Every summer I sit down with my children and we create a bucket list of the activities we want to do during their summer vacation. We may not mark each activity off by the end of summer but, it sure is fun trying! For the last three or four years we've just picked up a large piece of white cardboard and a pack of colored markers at the store and created our own colorful list. This year Lindsey of Pen and Paint created an amazing {free} printable and is sharing it with all of us. {SQUEE!!} As soon as I saw Lindsey's artwork on Instagram I knew I had to try and have it enlarged to 24x36 inches. BIG. Imagine my excitement when I sent it to my local print shop* and they said it could be done!! It looks amazing! What's better is that I chose to have the black and white version printed … [Read more...]
Summer Book Club for Preschoolers
How to Start a Summer Book Club for Preschoolers! With summer break around the corner, it’s time to start thinking how to occupy the kiddos! Book clubs are wonderful for all ages, especially young kids. It is also a great way for your little ones to associate reading with fun. Turn your club into mini-parties complete with friends, activities and snacks! Here’s your chance to choose character building books. And a perfect excuse to get together with other adults. A win-win for all! Ready to get the ball rolling? The first step is to form a group - invite neighbors, friends, your child’s classmates etc. Choose a time and place, and then rotate location each week. This can be either at a park, community center or someone’s home. Select a theme and find ways to make … [Read more...]
5 Indoor Games You Can Make and Play
Baby, It's cold outside! If you are looking for new ways to entertain the kiddos in your house while they are in your house, we've got the inspiration you need! Shake off the cabin fever and have some fun doing it….. The Decorated Cookie used a cereal box (Kix) to create this tabletop mini golf game. Let your bigger kids use their imagination and work side by side to create their own set ups. Bluet and Clover shares a way to make good use of a tray for a fun game similar to Candyland. Legos. You know you've got them. Probably lots of them. Maybe it's time to rethink the Legos into a new use. Love this chess set that 100 Directions made. [sc:adsense ] Here I Am LouLou made a magnetic game board. Using a dry erase marker the possibilities are endless. Plus, I … [Read more...]
10 Children’s Books to Inspire Travel in Your Homeschool
Homeschooling your children creates amazing memories and some of my favorite homeschool moments were those when my kids would join me on the couch for a great family read aloud. Not only did we bond over great literature, some of the books we read enticed us to take our schooling on the road and visit the places mentioned in the books. Here are ten children's books to read to your children that may inspire travel in your homeschool. And I guarantee you haven't heard of all of them. 1. Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry Chincoteague, a small town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, was made popular by Marguerite Henry’s book, Misty of Chincoteague. The book is based on the true story of the Beebe family who raise a filly sired by a wild pony. The book was turned into a … [Read more...]
7 Back-to-School Teacher’s Gifts
We received a postcard in the mail yesterday informing us that middle school orientation is only weeks away. Like, three weeks. How did the summer go by so quickly? The countdown is on and back-to-school shopping and preparation is eminent. As with each school year, I enjoy sending my kids with gifts for the new teachers. I think it's a way to tell the teacher on day one that you appreciate all that they will be doing for your children five days a week for the next nine months. Today I've gathered 7 Back-to-School Teacher's Gift ideas that go beyond the traditional 'apple for teacher'. /1/ Apples Teacher's Gift Basket - I know I said these gifts would go beyond 'apples for teacher' but, this one is different. This basket is filled with all things apple scented or flavored. A fun … [Read more...]
Fun and Quirky Elf on the Shelf Ideas
{image source} It wasn't until a couple of years ago did I notice this little elf pop up EVERYWHERE in my social media feeds. He was all over Twitter and Instagram. You would be hard pressed to miss him on Facebook or Google+. It was like Thanksgiving 2011 brought an army of elves to my daily broadcasts. {Upon further research, I discovered The Elf on the Shelf was actually created in 2004. Who knew?} I witnessed through photos these little elves do silly things and naughty things and sometimes just regular things. Crazy enough, I found myself looking forward to what the elves would do next. Each morning I'd run to Instagram to see the shenanigans. I'm so excited to show you some of those elf shenanigans today. You can recreate these ideas in your home with your elf. You can almost … [Read more...]
