family

54 posts

June 20, 2017 / family , places to go

Down on the Farm

It's really doesn't really feel one hundred percent like summer around here until our favorite local farm opens for strawberry picking. There, now isn't that better? Feels like summer already doesn't ...

June 17, 2017 / family

No More Littles

Where or where does the time go? I am so excited it's summer. Really. But, I feel like we are starting a new chapter here. Little E will be entering his second (and final) year of preschool in the fal...

September 6, 2016 / sponsors , big kids , family

Making Back to School Shopping Fun

Back to school shopping is not always the most exciting thing for a 12 year old boy. But! Back to school shopping mixed with a few fun activities and a little one on one time with mom, and things star...

August 21, 2016 / sponsors , family , parenting

The Secret to Easier Morning Routines

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central Yikes! Anyone else wondering where summer went? Back to school is just around the corner and I don't k...

July 2, 2016 / family

The Secret to Household Sanity

This post was sponsored by P&G as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.” Do you feel like you just can't stay on top of all...

June 27, 2016 / family , sponsors

The Snack Thief

I am currently hiding a bag of almonds way in the depths of my cupboards. There's a bag of chips stashed behind a box of trash bags in our hall closet and ice cream tucked away in the back of our free...

June 21, 2016 / family , Photography , reviews

Wolf Pup Threads Review

Oh my gosh I am addicted to the kids T-Shirts that are all the rage right now. You know all the adorable ones with fun graphics and sayings on them? They pretty much solely make up my boys summer T-Sh...

June 16, 2016 / family , recipes

Under The Sea Lunch Inspired by "Finding Dory" & Nature's Harvest®

Thank you to Nature’s Harvest® bread for providing us with coupons, gift card, and gift pack, in order to create this "fintastic" lunch and share information about Nature's Harvest ® bread. The opinio...

May 31, 2016 / family , Father's Day

Father's Day Gift Guide For the Techie Dad

I told you we are on top of Father's Day this year! If you missed it, we just published Over 20 Father's Day Gifts Kids Can Make. Dad, Grandpa or whomever would love any one of those gifts. But, if yo...

May 30, 2016 / places to go , family

A Visit To The Roger Williams Park Zoo, Rhode Island

Want to visit one of the best zoos in New England? Of course you do! Speaking of New England, there are so many cool places around here and I haven't shared nearly enough of them with you. Well that's...

May 23, 2016 / family , Father's Day

Father's Day Gifts Kids Can Make

Father's Day is right around the corner. I will be the first to admit I am always right on top of it as far as having the kids make Mother's Day gifts, but for some reason Dad tends to get overlooked ...

May 2, 2016 / family , parenting

For the Love of Monday | How to Help Kids Feel Connected

I'm sitting here this morning, with two of my guys off at school and my littlest bored to tears without his brothers, and it got me thinking about that first day back after a school vacation. Spring b...

April 29, 2016 / baking , family , sponsors

How To Make Baking with Kids Fun

Thank you Shaws for sponsoring this post. Check out the new Signature family of brands from Shaws and Star Market with more than 4,000 Signature products available and a 100% money-back guarantee. I l...

April 27, 2016 / family , Photography

Tips for Getting in More Photos with Your Kids

Time goes faster than you think. I know we always mean to get those family pictures done or get someone to snap a picture of us with our kids at a special event, but how often do we actually get it do...

April 25, 2016 / sponsors , family , parenting

Essential Tips for Surviving with Sick Kids

A big thank you to Pfizer Consumer Healthcare for providing us with the video and gift card to make this post possible. All thoughts, opinions & sick kids are 100% my own. We just got done not too lon...

April 19, 2016 / family , reviews

Strolling Around Boston with Our gb Pockit Stroller

This post was sponsored by @GBChildUsa as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received the gb Pockit Stroller to facilitate my review. I've got two very active little guys (ages ...

April 7, 2016 / family , mommy tips , parenting

Potty Training Tips All Parents Should Know

We are working on potty training our youngest child. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little teary eyed at the idea that there will be no more diapers in this house ever again. On the flip side, that...

February 24, 2016 / family , parenting

Hitting the Reset Button

Life is all about balance right? And every once in a while something can fall out of balance and set an otherwise even keeled Mom into a tailspin. At least that's what happens around here from time to...

