I did a round up of all of my favorite FALL inspired videos that I've done in my 4 years on YouTube and compiled them into one handy Playlist! Mommy style, home style, decorating days, and more! I've even included a few videos from my "Organize Mommy with Style" channel, where I shared wreath tutorials over the holidays last year.
Find all of the holiday fun HERE:
I'm very much looking forward to getting to decorate at our house this year, as soon as our items are delivered out of storage NEXT WEEK! (Finally!) It's been a long road, but it finally feels like we are getting our house back! I will be share what decor I decide to place out for the month of October!
The girls always enjoy when the extra holiday decorations go out around our house and I think this year they will especially enjoy it after the long year we've had!
First day wearing coats this year! Fall is here!
Here is our Fall Home Decor Tour from last year!!
And at our old house in Illinois from the year previous!
And tomorrow on Being Mommy with Style I'm sharing some of my favorite Fall fashion picks for moms from the current year! Plus, what I will be shopping for this year!
** All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.
We LOVE books at our house! If you've been following my YouTube channel for awhile now, you know that books have been a big part of our life (and playroom!) from very early on! I have an entire reading series dedicated to encouraging little readers that are showing interest in reading, and my Bella was one of those... who took a liking and interest in letters, words, and reading at an early age. She has typically been reading above her age level, and I would definitely consider it just one of "her things" that she loves to do. She's currently in 1st grade.
Natalie, my preschooler, enjoys books and is at an emergent reading stage as a preschooler. She's working at her preschool with letter writing and reinforcement of letters and their sounds, but as always we like to do fun projects around the house and always have plenty of books available for them to peruse on their own!
I chat about some of our favorite books right now in this vlog on YouTube:
I wanted to give a special mention in this post though, of the stand out books that we've been loving recently!
The Wellie Wishers book series by American Girl is a brand new book series targeted at ages 4-7, which is perfect for us since both girls are in that age range! We already had a few of the Wellie Wisher dolls at the time the books were released, so the girls felt familiar with the characters and loved hearing about their adventures! The interiors had brightly colored pictures placed between text on the pages.
Brightly colored pictures inside the Wellie Wisher book series.
The chapters were easy to read and for my avid reader, Bella - she was able to finish the books in one day. For Natalie, a preschooler in the emergent reading stage, the pictures and stories held her attention really well and we read a chapter together at a time. Both girls thought the stories were fun, and especially the book where Camille loses a tooth - because both girls had just recently lost a tooth themselves!
Another series that Bella picked up from her school room library was the Magic Treehouse series, and she's been very into reading those as well. (As long as the stories "aren't too scary" as she says, luckily they have a variety to chose from.) I believe this will be the next series that she starts working on.
Natalie loves her character books - Disney Princess and Paw Patrol are two of her favorites! She's also been gravitating towards the "If you Give a Mouse a..." series and loves the silly premises in those books as well!
What are your kids loving to read right now? Have they started any new book series this school year?
**This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Exploring our stateroom for the first time the day we arrived on the Disney Dream was an exciting time for our family of four that had never been on a cruise ship before this sailing! We didn't know quite what a stateroom would be like, but we quickly made ourselves at home in Stateroom 9530, located on the 9th Deck Mid-Ship. The location worked out great for our family and we would definitely stay on the 9th Deck again and also felt that the mid-ship location was great for our family. It was centrally located to everything we were going to numerous times (Oceaneer Club!!) and it seemed easy to find from all locations.
Our stateroom was an Oceanview Family Stateroom with Verandah and I really loved having the verandah to sit on while we were out at sea. It was a beautiful view and so relaxing to just hear the waves crashing against the ship! The bunk beds in our room also worked out perfectly for my girls, who loved the stars on the ceiling of the top bunk and novelty of having one bed over the other!
During our day at Castaway Cay, I took a Stateroom Tour video to share with my viewers on YouTube - and I'm so glad that I chose that day to take the video, as the view on the starboard side of the ship was just phenomenal! I loved capturing views of the island while we were docked and I would definitely stay on the starboard side of the ship again as well!
Check out our Stateroom Tour of Room 9530 on YouTube!
At night, we had towel animals greeting us in our stateroom!
The girls love the bunk beds!
Having champagne on the verandah!
Our door decorations:
View at Castaway Cay!
I've covered our trip in a series of wrap up videos, but all in all - it was a fantastic vacation and I look forward to taking another Disney cruise with my family! We loved all of the Disney touches and character inspirations on our voyage and it was a highlight of our year!
Check out our review of the Oceaneer Club, where the kid's LOVED spending most of their time!
And if you'd like to hear more about our trip... I have a number of review videos on my YouTube channel as well!
Disclosure: We sailed with Disney Cruise Lines as a part of a media event. All opinions are my own.
