Check out the Facebook Page for organized events going on in your area on Global Running Day! This year, the organization is encouraging people to pledge to run for a charitable cause. You can find out more information HERE.

I am proud to say that I have been a runner for the last 8 years. It started out with a simple 5K goal (after seeing my husband do one for the first time). Training was not easy, I never liked running, nor did I understand how people could ever run long distances. After completing my first 5K, I just continued to run and train and worked my way up to various lengths, such as 10K, 15K, Half Marathon and then I ACTUALLY did it….I signed up for a marathon after much thought and hesitation.

Here was a fun running questionnaire that I filled out about my experience with running :

Why do you run?: To maintain my fitness and reach goals for myself

How do you plan to celebrate National Running Day?: I will be doing my usual training run around my neighborhood. It’s a 3 mile loop.

How many miles have you run so far this year? Do you have a mileage goal for the year?: Well, since I had a baby at the end of January, I haven’t had a chance to get in a lot of miles. I would say I run about 11-15 miles a week at this point.

What big events do you have on the race calendar so far this year?: The Chicago Marathon in October!

Before I leave for a run I must have: My Garmin watch and my iPod.

Do you track your runs? If so what do you use?: Yes, I use MyGarmin Connect

Who is your favorite running partner?: The NSDRC for my long runs on Saturday morning. 

What races have you run so far this year? None….YET

If you have to give someone one piece of advice about running, what would it be?  To do all of your training runs and don’t run a race if you are not prepared. Injuries suck!

Describe your relationship with running in one word: Motivating

Running for me is a great way to maintain physical fitness. It’s an exercise that keeps you motivated to continue enduring and meet goals. Your body gets stronger and your mind deflects weakness. It is a sport in which you are your #1 challenger. It requires little equipment and only your own devotion. I can’t wait to run my marathon at the end of the year. It’s truly an accomplishment for me to prove to my family, once again, that being fit before and after having a baby is doable! I want to continue to be a role model for my daughters and my fellow mama’s out there!

Will you run on June 1st for Global Running Day? A run around the block? A nice leisurely jog? Whatever you do, have fun and just get out there!

If you want to post about Global Running Day, join myself and other bloggers at this site: Jonesin’ For a Run

-Kim

The post It’s Global Running Day! appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

I usually give Emmy her bath first, as she gets the baby bath tub and it only takes me about 10 minutes from start to finish.  I make sure to add Skinfix Diaper Rash Balm to her before I put on her diaper to keep her bottom free from redness and irritation and then put some Skinfix Gentle Eczema Balm to her head, which has helped her dry, flaky scalp.

Charli is next to get her bath, which is a true bubble bath that she loves! Complete with no fewer than 20 rubber duckies and various play toys, she never tires of a good scrub-a-dub.

Again, Charli gets the Skinfix Diaper Rash Balm (its super important to me that these products are fragrance free, paraben free and made with natural ingredients. Plus you can buy them at Target!) and then she gets into her night time diaper. (We’re working on potty training, so hopefully we will be transitioning out of these SOON! Fingers crossed)

Emmy gets into her Sleepsack and I nurse her one last time around 9:00pm. Then she goes into her DockATot and sleeps through the night (Woo hoo!)

Charli gets into her pajamas and we try to read her a few books before she goes to bed. Lately she’s been staying up later, to about 9:00pm. Not sure how these kids can stay up 15 hours in a day!

We turn on the Cloud b Turtle and the sandman takes her away!

Luckily, both of our kids sleep through the night and we rarely hear even a peep from them. We keep their routine and it works for us and for them both. I feel like I need to be there for them every night because I want to make sure that they get to bed properly and see that mommy and daddy are the last faces they see and kiss them goodnight.  I wouldn’t trade my bedtime routine or the products that we have been using for anything. We have a good thing going and it keeps my kids happy and sleeping all night!

Do you have any bedtime routines that you have worked wonders for your family? Do you have any baby products that you use that you really like to help your baby with their dry skin or diaper rash?

-Kim

The post Bedtime Routine- Why We Stick to it appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

The Kohl’s Children Museum (Glenview, IL):

This is a great museum for young children, as it has interactive exhibits and programs that encourage children to self play. What’s great about it is that the museum is accessible to to guests with any level of physical, visual, auditory or cognitive abilities. Some of our favorite exhibits were the Whole Foods Market, The Baby Nursery and the Water Works.

The Field Museum (Chicago, IL):

As a Chicago staple, this natural science museum has graced Chicago for over 100 years. It is one of the largest museums in the world. You can an entire day here going through all of the exhibitions. There are exhibits that cater to everyone: Inside Ancient Egypt, The Tsavo Lions, Evolving Planet, Restoring Earth and Sue the T. Rex were amongst our favorites for the day. The museum has a lot of hands on buttons and levers for kids to push to find out more information on that particular subject. Many videos (cartoons, documentaries, commentaries) were being played in the exhibits to keep them interesting and lively.

The world famous “SUE” T-rex is on display at the Field Museum and is the worlds largest and most complete T-rex ever found! She is proudly on display once you walk into the museum, so you can’t miss her. It is by far one of the coolest visitor features.

 If you do get a chance to visit Chicago, please try to visit one of these museums! They are open almost everyday of the year and are boasting with fun facts and knowledge for the whole family. In my opinion, visiting a new city always is justification for going to a museum there. I love learning about new cultures and ways of doing things. It is so important to get your children into the learning mode and to discover the world around them.

There are a ton of other great museums and activities in Chicago to check out, among them: The Art Institute, The Shedd Aquarium, The Adler Planetarium, The Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Hopefully I will do another blog post on this topic featuring some of these places!

Where do you like to take your family for a day of fun activities and learning?

-Kim

The post Museum Fun for Children in Chicago appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

As a mom, I know how hectic life can be on a daily basis. Cold food, chipped nail polish, hair in a ponytail and if I’m lucky I can get in a short workout. I have learned that everyone comes before me. The kids get all of my attention after work. The hubs and I trade off who gets to eat dinner while the other one holds the baby, or plays with the toddler. Most of the time, the dinner never makes it off of the kitchen island to properly be eaten at the table. Come 9:00pm, once the kids are to bed, what I really want is to take a bath, or actually sit down to read a book. Since mornings are now less hectic to me now that Emmy is a tad older and sleeps through the nights, I feel like most days I can actually enjoy a hot cup of coffee and eat a nice little breakfast. One of my favorite breakfast treats are these homemade blueberry lemon glazed scones! Pair it with a nice mimosa this Mother’s Day and I’m sold. I’m truly a simple mom and don’t need the full day at the spa or romantic dinner to be told that I am appreciated. (Although, if the opportunity came my way, I wouldn’t turn it down!!)

Here’s a great way to wrap up a sweet treat for a mother that you have in mind this May 8th that won’t break the bank and still show that you put thought into it.

Place a couple scones into a gift bag and pair it with a nice Moscato or mini bottle of Champagne and some flowers. How cute is that?

Check out the recipe for these scones HERE!

Or even a simple Mother’s Day card with some of my favorite Essential Oils? Find out more about Essential Oils HERE.

What crafts or gifts do you make for the special mommy’s in your life?

I’d love to know!

-Kim

The post This Sunday- My Third Mother’s Day appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

I am all about finding deals, especially when you can find a lot of them on one website. If you love to shop online and haven’t heard about Groupon Coupons, go check them out now!

We all know about Groupon and the great deals that they have on food, spas, getaways and such. They also feature a page of online coupons for a ton of great stores such as Carter’s, Kohl’s, Peapod and Nordstrom. They offer online offers, in-store coupons and direct links to sale pages.

If you’re still looking for a gift for that special momma in your life, check out their Mother’s Day Deals going on now. They have some personal favorites of mine on there including deals at cooking stores, clothing stores, shoe stores, restaurants, spas and florists. With over 9,000 stores featured on the site, there are well over 60,000 coupons and offers to search for. The best thing about it is that it’s free! You can choose to search by category or store name. Also, you can shop via your computer or mobile app if you are on the go!

What deals are you looking forward to finding? I love trying out new restaurants and bars!

