The recent article in The Wall Street Journal titled “Waking Up to Young Kids Sleep Schedule” really hit home in our family, especially with the recent roll your clocks back an hour. My two year old son woke up at 4am the past three mornings with 4 year old daughter in toe about an hour later. Though I loved them cuddling up to me in mommy’s big bed to go back to sleep, it wasn’t my ideal Sunday, Monday or Tuesday morning wake up calls I had hoped for. I’m a morning person but c’mon? I thought sleep deprivation only existed when my kids were newborns. I opted for earlier bed time tonight in hopes that 4am would really be a wake up call for 7am. Fingers crossed that it worked.
Honey don’t bother mommy…
Blogging has opened up a whole new world for me. It’s a way that I can flex my active professional life as a real estate agent while still being there to drop my kids off and pick them up after school. According to a 2009 study by BlogHer, iVillage and Compass Partners, 23 million women read, write or comment on blogs weekly. You can imagine I was pleasantly surprised to see my blog as the top 3 mommy blogs of moms who wear the real estate working mom hat. It’s a great way to share some real estate news from our area which I think is newsworthy. Stay tuned, there is always more to come.
Filed under Local News, News, Personal Stories, Sotheby's Style, Uncategorized, Unique Homes
Kids Euro Festival
From October 14 through November 10, the festival will present more than 200 FREE children’s performances all around the metro area. 
Mimes, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers are just a few of the exciting acts on the schedule. Public libraries, DC embassies, National Geographic Live, the Kennedy Center, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, the National Childrens Museum, Shakespeare Theatre, Strathmore, and AFI are among the many performance venues.
The festival, designed for children ages 2-12, is the largest of its kind in the country. More than 27 countries in the European Union are represented in the shows that highlight national cultural traditions and art.
Visit the Kids Euro Festival website for the complete schedule of performances and age recommendations. You can also “like” the Facebook page for updates on events.
Filed under Events, Kids Around Town, Local News, Personal Stories
Toddlers and Tiara’s – ARE YOU FOR REAL?
Did you read the latest People Magazine issue? Get a load of these toddlers pimped up and dolled up. Our society sure has it’s values mixed up. After uttering YES to the title, GONE TOO FAR? as I was checking out at the CVS on Wisconsin Ave, it’s great the question is even being asked. C’mon. Well for all those moms and gals out there that like this kind of thing, my Texas hat goes off to you. We have so much pressure already and I believe let’s keep the girls cute and innocent and precious and child like as long as we can. But really, is Toddlers and Tiaras the next reality TV show?
Filed under Education and Schools, Local News, Personal Stories, Uncategorized
Excited about back to school
Whether you are happy or disappointed that the school year has returned, I think all moms and dads will agree that routine is as important to a child as it is a parent. Personally, I’m thrilled and think the kids are even more. They know every morning after they get dressed they are leaving the security of one home to escape to another, to play and play all day long, learn and grow. I’m also thrilled because the full on manipulation to get their way doesn’t seem to dominate the atmosphere as much as it does at home, thus a more productive day for mom, especially.
So here’s to the little ones returning to school and really getting a slice of what its like in the real world: making a fresh start, getting along with others, using your quiet voice, sharing and listening, in no order of importance of course.
Filed under Education and Schools, Mom Issues, Personal Stories, Uncategorized
4th of July ribs party
Like most American families, we celebrated the 4th of July with friends, grilling out and indulging in the summer fun with our best friend, the backyard pool. What did you do for the 4th? The kids had a blast also decorating summer hats with styrofoam stickers. It was a lot of fun.
Thanks to everyone who came out and shared the day.
Filed under Kids Around Town
July 4th – Palisades Parade in DC
Our family attends every year. It’s just one of those things you do if you live in the DC area as it’s so much fun for the kids and great time for parents to gab and catch up.
Below are some reminders about the parade.
The 45th annual Palisades Citizens’ Association’s Fourth of July parade
will take place—rain or shine—on Monday, July 4. The old-fashioned
neighborhood parade attracts participants and spectators from throughout the
Washington area, including families, politicians and local business people.
