Atlanta's Frugal Mom

This was supposed to be the summer of many things. Just like every other previous summer, I started concocting some pretty grand plans for summer 2017 with my kids. I’d planned to work a little bit each day teaching my rising 3rd grader her times tables, using a fun program I used when I was a public school teacher. Instead, I randomly quizzed her verbally. I’d planned to work with my rising kindergartner on learning to tie his shoes, since shoes with laces are mandatory for him. That didn’t happen at all. I’d planned to try out all the cool awesome places around Atlanta I keep hearing about (and -um- some of which I’ve featured here ), but we didn’t.

I am now the mother of a seven year old girl.  While she will forever be my littlest Peanut, she is certainly growing up.  Like many modern mamas, I posted on my personal FB page, gushing over how amazing she is, and how proud of her I am, and yet, how I wish to hold on to every last piece of her seemingly fleeting childhood. But the truth is, I’m darn proud of the young lady she is becoming.  With each transition to the next stage, I mourn the small and little pieces of her that slip away, while also welcoming the new she brings to our world.  It’s bittersweet, at best, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So, in all her squirrely-ness surrounding her birthday, she started telling us a few months beforehand that she’d “never” had a surprise party.  You know, in all of her (almost) seven years of living. Around the same time, I got an invitation from the good folks at All Fired Up to try out one of their locations.  Opportunity knocks, y’all. ...

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Painting with a Twist in Buckhead.  I’ve received a form of compensation in exchange for promotion; however, all opinions and bad puns are completely my own. As a mother, I think it’s important to find ways to do “grown-up” things with other grown-ups, without a hint of kids around.  Ok, fine, sometimes I consider a trip to the grocery store good escape…  But now Buckhead has another great place for you to escape: Painting with a Twist .  Here, you can paint on a canvas, enjoy good music, wine or beer, and create unique, personal masterpieces they can take to their homes or gift to others. The artwork ranges from landscapes, abstracts and cityscapes, to creative renderings of animals, iconic buildings and florals.

So I completely get that there are quite a few “transplants” in the Atlanta area who have plenty of experience with snow.  Heaven help us, we all learned last year just how poorly Atlanta as a whole deals with snow , so how on earth can Atlantans enjoy the local phenomenon known as Snow Mountain?  It’s simple, we slap on our rain boots, and enjoy the cold snow, Southern Style.  😉 I was recently invited out to Stone Mountain’s Snow Mountain with my family to enjoy the tubes, the snow, and the atmosphere.  If you’ve never been, make sure you go NOW, as it’s only here through Sunday March 1!  Littles can enjoy The SnowZone (perhaps a child’s first expereince with -ahem- building a snow man), and enjoy the adventures of the Little Angels , complete with SnoBoggans – bigger kids will LOVE Avalanche Alley and Tube Runners . The whole family can indulge in snacks and treats at the SnoDeck , and then enjoy S’mores at Snow Fire Point whil...

This is a sponsored post with Mums the Word Network and UFC Gym Perimeter . All opinions, however, are completely my own. Today, my daughter Carol and I worked together to kick some butt.  Well, sorta.  We were invited to attend a special session at UFC Gym Perimeter, to try out their new kids program.  She was elated by the experience.  Not only did we get to peruse through the equipment before class began, but she also got to test out a pair of boxing gloves and a super-cool tech-y punching bag. At UFC Gym, boys and girls learn self-defense, self-confidence and discipline while having fun in a safe and entertaining group class format. It’s also a great way for them to burn energy and have fun!  Taught by a staff of rockstar, attentive professionals, UFC Gym Perimeter kids classes help your little one learn self-confidence, coordination, discipline and self-defense.  Plus, it’s fun! The class began with the kids warming up  for 15 minutes, using fun stretching and cardio races to hold...

Atlanta.  A’lan-a.  The A-T-L.  “Hot-lanta” even…  If you’ve spent any significant amount of time in my fair city, you’ve heard it all.  And then some.  But what makes Atlantans stand out?  What makes us who we are?  Here’s my interpretation.  You can probably relate, whether you’re a true native, or a transplant – if you’ve spent time in Atlanta, you can relate to these. Signs You’re From Atlanta That second “t” is silent.  The city is called “Aht/lan/nna”.  Period.  Ok, depending on how far back you can trace your roots, you may also omit the first “t”. Speaking of pronunciation, it’s called “Co-Cola”.  And it umbrellas every brown carbonated beverage known to man.  But drinking anything else is sacrilegious ’round here.  That pesky “P” word may as well be a 4-letter-word… At least once, you’ve smugly told an out-of-towner to just follow 285, ...

In case anyone is wondering why schools in the South close down at the mere mention of snow, take today in Atlanta as an example. Students and faculty are spending the night in a handful schools across the metro area, emergency shelters are opening up to provide stranded motorists a place to stay after spending HOURS in standstill traffic (usually because they ran out of gas!), GADOT reports over 940 accidents today, folks are opening up their homes to others in need across the metro area: the city basically shut down . Why?

  If you’re in or near the Dunwoody area, brace yourself: there is an amazing new restaurant opening up that will blow you away!  Earlier last week, I had the pleasure of getting a “sneak peek” dining at First Watch in Dunwoody yesterday, and -well, yum! I met up with Diana, my blogger pal over at Sandy Springs Macaroni Kid , and had my toddler son tag along as well.  We were kindly greeted upon entering, and promptly seated, with a high chair immediately produced for my son.  Our server, James, was patient and kind.  Patient was a must for me, not only because I had a toddler with me, but because I just couldn’t’ decide what I wanted — there were SO MANY tasty options from which to choose! You see, at First Watch, the menu is chock full of fresh, healthy dishes prepared made to order.  It’s a breakfast, brunch, and lunch place, so there’s plenty of dishes that offer an egg white options (all cage-free) at no charge, as well as fresh seas...

When the time came to plan for my daughter’s third birthday party, I knew one thing was certain: I didn’t want it at MY house!  With a newborn son and a highly energetic three year old, the last thing I wanted was to set up and then clean up for a party.  However, I wanted something special for my daughter, as we’d never really had a party for her yet, and since she’d had a big year, complete with becoming a big sister and all. Within the span of a month, we took her to a -um- certain dark play place with a big mouse, and later to bouncy-type place featuring a particular primate.  Then we were invited to birthday party at Catch Air in John’s Creek location, and suddenly the choice was clear: my little girl was going to have her birthday party at Catch Air John’s Creek. Catch Air, a combination bouncy house and indoor playground, had something to peek the interest of any child.  Plenty of inflatables throughout the facility for jumping,  along with sim...