Burnt Pancakes

When Her Maternity Leave Ends

By: Katie Fenske July 22, 2021September 24, 2021

It is 6:30 am and she straps her 3-month old into his car seat. Today she traded in her slippers and go-to robe for her nursing friendly professional attire. She’s heading back to work but this time he isn’t going with her. For nine glorious months she toted him along in her belly as she met…

Easy Frozen S’mores Recipe

By: Katie Fenske July 19, 2021August 8, 2021

Yummy StuffFood & Drinks2 Comments

It’s hard to call these frozen s’mores baking because this recipe is just so darn easy. They are so simple to make but there’s nothing basic about the taste or nostalgia. As a busy mom, this is the ideal dessert for me. I have been serving these frozen s’mores for years. We started making them for…

The Perfect Cup of Coffee to Turn any Parent into a Happy Camper

By: Katie Fenske July 15, 2021August 17, 2021

Favorite Stuff, Yummy StuffFood & Drinks1 Comment

If you are brave enough to go camping with kids, you know that the sun rises early in the morning, and so will your children. There usually isn’t a drive-thru Starbucks for miles so mastering a perfect cup of “camping coffee” is definitely a survival skill. One of my husband’s favorite camping rituals is to enjoy…

Little Tooth

By: Katie Fenske July 12, 2021December 13, 2021

Mom Stuff, My StoriesBoy Mom

It starts with a wiggle. Back and forth, back and forth. Next a twist and a tug. Then pop! He dances around excited that he will finally be joining the rest of his classmates on the tooth chart. He grins with pure joy but I can’t help but feel a pang of emotion deep in…

My Secret Weapon in the Battle Against Boredom

By: Katie Fenske July 7, 2021August 19, 2021

Kid StuffBoy Mom, Printables2 Comments

“I’M SO BORED!” We are smack dab in the middle of the summer and boredom is in full swing. Some days my kids make it sounds like the boredom is eating them up alive. Although I am a firm believer in the idea that being bored fosters creativity, I am also really tired of hearing…

How to Make a Mentos Geyser

By: Katie Fenske July 6, 2021July 29, 2021

Kid Stuff

This summer my boys and I created a Summer Bucket List. We added all the things we wanted to do and places we wanted to see. My oldest son is really interested in science and loves mixing substances. We decided to make a Mento Geyser. The boys were really excited and I liked the fact…

Let Freedom Finally Ring

By: Katie Fenske July 2, 2021September 24, 2021

Mom Stuff, My StoriesHolidays/Events

This 4th of July brings a whole new meaning to the words Independence Day. July of 2020 created a feeling of being trapped and isolated. Where I lived, we were still literally in “lock down” because of the Covid-19 virus. Out of caution we cancelled our neighborhood block party and my city changed the annual…

Our Summer Bucket List

By: Katie Fenske July 1, 2021May 23, 2022

Kid StuffBoy Mom, Printables

The summer of 2020 was such a bust! Almost everything was closed or cancelled due to Covid-19 and we were pretty much trapped at home with nowhere to go. This summer though, we are making up for all the lost fun, and calling it the “Summer of Yes!” NOW, I want to make EVERY summer…

Why We Weren’t The Right Fit for Library Story Time – Our Favorite Interactive Books

By: Katie Fenske June 30, 2021August 16, 2021

Favorite Stuff, Kid StuffToys/books

Story Time started at 10:30. I hurried to get my 18 month old into the stroller, hustled to the library, and found a nice spot on the carpet. Other moms shyly smiled back at me as we placed our toddlers in our laps waiting for the librarian to ring the bell to start. Phew, we…

Watercolor Learning Activity for Young Kids

By: Katie Fenske June 28, 2021July 29, 2021

Kid Stuff1 Comment

I always try to sneak in a little learning without my kids noticing. They are very active boys but I can usually get them to sit and paint with watercolors. I started creating “mystery paintings” for them. As they get older I have adapted them to fit their academic level. Try this crayon resist activity…