I can't believe it! I really and truly cannot believe it! We made it through another school year, my friends. We. Did. It. Woooo-hooooooo! Next up? Summer. I'm over the moon thrilled and elated that summer is right around the corner! This year, I've got something so cool planned. So totally awesome and fabulous, I can't stand it. I've just finished up--after months of drafts!--the plans for our Smart Summer Challenge 2017. And it's going to rock. Totally, 110%, completely … [Read more...]
say NO to teen smoking: Right Decisions, Right Now
When I was asked by the good people at Right Decisions, Right Now and We Are Teachers to share information about teens and smoking with my readers, I shook my head in disbelief. Kids are really still smoking? Is cigarette smoking still a thing in 2017? Which kid are really pressuring others to try smoking? My kids better not ever try smoking. Heck, my kids' friends better not pressure them into anything. But really--smoking is indeed still a thing, and young people between the ages of … [Read more...]
teacher appreciation gifts for all of your kids’ teachers
Friends. Teacher Appreciation gifts can sometimes break the bank, and I know that can be hard. But being a teacher myself, I can tell you that really, sometimes simple and heartfelt is a much better way to go. Teachers appreciate hearing 'thank you' any day of the week. Really and truly. Having three kids in school and about a million teachers to recognize, I know it can also get super expensive to give gifts to these important people in your children's lives. Here's a sweet and … [Read more...]
5 reasons to see ‘Gifted’ the movie and discussion guide for families #GiftedMovie
Last month, Cora and I were flown out to Los Angeles for a press junket for Gifted, the new movie starring Chris Evans (, Mckenna Grace, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, and Lindsay Duncan. The movie, the actors, the interviews, and the whole experience were amazing. Let me cut to the chase, friends. I have information for you. I know you're busy. So you want to know: Should you see the movie or not? Should you spend you money on it? Should you use your Sunday afternoon or … [Read more...]
smart ways to keep kids healthy–in school and at home with fit4Schools
When I was asked by the great folks at WeAreTeachers to take a minute to check out fit4Schools, I was thrilled. But I was skeptical. fit4Schools actually seemed too good to be true. A site designed to empower children and families to make healthy lifestyle choices a habit? Yes please. A fitcalendar with a fun activity to get kids moving every, single day? How awesome? Free lesson plans for teachers, designed to Captivate, Educate, and Activate learning on different … [Read more...]
st. patrick’s day BRAIN TEASER scavenger hunt
Even though our lives have changed quite a bit since I started this blog seven years ago, one thing has remained the same: we love to rock it out for holidays. Even big kids like to rock it out for the holidays. So this year, I decided to kick up our traditional St. Patty's Day Scavenger Hunt just a wee bit. My kids are quick, and they're smart. So our Scavenger Hunt needs to be tricky and engaging to keep them interested--or at least to stretch our hunt a bit … [Read more...]
join the #readchallenge and celebrate reading all month long
March is the time to really celebrate reading, my friends! Especially this year, now that I'm back in the classroom, I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing reading. And I'm ready to bring you into the mix, too. So buckle up. The more we talk about reading, think about reading, and get excited about reading, the better. Believe me, the more reading we do as parents and educators, the more our kids will want to read. Promise. So this year, I've teamed up with my sweet and … [Read more...]
lent for modern catholic kids | daily reflections and prayers
Cards have been updated to reflect dates for the 2017 Lenten season. Enjoy! We're one week into Lent this year, and I feel like we kind of struggled for the first week. Our parish priest stressed to us the importance of 'not giving up chocolate' again and instead challenged us to really make this Lent count. So we agreed. We wouldn't give up chocolate. But honestly, after so many years of doing just that--giving up sweets--for Lent, it felt strange not to. And we all … [Read more...]
last minute Valentine ideas for busy families
We're in the home stretch for Valentine's Day, so I wanted to hit you with a few ideas that you could use today or tomorrow to make this day of loooove memorable for your loved ones. Right now, these posts are all a buzz over on the blog: Minute to Win It Games for Kids & Family How to Throw A Rock-Star Valentine's Day Class Party Musical Hearts: Reading, Moving, and Crazy-Fun Kid Game Valentine's Day Class Party Ideas, 2.0 And in the last few days, thousands and … [Read more...]
top 5 must-read books for kids: babies through teens
Over the years, many readers and friends have asked me the about the must-read books for kids. Every few weeks, I get asked the million dollar questions: What books should my kids read? What are the best books for 5-year-olds? Which books will my 12-year-old love to read? Please tell me how to spend my book money--which are the must-have books for kids? We're heading to the library. Which books should I pick up? I've had the conversation over and over and over again. So … [Read more...]
our favorite thanksgiving printables for BIG kids!
This week is the big week for us--lots of travel, lots of family, lots of friends, and lots of food! Officially, the fun winter holiday season is upon us, and from here until January 2nd, it's a wild ride. But often that wild ride means that our kids tend to be kicked off of their normal schedules. They get tired. We get tired. They get cranky. We get cranky. And they need some down time. We need some down time. So we've gathered a few of our favorite Thanksgiving … [Read more...]
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