Strolling with Two Kids Using the Evenflo Sibby Travel System

This post was sponsored by Evenflo as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received the Evenflo Sibby Travel System to facilitate my review.

When I found out I was pregnant with Henry, there were a few things that entered my mind and immediately had me worried. Would my first pregnancy/delivery be as great and easy as the first? Would I love the new baby as much as Sally? How would I have time to take care of two kids and give them both the attention they needed? How in the world would I run errands with two kids?! Being a stay at home mommy, I usually have no choice but to head out with both kids in tow. It's sink or swim people. If you don't want to be stuck at home all the time, it's just something you have to learn to do. 

Although I am certainly no expert, after a few months of being a mama of two, I have learned a few tips and tricks and wanted to share them with you. 

1) Go during the best times. Its much easier to stroll the aisles of Target or the grocery store while Henry is sleeping. It's also best to go when you know the stores won't be crazy busy.

2) Stock your bag. You never know when someone will have an accident, get sick, or need a diaper change. Always check the diaper bag before leaving to make sure you have everything you need. 

3) Bring snacks. LOTS of snacks. It never fails that Sally gets hungry while we are out. (Forget the fact that we just had lunch and she said she wasn't hungry). Always throw a few healthy and easy snacks into your bag. 

4) Talk to your older child about your expectations for them (and what the consequences will be if they act up). 

5) Invest in a good travel system. We love the Sibby from Evenflo. Even though Sally is 4.5 years old, she gets whiny if she has to walk to much. This travel system is perfect and is much easier to use than a double stroller. Henry fits perfectly in the car seat that fits into the stroller and then Sally is able to hop on and ride using the Ride Along Board. It's prefect for trips to the mall, the zoo, museum, etc. when her little legs need a break.  The board is super easy to attach and folds away when not in use.It also has a big basket underneath which always comes in handy. The Check them out at Target (our favorite store!). 

 Sally gives it two thumbs up. She really liked riding on the roller board.

Do you have any tricks or tips for running errands with 2 kids?

Go Eat: Grimaldi's Pizza

Pre-kids, Joe and I went to NYC probably once a year.

There is nothing for fun for us than exploring a city together.  On afternoon we made the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  

We had a special destination in mind that we had heard about from friends and in guidebooks. 

The place was Grimaldi's and it was declared the best in the area. With such a devoted following, we knew we would have to wait in line. 

Once inside we were shocked to see basically a dive. There was nothing fancy about this place but the pizza was incredible!

Although here in Germantown, we have many pizza places, I was so excited to hear that not only was Grimaldis now a chain, but it was being built like 2 miles from my house in Saddle Creek. 

Joe and I scheduled a date night last week to check it out.  First off, its in a great spot...right in the middle of Germantown (Saddle Creek).

I loved the interior so much. The brick walls, black and white pictures of New York City and wine bottle chandeliers were so neat! The red and white checked tablecloths are a nod to the original location and traditional Italian joints. 

The servers were really friendly and helpful. They explained that the portions were big so sharing was ideal. 

We started off with the house salad and I will warn you, the small is big enough for 2-3 people to share. It had a nice Italian dressing on it and I loved the roasted red peppers. 

Joe liked it!

White we waited for our pizza, I decided to check out the bathrooms. I loved how the sign looked like a subway sign. Its those little touches that I notice and remember that make a place special. 

The bathrooms were totally modeled off the traditional yellow New York taxi cab. They had a changing table which is a huge bonus in my book!

For dinner, we decided to get the same pizza that we had gotten many years before...the Margherita. It was so yummy! The crust was thin...crispy around the edge and chewy (not at all mushy) in the middle. There was the perfect amount of char from the oven. The topping were fresh and generous. It was pretty much the perfect pizza. 

They insisted that we get dessert. I'm not a cheesecake eater but Joe is. This is the trio that Joe got to go. It had caramel apple, traditional and Godiva chocolate cheesecake. He said it was delicious when he busted it out about an hour later.

We left with our tummies full and happy :)

On the way out, we stopped to watch them cooking the pizzas in the oven. 

Grimaldi's offers patio seating and I think it would be perfect to sit out there on an early fall evening..in fact I'm already making plans to. 

The bar was really neat. We both loved how the doors opened to the outside. They had a few tv's on so it would be a great spot to watch the Tigers or Grizzlies play. 

Overall, we were huge fans of Grimaldi's. The service was very good, the food was outstanding and the ambiance was really fun. We are lucky to have them here in Germantown!!

10 Back to School Traditions

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Set up Back to School mantle

I love the idea of decorating the house up a bit to celebrate the new school year. It's no surprise that I'm drawn to everything vintage. 

Here are some of my favorites:

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{two}

Special dinner the night before 

My idea is to either let the child choose where they would like to go out to dinner or to cook their favorite meal at home....just something to make them feel special.

Love this set up found here.

{three}

Read books before bed

There are so many great books, but these are my favorites for little ones starting school for the first time. 

{four}

Pick out Back to School outfit

We ordered ours from Eleanor Rose

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Special back to school breakfast

Set this up the night before and surprise your kids with a special breakfast. 

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Take Picture of First Day

You have to take a picture on the first day of school and these printable signs make it so much cuter!

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Happy for the teacher

When I was a teacher, I really appreciated the creative parents who took the time to let me know how excited and grateful they were to have me teach their child. I love these ideas. They are cheap and easy!!

Fill with cookies or candy

Get the printable here. 

Speaking of cookies, make your own or heck, go to Costco and get the yummy chocolate chip cookies, bag them up and add this free printable found here.

Grab a set of highlighters and add this cute free printable found here. 

Wrap up an apple and a little jar of caramel sauce and the cute printable found here. 

What teacher doesn't love lip balm? Get the printable here. 

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Fun Lunch

Take the time to pack a special lunch. 

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Of course, its always fun to add cute printable notes in your childs lunchbox. I love these:

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After School Snack

You really cannot go wrong with fresh chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk!

{ten}

Back to School Interview

I love this one.

Printable found here. 

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