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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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Need the Perfect Gift for Kids? Gift Guide for Kids 10 and Under

December 15, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

gift guide for kids

Maybe just another gift guide for kids, but I like to think these are tried and true favorites. Kids get excited about anything new, but the more toys we've accumulated over the years, the more careful I have become about the gifts we get our kids. I talked about some of the criteria we use to decide what to buy for our kids in this blog post: Classic Toys Kids Play with for Years. After thinking about what our kids play with the most, I put together some ideas. Here's a list of some of our ...

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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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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

Latest Posts

NYC Magic of a Holiday Stroll Down 5th Avenue

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Latest Pins

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
We just finished training for a half-marathon and We just finished training for a half-marathon and had our race on Saturday. Kurt was Spider-Man and I was Spider-Man’s biggest fan girl. I had high hopes for running much faster than I did, but getting really sick right before running 13.1 miles made it challenging. I was able to go from an 11:30 minute mile for my first run post-baby to about an 8:50 mile for 13.1 miles so at least I’ve improved. Here are 3 tips for getting half-marathon ready:
1. Sign up for a race (it doesn’t have to be a half, even a 5k is awesome for getting something on the calendar that you’re training for)
2. Find a running partner (obviously, Kurt is my favorite running partner and it has been awesome to train for this race together and go on long runs for our date nights)
3. Start a 12-16 week race plan (we followed a program called Run Less, Run Faster, running 3 days a week with a speed workout, an interval run, and a long run; however, all signs point to more mileage, more often and not as fast being the better route to go for training; sometimes you just do what you can as parents of 5 littles). 
I try to convince everyone to be a runner. It’s just so good for your body, physically, as well as emotionally and mentally. I’m interested to know how many of you are runners or want to run a race. I’ll try to share more of my training and lessons learned. 
#areyoureadyforit #halfmarathontraining #halfmarathon #halfmarathonprep #halfmarathonrunner #runningmotivation #runningmoms #momof5 #hauntedhalfmarathon #runningtips #runningtime #momsthatrun

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