Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Thanksgiving & Christmas Movies



Hey friends! My latest Knoxville Moms Blog post is up, and it's all about our favorite holiday movies for Family Movie Night. This includes those few, elusive Thanksgiving movies! You can check it out here.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas movies?

Monday, December 10, 2018

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing Book Review



Do you know when you finish an amazing book, but you weren't quite ready for it to end? So you delay beginning something new, just because you'd like to spend a little more time with just these characters in your mind? That's how Hank Green's An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is for me. It was so lovely and insightful, I just didn't want it to end. Also, never fear, there are no spoilers here!

This book is so weird, y'all. I tend to put things on my to be read list months before I read them, and then forget what they're about when my turn at the library comes about. So I went into this knowing it had a fabulous title and nothing else. The plot this novel follows is incredibly odd and twists and turns with the characters, but the basic premise is this:

NYC graphic designer discovers giant sculpture in the middle of the sidewalk, proceeds to investigate.

I'm sure the book jacket does a better job of summarizing, but I think going into this book open minded and without expectation really allows you to immerse yourself in the story and suspend your disbelief. That's where the real magic happens.

There are many things I love about this novel, but one that stood out immediately is this: the main character is bisexual, and that's not what the book is about. It's just a part of her, as naturally as my heterosexuality is for me. One of the many reasons I get so engrossed in books is the opportunity to walk in another person's shoes- someone different from me, but also alike. There are ways in which I'm like April, the protagonist, and there are ways I'm different. But our differences don't make us enemies. They just make us different, and able to learn from one another. I really enjoyed being in the mind of someone different from me, but not having those differences be the point of the story. It's just a part of who she is.

I really adored this main character. April was really great at being able to tell when she was being self-destructive and when something might ultimately become a temptation for her. I think that kind of self-awareness is incredibly valuable (although some is acknowledged as hindsight). But what I love most about her is her ability to see the good. She has a natural inclination to believe the best, even when she's been shown the worst. Yet she perseveres in her good natured belief, and I love seeing that played out in a new and unexplored arena.

I also love the inside look at the potential consequences of viral video fame. This book delves deep into the world of internet fame versus other types of fame, and it's enlightening. It's easy, especially with social media influencers and YouTube stars, to see the persona instead of the person. It's also simple to assume they're one and the same, and not that the persona is a carefully curated and palatable version of the person. There's always more to the story than meets the eye.

The inherent risk of always having to 'be ahead of the story' is also explored in a way that many books with journalists as protagonists miss. Pressure and adrenaline affect decision making, and the pressure of making those decisions, followed by endless content creation decisions, is overwhelming.

If you're itching to read this now and not later, here's the Kindle link on Amazon:




I'm obsessed with the Kindle and the ability to highlight books without damaging them, and I love how you can link to Goodreads and see your highlights long after the library book has been returned. You can see some of my favorite highlights here, but be warned: there may be spoilers in the highlights, or you may be able to deduce things, so proceed with caution!

If you'd like to follow me on Goodreads to see what I'm reading or wanting to read, you can do that here!

Have you ever had a book unexpectedly knock your socks off? Do you read books without refreshing your memory about the plot?


As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is like a commission from Amazon and is of no cost to you.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Holiday Gift Guide



Tis the season to be gift giving, fa la la la la. I love giving gifts.  It allows me to show love to people near and far. One of my love languages is definitely gift giving. My best advice is to find something they wouldn't think of getting for themselves, but that they would enjoy. Here are some ideas for those hard to shop for loved ones in your life!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That just means I get a commission from Amazon at no cost to you if you follow my links! It's a simple and easy way to support a blog you enjoy.

For the pet parent:

This special dog tag will love on them and their pup at the same time! And it's completely customizable.


Other options include leashes and collars in their favorite team colors, or this super comfy looking pet bed with a one year warranty, washer safe material, and a design pretty enough to fit in with their furniture!


For the Toddler

Toys and puzzles are wonderful and lovely, and will be enjoyed and exclaimed over. But the real hit, I've often found, is kid sized furniture. They get a kick out of furniture just their size, and it's useful and enjoyable. Whether it's a couch, table, or chair, they're going to enjoy it and feel extra special every time they use it. (Of course I picked Disney. My kid's have this in Lion Guard and when they first got it, they napped on it- that's how much they loved it!)




Best Books for Teens

If you've got a teen in your life that loves to read, selecting books can be difficult. Here are my favorites! They appeal to a wide range of interests and have thought provoking plots.


You can find my review here.





You can find my review here.




This is the perfect choice for your Hunger Games fan!


For the Book Lover

Buying books for bibliophiles is challenging. The natural choice is books, but what if they've read it or it isn't in their taste? Try these alternatives instead.

A book store scented candle may just help them read what's on their to-be-read pile rather than buying more books, and either way, you're helping them set the mood for a perfect evening spent reading.


Book Log: Keeping track of what you've read can be tough. Try these pretty book to keep a list of what you've read and when!




If you're looking for a stocking stuffer idea, bookmarks are great. Magnetic bookmarks are my favorite, as there's no fear of losing your place if a certain toddler runs off with your book. Follow this link to see one adorable option, and then search for magnetic bookmarks for more designs to find the most suitable for your recipient.



For the Busy Mom

The best gift you can give a busy mom is a free babysitting coupon! The gift of time is so valuable. An afternoon to herself while knowing her kids are being loved on is the best.

