Valentine's Gifts for the One You Love

I love to give art as gifts to friends, family, and especially to Juan, my husband. On occasion, I've even given my own drawings and paintings. There's something so special about receiving a lovely work of art to hang in your home. For those of us on a budget and with limited time on our hands, art prints are a perfect, meaningful gift. With Valentine's Day just two weeks away, I'd love to share a few beautiful art gifts from Minted for your love.

A foil-stamped Michigan map really makes a statement. (See all foil-stamped art here.)

Light in Dark by Jihye Back Kim has such a strong focal point and gorgeous colors.

Far Far Away by Andrew McClintock. Read the artist's statement, it's not what you think it is... ;)

Minted has a great selection of limited edition art prints, photo gifts, and custom gifts. Plus, enjoy 15% off all art gifts at Minted with code VALENTINE16 through this Sunday, 1/31. Thanks, Minted!

P.S. Be sure to join my Facebook group for deals on Valentine's Day gifts and more!

(Top photo of Shannon Althin's living room via Cup of Jo)

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This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated a small percentage if you make a purchase through my links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Ann Arbor Kids Steals and Deals possible!

What's Your Parenting Motto?

I tend towards high strung, so during my pregnancy with Luisa, I focused on positive thinking...not just for the birth, but for parenting later on. I could imagine how easy it would be to get caught up in a whirlwind of anxious thoughts: What's wrong? Is it because she didn't nap long enough? Is it because she's teething? Is it because that 1/8 teaspoon of avocado that actually made it down her esophagus is giving her indigestion?

So, I came up with a phrase I could say to myself over and over, my baby motto: Babies be babies. Sometimes they cry for no reason, or they need to nurse all day long, or they won't sleep, or in newborn Luisa's case, they sleep all the time (don't be too jealous, it created other problems). Whenever I was struggling as a new mom, I said to myself, "Babies be babies," and didn't overthink it. It allowed me to do what I had to do to meet her needs without worrying. Who cares if she's teething or not? Being a baby is reason enough for behavior that doesn't make sense, because babies don't make sense.

In the last couple of weeks, Luisa has become a full-on toddler. I still tell her she's my baby, but she sure acts like a two-year-old all of a sudden (her birthday is coming up). I have a toddler motto now: She's struggling more than I am. When she's crying because she wants to undo her own buttons, yet can't figure it out herself, and won't let me help because that would be the worst thing ever... When she refuses to put on her mittens to play in the snow, and cries because we're leaving as a consequence... When she wants something else to eat, yet can't figure out what... She's more frustrated than I am.

I haven't quite found my peace with this new phase, but it helps to turn on teacher mode (I was a teacher and then a counselor in what seems like a past life). I'm a bit rusty after mothering a baby. Babies' wants ARE their needs, and you never need to be in teacher mode; you exist in mama mode 24/7, seemingly forever. Teacher mode is sort of like channeling an alpha dog's or a CEO's energy: calm, quiet, and in charge, with a commanding presence. I'm sure parenting a toddler will put me back into practice in no time. :)

What's your parenting motto? If your kids are older, how many parenting mottos have you had as they change? ;) I'd love to hear your thoughts!

BST to Save Money

The best way to afford the adorable, high-end children's clothes you love is to BST (buy, sell, trade). You can save money by buying used clothes from other parents, or by buying the clothes you want new and then selling when your children have outgrown them.

BST groups abound on Facebook and can be location-specific (like Ann Arbor High-End Kids Clothes BST) or brand-specific (Hanna Andersson, Tea Collection, Mini Boden, Matilda Jane, Janie and Jack, and many more). BST can seem like a hassle at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy and addictive. 

To keep the resale value of your kids' clothes high, it's important to keep them nice. In our house, Luisa has to earn the privilege of wearing clothes during meals. I find it way less of a hassle to undress her before meals than to treat laundry stains. If you do have to treat stains from playing outside or eating, Resolve Max Power gel will save the day. Wash the clothes inside out in cold water and consider hanging to dry. 

Once you're ready to post the clothes for sale, be sure to read the BST group's rules (usually in the pinned post of the Facebook group). This will make it easier for you and ensure that your post won't get deleted because you inadvertently didn't follow the rules. Iron the clothes just a little, if needed, and take good pictures with your phone (or DSLR, if you're feeling ambitious). Honestly describe the condition of the clothing and price it fairly. Remember, you'll make more money by selling for a fair price than you will by pricing it so high that no one wants to buy it. 

