Hi, all! After a short, busy summer, we are now (mostly) back on a regular blogging schedule. We’ve been a bit quiet here on the blogging front as we are trying to establish our farm and spend time together as a family.
If you follow me on Instagram or TiKToK, you already have seen some of this.
1. On the farm front
We have grown our backyard flock to five chickens. I definitely want more of them- I have developed a liking to silkie chickens. Look at those little fluffy butts! They’re too cute for words.
Our squash is done, our lettuce is done, and our corn and cucumbers never did a thing! We are still getting some delicious watermelons, banana peppers and tomatoes. We already have started seeds for our fall garden and greenhouse.
We are also adding some raised bed gardens to our farm…look for more on that this week.
On the home front
Our sweet family finally got to take a vacation to the beach. We had a blast: sand, sunburn and all. It was lots of fun and I’m glad we got to go.
Back to school
These little stinkers start back to school and dance this week!
I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend! We will see you this week for the following posts:
Quarantine isn’t as strict these days as it has been, but most of us are still spending more time at home where we are safest. Staying at home can mean it’s a lot harder to entertain the littles, so throughout March and April, I’ll be sharing a few spring kids’ crafts with you.
I know you must be wondering: what is a foot bird anyway? It’s exactly what it sounds like.
Paint the bottom of your child’s foot with your choice of washable paint. Then, simply freehand a roundish belly at the arch of the foot. Add little feet, an eye and a beak. You can add a little crest to the top of the bird’s head if you want.
These feet birds make a cute keepsake so you can remember when your littles were small, or you can give them to the grandparents.
…or frame them and decorate with them every spring.
Have a wonderful week! We will show you a great reuse and repurpose idea on Wednesday.
These times are difficult, and if you’re like me, you are struggling to balance work, home, and all of the different things you are currently worried about. Sometimes, even when I believe my children know I love them, I don’t always do enough to fill their love tank. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, but why do we tend to focus heavily on showing love on Valentine’s Day, rather than all year long?
The best thing we can give anyone is our time- and today I’d like to share some simple, fun and easy ways to fill your child’s love tank all year long.
Kids won’t care if you spend a lot of money. I always thought we had to buy something or pay for an experience for the kids to be happy. My kids are perfectly happy to play with us in the backyard or help cook dinner. Ask your kid what they enjoy doing the most with you and go from there.
Sometimes, in the age of devices and screens, good conversation falls by the wayside. I try to have at least one good conversation a day with my kids- ask them about their day, what they think about a song playing on the radio, or something. Kids have lots of interesting things to say and sometimes they just want to know someone cares about what they have to say.
Snuggling doesn’t have to be just snuggling. Snuggle up together with a good book or while watching a movie. Kids feel safe and loved when they’re near you.
You don’t have to let them make a major decision- it can be something simple, like “What are we doing today?” or “What would you like for dinner?” Kids feel important when you let them choose.
Lastly, I try to get one good hug in with my kids and husband every day. It helps us connect to one another and feel loved. What are some ways you fill your kids’ love tank on a regular basis?
No matter what, winter is always a challenging time for parents. It’s cold out, there’s not a ton to do, and kids and parents alike start to get pretty stir crazy. However, this year promises to be an even tougher time for many. Lots of families aren’t going to be comfortable with the sort of indoor activities and gatherings that have been winter-weather go-tos in previous years.
We want to help you come up with ways to make this winter fun, despite the difficulties. To that end, we’ve come up with this 2020 Winter Survival Kit. We know money is tight for many families right now, so we’ve gone out of our way to make sure the list includes tips to keep these items budget-friendly. We hope it inspires you to have a safe, healthy, enjoyable winter:
Outdoor Gear
If you plan to meet up with people this winter, odds are it’s going to be outdoors. Since indoor gatherings are far higher risk than the alternative, it only makes sense to get out in the fresh air to see the people we love. If you want to meet outside in winter, however, you need good, comfortable, and most importantly, warm gear so it’s actually pleasant to be outside.
Start with warm winter coats for the whole family. Grown-ups might be able to keep using their coat from last year, but kids tend to grow out of seasonal items before the next cold snap comes around. Outlet malls and shops like Nordstrom Rack are great options when buying for kids. You’ll get high-quality items without the sticker shock. Consider donating the coats your kids have grown out of to a local coat drive to help kids in need stay warm.
Virtual Activities
Using virtual means of connection, such as Zoom calls or video games, allow your family to stay in touch with non-household loved ones without risking catching or spreading COVID-19. If you don’t have a video game console, however, it’s easy to feel left out of the virtual fun. The good news is, there are tons of ways to play games with people virtually, no console required.
There are plenty of online board games that only need a laptop, phone, or tablet for players to join. You can also check out hidden identity games such as Spyfall. Since this kind of game is based more on conversation and interaction than pieces or movement, it naturally lends itself to the video chat experience. Even party games like charades work surprisingly well over video chat! Stay creative and keep an open mind, and you’ll find tons of fun ways to connect online.
Creative Play
Finally, we recommend picking up art supplies and embracing creative play over the coming months. Studies have shown that, while the pandemic has made creativity harder, it’s also made it far more important. Art and other creative tasks go a long way toward working out the stress and anxiety the pandemic causes. Moreover, arts are notoriously underfunded in schools, so it might introduce your child to a passion they might not have discovered otherwise.
A great way to find affordable art supplies is to look for a local second-hand craft shop. These are becoming more and more popular as people become more focused on reducing waste. If you can’t find one near you, you can also check out sales and coupons for local art and office supply stores.
This winter, focus on finding low-cost ways to keep the whole family connected and entertained. Go gentle on yourself if the stress starts to wear on you, and give yourself space to mourn the winter you might have had. It’s always a challenge to be stuck inside, but creative thought (and lots of self-compassion) can make it easier.