If you live far away, you can give her the gift of indulgence. Some yummy chocolates and bath fizzies for after the kid's bedtime will give her some at-home pampering.





For the Doting Grandma

I love to give photo gifts to my mom. From when she was a kid to my babies, a photo gift is something that will bring joy and practicality that'll be used and enjoyed daily. Whether it's a canvas collage, a photo mug, or a calendar, she appreciates the thought and effort that goes into making it as well as getting to enjoy it and wax nostalgic whenever the desire arises. I use Snapfish and Shutterfly to craft my photo gifts.

The Big Gift
If you're looking to be a little more spendy and are shopping for something for your reader, be they a wife, kid, or in-law you want to impress, I highly recommend the Kindle Paperwhite. I adore mine, and use it all the time. It's full of great features, from instantly downloading library books without any cords to having a built- in booklight that automatically turns itself on when you need it (then you can keep getting stubbed toes like me as you walk through the dark house reading and not watching where you're going!). They are on the expensive side, but my husband gifted me this one for Mother's Day and it's definitely one of the top two gifts he's ever given me (the other one being a KitchenAid mixer for my baking addiction). Bonus- they're now making them waterproof for the bath reader in your house!


Or if you want the one that's similar to mine without the built-in book light and a little less expensive:



What are your favorite gifts to give and receive?

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

The Hate U Give Book and Movie Review

Have you ever loved a book so much you had trouble gathering your thoughts about it?

This isn't going to be a critical review. I devoured this 488 page book by Angie Thomas in less than 24 hours. True story. To say I'm obsessed would be an understatement.

It was perfect. Each character was such an individual. If there's a way to my literary heart, it's well developed characters. The dialogue was incredibly well done and realistic, the plot heart wrenching, and the narrator spoke in such a clear voice I could hear her in my mind.

It was about race, family, community, faith, forgiveness, and discovering how to balance the different sides of yourself, and own up to your own actions and inactions in a real and honest way. Trying to balance the different sides of yourself is a universal struggle, but the protagonist Starr is in an entirely different circumstance. If she isn't constantly guarded, the her classmates will relegate her to one of many stereotypes people of color have to deal with daily.

Starr's struggles opened my eyes quite a bit. Its one thing to talk the talk, but quite another to walk the walk. While I've always considered myself an ally, I have not been using my voice to speak up when others are being silenced. Starr's story, though fictional, has inspired me to be an ally of action instead of silence.

One of the best ways we can learn is to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Fiction can open that door for us, and let outsiders glimpse just a little bit of what someone else's life is like. Once you've felt your heart pound for Starr every time she glimpses a police officer, you feel a deeper empathy than ever for anyone else who feels the same in their real life, and not just in the pages of a book. I feel as though this should be required reading for so many reasons, one of which to encourage empathy and show privileged people how privileged they are in a non-abrasive way, but also to illustrate the struggle all teens have of finding who they are and where their voice belongs. While dealing with huge social justice issues, Starr is also struggling with her boyfriend, her family, and finding her place in the world. These universal themes show how teens often don't only just deal with teen stuff or just grown-up stuff, but have to instead deal with it simultaneously. Which is really just another reason to treat everyone you encounter with kindness, regardless of their age or anything else. Just love, people. Just love.


After reading the book, of course I had to see the movie version! I thought the director did an amazing job of staying true to the tone and theme of the book while also successfully adapting it for the screen. Although changes obviously had to be made, as they always are, they were clearly carefully considered so that the course of the characters stayed genuine and true to the novel. Some characters didn't make the cut to the screen, which was a little disappointing for me since I'm so fond of almost all of the characters. There were also some artistic changes at the end to give you the same jarring shock that the list of names in the book gives. The fact that there was a bit of a twist I wasn't expecting kept me on my toes and not assuming I'd know automatically how everything ended.

There was only one aspect of the film I didn't like, which was a change from a small plot point in the book. I won't reveal any spoilers, but it was a symbolic moment in the book I appreciated that the movie not only skipped, but changed the tone of. I'll address it in the comments IF anyone wants to discuss further, so that this post remains spoiler free in the actual post.

Have you read the book or seen the film? How did it affect you?

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Knoxville Moms Blog Post: Spooky Not Scary Family Movie Night

Halloween is a beloved time of year...and the perfect time to curl up with some candy corn popcorn and watch something not scary (hello, I'm a scaredy cat!) Check out my latest Knoxville Moms Blog post to get ideas for the perfect family movie night- without the scare factor!


Thursday, September 27, 2018

Buy a Straw Cleaner and Save Your Sanity

This post is NOT endorsed by any company. I truly love these products and want to share them with you. 

Do you know what my kids have an absolute ton of?

Cups. Sippy cups, cups with built in straws, pop up cups, promotional cups. I have so. many. cups.

Guess what I also have?

Straws of my own. I received these amazing Pioneer Woman reusable straws as a Christmas gift THREE YEARS AGO and I'm still using them and I adore them. I love them because they allow me to drink like a normal human being without spilling (ahem, something I am apparently not capable of without a straw) yet I'm not harming the environment with hundreds of plastic straws a year.




You can even see one here, in my post on Peach Sweet Tea!


What I didn't have was a way to clean those awesome straws. And, after 3 years of continual running through the dishwasher, it just wasn't getting the job done. I wanted to deep clean those suckers. Enter these amazing straw cleaners.




