Dallas Mom Blog and Fort Worth Mom Blogger: Trendy Mom Reviews

Monday, September 1, 2025

(Win it!) Light of the World is Here! #LightoftheWorldMIN

Many thanks to Salvation Poem for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

An Uplifting Family Film You Don’t Want to Miss – Light of the World!

As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for shows and movies that I can feel good about watching with my family—stories that uplift, inspire, and remind us of what truly matters. That’s why I am so excited to share about the brand-new animated film Light of the World coming to theaters September 5, 2025!

Let me share a quick trailer that gives a nice overview:

This isn’t just any animated movie. Light of the World is a beautifully drawn film that tells the powerful story of Jesus through the eyes of His friend, the Apostle John. From His ministry to His resurrection, this heartfelt story will not only entertain your family but also strengthen your faith. Movieguide says it “stresses faith, family, and trusting in God’s plan” and is “beautifully animated and entertaining … based entirely on the Bible.” As a Christian mom, that makes my heart so happy!

Another reason I can’t wait for my family to see this movie is the incredible talent behind it. Director John Schafer, who produced the beloved Superbook series, and Tom Bancroft, a long-time Disney animator who worked on The Lion King, Mulan, and Beauty and the Beast, teamed up to bring this story to life. If you loved the golden era of 1990s 2D animation, you are going to LOVE this film.

But here’s the best part—it’s truly a movie for the whole family. Whether you’re a parent, a teen, or a little one, Light of the World is a meaningful and fun way to spend time together. And by supporting it opening weekend (September 4–7, with special early showings Thursday!), we can help spread the light of Jesus even further. (Tip: if you’ve got a group of 10 or more, group tickets are just $7.50 each!)

Watch the exclusive interview that I really enjoyed to hear more about the heart behind Light of the World:

If you’re ready for uplifting, Christ-centered entertainment your whole family will enjoy, make plans now to see Light of the World in theaters starting September 5, 2025. Let’s spread the word, take our families, and fill theaters with joy and faith!

Win it!
One lucky winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. Enter using the Rafflecopter below. The prize will be emailed directly to the winner by our sponsor. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Win it!) Homework Help & Math Confidence: Plus Check out the Limited Edition Peach Pi + Fractal Frost TI-84 Plus CE!

As an engineer and a mom, I love math! Today, I’m excited to share tips for encouraging kids to enjoy and feel confident in math. If you ever struggle when helping your child with math homework, I encourage you to follow the tips below to help shift kids' views, appreciation, and motivation to learn math topics. I’m also thrilled to highlight the recent release of the TI-84 CE Plus calculators in fun new colors—Peach Pi and Fractal Frost. These calculators are required at our local schools and many others. Having one in these latest colors has become a fun trend that kids are loving and are sure to create happy childhood memories! A positive attitude makes math homework much easier! (Spoiler alert - Positive attitudes toward math are everything! Small habits and exercises help to shift kids' views of math over time! It's never too late!)

One of my kids thinks math is “fine” while my younger one is basically a little human calculator. Despite their different personalities, I’ve always tried to make math something they can both enjoy, understand, and see value in. The key? Making math an integrated part of daily life so it feels applicable, interesting, and motivating. They will always have challenging math homework assignments, but with a positive attitude, it's much easier and more enjoyable!

Here are some of my favorite ways to spark math joy and confidence at home:

1. Pi Day is a party at our house. Every March 14th, we celebrate with our favorite pies and pizzas, measure them, and talk about radius, circumference, and area. It’s silly, tasty, and hands-on. More importantly, it’s something the kids look forward to every year—fun traditions like this create happy childhood memories where math is associated with joy.

2. Make math have real-world value. From a young age, kids should see math as useful. We measure furniture, windows, and rooms to calculate perimeter, area, and volume. We weigh ingredients while cooking and scale recipes up or down to work with fractions. At the grocery store, we estimate totals, calculate discounts, and compare unit prices. Math suddenly becomes a tool to solve real problems—and that makes it stick.

