Happy Kids, Inc

What is Essential During the Pandemic

2020-06-18T02:00:00.000-07:00

We are three months into the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine orders set by the state of Oregon. It was a shock to us all: schools closed for the rest of the year, we were told to shelter-in-place and social distance, and most businesses were forced to close (many with dire outcomes) until further notice. Only essential businesses and services were allowed to still operate.

The state was so quick to put a proverbial bandage on the pandemic, leaders took little time or care to thoughtfully decide what an essential business was. It was issued more as a somewhat backless statement. Grocery stores and gas stations, select city services and hospitals ... they were all considered "essential." It made sense as we reeled from the shock of the situation. But as we settled into our quarantined lives, working remotely and basically homeschooling our kids, many of us didn't settle in. In fact, it has regrettably been some of the most stressful times for many of us.

It begs the question, "Where do we draw the line on what qualifies as an essential business?" Unfortunately, our state and federal leaders reacted in such a careless way, it didn't even occur to them that they indeed were mandating the closure of essential businesses. Let me explain what I mean.

To our leaders, "essential" is defined as just those businesses that basically keep us alive, providing the bare minimum on what we need to get by. What they failed to see were many of the businesses that had to shut their doors were essential to those business owners. The cafes, mom and pop shops, salons .... many with little equity, relied on the income of their businesses to feed themselves, their family, to get by. They were stripped of their livelihood in a matter of days.

That's 11 million restaurant workers alone nationwide without work, and an additional 5 million support vendors to those businesses affected.

Although not a business, public school is in some cases essential to the livelihood of many students. I heard a story on NPR shortly after school closures were announced of a student that relied on many services provided by schools because he lived in his car: education, the one-on-one time with teachers, sports, even something as simple as power to charge his school-issued iPad to do schoolwork. That student is now in a very challenging situation.

What about members of the community who rely on the support of their church or other support groups? Aren't these essential? If we are exercising our rights to hold vigils and protests, is it not also our right to exercise our freedom of religion and to gather in a similar fashion?

I want our state and federal leaders to stop patching holes and strategize real solutions. Find the fix. Let us get back to our lives, however different they will be. Do your job.

Crystal By Cirque Du Soleil Debuts In Portland

2018-04-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

It's rare that I get a chance for a fun weeknight outing that doesn't conflict with sports practices or other kid activities. But it happened last night when I headed with my boys to the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon to witness and enjoy Cirque Du Soleil's newest production, Crystal.

Crystal by Cirque Du Soleil had it's opening night Wednesday, April 5, 2018 in Portland. It had been awhile since I had gotten the chance to see a Cirque Du Soleil performance (my last one was the Beatles Love in Las Vegas). Plus, I was bringing my two young sons and I knew they would love it.

Crystal, as the name suggests, takes place on ice. Knowing the dynamic and daring acrobatics that usually take place at a Cirque Du Soleil show, I was definitely intrigued to see what Crystal had in store.

The first thing that stood out and that I loved was the intricate, carefully planned light show on the ice. It created special effects and the performers integrated the displays into their ice skating movements. It was really cool and honestly, I couldn't pull my eyes away.

While I thought the show got off to a somewhat slow start in regards to feeling "Cirque-like", it definitely caught up when the hockey players took to the ice. Performing acrobatic moves on ramps, what felt like a skateboard show left me awestruck knowing this was on ice!

Intermission soon followed, with the most daring acrobatics taking place in the second half of the show. In quintessential Cirque Du Soleil form, performers came out with long poles and did a series of tricks and flying stunts on them. All the while, dynamic ice skaters circled them with entertaining moves.

My favorite part of the show was the aerial performance to the song Halo. Absolutely mesmerizing! I'll have the video on YouTube just as soon as I can (the app is being glitchy and won't let me upload; sad face!).

Crystal by Cirque Du Soleil runs at the Moda Center in Portland through April 8th, 2018. You can read more and get tickets here.

Keeping Kids Active With Groupon

2016-08-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

I was compensated for my post on Groupon. All opinions and ideas remain 100% my own.

Summer is almost over....or is it?! If you're like most Moms, it feels, as it always does, that summer has flown by. But I paused for a moment the other day and tried to get that mindset out of my head. There was still a lot of summer left (after all, August is one of the longest months of the year!) And even when school begins again in September, you still want to make sure your kids are keeping up an active, healthy lifestyle.

But that can be hard. It's fun to have activities you can do as a family....or they can do by themselves....on the weekends or a warm, summer day to stay active. That's where Groupon comes in. As a budget-conscious family, I am constantly on the lookout for good deals for activities that my family loves to do. So, I recently went to Groupon to see what might pop up.

I didn't have to look far for my first great deal. I have taken my kids to G6 Airpark before, but as is the case with most trampoline parks, they can get expensive. I found passes for each child for just $8 for two hours of jump time. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy afterwards and you've got a perfect play day.

My kids LOVE shaved ice in the summer. Not snow cones, but true shaved ice. It's hard to find sometimes, not to mention each one can be $5+. I found a great Groupon that reduced each to a little over $3. It's a day trip into Portland, so we'll add on a fun visit to a splash pad or playground.

