Modern Parents Messy Kids

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The Finds to Take Your Patio to the Next Level

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You might remember that last summer we finally invested in making our deck more inviting... on a budget! Below is a reminder of what we ended up with but first a quick note, MAKE SURE YOU SCROLL DOWN for two big finds... I'm so excited about the knock off of the Target Egg Chair that I found for 40% LESS!!Speaking of wicker chairs, Pier1 is having a sale on all of their super fun Swingasan chairs! As a reminder, here's what we got: Better Homes & Gardens Hawthorne Park … [Read more...]

Family Travel: Circumnavigating the Globe

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*Post contains affiliate links Ok, back to my secret... While working away behind the scenes of here, I've also been planning a deluxe trip half-way across the world, in Bali, to celebrate my 15th wedding anniversary. I've got lots of stuff I could share about this trip including where we went and why, how we ended up completely circumnavigating the globe (Seattle to Bali via Tokyo on the way there, and Bali to Seattle via Dubai on the way home) and how we did all that traveling in only … [Read more...]

Two Books We’re Loving

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As a certified bibliophile doing my damndest to make sure I raise 3 more book-lovers, I'm always thrilled to get review copies of books. That being said, I get so many offers to review books that I actually pass quite often; trying to save my work time (and shelf space) for the best of the best. Today, I've got two awesome books geared towards kids that I can't wait to share. First up, is a really great new chapter book for the tween set; The New Girl Code. If, like me, you're always … [Read more...]

Favorite Find: CleanMyMac X

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Thank you CleanMyMac X for sponsoring this post. Ranked as the “App of the month” on Product Hunt, CleanMyMac X is an all-in-one package to awesomize your Mac and make it run just like it did on day one. #CleanMyMacX Like many of us, it doesn't feel like an exaggeration when I say my Macbook is my life. I use it to organize my family, to do my work, and for my kids to do their homework. So when my Mac starts giving me signs that it could be at the end of it's life, it's also not an … [Read more...]

Parenting Hacks: Our #ParentingPlaylist for Raising Teens

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It’s probably an understatement to say raising a child from birth to adulthood can be a rollercoaster. Once you graduate out of the toddler years, things appear to be smooth sailing.  You have a child that no longer needs their diapers changed, can communicate well, and is, hopefully, learning to be more self-sufficient by the day.   Things can start to get a little wobbly, once again, when your child goes from the double digits into numbers that contain the word 'teen.'  As a … [Read more...]

12 Crock Pot Easter Dishes

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Whether you typically celebrate Easter with a fancy breakfast, a traditional ham dinner, or something in between, we can all use a short cut here and there to make meal prep easier, right? And what could be easier than setting it and forgetting it in a crock pot while you go on an egg hunt with the kids? Today we've rounded up a dozen delicious (and kinda genius) slow cooker dishes perfect for your Easter table. There are some classics, like carrot cake and honey glazed ham, that I didn't know … [Read more...]

How First Alert 10-Year Sealed Battery Alarms Saved My Sanity!

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Thank you First Alert for sponsoring this post. First Alert 10-year sealed battery alarms offer hassle-free protection that helps keep your home and family protected for a decade! #LiveWithA10 When we sold our last house 5 years ago, we had to jump through a lot of hoops to get through the process of listing, appraisal, inspection, and closing. One of the things that stuck in my mind the most was our real estate agent telling us we had to make sure to have both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide … [Read more...]

Rainy Day STEM Activity: DIY Geoboard

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Looking for an engaging and educational activity that will appeal to a broad range of children? I highly suggest a trip to your neighborhood hardware store.   With just a few simple materials you and the kids can quickly create a classic toy that's been sparking children's creativity for over 60 years: the geoboard. To start, pick up a sheet of peg board (the perforated board that's often hung on a garage wall and used to store tools) as well as some nuts and bolts.   Peg board … [Read more...]

New Feature: A Few of My Favorite Things

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I'm trying out something new and I want you to come check it out! A couple of times a month, I'm going to be sharing a few of my favorite things over on my Instagram Stories. My hope is that it'll help you find a new book or show to enjoy, a new product to make your life easier, or something to keep your kids engaged and occupied. Head over there for my detailed review and check out below for affiliate links to each of them!   #1 - How to Be the Parent You Always Wanted to … [Read more...]