mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Mom’s Holiday Survival Guide {Giveaway}

By 45 Comments

Do you feel like holidays are coming at you a 100 MPH? It’s because they are! Let’s all breathe together!

To help make the season brighter, Modern Mom Life and Mama Challenge have joined forces to talk all things holidays on Facebook LIVE!

Join us Thursday, Nov. 30 at 8 pm for giveaways, discounts and lots of fun! We are going to chat about how we can all survive and enjoy the holidays as busy moms.

Between the two of us we have been to a good amount of holiday festivities. We will also answer any questions you may have about Dallas/Fort Worth Holiday Events.


To celebrate the holidays, we are giving away epic prizes to compliment our Mom Holiday Survival Guide Facebook Live. Keep scrolling to see all the amazing prizes our wonderful sponsors have provided exclusively for our readers.

Hurry, giveaways end December 9, 2019. Please note that some giveaways are local to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and will be noted below each giveaway item.

Moms Holiday Survival Guide

Don’t forget to enter to win many of these amazing giveaways below.

Mom Holiday Survival Ultimate Giveaway

HerKare – VIVACE RF Microneeedling Facial Treatment

You can win a revolutionary VIVACE RF microneedling facial treatment with Radio Frequency for skin contouring and tightening- with virtually no pain and no downtime. Vivace is the newest generation in microneedling technology that offers the highest level of skincare benefits and comfort to patients. Treatment benefits: helps reduce wrinkles, rosacea/spider veins, eliminating acne scars and stretch marks and skin tightening. One facial treatment value $600.

HerKare

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Scout and Cellar – Sparkling Rose (1 winner) and One Red/White Wine Combo (1 winner)

99% of wineries rely on pesticides, additives and added sweeteners, which means chemically altered, completely unnatural wine is now the norm. We’re here to offer a cleaner, healthier, altogether better wine experience to everyone.

Wine will be shipped directly to winner. Winner must prove age is 21 or older. Also, winner must register on the website per TABC and federal guidelines.

scoutandcellar
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Stillwater Winter Wonderland Package One Night Package Giveaway

One Night Package Giveaway Includes:

Hotel of Your Choosing:

  • Residence Inn
  • Hampton Inn & Suites
  • Best Western PLUS Cimarron Hotels & Suites
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Stillwater West
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Four (4) Tickets to the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink

$25 Gift Cards To Each Of The Following:

Restaurants

  • Freddie Paul’s Steakhouse
  • Louie’s Bar & Grill

Retailers

  • Furniture Showcase
  • Leonard Jewelry
  • 405 Mercantile
  • Chris’ University Spirit

Attractions

  • Sky Golf
  • Oklahoma WONDERtorium (Family pass for 4)

Stillwaters Winter Wonderland
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A Bad Moms Christmas – 5 Rolls of Christmas Wrapping Paper (2 winners)

Celebrate the release of A Bad Moms Christmas by wrapping your gifts in Bad Moms Christmas Wrapping Paper!

bad moms christmas

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Hamsters in a House Little Cupcake Berry Toy Shop

There is so much to do in the world of hamster in a house! adorable hamsters come alive and are full of surprises! watch as they Buzz, scoot, scurry and zoom!

hamster
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Zuru Fidget Cube

This top trending toy and viral sensation is a stylish gadget for at work, in class or at home. Great gift idea for friends or family who can’t keep their fingers still.

fidget
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Tangle Jr. Original Fidget Toy

Tangles are based on the concept of infinity and continuous motion. This Magic in the Motion that you feel when you play with a Tangle is truly therapeutic and calming to the soul. Once you put a Tangle in your hand, you just can not put it down.

Tangle
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HP AMP 100 Wireless Printer – Printer and Bluetooth Speaker in One

Get more from your space with an ultra-compact printer and Bluetooth speaker in one. Enjoy a seamless all-in-one experience with the HP Smart app – and sound that fills your room with crystal clarity and booming bass. Get connected with your smartphone and start printing fast with seamless Wi-Fi setup.

printer
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Brackitz BKT-112 Inventor 100 Piece Set and a Bugz set (2 winners win one a piece)
coupon code: MODERNMOMLIFE 15% off anything in the Brackitz store, (not Amazon) – one per customer and it ends on Dec 3 at midnight.

Brackitz

brackitz bugz
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Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe – $25 Razzoo’s gift card

Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe has 19 restaurants, with 17 of them located in Texas. Enjoy the best Cajun food you can find. See a complete list of our locations on our website: http://razzoos.com/find-us

razzoos
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Lazy One Inc Pajamas – $50 gift card (1 winner)
Save 10% using MML at check out

Lazy One Inc Pajamas offer funny family matching pajamas perfect for the holiday season!

lazy one
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Pogo Passes – 1 Pogo Passes (2 Winners)
60% off any pass using code modernmomlife

Pogo Pass Details: Passes include ONE year of FREE admission to all current venues. Pass good for Austin, DFW or San Antonio areas.

pogopass
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Nicole Sun Photography – Mommy and Me mini session

Featured North Texas Photographer Nicole Sun Photography is offering a Mommy and Me mini session. 5 images included with option to purchase more at $12/image. Location must be near Little Elm/Frisco, TX area.

NicoleSunPhotography
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Crispy Green Tropical Variety Box

Each variety pack includes: 8 100% freeze-dried apples, 4 100% freeze-dried mangoes and 4 100% freeze-dried pineapples. It is available here on Amazon and on the online store.

Tropical Variety Box
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The Escape Game Dallas Gift cards

Special offer: Use promo code DallasMoms when buying online.

The Escape Game is America’s #1 escape room experience. Dallas’ games include Prison Break , Gold Rush and The Heist.

Escape Game Dallas
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Special holiday offers for our readers

AT&T Performing Arts Center

Use code MAMACHALLENGE for Buy 3, Get 1 Free offer to upcoming Broadway musicals, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the King and I.

This offer is valid for select sections and performances, and the discount will be applied once your tickets are in the cart.
 
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical dallas
 

Kazzam by Party City

Kazzam! by Party City is the new, easy way to book party activities, food, and entertainers – all at the best available price!

No membership fee required to use Kazzam! by Party City.

 

Get 50% off any parties you book on Kazzam.com when booked by December 15, 2017! 

