quick trick

quick trick: how to teach kids to write number 5

May 10, 2012

Many, many children I know have a difficult time writing number five. Actually many children I know have a difficult time writing many of the numbers because they don’t have many opportunities to write them like they do with letters.  But I think that especially when kiddos turn five–and when they’re ready to head to [...]

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quick trick: how to eliminate bickering

April 23, 2012

Do your kids bicker? About where they sit in the car. . . or who gets the last bowl of the ‘good’ cereal? About who gets the first shower, the comfy seat in the living room, or the chance to talk to Nanny & Pap first? About which show to watch, which person they get [...]

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quick trick: take reading on the road

April 9, 2012

A few weeks ago, I took the kids to Pennsylvania for the weekend–another solo trip and one I’ve done dozens of times before. But what I realized is that the packing and prep I once spent hours doing for my solo trips with three little ones has now been cut considerably; however, that’s not to [...]

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quick trick: keep. those. LIDS!

April 2, 2012

How many of you have recycle bins that are nearly overflowing by the end of the week? I know ours is, despite all of the recyclables that I ‘rescue’ for various cool and creative learning fun.  But before I toss anything into the recycle bin, I take off the lid (if there is one), throw [...]

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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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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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honoring our friend susan, @whymommy

February 6, 2012

I remember so vividly beautiful you standing by the window in your blue dress, Susan. The one that Jess gave to you because it fit you so perfectly and you both knew it was the one. I remember how nervous you were–how excited you were–how ready you were. I remember how Curt calmed your nerves [...]

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quick trick: showing love

January 16, 2012

Lately, my tiny Cora has been a little, teeny, tiny bit on the tough side. We’re back on a regular diet for her, after our gluten-free spring and summer, thanks to the advice of a pediactric GI specialist.  In order for any testing to be done–and accurate–Cora needed a minimum of four months on ‘regular’ [...]

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best of teach mama countdown: #3 shoe-tying

January 11, 2012

Teaching some kids how to tie their shoes is so not easy, it’s not even funny. While one child may teach herself how to do it, for another child, it may take time and time and time again for her to actually learn how to tie those shoelaces on her own. Maddy was a great [...]

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best of teach mama countdown: #8 — gem jars

January 5, 2012

Being a parent is a totally rewarding, completely fun, and continually changing job, but yes, it’s sometimes crazy, difficult, challenging, and frustrating. No two days are ever the same, and what begins as a great morning for one kiddo can be a rocky, awful, stressful one for another. It’s the hardest J-O-B I ever signed [...]

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quick trick: what to do with holiday cards

December 30, 2011

We’re huge fans of holiday cards around here. Actually, we’re huge fans of all types of cards.  We love to use them for cutting practice, arts and crafts, and even Valentines cards. But the cards that my kiddos seem to look forward to most are the cards with pictures of our friends’ and family members’ [...]

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