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The summer is winding down and I’ve been trying (and trying and trying) to get myself and my kids organized for the new school year. I’ve also been busy in the kitchen preparing meals for all of my friends who’ve recently welcomed new babies. This got me thinking about the baby gifts that I’ve loved receiving and giving over the years.

The Woombie-I know that this thing kind of looks like a baby straight jacket, but, if your baby sleeps best when swaddled, it’s a lifesaver. I know people swear by the miracle blanket, but for me the zip-up woombie was a lot easier to deal with during middle of the night diaper changes.

Diaper Caddy-This is the gift I love to buy for first time parents. This thing was such a staple in our downstairs over the last eight years that when my friend came to visit last month she asked where it was. It has plenty of room for diapers and wipes, extra socks, onesies, whatever you need on hand, and the drawer at the bottom is great to store lotions and medicines. We still take this with us on every road trip.

Itzy Ritzy Mom Boss 4-in-1 Nursing Cover– I’m a little obsessed with stripes, so I love this little  black and white number that works as a nursing cover, shopping cart cover, car seat cover and infinity scarf.

Muslin blankets– I know these breathable lightweight blankets are a no-brainer, but I had to list them because I loved the foxy print above. These blankets double as awesome nursing and carseat covers during crazy hot Richmond summers. Bonus use: My girls love using them to wrap up their dolls.

Baby Shusher– The idea behind this shusher is pretty genius. You put it into your baby’s crib or careseat and it makes a loud shushing sound, similar to what’s recommended in The Happiest Baby on the Block, and shushes baby to sleep.

Bubzi Co. Owl– Here’s another option for soothing baby. This owl can go directly in the crib or hang from it and plays ten different lullabies and has a soft nightlight. Plus you can pop out the speaker in the middle and throw the whole stuffed owl in the wash.

Nose Frida– I’m not going to lie, the idea of this product really grosses me out, but after years of trying, and failing, to successfully use one of those bulb syringes to clear my babies’ sinuses, I’d definitely be willing to try this if I had another baby. If it helps babies breathe and sleep soundly, it’s a great gift.

High-Quality Thermometer– Someone got me one of these when my third was born. It’s such an awesome gift because I’m still using it all the time, almost four years later. I love that you can use it as a forehead thermometer with babies, and then switch to the ear for older kids.

Baby First Aid Kit– This labeled caboodle (remember those?) is this organized mama’s dream come true. You don’t have to neatly label everything, but a container filled with baby health and first aid supplies would make a great gift.

Blooming Bath– These adorable and portable “petals” turn any sink into a baby bath tub! It’s a great gift for those who don’t have a tub or who frequently travel.

Door Silencer– We’ve all snuck out of our child’s rooms trying to ensure that they stay asleep only to be foiled by a loud door. You can find these ingenious little guys on Etsy.

Koalaty 3-in-1 Universal Infant Travel Tote– This travel bag converts to a portable crib so baby can sleep anywhere.

On-the-go Changing Mat– This is another product that I used for years and years. I know a lot of diaper bags come with their own changing pads, but the ones I had with mine were always too small. With my second I would often leave the diaper bag in the car and just bring this thing stuffed with diapers, wipes, and extra underwear for my potty training 2 year old. It even has zipped pockets in the front for your wallet, phone and keys.

Personalized Bedtime Book– This beautifully illustrated personalized book is a great gift option.

Gift certificate to Blythe– Let’s face it: Most nursing bras are super ugly. This isn’t true at Blythe where everything is beautiful. You can get the support you need at large sizes, without having to sacrifice on style.

Duo Diary– This would be such a sweet gift. It’s a diary to keep track of what’s going on with your baby AND you. From their website:

On one page, you can track health points and activities for your baby – breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding, sleep, wet and dirty diapers, plus space to write down any symptoms, behaviors, or patterns- or even just a place to write down memories, to-do’s, or anything else that helps you. On the opposite page is a page for you– a space where you can support your new postpartum health by keeping track of basic (yet often overlooked for new moms) health activities, like food journaling, sleep, water intake, exercise, and more space to write down any postpartum symptoms, self care reminders, or just journaling. It’s all in here- everything you need to nurture your baby and yourself.

Photo Credit: It’s a Mother Thing

Mama Care Package– I love putting together care packages as gifts, especially for moms who already have a lot of the baby gear listed above. Nursing tanks, chocolate, magazines, lotion, lavender sleep spray, the possibilites are endless!

Laundry Basket Baby Kit- This is a great gift for the shower attendee on a budget. Simply purchase a cheap laundry basket and fill it with basic baby supplies: Onesies, pacifiers, laundry detergent, bottles, teethers, etc.

Diapers and Wipes– Again, this is a very practical gift, but it’s one moms will always appreciate. You can always attach something cute to the box like an adorable dress or stuffed animal.

Take Them a Meal Service Signup– Take Them a Meal allows you to create a signup and customize a meal delivery schedule for new parents. My neighborhood sets this up every time we welcome a new baby. It really makes peoples’ lives easier those first few months.

With so many baby products on the market, I hope this list helps you narrow down the things that parents, both new and experienced (are any of us ever really experienced?), will find useful!

♥ Erin

Obviously, we all love our kids. They are beautiful, lovable gifts and the sun rises and sets with them and all that. However, they are also serious, all-consuming, time-suckers! If you catch me in the morning, you’ll find a mom full of grand plans and maybe even a sprinkle of energy, but by 3 pm you’ll most likely find a blob, sort of resembling me, being smothered on the couch, still trying to finish her morning coffee. It’s amazing how much such small people can suck all of that motivation right out of you. This is why these hacks are so important. They save us time, energy and sanity, all things that are pretty hard to come by these days. Read on for twenty of my favorites, perfect for parents of young children.

Photo Credit: Infarrantly Creative

1. This genius way to organize measuring tools. I waste so much time looking for the right spoon when I’m cooking/baking, and I’m always needing to google measurement conversions, so this speaks to my soul. I love that it’s all tucked on the inside door of a cabinet. It seems like a pretty straight forward DIY project that even I wouldn’t screw up!

2  This cheap and easy travel bed. Take three pillow cases, sew them together and then stuff them with pillows. Somehow over the years we have amassed a large collection of pillows and their cases so I’m definitely making one or two of these to use for sleepovers. If you can’t sew, like me, you can use Liquid Stitch found here.

Photo Credit: Quilt Keepsake

3. This adorable heirloom quilt! OMG, I’m completely not talented enough to do this, but I had to share the idea. Sew your child’s outgrown baby clothes into a quilt and then save it to give to them when they have their own children. If you love this idea as much as I do, but you flunked Home Ec. too, here’s a link to a quilt company who can make it for you.

Photo credit: Infarrantly Creative

4. This clever board game hack. Frame board games and hang them on the wall as playroom decorations. Put command hooks on the back of the frame to hang sandwich bags with all the game pieces and spinners. I LOVE this idea because we are always losing game pieces. Pick up cheap frames at Dollar Tree or shop the frame sales at Michaels.

Photo credit: Mom Hacks 4 Everyday

5. This idea for keeping track of those mischievous baby socks. Speaking of losing things, it’s been three years since I’ve had a baby, but I still have a collection of tiny socks missing their other half! You don’t have to be like me. You can keep them together by putting them inside a mesh laundry bag whenever you wash them. This also works great for legos or other little toys you find yourself needing to put through the wash.

Photo credit: Alana C. Valentine

6. This way to make sure your child takes all of their medicine. Let’s be honest, with everything going on in our lives right now, how often have you forgotten if you gave your kid their antibiotics for their latest ear infection? Or even worse, miscommunicated with your spouse and ended up double dosing your kid? It happens, but with this easy hack you can keep track of whether or not they’ve had their medicine and also how many days they need to continue to take it.

