Thank you Fender for sponsoring this post about why you should make time for music. Learn guitar at home with Fender Play! One of the first formal classes I joined with my children was a small music class at our church. The kids were babies and toddlers at that point. The instruments they used were wooden maracas and brightly colored shaker toys. We sang and we clapped and generally had a grand and glorious time for a solid hour. As the children grew up, they brought home the dreaded recorders from school. We signed them up for formal … [Read more...]
Giving My Kids Music Gifts Makes Us All Happy!
November 14, 2017 by · 6 Comments
Thank you, Fender, for sponsoring this post about kids music gifts. Learn guitar at home with Fender Play! Like most teens, my kids have a long list of 'wants' when it comes to birthday and holiday gifts. Some years, I have to say, NOPE, you can't have that. Like the baby sister my daughter asked for several years in a row. That one wasn't going to happen! I'm always happy to give my kids music gifts, however, and there have been many! Our home contains a piano, flute, piccolo, clarinet, about 5 guitars and a ukulele. And probably a … [Read more...]
Simple Fall Activities to Celebrate Cooler Weather
September 28, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
I am a very simple creature. I don't decorate my bathroom for every holiday, nor do I create elaborate weekend getaways for my husband and me. In my mind, simple is better in just about all cases. If you are looking for simple fall activities to welcome in the cooler weather this month, I have a few you might enjoy. Check out a few of my frugal fall decorating ideas and embrace simplicity in all its many understated ways! Many of these fun fall activities can be enjoyed by children as well as adults so make sure you get the whole family … [Read more...]
Easy Pumpkin Carving Tips for More Fun and Less Frustration
September 20, 2017 by · 1 Comment
Everywhere I look this month, I see pumpkins and that means Halloween is almost here! From pumpkin muffins to pumpkin spice playdough, Fall is my all time favorite season! If you really want to have some fun with your kids, buy several pumpkins and check out these easy pumpkin carving tips. The memories you will make with your kids as they get grossed out over pumpkin innards will be priceless! Even if you don't have kids, learning how to carve a pumpkin can be a ton of fun. You will get to admire your handiwork every day as it brings some … [Read more...]
Guitar Lessons at Home are Convenient for Busy Teens
August 8, 2017 by · 7 Comments
Thank you, Fender,for sponsoring this post about guitar lessons at home. Learn guitar at home with Fender Play. Growing up, my husband and I were both passionate about music. He played guitar, I played flute in the band, and music played a big part in our lives. Fast forward 20 years or so and now our children are just as passionate about music as we were. We have half a dozen instruments in this house in addition to multiple stereo systems. Music is an outlet we all enjoy, whether we are playing it or just listening to it! I'm glad that … [Read more...]
Family Travel Self Care Tips for Low Stress Family Vacations
June 19, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Family travel has always been very important in our lives. Several times a year, we head out to visit family, explore new locations, or just visit a touristy hot spot or two. We have been tackling the open road since my youngest was 6 months old and have had our share of both good and bad experiences. I thought I would share a few tips for family travel self care from Kristy Rodriguez, author of the newly published book Pure Nurture: A Holistic Guide To A Healthy Baby. If you have family travel scheduled for the coming months, put some time … [Read more...]
5 Must See Events at Atlanta World of Coca-Cola
May 26, 2017 by · 7 Comments
This post about the Atlanta World of Coca-Cola has been sponsored but all opinions express here are my own. My family has been living in the Atlanta area for the last 17 years. One of the kids favorite places to visit when we have company or a school vacation is the Atlanta World of Coca-Cola. On a hot summer day, spending a few hours touring the Coca-Cola museum is incredibly fun. We watch their fun 4D movie, explore the gift shop, and taste test dozens of flavors of soda. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon. With summer vacation … [Read more...]
Conquer Kids Sports Chaos with TeamSnap Sports Team Management App (Get 3 Months FREE!)
May 24, 2017 by · 7 Comments
This Sports Team Management App post is sponsored by TeamSnap brought to you through ShopShare Network. All opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link on this site, we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Ever since my children were old enough to toddle across a field, they have played sports of some kind. We went through a LOT of youth sports as they struggled to find the perfect one for their personalities. Each sport came with its own challenges, … [Read more...]
Music and Teens: Bonding over Panic! At The Disco – Death Of A Bachelor
April 13, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Music and teens seem to always go together, right? You rarely see a teenager without earbuds in their ears! We have always been a very musical family. From toddler music classes to marching band, my kids have always enjoyed the art of music. My husband and son are passionate rock music fans and often enjoy going to concerts together. My daughter and I have more alternative preferences in music and she regularly shares her love of all things musical to keep me updated on her favorite bands. We have an understanding that if I need help cooking … [Read more...]
Packing and Planning to Visit Everglades National Park
March 27, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
We have only a few more days until my kids are finally out of school for spring break. We don't always do a big family vacation over spring break but with the kids getting older, we only have a few years left to travel together as a family. Pretty soon, jobs and college will interfere with our family trips so we decided to do a big one this year. We decided to explore Florida and will spend some time in the Everglades as well as visit Disney. A few days with friends and family will round out our trip before we come home. While traveling … [Read more...]