Use CODE 50OFF when you go online  will show on checkout page.  See additional details and terms below.

 
Consumer will be charged the full amount for their party and will receive the 50% rebate for up to $500 per party, directly from Kazzam within 10 days of the party occurrence.  Offer is limited to the first 100 parties that are booked through the URL provided above.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What do you think of our Mom Holiday Survival Guide giveaway? Good luck and may your holidays be bright and less stressful this year! Thank you for supporting our blogs!

Makin’ a List, Checking it Twice: Hot Holiday Toy List 2017 {Giveaway}

By 165 Comments

Whether you’re giving or getting, when it comes to the holidays, it’s all about making the list! Here’s the mamachallenge’s Holiday Hot Toy List 2017! 

Thank you to so many of these sponsors for making this list possible! And to Good Morning Texas for featuring some of their favorites. 

And don’t forget to enter to win many of these hot toys below. 

Let’s start off by saying this time of year my kids really come in handy. 


Christmas Holiday Poster

Best Board Games

That’s right – how else do you think my research panel really works? By asking the pros (i.e. the kids) to let me know their thoughts (and put it together) that’s how I REALLY find out how cool (or not so cool) the new toys each year will be. And this year we’ve been hard at work…especially to find some monkeys that sound like they should be potatoes and hamsters to serve us burgers. (Don’t worry, we’ll explain.) 

I’m a huge fan of buying a board game for the kids each year. It’s like a stocking stuffer, but it’s also something for us to do together on Christmas and is helping to build their own library of games when they get older and have families. 

Shark Bite by Pressman 

This is a fun game for the littles and best of all, doesn’t need batteries! It’s like the Go Fishing game we used to play but sharks! It’s easy to get rolling quickly and easy to play! 

Soggy Doggy by Spin Master

Of course the kids will like it, Soggy Doggy is the game of getting wet by your Soggy Doggy while he takes a bath! Another game that’s perfect for all ages and doesn’t take forever to get the idea of how to play! 

Ship of Treasures by Pressman

I love this game because it was created by two 5th grade girls who won the Chicago Toy and Game Fair’s Young Inventor Challenge. They created the playing pieces to look like themselves, used the box as part of the game, and 10% of profits go to the Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago in honor of school mate who died of cancer. 

UltraDash by PlayMonster

It’s a game that gets them moving – and isn’t that what we need!?! Easy to work, easy to put together, three modes, and many ways to play! Get them to Ultra Dash with this fun and inexpensive way to exercise while having a great time playing together. 

YULU SpyCode Operation: Escape Room

Taking off from the escape room craze, SpyCode Operation: Escape Room brings the fun home to you. “Lock up” your friend and then complete challenges to get them out! 

Monopoly Special Edition Gamer

Gamers normally play their games on a screen, but this version of Nintendo’s Mario Bros. comes as the classic game of Monopoly; complete with figurines of the characters and coins instead of cash. If you have a gamer on your list but don’t want to give them another cartridge to add to their list, this is the game for you! 

The New Thing!

Zuru Hamsters Ham’s Burger Diner

Every season their are the must-have toys on the list that you wonder what makes this swoon – the Zuru Hamsters is one of 2017 must-haves! Part of the Hamsters in a House set, the newly released Hamsters in a House Food Frenzy let’s Ham (one of the 11 collectible Hamsters) take over his own diner with lots of fun as he zooms through his diner. Yep, hamsters, food and fun is the name of the game – and they’ll love it. 

Hamster

L.O.L Surprise!

Talk about a gift that’s going to make them go wild! Just like unwrapping any gift, there’s a buzz of anticipation and that feeling of, oh-my-goodness, what’s going to be inside?! L.O.L. Surprise! TM Series 2 includes new Tots with 7 layers of surprise and now, new Lil Sisters with 5 layers of surprise! Each layer reveals a hint of which fierce, fashion-forward L.O.L. Surprise!TM doll you’re unboxing. Over 80 characters to collect, unbox them all!

WowWee Fingerlings

Wonder what gift is making parents everyone sit in lines and pay big dollars to make sure there’s one under the tree? The Fingerlings are 2017 MUST HAVE. This interactive monkeys respond to sound, motion, and touch with blinking eyes, head turns, and silly monkey babble. Blow them kisses and they will kiss you back! Hang them upside-down by the tail and watch them monkey around! Pet them to sleep or make a loud noise and watch them get excited! 

My Golden Ticket A Journey Into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory

This was the gift I think I wanted but felt like I had to get for my kid instead. Taking a spin on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but now your child has become part of the journey. Each book is personalized with names, inscriptions and even option chocolate aroma within the pages. You’ll want this one to stay with them for ages. Get 15% off with this code: https://buff.ly/2yhLsSF.

The Classics Gone Better

Nerf Modulus Regulator

The Nerf Modulus Regulator blaster features single-fire, burst-fire, and fully motorized blasting power (yep this is the BIG ONE!) The REGULATOR blaster is customizable and compatible with accessories within the MODULUS system, you can build the ultimate blasters. 

ZFlyte Luggage Scooter

Remember that time you when to the airport with your kiddo and wished they could roll their own suitcase or ride it to the gate instead of you holding their hand? The ZFlyte makes it fun for the kids to take care of their stuff with a combo suitcase and scooter in one. Several characters available for travel made fun. 

Pillow Pets Disney Emoticons

Since 2003, Pillow Pet® plush folding stuffed animals have been bringing smiles to the faces of all ages. But now they’ve added Disney and emoticons to the mix. You can’t ever go wrong with a Pillow Pet and now with Disney, you might even want one for yourself. 

LEGO LOVE

You can’t ever go wrong with LEGO! No matter the age or the gender, we love our LEGOs.

BRICK HEADZ – Beauty and the Beast 

Forget sets, these LEGOS turn into your favorite characters including Belle and Beast! Including all kinds of special detailing, each LEGO BrickHeadz construction character comes with its own buildable collector’s baseplate featuring series number and BrickHeadz icon. Yes, you’ll want to get them all but the best part is, these sets are priced perfect for the stocking stuffers! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEGO Friends Snow Resort Chalet

Make it a winter wonderland all the time with this fun FRIENDS Snow Resort Chalet. Featuring a 2-story log cabin with outdoor hot tub, kitchen, lounge area with fireplace, dining area with table and chairs, upstairs bedroom with 3 beds and a snowmobile. AND mini-doll figures in winter outfits, plus a Luna the husky figure. Accessory elements include skis, wooden trunk, cups, pot, cheese, croissant, board game, snow resort flyer, mobile phone, action camera, perfume bottles, dog food and a map. Yep, this is the best way to go skiing – without going anywhere. 

