We know that being a mom is much more than a job. It’s a full-time-never-get-a-break-don’t-put-that-in-your-mouth-no-means-no-lifestyle filled with ups and downs, laughs and tears and memories by the minute. Sure, it can be confusing and completely overwhelming at times, but hey, that’s why we’re here.
The two Jen’s originally created this site, and now a team of moms with different views will add to this daily blog. Our goal is to make this the ultimate resource for Charlotte moms and moms-to-be on a variety of activities, events and motherhood-related topics (best deals on hip new products, navigating the school systems, kids eat free, etc). This is a place for us to share as well as our readers, and we don’t pretend to know everything here. But, we’ll try our best to provide you with plenty of info we’ve learned through research, trial and, unfortunately, error.
What’s Courtenay’s story? I want to know more about Jen. I think I know Krista from somewhere, but where? Find out everything you ever wanted to know (and some things you didn’t) about our talented and insightful bloggers who know an awful lot about kids’ stuff and the latest goings on around town. We’re moms, wives, co-workers, friends, people in the know and, best of all, your guides on this crazy little thing we call Charlotte Smarty Pants.
Our Smarty Moms:
Jen Bunich (1971-2008)
Smarty Specialty: Co-Chief Founding Mommy
Married/Husband: 3 ½ years, Boris
Kids: 1 darling little girl
Lived in Charlotte: 1994-2008
Unique Smarty perspective:
Jen Bunich achieved the perfect balance between working mom and raising a family. Jen & Jen met in 1996 when they both worked at a super fun ad agency along with 30 or so other “Jens.” Jen B was always so incredibly dedicated to her job and she climbed the ladder quickly. After giving birth to her daughter, Claire, Jen decided to continue on with her successful career. In doing so, she wanted to give a voice to the working moms on CSP. In the early days of CSP, Jen & Jen would constantly hash out their struggles between “is it easier to be a working mom or stay-at-home mom?” They both came to the conclusion that if they could merge the greatest aspects of both together, then they would have the perfect life.
We tragically lost Jennifer Bunich to non-smoking lung cancer on February 4, 2008. CSP was forever changed. You will always find a piece of her here. We miss you Jen!
In Loving Memory: Jennifer Lisman Bunich
Thank you for Your Kind Words & Support
Jen Plym
Smarty Specialty: Chief Founding Mommy
Married/Husband: 12 years, Randy
Kids: 4 (2 identical twin boys, 2 girls)
Lived here since: 1996
Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom-extraordinaire
Unique Smarty perspective:
In 2005 I was a proud Mom of 2 girls, (7) and (9). Life was absolutely storybook perfect. And then, twins happened. Yep, I had twins – identical twins (5) – and our family of four jumped to six overnight. Whoa. It was frightening and exciting at the same time, and I quickly realized that the keys to survival were being organized, resourceful and always on the lookout for a good bargain. I’m a researcher and tester outer by nature, and soon wanted/needed a place to share my growing knowledge (and questions) with other Charlotte moms. And that’s how Charlotte Smarty Pants was born. But that’s not all, not by a long shot. I’m also a die-hard Florida Gator, social diva (I have been called ‘somewhat of a legend in Charlotte’ by Jen Bunich), obsessed with all things pink & green (Lilly Pulitzer is my IDOL), married to my wonderful high school sweetheart, Randy, and thank God every single day that Chick-Fil-A invented the chicken sandwich, actually just their unsweet tea – 4 lemons please, no more, no less.