I was able to clean my awesome Pioneer Woman straws, and now they're nice and clean. I squirted a little dawn on the straw brush, ran it through the straw from both ends, swished it around, rinsed...and then put it in the dishwasher too, because I really want to kill ALL the germs and my dishwasher has a sanitize cycle that puts my mind at ease.

The real power of these straw cleaners wasn't just on my straws. I whipped out the kids cups with straws and was able to clean not only the straw, but the mouthpiece too.

Y'all, the horror. Truly, the horror. The white straw cleaner came out black. BLACK. Some of that was residue from chocolate milk. But I know some of it was dead mold that had just been sitting in those straws, unbeknownst to me or my kiddos. Ewwwww. You just can't unsee that.

Of course I then cleaned every straw and mouthpiece in the dang house, because now I knew. And once you know, you must clean, clean, clean.

If my hands hadn't been covered in soap, I'd have filmed it to show you. It's insane. And super gross.

These straw cleaners are definitely the best thing I've purchased this year. I KNOW. It's $5 and it earns that title, because now I know my kid's (and me) are drinking through super clean straws.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Knoxville Moms Blog Post: Daniel Tiger Made Me a Better Mom


Once upon a time I had a two-year-old and a newborn and I was slowly but surely losing my mind. Then we discovered Daniel Tiger on PBS Kids and I watched Mom Tiger with her endless patience and kindness and I felt like the biggest failure, and the worst mom, in the whole wide world.

Want to read more? Check out my latest KMB post, Daniel Tiger Made Me a Better Mom.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Bathroom Update for less than $60


Once upon a time, we walked into a gorgeous, spotlessly clean house. Then we bought it. Then it started falling apart.

The reason it was spotlessly clean is because it was freshly painted and then no one lived here. So when we began, you know, living in our house, that paint didn't hold up too well. It turns out it was a matte finish, which shows every. single. smudge. And the whole house is painted in it. Short of buying stock in Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers and driving myself crazy with constant wall cleaning, painting seemed like the best option. But in most spaces, I've hung photos and placed furniture and y'all, I just don't want to paint my whole dang house.

But the bathroom. Oh, the bathroom. It's our only full bathroom upstairs, and it's in the hall, so visitors use it too. We have a lot of little ones through here, and well, they just aren't that great at washing their hands yet. Or at least my little ones aren't. So we had a huge swath of area under the light switch which was a lovely shade of almost-washed-off-dirt. Regardless of how many Magic Erasers I used, it was tinted from all my scrubbing.

Before

So one day, I snapped.

I went to Lowe's, taped two paint chips on the wall for a week, returned to Lowe's, and purchased a gallon of Valspar paint in Lei Flower ($36 before a $10 rebate I'm still waiting on). I also bought an edging tool. I cleaned and taped and cleared out the bathroom. I use Dollar Tree shower curtain liners as drop cloths, so I laid those down.

Then I put on some tunes, and painted.

And painted.

And painted.

I was extremely sweaty and my playlist was just about out of music, but I was finally finished.

Oh, and all of this took place in a single day while my oldest was at Kindergarten and my youngest got to have way more than usual TV time.

After showering and lunching with my youngest, we headed to the car pick up line so he could nap. We picked up big brother, and headed to Target for a new shower curtain.

Lei Flower was a little brighter than I anticipated, and my butterfly shower curtain (purchased at least 14 years ago) was just a little too feminine paired with it. But I knew a nice gray would even it out, and wouldn't you know I'd just seen a gorgeous shower curtain at Target the other day and it was currently 20% off?
After!

Total Cost:
Paint- $36
Edging tool: $3
Shower Curtain: $14
Tiny Paintbrush- $1

I already had painting supplies like rollers, brushes, a paint tray, my Dollar Store drop cloths, and my trusty painter's tape.
After

I'm not totally done; I'd like to paint the vanity a gray to match the shower curtain and frame out the mirror. It turns out, life isn't like an HGTV show. The whole project doesn't always get done in one go. We were able to do this small project by doing just part of it, and now I don't cringe when I walk into the bathroom. Now walking into my bathroom makes me happy, instead of stressing me out. And that makes the work and expense totally worth it.

Monday, August 20, 2018

Dear Netflix, About Those Book to Film Adaptations...

No need to fear, there are no spoilers here!

Dear Netflix,

We've been together for a long time now. I know; I've put you on hold here and there throughout the years. But you've always been there for me, and for that, I'll always be grateful.

Now, about these book to film adaptions you've been doing lately...Please don't stop. I love them. You're truly doing a fabulous job with these Netflix Originals and I'd be fairly heartbroken if they stopped.

First, there was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I adored that one. I read the book earlier this year and there was just enough time for the details to get fuzzy before the film came out so that I could thoroughly enjoy the film without constantly comparing each tiny detail to the book. The characters were brought to life beautifully, and it was such a treat to see them pop onto my screen after living in my mind. I did notice some small adjustments here and there, but after all sometimes things can work in fiction on paper that don't necessarily work for film. I did note a few character adjustments and I felt we got to know the character of Christian better in the novel, but the film did a lovely job of showing who he was.

Here's the trailer for this WWII set film based on the novel:



Another recent page to screen adaptation is Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before. I nearly jumped up and down when I saw the trailer, because it looked so magnificent. I read this one last year, but I had a bit more trepidation going into the film because it's actually the first book in a series. When I see a trailer for a serial novel, I always worry they'll try and smooth all the parts of the series into one film. Thank goodness that wasn't the case here, and make sure you watch through the first bit of the credits to get a glimpse of what will hopefully continue in a second novel.

