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Home » life with kids

life with kids

Brian, Zoë and Kaylee snowboarding together

How a Dad Communicates with His Daughters Affects Them Forever

February 28, 2019 //  by Brian Johnson

I think how a dad communicates with his daughters is so super important to get right because it literally affects his little girls for the rest of …

How a Dad Communicates with His Daughters Affects Them ForeverRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids

Zoë and Kaylee snowboarding in full gear

10 Rules for My Girls – A Dad’s Point of View

January 4, 2019 //  by Brian Johnson

There's nothing better in the world than being "Daddy" to my 2 little girls. It's hands down the best thing I've ever done with my life. I've said …

10 Rules for My Girls – A Dad’s Point of ViewRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Close up of Kaylee's eye

“Is Mommy going to die?”

October 18, 2018 //  by Brian Johnson

There's nothing better than being a daddy to my little girls. Being a daddy to my little girls is hands down the best thing I've ever done with my …

“Is Mommy going to die?”Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: chrystal, health updates, life with kids

Zoë and Kaylee in a cave at the San Diego Natural History Museum

Appreciating My Family for Its Unique Qualities + Quirks

May 17, 2015 //  by Chrystal Johnson

All families have their own unique qualities and quirks that define who they are. My family is no different. I grew up in a family where there was …

Appreciating My Family for Its Unique Qualities + QuirksRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Baby Zoë with sour cream all over her face

Appreciating the Beautiful Mess of Parenting

March 12, 2015 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Parenting is the greatest thing I've ever done in my life, but that doesn't mean it's not a mess... a very beautiful mess.  We all have our ups …

Appreciating the Beautiful Mess of ParentingRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids

Zoë and Kaylee playing on the spiderweb at the Discovery Center

Get in Touch with Nature at Your Local Park

December 5, 2014 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Today, we're all very connected - electronically. Technology seems to have taken over our lives. Instead of meeting for lunch, we chat on Facebook. …

Get in Touch with Nature at Your Local ParkRead More

Category: AdventuresTag: life with kids, mountain life

Zoë and Kaylee trying on princess costumes

5 Tips for Acting Like a Real Life Princess

October 14, 2014 //  by Chrystal Johnson

This is a sponsored post we did for Disney on Happy Mothering several years ago. The girls were so cute in it, I just couldn't part with it, so I …

5 Tips for Acting Like a Real Life PrincessRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: halloween, kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë and Kaylee sitting on the brown couch making goofy faces for the camera

My Life Could Be a Show About Kids and Bathroom Adventures

November 16, 2013 //  by Chrystal Johnson

I never knew what comedy was before having kids. Seriously, every day in our home is full of laughs and giggles. Not only because we have fun …

My Life Could Be a Show About Kids and Bathroom AdventuresRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Kaylee sleeping on my chest

Why Co-Sleeping was the Best Sleep Training Method for Us

July 15, 2013 //  by Chrystal Johnson

I sit here, late at night after the girls are sound asleep, writing this post. After 5+ years of co-sleeping, I believe that phase of our lives has …

Why Co-Sleeping was the Best Sleep Training Method for UsRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë sleeping on Chrystal's chest

And Then There Were Three…

May 20, 2013 //  by Chrystal Johnson

See that sweet baby sleeping on my chest? That's Zoë as a newborn. My sweet little 10 lb. 1 oz. baby girl. I can't believe that picture was taken 5 …

And Then There Were Three…Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids, zoe

Zoë and Kaylee snuggling on the couch

20 Wishes For My Daughters

April 3, 2013 //  by Chrystal Johnson

My wishes, hopes and dreams for Zoë and Kaylee are simple – or at least I think they are simple. I know simple and easy aren’t the same thing… …

20 Wishes For My DaughtersRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Brian and Chrystal in their twenties

Looking Back on Life Before Kids

April 1, 2013 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Today’s writing prompt is about what life was like before kids. That seems like an entirely different lifetime since my girls are such a part of …

Looking Back on Life Before KidsRead More

Category: Real TalkTag: chrystal, life with kids

Zoë and Kaylee with their cousins visiting Santa

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2012 //  by Chrystal Johnson

I want to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! It has been a wonderful year, and I'm so grateful each and …

Merry Christmas!Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: christmas, kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë and Kaylee snuggling on the couch

Implementing a Quiet Time Routine

August 6, 2012 //  by Chrystal Johnson

I have never been one for scheduling nap time. I have worked very hard to teach the girls to listen to their bodies and develop a natural rhythm. It …

Implementing a Quiet Time RoutineRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë and Kaylee sleeping on the couch after a nap

Today Has Been One of THOSE Days!

