family | fun | motherhood | parenting | Travel | vacation

The Ultimate List of How to Stay Healthy Before (And During) a Vacation

By on February 7, 2020
The Ultimate List of How to Stay Healthy Before (And During) a Vacation | sunshineandholly.com | travel tips | stay well on vacation | health tips |

How to Stay Healthy Before (And During) a Vacation

There’s a really funny meme that’s circulating lately that goes:

Before I had kids, I thought I had a great immune system. Turns out I was just really good at staying away from the type of people who sneeze directly into your eyeballs while telling a story.

Kids are so gross! I’ve never had the best immune system, but since becoming a mom it seems like I’m always sick between the months of September and May. It’s not fun. I also always seem to get sick when we travel. And we travel a lot! Before our big cruise in January, I made a long list of things to do to (try) and keep my family healthy before we set sail. And guess what – it worked! We actually stayed well during the entire trip! But I DID get sick the day after we got home. (Ridiculous, right?) I’ll share my list below, but please remember – I’m not a doctor and you should consult with your primary care doctor before taking any medicine or supplements. 

The Ultimate List of How to Stay Healthy Before (And During) a Vacation:

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family | motherhood | parenting

Practical Tips for Handling Your Aggressive Child in Public

By on November 8, 2019
Practical Tips for Handling Your Aggressive Child in Public | sunshineandholly.com | strong willed toddler

My son was a difficult toddler. He was super strong-willed, and very aggressive and physical when he didn’t get his way. He really gave me a crash course in motherhood! When he was little, I felt like I was doing everything wrong. I didn’t think any of the discipline techniques I was using were working for him. (But now he seems to be a well-adjusted 7-year-old, so I must have not screwed up too much! Lol! Seriously though, I’m SO proud of him these days.)

Practical Tips for Handling Your Aggressive Child in Public | sunshineandholly.com | strong willed toddler

When he was going through that stage, I did so much research on discipline, behavior, and how to handle strong-willed, aggressive kids. I read books, talked to other moms, got advice from our pediatrician, and scoured Pinterest for tips. But there were a few things I picked up along the way that really helped me as far as how I handled my son’s aggression in public. Because it’s one thing to deal with an aggressive child all day at home, but it’s a whole different story when you’re out in public under other people’s judging eyes! It took me a loooong time to be able to ignore the dirty looks and the rude comments about my child’s behavior. The people with the strongest opinions about how I should have been handling him really thought they knew what was best. But I was his mama. I was with him all day. And I choose to follow my mother’s intuition and instinct. I eventually figured out what worked and what didn’t.

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Atlanta | fall | family | Family Fun | fun | parenting

The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta Vol. 8

By on November 1, 2019
The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a great Halloween. If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, you’ve come to the right place. Check out my Local Guide – Things to Check Out Around Atlanta Vol. 8!

The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta Vol. 8

Chastain Park Arts Festival 

Chomp & Stomp Chili Cookoff in Cabbagetown

Harvest at the Station Fall Festival at Atlantic Station 

Halloween Costume Contest and Unlimited Play at Tiny Towne in Norcross

Day of the Dead Festival and Lantern Parade in Roswell

Fernbank Forest Nightwalk at Fernbank Museum

Fall Fun at Sleepy Hollow Farm in Powder Springs

Alpaca Day at the Buford Corn Maze

Anime Weekend at the Cobb Galleria Center

7th Annual Global Village Welcome Walk at Refuge Coffee in Clarkston 

Vampirina’s Boo-tastic Blowout at Warbington Farms in Cumming

Japanese Maples Colorfest at Gibbs Gardens

Atlanta Christmas Gift Show at the Atlanta Expo Center

Sensory Saturday at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta

 

Upcoming Events You Need to Put on Your Calendar:

Beech-Nut’s Million Meals at the Movies Benefitting No Kid Hungry – November 10th 

In Georgia, more than 20 percent of children are hungry. Beech-Nut is partnering with No Kid Hungry because all kids should have access to real food. Join us at the Fernbank Museum – The Giant Screen Theater on Sunday, November 10th from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. for Beech-Nut’s Million Meals at the Movies – a FREE family movie night fundraiser and storytime, benefitting No Kid Hungry. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about food insecurity and how every dollar donated to No Kid Hungry helps hungry children across the United States. Register to reserve your space and to make a tax-deductible donation to No Kid Hungry. You can also donate on No Kid Hungry’s web site by clicking here.