February 21, 2016 / family , recipes , reviews

For the Love of Starbucks (DIY Marshmallow Stir Sticks)

This post was sponsored by Starbucks as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received compensation and complimentary products to facilitate my review.” To say we are Starbucks fan...

October 19, 2015 / big kids , family , family fun

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Triple Play #TriplePlay10

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Boys & Girls Club of America.I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation. I've already shared with you ...

October 9, 2015 / parenting , family

Taking Care of You (& Me)

We've been making a lot of lifestyle changes around here and I've been trying to figure out the best way to begin sharing it all with you because I really do want to share. (I mean craving kale is a r...

September 7, 2015 / family , recipes

Whole Wheat Rotini w/ Roasted Zucchini - #FallForFlavor

This post is sponsored by Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade pasta sauces. That said, my love for pasta sauce and wholesome real food is all my own. With school starting and fall knocking on the door, our ...

September 4, 2015 / birthdays , family

7 Ways to Keep Your Child's Birthday Simple & Fun

I feel like we've had birthday after birthday this summer and most recently Mr. C turned four. Four! I can not believe it! It's so cliche but time really does fly. We have had our share of elaborate b...

July 2, 2015 / family , outdoors , sponsors

Summer Memories at the Fishing Hole #HelloSummerFun

I participated in a Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for OshKosh B’Gosh. I received an OshKosh B’Gosh gift card to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for my part...

May 11, 2015 / family , Photography

Self Portraits of Mom ( A Mother's Day Tradition)

I decided to take on a little personal photography project this Mother's Day. The idea was to get in at least one photo a day for the 10 days leading up to Mother's Day. If you have been following me ...

September 4, 2014 / Uncategorized , birthdays , family

Cake Boss

My husband has become our own personal "cake boss" of sorts.It all started rather innocently after binge watching Cake Boss episodes on Neflix last winter. Around the time of Little E's first birthday...

August 4, 2014 / family , parenting , summer

Making Road Trips Easier

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign withPollinate Media Group™ and Wet-Nap but all my opinions are my own. pmedia showusyourmess http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV We love a go...

June 14, 2014 / arts & crafts , diy , family

Make an Autographed Memory Shirt To Commemorate The End of The School Year

I know some of you are probably already out of school and if you are, hey, file this away for next year. Here in our neck of the woods we still have another one and a half weeks to go though. With tha...

May 16, 2014 / family , parenting , toddler play

Sometimes in Parenthood All You Can Do is Laugh

Once in a while I need to prove to you my life isn't all that much different than yours. Once in a while I need to write something so I can look back and laugh at it in twenty years. Once in a while (...

May 15, 2014 / family , home , toddler play

A Big Boy Bed Makeover

Why is it every little boy wants a sports room? Well ok, maybe not every little boy, but every little boy in my life at least. My oldest has had a sports themed bedroom since he was three and Mr. C is...

May 13, 2014 / our bookshelf , learning , books

What's On Our Bookshelf

I love new books don't you? The only thing I love more than new books for myself are new books for my kids. We have So.Many.Books. I thought it might be fun to start a little series and share our favo...

April 13, 2014 / Uncategorized , family , Photography

Simply Linger

Simply Slow down... move at a child's pace and linger a little longer With the sun shining and the temperatures climbing we've been heading to the park any chance we can. When there, I have not minded...

March 31, 2014 / family , parenting

What Life is Really Like with Two Kids Under Two

My two youngest boys are 17 months apart. Everyone said it would be hard in the beginning but honestly, save for a few things like a serious lack of showering, a huge double stroller to learn to maneu...

March 17, 2014 / family , Photography , Random Thoughts

Lucky

I think I prefer the term blessed. There's no way these guys were just pure luck. They are most definitely a blessing.

February 11, 2014 / family , Valentine's Day

10 Stay at Home Date Night Ideas

What can I say, hubby and I like date night. Before kids we went out a lot. Oh how I miss that! But, we've been trying to carry on with our date night traditions even with two little ones. More often ...

April 5, 2013 / parenting , family , Random Thoughts

Things I've Learned

As far as I know little E completes our family. Being that he is baby number three, I think it's safe to say I've learned a few things about surviving those first few weeks at home with a newborn. Wit...

February 27, 2013 / family , birthdays , Random Thoughts

Happy Blog Birthday!!

