If there is one thing I know about us – and by ‘us’ I mean you, me, and the other fabulous Mamas in this space – it is that we have active kids! Wonderfully busy little people who love to run, jump, and play. This active nature is truly a beautiful thing – but sometimes…
Quiet Time Alphabet Activities
Is there anything better than quiet time activities? Nope. Not really. A great quiet time activity with a strong educational twist? Hmm – that is a little better! Throw in a quiet coffee for Mama and you are living the dream … You know we adore our quiet time activities around here. My eBook on…
SPLASHINGLY Fun Pool Games for Kids!
Nothing says summer quite like a swimming pool – right? We don’t have one of our own, but we have a pass for our local public swimming pool this year. Spending so much time in the water we have discovered some pretty fun pool games for kids. Swimming itself is a perfectly splendid thing to…
Loose Parts Play Ideas
Do you know about ‘loose parts play’? This is an idea that was introduced to me a few years ago in the Kindergarten classroom. I have used loose parts with my own children pretty much every single day since then. The idea is so very simple, and the learning is so very powerful. The idea…
Sitting Still: Over 20 Tips, Tricks, and Activities to Keep Children Engaged After a Surgery
This post has been a very long time coming. I have been asked for it so many times! So many brave Mamas are searching for ‘sitting still’ activities for their children that need to stay still after an illness or surgery. I have tried to write some ideas and share some activities, but everything I…
Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids
Are those lazy long summer days calling your name? We are entering full summer mode here. Our days are slow and long and full of summer crafts and activities. It’s amazing to me how summer can feel so different than the rest of the year. Maybe it is because our activities wind down, but for…
Reading Activities: Name in a Jar
We are playing our way to learning to read! My little one just turned 4, and I am in no rush for him to read. I read to him oodles, and we play fun games (like this one) to give him the skills he will need to tackle reading successfully – when he is ready. …
8 Ways to Play Puzzles!
Do you know what makes for a fabulously simple quiet time activity? Puzzles. For an activity that is excellent for strengthening little hands and fine motor skills? Puzzles. For increasing attention and concentration? Puzzles. For problem solving and spatial awareness? Puzzles. For sleepless nights and early mornings? Coffee (while little ones do puzzles.) I adore…
Our Daily Schedule Homeschooling Grade 3 and 1 (with a newborn)
A friend of mine reminded me how fun it is to see other Mama’s daily schedules. When I was first considering homeschooling I remember devouring ALL the information I could find on daily schedules. What does it look like to homeschool grade 1? How much time is spent homeschooling grade 3? Can you homeschool with…
Raising Mindful Kids
My first daughter was born with a twinkle in her eye. She is vibrant and fully alive. When she was newly one-year-old, I vividly remember sitting with her at the tail end of summer under a big shady tree, watching her eat a fresh ripe peach for the first time. She brought that fuzzy fruit…