Deals for Moms Blog

Ninja Warrior Basement

Our kids are big fans of the popular show, America Ninja Warrior. They like to test out their skills at the local park but since we live in the Chicago suburbs, there are multiple months that aren’t quite the best for playing outside on cold metal playgrounds. Our boys never seem to run out of energy so we decided to build a space in our basement that would hopefully tire them out a little bit (and keep them from constantly jumping on the couch)!

Our contractor knew our plans for having a ninja warrior area throughout our basement build and they were great to brainstorm ideas with and help us bring the vision to life. One of their suggestions that we followed was to use 2x4s underneath the plywood boards. This would allow for the plywood to be taken down easily to move rock wall holds and also keep the drywall underneath in good shape for if we ever wanted to turn the space into something else. During another brainstorming session, we came up with the idea to run 2x4s the length of the ceiling for the hanging rings and bars. A bonus feature that we didn’t plan on but that worked out really well for us was that the framers covered our steel support beam in plywood before placing the drywall on top of it. What this did was give us a lot more freedom in where we could hang our pegboard, rock wall training board, and ultimate cliffhanger piece.

I included the links to the items we used below, since that tends to be the most frequently asked question. Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to answer them the best I can.

Warning: Don’t show your kids the images below unless you’re okay with them asking you to build a ninja warrior course nonstop until you do. lol

Materials we used:

Deals for Moms is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. If you make a purchase using one of the links, DFM will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!


Mats
They are firm but provide some cushion for when the kids drop or fall. These can be purchased in different sizes. We measured our area and then purchased what would work best for the space.
https://amzn.to/2XDHDoM
Eye Hooks
All the pieces were attached to the ceiling using these eye hooks. We had to make sure they were safe for the biggest kids (AKA my husband).
https://amzn.to/39xCOTu
Rock Wall Holds
We got these a few years ago as a Christmas present. We thought we might mount them in a bedroom and use them as a bunk bed ladder but instead decided to put them in the basement. I like the natural color. We have two sets.
https://amzn.to/2XyG0Zw


There was a deal a while back for a doorway mounted pull up bar that had various attachments like a swing, rope, and trapeze bar. Before the ninja warrior area was completed, we had it in a doorway and our kids used it constantly.  Now that we have the ninja warrior area, we switch out the attachments in the new space. It’s a nice way to give the kids some variety. 
https://amzn.to/3qmn90h
Pod Swing & Cargo Net
Our kids like to swing and read in this comfy seat.
Pod Swing https://amzn.to/3ye8WHg
Cargo Net https://amzn.to/3flxYM5
Note: Please be careful if you get a cargo net. Since it’s not attached to the ground,
it can be very dangerous. We only have ours up when an adult is downstairs supervising.

Monkey Bars
These aren’t cheap but they were exactly what we were looking for. The kids spend a lot of time on them so we think they’re worth it.
https://shopstyle.it/l/buwuc
Ninja Rings and Trapeze Wheels
This is a fun multi-pack of hanging items to add variety to hanging ceiling pieces. 
https://amzn.to/38CaUGJ

Ultimate Cliffhanger 
This is actually a leftover piece of decking that meets the specifications of the authentic ninja warrior ones.
You could probably find a similar piece at your local hardware store.

Rock Wall Training Board
This is a great training piece for grip strength.
https://amzn.to/39tlSxx
Pegboard
This is another training piece that both kids and adults can use. It can be mounted horizontally or vertically. We bought two so we hung one each way. This set comes with everything you need to hang it. 
https://amzn.to/39xS7fb
Another view of the pegboard.
https://amzn.to/39xS7fb

Black Friday Sales

Here’s the lineup of Black Friday sales, most of which have already started! It would mean so much to me if you used my links to shop. I receive a small commission when you buy something using my links (and not your app). It’s what keeps this blog going and what allows me to do more giveaways. If you use one of my links, can you let me know in the comments? Also, if you’d like a link that isn’t listed, feel free to reach out and I get it to you. I’m truly so grateful for each of you! Happy Thanksgiving!

