Weekend links

by on September 23, 2012
in showcase · Leave a Comment

We’ve spent part of our week finding leaves to press (using the biggest book we have on the shelves, my sister’s old art history textbook). I hope you’re savoring these last September days, too.

Don’t forget that the Holiday Kids’ Gift Craft-along link up for September is this Tuesday, the 25th.  I’ll open the post up for links and comments and I’ll be updating twitter, facebook, and instagram throughout the day with my holiday crafting progress for the month, too.  I think some more knitted farm animals are part of the plan as well as some sewing projects.

Have a wonderful Sunday, friends!

Simple knitted toys: rooster, hen, and chicks (Simple Homemade)

by on September 21, 2012
in crafts · 1 Comment

Today I’m guest posting over at Simple Homemade with an easy knitted toy.  I hope you’ll join me over there for some simple toy-making fun!

I‘m excited to share this simple project with Simple Homemade readers today because it combines two of my loves:  knitting and toy-making.

My four year old daughter has quite the infatuation with  animals.  She tells us all the time about the farm she is going to have when she grows up and all of the animals who will live there and be her friends.  She’s going to have horses, cows, sheep, goats, kittens, dogs, and of course chickens.

[Read the rest at Simple Homemade ...]

 

Sunday feast: our new weekly ritual

by on September 19, 2012
in food and nutrition · 28 Comments

The following is by contributor Jaimie of Two Chicks and a Hen.

Over the summer, I let our meal planning routines slide.  There were trips, food-laden events, picnics, and hot days that simply didn’t inspire me to cook.  Now that we’re back into the school year routine, I’m working more, and my eldest has homework for the first time, so I needed to rethink our meal planning, cooking, and eating schedules.

I love cooking, but when I’m under pressure and have a ton to think about and do, it can sometimes feel like a chore.  I re-evaluated my approach and discovered several things:

1. Last school year I put too much pressure on myself to serve a brand-new homemade meal every night.  I would plan a full, from-scratch meal for every dinner, but I wouldn’t always manage to actually cook them because life sometimes gets too busy.  I decided to stop feeling guilty about that and instead embrace a more simplified approach.   And we always have leftovers anyway; most recipes are not designed for one adult and two small children.

[Read more...]

Coming in October: 31 days of unplugged play, no batteries required

by on September 17, 2012
in parenting, play learn explore · 7 Comments

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

This October I’ve decided to try something new at Simple Kids:  I’ll be writing a month long series, exploring the same topic daily during the entire month.

I’m joining in with the Nester’s annual 31 days series link up.  The topic I’ve chosen to write about is one near and dear to my heart: play.  Specifically, I’ll be sharing with you a series on 31 Days of Unplugged Play: No Batteries Required.

Unplugged play – no batteries required

I’ll be talking about some of my favorite playscape ideas, quiet time play, art projects, active play, and outdoor play ideas for a wide range of age groups. I’ll also be sharing a few of our family’s favorite open-ended toys and how the children play with them.  I’m using this as an excuse to finally try out a few long-standing Pinterest ideas, too.

[Read more...]

These are the days

by on September 14, 2012
in parenting · 15 Comments

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

Every once in a while even this simple living mama seems to need a gentle reminder that not all memories have to come from a big event or require fancy planning months ahead.

The small, unexpected things are pretty wonderful, too.

In this September frenzy of open houses, back to school, club meetings, and social occasions what I look forward to the most is the little moments:  quiet evenings at home, conversations on the porch swing, milk and cookies together after school.

My ten year old asked me if we could eat breakfast together outside last Sunday morning and it was some of the best 20 minutes of my week.  I’m glad I didn’t miss it.  I’m thankful I said “yes” when my first instinct was to try and talk her out of it.

Savor the small moments

Big picture planning is good, yes.  And I think it is important to have goals, both for yourself as a parent, and for your kids.  Think long-term and take the baby steps to get there.

But don’t get so caught up in the big picture that you don’t see the small things, the little bits of beauty right under your nose, the milestones that aren’t in the books but engrave themselves on your heart anyway.

[Read more...]

«Older Posts
Newer Posts»