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 crazy insane range of online classes that Craftsy offers. We love them. The videos are clear, they're comprehensive, and they're fun. Online classes are a super idea for the summer--or any time--and the format of many of the courses really works well for upper elementary aged children. So one of the things I'm going to surprise the kids … [Read more...]
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 bit of re-arranging with our tabletop surprises calendar this week. But you know what? That's the awesome thing about it: you can do what you want. When you want. And the freebie 10 week resource guide includes a whole bunch of awesome extra ideas to use if one day doesn't work for you. This week, we drew, built, wrote, and … [Read more...]
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 tabletop surprise note challenged them to create commercials for a product. That was it. But what they did with it was a whole other ballgame. It was a good reminder for me that kids really, truly need free time to explore and play on their own, no matter the platform. I didn't step-by-step teach them how to use these movie-making … [Read more...]
10 cool ways to read the Percy Jackson series
Friends! I’m always so thrilled to share with you fun literacy-related events and celebrations, and this summer, we’ve got a big one: it’s the 10th Anniversary of the publication of The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan. WOOT! And, as part of the team of bloggers who will be celebrating all summer long the awesome that is Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I’ll be writing a bit each month about why this series rocks and why you—and your kids!—should get on … [Read more...]
fun summertime learning for kids: tabletop surprises
Every weekday in the summertime, I start the day by sharing a #tabletopsurprises post. Just one quick picture of what's in store for Maddy, Owen, and Cora for their tabletop surprise that day. Are you on Instagram? If so, I'd love to follow you. And if you're joining us in our tabletop surprises this summer, I'd love, love, love for you to share your photos tagged with #tabletopsurprises -- it's so cool to see what everyone is doing! Use #tabletopsurprises on your photo, and … [Read more...]
teacher gifts for the last-minute parent
This week, my kids are out of school, but before they busted out of those doors, we wanted to give their teachers a tiny token of our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. But we didn't have a whole lot of time. We were away last weekend. We were preparing for Maddy's 5th grade recognition this week. We are in the middle of a basement renovation. We're finishing up spring activities and moving into summertime swim and dive. It's a lot. So we had to think of … [Read more...]
cool instagram accounts for tweens and new users to follow
Oh, friends. How I've fought the hard Instagram battle with my tween this year, and finally I let in. Under many, many conditions: We signed an updated Family Media Agreement. We still use Screen Time Cards. Phone use is restricted to our main floor of our house (not used upstairs). We approve only followers we know personally or that I approve. Her account is private--not public. The phone is ours--not hers--but it's being used by her, so any time we want to check on things, … [Read more...]
cool activities for kids all summer long: NEW tabletop surprises
It's here! It's here! It's heeerrreeeee! I'm so happy. I'm so excited. And more than ever, I'm over the moon thrilled and elated that summer is right around the corner! Though I work from home, and it's always an adjustment to have all the kids home all day long, and we have a busy swim and dive schedule, and ohmygosh I have to feed three kids three meals every single day for like a million days, I have found the most awesome plan for summer fun for my kids--tabletop … [Read more...]
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 each time we've used the weeks leading up to our trip as a time to prepare with activities, to rock out some Disney word games, to earn Disney Dollars, and to build up pins for pin trading. We've even pulled off a rockstar Disney Surprise Scavenger Hunt. So this time we wanted to do something different. We wanted to pull off the last minute, … [Read more...]
coral reefs of Palau: The Nature Conservancy free virtual field trip and learning resources
Right about now a lot of us are thinking about sun, sand, and surf. I know I am. School's almost out, and over here, we're all ready for summer to begin. But before school lets out for the year, there's still a bunch of learning to be done. And for those of us who are heading to the shore this summer, those of us who are planning on dipping our toes in the ocean, it might be cool to learn a bit about life underwater--the interconnected city of life in the … [Read more...]
3 ways to stay connected with long-distance family and friends
I've shared time and time again how hard it is for me to live hours from my parents and sisters, even if it's only a three and a half hour drive. Sure, it's a short enough distance that we can make it there and back in a day if need be, but it's too long to make a quick stop for a Sunday dinner. Or to grab a last-minute babysitter. Or to have a desperately-needed girls' night out with sisters or mom. Luckily, though, my kids have a great relationship with their … [Read more...]
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