Masshole Mommy

Fun DIY Sidewalk Chalk

Jul 172017

This easy jhomemade sidewalk chalk is a fun way to keep the kids busy this summer!

Summer vacation is in full swing and I am so happy to say that my boys have logged more hours outside than they have inside on their screens. That’s a win in my books. They spend countless hours on their scooters and bikes, playing wiffleball and running through the sprinkler. They always seem to have fun, but sometimes I like to throw something new into the mix. I found a recipe for some DIY Sidewalk Chalk and decided to try making some for the boys.

I love it when I run out on an errand and come home to a driveway filled with chalk drawings. So anyways, I had a go at making some sidewalk chalk and I think it came out awesome. The boys really liked using it and I was surprised at how easy it was to make. I think it’s safe to say that I’ll be making a lot more this summer.

DIY Sidewalk Chalk

Old Town Trolley Tours are the Best Way to See Boston {And a Free Printable Scavenger Hunt}

Jul 172017

It is no secret that I am a proud Bostonian. I have lived in the area all my life and love being from this part of the country. There is so much to see and do in Boston and sometimes I like to pay tourist in my own city. When I want to see the sights in Boston, I take the Boston Old Town Trolley Tour in Boston.

If you're planning on visiting Boston, spend a day on the Boston Old Town Trolley Tour. It's hop on/hop off and brings you to over 100 Boston attractions.

The Hop On Hop Off Boston Tour covers all the major areas of the city including Downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the Theater District, and the Waterfront District. On the trolley, the fun conductors narrate the tour with a fun mix of trivia and humorous stories. My husband and I took the trolley tour on a rainy day a couple of weeks back. Since we’re local, we decided to stay on for the whole tour and I am so glad we did. Lucia was our tour guide/driver and she was wonderful. She is a life-long Bostonian and she was full of stories and trivia about Boston. Continue reading »

Poop Emoji Fudge Poopsicles

Jul 162017

When you are the mom of all boys, there are poop references daily. I’m not kidding – there is poop talk all the time. And they get creative with it, too, always finding new ways to work it into conversations. Sigh….

As I was walking through Walmart the other day I spotted something out of the corner of my eye. Sure enough, it was a poop Popsicle mold. I literally gasped when I saw it and obviously, I bought one. How could I not? Of course, I was going to be making chocolate pops out of them, so I grabbed the rest of the ingredients when I was there and made the boys some Poop Emoji Fudge Poopsicles. Get it? Poopsicles!

Poop Emoji Fudge Poopsicles

10 MUST Read books for 10-Year-Old Boys

Jul 122017

Summer is around the corner and with that comes summer break! Summer break can be a blast if you have things for your kid to do, or else you might be consumed with hearing, I am bored twenty times a day! So I wanted to share 10 books for 10-year-old boys!

These books listed below are fit for their age group and can keep them interested and let their imagination take off! If you have a ten-year-old boy who likes to read, consider buying these or seeing if your local library has these to check out!

Summer Reading List for 10-Year-Old Boys

Hatchet: I had to read this when I was in school, and it is amazing! It is a survival story of a boy who gets stranded on an island and has to survive! It is such a great book, highly recommend.

Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja: Chase Cooper is a sixth grade ninja, and goes to his first day of school. Not knowing anyone but his cousin, can be a little scary. Then a group of ninjas invite him into their group. Continue reading »

Strawberry Kiwi Frozen Yogurt Dinosaur Bites

Jul 112017

Yummy Frozen Yogurt Snack will cook kids off this summer!

Summer is upon us and for some reason, when my kids are out of school for the summer they want a snack every 30 minutes. I try to keep it as healthy as possible, but I always want to make sure it’s a tasty snack that they will enjoy. These Strawberry Kiwi Frozen Yogurt Dinosaur Bites definitely fit the bill. You only need two ingredients to make them and they seriously could not be any more delicious. Whenever I make them, the kids gobble the whole batch of them up in one sitting.

Strawberry Kiwi Frozen Yogurt Dinosaur Bites

Here’s what you need:

Dinosaur Silicone Mold (You can purchase this from Walmart in their baking section or order a similar dinosaur silicone mold online)
Strawberry Yogurt
Kiwis

Summer Fun at Davis Farmland

Jul 102017

For a fun summer outing with the family, visit Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA

Located in Sterling, MA, Davis’ Farmland is super fun farm experience for families with children under 12. Davis Farmland has over 100 breeds of animals that can be petted and cuddled with as well as North America’s largest sanctuary of endangered farm animals. They don’t just have animals at Davis Farmland, they have several playgrounds, hay & pony rides and an awesome splash park, too. There is tons of summer fun at Davis Farmland!