Commissioned Links:

⭐Abercrombie //50% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba1nP

⭐Adidas //up to 50% off// https://brandcycle.shop/1f1bl

⭐Amazon //always changing// https://amzn.to/35D5o2n

⭐American Eagle //40% off + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba0X1

⭐Backcountry //up to 60% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba0X5

⭐Banana //50% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba0Xr

⭐Bass Pro Shops //up to 60% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba04T

⭐Bed Bath & Beyond //lots of deals// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba09l

⭐Carter’s //60% off + free ship// https://brandcycle.shop/a4dwy

⭐Children’s Place //50-80% + free ship// https://brandcycle.shop/w0ect

⭐Clarks //40% off + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba1ke

⭐Crate & Barrel //20-30% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba00k

⭐Crocs //40% off// https://brandcycle.shop/i5svr

⭐Dick’s Sporting Goods //up to 50% off// https://brandcycle.shop/sp7b0

⭐DSW //25% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba00F

⭐Etsy //up to 60% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba06Q

⭐Express //50% off + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba00m

⭐ Gamestop //$25 gift coupon// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba1oI

⭐GAP //60% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba00t

⭐H&M //30% off everything// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba04r

⭐HSN //deals + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba04v

⭐Jane //unique deals// http://shrsl.com/1zc1c

⭐J.Crew //50-60% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba00K

⭐J. Crew Factory //60% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba00K

⭐JCPenney //lots of deals// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba00S

⭐Kirkland’s //up to 75% off// https://brandcycle.shop/lxvl2

⭐Kohl’s //doorbusters + Kohl’s Cash// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba01I

⭐Loft //50% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba02E

⭐Macy’s //doorbusters// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba037

⭐Native //$10 off $30 with code BLACK// http://shrsl.com/1zc2s

⭐Nordstrom //markdowns + rewards// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba01P

⭐Nordstrom Rack //markdowns + rewards// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba01V

⭐Old Navy //50% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba1j7

⭐Overstock //up to 70% off + free ship// https://brandcycle.shop/k9gen

⭐Pottery Barn //up to 50% off + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba015

⭐QVC //deals + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba04x

⭐REI //closed on Black Friday// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba1aj

⭐Sam’s Club //live now// https://brandcycle.shop/qiljq

⭐Shoesdotcom //up to 60% off + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba06L

⭐Spanx //20% off + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba02a

⭐Target //lots of deals// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba03o

⭐TJMaxx //always good deals// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba05q

⭐Ugg Closet //sale Uggs// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba1aT

⭐Ulta //up to 40% off// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba04N

⭐Under Armour //extra 30% off + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba1at

⭐Walmart //lots of deals// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba03E

⭐West Elm //buy more, save more + free ship// https://shopstyle.it/l/ba08W

Commissioned Links

We’re Moving!

For the last 3 and a half years, our family of 5 have lived in what we call our tiny house. We’ve honestly loved it but we’ve decided it’s time for a change so we’re building a house!

Before I go into more details about the house, I want to explain how we got to this point so here’s a little backstory.

Our first Christmas in our condo in the city.

Chris and I lived in Chicago in a one bedroom condo when we first got married. Then came baby #1. We stayed for a little while, but eventually moved to the suburbs to have more space and to be closer to family (aka babysitters). We had a decently spacious house (4 bed, 3 bath). Shortly after having our third son, Chris felt like we should move so we could save more money. Two weeks after that conversation, we had a full price offer and bought a 4-unit house. It looks like a raised ranch from the outside but actually has 4 units in it. We’ve been living in one of the units (2 bed, 1 bath) ever since. Most people thought (and probably still think) we were totally crazy but we were happy and content with our decision. We were able to make money on our house that we sold and having tenants has basically allowed us to live mortgage free since their rent pays for most of our expenses. It was a smart move for us financially and I think our family has gotten closer because of it.

Our old house.

So why move?

Good question. We’ve had many conversations about what the future will look like for us, Lord-willing. Chris and I (and the kids) have all agreed we could live in our tiny house forever and be perfectly content. The extra money we would save would also us to spend that money on traveling which is one of our favorite things to do together. And who wouldn’t want to get out of Chicago during the cold winter months?!

Our “tiny house”. We live in 1/4 of it and we have tenants in the other three quarters.

I’ll ask again. Why move?

I’ll actually get around to answering the question this time….We’ve decided to move into a bigger space for two reasons:

Reason #1: We love to host. Having a tiny house has made that challenging and we miss it. We’re excited to have friends and family over again and do more playdates. Thinking further ahead, one day I want to have space for our kids and grandkids to stay with us.

One of our parties in our old house.

Reason 2: It’s been on our hearts for the last 5ish years to be foster parents. We had started the process but then we moved and child services wouldn’t approve us to get a license because we didn’t have enough space. Moving into a bigger space means we can get licensed and will get to care for a child so deserving unconditional love. We really can’t wait!

Where are you moving?

We’re actually only moving about 5 minutes away from our tiny house. Our kids will be able to go to the same school. We’re also keeping our tiny house as a rental property. Chris is a nurse and I’m a teacher, so the extra income will be nice.

2016 Moving day!

House details

We’re building what we call our “modest farmhouse”. It’s the style of a farmhouse but set in the Chicago suburbs on a small lot. LOL. The building process has already been quite the learning curve but so far we’re enjoying it. I plan to update you on here and on Instagram so feel free to follow along.
https://www.instagram.com/dealsformomsblog/

Lot is ready!

