Matching Girls Monday: hello, summer!

Matching girls in Gymboree

I remember the glorious summer days of my youth spent pedaling around the neighborhood from morning until night. Days spent running from house to house and only stopping home to eat and grab swimsuits. I’m trying to give my kids a similar summer, and that means little or no scheduling is going on. Sports and activities … Read more

Matching Girls Monday: remembering the beginning

DSC05443This is my matching girls in one of my absolute favorite matching outfits they have ever owned. This was the second matching outfit set I ever bought them during a Gymboree campaign, and it's admittedly getting a little small for both, but we love it so much that we just can't retire it yet. Girls in Gymboree dresses 2

Read more

Changes to the new 2017 Britax B-Ready Stroller

2017-b-ready-black-fr-300rgbSponsored postBy now, you know how much we adore the Britax B-Ready stroller. But, maybe you have a question about the older B-Ready as compared to the new 2017 B-Ready we shared last month? If so, this post is for you. As B-Ready owners for nearly 7 years, I can't even tell you how many people I have spoken with about the stroller and our immense love for it, but it is definitely in the hundreds. Britax 2017 B-Ready at ZooI can also tell you that I have been personally responsible for dozens of people buying their own B-Ready throughout the years. You just can't beat all the different configurations or the fact that it grows with your family. Start with the infant car seat{s} and then graduate to the in-line double seater as you need it. Since we walk everywhere with our three kiddos, we have put hundreds and hundreds {and hundreds} of miles on our beloved B-Ready stroller throughout the years, over three countries and countless cities and towns.

Read more

Matching Girls Monday: vacation style

My matching girls were comfortable and cute while traveling this spring. When we are traveling, I like to dress them in clothing that is comfortable to play in, sleep in, and can be layered for warmth.Family in Chelan Wapato During the day, they took off the leggings to wade in the water looking for fresh water clams, and later in the afternoon when the wind picked up, we added light coats and the outfit easily went from day to night.

Read more

People Blocks first building sets allow little ones to create with the power of magnets

People Blocks lay flat6a0105362badb1970b01b8d26a17bd970c-800wiMy little one is convinced that she’s as big as her siblings and should be able to do every single thing that they do. Unfortunately, this is most definitely not the case, which makes for some really frustrating play times when she insists on playing with the older kids’ toys but isn’t able to master the skills needed. People Blocks in packageThis is why I’m always on the hunt for toys that seem older and more mature, but are easy enough for her to grasp the concept on her own so she can play without frustration. An added bonus is if they can keep her occupied for hours, but even better is when those toys also hold the interest of all of my kids so they end up playing happily together for long periods of time. People Blocks ticked all of these boxes and then some, and they are one of my favorite new toys to make their way stateside.

Read more

The new and improved 2017 Britax B-Ready

Britax 2017 B-Ready StrollerProduct for this post was provided by Britax, but the love for this stroller is all ours. As always, all opinions are 100% our own. Post may contain affiliate links to help support our travels!

Love isn't a strong enough word for how much we adore the Britax B-Ready stroller. We got the original B-Ready back in 2011 when it first came out, and it was the best choice we could have made for our family. Having gone through several strollers already with our two small children, we were ready for a quality-built stroller and had considered several double strollers, but something told us to wait for the B-Ready. The wait for the B-Ready was worth it because truly nothing compares to the performance and versatility, its luxury details and its 12 different configurations. 4f54c6c1-9cf1-40bf-916d-763a1217ee1d.jpg._CB281849506__SR970 300_Even now, 6 years later, I love the B-Ready stroller more every year as it has grown with our family. With the added bottom seat it proved to be the perfect double stroller for us – first as a mom of two little ones and now as a mom of three who sometimes has to cart around bigger kids as well as the baby. Since we walk everywhere with our three kiddos, we have put hundreds and hundreds {and hundreds} of miles on our beloved B-Ready stroller throughout the years, over three countries and countless cities and towns.

Read more

Our matching girls

I love it when we meet new people and they will remark excitedly about the fact that my daughters are wearing matching clothing. The first question after that is usually to ask if we did it on purpose or inquire if it’s a special occasion. They are literally shocked when I then say that my girls have spent roughly 99% of the 2+ years they have known each other wearing matching clothing.  Carter's kissesWhat follows is usually a flood of questions wanting to know why they match, whose idea it was, and then they always want to know how on Earth I found so many outfits that match for the past two years.

I always tell them that "matching girls" was entirely my oldest's idea. When her sister was born in 2015, she wanted to make sure that everyone knew how excited she was about her baby sister and declared that they were going to match every day.

Read more

Parenting: when sick gets real

This post has been sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Carter's Sibling ShirtsI’ve got three little kids, all of whom have independent schedules and loads of interaction with other kids. This basically means that cold and flu season is a constant struggle to stay healthy, and to minimize any illness that hits home. This year has been especially bad and there hasn’t even been one day that the kids’ classes were full or there weren’t a few last-minute playdate cancellations due to illness. 

I can’t have them live in a bubble or sanitize every surface they *might* touch, so what’s a parent to do? I want to make sure they can see and play with their friends and not miss out on crucial lessons, but I definitely don’t want them bringing home every little sniffle that goes through their classes. Awesome Science Party friends 2To combat illness, we implement these basic rules for keeping healthy:
1)    Wash hands frequently, and make sure kids know how to wash properly.
2)    Staying home when we’re sick – no need to send the illness around the school, family, or playground.
3)    Keep a good routine. With healthy amounts of activity, good diets, and plenty of sleep, we manage to avoid quite a few illnesses a year.

Read more

Seattle Premium Outlets last-minute gift guide

Are you worried there isn't enough time left to pick up thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list? Never fear, Seattle Premium Outlets is here to help and no one will ever have to know that you shopped last minute! 

I'm sharing with you our gift guide for every age on your list. Every item was found at Seattle Premium Outlets this past week and is perfect for gifting this holiday season.  HGG for parents and grandparentsSPO holiday picks for womenFlannel: Eddie Bauer, Boot Cuffs and Socks: Timberland, Bracelet and Bag: Coach OutletSPO Practical gifts for girlsFlannel: (r) Eddie Bauer (l) Timberland, Socks: TimberlandSPO holiday picks for womenPajama Pants for Women: Hanna, Pajamas for Baby: HannaSPO holiday picks for womenStar Wars Shirt and Bow: Hot Topic

Read more

Festive and fun last-minute shopping for everyone on your list at Seattle Premium Outlets

Sponsored postCan you believe Christmas is less than a week away? It seemed like I had things under control and then late last week I checked I still had a dozen of presents left to buy and the days were flying by. Instead of stressing out, I decided to take an afternoon off and head up to Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip, WA for a day of shopping, meeting up with friends, and ultimately, crossing off my list once and for all. Seattle Premium Outlets signBaby and I set off on an epic shopping trip that started with meeting up for coffee with a long-lost friend, and then ended with her falling asleep clutching an empty Coach shopping bag, a Tigger bracelet, a handful of stickers, and a notebook – all of which were given to her on our shopping trip for being such a delight. Seattle Premium Outlets coffee break with friendsWe stopped by guest services where we were greeted with beautiful holiday decorations on the fireplaces flanking the food court. This is where you can pick up mall gift cards as well as shop their huge selection of restaurant, store, and experience gift cards at the gift card kiosk.

Read more