Here's an example listing that I recently sold on a Tea Collection BST group: "VGUC 3-6 months romper from Morocco. No signs of wash wear or fading; would say EUC, but VGUC to be safe. $15 shipped." You can describe clothing as NWT (new with tags), NWOT (new without tags), EUC (excellent used condition, practically new), VGUC (very good used condition, possible slight wash wear), GUC (good used condition, more wash wear and fading), or play condition (stains, small holes, or other damage). It's better to underestimate the condition of the clothing than to risk overstating its condition. 

Once someone has decided to buy your clothes, send them an invoice via PayPal. After they've paid, weigh the clothing and packaging together with a kitchen scale. You can enter the weight of the package and print a shipping label on PayPal, tape it to the poly mailer, and leave it in your mailbox with the flag up. (Poly mailers are the cheapest packaging for just 1-3 items of clothing; more than that, your best bet is a USPS Priority Flat Rate padded envelope.) So easy - you don't even have to go to the post office!

On local BST groups, on the other hand, you'll usually meet with a buyer in a public parking lot or just leave the clothing in a bag on your porch with a jar for cash (ppu, or porch pick up).

Have you tried BST? What are your favorite kids' clothing brands? I'd love to hear!

P.S. Buying clothes in advance and stashing is another great way to save money on adorable kids' clothes, if you buy during end-of-season sales. (What you wanted to buy may be sold out by then, though.) If you buy clothes on sale and resell later, you can really save money!

(Top photo by me of Luisa in our all-time favorite outfit: the Tea Collection Matisse dress from Morocco, spring/summer 2014.)

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Toddler's Day Out: Preschool Playtime at Gym America

Have you heard of Preschool Playtime at Gym America? My friend Pooja invited me to join her there this morning and I am so glad we went. Luisa had such a blast exploring the balance beam, trampoline, soft gymnastics floors, climbing bars, play equipment, and more.

You can go to Preschool Playtime every Monday and Friday, 9:45 to 10:45 am, until June 11. The cost per session is only $5 per child! Children who are walking up to five years old are welcome, and parents can wear or carry non-walking babies. Certified staff supervise the entire play session (and help the kids take turns on the trampolines :), but parents must stay with their children at all times. You can leave your things in cubbies in the locker room during the play session.

Luisa was so thrilled to try new things and see what she could do! I was impressed by how brave she was, climbing up high and jumping into the ball pit. I can't wait to see her try the swinging rope one day when she's a little bigger. I highly recommend Preschool Playtime, and can't wait to go to Gym America again before the season closes.

Shutterfly Sale - Now through 1/27

Great news for those of you who are on the hunt for meaningful Valentine's Day gifts. EVERYTHING is on sale at Shutterfly now through Wednesday, January 27! Get up to 50% off hard cover photo books, 40% off photo gifts and home decor, and 30% off everything else with code LOVEGIFTS.

There are tons of great options for mounted wall art. My pick would be a single mounted photo, as shown above.

Photo mugs would make a great gift from your kids; doesn't it remind you of your own childhood? (You can buy the one shown above here.)

This notepad would make a sweet gift for yourself or a grandparent. You can see all notepads here.

Thanks, Shutterfly!

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This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated a small percentage if you make a purchase through my links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Ann Arbor Kids Steals and Deals possible!

New Ice Skating Rinks in Ann Arbor

One of my very first posts was about ice skating in Ann Arbor, and I'm excited to share some news. Starting today, three more Ann Arbor parks have natural, outdoor ice skating rinks: Burns, Allmendinger, and Northside. There is no cost to skate and the rinks are open during normal park hours, 6 am to 10 pm. Just bring your own skates, since there are no skate rentals at these locations, and look out for signs indicating whether the rink is open or closed. The rinks will be maintained daily while they're open.

(Photo of the Buhr Park outdoor skating rink via MLive; information via Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation)

Grown-up Evenings

Confession: We didn't sleep train Luisa until she was nearly a year and a half old, late last summer. We might have done it a few months sooner, but we spent several months traveling during our long, drawn-out move from Korea to Ann Arbor, and it was too much upheaval in her little life as it was. Truthfully, even I didn't feel ready until last summer. I needed to have her close to me for breastfeeding and comfort, which I think is a normal - and fleeting! - part of motherhood. It was so sweet to hold her in her sleep and kiss her fat baby cheeks.