The post Find Your Mother’s Day Gifts with Groupon Coupons appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

There are probably some simple ways that you already partake in, such as recycling your garbage or walking places instead of driving your car. But have you ever thought about these other things that you could be doing?

We’ve compiled a list of 5 things that you can do in your house that can help the environment little by little every day:

1. Make your own laundry detergent: You will save a ton of money and at the same time, not let harsh chemicals down the drain and into the water system.
2. Make your own wool dryer balls: You will emit no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) into the air, which helps lower pollution and you also save on your electric bill since they cut down the drying time!
3. Using beauty products with no microbeads in them: Microbeads are found in toothpastes, lips balms, face creams and makeup to add texture and color. They are wildly popular in facial scrubs and washes and act as exfoliants. Because they are so small, they aren’t caught by water treatment plants and end up in the oceans and lakes- where fish and other marine animals mistake them as food. Therefore, they end up in your food supply again.
4. Use less electricity: The burning of coal and natural gasses are the major sources for electricity; but they are a major factor in air pollution. Simply put: turn off all devices and lights when you leave the house or when they are not in use. Use fluorescent bulbs in your house. Clean your lint filter in your dryer every time. Wash clothes in cold water versus hot water. You get the point.
5. Produce less waste:  Use reusable grocery bags instead of getting new plastic bags every time you go to the grocery store, use reusable plates instead of plastic or paper products, use glass containers instead of plastic ones and buy rechargeable batteries!

What are some ways that you are protecting the earth? We’d love to hear your stories!

Check out the official Earth Day website HERE for more ideas on how you can do your part to help Mother Nature!

-Kim and Jamie

The post It’s Earth Day! What Can You Commit To Do? appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

I love snacks! I will admit…I’m a constant snacker. I eat breakfast, then a snack or two, then a lunch, then a snack or two, etc. My daughter seems to have taken after me as she is usually always found in the kitchen begging me to open the snack cabinet.

I’ve compiled a great list of snack foods that are EASY to grab, or EASY to prepare. I know as a busy parent, there leaves little time for prep some days and it’s just a good rule of thumb to have certain staple snack items in the house for those times when you’re starving and need something in a pinch (that don’t include potato chips or cookies, as much as we want them!):

• Yogurt: easy to carry and transport. Choose those that are low in sugar or else it doesn’t really make it a great snack option, but more of a dessert
• Peelable fruit: Is there anything easier than grabbing a banana or an orange when you’re on the go?

•  Vegetables and hummus: Pre-cut your favorite veggies and put them into sealable bags to enjoy for the week with your favorite hummus or peanut butter
•  Graham Crackers: A favorite childhood snack; we still enjoy them on the go!

•  Frozen fruit smoothies: My favorite are the Dole Shakers™! Just add your favorite 100% juice and shake! You drink it right out of the container it came in.
•  English Muffins with Avocado: So easy to toast up and layer generously with a ripe avocado!

•  Cottage cheese and fruit: I love to have cut up fruits in my refrigerator and to get a little bit of protein, I’ll pair it with a scoop of cottage cheese.
• OK OK….I’ll throw in a sweet treat: A handful of Peanut M&M’s. Hey, they’re nuts, so they count as healthy right? Just make sure you’re watching your portion size.

What are some of your favorite or go-to snacks as a busy parent?

Let me know! I’m always looking for new things to try that are fast to prepare or easy to take along.

-Kim

The post Easy Snacks for a Busy Lifestyle appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

Angie talks about how some of her fond memories revolve around playing Nintendo, so we’re thinking that you can make your own memories with Nintendo if you win this Wii U! Or you can just take the cash, we wont judge. Since we’re on the topic of childhood memories, Angie asked us all to share some of our fond ones. Here’s what we came up with…

Our Favorite Childhood Memories

“Raising orphaned farm animals that my grandpa would send to us. They had to be fed several times a day and included getting up really early to bottle feed them. It was so neat for a “city” girl and animal lover to be able to take care of these baby animals and the strong bonds that formed.” – Melissa from Deux Bella

“I loved performing in dance because I was able to dance with my sister and my best friend. I did everything from, tap, ballet, jazz and …… Hate to admit but clogging (Which we happened to win Western Nationals).” – Deynece from Deux Bella

