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  • Recently | Fall Wrap Up

    This post contains affiliate links.  I will get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
    Wow, it’s hard to believe that fall is already coming to close.  The first day of winter is Thursday, y’all.  I’m not even going to lie, I’m excited that winter is about to here.  We’ve had snow clouds for weeks without any snow and I’m hoping that the snow has just been holding for winter to get here officially.   Anyways, the kids and I have been busy with homeschool and exploring our new neighborhood.  Here’s a little bit of what we were up to this fall. 


    What We Did This Fall

    DIYed |  Being handy is a skill that I want both of my kids to have.  I don’t necessarily want them to know how to build a house from scratch, but I thought it was time that they learn their way around a toolbox and how to use a hammer.  So, we’ve been participating in the kid’s DIY workshops held at Home Depot.
    So far they’ve made a bug catcher, toy truck, and wooden gingerbread houses!  They’re really loving it and we’ve already signed up for our first workshop for 2018.  Moo has already learned that you really have to concentrate when using the hammer.  She hit her thumb when she was building her gingerbread house and was ready to call it a wrap it.  🔨😞
    Celebrated |  Moo turned 9 recently.  How is that that I’ve been a mom for 9 years already?!  And do you know she had the nerve to inform me that she’s going to be a teenager in a few years!!  Like doesn’t she know how bittersweet birthdays are for parents?  On  one hand, we’re super excited to be celebrating our children seeing another year of life, but on the other hand, we’re dreading that time is flying by so fast and thinking about all of the memories and adventures we want to squeeze in before our babies leave the nest.
    Explored |  While we did have some fun over the summer, we spent most of our time unpacking and trying to get settled into our new place.  We still have few boxes that need to be unpacked.  However, this fall I made it my mission to make sure we got out of the house to explore our new neighborhood.
    One day I was out looking for places to shoot pictures and we stumbled across this adorable little garden park.  It was love at first sight for us.  This park quickly became one of our favorite places to visit.  We can’t wait to see what it will look this spring once all of the flowers and plants start to bloom.
    Partied |  Speaking of exploring, we recently attended our first Christmas block party.  It was so much fun that kids didn’t want to leave. 
    The kids got to take their first carousel and trolley rides!  And the icing on top was JJ getting to go to the train museum.   Of course, he brought his best pal Thomas the Tank Engine along too.  

    It was so fun seeing his little face light up.  He couldn’t be still long enough for me snap many decent pictures.  He loved looking at the model trains and all the train memorabilia.  He even got see some real trains because the train museum also doubles as a train station/train parking lot.
    Posed |  While we were at the Christmas block party, it dawned on me that we hadn’t taken a family picture since our Orlando trip.  So we got on Santa’s sleigh while were at the North Pole and a nice gentleman took our picture.
    And while our kids know the truth about Santa, they still wanted to take pictures with Santa.  I was little nervous about how JJ would react sitting with Santa, but he did very well.  
    How cute their Santa hat and reindeer ears?!
    Loved |  It’s no secret that I love cooler/cold weather.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the summer too, but I love living in cozy wear.  I had been counting down the days until it was finally time to pull out my sweaters.  
    I’ve already talked about how much I love prAna.  I’ve been living in my Deedra sweater tunic and Kara jeans.  (You can shop this outfit and my lipstick: here) And now the weather is actually cold, I’ve been loving pairing this outfit with this vintage faux fur vest that I’ve had for three years now.
    What are you most looking forward to this winter?

  • 2-in-1 Holiday Sight Words BINGO Printables

    Happy Holidays!  I’m super excited to be talking about four of my favorite things in today’s post – my family, learning through play, the holidays and Goldfish Crackers.  You see, I’m one of those moms whose favorite times of year are summer and the holiday season.  Why?  Because I get to spend more quality time with my family.


    Now that the holiday season is officially in full swing, I’m looking forward to Winter Break.  It’s during this time that we get to take a break from our from jam-packed daily routine.  And while we will be taking a much-needed break from schoolwork, I do know how important it is to keep children’s minds active and giving them something to do other than watching Christmas movies and playing on their tablets.  As short as Winter Break is, it still possible for some kids to regress in what they’ve learned if they don’t experience the skills they’ve picked up.

