Category Archives: Mom Nook

Mom Nook is your cozy corner of the internet where real-life motherhood meets a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart. From snack-time chaos to late-night wisdom, this is where the messy, magical moments of mom life get their spotlight. Whether you’re juggling laundry and lunchboxes or just looking for a little solidarity, you’ll find stories, tips, and relatable laughs tucked right here in the nook. Come for the commiseration, stay for the connection.

Laugh, Love & Leave a Little Glitter: A Creative Advent Calendar for Kids

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December can feel like a snow globe someone shook a little too hard. Between tangled lights, sugar highs, and the occasional gift-wrapping crisis, it’s easy to lose the magic. That’s why this year, we’re slowing down and sprinkling kindness, creativity, and giggles into every day with the 24 Days of Cozy & Kind Advent Calendar.

Read more: Laugh, Love & Leave a Little Glitter: A Creative Advent Calendar for Kids

It’s not about getting it all right. This season is about showing up with heart—one tiny moment at a time. It’s elf jokes over breakfast, thank-you notes tucked into mailboxes, and the kind of daily sparkle that comes from choosing kindness, creativity, and connection. This calendar isn’t just a countdown, it’s a gentle nudge to pause, giggle, and soak in everything December has to offer.

What’s Inside

This printable Advent calendar was made for moms and kids who crave a little magic in the everyday—especially tweens who live for puns and sparkle. Each day features a prompt: kindness, joke, reflection, or creative activity. Print it as a simple one-page grid or go full festive with a cover page and flap-style boxes (just cut three sides of each number on the cover page and attach it to the page with the prompts). Whether it lands on your fridge, your craft cart, or wherever sanity permits, it’s designed to flex with your family’s rhythm and holiday chaos.

Sample Daily Prompts

Here’s a peek at what you’ll find:

  • Dec 1 – Kindness: Leave a thank-you note for your mail carrier.
  • Dec 2 – Joke: What do you call a snowman with a six-pack? An abdominal snowman!
  • Dec 6 – Creative: Draw your dream holiday outfit.
  • Dec 13 – Kindness: Leave change in a vending machine for someone to find.
  • Dec 21 – Reflection: What’s something you want to remember from this year?

Whether you’re baking cookies, designing holiday superheroes, or writing a letter to your future self, each day is a chance to pause, play, and pour a little love into the season.

Why It Matters

This calendar isn’t just cute—it’s intentional. It helps kids practice gratitude, creativity, and connection in bite-sized moments. And for moms? It’s a gentle reminder that joy doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes it’s a silly joke, a shared playlist, or a compliment that lands just right.

Grab Your Printable

Ready to cozy up with your crew and countdown to Christmas with kindness and glitter? 👉 Download the 24 Days of Cozy & Kind Advent Calendar

Advent CalendarDownload

Want to go further? Operation Gratitude welcomes letters from families, classrooms, and individuals. Grab some markers, write from the heart, and send a little love to someone who serves. Learn how to get started.

With coffee in one hand and a glitter pen in the other,

💛 Bethany

Fall Into Journaling: 30-Day Challenge

Give your tween or teen a reason to unplug and reflect—with 30 days of cozy, creative prompts.

Read more: Fall Into Journaling: 30-Day Challenge

Fall is basically nature’s way of saying, “Let’s slow down and feel things.” The leaves are changing, the air smells like cinnamon and possibility, and your tween or teen is somewhere between “I’m fine” and “I have 47 emotions and no idea what to do with them.”

Enter: journaling.

Whether they’re deep thinkers, doodlers, or just need a break from screens, journaling is a low-pressure way to reflect, express, and explore. And fall? It’s the perfect season to start.

Here are some fall-themed journaling prompts that are equal parts thoughtful and fun—designed to help tweens and teens tap into their creativity, reflect on the season, and maybe even discover something new about themselves.

Seasonal Reflections

  • What’s your favorite thing about fall, and why?
  • Describe your perfect fall day—from breakfast to bedtime.
  • What does fall smell like, sound like, and feel like to you?
  • If you were a tree, what kind of leaves would you drop this year?

