Hadley’s Rash Guard Swimsuit Set c/o SwimZip. Evan’s Rash Guard & Board Shorts Set c/o SwimZip

Exploring The Beach With SwimZip

Carrie McDonnell October 15, 2018

I know it’s fall in most of the US but here in South Florida it’s still beach season and we are not complaining. Tourist season begins soon so we are making the most of empty beaches by leaving all the toys at home and heading out to the sand with nothing but a couple of towels, some snacks, sunscreen and our favorite swimsuits…

Washable Rugs by Lorena Canals

Carrie McDonnell September 20, 2018

When we moved into our current home three years ago, we swore one of the first things we would do would be to revamp our living room. The room was in desperate need of a new coat of paint, our couch needed to be replaced and we needed a new rug…

Meal Planning: The Seamless Way

Carrie McDonnell August 30, 2018

By now we've all heard that one of the main ways to reduce your grocery bill and food waste is to meal plan, but where do you start? A couple of months ago I found a magnetic menu board from the Target Dollar Spot and thought I was well on my way.

Natalia Leather Sandals by The Humble Soles

The Humble Soles: A Review

Carrie McDonnell June 21, 2018

In many ways it feels like summer has just begun but we are already thinking about Back to School and all that entails. New back packs, new lunch boxes, new clothes, new shoes. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect kids shoe…

Jamma Jango: A Review

Carrie McDonnell May 3, 2018

It's no secret by now that there are numerous benefits to children learning a second language. There have been numerous studies documenting how learning another language correlates with higher academic achievement, improved cognitive abilities, increased attention and concentration, exposure and acceptance…

Hey, hey! I'm Carrie, owner of Paiges of Gray Photography & Blog, mommy to 2 kids and 1 rescued pup, wife to a Coast Guard helicopter pilot, social worker, brand photographer, mommy blogger, "coffee until wine" believer and South Florida local...at least for now.

I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into our life as I try to find that ever elusive balance between modern motherhood and traditional childhood.

Looking for something?

Let's be friends!

What's new on Insta?

The kids participated in the #greatkindnesschallenge at school last week so it seemed fitting to continue that challenge at home by restocking our supply of care packages for homeless individuals in our area. They’ve helped me do this many times before but this time I let them lead the charge. They picked out the food items we included and filled the bags on their own, all the while musing about what it must be like to live without a home. Some things were practical: “I wonder where people go potty?” Some things were innocently optimistic: “They get to look at the stars every single night.” And some things were heartbreaking: “Where are their families? If you have a family, then you should always have a home.”
.
Homelessness is complex and while they may not ever be able to fully grasp all of those complexities my hope is that they continue to try. That they continue to think about and care for those who face that reality everyday and try to empathize. That they continue to see others first as fellow humans, someone not unlike them, rather than focusing on their current situations and differences. That they continue to put good out into the world. Kindness should not be a challenge. It should be the baseline from which we operate everyday, within every interaction, with every person who crosses our path. The question should not be: What did I do today that showed kindness? But rather: What did I do today that did not show kindness and how can I improve tomorrow? It’s true, after all, that a little compassion goes a long way and this world could certainly use a little more kindness. A little more love.

Need an a’doh’able, but easy Valentine’s idea for classmates? Find the link for this free printable in our stories. Print them on plain paper and cut them out or use Avery labels (5293) to make your life even easier. 😉

Valentine’s Day is next week and we are busy working on handmade cards and goodies for the kids’ classmates. Last year we did 🤖 crayons but we are switching it up to 🦖 this year. I considered ❤️ for one second until Hadley said, “What about dinosaurs? Not everyone likes hearts but all people love dinosaurs.” #truth
.
Find the tutorial for the crayons and our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide featuring adorable bows like this one from @sparklesbycamila on the blog by clicking on the link in our stories.

It’s take your kid to work day and that little man could not be more excited to spend the day with Daddy. He had me put matching patches on his shirt, packed a work bag with snacks and then asked me to use his camera to take his picture. I mean look at that smile!!

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Paiges of Gray is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Paiges of Gray is also a participant of other affiliate programs, which means that I may earn a small commission when you click on a link. I only recommend products I truly love and the price you pay via a link will be the same as the price posted on the vendor’s website.