With the arrival of Independence Day, many things lead us to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy; freedoms that hundreds of thousands have fought and given their lives to protect, freedoms that I hope my children and grandchildren will possess. The recently released, For Greater Glory, starring Andy Garcia and Peter O’Toole, chronicles the 1920s Mexican Cristeros War for religious freedom after the atheistic government systematically deported and executed religious leaders and closed churches nationwide. My favorite, although most challenging part to watch, especially as a mother of four boys, …

Have you ever heard the old addage, "Children should be seen and not heard?"  I think our society has turned it into, "Neighbors should be seen and not heard." Our lives are lived more online, in coffee houses, in gymnasiums, but not so much on our front porches, where we can interact with those living right around us. If we don't know our neighbors, how likely are we to call over there (or to the police) if we see someone suspicious walk into their backyard or eye the contents of their open garage? It would make it much more comfortable to simply "mind our own business" and forget about it. …

With the mercury already sky high, it might be time to revisit some common safety facts to keep your children safe and happy this summer. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, it is our responsiblity to not only protect our children but teach them to make wise choices when it comes to fun in the sun. Sun Protection The term "SPF" refers to the Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreen contains a mixture of ingredients that protects your skin from the dangerous radiation from the sun. The higher the SPF, the longer it will help your body block the sun's rays from affecting your skin. Recently, …

As the school year winds down, Jenoa Olson and I wanted to take a tour of the great parks in the City of Florissant.  Try to make it a point to enjoy what the city has to offer you and your family this spring and summer. Park locations and maps can be found on the City of Florissant website. We’ve compiled a short list that we’ll bring to you this month about the features and how it can best suit you and your family.  Koch ParkFeatures: Family aquatic center, John F. Kennedy Center, archery range, outdoor and indoor racquetball courts, four tennis courts, enclosed court (no nets), sand …

As the school year winds down, Jenoa Olson and I wanted to take a tour of the great parks in the City of Florissant.  Try to make it a point to enjoy what the city has to offer you and your family this spring and summer. Park locations and maps can be found on the City of Florissant website. We’ve compiled a short list that we’ll bring to you this month about the features and how it can best suit you and your family.  Behlmann ParkFeatures: Open space, basketball court (not enclosed)Bathrooms: NoParking: NoPlaygrounds: YesBest suited for: All agesConducive to: Flying kites, Frisbee, …

As the school year winds down, Maria Jansen and I wanted to take a tour of the great parks in the City of Florissant.  Try to make it a point to enjoy what the City has to offer you and your family this spring and summer. Park locations and maps can be found at the City of Florissant website.  We’ve compiled a short list that we’ll bring to you this month about the features and how it can best suit you and your family. (Check out Part 1 of the series from Monday.) Little Woods ParkFeatures: Play structure, barbecue pitBathrooms: NoParking: NoNumber of Playgrounds: OneBest suited for: Young …

As the school year winds down, Maria Jansen and I wanted to take a tour of the great parks in the City of Florissant.  Try to make it a point to enjoy what the city has to offer you and your family this spring and summer. Park locations and maps can be found on the City of Florissant website. We’ve compiled a short list that we’ll bring to you this month about the features and how it can best suit you and your family. Bangert ParkFeatures: Bangert Pool, open space, horseshoe pits, two large pavillions with barbecue pits (reservations are required, and electricity is available), fenced roller …

Ever since I was a kid growing up in Florissant, it has been obvious to me that our city has a lot to offer families. From parks to sports to a wide variety of programs for all ages, there are plenty of attractive qualities. Besides wanting to be close to my parents and four grandparents, my husband and I decided to settle our new family in Florissant because of its safety and family friendly atmosphere. However, since moving back, I have noticed some differences in the Florissant where my children are growing up. Driving down Lindbergh, I see a Tan Co. truck parked (permanently) along the …

Even though the thermometer thinks it is summer already, we are officially into the spring season and my windows have been open for a few weeks. Although it's great for the reduced gas bill, it's not so good for the dust bunnies living underneath my sofa. I'm not usually a bandwagon type of girl, but if I am going to join a trend, the spring cleaning club is not a bad one to try. There are tons of articles floating around magazines and the Internet this time of year about the subject, and TLC's online site even suggests that companies market cleaning products and organizational tools …

  Routine; structure; regimen; schedule.   There was a time when I would shudder at the mere mention of any of these words. I used to take great pride in my spontaneity, which I assumed to be in direct opposition to the above unmentionables. However, after months of bedtime struggles, at the advice of many friends, I caved.   We started a nighttime (gasp) routine with our 18-month-old. Nothing fancy, just a prayer, a book and toothbrushing, in the same order and same places each night. It took less than a week to see an improvement. From there, I was hooked. Two years later, our whole day is …