Feelings & Growth

  • What’s something you’ve learned about yourself this year?
  • What’s one thing you want to let go of this season?
  • Write about a time you felt cozy, safe, or understood.
  • What does “change” mean to you right now?

Fall Fun & Imagination

  • If you could design your own fall festival, what would it include?
  • Create a spooky story that starts with a mysterious leaf pile.
  • Invent a fall-themed superhero. What’s their power?
  • What would your dream Halloween costume be if money and time weren’t an issue?

Gratitude & Mindfulness

  • List five things you’re grateful for this fall.
  • What’s something small that made you smile recently?
  • Write about a moment you felt really present this week.
  • What’s one way you can show kindness this season?

Bonus Challenge: Create Your Own Prompt

Encourage your tween or teen to write their own fall-themed prompt and answer it. It could be silly, serious, or somewhere in between. The goal? Make journaling feel like theirs.

Want to make journaling a daily habit this season?

I created a 30-Day Fall Journaling Challenge Calendar packed with cozy, creative prompts to guide tweens and teens through a month of reflection, imagination, and self-discovery. It’s designed to be low-pressure, high-impact—and yes, it pairs beautifully with flannel and fuzzy socks. Each day features a little leaf checkbox so they can mark their progress, one prompt (and one feeling) at a time.

reflection calendarDownload

Tips for Using This Calendar:

  • Print it out and hang it near your journaling space.
  • Use a notebook, sketchpad, or digital journal—whatever feels right.
  • Don’t worry about perfection. Just write, reflect, and enjoy the process.

Final Thoughts

Journaling doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be spelled right. It just has to be honest. So hand over a notebook, light a candle, and let the fall feelings flow. Because sometimes, the best way to understand the season—and yourself—is to write it out.

With a coffee in one hand and a pen in the other,

💛Bethany

Epic Halloween Movie Night with Apple Bar Magic

Our Annual Tradition with a Sweet Apple Twist

Read more: Epic Halloween Movie Night with Apple Bar Magic

There’s something special about traditions that grow with your family. For us, it’s our annual Halloween movie night—a cozy, creative evening that’s become one of my daughter’s favorite fall rituals. Last year, we went all out with a Hocus Pocus-themed night, complete with witchy snacks, spellbook crafts, and black flame candle vibes. This year, we’re switching gears and going full-on fall with a DIY Apple Bar that’s equal parts delicious and festive.

Setting the Scene: Halloween Movie Night Essentials

Whether you’re watching spooky classics or kid-friendly favorites, the key to a great Halloween movie night is ambiance. Here’s how we set the mood:

  • Blankets and pillows galore—think fort-style coziness
  • String lights or flameless candles for that soft, flickering glow
  • Themed decorations—pumpkins, bats, and a few DIY crafts from earlier in the season
  • A curated movie list (this year’s picks include Casper and Hubie Halloween)

This Year’s Star: The Apple Bar Buffet

Instead of the usual candy overload, we’re embracing fall flavors with an Apple Bar—a build-your-own station that’s fun, interactive, and surprisingly easy to set up.

What’s on our Apple Bar:

  • Apple slices (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Fuji for variety)
  • Dips: Caramel, chocolate, marshmallow fluff, peanut butter
  • Toppings: Crushed pretzels, mini M&Ms, sprinkles, chopped nuts, graham cracker crumbs
  • Extras: Skewers for dipping, mini cauldrons for toppings, and a few spooky labels for flair

It’s a hit with kids and adults alike—and way less messy than traditional caramel apples. Plus, it doubles as a dessert and activity all in one.

Why We Love It

This tradition isn’t just about the snacks or the movies. It’s about slowing down, getting creative, and making memories. Watching my daughter light up as she builds her apple masterpiece or quotes lines from her favorite Halloween flicks is the real treat.

