No Hassle Snow Play

I'll admit it, I don't like going outside in the snow.  I do like a good snowstorm, and I'll go outside to shovel our way out or take some pictures of the kids having fun, but I'd much rather enjoy wintry weather from the comfort of my warm living room.  When the kids were toddlers and young preschoolers, I often felt bad that I didn't want to go through the hassle of getting them all bundled up to go out in the freezing cold just so they could play around in a snow pile.  They say that necessity is the mother of invention, well this mother came up with what I think is a rather ingenious way for the kids to enjoy the fun of the snow while I enjoy the warmth of the indoors.

This lazy smart mom's solution for snow play?  Use the bathtub!!!

Simply use a bucket or large bowl to scoop up several piles of snow and dump it in one half of the bathtub.  Lay a folded towel on the other half of the tub for your little one to sit on and let them play with the snow to their heart's content.  They can stay in their regular clothes and even make snowballs to throw at the shower walls.  If they're having fun, go grab a couple more buckets worth of snow.  When they tire of it, just let them get out of the tub and the snow melts right down the drain.  Brilliant, don't you think?

Now, obviously, this solution won't be as appealing for older children (although it's still a great option if they're feeling a little under the weather or it's just too cold & windy for them to be outdoors for long).

Portable Kisses

It's back-to-school time! Time for nervous excitement, smiles and maybe even a few tears (for both kids and moms! ;) ) As we celebrate this time of new beginnings, I thought I'd share a book and little something special I did a few years ago for my youngest when she was having a really tough time leaving me each morning for preschool.

First, we came together to read the book The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. It's an adorable story about a mother raccoon easing her child's anxiety by kissing his hand.





Next, I grabbed a scrap of fleece fabric that I had left over from another project. ( any fabric or even paper would work ). I traced my hand on the fabric, cut it out and painted a little heart on the palm of my handprint. I explained that this was her very own, special and secret "kissing hand".

Before she went to preschool each morning, I took my fabric hand and kissed it a bunch of times to "fill it up" with my kisses for her. Then, before she went into her classroom, I tucked it into her pocket. I told her that any time she felt sad or missed me, she could take out the hand and hold it up to her cheek for a kiss from me. It worked like a charm. Each day was a little easier and soon the tears were a thing of the past and she would go into her room with a smile and a wave.

Donut Peaches!

Have you seen these? Mother Nature sure came up with a fun way to make fruit even more appealing to kids! Someone just told me about them this past weekend and then I happened to see them at the produce market this week.


They look like peaches that have been smushed flat. By using your thumb or a knife, you can push out the pit from the center, leaving a donut-shaped peach! The kids love the novelty of it and they like not having to eat around the pit.