Preschool: 3-5 years

A few years ago, inspiration struck in the form of mini red Solo cups and fond memories of my college drinking days… and the festive holiday party games for kids – Jingle Bell Toss – was born. Would you believe I was actually hesitant to hit publish on the post?…

Every year, for as long as I can remember, my family has spent the weekend before Christmas baking cookies by the baker’s rack full.  We test new recipes annually, but there are two we ALWAYS make – Whipping Cream Sugar Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies. Our Family Christmas Cookies As promised…

This post is sponsored by Carter’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Family Christmas pajamas are a part of everyone’s holiday – learn how to get the most wear (and precious photo ops) out of yours! Every year for as long as I can remember, my mom has…

The pages of Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes & Garden are graced with gorgeous tablescapes and decor ideas for adults.  But what about the kids’ Thanksgiving table?  That’s where all the real fun happens (and not much eating except for rolls!).  Check out how we decorate the kids’ table…

Spring has sprung!  The sky is blue, the flowers are popping up, the birds are chirping… and after reading Lois Ehlert’s Garden boxed set, my girls are chomping at the bit to start our seeds for this year’s garden.  Unfortunately, it’s a few weeks too early here, with overnight temps…

Who else remembers the candy haul from class valentines when you were a kid? Red heart lollipops, boatloads of chalky conversation hearts, and chocolate kisses galore! However, times are changing. And if your kids’ schools are anything like mine, parents are “strongly discouraged” from sending in food or candy items…

In our family, cookies are a given for every holiday. It’s a tradition that dates back to my Great Grandmother’s Christmas cookie baking marathons, continued by my Grandfather, my mom and now me. And I love that I’ve already ingrained it so well in my kids that they think it…

With Valentine’s Day, comes an abundance of candy hearts. You can’t possibly eat them all… but before you throw them away, let your kids use them for learning through play. Check out this great list of Valentine candy hearts activities and have your kids counting, sorting, playing games, learning sight…

This post is part of a series on College Savings Plans sponsored by CHET, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust’s 529 College Savings Plan. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. Now that you have started a college fund and are saving money to it every month, what is the best…

This is a sponsored post for Crayola as part of the Mom It Forward influencer network. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. Learning activities for 2 year olds can be tough. They want to do what the older kids are doing, but are easily frustrated when their development skills…

This post is part of a series on College Savings Plans sponsored by CHET, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust’s 529 College Savings Plan. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. This back to school season add one important item to your school shopping list – if your child is starting…

This post was sponsored by Crayola as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. This might be the most nerve-wracking week of the entire year. It’s the week our school district sends the email blast announcing classroom teachers. Last…

This post is sponsored by Kleenex Facial Tissue. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. This back to school season, wants to help you be a Classroom Hero. Learn 15+ ways you can go the extra mile to support your child’s teacher with parent volunteering… whether by sharing your time,…

This post was sponsored by Crayola as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. There is no brand more synonomous with school supplies and classrooms everywhere than Crayola. This back to school season, Crayola wants to help students and…

Thank you Mardi Gras Napkins for sponsoring this post. Visit your local retailer to get the conversation going in your home! “Mom, Annie’s mom puts notes in her lunch box for her everyday.” This wasn’t the first time my 6 year old had mentioned this touching gesture from her friend’s…

This is a sponsored post compensated by Entertainment One and Scholastic. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. The next time your kids want to pretend play- wherever that adventure may take them – leverage it for higher learning, including problem solving, early literacy and beginning writing skills.  How often do…

My dear friend Beth, at Days with Grey, sent me complimentary sets of her Kindergarten Readiness Activities on Cards for Preschoolers, Breakfast Invitation Activity Cards and Preschool Alphabet Activity Cards to facilitate this post. Learn more about these activity card sets, and how to get your own below. As always,…

I’m all for celebrating the red, white and blue… all summer long. From decorative stars and stripes banners to festive patriotic food. I just wish the food didn’t always require food coloring. And guess what? Our family’s favorite Red White and Blue Cookies, perfect from Memorial Day to Independence day,…

I received complimentary product from Goliath Games to facilitate some games recommended in this post. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. One of the best ways to help kids learn through play is by playing games together as a family. And while younger kids may not be ready to…