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28 Non Candy Easter Baskets Fillers

    Updated: Apr 13, 2021



    Well hey there, I have found it hard to manage everything after coming home from the hospital but honestly maybe I am just prioritizing my health and my time. But hoping to take this week to prep for April!


    We have all loved the spring weather we had over the last week and cannot wait for it to stay warm. I realized Easter is in a week so I thought I'd share (and shop for) our Easter basket fillers today and I'd share.

    I am all about the sweets that comes with Easter, well I shouldn't say that but I am all about the girls excitement of opening up an egg filled with jelly beans that they never eat during the year But the Easter Bunny also brings some Spring time goodies (it's been our tradition since Zoe's first Easter!

    Some may argue that little knick knacks are the trick but it honestly is not my style the crap ends up everywhere and eventually into our recycle bin (after I've stubbed a toe a few times) so I stick to things we will use, especially for Spring!

    1. Sun Hat // This one is great too!

    2. PJ's (girls are obsessed with "PJ dresses!" - these are cute ones too!)

    3. Water Color Set (we have been obsessed with water color painting, easy clean up and everyone can enjoy!)

    5. Rain Boots (something they will use a LOT!)

    6. Cute set of sunnies! The reviews are great and the girls love them for dress up.

    7. Stickers! (I'll put some in the basket and save some for another time!)

    8. Cute umbrellas, (we actually get so much more use out of umbrellas in the city! this one is cute)!

    10. THE BEST Bubbles, and bubble machine set (with amazing reviews)!

    11. Swimmies! One Piece I got the girls this year because they can wear for gymnastics too!

    12. Sandals - I size up and the girls wear them through the Fall. They look great dressed up and down! LOVE them.

    13. This Doll - so sweet for a little babe !

    14. Spring books for each of the girls, this one for Ami and this one for both girls, we have this one and it's incredible. I love that we will put these out every Spring.

    15. Indoor Starter Planting Kit (I love this gardening set!) this for a toddler is great too!)

    16. Ready Set Paste set both girls have used this!

    17. Magnetic Pattern Block Set - love gifting a gift that is a learning toy/busy box, they both love this.

    18. Honey Stick Crayons ( we love these bath crayons!)

    19. Rock Sidewalk Chalk - fun for outdoor play!!

    21. Non-Drying kid markers! I got the girls these because we color a LOT and these won't dry out!

    22. My girls love washi tape!

    26. Butterfly Garden ( I just ordered this for the girls !)

    27. I ordered these little unicorn eggs, totally and activity the girls will enjoy after.

    28. This fun Easter Lego set is a cute gift/activity for the day.

    Now I am dying to know what you usually put in your baskets? And what are your traditions?!

    xoxo

    Natalie

    3 Ways To Avoid That Summer Slide

      Updated: Jun 21, 2021









      Hey hey, Anyone else feeling like this week was the longest ever? Goodness gracious I am ready for the weekend.

      Can you believe that summer break is (almost) here?! Well it is! And even though I have reduced my Instagram use A TON I plan on continuing sharing on this little space, because I really do find so much joy in doing it.

      And since I am planning out our summer; trips, activities and learning, I thought I would start with sharing some tips on avoiding the summer slide. I know, I know, it sounds like a lot of work but honestly it doesn't have to be. Check out this Pinterest board that I will be adding to as I plan out our weeks.

      You may ask why the heck I am doing all of this during summer break and it simply comes down to the fact that Zoe is finishing Kindergarten with so many skills and I want to avoid the regression. The summer slide is something that happens to every child when they take 2 months off of all things school. So why not follow a few tips that can help them do better come Fall. I also think it helps me as a stay at home mom (and can help any care taker) because it keeps some structure around my weeks and keeps the "I'm bored" to a minimum.

      Here are three big tips I am sticking to.

      1. Read for 20 minutes every single day. This is the obvious, something I have done since the girls were in my belly, reading out loud and now having Zoe read out loud every day. This BOB Book set is one of my favorite tools to reinforce learning at home.