LEGO SkiChalet

DC SuperHero Girls Eclipso Dark Palace

Move over Batman, the SuperHero Girls are here to rule the world! That’s right, Wonder Woman and her pals are ready to fight evil in their Dark Palace. The Eclipso Dark Palace features a foldout palace, opening tubes to hold LEGO DC Super Hero Girls characters, powering station, planning room, vanity cabinet, weapons cabinet, a Kryptomite creation section and this includes 3 mini-doll figures: Wonder Woman, Eclipso and The Flash, plus 3 orange Kryptomite figures! LEGO Palace

Interactive STEM/STEAM Toys

Disney Princess Dance Code Belle

I love a good princess story, but one that also teaches my child codding, now that’s a tale I’m happy to create. Disney Princess Dance Code Belle uses the 10 dances already included or you choose to use an app, you create Belle’s next move with easy choreography though coding. She sings, she dances, and she makes it all fun! 


Project Mc2 Smart Pixel Purse

My purse can do a lot of things, but light up with designs isn’t one of them. But this one is. Featured on the Emmy nominated Netflix original series, the Pixel Purse is the ultimate accessory for the Nov 8 agents’ next mission.  This real purse comes pre-programmed with over 10 animations for easy out-of-the-box play or customize the multi-color LED display with your own designs or phrases using free iOS and Android app.

Hasbro Play-Doh Touch Shape to Life

Take your Play-Doh creations to the next level with this amazing studio. Take a photo of your creation and watch as it comes to life on screen to move, interact and take clay to a whole new world. 

Hasbro furReal Makers Proto Max

My kid told Santa he wanted a puppy for Christmas. Thankfully I found Proto Max as the answer. The furReal series is so FOR REAL as you use easy coding on an app to create your puppy and then all of his movements, reactions, etc. He moves, he expresses and reacts with his feelings, and changes colors for the perfect pet you don’t have to clean up after. We already named ours Sweetie Baby. 

Don’t miss more giveaways and your Mom Holiday Survival Guide – NOVEMBER 30 ON FACEBOOK!

Hasbro DropMix

Don’t play with this one before your kids or you might keep it for yourself. Really. Developed with Harmonix, creators of Rock Band and Dance Central, you become the DJ with this fast-paced music mixing game that lets you create unexpected song mixes featuring music from top artists and popular songs (the real versions!) using an app and a bluetooth speaker to really let you skills flow. 

Santa Gifts

Little Tikes Princess Horse and Carriage

A classic twist on the favorite little red buggy, your princess or prince will love driving their own carriage (or you can push/pull them with the removable floorboard.) This is a dream for many kids under the tree and you’ll be the Fairy Godmother with the Little Tykes Princess Horse and Carriage. 

BMW Z8 Ride-On

This is the ride we wish we could all zip into the drive way! The BMW Z8 Ride-On from Dynacraft is what the cool kids are driving even when they’re under four foot tall.  This car has an authentic BMW Z8 look and emblems, realistic interior detailing, working headlights and Mp3 input and cord for your kids to Jam out to their favorite tunes while driving! 

Dynacraft Black Ice eDrifter

Dad, this isn’t supposed to be for you, but once you put it together, you might change your mind. The electric drive wheel powers the eDrifter to drift a full 360 to 720 degrees just like you’re on black ice. Like a motorbike this sturdy vehicle (designed for kids 13 and up), has tubeless tires with PVC drifter sleeves and goes 12 miles per hour. 

 

Now get shopping, Christmas is just around the corner!

Ready to win?

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Get Away with a Weekend Getaway to the Hilton Anatole

By 58 Comments

 ENTER TO WIN A WEEKEND AT THE HILTON ANATOLE

Aerial - JadeWaters

Watch our MAMACHALLENGE LIVE FOR MORE CHANCES TO ENTER.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

CONTEST RULES:

Contest open to only U.S. citizens, 18 years and older.

Guest room (for a stay Friday – Sunday between now and Labor Day, September 4, 2017) at the Hilton Anatole Dallas.
Complimentary resort fee (includes self-parking, two Starbucks coffees per day in Counter Offer, access to JadeWaters, etc.)
$100 resort credit good toward spa or hotel food and beverage

By entering this contest you also confirm your address to be added to the MamaChallenge.com Newsletter list. If you do not wish to be added to this list, email [email protected] with the message to remove your address.

When You Need a Vacation from Summer Vacation

By 108 Comments


Need a vacation from your summer vacation? When you need a getaway to get away, then get ready for your Passport to Summer.

Thanks to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen  for sponsoring this getaway to get away.

Remember the days when you looked forward to vacation, spent a few minutes throwing a bathing suit, sandals and a cute sundress in a bag, grabbed a passport, and took off without a care in the world?


Vacation-Cheddars

But when you’re a parent, you don’t normally get to go on vacation. You get to go on trips.

Trips include intense research, dozens of Pinterest boards of itineraries, early morning phone calls to claim one of the few spots available for breakfast with princesses, and a spreadsheet or a notebook to collect all the confirmation numbers to keep things straight.

Trips take weeks to organize and pack everything for everyone so they are prepared to have a good time after you’ve stayed up for hours carefully rolling each item in their suitcase.

Trips are when you act less like a parent and more like a drill sergeant to stay on top of all the plans you’ve made so that you don’t miss any fun – although you aren’t really have any.

Trips are when you finally get back home and realize that you are exhausted from your trip and would do anything for a vacation.

And vacations…you remember them, right? Sand, water, magazines, salty air, creamy drinks delivered by beautiful smiling cabana boys.

Vacation

(Take a moment and just breathe that all in.) 

After a recent trip, this mama needed a vacation in a bad way. But with only a few hours away from the kids, a flight was out of the question. So the best way to get away was to take a getaway to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.

Vacation-Cheddars

Just in time for my sanity (and yours), you can visit Cheddar’s Passport to Summer and enjoy their taste of the tropics with hand-crafted cocktails and menu. And what are friends for but to order them all to find our favorites! 

