"Learn to tell time" Free Printable

When I have an idea for something I want to make for my kids (or myself), I troll the internet to see if I can find a free printable, tutorial, or something else that will make the project faster and easier. This time, it didn't exist. Lots of paper clock faces, but nothing cute that matched what I had in mind...

Read more »

Read more...

Make a Collage of Kids' Art

I had a very full magnetic clip on my fridge holding my son's artwork. And those were only my favorites---I regularly recycle paper that comes into the house. I wanted to both put away the gigantic pile and display his artwork. Here's what I did...

Read more »

Read more...

Creative Child Entertainment (Containment?)

Image source: adactio

I just read the most genius idea over at Rookie Moms for containing your toddler and entertaining them while you shower, get something done, etc.  I would have never thought of this, but when my new baby is running all over the place, I will be doing this:

Read more »

Read more...

Baby Mittens!

A normal person, when discovering that the pair of baby mittens in the closet somehow became a single mitten, would go out and buy a new pair.  I, however,  decided I'd make a pair....

Read more »

Read more...

Too Tired to be Creative...and It's OK

Lately I've been reading some blog posts like "101 things to do with your toddler" and "101 things to do with your preschooler," and feeling pretty lame because I don't have the energy to try many of the things I'd like to.  But I have to cut myself some slack...it's hot outside, I'm still trying to wrap up projects for my freelance business, and I'm having a baby in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.  [...]

Read more »

Read more...

Find a New Playground

Briles Takes Pictures

Less than a week after wearing scarves, hats and mittens for some outdoor fun, we had a glorious 80-degree day. (That's what we get for living in the Midwest!) We have a park and playground a block from our house, but my instinct on this beautiful day was to take it up a level and head to a park we haven't visited in a while.  [...]

Read more »

Read more...

Baking With My Kid

One of my favorite blogs is Cooking With My Kid. The author had undertaken a journey of learning to cook from scratch, at home, and shares amazing recipes and photos. We are doing this mostly because we want to save money, but finding new recipes and homemade foods that my kiddo will like has been a (mostly) fun adventure.

Read more »

Read more...

Grown-Up Art Supplies are Cool

I realize now that my childhood interest in art may have been more intense than that of the average child. But early on, a new box of still-sharp Crayola crayons (the 64 box, especially) was one of life's greatest joys. Later, I moved on to Prismacolor pencils and markers. I had no idea that my art supplies would be such a thrill for my 2-1/2-year-old.

Read more »

Read more...

Digger Trucks! (Indoor "dirt")

The temperature dipped down again, after a glorious spring day yesterday. I was not in the mood to make a trek to the park, but my little guy wanted to play with his "digger trucks" in the dirt.

Is there a way to simulate dirt indoors? You bet there is!

Read more »

Read more...

Giving Experiences Instead of Stuff

This has always been my philosophy as a parent, and I ran across an excellent article about this over at Ohdeedoh. It's hard to go against the urge to buy things for my child, but I'm working on it! This has benefits in reducing clutter, keeping kids from always wanting new stuff, and providing lifelong memories.

[...]

Read more »

Read more...