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
July 3, 2012 in All Posts, Celebrate, DIY
After strawberry picking and visiting our abundant local farmer’s market, we had both a stash of organic blueberries and lots of leftover strawberry baskets: So, although we have been so busy that we haven’t done much in the way of Fourth of July crafting this year, this Red, White & Blue Berry Basket helped us […]
April 17, 2012 in All Posts, Celebrate
I mentioned it was a slow week last week, but I didn’t dare drag you down into the boring details, because that’s not why you’re here visiting in happy, shiny blogland, is it? Plus, there wasn’t much to tell, other than we had a week of dreary weather, too much inside play, and a serious […]
March 28, 2012 in All Posts, Celebrate, DIY
Here’s the final DIY party decor post from Hubby’s Curry, Cake & A Keg 40th birthday party: Personalized Wine + Beer Charms! When we saw the rows of glasses lined up on the table on the day before the party, it dawned on us that we didn’t have any wine charms or another way for […]
March 19, 2012 in All Posts, DIY
I loved these party napkin coasters Erin made at Nest For Less over the holidays and knew I had to make something similar for Hubby’s beer-themed 40th. I ended up making homemade coasters using wrapping tissue paper and gift wrap in “manly” colors. This is one of the easiest, cheapest projects I’ve made, and one […]
March 5, 2012 in All Posts, DIY
For Hubby’s recent 40th, the theme was Curry, Cake and a Keg. We had a keg of Sierra Nevada, lots of spicy Thai curries, and a special cake. Hubby said he didn’t want any type of theme-y cutesiness, but I had to make something. So, I ended up making two things - homemade tile coasters (like […]
February 2, 2012 in All Posts, Bake
If you’ve been reading along, you know that these are really called Chocolate Salty Balls, but I’m trying not to be too crude too often. Once in a Bachelorette Party post was enough. Today, we will call these delectables by their civilized name: Salted Chocolate Brownie Balls! Super easy, super sinful, super yummy. Ingredients Brownie […]
January 23, 2012 in All Posts, Celebrate, DIY
Yes, I know as a 36 year old mother of two, I am too old to be planning a Cocktail - more precisely, Shot - Themed Bachelorette Party, but sometimes, you have to learn the hard way. And trust me, we all did. Especially the Bachelorette, who cancelled the Sunday morning brunch due to … […]
January 4, 2012 in All Posts, Celebrate
After the Make Your Own Monster Gift Kit post, which featured some monster-themed gift ideas, some of you asked what themed gifts Sam received for his pirate-themed birthday party, so here you go! My favorite was this awesome set of pirate-themed gifts from our young hipster couple friends who picked up this cool booty from local […]
December 13, 2011 in All Posts, Bake, Sponsored Posts
Thanks to Duncan Hines for sponsoring my writing. There’s no limit to the baking possibilities, so grab your favorite Duncan Hines mix and Comstock or Wilderness fruit fillings and Bake On! www.duncanhines.com One of my favorite Girls’ Night In movie scenes is from Grease, when Jan pulls out some Twinkies and offers it to her […]
December 9, 2011 in All Posts, DIY
Apparently, Klout was right when they said they believe I am influential in “Mary Poppins,” because here I am just giving you the tutorial on how to make the paper tissue flowers I first promised to be “coming soon” 3 months ago and later promised to be coming asap 3 weeks ago. Apologies for my “easily made, easily […]