Courtenay Wardell
Smarty Specialty: VP of Mommyhood and Events Guru
Married/Husband: 13 years, Robert
Kids: 3 (1 boy, 2 girls)
Lived here since: 1990
Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom-of-three-kids
Unique Smarty Perspective:
What’s the capital of Zimbabwe? Who was the 13th President? How many ounces are in a cup? Ooooh, Oooooh – I know! See, I’m known to some of my friends as ‘Fast Fact’ for my ability to store random answers on random subjects. And hey, that comes in handy with three kids — (11), (7), and (5) — who ask random questions on random subjects. I’m also pretty tuned in to what’s going on in Charlotte. That means if there’s a mommy event you need to know about, you can bet I’ll let you know. Here are some random facts about me: I went to Queens U, used to be in marketing for a law firm and College Admissions, can finish an entire book in a day, drive a minivan, am time challenged (what mom isn’t?), love sports (football and basketball in particular), volunteer with my children’s schools, have a dog (Rosie), a cat (Buttons) and one frog (Rock). Any questions? I probably have the answers.
Krista Wilson
Smarty Specialty: CSP’s first fan-turned-blogger-turned-Sales Diva
Married/Husband: 9 years, Tom
Kids: 3 (5 and boy/girl infant twins)
Lived Here Since: 2004
Occupation: Stay-at-home Mom Queen
Unique Smarty Perspective:
I adore living in Charlotte, and my husband considers me the “unofficial spokesperson” for this great city because every chance I get, I rave about our spot in this world. Mom to Sutton Wilson, a five-year-old scrappy princess and her twin siblings, Kat and Quinn! Sutton has a personality that shines, and NEVER STOPS! Our twins are a wonderful new addition to our family and have made our household a loud, but fabulous one. Wife to Tom Wilson for nine years. We got engaged after only THREE MONTHS of dating. Needless to say, I believe in impromptu decisions. Native of Central Florida and University of Florida graduate. I love Gator Football and bleed orange and blue. Football season isn’t just a few months in my house, it’s a complete state of mind. Cooking is my passion and if I had to do it all over again, I would have gone to culinary school. Give me a complicated recipe and I’m in heaven. I don’t trust people who dislike coffee; I’m sorry, but I’d walk through fire for a cup of joe.
I’ve battled infertility and am very open about my experiences making me the perfect friend to anyone undergoing treatments.
I believe in the kindness of strangers and think a smile can take you far in life. Blogging helps me stay sane in the insane world of motherhood. I’m thrilled to be a part of Charlotte Smarty Pants!
Krista’s photocredit:www.beccabondphotography.com
Susan Bowman
Smarty Specialty: Working Mom Dilettante, expert at nothing & dabbler in all
Married/Husband: 11 years, Doug
Kids: Clay (2), Ella James (5)
Lived here since: 1997
Occupation: Bank Mom, FirstWellsFargovia, 14 years!
Unique Smarty Perspective:
If you are in my circle, I’m your biggest cheerleader and harshest critic. I will pull for you more than you pull for yourself. I will also call a spade a spade, which may not always be what you want to hear! Humor is the currency of my life. If I don’t laugh (at myself, at my husband, at my kids, at all of the Mickey-Mouse-nonsense going on at work) then I might just cry. We’re not saving lives here (although some of you are), so let’s get on with it. What else? I could go a month on one single compliment. I suffer from the jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none syndrome and envy those of you that have natural talent and are really really good at something. I’m in my 5th year of volunteering at the Levine Children’s Hospital. I’m practical to a fault and clutter makes me crazy. “The Little Red Hen” inspires me to live better. You get what you give. You reap what you sow. I’m a late bloomer so the last to do everything. The iTrain has all but passed me by. I have an iPod that collects dust in a drawer somewhere, they’ll stop making the iPhone before I get my hands on one and the iPad? I’ll be a grandma by then…
Lisa Kuszmar
Smarty Specialty: Working Mom WonderMom
Married/Husband: 5 years, Ed
Kids: 1 and done – precious little girl
Lived here since: 1997 (with a small 2.5 year trip to NJ)
Occupation: Working Mom at AmWINS Group Benefits
My favorite phrase is “Let’s be honest.” Because honestly, most of the time we’re kidding ourselves or each other. I can’t stand that. I want to bring the fully-loaded working mom perspective to the people, warts and all. We shouldn’t be afraid of putting it out there for each other, because this thing called motherhood is rough. And I know rough… I grew up in NJ where I fought a cheerleader in home economics class. Why? Because she made fun of my Benetton sweatshirt. But now I consider myself a Southerner since I attended Elon University, lost my Jersey accent and never looked back. I married the life guard I stalked all summer when I was twenty while living in Wrightsville Beach…and I love the beach more than any place on earth. Where else is sitting and doing nothing considered socially acceptable? And, believe me, I like to sit and do nothing – it’s my ultimate luxury. The second love of my life is my daughter Katherine…and with her in my life, there isn’t much sitting still. Maybe that’s more than you needed to know about me, but that’s sort of my thing.
