Encouraging Mamas . Educating Littles
Lifestyle Blog
Emma has been a pretty picky eater since I started making her baby food at six months. And while we definitely still give her veggies at meals, incorporating them into smoothies reassures me that she's actually consuming them without the struggle!We've tried a lot of different variations of smoothies but these two have been our favorite combinations so far. I like adding the plain greek yogurt in both of them for some added protein too!
Read MoreOur shape theme has been Emma's favorite one to date! I typically keep the theme activities and books out for about three weeks, take a week to slowly put it away and start a new theme the next week for a new month! I started doing this as an easy way to rotate the books and toys to keep our playroom simple. Emma plays more intentionally with less toys around and it makes for much less clean-up!
Read MoreWhen we moved into our house almost three years ago, the first thing I wanted to update was the kitchen cabinets. I was seven months pregnant with Miss Emma Grace and my sweet husband still needed some convincing so I decided to focus on other things, like growing a human. Eight months after we moved in and without any home improvement project experience at all, I decided to try and paint them! I sat down with John and his dad and we talked through the process and what I would need. I also spent a lot of time talking with the sweet man who worked at the local hardware store. It wasn't something that came naturally to me at first, but I really got the hang of it after awhile! If you're hesitant to take on a big project like this because you don't have the experience or time, I'm here to tell you that if I can do it... you can too!
Read MoreWe have been busy this week working on our play theme, 'Things That GO!' I was able to figure out some activities for my 9 month old and my 2 year old with this theme and it has been FUN! When I do a play theme like this, I never plan exactly when I will do each activity. I just make sure I have what I need on hand and pull things out as needed! Every day looks different around here and it is so nice to have a few structured activities to while we're at home together.
Read MoreMy little buddies are nineteen and a half months apart and I am always trying to think of activities that they can do (somewhat) together! I did this process art activity with my self-contained class when I taught Special Education. It's a fun, mess-free, sensory activity using things you probably already have!
Read MoreMy emotional pendulum swings two very different ways. There are moments when I am scrubbing bodily fluid (not my own) out of the carpet while my toddler unrolls an entire roll of toilet paper at the same time my baby is making his way to the nearest outlet to chew on some cords. I then realize we are out of coffee and I think to myself, this must be how I die. Then the very next moment, I witness that same toddler intentionally distracting the baby from the outlet with her favorite toy, "here big guy, eets fo' youuuu." Then I think, I WANT THIRTY-SEVEN MORE OF YOU..
Read MoreAs Emma gets older, I really love having her help me in the kitchen. It always takes longer and it's a lot messier, but the moments together are just so sweet! We made a few easy treats for Valentine's day that were more assembling than cooking, but we won't tell her that ;)
Read MoreEmma turned two in September, so she is able to count up to ten but is just learning to identify the actual numbers. We matched the tops of the cupcakes to the bottoms together many times before she was able to complete it independently.
Read MoreIn all honesty, I really do love to cook. However, I have a hard time chopping, measuring, checking a recipe, making a playdoh castle and bouncing a baby on my hip all at the same time. So right now, the crock pot is my jam.My love for the crock pot is REAL, people.
Read MoreBefore I had kids, I was the 'perfect' mom. Weren't we all? There were so many things I swore I'd never do. I was that young girl, by myself at the store, quietly judging the mom whose kid was nose deep in an iPAD. If I have learned anything from being a momma, it's that you can never judge another momma's situation. What works for you and your family, is what's best for you and nothing else matters. Plain and simple.
Read MoreUsing the light table was one of my favorite centers as an early childhood teacher. Thought I could throw some things together to recreate the same idea as a light table and it was a success!
Read MoreOn Thursdays we go to the library. Henry was in a lot of pain and was incredibly fussy due to digestion issues for the first five months of his life which made it really hard to get out of the house. Since he has been feeling better (praise the Lord!) we have been able to get out and do the things I always dreamed I'd do as a stay-at-home momma.
Read MoreThe structured time is good for all of us. You know that awkward time after the afternoon nap but before dinner time/whenever dad gets home? It's the worst. Adding some special activities out of things you may already have can make it more manageable!
Read MoreI really feel like the name of my blog encompasses what my life is like these days as a stay-at-home mom of two kiddos two and under. I have always been someone who prefers actually getting ready rather than lounging in sweats.
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