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About the Author

Hi friends! Welcome to Mama Needs a Manual. I am so glad you stopped by.
    I am Ashley. Wife to Bryan, Mama to Caleb, David and Ethan (yes, we are ABCDE). I am also a daughter of God, saved by His grace alone. I love coffee, crafting, baking, and curling up on the couch with a good book. Most days are spent chasing our kiddos around and being active whenever I get the chance. I am a professional problem-solver by trade.
A former Calculus teacher turned stay-at-home mom, this blog has become my new “classroom” where I share practical trouble-shooting advice, tips and encouragement. May this be a grace-filled space where you know you are not alone in the trenches!
Read the rest of my story here

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  • Birthday Party Ideas

    Dude Perfect Birthday Party

    September 17, 2023 /

    Dude Perfect Birthday Party Games- after searching a lot on google and piecing together some different things I found, here’s a one stop shop to plan a fun birthday party in your backyard for upper elementary-young middle school aged boys. First, the decorations: I kept it pretty simple. I used my silhouette to cut out a dp logo and glued…

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    Ashley
  • Birthday Party Ideas,  Uncategorized

    Ford’s One Year Old Little Blue Truck Party

    July 12, 2021 /

    We can hardly believe it’s been a year since Ford joined our family! We have enjoyed celebrating each of our boys with a book themed first birthday party (Very Hungry Caterpillar, Wild One: Where the Wild Things Are, Curious George) so to keep the tradition alive, we chose the Little Blue Truck, a book we’ve loved reading to all of…

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    Ashley
  • Birthday Party Ideas,  celebrate

    C’s 2 Year Old Finding Nemo Birthday

    July 17, 2019 /

    Caleb will be 5 in a couple of months. As I look through these pictures, my heart aches only the way a mother’s can. How did I not know this was a thing until I was a mom- the pain of wanting to hold on and let go at the same time? D was 6 months and still waking up…

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    Ashley
  • Birthday Party Ideas,  celebrate,  family traditions,  favorite things

    3 year Old’s Wish List- 100 Purposeful Ideas from a Mom of Three

    April 18, 2019 /

    (I would put a 3 year old picture of our littlest man too, but he’s only 15 months old at this time).  We have had three boys in a little over three years, so to say we’ve been gifted many gifts for boys ages 3 and under would be an understatement! We are so thankful for our generous friends and…

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    Ashley
  • Birthday Party Ideas,  celebrate

    David’s Wild ONE First Birthday Party

    March 2, 2019 /

    I love birthday parties! When it came time for David’s we brainstormed (and by we I mean me and by brainstorm I mean search Pinterest) looking for the perfect theme. Since he attempted to crawl out of me (true story), dove head first into everything his first year of life (I mean what 7 month old figures out how to…

    Read More
    Ashley
  • Birthday Party Ideas,  comparison,  kids

    Caleb’s 1 Year Old Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party

    September 12, 2018 /

    In just a week, our baby boy will be FOUR. I cannot believe it, really. I’ve been sentimental lately and thinking back to his first year. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that our 3rd (and maybe last) baby is quickly approaching his one year birthday. Or maybe, it’s just part of the bitter-sweetness of motherhood. Each…

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    Ashley
  • Birthday Party Ideas,  celebrate

    D’s Daniel Tiger Birthday

    March 28, 2018 /

    I am so incredibly thankful for PBS’s Daniel Tiger. Seriously. With 3 little ones at home, I have been so very grateful for a show that the older two can watch occasionally (or maybe a little too much lately) while I tend to their baby brother. I love the shows’ catchy, although sometimes slightly annoying, jingles and the lessons on…

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    Ashley

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About the Author

Hi friends! Welcome to Mama Needs a Manual. I am so glad you stopped by.
    I am Ashley. Wife to Bryan, Mama to Caleb, David and Ethan (yes, we are ABCDE). I am also a daughter of God, saved by His grace alone. I love coffee, crafting, baking, and curling up on the couch with a good book. Most days are spent chasing our kiddos around and being active whenever I get the chance. I am a professional problem-solver by trade.
A former Calculus teacher turned stay-at-home mom, this blog has become my new “classroom” where I share practical trouble-shooting advice, tips and encouragement. May this be a grace-filled space where you know you are not alone in the trenches!
Read the rest of my story here
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