I just adored this novel. You can read my instareview of it here. The main character, Lara Jean, is just incredibly lovable. One of the many things the film captured is her sweet nature, introverted side, love for her family, and how she struggles to balance her individual style with her semi-desire to go unnoticed and breeze through high school without any big drama. The actress who played her did a fabulous job, and she's exactly how I imagined her in my mind. Her sisters are fabulous and the film shows how the loss of a parent creates a grief that doesn't truly go away. Something the novel covered that the film didn't delve into too much is her struggle to balance her Korean side with her American side, since her Korean parent is deceased. Her Korean relatives aren't present in the film, but I'm hoping they'll be in the sequels that I'm basically begging Netflix to make.

Here's the trailer for this one:


What do you think of Netflix's book to film adaptations? How do you think they measure up to the original novel?

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Dollywood's Splash Country's Trailhead Tacos Review


One of my favorite memes says, "If you could be thin forever or have as many tacos as you want, would you choose hard or soft tacos?"

I love this because dang, hard or soft tacos is a tough choice.

So when I learned Dollywood's Splash Country was adding a new restaurant, and that restaurant was a taco place, I was basically already salivating. 

After a crazy busy summer and our first Splash Country visit getting rained out, I just had the opportunity to try this new taco place, named Trailhead Tacos.

Trailhead Tacos is conveniently located near the center of the waterpark, near the popular Mountain Waves pool. The menu is set up in an easy to understand way. Here's the menu:



I love how incredibly customizable this is! As a picky eater (and insanely lucky mom of two non-picky eaters), customization is key. I also love that by choosing a bowl, those who don't/can't eat gluten can still find a delicious meal.

Another thing I love is the style of the meat. Having pulled pork and chicken as options provides a filling option, and I find them very kid (and adult picky eater) friendly.

The toppings! So many! I'm so grateful to the hosts for being accommodating to my oddities. When my husband wanted jalapeños and salsa on our shared nachos, and I knew the kids (ha, and me a little) would prefer without, I asked if they could just do it on half and they did! It was a great way for everyone to get what they want.


The salsa was very fresh, and not the chunky from a can kind. The tomatoes was crisp, not soggy, which is highly important for a texture-nut like myself. They didn't even give me a weird look when I asked for both nacho cheese and shredded cheese. Clearly I've found some fellow #AllTheCheese people at Splash Country!

We went with nachos, since we were getting a snack to share amongst our family before we left the park. Our three year old fell asleep in the stroller on the walk to Trailhead Tacos (not a long walk, mind you, just a worn out toddler! He slept until the next morning. True story. Can we live at Splash Country? That would be fine. Just put a bed in the retreat, please.) My kids are not peckish eaters- they eat all the things, all the time. Heck, today for lunch they each had two servings of spaghetti. For LUNCH. They will eat an equal or greater amount at dinner and they've each had two snacks and a big breakfast. True story. Pray for me when they're teenagers, because my grocery budget will be bananas.

Ahem, sorry I got sidetracked there. So we were down one napping kid, but my husband, 5 year old and myself were pretty hungry. The nachos were really filling, even split amongst the three of us. They were also delicious. We chose pulled pork, topped with black beans,  jalapeños, salsa, shredded cheese, and nacho cheese. The toppings were generously applied, and we used forks to finish off the toppings we'd run out of chips for.

We enjoyed our Trailhead Tacos experience and I like that there's another delicious food option at Dollywood's Splash Country. Although all their food is good, sometimes I want something not as hot (temperature wise) when I'm already warm from being out in the sun. Trailhead Tacos offers a refreshing menu with filling options for all palates.

Have you tried Trailhead Tacos yet? What did you think?



Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Fall Getaways the Dollywood Way

Fall at Dollywood may just be my favorite season. Autumn has always been pretty high up on my list of favorite seasons, with pumpkins and Halloween and, of course, lots of birthdays in my family!

We may still be in the throes of a hot and humid summer, which is all the more reason to book your Dollywood fall vacation now. Get amazing rates, season pass discount offers, and enjoy the fall festivals and amazing Great Pumpkin LumiNights as the air turns crisp and the leaves begin their descent into an array of colors that combine to create breathtaking and spectacular vistas- all the better enjoyed from the height of your favorite Dollywood coasters!


My latest Dollywood Insiders post is all about why you should visit in the fall. Make sure you're following the Dollywood Insiders blog for more great tips and tricks to making each Dollywood day special in its own way!


Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Book Review: Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor

To avoid spoilers, all characters are referred to as 'they/them'.

I've always loved Rick Riordan books. I enjoy them as a reader and I utilized them as tools as a teacher, and now I love them even more.

Want to buy the book? Here's a link!

Representation in media has been proven a vital component of social empathy over and over again. As we've seen more characters struggling with who they are and where they fit in these fictional worlds, it gives us greater empathy for how real people who have to deal with our ignorance in our real world think and feel. Reading books with characters who are different than us teaches us, if not perfectly for every situation, guidelines for how to treat all people with empathy and respect.

You may wonder what that diatribe has to do with a book about Norse mythology for middle schoolers.

