tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38134135108983617382012-01-22T22:18:32.534-08:00Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.comBlogger1811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-71774214134254822192012-01-22T22:09:00.000-08:002012-01-22T22:09:52.767-08:00

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-75557097441751872172012-01-06T18:35:00.000-08:002012-01-22T22:13:16.952-08:00

Our winter break was three weeks long. Instead of going stir-crazy, we found a way to take some time to explore. No snow meant a trip to Tomales Bay. Everything worked out great. Rather than over-analyze it, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Kayak rentals via Blue Waters Kayaking, accommodations and dinner at Nick's Cove, and self-guided

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-63440980503375501942011-12-31T16:53:00.000-08:002012-01-22T22:12:02.948-08:00

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-54230954411785232092011-12-26T13:41:00.000-08:002012-01-22T22:14:30.427-08:00

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-18976103679800641672011-12-10T15:50:00.001-08:002011-12-10T20:24:09.687-08:00

I own a fake fireplace. I asked my husband to buy it for Christmas. He was dubious. "Aren't those kind of tacky?" Yes, they are tacky, but I'd like one anyway. The fake flicker, the dual heat setting, the one-plug assembly, the Costco price, and the burning embers that never change shall not deter me. When I came home that evening, the fireplace was in the corner of our bedroom all set to

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-49840500912116554282011-11-20T21:31:00.001-08:002011-12-26T14:12:32.701-08:00

Last winter a very good friend left an 800 page book on my doorstep. I'm not a fast reader. Luckily it turned out to be a pretty long winter. I carried my 800 page book everywhere. My daughter, Colette, never leaves the house without a book. So I copied her, and never left the house without Tolstoy. My rate of progress was pathetic, but the book kept me warm. I learned about 19th century

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-54109302808474051222011-11-19T11:55:00.001-08:002012-01-22T22:15:27.914-08:00

Before I was a parent, I wondered about the term "soccer mom". Oh, that will never be me. I'll stay calm, cool and collected. The kids are in it for the experience, and win or lose, teamwork is important for child development. My theory went to pieces as soon as Colette started dominating midfield. Early in the season, I had categorized my eldest as timid and shy. I figured she was complying

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-13064573061093459422011-10-01T17:55:00.000-07:002011-10-01T21:43:21.267-07:00

Family life has been surprisingly sane since our trip to Europe. Maybe the plan to “stop time” worked! I won’t hold my breath, but here are some epiphanies from the Akemann household... Keep work and family separate. When the kids are in the house, it’s family time. When the kids are at school, that’s when I do my work. If I have to multi-task, I give the kids a heads-up and make sure they

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-34809996310557814952011-08-30T23:03:00.000-07:002011-08-30T23:07:25.034-07:00

A bright spot during our rainy week in London was an afternoon with the Wizard of Oz. Set at the historic London Palladium, the four of us acquired last-minute-worst-seat tickets and weren't bothered in the least. Colette had memorized the songs from her school chorus, and witnessing those moments come alive on stage sent tingles down our spines. This kid-friendly London show turned

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-82080985707773877642011-07-28T11:32:00.000-07:002011-07-28T11:47:51.064-07:00

  Eiffel Tower at night? Yes! The boat taxi along the River Seine? Yes! The bridge with all of the locks that people put there for a memento? Yes! The souvenir extravaganza of mini Eiffel Towers that kids buy with their own money and play with at the hotel? Yes! A sidewalk cafe with shelter from rain? Yes! The Mona Lisa at the Louvre? No! (too crowded - kids get

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-5906380470638703662011-07-24T06:10:00.000-07:002011-07-24T06:10:45.105-07:00

  Our time between London and Paris was spent just west of Geneva in the French Alps near Lake Annecy. We spent our days exploring the lake, villages, restaurants and alpine scenery. Most notable in my mind are the abundance of flowers planted in windowsills and along roadsides. A simple arrangement of color can make the oldest building look fresh and timeless. Thanks France

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-18439034624389183692011-07-22T00:52:00.000-07:002011-07-23T00:15:43.010-07:00

 Big Ben  Houses of Parliament Taxi near Theater District Underground Train Boat ride under the Tower Bridge, along the River Thames Night at the Tower of London Lady Gaga The Booth The Palace Guards Mandatory Tourist shot of Mom & Girls View from Trafalgar Square, after a long day! These photos were taken during our family

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-52093884396739243542011-07-02T21:56:00.000-07:002011-07-02T21:56:13.167-07:00

Summertime means different things to different people. To us, it means swimming pools, popsicles, tennis camp with friends, random trips to the library, and time-consuming dance recitals for 3 minutes of fame. Summertime reminds me to enjoy our family's time together, rather than just managing it all year long.

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-22668328193448057982011-05-31T22:09:00.000-07:002011-07-02T21:58:29.237-07:00

A mother’s role can be a bit of a cluster. Caught between a legacy college degree and the immediacy of school pick-ups, there are often decisions to be made about how to spend intellectual currency. Simplify and invest in the home, or branch out and invest in personal interests? I decided to be a “stay-at-home-mom” after Colette was 6 months old. I was home changing a diaper, thinking about a

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-64390388808774304282011-04-18T06:12:00.000-07:002011-06-01T12:02:15.671-07:00

Boboli Gardens Gelato Chianti Pinocchio Plaza Vecchio Ponte Vecchio Duomo Cityscape The man responsible Breakfast This incredible journey took place March 23rd through 29th, 2011. 

