We have a wedding coming up in the next few weeks and it’s going to require a very long (13 hours!) road trip to get there. Pre-kids, I would be so excited to listen to music or podcasts, talk with the hubby and just stare out the window taking in all the views. But with kids, it’s a whole new world! I thought I would share my roadtrip essentials with you, plus a few tips and tricks to surviving a long drive with kids!

RULE # 1 // CREATE A FLEXIBLE PLAN!!

The first thing you must do is plan! Having a solid, yet flexible, plan helps things run more smoothly! Since we have a 13 hour drive, we are planning out different stops, researching parks or cool attractions along the way and finding safe places to stretch our legs and get some energy out! I usually try to plan stops every 2-3 hours unless the girls are sleeping! Some stops will be 15-30 minutes, while others will be 2 hours!

I think if you go in with a game plan, things will run a lot smoother! Just don’t be too rigid! And definitely don’t forget to have fun!

Now here are some roadtrip essentials and tips you need to survive!

1. Wear something comfortable

This is super important! No one wants to sit in a car for an extended period of time in something restrictive, too tight or just not comfortable! I love wearing a cute romper or jumpsuit or leggings, a cute band tee and an oversized sweater! I usually put the girls in something similar to me, but that can be easily layered! My hubby likes to wear joggers and a tee! Think athleisure wear and you are good to go!

Here are some of my favorite jumpsuits and outfits to stay comfy all road trip long! I’ve included some options for kids and guys too!

You Can Shop My Favorite Women’s Looks Here!

Shop My Favorite Kid’s Looks Here!

Shop My Favorite Men’s Looks Here!

2. Snacks, snacks and more snacks

This is probably the most important part of your roadtrip essentials! My girls get so hungry in the car! They are so busy and active that once they are buckled in and sitting, it’s like they finally realize just how hungry they actually are. When packing snacks, I try to find low sugar options, because we don’t need any extra energy in the car or a sugar crash! I also try to keep clear of anything that would be too sticky so it doesn’t make a mess everywhere!

Some of our favorite snacks are

• blueberries, raspberries, apples and watermelon
• trail mix
• cucumbers with lemon and salt
• vegan jerky (we like this brand)!
• almond butter and jelly sandwiches
• low sugar lollipops (we love this brand..super low sugar)!
• chips/pretzels (we love hippeas)
• freeze dried fruit (blueberries, apples, strawberries)
• fruit and veggie pouches (we love once upon a farm!)
• Ginger Chews! In case anyone gets carsick! I love these!!

We will stop a few times too to get smoothies, salads and something yummy! But having those snacks easily accessible in the car helps keep everyone hangry free!

3. A Backpack filled with Toys/Games and Books

I’ve found it super helpful to pack a bag for each of the kids and put some fun new toys in it, as well as some great travel ones! I just recently got the girls these LCD Board Tablets and they love it! My oldest loves to doodle on them and practice her letters and my youngest likes to color and then push the button to erase it all! It’s one of her favorite things! These little popping toys and these bendy straws are also great! They are fidget toys that my girls love playing with. It’s mindless but keeps them busy while they listen to music or stories!

I also love these sticker scenes, maze books and these mess free coloring pages! They are perfect for travel!

You Can Shop Our Travel Faves Here!

4. Podcasts/audiobooks

Listening to books and stories can help time go by so quickly! My 4 year old loves story podcasts so they are a must have for long car drives! When the kids fall asleep, you can turn on some adult podcasts or audiobooks!

Here are some of our Faves <3

Kids

• Reading Bug Adventures
• Story Time with Phillip and Mommy
• Molly of Denali Podcast
• Earth Rangers
• Story Spectacular Podcast

We also have been loving listening to The Magic Treehouse audiobooks and Curious George Audiobooks! We rent them from our library for free using the Libby App!

Adults

• Live Beautifully Podcast
• Wild + Free Podcast
• The Ikonns Podcast
• The Bossbabe Podcast

5. Other Important Items!

In order to make travel easier and more comfortable, having these items in your car will make everything run smoothly! These are some of my key roadtrip essentials!

