• haunted_houses
    active family travel - family - Travel

    5 Top Haunted Houses in the US

    October 12, 2016 - By 

    Halloween in the United States is the season for all things scary – particularly haunted houses. Most areas have a local haunted house, but for those looking for an extra terrifying thrill, there are many elaborate haunted houses throughout the country. Here are 5 of the best haunted houses in the United States. Terror Behind the Walls. Terror Behind the Walls is an annual haunted house that takes place at the Eastern State Penitentiary located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Can you picture that? The setting itself is enough to terrify me. The Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most infamous…

  • fright_factory
    family

    The Fright Factory Creature Creator Kit #TMMGG16

    October 10, 2016 - By 

    Fright Factory is a fun little opportunity for crafting bugs and experimenting with gooey stuff. Kids who are hands on will enjoy the creepiness and the sensory part of this active toy. This fun toy is a great gift for the holidays or any birthdays you have coming around the corner. Fright Factory lets kids make their own 3D creations with EW GOO and quick cure gel. The gel creatures cure with an ultra safe LED light. Heat is not needed. The Fright Factory takes batteries. The gels are quick to set and they are not toxic. Just load the molds…

  • homemade_kids_costumes
    family

    Fifteen DIY Homemade Halloween Costumes for Kids

    October 5, 2016 - By 

    It’s that time of year when crafty people everywhere go nuts. I’m talking Halloween. Halloween can be the best opportunity for crafty DIY types to show their creative side. When I was a child we almost always had DIY Kid’s Homemade Halloween Costumes. One year I remember my brother dressed as a robot entering a competition for kid’s Homemade Halloween Costumes. It was the most elaborate homemade kid’s costume he ever had. I can’t remember what I was that year. I outgrew Halloween a couple years before he did. But I recall that Halloween being really unique and memorable. And that…

  • cruise_series
    family - parenting - Travel

    Launching My Cruise Series #travel

    October 3, 2016 - By 

    Oh Baby, it’s October. Around here that means one thing..or maybe two things, Halloween and time to start planning fall and winter travel. Most years since we started cruising that means I am thinking about cruising and evaluating costs and ports of call and where we want to go. This year I am unveiling my Cruise Series. That’s right all of October I am running cruise stories – one a week until the month is done, because I know you have questions and you want to know if cruising is right for you. I happen to think it is pretty…

  • Halloween_safety
    family - parenting

    Halloween Safety for Kids and Adults

    September 30, 2016 - By 

    Halloween safety is one of those topics that makes kids and parents, alike cringe. Kids don’t want to think about it, and parents can’t stop thinking about it. What is meant to be a wholesome night of zombies, ghosts, superheroes, and candy can be a source of danger. Between predators and strangers who put nasty stuff in candy, Halloween safety is something that cannot be over promoted. Halloween safety is an important topic for both kids and adults, because in this day and age every member of the family needs to be careful! In fact I hear so many Moms and Dads saying…

  • pirate_treasure_island
    family - Giveaways

    Playmobil Pirates Treasure Island #Giveaway

    September 29, 2016 - By 

    There are toys and then there are toys that last and captivate and help your children create their own little worlds. Playmobil is the kind of big experience high quality toy that lasts and generates hour after hour of imaginative play. Playmobil Pirates Treasure Island is a swashbuckling adventure toy. Voyage the pirate sea in search of hidden gems with the PLAYMOBIL Pirates Treasure Island! X marks the spot, but this secret pirate hideout has some tricks up its sleeve to ward off unwanted visitors.Successfully navigate your way through uncharted territory and you may just find yourself singing yo-ho-ho! The…

  • vow_renewal
    active family travel - family - parenting - Travel

    Vow Renewal – A Few Memorable Destinations #travel

    September 27, 2016 - By 

    Vow renewal is a beautiful and romantic thing. It’s a way for couples to reaffirm their commitment to one another in a way that’s more than just the everyday “I love you” and the occasional flower bouquet. I’ve been thinking about this lately and contemplating whether this is something we should do for our 25th wedding anniversary. I like the idea of building a memorable romantic trip together as a couple. Renewing our vows could add a touch of magic to our marriage. It might remind us how we felt that day when we first slipped those rings on our fingers in…

  • halloween_gifts
    family - Giveaways

    It’s a Hallmark Holiday with these Halloween Gifts #LoveHallmarkCA #Giveaways

    September 26, 2016 - By 

    I said it before and I will say it again. Hallmark Halloween gifts, linens and pretty decorations make me feel like a kid at Halloween. Every year. This year is no different. Hallmark’s adorable decorations and pretty linens will make your Halloween and Thanksgiving special. There are so many adorable Halloween gifts to share this Fall. This little guy is one of my favourite Halloween gifts ever. Buy one for your house or give one to someone who loves Halloween as much as you do. This is Boo, The Spooktastic Ghost and he dances and plays music when you press…

  • adoption_life
    adoption and tweens - family - parenting - Parenting

    This Reality Show Called Adoption Life

    September 23, 2016 - By 

    “I’m thinking about adopting.” At least once a week I read a message like this from someone wanting information about adoption. I am open. I talk and write about adoption here often. Friends know I will always answer. And I do. I find them resources, or answer their questions about why, or how long, or where do I go? Sometimes I simply let them know that the wait is worth it. I answer the questions one by one and hope others will follow through and discover all that I love about adoption. There are many roads to parenthood. BOTTOM LINE. There…

  • genetic_testing
    family - Health

    Prepare for a Healthy Baby Now – When Genetic Screening Makes Sense

    September 21, 2016 - By 

    “I don’t care if this baby is a boy or a girl. I just hope he or she is healthy.” Almost every parent, or parent to be has uttered out loud, or thought to themselves, some version of this sentiment. Healthy baby first. Gender second. So what would you do to stack the deck in favour of having a healthy child? Eat better, exercise? Some of these changes are a no brainer. But what about genetic screening before you get pregnant? When does that make sense? Most of us know there are many things you do to help grow a…