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FREE Editable, Summer Bucket List for the Family

July 16, 2019      Sarah Van Wagenen

Creating a family, summer bucket list can be as easy as: Sitting down with everyone.Grabbing snacks to make it more fun and to keep even the littlest ones' attentions.Filling in the FREE bucket list I designed and shared below with the ideas you come up with together. What are simple things to add to a family bucket list? For age references, we have a 4 year old, a 2 year old, and a 1 year old. We tried to make sure our ideas were doable and fun for everyone. At first, the kids ...

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Fourth of July Fun for Families & Kids

July 2, 2019      Sarah Van Wagenen

As my kids are getting older, holidays are more and more fun! I really enjoy making plans with them so that they get excited for our celebrations. I sat down with my girls to put together some fun ideas for Fourth of July activities and food, and I'll share some of what we found below. We started by looking through Pinterest and made a board of our favorite July Fourth ideas, so make sure to check that out! Every year we anxiously await the fireworks, trying to keep exhausted kids ...

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10-Minute, Simple Makeup Routine for Going Out

June 29, 2019      Sarah Van Wagenen

When we get to have a night out together, or I get to have a Girls' Night, I like to spend at least a few more minutes on my makeup routine. I like trying a lot of different products to find what I like best, and thought I would share a simple, 10-minute routine I like to follow for those special occasions when I get to dress up a little. 8 Steps to a Simple Makeup Routine 1. I start with a basic BB cream. I don't usually use foundation, but BB cream is kind of a mix between foundation ...

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The Best Summer Reading Calendar!

June 24, 2019      Sarah Van Wagenen

I found the cutest Summer Reading Calendar designed by Hadley Designs and in partnership with Every Day Reading. I was so excited to get it printed out and to start working on it with my girls! These ladies did an awesome job creating a fun and super cute reading calendar. Oh, and I forgot to mention, but it's totally FREE to edit and download! My favorite features about this Summer Reading Calendar: You can customize EVERYTHING about it! I added my girls' names at the top, because I ...

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The Ultimate Father’s Day Gift Guide

June 8, 2019      Sarah Van Wagenen

I love having the chance to celebrate the special fathers in our lives on Father's Day. We have been putting together a few different ways to show Kurt how grateful we are for everything he does for our little family. I worked really hard to make a Father's Day gift guide that would appeal to a wide audience. Also, I'm pretty sure, of all the photos I've ever taken, this is one of my very favorites. The love between this daddy and his little girl is visible and it make my heart happy! Kurt is ...

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FREE Book Review Template & Reading Journal

June 4, 2019      Sarah Van Wagenen

I love books, I love to read, and I want to do a better job of keeping a reading journal. After looking at some different ideas, I decided to make an editable PDF (find it here) to fill out for each book I read. I made a cute cover (find a slightly different option here) to put on the front of my binder, added some sheet protectors, and now I need to start filling out my book review template. 3 Basic Materials for Your Reading Journal I tried to make this SUPER simple, just click each ...

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Hi, I’m Sarah!

Hi, I’m Sarah!

My husband, Kurt, and I live in Birmingham, AL with our three little ones {4}, {2}, & {1}. My husband is currently completing a medical residency. Prior to living here we lived in Texas and Utah for schooling.

This is where I'll be sharing recent reads, favorite recipes and products, everyday style, details about our travels, etc. I'll also be sharing freebies I've designed, so don't miss out! I'm so happy to have you here!

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It’s easy to think we have to create unforgettab It’s easy to think we have to create unforgettable moments with expensive trips and packed schedules. I’m as guilty of that as the next person. 

But some of childhood’s greatest memories are made in the backyard—with a fire, a few marshmallows, and time together.

What’s one simple summer tradition your kids love? ⬇️

#simplechildhood #90ssummer #makingmemories #summerwithkids #familytraditions
90’s Summer Bucket List Stop 2 “America’s Pa 90’s Summer Bucket List Stop 2 “America’s Pastime”, there’s nothing like a local baseball game. Going to a Trash Pandas baseball game with the kids on a summer night is forever a favorite for us! 

