A Good Enough Mom

20 Baby Shower Gifts Moms Shouldn’t Live Without

By • August 22, 2018 • About, Family, Gift Ideas, Mom Life, My Favorite Things

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

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5 Quick and Easy Recipes For When You Have No Time (Or Energy) To Cook Dinner

By • August 15, 2018 • All Things Food, Recipes

Happy Hump Day! How has your week been going? This week has seriously got me like:

 

Yep, pass out on the floor of the grocery store tired. BTW, if you haven’t watched the hilarious Sharon Horgan on Amazon’s show, Catastrophe, you have seriously been missing out! Anyway, I’m frickin frackin exhausted, but for some reason, these kids still expect me to feed them, and I should probably have something to go with my favorite dinner.

Sorry, not sorry

All of these recipes are:

  • Made with 10 ingredients or less
  • Done in 30 minutes or less
  • Full of healthy, whole food ingredients

 

Photo credit: Gimme Delicious

Print

Healthy Roasted Chicken and Veggies

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Author Layla from Gimme Delicious

Ingredients

  • 2 medium chicken breasts chopped
  • 1 cup bell pepper chopped any colors you like
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 1 zucchini chopped
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes chopped or plum/grape
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 500 degree F.
  2. Chop all the veggies into large pieces. In another cutting board chop the chicken into cubes.
  3. Place the chicken and veggies in a medium roasting dish or sheet pan. Add the olive oil, salt and pepper, italian seasoning, and paprika. Toss to combine.
  4. Bake for 15 minutes or until the veggies are charred and chicken is cooked. Enjoy with rice, pasta, or a salad.

Print

Shrimp Fried Rice

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Defrosting 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Author esorkin916

Ingredients

  • 1 dozen small frozen shrimp
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic
  • 1 cup frozen stir-fry veggies
  • 1/2 cup frozen edamame
  • 1 tsp sesame oil optional
  • 1 tsp fish sauce optional
  • 3 cups cooked or frozen brown rice - sub with cauliflower rice if you want to go low-carb
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  1. Defrost the frozen shrimp- Place them in a strainer and then submerge the strainer in a large bowl of ice cold water. Let sit for 5 minutes and then replace the water in the bowl with more cold water for another 5 minutes. 

  2. While the shrimp is defrosting, heat a large skillet or wok with the 1 tbsp. olive oil.
  3. Add the 1/2 tbsp. of garlic and, after 30 seconds, the edamame and stir-fry veggies and cook for 3 minutes.
  4. Add the brown rice, 1 tsp. of sesame oil, 1 tsp. of fish sauce and 2 tbsp. of soy sauce to the veggie mixture and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  5. Take the defrosted, pre-cooked shrimp, dice it into bite-sized pieces and add it to the rice.
  6. Finally, push the rice mixture over to one side of the skillet and add the two eggs to the other side. Mix the eggs until scrambled and the fold them into the rice mixture. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can substitute brown rice with lower carb cauliflower rice or even cooked soba noodles.

Feel free to add in any extra veggies that your family would enjoy.

Print

Spicy Baked Turkey Burgers

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Author esorkin916

Ingredients

  • -2 lbs. of 93/7 lean ground turkey
  • -3/4 cup of plain greek yogurt
  • -1/4 cup diced white onion
  • -1/4 cup of sweet peppers red yellow, orange
  • -1 Tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce
  • -1 Tablespoon of minced garlic
  • -1 teaspoon of fennel seeds
  • -1 teaspoons of red pepper flakes
  • -pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Add ground turkey, along with all other ingredients, to a large bowl.
  3. Mix ingredients well with your hands and roll into patties.

  4. Place patties on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake the patties for 20 minutes.

Recipe Notes

If you don't like spicy food or making this for little ones, feel free to omit the hot sauce and red pepper flakes and sub with garlic powder, smoked paprika or any spice you prefer.

I like to eat these turkey burgers on top of salad or on their own topped with a large dollop of greek yogurt and hot sauce. 

 

Photo credit: Life as a Strawberry

Print

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken Taco Bowls

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Author esorkin916

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 2 tsp taco seasoning
  • 1 cup black beans
  • 1 cup shredded spinach

Instructions

  1. Place chicken breast into the Instant Pot, sprinkle with taco seasoning, add spinach and black beans and then pour chicken broth and salsa on top to cover.

