Skip to Content

12 Tips For Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party You Haven't Heard Yet!

We just went to our very first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!  My son and I took a special 36 hour trip to Florida, just the two of us for the event.  Tips for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party In preparation for our trip, I read every blog post and how-to guide I …

Read More about 12 Tips For Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party You Haven't Heard Yet!

How To Spend 8 Hours At Disney World WITHOUT A Park Ticket

Every year it is getting more expensive to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  With the addition of more amazing attractions comes increasing admission prices.  But we've discovered a little known way to get as much as 8 HOURS in Disney World without a park ticket!   In addition to the daily operation of their …

Read More about How To Spend 8 Hours At Disney World WITHOUT A Park Ticket

Epic Teacher's Lounge Make-Over!

Everyone knows that teachers are overworked and underpaid, and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) are always looking for great ways to support our teachers.  Our school, Jones Dairy Elementary in Wake Forest, NC, is no exception.    This year, our PTA decided to do more to support our teachers than just throw them the same old …

Read More about Epic Teacher's Lounge Make-Over!

How To "Disney Proof" Any Pair Of Shoes

Disney World is murder on your feet.  Most people are likely to walk a ton of miles during their Disney vacation!  Finding the right pair of shoes for Disney World is always a challenge, but I've discovered a secret way to make any pair of shoes Disney-proof! Links in this post may be affiliate links, …

Read More about How To "Disney Proof" Any Pair Of Shoes

The Best Things To Do In The Magic Kingdom After Dark

I love all the parks of Walt Disney World anytime of any day, but my all time favorite is the Magic Kingdom after dark!  The most magical place on earth becomes even more amazing once the sun sets.  Here are my suggestions for the best things to do after dark in the Magic Kingdom: Links …

Read More about The Best Things To Do In The Magic Kingdom After Dark

Disney World Splurges That Are Worth Every Penny

Disney World is a place where dreams come true, but sometimes those dreams come with a price tag.  Which Disney World splurges are worth the cost to experience them?  Well, I've already written about my top four Walt Disney World splurges that are worth the money, but I thought I'd add a few more awesome …

Read More about Disney World Splurges That Are Worth Every Penny

California Grill at the Contemporary: Walt Disney World Restaurant Review

California Grill is often regarded as one of the best restaurants in all of the Walt Disney World Resort.  Listed as a signature dining experience, this high-end eatery at the top of the Contemporary Resort is one of the most coveted reservations on all of Disney property.  Featuring beautiful, fresh American cuisine, the chefs at …

Read More about California Grill at the Contemporary: Walt Disney World Restaurant Review

How We Ended Up In A Disney Parade at the Magic Kingdom

Disney parades are legendary.  There is no topping a parade featuring the types of floats, dancer, music, and characters of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World!  A Disney parade is nothing short of spectacular! Did you know that every single day in the Magic Kingdom, one lucky family gets chosen to be part of …

Read More about How We Ended Up In A Disney Parade at the Magic Kingdom

Disney After Hours: The Ultimate Magic Kingdom Guide

I love special events at Walt Disney World, and Disney After Hours is no exception.  We recently attended a Disney After Hours event at the Magic Kingdom, so here's everything you need to know to decide if this event is right for you! - [UPDATE:  We've now done this event twice, and everything in this …

Read More about Disney After Hours: The Ultimate Magic Kingdom Guide

Royal Yacht Britannia: Everything You Need To Know To Visit This Royal Residence!

  Of all of the beautiful and historic sites I visited in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Royal Yacht Britannia was hands-down the most intriguing.  Now permanently berthed in Edinburgh, this amazing ship served as a royal residence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the royal family for over 40 years.  Visitors get an up-close and highly …

Read More about Royal Yacht Britannia: Everything You Need To Know To Visit This Royal Residence!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: Why We Always Skip It and What We Do Instead

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase from any of them, at no additional cost to you.  You can find out more information by reading my full disclaimer. Princess make-overs at Disney World's Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are SUPER popular.   "BBB," as …

Read More about Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: Why We Always Skip It and What We Do Instead

Your First Disney Trip: 9 Things You MUST DO To Have The Full Disney World Experience!

Taking a Disney World Vacation is an ideal trip for most families, but in order to get the full experience on your first Disney trip, there are some things you MUST do! Your First Disney Trip:  Ride the Monorail Disney World's amazing transportation system reaches it's peak with the Monorail!  These futuristic trains carry guests …

Read More about Your First Disney Trip: 9 Things You MUST DO To Have The Full Disney World Experience!

Colonial Williamsburg: How To Have The Perfect Visit!

  Williamsburg, Virginia, is one of the most historic cities in the United States of America and is a great vacation destination for families.  And thanks to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, you can step back in time and see what it was like to live there in the late 1700s.  Here's everything you need to …

Read More about Colonial Williamsburg: How To Have The Perfect Visit!

Disney Dining: How to Score The BEST Reservations AFTER the 180 Day Mark!

I love Disney Dining!! We never travel to Walt Disney World without staying on property and just so we can have access to the Disney Dining Plan. What I DON'T love is the crazy scramble to try to snag reservations a the best restaurants. It's all too common to find yourself getting up early (or …

Read More about Disney Dining: How to Score The BEST Reservations AFTER the 180 Day Mark!