In the original heroes and mythology series starring Percy Jackson, Riordan normalized behaviors commonly identified as disruptive in our schools. He took ADD/ADHD and dyslexia and made those characters heroes who saw the world a little differently than their peers.

In the first Magnus Chase book, we met a Muslim Valkyrie and were introduced to the general order of Norse mythology. Having characters of various religious groups in a kids book is amazing. The real world is full of diverse people of different faiths, and we so rarely see that in novels. Because the soldiers living in Valhalla are all from various time periods, Riordan created an incredible universe with the most diverse cast of characters of any book I've read, regardless of targeted age range. Each character is clearly defined and developed, with quirks and struggles. Aside from the wonderful messages of acceptance conveyed, these books are wonderfully crafted works of fiction that really stay true to the actual myths they were inspired by.

In the second book, one of the main characters is gender fluid. This is important for so many reasons. Just the simple representation of having a gender fluid character will normalize the vocabulary for heteronormative kids. Making that character one of the main characters allows the reader to get to know the individual. The character is often left to answer the questions of other characters who've never encountered a gender fluid person before, and shows that sometimes, not every question deserves an answer. It's so important to teach kids to ask the right questions appropriately, and to make sure they know when to back off. Wanting to learn more about an individual versus learning about the group they represent to you are two different concepts, and those skills need to be taught. But my favorite lesson from this book is that it's normal to have questions, and it's normal to be attracted to them. When one character is clearly intrigued and drawn to the gender fluid character, the friends show acceptance. Acceptance is the answer. Acceptance creates positive environments in which everyone can grow in a healthy way. Seeing someone often portrayed as different (in a negative way) portrayed in a positive way in this book, with battles and smarts and and an amazing adaptivity, is helping forge a path that allows all kids to be true to themselves.

Aside from the incredible messages of strength and resilience this book offers, it's a really great read! Although I'd recommend the Percy Jackson books to a little below the suggested grades, because it's so wonderful and enjoyable, I wouldn't encourage all younger readers with this one. Besides the more mature concepts, there are some frightening scenes. Vividly described zombies, graphic battles, and the violence required at such battles- I know my scaredy-cat self in upper elementary school wouldn't have handled those scenes well. If you aren't sure if your kid is ready yet, read it yourself! It's really enjoyable (confession: I've read all of Rick Riordan's kids books as an adult. True story. I love mythology and books and I don't age discriminate with books!).

If you're looking for the perfect middle school book, this one should certainly appeal to all genders. There are plenty of bodily function jokes, but also deep, meaningful relationships and a great explanation of Norse mythology. If your family has already read any of the Percy Jackson series, you'll all enjoy the small crossover bits (Annabeth from the Greek world is cousins with Magnus from the Norse world). If you're trying to sell it to your preteen boy, the protagonist is a male, he's a demigod, and he goes on quests and battles with literal soldiers preparing for the end of the world. While there are plenty of physical battles, there are also battles of wits, funny quips, hilarious chapter titles, and a subtle emphasis on friendship and loyalty. If you're pitching it to the middle grade girl in your life, the females are strong, capable girls worthy of looking up to. They're smart, quick on their feet, and work as equals with the males in the battles. They are fierce- but also human, and there's even a little bit of an age-appropriate love story.

Regardless of age and gender, I highly recommend this book. You don't have to read the first book to read this one, but it helps (and it's also enjoyable).

Have you read The Hammer of Thor? What did you think?


As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Kids Activities at Dollywood

Have you been to the Dollywood Insiders page lately? My most recent post about all the amazing kid's activities is up! If you're looking to do more than ride coasters and see shows, check out all the hands on experiences available- from dipping candles to learning the art of blown glass to making a stuffed friend to take home!


You can also check out this video compilation of our adventures exploring all the amazing and fun kids activities at Dollywood!



Wednesday, June 27, 2018

A Simple Mario Themed Birthday Party

My kids have recently become totally and completely obsessed with all things Mario. It started with a couple of random Happy Meal toys, followed by winning a prize from the school treasure chest by completing a reading log that also resulted in a Mario toy, and then the Mario Run app segued into playing Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the Wii...and now they're #obsessed.

My 5 year old, despite having his birthday at the beginning of the year, is always talking about his birthday party theme. So far this year it's been Octonauts and Mario, and his birthday is still several months away. When my then-2-year old heard big brother talking about how he wanted a Mario birthday party, he hopped on the bandwagon and shouted that he wanted a Bowser birthday party.

Yeah, that doesn't exist.

But thankfully he wants to be just like his big bro and switched to full Mario, and that I could make happen.

We don't do big extravagant parties. We aren't #PinterestPerfect around here. We try our best and usually end up with a solid 90s style birthday party. A few decorations, an awesome cake, and some yummy snacks with punny names. With my youngest having a summer birthday, we throw the kids in the pool and do cake and presents and that's about it.

Here's how to have a Mario themed birthday party for less than $50:

Decorations


Scour Party City and Target for the best priced decorations. We got our treat bags, tattoos, balloons, and invitations from Party City and the swirl decorations, napkins, and table cloth from Target. We used red and blue generic plates for snacks and cake. I ordered some Mario coins from Amazon for the treat bags, but then found the same coins for a fraction of the cost from Party City, even though it wasn't on their website. I did store pickup so I got that day's guaranteed price but didn't have to drag my kid's through the grab-it-I-want-it-zone.


It's one of my favorite traditions to always make a number (the age they're turning) out of photos of them from babyhood on.

