Thanks to LOL Surprise for sending me one to check out. All opinions are my own; this post contains affiliate links.

It feels like just yesterday that little kids everywhere were OBSESSED with LOL Surprise. And don’t get me wrong, they’re still a popular brand- but if you had a kid in 2016, your entire LIFE was LOL Surprise.

Well, those kids are now tweens and teens and guess what- your life is about to become LOL Surprise all over again!

LOL Surprise Plush Surprise is the brand NEW take on LOL Surprise dolls, but with a more modern, elevated twist. These adorable plush surprise figures are now bag charms and keychains, perfect for teens to display on their purses or even to attach to their car keys. I told you- these kids are all grown up now!

LOL Surprise Plush Surprise has all the fun of the originals and then some, with 7 surprises in each box. From what doll you get to their fashion accessories to the included keychain, it’s all a mystery! Well, mostly- you can see the little tippy top of their ears sticking out of the box, making it easier to get the ones you really want!

As always, this collection includes rare and super rare characters and the hunt begins now! These fun collectibles dropped last week so you can get your hands on them now. Check out the one I got, Bear-A-Rina, or check out some of the other ones available! {I think Unique-Cora is going to be my next one!}

Which one are you picking first?

The post New Collectible Alert: LOL Surprise Plush Surprise! appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

We visit Great Wolf Lodge at least once a year, and I’m often asked “Is Great Wolf Lodge worth it for tweens & teens?” My answer is a resounding yes, Great Wolf Lodge is a great family vacation destination even if you have older kids!

While my family has been going to Great Wolf Lodge since my kids were young, we still travel there regularly even now that they are 12 and 16. We’ve been there through just about every stage of parenting and childhood and while my family has changed, Great Wolf Lodge has stayed consistent as a fun destination for the whole family.

With large, clean indoor water parks, family activities, several dining options with diverse and seasonal menus, and comfortable, spacious rooms, Great Wolf Lodge really has it all. And since everything is under one roof, it’s the best place to have a stress-free trip.

What makes GWL great for tweens?

1. Beginning Independence: Cashless transactions mean they can go to the candy shop or the gift shop and make a purchase with permission but independently.
2. Family Thrill Rides: Each park has water slides that the whole family can ride together. These are perfect for those seeking adventure who are not quite ready to tackle it on their own.
3. MagiQuest: An experience that is exclusive to Great Wolf Lodge, this fun, interactive game will have them exploring the hotel on a magical adventure.
4.  Activities They’ll Love: Wake up to yoga and end the night with a dance party for free, on-site entertainment you don’t need to make a reservation for!

Quick Tips for Parents of Tweens

• The restaurants at Great Wolf Lodge are great about having kid-friendly menu items, but if everyone wants something different it’s easy to hit multiple places with cashless pay and grab-and-go foods!
• Check out the Wolf Pass if you plan on doing some non-water park activities. It’s a really great value that elevates your Tween’s experience. The WolfPass includes several activities and even some treats! There are different levels of passes available so that you can intentionally curate your family’s visit to Great Wolf Lodge.
• MagiQuest games can be played over the course of multiple vacations. Your wand can be reactivated at every visit and it remembers your game progress. Even if your family doesn’t finish the game on your first visit, there’s always next time!
• When kids complete the MagiQuest adventure, they can be knighted as a MasterMagi! Check out the ceremony that they have a couple of times per day- check in with your lodge for the times!
• Game Night: While Great Wolf Lodge has plenty of things to do, you can also create your own fun! We like to pack a couple of easy card games or small board games that our family enjoys so we can play together in the room.

Five great features that make Great Wolf Lodge appropriate for teens?

1. Food: Teens usually care about food more than the little kids and they often need much more of it. Not only does Great Wolf Lodge have delicious food that any teen will be happy with, but their portions are a great size for teens, too.
2. Thrill Rides: Some teens may be ready for the biggest rides, like Wolf Tail! Be sure to check height requirements ahead of time to avoid surprises.
3. Other Great Wolf Lodge Activities for Teens: While teens still love the water park, it may not be an all-day activity anymore. Great Wolf Lodge has a lot of other activities that teens love, like minigolf, the arcade, VR, and even a rock-climbing wall, depending on the Lodge you visit.
4. Extra Space: Teens often need some time to decompress, especially after a fun and exciting day. Great Wolf Lodge offers many room types including suites with a separate bunk area so teens can have their own area, and even some bigger suites that include multiple rooms and bathrooms! Check out some of their suite options here.
5. Phone-Free Time: With so many fun activities, teens won’t even notice that they’re having fun without their phones and reconnecting with their families! We usually leave our phones in our rooms during our trip since we can pay for things using our wristbands. Being away from our phones for hours is great for all of us, actually.

