Author Archive | Molly B.

Energy Bites!

By Molly B. on November 11, 2019 in Food and Meal Planning

Actually, energy doesn’t bite. Hangry bites. And here’s a solution. It’s 4pm on a typical Saturday in Bloomington. We’ve been to the farmers market, a birthday party at Bryan Park, and we’re just finishing up errands around town. We’re at least 2 hours from a sit down dinner, and we’re all hot, tired, and SO […]

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Adventures in Composting

By Molly B. on June 16, 2019 in boy mom, DIY, Just for Fun

"We had science today!" My son announced the above with glee as he climbed into the car after school. "We learned about worms! And composting!" At home, my son pulled out the handouts he received from the guest science teacher that day. "It's good for the earth, mommy. Can we try it? What do you [...]

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Large marshmallow in bowl, wooden background, top view

The Marshmallow Challenge: What We Can Learn From Kindergartners

By Molly B. on March 31, 2019 in Childcare and Education, Entertainment and Activities, Just for Fun, Parenthood

Have you heard of the Marshmallow Challenge? I was introduced to it years ago when I worked with undergraduate business majors and MBA students. It's an entertaining team building exercise, where groups of four receive 20 pieces of hard spaghetti, string, tape, and a large marshmallow. The teams have 18 minutes to build a structure [...]

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Navigating Screen Time

By Molly B. on February 24, 2019 in boy mom, Entertainment and Activities, Motherhood, Parenthood

Remember those days before kids when you knew exactly how you were going to raise your kids? My ridiculous vision included organic cotton clothing, only homemade crackers and natural sweeteners, and no screen time. These goals vanished within the first year of motherhood when I realized how warm and cozy Old Navy's fleece pants are, [...]

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Cheerful mother and daughter enjoying in snow while looking at camera. Happy woman with little child lying on snow making angel with arms and legs. Young woman and smiling cute girl

Snowplay: How to Not Get Cabin Fever Without Leaving Your Backyard

By Molly B. on January 20, 2019 in Childcare and Education, Entertainment and Activities, Events

Hygge (pronounced HEW-ge) A Danish word for the mood of coziness. Usually, this means warm blankets, hot drinks, sitting by the fire for hours with a good book or your favorite music. I love the idea of Hygge. I really do. I love it in the same way I love the idea of lying on [...]

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Roughhousing: A Story of Reconciliation

By Molly B. on November 11, 2018 in boy mom, Childcare and Education, Entertainment and Activities, Parenthood

"They are like little bear cubs." I laughed because my friend described the scene perfectly. Our boys, similar in size and similar in their love of rough-and-tumble play, were rolling around on the ground pinning each other, then rolling around some more. I didn't grow up with roughhousing. Sure, my friends and I loved [...]

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Clean our planet. Longhaired brunette keeping smile on her face and bowing head while gathering rubbish into plastic bag

Creating Mini Active Citizens

By Molly B. on September 30, 2018 in Childcare and Education, Events, Hospitality, Parenthood

Nearly every day on the car ride to school, my son and I drove past a homeless man holding a sign asking for help. The questions about this man took over our morning commute, and nearly always, I was at a loss on how to respond to my boy's concerns. Sometimes I would change the [...]

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Breakfast for Lunch(box)

By Molly B. on July 22, 2018 in DIY, Entertainment and Activities, Food and Meal Planning, Motherhood

Before you read this, there are a few things you should know about me. I love food. I love cooking, meal planning, and reading food blogs. When sharing my food with loved ones, I prefer that they rave about appreciate the dish I offer them. My son does not like sandwiches. He also has whimsical [...]

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Into the Woods: How Nature Makes Me a Better Mom and My Son a Better Kid

By Molly B. on June 3, 2018 in boy mom, Childcare and Education, Entertainment and Activities, Just for Fun, Motherhood

You know those days that seem most challenging? And your reaction to all of it is less than perfect? Those are the days the little angel on my shoulder screams GET OUTSIDE! And she is always right. For me, time in nature is like a yoga class or a hug from my mom. It allows me [...]

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I’m in a Book Club with a Six-Year-Old.

By Molly B. on April 15, 2018 in boy mom, Childcare and Education, Just for Fun, Motherhood

"Just one more chapter? PLEASE?!?!" It's a little after 8pm, which is a little after the typical bedtime for my 6-year-old. But this book is getting better and better with each page, and it would be unfair to stop at a cliffhanger. My son quickly agrees to my request. "Okay, mama. One more chapter." This [...]

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