Who We Are

I’m Mommy to three adorable boys, Wife to King Phekus, and Professor to many a college student studying reading education.  Since earning my doctoral degree, my research has focused on elementary students’ informational reading and tablet/mobile reading comprehension. I have been featured in Real Simple magazine, Men’s Fitness, NPR, The New York Times Motherlode column, Education Week, USA Today, and others.

I have a strong creative spirit, and choose direct my energy into DIY projects for the home, kids, and garden. Look around the blog and you will find lots of ways to make a house a home with materials you may already have around the house!

Please feel free to e-mail me at dazeknightsblog@gmail.com.

Bud is a eight-year old obsessed with sports, cars, and all things STEM related.

Little Guy is a very active and smily 6-year-old.  Nicknamed “Little Guy” as Bud frequently greeted him as a baby, “Hey, Little Guy.  How you (sic) today?” He loves pretend play, video games, arts and crafts, and most of all, SLOTHS.

Destructo is our toddler son. He spends his life trying to keep up with his “brudders”. He loves running, riding scooters, and playing with cars and trains. He is also obsessed with “eat trees” (pandas) after seeing them for the first time at the National Zoo in DC.

My husband, coined King Phekus by our local Ace Hardware employee for his lack of the ‘Midas Touch’, is a college English professor.  Some might say they fell in love with their spouse for their sense of humor or sparkling eyes, but I knew King Phekus was the one for me upon seeing his dictionary stand for the first time.

Olive is our out-of-control, 10-year-old pug.  She is a very important part of our family, even if she does steal my breakfast on occasion.