Photo credit: Princess and the P Baby

7. This idea that makes snack time a breeze. I would say about 50% of the conversations I have with my kids center around them telling me they want a snack and then asking me to recount every single thing we have to eat. How much easier would be if they could just ask, Can I have a snack? and then after I said yes, go to the pantry and choose something from one of the pre-approved snack baskets. Purchase cheap baskets like the ones pictured above at Dollar Tree.

Photo credit: The Not So Perfect Mom

8. This way to make meal and snack time feel like play time. Toddlers love eating food out of ice cube trays or muffin tins. I’m not sure why, but I think something about the novelty and variety appeals to them. It’s a great way to get them to try new, colorful fruits and vegetables.

Photo credit: Melissa Sabra

9. This idea for keeping bibs handy. I don’t know why I never thought of this, because we always have some of those command hooks around our house. Great idea to avoid lost bibs!

10. This genius trick for ridding your home of the herpes of the craft world! Glitter is seriously not welcome in my home. If you’re a kinder, sparklier mom than I, this seems like such a smart and easy way to pick up the glitter pieces that manage to adhere to every surface of your house. Good luck to you!

Photo credit: One Crazy House

11. This easier way to keep little hands clean. Use empty shampoo or soap bottles as faucet extenders. I’ve spent eight years lifting my kids up to help them reach the sink. Believe me, your back will thank you for this hack!

Photo Credit: The Realistic Mama

12. This idea for keeping snacks healthier on the road. Have you ever found yourself starving, but stuck in the car with no food? When I find myself in that situation I usually blink and somehow find a frappuccino or Chick-Fil-A nugget in my hand. How did that happen? Stop hunger from getting the best of your good intentions and keep a basket full of healthy snacks in your car for you and the kids.

Photo credit: Lemon Lime Adventures

13. This creative car cleaning idea, perfect for road trips. Wrap a piece of duct tape, sticky side out, around your hand, and use it to pick up crumbs and other dirt in the car. If your kids are old enough to help, wrap it around their shoes instead. They can have fun getting their wiggles out while helping clean up.

Photo credit: A Life From Scratch

14. This kit that helps you stay prepared for life’s emergencies. I love this clear kit from Courtney at A Life From Scratch. Check out the link above for the what and why of everything she put into it.

Photo credit: We Love Being Moms

Photo credit: Central Coast Teaching Tots

15 & 16. These two awesome uses for hot glue. Use it to stop kids’ shoes from skidding and slipping. Use it to stop up holes in bath toys to prevent mold growth. However you use it, hot glue for the win!

Photo credit: Parkingpalmagnet.com

17. This idea for keeping kids safe in the parking lot. When you are loading groceries, or getting a baby out of the car, sometimes your older child may have a desire to wander. I would usually just yell at my kids to, “Touch the van!!”, but it would be great to give them a specific spot to hold onto. You can use a large car sticker, or buy the stickers pictured above here.

Photo credit: The Paper Mama

18. These safety tips for parents with kids who like to wander off. In the photo above, Chelsey from The Paper Mama, used a marker and New Skin liquid bandage to create a waterproof tattoo on her child. You can use the tattoo to provide easy contact info if your child gets lost in a crowd or to communicate a food allergy on children who aren’t old enough to tell people themselves. When you get home, simply add another layer of New Skin and the tattoo just wipes right off.

Next, before you head out for a day at the beach, amusement park, or any other crowded place, take a family photo. Not only will you have a great photo, but if anyone gets lost, you have a visual of what they look like that day, what they were wearing, etc. So easy, but so smart!

Photo credit: One Creative Housewife

19. This awesome hack for helping toddlers put on their shoes. This is one of my favorites because it is cheap and easy, but it really helps kids figure out their left from their right. This will save you so much time!

20. This sleep tip that promises to help you fall asleep fast. If you’re someone who feels exhausted all day, but has worries keeping them up at night, this 4-7-8 sleep technique from Dr. Andrew Weil is for you. Practice the breathing exercise below twice a day, and within a few weeks you should notice a difference in the time it takes you to go to sleep.

• Exhale completely.
• Inhale for a count of 4.
• Hold your breath for a count of 7.
• Exhale for a count of 8. Repeat for 4 cycles.

Hopefully these hacks can save you some time and perhaps even your sanity! If you can’t get enough parenting hacks, check out Alonzo Lerone’s collection of hilarious hacks from veteran parents who seem to have it all figured out! You’re welcome.

♥ Erin

Parent Hack: Wine. LMFAO. So much truth!

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve had enough of all of this rain. I know it’s important and all that, but it’s really gotten in the way of our pool, beach and amusement park plans over the last few weeks. We’ve spent a lot of time in the house, and I’m not gonna lie, many hours on screens. Here are some great activities to keep your kids active, learning and having a great time, even when you can’t escape the house!

15 Rainy Day Activities for Active Kids and Toddlers:

Get Messy in the Bath– The bath tub is one of the best places to get messy because clean up happens naturally. I love these homemade bath paints from Parenting Chaos.

Jump That Energy Out– Small trampolines like this one from Fisher Price take up very little space, but keep little ones endlessly entertained.

Create Your Own Snuggle Fort– I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling like fort-making was one of the highlights of my childhood. I love a good fort! It’s free and keeps kids busy for hours.

Dance it Out with Scarves– These colorful scarves from Amazon are so much fun to dance with or throw up in the air and catch.  I’m always amazed by how long they keep my children entertained.

Go Fishing– I love this laundry basket fishing idea from Munchkins and Moms. Kids love sitting in them so much, why not make a fun game out of it? You can use magnetic fish and fishing poles if you have them, but feel free to get creative like the blogger below.

Paint the Easy Way– Little ones love to paint, but they might not have the ability to grasp a paintbrush yet. I love this cotton ball painting idea from Domestic Mommyhood that makes painting easy for toddlers.

Make it Rain– These rain sticks from Happy Hooligans are colorful and easy enough for toddlers to help make. Let them practice their fine motor by picking up the corn, rice or other small noise-making items and putting them in the paper towel roll.

Host an Animal Pool or Ice Skating Party– How cute and easy would it be to freeze water in a small tray or even a foil pan and make animals their own indoor ice rink like this pic below from I Can Teach My Child. If you don’t have time for the freezing, make the toy animals their own pool or bubble bath.

Become a Sorting Expert– Color sorting is so easy and fun for kids, while also being a great learning opportunity. I love this Cereal sorting mat from I Can Teach My Child. For a more active color sort, give kids a color and have them run around the house with a basket collecting everything they can find that matches the color you chose.

Create a Pillow Roadway– I love this fun idea from Hands On As We Grow! Collect all of the pillows and couch cushions in your house and lay them on the floor to make an indoor roadway for kids to run around on.

Make Child-Sized Art– Get a large piece of paper or poster board and trace the outline of your child’s body. Next, have them color and decorate the inside. This is a great activity to do year after year to see how they grow and how their drawings mature.

Photo credit: Passionate Homemaking

Experiment with Sensory- I love the sensory activities we made last week for playgroup. Check the recipes out here. Another option is an easy sensory bin filled with corn, rice, or anything else small and fun to scoop up and pour out. The yellow sensory bin below is featured on Every Day Chaos and Calm.

Stack ’em Up– How easy is this, but I swear, it keeps them busy! Experiment with cups of different sizes to see what works best for your child.

Photo credit: Everyday Chaos and Calm

Make a Busy Bag– There are so many variations of busy bags, but basically they are engaging activities that kids and toddlers can complete mostly independently, and they are stored in bags so they are ready  to go at any time.  The Teaching Mama does a great job listing some great examples on her blog. Check out her great color sorting bag below.

