Time to round up the family and head off to adventure / major nap times / sun and sand / whatever your family is up to this summer.

We are heading out to the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, and couldn't be happier. Traveling with an 18 month old and a 4 year old isn't a walk in the park. In fact, there isn't much walking involved - it's almost always a sprint, except for that long 3 hour drive in the car.

To make my  escape a little easier, I swear by a packing list that I continuously add to and modify to fit my family's needs. I HATE driving 30 minutes down the road only to realize that I have forgotten something critical, like socks, or my summer beach read, or Calum's favorite binky. No, no, no. That's a terrible way to start my few days of rest and relaxation (ha).

So if you are like me, here's some peace of mind. I've linked HERE my FREE downloadable family packing list. You can customize it to your own needs and keep adding to it for years to come! (Dad is not included because he takes like 3 minutes to pack himself - then I hand him the rest of the kids' list and he jumps in and helps out - sometimes).

HERE is the .pdf version. 

And if you want to follow along with my family vacation, be sure you are following along with @htxmom on instagram!

Winter is coming. Errrr, I mean ending (for my Game of Thrones fans - forgive me).

So winter is coming to a close. Our winter sweaters have been well loved. Our closets overflow with boots, wool, and scarves. It's time to get our closets prepped for Spring!

It's the time of year when the kids have settled back into their routine after the holidays, and we, moms, are trying to get ahead. We are planning spring break, summer vacations, spring decluttering projects....but have you missed planning a little V-Day love for your child's teacher?

Who needs love more than mom? Those lovely men and women who take our kids off our hands for 8+ hours a day and actually get them to stand in single file lines and sit in their chairs for more than 5 minutes! These people are angels walking on Earth.

Here's a last minute and SIMPLE idea to spoil teachers just a bit this Valentine's.

What you need:
1. Valentine's themed baking spatula from Dollar Store or Hobby Lobby or similar
2. Red and white twine
3. This recipe printable

Assembly ideas - You can roll up the recipe card and secure it to the spatula like I did below. You could also punch a hole in the recipe card and tie it to the spatula. Add teacher name cards or more frilly ribbons - have as much fun as time will allow!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my hard working mothers out there!