motherhood
Here's 10 kid and family-friendly things to do in NYC during the winter time
The Cutest Summer Diaper Prints That You're Ever Going To See
That's right! Pampers Pure is getting a refresh and has launched new diaper prints. I'll tell you one thing: I'm here for every.single.style. It's the perfect way to kick off all off your summer feels for you and baby. Hello, road trips with the happy camper style and endless brunches with croissants & jam or avocado toast. They're insanely cute and you're going to want them all in your life. Or you can play favorites because now on Pamperspure.com you can choose your prints!
The Mom's Guide To Navigating A New York City Neighborhood with a Toddler
This post is sponsored by Baby Jogger. All opinions are my own.
Oof, you have three kids in New York City? How do you do it?
Honestly, it's a lot easier than it looks.
If you're new here, I want to introduce you to my neighborhood: Astoria Queens. We're just a hop over the east river and a few stops from midtown. As a parent, I couldn't have picked a better neighborhood for my kids to grow up. It's not quite as bustling as Manhattan but it's still very much alive. Whenever someone mentions Astoria, food is the first thing people think of and they're absolutely right. The food here is KEY. I'm not even slightly ashamed to admit that we order and eat out on the regular because the options and quality are just too good sometimes. It's especially tempting when I'm so not in the mood to whip up a full meal. But it's not just food, we have gorgeous parks, great neighbors and pretty awesome schools. Can you tell I'm a fan?
Of course you can. And as a fan I want to share some of my favorite places to eat, grab coffee, and things to do with our very active two year old. Of course, we're going to talk about how we get there because the right stroller in New York City is a serious consideration. It can 100% make or break your experience of toting kids around the city. Trust me, we've had some trial and error experiences over the last few years and some have not been pretty.
We've been through a few strollers since we moved here. It was our first time navigating the city with one and we found out right away that some are better equipped to handle a city than others. The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 is where it's at with it's light-weight compact, 3-wheel design. David was definitely hesitant when I told him about it because the last two full-sized strollers we tried hadn't been so easy to maneuver on the sidewalks, let alone public transit. "Why can't we just get an umbrella stroller?" he protested. Truth: The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 immediately won him when he saw how light and easy it is to maneuver on uneven concrete, tiny spaces and quick turns. one-handed, even.
Holy Moly, both of our minds were blown that it was even possible to push a toddler this easily. It just GLIDES down the street with little-to-no effort. The wheels don't get stuck on the broken concrete in the crosswalks every time I cross the street. It just bumps right on by like it was nothing. I chalk it off to the City Mini GT2's all new design with forever air rubber tires and all-wheel suspension providing uncompromised agility on any terrain.
It's also extremely light-weight and has a one-hand fold. Simply lift the strap and it literally folds itself. Which is amazing for those quick moments when you want to hop on the bus and only have a minute to get on. Just grab the strap and you're ready to hop on with baby in hand. I also love the adjustable calf support and near-flat seat recline for maximum comfort, especially after a long day of running around the city. Since summer is our out-all-day time of year, the full coverage UV50 canopy is incredible for extra sun protection and shade. The magnetic peekaboo windows are one of Indy's personal faves - it's basically his own personal sunroof/peekaboo portal for him to keep tabs on us and what's going on above him...
If you are in a the market for a stroller- whether it's for the suburbs or the city- I highly recommend the City Mini GT2 - you're not going to regret it.
Now that we've covered the essential neighborhood transportation, Baby Jogger's City Mini GT2, let's talk about some of my favorite spots!
United Brothers For All Of Our Fresh Produce
I love strolling by all the fruits and vegetables daily and the prices are unbeatable to anywhere in the area. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and most of it is locally grown: check out the Lettuce, Spinach and Apples! You definitely have to stop in and grab yourself something fresh.
Lunch Al Fresco with Burgers From Burger Club
The second it's warm enough to eat outside you better believe that's what I'm doing. We pop into Burger Club for lunch and it's never a miss. Try the classic burger and brisket fries.
Iced Lattes from Gossip Coffee
Another spot with a super cool vibe and great outdoor space that you have to add to your list. Also, it's kid-friendly. We fold the stroller down and cozy in for iced lattes in the shade.
Astoria Heights Playground
This is probably one of the nicest of the playgrounds in Astoria- mainly because it's brand new and huge! All three kids love it. There's even a water area for the kids to play in and cool off, new tennis and volleyball courts, and an adult workout area on the upper level.
