Category: Memory Making

crafting

2021 Boo Baskets

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Hey loves!

Spooky Season is upon us and I am kicking it off with baskets again this year my little boos!

Can I be honest for a second? I’ve been exhausted… I’m talking about the kind of fatigue that is mental, physical and emotional. It is ever abundant and yes, while I am doing all I can to take care of myself, these boo baskets are a little skimp. However, that made me be really intentional about what is included and the intention I want to set for the upcoming fall season.

You all know how I feel about traditions, holidays, and memories. They are on the top of my list as far as parenting goes for me in my house. Yes, making memories with my family, regardless of what is or what is not in their boo basket, is what will happen. 

Now, to the deets of this year is boo baskets. I’m gonna go ahead right now and give credit to the Dollar Tree, Target Dollar Spot and Gymboree because those three retailers are literally where everything in my kids’ boo basket came from.

From Gymboree, the kids got two pairs of pajamas. Last year they asked me for skeleton jammies so I grabbed a pair of those as well as some super cute mummy ones. As usual, for holiday jammies I size up to make sure they fit and can hopefully wear them the following year.

From Dollar Tree, they got a spooky face sticker book, a wooden craft and cute jack-o’-lantern socks.

Rounding it out with the following items from Target Dollar Spot: window clings, a cute thing holiday book, glow bracelets, themed puzzle, and a little stuffed monster. I couldn’t leave these huge bubble wands there so I grabbed one for each basket.

The finishing touches are these adorable name tags from my favorite small shop, Grace and Grain Studio. 

That’s it!

Keep it spooky, ghouls.

crafting

Back-to-School Baskets

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Hey Loves!

To know me is to know I love a board and a basket. Honestly, I adore them and I love how easy it is to make common necessities and/or some cute festive additions so much more grande and special. That’s my goal, the memories. I want, I guess I need my kids to feel so incredibly treasured it is foreign to them to not love themselves or others well.

Anywho, here’s the rundown for all the things in their ‘Back To School” baskets. I think I will present them the week before with a special doughnut breakfast. Thoughts?

You should know these freaking adorable labels are hand painted and personalized from Grace and Grain Studio. Seriously, the BEST customer service ever.

Both boys are getting the following:

Navy Backpack– I spent like 7 hours trying to find the best backpack for their needs as they will spend Tuesdays learning at a local homeschool program. These fit the bill and the budget. My prayer is they will last 2 years too. I also snagged lunch totes on clearance and personalized them myself. (Mine sold out so linking similar, check their clearance though!)

Speaking of personalization, I personalized two shirts for them; a polo with our homeschool name (state requirements as I have to register this year) and grade level t-shirts. I was on a roll so I personalized a crayon holder as well.

Not personalized but awesome, they got a primary composition book that leaves room for illustrations as we want him to practice writing short stories this year. I’m planning to have them dictate lots to me!

Acrylic Numbers: This was not a need. I couldn’t resist and can see us using these manipulatives for so many things.

Alphabet Jammies (linked similar but these and these are sooooooooo cute!!!)

Crayola Markers and Crayons (Not linked because they are legit everywhere from Dollar Tree to Dillards.)

The Drawing Book for Kids ( a gift from my aunt)

Crayola Band-aids (BullsEye Playground unconscious purchase. No idea how it happened.)

Here is where they differ…

Books: Jude got a signed copy of The King of Kindergarten and James got The Day You Begin (a gift from Grandma). They also got a “what’s different” activity book for the car or trips that are based on their level. (No link because I have no idea where I got them, I’ve hoarded them for a few years.)

Handwriting Practice: Each got a nifty board to practice handwriting. Jude got a manuscript lowercase letter chalk tracing board and James got a personalized cursive letter alphabet tracing board that is dry erase.

See? Everything is usable, sustainable and will last quite a bit as well as affordable.

Family Activities

Back-to-School Traditions

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Hey Loves!

As quick as summer came, it seems it is coming to an end as we all prepare to get back into school rhythms. 

I wanted to share with you some easy and fun back to school traditions but I really want to hear your traditions when heading back to school!

Let’s get into it!

Spa Day: Let’s face it, in the summer we get a little laxed, so to make grooming fun, we do a spa day at home. I give my kids a pedicure, manicure, facial and do their hair. I think it is really good for all kids to learn the importance of self care as early as possible. This is also a fun way to prepare for and discuss upcoming schedule changes, fears, apprehensions and work through them. 

Pictures: I know the whole world does “first day” photos but as a homeschool mom, this was the one thing I knew I could do and do well. I’ve kicked it up a notch with grade shirts and coordinating outfits. Again, I’m extra. 

First Day Handprints- I know this one will end before I’m ready but it warms my heart to go through the past handprints and see how they’ve grown. It also breaks my heart 

Preparing learning bins: I let my kids see all their new (to them) curriculum. I layout so they experience it through all their senses. Then I have my kids clean out their learning bins, get out all the crayon and pencil scuffs with Lemon EO and load them back up. After 4 years, my kids need new bins so I’ll bring you along for the personalization and organization. 

