**This post sharing Addi's Cocomelon birthday party contains aff Over the weekend we celebrated my Addi's 3rd birthday with a Cocomelon birthday party. It was just us and the girls' grandparents, whom we haven't seen in more than a year. Thanks to the vaccine we were able to finally reunite and celebrate our girl. Addi requested a Cocomelon theme party, and I did my best to deliver. ... Read more
10 Exciting Aspects Of Pregnancy
Becoming pregnant was such an special time for us. If you're also expecting, congratulations! You’ve likely taken the time and considerations in mind and have decided to expand your family. You're entering an exciting new chapter. Whether this is your first or a third child, you have so much to look forward to and celebrate. Pregnancy (and becoming pregnant) can be difficult for some and easy for ... Read more
Having A Baby: 4 Things To Consider
Congratulations! You are having a baby, arguably the most fulfilling moment of your life. However, there is so much to think about and plenty to consider when bringing a new life into the world that you might be overlooking something. I'm sharing things to consider when having a baby to keep you and your partner on track and ensure your baby arrives with no hiccups. 1. Child care Not every ... Read more
Safety Tips For Remote Learning
The Internet is an incredibly useful tool and one that can enhance children’s learning, helping them to build on the information they are being taught at school and give them a chance to gain more knowledge. Recently, children have been using the Internet for a different reason; for remote learning. This has been a necessary change, and for the most part, it works well, but there are several ... Read more
Grinch’s Grotto at Westfield Old Orchard
** Thanks to the Grinch's Grotto for hosting our visit. 2020 has been a Grinch of a year, so the Grinch's Grotto experience at Westfield Old Orchard (and other locations) seemed like an appropriate family-friendly holiday event this year. It's an opportunity to have a private meet-and-greet with the Grinch himself and even take home some souvenirs. The girls were so excited to meet ... Read more
Gifts for Kids
** This post about Christmas gifts for kids contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Have you started your Christmas shopping? While most of the gifts I am purchasing have been from small businesses, toys are one category for which I often shop at major retailers. I'm sharing several ideas of gifts for kids to consider ... Read more
Making Special Memories With Letters From Santa
** This post is sponsored by Santa's Letter Factory. All opinions about requesting letters from Santa are my own. This year we want to make Christmas even more special by getting personalized letters from Santa for our girls. It's been such a difficult year for the girls with having to distance and not see our family, so I'd like to make it up to them as much as possible with unique ... Read more
Be Patient and Kind in Remote Learning
School has been back in session for almost two weeks now. It's eye-opening and challenging for everyone involved. Whether your child is in school or remote learning, we need to have patience with each other, especially with teachers and ourselves. There is a lot being placed on their shoulders right now. In addition to teaching often larger classes, teachers have also become tech support. The ... Read more
Building a Coco Village Treehouse Bunk Bed for Our Girls
My daughters were quickly outgrowing their beds -- a toddler bed and a crib -- and requested bunkbeds, which I was nervous about. I worried A would roll off the bed and hurt herself. Over the past year I have seen Coco Village's beds and loved them, and the treehouse option seemed like a good fit for the girls. This is because the lower bed is low to the floor and because the top bunk is almost ... Read more
Dinos Everywhere! at Brookfield Zoo
If you're thinking about visiting Brookfield Zoo but are worried about social distancing, go on a weekday. We visited on a Monday to see the Dino Everywhere! again and noticed the fewest visitors we've ever seen at the zoo. We had completely missed the dinosaur trail on our last visit, so this time we made sure to see all the animatronic dinosaurs. There are 40 throughout the zoo! Our visit got ... Read more