Category: Memory Making

Family Activities

First-Time Scout Mom Tips

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Hey Loves!

We are heading into our second year of scouting! Yes, we, not just my kids, my entire family. Heading into our second year, not only am I excited, I feel way more competent and confident going into year 2. Here is what I wish I knew a year ago.

If you are new to this, it is going to be overwhelming. There are so many terms and signs and historical knowledge that just immediately hit you in the face, proverbially of course. You will not know everything. You will search lots of terms and resources.

Budget Well-  I had no idea how much supplies and uniforms cost! Books, national dues, troop dues, etc. The financial commitment is real!

Find the Right Troop-  This is the key. Truthfully we started with a horrendous troop. Like, if I see the leader today, she might still catch hands for what my kids went through. Thankfully, my research skills remain top-tier and I was able to find a historically Black troop in our area. Not only did the tropp have a solid past, they had so many members invested in the future of the tropp’s longevity. The pass down supplies and uniforms, supplies and knowledge! 

Get Involved- The right troop will thrive with parental involvement so you won’t be the only one present or involved. The right troop will use your strengths, train you on new skills, and communicate effectively.

Stay Involved- This part should be easy if you find the right troop. You will want to be around. You will enjoy your time watching your littles thrive and connecting with other families.

Gift Guide

An Apple for The Teacher

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Hey Loves!

If you are new here, you should know I Stan a teacher, coach, leader, instructor, etc. I am team, “If you love and nurture my babies”, you get a token of appreciation.

You should also know that a themed gift and custom gift tag make my heart sing. They truly delight me.

So, all of my OG friends would not be shocked to know I did exactly that for all of the teachers/leaders, etc in our lives. Here’s how!

For context, I watch lots of manicure and pedicure videos for design inspiration and it occurred to me that people really don’t care for their appendages as they should. Not on my watch! Armed creativity and a mission, I grabbed some cute 5-piece pedicure sets. I also grabbed some apple cases from Target in the Bullseye Playground. I couldn’t resist grabbing notepads, pens and binder clips. Did I mention I also love practical gifts? 

Then, I went to work. Using my cricut, I was able to easily personalize them. I also used the cricut to cut some adorable cards. 

I grabbed some yarn and ribbon to attach the gift tag and add some flare.

Family Activities

Summer Baskets are Back!

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Hey Loves!

Every year, to welcome Summer and to say, “peace out” to our current school year, I gather up some goodies to get the summer party started! In the beginning, when James was about 2, I would lay these items on the table decoratively. For the past few years, I’ve fallen in love with the multi-use and containment of baskets and I don’t see myself stopping!

For their actual basket, I found some jelly baskets in the Target dollar spot and scooped them up as they would not only be super cute but would be useful for actual beach play. While in said dollar spot, I grabbed two personal bubble fans and sand toys. 

I scooped the cute pop-it sunnies from TJ Maxx and the ice cream body sponges from Dollar Tree. 

For summer morning starters and learning, I grabbed each kid a comprehensive learning workbook and journal. I couldn’t resist an affirming book to add to our library

I couldn’t not add items for Juneteenth! Each got a set of “Black Boy Joy” pajamas, a book and crafts.

I topped it off with some snacks, fun memory keeper and pennant. 

For a personal touch, I made these sea star name labels with items from Dollar Tree and my silhouette. 

What do you think? I linked everything I could here. 

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

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!

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.
Family Activities

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

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Day 5 is here my Loves!

We are nearly at the half-way point and I figured this would be the best time to share some investment gifts. These run from the low to high $$$ and are an investment financially but also in space and care. 

So, don’t just jump into these all willy-nilly. Think carefully and consider all the pros and cons.

1. Nugget Comfort-Full disclosure, we have two and my whole family, even grandparents, have used and love them.  We use them everyday and they truly add to our lives.

2. Sensory Table- Note, not all of these are created equally. My friends who have the one from Ikea raved about it.

3. Play House- Oh what joy and fun from imaginative play in a playhouse! Not to mention, you can dress these up for each season and holiday!

4. Pretend Kitchen- Similar to above but inside-all the imaginative play and seasonsale decor! I’ve had both wood and plastic and prefer wood.

5. Light table- We don’t have the space for this but it is a cool learning tool!

6. Bunk Beds- Hands down, best gift my kids ever got. My kids now sleep in the same bunk so we want to make the top bunk themed for adventure and play.

Bonus: A market stand or cart is the cutest addition to any dramatic play set up and cultivates so much learning!

Gift Guide

12 Days of Gifting-Ideas for Everyone In Your Life: Gift Ideas for The Reader

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Hey Loves!

Day 1 was about gifts for the teacher and now to day 2!

I’ve teamed up with my love, Lakeisha from Maya’s Book Nook to share some great gift ideas (for christmas and all year long).

  1. Gift Certificate to Local Bookstore (non-chain), even better if it is Black-owned.: Buying and shopping locally is a great way to support local infrastructures and communities. It is also a great way to experience a place you haven’t been before! Not to mention, the lives you are changing by supporting people and families.
  2. Seasonal Book: Go ahead and add to the seasonal shelfie and add more proverbial doors to the season.
  3. Epic Book Subscription: I only found out this existed several weeks ago but my kids already love it! They have ebooks, read-alouds, audiobooks and read to me options for every interest and phase. You can get an annual family subscription or look into the free educator program.
  4. Kindle Unlimited: This one is on my kids’ list. I can’t keep up with the reading and book demands with my two, so we decided to try this for a year!
  5. Kindle E-reader: If e-books are your thing, these lightweight and light-controlled devices make reading easy and accessible. There are lots of different versions.

6. Addition to Favorite Book Series: In the past year, my family has really gotten into book series so adding the best book or two in that series is a great gift idea!


Subscription Box Ideas

Subscription boxes are perfect for every person on your gift list! There’s something exciting about getting a package in the mail and being surprised at the contents inside. 

  1. Just Like Me! Book Box – Just Like Me! was our first subscription box and it’s been so fun to see the books evolve as my little one gets older! Each box is customized with 2-3 age appropriate books that feature characters of color.
  2. Because of Them We Can Box – If you’re looking for a gift that celebrates Black History 365, this is the subscription for you. Each curated box features a person or iconic moment in Black history and is filled with apparel, worksheets, and other fun swag.
  3. Izzy and Liv Brown Sugar Box for Kids – With boxes for both girls and boys of various ages, Izzy and Liv provide a mixture of melanated swag on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis. Apparel, stationary, books, and beauty products are just a sample of the items in each box.
  4. Jambo Books – Jambo Books is another great option to build a home library, filled with multicultural children’s books. 2-3 age-appropriate books are sent monthly. 
  5. Bitsbox – Do you have a STEM lover on your hands? If so, Bitsbox is a great gift for kids ages 6-12 to engage in fun coding projects.

Little Global Citizens – This one is on our list because not only is it a book box, it also pairs the book with resources, crafts, and other fun activities about the represented country.