Most people I know are eager to welcome the approach of Spring and all that goes with it:  opening the windows for fresh air, planting flowers, putting out the patio furniture.  What most people are probably not thrilled about?  Spring cleaning.

The idea of giving your house a good old fashioned…

It’s no secret that obesity is a problem in the United States.  And in spite of the fact that a hunger problem exists as well, our population as a whole eats more and moves less than the citizens of other countries.  Sadly, it’s no longer just affecting adults, but children as well.  Even though medicine has made huge strides and people, on average, are living longer, it has been said that today’s generation of children and teenagers may not live as long as their parents will.  So,…

If you read my post last Monday, which you can access here, you know that cooking was never my favorite household chore.  It always ranked right up there with ironing and scrubbing the toilet bowl.  But the family has to eat, am I right?

Actually, it wasn’t the cooking part that I had an aversion to, nor was it wondering what to make.  I have tons of great cookbooks and recipes that have been handed down over the years so culinary ideas are not the issue.  It wasn’t even the cleanup…

"Methought I heard a voice cry, 'Sleep no more!"

- William Shakespeare, …

** Daylight Savings is clearly one of Satan's brilliant ideas.

** Me sitting on the toilet is evidently an open invitation for a party in the bathroom.

** The white crusty stuff around the top of the milk carton is seriously nasty.

** A bouquet of balloons always sounds like a good idea until you try to get them into the…

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My daughter, Hana, often comes up with ideas to enlarge our little family, though I always teach her that Every Family is Different. The most common idea is for Mommy and Daddy to get back together. If you’ve kept up…

http://www.thepiggytoes.com/2013/03/14/the-lowdown/

Here’s the lowdown peeps.  No story today; just the facts about all of our PiggyToes!…

The dilemma is probably as old as motherhood itself.  How DO you get your kids to eat their vegetables?  When I was a kid, I remember hating a LOT of things my mom put on my plate:  beets, apple sauce, mustard, spinach, radishes (still not a fan – sorry Mom) and a bunch of other things.  I always felt like they were on my plate to punish me for something I had done wrong.

As years went by, my taste buds matured and I developed a liking for everything on this list – except for…

There are none. Especially, don't use it to brush your teeth. Yes, I tried it; No, not on purpose; And no, I wasn't even old or a mom yet, so I really can't use senility, "Mommy Brain," or sleep deprivation for an excuse.

I was babysitting my niece one day, and we both took a big nap after lunch. I woke up…

** I most certainly did NOT inherit my mom's hair-braiding skills.

** Apparently, Gap Kids sells husky-sized skinny jeans.  Anybody else confused?

** Winter can kiss…

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There's something exhilarating about a good, old-fashioned battle of the wills between myself and my daughter. Partly, I think, because we're very well-matched in this area. She is a worthy opponent. An expert at holding her ground.



But guess what, little one, so am I. Not all the time, mind you. Just when I feel like it. Eliza's the exact same way. Most of the time she does what I tell…

Cell phones have become a way of life and more and more I see them in the hands of youngsters.  Many families no longer have a house phone (mine included) because everyone is reachable via cell.  Have you ever seen that commercial where everyone is fighting over the minutes in the data plan?  It goes something like…

How do we achieve happiness as a family, especially when you consider varying personalities, interests and communication styles? Not to mention different genders and ages, two-adult homes and one-adult homes? I recently read an article based on a book by Bruce Feiler on this very topic. He introduces some interesting facts and concepts I think worthy of sharing. In our incredibly fast paced lives, full of stress and worry how do we find peace at home?

I think most people have heard…

I know that my son gets plenty of vitamins because he takes a fantastic supplement and I “hide” vegetables and fruits in just about everything (might have to do a post about that).  But when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables in their natural state, it’s all about the “dip”.

He doesn’t like apple slices unless there is peanut butter involved.  Forget about carrots if there is no ranch dressing.  Salad?  Better have some raspberry vinaigrette.  I should be glad, I know but I…

** Shoveling snow by hand should be followed by a massage.  And possibly a lobotomy.

** The past several days have been like tantric sex.  Minus the sex part.

** If I ever need a good giggle, I turn to …

http://www.thepiggytoes.com/2013/02/28/welcome-to-the-world-mario/

On Monday, February 25, 2013, we welcomed our 3rd son into the world…

He’s perfect… all 8 lb. 6 oz. of him…

From his dark head of hair down to his 10 tiny PiggyToes…

We are…

Parents it is very important that you have a continuous relationship with their child as they are growing up so that when your child becomes a teenager, you will know them well enough to determine when they aren’t telling you the truth.  Kids will tell you a story if they think that they can get away with it.…

Every New Year, thousands of people (if not more) make the resolution to get fit.  They sign up for gym memberships, buy workout DVD’s, and order the latest and greatest gadget from a slick infomercial on TV.  And usually about this time of year, several weeks in, a large majority of these same people let the…

http://www.thepiggytoes.com/2013/02/23/sports-talk-2-days-before-dd/

2 Sleeps Peeps; that’s all.

I’ve lifted up my shirt maybe 5,793,421 times because every twist, lift and crunch feels like I released 497 stretch marks.  And then, No.  Not so… Not one… YET.  They’re there though; I feel them…