  2. Seal the instant pot, hit the poultry button and set the timer for 15 minutes. 

  3. While the chicken is cooking, chop the tomatoes, avocados, cilantro, lettuce and anything else you want to add to your taco bowls

  4. When the timer goes off, turn the nozzle on the cover to naturally release the steam.

  5. When all of the steam has been released, about 5 minutes, shred the chicken inside the pot with a fork.

  6. Serve the salsa chicken over brown rice or cauliflower rice or you can use it as taco filling in tortillas. 

Recipe Notes

If you don't own an Instant Pot, this recipe can be made in a slow cooker with the same low level of effort, but it will take longer. Throw in all ingredients on low for 4-6 hours and go about your day.

Our favorite taco bowl toppings are:

  • Shredded lettuce
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Diced red onion
  • Diced jalapeños
  • Diced avocado or guacamole
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Extra salsa

 

Photo Credit: Kitchn.com

Print

Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi and Veggies

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Author Sheela from Kitchn

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh shelf-stable or frozen gnocchi
  • 2 medium bell peppers or one bag of frozen bell peppers cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 1 small red onion cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves optional
  • Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions

  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 450°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil
  2. Place the gnocchi, peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Drizzle with the oil and gently toss to combine. Spread the gnocchi mixture out evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Roast, stirring halfway through, until the gnocchi are plump and the vegetables are tender and caramelized, 18 to 20 minutes total.
  4. To serve, spoon the gnocchi and vegetable mixture into individual bowls and garnish each bowl with the basil and grated cheese, if using.

If the thought of making another dinner has you more like this….

.

YAAASS

than this….

Why is this weirdo so happy to be slicing tomatoes?!

You need to try one of these quick and healthy meals, and don’t forget your “fruit salad”!

♥ Erin

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20 Amazing Life Hacks for Busy Parents

By • August 7, 2018 • About, Failures and Successes, Family, Mom Life, My Favorite Things, Parenting, Travel

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!

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Rain, Rain, Go Away: 15 Activities For A Rainy Day

By • July 31, 2018 • About, Family, Family fun, Fun at Home, Parenting

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

 

 

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Edible Sensory Play Recipes For Babies and Toddlers

By • July 26, 2018 • Family, Family fun, Fun at Home, Parenting

All this rain we’ve had in RVA lately has left me scrambling to find fun, indoor things to do with my three kids, especially the littlest one who needs a lot of help staying out of trouble. Sensory play is a great indoor activity for kids of all ages, even my eight year old can’t get enough of playdough and slime. However, it’s especially beneficial for little ones because it keeps them busy while also promoting their growth and development.

Three Main Benefits of Sensory Play

  1. It promotes the development of many skills including: oral language skills,  fine and gross motor skills,  memory skills and problem solving skills.
  2. It helps to relax anxious children.
  3. It teaches children to use sensory characteristics (sticky, gooey, dry, cold).

Here are five of my favorite taste-safe sensory play activities: 

Banana Pudding Slime

 

  1. Add instant pudding mix and half of your cornstarch to a mixing bowl. Add 1/3 cup water and stir until slime begins to form (it will be pretty sticky at this point)
  2. Slowly add the rest of your cornstarch, stirring as you go. When slime thickens and is hard to stir with a spoon, finish kneading by hand.
  3. Making slime isn’t an exact science, and sometimes I need to add a bit more water if the slime is dry, or a bit more corn starch if it is sticky. I’d compare it to making bread: sometimes you need to keep working in flour until you have the perfect consistency.

From The Soccer Mom Blog

 

Homemade Kinetic Sand

  • 1/2 cup flour  
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1 Tbsp. oil (any kind) 
  • 1 Tbsp. corn syrup.

If it runs a touch on the drier side add a touch more oil in your next recipe.

From Surviving a Teacher’s Salary

 

Pumpkin Pie Play Clay

  • Canned Pumpkin
  • Cornstarch 
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice
  1. Take your pumpkin and stir it until it’s smooth.
  2. Add enough pumpkin pie spice that it smells delicious.
  3. Slowly add cornstarch and stir.  Once the dough starts drying out, you’ll want to switch to kneading.  You want the dough to roll into a ball, but it should not stick to your hands.
  4.  If it is sticking to your hands add a bit more cornstarch; if it is so dry that it won’t form a ball and is crumbling instead, add a small amount of water.

