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
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 […]
October 20, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
Well, you know that we’ve been busy decorating our pumpkins lately, so that is - of course - what today’s Toddler Thursday post is all about! Materials paint paintbrushes pumpkin Keep in mind that if you use washable paint and your younger toddler decides to try to eat the painted pumpkin, his face will end […]
October 6, 2011 in All Posts, Play
When I was growing up, the little wooden sticks we used to craft with were called “tongue depressors.” My parents would bring them home for us to play with and they were sturdy, smooth and free. Nowadays, there are these things called “craft sticks,” which you not only have to pay for, but have to […]
September 22, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
One bright spring morning earlier this year, I was driving in to work when I looked up and saw the most magnificent full arch rainbow in all its bright technicolor splendor. At the same time, Lionel Richie was playing on the radio in the background. Like Cher in Clueless, I realized in that moment that […]
September 15, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
WARNING: This project is not for the faint of art! If the thought of messes, stains, vibrant color and irrepressible squealing makes you squirm, stop reading here and hurry over to last week’s post on Water Painting, which is a completely fuss- and mess-free project you and your kids will love just as much as […]
September 10, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
Okay, so technically, today isn’t Thursday, but at our house, we live on toddler time, so any day goes! Now, what you’re about to witness is nothing short of a miracle of miracles . . . Jane and Sam actually playing together - art play no less - and not fighting each other to the […]
September 1, 2011 in All Posts, Play
It’s the first of September and summer is almost officially over, but there’s still time for outdoor fun and making summer memories even though it’s back to school! Materials spray bottle paint paper water (optional) Step 1 Fill your spray bottle with paint. (We picked ours up for $1 at Target). Dilute the paint with […]
August 25, 2011 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
As Jane and Sam found out after Hubby brought home a custom handmade double guitar stand swaddled in miles of protective plastic, it’s fun to snap bubble wrap! I know plastic is bad. It kills our planet and can kill our babies. But this swath of giant bubble wrap was headed straight for the recycling […]
August 18, 2011 in All Posts, Fun With Food!, Play, Toddler Activities
Fun With Pasta! is our latest installment of the Fun With Food! series. What do you get when you mix pasta + paint + a toddler? Painted pasta necklaces and a whole lotta messy fun along the way! Here’s what you’ll need to make your pasta jewelry (think bracelets, headbands and crowns, too): Materials paint […]
