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...]
advent activity calendar for kids and family: 2016
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--2016: 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...]
teaching kids to say ‘thank you’ to everyday heroes
Too often those important people who do everyday jobs are forgotten. Even though they work hard to make our days brighter and lives easier, many times days go by when they don't get ample thanks. And they deserve it. So our focus this week is to to just that--thank our everyday heroes. We're teaching our kids as frequently as we are able to say 'thank you' to the people who work hard every day, around them. Here's the skinny. . . Teaching Kids to … [Read more...]
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 friends, neighbors and teachers, but it also includes our newspaper deliverer, and the grocery cashier. Our dry cleaner and mail carrier and the folks who take away our recyclables and trash. We could be pretty cranky if we had to cut the grass at our favorite playground, so we are thankful for the people who manage the grounds. We'd be … [Read more...]
finding time for what you love: The Fringe Hours
It's funny how things work out sometimes. When I first started this blog seven years ago, I was creating, photographing, writing, and coding in the 'fringe hours' of my days. All day long I was grateful to be with Maddy, Owen, and Cora, hanging out, playing, learning, and doing our thing, but when naptime came, I blogged. When the kids went to bed, I blogged. When I had a spare moment to myself, I blogged. I was proud of the resource I was creating (I still … [Read more...]
new year’s family plan: 100 good deeds
I've long stopped creating New Year's Resolutions because, well, they always seem to be broken. Instead, we, as a family, try to make some positive changes at the beginning of each year. We use the time to get refocused. We use the time to check in with each other. We use the time to start some healthier routines. Not always easy--this I know. This year, we're all starting the 100 Good Deeds plan. As a family. And it's a pretty cool way of kicking off the New … [Read more...]
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