I was given complimentary tickets in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.When I was 12 I flew across the country by myself from California to Virginia to visit a friend who had recently moved to Virginia. I spent a week at her house and her and her Dad took me all over Washington DC and Virginia to do all the touristy things in the area. One of the places they took me was to Mount Vernon. I loved my visit and knew I wanted to return one day.This summer as part of our Great … [Read more...]
Ark Encounter – You Need to Visit
We received 2 media passes in exchange for my post. All opinions are my own.Have you ever heard parents talk about only have 18 summers with their children before they leave for college? Well this is summer 18 and we decided to go all out to make as many family memories before our oldest heads to college. In June we took a trip to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY. It is ever bit as impressive as the website makes it look.After a short bus ride from the ticket counter to the … [Read more...]
Tips to help your kids get their daily nutrition
This post has sponsored content, but all opinions are my own. At our house I have a mix of kids. Some that will eat any and everything and some that are so picky, to the point of needing food therapy. Both of my son's are the picky ones. Both of them have been taken to food therapy to explore why they have such a hard time with food and to give them some techniques for expanding their preferred foods. Because of their pickiness, it can be hard to make sure they get all the essential nutrition … [Read more...]
Securing Your Family’s Future: A Young Family’s Guide to Financial Preparedness
As a young family, planning for the future is both exciting and daunting. The joys of new milestones come with the responsibility of securing your family’s well-being. Financial preparedness is essential to ensure stability and peace of mind. Here's how you can effectively prepare for the future, including the importance of life insurance and the benefits of instant life insurance. 1. Create a Comprehensive Budget The first step in financial planning is to create a detailed budget. Track your … [Read more...]
Rolo Brownie Bites
I love simple desserts that look impressive. These types of desserts are easy to make but they look complicated and they can impress your friends. These Rolo Brownie Bites can be super simple, or a little more involved depending on how you choose to make them. These are my perfect dessert because they are so easy with the boxed mix and they have caramel - which is my favorite treat of all time.As you can see, when I made the Rolo Brownie Bites I used a boxed brownie mix. You can do that too … [Read more...]
Patriotic Star Shirt
I love dressing my whole family for different holidays. With the 4th of July (or any patriotic holiday) it's really easy to do because anything with red, white and blue counts. Here is a simple Patriotic Star Shirt step by step tutorial. There still time to quickly make this before you set out for your 4th of July plans.Supplies:Iron-on fabric sheets, or iron on vinyl White t-shirt 1" & 2" Stars Iron Pencil Fabric scissorsDirections: 1. Iron your shirt 2. Trace your … [Read more...]
Giant Ginger Cookies
I was first introduced to these delicious, special cookies when I lived in Kansas. I had a friend that brought me four of these giant cookies wrapped up beautifully in a cellophane bag with ribbon closure. As she handed me the bag of Giant Ginger Cookies to me she said "These are special cookies, not sharing cookies."As is typical of Mom's, most things we receive usually ends up getting shared amongst the family members. Because I had a toddler or two at the time, her message was needed and … [Read more...]
Mindfulness and Motherhood: Techniques for a Calmer Home
A guide to cultivating peace, presence, and financial wellbeing in family life.Motherhood is a dance between chaos and harmony, a balance we tirelessly seek amidst school runs, meal preps, and the myriad duties that fill our days. In the quest for peace, mindfulness emerges as a beacon of light, promising not just a momentary reprieve but a transformation of our very approach to life's tumults. Alongside, we glimpse the holistic tapestry of well-being, where threads of financial security … [Read more...]
Play to Learn: Using Games and Toys to Learn
Sometimes life happens and we need to take a slow day or a play day for school. Recently, our favorite chicken died. This made for a hard couple of days where we just needed to take school a little slower because no one was in the mood. Luckily, homeschooling makes our learning flexible. These days were the perfect time to use games and toys as a way to learn and get them interested in alternative ways of learning. Sometimes kids don't realize they are learning as they are playing.Using … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Family Home and Finances
Say goodbye to chaos and hello to peace with these organization tips.In the bustling life of a modern family, an organized home serves as a sanctuary of peace. Cluttered spaces not only strain the eyes but also the mind, leading to unnecessary stress and chaos. On the other hand, an organized home helps maintain the smooth flow of your family’s daily life. As you and your family gear up for the busy summer season, giving your home—and your finances—a little bit of love will go a long … [Read more...]
Craft Stick Octopus Craft
My kids spend all summer crafting so once school starts and they can't craft as often, they go through withdrawals. I was trying to think of something simple and cute that all of them could make (including the 4 year old without a lot of help) and thought of this darling Craft Stick Octopus Craft.This doesn't require too many items to make and you might have most of them at home already. SuppliesCraft sticks Paint Sequence Fleece sheet Googly eyes Glue Scissors … [Read more...]
8 Essential Financial Planning Tips Every New Mom Should Know
Securing Your Family's Financial Future: A Comprehensive Guide for New MomsMotherhood comes with its joy, its challenges, and, let's not forget, its new set of responsibilities. One such responsibility that often catches new moms off guard is financial planning. The arrival of a new bundle of joy means it's time to rethink your financial strategy. Let’s dive into these essential tips every new mom should know. Tip #1: Understand Your New Financial RealityAssessing Your … [Read more...]
Easter Basket Filler Ideas
I've got quite the spread of ages and interests at my house, so filling an Easter basket takes a little thinking and effort. I've partnered with some fantastic brands who are excited to share their products with you. While these items are great for many uses, today I'm sticking them in Easter baskets for fun surprises! Blind BagsAll my kids love blind bags - the little ones and the big ones. It's really just a big surprise they like, so it doesn't even matter what's in the blind bag, they … [Read more...]
How to Dye Easter Eggs with Food Coloring
If you have plenty of food coloring on hand, there is no reason to run out for an egg dying kit. The truth is you can dye Easter eggs with just food coloring, vinegar, and hot water, and get the same vibrant results as you would with a store bought kit. If you want to try something new this year, take a look below at how to dye Easter eggs with food coloring and get some dazzling results. You will be amazed at what just a little food coloring can do.When choosing your food coloring, there … [Read more...]
How to Dye Eggs with Kool Aid
If you are tired of the same old egg dying kits, why not try something new? Take a look below at how you can use one of your favorite drink mixes to dye your Easter eggs this year, taking you out of the same old egg dying kit habit. Dying your Easter eggs with Kool Aid is quite simple, and you will find it to be lots of fun. Take a peek below at how to dye eggs with Kool Aid and get a colorful assortment of eggs perfect for the Easter holiday!Here is what you will need to dye your … [Read more...]