Author: Laura Cyra

After we arrived in Puerto Vallarta our Spring Break vacation became real.  It is funny how you plan for months and think of all the fun things you want to do but reality never hits until you step off the plane and into the sunshine!  After a fun night on a pirate ship and a good night’s sleep at Playa Los Arcos, we didn’t think our vacation could get much better until we arrived at Aquaventuras Park for the Royal Dolphin Swim and Sea Lions Discovery! I can’t put into words how excited Cheyenne was to see a dolphin up…

Read More

Now you know we stayed in the heart of Puerto Vallarta at Playa Los Arcos and as a family we love trying new things.  On our vacation fun list Frank added – eat like a local.  That may sound simple but with many food carts and restaurants in the romantic zone where do you eat.  The solution – Vallarta Food Tours! Dustin enjoying freshly made churros! This Cultural Walking Tour took us through the many streets surrounding the hotel which led to the most amazing food we’ve ever tried.  Cheyenne, who is 8, ate just as much as the adults which surprised…

Read More

One thing we do every family vacation is create a family fun list. With this, we create new memories and check items off our family bucket list. On this trip, the kids wanted to go on a pirate ship and meet a real pirate. Finding the Pirate Ship Tour in Puerto Vallarta was a perfect fit for family fun.   When you walk onboard you’re assigned a pirate who takes care of you the whole journey. Remember to save your tips for the end and show some love to everyone for all the hard work. From walking the plank to…

Read More

When we started planning our trip to Puerto Vallarta, we knew we wanted a new and authentic Mexican experience. We chose to stay in the middle of the hotel zone, in the romantic district. We found amazing restaurants, cobblestone streets, cafes, art galleries, boutiques, street food, and the pier only steps away from Playa Los Arcos Hotel. From our door looking out onto the side street and ocean Our experience at Playa Los Arcos Hotel was amazing the staff was polite and spoke English very well.  The rooms were average – we had two beds, a small sitting area, a large bathroom,…

Read More

If you’re already a pet owner you know the many benefits that they bring to your family life, whether it is mental, physical, social or even emotional.  They offer unconditional love and companionship to many but what I want to focus on is the many health benefits! 1. Improve Mental Health Did you know many years ago pets were brought into psychiatric wards to calm patients and encourage them to cooperate?  There have been many studies did that prove pets can improve our moods drastically and help with mental health status. Unconditional love offered  by a pet can cause positive…

Read More

It feels like yesterday we started planning our trip to Mexico for Spring Break.  Last year we decided that every March Break we’d do something fun and exciting as a family because spending quality time together is our first priority.  As a family we decided we’d like to head back to Mexico and relax in the sun, body surf, try new food and take in the sites of Puerto Vallarta before heading to our final destination.  Our 3 am wake-up call to catch our flight… Trying to find activities that the whole family will love is a little tricky.  We…

Read More

With Easter around the corner, I thought now is the perfect time to get some treat bags together!  You’ll love these cute carrot bags they’re so quick and easy to make the kids can even help.  All you need is a couple of supplies and some of your favorite baked snack crackers, we love the Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies for this one. Let’s get started! All you need is: After you’ve gathered all the supplies you can start assembling the carrot treat bags. 1. Print, cut and trim tags. 2. Fill each bag with snacks 3. Tie with ribbon and attach…

Read More

There are very few people in the world who do not have a hobby. Different people have different types of hobbies, from baking and blogging to reading and playing sports. Hobbies are not just a way to pass the time; they are also fantastic for learning new skills and meeting new people. As parents, we want the best for our children. We want to teach them about the world and help them to learn and develop as they grow. One of the best ways to teach your kids about the world is to let them explore it and try new…

Read More

With Easter just around the corner, I figured it’d be a blast to whip up some new treats that the kiddos can help make too. So, I mixed together a few of their favorite things and voila—Peeps Pretzel Rods were born! Just a little heads-up: if you’ve got the kids lending a hand, things might get a tad messy. But honestly, where’s the fun in keeping the kitchen spotless anyway? I found all the supplies at the dollar store which makes this recipe affordable and fun. Peeps Pretzel Rods The ingredients are really simple all you need is: While you’re at…

