Category: Tired Mommy’s Tales

My Favorite Car Seats at Every Stage

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I’ve had at least one child in some stage of car seats for over 10 years. Some I loved and some I did not. (Seats, not kids) At least one seemed like a great investment at the time and then turned out to not be all I’d envisioned.

Right now, Target is holding their Car Seat Trade-In Event so we’re taking the opportunity to get a good deal on a new seat for Leah.

(Don’t know what the Car Seat Trade-in Event is? You can take your old car seats to Target and they will give you a coupon for 20% off baby gear. For more info – click here.)

While researching what combination seat (a harnessed seat that will transition to a belt-positioning booster) we’ll transition Leah to next, I’ve been looking back at the seats we’ve had in the past 10 years.

Quick note on choosing car seats

Before I share what we’ve used in the past, I’m going to put my former Child Passenger Safety Technician hat on and say a few things about choosing car seats.

1. No car seat is proven to be safer than another. All car seats are crash-tested for the same standards and get a pass or fail.

2. Being more expensive does not make a car seat “better”. However, the higher price may be due to additional features that make it more comfortable, easier to install, etc.

3. The best seat is one that is a good fit for your child (height/weight/age/maturity), your car and your budget.

So what worked well for my tall girls who are a lot of leg in my Ford Escape might not be the best choice for a child with a larger torso in a compact car with a small backseat. The Facebook group Car Seats for the Littles is a great resource if you’re trying to find a good seat that will meet your particular needs.

Newborn/Infant Seats

With Brooke, we used a convertible seat from day one. It worked fine but when we were pregnant with Leah we decided an infant “bucket” seat would be a better choice.

We bought the Chicco Keyfit 30 and we were completely happy with it. Keith and I both had bases in our cars and the install was super easy. It also worked great in the Cortina stroller we found secondhand on Craigslist. Overall it was a great buy!

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I’d probably chose something like the Chicco Fit2 or a Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Seat Featuring Safety Surround Technology if we were researching an infant seat for a new baby today.

Chicco Fit2 Infant Car Seat

Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Seat

Convertible Seats

As I mentioned before, Brooke came home from the hospital in a convertible seat and never had the infant seat. Car seats have evolved so much I don’t know if they even make the kind of seats we had for Brooke. My favorite in all the convertible seats we’ve used is the one Leah currently uses in my car – the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat. One of the features I really loved about this seat was the pull-out leg room extension. My girls are tall and we keep them rear-facing as long as possible so this kept them comfy much longer!

Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat

I would totally choose the Extend2Fit again if we needed another convertible seat. Another option I like is the Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat. The zip-off cover is a feature I would love!! Cleaning car seats can be such a pain!

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Combination Seats

The combination seat we first used with Brooke is another that I don’t think is available anymore. That was a Graco Argos which is very similar to the Graco Nautilus which ended up being the one that we had in my car. It was a great seat and was a good fit at the harness stage, the high-back booster stage and the backless booster stage.
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We liked it so much I didn’t think twice or feel the need to do too much research when it was time to get one for Leah. I found a new version that has some really cool features like the SnugLock for easy secure installation, two cupholders (that’s great so each girl gets one!) and a cool place to stow away the harness straps when you have the seat in booster mode. We will definitely be using our Trade-In Event discount on this one!
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Another great option is the Graco Tranzitions. This seat would be great as a backup seat for grandparents or after being hit by an upset tummy in the car. It doesn’t have many of the “fancy features” but has good weight limits and the no-rethread harness which is a must for me!
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The Evenflo Maestro is another that has good weight and height limits and I would definitely consider. One drawback is it only has the harness mode & high-back booster mode. It does not have the no-back booster option. No-back boosters are cheap and easy to get so that isn’t a huge deterrent it to me but is something to consider.
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Booster Only Seats

These are seats that don’t have a harness and only have the belt-positioning feature. These are handy to have if you have a child who carpools or rides with other families. They are typically pretty light and easy to move from car to car. We used two that I liked for different reasons. The first was the Graco Turbobooster. We used this in Keith’s car because Brooke wasn’t in it much so we didn’t need extra features. After she didn’t need the high back function, we took the back off and used it as a no-back booster until Brooke was ready to be in the seat belt alone.
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The Bubble Bums was a great seat to have on hand for when Brooke would ride in other cars. It’s inflatable and slim which made it a great portable option. It was also nice to have on hand if we were taking another child somewhere who needed a seat. The Bubble Bum fit in the middle seat really well.