The last great deal I found on Groupon was for miniature golf. But this wasn't the kind of miniature golf at an amusement park or playground. This was on an actual golf course! I scored a round of golf for up to 4 people for just $12. My ten year old son, who loves to play, is going to love playing on a golf course for the "big kids".

I cannot wait to take in some of these last few summer activities!

Groupon Makes It Easy To Save!

2016-05-18T01:08:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated to share this post. All opinions remain 100% my own.

I love Groupon! Here's the crazy part.....I have never used it. I know, crazy, right?! With three young kids who like a variety of activities, you would think it would be a natural fit. And I want it to be. I have the app. I get notifications and emails on all the deals. But I never followed through on a deal.

Until now. I did not have any idea the versatility that you had with searching for coupon offers from your favorite companies. Groupon not only has those exclusive, limited time offering that you know and love; they also have a list of their preferred vendors that are offering many offers and coupons that don't require the purchase of a package. Here's a sampling of the amazing companies that are part of Groupon Coupons (you can click on each company for the latest deals):

What is also great about these coupon deals through Groupon is that they aren't your run-of-the-mill offers that you see on multiple sites; many are exclusive to Groupon. It's super easy to search for what you are looking for on their website.

What are your favorite ways to save?

My Son Called Me Mean

2016-03-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

By Meg Hodson

You hear people say it often...."I want my kids to like me....". Well, the obvious answer to this is "yes", of course you want your children to like you. But then they freak out, they spill their milk, they write on the wall, they do something crazy that makes you INSANE. You, as a parent, are put in a position to discipline, reprimand, instruct. Sometimes this is an easy process, sometimes not.

If your kids listen and respond quickly, great; guidance given and you move on. But we all know in reality that happens about 2% of the time. The other 98% involves varying levels of loudness and tone in your voice, intensifying levels of you pulling your hair, all possibly leading to you, as a parent, losing it.

If you're a parent, ANY parent, you've been there, done that. We raise our voices, we yell, we stomp our feet. Well, this was me recently with my youngest son, age 7. He's a boy, he has an older brother, and they often end in knock down throw downs or some other sort of mischief. They are boys. I get that. But sometimes it is taken too far and intervention is necessary.

I had to resort to raising my voice recently. It's not that I wanted to, in my heart of hearts I felt I needed to. And then my youngest, my sweet boy who still snuggles with me every night (not all night mind you, just a few hours) uttered these words--you're mean. I hated hearing it. You're mean. It wasn't like him at all. He is constantly giving me hugs and is polite and says "thank you" for everything. But in this moment, he even stormed off for a bit. I wasn't feeling guilty, yet I still felt off.

And that feeling has stuck with me the two months or so it has taken me to write this post. I was compelled to finish this post tonight. One thing I have learned as a parent is that kids thrive on structure---whether that is sleeping in the same bed every night, sticking to a schedule, or having boundaries, structure is healthy. So, I viewed this reprimanding as part of that structure. Although my son stormed off and we might have both hated that moment in time, we are better for it now.

How do I know? He still comes in and snuggles every night and tells me how much he loves me.

Recap of Marvel Universe Live In Portland

2016-03-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Marvel Universe Live. All opinions remain 100% my own.

My ears and eyes might still be recovering ever so slightly from the spectacle that was Marvel Universe Live at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon this weekend. From the swirling light show, blazing fire, firework-like special effects, and the roar of motorcycles, this show was definitely exciting. My husband joined me, as well as my children. My 7 year old son especially loved it. I also have a 10 year old son, and it seemed like he was maybe the only boy his age in attendance! So, I was unsure if this might not be something he would like. But rest assured, he enjoyed it thoroughly, too.

All of your favorite Avengers were in attendance: Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Captain America. A few special guests, such as Spiderman and Wolverine added to the show. Their goal was to stop Thor's brother, Loki, from his evil plan of combining three fractals to gain supreme power in the hopes of ruling the world. Did Loki succeed? Not at all. But it wasn't without a tough fight from your favorite Marvel characters.

Taking on villains like Loki, Red Skull, and the Green Goblin, among others, was no small task. But your brave Marvel superheroes fought hard and succeeded! Whether they were chasing villains on motorcycles or trying to fight them on the Statue of Liberty, the live action was fun and entertaining, especially after intermission. That's when the show really started to pick up. My 7 year old couldn't sit still and was on the edge of his seat.

Tickets still remain for the final set of shows on Sunday, March 6th, at the Moda Center. For ticket information, click here.

Marvel Universe Live Hits Portland, Oregon!

2016-02-29T10:04:00.000-08:00

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Marvel Universe Live. All opinions remain 100% my own.

Things are about to get VERY exciting in Portland, Oregon when your favorite Marvel characters invade the Moda Center for Marvel Universe Live!

My family is so excited, particularly my boys. It was hard to contain my excitement when I told my boys we would get to go! Marvel fans, assemble! Marvel Universe LIVE! is taking the live entertainment experience to a whole new groundbreaking level, with a mind-blowing stunt show unlike anything experienced before! Watch your favorite Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man and the Avengers (Iron Man, Black Widow, Hulk and more) plus menacing villains come to life in an action-packed arena extravaganza debuting in the Pacific Northwest for the first time ever playing March 3rd – 6th at the Moda Center. You do not want to miss them their first time in Portland!

