Thank You, Teachers, For All You Do

June 20, 2018 by Marissa Leave a Comment

Thank You, Teachers

This post may contain affiliate links.

Thank you, teachers, for another great school year.

Thank you for standing at your doorway every morning, greeting each and every child with a welcoming smile.

Thank you for setting your classroom up in a warm and inviting way, so that every child has the best learning experience.

Thank you for starting off the day right, getting the kids excited about the day ahead with a fun opening activity, even when you didn’t get to have your morning coffee just yet. [Read more…]

How to Easily Create Free Printable Quotes to Frame

May 7, 2018 by Marissa 1 Comment

DIY Free Printable Quotes

How to Easily Create Free Printable Quotes to Frame (This post contains affiliate links)

Did you ever see a framed quote in a store and think, “I wish could make something like that!” ? I see them all the time and finally realized that yes, I can do that!

It’s actually pretty easy to create free printable quotes once you figure it out. When you start, you’re not going to want to stop!

I’m going to show you how to easily create free printable quotes using the free graphic design platform Canva. It is fairly easy to use once you try it and has plenty of features that are totally free. [Read more…]

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice

May 3, 2018 by Marissa Leave a Comment

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken Recipe, with BONUS Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe (This post contains affiliate links)

As a busy stay at home mom, I LOVE using my slow cooker. I turn it on in the mid-morning, add my ingredients, and by evening dinner is ready to go!

Who loves Mexican food? We do! This delicious slow cooker Mexican chicken recipe is easy and can be adapted to complete a variety of meals.

The flavor-packed, kicked up chicken is perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, lettuce wraps, or simply over a bed of rice.

Want to have Mexican tonight? Give this slow cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken recipe a try!

[Read more…]

How to Pack the Ultimate Baseball Mom Survival Bag

April 20, 2018 by Marissa 18 Comments

What is a Baseball Mom Survival Bag?

Ultimate Baseball Mom Survival Bag Checklist

Get my checklist for the Ultimate Baseball Mom Survival Bag! (This post contains affiliate links)

My kids have been playing baseball for a few years now. We have played in rain or shine. We have played for hours in the scorching heat and in the bitter cold. We have played at fields with bleachers and at fields where there isn’t any available seating. We’ve played at fields near uncut grass where ticks abound and in the middle of swarms of mosquitoes.

Imagine being unprepared for all of that? No thanks!

It has helped tremendously to be prepared with a baseball mom survival bag!

A baseball mom survival bag is a bag full of all the essentials you might need when you go to see your kids play baseball or softball. Just like they have a bag full of the items they need to play the game, you can have a bag full of items you need to be comfortable while watching that game.

Think about it: do you want to be uncomfortable for a few hours while your kids play ball? Chances are, no! [Read more…]

“Dear Teacher”: How to Talk to a Teacher About Your Child

April 16, 2018 by Marissa 6 Comments

How to Talk to a Teacher

How to Talk to a Teacher about Your Child, with phone and email scripts

Uh oh. Billy came home with poor grades and doesn’t know why. Sally ran off the bus crying because of a classmate said something unkind.

No matter what the situation, there comes a time in almost every parents’ life when they need to talk to a teacher.

My son once came home from school upset and we had this conversation:

Son: “Mom, this girl in class keeps bothering me. She won’t stop saying mean things to me. Sometimes she bumps me in the hallway or knocks my papers off of my desk. I asked her to leave me alone but she won’t stop.”

Me: “Have you told the teacher any of this?”

Son: “Yeah, but even when Mrs. Teacher talks to the girl, she keeps on bothering me and telling me I’ll never win.”

I had been walking him through what he should do if this student continues to bother him (this is continuing from 3rd grade), but since the behavior was continuing and perhaps was getting physical, it was time to talk to a teacher. [Read more…]

How to Learn to Babywear Like a Pro

March 23, 2018 by Marissa 5 Comments

Not sure how to babywear?

Learn How to Babywear Like a Pro (This post contains affiliate links)

The wraps, the buckles, the straps…oh my! How do you put this baby carrier on?!?

I remember feeling this way when I tried one of my first baby carriers. It was a stretchy wrap, which is basically a long piece of fabric that you wrap around your body until somehow you’re able to carry your baby around securely. [Read more…]

The Awesome And Practical Benefits Of Babywearing

March 16, 2018 by Marissa 3 Comments

Know the Benefits of Babywearing?

The Awesome And Practical Benefits Of Babywearing (This post contains affiliate links)

“My sister just got a thing like that at her baby shower, and was super mad about it.” The receptionist at the doctor’s office said to me, referring to my baby carrier.

“She was mad that someone would spend so much money on something she thought would only be used once or twice.”

I nod, knowing how I felt about babywearing back when I had my first baby. I was expecting her to scoff at me for having such a thing, as is usually the case when someone notices I am wearing the baby.

“But look at you. You have a baby and a toddler out at the same time, at the doctor’s office. I bet you take it shopping too! Your baby always looks so happy and you are able to keep your hands free for everything else. I need to tell her these things! I am so glad I saw you here today.”

Phew. Someone who was happy about babywearing! I told her all about the benefits of babywearing and how babywearing has made my life with a baby and three other kids easier.

She was so excited to tell her sister everything she had learned!

The Awesome Benefits of Babywearing

Why is it that babywearing is so misunderstood? I mean, women (and men!) have been wearing their babies for centuries, perhaps for even thousands of years, so that they can get stuff done. [Read more…]

What Should I Bring to MommyCon? (PLUS MommyCon Promo Code!)

March 14, 2018 by Marissa Leave a Comment

Going to MommyCon?

What Should I Bring to MommyCon? (Plus MommyCon PROMO CODE). This post contains affiliate links.

“A girls-day trip?” my friend asked when she saw a post about MommyCon on my wall. “We could leave the husbands behind with the kids and go to MommyCon in Philadelphia!”

An adventure with my friends? Count me in!

I’m excited for another year of MommyCon, more than even last year when I went to MommyCon NYC. Now that I know what it’s like, I can’t wait to go back! [Read more…]

How to Create Awesome Candy Free Easter Baskets for Kids

March 8, 2018 by Marissa 10 Comments

Easter Basket Ideas That Aren’t Candy

How to Create Awesome Candy Free Easter Baskets for Kids

Candy Free Easter Basket Ideas for Toddlers and Kids (This post contains affiliate links)

Remember getting an Easter basket as a child? It was so exciting to search for the basket and then dig in to the few pieces of candy or chocolates in it! My favorite was always the chocolate cross, but I have to say I loved the chocolate peanut butter eggs just as much.

Okay, a little too much.

Now I’m a Mom getting Easter baskets ready for my kiddos. When you have four kids, seeing Easter baskets with candy tends to be a scary sight.

So.much.candy. [Read more…]