Prime Day Tips 2019

DEALS FOR MOMS IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM. IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE USING ONE OF THE LINKS (AND NOT YOUR APP), DEALS FOR MOMS WILL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

1. Mark Your Calendars

The official 2019 Prime Day dates have been released and they will be here before you know it! This year the madness is longer than ever and they say there will be more than one million deals! It begins on Monday, July 15th at 12:00 a.m. PT and ends on Tuesday, July 16th at 11:59 p.m. PT. I expect the deals to be better than ever. Last year Amazon was having some major crash issues but I’ve been told they’ve got it figured out so it won’t happen again.

Save the date!

2. Join Prime

If you’re not already a Prime member, you can just sign up for a FREE 30 day trial here → https://amzn.to/2RUY8Ju

Signing up gets you access to all the Prime Day deals and then if you want, you can cancel before the 30 days are up to avoid being charged anything but honestly, I don’t know why you’d want to cancel. I certainly get my money’s worth out of my Prime membership.

Did you know you can share your Prime membership through Prime Household? A household allows you to share your Amazon Prime benefits with the whole family. Up to two adults and four teens and four child profiles can be linked. You can do that here → .https://amzn.to/32ctJef

3. Make a List

A Deals for Moms follower got all this for around $18 during Prime Day 2018!

Plan ahead for items and gifts you need over the next year. Think birthdays, holidays, back to school, donation items, toiletries, etc.  With the prices so low, now is the time to stock up. I know quite a few people who get most of their Christmas shopping done just from Prime Day. 

4. Act Quickly

The deals go CRAZY fast so you’ll want to be checking my Facebook group regularly for the best of the best deals. Click on this link to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dealsformoms/?ref=group_header  I also recommend signing up for notifications so you’re more likely to see posts. 

Join my Facebook group to get notified about all the best deals.

If there’s a lightning deal that you’re considering buying, add it to your cart right away. You’ll have 15 minutes to check out. After 15 minutes, the item will no longer be in your cart. If you miss a lightning deal, join the waitlist. Items will often become available and then you have 15 minutes to check out.

For non-lightning deals, you’ll need to check out ASAP. The item isn’t yours until you actually click “place your order”. Amazon removes items from your cart when they’re sold out so I recommend checking out as soon as you have an item that you want to buy. This includes “Deal of the Day” items. When they sell out, that’s it.

5. Take Advantage of Early Deals

There are quite a few early deals that are worth checking out now. Amazon typically adds to them daily. You can find them here→ https://amzn.to/2Xv5e8C

Amazon also has new products just for Prime members. You can check them out here → https://amzn.to/2LJ45bz

DEALS FOR MOMS IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM. IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE USING ONE OF THE LINKS (AND NOT YOUR APP), DEALS FOR MOMS WILL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

How We Ended Up in a Tiny House

As I shared earlier, my husband and I live in a tiny house. Quite a few of you seemed interested in how we do that with three kids so I plan to write more posts with some tips but I thought I’d start with explaining how we got here in the first place. 

My husband likes to call this his ⅓ life crisis. I’d say it wasn’t so much a crisis but more of a reset and refresh. We bought our “forever” house in the fall of 2011. My husband loved the space it had. Coming from a condo in Chicago, it felt humongous! The house had 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and a large basement where our kids could play baseball and ride bikes in the winter. And even though the house wasn’t exactly my style, we worked together to make it into a home that felt like us. Chris was always willing to take on my newest Pinterest idea because he wanted to make me love the house as much as he did. 

  • Before
  • After
  • Before
  • After
  • Much more functional than a closet
  • Playroom
  • Easy closet upgrade

Everything changed on a dime one evening while we were out to dinner. I won’t forget the night. It was the Saturday before Easter, 2016. Chris and I had a date night because his aunt was in town and willing to watch the boys. If you’re a parent you know you never turn down a free babysitter.

We started talking about the future a bit. Chris mentioned his concerns about wanting to be able to save more money and that he had been looking into buying a 4-unit building, a couple towns over. At first I assumed he wanted to buy the building as an income property but his plan was different. He wanted us to sell our house and live in one of the units while we rented out the other three units. My initial reaction was “no way, not going to happen” but he explained that our tenants could basically pay our mortgage so it didn’t take long for him to convince me to go see it. 

After viewing the house twice, we decided to put in an offer and it was accepted. Now we were on the clock to sell our current house. While we had done a lot of work previously, we still had projects that were on the 2-year plan that now had to be done in the next 10 days so we could get it on the market!