 Chill Out Tips for Teens

• Want your own personal hang out spot at the water park? Cabanas are available for rent and include TVs and a mini fridge. Even if you don’t want to reserve a cabana, there are still plenty of lounge chairs all over for when it’s time for a break.
• Teens can use their wristbands to access the hotel room so they can go hang out for a bit, even if the rest of the family is still at the water park.
• A tradition we started when our kids were first hitting the teens years is getting a pizza at Hungry As a Wolf and bringing it up to our room for a movie night! It’s one of our must-do activities now on every trip.
• Need a break but don’t necessarily want to leave the water park? The lazy river is perfect for winding down after crazy water slides!
• End the day with delicious snacks including ice cream and baked goods, or hit the candy shop to make your own custom mix.

Why Great Wolf Lodge is a great Weekend Destination for Tweens & Teens

Great Wolf Lodge is a great weekend destination and is also perfect for weekend trips! You don’t need a lot of time to plan for a Great Wolf Lodge trip since many elements of typical theme park vacations aren’t required here- things like dining reservations, ride shares, front of the line passes, weather backup plans, or usually even flights! Everything is under one roof and the indoor water park is always 84 degrees, even if it’s raining outside.

 How Long to Stay at Great Wolf Lodge

• For weekend trips, a one-night stay is plenty of time to explore. You get access to the water park as soon as it opens on the day that you check in, and you can stay until closing the day you check out- which means a one-night stay gets you two days at the water park!
• Whenever you have some extra time, settle in a little longer and take advantage of more that the resort has to offer! Check out extra restaurants, try different activities, or just schedule some much-needed down time.
• Great Wolf Lodge often has a special seasonal theme going on, with extra activities and even menu items that you can only find at that time of year.
• Other seasonal themes include Summer Camp In, Howl-O-Ween, and Snow Land. Check out our experience at the Great Wolf Lodge Summer Camp-In here!

The Right Great Wolf Lodge Location for Your Family

One of the most convenient things about Great Wolf Lodge is that they’re located all over the country, so there’s likely to be one within driving distance of your home. We actually have two that we’re in between! We’ve been to both locations multiple times and continue to visit each one, taking into account which restaurants, rides, and activities we want to do on the upcoming trip and going from there.

If you’re not within driving distance and are picking from all of them, be sure to check out what each resort has to offer as the offerings vary! You can see all the locations across the country here.

Key Takeaways

Great Wolf Lodge is a great travel destination for tweens and teens, not just young kids. Even adults can have a lot of fun there!

While you’ll want to plan your location and length of stay, most traditional vacation planning is unnecessary at Great Wolf Lodge, leading to a much more relaxed vacation.

You can spend two full days at the water park with just a one-night stay, maximizing fun while minimizing cost.

No matter how your family likes to spend their vacation time, you can easily do that at Great Wolf Lodge! Whether you’d rather relax on the Lazy River or chase thrills on the water slides, you’ll find lots of options at a Great Wolf Lodge near you.

FAQ

Q: Is Great Wolf Lodge a fun destination for tweens & teens?

Yes! Thanks to a variety of activities, water slides of different thrill levels, lots of delicious food and great opportunities for downtime and reconnecting as a family, Great Wolf Lodge continues to be a great vacation destination for older kids, including tweens and teens.

Q: Is Great Wolf Lodge still exciting for tweens and teens?

Definitely. As kids get older, they’re able to do more and more of the attractions at the water park and even more of the “dry land” activities. At the water park, they can look forward to family raft rides, individual thrill rides, and more. On dry land, they can look forward to activities like rock wall climbing, ropes courses, and more- depending on which Lodge you visit.

Q: What is the best age to visit Great Wolf Lodge?

We have brought our kids to Great Wolf Lodge from the ages of 3-16 and counting. Each trip has genuinely had something for them to enjoy no matter what they were into at that age and stage! There are things to do at Great Wolf Lodge for all ages- we may not be hanging out in the toddler area anymore, but new worlds have unlocked for us each time we’ve gone back.

Q: How long should you stay at Great Wolf Lodge with tweens and teens?

Planning a Great Wolf Lodge trip is a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure in that you can definitely pack a lot into a one-night stay and have a lot of fun, but you can also have a longer, more casual trip. We’ve done both and it really just depends on how much time you have and how many nights you want to stay.

