Sometimes a holiday like Valentine’s Day sneaks up on you (“Oh crap, was I supposed to make cupcakes??”) and sometimes you know it’s coming and you still don’t get things done on time because it’s flu season, or life gets busy, or you really just didn’t want to make 30 Valentines with your toddler.
We totally get it and we’ve got your back.
I don’t know that there’s really a “birthday party season” since, obviously, birthdays are year round, but they do seem to ramp up as the weather warms up and parents try to get invites sent home before summer vacation starts.
So, let’s talk birthday gifts! I created this guide in partnership with Sylvan Learning with a few things in mind. I wanted the gifts to be fun, educational with a STEM focus (science, technology, engineering, and math), and something that hopefully won’t end up taking up a bunch of space and ending up in a pile of junk in a few months. Having just gone through a great purge of STUFF of our own (so we could sell our house and move into an RV for a year of travel), I am really particular about toys and gifts now.
I can’t believe it’s nearly December. For one thing, it means Wallace is almost ONE, and of course it means the holidays are officially happening.
This year I wanted to share a collection of gift ideas for all the kids in your life- some are favorites that our kids love and some are brand new finds. A little something for everyone! Take a look 🙂
With Halloween behind us, the holiday season is ramping up, which means the end of the year is about to get hectic if it isn’t already.
And do you feel like your back-to-school intentions of never being late, never missing a permission slip, or always packing lunch are blowing up a little right now? Because I’d say that’s totally normal, in my experience. I partnered with Sylvan Learning this week to do a live video on the Baby Rabies facebook page, showing you one of my favorite tips for taking control of school year chaos.
Charlie loves Target.
Charlie, who recently celebrated her 3rd birthday, wasn’t totally sold on her mom’s idea for a Trolls theme for the big day.
Her choice? Target. And her mom, Emily, made it happen.
We’ve been homeschooling this year while we wait to launch on our RV trip where we’ll be “roadschooling.” When I posted a photo of Kendall listening to a podcast (Wow In The World) last week on Instagram and the Baby Rabies Facebook page as part of his school day, a few people asked if I had other podcast recommendations, especially for younger kids.
Well, PERFECT timing because I actually do! I’m partnering with WBUR, Boston’s NPR station, to tell you all about their new podcast for kids ages 4-10 called Circle Round, which launches this week.
Who doesn’t love story time? In my ideal world, I’d be taking my kids to the library for story time every week, but that’s not my reality right now. A storytelling podcast we can listen to in our PJs at home, though? We can do that! And we did yesterday as part of Leyna’s homeschool day.
Circle Round episodes range from 5 to 20 minutes, and feature original music and sound design, so it’s captivating and also just long enough for the younger crowd. Leyna, age 6, intently listened for all of the 2nd episode (which will be available to the public soon!), a reading of Stella & The Dragon by Kathryn Hahn of “Bad Moms” fame.
You can listen to the sneak preview first episode now!
I know she must have soaked it in because as she wrestled her little brother last night, she kept saying, “I am LEYNA THE POWERFUL! YOU DO NOT SCARE ME!”
Want a Stella & The Dragon printable coloring page? Click here!
“Circle Round provides global perspectives with voices representing cultures from around the world. Episodes include prompts for discussion, giving children and their caregivers plenty of food for thought long after the story ends. Stories delve into diverse and accessible topics such as kindness, persistence, and generosity.”
We’ve subscribed, and will be listening to episodes as they become available as part of our homeschool and roadschool routines! You can find CR on iTunes and Stitcher.
OH! And if you’re in the Boston area, they are hosting a launch party this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Boston Children’s Museum. More info on that here.
Thanks to WBUR and Circle Round for sponsoring this post.
We’ve been homeschooling for a couple weeks, and I’d be lying if I said I have any idea what I’m doing.
Life is in flux right now. The house is on the market, we are in planning mode for the great RV road trip (where we will “roadschool” the kids), and I’m working my tail off to get business plans and insurance and all that jazz in place before we take off.
I looked down in May and looked up on August 31st, and it’s like summer never happened. Life has been BANANAS, and it was all I could do to remember Lowell’s birthday on July 30th.
I honestly, seriously, really almost forgot, but I managed to pull off a last-minute “construction” party for him, one friend that I invited a few days before, and our family. I keep meaning to share it! Not because it’s super fancy, Pinterest clever, but because I got most of the stuff from Amazon, and maybe it will inspire some of you who also have construction equipment lovers in your life.
This post is brought to you by CJ Affiliate’s VIP Content Service. Thank you Kmart for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Kmart, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.
It’s BACK to school for some, but maybe for you it’s OMG MY FIRST BABY STARTS KINDERGARTEN.
I’ve been there and, for me, it was pretty terrifying the first time I sent a baby into the wild world of classrooms and cafeterias. I felt so clueless. Then I sent another one off to kinder, and we made it through a 2nd first year.
Now, I feel like I know enough to give you some experienced advice.
Post in partnership with Sylvan Learning
Leyna is very into makeup, and letting her put some on is a special ritual we share once or twice a week. A little lipstick in exchange for smiles and whispered secrets.