I mean, who wouldn't want to see your favorite superheroes taking the stage and performing for you? it is sure to be a show you do not want to miss. Tickets are very reasonable, starting at $15 for kids. Good news!

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Marvel Universe Live! Hits Portland

2016-02-23T01:33:00.000-08:00

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Marvel Universe Live. All opinions remain 100% my own.

My household are longtime Marvel fans. Whether it's the Avengers of Spiderman, we are pushing on the level of superfandom when it comes to all things Marvel. We have Hulk hands, Thor hammers, Captain America shields, and more in our house. The list goes on. And I'll admit it....it's not just my kids who are fans. My husband and I love indulging as well.

So, when I found out that Marvel Universe Live! was coming to Portland,Oregon, I was super excited. It was hard to contain my excitement when I told my boys we would get to go! Marvel fans, assemble! Marvel Universe LIVE! is taking the live entertainment experience to a whole new groundbreaking level, with a mind-blowing stunt show unlike anything experienced before! Watch your favorite Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man and the Avengers (Iron Man, Black Widow, Hulk and more) plus menacing villains come to life in an action-packed arena extravaganza debuting in the Pacific Northwest for the first time ever playing March 3rd – 6th at the Moda Center. You do not want to miss them their first time in Portland!

Between the anticipated motorcycles, pyrotechnics, and special effects, it is sure to be a show you do not want to miss. Tickets are very reasonable, starting at $15 for kids. Good news!

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Two Thumbs Up For Monster Jam!

2016-02-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Monster Jam. All opinions remain 100% my own.

You know the commercial line. The announcer's voice comes out of the TV - "THIS WEEKEND AT THE MODA CENTER...MONSTER JAM!!". Pictures flash across the screen of Big Foot and Gravedigger jumping, crushing cars, and crashing. Then the announcer finishes with "SEATS START AT $20...BUT YOU'LL ONLY NEED...THE EDGE!".

As a kid, my husband wanted to go to these Monster Truck Shows and never did. What boy wouldn't want to go see Monster Trucks? Now for the 2nd year in a row, we attended Monster Jam at the Moda Center in Portland. We had so much fun.

We started the afternoon with the Pit Party on the floor of the arena. They had the trucks on display and the drivers were out for pictures and autographs. I recommend that if you go to the Pit Party, get there early. An hour goes quickly and the lines can be long. The longest line was for Gravedigger. We were able to get pictures with MaxD, Blue Thunder, Monster Energy Truck, and Scooby Doo (my husband liked the driver Bailey Shea, the boys liked the truck). The drivers were great with all the fans - taking pictures, signing autographs.

The format changed this year. Each driver had a series of events in their trucks, then raced in UTVs, and raced in a series of ATVs. After those races, the Big Trucks came back out for doughnuts, wheelies, and free style.

These trucks are LOUD! These trucks SMELL! These trucks are FUN to watch. I think NEA won the Wheelie competition when he stood his truck on its back-end. They had to bring out the CAT to put it on all fours again. Blue Thunder had a tough day in the Big Truck with some balance issues and he even rolled the rig over. El Toro Loco was out when her back tire broke off. In the doughnut competition, Bailey Shea in the Scooby Doo truck was robbed! She had the best doughnut spin, but lost to Gravedigger.

To close out the show was the freestyle portion. Some high flying action. Blue Thunder was a little flat. Not to much action from him. NEA put on a solid show as did Monster Energy. In the end it came down to MaxD and GraveDigger. MaxD was all over the arena....jumps, wheelies and more. In the end Gravedigger, the crowd favorite, pulled out the win in the freestyle and was the overall winner.

This is a fun family event. If you appreciate the singing of the national anthem, the athletes taking pictures and signing autographs, mud flying and trucks rolling over - this is for you!

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Valentine's Day and Monster Jam: Why Not?

2016-02-10T06:43:00.002-08:00

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Monster Jam. All opinions remain 100% my own.

Monster Jam® roars into the 2016 season with a points-based series, showcasing the best lineup of

Monster Jam vehicles that deliver what fans want to see most…more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action! The East and West arena tours will test the versatility of the athletes as they go head-to-head in seven different competitions driving three different vehicles --- Monster Jam Trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs (one of my favorite parts!). These athletes will battle for points in challenging racing and freestyle events that push themselves and their machines to the limit. The point leader from each tour will receive an automatic bid to the prestigious Monster Jam World Finals® held in Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 17-19, 2016.

I gotta say, this was a great family friendly event that I attended last year with my family and we are looking forward to it again this year.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Monster Jam Set To Roll Back Into Portland!

2016-01-30T08:11:00.000-08:00

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for promoting Monster Jam. All opinions remain 100% my own.

The widely popular Monster Jam® tour is heading back to Portland’s Moda Center on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2016 for an explosive new competitive points-paying endurance showdown, featuring more of what the Monster Jam fans have been asking to see…#MoreMonsterJam!