Vacation-Cheddars

Head to Hawaiian with a Maui Margarita, a combo of half strawberry, half mango, with kiwi and a shot of DeKuyper Cactus Juice.

Vacation-Cheddars

Salsa with the Presidente Sangria mixed with Beso Del Sol sangria, Presidente Brandy and sweet & sour shaken with strawberries, fresh lemons, limes and oranges. Or party down with the Cheddar’s Pina Colada puree, splash of sweet & sour, topped with Myers’s Original Dark rum and garnished with a toasted coconut rim and fresh pineapple wedge! 

Vacation-Cheddars

Top off your day with an Island Tiki with Captain Morgan, Malibu rums, tropical mango puree, pineapple juice, sweet & sour and Blue Curacao.

Vacation-Cheddars

But if you really want to go full on vacay in a big way, then you order the legendary Cheddar’s Painkiller (there is a two-drink maximum on that one so it’s definitely a quick way to paradise.) Filled with Pusser’s rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, orange juice, toasted coconut rim, topped with nutmeg, you’ll figure out why it’s called a painkiller! 

Vacation-Cheddars

And when you tummy catches up with your taste buds, you can turn up the heat with the Sweet Heat Chicken and Shrimp or the Grilled Tilapia and Shrimp with Mango Salsa. (And you can feel much better eating this than some of the things you do end up eating on vacation.)

Vacation-Cheddars

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has the menu for fun and the passport to summer, even if you only have an hour to take a vacation! Plus with such affordable prices, it’s way cheaper than a flight or hotel stay. And you don’t have to pack a thing.

WIn $50 Gift Card to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen:

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Grand Opening: NEW Academy Sports + Outdoors in Rockwall

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Whether you’re headed to the lake, the driving range, the gym, or just the backyard, you’ll find what everyone needs at NEW Academy Sports + Outdoors in Rockwall, Texas! 

Thanks to Academy Sports + Outdoors for getting families active and sponsoring this incredible giveaway! 

Do you or someone in your family: 

  • Hunt 
  • Fish
  • Enjoy being in the water
  • Play golf or tennis
  • Go camping
  • Enjoy grilling 
  • Go running
  • Play sports 
  • Love the cowboys
  • Wear sunglasses?

Academy


Well I could have just kept going…but I think you get my drift! With 100 stores now in Texas, Academy knows when it comes to families being active and enjoying the outdoors, no one gets you geared up like Academy Sports + Outdoors. This Friday, July 7 you’re invited to join in all the fun with some amazing deals and some even more amazing giveaways! (But if you can’t make it in store on Friday, join us here to get your own sneak peek from your computer/smartphone and we’ll show you!) 

Academy Sports + Outdoors is already known as your resource for everything your need on sports + outdoors, but during this special grand opening weekend in Rockwall, you’ll find some big buys just like this ECOXGEAR waterproof portable speaker (that charges everything but your car! LOL!) Just check out that price. But of course, that’s not all…

Academy

Got a fisherman or outdoorsman that needs to stay cool when he’s outdoors (my dad swears by Academy’s exclusive Magellan shirts). Buy one, get one 50% off!

Academy

We couldn’t live without our portable chairs for hanging out with friends, festivals, concerts and just hanging by the pool? Less than $5 for one and available in every color of the rainbow! 

Academy

But it’s not just the best buys that make Academy THE destination for everything sports + outdoors, but also the opportunity to get everything you need whether you’re an amateur or a professional in one place. Plus you can get hands on the equipment you’d be buying! With so many golf courses in Rockwall, they make it easy to get in and out on the course in no time at all! And that’s just for starters! 

Academy

I can’t believe we’re already talking back to school (we’re halfway there) but for those of us with kids in sports like baseball or are gearing up for two-a-days for football, Academy already has what you need. So beat the crowds and get what you need now! 

Academy

Need a backpack? Of course you will! If they don’t have a backpack here you or kids want, they don’t make it! 

Academy

Academy is always our go to for shoes! With a family of four, you can be buying a lot of shoes just to get you started for the new school year. Thankfully, Academy has tons of brands available for you to try on – and not just running shoes for the big kids. 

Academy

I love Academy for its perfect prices for toddler shoes! They have great styles to fit your tod, but you can actually afford to keep up with those ever-changing sizes at prices that fit your budget and their feet! 

Academy

Academy

But it’s not just the toddlers – I love to stock up on Sperrys for both my son and for my husband! We love the look and the style, so we know we can rely on Academy to have our favorite Sperry style without the crazy lines at the shoe store. 

Academy

PRICE MATCH POLICY

Academy is so sure they’ll have the best price for what you’re looking for, if you find the same exact somewhere else (i.e. Amazon or another retailer) for a reduced priced, Academy will match it AND reduce it by 5% when you show them the ad or online price. Here’s the details on their best prices in Texas! 

Academy

SHIP TO HOME

Is your shoe size out of stock? Don’t worry, the store will happily order it for you and have it shipped to your home, free of charge!  

In Texas grilling is always in season, but the summer time is prime time for bringing out the grill! Whether you’re smoking it, grilling it or looking to update the outdoor kitchen, Academy has a top-notch selections that you can buy now and be at home flipping burgers in no time at all! 

Academy

Just check out the best buy deals for some sizzling prices on some of the best equipment! (I’ve my eye on this Academy exclusive brand Outdoor Gourmet Kamado Ceramic Charcoal Grill for less than $600!) 

Academy

And of course, with a lake just steps away from the front door of the new Rockwall Academy store, you better bet water sports and fishing is front of mind. Whether you’re just throwing out the first catch with your kiddo or looking to invest in some serious rod and reel time, you can try out what you want at Academy. And with team members always available to help you, come loaded with questions for them to help you make your best buy of your own. Don’t forget to get your license here too! 

Academy

Academy (17 of 19)

Now are you ready for the YETI? Come out for the festivities starting Friday at 8 AM! 

Academy

Friday, July 7 – Grand Opening Activities

FREE EXCLUSIVE ACADEMY T‑SHIRT

Event starting at 8am: First 250 customers will receive a free Academy t–shirt. Limit 1 t–shirt per person. Size selection and color vary.

