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  • 🎃 Our Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Day – From Sunrise to Spells!

    We squeezed every bit of magic (and candy!) out of our Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party day — and yes, we did the whole day in Magic Kingdom! From early rides and waffles to trick-or-treating and fireworks, here’s how our jam-packed party day played out, plus some tips if you’re planning to do the same.

    ☀️ We Started EARLY — and Rode a Ton!

    Our flight landed at 8:01 AM, and because we didn’t check bags, we were off the plane fast and in an Uber to Disney’s Grand Floridian. By mid-morning, we were walking down Main Street.

    🍽️ Breakfast stop: Sleepy Hollow waffles — always a hit and the perfect way to fuel up for a big day.

    🎢 Morning ride list (yes, all before lunch!):

    • Tomorrowland Speedway
    • TRON Lightcycle / Run
    • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
    • Winnie the Pooh
    • Small World
    • Pirates of the Caribbean
    • Haunted Mansion
    • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

    Morning photo in front of Cinderella Castle with Halloween pumpkins
    We were all smiles in the morning — fresh outfits, pumpkin decor, and perfect weather. This photo feels like a time capsule of our energy before the late-night candy chaos set in. 🎃✨

    🕔 5:30 PM – Back for the Party!

    After a quick hotel break to change, we were back in Magic Kingdom by 5:30 PM:

    • Got our MNSSHP wristbands
    • Took more photos (obviously)
    • Rode Space Mountain x3 (it’s even darker during the party!)
    • We also hopped on Mad Tea Party, which gets a fun Halloween glow-up

    Inside Out family photo in front of castle
    Close-up funny shot of Inside Out family

    🎃 7:00 PM – Trick-or-Treat Time!

    Right at 7, we started hitting treat trails. Our favorite:

    • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor — you walk through while the monsters tell jokes live on screen! It’s a great combo of candy + cool air + comedy.

    We also made our way through Tomorrowland and over to Big Top Circus, picking up treats and squeezing in small rides like Dumbo and Barnstormer.

    🐎 8:00 PM – Parade Time!

    We grabbed a spot near Liberty Square around 8:00 PM.

    • Headless Horseman rides through right before the parade — such a cool moment.
    • The Boo-to-You Parade kicked off at 8:15 PM and was a total highlight.
    • As soon as it finished we hit up all the treat trails in Liberty Square and Frontierland.

    🧙‍♀️ 9:00 PM – Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

    We got a spot in front of the castle and watched the Sanderson Sisters show at 9:05 PM. The show is packed with energy (and villains!).

    Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party projection on ground

    😴 9:15 PM – Divide and Conquer

    Our youngest was running on fumes after a 4 AM wake-up, so:

    • Chris took her to stake out a spot for fireworks after the Sanderson Sisters. We love to park out right behind the statue of Walt so we have an unobstructed view of fireworks!
    • I took the older two to hit up a few more treat trails.

    Youngest asleep during fireworks with dad

    🎆 10:00 PM – Fireworks Finale

    We regrouped and watched the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks together. A perfect end to an epic day — castle projections, music, classic characters, and so much Halloween fun.

    Cinderella Castle during Halloween fireworks

    🍬 The Candy Situation? Out. Of. Control.

    Here’s what we ended up with — and yes, this is just from casually doing treat trails throughout the night.

    Candy in Mickey shape on hotel bed

    We brought extra bags — and thank goodness we did. Our treat bags were overflowing by the end of the night!

    Pro tip: Pack one in your park bag and thank yourself later.

    💡 Would We Do It All Again?

    Absolutely.
    Even after a travel day, an early park morning, and a full night of partying — it was worth every second. We didn’t prioritize characters this time (those lines get long!), but we got tons of rides, shows, treats, and memories.

    If you’re on the fence about doing Mickey’s Not-So-Scary and a full park day? You can totally make it work. Just pace yourselves and plan a midday break!

    Let me know if you’d like a printable packing list, our matching outfit links, or my go-to list of MNSSHP must-dos for families! 🎃👟🍬

  • 🖤🟩 Gotham City Hip Hop Party for Paige’s Team

    When Paige’s hip hop team kicked off their season, we celebrated with a Gotham theme that felt big city and a little bit extra. Think New York photo ops, a graffiti signing wall, and a black, green, and yellow candy bar that doubled as party favors.