I would say I was an unlikely attendee at last year's Portland stop of Monster Jam. But you know what? It was really cool! I would definitely consider it a family-friendly event....just be sure to pack some ear plugs.

The best part is the tickets are super reasonable. Kids get in for a discounted rate of just $10 (with the purchase of an adult ticket). You can also attend the Pit Party before the afternoon performances for just $10 as well. Events times are Saturday, February 13th at 2pm and 7pm as well as Sunday, February 14th at 2pm. Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster charge by phone by calling 800-745-3000 or in-person at the Rose Quarter Box Office.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Sharing Super Moments With Del Monte Fruit Fusions

2015-09-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

I was compensated for this post in exchange for sampling Del Monte Fusions and providing my feedback. All opinions remain 100% my own.

Back-to-school is one of my favorite times of years with my children. They are excited to get back. I love to meet their new teachers and see what excitement is on the horizon for them in the coming year.

I also love the structure that school brings. I thrive on juggling school, lunch boxes, and after school activities. And the kids thrive, too. Being more active, I think, makes them sleep better.

These are special moments. I cherish them. I work out of the home now so a simple activity like walking my children to school is monumental; it truly is a super moment.

Although our family has a very full schedule, it is extremely important to me that my children are eating as healthy as they can. Good, clean, real food. That can be a challenge when organizing three school lunches.

While I don't like to rely on convenience food too much, there are some healthy choices out there that can make a balanced school lunch easier. I am loving the new Del Monte Fruit Fusions. They are actually a blend of vegetables and fruit in convenient cups that are perfect for school lunches and snack time. Each cup offers a combined 1 serving of fruit and vegetables. They are a quick and easy way for your kids to get the nourishment they need.

Even better, Del Monte is hosting a great sweepstakes where they are inviting their fans to #ShareTheSuper on Twitter and Instagram. Capture a great #ShareTheSuper moment with your kids for a chance at some great prizes. Hey, who couldn't use $2000? Or a limited edition backpack? A year supply of Del Monte Fruit Fusions? Click here for more details.

Let me know in the comments below how you #ShareTheSuper with your kids!

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

The Playground: Celebrating Lasts

2015-08-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

We celebrate a lot of firsts in life, as we should. The first time your kids walk, your first big job, the first time you tried something new. It's not quite as common as celebrating lasts. In fact, I don't think people in general recognize lasts too often. But I find myself doing this more with young children.

My youngest is 6 years old, so I find myself nudging him ever so gently to still enjoy things that will soon fade away. We were recently at the county fair and all three of my children are tall enough (and game enough!) to ride all the "big rides". I was still able to talk my youngest into riding some of the kiddie rides and his older brother joined in on the fun, too.

I paused and had similar thoughts when I was at the playground recently with the kids. They all still enjoy a good playground trip, but I know the day is coming when merry-go-rounds and monkey bars will be a fleeting memory. It will be a "last".

And I look forward to those "firsts" to quickly follow.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Whole Foods Weekender Bag + Giveaway!

2015-08-19T00:07:00.002-07:00

By Meg Hodson

I received a complimentary sample of products from Whole Foods in exchange for my post. All opinions remain 100% my own.

We may be nearing the end of summer, but there is still some time to sneak in some travel and fun weekends away. That is actually the primary travel my family has done this summer....day trips to the beach, hanging out in Seattle. Most have been with all my kids and husband, but I did manage to sneak one day trip in with just my daughter, which was fun.

What better way to stay fresh and fabulous during travel than with a bag from Whole Foods packed with all the essentials for a perfect weekend away. They are in stores now for the bargain price of $6.99. Trust me, this is a great deal! I know the prices of conventional travel sizes can be spendy; you are paying for the convenience.

I would rather put that money toward eco-friendly, gentle products like the ones found in this bag. Here's what you get in the Whole Foods Weekender Travel Bag:

Juice Beauty Nutrient Moisturizer. Perfect for all skin types, it's filled with hydrating plant oils and botanicals.
Acure Repairing Shampoo. Filled with moroccan oil, it's moisturizing and smells great.
Acure Repairing Conditioner. This compliments the shampoo and leaves hair silky smooth.
Alaffia African Black Soap. Filled with essential oils, it can be used on the face and body.
Tom's of Maine Simply White Toothpaste. I have been a longtime Tom's fan and this is the perfect toothpaste.
Mineral Fusion Mini Nail Polish. This polish has noformaldehyde, toluene, or DBP.
Chico Travel Zip Bag. Sleek and easy to tuck into any travel bag, large or small. Bonus: it's made from recycled plastic bottles.

You also get a few valuable coupons in the bag, too. It's available now through August 25th (or while supplies last).

Want to secure your bag now? Enter my giveaway below for your chance to win one!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

A Message To My Girl: Anything Is Possible

2015-07-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Green Works and Collectively. All opinions and writing are 100% my own.

Raising a girl is no small task. Heck, raising ANY child is darn right a small miracle. I don't know if it's because I am one strong willed girl who was brought up believing I could accomplish anything. But I feel a huge responsibility to make sure my daughter has every opportunity she could ever desire.