For a fun summer outing with the family, visit Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA

There is so much summer fun at Davis Farmland

My boys were both really excited to spend the day at Davis Farmland – especially once I told them there was a splash park there. It was a hot day in July and they were happy about there being a way to cool off. We actually brought cousin Jonah, who was visiting with his dad, Uncle Keith, from San Diego with us for the day. All three of the boys had a blast exploring everything at Davis Farmland. Continue reading »

DIY Sponge Bombs

Jul 102017

Homemade Sponge Bombs are a great way to cool off on a hot summer day!

I am so thankful that my boys prefer playing outside than sitting around inside the house on their electronics all day. Maybe it’s because our summers are so short and they want to make the most of it. Or maybe they know I will yell at them to go outside and play. Either way, you will get no complaints from this mama about it. We have tons of yard toys (balls, Frisbees, etc), a wooden swing set and they each have bikes and scooters. There is enough out there for them to do to keep them busy for hours at a time. But sometimes it gets super hot out and even on those days, they don’t want to come in. That’s when I make them things like these DIY Sponge Bombs.

DIY Sponge Bombs are a great way to cool off on a hot summer day. Plus, they are wicked easy to make. Score. Try them this summer and your kids will be very happy that you did.

DIY Sponge Bombs

17 Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids This Summer in New England

Jul 052017

Inexpensive things that you can do with your kids this summer in Massachusetts, Rhode Island or New Hampshire!

Entertaining kids ALL SUMMER LONG can be exhausting and expensive. Let me save you the time thinking about what to do…Here are 17 free & cheap things to do with kids this summer in New England.

1. Unplug with good old fashioned outdoor activities at the Great Glen Trails. Located at the base of Mount Washington, families can bike, kayak, picnic, and see some spectacular wildlife. Rent equipment or bring your own.

2. Water park admission can really add up, so instead, take the kids to any number of community pools and splash pads your city has to offer.

3. Visit the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, where kids can explore caves, learn about dinosaurs, and get hands-on experience in the air conditioning all day for only $10!

Easy Summer Treat: Fruit Punch Airhead Popsicles

Jul 052017

I am so excited that summer is almost here. I consider myself lucky that my boys would much rather be outside all day rather than being glued to their screens for their entire vacation. The thing is, it’s gets pretty hot around here in the summer, so I like to help my kids cool off a couple of times throughout the day. I accomplish that by making ice pops and various other frozen treats. I mean, what’s better than an ice cold popsicle on a hot summer day? Not much.

I prefer to make my own frozen treats because I can control what I put in them. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that my boys really like it when I include other “things” in their frozen treats. By “things” I mean candy. Since Airheads are a favorite with both of my boys, I recently decided to put some into the popsicles I was making for them. The kids loved the Fruit Punch Airhead Popsicles I made and have been asking for more almost every day since. They’re easy and fun – what more could you ask for?

Fruit Punch Airhead Popsicles

15 Outdoor Games for Summer BBQ’s

Jul 032017

Summer is here and that means backyard barbecues, family gatherings and more! If you are looking for fun games and activities for summer BBQ’s than check out the list below! If you are hosting a summer cookout, set up a few of these games to make it a killer party!

I think it is a good idea to have some different kid games available to help keep the children entertained, and you can do a few games that are for the older crowd! I hope you enjoy these fun games!

Summer Party Games and Activities for a Perfect Party

Giant Hula Hoop: In a kiddie pool add some bubble mix, you can make your own easily! Then use hula hoops to create huge bubbles!

Giant Ker-Plunk Game: This is so fun, you can create a fun kid game of ker plunk! To make it even more fun use water balloons instead of balls!

Squirt Gun Water Races: This is a game kids will love and adults. See who can get their cup to the finish line first! Continue reading »

35 Ways to Keep Your Tween Boy Entertained This Summer

Jun 272017

I think we overlook that tween boys (ages 9-12) have a lot of energy to burn off, like younger kids. We see all these fun activities for little kids to stay busy during the summer! But, what about tweens? I am compiling a list of different activities to do this summer for tween boys!

All of these activities can be tweaked to fit the interest of your boys! I love finding fun and creative ways to let your boys pass the day, instead of playing video games non-stop or lounging on the couch! Get out have fun, or find things to do inside to beat the summer heat, and just have fun!

