These Christmas traditions are what make all the hustle and bustle of this holiday season worth it to me. We were never real tree people until Otto was born (funny how kids do that for ya) and ever since then we decided welp, time for a real tree. It was a happy decision not only…
Mommin'
Otto Meets Santa Claus
Just one more thing checked off the Christmas list, Ottos meeting with Santa Claus. This year Otto is all in on believing in Santa and he was adamant that he had to get Santa his list. When my friend Sarah announced she was doing mini sessions with Santa I signed us up thinking it would…
Three Things We Do Each Day to Raise a Healthy Toddler.
This post is in partnership with IVaccinate.org Whenever I look back on our Journey with Otto’s heart health I always crack a little smile of relief with how far we’ve come. When he was a newborn everyone who came to our house hand sanitized and was not able to visit unless they had their annual…
Book Filled Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers
Thank you to Zonderkidz for sponsoring this post. All thoughts, opinions and reviews are my own. Otto is at the age where he understands holidays and looks forward to all of the different ways to celebrate them. We have finished with Valentines Day and are now learning about Easter. While I’m trying hard to convince Joe that…
Scavenger Hunt Nature Walk For Kids
One of my favorite things to do with Otto when we start to get a little stir crazy as the snow begins to melt is to bundle up and go for a long walk in the woods. Nature walks for kids and adults alike are so therapeutic and help clear your mind and relieve stress….
Fun Things to do In Traverse City with Kids
This weekend we needed a break. We needed to get away and we were also without a baby sitter. We put our heads together and decided to head north with our little family and our son Otto to meet up with my sister and brother in law. There are so many fun things to do…
Outdoor Activity: Exploring the Lake Michigan Ice Balls
This past week while Otto and I were cooped up in quarantine we decided to take a drive to check out the lake Michigan ice balls. I had seen the article on the news about them starting to form and thought.. what else are we going to do today? The sun was out and it…
Twenty Valentine’s Day DIY Ideas for Friends and Kids
Valentines Day is most likely going to be spent at home for Joe and I. That means, it’s time for some Valentine’s Day DIY gifts! This is actually the one “holiday” where Joe and I opt to stay home anyway. In previous years the menus are always double the cost and super crowded. We have…
Practical Warm and Versatile Outdoor Gear for Kids
Winter has arrived in Michigan and we are being creative with finding fun things to do outside of the house. We’ve been finding many fun winter trails that involve tracking through the snow and ice. As much as I love the adorable knit snowsuits (and those have their place) when we are out to lake…
Three Reasons Why New Years Resolutions Fail
Winter holidays are weird. First we give thanks, then we shop like crazy, then we gift the gifts and then we write out a list of things we want to improve or better in our lives. (Thanksgiving > Black Friday > Christmas > NYE ) (Yes, black Friday is a holiday of sorts). My entire…
Christmas Tree Hunting
The weekend before Joe went hunting we bundled up and went Christmas tree hunting our neighbors tree farm. It sounds a bit like a hallmark movie scenario doesn’t it? living next to a tree farm? Except I didn’t leave a big bustling career in NYC to return to rural Allegan to fall in love with…
Otto’s Zonderkidz Library Holiday Book Guide
Thank you to Zonderkidz for sponsoring this post. All thoughts, opinions and reviews are my own. When Otto was a sweet little baby in the hospital we felt helpless as new parents. We didn’t know medical terms, we couldn’t hold him a lot and we were still learning about his heart condition and what the…