1. Without the kids seeing, wrap up a few small items from around the house. Bags and tissue paper work well for this because you can reuse the same wrappings over and over.

2. Invite the kids to practice opening gifts with things they already have and saying thank you in a sincere manner.

3. Wrap up one of their favorite toys, and watch their reaction when it’s opened. Do the same thing with something that wouldn’t be *quite* as well-received, and note the difference in reactions.

This can be a great opportunity to talk to your kids about gratitude, gift-giving, thoughtfulness, and good manners in a safe and fun environment… all through the act of simple pretend play!

Emily loved going through the motions of gift-receiving!!! Here’s a very short video of her best, most gracious behavior — even in the most silly of circumstances.

** Special thanks to Faye Rogaski from SocialSklz.com for inspiring today’s post!

I added this post to:
A Mom with a Lesson Plan’s Blogiversary Link Up Party to add a “little playtime to our learning”. More playtime learning ideas here:

1. Super Daddy and Princess Clara battling the rain to take Emily to the bus stop. No job is too small!

2. Beautiful (and delicious!) cupcakes at Molly’s Cupcakes in NYC — a portion of the proceeds goes to support local schools (awesome).

3. Watching Clara eat chocolate ice cream!

4. Meeting friendly and super-talented artists — Hello, Andrew!

5. Sisters who love each other very much!

6. Rescuing Mark from work to take him out for lunch — even better with a gift card!

7. Cheering on Emily during a VERY close motorcycle race (at an amusement park) — Go, Emily, GO!!!

It’s a photo-finish!

Wishing you and your family a fun (and frugal) weekend with many smiles!!

“You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around – and why his parents will always wave back.”
- William D. Tammeus

A big thank you to Mr. & Mrs. V for gifting us with tickets to Hershey Park — we had a LOVELY time.

And we did a LOT of waving back!!

Here are some of our favorite ideas from around the web!

1. Squiggle Art – a simple and fun idea from Make and Takes!

2. Gum Wrapper Chains — I always knew I kept those gum wrappers at the bottom of my purse for a reason. Get the how-to at Gracious Rain.

3. Origami Finger Puppets — These look like so much fun to make! Learn how to make them at dvamasmama.

4. Travel Bag — I Heart Organizing shows how to put together a travel bag with goodies to keep the kids occupied when traveling, waiting at a doctor’s office, or restaurant.

5. Straw Wrapper Rose — How CUTE is this??? Found via How About Orange.

6. Slotted Building Toy — I love how this slotted building toy from Made by Joel (made from cardboard) can be carried in a small candy tin. Perfect for fun on-the-go!

And there are many more ideas to keep kids entertained at a restaurant on our Waiting at a Restaurant Pinterest board! ((Thank you, Yelena!!)

Wishing you and your family a fun (and frugal) weekend!

Because it puts silly little things like this into perspective.

In my mind, we will have our share of arguments as she navigates the crazy world of boyfriends, alcohol, drugs, etc. Please note that if I think about this too much my head will explode! I know I will be longing for the easy days when all she wanted was to go out dressed like a ladybug princess!

So.

If she wants to run errands dressed like a ladybug princess in public???

I’ll be picking my battles.

1. Beading with cut up straws — easy, frugal, and a great way to build up important fine-motor skills.

2. Make photo puppets and put on a show!

3. Decorate a cardboard box with an angry face and pretend to have it EAT things. Nom nom nom!!

4. Start a stamp collection.

5. Take up a new hobby… like sewing!

6. Become a flying ace in your own cardboard plane.

7. Paint clouds with an old shower poof.

8. Create a butterfly garden with sidewalk chalk!

9. Cook up a fresh batch of mud pies.

10. Host a family award ceremony… in your pajamas! “And the Daddy of the Year Award goes to…….”

Have fun!!