4 Organizing Tips to Prepare for Back To School 2022

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It’s almost been a month since my kids started school, and it’s been an adjustment. I can’t believe I have three kids at various stages of life. Does this mean I’m getting old? No worries, I’ll continue to age gracefully. Before the kids were heading off to school, I did a lot of preparation to ensure that my family and I would be off to a great start. 


Create a Weekly Routine 


Believe it or not, kids thrive on routines; they need consistency! We have a strict wake-up and bedtime; I understand things may require flexibility, but ensuring enough sleep is vital.


Write everything down, and know who works late, which child has practice, and on what day. Keep your emergency contacts in the loop if they need to step in.


This includes a wine down or bedtime routine; after completing homework, dinner, and bathtime, I have my children place their backpacks by the front door. It makes getting out the door more manageable because we know everything is in it. It’s also helpful if your child packs lunch to do it the night before; grab an ice pack out of the freezer, and they are ready to go.


Parent Hack: Have multiple copies of your children’s school calendar to prepare for school closures. 


Meal Planning

I have a large family, and getting food on the table needs to be quick. Our days are long, and I’m usually unable to get dinner on the table until 7:00 pm, but knowing what I’m going to cook is vital. I enjoy involving the kids in this process - it helps to ensure everyone gets the meal they want. 

If portions of the meal can be prepped in advance - do it! I like to wash and season my meat a day ahead if I’m already in the kitchen. It becomes one less thing to do.

Crockpot meals are a lifesaver; turn it on and forget about it!

Plan A Month Ahead

It’s so easy to get caught off guard by family activities. I like to check my calendar and confirm the month's events, including birthday parties, local attractions, and planned family vacations. 

When you’re prepared, it helps to reduce your stress level because you know what to expect.

I keep this monthly calendar attached to our fridge with dry-erase markers and a holder.

Create a School Workstation



I was determined to be organized with school supplies this year. In the past, I purchased school supplies and only 2-3 extras that would often end up mixed in with the regular supplies, and by Christmas break, I needed to shop again.

This year I purchased extras, but I also implemented an organizing system. I found this storage solution by The Home Edit, which worked perfectly. I could unbox supplies and have a visual inventory of what’s available. The kids have to check out a tray and return it once they complete their homework or project if needed. 

I also used these bins with inserts for crayon organization. I enjoyed seeing the crayons in sections by color, which helped my toddler with recognition! 

Having a designated workspace is also very helpful and doesn’t have to take much. A small desk/workstation, lamp, and supplies are needed to complete their assignment.

I hope you have found these tips helpful! Happy 2022-2023 school year!

Family E-Bike by Radio Flyer®: Flyer M880 Review

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The Flyer M880 bike was gifted to me, but all opinions are my own.


My family and I are new to the e-bike world, but we are happy that we’ve made the transition. My husband and I have been considering getting bikes for the family for the last year but couldn’t decide on what to purchase. We live in a country area with a lot of open space and wanted to start getting outdoors more. 


Having an electric bike sounded like the perfect option for us. We live within 2-4 miles of markets and local shops, and having another option outside of driving our car sounded like a great option. We went with the Radio Flyer - Flyer M880 E-bike for various reasons, mainly because we trust the Radio Flyer® brand.  


The Flyer™ line is an extension of the Radio Flyer® brand created with the same beautiful design and quality that has inspired our work for over a century. Flyer™ is the best electric bike for families on the go. This bike is great for families that love to get outdoors and enjoy alternative means of transportation. The Flyer M880 allows you to travel up to 50 miles using the pedal-assist option. This bike comes in 4 colors: red, white, blue, and black, and also three sizing options; small, medium, and large to ensure an excellent fit for every rider. We opted to add the Thule Yepp Maxi Seat to our backseat storage rack and love it. Our son can’t get enough of going for rides. The seat is best suited for children 1 - 6 years old; check weight restrictions and proper seating placement.


