Preteen: 10-13 years

As the daughter and daughter-in-law of lifelong teachers, I know first hand just how much money teachers invest in their own classrooms out of their own pockets. So as our kids head back to school, teacher gifts that help offset any of that expense are immensely appreciated. And the best…

Do you have a project you did as a child that really stayed with you? For me, this is it… one summer, I went to a summer art program my mom was teaching and we made Japanese Fish Art, or gyotaku. It was the summer after second grade, I was…

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,…

As a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, I am intimately familiar with the incredible value and opportunity provided by a highly ranked, private college education. I am also all too keenly aware of its cost. And with three small children of my own now, how we will afford to…

I received complementary product from The Easter Story Egg to facilitate this post and giveaway. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. Who does’t love to celebrate Easter? I love the celebration of Spring, the warmer days, and the flowers blooming, as much as my kids love the Easter egg hunts…

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not). As always, opinions remain 100% my own. While I may have ended up as a hedge fund analyst, I did not grow up in a financially savvy household. We didn’t talk…

Use our Snowflake Printable to create another fun winter craft for kids: DIY Snowflake Window Clings We are having a strange winter, with very little snow (fingers crossed I didn’t just jinx us with another Snowmaggedon in February!). My 5 year old keeps asking me if we went back to…

My favorite part of every holiday is decorating for the season. And no surprise, my kids love to be involved every step of the way! Last year, we made this fun stenciled Nutcracker banner for our family room fireplace. This year, we created this kidmade Christmas banner of sequined ornaments…

Confession… this *may* be inspired by my college tailgating days.  I knew these miniature red cups would come in handy this holiday!  First, I turned them into a holiday version of cup and ball, and today, we have more holiday party games: Jingle Bell Toss! If you love this, be…

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. My favorite part of the holiday season isn’t the gifts… it’s making priceless holiday memories with my kids. Sharing traditions from my own childhood and creating new ones together as…

With a 3 and 4 year old in my house, I get a preschool question about the universe on an almost daily basis. And more often than not, their insatiable curiosity about the world around them, leaves me just as curious about the answer as they are. This week, as the leaves…

Ever fall totally in love with something only to have a heart attack when you look at the price tag?  On a recent walk down our favorite craft store’s Fall decor aisle, I experienced just that.  Big M and I both fell head over heels for a gorgeous, Fall Leaf…

The first day of middle school.  I remember it like it was yesterday – the first time with lockers, changing classes, gyms with locker rooms, all while your body is changing the most it has since birth.  It can be scary and anxiety inducing for preteens facing new expectations and the…

Tired of being a constant disciplinarian? Are you exhausted from serving as referee over toys, books, games ALL day long? Successful parenting doesn’t have to be so hard. The day I changed my parenting perspective from a reactive disciplinarian to a proactive promoter of positive reinforcement, my kids’ behavior changed…

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. This year, for the first time, I have two eager kiddos to get ready for the first day of school. Double the school supplies, double the teacher gifts, double the…

I received complementary product from Oriental Trading featured in this post. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. Need a quick and easy dessert option for your next party? No matter the birthday party theme or age group of your guests, a Make Your Own S’mores Bar is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.…

Want a cheap but chic, quick and easy DIY patriotic decoration for summer? You may have caught our kid-made burlap banners for Halloween and Christmas. And just before Memorial Day, we shared a sneak peek of this kid-made July 4th Banner on our weekly installment of Facebook Live. How To Make July…

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreeToBe #CollectiveBias School is out. The kids are home. And before breakfast is done they are clamoring for the day’s entertainment.  With just a few basic supplies, let them be free to compete in their…

My mom once told me, “People will talk about your children in one of two ways: ‘Wow, your kids are so well behaved,’ or ‘Wow, please don’t ever bring your kids here again.’”  And while no one ever wants to be, we’ve all experienced moments of the latter. As parents, we…