Santa in Tucker

Pictures with Santa should be fun! There is nothing like driving all over Atlanta only to end up standing in a long line surrounded by grumpy toddlers and parents to make you go Grinch. Skip the expensive holiday mini sessions and the trendy Santa photos that all look the same. Instead, visit Santa while enjoying cookies, crafts, coffee, music, merrymaking, and miscellaneous Christmas magic! This year, walk into a Winter Wonderland in historic downtown Tucker and get the kind of holiday photo you really want! Click here to book a session! 

 

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Atlanta | family | Family Fun | friends | fun | motherhood | parenting

The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta Vol. 7

By on October 11, 2019
The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta

Happy Friday! What are your plans for the weekend? It finally feels like fall here in Georgia, and I’m all about the lower temperatures! Yesterday we spent 4.5 hours at the playground. The weather was just so nice! I’m hoping to spend a lot of time outside this weekend. If you’re local and looking for something to do, check out these events:

The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta Vol. 7

Oakhurst Porchfest

46th Annual Lilburn Daze

Atlanta Pride Parade

Atlanta Comic Convention

Ghostly Gatherings at Fernbank

Oktoberfest Atlanta

Festival on Ponce

Chalktoberfest 

Stone Mountain Park Pumpkin Festival 

Pumpkin Patch at Jaemor Farms (Click here to see our visit to Jaemor from last year!)

Scarecrows in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (Click here to see our visit from last year!)

Upcoming Events You Need to Put on Your Calendar:

Beech-Nut’s Million Meals at the Movies Benefitting No Kid Hungry – November 10th 

In Georgia, more than 20 percent of children are hungry. Beech-Nut is partnering with No Kid Hungry because all kids should have access to real food. Join us at the Fernbank Museum – The Giant Screen Theater on Sunday, November 10th from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. for Beech-Nut’s Million Meals at the Movies – a FREE family movie night fundraiser and storytime, benefitting No Kid Hungry. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about food insecurity and how every dollar donated to No Kid Hungry helps hungry children across the United States. Register to reserve your space and to make a tax-deductible donation to No Kid Hungry. You can also donate on No Kid Hungry’s web site by clicking here.

Santa in Tucker

Pictures with Santa should be fun! There is nothing like driving all over Atlanta only to end up standing in a long line surrounded by grumpy toddlers and parents to make you go Grinch. Skip the expensive holiday mini sessions and the trendy Santa photos that all look the same. Instead, visit Santa while enjoying cookies, crafts, coffee, music, merrymaking, and miscellaneous Christmas magic! This year, walk into a Winter Wonderland in historic downtown Tucker and get the kind of holiday photo you really want! Click here to book a session! 

 

I hope you have a great weekend!

Looking for a fun Halloween craft to do this weekend with your kids? Check out this quick and easy Halloween sensory jar!

Looking for a tasty and festive Halloween meal? Check out our Halloween Lasagna! Or how about a jack-o-lantern pumpkin pie?

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Atlanta | family | Family Fun | friends | fun | motherhood | parenting

The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta – Vol. 6

By on October 4, 2019
The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta

Happy Friday! I can’t believe it’s October. This year is flying by! It’s also hard to believe it’s October because it’s still 95 degrees here in Atlanta. I’m so over this heat! Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? Check out what’s going on in and around Atlanta:

The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta – Vol. 6

 

Friday, October 4th

Atlanta International Night Market 

Día de Los Muertos Art Exhibit

 

Saturday, October 5th

Taste of Chamblee

Taste of Tucker

Atlanta Parent’s Family Festival

Suwannee Art’s Festival

Duluth Beer and Wine Fest

Georgia Race for Autism and Fall Festival

Crabapple Fest

Fall Festival in Chandler Park

Atlanta Chinatown Fall Festival

 

Sunday, October 6th

Roswell Wine Festival 

2019 Atlanta Ramen Fest

Oak Groove Festival

Fernbank Forest Night Walk

 

On-Going Events

Pumpkin Patch at Jaemor Farms

The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta – Vol. 6

Stone Mountain Park Pumpkin Festival 

The Local Guide – Things To Check Out Around Atlanta – Vol. 6

 

I hope you have a great weekend!

 

Looking for a fun Halloween craft to do this weekend with your kids? Check out this quick and easy Halloween sensory jar! 

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