3. Laugh with math. Humor makes subjects less intimidating. We love math jokes, like:

Why is the equal sign so humble? Because it knows it’s not less than or greater than anyone else.
Why was the math book sad? It had too many problems.
Parallel lines have so much in common—it’s a shame they’ll never meet.
There are 3 types of mathematicians - those that can count and those that can't count.

Even the groan-worthy ones build positive associations.

4. Build calculator confidence early. One of my favorite tips is giving kids early exposure to a TI-84 CE Plus calculator before it’s required in school. It’s such a powerful tool, and getting comfortable with it in advance helps kids see it as approachable instead of intimidating. By the time they need it for algebra, calculus, or standardized tests, they already know their way around. That early familiarity builds confidence—and confidence is everything in math.

5. Celebrate the fun side of math tools. I also love the spirit Texas Instruments brings to their calculators. The team clearly loves math as much as I do, and it shows in the details—like their recent color launches. Peach Pi and Fractal Frost aren’t just colors for calculators, they’re conversation starters. Kids notice when math tools feel fresh and personal. When something as iconic as the TI-84 gets a playful update, it reinforces that math isn’t dry—it can be fun and expressive too. This is a trend that you will want to hop on quickly, as these may be limited-edition colors! For extra fun, if you have a Cricut, you may also create stickers to add to their calculators.

6. Encourage teaching. When kids explain math to others—whether it’s helping a sibling or tutoring younger students—they deepen their own understanding. Teaching builds confidence and helps them realize they can be leaders in learning.

7. Gamify math. Games turn math into play. We’ve set up a “store” at home with prices and pretend money so the kids can practice making change and tracking “profits.” Board games like Monopoly and Yahtzee, or card games like Rummy, sneak in strategy, probability, and mental math without it feeling like homework. You'll also love TI's Graphing Calculator Scavenger Hunt here!

8. Connect math to passions. If your child loves sports, talk about player stats, scores, and probabilities. If they love baking, lean into fractions and measurements. If they’re into art, explore patterns, symmetry, and geometry. When math connects to something they already enjoy, it feels relevant and exciting.

9. Take math outside. Nature is a giant math classroom. Measure shadows to estimate tree heights, time how long it takes a ball to roll down a hill, or pace out distances. My youngest loves picking flowers, measuring them, and identifying patterns! Kids learn best when they’re moving, exploring, and playing.

10. Celebrate everyday math wins. Kids light up when you point out the math they’re already doing. Whether they figure out travel time, calculate a restaurant tip, or catch a mistake on a receipt, celebrate those moments. It teaches them that math has real-world impact.

11. Show the beauty of math in the world. Point out Fibonacci spirals in sunflowers, hexagons in honeycombs, and symmetry in snowflakes. When kids see math in nature, art, and architecture, they realize it’s not just numbers on paper—it’s the hidden language of the universe.

12. Tell your kids that they are good at math. I am a big believer in positive thoughts. My little one is truly my human calculator. I've called him this many times since he was a preschooler and he loves it because he knows that he's good at math and soaks up the acknowledgement and praise. One day, I was volunteering in his class and called him my human calculator. Other kids came over to tell me that they are human calculators too! I told them how cool it was, asked them math questions, and praised them that they sure were human calculators! Even years later, some of these kids smile and remind me and ask me for math questions.

At the end of the day, the best way to build math confidence is to make it human, hands-on, and integrated into everyday life from the very beginning. Tools like the TI-84 CE Plus don’t just support learning—they help kids feel capable, curious, and excited about math. When we combine these tools with real-world experiences, games, and family traditions, we raise kids who don’t just “get through” math, but grow up seeing it as valuable, approachable, and even fun. Whether your child needs the TI-84 CE Plus now or in the future, stocking up on the fun Peach Pi and Fractal Frost colors is a great way for them to start practicing, explore its features, and gain confidence well before it’s required at school. If it is required, you can score one of the fun colors to add pizzazz and enjoy the fun color trends! They will always remember that they had a TI-84 Plus CE Calculator in a limited edition color!

Win it!

One lucky winner will receive a TI-84 Plus CE Calculator in the trendy Fractal Frost color! The calculator is provided by @TICalculators! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. The winner must have a U.S. shipping address. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Learn More

The mathematicians at TI have a fantastic TI-84 Plus CE Overview and Ti-84 Plus CE Tutorial.

