Sibyl and I just want to say thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday to Papa palooza! Overall the day was a success. Alex of Alex and the Kaleidoscope Band and Lolly and Yoyo, all played for the kiddos. Great music and great treats! Thanks everyone, for your support!!
*Papa palooza*
Tech*mom*o*gy
Today, I also have to give a shout out to Nicole K of Tech*mom*ogy. Nicole just recently made the new logo for Daily Bloom (which is super cute). In fact, she is the go to design girl amongst many bloggers in the Philadelphia area. If you hop on over to her page you can get a great look at all the cool mom projects she has worked on.
I have had the pleasure of working with Nicole a few times. She is always SO helpful and polite. Home-girl is super talented and you can get in touch with her here.
*A Mix of Pixels*
Once in a while, you have to pay a shout out to the people who help you. Today, I want to tell you all about Jess Reilley of A Mix of Pixels. This smart and patient lady helps me on a regular basis and she has for years. Jess built this here website. I often have ridiculous questions and have managed to put myself in some precarious technical positions and she has been my superhero. In fact, I am often surprised that she still talks to me after all I’ve put her through.
If you think you might be in need of some technical assistance-I highly recommend Jess. She has more patience than anyone I know. She also has this great website where she tells you about all the cool stuff she offers- check it out!
*Snooze*
I have been hesitant to write this review for various reasons. The biggest reason being that I’ve been nervous that if I announced “my baby has been sleeping 13 hours every SINGLE night,” I would be jinxing myself.
It has been one whole month since Jennifer Schindele of Gift of Sleep Consulting has changed my life. She came to my house, “assessed” the sleeping (or lack thereof) situation and came up with a sleep plan for my baby. I’m not going to go into all the lovely details but I was doing a handful of things that contributed to a baby that did not sleep at night. I’m pretty sure I was just too tired to change and I needed this knowledgeable woman to come into my life and give me some guidance.
My family is now accustomed to peaceful evenings and a happier mama.
If you find yourself in a similar position, I highly recommend giving Jennifer a call. She is a miracle worker!
Mention Daily Bloom with your order and receive $75 off!!
*Dessert Pizza*
We had so much fun whipping up this delicious, fruit pizza! It’s even better now that strawberries and blueberries are in season.
For the crust:
¾ cup whole-wheat pastry flour
½ cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons milk
¾ teaspoon almond extract
For the toppings:
1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
3 tablespoons sweetened coconut flakes, divided
2 kiwi fruit, peeled and thinly sliced
3 large strawberries, thinly sliced
- To prepare the crust, in a small bowl, whisk together the whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

- In a food processor, puree the cottage cheese. Add the sugar, oil, milk and almond extract, then process until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and pulse 5 to 6 times, just until the dough clumps together (it will be sticky). Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Using floured hands, press the dough into a ball. Knead 2 or 3 times, but do not overwork. Dust the dough with flour, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

- Meanwhile, prepare the topping. In a small bowl, whisk together the raspberry jam and orange juice. Set aside.
- To bake and assemble the pizza, position a rack in the middle of the oven. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 12-inch pizza pan or large baking sheet with cooking spray.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle about ¼ inch thick. (Be sure to first sprinkle flour on the rolling pin or the dough will stick.) Roll the dough back over the rolling pin and transfer to the prepared pan or baking sheet.
- Spread the jam mixture over the dough, leaving a ¾-inch border around the edge. Bake until the crust is golden and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes.

- Place the cooled crust on a clean pizza pan or large serving plate and sprinkle evenly with 1½ tablespoons coconut. Arrange the kiwi and strawberry slices on top to look like pizza toppings. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining coconut.
Ombres du soir.
We have had the unique and complete pleasure of adding a new bedtime ritual to my crumb smugglers routine. Shadow puppets! We received these amazing little toys for my daughters birthday a month ago and we have used them every night since then. . The set includes: a king, the princess, the prince, the donkey, the fairy, the forest, the dragon, the witch, and the castle. A great time is guaranteed with this cast of medieval characters. This set also provides a great way to play out interactions during the day that did not go so well OR that were so successful that playing them out again is a pleasure. In this age of blinking, talking toys these shadow puppets are a breath of fresh air!
*DAD*
What dad does best…
- but take his girls on the adventures, spend quality time, and make lasting memories
*Catfight on the Soccer Field*
It’s a beautiful Saturday morning. The 4-year olds are everywhere, in their cute soccer uniforms that come down to their knees, picking dandelions, crying on the sidelines, really an adorable scene all around…
And then there’s Mia, in a catfight with another 4-year old girl at the center of the field.