The atmosphere, the food, cheering the players on, ALL the freebies (the kids came home loaded down), time with friends, getting on the Jumbotron (multiple times), players signing stuff afterwards. The best way to spend a summer evening! Such a fun night we’ll always remember. 

Go Trash Pandas! @trashpandasbaseball @trashpandafans 

#90ssummer #summerbucketlist #alabamawithkids #madisonal #northalabama
90’s Summer Bucket List Part 1 📍Hartselle Aq 90’s Summer Bucket List Part 1

📍Hartselle Aquatic Center, Alabama

We’re down to the last few weeks of summer so I’m starting a series to share some of our favorite bucket list items we checked off this year! 

Everyone’s been talking about a 90’s summer and maybe we’ve just always done summer different, but less screens and more memories is what it’s all about!

First stop, The Hartselle Aquatic Center, just 20 minutes from Madison, Alabama, and my top pick for fun places to take the kids this summer. Here’s why. 

- Affordable, $15 for 12 and older, $10 for 4-11, 3 and under free 
- Small enough to keep an eye on everyone
- Big enough to keep everyone entertained for 4-6 hours (more if I let them) 
- Easy to see where everyone is and what they’re doing, but the big kids also love the independence 
- Multiple slides
- Lazy river
- High diving board
- Low diving board
- Shallow, zero entry and water features 

Pro tip: I learned this from a fellow mom, get there as soon as it opens to get a good spot with umbrellas and a good view of the whole facility. We set up back by the bathrooms, which was great! The tables and umbrellas in the middle of the pools fills up fastest, so obviously a great spot if you’re there early enough to get it. #90ssummer #summerbucketlist #alabamawithkids #northalabama #madisonal
A Christmas tradition that never gets old ✨ Tak A Christmas tradition that never gets old ✨

Taking our kids to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall this Christmas felt extra special as we celebrated their 100th anniversary 🎄👯‍♀️. The precision, the costumes, the music—every detail was so creative, magical, and completely engaging for kids and adults alike.

My favorite part of the show was the full Nativity dramatization; so beautifully done! If you’re looking for a timeless Christmas experience in NYC, this is it.

✨ Here’s to 100 years of high kicks, holiday wonder, and unforgettable moments.

#festivefun #RadioCityMusicHall #ChristmasInNYC #RockettesChristmasSpectacular #NYCWithKids
Comment “NYC Christmas” for a printable guide Comment “NYC Christmas” for a printable guide of this charming holiday stroll down Fifth Avenue. 

If there’s one place that truly feels like Christmas in NYC, it’s Fifth Avenue. Glittering lights, iconic windows, and pure holiday magic at every turn. 

🎄 Don’t miss these must-see stops:
📍 Saks Fifth Avenue – The legendary holiday light show + enchanting windows (every 10 minutes after dark!)
📍 Rockefeller Center Tree – Just across the street and absolutely iconic 🌟
📍 Cartier – Wrapped like a giant present for the ultimate holiday photo op 🎁
📍 Dior – Artistic, over-the-top winter magic
📍 FAO Schwarz- perfectly engaging for kids (and parents alike)

If you get the chance to visit NYC at Christmas *SAVE* this for your itinerary and bundle up! ❤️

