hello, kindergarten: blingin’ the backpack, boy-style I’ve been waiting for two years now to bling Owen’s backpack like we did when Maddy started Kindergarten, but I knew I couldn’t make …Read morehello, kindergarten: blingin’ the backpack, boy-style
new for us friday: dinosaur train –the movie! We’ve done a whole lot of new-for-us things this summer, but with the excitement of our Smart Summer Challenge, I’ve hardly had time to …Read morenew for us friday: dinosaur train –the movie!
meeting new teachers: hello, teacher notes! Today we spent a few minutes doing one of our favorite back-to-school activities–one that gives my kiddos a chance to say a little …Read moremeeting new teachers: hello, teacher notes!
back-to-school shopping with three crazy-cool kids After our crazy-successful Smart Summer Challenge, I needed a little week-long offline vay-cay to say the least! Our Smart Summer Challenge was a …Read moreback-to-school shopping with three crazy-cool kids
learning during read-alouds: making connections and questioning (with siblings!) We have been putting in a lot of pool time lately, but we’ve also been spending a boatload of time indoors–staying …Read morelearning during read-alouds: making connections and questioning (with siblings!)
learning during read-alouds: 5 things never to say to emerging readers Sometimes it’s very easy for teachers and parents to feel impatient with emerging readers. It’s hard to listen to kids sound out every …Read morelearning during read-alouds: 5 things never to say to emerging readers
quick trick: how to use recyclables with kids–get fun, crafty, creative With summer right around the corner and kids home a lot more than usual, many of us need to keep a few tricks in our back pocket for rainy days or …Read morequick trick: how to use recyclables with kids–get fun, crafty, creative
how to teach kids to tie their shoes This Quick Trick is admittedly a work in progress. While Owen hasn’t quite mastered tying his shoes yet, he’s getting there. Slowly. He …Read morehow to teach kids to tie their shoes
mastering math facts with mini flash cards Simple addition math fact flash cards should have been made, used, and memorized months ago, but they weren’t, we didn’t, and Maddy …Read moremastering math facts with mini flash cards
teach mama’s holiday gift guide for kids and family Okay, this New For Us Friday is totally new for me–my first gift guide ever. And it includes …Read moreteach mama’s holiday gift guide for kids and family
family paper roll dolls: a silly way to help teach emotions I’ve had a really difficult time with my sweet Cora lately, and I’m not sure how much longer we can chalk her hot-headedness up to a bad …Read morefamily paper roll dolls: a silly way to help teach emotions
teaching kids to stand up for themselves It’s been a gorgeous fall week here, so one morning, Owen, Cora, and I spent a good while at the park with our buddies. Turns out …Read moreteaching kids to stand up for themselves
making learning fun in the candy aisle So today we rocked it with a long morning bike ride, an even longer visit to the park, and a few errands to fill our fridge after a crazy-fun, …Read moremaking learning fun in the candy aisle
know where the offenders and predators are: family watchdog If you have five minutes in the next day or two, I encourage you to check out this site, throw in your address, and really take a look at what you …Read moreknow where the offenders and predators are: family watchdog
disney dollars: kids earn ‘money’ for their disney trip In early December, I received an invitation to attend a really awesome event this February– It’s an event created by Resourceful Mommy …Read moredisney dollars: kids earn ‘money’ for their disney trip
trying to keep smiling: quick trick–mirror, mirror Ever since Maddy, Owen, and Cora were babies, we’ve had mirrors around so that they could really get to know their funny little faces.Mirrors …Read moretrying to keep smiling: quick trick–mirror, mirror
parent teacher notes: home-school communication In my desperate attempt to re-organize our lives during the first two weeks of school, I created a few things that I’ve really leaned on …Read moreparent teacher notes: home-school communication
talking stranger safety with kids: a dvd you MUST have This New For Us Friday makes my stomach turn and my eyes tear–seriously. But it is so important …Read moretalking stranger safety with kids: a dvd you MUST have
age-appropriate speech sounds As a Reading Specialist and English teacher, I am always looking for ways to make learning to read fun for the students I tutor and my own little …Read moreage-appropriate speech sounds
how to listen to your kids: wait time I am so grateful to be married to my amazing husband; he’s an incredible father and a patient and loving friend, and he totally rocks as an …Read morehow to listen to your kids: wait time