May 22, 2012 //  by Chrystal Johnson

I love being a Mom. I love my girls like I've never loved anything before, but today has really been one of those days. You know, the days where you …

Today Has Been One of THOSE Days!Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë and Kaylee sleeping on the couch after a nap

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Three Girls In The Tub

April 10, 2012 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Since becoming a mom, there is nothing I miss more than taking a long, hot shower – by myself. Or even a warm, relaxing bath to soak in some relaxing …

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Three Girls In The TubRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Our Christmas tree decorated only on the top half

You Might Have a Toddler In Your House If…

December 15, 2011 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Your Christmas Tree is only decorated on the top half! …

You Might Have a Toddler In Your House If…Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: christmas, life with kids

Zoë and Kaylee playing in pop up hamper

Laser Pointers Aren’t Just for Pets!

October 25, 2011 //  by Chrystal Johnson

A few weeks ago, I bought Brian a laser pointer, and the other night he was playing with Kaylee and pulled it out of his pocket. I had no idea how …

Laser Pointers Aren’t Just for Pets!Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, video

Zoë wearing her doll in her tshirt like she's babywearing

3-Year Olds Can Babywear Too!

June 7, 2011 //  by Chrystal Johnson

How do I know that my girls love being worn? Because when I say we're going for a walk, Zoë grabs her baby and nicely tucks her into her shirt so she …

3-Year Olds Can Babywear Too!Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids, zoe

The Precious Memories We Keep

May 23, 2011 //  by Chrystal Johnson

As parents, we try and capture each and every precious memory so we can hold onto them forever. I feel like every day is full of memories, and I feel …

The Precious Memories We KeepRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: birthdays, life with kids, zoe

White leather couch colored by watermelon

Another Lesson in Natural Pigmentation

May 3, 2011 //  by Chrystal Johnson

I shared how we dyed our Easter Eggs with natural foods this year, and why it was such a great lesson in natural pigmentation. My girls really took …

Another Lesson in Natural PigmentationRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids

Kaylee wearing her jeans

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

April 22, 2011 //  by Chrystal Johnson

When I'm done working for the day, I love how excited my girls are to see me when I come downstairs. The other day, I was working and Brian was …

What’s Wrong With This Picture?Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë doing her map activity

A Ghost in the Playroom

March 21, 2011 //  by Chrystal Johnson

The last few weeks we’ve been struggling to get the girls to go into the playroom. Zoë insists that there’s a ghost in her playroom that scares her …

A Ghost in the PlayroomRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids, zoe

Kaylee Enjoying the Batter from Her Birthday Carrot Cake

No More Babies in This House

March 4, 2011 //  by Chrystal Johnson

It has been a couple months since Kaylee took her first steps. She was very cautious with learning to walk—different from Zoë who was all over the …

No More Babies in This HouseRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë and Kaylee playing in the laundry basket

Laundry Time!

December 7, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Zoë has been my big helper for some time now, but recently Kaylee has also started wanting to help me out. Whether it's unloading the dishwasher or …

Laundry Time!Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë throwing a temper tantrum

A Whopping Dose of Mommy Guilt

November 3, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

If I thought I had mommy guilt in the past, I was crazy. This last week has been “H” “E” “double hockey sticks” in our house … well, ever since the …

A Whopping Dose of Mommy GuiltRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids, working from home, zoe

Zoë playing with Kaylee in her Bumbo seat

The Toilet Incident

October 21, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

We have some interesting moments parenting two young children. Some are funny. Some are frustrating. Some are a combination of both. Last week we had …

The Toilet IncidentRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, video, zoe

Zoë and Kaylee snuggling on the floor with a big pillow and blankie

Complete Exhaustion and Total Joy

October 1, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Having two young girls that are only 21 months apart has me completely exhausted. I can’t tell you the last time got 8 straight hours of sleep (even 4 …

Complete Exhaustion and Total JoyRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë reading a book in the closet