YETI LINE UP AND WIN

Event starting at 8am: FREE YETI Rambler for the first 100 customers with a wristband. Two lucky customers will win a YETI Hopper Two 20!

BE A STAR PHOTO BOOTH AND SPIN TO WIN

  • $500 Academy gift card
  • Masterbuilt 40″ Electric Smoker (Valued at $299.99.)
  • Fitbit Blaze Fitness Watch
  • Pelican Premium Apex 100 Angler 10′ Kayak
  • Columbia® PFG Thermal Tote

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

  • FREE Jack Link’s jerky samples
  • Kids fish FREE in our Shakespeare catch tank from 10am – 4pm
  • Hourly $50 gift card giveaway from 1-3pm

Saturday, July 8 – Grand Opening Activities

FREE MYSTERY GIFT CARD

Event starting at 8am: Be one of the first 150 customers in line beginning at 8am to show that you like or follow Academy on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, or Snapchat and receive a FREE mystery gift card valued between $20 and $500. (ARV of all prizes is $4,870.)

KIDS FISH FREE, COURTESY OF SHAKESPEARE

Event starting at 10am: Make the catch! Kids fish FREE at our Shakespeare catch tank from 10 am-4 pm.

BE A STAR IN OUR PHOTO BOOTH AND SPIN TO WIN PRIZES

  • $500 Academy gift card
  • Masterbuilt 40″ Electric Smoker (Valued at $299.99.)
  • Fitbit Blaze Fitness Watch
  • Pelican Premium Apex 100 Angler 10′ Kayak
  • Columbia® PFG Thermal Tote

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

  • The Carhartt Experience and FREE gift with a $50 or more Carhartt merchandise purchase from 10am – 4pm
  • Try on adidas for a Chance to WIN
  • FREE Brooks gift with Brooks shoe purchase
  • FREE Spalding Shoot-to-WIN game
  • Try on SKECHERS for a Chance to WIN a $50 Academy gift card
  • FREE Wolverine Enter to WIN
  • Hourly $50 gift card giveaway from 1-3pm

Get all the details about the Rockwall Grand Opening Celebration this weekend here.

Academy Sports + Outdoors
920 Steger Towne Rd.
Rockwall, TX 75032

Enter to win a $100 Gift Card to Academy Sports + Outdoors!

Academy

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Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak

By 68 Comments

Love the idea of grilling, but think it’s too complicated? We’re sharing the basics you need to get your grill on with our Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak! 

Thank you to Market Street for helping all of us girls (and guys) get our grill on with this sponsored post. 

Isn’t it funny that so many mamas take on the world (literally) every day, but when it comes to grilling think it’s too hard or should be left to the guys? 

Just answer me this: Do you like the idea of biting into a juicy, sizzling steak? Do you like to entertain? Want to make a special meal for your special someone? Then you need to know how to grill a steak. 


Guide to Grilling a Steak

…But don’t worry, it’s not near as hard as you think it is. Now don’t get me wrong, grilling is just as much an art and a science as it is skill. I have the utmost for those that have mastered it, but we don’t have to be the best to have a really good steak dinner. And before you get any further down, here’s your real disclaimer: Grilling is subjective and everyone does it different. 

However, we’re gonna give you the absolute basics to get your first steak from purchase to plate without much work, hassle, or slaving over a grill for hours. (Besides, who has time for that!)  

Steak

Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak

1) It’s all in the meat. 

No matter what marinade you use, what you cook it on, or what you pair with it, you need to pick a great piece of steak. I honestly didn’t have a clue except that there was steak and there was hamburger meat. So off to Market Street I went to figure it all out when the butcher came out to help me (he must have seen the scare in my eyes!) He explained the cuts of meat so I knew what I was looking at and how best to cook it. 

Guide to Grilling a Steak

There are three basic classes you should know when it comes to your beef: Prime (best), Choice (better) and Select (good.) 

When it comes to flavor, it’s all in the marbling or the little white flecks in beef – is key to flavor. The higher the amount of marbling, the higher the quality of beef.

When it comes to the meat, Rancher’s Reserve is always a great choice with 100% Angus beef that is juicy, tender and full of flavor.

Now for the fun stuff, the cuts! These four steaks all come from the same general area of the cow – the short loin, tenderloin, and the ribs. 

TENDERLOIN // aka filet mignon / Boneless cut from the short loin and sirloin. / Most tender and most expensive cut of steak.

Guide to Grilling a Steak

T-BONE // aka Porterhouse / Bone in cross section of the unfilleted short loin with combo of f tenderloin and NY strip. / Great taste but difficult to cook with two different cuts. 

Guide to Grilling a Steak

NY STRIP // Boneless & sometimes bone-in short loin behind the ribs. / Fine grained texture with some marbling.

Guide to Grilling a Steak

RIBEYE // aka Delmonico /Boneless & bone-in cut from the rib cage. / Lots of marbling and fat pockets for the juiciest flavor. 

Guide to Grilling a Steak

The Ribeye is by far the best choice for new grillers. It’s more tender than the other cuts of beef and has lots of marbling, which means lots of juicy flavor! 

When it comes to the cut, you’ll want to aim for 1 1/4 inch – 1 1/2 inch cut.  

Don’t see any in the case? Then ask your butcher to assist you! Market Street will cut it to your specifications!

2) Season and Sit it Out.

Alrighty…this is where there are all kinds of opinions on the best way to make your steak taste perfect. What you put on it, how long you let it sit on the steak and how long you choose to put the steak in the fridge or at room temperatures varies as much as there are different opinions on how best to soothe a crying baby. There’s been tons of research, experiments, and lots of hot-headed opinions but for this first-timer’s steak: we’re keeping it basic. You’ll find your own way after you do it for the first time. 

Take your steak out of the fridge at least thirty minutes before you plan to cook your steak. Pat your steak with a paper towel. 

Add LOTS of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to both sides (it’s going to seem excessive, but this will add the simple seasoning your steak needs. (Put it in your palm and let it fly!) 

Let the steak sit at room temperature for around half an hour. 

V

3) Get your Grill Going. 

The biggest question here is: How are you planning to cook this thing! 

Gas: By far the easiest way way to grill is on a gas grill. Turn on the tank, turn the burner, ignite, and close the lid for around 10 minutes when the grill hits around 425-450 degrees. Now you’re ready to roll! 