Have Your Own Mini Toddler Obstacle Course- This is similar to what you’d see at a toddler gymnastics class, an obstacle course that little ones can go through over and over again to work on their gross motor skills and spatial awareness. How fun would it be to create your own obstacle course at home? It just takes some creativity. Start by finding some things that your kids can go under, step over and step on and some bean bags to throw into bins or to balance on their heads. Whatever you do, make sure you model it for them, step by step.

Photo Credit: How to Run a Homemade Daycare

∗ I also have to include this amazing list of 45 age-appropriate indoor learning activities for the littlest of learners, 18-24 month olds.

Hopefully the skies will part and the sun will come shining through again before we know it! Until then, keep your sanity by keeping the little ones occupied and having fun…..and be sure to stock up on wine.

♥ Erin

It’s a basic truth of parenthood: Kids are freakin’ expensive! After our third child was born, we realized that between twice weekly trips to the grocery store, preschool tuition, doctors visits, and too many Target clearance binges, we were spending more than we were earning. It was time to make a budget! Once we committed to it, creating a budget was actually quite simple and painless. If we can do it, so can you!

Follow the simple steps below to see where your money has been going and figure out where you can cut back. Just a few simple tweaks can help things really start to fall into place.

Basic Budgeting 101:

Calculate Your Earnings– Add up your total average monthly household income.

Track Your Spending– Over a three month period, write down everything you spend money on, and organize the spending into the following categories.

• Fixed payments– These stay pretty much the same every month. It will include your mortgage or rent, utility bills, insurance, car payments, subscription services like Netflix or Apple music, etc. In our house this category accounts for about 50-75% of our overall spending.
• Medical– This includes doctor, dentist or vet visits, and any prescriptions. These costs will most likely change from month to month.
• Necessities– Groceries, toiletries, pet supplies, school supplies, car maintenance and gas are all added up here. If you are anal retentive like me, you can split this category into further sub-categories.
• Fun Spending– This will be things like dining out, buying coffee, movie tickets, concerts, clothes, shoes, etc.
• Savings– Include this category only if you are currently saving money for things like your child’s college fund, vacation or unexpected home repairs.

You can use free apps like Mint or Fudget to help you with this step.

Analyze Your Spending– Subtract your expenses from your total income and see where you are. If you have money left at the end of each month, you’re definitely on the right track. You can start thinking about where you want to save that leftover income. However, if you realize, like we did, that you are spending more than you’re bringing in, you’ll now be ready to make some hard decisions about your spending. Obviously you can’t do much to change your fixed payments, but you can definitely cut costs in the fun spending area and make money saving tweaks to things in the other categories.

Cut Costs- Try some of these budget boosting strategies to help your family save money each month:

• Lower Energy costs– By making small changes like lowering the thermostat in the winter, taking shorter showers and turning out lights when leaving a room, you can save on utility costs each month while also reducing your carbon footprint.
• Cut Cable and Phone Service– We saved over $60/month by switching from a bundled service to only internet and subscribing to Hulu instead.
• Negotiate Better Rates– If you can’t cut the cord, you can still save money on cable, internet and phone bills by shopping around and negotiating lower rates. An employee at our internet provider actually recommended doing this every six months. You can usually get a lower rate, especially if you’ve been a loyal customer or you’re considering changing providers.
• Meal Plan Weekly– Planning out meals every week can really cut down on both food waste and grocery store spending. Also, if you have a planned menu, you’ll definitely eliminate those nights that you eat out because you have no idea what to make for dinner.
• Make Lists- Whether you’re shopping for groceries, clothes or toiletries, always make a list and stick to it. It’s such a basic idea, but it leads to big savings if you can follow through!
• Get it Delivered– I recently started having my groceries delivered through Shipt. You can choose from Lidl, Kroger and Target. I’ve been getting all of my groceries from Lidl. Many of our weekly staples are crazy cheap there, and the quality has been great. Getting my groceries delivered means I won’t be buying extra food because I’m shopping hungry, and I know the total before I check out so, if I feel like I’ve overspent, I can adjust as needed.  I’ve been saving an average of $50/week.
• Eat less meat– There are many vegetarian options that are much cheaper than meat. Consider adding in one or two meatless meals a week to cut down on your grocery bills.
• Get to Know the Farmer’s Market– When you’re eating the rainbow, those produce bills can really add up! Save money on produce by shopping local.
• Dine Out Only Once per Week- The cost of even a meal for two is rarely under $30, more if you order drinks and dessert. Cutting down to only once a week will help you save big.
• Brew at Home– My Starbucks addiction was killing our budget. If you can’t live without  lattes or cappuccinos, invest in a quality espresso machine with a milk frother.
• Invest in Reusable Items– One company that does a great job of providing these types of products is Norwex. Since I purchased the enviro cloths and window cloths, we no longer use paper towels. We also bought wool dryer balls that eliminate the need for dryer sheets, which are actually really harmful to the environment. I love saving money and I also love not throwing more paper products into the landfill. We also invested in quality reusable stainless steel water bottles and no longer buy disposable plastic bottles.
• Buy Kid Gear Gently Used– When it comes to children’s clothing, toys, and other gear, let the grandparents buy all the flashy new stuff. Kids bodies grow and change so quickly, and so do their interests. You might start Christmas shopping early and buy your Paw Patrol obsessed child an expensive Rubble action figure in September, but by December they only have eyes for PJ Masks! It just makes sense to shop garage sales or Craig’s List whenever possible, or arrange kids book, toy and clothing swaps with friends.
• Or there is always this……

Be a Saver– Once you’ve figured out how to lower your expenses so that you have something left at the end of each month, you should set up a monthly direct deposit into your savings account. This guarantees that you will be putting money away for a rainy day. You never know when an emergency will arise, so having a savings fund to draw from is really important.

Make sure you have a conversation about what the savings account will be used for to avoid arguments about money later on.  I felt like one of the points of our savings account was to have money for vacations and holiday gifts, things that are expensive and add up quickly. However, my husband felt like it should be saved for emergencies only. Talking through our expectations and saving goals helped us make sure we were on the same page.

Prepare for the Future- Another thing we did when we started budgeting was finally setup our children’s 529 plans. Some of our leftover income goes into monthly 529 contributions that are also direct deposited into each account. The VA 529 plan has three options, so you need to do your research to see which program is right for your family.

Review Your Budget– As your family grows and changes, your budget may look different as well. Also, unexpected expenses may make budget changes necessary. Take time to sit down together at least every three months, preferably with a bottle of wine, and make sure things are still on track.

For parents of young children, now is the best time to start budgeting to become both financially secure and financially aware. It will benefit you, and it will greatly benefit your children as well. Children with parents who understand how to handle money will grow into adults who know when to spend and when to save!

Happy Budgeting!

♥ Erin

Before I had three children, and the exhaustion that comes along with them, I was an avid reader. These days I can count on one hand the number of books I read in a year. Five pages in, you’ll usually find me passed out, or I may start awake when I drop the book that I was holding onto my face. If I’m going to get through a whole book in less than three months, it’s gotta hold my attention. Here’s a list of eighteen books that do just that.

18 Books You Won’t Want To Put Down:

The Dependents by Katharine Dion– When Gene’s wife of 49 years dies, it’s subtly revealed to him that she wasn’t as happy in the marriage as he thought she was. Why did she seem happiest when vacationing with their best friends Ed and Gayle? What secrets was she keeping? Throughout this beautifully-written and engrossing novel, Gene questions everything he thought he knew about his wife, his family and himself. This is Katherine Dion’s first book, but she writes like a master, answering questions on how to overcome grief and let go of the expectations that we project onto others. It’s so much more than a beach read.

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz– This murder mystery novel is so inventive because Horowitz actually writes himself into it as the loyal sidekick to Detective Inspector Hawthorne. The story begins with a woman walking into a funeral parlor to plan her own funeral. The woman is murdered six hours later. You won’t be able to stop reading this creepy and clever whodunnit.

