a creative, health conscious blog
Back when I was teaching, I ran a morning routine with my students. Now, I do the same with my kids. It's great way to anchor our morning, and this way, I know I start the day with some solid learning. Initially, I purchased materials from a teacher's store, but over the past few years, said materials for my charts with the boys have been … [Read more...]
Hello, everyone! Winter is the time to declutter and tackle those to-do lists for me, not spring. At the start of spring, the last thing I want to do is be indoors organizing. So, blogging about these projects will be coming to you all more in the next few weeks, as I've been doing more than writing. I've learned if my systems aren't pretty … [Read more...]
As a mother of sons, I find myself pining for things unrelated to trains, dinosaurs, and boogers. Namely, the fantasy of a perfectly behaved daughter who would twirl about in frilly dresses and wear flowers in her hair. Who would help me with all the housework, and craft with me all day long. So, much in fact, that I have a pinterest board … [Read more...]
In the early days of this blog, a little table top tree I made back in the winter of 2010 went "viral" on some new fangled site called Pinterest. That made this newbie blogger happy back then. Since that time, my lovely 3 year old child mistook said tree for a "birthday hat", and the tree is no longer with us. That was a long time-out for the … [Read more...]
Two books were harmed in the making of this project. Books destroyed either by time or children. Note to self: replace Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. I have thousands of books, and love the romance of the written word. On paper. I still mourn the loss of our only neighborhood bookstore. … [Read more...]
The Ivy Cottage Blog showing you how to make this: Stop by and say hi~ Happy Crafting, Nicolette … [Read more...]
Tis' the season for epic picture books. Back in my teaching days, I used this cauldron to house all my "spooky books". My Halloween picture book collection stands at about 30. A few months back, I treated myself to a Silhouette Cameo, funded by my massive earnings from blogging {cough, wink}. I mean it's a business expense, right? I will … [Read more...]
There is one sacred area of my front entry/room, that is dedicated to holiday decor from October to April a.k.a my faux mantel. My boys, for some odd reason, do not disturb said area, hence the ability to decorate it with breakables, "fragiles"(pronounces fra-gee-lays-name that movie} and pretties. In the spirit of all things near death, I … [Read more...]
Pottery Barn had these darling glittered spider vase fillers on their site a month ago {they are no longer available}. I knew I had to knock them off for a fraction of the price. Pottery Barn listed the materials as styrofoam, wire, and black glitter finish. Any crafting goddess worth her glue gun could easily remake these. Inspiration … [Read more...]
Back by popular demand...This blog has resurrected the art teacher in me. I look forward to each holiday like I did when I was teaching. Plus, having decorations for Saint Patrick's Day marks the end of one very long Chicago winter. Here's an easy and cheap Saint Patrick's Day craft. Even get the kids involved. All holiday decor at the … [Read more...]
Move over, Jessica Seinfeld. You think you have it hard, eh? Your kiddos are a wee bit picky. MoosePie Jones will not eat the following things: all meateggspotatoesricegreen foodblueberriesbananasmelonall vegetables He is a PITA when it comes to mealtime. If he doesn’t want it on his plate he will hand it back to you. Or [...]
Many people are shocked that I don’t feed my kids cereal for breakfast. Ever. Once upon a time, we did. I recall throwing o-shaped cereal on my kids’ high chairs. Like every day. After the gluten-free diet took hold here over two years ago, things changed rapidly. We hired a nutritionist. She said something [...]