About Tracy Balderach & her Blog
Tracy is a winner of Top 25 Family Blogs by Moms - 2012
What's your favorite thing to do on family night?
As new parents, our best date night was always cooking a new recipe, drinking a good bottle of wine and staying at home; opposed to paying for a sitter and sitting in a crowded restaurant. We always had out best conversations on these evenings and we loved them dearly. Now that the children are older and bedtime is later, we have incorporated cooking into our family night. Whether it's pizza or tacos, fondue or a big, hearty breakfast for dinner; we are always laughing and talking our way through family night in the kitchen. The kids love to help and feel included and we all love to eat.
What has surprised you most about motherhood?
I had no idea how big my heart would grow and how much I would love the job of being a momma. There is nothing more peaceful than a baby's head nestled in your neck, breathing softly and rhythmically. There isn't a better way to know you are so incredibly needed then when a toddler is sick and can't lift their head off the pillow. It is a quick reminder that as a Momma, you are responsible for molding the foundation of esteem and attitude when your 5 year old asks you if she's pretty. Motherhood is the most rewarding, yet challenging job there is. Each unique child is given to us as a way to expand, grow and stretch us in ways that will surprise us. It is the most precious gift I have ever received.
What's your favorite game to play as a family?
Zingo and memory (5,3.5 and 20 months). Game night is just beginning in our home.
What are your favorite blog posts?
Tracy's Answers
What are your top 3 flicks for a family night (please indicate the minimum age for each movie)?
We are just getting into movies considering we have a 3.5 year old, a 2.5 year old and a 5 month old. When we have a "movie night", we usually incorporate a dinner that we make together. We typically will make a homemade pizza, do a taco night with lots of small bowls of fixings to add for fun or a pasta night. When we have had these occasions, our top two choices are Tangled and Beauty and the Beast (can you tell my two oldest are girls?). Any other movie we have tried for "movie night" has lost my girls' interest in 20 minutes, so we always add the dinner beforehand to make sure that we do something that engages them fully!
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Do you have suggestions to help dads more comfortably participate in "mommy and me" events?
Jump in with both feet and embrace the role of caregiver! Set those play dates, strike up conversation with the Moms, Dads, nannies, grandparents, etc and spend time figuring out what makes you a good stay at home Dad. Your child will appreciate reaping the rewards from your gifts and other caregivers will learn from you too!
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Please share a link to a photo of a great birthday cake you made or bought.
My mother in law gave me a vintage sailor suit that belonged to my husband. It inspired me for my son's first birthday and we did a sailor party. I decided to make a cake tier with sailboat cupcake toppers. All of the kids got sand buckets filled with goodies to go. It was such a fun theme!
http://www.thebalderachs.com/2012/04/sailor-and-his-mates.html
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