Why Didn’t You Tell Me There Were Giant Cockroaches in Arizona?

I returned to Arizona in late-March and I was determined to make friends and plan playdates for the kids. When I was in Seattle, I joined a mommy group. It was great to meet monthly to talk about challenges and find out what others were doing to manage the demands of family, business, and free …

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Hand Things Down™ Why Didn’t You Tell Me There Were Giant Cockroaches in Arizona?

Missing the Lunar Eclipse, Lessons from My Daughter

How do you encourage your kids when society tells them they aren’t supposed to be good at something or even take an interest in it? Nana is my 9 year old, she hasn’t been very confident in her math or science skills even though her lowest grade in either subject is a B. Maybe this …

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Hand Things Down™ Missing the Lunar Eclipse, Lessons from My Daughter

Crafting is Mommy Time

I attended my first craft and candle party and it was a welcome girl’s night. I was looking forward to getting to know the moms in the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) group I’ve joined since coming to Arizona. Once I moved here, I’ve been so focused on my kids, work, and the gym; I haven’t …

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Hand Things Down™ Crafting is Mommy Time

Too Much Weekend Sun?

Whether you went away for the long weekend or decided a staycation was better for the budget this weekend, it’s likely you and your kids might have indulged in too much sun and paying for it today. My family decided to stay home this weekend with the ridiculous gas prices and the kids were water …

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Hand Things Down™ Too Much Weekend Sun?

Lazy Chicken Enchiladas

This recipe uses the same basic ingredients as the easy chicken chilaquiles recipe. You can substitute red enchilada sauce or even mole to add variety. If you don’t have chicken, make cheese enchiladas. Lazy Chicken Enchiladas 1 rotisserie chicken 16 oz can Las Palmas Green Chile Enchilada Sauce (medium) 1 package Mexican blend cheese 1 …

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Hand Things Down™ Lazy Chicken Enchiladas

Easy Meal Planning & Coupon Clipping

I’m always looking for new ways to save money and stretch our family budget, only try as I might, I’m never organized enough to bring all the coupons I’ve clipped to the grocery store. Some of you are probably in the same boat, you’re busy, beyond stressed and scrambling to come up with new meals to …

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Hand Things Down™ Easy Meal Planning & Coupon Clipping

Living Without A Dad

I watched The Real World with Jellie during our weekly bonding session (don’t judge, it reminds me how lucky I am to have such a good kid). Its our ritual to bond while watching a reality show and since controversial topics usually pop-up, it’s a way to talk to her about difficult subjects. I mean …

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Hand Things Down™ Living Without A Dad

Easy Chicken Chilaquiles

If you’re like me, you either have no time to cook or have run out of ideas for meals with minimal prep. Yet you want to create yummy dishes your family will love, so what do you do? I learned to cook Mexican food from my ex’s family. Over the years, I experimented with shortcuts …

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Hand Things Down™ Easy Chicken Chilaquiles

What is My Job as a Mom?

Young & Naive When I got pregnant with my oldest, I was too young and naive to understand that being a mom was more than a full-time job, it was the chance to shape a life. I didn’t know the first thing about babies or what they needed, all I knew was no matter what; …

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Hand Things Down™ What is My Job as a Mom?

Are Your Kids Growing Faster Than Your Bank Account?

Become an Insider * indicates required Sign up to be notified when the mobile app becomes available for your smartphone and receive money saving tips. Simplify swapping for the the things they need with your friends and local Hand Things Down network. Email Address * First Name * Cell phone * iPhone Android Blackberry Motorola …

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Hand Things Down™ Are Your Kids Growing Faster Than Your Bank Account?

KidsQuest Childrens Museum Free Friday

Like most parents, each crazy week is programmed from the minute they wake up, until it’s time for bed. After work, time is filled shuttling kids between school and activities, all this madness needs to be balanced. It would be great if weekend recreation with the kids was free or low-cost. I remember when I was …

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Hand Things Down™ KidsQuest Childrens Museum Free Friday

Is Your Family Ready for an Earthquake or Tsunami Level Emergency?

Going through Facebook and Twitter, one can’t help but notice the outpouring of support for the tsunami victims in Japan. A status message from my friend Orietta really struck me. She said, “Thinking its time to start practicing some earthquake drills at home with the kids and get them involved in making an emergency supply …

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Hand Things Down™ Is Your Family Ready for an Earthquake or Tsunami Level Emergency?