Since Luisa started sleeping in her own room, I have so much free time in the evenings to hang out and have my own life again (within range of the video monitor). This fall, Juan and I loved lighting a fire in the fire pit in our backyard and enjoying beer and s'mores with our neighbors and friends, or even just with each other. Now that it's winter, I like to make a cup of tea and cozy up with Juan on the couch. Sometimes we sit next to each other while we work, and on good nights, we watch a TV show together (House of Cards, right now). I plan to enjoy my evenings with a glass of rosé on our screened-in porch in the summer.

Much like enjoying all four seasons in Michigan, I'm enjoying all these phases of life. It's so satisfying to mother an infant in the way that comes most naturally to both of you, and then for both you and your baby to slowly gain independence from one another.

When did your kids start sleeping in their own rooms? What are your favorite evening rituals once they're in bed? Spill it in the comments!

Guide to Cold Weather Running Gear

Juan, our friend Oakley, and I (and Buster and Ziggy) went for a frigid run along the Huron River on Sunday morning. It was 17º, snowing just a little, and it was beautiful. I've always enjoyed running in the cold, but this was the first time I'd run in sub-20º temperatures. Aside from having to carefully walk over patches of black ice, I loved it! We had the trail practically to ourselves, the ground was still covered in a thin layer of snow, and everything was perfectly peaceful.

Juan has always told me to dress for the temperature plus 20º when running. When I checked the weather Sunday morning, it was 17º, so I dressed for 37º: wool trail socks, wool long johns, running tights, an extra shirt on top of my wool undershirt, a fleece jacket, running gloves, an ear-warming headband, and a scarf (mainly to warm the air before breathing it into my lungs). Some of this gear I accumulated randomly over the years (like the cheap scarf I got from a discount department store in Germany when I was 19!), and others I have bought since moving to pure, frigid Michigan.

My best source for wool trail socks and long johns on a budget is Costco. You can't beat $12.99 for four pairs of merino wool socks. Unfortunately, they're not available on the website and are a seasonal fall item, but the Kirkland Signature merino wool trail socks are still available in stores; look for Paradox merino wool underlayers in stores next fall. SmartWool is another great, but pricier, option for wool socks and long johns. You can find SmartWool on Amazon and occasionally in a flash sale on Zulily. Luisa has SmartWool socks and I'd highly recommend them.

This Under Armour ColdGear half-zip is an excellent mid-layer between your wool undershirt and your jacket. It's so comfortable and cozy, you won't want to take it off. You'll mostly wear it as a top layer while running in slightly balmier temperatures (ha) in the 30s. Or to wear around the house, until you realize that your toddler is dressed better than you are. :) Really, any thin mid-layer will do; even a long-sleeved t-shirt will work in a pinch, as long as you have wool underneath and a jacket on top.

You can wear any fleece jacket that you don't mind getting dirty as your top layer. I have a Columbia Sportswear half-zip fleece jacket with thumbholes that I love. Amazon has similar jackets here and here, and is also a good source for running gloves and thermal headbands at all price points.

Do you have any favorite, budget-friendly items for cold running gear? Share in the comments!

(Image via MLive)

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A2KidsStealsandDeals.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

40% Off First Subscription at Kiwi Crate

Have you heard of Kiwi Crate? Kiwi Crate is a fun subscription service that mails a box with two hands-on projects right to your door each month. Each box follows a certain theme, such as flight or glowing animals, to get your kids thinking creatively in art, science, and engineering. Kiwi Crate boxes are especially great this time of year when some days are too cold to play outside and cabin fever sets in. 

Subscriptions start at just $16.95 per month, and Kiwi Crate is offering 40% off your first subscription with code SNOW40. This promo ends January 29, so hurry! Thanks, Kiwi Crate!

(Image of sample box from Kiwi Crate)

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This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated a small percentage if you make a purchase through my links. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Ann Arbor Kids Steals and Deals possible!

Amazon Prime $73 This Weekend Only!

This weekend only, you can sign up for Amazon Prime for only $73! If you aren't already a Prime member, this is a great deal. Even at full price ($99), Prime will more than pay for itself. You will save so much money, time, and gas.

The best thing about Amazon Prime is Subscribe & Save. If you have at least five Subscribe & Save items every month, you get 15% off everything. Amazon usually has the lowest prices in the first place, so the savings really add up. Plus, if you have Amazon Family (which is free with Prime), you get 20% off diapers and extra coupons on lots of great items and brands. This is the cheapest way I have found to get diapers.

