Christmas Magic

One of the things that makes this season so wonderful is that it is an excuse to slow down the pace of life and do things that we don't normally get to do.  

Like puzzles.  

And full days spent in the kitchen baking and decorating cookies.

And Hikes through the nature trail in the middle of the day.

And Candlelight Christmas Service to remember the reason for our hope and peace.

These are the things I cherish, the things that I look forward to all year long.  Before too long, we'll be back to the break-neck pace of life.  Running to meetings, and sports practices, and doctor appointments.

But for now, more of this please.  More forgetting about what day it is, more hours without looking at our phones, and more of my family please.

Making Memories: Mini Date Nights

Life is busy.  If we waited for the timing to be perfect, my husband and I would go months without getting time alone to catch up and connect. Which is why we embraced a brainchild called...

The Mini-Date

Themed Family Movie Night and Menu: Peter Rabbit

Movie night is a regular event at our house.  It might come from our love of watching one of our old favorites (and quoting it the whole time), a deep need to just connect as a family, or just because we're too tired as parents to corral kids in public.  There is something so relaxing about cuddling up under mounds of blankets, eating snacks, and laughing (or crying) together during a movie. 

A few week's ago, the kids chose the movie Peter Rabbit.  The boys and I had seen it at the theater during Spring Break while my daughter was in Chicago with her cousins and they couldn't wait for her to see the bunnies dance or McGreggor get thwacked in the face with a garden rake.  

 If I've got enough energy, I usually try to create a menu themed around the movie.  This week's movie menu was easy.  You've got an iconically British story and rabbits stealing veggies from the garden.

Making Memories: Tips and Trick for Vacationing with Friends

Vacation is amazing, so vacationing with friends should be all that much more fun, right?  

Yes!! (.....and sometimes No).  

If you don't prepare and set the groundwork, a vacation with friends could go from "Best Trip EVER" to "The Trip That Never Ended" in the drip of an ice cream cone.  Don't give up yet!  I've jotted down a few tips and tricks that we have learned the hard way throughout the years.

Making Memories: Simplifying Vacation

The most costly gift I can ever give my children is the gift of my time and attention.

June has been insane.  We have jumped from one party to the next, unpacking and repacking every few days.  It has been so much fun... but also SO exhausting.  With all of the “fun,”  I’ve noticed our levels of patience with each other growing smaller and smaller.   How could we be anything BUT happy with all this “fun” scheduled for each day?

Planning out Summer Childcare

Summer break is only 4 days away!  The temps are rising, the bedtimes are being pushed back little by little, and the ice cream treats are flowing like syrup at the local IHOP!  And if you're a working mom and you're anything like me, you're probably panicking a right now about summer childcare!  

Don't freak out!  Take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and 

let's tackle this Summer Childcare monster together.

Mom-and-Me dates

If you have kids and you don't "Date" them yet, you need to.  It's a game-changer in parenting.  It is the one time every so often where you get a chance to focus 100% on just that kid and, in turn, help them experience your love and attention rather than just hear you say that all-too-common words, "I love you."

Making Memories

Hang in there, I'm working on these posts! 

 This is where you'll find life hacks for traveling.  Whether it's games to play in the car, the best times to leave for a road trip, or how to have a great stay-cation.  

Coming soon!