indoor learning

how to make beautiful, no-sew fairy skirts

March 27, 2012

 Cora just turned five, and what better way to ring in this big and exciting year than with a Fairy Princess Spa Party? For months, my tiny one has been talking about this event and planning and changing and adjusting and planning and adjusting and planning some more–so much so that I am just a [...]

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quick trick: fun sticks– 150 things for kids to do

March 23, 2012

I’ve been in dire need of a little Quick Trick to hand Owen when he says, I’m bored. What can I do? My usual responses: Oh, I’m so happy you’re bored.  Many children in the world never have the pleasure of being bored because they’re working in the fields or going to work for their [...]

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st. patty’s day sweet rainbow kabobs

March 15, 2012

It’s no secret that there are more than a few sweet-toothed people living under this roof, so this year we’ll be ringing in St. Patrick’s Day with super-sweet rainbow kabobs! I loved, loved, loved the sweet St. Patrick’s Day Rainbows that Kate shared earlier this month on Our Best Bites and that I caught on [...]

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beautiful butterfly tote bag

March 11, 2012

We’ve had two dancers in our family this year–Cora, who has been rockin her Hip, Tap, Toe class each week, and Maddy, who started out as a ballerina but who moved on to classes with a little more beat and movement by mid-year. Now she’s a tap-dancin’, jazzy-jazz dancer, and we’re really excited that both [...]

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st. patrick’s day joke notes: more lunchbox love

March 7, 2012

St. Patty’s Day is around the corner, but over here we’ve been decorated and green for the last three weeks!  We love that the green reminds us that spring is around the corner and that Easter will be here shortly, then family birthdays, and soon. . . summer! Surprisingly, I haven’t made super-fun lunchbox love [...]

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10 tips for read-aloud learning

March 6, 2012

Hip, hip HOORAY! This week has a little gem of a day hiding inside — World Read Aloud Day! March 7th is World Read Aloud Day, and I stand firmly behind the idea that every child, every person should be able to read.  And who wouldn’t, right? And I’m a huge fan of reading aloud–with [...]

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new for us friday: gem jars 2.0

March 2, 2012

This New For Us Friday I’m sharing a new and improved version of one of the best things we’ve ever invited into our home: gem jars. We introduced Maddy, Owen, and Cora to gem jars about two years ago, and it was perfect way to monitor–and manage–behavior for our family for a good long time.  [...]

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fab resources for read across america week (& giveaway!)

February 27, 2012

It’s Read Across America Week! Everyone who’s anyone will be reading, thinking, talking, dreaming a little bit o’ Dr. Seuss this week, to celebrate literacy and to recognize the accomplishments of the talented Theodor Seuss Geisel, THE Dr. Seuss, whose birthday is March 2.  He would be 108 this year, but really–who’s counting? PBS Kids [...]

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learning to spell contractions: sneaky games and play

February 22, 2012

We were so thankful for the gorgeous three-day weekend to slowly get us back on track and to allow us to (kind of) regain control over the mess that had become of our home.  After being away last week, the game nights, our movie night, book-reading, errands–even cleaning and organizing with the kids–was really a [...]

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favorite things book: an easy, little book of all things happy

February 19, 2012

It has been  tough go for us over here for the last few weeks. Maddy, Owen, Cora, Brady–everyone–has unfortunately felt the ‘funk’ that I conveyed throughout the last weeks, especially when Susan became very ill. It was hard. So hard.  And it still is. But before I took off for NYC, on one quiet afternoon [...]

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sweet kids’ valentines: mini stained glass hearts

February 11, 2012

I have always loved making Valentines with Maddy, Owen, and Cora. I love the discussion and decision-making beforehand, I love the mess, I love the time together.  And I love their proud smiles when they look at the big pile of little gifts they’ve created for their friends and classmates. So this year, since it’s [...]

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