st. patrick's day tic-tac-toe
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Printable St. Patrick’s Day Tic-Tac-Toe (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

How is it already the middle of March? I love this time of year! But I feel that way about every new season. I love the anticipation of what’s to come. The warmer weather, the spring flowers, the green grass, and blossoms on the trees. Such a beautiful, refreshing time of year! And, of course, I love the holidays associated with each season as well.
Along with leprechaun traps, we always love a good St. Patrick’s Day game. Last year I shared our Roll-A-Leprechaun game (still a family favorite) here at Or So She Says, and this year I have a printable St. Patrick’s Day tic-tac-toe game for you. I have a valentine tic-tac-toe game that we use at our house, and my four-year-old loves it! So, I thought I’d make a St. Paddy’s Day version in honor of this Irish-inspired holiday.

goldilocks valentine
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Goldilocks Valentine… A Fun Valentine Story For Kids (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

Your first year of teaching is a lot like having kids. You think you know what it’s like, but really you have no idea until you’re knee-deep in it every day. I was lucky enough to have Mrs. Lewis (my cooperating teacher) take my hand and guide me through every step of teaching my first year. She was so current, organized, loving, and amazingly creative! The Goldilocks Valentines and story I have to share today came from her. I’ve searched the internet for this story, and can’t find it anywhere. I don’t know if she made it up, (I’ve misplaced my original copy) or found it somewhere. Either way, this is one of my all-time favorite things to do for Valentine’s Day! My boys love to hear it year after year, and it would be the perfect activity for any valentine parties you have next week, or just to do at home with your kids.

what's in the car for your kids?

Favorite Ways to Entertain Kids in the Car (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

Just let me begin by saying I am in no way, shape, or form above using technology as entertainment in the car. My parents live three hours away, and we pull out every electronic device we own for that trip. I’m talking about what I use for engaging my boys in the car on a daily basis when we’re running here and there around town with errands, school, and activities.

One day while doing our running around in the car, after breaking up one argument after another between my boys, I decided I needed something engaging/distracting (call it what you like) to keep these boys of mine from drawing blood in the car. So, here are few things we’ve come up with to keep our time together in the car a bit more pleasant, and actually enjoyable.

First Thanksgiving Dinner ~ Fun Family Tradition W/ Printable Invitation (she: Brooke)
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First Thanksgiving Dinner ~ Fun Family Tradition W/ Printable Invitation (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?  Do you have many?  We have several at our house.  This tradition came from my first grade teaching days.  My cooperating teacher shared this idea with me.  Each year at Thanksgiving our first grade class would reenact the first Thanksgiving dinner.  We would weave place mats, make Pilgrim…

How To Make BINGO Cards With PicMonkey (she: Brooke)
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How To Make BINGO Cards With PicMonkey (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

I’ve mentioned before that my twins and three-year-old have birthdays one day apart. And those two days are this week. I’ve been working on getting some things together for our family’s annual three-in-one birthday party. It’s really nice to get all three birthdays done at once, but a bit crazy.

I’ve been working on some games for our party. I love a good game of Bingo. Don’t you? And I love PicMonkey even more than Bingo. Let me tell you, these two were made for each other. PicMonkey has made it so, so easy to make your own Bingo cards. I had so much fun putting the cards together, and it couldn’t have been easier.

So, without further ado, here’s the world’s longest Bingo tutorial post. Long, not in a bad way, but long because I included screen shots of every step so you can do this on your own. Just look for the orange arrows. Not only will you be able to make a Halloween Bingo game, but PicMonkey has been coming out with brand new material for each season lately. You can make Bingo boards for every holiday and occasion possible!

handprint apple tree
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Handprint Apple Tree ~ Fun Fall Art Project For Kids (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

Hey, it’s Brook from Blissful Roots again. I’m going to have to jump on the fall bandwagon and say, “I LOVE FALL!” It’s my favorite time of the year. My mom always loved fall, all three of my boys’ birthdays are in the fall, there’s Halloween, pumpkins, apples, leaves, fall baking- what’s not to love? So, today in honor of fall I have a fun autumn art project for you to do with your kids.

