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 […]
Have you heard? Today is #WeirdWednesday. That means that today Austin, Texas, is being crowned by National Geographic as the inaugural “Weird But True” Town of the Year and all week long National Geographic Kids will be celebrating the results of its survey of kids across the United States who have shared what’s kooky, unique, […]
This week we were so excited to get a sneak peek of the brand new American Girl store that’s opening this weekend at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. I’m not totally sure why we were so excited because neither my daughter nor I had ever actually seen an American Girl doll in person […]
This week (with Halloween around the corner), I’m loving Candy Mosaic Art, like the celebrity portraits made by local San Francisco artist Jason Mecier, who is famous for making these intricate works from candy. Some of his candy portraits take 50 hours or more and Mecier also uses trash as his medium, often from the […]
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
5 Weird But True Facts About Us
Our American Girl Initiation
CRAVE IT. COVET. LOVE IT. This Week: Love Candy Mosaic Art
May 26, 2012 in All Posts, CRAVE IT. COVET. LOVE IT.
This week I’ve been craving Homemade Sugar Cubes in whimsical shapes like these cuties from Nifty Thrifty Things: They would be so pretty with colored Homemade Sanding Sugar, like the vibrant variety from Sweet SugarBelle’s, wouldn’t they? You Might Enjoy:{Craft} Pretty Card and Cardholder from Specialty Cardstock{Play} Family Memory Game{Craft} DIY Personalized Bottle Caps
April 10, 2012 in All Posts, Play, Toddler Activities
Welcome to Around The World in 12 Dishes! In March, we - and 12 other amazing bloggers and their children - began our culinary adventure around the world to explore 12 different countries in 12 months by cooking one dish from one country each month with our kids. This month we’re learning about SWEDEN! Swedish […]
March 27, 2012 in All Posts, Bake
The other day while Sam napped, Jane and I were watching a bit of “What Will Martha Teach Us Today” - more popularly known as “The Martha Stewart Show” - and Jane was inspired to make oatmeal cookies. After watching Martha stir up a batch, she squealed, “I LOVE oatmeal!” followed by, “I love cookies!” […]
March 16, 2012 in All Posts, Bake, Celebrate
Jane and Hubby love marshmallows. Not quite sure why, but I was more than happy to indulge them if that meant working on a new sweet treat recipe. Turned out that this was the perfect sensory activity for Jane! Super super super sticky. She helped with the whole process, hand mixing, electric blending, cooking, […]
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 […]
December 21, 2011 in All Posts, Bake, Sponsored Posts
It’s safe to say I’m a bit caramel obsessed. Who can resist the ooey, gooey goodness of a warm Caramel Sauce drizzled over an inside-out Apple Crumble Cheesecake or thick, creamy Caramel Frosting Brownie Sandwiches? This holiday season I’m making lots of caramel-drizzled desserts, but I’m also making caramels. Salty ones like these delicious, divine […]
December 15, 2011 in All Posts, Bake
It’s time for The Improv Cooking Challenge with Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker again! October’s Challenge was apples and caramel and November’s Challenge was pumpkin and cream cheese. December’s challenge: a baking or cooking recipe using this month’s two featured ingredients - egg nog and cranberries. There are a lot of things I don’t know much about and […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
