super-easy, fabulously sparkly, no-mess ornaments Each year, I’ve tried to have my kiddos create a gift for our family members. Okay, when they …Read moresuper-easy, fabulously sparkly, no-mess ornaments
poem, poem, the cookie jar poem For the last few days, Maddy has been bouncing around the house, reciting poems from her kindergarten class. Lately, she’s taken to …Read morepoem, poem, the cookie jar poem
leafy letter learning At a super-crazy sale at our craft store last week, I picked up a few packs of leaves–at literally a quarter a piece. I remembered reading about …Read moreleafy letter learning
action action 1, 2, 3 get kids moving, writing, thinking Owen was nutty today. I honestly think he had enough energy this afternoon to run a marathon. Except that it was raining. Again. And he and Cora …Read moreaction action 1, 2, 3 get kids moving, writing, thinking
let’s eat. . . and read As Maddy learns more reading strategies and picks up new words each day, it’s been awesome to watch her unlock the world of words around …Read morelet’s eat. . . and read
cora’s color game: learn colors with a homemade game During one of our first rainy-sick days last week, we all worked on making a color game for Cora. We had just re-discovered Owen’s …Read morecora’s color game: learn colors with a homemade game
we’re counting–hats, cats, and pumpkins: halloween grid games My kiddos are Halloween nutty. They love our scarecrows out front, our pumpkins around the house, and the little plastic spider that hangs from a …Read morewe’re counting–hats, cats, and pumpkins: halloween grid games
high time for magazines: Highlights for Children’s High-Five Magazine Having had the opportunity to take part in the Highlights Magazine’s “State of the Kid” press conference yesterday, I was inspired …Read morehigh time for magazines: Highlights for Children’s High-Five Magazine
colors in a jar It’s a rainbow of colors around here–between the end-of-summer flowers still desperately hanging on and the leaves beginning to change, …Read morecolors in a jar
candy, colors, chopsticks: fine motor foundation fun Today’s New For Us Friday involves three totally random but fun things: candy, colors, and …Read morecandy, colors, chopsticks: fine motor foundation fun
math and fine motor skill fun: hole punch happy We’ve been hole-punch happy over here lately. Ever since Owen learned how to use it, he’s been unstoppable. At first, using the …Read moremath and fine motor skill fun: hole punch happy
letter learning tic tac toe Lately, Owen has been having a difficult time with the ‘W’ and ‘N’ in his name. Sometimes upside down or with too many lines, …Read moreletter learning tic tac toe
super sweet shape snacks As rainy and dreary as the last few days have been, we needed something fun to do to pass our gray afternoon. So after Maddy got home–and before …Read moresuper sweet shape snacks
swinging and clapping Lately, since Owen’s mastered pumping on the swings, we’ve spent a whole lot of time in our back yard–just swinging.Most of the …Read moreswinging and clapping
the special plate: celebrate success as a family About two years ago, I ran across this huge, crazy, red, gaudy Special Plate at our local home design store. It was a no-brainer for me to pick it …Read morethe special plate: celebrate success as a family
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
color cards and clips: fine motor fun This Quick Trick is something that has saved my sanity on several longer-than-expected waits at the doctor’s office, auto shop, Target, and even …Read morecolor cards and clips: fine motor fun
traveling writing centers Since last fall, I’ve had little writing centers in both Maddy and Owen’s bedrooms, and I’ve really been surprised at how well …Read moretraveling writing centers
pimpin’ our coupe Seriously. I had to. I have been dreaming of flames on my minivan for three years now, and this, I believe, is as close …Read morepimpin’ our coupe