∗The amounts of cornstarch will vary depending on the brand and quantity of canned pumpkin you use. The dough will keep for 2-3 days sealed in the fridge.

From Fun At Home With Kids

 

Yogurt Silly Putty

  • Corn starch
  • Yogurt- Make sure it’s a yogurt without chunks of fruit.
  1. Mix together 1 cup of yogurt and 3/4 cups of corn starch
  2. When the mixture is no longer sticky, pick it up and roll the putty into a ball (to further mix the yogurt and corn starch)
  3. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in additional corn starch. If it’s too dry, add a bit more yogurt

From Smart School House

 

Ooblek

Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups of Corn Starch
  • 1 Cup of Water
  • 10 Drops of Food Coloring (optional)

1.  In a shallow bowl, combine the corn starch and water.  The mixture will be thick and hard to stir, so mix the ingredients by hand.

2.  Add the food coloring and mix well.  We used green food coloring to look like the Oobleck in the Dr. Seuss book, but you can pick any color.

From ABC’s of Literacy

 

Other great things to use for baby sensory play:

Rice Crispies/Cheerios or other cereal that isn’t a choking hazard

Boxed Mashed Potato Flakes

Ice

Colored Rice

Tapioca Pearls

Gelatin

Sensory play is so much fun for the whole family, and many of the items I used above you probably already have in your pantry. Summer is a great time to experiment and get messy with sensory because, when you’re done, you can throw them in a baby pool in the backyard for easy cleanup. If you try any of the recipes, please let me know how it goes. Let’s get messy!

♥ Erin

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Family Budgeting 101: Simple Steps to Financial Freedom

By • July 24, 2018 • About, Budgeting, Family

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

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Ten Fun and Easy Summer Date Night Ideas

By • July 18, 2018 • Date night, Husband Stuff

After kids, date nights are a bit of a crap shoot. It’s tough to keep the romance alive amidst all of the sleepless nights, diaper changes and spit up, not to mention how terrifying  it is to leave your child with a sitter for the first time. However, taking the time to connect, even if you don’t leave the house, is more important than ever.

In a study conducted by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, W. Bradford Wilcox and Jeffrey Dew highlighted five reasons why date nights have strong correlations to healthy marriages:

1.Communication: Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings. arguments and distance between couples. These are feelings that chip away at marital happiness. Taking the time to get away, talk and focus on each other will build communication.

2. Novelty: Unique, shared experiences are important for long-term relationships. They help get you out of your routine.  If you try something new together, you will also create memories and inside jokes that you can share together for years to come.

3. Eros: Eros  or “romantic love”  is something you probably experienced at the beginning of your relationship. Making the time to remember what you love about your spouse helps keep that romantic love alive.

4. Commitment: By taking time out of your busy lives to schedule and devote time to each other, you are displaying your commitment. Letting your spouse know that you are committed to each other can solidify your bond.

5. De-stressing: Sometimes there is nothing I need more than to get out of my house, have a drink and share a laugh with my husband. It’s better than the best therapy!

Here are my ideas for Ten Great Summer Date Nights, five for when you can escape into the city and five you can do at home:

Host Your Own Outdoor Movie Night: This one can  be done at home in the backyard with a baby monitor. Download a movie on your iPad or laptop and then grab a blanket and a bottle of wine and head out to your backyard for a romantic movie night under the stars.

Get in Touch With Your Inner Child: Eat sugary cereal, play video games or board games, color or build a fort together, anything that you both loved to do as kids. You’ll have a blast and you might learn something about your spouse’s childhood that you never knew before.

Have a Culinary Adventure: Visit Hardywood on either Wednesday (West Creek)or Thursday evenings (Original location)for their famous Food Truck Court and order something off the menu from at least 4 food trucks. Take turns feeding each other and talking about your favorite meals as kids and your favorite  meals you’ve shared together.

Kid Around in an Amusement Park– If your kids are too young to visit King’s Dominion or Busch Gardens, there’s no reason you and your spouse have to miss out on the fun. August 4th-19th King’s Dominion is hosting their Beer and Barbecue Food Festival with great live music, craft beer and barbecue.

