A Yes Day At the Zoo

This post is sponsored by Vanguard, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Thanks to Vanguard I was able to participate in a fun little “experiment” – I was given $160 to make a special memory. Why $160? Well, according to recent data, if you hold $10,000 in cash, you could earn […]

Jemma’s Big Sister Babymoon

New babies bring lots of changes. And not just for me and Dominic, for our whole family. The big kids are very much anticipating this new baby, but I think they’re sensing the growing responsibility of having a new little one around too. Currently they tag team Reid like champs. That boy can’t get in […]

Staycations Rock!

We’re back from our staycation which means >>> laundry and home days alllllll this week! Knowing that I’d be in my third trimester this summer we didn’t plan any grandiose adventures. Just a trip back to our hometown. When we discussed summer plans all the kids wanted was to go to their favorite summer camp. […]

Homeschool Adventures … Spring Nature Walk

Much of what we do in regard to homeschooling falls into the “play” category. With Jemma and Max being 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 respectively, book work just isn’t necessary most days. They’re at the age where play is their best teacher and so, that’s what we often do. During the week and as often as […]

Our Whole Life Is Like Spring Break

Spring Break has come and gone and you know what? It was a lot like every other week we have around here. It’s one of the greatest gifts of being a stay at home mom. I can take little adventures and long naps any day I want for the most part. I love this part of my […]

To the Mountains We Go!

Last month I told my mama that I really wanted to go to Leavenworth. I hadn’t been since I was seven or eight and seeing that my name is Gretchen of the German variety, is only seems natural that I make frequent trips to Bavaria … even if it is a pretend version hidden in […]

Because — BEACH!

It’s my girl’s 4th birthday today! Happy Birthday, Jemma Pie! We began our celebration this last weekend with a trip to the beach. Jem loves the coast, as we all do, so when she asked if we could go again I was 100% game!  Going to the Washington Coast on the last days of September […]

Summer Bucket List Report

The summer bucket list report is here! I’m all for these seasonal goals/lists of fun because it feels much more achievable than annual resolutions. Agree? Disagree? Does your family do bucket lists for seasons? Either way, it only seemed right to report back on how we did with our plans! It was a full, wonderful summer. This […]