Swimming with Sharks: Diving in Komodo National Park

In the last week of my Indonesian adventure, I spent Thursday to Sunday floating around Komodo National Park, chatting with my new friends, eating, napping on the top deck, and scuba diving four times a day. Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its namesake: the three main islands that make up…

Eat Pray Surf

On our fifth day in Bali, Alyssa and I took our beautiful De Moksha hotel’s recommendation and booked a surf lesson with their go-to guy, Wayan Sukerta. Sunday morning at 9:00am we slogged to the front of the hotel, hungover and tired from dancing in party-town Seminyak the night before. We were less enthused as…

An American in Bali

This morning I awoke on an island in a country on a continent where I know no one. For some people this might be a complete nightmare. But I had never slept so well and awoken with such excitement. That is, after a 5 AM alarm call from the neighborhood rooster. Today is my first…

The Next Adventure

I have read Oh the Places You’ll Go to many children and every time I get caught up in the swoop of excitement while simultaneously sensing Dr. Seuss's warning as he describes the thrills and troubles that the future holds. The book’s message has always been one I am very passionate about. I can't even…

Finish Lines: Remembering the Boston Marathon Bombing

Four years ago today, at 9:00am on April 15th, 2013 I let myself into a beautiful brown stone apartment in the South End, just a hop skip and a jump away from the Boston Public Library and the Boston Marathon finish line. Hazel*, four years old with white silk hair and expressive green eyes looked…

Roller Painting: Toddler Art Made Easy

Paint rollers are one of the best art supplies for kids. With some effortless pushing across a canvas (or drop cloth in this case) kids get maximum color impact.

Washi Tape Fashion Accessories

Pearl is obsessed with tape. If she's ever in a bad mood tape always brightens her spirits. She's been fighting a cold for the past week so we've been taking it easy. Less time at the playground means more time in the play room, which I don't mind at all. When Pearl stumbled upon the tape…

Gorgeous Light Boxes for Play

I love these beautiful light boxes. They are gorgeous and so inviting. There's something special about playing in the dark, too, that feels intimate and is a great way to bond with your little tot. Ever notice how just being in a room with people and a Christmas tree somehow makes you feel warm and…

Build a City: Cardboard Boxes for Toddlers

I am one of Meri Cherry's biggest fans. Meri Cherry is an art teacher turned blogger turned businesswoman. I first discovered her blog a couple of years ago when I saw her rainbow spaghetti party on Pinterest and fell in love. I wouldn't be surprised if she knew me as "that fangirl" from my comments all…

Process Art for Toddlers: Cardboard Birthday Cake

There's no shortage of uses for cardboard in my life. I always like to steal a box or two out of the recycled bin for a new project. Fortunately, Pearl's parents received three packages all gradually larger in size just in time to make her a birthday cake...that's right. A cardboard birthday cake. A couple of weeks ago…