Praises of a Wife and Mommy

When your children are young, you’re the one who needs to throw the ultimate birthday party for them. As they get older they’ll have their own ideas and their own expectations, but young children only want to have fun. Each birthday party should be tailored to each child and, because they’re young, it means you can still do it on a budget. Here are five tips on throwing the ultimate birthday party: Plan it in Secret The best birthday party is one that your kid isn’t expecting. While you should never pretend that you have forgotten your child’s birthday, you can easily add little surprises that make the big day even more special. This can be anything from buying their favorite dessert to bringing in a beloved family member from across the country. Whatever your child’s age, and whatever your child’s interested in, there must be something special you can keep secret to make their birthday more special. Let Them Invite Their Friends When children are young, it’s best ...

Smile if you don't want summer to end!!!  Ok, even I am having a hard time getting in the back to school routines and letting summer end.  Yep, teacher talking here!  So we had a few kids over for a tea party.  Our church is getting closer to launching a tea house...I'm so ready for it to open!! So what better way to get some of the kids and church people excited but with a tea party!  There are several ways to brew tea just like there is coffee.  We had some fun showing the kids how to make tea.  We love using the loose leaf teas and having them taste it without adding sugar or honey to it.  I'm sure many of them would have loved it more had we added the extras.    What do you need with tea?  Cookies of course!   I will admit that these are all store bought.  I tried a recipe for Portuguese tea cookies and I had a major fail.  :( I am going to try again but the kids enjoyed the variety we pic...

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Starting your child’s education correctly is important. The beginning of their education substantially influences their progress in general. This is one of the reasons why more parents are opting for pre-prep schools to get their children through to year two. Of course, you can’t just go for any pre-prep school. Not all courses and schools are created equal and you want to get your children the best education from the very beginning. To do that, there are several important things to consider when choosing a pre-prep school for your children. Child-to-Teacher Ratio You want your children to get all the attention they need to grow, which is why I always recommend opting for a school with a lower child-to-teacher (or child-to-adult) ratio. Schools with smaller classes tend to offer more attention to each individual child. Your kids will get the support and attention they need to fully grow during their early years in school. Smaller classes are also more effective. When teacher...

You should know that owning a pet is a big commitment. You’re responsible for your dog or cat as soon as you bring it home. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the requirements before committing to the responsibility. While it’s an exciting time, it’s also when you need to be planning for welcoming your pet into your home. There’s no reason to second guess your decision. All you have to do is prepare and plan ahead of time and you’ll be all set. Teach yourself the basics and learn the rest as you go. See what you should know about owning a pet. They’re Messy There’s no way around it, pets are messy . They’re going to get into mischief and want to come into your house with muddy paws. It’s up to you to have a plan for wiping or spraying them down before they hit your carpet. Another idea is to have them come through the garage so that their paws have time to dry before entering the house. Be prepared to give them baths and groom them when they’re full of dirt. They g...

Your life belongs to you. The choices you make impact your health and wellness. No matter what they are, you have to be prepared to live with them. The good news is that you always have the option to improve and make your circumstances better by the choices that you make. If you want to be happier, it’s up to you to create the opportunity. You’re in control of what happens next and have the power to steer your life in whatever direction you prefer. If you’re someone who’s ready to make the leap, start learning about what you need to do to enhance your current situation. See habits that’ll immediately improve your life. Make Time for Family You’ll never regret making more time for your family. They’re your blood and you care for each other. Do whatever it takes to rearrange your schedule or drop a few obligations so you’re there for them when they need you. You can’t get the time back and you don’t want to live with regrets. Do what you know is right and start making time for th...

Their Story We know that there's a story behind every product. It's that of an emerging designer just introducing her work to the world; artisans working collaboratively in a low income country; or a seasoned artist crafting each of his pieces by hand. With your help, we're building a community of passionate people who love our products and connect with the stories behind them. We're growing not only our artist family, but also a strong following of customers who celebrate artists and delight in surrounding themselves with creative design. Inspiration In 1999, our founder Dave Bolotsky visited a Smithsonian Museum craft show in Washington D.C. and was captivated by the variety of unique handmade goods and the talented people behind them. He saw there was a significant public demand for beautiful design. At the same time, he realized that the artists working to make those pieces were often traveling great distances in order to sell their wares at the show. In...

This summer was awesome!  I did so much with my kids and enjoyed every second of it with them.   I feel a bit guilty that my hubby was working so hard while we played.   This year Titus is a first grader!  I am excited to see him become a confident reader who falls in love with it!  I am so excited he has a teacher I know and love!     These two make my heart so happy.   I am so in love with them!  Jesus, thank you for these two blessings.   They truly add so much joy to my life and my prayer is you would use them mightily this year at their school, in their church, and in their community.      My beautiful Selah is in 4th grade this year.   She is stunning and fun!   I am so excited she is old enough to entrust in many areas.   This year my hope for her is to continue to be an example and to become more organized in everything she does.    Lo...

The moment when your child finally leaves your side and begins their time in formal education is never easy for parents. Before that watershed moment, you had been able to spend the vast majority of your time with your child. You had developed your own games, your own jokes, even your own language to an extent. Accepting that they will be sharing their days with people other than you now is rather tough to take. Nevertheless, it’s a necessary step. A formal education can prepare your child for the kind of life you have always dreamed for them. While it’s possible to succeed without an education, it’s far easier for our children to make their way in the world if they have the backing of knowledge and experience. Much of what happens when your child is at school is outside of your control. This fact doesn’t help with how you feel about the advent of their education, either. You’re not going to have control over the friends they make, the things they learn, or the teachers that...