I also think it can be fun to let your tween create a bucket list of items they want to do this summer. They will have so much fun marking things off their bucket list, and looking forward to the next event! A really awesome way to enjoy the summer and not get bored! Continue reading »

Ways to Treat A Sunburn and Get Relief

Jun 262017

Summer is here, and with that means days spent at the swimming pool or beach, and spending more time outside in general! If you are like me, you might have experienced a few nasty sunburns over the years, that were less than pleasant! I have curated a list of ways to treat a sunburn and get relief from the pain that comes with it!

Sunburns can happen to anyone, no matter how careful you are. I do recommend following the instructions on the back of your sunscreen as to how often to apply. It is important to protect your skin from those harmful UV rays. The misconception is you can’t tan when you are wearing sunscreen. That is totally false, wearing sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful UV rays, it still allows you to tan. So don’t skip that sunscreen because you think it won’t let you get a little darker this summer.

When To Go In And Be Seen By A Doctor

Sometimes if you get burned really bad, it is recommended to go in and be seen by a doctor. If you feel nauseous, have a fever, or experience chills it might be for the better to go get seen. Also if you develop blisters on more than 20% of your body!

Surviving A Sunburn This Summer With These Tips

Cool Down
If you are still by the pool or beach, take a dip in the cold water. This will help cool down the burn and your body temperature. Don’t stay in too long, as you will risk making your sunburn even worse. If you are at home take a cool bath to help calm down the burn. Continue reading »

What’s Binge-worthy on Verizon Fios This Summer #BostonFios #ad

Jun 262017

I have had Verizon Fios for about nine years now. As soon as I heard that it was going to be available in my town, I called to schedule an appointment to have it set up in my house. I had my Fios within the first week of service in my town and I love it. You could ask anyone who knows me in real life and they would tell you that I should be a Verizon Fios spokesperson because I speak so highly of it. Over the last nine years, I have not had one single issue with them. Not one. I think that says A LOT about how great their service is. That is why I am thrilled to be partnering with Verizon to bring you some additional information about their new service in the Boston area.

Verizon Fios isn’t just internet and TV service anymore, though. Did you know you can stream your favorite television shows and movies anywhere with Fios On Demand? Most of the TV shows are available for free for Fios customers. Newly released movies can be rented or purchased, too. Since my family has a couple of road-trips coming up this summer, being able to stream our favorite shows in the car is going to be a lifesaver.

If you are looking for some shows to binge on this summer, look no further. Here are four great TV shows you can watch on Fios On Demand this summer:

Life in Pieces
Accomplished actors Dianne Wiest and James Brolin star as the heads of a large, happy family, in which each member is approaching different milestones. Their eldest daughter, Heather (Betsy Brandt) and her husband consider having another child as they get closer to an empty nest; middle child Matt (Thomas Sadoski) thinks he has found true love; and the youngest of the three siblings, Greg (Colin Hanks) is overwhelmed after having his first child with his wife. Various perspectives are employed as each family member’s story unfolds.

This is one my my husband’s and my favorite shows. It’s absolutely hilarious and we find ourselves having to pause it all the time because we laugh so hard over some of the things that happen on the show. If you are looking for something light-hearted and fun this summer, watch Life in Pieces. You’re welcome. Continue reading »

Dollar Store DIY: Patriotic Votive Holder

Jun 262017

We host a big cookout every year on the 4th of July. I am always on the hunt for cute decorations or things to make them. I was at my local dollar store recently and picked up some supplies to make some fun patriotic decorations. One of the things I made out of the things I bought was a Patriotic Votive Holder. People usually stay well into the night and I thought the votive holders would be super cute out on my deck for after the sun goes down.

This Patriotic Votive Holder only requires a few supplies and you can have it finished in just a few minutes. Plus, it’s adorable!

Dollar Store DIY: Patriotic Votive Holder

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cookies

Jun 262017

There is so much I love about summer. The beach, picnics, lazy days and ice cream! Of course ice cream is good any time of the year, but doesn’t it taste especially good in the summer? These Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cookies that I made recently really hit the spot! They are easy to make and homemade is always better, right?

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cookies

Scotties 2017 Cat & Kitten Adoption Event

Jun 212017

Did you know that June is Adopt-a-Cat Month? Consider yourself informed. I actually had no idea myself until I got an email from my friends at Scotties telling me about a wonderful event they sponsored earlier this month.

