Our boys are major creators. They can also be masters of destruction. To help keep their endless energy moving in a positive direction, I try to have lots of materials available for building. It inspired us to make a mini maker kit, so that my kids could do different projects at home. Why We Needed a Mini Maker Kit While my toddler is mostly focused on blocks and duplos, my older son enjoys continue reading...
Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs: Kid-Made Ornament
I love Mama Miss and her fabulous kid-made ornament blog hop each year! I'm thrilled to be joining because it inspired me to make an ornament with my kids that I've wanted to make for a while. One that would honor my Grandmother each year on our tree. But, honestly, as excited as I was to make this kid-made ornament, I was also dragging my feet about it too... I think I was dragging continue reading...
1 Simple Tool to Help When Kids Are Full of Questions
My four-year-old son’s endless questions used to intimidate me. “How does a rocket work?” “What does a piston look like?” “Where are those ants going?” Being someone’s ambassador to the universe can be a lot of pressure. Sometimes just getting through the day with two young boys is challenging. Add in estimating the speed of a 747, the number of spokes on a bicycle wheel, and the continue reading...
Gift Guide for Dramatic Play: For Preschoolers and Toddlers!
My daughter is a dramatic play lover! So, it's no big surprise that we'd come up with a gift guide for our favorite ways to play grocery store or dolls or tea party. These are not only our favorite family toys, but ones that have held up when I was teaching preschool, too. But, most of all, we love these toys because they will inspire hours and hours of play! This post contains links to continue reading...
5 Potty Training Must-Do’s Before You Even Start
Are you thinking about potty training your kids? As a preschool teacher for over 10 years and a Mom to two kids, I've picked up some potty training tips that really work. These tips are how to set kids up for success before you even start. I'm going to share 5 easy tips that you can start with your kids today that will make all of the difference! Hi and welcome to Happily Ever continue reading...
25+ Favorite Process Art Activities
Preschool and the early school years are a time for play and exploration. As parents, we're told that play is a means by which children process and understand the world around them. Play is not only with toys, on the playground or with friends, but extends into many aspects of learning. Process art is a chance for children to explore new tools and play. While the results are typically adorable, continue reading...