Helping the Summer Learning Slump with TinkerActive Workbooks

Think your kids won’t forget the basics over summer break? Think again! I know from experience that it can happen. Too many video games and not enough learning

How to Spot Your Next Memory-Making Adventure

Have you caught the travel bug? If so, I know just how it feels. I love to travel with my family, but sometimes it’s hard to determine where

The Power of a Travel Agent in My Pocket

Let’s talk vacations and travel in general. Sometimes I just want to get away with the family and make memories somewhere new. It sounds good and all, but

Octonauts: Season 3 Watch Party + Beach Treats (Giveaway)

“Octonauts, to the launch bay!” When Captain Barnacles calls, the Octonauts know they better get there fast. But this time, it’s not an underwater emergency. It’s time for

Working from Home Means More Quality Time with My Family

Did you know that I used to work in Health Information Management (HIM) while getting my undergrad degree? In fact, after working with medical records, I switched my

How Kids Can Help Clean Up After Making Memories in the Kitchen

Making memories in the kitchen can get messy, really messy. When I cook with my kids (and even sometimes by myself), there’s a good chance there’s going to

How Memories are Made in the Kitchen

Growing up I have lots of memories of spending time in my grandma’s kitchen. My mom worked two jobs most of my childhood, just to keep a roof

Charter Fishing Boats: A Fun Family Adventure

When you live in Florida, there’s no doubt that some kind of memories will be made in or on the water – a trip to the beach, a

Hot Dots Jr. is a Great Speech Therapy Tool for Preschoolers

Yesterday, I shared about the one-on-one time I was able to get with my oldest son this past week. Today, I’m sharing how I also spent some time

Summer Fun Took a Slightly Gross, but Educational Turn

Summer is coming to an end for many of us, my family included. We’ve been trying to squeeze in all the last minute summer fun we can and

Low & Slow Pulled Pork Tacos

Every time I make tacos, there’s at least one person in the house who has something to say. “Tacos again?” … Yes, tacos again! They’re my spirit food!

We Almost Forgot the Back to School Fuel

Are you in a tizzy trying to get your child ready for back to school? New school supplies, backpacks, clothes, shoes, athletic gear… and the list goes on.

Making Memories at PAW Patrol Live!

Last night, my family had the chance to experience PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, here in Ft. Myers.

Chuck E. Cheese + CAULIPOWER = Fun for Everyone

As the summer winds down, we’ve been trying to get in some last minute fun before my son heads back to school. Yesterday, we spent our Freestyle Friday

Flying Through Summer at DEFY Fort Myers

We are officially past the halfway point of summer break and this Florida heat is killing us. It’s hard to spend any substantial amount of time outside without

PAW Patrol Live! is Coming to Ft. Myers + Ticket Giveaway

“No job is too big, no pup is too small!”… something I hear daily in my house, and considering our favorite PAW Patrol pups are making their way

Homemade Tomato Soup

Our spring/summer garden has been very gracious to us so far this year. As part of our garden, we planted several varieties of tomatoes and they are producing

Tasty Tuesday with Harlow’s Harvest

Since summer started, I’ve really been trying to organize some kind of weekly schedule to keep my kids engaged and learning. While some days haven’t really worked out

37 Summer Desserts to Feed a Crowd

Oh, summer. Sweet, sweet summer…literally. I love a good sweet treat in the summer months and sharing them with my friends and family, of course. You never know

46 Next Level Appetizers for Your Party

Appetizers are a sure fire way to keep a party going and that’s why they’re the focus of part 4 in my series of Potluck Perfect Dishes. Whether

30 Side Dishes to Elevate Your Summer Potluck

One of my favorite things about summer potlucks and gatherings, are the side dishes. Summer is so full of fresh grown vegetables, it’s the perfect few months to

22 Main Dishes for Summer Gatherings

I want to keep the recipe train going for my series of Potluck Perfect Dishes. If you missed the first installment featuring 28 Salads Perfect for a Potluck,

28 Salads Perfect for a Potluck

Summer isn’t just sun shiny weather. It’s parties, potlucks and gatherings of all kinds, and that means FOOD. What I love most about potlucks is that I can

Easy Coconut Pie

My summer dreams include family vacations, soaking in the water, fun in the sun and enjoying the freshest of summer flavors. Dreams are one thing and reality is

DINO-mite Birthday Party Ideas + Printable Banner

Earlier this month we celebrated our last first birthday. Yeap, our last kiddo turned 1. Since this was our last first birthday I knew I had to make

Free & Almost Free Summer Fun for Kids

Summer’s here, now what? The kids are out of school, they’re bored of course, vacation isn’t for another month or so (we don’t even have a vacation planned),

30+ Strawberry Sips, Snacks & Sweets

The month of May has a lot to offer. Warmer weather, a birthday in my house, the end of the school year (at least here in Florida), Memorial

Bacon Ranch Broccoli Salad

I’m super excited about something and just have to share it with you. My 3 year old daughter apparently shares my love of broccoli! Isn’t that just out

10 Easy DIY Teacher Appreciation Gifts

As usual, the school year has flown by. Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week and before we know it, summer will be here! Having volunteered in my son’s

