Little Potato. Tiny Tomato. Big Tiny. Baby Lady. Littles. Litty. Tines. Teeny-Weeny. Ween. Neen. Bean. Cuddlebunny. Budgie. Budgit. Littleton. Peedles. Sweetieluffs. Luffy. Coconut… You get it. The above is just the beginning of a list of nicknames Crabhub and I…

Continue reading → the nicknamer

One upon a time there was a little boy and his name was Andrewshek. While Crabkid isn’t old enough to appreciate the value of receiving a family heirloom for Christmas from her grandma, she’s thoroughly enjoying the sweet stories in…

Continue reading → Crabkid Recommends

It’s that time of year again, when we receive untold holiday cards and holidays newsletters. I’m not sending anything by snail mail this year. I’m writing my holidays newsletter online, as I did last year. In fact I’m about to…

• St. Patricks Day Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Cards Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Crabby holiday letter

Crabmommy is crabbing out in a big way today and I want you to crab with me. Preferably in a letter to your senator. I just learned that on account of a stringent new safety measure passed by the new…

• Gloves Pads Safety Protective Gear Tools Home Improvement
• Glasses, Goggles Shields Safety Protective Gear Tools Home Improvement
• Safety Protective Gear Tools Home Improvement

Continue reading → toy story: should safety really come first?

I’m no stranger to judging other mothers, but I think it’s unjust when someone judges me. Sound familiar? Surely I’m not alone when it comes to this installment of the Momocrite Diaries? It seems to me that judgment just comes…

Continue reading → momocrite diaries: judging moms

We took Crabkid to Macy’s today to check out the Christmas scene in the basement. It was a great success, especially since we were able to utterly avoid the far-too-long line for Santa by telling Crabkid all those people were…

• Skates Ice Skating Winter Sports
• Ice Makers Refrigerators Freezers Major Appliances
• Youth Skates Ice Skating Winter Sports

Continue reading → Santaland diaries

I’m doing a double-round of Etsyliciousness this week. On the heels of my Monday holiday decorations post, I’m sharing with you truly scrumptious holiday gifts I’ve found for your delectation—all priced around $20 and under, because that’s how this cheapmommy…

• Decorations Vintage Pre-1960 Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Young Adult Romance Books

Continue reading → Crabmommy Loves: fabby cheapo loot!

As a half-Jewish atheist, I have no business getting hopped up with joy over Christmas decorations. I was also one of those moms who swore she’d never tell her kid some claptrap about a man in a red suit on…

• Nativity, Religious Ornaments Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Rudolph Ornaments Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Patriotic Ornaments Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → Crabmommy Loves: Holiday Angels

What I’m thankful for: Since we’ve been kindly invited to friends for the Thursday feast, I won’t be commandeering a turkey this year, and therefore won’t have to ponder whether to go organic or not, much less whether to brine…

• Wild Turkey Distillery Advertising Collectibles

Continue reading → feeling grateful

I’m going to give you an early holiday present. I was saving this one for Christmas, but I figure we could all use an early-season laugh. This is a big one. I’m being really generous with you, my peeps. And…

• High School Romance Audio Books
• High School Romance Books
• Orthopedic Womens Shoes

Continue reading → the worst school uniform in the world

I’ve been holding out on you, Cookie-readers. I neglected to inform you of some pretty big news around these parts. We’ve decided to add a brand new member to the Crabfamily. Even though we don’t necessarily have the space, nor…

• Pot Bellys Harmony Kingdom Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

Continue reading → Crocking Out!

I love Thanksgiving. Especially when I’m invited to someone else’s. Thanks to my friend Lisa, this lazy crabmommy won’t have to tussle with any turkeys this year. And thanks to me, those of you hosting Thanksgiving-fests of your own can…

• Wild Turkey Distillery Advertising Collectibles

Continue reading → Cheapmommy loves: thrifty turkey day trimmings

Gwyneth Paltrow tells me” “Don’t be lazy.” Being lazy is what’s wrong with my life! (But I’m fixing that, Gwynnie with my mom-flap pledge.) And thanks to her advice on her new website, GOOP, I may learn a trick or…

• Baby Dolls Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → Gwynnie’s got GOOP!

Even though Crabmommy is a US citizen (though raised in South Africa), I didn’t vote in this election. Being a busy mom, I just forgot, until it was too late. And now I’m feeling as guilty as all get-out. Ha!…

• Baby Face By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears
• Baby Ornaments Christmas Current 1991-Now Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Bitty Baby American Girl By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → gladmommy! obamania overcomes me

We are living in uncertain times. And Crabkid feels it. She is full of tough questions and so she forces me to confront the big issues of the day, whether I’m ready for them or not, e.g., “How do you…

• High School Romance Books
• Time Travel Romance Audio Books
• High School Romance Audio Books

Continue reading → what do i know?