#FifthAvenue #NYCChristmas #HolidayInNYC #ChristmasInNewYork #nycmagic
Grant has said since he was 3 that he wanted to be Grant has said since he was 3 that he wanted to be in Slytherin and tonight got to meet the @t22felton and talk to “Draco” about his house of choice! We had the most magical night getting to meet the cast members of @cursedchildus and most importantly getting to see their incredible talent in person! What an amazing night we will both always remember! #harrypotterfan #harrypotterfans #harrypotterfandom #harrypotterandthecursedchild #slytherin
Halloween 2024 will forever be a favorite family c Halloween 2024 will forever be a favorite family costume! We had so, so much fun planning this one and dancing together! The kids got introduced to Phineas & Ferb by one of their babysitters and we’ve had the best time watching the show together. I don’t know if there is anything cuter than Carter as Perry the Platypus. He LOVED his costume! What a fun crew!! We got home from our London/Paris trip about 24 hours before Halloween so it was an exhausting stretch, but we survived! #halloweenfamilycostume #halloween2024 #boycostumeideas #phineasandferb #familylife #perrytheplatypus #familycostumesarethebest #familycostume #familyof7 #familiesthattravel
Sneak peek of our family costume this year!! The c Sneak peek of our family costume this year!! The cutest Perry the Platypus. He loved his costume and was so excited to be Perry! #familycostume #familycostumesarethebest #halloween2024 #familylife  #perrytheplatypus #phineasandferb #boycostumeideas
Grateful today and every day for F A M I L Y! I wa Grateful today and every day for F A M I L Y! I watch this video from summer on repeat. We had a blast doing this @cost_n_mayor inspired dance together, which has moves much more difficult than they make it look 🤣Our crew gets bigger every year and we already have one more babe since our summer get together. There are 16 grandkids and when we’re all together there are 29 of us! I’m so grateful for my people and the amazing families that Kurt and I have been blessed with. I can’t wait for our next family dance together! 
#familiesthatdancetogetheraremorefun #grateful #blessed #familiesareforever #familydanceparty #familyreunion #familyreunion #danceparty #familyhumoratitsfinest #familyhumor

Latest Posts

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Easy Kneaders Copycat French Toast Casserole

Latest Pins

It’s easy to think we have to create unforgettab It’s easy to think we have to create unforgettable moments with expensive trips and packed schedules. I’m as guilty of that as the next person. 

But some of childhood’s greatest memories are made in the backyard—with a fire, a few marshmallows, and time together.

What’s one simple summer tradition your kids love? ⬇️

#simplechildhood #90ssummer #makingmemories #summerwithkids #familytraditions
90’s Summer Bucket List Stop 2 “America’s Pa 90’s Summer Bucket List Stop 2 “America’s Pastime”, there’s nothing like a local baseball game. Going to a Trash Pandas baseball game with the kids on a summer night is forever a favorite for us! 

The atmosphere, the food, cheering the players on, ALL the freebies (the kids came home loaded down), time with friends, getting on the Jumbotron (multiple times), players signing stuff afterwards. The best way to spend a summer evening! Such a fun night we’ll always remember. 

Go Trash Pandas! @trashpandasbaseball @trashpandafans 

#90ssummer #summerbucketlist #alabamawithkids #madisonal #northalabama
90’s Summer Bucket List Part 1 📍Hartselle Aq 90’s Summer Bucket List Part 1

📍Hartselle Aquatic Center, Alabama

We’re down to the last few weeks of summer so I’m starting a series to share some of our favorite bucket list items we checked off this year! 

Everyone’s been talking about a 90’s summer and maybe we’ve just always done summer different, but less screens and more memories is what it’s all about!

First stop, The Hartselle Aquatic Center, just 20 minutes from Madison, Alabama, and my top pick for fun places to take the kids this summer. Here’s why. 

- Affordable, $15 for 12 and older, $10 for 4-11, 3 and under free 
- Small enough to keep an eye on everyone
- Big enough to keep everyone entertained for 4-6 hours (more if I let them) 
- Easy to see where everyone is and what they’re doing, but the big kids also love the independence 
- Multiple slides
- Lazy river
- High diving board
- Low diving board
- Shallow, zero entry and water features 

Pro tip: I learned this from a fellow mom, get there as soon as it opens to get a good spot with umbrellas and a good view of the whole facility. We set up back by the bathrooms, which was great! The tables and umbrellas in the middle of the pools fills up fastest, so obviously a great spot if you’re there early enough to get it. #90ssummer #summerbucketlist #alabamawithkids #northalabama #madisonal
A Christmas tradition that never gets old ✨ Tak A Christmas tradition that never gets old ✨

Taking our kids to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall this Christmas felt extra special as we celebrated their 100th anniversary 🎄👯‍♀️. The precision, the costumes, the music—every detail was so creative, magical, and completely engaging for kids and adults alike.

