6 Things I LOVE About Being a Boy Mom: A Guest Post by Caroline Kinney

Raising boys is not something I know anything about. I was one of three girls, growing up, and now I'm raising three little ladies. If Dan and I had been blessed with a boy, I'm sure I'd have gotten up to speed quickly. But I can't help but notice how different things are going for my friends who are on the Boy Mom path.

The trucks. The dinosaurs. The sweet sensitivity. The ENERGY. 

A dear friend from Michigan, Caroline Kinney, is most certainly living the Boy Mom life. Here she is with her three handsome guys...

Not all boys are the same, of course, and I hate to generalize and over simplify. But there are similarities among many boys that can’t be denied. I asked Caroline to share a bit about her experience as a Boy Mom and her post is so funny and sweet. Now it’s yours to enjoy!

In Caroline's words...

"It’s a boy!" I’ll never forget the exact moment I learned I would officially become a boy mom.

We were having our anatomy scan and couldn’t wait to find out what we were having. After the nurse announced the gender, it was followed up by, “He REALLY wants you to know he’s a boy.” And so, it began. 

A few months later our first son, Griffin, was born, followed by our second son, Jack, just 19 months later. Until recently, I was the only one in my close circle of friends who had boys. All my other girlfriends had little girls. And let’s just the say the comparisons were obvious.

I can remember talking to one of my girlfriends and saying, “You mean she doesn’t climb out of her crib or try to scale the bookshelf or climb on top of her changing table? Ya mine either…”

Or when I asked if any of their girls would ROAR at anything and everything, because it’s currently a thing in my household (full apologies to the checkout staff at Target).

I’ve found that boys are just a whole other ball game from girls. From the climbing, wrestling and infatuation with all things construction – to the huge amount of energy they have. And let’s not forget how much they can eat (does anyone else feel like a personal chef between the hours of 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.?)

But you know what? Having boys is so. much. fun. and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Like all kids, no matter the gender, being a mom comes with challenges. But here’s what I love most about being a boy mom:

6 Things I LOVE About Being a Boy Mom

1. Embrace the mess: There’s no stopping it. Boys are messy. But it’s a good thing they’re cute while they do it. From the food they eat to the toys they play with, I try not to beat myself up over the chaos of having two little ones running around (and the tornado they often leave behind).

2. Brotherly love: It may have taken some time for my oldest to warm up to having a little brother, but now their love for one another is so strong. Sometimes too strong, but isn’t that what brothers are for? I’m forever grateful they have one another.

3. Raising respectful boys: I’ll never forget the moment both boys learned how to fold their hands to pray before dinner. Or when my oldest said “thank you momma,” without being prompted after I fixed one of his cranes and trucks (see #5). It’s at that moment you realize, they’re watching, listening and taking in everything they see around them. Raising respectful boys who are polite and kind is so important to me.

4. Built in workout buddies: There’s not much sitting happening in our household. Keeping up with a 2.5 year old and 1 year old is a workout in itself. But running with them in a double stroller? Lord have mercy. I now salute any mom who runs with toddlers. I once had a mom pass me in a 5K while pushing a stroller and I want to go back in time and give her a hug.

5. Trucks 101: Guys, I live for Tuesdays. GARBAGE day. Something I never thought I would say. I love seeing my boys in awe of the huge, green truck that drives by and beeps each week. I also found myself getting excited about any type of road construction because the number of excavators, dump trucks, cement mixers, back hoes and cranes is awesome. And yes, my 2 year old has corrected me on naming the wrong truck. Who knew there was a difference between a bulldozer and front end loader?

6. Unconditional love: Sounds cheesy, but it’s true. One minute they’re about to do exactly what you told them NOT to do, and the next they’re placing their hands on each side of your face and planting a big kiss on you. Either that or I have some huge charmers on my hands.

I had no idea how wild, exhausting, hilarious, trying, sleepless, happy of a ride I was about to be on when those three little words were said at our ultrasound. But, it’s been the best two and half years of my life.

---

Thank you Caroline! I've always had the sense that being a boy mom was a different ballgame and you shared the realities with such sweet humor - just as you do with all things. Hugs to you and the whole Kinney crew!

Our Living, Breathing House: A Guest Post by Heather Klaus

I can get a bit manic about my house. There may be half-completed home improvement projects around every corner, but I'm still somehow compulsive about keeping it tidy. When you're a stay-at-home mom, your house is your construction site, relaxation zone and office cubical, all rolled into one. Keeping it clear provides a portal to sanity.

Yes, a floor plan free of debris is my current aesthetic ambition. But there was a time when HGTV was my favorite station and my Pinterest decor boards were meticulously curated. The dreams are still alive, but for the time being, I simply have to divert my eyes... from gorgeous and impractical dining rooms, restaurant-grade chef kitchens, and perfectly adorned bookshelves. I simply don't have the time or money to pull it off. 

But do I want all that? Truly? If I could trade in my 1976 colonial for a slice of Room & Board heaven, would I? The temptation would be great, but I don't think I could pull the trigger.

My dear, dear (did I say dear?) friend Heather Klaus and I are much the same in this regard. We can commiserate 'til the cows come home about our home crisis du jour, but when push comes to shove, we aren't budging an inch from our already green pasture. Here's Heather's crew - my girls' playground playmates, Dan's mountain bike buddy, my wine time and crit group companion... 

You may recall Heather's hilarious post last summer, Ode to My Minivan. If so, you know you're in for a treat. Enjoy this slice-of-mom-life post...