Treat Bags


Our treat bags were fairly simple. I really hate coming home from a birthday party with a dozen tiny plastic pieces of nonsense that my kids will play with for an hour and then clutter the floor for three months. So to spare my parent friends that feel the same, we avoided that and included the following in our treat bags:

  • Temporary tattoos
  • Coloring sheets rolled up like a treasure map and tied with ribbon
  • Mario Coin
  • Star rice crispy treat
We made the rice crispy treats by making star shaped rice crispies (add yellow food coloring to marshmallows while they melt and they'll be yellow!) and then we added two chocolate chips for eyes. We wrapped them in clear plastic wrap and tied with a ribbon.


Here's a printable of the coloring sheets I made.

Food




 Piranha Plants: Grapes and strawberries on a skewer.
Fire Power: Cheese Puff Balls

Fire Power Flower: I made the stalk out of celery, the leaves are cucumber, and the flower is carrots and grape tomatoes. I put a ramekin of ranch in the middle as the face.

 Question Blocks are colby cheese cubes, and I made a Ritz cracker coin.
We used Boom-Chicka-Pop for the Bob-Omb pops


We love Costco cakes, but they don't come in themes. My plan was to put our Mario themed toys (a 1-Up mushroom, Mario, and Yoshi) on top of the cake...but I forgot in the excitement of the moment. Since Bowser is often on a pirate ship, I got the pirate ship option from Costco. I was going to put Mario on the ship, Yoshi on the beach, and the 1-Up mushroom up on the flag.

Here's a printable for the food pun labels. I don't have a color printer, so I made them in black and white and then colored them with colored pencils. If your kids are older, it could be a fun way for them to be included.

For drinks, we served juice boxes for the kids and watermelon lemonade for the adults.

The kids all had fun, and got plenty of chocolate in them before hitting the pool again. The birthday boy loved his Mario party, and that's what really counts.



Saturday, June 23, 2018

Star Projection Night Light Review

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Both of my kids are totally and completely obsessed with all things outer space. They want to be astronauts, they read space books, they love space shows, and they love watching the astronauts read bedtime stories.

When it came time for my youngest child's birthday, the big 3, my family thoughtfully asked me to add some items to his Amazon wish list (best idea ever- you don't have to keep track of what item you told which family member he wanted, and they know what he has and what he wants even when they live on the other side of the country!). I stumbled across this Star Projection Night Light and thought how much they'd both love it. Our humidifier used to project stars onto the ceiling, but then that feature started failing and strobing and checking on them during the night was akin to being in an actual horror movie. So I added this to the list, and my amazing sister got it for him, and they've been obsessed with it for that last week.


It works great- you can set a timer so it doesn't go all night if you don't want it to, you can have it be an actual light, a lantern with stars on it, or projected onto the ceiling. There are many colors to choose from, including having a combination of colors or all the colors. It can rotate or be still.

Here's a link if you want to check it out more:

The first night we used it, they were actually excited to go to bed. When we turned it on, my five year old exclaimed, "It's like we're in outer space!" The birthday boy just reverently whispered, "I love it!" When we did bedtime prayers, my youngest was praying for the stars and all the colors he could see. 


It's been almost a week and they're still completely obsessed. They're still excited for the bedtime routine because it means they can watch the stars as they fall asleep. We've only used it with the cover off and on, but always with the star insert. I imagine if you're creative you could create another overlay and trade it out with animals, etc.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

The High Tide Club Book Review


I love Southern Lit. It kept me grounded in my Southern roots while I was living up North, and honestly was a draw when we were trying to decide where we were going to live when Alaska was just too far away from our families. Mary Kay Andrews has written a long list of my favorite Southern novels, including The Fixer Upper and Spring Fever. Her novels always have a great cast of lovable characters, an intriguing plot, and often a little mystery that needs solving.

Her latest novel, The High Tide Club, is no exception. Once again, I'm drawn in to a (fictional) location I wish I could visit, characters I want to befriend, and a mystery I'm trying to solve the whole time I'm reading. The plot is riveting, and I couldn't put it down. I stayed up way too late at night reading, and let unread emails pile up into an enormous mountain I'm still whittling down.

The High Tide Club  follows nonagenarian Josephine as she recounts her past and her dearest friends, and bounces between the 1940s and present day. With friendships old and new examined and tested, the relationships between these strong women is intricate and envy-inducing. With the decades old mystery of a missing man, a small island being pursued by the state of Georgia, and limited technological resources because of the island's location, this mystery is engaging and may or may not throw a twist or two your way.

Andrews always creates rich and full worlds worthy of exploration and writes them in an accessible and enjoyable way. Whether you're looking for a beach read or to mentally escape for a few hours, The High Tide Club is a wonderful and worthy read.


Looking for more book recommendations and reviews? Did you know I'm on Goodreads? You can follow me here! I also Instagram mini-book reviews- if you want a short review, make sure to follow me on Insta!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

New Knoxville Moms Blog Post: Teach Consent Early

My latest Knoxville Moms Blog post is up over on the KMB site! It's on a topic I've always worried about, and I'm sharing my best tips for Teaching Consent Early. Check it out!


Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Dollywood Post- Toddlers at Splash Country

When you have older kids, a water park is the perfect way to spend a day- soaked in the sun, but with plenty of shade and lots of water to cool off in! But when you've also got toddlers, a water park can be intimidating to the point where you just don't go. With Dollywood's Splash Country about an hour away, it's a great way to spend the day- especially with toddlers in tow! Check out my latest post about all the great things to do at Splash Country with your toddlers here!