You'll also find fun DIY Stickers, Posters and Coloring Sheets, and fun holiday ideas such as my favorite Valentine's Day Calculator Activities!

(Win it!) A Week Away: The Series Is the Show My Teen and I Can’t Stop Talking About #AWeekAwaySeriesMIN

Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

In today's post, I'm excited to tell you about my latest obsession -- A Week Away: The Series which is streaming on Angel! We will also host a giveaway for one lucky winner to win an Amazon gift card!

Okay, moms—have you ever been on the hunt for a show that you and your teen can actually enjoy together? I just found it, and I cannot wait to share it with you! It’s called A Week Away: The Series and it’s streaming now on Angel.

Think High School Musical or Camp Rock, but with a beautiful, faith-filled heartbeat that actually means something. The music is upbeat and contagious (yes, we’re already singing along in the kitchen), but the story digs deeper too. It’s about identity, healing, and the courage to open your heart—even when life has knocked you down.

The story follows a foster teen who gets dragged to church camp, determined not to connect. But over the course of campfire songs, goofy games, and real conversations, he discovers the healing power of friendship, family, and faith. As a mom, I love that this show doesn’t shy away from tough questions like “How can God be real in a cruel world?” or “Can I be healed from all this pain?”—but it does so in a way that is gentle, redemptive, and accessible for teens.

And can I just gush about the MUSIC for a second? 🎤 The songs come from the same incredible talent behind Camp Rock and High School Musical, and they’re every bit as catchy. My teen and I were literally dancing around the living room. It’s fun, it’s funny, and it’s filled with heart. Honestly, even if you’re not usually into musicals, this one will win you over.

Another thing I personally loved? It felt like reliving the magic of summer camp. Just because summer is over doesn’t mean we can’t soak up those campfire vibes, laughter, and late-night singalongs.

Most importantly, A Week Away: The Series offers a safe, joy-filled space to explore hope, healing, and what it means to belong. It’s family-friendly, faith-positive, and—let’s be real—so much more meaningful than half the shows teens usually binge.

So grab your teen, pop some popcorn, and watch A Week Away: The Series on Angel. It will have you laughing, singing, dancing, and maybe even tearing up together. And who knows? It might even inspire you to show love to someone in need.

Watch now: Click here

Pro tip: Join the Angel Guild to watch and support shows like this one!

Win it!

One lucky winner will receive a $10 gift card! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. The prize will be emailed directly by our sponsor to the winner's email address submitted in the Rafflecopter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Back to School Guide 2025: The Best Products for an Amazing School Year!

A new school year always feels like a fresh page — new routines, new goals, and a chance to set the tone for the months ahead. This year, I’ve rounded up some of my absolute favorite finds for staying organized, energized, and comfortable!

ASICS: Performance for Every Step of the Year
If there’s one thing I never skimp on, it’s shoes. The right pair gives a solid foundation for our bodies — and when your family loves to stay active, that foundation matters. In our house, physical fitness isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we do together. My oldest son wakes me up at 5 a.m. every morning so we can hit the gym before his wrestling practice — he lifts weights or does other training, and my youngest usually plays basketball or walks laps on the track with me. Yes, it’s early, but it’s honestly my favorite time of day with my kids. No matter what time your family is active, ASICS shoes are perfect for supporting those healthy habits, keeping us comfortable and moving strong from sunrise to bedtime.

Let me share our family's favorites!

Gel-Kayano 32L: These are a dream for all-day wear. I’ve worn them during busy mornings, after-school activities, and everything in between — and my feet feel supported and energized. The cushioning makes a noticeable difference, especially if you’re on the go as much as I am.

GT-1000 14: These are perfect for anyone who needs a mix of support and style. They’ve been great for everything from weekend hikes to running errands.

Contend 9 Grade School: These are perfection for energetic kids! They’re lightweight, comfortable, and ready to handle recess, sports practice, and the mad dash between classes. I’ve noticed they hold up really well, even when my kids put them through their paces.

