Travel With Kids: Flagstaff

Flagstaff-Family-Travel

Nestled in the mountains of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff is a small town of approximately 60,000 people. At just shy of 7,000 feet, the city is a mecca for athletes hoping to expand their lungs prior to competitions. Home to Northern Arizona University and part of Historic Route 66, the city is quite unlike the typical Arizona stereotype - with four distinct seasons, a plethora of pine trees, and moderate summers. Many people choose to vacation in Flagstaff because it's blissfully free … [Read more...]

GIVEAWAY: $100 Tea Collection Gift Certificate

Tea-Collection-South-Africa

One of my favorite things about Tea Collection is that new inventory is constantly being added! No need to get bored with the same styles season after season. You can count on new globally-inspired designs every couple of months. The latest collection is inspired by the South African savannah. I'm mesmerized by the bright colors, fun florals, wild animal motifs, and eye-catching stripes. This morning, my daughter took the Mtititi Floral Tunic and leggings, paired it with a grey scarf and … [Read more...]

Toy Organization: This is How We Do It

ClosetMaid-Fabric-Drawer

In 2011, we had two little girls and under 20 toys. We now have three little girls and four small fabric bins for toys: stuffed animals dolls pretend play play food Here's a close-up of one of the bins. I took photos of the contents and made simple labels so that the girls (and guests) can know where things go. To keep everything well-organized and easy to pick up after playtime, we bought a ClosetMaid 9-Cube Organizer in Alder (watch Target for sales!) and put it in the … [Read more...]

GIVEAWAY: Mommy/Delivery BFFLBag

Mommy-Delivery-Bag-by-BFFL

Expecting a baby or know someone who is? Take a look at the Mommy/Delivery BFFLBag®. Designed by Dr. Elizabeth Chabner Thompson (an oncologist and mom of four), it is described as "the ultimate hospital bag, providing comfort, convenience, and caring for women preparing for childbirth." The bag, which retails for $120, is designed to be used for either C-section or traditional birth. Contents include: axillapilla® pillow for recovery and nursing support a collapsible water … [Read more...]

10 Reasons NOT to Get an Epidural

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"I don't know if I can do this," I whisper it into the blurry room. The contraction begins to rise and I scream, sing, breath, and pray simultaneously. With a final push, the crescendo, her body slips through mine. I catch her and bring her to my chest, elated. Three natural childbirths later and I have no regrets. Each time, I was afraid. Each time, the baby slid out into my arms and the pain evaporated, replaced by pure relief and indescribable joy. Please note as you read this article … [Read more...]

10 Tips for Training for Your First 10K

Tips-for-Training-for-Your-First-10K

I ran my first 10K yesterday - my longest run ever! After kissing three little blonde heads, I walked out the front door into 44 degrees and glorious rays of sunlight. One foot in front of the other, I prayed and breathed with each step. If you've circled a 10K date on the calendar and you're gearing up for 6.2 miles, here are 10 tips to get you there: 1. Run a 5K first. Set your sights on smaller races and gradually work your way up. 5Ks are a fantastic distance because you can start … [Read more...]

Best Grocery Stores in the United States

best-grocery-stores-usa

Finding the best grocery stores in the USA took a bit of travel. In 2011, we traveled 20,000 miles across the USA, spanning 30 states and 9 months. We toured businesses, volunteered at non-profits, went on roller coasters and ferris wheels, visited more children's museums and science centers than the average person will see in a lifetime, and saw a whole lot of...grocery stores. Since our mode of transportation was RV, we had a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and oven. We also had a mini … [Read more...]

Video Review: kokopax classic carrier

kokopax-classic-baby-carrier

Our youngest baby is just shy of 9 months old. She's a crawling, climbing, standing, smiling sensation.We all adore her. She alternates between my arms, her daddy's arms, her sisters' arms, and doing acrobatics around our house all on her own. When our arms get tired or the late afternoon grumpies visit, I like to put her on my back to keep my hands free for cooking, cleaning, and kid-corraling. Designed by a mom of four in Las Vegas, the kokpax classic carrier has been one of my go-to … [Read more...]