The Lost Family by Jenna Blum– This heart-breaking book tells the story of Peter, a handsome chef at a Manhattan restaurant in the 1960s. Women from all over town come to his restaurant hoping to peak his interest, but he is consumed by grief over losing his wife and two daughters to Auschwitz. He can’t escape the guilt of surviving when they did not. Eventually he meets someone, falls in love again, and has another daughter, but, as we follow him over the next twenty years, he’s still haunted by memories and pain. Yes, this book will probably make you cry, but you’ll fall in love with the characters and remember them long after you finish reading. Jenna Blum also wrote the wonderful book, Those Who Save Us, another amazing read!

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang– This is an erotic romance with a twist. Stella is a workaholic economist with Asperger’s Syndrome. She’s very successful in her career, but inexperienced and awkward in the love department. Her family is very eager for grandchildren, but Stella doesn’t even know how to French kiss. She decides that the best thing to do is hire some professional help. Enter Michael, an escort earning money to pay his mother’s medical bill. The two form an unlikely partnership that slowly and hilariously morphs into more.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones– This book, Oprah’s Book Club pick for 2018, is a powerful and important read. Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are two successful professionals excited to settle into their new lives together, but they are soon ripped apart when Roy is arrested for a crime that Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Celestial finds herself hopeless and unsure of what to do. She finds solace in her childhood friend, Andre. After five years, Roy’s conviction is overturned and he returns home to try to rekindle what he had with Celestial, but it isn’t as simple as he thought. This story is full of relatable characters, and important thoughts on race, class and family, a must-read.

What the Eyes Don’t See by Mona Hanna-Attisha– This riveting non-fictional story centers around it’s author, Dr. Mona, a Flint, Michigan pediatrician who proved that Flint’s kids were being exposed to lead in their drinking water, and that the government knew this and intentionally covered it up. She fought her own government to expose that truth to the world. This book reads like a scientific thriller, but every word of it is true. The story of a city coming together to fight for justice and a future for their children is  powerful and moving, and it makes you question what you thought you knew about the good ol’ USA.

Goodbye, Sweet Girl by Kelly Sundberg– Kelly Sundberg has written an incredibly honest and brave memoir about her decade long marriage and how it slowly transformed from a beautiful love story to a horribly abusive horror show. She’s open about her feelings of fear and anger, and also the love and compassion that she still felt for her husband. It’s such an accurate and open portrayal of why people stay in a relationship even when they know it’s slowing killing them. I know this story sounds bleak, but Sundberg writes in a way that lighters the subject somehow, while still touching us with understanding. This is a page-turner that may also have the power to save lives.

The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy– This book is utterly unputdownable! The May Mothers, a group of moms whose babies were born in the same month, get together for a moms night out one hot Fourth of July night. While they are out, one of their babies is taken from his crib. The book tells the story of the desperate search to find the him and the secrets revealed and friendships destroyed along the way. Right now it’s being made into a movie starring Kerry Washington.

A Man With One of Those Faces by Caimh McDonnell– This is the first book in a three part series of hysterically funny thrillers. Someone is trying to kill Paul Mulchrone. The first time it was a case of mistaken identity, but the second was no accident. Now, with the help of a nurse who fancies herself an expert detective and a violent rebel cop, he must solve one of the worst crimes that Ireland has ever seen.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen–

If you enjoyed Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train, you’ll love this book. I don’t want to give anything away with this one so I’m just going to leave you with this vague, but intriguing description from the book cover itself:

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.
You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love.

Assume nothing.

Twisted and deliciously chilling, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage – and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn– In this Hitchcock-esque thriller, Anna Fox, a recluse, living alone in her NYC home, passes time by spying on her neighbors. When a new family moves across the way, Anna sees something that she was not meant to see. What she sees will change her life forever and make her question everything. Nothing is what it appears to be in this twisty and gripping thriller.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng- Elena Richardson is a rule-follower. Rules keep her family safe and keep order in her world. Enter Mia and her daughter Pearl, tenants that move into a house that the Richardsons own. All of the Richardsons are drawn to the artistic and mysterious mother/daughter. When a family friend of the Richardsons tries to adopt a baby, a battle for custody follows that divides their small town in two, with Elena and Mia at the center and on opposing sides. Elena, angry at the way Mia has upended her orderly life, goes on a mission to find out what secrets the enigmatic woman has been keeping. This obsession will lead to some pretty devastating consequences.

Safekeeping by Jessamyn Hope- In 1994, Adam, a drug-addict from New York, travels to Israel to live on a kibbutz, a community similar to a co-op. Atoning for past sins, he has promised to deliver a sapphire brooch to a woman that his grandfather loved when he lived on the Kibbutz in the 1940s.  The woman proves difficult to find, but on his journey he meets many interesting characters, all hoping for another chance at redemption. This book tells an emotional story of second chances and family history, and reminds us that nothing in life is permanent.

11/22/63 by Stephen King- This futuristic thriller tells the story of Jake Epping, a high school English teacher turned time traveler who goes back in time to the 1950s to try and prevent the Kennedy assassination. It may seem far-fetched, but what follows is an engrossing, heart-pumping page-turner.

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover- This modern romance novel tells the story of Sydney, a college student who discovers that her perfect boyfriend has been cheating on her. Soon after she finds herself drawn to her mysterious and passionate neighbor, Ridge. Their sexy and obsessive love affair changes her in ways she never expected. Hoover’s writing style and character development really draws you in and gets you hooked from page one.

Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering– This tale of obsessive love centers on Lucy and Stephen and alternates between both points of view. Lucy is looking for a fresh start when she travels from the only home she’s ever known on Long Island to her small California college. Stephen is also eager to forget the past and a secret that could ruin his future. Their tale of addicting obsession leads to consequences that are more than they can handle. This witty and dark coming-of-age story is just perfect for a day at the beach.

Think of a Number by John Verdon– When threatening letters show up in people’s mailboxes, those people begin to die. The letters tell the readers to “Think of a number and see how well I know your secrets.” The recipients are shocked when the author of the letters has somehow read their minds correctly. Dave Gurney, a retired, but brilliant cop, is brought in to consult, but as his past rises up to ruin him, he’s not sure he can stop this mysterious and confusing killer. The characters in this book are not like those in your usual crime thrillers. They have depth and a realness you’ll recognize.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate- This book is based on the real-life story of Georgia Tann, the director of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, who took poor children from their families, under the guise of providing them a better life, and sold them to wealthy parents in Memphis in the 1930’s and 1940’s. When her father doesn’t return right away from taking her mother to the hospital, Rill and her four siblings are taken by the orphanage. Rill fights to keep her brothers and sisters together. The book alternates between 1939 and the present day to Avery, a wealthy and successful South Carolina attorney. When Avery returns home because of her father’s sudden illness, a random encounter leads to questions she can’t answer and feelings she can’t seem to forget. What connects these two characters and how do you get over the feeling that you’re not where you belong.

I hope you all find the time to get in a good read or two this summer. Sometimes a little escape into a good book is exactly what you need.

Happy Reading!

♥ Erin

Happy Summer! I hope you’re relaxing by the pool with a cold drink in your hand, not stressing out about packing everything you need for summer vacation like I am. However, if you are stressing about that first beach vacation with kids, you’ve come to the right place.

Check out the guide below for all of my family beach vacation must-haves, as well as what to leave at home:

Don’t Burn Baby, Burn!

My friends over at ThinkBaby.org came up with a comprehensive list of the best and worst sunscreens for your baby to toddler. As they say in the article, ” Finding the perfect sunscreen for your baby is not an exact science and it does involve plenty of trial runs until you find the one that you like the most. The most important thing is not to expose your baby directly to the sun and to have light layers of clothing even with the sunscreen on.”