Prime Video is another great benefit to Amazon Prime. Tons of movies and TV shows are free to stream with Prime. Amazon even produces some impressive original series, such as Mozart in the Jungle, which won two Golden Globes.

Especially if you're in my Facebook group and I'm doing the work of finding the deals for you, you should have Prime! Check out the group for ideas on Subscribe & Save items, more information on how Subscribe & Save works, and my best-find deals from all the best places to shop. 

P.S. If you're a student, use your .edu email address to sign up for Amazon Student. You start with a free 6-month trial and can continue with Prime membership at 50% off afterwards. However, if you have kids, it's worth it to have a regular Prime membership, as Amazon Student does not offer 20% off diapers.

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A2KidsStealsandDeals.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Ann Arbor Kids Steals and Deals possible.

Juan's Top Board Game Picks

I recently wrote about my favorite board games for game night, but it's Juan, my husband, who's really into board games. He loves to look up recent winners of Germany's Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) contest, read reviews, and pick a new board game for us to play. Here are his favorite games, which unlike mine, may require a certain degree of sobriety.

Settlers of Catan, the classic, allows for three to four players. You'll need the extension if you have five or six players. Rocks for sheep, anyone? Ask any gamer: This is the ultimate strategy and resources game. If you're a fellow Trekkie, we think this version is pretty fantastic.

Pandemic is so much fun for up to four players. Instead of playing against one another, you all work together as a team to eradicate viral epidemics across the globe. Each player has a different role card, which gives them a special power to problem-solve and help eradicate disease. Juan is in medical school, so this is our go-to when we have his classmates over.

Seven Wonders is really flexible: three to seven players can play, and the game only lasts about 30 minutes once you've learned the rules. The first round is easy, but stay on your toes - it requires a lot of strategizing and it takes a few games to get the hang of it. I love the theme of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the game art, especially the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. :)

What are your favorite strategy games? We'd love recommendations!

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A2KidsStealsandDeals.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week on a Budget

Ann Arbor foodies rejoice: Restaurant Week starts this Sunday, January 17, and lasts through Friday, January 22, 2016. But if you don't eat out to save money, like us, you might not be as thrilled. No worries - you can still enjoy Restaurant Week on a budget. Here's how:

First, limit yourself to lunch. Lunch is just $15, whereas dinner is $28 during Restaurant Week. Just like any other week, lunch won't break the bank as much as dinner will.

Second, choose a restaurant that offers 2-for-1 pricing. This means that you and your partner or a friend can both eat for $15 total. (On the website, you can filter by restaurants that offer 2-for-1 pricing, lunch, or vegan/vegetarian options.)

Finally, make your reservations as soon as possible (right now) because reservations fill up fast.

Enjoy, and let me know in the comments where you go so that I can live vicariously!

(Photo via MLive)

Best Indoor Activities for the Winter

Cold, gray winter days have finally arrived. After you've played in the snow, cabin fever can set in quickly. Here are some great ideas to entertain your toddlers indoors without everyone going nuts.

Cut up straws into one-inch-long pieces and let your kids string yarn through them (tip: wrap a little tape around the ends of the yarn). This is great for developing your children's fine motor skills, which will help with writing in a few years. Alternately, a set of lacing beads is a great toy to have on hand.

Punch holes in the lid of an old Pringles container and let your kids guide pipe cleaners through the holes. This is another good activity for their fine motor skills.

Road tape! Just think, this is two activities in one: Laying out the road, then playing with their toy cars.

Show your kids pictures of themselves. Seriously, they love it. After all, they are the center of their universe. :)

Luisa can play with this Hape marble run for what seems like forever. Hape Quadrilla marble railways are a great option for bigger kids.

Skype with the grandparents! This always cheers up my toddler in the whiny hours of the late afternoon. I wait to Skype until Luisa asks me to read the same book for the billionth time and I just can't anymore. ;)

Haba Sticky Bricks are a great set of first blocks. Toddlers love them and there aren't too many pieces to lose. Luisa, my husband, and I all love these blocks.

Dip Caran d'Ache water-soluble pastels in water and let your kids draw on themselves. It wipes right off for easy clean-up.

Make hot chocolate! Kids love traditions, and sipping hot chocolate together makes for such sweet memories of these cold, cozy winter days. My mom recently sent me Silly Cow Farms hot chocolate mix, which makes a great gift for anyone this winter.

And if all else fails and your living room is big enough, this inflatable bouncer is a slam dunk win. Think of it as an investment in your sanity.

