vanessav
Born and raised in a suburb of Buffalo, NY, Vanessa moved to the Bronx, NY after college, where she met her husband and gradually migrated north together. Now they reside in Newtown, CT with their three children; two sons (2013 & 2019), a daughter (2016), two dogs - Gracie (2022 lab mix) and Jasper (2026 golden retriever mix), and two cats - Ozzy & Luna (2023 tabbies). A former administrator turned special education consultant & advocate by day; by morning/night, she's a taxi for her kids' activities. In her "free time," she enjoys being in her pool or hiking with her family, listening to 80s/90s hip-hop, watching the Bills game, and sharing sarcastic mom memes with friends. You can follow @mindbridgeed for more!
The Scoop on Fairfield County Ice Cream Shops
As soon as the temperature gets warm, my kids get excited for “ice cream season.” We have compiled a list of Fairfield County’s tastiest...
Bringing Back the 90s: Our Plan for a Low-Stress, Old-School Summer
Remember those endless, sun-drenched summer days of the 1990s? This year, our family is leaning hard into a nostalgic “90s summer” right here in...
Learning to Hold Love and Loss at the Same Time
This will be my first Mother’s Day without my mom, and if I’m being honest, I’m dreading it.
Mother’s Day has never really been about...
Breaking the Silence: Recognizing Level 1 Autism in Our Community
It’s time we talk about the “invisible” side of the spectrum. Recent 2025 CDC data show that autism identification is at an all-time high,...
Smooth Sailing with Kids: Cruise Hacks and Tips
If your family is dreaming of sunshine, salty air, and someone else cooking dinner for a week, cruising with kids can be pure magic....
National Girls and Women in Sports Day: The Wins that Last a Lifetime
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (February 4th) will always hit me right in the heart. I’m a former college athlete—an ice hockey...
Explore Fairfield County :: Newtown
“Explore Fairfield County” is an informational series that provides a glimpse into the wonderful towns and cities in Fairfield County. Fairfield County is diverse...
The Ultimate Family Car: The Volvo XC90
My family and I had the chance to try out the new Volvo XC90 for a weekend, courtesy of Riley Volvo Cars Stamford —...
Grief, Growth, and Forward Motion
As we say goodbye to the Year of the Snake, I find myself reflecting on a year that asked more of me than I...
Family Meal Deals for Busy Weeknights in Fairfield County
Lately, I’ve been thinking about something simple that actually makes a real difference: family meal deals that fit our budget, our timing, and our...