ASICS doesn’t just make incredible shoes — their clothing is top-quality, too. Engineered for athletes, their clothing is designed to be breathable, comfortable, and long-lasting. Investing in a few versatile pieces — like the two classic black items below — makes getting dressed during busy school mornings so much easier. And if you love a pop of color, they offer plenty of bold, bright options to energize your wardrobe too! Let me highlight a couple of staples that we love!

Stretch Knit Jogger Pant: These have been my son's favorite — so soft, so comfortable, and versatile enough to go from early-morning drop-offs to weekend lounging.
Road 2-N-1 3.5" Short: My go-to for workouts or even quick walks between tasks. I love the built-in liner — it’s one less thing to think about when I’m getting ready in the morning!

EPI: The Original School Supply Kit
A brand that we feature every year is EPI. They’re actually the inventors of the school supply kit! Their pre-packaged kits are genius because they include exactly what your child’s teacher specified and wants, so there’s no guesswork. Teachers work so hard for our kids and it's important for them to have everything that they need for their lessons and exercises. We all know that it's a challenge to run around to stores searching for each specific type of notebook or folder, pen, and so on. Instead, EPI has done the legwork to track down all of the exact supplies! You just visit EPI, enter your school's code, and order the school supply kits for your kids. These complete kits are delivered to your doorstep! It's so easy and convenient. Everyone's happy! This means your kids can start the year prepared and confident, and you can enjoy a little peace of mind. You can check them out here: EPI School Supply Kits.

Naked Nutrition: Clean Fuel for Busy Days
When life gets busy, I like to keep my family’s nutrition simple and clean — and that’s exactly what I love about Naked Nutrition. Their products are made with minimal, high-quality ingredients and without unnecessary additives. I know exactly what we’re putting into our bodies, which makes it easy to support active lifestyles and keep energy levels steady all day long. Let me share a few of our favorite products:

Advanced Collagen Protein: My favorite for hair, skin, and joint support — plus, it mixes well into coffee, oatmeal, or a post-workout shake. I feel like I’m taking care of myself from the inside out.
Creatine Monohydrate Powder: I’ve been adding this to my morning smoothies — it’s flavorless, blends perfectly, and I’ve noticed better endurance during workouts.
Pre Workout in Fruit Punch: This has become my go-to for a quick energy boost before school drop-off and my workout. The flavor is bright and refreshing without being overly sweet.

Osmo offers expertly created educational games that combine technology and hands-on interactions. My oldest son used Osmo when he was in elementary school and absolutely loved it! We had it at home, but then the PTO bought Osmo kits for the school, so he had a lot of exposure to Osmo. It was a big part of his childhood! We weren't surprised that Osmo's new Math Wizard series rocked my youngest son's world! Our favorite game from this self-paced learning line is Math Wizard and the Amazing Airships. This whimsical game focuses on mathematical thinking, where kids join Rupert the robot mouse in building and designing airships for the many islands of Spellbarrow Port. Using math and Rupert’s magical wrench, kids deliver packages, balance objects so they can fly, and navigate challenges like thunderstorms and high winds. The box features two games and contains: 1 Magical Board; 16 Ship Pieces; 16 Cargo Pieces; 12 Balloon Pieces. For ages 6-8 years or Grades 1-2. Check out a video for it here. The retail price is $59.99.

Whiskware™ Snacking Containers are perfect for packing healthy snacks or lunches throughout the school year. We even use these versatile containers on road trips. These trendy snacking containers feature three interlocking jars and a little carrying handle. They come in a variety of colors with fun designs, including funky animals, farm animals, robots, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Superman, and more! They are reasonably priced at $12.99. You'll be able to wash and reuse them throughout the year. Personally, my youngest son loves the Superman and Yoda & Ewok snacking containers. My older son is a big fan of the Harry Potter and Darth Vader & Stormtrooper snacking containers. It's nice to send them for snack time since the three compartments allow me to include a few different items for a little buffet of options when snack time rolls around. Typical snacks that we send include fruit bars cut into bite size pieces, pretzels, cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, or veggie chips. We also use them for lunches. Typical lunch items that we put into the compartments include hummus, carrots, and sandwiches. I make a sandwich and cut it into quarters. I then split the sandwich between my two children by stacking two sandwich quarters into the bottom snacking container. Visit the Whiskware™ Snacking Containers website here to view all of the designs and to place an order.