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-21042515802293712312011-04-17T20:47:00.000-07:002011-04-18T07:41:05.558-07:00

I could not stop at The Great Gatsby. So while at the staff picks in Barnes & Noble, I gravitated toward the classics. The Picture of Dorian Gray sounded familiar, but the cover was so downtroddeningly brown. What a shame. Do I really want to spend 229 pages of my time wading through brown?  The answer was YES. Oscar Wilde is unreal. I was riveted. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a tale about the

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-72565552131284770002011-04-03T11:11:00.000-07:002011-04-17T20:51:00.788-07:00

By 10:30am Sunday morning, around page 60 of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, I'd had three cups of coffee, one shower, and 16 highlighted passages. Colette's Grandpa has a habit of buying used books in bulk from eBay, and depositing them to our doorstep about once every six months. After such an event I have a tendency to get flustered. After all, where do I deposit the goods? Rifling

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-27329827708669919452011-04-02T16:29:00.000-07:002011-04-02T16:40:25.058-07:00

Sometimes as you ramble through a rainy Sunday, you never know what you're going to find. As we explored the Stanford campus in March, specifically the Cantor Art Center, I rediscovered just how many conversant moments we can have with kids while casually soaking in the scenery... Stone River: What shapes do you see in the stone wall? What does it look like to you? How long do you think it

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-23767512441784625892011-03-28T10:33:00.000-07:002011-04-20T18:55:57.287-07:00

Coming fresh from the TOC Bologna conference on children’s digital publishing, the concept of “what is a book” is dominating my mind. It was clear, from the commentary & discussions, that apps are creating a buzz. What isn’t clear, is why I feel so uncomfortable listening to technology directions I’m supposed to be advocating. After all, aren’t I “Little Miss App”? Apparently… not. Every so

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-7766581362812201562011-02-25T22:40:00.000-08:002011-02-25T22:40:07.077-08:00

Yosemite Valley, February, 2011

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-68328317027770756402011-02-22T12:51:00.000-08:002011-04-20T18:54:33.092-07:00

These are the days of the iMom. Mothers of all shapes and sizes are toting networked devices, feeling connected and efficient. But I'm beginning to feel that connectivity and efficiency are getting in the way of my relationship with the kids. Instead of being weighed down with a constant string of incoming messages, maybe I should strive for a clearer and more focused state of mind. After

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-86762572039265360522011-02-20T21:43:00.000-08:002011-02-20T21:43:10.710-08:00

Outdoor Fireplace, Downtown Napa Cupcakes, Oxbow Public Market Vineyards, Mustard, and Rain Outdoor Courtyard, Lawrence Hall of Science We had a month of summer weather right in the middle of winter, and an opportunity for a weekend getaway. The snow wasn't calling, but Napa was. Within 24 hours we enjoyed an overnight at the Westin in downtown Napa, a family-style Italian dinner near

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-31087698532014669972011-01-19T21:34:00.000-08:002011-02-25T22:50:34.373-08:00

During Martin Luther King weekend we drove out to Half Moon Bay. It's mid-January, the sun was out, and it was brilliant! We rode our bikes along the beachfront, played with snakes, and dug sand castles. Yes...snakes!!! Take a look...

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-15092796786483479982011-01-14T09:16:00.000-08:002011-01-14T09:44:12.354-08:00

Seeing these smiling snowmen in Noelle's Kindergarten class reminded me of the long winter ahead. Could I make it through with the same chipper & upbeat spirit that they have? If your winter mood is a gamble, like mine, here are some ideas to keep you on track: 1) ENJOY DISTRACTIONS - Do you remember when toddlers would throw a tantrum, and showing them the nearest shiny object would distract

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-76425387261789492972011-01-11T22:02:00.000-08:002011-01-11T22:14:48.167-08:00

Newborns are tough: night wake ups, lots of feedings, lots of diapers, and lots of noise. Toddlers aren't far behind with their new mobility and lively needs and wants. Preschoolers engage you in the "activity parade" with everything from tumble gym to finger paint. By the time children are school age, things are supposed to settle down, right? School age children require schooling, and most

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-24431084739188047352010-11-29T22:34:00.000-08:002010-11-29T22:34:49.886-08:00

Welcome to Snow Wonder, our latest virtual playground for young explorers Choose what you want your snowman to wear  Discover your snowman upon arriving in a winter wonderland  Build your snowman and make it snow by tapping the sky Play again with new combinations The team at My Busy Kit is excited to announce their latest project: Snow Wonder - Build A Snowman  for

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-31844928329328182272010-11-22T16:56:00.000-08:002010-11-22T16:56:31.574-08:00

Wailea, Maui, at Sunset. More family travel stories after Thanksgiving. In the meantime, enjoy the holiday weekend!

