Can you believe it?! One year ago Collin County Moms Blog launched to the public. Our mission was the provide the moms in Collin County a resource for living and thriving in the area AND to provide a community where moms could come and share their experiences, seek advice, and build connections. One year later we’ve shared daily voices of over 30 contributing writers, hosted 3 community events, and launched two neighborhood groups. Our mission to connect moms in our community continues but we’re thrilled to say, with YOUR help Collin County Moms Blog has had an incredible first year!
To celebrate, we’re taking a look back at some of the posts that have made the biggest impact in our community over the last year. This Top 10 list is based on those posts that had the most views, but we know that there is so much more! Our writers would love to hear what stories from Collin County Moms Blog have impacted you the most since our launch. {Feel free to share in the comments below!}
And we couldn’t let this 1 Year Birthday slip by without a little gift-giving — only we’re the one bringing the gifts! As a thank you for your continued support, we invite you to enter the giveaway at the end of this post for a chance to WIN a fun, family-filled day at the Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas!
One winner will receive a $200 Gift Card to be used towards any of the magical events and activities happening this November & December at the Gaylord Texan (a Marriott hotel). Mix & Match between Ice! featuring ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Glacier Glide Ice Skating, Gingerbread Decorating and more! All you have to do is keep scrolling to the bottom and enter to win. Good Luck!
This has been a fantastic year and we can’t wait to see what the next year will bring! Be sure to continue to follow along with us as our adventure continues and we hope to see you at an event soon!
NEWSLETTER :: FACEBOOK :: TWITTER :: INSTAGRAM :: PINTEREST
1.Dear Husband, I’m Not the Woman You Married
There, I said it.
When we celebrated 8 years of marriage this May, you struggled with the usual sweet sentiments you write in my card. I found it kind of funny actually, and listen, I DON’T BLAME YOU. It’s no secret that it’s been a tough year. It’s like the adrenaline of surviving the last three years (which we now refer to as “The Trifecta”), finally ran out. We PUSHED through having a newborn (pardon the pun), our house almost burning down 3 weeks later, 8 months displaced, moving back into our home, leaving your job, 9 months of unemployment, and now a year of running a start-up company.
It’s taken a toll. I know sometimes I don’t seem as fun, OR FUNNY, or quite so carefree. I don’t take a joke as well, I play the comparison game, and I question my identity. I know sometimes you must look at me and think, “the girl I married is just not there anymore.” And in a way…you’re right. Read More…
2. With Love, The SAHM
Dear Husband,
I see what you’re doing. I see your 13 hour days away from us. I see how your whole body sinks into the bed at night because you’ve been carrying the weight of our family on your shoulders. I hear your alarm go off in the wee hours of the morning. I notice how hard you’ve been working.
I see you with our babies. I see you completely melt when she finds your eyes, holding your finger in her tiny hand. I see you being his BEST friend, from wrestling in bed to being his rock, his place where everything is ok. I see it all. I see you want to give them everything, and you do. I see you sometimes get frustrated so I thought I’d say this… Read More…
3. 5 Unique Playgrounds in Collin County
Recently my kids and I went on a quest to find the most unique playgrounds in Collin County. We love playing at parks, and Lisbeth has written some great posts on the best playgrounds and splash pads in the area, but we focused our search on playgrounds that have a unique feature that you can’t find at any other park. My boys loved helping me research this, and I’ve included their commentary in my summaries as well. Read More…
4. I Got the “Mom Cut” & Never Looked Back
I have had long hair my entire life. Long, long blonde hair. I treasured my Texas blonde-do and could NEVER imagine cutting it.
Until I became a mom.
As we know, things change. I absolutely adored my long hair, often pristine with delicate wavy curls. Pregnancy did WONDERS for my hair. Once my son was born, this turned into a messy unwashed bun, wet braid, greasy ponytail—typically in less than a day and before Caleb’s nap time. Anything to keep it out of my face and AWAY from my toddler’s hands to grab. Ouch.
I held on as long as possible, believe me. But not only was my hair a mess, I just felt.. like a mess. I needed a change and dreaded the thought of going FULL “Mom-Cut” but I desperate for change. I left it to fate of what my new look could be and hoped Caleb would recognize me. Read More…
5. A Guide to Kids Eat Free In Collin County
I have made the mistake one too many times of ordering a kids meal (costing anywhere from $5.95 to $9.95+) for my son only to end up with half of it on the restaurant floor and half of it in a to go box, why even order it right?? Of course, the days when his meal is FREE, he eats every last bite and asks for more.
Wouldn’t it be great to know when and where your kids can eat free and you still enjoy a night out on the town? Don’t worry mama, I’ve done the work for you. Read More…
6. 10 Things Every Moms Needs in Her Vehicle
When I first pictured my life as a mom I never pictured myself simultaneously turning into a chauffeur as well. But here I am driving around three small humans to various sports, activities, play dates, adventures, etc. With so much time spent in our car I’ve compiled a list of 10 vehicle MUST HAVES for any mom to be prepared in most situations. Moms of all boys (HEYYY!!) there’s a bonus item at the very end. Read More…
7. 5 Fun Toys To Encourage Outdoor Play
It’s spring here in North Texas and we are off to a lovely, warm start! We’ve been spending tons of time outside as a family and I’ve also been working on “training” my son to play outside in our backyard independently. It’s so important to me as a mother that my little guy learns to play by himself, explore freely without input from mommy and has an adventurous little spirit. I’m also lazy (honestly) and don’t want to entertain him every second. And we have a new baby coming this summer and it’ll become even more important for him to learn to use his little imagination to play independently.
So, as I thought about how to motivate a spirit of independent play in our own backyard I began to stock our patio with a few staples to ensure he has the resources to play, play, play! Read More…
8. Weekend Getaway :: Girls Trip to Fredericksburg
A couple of weekends ago some girlfriends and I had the luxury of taking a few days off of mom-ing and made a 2-night weekend getaway to Fredericksburg, TX for some wine tasting. We had been planning the trip for months and while we all love our families dearly, we welcomed the uninterrupted conversation and chance to recharge with ease! Read More…
9. When Love Isn’t Enough :: 5 Things Every Couple Should Be In Order To Survive Parenthood
Of course, I love my husband. I love him with all of my heart. I cannot fathom a life without him. Yet, through the trials and tribulations of life, a question evolves as to whether or not love itself is enough to make it through the roller coaster of life. Will we survive the ride and come out as strong as the days when we were consumed by the excitement and anticipation of one another and our future? Our seat belts are fastened, we’ve taken off, we’ve been through some loops, but are we still holding hands? Read More…
10. Change Your Color :: A Teacher’s Perspective on the Behavior Chart
My first year of teaching was for a class of first graders. It’s an understatement to say that I was more apprehensive about implementing and maintaining a classroom management plan than I was about teaching a room full of six-year-olds to read. I was absolutely terrified. Teach digraphs and diphthongs? No problem! Come up with a behavior chart, give consequences, and somehow stay consistent with all the kids in my execution of this system—even though we’re told to individualize our instruction? Yeah, I was freaking out. Read More…
A Birthday Giveaway
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Happy birthday, CCMB!