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Blossom & Become

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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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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
The breakfast smoothie I make every day. 1 banan The breakfast smoothie I make every day. 

1 banana
2 cups of almond milk 
1/2 cup coconut water
Mix of chia seeds + hemp hearts + ground flaxseed 
1 cup of cooked oatmeal (can chill in the fridge or make the night before)
1 scoop @just.ingredients chocolate protein powder
1 scoop PBfit
2 TBS cocoa (I like mine chocolatey)
1 cup ice

I’ve made this smoothie almost every morning for the last several years and it is so good! I love having it first thing in the morning. It’s healthy and filling, and a great way to start the day! The @just.ingredients protein powder is the best chocolate protein powder I’ve tasted, and one with clean ingredients. They’re running their birthday sale (biggest discount of the year!!) tomorrow at 9 AM MST, so this is the time to stock up! 

Let me know what you think if you try this recipe out! #breakfastfood #breakfastideas #breakfastrecipes #justingredients #cleaneatingrecipe #cleaneatingideas #momof5 #momhacks

Latest Posts

NYC Magic of a Holiday Stroll Down 5th Avenue

Preschool Lesson about Feelings

Easy Kneaders Copycat French Toast Casserole

Latest Pins

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
The breakfast smoothie I make every day. 1 banan The breakfast smoothie I make every day. 

1 banana
2 cups of almond milk 
1/2 cup coconut water
Mix of chia seeds + hemp hearts + ground flaxseed 
1 cup of cooked oatmeal (can chill in the fridge or make the night before)
1 scoop @just.ingredients chocolate protein powder
1 scoop PBfit
2 TBS cocoa (I like mine chocolatey)
1 cup ice

I’ve made this smoothie almost every morning for the last several years and it is so good! I love having it first thing in the morning. It’s healthy and filling, and a great way to start the day! The @just.ingredients protein powder is the best chocolate protein powder I’ve tasted, and one with clean ingredients. They’re running their birthday sale (biggest discount of the year!!) tomorrow at 9 AM MST, so this is the time to stock up! 

Let me know what you think if you try this recipe out! #breakfastfood #breakfastideas #breakfastrecipes #justingredients #cleaneatingrecipe #cleaneatingideas #momof5 #momhacks
Taking a moment to express gratitude for these lit Taking a moment to express gratitude for these little humans that make me a better person and bring me so much joy! They are my favorite people! I’m overwhelmed most of every day, but I love learning and growing together. Other than Kurt, most everyone just sees the highlights; the smiles, the candid photos, the cute outfits, the snuggles, and kisses, and hugs. I feel all the feels, as a mama. I want them to stay babies forever; mentally and emotionally I need them to grow up so that I can feel like a real person again that isn’t just running from one dirty diaper to another, and cleaning up messes while spelling out words, and trying to make sure dinner isn’t burning, while nursing and also checking regularly that the mischievous one isn’t standing on the counter eating every m&m out of the trail mix, or painting our white carpet in the guest bedroom every color that is NOT white. Such a hard mix of feelings to continuously feel. Such high highs, and such low lows. And most of the time I’m surrounded by 5 little people, without the ability to think uninterrupted thoughts, and still feeling incredibly alone. Motherhood is a beautiful opportunity to recognize and feel gratitude for everything our mothers have done for us. I truly love being a mother. I get special moments every day that remind me why I’m doing everything I’m doing. 
Dolly asking me if she can be my baby forever. Lacey being a natural mama to the babies, imitating how I love on them. Grant asking for a hug when he was exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of a fun, but long day. McKay giving the world’s best kisses (don’t tell Kurt 😉), and Carter happily waving and being loved on by a whole crew of older siblings. I hope they know they’re my whole world, and always will be.

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