My Favorite Street To Stroll Down in Astoria
is definitely 36th street between 31st and 30th Ave. It's stunning in the spring and summer. All of the fresh flowers adorn the strip and it's such a calming, shaded stroll- especially with iced coffee in hand.
We're off to our next adventure...See you next time!
Looking for the easiest way to entertain your kids for spring break? Check out Chuck.E.Cheese's All You Can Play for $10
It's important for me to come up with new and exciting things to do with the kids while they're on their breaks. Sometimes we travel, but a lot of times we end up staying home. When we do, it's tempting to just take it easy and lounge around the the house. 
The Best Survival Tips For Raising Toddler Boys That You Wish Someone Had Told You
This post is sponsored by Pampers Pure.
I'm a ride-or-die boy mom but let's be honest here for a second: there's a ton of things that I wish I had known going into boy-mom hood- especially once they're mobile.
Ten Clever and Unique Ways To Use Baby Wipes That You Haven't Thought Of Yet
When it comes to multi-uses for household staple items I'd like think we get pretty clever with extending past 'original intended use'. Removing pilling from sweaters with a sponge? Yep. Unsticking a zipper with soap? Check. Fixing a squeaky door with cooking spray? Absolutely. Which brings me to one of the most used items in the house: Baby Wipes. Turns out they are extremely useful beyond diapers and sticky hands...
Revolution Math: A New Reason For Your Kids To Love Math
So, when I wanted something math-based and educational for the boys to do after school on their already tight schedules I looked towards Revolution Math. It's a live online class that combines math games and story-based adventures for 2nd-5th graders. You choose 1-hour a week for your kid to log in to an interactive classroom with up to 3 other students and a teacher. It's amazing because you don't have to tote your child(ren) to yet another afterschool program and it can be done from the comfort of your couch, dining room or kitchen. So I can make dinner, manage the toddler and respond to emails while the boys are logged into their class sessions. Ah, the joys of modern-day technology...
As for pricing, it's a lot more affordable than their competitors that run up to $459 a month for much larger class sizes (20+). Revolution Math is $149 a month, or $99 a month (annually). But, They've been amazing enough to extend a $1 30-day trial price to my reader with promo code "MEGAN1". Of course, after the 30-days you can cancel if it's not the right fit or extend if you love it.
Key Points For Trying Revolution Math
+ Grades 2 - 5
+ Makes Learning Math Fun
+ Interactive Classroom with Teacher
+ Small Class Sizes (Up To 4 Students Total)
+ Common Core Aligned Curriculum Math Games combined with Story-Based Adventures
+ 1-Hour A Week From The Comfort of Your Home
+ Real-life Prizes
Try Revolution Math for 30 Day for $1 with Promo Code: MEGAN1
Sponsored by Revolution Math. All opinions are my own. 
How Does Pampers Pure Protection Hold Up To Their Leading Competitor?
One of the perks of having older kids in the house with a toddler is an extra set of (willing) hands when it comes to diapers change. Honestly, it's a game changer. Fact: Aiden had been begging us to help out with diapers since the get-go and when we finally said yes things got so much easier. He's actually kind of amazing at diaper changes, I think that Indy (not-so) secretly prefers him to us. I'm more than ok with that...
5 Ways To Make Back-To-School Surprisingly Painless
Let's make a grand understatement and say that being a mom isn't the easiest thing in the world. Add three boys and it can quickly be a recipe for chaos. A good 90% percent of the time I'm chasing one to keep his diaper on, the other to brush his hair and teeth, and then another to do his chores. It's a mixed bag of exhausted and excitement.
Four Ways To Make Road Trips With Kids A Breeze
Thank you Maxi-Cosi for sponsoring this post. Keep your little adventurers comfy, safe & stylish with the Maxi-Cosi Magellan 5-in-1 car seat!
Anyone who has kids can probably tell you how much they dread road trips. For us, car trips are never an easy feat. We have two older children who LOVE to antagonize each other the second they click their seat belt and the added bonus of a baby WHO HATES SPENDING A SECOND IN THE CAR. It's safe to say that it takes a lot of work to keep them content on trips, whether it's an hour on the road or 10.
PureGoals With Pampers Pure
This post is sponsored by Pampers Pure. All opinions are my own.
