One of my favorite things about the holiday season is watching my kids’ faces light up as they find a much-coveted item under the Christmas tree. No, the season is not all about the gifts, but the excitement and joy on their faces is something that makes the holiday brighter. Some years, though, finances may…

We’ll soon be sitting down with our family and friends to celebrate and give thanks with a table overflowing with delicious food. Once dinner is over and thanks have been given, what do you do with all of those yummy leftovers? If you’re like me, there are only so many turkey sandwiches you can handle….

It’s almost hard to believe that we’re just a week out from Black Friday! Holiday preparations are in full swing over here and I’m excitedly preparing my gift lists for family and friends. For me, it’s important to make the most of my holiday gift budget, so I am always looking out for the best…

This guest post is sponsored by Rover.com and written by Nat Smith, Rover.com community member. Rover is the nation’s largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers. There are many tasks on our to-do list over the holiday season, from shopping to entertaining to planning our holiday travel. When Rover.com reached out to partner…

  I can distinctly remember the feeling of a sick day when I was a kid. You know – the real sick days where it was a struggle to get out of bed, but after laying there for a few hours, you were just SO bored. You wanted to get up and do something, but…

With Halloween now behind us, everyone at my house is ready to start thinking about the next big fall holiday – Thanksgiving! As this is a time of family togetherness and food, we’re always excited for our Thanksgiving plans to begin coming together. Putting together a menu and finding out which relatives can attend is…

We’re just days away from Halloween and it’s time to start getting everyone in the spirit.  Whether you’re prepping for a class party, hosting friends for a spooky get-together, or just want to add a little seasonal fun with the kids, tasty Halloween treats are a great way to enjoy the season. I’ve pulled together…

  While we’re still a couple of weeks out from Halloween, we all know how quickly the holiday season flies by once we hit November. We’ll be running around in an attempt to create the perfect holiday, barely able to relax and enjoy all of the celebrations and activities. By starting a little bit of…

  Most parents who have more than one child have to deal with sibling rivalry from time to time. My home is no exception. While my oldest son, who was an only child for 11 years, pretty much stays out of the fray, my 10 and 11 year olds are often found bickering, battling, and…

In our house, as in most every home, holidays and traditions are an important part of who we are and the beliefs and experiences that created those traditions help to shape our view of the world. As a parent, I want my children to have an understanding of why these celebrations are so important to…

  I spent most of my 30s happily oblivious to the idea of getting older. I’ve shed tears of nostalgia as I watched my kids grow up, sure, but really have not given much thought to the idea that I am about to enter a new decade of my life soon. We don’t do much…

This post has been sponsored by Gorton’s. All opinions are our own. With school back in session, afternoons and evenings are a total blur around here. The kids have practices, tryouts, and meetings, along with the ever-present stacks of homework. Finding quick and easy dinner options that don’t come from a drive-thru window is an…

  There are many factors that are necessary for kids to succeed in school. From proper supplies and learning materials, to a positive, supportive learning environment, each child deserves the very best to help them achieve their potential. While we’ve all been busy shopping for new clothes and filling school supply lists for Back-to-School season,…

  With one kiddo in his last year of elementary and one starting his first year of middle school, there is one thing that is certain to come in piles this school year – HOMEWORK. Last night, we had the first homework assignments that didn’t involve me filling out the exact same paperwork I’ve done…

  This week, like much of the country, we have been transfixed on watching news footage out of Texas, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, with the immense flooding and devastation and the resulting heroic rescues. In a world where there is so much ugliness in the media, it’s nice to show my kids the…

Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored campaign with Staples. All opinions are our own. First day pictures are popping up all over and parents are scrambling to get all of their students’ last minute back-to-school needs fulfilled! Kids want the hottest trends to express their personal style and personality, while parents want to…

How often do we take the time to do something “just because”? Most days, we are so focused on what our commitments and responsibilities that we don’t have much leftover for doing things for no particular reason. August 27th is Just Because Day and it’s the perfect excuse to spread a little kindness and love,…

  With back-to-school season in full swing, parents everywhere are working hard to get their kids ready for a successful school year. There is so much to think about, including helping kids feel excited and confident about heading back to school, filling their backpacks with the necessities for success, and starting the transition back to…

Extra curricular activities and sports are so important for kids, in my opinion. Looking back on my childhood, I made some of the best friends of my life and learned valuable lessons through activities like dance, swim, and cheerleading. I have been watching my middle schooler enjoying the amazing benefits of participating on a swim…

  Everyone is buzzing with anticipation of the upcoming solar eclipse! We are really excited about taking in this rare event and watching together as a family. As we make our plans, I wanted to share some of the things that I have learned as I’ve been researching the best ways to enjoy a solar…

This afternoon, my kids are packing up and heading on a camping trip with some friends and I will have 48 glorious hours, child-free. While I love my children with everything I have and appreciate that I have a job that affords me the freedom to be home with them all summer long, let’s face…