The Dyson V11 Outsize is the most recent model in the popular line of Dyson cordless stick vacuums. If you follow regularly, you may already know that we are big Dyson fans. As a boy mom, I have to tell you that our previous Dyson cordless stick vacuum was a game changer for our family thanks to the lightweight and powerful design that made it easy to clean up after our energetic little boys and visitors. We used it on hardwood flooring throughout the majority of our home, tile floors in the bathrooms, and carpeting in our children's bedrooms. The vacuum was incredibly versatile and effective despite any challenges that our children threw at it. It never slowed down despite the massive amount of stuff that our boys tracked into our house or dropped on the floor. When I received the opportunity to try out the Dyson V11 Outsize, I was thrilled because it provides 25% more floor coverage per pass, is more powerful with twice the suction power of competing cordless vacuums, comes with a larger bin, includes more attachments, has a longer battery life, and even comes with an extra charger.

We hope that this roundup of our favorite products helps you too! We are wishing all of you a wonderful school year ahead!

Recipe: Endives and Avocado Dip

This recipe is a slight variation of the Avocado & Endive Appetizer Recipe from California Endive Farms.
Ingredients:

2 medium sized avocados
1.5 Tablespoons lime juice
2 Tablespoons Greek yogurt
.5 teaspoon ground cumin
2.5 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
24 endive leaves

Instructions

1. Wash and cut fresh endives. Set aside.

2. Mash the avocados and set aside.

3. Combine the remaining ingredients, including the Greek yogurt, lime juice, ground cumin, and cilantro.

4. Slowly mix the avocados into the mixture from Step 2.

5. Spoon into endive leaves.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Husqvarna. All opinions are 100% mine.

This post is sponsored by Husqvarna. They recently sent us an Automower product to review.

My husband and I used to mow our own lawn. It's one of our least favorite chores, especially with the Texas heat and humidity. Our first house together was almost an acre. We quickly learned that we did not like maintaining a large yard. When we had the opportunity to relocate for new jobs, we purchased a home on a smaller lot with .25 acres. We later realized that we would prefer an even smaller yard and we moved yet again to a villa where front yard maintenance is included in our HOA fee and we only have to maintain our small backyard that is hidden by fences. The space is approximately 1,000 square feet. We've mowed it for several years, but we finally decided that we have had enough and began researching alternatives such as artificial grass, hiring someone to help, or a robotic lawnmower.

Many of our neighbors feel the same way about yard work. As I mentioned, we live in a villa where the HOA maintains our front yards and then we are responsible for our small backyards. The majority of our neighbors hire landscapers. This is nice, but it's expensive and we don't like the idea of giving landscapers a key to our yard. The typical cost of weekly mowing for our small backyard is $75 to $100/week. We mow our lawn for approximately 7.5 months per year, so it's not trivial to spend over $3,000/year to hire landscapers to mow our backyard. As a Mom and an Engineer, I can't help but calculate the cost for multiple years and notice how quickly the expense accumulates. After five years, the cost adds up to around $15,000.

Several of our neighbors have artificial lawns. Some of them got together in small groups to negotiate a bulk discount, but it was still very expensive. An example of a neighbor's yard is shown below. It looks nice, but it was outside of the budget that we wanted to put toward our yard. Plus, with young children, we didn't want to worry about the cost of replacement down the road.

Only recently did we come across the Husqvarna Automower as an option to help mow our lawn. I wish that we would have known about it sooner. We looked into it and ran the numbers to figure out whether it could make sense for us. Specifically, we looked into the Husqvarna 115H Automower that is priced at $1,599.99 with installation. At this price, we felt like it was a cost effective solution to mowing our lawn that is cheaper than hiring landscapers to mow. I searched for reviews and people seemed happy, so I reached out to the company to ask if it would be possible to collaborate and to send us review a unit. They agreed! This was a highlight of my blogging year, especially if you consider the temperatures in Texas right now and how much we dread yard work. Of course, we were excited because the perks of this robotic lawn mower are amazing, but I also felt like it was a special opportunity to gain and share an experience that people are curious to know more about.