In Heather's words...

Welcome to our house! Our living, breathing house.

Watch your step as you come on in. Clearly a centipede lives here! Shoes in every size and shape are strewn about our entryway. Go ahead, step on over that rug with bits of grass and sidewalk chalk caked right in.

In our living room you'll find a comfy couch with a sag to one side where we do our best snuggling. The throw pillows are always, well... thrown. Today you'll see they've become tuffets for our tea party. And over there is the art table, littered with a variety of mixed media. (A shout out to the small tree who gave her life to be this stack of printer paper. If she's amused by kiddo “masterpieces,” her life was not in vain.)

Come on around the corner. There's the bathroom on the left (which might need a wipe down… my 4-year-old human sprinkler just exited stage right). Down the hall is the art wall, layered with colorful giraffes and beach landscapes, abstract self-portraits, and abstract... abstracts. And scribbles that my son calls race-tracks.

And… here's our kitchen. Didn't I just vacuum this floor? Those crumbs, they seem to multiply, don't they? The kitchen counter holds a trough of fresh fruit, which we seem to go through at the speed of light. The panty is filled with healthy things... and plenty of snacks that I swore up and down I would never buy. There on the corner is the stack of papers that need my attention... right next to the coffee maker. Fitting. Please take no notice of the stained ring in the butcher block, brought to you by the can of Resolve that sat there overnight after the episode of Pukesville, car seat edition.

Our Family Room is here in the back, with a fireplace, trampoline (er, couch), and stash of stuffies and toys that I keep trying to weed down. If I squint a bit I can still see this room transformed one rainy April week into an entire city - constructed of blue painters-tape roads, a wooden train monorail, and match box cars. Kids love a solid parking lot.

Up the stairs are three open doors leading to what used to be empty rooms when we first moved in. They now lead to Sweet Baby Nursery (that possibly smells like a barnyard), Princess Polar Bear Cave and Super Cat's Lair. The other door has a king-sized bed where kittens and midnight-zombie-strolling children think the proper position for sleeping is catty-wompus.

Someday the basement will probably need a ping-pong or pool table and a TV for R-Rated movies snuck in under our noses. But not today. Today its décor includes a giant fort using every single clean sheet and blanket in the house, a rack of old Halloween and dance recital costumes and super hero capes in every color of the rainbow. And Every. Lego. On. Planet. Earth.

Some days our house feels overwhelmingly claustrophobic with stuff and chaos and noise. The chorus of “MOM!” sung incessantly, demanding immediate attention. The tears, ears and rears that need constant wiping. The turning up of noses when you've spent a good amount energy on a new recipe. The battles waged into baths and beds. The sheer amount of crap that you amass when it's a cold Chicago winter and you can't play outside for way too long, or when it’s a warm spring day and the only way to make it to dinner includes a trip into the sand pit.

But not today. As I pour myself a glass of wine while those little cherubs are snug in their beds, my heart is full to the brim with gratefulness for our space where we LIVE. Our living, breathing, growing-with-us home.

So funny, so warm, so true. Sounds like someone I know... Thank you for sharing this perspective-shifting post, Heather!

All the Funny Things: Mother's Day Guest Post by Heidi Osmundsen

Fellas, when your wife's phone is going bananas on Mother's Day, it's not necessarily a text sesh with her mom or sisters. More likely than not, it's a message from a gal pal. That's because on this holiday, more than any other, we ladies LOVE reaching out and lifting each other up. The texts go flying... 

You're a fabulous mom!

Thinking of you today, momma!

Lucky to have a strong mom like you in my life!  

It's the sort of kindness that takes the beauty of Mother's Day and turns the dial up to 11. One momma I love catching up with and cheering on is Heidi Osmundsen, a fellow Mizzou Tiger and post-college Chicago crew mate, who is now back in her hometown of St. Louis. Here's Heidi's sweet family...

Ten-plus years ago, we were romping all over Wrigleyville and Lakeview, taking part in our fair share of shenanigans. Today, the wacky stories we share feature our girls. I asked Heidi to write a bit about her ladies, and her anecdotes provide such a lovely Mother's Day tribute.

In Heidi's words...

I always knew I wanted to have children. I’m not sure what exactly gave me this intuitive feeling … perhaps my experience of being an older sister, or the babysitting business I ran with my neighbor and childhood best friend Bethany, or just the fact that children make me laugh and I enjoy being around them.

I'm now a mother to two beautiful and funny little girls. Alice (3) and Adeline “Addie” (13 months) are the loves of my life, and my husband Matt and I cannot get enough of them.

One of the things I enjoy most about being their Mom is watching their relationship grow. The past year has brought a lot of change and growth for both girls, and every day I see their sisterhood bond strengthen.

Last year, I started keeping a “Mommy Journal." It seemed that every day Alice would say something funny or do something new that made me smile, and I didn’t want to forget the details. I’m so glad I’ve kept this journal, because now that the girls are interacting and playing a bit together, I have so many things I want to remember.

Whenever I catch up with Anitra, one of our first questions to one another is “How are your girls?” Anitra asked me to pull together a few entertaining tid-bits from Alice and Addie’s corner of the world, and I am happy to share with all of you...

All the Funny Things

Dress-up. Alice loves to play dress-up and corresponds her dress-up outfit to a character, and then she proceeds to get fully into the storyline. For example, if she is pretending to be “Princess Belle,” she needs to wear the dress, put her hair in a bun and wear a crown. We have to turn on the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack for dancing and she wants to hold her Princess Belle doll. If she is pretending to be Minnie Mouse, it requires a full outfit change, new doll and new soundtrack!  

