Mom In Progress

... this is your 8-year-old ...

For about a month I've been working on returning to my former way of grocery shopping. Since about the time my oldest was born, I started clipping coupons as a rule for shopping. It pained me to ever pay full price for anything I purchased, especially at the grocery store. Bargain shopping became a way of life. For example, my hubby would ask me what we were having for dinner to which I would respond "whatever was on sale this week!" This rule was particularly important with meats. Once I saw what was on sale in the meats department, I would try to plan the rest of my meal around it. Sure, pork loin might sound good, but if it was full price we'd be eating something else. Over the last year or so our schedule had changed considerably and forced me into making smaller and less frugal shopping trips. I slipped into the routine of buying whatever sounded good and picking up items on a whim because I wasn't sure when I'd have time to get to the store again (or

It's time to start thinking of some great places to hang out this summer. If you can combine good food and good friends with a great atmosphere, you can be sure you've got a fun memory in the making! Merle's of Littleton has been one of our favorite spots in Old Littleton since it opened just a few years ago. This fun corner restaurant on Main Street has some of the best food in town. Live music can be heard during the summer months and you can find that listing HERE when they post it. The menu is full of fantastic flavors that will keep you coming back. You simply have to try the fried pickle chips - yum!! And thanks to Juice in the City , you can get your Merle's for 52% off !! The offer is good for $25 worth of food and drinks for just $12 - and you can purchase more than one. Don't miss this great deal and the chance to sit on the rooftop with amazing views of the Rockies. Or sit down stairs on a warm night while the garage door walls are open - true story

The little town with a big heart: Golden, Colorado! There is something for everyone in this treasure of a town that's closer than you think. Or, closer than I thought. For years I thought of Golden as this far off town with a big brewery. But from south metro Denver you're just a quick spin on C470 away from downtown Golden. In less than 40 minutes you can be a world away from the every day. Kids will love exploring and you'll love a chance to relax and soak in the beauty and history. Start with a stroll along Clear Creek and enjoy the sculptures that tell a story of the land. You might even get to watch the kayaking crowd practicing on the creek.  Part of the History Park on Clear Creek Then head into Golden Sweets for a scoop or two of delicious ice cream (local, I believe) or try their delectable selection of candy! Yum! If a cup of coffee and a cozy place to sit is more your style, then try the Windy Saddle where you can let the kids hang-out in the small kids

Today as I was picking up my son from preschool, I noticed a mother calling to her child. The little girl was no more than 2 years old and the mother was firmly calling to her from about 10 yard away, "You need to come here right now. It's time to pick up your brother!" As luck would have it, I was passing the little girl at the exact moment that she responded to her exasperated mother. Her response? "No." She said it very plainly and matter-of-factly. She had no intention of moving from where she was unless properly prodded by her mother. And the wise mother that she surely was chose not to let the situation escalate, and instead promptly closed the distance between herself and her child and swooped her up into her arms and proceeded into the preschool. I sighed and smiled as I watched this brief interaction. I see these vignettes of motherhood every day as I walk the halls of both my son's preschool and my daughter's elementary school. The scenes