My Delicious Ambiguity

Mother Earth Cards

2012-03-26T11:58:00.000-06:00

Hello friends,

I've been meaning to write on here for quite some time but I've had some issues with my blogger account/ domain/ accessing emails etc. I'm in the process of getting it all sorted and having everything worked out. My apologies if I have been MIA or not getting back to you. Hopefully I'll be up again running smoothly and have all my photos and old linky parties working again. Please be patient with me.

In the meantime, I've had some time on my hands and the creative juices have been flowing. So I'll be adding some new products to my Etsy shop over the next little while as well. Since Spring is in the air and Earth day is just around the corner I want to share with you my Mother Earth cards!

I am an advocate of green living and try my best to teach and teach my son how to care for the Earth. I believe that the Earth is in crisis because of how we have treated it for years. As a mother of a young son I believe it is my responsibility to teach him how to do better. I thought it would be fun to make a set of Mother Earth cards with questions, crafts, activities and acts of service that we can do together to learn about gratitude for our Earth and to help others in our community do the same. In total I came up with sixty things that we can do as a family.

I typed them up, cut them out, laminated them and attached them with a ring.The cards are very versatile and there are plenty of ideas that you can use with toddlers through to adults. You can use them as an activity a day countdown calendar for Earth day, in a Mother Earth themed gratitude jar or as I have by laminating and binding them together to use on their own. They are perfect for use in families and schools and suitable for toddlers to adults.

Mother Earth Cards are now available as a pdf download in my Etsy Shop.

How do you teach your family about Earth day and green living?

I'm linking to some of these great parties.

Hi. My name is Jenn. And I'm a Pin-O-holic.

2012-02-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Yes. That's right. I've got big news to share with you all. It's a total mommyfession actually. I've gone and joined Pinterest. I know, this is probably old news for most of you and you're probably wondering what the heck took me so long? To be honest, I avoided Pinterest because there really isn't enough time in the day and the last thing I need to do is spend more time in front of the computer. But then, many of the bloggers I follow started posting ideas of things they've recreated from Pinterest and raving about how great it is. And so ever the curious, I hopped on the Pinterest bandwagon. I figured I'd just stop on over and check it out and see what all the fuss is about. But then THIS happened...

Just in case you didn't catch that let me share with you again. I now have 48 BOARDS and 726 PINS....48 BOARDS AND 726 PINS!!!!
I'm sure that's small peanuts in the grand scheme of things but let me admit to you that I've only actually had Pinterest for 3 weeks. Yup. That's all. I. CAN'T. STOP. PINNING. ALL. THE. THINGS!!!!!

Phew...glad I got that off my chest! To all of my fellow pin-o-holic friends, I invite you to come on over to the dark side and follow along with My Delicious Ambiguity. You KNOW you want to. You HAVE to really. I've shared my deep dark secret with you now so you kinda owe me, no?

Now if you'll excuse me I've got some more pinning to do! Looking forward to seeing what you've been up to.

Delicious Ambiguity Is 2 & an update

2012-02-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Just stopping in today to say THANK YOU for your continued support. I started this blog two years ago and never in my wildest dreams did I think that it would grow as big as it has! Thank you for stopping by and reading, leaving wonderful comments, voting for my blog on popular sites and sharing it with friends. Your support means the world to me and I am so grateful and honored!

If you've been following me since the beginning or during MDAs first year you would have noticed that my posts have become sparse and that I never share anything personal on here anymore. I took a break needing to go inward and needing some privacy to deal with all of the curve balls that life has been throwing at me these days. But I also choose to not write about my personal life because I wasn't sure how YOU, the readers of MDA, would respond.

I continue to find huge comfort and relief in others bloggers writing by knowing someone else had been through something similar and therefore removing the loneliness and frustration I've often felt as a parent and as a woman. Some posts have opened my eyes to things I didn't previously understand and have changed the way I think. Taking a break has helped me to understand that as long as I'm not going out there with the intention of hurting or offending there's nothing wrong with expressing an opinion AND that it's actually necessary where blogging is concerned.

I wish there was more time in the day and that I could say with great certainty that you will be seeing a lot more posts around here. However, spending quality time with my son and taking time for myself are still my greatest priorities and will continue to come first. I can, however, promise you, quality posts written from the heart that at times will be messy and convoluted like life. My heart is BURSTING at the seams with stories- about parenting, living gluten free, postpartum depression, abusive relationships, single parenting, weight loss and most recently my sons journey in diagnoses with what I believe to be Sensory Processing Disorder. Did you get all that?!