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-15642944894560650612010-11-04T11:59:00.000-07:002010-11-06T19:50:57.768-07:00

As part of the upcoming Moms With Apps one year anniversary, I'm kicking off a Season of Thanks to the community of parent app developers I've connected with over the past year.  Our updated 125 x 125 button by Dad developer Robert Meier  Specifically, thanks to: The co-founders (Lynette from PicPocket Books and Jill/Alesha from MomMaps) and early members who spearheaded the group along

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-12206069683519089172010-10-23T16:02:00.000-07:002010-10-23T16:04:41.783-07:00

  Our latest project from My Busy Kit is now complete! Come celebrate autumn with Leaf Jam, an open-ended musical playground of fall leaves, seasonal colors, and warm melodies. Tap the screen to make the leaves fall. See orange, yellow, purple and red illuminate the landscape. Tap it lightly, or use all of your fingertips to cover the ground - the choice is up to you. Most popular uses:

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-58456753624108247872010-10-23T15:18:00.000-07:002010-11-01T04:58:32.521-07:00

Cozy Cabin along the Valley's bike path  View across the meadow from the Cozy Cabin Family Photo + 1 very special friend Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and other partners in crime Please excuse my month-long hiatus from Keeps Me Smiling. I was indeed smiling, but a little consumed by life's constant events. Amidst the chaos, we took a detour into majestic Yosemite Valley with family friends.

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-2688637025635157512010-09-21T23:24:00.000-07:002010-09-24T12:36:56.763-07:00

On a recent visit to downtown San Jose we explored The Tech Museum. I'm consistently awestruck by the number of enriching outings in the Bay Area, and The Tech was no exception. Greeted by words from Bill Hewlett inscribed on the entrance wall, I wondered if the exhibits would live up to his vision: An abiding curiosity and an insatiable desire to learn how and why things work are the hallmarks

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-2813606411022589582010-09-08T22:49:00.000-07:002010-09-08T22:59:30.214-07:00

After spending much of the past year interacting with over 100 moms (and dads) with apps, I find myself thinking a lot about apps, and what they mean to our children as technology advances further into our lives and our classrooms. Recently, the developers in our Moms With Apps group posed a question... What makes an app “educational”? We first agreed that “educational” is a relative term

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-77894990849207070332010-08-28T23:22:00.000-07:002010-08-31T08:26:22.795-07:00

Open-ended and creative childhood play is a hot topic on my mind these days. With two daughters, I find family life to be most content when the play pistons are firing. Our typical playtime includes the living room rug with plenty of characters and trinkets; out in the patio with glitter and glue; or down at the park with shovels and buckets. For me, peace comes when I see what my children can

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-80567195908177399602010-08-13T00:33:00.000-07:002010-08-13T00:40:54.988-07:00

We did more in two days at Donner Lake and surrounding areas of Lake Tahoe than I ever thought possible. Five girls ranging from ages 4 to 7 had a blast with flotillas, kayaks, paddleboards, riverbeds, bike paths, scooters and playdoh. I continue to learn from my good friend and business partner (fellow mom on this trip), that life is meant to be lived. Interesting how the children already seem

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-43455477972260960952010-08-07T17:13:00.000-07:002010-08-08T08:13:30.317-07:00

I'm writing this summary fresh from the closing remarks at BlogHer10, New York City. After two days of conferencing with 2400 women, this is what stands out in my notebook and on my mind: What is your goal? Like anything else in life, blogging requires a goal. If you are going to do it, make sure you understand why you like it and what you are trying to accomplish. Are you blogging for

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-87258331633681446182010-08-02T23:02:00.000-07:002010-08-02T23:11:09.514-07:00

It's almost time to pack up the suitcase and head to BlogHer10 in New York City. I was pleasantly satisfied with everything I learned from BlogHer09, and expect the conference to be even more enriching this year. Most bloggers are lively, connected, entrepreneurial people (and being amidst 2000 of them can be quite an experience). If you are attending for the first time, here are some tips to

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-87834501444232448792010-07-29T23:17:00.000-07:002010-08-28T22:15:22.836-07:00

Tucked midway between northern and southern California is an anomaly. A large one. West of San Luis Obispo, and north beyond Morro Bay, is the dream home for publishing baron William Randolf Hearst. As a California native, I surprise even myself at never having visited Hearst Castle. So I bundled up my girls to check it out. It did NOT disappoint. Outdoor pool, priceless art, guest homes, tennis

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-92413481207892792010-07-20T22:45:00.000-07:002010-08-28T22:16:30.387-07:00

When the De Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park advertised their new exhibit, Birth of Impressionism, it went directly onto my personal wish list. With a traveling husband and kids home for summer, I reserved tickets for an afternoon in the city with my girls. Upon entering the museum we sensed a stodgy vibe, and I wondered if I had made the right choice to bring them along. After

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-19258952335056702042010-07-12T23:45:00.000-07:002010-08-28T22:20:37.944-07:00

We read in the weekend newspaper that large numbers of blue whales and humpback whales were feeding on krill in Monterey Canyon. With one day left before heading out of town, I signed up for a whale watching opportunity with the girls. The experience was pretty fun for the kids (not totally awesome because my 5 year old would have preferred ice cream) - but absolutely magical for me. With one

