Your kids won't say they're bored

School's out and summer is here!

Unfortunately for many, it's just a re-shuffling of where to send the kid during the day BUT perhaps it's time to expand what to do this summer?

1) The beach! Which one? ANY! We have so many options here in NH. From the Seacoast to Lake Winnipesaukee to Newfound Lake to so many more. You can make a true day out of a beach trip.

2) North Conway/Kancamagus Highway. From the 32 mile highway with breathtaking rest stops and incredible turns, it's a great way to kick off or end your day! Once in North Conway, there are some phenomenal restaurants (looking at you, Delaney's Hole in the Wall) and the outlets with NH's tax-free shopping. From North Conway, you're a short trip to so many phenomenal attractions in Northern NH - Diana's Bath, Cathedral Ledge and Arethusa Falls are a small handful of stops to make nearby.

3) Storyland and Santa's Village. Both located near North Conway, it's a great way to make a long weekend with an overnight stay at my personal favorite motel, North Colony Motel and Cottages. Storyland offers a LOT of extras to make your visit memorable while Santa's Village hits both notes of a water park and amusement park in 1 trip.

4) Andres Institute of Art. Located in Brookline right on Rte 13, it's a walking trail/park with sculptures. I personally haven't been but seems like a great way to spend a few hours outside.

5) Heading back North, Mount Washington is a phenomenon. There are 3 ways to experience the mountain: hike it, Mount Washington Auto Road and The Cog. I personally prefer The Cog as the road was scary to me but the Auto Road allows you to explore at your pace.

6) I'm going to make this one a bit more all-encompassing: The Seacoast. From Hampton Beach/Rye to Odiorne Point (skip the Seacoast Science Center though) and Water Country, there's plenty of ways to spend a day or three out this way. Don't forget that Hampton Beach has fireworks every Wednesday night too!

7) Prescott Park Arts Festival. Prescott Park is right off Downtown Portsmouth with plenty of amazing food options nearby. Also nearby is Strawberry Banke. But the biggest draw about Prescott Park is what they offer. Nearly every Thursday - Sunday they're putting on a play for free. This year's performance is Beauty and the Beast. Past years have been Suessical, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and quite a few more. I strongly recommend getting there 2-3 hours before hand and bringing food, blanket and/or chairs.

I'm sure as I think of more once I hit "publish" but this is a great start to keep your kids entertained through the first week of July and beyond! If you have any to add, I would love to see your comments below!

Thirty. Four.

01.02

It's not just a day on the calendar - it's my birthday.

So, yes this post is a day late but that's me.

This year I turned 34 and for some reason that hit me hard. I can no longer claim I'm in my early-thirties. 34 is officially mid-thirties.

It was really hard to look at the mirror - I see a lot of grays, I see wrinkles. I see my overweight body. I see a lot of flaws. I may not have my own home, or a brand new car. I may not be my dream weight. However, I have the best husband ever. The most amazing kids known to me. I have nieces and nephews that I adore. My friends have my back and many who adore my kids. My job keeps me happy (for the most part).

I have things to be thankful for and that is what I am going to concentrate on for year 34.

Best Boys Haircut in NH

If you're like me, when you're in the mood for a new haircut/style, you search Pinterest and then hit up your stylist for an estimate/time and go.

If you're like me with a son, you overthink and overwork the thought of the haircut to death. To spare you some stress, here are some tips/barber shop opinions for you to look through.

1) Search Facebook for a local moms group and get barber recommendations. Heck, search the barber shops on FB and check out the reviews! The ladies in the group pointed me to 3 local barbers who have had the chance to cut Brody's hair. I got an idea of pricing and what to expect from them as well.

2) Know your numbers - or at least the hairstyle you want. I know, it sounds silly but barbers are efficient folks. They're not a stylist who has time set aside for you. They're the kind to give you a good haircut as quickly as they can before moving on to the next.
*Numbers, for those who are unfamiliar, are the clipper size.

3) If your kid has any sensory issues, give the barber a heads-up! Let them know it's a first haircut or if they need to use scissors due to the noise. Equip them with whatever tools you can to help make the haircut a smooth one.

If you're in the Concord/Manchester area of New Hampshire, here are 3 pretty decent barber shops we've had good luck with:

1) Modern Man Barbershop & Shave Parlor - Hooksett, NH

I have amazing things to say about this place. Very roomy (it's a newer location to them), very clean and nice. They have an Xbox/Playstation, pool table and pinball for those waiting. There is a small kids table with some toys to help distract as well. This is the only barbershop I've been too where the kids have their own seat (a fire truck with a tray for an iPad) and the kids also get to wear a fire jacket.

2) Handsome Devils - Hooksett/Manchester line, NH

Brody's first haircut was here, but we haven't been back since. They did have a fantastic waiting area for kids with tons of toys and books to keep them entertained. The barber we had one was incredible - very friendly, immediately saved a lock of hair without me asking. The one aspect I didn't like was that Brody's seat was just some booster-style pads. There was nothing to restrain him if he moved/lost balance.

3) Lucky's - Concord, NH

Lucky's was our most recent barber visit. I loved the old time feeling I got walking in. The guys were all dressed in slacks and button down shirts, some were with vests. They had the canvas-type of apron on as well. The place is a bit small and there's no real space between the barbers so I felt like I was in the way the whole time. Their kids seat is a small "bench" that fits across the seat bars so once again, the kid isn't fully restrained. But our barber did a great job - worked fast, was gentle and kept asking if Brody was good.

If you have a barbershop we should check out, definitely let me know!