Quote of the Week

A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard. {Benjamin Spock}

Fun Activities & Projects

Holiday Gift Tag Templates :: Made by Joel

DIY Craft Kits :: Kids Craft Weekly

Paper Christmas Tree & Snowman Ornaments :: elsie marley

Reindeer Games (Crafts & Activities) :: Little Wonders’ Days

What We’re Reading

I pulled down our bin of Christmas and winter books on Friday. There has been lots of reading time this weekend! We’ve listed many favorites from our home collection and the library on our December Book List.

Books are one of my favorite things to give as a gift. Are you giving books to the kids on your list?

Here are some of my posts with lots of book recommendations:

• Gift Idea: Book Series Sampler
• Getting Started with Chapter Books
• Interesting Books for Beginning Readers
• Our Favorite Board Books
• Monthly Book Lists

Creative Products

 Melissa & Doug Animal Stamp Set

My girls love using rubber stamps to make pictures, birthday cards, comic strips, and book illustrations.

The Rainbow Stamp Pad is a fun go-along for the stamp sets, too.

Green Toys Tea Set

We have had this tea set for years and it still looks like new! A great toy for playing tea parties, restaurant, picnic, and more.

Have a wonderful week!

Quote of the Week

When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero. {Fred Rogers}

Fun Activities & Projects

Ed Emberley’s Website

Shrinky Dink Dog Tags :: JCasa Handmade

Coloring Water with Markers :: preschool daze

The Seasons Tree :: Kirsten Rickert

Leaf and Flower Petal Tissue Collage :: The Chocolate Muffin Tree

g is for gutter play :: preschool daze

Homemade Water Station Mat :: The Sleepytime Gal

Painting Inside the Bottles :: Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Kids Art: 5 Ways With Body Outlines :: Childhood 101

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week

Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. {Lao Tzu}

Fun Activities & Projects

Literacy Learning with Maps :: Childhood 101

Spider Webs from Coffee Filters :: The Artful Parent

Tissue Paper Pumpkins :: Smashed Peas and Carrots

Spiced Pumpkin Sippers :: The Farm Chicks

What We’re Reading

I’m revisiting two favorite parenting books in preparation for an upcoming talk at the girls’ old preschool: Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen and Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. If you haven’t had the chance to read these two books, I highly recommend them.

When I reread these books, I always find little gems of parenting wisdom to incorporate into our family – ways to improve communication, techniques for simplifying daily routines, and, of course, reminders to spend lots of time playing with my girls.

What is your go-to book for parenting inspiration?

Creative Products

Delaney has always loved puzzles and logic-type games. We have quite a few one-player logic games, and she loves working her way from the easy challenges all the way up to the super-hard challenges. Here are the ones she plays most often, with the recommended age levels. We used most of these at a younger age, with help from mom or dad.

Rush Hour Jr. (ages 6-8) – Help the ice cream truck get out of the traffic jam.

Clever Castle (ages 5-7) – Use clues to arrange the knights, princesses, and dragons in the castle windows.

Castle Logix and Camelot Jr. (ages 4 and up) – Both of these games come with wooden pieces for completing building challenges.

I need to start researching logic games for older kids soon so I can expand our collection!

Hope you have a wonderful week!