Mom + Entrepreneur = Momtrepreneur Networking

Being an entrepreneur can feel like a lonely road, this could be especially true for moms who are entrepreneurs. You might have a mix of friends who are stay at home moms or working moms but rarely will you find a group of friends who are entrepreneurs like yourself. Part of you can relate to …

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Hand Things Down™ Mom + Entrepreneur = Momtrepreneur Networking

Become a Guest Blogger

We are creating a virtual Coffee Talk and YOU are invited to create guest blog posts to share your tips with us and we’ll even tweet it out to our followers. Need ideas on what to write about? Here are a few topics: If you could pass on 1 piece of parenting advice, what would …

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Hand Things Down™ Become a Guest Blogger

Kids Writing a YouTube Channel Story Board

Kids Writing a Sketch Originally uploaded by sungazing As a tech-addicted mom, I try to look at ways technology or gadgets can help bring people closer together. I never imagined the kids would find ways to use technology to create a richer, more imaginative way to play. I’m extra stoked that a by-product is that …

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Hand Things Down™ Kids Writing a YouTube Channel Story Board

Tech Mom: Video Chat with the Kids When You’re on Business Travel

Are you a working mom who has to travel frequently for work? Do you want to have a more meaningful exchange with your kids while you are in a different time zone? I’ve had an unusual relationship with my kids since work often takes me to another state for a couple months at a time. …

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Hand Things Down™ Tech Mom: Video Chat with the Kids When You’re on Business Travel

Undomestic Goddess: Cookies the Easy Bake Way

This undomestic goddess has been banned from the kitchen with the exception of providing taste test consultations. On Christmas Eve, I was relegated to the job of moving the cookies from the cookie sheet onto the cookie tray due to the mess I make whenever I undertake any kitchen related projects. It’s not that I’m …

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Hand Things Down™ Undomestic Goddess: Cookies the Easy Bake Way

Light Up A New Christmas Tradition

Take a break from the holiday madness and create a new family tradition. When my family lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, we went to Christmas in the Park at Cesar Chavez Park in downtown San Jose to check out the Christmas trees, which were decorated, by local schools. They had an outdoor ice …

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Hand Things Down™ Light Up A New Christmas Tradition

Desperate Housewives Donate

Giving stuff away can be an emotional experience and sometimes overwhelming when it comes to parting with your kids’ precious things. In a recent Desperate Housewives episode, Lynette cried as she was folding Paige’s last onesie. She was crying because she was getting ready to donate Paige’s baby clothes to a friend who was pregnant. …

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Hand Things Down™ Desperate Housewives Donate

Book Swap for Insatiable Readers

As much as I love my kids, I look forward to the time after they’ve gone to sleep so I can curl up with a good book and unwind. My reading tastes range from the Twilight series and John Grisham to the latest business bible and the occasional programming text. If your library does not …

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Hand Things Down™ Book Swap for Insatiable Readers

Babies “R” Us & Toys “R” Us: 2 Days Left for the Great Trade-In

In the spirit of handing things down and saving money, Toy’s “R” Us and Babies “R” Us are wrapping up their trade-in event. Parents can bring in any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, playards, toddler beds, or high chairs for a 25% savings on the purchase of any new baby items in those categories. …

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Hand Things Down™ Babies “R” Us & Toys “R” Us: 2 Days Left for the Great Trade-In

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Fix Anything with Duct Tape

It’s been crazy busy with the kids out of school for the summer. Who knew summer school and dance classes were all consuming, this post has been in the works since Mother’s Day. After Mother’s Day lunch, my family planned to take pictures at the local portrait studio. Unfortunately, my black dress picked up lint …

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Hand Things Down™ Fix Anything with Duct Tape

Tackling the Toy Box

Does your child have an overflowing toy box full of toys they no longer use? The assortment of stuffed animals, favorite toys, McDonalds freebies, odds and ends of different game pieces become too much to stuff into the box and the floor or the entire closet becomes a big junk pile. Here’s what we do …

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Hand Things Down™ Tackling the Toy Box

Give Your Books Away

I start my days reading my latest book for about 30 minutes or catching up on my favorite blogs online. I am an avid reader so I read for pleasure, personal development, and business in no particular order. I find the more I read, the more open my mind becomes and helps ideas flow freely. …

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Hand Things Down™ Give Your Books Away