Before:

Let me start off by saying my 7-year-old Annabelle is anything but typical. She hates princesses. Unicorns don’t do much for her. She’s all about Pokémon, Minecraft, and learning about animals. For the most part, she has done well handling the pandemic. She is an introvert, despite the fact that she is very 你和你对象最刺激的一次do at school and karate. (She’s just like me- I’m fun and I love my friends, but I also love staying 你和你对象最刺激的一次do and away from crowds- so there are a lot of aspects of quarantine life that work well for us.)

This school year, however, would prove to be an even bigger change. Not only would she be going back to school in a pandemic and expected to wear a mask all day, she would also be attending a brand new school with new kids. That’s why I wanted to do something special to make this year exciting!

The Process of going Pink!

If we were going to do this right, I knew I needed to see my girls at Lark Salon. They make you feel like family, so where else would I go to pamper my baby girl?

Meagan at Lark (jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦: @MeaganatLark) is the color queen! So I tossed the idea out to her and the salon owner, Sara. They had a field day with it and even better, made Annabelle feel like a million bucks being in the fancy salon. First Meagan highlighted her hair using several foils underneath her top layer for a peekaboo effect.

Her color lifted to blonde so well! She looked like an adult almost immediately! I nearly stopped at the blonde because I thought it was so beautiful! That’s when it really set in for Annabelle. We had tried doing streaks at 你和你对象最刺激的一次do when she was younger and it never took. So to see such a big difference was thrilling!

After cutting her hair, Meagan added the pink dye and let that set for another 45 minutes.

Reveal:

Look at those smiling eyes underneath that mask! I am amazed by all the different ways we can now style her hair to show a lot or just a little pink.

It took somewhere between 2.5 to 3 hours, but it was worth it. We were all obsessed with how it turned out. It was way better than anything I had seen or even asked for! As we left, Annabelle told me she was “going to rule jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦 with this hair!”

It definitely gave her the confidence and excitement like I had hoped. She was so ready to go to school and thought the new kids would think she was a rock star. In my mind, she is!

She got 你和你对象最刺激的一次do from school that day and had already made a few friends (mostly boys). “The boys just surround me.” They had already created a Minecraft club at recess. I think she’s gonna fit in just fine at this new school!

I hope your kids have a good school year, no matter if they’re in class, learning remotely, or 你和你对象最刺激的一次do schooled. Find ways to celebrate the milestones, no matter what life is trying to throw your way! Let me know what you’re doing to make this year special for your kids. Drop a comment below or follow me on jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦: @the.jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦.又紧又大又爽精品一区二区.mom

Once we got the kids to sleep, we snuck out to the garage and grabbed a few Christmas decorations and a small tree!

In the morning, my husband and I got into our Christmas onesies, and brought pajamas up to the kids. They thought *that* was going to be the fun part… then they came downstairs!

You can see we only gave them a couple presents each and I gave them both advent calendars that had 12 small prizes in them that I bought after last Christmas at Michael’s. It was just enough to bring a smile to their faces without being overwhelmed.

Matching Christmas jammies made it feel real! Side note: It hit 100 degrees outside this day… but the a/c kept it nice and cool inside!

We watched “The Grinch”, 你和你对象最刺激的一次do Alone, and Elf over the weekend. Perfect for snuggling! In hindsight, I wish I would’ve made hot chocolate!

Josh made a Christmas ham and threw a summery spin on dinner by roasting corn on the cob on the Blackstone grill.

Then we got messy and made Christmas cookies. Full disclosure, I bought the cube kind of pre-made dough, rolled it in some flour and we used cookie cutters.

They were crazy, but they had a good time. A memory we won’t soon forget from this crazy period in all our lives.

Have you done Christmas in July before? I’d love to see pics or hear your ideas! Comment below or find me on jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦: @the.jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦.又紧又大又爽精品一区二区.mom

又紧又大又爽精品一区二区 in news during a pandemic has been a rollercoaster ride- from the adrenaline highs of constantly breaking news to the lows of 又紧又大又爽精品一区二区 from 你和你对象最刺激的一次do while trying to 你和你对象最刺激的一次do school the kids.