The post Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth it for Tweens and Teens? appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

Thanks to Sourcebooks for sending over copies of these books for me to check out!

Teachers do so much for our kids- and they seldom get the recognition they deserve. While we try to show our appreciation for teachers year-round, the official Teacher Appreciation Week has always been a big deal in our family and with our schools! While individual schools can vary when they celebrate, the nationally celebrated week is usually the first week in May- which is right now!

If you’re looking for a great way to say thank you to a special teacher in your life, be sure to check out these great books. While I’m sure the teacher in question would also love a gift card {and from what I hear, no more mugs!} I’m sure that one of these books for their classroom library would be a welcome addition to that gift!

{Please note that the links below are affiliate links. Thank you for your support!}

A Thank You Letter to My Teacher by Deb Adamson, illustrated by Natalie Briscoe {Ages 4-8}

This adorable book showcases the many ways that teachers make an impact on kids every single day! It celebrates diversity and has many beautiful illustrations that kids can see themselves in.

How to Catch a Bookworm by Alive Walstead, illustrated by Andy Elkerton {Ages 4-8}

This one is a little bit less about teachers themselves, but would be a great tool for a teacher to add to their classroom library to get kids excited about all the different kinds of books out there! It’s a short, rhyming book perfect for storytime.

Thanks A Latte for Being My Teacher by Rose Bossner, illustrated by Emily Emerson {Ages 3-7}

This cute little book has it all- adorable illustrations, super silly puns, and it rhymes! This book would make SUCH a great gift paired with one of the punny gifts shown in the pages.

Why We Need Teachers by Gregory E. Lang, illustrated by Lisa Alderson {Ages 4-7}

This sweet book features beautiful illustrations of adorable animals and shares all the many ways that teachers have already impacted our lives- and how their lessons stay with us always! I love that this book talks about the practical stuff like math and reading, but also highlights some of the bigger concepts, like how teachers show us how to be kind to one another and even to view learning as fun.

All of these books are available right now at your local bookstore or by clicking the affiliate links above. No matter how you choose to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, make sure you remember to share your gratitude for a teacher in your life!

The post The Perfect Gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week- Books! appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

There’s something about a super colorful dessert that just makes people smile before they even take a bite! This Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake is one of those recipes- it’s bright, nostalgic, and a little bit extra in the best way. It’s great for birthdays, sleepovers, summer get-togethers, or honestly just because you’re in the mood for something fun.

It’s smooth and creamy with that classic cheesecake texture, but then you get the crunchy, buttery crust and bursts of nostalgic fruity cereal throughout. It’s no-bake, freezer-set, and surprisingly simple to make! If you grew up loving Fruity Pebbles, this one’s going to be a new favorite.

What is Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake?

Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake is a no-bake cheesecake made with crushed graham crackers and cereal in the crust, plus even more cereal folded into the creamy filling. It sets in the freezer instead of baking in the oven, which makes it especially easy. It’s even great for beginners!

The result is a sweet, creamy cheesecake with a crunchy crust and pops of fruity flavor in every bite. It’s playful, colorful, and perfect for celebrations or themed parties.

Does this cheesecake need to be baked?

Nope! This is a freezer-set cheesecake, which means no water bath, no baking, and no worrying about cracks!

After you assemble it, it just needs to chill in the freezer for at least 4 hours. I usually prefer to let it sit overnight so it’s fully set and slices cleanly.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes- and I actually recommend it!

Because it needs several hours in the freezer, this is a great make-ahead dessert. It’s best to prepare it the day before your event, let it freeze overnight, and then just slice and serve when you’re ready.

Tip: If you’re serving it at a party, take it out about 10–15 minutes before slicing so it’s easier to cut!

How do I make it dairy-free?

Yes, it’s possible! You absolutely can make this dairy-free with a few swaps:

• Use dairy-free cream cheese {Philadelphia makes a great one!}
• Swap in dairy-free vanilla yogurt {any brand will do- almond, soy, coconut, whatever you prefer!}
• Replace the heavy cream with a dairy-free whipping cream alternative {Country Crock has one}
• Use a plant-based butter for the crust {any brand will do here too!}

The texture will still be creamy and smooth, and since Fruity Pebbles are already dairy-free, you’re good there. Just double-check ingredient labels on everything to be safe!

Will the cereal stay crunchy?

The cereal in the crust stays crunchy thanks to the butter binding it together. The cereal folded into the filling softens slightly as it chills, but still keeps a bit of texture.

If you want maximum crunch on top, add the final layer of Fruity Pebbles right before serving instead of before freezing.

Ingredients

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 3 [8 ounce] packages cream cheese- softened
• 1 [6 ounce] container vanilla yogurt
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal
• Additional Fruity Pebbles for topping

For the Crust:

• 6 graham crackers
• 2 cups Fruity Pebbles- divided
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/3 cup butter- melted

What You’ll Need:

{These links are affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission on your purchase at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!}

• 8 inch springform pan
• Parchment paper
• Blender
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

1. Place the graham crackers and 1 cup of the Fruity Pebbles into a blender. Blend on high until you have fine crumbs.
2. Pour the crumb mixture into a bowl. Add the sugar and melted butter and stir until everything is well combined and coated in butter.
3. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of whole Fruity Pebbles and mix gently to combine.
4. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your springform pan. Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan. Place the pan in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
5. Rinse the blender. Add the softened cream cheese, vanilla yogurt, heavy cream, and vanilla. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, pulsing between additions until fully incorporated. Add the pinch of salt and blend again.
7. Scrape down the sides with a spatula and blend one more time until completely smooth.
8. Pour the cheesecake mixture into a large bowl. Fold in the 2 cups of Fruity Pebbles using a spatula.
9. Remove the crust from the freezer and pour the filling into the crust, smoothing the top.
10. Sprinkle additional Fruity Pebbles over the entire top of the cheesecake.
11. Cover with foil and return to the freezer for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
12. When ready to serve, remove from the freezer and let sit for 10–15 minutes. Release the springform pan and slice into 2 inch pieces.

Makes one 8 inch cheesecake. Serves 8–10.

If you’re looking for a dessert that feels a little nostalgic and a little over-the-top in the best way, this Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake is it! It’s creamy, colorful, and guaranteed to get comments when you set it down on the table. I love having options like this saved for birthdays, pool days, or anytime we want something just plain fun!

What to Try Next

Looking for more delicious recipe ideas? Try these next!

Buttermilk Honey Biscuits
Homemade Cookies & Cream Cake
Monkey Bread Muffins
Cranberry Orange Pound Cake
Apple Pie Bars
No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

No Bake Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake

Yield: 8-10

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

A colorful, no-bake Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake with a buttery cereal crust and creamy, sweet filling folded with crunchy Fruity Pebbles. This easy freezer-set dessert is perfect for birthdays, parties, and any time you want a fun, nostalgic treat.

Print

Ingredients

• For the Cheesecake Filling:
• 3 [8 ounce] packages cream cheese- softened
• 1 [6 ounce] container vanilla yogurt
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal
• Additional Fruity Pebbles for topping
• For the Crust:
• 6 graham crackers
• 2 cups Fruity Pebbles- divided
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/3 cup butter- melted

Instructions

1. Place the graham crackers and 1 cup of the Fruity Pebbles into a blender. Blend on high until you have fine crumbs.
2. Pour the crumb mixture into a bowl. Add the sugar and melted butter and stir until everything is well combined and coated in butter.
3. Stir in the remaining 1 cup of whole Fruity Pebbles and mix gently to combine.
4. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your springform pan. Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan. Place the pan in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
5. Rinse the blender. Add the softened cream cheese, vanilla yogurt, heavy cream, and vanilla. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, pulsing between additions until fully incorporated. Add the pinch of salt and blend again.
7. Scrape down the sides with a spatula and blend one more time until completely smooth.
8. Pour the cheesecake mixture into a large bowl. Fold in the 2 cups of Fruity Pebbles using a spatula.
9. Remove the crust from the freezer and pour the filling into the crust, smoothing the top.
10. Sprinkle additional Fruity Pebbles over the entire top of the cheesecake.
11. Cover with foil and return to the freezer for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
12. When ready to serve, remove from the freezer and let sit for 10–15 minutes. Release the springform pan and slice into 2 inch pieces.

The post No-Bake Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake Recipe appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

I received a copy of this game to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Last month, we received a surprise update to Animal Crossing: New Horizons- the FREE 3.0 Update. You can read all about that at my full review here, but that 3.0 update became available for free to ALL players who have the original game, unlocking all kinds of fun new features.

So what’s the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition? What’s different between this game and the original, and do you need it? Let’s dive in to learn everything you need to know about this new version of the game!

What’s new in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition?

Faster Loading Times: Everything from your initial loading screen when booting up the game to the loading screens in between going into buildings and taking flights has been shortened. As a very, very active player of this game for the last 6 years, I have spent a LOT of time looking at loading screens- and the difference in the speed is immediately apparent on the NS2 Edition! I literally used to avoid certain types of game play just because I didn’t want to keep looking at a loading screen over and over but now that it’s SO much faster, it’s literally changed the way I play.

Smoother Graphics: At normal glance, especially on handheld, you can’t tell at first sight how much better the graphics are. You can definitely feel that they’re a little more complete, but you can’t totally see the difference. But if you zoom in and compare it to the Nintendo Switch graphics, it becomes immediately apparent. Everything has been smoothed out, from the backgrounds to the characters themselves.

Megaphone: One of the most requested features is finally here- a megaphone to locate your villagers and other characters! Available at Nook’s Cranny, you can purchase a megaphone which allows you to use your actual microphone to call for your villagers. If they’re outside, a text bubble will come up guiding you to them; if they’re inside, you’ll be told as much. This makes it SO much easier to locate your villagers for daily discussions and gifting, or even for trying to get them to move away. It also helps you track down visiting NPCs who wander, like Celeste or Daisy Mae.

*Note on this: I do think this feature needs a tiny bit of work as I don’t always have success with it figuring out who I’m trying to call, no matter how clearly I speak. This seems like an easy fix that I’m hoping will come with a future update patch.

Design with Mouse Controls: Nintendo Switch 2 comes with mouse capabilities, and those are put to great use in the NS2 Edition! You can use mouse controls for creating custom designs, writing on the bulletin board, creating paths, and even designing rooms- you can even pick up and move multiple items at once!

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Worth Getting?

Yes! Between the easier controls, the faster load times, the better graphics, and the megaphone, there are lots of features that make your game play even better with the new edition of the game. It’s only a $5 upgrade, so it’s more than worth it in my opinion.

How to Get Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

There are three ways to get this version of the game! {And while I’m sure this is obvious, I do want to mention that you’ll need a Nintendo Switch 2 to play it!}

If you already have Animal Crossing: New Horizons: You can download the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade for just $4.99 in the Nintendo eShop.

If you don’t already have Animal Crossing: New Horizons: You can download the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition from the eShop, or buy a physical copy wherever you buy your games, or on {affiliate link} Amazon.

What will you do first with the new version??

The post Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition- What’s New? appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

I never thought I’d be saying this again, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons {ACNH} just got an update!

Way back in late 2021, we got the 2.0 Update, which was touted as the last free major update for the game. And that was true- until we got an announcement in November 2025 that ACNH would be getting a 3.0 update, which just launched last week in January 2026!

With over four years of nothing much new to do in the game, this update has been a very nice treat for those of us who are still ACNH fans- and even for those who haven’t visited their island in months or even years. Having new objectives, new mechanics, and even new characters on the island has been a great reason to come back and has even reinvigorated the Animal Crossing community at large.

So what does the 3.0 Update have in store, and what should you know if you’re ready to dive in? Here are some of the most important things to know about the Animal Crossing 3.0 Update from January 2026!

New Objective: The Hotel

Kapp’n has been docked on our piers for years, waiting to be asked to take you to special treasure islands. But now, his family is joining him on the island and starting a business venture- a hotel!

When you play with the 3.0 update, you’ll find a hotel on your now-extended pier. Kapp’n is still there on his boat, and there’s a new chest out front- more on that later. But first, go ahead and head on in to the hotel.

There, you’ll find members of Kapp’n’s family- his wife, Leilani is behind the desk, his daughter Leila is hanging out in the lobby, and you’ll find Grams manning the shopping area. Leilani is the one you’ll want to speak to about getting the hotel up and running!

How to Get Visitors at Your Hotel

The hotel can hold 8 rooms- Leilani is still working on getting the hotel ready, so you’ll only be able to decorate two rooms per day. Once those rooms are decorated, they’re open for business- which means villagers who don’t live on your island can come visit! You may find them wandering around your town, and you can interact with them like you would your own villagers.

I won’t spoil anything, but if you want to unlock more content, you’re definitely going to want to decorate all 8 rooms!

How to Earn and Spend Hotel Tickets

Each time you decorate a room, you’ll be paid in the currency that is used only at the hotel. You can also earn tickets by crafting the requested items on the sign out front of the hotel and putting them in the box for Kapp’n to sell on other islands to entice others to visit. The list will change every Monday, and every time you submit an item another request will take its place.

These tickets are used to buy the goods on display in the lobby near Grams, or you can shop through the catalog for more options.

Bonus tip: Items on display each day are offered at a discount, so if you’re eyeing something, grab it then!

Tourist Outfits

In the lobby, you’ll also find mannequins. They come with two preset outfits, which you can borrow and wear yourself and wear around your island. But what’s even more fun is that you can change those outfits, and the tourists will borrow them! For example, I put a bath robe on one of my mannequins, and now I have four villagers wandering my island in bathrobes. It’s hilarious and it’s so easy to have fun with this one!

Decorating the Pier

Unlike Resident Services, you CAN decorate the area immediately in front of the hotel! Get as creative as you want with it, but if you intend on crafting a lot to earn tickets with Kapp’n, I’d really recommend making a crafting bench part of your design. Even better if you add a cooktop for recipes, and a storage shed to grab any already-crafted items you may have already ready to submit. {I personally just carry a storage shed around in my pocket at all times, but that’s personal preference.}

Quality of Life Improvements

In addition to the Hotel content, there have been other small tweaks added to the game as well that improve overall gameplay. There may be some that the community is still discovering, but here are the most important ones:

Crafting quantity: We’ve been asking since Day 1 and it’s finally here- you can increase your quantity when crafting so that you only have to do it once to make multiples of something! Whether you’re crafting two items to submit to Kapp’n or you’re binge-crafting fish bait, this is SUCH a big improvement.

Crafting from storage: Likewise, crafting using supplies that are still in your storage is a big improvement. You no longer have to check a recipe to see how many supplies you need, then remove those from storage, then craft them. Now as long as you have the items in your storage, you’re good to go! {Note: If you have the supplies in your bag inventory, it’ll pull from there first and then your storage.}

Storage Upgrades: Previously capped out at 5,000 items, your storage can now hold up to 9,000 items- once you pay for the upgrade, that is. Talk to Tom and pay for the upgrades {it’ll cost 1.5 million bells to reach 7,000 items and then 1.8 million bells for 9,000} and enjoy much more room to store your items.

Island Tunes: Not sure what you want your island tune to be? Now Isabelle can suggest one for you!

Side Stepping: Now when you press L or R, you side step- a much more precise way to get around that is great for harvesting, watering, and terraforming! Or, as many ACNH fans have noticed, dancing!

Megaphone: Exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.0 Edition, the megaphone can be used to locate your villagers! You can buy one from Nook’s Cranny, then hold it like any other tool. Press A & speak into your Switch 2’s microphone, calling the name of whichever villager you’d like to locate. If they’re outside, they’ll reply and you can go find them. If they are inside, it’ll let you know that no one replied. This also works on those special characters who visit islands, like Celeste!

Slumber Islands

Full disclosure- I’ve been so busy with my hotel that I haven’t had much time to personally explore slumber islands yet. But I’m still really excited about them, and if you have a Nintendo Switch Online account, you should be too!

Slumber Islands are three new islands that you can decorate and visit in your slumber. Not only can you go hang out there, but your friends can join you there as well! {If they have Nintendo Switch Online as well, that is.} You get to decide the size of your island and then decorate it as much as you want- terraforming works there too so you can really customize them. If you’ve wanted to create a new island but didn’t want to get rid of your home island, this is exactly what you need!

Final Thoughts

I’m sure there are even more updates that I’m not aware of yet- and possibly that the ACNH community at large doesn’t know about yet. This was an amazing, robust update that we weren’t expecting, which has already reinvigorated the fandom and brought a sense of community back to a game that’s now almost six years old.

It definitely doesn’t make us want a new Animal Crossing game any less, but it for sure extends the amount of time that we all have fun things to do on New Horizons. We’re back to sharing memes, tips and tricks online, visiting each other’s islands, meeting new villagers, and flexing our creative muscles. It feels a lot like the beginning in some ways, which I know a lot of us have missed.

Whether you stick to decorating your hotel, build entire new slumber islands or just enjoy doing your daily tasks a little easier with the help of the updates, there’s definitely something for you in the Animal Crossing 3.0 Update!

What are you most excited to do now in the game?

The post Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 Update: What You Need to Know appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

Some cookbooks are all about technique, and others are about telling a story. The Ultimate Chick Flick Cookbook falls squarely into the second category- it’s playful, nostalgic, and clearly made for people who love food and a good movie night!

If you know someone who will happily rewatch their favorite romantic comedies again and again, this is the kind of gift that feels thoughtful without being overly serious. It’s fun, it’s creative, and it’s meant to be enjoyed slowly, one movie {and recipe} at a time!