As Halloween approaches I find myself once again turning to crabby thoughts on this the sweetest day of the year. I’m all for the mini-Snickers and the decorating of pumpkins. I’m all for the cute little ones going door to…

• Bears Contemporary 1960-Now Valentines Day Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• St. Patricks Day Holidays Postcards Collectibles
• Day Packs Backpacks Camping Hiking

Continue reading → all treat no trick?

Expectant mothers are treated like criminals if they’re caught with a glass of wine or a plate of sushi—but it’s time to change that. So begins a very sensible essay on how being pregnant in our culture corresponds with the…

• Wine Chillers Cellars Refrigerators Freezers Major Appliances
• Wine Modern 1900-Now Bottles Bottles Insulators Collectibles

Continue reading → Pregnant? Eat (sushi), Drink (wine), And Be Merry!

Crabkid and I are all about acorns. We have our share of oaks here in Crabcity, and we spend lots of time competing with the squirrels for our own stash. My kid loathes carrying anything for longer than four seconds…

• World Cup Soccer Soccer Cards Sports Collectibles

Continue reading → crabmommy loves…acorns!

When Crabkid one day turns to me and expresses sufferings real and imagined from childhood, I’m well prepared with my responses: “at least you weren’t a Chinese gymnast.” Not to mention a Hindu goddess. Yesterday Nepal anointed a 3-year-old girl,…

• Baby Alive Interactive Dolls Dolls Dolls Bears
• Ah My Goddess Japanese, Anime Animation Art, Characters Collectibles
• Baby Face By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → a childhood divine

After 13 years in New York City, I learned how to squeeze my life into small rental apartments. I’ve always pooh-poohed the American need for space. Except for a brief ill-fated detour into into rural living, I’ve always seen myself…

• Skiing Resort Vacation Deals

Continue reading → In the Clubhouse

After much thought we decided to register for Crabkid’s upcoming fourth birthday party. It just seemed the most practical thing to do. Almost had you there, didn’t I? But seriously, a new trend is emerging out there to register for…

• Birthday Vintage Greeting Cards Paper Collectibles
• Happy Birthday Barbie Barbie Dolls Barbie Contemporary 1973-Now Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → Crabkid turns 4! Please visit our registry!

I’m not someone to get all jazzed about the latest episodes of Lost or Desperate Housewives or whatever, not because I’m so highbrow as to not watch these things but because my husband is. Indeed, I credit Crabhubby for helping…

• Comedy Posters Television Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

Continue reading → Motherhoodlum! Season 2!

It’s all very well telling kids “use your words,” but as we all know words can be just as dreadful as deeds. Today, for example: I’m driving and attempting to tune out a scream of angry talk flying from the…

Continue reading → sticks and stones

As you all know, I loathe to buy off baby registries so I love to scout baby delights, preferably in my cheapmommy price range: $20 or less. With two friends having just produced little girls (and thankfully having the good…

• Baby Face By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears
• Grand, Baby Grand Piano Musical Instruments
• Baby Alive Interactive Dolls Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → Crabmommy Loves: Bootie Booty

On Monday, my daughter began her first day of school and after dropping her off, waving goodbye, and walking away, I wept. Tears of joy, people. Okay, so tears is an exaggeration, but I definitely felt a lightness in my…

• Time Travel Romance Audio Books
• Time Travel Romance Books
• Mother and Child Statues, Figures Christianity Religions, Spirituality Collectibles

Continue reading → separation celebration

Warning: this post is neither funny nor heartwarming. Sorry. We moms, we can’t win. Either we’re disciplining our kids too much, or not enough. I considered not posting this anecdote. I didn’t think I’d need to revisit this territory quite…

Continue reading → when parents attack, part 2

Since a bunch of you enjoyed the baby room cuteness I sourced for you in my last cheapmommy post, I’m back with another round of attractive, 100% organic, low-budge wall art to help make your nursery truly one of a…

• Baby Dolls Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → wall art 2: placenta prints!

All adults have moments when we wish we could be kids again, just as our kids often wish they were us. For her part, Crabkid has begun to notice the many things grownups get to do that she doesn’t get…

Continue reading → trading places

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” I say to Crabkid via a mouth full of food. “Eat slowly, and chew your food nicely,” I say, having long since dispatched my dinner in about twelve seconds. These are the sorts of…

• Napkins Table Linens Linens, Fabric Textiles Collectibles
• Placemats Table Linens Linens, Fabric Textiles Collectibles
• Table Linens Linens, Fabric Textiles Collectibles

Continue reading → momocrite diaries, part 3

As many of you know, I’ve been quite taken by this recently published book, Nation of Wimps: The High Cost of Invasive Parenting. So I interviewed the author, Hara Estroff Marano (who is also the editor-at-large of Psychology Today), about…

• Today American Girl By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → nation of wimps: the interview

Many of you joined me when I issued a challenge to address the mom-flap almost 2 weeks ago. So, with my blog on the line, I could no longer procrastinate on dealing with my wibbly post-preggie, post-C-section ab-flab. Indeed, I’ve…

Continue reading → mom-flap challenge: progress report

Sometimes blogging bites you in the butt. By nature the form is raw and the only editor involved is the blogger (that’s right: Cookie magazine does not oversee what I post here; I am responsible for everything I put up)….