It actually led us to break our apartment lease early and buy a house! [That’s for a different blog post!] Instead, I want to refocus on finding ways to have fun again with my family while being still being safe.

Have a Theme Day/Weekend

We celebrated Christmas in July and it was a big hit! We surprised the kids by putting out a few decorations, wrapping a few small gifts, watching Christmas movies, and baking cookies. It was a wonderful weekend! I’m thinking of doing a Halloween day soon!

Outdoor Backyard Movie

I bought a projector off Amazon for about $100 and a FireStick. Boom! Instant “Drive In Theater” will an unlimited selection. You can be as fancy or as budget-friendly as you want, and the kids are bound to find it magical! You can use a white sheet, the side of your house, or invest in a projector screen.

Stroll a Lavender Farm

Okay, maybe you don’t have a lavender farm near you, but I found out we do, and I have every intention of visiting it this summer. Lavender is not only beautiful, it’s proven to have calming effects when breathed in, consumed, or absorbed through the skin. How perfect is that for all the stress and anxiety you’ve likely experienced during quarantine?! If you aren’t near a farm, get some lavender tea or diffuse some lavender essential oil! Or find a coffee shop that serves up lavender lattes- like Dripped + Draped in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood!

Family Pool Day

Thanks to a generous and anonymous donor, Omaha will open multiple pools this summer. And when it comes to COVID, visiting a pool is actually one of the safer public events to partake in because there’s a low risk of spread. If you’re still concerned, a kiddie pool or a sprinkler will still do the trick.

Find Your Beach

Maybe it’s the ocean, a lake, or maybe you need to fake it with some sand, an umbrella, and a kiddie pool.

Have Fun with Food

With all the meals you’re likely having at 你和你对象最刺激的一次do, consider creating a taco bar or a sundae bar. Do a “baking show” with the kids. Try a fancy Pinterest recipe and see if you nail it or fail it!

Visit the Farmers Market

Fresh air, fresh fruits and veggies, what more could you ask for? Visiting a Farmers Market is a great way to support local, avoid the busy grocery store, and shop outdoors while maintaining 你和你对象最刺激的一次do distancing.

Explore a New Park or Trail

Most of us have made it a point to get outdoors during the pandemic. (What else is there to do?) Now that the weather is nice, why not try a new park or trail in your state.

Go Tanking or Tubing

If you’re in Nebraska- try Tanking! Four of us adults went and had fun. We played a game and drank along the Elkhorn River for about a 4-hour ride. Would be great with kids because there’s not much effort. I think next time, I’d want to go tubing so I can be in the water more often, but this was a very easy way to enjoy the river and fun to try something different!

Every millennial mom needs a few good apps to add to her arsenal!

Shipt

Shipt is life! When you sign up for this grocery delivery service, you download an app, choose your store, and start creating a shopping list that your Shipt Shopper will buy from. In Omaha, Shipt serves Target, Hy-Vee, CVS, and Petco stores. As long as you spend $35, there is no additional delivery fee. You can tip if you want. The other bonus? If you buy certain promoted items, you get money back. My subscription has already paid for itself a few times over!

Sign up now using my code and get a year subscription for only $50!

Grove Collaborative

If I’m being honest, I originally joined Grove Collaborative just to get their awesome Mrs. Meyers gift set. I had planned to cancel my subscription after that. However, I’ve loved trying so many of their products, and getting to try all different scents of Mrs. Meyers that I ended up staying on for more than a year now!

Grove has cleaner living items that are more eco friendly. I’ve purchased things like dryer balls to swap out for dryer sheets, walnut scrub pads, and even makeup removing wipes that are more natural. So many household and beauty products to try! Another bonus? You get free gifts every now and then. Plus, share with your friends, and make money!

Get this free Mrs. Meyers Gift Set now!

