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A Crazy Morning

OK... I just had to share. Moms and Dads, you know how crazy mornings can be. Well, here's what happened at the Vanderford household today.

The Effects of 9/11

Where were you on September 11th 2001? During this month, we've been remembering that fateful day ten years ago. It had an impact on how I viewed the world, and on what was most important to me.

Starting School, Then and Now

Last week, our TV station asked for pictures of us starting school. It’s so fun to look back at these “old” pictures. I now think about my two kids starting school. Sure, the anticipation and mix of emotions are still the same, but the settings have changed a bit.

She's an American Girl

She’s All-American and will cost you $100. It’s the American Girl and the company's motto is about celebrating girls and all that they can be. Granted these dolls are adorable, but as parents you have to be prepared to shell out the cash for happy little girls.

Overheard Going to Vacation Bible School

Recently my kids attended the Vacation Bible School put on at our babysitter’s church called "PandaMania"! Sure, the kids LOVED the theme, but Jon and I loved the “kidmania” that we experienced on our morning drive to the church.

The Lost Tooth

When you’re six years old, a little piece of enamel is a big deal. And when you lose that little piece of enamel before you can give it to the Tooth Fairy, well that’s a major problem in a child’s world.

Play Ball! It's A Home Run Birthday

Every year, my kids pick a theme for their parties. In April, Olivia chose a mermaid theme. And last year, you may have remembered Jacob's platypus party?! What can I say, he was into bizarre Australian animals! Well, this was Jacob's year for going all out with sports.

An Old-Fashioned Family Vacation

Summer 2011…time for another Vanderford vacation. Where to this year? Well, in a world filled with Wii games, iPads and frenzy-filled amusement parks, our family opted for a breath of fresh air, literally.

It’s Going Too Fast, May 27, 2011

Where has the year gone? You could say I’m one of those emotional moms. I cry on the first day of school, the last day of school and at those little moments in between. It’s hard to believe that my baby is now a 1st grader!!

Manners Matter, May 18

“Remember to say please and thank you!” These are the last words my kids usually hear from me as they shut the car door and trot off to school. It’s my friendly little “manners” reminder.

From Oh No to OK! May 6

It’s only a few days until Mother’s Day, and here I am scurrying around working on Mother’s Day cards. My kids were filling out their cards for grandmas when a mistake happened. This little problem became a learning moment for me this Mother's Day.

Talking to Kids About Osama bin Laden's Death, May 4

As a parent, you want to shield your kids from bad news. And the death of Osama bin Laden is high on that list of troubling news. But, my kids overheard us talking about bin Laden, and they were confused and scared. I plan to sit down with my kids and tell them what happened at a level that is appropriate for their age.

It’s a Mermaid Party! April 27

Life is the bubbles when you go “under the sea” for a party! Recently, we made a splash with a 6-year-old birthday bash! My daughter Olivia turned six on April 16th. Every year my kids pick a theme for their birthday parties. This year, Olivia chose a Mermaid Party!

Happy 90th Birthday, Grammy! April 15

What do you get someone who’s experienced 90 wonderful years of life? That’s the question I pondered a few weeks ago as I thought about what to get my grandma for this special birthday.

Spring Break 2011, April 4

When you think of Spring Break, the beach, wild parties and drinking alcohol may come to mind. Well, for the Vanderford family, the words synonymous with Spring Break 2011 are: the mountains, swimming in a hotel pool and sipping Jamba Juice smoothies. The end of March, we packed up our little red SUV and drove west to Colorado.

Birthday Wishes, March 22

March 16th was my birthday. I turned _______. We’ll leave that blank for now. It’s funny how as we get older birthdays start to creep up on us. My kids can’t wait for their birthdays and their themed-parties. They count down the days. I think adult birthdays can be fun, too, if we try to make that day SPECIAL.

Get in the Game, March 10

It’s March Madness! And that means it’s time for hoops! From the state level to the national stage, basketball teams are competing for trophies and bragging rights. This past weekend, we had the chance to be fans for my high school girls basketball team.

Answering the Tough Questions, Feb. 24

“Why do people have to die?” my little five year old asked. When a little blond-haired girl with teary eyes looks up at you with a simple, yet poignant question, what do you do?

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Feb. 16

Sometimes you have a great weekend. We just had one of those. It was Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! The Broadway musical “Mary Poppins” was at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha for a few weeks. I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to expose the kids to the theater.

Tickled Pink, Feb. 1

My little girl is tickled pink. We decided that a new year called for a new room. And when I say a "new room", I don't mean new furniture, bedding or even a totally different room. For a "new room", you just need a fresh perspective.

Only 17 and a Pageant Queen, January 18

There she is...Miss America. Most of us know the song but not many knew the 17-year-old girl who claimed that title.

The Boy with Bowl Mania

What if we picked the winners of football games purely by their mascots? Well, maybe my 8-year-old son is on to something. It's the bowl season in the crazy world that is college football.

My Favorite Show, Dec. 29

On Sunday night, the night after Christmas, "The Sound of Music" was on network television. And even though I own this family favorite, there's something special about watching it on TV...commercials and all. So the kids and Jon and I settled in on a winter's night to hear "My Favorite Things" and watch that famous nun in my favorite show.

Friendly Combat, Dec. 17

The battle has begun! Where are those Christmas elves when you need them? They need to report to Santa about some naughty behavior going on at the Vanderford house. It's not intentional malice. It's what you'd call friendly combat.

Still My Baby, Dec. 10

As you know, my youngest child started school this year. And as a kindergartner, my little girl tries to act so grown up at times. But, for all her "wanna be" big girl ways, there are moments when she's still my baby.