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A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

May 29, 2012

Graduation Ideas / Fruit Roll-Up Diplomas

{ image by Aimée Lowry and Bettijo B. Hirschi }

Do you celebrate graduations? Looking back over my childhood, I remember a big picnic and awards ceremony at the end of sixth grade, a special church ceremony for eighth grade graduation (I went to parochial school for middle school and high school), and, of course, a big ceremony and open houses for high school graduation. For my kids, the big graduation events have taken place after preschool and kindergarten, and then really nothing else until high school graduation.

If you have a little one graduating from preschool or kindergarten, you might like these graduation party ideas from One Charming Party. And, really, your older kids might get a kick out of these “diplomas,” too. I mean, who doesn’t like a fruit roll-up? You can go here for a more generic free printable for graduates of any age.

I think it would be fun to print out one of the signs to hang on the door to greet the kids when they come home from school on the last day. You could then present each child with a diploma while recounting some of their finest moments from the school year. And then send them outside to run off all the sugar!

Filed Under: Kid Activities, Traditions Shannon 1 Comment

May 28, 2012

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope your Memorial Day weekend has been warm and wonderful. My favorite parts were watching Andrew march in the parade with the middle school band (for the last time!), water balloon fights, planting flowers with Lily, and laughing at my grandparents’ stories. They just celebrated their 63rd anniversary and are still keeping things interesting, let me tell you.

I have a birthday approaching, so I’ve decided to make it a year of trying new things. Some big things, I hope, but some small things, too. So far, I’ve grilled corn for the first time (delicious and crazy-easy—you just shuck the ears, smear them with olive oil, and throw them on the grill) and today I iced a watermelon. Yes, I’ve made it to nearly 44 without ever buying a whole watermelon and putting it on ice. There’s something so nostalgic and summery-looking about a watermelon getting nice and cold on ice in a metal tub, isn’t there?

Filed Under: Holidays Shannon Leave a Comment

May 25, 2012

Weekend Links (And a Michael Franti Story)

{ image }

I met Rosa of flutterflutter when we both answered a question about taking chances for Design Mom Asks. Since then, I’ve been inspired by her creativity—especially when it comes to creating fabulous art like the print above and coming up with ways to entertain young children.

Rosa’s latest print design features lyrics from the Michael Franti song, “The Sound of Sunshine.” It made me smile because it reminds me of a really amazing moment Tim had with Michael Franti. Can I tell you about it before we move on to some fantastic links for summer entertaining?

[Read more…] about Weekend Links (And a Michael Franti Story)

Filed Under: Cooking, Decorating, Gardening, Gifts, Inspiration, Kid Activities Shannon 1 Comment

May 24, 2012

Tons of Free Printables for Teacher Gifts

{ image }

We only have 10 1/2 days of school left, so we need to get busy with our year-end teacher gifts. We’re giving a DVD called “How Can I Be a Good Friend to Someone with Autism?” to the school on behalf of the teachers, but I’d still like to give each of them a little something to let them know how grateful we are for everything they’ve done.

[Read more…] about Tons of Free Printables for Teacher Gifts

Filed Under: Gifts Shannon Leave a Comment

May 17, 2012

Attempts at Gardening / Window Box

Are you a gardener? I like the idea of gardening, but I’ve never done more than dabble. I plant a window box and do a few potted plants here and there, but I’ve never really plunged in. I think it’s because you have to be willing to engage in a lot of trial and error. I’m not the biggest risk-taker in the world, but I’m working on it.

Last year’s window box was simply awful. I accidentally bought the world’s smallest geraniums—I swear they never grew more than about four inches. And since the window box is the first thing you see as you come down our driveway (it’s underneath the bonus room window over the garage), it kind of bummed me out all summer.

So this year I was determined to plant an absolutely gorgeous window box.

[Read more…] about Attempts at Gardening / Window Box

Filed Under: Gardening Shannon Leave a Comment

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Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hello! My name is Shannon Taylor and I’m a mom of four, originally from Minnesota and now living in Maryland. I "published" my first newsletter when I was nine, and since then, I’ve written and edited for magazines, websites, and textbooks. I started this blog when my kids were small to reflect on life, share ideas, and preserve memories. Now that my children are grown, I continue to use this space to document meaningful moments and practical ideas.

If you're in the mood for a bit of Christmas cheer, you might enjoy THE ADVENT BOX, available wherever books are sold. You can click on the cover below to learn more.

Instagram

Pandas are back at the National Zoo! We were there within days of hearing the news. 😂 Bao Li and Qing Bao are enjoying the spruced-up panda home on the zoo`s Asian Trail.

We last saw the pandas during a trip to D.C. in May 2011. I`m not sure if it was Mei Xiang or Tian Tian who firmly kept their back to us, but it was pretty hilarious. (photo #7) Not only did we get to see those wonderful pandas, but we got to spend time with Alexandra`s godmother, Amy, who was on home leave from her job with the State Department. Amy`s a fellow Midwesterner I met when we were interns waaay back in the day. (We connected watching "Northern Exposure" at Thompson-Markward Hall, affectionately known as the Home for Wayward Women.)