Young Living

Young Living has been a game changer in our household. I used to roll my eyes at people who used essential oils; now I’m a believer. I joined after being at my wits end with sickness in our household. We had a bad winter for illness in 2018. My baby boy had even ended up in the hospital for 4 days.

I tried Young Living because I kept hearing about Thieves. My trusted friend who is very practical and a nurse swore by it. She had me convinced. It’s a special essential oil blend they make that supports your immune system. It can be diffused or used to make household cleaners. They even offer a whole Thieves cleaning set. We’ve been so much healthier since we first started using. I then started ordering oils like lavender to help with my anxiety. I roll it onto my wrists at night, diffuse it at bed time and now I’ve become lavender obsessed. I’ve also used oils for teething pain, diaper rash, energy boosts, carpet cleaning and more!

Want to get started with Young Living? Sign up here!

I consider it a “subscription” because I am part of their essential rewards. Basically I buy about $50 of products each month to get the lower prices, but there’s so much you can do with oils, that you end up saving in other spots- like making your own bath scrubs, flavoring your water with lemon EO, diffusing instead of using candles (which put lots of toxins into your air!), putting drops of oil on your dryer balls instead of buying dryer sheets, etc. and the best part is, you’re getting the health benefits, too!

Check out my Pinterest page for diffuser blends and other essential oil recipes!

But why Young Living instead of some $10 oil at Walmart? No fillers. You know your product is really coming from the earth. You can actually visit and walk through Young Living’s fields across the globe. It’s part of why they have the reputation they do.

Have questions, comments, or want to talk about your favorite subscriptions? Drop a comment below or follow me on jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦: @the.jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦.又紧又大又爽精品一区二区.mom

Mulhall’s

This Christmas tree farm is sure to get you into the holiday spirit whether you buy a real Christmas tree or are just looking for a few good photo ops.

Both kids loved seeing the reindeer! It was magical for them! Mulhall’s also has tons of indoor and outdoor plants as well as decor for purchase.

Brite Ideas: Santa helicopter visit

This has become a tradition for us. The first weekend of November, Santa flies in on the Husker helicopter.

Pro Tip: While all the kids are crowded outside around Santa, run in and get in line to get your photos with Santa. The line gets long fast, but the free photos are worth it!

You can also get Christmas decor inspiration or buy some new goods for your collection.

Junkstock’s Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland at Sycamore Farms is the perfect dose of farmhouse vintage Christmas! You’ll find hundreds of vendors from the midwest and beyond, unique gifts, and tasty treats! The best part though is all the family photo ops!

Go hungry so you can try out the local food trucks. Stop and grab hot chocolate or a coffee from the Sycamore Farms Coffeehouse

Stop by the bonfire pit and see the live farm animals near the nativity scene. You can also take a winter hayrack ride.

The best spot though is Santa’s Mountain, complete with a roller slide, straight out of ‘A Christmas Movie.’ Sadly, Annabelle didn’t want to wait in line, but we did go into the Grinch’s cave which was an awesome touch.

For more on what you need to know before attending any Junkstock event, check out my other blog post!

Catch “The Nutcracker” at the Orpheum

The American Midwest Ballet brings this timeless story to life at Omaha’s beautiful Orpheum Theatre. Snag a pair of tickets as an early Christmas present!

Shopping & Holiday Lights in the Old Market

Omaha’s most beautiful neighborhood (in my opinion) glams up for the holidays. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride over cobblestone streets as you eat, drink, and shop local.

