One of my very favorite parts of parenting is reading aloud with my kids. I've loved it since my first was a baby (she loved to sit and be read to, even at a really young age!) and it's only gotten more fun as they've gotten older. I share books with my kids in two primary ways--I read out of a novel with them at bedtime for 20-30 minutes each night and we have a family audiobook that we listen to together (in the car, especially on long car trips, but also sometimes while co

I cannot believe we are already five days into 2026! Last year went by so quickly, it feels like it just disappeare. I read some really great books in 2025 and it was hard to narrow down my favorites. To help me pick just ten (with a couple bonus!), I give myself some categories to pick from each year (like a favorite book that made me cry or a favorite new release). Here are my top 10 favorite reads of 2025: Favorite New Release Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)

I can hardly believe 2025 has already come to a close--this year was a big one for our family. In March, we had our fifth baby and it has been both magical and overwhelming. Taking care of a baby while homeschooling and parenting older kids has been harder than I imagined it would be, but also more worthwhile (my favorite thing is watching their relationship with her!). When I was deciding on what goals to set this time last year, I knew it would be an adjustment year, one sp