I do feel like girls take some extra attention when it comes to opportunities. My daughter plays at the club soccer level. She got a little burned out this past year. Tryouts came up this past Spring and she was considering not trying out. I decided to take her out to lunch and have a nice heart to heart.

While she is only 11, I couldn't help but look into the future and think about high school and potential college scholarships she could be privy to with her level of soccer. I did eventually convince her to continue. She made the team and the season is off to a good start in late summer.

I was part of an eye-opening Twitter party a few weeks ago hosted by Green Works in partnership with AAUW. The hot topic: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). When it comes to science, men still significantly outnumber the women. Although this might be a far cry from soccer, the emphasis on girls reaching their full potential is definitely related.

Here are some of the highlights of what I learned during the party.

Only 1 in every 1000 girls will become a scientist
Toys can promote STEM because girls learn fun through hands-on experience, and critical thinking
Science National Honor Society is a great high school organization that pushes kids to be involved and talk to scientists
It's an extremely enriching career, personally and intellectually, you will never be bored!
AAUW is one of the largest funding sources for girls in graduate school
Allow for creativity when building. It encourages thinking, design, problem solving
Great discoveries take inquisitive people, hard work, and luck.
It’s important to set role models for next gen girls. Girls will gain more confidence
Encourage girls to be curious, try things that might not work, test assumptions, and learn from their mistakes
It's important for girls to identify with scientists. Females in STEM help them to see themselves in the future.
It isn't enough to just be a female scientist, you must actively engage and encourage girls
Only 14 percent of girl students drew a female scientist when prompted in this video: http://bit.ly/1Ma4YTw

Thanks to Green Works, we are encouraged to let girls know that they do have the opportunity to become a scientist. Let them know where math can take them.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Easy Lime Ginger Chicken Skewers

2015-07-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

This is a sponsored post for Foster Farms. i received compensation for my post, but all opinions

remain 100% my own. And you've got to try my awesome recipe below!

Homemade dinners are very important to me. As crazy as schedules get, including my husband and I both working full time out of the house now, we still strive to have family dinners. Some nights, we have more time to cook and other nights time is tight. On top of all of that, I want meals to be as healthy as possible for my family. One menu staple I always turn to is fresh chicken. It's versatile, easy to fix, and my children love it! But I also want to select chickens that are raised without antibiotics, vegetarian fed and I also appreciate chicken that is grown on the West Coast, close to my home in Oregon.

Foster Farms Simply Raised chicken is just that. It's a major evolution for the brand,

partly in response to the demand from millennial parents wanting healthier chicken options for their family. Foster Farms has been a family-owned business since 1939. With this new line of chicken, they are undergoing a true evolution of their brand.

That evolution includes no added sodium to the chicken, American Humane Certified, and is minimally processed with no added preservatives.

The recipe I created with Foster Farms Simply Raised chicken is so easy to make! It's a

skewer-style recipe.....just dice and stack the chicken on skewers, drizzle with the easy-

to-prepare sauce, grill and it's done.

Lime Ginger Chicken Skewers

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

Foster Farms Simply Raised thin sliced breast fillets

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon basil

1 1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 lime

Cut chicken into 1 inch thick cubes. Gently line on wood skewers. Mix all dry spices together (except the dry mustard) and evenly sprinkle on both sides of the chicken. Mix olive oil, maple syrup, and dry mustard. Blend well.

Transfer skewers to grill heated to medium. Place on grill and brush both sides with the olive oil mixture. Cooking times will vary, but they should be done in 7-10 minutes. Baste 2-3 more times while the chicken cooks.

Simple, easy, delicious. I hope you enjoy it!

This post is sponsored by Foster Farms®, the opinions expressed are my own.

Preparing Your Children For Their First Trip Alone

2015-07-09T10:15:00.002-07:00

By Meg Hodson

We have always been a traveling family. Whether it's road trips to the beach, flights to visit family in the Midwest, weddings in Las Vegas, or Disneyland, we've done a lot. My children are natural travelers and really enjoy it.

My oldest child (my daughter, age 11) finished 5th grade this year. We had learned about an opportunity to go on an 11 day tour of Alaska with People To People Ambassador Programs. I myself had done a People To People trip in high school and I had fond memories of my trip to Europe. I was excited to look into this further for my daughter.

We ultimately decided she was ready for a trip like this. It was set to be a well-supervised tour and there were numerous meetings locally with the students going from the area. She couldn't wait for summer. She even did her own fundraising to pay for part of the trip and for spending money.

I am a firm believer that travel is a great way to learn. She is not back from her trip yet, but I can't wait to see and hear about her adventures. Her leader has a private group page set up for the parents, so we can follow along on their adventures. That has been wonderful!

As we prepared for her trip, I thought I would put together a list of some of the not-so-common items to check off as you get ready for a young child tp travel alone.

Pack An Extended First Aid Kit. Band-aids are a given, but I put together an extensive first aid kit so that my daughter would not have to worry about buying these things and so she was prepared, should she need something at odd hours, like the middle of the night. Her kit included: bandages, first aid ointment, eye drops, blister bandages, chewable ibuprofen (she knew to consult her leader first to confirm the dosage), chewable allergy medicine, arnica for sore muscles or light bruising, homeopathic night time sleeping aid, and ginger mints (for motion sickness).