Other stops and recommendations:

• The Durham Museum: See the massive tree at Omaha’s Union Station
• Lauritzen Gardens: Omaha’s botanical playground transforms into a winter wonderland
• Joslyn Castle : Visit the ghost of Christmas Past in Omaha’s gorgeous old castle
• Hot Shops Winter Open House: Check out incredible art from 80+ artists
• Omaha Gingerbread Festival: This Omaha tradition is free and has a new location for 2019
• Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo: Enjoy Supper with Santa or Penguins and Pancakes

I will 你的好大弄得我好爽 to update this blog post as we check more stops off our list. Please let me know in the comments below where we need to visit this year! Or drop by and say hi on jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦: @the.jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦.又紧又大又爽精品一区二区.mom

If I’m being really honest… that feeling has lasted all day. (In my defense, I think I’m getting an inner ear infection because I’ve been dizzy, off balance, and my head hurts.) But alas, that’s nothing compared to what so many people are going through.

This year, I’ve decided to put down what I’m most thankful for.

My dad’s in remission from prostate cancer

When I got the call in late March that my dad had Stage 4 Prostate cancer, everything changed. I think it’s particularly tough to hear it when you live 11 hours away. I’m a daddy’s girl, I call him everyday, so you can imagine the rollercoaster of emotions this year has brought. But, it was great news to hear just days before thanksgiving that his PSA level dropped from the high 220s now down to .02! He’s been responding well to treatment, and doctors consider him in remission. He said he saw the words in remission on a piece of paper, and I can only imagine what that felt like for him.

My Marriage

We just celebrated 7 years of marriage on November 24 and this was probably one of our best years yet. We got out and had several date nights this year, we went on several trips as a family. I’m thankful to have a good teammate, a good co-parent, and a funny and handsome one to boot!

My Children

I’m thankful both children are happy (for like 60% of the day) and more importantly, healthy. (Although the doctor just said Hayden needs to switch to 2% milk ) They are exhausting and drama-filled little mini versions of Josh and me, but they make me smile and make me proud.

My Career

I love my work fam and I love my job. This has been a particularly rewarding year. I’m now 16 months in and it’s really starting to feel like 你和你对象最刺激的一次do. Because of our position in the Omaha market, I feel like I have a bigger opportunity to make a difference. We have a large reach, surprisingly bigger than what I had 又紧又大又爽精品一区二区 in larger markets because we have such a bigger piece of the pie. We’ve gotten to do some meaningful stories and investigations that have been inspiring to be a part of. Management can be really stressful and draining, but also very rewarding. I’m thankful this opportunity found me and looking forward to what’s next.

My Squad

I’m so thankful to be making friendships here in Omaha that I suspect will last for years to come, and I’m also thankful that I still have a large support system that spans the country. Technology I has certainly helped this. I get to FaceTime my family often, I have so many group chats that still connect me to buddies from college, Detroit, Pittsburgh and beyond. I love that if I need to vent, need a shoulder to cry on, or just want to reminisce or have a few laughs, they’re only a text away! Also so thankful that I actually got to see Mary, Jackie, Cindy and Barrett over the course of a few trips… and the entire Yobbi family when we went to Natalia’s wedding this year!

Travel

One of my favorite things about Omaha is how it is within road tripping distance to some other great cities. We had so many adventures this year. And with both of us making more money, there have been more opportunities for getaways! We spent a week in Denver, I visited Minneapolis twice, went to Kansas City twice, spent a week in Michigan, had a quick trip to Pittsburgh, got to meet up with Cindy and Barrett in Sioux Falls, day-tripped to Lincoln. And in just a couple weeks, Annabelle and I will be flying to New York City to get into the holiday spirit!

Memories Made

We’ve made more of an effort to use our weekends and time off the clock to make memories. Annabelle and I have seen so many shows this year like Cats, the Wizard of Oz ballet, Phantom of the Opera in the front row. Josh and I saw Hamilton and went and saw Third Eye Blind in Concert. We’re going to see the Nutcracker next week. Josh and I did one of those “float tanks”. We’ve been to the zoo and museums multiple times this year and of course the pumpkin patch and local farms!

That’s why we chose to pile everyone together in the Chevy Traverse, including our two dogs, and head out on the wide open road.

