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National Parks

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

What you should know on a family daytrip to visit Joshua Tree National Park in California with top things to do and first-time visitor tips.

California

I’m Back! My Glorious Post-Pandemic Return After Unintentional Hiatus

What you should know on a family daytrip to visit Joshua Tree National Park in California with top things to do and first-time visitor tips.

Family

New Online Shop for Greeting Cards, Stickers, and Magnets

Last year was a tough one for pretty much everyone around the globe. We all continue to find ourselves in a constant state of readjustment and it’s doubtful that we’ll…

Personal

Temporarily Out of Commission with Chemical Burns in Both Eyes

If you are a regular reader of my blog or follow my social media accounts, you might have wondered where I’ve been. The lack of updates might suggest that I…

Kids & Teens

Uniform Teeth Clear Aligners Teeth Straightening — Alignment Phase

After a four-month delay due to the pandemic, my daughter was finally able to resume her teeth straightening treatment with Uniform Teeth. Clinics opened in June and Munchkin booked the…

Activities

Virtual Escape Room: The Escape Game Remote Adventures “The Heist”

I have been wanting to try an “escape room” for forever! So, when The Escape Game San Francisco contacted me about trying out one of their games, I could barely…

Kids & Teens

Uniform Teeth Clinics Now Open & Clear Aligners Tray Set Update

A few months ago, my daughter started her teeth straightening treatment using clear aligners with Uniform Teeth. I meant to update you on her progress sooner but then travel, sickness,…

Technology

How to Get FREE Unlimited Talk and Text Without WiFi

The other day, Frans and I were talking about how much things have changed over the years. I know, it was a total “man, we’re getting old” kind of conversation.…

Activities

Enjoy the 2020 Flower Bulb Day in San Francisco on March 7th!

It’s that time again! Spring is almost here and so is the third annual 2020 Flower Bulb Day! The event, which used to be called American Tulip Day, will be…

Kids & Teens

Creating a Perfect Smile w/ Uniform Teeth Clear Aligners

Having straight teeth is a big deal in my family. It was never a question of “if” we would get braces. Instead, it was only a matter of “when” since…

Family

Welcoming 2020 & Attending the 2020 Disney Creators Celebration

Can you believe we are in 2020?! Last year was a very unique one for our family and, with so many changes happening, much of it was spent offline. I…

Domestic

Rush Creek Lodge in Groveland, CA (near Yosemite)

Wow, we really needed that quick trip to Yosemite Valley National Park a few weeks ago! Yosemite is so beautiful…

Dairy-Free

10+ Almost Perfect Dairy Free Alternatives That Make Food Tasty Again

It’s been over two years since my body started to reject dairy (not just lactose but all animal-milk based items). Even though we went through the process of looking for…

Domestic

Going Off-Road on Island Trails & Getting Covered in Mud w/ Kauai ATV

I recently found out that there was something I never knew I always wanted to do — drive an ATV. While we were in Kauai, Hawaii, family and I had…

Domestic

Experiencing Aloha at the Smith Family Garden Luau in Kauai, Hawaii

In Hawaii, you can pretty much go anywhere to see hula dancing. Shows are held weekly, or daily, at the mall, parks, shopping centers, beach, etc. But, if you want…

Domestic

Top Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii: Na Pali Coast / Napali Coast Boat Tour

“You HAVE to take a cruise along the Napali Coast!” That’s what almost everyone told us when we said we were going to Kauai, Hawaii. I’m so glad we listened…

Domestic

Visiting Kauai National Tropical Botanical Garden — Allerton Garden

What comes to mind when you think of Kauai in Hawaii? Tropical gardens, right?! That’s why we were so excited to visit one of three National Tropical Botanical Gardens on…

Domestic

Must-See Historic Sites Along the Freedom Trail in Boston, MA

One of the top things to do in Boston, Massachusetts is to walk along the Freedom Trail. When we went to visit my sister there last year, we did just…

Kids & Teens

Finding Free Summer Meals for Kids — Share Summer w/ No Kid Hungry

It is officially summer as of today! Kids are out of school, the weather has warmed up, days are longer, and there are plenty of fairs, festivals, and events to…

Travel

Essential Printable Packing List Guy Version: Travel Checklist for Men

A couple of years ago, I created an Essential Printable Packing List for Women. I had no idea then just how awesome it would be and how often it would…

Entertainment

Time for 2019 Summer Movie Deals at Cinemark, Regal & AMC Theaters

Oh, my! I almost forgot to share the summer movie specials for the kids for this year! Fortunately, there’s still plenty of time left to enjoy these 2019 Summer Movie…

Kids & Teens

Celebrating Munchkin’s High School Graduation — Congrats Class of 2019

The last couple of months have been pretty hectic for my family and me. My daughter was finishing up her senior year of high school and our schedules were thrown…

Entertainment

Get Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel on Digital Now & on Blu-ray June 11th!

Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a roller coaster of sorts for me. While I did enjoy a few of the films, most of them fell…

Gluten-Free

Gluten-Free Chinese Food at Hot Wok Bistro in San Mateo, CA and San Carlos, CA

Ever since Frans was diagnosed with celiac disease back in 2013, we have been extremely wary of eating out at local…

Living

Grand Opening of New Houses in Mountain House — Prescott & Zephyr Ranch

If you have been searching for the perfect home to buy in the East Bay Area, I have good news for you. More new homes are now available in Mountain…