I have a confession to make. Since discovering the absolute genius that is audiobooks (see here for a primer on how to get started if you've never read with your ears before), I'm rapidly reverting back to the bookworm I was as a child. It's glorious. I've even participated in a mini book club with my mom friends about the book Little Girls Can Be Mean. Having started exploring the topic of parenting girls, I now want delve into the subject of sons (appropriate since I have two of them). So, … [Read more...]
Honk! Books for Your Truck/Train/Car-Loving Child
After the popularity of Princess Books You'll Actually Want Your Daughter to Read, Janssen and I knew we had to do a list for the boys. We settled on vehicles because that's what the little guys in our lives are into (and my little girl as well - of course this list is for both genders). Hope you enjoy this roundup - #1, 2, 11, and 12 are especially popular at our house. Last summer, my sister and I were driving in the car together, with no children. I interrupted her mid-sentence to say, … [Read more...]
10 St. Patrick’s Day Books for Kids
We're on day two of forced homeschooling- it's time for some St. Patricks Day books! With the Irish holiday just around the corner, these ten St. Patrick's Day books are perfect for celebrating all things green and gold. Whether you're looking for an informational book about the holiday, a classic folk tale, or just a fun tale of a tricky leprechaun, one (or more) of these books will fit the bill for your preschool or elementary-age child. There Once Was a Man Named Michael Finnegan by … [Read more...]
St. Patrick’s Day Treat: Rainbow Drinks
I love celebrating the holidays with my kids - they have such a knack for getting excited about each and every one. But that doesn't mean I want to stay up all night frosting cupcakes! Simple but special treats that take under 5 minutes to prepare are much more up my alley. Here's Janssen with a great one... Last year, I made some of that rainbow jello that's floating around on the Internet to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. It looked great, but it took hours to make (because it had to set between … [Read more...]
Giant Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallows
I had grand ambitions of baking a fancy madeira wine cake for each of my neighbors this year... guess how far I've gotten. I think, instead, I'm going to make a batch or two of these over-sized chocolate marshmallows with the kids and gift a few to each neighbor. I love Janssen's idea of putting them on a stick and adding them to a decorative bag filled with hot cocoa mix in the bottom! Psst one quick thing... Christmas is coming SOON, be sure to check out our SUPER POPULAR toy gift guide … [Read more...]
Top 10 Parenting Books for Raising Girls
Next month, I'll be having my third child and my third girl. Which means that parenting little girls is always on my mind. Whether you have a single daughter or a whole slew of them, these books are full of great advice on how to handle all manner of parenting issues, from education to bullying to the princess obsessions. Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-proof Girls in the Early Grades by Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert. Bullying is a hot issue right now, and this book is … [Read more...]
Books for the Fourth of July
Our resident children's librarian, Janssen, is here today with her picks for injecting a little history into your 4th of July celebration. Get those library cards ready! Let's be honest - on the Fourth of July, you'll probably be outside, watching parades, having a neighborhood BBQ, and watching (or setting off!) fireworks. There may not be a lot of time for reading. So we're sharing this book list a little early so you'll have time to read these books with your kids before the big day. This … [Read more...]
7 Books to Get Your Kids to Stop Fighting All the Time
One of the things I want most for our family is a loving family culture, where unkindness and fighting isn't part of the daily makeup of our lives. But with three children all fairly close in age (they are each about two years apart), this can be a tall order. Probably just about every parent can relate to those moment where you can't take the bickering and teasing any longer and you just want to scream, "Can't you all just get along?!" I know I'm not alone in that because there are … [Read more...]
Strawberry Cream Cheese Flag Cookie Cups
Whether you're hosting the 4th of July BBQ this year or attending one, this super simple dessert idea is sure to please. Of course I love the festive presentation but my favorite part is that once you bite in you realize that what looks like a mini cup cake is actually a cookie. Plus it would go great with our homemade blueberry lemonade soda. And don't miss the variations at the bottom of the post - I'm digging the breakfast idea. Here's Janssen with the recipe... The Fourth of July is … [Read more...]