Seriously, I AM BURSTING with things I need to share and I hope that, you, my readers will respond positively. I also hope to hear your stories and feature some of them on here too. Sharing is a source of great healing and in doing so I hope that together can create awareness, inspire others and that ultimately this blog will be better for it.

Thoughts?

Learning Activities With Legos

2012-01-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

One of the best toys money can buy for your kids is Legos. Here is a round up of my favorite ways to play with them:

Ways to play with Lego from The Imagination Tree

Sorting Legos from Muffin Tin Mom

Lego Sculpting from A Mom With A Lesson Plan

Lego Math Problems from Counting Coconuts

Free Lego Bingo game from Living Locurto

Lego Puzzles from I Can Teach My Child

Lego Poetry from Small Types

Measuring with Lego at Nurture Store

Forming Lego words at Handmade Beginnings

Free Lego Math Activity ebook from Little Brick School House

Lego Sentence Building from Filth Wizardry

Lego Lap Book from Walking By The Way

Lego Addition from Elaine Ng Friis

Lego Patterns from The Work Plan

Lego Math Activities from Quirky Mama

Lego painting from Picklebums

For more ideas for Lego lesson plans visit Lego Eduction.

What's your favorite way to play with Legos?

Romantic Countdown Calendar For COUPLES!

2012-01-16T21:22:00.001-07:00

Last year I shared with you my Valentines Activity A Day Countdown For Kids but since Valentines day is for lovers I've also created a countdown for couples!

I've created the calendar the same as my kids calendar except that this one will be for adult eyes only and will be kept in the bedroom separate to the child friendly activities that we well be doing. To find the step by step instructions on how to put your own calendar together read THIS POST.

For my couples calendar I've designed 30 activity cards to use. Each card has a romantic date idea or gesture that can be done together (or separately) and focuses on your relationship. Activities are designed to help you bond, communicate and enjoy spending time together. Activities vary from quick and easy like, "Cuddle before falling asleep." to a bit more effort such as, "Make a Vision Board together". There's also a few cards in there to "spice things up"...if you know what I mean ;) Don't worry, it's all clean fun! Activities can be done at home if you've got kids and life tends to get in the way OR can be done outside of the house for date night.

Whether you want to do a countdown for Valentines day, for your anniversary,or even if you just want a little help to add some life back in your relationship any time of the year, this countdown calendar is sure to motivate couples to put some romance back in their relationship!

If you love this idea but don't have time to make your own version, you can purchase the pdf digital copies of both of these calendars in my Etsy Shop.

Happy Valentines Day!

I'm linking to THESE awesome parties.

10 Free Printable 2012 Calendars

2012-01-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

2012 Year At A Glance Calendar from Sprik Space

2012 Notebook Themed Calendar from Clementine Creative

2012 Calendar from Skip To My Lou

2012 Calendar from Five O' Five Design & Paperie

2012 Calendar from Red Stamp

2012 Year At A Glance Calendar from Love Vs. Design

2012 Chevron Calendars from Modern Emotive

Chevron 2012 Calendar from TomKat Studios

Motivate Me Calendar from The Tiny Fig

Doodle 2012 Calendar from Creative Mama

Mocktail & Cocktail Recipes For New Years Eve

2011-12-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to celebrating New Years this year with my little man (even if we don't stay up until midnight!). Whether your drinking or just looking for some fancy "drink" recipes to enjoy with your family, here's some yummy ones that have me inspired:

Cocktails

Gingersnap from The Wife Of A Dairyman

Candy Cane Cooler from The Wife Of A Dairyman

Pointsetta Cocktail from The Wife Of A Dairyman

Raspberry Lemonade Martini from Did Someone Say Party?

Cranberry Lime Bellini via Sips etc.

Blue Sparkling Star from Daydreamer Desserts

Honeycrisp Apple Spiced Rum via Running With Tweezers

Pomegranate Vanilla Sangria from How Sweet It Is

Grandmas Brandy Slush from Kojo Designs via Sips etc.

Mocktails

Cranberry Cutie from This Week For Dinner

Meet Me At The Mistletoe via Reluctant Entertainer

Cranberry Ginger Orange Punch from Rawmazing

Pomegranate Blueberry Mocktail from Annie Eats

White Grape Spritzer from Whipperberry

Peach Queen from Sunshine & Carousels

Frostbite Mocktail from The Little Kitchen

Pomegranate Cooler from eCurry

Happy 2012!!!