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-60104225645247312662010-07-07T23:04:00.000-07:002010-07-08T08:21:00.196-07:00

One of my close friends is parenting solo this summer while her husband is away for some work obligations. Both of us have been interested in RVs, and similarly, both of our husbands have NOT been interested in RVs. The gap made a perfect excuse to team up, combine the kids, and hitch a 29' ride for a week. Was it a good idea? Oh, if only you knew the half of it! The children were experts

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-65496080778029555142010-06-29T14:04:00.000-07:002010-06-29T14:31:08.412-07:00

The experience of launching My Little Suitcase has been a fun case study in app creation and development. What's crazy is how much of it, marketing-wise, boils down to having a bold and bright springboard icon to catch the buyer's attention. When we launched My Little Suitcase last year, we had a brown suitcase with a red background. Trying to spice up the background, we added a window for some

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-44491610319156849502010-06-17T09:12:00.000-07:002010-06-17T09:15:32.161-07:00

We had family friends in town last week, and the outing of choice was to visit the California Academy of Science in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. I'd taken the kids last year, but it was so crowded that we didn't get the benefit of seeing the rainforest exhibit due to lines being an hour long. We squeezed in this last visit just before school let out, and made sure to arrive right when

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-2149861578034572622010-06-14T22:03:00.000-07:002010-06-14T22:12:43.182-07:00

Thursday June 17th is our last day of school. In other words, it's the end of the world as we [i.e., moms] know it, but I feel fine...really! There is no stress or anxiety here. I have field trips and lesson plans all lined up.  I'm ready to dive into a summer full of exhilarating activities and hands-on learning for my curious kids. In no time I'll consider myself a full-fledged,

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-40778196623083642932010-06-02T10:58:00.000-07:002010-06-02T11:00:15.868-07:00

This past weekend, unlike other weekends, my priority was to visit a dear friend who had a recurrence of cancer. Making a trip to the hospital to see someone facing such major challenges isn't the lightest weekend activity around. At the very least, it quickly puts life into perspective. Unfortunately, cancer does not discriminate based on age. Even the youngest troopers have to put up a fight

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-33922487196321214332010-05-27T10:44:00.000-07:002010-05-28T22:31:59.969-07:00

I've been mellow for too long. My 2010 staycation lifestyle just isn't cutting it for programs like Trekaroo's Spotlight Thursday or Delicious Baby's Photo Friday. I needed to do something special this week and blow it out. Backtracking to one of our biggest highlights in my family travel history: New Zealand by Air! Above is the first shot of landing in Queenstown. Just the view from the

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-44248777721079446662010-05-16T22:30:00.000-07:002010-05-20T21:53:22.563-07:00

Boarding an airplane without children? Priceless. And so was this weekend with my childhood friend spent in a sunny corner of San Diego near the island of Coronado. In my past life, I spent eight years living, working and going to school in North County San Diego, but had never visited Coronado! Since then, I've lived in the Bay Area, switching gears to a more married with children scenario.

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-2967700473218785162010-05-05T22:58:00.000-07:002010-05-06T09:06:23.111-07:00

Our travel adventure this week was visiting AppCamp at the Asolimar Conference Center in Monterey. This event was a professional obligation related to my involvement over at Moms With Apps, but it doubled as an opportunity for a family outing to Monterey. Kids: Are we going to the Aquarium? Mom: No. Kids: Are we going to the big park with the steam train? Mom: No. Kids: Well why are we going?

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-67666875796248150892010-04-27T11:14:00.000-07:002010-04-30T13:58:30.453-07:00

I was recently in touch with past co-workers from Cisco Systems, and they asked about what tools I use to manage and market my home-based business. I love these kinds of questions, and couldn't wait to write it all down on a blog post. These platforms make up the majority of my daily experience running My Busy Kit and Moms With Apps. What am I missing, and what else do you recommend? Let's take

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-25788844405073736702010-04-21T11:49:00.000-07:002010-04-21T11:50:54.628-07:00

Local Church, Guysborough Glenora Inn A Home on Cape Breton Island Corner House - Fortress of Louisbourg  Grass Roof Hut - Fortress of Louisbourg There is a peaceful quality to Nova Scotia that makes you feel right at home. We happen to be spending more time than usual at home this year, but thankfully we shared wonderful memories in Nova Scotia last year to keep me inspired. This selection of

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-57095577014643604262010-04-14T11:04:00.000-07:002010-04-20T09:31:12.404-07:00

I've hobbled along on this good old Blogger Blog for over a year, sharing travel photos and tales. This year, as I plan for BlogHer 10 in New York, I thought it would be nice to dress it up. Thanks to Alesha Bishop and Shayla Miller, graphic designers in the Bay Area, for this fun new banner. It's happy, but without the cheesy grin. Alesha created and coordinated the banner, the ad

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-83984373253840919292010-04-07T18:16:00.000-07:002010-04-07T18:23:31.813-07:00

It's the stuff tourist towns are made of - esoteric shops with lots of eye candy. With an hour to spend after a day of skiing, Mike suggested wandering around downtown Truckee. We reluctantly agreed to go for a stroll, exhausted from the day, but more exhausted from the thought of heading straight into I-80 traffic. When I spied the glass store I immediately envisioned my two blond bulls

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-76870358946902450162010-04-01T19:09:00.000-07:002010-04-01T19:10:20.081-07:00

The spontaneous creation of bunny suits this afternoon trumped all other plans. A burst of Easterisms took us by storm, but no one seems to be complaining (just hopping). Our wishes to you for a festive Spring Holiday - and Happy Photo Friday!

