by Kristen Bagwell

Fastest giveaway ever!! Are you a winner? Click read more to find out! 

And the winners are... Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

What better way to celebrate Friday than with FREE TICKETS TO SEE THE BACKSTREET BOYS? You know you are as excited as I am...admit it! Triangle MOM has 2 sets of 2 lawn tix each to give away! Here's how it works. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Hello. My name is Kristen and I am spendy. I am! It's terrible. Actually, our whole generation is pretty spendy, and as far as I can tell, we are also used to getting what we want. I moan and groan some days about being a working parent, but honestly, I chose this path, and it helps us to live a pretty comfortable lifestyle. I do budget, but I can usually find a way to adapt for the "need" of the moment. Read More

By Guest Blogger Deborah Martin

Deborah Martin has some terrific ideas and recipes for us today! Deborah earned a BS in nutrition from Meredith College and is a certified pilates instructor with certification from the Physical Mind Institute in New York City. Deborah is not a licensed dietician, so before trying any new recipe, please call your pediatrician if you have questions concerning ingredients and how your child could react to those ingredients. Deborah's oldest child has a peanut allergy, so the following recipes are completely nut free. Enjoy! ... Rachel H
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by Kristen Bagwell

(Side note - did you notice that the picture with this post is all unnatural and catty-wompus? If someone gives you the thumbs down, you don't see the fingers side, you see the top-of-the-had side. My point exactly - that is NOT ok. Let's begin.)

Lately, I keep finding myself saying "that's not ok." There are several intonations and meanings of this phrase...let me give you some examples. Read More

by guest blogger Heather Monackey,
WakeMed Families First 

Many pools around our area are opening for the season over the next week. At the start of every swim season, it is important to remind children young and old about how important it is to swim safe. Read More

from NickMom
A Homework Fail. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Another gorgeous week here in the Triangle area...and another gorgeous Wordless Saturday! Special thanks to Heather Lauffer Photography for today's images. Enjoy! Read More

by Allison Cater

...and it was a terribly depressing ordeal.  I could tell my bras were not fitting right anymore and after being pregnant and breastfeeding two times it was time to reassess the situation.  I entered Victoria Secret's and immediately asked for someone to size me.  Read More

Sponsored by Museum of Life and Science

"Wheels" May 21 – 26
Tues – Saturday 10:00AM - 3:00PM
Sunday 12:00PM - 3:00PM
FREE with Admission
Museum of Life + Science
433 Murray Avenue
Durham, NC 27704

Get ready for a wheelie good time at the Museum with "Wheels!" Join us as we spend an entire week exploring things that roll and spin, all while learning the science behind inertia and motion.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

Is it just me, or are movies these days just not as good as they used to be?  We have rented more new releases from RedBox and Netflix lately that we do not even finish watching.  I can't decide if it is because the movies are truly awful, my patience is thinning, or ... I am scared to say it ... I am getting old.  If you are in the same boat as me, today's post may help!

I asked some friends of mine to send me their favorite movies that never really made it big, but  are still worth the watch.  Whether they are B-list movies, straight-to-video movies, or simply oldies-but-goodies, we thought this list would give you some good movie night ideas this summer! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

The nominations are in - have you voted? If not, CLICK HERE to cast your votes for the 2013 Choice Awards! Votes will be collected via online survey through May 31. Newsletter subscribers will receive the voting link today, and we'll also send it to all the nominees and post via facebook. Remember, please try to vote for at least half of the categories. 

Votes will be tallied and the winning businesses will then be announced on June 3.  Each winning business will receive free advertising and bragging rights for a whole year! This includes a "winner" logo image as well as a choice of a free banner run or a dedicated blog on Triangle Moms on Main.