Free Party Printables, Games, Activities & Goal Trackers For New Years

2011-12-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

Decor

Gold & Silver Subway Art from Eighteen25

2012 Subway Art from Custom Printables

New Years Subway Art from Anything But Perfect

Party Printables

Printable New Years Party from Love The Day

New Years Printable Party from Tom Kat Designs

Circle Tags from Anna And Blue Paperie

New Years Dinner Party Printables from Pizzazerie

New Years Party Hats from Merriment Design

2012 Party Printables from Schoolgirl Style

Happy 2012 Banner from Supermom Moments

Gift Tags

New Years Wine Tags from How About Orange

New Years Drink Tags from The Idea Room

Games & Activities

New Years Photo Props from Infarrantly Creative

New Years Bingo from Hip Hip Hooray Blog

New Years Interview from All For The Boys

Ringing In The New Year Booklet from Life As Mom

New Years Resolutions from Thirty Handmade Days

2012 Workbook from Susannah Conway

New Years Eve Games, Activities & Family Traditions

2011-12-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Are you trying to start some New Year’s Eve Traditions or think of some family ideas for New Year’s Eve to make it extra special? Here's some great ideas to get you started:

Bubble Wrap Stomp: Unroll a large roll of bubble wrap and let the kids jump on it and pop it when the clock strikes midnight.
Time Capsule: Decorate a box to use every year. Fill it with special things for each of you. This can include pictures, stories and trinkets. Then the following year open it up!
Host a pajama party: Dress up in your pajamas, eat junk food and pop in a movie or watch the countdown on TV.
Play the Flashlight limbo: Clear a floor space, get out two flashlights and turn out the lights. The two people with flashlights shine them together and the others have to limbo under the light.
Blessings Jar: Whenever you recognize a ‘blessing’ in your life throughout the year, just write it on a piece of paper, fold it up, and stick it in The Blessing Jar. On New Years Eve, dump out all the blessings from the entire year and go through it together as a family.
Decorate a New Year’s Tree: Take off all of your Christmas decorations and let the kids decorate the tree with anything they can find around the house or at the dollar store. Why not craft a few decorations of your own?
Dress up: Have the kids wear their party dresses and finest suits. Get swanky with fancy hats and jewelry or make masks like a real grownup’s New Year’s Eve ball.
Decorate the house: Let the kids go crazy with streamers and balloons or build a tent in the living room to not sleep in.
Plan the games. Make a list of possible activities such as Twister, a treasure hunt, charades and 20 questions. Be quick to switch to a new game if interest starts to wane.
Have the kids write down their goals for the New Year. Yes, it’s a cheesy mom thing to do, but it’s also a nice tradition to start.
Eat dinner by candlelight: Put a special tablecloth on the dining table, bust out the finest silverware or have an indoor picnic. As long as it's special and out of the ordinary the kids will love it!
Make fancy drinks: Real champagne for you & bubbly juice or Gingerale for the kids.
Watch the Fireworks or light sparklers of your own
Letters or year interview of the kids: Ask your children questions about themselves that are age appropriate and expand the list every year. Or have them sing you their favorite song, play something they've learned on the piano or show you a new dance move.
Countdown Goodie Bags: Grab a few small gifts and fill brown paper bags with the goodies (1 for each hour of the countdown). Then draw clocks on the front so the kids know which ones to open.
Make some noise: Get out pots, pans and lids and have the kids bang them together at midnight.

What are your family traditions for New Years Eve? How will you be celebrating this year?

New Years Learning Activities

2011-12-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Art

Noise Maker Painting: Have children dip noise makers into the paint then blow into them so they splat on the paper.

Fireworks Pictures: Use black construction paper and white glue to make a firework design on it and sprinkle it with different colored glitter or confetti.

Literacy

New Years Wishes: Have children think of something to wish for or something that they want to learn in the coming year.

Calendar Stories: Take old calendars and cut off the pictures. Let your children choose a picture and dictate a story about it to you. Write the story on the bottom of a large piece of paper and tape the picture on the top of the paper.

Old & New: Talk with your children about how New Year’s is the time to say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one. Set out a pile of toys, some old, some new. Have your children sort the toys into two piles, old and new. Continue with other piles, such as old and new shoes, or books.

