I’m crying uncle to my schedule…

And from what I can tell the rest of you are feeling the same strain. Since when did May feel more like the holidays with all the running around and stuffed calendars? From graduations to birthday parties to sports practices and games every night of the week, things have gotten a little out of control around here.  (more…)

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored conversation and giveaway on behalf of Microsoft and The Motherhood. As always, all opinions expressed are my own!

You may have seen them in your mall… the new Mega Microsoft Stores popping up around the nation? If you are like me, you’ve probably walked by your local Microsoft Store a dozen times, have been curious, but have never gone in. I always assumed they were just for people looking to buy computers. Little did I know what all the new Microsoft Stores had, well, in store!

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I’ve been complaining a lot about the weather lately. I mean, do you blame me? Snow in May? That’s a bunch of craziness! I’m so ready for spring like weather… flip flops, warm sunshine, outdoor patio playing, chalk drawing, driving with the windows down and music blaring… all of that. Having my heater on in May is not my idea of spring! (more…)

I’m helping Pillsbury Funfetti mix & frostings celebrate their 25th birthday with some celebration tips of my own!

The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Patsy! Thanks to all who entered.

When was the last time you had a celebration just to celebrate? Not for a birthday or anniversary or anything, but just because?

Right now, with the snow falling down outside, again, I can tell you *this* family is going to have one heck of a party when spring finally arrives! Want an invite? It’s going to be an epic “Welcome Spring” celebration!

Whether you are celebrating the final snow of the season, a happy birthday, or simply another day, I have some great celebration tips to share with you!

We were finally able to fire up the grill this weekend… and by we I mean my husband – I still have no idea how to use the thing. It doesn’t help that it is missing knobs and ghetto rigged to where only he knows how to turn it on. I’m not feeling bitter about that at all.*ahem*

Did you know that when I first met my husband, he pretty much would only eat two vegetables and that was it… corn and potatoes. From what he tells me, he was a typical Iowa farm kid who grew up on a pretty stringent diet of meat and potatoes. As would be expected, right?  (more…)

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Brooke who won this Tower of Treats gift for her mom! Thanks to all who entered. 

Friends… I hate to break the news to you, but May is right around the corner. Do you know what that means? Mother’s Day will be here before you know it! I am always thinking about my mom and how much I love her, but it never fails that Mother’s Day sneaks up on me and I fail to get her something to really show her how much I love and appreciate her. (more…)

When we first discovered Ella was struggling in school, one of her teachers suggested giving her a healthy, protein packed start to her day. We had heard that foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt and other protein packed breakfast items, versus a carb laden breakfast, could help kids remain focused and stay fueled until lunchtime. I didn’t really give much thought as to how breakfast nutrition played a part in learning at school with my other kids, but that was before we had a child who wasn’t achieving as well as she could in school. If there was something as simple as changing her breakfast routine that could jumpstart her day and keep her rearing to go until lunch time, you can bet I was going to try it.  (more…)

I’ve had so much fun over the past couple weeks experimenting with the new FreshTake products from Kraft. You may remember I made this flavorful Shrimp Walnut Salad pictured above and the “oh so good” Cheesy Bacon Bites using Kraft FreshTake Cheddar Jack and Bacon variety.

Well, the fun hasn’t stopped there! I’ve been busy over on Pinterest pinning away other Kraft FreshTake recipes. I can’t believe how creative cooks can be with these products. From Shepherds Pie to Cod Au Gratin, there are so many possibilities for Kraft FreshTake goodness! I hope you’ll check out my #KraftFreshTake Inspired Pinterest Board to see some of the great ideas cooked up using Kraft FreshTake! (more…)

I have a skill I think most moms have… I can tell when my kids are coming down with something simply by the way they behave. Things like extra cranky moods, taking a nap in the middle of the day when they don’t normally nap, and coming around for extra snuggles are sure fire signs to me that one of my kiddos doesn’t feel well. Kids like to be happy and are supposed to be happy… and when they are healthy they are happy!

The folks at Pediacare recently asked me to share some tips on how we make staying healthy fun around our house. As I type this, I have two sick kids at home with me, so… well, I’m no expert, but I do know that if we want our kids to be healthy, we’ve got to make being healthy fun. (more…)

I was hired by Kraft to create a recipe using their Kraft Fresh Take Cheddar Jack and Bacon mixtures. This post is about my experience.

I’m talking Bacon again this week with a new #KraftFreshTake challenge!

You may remember that with my first #KraftFreshTake challenge I made these amazing Cheesy Bacon Bite appetizers. Now, I’m rising to the next challenge…

I decided I was going to make a Cheddar Jack and Bacon Shrimp and Walnut salad topped with Cheddar Jack and Bacon Salad Dressing. How’s that for the longest recipe title, ever? You get it… there’s bacon and cheese involved. That’s really all you need to know! (more…)