When a House Becomes a Home

One week from today my husband and I will celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. It's amazing how quickly time flies, but what's even more amazing is how much our lives have changed in just six years. We got married young, pretty much one year after graduating college. We started our lives with very little in our bank account, living in a small apartment, and loving every second of it.

We were very happy renting a small place and getting our feet on the ground. However, kids were always in the back of our minds. We weren't in a rush, but we knew we wanted to have them and we had a goal. Our goal was to buy a house and be settled in a nice suburban neighborhood before expanding our family. So we set our minds to it and saved, saved, saved.

Buying a house isn't easy and it certainly isn't cheap. But we really looked at it as an investment and felt confident that we were making the right move. While we felt ready we still felt scared. But there are resources and people to turn to when making a big decision like buying a house and keeping that house. Mortgage Refinance Rates can help you to figure out if you could be saving money on your mortgage. It's a big commitment and you want to look out for yourself and your finances throughout the home owning experience.

Buying a house was the right decision for us. After renting for three years we moved into our home and had our baby girl about one year later. We are still happily living in that home!

* This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

10th Anniversary Edition - The Princess Diaries 1 and 2 on Blu-ray

For the First Time on Blu-ray

To commemorate the 10th anniversary† of a cherished family classic, Disney proudly presents a special movie collection featuring two modern-day fairy tales, The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, for the first time ever on Blu-ray! Starring Academy Award®-Winning Actress Julie Andrews (Best Actress, Mary Poppins, 1964) and Academy Award-Nominated Actress Anne Hathaway (Best Actress, Rachel Getting Married, 2008), these two heartwarming and hilarious movies will touch your heart.

As the future queen of Genovia, Princess Mia has everything a girl could want – except the enchanting romance she’s always dreamed of. Comic complications rule the day in these delightfully engaging stories about finding out who you really are and discovering what it takes to make your dreams come true! Relive all the magic and excitement of these two beloved favorites on this 3-Disc Combo Pack, which includes a DVD of each film. Share the laughter and the love for the first time on Disney Blu-ray. 

Princess Diaries Film Synopsis:           

Mia Thermopolis is the average teenager - sweet, a little geeky, and pretty much invisible to everyone with the exception of her mother, best friend Lilly and Lilly's older brother Michael. Making it through high school without throwing up is a challenge in itself for Mia, so it doesn't come as welcome news when her estranged grandmother shows up out of the blue and calmly informs her that she is in fact the heir to the throne of a European country called Genovia. Suddenly Mia's life is thrown into complete overload. She's being taught about scarves, waves and pears in order to become a perfect princess, she gets a makeover and a tough looking yet sweet bodyguard/limo driver called Joe. Things get out of hand when the media gets a hold of the story and suddenly Mia is thrust into the spotlight in both the newspapers and in school. On top of all that Mia has a choice to make. She must decide by Genovia's Independence Day Ball whether she longs to relinquish her claim on the throne or to become the princess and heir to the throne her father and grandmother want her to be.

Princess Diaries 2 Film Synopsis:        

Starring the irresistible Anne Hathaway and Academy Award Winner Julie Andrews (Best Actress, Mary Poppins), this modern-day fairy tale picks up right where The PrincessDiaries left off!  As future queen of Genovia, Princess Mia (Hathaway) has everything a girl could want – except the magical romance she’s always dreamed of.  But soon, Mia’s shocked to discover that she needs to get married right now or her family will lose the crown! Comic complications rule the day in this delightful family story about finding out who you really are and discovering what it takes to make your dreams come true!

My Thoughts:

I had already seen both of these films prior to this special release. They are really fun movies that send some really nice messages. It's every girl's dream to wake up one morning and realize you are royalty, but it's not Mia's. Through these funny films you get a glimpse into just how hard it is to live up to the royal expectations. Mia isn't the typical princess and has to make some compromises to fit the part, but she still remains true to who she is, what she believes in, and who her friends are. Laugh out loud as you follow Mia through a hilarious transformation of the outside while realizing just how beautiful she is on the inside. In the end you can clearly see what matters to her most, her family and being true to herself.

This is a definite fun family film that will have you all laughing. It would make for a great double feature movie night!