News Paper Day: Explore the newspaper together. Talk about age appropriate current events.

Math

Calendar Sorting & Patterning: Sort numerals cut from several calendar pages into matching piles. Colour in the squares on a calendar page to make patterns (one red, one blue, one red, etc).

Dramatic Play

New Years Play: Give children party hats, old fancy dresses, old men's suits, lots of jewelry, noise makers, and a clock set at 12:00. Introduce the materials to the children and talk about how many people celebrate the new year. Put the props in your dramatic play center and let the party begin!

Science

Sensory Bin: You will find many things to fill your bin with at your local dollar store! Grab some horns, party blowers, confetti, and beads!

Gross Motor Skills

New Years Freeze Dancing: Give each child a noise maker. Play some peppy music. While the music is playing, the children can blow their noise makers. When the music stops, the children freeze and yell "Happy New Year."

Bubble Wrap Pop: Tape sheets of bubble wrap to the floor. Count down from 10, and then the kids jump on the bubble wrap to make fireworks sounds. You can also throw confetti or crepe paper streamers. (Then have fun using masking tape to clean up the mess!)

Music

Ring The Bells: Sung to “Row Row Row Your Boat”. Give each child a set of bells) and then sing the following, “Ring ring ring the bells. Ring them loud and clear. Let's tell everyone around that the New Year is here!!”.

New Years Themed Snacks

Edible New Year Hats: Have the children spread the cream cheese on the outside of the sugar cone. Next, they can decorate their "hat" with the carrot shavings, raisins, and dried cranberries. Finally, EAT!!!! YUM!

Gluten Free Rudolph Pancakes

2011-12-18T17:36:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend I enjoyed my first night away from my lil' man (it's been 3 years!). The following night I had my 8 year old nephew over for a sleepover. K and I have been eating gluten free for over a year and a half now but my nephew can be a bit picky when it comes to food and assumes that everything we eat is disgusting!

K and I like to eat pancakes on the weekend and I certainly wasn't feeling like making 2 sets (1 gluten free batch and 1 'normal'). Up to the challenge of making something delicious, healthy and super fun, I whipped up a batch of my favorite gluten free pancakes and went all out Rudolph style.

They were a hit! And you know what? Both boys won't stop asking me to make more! I can forsee many more reindeer pancakes leading up to Christmas. If you'd like to whip a batch up here's the secret recipe:

Gluten Free Rudolph Pancakes

Dry Ingredients:

1 cup white rice flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sweet rice flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum

Wet Ingredients:

2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.

2. Lightly oil a flat griddle pan. Heat griddle over medium-high heat. Pour batter, approximately 1/4 cup, onto griddle. Batter should "sizzle" when it hits the pan.

3. Cook for approximately 3 minutes. Flip pancakes when bubbles appear all over the surface of the pancake and begin to pop. The pancake should begin to look almost dry. Flip and cook another 1-1 1/2 minutes.

4. Serve with bacon antlers, whipped cream, blueberry eyes, and raspberry noses.

Enjoy!

Montessori Christmas Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

2011-12-14T10:34:00.001-07:00

Looking for some great Montessori Christmas ideas for the kiddos? Here's a great round up of my favorites:

Gingerbread Number Activity from Children's Learning Activities

The Very Hungry Reindeer Game from Playing With Words 365

Gingerbread Man Dress Up Game from The Iowa Farmers Wife

Scents of Christmas Cards from A Little Learning For Two

Tree cutting activity from LaPaz Home Learning

Christmas lights pom pom matching from Tons of Fun

Christmas ABC's from Little Family Fun

Stacking Trees from Oopsey Daisy

Christmas I Spy Bottle from Play & Learn with Dana

Christmas Playdough from Counting Coconuts

Bell counting from Never Picture Perfect

Christmas Sensory Bin from Shining Our Lights

Sew A Christmas stocking from Preschool Playbook

Stocking Pinching Activity from My Homemade Montessori

Christmas Learning Activities For Toddlers

2011-12-12T22:12:00.001-07:00

Here's some of our favorite Christmas learning activities that we're working on this year. K and I aren't home much these days but luckily, all make great busy bag activities for when we're on the go!:

Jingle Bell Bracelets

Big & Small Bow Sorting

Felt Shape Christmas Tree

Eraser Counting Game

Loud & Quiet Bells

Pom Pom Spooning

Christmas Shapes Shadow Puzzle

Snowball Counting

Christmas Shapes Do A Dot Pictures

What Christmas themed learning activities will you be doing with your little ones this year?