Dance Party. Both of my girls love music and to dance. While Addie is just getting her moves down (she is just barely one after all), she has perfected the shimmy, head bang and spinning in circles. Alice also loves to jump and twirl. They received a microphone for Christmas, and Alice likes to give Addie the microphone to “sing” and then she dances around in the background to the “music”. (Warning: this video is a bit painful to the ears.)

Alice the Fashion Designer. Alice loves to pick out clothes for everyone in the house. When she sees her Dada in the morning, she’ll pick out a shirt for him and say, “Try it on.” And then almost every time she’ll say, “Dada, you look great!”

Assigned Seating. Sometimes after a busy day, I’ll join Alice on the couch while she’s watching one of her favorite shows. She usually likes to tell me where to sit, “Right here, Mama. Lean against this pillow.” But some days, she’ll tell me, “Come close, Mama. I want you to snuggle me.” Here we are, cozy at a parade, just as Alice likes it...

Spikes and Sister Hugs. Addie was born with a full head of hair, and when she wakes up in the morning it’s usually spiked straight up around her head. Whenever we carry her into the room after she wakes up, Alice will yell out, “Spikes!” And, at the most random of moments, Alice will embrace Addie in a hug or give her a kiss and tell me, “I love my wiggly sister.” Melts my heart.

I cherish these moments with Alice and Addie, and I find that I love these little ladies more and more every day. I’m looking forward to watching them grow into themselves and closer together as the years go by. Thanks for reading!

---

Heidi, this has been a major motivator for me to resume my Mommy Journal - an orange diary that I routinely move from Point A to Point B, then promptly forget where Point B is. By the time I find the journal again, five months of cute commentary has gone unrecorded... unacceptable! I'm back on task - thanks to your post! 

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Moms, step moms, moms-to-be, ladies praying to be moms, and moms of angels in heaven above: Your love is what makes the world go round!

The Ultimate Busy Bag: A Guest Post by Lisa Barr

When it comes to family life, I do plan. But... I also leave a lot up in the air until the last minute. Things would certainly go more smoothly if I made planning a higher priority.

I love chatting with other moms and swapping tips and tricks. Sometimes seemingly insignificant tweaks in your routine can save massive headaches, avoid meltdowns and add hours of sleep to your entire household's day. Priceless stuff.

When my friend Lisa Barr starts sharing ideas, I listen. Here's Lisa and her crew...

Lisa has an endless supply of hacks and shortcuts. This spring break - whether you ascend 30,000 feet, or pile in the van for a long haul - grab a trick or two out of Lisa's ultimate travel bag.

In Lisa's words...

Stressing about upcoming travel with kids and what to pack? Traveling is hard, especially with children. Kids get bored, tired and restless in any circumstance, and especially if they sit in one spot for awhile.

Take a look inside what I call the Ultimate Busy Bag - designed to keep your child occupied on long trips, no matter where you're going.

Here are 20 things to keep in mind when packing your personal busy bag to ease the strain of traveling with kids this Spring Break:

The Ultimate Busy Bag

Tip #1: Only allow the kids to do one activity at a time. It prevents them from getting everything out at once and allows you to pace the timing of activities. I pack my bag with little surprises so that it's fun for them to see what comes next.

Tip #2: Store items in plastic bags so the contents stay organized and are easy to grab when needed. Plus, gallon bags are clear and you can easily see what's inside. 

Tip #3: Pack books. Reading books keeps the kids engaged and quiet. Plus, whenever you get where you are going, you will have some books to read throughout the day and before bed. 

Tip #4: What little kid doesn’t love a variety of stickers? My girls love to draw scenes then decorate with them. We keep a variety bag of stickers handy when we travel. I find the books at the Dollar Tree and in the dollar bin at Target.

Tip #5: Keep markers, pencils and crayons in a zip top bag or pouch that's easily accessible, so the kids can help themselves. 

Tip #6: My older girls are girly-girls. So when I see princess items in the dollar section of a store, I pick them up. I recently picked up a fun bag full of pencils, erasers, a notebook and highlighters. 

Tip #7: New coloring books are always fun and an activity that can be repeated throughout the trip.

Tip #8: Reusable sticker pads have been a favorite of ours since the kids were around age 2. The Melissa and Doug stickers are easy to peel off and can be repositioned over and over again to create different scenes. We take the pages out of the book so that it is easier to decorate a page one at a time. 

Tip #9: These little felt activity books I found in the dollar bin at Target have matching, counting, colors, and tic tac toe. They even have a little pocket inside to store all the loose felt pieces. 

Tip #10: I love activities that can engage the kids and help them learn at the same time. The Doodle Tin by Usborne (below) contains 80 wipe-clean doodling cards with a dry-erase marker that allows kids to create and draw. 

Tip #11: Water Wow On the Go pads are an absolute must-have. They allow kids to draw and color without the mess of paint... just water. They dry quickly so that kids can paint again and again.

Tip #12: We love these alphabet cards that help kids trace letters and write their letters on their own with a dry-erase marker that is included.

Tip #13: Puzzles! We love puzzles and bring a few that are smaller and easy to put on our laps. The puzzles with the built in wood boards on the back are the best for travel. I store the pieces in a plastic bag so that they don’t get lost in transit. 

Tip #14: Small play-doh containers are the best for travel. They are the perfect amount to play with and don’t take up a lot of room. You can find these at Five Below.

