School is officially out and this momma is ready! When it comes to summer, there are a few supplies I just can't do without as a mom of three; sunscreen, easily-portable snacks, and the perfect beach and water toys.To me, plunking down a little of my hard-earned money on high quality outdoor toys- that I know will last us all summer long- is more than worth it.I want my kids outside and away from screens as much as possible (and if I get to relax on the beach or in a lawn chair in my … [Read more...]
7 Smoothies to Help Your Picky Eater Get Enough Protein
Around my house summer is smoothie season. It's by far the easiest, healthiest breakfast I can make for me and the kids... and everyone will happily eat/drink it!They're also an amazing way to get my kids protein. In fact, with my 2-year-old's current eating habits, it can often be the only guaranteed way!Plus, there are endless varieties to be made. So if your kiddo gets bored all you have to do is swap out a few ingredients and, presto, a whole new breakfast.Today Kristin is … [Read more...]
How to Survive Meltdowns, Panic Attacks, Delays & 2nd Degree Burns at the Airport
photo via Pillow Sew Cute's Etsy ShopHey guys, I'm working on a very cool summer offering for you all this week- stay tuned!In the meantime, though, I've been thinking a lot about family summer travel and I wanted to share one of my earliest blog posts on the topic- all the way back from 2011. Enjoy! A few weeks ago my family took a much needed vacation to my in-laws Montana lake house. The time away was pure bliss, the getting there and back... not so much. It was the … [Read more...]
Online Summer Classes for Kids that are Perfect for Down Time
If you're like me, this summer you might find yourself desperately needing something to fill the space between the trips to the pool and the park play dates. Sure, it's great to spend time outside and get all the energy out. But, summer is long.There are a lot of hours in the day and parents are like cruise ship directors in the summer. Kids want to know, what are we eating and what are we doing next?We've rounded up a list of 9 different free online summer classes that you can use … [Read more...]
How to Get Your Oven Sparkling Clean {Project Green Clean Your Entire House}
Our resident lover of all things green and non-toxic, Kaley, is here today with another installment of our new series: Project Green Clean Your ENTIRE House.Like Kaley, cleaning my oven is one of those things I avoid at all costs, but her method actually seems pretty easy and you can't argue with those results!Here's here step-by-step instructions... After a long winter of casseroles, roasted veggies, roasts, and other baked meals, our oven was looking pretty neglected.I like to … [Read more...]
When You’re the Last One Standing – Part Two
The drama continues, you guys. For a household that’s pretty low-key - even with the hustle that’s just part of the package with four busy kids - we have been craaaaazy for close to a month now. We’ve been up all night, skipping school, racing to the ER, the pediatrician, the after-hours pediatric clinic, the pharmacy. And the drugs! Liquids, pills, steroids, inhalers, I mean, you name it.Because that’s what happens when your family is ridden with, in order:walking pneumonia a … [Read more...]
Summer Shoes & Suits to Snatch Up at the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale!
There's only a few days left of the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale, have you checked it out yet?This sale is notoriously fabulous- with savings averaging around 40% off- but it can sometimes be a time suck to dig through everything. Which is why I've done the hard work for you.Below I've rounded up some of my favorite hot mama finds for the summer. Enjoy! Bathing Suits I am very much a bargain shopper (Target is my happy place) but I've found as I've gotten older that spending a little … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: Should You Send Your Ex A Father’s Day Card?
This will be our tenth Father’s Day since the divorce. Like every other year, I’ll take my two sons to the store and help them pick out gifts for their father.Some years I’m surprised I didn’t get lock jaw from forcing myself to smile as I helped them wrap their presents, and I can’t say I’ve never stooped to passive aggressive gifting. (Please don’t ask me about the garden gnome.)It wasn’t always a joy to spend money on my ex-husband, particularly since I was mothering on a … [Read more...]
My Secret Tool for Ensuring a Great Summer with the Kids
Now that summer is just around the corner, are you prepared for it? While most of us hope our summers will be filled with long days languishing in the sun, the reality can often be quite different.My biggest tip going into my 10th summer as a mama (whaa?!!)- and having 3 kids who are still relatively young- take a little time to throw together a general daily schedule.I'm not gonna sugar coat it... Finding a way to occupy the kids all summer is always challenging.I know I sure … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: 9 Ways to Squeeze in One-on-One Time with Your Kid
Some days when I'm at work, I feel guilty that I'm not with my kids. And some days when I'm with my kids, I'm feeling guilty that I'm falling behind on my workload.As I've gotten older, I've learned to be present. At least, I'm getting better at it. When I'm at home, I'm trying not to think about work. And when I'm at work, I know my kids are going to a great school they love and they're being influenced by their wonderful teachers.In an effort to be present, I'm trying to squeeze in … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: How I became a Hockey Mom against my Better Judgement
I walked into the hockey rink at 6:30 am on a Saturday. Now, school didn’t even start until 8:00 am, so 6:30 was not a time I was normally awake, nor was it a time I wanted to be awake. The coach had promised to bring coffee, but I didn’t see anything resembling coffee anywhere and the concession stand was closed because the people who ran concessions were home in bed—where all good people belonged at 6:30 am on a Saturday. I hadn’t intended on becoming a hockey mother.Unlike when … [Read more...]
Homemade Salted Chocolate Popsicles
Today our food contributor Jennifer is here with a scrumptious salty/sweet treat that I know you're going to love.Helpful Hint: get yourself a Zoku Quick Pop Maker to whip up all sorts of popsicles (both healthy and not so much) in just 7 minutes - no waiting for them to freeze! We absolutely love ours. I can feel the days of frozen summer treats coming!I had the most amazingly delicious salted chocolate popsicle recently and couldn't wait to try to recreate it at home. It was … [Read more...]
15 Summer Hairstyles that Take 5 Minutes or Less
As the school year comes to close, I'm looking at my personal time shrinking like crazy. Don't get me wrong, I love spending the days with my kids at the beach or the pool. I also love not having to pack lunches.But, let's admit it, having my kids home from school means that I may not get a shower before we start the day. It also means that my hair will look less than stellar.This summer, I'm looking for hair styles that take 5 minutes or less.I'm also looking for styles that … [Read more...]
Parenting Styles: When You’re the Last One Standing
We’ve been hammered around here lately - pneumonia, a broken arm, miserable weather and the start of our kids’ insane new sports schedule.As we all know, moms aren’t allowed to get sick, or maybe my obsessive hand-washing and frantic hand waving gestures whenever someone coughed their infectious germs right in my face actually did the trick. Whatever the reason, I got stuck running this pneumonia-and-broken-bone-ridden show solo, after my poor husband wound up sicker than he’s been probably … [Read more...]