Your Everything Guide To Christmas With Love From MDA

2011-11-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

Well it's snowing here in Southern Alberta and I can't help but feel a little bit of the Christmas fever coming on. This is, of course, in part because the neighbours are starting to put up their Christmas lights and all of the store shelves are already covered in all things Christmas. Mostly though, it is because K keeps reassuring me Santa is coming because there is snow outside!

It's still 6 weeks away but here's some Christmas inspiration from the MDA archives to pass the Christmas fever on! Enjoy!

Creative Ideas From Delicious Ambiguity

Gratitude Cards

Christmas Activity A Day Countdown Calendar

Free Printable Christmas Song & Fingerplay Book

Christmas Fudge (Chocolate Bar Wrapper)-Free Printable

Free Printable Christmas Party Games For Toddlers & Preschoolers Ebook

Getting Organized

Free Printables To Organize Christmas

Creative Ideas For Christmas Advent Calendars

20 Creative Christmas Traditions

Free Christmas Photo Cards Templates

Free Printable Mailing Labels & Envelope Wraps

Christmas Ring & Runs

Free Printables & Christmas Eve Tradition Ideas

Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags

Free Holiday Baking & Canning Labels

Party Planning

Christmas & Hannukah Party Ideas

Home & Decor

DIY Christmas Decor On A Budget

Free Printable Christmas Art Work & Decor

Handmade Gifts

Handmade Christmas Gifts For Kids

Gifts In A Jar

Edible Gifts & Free Printable Labels

Handmade Christmas Gifts For Guys

DIY Holiday Gift Baskets

Handmade Gifts For Women

More Handmade Gifts For Kids

Holiday Gifts Young Kids Can Make

For Toddlers & Preschoolers

The Idea Box: Christmas Link Up

Easy Christmas Crafts For Toddlers & Preschoolers

Healthy Holiday Snacks For Kids

Printable Tot School Lessons & Busy Bag Activities

Christmas Activity Printables For Kids

Can't wait to hear about what you're up to preparing for Christmas this year!

Etsy Shop Discount For MDA Followers

2011-11-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ordered your Gratitude Cards or Christmas Activity A Day Countdown Calendar yet?

Christmas Activity A Day Calendar

Gratitude Cards

There's still time and for the rest of the month I am offering all fans of MDA a 10% discount to everything in my shop! Just use coupon code MDA1111 at checkout.

Thanks for following MDA!!

A Little Late: Our Halloween Sensory Bin, Bento Box Lunch & Snack Inspiration

2011-11-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

Well hello there strangers! I've been meaning to write this post forever it seems but two bouts of the flu have left some minor setbacks in our house. Now that its a long weekend and we're both feeling better I want to share what we were up to last month! So sit back, grab a cuppa and bookmark this page for next years inspiration!

Halloween Sensory Box

This sensory tub is K's favorite so far. He loves it so much in fact that I've decided to keep it around for one more month! To make your own fill a large plastic tub with black beans and corn kernals. Add small foam pumpkins, plastic Halloween finger puppets, bats, spiders and glow in the dark skeletons. Then add a few cups for digging and you'll be set for hours of play with your tot/ preschooler. I found all my items at Walmart and the dollar stores and spent less than $10. Best money spent!

Halloween Bento Box Lunch

Having a child with food allergies can be tough during the holidays but a healthy Halloween lunch doesn't need to be a headache. K loved his and gobbled it up AND his teachers at daycare ranted and raved for over a week about how cool it was. To make your own draw a face on an orange with marker (Jack o lantern), ghost poop (marshmallows), mummy pizza (gluten free English muffin with gluten free salami, tomato sauce, mozzarella and black olives), carrots (spider legs), roasted pumpkin seeds and monster eyes (hard boiled egg with halved cherry tomatoes for eyes), yoghurt with Halloween sprinkles. YUM!!!!

Ghost Meringues

A sweet inexpensive and gluten free treat for Halloween! Get the recipe HERE.

We had a great time celebrating our first official Halloween. What were you up to?

Looking for some Halloween inspiration? Search the archives!

