Welcome 2021: Time to Align (& a Giveaway)

{Mug via Mud LOVE}

Exhale.

That's exactly what this Monday feels like to me.

I was over on IG TV this morning with a Happy New Year message explaining a bit more.

Check it out...

Planning Ahead with World Sports Camp

Disclosure: This post is a paid partnership in collaboration with World Sports Camp. All opinions expressed are my own.   

As the end of the year approaches, I’m starting to think about my kids’ plans for next summer, especially because we're a big sports family. My husband’s former professional basketball career has definitely inspired the kids to lean towards basketball, and this school my 5th grader has successfully taken up intramural tennis, Covid-19 precautions and all. When I recently learned about World Sports Camp right here in Massachusetts and their plans for Summer 2021 I was excited to learn more!

Celebrating in the Midst of Covid

*This post contains affiliate links; thank you for your support!*

A couple weeks ago when Grayson declared he was going to have a "dumb birthday" due to Covid-19, I set out to make sure that wouldn't be the case. I get that we're all having to make adjustments, but especially for the kids I'm saddened at how things have turned upside down for them.

2019 - 10 year vow renewal in Puerto Rico
{Photographer: 1982 Creative Studios}

 

Those of you who have been following me for years know how big of a celebration the month of June is for me and my family. Of course there's Father's Day and the end of school here in Boston - we ended on the 22nd (it was supposed to be the 19th, but they just *had* to tack on a Monday as a make-up snow day), and the complications of distance learning made it even more celebratory.

We ended the week with our 11th anniversary followed by Grayson's 6th birthday.

Here's how we made it a good week...

2020: A Kevin McCallister Moment

Grayson meeting his Great Grandma Mary for the first time

A while back I was speaking with my Grandma Mary in Columbus, Ohio - my last living grandparent. I was lamenting over the fact that while there were a lot of positive things happening, I really would like for everything to pause for about 2 weeks so I could just breathe for a moment and catch up.

Yesterday, I called my Grandma Mary to check on her, and explained that it seems that I got what I wished for but in a twisted kind of way.

My Kevin McCallister Moment.

5 Ways to Experience "Christmas on Nantucket"

Disclosure: I received Christmas on Nantucket to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

Yesterday we had our first snow of the season, and I'll admit it: I picked up a couple mini-Christmas trees for our mantle decor. The Christmas season is upon us! We're looking forward to sticking close to home and spending some time on Cape Cod which will be a fun opportunity for my family's first visit to Nantucket, an island 30 miles off the Cape. The new book Christmas on Nantucket is a beautiful guide of what to expect during our visit, and I just have to cross my fingers that it snows so it looks as dreamy as the photos!

Author Leslie Linsley's way of describing Nantucket interspersed with over 200 gorgeous images of the island makes planning my family's visit truly enjoyable. I'm excited to share 5 ways that I'm looking forward to experiencing Christmas on Nantucket:

Happy 9th Birthday, Nia!

As I type this, Nia is just a couple hours shy of officially turning 9. She is quite serious lately and has specifically requested no birthday party this year. I knew there was a shift when for the first time last year she decided to have a birthday party at the house. It turned out that it rained for the first time ever on her party day, so it was perfect!  

4 Reasons Why We Love Goldfish Swim School - Needham

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Goldfish Swim School. All opinions expressed are my own.

Grayson's duck lips! I never know what I'm gonna get when I take a pic!

So much has happened since we first signed up to partner with Goldfish Swim School in Needham, MA including an amazing spring break cruise and our decision to drop a couple extracurriculars and add in more pool time!

Let me explain...

Our 2019 Minted Card & Day Designer Winner!

{Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.}

10 Things I'm Looking Forward to in 2019 (& a Giveaway)

{Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.}

Happy 2019! In case you've been wondering where I've been lately look below...

Martha's Vineyard Family Fun at Summercamp Hotel

Disclosure: My family and I received a complimentary stay at Summercamp Hotel; all opinions expressed are my own.

As much as I've shown Martha's Vineyard on my social media feeds I had never been there with Mr. Lovebird AND the kids up until this past weekend when we were guests of Summercamp, a delightful hotel in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard that's part of the Lark Hotels boutique collection. 

We've been covered in gray skies and rain lately in Massachusetts, but the bright blue skies and gorgeous sun broke through just in time for our first visit to Martha's Vineyard as a family. We were there for about 24 hours, and we definitely made the most of it. 

Here are my top 5 favorite things about our visit...

Summer Rewind: Nia's 8th Birthday

Kicking off Nia's birthday weekend on Cape Cod

Anyone else feel like time is collapsing? I certainly do and wanted to take a step back and share how we celebrated Nia's 8th birthday last month. This was her first year requesting an indoor birthday, and out of all her eight birthday parties it was also the only year that it has rained. Good call, Miss Nia! 

Now on to picture overload...

What Happens on Your 9th Wedding Anniversary

Uka and I met in September 1999 - we were 18 years old, and I just a few weeks shy of my 19th birthday. It really does feel like it was yesterday. 

New at Six Flags New England 2018: Harley Quinn Spinsanity

A couple weeks ago I was invited to Six Flags New England's 2018 Media Day. It was a stunning day and the kids were in school so I was excited to head out to Agawam, MA to preview the newest ride: Harley Quinn Spinsanity. 

Eating Local with Just Add Cooking

Disclosure: I received a Just Add Cooking meal kit to facilitate this review; all opinions expressed are my own. 

As the seasons change I'm inspired to start switching up our meals accordingly to lighter fare (hello grilling season!) as we ease into spring here in Boston, so when I was invited to try Just Add Cooking, a meal kit subscription, I was especially excited because it's New England-based.

Here's what I love most about Just Add Cooking...

2018 New England Auto Show with Honda Clarity

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with A Girls Guide to Cars and Honda Boston; all opinions expressed are my own.

I remember the exact moment that I was introduced to the Internet. I was in 8th grade working on a writing assignment in the computer lab with a classmate when I looked over on her screen and saw something I had never seen before. I asked her what it was and she replied, "This is the Internet!" My mind was blown as she gave me a quick run through. Apparently, a few in my class were given trials before it rolled out to the rest of us. Once we got to use the Internet and I logged into Netscape, I knew right where to go: searching for cars. 

Whoa December!

We went to a tree farm fully prepared to cut our tree, but this pre-cut one was our fave!

I looked up and this year is pretty much over. Welp!

Here's what's going on lately (in pictures)...

Four Chimneys Inn: A Weekend Away with My Sisters

Years ago at the age of 3 my parents took me to live in Connecticut for two years. Although we returned to Ohio, my earliest memories were formed in New England. Now as an adult I find that I have an affinity for its landscape and architecture, but not quite to the cold. 

It's worth it though. 

Lovebirds' Summer Kick-Off

We've been traveling a lot and with family in town this past extended holiday weekend I'm finally catching up on getting organized for the rest of the summer! We have a couple weeks' break before our next adventure so I thought it'd be fun to do a pic heavy post to show what we've been up to...

My 15th Wellesley College Reunion

I have an eye twitch. 

5 Perfect Lawn Games for an Urban Yard

While we await consistent, warm sunny days here in Boston, one of the main topics of household discussion is our backyard. This is the first time after years of apartment living that we finally have our own private yard and the kids are thrilled! With Grayson turning 3 next month I'm considering a backyard birthday party and reminiscing over my own epic backyard party my parents threw when I turned 6 - it was a pretty big deal.