As my children have grown older, choosing gifts that they love for Christmas has become more and more challenging. There seem to be fewer options that hold the boys’ interest that don’t involve screens and wifi, and even less that offer educational opportunities. I love to encourage creativity in my kids and challenge their minds,…

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by the Tea Council of the USA. All opinions are our own. There are many things in my life that spark random memories. Sounds, smells, and flavors can bring back both images of moments past and emotions that go along with them. When we were asked to partner with…

If you’re like me, you’re in a flurry of planning and shopping and preparation for Thanksgiving day. There’s tons to organize and loads of kitchen time ahead. However, I’m also thinking about the rest of the long weekend and what we’re going to do to enjoy our time together. Whether you’re shopping, decorating, or just…

  One of the most anticipated things of the season is dessert after Thanksgiving dinner. For many people, this means pumpkin pie, piled with whipped cream. I know it may be hard to believe, but there are people in this world who don’t care for pumpkin pie or simply cannot partake for one reason or…

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by RAYCOP. All opinions are our own. I am not well known for my love of cleaning but in a house of people who suffer with dust allergies, it’s a frequent necessary evil.  My youngest, in particular, has horrible issues with allergies at bedtime which we have pinpointed to…

*This post has been sponsored by US Cranberries. All opinions are our own. There is nothing I love more than spending the holiday season with those that I love most. In our little world, friends are considered family so Friendsgiving was a concept for us even before the Millennial generation made it popular. Gathering friends for…

I can’t believe we’re already into November! As we count down to Thanksgiving, I’m already starting to pull together my thoughts and ideas about what our plans and menu are going to look like. It’s sometimes hard to think this far ahead, but some early prep will make things go much more smoothly as we…

Although I’ve been working with Kidde for four years to promote fire and carbon monoxide safety, I’ve never had the opportunity to reach out to my local fire safety community until recently. Earlier this month, I visited with my local volunteer fire department, Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department, to chat with firefighters about ways that we…

It’s time for gathering friends and family to celebrate all things fall! Whether you’re planning a costume party for Halloween or want to have a few friends over to appreciate the tastes of the season, we’ve got a few fun theme ideas for you. Hope this list sparks inspiration for your upcoming fall party plans!…

  This weekend, my kids are entering pumpkins into a contest that has only one major rule – no carving or puncturing pumpkins allowed. This left me scouring the internet, trying to find fun and creative ways to decorate pumpkins without breaking the skin. Here are a few of the fun ideas I came across…

Fall is upon us and Halloween is just around the corner! It’s time to hit up your favorite pumpkin patch and get ready to create the perfect Jack-o-lantern or set up a lovely display on your front steps for everyone to enjoy. Everyone has their own ideas about what size and shape make a great…

  There’s something about the fall season that makes me feel a little more crafty than usual. I’m not sure if it’s the beautiful colors or the promise of the holidays to come but every year in autumn, I simply want to create.  I love to sit down at the table with my kids, some…

*This post has been sponsored by TruMoo. All opinions are our own. Halloween is just around the corner! It’s time to start planning for the fun of this festive season. People everywhere are choosing costumes, planning parties, and strategizing the best trick-or-treat routes in their neighborhood. One of my favorite things about this season are…

The calendar says it’s fall, but around here days are still quite warm. This is really my favorite time of year to enjoy the outdoors, as it’s still short-sleeves weather but not as humid and stifling as those balmy summer days. I love to find reasons to be outside and am always on the lookout…

If you’re like me, the minute the kids climb back on the bus, a switch flips in your brain and you instantly begin thinking about the fall. While it still may be warm enough to walk out the door sporting shorts and flip flops, you know that in the blink of an eye, you’ll be…

  With school back in session and activities for the fall season ramping up, it can be tough to carve out family time in the weekend. As kids grow older, it becomes harder and harder to compete with clubs, school activities, and time with their friends, but finding time to bond as a family is…

  I grew up in a family where all of our birthdays fell within a 3 week period. My mom, dad, brother, and I all celebrated our special days right in a row and always right as school was starting back for the year. (And for added fun, I married a man whose birthday is…

With preseason games already underway and the regular football season just around the corner, it’s time to start planning to gather your friends and get ready to cheer on your favorite team! Here are a few fun ideas to inspire as you get ready for the season to kick off! Bring-a-dip Potluck – Watching football…

We’re hanging out around my house today, lamenting that summer’s nearly over and thinking of what we want to do to send the season out with a bang before we head back to school. The day before school starts, we plan to spend the day at a local water park and shut the place down…which…

  *This post has been sponsored by Heirloom Audio Productions. All opinions are our own. There’s nothing quite like listening to an exciting story being told by a good storyteller. All throughout my life, I have escaped through the words of others to go back in time, travel to distant lands, or just live out…

  Spending time with your significant other is an important part of keeping your relationship healthy.  However, with all of the busy-ness of life, especially with small children, it can be so easy to let your relationship fall by the wayside.  When you’re strapped for time and money, here are a few easy date night…