  • Before
  • After

My husband and I worked hard freshening things up – We updated bathrooms, did some painting, and got rid of a lot of stuff.  We got our house listed on a Tuesday and had a full-price offer by Friday. This was really happening! 

  • Before
  • After

We’ve been in our new home for three years.  We call it our “tiny house” but it’s not your typical tiny house. It’s a 4-unit building that looks like a raised ranch from the street. We live in one of the units and rent out the other three. Our portion of the tiny house is a 2 bed,1 bath unit. It’s small, that’s for sure but we actually like living here. 

Here’s our tiny house. People have a hard time believing that it has 4 units.

Before we moved in, I assumed I’d feel almost depressed leaving our “big” house and moving into such a modest space but I actually had completely different feelings.

Moving day!

From the very first night in our new house, I felt completely at peace and content. I think it’s partly because when every room is filled (with people and things), your home feels instantly homey. 

Our three boys love sharing a room.

People are always shocked when I tell them that moving into our tiny house has in no way taken away any joy in my life but it’s true. How could that be? It’s because stuff doesn’t bring joy, at least not lasting joy. It’s just things. Really, who cares if you have a 6 bedroom mansion or a one bedroom apartment? Life’s about so much more than the stuff we own. 

God is good.

Family Trip to Branson, MO

With the crazy winter and spring we had this year in Chicago, we decided to book a vacation for early June to a location a bit further south where the temps would likely be warmer so we decided on Branson. It met our two requirements: drivable and affordable.

To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled about going to Branson. I knew it would be a good time because all family vacations are fun, but the destination itself wasn’t what was making me excited. Now that we’re back, I have completely different feelings about good ‘ole Branson. I love it! There’s so much to do for families. Yes, lots of it is super touristy, almost like a kid version of Las Vegas but there are also some hidden gems.

I love vacations but I really don’t like to spend a lot of money on them. So if you want to hear about how you can go to Branson on a budget, keep reading…

First of all, we stayed at the Wyndham. We had an almost free 7 night stay because we went to a timeshare presentation. I’ll share more about the details of that in another blog post. When possible, we try to find a hotel with a kitchen. That way we can just get groceries instead of eating out a lot. On this trip, we actually only ate out once for lunch and once for dinner. It saved us time, money, and energy to do things that our kids would enjoy more.

Our room at the Wyndham. It had a balcony, full kitchen, master bedroom, and washer and dryer.

Day 1: Eight hour drive, Arch, swimming, and groceries

The drive from Chicago is about 8 hours. After 4 hours, you make it to St. Louis. It’s literally right on the way down. Doesn’t require any kind of detour. We saw the Arch. Pretty impressive and much harder than it looks to take a five person selfie with it. We had planned to check out the zoo (free) but it was raining so we skipped it.

We arrived in Branson around 4pm. We checked into our hotel and then Chris took the kids swimming while I drove to Walmart to get groceries for the week. When I got back, we ate dinner in the room and went to bed.

Day 2: Church, pool time, and downtown Branson

As a kid, my parents always took us to church while we were on vacation. 95% of the time, our vacations were camping, so how they got us all out the campsite looking somewhat acceptable for church is beyond me. Chris and I haven’t ever gone to church on vacation but I found one that looked good so we decided to check it out. https://woodhills.org/ The church was unlike anything we’ve ever been to before. It’s made up of a bunch of different buildings. Since it’s pretty spread out, they have golf carts that will drive you door to door. The children’s area is beyond impressive. The kids loved it and didn’t want to leave. Chris and I enjoyed the worship service. The music was good and the preaching was applicable and Biblical.

  • Little kids get a token to spend!
  • Such a cute space! And there’s a McDonald’s-like climbing area.
  • Love the camping theme!
  • Golf carts can drive you to the service.
  • This is where my older two boys had their class. They got “bucks” to spend on a prize afterwards.
  • Beautiful farmhouse building for youth group.
  • My kids said Woodland Hills was like a Disney World church. #castle

Check out the church’s beautiful mural! They change the wording from time to time. I was almost giddy when I saw it and needed to take a family picture ASAP.

My dress. Wearing XS. https://amzn.to/2L2V3FW [ad]

Typically after we have a travel day, we try to chill so we spent most of the day at our hotel’s pool. It gives everyone a chance to recover from the drive.

After swimming and dinner at the room, we went to the downtown area of Branson which includes Historic Branson and the Branson Landing. If you only go to one souvenir shop, be sure to go to Dicks 5 & 10. https://www.dicks5and10.com/ You’ll be impressed with the sheer volume of stuff they have and there’s an old train that runs over your head. Other stores seemed to close early, but Dicks 5 & 10 is open until 10. When we were there, they had coupons for a nearby ice cream shop called Mr. B’s Ice Cream Parlor. http://brandcycle.shop/jrtr The coupons were good for buy one scoop, get a second scoop free….Way more ice cream than we needed but it’s vacation so who cares!

