Month: November 2021

Family Activities

“Blah Blah Blah” Phonics Game Review

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Disclaimer: “Blah Blah Blah” is complimentary receivedproduct.

Hi Loves!

I have another review for you today. We are a homeschooling family which means our home, values and belief dictate how we educate our kids. Not the other way around. With that, nothing comes into our home unless it offers goodness, beauty, truth and/or wonder.

This game hits all the marks. From its funny name, to multi-level and multi-person player options, to the connection and to the fun with learning. My kids ask to play this all the time.

I do have a con- the cards sometimes stick together. That’s it. To be fair, this also happens with card games that are not more than 10 years old. You can purchase this game and find more of their products here.

WAIT- There’s more you are going to want to stick around for!

Per their website, “Blah Blah Blah is a card game to integrate bite-sized learning into kids’ lives. They’ll learn: How to recognize the letters and sounds in sight words; The clear pronunciations of core sight words; How to decode words to phonics.”

On top of that, this game can be played with all reading levels! My entire family has played this several times and it is always enjoyed. My children don’t even realize this is “learning” because we all have so much fun.

Feel free to explore the product and/or purchase here.

As we are in the holiday season, this would make a great gift for littles as it can be enjoyed by many for years to come.

Enjoy!

Family Activities

5 Easy & Inexpensive Advent Gift Ideas

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Hey loves!

I’m still reveling in all the advent prep and I am tickled about all the upcoming fun. If you’ve never done before or you have to shake things up thanks to 2020, I’m sharing some easy and inexpensive gifts for advent!Just a note, I tend to theme gifts aound what we are doing that day. FOr example, if we are decorating gingerbread cookies I would gift new cookie cutters and a gingerbread book. You are free to do as you please of course, I just wabted to offer the theme suggestion for ease of planning.

  1. Experiences: That’s right! Tickets to a drive-in show, socially distant play date or family fun day. Honestly, anything to break up the monotony and have some “surprise” fun together is always just what the doctor ordered. 
  2. Pajamas: I mean, does this even need an explanation??? For starters, everyone loves pajamas. Kids in a pajamas are adorbs and pajamas go with any movie, any popcorn, any dessert and any breakfast. They are a multi-functional staple that’s sure to have comfort and smiles abounding. 
  3. Ornament craft supplies: I see you over there cringing at the thought of glitter and to that I say, solidarity. Join me and break out the paint and embellishments to have crafted ornaments by tiny hands, sans glitter. Seriously though, we do an ornament craft every year and I love the memories even though my heart breaks seeing how fast they grow. 
  4. Holiday gear: Light up necklaces, Santa hats, elf shoes and reindeer headbands… all for $1 each and all used well during the holidays. Don’t ask me why these things also come with instant joy and wonder but for the price and ease, I’m just going to take it and run. 
  5. Books: Listen, a book can take you anywhere and teach you anything. Books create experiences and provide exposure. Books teach empathy. Can you tell I maybe love books? As we are in a pandemic, our entertainment budget is composed of, you guessed it, books! Stay tuned for ideas from Lakeisha and I from Maya’s book nook. You can also hop over to my IG and see the ones I purchased for my guys. 

Wait- I didn’t say snacks because, well, they are a must for sanity in my house but a “special snack” can go a long way.

Ok, that’s all for now. I’m stoked for the next few things I’ll be sharing with you. 

Love you. Mean it. 

Family Activities

Advent Celebration Activity Pack

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Let’s get ready for Advent Fun! This low-prep, ability-friendly and ethnically diverse pack walks families through the birth of Jesus with daily Bible verses and offers customizable activities for the entire family all through the Advent season. 

Purchase Advent Celebration Pack

What’s Included?

In 2 color schemes, blue and grey and red and green, each Advent Activity Pack contains the following in a digital download:

-30 Advent Activity Cards

-Blank Advent Activity Cards 

-24 Advent Bible Verse Cards that detail the birth of Jesus

-Pre-Filled Advent Planner

-Blank Advent Planner

Purchase Now!

Note: This download is for personal use. It cannot be sold, published, or hosted on other websites. If you want to share this product, please feel free to share this link shop with others. Thanks!

Graphics for this project were purchased from flaticon.com

about me

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Mom Stocking Stuffers

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My dearest Loves,

We made it! Can you hear the bells ringing? Day 12 is here and I love that I am ending this series with my people-my biggest supporters, best friends and target audience, MAMAS. Whether you fill your own stocking or wake up to it filled, here are some ideas you can buy or ask Santa for.

  1. Spa Treatment- CAN NOT GO WRONG! anything from a manicure to a massage without kids will suffice.
  2. Quality Pens/Stationery- I feel like this is a staple.
  3. Devotional- Again, a staple for me but you will have to do some research here Not all are created equal. This one is everything.
  4. New book or Audiobook- Because moms deserve it. Also, I am famous for pre-ordering or spending $20 on a book for my kids but will go without or wait 7-14 weeks for the library loan to be available for a book I want.
  5. Personalized necklace- Her name, monogram, initial, kids’ names, mama- they all work!
  6. Kindle unlimited gift card- One month, three months, 40 months-again, mama deserves it.
Gift Guide

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Kids Stocking Stuffers

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Oh my Loves!

