My Fall Bucket List for 2022

I have to admit; fall is one of my favorite times of the year. As a Carolina girl, I look forward to a break from the South Carolina humidity, which is replaced by a beautiful crispness that fills the air. I created a fall bucket of all my favorite activities I cannot wait to do with my family and wanted to share them with you just in case you were struggling to find ideas for fun fall-themed outings!

The State Fair

South Carolina has an incredible state fair full of music, delicious foods, and exciting rides. There are also a ton of shows and exhibits featuring local artists, performers, and more. You'll definitely want to check out your area to see when your fair is in town; it's a can't-miss, family-friendly outing even the littlest of kiddos can enjoy!

Psst…keep an eye out on my Instagram, I have something very special for you.

Pumpkin Patch + Pumpkin Carving

Visiting a pumpkin patch is a tradition many families share, including mine, and it's one of my favorite fall activities. I love picking out our favorite pumpkin and then (attempting) to make a cute carving out of it. Even the youngest members of the family can enjoy choosing their favorite pumpkins, making the pumpkin patch an ideal activity for kids of all ages!

Campfire Smores

If I had to use one word to define campfire smores, I would say "perfection!" From the smokiness of the marshmallow to the gooey chocolate and crispy graham cracker crunch, they make the ideal fall dessert. I love sitting around the campfire, singing songs, telling stories, and making memories, all while snuggled up in a comfy blanket; it's truly the perfect way to spend an evening together as a family.

Last year, I enjoyed making a smores board with the kids!

Apple Picking

Apple picking is a quintessential fall-time activity, and for a good reason! Not only is it fun and educational to take your little ones to the orchard where they can see how apples grow, but the sweetness and crunch from the freshly picked fruit are beyond compare. Plus, you'll be able to get some adorable pictures with one of the most beautiful natural backgrounds.

Family Photoshoot

Speaking of beautiful pictures, fall is my favorite time for our family photoshoot, as the changing leaves provide a stunning backdrop. It's so much fun seeing how much my family has grown over the last year, and I cherish the memories tied to each beautiful picture.

Friday Night Lights

It's no secret that my family loves sports, and there's nothing quite like the feeling of Friday night lights. Attending our local high school's football game has always been one of my favorite activities, thanks to the electricity in the air as we cheer on our home team. It also provides the perfect time to catch up with friends and deepen bonds with the community.

If you're looking for fun, family-friendly fall activity ideas, why not try one from my bucket list? I'd love to hear about the fun you and your family had, creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Tips to Avoid Seasonal Sadness/Seasonal Depression

It’s that time of year when things begin to pick up quickly, and the last few months of the year fly by - hello, September! My kids went back to school last month, and then our family was hit with COVID. It took us on a mini rollercoaster, and I’m still not sure I’m back to 100%, but that’s life. 

As a person who battles depression, I understand how seasonal sadness and depression can sneak up on people. According to the Mayo Clinic, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can happen with the change of seasons. For most people, it begins in the fall, continues throughout the winter months, and typically resolves in the spring or early summer. 

Common symptoms of SAD

• Oversleeping

• Loss of interest in daily activities

• Difficulty concentrating

• Low energy 

• Weight gain

• Change in appetite (craving more comfort foods)

These days, my goal is to focus on the positive and manage what I can, including prioritizing my mental health. I want to share a few tips to help manage or reduce the effects of your seasonal depression this year.

Schedule Joy!

Joy may look different for everyone but think about what works for you. Is it catching up with a friend or enjoying a nice meal alone? Either way - do it! You deserve it. Plan to do this monthly, and feel free to change your activity each month. Here’s what I have planned:

September - Special Date Night

October - Hair Salon Visit

November - Outdoor Movie Night

December - Solo Dinner

Get Active

I know, I know - it’s hard for me too but getting active helps to improve your health and overall well-being. It’s a natural mood booster; I feel better after taking a walk or riding my bike. Whenever I feel extremely stressed or overwhelmed, it’s helpful for me to get some fresh air. I take deep breaths and allow the day's stress to leave my body.

Local Events

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to visit the local farmers' market, attend a sporting event, or enjoy live shows. Most cities have activities planned during the holiday season, and if not in your town, head to the next one over and see what their community offers. My family and I visit the drive-thru lights every holiday season, and it’s always such a peaceful time to sing Christmas carols and sip on hot chocolate. 

This time of year is always full of excitement but it can be challenging. I use to get really overwhelmed at the thought of buying gifts for my family during Christmas but I implemented a new system to reduce my stress. I set a budget and stick to it!  No matter your struggles I encourage you to make time for yourself, figure out what’s going to make you happy, and start doing it. 

