Ministry of Mothering

There’s something magical about discovering a local gem—especially when it involves fresh beignets and hot coffee. During our recent trip to Baton Rouge, we were on the hunt for a cozy spot near our hotel, and   Coffee Call   more than delivered. Honestly? It was a treasure and a goldmine. We walked in hoping for a quick snack and left with full hearts and powdered sugar smiles. The staff at Coffee Call were so kind and welcoming—genuine Southern hospitality at its best. The shop has that nostalgic, no-frills charm that makes you feel right at home, like you’ve stepped into a local favorite where everyone knows each other. And the  beignets ? Oh. My. Goodness. They hit the spot perfectly—warm, fluffy, and dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar. We ordered a big batch to share, and every bite was better than the last. My mom and sister also enjoyed a cup of coffee, and both said it was some of the best they’ve had in a long time. (Which is saying a lot—they kn...

If you’re ever in the Baton Rouge area with kids in tow, the   Knock Knock Children’s Museum   is a must-visit spot for hands-on fun, creativity, and imagination. We spent the entire day there—from opening at 10:00 a.m. to closing at 4:00 p.m.—and my kids were fully engaged every single minute. Yes, it’s a little bit on the pricey side, especially for larger families like ours, but there were several perks that helped balance it out. One of my favorite features? You can  bring your own food ! There’s a lovely  outdoor patio area  where you can take a break, eat lunch or snacks, and recharge before heading back in for more exploring. We packed our own snacks, which made the day more affordable and allowed us to enjoy the full experience without rushing. A Little Museum with a Big Mission The  Knock Knock Children’s Museum  opened its doors in 2017 after years of planning and fundraising. It was born from a dream to create a place where children could le...

  If you're ever in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and looking for a fun (and affordable!) family-friendly stop, the   Baton Rouge Zoo   is a great option—just be sure to bring your water bottles and a towel for the humidity. 😂 We visited in   June , and y’all… the humidity was next level. But despite the heat, we had such a sweet time exploring the zoo with my   mom, sister, and kids . It was the kind of memory-making day I’m so grateful for. 📍  Parking is FREE , which already felt like a win. Admission was very reasonable—about  $50 total for 4 adults and 2 kids . That’s hard to beat for a full afternoon of animal fun! 🛠️ The entrance is currently being  remodeled , but don’t let that deter you. Once you're inside, it's a great setup for families with littles—plenty of shade, clearly marked paths, and a good mix of animals to enjoy. 🚂 The train was a bit of a letdown, if I’m being honest. At  $3 a person , it didn’t go through any animal enclo...

We recently took a little getaway to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it was such a sweet multigenerational trip! I traveled with my   mom, my sister, my grandma, and two of my little girls —and while not every moment was Pinterest-perfect, we made some beautiful memories and discovered several spots worth sharing with other moms planning a family adventure. So here’s a real mom’s review of Baton Rouge—complete with the highs, the so-so’s, and everything in between: (links for everything are included at the end of the post) Where We Stayed: Hampton Inn & Suites College Drive We usually love staying at Hilton properties, but this particular hotel was... meh. It’s in  dire need of a remodel  and didn’t have the usual Hilton polish we’re used to. That said, the location was super convenient for getting around Baton Rouge, which made exploring the city with little ones and older family members much easier. Where We Ate Curbside Burgers This spot had rave reviews from other blo...

  Exploring Bandelier National Monument with Kids: History, Hiking, and a Camp Stove Hack Our family recently visited Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, and it was one of those trips that checked all the homeschool mom boxes— history, nature, hands-on learning, and memories made . If you're looking for a destination that combines ancient Native American culture, beautiful trails, and interactive experiences for kids, this one’s a must. First Stop: The Visitor Center We began our adventure at the Bandelier Visitor Center , where the rangers were welcoming and full of helpful information. Two of our daughters jumped right into the Junior Ranger program , which was the perfect way to engage them in the history and natural beauty of the area. The activity booklets were age-appropriate, and the sense of accomplishment when they received their badges was priceless! Hiking to the Ancestral Puebloan Homes From the Visitor Center, we followed the Main Loop Trail , which is an...

  Visiting White Sands Missile Range with Kids: A Homeschooling Adventure As a homeschool mom always on the lookout for unique educational experiences, visiting White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in southern New Mexico was an unforgettable highlight. Not only does this military base offer a fascinating peek into U.S. missile and rocket history, but it also turned into a hands-on science and history lesson for our whole family. What is White Sands Missile Range? WSMR is an active military installation where the U.S. tests missiles, rockets, and other weapons systems. But it’s also home to the White Sands Missile Range Museum , which is open to the public and family-friendly. The museum includes indoor exhibits, outdoor displays of missiles and rockets, and fascinating stories about the Manhattan Project and early space testing. What to Know Before You Go Because WSMR is a military base , there are a few steps you’ll need to take in order to gain access: 1. Bring Valid ID for Ev...