Birthday Bash - Manaia Baby

Talk about talent! This momma has a shop on Etsy that is full of fabulously girly finds. From beautiful headbands to fancy butterfly wings to tutu's and tutu dresses. As you browse all of the handcrafted items you are overcome with bright colors, beautiful flowers, and frills fit for a princess!

I was lucky enough to snatch this momma up for our birthday event. I received one of the tutu dresses inspired by one of my daughter's favorite princess's, Snow White. The minute my daughter saw this sparkly dress she was in love!

These pictures don't do the dress justice as it is actually made of two different types of yellow tulle, one of which is filled with sparkles. I love how the blue and red stand out so nicely with a small pop of color.

My daughter said she felt like a real princess in this dress. She danced around and said she was a ballerina princess!

Manaia Baby has so many wonderful items for you to explore. Whether you are looking for a special tutu dress or some fabulous accessories for a holiday... this is the place to look! She currently has 62 affordable items for you to browse.

Birthday Bash - Century Novelty

When planning a party I am always on the lookout for those different items that just add something special to the event. This year I was working with a Disney Princess theme but I wanted to add some touches that went with the theme but weren't Disney. I turned to a great site, Century Novelty, to find some magic touches!

Century Novelty is a great place to go when planning any sort of event. Their website is easy to navigate and search for what you're looking for. For my event I types in princess and came across these adorable tiaras that would made the perfect touch for each little girl to receive when they walked into the party.

I placed one tiara in front of each child's goodie bag.

From there I found so many great items! I found balloon holders that had crowns in them, crowns for the boys to wear, necklaces for each princess to receive and wands for them to feel truly magical. Each item added a special touch to a wonderful and special day! We even got princess bubbles to put out on the tables for all the guests. Bubble blowing contests were happening all over the place!

Be sure to check out all the fun and affordable items from Century Novelty for your next party or event!

*I received samples to write this review. However, all opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Honey Bunches of Oats

 I had never tried Honey Bunches of Oats and neither had my husband. So when we received a box to try through the Purex Insiders we were both anxious to give it a try! We received the Honey Roasted flavor, so we poured a bowl filled with crispy flakes, crunchy oat clusters, and a touch of honey.

The verdict was great! My husband described it as light and tasty. He specifically liked the crunchy oat clusters. We both liked that it was a little sweet with the honey but didn't taste sugary sweet like so many other kinds of cereals. A bowl kept us full and satisfied until lunch, which is sometimes tough to do!

 I was shocked when I turned the box over to see the wide variety of flavors that they offer. They have Honey Bunches of Oats with strawberries, pecan bunches, cinnamon bunches, raisin medley, vanilla bunches, peaches, almonds, and their new fruit blends. So many sound delicious and we can't wait to give them a try! Combine the taste with the fact that they offer 10g of whole grains per serving and are heart healthy and you just can't beat it!

You can learn more about Honey Bunches of Oats on their facebook page at www.facebook.com/honeybunchesofoats.


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* Post provided a free sample of their Honey Bunches of Oats - Honey Roasted so I could review them. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

Birthday Bash - Kids Party World

Every year I get so excited to pick the perfect theme for my little one's birthday party. I did "Fun to be One" for her first birthday and a "Tea for Two" tea party theme for her second birthday. This year I had tons of ideas floating around in my head when, to my surprise, my little told ME what she wanted for a theme!

In March we went to Disney for the first time with our little girl and she has had princess's on the brain ever since. So she chose a Disney Princess theme... which is great because there is so much adorable stuff out there to decorate and dress up your party. Kids Party World is the perfect place to go for all the fun stuff you need to make a party special... and they have every theme you could imagine! Not only does KidsPartyWorld.com have great kids birthday themes, but also a huge selection of party supplies for every occasion.

I was lucky enough to receive an entire party pack highlighting the great products that Kids Party World has to offer!

Within this pack I had everything I needed to throw a royal bash for my little one and 7 of her closest friends. They had me covered from plates, napkins, and cups to goodie bags and all the goodies to fill them. My daughter and all of her princess friends were thrilled and I was thrilled to be able to just add a few decorations and be done! Kids Party World sure made it easy to throw a great party.

