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The Jellybeantini: A Super-Sweet Easter Cocktail
If I'm being totally honest, I have to admit that I hacked this idea for an Easter-candy cocktail from my colleague. She created a beautiful conversation-heart martini around Valentine's Day, and it planted a seed of an idea—a bean of an idea, if you will, in my brain. Related: ...read more
Kids in the Kitchen: Mini Banana Waffle Pies With Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce
School has started back for many (us included!), and today's Kid's in the Kitchen recipe makes for a perfect breakfast or after-school snack. We made ours for an after-school snack the other day and my second grader loved it. We call this recipe Mini Banana Waffle Pies With ...read more
30 Best Kids' Valentines Ideas on Pinterest
Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Most of us moms, or maybe it's just me, feel the push to come up with some creative and clever valentines for our kids to take to school. We've scoured Pinterest in search of the best and cutest Valentine ideas we could find. 30 Best ...read more
Reindeer Food Free Printables
What's more fun than kicking off the holiday season the weekend after Thanksgiving with a BIG group of kids running around in their Christmas pajamas. Despite all the little activities, crafts and even sitting on Santa's lap (knocked that off the must list nice and early!), the ...read more
Celebrate With Kids Around The World: St Martin's Lantern Festival
We lived in Germany for a few years, and it was wonderful. While we were there, we learned lots of things about Germany and celebrated new holidays. One of our favorite German holidays to celebrate was St. Martin's Day or Lanternenumzug. Related: Celebrate with kids around the ...read more
Turkey Pumpkin Craft
Now that Halloween is behind us, it's time to turn our attention to Thanksgiving. The stores are stocked full of cute little mini pumpkins and gorgeous fall colors that just perfect for crafting. The kids and I created this cute mini turkey pumpkin craft that can be used to ...read more
Host a Frightfully Fun Halloween Party for Kids
Halloween is such a fun holiday. Full of tricks and treats and good things to eat! We love creating and hosting an annual kid-friendly Halloween party. The kids always look so adorable dressed up in their costumes and we love dressing up too! We serve up spooky snacks, craft, ...read more
Crafting with Kids: Spookley the Square Pumpkin
One of our favorite fall traditions is to have family movie/craft night. Spookley the Square Pumpkin is not only the perfect movie for the holiday season, but it also has an important anti-bullying message. In a world where the only good pumpkins are round pumpkins, Spookley the ...read more
Inspiration and Games for a Candy Land Birthday Party
The girls had their hearts set in a colorful candy party inspired by the Candy Land board game. This party was such a blast to put together. A rainbow of colors, candy bar, and candy games! Candy Land Birthday Party Food and Drink Our party was in the afternoon, so for food we ...read more
Kids in the Kitchen: Quick and Easy Mini Pizzas
With summer break on the horizon, or already started for some families like mine, we'll be looking for more ways to entertain the kids. If you've got little ones, this quick and easy mini pizza recipe is a great way to get your kids in the kitchen and learning to cook. Related: ...read more
Celebrate Spring With This Giant Crepe Flower Craft
Give a friend a flower she doesn't have to water! These crepe paper flowers are perfect decorations and provide lots of fun as props in photos. We're going to give you step by step instructions on this project so you can celebrate spring with giant crepe flowers. Related: 6 ...read more
FREE Valentine's Day Card Printables
It's midnight the night before Valentine's Day and you're scrambling to find the right valentine for the class exchange. Don't stress because we've got you covered! Download and print these two cute printable Valentine cards guaranteed to make the whole class SMILE! Download the ...read more
Science for Kids: Grow Crystal Snowflakes
The weather outside is far from frightful! But playing with snow is so delightful! So decided to create our own snowflakes with this fun winter science experiment. Related: Winter safety guidelines for sledding Weekend Science for Kids Project I've seen a lot of borax ...read more
Christmas Movie Night + FREE Printable Movie Trivia Cards!
The Christmas season is in full swing and one of our favorite holiday traditions we love to share with our kids is planning a Holiday Movie Night. Whether it's on Christmas Eve, the first day of their holiday break, or every Friday leading up to Christmas (guilty!), it's a ...read more
Easy Sugar Cookies for the Holidays
We're down to the wire. In less than a week, it'll be CHRISTMAS! My kids are beyond excited. One of our favorite family traditions through the holiday season is baking. Lots and lots of baking. We bake for our school, our local military base, our neighbors, our family and ...read more
Teal Pumpkin Project: Allergy-Friendly Halloween
Have you heard of the Teal Pumpkin Project? It's all about offering an allergy-friendly Halloween. There are so many kids out there with food allergies and Halloween leaves some kids feeling left out. The Teal Pumpkin Project was launched a few years ago by a Tennessee mom to ...read more
Pack a Cool School Lunch!
