My sister-in-law and I had the honor of hosting our sister’s baby shower. You won’t believe where we did our shopping…the dollar store. I’m excited to share with you my tips and secrets on how to create a gorgeous Baby Shower on a Budget. Baby Shower on a Budget If you’re looking for an e-Book with […]
Dollar Store Garden Party
My baby girl turned 11 last week and I am still in total disbelief. We are on the brink of having a teenager where my little girl used to be. I just can’t believe how fast time is escaping us each day. In my efforts to embrace my time with her, I decided on a […]
Guessing Games for Learning the Alphabet
Teaching early literacy skills can feel overwhelming at times. If you take time to find creative ways to introduce letter sounds to your students, you can really have fun with it! There are so many resources, games and tools for teaching the alphabet. I’m excited to share with you today an effective activity you can […]
Pumpkin Alphabet Grab and Cover Activity
Do you ever have those days when planning another themed activity can be overwhelming or life just seems to get in the way of planning fun, cutesy games that your children will love? I know that happens to me all the time! That’s where I swoop in and help you out with this easy Pumpkin […]
Blending Literacy Game
Teaching blends is a vital piece to early literacy skills. For some children, learning blends can be a little challenging for a variety of reasons and for teachers, teaching blends can be less than exciting. Today, I’d like to share with you a really fun way for children to have a ball while writing and reading […]
4 Dollar Store Literacy Activities
It’s no secret that the Dollar Store is every educator’s “go to” for all things cheap and practical when it comes to planning meaningful activities for their students. Today, I’m excited to share with you 4 Dollar Store Literacy Activities that you can easily put together for small groups or centers! 4 Dollar Store Literacy […]
Hollywood Themed “Golden” Birthday Party
“What is a “Golden Birthday?” This is what I asked a dear friend of mine when she asked me if I’d like to help her with planning her daughter’s “Golden Birthday.” To be honest…I thought she was talking about the color gold! This is the story of how a Hollywood Themed Golden Birthday Party was born… […]
Fine Motor Sight Word Activity
If you are pressed for time and looking for a new sight word literacy activity that also practices fine motor skills then this is the perfect activity for you! I think my favorite thing about this Fine Motor Sight Word Activity is you can use materials that you already have on hand! You’re going to […]
DIY Indoor S’mores
We have had an unusually cold and wet winter for the desert. I mean, it has literally been cold and raining on and off for about a month now. Cold for us desert folk is 50’s during the day and 30-40 degrees at night. That’s cold! Okay, so maybe not cold for the rest of […]
Easy Alphabet Heart Activity
How many times has this scenario happened to you? You’ve prepped for the next school day. You have your classroom ready, the correspondence sent that needed to be sent, and you’ve updated all of your centers…or so you thought. The following morning you enter your classroom (or home school room) ready for the new day and […]
How to Plan a New Year’s Eve Party with Kids
There once was this dashing gentleman and his red-headed bride that enjoyed New Year’s Eve under the stars, sipping champagne and ringing in the new year with a midnight kiss…who am I kidding, that was never us, but at least we used to get out for New Year’s Eve. Now we ring in the new year with […]
DIY Dollar Store Balloon Drop
There was a time when my husband and I used to go out like adults do and enjoy the typical New Year’s Eve celebration, you know, prior to having children. Now, we stay inside and make some noise with out little ones. To be honest, neither of us can say we miss the old way […]
Get Organized in the New Year with Scotch 3M Laminator
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LaminateWithScotch #CollectiveBias Can you believe it’s time to think about a brand new year? January is right around the corner and I know you are ready to get organized and clutter free for 2017. I have got a great […]
DIY Noise Maker Shaker
I hide toys. Not like when you need to hide Christmas gifts from children…but more like I hide the noisy toys in my house when the kids aren’t looking. Some might call me the Grinch. Some might say that I’m a little sensitive to noise. It’s true. I have a low threshold for excessive noise. Please […]
Princess 1st Birthday Party
Once there was a mom who decided she wouldn’t do anything “special” for her 1-year-old daughter’s upcoming birthday. After all, she was the 4th child and it was unnecessary. Then she had a conversation with her thoughtful, talented mother-in-law who encouraged her saying, “She needs a pink princess party. I’ll help!” And so this Princess […]
DIY Apple Stamp Craft for Kids
Fall is upon us and that means…apple season! Picking apples, baking apples, and biting into the juiciest, crunchiest apples is probably the most wonderful experience to usher in the start of fall! Some of my most favorite memories from childhood are the smell of Grandma’s apple pie baking in the oven, beautiful fall leaves all […]
1st Day of School Picture Frame Craft
Very soon our children will be putting on their new clothes, shoes and favorite backpack to head back to school! With that brings a lot of differing emotions and experiences. Parents, grandparents and children will be filled with joy and excitement while some will experience nervousness and tears as they kiss their little ones goodbye on […]
DIY Letter Sounds Practice Mat
What do I love more than finding treasures at the dollar store…teaching letter sounds to early learners! Well, perhaps I love them both the same. At any rate, the dollar store has truly been my ally in raising up good readers in a fun way! Creating this DIY Letter Sounds Practice Mat was something that […]
Easy Popsicle Stick School Bus Craft for Kids
Is it possible that it’s that time of the year already?! Time for… Back to School! Not only is it an exciting time for children as they get to shop for new clothes, backpacks and supplies but it’s also a joy for parents as they watch their little ones growing up and loving school! One […]
ABC Popsicle Stick Puzzles
Early literacy skills can be built in many ways. We start out by introducing children to picture books, phonemic awareness, ABC activities and then finally we like to see children emerge into reading on the own. One of my favorite ways to get children engaged in early literacy is by having them participate in ABC […]