Kids Party World is the perfect one stop shopping for party items at great prices. Whether you are planning a kids party, a graduation party, or even a party for adults... they have tons for you to pick from!


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Birthday Bash - String Things

String Things is another fabulous find on Etsy! This shop specializes in making gorgeous tutu dresses that will surely make any little girl feel like a princess. There are several options listed in her shop, such as Tinkerbell, Alice in Wonderland, a ladybug, Rapunzel and more. But she is also more than happy to create a custom dress just for you in the colors you would like!

For this event I was lucky enough to receive her gorgeous Cinderella dress for my own little princess.

This dress was obviously created with great time and care. I love the top and how the little touches go a long way. The dress is also very full making it a great dress to wear for a fun event, like a birthday. My daughter loves to twirl around in this dress!

If you are looking for a beautiful tutu dress I would definitely recommend that you check out String Things!

Birthday Bash - MyBabyClothes.com

When my little one's birthday rolls around I know that summer is on it's way! In fact, the year that she was born she was born the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. So as I am planning her party I also have summer on my mind. And with summer comes her fabulous summer wardrobe!!

MyBabyClothes.com is one of my favorite sites. They offer an incredible variety of stylish and unique baby clothes, accessories, tutus, baby headbands and more. And with the hot summer sun you will be sure to want to check out all the adorable baby hats they have in stock.

Every outfit that I have received from MyBabyClothes.com has come fast and in perfect condition. The products they carry are high quality at affordable prices. And they have tons of options for boys or girls. And the outfit I received this time was all that I expected and more!

This is the Bonnie Jean Yellow Ruffle Tunic and Capri Set.  I ordered a size up since my daughter seems to sprout like a bean towards the middle of the summer! I adore this set because I can use the tunic alone on a hot summer day and throw on the leggings as the night cools down. I love how bright and fun the colors are. This outfit just screams summer to me! And it's very soft and comfortable for my little one to run and play in while still looking stylish and cute.

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*I received one or more of the above mentioned items for review purposes. However, all opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

GetCoffee.com Review

My husband and I are big coffee drinkers. We don't just drink it for the caffeine boost in the morning (though we certainly need that with out active three year old), but we genuinely enjoy the taste. Because of this we are always on the lookout for quality coffee flavors that we can fully enjoy. I love coffee with a little added flavor because I drink my coffee black. So I can really indulge in the aroma and taste of a steaming hot cup of coffee.

A few weeks ago I came across a site that I hadn't visited before through twitter. Getcoffee.com is a great site to visit when looking for some high quality coffee. And this site has several ways to make your shopping experience even easier. If you're a little unsure of what you are looking for you can take advantage of their suggestion tool to help guide you by what you like. And once you've found a flavor you love you can use the Auto-Refill to make sure your coffee arrives on your doorstep right when you need it. Imagine never having that heart wrenching feeling when you realize you are out of coffee and you have a big day ahead of you!

With all that GetCoffee.com has to offer I was really excited when they offered me the chance to pick a flavor to try for myself. After browsing their selection I decided on Espresso #9. On the product page you can learn everything you need to know about your selection from it's region to it's roast level. Then you can read about the distinct flavors that are present, and in this particular brew I was really looking forward to the black cherry and fudge flavors!

The coffee arrived quickly and at the perfect time. We were having a bunch of family come for my daughter's birthday, so my husband brewed up a nice big pot and we passed it around.  The results we unanimous that this coffee is delicious! From the aroma to the taste it was a great start to a busy morning. Be sure to head on over to GetCoffee.com and check out all they have to offer!

*I received one or more of the above mentioned items for review purposes. However, all opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Happy Birthday, Princess!

I can't believe that my little girl is three years old today! These past three years have been the fastest and best years of my life. I never could have predicted the love that I feel for her. She is truly amazing in so many ways. Every day gets better and better as she grows into a little girl.

Three short years bring so much change!

Costume Super Center - Cinderella Review

This past weekend was my daughter's 3rd birthday party. She decided that she wanted to have a Disney Princess theme so I really ran with it. I wanted to make the day as magical and special as I could. So as part of her special day I wanted her to get to dress up as her favorite princess. Well, that's easier said then done since her favorite princess changes  by the day. But she said she wanted to be Cinderella which I thought would be the perfect fir for the party!