Don't Make These Rookie Mistakes at Disney World

Disney World mistakes are easy to make if you're a first time visitor. Avoid these rookie pitfalls to have the best Disney Trip ever. Ignoring Crowd Calendar Crowd calendars are key when planning a Walt Disney World get-away. Crowd levels at Disney World can vary widely from day to day, depending on what events are …

Read More about Don't Make These Rookie Mistakes at Disney World

Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Tour: A Review of "Ghosts Among Us"

  There are plenty of ghosts tours to choose from in Colonial Williamsburg, but by far, the best one in my book is the Ghosts Among Us Tour, offered by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.  The only tour in Williamsburg Ghost Tour that actually takes you inside historic buildings, tickets can be purchased at the Lumber …

Read More about Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Tour: A Review of "Ghosts Among Us"

Where to Find the Best Souvenirs in Edinburgh

I love everything about Scotland, except one thing: the souvenirs in Edinburgh. In almost every shop we stepped into, we saw the same five t-shirts, the same 12 magnets, and the same clan crest keychains. Most of the items were poor quality, and very few were even made in Scotland. After searching high and low, …

Read More about Where to Find the Best Souvenirs in Edinburgh

Nine Things I Never Do At Disney World

Disney World is a fantastic place, but just like anywhere else, there are some things you should not do in the parks.  Here's my list of things I would NEVER do at Disney: Cut in line This is a MAJOR no-no!  Disney takes queuing up VERY seriously, and cutting the line is expressly forbidden.  Can …

Read More about Nine Things I Never Do At Disney World

Meltdowns At Disney World: How To Keep Your Kids From Pitching A Fit On Vacation

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase from any of them, at no additional cost to you.  You can find out more information by reading my full disclaimer. They say Disney World is the happiest place on earth, but just like anywhere …

Read More about Meltdowns At Disney World: How To Keep Your Kids From Pitching A Fit On Vacation

Disney World Splurges That Are Totally Worth The Money

Disney World vacations are expensive.  There's just not much getting around that.  Between park tickets, accommodations, and food, just the basics can set you back A LOT of money.  But in addition to the essentials, there are so many other things available at Disney Parks that it's just hard to know which ones to do …

Read More about Disney World Splurges That Are Totally Worth The Money

Three Mistakes That Almost Ruined Our Disney Vacation

We love Walt Disney World, but during our first trip with just our little family, I made three mistakes that almost ruined the entire trip. Mistake #1:  Over-planning Trying to get the most for our money, I spent hours and hours trying to plan the perfect experience for all of us.  I read every review, …

Read More about Three Mistakes That Almost Ruined Our Disney Vacation

Nine Things You Need To Know When You Move To Raleigh/Durham

  So you’ve just moved to the Raleigh/Durham area. First of all, welcome! Like over 2 million other people, you’ve discovered one of the best places to live in the United States. Just as any new resident would be, you’re probably excited and a little nervous about your new home. Don’t worry; I’ve lived in …

Read More about Nine Things You Need To Know When You Move To Raleigh/Durham

The Absolute BEST Bread You Will Ever Eat!!

Y’all! This two-ingredient bread side dish is probably the best thing you’ll eat this year! No joking! It’s amazingly decadent, and unbelievably simple to make. We don’t make garlic bread in our house anymore, we make this. I originally found this recipe in a Pioneer Woman Cookbook, (as seen here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/the-bread/ ) but made a …

Read More about The Absolute BEST Bread You Will Ever Eat!!

The Top 5 Free or Cheap Family Activities in Raleigh

  Raleigh is a great city for families.  There's always something fun going on.  From festivals to museums, finding great, inexpensive family activities is not hard to do here.  Check out my top five free or cheap activities to do with kids in the Raleigh area:   5.  The Raleigh Flea Market Located at the …

Read More about The Top 5 Free or Cheap Family Activities in Raleigh

8 Things No One Tells You About Disney World

Almost every parent dreams about taking their kids to Walt Disney World, a.k.a the "Most Magical Place On Earth." We all picture the most amazing vacation EVER, filled with precious family memories that no one will ever forget. But sometimes, things are not exactly as we expect them to be. Knowing the pitfalls can prevent …

Read More about 8 Things No One Tells You About Disney World

The BEST Tool for Removing Ticks This Summer!

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase from any of them, at no additional cost to you.  You can find out more information by reading my full disclaimer. Ticks!  Almost nothing grosses me out more than finding one on a member of …

Read More about The BEST Tool for Removing Ticks This Summer!

The One Tool You Need To Stay Connected To Your Teenage Daughter

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase from any of them, at no additional cost to you.  You can find out more information by reading my full disclaimer. The teen years are hard, y'all, but I've found a tool that is really …

Read More about The One Tool You Need To Stay Connected To Your Teenage Daughter

Are You A Lonely Mom? Practical Advice to Help You Build Your Mom Squad and Make Lasting, Grown-Up Friendships

This is difficult for me to admit, but I have a hard time making friends. As a 40-ish year-old mom of two school-age kids, you think I'd have it all figured out by now. But if I'm going to be honest, I just don't. Sometimes (a lot of time actually), being a mom can be …

Read More about Are You A Lonely Mom? Practical Advice to Help You Build Your Mom Squad and Make Lasting, Grown-Up Friendships

Amazing Young Adult Books You Won't Want To Put Down (part 1)

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase from any of them, at no additional cost to you.  You can find out more information by reading my full disclaimer. I'm a huge book nerd.  I read just about anything and everything.  In the …

Read More about Amazing Young Adult Books You Won't Want To Put Down (part 1)