This post is a partnership with Disney Book Group. I love books that spark the imagination of young readers. When I was a kid I had several favorites that had me reading into the wee hours of the night with a flashlight under my covers. I loved to read and still do as an adult! My girls are getting older now and have started to discover their own love for reading. My 8 year old and I have Keep Reading >>
Goosebumps 2 DVD & Giveaway!
When I was a youngster, I loved a good scare. My love for the unknown bumps in the night all stemmed from one author; none other than R.L. Stein. The Goosebumps books were always on my nightstand, and I stayed up into the wee hours in the night reading the books lit by flashlights under my blankets. This post is my opinion and has been written in my own words. My oldest daughter has Keep Reading >>
48 Hours on Oahu
It's true what they say about Oahu, it really is the gathering place. Most people stop off on Oahu on their way to other islands. What to do if you've only got a day or two? Of course there are the beaches, so many beaches. But there is so much more. We had only 48 hours on Oahu before joining the rest of the family on Kauai. My husband and I had lived on Oahu for the first two years of our Keep Reading >>
A Guide to Hawaiian Wildlife
No trip to Hawaii - regardless of the island - is without a few encounters with local wildlife. Some of the animals run rampant, some are protected, some are even endangered. They're nearly all charming. Here are some of the animals I saw in a week on Kauai. I didn't have to go out of my way for any of them. Cats Cats! They are everywhere! In fact, they've made the invasive species list. Keep Reading >>
RubySnap Cookies
My sweet sister-in-law Karey sent me a lovely package of cookies from RubySnap for the Holidays. I decided I would do a review of the flavors I received. I had never heard of RubySnap before receiving some of their cookies in the mail. So when I received the cute red box with the tagline "you know you want my cookies..." I knew I had to know more so I set out learning as much as I could about Keep Reading >>
Polynesian Cultural Center, an Oahu Must See
I don't care how long you're on the island of Oahu. Even if you only have one day, even if you only have time for one stop. Make sure you visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. In the interest of full disclosure, I worked at PCC a very long time ago. Also, while they did offer me a discounted press pass, I secured my admission tickets elsewhere. However, despite having worked at the PCC I Keep Reading >>
Iolani Palace, keeping the past alive
It was really important to me that my children learn something of the history and culture of Hawaii and not just the beauty of the 50th State. When my husband and I lived there I felt particularly annoyed at those who came to soak up the sun while missing completely the reality of the place. You miss so much depth and history and culture and real living when you stay at a fancy resort and do Keep Reading >>
Proof of Mum Resolutions
Let me tell you a story from our trip to Hawaii in November. While at the Polynesian Cultural Center I met up with a friend from high school and her family. Two days prior to that meet up we didn't even know the other was going to be on vacation at the same time, let alone at the same spot on the same island at the same time. But that is not the most amazing part! At the end of the luau at the end Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Jolabokaflod
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. Jolabokaflod. The word just rolls off your tongue, doesn't it? Okay, maybe it doesn't, but the concept is brilliant: yule book flood. Iceland is the most literate country in the world. In fact, what the Sears catalog was to us as children, marking the Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Star of Wonder
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. Stars are everywhere in Nordic Christmas decor. I guess it makes sense if you think about it. Not only did a new star light the way to the baby Jesus, but stars continue to light the dark through the long, cold norther winter. All month I've noticed Keep Reading >>