It's back-to-school time! My mornings consist of packing school lunches while my afternoons are spent helping with homework and after-school activities. To save money, and to ensure that my daughter is getting a well-balanced lunch, I pack her lunch almost daily. Today, I'm ...read more
Red, White, and Bubbly Cocktail
Happy Fourth of July extended weekend, besties! It's time to celebrate America with delicious food, great drinks, and fabulous company. We hope you have amazing plans with family and friends—and we want to help you kick off the festivities with the easiest, brightest, yummiest, ...read more
Craft Corner: How to Learn the 50 States
We know: summer time is meant for playing outside, relaxing, and regrouping for the fall. But that shouldn't mean your brain should totally shut off. I asked 10 of my friends if they could tell me all 50 states and only 2 of them could do it! And they are adults! I firmly believe ...read more
Kid Craft: DIY Fireworks Shirt!
Wearing red, white and blue for 4th of July is pretty much a must. The kids and I wanted to make our own shirts this year, so we came up with this fun DIY firework shirt that even my 2 year old helped with (after he woke up early from his nap of course) Related: Macy's 4th of ...read more
How to Create a Build Your Own Burger Bar
A burger bar is a fun way to keep your BBQ simple and to turn dinner into a casual party. Giving your family or guests lots of options for toppings and condiments keeps everyone happy. Now that more and more families are staying in, this is the type of meal that feels special. ...read more
Craft a Mother's Day Banner Card
Every child knows that for Mother's Day, Mom AT LEAST gets a card. Hopefully you've grown up with that tradition and still hold onto it. Nothing beats a handmade card. Even if you aren't so much for written sentiments, making a beautiful card will speak for itself. This ...read more
DIY Gilded Watercolor Eggs
I made these beautiful gilded watercolor eggs for our Easter display this year. As an adult I'm not longer happy with the simple cups of color for dying eggs. I need a more intricate more "adult" design. Something that's really pretty to look at with some detail. I made most of ...read more
Hearts Everywhere! Valentine's Day Hair Tutorial
In gearing up for Valentine's Day here's an easy hair style for little girls. I promise I am not a master at braiding hair so don't let the braids deter you from trying. Your girls will be the talk of the class! I've created this easy Valentine's Day braid for my daughter and ...read more
Valentine's Day Spa Party for Kids
We love that Valentine's Day falls on the weekend this year. It means we get to spend the whole day with our little loves and we're excited about that! I got to thinking about different ways I could celebrate with my kids this year. I came up with the idea of having a mini ...read more
Indoor Camping Party
There is something about camping that is just so much fun. Kids love it! We enjoy our family camping trips. Sleeping in tents under the stars, laughing by the campfire, catching fireflies, and eating s'mores late into the night. Not to mention being unplugged and spending good ...read more
We Heart Nail Art: Inspired V-Day Manicures
It should be noted that this article was originally going to be a tutorial of sorts—perhaps a pared down "how-to" or maybe even a basic guide to nail art: “DIY V-Day Manicures Made Easy!” Celebrating Valentine's Day in Style We are pretty excited about Valentine's Day. We've ...read more
Super Bowl Party: Nacho Bar & Bacon Chile Queso Recipe
The countdown to the Super Bowl is on! T-minus one week and two days! If you're reading this post, I bet you're starting to get excited. Cheering on your favorite team takes a lot of energy. You can "tackle your hunger" with our Super Bowl Nacho Bar complete with Bacon Chile ...read more
25 Delicious Crockpot Meals for Busy Families
As a busy mom and with the cooler weather approaching it's a great time to pull out the crockpot. There is something satisfying about coming home to a hot and ready dinner. Balancing work, homework and after school activities, life can get chaotic. We still want to feed our ...read more
Sparkling New Year's Eve Stars
It's hard to believe that 2015 is already coming to an end. This might have been the fastest year yet, or maybe Mommy brain has me in a fog. Either way, we're looking forward to ringing in 2016 with our kiddos with a mini New Years's Eve celebration at 8 pm, ha! We tested out a ...read more
How to Turn Wine Into Bubbly With This Kitchen Hack
We usually have a good supply of red wine on hand in our home, but I try to have a more diverse variety stocked on our shelves and in our fridge as we approach the holidays. I like to have bottle of something fizzy and fancy chilled should we find ourselves having an impromptu ...read more
Pack a Super Hero Lunch
Getting my kiddos to eat their lunch at school every day is a challenge. They tend to go straight for the cookie or treat I pack and skip over the sandwich, forgo the carrot sticks, and ignore the apple. It seems I'm always looking for clever ways to get my kids to eat their ...read more
We've Been Booed!