Buzz off, bugs!

You don’t want bug bites to get in the way of a good time. Read on below for more information on applying insect repellent safely.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics says that insect repellents containing deet are safe for children as young as 2 months. Bug repellents with deet come in varying strengths — some contain up to 30-percent deet. A higher concentration of deet doesn’t mean a product is stronger, only that it lasts longer
• Although deet is safe for use on children, many parents prefer to use bug repellents that are deet-free. Natural repellents are made with plant oils such as citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and cedarwood. They generally need to be reapplied more often than products containing deet.
• Lotions that combine bug repellent and sunscreen might sound like a good idea, but they aren’t. The reason is that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every few hours, but you shouldn’t expose your children to that much bug repellent

Here are some of the top reviewed sprays for children:

Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes    

Baby’s Bugs at Bay Insect Spray

Sawyer Products Insect Repellant with 20% Picaridin

Swimsuits and Sunhats and Water Shoes: Oh My!

When it comes to beachwear, simple and easy to put on is always better. ALWAYS. When shopping for baby/toddler girls, always buy a two piece suit or a one piece that snaps at the bottom like a onesie. I just bought my youngest this one from Cat and Jack at Target.

I love these long sleeved rash guard bathing suits for baby/toddler boys. They also have snaps at the bottom for easy diaper changes.

If you’re worried about keeping your baby warm in the ocean or pool, check out the Confidence Babywarma Swimsuit it enables babies to stay warmer in the pool or ocean for much longer than would be possible without it. Babywarma is made of a very high-grade neoprene fabric to insulate baby while allowing parents to keep a firmer grip on their child in the water.

If you want to cut down on waste and save money at the same time (Those swim diapers are hella expensive!!) consider these reusable swim diapers from Nageuret. They’re adjustable and fit children from 8-36 lbs. so you can get years of use out of them.

These aqua socks from JIASUQI are so easy to slip on, with no annoying straps or velcro to attach. Hallelujah!

For protecting baby’s tender head, there is no better cover than the iPlay Flap Sun Hat. It is water resistant, machine washable, made of UPF 50 fabric and comes in every color of the rainbow.

I love these sunglasses from Tuga. They come with two different comfy straps, one for ages 0-2 and the other for ages 2-5. You have to love something that will grow with your child for their first five years.

Float On

Puddle Jumpers are the only floaties my kids have ever needed. They each have their own and they’ve really held up over the last 6 years.

I’ve also heard great things about the Full Throttle Infant/Child Life Vests. They provide a pop-up pillow for added head support and additional safety and a grab strap for quick recovery if necessary.

Sit on it, Potsie

You probably won’t have much time to sit, but it is nice to have something to rest your sandy behind on during those hard won moments alone. I got this Coleman chair last year and I love it! It is a little bit bulkier than some other foldable chairs, but I love the side cooler bag, cup holders and plastic sleeve where I can keep my phone handy.

If you don’t feel like lugging a heavy folding chair, try one of these backpack chairs from Rio Beach. It has 4 reclining positions, a pillowa,  cupholder and it’s pretty lightweight.

If neither of the options above are your speed, try rolling up one of these giant blankets from Chillax. It comes with a carrying bag that is stitched to it so you can’t lose it and it is small enough to fit in a beach bag when folded down. The RIP-STOP nylon fabric is sand, water and heat repellent. It also comes with 4 SandPockets to keep your blanket in place even in windy days.

Made in the shade

A little sun is good for babies, but too much can be very harmful. If you’re planning to spend a whole day at the beach, it’s important to keep babies in the shade the majority of the time.

This is the sun tent I used when my kids were babies. It easily folds down and fits into a small carrying case that you can throw in your beach bag. This tent held up through three kids over 6 years.

They also make a lot of sun tents now with a built in pool underneath to keep baby extra cool. I haven’t tried this, but this one from The Hamptons Baby was the best reviewed on Amazon.Best of the beach

Here are some of my favorite miscellaneous beach must-haves:

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set– I purchased this sand toy set eight years ago and it’s still going strong! The pail that’s included is the only one we’ve had that has lasted more than one beach vacation.

Intex Sunset Glow Inflatable Baby Pool– This cheap pool is a great choice for the beach. It’s compact, easy to inflate and inexpensive enough that you can buy one every year if you need to.

Codream Mesh Beach Bag– This leak-proof beach bag has a cooler attached to the bottom that can hold up to 12 cans. It also has two outside pockets to keep your phone or car keys.

SAFEGO Portable Indoor/Outdoor Lock Box Safe– If you get nervous about leaving your cell phones, cameras, wallets, etc. hidden while you’re swimming in the ocean, this is the product for you. It has a three number combination lock and key and it has a cord to attach it to your beach chairs or umbrellas. It’s also water and sand resistant.

The Shader– Dave Baldwin from Fatherly, an awesome dad blog, describes this amazing beach shade that you never knew you needed in his article, The 16 Best Beach Gear to Help Make Your Next Beach Day Go Smoothly:

“At first glance, Shader looks like somebody removed the canopy of a baby stroller and used it to cover their head on a beach. In reality, it’s a portable (and collapsible) sun shield designed in Australia to take the place of whatever you’re currently using to block your face from the sun ⏤ be it a hat, magazine, or t-shirt. That said, the thing comes loaded with bonus features including a removable pillow with integrated chill pack, a six-cup drink holder, and a phone/iPad solar charging panel that can accommodate a USB-powered fan. It also attaches to chairs, boasts an internal pocket for your wallet, and comes with a beach bag that also has room for a towel. Now that’s one hell of a stroller canopy.”

UE Roll 2- So this is totally going on my birthday wishlist! This tiny portable speaker is completely waterproof and boasts a 100 ft. Bluetooth wireless range and 9 hr. rechargeable battery life. It’s lighter than a can of soda and even comes with its own float to keep your music close to you in the pool.

Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Wagon Beach Cart – This large capacity wagon folds down to only 10″ thick, but carries up to 150 lbs. It also has a small table with two cup holders.

The Rinse Kit– If you’re like me and hate waiting in line to wash off your feet, just to have your kids get all sandy again on the short walk from the shower to the car, this kit might be well worth the $75 price tag. The rinse kit provides 4 minutes of high pressure water so you can get everyone clean right before hopping into the car. Score!

Or, for a much cheaper alternative, keep a couple jugs of water in your trunk.

Sand-Off! Sand Cleaner Wipe Off Mitt– This mitt contains a patented, dry body wash powder formulation embedded in the mitt to remove sand with no mess; plush terry cloth applicator feels leaves skin soft and sand-free. 

Keep it at home

• Don’t bring kids their own beach chairs! They take up a lot of space in the car and they’re tough to carry. They are too young to have bad backs, so they can sit on the sand just like we all did when we were young!
• If you’re going somewhere where you can rent umbrellas, don’t bring your own. It’s worth it to not have to carry your own all the way from the car. Your back will thank you.
• When it comes to beach gear, know your own child. If you have a sleepy baby, a small foldable beach tent may be all you really need. For a really active toddler, you won’t get them to sit still in the sun tent or baby pool for more than five minutes so it’s smarter to leave them in the car.

TRUE STORY.

Enjoy the beach!

♥ Erin

* This post contains affiliate links*

Summer is officially here! Richmond is an amazing city, full of things to do all summer long. From parks to pools to outdoor concerts, there is something for every interest. Look at all the summer activities we’ve collected below and start planning your family fun today!

Splash Pads/Parks

Check out our guide here to the best parks, splash pads and playgrounds in RVA.

Maymont Spring/Summer Calendar– Family camp-outs, concerts, hikes and more!

Lewis Ginter Calendar of Events– Drop in and dig, story time, yoga in the garden and crafts for kids, not to mention their splash pad that is now open daily.