Souvenir List. My daughter had requests from her brothers and from us about souvenirs we might like. I made a "Note" in her iPod that included some of the things we liked so she wouldn't forget. I also made a list of family members and friends and their addresses so she could send post cards. I bought post card stamps for her to have on hand. You could easily include this on the first page of a travel journal, too.

Credit Card Gift Card. Banks actually do have travelers checks still, but I just thought this would be a bit of a hassle for an 11 year old. Carrying a large amount of cash was not a good idea either. She was familiar with the process of a debit card, so I thought a credit card gift card would be perfect and teach her some budget responsibility, too. We pre-loaded it with a set amount and sent her with a little cash, too. As a gift, I also bought her a Starbucks gift card for some treats along the way.

Stay Charged Baby! I sent my daughter with a back-up portable USB charger to use for her iPod. She also has rechargeable batteries for her small camera.

Snacks. With odd flights times and this trip promising LOTS of walking and sightseeing, I packed my daughter some snacks. I knew she could buy some along the way, too, but you never know when you will be rushed for time. I sent her with some granola bars, coconut chips, nuts, and dried fruit. Be sure to pack items that won't easily get crushed or melt.

Confidence. I know, I know, you can't pack confidence. But I assured my daughter that I knew she would be smart and make the right decisions on her trip. She had her leader to turn to as well. I ultimately said to "go with your gut", I know you will make the right decisions.

What tips can you share about preparing kids for their first trip?

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Whole Foods Ready For Action Bag + Giveaway

2015-06-25T07:27:00.002-07:00

By Meg Hodson

Good things come in small packages right? And when that "small package" is from one of my favorite stores, Whole Foods, then it's got to be good!

Each year, Whole Foods kicks off it's "Ready For Action Week". The week is celebrated June 24 through June 30th. It's a way to focus on healthy lifestyles and good, balanced nutrition. Whole Foods wants to emphasize that physical fitness can be fun, even when it's an everyday activity like walking or biking.

Their Ready For Action bag commemorates the week-long event. Beginning June 27th, customers can buy this bag (a $50 retail) for just $12! So what do you get in the bag?

Boiron Arnicare Gel (0.5 oz.). I have used this product myself. It is great for bumps and bruises and even minor muscle soreness.
Goddess Garden Organics Everyday Natural OR Kids Sunscreen SPF 30. You can feel good about putting this sunscreen on your littles this summer; it's free of paraben and harsh chemicals.
Aubrey Pure Aloe Vera (4 oz.). I always like to have pure aloe on hand for skin abrasions and rashes.
Amazing Grass Amazing Meal in Vanilla Chai (0.88 oz.). I can't wait to put this in my smoothies!
Garden of Life Perfect Food Raw Organic Green Super Food in Chocolate Cacao (0.34 oz.). I added this to one of my morning smoothies for an extra nutritional boost.
Spectrum Essentials Seed Blends (0.5 to 0.7 oz.). Perfect to sprinkle in pancakes and smoothies, especially for my kids.
Nuun Active Natural Electrolyte Enhanced Drink Tabs (10 tabs). Think of this as a healthy answer to sports drinks. Just add to water for a boost.
Toms of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant (2.25 oz.). One of my all-time favorite deodorants. You can't go wrong with this! And it's a full size container that you get with the bag!
Spectrum Essential recipe book and three coupons (Amazing Grass, Aubrey and Cal Naturale Svelte.). Bonus!

I am definitely picking up a few of these to keep on hand for gift giving. What an amazing gift for $12, right?

I've also got one up for grabs here on the blog! Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Finding Balance With Together Counts™ and Girl Scouts

2015-06-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

This is a sponsored post for Together Counts™ and Girl Scouts Nation's Capital. While I am being compensated for this article, all opinions and statements remain 100% my own. #HealthyHabits

Finding balance and creating healthy habits for my children seems like a daily goal and albeit, sometimes a struggle. Whether it's monitoring screen time, being active, or devoting time to reading, as a parent, I find myself constantly trying to find the balance for them. With the summer months upon us, finding an even amount of activity, play, and educational time can be tough.

I recently discovered the new Girl Scouts campaign, Together Counts™. It's a nationwide campaign, organized by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and Girl Scouts Nation's Capital to inspire active and healthy living via physical activity and nutrition, a fundamental underpinning of efforts to reduce obesity.

The principle behind the program is called Energy Balance. It's an easy concept to understand, but one that is sometimes hard to execute. Basically, it emphasized that what goes into your body must be balanced by activity (what is going out of your body). It's a simple concept, yet one that we find hard to follow sometimes.

So, the Girl Scouts themselves partnered with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation to help create booklets that would help in this whole concept.

o Between Earth and Sky with Healthy Habits - girls learn about the many plants,

and animals that flourish in nature, and also build important leadership skills.

o WOW! Wonders of Water with Healthy Habits - girls discover the many forms and

paths that water takes and how to protect it. They also learn how to engage in teamwork,

speak effectively to convey a message, and inspire others

o Get Moving! with Healthy Habits - girls learn how to use their energy to protect Earth’s

energy and build important leadership skills.

