Practical, real-life tips as a toddler mom on how to simplify daily routines, reduce stress, and stay organized—from meal planning to shared calendars and packing lists. These six strategies make life with little ones a little easier.

A recap of a family beach weekend at Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas, Texas, with two toddlers in tow. From beachside breakfasts and poolside afternoons to golf cart adventures and nightly ice cream, it offers a full review of the experience—including tips, pros, and cons—for families considering a similar getaway. A perfect read for parents planning a relaxed, memory-filled trip close to home.

I’m a working mom of two toddlers, and let me tell you—parenting has pushed me to every limit. But somewhere between sleepless nights and endless diaper changes, things started to shift. This post is my honest reflection on how life really does get easier, even if it’s never exactly easy.

Can you believe summer’s already in full swing? This year, we’ve got two busy toddlers to keep cool, entertained, and making some of those magical summer memories with. I’ve rounded up a few local spots and activities that have been a hit with our littles. If you’re an Austin local or planning a visit soon, maybe some of these will come in handy!

I love my morning routine. It’s never perfect, but having a solid routine helps set me up for success and makes the day ahead feel more manageable. With that in mind, I wanted to share my top five tips for a successful morning routine to hopefully inspire you to get a better start to your mornings and boost your productivity throughout the day.

I am someone who lives and dies by my personal planner. . I joke often about how devastated I would be if I ever lost it. At this point, I’ve really nailed down a system that works for me, and I thought it’d be fun to share the details. Whether you’re looking for some tips to get your life organized, want to take your planner game to the next level, or just love hearing how other people stay on top of things (like I do), I hope you’ll find this helpful!  

I've finally reached the home stretch of recounting our action-packed, exhilarating week in Orlando, Florida. So, hold on tight as I dive into the final bits of our trip: the character breakfast, a night away for just the parents, and some of the must-haves we packed.

It's been a few weeks since we got back from Orlando, and I can't stop thinking about what an incredible trip it was. Sure, it was a bit of a whirlwind and definitely tiring, but the memories we made are absolutely priceless. I’m really looking forward to sharing our experiences from Hollywood Studios, our chill pool days, and some insider tips on how to make the most of the Lightning Lane in the Disney parks.  

We are only a few weeks away from Easter which was always one of my favorite holidays. I'm excited to share my personal traditions and tips for creating memorable holiday experiences for my kiddos, from thoughtfully curated Easter baskets to a family-friendly Easter brunch. Discover my son's favorite healthier Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe—a simple and delightful treat that's perfect for Easter morning.

Last week, my family and I had the most amazing spring break trip to Disney World in Orlando! Personally, I believe that experiencing the Disney magic at this age, especially for my 3-year-old, was absolutely perfect. Although our week away felt more like a "trip" than a "vacation," I'm certain that the memories we made will last a lifetime. I'm really excited to share our complete itinerary and some travel tips with all of you who are planning or considering a Disney vacation.

And here we are, one year later. McKenzieMonday Blog has published 37 unique posts - something I'm incredibly proud of. I've covered a wide range of topics, from navigating life with a toddler and a newborn, sharing my breastfeeding journey, and discussing the challenges of returning to work after maternity leave. I've also delved into planning birthday parties and weekend getaways, creating gift guides, and sharing my goal setting practice. I’m so excited to see the next year and phase of this passion project. Happy 1st Birthday to the McKenzie Monday Blog!

I recently got back from my first ever cruise experience. I had so much fun & plenty of opportunity to relax- exactly what I needed. The best part? I went on the cruise as a bachelorette trip to celebrate one of my oldest friends. Although I was just along for the ride and not the planner of this trip, I wanted to share my experience and things I loved if you need any insight for an upcoming cruise, girls' trip, or bachelorette.  

Only one year ago, we didn’t know our sweet Kelly Rae. We didn’t even know she would be a girl! Oh, what a year it has been.  The one-year birthday was not only a big milestone in Kelly Rae’s life, but also in our breastfeeding journey together. I’m so proud of my girl and me for making it one full year exclusively breastfeeding.  

Kelly Rae, affectionately known as "my girl," recently celebrated her first birthday which gave us the perfect excuse to host a fun, pink, girly party with a Disco Cowgirl theme. In this post, I'll share everything I used to plan this sweet party, from invitations and decor to the menu.

Welcome to 2025! If you're in the same boat as me, where the first few weeks of the new year flew by, rest assured that you're not alone. And honestly, you don't need a new year or a Monday to begin anew. Hopefully, my tips for finding direction and getting motivated will help you start wherever and whenever you find yourself reading this. 

As we step into the new year, I wanted to give you a brief rundown of all 26 books I devoured in 2024, along with my ratings. If you're on the lookout for light-hearted books to add to your 2025 reading list, look no further than the curated selection below.

Wow, December is upon us, and it's not only one of my favorite times of the year, but also one of the busiest! I wanted to share what our family has been up to, our cherished traditions, and some gift ideas for everyone on your list (that can still be ordered in time for Christmas!). Hopefully, some of the things we've been doing can inspire you to incorporate them into your own family traditions.

We've just wrapped up all the birthday celebrations for my son, Lane, and I can't believe he's already 3 years old. I wanted to give Lane the party of his dreams with all his friends at our local park, and of course, with a Paw Patrol theme. I'm excited to share with you all the logistics and supplies I used to make this Paw Patrol extravaganza happen.

As I reflect on my pregnancy journey and, more importantly, the past nine months of having Kelly Rae in our lives and becoming a family of four, I've come away with several key takeaways. So, in the spirit of sharing my experience and taking the opportunity to reflect on my personal journey, I want to share nine things I've learned after spending nine months with my baby girl. My hope is that you can find solidarity and comfort in some of my experiences, no matter which stage of parenting you find yourself in. 

I can't believe it, but in just a few short weeks, my baby boy will be turning three! In preparation for his birthday, I've compiled a gift guide featuring the things Lane has loved throughout the past year, as well as a few items that are on our wish list for his birthday this year. If you're anything like me, always on the lookout for the latest and greatest gift ideas for the toddlers in your life, I hope this list can assist you when you're searching for something fun, practical, and endorsed by the best toddler I know.