Continue reading → straight shot

I’m feeling unusually pleased with myself: I found some très fab 1940s original children’s illustrations (for pennies on eBay) and am about to frame them up for Crabtot’s new(ish) room. Instant vintage sweetness! My search came about when I realized…

• Babies, Kids Toys Contemporary 1970-Now Miniatures Dollhouse Miniatures Dolls Bears
• New Kids on the Block N Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• Bedroom Lamps Home Lighting

• Easter/Passover Traditions What are your Easter/Passover traditions? When I was little, my mother (thinking about her a lot, as her birthday was a couple of days ago) always had an overflowing Easter basket for us, and we also had to find decorated eggs that were hidden in the house. Sometimes we helped......
• All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny I thought this was a cute forward. Karin All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny! Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Everyone needs a friend who is all ears. There's no such thing as too much candy. All work and no play can make......

Continue reading → Crabmommy Loves…Little Fluffy Bunnies

If you have one, keep reading; if you don’t, go away. We don’t want your kind here. I’m talking about the “mom-flap.” Or more precisely, that small midriff tire of extra chunk that the blessing of a baby bestows on…

• Exercise Fitness Programs Weight Management

Continue reading → the mom-flap challenge

Ah, summer! At long last, here in the north and west of the USA, summer is upon us! And this means much completely obvious (and therefore, useless) parenting advice in mags and on the net about safety. Like when the…

• Summer Olympics Autographs-Original Sports Collectibles
• Fountains Water Features Garden D cor Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

Continue reading → to strip or not to strip?

Here begins a story about a beloved that I lost and then retrieved years later: a tale of accidental meetings, love at first sight, denial, and—finally—second chances. I’m not talking about a man. I’m talking about a wallet. Specifically, a…

• Clutch Handbags

Continue reading → the one that got away

I’m all about telling kids the truth, even when it comes to uncomfortable questions, such as those about babies and where they come from. You have to tell kids the real deal right from the get-go: babies come from magic…

Continue reading → the facts of life

I lived out my perfect day today. In my head, that is. As I do all too often. This morning I woke up early, before my husband and child, grabbed an hour of power skipping with the skipping rope I…

Continue reading → my other life

It’s been a while since I posted on delicious but cheap kid-oriented gear, but LAWD knows when I’m not crabbing about motherhood, I love sourcing a cheap but beautiful and practical objet of design for your delectation. I also adore…

Continue reading → Cheapmommy Loves: Oil cloth

The following post contains what has come to be known as a Momocrite Moment. If you are offended by hypocrisy and faulty mothering, please read no further. “So I can have my cookie before lunch today?” Crabtot asks, confused when…

Continue reading → Momocrite Diaries: Consistency is for losers

This post isn’t about being the perfect family. It’s about looking for one. You know, finding a family where the grownups and kids can all be friends together. A one-size-fits-all scenario. In this amusing essay, author Emily Mendell describes her…

• Friends, Friendship Charming Tails Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• Sunshine Family Mattel By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears
• Skipper Same-Size Friends Friends Family Barbie Contemporary 1973-Now Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → the perfect family

Several posts back I rounded up some craftastic ideas for playtime with paper. Only I somehow forgot to mention a huge hit in this family: The Eames House of Cards. I’d never seen these until my aunt sent them for…

• Doll Patterns Patterns Doll Making Repair Dolls Dolls Bears
• Maxwell House Coffee, Tea Advertising Collectibles
• US House of Reps US Political Historical Memorabilia Collectibles

Continue reading → House of Cards

This is my obligatory Easter post. With a twist. I’m not going to talk about Crabtot and Easter. She will have her Easter egg and that will be that. I won’t bore you with the minutiae. Except to say that…

• Eggs Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• Egg Cups Kitchenware Housewares Kitchenware Collectibles
• Eggs Contemporary 1960-Now Easter Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

• Faberge Egg Collectables -> Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles Almost everyone has heard some reference to a Faberge egg, though many people simply think it's some sort of fancy, jeweled egg, without realizing the history behind it or its true value. Carl Faberge designed the first of these eggs in 1885, for......

Continue reading → the egg post

Crabtot is learning about siblings at preschool this week. I think some of the kids are having trouble with their wee brothers and sisters, so issues like jealousy and anger are being addressed in stories and games. An age-old theme,…

• Baby Face By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears
• Baby Phat Women Discount Fragrances Store
• Bitty Baby American Girl By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → one is the new two

I swore I’d never write about celebrities, not here, nor at my personal blog. But since I stirred trouble last week around the web with my post about the tackiness of baby registries, I figured this week I’d focus on…

• Figures, Plush Sailor Moon Japanese, Anime Animation Art, Characters Collectibles
• Sailor Moon By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears
• Aguilera, Christina A Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

Continue reading → bad moon rising