Bows and Bentos

02/19/2026

Doctor's orders ✌🏼❤️☀️

02/05/2026

Spring Break Boredom Busters

Depending on where you live, you're probably coming up on your child's school being out for Winter or Spring Break (here in Canada, some school districts take 2 weeks off in March and others do a week off in February and April). If you're looking to avoid an overdose of screen-time and encourage your kids' creativity while taking a much-needed breath for yourself, consider one of these boredom busters to peacefully pass the time and have a minute to breathe....

Depending on where you live, you’re probably coming up on your child’s school being out for Winter or Spring Break (here in Canada, some school districts take 2 weeks off in March and o…

02/05/2026

The BEST Gift for Kids Who Don’t Need “Stuff”

Please note: this blog may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon associate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases. If you're like me, the last thing you want in life is more "stuff" - and when someone asks you what your kids want or need for a birthday/Christmas/holiday gift, the urge to say "NOTHINGGGGGG" is strong. Experiences are the gold standard, and we welcome the swim lessons, dance classes, zoo passes, and movie tickets over just about anything else....

Please note: this blog may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon associate, I may earn commission from qualifying purchases. If you’re like me, the last thing you want in life is more & #82…

02/04/2026

Dog Man, The Investigators, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid dominate the graphic novel scene for kids - but there are so many more of them out there to explore. Here are 20 of my daughters' (9 + 11) faves that you just might not have heard of. Have your kids explored any of these or have a other hidden gem to add to the list?

01/30/2026

Parents of tweens and beyond, do you ever look back and chuckle at how stressed we felt when the biggest issue on ouur plate was puree or BLW? Breastmilk or formula? Sleep train or co sleep? Everything felt so monumental and *important*. Montessori, or Waldorf? Traditional or outdoor preschool? It felt like a Choose Your Own Adventure Book and one wrong decision meant GAME OVER.

Turns out, some of us should have been a bit more concerned about if we were teaching our kids to be kind - accepting - inclusive - and empathetic because
I'll be honest - I didn't imagine 11 being the age I would be teaching my kid what gaslighting means, but alas - here we are. Yes, the vibes are off, no you AREN'T crazy, and here's what we're gonna do.

Interpersonal dynamics amongst tween girls feels especially insidious. Not enough outward "bullying" to attract an authoritative audience or leave visible marks, but enough to poison the recipient from the inside out. The passive aggressive comments, the purposeful exclusion from group dynamics, and the intentional acts to make others uncomfortable make my heart break.

I'm tight rope walking the line between teaching the girls that that behaviour stems from a dark place and to show grace when possible, but also that we do not have to accept that treatment from anyone. We can be kind, but we don't have to be punching bags. And despite how world-shattering it feels like right now, it's better to be a lone wolf than belitted by the pack.

Ugh - am I alone here? When does it get better? Boy moms, teachers, can you weigh in?

01/23/2026

My therapist says retail therapy isn't the best use of my energy but honestly, ebay at 3am during an insomnia-induced doom scrolling session kinda slaps. Let me have my entire basic white girl branded personality while the dumpster fire burns, okay?

01/03/2026

"Must be nice".

Yes. It is. I have worked hard my entire life to have this life - these experiences - these memories. I have saved and sacrificed and spent many sleepless nights crunching numbers in order to bring my dreams to fruition. It's not luck, none of if was left to chance. I wanted something, and I worked for it. Full stop.

2026 is the year I stop dimming my own light because it might be shining in other people's eyes.

Grateful for the adventures we had in 2025 and excitedly looking forward to everything on the docket for 2026.

01/03/2026

A snippet of my 2025: Food Edition.

Grocery stores in places I've never been excite me as much as Disney does kids!

The fresh poffertjes in Netherlands will be something I dream about dor the rest of my life 🤌🏻

What was the best thing you ate this year?

12/31/2025

Grateful for what this year brought my way, and will never stop thanking my lucky stars for the gift of another rotation around the sun to do it all again. Nothing is promised so do the things ✨️

12/04/2025

It may not be for everyone, but it's definitely for us.

Do you have any non-traditional holiday traditions?

11/24/2025

Sorry, I'm fully booked this holiday season. What's your all time fave holiday story?

Ps. Let me know if you want to know how I get hauls like this for just a fraction of retail price 🧏‍♀️

11/20/2025

8pm deal drops during the holiday season hate to see me coming - I just rounded up dozens of the deepest discounts on the Lego probably on your holiday list! Comment "Lego" and I'll send them straight to you :)