The Branson Landing is a beautiful area on the river with restaurants and stores. There’s also a water fountain show on the hour from noon until 10pm every day except for Sunday, when it ends at 9pm. http://www.bransonlanding.com/Fountains.html

Day 3: Swimming & Silver Dollar City

Our kids could literally swim all day so that’s what we did most of our third day in Branson. Our hotel also had a basketball court, playground, and shuffleboard so we did that too. Then we headed to Branson’s Silver Dollar City. Silver Dollar City is an amusement park that’s set in the 1880s. When you go after 3, you can get in the next day for free so that’s what we did. Teachers are also free the month of June and teacher’s family members get in 50% off so we were able to combine the promotions. You can check out the current offers here –> https://bit.ly/2DfCLgT Silver Dollar City allows you to bring food and drinks so we brought sandwiches and snacks into the park with us.

  • I watch a lot more than I used to. #motionsickness
  • Dumbo I mean Elephant March
  • Short lines!
  • Firehouse Play Place
  • Kids could have played there all day.
  • Shuttle ride to our car

Don’t let my pictures fool you, there are some big rides at Silver Dollar City. They’re not all for little kids. They also have a couple water rides. None of the lines were longer than 15 minutes on the day we were there. There are quite a few shows that go on throughout the day. We went to a magic show put on by a brother/sister duo. My kids thought it was the coolest thing ever. Just a quick heads up – The terrain at Silver Dollar City is very hilly, just like all of Branson so it could be challenging for some people to get around.

Day 4: Silver Dollar City

We went back the next day for a second day of Silver Dollar City. To get in free the following day, you just have to save your tickets and show them where they get scanned. We packed snacks again and sandwiches to avoid buying a bunch of food there.

  • Required photo to prove we went
  • Treehouse!
  • Water rides are always a favorite.
  • He was trilled to go on rides without an adult.
  • Too tired to hold his head up.
  • Cooling off
  • Steam engine ride and show
  • Landon’s favorite ride
  • This ride was fast for a 4 year old!

If you go to Silver Dollar City, you’ve GOT TO GO into Marvel Cave. The one hour tour is included with your ticket and was my favorite part of the whole park. You need to get in line about 30 minutes before the tour starts since they only let about 60 people in at a time. The cave is HUGE and stunning! It’s actually the whole reason Silver Dollar City is there. There’s tons more history with the cave, but I’ll save that for your tour guide. If you go, think about what shoes you wear. It’s pretty damp and you go down a bunch of stairs.

  • Tram ride back up

Each night (except for Monday) there’s an outdoor concert. We were pretty impressed. Lots of music variety but my favorite part was when Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA” was played and everyone stood to their feet. We also finally cracked and bought food in the park: two pretzels with cheese and two elephant ears. #YOLO

Day 5: Pool, Diner, & Samson

We laid low the day after Silver Dollar City. In the morning and early afternoon, we swam at the pool. We had a late lunch at Mel’s Hard Luck Diner. brandcycle.shop/rics The waiters sing while they serve food. It was fun and different. They also have some pretty delicious milkshakes. Next, we went to see the musical, Samson, at the Sight & Sounds Theatres. https://bit.ly/2IubDgc Let me tell you, don’t go to Branson without going to this theater. It doesn’t matter what’s playing, it will be amazing. The way they use the sides and aisles of the theater is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Our kids were engaged the entire time. How could they not be? There were animals running down aisles and impressive special effects. I recommend sitting on an aisle on the first floor or sit in the balcony so you can really take everything in. If you sit in the first handful of rows on the main floor, you’ll likely miss out on quite a bit of the action going on around you. Noah is going to be playing next year. I’m not kidding when I say we might have to make a trip down to Branson just to see it. We were actually given tickets by someone we met at the church in Branson. Such a blessing because we weren’t sure if we wanted to spend the money on the tickets. They are a bit pricey but after going to see Samson, I know paying full price would have been well worth it. You won’t regret it.

Day 6: Float trip & downtown Branson

When I was planning our trip, I wanted to make sure we found some outdoorsy stuff to do so I was thrilled when I found the Buffalo National River and that it’s a good river for floating. It’s about an hour and a half south of Branson in Arkansas and gorgeous! We rented floats from Dirst Canoe Rental. https://bit.ly/2WXIyCI We were brought to the starting point, floated for about an hour, and then ended where our car was. It was very inexpensive. I want to say like $35 for the 5 of us. That included the floats and the transportation. If you’re more into kayaks or canoes, they have those available to rent as well. You might want to bring water shoes since it’s quite rocky. Before and after our float trip, we spent a lot of time swimming and hanging out on the shores of the Buffalo River. There were swarms of butterflies around. Random fact: a group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope.

