Modern Parents Messy Kids

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Final Summer Fun: Pitching a Tent Out Back

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Monday we did back-to-school, Tuesday was summer vacation, and yesterday back to school again so today it's time for summer vacation again - yay!  Nothing says "summer break" to me more than a good 'ol fashion camping trip.  Unfortunately, there's also nothing that says "nightmare" to me more than the idea of trying to camp with a baby.     So instead of packing up the family and heading to the mountains, we did the next best thing and headed to the backyard.  Actually my … [Read more...]

Top 5 Back-to-School DIYs

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If you need an excuse to get crafty, it seems like back-to-school time is it.  What better way to get your kiddos excited about learnin' than a few fun crafts?  Plus sending the kids off with something made especially for them is great for easing first day jitters.  Here are my top five picks:   Easy book covers by Martha Stewart.  After reading my friend Mariah's new book (review and giveaway to come!), I've developed a serious thing for maps.  I want to put them just about everywhere … [Read more...]

Summer Vacation Treats

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We're in kind of a weird spot right now.  I feel a big rush to simultaneously get ready for school and take advantage of what's left of summer.  Just in case you're feeling the same, in between all the back-to-school stuff, I'll be peppering in a few final summer fun posts too.  Today I thought I'd share two special treats we indulged in during our recent trip to the lake.      Have you heard of ebelskivers?  They're these light and airy pancake pockets filled with anything you … [Read more...]

Top 3 Ways to Ensure School Success at Home

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photo via motherhood your way   Happy Monday everyone!  Before we kick off the week I wanted to let you know that I (finally) finished my post on the 12 things I want to teach my children every day for Bloom.  You can check it out here.   And speaking of teaching, it's officially back-to-school time.  How did that happen?  With C starting preschool this year it feels like summer went by extra quick!  In the coming days I'll have lots of goodies to get you and the kids … [Read more...]

Kid Snack: Polenta Pizzas

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A few of you have written me recently asking for some tot-friendly recipes so I thought I'd share one of our favorites.  I'm certainly no Rachael Ray but, like most moms, I do have a few go-to meals and snacks.  I'm hoping that if I share mine with you then you'll reciprocate in the comments.  That way we'll all have a new bag of tricks for meal time!   Head over to momtastic for the mini-tutorial on these mini-pizzas.  We love them because they're simple and lightening fast.  My … [Read more...]

DIY: Postcard Thank You Notes

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Today's my last post on S's first birthday bash.  You might remember I mentioned doing a short photo shoot while we were at the park that day.  I saw this photo on pinterest and loved the idea of using the extra large balloons and a basket from home to mimic a hot air balloon.       Of course, it ended up being pretty close to nap time when we finally got around to taking the pics so I didn't have much setup time.  I'm also far from a professional photographer. Nevertheless, I … [Read more...]

5 Easy Ways to Spice up Your Space with Paint

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Since posting on DIY kid decor you can get done in a weekend, my mind has turned to the rest of the house.  (I'm sure my recently re-kindled friendship with HGTV has a little something to do with it.  I'm so glad they've finally started playing more than just House Hunters around the clock!)  It's long been said that paint can go a long way in sprucing up a room.  Today I've rounded up 5 projects that really put that theory to the test by using just a little paint to make a big … [Read more...]

We Tried It! – DIY Edible Fingerpaints

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I was recently lamenting on the facebook page that I find myself blogging about fun activities for the kids more often than we actually do them.  I've told myself engaging in messy art projects with a toddler and a baby is just too difficult.  And while that may have been true in the past, S is a year old now and the name of the blog is Modern Parents MESSY kids... it's time to put up or shut up.   So today I'm introducing a new series, called "We Tried It!", in which I'll be trying … [Read more...]