Goody gumdrops! Spring has sprung! Out with the old toys, and in with something else to hold their attention between now and the start of summer. The holiday baubles are long forgotten about, so why not gather them for a trip to Goodwill, and start afresh? Here are some of our picks: [Amazon affiliate links below]

Don't you think it's pretty cool to serve up a salad for your family with the vegetables you picked just minutes ago in your own garden?

Have you ever considered starting a vegetable garden? In recent years, we've seen an increase in the number of moms (yes, modern moms like YOU) turning to their own gardens to grow their own vegetables to save money, eat healthy foods, and live a more holistic lifestyle overall. Some say that gardening is even a stress-reliever (although when I think about the trials of my first-time gardening experience, I'm not so sure I'd agree).

The point is, however, organic gardening is enjoying a level of popularity like never before, and raised gardening seems to be the popular choice. A quick stroll around a few of the backyards in your neighborhood might reveal small board or stone sided rectangles in peoples' backyards housing mini vegetable gardens. That’s called “raised bed” gardening, and it’s actually a GREAT method for breaking into gardening. As with all new hobbies, there are many considerations (and for the record, we are NOT experts on raising vegetables. In fact, we’re still trying to figure out how to raise our kids!), but we wanted to give you some information to get you started.

Kids growing up? Yep, mine too! I now have two teens (16 and 13 years) and a tween (11 years), so lately I’ve had to think carefully about which items we can add to our home to engage their interests while at the same time keeping a playroom of toys for my 8 year old. Of course, if you're one of those fortunate souls with a swimming pool out back, you're already sitting pretty (#justaddpizza). For the rest of you, here’s what I’ve come up with:

That's right - SPRING BREAK IS ALMOST HERE! This year, Spring Break is March 14-18 for The Woodlands schools and most other local districts. There's no shortage of things to do in the area, but here are our Top 25 ideas to get you started:

Small changes add up to big results! Here are 3 lifestyle improvements you can start making today that'll improve your well-being in 2022. (We've included Amazon affliate links below for your shopping convenience.)

1. Drink more water. You’ve heard it said that we need 8 cups a day, but you might need more depending on your age, size, and level of activity. If you’re not already consuming the required amount, techniques such as drinking a cup as soon as your wake up, or carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day, can be helpful. I highly recommend this HidrateSpark Smart Water bottle! I started using these bottles years ago, and they’ve been worth the $50+ dollars they cost. Many of my friends have purchased their own as well and have been pleased with them. The bottle tracks your water intake by syncing via Bluetooth to the app, and it glows to remind you when it’s time to chug.
   Read more …

Did your daughter get a sewing machine for Christmas? Or maybe you’re teaching her (or yourself) to sew on the machine you’ve had stored away for years. Either way, you might need a starting point. You’re in luck! You don’t have to run to Joann’s and sift through drawers of paper patterns. These days, all kinds of PDF patterns that can be printed on your home printer and assembled with tape is the best way to get started. They include easy-to-follow instructions and color photos to guide you along the way.

My little one (age 7) has been asking to sew something for the longest, and we finally took the plunge over the holiday break. She has sewn items in the past, but this is the first apparel project she was able to make with very little help. I thought I’d share the info here in case you’re interested.

Layne’s Ruffle Shorts by CKC Kids can be made by a beginner sewist in just a couple of hours. It's winter time and we're hoping for cool weather, but little girls need shorts to wear under the dresses (plus, it's Texas)! My daughter wore her new shorts the very same day that she made them. These simple shorts have an elastic waistband and can be crafted with or without a ruffle hem. There are only two identical pattern pieces to cut, plus a piece of elastic. The pattern for these shorts is for sizes Newborn up to size 15/16 and also includes a doll pattern so your little one can make shorts for her American Girl doll or similar 18” doll.

When you visit the CKC Kids website, you can sift through hundreds of sewing patterns, and feel free to sort them by skill level. There are beginner patterns for boys also! Happy sewing!

I don’t know who first came up with the idea of hot cocoa bombs, but in recent years, these little gems have been trending as a must-have addition to your festive mug of hot milk or water. Many local sweet shoppes and independent bakers start taking orders for bombs in the late fall / winter.

Interested in making your own? We did all the Googling for you and curated a list of 5 of the best recipes online, based on recipe reviews/comments and website credibility. Enjoy!

NOTE: For starters, these silicon molds were the BEST ones we found on Amazon (ad) based on user reviews for hot cocoa bombs, so order them now so they’ll be on hand for when you’re ready to use them.

Shugary Sweets - This recipe is our favorite from the list, because instructions are super clear, and the photos show you exactly what to do! 

Real Simple

Hallmark Channel

Borderlands Bakery - Lots of options involved with this recipe, if you want to spend more money on supplies and do something extra special.

Note Quite Susie

Christmas time has arrived! We're excited to present these favorites of the season that you'll enjoy with your little ones! For ease in ordering, affiliate links are included for each recommendation.