What I really like about this program is that it is empowering Girl Scouts and Girl Scout volunteers to all work together. Adults can empower girls. Girls can set good examples for each other. And it's all done in a fun, productive way.

Camping is essential to a Girl Scouts mission. I fondly remember a Girl Scouts camp I attended when I was in grade school. It is about the outdoors, and developing a deep appreciation for nature. Girls enjoy camping with their troop or attending a Girl Scout day and evening or resident sleep-away camp. From high adventure with kayaking, archery and rock climbing to traditional camps with crafts, singing, hiking and cooking over an open fire, Girl Scout camps give girls an opportunity to grow, explore, and have fun under the guidance of caring, trained adults.

To locate the council nearest you, see the Girl Scout Council.

What are your best practices for keeping the young girls in your life healthy and active?

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

#DisneySMMC On The Road Hits Portland

2015-06-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

I pretty much grinned cheek to cheek when the invitation came across my inbox that I was cordially invited to the first stop on the Disney Social Media Moms On The Road Tour in Portland, Oregon. Even though I have been blogging for 3 years now, I have yet to attend a conference. To say the least, I RSVP'd before I could even read the entire email.

The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration "On-The-Road" creates an energetic forum where influencers (primarily parents) and social media enthusiasts meet for a half-day program filled with educational and inspiring content designed to support the goals and unique lifestyle demands of parents. There was a full schedule packed into our half-day conference, complete with guest speakers, presentations, giveaways, and networking with other bloggers and influencers.

It was great and beneficial on many levels. First of all, the panel of speakers they had were top notch. The day starter with Tyler Slater , who is in charge of the Disney Parks blog for Aulani and Disney Destinations . I later found out it was his first Disney Social Media Moms conference.He gave the attendees nice insight into the magic of Disney (I know, we all know Disney is magic, but he sealed the deal). He teased us with the drudgery of traveling to Hawaii every three months to oversee the Aulani Resort. He was the perfect opener to the conference.

I really liked the presentation by Victoria Lim. She touched on the best way to shoot video with your cell phone and some great apps to use to edit your videos. I am excited to use the app she highly recommended, Cute Cut.

We also heard some great advice from the editors at Babble. One quote from them resonates with me: "Align with like-minded bloggers; bigger is not necessarily better." Erin Glover had great social media insight and insight that those who work for Disney have into the history of all that is Disney. Marianne Richmond shares thoughtful insight into her journey as an author and

There was plenty of time for networking with other influencers. I finally got to meet some "virtual friends" face to face, which was fantastic and worthwhile.

But the highlight of the day was a visit from your favorite mouse, Mickey! I kinda felt like I had jazz hands as we posed together.

Have you attended a Disney On The Road event? What was your favorite part?

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

#FuelTheLove For Your Car With Pennzoil

2015-06-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
#FueltheLove #CollectiveBias

Note: If you HATE taking time out of your day to do an oil change and sit aimlessly while you watch the History Channel in the waiting room of the shop, then read on.....

I have always owned my cars for the long haul. My father always taught me to do regular service on my cars and they will take you far. I still remember the day I drove my Volkswagen Cabriolet off the lot. It was my first car. I would have it for most of college, ultimately driving it for 12 years. I still miss that car!

My current car, a Volkswagen Passat, has only been my second car ever! Like I said, I keep my cars and take care of them. My beloved and faithful Passat has been a great car. It has become a reliable, comfortable family car, with a big enough back seat to accommodate all three of my children.

Three months ago, I made a career move and entered the workplace again. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. But the position calls for a 65 mile round trip commute each day. I have learned to embrace the commute, catching up on NPR and chatting with family and friends on the phone. But I was also concerned with making sure my car was well taken care of. My car was now at 135,000 miles.

When could I possibly find time to fit in an oil change on my high mileage vehicle? Enter the Tire and Lube Department at Wal-Mart. I am lucky enough to have a Wal-Mart about 10 minutes from my work, so I can easily go on my lunch break.

I pulled up quickly to the Tire and Lube area toward the back of Wal-Mart. There were two lines easily marked: one for tires, one for oil changes. I drove right up and was immediately greeted by a Wal-Mart employee who took my information. She asked which service I would like: Pennzoil Conventional, High Mileage, or Platinum. Based on my vehicle's mileage, I went for the High Mileage service. Best part? They are on a price rollback at Wal-Mart! From June 10th - September 9th, Pennzoil oil changes will be on Rollback at Walmart ACC {Automotive Care Center} stores.

High Mileage $35.88, compared to the regular Walmart price of $39.88. {Industry standard price is $46}
Platinum Full Synthetic $45.88, compared to the regular Walmart price of $49.88. {Industry standard price $66}

I ran some shopping errands while my car was being serviced. When a busy Mom can knock out some errands while her oil is changed, that is a good thing!

I came back to the waiting area and one of the Wal-Mart employees was nice enough to take my claim ticket and check on the status of my car. It wasn't ready quite yet, but it had barely been a half hour,

When my car was ready a few moments later, a service tech thoroughly went through what service occurred on my car. He mentioned the benefits of Pennzoil High Mileage oil, including minimizing sludge and reducing oil burn that is common in high mileage vehicles. I was glad to hear that, as my car notoriously burns oil. I had my handy reminder sticker on my windshield for my next oil change and I on my way back to work in a timely manner.