My favorite part of the bike is that you can add on accessories to make the bike work for you. I’ll be getting the front storage basket and cell phone attachment. That way, I can still enjoy a trip to the store, and my child can also tag along. In the future, we are looking at upgrading to the FLYER™ L885; it’s a larger version of the M880.  It allows up to two children to ride on the back - which is great for our large family. Others may consider the longtail version for storage needs; no matter which bike you choose, it will be a great choice.


So far, we have thoroughly enjoyed using our electric bike and can’t wait to continue making memories with it!

Cookie Brownies You’ll Always Want to Serve

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I love a good brownie but cookie brownies have taken over and these delicious and easy-to-make brownies from Betty Crocker have definitely hit the spot! My family and I enjoy these time and time again - they run under $5/box and are so worth it. I try to keep an additional box on hand when we need something sweet.

Ingredients:

Water

Eggs

Butter

Vegetable Oil 

Baking Pan

I have found that 33-35 minutes is my sweet spot for getting a chewy and gooey center. I like to underbake just a smidge for a yummy taste and pair it with my favorite vanilla ice cream.

Check out my (modified) video to see just how easy these brownies are to make.

The best part, is they taste homemade, no one will ever know they came from a box!



Looking For a New a New Family SUV; Here’s a Luxury SUV Buying Guide

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Are you in the market for a new family SUV? If so, you're probably wondering where to start. There are so many different makes and models available that it can be challenging to know which one is right for you. My family and I are in the same boat right now. We are on the hunt to find a vehicle that will check all of the boxes for our large family.

This blog post will provide a luxury SUV buying guide to help make your decision easier. We'll discuss features that are important to consider when making your purchase and some of the best SUVs on the market today. Let's get started!

Photo by Mike B: 

1) Start by researching brands and models.

It's important to know what you're looking for before heading to the dealership. So do some research online and read reviews from other SUV owners. This will help you narrow down your options and make the decision-making process more manageable.

Some of the best luxury SUVs on the market include the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X series, Audi Q series, and Porsche Cayenne. These are all great choices if you're looking for a high-quality vehicle with plenty of features.

When narrowing down your options, it's essential to consider what you need and want in an SUV. Do you prioritize comfort or performance? What about fuel efficiency? How important is cargo space? Make a list of your must-haves to help you decide which SUV is the right fit for you.

2) Consider your budget.

Of course, one of the most important factors to consider when buying a new SUV is your budget. Luxury SUVs can be expensive, so setting a realistic budget before beginning your search is important. Once you know how much you're willing to spend, you can start looking at models that fit within your price range.

If you're on a tight budget, some great options are still available. For example, Land Rovers, the Audi Q series and BMW X series both offer entry-level models that are more affordable than their higher-end counterparts. However, if you're looking for the best, be prepared to pay top dollar for a luxury SUV.

3) Test drive before you buy.

Once you've narrowed down your options and found a few that fit your budget, it's time to take them for a test drive with your local Land Rover Dealers. This is the best way to get a feel for how the SUV drives and see if it's a good fit for your needs. When test driving, pay attention to essential factors like acceleration, handling, braking, and visibility.

If you're happy with how the SUV drives and meets all of your needs, it's time to start negotiating a price. Don't be afraid to walk away if the dealer isn't willing to give you a fair price. There are many other options available, so don't settle for less than you're comfortable with.

4) Remember about insurance and maintenance.

Once you've finally found the perfect luxury SUV, it's important to remember insurance and maintenance costs. These can add up quickly, so be sure to factor them into your budget when making your purchase. In addition, luxury SUVs generally require higher insurance premiums than standard SUVs, so be prepared to pay a little extra each month.

In terms of maintenance, luxury SUVs will likely need more frequent service than standard SUVs. This is because they have more complex systems and features that require regular upkeep. Be sure to ask about the recommended service schedule when you purchase your SUV so that you can budget accordingly.

There are a lot of factors to consider when buying a luxury SUV. However, if you do your research and take your time, you're sure to find the perfect vehicle for your needs. Follow the tips in this blog post, and you'll be driving home in your new SUV in no time!