I’m not quite sure where I came across this idea, but I’ve been doing it for several years with my boys. Even though they’re getting a bit older, I think they still get a little excited about making this art project every September. Actually what they really love is the squishy, gooey feeling of the paint on their arm, hands, and fingers. We’re usually trying to avoid paint on body parts, but not for this activity. This is a perfect fall art project for kids!

Back to School Countdown (she: Brooke)
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Back to School Countdown (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

Well, ready or not, school is just around the corner (a week from Tuesday for my boys- way too soon!). We just got back from a quick camping trip over the weekend. Apparently we aren’t the only ones who frantically rush out and try to fit in all the last-minute summer activities we can. It took us searching through four campgrounds to finally find a spot. It wasn’t our first choice, but ended up being the perfect little spot for our family!

I’m not sure if you’ve been counting down the days until school starts since the second week of June, or if you’re ignoring all the school supplies that are lining the shelves right now, and hoping the first day of school won’t happen. I have to say I’m a tad bit excited. I’ve LOVED every minute of our summer vacation, but there’s something rejuvenating about this time of year for me.

‘A Person’s A Person…’ ~ Dr. Seuss Printable Quote (she: Brooke)
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‘A Person’s A Person…’ ~ Dr. Seuss Printable Quote (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

Hopefully, you’re all rested and recovered from the busy 4th of July weekend. My birthday is the day after the 4th, so we’ve been extra busy. Good, but busy!

A few weeks ago my boys and I went to Seussical the Musical with my mom and sister. Have any of you seen it? If not, you really should. You can often find it at local theater companies, and I know our high school did it one year as well. My three boys (ages 3 and 6) were so entertained! The characters, the outfits, and the music are infectious!

Horton from Horton Hatches the Egg and Horton Hears a Who is the main character in the musical. There’s a line in one of the songs that comes from Horton Hears a Who. It says, “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” I used that quote all of the time when I was teaching first grade, and now that I’m a mom I use it even more.

DIY Bug Jar Caddy ~ Fun Summer Craft! (she: Brooke)
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DIY Bug Jar Caddy ~ Fun Summer Craft! (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

We’re back with our talented group of 10 blogger besties to share June’s themed hop. Head on over to their blogs to see and save their projects after viewing ours. June’s theme is MASON JARS for this beautiful summer weather! Today we’re talking bugs. I have three boys under the age of six, and when summertime hits, they’re all about bugs. Rarely a day goes by in the summertime when I don’t hear, “MOM! GET A JAR QUICK!” (sound familiar?). At the end of last summer I decided I needed a place for just bug jars. I was dishing out all my good jars for bug houses. So, when Mariel told me the theme for June’s blog hop was Mason jars, I knew exactly what I wanted to do- finally make my bug jar caddy.

Children & The Comparing Syndrome ~ “I Can…” Can (she: Brooke)

Children & The Comparing Syndrome ~ “I Can…” Can (she: Brooke)

ByBrooke

Right now the big issue I’m dealing with at our house is the comparing/competition syndrome. I have twins, and it’s probably something I’ll constantly be dealing with with these two boys. They are best buddies, and get along amazingly well, but there are those moments. All you mothers out there know these moments. Moments when one of your twins (or any child) scores three goals at Saturday’s soccer game, and the other scores none. Moments when one twin notices the letter (reading level) on the back of brother’s home reading book is higher than his. Moments when one twin gets invited to play at a friend’s house and the other doesn’t. Moments when the younger (not quite 5) cousin from out of state comes to visit and can read chapter books when your kindergarten twins can’t. I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the idea.

A few months ago I was at my parents’ house and ran across a little book that had simple ideas for nurturing your child’s self esteem. There was an idea in the book I loved. It was called the “I Can…” Can. It’s as easy as it’s name suggests.