My favorite part of the show was the full Nativity dramatization; so beautifully done! If you’re looking for a timeless Christmas experience in NYC, this is it.

✨ Here’s to 100 years of high kicks, holiday wonder, and unforgettable moments.

#festivefun #RadioCityMusicHall #ChristmasInNYC #RockettesChristmasSpectacular #NYCWithKids
Comment “NYC Christmas” for a printable guide Comment “NYC Christmas” for a printable guide of this charming holiday stroll down Fifth Avenue. 

If there’s one place that truly feels like Christmas in NYC, it’s Fifth Avenue. Glittering lights, iconic windows, and pure holiday magic at every turn. 

🎄 Don’t miss these must-see stops:
📍 Saks Fifth Avenue – The legendary holiday light show + enchanting windows (every 10 minutes after dark!)
📍 Rockefeller Center Tree – Just across the street and absolutely iconic 🌟
📍 Cartier – Wrapped like a giant present for the ultimate holiday photo op 🎁
📍 Dior – Artistic, over-the-top winter magic
📍 FAO Schwarz- perfectly engaging for kids (and parents alike)

If you get the chance to visit NYC at Christmas *SAVE* this for your itinerary and bundle up! ❤️

#FifthAvenue #NYCChristmas #HolidayInNYC #ChristmasInNewYork #nycmagic
Grant has said since he was 3 that he wanted to be Grant has said since he was 3 that he wanted to be in Slytherin and tonight got to meet the @t22felton and talk to “Draco” about his house of choice! We had the most magical night getting to meet the cast members of @cursedchildus and most importantly getting to see their incredible talent in person! What an amazing night we will both always remember! #harrypotterfan #harrypotterfans #harrypotterfandom #harrypotterandthecursedchild #slytherin
Halloween 2024 will forever be a favorite family c Halloween 2024 will forever be a favorite family costume! We had so, so much fun planning this one and dancing together! The kids got introduced to Phineas & Ferb by one of their babysitters and we’ve had the best time watching the show together. I don’t know if there is anything cuter than Carter as Perry the Platypus. He LOVED his costume! What a fun crew!! We got home from our London/Paris trip about 24 hours before Halloween so it was an exhausting stretch, but we survived! #halloweenfamilycostume #halloween2024 #boycostumeideas #phineasandferb #familylife #perrytheplatypus #familycostumesarethebest #familycostume #familyof7 #familiesthattravel
Sneak peek of our family costume this year!! The c Sneak peek of our family costume this year!! The cutest Perry the Platypus. He loved his costume and was so excited to be Perry! #familycostume #familycostumesarethebest #halloween2024 #familylife  #perrytheplatypus #phineasandferb #boycostumeideas
Grateful today and every day for F A M I L Y! I wa Grateful today and every day for F A M I L Y! I watch this video from summer on repeat. We had a blast doing this @cost_n_mayor inspired dance together, which has moves much more difficult than they make it look 🤣Our crew gets bigger every year and we already have one more babe since our summer get together. There are 16 grandkids and when we’re all together there are 29 of us! I’m so grateful for my people and the amazing families that Kurt and I have been blessed with. I can’t wait for our next family dance together! 
#familiesthatdancetogetheraremorefun #grateful #blessed #familiesareforever #familydanceparty #familyreunion #familyreunion #danceparty #familyhumoratitsfinest #familyhumor
Happy Halloween from Hogwarts! #harrypotter #famil Happy Halloween from Hogwarts! #harrypotter #familyhalloweencostumes #halloweencostumeideas #halloweencostume #harrypotterworld #harrypotterfan

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