Lifestyle

Top Parenting and Lifestyle blogger, complete with family tips, preschool fun, and kids activities to grow as a family

Applesauce Toddler Bites (Inspiration!)

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With my son old enough and independent enough to feed himself, but not quite there with a spoon or fork, feeding time has become a bit of a challenge. He also only has 4 top teeth and 4 bottom, so pretty much most really hard foods are out. Every lunch and dinner time I scratch … Read more

More than straight teeth..

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I am one of those fairly confident people. I don’t get too hung up on my looks, even though I enjoy fashion and makeup, I don’t get stressed over clothing, even though I enjoy shopping, and pretty much no one has said anything to me in the past 10 years that has made me feel … Read more

Flight of the Navigator and Princess Bride

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Just wanted to share a few photos (that you may have already seen on my facebook!) from Halloween last night. We had a great time and our neighborhood was so considerate with all the kids. They handed out chips, pretzels, candy, sports balls for the boys, trinkets, tiaras, stickers, fruit chews, full sized candy bars…..it … Read more

Spectacular Waterfall Underground

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Late last week Lynsey and I took an epic road trip home, where we managed to turn a 9 hour trip into 14 hours. ( like only we know how to do)

Part of that reason was due to signs we saw all along the highway advertising some sort of amazing placed called Ruby Falls and based on the signs, we COULD NOT MISS.

So after a trip off the interstate that pretty much landed us at a gas station where the attendant was holding up ONE DOLLAR BILLS to make sure they were real, and a long winding road up a mountain that I was sure we would plummet off of, we made it to Ruby Falls.

I have to admit, it was a pretty cool adventure. We paid about $20 and got in line to go into an elevator shaft that dropped you deep into the mountain. Then we walked about 1200 feet to a cave that hosted a waterfall smack dab in the middle of it. It was pretty hard to take pictures, mainly because the group was moving fast and you felt guilty if you stood there long enough to prep a shot. Plus, it was relatively dark resulting in camera shake. Nonetheless, I wanted to share because it really was an amazing sight. The pictures you see below are not edited to create these colors, but are lighting inside the cavern to help accentuate what you see. If they didn’t have lights, the entire place would be black as black could be.

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Csection Scar 1 year later

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It’s been just over a year since my C Section. Believe me, the C Section was far from “elected” and if I could have changed it, I would have. All those Britney Spears types that say “oh, it’s so EASY” is a big fat liar. And this comes from someone that doesn’t wince on a … Read more

iComfort : Which Serta Mattress is right for you?

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Searching for a mattress that fits how you sleep can be a daunting task! Here is some great information to help you find the right iComfort Serta Mattress that fits your lifestyle!   Which type of iComfort is right for you? In a recent study, 93% of people who tried the iComfort® Sleep System by … Read more

A better sleep requires a better mattress

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I am not sure if you have ever put much thought into your mattress. I know it’s a constant discussion around here. My husband has a huge array of knee and back problems and finding the right mattress firmness for him is important to..well..his health and well being. For me, after hauling around a 25 pound baby all day, I am looking for comfort and the ability to fall right asleep.

Without Tylenol PM.

The problem is, he needs a firm mattress and I need something that is more cushion on my body. Now during the course of our marriage, we have gotten plenty of mattresses.  From our first pillow top (Sterns and Foster) which caved in the middle,  to our temperpedic, we have changed mattresses a few times over the years trying to find the “right” fit.

Regarding Temperpedic:  It was a great change from the pillow top to the Temperpedic Celebrity and initially we really enjoyed it. To this day my spouse has very little complaints about it. I, on the other hand, haven’t gotten out of bed in over 3  years without my spine cracking down the middle that makes me sound, and feel, like a 65 year old. I have moved it to my daughters room and she now has it. It’s not a bad mattress, but I don’t think its a GREAT mattress either.  You know how the commercials say “ask me about my temperpedic?”. Well ask me now 3 years later. I am not as positive as I once was.

A mattress shopping we go….

Last weekend, courtesy of Sears, we went shopping for a new mattress. I might possibly be the only person in the world that has a camera on me 24/7, so you get to experience it as well.

This is the Haas family freaking people out at Sears.

(yes, I do wear dresses mattress  shopping…I am from the South after all, y’all)

(Charlotte said: Can I have this pillow?)

(Chris said: Shhhh…I am testing it out)

Click more to find out which mattress I picked….

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Are you a pool owner?

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While summer may be coming to an end with school on the horizon (WOOT WOOT!), there is still plenty of time to enjoy some outdoor fun. And whether or not you can get in your pool during the fall or winter is irrelevant to it’s maintenance. Its absolutely year round maintenance…even if summer isn’t on … Read more

Do Body By Vi Shakes suck?

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Recently there has been a lot of talk in my Facebook stream about weight loss. I think it’s something that is constantly on a woman’s mind, especially the year or two after having a baby. I honestly only have about 5 pounds to lose, but once you realize that 5 pounds doesn’t go anywhere fast, … Read more

Hair bow holder with bows

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A customer sent this to me one time. It was her bowholder filled up with hairbows! I totally love it and saved the photo to share. This was one of the very first bowholders I made and sold back in 2007 or so.   Love this? You can learn how to make this Tutu Bowholder … Read more

Baby Tries a Lemon

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My friend Debbie from SimplePlate showed me a video she saw on babies trying out lemons for the first time and encouraged me to test it out with little P. I personally love lemons, although I don’t eat them raw (just the juice in recipes) but it’s a fruit, so why not. As you will … Read more

5 ways to help your baby stop crying

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It is a fact of life. If you have a baby, are around a baby, have a family member or neighbor with a baby, inevitably they will cry. And in a lot of times, cry for no reason- or atleast a reason you can’t pinpoint.And as long as the crying doesn’t come from a basic … Read more

What’s that on the dam wall?

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This was pretty amazing…passing on because I just dont believe this is real!! Insane! ——————————————— What’s  that on the dam wall?  Look  closely! It’s  one of those things you have to see to  believe. This  is the Diga del Cingino dam in Italy –  can you see the little dots on the  wall? You’ll  never … Read more

Dear Phoenyx,

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Dear Phoenyx, It is absolutely OK to cry. You do not have to “man up” or “be a man”. It is OK to  express those. In fact, often times you feel so much better and its easier to deal with a situation with a clear head. If you need to cry, cry. ————– I will … Read more