We have several princess dresses but we didn't have a Cinderella dress. Luckily Costume Super Center came to the rescue! They have an amazing selection of costumes for boys, girls, infants, and adults. Anything you are looking for you can find there. I love having this site available to me throughout the year when the need arises for a costume. My daughter adores dressing up so shopping online makes it easy and affordable to let her imagination run wild with costumes galore!

I am so thrilled with the Cinderella costume! It has some really nice details like pearls drapped across the top and a Cinderella broach in the center. The skirt is sparkly and she certainly felt like a princess. I received so many comments about how beautiful she looked and how nice it was that she dressed the part.

Costume Super Center made this a very positive experience. The size was just right, it arrived quickly, and it is a great product. I would definitely recommend you check them out this Halloween or for any special costume needs you may have.

BabyLegs Review

As a girl that grew up in the 80's I fin legwarmers to be stylish and fun. So when I found out I was having a little girl I knew she would need legwarmers. Besides being really adorable on little chubby legs they are also very functional. Legwarmers allow you to dress your little one in cute dresses while still keeping her legs warm, protecting your babies knees as they learn to crawl, and a really easy item to wear when potty training.

BabyLegs is definitely the place to go if you are in the market for some stylish and fun legwarmers. They have an amazing selection of colors and designs for boys and girls. And they are a smart investment as they will fit for several years. We wear them everywhere from dance class, to school, to under our fancy dresses.

I was really excited to learn about a great product for summer, which is creeping up on us at lightning speed! In their BabyCool collection you can find a sweet pair of legwarmers called Summer Love Legwarmers. These legwarmers are light weight with a mesh style. They also contain UPF 50+ protection when they are wet or dry, making them the perfect summer accessory! I don't know about you, but in the spring and summer we tend to have a lot more skinned knees. These soft legwarmers offer some protection for my little ones knees while also protecting from the sun. Love it!

They also currently have two other designs in the BabyCool collection, Dino Stomp and Shark Attack.

A Birthday Princess

So you may have noticed my posts have been few and far between for last week or so. Well, that has been because I was in full party planning mode! This past weekend we celebrated my little princess's 3rd birthday. She won't be three until later this week... so the celebrating is continuing. But we had a beautiful day that was full of family, food, and fun!

So now that things are starting to quiet down I will be back! I have lots of great posts coming up. AND... a birthday event you are all going to love! With tons of great giveaways. That will be happening at the end of the month so keep your eyes peeled.

Tea's New Summer Collection - Review

Summer is upon us and one of my favorite things to do to get ready for the heat is to shop for a new wardrobe for my daughter! I can openly admit that dressing my little one up in beautiful dresses and cute outfits has been a part of my dreams since I found out I was having a girl. And Tea is definitely the place to go to find those fun summer outfits... for girls and boys ages 0-12!

I am always looking for something unique. Something that's stylish but will stand out at the playground. Tea's new summer collection is filled with great pieces for any activity. They have bright and cheerful dresses, t-shirt and shorts sets, light weight pajamas, and the ever adorable rompers.

I was beyond thrilled to learn that I would have the chance to check out some of these new pieces in person. When my package arrived I dove right in to see which pieces were chosen for my little one to try out. Inside I found the beautiful Two Tie Surf Lily Dress, the Moon Orchid Trapeze Dress, and the fun Two Tie Romper.

What I love so much about this entire line is that it provides comfort while staying stylish. Every item I received was soft and light weight. Exactly what I would want to put on my daughter on a hot summer day to keep her cool and comfortable. But while they're comfy and light they are also full of color, shape, and style.

I would highly recommend that you check out Tea and all that they have to offer. i am a big fan of the quality and variety, and I'm sure you'll find something you love!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Nappers Review

I had seen the commercial for Happy Nappers and I thought they looked really cute. They come as this pillow that is the Happy Nappers special home. There's a big door on the front that has a doorbell. When you ring the doorbell you can hear your special friend sleeping inside. The door zips open and out comes your Happy Napper friend. So your pillow house now transforms into a cuddly friend!