    Therefore, Moo helped me come up with the idea of doing a holiday sight words version of Bingo.  We were watching a movie and they were playing Bingo in one of the scenes.  Of course, Moo takes this as her opportunity to inform me that she’s never played Bingo before and that it would be fun if I taught her how to play over break.  A few days later, she wanted to know why Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa all happened back-to-back and why don’t celebrate them all.  And this weekend, it hit me that a game of Holiday Sight Words Bingo was just what the doctor ordered!

    Remember most kids learn best through play.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to kill a few birds with one stone.  Moo would get to learn how to play Bingo, she and JJ would get to learn a little about each holiday and stretch their vocabulary, and we’d all get to enjoy bonding over something fun as a family.

    While Bingo is already a fun game on it’s on its own, I thought I’d make it more fun by using Goldfish Colors Crackers instead of regular Bingo markers.  What young kid doesn’t like playing with food?!  So we went to our local Walmart and picked up a bag or two.  Then, we came back home did a little research to pick out our sight words.

    And voila!  I created this fun Bingo cards.  The best thing about them for kids is that they also double as a coloring sheet.  JJ wasn’t quite as thrilled about the Bingo because some of the words are a bit hard for him, but when I told him he could color his card, he was totally in.

    You want to know the best part about using the Goldfish Colors Crackers as markers?  They make a great snack if you get hungry while you play!!  Since Goldfish are made with real cheese, no yucky artificial preservatives or flavoring and the colors are sourced from plants, this is a snack all parents can rest easy on about feeding to their families. 
    At the end of the day, we had blast playing Holiday Sight Words Bingo with our Goldfish Crackers.  JJ has picked up some new vocabulary.  Moo got to learn how to play Bingo and we talked about how each word related to its specific holiday and why it was important.  Man, I love it when a good plan comes together and actually works out!.

    We have some family coming to hang out this weekend for me and Moo’s birthday celebration and we can’t wait to play this game with them.  It’s fun, educational and delicious!  You can download your Holiday Sight Words Bingo printables here.  There are three cards for each holiday.  So you can print about one holiday or all three.

    We also put together a little video with other ways that you guys can spend time with your family this holiday season making some memorable Goldfish Moments of your own.

    Also, if you’re interested in other quick and easy activities, recipes or projects to do with your family check out the Goldfish Pinterest page.  There so many awesome activities to discover and try.

    What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family during the holidays?

  • 5 Books To Buy To Diversify Your Child’s Bookshelf

    This post is sponsored and contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase using one of the links below, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    How do you talk to your child about diversity and equality?  My children are still young.  Therefore, I’ve found books to be to a great and helpful conversation starter and teaching tool when it comes to tackling these two subjects.  Here are 5 important diverse reads we recently added to our personal library.

    Religious Tolerance



    Religion is a topic that has been a bit touchy to discuss since the beginning of time almost.  However, I don’t want to raise Moo and JJ thinking that our way is the only right way to worship.  Hats of Faith is a picture book shows how many cultures can worship in similar ways, specifically through wearing hats and head coverings.


    Short and easy to read, this beautifully illustrated book is a great way to talk to our children about the importance of religious freedom and giving others the right to worship in their own way.  After reading Hats of Faith, Moo asked if I would be okay if she decided to cover hair as a sign of worship and honor to God.  We also talked about how some of her friends and their moms wear a hijab.  It was something she always noticed, but didn’t want to offend them by asking them what is was and why they were wearing it.  I love that reading this book has opened up the door for her to learn something new about her peers.

    Racial Equality


    Rosa Parks is one of the most talked about Civil Rights activist in American history.  She took a stand against racial inequality and won.  However, who was Rosa Parks before she become Civil Rights icon?  When Rosa Parks Went Fishing gives children (and adults) a look at what Rosa’s early years as a child were like.


    We get to see how family, education and the mistreatment of Blacks in the South all helped to lead Rosa Parks refusal to move the back of the bus.  Reading this book not only taught my children about equality but it showed them that when it comes to bringing about change, you have to be willing to be the one to take the stand for what’s right.

    Cultural Appreciation



    Rice & Rocks is a book about a boy named Giovanni.  He’s invited his friends over for Sunday but gets embarrassed when he finds out that his grandmother is cooking a traditional Jamaican dish instead of something less weird.  Giovanni’s friends aren’t Jamaican and he’s afraid they won’t want to eat his grandmother’s rice and beans.