Do you have a car that has been well-loved and taken care of for many years? How long have you driven your car?

A WAHM Becomes A WOHM

2015-06-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

My oldest child is 11. I have been at home with all three of my children for their entire existence. I have been at home for my entire existence AS A MOM. Not to say it hasn't been hard work or been easy. I have run my wedding business successfully for 10+ years now. I started my blog three years ago---with a lot of dedication, passion, and hard work, it's a flourishing side business as well.

And all the while, I perfected my schedule to work seamlessly around school, soccer games, dance recitals, bike rides, and play dates. It was a well-oiled engine, humming along.

As much as I love the flexibility and creativity that working from home allows, there is also that darker side that no one often talks about. If you have owned your own business, you know there are your "up times" and your "down times". When it's good, it's really good. But when it's the dry season, there is no water in sight. Don't get me wrong, being able to support my family with an at-home business has been a blessing. But it's been tough, too, and the roller coaster of an uneven pay schedule has been dizzying. Couple that with my husband's launch into his own business as a mortgage advisor and it becomes even more stressful.

There is something to be said for a steady paycheck. But my decision to "get back out there" and find a job with a company was not solely based on wanting some stability in our family income. I had reached a pivotal point in my career at home that required me to decide which road to focus my efforts on. The road for me was definitely pointing toward writing and social media.

I dusted off my resume, ironed my favorite black dress, and had two interviews fairly quickly. That in and of itself was rewarding. I ended up taking one of those first positions I applied for and have officially been at a desk that is not in my home for nearly 2 months. I am enjoying my job, but it has not come without some challenges.

First, it was a big transition to be working out of the home and spending less time with my family. I was quickly missing walking my children to school and the familiar routine of being at home. But I was also enjoying a new adventure, feeling renewed energy to demonstrate my skill and passion.

While it was a transition, I decided to not get too melancholy. I shifted my thinking. First, my husband was getting time with my kids that he has never gotten before.

Secondly, I began to appreciate my children even more. Not that I didn't prior to working outside the home, but I began to make the most of my time with them. Weekends have become extra special for me.

Lastly, I started to give myself a pat on the back. I am already getting some kudos at work for some of the work I am doing and that feels great. It's been 20 years since I have been in an office environment and I feel I am doing a darn good job. And I now know what it feels like to put that key in the front door, unlock it, and have the kids run to my open arms. That feeling is definitely priceless.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

#ChevyShopSocial To Hit Portland Next Week

2015-05-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

By Meg Hodson

Picture this: you are told you will be given a car for 4 days to test drive and given money to shop at local shops for a good cause? Sound too good to be true? Well, it happened to me last week.

I was still a little awestruck when I was told I get to shop for Doernbecher Children's Hospital in a Chevrolet car. I was able to make "suggestions" on cars I might like, but nothing was guaranteed. Then the call came in......we will be delivering your Tahoe tomorrow. Whoop! I was excited. I knew my kids would be more excited. We have essentially driven in our smaller sedans forever now; they were excited about the space and the comfort.

I can't even begin to tell you how comfortable and dare I say luxurious the Chevy Tahoe LTZ was. You name it, it was on this car: DVD player, leather seats, navigation, air conditioned seats, and more. It was the perfect car to drive around in and collect items for a gift basket for a good cause.

That good cause is Doernbecher's Children's Hospital. Myself and 14 other local influencers are creating amazing gift baskets that will be auctioned off at the Chevy Shop Social event Thursday, May 21, 2015, presented by Chevy, Traveling Moms, and She Buys Cars. Raffle tickets are just $2 for a chance to win.

You will also be treated to food trucks, samplings of local beverages, live music, and more!

I had a lot of fun assembling my gift basket. The name that best describes my basket is "girly". From local wines, handmade jewelry, luxury soaps, delectable chocolate, and more, it's the perfect basket to get pampered with.

I hope to see you in Pioneer Courthouse Square on May 21!!!

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog. Cheers!

Bloglovin' Blog Hop #121

2015-05-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

Your Devoted Host:

Your Fabulous Co-Hosts:

1. Add your link directly to your Bloglovin' profile in the linky below. You will need to manually upload your profile photo.

2, Follow your host and co-host.

3. Visit and follow 2-3 other blogs in the linky.

4. Tweet and share this hop!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happykidsincblog.com/p/bloglovin-blog-hop.html" title="Happy Kids, Inc." target="_blank"></a></div>

Bloglovin' Blog Hop #120

2015-05-06T22:45:00.000-07:00

Your Devoted Host:

Your Fabulous Co-Hosts:

1. Add your link directly to your Bloglovin' profile in the linky below. You will need to manually upload your profile photo.

2, Follow your host and co-host.

3. Visit and follow 2-3 other blogs in the linky.

4. Tweet and share this hop!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happykidsincblog.com/p/bloglovin-blog-hop.html" title="Happy Kids, Inc." target="_blank"></a></div>