Olive Garden copycat Zuppa Toscano recipe
I love soup, especially when it’s cold and grey. And, of all the soups I’ve ever tried, my favorite is the Zuppa Toscano from Olive Garden. I’ve been working on…
Cirque Du Soleil returns to Seattle with LUZIA: A Waking Dream of Mexico
Last night was my introduction to Cirque Du Soleil. After years of watching the Big Top rise and fall in Redmond, I finally made it to a show. And, it was simply amazing.
If you’re in Seattle, you may have heard all the commercials for LUZIA: A WAKING DREAM OF MEXICO, but if you haven’t, here is what you need to know:
LUZIA opened last night and runs through May 21, 2017. Just like other Cirque Du Soleil shows, LUZIA is an acrobatic show that combines music, dancing, amazing costumes, and some of the most mind blowing stunts and acts you’ve ever seen. 
This newest production takes you on a tour through Mexico, showing you glimpses into the country’s vibrant culture, and stage design inspired by the beauty and diversity of its landscapes. LUZIA is a combination of “luz” {light in Spanish} and “lluvia” {rain}, two core elements of the show that carry you from opening act to final bows.
Cute and comfortable customized footwear from ABEO
You guys, I have seen the future of footwear. And, that future is amazing.
Imagine a world where you take a few minutes to stand on a sensor and a computer magically tells you not only your size, but also your specific fit needs. This world exists, and it’s just as amazing as it sounds. The high-tech computer system gives information about your arch height, walking style, and the balance of your step, which the ABEO program then uses to customize your footwear experience in a whole new way.
Yes, I said customize. 
30+ fun things to do in Boston with kids
During our recent trip to Boston, we covered a whole lot of ground each day. We’re not lazy travelers, and we’re encouraging our kids to travel at the same pace we do. For the most part, they are amazing travelers, but we do take into account their interests when planning our trip to include attractions they most want to see. This makes it so they are as invested as we are in seeing all that we can so they can cross off their must-do list. 
If you’re working on a Boston list with your child, here are some great Boston destinations, activities, and ideas for exploring that kids will love. We’ve added links wherever possible to make it even easier for you to plan your trip.
30+ fun things to do in Boston with kids:
Beauty and the Beast inspired
Are you as excited about Disney's new live action Beauty & the Beast as I am? I remember seeing it in theaters when I was little and ever since then I've been in love. We're counting down the days until we take the kids to see the new Beauty & the Beast movie {yay! and shhhh! they don't know yet}. While we're waiting, I'm having fun putting together Beauty & the Beast-inspired collections. Doesn't this just make you happy?
I love this little rose purse I found at Target, and I know it's going to be well loved with my little flower girls. Add in a book and it's just what Belle would wear. My daughter just got the book and she's already well into it. My little book lover, just like Belle.
American Girl for everyone
My oldest fell in love with American Girl when she was only 1 year old, so we’ve been American Girl crazy for years and years now. But, that love is even stronger now that we officially have a doll for everyone, thanks to the newest American Girl contemporary dolls. 
Like most families, we start with the Bitty Baby line and then we ease in slowly to the American Girl Wellie Wisher, BeForever, Truly Me, and Contemporary lines. That transition is always a big deal when they go from baby to adolescent and with that comes doll books, movies, accessories, and more to immerse them further into the world of American Girl.
But, until this month, there was nowhere for my son to go after he outgrew his Bitty Baby boy {which thankfully hasn’t happened yet}. I dreaded the day my son would be done with babies and his love of American Girl would slowly fade while his sisters continued to play. I don’t need to worry about that anymore, because his love has only deepened with the introduction of Tenney Grant and Logan Everett.
Disney’s Moana obession level: High
Our Moana obsession started as soon as we saw the first trailers for Disney’s newest full-length animated film, and it persisted even after we saw the movie in theaters {not just once, but twice, which is something we never do}. The kids were counting down the days until they could own the movie themselves, so to make do in the interim between theater and DVD, we got the Moana soundtrack with songs by the amazing songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. The soundtrack quickly intensified their obsession and it basically hasn’t left the CD player in weeks.
And while some movies are great because they hold our interest and have great soundtracks, Moana was a movie I could get behind 100%. Instead of the tired old story of princess and prince waiting for each other in order to be happy and fulfilled, Disney is shaking up the game by offering us truly strong female characters. Moana is the newest in their lineup of progressive heroines that value self-discovery, independence, and rising to any challenge. This is why I not only allow the Moana obsession, but I also encourage it. 
This is why we’re all thrilled to announce that Moana is finally available on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand! Wooohooo! Even though the littlest one pronounces it “Noana”, the excitement she holds for the movie, the music, and all the new characters doesn’t need translating. This is a little girl who has been waiting for a 1/4 of her life for this day…. 
Marvel’s Doctor Strange is out on DVD and Blu-ray today
Remember when I told you not to wait to see Doctor Strange until it came out on DVD? Well, I hope you took my advice and saw it in theaters and then loved it as much as we did. And, I hope you adored it so much that you then were counting down the days until it was released on DVD so you could watch it over and over again. Like us.
We got to introduce our kids to Doctor Strange this week and their little minds were blown by the new superhero. “Is he a bad guy?”, “What are his superpowers?”, “Is he going to be okay?” So many questions. But, can you blame them? Doctor Strange is like nothing they have ever seen before, and a superhero like no other. As a parent, I loved them seeing a Marvel character that learned how to be a superhero. Rather than some accidental spill of radioactive material or a super power that comes on overnight, Doctor Strange just worked hard and studied.
I loved his transformation from an arrogant and famous neurosurgeon who embarks on a journey to find healing. When his travels take him to Kamar-Taj, a mysterious enclave where he learns that there is more to the center than meets the eye, you see the true superhero emerge.
10+ tips for car trips with kids
Do you have some long car trips coming up for the summer? Like most people, I will be spending quite a bit of time in my car over the next few weeks as we visit relatives, see the sights, and vacation with friends in the area, and I’m already planning ahead for the road trips with three young kiddos.
To me, road trips are a great way to bond and see the sights both near and far in ways you just can't on an airplane, and I love taking a good road trip {or three} each summer. But, because of limited space and cramped conditions, they can also be a delicate balance of having what you need with fun things to do, without packing your vehicle from top to bottom. The picture below shows a precarious suitcase tower that includes what 5 people need for a snowshoe, ski, sun, and swim trip and even with the bigger car, and all of this stuff really pushed the limits of what is manageable for a road trip.
Here are a few tips for awesome car trips with kids:
DIY bead storage and beading board for bracelet and necklace making
As a member of the Chick-fil-A mom panel, we were given coupons to try their new Chicken Tortilla Soup and then challenged to make a fun DIY with their soup containers. Some of the moms did some amazing upcycling projects and created luminaries, succulent wall planters, play instruments, and all sorts of super crafty things, but I went practical. As soon as I saw the containers, I realized they would make the perfect DIY bead storage container. 
Now, I know that doesn't sound exciting because basically I repurposed something that stored soup and used it to store beads, but stay with me. 
I've been redoing our art supplies now that the kiddos are able to craft more on their own and this has involved a ton of organizing. I was previously the only one using the crafting supplies and therefore knew where everything was stored. But, now that they can craft on their own, I needed to give them their own storage system so anyone can find whatever they need and then know where to put it back when they are finished.