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 […]
Hooray for vacation and stay at home days! Well, except for those days when the weather is too hot or too cold to get outside and run off all the extra energy from being cooped up. Even though we rotate toys - I hide stuffed animals in the attic and store birthday and holiday gifts in […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
It’s been over 20 years in the making, but it’s finally happened. We just moved into our Forever House over Thanksgiving week. It couldn’t be more fitting that we moved that week because there is so much to be thankful for. We are right next door to the house I grew up in and the […]
DIY Memory Box Display
DIY Board Games for Kids
Easy Homemade Play Town
Top Ten Tips For Disneyland With Preschoolers
Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers
Easy Kitchen Math: Counting By Tens
5 Creative Ways To Upgrade Your Home Style
Summer Learning Activities for Kids: Top Ten Ways To Keep Kids Thinking
{Homemade Valentines} Magic Heart Wands
Home Sweet Home
November 8, 2012 in All Posts, Colors, Toddler Activities
My favorite season finally feels like it’s here! It’s been like one crazy long summer season here in Northern California, but the air is getting slightly crisper and I smell Pumpkin Spice Lattes in my future, with Peppermint Mochas on their heels. Homemade Peppermint Mochas, of course! To get your toddler into the autumn mood, […]
November 24, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate, DIY
This is the easiest homemade wreath ever. No glue. No sew. Just wrap and tuck. Definitely a welcome craft after the tedious Baby Girl Welcome Wreath (although it’s no where near as pretty). Step 1 Wrap ribbon around your wreath. Step 2 Tie to secure. Step 3 Stick on a scarecrow. Step 4 Add leaves or […]
November 20, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate, DIY
When I was selected to participate in DailyBuzz Moms 9×9 November Challenge, I was absolutely thrilled because this Thanksgiving is extra special for us. Hubby’s parents, who have never experienced a traditional American Thanksgiving, are coming to the States for the holiday and we’ve been busy trying to plan out an authentic meal and setting […]
November 17, 2011 in All Posts, Bake
I’m so excited to be taking The Improv Cooking Challenge with Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker again! October’s Challenge - when I made my Apple Crumble Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce - was so much fun, I can’t wait to see what everyone’s made this month! November’s challenge: a baking or cooking recipe using this month’s two featured ingredients - pumpkin […]
November 14, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
We have the biggest recycling heap. It’s not exactly something we should be proud of since even though the materials aren’t ending up in the trash, it means we are consuming and wasting a lot. Here’s how we give some of our waste a second life: animal masks! This Thanksgiving turkey mask is so easy […]
November 12, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate, DIY, Sponsored Posts
We’re trying to consume and spend less around here, so this holiday season, we’re making more homemade gifts and decorations or recycling what we’ve used (like using leftover Halloween candy for learning activities). This Eucalyptus and Manzanita Leaf Thanksgiving Candle perfectly fit out goals. All it took was one amazingly awesome Gold Metallic Elmer’s Painters […]
October 28, 2011 in All Posts, Bake
With all the scary movies you’re watching this week, I’m sure you’ll need a sweet and salty snack to get your taste buds tingling as much as the hairs on the back of your neck! Homemade Halloween Caramel Popcorn to the rescue! Be warned: this snack is decadent and might kill your diet. Ingredients 12-16 […]
October 27, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
The title of this post could be Fall Memory Box and Leaf Rubbing Gone Wrong. But is a parent-planned activity that doesn’t pan out as we parents intended necessarily a failed project? For instance, Jane never paints the object we set out to paint at the beginning of an art session (the perfect examples are […]
October 20, 2011 in All Posts, Bake
I’m so excited to be taking The Improv Cooking Challenge with Lady Behind the Curtain this month! October’s challenge: a baking or cooking recipe using this month’s two featured ingredients - apples and caramel. If you know me, you know that I loooove caramel apples. So naturally, I thought of making them for this challenge […]
October 8, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate, Parenting
You know my favorite season is fall, but you probably didn’t know that my favorite “holiday” is Halloween! How could it not be, when it’s the one “holiday” that colorfully ushers in all of the upcoming season’s festivities? Once it hits, you know you’re in the thick of crisp fall fun and heading full throttle […]
