Category Archives: Family

Sep21

Fall Family Fun

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Fall Family Fun

Hello!! I am a fall girl through and through. The weather, the fashion, the holidays – it is just the best! Fall is when your favorite elder emo couple thrives because we do not do well in the hot weather whatsoever. Johnny and I both get burned to a crisp and I always end up feeling nauseous from being in the heat too long (medication side effects). As soon as that brisk weather hits, we are ready for all of the activities and it’s even more fun with our families and sweet nieces in tow. Here are some of the outings I hope to have as well as some other ideas too:

Apple Picking:

Apple picking is SO obvious but it needs to be said as it is quite possibly my favorite autumn activity. It truly is a fall staple and there are so many gorgeous orchards in my neck of the woods. Apple picking is such a wholesome outing and there is nothing better than taking a leisurely stroll amongst the trees. If the orchards in your area are similar to mine, there are also sure to be lots of kid friendly attractions too – hay rides, petting zoos, crafts, games, etc. These extra bonuses will make for a day that your whole family, young and old, can enjoy together.

Glass Blowing:

There are several glass blowing studios nearby to me and it is something that I have always wanted to try! Now, especially, because I have seen countless ads on Facebook from said studios offering classes for glass blown pumpkins. While this isn’t an ideal activity for younger kiddos, it would be great for teens or a date night. Johnny and I already have countless pumpkin related Halloween decor but nothing handmade by us so I would love to get a class scheduled and learn something new.

Movie Night:

Johnny and I try to watch as many scary movies as humanly possible during spooky season and we both really look forward to it. Movie nights are simple, yes, but they can be as extra as you wish. You could set up twinkling orange and purple lights and a blanket fort and make all of the treats! A caramel apple station with a variety of topping options will be sure to please. You can also find recipes for mocktails that will look like a bubbling brew and serve them in potion bottles for the full effect. Revisit Disney channel movie classics for younger kiddos or cool claymation flicks like Coraline or Paranorman for your teens!

Decorate:

Mine and Johnny’s main qualm with apartment living is that we don’t have a yard to decorate for Halloween, so please decorate in our honor. This is something that the whole family can pitch in on. Littles could make paper chains, paper bag owls, and paint pictures for the indoors. Older helpers can work outside to create Halloween magic! Set a budget per person, visit local discount stores, and see what you can come up with. Who knows, your house just might be the best decorated one on the block.

Scavenger Hunt:

Speaking of decorations, if your neighborhood or surrounding areas boasts well decorated homes – turn it into a scavenger hunt. Make a list of what you are looking for, grab some travel mugs of hot apple cider, and hit the road to see what you can see. And play the Monster Mash on repeat, obvi! This is the perfect activity for when you just feel like getting out of the house on a chilly night. After your drive, take a superlative style vote for best decorated, scariest, and silliest. You also might get some inspiration for your own home’s decor!

Johnny and I have emerged from our coffins and are ready to enjoy a fun and full fall together and with our families. It really is the happiest time of the year!

What is your favorite fall activity? What are you dressing up as for Halloween? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug27

Bestie Bracelets

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Bestie Bracelets

Hello!!! My two nieces are my A1 besties and Johnny and I adore being their aunt and uncle. One recently celebrated her second birthday and the other is off to kindergarten and I’m ready for them to stop growing any time now! During my last trip to TJMaxx, I wanted to pick up a few “starting school” treats so little lady could have gifts to open while her sister celebrated her birthday. I got her some fun hair accessories, a nail polish kit, and best friends bracelets. I was hoping she would give me one of them because it was inspired by something my mom did for me when I started school. She did and I proudly wear my half of the Bestie Bracelets every day:

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As a new kindergartner, I missed my mom terribly. To help ease that transition, my mom gave me a locket with a picture of us in it. She told me that I should open the locket every time I missed her and I made great use of it and still have it to this day. Johnny’s mom did something similar. She gave him a drawing of a clock with the time that she would pick him up and he was better able to measure the time when he would see her again. This is exactly why I gave my niece our BFF bracelets – so if she ever needed a hug from her TT at school, all she would have to do is look at her bracelet and know how much I love her. Honestly, my bracelet is going to help me too because I am going to miss her SO much while she is at school!