Tip #15: All of my children love lace-up cards. My 14-month-old son loves to undo them, and my girls love to lace them up. It is a great hand-eye coordination activity that also works on fine motor skills. 

Tip #16: Don’t forget to include your kids favorite games, like Bingo. Card games also are easy to include in your bag and keep their attention for awhile.

Tip #17: Traveling with children age 9 months to 2 years is H A R D. Keeping their attention is nearly impossible, and they want to either crawl or walk the enter time. I keep a bag or two of small tinker toys for the younger kids. These are hand-size toys that they can grasp and put in there mouth, which make noises, light up or move.

Tip #18: I also keep a bag full of bite-sized candies as rewards for patient and good behavior. It helps to encourage the kids to behave while stuck in a confined place - which isn't easy. 

Tip #19: To keep things interesting, I try to change the scene about every 20 minutes. Whether that is a new activity, a snack, a surprise, a trip to the bathroom to stretch the legs, or just a little treat.

Tip #20: Perhaps most importantly... store your busy bag in a closet when you get home, so these activities are saved for traveling. Then they’ll be new, fun and exciting for the next trip, too!

---

Awesome tips, Lisa - and just in time for a lot of Spring Break travelers. For more of Lisa's ideas, follow her on Instagram at @lifewith_raisingthebarrs

Safe travels this Spring Break and Happy Easter!

The Women Before Me: A Guest Post by Cheryl Rowe

Can you name the women who helped make you YOU? 

This Women's History Month, I've been pondering the idea quite a lot. I recently posed the question to my mom, Cheryl Rowe - the woman who made me ME. 

Here we are in 1986, reviewing one of the first stories I wrote as a member of the Bethany Young Author's Club. (If I recall, I was the youngest member - age 6 in this pic.) Both a first-grade teacher and reading specialist, my mom was a stellar critique partner... 

Seeking to learn still more from the woman who taught me almost everything, I posed the question to her: "Which women have most influenced you? It can be anyone - a family member, a teacher, someone from history, someone from popular culture." 

Mom's thoughtful reflection revealed things I didn't know about the women closest to me in my family tree - including my nana, Shirley, who I thought I knew quite well. Here's young Shirley Fearn...

In the anecdotes my mom shared, I see bits of her, bits of me, and bits of my daughters: A love of writing... a love of music... and a reputation for hearty hugs. I hope you enjoy this guest post from my mom.

In Cheryl's words...

The women who have impacted my life most are my grandmothers and mother. No authors, celebrities, educators - just three loving ladies, who probably were not even aware of their direct or indirect influence, much like many other mothers and grandmothers throughout the ages. 

---

Ruth

My grandmother Ruth Traughber kept a journal throughout her life. It was a short life but filled with joy, challenges of motherhood, fears and sorrows. I was only two years old when she passed on. Nevertheless, I can meet her in journal entries that reflect her journey. Her dreams, thoughts and pains are found on those wonderful pages. I kept a diary in middle school, then took a break. Marriage and children found me again recording my own life experiences. My journal format has changed over the years: a prayer journal, gratitude journal and detailed accounts of life experiences. Someday someone may desire to read my ramblings. I thank you, Grandma, for showing me the power of words. 

---

Lola

My grandmother Lola Fearn influenced my faith journey. Throughout my childhood and young adult years, I witnessed her faith. She celebrated others' joys, chose happiness, attended Bible Study groups, was active in her Body of Christ, and filled her Bible with personal notations.  More importantly, Grandma reflected this love. She could make people laugh, loved to dance and sing, and gave us hearty hugs. I am sure the ladies she cared for at the Eastern Star Nursing facility appreciated her bubbly personality as she shared her love. Grandma, thank you for showing me Christian faith in action and how to embrace life.

---

Shirley

My mother Shirley Fearn Traughber termed herself ‘somewhat of an introvert.' She was quiet and uncomfortable around strangers or casual acquaintances. I chose to overcome introversion for myself and, indirectly, for her. It was never an easy journey. Uncomfortable actually. Somewhat reluctantly, it began in Indiana. After graduation I chose Indiana State University - far from home where I knew no one. I intentionally took on this challenge. I made new friends and experienced the joy of facing the unknown. Today, I actually enjoy meeting new people and sharing in new experiences. The world is full of endless opportunities. Mom's honesty and self-awareness encouraged me to grow and view obstacles as challenges to meet head on.

---

Thank you, Mom, for these beautiful accounts. I wholeheartedly believe that writing often, loving big and speaking truth are traits that will continue to pass from generation to generation.

Finding Christmas Joy: A Holiday Post by Kate Twohig

Between swingy Michael Buble and poppy Kelly Clarkson, Sirius XM Holly often likes to drop in “Where Are You Christmas” by Faith Hill. It always puts me in a melancholy mood.

Christmas longing often lingers just below the surface of Christmas happiness. I’ve certainly had holidays guided by this feeling. And all it takes is a quiet, introspective song to take me back.

Yet, on the flipside, Christmas seems to only further amplify a child's unbridled joy.

When I was tucking in my middle child into bed last night, she whispered to me with wonderment in her sleepy eyes, "I'm dreaming of sweets!" 

I remember that Christmas feeling - the thrill, the anticipation. How can a grown-up Christmas compare? Maybe it requires a harder look. After all, what we long for isn’t happiness, which is circumstantial. We long for the deep, constant contentment and excitement that comes from knowing that Jesus came for us, is with us, and is for us. This is Christmas joy.