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-43825812575013388002010-03-25T22:49:00.000-07:002010-03-25T22:49:33.931-07:00

Just a few freeway exits from our home is an estate where people travel to from miles around. I hadn't been here in years, and then I realized, "hey, people travel here from miles around - I should go!".  So I packed up the girls, picked up some snacks, and drove 10 minutes away to Filoli Gardens. Filoli is one of those take-you-back-in-time mansions that inspire visions of grand ballroom

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-53987114791106264922010-03-23T10:50:00.000-07:002010-03-23T10:50:39.254-07:00

The scenes in front of me last Sunday morning reminded me how perfect this time of year is for hiking in California. I didn't need to travel to Yosemite or Yellowstone, I just needed to drive up Skyline Boulevard and pick a trail, any trail, and head down the mountain. Springtime hiking welcomes the traveler with wildflowers, greenery, and plenty of acoustics to keep you smiling. These photos

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-63818002172503335752010-03-18T22:51:00.000-07:002010-03-18T22:51:51.653-07:00

Friday March 19th is App Friday over at Moms With Apps. Our app, My Little Suitcase, is being featured along with a FREE download from the app store throughout the day. Come along and check it out! If you have a favorite app of your own, submit it in the link exchange!

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-66847429131510795512010-03-16T11:34:00.000-07:002010-03-16T13:42:49.699-07:00

Tucked along Highway 29 in Napa Valley, just North of St. Helena, is a castle winery that had some intrigue for the whole family. Castello di Amorosa is a Tuscan Castle where you can get an authentic feel of being in a 'real' castle with beautiful views of the valley. Children under 4 are not allowed on the guided tours, but roaming around on our own was more interesting anyways. Grape

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-12047375858246104512010-03-12T09:37:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:03:17.614-08:00

Usually I write about travel and places to go. But lately I've been working on a project related to our new iPhone app, and have some commentary to share. When we are out and about, I can't help but notice how many people are walking around staring at their smartphones. Could these technological advances be too much of a good thing? How does this constant access to information affect our

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-46525978747358008302010-03-11T08:30:00.000-08:002010-03-14T09:28:26.615-07:00

While I am pleased with the progress of My Little Suitcase, I wish I had gone out of the starting gates a little differently. Marketing your app in a store with hundreds of thousands of apps is tricky. If you are thinking of creating your own app, here are some points to consider: 1. QUERY THE EXPERTS. I recently read Crazy Mike's iPhone App Marketing eBook. For someone who is new to app

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-62078676862732526632010-03-04T22:05:00.000-08:002010-03-04T22:19:56.325-08:00

So Mom, where are we going today?To the Exploratorium up in the city.What is the Exploratorium?Oh, you know, where you get to do different sorts of experiments with stuff.What do you mean?Oh, like when you get to touch something and then see what happens.Oh, you mean, like...cause and effect?Um (turn around and stare at daughter)... Yes Colette, like cause and effect. Someone else has a great

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-50510943671902798652010-03-02T09:39:00.000-08:002010-03-02T10:11:17.328-08:00

Pick a beautiful place within an hour of your home. Add a picnic, a few chairs, extra clothes, a frisbee and a trail map. Voila! You just might end up with a perfectly fun day on relatively few dollars. Here we are in the Marin Headlands just North of San Francisco. We visited the cliffs overlooking the bay, the gentle trails in the valley, and the Marine Mammal Center where stranded sea lions

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-66335462432163980472010-02-25T20:55:00.001-08:002010-02-25T21:36:08.660-08:00

We could look, but we couldn't touch. We could walk, but we couldn't run. We could talk, but we couldn't shout or whine. Civilization - at last! Fine art museums have many rules, but that shouldn't keep families away. After minding our manners on a rainy Sunday morning at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art, they surprised us with a hands-on art program in their education center. I still find it

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-71509946948297398162010-02-18T10:15:00.000-08:002010-02-19T10:22:20.187-08:00

Inspired by this post from Amie at Ciao Bambino, we headed to Mt. Diablo over Presidents Day weekend. What's the big deal about Mt. Diablo? Well, based in the Bay Area of Northern California, it's 3849' summit offers one of the best views in the United States due to it's sweeping 360 panorama. More of the earth's surface can be seen from this mountain than any other peak in the world, besides Mt.

