Now that we’re officially in summer, the you-pick (or U-Pick) farms are open for the season! Some already have peaches, strawberries, and blueberries available, while others offer a variety of cherries and other fruits later in the season. Though every farm has its own rules, there are some universal tips for taking the family out for a day of fruit picking. Before you head out for a basket of berries, keep reading. Read more
We wanted to travel somewhere as a family during the big kid’s spring break but weren’t feeling ready to take all three kids on the airplane together just yet so we opted for getting some things done at home then venturing on a 3-day vacation in San Francisco. The only problem was that our kids have such different needs and interests due to their ages (newborn, 2 and 8) so I needed to plan a trip that would entertain all the kids. We’re not big fans of crowds because it’s harder to maneuver around with a stroller — or when chasing a runaway toddler — so we skipped things like Pier 39 and shopping in Union Square and went for a few of my favorite areas instead and some well-planned activities instead. Read more
Sometimes finding a block of time that works for everyone in the family is tough, so instead of a bigger vacation, you go out for just the day. My husband and I both have rotating work schedules with sort of opposite hours at times so it was a lot of fun to head out to Alameda, CA for the day and enjoy a mini family vacation. Our kids have a 6-year age difference so we really wanted to find things to do that would accommodate both of them (and us). Keep reading for our favorites. Read more
This post was sponsored by Amazon but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
For some, Spring Break means more sleep, family vacation or kids camp. For me, it means figuring out how to entertain my 1-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter while building my business, working on deadlines and attempting to not let the mom guilt consume me because the work seems never-ending (but I also do all of the jobs for this website and Navigating Postpartum, so there’s that). I was all set to sign Savannah up for a 4-day camp to get a little bit more time during her 2-week break from school when she protested, saying how much she hates camp. Ugh. I don’t know if it was the mom guilt or how much I love to save money . . . but I let her stay home. The good news? I learned some more reasons I’m thankful for the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet loaded with Amazon FreeTime Unlimited and that it’s OK for her to miss camp! Here are some ways the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet has helped us during the break so far, and why I’m OK with S not being at camp. Read more
It’s the perfect weather for spending time outdoors as a family right now, but with that, there can be a lot of unexpected injuries if you’re not properly prepared — even if you’re just going to the park to use the play set. Keep reading for 6 super important steps to ensure your family is properly equipped for outdoor fun. Read more
Do you go on hikes as a family? I know it’s hard to break away from the electronics and it sometimes feels like there’s too much work to do inside to get out of the house, but it’s important to set aside time for an outdoor activity like hiking as a family. I’m making an effort to hike more with my family this Summer, and am sharing some key reasons you should too (along with a Northside shoe giveaway)!
Veteran’s Day is one of few days a year that many American establishments honor service members and their families for their sacrifice & service, so you’ll want to be sure to do something to celebrate. But making Veteran’s Day a success requires careful planning, so knowing what’s available is important. Keep reading for a listing of the best Veteran’s Day happenings in travel, activities and dining the whole family can enjoy to celebrate their very own hero. Read more
Going to an amusement park with family while preggo can feel pretty unfair, but not at Disneyland! It has some safer preggo-friendly attractions. Can you guess which ones? Read more
There’s something calming about the beach — Kiddos play nicely, the sound of the waves sooth and you can kinda just be. There’s definitely a reason I frequent beaches despite not being a great swimmer. I drove about 4-5 hours to Mendicino with my mom and kiddo for a few days away while test driving the Lexus RX 350 and we were all a bit sad for our 3 days, 2 nights to be over. Keep reading for things to do with the family when visiting Mendicino. Read more
It’s officially Summertime— The perfect time for laying out on a picnic blanket with some treats and a good book . . . or 13. Keep up with the Summer reading programs, and keep bedtime routines interesting with these 13 new books for Summer. Read more