• reusable water bottle – it’s important to stay hydrated on the trip! you don’t want to drink too much and have to stop to use the restroom every five minutes, but you definitely want to keep things moving! Here are some of my favorite water bottles 1// Glass Straw Cup, 2// 32 Oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle. and 3// this leopard one!
• pillow and blanket – this is more so for the kids, but it really helps them stay cozy if you have the air on or if outside temps drop!
• kids toilet and lots of baby wipes – this is also a super important one! we always travel with a portable kids toilet so we never have to take them into public bathrooms. with two kids, it is too hard and not always sanitary. it’s easy to clean, you can pull over on a side of the road, and it doesn’t take up too much space! Also bring lots of baby wipes! You can use them for both potty time, messes and to clean hands! I love these bamboo wipes and these water wipes!
• headphones – These are great for kids! We use these all the time!
• mini ipad or amazon kid’s tablet – if all else fails, then give them the ipad or tablet for some limited play or screen time! we try to limit this because we want our kids to use their imaginations and view the scenery! but if things are going south and you need a break, whip it out for a little!

Hopefully this post all about my roadtrip essentials will help make your next one run smoother! Just remember to have low expectations, enjoy the journey, make lots of memories and take lots of photos! Even the hardest trips have fun family memories attached!

As always, thanks for following along! And don’t forget to check out Melissa’s recent post about making your bathroom more sustainable! We always appreciate your support in reading out blog and our posts! Another way you can support us it by purchasing via our links. We make a small commission with each purchase and it means so much to us.

xoxoxo,

Kari

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With these gift guides, I really focused on trying to be more intentional with the gifts I am giving them. Both of my daughters have birthdays that fall right around the holiday season (October and November), so they typically tend to get a lot of presents between their birthdays, Christmas and their Valentine’s Day basket. Because of this, I really try to be more intentional for Easter and give them things they really need, want or will use! I also tailor the baskets towards their own personal interests.

Intentional Gift Giving Categories

When creating a basket for any holiday, I really try to focus on a few different categories. I typically will include something to read, something to wear, a learning activity, something they can play with outdoors, an item for everyday play and an experience! Having these categories helps me stick to a budget, buy things they really need and create a well-rounded basket that will really peak their interest! Keep reading for a breakdown of my Easter Basket Gift Guides.

Also keep in mind that my children are 1.5 and 4.5 so a lot of the stuff I show will be tailored to them. However, with the breakdown of categories, you can easily find items for older children as well!

Category 1 // Read

Regardless of what season or holiday it is, I always include something to read! Reading to children is so important and it honestly teaches them so much! We read at least 5-6 books a day in our house and are frequent library goers! There is just something so fun about opening a new book and getting lost in the characters!

This year, I chose to incorporate more spring books into my reading gift guide. You can find a few Easter bunny ones or Easter themed ones, as well as a few religious books as well, but the majority will be more season specific. I did this because we will be using some of these books in our homeschooling lessons to learn more about gardening and seasons.

I really love the Over and Under series, so I am really excited to add Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt to my older daughter’s basket! She loves plants and gardening so it will be a fun addition! I plan on using it for our homeschooling lessons too! You can ask questions like “How many invertebrates can you find? or ask your child to draw a plant above/below the dirt. You can even use playdough to make some of the animals you find in the book! Adding books is a great way to give your child something fun, while still allowing the gift to be functional!

You can shop my selection of books below!

Category 2 // Wear

Adding in something to wear is a fun and easy way to fill the basket! You can literally find something in any budget so you can really tailor everything towards your budget and your child. I typically always get my kids a pajama that goes with the holiday theme! I found some cute ones at Old Navy this year for $10! You can also get them some cute accessories for those sunny days, like these Little Grom Hats or Babiator sunnies! So many good options!

You Can Shop Some of My Pics Below!

Category 3// Learning Activity

Whenever I give a gift, I always try to find some kind of educational value in it! I know that not only will the toy provide a fun experience, but it is a way for me to sneak in some learning! It’s truly a win-win for everyone! This could also be tailored to your child, their educational level and your budget. It could be something as simple as adding in some new markers and crayons or getting them a STEM kit to help bring science, technology, engineering and math to life! I love the different boxes that jackinthebox have! They truly serve so many purposes. The kits encourage children to use their imagination, learn practical skills and build confidence, while also allowing them to play and be hands-on. We just ordered the space explorer kit and are so excited to use it! The Space box includes 6 activities – Make your own beautiful Solar System Mobile, learn about the constellations by making a streamer, make a magical kaleidoscope and see patterns in it, learn how a rocket works by doing a simple science experiment, and use Oreo cookies to lick off the cream and understand the different phases that the moon goes through during the month! So fun right?!

I also really love the Brain Quest card decks! They are perfect for travel and my kids love them so much! They have so many ages too!

And I am definitely a fan of these matching and memory games and bingo! We actually played ABC bingo to learn the alphabet and sounds so they are great to have on hand!

You Can Shop My Picks Below!

