3 Easy Tips To Survive Homework – Faster, Fun, and Even Delicious!

Disclosure:  This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyWayToVeg #CollectiveBias   H-O-M-E-W-O-R-K.  What feelings does the word bring up in your house?  My daughter is in 5th grade and the homework has become.... let's say "challenging".  Both quantity and quality.  I've been struggling this year to find anything that will lessen the pain.  This post will talk … [Read more...]

Back to School – Simple Tips To Take The Chaos Out Of School Day Mornings

Disclosure:  This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PackSnacksTheyLove #CollectiveBias Have your kids started school yet?  At our house, we are just getting back into the routine of the school year.  That means preparing for the next day, going to bed earlier and getting up earlier.  It means doing laundry and grocery shopping on a more regular basis. It means … [Read more...]

5 Fun Outdoor Learning Activities – Take Learning Outdoors with Tampico #SchoolisCoolwithTampico

Disclosure: Thank you Tampico Beverages for sponsoring this conversation. #SchoolisCoolwithTampico Why take learning outdoors? School isn't the only place for kids to learn.  After school or on the weekend, refuel with some Tampico juice and bring the kids outside for fun (and shhhh, don't tell them, learning)! Learning while playing games and outside in fresh air and sunshine has unique benefits: Kids remember things they learn … [Read more...]

Family Vacation Idea For Kids Who Love Animals – Fun With A Learning Component

Disclosure: My daughter and I were provided an all expenses paid trip to Discovery Cove and SeaWorld including travel, accommodations and activities. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #TheMoms #ad  What do you look for when you are planning a family vacation? If a learning component is important to you, I have a suggestion! My daughter and I recently took a long weekend to Discovery Cove in Orlando and I found that the animal … [Read more...]

Parenting Tweens: Is It Time For Rules or Relationship?

Disclosure: Dream Resorts provided an all expenses paid trip to Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa including travel, accommodations and activities. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #MomsEscape #MotherDaughterEscape #ad  Parenting tweens.  It can be a challenge.  Your child will be changing, growing up, experimenting and testing everything around them, including you.  I recently had lunch with a woman whose daughter had just … [Read more...]

Do You Know Someone Who Could Be America’s Top Young Scientist? #YoungScientist

Disclosure:  KLY was compensated for this post. Have you heard about the Young Scientist Challenge? Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - STEM.  I'm a huge believer in STEM education for children.  Not only are these the areas that will create their future, the whole way-of-thinking is critical for development of a child.  When the US Department of Labor created a list of the top ten occupations, guess what?  ALL TEN were … [Read more...]

How To #SparkAMind And Use Early Learning Resources For A Lifetime of Learning

Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. When I became a parent, one of the things I wanted to pass down to my daughter was a lifelong love of learning.  My parents had given me the gift of curiosity, interest in anything new, and a desire to learn about anything and everything.  I remember my mom and dad would encourage me to find something interesting in … [Read more...]

Giveaway: My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear Line – Perfect for Expectant Parents! (US, Ends 2/3)

Disclosure:  The prize will be provided by My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear line. These are TOO adorable!  Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. My Baby’s Heartbeat Bear line offers adorable plush toys that have a special twist - they hold a recording of your little one's heartbeat from your ultrasound exam!  Isn't that an awesome idea?  Created by a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer specializing in OB/GYN for her patients, these … [Read more...]

A New Equinox and a $500 Gift Card? Read About What Chevy Gave Us! You’ll Be Surprised…. #ChevyShopsForGood

Disclosure:  Chevrolet provided goods and services to me and my family as part of this campaign.  All opinions are my own. I often see news reports about companies making donations but recently I was honored to be able to actually participate in a wonderful act of giving by Chevrolet!  They even included my family which is something that always wins my heart.  No, Chevy didn't give us a new Equinox and $500, well they did but what we … [Read more...]

DIY Box Tops Containers! Give to Friends And Family For Help! #BTFE

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills®. The opinions and text are all mine. Last week we went shopping for General Mills products with bonus Box Tops for Education at Walmart.  FIVE Box Tops on each product!  Did you see my post about making shopping with kids more fun?  My daughter's school collects Box Tops and uses the money for purchasing athletic equipment for their phys ed program.  My … [Read more...]

5 Tips To Make Grocery Shopping With Kids More Fun #BTFE

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills®. The opinions and text are all mine. Even though it might be easier (and heaven knows, faster) to shop alone, I’ve been taking my daughter grocery shopping with me.  Now that school is back in session, it’s tempting to run to Walmart during the day and pick up everything I need (ha, and no toys!).  But that “be-mature-voice-in-my-head” says, … [Read more...]

Giveaway: Mabel’s Labels Combo Pack (US and Canada, Ends 8/31) Hangin’ On To Summer Hop!

Disclosure:  Mabel's Labels sent my daughter a combo pack, just like the winner will receive. Every once in awhile I think about creating a "Kelly's Lucky You All-Star Product Award" for my favorite reviewed products.  Mabel's Labels would certainly be one of them.  I've been a loyal customer since my daughter was itty-bitty. Do you have certain items that you keep in a special place so that you can get your hands on them … [Read more...]

3 Reasons I Love My @SanDisk Memory Cards and Flash Drives From @BestBuy #SanDisk #ad

Disclosure: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.  @BestBuy @SanDisk #SanDisk   It's back-to-school time and that's the perfect time to pick up SanDisk storage from Best Buy! Here are three reasons why I love my SanDisk Storage! 1.  SanDisk SD cards from Best Buy free up the memory on your smartphone or tablet so you can get … [Read more...]

Just 15 Minutes A Day To Avoid “Summer Slide” AND Keep The Fun – #SmarterSummer #IC #Sponsored

Disclosure:  I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Carson-Dellosa. I reviewed the free content on their website  to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation. PROBLEM:  Children experience a loss of academic skills and knowledge over the summer.   What is "Summer Slide?"  Based on a survey conducted by Carson-Dellosa, 84% of teachers say students forget or … [Read more...]

Need Some Mother’s Day Inspiration? #PutYourHeartToPaper #sponsored

Disclosure: I have been compensated by Hallmark in exchange for writing this post, but the content and opinions are my own. Mother's Day is Sunday, this Sunday May 10th!  It's a very emotional day for me as I'm sure it is for many others.  It brings up feelings about who we are, where we came from, and what legacy we will leave.  While I'm happy to have a day to celebrate mothers, I'm also glad to see the holiday become broader in it's … [Read more...]

Cookbook Giveaway: “Everyday Confetti” (US, Ends 1/28)

I hesitated to call this a cookbook, technically it's a "go-to-guide to making holidays, birthdays, special events, and even the everyday special".  It includes so much more than recipes!  I love, love, love the book, "Everyday Confetti".  I'm a huge believer in creating positive memories by observing family traditions.  "Everyday Confetti" has ideas galore for celebrating life with your family.  And the ideas feel doable.  There not … [Read more...]