Education Halloween activities for kids!
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Halloween Activities For Kids – Lots of Sensory Crafts! (she: Sierra)

Hi there! It’s Sierra here from the Blue Robin Cottage! Most of you know by now that I love blogging, crafting and sewing but what you may not know about me is that when I’m not doing those things, I am all about Preschool! I teach children ages 3-5 (such a fun age group right?!) with a focus on music and movement. I’m a also a huuuuuuuuge fan of Halloween! So today’s post is all about fun, easy and educational Halloween activities for kids, plus books and songs for your little ones.

Favorite Products for Teaching Kids About Slavery and the Civil War
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Favorite Products for Teaching Slavery and the Civil War to Kids

So for last year’s homeschool, we studied slavery and the Civil War… all year long.  That’s how I love doing history.  We just take a small portion of time and spend the whole year really getting in-depth.  This year we’re doing the Industrial Revolution, Great Depression, and World War I, so you can plan on…

Fabric hair bows for Fall is a simple DIY for every school girl's hair this season! Get the how-to on www.orsoshesays.com
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Fall Fabric Hair Bows (she: Sierra)

Hi it’s Sierra here from The Blue Robin Cottage! I am so excited to share a fun, girly craft with you today! Fall fabric hair bows are the perfect way to top off any outfit.

But first, tell me if you can identify with this scenario:

You’re getting your little lady ready for school: she’s all dressed, teeth are brushed and you’ve just finished doing a Pinterest perfect hairstyle (I’m still trying to work on this part), and now all you need is a hair bow to match.

back to school magic
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Back to School Disney Magic at Home Ideas (she: Adelle)

I’ve put together some fun ways that you can recreate some back to school magic at home to remind you of your favorite Disneyland vacations. Whether you call it a using a spoon full of sugar, or a adding a little bit of pixie dust, you can make everyday moments more fun with a little bit of imagination! Why not live life with a cherry on top all of the time?

Free Printable reading log to keep track of kids' progress
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Printable Reading Log (she: Liz)

First grade is such an important year in school. My son did start learning to read in kindergarten, but struggled. This year I am really focused on keeping him on track with his reading. The school encourages 20 minutes of reading every night. 20 minutes is a lot for a first grader, but I do think it’s important to encourage him to read each night and I thought he would be more excited about it if we kept track on this printable reading log.

Children's Books Your Kids Need on Their Bookshelf

Children’s Books Your Kids NEED on Their Bookshelf (she: Mariah)

I think there’s something totally awesome about children’s books; great illustrations, funny voices, silly characters. I think the best part about them, though, is that they can hold memories. I have a few books that I read to my son that my mom used to read to me, and every time we read them it’s like I get taken back in time! I remember the voices my mom used to use at certain parts of the books, all the feelings I used to feel as she turned the pages, and what pages were my favorites that I loved to linger on.

Teaching Table Manners to Kids!
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Stop sloppin’ the hogs: Teaching Table Manners to Children (Dan)

He spilled. Something that happens only… every…single…meal. Don’t cry over spilled milk they say. The parent version should be more along the lines of “Don’t go off on a parental tirade over spilled milk.” (I am still working on that one.) It wasn’t the fact that my eldest spilled milk, or food or whatever it was. It was how he so casually morphed into what looked like one of those sucker fish you see in the fish tanks and hoovered up what he had splashed on the table cloth. Almost equally as disappointing was his surprise by my objection to his doing so. Seriously?? Where did I go wrong?

free printable math worksheets for kindergarten and 1st grade
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Printable Math Worksheets (she: Liz)

I’m always wanting to make learning fun and interesting so my son will actually get through it without complaining. Since we struggled throughout the school year, I wanted to make sure we practiced during the summer so he doesn’t fall behind once he starts 1st grade next year. Since he does enjoy math, I decided to come up with some printable math worksheets we could do this summer.

Color By Number – Summer Family Fun (she: Brooke)
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Color By Number – Summer Family Fun (she: Brooke)

Who remembers and loves color by number? Some of my earliest memories as a little girl are of me waking up WAY before my parents were wanting to, and my mom handing me the crayons and coloring books. I still remember my preschool-aged little self sitting in the dimly lit, quiet house coloring while everyone else slept. Funny how things stick with you. I’m still an early-riser, and I still LOVE to color!

what to do with all your digital photos
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What To Do With All Your Digital Photos (she: Lindsay)

How do I backup my photos? How should I organize them? Where should I print my pictures? What should I do with all my digital photos?

Although digital photos have made it possible for anyone, anywhere to document their life stories through photos (which is amazing), it has also created a problem where we have SO many photos and no idea how to manage them or display them in a meaningful way. I initiated a Picture Display Movement (because sometimes I give myself authority to start my own movements) hoping to inspire others to do something with their photos. And I wanted to take some of the ideas from there to give you a quick-and-dirty guide on what to do and where to start with all your photos after you take them. I present to you, what to do with all your digital photos: