I love showing our girls things we did when growing up, even though Steve and I will have very different upbringings than our girls. It takes us back to our younger years, and let’s us be kids again. No matter what, board games and the old school Operation are no doubt going to stand the test of time.
**Little disclaimer – Hasbro gifted us these games to try out, but all the opinions are my own, and the content is all my own.**
Monopoly and Operation may have gotten some new characters and new rules, but the concepts are still the same.
Family Game Night with 4 Legged Friends
Usually, game nights are just the 4 of us, but now that we have Louie, our French Bulldog puppy, we are trying to include him and Champ as much as possible in activities. Because he’s still small, it’s really easy to put him at the table and try to have him in the game with us.
Champ loves to sit right around the table, mostly because he thinks (and often does) he’s going to get a snack.
The only he got on this night was a few extra lovins from the girls, Steve, and me, which I think he also enjoyed.
OPERATION PET SCAN was a big hit in the house with everyone because it looks so easy, but actually takes a lot of concentration! There were several times during the course of the game the buzzer went off and each person asked if they could have another try or “just one more time please!”
It’s safe to say, this one will be a staple in our house for a long time!
For family game night, lately we’ve been playing at least one, sometimes two games because we have nothing but time.
Our second game was Monopoly Crazy for Cats and I’m not gonna lie, I do love how it’s not about the money and all the rules like the original game was. It seemed simpler and easier to grasp when trying to explain it to our girls.
It has cats for the currency, there are only 4 players maximum, and a few properties you can buy. Of course, the board still has a Go To Jail space as well as Go.
We didn’t get to finish the game out, but plan to play it until we have a clear winner, which I’m sure will be Steve or we will play until he wins. <—- Anyone else have a super competitive husband and one who never wants to lose?
Since spending more time at home and watching all of the shows on Netflix, we have turned to board games to help give our girls a sense of what we did growing up, but also to take away more screen time, and these games from Hasbro, which will also make perfect gifts, parents can purchase these games from Walmart.com with these links: https://bit.ly/33VOnlA | https://bit.ly/39TlJp2
*This post is #sponsoredcontent by Hasbro but the opinions, content, and photos are my own.*
Having a 5 year old in the house means we have a plethora of unicorns and babies, but none quite like these cute new toys we got from Hasbro at Walmart.
They are the cutest looking unicorn themed things ever!
Hasbro Unicorn Toys from Walmart to Complete your List!
I know this year has been hard on everyone, but maybe not more than on our kiddos because they can’t really comprehend what is going on. These cute little unicorn toys have been a bright light in this otherwise gloomy time for my 5 year old.
Finlee has been walking her cute little unicorn FurReal Walkalots every morning, with her Baby Alive doll and Louie, her French Bulldog puppy.
I think Louie wishes he could hook into one of the spots for other FurReal toy pets and walk next to his new unicorn friend!
This sweet Baby Alive doll has a cute little unicorn outfit is removable and she comes with a diaper and a baby bottle.
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I love how quickly these two little unicorn themed toys made Finlee’s day and her whole year better. These cute toys are sure to make any kids day and year better, and you can knock out your shopping list by adding these and heading to Walmart to shop!
Walmart has a whole collection of Unicorn toys by Hasbro. These make great gifts for kids on your holiday shopping lists! Walmart is my one-stop-shop for all gifts this year!
How cute are these toys though?
Parents use these links to see these products at Walmart! https://bit.ly/3guxsM6 l bit.ly/3oMp8dB
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to tour the brand new restaurant for the private community, Desert Highlands, which was specifically made for the members of the community. Jack’s Gastropub is modeled after the famous golf legend and course architect, which is exclusive to the members of the community. When visiting Desert Highlands, I had no idea it even existed in the desert. Even though I have driven by it many times on the way to my family’s home.
Please enjoy the photographs I grabbed and if you are thinking of moving to the desert, the community has several amenities and appeals to a more mature demographic – one that is potentially moving from California or other locations to the desert. It appeals to someone wanting the ability to access the city yet have all the amenities of land, golfing, a private community, and a restaurant/bar usable only by you and community members. I have left the link below for you to check.
Desert Highlands Introduces Jack’s Gastropub
The remodel started in 2018 which was originally part of the library. And they modeled it around Jack’s first course in the desert, which is also on the property. Phx Architecture designed the entire project and removed a patio that blocked all of the amazing light which you now see over the open circle bar in the center which seats up to 22 people. The food featured is small plates and some of Jack’s personal food favorites. And his signature on many things.
My personal opinion of the community is a great one! If I was looking for a community to move further from where we live now, and a golf course in my back yard, this is the one I would choose. Maybe someday when the girls are older we can look into something here. For now, we will stay where we are. But look forward to meeting some community members to visit Jack’s Gastropub again! The ahi cones are a MUST try! And the cocktail menu is pretty robust as well!
Dynamic Clubhouse Amenity Completes $2 Million Project that Included Kitchen Renovation
Desert Highlands – the acclaimed luxury golf club and community in the stunning Sonoran Desert of North Scottsdale – unveils Jack’s, a lively gastropub inside the clubhouse named after golf legend and course architect Jack Nicklaus, to its members.
Led by award-winning architect Erik B. Peterson of PHX Architecture, Jack’s is a high-energy gathering space that diversifies Desert Highlands’ dining options. A large custom communal table commands the room and provides a custom bar experience for up to 22. Jack’s also features high tops, flat-screen televisions and images that pay homage to the influence that Nicklaus and other golf legends have made.
The design also incorporates a piano bar and upgraded lounge area, which provides members a relaxed atmosphere to mingle and entertain. Additionally, the eatery’s entrance offers a “walk through memory lane” feel, featuring images and classic golf memorabilia. The overall aesthetic is a modernized take on a historical clubhouse. And Jack’s incorporates an entire interiors refresh designed by Sam and Mike Hatch of the Hatch Design Group.
Construction of the gastropub, along with a renovation of the Desert Highlands kitchen was part of a $2 million project that began in June.
The kitchen renovation, which finished a month ago, includes the creation of an efficient layout that allows the club’s culinary team to be more imaginative. An additional 16 feet of space allows Executive Chef Todd Allison to oversee the entire operation and create direct service lines for both the gastropub and the club’s intimate Ventana Room. Additional enhancements include improved acoustics, which provides a more positive overall dining experience.
“We are excited to showcase Jack’s to our members and provide them an engaging and festive dining experience,” says General Manager / COO Monty Becton. “Our culinary team constantly evaluates the immediate and long-term needs of our membership and wants to create a completely seamless and first-class dining experience for our members. The gastropub, along with the kitchen renovation and other enhancements, allows us to accomplish this and remain a standard bearer for upscale private communities.”
Desert Highlands’ energetic lifestyle consistently draws discerning families and active Boomers in equal measure – golfers, tennis enthusiasts, pet lovers, and health and wellness enthusiasts.
A full social calendar allows residents to fully enjoy this peaceful community.
Stretching to over 7,100 yards, the Desert Highlands golf course recently re-opened after a $7 million renovation project that included refurbishing every bunker, restoring the 13th hole to its original design, installing a new irrigation system and updating cart paths. The splendid golf course offers a challenging, but fair test, and striking views of Pinnacle Peak and the lights of the Valley spread across the horizon in the distance below. Desert Highlands was Nicklaus’ first design in Arizona, and immediately set the bar for desert golf experiences, not only in Scottsdale but statewide and nationwide.
Just as impressive is Desert Highlands’ Racquet Club, which sports 13 tennis courts featuring all three Grand Slam surfaces – grass, clay and hard. Noted ATP player Nick Kyrgios considers Desert Highlands’ grass courts “better than Wimby [Wimbledon].” The Racquet Club also added two regulation-size pickleball courts earlier this year.
In addition, Desert Highlands boasts a 7,700-square-foot Wellness Center, an 18-hole professionally designed putting course and a spacious dog park.
Inside, the club provides residents peace of mind with a state-of-the-art security system, professionally trained security personnel, visitor control and access, and other protection amenities. Among the acclaimed residential services that truly pamper residents and meet their specific needs – shipping and transportation assistance, pool and spa maintenance, auto detailing and other customized services.
Scottsdale’s premier private community and club, Desert Highlands melds Sonoran Desert luxury with world-class golf, tennis, dining and residential services. Located just 30 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Desert Highlands is easily accessible for second and vacation home owners. It is only minutes away from famed Old Town Scottsdale and its myriad shops, restaurants and art galleries. Homes (all resale) range from $1 million to over $6 million, and feature architecturally adapted styles and systems for life in America’s most vibrant desert. A residential remodel program offers investors the opportunity to have the membership fee waived during the period in which they are restoring / upgrading their investment property. The club’s Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is considered one of the best layouts in Arizona, and hosted the first two Skins Games back in 1983-84.
Each year, we take a family trip to one of the Hawaiian islands with the hope that one day we will have a house there. 2020 was a bit different as we all know. The state of Hawaii and her islands were one of the last to open back up to tourists and we took every precaution to be able to get to visit her beauty this fall. Here’s how we safely traveled to Hawaii with our children amid COVID-19.
How to safely travel to Hawaii amid COVID-19
Hawaii pre – flight testing
The first thing we did when setting out to take this trip was to plan the days, and which island. This may not seem important or much different than any other trip, however it is in current times. Some of the islands require additional quarantine or won’t rent for less than x amount of days.
Another consideration is to be flexible in your travel dates as not all flight paths have been fully restored yet. You may want to take a 10 day trip but may need to cut to 9 or extend to 11 to get a flight home.
Once you decide where and when, the need for pre-flight testing comes into play. If you don’t mind quarantining for the first 14 days you arrive and not leaving your place you are staying for anything, no testing is needed.
Our travels were only for 9 days, so we opted to get a COVID-19 test from Vault Health. It was an approved provider that mailed a saliva test to our home with the cost being $150. You can file with your insurance company for reimbursement if you’d like. There are several other providers listed on the site, but this was specifically recommended and used by Hawaiian Airlines, which we always fly.
The test is required 72 hours before the final leg of your trip into Hawaii, and must be done on a Zoom call in front of personnel from Vault Health. You call in and wait for a practitioner and then take the test. Because it’s a spit test, you can’t eat or drink or smoke or chew anything 30 minutes before the test.
Testing Process
It’s a very simple process, the hardest part being creating enough spit to fill the tube. The average time it took the 6 of us traveling to take it was about 10 minutes. Leila, our 9 year old, took about 30 minutes because she wasn’t sure how to spit I think.
Once your test is completed and sealed, you simply drop off and wait for the results. Everything is logged and tracked, and Vault Health emails you with status updates.
Most everywhere you go, the QR code as well as the Negative test results are required for entry, so getting the result before leaving or landing on the islands is pretty important.
Some airports have testing right at the airport for Hawaiian Airlines passengers while the home test is the only option for others. The two options that had testing when we went were LAX and San Francisco. If you are flying from the east and have a layover in one of these airports, this might be the best option for you since the test is required to be taken within 72 hours of the final leg of your trip.
In order to be able to do anything when landing and not quarantine, the self testing in front of a practitioner was the only option for us. We were very careful before testing as well as before traveling to limit exposure and to hopefully pass our test.
We sent our test out on Sunday a few hours after completing the test, and it didn’t leave the UPS store until Monday evening. Tuesday afternoon, we received an email saying our sample had arrived at the facility. Overnight, our test results arrived via email, and we were able to upload them into the required Hawaii.travel.gov site so we could pass through screening much quicker.
If you plan to travel to the islands, doing the self testing before leaving is the easiest and quickest if you want to do anything when you land. The state requires online forms to be filled out within 24 hours of departure, and this is where the QR Code and COVID-19 test results are uploaded to keep everything together. The QR Code is required or Contact Tracing is recorded when you visit restaurants or places of leisure.
The islands are opening back up and her people want you to come visit safely. We are still in a pandemic, and be sure to bring your mask and wear everywhere unless actively eating or drinking. Personally, we knew what we were getting into, and it Hawaii has been closed for 7 months, so they are being very cautious, probably like we all should.
It’s time to visit the islands if you want, but there’s some things I’ve outlined above you need to keep in mind and line. If you don’t have everything done you could be denied entry or cause a longer wait when you arrive. Also – if you don’t comply or abide by their masking guidelines, you can be kicked out of the place, and the airlines can ban you from flying with them again.
The bed, bowls, collars, and leashes have been purchased. That’s the fun part. Are you really ready to welcome a pup into your home? The dog breeder has left a message: “Your pup is ready!”
New Puppy Checklist
The Journey
All those weeks (and maybe months or years) of waiting for the perfect pup to land on the floor are now over. As the saying goes, “The joy is in the journey.” Perhaps the journey leading up to this moment has been filled with dreams about the things you and pup will do together. Chasing through the snow, taking long walks, sitting together by the fire, romping on the beach… all those wonderful reasons why people want a dog to share their lives.
Credit Card Melt-Down
New puppy owners’ dreams are often interspersed with crazed shopping sprees at pet supply stores. Buying the bed, bowls, collars, and leashes have rendered many credit cards smoking in the wake.
That’s the fun part, and every new owner is entitled to run amok in the thrill of the impending arrival.
The dog bed is in place (it has been for weeks), the tiny and perfect adjustable collar and leash are de-tagged and hanging in the closet. After much research, the correct food has been purchased and sits on the kitchen counter. It’s right there, next to those adorable food and water bowls. But what about the rest of the house?
Puppy-Proof the Home
Inspect your home from the viewpoint of a two-year-old human toddler. Decide which rooms will be accessible to the pup. Designate where you will give puppy loves and where you won’t i.e. furniture or not. And then consider how to close off all others. Baby gates can be used to prevent entry into off-limit rooms as well as the top of staircases.