It started with an (innocent?) elbow to my daughter’s belly while they were both trying to kick a ball. This didn’t sit well with Mia. She did choose words over fists though and asked the little girl, whom we had never met before, “What’s your name and why are you hitting me?”
Well… one thing lead to another and the two of them were squared off in the middle of the field doing the smack-talk head bob you might have seen on Real Housewives. It lasted long enough that they drew a crowd from fans on the fields next door.
So, at water break, Mia runs off the field and tells me what went down.
Me: “Mia, what were you girls saying to each other?”
Mia: “Well, she told me I couldn’t come to her birthday party.”
Me: “So, did you tell her, ‘That’s OK because I don’t even know you!’?
Mia: “Well, no…”
Me: “So, what DID you say back?”
Mia: “I told her she couldn’t come to my birthday party either! AND, I told her if she stopped hitting me, I would let her score a goal.”
Me: “But you didn’t let her score any goals.”
Mia: “I know. I thought it was a good trick!”
Smile. We had a little talk (as I am sure the other 4-year old’s parents did as well) about playing your best and showing your stuff on the field, not with fists or unkind words.
But, this was a first for me as a parent.
Anyone out there had an incident like this? Let’s hear about it!
*Howevers and Buts*
My wise old dad has a new favorite saying and I love it. When we ask him how he’s feeling, or how the time was that he and my mom spent with our children, or a variety of other questions that might have a mixed reply, his new answer is “Excellent – let’s not talk about the howevers and buts.”
I don’t know where he got this saying, or if he brilliantly coined it himself, but it made me think. How many times do we focus more on, or talk more about, the few minor set backs or criticisms or negative pieces when the whole was, overall, really wonderful?
I’m going to try to take my dad’s advice and talk less about the howevers and buts, and more about the positives. I think I’ll be happier, and so will my listening audience!
*Lyla and Mia’s Rules*
The Most Important Rules
(according to two preschoolers…)
I got such a kick out of Mia and her friend, Lyla, chatting about important rules, I had to write them down.
Here are The Top 10 – verbatim!
1.) Don’t mess up anyone else’s room.
2.) If you push someone, say sorry.
3.) Don’t take anyone’s money.
4.) Never put your feet on the table.
5.) Don’t put band-aids or stickers on chairs or walls or the floor.
6.) Turn off lights to save ‘lectricity.
7.) Only Hibachi cookers can touch fire, not kids.
8.) Hold frogs gently.
9.) Never cover your ears if someone is reading or singing.
10.) Always tell the truth.
Although Early Childhood teachers and parents will tell you rules need to be worded positively, like number #10 above, I think in general, this list is a pretty good start toward being safe and happy.
Thank you Mia and Lyla for your wisdom.
*The Wizard of Oz*
The Wizard of Oz, an original ballet presented by Dance Elite of Horsham.
Two performances:
Saturday, June 15th at 11am
and
Saturday, June 15th at 2pm
Tickets:
Adults: $16
Children under 12: $12
Get tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/380981
This is a great story ballet for all ages. Even men and boys love it. You have the bad characters (Wicked Witch, Winged Monkeys) and the good characters (Dorothy, Glinda) and of course the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion. So, there is something for everyone. Dance Elite created all of the original choreography, and combined with the original music by William Monaghan, this production is fantastic. Dance Elite is proud to revive their Wizard of Oz. The original premier performance was at the Keswick Theatre in 2001. Dorothy was Christi Bleakly who went on to be Principal Dancer at Ballet Theatre of Maryland.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Performing Arts Center
1345 Sumneytown Pike
Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437
Here’s the facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/DANCE-ELITE-HORSHAM/274311014721?fref=ts
*Wonder*
I leave NPR on as background noise in my house, most days. My hopes are that I (and my family) will absorb some of the knowledge being broadcast. Some days the interviews and news updates pass right through me, other days I’m moved to tears.
One particular day while cleaning, I heard an interview with Natalie Merchant about her song “Wonder.” I had no idea that her song had become a hopeful anthem, for terminally ill children. She spoke about nurses and doctors in many hospitals across our country playing this song for their pediatric patients. Merchant had of course, not written it to be so. But several times throughout the interview her voice broke off and she was clearly so moved by what this song had evolved into and who it was helping.
Today, I heard this lovely song.
“Wonder”
Doctors have come from distant cities
Just to see me
Stand over my bed
Disbelieving what they’re seeing
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of god’s own creation
And as far as they can see they can offer
No explanation
Newspapers ask intimate questions
Want confessions
They reach into my head
To steal the glory of my story
They say I must be one of the wonders
Of god’s own creation
And as far as they can see they can offer
No explanation
O, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She’ll make her way
People see me
I’m a challenge to your balance
I’m over your heads
How I confound you and astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders
Of god’s own creation
And as far as you can see you can offer me
No explanation
O, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as she came to my mother
Know this child will not suffer
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She’ll make her way
I will now always love hearing Wonder, it inspires me personally as an individual, a mother, and a woman.
