How to Make a Smartphone Projector

Did you know you can make a smartphone projector using common household items? My kids were thrilled to enjoy a movie in their room using this projector and we made one as part of a care package for a friend in college as well. Buying a movie projector can be very expensive, but it is […]

Winter Treat – Snowman Snack Mix

This snowman snack mix is the perfect no-bake Winter treat that kids can make to give to friends or family! The best part is that it uses common ingredients that you may already have on-hand in your pantry. My kids enjoyed making several small bags of this snowman snack mix for simple handmade holiday gifts! You may […]

Elf Bootcamp!

It was the first day of Winter break, and I had a to do list that was a mile long. There were gifts to be wrapped, goodies to bake, and lots of decorating to be done. Inspired by the lovely Katherine Marie, I planned our own version of Elf Bootcamp and the kids were excited […]

You Are Enough

This post is sponsored by our friends at Socialstars and Minute Maid as part of the #doingood #minutemaid campaign. All opinions are my own. Do you ever find yourself doubting your abilities as a parent? Do you question your own decisions and worry about doing the right thing? Have you ever experienced a time when […]

Letters to Santa!

Writing letters to Santa is such a fun Christmas tradition, and there are plenty of opportunities for learning too! For the past couple of years, I have picked one day in early December for the kids to write their letters to Santa as one of our first advent activities. I love surprising them with this […]

Supporting Fellow Parents: 10 Ways YOU Can Help

This post is sponsored by our friends at Socialstars and Minute Maid as part of the #doingood #minutemaid campaign. All opinions are my own. Chances are if you are friends with someone who is a parent, at some point he or she could use some extra help. Parenting is hard work. Even when both parents […]

Leaf Maze!

Need a fun and quick activity to keep the kids busy this Fall while they burn off some extra energy? Do you have a yard full of leaves? If so, a leaf maze can turn an ordinary yard full of leaves into an instant Autumn obstacle course! Emily (age 11) created this leaf maze as a […]

Acts of Kindness — Halloween Edition!

This post is sponsored by our friends at Socialstars and Minute Maid as part of the #doingood #minutemaid campaign. All opinions are my own. A few years ago, during the week of Halloween, I missed attending one of my kid’s costume parades at school. It felt like a huge parenting fail. I had planned to […]

3 Things You Need to Stop Putting Off Until Tomorrow

A few years ago, my father passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 63. Experiencing the death of a parent was the most difficult thing I have ever had to endure, but it taught me many life lessons. From a very young age, my parents emphasized the importance of saving, making plans, and […]

Raising a Reader for Life

Are you a parent or teacher? Do you dream of raising kids who love to read and cannot wait to get their hands on the next great book? Are you looking for simple ways to encourage a love of literacy in your home or classroom? Exciting news!! My good friends Amy of Teach Mama and […]

Fall Treasure Hunt Printable

Going on a Fall Treasure Hunt is a great way to enjoy quality time outdoors while observing the beauty of the season. A few years ago, I started to take my kids on these adventures and it has become a favorite family tradition ever since! Every year when the leaves start to change colors, we […]

Netflix Halloween Family Movie Night

If you are considering a Netflix Streaming subscription, I highly recommend it as an excellent ad-free alternative to cable television. The most difficult aspect of Netflix Streaming is deciding which of the many movies or television series to watch because there are so many different options! Having instant access to such a large library of films […]

Activities for Unwinding After School

For many kids, a long hard day at school can be stressful and tiring. These activities for unwinding after school take very little time to set up, and can be an effective way to relax and recharge energy levels. Just 10 minutes to unwind after school can make a difference in study habits, homework skills, and […]

Facing Financial Challenges

This post has been removed as per a client request. Other financial posts: 10 Places to Visit in the US in 10 Years Goal Setting with a Vision Board

DIY Outdoor Toys to Get Kids Moving

These DIY Outdoor Toys to get kids moving are perfect for the last few days of Summer or anytime you are looking for active outdoor play ideas. The best part is that they are made using common household items you probably already have on-hand! Since most of these DIY projects are quick to make, you will […]

Brush Bot Painting!

Brush Bot painting is an easy introduction to robotics project for kids ages 8 and up! These Brush Bot kits make for a fun learning project and can be built in an afternoon. Once the robots are built, you can race them and experiment to see how you can make them speed up, slow down, or change […]

Botanical Sun Catchers

These botanical sun catchers look beautiful when displayed in a sunny window! This was a super quick craft, and took about 10 minutes to complete from start to finish. It is the perfect craft if the kids are looking for a little something to do during these last few days of Summer vacation, or for […]

10 Places to Visit in the USA in 10 Years

Is your family planning an upcoming travel adventure? Looking for some inspiring places to visit in the USA? I have written before about how my own adventures in travel when I was a kid have shaped me into who I am today. You can read more about that here. In this series of posts sponsored […]