We’re back today with Janssen’s final post on what it was really like taking her regular old home and turning it into a “smart home”. (Read all about the innovative ways she set up her home with the Iris by Lowe’s system in her last post, here.) After reading today's post, I am once again more than a little jealous that I handed the Iris off to her instead of keeping it for myself. I can't believe all the options you have with this system! Today we're covering all that the Iris by Lowe’s … [Read more...]
20 Must-Read Books for Summer – Something for Everyone’s List
As a stay-at-home mom with a baby and preschooler, summer life doesn't look ALL that much different than my regular mom life. But it feels different, doesn't it? The warm weather, longer hours of daylight, weekday trips to the pool, road trip vacations, and kids filling the library, park and neighborhood streets, all add up to a totally different routine in my mind. And summer reading is part of that, obviously. Whether your book is accompanying you to a park bench or a sparkling … [Read more...]
A Smart Home in 1-2-3: Lowe’s Iris System is THAT Easy
We're back today with Janssen's follow-up post on what it was really like taking her regular old home and turning it into a "smart home". Did you see her first post on the topic? Full disclosure: after reading Janssen's review, I am more than a little jealous that I gave this post to her instead of keeping the Iris by Lowe's system for myself. I could really use the ability to turn off my son's star light with my phone after he falls asleep at night. And a smart fob I can just put on … [Read more...]
Earth Day Activity: Upcycled Juice Box Seed Starters
Looking for a quick and easy Earth Day project to do with the kids? Our contributor Janssen teamed up with our newest sponsor, Juicy Juice, for the perfect Earth Day kid craft- upcycled juice box seed starters! It's spring break this week around here and I can't wait to make a whole batch with the kids this week. I also love Janssen's idea of making them now and using them as gifts for Teacher Appreciation Day later. spring break activity and teacher appreciation gift- who doesn't love a … [Read more...]
Raising Kids in a Digital World: 8 Books to Help Modern Parents
Parenting in the digital world is something that has been on my mind SO much lately. I've been wondering about everything from the best apps to keep my kids safe online and what kind of screen time limits to enforce, to how my own phone use affects my kids. That last one is a doozy and has been especially worrying me lately as my job is online so I'm definitely on my phone more than I'd like... In fact, after I read this list from our in-house children's librarian, Janssen, I raced to get the … [Read more...]
How Iris is Helping Combat My Mom Brain
I was telling a friend recently that I don't feel like I ever suffered from "pregnancy brain" during my three pregnancies, but I definitely have "mom brain." Between three little kids, a new house that needs a fair amount of updating, a small business, and all the regular household tasks like laundry, library books, grocery shopping, and dance classes, I feel like things are always falling between the cracks. I'm always looking for things that make managing my life a little easier and … [Read more...]
How to Make Your Kid a Money Saver
Today's post is brought to you by MPMK's newest sponsor, Upromise, a company dedicated to helping parents find small ways to do a really big thing- save for college! If you're not familiar with how the Upromise program works, here's a quick 1-minute video to get you up to speed on how the things you already do every day, from shopping online to ordering pizza for movie night, can earn you money for your child's college fund. Check out the Upromise program today and then check out these … [Read more...]
8 Best Books for Raising Financially Responsible Kids
If your child has ever suggested you just pay with your credit card when you said you couldn't afford something or wondered why your family vacations are less grandiose than the neighbors (or cousins!), you know how early money education can and should start. There's so much you want your child to know about money before they leave home, whether it's about spending and saving, investing, interest rates, and real estate. And frankly, if you're like me, there are some of those things you're a … [Read more...]
12 Month Book Club Guide for Moms: Amazing Books for January to December
Don't you sometimes wish someone would pick out your next book? I frequently think that when I'm standing in the library or bookstore and completely overwhelmed by the options. Whether you're looking for things to read on your own this year or trying to pick titles for your bookclub, these books are perfect for reading each month in 2016. JANUARY 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam What could be a better way to start out the year than this book? You may … [Read more...]