After hanging out for a while, we drove the 1.5 hours back to Branson and all three boys fell asleep. #success We ate dinner at our hotel and then left to do some souvenir shopping and grab ice cream from Mr. B’s (again). We also watched the fountain show at the Landing for the second time.

Day 7: Fish Hatchery, Top of the Rock, & Danna’s BBQ

Our last full day in Branson was another super fun day! We wore our bathing suits all day so we could easily go from one activity to the next. We started out at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. brandcycle.shop/1x4a It’s a big trout farm. There are thousands and thousands of fish. It’s totally free to visit but I recommend bringing some quarters so you can buy food to feed the trout. You’ll also want to bring a cup to put the food in so you don’t have to try and hold it all in your hands. There’s a nature center with fish, turtles, and some other animals. At certain times they have tours you can go on so you can learn more about the process. It was pretty fascinating.

From there, we drove like two minutes and went to Moonshine Beach at Table Rock Lake. brandcycle.shop/ilel It’s not the most beautiful beach but it’s a beach so we went anyways. It’s $5/car to get in for the day. You might want to bring water shoes because it’s quite rocky. Our kids enjoyed swimming, playing some volleyball, and running around at the park.

If there’s one place you go in Branson, go to Top of the Rock! It’s STUNNING. It costs $10 to get on to the property but the place is huge. To me, it would be worth the $10 even if you just walked around and did some exploring or sat on one of their rocking chairs and enjoyed the scenery. We paid extra ($30 per adult, $15 for 4-11 year olds) to take a self-guided 2.5 mile golf cart ride through the Lost Canyon Nature Trail. One of the more costly things we did but such a memorable experience. We saw waterfalls, gorgeous rock formations, and covered Amish bridges. Since it’s self guided, you can go as quickly or as slowly as you want. The drive through cave even has a bar! The cannonball was quite refreshing! brandcycle.shop/ilel

After the golf cart ride, we took a shuttle to the top of the hill where the chapel, restaurant, golf course, and museum is. We just walked around and enjoyed the sights but if were just my husband and me, I definitely would have wanted to eat up there. It would also be a beautiful wedding location.

When we were on the shuttle ride back down, an employee told us about the lazy river pool and Fun Mountain. Fun Mountain has go-carts, a ropes course, bowling, laser tag, a golf stimulator, an arcade, etc. Everything costs $$, so we decided to skip that part but we did check out the pool with the lazy river. I felt like we technically shouldn’t have been there since it’s really just for resort guests but since the employee told us about it, we went anyways. No wristband or anything is required.

  • Fun Mountain

After all that, we were starving! Some locals recommended Danna’s for BBQ so we went there. It’s nice and casual. You order at the counter and then they bring the food out to your table. Everything we got was delicious and it was reasonably priced. brandcycle.shop/1fl8

Day 8: Pack up, pool, and drive home

Not much to add here. We weren’t ready to go home, so we packed up, checked out, and then hung out by the pool for the afternoon until we decided we better drive the 8 hours home.

Gas station treats they bought with their own money.
We don’t travel without our Boogie Boards! https://amzn.to/2FlPluT (ad)

We had such a fun time in Branson! And it didn’t cost a lot. There’s so much to do; we could have easily stayed another week and still not done everything. Feel free to ask me any questions you have about our trip. I’m always happy to help!

[This post does contain some affiliate links. If you make a purchase using a link, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.]

Facebook Group: Deals for Moms

I’ve always been a bargain hunter and a saver. Babysitting my butt off and being careful to buy deals allowed me to buy my first car (1992 Honda Accord) when I was 16 and put a down payment on our first home (condo in Chicago) when I was 22. Now at the age of 32, I still love to hunt for a good deal and tell people about them so I started Deals for Moms. It’s a group on Facebook where I share some pretty impressive deals for the whole family. Think Pampers, Roomba, Sperry, Melissa & Doug, Tide Pods, Under Armour. People have been raving about the Facebook group. Join today!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dealsformoms/

Try On Session: Old Navy

This post contains affiliate links. 

When I dropped my son off at preschool today, some of the moms asked me to post my outfit. I told them all I did was put a knot in my (old) Old Navy dress to give it some shape. Super easy. Try it with one of your old dresses. It suddenly gives it a more current look.


Similar dress to mine http://shopstyle.it/l/UtT4

After drop off, I treated myself to a mani/pedi (family pictures are on Sunday) and then went to Old Navy to try and find something to wear to those family pictures. Lots of items are 50% off in store today.

