memories

Halloween Traditions

My earliest memory of Halloween was the year I was Belle. My grandma, who I was convinced had the talent to craft anything, made me the classic yellow dress. She added colorful jewel embellishments which made it extra awesome. I was shocked to find out not all families participated in Halloween festivities. I knew about the scary stuff, but my Halloween was a Belle dress, free candy, pumpkins, and the Peanuts special on TV. The costume changed, but the fun and sugar overload remained.  Continue reading →

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Every Moment

When my firstborn was seven months old, we went on vacation for a week. A feat, for sure, and full of good memories, but when we returned home, he looked so much older. What the heck was in that beach air?

Now, I look at his baby brother who is too quickly nearing that same age and decide time is a fleeting, fickle thing. “They grow up so fast,” new parents hear from well-meaning family, friends, and strangers. “Cherish every moment.” Continue reading →

Yuletide Mystery: The Case of the Disappearing Doll

“You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why…”

Christmas: That magical time of year when we bribe children into good behavior under the watchful eye of Santa Claus and his army, a.k.a. the Elf on the Shelf. As children discover whether their efforts result in toys or lumps of coal, parents will search for new strategies to coerce them into being good during the off-season. Or, if they’re anything like my parents, gift-wrapped reward or no, they’ll have the audacity to expect good behavior year round. Still, if it was Christmas-related, my parents weren’t above playing the Santa card. Which brings me to a tale of one of my Christmases long, long ago. Continue reading →