We took our kids on an evening walk. I watched my little girl ride her bike next to her baby brother in his stroller, and I realized how much life has changed since this month last year, how our family has grown. So much growth, in such a short time. Motherhood seems to be like … Continue reading Motherhood: The season of so much and so little
The nights our little village has the local farmer’s market and music in the park are like summer magic. I find myself writing about these nights often because they are somewhat of a dream come true for me. We moved to our small town about 8 years ago now, and for 4.5 years we knew … Continue reading Setting down roots: growing together in motherhood
I look at the clock. We’re an hour out from when we should leave the house and it’s go time. Breakfast for everyone, diaper change, brush teeth, another diaper change for the baby, brush my own teeth, realize there’s not enough time to shower and my husband already left for work so no one to … Continue reading Running Late or Staying present
It was the end of the day. Her baby brother had been taking her things since the moment they woke up. She is the kindest, most loving, big sister though and she had been patient all day long. She waited while I nursed her brother, prepped meals, held him for multiple naps, and switched the … Continue reading A Walk: Simplifying Childhood Connection
It’s one of those days that revives your spirit. And your mom heart. And possibly your mental health. The sun is shining and it’s not too hot out; the perfect day for the splash pad. The kids are excited and it’s my baby’s first time outside of the womb experiencing a real summer excursion like … Continue reading Summer Simplicity: Splashpad mom
It was last Easter that I had a game changer realization. I had borrowed a second crockpot from a friend so that I could have the meat and mashed potatoes cooking at the same time while we were at church, ensuring I would be able to host dinner in a timely manner. I was nearing … Continue reading Simplifying Motherhood in the kitchen: The Two crockpot method
I've recently been feeling conviction over how we leave this planet for the next generation. When I look at my sweet baby girl, and I think of the world I want her to live in, I'm reminded that change starts with me. But it continues with her. In my efforts to teach her to love … Continue reading Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in the Playroom
I've been waiting years to explore the world with my own child, and now that she's finally here I'm having so much fun putting all of my expertise in Early Childhood Education to work in my own home after nearly a decade of sharing the fun with other kiddos as I nannied and taught two … Continue reading The Olsonhaus Playroom: 5 Fun Sensory and Fine Motor Activities for Babies/Young Toddlers
As we are headed for even more snow this week in Wisconsin, I thought it might be timely to share one of my biggest Nanny tips: The Magical Giant Roll of Paper! Simple enough, I know, but the possibilities for creativity here are endless. Our specific roll was purchased at Target and was Elmer's Brand, … Continue reading The Childhood Magic of a Giant Roll of Paper: 7 Ways to Chase Away the Kiddo’s Cabin Fever
This blog is a place for all of my things. All of my thoughts about infertility, adoption, high risk pregnancies, motherhood. But also just some fun things, like activities I created while I was a two year old teacher/piano teacher/nanny. With the windchill nearing -50 degrees here in Wisconsin, and all the kiddos home from … Continue reading Snow Day: Life Sized Candyland
I’ve been feeling the familiar pressure of burn out for weeks now. Dealing with my baby boy’s constant facial eczema, misdiagnosis’ for my own health, scheduling and rescheduling a kidney surgery for myself which will put me out of commission, trying to prepare for said surgery by making sure I pump enough milk, homeschooling my … Continue reading The Burnout
The Olsonhaus 