During the summer I like to plan fun activities for my kids. We have a scheduled day we go to the park for a play date, a day we go out to an activity (we have zoo and museum passes so that's what this day is reserved for), a library day, and a day when we create something. This way no one is complaining about boredom because they know they have something fun to look forward to. These easy DIY Kites for Kids is the perfect round-up of doable crafts for kids!Pyramid Kite from Kids Activities … [Read more...]
11 Reasons the Kia Sedona SXL is the Perfect Family Vehicle
My family recently returned from a trip to visit my parents in southern Utah. We flew in and out of Las Vegas which was an adventure in itself. My kids had never been to Vegas (at least that they remember) so seeing the lights and slot machines was exciting for them. My toddler thought we were the meanest parents in the world for not letting him play the "games" that were everywhere we went.Getting around that week we drove in a Kia Sedona SXL. We currently own an older model of the Kia … [Read more...]
Grilled Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients1 Tbsp dried crushed rosemary 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper 1 lemon, cut in half 2 lb bone-in chicken thighs, skinned 2 Tbsp coconut oil, meltedInstructionsCombine rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Squeeze lemon over chicken thighs; sprinkle with rosemary mixture. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place chicken on a grill rack rubbed with oil. Grill, covered with grill lid, 30 to 35 … [Read more...]
Bacon and Brown Sugar Little Smokies
Sweet and savory just go together! I love the combo and my kids love the combo. It was only a few years ago that I discovered Little Smokies but since then this sweet and savory snack, that is really easy to make, has been a go to for holiday parties and entertaining. The process is easy but it does take some time. It takes time wrapping 30+ Little Smokies and then cooking the bacon until it's on the crispy side also takes time, but nothing about this is hard!Bacon and Brown Sugar … [Read more...]
Easy Ways to Keep Family Travel on Budget
This article has been sponsored by Giving Assistant but all opinions are my own.As you are well aware my family loves to travel. I plan out family trips months and years before we actually go. Some of the trips I plan are hypothetical to see if we could actually afford it. Most are cemented into our plans and are definitely happening. Either way, when I'm planning our trips I try to get the best deals I can, save as much money as I can to keep our family travel within our budget. Here are a … [Read more...]
A Day in the Life of Our Summer
Summer break has been in full swing at our house for 7 weeks now! Boredom easily creeps in so here are so suggestions to break up the day and keep introducing fun. This has worked great at my house.1. Each child has a morning routine. When they wake up they eat breakfast, clean their room, practice the piano and do several pages in their educational workbook. I have found that my kids actually don't mind doing the workbook and I enjoy that they are keeping their skills sharp for … [Read more...]
Back to School Teach My Giveaway
Teach My is a Women Owned company all about helping parents spend quality time with their children through educational play. Started by Christy Cook when her son was a toddler, she realized the need for an all-inclusive educational kit that parents could work on with their children. These products teach babies, toddlers and preschoolers the basic skills, things like; the alphabet, colors, shapes, numbers, reading and even math!Teach My sells a variety of educational toys spanning a wide … [Read more...]
Pineapple-Tomato Roasted Mahi Mahi
eMeals is at it again knocking delicious Paleo recipes out of the park! Pineapple- Tomato Roasted Mahi Mahi Ingredients6 (6-oz) skinless wild-caught mahi mahi fillets (or use salmon) Coconut oil cooking spray 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro 4 Roma tomatoes, sliced 2 cups cubed pineappleInstructionsPreheat oven to 400°F. Place mahi mahi on a rimmed baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Season salmon with salt, lemon pepper and … [Read more...]
33 Things About Me
Today is my 33rd birthday. Birthday's are hard for me these days. I don't enjoy getting older in the least, and I still feel like I'm in my early 20's. Have you felt like that before? Ugh, before I know it (next year) I'll be in my mid thirties (GROAN).In honor of my birthday, I thought I'd share 33 things about me!I'm the baby of 7. I was born in Utah, though claim California as my "home state" as I lived there most of my life. I can eat In N Out for every meal of the day given the … [Read more...]
Sun Safety: Teaching Kids To Protect Their Skin
Summer is the perfect time to create great homeschool lessons for your kids on the topic of Sun Safety. Teaching kids to protect their skin isn't just about education, but practicality. Most kids don't understand why they have to stop and slather on sunscreen before heading outside to play, but once they have experienced the pain of sunburn it becomes clear. No parent wants to see their child be sunburned, so being an advocate for sun safety in kids is important. Using this as a great … [Read more...]
Summer Family Fun Linky Party #2
This week I'm heading off on vacation so I'll be having my own Summer Family Fun, but please link up and share your family fun ideas so I can have ideas for when I return! We've been seeing some awesome ideas so far! Your 30 Summer Family Fun Cohosts Barb of A Life in Balance Mitzi of Written Reality Jen of Making Our Life Matter Candi of A Day in Candiland Steph of A Grande Life Laina of The Art of Living Fabulously Reesa of Momma Lew Bethany of The Southern Couture Paris of My Big … [Read more...]
National Travel Deals Giveaway – Rental Cars and Gift Cards
Thanks to National Travel Deals for sponsoring this giveaway.'Tis the time to start planning out your summer travel. I have some plans in place but others are still up in the air. Most of the time, my family of 5 flies to wherever we are headed on vacation. Last year we did a big road trip but all of our plans this year include flying. Because there are so many of us it never works out to have someone pick us up or drive us around. We usually need out own car. Car rentals can be expensive … [Read more...]
Adventurous Gift for the Adventuring Dad
The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.If you have a man on your shopping list for Father's Day who loves adventures, going fast, climbing, loves heights and see the world from a different perspective, I have the perfect Father's Day gift for you! Best Buy is the destination for drones, including the new Solo™ by 3DR. Now is the time to explore for Father’s Day.The Solo™ is more than … [Read more...]
Disney’s Zootopia in Theaters March 4
It's so exciting to learn about the new Disney movies I can look forward to. Coming next March is Zootopia. The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer … [Read more...]
Hot Wheels Hyper Racer Speeding Into Our First Place Toy
Thanks to Toy State for sending this toy for my boys to review. All opinions are our own.With the big age difference between my boys it's hard to find a toy that interests both of them and that is appropriate for both. This Hot Wheels Hyper Racer is awesome because both my boys LOVE cars, especially fast cars. Working it is as easy as pushing a button. The buttons will either play some sound effects, music, make the car change color or have it take off. This Hot Wheel Hyper Racer is the … [Read more...]