Back to school time is finally in full swing around our house! Michigan goes back to school a little later than other states, due to tourism and our weather staying cooler here later in the Spring months... staying in school until June and ending summer after Labor Day works out great with our climate here. This year, the girls were itching to get back to school and into the routine - and I admit as much as I enjoy doing activities around the house with them, I was looking forward to going back to the school routine as well.
This year, Bella is in 1st grade at a great school we absolutely love and I'm so glad that we moved to start her there before kindergarten. I feel like it's a great fit and perfect combination of compassion and academic goals. They want the kids to learn, but also remember that they are people as well and she's had teachers two years in a row that believe in having fun, which I think is great! I'm hoping the transition from kindergarten to 1st grade will go smoothly.
Natalie starts school the week following Bella, at the same preschool she attended last year in the Pre-K 3 program. This year she will be attending Pre-K 4 and at school 3 afternoons a week. I'm looking forward to her making new friends and enjoying her independence at preschool.
I feel blessed that both girls enjoy school and like the routine, because I do think that really helps as a parent when they are excited to attend. I always loved going to school and I had hoped that would continue with them, not only a love of learning - but also a love of the social atmosphere as well.
So as school gets in to full swing around here, I hope your year is also going great whether you've already started back, are waiting to start, or homeschool!
Check out the highs (and lows) of the first day of 1st grade in our daily vlog:
* This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
I wrote this post on Instagram and shared on my Facebook page as well, and the response was fantastic - so I wanted to share on my blog as well... in case this may give you some back to school inspiration. My thoughts on going back to school "The Night Before School"... for my 1st Grader & Preschooler this year.
The Night Before School
"'Twas the night before school starting, and all through the house... Little creatures were still stirring as if we were going to see the Mouse.
Backpacks were hung in the kitchen with care, in the hopes that homework would not soon be in there.
I was ready to get all snuggled in bed, when suddenly thoughts started racing through my head.
The lunches! The folders! Had I bought all the cheese? The new shoes! The clothing, had I gotten all they'd need?!?
Why what to my wondering mind would appear? ... but the realization I'd prepared the best that I could and from here.... Their cheeks like roses and minds ready to fill, they were off to conquer their new grades with great will!
With a gleam in my eye and a nod of my head, I soon knew I had nothing to dread. I'll speak not a word, but keep on with this great task - of molding and shaping these little people in a stage that won't last.
And so with resolve, to all the parents out there, I say Happy Night Before School starting - and have a wonderful school year!!!"
Pottery Barn Kids Backpacks Ready for School!
I hope you have a wonderful school year! I wrote this the night before school started for my girls quickly in an Instagram post, and it quickly resonated with parents after I had posted it. Please feel free to share this page if you loved it too!
** This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
One of the most asked about activities from our cruise vlogs on our YouTube Channel while aboard the Disney Dream, was the Oceaneer Club!! The kids kept talking about it, the adults loved the idea of it, we kept making plans to go there... but what exactly was this mystical (and very magical!) place we all kept talking about?!?
On the Disney Dream, the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are located on the 5th deck in the port hallway. They are a supervised kid's activity center that runs kid centric programming throughout the day, and hosts not only open house times open to the entire family - but also has blocks of time where it is "Kids Only!" (as my daughter so cheerfully pointed out), and is a secured center where parents are able to drop off children ages 3 through 12 for different activities.
Piloting the Millennium Falcon? Super cool!
Since this was our first cruise, I wasn't entirely sure how interested the kids would be in going to the club - but I suspected they would be spending at least a little time there. (Which was the understatement of the year.) I preregistered the girls before sailing with Disney's online system and picked out a password to be kept in their system.
Once on board the ship, we planned to attend the Open House the first night that was open to all families, so that we could go in with the girls and check out the space. Can I just say, WOW... I completely understand why kid's LOVE going there! They had different themed rooms, all visible from a central dance floor area. My younger daughter, Natalie, loved Tinkerbell's Pixie Hollow and Andy's Room, a life-size version of this classic set from Toy Story. Isabella who was 6 years old at the time, gravitated towards the Millennium Falcon area in the Oceaneer Club and also spent quite a bit of time in the Oceaneer Lab side, where there was a drawing studio, interactive game areas, and more!
The Personal Navigators that were left in our room each night had not only the ship's itinerary in it, but also a schedule of activities for the Oceaneer Club and Lab as well. Which was great because the girls could pick and chose what events they most wanted to go to and we could work it into our plans. The Personal Navigator also noted whether it was a secured programming time or if it was an Open House event where parents were invited to attend, and the gates were open during non-drop off times.