Congratulations and good luck to all of our local finalists!  Read More

by Allison Carter

Since Greensboro is in that other “T” area of NC (the Triad) I don’t think to go there often. But this was just an hour away for us, an easy drive, and we had a fantastic time. Read More

by Allison Carter

Be forewarned: I am a little miffed as I write this.  I am a SAHM (as you all know from previous musings on this issue).  Yet I also blog and write.  I love both of these "professions."  I was a Journalism major and worked for a few newspapers over the years before my career went in a legal way.  Staying at home combined with the exlposion of blogs over the years has allowed me to go back to my passion.  Bonus is I get a little income along the way while forging a new workplace identity (no empty resume years for me).  So why am I miffed?
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by Kristen Bagwell

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmothers, mom-away-from-moms, step moms, and...well, you know who you are. It's so hard to find the right Mother's Day card, so I put a few of my favorites below. Wonder which one I chose, and for whom...
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by Kristen Bagwell

What gorgeous weather we've been having after all that rain - hello sunshine! Today's images have a shine all their own...click Read More to see what I mean. Enjoy!  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Little things this week keep reminding me that I am aging. For example...yesterday my boss showed up wearing one of those strappy things around his upper forearm, just below the elbow. Turns out he has tennis elbow (although not from playing tennis) and casually mentions that things don't heal as fast as they used to. He is not all that much older than I am.

Which brings me to my next point: Wednesday morning, when I mentioned getting up in the night (with baby) to another colleague, he replied "Oh, that's what it is. I thought you looked different today...I guess it's because you're tired. Showing around your eyes, mainly." Captain Sensitivity, reporting for duty. Must we say these things out loud?  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

The nominations are in! Welcome to the 2013 Choice Awards contest - voting can officially begin! Votes will be collected via online survey through May 31. Newsletter subscribers will receive the voting link today, and we'll also send it to all the nominees and post via facebook. Remember, please try to vote for at least half of the categories. 

Votes will be tallied and the winning businesses will then be announced on June 3.  Each winning business will receive free advertising and bragging rights for a whole year! This includes a "winner" logo image as well as a choice of a free banner run or a dedicated blog on Triangle Moms on Main.

Congratulations and good luck to all of our local finalists!  Read More

by guest blogger Susan M.

There are things that you would think that might be the bane of my existence. Bats, perhaps. But I'll let you in on a little secret - the bane of my existence is dinner.

No really. It's dinner.

It's not so much the actual food of dinner that drives me crazy, nor, in all honestly, the family around the table part. Although, around the 40th "Why did the cow cross the road" joke, it comes pretty close. (For some inexplicable reason, this is what dinner winds up as at my house, and a refined sense of humor is clearly not in my children's genetic code.) Read More

By Triad MOM Guest Blogger Jai Wallace Tracy

Sometimes I think Facebook is the worst thing to have happened to a mom. Well, Facebook and smart phones.

Think about it. Because of these two inventions, you can now get a look at the life of every mom you call "friend." AND it's all delivered instantly right to your phone. Now moms have a front-row seat to all the cookie-baking and paint projects and plenty of time to judge their own mothering skills against such. We see the handmade paper chains decorating the Christmas tree across town, and suddenly our own Target ornaments seem way too trite. The next thing you know, we're freaked out that our own kids are going to become resentful of the handmade-ornament kids, join a ornament-hating gang, rob a Hallmark store and end up in jail serving 5 to 10. So Target mom says to ornament mom, "Why can't you just take it down a notch????"

But it goes the other way, too. Ornament mom looks at Target mom with raised eyebrow and says, "Can't you up your game just a bit?" Read More

from Scary Mommy

This might not be "funny" but I love it, always will, and think everyone should have it and know it.  Happy Sunday!

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by Kristen Bagwell

It's our first Wordless Weekend of the season, and I'm so excited to get things kicked off. Check out the unique images submitted by Nicole Callis of Nirie Photography - what fun. Enjoy!  Read More

by Rachel Hoening at Triad Moms on Main

Picky Eaters - if you don't have one, you should feel lucky.

Before having kids I always smirked when I heard parents say things like, "Oh I wish I could serve casseroles for dinner, but my kids just won't eat that."

My thought: "How can kids not eat something? You make it. They eat it. Period. What is the problem?"

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by Allison Carter

I can't tell you how many times I have heard (and used) the phrase "Mom Brain" when we forget something we feel like we should remember.  You know, someone's name, where the car keys are, getting the field trip permission slip in by the deadline.  But I feel like this is somewhat unfair.  You see, us moms remember a lot -  A LOT.  We just don't have room to remember it ALL.