    His aunt and magical pet parrot Jasper, take Giovanni on journey around the world where he visits different countries.  It’s in these countries that he finds out how not weird rice and beans aka rice and rocks are.  What I love about this book is that it not only teaches kids about culture similarities but it reminds them of the importance of embracing and appreciating the uniqueness and differences of their cultures.

    Courage


    McKenzie’s New School Blues is a book that teaches young readers the importance of finding the courage to face their fears.  McKenzie Mason is the new kid in school.  Like most kids, on her first day of school she’s worried about fitting in and making new friends.


    However, McKenzie soon finds out that those are the least of worries when she lands a lead role in the school play.  You see, McKenzie has stage fright and she has decide whether she’s going to sink or swim.  What I love about this first book in the Meet McKenzie Mason series is that it features a female main character of color that other young girls of color will be able to relate to.  Also, this easy to read chapter book is perfect for talking to children about why it’s okay to step outside of their comfort zone and how to find the courage to overcome their fears.

    Gender Equality



    Having a daughter and a son, gender equality is something I’ve become more passionate about.  In fact, it’s something that I’m encouraging my children to be passionate about as well.  When Hillary Rodham Clinton Played Ice Hockey chronicles young Hillary’s life and some of the adversities she faced being a woman.


    This book is an important read because it shows children that they don’t have fit into the molds others have laid out for them because of their gender.  Also, I think this is a great book because it shows children that success isn’t as instantaneous as the media can make it seem.  They will have failures like Hillary Clinton did.  However, those failures should serve as encouragement to continue dreaming big and putting in hard work.

    I have to admit that while there is still a ways to go, I’m proud of how much the world of children’s books has evolved.  I love that there more books featuring main characters of color and that there are more books that are highlighting important issues on level in which our children can understand.  I hope that you will consider adding a few of these to your child’s library.


    How do you help your children seek out diversity?

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  • Recently | October Wrap-Up

    How is it already November?  Do we really have less than 60 days until 2018 rolls in?  I hate to sound cliche but y’all this year flew by so fast.  And moving didn’t help.  If anything, I think that moving in the middle of the year made time fly by a lot faster.  Since we’re just getting started with remodeling, I’m preparing myself for the first half of 2018 to go by in a blur as well.

    In October We . . .

    Went |  For Jay’s birthday weekend, we went bowling!  It’s only the second time that we’ve been bowling together but it was the kids’ first time bowling.  We had so much fun on our family outing.  And Moo proved herself to be quite a natural when it comes to bowling.  She actually beat us both in the first game.  That’s saying a lot because Jay is a bit competitive and was taking our bowling game seriously.  
    Discovered |  We’re still settling in and last month, we put forth some real effort to explore our new city.  While we were out exploring, we stumbled across this cute little garden park.  It was peaceful and beautiful.  You might recognize it from my prAna post.  I can’t wait to see what this garden is going to look like come spring when all of the flowers are blooming again.
    Watched |  Last month, I started binge-watching all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls on Netflix.  It’s crazy watching it all these years later as an adult (and a mom).  While Gilmore Girls is a scripted show, it’s teaching me so much about motherhood and what I want and don’t want when it comes to the relationship I have and will have in the future with my children.  
    Started |  I mentioned that we’ve decided to do some remodeling to our house.  Part of Operation Ranch To Farmhouse Glam included getting a start on the kids’ rooms.  JJ picked out a Thomas and Friends theme for his room and Moo picked out a unicorn and princess theme for her room.  So, I got started on the JJ’s blanket since I had already graphed it out months ago.  I’m still not completely down but I love the way the trains came out.
    Experimented |  Last month, I experimented with another chili recipe.  It was quite where I wanted it to be in terms of the seasoning blend I put together.  However, Moo said it was still the best batch of chili I’ve made to date!  That’s saying a lot coming from her because that kid is brutally honest.  Plus, she doesn’t play about her food.  If it’s not up to par, please believe you will hear about it!
    Whelp, that’s pretty much it for our October.  I can’t wait to see what all November has in store for us.  We’re looking forward to holidays and getting the chance to spend more time with our family and having holiday breaks.
    What’s your favorite memory from October?