    🍬 The Gotham Candy Bar

    The candy table was the star. We kept the colors tight to black, neon green, and bright yellow.

    Our candy lineup:

    Pro tip: We used self sealing cellophane bags for the green and yellow gummy worms so the dancers could pack candy fast with no mess. No twist ties needed.

    Gotham themed candy bar with black, green, and yellow candy in clear jars Closeup of Gotham candy bar with rock candy and taffy

    🏙️ New York City Vibes

    We mixed classic city elements with street style touches to make it feel like a team night out in Times Square.

    NYC skyline photo backdrop with dancers taking pictures Graffiti signing wall with colorful signatures and doodles

    📸 Party Highlights

    Abby standing with party food and candy set up Candy and decor supplies laid out on the counter before setup Photo booth props ready for NYC themed pictures Cluster of New York skyline centerpieces arranged on a table

    🗽 Tips for your own Gotham team party

    • Pick two or three colors and stick with them. Black, green, and yellow worked perfectly.
    • Add one signature activity. The graffiti wall gave us a memory to keep.
    • Keep food grab and go. Candy favors made cleanup simple and fast.
    • Create one clear photo spot so every group gets a quick picture.

    Have a favorite team party theme that worked for your crew? Share it in the comments. I love new ideas for next season.

  • 🎉 Letting My 12-Year-Old Plan Her Own Sephora Birthday Party (And Honestly? She Crushed It)

    This year, Paige asked if she could plan her own birthday party.

    Not just pick a theme—she wanted full creative control. The snacks. The decor. The vibe. The glam. And I figured… why not? Give the girl the clipboard and see what happens.

    Turns out, she might just have the party-planning gene I didn’t know I passed down.

    And truthfully? This isn’t her first rodeo. Last year she created an entire Snack Shack party from scratch—complete with menu boards and DIY food stations. It was such a hit that I knew she could handle it again.

    ✨ Want more tween party inspo like this?
    👉 Join the Paging Real Life email list for real-life party ideas, family travel, and mom-life chaos straight to your inbox.


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    (PS: I might just have to share the Snack Shack throwback in a full post soon. It’s worth it.)

    This year, her vision was all things Sephora: pink, preppy, glam, and snack-loaded.

    Here’s how it all came together:

    🛍 The Cake That Deserves Its Own Spotlight

    Paige wanted a pink, makeup-and-skincare-themed cake—something girly, glam, and over-the-top fun. And Magic Box Cakery (@magicbox.cakery) absolutely delivered. She created the most perfect Sephora-style cake with a black-and-white shopping bag, pink tissue, and edible makeup details like lipsticks, brushes, palettes, nail polish, and more.

    It was gorgeous, detailed, and honestly—people didn’t believe it was real.

    Sephora birthday cake by Magic Box Cakery

    Cake of our dreams by Magic Box Cakery.

    🛒 The Grocery Store Takeover

    We took a trip to Kroger to get all the party essentials—and Paige was in charge. She picked the snacks (chips, candy, donuts), the drinks, the plates, and even the napkin designs. I just pushed the cart and tried to keep up.

    Paige shopping at Kroger for party snacks

    Birthday girl on a mission.

    💄 Dollar Tree Makeup Station = Tween Gold

    One of Paige’s best ideas was setting up a full DIY makeup and skincare station—on a budget. She hit the beauty aisle at Dollar Tree and found lip glosses, blush, highlighters, mini foundation bottles, sponges, nail polish, and even face masks.

    The girls did blindfolded makeup challenges using eye masks and swapped roles doing each other’s makeup by feel alone. It was chaotic and absolutely hilarious.

    Dollar Tree glam station setup

    $1 finds + tween creativity = success.

    🍬 Candy Bar Heaven

    Paige was very specific: she wanted a full candy bar with clear containers, scoops, and plastic cups for scooping. She picked out all the treats herself—M&Ms, Sour Patch Kids, gummy worms, and our favorite: TruFru chocolate-covered strawberries and raspberries.

    We lined it all up and let the girls go wild.

    Close-up of Sephora birthday candy bar

    Welcome to the sugar station.

    Full view of tween candy bar setup

    Sweet chaos in every scoop.

    🧀 Snacks, But Make It Pretty

    Most kids just dump chips into a bowl. Paige lined them up—Goldfish, Lays, Doritos, Cheetos—in neat rows across the counter like she was prepping a snack display for a commercial shoot. I have to admit, it was oddly satisfying.

    Neatly organized chip bar display

    Chip curation by Paige.

    🍗 Chick-fil-A Always Wins

    We kept dinner super simple and ordered a nugget tray from Chick-fil-A, plus waffle fries and sauces. Not a single person complained—and definitely not a single nugget was left.

    Chick-fil-A nugget and waffle fry birthday spread

    Elite birthday dinner move: Chick-fil-A everything.

    💬 Final Thoughts

    Letting Paige take the reins on her birthday party was one of the best things we’ve done. She had a vision, made a plan, and pulled it all together with just a little help behind the scenes.

    Was it Pinterest-perfect? Maybe not.
    Was it perfectly her? Absolutely.

    Watching her light up as her ideas came to life was the real gift. And that cake? It’ll be talked about until next year.

    🎂 Huge thanks again to Magic Box Cakery for the most jaw-dropping Sephora-themed cake we’ve ever seen. If you’re local and need a showstopper, she’s the one to call.

  • 🇮🇹 Naples Cruise Port: Sorrento, Pompeii & All the Flavors

    Our day in Naples was a perfect blend of history, views, and indulgent snacks—just how we like it! We booked a private tour through Viator that included stops in Sorrento and Pompeii, and while the traffic was wild at times, the experience was absolutely worth it.

    Streets of Sorrento

    🍋 Sorrento: Sweets, Streets & Stunning Views

    We kicked things off in beautiful Sorrento, with time to wander the charming streets, soak up the views, and (of course) snack. Here’s what we loved:

    • 🍨 Gelato from Antica Gelateria dell’Accademia — the cannoli flavor was unforgettable!
    • 🌸 Macarons from Amorino — almost too pretty to eat (almost).
    • 🍫 Pistachio + lemon chocolates from Nino and Friends — so good, and great for souvenirs!

    Macarons from Amorino

    🏛️ Pompeii: Walking Through History

    Next up was a guided tour through Pompeii, where we walked the ancient Roman streets frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Our guide was knowledgeable and great with kids—bringing the ruins to life with fun facts and stories.

    Ruins at Pompeii

    Mount Vesuvius view from Pompeii

    Despite Naples’ reputation for hectic traffic (and yes, we hit some!), the entire day was a smooth ride thanks to our driver and guide.

    🎟️ Tour Details

    We booked this private tour through Viator and had a great experience:
    👉 Private Day Tour: Amalfi Coast, Sorrento & Pompeii (Viator)
    Customizable itinerary, comfortable van, and a family-friendly approach — highly recommend!

    📝 Quick Tips

    • ✅ Pompeii gets hot! Bring water and a fan — we love these travel gear picks.
    • 🍋 Don’t skip Nino and Friends — try the chocolate samples!
    • 🚗 Expect some traffic—plan buffer time if you’re on a tight cruise schedule.
    • 🎒 Comfortable shoes are a must for Pompeii’s uneven roads.

  • ✨ Why I Keep My Cricut Plugged In: From Disney Trips to Birthday Tees

    This week was peak Cricut mom mode. I made a set of shirts for a friend’s family heading to Disney for the first time — think classic “My First Disney Trip” vibes — and then, not 24 hours later, Paige asked me to make her a custom shirt for her birthday. Of course I said yes.

    It’s moments like these that make me so grateful to have my Cricut and EasyPress always ready to go. Whether it’s for big trips we’ve been planning for months, or something spontaneous like school spirit days, last-minute birthday ideas, or matching cousin shirts, being able to pull off a fun design in 20 minutes flat is such a win.

    🎂 Paige’s Birthday Shirt

    First up this week: a birthday shirt request from Paige. She had a very specific vision — pink, cute, and with a little sparkle. We raided my vinyl drawer and made it happen the night before her birthday. She wore it the next morning and felt so proud to say she helped design it herself.

    Paige birthday shirt front

    This was Paige’s vision — pink sparkle and all. Mission accomplished.

    Paige birthday shirt back

    Loved how this pressed — crisp, clean, and made with love the night before.

    🎉 First Trip Disney Shirts for Friends

    Just before that, I made a set of shirts for a friend’s family heading to Disney for the first time. I love when people trust me with these — they’re simple, bold, and perfect for capturing those magical moments without overdoing it.

    Disney shirts for friend's first trip

    Clean designs and classic sayings — “My First Disney Trip” never goes out of style.

    🛒 What I Use to Make It All Happen

    Affiliate links below. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting my blog!

    👕 My Favorite Shirt Blanks:

    💡 Why I Keep It All Set Up

    I used to think of my Cricut as something I’d pull out for “special projects.” Now it just lives on my craft table, plugged in and ready to go. I can make a shirt before school, label a water bottle before dance class, or throw together a teacher gift on a Sunday night. It’s one of the most useful tools I’ve invested in — and it’s saved me so many last-minute store runs.

    Let me know in the comments: Do you keep your Cricut set up full-time? What’s the fastest project you’ve whipped up? I’d love to hear your ideas!

    📸 More Shirt Inspo from Past Projects

    Over the years, I’ve made so many Disney shirts for my own crew and others. Here are a few more favorites to keep the ideas flowing:

    Disney shirt set
    Disney group set
    Minnie shirts
    Classic Mickey shirt
    Stack of vinyl shirts
    Shirts folded
    Shirts laid out on couch

    📌 Pin This for Later


    DIY Disney Shirts with Cricut – Custom Shirts for Magical Moments

    Tap to save this idea on Pinterest for later!

  • 🇬🇷 Athens Cruise Port: Private Tour with PK Travel Greece

    Our stop in Athens was packed with ancient history and memorable moments! We spent the day on a private 8-hour tour through PK Travel Greece, exploring the city’s most iconic landmarks—from the Acropolis to the Olympic Stadium. It was educational, beautiful, and (spoiler alert) a little exhausting in the heat!

    Family in front of the Parthenon

    🏛️ The Sites

    We were picked up directly from the cruise port by our driver and guide. Our full-day Athens tour included:

    • 🌀 The Acropolis: Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, and Propylaia
    • 📍 Areopagus (Mars Hill)
    • 🏛️ Temple of Olympian Zeus
    • 🏟️ The Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)
    • 🏛️ Drive-by tour of The Old Palace and Catholic Cathedral
    • 🎖️ The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Changing of the Guards at the Parliament
    • 🏛️ The Acropolis Museum
    The Parthenon

    Our driver was excellent—kind, flexible, and safe. PK Travel was responsive and very easy to work with before and during the trip. Our tour guide was clearly knowledgeable, but the level of detail felt geared toward adults with graduate degrees in archaeology 😅. With three kids in tow, that didn’t quite land—but to their credit, PK Travel was receptive to our feedback and seemed open to better matching guides for family tours in the future and I think guide would be excellent for those adults that want all the details!

    Family in front of Olympic Stadium

    🍽️ Lunch in Plaka

    We broke for lunch in the charming Plaka neighborhood and ate at Estia—a casual, delicious spot for gyros and Greek favorites. Our group shared pork and chicken gyros, halloumi cheese, and lots of cold drinks. It hit the spot!

    Lunch at Estia in Plaka

    ☀️ Final Thoughts + Tips

    Athens was a highlight of our cruise—but it was hot. Like, surface-of-the-sun hot. If you’re traveling in summer, be ready for strong sun and lots of walking. I highly recommend checking out our travel gear page for the portable fans and essentials we brought (and used constantly)!

    Despite the heat, this tour made it easy to see the best of Athens with a family in one day. Would definitely recommend PK Travel for their organization and convenience. With a more kid-friendly guide, this would have been a perfect day!

    📝 Quick Tips

    • ☀️ Bring hats, fans, and refillable water bottles—heat is no joke!
    • 📚 Make sure your guide adjusts to your group’s vibe—especially with kids
    • 🍽️ Estia in Plaka was great for lunch—tasty, affordable, and kid-friendly
    • 📷 Have your camera ready—Athens is packed with iconic photo spots

  • 💚🖤 HER, Gotham & Grit: Our All-Star Choreo Week Marathon

    There’s tired—and then there’s choreo week tired after four straight days of dancing, cheering, and tumbling. That’s exactly what our girls tackled this week as we officially launched choreo week for our dance teams for the 2025–2026 season at Premier Athletics NKY.

    This wasn’t just any choreo week—it was a full-blown endurance test.

    Paige and Olivia at Premier front view

    🗓️ 4 Days, 4 Hours of Hip-Hop… and More

    Both girls came into the week excited for their regular hip-hop team choreography—Olivia for HER (Large Mini Hip-Hop) and Paige for Gotham (Youth Hip-Hop). But when extra fill-ins were needed, they stepped up big time.

    Paige and Olivia walking into Premier

    They danced four hours a day for four days straight—learning multiple routines with their favorite choreographer and fast-paced music. And then they kept going.

    💥 Extra Credit: Cheer, Tumbling & Gabi Butler

    In the middle of all that dancing, the girls also:

    • Attended a 4-hour clinic with Gabi Butler (yes, the Gabi Butler!)
    • Knocked out a 2-hour cheer practice
    • Took a 90-minute tumbling private to sharpen their skills

    Hands in middle team moment

    Let’s just say… our laundry pile is massive, the snacks disappeared instantly, and the Owala bottles never left our side.

    🍴 Team Snacks That Actually Worked

    As Gotham’s team rep, I helped coordinate food—and it turned out to be one of the most important parts of the week. These kids needed fuel they could grab quickly and still get back on the floor fast.

    Choreo week team snack table

    Here’s what we set out:

    • Chicken nugget snack cups
    • Bananas, grapes, and fruit bowls
    • Mini muffins, protein bars, and gummies
    • Doritos, Rold Gold pretzels, and Cheetos
    • Gatorades, hydration sticks, and water bottles
    • Cupcakes to wrap up choreo week in style 🎉

    🏙️ Team Vibes: HER & Gotham

    The themes this year are 🔥.

    HER team logo for 2025–26
    HER is bright, bold, and full of girl power in neon pink.

    Gotham team logo for 2025–26
    Gotham is gritty, edgy, and strong—exactly the energy this team brings to the floor.

    We can’t wait to see both routines hit the stage. The music’s epic, the choreo is sharp, and the girls are already obsessed.

    HER is fierce. Gotham is fearless. And both are ready.

    🎒 Want to See What We Packed?

    With this much activity in one week, packing smart was essential. From hydration to dancewear to backup snacks, here’s what we never leave home without:

    👉 What We Use for Cheer Practice

    📸 Stay Tuned

    We’ve got more photos and clips to share soon—because this week deserves to be remembered.

    Coming up:

    • Team bonding moments
    • Gabi Butler clinic highlights
    • How we’re recovering (spoiler: naps + cupcakes)

    Follow along at @pagingreallife for more behind-the-scenes of our all-star life.

  • 🇬🇷 Mykonos Cruise Port: Private Catamaran Adventure with Kids

    Our stop in Mykonos turned out to be one of the dreamiest days of the whole cruise! We booked a private catamaran through Kids Love Greece, and it was the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation for our family.
    

    🚤 Getting to the Catamaran

    After disembarking from the Disney Fantasy, we were picked up from the port and driven to a tiny dock. There, a friendly local was selling warm, fresh donuts—and of course Paige had to try one! 🍩
    Dockside donuts

    From the dock, a small tender boat whisked us out to meet our beautiful catamaran for the day. There were 13 of us total, and we were in great hands with our captain, Miguel, and first mate/chef, George.

    🌊 Sailing the Aegean Sea

    We sailed for about 5 hours through the sparkling waters of Mykonos. The coastline views were incredible, and we made a few peaceful stops in hidden bays. There was an option to swim each time—Chris and Maddie jumped in (brave souls!), while Paige, Olivia, and I opted to dip our toes in only. 🧊


    Swimming in the bay


    Sailing views in Mykonos

    🍽️ Lunch on Board

    Despite the strong winds, the whole day felt calm and carefree. We sipped drinks, took in the sun, and were treated to an incredible lunch prepared by George right on the boat. Authentic Greek flavors, fresh ingredients, and a salty breeze—perfection.