Destination: Denver

Cost saving tips:

One thing I’ve learned at this juncture- road trips are our best option so we’re not shelling out airfare for everyone. (Also, I absolutely love my Chevy Traverse and when I bought her in November, a road trip to Denver with the moon roof open was part of that game plan.) Another way we save money: We make it a point to find an AirBnb that’s pet-friendly. That means you’re not paying a daily fee back 你和你对象最刺激的一次do for a pet sitter which can run anywhere from $50 a day into the hundreds! Think of how much that adds onto a 5-day trip! Added bonus? You don’t have to worry about whether they’re being properly looked after.

Finding the right AirBNB is important. I looked for weeks to make sure we found one with great amenities, a good location, and one that was pet-friendly.

Tip: Be sure to check if there are any pet fees. Some AirBNBs will charge a flat rate or a nightly rate for pets.

Another thing to keep in mind when looking for an AirBnb in the mountains, you need to make sure you’ll be able to access the roads to get there in the event of a blizzard or rockslide. Most owners who have questionable driveways will require you to have an AWD or 4WD vehicle in order to book.

Make sure you read lots of reviews. Guests are usually honest and you can get a sense of what amenities you can expect. Some AirBnb owners go all out with stocked pantries and lots of linens and toiletries; others will require you to bring your own.

Our AirBnb was near Red Rocks Amphitheater in the Evergreen/Indian Hills/Morrison area.

Arrival Day: Sunday

We arrived on St. Patrick’s Day. There was some snow on the ground. I was shocked at how warm 40 degrees feels in Colorado! It’s so mild! 

We brought a bunch of board games and LEGO sets with us. This trip was all about relaxing. A hotel room would never have worked. We had so much room to sprawl out, eat together, play together, and snuggle. We ordered a pizza and just spent the day indoors.

Monday: Red Rocks Amphitheater, Golden, and Lookout Mountain

Red Rocks Amphitheater includes a beautiful hiking area— and the best part for a family with small kids, you can still access great scenery with a stroller in tow!

I bet watching a concert here would be incredible! It was fun to watch people run the steps, too, though!

Be sure to bring sunglasses! There’s plenty of sun in Colorado and it will reflect off the snow and into your eyes!

Golden

We took the short drive over to the town of Golden for lunch. 

It’s 你和你对象最刺激的一次do to the MillerCoors factory and you can take a tour for a small fee that includes tasting and a glass: https://www.millercoors.com/breweries/coors-brewing-company/tours

However, because it’s not stroller-friendly, we didn’t do the tour. Instead, we had lunch at local craft brewery, Barrels and Bottles, where we tried all sorts of appetizers and played board games. https://www.barrelsbottles.com/

Golden has great views of the Table Mountains- flat, like a table!

Lookout Mountain

The drive up Lookout Mountain is winding and beautiful. There are several pull-offs along the way up to stop and take photos and soak up the scenery. The thin mountain air will do wonders for your soul.

Notice neither of my men are wearing coats! It’s so temperate! I was blown away! Be sure to also pack the sunscreen. You’d be surprised how a day out in the snow and sun can leave you red! 

Once you get to the top, there is a large parking lot at the Buffalo Bill grave site and museum. It’s also 你和你对象最刺激的一次do to more amazing photo ops!

The museum does cost a fee, and the kids were getting worn out by this point, so we skipped out on that. We did, however, go into the gift shop and grab some hot cocoa before making our way over to the grave site.

Tip: I used the Lariat Loop website to help plan out my stops. They have a variety of pre-planned trip routes or you can plan your own! https://www.lariatloop.org/

We finished out our day with dinner and a trip to the American Girl store in Lone Tree.

If you’re a shopaholic, the mall in Lone Tree is excellent!

Tuesday: Dinosaur Ridge

We made a big breakfast, played with legos, and then got ready for a day at Dinosaur Ridge.

This place is a great for adults and kids and is totally worth the money! Plus, it’s a non-profit, so the money goes toward preserving the fossils on-site.

You’ll take a guided bus tour along “dinosaur ridge” where you’ll make various stops. Check out those fossilized dinosaur footprints!