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-15931995052933680572010-02-18T09:24:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:03:42.181-08:00

I'm coming across more people who want to make an app, but who don't know where to start in terms of finding developers. (I was LUCKY, I found a local Dad over Facebook who collaborated with me on My Little Suitcase.) But if I wasn't so lucky, here is some information I pulled together for those still searching... THE FRIENDS & FAMILY WAY Poll your personal networks by posting your criteria on

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-35568606992505224112010-02-11T21:33:00.000-08:002010-02-12T09:03:41.621-08:00

View from the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Grand Waikikian Tower, Honolulu, HI. Big cities on small islands are nothing new, but it's still a bit odd when you find yourself actually on one. Dining on the balcony and feeling the breeze was exhilarating. Wasn't so exhilarating when the kids wanted to peer over it, but they were certainly mesmerized by the city lights (and the hula dancers, and the

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-65665816948297412292010-02-09T20:12:00.000-08:002010-02-18T21:09:17.245-08:00

Have you noticed the Mom Mania that's been going around the past few years? People and brand identities centered around the concept of mom, mama, or motherhood? Is it just me, or does this hyper attention seem over-inflated?Maybe Moms are taking their roles too seriously. It's possible that too much time focused on kids leaves LESS time for kids to figure things out for themselves. If

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-53661253308447476812010-02-04T23:22:00.001-08:002010-02-04T23:54:52.251-08:00

If you can get the right setting (winter cabin), the right horsepower (strong & motivated friend), and the right velocity (hill full of snow), the outcome can be cheerful for all involved. These girls skied for an entire day, and then came back to the cabin for tobogganing and snowman building. We had to drag them in when the activity veered towards roofs and icicles. Let's just say those pizzas

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-21868428448742767082010-02-01T21:24:00.000-08:002010-02-01T21:56:33.430-08:00

Maybe it takes living without something to realize its importance. Our neighborhood is on a hill with no sidewalks plus fast drivers, so to get the kids out we sometimes take a short drive to the flats. Sidewalks are genius. They give kids a safe place to zoom around, explore, and meet neighbors. They don't require any advanced purchase, scheduling, or reservation. They are accessible and

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-32112508038078243782010-01-26T22:01:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:08:53.637-08:00

Today I ventured to San Francisco for the Girls in Tech Catalyst Conference (i.e. a room full of supercharged women in technology!). Panelists covered niche marketing, venture capital, the art of negotiation, social media, microlending, gaming, giving, and growth. The messages were optimistic, innovative and inspiring and will hopefully stick with me as I brainstorm about goals for my own

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-79102526885686454072010-01-25T20:40:00.000-08:002010-01-25T21:21:03.295-08:00

This shot was taken from the car window on our drive to Lake Tahoe last weekend. I think this was the most snow I had ever seen. The trees stood diligently with the new weight on their branches like snow soldiers. Oh, and if you are driving that way, remember to add on about 14 extra hours for traffic. The night drive home turned out to be a better call than the day drive up.

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-63779574799344423302010-01-21T19:52:00.000-08:002010-01-21T20:51:21.807-08:00

From downtown to the local hilltops, Juneau was a sight to see. Colorful gift shops, an impressive port, treks with views of the inside passage, and little blond bears made a daytrip worth remembering. But knowing the glaciers are nearby is what really gets you...for more on that see my last post, or sneak a peek below. Still photo-starved? Check out Photo Friday!Family Travel TipsJuneau

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-48575269383268538872010-01-18T15:19:00.000-08:002010-01-21T21:35:54.402-08:00

In August of 2008 we took the kids on an Alaska Cruise, and these are some of the photos from Glacier Bay. The first two photographs are of the Margerie Glacier, which is advancing and calving into the Bay. The third photograph is of a nearby retreating glacier (if I remember correctly it is called the Carroll Glacier). Flipping through my photo gallery this winter weekend, I also came up with a

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-46106440016962928192010-01-12T12:28:00.000-08:002010-01-12T12:59:46.816-08:00

My husband sometimes teases (politely) that I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, meaning I get bummed out when the clouds are low in the sky. He's probably right, which makes me all the more motivated to find my rays of sunshine in the dark of winter. Luckily, parenting helps you do just that. Kids don't stop when it's raining out, so why should I? Here are some ideas for coping during those

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-6894935798906470882010-01-07T20:55:00.000-08:002010-01-08T09:16:58.485-08:00

So the week after Christmas, when everyone was headed to the Cal Academy of Sciences, we detoured from the crowds and visited the other side of Golden Gate Park - the Conservatory of Flowers. I had never been, but it exceeded my expectations. Not only did we get a clear and sunny winter day, but we also found a model train exhibit complete with a wheel-of-fortune treasure hunt the kids could

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-83554332368076829932010-01-07T10:52:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:04:26.409-08:00

if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('242cd524-63f4-406a-b3dc-e77d56afc3e4'); I've made a widget of five family travel apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch that we enjoy. They include My Little Suitcase, MomMaps, PopGeo, PicPocketBooks, and Family Matters. Check them out if are traveling anytime soon.

