Maggie VanDuyn
Hi, I’m Maggie. I have two spunky, hilarious and active children. Zoey was born in 2008 and she is currently in first grade. Emmet was born in 2011 and has a combination of childcare providers. I’m digging this parenting adventure and cross my fingers each day that I’m not screwing my kids up too much. I’ve invested in a good health care plan so I’m prepared to offer counseling to them as they grow. I love cooking. I hate cleaning. And I wonder if I’ll ever feel like a “real” grownup! (I secretly hope not). In 2015, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer. This has made a huge impact on my life, my family and my priorities. It's also made looking on the bright side the focus of my life. Follow more of my musings on my personal blog maggiesbrightside.com!
Lions and Lambs and Why March is the Worst
March is said to either come in like a lion and go out like a lamb or the opposite, come in like a lamb and go out like a lion. Either way, one end...
Recipe Post: Breakfast Cookies are Perfectly Acceptable
I’ve never written any recipe posts- although I love cooking.
I’m just not that great of a recipe writer and I don't create my own recipes, I just alter recipes from other professional food bloggers,...
Tales of a Mommy Traveler: Why You Should Take a Mom Vacation
Recently, I spent an ENTIRE WEEK away from them and I survived. Take my advice, choose your friends, plan your trip and have one heck of Mom Vacation!
How To NOT Lose Your Mind This Holiday Season
I LOVE the holiday season! From Thanksgiving through the New Year, I’m all about the peppermint mochas and the spirit of giving and turkey with cranberry sauce and New Year’s Resolutions. I like to...
Parenting with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Year One
About a year ago, I announced on this blog that I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
You remember? The fear, the anger, the immense community support. Am I jogging your memory? Or maybe...
A Day in the Life of One BVT Mom
I'm just a mom, trying to get through this life one day at a time. This is my "day in the life."
Some days I nail this mom thing, other days I crawl into bed...
How To End The Mommy Wars
It’s easy to upset people when writing for a mom’s blog. We talk about mommy wars and how we all want to lift each other up rather than tear each other down, and then someone...
All-Inclusive Vacations: What Are You Waiting For?
I have never been to an all inclusive resort before and now I’m wondering why it took me so long. I am honestly the most relaxed I have ever been coming off of a vacation. Choose an all-inclusive resort and let your busy, tired brain rest!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Honestly, I'm not a fan of Mother's Day. Don't get me wrong-I love that my mom and I go out and get a pedicure together sometime around Mother's Day, but I don't feel like...
Monday Morning
This past Monday morning, my 4 year old spent the 15 minutes between when my husband went to work and when we should have gotten on the school bus screaming that "he wants Daddy."...
Minivan-ity
I think I’m having an identity crisis. Today, I test drove a minivan. And I liked it. Now I have minivan-ity.
I swore I would never be a minivan driver. To be a minivan...
LTB in BTV-The Pure Barre Experience
{Disclaimer: We have partnered with Pure Barre to bring you this information. However, the opinions here are all Maggie's!}
When I first walked into Pure Barre on January 4th, 2015 I had no idea how much...
Kryptonite
I have a wild child. He is strong-willed and fierce. He is energetic and hilarious. And sometimes he gets angry.
Because he is only four, he has a really hard time expressing his anger or...
Save the VNA Family Room!!
Tucked in the Old North End of Burlington is an amazing playspace and resource for families and children.
It's actually been there for 25 years and it's called the Family Room. The Family Room is part...