We just returned from one of our summer vacations and oh how much we will miss the good times together. To capture our memories, one of the things we do is a bedtime ritual called, “Review the Holiday,” where we recount the highlights of our vacation. A hands-on way to cement our happy memories is with […]

Glitter, upcycling, and independent play: these are a few of my favorite things. When we received a box brimming with Glitter Glue, Painters Markers, School Glue and Glue Sticks from Elmer’s last weekend, I knew EXACTLY what we would do - get our craft on and create a homemade play town with items straight from […]

Top Ten Tips For Disneyland With Preschoolers

After our maiden voyage to Disneyland was such a magical success, we can’t wait to visit again. Short and sweet, here are our Top Ten Tips for Disneyland With Preschoolers. Don’t forget to check out our detailed post on Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers, with tips on when to visit the park, what attractions not to […]

Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers

Disneyland is truly the happiest place on Earth. I hadn’t visited the park since 1987, so I was excited to take the kids (4 and 5 years old) on their maiden voyage, but I had no idea how absolutely magical the experience would be. Watching the children’s hearts nearly explode with joy was the best part […]

Easy Kitchen Math: Counting By Tens

Keeping the kids occupied (meaning, not putting them in front of the TV and making sure they’re safe and not killing one another) while we prep dinner is sometimes challenging for us. A fun way to turn what can be a difficult time into an opportunity for learning is this simple Counting by Tens math […]

5 Creative Ways To Upgrade Your Home Style

We’ve been in our new house for about half a year now, but after unpacking our boxes and getting our 1950’s Rancher fixed up, we haven’t really begun to make the house our home. Part of the reason is that we will be remodeling eventually, so making a big investment on statement pieces or committing […]

Summer Learning Activities for Kids: Top Ten Ways To Keep Kids Thinking

I’m thrilled to be participating in the Second Annual School’s Out! Top 10 Summer Learning Activities series and sharing our Top Ten Ways to Keep Kids Thinking over Summer Break with you. If you’re like me, you want your children to enjoy the beautiful summer weather, play in the dirt, swim in the pool and just […]

{Homemade Valentines} Magic Heart Wands

If you’re like us, you’re scrambling to make one hundred homemade Valentines for your children’s classroom Valentine’s Day Exchange and need something quick, cheap, and fun. Lucky for all you last-minute crafters, we’re sharing our simple Magic Heart Wands that will help your child spread some love this Valentine’s Day. All you need is: A […]

{Play} Kids Co-op Playdate #7

Happy Friday! It’s time for our playdate!

I’m back from my trip to Ireland (yay!) and back to work (ugh!), so this has been a wonky week, but we managed to celebrate Sam’s 2nd birthday with a trip to the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 in San Francisco:

This is Jane up close and personal - inside the tank - with a Giant Pacific Octopus!

What have you been up to this week?

Need some inspiration? Here are my faves from the last playdate two weeks ago (I missed last week) … if you’ve been featured, please take a badge!

* * *

Don’t these Sprinkle Cookie Freezer Bites from Krissy at B. Inspired Mama look deliciously fun?

So love this simple and beautiful fine motor and creative Hole Punch Art activity from Deborah at Learn With Play @ Home:

Can’t wait to break out our clothespins for these 3 Busy Bag ideas from Hannah at Making Boys Men:

Now - time to link up your best kids’ art, crafts, recipes, and activities! I’ll feature my favorites next week. Please try to show some love to everyone else participating by visiting a few links and leaving comments or sharing, tweeting, or pinning if the mood strikes. Don’t forget to grab a badge:

<a href=”http://www.rainydaymum.co.uk/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://rainydaymum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/comeplayatkidsco-op.jpg” alt=”Kids Co-op” width=”125″ height=”125″ /></a>

Parents and friends: for more ideas, activities, and inspiration for #RaisingThinkingKids, click on an icon below to join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ and Twitter.

Fellow bloggers: join me at Bloggy Law, where you’ll find Simple Tips for Bulletproofing Your Brand and Blog and I’ll help you navigate the social media legal landscape a little more smoothly.

Chrissy – who has written 422 posts on The Outlaw Mom® Blog - Creative Living in a Conventional World.