I started this post over a week ago. Since then the world has changed. First my oldest started driving and somehow I couldn't think of anything else for an entire week. (He's a great driver, but I do not trust the other people on the road.) Now suddenly the whole world is homeschooling to practice social distancing. And you know what? I'm re-writing my review because this book is even more Keep Reading >>
KeySmart Makes You Feel Smart
I have a smart speaker and a smart tv. I even have a smart thermostat (which I installed myself and that made me feel incredibly smart.) One thing I never expected to be labeled smart: keys. But hello 2020, here we are. Technically it's the key holder, and not the keys themselves, that is smart. Your house key is still your house key. But instead of clanging around in your purse, or making Keep Reading >>
How Do You Bleep Your Music?
Your children hear everything. (Unless you give them a task. Of course.) I have made a concerted effort to share music with my children. For the most part, especially when they're young, we listen to children's music. Fortunately we have many options for children's music across several genres. (Don't know where to start? Try our music archives.) However sometimes we want to listen to something Keep Reading >>
Why I am stepping away from Social Media
Social media can be addicting. With the start of the new year, I made some simple goals for myself. Some of the goals included becoming more organized, exercising and spending more quality time with my family. The new year started off strong. In fact, this past week I organized a few places in my house and got rid of some items that I didn't need anymore. However, while doing so, I noticed Keep Reading >>
Family Tech Summit
In our house technology is a tool. It is not moral: neither good nor bad. While it can be used for good and it can be used for bad, in and of itself it is neither. Technology is just a tool. As my children grow we find ourselves needing to reevaluate our relationship with and usage of technology. So we held a family tech summit for the beginning of the school year to set new goals and Keep Reading >>
5 Travel Must-Haves and a Bonus for Before You Leave
As much as I keep my shopping to a minimum and my packing as well, I found a few items I couldn't live without. 1. Travel Purse International travel comes with the worry of pickpocketing. In this scenario prevention is the best offense. I purchased a Travelon purse because it was slash-proof, had locking zippers, and was lined with RFID-blocking tech. While I hemmed and hawed on the size Keep Reading >>
Meet Kono Lux
The newest member of our family doesn't take up much space, doesn't make any noise, makes us more comfortable, and saves us money. It's a smart thermostat! Now don't get me wrong, I love my messy, noisy, climb-all-over-me, budget hemorrhaging children. But I'm also happy for some help to bring balance to my home. I received this item free of charge for the purpose of my review. While this Keep Reading >>
Nordic Christmas: Advent Calendars
This post is part of our series exploring Nordic Christmas traditions. To see the entire collection, visit the Nordic Christmas home page. Advent specifically refers to counting down to Christmas. It has ancient roots to the wise men watching for signs of the coming of Christ. Our modern iterations, however, are decidedly less spiritual. Modern advent is usually caloric and Keep Reading >>
Lenovo Legion Y7000P
For months I have been stumped on what to purchase my 12 year old daughter for Christmas this year. Asking her what she'd like for Christmas isn't much help. The question is met with a shrug, an "I'll have to think about it," or a "I'm Still thinking!" My daughter will be going to middle school next year so I wanted her big gift to be something that she could use for school but also Keep Reading >>
Ancestry DNA
This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. One of my college professors claimed in a lecture that all love exists in memory only. I immediately resisted the idea, but over time I see her point and experience proves it true. Loving someone is remembering your shared experience, remembering belly laughs and shoulders cried on, impromptu adventures and the forgiveness you worked so hard Keep Reading >>