My friend Kate Twohig has been doing some Christmas reflection of her own and today shares a thoughtful piece on this very topic. Here's her crew! (You may recall Kate did a post earlier this year on family life, which can be found here.)

I hope reading Kate's piece helps you view Christmas joy in a new way!

In Kate's words...

Every time I think of Christmas past, two memories come to mind right away.

The first is an annual family tradition. Late on Christmas Eve, my family would arrive home from my grandma’s house. My three brothers, two sisters, parents and I would get cozy in our living room. Christmas music would be playing softly and the room would be dark, except for the soft, white lights of the Christmas tree. My dad would pop open a bottle of champagne, give everyone a glass (a teeny amount for the kids, of course), and he would give a lovely toast. It was such an intimate, special moment and one I always remember fondly, especially when I drink champagne.

The second memory is a kind deed my mom did every holiday. She’d receive a Christmas wish list from a local family who couldn’t afford to buy gifts. Each wish list had the ages of the children. When I was about ten, we received a list, in which the children requested gloves, mittens, hats and underwear. This may have been the first time I truly understood how fortunate my family was and how difficult life was for other families.

A few days before Christmas last year, I took some quiet time and forced myself to think about special Christmas moments throughout my life. I was completely stressed out trying to make my children’s Christmas “perfect,” and I wasn’t finding much joy in the season. I couldn’t find a certain gift one child wanted, I forgot to buy a couple of gifts, and I felt very overwhelmed with all the errands I still needed to complete.

When I was a child, Christmas was my favorite holiday. I loved everything about it—the baking, decorating, music, movies and all the special holiday events my family attended. Now, as an adult it ranked as my third favorite holiday behind Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. How did I lose my love for Christmas? How could I get some of that childhood magic back?

In thinking about memorable moments from the past, it became quite apparent: I was focusing on all the wrong things. 

The strongest, most enjoyable memories included themes of family, tradition and service. Years from now, my kids probably weren’t going to remember all the presents they received but they would hopefully remember the special things we did as a family.

I knew right away my holiday focus needed to change. Although my family had begun some of our own traditions like picking out fresh cut trees and attending Christmas plays and concerts, we hadn’t focused much of our attention on service projects or acts of kindness.

I can vividly remember how my mom and I shopped for that family in need. We did buy gloves, mittens, hats and underwear, but we also bought a lot of fun toys for each child. Even though I never enjoyed shopping, I can remember having fun picking out all those toys. That Christmas morning I felt very joyful as I imagined that family opening their gifts. I learned first-hand it was just as much fun to give as it was to receive.

Once I realized that I wanted my children to understand the joy of giving, I decided to start volunteering as a family right away. Luckily, our school district has so many opportunities to help our community. This past year, my family has volunteered for initiatives that have helped animal shelters, other local school districts, the homeless and our military troops. Volunteering along with my husband and my seven and four year olds has been a wonderful experience and one we plan to continue.

This holiday, my family sponsored a family in need, just like my family once did. My children were involved in purchasing and wrapping gifts so they can continue to learn the importance of giving. Perhaps this will become one of our family’s annual holiday traditions.

I realize there is no such thing as “perfect” Christmas, and I’m trying to worry less about the little stuff. By focusing more on others and less on material things, I’m already feeling much more joyful this holiday season. I hope some of these good deeds and acts of service will be memories that my son and daughter will look back upon and remember fondly throughout their lives. 

Thank you Kate! One more blog post remains in The Happy Holidays Series... stay tuned for a piece on yummy treats!

5 Picture Books to Fall For - A Guest Post by Savannah Hendricks

Fall is in full swing. The leaves are doing their beautiful downward dance. Cider is on the stove. Football is in conference play, and baseball is drawing to a spectacular close. Chances are good you've picked apples or pumpkins - or both. What's not to love about this spice-infused kaleidoscopic season?

The Schulte House is clearly in the spirit. Check out our apple pie, decorated with hand-carved emblems of autumn. No surface is safe from our illustrative inclinations.

Picture books are a big part of each weather and holiday shift, too. At home and at school, seasonal titles reinforce science and cultural concepts with artistry and humor, helping my children better understand their world - month by month, year by year.

Literary journeys can even further enhance the way we experience the seasons, particularly when titles tap into the senses and deliver a special aesthetic. Twitter pal and children's book author Savannah Hendricks shares my passion for picture books and is visiting the blog this month to suggest five great picture books for fall. 

Meet Savannah!

So divert your eyes from the Christmas decorations in your local grocery and craft stores, and take a few moments to enjoy Savannah's roundup of titles that honor this blink-and-you'll-miss-it season. Quotes below all attributed to Savannah (SH).

5 Picture Books to Fall For - A Guest Post by Savannah Hendricks

Leaves by David Ezra Stein

I love this story and its illustrations - simple yet beautiful. I've read it in paperback form, but it comes as a board-book and also hardcover. It often becomes a re-read in one sitting with a child. - SH

---

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead

This story tugs at your heart, especially when everyone else is too busy to hear Bear's story. The illustrations provide the "hurry up feeling," drawing readers in. - SH

---

In November by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Jill Kastner

I love the lyrical words of this story. Illustrations come alive as families gather and share in the spirit of November. It's like Owl Moon for the fall. - SH

---

Fall is for Friends by Suzy Spafford

This one is hard to find anywhere; hopefully your local library or bookstore has a copy. This friendship story focuses on encouragement with a twist, as the girls try to encourage the fall leaves to drop from the branches. - SH

---

The Fall Festival (Little Critter Series) by Mercer Mayer

The Little Critter series was my favorite growing up. The illustrations are almost like a seek and find. I love the humor in each story. Technically this is a My First I Can Read book, but works as a picture book also. - SH

---

Savannah Hendricks is the author of the picture book NONNIE AND I, set in Botswana. She has more than 20 magazine publication credits to her name. Savannah writes for all ages and reads stories aloud to her dog for approval. You can find out more at her blog The Seashells of Life. 