Fridays on the Farm at Crump Park and Meadow Farm Museum–Fridays 7/6-8/31 from 9am-11am-Visit the farm for guided animal tours and old-fashioned games. FREE.

Outdoor Concerts

When my kids were toddlers, outdoor concerts were my favorite place to take them in the summer. My husband and I could listen to live music without having to worry about the kids being quiet and staying in their seats. We’re lucky to live in a city that has so many different venues to offer.

Rock n’ Roll Summer at West Broad Village– Located near the ALOFT hotel, beginning at 7 pm every other Friday this Summer. There will be live music, raffles, games, food, drinks & visit with our tenants! The 1st 100 guests to stop by our booth will receive a goodie bag. Enjoy Beer & Wine for sale as well as food from Chuy’s Tex Mex, Carolina Ale House & Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Innsbrook After Hours– IAH shows are always a good time, with plenty of food and drink available for purchase and reasonable concert ticket prices. Check out the 2018 concert schedule here. Doors open at 5 pm and shows start at 6 pm.

Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell– Varied events througout the summer celebrating theater, music and dance.

Stony Point Summer Concert Series– 1st and 3rd Thursdays, May 24th-September 20th from 6-8 pm in Triangle Park.

Music in the Park at Forest Hill Park– One Sunday a month, usually the second Sunday, from 6-8 pm, come out with a picnic dinner and listen to a free concert at Forest Hill Park. The next event is on July 8th with the jam band Villages.

Jammin’ on the James  July 14th and August 11th@ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Wilton House, 215 S. Wilton Rd. 23226 (FREE)  Join us this summer for free concerts on the grounds of Wilton.  Bring a picnic dinner and your favorite lawn chair for family-friendly music on our scenic terrace overlooking the James River.  Enjoy complimentary evening tours of Wilton before the concert as well as face-painting, games, and crafts for kids. Handsome Molly combine the best of traditional Irish, English and Scots dance tunes, airs and songs with musical virtuosity and all around good ‘craic.’

Sundays in the Shade at James River Winery every Sunday afternoon from 1-4 pm June-September– Come lounge in the shade with live acoustic music. Bring chairs and a picnic lunch to enjoy. This event has no entry fee! Tastings and wine purchases will be available in the Tasting Room.

Flowers after 5 and Fidos after 5– Thursday nights June 7th-August 30th 5-9 pm at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens– Enjoy live music, wine, and beer, dining, and shopping. Please note: No outside food and drink are allowed inside the Garden; food and drink are available for purchase and garden admission is required. Leashed dogs are also welcome on select nights, June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26 and water play in the Children’s Garden will be open until 8 pm on these nights. Children under 3 are always free.

Short Pump Summer Concert Series– The 15^th Annual FREE concert series offers family-friendly entertainment in the main plaza. Wine tastings will be available from Cooper’s Hawk Winery from 5:30-8 pm with the shows beginning at 6 pm. Concerts are scheduled for 6/29: The American Female Country Music Duo, – Maddie & Tae and 7/13 the high energy 80’s show band – The Deloreans.

Library Activities

The library is a great place to wait out a stormy morning or super humid afternoon. They also have great events all summer for kids and families including family dance parties, crafts, and busy hands programs. Find more information on the Henrico County library events calendar here.

Check out the story time schedule here for Henrico County. Session 4 starts from 6/25-8/18.

Parks and Recreation Activities

Henrico Parks and Recreation and Chesterfield Parks and Recreation have all kinds of activities including summer movies in the park, concerts, nature programs, music classes for babies, and more. Check out the program guides here for Henrico and here for Chesterfield.

Craft and Project Events

Michaels Camp Creativity– Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10- Noon, $2 for 3 and up and $5 for 6 and up, supplies included. Each week has a different theme, now through July 27th.

Home Depot Workshops for Kids– These take place on the first Saturday of every month, usually starting at 9:00 a.m- noon. You can drop in with your child anytime during the workshop class but make sure that they’ll have enough time to complete their project before it ends. Here’s the upcoming Home Depot Kids Workshop, just click on the link for more details and to register. Build a Wooden Fishing Game: On Saturday, July 7, kids can take the free building class and build and bring home a wooden fishing game.

Summer Movies

If you’ve never brought your kids to the movies before, this is a great time to try it out. Movies are free or cheap so if you need to leave you’re not losing much money. Also, the theaters are packed with other loud kids so you don’t have to worry about your child being too loud.

Free Summer Kids Series at Bowtie Cinemas– 10 am-12 pm, See FREE family-friendly movies on the big screen every Tuesday and Wednesday all summer long! See the complete schedule here.

Summer Movie Express at Regal Cinemas– Admission to the Summer Movie Express is only $1. Tickets available for purchase at the box office and all movies in most locations start at 10:00 am. Dollar movies are available on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at all RVA area Regal Cinemas. Check with your theatre for exact showtimes. Each week both movies play on both days. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Will Rogers Institute. See the schedule here.

Festivals

Maymont’s Turtle Races at Hardywood– June 29 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm- And they’re off to the races! Maymont and The Dooley Noted Society are partnering with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery to present exhilarating races between four of the turtles that call Maymont home, with heats at 6:45pm, 7:00pm and 7:15pm. FIT4MOM RVA is even sponsoring one of the turtles! This unique event is open to the public in conjunction with Hardywood’s canned beer release of “But Does It Make Sense?” and features live music by the local band, Night Idea. Come out to support your favorite turtle team! All proceeds to benefit Maymont’s Adopt-an-Animal program.

Don’t forget to also visit the sites below for updated family-friendly events each week:

Richmondmom.com

Hula Frog West End

Richmond Family Magazine

Completely Kids Richmond

And if you’re heading to the beach with your kids, don’t forget to enjoy every moment!

Happy Summer!

♥ Erin

Ah, the family summer vacation! Traveling with kids is certainly an adventure. At times it can be wonderful. There is nothing like seeing the world through the curious eyes of a child. However, sometime after that second bathroom stop and first meltdown, that wonder begins to fade. We’ve put together a collection of travel hacks to simplify your trip and hopefully create a more pleasant environment for everyone.

Our Favorite Travel Hacks

Packing: Plan Before You Go

No matter how many times I’ve traveled with my three kids, I still always feel like I’m forgetting something! These packing lists help me feel more calm and organized. Also, it’s important to remember that, unless you’ll be traveling in the middle of nowhere, most commonly forgotten travel essentials can be purchased wherever you go. Try not to stress too much.

The Ultimate Packing List from Smarter Travel

Traveling with Baby Packing List from Our Handcrafted Life

Ultimate List of Road Trip Necessities from Peanut Blossom

Beach and Pool Packing List from Life With Heidi

Carry-on Checklist for International Flights

For Older Kids, Try this Packing List Kids Can Use To Pack Themselves from Kristi at I Should Be Mopping The Floor. That blog title is my favorite!

Be sure to fit the Travel Mamas for a great collection of packing lists, a directory on baby gear rental companies, and much more. One of my favorites is their Airplane Travel Kit for Babies and Toddlers.

Keep ’em Fed, Keep ’em Happy!

Snackle Boxes-My friend swears that this is one of the most important elements of a successful road trip with her 3 boys. Click on the photo to get your own!

Or try these snack trays. This ingenious mom even put a chalkboard on hers so they double as a fun activity.

• Leave the sippy cups at home and turn any cup into one with these Silikids Siliskins, or you can make your own with cling wrap.

• Freeze water bottle or juice boxes instead of packing ice packs.

• Check out this list of Road Trip Snack Ideas

Staying Comfortable on the Road and in the Air

No Bob Panda– I haven’t tried this personally, but it seems like a soft, comfortable way to avoid slumped over heads in the car seat.

