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Kids’ Books about Snow

February 18, 2022      Sarah Van Wagenen

kids' books about snow

Since it's been a little chilly here, we've been reading some kids' book about snow. I wanted to share some of our favorites, and which activities the kids have enjoyed the most. Each of these books is a unique and fun narrative about different experiences in the snow. Kids' Books about Snow No Two Alike, by Keith Baker. A story about two birds exploring a winter landscape together. Ten Ways to Hear Snow, by Cathy Camper. The main character hears snow in so many different ways on ...

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14 Favorite Valentine’s Day Children’s Books

February 14, 2022      Sarah Van Wagenen

We love some good Valentine's Day children's books, all about love. Some are specifically about Valentine's Day, but some are just about good friendship and relationships. 14 Favorite Valentine's Day Children's Books Lola Dutch I Love You So Much, by Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright. All the Lola Dutch books are darling. She and her friends are so sweet, and of course the illustrations are swoon-worthy. This one is all about how we can show the important people in our lives how much we ...

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Activities to Help Little Kids Sit Still

January 24, 2022      Sarah Van Wagenen

activities for kids

With four little kids, we are a busy bunch. It takes a concerted effort to keep it together at church or traveling. Kids love to run and jump and play. Sitting still is never they're favorite. Here are some tried and true activities that help little kids sit still. Whether you're traveling or need some fresh ideas for helping little ones sit still at church, here are a few things that work for us. Favorite Activities to Help Little Kids Sit Still One of my kids' very favorite ...

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25 Christmas Books for Kids (a Christmas Advent with Books)

December 30, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

Christmas books for kids

One of our favorite traditions the last few years, is doing a Christmas advent with kids' books each night in December. We wrap 25 Christmas books for kids, and each night we open and read one. It's such a fun way to count down to Christmas and the kids have loved getting to open a book every night. Here is a list of 25 Christmas books for kids to do your own Christmas advent. 25 Christmas Books for Kids Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale. This will always be one of our ...

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10 Gift Ideas for Men

December 21, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

gift ideas for men

I don't know if anyone else can relate, but buying for the men in my life is the most difficult. I only want to gift items that people will use, which for some reason, is harder to find for men. Here are 10 gift ideas for men, in case you need any last minute ideas. Leather Toiletry Bag- A beautiful, highly functional toiletry bag will get years of use. The aesthetics of this particular bag are amazing. It looks so nice and is a water-resistant leather bag, with lots of pockets for ...

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10 Gift Ideas for Women

December 20, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

I wanted to share some gift ideas for women, in case you're still needing some last minute gift ideas for Christmas. One reason I love making and pouring over gift guides is because it gives me ideas I wouldn't otherwise think about. On this list, there's a range of classics like jewelry and spa products, as well as some functional every day use gifts. 10 Gift Ideas for Women Heatless Curl Headband-If you have someone on your list who enjoys beauty trends, these headbands are a great ...

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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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✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much ✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much into one day!

Good food, a little shopping, pool time, and Backstreet Boys nostalgia made this quick trip one for the books.

Here’s everything we squeezed in:

📍 Aria Patisserie — starting the day with something sweet
📍 Din Tai Fung — because the right order here makes ALL the difference 🥟
🛍️ A last-minute Ross run for Backstreet Boys concert accessories (think sparkly silver, butterfly clutch)
💗 Made friendship bracelets together (one of my favorite parts of the trip)
🌐 Saw The Sphere in all its Vegas glory
🎶 Backstreet Boys: Into the Millennium — the main event and SO much nostalgia
🎤 The Backstreet Boys Experience at The Venetian
🥐 Brunch at La Fontaine
🍩 A stop at Saint Honoré for donuts
☀️ Pool time at Fontainebleau with virgin drinks poolside

Vegas doesn’t require a week-long vacation. Give us 28 hours, a concert, great food, and a packed itinerary and we’re happy. 😂✨

#VegasGirlsTrip #vegastravel #LasVegasItinerary #BackstreetBoys #VegasFoodie
Anyone else raising a “define see” kid? If you kn Anyone else raising a “define see” kid?

If you know, you know, hiking with kids usually means they’re either half a mile ahead or half a mile behind. 

📍Artists’ Paintpot, Yellowstone National Park

#yellowstonenationalpark #travelwithkids #outdoorfamily #familyhiking #parenthumor
Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary! From Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary!

From waterfalls and colorful thermal basins to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, bubbling mudpots, and wildlife in Hayden Valley—these are some of our favorite stops for a family day in the park.

I included how long to spend at each stop + how much walking to expect so you can actually plan your day without guessing.

