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
August 12, 2015 in All Posts, DIY, Sponsored Posts
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 […]
September 9, 2013 in All Posts, Kindergarten, Kindergarten Literacy, Preschool, Preschool Literacy, Toddler Activities, Toddler Literacy
We took a short break from the Virtual Book Club for Kids, but we’re back for the start of the school year. I hope you’ll be joining us as we explore a new author each month! This September we’re reading books by author Bill Martin Jr. (All book links, including images, are Amazon affiliate links). Inspired by Panda […]
April 1, 2013 in All Posts, Parenting, Play
I just read a really interesting article in Redbook Magazine - yes, I realize how old that makes me sound, but I find it even more aging to pretend I’m not an almost 40-year old mom - about a mom who confesses that she hates playing with her kids and has mommy guilt about not being […]
January 5, 2012 in All Posts, DIY
For years, I have been obsessed with living in a grand New York apartment with a wall full of beautifully colorful frames like Ingrid Bergman’s in the film Indiscreet (one of my favorites): Source: google.com via Corley on Pinterest I’ve given up that dream, but still have an itch to create some kind of frame-decorated wall. Like this heart-shaped gallery […]
December 17, 2011 in All Posts, Laugh
We weren’t a holiday card family growing up. But Hubby is a big time card guy. He takes pride in being the first card of the season and it’s the primary way he keeps in touch with many of his relatives overseas. I always wonder, though - especially in times like these - what goes […]
December 8, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate, Play, Toddler Activities
Here’s a super easy Hannukah gift that your child can make in just a few minutes. Jane made them as teacher’s gifts. Materials Blue and yellow paint (or any other colors you wish) Paper Step 1 Using the blue paint, have your toddler make a handprint with each of her hands, with the thumbs […]
December 2, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate, DIY, Toddler Activities
This holiday season we’re focusing more on being together with family and friends than on the commercial aspect of the month, which is our usual tradition. A lot of the gifts we’re giving are homemade and as fun to put together as they are to bestow on our loved ones. Every year we normally buy exquisite […]
December 1, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
It’s December 1st, can you believe it?! Starting today, you can find one awesome activity for your family to do each day until December 25th on the Creative Christmas Countdown hosted by the fabulous Alissa of Creative With Kids! It’s called the Creative Christmas Countdown, but you definitely do not need to celebrate Christmas to enjoy these activities with your children and […]
November 29, 2011 in All Posts, Bake
Thank you to California Grown for encouraging me to connect with California growers and encouraging California consumers to “Choose California Grown” when they can. Thanksgiving was extra special for us this year since Hubby’s parents were experiencing their first Thanksgiving ever, so of course, we went all out with an extravagant tablescape, traditional menu, and simple-yet-sensational […]
November 28, 2011 in All Posts, Parenting
You could say we experienced the antithesis of Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving.Instead of mauling other shoppers for a discounted Christmas sweater, we spent three quiet hours at a local wat and emerged with the equivalent of five shopping bags less of unnecessary mental, emotional and spiritual garbage than the worthless material goods we would have […]