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If you have car seats that are expiring or your child will be transitioning to the next stage of seat soon, I would definitely take advantage of the Target Car Seat Trade-In. And I hope my recommendations are helpful – just rememeber that what works for each child and family will be different. Talk a Child Passenger Safety Technician to be sure you have the right fit!

Do you have any favorite car seats from your time as a parent? Can you remember the seats you used as a child?

Ahoy Mateys! Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show Stakes Its Claim In Pigeon Forge!

Many thanks to the team at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show for inviting me to the VIP Grand Opening Event!!

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Building Front

Y’all – I think Dolly Parton has made it her personal mission to be sure that if you come down to the Great Smoky Mountains, you’re going to find some fun!!

After years of success in Myrtle Beach, NC, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show has staked its claim in Pigeon Forge as well!

I was honored to attend the VIP Grand Opening Event last month and experience all this entertaining show and dinner has to offer.

Pre-Show Entertainment

Upon entering the building I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of activities they have available to keep you busy until it’s time to be seated. First, there is the full bar which offers both non-alcoholic drinks as well as beer, wine & cocktails.

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Full Bar
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Bar Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Bar Wine & Spirits

Also in the lobby area were games to be played while passing the time. Among them were checkers, backgammon, ring toss, tic tac toe, and two sets of cornhole.

PIrates Voyage Dinner and Show PIgeon Forge Checkers
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Backgammon
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Cornhole

If your kids really want to get in on the action, they can even dress up like to look like a pirate!! For $19.99 your child can get a pirate or mermaid makeover complete with face makeup, costume accessories, and flags! This is an add-on experience and not included in your admission.

Soon, it was time to be seated in the arena. I was totally amazed at the size of the set. The detail in the decoration and the bright colors had me amped and eager to see the show!!

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Full Stadium

My host very quickly came by, helped me find my seat, and took my drink order. Coca-Cola products, tea or coffee are included and you can have unlimited refills. And they’re served in jars which is something I absolutely love!

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Table Setting

After all the guests had been seated, we got to hear from Dolly Parton! She told us a little about her upcoming projects (more music & a Netflix series this fall!) and her heart behind purchasing a number of other attractions in the Pigeon Forge area.

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Dolly Parton Speech

Then it was time to eat and watch the show!!

The Show

Similar to Dolly Parton’s Stampede, the audience and performers are split amongst two teams. In the Pirates Voyage show, the teams are Sapphire & Crimson. (I was on Team Sapphire). The teams will complete throughout the show to win a prize and there is even audience participation from time to time!

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Sapphire 1
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Sapphire 2

I was very impressed with the variety of acts that were showcased during the performance. Acrobats, aerialists, divers, animals, dancing, singing… And just when you thought you’d seen everything, something new would be introduced!

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Pirate 1
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Show 1
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Show 3
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Show 4
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Show 5
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Show 6
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Show 7

The Food

Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show offers a four-course feast. It starts with the legendary creamy vegetable soup and a buttermilk biscuit.

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Creamy Soup Biscuit

Next up, the hosts serve up the main entrees – pan-fried chicken and a fried pork chop. Unlike Dolly Parton’s Stampede, you are provided utensils to eat your meal. I’ll be honest though – it was too dark to mess with a knife and fork and I used my hands to eat both the chicken and pork chop!

I did pick up my fork when the sides came through. First was creamy macaroni & cheese and next was sweet potato souffle that smelled so good! Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Full Meal

Lastly came a flaky peach turnover. The perfect end to a tasty and satisfying meal!

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Peach Turnover

The hosts did a great job of serving each item quickly and without distracting from the show. They are almost as well choreographed as the performers on stage!

Pirates Treasure Gift Shop

After the show, I took a couple of minutes to browse through the Pirates’ Treasure Gift Shop. There was a variety of items for sale. They even had soup mix so you can have the Creamy Vegetable Soup at home any time you’d like!
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Pirates Treasure Shop
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pirates Treasure Shop 2
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Pirates Treasure Shop 3
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show Pigeon Forge Pirates Treasure Shop Creamy Soup Mix

Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show is a great addition to the family entertainment landscape of Pigeon Forge!!