To keep the kids secure, Disney has a thorough system of checks and balances in place that we felt very comfortable with. As a parent, I'm always concerned about safety - but especially now that we do YouTube regularly and occasionally are recognized in our daily lives, I have to take into account that people may know how to address the girls and I have to keep their security a top priority. Disney Cruise Line had a number of steps to ensure that each child went with the right family, when checked out of the kid's centers.
All children wear an "Oceaneer Band", which looks similar to a MagicBand, and is clipped to remain on permanently during your time aboard the Disney Dream. (The bands are able to get wet, and are fine after a day at the beach or pool!) The band links to all of the child's personal information - what stateroom they are in, allergy or other personal concerns, and possibly most importantly, the unique password & photo that you set up when registering the children for the Club.
When you check in to the club, you give the attendant your "Key to the World" card to scan in to the computer system, and they verify your stateroom. Then the children scan "Mickey to Mickey"as my family tells the kids, just like scanning in for a Fast Pass at Walt Disney World. This registers the child in the system and they are free to go wash their hands, and PLAY!
Even the bathrooms have some Disney magic!
Upon time to pick up, you go through a similar set of checks to make sure you are picking up the right children - with a few additional layers of security built in. You give them your Key to the World card, they verify your stateroom and the photo they took at registration. Then you also must give them a matching verbal password, which you set up at registration as well. After going through those measures, the children may again scan "Mickey to Mickey" again to open up the electronic lock gates, and they are then checked out of the club.
We felt very secure with the pick up and drop off systems, and the kids LOVED going to the Oceaneer Club and Lab to play! It was such a neat added bonus to our trip, and it even surprised me how much Isabella stayed in the club! (As one commenter on YouTube said, "She totally ditched you guys!" LOL!! Why yes, yes she did!!) I believe one night she was in the Oceaneer Club for almost 8 hours!!
Backpack Bella won during a Captain Hook Scavenger Hunt at the Oceaneer Club!
The great thing is, they offer food at meal times so if you have a special adults only dinner planned, there is an option for your kids to be able to eat - OR, if you child is like mine and never wants to leave... At least you know she can have a meal while she's there too!
All in all, we came away from the cruise with a great impression of the Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab, and the GREAT staff there! I can't make a blog post about the clubs without mentioning the great Youth Team! The girls had a great time interacting with the Youth Team, and they seemed to be very in tune with making the kids feel comfortable aboard the ship, so that they had a great time! More than once, Natalie would be walking down a hallway in the ship, and we would hear, "Hi Natalie!!" and it would be one of the Youth Team members that she had met during her time at the Oceaneer Club!
The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab were truly an added bonus to the trip that the kid's loved and the adults appreciated as well! While the kid's were playing in the supervised play areas, we were able to enjoy dinner at Palo restaurant, visit Senses Spa, and go snorkeling! All events we wouldn't have otherwise been able to go to with the kids! Our entire family loved the cruise atmosphere, and I know the girls can't wait to be able to go to the Oceaneer Club on a future cruise!
Watch my full review on YouTube!
Disclosure: We sailed with Disney Cruise Lines as a part of a media event. All opinions are my own.
I will admit, I was a little bit nervous about taking our first cruise on the Disney Dream. I was nervous about being out of the country for the first time ever, and as a veteran Walt Disney World goer, I was nervous about an all new experience where I didn't know my way around!! I knew Disney would do things right, whether by land at Walt Disney World or by sea with Disney Cruise Line... but WHAT exactly was I in for?!? My girls were ages 4 & 6 at the time of this trip, and none of us had ever cruised before, nor experienced a vacation quite like this!
From the time that we arrived in Orlando and stepped onto the Disney Cruise Line bus transfer, and started to make our journey towards Port Canaveral, my mind started to ease. This was happening! And it was going smoothly! Once we were in the hands of Disney (and thankfully had no airline delays getting there!) I immediately felt like everything was taken care of and caught on to the process of what we need to do for our first ever embarkation on to the Disney Dream!
The girls were in awe of everything being all new, their eyes lit up with surprise as our bus rounded the corner and they saw the ship for the first time. Once inside, they were anxious to get on board and see what it looked like! As we stepped through the Mickey icon and up the ramp to get into the ship, I could feel their excitement building! When you arrive on board, they announce your family to welcome you and crew members clap as you walk into the ship - the girls didn't know quite what to make of it.
Check out the Embarkation Process in this video!
As we stepped into the main atrium area, one of the most magical moments of the trip happened, as they took in the ship for the first time and stood literally turning circles around themselves looking up! It was wondrous! We quickly were able to make ourselves at home and they both wanted to check out the Oceaneer Club quite immediately! (The Oceaneer Club would become one of their favorite parts about the cruise!) We headed to the club to check it out, and we were off on our adventure!!
