learning - So Easy Being Green

Spring Butterfly Craft

I was inspired to write about a fun Spring Butterfly Craft that Sophia and I made while participating in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Elmer’s. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating. There are some days that I miss working in child care. Not that I miss kids, because obviously I have two that keep me busy, but I miss the crafts. As the Director, I made sure that my staff and the children had a ton of craft supplies at their fingertips every day. Crafting is so important to kids. They feel a sense of accomplishment when they've created something. Not to mention the joy they get with spending time actually making it. So, lately I've been making Crafts at Home a priority - like it … [Read more...]

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: children, crafts, diy, Green, learning, momcentral · 3 Comments

Snack Ideas – Toddler Sushi

I'm constantly challenged when it comes to snack time ideas for my girls. It's so easy to just grab a pre-packaged snack, but the girls love when I get creative with their meals! I ran across this idea when I first started browsing Pinterest. While we were enjoying a delicious Sushi lunch this weekend, Sophia wanted so bad to try the sushi, but just hasn't gotten up the nerve yet. She's VERY particular about her choice of foods. So, I told Rob about my idea for making her some Toddler Sushi and he said "I want some too!". Toddler Sushi It only takes three super simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Rice Krispies Cereal {or any crushed cereal would work} Banana Peanut Butter Spread … [Read more...]

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: children, learning, recipes · 11 Comments

Ready for YOUR Pre-Schooler to Learn a Second Language?

From the comments on my What Do You Think About Toddlers Learning a Second Language post... you're all pretty much in favor of it. Obviously I am too and for good reason! Little Pim was so excited to see how many of you are enthusiastically teaching your young children a second language that they want to help you do just that... by giving away one Little Pim DVD to a lucky SEBG reader! … [Read more...]

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: Finished Giveaways, learning, technology · 42 Comments

What Do You Think About Toddlers Learning a Second Language?

My girls are half-Filipino, but yet they don't know Tagalog - the main language spoken in the Philippines. My husband's parents speak a form of Tagalog in their home and often converse with Rob in the language. I know very, very few words and for the most part, don't have a clue what they're saying. Rob and I have talked about purchasing a Language Learning Software, but it's such a big expense that we've continued to put it off. I think he would be the best teacher, but he feels like he can't. Soooo... we're stuck! I've often wondered if Sophia would even have interest in learning another language. Sure, she picks up a few words here and there from Dora and can count to 10 in Spanish, thanks to the little lady too, but would she really like to learn a … [Read more...]

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: family, learning, parenting, Review · 18 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: We Have a Walker!

She's been taking quite a few steps, but it's time to declare it official... Moreaya is walking at 13 months! … [Read more...]

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: family, learning · 18 Comments

Spring Cleaning: Outside Toys

It's beginning to look a lot like Spprrrinnnng... Everywhere we go! Ok, so yes, I'm singing that to the tune of "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas", but I just can't help myself. I'm so ready for Spring to be here and this sunny, although a bit cool, weather is making me want it to hurry up even more! Even though we've had to bundle up, the girls and I have been trying to fit in some outside time during the day. As you can tell, Moreaya is really enjoying our backyard swing set as much as Sophia this year! Although we're not quite ready to spend most of our days outside, we went around the yard picking up sticks and debris a few days ago. Sophia also wanted to play in her playhouse, but she didn't like that there were a few bugs inhabitants in there! We … [Read more...]

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: blogging, family, learning, parenting · 12 Comments

Playroom Organization: 5 Ideas to Make Room for New Toys

We're a few weeks into the New Year and if your house is anything like mine, it looks like a Toy Store has exploded in at least one room, if not a few of them. Not only did the girls get totally spoiled at Christmas, but Moreaya's Birthday Party was just a few days into 2013 so we added even more after that! So, what do you do with all these toys?! It's time to tackle Playroom Organization! Playroom Organization 1. The first step in Playroom Organization is to cut down the supply. It's always a good idea to purge some of the older toys that your children don't play with anymore. We do this in a couple of ways: Some I sell in a Children's Consignment Sale {if they're still in great quality} and others we pack up to donate to a local … [Read more...]

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: diy, learning, parenting · 19 Comments

How Do You Explain a Pet’s Death to a Toddler?

Unfortunately, we're struggling with this very topic this week. Our Pet's Death A few months ago, Sophia showed interest in getting a pet fish. We decided to go with a beta fish, since they're easy to take care of and we could let her start a routine of feeding it and taking care of something, a little responsibility for the two year old. :) She named her, she insisted the fish was a girl... Blue Fish. Yep, this little lady loves blue. So, how do you explain a pet's death to a toddler the right way? So, Blue Fish joined our family back in September. Sometimes I ended up being the one to feed her, but Sophia actually really enjoyed her pet. Unfortunately, Blue Fish #1 didn't make it past a few days. Before Sophia even noticed, we replaced with Blue Fish … [Read more...]

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: children, family, learning, parenting · 10 Comments

Too Cold Outside? Toddlers Enjoy Indoor Snow Play

It snowed here in east Tennessee yesterday! Even though we sometimes have pretty cold Winters, it seems that we haven't had a really good snow in a few years. The girls went down for a nap and when they awoke a couple hours later, the entire ground was white! Both girls are just getting over some sickness, so there was no way we were going to let Moreaya go out in the snow, but we hated to deprive Sophia. She was just so excited to see a big snow {3 inches!} for the first time. So, we bundled her up and Rob took her out to play for, oh, probably a total of 10 minutes. It didn't matter - it was long enough for her to feel like she really got to play in it and she had fun! But this morning she was begging me to let her go back out and play. A 2 1/2 year old just doesn't understand that her … [Read more...]

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: family, learning, parenting · 20 Comments

Happy 1st Birthday Moreaya!

I can't quite believe my baby is already 1. It seems like just yesterday that I was lying awake at night wondering if I could love another little girl as much as my Sophia. I cried when I wrote that post. I cried when I re-read Moreaya's Birth Story just now too. I love my little girl so so much. She woke up last night at 12:15 am. It's the first time she's woke up during the night in awhile and I'm convinced it was because she was so excited about her 1st Birthday. I held her on the couch as she fell back asleep in my arms and told her that I was feeling the exact same way one year ago at that moment. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't sleep because all I wanted to do was the exact same thing I was doing a year later - hold my baby girl in my arms. Happy 1st Birthday … [Read more...]

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Lindsey

Filed Under: family, learning, parenting · 15 Comments

A Look Back at 2012 & A Look Ahead to 2013: Life and Blogging Goals

I can't believe another year has came and almost gone. I know it comes with age, but my goodness, time really does fly. In 2012: We welcomed a new baby girl in our life. I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to love another little girl as much as I did Sophia, but Moreaya has made my heart double in size. Rob started a new job. There was some uncertainty for awhile, but we're so thankful that things worked out and he's happy in his current situation. My oldest baby girl turned TWO! Of course, many more things happened this year, but these are the three significant life changes that happened to my immediate family members. The last week or so, I've devoted lots of time to my family. I've put my blog on the back burner and it's been wonderful. It's … [Read more...]

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Lindsey

Filed Under: family, learning, parenting · 3 Comments

Christmas Activities for Toddlers

While we are gearing up for Santa's arrival tonight, we've been keeping busy with lots of Christmas Activities for Toddlers. Sophia is so excited about Christmas this year! A few days ago we made a Gingerbread House. We bought a kit, but it would be very easy to make your own Gingerbread Cookies, Icing, and Candies to decorate - especially if you have an older toddler or child. She had a lot of fun decorating and even more fun taking a piece of candy off every so often and eating it! We also sat down for the first time and wrote a letter to Santa. I don't think she totally understands the concept of Santa yet, but she had fun writing her letter. Proud Momma Moment: She wrote her whole name by herself, with help only on the "S" and the hump of the "h"! … [Read more...]

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Lindsey

Filed Under: children, family, learning · Leave a Comment