Jennifer U
Jennifer grew up in Houston before heading to Austin for seven years to attend the University of Texas as a history and government major and continuing at UT for law school. An attorney by day, in the evening she trades high heels and ambition for wet kisses and warm hugs from her three children - Kieran {Dec 2005}, Sawyer {Jan 2011}, and Birdie {Sept 2014}. Her many vices include an intense passion for all things Bravo and her plan for the future is "more cowbell." You can find her at the duck pond, the zoo, on Instagram @jen.e.underwood and blogging at Treading Water in the Kiddie Pool {www.treadingwaterinthekiddiepool.com}.
The Only Summer It Will Be This Way
The burn of chlorine filled my nostrils as I was slapped in the face with an oversized purple pool noodle. I let out a giant roar of retaliation and my oldest squealed as I...
Our Favorite Houston Area Splash Pads!
It's coming y'all ... that infamous Houston heat has already started making its ghastly appearance, complete with dripping humidity reminiscent of the deepest, darkest corners of the rainforest.
There are mornings when I walk out...
This Glorious Mess
The first time I ever lived alone was in 2000, my first year of law school. My clothes were arranged by color in my closet, my towels were neatly hung on the towel racks...
Finding Meaning in the Mundane
I remember the first time my daughter tasted an orange. She was the most adventurous out of all my children when it came to trying new foods as a baby, and she was meticulous...
Another Candle, Another Year
"One, two, three, four, five...and six," I counted to myself as I pressed the wax candles into a chocolate, T-Rex themed birthday cake. I lit each one and carefully carried the flaming tribute to...
Memoirs on Motherhood
I spend a lot of time reading. Well, wait, let me be clear. I don’t have a lot of time these days. The time of lazy afternoons spent moving from one position to another...
On Helplessness, Unprotected Hearts, and Fifth Grade Boys
It is easier to say "My tooth is aching," than to say "My heart is broken." – C. S. Lewis, The Problem with Pain
Fifth grade can be rough. And while there is a pretty...
The Spirit of Halloween
I hustled the witch and the pteranodon down the steps and into the graveyard, careful not to trip over any of the ghosts that might be blocking our path. After adjusting reptile wings and...
18 Kid-Friendly Halloween Party Food Ideas
It's that time of year again...the pumpkin spice lattes are in full brew, the pumpkin patch pictures are flooding Facebook, and everyone is pulling out their booties and flannels even though it's still ninety...
In Defense of Homework
Last month, a Texas teacher broke the internet by sending a letter home to her students declaring that she would not be assigning homework this year. Parents around the country applauded the teacher, shared...