Back for their 4th year, Scotties Facial Tissues partnered with animal rescue organization up and down the east coast in an effort to get eligible cats and kittens into loving adoptive homes. Each organization – The Animal Protective Foundation (Albany, NY), Boston MSPCA (Boston, MA), and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay (Tampa, FL) all received $5,000 each to go towards the re-homing of cats. All cats and kittens adopted have been spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and screened for temperament. During the Adoption event, all fees associated with adopting select felines were waived at participating locations thanks to a generous donation from Scotties.

This initiative was first started by Scotties in 2014. It is part of an ongoing effort to increase the number cats and kittens going to good homes. From June 1st through the 7th during “Scotties Adoption Week” they are proud to say that in 2017 alone over 400 cats and kittens have gone into brand new loving forever homes. I think it’s safe to call the event a huge success! Continue reading »

Meet Almost Owen, the Singing Drummer From Boston!

Jun 202017

Today I would like to introduce you to songwriter and producer Almost Owen, the singing drummer who releases new music in Boston regularly.

**This conversation is sponsored by sponsored by JZ Social Enterprises.

Songwriter/Producer Almost Owen has been quietly grinding it out, waiting for his moment. Since moving back to the US from India where he worked as music teacher from 2013-2014, the 26 year old has played nearly 500 shows. He’s toured massive music festivals in Panama, theaters in China and India, intimate sets at UNESCO in France, and beer soaked clubs in his native Boston, MA. He’s also written and produced songs for other artists, taking time to hone in on his own sound and message. Gearing up to release his own projects, Almost Owen is ready to show everyone exactly who he is. Continue reading »

How To Prepare Your Family Vehicle For A Long Trip

Jun 202017

A long, nice car trip with your kids and your spouse is definitely one of the most beautiful experiences that a person can experience. However, it’s very important that you know how to adequately prepare for it, or your trip can quickly turn into a nightmare – and I’m sure that none of you want that.

There are two things that generally tend to be most important on a trip like this – keeping your kids happy, and making sure that road safety is at its absolute maximum. Today, I want to talk about some specific things that you should definitely do before any serious road trip with your family, so without further ado, here they are.

Plenty of Food

News flash, kids get hungry – way faster than adults do. In addition, not only do kids get hungry when they’re actually hungry, but also when they’re bored out of their mind (something that often happens on long road trips). This isn’t something that you’ll be able to explain to your child if they’ve been sitting for hours in a moving vehicle, so I find that it’s best to just go along with it. Make sure that they can eat as much as they want during the trip (up to a reasonable point of course – you won’t want them to be sick), so stop by the store and get lots of their favorite food before you take off. Continue reading »

Goat Yoga

Jun 192017

Yoga on a farm with baby goats

I will be the first to admit that I have let myself go and I am completely out of shape. I used to run 7 miles and now I couldn’t run 7 minutes if I tried, and that is unlikely with the summer months upon us. I’m always looking for things to do and for things that at least give me the illusion that I am doing something healthy. I recently came upon an article in our local newspaper about a local yoga studio doing yoga with goats classes.

I have never done yoga; I’m not particularly flexible or quiet (I’m Italian, we aren’t meant to be quiet). I have heard all the health benefits of yoga: increased flexibility, increased muscle tone & strength, increased energy, and weight loss, just to name a few. I’ve also never had much of an interest in trying yoga……but this was with baby goats!! I’m an animal lover through and through and let’s be honest, baby goats are adorable, so my friends and I decided to sign up for a class. Let me tell you, these classes sell out quickly!! The class cost $30 for an hour and was being held rain or shine (indoors if it rained) at a local farm. Continue reading »

Call Alpine Cleaners for the BEST Carpet Cleaning in Massachusetts!

Jun 192017

From the minute I walked into my house it was love at first sight. I knew as soon as I walked through the door that it was built for me. It’s an older home (built in 1954), but the charm of it caught my eye immediately and I just knew that I had to live in it. My then husband and I put in an offer right away and were giddy when we got the news that the owners accepted it.

The people that owned the home before us redid the interior of the house over the course of three years, so it was basically all brand new inside when we moved in. There was one thing that had me scratching my head about all of the work they did, though. The carpeting they installed up the stairs and throughout the whole upstairs of the house. It’s off-white. There isn’t a lot of natural light, so I am sure they were just trying to brighten things up, but come on, off white?

See what I mean about poor lighting?

We talked about replacing the carpet because we knew we planned on having kids who would inevitably soil it, but we kept putting it off. Now here I am 15 years later and the carpet is still there. Trust me when I say, it’s seen better days. Continue reading »

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