I recently had the opportunity to pick out a Happy Napper for review. I had a hard time picking from their cute selection. But I eventually decided that my daughter would be most excited about the Unicorn who comes inside a purple castle. She loves purple and castles so I knew this would be a hit!

When our Happy Napper arrived I brought the castle into my daughter's playroom while she wasn't looking and rang the doorbell. When the unicorn began snoring she immediately turned to see what I had. I told her I had a special friend inside the castle but that she was sleeping. My daughter was so excited. She tip-toes over and asked if we could open the door. She slowly unzipped to see who was inside. When we pulled out the magical unicorn her face lit up!

She has a little trouble transforming from the castle to the unicorn and the other way around. But she's only two and will probably have that mastered in no time. She get s a real kick out of the doorbell and loves to tuck her sleepy friend in at night. She began calling it her cuddly buddy and has slept with it every night since we go it. I am excited to get her another one form this cute collection!

Check out Happy Nappers and their selection online. You can also get free shipping by using the code SPECIAL4U.

*I was provided one of more of the above mentioned product for review purposed. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Peter Rabbit Organics

Ever since my daughter started solid foods the ONLY way I can get her to eat any vegetables is when they are in pouches. She's a little better with fruit and will eat them on their own. But she absolutely adores the fruit and veggie blends offered by Peter Rabbit Organics.

Since she is such a big fan we have been enjoying this delicious snacks for quite some time now. So when I learned that they were adding even more flavors to their menu I was thrilled! The more foods and tastes I can get her exposed to the better. Plus, I can feel good about giving her these as a snack. They are 100% organic and don't contain any added sugar or anything artificial. And they couldn't be more convenient to toss in my bag when we are on the run since they don't need to be refrigerated before opening!

They now have a total of 11 different flavors.
Peach and Apple – New!      
Banana and Apple – New!      
Pear and Apple – New!      
Pear and Pea – New!        
Pumpkin, Carrot and Apple – New!         
Apple and Grape       
Mango, Banana and Orange        
Strawberry and Banana       
Pea, Spinach and Apple        
Sweet Potato, Corn and Apple    
Carrot, Squash and Apple

As you can see, Peter Rabbit Organics are a huge hit in my house! Banana and Apple seems to be the new favorite. We go through them like crazy. Fortunately, they are pretty easy to find. On their website you can find out "Where to Buy" these tasty treats. They are offered at many places including Kings and Whole Foods. You can also find them online at Amazon.com and Target.com.

* I received one or more of the above mentioned products for review purposes. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

My Blog Spark and Cheerios - Giveaway

I love shopping at Costco. Buying in bulk saves me time and money. I make less frequent trips to the store and am always confident that I have what I need on hand. One of the things that I used to buy in bulk but have since stopped doing is cereal. Don't get me wrong, our family goes through a lot of cereal. But the boxes were just too big and my cereal was often going stale before we were getting to the bottom of it.

I was super excited when I learned from My Blog Spark and Cheerios that Cheerios is now offering the great 2 box design at Club stores! This way you are getting the value of buying in bulk, but the two separate boxes allow you to open as needed and not have a huge bag of cereal open and going stale in the cabinet.  It also makes them easier to store! The new packaging also allows for 10% more cereal in each box and uses less packaging. Win-Win!

With how quickly and often we gobble up Cheerios in our house this a fantastic product for us! You can now find the great 2 box design on the shelves of Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's nationwide.

Disclosure:  Cheerios® cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.



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Mr. Costumes - Review

Dressing up has always been something that I have enjoyed. I was always really into Halloween as a kid and carried the fun throughout the year with a huge box full of dress up clothes. I would  put on a costume and pretend to be someone else. My imagination would take over and I would get lost in a world of make-believe.

As I got older Halloween started to lose it's spark for me. I didn't dress up unless I was going to a party. And if I was going to a party I was digging though my closet to try and throw something together. I missed the days of shopping for the perfect Halloween costumes, doing the make-up, and getting lost in the thrill of dressing up!

