The holidays are quickly approaching which means lots of fun family time and many occasions that I will need to make a side dish, appetizer, or something similar to take to a gathering.  As a mother to three kids, I can’t always count on having  a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, so I’m always on the lookout for ways to make my life easier while also creating something delicious.  I really enjoy cooking and baking and I never want to skimp on quality which is why I was beyond excited to try out Bellisari’s Sauces.

One of my favorite things about being a blogger in Columbus is the relationships and friendships I've built with fellow bloggers who live so close.  Every single day I am inspired and empowered by these women and the content they are bringing their readers every single day.  I am so excited to be sharing the work of some of my dear friends during this Columbus Blogger Holiday Hop! From the best black Friday deals to crafting with your kiddos, gift guides, and so much more.  Check them out, they are all linked below! Enjoy!! 

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year.  Fresh snow falls, warm sweaters, the smell of fresh baked goods, and hot chocolate, beautiful light displays, and fun events for the whole family.  Enjoy this guide that I put together for all of us to use as we plan out our holiday schedules.  Make sure you scroll down to the end of the post for a special category of events, that you don't want to miss. BONUS: FREE printable for you so you can easily print this off as your go to resource this holiday season.  

The cold weather has hit us and while we may not want to admit it, winter is quickly approaching and there are going to be days that even the best indoor spots in Columbus won’t be able to get us out of our house.  Personally, I can’t think of anything better on a cold day than snuggling up in comfy clothes, making some hot chocolate, and hanging out around my house, but you're going to need to do something to keep those kiddos busy.  

As a child I used to watch Beauty and The Beast and Snow White and dream about their adventures and what it would be like if all these women were friends who spent time together doing normal things.  It kind of broke my heart when I realized these princesses were just characters in a movie but luckily for my girls, Not Just Make Believe Parties, is right here in Columbus and able to bring the Princess magic to life in ways only they can.  

For us, date night is one of the most important nights of the week.  Between kids, work, the house, life can get busy (and sometimes stressful) and it's easy to make date nights last on the priority list, especially if it requires you coming up with something to do.  No need to worry though - I am sharing our go to list for date nights.  We pull these out when we just need to get out for some time together without the kids.

I have such fond memories of Olentangy Indian Caverns from when I was a kid, and I was so excited when we planned a 614 Moms playdate at the caverns this year.  In true 614 Moms fashion, we decided we wanted to try a new place that our kids have never been before, so we picked a warm Saturday morning in September put on our tennis shoes and headed out for a fun filled morning.  

My husband and I are really excited to get our kids involved at SIMPLR STEAM Playground.  We've always encouraged STEAM activities, and our oldest daughter built and programmed her own robot (Name:Juice-Bot) over the summer, so to have a place where we can take them for hands on education focused on STEAM makes us so happy!! I know you will love Maurice and Erica as much as I do - they are amazing and have a passion for sharing STEAM with families in Columbus.  Be sure to check them out and if you're interested in a class, let me know - we are getting a 614 Moms class together! :)