The parade begins at 11:00am at the corner of Whitehaven Parkway and
MacArthur Boulevard, N.W. The parade will proceed along MacArthur to the
Palisades Park and Recreation Center at Sherier and Dana Places, N.W.
As in past years, the parade will include a wide range of participants,
from neighborhood children on decorated bicycles to elected city officials, as
well as the Washington Scottish Bagpipe Band, Alma Boliviana, the
Georgetown-Palisades Lions Club, Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of D.C.,
the D.C. Different Drummers Marching Band, the D.C. Fire Department Engine
Company 29, the United Horseman’s Association, clowns and vintage cars.
Anyone is free to march in the parade. No registration is necessary.
The festivities conclude at the Palisades Recreation Center with a free
picnic of hot dogs, juice and watermelon. Prizes, provided by local
businesses, will be awarded.
At the park, youngsters can enjoy the playground and spray area,
as well as horseback rides, clowns and two moon bounces.
For information call (202) 363-7441.
Filed under Events, Kids Around Town
Where are my kids at?
Seriously honey, where are the kids?
This video was sent to me by my niece. With my family’s needs to research new car options, this video may have persuaded us to keep with our SUV wishes. Whether you are looking to continue the minivan trend or not, I think parents will get a kick out of this. This youtube video is right up your alley if you are a minivan owner.
Enjoy!
Filed under Featured, Mom Issues, Personal Stories, Uncategorized
Get out and shop this weekend!
Imagine an entire weekend dedicated to REALTOR® Open Houses all over Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland. Potentially thousands of open houses available this weekend, June 4th and 5th.
This unique weekend offers buyers an opportunity to visit not one, but multiple homes for sale on a street, in a neighborhood, and throughout the DC metro area.
REALTORS® in DC will be on hand at these homes to not only show buyers around the house, but to talk about the local real estate market, trends they are seeing in the area, and to discuss the value of home ownership.
The Realtor Nationwide Open House Weekend is the event that will provide potential home buyers with an opportunity to view homes throughout their targeted communities and obtain information and answers to questions about specific homes, market conditions and the home buying process.
I invite you to come by 1337 Vermont Ave, NW 
in Logan Circle from 2-4PM and the surrounding area as well as others that will be open on those days. This is a great opportunity to see and compare the available home inventory in your neighborhood, or an area you are interested in moving to.
Stay tuned for a comprehensive list of open houses available this weekend.
Filed under Events, Local News, News, Open Houses, Sotheby's Style, Uncategorized, Unique Homes
Anniversary for uncommonmoms – Hoorah!
I believe mom bloggers do make a difference. There is no better way for moms/parents to share information than through mommie blogging. Thus started my journey one year ago in May 2010. I may not be the biggest mommie blogger like Motherlode and Momversations but it’s a great way to express my thoughts to whoever is really reading this (you know who you are).
How do I make a difference?
I am honored and more than a little proud to be the mother of such 2 wonderful, beautiful and healthy children. Everyday I gain confidence in bringing life, love and nourishment to Kennedy and Liam. Looking back over the past year, I notice the little daily differences that really have made a huge impact on my family’s life.
One extra cup of coffee in the morning
Taking a yoga class
One extra glass of wine before bed
Turning off my cell phone at 10pm
The relationship with my mom I believe has greatly contributed to helping me rear my children. We had a very open and loving relationship and though both of my children are under the age of 4, I already see a lot of her in them. When days are not going so well, I remember that I’m not alone, with thousands of moms just like me looking for the balance that we all strive for in our lives.
Juggling 2 kids, a busy real estate career and a making time for my partner/being a lousy wife in fun filled city, blogging is something I’d like to dedicate more time to in the future. But for now, I’ll pat myself on the back and say thank you to all my readers and to my husband and children, who inspire me along with all the quirky funny life situations I find in our lively city.
I wish you all a pleasant and well deserved Mother’s Day.
By the way, don’t forget to call your mom.
Filed under Blissful Balance, Conversations, Featured, Mom Issues, Personal Stories, Uncategorized