Be sure to put "Visit the Pandas" on your itinerary when you come stay with us in Baltimore. ❤️

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Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18295977556171943
Pandas are back at the National Zoo! We were there within days of hearing the news. 😂 Bao Li and Qing Bao are enjoying the spruced-up panda home on the zoo's Asian Trail. 

We last saw the pandas during a trip to D.C. in May 2011. I'm not sure if it was Mei Xiang or Tian Tian who firmly kept their back to us, but it was pretty hilarious. (photo #7) Not only did we get to see those wonderful pandas, but we got to spend time with Alexandra's godmother, Amy, who was on home leave from her job with the State Department. Amy's a fellow Midwesterner I met when we were interns waaay back in the day. (We connected watching "Northern Exposure" at Thompson-Markward Hall, affectionately known as the Home for Wayward Women.)

Be sure to put "Visit the Pandas" on your itinerary when you come stay with us in Baltimore. ❤️

My mom practiced, practiced, practiced and got to sing at Carnegie Hall for the premiere of "A Vision Unfolding" by Minnesota composer Kyle Pederson. A truly beautiful, uplifting work. I hadn`t been to Carnegie Hall before, so to visit for the first time to watch my mom perform was really wonderful.

Before the concert, we met Mom and her fellow choir member, Kathy, at Patsy`s, just down the block. The traditional Italian food was perfect on a chilly, rainy day—and it was fun to see photos of the celebrities who`ve dined there over the years, from Rihanna to Frank Sinatra (the restaurant`s claim to fame is that it was his favorite).

Mom, Tim, and Will hadn`t been to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum yet, so we headed to lower Manhattan after the concert. As we walked silently through the exhibits, trying to take it all in, I was struck by the distance between the concert, "A Vision of Light," and the grief and darkness around us. I thought of the words Mr. Pederson shared in the playbill, "It is my hope that we lean into the invitation that the choir offers—that each of us might reach out beyond our comfort zone and seek to build bridges of care and connection, finding a better way of being in community." And that’s what art does—it offers light when and where we need it most.

📷: Distinguished Concerts International New York

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Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18047049827096632
My mom practiced, practiced, practiced and got to sing at Carnegie Hall for the premiere of "A Vision Unfolding" by Minnesota composer Kyle Pederson. A truly beautiful, uplifting work. I hadn't been to Carnegie Hall before, so to visit for the first time to watch my mom perform was really wonderful.

Before the concert, we met Mom and her fellow choir member, Kathy, at Patsy's, just down the block. The traditional Italian food was perfect on a chilly, rainy day—and it was fun to see photos of the celebrities who've dined there over the years, from Rihanna to Frank Sinatra (the restaurant's claim to fame is that it was his favorite). 

Mom, Tim, and Will hadn't been to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum yet, so we headed to lower Manhattan after the concert. As we walked silently through the exhibits, trying to take it all in, I was struck by the distance between the concert, "A Vision of Light," and the grief and darkness around us. I thought of the words Mr. Pederson shared in the playbill, "It is my hope that we lean into the invitation that the choir offers—that each of us might reach out beyond our comfort zone and seek to build bridges of care and connection, finding a better way of being in community." And that’s what art does—it offers light when and where we need it most.

📷: Distinguished Concerts International New York

Is there a more endorphin-pumping experience than working out to `80s music? I don`t think so! Thank you to @natalie_dancebody and @mindi_dancebody for a truly joyful workout this morning. So much fun to dance along with two songs the Dancing Mamas tapped to back in the day at our kids` recitals: "Footloose" and "Beat It"! I hope you do this again, @dancebody ❤️🔥🎉

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Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18107239066486783
Is there a more endorphin-pumping experience than working out to '80s music? I don't think so! Thank you to @natalie_dancebody and @mindi_dancebody for a truly joyful workout this morning. So much fun to dance along with two songs the Dancing Mamas tapped to back in the day at our kids' recitals: "Footloose" and "Beat It"! I hope you do this again, @dancebody ❤️🔥🎉

Happy Valentine’s Day! I approach holiday greetings with more caution than I used to because I know these occasions can be painful for people who’ve lost someone. Which is pretty much everyone, especially when you get to be my age.

This day might not be the same as it was, but I hope you still have a valentine, whether it’s a romantic partner or a friend or a much-loved pet. Or yourself. We make good valentines because we know our favorite chocolate and what books we want.

I’ll always hang the Hearts on a String for any kid who’s home on Valentine’s Day, except not this year because the puppy would tear them to bits.

What a great Valentine’s message. 😅 Well. I do hope you have some treats today and you know I’m thinking of you fondly. ❤️

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Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18049981502173328
Happy Valentine’s Day! I approach holiday greetings with more caution than I used to because I know these occasions can be painful for people who’ve lost someone. Which is pretty much everyone, especially when you get to be my age. 

This day might not be the same as it was, but I hope you still have a valentine, whether it’s a romantic partner or a friend or a much-loved pet. Or yourself. We make good valentines because we know our favorite chocolate and what books we want.

I’ll always hang the Hearts on a String for any kid who’s home on Valentine’s Day, except not this year because the puppy would tear them to bits. 

What a great Valentine’s message. 😅 Well. I do hope you have some treats today and you know I’m thinking of you fondly. ❤️
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