📌 Save this for your Yellowstone trip and send it to the person planning your family vacation!

Follow @blossomandbecome for kid-friendly itineraries, family travel tips & adventures. 🤍

#yellowstonewithkids #yellowstonenationalpark #familytravel #travelwithkids #kidfriendlytravel
Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant co Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant completely changes your experience. 

Here are my top recommendations for food to try in Vegas. 

📍Aria Patisserie 

The Raspberry Rose macaron, a crisp, chewy shell, luscious raspberry filling, and a subtle floral rose finish. Sweet, tart, and perfectly elegant. 🌹🍓

📍Din Thai Fung

Order the Noodles with Spicy Sauce and use the “spicy sauce” to flavor as many other options as you choose. I highly recommend it with the Spicy Chicken Wontons and Pork Bao buns.

DO NOT leave without trying the Mango Shaved Ice and the Chocolate + Mochi XLB Bao Buns with a side of Sea Salt Cream 

📍La Fontaine (for brunch) 

Soufflé Pancakes: Ultra-fluffy, cloud-like pancakes topped with bright lemon curd, fresh berries, and airy thyme whipped cream. 

Le Traditionnel Eggs Benedict, smoked ham, potato bread, and truffled hollandaise. Amazing, so well done!

📍 Saint Honore 

Most famous for their creme Brulee donut and their beignets. We also tried the Passionfruit donut. All of them were standout donuts and not overly sweet, but so fresh and  absolutely worth the stop. 

📍Bellagio Patisserie 

Coolest patisserie design, famous for the mesmerizing chocolate fountain, a multi-tiered cascade of silky, rich chocolate. 

I recommend either a sweet or savory crepe + the Key Lime Tart. 

📍Guy Fieri’s Las Vegas Kitchen & Bar 

“Koreatown” Tacos are a fun Korean-Mexican fusion dish: marinated thin-cut ribeye, creamy avocado-lime mash, tangy kimchi, pico de gallo, spicy mayo, and corn tortillas. Best taco I’ve ever had!

📍Buddy V’s Ristorante 

Grandma’s Meatballs — tender beef, veal, and pork meatballs simmered in rich marinara and finished with Parmesan. A perfect family recipe! 

📍Salt & Straw 

I was encouraged to try Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper 🍓🍦—one of Salt & Straw’s signature flavors. It’s creamy strawberry ice cream with balsamic and a touch of citrusy black pepper that makes the strawberry flavor really pop. Delicious!!!

Pro tip: take your ice cream outside and try to time it with watching a Bellagio fountain show. 

#LasVegasEats #LasVegasFood #VegasEats #
Seeing the Sphere in Vegas is one thing… experienc Seeing the Sphere in Vegas is one thing… experiencing it during a Backstreet Boys concert is another! ✨

The visuals are INSANE, the sound is incredible, and the entire place feels completely immersive. Add the Backstreet Boys (live and in person) to it; total dream come true! 🥹🪩

#BackstreetBoys #BSB #SphereVegas #LasVegas #BSBArmy
“Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a “Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a sigh.” 🦋

There’s something about this footage of Dolly waving to the people lining the streets of Dollywood that feels especially beautiful to me now. Warm. Nostalgic. Joyful. So very Dolly.

I’ve been going to Dollywood since I was 4 years old. Some of my earliest and sweetest memories are wrapped up in that place.

Now that I’m grown, I’ve had the joy of taking my own children to Dollywood countless times. But last year was the first time I ever got to see Dolly herself riding in the Opening Day Parade.

Dolly was an exceptional woman.

She made the most of the life God gave her, and perhaps even more beautifully, she brought people up with her. She used her success to open doors, give hope, create opportunities, and make people feel seen and loved.

There was something extraordinary about the way Dolly loved people. She didn’t just shine—she made everything around her a little brighter.

The world will not be the same without her. But what a gift it was to live in a world with Dolly Parton in it.🤍🦋

#DollyParton #Dollywood #DollysLegacy #DollyPartonFans #Tennessee
📍 Saint Honoré, Las Vegas @ilovesainthonore Save 📍 Saint Honoré, Las Vegas

@ilovesainthonore

Save this for your next trip to Vegas!!
 
The dreamy crème brûlée Saint-Honoré donut—golden, crackly caramel on top, filled with silky vanilla cream, and impossibly decadent. 🍩✨

I can’t say what I liked more: the satisfying crunch of biting through the crystallized sugar? Or that it was the perfect amount of sweet but not TOO sweet? Or the vanilla cream in the middle? Just try it, you won’t regret it! So worth the hype and next time I’m definitely trying the beignets, that are highly recommended and also look delicious.