  
I found this plaid dress that literally feels like a flannel pajama night shirt. Here I’m showing how it looks worn tied and untied. This runs big. I’m wearing a small. I’d recommend sizing down, especially if you’re inbetween sizes. Plaid dress http://shopstyle.it/l/UtUg

Speaking of flannel pajamas, these pants are a must! I had to buy them and couldn’t wait to get home to put them on. So now I’m sitting on the couch. Just finished folding laundry in my new buffalo plaid flannel pajamas pants. What does your crazy Friday night look like?
Pants http://shopstyle.it/l/UtS0
Chamray Shirt http://shopstyle.it/l/UtR7

Here are a couple of cozy sweaters.

Slouchy turtleneck http://shopstyle.it/l/UtW7                                                                                                            Crewneck sweater. Size up for length. I’m wearing a medium. http://shopstyle.it/l/UtXw

This vest is nice and thin. Great if you like the look of a vest but don’t want the added bulk.

Vest http://shopstyle.it/l/UtWS

This long cardigan sweater is so warm and cozy! Definitely had to buy this.

Cardigan http://shopstyle.it/l/UtVn 

Chambray shirt http://shopstyle.it/l/UtVB

This look is very versatile. Appropriate for work or just a regular day of doing normal life stuff.

Chambray shirt http://shopstyle.it/l/UtVB

Suede skirt http://shopstyle.it/l/UtXH

 

Stay warm and cozy friends! Hope you have a great weekend!

 

 

FAQ about Amazon’s Subscribe & Save Program

LITTLE BLUE JEANS IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM. IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE USING ONE OF THE LINKS, LITTLE BLUE JEANS MAY RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION. 

Q: What is Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program?

A: Subscribe and Save is pretty much what the name implies – you subscribe to an eligible item, set up auto-delivery, and hopefully save money. You get an extra discount on top of Amazon’s prices simply by signing up to receive scheduled shipments on eligible products. These are often the products you buy on a regular basis – think diapers, paper towels, snacks, toiletries.

Q: How do I save money using Subscribe and Save?

A: I’m so glad you asked! If you subscribe to 1, 2, 3, or 4 products a month, you’ll receive 5% off your order BUT if you subscribe to 5 or more products a month, you’ll get a 15% discount. I always make sure I have at least 5 subscriptions. If you have Prime, make sure you sign up for Amazon Family so you receive 20% off diapers, baby food, and more when you Subscribe and Save.  One of the greatest ways to save money is to find products that are eligible for Subscribe and Save AND have coupons. These discounts will stack, offering you the greatest price. Join my Facebook group, Deals for Moms to find out about great Subscribe and Save deals each month.

Q: Can the price of Subscribe and Save items change?

A: Yes, prices can and most likely will fluctuate each month. When you first subscribe to a product, you are guaranteed that price for the first shipment (even if the price increases before it ships). After the first shipment, the price will likely change. You’ll be charged whatever the current price is at the time the order gets processed. I recommend setting an alarm on your phone each month to review your subscriptions. Cancel or delay products you don’t need or that are too pricey. To delay a product, you can simply hover over the subscription item you’d like to modify and click “skip next delivery”.

Q: When will I be charged for my Subscribe and Save order?                                        

 A: Amazon charges all orders when they ship.

Q: Where can I find the best Subscribe and Save deals?

A: I recommend joining my Facebook group, Deals for Moms. I often post Subscribe and Save deals that include coupons. You can also find eligible products by browsing the Subscribe and Save store. Here is a link to find Subscribe and Save items that also have coupons. https://amzn.to/2ERG3Uv

I hope this helps clear up some confusion around Subscribe and Save. Let me know what other questions you have!

What it’s Like to Be a Working Mom

Being a working mom is a lot of work.

And I wouldn’t want it any other way (most days).

After I had my first son, and my second son, and my third son, I got the unavoidable question…

Are you going back to work?

And yes, I was. Each time. Each time I was headed back to work after my maternity leave.

When you’re asked that question, it seems like there are a bunch of follow up questions and comments that people want to say.  Sometimes they go unsaid but you know it’s what people are thinking.

“Do you have to work?”

“Are you looking forward to going back to work?”

“Must be nice to get a break from your kids.”

“I don’t know how you manage everything.”

“Is it easier to be at work than at home?”

“Aren’t you worried you’re going to miss out on milestones?”

“I stayed home and wouldn’t have traded those years for anything.”

“Don’t you think it’s better for you to stay home with your kids during these early years?”

It doesn’t take long for the guilt to set in. It’s there even before the questions are asked.

“No, I don’t have to work but it does help us live a little more comfortably.  No, I’m not really looking forward to going back to work but if I was, is that wrong? I love every day at home I get with my kids. I couldn’t do it without my husband and we ask for help when we need it. My work is challenging, so most days are not easier than being at home.  It’s inevitable I’ll miss out on some milestones but I thank God for technology. I don’t think it’s better or worse to stay at home vs. working but what I do know is this is best for my family right now.”

