These are so simple and make bathtime a particular treat.  That, and they’re perfect for using up our huge collection of hotel soaps.  You may have some too, but if you’re running low a bar of Ivory soap is perfect!

For each boat you need a bar of soap (just make sure that they’re the floating [...]

In the past few weeks our youngest (16 months) has gone from being a happy little traveler to being a rolling whiner.  From the moment she realizes that the car ride is coming she stiffens up and fusses.  After fifteen minutes in the car she starts to really get mad (the twice-daily rountrip to school [...]

I was excited to learn about Freedom to Read Week, an “annual event that encourages … to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom.”  Then I realized that it was just for Canadians.  Now, I love books and appreciate Canada, so I’ve decided to celebrate the opportunities I have to read, think, and [...]

Fall feels like it’s just slipped by us, but we found some time the other day to make some pretty fall leaves to brighten up our windows.  It was such fun, all three kids really got into it…even the baby’s little scribbles turned out cute leaves.  

Materials:

white coffee filters
markers
squirt bottle filled with water
dry dishtowel
scissors 
iron 

Method:

Set [...]

A couple of months ago I shared a list of some of my favorite activities for keeping toddlers occupied for a bit when you need to cook dinner, check your email, or (goodness me!) take a break on the couch for a few minutes.  Well, it was such a hit that I thought I’d better [...]

For regular playdough use I’m hooked on the Jello recipe, but when it comes to making things to keep I like a dough that’s really smooth and more clay-like. My recipe for cornstarch clay makes a very smooth, slightly sticky white dough that takes color really well. Most recently we used it for [...]

Some days you feel like supermommy, ready to be engaged, read books, listen to inane stories, play school, and babies, and restaurant… but all too often you just need a few minutes to check your email, chill out on the couch with a magazine, or get dinner started. Here’s a list of things that [...]

Jasper’s nature picture, with maple leaf, maple seeds (samaras), pine needles, pine twig, pinecone, bark, and a tiny flowerOver the weekend we had a ton of work to get taken care of so we were outside most of the day (except when our neighbors were celebrating something with an outdoor karaoke party). [...]

I just loved this idea for making paint ice cubes–another nice way to get the mess of painting outside where you can just hose the kids off when they’re done. Also nice for toddlers who would have fun with paint but trouble with a brush.
Josie really liked Pepper Paints’ painted sticks. We’ve [...]

It’s my eternal struggle. I want the children to paint, I truly do, but it can just be so so messy…especially for a two year old who paints for two minutes then requires ten minutes worth of cleanup (and a bath to get it out of his hair). Often enough I bite the [...]