Why This Cookbook Makes a Great Gift

What makes this cookbook such a great gift is how personal it feels! Giving this gift to someone that you know loves some of these movies will absolutely make them feel seen. Each recipe is inspired by an iconic romantic comedy, and it’s not just about cooking- it’s about pairing food with moments from movies they already love.

What You’ll Find Inside

Inside the book, you’ll find over 60 hand-tested recipes inspired by classic romantic comedies and femme-focused films. The recipes are designed to be approachable, with options that work for everything from casual snacks to more involved dishes.

Some of the recipes are directly tied to memorable moments or themes from the films, which makes cooking from this book feel like part of the viewing experience. It’s fun to flip through even when you’re not actively cooking- especially if you’re someone who enjoys revisiting favorite movies!

Perfect for Movie Nights and Cozy Evenings In

This cookbook really shines when it comes to cozy nights at home. It’s ideal for movie nights, themed dinners, or weekends when you want something fun to cook without overthinking it.

Because the recipes are spread across so many different films, it’s easy to dip in and out throughout the year. You can make one recipe for a single movie night or slowly work your way through the book as you revisit your favorite romantic comedies! This could be so fun to do on a weekly basis- meaning it’s a gift that keeps on giving year-round!

Who This Gift Is Best For

This cookbook is a great fit for:

• Friends who love romantic comedies
• Movie-night enthusiasts
• Hosts who enjoy themed gatherings
• Anyone who likes playful, creative cookbooks
• Yourself- especially if you love the idea of cooking your way through your favorite films over time!

Where to Buy

The Ultimate Chick Flick Cookbook is available in paperback and makes a thoughtful, lighthearted gift for any rom-com lover! You can find it here on {affiliate link} Amazon.

The post Holiday Gift Guide: The Ultimate Chick Flick Cookbook appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. #FlatironPartner

There’s something about a cookbook that feels extra special as a gift- especially when it’s rooted in family traditions and food that’s meant to be shared! I’ve always loved cookbooks that feel real, the kind you can picture being passed around a kitchen or pulled out when you’re feeding a crowd. The Bradshaw Family Cookbook definitely fits that vibe!

This one comes from the Bradshaw family- yes, that Bradshaw-and it’s all about the recipes they actually make when they’re together. Whether it’s a weekend brunch, a game day spread, or a casual family dinner, this cookbook leans into comforting, crowd-pleasing food that brings people to the table.

Why This Cookbook Makes a Great Gift

What makes this cookbook stand out as a gift is how approachable it feels. It’s great for a novice or a pro alike as the food is good but the recipes are simple. It’s not trying to be fancy or overly cheffy- it’s focused on real food for real gatherings- the kind of recipes you’d actually want to make when people are coming over!

It’s also one of those books that works for a wide range of people. You don’t need to be a hardcore football fan to enjoy it {trust me, I know nothing about football}, and you don’t need to cook elaborate meals every night to get value out of it. It’s a solid addition to any kitchen!

What You’ll Find Inside

The cookbook includes nearly 100 recipes, organized in a way that makes it easy to flip to exactly what you need. There are breakfast and brunch options, starters and snacks, grilling and smoking recipes, potluck-friendly mains, salads and sides, and a solid dessert section to finish things off.

The recipes draw inspiration from Southern cooking, Texas roots, and classic family favorites- think dishes that feel familiar, comforting, and meant to be shared. The combination of recipes works just as well for a laid-back weekend as it does for a full house!

Perfect for Family-Style Cooking and Hosting

If you love hosting- or you just love feeding people- this cookbook really shines. Many of the recipes are designed for gatherings, which makes it especially nice for holidays, casual get-togethers, or those weekends when everyone seems to end up at your house.

While football is definitely part of the Bradshaw family story, the food itself goes way beyond game day. That said, I do love a good football party when the food is the main event, and this book has plenty of ideas that would work perfectly for that kind of spread!

Who This Gift Is Best For

This cookbook is a great fit for:

• Anyone who loves cooking for family and friends
• Hosts who enjoy easy, crowd-friendly recipes
• Fans of comforting, classic American food
• Home cooks who appreciate recipes with a personal story behind them

Where to Buy It

The Bradshaw Family Cookbook: Our Favorite Recipes for Game Days, Weekdays, and Any Day is available in hardcover and makes a great addition to any home kitchen! You can find it here on {affiliate link} Amazon!

The post Holiday Gift Guide: The Bradshaw Family Cookbook appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

I received a copy of this game. All opinions are my own.

