June Photo Challenge on Instagram

Are you on Instagram? If not … what are you waiting for?? Surely you’ve caved and switched to a SmartPhone by now, right? Get on it, download the Instagram app, and start taking pics. It’s a great way to showcase the beautiful state you live in, your recent travels, your amazing family, etc.

If you don’t already know, I’m a blogger over at Traveling Mom as their traveling mom with toddlers expert. And I LOVE it. We are an awesome group of traveling women who know their stuff! Check us out!

Anyway, last month we did a May Photo Challenge on Instagram and it was a big hit. Thank goodness other people out there aren’t such slackers because I pooped out in the second week. Shame on me!

Luckily, I have a second chance.

Wichita River Fest 2013: "Let the Good Times Flow"

FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS the Wichita Riverfest has been a tradition for people who live, work & play in Wichita. Riverfest features nine days of great musical entertainment, fun, safe kid’s activities, festival food & cultural events.

Regardless of what it’s been called over the years, Riverfest has always been about bringing people together. From the beginning, as part of the City’s Centennial celebration in 1970, the goal was to bring the entire community together, to build community pride and focus on Wichita’s beautiful natural resource, the Arkansas River.

Music continues to play a major role in the festival with several popular artists entertaining festival crowds including Daughtry, Nick Lachey, Huey Lewis and Kansas.

6 Ways to Teach your Child Money Management

Benjamin Franklin said, "a penny saved is a penny earned." In today’s economy, this expression could not be any more of value. Literally. Wise financial planning encourages wise spending and saving for the future and in the long run can have a profound impact on your child’s life. But when and how do our children learn about money, financial responsibilities, savings, budgeting, debt, and credit? Perhaps some in high school - but for most children … they learn at home.

Information for this post is sourced from Genworth Financial in partnership with the SheHeard Influencer Network.

 

There are many ways to incorporate smart financial decisions into your child’s life that will help teach them the importance of money.

Disney World's New Fantasyland: A Tot Mecca

What if you focused your entire Walt Disney World vacation around your toddler? Walt Disney World can be overwhelming -- not only for babies and toddlers – but also for the adults who cannot take their little ones on many of the rides. But, here’s the kicker, you ready for this? Disney World isn’t all about the rides. In fact, the Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland is tot mecca and it only has a couple of rides.

Having been to the park about a dozen times, first one being when I was around five, I figured I was qualified enough to review their newest (and largest) expansion in their 41-years, the New Fantasyland. Memories of the old Fantasyland flash back as I remember me, cautiously wrapping my arms around Minnie Mouse. I remember walking past the gates of the Haunted Mansion and begging my parents not to take me inside and instead take me directly to the carousel. I remember being thoroughly amazed and almost overwhelmed on the boat of It’s A Small World. So obviously, when I heard about the expansion of Fantasyland, I couldn’t wait to check it out.

A Day to Remember. Because our Veterans will never Forget

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy

 

Not just every day, but especially on Memorial Day, we reflect on how great a price we have paid with the loss of incredible young people - people of strong moral fiber, hardworking, and overall good people who would have continued to contribute to the greatness of this nation after their days of military service were completed. They were/are not battle points. They are individuals who were brave enough to put on their uniform every day and go in harm's way to protect this beautiful country, their families, our families, and their fellow soldiers.

4 Reasons Why I LOVE Sambazon PLUS a #Giveaway

Sambazon sounds like a country I’d like to add to my bucket list when in fact it’s not that at all. Sambazon is the first smoothie/drink brand to feature a full suite of certifications including organic, fair trade, non-GMO, vegan, gluten free and B Corporation.

 

Since the beginning of the year, my family and I have been trying to eat better. We were terrible at eating fruits and vegetables and we have been trying to change the way we snack too. That’s when we were introduced to Sambazon.

Hey Wichita Ladies ... Let's Get Dirty!

This event has unfortunately been canceled. Boooooo!

Alright Wichita (and area) Girls … it’s time to get off your rears and come get dirty with me!

Recently I was contacted by a Dirty Girl to become a Blog Ambassador for the Dirty Girl Mud Run coming to Wichita, Kansas in July. With this comes a unique opportunity for me to share their cause, which raises money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation! Not a bad gig, eh? And you think I just sit around typing on my little computer and eating bon bons. Shame on you!

I’m not athletic at all. And maybe you aren’t either! Evidently that’s perfectly fine!