Category 4// Outdoor Activity

For this category choose an item to encourage outdoor play. Add some new chalk, gardening tools, bubbles, or a ball! If your child loves nature exploring, then get them some binoculars or a nature journal. If they play soccer, you can get them a new soccer ball or cones to practice their kicking skills! The key is to be intentional about choosing a gift based on their interests, while also being something that they play with longer than five minutes!

I love adding some garden supplies and bubbles to our outdoor play toys! They keep both my kids occupied and it helps us get closer to our 1000 hours outside! To learn more about 1000 hours outside, read this blog post here!

Shop Outdoor Toys Here!

Category 5// Experience

Have you heard of the Five Love Languages? It’s a book that has helped so many couples build relationships that last by identifying their love language. The book is seriously so good so I was so excited when I found one for children too! It’s a must read! The book helps you discover your child’s love language, use the specific love language to correct and make discipline more effective and it provides lots of tips of how to speak your child’s love language.

Anyways, after reading it, I found that my daughters primary love language is quality time and so I began to start giving her gifts of experiences where we can create quality time together. For example, we usually won’t throw big birthday parties and will instead go away to a hotel for the weekend where we can do lots of fun family activities! It’s her favorite thing!

So try adding in a fun experience into your basket! It could be a handmade coupon for an ice cream date, allowing them to choose a favorite hike or simply having a picnic at the park!

Category 6// Experience

For the last category, just try to add something that your child is interested in that will be something they can play with daily. If your child loves Legos, get them a new set to add to their collection. Or if they love dolls, you can find some new accessories to add! There are so many ways you can tailor your gifts to their interests and your budget!

I love the Petit Collage Magnet Scenes and so do my girls! They can use their imagination and they will often bring them in the car if we have a longer trip planned! It keeps them entertained and away from screens! If you have younger babies, the Tegu magnetic blocks are super fun!

You Can Shop My Favorite Everyday Play Toys Below!

If you need even more gift suggestions, you can check out our Valentines Day basket post for some more super cool gift ideas! We hope these Easter Gift Guides help you find ideas to get intentional meaningful gifts! It’s so easy to accumulate tons of toys so being intentional really helps keep your home more minimal and clutter free! That’s always the goal for me!

Thanks for following along and I hope you are all having a great week!!

xoxoxo

Kari

p.s. by purchasing form the links above we do make a small commission! So thank you for your support!

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Happy Thursday friends! I hope you all have been having a wonderful week! It’s been a little rainy and cold over here in San Diego, but I am sure we will be back to our typical sunny weather by this weekend! I hope the weather is getting warmer for you too! Today, I am starting a new series called “Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday.” This will be a post where I share my current faves, whether it’s a product, song, book, or podcast. I’m going to try to do these at least 1-2 times per month, so let me know if you like them!

I personally love finding out what other people eat, drink, read, listen to or obsess about. I don’t know if it’s being nosey or just curious, but I find that I learn so much, am exposed to things I might not have been before, and am left feeling inspired!

So here are a few of my current faves! Hope you enjoy the first post in Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday!

1//Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

Gahhh!! I have been doing so good about limiting how much Starbucks I drink and instead drinking my coffee from home! But when I saw this new drink come out, I was so pumped to try it! I love brown sugar flavoring and kept hearing so many good things about this drink so I ran to Starbucks and ordered one! It definitely lived up to the hype and did not disappoint!

It’s made with the signature Blonde espresso shaken, brown sugar syrup, topped with Oatly’s Oat Milk and finished with a few shakes of cinnamon powder. It’s seriously so good! A Venti is 170 calories, so it’s actually one of Starbucks lower calorie drinks. I typically half any pumps of syrup to make my drinks less sweet, but this one didn’t need it at all! It’s delicious, woke me up, and wasn’t super sweet! Win-Win for me!

The negative is that it’s like $6 and I am definitely not trying to spend that everyday on coffee. I decided to try my own version using my Nespresso machine! I made a super simple brown sugar syrup, used my Nespresso Vertuo Pod (i used one Double Espresso Chiaro Pod), added a dash of cinnamon and poured over ice cold oat milk! Instead of shaking so much, I actually frothed my oat milk and cinnamon powder in my Nespresso frother on the cold setting to get that foam! I stirred it all together and it tasted like the real deal! I’ve been having it every day this past week!

