Kirsten
Kirsten is a native Wisconsinite who married a Brit, moved to England and happily ended up in Madison in 2010. She and her husband, Adrian, are parents to Sophie, Charlie and Susannah, who fascinate and exhaust their parents pretty much every day. A former newspaper reporter, Kirsten now supports mompreneurs through her website, motherbility.com. She's also a mini-expert on traveling with kids. (Always answer "Should we go to ... " with "yes." Bring toys, snacks and an excess of patience.) She and her family camp every summer, usually in state parks, because they love outdoor living. And s'mores.
GO, SEE, EXPLORE: AZTALAN STATE PARK
Aztalan State Park isn't your typical state park. There's no playground or outdoor grills. No big beach and concession stands. Not a lot of trails. What you will find at Aztalan State Park, though, is fascinating.
Designated a...
Isolated or Quarantined? 6 Ways to Stay Connected
My house has a new room -- or rather, an entirely new floor.
What once was the basement is now called the Den of Isolation, where Covid-positive family members go to hang out in solitude...
8 Songs to Help Keep Lullaby Time Fresh
"What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
After that tearfest, you might need something lighter. This classic quite simply celebrates the world. It's lovely to sing.
Sample lyrics: The colors of the rainbow / so pretty...
Go, See, Explore: Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area
You can explore Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area without getting your feet wet.
But if you're determined to stay completely dry, you might just miss the best part.
Location
1377 County Rd DL - Merrimac, WI
1.6 Mile...
Local shopping that does a ton of good by giving back? Yes, please!
A few Decembers ago, I challenged myself: With every Christmas present I bought, I'd try to maximize the number of people it helped. It was so fun, I've kept the challenge going!
Here's my thought process:
Anytime...
Wisconsin Voting 101: Absentee ballots, key deadlines and where to turn for help
UPDATE: On Sept. 21, a federal judge ruled that absentee ballots in Wisconsin can be counted up to six days after Election Day as long as they are postmarked by the election, a decision...
So You Want To Buy A Lake Cottage
Three summers ago, my husband and I decided, absolutely for sure, that we were not going to buy a lake cottage.
And then we bought one the following week.
It wasn't, however, an impulse buy. Quite...
Secrets of Madison: An insider’s guide to fun things you probably haven’t tried
So ... don't get me wrong. I thoroughly appreciate the richness of mom life in Madison.
I mean, come on: There's a zoo! And it's freakin' free!
And yet.
My kids and I have been to the...
Just add diversity: Using your TV to battle racism
Not everything has to be "12 Years A Slave".
I mean, yes, by all means watch that movie. After all, it won the Best Picture Oscar as, according to Rotten Tomatoes, an "unflinchingly brutal look...
George Floyd’s plea to all mamas
"I can't breathe!" breaks my heart.
But it's the "Mama!" that haunts me.
George Floyd, lying face down in the street, his windpipe crushed under the weight of a police officer's knee, gasping for breath, begging...
The Best Lessons, the Best Teachers, Last a Lifetime
Mr. Shingler had been my favorite teacher and coach.
But in that moment, I hated him.
It was eighth grade and, all year, I had been a starting forward on the basketball team. One week, though, I...
The Best Ideas I Ever Stole
Sometimes we have great ideas.
Sometimes other people have great ideas.
And sometimes we look at other people's great ideas and think, "Yes! I should do THAT!"
Sharing is caring, people.
So, with that, I give you some...