Brenna Murphy
Brenna lives in San Francisco, CA. With four years of experience as a former nanny, and three nieces and a nephew that she adores, Brenna has a solid understanding of how much moms do every day and deserve a break every once in a while!
In The District
They Said What?!
You value everything your kids say, but sometimes, it's just so silly you have to laugh!
May 12th, 2012 | 8:45 AM
The combination of your kids’ personalities and their imaginations can result in comments that leave parents shocked, embarrassed, or just downright overcome with laughter. These are some quotes that our District Consultants and Regional Managers shared:
From Kristi Stovall, Regional Manager in Jacksonville, FL:
My 7-year-old son asked, “Mama, can you hatch us another baby? Because I would really like a little brother.” To which my 6-year-old daughter replied, ”Don’t be ridiculous Walter. Mama is too old to hatch any more eggs!”
From Deb Clem, Regional Manager in Kansas City, KS:
The school counselor asked the kids to list the top 3 things they learned in grade school. Rosie listed: (1.) Never let your cousin cut your American Girl’s hair. (2.) Never ask a lady if she is pregnant. It won’t turn out well. (3.) Never trust boys.
From Dawn Lazzara, District Consultant in Jacksonville, FL:
On a Mother’s Day project in preschool, my son filled in the blank with this response: My Mommy is as pretty as…”a brown and white dog!”
From Helen Connor, Regional Manager in Boston, MA:
When people tell my 6-year-old daughter that she looks like daddy she says, “No I don’t. I’m not hairy!”
From Brita Brown, District Consultant in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN:
My 3-year-old daughter asked, “Mom are we lost again? You are so bad at directions!”
From Michelle Peterson, District Consultant in Salt Lake City, UT:
I was preparing the Thanksgiving turkey and my 6-year-old daughter Chloe was helping me. As I pulled the neck out of the cavity she said “Yep! We know this one’s a boy!”
From Carly Kirsch, District Consultant in Hartford/New Haven, CT:
We were out in the back yard and I spotted some tulips that had bloomed. When I pointed them out to my 3.5-year-old daughter and said, “Look, there are tulips!” She replied, “Oh wow, pretty! We have those at school, except we have a lot of lips there.”
Mom Time
Teacher’s Pet – Show Appreciation
Teacher Appreciation week starts today. Here are some ideas for showing your appreciation that are easy and fun.
May 7th, 2012 | 1:09 AM
By Jill Holland
Jill has been a District Consultant in San Diego since December 2011. She has a 13 year old daughter and an 11 year old son.
In Encinitas, a beach town and suburb of sunny San Diego, families try to keep Teacher Appreciation Week simple, affordable for parents, and meaningful for teachers! These are some A+ gift ideas that you can do anywhere, and anytime of year, so your child’s teacher will feel the love all year round:
- Flower Day: If each child picks and brings a flower from their yard, one parent can arrange them quickly in a vase for a lovely bouquet. Watching the parade of kids carrying flowers to school is adorable, and the arrangement will be as unique as each student in the class.
- Fruit Day: Think outside the apple. Each child brings a piece of fresh fruit from home on this day and everyone chips in for a bowl. Voila! A beautiful fruit arrangement that every family can easily participate in.
- Coffee Day: A few parents bring the teacher’s favorite coffee or tea from their favorite coffee spot, favorite breakfast treat, and surprises them at their break. Parents can also chip in for an extra bag of coffee and have all the kids sign a mug.
- Spa Day: Parents can chip in to buy a mani/pedi or massage and package the gift certificate with some lotions, scented candle and card.
- Restaurant: Chip in for a gift certificate to a local restaurant so they can end their week with a delicious meal. Include a nice bottle of wine with the card, and toast to them.
Simple, honest appreciation from kids and parents versus grandiose gifts seem to touch teachers the most. They dedicate every day to your children, so dedicating a few days to them is worth the creativity and gesture.
Me Time
It’s Ladies (Spa) Night!
We think all moms deserve to pamper every once in a while
April 28th, 2012 | 12:51 AM
Hosting a spa night for your friends gives you all time to unwind, laugh a little, and pamper yourselves like you deserve, in the comfort of your own home! Take tonight night off, Mom.
These DIY Spa Night suggestions are easy and fun to do at home:
- Let the kids have a sleep over with movies and pizza at a house different than where you’re setting up spa. Call the babysitter or enlist the hubbies for bedtime duty, so your spa zone remains quiet and peaceful.
- Suggest that everyone wear pajamas or comfy yoga clothes, bathrobes and slippers.
- Welcome your guests with soothing music, dim lighting and scented candles that will make the room glow. Seda France home fragrances fill any room with a warm, comforting fragrance.
Available Now! $20 for $40 Worth of Seda France Home Fragrances on Plum District
- Start with a simple 15-minute yoga session to help release tension and induce relaxation.
- Provide hand soaks in bowls, filled with warm water and flower petals. You can also use larger plastic tubs for feet.
- Offer a variety of nail polishes that the ladies can choose from to paint each other’s nails. The newest Essie Nail Polish collection boasts bright, cheerful summer colors and are only $8 a bottle. Shades of pinks, corals and oranges flaunt names like Lights, Camera, and Action, which will leave you feeling like a star.
- Ahava Purifying Mud Mask is easy to apply all over your face and let set for just two minutes, then rinse with warm water. It’s gentle but deep cleans and invigorates your skin.
- Toast with a flute of glamorous and relaxing Lavender Champagne.
- For pregnant friends or those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, brew some green tea. For a chilled drink, have a pitcher of ice water with cucumbers.
- Serve a platter of cheeses, crackers, fresh fruit, nuts, and chocolates so everyone can indulge in sweet and savory treats.
Primped, pampered, and relaxed, you and your friends will want (and deserve!) to plan a Home Spa Night every month!