Is it time to cook? Hold your hand about about four to six inches above the grill grate, palm down. If you can hold it one to three seconds before you need to pull your hand away, you’re at high heat.

Charcoal: Yes, you’re going to have to light it up! Starting with a clean grill like this one, lay your self-starting charcoal (it has lighter fluid in the briquettes so you don’t have to deal with it) in a grid pattern. Then light each corner and let it go! Close the grill and either using a thermometer or the hand method (see above), wait until the charcoal has lost its flame and beginning to turn gray.  

Guide to Grilling a Steak

Pan-fry: It never seems to fail that you make plans to grill and Mother Nature makes another plan! When you’re in a rush or weather doesn’t permit outdoor grilling, go with the iron skillet! Just put it on high and let it go (I also like to add a little oil and butter to the pan for even more flavor!)  

4) Let’s Get Cooking. 

Alright, Alright, Alright! We’ve reached the big show! 

If you’re making your steaks on the grill, then you’re going to wait to cook your steaks until they get to your specific level of doneness. 

Rare // 120 degrees     Medium Rare // 130 degrees     Medium // 140 degrees     

Medium Well // 150 degrees     Well Done // 160 degrees

Guide to Grilling a Steak

You can also use the finger test, but this isn’t always accurate as using this.

5) Dinner is Done. 

To cut or to sit out, that is the question! One of the biggest controversies (yes, it’s that big of a deal) is whether you need to let your steak sit before serving. While there is all kinds of rationales for why you should and why you shouldn’t, but for me it’s simple: If you wait about 5 minutes after you take it off the heat, there’s less juice therefore less mess. So that’s my win-win. 

Steak

Now let’s eat!

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10 New Reasons to Love Target Even More

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Love Target? Of course you do! However, here’s 10 new reasons to love Target even more as they bring new changes with their recent renovations! 

Thanks to Target for giving us a special look at the new changes and sponsoring this post.  

Can you imagine a world without Target?

Even if you could, why would you want to?


There are few places I can think of that give me the convenience of getting a few groceries, filling my prescriptions, styling my home, and the opportunity to cruise quickly for something new (and out of budget) than Target. And let’s not even throw in the fact they meet you at the door with Starbucks. However, several Target stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth are going through a huge remodel to make Target even better (sounds like an oxymoron, right? But it is! We recently took a sneak peek at one of the newly remodeled Target stores and this is what we found. 

10 Reasons to Love Target Even More 

10 Reasons to Love Target Even More 

1. They’re making a big investment in DFW.

Target is investing more than $220 million to remodel 28 of 47 Target stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, the company’s largest remodel investment in a single market in 2017 (lucky for us!) All the remodeled stores will receive top-to-bottom overhauls, including a mix of design and functionality, taking a customized approach to each store location. 

Target-Remodel

2. Almost There.

Twelve stores have already debuted their completed remodels and 16 remaining stores to be completed later this summer and fall! Customers will find modern design elements, including updated LED lighting, new paint, new floors and fixtures! 

Already remodeled stores: Addison, Grapevine, Lake Worth, Weatherford, Fort Worth Central, North Dallas Coit Road, Mansfield, McKinney, Plano West, Watauga, and Frisco North. 

Scheduled July Completions: Rockwall, Burleson, Waxahachie, and Euless

Scheduled August Completions: Love Field, Frisco, and Dallas North East

Scheduled October Completions: Medallion, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, Mesquite, Hurst, Cityview, McKinney SW, Denton, Allen North, and Lewisville. 

3. More Macchiatos.

Addison, Rockwall and Irving, you’re getting a big upgrade with new Starbucks are added to your Target stores. (Caffeine feeds the Target shopping machine!) 

4. Real Inspiration Right in Front of You. 

Forget just rows of racks. Target is giving guests an opportunity for more inspiration and style with new merchandise displays and mannequins throughout the store so you know exactly how that dress will look when it’s on a body! 

Target-Remodel

5. Just for You! 

Ever started shopping for clothes and found yourself looking at the teenage sizes (way off from what you need to be looking at?) Many other guests did too, so Target took the recommendation and now have create separate sections for teens, maternity, plus size, etc! 

Target-Remodel

6. Grocery Goodness.

Taking a little inspiration from area farmers’ markets, Target has remodeled their grocery department with new wood-grain fixtures, updated floors, LED lighting, and products perfectly paired together to make a meal (everything you’ll need will be in one area and not spread out in different aisle for quick dinner making!) Plus many featured local products like Tupps Brewery. 

Target-Remodel

7. More style, year-long.

Target is already considered a destination for style but they’ve added even better way to find style, year-round. Bathing suit season isn’t just June – August. Now you’ll be able to find suits throughout the year and in sizes for you (cup sizes will now count!) You’ll also find beloved brands like Cat & Jack kids clothes and baby brand Cloud Nine.

Target-Remodel

8. Quicker, Easier, and Better.

In a rush, no biggie with Target! They’ve added more self-checkout lanes for ease of guest check-out options including updates to the Order Pickup and Guest Service counter! You’ll now find a digitally connected experience with an updated Order Pickup counter and Ship from Store service, so you can get those Target.com orders even quicker! (And remember, there are already CVS / pharmacy there for that much more quick and easy shopping!) 

CVS at Target

9. One NEW App Solution.

Love couponing with Cartwheel but feel torn with having two apps to cover your Target needs? This fall you’ll find both apps combined together for one easy-to-use digital solution!

10. See if for yourself. 

You may not need a reason to head to Target (you probably were on your way already), but we’re giving you a $100 Target gift card to see the changes for yourself! 

NOW what’s your favorite thing about Target?   

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Oh Baby: New Baby Gear Must Haves

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Expecting a delivery from the stork soon? You better hope he’s dropping off these new Baby Gear Must Haves (as featured on Fox Good Day.)

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Just this week I had five friends deliver some of the freaking cutest babies! My Facebook feed filled up with beautiful smiles and memories. While it’s only been a short few years since I spent my days ogling baby strollers (well yesterday really), the baby market has gotten CRAZY!

Baby Must Haves


Remember my trip to the Biggest Baby Shower Ever in Dallas? This little journey got my baby fever running high so I had to have more! And man we found some awesome stuff! Just check out our favorites that you’re gonna either need to click to get it delivered, run to pick it up or like me say, “why didn’t they have that when I had babies!?” 