Travel pillow or Foot rest– These can make kids more comfortable in the car, and also provide neck, shoulder and back support. They’ve also been known to make children’s car naps last longer. Hallelujah! A happy kid is the most important element of a pleasant trip.

Pacifiers- If your child is still using a pacifier to soothe themselves, you want to have lots of backups. I often drive my three kids to Ohio while my husband is at home working. I always felt like the pacis must have a magnetic pull that draws them into the most difficult to find hidden spaces of my van. Trust me, you don’t want to be without one when you need it most. Use a small tupperware to keep extra pacis clean and easy to find. Store it somewhere easy to reach, like your center console.

Keeping The Car Organized and Clean-ish

We bring along this JJ Cole Diaper Caddy that has held up since our eight year old was born. There is room for plenty of diapers, wipes and there is a compartment where we keep diaper cream, children’s ipuprofen, medicine syringes, bandies, etc. I also love this Wipe case from Skip Hop. It makes diapers changes on the go so easy! I kept one of these in my car at all times for years. You never know when you’re going to need it.

• Bring an extra sheet to cover the floor of the car and/or the seats. When you get where you need to go you can just remove the sheet and shake out all the crumb

Use a cereal storage container as a portable trash can.

Use cupcake liners to keep cup holders clean.

Keep the car organized with these cheap dollar store containers and caddies.

Entertain Me!

• Kid-friendly headphones- My kids love these Cozy Phones. I love that they stay on and are comfortable. Also, the cord that comes with them is soft and not rubbery.

• This is a great Tablet Holder/Organizer that we use daily.

• Toddler Car Travel Games and Ideas

Use metal baking trays as a hard surface for kids to color, eat or play with magnets on.

• Keeping a Toddler Entertained on a Plane– Great ideas here!

Buy cheap window clings to keep kids busy during long flights.

Better Safe Than Sorry

• Pack this DIY Car Sick Bag from Cul-de-sac Cool

• Don’t forget to include a first aid kit: I love this DIY Kit from Mama Cheaps. It’s small enough to put under the passenger seat in the car or in a carryon on an airplane.

• On one of our last trips, we got a flat tire. Neither my husband or I had a clue how to change it, so this would’ve really come in handy.

• I love this bracelet idea, especially if you have a child who likes to wander. If they get lost in a busy airport or highway rest area, people will be able to call you right away. Find the beads here.

Gear for When You Get There

These items can easily be folded down and put into a car or stuffed into a suitcase:

• Mac Folding Wagon– Carry luggage and all that baby gear with this large wagon that folds down as small as an umbrella stroller.

• Travel high chair

• White Noise Machine– I’ve had this one for eight years. It’s very simple and a little bulky, but it travels really well and works like a charm.

For everything you need that you can’t bring with you:

• Baby Gear Delivery Service– If you desperately need a crib, high chair or even toys to keep your kids happy during your trip, check out this directory to find baby gear that can be delivered right to your hotel or rental.

More Great Links

Check out Modern Mom Blog for a VERY Comprehensive Guide to Air Travel with Baby or Toddler

Amazing List of Travel Hacks

They aren’t kidding about those airplane bathroom changing “tables”, but don’t let them scare you off. Travel with kids is possible! (But, yeah, if you can get people to come to you, you should do that.)

I hope these resources and ideas will help make your travels go smoothly this summer!

Happy Trails, Peeps!

♥ Erin

So, I’ve been at this mom thing for over eight years now, but I still have so much to learn. One of the most important things I have learned, the fact that took me the longest to concede, is that I can’t do it alone. Motherhood is tough! Sometimes I have so many balls in the air, I go to bed with my head spinning, and not just from those two glasses of wine I drank before bedtime. We now have an enormous and varied amount of responsibilities, and we all need help and support sometimes to get it all done, and to not go insane while doing it all.  Remember, it’s not a sign of failure to ask for help. This is something I’ve struggled with for years! Getting help for ourselves and our families is the smartest and strongest thing we can do as mothers!

Here are the local resources that I’ve personally used to simplify, or improve, my mom life. Click on the links below for more details and directions.

Favorite Places to Go With Babies/Toddlers:

• Jumpology – This trampoline arena has a specific time, 9-10 am, just for kids 6 and under.
• Pump It Up– The inflatable play area has Toddler Playtime on select Tuesdays from 10am – 11:30am for only $6.
• Music Together– Parent and Child music classes that come with a CD and song book. Check the link for locations across the Richmond area.
• Melody Magic Music Studio-This music studio on Lauderdale Ave. runs Kindermusik classes, beginner piano lessons and themed playdates.
• Willow Lawn Mommy and Me– Join Willow Lawn on the second Wednesday of EVERY month from 10am to 11:30am for a free morning out with live entertainment and activities designed to enhance parents´ interaction with their children held in The Square at Willow Lawn.
• Cartwheels and Coffee– Children ages six and under can enjoy playing in their enclosed playland while their grown-ups relax in the cafe with a great cup of locally roasted Blanchards coffee. They also have weekly events such as yoga, art and music classes. They even have a separate small play area for babies.
• GABC Music and Movement -This fun music class takes place every Wednesday, 10-10:45, with a separate playspace open 9:30-11 for play before and after class. Classes are inside Grove Avenue Baptist Church and are $5/child and $3/additional siblings.
• Henrico County Public Library Storytime– Storytimes run most mornings, M-Th, and they sometimes have family story times on Saturdays.  Click on the link to get the current story time schedule.
• Romp n’ Roll– My two year old is obsessed with these toddler gymnastics classes. They also offer art and music classes.

Shopping Your Life Easier:

Amazon Prime Now- I’m sure by now most of you know about this two-hour Amazon delivery service open to all prime members, but it’s so life-changing that I’m adding it here, just in case. Did you know they even deliver wine and beer now?! Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly love Amazon any more than I already do!

Target–  If Amazon is my boyfriend, then Target is definitely my BFF. Check out all the ways to save:

1. If you haven’t already, stop what you’re doing and sign-up for a Target debit card. It’s not another credit card. You can do this! You’ll save 5% on every thing you buy there, including purchases made at their Starbucks cafes!
2. Download the Target App– They are phasing out their Cartwheel app and making all of those discounts available inside the Target App. Try to look through the available discounts and add them before you leave your house. I usually forget to do this and end up manually scanning each of my cart items to see if any of them are discounted while my kids scream that they’re hungry and want to go home.
3. Check out this post here for more ways to save at Target.

Kroger Clicklist- I’ve been using this online shopping program for the past 6 months. It is amazing to get my shopping done in front of the TV and then pick it up without having to get any kids out of the car! I also save money because I’m not making impulse purchases or giving in to the whims of my tiny dictators while shopping. Don’t forget to add digital coupons onto your card before you checkout.

Walmart Savings Catcher– You can use this app to scan your Walmart receipts. If you’ve purchased something that they find cheaper somewhere else, they will refund you the difference. Find more specific details here.

Keeping Kids Healthy Through Every Stage:

• KidMed– This urgent care, designed especially for kids, has been a godsend for us many times. (Like the time my then 20 month old son climbed over the baby gate and fell down 12 stairs at 5 pm on a Friday!!) With 4 locations, they are very convenient. Hours are M-F, 2-10 pm and Weekends, 10 am-9 pm.
• Dental resource guide-This was created by River Run Dental. My entire family sees these dentists, and the hygienists are great with my kids. There are many other pediatric dentists offices in Richmond, (Check out those voted Best in Richmond here.), but this works best for us.
• Family therapy–Partners in Parenting– This is an outstanding office that works with not only children, but also their parents to teach them strategies to help their kids cope with difficult stages and situations.
• Speech/OT/PT Services

1. Speech/Language Providers– Here’s a list of local speech providers. My family has personal experience working with Maria Zanetti, and she does amazing things for kids with speech and language processing disorders.
2. Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia– This is the place to contact if you’re having concerns with your toddler’s speech development. It is a several step process, and they will first have you come in for a screening. We went through the process in the Spring, so feel free to message me with any questions.
3. Prana OT- We have personal experience working with both of the occupational therapists in this office and recommend them highly for children with motor development and sensory processing issues.