Plan a Mall Dare Adventure– Visit a local outdoor mall in the evening and, while you’re enjoying the summer weather, have fun with this dare game. Go through the mall and see how many dares you each can complete. Be sure to set up what the winner gets ahead of time.

 

Have Lawn Fun and Games- For those couples with a competitive spirit, set up the baby monitor in your yard and try a new outdoor game together like Molkky, Bocce Ball or Ladder Toss.

Go Star Gazing– The Perseid meteor shower started on Monday and continues until August 24th, with the peak on August 11th-August 13th. Grab a blanket and visit a local park after dark for some snuggles under the stars.

Plan a Lip Sync Battle– Use the free printables from The Dating Divas found here, for song and movie scene lip sync cards and have your own epic lip sync battle.

(If you can kill it like JGL, please send me the video! Seriously, is there anything that guy can’t do?)

Try Something Outdoorsy Together– Go on a Segway tour or take a SUP (Stand-up Paddleboarding) class on the James River.

Expand Your Mind Together- Listen to a podcast outside with your feet in a wading pool and cold drink in your hand or, if you’re a nerd like me, you can work on a puzzle together while listening to a best-selling audio book.

I never said it would be easy! ROFL

Focusing on our kids is always important and sometimes all-consuming, but taking time to connect with your spouse is honestly the best thing you can do for your kids, not just for your marriage. It may seem dramatic, but seeing parents with open communication and a deep commitment to each other will shape their childhood and all of their future relationships. So make time for each other and schedule that date night today!

♥ Erin

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Your Summer Reading List: 18 Books You Won’t Want To Put Down

By • July 5, 2018 • About, Entertainment, My Favorite Things

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

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Baby Gone Beach-A Guide to Beach Must-Haves and Leave Behinds

By • June 29, 2018 • About, Family, Family fun, Travel

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*

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Summer in the City: Fun Family Activities Happening in RVA

By • June 29, 2018 • About, Family, Family fun, Richmond

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 15th 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.

Rocketts Red Glare– July 3rd-4th at Rocketts’ Landing from 7am-10pm– A FREE family-friendly event, open to the public, with activities, vendors, music, food trucks, craft beer offerings and a pro beach volleyball tournament hosted by EVP Tour. Culminating with riverfront FIREWORKS on July 4th at 9 PM!

Carmax Free Fourth of July at Lewis Ginter–9am-5pm. FREE admission to the Garden on this day includes Butterflies LIVE!, Origami in the Garden, live music from the Happy Lucky Combo, a parade, and more. Open rain or shine! Sponsored by CarMax.

Hanover Tomato Festival– Saturday, July 14th from 9am-4pm at Pole Green Park-Enjoy all day live music, yummy tomato delights, over 150 artisan & business vendors, the MaterFUN zone (designed for children 12 & under), Bow-Wow Beach (cooling station for pets) and of course Hanover Tomatoes. What more summer fun could one ask for?!

James River Parade of Lights– Saturday, July 21st- 6-9 pm at Osborne Boat Landing– Celebrate Christmas in July with the lighted boat parade sponsored by the James River Advisory Council in cooperation with Henrico Recreation and Parks. Enjoy entertainment before the parade.

Richmond Jazz Festival– Thursday, August 9th-Sunday, August 12th at Maymont– One of the largest music festivals on the East Coast, this event boasts a lineup of award-winning national talent. Check the website for hours and tickets as the event gets closer.

Filipino Festival– Friday, August 11th from 5-10pm and Saturday, August 12th from 10am-10pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. The Filipino Festival is a community event which showcases the richness of the Filipino culture and features delectable cuisine, folk dances and music. They will also be hosting a Race N’ Roll 5K and 1 mile fun run on Saturday morning before the festival opens. Admission to the festival is free.

Carytown Watermelon festival– Sunday, August 12th from 10am-6pm– In addition to the delicious watermelon dishes and other yummy food on offer, big bands, jugglers, and folk acts will entertain from 5 outdoor stages and there will be a kid zone in Cary Court.

Labor Day Free Community Day at Lewis Ginter– Monday, September 3rd- Free admission for all from 9 am-5 pmon Labor Day sponsored by Genworth.

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

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