Remember, if you want to save $5 per ticket, use the code DWInsiders5 at online checkout and print your tickets!


Monday, June 18, 2018

Incredibles 2 Movie Review (No Spoilers)

No need to fear, there's no spoilers here!

So my love for Pixar and all its films isn't unknown. I try and be at the theater opening weekend to support their newest films, and for Incredibles 2 it wasn't a struggle. I've been looking forward to this release date since the title first appeared on an in-production list a couple of years ago. Since it happened to come out the Friday before my youngest son's 3rd birthday, it seemed like a great opportunity to celebrate with him and support Disney-Pixar at the same time.

A friend invited us to come with her and her family to see it, and seeing a movie in a big group is a fun activity I haven't done in a few years, because babies. It was fun to experience it not only through my kid's eyes, but to be able to share it with my friend and her family.


The Incredibles 2 is a perfectly crafted sequel. It picks up right where the first one left off, but if you haven't rewatched the first one since it released in 2004 (and if so, poor you because you're seriously missing out), you won't feel out of your depth. They do a great job of re-establishing what's going on without it being repetitive and redundant for those die-hard fans (like me) that basically have the entire film memorized and hum the theme song in their sleep.

There are so many perfectly captured moments, from the difficulties of parenting to the mom guilt all moms experience (super or no), that the overall quality of the film is totally Pixar. (I didn't cry though, so it's not UP level Pixar but classic, wonderful Pixar nonetheless). The animation is flawless, the plot engaging, and the new characters just as well developed as those we're familiar with. There are some moments so tense I reached over to hold my kid's hands...a little because I was worried they'd be frightened, but also because I was super nervous for the character involved.

As far as family-friendliness, it really depends on the kid. My now 3 year old did mostly great, though he did get a bit antsy during some dialogue heavy sequences in the middle, and was squirming and crawling all over me. Thankfully we had popcorn and lemonade to distract him, but that's something to keep in mind if taking toddlers. My five year old loved it, but he was nervous about seeing it because the previews show the villain, the Screen Slaver, and it's honestly pretty dang frightening. Here's the trailer:



As you can see, the Screen Slaver is a pretty scary villain. My five year old is sensitive and almost didn't want to go (promises of said popcorn and lemonade, earned for free through Coca-Cola's rewards program, tempted him to go and he was ultimately glad he did. I'm grateful Coke gives rewards for all the Coke my husband drinks!). If your kid is easily intimidated by new situations, it may be best to wait and watch this in your living room instead of a giant screen in the darkness of a movie theater. There are some intense battle scenes that may provoke your children into pretend battling each other for days following (as mine also do when they watch the original Incredibles).

This is one of the funniest Pixar films I've seen. Jack-Jack, Dash, and Violet all get more screen time than in the original, and it's wonderful. They're really well developed, and we get to watch them discover who they are and what's important to them. There's some great messaging for kids about growing up, responsibility, and the importance of knowing those things. Jack-Jack and Dash made me laugh out loud, uproariously, over and over again.

The relationship between Bob/Mr. Incredible and Helen/Elastigirl is further explored in a really realistic way. Since it's a sequel, we really get to delve deeper into what makes them tick and how they work together versus solo.

This is yet another fabulous Pixar film. I can't wait for it to come out on disc (I'm guessing around October or Thanksgiving, in time to be holiday gifts) so we can add it to our regular rotation of family movie night films. It's definitely worth seeing in theaters, if your kids are up to it. If you don't think your kids are ready, then it's still great for date night! (You know you're a true Disney/Pixar fan when you go see the movies and leave your kids at home- we did that with Coco because our sensitive one wasn't ready to see it. Now he loves it).

Have you seen Incredibles 2? What were your thoughts?

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Love Your Library

Summer is here! The days are warm, fireflies are out, and the kids are out of school! All summer long! So what are you going to do with them?

There are so many things to do with kids these days. Camps and trips and excursions, oh my! But that's not the kind of summers I grew up with. Prepare yourself for my first 'Back in my day' rant, because we all know 90s summers were the best. We spent all day hopping around the neighborhood pools, using card tables and leftover poster board to 'build' lemonade stands, zoning out in front of the Disney channel, and riding our bikes from dawn until dusk. The world is different now and if I let my kids roam the neighborhood wild like I did, someone would likely call the cops on me.

So a true 90s summer isn't really an option for my kids. But I can tailor it to today's world dynamic, hanging out outside with them during bike rides and spending days upon days in the pool until we're all prunes and in desperate need of a movie marathon. There's also one thing I can do that my mom did do with me and my fellow 90s babes- visits to the local library.

I grew up going to the library frequently and I loved it. In fact, when my purse got stolen at the mall food court when I was 8, my biggest fear was that my library card was stolen (it was the first thing I'd ever signed my name to and I was terrified I'd be ruined for life and they'd never let me borrow books again. Side note- who the heck steals an 8 year old's purse?!) Thank goodness my library card was in a different purse, so whew- bullet dodged. I'd check out stacks of books and disappear for hours on end into a world that existed in my mind, built off the words of authors I loved like friends.