“When I was a kid I used to roller skate almost every day. My parents would move the cars out of the carport so we could use that space. My sister and I would put some music on the boombox and skate in a circle like we were in a skating rink. Fun times.” – Tish from The Veganista Foodie

“Christmas was always the favorite. It wasn’t just about the gifts – sure, those were always welcome and nice. But the real memories came from spending time with my family during the holidays… back when they were still around. I had one of those Grandmothers who always cooked just in case people showed up (and oh, they did). Most of my family is much older than me and passed on in my teenage years. Those memories are my favorite because they were of a much more simple time.” – Kimi from Kimi Who?

“My favorite memories are being at my grandparents house, and playing in the woods around there. I always had such fun and I felt safe with my grandparents around.” – Hannah from The Perfect Storm: A Blog by Two BFFs

“Riding bikes around with the neighborhood kids in the summer because I had no responsibilities except have fun.” – Sara from The Perfect Storm: A Blog by Two BFFs

“Traveling with my family! It was so nice to travel before social media was really a thing, because you really lived in the moment and experienced life abroad!” – Mattie from Mattie’s Makings

“When I was about 10, my family and I went on a road trip to Canada from South Carolina. It was a long journey to and from Nova Scotia, but we had the best time! We also went to Prince Edward Island, where L.M. Montgomery, the author of the Anne of Green Gables series lived, which made my little book nerd self so happy! I’ve loved to travel for as long as I can remember, and this memory is one that I love since it combines exploring new places, learning more about literature, and spending time with my family.” – Natalie from Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown
“Riding my bike without training wheels for the first time. I definitely ate it and ended up missing some teeth, but it reminds me of how fearless I used to be as a kid.” – Esther from Local Adventurer

“Rolling skating in my best friend’s basement to Donna Summer music. I felt so free!” – Andi from Misadventures with Andi

“I think it has to be walking down the beach and not seeing a wave coming so getting my wellies filled with water and my uncle tipping me upside down to get it all out.” – Sarah from Life in a Breakdown

“My favorite childhood memories are long afternoons spent out and about in the neighborhood – we roamed from house to house and rode our bikes all over. Very different from the life my own kids lead!” – Megan and Wendy from Long Story Short with Megan and Wendy
“I loved piling the whole family into the car and taking a road trip. I loved watching the world go by to the music pumping from my Walkman. I also loved road snacks.” – Heather from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen

“My favorite childhood memory is visiting Disney World with my family. I love everything Disney and getting to see where Mickey Mouse lives was amazing to me. It started a lifelong obsession with Disney that still continues today.” – Jen from Injenious Life

“So many memories I love, but I would have to say summer nights as a kid is the best memory. It was so full of mystery and adventure. The possibilities were endless. All night slumber parties, catching fireflies, sleeping out on the trampoline, camping….” – Alexis from Chemistry Cachet
“Playing ball with my grandfather. No matter how far I would throw the ball, he’d run to go get it.” – Amanda from Green Tea and Cotton

“Going bowling with my Dad. My parents divorced when I was young but every Tuesday he would pick my sister and I up from school and take us bowling. It didn’t matter if he lived 30 minutes away or 4 hours, every Tuesday we bowled.” – January from The Bouncy Ponytail

“Going to see A1 with my friends and Ben waving at me. I nearly fainted!!” – Louise from With Love From Lou

“Our annual week on the lake and it still continues today!! It is a week of family, friends, boating, sun, relaxing, good food and drink and just making memories that will last a lifetime!” – Becky from Becky’s Best Bites
“I grew up in Boise, Idaho and my favorite memory was going to every single Boise Hawks baseball game each summer! We loaded up on candy, soda, and hot dogs and because my dad worked there, we were able to stay after the game and go out onto the field! Good memories with my siblings that gave me a love for baseball.” – Jessica from Together as a Family

“Halloween 1986…my mom took us trick or treating while my dad handed out candy at home. He thought he would be sweet and making peanut butter cookies to hand out (my favorite!). He used salt instead of sugar though! I remember chasing kids down the street telling them not to eat the cookies. My father passed away the next year, so that’s why it’s one of my favorite memories.” – Michelle from My Simplified Life

