Category Archives: Lifestyle

The best baby registry and what to add to your registry

The Best Baby Registry

Things sure have changed in the gift-giving game with baby registries – and by gifts I’m talking about the free gift you get when you start your registry, mama!

I have a lot of experience with this as I used to be the local marketing specialist for Babies “R” Us in the Rio Grande Valley. Even in the last 4.5 years since Jericho was born, the swag sure has gotten better!

When I started doing my research for baby registries for Baby Canaan this time around, I was pleasantly surprised to see the amazing free gifts and perks I received, and today I want to focus on the awesomeness that is the Amazon Registry.

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25 days of Christmas Activities in New Braunfels & San Antonio area

Merry McKenna Christmas

It’s the most magical time of year… and we make it extra magical in my family by creating a 25-day activity advent calendar every year! And this year I want to share our favorite Christmas Activities in New Braunfels, San Antonio & beyond so you can get out and make some memories with your families!

It all started in 2016 when my son was a year old and I was spending way too much time on Pinterest (c’mon, I still do!). I searched for activity advent calendars and only found crafts.  My son, bless him, is not crafty at all. As a result, I created this activity calendar because we all share the joy of EVENTS!

My husband and I loved doing all the things (hello, bar crawls!) before baby, now we are all about family Christmas fun (hello, Santa & snow & jumpy houses!). So with this being our fourth year of absolute fun, I wanted to share the joy with all my fellow locals and visitors!

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Fall Events & Pumpkin Patches in New Braunfels, Texas

Gruene UMC Pumpkin Patch in New Braunfels, TX

It is no secret that I LOVE FALL!! And I don’t mean pumpkin spice lattes, I am talking about all the things….pumpkin patches, cooler weather, walks in our neighborhood, fall festivals, autumn decor, spooky stuff, the list goes on.

We stay active in our family and love a good day of adventure, so in the spirit of sharing I pulled together a list of 2019 fall events, pumpkin patches and family friendly Halloween delights. Cheers to cooler weather and pumpkin everything!

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10 Valentine’s Day gifts for your toddler that don’t involve sweets

10 Valentine's Day gifts for your toddler

I absolutely love any excuse to buy gifts (it is totally my love language!) so there is no forgetting Valentine’s Day. And while I will gift my hubby something thoughtful, I love including my toddler in gift giving.

Growing up, my parents always gave me a box of chocolate and another small gift. I want to always show my love to Jericho, but without sweets. We are a sugar-free family, after all!

Last year’s gift guide was a big hit-including in our house! This year I wanted to share some of our current top favorite gifts that would be perfect for a Valentine’s Day gift for your 3-year-old. I’ve broken it down my category just for you, mama!

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Keeping my family well during Cold & Flu season with Physician 360

At Home Strep Test

You know that moment you are really sick but the last thing you want to do is go to a doctor’s office?

Yeah, me too. Especially with a toddler. I am convinced if he or I need to go to the doctor, we will both catch something else. I’m just not down with that!

Days after Christmas, Jericho and I both came down with a cough. He got it, then I got it, then he was better, then I, then we both caught it again. I was convinced it was strep….because without meds it can be the gift that keeps on giving.

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Wardrobe edit, part 5: Create outfits with this wardrobe planning app

There are a number of wardrobe and outfit planning apps out there. I used to use an app loyally a couple of years ago, then I lost all the data and they didn’t back it up! So now I have tried many different versions and have found the one that I highly recommend, YourCloset. I am not an affiliate, nor is this sponsored – it is just my favorite option available out there!

You should know I am an android user, so there may be a plethora of options I’m not even aware of. When looking for a wardrobe app (if you want to look around) read the reviews and figure out what is most important to you when selecting the app.

You may be wondering – what is a wardrobe planning app? In a nutshell, its an electronic wardrobe to catalog what you have, keep track of when you’ve worn certain garments and even style pieces together to create outfits.

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Toddler fashion: The cutest duds for your dapper 3-year-old dude

It is no surprise that fashion is priority, even for my little family. I married a man who likes to look good too, so it is always important to us to dress our toddler accordingly!

Boy fashion is hard. There isn’t nearly as many options out there, and they tend to all feature the same superhero characters. It takes additional effort to put an outfit together. But, I love it!

I’ve written two more posts similar to this featuring toddler boy clothes and the looks I love, and I couldn’t resist doing a new, fresh post for winter wardrobes.

So sit back, relax and enjoy a little toddler retail therapy!

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The Best Christmas Children’s Book

Best Christmas Book

I have always been a lover of all things Christmas. It is the most exciting time of the year for me. Even before I was a Believer, it was the holiday I looked forward to January through November.

Now, as a mom, I have a whole new outlook on this amazing holiday. We take in all the local events, share the story of Jesus and enjoy shopping for gifts. Our three-year-old is beginning to love the season, too!

Here are a few traditions we hold dear to our hearts, and I hope it helps inspire you to build memories with your kiddos.

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14 gift ideas for your party host or hostess (on any budget)

Lisa Alfaro: Gifts for the holiday hostess

It’s the most exciting time of the year! And with the holidays comes lots and lots of parties.

You may find yourself at many a soiree that include a gracious hostess. How do you thank them? I think the art of etiquette has been lost on many through the generations, so if you are not one to give hostess gifts I hope you will reconsider this year!

I’ve pulled together some of my favorite, thoughtful host gifts in many price points.

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Santa’s coming to town: Where to see Santa in New Braunfels

BabyCoolJ celebrating his first Christmas in Austin, 2015

It is my favorite time of year! I love the fall and lead up to Christmas. It all starts with BabyCoolJ’s birthday in September, our anniversary and pumpkin patches in October, my birthday and fall festivals in November….then DECEMBER! From Christmas events to gift exchanges, Santa sightings and holiday movies, our Christmas activity advent calendar and ultimately celebrating the birth of Jesus. I absolutely love Christmas!

It is our first Christmas in New Braunfels and I’ve curated an inclusive list of places you can catch Santa – and maybe Mrs. Clause or an elf!

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