Thanks so much Savannah! You can follow Savannah on Instagram at @authorsavannahhendricks and Twitter at @AuthorSavannah.

When the World Acts Up, Give it a Hug - A Guest Post by Rosie J. Pova

Hurricane Harvey rocked the state of Texas, and its impact continues to wave and ripple across our country. While the destruction has been inconceivable, the response to Harvey and Irma has been a reassuring emblem of love. A reflection of the positive potential of humanity.

My friend and picture book writing critique partner Rosie J. Pova is from Dallas. For her friends and family, Harvey's fury is personal. Rosie may look familiar, as I featured her earlier this year on the blog.

Below you'll find how Rosie and her writing community have rallied to support those in need. Thank you to Rosie for this special post. Our prayers go out to you and your community, and God bless all involved in this uplifting relief initiative.

In Rosie's word's...

Recently, my home state took a horrendous hit when Hurricane Harvey poured its rage over Houston. Without going into statistics about this unprecedented flood, which you can find here, one thing's for sure – the devastation it caused my neighboring city was heartbreaking. 

Dallas, where I live, was lucky enough to stay safe, but I feared for friends who live in Houston, including several fellow Clear Fork Publishing authors and illustrators. 

During those days of heavy rains and strong, destructive winds - when peril escalated by the hour - we exchanged prayers, sent out encouragement, and kept in touch through Clear Fork Publishing's private Facebook group. The updates were scary. The pictures looked surreal. We tried to stay positive. 

Naturally, as creative minds tend to do in times of crisis, we felt the need to channel all that energy into something beautiful. An idea sparked into the group as we united our positive vibes – the world needed a hug.

Our wonderful Texas-based publisher was quick to act on it and turn that idea into something tangible. Something inspiring. 

Clear Fork Publishing decided to put together an anthology titled A Hug for the World, consisting of poems, short stories and art, with all proceeds going toward Harvey relief. The amazing Callie Metler-Smith - the owner of CFP, whose heart is as big as Texas - posted a closed submission call for her authors and illustrators and A Hug for the World started to take shape.

I'm happy to announce that my submission to this inspiring project was accepted. My contribution is a poem titled Brotherhood and Love, and it's about – to quote my publisher who summarized it best – "standing with your fellow brother and lifting each other up in love."

I am so excited and proud of this collaboration of so many talents! Just to mention a few – Lynne Marie, Alayne Kay Christian,  Johnny Moore, Vanessa Newton, Melissa Stoller, Sherry Howard, Deborah Weed, Shelley Kinder, Callie Metler-Smith and on and on . . . The beautiful cover was designed by Carina Povarchik. 

The anticipation is building and I can't wait for the release of A Hug for the World, slated for 10/10/17. The love that this book will exude will be undeniable. This is our message for the world, and we'd like to share it with the world as we kindly give it a big hug. 

A Hug for The World:

Join Clear Fork Publishing's talented authors and illustrators as they celebrate a worldwide HUG in our new anthology. All proceeds will go to victims of Hurricane Harvey, as we are a Texas-based publisher and many of our authors and illustrators live in the Houston area. To pre-order, visit here.

Rosie J. Pova:

Rosie J. Pova is a children's author, poet, wife, and mother of three. Originally from Bulgaria, she now lives in Texas with her family. Rosie loves ice cream, but more than that, she loves to inspire children to dream big and follow their passions. No matter what kind of story she writes – funny, sweet or silly – she hopes to move her readers and warm their hearts.

Sarah's Song is Rosie's latest picture book release. It's a story about a granddaughter who comes to terms with her grandmother's failing health and how that affects the special bond the two share through music.

Rosie is also the author of If I Weren't With You (PB, Spork) and a humorous sci-fi novel, Hailey Queen Pranking Makes Perfect: The Alien Encounter, (MG, Spork). Visit her at www.rosiejpova.com and on Twitter at @RosiePOV.

How to Organize in Style: A Guest Post by Johanna Patterson

We love our home, but man - some things about it have really stumped us. Why is there no logical place for a TV in the family room? Why is the dining room so impossibly small? And the most vexing question of all: Where does that fridge ultimately need to land?

For FOUR YEARS, Dan and I have walked around in circles on the first floor, trying to determine the best possible use of the space. Finally, we lost our minds. We needed a fresh set of eyes on it. We needed a plan.

Enter Johanna Patterson, one of my sister Betsy's dear friends, pictured here with her beautiful family of five.

Johanna is a fantastic interior stylist and blogger. Her online magazine 5th and James is filled with relatable, approachable tips: Home styling with a side of life. You will be blown away by her personal fixer upper, featured HERE. The lady has vision.

Johanna - who helps people create beautiful spaces through her freelance styling business- worked up a new layout and flow for our home, and WHEW! It feels so good to have a plan. She also gave us a beautiful mood/inspo board, which completely nailed my favorite colors, textiles and finishes.