If you have kiddos or lil besties that are about to start their school year, I cannot recommend doing something like this enough. It’s such a simple but effective gesture in combating that back to school angst. It is also something that will be forever remembered. Johnny and I are in our thirties and still think about how our moms gave us something tangible to hold onto when we began kindergarten! Whatever you choose for your little will be cherished and it is definitely worth giving it a try as they start their big adventure. ❤

I am so excited to see how much my niece learns and grows this year and I am so happy that we have Bestie Bracelets together. This proud TT is going to need it, without a doubt!

Did you like going to school? (I sure didn’t lol) What was your favorite subject? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul17

Treat Day Ideas

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Treat Day Ideas

Hello!!! Johnny and I take our roles as the “fun aunt and uncle” extremely seriously. We simply adore our nieces and nephew and consider it our job to spoil them as we don’t want children of our own. Being an aunt and uncle is awesome because we get to unleash our inner child for a few hours and then give the kiddos back to their parents! A shining example of this is “Treat Day”, which is when we pick up our oldest niece, grab some lunch, and go on a fun adventure. In fact, we just had one this past weekend at Urban Air (An indoor trampoline park). Treat Days are a fantastic way to get quality time with our littles and here are some ideas for places to go that your kiddos or nieces and nephews will love:

Trampoline Parks:

Our niece wanted to go to Urban Air for her outing with us this weekend and as it was Treat Day, we happily obliged. I haven’t been to a trampoline park since I was a teenager and it was just as much fun for Johnny and I as it was to our niece. We had an absolute blast exploring all of the different attractions that Urban Air had to offer. There was a gigantic ball pit, trampolines to bounce on, games, playgrounds and so much more. It was honestly exhausting lol but one thousand percent worth it. And, as a bonus, there is a one thousand percent chance your little will be ready for a nap afterwards – we sure were!

Museums:

There are several really cool museums in my neck of the woods as I’m sure is pretty similar for my dear readers. One of the best for kiddos in the 330 is the Akron Children’s Museum. It is an educational setting, but all of the exhibits are so entertaining and hands on that it feels more like play time than learning. This museum features stations for dress up, music, architecture, water, archaeology, engineering, and that’s just naming a few. I have easily spent an entire afternoon there with my nieces before! Museums or libraries are the tops if you still want to have an exciting day out and the weather isn’t cooperating. Your local libraries will also more than likely have free classes, programs, and events for kids too.

Zoo:

Who doesn’t love a trip to the zoo? I am actually eagerly awaiting this coming weekend for an evening at the Cleveland Zoo with my whole family for an Asian Lantern Festival! The zoo (Or aquarium on a rainy day!) is such an interactive location and has something for everyone. Every exhibit is an opportunity for your littles to learn and appreciate something new, but it will feel like an adventure. Be sure to check the events guide for your zoo visit as many of them offer times to feed the animals, attend talks given by zookeepers, and see shows. It also goes without saying that Dippin’ Dots are a complete must! 😀

Out & About:

The very first Treat Day we had with our niece was going to get Mexican food for lunch, shopping at Target so she could pick out a new toy, and going to the park. It is one of my favorite memories and just goes to show that Treat Days can be as big or as low key as you want to make it. Regardless of what you do, your little will feel special from that bonding time. Johnny and I still talk about the OG Treat Day often because our niece said SO many funny things that we like to quote. The day also ended on the most adorable note because the last thing little lady wanted to do was have her uncle set up her new Blue’s Clues playhouse for her. ❤

Back to school will be here before we know it. Make the most of sweet summertime with your kiddos by penciling in a Treat Day or two!

Did you have a favorite aunt or uncle growing up? What is your favorite museum in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun21

Slumber Partay

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Slumber Partay

Hi!! My two little nieces are my best girls in the whole wide world. Johnny and I just love being the fun TT and uncle and try our best to see them whenever we can, including this past Monday. My niece, Val Gal, decided her birthday gift to me was going to be a slumber party and it was so sweet lol. She knows that it is both of our favorites so it was a great gift! We were going to hit the pool up, but it was storming off and on all day. That was no matter, because we still had a fabulous time just staying in. 🙂

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Even though our swimming plans fell through, this was quite possibly the best time ever and it was right off the jump. As soon as my sister, Val, and little Raya walked through the door I was given fantastic news. Raya was saying “TT” the entire car ride over. She also gave me the biggest smile and said “Hi, TT” and my heart completely melted. It brought me back to when Val said that for the first time and put me in ALL of the feels. Apparently, it did with Val too. We spent a good part of the evening looking at baby pictures of her and little sis and Val wanted to hear the story behind each picture. I was more than happy to talk about all of those happy memories and it was so joyous to reminisce on that together.