2// Briogeo Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo

If you love dry shampoo and use it regularly, you need this! I typically only wash my hair 1-2 times a week, after training it a few years ago. As a result, I use dry shampoo on a daily basis to add some texture to my hair and soak up any excess oil. But recently, I was feeling as if my scalp was starting to get a little dry and showing signs of product buildup. After searching through numerous products, I came across the Briogeo Charcoal and Coconut Oil Exfoliating Shampoo. It had great reviews so I quickly ordered and was so excited to try.

Once I used the product, I was sold! It has now been a staple in my hair-care routine for over two months. The shampoo is formulated with binchotan charcoal and plant-based exfoliators that work together to draw out and lift away buildup, impurities, dead skin and excess oil that may clog scalp and hair follicles. The peppermint, spearmint, tea tree, and coconut oils soothe and refresh after! I love the slight tingling feel and cooling effect it leaves. The tiny bits of charcoal in it lightly scrub your scalp and leave it really feeling clean! It’s such a win for me!

I typically only use this 1-2 times a month as needed! It is slightly drying for my hair so I always make sure to hydrate after. Whenever I use this shampoo, I follow up with a hair mask. My hairdresser recommended using OLAPLEX NO. 3 HAIR PERFECTOR and I have really been loving it! It adds the perfect amount of hydration, isn’t too heavy for my fine hair and it helps seal any split ends I may have!

I know the price tag may seem a little expensive ($42), it lasts forever. It’s not something you use daily, so if you use it 1-2 times per month it will last between 4-6 months!

3 // The Magic Playbook Subscription

Big fan of The Magic Playbook over here! It’s a monthly subscription for kids ages 2-6, filled with seasonal activities, crafts and sensory ideas for the month. You can pay a monthly fee of $9 or a yearly fee of $84 and you get access to all the activities, themed printables, an easy to shop supply list, a library list and screen time ideas for that month’s theme. It’s honestly the best ever! Both of my daughter’s love it! The graphics are so cute and it not only teaches them, but it inspires them to use their imagination. I’ve been a member for over 6 months and we have been having so much fun! All you have to do is print and play! I love it because I don’t have to plan the activities in addition to planning their schooling!

4 // My Newest Closet Additions

I have been feeling like I’ve been in a little bit of a fashion slump the past few weeks so I treated myself to some new clothes. The one requirement was that they couldn’t fall into the category of athleisure/loungewear. My typical mom uniform was consisting of a lot of oversized sweaters and leggings, so it was time for a change. When I saw that the Salty Blonde came out with a collaboration with Billabong, I ordered a few pieces, including this denim skirt.

Let me tell you a little story about my love for denim skirts. In college, I had this short denim mini skirt that I wore all the time. My husband actually remembers me wearing it before we even knew each other. He told me that he thought it was hot and was one of the things that sparked his attraction. So basically I owe my marriage and beautiful kids to that denim skirt. hahah!

Anyways, the Salty Blonde has a similar body type to mine so when I saw this skirt on her, I ordered it. I was a little hesitant because I wasn’t sure on the length. Definitely don’t want to flash anyone while chasing my kids! But once I tried it on, it actually wasn’t that short. It also hugs my curves really well and is super flattering. I can still move around and play with the kids, but feel stylish and put together. My husband loved this outfit and so did I.

I paired it with my favorite Brixton Joanna Hat, my new Steve Madden sandals (my daughter’s love the bling bling on them) and my new Exaggerated Shoulder Tank Top from Target (only $10)! The Steve Madden sandals do run slightly small and require a breaking in period.

Side note: If you buy the Exaggerated Shoulder Tank Top from Target, it does run slightly big. I ordered a size medium and could have done a small! But it’s only $10, comes in numerous colors and is a great and affordable way to try the exaggerated shoulder trend!

5 // This Month’s Reads

Reading is one of my biggest passions/source of relaxation. It’s something I do every single day, whether it’s late at night or in the early morning hours before my girls wake up. I also listen to audiobooks when I am folding laundry or cleaning. This helps me reach my goal of reading 3-5 books a month!

I read some great books this month! These three were at the top of my list! They were so good, that I watched absolutely no television, Nnetflix or Love Island re-runs the entire month!

Book #1

+ The Return by Nicholas Sparks – I loved this book! It was a great read and wasn’t like his more traditional romance novels. Nicholas Sparks, author of the Notebook, has an amazing way of writing and I pretty much love anything he writes. The Return is a heartwarming story about love, compassion, and self-exploration, mixed in with a bit of romance and mystery.

The story is about a man named Trevor Benson, an injured Navy Doctor with PTSD, and his return to a small town in North Carolina. His grandfather just passed away and he is left a dilapidated cabin and his grandfather’s beloved beehives. He ends up falling in love at first sight with deputy sheriff Natalie Masterson, who has a complicated love life of her own. Trevor is on a quest to find out why his grandfather was in another town when he passed away.

During that quest, he meets a runaway girl named Callie, a friend of his grandfather. Trevor tries to piece clues together, but the girl isn’t much help. She then has a medical crisis and Natalie and Trevor race against the clock to find out more about Callie’s past. At the same time, they are trying to shed light on the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather’s death. The story is filled with quite a few more twists and turns, but I don’t want to reveal too much.

I don’t know if I summed that up very well, but trust me, the book is definitely one you want to read!

BOOK #2

+ We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter – Oh man! I could not put this book down. It was hands down my favorite book and is one I would even read again. It’s a pretty emotional book and I definitely shed a tear a time or two while reading it! The book is inspired by the true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II and their determination to survive and reunite with each other.

The author, Georgia Hunter, wrote this book after learning she came from a family of Holocaust survivors and wanted to uncover more of her family’s history. An added bonus: her website shared her writing the book and offered some unique insight into this time period. The author was able to model the characters after her own family members, truly bringing them to life.

While this story was hard to read at times, it was beautiful and a great reminder of how the human spirit can endure and even thrive in the darkest of times.

BOOK #3

+ The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment – If you are interested in homeschooling, I highly recommend this book! The author Ainsley Arment talks about how we can allow our children to experience the wonder of childhood longer while still creating a modern, quality homeschool education. It’s full of incredible information, advice, inspiration and beautiful images that really helped me feel more confident and inspired.

The book gives an overview of the more popular styles of homeschooling, how to incorporate various things into your day, importance of having a rhythm, the whys of homeschooling, but also really simplifies learning and teaching your child. It helped me feel less pressure to meet specific milestones at certain times, to adapt to my own child, to allow them to be kids longer, and to get out in nature every day!

This book serves as a great resource, but also as a reminder to have courage on this homeschooling journey!

Thanks for following along!

As always, thank you all for following along with us on our journey! We have had our blog for a little over 4 months now and it has been such a fun creative outlet. Be sure to follow us on instagram if you aren’t already. We also have a LiketoKNow.it account, where we post exclusive content as well! Both have the (username: sunkissedandgrateful

Hope you have a great week and hope you enjoyed my new series, Things I’m Lovin’ Thursday!

Don’t forget to read our last two posts on books to grow your child’s confidence and our favorite spring finds!

xoxoxoxox,

Kari

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p.s. if you click on a link and purchase within a certain amount of time, we do make a small commission. we appreciate your continued support!

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Self-love and confidence does not come naturally or easily to me. I’ve actually struggled with it a lot growing up! In junior high I remember crying to my mom because I was part of the IBTC and thought that meant I wasn’t good enough (now after going through nursing 2 kids, I long for my A cup size!). Attending a predominantly white private school also left me feeling insecure. Fast forward to college when I got my first “C” on a quiz, my self-love took a major blow. I’m slowly recovering for a life of attaching my worth to what I accomplish, how I look, and blind compliance to rules, to what really matters–my unique thoughts/contributions, my heart and finding confidence in flaws and failures.

Knowing how low self-confidence and self-worth have long term effects, I am proactive of using every chance I get to empower my kids and fill them with so much confidence and self-love. I wanted to share some of the book that I love to read to my kids to plant those seeds and teach self-love and confidence from an early age. How different do you think our world would be if people truly loved themselves?

Book List

I’m continually discovering new books on this topic, so this book list contains some of our current and all-time favorites.

Get links to books here!

1. I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont. // This book teaches kids to like themselves just the way they are—fast, slow, smelly breathe, messy hair. However you look or feel is deserving of love. I’ve been reading this book to my son his entire life and it’s still one of our favorites!

2. Go Get `Em Tiger by Sabrina Moyle. // This book is filled with enthusiasm and amazing illustrations following a tiger as he reaches various milestones. Since my kid’s are animal lovers, this seems like a great one to add to our home library.

3. I Believe I Can by Grace Byers. // One thing I want my kids to wholeheartedly believe is that they can do anything which is why I love this book! The theme of self-confidence is on every page.

4. A Boy Like You & A Girl Like You by Frank Murphy. // I love reading this empowering book to my son and daughter. It reminds them how unique and special they are and their important role in the world.

5. Dear Boy & Dear Girl by Paris Rosenthal + Jason Rosenthal // These books were immediately favorites after reading them. The way they celebrate innate differences and make kids feel big while developing emotional intelligence.

6. Be You by Peter H. Reynold. // What an empowering book! It tell kids that they can just they way they are and it’s something to be celebrated! I love the message that being themselves is more than enough!

7. You Matter by Christian Robinson. // Not only is the artwork really great in this book, the message is amazing. It shares that regardless of circumstances, looks, feelings, size, etc. everybody truly matters. I read this book over and over to my kids.

8. Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller. // This book is a reminder that the things that make you you, also give you a remarkable uniqueness that has never existed before. A beautiful message for kids and adults.

Empower Greatness

I never want my kids to question their worth. I want to empower greatness in them so they believe they are worth unconditional love, respect, kindness and appreciation. It’s never too early to teach our kids self-love and confidence.

If you’re looking for additional books for your kids, we also made a post sharing 20 books on gratitude and thankfulness. Check out the post, here.

Thanks so much for reading! Happy week! —Melissa

Click on image below to download PDF of booklist.

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Purpose of 1000 Hours Outdoors

The purpose of 1000 Hours Outdoors is to have children experience nature and focus of the outdoor classroom by spending 1000 hours outdoors in one calendar year. They offer ideas how to make the outdoors fun and educational using simple activities. It has made me more intentional to get outdoors, enjoy nature and expose my kids to all the beauty and wonder in the great outdoors!

Personally I love nature and the outdoors and I hope to plant that seed in my kids. But it wasn’t always like that for me. I grew up in the hot Arizona suburbs and was exposed to the outdoors sparingly so I’m doing my best to give my children access to nature.

We live so close to the beach that we try to make daily trips and weekend family time is usually a hike, swim or bike path activity. I try not to react when my kids play with cockroaches, spiders, geckos, or crabs (but inside I’m screaming). Or over react when my son jumps off of a 6 foot high tree or my daughter rolls in a puddle. It’s part of childhood and I want them to experience it, safely of course.

Magical Reset

I don’t know about you but every time I take my kids to the beach, park or just to our backyard there is a change in them. It’s like a magical reset in them—and for me too. And to be honest, I live for those resets!

There are so many benefits to being outside—sunlight, fresh air, exposure to negative ions, nature lessons, meeting new people, seeing/experiencing new things and so many more. It’s no surprise to me how my kids’ moods and mine too, improve when we go outside.

Balance Nature & Screentime

The goal of 1000 hours outdoors can seem unrealistic and maybe for your situation it may not happen this year. But don’t let the huge goal number stop you from heading outside.

Let’s be real, some days mothering feels so isolating and tiring and screen time is the only way to regain strength and peace. I’ve been there many, many days. (And I’m slowly giving myself grace to use screen time without feeling guilty or like I’m a terrible mom…do you have guilt with screen time?)

Which is another reason why I appreciate the 1000 Hour Outside movement. The intention is to allow kids to be kids by playing outdoors, while also validating the struggle of motherhood—to balance nature and screentime.

Ideas for 1000 Hours Outdoor Activities

Typically when my kids and I head outdoors, I don’t have an activity planned and just allow my kids’ imaginations take the lead. Sometimes though, I do have something simple planned. Here are some of the activities we enjoy doing.

What do your kids love to do outside? Please share all your recommendations!

Outdoor Hour Tracker

If you’re ready to join the 1000 Hours Outdoors challenge, I created a simple tracker sheet so you can document your progress! It is in 100 hour increments so its a little easier to notice progress Find the PDF link below!

Outdoor Adventure Supplies

I wanted to share some of my kid’s favorite outdoor activities/supplies and others that seem like so much fun. Shop direct links here or at the bottom of the post.

1. Kid’s Instant Print Camera // My littles have recently shown an interest in taking photos. This kid’s camera is durable and prints photos! Perfect for nature walks and sparking their creativity!

2. Wooden Magnifying Glass // We have one and my two kids really enjoy looking through the glass! Need to add a second one so they don’t argue over the one we have haha.

3. Osprey Hiking Baby Carrier // This carrier has been used so much in our home. It’s comfortable for both child and parent. It has lots of storage, a shade, mirror and even feet stirrups. So basically the kid is riding like royalty haha.

4. Sea Turtle Kite // It has been so windy on Kauai, I think it’s the perfect time to get a family kite.

5. Bug/Butterfly Net // My kids are super interested in bugs. A net would be a great way to get some energy out while searching for bugs!

6. Bug Viewing Jar // With a magnifying lid, this jar allows kids to appreciate the small details of bugs before returning them into nature.

7. Rain Boots // My kids love jumping in puddles. Sometimes they do it barefoot but other times rain boots are the way to go! I like these and these too!!

8. Natural Basket // We own a few of these and they are the perfect size for small hands. My kids take them to the beach to pick up trash or treasures. They can be used year round for storage and holiday baskets!

9. Micro Scooter // My son is obsessed with his scooter. It’s a perfect introductory scooter since it’s steered by body weight rather than turning the handle. My 1.5 year old daughter is already learning how to ride too!

10. Giant Bubbles Wand // This kit is so fun! I feel like bubbles are fun regardless of age!! These get so huge, it’s amazing!!

11. Arts and Craft Kit // Arts and crafts are one of my go-to ways to simulate my kids’ creativity. I love that this kit has everything you’d need so you can take it to the park and have craft literally anywhere!

12. Saucer Tree Swing // I’ve seen these in yards while driving and think they look so so fun! I know my kids would be obsessed with it.

Get Outside

Maybe you don’t feel convinced to commit to 1000 hours outside but hopefully you feel inspired to get outside and make some beautiful memories with your kids in nature. Happy exploring the beautiful outdoors! Love, Melissa

P.S. Have you been following along our Nourish and Flourish 30 Day Challenge? Having one item a day that I’m focusing on has been really beneficial to me.

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•if you purchase from one of our links, we receive a small commission and it helps us, so thank you!

The post 1000 Hours Outdoors—An Annual Family Goal appeared first on sunkissed & grateful.

20 Books to Celebrate Valentine’s Day//Book Descriptions and Links

1. Mirabel’s Missing Valentines by Janet Lawler // When I saw the illustrations in this book I knew it was coming home with me! I am such a sucker for cute illustrations! This book is a super sweet story about a timid mouse, Maribel, who loses her valentines cards causing her to panic! She ends up stepping outside her comfort zone and brightening the days of those who find them! It’s a super sweet book!
2. In My Heart by Jo Witek // This is such a great book to build emotional intelligence in kids! We love this book so much and my daughter has memorized so much of it! Each page has a different emotion, ranging from happy and brave to sad or silly. It helps children understand how they feel and what emotions they deal with! Plus the little cut-out heart is so cute!
3. Celebrating Kisses by Amy Gibson // Love the bold graphics in this book and the sweet message that a kiss (love) can travel anywhere! It takes you all around the United States and is just a sweet book to read to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
4. Wherever you Go by Pat Zietlow Miller // I actually received this book as a gift at my baby shower and the story is so cute. It’s a book about the possibilities and adventures that are out there in the world. But the message is that the road will always lead you home again, like a parent’s love! I can’t help but get teary-eyed thinking of when the girls grow up and embark on their own adventures!
5. Love by Matt de la Pena // I recommend this book for a slightly older child. I read it with my 3.5 year old and it was a great conversation starter for us to talk about some different topics. The book is about finding love all around you, no matter who you are and what you look like. It also talks about understanding that sometimes loved ones can do wrong and that sometimes it’s hard to see the love in the world. You are probably thinking that’s a little dark right? But I think it is important to show that love isn’t always flowers and perfection, but that it is real and we can still choose to love in different situations. It’s also a super diverse book showing different racial, ethnic, gender, religious, and socioeconomic diversity.
6. Llama Llama, I Love You by Anna Dewdney // This is the perfect book for little ones. It’s short, sweet and has the ever lovable character, Llama Llama! //
7. Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr // Love this book! It’s about a mom who reassures her baby and young children that they will always love them and keep them safe! It’s a classic, heart-warming family favorite in our house!
8. Love, Mama by Jeanette Bradley // This is a great board book for little ones! It’s about a mama and her baby penguin and her endless love for her child! It stretches across the wide ocean, through day and night and even when she and her child are apart! It’s short and sweet!
9. Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine by Jonathan Stutzman // Another cute board book for kids ages 2-4! It follows Tiny T. Rex and his friend as they try to make the perfect valentines! It’s a great story to teach children about overcoming obstacles and perseverance! It also has the cutest artwork!
10. Love Can Come in Many Ways by Terry Pierce // This book is an interactive lift the flap book all about how different creatures all over the world snuggle, love and reaffirm their family bonds. My daughters love animals and lift the flap books so it’s a fun book to add to our collection!
11. The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond // Such a sweet story about a little girl who collects hearts that rained down from the sky and turns them into Valentines for her friends. It is short and sweet, but a great book to read and then do a craft after! Here’s a fun craft to do after reading this book!
12. I Am Enough by Grace Byers // I love this book for many reasons! Valentines is a great day for both romantic love and friendship love, but it’s also super important to practice self-love! This book helps youth with positive self image while teaching them how to embrace people who are different.
13. Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal // This book is short and sweet but my daughters love to point out things and shout out the words!
14. Sealed with a Kiss by Beth Ferry // My daughter spotted this book when we were at Target and asked to read it while in the cart! She loved the images so I decided to bring it home. It ended up being the cutest little story that made her laugh so much!
15. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst // Okay this book is a bit of a tearjerker! It’s about love, but it is also a great tool for helping kids understand numerous concepts including separation anxiety, loss, and grief. I read it with my daughter when she kept asking me if I would die one day and it was such a great tool to talk to her about our everlasting love! Basically, a mother tells her kids that they are connected by an invisible string and she answers with ” An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love” Are you crying?
16. Happy Love Day, Daniel Tiger by Becky Friedman // Who doesn’t love Daniel Tiger? It sure is a favorite in our house! This is another super sweet book that is interactive with lift the flaps! Follow Daniel Tiger and his friends around the Neighborhood of Make Believe to see them shower each other with love!
17. This is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins // Love this book! It’s a book for those who don’t love the mushiness of Valentine’s Day. It’s not about the glitter or heart shaped cards, but rather the little ways people show they care! Cuuuuute!!
18. The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise // Obsessed!! We love this book! Filled with the cutest illustrations and an adorable message, it follows three best friends, Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel who each find a letter and the chain of events that transpire after! It is a heartwarming story about friendship!
19. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli // Great book to teach empathy to kids and also the importance of reaching out to people who might be lonely or overlooked. I love the transformation that takes place in lonely Mr. Hatch and the lesson that being a part of a community can make a difference!
20. Lola Dutch, I Love You So Much by Kenneth Wright // We love Lola Dutch books and this one does not disappoint! The ever lovable Lola Dutch knows that when it comes to showing friendship and appreciation, there’s no such thing as too much. She’s over the top in the best possible way!

Read Along With Us Using the Hashtag #readwithSG

We want to challenge you to follow along with us and complete this reading list challenge! Download the PDF below, (20 Books to Celebrate Valentine’s Day) share your progress and tag us in the hashtag, #readwithSG. You don’t have to purchase all of the books if you don’t want. Rent them from a library, share with a friend, or see if there is an audio version on Spotify! If you want to support a local bookstore and shop small, you can shop via Powell’s or a local family owned San Diego bookstore, Warwick’s.

You can download the PDF version here!!

We hope these books help celebrate Valentine’s Day with your family and bring you lots of warm fuzzies and magical memories!

Thank you for following along!

xoxoxox,

Kari

P.S. Just a disclaimer, if you click on the links above and purchase within 24 hours, we do make a small amount of commission! Just wanted to be totally transparent! xoxox

The post 20 Books to Celebrate Valentine’s Day: Celebrating Friendship, Love and Kindness appeared first on sunkissed & grateful.

It’s December! Anyone else already start a Christmas countdown? December is one of my favorite months and I want to pass on my love for this holiday season to my kids. With this year being a roller coaster, I’m fully embracing a daily dose of holiday cheer. You with me?? I love the idea of a Christmas countdown with advent activities for the family.

Advent Activities

I created this free PDF with various ways to build up the excitement for Christmas. Most of the advent activities can be done with none to little prep!! Perfect for busy parents, which is my style 100% haha. But I also wanted the activities to go deeper than just time fillers. So these advent activities also help develop your child’s motor skills, EQ, creativity, imagination, attending skills and so much more! Print out your favorite PDF and enjoy making beautiful memories with your family. Click the image below to download and print your own!

What to Expect

I want to share some examples of the advent activities so you know what to expect!! Of course, personalize it to your child’s interest and add your own personal spin. Also, please share what you create to inspire me!!

• Make a wreath—I saw this post on Instagram and knew I wanted to do it with my kids! A short nature walk collecting greenery, rubber bands/glue and and old box (aka empty BFCM shopping boxes) is all you need!
• Bake cookies and share them—This year I want to try to make gingerbread cookies and The Minimalist Baker has this recipe with great reviews.
• Go caroling—I used to go caroling when I was a kid and I think it will be fun/embarrassing to do it with my kids this year!
• Read holiday books–Check out Kari’s post that shares 20 holiday books for kids!

Merry and Bright

I hope that you can focus on the merry and bright in your life and enjoy this beautiful month with your family making the most special memories! Please don’t forget to share any of your advent activities with us. So grateful for you, beautiful friends! —Melissa

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