Being a mom means finding the perfect balance of what you think is best for your baby and what is physically possible. Trust me on this one, we can't do it all (or the very least all at once). We sure think we can, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty of accomplishing a million things at once, a few things fall through the cracks, like our sanity on occasion. But we'll move mountains when it comes to doing what's best for our kids, right? ABSOLUTELY.
Enter #PureGoals.
Six Mom Hacks To Surviving Summer Vacation With Kids
This post is sponsored by Always Infinity. All opinions are my own.
Being a mom and running a business isn't always the easiest of tasks when two out of three kids are in school half the day; but throw in summer vacation and it becomes an entirely new ball game. To the mom who wears many hats, adding a camp counselor and travel agent might not seem like a huge deal, but after a week at our house post-school year, it might be more than you bargained for.
Which is why I'm partnering with Always Infinity to share how I tackle summer vacation with three kids AND get work done, even when I’m on my period.. If you have been keeping up with my Insta-stories you may have spotted my unboxing of a ginormous Always Infinity package. Well, that package was filled to the brim with all sorts of mom-boss-approved goodies like wireless earbuds, a notebook, the coziest t-shirt, a UV phone sanitizer and of course, Always Infinity pads!
Truth: You're likely going to get your period at least a couple of times while the kids are on vacation, so be prepared and protected to keep everything on track. For me, I'm a pads gal when it comes to regular life and Always has been my go-to brand since I was pre-teen and starting that 'journey'. They've come a LONG way in the last 18 years and are constantly evolving.
For example, Always Infinity provides a Zero Feel experience made possible by its one-of-a-kind FlexFoam™ core. Ultra-light and form-fitting FlexFoam™ material molds to your body, so you'll barely feel it. Real Talk: the last thing you want when you're wrangling a toddler to change his diaper is to feel like you're wearing a diaper yourself. Right? THAT IS a huge issue when it comes to choosing pads. Don't let the tiny packaging fool you. Always’ most absorbent, thin pad absorbs 10X its weight™. Always Infinity also comes in 5 different sizes to help with all types of flows during your period. I'll admit I get instantly overwhelmed by the Femcare aisle and will just grab and go without really looking at sizing. Some of the time I grab the right size, but there are times where I missed the mark. After having all 5 sizes in front of me to really examine, I totally get it and understand the importance of picking the right size for your unique shape and flow.
Note: The holes in the Always Infinity pad are called Microdots. The Microdots are designed to work with both layers of the FlexFoam core, to quickly draw fluid away from your body through the first layer, and into the denser bottom layer.
As I said above the packaging is super thin and slips easily into your crossbody before you head out on your next adventure. Also, it's pretty. So there's that.
BOOM! your time of the month is covered, let's talk about those
Mom Boss Summer Vacation HACKS.
Because I work from home, I do have some flexibility with my schedule and usually know ahead of time when I have deadlines, travel and/or upcoming events. Sometimes, I get something with a tight turnaround that makes a little bit of a wave to our smooth sailing - so, first things first.
SCHEDULING
It's probably those most important on the list and requires a little brainwork and magic. For the past several years David and I have gotten it down to a science - he takes the boys to their morning activities while I get work done and then we switch off mid-day so he can get his work done. For David, he likes to break it down by the hour but for me I'm a little more lax and tend to lean towards every few hours. Whatever your comfort level, aim for scheduling to your best needs. It makes a huge difference with tackling each day...
THEME
Pick a theme for your summer activities. This year we're aiming for more water-based actives, such as swimming, kayaking and beach getaways.
BASKET OF ACTIVITIES
You're not going to be able to make every day an outdoor adventure, so have a basket of activities handy for days spent indoors. Try your hand at making slime, make a fun recipe and have puzzles, board games and coloring activities ready to go for day at home with the kids. Having a basket saves you a good couple of hours before you hear the infamous "I'm Bored"..
GET CREATIVE
Having three boys at very different ages calls for some serious creativity. If there's one thing my boys can agree on it's snacks and picnics. We constantly find ourselves at different parks throughout the season with our picnic table and spread snacks. Let the kids help with the packing and food choices.
SIGN UP FOR LOCAL E-NEWLETTERS
One of my personal favorite sources for summer activities are our local e-newsletters. New York has tons of (free) activities during the summer and we make a habit to add a lot of them to our calendar. Especially the nightly movies under the stars throughout the boroughs and neighborhoods. Also check your local libraries and parks for events and activities, the boys have taken everything from Track and Tennis at the local parks to Art and crafts at the libraries.