Travel Mom Hack: Tuna Sandwiches on the Go!  One of my favorite travel hacks as a mom? Packing simple, protein-packed meals that don’t take up much space and don’t require a cooler. Enter: tuna sandwiches on the go! Here’s what we bring: ✅ Individual packets of tuna (easy to tear open, no draining required!) ✅ A small squeeze bottle of mustard ✅ Individual mayo packets (you can order these online or grab a handful from a deli!) ✅ A loaf of our favorite multigrain bread —sturdy enough to travel well and not get squished This combo has saved us so many times when fast food wasn’t an option, or when we just wanted to picnic at a park or a scenic overlook without hunting down a restaurant. Plus, it’s way cheaper and healthier than most roadside options. The kids can each customize their sandwich (some like just mayo, some mustard and mayo, some plain tuna), and we get to keep moving without hangry breakdowns. 🙌 🛒 You can find our favorite tuna packs here 🍞 A...

Not for the Faint of Heart: Our Visit to Capulin Volcano If you're ever in northeastern New Mexico and up for a little adventure (and I mean hold-your-breath, grip-the-steering-wheel kind of adventure ), Capulin Volcano National Monument is a must-see! This dormant cinder cone volcano offers stunning panoramic views—but getting to the top? That’s another story. The road to the summit is narrow, steep, and winding, with absolutely no guardrails . As in, you're hugging the edge of the volcano with nothing between you and the valley floor below. Not for the faint of heart, especially for this mama with a truck full of kids! But once you reach the top, every nerve-wracking moment is worth it. The views are breathtaking . On a clear day, you can see parts of five different states —New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. Standing up there, surrounded by vast open skies and rugged volcanic rock, I couldn’t help but pause in awe. It felt like we were standing on the edg...

Colorful Cars and West Texas Wind: Visiting Cadillac Ranch with Kids On a recent road trip, our family made a quick stop at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas—and it ended up being one of those spontaneous, quirky moments that we’ll remember for a long time. Cadillac Ranch is one of those places that sounds a little strange when you first hear about it: ten vintage Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground in the middle of a field, open for the public to decorate with spray paint. But once you see it in person, especially with kids, you realize—it’s just plain fun. A Little Bit of History Cadillac Ranch was created in 1974 by a group of art hippies from San Francisco known as the Ant Farm, and funded by Amarillo millionaire Stanley Marsh 3. The installation was meant to showcase the evolution of the Cadillac tail fin, from 1949 to 1963. Over time, it became an interactive art piece—visitors were encouraged to bring their own spray paint and add to the ever-changing masterpiece. I...

Discovering the Grand Canyon of Texas: Palo Duro Canyon State Park with Kids If you’re a homeschool mom like me, always on the lookout for educational (and fun!) places to explore with your family, then Palo Duro Canyon State Park needs to be on your radar. Known as the Grand Canyon of Texas , this place seriously blew us away—and we weren’t expecting to love it as much as we did! Why We Loved It Nestled in the Texas Panhandle near Amarillo, Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States, and it’s packed with stunning views, rich history, wildlife, and—get this— tons of family-friendly things to do . We were pleasantly surprised at how many options there were for all ages. From hiking and biking to scenic overlooks, this park offers something for everyone. Whether your kids are tiny trailblazers or you’re pushing a stroller, you can find trails and activities to match your family’s needs. Where We Stayed We stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Amarillo i...

A Day at White Sands National Park: Scenic Views, Soup Hacks & Sandy Sledding If you’ve never been to White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico, add it to your family travel list right now! Our family recently made the trip and spent the day exploring the glistening gypsum dunes—and it was every bit as magical and memory-making as I hoped. We kicked off our visit with the Scenic Dunes Drive , a beautiful route that winds through miles of soft white sand. The farther you go, the more it feels like you’ve landed on another planet. The views are breathtaking, and the sand stretches out like a sea of snow. We made a few stops to soak it all in, take photos, and let the kids run around. While they were running around, I quickly refueled with my favorite Aloha bar: chocolate fudge brownie .  After the drive, we found a shady spot to enjoy lunch —and this is where one of my favorite mom hacks came in. I brought along our little propane stove , boiled water right there at our pi...