Here’s the scoop…

3 Reasons Why You Should Have Netflix....

 

Summer is FINALLY here which for us means no more strict schedules to follow … sleeping in is a rule … and TV becomes a temporary babysitter. Don’t judge.

My family doesn’t have cable. We cut ties with it several years back when we had to start paying for childcare. It was just one of those costs that was pointless. Much like our home phone – which we never talked on.

Once we started hearing more and more good things about Netflix and they sent out a subscription for a one month free trial a few years ago … we decided it was worth a shot.
 

Save $2.00 off your Thomas Tickets!!

Remember how I told you that Thomas the Tank Engine is coming to Midland Railway in Baldwin City, Kansas at the end of May and beginning of June? Well …. Because you guys are sooooo completely AWESOME …. They’ve given me a code for my readers (and my readers only) a use to save $2.00 of any ticket when you are ready to make the purchase.

Keep this code between me and you, okay? Just type in: GOFAM when you order your tickets online and it’ll save $2.00 off any ticket.

Thanks again for being the best readers ever. I promise stuff like this more often!
 

Stroke Awareness: Take that First Step Today!

You know those moments, events, and happenings where we remember exactly where we were, what we were doing, and who we were with? Usually they’re either a really happy moment in our life, or a really unexpected and shocking moment in our life.

For me, that moment happened in 2006. I remember coming back from the restroom and having a voicemail. I was (and still am) really bad about checking my voicemails right away but something told me to check that one. The voice that I heard was a shook up, upset, voice-cracking fiance. My fiance. We were getting married that year in June. Just four months away from the day that I took this phone call we would say our vows.

Ringling Brothers Circus at Intrust Bank Arena (GIVEAWAY)

It’s been years since I’ve been to a circus. Okay … MANY years. But I still remember it. I remember the 50+ clowns clambering out of the little tiny car. I remember the elephants standing on two legs. I remember the beautiful horses and the gorgeous lady doing stunts on them. And I remember the trapeze artists and how, even those many years back, I covered my eyes because I was terrified they were going to fall to their death.

Kidecals: Brilliant Labels, Mom-Approved. Save 15% TODAY!

My boys are getting older … and with that means they’ll be partaking in more and more games and activities. Since starting school and playing sports, I’ve realized how important it is to write their names on everything. From pencil boxes to lunch pails (do they still say "pails") to jackets and water bottles, labeling has sort of become second nature to me. I’ve become so use to labeling their belongings that I keep the labeler in the car and stick it on the item as soon as we make the purchase. OCD much, Amanda? Jeesh. 

The Procrastinating Mommy is Getting a New Look!

The Procrastinating Mommy is getting a new, fresh, CLEAN look. I know, I know … the Mommy drinking coffee, working on the computer while the clothes are drying in the background is just sooooo me. But it’s 2013 ya’ll - and I need to get with the times. If you have a suggestion on someone who would like to throw some designs my way and get their name on my website, by all means – pitch me! Otherwise, I’m on the hunt for a designer who is reasonably priced and can design me a fresh new, modern look for my baby.
Or I could always design my own again. I did this current look and layout. But I also have a household to run. So there’s that.

I’m REALLY excited, you guys!  Join me while I drink wine and delineate what I'm wanting for the site!

16th Annual Sunflower Balloon Fest in Anthony, KS

Since 1998, a high-flying festival with beautiful colored balloons, a parade, parachute jumpers, hot air balloon rides, music, and dancing takes the grounds of the Anthony municipal airport.

If you have never experienced the thrill of watching a bevy of colorful hot air balloons rise majestically from green pasture to blue sky, you can’t imagine what you’re missing. The event will feature hot air balloons of all shapes, size and colors, as well as a multitude of family-friendly activities.
 

ALLLL ABOARD! The Go Go Thomas Tour is Coming to Kansas!

My youngest is a fan of anything that moves (cars, planes, trucks, buses, and especially trains) - As most boys are, I’m sure! So when I found out that Thomas the Tank Engine is REAL … as in, "Allllll aboard! Come ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and Sir Topham Hatt" … I couldn’t stop smiling. I just knew it was something I had to get tickets for! Not only for my little man, but kind of for me too. Yes, I live vicariously through my children sometimes.
Disclosure: My family has been given complimentary tickets to take a ride of our life on the Go Go Thomas Tour. Stay tuned for my upcoming blog post of our adventure. All opinions are my own and if you see my children behaving badly, please just turn your head and walk away. Thanks.