Toddlers

So, it's still hot out. (That's the jist of how I start every blog post for SMB. You're welcome.) Some of us have preschoolers who don't begin school for a few more weeks... The bigger siblings who might be marginally helpful at...

Among young mothers, disputes regarding the benefits and harm of gadgets for children do not subside. How can electronics help the development of your baby, and how to organize his acquaintance with a smartphone, tablet, and computer - let's...

That's right. My kids aren't doing anything. Before the school year ended, I talked to a mom who was on her way to pick her son up from t-ball and then drop her daughter off at swim team, in between...

EDUCATION WITH REWARDS Who doesn't like to be rewarded for completing a class or a course? I remember when I was expecting my first little one, who just turned nineteen. I read every pregnancy book, took courses at the hospital,...

The year 2018 was a very…interesting year for my household. It was hard. But it was also SO good. We welcomed our third child, our sweet girl. Before she was born our entire house was completely gutted because of...

Ahhhh, the splash pad. Like most young children, my kids love the splash pad. It is pretty much an Arizona childhood tradition to spend a hot afternoon cooling down with springs of water shooting all over the place. No little kid...

Hi fellow mama. I want you to know that you are amazing. You put your heart and soul into parenting your kid(s) and although you often go unnoticed, I see you. I see how you stressed over choosing the...

Are you thinking about enrolling your child in Preschool? Wondering what to look for? Read this before starting your preschool search! Desert Springs Christian Preschool believes that just as it is important to learn our letters and numbers, it is...

Yay! You're having another baby! This can be a thoroughly exciting but also emotional and terrifying moment in a parent's life. I will always remember, during my pregnancy with my second child, I had thoughts about how I could...

“It all comes out in the wash.” That’s what a friend said to me when I was feverishly worrying about another skill my then toddler wasn’t demonstrating. At this point in my son’s little life, I was so completely...

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. A common question that many parents have when choosing a dental provider for their kids is what is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist? While it is possible...

Tis' the season to be thankful! We are blessed beyond measure. Blessed to live in Arizona and have a mild winter. Blessed to have babies we can watch grow. Blessed to live free. But how do we ensure our...

My daughter did not want to give up her bottle. She was already 20 months and I knew it was time. I tried all my usual tricks, positive reinforcement charts, modeling drinking milk from a cup, making fun play...

The arrival of your first child is a huge deal. You do all the reading and the research and the shopping and the decorating and the sanitizing and all the things to prepare. Then the second comes along and,...

Does your toddler look forward to daily routines like snack time, bathtime, play time, or bedtime? When my girls were toddlers, they sure loved their routines! Daily routines provide golden opportunities to support language development because they are predictable,...

Isn't it amazing watching your little one's communication skills develop? Toddlers are going through a stage of rapid brain development which provides the perfect time to encourage speech and language skills. There are many things you can do to...

Traveling with kids can be BRUTAL, but we all got to do it. So use our tips and tricks to make the journey a bit easier, and GOOD LUCK!  Travel Tips & Tricks {SMB TIP: We also love all these local...

Summer break in Scottsdale is upon us and the extremely high temperatures can make for some of the LONGEST days with little ones. Sure, there are amazing local indoor attractions offered in Scottsdale, but outings are not something I'm...

Summer time is here and many of us are wondering what to do with our kids so that they aren't totally bored before the new school year rolls around. Let's be honest, school gives mom's and dad's a break...

New moms get so many product “suggestions” thrown their way. “This is the best carseat!” “Use this and your child will sleep!” “These onesies are double the price, but the best on the market.” You spend thousands of dollars before the...

Father's day is coming up and Dads love homemade and thoughtful gifts too. Here's 5 Father's Days crafts that are fun for children to make and Dad is sure to cherish. 1. Paper Tie: There are patterns online and even...

Summer vacation season is officially here. Like most Arizona moms, I'm doing my best to make plans to escape the heat. Yes, a road trip around the west coast is an option, but most other destinations typically require a trip...

I love to read and public libraries hold a special place in my heart. I remember going to libraries as a child feeling so proud that I got to select any book I wanted. The first time I toured...

I'm only two kids in, but I definitely have preferences and favorites for baby and toddler products. Here are a few of my favorites. Burt's Baby Bee Multipurpose Ointment - This miracle ointment is so smooth and works like a charm...

Have you noticed all the cool new toys our kids have at their disposal? Long gone are the days where a child had to choose between lincoln logs or legos. Just do a quick search on Amazon for blocks...

There are dozens of shows about home renovation, somehow they make it seem both easy and terrifying to embark on that journey at the same time. Surviving a renovation can take its toll on anyone, let alone a family...

One of my favorite things about living in Scottsdale is all of the local and accessible hiking trails. I love hiking and I want my children to love hiking too. Bringing children along can sometimes sound intimidating, so here...

All hail the great babysitters!! {we're not woooorthyyyy!!!} If you (like me) have no extended-family help within a day's driving distance, then extra Cheers. I see you and I feel your pain. Somewhere around the birth of my second babe, I...

Santa Claus is coming to Scottsdale early this year! Mark your calendars On Saturday, December 3 and the following Saturday, December 10, the Promenade Shopping Center (located on the corner of Scottsdale Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd) will spread Christmas cheer by giving children the...

You could say I am in a busy stage of life. I have two kids, ages two and under. A full-time job. A side gig on this here blog. But to be honest, I’ve always been busy. I pride...