Abby Off the Record — The scoop on life, writing & raising kids

Preschool Panic

September 10, 2012

It could have gone either way. He’s unpredictable, my second-born son. On his first day of preschool he could have either a) sprinted into the classroom with barely a “See ya, Mom!” like his older brother, b) cried and clung to my leg, or c) some other reaction I could neither foresee nor explain. Like […]

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Goodbye to Miss B.

September 7, 2012

Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind. – Henry James I had not seen her for some time. “Miss B.” used to run the childcare room at my gym, but left when she got sick. I […]

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Parents On Vacation or In Denial?

September 5, 2012

Great news, people! Once again, I am going to be guest blogging for TheBump.com. Remember when you were getting married and spent WAY too much time on TheKnot.com stalking the message boards for tips on dealing with bridesmaids and finding the best florist? Well, TheBump.com is the married-with-kids version of that. Each Wednesday I’ll be […]

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When Bloggers Get Writer’s Block

September 3, 2012

The well is dry, people. Good thing it’s Labor Day and few of you are reading. I don’t really believe in writer’s block, but as I sit here trying to brainstorm blog topics, I’m coming up empty. Oh, sure, I have ideas. But they’re either too big – marriage, happiness, finding your passion in life, […]

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Flashback Friday: Who IS This Kindergartener?!

August 31, 2012

School’s been in session less than a week, so I don’t yet have enough material to write a post about first grade. Don’t worry — I’m sure in a week or 2, I’ll have LOADS to write about. In the meantime, please enjoy this post from last year. Who IS This Kindergartener?! When I was […]

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The Day I Decided I Liked My Own Cooking

August 29, 2012

It’s finally happened. A day I thought would never arrive, even though Rachael Ray, Giada DeLaurentiis, and countless other TV chefs promised it would: the day I decided I like my own cooking better than eating out. But first, a caveat. (For my husband or anyone else reading this who might want to wine and […]

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A College Girl at Heart

August 27, 2012

I’ve spent a good part of my life on college campuses. First as the daughter of a professor, then for various summer camps and classes, then as a college student myself. Even now when I step onto a college campus, I feel a sense of peace and possibility. All those lush, well-tended grounds and important-looking […]

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Snapshots of a Family Vacation

August 22, 2012

Some scenes from our annual family vacation at the lake: On a walk with 3 kids, ages 6, 5, and 3 “Guys, see that flower? It’s called Queen Anne’s lace. Isn’t it pretty?” The kids pick it, sniff it. One says, “It kind of smells like poop.” “Yeah, it smells like POOP!” the others agree. […]

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Flashback Monday: Nature Girl

August 20, 2012

Happy Monday! Well, it is for me anyway, since I’m on vacation this week. We’ve been at the lake barely 24 hours and we’ve already gone boating, swimming, mini golfing, and caught a fish the kids named Finn. Please enjoy this post from my archives. And don’t forget: the LAST SESSION of my fun, practical, […]

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Running After My Kids Keeps Me Fit (to Be Tied)

August 17, 2012

You know how some supermodel will pop out a baby and a few weeks later she’s strutting down a red carpet in a tight mini dress? And the entertainment news anchors always ask her that shockingly original and not at all offensive question, “So, how did you lose the baby weight so fast?” And the […]