One thing I love about this time of year is cinnamon scented pine cones. Just walking into the grocery store smells even better than usual. I always buy several bags. I love to pile them in bowls on the bookshelf and tuck them in little areas to add a wonderful scent. I also put them in on the mantel with the pine garland, they look really pretty and help sweeten up the room. This year I decided to try something a little different. I decided I wanted to hang some of the pinecones instead of just putting them in bowls. … Continue reading →

When my daughter was a preschooler she would countdown to Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas by watching the Peanuts Holiday Treasury DVD. I’m pretty sure that’s why she suggested we skip the turkey, and instead dine on toast, pretzels, jelly beans and popcorn on Thanksgiving night. However, last year she added a new Charlie Brown video to her holiday repertoire: “The Mayflower Voyagers.” The animated show gives a kid-friendly overview about what the First Settlers endured to get to America and what it took to pull of the very first Thanksgiving celebration. Shortly after watching the DVD, my daughter started referring … Continue reading →

T-minus 10 days until Turkey Day. In my house the adults are running around like decapitated chickens while the kids watch and wonder what all the fuss is about. If you are hosting pint-sized out-of-town guests like we are, then the following Thanksgiving activities are your ticket to getting little ones to lend a hand. Who knew that leftover toilet paper rolls, some construction paper feathers and a box of Rice Krispies could turn a Turkey Day buffet into a kid-friendly holiday oasis? TOILET PAPER TUBE TURKEY Materials: Empty roll of toilet paper or paper towel Red, yellow, and orange … Continue reading →

(My daughter and her stuffed pumpkin) Fall in the first grade was fun, but in second grade the season is stupendous. Thanks to a very crafty mom, my daughter’s entire class spent Halloween handcrafting these adorable stuffed pumpkins. The gourds are made of orange fabric and stuffed with Fiberfill. Before securing the top of the pumpkin with drawstring, each child was given a stick to place in the center of the fluff. Once the stick was upright, the drawstring was secured and fabric leaves were threaded on the wooden rod. Next, pieces of raffia were tied at the top of … Continue reading →

Tick-tock, tick-tock… the countdown to Mother’s Day is on, and if you are planning to make mom a gift from the heart with your two hands, then you had better get started. Homemade gifts may seem a bit trifle when mom is asking for a Dyson, but that shouldn’t stop you from putting your all into a gift that mom can treasure forever. Some keepers include: Frames: No mom can resist a photo of her kids. Or better yet, a picture of her and her kids together. However, instead of gifting mom with a plain photo, why not kick it … Continue reading →

My 6-year-old daughter wants to be the next Michael Flatley. Irish dance is a lot of fun, but the price of the costumes… not so much. Since my daughter’s announcement, I’ve been looking into Irish dance classes and the subsequent costumes needed for recitals and other performances. Most of the elaborate Celtic-inspired dresses run in the $300-$1,000 range. The elaborate getup includes a highly embellished long-sleeved dress with an underskirt. The dress is meticulously designed with a series of intricate patterns woven from sequins and other stitching on velvet, lace, and satin. Don’t bother trying to find authentic Irish dance … Continue reading →

Nothing says love like giving into your child’s pleas to host a Valentine’s Day party for a few of her closest first grade friends. It’s either love or a momentary lapse in sanity, one of the two. Either way, if you are scrambling to find ways to entertain a house full of pint-sized partygoers this weekend, consider these, quick, easy and affordable Valentine’s Day-themed activities: Heart Tree If your last minute party is truly being put together with moments to spare before guests arrive, then put your partygoers to work by having them help with the decorations. A simple project … Continue reading →

Don’t forget the kids this Valentine’s Day. If you plan to celebrate Love Day with your sweetie by dining at a romantic restaurant at sunset, then spend the afternoon making the holiday fun for your children. If you have young children your job won’t be too hard, as preschoolers enjoy just about any activity which involves parental participation… and chocolate. A favorite game around our house is heart scavenger hunt. To play, have your older children help you decorate a dozen or so construction paper hearts cut into various sizes. Use buttons, stickers, glitter glue, sequins, markers and crayons to … Continue reading →

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about diamonds, champagne and expensive meals. Did I just write that? The adage: “It’s the thought that counts,” comes to play quite frequently during the Valentine’s Day gift-giving season, especially if you have young children. After all, what mother would choose a diamond tennis bracelet over a crooked construction paper heart made with love and a bunch of broken crayons? If you are looking for inexpensive ways your kids can share the love with their favorite family members, then consider these simple yet fun Valentine’s Day craft projects: Heart Plates: Visit your local … Continue reading →

Hosting family and friends of all ages during the holidays is a joy, but making sure that everyone has a good time at your seasonal shindig can be challenging if you are not prepared. After all, you need more than good food and drinks to keep everyone entertained. If you are inviting a bunch of kids to a party, then make sure you have age appropriate activities for them to participate in. Even if you have a few toys lying around, it’s a good idea to have a few organized activities to keep them occupied. To keep your youngest guests’ … Continue reading →