Aleka Smith
Aleka, born and raised in Pennsylvania, is a mother, full-time Social Worker, animal rescue advocate, and lover of all things thrifty. When she’s not working or caring for her daughter, she can be found reading, working out, walking her dogs, or trying to persuade others to love the earth as much as she does. Coffee and carbs keep her going. She resides in Kettering with her husband, a Neurology resident with Kettering Health Network; daughter; two dogs; and three cats.
Christmas Simplified {Our Way to Do the Holidays}
At 2 years old, my daughter does not grasp the concept of the holidays and all the hoopla that goes into them. She knows there are items in boxes that she can open and...
A Little Goodbye to Our Home Sweet Home
A big move is coming. It may not be big in terms of distance or expense, but it's big in other ways. Leaving our jobs we love so much, going from owning to renting,...
Meal Planning 101 {For Busy Moms Trying to Simplify Dinnertime}
As moms, we live extremely busy lives. We cook, clean, and do everything in-between. Meal planning and getting food on the table every evening is time-consuming, not to mention exhausting.
When I started working full-time...
20 Minutes {How to Prioritize Yourself in the Midst of Motherhood}
Twenty minutes. A cheap spin bike from FB Marketplace. Running shoes because cycling shoes are out of the budget. It is 8:30 p.m. and the time is finally mine.
Prioritizing myself has never been easy,...
Tips for Embracing Toddlerhood
My daughter is at the age where she desires independence, and yet is unable to grasp what that entails. She clings to me when hungry and then pushes me away as soon as I’m...
November Dayton Dozen Guide to Family Fun {2021}
1) Dayton Train Show
November 6th 12pm - November 7th 4pm. Montgomery County Fairgrounds. $8 adults; 12 and under are free.
2) Perfect Wedding Guide Show
November 7th 11am - 3pm. The Event Connections, 4140 Linden Avenue....
A Mom’s Favorite Things {What’s on Your List?}
I had plenty of loves before I had my daughter: a cup of tea with a good book, a hot bath, a 3-mile walk with my dogs, a shopping trip with girlfriends, a night...
The Guilt of One {And Done?}
Before my daughter was born, my husband and I were regularly asked when we were starting a family. She arrived one month before our 5-year anniversary, and we have been on cloud nine ever...
September Dayton Dozen {2021}
Fall Fun is right around the corner! We have your guide to all things Fall here in this September edition of the Dayton Dozen for Family-Friendly Events around town.
1) Tot Shop Consignment Sale
September 18,...
Speechless {Adjusting to a Post-COVID World}
As a relatively outgoing person who has an opinion 99.9% of the time, it is a struggle for me to not have anything to say. I have tried thinking of a topic that interests...
The Weight of Too Many Hats
I never felt hats looked good on me. Either they were too big, too small, or simply accentuated features that didn’t need to be seen. Sunglasses have always been more my cup of tea.
Enter...
Dear Diary
I am not really sure where I’m going with this entry. Is it the therapy I so desperately need or am I writing in hopes to find others who have been here and can...
April Dayton Dozen
April brings warmer weather and the beginning signs of Spring. Get out and enjoy the activities that will be offered in and around Dayton, which include many beyond this short list. There are some...
Five Hacks to Make Your Busy Days Just a Little Bit Lighter
We have all been there. You wake up with good intentions of getting things done and then before you know it, it’s 8 p.m. and you want nothing more than to go to bed....