Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue is in theaters now
On the morning of my son’s third birthday, he came running into our bedroom to wake us up. He wasn’t wondering about cake or parties or even presents, what he really wanted to know was when he could be a fire fighter. When I explained to him that he had to be grown up – not just merely older – to fight fires, his face fell. I felt so bad for the little guy that I promised him that we would get him a fire fighter outfit and make him a fire engine so he could play fire fighter all day long. 
It’s been 9 months since then and his obsession with fire fighters has only grown, so as soon as I heard about Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue coming to theaters this summer, I knew I had to take him. He already had a deep love for Dusty from the first Disney Planes movie, so I was anticipating he would fall hard for the new film as well.
As it turns out, he loved it even more than I ever imagined. All week long, the kids have been fighting their own pretend fires at home while playing Planes: Fire and Rescue and I couldn’t be happier.
The Snuza Go! baby care aid for total peace of mind
A few years before I had kids, my cousin had a scare that sent them to the hospital only days after bringing home their newborn. I heard my cousin tell the story about how she was holding her baby and felt her stop breathing and I never quite got over it. My little cousin ended up being fine and was diagnosed with sleep apnea that was then treated, but I remember thinking “what if they hadn’t been holding her when she stopped breathing?”
I don’t think there’s anything more frightening than being handed a teeny tiny little baby and sent home with it, knowing that you are solely responsible for keeping that child safe. 24 hours a day. A time in which I would need to sleep, shower, and at some point, work from home. I vividly remember the first few days of parenthood when I would check my daughter’s breathing about 10 million times an hour and would only be able to concentrate on something else for a second if I had verified with 100% accuracy that she was, in fact, still breathing.
The new good2grow drinks are good2go
I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meets blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.
Have you seen the new good2grow drinks everywhere recently? I had coupons for them and was looking for weeks without any success, and then out of nowhere they appeared in nearly every grocery store I visit. We’re talking huge displays, full shelves of individual drinks with special character bottle caps, and refill packs in a variety of different flavors. 
What we’re playing with: the Keurig Rivo
Okay, so it's not a TOY, exactly, but that doesn't mean we're not playing with it. I mean, seriously, look at this beauty. Don't you want to play with it, too? 
Yes, that's the Keurig Rivo, a single-serve espresso machine with a milk frother built right in. This is what's known as heaven for us non-coffee types who can't make a good cup of coffee to save our lives.
Laundry room re-do with Blinds.com
When we moved into our house almost 7 years ago, I was so excited to finally have a laundry room. It seemed like a pretty nice upgrade from our “laundry closet” of our rental house and an awesome improvement over our “laundry kitchen” at our past house.
But, then I didn’t quite know what to do with the room once I had it. It was an awkward, L-shaped space that came complete with an ugly Utilitub, a useless wire shelf, and no good place to put the washer and dryer. Thank goodness I found Blinds.com, because it gave me the inspiration I needed to finish the space and create a separate and functional room that is truly fun to enter.
Where we were: the new See’s Candies in Woodinville, WA
This past week we took a break from our crazy busy summer schedules to hang out with some of our local blogging friends at the opening of See's Candies in Woodnville. While they had me at "candy", I was also excited to see behind the scenes, sample some treats, and let the little ones learn how to pack chocolate boxes like a pro. 
See's Candies stores feature a candy counter where you can try a sample and create your very own custom mixed box of chocolates and candies. Along with the delicious candies that they are famous for like boxed chocolates, truffles, nuts and chews, lollypops, and sugar free candy, they also have seasonal favorites and new recipes to try.
We've been fans of See's Candies for as long as I remember, introduced to the brand at a very young age by an aunt who couldn't visit Washington without leaving with a sampler or two, but it's only been recently that the kids have fallen in love with the brand. It *may* have something to do with the fact that their Kidgit's Club membership gets them free lollypops. 
Mission: Courage for starting school #PlanesToTheRescue
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. (#CollectiveBias) and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
This is a big summer for us because the beginning of fall doesn't just mean my daughter goes back to school. This year, my son starts school as well. That means I've got exactly 2 months to prepare him mentally for the fact that he will soon be a big kid – the kind that has the courage to walk through the school doors without either parent a sibling.
This is happening, whether we’re ready or not. 
Summer project: Making a switch to natural ingredients
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. {#CollectiveBias} and its advertiser. All opinions on #FreshNaturally are mine alone. 
Like most people, now more than ever I’m paying a whole lot more attention to the brands I purchase for my family. It’s really surprising when you start reading what’s in the things that you buy, and it’s even more surprising when over half of those ingredients are virtually unrecognizable. Making a switch to natural ingredients has been a goal of mine and I’ve recently made a huge effort to make it happen.
While I’ve still got a ways to go before I’m completely done with the transformation, I’ve made some huge progress in ridding my household of items with artificial colors and flavors, unnecessary fragrances, and preservatives. And, it really wasn’t that difficult at all, in fact, it was actually quite fun.
AT&T helps you get fit with the Jawbone UP24 activity tracker
Earlier this month we attended an event hosted by AT&T at David Barton Gym in Bellevue, WA. Along with Seattle area tech, parenting and lifestyle bloggers and reporters, we got to test the newest wearable technology from Jawbone during a workout with one of the gym’s fitness trainers.
As excited as we were for the event, I must admit we spent a crazy amount of time right here in the entrance to the gym with its gorgeous wood detailing. 
Our Groovy Girls Sweet 16 Tea Party
We all want our daughters to grow up in a world where they are only limited by their own imaginations. Even in our fast-paced lifestyles, such a place still exists and it’s within the world of Groovy Girls. These colorful soft dolls are full of personality and spunk with a message to girls to be true to themselves.
This year the iconic Groovy Girls from Manhattan Toy Company are turning 16 and they are as big of a hit now as they were when they first arrived in toy stores all those years ago. In fact, Groovy Girls just won the prestigious Parents' Choice Award this year!