 Because a hungry baby is a sad baby…

KABRITA GOAT MILK // Online

I tried to breastfeed but everything she drank, she threw up. I would pump, she would drink, she would spit and I would do laundry. What I found out now is she had an allergy to milk AND much more, but if she had goat’s milk formula we could have avoided the whole mess! Kabrita is easy to digest protein snd forms a smaller, softer, and looser curd in the gut than cow milk. 

Baby Must Haves

For some children like mine, cow milk protein may be difficult to digest and may cause mild to moderate symptoms such as colic, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, chronic congestion, recurrent ear infections, and eczema. Kabrita goat milk foods are naturally easy to digest and may be a solution for the symptoms that may be associated with cow milk sensitivity*.

Because Cookies…

BOOB FOOD Lactation Cookie // Online, $20 (before shipping) 

Boob Food Cookies were created by social media star and chef, Anna O’Steen of Lovely Lady Cakes. While nursing her daughter three years ago, she worried about supplying enough milk for her baby and started researching lactation cookies. After two years of research, she’s created an organic recipe with healthy ingredients that include whole oats, brewer’s yeast, flaxseed, almond butter, and sesame seeds.

Baby-Must-haves

By just eating 2 cookies (90 calories) a day can help you start seeing results within the week, with up to 5oz more breast milk. (Some even say same day results!) 

 

Show Your Cool Baby Style

LIL’ FIREFLY // Online and in-store, prices vary 

When it comes to a onesie, your baby’s style can say so much more than a blank white multi-pack. Show your creative streak with something more creative and fun like Dallas’ new Lil’ Firefly. Lil’ Firefly is a different kind of retail boutique. Embracing your child’s Lil’ Firefly spirit, they showcase clothing that reflect the bright, rebellious spirit within each child. Co-owners Sheri and Michel feel passionate about celebrating the true nature of every child so they joined together to create a company with this specific vision in mind. 

Baby-Gear

Get in Gear

Looking for a new destination for all things hip baby and oh, so Dallas?  The Tot is your spot. With two locations, one in Highland Park Village and now on Lovers Lane, The Tot Playhouse is designed to feel like you are strolling into the welcoming home of a friend. The concept store is filled with gorgeous parenting products including the best in baby gear, kids apparel, toys, personal care products, nursery furniture & décor, and much more – all mindfully selected by The Tot team to reflect a sense of luxury fused with forward-thinking functionality. 

CYBEX YEMA CARRIER // The Tot, $309.95

Style-conscious parents will love the YEMA for its sleek design while babies benefit from the close contact. Let’s be honest, no one likes the ugly carriers that are out there now or feel like the lightweight material can’t possibly hold their child. This one does the job with functional design that confidently holds your child close in three different positions. 

Baby-Gear

gB POCKIT STROLLER // The Tot, $249

When folded it is the smallest and most compact stroller currently available on the market (Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s smallest stroller), 12 x 7 x 14 inches to be precise and just 9.5 pounds. While it can be used for travel, overhead areas on the airplane and fits in your purse, it’s not a substitute for a traditional stroller. 

New-Baby-Gear

DOONA // The Tot, $499

Doona is the world’s first infant car seat that transforms to a stroller in seconds, no additional parts required. Ever went on a walk or a drive and you need to get moving but you don’t want to wake up the baby making a move? That’s why the Doona is your best friend.                

baby-gear-must-haves

MIMA XARI STROLLER// The Tot,  $1,424

Mima offers an innovative range of strollers that boast a patented bassinet/ carrycot system located within the stroller seat unit itself, in order to effortlessly transform and grow with your child and your family.

Baby-Gear-Must-Haves

Just Another Reason to Head to Target

CLOUD ISLAND //  Target, prices vary

If the Starbucks, CVS/pharmacy or the $1 Spot aren’t enough reason to love Target, they’ve added a big one for all expecting and new families.  Cloud Island is Target’s new, exclusive line of nursery décor, bedding, bath and layette products created by Target’s internal design team. The collection includes nearly 500 stylish, affordable items designed with a focus on safety, durability and comfort and will be available at all Target stores and Target.com.

Baby Gear Must Haves

Cloud Island includes more than 70 different prints within nursery and décor products and 14 patterns within the bath collection. Three key themes can be found across the entire assortment, allowing parents to easily mix and match different items in their nursery and bathroom.

Cloud Island bath and layette pieces, including onesies, towels, bibs and more, will roll out starting in August.

 

Sleepy Time is the Best Time 

SWADDLE ME // Prices vary

Why take time how to make the perfect swaddle when you just velcro that baby up? The swaddle (kindly referred to in our family as a baby burrito), is the thing that dreams are made of. A tight swaddle for both my kids meant they’d actually go to bed and not wake themselves up from moving their arms. They felt as snug as a bug in a rug which meant sleep for us! Both there is a technique unless you have a Swaddle Me, which makes it easy with a little more than velcro action. 

BabyMustHaves

4 MOMS bounceRoo // Target, $99 

The 4moms bounceRoo is the only bouncer with 3 unique vibration modes (heartbeat, wave and bee) and 3 intensity settings to help calm and soothe your baby. The bounceRoo also entertains with a fun, natural bouncing motion created by your baby’s movement. The lightweight and compact design is easy to move around the house or take on the go.

4Moms

MOBA BASKET, The Tot, $180

To give babies a better and healthier nights’ sleep, Moba reimagined what the traditional Moses basket should be, and the first Moba basket was born. With a durable basket and stand (sold separately), your baby can be moved where you need, when you need, and looks so chic.

 

OWLET SMART SOCK 2 // Online, $299+ 

The Owlet Smart Sock 2 uses pulse oximetry (most know it as the little red light they clip on your finger at the doctor’s office) to track a baby’s heart rate and oxygen while sleeping. That info is sent to a nearby Base Station and from there to parents’ smartphones, designed to notify you if those levels fall outside the preset zone. I fell in love with this product the minute I heard of it (for obvious reasons) and now it’s on version 2, it’s gotten even better. 

[clickToTweet tweet=”83% of parents who use @OwletBabyCare say they sleep better because of it. If you have a new baby you need this!” quote=”83% of parents who use @OwletBabyCare say they sleep better because of it. “]

 

Owlet

It’s a technological marvel that fits right into the nursery, providing parents with incredible peace of mind knowing there is an extra set of eyes helping keep an eye on baby. It’s what we like to call “a little help for the hardest job in the world.” 