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by Allison Carter

Ah, the 1st day of May.  May day!  In many cultures this marks the first day of spring.  That fact combined with "April showers bringing May flowers," I am ready for spring to hit us in the face!  My boys and I are planning some activities around town to really revel in spring. Read More

By Jenny Stauffer

It's almost time for Cinco de Mayo, also known as a great day to eat Mexican food and drink Mexican beer or a margarita! We love to eat Mexican, so I usually have a surplus of recipes (check back on the previous April and May posts in our Recipe section for more recipes, or on our Pinterest recipes board.) Even when it isn't May 5th, these recipes can be enjoyed all summer long!


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by guest Christy Johnson

Work/life balance is a popular buzz-phrase these days. It seems that a lot of people have the sense that they’re riding a runaway roller coaster and can’t figure out how to gain control over their busy schedules. The problem is that we always feel like we are so busy, and yet we aren’t actually accomplishing anything. There’s no real forward motion when we’re busy juggling too much. Read More

from Facebook

A big thank you to TLC - The Labrador Connection for today's funny. Now THIS is a well-trained dog!  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell; sponsored by Kidz Celebrate

If you're planning a birthday party, you simply must consider Kidz Celebrate. A new venue in Raleigh, Kidz Celebrate offering drop-in child care, classes, full-day, half-day and summer camps, and birthday parties, among other things. From their website: Kidz Celebrate brings parties to life with unique themed parties, enriching camps, and unforgettable classes, including kids’ Zumba, and much more! We also offer drop-ins, where your child can enjoy crafts and exciting activities in a fun and enriching atmosphere where kids can be themselves! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Lately I have been struck by how different my kids are. I realize this is not exactly a profound thought, and actually kind of an obvious one. So let me explain.

When I was growing up, I always thought it would be perfect to have a husband, then a boy child, and a girl as the little sister. We'd live in a small house with a small yard and a window above the kitchen sink so I could watch as my strong husband lovingly tossed my kids in the air while I prepared dinner with one meat, one cooked vegetable, and a small salad to start off. Another unprofound and somewhat generic thought.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

One week from today, you are all cordially invited to Dress boutique in Raleigh for a Sip n Shop to benefit Scott-Free. The Scott-Free Scholarship is need based and pairs at risk children with camps or programs that offer sports, technology, theater, music, arts, and education. Each summer, the recipients will receive full or partial scholarships that enable them to explore and discover the extent of their talents and abilities.

Check out the invitation below, and stay tuned for more information on the silent auction later today! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

I'm not much for watching the news. Like, ever. When I do, I usually think to myself "oh, right, they should have named this the Bad News" because every headliner is about something negative.

This past week has highlighted that truth times a gazillion, and ended with me quietly sobbing into my popcorn on Sunday night while I watched my daughter dance to a Fresh Beat Band Special. 

It makes me want to hide. For a really long time. Read More

by Cara McLauchlan, local writer and author of Joy Goggles

If your life were a Haiku poem, what would it be?

You may remember that Haiku is a Japanese style poem that has 3 lines and the rhythm of 5 syllables, 7 syllables and then 5 again. For a person that loves to write long, flowery sentences, Haiku feels like the equivalent of naked writing.

What's cool about Haiku is how much you can say in a tiny bit of writing. It usually gives you a sensory surprise and a sweet picture of an experience -- like turning the corner and pow! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell
Last Monday we kicked off our third annual “Choice Awards” contest! (If you missed the 2012 contest, you can see our winners here.)  This year, we have tweaked the contest a little by using suggestions and ideas from our readers and businesses who were nominated. 

Nominations for the contest are easy.  All TMoM newsletter subscribers received a link via newsletter to nominate businesses.  (If you are not currently a newsletter subscriber, enter your email address in the purple box on the right and you will receive your link on Wednesday.)The Triangle Moms on Main team developed a list of 25 categories which are specific to the lives of Triangle moms, and today our newsletter subscribers can nominate one businesses for each category. Nominations will continue through April 29, 2012.

At that point, nominations will be tallied and the top five finalists in each category will be posted on the website on May 1. The general public can then vote by way of a survey found on our website.  Voting will take place throughout the month of May. Read More

from the Internet

Since I was talking about Mother's Day earlier this week, here you go!

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