Back to school baskets: You can read all about them here but I love how excited my kids get seeing their new supplies and grade shirts. It really helps set an exciting tone for the kids. 

School Supplies Shopping: This is a new one that James and I endeavored upon this year. As my kids are doing one full day a week at a local homeschool program, they will need additional supplies. Call me a nerd but I used to love going back to school shopping for supplies and James enjoyed it as well. We used this cute printable to keep track of our needs. Check out my Instagram to see him shopping and marking things off his list.

Until Next time

Holiday Activities

Our (Projected) Homeschool Rhythm

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Hey Loves!

This summer is way easier than last summer and for that, I am thankful. It is also easier to plan for homeschool and, again, I’m thankful. 

I wanted to share our homeschool Rhythm with you. Please know this will ebb and flow and is a work in progress. It’s also very far from perfect. If you want to know about our rhythms, check this out. There’s a whole blog and video detailing why do a rhythm and not a schedule.

On Tuesdays and Thurdays, we will do a little car school. Mostly science and bible using podcasts , audiobooks and call and response. On Thursdays, I would also love to do some park school, lunch outside and some good fun This is due to our enrichment activities now that we can finally safely participate in them. 

Every day we will use a loop schedule for our subjects and curriculum. You can grab a blank printable here. It really helps us all to see all we need to achieve and how. 

Every morning, (except tuesdays) James will do his morning starters and Jude will do morning baskets. 

We will journal in the evenings, switching from the mornings. I think this will allow us to get more school work done quicker and enjoy our day. 

Mondays and Wednesdays will be heavy school days, meaning, we will get through all of one loop, some review and make sure our foundation is solid. 

Monday and Wednesday James will do his science and history with me solo while Jude naps. 

Again, this is all proposed. Nothing is set in stone and will likely have to change or be adjusted. That is ok!!! 

We are continuing with a loop schedule because that is what works for us. 

Again, you can grab that template here. 

Let me know how it works for you!

Allyship

Juneteenth Baskets (and Celebration Ideas!)

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Hey Loves!

One of my absolute favorite things about the culture of our house is that Black History and the celebration of Black people isn’t a day or a month. It’s literally every day.

So, I wanted to be sure to “kick it up a notch” for Juneteenth for a few reasons.

To know me is to know I love celebrating-the big, small and everything on between. I’m also big on traditions. It’s very VERY important that my kids see celebrations of Juneteenth just like they celebrations of Valentine’s Day or Halloween.

One of my favorite quotes is, “traditions make you remember” and I need them to remember the culture of home. Juneteenth helps by being tradition.

As my kids are getting older, they can absorb and comprehend so SO much I am so glad to educate, commemorate and celebrate all month long with these baskets.

Each basket contains:

DIY Pajamas: I ordered solid pajama short sets from Amazon and added patterned vinyl from my local vinyl shop.

DIY shirts: Using shirts from target, I added some vinyl to remind them that their joy is their birthright.

Craft kits- grabbing supplies from home and a craft store with some beads from our favorite jewelry designer, I put together a couple crafts. You can see the deets here.

Books- James got this one and Jude got this.

I also added a blank book for them to create a recipe book and awesome activity kits from Afrocentric Montessori.

I also created a word search for James. You can snag yours below.

Pennants- I designed these and you can grab yours below. Be sure to print in landscape!

JUNETEENTH WORD SEARCH FREE DOWNLOAD!
JUNETEENTH PENNANT FREE DOWNLOAD
Family Activities

DIY Summer Kick Off Baskets

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DIY Summer Kick Off Baskets:

Hey Loves!

Summer is here! Ok, maybe not officially but definitely in my head. This Florida girl is so ready for long lazy days with fruit cocktails and beers. To kick things off, I made these cute summer baskets for my kids!

They look way more involved than they actually are! Let’s check them out. I linked Everything I could below.

Both boys baskets (galvanized baskets that I monogrammed literally in 2016) contain the following:

Swim Trunks. I got these from consignment but they are Cat & Jack brand. I linked a similar pair.

Matching Jammies (we all got a pair. I couldn’t resist!)

Face Masks (you may remember the other mask in this set from their Easter Baskets)

Stainless Tumbler (ours came from the Target BullsEye Spot but I linked similar)

Bubble Wand (again, another BullsEye find gut linked similar)

Summer Coupons

I also included 2 books in each basket. A fun book and a historical picture book. In James’ basket, I added Mad Libs and “Have You Thanked an Inventor Today” as both are right up his alley. In Jude’s, I added a felt game book (last year BullsEye Playground) and Mae Among The Stars.

I finished them off with some hand painted wood labels. Done! Do you make summer baskets for your kiddos? Stay tuned for Back To School Baskets and First Day Teacher Gift ideas!