      I also read out loud from a chapter book (currently reading through this Amelia Bedelia set ) We also have read a lot of the Magic Tree House collection, and plan on digging into it more this summer. I plan on rounding up a variety of chapter books that we have read or plan on reading (some really funny ones that Zoe has been into) in the next week or so.

      I read our chapter books during bedtime wind down, Ami usually plays with some blocks while I read and Zoe lays next to me. Or I read while they color/paint, eat a meal or play. Audible is also a great way to listen to books when I have to get dinner made or in the car. We have done this since Zoe was a toddler.

      This summer I'll keep this 100 BOOK checklist up on our fridge for each girl to cross off as they read, and I also created this weeklyREADING GOALS chart where she can earn extra stars to add to her behavior chart.

      2. Use work books. Some may laugh but these things are my favorite, you can easily bring it along on a road trip or in a suitcase (we took some on vacation) and you don't have to create your own work sheets or activities. I currently have this Kindergarten one that Zoe has gone through, and this Pre-K one that Ami "works on" while Zoe does her sheets. The rules are they have to complete 5 sheets on non-school days to get screen time. Best part is that Zoe really enjoys doing them!

      My MIL got me this Grade 1 set for Zoe which she has already started on vacation and this dry erase one for Ami, girl loves herself some markers so it's a great distraction while Zoe works on hers.

      For the summer I plan on ordering this Summer Brain 1-2 for Zoe & this Pre-K one for Ami. I find that they are not only fun for them to do but can be amazing as busy box work for rain days or when you simply need them to be occupied while you get work done or make dinner. Plus they actually learn something!

      3. Make learning FUN. I have always let Zoe pick a subject that we then explore at the library and then with a "field trip". She asked to learn more about dinosaurs so we are heading to the library for some books later this month, I have some Netflix shows to explore on it and a trip to The Museum of Natural History before the end of the month. I feel like these things keep the learning going, and gets her engaged.

      We also plan on working on a little website with her Godfather (my brother who's in Switzerland) he created the website/blog and I'll have her work on everything, from taking photos, uploading them and typing something about the photo to share with them. And he'll do the same! She has never worked on a computer so I think this will be fun, give her some exposure to it and connect with him!

      I shared my recent Amazon buys that I purchased this lined paper, this sight word work book and this tracing packet to help with her writing skills. We may even have to start a pen pal with a friend from school that moved to Florida recently. Having a pen pal to write to and receive mail from will make writing even more fun!

       

      Overall the best advice I have gotten from her teacher is to just keep her learning, reading and practicing the skills she has learned. And make it fun and interactive!

      We are almost at the school year finish line people, ALMOST THERE!!!

      xoxo

      Natalie

      30 Ways To Make The Most Of Screen Time

        Updated: Jun 23, 2019






        Hey hey,

        Happy hump day! Sun is shining and after an insanely busy day yesterday I took today as a PJ catch up on laundry day. Our cleaner comes tomorrow so I like to make sure and finish all the laundry and wash sheets before she comes. It's by far one of my fave days, lol! I also took today to complete another post that you guys have been asking for. PS This podcast for kids round ups was one of the most visited posts I have ever published.

        There is a dark cloud set over screen time and electronics. Mainly because misused it can really hinder a child from DEVELOPMENT, LIVING & LEARNING. but the truth is it's 2019 and electronics are a part of life and they can be a life saver for those of us that work from home, for traveling or simply to give the grownups a break. We limit it during the week so that we don't feel guilty during the weekends. And I thought I'd share our list of go-to's that make the most of kid's screen time.

         

        Shows

        Netflix

        Youtube

        Kid's Learning Tube - love these one concept a video shows, we'll be watching more of these in the summer!

        Free School ( super well done learning videos!)

        YouTube (get MOVING)

        Cosmic Kids Yoga ( I've talked about this one million times, we generally start and end our day with a little yoga and this is so fun, they can do it with or without you.)

        The Learning Station (fun action songs to get kiddos moving and stay entertained).

        There are so many more that I love but I'll leave it here, 30 different ways screen time can be a learning and fun experience.

        xoxo

        Natalie

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