So I am back. It happened really so fast and yet so wonderful. If you don’t know I was invited to  a special media trip on behalf of Jet Blue, Lego and Atlantis. I know what you are thinking: Lucky girl. And you know what you would be correct. I have been thinking for days, while I tackle my mountain of laundry that awaits every vacationer, of how to share with...

If you don’t know I have been dealing with some ugly hacker who messed up my site. It has been a scary time but am so relieved to be back and though late with this week’s dose of Friday 5 series, better late than never. Since I have just come back from a media trip to Atlantis, it was the closest thing to a vacation, there were some things I could not comprehend. Kids...

My 2 (and a half) year old daughter has been having some real funky traits these days. I am not sure how much of it is the terrible twos or how much of it is going to make her lie on some couch spilling her guts about how her mother led her to this behavior. At first I caught her looking at a little house her sister (4 year old) had made and she came in and declared...

With snowy winters comes jackets, hats and mittens and though they bring vivid memories of me fighting the kids over dressing for the cold, there is another “cold” that is more troublesome. Yes, the one that brings snotty noses, fevers and pains.  When I was alerted to another surprising concern about how people are dishing up their dose I was skeptical....

Some time during the holidays I was approached to take the Waterpik for a spin. A few years ago I would have laughed myself silly and passed up on the offer. In fact about 6 or 7 years ago I was wary of the electric toothbrush (I had chalked it up to a gadget for lazy people). Somehow I sucked it up and bought one to try. Needless to say I have never gone back. If you...

We have been testing out the monthly projects at Home Depot and Lowes. The great thing is they are free the not so great is that they manage to happen at a time when I almost certainly have some other event scheduled. I love planning activities but hate having to shop out for each individual materials. Also when you have kids time is precious and I really don’t...

If you know me personally then you would have heard me rant and curse at my dishwasher, and not without reason. I live in a community where all the homes were built at the same time and sold with (the cheapest) appliances. We bought the house after the owner had put the current model through the rigmarole for over 10 years. Since we don’t believe in replacing something...

CONTEST IS CLOSED!!! Congratulations Sarah! While I attended a Blogger’s Brunch in New York I met up with the guys from Plum Organics. When they contacted me to try their Plum Tots line aimed at toddlers I was honestly skeptical. You see while I believe anything organic is worth a look things marked baby foodlike don’t go down easily with my sensory specific...

I am packing! I won’t be here tomorrow. And not even for the day after. Tonight I will be packing. I fly tomorrow and I have not started packing. Final destination Atlantis. Am I overwhelmed? You betcha. Am I confident it will get done tonight? Absolutely. Since I cannot think further than my battered suitcase (man I so need new luggage as I have had bad luck...

When I was approached by a team representing Jet Blue, Atlantis and Lego to attend a special event with a child at Atlantis I was in the throes of bath-time woes and tantrums. In fact hubby had just arrived from work and I was telling him about it, then it struck me. This was in the Bahamas. I was being invited with my kid. The event was for them and it was all paid....

CONTEST IS CLOSED!!! Congratulations Gianna! The great thing about being part of the Sprout’s Band Of Bloggers is that I get a sneak peak into the amazing works of the Sprout team. You would easily think the amazing line-up targeted at preschoolers is enough, but I am constantly impressed by how much this team is doing to try and help parents out. In fact  when...

I decided to go all the way to NY to see Seth Godin’s discussion on Linchpin. Well… the man deserves it. The author Tribes, The Dip and many more books is the best. Seth says that “this” is the time to be creative and unfollow the norms. The formula that worked in the last century does not work any more. Merely going to good schools, getting the...

A few weeks ago I saw some tweets going around about a Martha Stewart Blog Special. Since a few months ago I overslept and missed my train to another show, I felt this was like a calling. I mean anything that spells blogging has my name on it, right? After muddling though my wardrobe trying to find something that would qualify for being in the audience, oh not because...

You may be wondering what’s up with Mommy Niri. I mean I have not been posting as often, not because I don’t have oodles to share (because I do) but just because these days I am behind EVERYTHING. Not just on my blog but in my life too. As you can see I still have the Christmas lights up, and yes that is Halloween decor out. A good thing you can’t...

Now I know what you are thinking, late again! I was out dear readers. I was out to New Jersey (and also New York but more of that little news later). Might I add that I was on a road trip. With kids. With me being the only adult. With a 2 and 4 year old in the backseat. Did I add that the trip is normally 4.5 hours (with no breaks and no kids)? Feeling sorry for me?...

CONTEST CLOSED! COngratulations Darla, Rachel, Susan, Kelly, Emily! When I was approached to give Shake ‘N Bake a try, my reaction was “What?”. Now, crucify me if you like but I had never heard about Shake ‘N Bake. Maybe it had something to do with me not being born here or maybe the fact that I am a vegetarian may have something to do with it....

You read about my review of Jello mousse way back but thanks to House Party I got to host a Jell-O Mousse and Jenny McCarthy party. What can I say about a night of fabulous (girl)friends, yummy Jell-O Mousse and kick-my-butt Jenny McCarthy’s Your Shape for wii? Nothing! Check out the pics and video to get a sense yourself. Disclosure: House Party provided me...

What’s that you say? Is it going to be a trend for 2010 that Mommy Niri is late with her posts? I guess I should have added being on time with my posts as one of my 2010 resolutions. Coming from growing up in tropical weather in South Africa getting used to Boston’s wintry weather for the past 10 years should have been a piece of cake, right? Well, I approach...

Somehow I don’t really hold myself accountable to resolutions, though I should. Yet there is something highly ominous about the 1st day of the 1st month in a brand new year that makes me feel yesterday was but a fleeting memory but today I start afresh. I somehow feel that whatever I did before is all but forgotten and this new year I can tackle anything. Of course...

CONTEST CLOSED!!! Congratulations Jen! The Wii is here to stay and although I am pretty cautious about gaming because they are too sedentary and addictive. With the Wii games I love that it gets you moving.  As much as there are several adult games I have been keeping an eye out for games for kids. Many games that are listed as kid-friendly have some pretty gory visuals. Here...

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I feel all giddy inside to write this. You know writing my resolutions for 2009 was actually my 1st Friday 5 in the Friday 5 series, and I cannot get over that I finished 52 whopping posts! Not sure how I managed to get through but bumping into a friend, when I was late with it, asking for it was sure to make me thrilled yet guilty. I actually thought of stopping it...