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-49488873838863229932010-01-01T09:37:00.000-08:002010-03-10T22:12:55.241-08:00

The Moms With Apps Google Group represents family-friendly developers who are sharing best practices on making and marketing iPhone apps. What began as a small conference call has grown to over 50 members with 100+ fantastic apps for families. Any mom or parent who has published (or is thinking about publishing) a mobile app is welcome to join the Google Group. For now, these are the apps I've

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-54088869758932343472009-12-29T10:37:00.000-08:002009-12-30T14:52:28.955-08:00

The week before the New Year is when I clear the decks to get ready for the year ahead. I'm one of those people who need my surroundings to be organized before I can accomplish very much. And given that there are a lot of things I want to accomplish, I can't afford to have stuff everywhere. Here are six strategies we implemented last year that worked well for managing clutter, and I hope a few

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-57471079317797446462009-12-26T10:02:00.001-08:002010-04-02T12:19:54.921-07:00

Whether you are wrapping up your holiday travels, or heading out for winter break, here are ideas for making your own activity kit. Our COLOR PLAY CREATE DISCOVER formula has been used in over 4000 My Busy Kits - so we hope it works for you too! 1) COLOR - crayons, markers, blank white paper, envelopes, tape, scissors 2) PLAY - action figures, finger puppets, bendables, little toy people or

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-77818041475215279352009-12-23T22:36:00.000-08:002009-12-24T00:37:07.391-08:00

Gear. Weather. Travel. Expense. All things to consider as you lug heavy equipment around a ski resort with a mini Michelin man at your heels. Nearby, children are crying and adults are in heated conversations. Gloves are literally coming off. But here you are, determined to get the family on skis. We just returned from our third ski session with kids (since having kids), and I finally see the

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-26931878178731249732009-12-17T21:08:00.000-08:002009-12-17T21:38:41.568-08:00

A remarkable aspect about California is that you can enjoy the beach during any month of the year. These photos are from our recent tidepooling session at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. You can take the girl out of California, but you can't take California out of the girl. Long live the relaxing beach walk...and Happy Photo Friday!

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-67023286646317187072009-12-15T23:12:00.000-08:002009-12-17T22:00:33.897-08:00

I've been reading blogs to get caught up, and wanted to summarize these tips for a festive holiday travel season. Enjoy!Travels With Children's insights on why we travel with our kidsKids Go West's example of exploring your local town squareTrekaroo's take on the Big Apple at ChristmasTravel secrets shared from The Q FamilyFab holiday cards (and a fun activity for kids) by FabMumsHoliday shopping

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-22938490408023660562009-12-11T08:39:00.001-08:002009-12-11T08:52:56.708-08:00

Last year I posted about my business partner's annual trip to Baja. It's been such a hit for the entire family that they now go twice a year - and this time, they got to see the baby turtles. I loved seeing these shots of their girls imagining life as a baby sea turtle. If this isn't a case for the benefits of travel, I'm not sure what is. This post is part of Photo Friday, a weekly exchange of

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-20751916250037093052009-12-09T21:47:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:06:34.499-08:00

You know the drill. You're traveling with the kids, and all you need to make the day go smoothly is the right eatery and the right outdoor space to let them run around. When you find the playground, it feels like you've just struck gold. If coffee is nearby, nirvana. MomMaps is the iPhone app that gets you there. With over 13,000 kid-friendly locations in the U.S. and beyond, it will take you

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-1113645855993798302009-12-03T21:01:00.000-08:002009-12-03T22:22:15.166-08:00

Wow, when I look at my dashboard I guess this is my 100th post. Feels great to keep finding stuff to write about. I started the Keeps Me Smiling blog about a year ago and figured topics and ideas would fizzle out after a few months. Guess I was more of a loudmouth than I thought. Sad for you maybe. I had plans to link my most recent Nova Scotia post to this week's Photo Friday. But then, life

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-10824775611260352342009-12-02T09:49:00.000-08:002009-12-03T21:58:19.828-08:00

We took the family to Nova Scotia in July. Little did I know then how much these scenes would stay with me, even several months later. For our trip we landed in Halifax and drove up and around Cape Breton Island. Cate at Caffinated Traveler tagged me the other day in a game of Blog Tag, initiated by Katie at Tripbase. Here are my 3 travel secrets to share, all focused on Nova Scotia:1) Nova

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-2312315684147105462009-11-30T20:13:00.000-08:002009-11-30T21:48:51.191-08:00

When this year's Passports With Purpose fundraiser was launched, I was impressed with the initiative on a professional level, but it took time to make the connection on a personal level because I haven't yet visited Cambodia. That was soon overridden by the principles this initiative represents:1. It supports childhood literacy and education. They are building a SCHOOL. Education is good for kids

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-89969807682779849832009-11-25T22:39:00.001-08:002009-11-25T22:40:42.466-08:00

Impromptu beach stop, Half Moon Bay, CA

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-63758519945801739682009-11-24T10:40:00.000-08:002009-11-24T21:14:24.645-08:00

The new My Busy Kits are here! Travel with kids is fun when you have activities to keep them occupied. Take it with you on the airplane, out to restaurants, or save it for a rainy day. Inside you will find everything you need to color, play, create and discover - all in one fun place.Each kit has a customized, kid-friendly reusable bag and is compliant with Consumer Product Safety Commission

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-75406810958617710032009-11-22T22:51:00.000-08:002009-11-23T00:00:29.267-08:00

I was dreaming, as Mara encourages us to do, about a family outing to change the scene. I envisioned a short drive, clear fall weather, a picnic lunch, and something fun for everyone. So here's my shout-out to San Francisco for making some dreams come true - you saved my sanity just when I needed it most! We started at the parking lot just before the Golden Gate Bridge, strolled out to the