This was the start to our magical vacation, and now that we are back home and reflecting on our time aboard the Disney Dream - I can say it absolutely went better than I had ever imagined and was a great experience we hope to do again in the future! I have been asked, "What age is a good age to take our kids on their first Disney cruise?", and honestly I can say after seeing and experiencing the ship... When you are ready to take one. It's a very "doable" vacation at all ages, but especially from preschool age on up. They truly have something on board for all ages, whether it be babies or toddlers that can go to It's a Small World Nursery, or ages 3-12, that are able to go to the Oceaneer Club & Lab... and older kids have Edge and Vibe clubs as well. Disney has thought of ways to make the cruise family friendly.
That being said, I think preschool age is a GREAT time to go! Here are a few reasons why!
1. Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab
Age 3 and up (as long as they are potty trained) can use the drop in Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, as much as they and you want! The children are able to come and go based on your schedule, in this secure and supervised children's activity area. This is a great way for them to participate in kid specific activities while you get some adult time in, catch a show, or just get a quick bite to eat! The kids love the independence, and it gives you a chance to unwind as well! We loved the Youth Team aboard the Disney Dream and all of the actives available in the Oceaneer Club!
Check out my full review of the Oceaneer Club and the process for checking in & out!!
2. Starting a Family Tradition of Cruising!
As we talked to the crew aboard the Disney Dream, one theme stuck out to me that kept coming up in conversation... that some kids that started cruising as young children, and started out going to the Oceaneer Club literally grow with the clubs and look forward to advancing to the new activities and new clubs as they get older and meet the new age brackets. What a neat family tradition to plan a Disney Cruise every year, every other year, or as your schedule allowed... so that your kids could look back on their previous trips and compare how much they had grown, and what they were able to do now that they were "a little bit older"!
3. Where else can you play and interact directly with Disney Characters?!?
One of the coolest surprises aboard the Disney Dream for us, were all of the unique opportunities to interact with characters! At certain times during the day, there were activities in the Oceaneer Club that were open to families, Mickey's Puzzle Playtime for instance was perfectly geared for the preschool aged children, where the kids put together large puzzles on the computer screen and once they "solved" the mystery of the puzzle... the character that it was referencing popped out! And THEN they didn't just wave and go home... they stuck around for a game or song with the kids and they all got to play!! HOW COOL!!
I thought this was a great element and really made the Disney Cruise experience different from anything else we had done on previous Disney vacations. We loved our characters! (Check out the Natalie's Best Character Moments video - if you haven't seen it!!) So this was a huge plus for us!
4. Bunk beds in the Family Staterooms were a neat experience for preschoolers!
So my girls were 4 & 6 on this trip, and they had never slept in bunk beds prior to our cruise. I actually had forgotten to tell them about the bunk beds before we arrived, so when we first got into the stateroom and they saw the couch - they thought that was where they were sleeping!! ;) So it was a magical surprise that first evening when they walked in to the room and that side had transformed into a sleeping area... complete with star formations on the ceiling! They loved having their own individual bunks and the lights in them.
My 4 year old (who is tiny, about the size of an average 3 year old at 38" tall and 32 lbs) slept on the bottom bunk - and my 6 year old slept on the top bunk. They were both able to maneuver the ladder no problem though! This was a neat surprise for them and I think another one of their favorite parts.
5. Making magical family memories that last a lifetime, at the pace that you want!
I loved that this vacation was so relaxed, that it felt so planned out for me, our Key to the World cards told us where to eat dinner, we could visit quick service anytime the girls got hungry, and our Personal Navigator put in our rooms each night helped us to pick and chose what events we felt like doing on each particular day... Above all though, I very much loved that we made magical family memories together, that will last a lifetime, and a relaxed pace! We loved just hanging out by the pool and letting the girls use the splash pad and water slide, or taking a moment to walk down the beach. Castaway Cay was an amazing experience for all of us. All of the R&R time was really great for our family, and the Disney magic immersed in the experience was just right!
All in all, this is very much an experience that I would recommend trying as a family, if it is something you've been curious about. We loved all of the Disney magic aboard the Disney Dream that we've come to expect from a Disney vacation, and just packaged a little bit different from what we had been used to from prior Walt Disney World vacations. After having done it once, it of course isn't as daunting to try it again! I would say go prepared - check out my Cruising with Preschoolers video if you haven't already, for my tips and what I would recommend bringing along just in case - but also be prepared to have a MAGICAL time!
I hope that you've been able to gleam some valuable information here and that my videos help to make a Disney cruise seem less daunting with preschoolers! As always, let me know if you have any questions! And if you've been on a Disney cruise before, let me know what YOUR favorite part about the cruise was in the comments!
** We cruised with Disney as a part of a media event. We received complimentary airfare, cruise stateroom and activities as a part of the event. All opinions are my own.