2011-10-11T21:26:00.000-06:00

You asked for it and finally here it is- a list of all my Halloween posts in 1 place!! Have fun searching the archives and please leave a comment if I've missed something that you'd love me to do a post on. I'm also looking for great bloggers like you to feature. So, if you've got a great autumn or Halloween themed post that you'd like me to share on MDA read all about how to submit it HERE.

Halloween Activity A Day Countdown Calendar

(New & Improved version now for sale in my Etsy shop!)

Free Printable Halloween Decor

Halloween Games For Toddlers & Preschoolers

DIY Halloween Games & Free Printables

Halloween crafts for kids

Halloween Party Inspiration

Family Halloween Traditions

Free Printable Treats & Party Favors

Halloween Party Favors- Part 1

Free Printable Halloween Song & Fingerplay Book

No Carve Halloween Pumpkins

DIY Fall/ Halloween Decor

The Switch Witch- What to do with Halloween candy

How To Start The Boo In Your Neighborhood

DIY Halloween Costumes For Kids

Free Halloween Party Printables

Thanks for joining me for a walk down memory lane today. Wishing you a Spooktacular Halloween!

Hot drink recipes for Autumn

2011-10-04T19:28:00.000-06:00

When the weather gets cool there's nothing better than warming up with a nice hot drink! Being a single mom I'm always on a budget so I can't hit up Starbucks whenever I want. I've come to find some yummy recipes that I can make at home and since I can't get enough of them I just have to share with you!

Gluten And Dairy Free Hot Chocolate from Gluten Free Cooking

Dairy Free Chai Tea Latte from Dairy Free Cooking

Pumpkin Spice Latte from The Kitchn

Stovetop Choco-Chai Latte from Dan's Good Side

Hot Almond & Cream Drink from Taste of Home

Hot Caramel Apple Cider from Mr. Food

I'd love to hear what hot drink recipes you've all got up your sleeves. Do share!

Looking for some Thanksgiving inspiration? Search the archives!

2011-10-03T21:48:00.000-06:00

Creating Traditions

Free Printables

Kids Thanksgiving Songbook

How to keep the kids entertained during Thanksgiving dinner

Thanksgiving Activity A Day Countdown

Gratitude Cards

Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers

Decor & Table Settings

Thanksgiving snack recipes

Autumn/ Thanksgiving Sensory Bin

2011-10-02T21:59:00.006-06:00

I don't know about you but I LOVE AUTUMN! After living in Australia for two years I had forgotten just how much I missed those fall colours. Living in Southern Alberta means that autumn is very short lived but I thought we'd drag it on as long as possible by putting a sensory bin together. I got all of my supplies from the dollar store and Walmart so it was very inexpensive, but none the less, a huge hit with my son!

Here's what you need to make your own:

-A large plastic container

-2 bags of popcorn kernals

-A few handfuls of fake leaves in autumn colors

-A bag of fake corn

-A bag of fake acrons

-A bag of small pumpkins

-A few pinecones

-A small basket

-A large spoon or measuring cup for digging

For more great Autumn sensory bin ideas check out the following awesome links:

No Time For Flashcards

Two Little Seeds

Counting Coconuts

Delightful Learning

Happy playing!

New In The Shop: Thanksgiving & Halloween Activity A Day Calendars

2011-10-02T21:40:00.001-06:00

Hi blogging friends,

I'm busy updating and creating some new great PDFs in my Etsy shop. With Thanksgiving and Halloween this month why not check out my Activity A Day Countdown Calendars? I've added more activity cards and prettied them up but you can read all about the original calendars below:

Thanksgiving Activity A Day Countdown Calendar

Halloween Activity A Day Countdown Calendar

Stay tuned for more shop updates coming soon!

Repost: Gratitude Cards

2011-09-05T21:50:00.000-06:00

Over the past month I've been doing a gratitude meditation and thinking about ways that I can pay it forward. With Fall finally here and Thanksgiving (Canadian) just around the corner, I thought it would be a great time to re-share with you the Gratitude Cards that I made last year.

I love the idea of finding one thing a day to be grateful for but I started thinking about ways in which I can SHOW my son gratitude. I thought it would be fun to make a set of gratitude cards with questions, crafts, activities and acts of service that we can do together to learn about gratitude and to help others in our community. In total I came up with forty-eight things that we can do as a family.

I typed them up, cut them out, laminated them and attached them with a ring and ribbon. Here is the final product:

The cards are very versatile and there are plenty of ideas that you can use with toddlers through to adults. You can use them as an activity a day countdown calendar for Thanksgiving or Christmas, in a gratitude jar or as I have by laminating and binding them together to use on their own. They are perfect for use in families and schools and suitable for toddlers to adults.

