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13 Must-Try Traditions for the First Day of School

August 8 by Kristin

13 Fun Traditions for your kids' first day of school - love them all!

When my kids were old enough to start school, my mother-in-law passed down a tradition that she continued into adulthood with her children. On the first day of school, she would take a photo of the child holding the door knob ready to leave.  She did this every year and even has a photo of her children in their college cap and gown, holding on to that same door knob. I've continued the tradition with my kids. Now that I have two high-schoolers and a middle schooler, I don't think my kids would … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kristin, Parenting, Simple Ideas Tagged With: back to school, back to school printables, back-to-school tips, back-to-school traditions, first day of school traditions, traditions for first day of school

Establishing “Family Jobs” & “Money Jobs” at Home

July 26 by Kristin

My kids have recently reached the age where they're interested in chores, money, earning, saving... all of that good stuff. And as we started to dip our toes into the world of chores and piggy banks, I realized it's not quite as straight forward as I had thought. So today we're publishing the first in a series of posts on responsibilities and money management for kids - a super important topic in our book. Our hope is that you'll get some good tips and resources and will also add your own … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Happy Family Habits, Kristin Tagged With: estabilishing family jobs, family jobs, how to give allowance, kids chores, money management for kids, teaching children family jobs

Go-To Get Together Recipe: Fiesta Dip

July 2 by Kristin

One of my favorite recipes over the hot summer months when no one wants to cook is this Fiesta Dip. It comes together in 15 minutes, tastes amazing and doubles as a side dish. I've become known for this recipe and I'm not giving up the secret that it's so easy to make! Most days I have the ingredients on hand, so I can serve it with grilled chicken for dinner any night of the week. When we're headed to a potluck or get-together, I serve it as a dip and never go home with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: In the Kitchen Tagged With: dip recipe, fiesta dip, pico de gallo, potluck dip, summer dip

4th of July Fire Cracker Popcorn

June 21 by Kristin

Who remembers Pop Rocks? The snap, crackle, pop candy from when you were a kid is still around! And it's the key ingredient in this recipe for firecracker popcorn that actually pops in your mouth. How cool is that? I love the way the snack comes together visually. When you put it in a cute container, it would be the perfect thing to bring to a 4th of July get together. In fact, I'm pretty sure this dish will totally steal the show. If you're having trouble finding this candy from … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday Tagged With: 4th of july dessert, 4th of july recipe, 4th of July treat, fire cracker popcorn, firecracker popcorn, poprocks dessert, poprocks popcorn

Summer Budget Bucket List: 25 Ideas that Don’t Cost a Lot of Money

May 15 by Kristin

I'm all about the bucket lists.  Let me re-phrase that...I'm all about lists in general. Maybe it's the first grade teacher in me?  I have found that lists help me stay on task, focus and get things done. So, when it comes to summer fun, of course I would make a bucket list.  Summer seems to go as quickly as it comes. I want to make sure that we soak up every moment of enjoyment. The only problem is that I don't have endless amounts of cash to spend on amusement … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kristin, The Make & Play Vault Tagged With: bucket list on a budget, cheap summer play ideas, inexpensive summer play ideas, simple summer activities for kids, summer activities for kids, summer bucket list, summer budget bucket list, summer play ideas

9 Family Dinners Perfect for Beginning Kid Cooks

May 13 by Kristin

Bringing kids into the kitchen not only teaches them valuable skills that will serve them well later in life, it gives you time with them.  And we all know that time is precious.  Start using the time you're making dinner to involve the kids. There are nights where you're eating on the run or you have company coming and it might not be the best time to have a little one helping you.  But, on the nights where it's just the family and you don't have any place to be, involve your kids in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: In the Kitchen, Kristin Tagged With: cooking with kids, family dinner ideas, family dinner recipe, kid cooks, weeknight dinners

Good Idea: Protein-Powered Blender Muffins

May 2 by Kristin

What's better than a batch of freshly made muffins?  Muffins that can be made in minutes in your blender. Simply dump ingredients into your blender and mix.  Pour into the muffin tins and you're done!  If only everything could be this easy. (To make it even more simple, check out this amazing non-stick and dishwasher safe silicon muffin tin.) Blender muffins are the perfect after school snack or lunch time accompaniment. The following recipe is made with Kodiak Cakes mix to add … [Read more...]

Filed Under: In the Kitchen, Kristin Tagged With: blender muffin, blender muffin recipe, fruit muffin recipe, healthy muffin recipe, muffin recipe, protein blender muffin, protein breakfast recipes, protein packed muffins

Spring Dessert: Creamy Strawberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

April 18 by Kristin

Growing up, my mom always did such a fantastic job bringing the whole family together with all the classics for Easter brunch. We always had deviled eggs, ham, scalloped potatoes and an assortment of salads. But, she would change up the desert and we loved it. Sometimes she would bake a cute Easter bunny cake. Other times she would make something with seasonal ingredients. This year Easter is falling a little later in the calendar, which means strawberries are now in season. When I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: dessert, Easter dessert, strawberry cupcakes

The Secret to Gorgeous Plant Pots (The Forever Home Project)

April 11 by Kristin

Great tips for making stunning potted plant arrangements - can't wait to add some color to my deck!

Are you guys' big planters? I have to admit, I never really thought about planting until we moved into our forever home. Now when spring rolls around, I just can't wait to start adding bold, beautiful colors to the yard via a few artfully designed pots. In the past my mother-in-law has graciously done my pots for me as an anniversary present to my husband and I. This year, though, my kindergartner's elementary school was having a massive plant sale so he and I are going to attempt the task … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Kristin, The Forever Home Project Tagged With: best potted plant arrangements, gardening for moms, how to arrange potted plants, how to create beautiful potted plants, potted plant arrangements, the forever home project, thriller filler and spiller

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