Japan is an incredibly interesting and beautiful country, and Kyoto is perhaps its most historically significant city. We recently spent a weekend in Kyoto, Japan’s former capital. There wasn’t enough time to see and do everything, but we managed to hit several of the highlights. Kyoto is easy to get around by subway, bus, and … More Kyoto, Japan with Kids
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a must-see for travelers spending time in Osaka, Japan. I’ve been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, the New England Aquarium in Boston, and many others, and I can say with certainty that the Osaka Aquarium is among the best aquariums in the world. … More Osaka, Japan with Kids: Kaiyukan Aquarium
As parents, my husband and I have always tried to imbue in our daughters the traits of empathy and kindness in all they do. Unfortunately, we’re sometimes the brunt of their frustration, and they occasionally forget to treat us with the same simple manners they’d afford others around them. My husband was trying to explain, … More Learning to Be Kind
Over Thanksgiving break, my 10-year-old daughter had foot surgery. She has a condition called Accessory Navicular Syndrome, which basically means she has an extra bone in each foot. We always knew she was special! The condition itself isn’t super rare, but the size of her extra bones are unusually large. After the surgery, the doctor … More Daughter’s Surgery
In this spirit of Thanksgiving, my seven-year-old daughter was given an assignment by her second grade teacher. Each student gave a presentation in front of the class, describing three things for which they are thankful. My daughter chose three topics close to her heart: “I am thankful for art because we would not have that … More Giving Thanks
Last weekend, we had some pretty wicked weather here in Illinois. Playing outside was not an option, so my two daughters stayed in the house and built a fort out of a large box, blankets, and pillows. My ten-year-old daughter spent half the day in her fort, reading the sixth Harry Potter book with the … More Rainy Day Reading
At the beginning of the summer, I made a poster “checklist” of fun family activities. My two daughters had a blast checking items off the list after they did each activity. I’m not creative or crafty by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like a good checklist. I especially liked being able to … More Summer Activities