Of course, our slumber party wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t stick to tradition. After going through literally ninety percent of the pictures on my phone, it was time for a Disney movie and ice cream sundaes – a sleepover standard. Val wanted to watch Wish, which I had never seen and it was absolutely phenomenal. The visuals and music were amazing and I plan on watching it again so I can pay closer attention to it. Once the movie screening was over, we read lots of books including one that Val picked out for me at the library earlier that day: Barbie’s Book Of Bunnies. It was SO thoughtful and I think Melvin and Penelope liked the story too! By this time, it was time to wrap the festivities up with a little bit of the movie Bolt and bedtime. I think we both fell asleep in under five minutes flat!

My birthday celebrations are officially over, and this was the perfect way to bring it to a close. I can’t wait for more summertime fun with my best girls!! ❤

Do you have any nieces and nephews? What is the best part about being an aunt or uncle? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May15

Mother’s Day Weekend (The Best!)

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Mother’s Day Weekend (The Best!)

Howdy!! I don’t know about all of you, but I had an absolutely joyous (albeit exhausting) Mother’s Day Weekend. My brother, his wife, and my precious niece and nephew flew in from Georgia and it was the first time we have all been together since Christmas. While my brother was in town, my parents and Johnny and I were also giving a hand to my sister and brother-in-law by watching our other two darling nieces so they could enjoy a much deserved weekend trip. Needless to say, we had a very full house but it was nowhere near as full as my heart!

Over the weekend, we got to spend so much quality time with my family and it was very special. I loved being able to play, play, play with my nieces and nephew, our big dinner out on Friday for Mexican food, and a slumber party with Val Gal afterwards. Then, Johnny and I returned back to chez parents on Saturday for some extra time with everyone before my brother and his family went home. Johnny and I were completely tuckered out by the time we returned to our apartment and spent all day Sunday not moving lol.

Although Johnny and I are very firm on not having children, this weekend honestly felt like a Mother’s Day celebration for me too. My husband and I take the role of fun aunt and uncle extremely seriously and we love our nieces and nephew as if they were our own kids. Being together with all of them was, truly, the greatest gift in the world. I mean, I know I was living my best life all weekend so I can’t even imagine how incredibly happy my mom felt! ❤

As a bunny mom, I was expecting nothing for Mother’s Day and that was so perfectly fine. I was already feeling all of the Christmas Day vibes and it doesn’t get better than that. However, Johnny made sure I got a little something from our sweet Melvin and Penelope. Check it out:

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Before we went to our family dinner on Friday, Johnny was bent down at the bunny hutch saying goodbye. When he stood up, he told me he found something for me in the cage and handed me the most adorable card from my bunny children and himself. Like I said, I wanted and expected nothing and I was tickled by this surprise. As always, I have the best husband ever and it felt so good to know that he and the bunnies both appreciate the highest level of care that I give them. It was a very happy Mother’s Day Weekend, indeed. 🙂

Being with my whole family over the weekend was like a cure all and I treasured every minute of it. I can’t wait for the next time we are altogether again!

How did you celebrate Mother’s Day? Do you get together with your whole family often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May14

Summer Fun For The Kiddos

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Summer Fun For The Kiddos

Hello!! As an adult, summer has definitely lost its luster. What I wouldn’t give for a whole three months off of work! However, ever since Johnny and I became an aunt and uncle, our summers have come back in a big way. There is absolutely nothing better than soaking up the sun with our sweet nieces. I also love that they love my favorite summertime activities from my youth – blowing bubbles and picking dandelions! If you are looking for some ways to give your kids the best summer ever, I have a few ideas in mind. Let’s check them out:

Camps Of All Kinds:

When I was little and as a teenager, I attended several summer camps for art and theater. It was such fun to meet new friends who enjoyed something that I did and it also gave me a sense of routine, which can be hard in the summer. One of my greatest joys is that my oldest niece has developed a taste for the theater and she will be attending some camps for that when school is out. No matter what your child is interested in, there is sure to be a camp for it!