  • Thankful Thursday | A Weekly List of Gratitude

    This has been a chill but good week y’all.  The weather was nice, the town finally came and trimmed back some of the overgrown foliage throughout the neighborhood, and we started a Harry Potter family read-along.   The kids have seen all the movies and heard bits and pieces of the books.  So, I decided why not start from the beginning and read the series from start to finish?  They’re loving it so far.

    What I’m Thankful For This Week



    Community Block Parties |  Initially, I had decided that I would get the kids some candy to split and we’d stay in and watch some movies on Halloween since we’re still new the area and I didn’t know if our neighbors gave out candy.  Then, I saw on Facebook that the town was sponsoring a community Halloween block party for families and just like that I was rushing around like a mad woman trying to get costumes together.  Moo ended up being SuperGirl and JJ was the cutest little Clark Kent.  We had a blast at the festival, to say the least.
    They had games, Halloween costumes, candy on top of candy, a DJ and the literary club even passed out free books and bookmarks.  Of course, you know the books were my favorite Halloween loot of the night.  I scored some Rick Riordan books to add to my shelves.  We’re already looking forward to next year’s Halloween block party.
    Homeschool |  Our first nine weeks of homeschool are up and both kids are doing very well.  Using the K12 program for their core classes (math, English, and history) was a great move.  Moo got all A’s like I knew she would and they don’t give out traditional letter grades for 1st graders but JJ did well.  If I had to give him letter grades, I’d say that he’d be on the A/B honor roll.  I’m so grateful that homeschooling both kids is working out better than I thought it would.  Also, we’re thankful that Moo scored High/Above Average on all but one part of her MAP testing!!
    Traditions |  We continued our holiday tradition of putting up our Christmas tree on November 1st.  This year I let the kids decorate it by themselves with the exception of putting on the star.  They did a really good job too!  They’re still adjusting to our move and it felt good to keep this tradition alive for them.  Their smiles and excitement melted my heart.
    I hope everyone has a great week and has a great weekend.  Both kids have science projects to keep track of over the weekend and I have another fashion post to prep for.  I’m hoping to sleep in a bit though.  Keeping my fingers crossed that the kids will be on the same page. LOL.
    What are you grateful for this week?  Let’s chat about it in the comments!

  • Teaching Kids To Love Reading With Brightly And Mad Libs

    Struggling to get your kid to fall in love with reading? Make reading fun for your kids using Mad Libs!