In the Closet

September 22, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Everyone needs some personal space (I know I do) and that’s no different for toddlers. Zoë and Kaylee share a room, so neither of them has much …

In the ClosetRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids, zoe

Chrystal, Zoë and Kaylee on the couch with Zoë sleeping

Our Ever-Changing Co-Sleeping Arrangements

August 25, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Before Kaylee was born, I wrote about my thoughts and feelings on co-sleeping, and how I wondered what it would be like to co-sleep with two little …

Our Ever-Changing Co-Sleeping ArrangementsRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë is finally binkie free

A Binkie-Free Home

August 18, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

We’re finally a binkie-free home! Yep, we finally broke Zoë of the habit just over a month ago. I really thought it was going to be a lot harder than …

A Binkie-Free HomeRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids, zoe

Kaylee covered in food after feeding herself

I Can Do It Myself!

August 11, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

In the last week or so, Kaylee has decided that she no longer wants me to feed her… she wants to feed herself. If I try to feed her a bite, she grabs …

I Can Do It Myself!Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids

Baby Kaylee eating her sister's peaches

Peaches are Good!

August 3, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

We started Kaylee on solids about almost a month ago because she had been trying to steal food off of our plates for a while and the poor thing would …

Peaches are Good!Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids

Zoë and Kaylee showing off their big smiles

Big Smiles

May 19, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Kaylee is three months old now and she is very expressive – both with her facial expressions and her voice. She loves experimenting with different …

Big SmilesRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Zoë holding Kaylee on the brown couch in Montevideo

Why is There Dirt in the Baby’s Hair?

April 27, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

I had to go to the airport to pick up a package today, so Brian stayed home with the girls. After nearly 2 hours of riding the bus then dealing with …

Why is There Dirt in the Baby’s Hair?Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Chrystal, Zoë and Kaylee snuggling in bed when Kaylee was a newborn

Co-Sleeping with Two Under Two

April 22, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

I’ve written about co-sleeping in the past, but that was before Kaylee was born. Now that she’s 2 ½-months old, I wanted to share what I’ve learned …

Co-Sleeping with Two Under TwoRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, uruguay, zoe

Zoë playing with Kaylee in her Bumbo seat

How to Get a Good Shower with a New Baby

April 14, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

If you’re a new mom, then you understand the term, “good shower,” and just how hard it is to get one. When Zoë was born, she never slept for longer …

How to Get a Good Shower with a New BabyRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

Keys ripped off a laptop by Zoe

Curious Toddler + Unattended Laptop = ?

April 12, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Brian and I are on our laptops a lot… we work from home so it’s a necessity. We also use a third laptop to watch movies since we don’t have a TV or …

Curious Toddler + Unattended Laptop = ?Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids, uruguay, zoe

Zoë, Billy and Bobby on Easter in Montevideo

Easter Fun with the Girls

April 9, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

It has been a long week, so Brian just got the video done of the girls from Easter. We had a really fun day. Next year will be even more fun when …

Easter Fun with the GirlsRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: easter, life with kids, uruguay, video, zoe

Chrystal making Zoë laugh on the couch in Uruguay

Life with Two Under Two: Getting Into A Groove

April 1, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

So this week I finally admitted to myself that I can’t do it all. As much as I’d love to think I can… I have to be honest with myself and admit that …

Life with Two Under Two: Getting Into A GrooveRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, uruguay, zoe

Zoë sitting in empty pool

Life with Two Under Two: Mommy Guilt

March 25, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

So this week I’ve finally been hit with the Mommy Guilt (not too different from preggo guilt). I feel like poor Zoë has been neglected because Kaylee …

Life with Two Under Two: Mommy GuiltRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, uruguay, zoe

Kaylee sleeping on Chrystal's chest

Oh How Things Change…

March 24, 2010 //  by Chrystal Johnson

The other night Brian and I were in the kitchen. He was cooking dinner, which he has been doing a lot lately because the girls get demanding around …

Oh How Things Change…Read More

Category: Family LifeTag: life with kids, zoe

Zoë sleeping on Chrystal's chest

Co-Sleeping Comes Naturally

December 21, 2009 //  by Chrystal Johnson

Before having children, I would never have thought in a million years that I’d be a co-sleeper. I was sure that my baby would sleep in her crib and …

Co-Sleeping Comes NaturallyRead More

Category: Family LifeTag: kaylee, life with kids, zoe

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