Kaylee Lundberg
Smarty Specialty: Sales Diva
Married/Husband: 9 years, Leif
Kids: 2 boys
Lived here since: High school, almost a native Charlottean, Country Day Alum
Occupation: Part-time-working mom
Unique Smarty Perspective:
I know Charlotte like the back of my hand. It was my stomping grounds back in the day and now I’m raising my fam here. If there is a swanky deal to be had, I’m on it. Here are some random facts about me: I have a passion for snow skiing, lived in Aspen for 4 years after college, love a good laugh, get a thrill from celebrity gossip and fashion, enjoy volunteering for meaningful causes, love traveling and spending quality time with my girlfriends. My hubby is from Sweden and I’ve enjoyed passing these traditions on to my boys. I desperately need to learn to speak Swedish. Oh and my brother-in-law is a rockstar. Seriously.
Ashley Hoy
Smarty Specialty: VP of Mommyhood x2
Married/Husband: 7 years, Marcus
Kids: 2 (girl/boy twins)
Lived here since: Birth (born and raised Charlottean), Myers Park High Alum
Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom-with-twins
Unique Smarty Perspective:
Hi. Hi. I’m Ash. I’m Ash. And. And. I. I. See. See. Double. Double. All. All. Day. Day. Long. Long. (Ok, I’m going to stop that right about now). It’s true, I have 3-year-old girl/boy twins, Fallon & Cannon. They are my life, and I feel blessed to have them (as well as my hubby Marcus, of course). In my former life I was a Media Buyer for advertising agencies in Chicago and Charlotte and had to always think about the numbers and make every dollar count. And, as you can imagine, that’s helped immensely in my new day-to-day. I graduated from Appalachian State, love Perez Hilton’s juicy gossip, am an avid runner, have a secret love affair for mafia movies and all things caramel, am obsessed with chapstick, love to read and get out on the water as much as possible, always choose comfort (think granny panties, yoga pants, flip flops), get great enjoyment out of a good bargain and giving to others, love to travel, am a huge animal lover with a special place in my heart for horses, get depressed when the NFL season ends, and am blessed beyond belief with incredible family & friends. And that’s just for starters.
Michelle Icard
Smarty Specialty: Middle School Mom Expert
Married to: Travis
Kids: 2 (girl/boy)
Occupation: Entrepreneur, Blogger
Unique Smarty Perspective:
Smarties, is your sweet, loving child slowly turning into a gangly, eye-rolling stranger? Just when you thought you had this parenting situation fairly under control, are you beginning to feel like you’re entering unchartered territories? Don’t worry! We found just the right guide to help you navigate these tricky times.
Michelle Icard is creator of the parenting website Michelle in the Middle providing prescription strength relief to parents of kids in or approaching middle school. Michelle is also the founder of the popular programs Athena’s Path and Hero’s Pursuit that give tweens tools to manage the middle school social scene. In addition to developing her own programs, Michelle has been hired to write curriculum for other national adolescent development organizations. Michelle lives in Charlotte with her husband Travis, and their daughter (age 11) and son (age 9). Along with reading her blogs here, you can hang out with Michelle on Facebook and on her website Michelle in the Middle.