Ready to sleep a little better because of your own peace of mind? Then enter to win your own Owlet Smart Sock 2 (valued at $299.) 

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Show them We Appreciate: Donut What We Would Do Without You {Free Printable}

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National Donut Day is one of the sweetest days on the calendar and it’s this Friday!  Say thank you to those special people in your life by including this “Donut What We Would Do Without You” printable and win this $50 Dunkin Donuts gift card to help with the fun! 

The folks at Dunkin Donuts have sweetened the pot with a $50 DD gift card for one lucky mamachallenge reader! Thank you for this sponsored post.

Donuts. Doughnut. DO-NUTS. 

NationalDonutDay


However you wanna spell it, they’re good. And just bringing a box of donuts to the office, a meeting or showing up early morning with a box for breakfast at home always makes everyone happy. 

Dunkin-Donuts

Besides showing you have good taste, it shows that even with all things you had to do in your day,  you took the time to stop and get something to say thank you! That’s true appreciation – for your team, your department, the mail carrier, your teachers, your dry cleaner or even your police department. 

Dunkin-Donuts

So we put together this adorable little printable to go with your drop off of donuts to show your true appreciation! Whether you want a poster, a notecard or whatever, you can scale this printout for what you need! And of course, it’ll look great paired with your drop off of Dunkin Donuts on National Donut Day! 

ABOUT NATIONAL DONUT DAY

National Donut Day is Friday, June 2, and Dunkin’ Donuts is ringing in the day in a most delicious, delightful and delectable way, offering guests in the Dallas – Fort Worth area a free donut of their choice (while supplies last) with the purchase of any beverage. The offer is good all day on June 2 at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide.

To make the day even sweeter, at 10:00 a.m. on June 2, Dunkin’ will deliver 60 dozen donuts to the Dallas Police Department headquarters at 1400 S. Lamar Street, Dallas, to be distributed to all substations. Dunkin’ is proud to support law enforcement and is making sure the officers have the opportunity to participate in the free donut offer. National Donut Day was originally established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to honor women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I. The holiday is traditionally celebrated on the first Friday of June. 

DONUT WHAT WE WOULD DO WITHOUT YOU PRINTABLE

Here are several sizes for your use. There’s even a PDF so you can print it straight to a 8.5 x 11 inch paper, landscape. 

Dunkin-Donuts

Download /// PDF (8.5 x 11 inch paper) / Notecard (perfect for a small note with a Dunkin Donuts gift card) / 5 x 7 poster or note 

What a way to celebrate with a $50 gift card to Dunkin Donuts.

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Picnicking with Pinots: Napa Valley Moms Trip

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Want to really make a mark this Mother’s Day? Take it from this mama, it’s about the memories. Here’s a look at my adventures with mine: Napa Valley Moms Trip.

Thank you to JCPenney for sponsoring this post and the reminder to tell all the mamas, “you’re #SOWORTHIT!” 

Being a mom is a lot like fine wine….the older you get the better you get.

…But take it from me, don’t wait to savor her, appreciate her as much as you can, when you can.


They always say that one day you’ll really appreciate your mom. Like REALLY appreciate her.

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

In a way that you really can truly understand when you become one yourself.

At that time you get it. And man does it hit you like a big bag of bricks.

Thankfully, while my mother doesn’t live near, she lives close enough if I need something she’s there.

Especially since I’ve had children, she’s there in no time flat.

Without her, there are so many times I wouldn’t have been able to get to a meeting, get my hair done, give birth, go on my dream vacation, cry in the bathroom in peace and quiet. She’s made it happen – whatever, whenever I needed.

And when she goes to leave, to return home to my dad who’s fended for himself while she “Gigis,” the kids and I both walk her out to the car, give her hugs, share kisses, and then the tears begin. All of us.

A few years ago I had a chance to do something with my mama and escape together.

Napa Valley with my Mom

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Off to Napa we went for a week of fun and fancy free to inhale as much as Napa Valley we could – and over my birthday at that.

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During our drive from San Francisco to Napa and then on to Calistoga (a drive that everyone should take – it’s SO WORTH IT), we talked, we laughed, and plotted out our week. I had arranged for a few hot spots, but we left our schedule open to make sure we didn’t squeeze the joy out of our relaxing week trying to get all my hot spots on the itinerary (I do that.)

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Funny enough – we hit almost everything including some that I didn’t think that were possible including Bouchon. One of the items on my list I was able to secure was a tour and tasting at Cliff Lede. A vineyard and winery devoted to classic rock music, the mood of the place rocked (and so did the wine.)

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Really whole trip was like that. One experience after another, we found a beautiful space, drank beautiful wine, enjoyed some beautiful meat, cheese and other accoutrements, and just enjoyed the space, the moment and our company.

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

However, it really was just lots of picnics we were having all of Northern California!

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Since our getaway, we haven’t had a chance to escape like that again, but we do reminisce about it all the time. And the last time the kids went to visit her, she mentioned she’d love to have a picnic with the kids but she didn’t have a “proper picnic basket.”

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

I wasn’t sure exactly what a proper basket was but I was sure I would know it when I saw it.

Sitting in my head, that statement took me back to our “picnics” in Napa, so when Mother’s Day rolled around this year, it was obvious that I was on the search for the right picnic basket for her.

So off to JCPenney I went and discovered a vast selection of picnic baskets. From old school baskets to insulated ones, with straps with or without plates, there was a basket for everyone.

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

And then I found it – a proper picnic basket. Beautiful and picturesque, just looking at it reminding me of all the moments we had in Napa picnicking with our pinots.

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But there was one thing missing…a bottle of Cliff Lede that I had picked up from the winery on our trip.

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

The perfect pairing. Just like us.

And just the way to say “YOU’RE SO WORTH IT, MOM” this Mother’s Day.

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Napa-Valley-Moms-JCPenney

Looking for something for your mama this Mother’s Day or looking for a proper picnic basket of your own, head to JCPenney. Take a look at these baskets AND enter to win $25 JCPenney Gift Card Giveaway.

         

       ENTER TO WIN $25 JCPENNEY GIFT CARD 

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