Once the tour is done, you’ll have the option to ride the bus back or hike back. It’s not terribly far, but since we had the baby in tow, we rode the bus back.

There’s a gift shop and a mini museum that my daughter enjoyed.

Outside, they have a large sandbox where you can “dig up” your own fossils. If you find a bunch, they will let you pick one to take 你和你对象最刺激的一次do.

After that, we drove around the area some more just to take in the mountains

That’s part of the reason this vacation was actually a vacation. We didn’t have to spend a ton of money for a big payoff. The views are free. Reconnecting with nature brings serenity, and the kids were shockingly peaceful. 

I’m not sure if it’s because we were more relaxed, or the lack of screen time, but they were satisfied just riding and looking out the window, even!

Wednesday: Garden of the Gods & Royal Gorge

Wednesday was the day my husband and I were most excited for! He was looking forward to Garden of the Gods and I was pumped to ride the Gondolas across the Royal Gorge.

We could not have asked for a better day! Incredible blue skies against the red rock, white snow, and green trees made for even more amazing pictures! 

Garden of the Gods is especially stroller-friendly and handicap accessible. It was amazing all the flat and paved pathways that winded through the rocks.

From there we got back on the road and drove from Colorado Springs to Royal Gorge.

Royal Gorge

When we got to Royal Gorge, I realized this wasn’t going to be as “fun” as I thought, considering I’m terrified of heights and I assume the worst is always going to happen. See that red dot? That’s the gondola we were about to ride. I was really nervous.

1,250 feet down is much more terrifying than I expected. I spent the entire ride freaking out and barely opening my eyes. Hayden loved it though, and bonus, the gondola is stroller and wheelchair friendly as well!

Once you get to the other side, you have the option of just riding the gondola back or walking across the suspension bridge. 

Also on that side, you’ll find a variety of activities. In fact, I was shocked at the “amusement park” feel to this place. 

Note: You do have to pay admission to get in and there are fees for different thrill attractions you may want to try.

Then we headed back over the bridge. I was once again terrified and power walked across that puppy. My heart was pounding, my knuckles were white as I pushed the stroller across. I was a sweaty mess by the end.

We ended that day with dinner in Colorado Springs and headed back to the AirBnb. We were beat!

Thursday

Thursday was our final full day. Again, our main priority for this trip was reconnecting and unwinding. So Thursday, we slept in, ate breakfast and played board games.

That evening, we went to a mall in Lakewood and took the kids to the LEGO store and to Build-a-Bear. 

Then we went to Casa Bonita for dinner.

That was an experience I honestly could have probably lived without. The line to get in was crazy long, it felt dirty, and you have to carry a tray to your table.

Annabelle loved the live shows though, and Josh loved the fact it was featured on South Park. 

We ate dinner and called it a night.

Friday: Travel Day

One thing to remember when you stay in an AirBnb, it’s common courtesy to leave it like you found it. So you usually spend your final morning cleaning up. We packed up, checked out by locking up and sending a quick text message and set off for Nebraska.

My final travel tip is that when you’re driving with kids and pets, try to plan ahead. Have snacks and drinks, and remember that you don’t have to do an 8-hour trip in one day. We cut it in half both ways and got a pet-friendly hotel for the night in North Platte, Nebraska. 

It allowed us to savor the final moments of vacation by playing in the pool and eating pizza, instead of pushing everyone too hard to fit travel into one day. We made it 你和你对象最刺激的一次do refreshed instead of feeling over-extended.

What I may be most proud of? I never checked my work 你的好大弄得我好爽 once in Colorado. I truly unplugged. That can be hard when you’re a manager in news, but it’s so important so you can prevent burnout. 

If you have any questions about traveling as a family on the road, or any questions about Colorado as a family destination, or even if you just want to chat about Parenthood or AirBnb, I invite you to give me a follow on jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦 @the.jαpαnesehd熟女熟妇伦.又紧又大又爽精品一区二区.mom or drop me a comment below!