Any parent knows the the question, "What's for lunch?" It's a lot more difficult than it really sounds. With so many processed "quick foods," it's easy to overlook what we are really feeding our kids on a daily basis. Whether your kids eat lunch at school, grab something out on a play date, or fix most of your meals at home, are we spending enough time reading labels and watching closely to the amount of fats, sugars and calories our kids are eating? I have to admit I am not the best of role models for my kids. My mom was a single, more than full-time working mom, so we had very few "square …

Do you have a few children’s items you need now, but don’t want to buy new and can’t wait until the garage sale season begins?  Or, do you have some items to clear out, but you’d rather get some of your money back for them than simply donate them to Goodwill? Florissant offers two solutions for you: Katie & Jake’s Closet and Kids Again.  Being a kid again Even if it's gloomy outside, the sun shines inside Kids Again. Since purchasing the store seven years ago, owners Joe and Kim Spaan have transformed it into a cheery front yard.  The window display is set off by a white picket fence, green “…

The older kids are back in school, and it's finally too cold to be outdoors, but the house seems smaller and smaller each day. Here are a few suggestions to keep away the wintertime blues! 1. Rethink playdates! When my oldest was little, playdates were so structured. Two hours at a specified place, a firm starting time and a firm ending time. We always had them planned at least two days in advance. Now, I try to give things a little more flexibility. If we go to the mall with friends, we can all arrive at different times and send a text to meet up at the same spot. I'm also a little more …

As I changed our sleepy 3-year-old out of his bed-wet clothes, I noticed our 2-year old standing outside the bathroom door looking into the dining room with big eyes. I peeked out to see what was so captivating and saw one of my biggest fears turned into reality.  Our Advent wreath was a ring of fire on the table, flames licking the ceiling. Thick smoke was beginning to fill the room, but the alarm, just 10 feet away, had not yet sounded. I grabbed the kitchen fire extinguisher and blasted the blaze, emptying the cylinder.  With embers still glowing and plenty of smoke still curling out of …

I am a bit sentimental when it come to traditions.  As a child, I loved returning to the same vacation spot each year, having the same meal at an annual family holiday dinner and seasonal activities that repeated with each turn of the calendar. That got me thinking about some of the traditions we repeat year after year with our kids at Christmas. Faith is the biggest part of our Christmas celebration, and there's nothing I look forward to more than worshipping with our church family. Every family has its own traditions, but have you ever talked with your kids about how some of the most …

"So, what do you want Santa to bring you this year?" the well-intentioned woman asked my boys. As I see their perplexed looks on my sons’ faces, I struggle to formulate an explanation to the woman that we don’t "do" Santa in our family. By that, I mean we don’t tell them that a jolly fat man with a flying sleigh goes down every chimney in the world in one night to give presents to good boys and girls. We made this decision before we had kids. Four children later, we have never regretted our decision. Before you label me a scrooge, let me explain our reasoning. Too often, Santa emphasizes the …

It seems this year it is a little easier to say for what I am thankful. This year it is definitely my family. We laugh together, play together, stick up for each other together and sometimes cry together. As I was on a jog with my dog and son, these four things came to mind why I am thankful to be raising my family in North St. Louis County. Freedom to choose our children's education: If you asked me five years ago about sending my son to kindergarten, I couldn't have given you an accurate description of what it takes to home-school or how to get involved in the Parent Teacher's Association …

As midmorning snack time approaches, my 2-year-old whines, “Mommmmmyyyyy! I want some grahahahaapes!” with his face contorting and body twisting below me. I smile and calmly say, “Sweety, I can hear you when your voice sounds like mine.” He straightens up, replies, “Mommy, may I have some grapes please?” and even attempts a half smile. End of story. Problem solved. With one simple phrase, spoken not with anger or frustration but with love, his demeanor changed. Before I learned that simple phrase and how to deliver it, this situation would have spun out of control and ended in room time, no …

Halloween is a holiday for children, isn't it? That was always how I viewed it growing up. When we reached junior high school age, we grew out of trick-or-treating and then passed out candy to younger kids instead. I am surprised at how many people ask me what I am going to dress up like this year. I don't think of myself as Halloween's Ebeneezer Scrooge, but it's just too much time and energy for such a strange holiday. Plus, it is more fun to do it for the kids. Halloween decorations seem to get bigger and scarier every year. Even on our latest trip to Grant's Farm, we encountered skeletons…

The leaves are turning, the temperature is dropping, and we moms have begun the overwhelming task of switching out the kids' wardrobes. Somewhere within the new fall wardrobe is a costume. During my childhood, Octobers in my family's Florissant home would find my mom busy at the sewing machine, deftly creating elaborate garb to be worn for just one special night (maybe two if we could fit into it the next year). I became a puffy Rainbow Brite, a darling Snow White, a ferocious tiger and a classy Cleopatra. My brother was a fuzzy teddy bear, an astronaut and a clown. Her creations must have …