In areas where the pup will be allowed to enter, remove all breakable objects, houseplants, and anything that spells “puppy trouble”. Cover electrical outlets and secure cupboard and closet doors. Outlet covers and an array of child-proof door devices can be purchased at hardware stores and other retailers. Decide how and where you will do house training and if dog crates will be included in that training. Another important area is to have your puppy supplies in a specific spot including chew toys, dog food, puppy food, and puppy shampoo for accidents.
Book a Veterinary Appointment
Book the pup’s first vet visit to coincide with his trip home from the breeder. This is the best time for the pup to meet the vet and clinic staff, and will most likely be his first foray with you into that all-important socializing process. The vet will give the pup a quick health check, set up a vaccination schedule, and discuss diet, parasite control, pet insurance, microchipping, neutering, and all those other puppy issues.
Be sure to show the veterinarian any paperwork supplied by the breeder. So he or she can take note of previous veterinary visits and any vaccinations pup may have already received.
Find a Knowledgeable and Experienced Dog Trainer
Locate a fabulous trainer before the pup comes home. Many people don’t research the availability of local trainers until behavioral problems arise. Nipping, barking, housetraining, crating… all those puppy-things can be addressed on a one-to-one basis. Afterward, that same trainer can recommend the most suitable puppy training class for you and the pup to join.
If you are close or local to Arizona, we love Partners Dog Training & Daycare. Louie, our new French Bulldog, will be our second dog we take for training there.
Find a Groomer or Plan to Groom at Home
Locate a professional groomer or self-serve grooming facility. If the pup will require regular professional grooming, introduce him to the idea as soon as possible. He’ll be given his first bath, light brushing, and trim, and then the groomer will provide tips on how to keep his skin and coat healthy between visits.
If you plan to bathe him at home or use a self-serve facility, introduce the pup to the tub and brush within the first few days. Many dogs, if not initiated into the bath ‘n’ brush routine at an early age, can be downright ornery or fidgety about it as they grow older. Some canine body parts, such as feet, toes, tail, and tummies, can be particularly off-limits for some dogs. But if those areas are touched and groomed early in the game, the procedure can be much nicer for everyone, especially the dog. For example, we have an adult dog, who’s a 6 year old Pug, who will not let the nail clippers come near him. He runs to his crate as soon as you bring them out!
Enlist the Services of Substitute Caregivers
Identify people who can take over when you’re not available. Professional dog walkers, responsible friends and neighbors. And perhaps a doggie daycare center will be needed at some point in your dog’s life. During pup’s first few months, if you can’t return home mid-day, a substitute caregiver will be required to let the pup out to relieve himself as well as provide him with exercise and companionship. Make sure you have these phone numbers handy if you are running late and need to place a call especially if the pup isn’t yet crate trained and needs to be in a dog crate to avoid damage inside.
Bonus: holidays, social occasions, or whenever you can’t get home on time will always require the services of someone who knows you, your dog, and your home. Enlisting these people early means you’ll never have to worry about those times when your schedule prevents you from providing your dog with his daily needs.
Last, but not least…
The most important entry on your check-list: plan to provide a lifetime of love, compassion, and patience. You’ll always be the most important person in the world to your dog. Being a pet parent is unlike any other. Give him a reason to trust that he’s in good hands. He’ll repay you ten-fold.
There are many more items to be included in a check-list for new puppy owners. But don’t despair! The list can be expedited by asking for suggestions from a veterinarian, dog trainer, groomer, dog walker, and any dog-owning friends and neighbors.
community, Desert Highlands, which was specifically made for the members of the community. Jack’s Gastropub is modeled after the famous golf legend and course architect, which is exclusive to the members of the community. When visiting Desert Highlands, I had no idea it even existed in the desert. Even though I have driven by it many times on the way to my family’s home.
The remodel started in 2018 which was originally part of the library. And they modeled it around Jack’s first course in the desert, which is also on the property. 
Construction of the gastropub, along with a renovation of the Desert Highlands kitchen was part of a $2 million project that began in June.
restoring the 13th hole to its original design, installing a new irrigation system and updating cart paths. The splendid golf course offers a challenging, but fair test, and striking views of Pinnacle Peak and the lights of the Valley spread across the horizon in the distance below. Desert Highlands was Nicklaus’ first design in Arizona, and immediately set the bar for desert golf experiences, not only in Scottsdale but statewide and nationwide.
In addition, Desert Highlands boasts a 7,700-square-foot Wellness Center, an 18-hole professionally designed putting course and a spacious dog park.
took the 6 of us traveling to take it was about 10 minutes. Leila, our 9 year old, took about 30 minutes because she wasn’t sure how to spit I think.
The islands are opening back up and her people want you to come visit safely. We are still in a pandemic, and be sure to bring your mask and wear everywhere unless actively eating or drinking. Personally, we knew what we were getting into, and it Hawaii has been closed for 7 months, so they are being very cautious, probably like we all should.
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