Family

Tot School: Simple Gifts {Decorated Business Card Magnets}

November 16, 2012 By Thaleia 10 Comments

Decorated Business Card Magnets

Want to have your tot make gifts for Christmas? How about a Simple Gift that any glue stick loving toddler will enjoy? Do you have extra scrapbook paper? How about decorative punches?

I’m sure you have business card magnets from fairs or festival cluttering up your fridge. We happen to have hundreds left over from an old business that need put to good use. What better use than something cute and cheerful fro Grandma’s fridge?

Lil’ Red loves glue sticks and I have to admit we DO NOT ALLOW him enough time to glue! Shame on me. I’m a craft loving and mess loving mom, so why not more gluing? I guess I forget that he is a “big” boy now and can handle glue sticks very well.

Some more Christmas and Advent ideas:

It's Overflowing

Frugal Friday: Old Socks and Muddy Boots

November 16, 2012 By Thaleia Leave a Comment

Do you have a bunch of old socks?

Do you have muddy boots?

Don’t want to part with your old socks? Well, I have just the things for you. If you have adventurous, messy kids like me who will find the mud on an outdoor nature adventure, then I have a great solution for you!

After rinsing the chore boots or water galoshes out, roll up your sleeves, and put on that old pair of socks. Now you can reach right into those boots and get the rest of the muck out without getting too messy yourself!

Here’s a few pictures of me cleaning out Eldest boots after a Nocturnal Wetland Hike!

Hope this is a frugal tip that will help you and your kids enjoy more muddy adventures!

If you enjoy tips or ideas like this then please subscribe to our email list. Each new subscriber give me a dose of added encouragement to share new ideas and tips.

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment. I’ve got comment luv on which will allow a link back to your website!

Big Red Barn Tutorial

November 11, 2012 By Thaleia 5 Comments

Big Red Barn Tutorial

Lil’ Red was obsessed with this book so much that we were reading it 2 or 3 times a day! I decided we needed a Big Red Barn that he could play with. I had been saving Huggies wipes containers and happen to have a red one! I looked at the book cover as my guide and got to crafting a homemade Big Rad Barn!

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to make a Big Red Barn:

…

TOT SCHOOL: Tot Trays (the basics)

November 9, 2012 By Thaleia 5 Comments

What are Tot Trays?

Where Do You Find them?

I heard about Tot trays from Counting Coconuts and 1plus1plus1equals1 when Lil’ Red was still too young to use them or need them. (Boy, do we need them now! He is a smart little whipper-snapper.) We have been using them off and on.

Tot trays are activities placed on a tray for your children to do. Very similar to Montessori Work Trays, (cute video about 1 1/2 yr olds) but tailored to your child or a theme you want to explore with your child. If you have girls you won’t want to miss Playing House in Maryland‘s tot trays and if you have boys check out The Princess and the Tot’s tot trays.

…

Tot Trays-10 Fall Trays & Activities

November 6, 2012 By Thaleia 23 Comments

10 Fall Tot Trays and Activities

One last hurrah for Fall while Thanksgiving and Christmas are almost upon us. I always think way ahead that it’s too early to get out such and such then the next thing I know that month/season/holiday is upon us. Where does the time go?

These Fall Tot Tray ideas will help keep your little learner busy while exploring some fun seasonal trays. Feel free to make substitutions for materials you already own or head to the local craft or dollar store for some inexpensive supplies.

Here are 10 last-minute ideas to do with your tots and preschoolers. Maybe you have the supplies on hand or maybe you can pick up a couple of things at the store. Halloween clearance may prove good for a few things.

1. Acorn & Paint Palette Spooning– plastic acorns from Dollar Tree, melon baller, paint palette and tray!

…

Family

Decorated Business Card Magnets

Do you have a bunch of old socks?

Do you have muddy boots?

Big Red Barn Tutorial

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to make a Big Red Barn:

What are Tot Trays?

Where Do You Find them?

10 Fall Tot Trays and Activities

Footer