Smarty Mom – Dana Freeman

Happy Saturday, Smarties. I am so happy to introduce you to my friend Dana Freeman. Dana and I met through our daughters’ preschool. We have a lot in common, we both work, have traveling husbands and two girls. It has been so great to get to know Dana. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as well.

You are a mom of two adorable girls who are five and almost three and work full-time? Tell us your strategy for doing both so well.

While I do work full-time, I am lucky enough to work from home. Working from home definitely has its pros and cons, but I love the fact that I can see the girls when they get home from school, have lunch with them and pop over to their school to see them when there is a ‘Mom’ function. Working from home definitely has its challenges as I can easily go 4 days without leaving the house, but the girls keep me laughing and smiling which really helps after a long day at the home office! Best way to de-stress and put things in perspective….a good game of freeze tag in the backyard!

Now that your girls are both beyond the baby stages, what is getting easier as a working mom?

I think the one thing that is easier is the fact that they can both talk to me and tell me about their day. Whether it’s what they did at school or what they did with our nanny, I know what’s going on in their lives (at least more so than a year ago!) And I love hearing about their day from their perspective.

What is becoming more of a challenge?

Emotions! With two girls plus myself in the house, we are full of emotion! For me, understanding how to deal and address their emotions has been difficult. They both are getting to the age where they are having their own opinions and expectations. I pray for patience every day!! And I fear what the Freeman house will be like in 10 years!

Tell us about your children Ellie and Maggie.

Ellie is 5 ½ going on 10! She loves school, dancing and anything arts and crafts related and she really enjoys cooking! Foodnetwork is on the preferred channel list along with Noggin!! Maggie who just turned 3 is our comedian. While she just started ballet this year, we did catch her break-dancing on the floor, spinning on her belly. She makes us laugh daily!

What is your favorite activity to do with them?

Playing outside, cooking, and snuggling up in bed reading stories.

What is your favorite activity without them?

Reading, or just actually having some quiet time.

What is your favorite store for kids clothing?

Lately I’ve been doing everything online – Can’t seem to get out of the house to go shopping (a problem when working from home!!) The home clothing shows have been convenient and one of my girlfriends recently turned me on to crazy8.com. They are owned by Gymboree and have stores out on the west coast, but are much less expensive. I’m always up for bargain!

What is the funniest thing that either of your children has ever said to you?

For some reason we’ve had lots of baby questions lately. Ellie asked me yesterday when her water was going to break! Kyle’s favorite is when Maggie once said “oh, thank you” to an automatic paper towel dispenser in a public restroom.

What is your favorite park in Charlotte?

Freedom park is the favorite park for the Freeman family. So many different things to do – from searching for the ducks to running down the hill and being chased by Daddy!

What is your favorite restaurant that you go to as a family?

Big Daddy’s or Hawthorne Pizza on 7th.

What is your favorite restaurant that you go to with just your husband?

I’m embarrassed to say I can’t remember that last time we went out just the 2 of us! Probably Café Monte or Fig Tree. We’ve been there lately with friends and have had a great time!

The best birthday party you ever attended or gave for a child?

Ooh-La-Las (La-Tea-Das) Tea Party for Ellie – it was for her 5th birthday. It was great – the girls got to dress-up, we had a parade, drank tea (which was actually pink lemonade) dined on cookies/sandwiches, and took lots of pictures. All of the girls had a ball!!

Your favorite Charlotte Smarty Pants article?

Honestly, I just love reading the blogs and stories about other Charlotte Moms. It helps to know that there are other Moms out there dealing with similar experiences and knowing that we’re all doing the best we can!

Minivan or SUV?

SUV, but I do love my wagon – we also have a Volvo station wagon. Ellie is pushing for a minivan as she says it has a ‘magic’ door!

What is the best thing about raising your family in Charlotte?

Friends and neighbors! Kyle and I don’t have family in Charlotte, both sets of grandparents and siblings are 2 or more hours away. We’re lucky to have found the best neighbors. They are such a huge support network. And with Kyle travelling so much, I’m not sure I could survive without them.

You could not live without?

I’m embarrassed to say, reality TV. I just love it. Mindless entertainment after a long day of work and the girls are in bed. My favorites are Deadliest Catch, AI, DWTS, Bachelor/Bachelorette, Housewives of…., Top Chef.

I wish someone told me sooner about…writing down EVERYTHING my girls say. I always seem to forget those precious moments when they say something hysterical or so sweet. Luckily my husband has an amazing memory, so that helps!

Thank you, Dana.

Welcome to Smarty Giveaway Central! This week’s giveaway is complements of our friends at kixx shoes in Parktowne Village. kixx is giving our lucky Smarty one pair of PRESH Stephen Bonanno Sandals, a $150 value, thank you very much! Get this ~ since they carry kids and women’s sizes, you can either give them to your little one OR keep these gems for yourself! To register for this kickin’ giveaway, click here. Good luck, Smarties! Pick me, pick me! Giveaway ends Sunday, April 4. Also, for the ENTIRE month of April, our friends at kixx are giving a 15% discount on any Stephen Bonanno shoe – all you have to do is say “I love CSP!”

kixx
Parktowne Village
1730 E. Woodlawn Rd., Suite G
Charlotte, N.C. 28209
704-676-1517