Read More

I always wonder why do people use perfumes and fragrances.  Maybe it is to smell good, enhance their well-being or to make a statement when they enter a room.  Whatever the reason is choosing the right signature sent is important. A unique signature perfume isn’t as easy as picking up a bottle and purchasing it.  Shopping for discount fragrances is a great start because you can save a ton on some of the best perfumes out there.  It is important to test the fragrance on your skin and make sure if smells nice on you because not all perfumes are…

Read More

My family went on holidays this week and I stayed home to catch up on life, cleaning and get ready for our Spring Break vacation.  This time alone also gave me some free time to watch some Netflix!  I was able to pre-screen the new Netflix Orignal series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt that released today and trust me if you want a good laugh while looking at our crazy world from an outsiders view you’ll love it. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt A Netflix Original After living in a cult for fifteen years, Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) decides to reclaim her life and start…

Read More

Music education has long since been taught in schools in this country but lately we have seen many parts of these programs being cut back. It’s unfortunate, considering all the many benefits music programs (and education) brings to students, whether it’s improving their ability to score well on tests, giving them a sense of achievement, and helping them develop team skills. There are many more benefits outside of just those, too. Talk to any child and they will each have a unique taste for music. They will tell you how music is a crucial part of their lives and it plays…

Read More

The first recipe for Banana Cream Pie appeared in 1901 out of Chicago, IL, and was published in the Women’s Exchange Cook Book. Retro desserts are gaining in popularity. You’re going to love this Coconut Banana Cream Pie recipe. Coconut Banana Cream Pie Recipe Crust Ingredients Crust Directions Coconut Banana Cream Pie Filling Ingredients Filling Directions To make individual pies: Divide dough between eight, 5-inch (12-cm) mini pie plates or foil pot-pie pans; pressing evenly into the bottom and up sides. Arrange on a baking sheet; bake for 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Divide bananas and custard between the cooled shells.…

Read More

I’m just like all of you trying to find a way to save a few dollars, which is why I am sharing my quick and easy homemade version of shake and bake!  It is so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it before!  I use it to make my chicken parmesan with my homemade pizza sauce; the recipe is so versatile you can make a lot of different variations with what you have on hand. It is pretty simple just through your favorite seasonings in with the fine bread crumbs to create your mixture!  You can spice it up…

Read More

When I first got my dog, it was a bit of a learning curve. Of course, any pet takes a lot of work, but puppies have bags full of energy, and so you need to try extra hard with them. It is important that you train your dog while it is still a puppy so that it grows into a friendly dog. If you never try to teach your pet anything, it will not understand that there are rules in the house. If you are about to get a little puppy for your home, read this guide to help you…

Read More

Florence, Italy is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet. It is the birthplace of the Renaissance. It is also a massive contributor to the fashion world with Roberto Cavalli and Gucci but to mention a few whose headquarters are in Florence. The city is also the setting for the Dan Brown book Inferno, in which the protagonist searches for Botticelli’s map of Inferno. If you are an avid fan, you can even take in a tour of the books main places in the city. Piazzale Michelangelo One of the first places, you will want to visit when…

Read More

February always reminds us of love because of Valentine’s Day so there is the exchange of cards and sometimes gifts.  In our house this day is special for the kids because at school they have a big party and get to give the Valentine’s cards they’ve spent hours on to their friends.  For the adults in the house we sometimes exchange gifts or go out for dinner but it all depends on our schedules sometimes it is easier to plan a date in the future.  And for the pets well they usually get forgotten, until now! Petcurean has a fun…

Read More

Nothing beats a good pair of cowboy boots, history and Southern Charm especially if you’re in the Lone Star State! Whether you’re seeking a long stay winter escape, warm weather, breath taking beaches, a getaway with girlfriends or a fun family adventure, Texas has that and so much more! When planning a vacation I always check out the tourism board website and see what they have to offer. Texas Tourism has an amazing visitor’s guide you can download and start making your Texas bucket list! I have a few things in mind when it comes to travel and Texas so…

Read More

I have to say I’m pretty excited to share this Food Art for Kids ebook with you all!  I finally conquered one of my goals by publishing it.  I wanted to help families find creative ways for their kids to eat healthier.  Sometimes it is a struggle to incorporate fruits and veggies into every meal.  The best part of this ebook is the recipes are simple so the kids can help create their own masterpiece with only a few ingredients. Food Art For Kids Ebook Inside the book you’ll find simple recipes to bring a little creativity to each…

Read More