school supply shopping: our NEW way to teach kids to be smart consumers Every year, we try to somehow involve our kids in back-to-school shopping. When Maddy, Owen, and Cora were emerging readers, I created …Read moreschool supply shopping: our NEW way to teach kids to be smart consumers
easy, engaging fun for kids: tabletop surprises This summer is literally moving at the speed of light. I can’t even believe we’re nine weeks in. It’s insane. And it has been so …Read moreeasy, engaging fun for kids: tabletop surprises
7 ways to get kids writing (and cool writing prompts for kids!) Friends. It’s summer, and if your kids are anything like mine, they want to be outside and they want to be at the pool. Or, okay. They want to …Read more7 ways to get kids writing (and cool writing prompts for kids!)
soap experiments: easy backyard summer fun Friends–now that swim and dive season is over, we’re doing a whole lot more free bird play, lazy mornings, and long …Read moresoap experiments: easy backyard summer fun
learn to make cookies or cupcakes: online courses from Craftsy I never would have imagined these courses could be quite so fun, but they are. This summer, Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I have been exploring the …Read morelearn to make cookies or cupcakes: online courses from Craftsy
talk with kids about emotions: ‘inside out’ mini-book and card game With an 11, 9, and 8 year old, you’d think that we would be over talking about and identifying emotions over here, but we’re not. In fact, …Read moretalk with kids about emotions: ‘inside out’ mini-book and card game
chocolate math: age by chocolate Our tabletop surprises are rocking and rolling this summer, but one thing that really, truly got the kids’ attention was our first (we …Read morechocolate math: age by chocolate
smart apps for busy families: get ready for back to school! #BTSTech chat I can’t even believe it, friends, but (gulp!) school is around the corner. And before we know it, our schedules will be kicked into high gear. …Read moresmart apps for busy families: get ready for back to school! #BTSTech chat
camp google: ocean, space, music and nature weeks Friends. I have been working with National Geographic Kids for some time now, as one of their ‘Insiders’ and honestly the coolest thing …Read morecamp google: ocean, space, music and nature weeks
need something fun and unplugged for kids? Friends. We’re rocking and rolling this summer. We’re doing just about everything we can to keep ourselves smiling and sane in between 50 …Read moreneed something fun and unplugged for kids?
get kids to play outside: 4 tips for summertime playground fun Sometimes, getting kids to play outside is no easy feat, especially in the summer. Because here in the DC Metro area, it’s …Read moreget kids to play outside: 4 tips for summertime playground fun
fun summertime learning for kids: tabletop surprises Week two of tabletop surprises is in the books, and it was a blast! Because my crew was busy fighting off some pretty awful summertime colds, we did a …Read morefun summertime learning for kids: tabletop surprises
matchstick math: patterns, puzzles and critical thinking The matchstick math activity we did last week for tabletop surprises was a real hit. I had an inkling that the activity would be a …Read morematchstick math: patterns, puzzles and critical thinking
kids make their own commercials: creative, techy fun As part of our tabletop surprises last week, my kids became movie-makers. Though it really didn’t start out that way at all. The little …Read morekids make their own commercials: creative, techy fun
summer reading goals & reading logs: quick and easy Woooo-hooooooo! Summer is here! Summer has arrived! Let the party begin!! Charge the iPads! Rev up the 3DS! Make sure there’s some juice …Read moresummer reading goals & reading logs: quick and easy
make The Wizarding World of Harry Potter more awesome than you ever imagined Friends. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Have you seen it? Do you plan to? We visited Orlando this month, and honestly, The …Read moremake The Wizarding World of Harry Potter more awesome than you ever imagined
Disney SUPRISE: a checklist for parents who want to pull off a last-minute surprise for kids Last week, we went to Disney World. For real. One of our most favorite places on earth and the kids’ as well. We’ve been there before, and …Read moreDisney SUPRISE: a checklist for parents who want to pull off a last-minute surprise for kids
haircare stress and kids: eliminate the stress with these three tips I have always been a fan of short hair on little girls. Always. I just think it’s super cute and easy and fun. I kept Maddy and …Read morehaircare stress and kids: eliminate the stress with these three tips
kings dominion: family-friendly amusement park in the dc metro area We did it. We took the leap. We visited Kings Dominion with our kids this weekend. And? It was awesome. My husband and I hadn’t …Read morekings dominion: family-friendly amusement park in the dc metro area
teach kids workforce appreciation: celebrating those who make our day brighter We have always taught our kids to be thankful for each and every person who makes our day a little brighter. And those people include family and …Read moreteach kids workforce appreciation: celebrating those who make our day brighter