    This post is sponsored by Brightly and Mad Libs.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that support YUMMommy.
    My passion for reading came naturally.  I was practically born with a book in my hand.  Now as a parent, I’ve learned that for some kids a love of reading has to be taught and cultivated.  And as my librarian (and former educator) mother reminded me, the best way to teach children anything is to make it fun.  This is exactly why I decided to partner with Brightly and Mad Libs for today’s post.
    You see, my kids were not born with books in their hands like I was.  Learning to read and how to actually enjoy reading was a struggle that included lots of tears and frustration in the beginning.  A quick phone call to vent to my mom helped me to realize that I had been going about the process all wrong with Moo.  Whereas reading just was fun to me, I had to show Moo how fun it could be.
    Now that we have embarked on this homeschooling journey and it’s JJ’s turn to learn how to read and love reading, I’m reminding myself that incorporating lots of fun activities and play elements (like Mad Libs) will help to make our journey go a lot smoother this time around.  How?  Well, another key to helping kids develop a love for reading is boosting their confidence in their reading abilities.  And I’ve found that it’s easier to boost confidence and skill set when my kids don’t even know we’re learning.
    Struggling to get your kid to fall in love with reading? Make reading fun for your kids using Mad Libs!
    When we’re learning play, Moo and JJ are both less self-conscious and aren’t overly focused on right or wrong answers.  With their brains in fun mode, their guards are let down.  They’re relaxed and excited.  Thus, they’re more ready to learn and are able to absorb material and knowledge subconsciously. 
    And this is the beauty of what makes Mad Libs a great game to help kids not only improve their reading skills but their English skills as well.  Mad Libs is a fun, simple but educational fill-in-the-blank word/reading game that the whole family can play together.  For those who have never played Mad Libs, one person will be the READER and pick out a story from the Mad Libs tablet/book.  Then, he or she will ask the WRITER(s) to give him/her words.  The READER will let you know what part of speech each word should be like an adverb, adjective, noun, etc.
    Struggling to get your kid to fall in love with reading? Make reading fun for your kids using Mad Libs!
    Once all of the blanks have been filled in, the READER will then reveal the topic of the story and read it filling in the blanks with the words supplied by the WRITER. These stories are usually funny and silly.  So be prepared for a giggle fest!  You can keep passing the Mad Libs book around until everyone in your family has a had a chance to play each role.  Moo and JJ have loved playing Mad Libs and asked to play a round every night before bed.  I indulge them because I’ve noticed that playing has helped Moo with her English since she’s currently learning about what nouns, adverbs, and adjectives are.  Playing has helped JJ in that it’s making him more confident in his reading abilities and he’s getting a head start on learning about the parts of speech as well.
    Struggling to get your kid to fall in love with reading? Make reading fun for your kids using Mad Libs!
    The folks over at Brightly are giving families a chance to try out Mad Libs for themselves by offering a FREE downloadable bundle of 15 Mad Libs.  I would definitely recommend that you give this a try.  Mad Libs makes a great game to play on family game nights. 
    Struggling to get your kid to fall in love with reading? Make reading fun for your kids using Mad Libs!
    But of course, Mad Libs isn’t the only resource that Brightly offers to parents.  The Brightly website itself is a wealth of knowledge and resources.  They have tons of fun printables, activities, reading lists and more.  
    What I love most about the Brightly site is that you have the ability to look up resources based your kid’s age.  They understand that reading isn’t a one-size fits all and I appreciate that they have activities that are on Moo’s grade level so that she’s not stuck doing something seems totally “baby-ish” and vice versa JJ is able to have activities that are on his grade level and not going above his head.  But there are also, a lot of activities that they can do together still.
    Brightly even has something for us adults!  Brightly believes that “reading has the power to illuminate a child’s life.  Reading is a window to the world for children, as well as being critical to a bright future in school and work.”  I couldn’t agree more with that.  I’m so grateful for resources like Brightly and Mad Libs that are helping to make opening those windows for my children fun and easier.
    To stay up to date on all the latest happenings and future offerings from Brightly be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

    How do you encourage a love of reading in your kids?

  • Falling Into Autumn With prAna

    prAna Kara Jeans
    I received this product for free from Moms Meet, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer.  As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog.  The opinions posted are my own.
    Somebody call up the press!  Fall weather has officially made it to the Carolinas!  This is huge because October 2016 had us still in shorts and t-shirts.  In case you’re new around here, autumn is one of my two favorite seasons of the year because I get to pull out my favorite wardrobe pieces.  This past April, prAna and I showed you all how to mom in comfort and style, well today we’re showing you how to keep your fall style cozy, simple but still stylish.

    As I’ve mentioned before, I no longer subscribe to the beauty is pain manifesto.  My life and my kids are too busy for me to be walking around in clothing that is uncomfortable.  Been there, done that and I was miserable.  I mean life’s too short to waste another minute in an outfit that is cute, but unbearable to wear, especially during the fall.  In fact, when it comes to adding pieces to my fall wardrobe, the number one thing I look at is how cozy that piece is.

    When I think of autumn, I think of all things cozy and comfortable like comfort foods, cozy reading nooks, and comfortable weather temperatures.  So why should my clothing be any different?  Long gone are the days when we had to choose style over comfort.  With brands like prAna, we can all build an everyday fall wardrobe full of pieces that we will actually love wearing. 
      
    In terms of crafting a great everyday fall wardrobe, I think everyone should have the essentials – great jeans and the perfect sweater.  This is exactly why when prAna asked me to try out some pieces from their fall line, I went with the Kara Jeans and Deedra Sweater Tunic.  The reason jeans and sweaters are fall fashion essentials for me is that for starters they’re both cozy and comfortable, but most importantly they’re easy to style and versatile pieces.  While you can mix and match these pieces with many others, I most often prefer to wear them together paired with a great pair of knee-high boots.
    Shop This Look Below

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    As much as I love wearing jeans during the cooler months, I dislike shopping for them.  I’m a curvy woman with full thighs and hips but a slim waist.  9 out 10 times I often settle for pants that fit my thighs and hips but have a gap in the waist.   It’s frustrating.  Or at least it was until I tried the Kara Jeans.  

