This time of the year is insane. We're moving so quickly, our to-do lists are nuts, and often we're totally forgetting to breathe. At least I am. So when I saw my sweet and smart friend Danielle Smith, of Pretty Extraordinary, take a minute to say "thank you" to the delivery people, I stopped and smiled. This is so simple. But it can really make someone's day. Here's the skinny. . . Thank You Delivery People -- Free Printable for Families It's a simple "thank you" that you can … [Read more...]
create summer sparks with everyday acts of kindness
Sponsored by author T.A. Barron and the Spark Goodness Program. If you want my expert opinion, teaching our kids about the importance of being a good, kind person is the greatest lesson we could teach them. It's the absolute biggest, most important lesson ever. And it's not like we can just say, "You've got to be kind to others," and we're done. Nope. Teaching our kids about kindness is something we need to do nearly on a daily basis from the time they're toddlers until they … [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...]
books about kindness — must-have’s for older and younger readers
How can you start to spread a little kindness now? At your home? With your kids? In your community? I've got a few great books about kindness for you--must-have's for older and younger readers. Grab a few of these kindness focused books for our younger readers: How to Heal a Broken Wing, by Bob Graham The Gardener, by Sarah Stewart and illustrated by David Small How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer and illustrated by Maurie J. Manning The Rain Came Down, … [Read more...]
gifts that give back: ideas for kids and family #givingtuesday
Did you know that today is Giving Tuesday? It's a really simple concept: give. Any way you are able, to anyone. Give. The concept of giving is especially important at this time of the year, and lucky for us, many organizations have made it super easy--and so meaningful!--to give at holiday time. Looking at my kids' bedrooms and our playroom, I see we need very little. So I'm encouraging all of our family members to do something this year that packs a bit more of a punch: buying … [Read more...]
advent activity calendar for kids and family: 2017
We do this every advent season. And the kids love it. I actually contemplated switching things this year--finding another advent activity calendar that would get our family into the holiday spirit, but I decided against it. Because in this quickly-changing world, sometimes I think it's nice to keep things consistent. Here's the skinny. . . Advent Activity Calendar for Kids and Family--2017: I print out a copy of the calendar to keep on hand for myself, and then I cut each of … [Read more...]
gifts that teach kids the power of giving: animal gifts from heifer international
The more ways that we can teach our kids that holiday time should be a time for giving, the better. I mean, when it comes down to it, don't our kids have a lot already? I know mine do. They have a pretty good life. They're in school. They have the clothes they need. They have a warm bed and food to eat. They enjoy hobbies and play sports and bang on the iPad and rock their musical instruments. They travel and celebrate holidays and read and play and learn. They have it … [Read more...]
top secret ‘happy day’ notes for the whole ‘hood
Originally published September 1, 2010, but republished today because, well, friends, everyone could use a lift. Last week, we ran into a verrrry blue Thursday morning. Everyone was cranky, everyone was bickering, and everyone was down in the dumps. Maybe our summertime later-night schedule was finally taking a toll on us; maybe we were anxious about the upcoming change of schedule. Whatever it was, we needed a lift. I remembered my pal Jessica's recent post about 'Doing Good … [Read more...]
host a FUNdraiser for schools or non-profits at Chuck E. Cheese’s: 3 reasons to do it
Host a fundraiser for schools or non-profits at Chuck E. Cheese's? I mean. Fundraisers are often difficult. Laborious. So time consuming. Did I really want to try this? I have to be honest. When I was asked to take a look at hosting fundraisers at Chuck E. Cheese's, I hesitated. I stared at my computer screen. I sighed. Sure, my kids loved Chuck E. Cheese's when they were younger, but they were older now--12, 10, and almost 9 years old. Hadn't they outgrown the place? Hadn't … [Read more...]
the only black friday deals you need for kids and family
Friends. I'm not sure if you're a wild and crazy Black Friday shopper or not, but in case you are, happy holidays! Here are a few biggie sales that I'm taking advantage of and that you could, too, so that you are less stressed, closer to being finished with your gift-buying, and securing some pretty decent deals this holiday. Just a few. A few deals that will help you and will help me. Bam. Here's the skinny. . . The ONLY Black Friday Deals You … [Read more...]
syrian refugees: what families can and should do NOW
What is happening in our world right now with Syrian refugees is insanity. Absolute insanity. Heartbreaking. Awful. Sad and infuriating. Have you been following it? If you haven't, you should. Have you talked to your kids about it? If you haven’t, you should. Just remember that a lot of the images are really, really disturbing. Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I were talking about what is going on just recently, and I'll tell you how we handled it. It wasn’t easy. It’s a … [Read more...]
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