Now that school is back in session, a lot of us are in need of another kind of plan. One for family life organization. Oh no worries, Johanna's got that too! Here's a guest post from this savvy, stylish momma.

In Johanna's words...   

In my mind, when my husband and I decided to have children, I had visions of peace and harmony and skipping through life hand in hand. I thought immediately about all of the memories we’d make together as “a family." I imagined snuggling them as infants, swinging them at the park as toddlers and being their most trusted confidant as they neared adulthood. But I never considered the logistics it would take to actually get there. I never pictured myself yelling from the back door, “PLEASE. put. on. your. shoes.” 

Now: I am no parenting expert. I’m sure there are plenty of people who could weigh in on advice for what we all should do so that we don’t have to tell our darling children more than once to put on their shoes. I’m not that person. My children are 8, 6 and 4. They are the loves on my life. I adore every single part of them. But when they play house, they play “we’re late." My bad. 

To combat this type of insanity (make no mistake, telling a tiny human 78 times to put protection on their feet before stepping out into the frigid snow is nothing less than pure insanity), I started doing a few small things every day to help us all stay sane. As I alluded, in our house the things that trip us up the most are getting dressed and out the door. And the key to it all: organization. I know, nothing ground breaking, but none the less the magic ingredient to a Nice Mommy. And, because I like things to look pretty, and function easily, for me the key was to organize in style. And you can too. I promise. 

1. Schedule

Like many people, I keep our life organized in my phone. I love the google calendar that allows us to share and update our activities on the go. If I schedule an appointment that is divergent from our regular weekly schedule, such as a doctor’s appointment, I always select an alert to go off on my phone so that I can be reminded mid Costco run that I have a half hour to get out of there and into the waiting room.

But what I think is the key to keeping our schedule organized is breaking it down week by week at home, in real ink, the old fashioned way. We have come a long way in attractive planning systems. My favorite is this one from Pottery Barn. It allows you to view your whole month at a glance. You can color code different family members activities and keep important paperwork close by with the coordinating letter bins and pin-boards or whatever your space allows. 

Another idea is to just have an old fashioned planner. I have a planner always out on my counter. Every Sunday night, I flip to the next week ahead and fill in all of our activities from my master calendar on my phone. It not only serves as a reminder for me of what is coming up, but very often there is something that I need to do to prepare for an activity, and I then write that on the adjacent to-do list page. This way, as I head into the week, I feel organized and on top of things. Even when I have a hectic week and a packed to-do list.

I like to keep a running weekly to-do list and nothing satisfies me more than crossing things off that list. At the end of the week if items remain on that to-do list, I move it to the top of the list for the next week. This system makes me feel organized headed into each week, and doesn’t stress me out too badly over the things coming up in the following weeks. They aren’t bulky or a big jumbled mess on the refrigerator; they keep your life organized and your home polished. 

2. Plan Outfits Ahead of Time

I have two girls in my mix who are particular about what they wear right down to the coordinating accessories. In my experience, that isn’t something we can just throw together at the last minute. For us, the key to happiness here is setting out outfits the night before. That way it gives us plenty of time to set out the shoes and the tights and the hair accessories and all the fun that comes with getting a little girl dressed. (I do this for my son, as well. It just isn’t as involved.) 

An organized closet is the ticket to making this process painless. Invest in a closet organization system or have a local carpenter make one custom for you. Before you do so, think about the way you’ll use the closet. Gage for the amount of hanging clothes you have, the things that you want to be tucked away in drawers, and the things you’ll need shelf space for. We have an historic home, and even in our small closets, we were able to carve out space for organization.  When you can see everything you have, you are more inclined to wear it and the easier it is for little hands to reach, the more inclined our kids are to put their stuff away on their own. Can I get an AMEN?!

3. Double Up Downstairs

One day I was at my friend's house sitting in her kitchen when she opened a drawer at her island and pulled out a hairbrush. Eureka! Pure brilliance. She has four children; this was not her first rodeo.

In our house, we now keep toothpaste and a toothbrush for each child tucked away in the powder room drawer as well as a brush, rubber bands and detangling spray. After my kids get dressed each morning they come downstairs to eat breakfast. After breakfast we brush teeth and hair right there downstairs, grab our backpacks and go. Everything gets tucked away nicely in the drawer, and the next guest to use our powder room is none the wiser. 

4. A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place

I completely missed the memo on how much stuff we would accrue as a family. Backpacks, bags, shoes, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, boots, umbrellas, unicorns…. you know the drill. I needed a place for it all right when we came in the door to avoid the Hansel and Gretel style trail of personal items dropped throughout the house. For us, this came in the form of built in cubbies. Everyone has their own space, and there is a place for everything. Double hooks for backpacks and bags and coats; space for shoes, baskets for sunglasses, hats and mittens.  Basically, everything you need to get out the door. If you don’t have a spot for cubbies, there are really stylish wall systems now such as this one that make organizing a breeze. Or, even a set of hooks and baskets at child height in a front hall closet helps. The goal is really just to avoid the most annoying maternal question of all, 14 seconds before you’re supposed to be in the car, “Mom, where is my ______.”

5. A Dump Basket

Even the most organized of us all will still find their kids carrying around things (and leaving them around the house) and ask themselves, “where DOES that go?” Fidget spinners, mashems, lego creations, stuffed animals. For these such items, I keep a basket on the stairs.  When I come across an abandoned toy, it goes in the basket. At the end of the day, the kids are responsible for emptying the basket and putting its contents away. It usually takes them about five minutes, and it allows them to decide where that particular invaluable piece of plastic will live. Often times people will pop in my house and say, “I can’t believe three kids live here.  Where is all of their stuff?” My secret is: it’s in the basket. It’s out of my sight, and off my couch and they are in charge. I’m all about the win/win. 

