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Getting Ready for School: 5 Fun Preschool Learning Tools

“Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves.” – Abbé Dimnet… I’ve always been addicted to learning. I’ve been a voracious reader since I was a kid – during the summer, in my middle school years, I used to go to our local library every week to search out interesting new finds. As I moved to high school, I would read at least a full book every single week – sometimes a couple of them. And now, as a mom, I still enjoy learning… Whether it’s building new skills to help me grow my online business, or discovering fun ways to teach Abby new things – I’m kind of a learning junkie. One of the most important things in the world to me is helping Abby grow into the kind of person who is curious… Someone who wants to learn, yearns to broaden their horizons, and enjoys expanding her mind. Which is why I am totally in love with a new set of tools we recently discovered, to help her prepare for preschool – they’re called Schoolies, and I think you’ll love them too!

Five fun preschool learning resources

Five fun preschool learning resources

Preschoolers will love meeting the unique and colorful cast of Schoolies characters, created by artist and designer Ellen Crimi-Trent and published in Priddy Books’ signature early learning formats. All of the books are totally interactive – with clock hands to move, stickers to add, cool fold-out scenes, and even wipe-away pages to practice their skills. The graphics are clean and bright, the design is modern and fun, and they really help encourage kids to get excited about learning new skills. Check out how much fun Abby has drawing and counting in the School Days book, and then see some of the other fold out and pop up action to0:

Learning is Fun with The Schoolies! [Read more…]

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Back to School Routines – Tips from A-Z

“If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers.” – Edgar W. Howe… I love the summer months. I love family and friends gathering at my home for pool parties and BBQ’s. I love sunshine, and flip flops, and drinking frozen cocktails in my hammock. But, all of that fun comes at a price – my usual routines get totally knocked off schedule! In addition to my 3 year old, I have my nephews {7 & 9} each day in the summer too. When you throw in a few of their friends that come to visit – it makes running a full-time business from home pretty darn challenging. So, while I love summer days – I am getting excited to once again get back into the routine that back to school season brings.

Healthy back to school routines from A-Z

Back to School Routines – Tips from A-Z [Read more…]

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School Year Stain-Busting Tips

This year, resolve to NOT throw out your money by having to throw out stained kids clothes… We all know that kids can be hard on clothes. I had always thought my nephews were bad – as little boys, they could find any spot of mud or dirt within a 20 mile radius, I swear. But my 3 year old is just as bad – whether it’s a shirt full of juice as she learns to use a big-girl cup, a smear of tomato sauce across her pants at dinner time, or just general sticky-messy-yuckiness of toddlerhood – she dirties up her clothes just as much! Partner that with a Mister who is a race car driver – and I have a ton of household stains to deal with.

Resolve to tackle stains – Join the Stain Tip Exchange [Read more…]

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Discover the World in a New Way…

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Discover Boating. I received collateral to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Did you know: Eighty eight million people went boating in 2012?… Were you one of them? I know I sure was! As much as I love the city, and as much as I’m a girly-girl, I am happiest when I’m around nature. Whether it’s camping, hiking, a day at the park, or boating – I just love being in a more natural setting. I work at a computer all day, almost every day, so unplugged time around trees and water totally calm me.

[Read more…]

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The Secret to Creating Awesome Frozen Cocktails

Thank you to Daily’s Cocktails for sending me a goodie bag filled with fun #DestinationDailys gear, and trusting me to share my opinion on their products with you awesome ladies…

“The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass.” – Martin Mull That quote pretty much sums up my approach to summer. I love lazy days, relaxing on the patio in my hammock {I just bought this portable Double Hammock and am in love.} I love watching the kids splash around in the pool while I sip a cool fruity drink, letting the day slip by slowly. Oh wait – that’s what I WOULD love to do if I had more time! And as a super over-scheduled work at home mom, with a toddler of my own, and two wild nephews all day – time is something that is in short supply around here. But, since this site is all about “Smart Solutions for Busy Moms” – I of course have found a couple of short-cuts that help me have a little more time to lounge in the hammock with a drink in hand. Keep reading to learn about the easiest way ever to make frozen cocktails.

Daily's Pouches - the easiest way to make frozen cocktails

Daily’s Pouches – The easiest way to make frozen cocktails [Read more…]

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Ice Cream Tastes Like Happiness…

This post is brought to you by Dreyer’s and The Motherhood. I was provided with product coupons and compensated for my time, but all opinions are mine.

“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy ice cream. And that’s kind of the same thing.” – Unknown… There are a few things in life that truly bring me happiness: My family. My friends. Anything sparkly. And ice cream. Good ice cream brings a smile to your face, no matter what type of day you’ve had. And whether you eat it right out of the carton, or fancy it up with sprinkles and syrups, having the best ingredients and flavor combos is a must.

Cool ice cream flavors [Read more…]

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Free Dreyer’s Ice Cream!

National Ice Cream Month

Ice Cream Lovers Giveaway!

To celebrate National Ice Cream Month, Dreyer’s has come up with some cool stuff – They’ve developed some crazy-amazing Limited Edition Flavors like German Chocolate Cake Spectacular, and Sunny Salted Caramel Pretzel. And they’ve partnered up with Operation Smile to donate up to $125,000 to Operation Smile to help them in their work in repairing cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities in children around the world. How great is that? [Read more…]

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