The process for ordering the Husqvarna Automower was nice because they ship the Automower in a package that arrives on your doorstep. They then connect you with an installation expert who sets everything up for you. For instance, check out the photo below that shows my package on our front porch. I took the photo from a distance so that you could notice that it's a large package, but still a reasonable size for me to carry on my own.

Here is a closer view of the package.

We were so excited about our new best friend that we couldn't help but to peek into the package to see it before the installation company arrived. The package was comprehensive and included everything that I needed to get started.

The day before the installation company arrived, we mowed our lawn to the desired height. This is something that you will want to do before your installation as part of the customization process.

Lambert's Landscape Company installed the boundary wire and charging station. In the Dallas area, we are very lucky because the pros at Lambert's know the ins and outs of the Husqvarna Automower. The Director of Fleet Services and Facilities installed our Automower. He manages a fleet of them and even runs two Automowers in his own yard. He is knowledgable about landscaping and Automowers. He was really nice about answering our questions and giving advice. The installation for our yard went by quickly. He installed the boundary wire with a machine that buries it rather seamlessly. I was relieved to know that the boundary wires would be buried so nicely, especially since I have energetic children who aren't even able to see the buried wires. Here is a photo of him installing the boundary wire.

I also made a video and encourage you to watch it because you'll get a better idea of how quick and seamless it was for him to install the boundary wire.

After he installed the boundary wires, he finished setting up the charging station and updated the software. This is the home for our new best friend, the Automower! He also helped us to get the app which helps us to monitor the status of our Husqvarna Automower. For instance, here is a photo from when we set it up.

Here is another photo of the app which shows statistics about the number of hours that it has spent on our lawn.

The Husqvarna Automower is smart and able to adapt to many variables such as different yard sizes, slopes, grass types, and more. Personally, our yard is around 1,000 sq. ft. and relatively flat with only slight sloping around our French drains. We have Bermuda grass which is a southern grass that grows in warm climates. It has a narrow leaf blade which I think is aesthetically pleasing. It grows quickly and is also quite resilient. You'll find it at many golf courses and athletic fields since it's relatively good for high traffic areas. Our yard is a breeze for the Husqvarna Automower that quietly works its magic on our lawn.

The Husqvarna Automower spent the first couple of days exploring our yard. My family enjoyed watching our curious little friend move around to learn the lay of the land!

After the initial exploration, the Automower used its advanced technology to mow our lawn on a more scheduled basis. The technology is actually more interesting than we initially expected. Not only does this little robot mow our lawn, but it also improves the health of our lawn. That was an unexpected bonus for us! We just wanted a break from yard work, so it was even cooler to realize that the Automower could further improve the health of our lawn too. The way that it works is different than our old process. We used to go through with a loud electric lawn mower. The Husqvarna Automower is more advanced. It uses several blades to finely mulch the grass. Instead of rushing through like we used to do with a lawn mower, the Automower takes slower and more frequent passes which provides a noticeable difference to the health of our lawn.

Another big difference between our old mower and the Automower is the noise level. Our old mower was loud. Our Automower is pretty quiet. I tease my husband that it has such good manners with how quiet it is. It even runs past my bedroom at night while I am sleeping without me noticing. I also appreciate that it has safety features to stop if it bumps into something unexpected. For instance, my youngest son dropped his teddy bear outside. The Automower skillfully avoided it which is an important feature that we appreciate since our children play in the yard and don't always clean up after themselves.

The Automower may be scheduled to run at any time. We prefer an evening schedule so that our children aren't outside. I would actually be okay with my boys around it since it has safety features, but my children sometimes play soccer or have water balloon battles, so I figured that evening runs were better. Plus, as I mentioned earlier the Automower is quiet enough that I don't even notice it when it goes by my bedroom windows in the evening.

Security is an important feature to me. There is one loud thing about the Automower. That's the alarm. If someone doesn't know the pin number and then picks it up and tries to run off with it, the Automower has a very loud alarm. You need to enter your pin number to turn it off. Depending on the model, you may also have GPS tracking.

We've used our Automower for a few months now. Let me share a quick list of questions that people have asked us with our personal answers.