Beautiful function is the key to this mama's happiness. It leaves time to have fun together and enjoy the millions of little things my kids do that I don’t want to miss. It frees up headspace otherwise occupied with anxiety about what lies ahead, and it’s nice to look at, too. Kids do not have to equal clutter. You just have to organize in style. 

Johanna is available for limited consultation services. For more, visit her blog 5th and James. You also can follow Johanna on Instagram at @5th_and_james.

Adventures in Meal Making: A Guest Post by Madelyn Dow

Adventure means something different in every decade of life. For instance, my 20s were all about relationships, career, travel and food. My 30s have been an adventure in marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship and writing. And food. Still food. Always food. 

It's a love I share with one of my very best friends, Madelyn Dow. While we both still relish going out to eat and commandeering the kitchen, we do far less of these things these days in Chicagoland, since our littles have entered the equation. So now we cook when we can, but not quite as we once did.

Backing up a bit, Madelyn and I met as flatmates in London a lifetime ago. Well, 16 years to be exact. I couldn't seem to find a picture of us from 2001, but I did find this one from eight years ago, when I had the time and energy to be both tan and blonde... Madelyn hasn't changed one single bit.

Madelyn is extremely modest, so let me just brag on her for a quick second. This is one amazing cook. She has made some legendary meals for her friends and family. Her menus are adventurous but not fussy. Her dishes are inspired but not over the top. She is faithful to seasonal ingredients and everything is always delicious. 

Because she is a natural entertainer, Madelyn makes it all look so very easy. You feel her joy for it in her preparations and presentations. It's a blessing being on the receiving end of her warmth, generosity and love - in the kitchen and in every facet of life. 

Madelyn has shared a post with us about what cooking looks like for her these days, and she keeps it real! Through the hustle and bustle of parenthood, she makes time to create special foods for and with her kids. You'll love these recipes! And these kids, too. I mean...

In Madelyn's words...

Before having kids, eating was basically my primary hobby. I would scour every “Best of Chicago” list and plan my nights and weekends around the food I could try. I made elaborate meals on the reg and tried to go to every farmers market in Chicago one summer (see Madelyn Goes to Market #failedblog).

To no one's surprise, very little of this was possible the moment our daughter Ima arrived. My husband and I would still try to go out to eat from time to time and would even drag our little along, sometimes in the hopes she would learn to appreciate food as much as we do by osmosis. But with the post-work, pre-bedtime weeknight rush, meals at home were typically more boxed mac and cheese and frozen burritos and less multi-step homemade dinners whipped up from my farmers markets finds.

When our son Elliott came along, the conundrum was compounded even further. Simplicity and convenience were of utmost importance. If I couldn't order it online or make it in 15 minutes, it wasn't happening. On weekends though I tried to find ways to make food in whatever time I had.

When Ima started on solids, I made homemade purées with combos like pear and cardamom, in an attempt to make her a more adventurous eater (let me be real though... while my daughter was amenable to this, Elliott won't touch anything green and would eat pizza for every meal if we let him). Or, when Elliott was sleeping a ton during the day at first and Ima and I had some alone time, we started to bake and make things together. She loved measuring ingredients and pouring (what 2-year-old doesn't?), so we made something every Friday on my day off.

Now that I stay home with my kids full time, we try to make something outside of our regular meals at least once a week. I still keep it simple and only make things with them that can be done in 15 minutes or so in the event of a meltdown, blowout or my son trying to eat my dog's food, which happens on a daily basis (side note: why, oh why is he okay with dog food but not black bean quesadillas or sesame green beans or most things we make for dinner?? I'll never understand). 

Here are a few warm weather recipes that fit all of my criteria and also make great after school snacks:

• Kids love to eat them
• Kids can get involved in making them
• They can be made in short windows (before something goes awry)
• They are sort of healthy, or at least not terrible for the kids

The first are homemade watermelon popsicles. Since setting out to make popsicles, I've found so many recipes out there that have little to no added sugar and that the kids still think are a treat. This recipe from The Kitchn is one of those.

I bought a giant watermelon recently and despite eating it every day, we still had tons left. So my daughter helped me combine all the ingredients in the blender and pour them into the molds to make these popsicles - just three ingredients. (Note: you'll need some sort of popsicle mold. I bought this set on Amazon, and it's stood the test of many popsicle making sessions.) 

The other food that we've made and my kids can't get enough of are these super easy refrigerator pickles from Smitten Kitchen.

It's like a pickle eating contest between my son and daughter when we make them... amazing given Elliott's opposition to anything green.

The recipe calls for specific kinds of cucumbers, but I've made them with whatever I have on hand or could find at the grocery and they've always been sooooo good. We decided to grow dill in our backyard this year, which was the best decision ever given my little pickle lovers, plus they love to pick the dill before we make these. Ima also loves combining the ingredients and both kids get in on the shaking action. 

While this may be a far cry from fine dining, I like to think of it as fun way of getting the kids involved in making some good homemade food with delicious summer ingredients. Hope you and your families enjoy too!

Thank you Madelyn! I hope this post has provided a few ideas on how to involve the littles in your meal making and introduce them to new flavors and textures, without stress and crazy expectations. The popsicles will definitely be getting a go at our house...