Read

If ever one needed to make a case for nostalgia, these three books are hard to beat. 1.  There's a Nightmare in My Closet I remember reading this book as a child, and after searching (and searching AND SEARCHING) for something to calm fearful little Pax, I came across this old favorite again.  From the desperately brave stance of a boy making a...
Can you tell we're getting ready to go back to the beach?  Here are a few books we'll be packing (and have been reading nonstop).   1.  If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano if you want to see a whale you will need a not-too-comfy chair and a not-too-cozy blanket because sleeping eyes can't watch for whales and whales won't wait for watching. The...
I have a secret.  Most mornings, I get to sit quietly and enjoy a cup of coffee (and a piece of chocolate) for a few precious, uninterrupted minutes.  Let's not go crazy, we're not talking hours, but if I do things right the night before, my little guys wake up in the morning, make themselves some cereal (I help),...
      I discovered this set of books at Joseph Fox bookstore in Philly.  If you are local, it's totally worth a trip.  For the ease of my readers I'm linking to Amazon below, but all of the books could be ordered and shipped from Joseph Fox by calling the store.   Sky High A long, thin book of intricate ink drawings.  Two neighbors...

Friday

I got a Pap smear yesterday.  Whoa, maybe I should say good morning first.  Hope you already had your coffee!  But I booked my appointment in honor of Megan's recent health scare.  The Happiest Mom says go get it done, Mamas.  I did mine.  Now it's your turn. In semi-related news, I am a MILF.  (Love the folks at True...
Mamas, I apologize for the light week.  I had intended to post the promised hair article, but man.  I'm wiped out.  Mike has been gone (since Sun!!) on a business trip, and in his absence, I've broken one coffee cup and two plates, lost the car keys six times, left Pax's winter coat somewhere in Easton, PA (Crayola "Experience"...
Mamas, we are all fine.  Happily, we never even lost power.  It was a crazy night - I could actually see transformers blowing when I looked out of our window, and watched an entire block of our neighbors' houses suddenly go dark.  If you've been following us on Instagram (@shanachristine), you may have seen the picture I took of Raines...
Mamas, do you know the book Iggy Peck, Architect?  It's awesome.  Not only does the entire family love to read it, but it's pretty much guaranteed to inspire a spurt of creative block-building in this house. Raines loves that Iggy builds with dirty diapers (among other things).  I love that this book reminds me that passion is everything, and that breaking...
Mamas, I know I said we'd be taking it easy for a while, but I just came across this and had to share.  It's something so jaw-droppingly stunning and unique and wow.  Just...wow. Kim Krans (who happens to be my mom's BFF's daughter...follow me?) is an amazing artist.  She recently created an ABC book for kids.  Instead of primary colors...
The days have been busy here at ANMJ HQ, Mamas, and this blog has opened up some amazing opportunities!  We're now writing articles and putting together galleries for Mom.me (mommy?), the newest (and best, besides ANMJ ; ) sanity break for moms.  Mom.me is produced by BermanBraun, the company responsible for magazine-like, glossy digital lunch break reveries à la Wonderwall.com...