Making Bedtime a Peaceful Transition

We are firm believers in helping our children get the recommended amount of sleep. I notice a huge difference when my kids are well rested. They are pleasant to be around, not as crabby and much more helpful. Our bedtime ritual starts after dinner. We 

The Simple Home and the Imaginative Child

At the end of the day, the last thing I want to do is clean. I sometimes stare at the horde of toys before me and wonder how my siblings and I ever conquered childhood with such a minimal collection. I began this year on 

Exploring Sounds Create your own Sound Wall

Today we made a sound wall. I am sure our neighbors are going to love us for it. My friend has been reading a book called Creative Families, by Amanda Blake Soule. One of the pages that caught friend’s attention and thought my kids would 

Family Chores, Connect and Have Fun

A family that learns to clean together, learns to play together. My brother-n-law works many long hours during the week. On the weekends, he enjoys staying home with his kids and doing chores together. He says it allows him to reconnect with his children, while 

Lunch Packing Station

The first day of school is just around the corner. For those of you who send your kids off with a packed lunch, here are a couple of ideas to get you started without a fight. Take three small baskets and fill one with fresh 

Movie Night at the Drive-in

I have always loved movies. Some of my clearest childhood memories are of going to the movies. I can remember the whole family going to the drive-in and another time sitting on my dad’s lap watching Raider’s of the Lost Ark. During the summer, our 

Have a Picnic

You can have a picnic anywhere: in the backyard, on the floor under the dining table, in a tent made of blankets, or an actual tent inside or outside the house. Give everyone invited an assignment to bring something. It could be food, a song 

Summer Fun in the Sun

Summer is a perfect time for creating memories. There is so much to do both indoors and out. 1. Pick Your Own Fruit Farm: My kids love fruit. This summer I thought it would be fun to take them to the U-Pick your own fruit 

PLAY GROCERY SHOPPING:

Whether it is cracking eggs, measuring ingredients, or setting the table, helping plan the menu, or anything else age appropriate; when kids are part of the preparation and cooking process, they tend to eat what they had a hand in making. To help get my 

Father’s Day

Father’s day is the official day designated to give dad the recognition he deserves. Every year at our house, the kids make a card fashioned with their hand prints. It is sweet to look at the cards from the past few years to see how