I’ve had my Instant Pot for a while now, and it is still my most used small appliance (besides the espresso machine!). It is just so time-saving! Most nights, I can whip up dinner in 20 minutes, which this busy mom appreciates! I’m also thrilled to be able to bake up some tasty desserts in…
Baking with a Toaster Oven in the Summer
One item on my summer bucket list was to spend more time teaching Claire how to bake. She’s ten years old, which is a great age to start giving her a little more ownership in the kitchen. She knows how to make scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, and some other basic recipes. To give her the opportunity…
Our Surprise Disney Vacation Scavenger Hunt
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Last summer we surprised our kids with their first trip to Disney World in Florida! It required lots of planning and scheming to pull it off but we were able to successfully surprise them. We started planning for our trip…
Free Time Blocking Calendar
In this post, you can get a free time blocking calendar to help you create a plan for your days to get more done. Continue reading to find out how. Get started with Time Blocking Several years ago, my Time Blocking Template was made available to download and you loved it! Thousands of readers have…
Teach your Children How to Help Around the House with Zone Cleaning for Kids
One of the best ways we have taught our children to help with chores is by creating a Zone Cleaning System. This is a simple way to delegate chores in a fair way, because the chores rotate weekly and everyone gets a turn. This school year has kept us busy, but it’s time to get back…
Holiday Instant Pot Recipes
Every year it seems like the holidays sneak up on us and I’m scrambling at the last minute to plan our holiday meals. Thanks to our beloved Instant pot and these recipes, I know that this year will be easier! Most of us will have turkey or ham as the main dish, but what about those…
Backyard Activities for Kids
I love summer and I love spending time with our children going on adventures and making memories. Warm weather is on the way and soon our children will be back outside enjoying the sunshine. This list of backyard activities for kids will help you create a fun space with plenty of fun things to keep…
6 Must-Have Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners
Did you just get a new Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and you’re not sure where to begin? I’ve gathered 6 must have Instant Pot recipes for beginners like me! These are basic recipes that will simplify your meal prep and save you tons of time! I have several friends who own and love their Instant…
S’mores Cupcakes
Enjoy your favorite campfire treat with these easy to make S’mores Cupcakes. We made these and sent them to school for a birthday treat last year and they have been a fun addition to our summer BBQ’s. S’mores Cupcakes for a Birthday Treat This year, our daughter turned 9 years old! Because this was her…
After School Routine Chart for Children
Today I’m sharing our After School Routines a giving you a free after school routine chart that you can print and use at home. This has been a great tool to use with our school-aged children to help them practice a good after-school routine. This chart will help you to nag less and teach independence…
3 Tips to Improve Your Day
When things are getting hard and you’re struggling to have a good day, you need a few quick tips to help you get out of Things have been rough these last few weeks. The crazy Christmas season, emotional and never-ending transitioning back to the US, and supporting family and friends going through tough times. The pressures from life right now…
Gift Ideas for Avid Readers
Looking for the perfect gift for an avid reader in your life? This extensive list of gift ideas for readers should help you find the perfect gift. Finding a unique birthday or Christmas gift for an avid reader can be hard. We know they would love more books, but if you’re looking for some different…
Simple Crock-Pot Roast
This week was begging for a slow cooker meal. It was busy, busy, busy! I’m so thankful for my slow cooker during these busy weeks. I decided on this simple crock-pot roast. It’s so nice to just put in a few ingredients and in just a few hours, have a delicious home-cooked meal ready to go! 5…
What’s For Dinner? Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
When we were in Ireland, years ago, we headed to the West coast. We visited the beautiful Cliffs of Moher and spent the weekend with our friends in their picturesque Irish cottage in County Claire. This was our last trip in Ireland and a gift. Our friends little home was surrounded by idyllic fields full of…
Routines, Habits and Independent Children
I’m a big believer that routines are GREAT for children. Routines help them to know what to expect. Routines are also a huge blessing to parents as routines teach children small habits they need to be more independent. It doesn’t take forever either, after just a week or two many routines becomes second nature. Kind-of like…