Now that I have my own little one to take around on Halloween night the magic has returned! And it has returned in a big was as my daughter loves to dress up all year round. Right now she is really big into dressing up as princess's. She loves to put on the dress, the heels, the fake jewelry and march around with her magic wand held high.

So this year for her birthday we are having a princess party and all the little ones will come dressed up as their favorite princess. But why should the kids have all the fun? Mr. Costumes has a great selection of princess costumes.

Mr. Costumes has an amazing selection of adult costumes for any theme. So I was thrilled to get the chance to pick one out for myself! I am excited to surprise my daughter with my very own princess costume. I am sure she will get a kick out of it. And hopefully her love for princess's will continue long enough for me to get to wear this Cinderella costume for Halloween, too!

I am thrilled with my new costume. It arrived quickly and is of great quality. It fits me nicely and seems like it will last for several uses. The selection at Mr. Costumes is great. It's the perfect place to find a matching outfit for you and your husband. I would love to convince my husband to dress up as Prince Charming! And they also offer some great costumes for kids. This is the place to go for couples costumes, sexy costumes, and funny costumes. One stop shopping for the whole family!

*I received one or more products for review purposes. However, all opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

New Year's Eve - on DVD and Blu-ray

We are well into the New Year! Did you make a New Year's Resolution this year? In my past experiences my resolutions have always fallen by the wayside somewhere around February/March. This year I made a resolution to make healthier choices in terms of food. I did this resolution not only for me but for my whole family. The pure fact that it's for my husband and daughter is probably what has been the driving force behind me desperately trying to keep this resolution.

I find it really hard to stick to resolutions, even when it is something I really want to do. I also find it hard to judge my progress when it's not measurable. Sure, I could track my progress on losing 20 pounds by 2013. But how am I doing making healthier choices? And what could I be doing more of to make my resolution more successful?

With the exciting release of New Year's Eve on DVD and Blu-ray I am happy to share with you a great way to keep yourself motivated and on track with your resolution. 

Take the quiz to see how you are doing with your resolution. Watch the countdown to see how much longer you have to keep it up. And get all the info about this great new movie that is now available for enjoyment in your own home! You can even quickly spread the word to your friends on Facebook and Twitter!


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Wordless Wednesday

Kid's Birthday Invites from Pear Tree Greetings - Giveaway!

Today is the second day of May! In my house that means that we are in full birthday planning mode for my daughter who will turn three at the end of the month. Every year I try to come up with a clever theme that can start with the invitations and be carried through all the way to the decorations, cake, and goody bags!

Pear Tree Greetings is a great place to find the perfect kid's birthday invitations. They have a wide variety of themes for boys and girls of all ages. Ballerina, pirates, bowling, sleepovers, fire trucks, princesses and so much more!

This is actually the exact invite that we ordered from Pear Tree Greetings last year.

We had a "Tea for Two" party to celebrate my daughter's 2nd birthday!

I was so pleased with the quality and received lots of comments on how fabulous the invites were!

With so many great themes to choose from you are sure to find the perfect match for your child's special day! And for this month only you can use code BBKIDS10 to receive 10% off any purchase of kid's birthday invitations. This code has no minimum and expires on 6/1/12.

Be sure to check out Pear Tree Greetings on Pinterest!

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Stay Close to Mama

As a mother I am very much in touch with the desire to keep my child safe. I feel the need to have them by my side or in my sight at all times. It's a natural instinct that is depicted beautifully in this children's book written by Toni Buzzeo and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka.

Toni Buzzeo was kind enough to share some thoughts with us on how Stay Close to Mama came to be.

“What’s your favorite animal?” The question comes again and again from audiences of children at the schools that I visit.

“Well,” I say. “My favorite animal that I can have is a dog.” Cheers go up.

“And my favorite animal that I can’t have . . .” pregnant pause here, “is a giraffe!” Everyone laughs. You can’t help but picture that giraffe head peering out from the chimney of my old Maine farmhouse.

Of course, now that Stay Close to Mama is published, the children understand why I say “giraffe.” They have seen that curious, handsome little fellow as illustrator Mike Wohnoutka conceived him following his curious senses into all sorts of potential danger. But there’s a long story that precedes this book, and it started here. . . .