Bonus Ideas for Your Own Halloween Movie Night

Want to make your Halloween movie night extra special? Try these:

  • Themed pajamas (witches, pumpkins, or ghosts—take your pick!)
  • DIY popcorn mix station with candy corn, chocolate chips, and marshmallows
  • Printable movie tickets for a “home theater” vibe
  • Craft break between movies—like decorating mini pumpkins or making spooky bookmarks

Whether you’re starting a new tradition or adding a twist to an old one, Halloween movie night is the perfect way to celebrate the season with heart, humor, and a whole lot of snacks. And if you’ve never tried an apple bar before—trust me, this is the year to do it.

So grab your comfiest blanket, cue up the classics (or the spooky sillies), and let the countdown to candy-fueled chaos begin. Whether you’re team caramel drizzle or peanut butter crunch, your apple bar awaits, and so does the magic of a night made for memories. Happy haunting!

With coffee in one hand and an apple slice in the other,

💛Bethany

Free Printables for Ghosting Little Goblins

Because sometimes the spookiest thing is answering the door 47 times.

Read more: Free Printables for Ghosting Little Goblins

Confession time: I’m really not a Halloween person. I know—cue the gasps, dramatic lightning, and someone clutching their plastic pumpkin in horror. But seriously, trick-or-treating? Meh. Dressing up as a sexy version of something that should never be sexy? Hard pass. I’d much rather skip the doorbell chaos, avoid the sugar crash, and settle in with a hot beverage and a good book.

Of course, I don’t actually get to do that because my daughter is still firmly in the trick-or-treating stage, which means I’ll be out there dodging inflatable skeletons and rationing candy like a sugar economist.

But here’s one thing I do like to do: I always set out a Trick-or-Treat sign by our candy bowl. Since we’re not home to hand out treats, I want to make sure the neighborhood goblins know they’re welcome to grab a piece (or two… or three) without knocking. And if you’re hiding inside with the lights off and a horror movie marathon queued up, I’ve got you covered too.

Free Printables: Trick-or-Treat Signs

These signs are cheeky, charming, and totally printable. Just download, print, and pop one by your candy bowl, porch, or front door. No crafting required, unless you count taping it to a pumpkin.

Here’s what’s included:

  • “Creep It Real and Take a Treat” For the pun-loving ghoul who appreciates a good dad joke.
  • “Don’t Ghost the Candy—Take a Piece and Go” Perfect for those who want to keep the candy flowing and the doorbell silent.
  • “The Witch Is Out—Take a Piece Before She Gets Back” A little sass, a little mystery, and a whole lot of candy diplomacy.
  • “Please Take One and Share the Scare” Ideal for encouraging generosity (or at least pretending to).

Each sign is designed to be bold, readable, and festive—whether you’re going for spooky chic or chaotic cute. You can laminate them, frame them, or just slap them on the porch with painter’s tape and call it a win.

👉 Download the Trick-or-Treat Sign Pack Here

Bonus: Halloween Trick-or-Treat Lunchbox Notes

Because Halloween isn’t just about nighttime sugar rushes, it’s also about sneaking a little spooky joy and confidence into the school day.

I created a set of printable Halloween lunchbox notes filled with silly jokes and uplifting messages. They are perfect for tweens who are “too cool” for Halloween but still secretly love a good pun and a midday pick-me-up.

Here’s what’s inside:

 Jokes to make them giggle:

  • “Why don’t ghosts like rain?” Because it dampens their spirits.
  • “What’s a vampire’s favorite fruit?” A blood orange.
  • “Why did the skeleton stay home from school?” He was bone-tired.

Inspirational notes to lift their spirits:

  • “You’re spooktacular—never forget it.”
  • “Creep it real, because you’re one of a kind.”
  • “Even monsters need a reminder: you’re brave, bold, and boo-tiful.”
  • “Witch better have confidence—because you’ve got it in spades.”

Each note is lunchbox-sized, printable, and easy to tuck into a sandwich bag, thermos lid, or snack pouch. Some offer a laugh, others offer a little love, and all of them help your child feel seen, supported, and celebrated during spooky season.