#donutsofinstagram #sainthonoré #lasvegasfoodie
📍Din Thai Fung, Aria, Las Vegas Only 16 of these 📍Din Thai Fung, Aria, Las Vegas

Only 16 of these restaurants in the country, but it’s well-worth the plane flight to get to eat here! Sharing some of our favorite dishes from this most recent trip. I’ve been twice now and ordered even better the second time. 

Tips: Order the Noodles with Spicy Sauce and use the “spicy sauce” to flavor as many other options as you choose. 

DO NOT leave without trying Mango Shaved Ice + Chocolate + Mochi XLB Bao Buns with a side of Sea Salt Cream. 

#vegasfood #lasvegasfood #foodiesofinstagram #foodietips
Millenium 2.0. Backstreet’s Back Alright!!! #bsb # Millenium 2.0. Backstreet’s Back Alright!!! #bsb #backstreetboys #backstreetboysvegas #y2k #spherevegas

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✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much ✨28 hours in Vegas ✨And somehow we packed SO much into one day!

Good food, a little shopping, pool time, and Backstreet Boys nostalgia made this quick trip one for the books.

Here’s everything we squeezed in:

📍 Aria Patisserie — starting the day with something sweet
📍 Din Tai Fung — because the right order here makes ALL the difference 🥟
🛍️ A last-minute Ross run for Backstreet Boys concert accessories (think sparkly silver, butterfly clutch)
💗 Made friendship bracelets together (one of my favorite parts of the trip)
🌐 Saw The Sphere in all its Vegas glory
🎶 Backstreet Boys: Into the Millennium — the main event and SO much nostalgia
🎤 The Backstreet Boys Experience at The Venetian
🥐 Brunch at La Fontaine
🍩 A stop at Saint Honoré for donuts
☀️ Pool time at Fontainebleau with virgin drinks poolside

Vegas doesn’t require a week-long vacation. Give us 28 hours, a concert, great food, and a packed itinerary and we’re happy. 😂✨

#VegasGirlsTrip #vegastravel #LasVegasItinerary #BackstreetBoys #VegasFoodie
Anyone else raising a “define see” kid? If you kn Anyone else raising a “define see” kid?

If you know, you know, hiking with kids usually means they’re either half a mile ahead or half a mile behind. 

📍Artists’ Paintpot, Yellowstone National Park

#yellowstonenationalpark #travelwithkids #outdoorfamily #familyhiking #parenthumor
Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary! From Yellowstone with kids? Save this itinerary!

From waterfalls and colorful thermal basins to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, bubbling mudpots, and wildlife in Hayden Valley—these are some of our favorite stops for a family day in the park.

I included how long to spend at each stop + how much walking to expect so you can actually plan your day without guessing.

📌 Save this for your Yellowstone trip and send it to the person planning your family vacation!

Follow @blossomandbecome for kid-friendly itineraries, family travel tips & adventures. 🤍

#yellowstonewithkids #yellowstonenationalpark #familytravel #travelwithkids #kidfriendlytravel
Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant co Sometimes knowing what to order at a restaurant completely changes your experience. 

Here are my top recommendations for food to try in Vegas. 

📍Aria Patisserie 

The Raspberry Rose macaron, a crisp, chewy shell, luscious raspberry filling, and a subtle floral rose finish. Sweet, tart, and perfectly elegant. 🌹🍓

📍Din Thai Fung

Order the Noodles with Spicy Sauce and use the “spicy sauce” to flavor as many other options as you choose. I highly recommend it with the Spicy Chicken Wontons and Pork Bao buns.

DO NOT leave without trying the Mango Shaved Ice and the Chocolate + Mochi XLB Bao Buns with a side of Sea Salt Cream 

📍La Fontaine (for brunch) 

Soufflé Pancakes: Ultra-fluffy, cloud-like pancakes topped with bright lemon curd, fresh berries, and airy thyme whipped cream. 

Le Traditionnel Eggs Benedict, smoked ham, potato bread, and truffled hollandaise. Amazing, so well done!

📍 Saint Honore 

Most famous for their creme Brulee donut and their beignets. We also tried the Passionfruit donut. All of them were standout donuts and not overly sweet, but so fresh and  absolutely worth the stop. 

📍Bellagio Patisserie 

Coolest patisserie design, famous for the mesmerizing chocolate fountain, a multi-tiered cascade of silky, rich chocolate. 

I recommend either a sweet or savory crepe + the Key Lime Tart. 