    Seriously, I feel like these jeans have changed my shopping life and my life in general.  To start they are made with organic cotton because prAna not only cares about our comfort but the environment as well.  But more importantly, these jeans are made of a stretch “Kara” denim which means that I was finally able to snag a pair of pants that actually fit my waist, but was able to stretch and fit comfortably over my thighs and hips.  The Kara Jeans gave me a tailored fit without making a trip to the tailor.
    Also, even though these are low rise jeans, I was totally able to bend and squat down through the day without flashing any excess skin.  The narrow leg is perfect for stuffing into boots.  While I’m talking about legs, mine are kind of long.  So I appreciate that these jeans have long legs that can be worn down or cuffed up.  It’s like getting two jeans for the price of one and if you’re on the taller end like me, you don’t have to worry about looking like you had a growth spurt during the night and your jeans didn’t get the memo. 
    Sweaters, sweaters, sweaters.  Tunics, tunics, tunics.  Put them both together and you have one of my most favorite wardrobe creations – the sweater tunic!  And I absolutely love my Deedra Sweater Tunic in the color Dark Plum.  It’s no secret that I’ve put on a little weight.  I’m now a plus-size girl and one of my biggest gripes is finding tops that don’t cling to my current problem area – my stomach.
    This tunic is perfect for me because it has a relaxed fit that drapes just right.  And the mid weighted knit makes the Deedra Sweater Tunic not heavy or too light to wear.  And you guys know that my kids love the park and playdates and one of my biggest fears is flashing some poor child at the park if bend to get something or tie a shoe.  So with the drop waist of this tunic, the waistband of my jeans and anything else I don’t want other to see remains covered.
    Overall, I think the Kara Jeans and Deedra Sweater Tunic would make great additions to everyone’s fall wardrobe.  You can dress them up or dress them casually for a walk through the park like I did.
    With the holidays coming up prAna is offering 15% off all regular priced items when you use discount code MMKMF17 at checkout.  The best news is that you can use this code as much (or little) as you want.  So if you give prAna a try and decide you like, you order more and still get 15% off your next order.  Also, be sure to stay updated on all the newest arrivals, discounts and more follow prAna on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
    Let’s chat in the comments.  What is your favorite fall wear?

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  • Recently | Summer Wrap Up

    This post contains an affiliate link.  I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase using my link.

    Hello, Autumn and so long summer!  I still can’t believe that our summer break is already over.  We’re already into the flow of homeschooling and everything is going well.  I’ll be posting more about that later as well as uploading some video to the YUMMommy YouTube channel.  What I will say for now is that kids are actually excited about this school year.  

    And surprisingly I enjoyed my summer break from the blog.  It gave me chance to finish getting us settled and unpacked into our new place, explore a little bit and just have uninterrupted family time.  But I missed you guys and am happy to be back in the saddle and sharing things here again.  So it’s only right that I bring you guys up to speed about some of the stuff we did over summer break, right?

    What We Did Over Summer Break

    Watched |  Did you guys know that The CW turned Archie comics into TV show?!  I had been seeing folks tweeting about this new show called Riverdale, but none of the tweets that I saw mentioned the show was based on the comic books.  Finally, I was flipping through Netflix to find something to watch one night and decided to see what all the fuss was about.

    Imagine my surprise when I saw that the show was inspired by the Archie comics.  Y’all had a fangirl moment all by myself in the middle of my living room.  My mom used to buy the Archie comics for me when I was a kid and I loved them.  Riverdale Season 1 was EVERYTHING I needed for a good summer break binge-watching session.  I’m going to have to break my cable TV strike and watch Season 2 on The CW this October.

    The kids enjoyed Tarzan, Troll Hunters and Home on Netflix this summer.  I have to say that I am happy to see Netflix adding children’s shows with diverse characters and casts to their lineups.  Representation matters y’all!  It’s super important the children of color see characters that look like them in their favorite TV shows and books.

    Hated |  This summer we said goodbye to the Queen City.  It’s been the only home Moo and JJ have known and my home for over a decade.  I’m not going to lie the decision to leave the Queen City was tough.  We absolutely hated having to say goodbye to our friends and favorite places.