I can’t thank you enough for hanging with me these last 11 days. I sure hope these helped you, if only a tiny bit. Today and tomorrow are all about stocking stuffers. Let’s see what kids of all ages can get!

  1. Body Wash- Everything from EveryKid brand to Marc Jacobs or Ralph Lauren works here. No matter the age, all children must get clean.
  2. Gift Certificate- Pump your breaks, I’m talking $5-$10 max for coffee, quick bites or dessert.
  3. Activity Book- Again, these work for all ages. Sticker, Magic Painting, Minecraft, Color by Number, Sudoku, Trivia… go for it! 
  4. Toothbrushes- Are you noticing a theme??? My kids get “fancy” spin brushes on holidays. You can take it up a notch by getting a toothbrush (or razor) subscription.
  5. Yummy Treats- Who doesn’t like treats??? Just make sure they follow the diet of the recipient!
  6. Accessories- These are my favorite. Babies can get amber teething necklaces, young kids, older kids and adults can get watches, watch bands, earrings, necklaces, hair accessories, ties or socks!
Gift Guide

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Artsy and Creative

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We are rounding the corner and in the home stretch, my dears! Today is all about the creatives in your life. While not listed, for older creatives a canva pro membership or gift card, or an adobe creative cloud membership gift card are great gifts for those who are going to use it.

  1. Design Guide Book- Know a budding fashion designer or landscape artist? Help hone those skills with a design guide book where they can practice and learn!
  2. Wonder Crate- Why not learn about a change maker while crafting? You can read my review of this subscription here! I think it is well worth it, even just 1 or 2 of these!
  3. Insa Pix Camera- Call it FOMO, but I want one of these. They are a great way to not only capture and share moments instantly but the printed photos can be gifts. Not to mention, the budding photographer can work on their skills!
  4. Tracing Tablet- James got this last year and talk about great! We both love this. Best part, you can put any image on the screen and you don’t need expensive art supplies!
  5. Quality Art Supplies- Speaking of art supplies, I couldn’t tell you the difference between colored pencil grades if you paid me but some can and it matters to them. Your investing in them with quality art supplies matters to them. They are easy to obtain and not too expensive
  6. Easel– Old to young, finger paint to watercolor on canvas, you can’t go wrong with an easel.

Another one not pictured (because it is pretty niche) are classes to learn a new skill like hand-lettering, or enhance a skill like painting and/or photography.

Happy gifting!

Family Activities

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Experiences

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Hey Loves!

Day 9 and I am feeling fine! How about you? Life is what you make it so why not give the gift an experience or 2? These are some of my favorite requests and received gifts. No lie, my mom is the reason my kids are learning to ski for their birthdays. In case that’s a bit much for you, here are some other ideas.

*Note*- magazine subscriptions, theme/subject based subscription kits, and and online classes totally count as an experience!

  1. Play Place Gift Cards- Yes, I know we are still in a pandemic. Most places are practicing Covid-safe guidelines and, well, even pre-Covid, these places were not cheap. So, a gift card for a few hours of play is a great experience whether it is a place you love or a place you’ve been wanting to try!
  2. Museum Membership- Listen, we adore ours. It is by far the most cost effective way to visit and see/do everything, especially in multiple locations. You just can not beat it if you tried. 
  3. Learn a New Skill- Coding, chess, ballet, gymnastics, swim, acting, hockey You name it- you can either pay in advance and print a certificate or get a gift certificate and call it a day!
  4. Spa Treatments- Everyone, regardless of gender or age will enjoy some sort of spa treatment from a manicure to a massage. Spa treatments do not discriminate.
  5. Traveling- This may sound weird but go with me. Family members going to Disney? Get Disney gift cards for those souvenirs. You can also chip in or pay for certain excursions during travel!

Zoo Trip or Membership- Because those fun family friendly places that encourage learning and what not aren’t cheap. You could also gift an animal feeding experience to families with an admission membership.

crafting

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Keepsakes

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Hey Loves!

Day 8 is GREAT! I love a keepsake gift and these are what we give to our parents for Christmas every year. Each one of them have been loved and appreciated by grandparents and each house guest of theirs admires them as well.

  1. Silhouette Portrait- I mean, is there anything more classic?!?!? I need to update my kids’ silhouette portraits. You can purchase these or do them yourself and pair them with a nice frame.
  2. Photo Ornament- These may be a dime a dozen but they are so cute and it is the gift that keeps on giving! Every Christmas after, you get to remember that little angel’s face!
  3. Digital Photo Frame- This has actually been on my list for a while but I never pull the trigger. I always marvel at them when I see one though! You can sync to your phone just upload them from a USB. I do love how you can update them though
  4. Recordable Story Book- Wanna read a loved one a story but they are far away? What about wanting to hear a story from someone faraway? Well, you can! Recordable stories can be found online or in some stores but the treasure of this gift stays in your heart.
  5. Gift Certificate for Family Photos- I’m not sure who won’t love this gift honestly! It is a winner all around!
  6. Personalized Mug- Ok, so it may seem basic but go with me on this one-parents, grandparents, aunties and dog parents alike are all about a loved one’s picture on something they drink out of. It is a proven fact.