holidays

our easy, affordable new year’s family traditions

December 29, 2011

My husband and I have never really been fans of New Year’s Eve. We’re the furthest thing from night owls, so staying up late is not easy–or that much fun for us. New Year’s means that the long-awaited holidays are over (boo) and that family has come and gone (wah) and that there’s a lot [...]

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family playing cards: take ‘em, make ‘em, then play!

December 28, 2011

A few years ago, I burned the midnight oil way too close to the finish line, in an attempt to create Family Playing Cards for Maddy, Owen, and Cora. And though I made the work harder than it needed to be, it was well worth it. The kids have used the cards steadily for the [...]

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last minute treats: fancy, festive chocolate pretzels

December 22, 2011

Last week, the kids and I celebrated our annual Cookie Baking Day–something we all look forward to in the month of December. On the morning of our Cookie Baking Day, we carry on as usual.  I drag everyone out of bed, cheerlead them through bed-making, dressing, teeth-brushing, and the relocation from bedroom to breakfast table. [...]

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teacher gifts: creative group holiday gifts

December 19, 2011

This is a guest post by my friends at Volunteer Spot, just in time for the holidays and especially for those Room Parents who are scrambling last-minute to get things together for teachers (ahem, like me. . . ).   A Tisket, A Tasket – “Teacher Gifts” in a Basket! Delivering a delightful group surprise [...]

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new for us friday: homemade scratch-off tickets (fun stocking stuffers!)

December 16, 2011

It’s been a busy few days–weeks!–with our December birthday and work and school and holiday festivities, but I’m totally over the moon excited to share something fun and completely new-for-me. And on Christmas, when Maddy, Owen, and Cora open up their stockings, they’ll find something totally new-for-them: Homemade Scratch-off tickets! These scratch-off tickets are filled [...]

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holiday time fun-fact lunchbox notes

December 13, 2011

As I said yesterday, my kids have taken to the Christmas around the World, and I am so totally over the moon about it. They’re batty over a non-fiction text! They want to read it! They talk about it–even when I’m not there! I’d be crazy if I didn’t try to do some sort of [...]

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learning during read-alouds: non-fiction that WORKS

December 12, 2011

The first few times Owen had media at school this year, he came home with the most random books. His first book was an Arthur book that we already have here at home.  Then he came home with a non-fiction book about Chihuahuas. The next week, he picked yet another book that we have here [...]

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new for us friday: gaylord national’s ICE! (& why you should go)

December 9, 2011

This New For Us Friday, I’m totally excited to share something that I wish every family was able to do, even during this busy time of year. It’s a New For Us Friday that my family experienced last weekend, and it was seriously so. much. fun. It was something that we talked about all week [...]

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quick trick: how to take great holiday photos

November 29, 2011

This holiday-inspired Quick Trick is a little somethin’ for the moms and dads out there who strive for that perfect holiday family photo that they may–or may not–choose to use on their holiday cards. Everyone has a different take on holiday cards–whether to send them or not, when to send them, and what the cards [...]

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advent activity calendar 2011

November 28, 2011

It’s that time of year again, when everyone’s scrambling to do a million trillion things in 24 days. Christmas music’s been playing on our radio stations for weeks now, and nearly everyone I know has shared on Facebook that their house is already decorated, tree’s up, gifts are purchased. And they’re all relaxing calmly by [...]

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holiday traditions: curious george holiday spectacular!

November 21, 2011

Since families grow stronger with traditions, I’m all about finding tiny ways of celebrating and creating time together.  We’re already counting down to our new and improved Advent Activity Calendar and our holiday-cookie baking day, and our kids always look forward to opening one special present on Christmas Eve–their new holiday pj’s.  I just ran [...]

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