Mom's Back-to-School Checklist

Get your kids back to school with ease with this checklist of things to do before school starts.

Catch the Olympic Spirit and Let the Games Begin!

Easy Ideas to Host Your Own Backyard Olympic Games

Moms Talk

Catch the Olympic Spirit and Let the Games Begin!

Easy Ideas to Host Your Own Backyard Olympic Games

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games begin this Friday and my family is excited. I was lucky enough to get to attend the Olympic Games in Atlanta, and ever since then I have been a huge fan of the Games. I love the athletic feats, the back stories on the athletes, and the traditions of the Games like pin trading. I was amazed at how truly celebratory the event was for athletes and audience alike.  So, my family is really looking forward to watching our favorite events during this Summer's Olympic Games like basketball, beach volleyball, diving, and gymnastics. But it's just as much fun to host our own backyard Olympic Games as it is to watch the competition on TV. So, get the kids off the couch and see how easy it is to catch the Olympic Spirit. …

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5 Tips for a Spectacular Outdoor Movie Night

Easy ideas to turn your driveway into a drive-in movie theater

5 Tips for a Spectacular Outdoor Movie Night

Easy ideas to turn your driveway into a drive-in movie theater

Last weekend our neighborhood organized it's first outdoor movie night. It was a blast! More importantly, it was easy to pull off. One day I was talking to my neighbor and mentioned how fun it would be to host an outdoor movie night for the kids. He mentioned that he had a projector from work that we could use. From there, the idea took off. So, sharing what I learned from our event, here are 5 tips for you to plan a spectacular outdoor movie night for your neighbors, friends or family. (This would also be an awesome birthday party idea.) 1. Stay close to home. When choosing a location for your movie event, keep a few things in mind - electricity, light control, bathroom access, and rain. We have an open field near our houses where I was …

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5 Fun Ways to Avoid Summer Brain Drain

Creative ideas to keep your kids math and reading skills sharp over the summer break

  Kids really look forward to summer break, and who blames them, but it's a shame how much academic progress they lose when they are out of the classroom for so long. Studies show that students usually have to relearn four to six weeks of classwork at the beginning of every school year. According to the National Summer Learning Association, the loss is greatest in math and spelling. Your kids may not care, but minimizing this backward slide is definitely a priority for parents and educators. It's nice to take a break from the school routine and reconnect with family during summer but that doesn't have to mean that all learning stops. Here are 5 ways to keep your kids' minds active over the summer break that are fun and they may not even …

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Five Ideas for Fourth of July Fun

Plan some fun activities for the family on your day off.

5 Ideas for Fourth of July Fun

Plan some fun activities for the family on your day off.

This year the Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday and it's messing with everyone's schedule. Do you celebrate this weekend? Next weekend? Which days do you get off of work? The fun doesn't end with the parade and the fireworks. However and whenever you decide to take some time to be with your family, here are 5 creative ideas to have fun on or around the Fourth of July. If you have friends or relatives coming over for the Holiday, you'll be sure to have a blast with these ideas. 1. Create a Backyard Golf Course. Take a look around your yard and envision a course where you, the kids, and some friends can have fun putting and chipping around obstacles. Give prizes out for closest to the cup, hole in one, ball still on the grass, etc. Here's …

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How to Plan the Perfect Family Bike Ride

Tips to get the kids active this summer with a fun family bike ride

  Whether you are tackling a new trail or just heading out for ice cream, a family bike ride is the perfect way to get exercise and spend time together. Biking is a great alternative to the pool on those super hot days, too. But, what I love most about a family bike ride is that you can plan an outing with kids of any age. With teens you can plan some long trail rides to discover new places and explore some great nature trails. They can handle overnight biking trips or enter week-long biking events like Ragbrai, in Iowa. My brother-in-law and nephew really look forward to this biking event and their time bonding together every year.  With kids ages 6-10, make your outings really enjoyable like heading to the park for a picnic or some fun …

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What Does Dad Really Want for Father's Day?

Ideas that will make Dad smile on his special day

  Mother’s Day is so much easier to plan than Father’s Day. I’m not just saying that because I'm a Mom and I think it’s incredibly easy to figure out what I like. After all, what woman doesn’t appreciate a pretty bouquet of flowers, an assortment of gourmet chocolate, a spa appointment or breakfast in bed? But when it comes to the men in our lives, it can be a lot trickier to plan that perfect day. There is no tradition around Father's Day like Mother's Day Brunch, which makes it easy to plan. Every Dad has different interests. I remember as a kid, whenever I would ask my Dad what he wanted for Father's Day his answer was always "Peace and Quiet." Well, you can't just pick that up at the store, so we had to be more creative.  So, how to …

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