If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse please seek help from a medical professional.

4 Organizing Tips to Prepare for Back To School 2022

It’s almost been a month since my kids started school, and it’s been an adjustment. I can’t believe I have three kids at various stages of life. Does this mean I’m getting old? No worries, I’ll continue to age gracefully. Before the kids were heading off to school, I did a lot of preparation to ensure that my family and I would be off to a great start. 

Create a Weekly Routine 

Believe it or not, kids thrive on routines; they need consistency! We have a strict wake-up and bedtime; I understand things may require flexibility, but ensuring enough sleep is vital.

Write everything down, and know who works late, which child has practice, and on what day. Keep your emergency contacts in the loop if they need to step in.

This includes a wine down or bedtime routine; after completing homework, dinner, and bathtime, I have my children place their backpacks by the front door. It makes getting out the door more manageable because we know everything is in it. It’s also helpful if your child packs lunch to do it the night before; grab an ice pack out of the freezer, and they are ready to go.

Parent Hack: Have multiple copies of your children’s school calendar to prepare for school closures. 

Meal Planning

I have a large family, and getting food on the table needs to be quick. Our days are long, and I’m usually unable to get dinner on the table until 7:00 pm, but knowing what I’m going to cook is vital. I enjoy involving the kids in this process - it helps to ensure everyone gets the meal they want. 

If portions of the meal can be prepped in advance - do it! I like to wash and season my meat a day ahead if I’m already in the kitchen. It becomes one less thing to do.

Crockpot meals are a lifesaver; turn it on and forget about it!

Plan A Month Ahead

It’s so easy to get caught off guard by family activities. I like to check my calendar and confirm the month's events, including birthday parties, local attractions, and planned family vacations. 

When you’re prepared, it helps to reduce your stress level because you know what to expect.

I keep this monthly calendar attached to our fridge with dry-erase markers and a holder.

Create a School Workstation

I was determined to be organized with school supplies this year. In the past, I purchased school supplies and only 2-3 extras that would often end up mixed in with the regular supplies, and by Christmas break, I needed to shop again.

This year I purchased extras, but I also implemented an organizing system. I found this storage solution by The Home Edit, which worked perfectly. I could unbox supplies and have a visual inventory of what’s available. The kids have to check out a tray and return it once they complete their homework or project if needed. 

I also used these bins with inserts for crayon organization. I enjoyed seeing the crayons in sections by color, which helped my toddler with recognition! 

Having a designated workspace is also very helpful and doesn’t have to take much. A small desk/workstation, lamp, and supplies are needed to complete their assignment.

I hope you have found these tips helpful! Happy 2022-2023 school year!

Family E-Bike by Radio Flyer®: Flyer M880 Review

The Flyer M880 bike was gifted to me, but all opinions are my own.

My family and I are new to the e-bike world, but we are happy that we’ve made the transition. My husband and I have been considering getting bikes for the family for the last year but couldn’t decide on what to purchase. We live in a country area with a lot of open space and wanted to start getting outdoors more. 

Having an electric bike sounded like the perfect option for us. We live within 2-4 miles of markets and local shops, and having another option outside of driving our car sounded like a great option. We went with the Radio Flyer - Flyer M880 E-bike for various reasons, mainly because we trust the Radio Flyer® brand.  

The Flyer™ line is an extension of the Radio Flyer® brand created with the same beautiful design and quality that has inspired our work for over a century. Flyer™ is the best electric bike for families on the go. This bike is great for families that love to get outdoors and enjoy alternative means of transportation. The Flyer M880 allows you to travel up to 50 miles using the pedal-assist option. This bike comes in 4 colors: red, white, blue, and black, and also three sizing options; small, medium, and large to ensure an excellent fit for every rider. We opted to add the Thule Yepp Maxi Seat to our backseat storage rack and love it. Our son can’t get enough of going for rides. The seat is best suited for children 1 - 6 years old; check weight restrictions and proper seating placement.

My favorite part of the bike is that you can add on accessories to make the bike work for you. I’ll be getting the front storage basket and cell phone attachment. That way, I can still enjoy a trip to the store, and my child can also tag along. In the future, we are looking at upgrading to the FLYER™ L885; it’s a larger version of the M880.  It allows up to two children to ride on the back - which is great for our large family. Others may consider the longtail version for storage needs; no matter which bike you choose, it will be a great choice.

So far, we have thoroughly enjoyed using our electric bike and can’t wait to continue making memories with it!