Jackie Smith

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. One of the worst parts of living in the northern hemisphere, in my opinion anyway, is cold and flu season. I hate it. But after spending the first few years of my daughter’s life hiding out at home all winter, I have come to realize that life is much better […]

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. Coined by Leslie Knopp (Amy Pohler’s character) in Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day is a day dedicated to showering your besties with love. Although it officially falls on February 13, or Valentine’s Day Eve, you can throw a Galentine’s Day celebration anytime in February. It’s a day all about

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. When I was a kid, my mother very rarely baked, and when she did, it was often a British dessert I didn’t really like. Like fruit cake. Or mince meat pies. Or my grandma’s famous trifle. But every once in a while, when I’d eaten at a friend’s house and spent

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. The only exciting thing I remember about St. Patrick’s Day when I was a kid is having green Sprite at my Girl Scout meetings (which I only did for 2 years), so the holiday never really resonated with me. Well, not until I went to college, but that’s a

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. Do you know what I love to do? Blow bubbles. There’s just something so fun and carefree and magical about them, and I love how excited my daughter (and every other child within our immediate vicinity) gets when I pull out one of those gigantic bubble wands when we’re

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. Is my 3-year-old the only one who LOVES to play with pom poms? I didn’t think so. And since she is (FINALLY!) interested in doing arts and crafts with me, and the cold and miserable weather has finally graced us with its presence, I have been searching for some

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. Are you looking for a recipe that will elevate your next weekend brunch? Look no further than a batch of crispy, gooey, warm French toast! Loved by kids and adults alike, French toast is a delicious and comforting treat that is perfect for weekend brunches or lazy mornings. Before

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. The first day of school can be nerve-wracking for both students and teachers, especially in the middle school years. Building a positive and inclusive classroom environment is crucial for fostering student engagement and creating a sense of belonging. The solution? Icebreakers! Ice breakers are fun activities that help break

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. After a horrendously cold and ridiculously long winter, I refused to spend a lot of time at home over the summer. So when my daughter and I weren’t racing to summer camp or music class, chances are we were out doing something else, like riding on the subway, walking

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. Does your child still nap? Mine doesn’t. She was kind enough to give that fantastic habit up without any warning to me only a few months after her second birthday. Sigh. I remember feeling really desperate in those first few weeks when my afternoons of 2+ hours of uninterrupted work time came