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Why We Sleep: Book Summary & Review

February 18, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

Kurt and I read the book Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, by Matthew Walker, at the beginning of this year. It was an amazing book and we've been working on establishing healthier sleep-related habits, as a result. I wanted to remember everything that we read, so I decided to put together this summary and share the recommended tips for better sleep. Summary of Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker Throughout the entire Why We Sleep book, Matthew Walker shares research ...

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Easy Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids

February 9, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

valentine's day crafts for kids

My kids really enjoy arts and crafts, so I've had to step up my game and learn how to accommodate. Pinterest saves me! We also have a deep love of reading, so I like to combine a Valentine's Day craft for kids with books that we're reading. If you're looking for cute Valentine's Day books for kids, I've got a whole list of our favorites here. Here are some simple ideas of books to read, and crafts to go along with them. All you need is construction paper, glue, paint, and paper plates. ...

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14 Favorite Valentine’s Day Books for Kids

February 9, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

Valentine's Day books for kids

This week we're celebrating Valentine's Day! Since becoming a mom, I've come to enjoy it even more. My kids love holidays so much, and their enthusiasm is contagious! Reading holiday-themed books is a favorite way of ours to get into the spirit of the season. Here are some of our very favorite Valentine's Day books for kids. If you need some easy and fun ideas for Valentine's Day crafts, check out this post. Cutest Valentine's Day Books for Kids I'll Love you Till the Cows Come Home ...

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Little Women: Book & Films Review

February 3, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

Little Women hardback book

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, is an absolute classic and one of my very favorite books, of all time! I have 3 sisters, so growing up my Dad would call us "his little women"; this book, and the film, had very special meaning to all of us. I also have two brothers, so built-in Laurie, times two. I hadn't read this book for many, many years, so I loved the chance to read it and experience the beauty of this novel again. The last time I read this I was a young teenager. Many of the ...

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Letter O Books & Preschool Resources for Kids’ Safety

January 28, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

letter o books for kids

For the last 3 years, I've done preschool as part of a co-op with other moms. We trade off teaching, and I usually teach about once every 5-6 weeks, depending on how many kids are in the class. There are so many amazing preschool resources, and I've wanted to write blog posts for the lessons I've done so I'm finally getting to it. Here are resources that I used to teach the kids about the Letter O and about kids' safety. I've also included Letter O books and great books that help kids understand ...

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Trolls Birthday Party for Kids with Free Downloads

January 25, 2021      Sarah Van Wagenen

We had the best time celebrating Dolly turning 6! Buying themed party supplies adds up so fast, but I still want my little ones to be able to pick whatever they want for their parties. So Dolly decided that she wanted a Trolls World Tour themed birthday party. Here are a few things I did to make the Birthday Girl's wish come true, without breaking the bank. How to Save Money on a Trolls Birthday Party I usually buy a few things, then supplement the rest of the decor with things I've made. ...

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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

Preschool Lesson about Feelings

Easy Kneaders Copycat French Toast Casserole

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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