My 10 Favorite Resources from the 2019 Ultimate Homemaking Bundle

My 10 Favorite Resources from the 2019 Ultimate Homemaking Bundle

I totally get it – the 104 resources in the 2019 Ultimate Homemaking Bundle sounds like a great deal. But who has time to read all those ebooks, take all those courses, print all those printables…

2019 Ultimate Homemaking Bundle

The great news is NO ONE expects anyone to do all that. There are quite a few products in this bundle that have a value of more than $29.97. So that means you could take advantage of only that ONE THING and you’d have gotten your money’s worth and more.

Since I get the overwhelm, I went through and picked out my favorite 10 resources from the Bundle. And honestly, that was kinda tough – I started at 17 but whittled it down for you.

My 10 Favorite Resources from the 2019 Ultimate Homemaking Bundle

1. Get Organized HQ: 2018 Virtual Summit ($49 value)

I participated in this summit during the summer or fall of 2018. It was a free summit but you only had access to the live sessions or the replays for 24 hours. I enjoyed quite a few of the sessions but I missed quite a few due to work and other commitments during the day. I am so excited to be able to have lifetime access to all of the sessions.

2. Online Safety Handbook: How to Safely Navigate Social Media & the Internet ($9.99)

As the parent of a tween in this new generation, Keith and I are navigating unchartered waters when it comes to technology and our kids. We can’t keep her from it as its a cornerstone of her school experience (our school district issues laptops to all students grades 5-12). So learning how to protect her while simultaneously teaching her how to handle the Internet is vital to us right now.

3. Encourage My Tween’s Heart ($5.95)

As you can tell, I’m embracing my new role as a parent to a tween girl and realizing I’m going to need all the help I can get!! I look forward to using this workbook to work our way through this new stage and focus on deepening our connection and fostering strong character in our daughters.

4. HappyJournal for Kids ($8.98)

I really love the idea of teaching my girls a gratitude practice that can involve their creative side. It also makes it more accessible to Leah who is still an emerging reader/writer since she can draw pictures instead of write. And since you can just print a new one when your child’s HappyJournal gets full, you’ll definitely get value from this workbook!

5. Guilt-Free Guide to Summer: Your Fail-Proof Plan to a Summer with Kids You Can Feel Good About ($45)

Summer is quickly approaching and as a working mom, I’m filled with tons of guilt that my kids’ summers aren’t as relaxed and fun as they might be if I were home with them. I’m really looking forward to this eCourse to help me develop a plan that will keep us all enjoying our summer!!

6. 101 Screen-Free Ideas: Printable Activity Cards ($8)

I doubt I’m the only mom who finds her self practically begging her kids to find SOMETHING, ANYTHING else to do besides stare at screens all day. I also doubt my kids are the only ones who can never seem to come up with an alternative. These printable activity cards are going to be on my printer ASAP so there will be no more excuses for zoning out in front of the TV all.day.long!!!

7. Science in the Kitchen: Fearless Science at Home For All Ages ($4.95)

My girls love being in the kitchen and they love science (they even chose the Science breakout sessions at their church camp this summer!). What better way to encourage them to step away from the screens (see #6 above) than to do some fun experiments in the kitchen. I’m hoping this eBook will give me some fun ideas of activities to do with my Girl Scout troop too!!!

8. Brush Lettering 101 ($47)

Mama’s been itching for a hobby and I’ve been so interested in all the brush lettering I’ve seen in the planner world as of late. This eCourse is self-paced which is perfect for a working mom who needs to fit things in the margins. I can’t wait to get started!!

9. Anchored Women Meal Planner: A Simplified System ($17)

There are quite a few meal planning resources in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle but I wanted to choose one favorite. Although I anticipate I’ll at least browse through them all and will probably take bits and pieces from each to make my own system. The reason I’m highlighting this one in this post is I liked the idea of an eCourse for learning a system to make meal planning quicker & easier!!

10. HerPaperRoute Guide To Pinterest Marketing ($65)

Similar to meal planning above, there were many Work-at-Home/Entrepreneurial resources to choose from. I’ll likely end up using more than just this. But Pinterest is an area I would like to focus on more soon so I chose it for my roundup today.

So there ya go!! My recommendations and what I will be using (first!) in the 2019 version of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle!

Have you checked out the product list? What category or product interests you the most?
The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle

PS. Time is running out! This bundle will not be available after midnight 5/6!!!