Super cute kids stationery is a fun and simple way to encourage kids to write notes or keep up with pen pals. This post is sponsored by Iscream. All opinions are my own. 

If your kids are anything like mine, they love getting stuff in the mail. There’s something so fun about having a surprise show up in your mailbox just for you. The anticipation of opening it up and seeing who it’s from and what’s inside can lead to birthday present level excitement. Hell, I love getting mail that doesn’t fall under the umbrella of bills I don’t want to think about or junk I don’t want to waste my time opening.

So why don’t we do more of it?!

Why don’t we send more mail that will brighten someone else’s day? It’s not at all the same as sending a quick text. I mean, it’s nice to let someone know you’re thinking of them with an emoji-filled sentence or two. But it’s so much nicer to get a handwritten note saying the same thing.

Can we challenge ourselves to write more letters and get our kids in on it too?

Let’s face it: as moms, life is always busy. These self care tips will give you the permission you need to take care of yourself so that you can do a better job of taking care of everyone else. A big thank you to Lincoln for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. 

I have reached the level of exhaustion where once in awhile I keep my eyes closed for a few extra seconds when I blink because it feels so freaking good. If I put my head down on my desk, I’m one hundred percent sure I’ll fall asleep. But at night? At night I lie in bed awake with a lengthy to-do list running through my head over and over again, trying to burn it into my mind so that I don’t forget anything. Have you ever been there?

For me, it’s the result of an inability to say no, an overstuffed schedule, and a tendency towards procrastination that build off of each other and explode in my face. Not good, my friends. Not good.

Why do we so often put ourselves last? We’re really good at taking care of the health and happiness of everyone around us, but when it comes to ourselves we often put it aside to be dealt with later—you know, at a more convenient time. But there is no convenient time!

Fellow mommas: if we don’t take good care of ourselves, we can’t possibly take good care of anyone else.

Now, I know I’m not an expert at the art of self care. But I think it’s really important that we try to be better at it. Baby steps, maybe? What if we start with three things we don’t have to feel bad about and then go from there?

This time of year can be tricky, but these simple back-to-school hacks will make the transition so much easier. This post is sponsored by TruMoo. All opinions are my own.

I stood in front of the receptionist, breathless and wild-eyed but still smiling. I had just successfully navigated the pickup line at my daughter’s middle school for the first time and managed to get to the pediatrician a little early for her physical. I felt like a champ. A flustered champ with at least six other essential things on my to-do list before bedtime, but a champ nonetheless.

After a few taps of the keyboard, my bright-eyed enthusiasm was dashed. Apparently, I got there really early. The receptionist looked up over the top of her glasses and informed me that our appointment wasn’t for another week.

Oops.

I wanted to sink into the industrial carpeting and slink back out the front door. Hi, I’m a hot mess. And yes, I’m this kid’s mother.

Is anyone else having a really hard time getting used to the back-to-school schedule? September is almost over and I’m still struggling. Transitioning from a laid-back summer to a stricter, more full back-to-school schedule is not easy.

Still, in the week or two since The Incident, I’ve found three completely key tips that have made our lives so much easier.

Three back-to-school hacks to make the transition easier

An award-winning kids science book that will foster a love for science while having hands-on fun.

Step into my house and you’ll find surfaces littered with Ziplock bags open just enough to let the day’s latest slime creation ooze out, bottles filled with unidentifiable concoctions that contain some kind of plant matter, and everyday objects “scented” with copious layers of lotion. My girls love science. They love to experiment with different ingredients to see how they react and to proudly create their own “essential” recipes.

Sometimes, I’m all for this scientific exploration.

Other times, I wonder how long I’m expected to let something sit (bacteria multiplying by the second) while we “wait” for the reaction.

When DK offered to send us a complimentary copy of Smithsonian’s Maker Lab, an award-winning book that encourages kids to build, invent, create and discover through 28 DIY science experiments, I jumped at the chance. Crafty science projects that will work and teach the girls a little bit about the science behind them? What could be cooler?

As chocolate ice cream dribbled down my littlest’s chin, a band played in the background, and the sun set behind my family, I could only think one thing: best vacation ever!

We’ve made visiting Mystic, Connecticut a family tradition for years now. Full of New England charm and nestled halfway between New York and Boston just off Interstate 95, it’s the perfect destination for families living in (or traveling through) the northeast.

Over the years we’ve done our share of exploring the area and there are a few family-friendly spots in and around Mystic that stick out for us.

Things to Do with Kids in Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic Aquarium

I’ve been going to Mystic Aquarium since the early 80s. I remember being so excited packing up our minivan with coolers full of drinks and food that would last our family of six all day. We could barely sit still once we hit the road.

Those warm, fuzzy feelings are what made me want to take our girls there. And, for the past five summers, we’ve done just that.

There are so many cool things about this aquarium.  One of the first exhibits we always check out is the beluga whales—this aquarium has the only beluga whales in New England! It is absolutely amazing to watch a gigantic beluga whale swim right past you. They weigh thousands (!) of pounds but they glide by with ease. Ellie couldn’t get enough of them.