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-53573180276790576132009-11-18T22:28:00.000-08:002009-11-19T23:17:46.639-08:00

A couple of weeks ago I posted about our family trip to Nicaragua . This photo is from our zipline tour above the bay of San Juan del Sur. It was almost the last day of our trip, and the experience had been fun, smooth and exhilarating. But despite our vigilance of all things food & water, our eldest daughter came down with a stomach bug as we were packing up.She got dehydrated so quickly that

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-53037592669815376052009-11-13T23:37:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:07:50.556-08:00

As a parent, so much of my energy is spent addressing what is the right amount of media for my children. On one hand, I limit screentime and encourage play. On the other hand, I want my kids to be aware of modern technology and how it can be used productively. When I experienced PicPocket Books on my iPhone, it was the first time I had a clear conscience about handing a device over to my kids.

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-2551521372334038822009-11-12T21:30:00.001-08:002009-11-12T22:06:30.392-08:00

Nelson, South IslandPicton, South IslandWellington, North IslandThe spinning seat video - in action. An elaboration on our trip to New Zealand lives on Ciao Bambino. I'm linking this post up with Photo Friday at Delicious Baby - go give them a whirl!

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-72264266288380507392009-11-11T23:54:00.001-08:002009-11-12T00:08:46.111-08:00

Part of our strategy to avoid H1N1 this season is to increase outdoor activity and decrease crowded, indoor events. Half Moon Bay comes in handy for these purposes, especially when you get to team up with friends. The kids were out of school on Veterans Day, so we headed for the open space preserves near Poplar Beach. The trails were very kid-friendly (well, as long as we didn't go over the

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-13999994934624185692009-11-11T23:22:00.000-08:002009-11-11T23:47:11.902-08:00

What started as a drive to the other side of the island, ended up as my favorite destination on Oahu. Thanks to my cousins for their recommendation, Kailua Beach was a huge hit! Stunning scenery over the valley, pristine beaches, lively surf, and a delectable deli lunch at Kalapawai Market. If you are heading to Oahu, don't miss Kailua Beach. Thanks to everyone who guessed on the What Beach Am I

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-44941038843545480962009-11-05T11:07:00.000-08:002010-03-13T21:08:40.371-08:00

Moms are popular these days. They are creating products, starting businesses, and networking at a rate that has caught mainstream attention. They've found their own market niche (other moms) and are working hard to get their message out. So, what is going to define the next generation of moms who succeed in business? As the competition gets tougher, I believe it will require not only remarkable

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-70652618277244118412009-11-02T22:29:00.000-08:002009-11-05T22:38:10.090-08:00

Two years ago, over Thanksgiving, we took a trip to Nicaragua. We decided to visit our family friends to find out about their exciting projects. When we were there, we made some new friends. We shared our toys. They shared their beach. We saw their house. They ate our PB&Js. To Tim, Sebastian, and all of our friends in San Juan del Sur - we miss riding in the back of your pickup truck and hope to

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-33539853219447107282009-10-27T16:14:00.000-07:002009-10-28T15:08:16.893-07:00

With over 2200 bedtimes under my belt, here are some parenting principles that rise to the top. (Note: these are not guaranteed, and will probably implode during the teenage years...)1. Show your children that you love them, at eye level, with eye contact, and with lots of hugs and affection.2. Respect your children by understanding what is really important to them. What motivates your child

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-29811646627769261422009-10-22T22:23:00.000-07:002009-10-22T23:02:03.848-07:00

This is Colette after a road trip to her Nana's house - sitting in the hallway sifting through a box of books. It was a chapter book that pulled us through a 3rd world hospital visit. It's the box of used books sent over from Grandpa that formed our library - where selections are made every day for storytimes. However they are displayed, wherever they go - they save our sanity.Recently I learned

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-91948969053740051932009-10-21T09:48:00.000-07:002010-03-13T21:07:13.077-08:00

Once upon a time, the founders of My Busy Kit bought iPhones for themselves for the holidays. Then they had an idea. How about making an application for kids where they can pack their own suitcase in hopes of inspiring adventure? After many months of hard work, My Little Suitcase was born! In My Little Suitcase, you can make it snow... Play at the beach... Fly a kite (or your clothes)...

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-73493647926790279422009-10-20T11:39:00.000-07:002009-10-20T12:48:15.608-07:00

When I first joined Twitter in January, I was more interested in satisfying my curiosity than in quantifying the results. There were many reasons why I liked it, but at some point I would need to start tracking how Twitter is helping my small business become, well...less small. Here is what I found, and why I'm still tweeting:1. NICHE MARKETS - I like being able to follow people in my areas of

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3813413510898361738.post-17672832431266822932009-10-16T09:30:00.000-07:002009-10-16T09:18:55.144-07:00

Several times a day, my daughters and I travel down a sunny dirt road deep in bear country. Usually that journey is in the form of a Berenstain Bear Book, our family favorite. But this week we discovered our own sunny dirt road on the way to Half Moon Bay, right before the first rain of the season. We gathered firewood, unloaded it, and rustled up some good old fashioned warmth. The very next day

Lorraine Akemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15768744081389776631noreply@blogger.com6