What are your go-to indoor activities this winter? I'd love to hear!

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A2KidsStealsandDeals.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Free Admission to Henry Ford Museum on January 18

Mark your calendar: Admission and activities at the Henry Ford Museum are free on Monday, January 18, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.!  There will be live music, hands-on displays, crafts to take home, and more. Hear the story of Rosa Parks in the Rosa Parks Bus and participate in "Minds of Freedom," an interactive show celebrating civil rights champions, including Dr. King, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Gloria Rackley, the Freedom Riders, and more. Even parking is free! You can read more here.

This is a great opportunity to talk to young children about racism and oppression, and to visit the Henry Ford Museum for the cost of gas to drive there. Have fun!

(Photo from The Henry Ford)

Guide to Maternity Clothes

When I was newly pregnant, I felt totally lost when it came to maternity clothing. It was so overwhelming, especially with my changing body image! You know how you think everyone else's baby belly is cute? You probably won't think yours is cute at all (but it will be, trust me). I hated my belly in all but two outfits at a time. In fact, I have fewer than five full-length photos of me pregnant. What flattered my 30-week belly somehow made me look frumpy at 32 weeks.

It's also rare to try on maternity clothing before you buy, so you are truly taking a shot in the dark. A lot of stores only offer maternity clothing online, or have limited in-store selection; other maternity clothing boutiques only exist online. Sizing also stressed me out way more than it should have. Every brand advises to order your prepregnancy size, which of course differs brand to brand, so how are you supposed to know your size in a brand that doesn't sell non-maternity clothing?

A word about cost. I thought about it way too much, because clearly I am obsessed with finding deals on the best things, and you won't wear maternity clothing forever (hopefully ;). I realized that if I have more than one child, I'd have to wear maternity clothing for quite a while. I decided to invest in some nice, not-too-trendy clothing that I'd love to wear for more than one pregnancy.

Since it's so hard to navigate and to find maternity fashion advice, I'd love to share my maternity fashion finds...

Seraphine is like Shopbop for pregnant women. They make the most gorgeous dresses, and sale prices are reasonable. Catherine Middleton was spotted wearing Seraphine during both of her pregnancies, and those styles sold out quickly! I bought this wrap dress and wore it all the time. I also wore this sweater coat every single day (see photo at the top). I always felt beautiful and put-together when I wore Seraphine.

I also love Ingrid & Isabel, but they don't have sales often. Gilt has the best prices when they have a flash sale; look in the kids' section for maternity and nursing clothing. Like Seraphine, Ingrid & Isabel makes beautiful, stylish dresses. I especially love their maternity workout pants, which you can wear even when you're not pregnant (just fold down the belly panel, which holds in your mommy tummy). Maternity workout pants are unbelievably hard to find, and I highly recommend Ingrid & Isabel's.

Maternity (non-workout) pants are tricky. I preferred pants with two triangular stretch panels at the hips instead of pants with belly panels. My favorite jeans were J Brand, which I bought on sale from a boutique that has since closed, but Amazon has a few styles. My favorite work pants were the J.Crew maternity Minnie pant (see above photo). In J Brand, J.Crew, and Gap, I had to size down in all maternity pants.

I wore Gap's maternity basics constantly. I especially loved their tank top, tights, and panties. Word to the wise: Buy maternity panties so that you don't stretch out your nice ones. I didn't want to splurge on leggings and workout tank tops, so I bought them from Old Navy and was happy. Old Navy and Gap both have sales and discount codes frequently, so wait for a promotion and don't pay full price.

Finally, Hatch is the holy grail of maternity clothing. Expecting celebrities are spotted wearing Hatch all the time. I splurged on a few things on clearance on Gilt, which were still way over budget, but I justified the cost by factoring cost-per-wear. I wore my red shirt dress every week and felt beautiful and glowing in my dinner party dress at a ball:

What did you love wearing during your pregnancy? I'd love to hear!

Local Hike: Cherry Hill Nature Preserve

Hiking is one of our favorite things to do as a family. We love to be active and enjoy nature with Luisa and our dogs. We also love free activities, so it's a win. :)

Over winter break, we went on a family hike at Cherry Hill Nature Preserve in Superior Township. Northeast of Ann Arbor and about a half-hour drive for Ann Arborites on the south and west sides of town, it was well worth the drive.