It's that time of year again... time to BOO! I love the tradition of anonymously booing (or ghosting, as some people call it!) neighbors and community friends with tricks, treats and goodies. Related: How to boo your neighbors The kids wake up every morning and check the front ...read more
How to Get in Better Shape with the BodyBoss Ultimate Body Fitness Guide
Have you wanted to get in better shape, but weren’t sure how to get started? Well, I’m here to tell you how, thanks in part to the BodyBoss Ultimate Body Fitness Guide, I’m well on my way to a stronger, fitter body. Because while looking good is a bonus, my mission is to be in ...read more
Pumpkin Scented Moon Sand Oobleck
Get into the full Halloween spirit with this super fun Pumpkin Scented Moon Sand Oobleck DIY! Haven't heard of Oobleck? Well it's all the rage in my house. The kids went from obsessing over slime making to creating Oobleck which is cornstarch and water. It's something they ...read more
Imagine If, With Jif
Nowadays, Kindergarten is serious biz. It's no longer the half day of play and finger-painting fun that I remember fondly from my childhood. It's intense, it's exhausting, and it's real work. Not to say it isn't still awesomely enjoyable and educational; it's just less about ...read more
Spooktacular Ways to Save
I never really loved Halloween… and then I became a mom. Now, I’m obsessed with every pumpkin patch, every not-so-spooky book, every slightly scary movie, every creepy craft, every trick, every treat, and all the adorable costumes I want to force my kids to wear. Yes, October 31 ...read more
The Ultimate Moms' Night Out: Friends, Foot Massages and More
Cocktails, friends, makeovers, and foot massages… This scenario adds up to my ideal moms’ night out! Luckily for me, I recently joined Momtrends, Meredith Corporation, and a few fabulous influencers for an evening that included all of the above and so much more. Hosted by the ...read more
How to Deal with Fall Allergies
My whole family seems to deal with allergies in some form. Whether it's the seasonal issues my husband suffers from or the year round eczema my kiddos have, allergies always seem to be there. Except for me that is. I have been immune to them, but this fall has been different. ...read more
Why I made the Switch to Natural Deodorant with Tom’s of Maine
#WHYISWITCHED Over the years, I’ve slowly been making the switch to using as many natural products as I can in my daily routine. I just feel better when I know that less chemicals and more natural ingredients are touching my body. I’ve found natural shampoo, moisturizer and even ...read more
The Ultimate Getaway Destination for Family, Friends, and Even Co-Workers
When I think of iconic family vacation spots, I think of Woodloch Resort in Hawley, PA. As a kid, my family used to go to this picturesque Poconos destination every year in the winter. I remember the cozy vibe, the warm staff, the lovely accommodations, and the delicious ...read more
Keeping Your Family Healthy and Happy This Season #FindYourHealthy
Fall has arrived. The kids are back in school, you've returned to a routine, and you're slowly but surely adjusting to the swing of things. The weather is changing, the leaves are falling, and everything and everyone is happily, healthily chugging along... Welllllll, we hate to ...read more
Tips for Dealing with Insomnia
My son has ADHD and takes medication to assist with the challenges that come along with it. While the meds have definitely helped in some areas, there is certainly a trade off. He now has a really difficult time falling asleep and he doesn't often stay asleep either. The fact is, ...read more
Keep Baby Rear-Facing for Longer and #TurnAfter2
September is Baby Safety Month—and as a blogger and mom, I want to do my part to spread the message about keeping infants rear-facing in car seats until they turn two. That’s right, Mamas, resist temptation and keep those bucket seats backwards for as long as you can... But, ...read more
A DIY "Hug Card"—Plus, More Ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day!
Grandparents. They're the best. Ever since I was a little girl, my grandmother always sent me beautiful cards. Her handwriting was iconic: beautiful script and a classic style. She definitely fostered my love of writing, sending hand written letters, and hoarding gorgeous ...read more
8 Things to Do in and Around Traverse City
When I was pregnant with both my kids, my favorite thing to do was take long scenic car drives—anywhere and everywhere. I'd recline my passenger seat, turn on the radio, and take in the sights, sounds, and scenery. My husband and I would stop for lunch, take a leisurely stroll ...read more
One Last Summer Hurrah
It has been an epic summer. Labor Day is around the corner, and school starts in less than three weeks. The season of fun and sun and freedom is almost coming to a close. But I’m not ready to throw in the [beach] towel just yet! I want to make the most of every hot, sweaty, ...read more
Make Your Own Mermaid Necklace
Haven't been hitting the beach as much as you'd like this summer?! Well, don't worry, I the perfect DIY craft that will make you feel like you've spent the day with your toes in the sand. With the kids in camp most of the day, we haven't been able to get to the beach as much ...read more
Making Safety Fun: Cool Protect Gear from Wipeout
One thing I particularly love about summer is how many hours of daylight there are. That means countless opportunities for outside fun! Being that we don't have to stick to the same strict bedtime schedule in the summer months, my family has a blast sneaking in some extra play ...read more
Woodloch Pines Getaway- the perfect family retreat
We have been hosting big parties for our children's birthdays for many years. While it is always a good time; the parties are costly, don't give us a lot of time to really spend together, not to mention they are exhausting. When it came time to celebrate my son's birthday, we ...read more