I had my first son 7+ years and have been a working mom ever since. For about half of those years I was a third grade teacher and the other half I’ve been a reading specialist for kindergarten through sixth grade students. If having three kids and being a teacher wasn’t enough, I decided to start working from home too. A year and a half ago, I started a Facebook group called Deals for Moms  where I share some pretty killer deals for the whole family and more recently started blogging.Being a working mom is busy. It’s funny to think how busy I used to feel before I had kids. Now I wonder what I did with all my free time. The life of a working mom is full. And hard. And yet, rewarding.

The most challenging part for me is feeling like I can never give 100% to any part of my life. I constantly feel like I want to be a more present mom to my three boys but at the same time, wish I didn’t have to run out of work to get home. It would be nice to make all my blog dreams come to life. I wish I had more time  just to relax with my husband rather than finishing chores and working out logistics. I would love to go on more playdates with my stay-at-home mom friends. My house is never in the state I want it to be and there’s always laundry to be done. I would love to be able to volunteer more at my kids’ school and at church. But there just isn’t time for me to dedicate all my effort to each of those things.

It’s also exhausting. With both of my jobs, the work is never really done. Even when I leave the physical work building; I’m never actually done with work. Every “free” minute of my day could be spent working – writing lesson plans, reading the latest professional development book on literacy, responding to Facebook messages, searching for a deal, writing a blog post. I have to make the conscious decision to say “no” to work.

When you’re a working mom, you learn to use and appreciate every minute. Since time with my kids and husband is precious, I’ve been working on putting my phone and laptop away so I can be fully engaged. I wake up early and stay up late so I can get a lot of work done when my kids are sleeping. It’s amazing how little sleep you can learn to function on.

While I could sit and focus on all the challenging parts of being a working mom, that doesn’t do me any good. It certainly does take more thought, but there are also many reasons I love being a working mom.  

8 reasons I Love Being a Working Mom:  

  • I always have a good excuse why things aren’t perfect. My house is never spotless. My kids’ hair is often uncombed. There aren’t homemade meals at the dinner table each night. Sometimes I don’t get school handouts turned in on time. But thankfully nobody expects perfection from a working mom of multiple children and I’ll happily accept that free pass.
  • I’ve been able to prioritize my life better. Before kids, I stayed at work from 7am until 7pm on a regular basis. Now that I’m a mom, I want to get home ASAP to see my kids. The work will be there persistently, but my kids won’t always be little.
  • The kids spend more time with other adults that love them. Our kids are passed around throughout the week between me, our babysitter, their grandma, and dad. If they’re not with me 24/7, that doesn’t make them any less loved. Instead, they get to spend quality time with other people that love them unconditionally and that extra time has fostered some really beautiful relationships.
  • Working makes my life more interesting. I’m one of those strange people that never seems to tire of being with my kids but I also like that I’m able to go to work and use the skills that God has given me. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a teacher so I’m thankful that I still get to use my brain in that way (even if it does seem foggier now). I have work friends that I wouldn’t have met if I didn’t teach. I’ve also enjoyed the online community that Deals for Moms has created. It’s been exciting to take my hobby of finding deals and turn it into a way to make a little extra cash for my family.  When my husband gets home from work, we both get to talk about work stories. I think he finds my work stories slightly more engaging than hearing about changing diapers, cleaning up toys, and playdates.
  • I’m more disciplined. Working has forced me to be more efficient with my time. While I’m perfectly content wearing pajamas all day, I can’t do that since I work. I have no choice but to get up early, shower (most days), and get out the door. I have to be purposeful to make time for working out, devotions, cooking dinner, and dates with my husband.
  • It makes me a more empathetic person. Being a working mom is busy and stressful but it could be harder. I have more empathy than ever before for single moms, moms dealing with an illness, military moms, and moms that are alone most of the week while their husbands travel. It takes a village. We’ve got to help one another.
  • I have a few extra bucks to spend. Could we get by without my salary? Yes, I think so. We could drop our data plan, forget the family vacation, stop buying trendy clothes, and eat out less. While we don’t live an extravagant lifestyle, I do enjoy the occasional mani/pedi and overpriced taco. I like that life is a bit less stressful because we don’t constantly have to be budgeting every dollar.

My kids are some of the happiest kids I know. Being a working mom is not making my kids miserable. It’s not ruining their childhood. Believe me, I would quit my jobs if I felt my kids were suffering but it’s quite the opposite. People are constantly telling me how my kids are always smiling. They’re independent. They adjust easily to new people and situations. They love their life and so do I.