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
December 10, 2012 in All Posts, Preschool, Preschool Art, Toddler Activities, Toddler Art
We’re back with another Simple Classic: the Cotton Ball Snowman! Remember these from back in the day? I love that the concept is so simple and so representative of crafty winter fun. Materials Construction paper Cotton balls Glue stick Scissors How To Step 1 Cut out your snowman. I folded a piece of white construction […]
September 17, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Preschool, Toddler Activities
Welcome to September’s Virtual Book Club For Kids blog hop! This month we are featuring book reviews, activities, crafts, and recipes inspired by the works of children’s author and illustrator Lois Ehlert. (All book links, including images, are Amazon Affiliate links). Amazon.com WidgetsWe are very fortunate to have a dedicated Children’s Library nearby, so we were […]
August 11, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
As y’all know, I love making crafts or projects using the bazillion brown paper grocery bags we have stockpiled in our kitchen drawer from over the years (like this One Minute Paper Bag Monster) or other recyclables lying around our house that would otherwise turn to waste (like this Repurposed Easter Grass Garden, these Rock Candy […]
April 15, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
You’ve probably already grown your Easter grass since Easter is only one week away, but have you figured out how to display your homegrown greens? We made this colorful Easter grass spring garden using many repurposed items lying around our home: but you can make yours almost entirely out of items headed for the recycling […]
March 26, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
Sam woke up at the indecent hour of 5:00 a.m., so Jane and I needed something to do on this cold and dreary rainy morning until he woke up from his 7:00 a.m. nap. We couldn’t play outside, but The Crafty Crow saved the day with this great idea from the journey into unschooling. The construction paper […]
March 4, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
With a two-year old who’s always bouncing off the walls and won’t sit through a project with any waiting time (like waiting for me to cut paper), it’s always a race to finish a project while keeping Jane’s interest. In one of our speediest projects ever, we put together this construction paper jeweled crown in […]
February 16, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate, Play, Toddler Activities
Completely enamored by Chloe’s new fragrance, Love, Chloe, I bought my own Valentine’s present this year. (Well, Hubby also got me something). But buying your own gift doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be presented beautifully. I didn’t have any wrapping paper handy, so I enlisted Jane’s help. This is by the far the easiest wrapping paper […]