Air Fryer Salmon Cakes

Salmon cakes, or salmon patties, as my family calls them, are something I grew up eating. It’s also one of the few recipes I actually remember. Growing up

THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD at LEGOLAND Florida

It’s not often we let our son skip school, but when we do, we go to LEGOLAND! If you’re a fan of LEGOLAND Florida, I’m sure you already

Tips for Staying Safe on a Cruise Vacation

Taking a cruise is a truly safe way to vacation and travel, but no matter how safe a form of travel or vacation destination is, it’s always good

Creamy Dreamy Lemon Bars

Here in Florida, spring is in the air. I know because my car is covered in pollen and my sinuses are feeling the wrath. But I also know

Making Memories at Disney On Ice + Video Sneak Peek

If you follow me on social (I hope you are!), then you know that over the weekend we kicked off spring break with a trip to Hertz Arena

DIY Printable Garden Markers

A couple of weekends ago my kids and I started some seedlings for our spring vegetable garden. And well, because the kids are involved (which I love) we

8 Dr. Seuss Crafts for Read Across America Week

It’s almost here; the day that comes every year. The day that we celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday by taking some time to simply sit down and read –

Instant Pot Zesty White Bean & Chicken Soup

In the winter months when the weather outside is frigid and icy, and all you want to do is curl up inside under a blanket, you need a

Highlights: Still Shaping the Minds of Kids After 70 Years

Do you remember Highlights™ magazines? These were really popular when I was a kid. I remember seeing them at school, doctor’s offices, and I’m pretty sure I had

Maple Bourbon Chicken Wings

What is better on game day than a cold drink and some chicken wings? … Nothing! So when game days roll around, you better believe both are on

Slow Cooker Pizza

My kids love helping in the kitchen and you may not realize it, but there is always something for them to do, no matter what age they are.

“Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” Cookie Classroom Treats

Are you ever just shopping and happen to see something that immediately sparks a fun idea? Well, that’s what happened to me over the weekend. I was doing

Christmas Juice Pouch Printables

I love sending fun goodies to school with my kids, so their classmates can enjoy every holiday. I am the classroom mom, after all. My favorite thing to

Ham & Asparagus Casserole: A Recipe for Leftover Ham

The holidays are the perfect time to enjoy a nice big, juicy ham. In my home, we even opt for a ham for Thanksgiving dinner. So when the

Turkey Zucchini Casserole: A Recipe for Leftover Turkey

Thanksgiving is the biggest dinner of the year. With the biggest dinner of the year comes lots of leftovers. I know I’m not alone when I say we

Used Toys Donation Letter from Santa

When the holidays roll around and I start planning gifts for my kids, I look around my house and wonder where the heck they are going to put

Instant Pot Rack of Ribs

There’s a pretty good chance that I used to be the world’s worst cook when it came to a rack of ribs. I could never get the flavor

Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup

Signs of fall: cool weather, sweaters, leggings, leaves falling, pumpkins, and slow cookers. Yeap, you read that right. It’s slow cooker season! I love using my slow cooker

Double, Double Toil & Trouble! Witches Fruit Snack Cauldrons

Double, double toil and trouble! Do you have the right fruit snack ingredients to make the witch’s Halloween potion? Make these Witches Fruit Snack Cauldrons for trick-or-treaters or

Halloween Snoball Monsters

I’m on a roll with all the Halloween treats I’ve been making lately and I’m not even done. I try to make Halloween more than just a one

Oatmeal Creme Pie Scarecrows

Fall is my favorite time of the year – pumpkins, cool weather (except in Florida…if you could only see my hard eye roll right now), holidays on the

Halloween Juice Box Printables

I consider myself a classroom mom and with that title comes the responsibility of making sure all the kids in my son’s class have fun goodies to celebrate

Instacart: Grocery Delivery When You Just Can’t (or Don’t Want To)

We’ve all been there…dinner time rolls around and there’s nothing to eat in the house, except cereal (not that there’s anything wrong with that); it’s time to pack

LEGOLAND Florida: Know Before You Go

It finally happened! After living in Florida for 15 years (yes, there was almost a 2 year hiatus when we lived in New Jersey, but 15 years total

Asian Glazed Meatballs

Do you love Asian flavors? Do you also love meatballs? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then you are going to LOVE this recipe. I

Cajun Style Shrimp Po’ Boys + Remoulade Sauce

Shrimp has to be one of my all-time favorite seafood’s. It’s something I can prepare the same way over and over, and never get tired of. But that

Free Baby Room Wall Decor Printables

Having a baby is an experience that’s both exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. Yay! Baby is coming. But wait! Is everything ready? One of my favorite

Grilled Southwest Black Bean Burgers

Do you have a healthy recipe that literally the whole family enjoys? They come far and few between in my house, at least the healthy part does, but

Smokey Salmon Sliders

Now that summer is in full swing, I have been craving fresh fish like there’s no tomorrow. Don’t get it twisted, I love fish throughout the year, but

One Pan Chicken Fajitas

When life gets busy, sometimes dinner gets forgotten. Instead of ordering out, quick and easy one pan meals are a great solution. Not only are they quick to