If you missed it, earlier this year Nintendo released Pokémon Legends: Z‑A, an open‑world action RPG on Nintendo Switch 2 where you build a team, battle in real‑time combat, explore a huge world, and take on a mystery involving legendary Pokémon. You can read our full review right here!

Now that the base game has been out for awhile, the Mega Dimension DLC {downloadable content} expands that world with a bunch of new content designed to keep players exploring long after the main story wraps up! It introduces additional story content that you can jump into once you’ve finished the base game, adding new quests and narrative moments that extend the experience you already know and love.

One of the biggest additions in this DLC is a brand‑new dimension to explore- a mysterious version of Lumiose City affected by spatial distortions and otherworldly phenomena. This new area opens up entirely new environments and challenges that weren’t available in the base game, giving players fresh terrain to navigate and new mysteries to uncover. It feels like stepping into another layer of the world you’ve already spent time in, but with its own distinct flavor!

The DLC also ramps up the Pokémon variety with additional returning Pokémon and new, exciting Mega Evolutions that weren’t in the launch game. Some fan‑favorite creatures get expanded roles here, and there are more opportunities to catch rare or powerful forms of Pokémon you may have already encountered. For players who love building out their roster or seeking out unique battle options, this is one of the most exciting parts of the new content- I know I’m personally very excited about this!

On top of expanding the world and the Pokémon lineup, the DLC adds extra side activities and missions that give you more goals. These include optional quests that reward rare items, encounters with trainers or characters you didn’t meet in the main story, and battles that test your team in new ways. Some of these activities also unlock special rewards you can use to customize your playthrough even further.

If you’re someone who enjoys the post‑game content- whether that’s Continued Battles in the Infinite Z‑A Royale, completing all the Pokédex objectives, or just chasing down hidden secrets- the DLC gives you more of what already made the base game engaging while layering in fresh twists and additions.

The Pokémon Legends: Z‑A DLC builds on the game that players already love, offering new areas to explore, more Pokémon to collect, extra missions to dive into, and expanded battle opportunities that make your time in Kalos feel bigger and more complete!

Buy It

You can find the Pokémon Legends: Z‑A DLC on {affiliate link} Amazon, your favorite brick & mortar store, or through the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2. {Keep in mind these are all going to be digital code purchases, so if you’re looking in-store you’ll want to look where the games that look like gift cards are!}

Important note: The DLC is not a standalone experience- you’ll need the full base game to play so be sure if you’re giving this as a gift they already have the main game! If they do, this DLC adds meaningful content that’s perfect, especially if they’ve wrapped up Z‑A’s main tale and want more!

The post Holiday Gift Guide: Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC! appeared first on {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker.

I received a copy of this game. All opinions are my own.

After years of rumors, Metroid 4 is finally here for the Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s a huge deal for longtime fans of the series! Whether you’re already familiar with Samus Aran’s past adventures or you’re just now jumping into the franchise, this is one of the biggest releases on Nintendo Switch 2 so far- and one that’s been in the works for a very long time.

This game continues Samus’s story with a brand-new mission and a darker, more cinematic tone. While Nintendo has kept a lot of the deeper plot details quiet to avoid spoilers, you can expect the usual mix of exploration, action, and upgrades that unlock new parts of the map as you go. That’s always been one of Metroid’s biggest draws- the joy of finding a new ability and connecting the dots to realize it opens a door you passed hours ago.

This game isn’t a remake or a port- it’s a full new entry. It was built for Nintendo Switch 2, and the visuals definitely reflect that! The environments are moody and super detailed. Whether you’re navigating a crumbling facility or fighting your way through something more alien, the world design plays a big part in the experience.

Combat is of course a major part of the game, with plenty of options for how to approach each fight. Samus’s arsenal is upgradeable, and the game gives you lots of tools to deal with enemies, obstacles, and puzzle-like environments. Like most Metroid games, this one rewards exploration and backtracking- there’s always something you missed the first time through. {And, likely, the second time too.}

One of the biggest changes in this entry to the series is just how much more cinematic everything feels. There are more cutscenes, voice lines, and bigger set pieces than you might expect if you’re coming from the older games in the series, but at its core, it still looks like classic Metroid. It’s just stepped up a notch!

For anyone new to the series, this could be a great place to start- it’s designed for modern players and doesn’t require a deep knowledge of past games to understand what’s going on. But for longtime fans, Metroid 4 is packed with details and callbacks that make it feel like a true continuation of the legacy.

Buy It

You can find Metroid 4 on {affiliate link} Amazon, your favorite brick & mortar store, or through the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2.

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