Northlake Mall: Adventure to Santa

'Tis the season to round up the kids for their annual picture with Santa. We were invited for an interactive, exciting new take on Christmas pictures with Santa at the the Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina. They're hosting Dreamworks 'Adventure to Santa', which is an innovative digital holiday experience for kids of all ages. It's recommended that you make reservations for your adventure online here to help reduce your wait,...

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Christmas Came Early for this Mom! House Cleaning with Hux.com {Plus Coupon Code}

As a single woman my house was always clean and tidy, oh the organized life I used to lead! Then I became a Mom and my standards had to be lowered, and lowered and lowered yet again as kiddo #3 joined our family. Priorities have shifted to play dates and soccer games instead of dusting and deep cleaning. It's the reality of my mom-life as I balance work, kids, husband and the occasional MNO. In the past I've hired house cleaners through friend's...

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{Giveaway} Jurassic Quest in Charlotte

Gigantic animatronic dinosaurs have been spotted migrating toward Charlotte, NC for Jurassic Quest at the Park Expo and Conference Center on Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd. This is a special chance to get the dino-lover in your family up close and personal, interacting with these life-sized creatures. Sharing time at school just got WAY cooler when your kiddo recounts that your family journeyed to the Jurassic and rode a dinosaur...

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McDowell Nature Center and Preserve

McDowell Nature Center and Preserve is located on Lake Wylie, and offers a fun stop off for family adventuring. Their nature center is home to several critters kids will enjoy learning about including turtles, snakes and frogs. If you catch them during encounter time your tots (or husband) can get up close and personal with their corn snake. The kiddos will enjoy reading a nature book, or participating in a bug scavenger hunt. The nature...

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Nailed It DIY First Day of School Board - Using Family-Safe Paints and Stains *Plus Coupon Code!*

Shannon Evans and Misty Grant, owners of Nailed It in Fort Mill, SC invited my sister and I to craft and check out ECOS’s line of chemical-free, organic paints and stains they’ve brought on board for all of their DIY projects. I spend a lot of time educating myself on eco-friendly and chemical-free options to use in my home, so I was very interested to learn more about the products and her exciting DIY business.  Check...

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First of School Sign PDF image $10 each - All $ Goes to Buy Supplies for a Charlotte Title 1 School

It's nearly back to school time in Charlotte, NC the kids are brewing with excitement about new teachers, new classmates and a brand new year of learning. For some families the school supply list can be a hardship on the monthly budget, and each year teachers spend their own money to buy supplies to help bridge this gap. This year I've decided to put my photoshop skills to work and make these adorable Customized First Day of School Signs, then...

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Carowinds Bands, Brews and BBQ's

Carowinds has long been known as a place where people come together, after all it's where North and South Carolina's borders converge. This summer Carowinds is hosting another fabulous collaboration melding some of my favorite things in a crowd-pleasing experience called Bands, Brews and BBQ's. From now until August 14th on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Carowinds will be featuring ice cold craft beer, drool-worthy BBQ and music sure to get your...

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Random Act of Kindness Day

Join my sister Larisa (http://www.photographybylarisa.com), and invite your friends as she encourages us all to participate in a #RandomActOfKindnessDay. She's putting her idea of #spreadinglove into action!  Here is the invite to "attend" on Sunday, July 31st - join her and invite your friends! Let's share love and kindness! https://www.facebook.com/events/1797579033786999/?ti=icl From the invite:    With all the...

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Kid-Friendly Stops to Beat the Heat at South Park Mall

Moms. It's getting hot out. Yes, I know we live in the the South, but this week it's felt more like we're straddling equator rather than living in Charlotte, NC. My sister and I were bemusing where to bring our kiddos on these too-hot-to-be-outside Summer days and we came up with a fabulous game plan. South Park Mall is one of my favorite places to stroll and shop. Malls are perfect for getting the kid's energy out while sneaking in a few...

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Family Figurines from Portrait Innovations 3D Studio Experience

Since becoming a mother I've taken on a self-appointed mama-paparazzi status. "Smile for mama sweetie!" echoes through our home on the daily. I'm consciously living in the moment - but I'm also taking photos, scheduling photo shoots and recording videos. In my mind I'm trying to freeze-frame  these precious moments with our children. "Soak it up now," my friends with older kids say, "You're going to blink and they'll be teenagers. I miss mine...

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