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 7, 2011 in All Posts, Parenting
Yes, I meant “awesome,” not “awful.” It’s no secret my kids watch television. A lot of television. So much television that Jane’s first break up with a t.v. character was at the dear age of 2 (the age she could supposedly start watching television), when she defiantly raised her hand and said, “No! I don’t […]
July 25, 2011 in All Posts, Guest Posts, Laugh
The Outlaw Mom’s Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following review of children’s television programming are not necessarily those of The Outlaw Mom. In The Outlaw Mom’s household, Special Agent Oso is king and it is clear to us that he has cleverly devised a foil of the fumbling, bumbling, cuddly bear in order to […]
June 26, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate
How could I have been so remiss? I posted all the details about our Special Agent Oso birthday party, but neglected to post our invitation! Here it is: Better late than never! Download a free printable invitation to personalize for your own little special agent’s celebration here. Just change the font to Cooper Black […]
June 12, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate, Popular
Ahoy there, Mateys! You’ve read about my inspiration for Sam’s pirate themed first birthday party and how to make your own pirate party invitation - now here’s how our party turned out and some ideas for your buccaneer bash. The Pirate Ship From the second I came up with the idea for the pirate theme, I […]
April 12, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate
After a few months of brainstorming, I finally picked a theme for Sam’s first birthday party last week: pirates! While I was mulling it over, the first obvious choice was a character-themed party from one of the television shows he watches. Yes, American Academy of Pediatrics - my not yet one-year old son watches television! […]
March 7, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate
It seems that we’re all in the same boat here: endlessly searching, but unable to find any Special Agent Oso toys, dolls, balloons, decorations or birthday supplies. I’ve tried doing some of the legwork for other parents with Oso-crazed toddlers (and have made some things on my own), but maybe you have a better suggestion? […]
February 19, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate
It is next to near impossible to find any Special Agent Oso merchandise in stores or even online. When I planned my toddler’s Special Agent Oso themed birthday party, I couldn’t find a darn thing to decorate with or give her as a present. While I was okay with going to the Disney website’s Celebrations […]
February 13, 2011 in All Posts, Celebrate
For Jane’s first birthday last year we had a Hello Kitty themed party, with a cute fondant cake from Sugar Butter Flour. This year, Jane wanted an “Oso birthday party!” Here’s how we did it. The Invitations We mailed out these homemade invitations - download your free printable! The Cake Although my own mother made […]