Libraries have definitely advanced since my days of huge stack checkouts. In our current city, the local library hosts fun events, has a scavenger hunt, and has puzzles for kids to play while they're visiting as well as numerous story times throughout the week.

Last week, the fire department came and did a presentation that included putting on all their gear and turning on their air so kids would know what firefighters look and sound like in the event they're trapped inside a burning building and need rescuing. Then they showed kids all the cool gadgets and tools on their truck, explaining the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine and telling them what each tool does. The thought behind this presentation was immense- kids in car accidents and fires will be much better prepared to understand what's going on in a scary situation having witnessed a calm adult on a sunshine filled day telling them all about it.

This week they're having a magician, and later in the summer there are LEGO days, a chemist doing science experiments, and more. This is all in addition to their regularly scheduled story times.

So if you're looking for a free activity to do with your kids that's educational and encourages an ongoing love affair with literacy, head to your local library. If you're in East Tennessee, check out the Knox County Library's site for details here.

If you're looking for a way to love on your library, donate books you no longer want that are in good condition. Even if there isn't a need for them on the shelves, they may be able to sell them at a library sale to raise funds for new books and events. You can also participate in these book sales to get a great deal, support your local community, and find your next favorite book. Libraries are often looking for volunteers, so ask your librarian how you can help.

What does your local library offer? 

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Rainy Day Kid's Activities: Toddler Edition



May has been so hot, so early in the year...until last week, when it started sporadically storming throughout the day. The weather apps can't keep up, and neither can we. One minute it's blue skies and sunshine, and thirty seconds later it's flat-out pouring rain while the sun is still shining.

Since spending any length of time outside is prone to being ruined and rushed inside by the rain, I thought I'd share my list of inside, rainy day activities to do with kids 5 and under. My boys are (almost) 3 and (well into) 5, so these activities are great for those age groups and for doing with a mixed group of ages.

Since I work from home, I try to sprinkle a few of these into my breaks throughout the day so my kiddos are still getting some special mommy time and I can also still get things done. (Truth time-getting things done is significantly harder when it rains and I can't send them to play in the backyard during my work time).

Hide and Seek

Remember this childhood favorite? It's still fun as a grown up, and pretty hilarious when your kid is atrocious at hiding.

Duck, Duck, Goose

My preschooler learned this one at school and is currently obsessed. It's just the three of us, but it works okay. You can get goofy with it and they'll love it!

Memory Game

You can grab one of these in Target's Dollar Spot for $1-$3, or print/make your own. You just need 10-20 matching sets of images. If you make your own, you can simply print a page of matching images, glue it to construction paper, then cut. Voila! If you print them without color, coloring them adds another level of fun for the kiddos.

Video Games

Don't judge me, but my kids have suddenly become obsessed with video games. They're all about Mario- Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Cart, etc. We have the old original Wii, so we play Mario on there, as well as getting them moving with Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort. The first time they saw a real ping pong table, they were ecstatic and totally unafraid to try it (even though my youngest could barely see over the table!). So we do a few races, sports, or get a few stars in Mario, and they're happy and we all did something together. We play for maybe thirty minutes, so it takes a bit of screen time, but it's also quality family time as we laugh and play together.

Build a Fort

This one requires a bit of cleanup. But remember the joy of taking blankets and chairs, pillows and story books, and just snuggling in for a bit? It's a great time to read a story together, play pretend, or make shadow puppets with your phone flashlight and some silliness.

Movie Day

Pop some popcorn, pull out The Sandlot, The Little Mermaid,  or your childhood favorite, and settle in. Sharing my favorite movies with my boys from when I was a kid has brought me such joy, and they get the giggles just thinking about me being anything but a grownup.

Story Time

Whether you're reading at home or taking them to the library or Barnes & Noble (story times most Saturdays; check your local store for details), reading is such a valuable thing to do together. Studies have shown that people who read more live longer, so you're benefiting them and yourself when you read aloud. It's fun to get really goofy with it- something we don't do at bedtime since we're trying to settle them down a bit- and go crazy with silly voices, hand gestures, and wild faces.

Crafts

Pinterest is basically exploding with toddler craft ideas (Here's my saved ideas). Summer crafts are a great way to help prepare your preschooler for Kindergarten in the fall- practice scissor skills, coloring, gluing, painting. These will all help hone fine motor skills and they'll have fun while doing it. I always buy a disposable table covering at Dollar Tree at the beginning of the season, then just fold and re-use throughout the summer to save your table from paint and crayons. Use what you have on hand and hit the Dollar Tree for new items when yours are looking sad and you'll add even more fun for just a few dollars (I refuse to buy expensive craft items for my kids. They're small and uncoordinated and while I love their crafts, I will not die with fourteen huge tubs of finger paintings in my attic. I take a picture and then recycle it. I keep all the photos in an iCloud album, and eventually I'll be organized enough to order the photos and put them in an album. I do keep my favorites and put them in a sheet protector in a binder- the Mother's Day cards, school surveys about their favorite things at this age, anything with handprints).

Baking

I've always loved baking, and I'm incredibly lucky that my kiddos do too. Baking is fun for them because we're doing it together, they get to feel grown up by helping cook, and of course they love sampling the results. Whether it's something from scratch or from a box, they'll treasure the memory of sitting on the counter, standing on a chair, and helping you measure and stir. If your kids are older, it's a great way to practice math too! Whether you're working on counting or fractions, baking can help with that.

What are your favorite indoor activities for these summer rainy days?