With one son in high school and the other in middle school, the time has come for us to start looking ahead a college planning and college admissions, and those formidable university years. Specifically: 1. Will my sons be accepted into a great school where they can learn, grow, thrive, excel? 2. Will my husband and I be able to afford their tuition without having to take on student loans? 3. How do we ensure they do well on those standardized tests that can have a huge impact on acceptances, and even more significant for us, merit scholarships? 4. Are we doing enough? Did we miss out on impor ..read more

New Year’s resolutions come and go, and for the most part, while I tend to only make a few and usually stick to them for a bit, do seem a bit…. ineffective? Maybe because I only make them once a year, and feel some weird need to wait until January 1st to start, or maybe because I find myself rotating the same resolutions (I resolve to stop biting my nails every five years or so, and do well for a long time- even using “No Bite” to make sure I don’t bite, but then after a year or two I stop using the peppery nail polish, start biting my nails again, and we’re back where we started). My point is ..read more

This time of year, we tend to shop a lot. Even minimalists like myself might spy a gorgeous piece of decor or an item that I didn’t know I needed (or even existed) until I saw it on display, and suddenly I felt like it would solve a lot of problem. It probably would not (it would probably just end up in a drawer or storage like all the things that were supposed to be an answer to a big problem I didn’t know I had until I saw a solution for sale) but that doesn’t stop the in-the-moment temptation. I know what it’s like to find something that is prettier, more luxurious, more prestigious, more ..read more

It’s that time of year! It’s time to shop for our favorite people (and the deals are starting to heat up… you can find the stuff you wamt Our Favorite Five Gift Ideas For Family and Friends in 2023 1. Nintendo Switch Games Detective Pikachu Returns– An unbelievably popular character is back with all new adventures, following Tim Goodman and the wise-cracking Detective Pikachu as they try to solve the mystery of Tim’s missing father. Pokémon games are always a hit with kids, and this new game for the Nintendo Switch system traverses across Ryme City to find a jewel thief and Tim’s dad Harry vi ..read more

After sharing some great Usborne books for little kids, I discovered a bunch more that are incredibly education and fun and interactive- for smart older kids! These books are best for children who are at least four, with a focus on 5-10. Elementary school children of all grades would love the incredible amount of interesting information, fun trivia, and surprising fact they will learn throughout, and you may find you inspired a curious little kid to learn more about 100 Things To Know About The Unknown answers the questions: What are those mysterious floating lights we sometimes see at night ..read more

My son wanted a tumbler for school, a cool one in a great color, so imagine my happiness when I came across a company that makes great looking, versatile tumblers in a variety of colors and sizes, for both hot and cold drinks, AND wants to make customers happier when they aren’t enjoying a drink from their tumbler too. Let me introduce Zak! Designs… These Zak! Sutton tumblers come in 20oz or 30oz and in four colors (Jade, Ebony, Coral Blush, or Opera), made with stainless steel and double-walled vacuum insulation. My son plans to take his Jade 30 ounce tumbler to school every day (he’s been ..read more

In today’s technologically advanced world, robotics has become an integral part of our lives, offering innovative solutions and endless possibilities. Among the myriad of STEM toys and gadgets out there for kids today, one stands out to us for the unique way it blends creativity, fun, and educational value: Sphero Blueprint. I recently had the opportunity to check out the modular engineering system for middle school and high school kids who want to create, and have ideas in their head they can finally build in the real world. Geniuses are made by letting kids create without interruption, somet ..read more

Usborne always made some of our favorite books for kids, with board books that included touch-and-feel (babies and toddlers LOVE these), pop-up pictures, and books with sounds. The newest books I discovered from Usborne books have a combination of all these features… check these out: That’s Not My Puppy is a touch-and-feel books with pages of doggies featuring a variety of textures for tots to play with while looking for the right puppy. This is the sparkly 20th Anniversary edition from the “That’s Not My…” series, which has sold millions of different books that my own sons loved growing up. T ..read more

The Charlotte Mason method of education has gained popularity for its holistic and child-centered approach. Among its many facets, the Charlotte Mason way of teaching writing stands out as a powerful tool for nurturing a love of language and fostering excellent writing skills. By embracing this method, students not only acquire the mechanics of writing but also develop a deep appreciation for self-expression and the art of communication. In this blog post, we delve into the principles and techniques of learning to write the Charlotte Mason way. 1. Narration as a Foundation: Central to the Char ..read more

Hey there, curious readers! Are you ready to embark on a delicious and healthy journey? Today, we’re going to explore the exciting world of the keto diet. What’s that, you ask? Well, let’s dive right in and find out! The Keto Diet – What’s the Buzz? You may have heard people talking about the keto diet, but what exactly is it? The keto diet, short for ketogenic diet, is a way of eating that focuses on low-carb, high-fat foods. It’s not just any diet; it’s a food adventure that can help you stay fit and healthy and increase your longevity. How Does It Work? When we eat, our bodies break down th ..read more