20+ kid-friendly activities in Olympic National Park {and 20+ tips to make the most of your stay}

Exploring and enjoying Olympic National Park with kids Sponsored postCan you believe that I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest almost my entire life, yet I had never been to Olympic National Park? We travel a lot as a family, but somehow the National Park just hadn’t made it on our radar until earlier this year when our oldest got excited about rain forests and we realized how overdue we were for a trip to ONP.

For this past Father’s Day weekend, we decided to do a somewhat last-minute trip to the peninsula so we could explore the Olympic National Park as a family and finally see what we’ve been missing. It turns out we’ve been missing a lot.

For one, there are actually 4 parks in one in Olympic National Park. From glacier-covered peaks, gorgeous lakes, miles and miles of Pacific Ocean beaches, old growth forests, waterfalls, hot springs, and ancient rain forests, there truly is something for everyone.

21+ things to do with kids in Olympic National Park

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10+ reasons why you should own ZOOTOPIA on DVD and Blu-ray

Sponsored post Zooptopia movie and charactersIt’s the day we've been waiting for! ZOOTOPIA is now out on DVD and Blu-ray!

As soon as I saw Disney's ZOOTOPIA movie, I was smitten. In so many ways, ZOOTOPIA was just as good, and in many ways better, than I had hoped. It had action, it had adventure, it had heart, and it had a really wonderful message.

Even months later, we’re all still talking about takeaways from the movie and parts that we really enjoyed as a family. The conversations are only getting better as we process the movie and discuss it further. Clearly this was a movie we needed to own.

Why should you own ZOOTOPIA? I'm so glad you asked. Here are just some of many reasons:

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Where we were: Disney World for #DisneySMMC

Sponsored post Disney Noise GirlsThis last week was pure magic. We just got home from 9 days in heaven and now I'm enjoying all of our amazing memories we made during our week at Walt Disney World. It had been over 16 years since hubby and I visited Disney World, and to say we were overdue is definitely an understatement.

This is us in Disney World back in 1999 with my two sisters {I'm second from the left, hubby is on right}. We were BABIES! Disney World 1999

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Let your little one follow their heart with Aeromax

Sponsored post Shoot for the moonWe tell kids to dream big all the time. We say that they can be whatever they want to be… when they are older. But, what about now? What if we gave them the tools to follow their hearts today?

You won't even mind that what they want to be changes by the hour when following your heart is as easy as slipping on a new costume from Aeromax Toys. If you’re unfamiliar with Aeromax, I highly suggest you check them out. I was first introduced to their line of dress up gear at our local children’s museum, and even though the costumes had likely been worn and washed hundreds of times, it was clear to me that Aeromax Get Real Gear was special from first glance.

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Spring shopping at Northgate Mall in Seattle

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So, Easter in Seattle was cold and rainy, like usual. But, we didn’t mind because our rain plan was actually our only plan: The Northgate Mall EGGcellent Easter Party for Kidgits members. But, that won’t be a surprise to anyone that knows us, since Northgate Mall is pretty much our holiday go-to plan if we aren’t seeing family.

This past weekend the mall was all done up for Easter for their EGGcellent Easter Party, and as usual, it did not disappoint. There was face painting, treats to snack on, robotics to marvel over, crafts to construct, and even live bunnies to hold. Northgate Mall bunniesWe checked in at the Kidgits Club desk and showed our membership cards to get little goodie bags for the kiddos, and then we headed over to take our annual pictures with the Easter Bunny before we visited the booths. Here’s one of my favorite shots from our Bunny Photo Experience: Easter bunny

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Taking care of me with Nature Made

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I know most of you reading are parents, so you’re well versed in the art of caring for others. But, ask yourself one question: what ways do you care for yourself? I’m not talking about cruising through a … Read more

Take your kids to see Disney’s ZOOTOPIA today

Sponsored postIt’s the day that every kid and kid-at-heart has been waiting for! ZOOTOPIA is now playing in theaters everywhere!

Zootopia5669c94c46210As soon as I saw the toys hit stores for the new ZOOTOPIA movie, I was sure I was going to love it. Not knowing anything about the characters or the movie plot specifically, I was already drawn in just by the diversity and flair of the main characters. One hilarious preview in, and I was counting down the days to March 4th for the theatrical release of ZOOTOPIA.

I'm not saying that I'm always good at predicting a blockbuster, but I did call that Frozen was going to be a sensation, so….

We got to see ZOOTOPIA at the Seattle pre-screening, and it was just as good, and in many ways better, than I had hoped. It had action, it had adventure, it had heart, and it had a really wonderful message. Even days later, we’re all still talking about takeaways from the movie and parts that we really enjoyed as a family, and the conversations are only getting better as we process the movie and discuss it further. Zootopia screening 2

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Relax, there’s still time to score the perfect gift thanks to the Kmart Fab 15 Toys

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the Role Mommy Writers Network and Kmart. All opinions are 100% my own.

Are you still shopping for the holidays? Yeah, me too. This year has been really hard for me to cross off my list while still working and doing all the school and family obligations, and I'm way behind with just days to go.

The fact that I'm running behind isn't really the surprise, it’s who is still left on my list that is the crazy part. It's not the usual hard to buy for group of teenagers and those that have everything, it's the kids. You know, the normally easy to buy for kids that I usually have gifts for back in June. Those kids are still on my list. Every time I’ve gone to shop for them, I’ve started doubting my choices worrying that it’s not the perfect gift and I've left with nothing. Kmart shoppingAnd, it’s not just nieces and nephews that I’m second guessing myself on. Would you be surprised that I still don't even have Santa presents for my own children? Yep, it's true. Santa might be a big 'ole letdown this year because of my lack of planning and the fact that I've been struggling to find where to start looking for the vague gift ideas they gave the big guy. Are you scared for me?

Don't worry, because Kmart is coming to my rescue, again. Kmart boasts ridiculously awesome toys and games for kids of all ages and stages, and that means that I can find everything I need in one place. But, what if I get overwhelmed when I walk in the toy section and see all those awesome choices? That’s where the Kmart Fab 15 Holiday Toy List comes in.  

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Our annual tradition: Breakfast with Santa at Northgate Mall

Sponsored postThis weekend we got a chance to cross off another family tradition on our list this year: the Northgate Mall’s annual Breakfast with Santa. Every year we look forward to the beginning of December so we can dress up the kiddos in some fancy new clothes from Gymboree and head to Northgate Mall to meet the big guy himself while enjoying a nice continental breakfast. Northgate Mall Santa 2015Yes, we could technically see him any day since he has been in the mall for weeks, but there is something special about waiting for the event for the whole experience. Like last year, there were awesome crafts, we ate donuts and had coffee, and there were carolers to make it extra fun and festive. Northgate Mall Santa Breakfast

 

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