While summer camps are a hoot, there is no denying that they can be expensive. However, there are ways to work around that! I would highly recommend taking a look at the different programs that your local libraries and Metro Parks are offering. Ninety-nine percent of the time, these activities are going to be free unless you have to chip in a bit for crafting supplies or what have you. Your local playgrounds might also have play groups that take field trips, do art, go swimming, and explore so that is also worth researching further.

All Of The Art:

As soon as school was out when I was a kid, my mom would take me and my siblings to the craft store. She would let us pick out different projects that would keep us occupied on rainy days and it was always such a treat. Of course, art supplies don’t just have to be bought at stores. Maybe you will go pick wildflowers together and make a gorgeous bouquet. Or how about a scavenger hunt? You could use whatever was found to make an awesome nature collage. There is art everywhere if you know where to look for it!

So Snacky:

In the summer, snack time is basically all the time lol. This can be a great learning experience for your kids! Every week, you could go on Pinterest together, find recipes for easy and healthy snacks, and pick up the ingredients at the store. Then, you can prep them once you are home. By the end of the summer, your child could have an arsenal of tasty snacks that they can make independently. This will teach them the merits of healthy eating, kitchen skills and safety, and will allow them to experience new food they might not have tried before.

Backyard Camping:

Often times, the most fun can be had in your own backyard. You can turn your home into the hub for your kiddos and their friends by making a backyard campground. They will be delighted by a pitched tent, projector screen for movies, and making smores over a fire pit. Backyard camping can be like a getaway for your kids and they can go all out with it. Perhaps they will like to make banners and posters, prepare trail mix, and plan activities to make it feel even more real!

The name of the game in the summer is keeping the kiddos occupied with fun and new experiences. They will have a blast with any of the above!

What was your favorite summertime activity? Do you have any big plans this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr15

Slumber Partayyy!

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Slumber Partayyy!

Hello! Johnny and I take our title of “Fun Aunt and Uncle” to our sweet nieces and nephew very seriously. We delight in treat days, outings, and surprises to further solidify that we are the best lol and we have the best time doing it! As often as we can, we like to have our niece, Val Gal, over for slumber parties for an evening of playing music, crafts, movies, and snacks. Surprisingly, I had the day off this past Thursday and was so excited to be able to host our lil BFF. I was SO tired the next day, but that’s a small price to pay for such a wonderful time! Check it out:

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When my sister dropped Val off at chez nous, lil buddy immediately went into her overnight bag for a surprise for me and Johnny. She bought us chips with her own money and made an origami bunny with her dad for us too. It was so sweet I could have cried because it’s usually the other way around for who’s getting a little gift! Before dinner, Val wanted to play music with Johnny and he is always happy to accommodate. He got them matching ukuleles for her third birthday and she brings it every time she comes over so they can play together. My heart! ❤

After our music block, it was time for dinner and a show and we watched our all time favorite, Vivo. It is a slumber party staple and it gets me every time. I love singing along to all of the songs with bestie! We noshed on mac n cheese and ice cream sundaes, then we spent the rest of the movie time painting together. I decided to make a picture for Val in a rainbow motif and then I wrote her name on it. She wanted to do the same thing for me and I came in with the assist to help her finish it. I love my painting so much and it has a very special place on my art wall with all of the crafts she has made for Johnny and I.

We spent the rest of the evening holding the bunnies, running around the apartment like crazy people, and watching a bit of Elf before bed. The following morning, I got up extra early so I could work before she woke up. Val threw an adorable wrench in my plans because she got up extra early so she could have more time with me! We finished Elf and before I took her home, we broke out her new diary and wrote an entry and drew pictures together about our slumber partay. It was absolutely precious and I’m not sure which one of us had more fun!

Being an aunt brings me so much joy and Johnny feels the same about his uncle status. We love every minute with our lil besties and we both agreed that this was one of our best slumber parties yet!

