Midwest Mimi

  • Royce and the Mystery Bolt of Doom

    Royce and the Mystery Bolt of Doom

    Royce handed me a random bolt today, and I had no idea what in our home it belonged to. Moments like this are the perfect mix of chaos and comedy in a neurodivergent household, and they remind me how curious and creative my kids truly are.

  • The Real Rhythm of a Disabled Household

    Some people assume disabled households cannot function, but the truth is far more nuanced. In our home, each of us has needs, rhythms, and strengths, and together we have built a life that works. This is the real rhythm of our disabled and neurodivergent family.

  • The Hidden Cost of Being Strong

    Behind the calm I show the world is a body fighting to regulate itself. This is the hidden cost of strength for those of us living with disability and sensory overwhelm.

  • The World Looks Purple To Me

    A journey from innocence, to hustling for survival, to rebuilding life after chronic illness. Motherhood, queerness, and the purple lens that reveals what is worth fighting for.

  • Lessons from Wonderland: What Alice Still Teaches Me About Life, Parenting, and Growing Up

    Lessons from Wonderland: What Alice Still Teaches Me About Life, Parenting, and Growing Up

    During a fall evening photo shoot turned Wonderland adventure, I realized how much Alice still has to teach us. Through curiosity, slowing down, difference, imagination, and growth, I found reflections of motherhood, healing, and becoming — lessons tucked inside the golden light of an ordinary day.

  • 🌿 The Lives That Built Me – Grace in the Grit

    I rebuilt from rock bottom, not because life got easier, but because I learned to make peace with the life I can live. That’s grace in the grit: surviving, rebuilding, and loving every version of me that made it here.

  • 🌿 Life Is About Experiencing Moments

    🌿 Life Is About Experiencing Moments

    There was a time I thought life was measured in milestones like graduations, promotions, birthdays, and the next big thing on the calendar. Then one day I woke up sick and never got well. Chronic illness has a way of stripping life down to its bones. It slows everything until you can’t help but notice…

  • The Real Heart of Midwest Mimi

    This blog started as a place for accessible nature reviews and homeschooling resources. But it’s become something bigger: a story about resilience, family, and belonging, with nature, books, and art still at the heart. From Accessible Nature and Homeschooling to Something Bigger When I first started Midwest Mimi, my focus was clear. I wanted to…

  • Family Adventures on a Budget: Free Museums, Library Passes, and Hidden Discounts (Part 2)

    In Part One, I shared how parks and nature are some of the best places for budget-friendly family adventures. Camping, hiking, swimming, and exploring caves can fill your weekends without draining your wallet. But affordable adventures don’t just stop at the park gates. Especially if you’re traveling outside your local area, you might find museums,…

  • Family Adventures on a Budget: Affordable Ways to Make Memories Outdoors (Part 1)

    I don’t know about you, but my family operates on a shoestring budget. We have what we need, but there isn’t always a lot left over for extras. With a little creativity and planning, though, it’s still possible to have some amazing family adventures. As a disabled mom, my family of five survives on Social…

  • Story Stones: A Simple Nature Craft That Sparks Creativity in Kids

    Let me paint you a picture: it’s 10:32 a.m. on a rainy Tuesday, and I’ve already heard the words “I’m bored” four times. Before lunch. (Send help.) Enter: Story Stones. Smooth little rocks decorated with tiny pictures that turn into the ultimate boredom-busting, imagination-sparking, sibling-distraction tool. They’re cheap, easy to make, and surprisingly magical. In…

  • 6 Ways Nature Works as a Reset Button for Sibling Rivalry (and One Way it Benefits Parents, Too)

    “Mimi,” Channing’s complaining tone rang out, “Raeleigh yelled at me.” “I only yelled because he was being annoying!” Raeleigh chimed in from the other room. It wasn’t even 10 a.m., and we’d already had multiple variations of this same argument at least three times. Clearly, it was time for a reset. Sibling squabbles like this…

  • When Kids Complain on Outdoor Adventures: How to Handle Whining Without Losing the Magic

    Five minutes into an outdoor adventure and someone’s already saying, “My legs hurt.” Sound familiar? If you’ve taken kids out into nature, chances are you’ve heard it too. Nothing takes the shine off a long-anticipated family outing like whining before you’ve even settled in. But here’s the thing: complaints are part of the journey, and…

  • Homeschooling in Nature’s Classroom

    Introduction: Learning Beyond the Books When people picture homeschooling, they often imagine stacks of workbooks and long kitchen tables covered in flashcards. In our house, the classroom looks a little different: it’s the trail where my son pauses to listen for bird calls, the lake where my daughter learns patience with a fishing pole, and…

  • What My Toddler Taught Me About Slowing Down in Nature

    When my toddler and I head outside, it’s rarely about covering ground. We’re not hiking trails or racking up miles. For us, it’s usually the walk to the beach, wandering through a grassy field, or time spent playing at the park. These little adventures are where I’ve learned the most about slowing down. Toddlers Notice…