📍Guy Fieri’s Las Vegas Kitchen & Bar 

“Koreatown” Tacos are a fun Korean-Mexican fusion dish: marinated thin-cut ribeye, creamy avocado-lime mash, tangy kimchi, pico de gallo, spicy mayo, and corn tortillas. Best taco I’ve ever had!

📍Buddy V’s Ristorante 

Grandma’s Meatballs — tender beef, veal, and pork meatballs simmered in rich marinara and finished with Parmesan. A perfect family recipe! 

📍Salt & Straw 

I was encouraged to try Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper 🍓🍦—one of Salt & Straw’s signature flavors. It’s creamy strawberry ice cream with balsamic and a touch of citrusy black pepper that makes the strawberry flavor really pop. Delicious!!!

Pro tip: take your ice cream outside and try to time it with watching a Bellagio fountain show. 

#LasVegasEats #LasVegasFood #VegasEats #
Seeing the Sphere in Vegas is one thing… experienc Seeing the Sphere in Vegas is one thing… experiencing it during a Backstreet Boys concert is another! ✨

The visuals are INSANE, the sound is incredible, and the entire place feels completely immersive. Add the Backstreet Boys (live and in person) to it; total dream come true! 🥹🪩

#BackstreetBoys #BSB #SphereVegas #LasVegas #BSBArmy
“Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a “Love is like a butterfly, as soft and gentle as a sigh.” 🦋

There’s something about this footage of Dolly waving to the people lining the streets of Dollywood that feels especially beautiful to me now. Warm. Nostalgic. Joyful. So very Dolly.

I’ve been going to Dollywood since I was 4 years old. Some of my earliest and sweetest memories are wrapped up in that place.

Now that I’m grown, I’ve had the joy of taking my own children to Dollywood countless times. But last year was the first time I ever got to see Dolly herself riding in the Opening Day Parade.

Dolly was an exceptional woman.

She made the most of the life God gave her, and perhaps even more beautifully, she brought people up with her. She used her success to open doors, give hope, create opportunities, and make people feel seen and loved.

There was something extraordinary about the way Dolly loved people. She didn’t just shine—she made everything around her a little brighter.

The world will not be the same without her. But what a gift it was to live in a world with Dolly Parton in it.🤍🦋

#DollyParton #Dollywood #DollysLegacy #DollyPartonFans #Tennessee
📍 Saint Honoré, Las Vegas @ilovesainthonore Save 📍 Saint Honoré, Las Vegas

@ilovesainthonore

Save this for your next trip to Vegas!!
 
The dreamy crème brûlée Saint-Honoré donut—golden, crackly caramel on top, filled with silky vanilla cream, and impossibly decadent. 🍩✨

I can’t say what I liked more: the satisfying crunch of biting through the crystallized sugar? Or that it was the perfect amount of sweet but not TOO sweet? Or the vanilla cream in the middle? Just try it, you won’t regret it! So worth the hype and next time I’m definitely trying the beignets, that are highly recommended and also look delicious.

#donutsofinstagram #sainthonoré #lasvegasfoodie
📍Din Thai Fung, Aria, Las Vegas Only 16 of these 📍Din Thai Fung, Aria, Las Vegas

Only 16 of these restaurants in the country, but it’s well-worth the plane flight to get to eat here! Sharing some of our favorite dishes from this most recent trip. I’ve been twice now and ordered even better the second time. 

Tips: Order the Noodles with Spicy Sauce and use the “spicy sauce” to flavor as many other options as you choose. 

DO NOT leave without trying Mango Shaved Ice + Chocolate + Mochi XLB Bao Buns with a side of Sea Salt Cream. 

#vegasfood #lasvegasfood #foodiesofinstagram #foodietips
Millenium 2.0. Backstreet’s Back Alright!!! #bsb # Millenium 2.0. Backstreet’s Back Alright!!! #bsb #backstreetboys #backstreetboysvegas #y2k #spherevegas
If you’re visiting London with kids, DO NOT skip t If you’re visiting London with kids, DO NOT skip this playground. 🏴‍☠️🧚‍♀️

The Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park is basically Peter Pan’s Neverland brought to life—complete with a massive pirate ship, hidden pathways, teepees, sensory areas, water play, and plenty of places for kids to let their imaginations take over.

And the best part? It’s completely free. 🙌

It’s one of those places where the kids can run, explore and play while you get a little break from sightseeing. 😉

📍 Princess Diana Memorial Playground | Hyde Park, London

Save this for your next London trip with kids!

#LondonWithKids #LondonFamilyTravel #FamilyTravel #ThingsToDoInLondon #princessdianamemorialplayground

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