• Pediatric and Adolescent Health Partners– This site has a great collection of health links and resources.

Great Websites For Local Resources:

Richmondmom.com– If you’re not visiting this site regularly, you need to start. It has resources and local info for basically every area of parenthood. Some of my personal favorites are:

• Kid-friendly Restaurant Resource
• Drop-in Child Care Resources
• Kids Eat Free Richmond
• Summer Camp Guide
• Support Groups for Parents Resource

These three sites also provide great local resources for parents, and update frequently to share kid-friendly events around town:

Completelykidsrichmond.com

MacaroniKid.com

Hula Frog.com

My Current Favorite Mom/Food Blogs:

Modern Parents, Messy Kids Blog– This site has a lot of great ideas to keep you and your family organized and parenting tips to keep you sane.

30 Handmade Days Blog– So many good finds here! Printables to keep you organized, Mom-tested experiments to try, craft projects you can actually make without pulling your hair out. Seriously awesome stuff!

Momastery.com– Glennon Doyle Melton is the author here,  and I love her. I feel like she says all of the things I want to say, but can’t put into words. Her honest advice on motherhood and self-love is very powerful.

Damndelicious.net– I initially started visiting this blog to make her awesome quinoa chili, but kept coming back for all of the easy, tasty recipes.

Thugkitchen.com– This site has a tri-fecta of some of my favorite things- 1) Amazing, easy vegan recipes 2) A large side of snark and 3) Enough cursing to make a sailor blush. #winning

Minimalistbaker.com– You can find quick, healthy meals here with 10 ingredients or less. My favorites I’ve personally tried are her banana bread granola and the crispy peanut tofu and cauliflower rice stir-fry.

Halfbakedharvest.com– Come check out Tieghan’s amazing and beautiful food that is surprisingly easy to make.

Now that I’ve completely overloaded you with information, I want to leave you with this: Forget all that bullshit about the mom who can do it all and who has it all together. She is a myth! Behind that well-polished facade and gleamingly perfect Instagram profile, she is probably a hot mess, or, at the very least, struggling just like the rest of us. Stop comparing yourself to people you don’t actually know.

We all have days we feel like we have this mom thing down and others when we feel like total failures who are strongly considering hiding under the bed with a jar of Nutella and never coming out! Even on your worst days, you are a good mom. Repeat after me: I Am A Good Mom! You’re showing up for your kids and just loving them, and that is enough. Use these resources. Talk to fellow moms who are out there in the trenches and, most importantly, listen, without judgement, without comparing, just neverending compassion and support.

♥ Erin

Good Morning Ladies,

Are you like me? Do you constantly beat yourself up for not meeting your own impossible expectations? We all really need to cut that out right now!  When you become a mother, you don’t turn in your human card and you don’t suddenly stop having needs of your own. It’s about damn time we start giving ourselves the break we deserve!  This post is really like a therapy session for me, but I hope it can help all of you beautiful mamas to give the mom guilt a rest!

Today I Am Giving Myself Permission….

• To Take Time For Myself– It took me too long to stop equating going to Body Back or hiring a babysitter to go out to dinner as selfish. I used to only go out for the night after my kids were already asleep. Every parent needs time to themselves and time away from their kids to recharge their batteries. If I don’t take it, I can’t be the mom that my kids deserve.
• To Reach For That Second Cup of Coffee or Alcoholic Beverage- Yes, I may have a slight addiction to caffeine and I may use alcohol to relax after  bedtime, but back off! After all, the days are long, but the years are short. At least that’s what every sweet old lady at Target keeps telling me!

• To Say No– I’ve struggled with this my entire life, but it is ok to say no to friends and family when what they’re asking for just won’t work for you. I know it doesn’t feel good to have someone upset with you, but no one has ever died from disappointment. They’ll get over it and you’ll learn to put your own needs first.
• To Have My Own Tantrum– We deal with loads of obnoxious and frustrating things daily with patience and grace, but sometimes we’re having a bad day, we’re sick, it’s “shark week”, etc. and we just can’t take it anymore! You’re allowed to cry, yell, have a timeout outside, whatever you need.

• To Throw Away My Bathroom Scale– I need to do this for my own sanity, and I think you should too. Enough said.
• To Not Clean My House– This is not a, you shouldn’t clean your house because you should be busy playing with your kids, thing. This is a, put the vacuum away and let the dishes sit in the sink while you sit on the couch with a trashy magazine, thing. God knows you deserve a break!

• To Lock the Bathroom Door While I’m Taking a Bath– My kids can live without me for fifteen minutes. Yes kids, you do have two parents who are capable of opening the fridge.

• To Not Send That Thank You Note–  If you know me, please never send me another thank you note. I know you are thankful for me and I am thankful for you. I’m always forgetting to send them, especially for my kids’ birthdays, and, when I do remember, they are always late. We can’t be perfect, and that’s ok.
• To Let My Kids Watch Too Much TV– I know this is a hot topic, but sometimes I just have so much to get done and I can’t answer another question about which Pokemon I would want to be. It’s ok to let TV be your babysitter once in a while. I watched a ton of it as a kid and I turned out, debatably, fine!

• To Order Takeout- I love to cook and I do try to serve my kids a vegetable with every meal, but I’m no Gwyneth. My kids eat their fair share of McDonalds and Taco Bell, and they haven’t grown any extra body parts from all of that processed food yet!
• To Go To Bed at 9 pm on Friday With No Shame– I still love a good night out, but sometimes it’s ok to admit that you’re not as young as you used to be and turn in early. Most days I’m exhausted all afternoon, but then have trouble sleeping at night so now, when I get the urge to pass out right after my kids are in bed, I take it.

• To Lose My Temper– Yes, I yell at my kids. I get in bad moods, and I have bad days. I am not a perfect parent, and my kids don’t need me to be.
• To Love My Mom Bod– This has been especially tough as I inch closer to forty. My metabolism has slowed to an almost complete stop and, despite my best efforts, my weight has been creeping up. I’m trying to accept my new body, and, instead of being disappointed or critical, to remember everything that it has accomplished and to be grateful for how healthy it is overall.

• To Bust Out in Spontaneous Song and Dance When My Kids Leave for a Night at Their Grandparents’ House– I love my kids, but that doesn’t mean I have to spend every waking moment with them. It’s ok to be excited and happy to have some time away from them, and it doesn’t make you a bad parent. It just makes you an honest one.

• To Take a Compliment– No more shrugging off compliments! No more, “Yeah, well, anyone can do that.” No more, “This, no, it’s not that special.” Let’s try, “Yes, you’re right. That does look great on me.” or, “Yes, I am awesome at that!” I mean, you don’t need to say that aloud, a simple thank you is great, but you get the point. Stop downplaying compliments! Now is the time to accept that you are awesome and appreciated!
• To Celebrate and Appreciate Myself– Why am I so good at loving and taking care of my family and friends, but horrible at being caring and kind to myself? We all deserve to be cared for and feel special, especially when we put so much time and effort into giving to others. Though it would be nice, I can’t expect someone else to do it for me. I’m working on loving and caring for myself by trying to treat myself the way I treat other people I care about. It’s a work in progress, but I’m getting there!

Just in case it wasn’t clear, I’m also giving YOU permission to do all of these things, and anything else you need to do to keep sane. Not that you need my permission, of course, but you can feel free to blame me if you get any negative feedback while you’re taking care of yourself for a change. In fact, you can even send me the complainer’s phone number. I’ll sort them out! And don’t forget:

♥ Erin