If you'd like your own copy, Gratitude Cards are now available as a pdf download in my Etsy Shop.

How do you teach your family about gratitude?

I'm linking to some of these great parties.

Camping Tot School Ideas

2011-08-30T22:14:00.001-06:00

Summer is coming to a close and with the long weekend drawing near I thought it would be fun to share some Tot School ideas and free printables with a camping theme:

Activities

Sorting animals from Growing Up Our Style

Roasting marshmallows around a pretend fire from Learning & Teaching With Preschoolers

Bathtub Fishing from Crafts N Things For Children

Go On A Bear Hunt With Little Illuminations

Pretend Campfire Props from A Mom With A Lesson Plan

Flashlight Fun from Productive Parenting

Camping Sensory Bin from Jada Roo Can Do

Can of Worms Measuring Activity from Little Illuminations

Alphabet Rocks from Childhood 101

Crafts

Nature Bracelets from Pass The Cereal

Cut & Paste Camping pictures from Growing Memories Tot School

Animal Tracks Painting With No Time For Flashcards

Painting with Spaghetti "Worms" from The Chocolate Muffin Tree

Pinecone Owls from Kinderart

Free Printables

Camping Preschool Pack from Homeschool Creations

Camping Unit from 2 Teaching Mommies

Animal Tracks Matching Cards from Montessori For Everyone

Camping Books & Worksheets from Enchanted Learning

Camping Printables from Making Learning Fun

Printable Camping letters from Kid Sparks

Snacks/ Recipes

Fishy Snack from Kiwi Crate Blog

Healthy Banana Boats from Almost Unschoolers

Make Trail Mix from Ziggity Zoom

Other Ideas

-Talk about fire safety

-Listen to a nature sounds tape

-Identify camping materials

-Sort and create patterns with campfire materials (leaves, rocks, nuts,

teddy bear counters, water bottles, backpacks, etc.)

-Take an ABC Hike or a Your Senses Scavenger Hunt with Discover Preschool Activities

I've definitely been away from blogging for too long because this post has taken HOURS to compile. I sure hope these ideas inspire you as much as they have inspired me!

Scavenger Hunts For Kids With Free Printables

2011-08-27T08:37:00.000-06:00

Hey strangers! My blogging break has gone on for way too long I think I'm having withdrawals! Haha. Today I'm sharing some great scavenger/ nature hunt ideas as well as some free printables to go along with them!

Printable Scavenger Hunt from Kristine McKay Design

Park Scavenger Hunt Printable from Penny Carnival

Outdoor Colour Match from Frugal Family Fun Blog

Island Scavenger Hunt from Counting Coconuts

Colour Scavenger Hunt from Share & Remember

Superhero Scavenger Hunt from I am Mama via On The Laundry Line

Spring Scavenger Hunt from I Am Mama Hear Me Roar

Quick & Easy Hunt by The Crafty Crow

Colour Scavenger Hunt from Crafts n' Things For Children

Scavenger Hunt Printable from Smashed Peas & Carrots

Creepy Crawlies Scavenger Hunt from Toddler Approved

Listening Walk from Learning Parade

Crafty Birds Scavenger Hunt from Curly Birds

Scientific Scavenger Hunt from Imagine Childhood

Enjoy!!!

Fun With Sidewalk Chalk

2011-08-09T15:45:00.001-06:00

Make A Zoo from Likely Classroom

Record Your Shadow from School Of Us

Number Game from Little Hands Big Work

Fizzing Sidewalk Chalk from Quirky Mama

Painting Sidewalk Chalk from The Masked Mama

Sidewalk Chalk Love Notes from Children's Learning Activities

Liquid Sidewalk Chalk from Stampin' And Craftin'

Window Chalk from Preschool Days

Fun Sidewalk Games from Little Hands Big Work

Follow The Arrows from Engaging Toddler Activities

Zig Zag Game from The Learning Basket

Shapes Game from Teach Your Tot

Geography Game from Savy Mom

Beanbag Game from Frugal Family Fun Blog

For more great activities check out 20 Activities with Sidewalk Chalk from The Home Teacher,Sidewalk Chalk Games from Shine and Learning Activities With Sidewalk Chalk from Bright Hub or Parenting-A Much Better Way .