“Weekends at our family cabin. Love being with family.” – Erik from Erik’s Core Fitness
“My dad used to work a lot, so when new Star Trek movies came out my parents always checked us all out of school and we went together in the middle of the day. It was a fun way to make us all feel special!” – Debra from Housewife Eclectic

“Curled up in bed, in my old bedroom, reading book after book.” – Laura from Petit Moi: Big World

“Riding bikes around the neighborhood all day and night with all our friends in the beautiful CA weather.” – Kim from The Lavender Ladies

“This is a hard one! I think maybe when my dad would turn up the volume on the TV really loud and play the Star Wars or Superman theme song (from the beginning of the movies) so that my sister and I could hear it from our bedroom. It always made us come running to watch whichever movie he had on. Even now his ringtone on my phone is the Imperial March!” – Scarlet from Flight & Scarlet
“Going to Disneyland with my grandparents. It was our first time staying at the park and they made it so special!” – Katie from All Things Lovely

“My favorite childhood memory is cooking in the kitchen with my dad.There were lots of happy memories made in the kitchen.” – Thyme to Save

What’s your favorite childhood memory?

Enter to Win a Wii U Prize Pack

We’re giving one lucky winner a Wii U Prize Pack* or the option to take $300 in Paypal cash instead. Winner’s choice! Giveaway is open worldwide** and ends at 12AM MDT on 4/12/16. Entries will be verified. Entering below agrees to all Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter Widget. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Wii U Prize Pack valued at under $400
**International winners must take the Paypal Cash option due to shipping issues.

The post March Wrap-Up and Wii U Bundle Giveaway! appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

I’m 7- weeks postpartum now! Throughout my pregnancy I wore a great tank top from For Two Fitness® that was super comfortable and grew with my baby bump all the way until the end of my 40 weeks. As it’s been some time since I had my baby, it is just as easy to wear their apparel as it was during the pregnancy. The comfort of the fabric alongside my midsection can not be beat. Since I am still carrying some pregnancy weight (especially around my stomach area), this workout shirt is extremely comfortable and long enough to cover all of your body parts that are not quite back to normal yet.

The ruching on the side of the shirt really makes their apparel stand out! I am a little modest when it comes to workout gear that shows my mid-section, so this is perfect. The material moves with you as well as breathes, which is a total plus. There are no restrictions when working out in them and the tops don’t shift or ride up.

The fabrics are high performance, soft and moisture-wicking. Maternity clothes are expensive as it is, so they work hard to keep these high end, specialty items affordable. The colors range from neutrals to a variety of vivid colors that pop. (Plus, the slogans are perfect for pregnancy announcements or feeling great in your ever-changing body pre-and-post baby.) They carry a line of clothing with or without slogans, so you’ll have plenty of workout staples!

These workout tops are so functional, don’t you think?! Check them out HERE!

Happy workouts during and after baby all you fit mamas!

-Kim

The post Functional Postpartum Fitness Apparel appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.

One of these items is the striped solid yoke nursing top in navy

This top is perfect for a night out, or even casually with jeans. Its a nice stretchy spandex material and it is not clingy to my body at all (which is great for the post partum body, am I right ladies?) I love stripes, so this is right up my alley as far as fashion.

The top allows you to lift up the flaps on both sides to be able to nurse your baby fast and discretely.

I am 5’0″ tall and the XS fit me just nicely. It’s also long enough to cover your mid section. I jazzed it up with a cute necklace and felt ready to go out to a nice dinner or outing without anyone knowing it was a nursing top at all.

milk nursingwear® has graciously offered one of our readers a $35.00 gift card ! Enter through the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was given a maternity nursing top by milk nursingwear ® in exchange for a review. All opinions are solely my own. Gift card provided by milk nursingwear® and will be sent to the winner of the giveaway.

Good luck, mommas and happy nursing!

-Kim

The post Making Nursing and Fashion go Hand-in-Hand (and a giveaway!) appeared first on The Lavender Ladies.