Cherry Hill has gorgeous, varied terrain: steep (really steep) hills, a large cattail marsh, plenty of hardwood forest, and rolling meadows. We really enjoyed the steep hills; they're hard to come by around here. (The one thing I would change about Ann Arbor, if I could, would be to add mountains!) I can't wait to see Cherry Hill change through the seasons.

Be sure to take a paper trail map from the entrance to the park! We referenced it a few times to decide which trail we wanted to take next.

Do you have a favorite local park somewhat off the beaten path? I'd love to hear! I plan to share more hiking spots here on the blog.

2016 Plymouth Ice Festival

Heads up: This weekend is the 2016 Plymouth Ice Festival! Every year, Plymouth hosts the largest free ice festival in Michigan. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, January 8, and end at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 10. You can view the ice sculptures 24/7 and there are plenty of scheduled events, including interactive ice sculptures, an ice playground for kids, and an ice carving demonstration. You can read more and see the entire schedule here.

Have you ever been to the Plymouth Ice Festival? Which events would you recommend with kids? Share your experiences in the comments!

(Photo via Plymouth Ice Festival)

The Best Games for Game Night

One of our favorite things to do at home is game night, even if it's just me and Juan. We don't go out much to stay on budget, and board games are a great way to have fun without spending way more than we planned on food and drinks (not to mention a babysitter). Here are my favorite board games that don't require a lot of familiarity, expertise, or sobriety to have fun.

My all-time favorite game is Ticket to Ride. There are lots of different versions (Europe, North America, Asia, the UK, Nordic countries, Germany, India...), so take your pick! We like Europe, whereas my friends in Germany like North America (of course). It's such a thrill to finish your train routes, or to build the longest track in the game. It only takes a couple of games to feel like you've got the hang of it.

Carcasonne is a really great game for guests who've never played any of your games. It's super easy to learn, and it's even easy to play while carrying on a conversation. Juan teases me that I always ask to play this game, but I do because sipping your drink won't put you at a disadvantage. ;) You don't have to pay super close attention to the other players' moves. It's all-around enjoyable and non-competitive.

Ligretto: don't be scared, it includes directions in English (and just about every other European language). This is a fast-paced card game that is easy to learn and surprisingly addictive. The game is usually over in just a few minutes, so you just play as many rounds as you'd like. Each box accommodates up to four players. You can buy the set in more than one color (red, green, or blue) to accommodate up to 12 players, and games with more players end even more quickly.

What are your favorite games, and what do you like about them? I'd love to hear!

P.S. Don't forget a card shuffler (this one, or a smaller option). They are loud and will startle your babies and pets, so be careful. Now you know how dorky we really are. :)

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A2KidsStealsandDeals.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Hike it Baby 30 Challenge

Have you hiked with Hike it Baby Ann Arbor? It's a great way to get outside with your kids (and dogs!) and make friends, which is so important as a parent. Don't be intimidated; the Hike it Baby philosophy is "No Hiker Left Behind," whether you need to feed a little one, change a diaper, or stop for any other reason. There are fast-paced caregiver-led hikes, slower toddler-led hikes, and even group runs. Plus, all hikes are free. I run and hike with Hike it Baby several times a week and have made some of my very best friends in Ann Arbor this way.

Registration is still open until January 10 for the January Hike it Baby 30 Challenge. The goal is to hike 30 miles in 30 days, or spend 30 minutes outside three days a week. Hike it Baby challenges are so motivating to go outside every day, even on cold, gray winter days when you're tempted to stay inside. I've never regretted going hiking or running; I feel so much better afterwards. Being outside and moving makes all of us so much happier, kids and dogs included. Registration for this challenge starts at $2, as much or as little as you can afford.

I started my challenge this morning: Juan, my friend Alex, and I ran three cold, beautiful miles along the Huron River with the dogs and jogging strollers in tow. This is my second challenge and I'm so excited to push myself to spend time outside this winter.

There are also Hike it Baby branches in metro Detroit, Jackson, and throughout the country. You can register for the challenge even if you live in a city without a Hike it Baby branch, if you'd like.

Happy hiking, and a happy, healthy new year!

Happy New Year!

Hello, 2016! Reflecting on the last year, I am astonished by how different my life is now than it was just 12 months ago (in Korea!). I love living in Ann Arbor: the parks, the people, the sense of community. I am so glad to start 2016 here.

This year, I want to take this project to the next level. It's a joy to finally work for myself, and I have big plans for what my blog and Facebook group will look like later this year. I hope you'll stick with me for the ride! Xoxo, Sarah

(Photo of us at Dexter Cider Mill)