Is it as loud as a traditional lawn mower? Answer: It is MUCH quieter than our old traditional lawn mower. In fact, we run it in the evening and it mows outside of my bedroom window without waking me.
Does it break if it rains? Answer: We have left our Automower out during several rainstorms without any issues. I just wipe it down with a cloth after the rain. (For reference, I also wipe down our patio furniture and grill after rain.) We moved the Automower to our patio for one storm because there were severe weather warnings. During that particular storm, you wouldn't have even wanted to leave your car outside.
What if children leave toys in the yard? Answer: My children have stress tested this feature. They have a bad habit of leaving toys in the yard. Fortunately, the Automower is quite advanced and has avoided every toy left in our yard over the past few months. One of them was my youngest son's teddy bear, so I was grateful for the Automower's technology to avoid their toys.
Could someone pick it up and walk off with it? Answer: Yes, but there is an alarm system. It makes an obnoxiously loud noise that would make it hard for someone to casually pick it up in our yard and walk off with it. We are able to hear the alarm noise in our house. We have a pin number to turn the alarm off. Some models also have a GPS security feature.
Do you like it? Answer: We absolutely love it! If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stop wasting time on mowing the lawn and to let an Automower take over the chore. Seriously, the combination of Texas heat and humidity is the worst. The Automower is a total game changer that allows us to spend less time on chores and more time enjoying life.

Now that we have used the Husqvarna Automower for a while, we are very happy and wish that we would have adopted it sooner. The time savings has been amazing. We no longer have to mow. We only have to do the edging. My husband has approximately 5 extra hours to spend with us every month. If you multiple this by 7.5 months, he has saved approximately 37.5 hours/year. That's almost an entire workweek out of the year for him! We have a small backyard that is under 1,000 square feet. I imagine that the time savings increases for Texans with bigger yards.

During the Coronavirus shutdown, the Automower was also a life saver because it mulches the grass into fine pieces and we do not have to bag and dispose debris. Our garbage collection company temporarily stopped the collection of lawn clippings. Prior to the arrival of our Automower, we had garbage bags full of lawn clippings for weeks until they finally announced a special day when collection of lawn debris resumed. I'm glad that we don't have to dispose of lawn debris after the Automower. The mulching process is eco-friendly and convenient!

In summary, the Husqvarna Automower is an amazing application of technology that has improved the quality of our lives. The experience has given us a healthier lawn, but more importantly, the gift of time. As busy parents, the ability to cross mowing the lawn off of our chore list was amazing! I know that we could have hired landscapers to mow weekly or invested in artificial grass, but those solutions were very expensive. The Husqvarna Automower is more cost effective for our situation. The Husqvarna design team deserves credit for the meticulous attention to detail that they put into the Automower!

Learn more on Amazon

We are part of the Amazon Affiliate program for bloggers. If you order this product through one of our links, we receive a small referral fee that helps to keep our blog in business. It doesn't change the price of the item or cost you anything extra to use our link if you were going to order the Automower. We appreciate the support!

Recipe: Toffee Fruit Dip
This recipe is great for after school snacks, play dates, and parties. It is a great way to entice everyone to eat their servings of fruit for the day.

Ingredients

8 oz. of whipped cream cheese
1/3 cup of packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/2 cup of crushed toffee candy bars
Optional: 2 Tablespoons of crushed toffee candy bars for garnish
Optional: Serve with apples, grapes, and your favorite fruits

Directions
1. Add the 8 oz. of whipped cream cheese, 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1/2 cup of crushed toffee candy bars to a medium size bowl or container and stir until thoroughly mixed.

2. Serve the Toffee Fruit Dip with your favorite fruit.

Recipe: Crepes with Maple Chicken, Apple, and Brie

Ingredients:

1 pound of chicken
2 Tablespoons of maple syrup
1 teaspoon of pepper
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
6 to 8 Crepes
1 apple, sliced into thin pieces
12 to 16 thin slices of brie that are each approximately 1.5" long

Directions:
1. Add the chicken, syrup, olive oil, salt, and pepper to a plastic freezer bag. Shake well so that the olive oil and seasonings coat the chicken well. Allow to marinate for a minimum of 1 hour.