*Fresh & Delivered*
I opened my front door yesterday to the best delivery EVER. It was a huge box of organic veggies and fruit from Door to Door Organics. This delivery couldn’t have come at a better time! My 7 month old is eating pureed fruits and veggies now and that means there is another mouth to feed. Another sweet little mouth that I only want to fill with the BEST whole foods which is one of the reasons I became interested in Door to Door Organics. All of their food is organic and during the summer months, local too. If you look over the list of all their suppliers, you will see names of farms you know and trust. As much as I’d love to, I don’t have the time or energy to stop by all of these farms to pick up an item or two.
My husband travels and I have a busy 6 year old and a 7 month old (who is on a sleeping schedule). A trip to the grocery store can often induce more anxiety than I’d like to admit. I envision that this weekly service from Door to Door Organics is going to make my life much more manageable. On top of fruits and veggies, they also offer tons of other organic food items. The bottom line is: I’m smitten.
Convenient + Healthy = Door to Door Organics
Use code dailybloom for $10 off your first order!
*Lemons*
Two Kids Threw Sticks at My Daughter…
… And, as you can imagine, “Mama Bear” came out. Every mother out there who has witnessed her child being treated unkind by another child knows exactly what I mean by that term.
While watching one of 42 soccer tryouts this spring (OK, slight exaggeration), my youngest daughter was playing on the playground nearby. Things seemed to be going well amidst the entourage of younger siblings at play, until I noticed 2 little boys throwing mulch at each other.
I started to walk toward the playground when my daughter walked near the boys. One of the boys picked up a stick (not a twig, a stick) and threw it at her. She turned around to run away and the other boy threw another stick at her back.
Now, thankfully, those boys were not a future Cal Ripkin. Both sticks missed and the boys laughed and went back to throwing mulch at each other.
They weren’t aware Mama Bear had witnessed the whole scene. I started my tongue lashing with “I saw you both throw sticks at my daughter. That is NOT OK.” I then asked them to point out their parents so I could involve their parents in this discussion. Very hesitantly, they pointed out the same woman and I made a beeline for her.
Sensing Mama Bear on her way toward her, she turned and asked, “Is there a problem?”
Now, without all the gory details, let’s just say this mom wasn’t sure she was going to believe my story over her sons’ who were vehemently denying the throwing of any sticks (or mulch for that matter, although it was caked on their clothing and in their hair).
This mother also dared to utter the words, “They’re boys, and they’re only 4, maybe you should relax.”
Words like these don’t sit well with Mama Bear.
The incident ended eventually with the mother forcing half-hearted apologies out of her children. That really wasn’t what I wanted.
So, what DO I want?
I want…
1 – Children to be kind to one another.
2 – Parents to trust each other when informed about a behavior that needs to be corrected.
3 – The general mindset of “just being boys” or “only being four” to be unacceptable when it comes to attempts to hurt another person.
Sticks and stones and names of all kinds DO hurt. We need a society where we model for children the correct ways to behave, and do not tolerate any physical or emotional hurting of others. Ever. This piece says it well: http://www.nannypro.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-a-playground-bully/
*Grandpas*
I am extremely fortunate to have the blessing of all four grandparents enjoying my children grow-up. Any grandparent will tell you (and, yes, you do tell us all the time) “You won’t know how precious this bond is with your grandchildren until you are a grandparent yourself.”
Well, we do get it – maybe not fully, but enough!
I’d like to take a few minutes to focus on the grandpas out there. Grandpas (like grandmas) come in all shapes, sizes, and types. But I think there is an almost universal quality among Pop Pops, Opahs, and Grandfathers that is such a delight, and so beneficial to our own children.
It is this… Complete acceptance.
Grandpas, in general, are not trying (as hard) to mold and shape our little ones’ behaviors – they are merely enjoying them for whom they are. Grandpas are likely at liberty to do this because many of our Grandmas are multi-tasking at both enjoying AND shaping (which we appreciate as well).
This leaves the role of the Grandpas to simply bask in the uniqueness of each grandchild. I love seeing the little smiles when my children do something a bit ornery, or, when they say or do something my husband or I used to do as a child. Grandpas seem to get a kick out of the “quirks” in the little people, maybe because they had some of those same quirks as a child (and still do?).
This complete acceptance is a gift – and my children and I are so very thankful for it.