FLEXIBILITY FOR THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT
Ok, not everything is going to be scheduled to a T, but let's be real: that's life. Leave room to be flexible for spur of the moment trips and activities. I love when I finish work early (or maybe even take a mental health day) and go for a spontaneous trip on the ferry to play tourist for the day. It's those impromptu trips that are sometimes the most memorable and fun.
YOU'RE NOT PERFECT
It's not going to be perfect all the time and that's ok. Cut yourself some slack and remind yourself that you're doing the best you can do at the moment.
We're all heading up the next chapter in our lives, whether it's entering summer vacation, becoming a mom for the first time, or heading to college - we all share important journeys, big and small that Always Infinity is here to make sure your period isn’t holding you back in any of this. I'm challenging you to share your Shape My Infinity journey, either here or on your favorite social channel with #shapemyinfinity and see how other women are tackling the next chapter in their lives. Because, we all need a little more women supporting women love in our lives...
Six Mother's Day Brunch Recipes That Wow
Who's ready for brunch? Fact: I'm always ready. This weekend, we may or may not skip the brunch outing so checking out some quick and easy (delicious) brunch ideas is top of my list for Mother's Day tomorrow...
Here's 6 of my personal favorites when it comes to brunching at home...
And of course, a cocktail for mom...
More Brunch Recipes, HERE.
Pin It For Later:
Colorful Fiesta Themed Birthday Party
Leave it to me to go to Mexico once and come back and throw a full on fiesta themed birthday party for Evan's 7th birthday. In my defense he requested a brunch, which was fine, but we needed a theme and he was not down with the bougie brunch theme I had suggested. Thus a compromise was made and we decided on a Cinco De Mayo themed birthday brunch. All things considered I kind of love how it turned out. I definitely didn't get to take pictures the day of so I had to re-set up and take pictures the next morning.
12 Things You DEFINITELY Need For Baby's First Year
This post is sponsored by buybuy BABY. All opinions are my own.
Having a baby is a wonderful, beautiful experience. But in real life, preparing for said experience isn't the easiest. There's the months of morning sickness, aches, sleepless nights and some of the strangest symptoms you've ever imagined. To top off all of that, you have to figure out what your baby actually needs ahead of time and put it all on the registry for friends and family. Yeah, it's overwhelming.
Mama & Me: Spring Staples Under $20
This post is sponsored by Walmart.com. All opinions are my own.
Ok, you guys LOVED my striped jumpsuit, here. So I had to bring you another spring-ready look, this time with the addition of someone way cooler than me, Indiana. I figured we needed more Mama and Me looks and this one is perfect for spring. It definitely doesn't hurt that the key pieces in both outfits are season staples and range from $3-$18 a piece + free Walmart.com 2-day shipping (with a $35+ order). Win, again.
Let's talk about our staples because from where I'm standing they're essential for marching into spring. First up, a good pair of denim. Just because winter is FINALLY over doesn't mean it's time to ditch the denim. You already know I'm obsessed with these Time and Tru kick flares (seen here) and Indiana's tiny Jordache skinny jeans are probably the cutest thing ever.
As for the tops, a light-weight sweatshirt is great for the temperate spring days. I love the little bear print on the oatmeal hued knit. For $3, I stocked up on a few sizes. For me, I was in desperate of a white top to wear with jeans, skirt and overall this season so this bell sleeve cotton top was the perfect wardrobe addition. I threw on a vintage suede coat because it's not quite layer-free weather.
Accessories! I couldn't resist these little faux-leather cowboy boots. They're too cute and he LOVED them. For me, I needed a new crossbody. Let's talk about how cute is this navy and burgundy crossbody? I had to have it, it's the perfect carry-all and just enough color to satisfy my color craving. It looks a lot more luxe in-person which is a pleasant surprise. After I pulled it out of the box I instantly knew I had to wear them with my matching suede pumps...
Chime in, what are you spring staples?
Don't forget to check out Walmart.com's offering and take advantage of that 2-day shipping (on orders of $35+ // no membership fees // eligible items only).
Mama: Jeans Time and True , Shirt Como Blu, Heels (similar), Crossbody Bag, Coat (similar), Hat (similar)