    Moo held up so well on the last day of school.  But as we started moving the rest of our stuff into our new place, it started to actually hit her that we were leaving Charlotte and she wouldn’t be seeing her friends on a regular basis.  She cried a few times before we moved and asked why we couldn’t just find a place there.  I had to remind that in Charlotte, schools are assigned by zones and if we did find a house there, she still wouldn’t have been at the same school as her friends because we’d be in a different zone.

    Thankfully, I did get to snap a picture of her and besties.  We’re getting it developed and framed to hang up in her new room.  We also gave her friends our phone number and mailing address and I exchanged numbers with one of her friends’ mom.  So hopefully, she and her girlfriends can meet up a few times a year and stay in touch that way.  Y’all, it’s tough making the right decision for your family, but also feeling like the bad guy for doing it.

    Decided |  While we love our new house, there’s no denying that it’s a bit dated and needs a bit of tender love and care.  So, we’ve (I) decided that we’re going to do some renovations and remodeling.  Our home is currently a ranch style, but I’m aiming to give more of a glamourous farmhouse feel when all is said and done.  I’ve let the kids decide on themes for their rooms and will reveal those soon, but overall I’m happy with what they chose.

    I’m most anxious to redo the kitchen, guest bath, and the office.

    Visited |  One of the biggest highlights of our Summer Break besides moving was taking a family vacation to Orlando, Florida with my siblings, my mom, and niece.  We all had such a great time.  My brother did a great job in picking out the resort where we stayed at.  It was like a mini apartment with two master suites and guest bedroom plus a full kitchen and washer and dryer.  We definitely felt spoiled and I don’t know how we’ll go back to staying in regular hotel rooms after this.

    The kids’ favorite part of the trip was getting to golf with alligators!!  We didn’t want to do the traditional Disney thing because Jay wasn’t with us and we really want him to be with us for our first Disney visit.  So this was a great alternative because my kids and my niece LOVE wild animals.  Like seriously, you’d think they’re being raised by Jack Hanna.  We have plans to go to another animal park on our return trip next summer and Moo’s going to get to feed her favorite animal- a three-toed sloth!

    Whelp, that’s pretty it for our summer.  It wasn’t overly adventurous, but it definitely wasn’t boring either.  Our new beginning has been bittersweet, but very welcomed and very much needed.

    What was your favorite thing that your family did this Summer?

  • Thankful Thursday | A Weekly List of Gratitude

    Another week, another tragedy.  It’s getting harder and harder to maintain a positive attitude/mindset.  There’s no denying that this year started off beyond rocky thanks to last year’s election results.  Somehow I hoped that by the end of the year, things would be at least looking up a little bit.  So much for wishful thinking.  And watching the news has left me feeling slightly depressed.

    Why can’t genies and wishes really exist?  I’m telling you guys, I’d truly wish for world peace, natural disaster proof building materials for homes and businesses and a one-size fits all cure for cancer and Aids. I almost didn’t write today’s Thankful Thursday post not because I don’t have anything to be grateful for this week, but because it’s hard to celebrate what’s going right in your life when there’s so much going wrong for others.   Nevertheless, I’m here because I desperately need to all the positivity and joy that I can get in my life at the moment.

    What I’m Thankful For This Week

    7 Years |  7 years ago this past weekend, I finally said “I do” to my husband after an almost 5-year engagement.  Yep, we were engaged for almost 5 years y’all.   We started from the bottom and now we’re here.  And I can’t believe how fast time has flown by.  Our relationship as a whole has been a whirlwind of ups and downs, but it feels like we’re back on a smooth path.  God, I hope it lasts for a long while.
    Opportunity |  There’s nothing like new opportunities.  I’ve had a few new opportunities that have reminded me to not doubt my worth or talents.  These new opportunities have motivated and inspired me to keep dreaming and to keep bettering myself.  Hard work does pay off and people do notice.
    Improvement |  Phonics have been a struggle for JJ.  This week we finally had a breakthrough and it’s made all the difference in his confidence.  It’s been a rough road getting here but I know that things will only continue to improve.  I’m always so in awe and proud of this little guy because he’s had to overcome so much as a special needs child.  He truly motivates and is constantly teaching me about the power of perseverance. 
    Let’s chat in the comments.  What are you putting on your gratitude list this week?

