We have a lot of cardboard boxes. We did most of our Christmas shopping online this year, which was awesome. Not taking four children to a crowded mall on a freezing day and dragging them through stores was possibly the best Christmas gift of all. This makes me a Smart and Practical Parent, right? Not an […]
The Perfect Playdate for Kids…or Adults
Ahhh…winter playdates. Here in Colorado that means, most likely, lots of kids indoors, tearing through the house and jumping on my bed. Often, I’ll let the kids play video games for a little while, since they don’t get a chance to do this with their friends much. I keep a strict eye on the time […]
Kid Made Christmas Ornament: Fantastic Mr. Fox
My second grader is currently reading “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” It’s one of our favorites — a great young reader chapter book, and one of the few Roald Dahl books that doesn’t creep me out. It’s a funny and wonderful story about a feud between three local farmers — Boggis, Bunce, and Bean — and Mr. Fox, […]
Our Holiday Wish List
Thanksgiving wasn’t even here yet, when already my children were writing letters to Santa. I’m not sure if they thought getting out there ahead of everyone else would ensure that he wouldn’t forget about them. I know at least one of them was afraid if they didn’t get their order in early, he might run out […]
24 Things to Do When You’re Stuck Inside With Kids
Part of the reason I love living in Colorado is that we can get outside almost every day of the year. Sure, it snows here, but it’s a pretty snow — usually around just long enough to be fluffy and sparkling but melting before it gets packed down and dirty. It can be 28 degrees […]
Creative Gifts from Cool Brands
I think it’s happened to all of us. Our kids get a new toy, open it, play with it…and are done five minutes later. If they’re really little, they may spend more time playing with the box. The one thing most of those kinds of toys have in common? They just sort of…sit there. They don’t […]
Felt Leaf Crowns
If I were Anne Shirley (and I would very much like to be…), I might make one of these and call myself The Queen of The Coming of Fall and Autumnal Delights. Or something like that. But I’m not. I just called them felt leaf crowns. They took about five minutes to make (plus a little […]
Art Dice
I’ve been on a kids’ art kick lately. There are some really great blogs out there that just focus on inspiring kids in their artiness — Red Ted Art, The Artful Parent, and Tinkerlab are fabulous resources that have inspired me to try and do art with the kids here. And I noticed, after wandering around their […]
Exploring Sounds Kids Can Make With Shakers
Hello, everyone! I’m excited to introduce Heather from Preschool Toolkit, with an awesome way for kids to explore new sounds. This hands-on activity provides lots of ways to engage kids in fine motor and sensory experiences. Have fun experimenting with different sounds while recycling plastic water bottles. These colorful discovery bottles are easy to make and […]
Easy Easter Craft: The Easter Tree
When I was little, my mom and a friend made an Easter tree one year. I’ve always wanted to make one, and I assumed it was — if not a common tradition — at least one people had generally heard of and knew about. But my husband insists that no — most people here in […]