    Lunch on the boat

    By the time lunch wrapped up, the sun and sea had worked their magic—both Maddie and Olivia passed out on the front deck. 💨☀️💙


    Kids napping on catamaran

    🌟 Final Thoughts

    We absolutely loved our day in Mykonos. The Kids Love Greece catamaran experience was smooth, safe, and unforgettable for all ages. Highly recommend it for cruise families looking for a relaxing, personalized way to explore the Greek islands.


    Final view from catamaran

    📝 Quick Tips

    • ✅ Book early—catamarans fill up fast!
    • 🍽️ George’s cooking = unforgettable
    • 💨 Windy days are common—pack a light cover-up
    • 🧳 Curious what we packed for the cruise? See our must-have travel gear

  • 🇺🇸 Red, White & Snack-tastic: 4th of July Charcuterie Fun 🎇

    Move over fireworks — these girls brought the snack spark to our 4th of July celebration this year!

    Paige has officially claimed the title of Charcuterie Queen, and Olivia is following close behind. They got to work early, decked out in red, white, and blue (complete with glittery tattoos, festive sunnies, and blue hair streaks!), and created two epic boards — one classic American flag and one candy-covered masterpiece.

    📸 Kicking It Off with Blueberries

    Starting with blueberries on charcuterie board

    “Blueberries first. Always blueberries.” – Charcuterie wisdom, according to Paige.

    👨‍👧 Charcuterie is a Family Affair

    Family helping with charcuterie board

    It turned into a full family project — even Uncle Kevin jumped in to help line up rows of cherry tomatoes and yogurt raisins like a pro.

    🍓 The Classic 4th of July Spread

    Final American flag food charcuterie

    This board had everything: tomatoes, dried cranberries, Club crackers, licorice, Swedish fish, strawberries, star-cut cheese, and blueberries — all meticulously placed by my perfectionist 11-year-old.

    🍬 Candy Charcuterie Chaos (and We Loved It)

    4th of July candy charcuterie tray

    We gave the girls full creative freedom on this one. Licorice bricks, sprinkle cookies, jelly beans, and red/blue gummies all came together in a candy masterpiece that didn’t last long!

    💄 Olivia’s Red, White & Bold Look

    Olivia in red white and blue makeup

    Temporary tattoos, patriotic beads, glitter, and bold lipstick — Olivia was clearly in her element. She says she’s ready to run her own glam booth next year!

    🎆 Want to Recreate the Look?

    We rounded up everything we used — from Amazon candy finds to 4th of July accessories and last-minute party-ready pieces — in one easy post:

    👉 July 4th Ready in a Day: Treats, Accessories & Kid-Approved Finds

  • 🎇 July 4th Ready in a Day: Treats, Accessories & Kid-Approved Finds 🇺🇸

    It’s almost the Fourth of July — and if you’re anything like me, you’re in last-minute party prep mode. Between ordering on Amazon, wrangling kids, and planning a few family traditions, I wanted to keep things fun and festive without spending hours DIY’ing everything. So this year, we’re going simple and sweet — starting with candy and accessories that are colorful, kid-approved, and ship fast!

    🎆 Red, White & Blue Candy & Treats for the Fourth of July 🇺🇸

    Here’s what we grabbed from Amazon — perfect for charcuterie boards, treat bags, party jars, or just keeping the kids hyped for fireworks. All are Prime eligible or fast shipping:

    🎉 Fourth of July Party Accessories & Outfit Extras 🇺🇸

    Because let’s be honest — the accessories are half the fun! These red, white & blue finds are perfect for kids, moms, or party guests. Plus, most ship fast if you’re short on time:

    📦 I’ll be sharing our full red, white & blue snack board soon — complete with all these treats styled together for our family cookout. Stay tuned, or follow me on Instagram for the behind-the-scenes video of the girls helping unpack and prep!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting our family blog!