Planning my kids’ summer camp schedule is one of my least favorite things to do as a working mom. There are so many choices and it’s hard to know whether a camp is the right fit for your child and what to do if it’s not. Luckily we hit the jackpot with Galileo Summer Camp for our […]
In our house there are a few “bad” words that the kids are absolutely and completely forbidden to say, like “I hate,” “I can’t,” and “I’m bored.” But that doesn’t mean they don’t ever say say it – in other creative ways – or feel that way when we don’t have scheduled activities. How do […]
The joke around here is that our house could double as a shipping facility with all the packages continuously coming in and going out. But after heading back to work full-time, the freedom to shop in person just isn’t a luxury I enjoy anymore, so I am completely unapologetic about my dependency on online shopping and […]
If you thought DIY Batik Shirts were difficult to make – like I did before we tried this new activity – you are so wrong! Making Glue Resist Batik T-Shirts is actually super easy, super fun, and super cheap, especially if you already have glue and painting supplies handy. This is the perfect weekend activity you can […]
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 […]
{Review} Galileo Summer Camp
Independence Building Boredom Busters
{Review} Amazon Prime Now
Glue Resist Batik T-Shirts
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
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, […]
January 11, 2012 in All Posts, Bake
This Old Fashioned Apple Crisp was one of the yummiest desserts I’ve made. We served it in individual ramekins, along with our Caramelized Upside Down Pear Tarte Tatin for Thanksgiving dinner, and it’s my new homemade favorite. Ingredients For the filling: 5 pounds McIntosh or Macoun apples (I used Granny Smith) Grated zest of 1 orange Grated zest […]
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 […]
November 9, 2011 in All Posts, Fun With Food!, Play, Toddler Activities
I’ve heard from a lot of my mom friends that they’ve instituted one-week and two-week Halloween candy rules, as in, you can eat all you want (or one piece a day) for a week and then it’s all getting thrown out. In our house, I instituted a one-hour rule, because really, does a 2.75 year […]
November 8, 2011 in All Posts, Guest Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
Fall is most definitely here, folks! If you haven’t started your fall-inspired arts and crafts projects, here’s a superfun one from Vicky at Mess For Less! Living in California, I don’t get to experience the gorgeous Fall foliage as much as those of you in other parts of the country. I used to live on the East Coast, so […]
October 30, 2011 in All Posts, Parenting
This weekend I’m hanging out with Jen from Kitchen Counter Chronicles for Halloween! Jen writes a fabulous blog about crafting, baking, gardening and greening her life with her husband and two little girls in Toronto. She has great ideas on how to green your Halloween and so many delicious food recipes and fun toddler activities, […]