To Me :) Or, rather to Plain Vanilla Mom! I can't believe it's been ONE YEAR. And what a year it's been!! A lot can happen in one year. For example.... Here are my babies in February of 2012 and here ...

June 11, 2012 / family , fun stuff , summer

Summer Bucket List 2012

Phew! We FINALLY got our summer bucket list made! I was beginning to think it would never happen. It started as random conversation one night over dinner and kept going from there. Before you knew it ...

June 7, 2012 / Random Thoughts , babycakes , memories

Nine Months

Oh baby boy, I can't believe it's been another month! You stood up today!! On nine months to the date I caught you standing in your crib. My have you grown! You are into EVERYTHING. You are crawling e...

June 6, 2012 / family , places to go

The Butterfly Place

If you've been following us you know that we just got done raising and releasing some butterflies. We are fortunate to have a place not too far from us that is (appropriately so) called The Butterfly ...

May 21, 2012 / outdoors , Photography , summer

How Does Your Garden Grow

One of the many things I love about the summer season is the gardening. There's something very satisfying and luxurious about being able to run outside and grab fresh tomatoes and basil for dinner. Th...

May 13, 2012 / kiddos , birthdays , family

Happy Mother's Day & Happy Birthday M

Hi All! Seeing as it's Mother's Day I'm taking a break from Sweet Sundays. However, if you were really looking forward to it and are a bit bummed it's not making an appearance this week I've got you c...

May 4, 2012 / babycakes , Random Thoughts , Photography

Eight Months

Dear C - Happy 8th month baby boy. I honestly can't believe we are almost three quarters of the way through your first year. It has gone so FAST. Faster than I could have ever imagined. It seems like ...

May 1, 2012 / Random Thoughts , kiddos , family

Three Nice Things

Contrary to what you might think my life is not picture perfect. Really you say?? The fun thing about the blogging is that it's really easy to paint a pretty picture. But nooo... I burn the baked good...

April 23, 2012 / Random Thoughts , kiddos , spring break

Spring Break

Happy Monday! Today marks the start of Mr A's April vacation week. I know a lot of you had spring break last week, but where we live, this is the week for us. We have a few things on the agenda and I ...

April 19, 2012 / kiddos , creative play , memories

Coffee Creamer Bottle Bowling

I was cleaning in the playroom the other day and came across a bag full of coffee creamer bottles that we have had since 2007!! No joke...if you look at the expiration dates on them, they are in fact ...

April 9, 2012 / nature , raising butterflies , kiddos

Raising Butterflies

Happy Monday! With all the business of Easter behind us I thought I would share with you a spring memory from last year while I spend some time running around and getting my house (and thoughts) back ...

April 1, 2012 / baking , family , kiddos

Easter Sugar Cookies

This weekend's big project was our Easter sugar cookies. Now, not to toot my own horn, but the family has lovingly dubbed me the sugar cookie queen lol. Hey, if I get to be the queen of something...ev...

March 30, 2012 / kiddos , family , Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts Over Coffee

My babycakes turned seven months yesterday. This morning as I was scurrying around doing my Mommy thing, I went to take a sip of my coffee and it was cold...again. Then it hit me. I realized I haven't...

March 20, 2012 / kiddos , family , Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts

Holy cow! Today it hit me. After six months I think I finally have a routine back. Apparently I had totally forgotten what it was like to have a baby in the house! Meal time used to be a fairly peacef...

March 19, 2012 / family , kiddos

Signs of Spring

I think this has to be close to my favorite time of year. I love it when the temperature starts to creep back up after dipping down all winter. When you can ditch the coats and smell the dirt. I don't...

March 1, 2012 / holidays , fun stuff , family

Leap Day!

How did you spend your extra day this year? We made the most of it and didn't waste a minute. Here are some of the highlights :) We greeted the day with this little guy.... We exchanged backwards note...

February 29, 2012 / family , home , kiddos

15 Minutes

So yesterday, with piles of shoes and toys mounting, groceries that had been unpacked onto the counter, but not put away, and a play date looming for later in the afternoon something had to be done. H...

February 27, 2012 / kiddos , cupcakes , crafty

Hello World!

Hello world! Welcome to my blog :) I'm really hoping we become great friends. We have so much to talk about! Meet C, Cutiest patootiest 6 month old there ever was if I do say so myself! Sure to be the...