Parenting
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Here in Nevada County, as the leaves crunch, the air chills, and jack-o-lanterns start popping up everywhere, I wonder: why do we carve pumpkins? It’s not just about flickering candlelight or front-porch flair. The custom of carving face-laden gourds is a wild ride through…
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The Children’s Festival once again proved why it’s one of the most beloved family events in Nevada County. Held at Pioneer Park, the festival was a whimsical blend of Renaissance fair fun, hands-on creativity, and community spirit. From costumed performers to sword making crafts,…
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Lately I’ve been watching parenting evolve faster than my youngest trying to escape bath time. Between social media, shifting values, and the reality of raising kids in a tech-heavy world, some fresh ideas are emerging about how we raise, guide, and support our children.…
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You know that feeling when Picture Day rolls around and suddenly your calm household turns into a backstage frenzy at a toddler fashion show? The hairbrush goes missing, someone spills juice on their shirt, and you’re bribing your kid with Pop-Tarts just to smile.…
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You know those Saturday nights when you’re sitting around thinking, “Okay… now what?” Sure, you could binge another series, scroll social media until your thumb goes numb, or raid the fridge for the third time—but what if I told you there’s something way cooler?…
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You ever have that one sneaky tooth that waits until 11 p.m. on a Friday night to start acting like it’s auditioning for a horror movie? Yeah, same. Tooth pain isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s the kind of discomfort that makes everything else in life feel…
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You know that moment when you feel like you might actually rip your hair out and your head feels like a shaken-up soda can? Yeah, that one. The kids are bickering, the dog just knocked over the water bowl, your phone won’t stop buzzing,…
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With the first day of school already behind us, we’ve officially entered that time parents and kids dread in equal measure: homework season. If you’re anything like me, you probably had that one subject you could ace without breaking a sweat and another that…
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If your kids think “outside” is just a loading screen between Wi-Fi signals, this one’s for you. As a mom of three and a small-town nature wanderer, I’ve watched my kids come alive in the wild—muddy boots, rock collections clinking in their pockets, and…
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Tonight was one of those evenings that reminds you exactly why small-town living is so special. The 2nd Annual Back to School Night at the North San Juan Community Center was an absolute success, with a huge turnout of community members ready to celebrate,…
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The first day of school always seems to come at us faster than we expect (while also taking too long to get here.) One minute, you’re buying popsicles and sunscreen, and the next, you’re staring at a pile of school supplies wondering how your…
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If there’s one thing parenting will teach you, it’s that “winging it” only works for so long—usually until the first time you realize you’ve been giving your toddler fruit snacks for dinner three nights in a row and calling it “balanced.” The good news?…
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If you’ve ever tried to do back-to-school shopping with one (or more) kids in tow and a tight budget… you know it’s no joke. Between the lists that require 87 pencils each, the shoes they will outgrow overnight, and the overpriced spiral notebook your…
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There’s something magical about teaching your little ones to swim—it’s part survival skill, part freedom, and part “mom-I’m-a-mermaid-now” moment. Whether you’ve got a backyard kiddie pool or just access to a public one, introducing your child to swimming doesn’t have to be intimidating. In…
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As a small‐town mom with three energetic kiddos, I’ve trekked through every nook and cranny of Nevada County’s parks and playgrounds. They combine fun, safety, and community spirit (no flimsy swings or bare patches of dirt here) with the natural beauty of the outdoors.…
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Some days, you just need a little escape—but not the kind that involves packing, planning, or Pinterest-perfect itineraries. Nope. I’m talking about the kind of adventure that starts with a backpack, a river trail, and maybe one child dramatically yelling, “TO BATTLE!” with a…
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If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “how many activities is too many?” while frantically packing snacks for soccer, piano, and the meltdown happening in the backseat—you’re not alone. And hey, you’re not a bad parent for wanting to give your kids all the things.…
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If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably said the words “go read a book” at least five times before lunch now that school’s out. But what if I told you there’s a place in town offering free crafts, storytimes, movie nights, Dungeons & Dragons,…
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There was a time when I thought a toddler’s birthday party required custom cookies, a balloon arch worthy of a Kardashian baby shower, and enough themed decor to put Pinterest into cardiac arrest. Spoiler Alert: it doesn’t.
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If you’ve ever found yourself wrestling a toddler into the car while trying to explain (for the hundredth time) that the doctor is not, in fact, out to get them… you are not alone, my friend. But I’m happy to report that today’s check-up…