🍂 Want to keep the cozy vibes going after Halloween? Grab my Pumpkin Spice Lunch Notes—a collection of warm heartfelt messages to brighten your child’s day all fall long.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re dodging doorbells or dodging glue gun disasters, Halloween doesn’t have to be a stress-fest. These printables are here to help you keep the spooky spirit alive—without losing your mind or your tape dispenser.

So go ahead, set out the candy, sneak in a lunchbox laugh, and remember you’re doing Halloween your way. And that’s the real treat.

With coffee in one hand a candy bucket in the other,

💛 Bethany

A Hauntingly Fun Halloween Countdown

13 days of spooky dares, silly crafts, and snack pairings that won’t scare off your sanity.

Read more: A Hauntingly Fun Halloween Countdown

If you’ve got a tween in your house, you already know Halloween isn’t just a holiday—it’s a whole mood. Costumes are debated like Supreme Court cases, candy preferences shift hourly, and suddenly your child is too cool for pumpkin patches but still wants to carve a jack-o’-lantern with dramatic flair.

Somewhere between working full-time and writing blog posts with coffee in hand, I realized: Halloween doesn’t have to be one big sugar-fueled sprint. It can be a slow, silly countdown filled with connection, creativity, and just enough spooky sass.

So this year, I created a countdown that’s equal parts spooky, silly, and tween-approved. It’s 13 days of Halloween magic—with daily dares, easy crafts, and snack pairings that won’t require a culinary degree or a glue gun meltdown.

Begin on October 19th or pace it through your weekends—this countdown blends laughter, creativity, and a pinch of delightful disorder to keep the spirit alive.

The Countdown Breakdown

Each day includes:

  • A Dare: Light-hearted challenges like “Speak only in spooky whispers” or “Invent a monster dance move.”
  • A Craft: Quick DIYs like ghost garlands, slime potions, or bat bookmarks.
  • A Snack: Tween-tested treats like pretzel mummies, monster trail mix, or ghost bananas.

You can follow the full 13-day plan or mix and match based on your tween’s mood (and your energy level).

Sample Days

Day 1: Ghoul Goals

  • Dare: Create a spooky nickname for everyone in the house.
  • Craft: Decorate a “Haunted Homework Folder.”
  • Snack: Ghost bananas with chocolate chip eyes.

Day 5: Monster Mayhem

  • Dare: Invent a monster dance and perform it at dinner.
  • Craft: Make slime with googly eyes.
  • Snack: Monster trail mix with candy corn and pretzels.

Day 7: Costume Chaos

  • Dare: Create a costume using only items from one room.
  • Craft: Make a mini costume for a stuffed animal or pet.
  • Snack: Mummy pigs in a blanket.

Printable Countdown Calendar

I’ve created a printable calendar with checkboxes and a “Ghoul-o-Meter” to rate each day’s fun. Tally the ghost ratings each day and keep track at the bottom using the Spook Score Tracker. You can hang it on the fridge, tuck it in a lunchbox, or use it as a countdown to the big night. And to make things even easier, I’ve included step-by-step instructions for every craft and snack, so you can spend less time Googling and more time giggling.

Why It Works

This countdown isn’t just about crafts and candy, it’s about connection. It gives tweens a chance to be silly, expressive, and involved in the season without feeling too “little kid.” And for moms? It’s a chance to sneak in some joy, creativity, and maybe even a moment of peace between costume debates and candy negotiations.

Want to join the countdown? Download the printable, tag me in your haunted hijinks, and let’s make this Halloween one to remember—without losing our minds or our glue sticks.

Stay spooky, stay silly, and may your snacks be ever in your favor.

13 Days of Halloween with instructionsDownload

With coffee in one hand and spooky treats in the other,

💛 Bethany

Pumpkin Spice & Parental Advice: Lessons from the Drop-Off Lane

The air is crisp, the lattes are cinnamon-dusted, and my car smells like a seasonal candle gave up halfway through. That can only mean one thing: fall is here, and so is the daily school drop-off rodeo.

Between dodging rogue backpacks and waving at moms I only recognize by their sunglasses, I’ve gathered a few nuggets of wisdom—steeped in caffeine and survival instincts.

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