kids – jess leigh hanna

Of Robin Hood and Revelation

Growing up, one of my favorite movies was Disney's animated Robin Hood. As a parent, the classic is still in my collection--only I've upgraded from the chunky VHS to a…

Of Scheduling a Slowdown

Summer was my favorite season when I was a kid. No school, long sunny days, and dirty, bare feet that needed to be washed every night. As an adult, the…

Of Prime Lessons from Optimus

The first time I heard about Optimus Prime was from a little kid I didn't know. My aunt was pregnant with twins, and apparently the kid had suggested the babies…

Of Pink M&Ms and Supporters

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and you know what that means? Pink candy! Which is ideal for potty-training a little girl who loves chocolate. Little Miss just turned…

Of January Mornings

I love the month of January. After the lack of routines (and sleep and healthy food) from the holidays, January provides a reset button. Some people scoff at making New…

Of Merry Little Christmases and Messy Little Children

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas..." That is my mantra for this season. I want it to be happy and simple. For me, simple is minimal decorating: it took me…

Of Arsons and Artists

My sweet, snot-nosed little humans. I love them dearly, I really do. Our morning went well. I've been trying to encourage "controlled creativity" and give them ample opportunities for discovering…

Of Sunday and the Sacred Shower

Sundays are the only day I can guarantee being within twenty-four hours of soap and water when I leave the house. In the postpartum world, showers are a luxury. I…

Of Holidays and How Children Age

Thanksgiving weekend went differently than planned. The plan was to host the in-laws and extended siblings. The reality was that all three kids and I were on the beginnings of…

Of Three Kids, Two Cats and One Zombie

Once upon a time we had a little grey kitten named Clarabelle. She went the way of the world (rather, the neighborhood) and soon became a Momma Kitty named Clarabelle.…