Niki Smith
Niki grew up in Earlham, Iowa and now lives with her husband Ryan, daughter Riley, and son Merritt in Johnston. Riley has an observant stare that inspired the Facebook page Riley Is Not Impressed. Niki is an assistant director of public relations, social media at Drake University where she runs the university’s main social media accounts. She is also the director of the world-famous Beautiful Bulldog Contest. She has an Olde English Bulldog named Dexter, but he is ineligible to compete because she already knows he’s the most beautiful bulldog. She serves as President on the Board of Directors for Animal Lifeline of Iowa, which is a special needs, no-kill animal shelter. Niki is a two-time graduate of Drake University with a bachelor’s in journalism (2008) and a Master’s in Communication Leadership (2015).
Why You Should Give Your Kid a Job
I worked from home this summer, so we decided to keep our first grader out of daycare to minimize her exposure to COVID-19. I panicked in early June, wondering what would fill her days....
What’s On Your Des Moines Bucket List?
I visited the Living History Farms for a field trip in fourth grade. I still remember buying rock candy in the general store. My grandparents lived just up the road in Waukee. I told...
Pool Essentials: What to Bring to the Pool
My daughter is a fish, so spending last summer at home in a kiddie pool was quite a downer. We went all out this year and got a pool pass to the two Ankeny...
I Love Snail Mail
I am a Snail Mail queen. I have pen pals I have been maintaining (even if just loosely) for years. I love to send beautiful cards, with carefully selected stamps, and personalized return labels.
Consider...
Tips for Fishing in Iowa with Your Family
Admit it – you’ve purchased that Barbie and/or Snoopy fishing pole for your kiddo and it’s still sitting in the garage and has never touched the water.
It’s time to dust off your fishing hooks...
13 Family TV Shows to Enjoy Together
Our year at home during this pandemic has forced us all to be creative in our family activities. Like many of you, we have explored crafts, board games, and maybe even a Fancy Friday.
After...
My Experience Renting a Private Movie Theatre
One of my personal top frustrations in 2020 was when the Wonder Woman 84 premiere date was pushed back TWICE. I had dates set on my calendar, an outfit ordered, and a very excited...
Hitting the Pandemic Wall
The past month, I have seen multiple articles from psychologists and mental health experts explaining that we have hit a pandemic wall. Paired with those articles, I have seen my friends and fellow moms...
New Hobbies for Busy Moms
When the world started their long stays at home in March 2020, stories about the great things people made or discovered while in quarantine emerged. Isaac Newton spent 18 months quarantining during the bubonic...
My Year of Thrifting for the Family
This year, I attempted to thrift my family’s entire wardrobe (whoa boy what great timing with a global pandemic). I definitely cheated a few times. Sometimes, our kiddos need a very specific outfit for...