18 Hot Easter Gifts March is here and Easter is near so it's time to get ready. This is a Month of anticipation, beginning with Daylight Savings Time, moving into the promise of Spring, and ending with Easter on the Horizon! Spring into action for Easter with these gift ideas for your family and friends. We have a line-up of unique and interesting gifts that you may not have seen. We've looked around the web and found gifts that compliment Chocolate Bunnies and Peeps, and are hotter than the dress that broke the internet! Gifts Ideas for Children: Bashful Grey Bunny is just adorable. He is 12", soft and a pretty color with long ears that are fluffy too. The best part is you can add a special touch and add personalization to his ears for that special child! Happy … [Read more...]
10 DIY Christmas Ornaments You Can Make with Your Kids
Do you smell that? Mmmm...that's the smell of fresh baked sugar cookies and gingerbread men coming out of the oven. Do you see that? Wow! I can see twinkling lights and stockings hung by the fire. I'm daydreaming, of course, but it's Christmastime!! It's time to pull out the totes of Christmas decorations. It's time to dig through our favorite cookbooks and find those yummy recipes we make year after year. It's time to make memories with our kids and make some new Christmas ornaments for the tree. Today I've got ten DIY ornaments you can make with your kids. They're easy enough for all ages. So, pick your favorites, make a list, head out to the craft store and pick up the supplies needed to have an afternoon of ornament making. {You may already have the supplies in your craft closet if … [Read more...]
How Snowflakes Form: Homeschool Lesson Plan
Like it or not, it's the beginning of winter. Some of us have snow and others don't. Snowflakes are one of the tiniest miracles and a perfect opportunity to introduce science into your lesson plan. Everyone knows that each snowflake is different, but do you know how they are made? Here are some ideas for your homeschool lesson plan. Books About Snowflakes Kenneth Libbrecht has numerous books about snowflakes and their beauty. I highly recommend The Secret Life of a Snowflake: An Up-Close Look at the Art and Science of Snowflakes and Ken Libbrecht's Field Guide to Snowflakes. Image credit and link sources: Amazon These books easily explain the formation of ice crystals into snowflakes, not to mention they are full of beautiful images. The books will even help you learn which … [Read more...]
Dear Parents, It’s Not Our Fault!
My kids tell me all the time when I embarrass them. I’ve got news for them – while I love them with everything I’ve got, they’ve also found ways to embarrass me, too! With reflection, it’s not my fault, and I don’t blame my kids either. The times we live in now are much different than when the parents of today were kids themselves. Digital technology has taken over nearly every facet of our lives, for us and our kids. Lost in the shuffle is the development of social skills and manners. Yet, these capabilities are still just as important as ever (ask any college recruiter, employer or someone new to your neighborhood)! Maybe that’s what drove me to write The SMART Playbook. It took years of researching and drafting, but I did it. I’m not an expert, I’m just a Mom – that is a Mom with … [Read more...]
Festive Fourth of July Recipes
The Fourth of July is the perfect reason to bring together friends and family for a good old-fashioned backyard barbecue. Celebrating our independence is a pretty good reason to gather 'round the picnic table, too! Today I'm going to give you eleven recipes {or how-to's} that are as delicious as they are beautiful. Let's start with a few beautiful appetizers. /1/ Patriotic Dip - Turn your ordinary dip dish into a festive masterpiece with just a few simple steps. /2/ Summer Fruit Wands - While your guests wait on their juicy cheeseburger to come off of the grill serve them these super fun Fruit Wands! /3/ Cheesy Star Chips - These are easy and cute! Add a dish of salsa for dipping to complete this appetizer. Moving on to the main course, shall we? /4/ Aloha Burgers - … [Read more...]
Easy Fourth of July Crafts for the Entire Family
In most areas around the country school is out for summer. For me, when school is out I need lots of activities to keep the idle hands of my little ones busy. What better way to do that than to decorate your home with red, white and blue!? After all, the Fourth of July is right around the corner! Today you'll find a craft for all ages. And ALL in preparation for our nation's Independence Day! /1/ Pop Rocks Marshmallow Pops - Pop Rocks were such a fun candy when I was a kid! Who am I kidding? I still love them! Combining Pop Rocks and marshmallows just seems genius. See for yourself! /2/ Hidden Flag Cake - Don't be intimidated by it's complicated appearance. This Flag Cake is really simple. What's more? Ice this cake with plain white icing, light some sparklers on top {like … [Read more...]
