that we were in the middle of the ocean. We had an absolutely fantastic time and I’ve wanted to go on another cruise ever since.

This Week’s Mom Life On Instagram:

This week I had some fun with 3D color changing moons that we’re using as centerpieces for an upcoming party. I also made a recap of our day glassblowing, and took a hike on a different part of a trail I frequent to have a little change of pace – pretending to be a tour guide.

Please let us know what you think of this post! Was it helpful? Did you go to any of these places? Try any of these things? If yes, please like the post, comment below, and share it on your social media.

Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, and Tik Tok and email us at themintchipmama@gmail.com with what you want to see next!

My blog (and taco habit) is supported by you! With each click on one of The Mint Chip Mama’s affiliate links above I earn the guac. Because just like you, it’s extra.