  • A Day In The City With Simply Great Coffee

    This post is sponsored by Circle K.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that support YUMMommy! 
    Coffee.  I’ve been a coffee drinker and lover since I was a kid. (Thanks, Mom!)  Where some moms destress with a glass or two of wine, I prefer to start and unwind my day with a deliciously warm cup of great tasting coffee.  Honestly, when people ask me what’s one thing I miss about living in Charlotte, great coffee is at the top of my list.
    This is exactly why I jumped at the opportunity to spend a day in the Queen City checking out Simply Great Coffee from Circle K.  Trust me when I say that I was not disappointed!  Seriously forget what you’ve heard or you’ve what tasted at other gas stations because they have nothing on Simply Great Coffee.  Circle K just changed the gas station coffee game forever!
    Charlotte was where I first got hooked on European-style specialty coffees.  I had my first latte my freshman year of college at a coffee shop near campus.  While I loved the coffee and overall experience of being able to customize my drink, I didn’t love the long lines or sometimes moody baristas.  My student bank account definitely didn’t like and couldn’t afford the prices.
    Ten plus years later not much has changed.  I still love high-quality and great tasting specialty/gourmet coffee.  However, I still despise the long lines (my kids are impatient), moody baristas (sorry, I can’t do bad attitudes), and ridiculous prices (Moo’s future Ivy League college tuition isn’t going to pay itself).

    It’s for all these reasons listed above that I will now be frequenting my local Circle K (and you should too) to get my coffee fix.  Seriously, they have this really cool state-of-the-art coffee machine that lets you make lattes, cappuccinos, americanos and even hot chocolate for the kids all at the touch of a button.  No moody barista required.

    If your kids are allergic to long lines like mine or you just don’t have the time to wait out long lines, no worries.  It takes less than 60 seconds to make your coffee or hot chocolate.  So you can be in and out in less than 5 minutes.

    You can still customize your coffee thanks to the handy drink customizing station they’ve added as well.  It’s stocked with pretty much all of the options you’d see at a traditional coffeehouse- a variety of sweeteners, flavored syrups, creamers, etc.  The prices are truly reasonable with a small being $2.29, a medium $2.69, a large $2.99 and an expresso $1.29.  That’s right you can get a latte for under $3 now!!

    But the best part is that Simply Great Coffee actually tastes great!  This is not your average gas station coffee.  They sustainably source high-quality coffee beans and then roast them to perfection and in a way that doesn’t leave you with that bitter/burnt aftertaste that coffee can be known to have.  It was so smooth that I didn’t even add any sugar to my cappuccino, just a pump of my usual French Vanilla flavoring.  Even then I was surprised that I only needed one pump of flavoring compared to my usual three because again I didn’t need to combat that bitter/burnt aftertaste.

    And because most Circle Ks are open 24 hours, I can get now get my late night cappuccino fix!!  It felt great to be back in the Queen City after four months away.  Even better it felt great discovering Simply Great Coffee.

     It feels good going to my local Circle K and getting a cup of coffee that will always remind me of the great city we used to call home for over a decade.  This move is still an adjustment, but having the ability to curl up with a good book and delicious cup of Simply Great Coffee and letting all the feels wash over me is priceless.  I still and probably will forever miss living in the Queen City, but having something seemingly as simple as the convenience to treat myself to specialty coffee is helping to make me fall in love with our new city.

    Of course, we couldn’t leave the Queen City (or waste a good coffee high) without doing some furniture shopping or visiting a few of our favorite places like the wishing fountain at Philip’s Place and the park.

    Circle K is celebrating the launch of Simply Great Coffee by offering FREE 12 oz Simply Great Coffee beverages (they have iced and cold brew coffee too) during the first two weeks of October from 6-8 AM.  So you can try it out for yourself risk-free and let me know what you think afterward.  Click here to see which stores will be participating.

    Don’t forget to follow Circle K on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all of their latest happenings.  I can let you guys in on a little secret that they’ll be doing something special for the holidays!  I won’t say what because I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I’m excited about it.  Also, I heard that they could roll out new machines in the future that will include non-dairy milk options like soy or almond milk for those with dairy allergies!  You guys know I had to ask because Moo and JJ have a milk allergy.  Circle K has really changed the way I look at gas station coffee and hopefully, they’ll win you over too!

    What’s your favorite time specialty coffee beverage- latte, cappuccino, americano?