Did you have a favorite aunt or uncle growing up? How do you like to spoil your family? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr6

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!!!

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Happy Birthday, Dad!!!!!

Hello everyone! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my dad’s birthday!! Although my dad is not the fondest of another year around the sun, I am most fond of celebrating him every day. He deserves it! My dad is one of a kind. He is freaking hilarious, smart as a tack, brave, and you will never find a more caring husband/dad/granddad in the whole world. I think my mom and dad are the cutest couple and it’s extremely apparent where I got my good looks from!

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One thing that I love the most about my dad (Other than everything!) is his passion for nature. He has single-handedly turned our backyard into a safe haven for all kinds of wildlife and plants. With the start of spring, the wildlife windows he created have been popping and it’s so cool to watch wild bunnies run and play, the occasional groundhog scampering around, and see all of the flowers he has planted get ready to bloom. I am looking forward to planting more with him hopefully very soon!

Another cool thing about my dad is that he is always up for trying something new. New recipes, new places for vacation, new activities. In fact, just the other day him and my mom decided they might go to a line dancing class together. SO adorable! He really does have an adventurous spirit and even after forty plus years of marriage, he is still finding new ways for him and my mom to have fun together. It makes me admire their relationship even more. ❤

No matter how old I get, I will forever be a daddy’s girl and I have the best one. I love you, dad!!!!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mar22

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!

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Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!

Hello everyone! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my amazing mom’s birthday!! My mom is my A1, ride or die bestie and every second of every minute spent with her is a joy. She is the most fun, hilarious, beautiful person I will ever know and I hit the jackpot being her daughter. Not only is my mom the best on the planet, but she is also the best grandma too of four kiddos and two bunnies. 🙂 Every day, I am thankful beyond words for my mom who is the brightest light to everyone she meets.

My mom is a pillar of strength and grace. She is a fighter, a badass, and a constant source of inspiration to me. I am lucky because I get to see my mom almost every day of the week and when we are not together, we are texting away about how much we miss each other! I know that we can both go to each other about anything and everything and it is so special to be able to have that kind of relationship. No matter how old I get, she is the first one I go to for advice, a kind word, or a shoulder to cry on. We are and forever will be two peas in a pod, best of friends, and an unshakable mother/daughter duo! ❤

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Mom, thank you for being you and all you do. I wouldn’t be me without you!!! I love you more than words will ever say!

Happy birthday to you!!!!!!!! ❤

Feb5

Sweet Surprises: Painted Parrot Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Painted Parrot Edition

Howdy!! This past Wednesday, my darling niece, Val Gal, came over for a slumber party. It is something we both always look forward to because it is such fun!! I make us dinner, we have ice cream sundaes for dessert, enjoy a movie, and play, play, play. For our entertainment while we noshed on Mint Chocolate Chip sundaes, Val chose Mulan and I was stoked. That was one of my favorite Disney movies as a kid and we were also eating my favorite ice cream. And I was with my favorite person! As always, our partay was a raging success and a full on rager. I was also presented with quite possibly the sweetest gift ever. Check it out:

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Val is a huge fan of crafting. She loves to paint, color, and make masterpieces with Play Doh. For Christmas, I got her a set of animal figurines that she could paint because that is one of her favorite activities. I had honestly forgotten about it when Val told me she brought me something. She handed me a parrot from the set that she painted and said “This is for you, TT. You got it for me for Christmas, but I wanted you to have one too.” Believe me when I say, I completely melted. Out of the mouths of babes!!

My sweet niece is just the coolest kid and Johnny and I cherish the time we spend with her. Val is the best big sister to Raya and is so kind, talented, and absolutely freaking hilarious. That girl keeps me in stitches and I am constantly quoting the ridiculousness she says on the daily. The parrot that she made with love is a testament to what an amazing little girl she is. It was yet another reminder of her thoughtfulness and it really moved me. We are each other’s best friends and she makes my life infinitely better. ❤

My parrot has a prized spot on our knick knack shelf and I smile every time I look at it/think about it. Here’s to many more slumber parties and fabulous memories with my lil BFF!

What is a gift that you cherish? What is your favorite thing that someone made for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah