Track Santa's Flight Around The World With NORAD

Did you know, you can TRACK SANTA across the world?

The North American Aerospace Defence Command, (NORAD) has helped families around the world watch and interact with Santa for over sixty years! 

On Christmas eve, at any given minute, your child can check where Santa is in the world, and where he is going next! It's not only super cool, it's a wicked fun geography learning experience for all involved. I promise you will see towns and villages you never knew existed!

For extra learning fun, look them up!

The NORAD website isn't just for tracking Santa, there's also has a bunch of fun interactive things to do, games to play, and even 'Santa's Favorite Holiday songs' on the NoradSanta website. This means, your child can start interacting with Santa, Today! READ: this will buy you five to ten minutes for a coffee break, but stay close, because the games and song are fun for all.

 

There's even an APP for that! We used it last year...

AND THAT'S NOT ALL!!!

Wait for it... 

It's totally free. 

I know, finally something free during the holidays. 

If you have kids, DO THIS! It's fun and exciting for all. 

Check out the NORAD Santa Tracker Website and fun games, here. 

5 Sanity Saving Hacks For Family Holiday Travel

After dragging my son around the world and back, I feel pretty solid about sharing a few tips for meltdown free family travel. So, if you're dreading heading to Grandmas for the Holidays, or even trading bitter temperatures for warm sands, I can help make the trip not suck, because regardless of the mode of transportation or destination, one thing remains the same, the kids are coming and you need to prepare. 

1. Pack as light as possible. Between the gadgets, toys, clothes, blankets, bedtime bears and favorite pillows, it's easy to over pack. Very easy. Combat this by making a list of essentials for each family member, and stick to it. It's not like you're leaving for good, it's a week! 

Road Trip Tip: Check to make sure the headlights and taillights are working. Give em' a wipe while you're at it. Double check tires' air pressure and tread and look for nails or debris that could be potentially dangerous. You may want to invest in an air freshener too!

2. Snack Attack. Whether it's a hungry kid or a chatty kid, snacks will come in very handy.  Skip the traditional sandwiches for bento box lunches to keep kids busy.  Also, have a bribe treat. The go-to to your kid won't turn down. Like a scooby-snack. This is your miracle worker. Don't leave home without it.

Road trip snack TIP: Freeze small bottles of water and use them in the cooler instead of ice. The frozen bottles will keep things cold and the cooler from filling with melted ice that sloshes back and forth with every turn, begging to pour out all over the floor of the car.

3. Floors Are For Feet Only. Let's face it, the floors can be valuable real estate when traveling, but not so great for the person losing the foot space. Free up the foot space by hanging bags on the back seat. Backpacks fit nicely over the 'shoulders' of the seat or secured by the headrest. When in flight, slip things over the back of the tray table to free floor space.

4. Check Your Tech. Before embarking on any trip, check your tech; replace the batteries in your camera, charge everything, and bring a car charger. Pack all tech stuff in the same bag. When it comes to a crying kid over a dying tablet, the last thing you'll want to do is search four bags to find it. 

5. Set expectations very low. With all the planning, comes high expectations. Kill them. Now. Expect everything to go wrong. Make sure the children think they are on their way to hell and it will take hours to get there. The lower the expectations and understanding that shit happens, the happier everyone will be. 

Road trip tip: Whether you're traveling with a child or not, invest in a box of baby wipes. The pre-moistened wipes clean messy faces and surfaces in a pinch, and without stinky harsh chemicals! Not to mention, those little wipes will be a lifesaver at those grimy roadside and airport bathrooms that haven't seen an attendant in at least a decade.

7 Thanksgiving Ground Rules For The Dysfunctional Family.

All right y’all, it’s coming. The annual trip to Dysfunction Junction. Thanksgiving.


For some of us, it's the one day of the year when the entire family comes together, to remind each other why you only get together once a year. I like to call it the annual trip to Dysfunction Junction. (It's ok, my family agrees. They won't be mad I said that. Except, maybe my mom. Sorry mom.)

For some of you, I bet you can’t wait. Most likely, you have a happy little family. Everybody gets along. All smiles. You probably don’t even have to have liquor at your Thanksgiving to make it through. Good for you. All of you. This post is not for you.

For those of us with crazy-ass family members, here are a few ground rules you may want to send out before the hoedown. 

1. Don't make it about drama. Make it about the kids. First and foremost, this is about the children. This is the one day of the year they get to see their family, play with the cousins, have their cheeks squeezed by their aunts. 

2. No pre-drinking allowed. Everybody has to show up to this godforsaken event stone-cold sober. No Headstart allowed.

3. Don't be late. Your family has been starving all day, don't be the asshole who keeps them waiting to eat. (Matthew. I'm talking to YOU!)  If you are late, you are an asshole. And should have to wear an asshole hat the entire day. Including all photos. see below. Hint people who are still just bored flex and cannot be on time lied to them and tell them you’re eating an hour earlier than you really are.  

                                              
4. The cleaner, the better. Don't come over looking to make a mess. The happiest Thanksgiving‘s are the ones where you throw the shit away at the end, not spend hours cleaning and polishing china and silver. No one should have to go all out unless they want to. The hostess should be allowed to line everything in aluminum foil or parchment paper, and use plastic plates and flatware if they want. Leave your pretensions at the door.

5. Thanksgiving should not be stressful, for anyone. If cooking Thanksgiving dinner creates too much chaos, make everyone chip in and order a premade meal. Check your local grocery and see what they offer or google Premade Thanksgiving meals in your area.

6. All Are Welcome. Thanksgiving is the one day where color, religion and all other dividing bullshit should be set aside. This is the day we break bread together and be thankful for our blessings. Set aside your differences and get along with your brothers and sisters. All of them. Life is too short to keep shitting on each other. 

7. NO DRINKING AND DRIVING! Uber, Lyft, and yellow cab are happy to get you home. In the morning, you can have your car back.  

If all else fails, do what I do, grab a bottle of wine, and sit in the corner playing a game of Thanksgiving Bingo with yourself and the bottle of wine. 

This Dad Just Invented The Greatest Thing Ever #EarthHero #BetterTogether

Over the years, I've reviewed hundreds of products, and can definitively say, my favorites were almost all invented by parents. It's no surprise, really.  Parents know what parents need to make life easier. What's more, many of the products were more than just a great invention, they incorporated eco-friendliness, hypoallergenic qualities, top safety ratings, properly sourced high-quality materials... You know, the important stuff to us parents. 

That all being said, the greatest friggin thing in the world happened, a dad took all of those game-changing, parent-curated products and birthed, EarthHero.com, an eco-friendly, Amazon-like magical marketplace.  (Thanks, Ryan. I am so excited to share your website with the world. BRAVO, Daddio!

Today, I'm partnering with EarthHero to share one dad's vision and hard work.
All opinions are my own.

 I've never seen a website like it. This dad spent hours, days, months, vetting products for his vision, 'an Eco-friendly Amazon'. He wanted a place people around the world could shop online and know every single product sold on EarthHero.com is vetted for eco-friendliness, among other high standards.  

Before you think, oh it must be expensive, think again! Remember, this website was invented by a dad, not a big-box brand, He's not out to make us poor moms and dads, poorer! No heart-attacks from sticker-shock here. 

See, this is getting better and better, right?

Look at the vast selection of products, the low prices and regular sales that run.

SAVE 10%! Use MOMANDDAD at checkout. 

I know. Crazy!  

Those Sprout Ware Snack Cups are fantastic for space-saving in cramped lunch boxes. 

On EarthHero.com, you can find everything from yoga pants, to kitchen utensils, to eco-friendly toys and stainless-steel children's lunch bento-boxes. My first time on the site, I spent thirty-minutes just checking out all of the products, pleasantly surprised by just how many earth conscious companies are out there. 

Ok, so I've saved one of my absolute favorite things about EarthHero for last...

Of the vast selection of products on offer at EarthHero.com, many are invented by... 

wait for it...

PARENTS! 



EarthHero, has many, many products crafted by small, family-run businesses. Like one of my favorites, EcoKids. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of working with the family-owned and operated company, comprised of Cammie, Kip & their kiddos Jack, Magie and Gus. 

SAVE 10%! Use MOMANDDAD at checkout. 

So not only is EarthHero comprised of products sourced correctly, the products are made by moms and dads making a better product for their children. For their world. 

Be still my heart. 

Please, take a moment to check out, EarthHero. I promise, you will be blown away, too.   #bettertogether (SAVE 10%! Use MOMANDDAD at checkout.)

Make This For Your Memorial Day Party

Are you going to a Memorial Day party and have no idea what to bring? 
Are you hopeless in the kitchen? 
Want to look like an overachiever when you are far from one? 
Having a Memorial Day party and need cheap, easy decoration ideas?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then good news, below are a few of my favorite SUPER EASY to make Magical Memorial Day Party Hacks and Snacks! 

SNACKS

Red, White and BLEU sliders!
I love bleu cheese. Love it!

OR! Make my new favorite party treat, Bacon Cheese Burger Meatballs!  Color the Mayo blue with a few drops of blue food coloring.



Don't forget the RED, WHITE And BLUE Hot Dogs! 

Add blue food coloring to mustard to make
Red (ketchup), White (Mayo) and Blue (Mustard) Hotdogs! 


For the kids... Firework Dogs!

First of all, this BATTER HACK will change the baking game for you...

Add different color batter to piping bags to make endless treat color-combo possibilities. Apply same pressure when squeezing for precise designs and mixing.

Now, do this...

No Doubt the kids will go MENTAL for these Firecracker Cake bites. TIP: Use a chopstick to make a hole in the center for the pop rocks, MUCH easier than cutting out little circles.  

If you can't be bothered to make the firecrackers, 

stack the cakes, sprinkling the Pop Rocks in between layers. 

Ice with white icing and sprinkle more Poproocks on top.

Simple, Easy, Healthy, American Flag pretzel and fruit party tray

This festive red-white-and-blue ice cream sandwich is ultra easy.  It's just store-bought ice cream sandwiches with a popsicle stick shoved in the middle then pressed in red, white and blue sprinkles. Done. 

So friggin easy.

This fruit flag only works when served immediately. The bananas go brown. Serve for brunch if anything. Outside will not work for this one.

The below watermelon, blueberry and cheese dish is my favorite festive go-to. Except, in a bowl. I mix the watermelon, feta, and blueberries in a big bowl. So easy. Even the kids like it! 

If you make the flag on a plate, kick this up a notch and try two types of cheeses,
and strawberries as the middle red stripe!

Making watermelon star cutouts is super fun for the kids. TIP: When they finish making stars, puree the leftover watermelon in a blender to make adult beverages or popsicles.  

This American Flag Cupcake is easy and semi-healthy. Well, there's fruit... 

Yes, Please.

This Star Shaped Iced Shortbread Cookie treat is YUM YUM YUM.  A girlfriend made this for my party last year. SO GOOD. She used premade in the tube circle shortbread cookies, cream cheese frosting and sliced strawberries and blueberries. 

Need something easier? Try these red-white-and-blue brownie bites. All you need is brownie bites, a can or whip cream, blueberries and sliced strawberries.  

HACKS

These Spray Paint Lawn Stars using Construction Marking Paint is genius for temporary fun without destroying the grass! 
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!  And, will def be giving it a try this year.

Red, white and Blue Rice tea lights!  Find citronella tea lights too!

The more I stare at this, the more I think I can do it. What do you think? Super easy, or super opportunity for a Pinterest "Nailed It" moment?

BEVERAGES

Red White And Blue SHOTS!


Red White And Blue SANGRIA




For many, many more super awesome ideas, check out my Memorial Day Pinterest board.

Everything you need to know about the #NYE Song, Auld Lang Syne. Including The Words

Not gonna lie, if someone walked up to me and said the words, Auld Lang Syne, they would most likely get my confused look. The same look I give mid-way through the song. Ok, two bars in. 

If you're still rocking your confused face over the words, Auld Lang Syne, allow me to fill you in; it's the song you try to sing at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. While the song's origin dates back to early seventeen hundreds Scotland, it wasn't until 1788 when the Scot poet and lyricist, Robert Burns, put his spin on the 'old song' and birthed the Auld Lang Syne we sing today. 

'For Auld Lang Syne', loosely translates to, 'For The Sake of Old Times'.  

(If you need to know more then my condensed version about the origin of Auld Lang Syne, go here.)

Auld Lang Syne, as it's sung today:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and old lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,for auld lang syne.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup!

and surely I'll buy mine!

And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes,

and picked the daisies fine;

But we've wandered many a weary foot,

since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine;

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne.And there's a hand my trusty friend!

And give me a hand o' thine!

And we'll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne.

Auld Lang Syne 

heard at most parties I've been to:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and have a great damn time

lalalalalalalalalala

lalalalalalalaaaaalalalalaaallla

I need more champaign and someone to kiss...  

WAIT! There's a traditional Dance!

Everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a circle. Sway back and forth while singing. At the beginning of the last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right-hand reaches out to the neighbor on the left and vice versa. (See the happy dudes dancing to the above)

When the tune ends, everyone rushes to the middle, while still holding hands. When the circle is re-established, everyone turns under the arms to end up facing outwards with hands still joined. 

NOTE: In countries other than Scotland the hands are often crossed from the beginning of the song at variance with Scottish custom.

How will you sing it this year? Bookmark this page or pin the image below as a refrence.