Dear 3 Boys

Anyone who actually knows me, knows how much I love wearing foundation and curling my naturally straight hair! Using makeup has been like a hobby of mine - it's the only form of art I can say I feel confident using  (sadly, I never inherited my mom's drawing skills).  Since a very young age, I remember watching my own mother apply her makeup as she got ready to head out to work, with true awe.  Using makeup can just be fun and feel like a confidence booster, but when you're a mom of 3, there's not much time in the day for anything you-related.  Things like hair and makeup can easily take the back burner on my to-do list.  I spend most of my days at home with my boys, but I still choose to put on some makeup and and do my hair most days because that's just what I enjoy and makes me feel ready to go out and start my own day.  In the past year and a half, that's gotten harder to accomplish as my sons grow and demand so much of my attention - but I have a ...

David insisted on making cupcakes for Mommy's 30th Birthday My son is always excited and asking to help me cook in the kitchen, and I nearly always say "yes" as I'm constantly looking for opportunities to give him individual attention with younger twin siblings.  Something like homemade vanilla frosting is a very kid-friendly recipe that takes about 5 mins and always allows my son to take the lead in the "cooking."  There’s just something fun and special about making your own homemade frosting!  The ingredients are all commonly found in a typical kitchen, and as a mother, it’s a true delight watching my son’s face light up as he sees the ingredients transforming into something brand new.  Making our own frosting was kind of like conducting our own science experiment in the kitchen – very messy, but quick and delicious!  This took us just under a total of 5 minutes to make, and we only had to use 4 simple ingredients.  The frosting can be mad...

I’m really excited to have found yet another way to use buttermilk in something I know my family already loves to eat with practically anything:   potatoes!   Buttermilk adds such a natural creaminess to these mashed potatoes, and is lower in fat than milk or cream.   I love making mashed potatoes with Yukon Gold potatoes, but really, any kind will do.    Very thankful for my partnership with Farmland Fresh Dairies , which has allowed me to share some of my family’s favorite recipes with you all! Ingredients: ·       1.5 pounds (4 medium) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks   ½ cup Farmland Fresh Dairies’ buttermilk ·       Salt & Pepper ·       2 tablespoons butter, cut into small chunks Directions: 1.   Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add enough cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil; add 1 tablespoon salt, and cook until potato...

After taking our first, family trip to Lake George with “twins plus one,” I learned a lot from the experience – things I hope to remember the next time we plan a trip together.   I mean, really, the thought of surviving a nearly 4-hour long trip there from Manhattan, along with the twin’s first time away from home in a hotel for 5 days, was nerve wrecking.  Ultimately, I’m glad we took the risk and built some wonderful family memories there this summer.  And who knows where the Dedaj’s are off to next! I’ve always been a planner and taken great pride in organizing and putting together events, whether it was for a Publishing Party in my English middle school classroom, or my twins’ baptism celebration.   I consider myself a pro and actually enjoy putting together “agendas” for day trips with my husband or friends, researching and collecting sites to visit.   However, traveling with 2 one-year old’s and a rambunctious 5-year old was a whole new exper...