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DIY Sensory Box Activity for Kids

October 22, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 4 Comments

{Guest Post} My girls are growing up, faster than I like to admit. They’re outgrowing clothes at an alarming rate. Their tastes change by the hour. I created this DIY Sensory Box Activity for kids to foster that brain teaser type challenge as the girls are getting older. Coming up with activities that challenge their minds while also being age appropriate can be … [Read more...]

DIY Magnet Learning Busy Book

May 15, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

As a child I loved a good, interactive busy book. Books that you could velcro, button or put things into pockets are some of my favorite activities from when I was younger. My girls loved books that you could open flaps on or that had different textures. Today I’m sharing an easy DIY magnet learning busy book for kids you can create in under an hour! This DIY busy book … [Read more...]

DIY Contrast Cards for Babies

February 20, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

My husband took the lead on this idea! He made DIY high contrast cards for babies that are great for visual stimulation. These are too easy. Two supplies needed-that is it! … [Read more...]

Learning Multiplication Activity

January 10, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Sometimes learning new skills can be very difficult for children. Up until now my girls haven’t really struggled with anything in school. That all changed when my oldest daughter was learning multiplication and division. She was having a hard time memorizing the multiplication facts.  For whatever reason she just couldn’t get it. We tried everything. We tried … [Read more...]

Learning to Tell Time: Hands-On Clock

March 9, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson 8 Comments

Make a hands-on clock sop kids can move the hands to learn to tell time. Great for second great common core math lessons on time.

Create a hands-on clock to help school age kids learning to tell time. Whether your child is home-schooled or learning common core math, a hands-on math manipulative turns worksheet-based lessons into math games. When we can get the learning into our child's hands it can help them think about more complex problems with a much more clear view. This hands-on clock for learning … [Read more...]

Learn Numbers with Don’t Break the Ice

January 4, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Turn your Don't Break the Ice game into a preschool activity for learning numbers. PLUS, toddler activity ideas too!

Do you have the game Don't Break the Ice®? We have had it for a while and take it out during the winter months especially for a little fine motor fun. I modified our Don't Break the Ice game to create a simple preschool activity for learning numbers. My preschooler enjoyed this the first few times we played and when we recently pulled it out again I was so amazed at how her … [Read more...]

Save Money On Personalized Gifts for Kids

November 11, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

Save money on personalized gifts for kids! No need to spend a ton of money to make the kids feel special this Christmas. Gift ideas and code to save included.

This post contains affiliate links and contains an honest review of I See Me products that I received in exchange for writing this post. All opinions are my own. You can view more in my disclosure. We spend so much time planning our children's gifts, but how much time do they actually spend playing with them before they are cast aside? Combining DIY gift ideas with meaningful … [Read more...]

Peek-A-Boo Boxes: DIY Personalized Toy for Babies

November 10, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson 6 Comments

Peek-a-Boo Boxes for babies are DIY toys made from a cardboard box or wipes container to encourage fine motor skills and object permanence in infants 4 months and up.

Finding activities to occupy your infant can be tricky. Not all activities listed as "for baby" are really appropriate for children younger than 1 year old. This DIY personalized toy for babies is perfect for infants who are able to hold onto toys and are beginning to use their fine motor skills to grasp. A good age range for this activity is 4 months and up, but you know your … [Read more...]

Sensory Crawl Infant and Toddler Activity {Huggies Little Movers}

September 30, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson 10 Comments

Sensory crawl infant and toddler activity to encourage crawling and walking children to explore safely-and get moving indoors!

It is always an amazing change when a child who is so dependent on you can start crawling and walking on their own a bit. One-on-one time with our children playing and interacting is really important, but it is also important for a child to learn to explore (in safe ways) on their own. It can take time for a child to let you go, but around the older infant and toddler stage … [Read more...]

Bang the Box DIY Preschool Activity

July 4, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

DIY learning activity for toddlers to learn colors or letters. This one uses banging!

  Do you have a child who likes to bang? Channel that sensory exploration into a learning activity! I recently had the opportunity to share an activity that helps children channel their desire to explore the sensory action of banging into learning. This simple DIY preschool activity is an easy one to customize for older toddlers and school age kids as well. I share … [Read more...]

Best DIY Backyard Playhouse Ideas

June 8, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson 6 Comments

{Guest Post by Kaitlin Krull} Make your outdoor space more appealing for your kids by creating an epic playhouse for them (and yourselves, too!). Here are 6 of the most creative and fun playhouse ideas to build in your backyard. If, like parents everywhere, you’re struggling to get your children away from the television on even the most beautiful of days, it’s time to take … [Read more...]

Hanger Scale DIY Toy

March 14, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

  Helping children explore the scientific method, creating conversations about weight and numbers, and doing it all inexpensively is a lesson worth teaching. Whether you homeschool or supplement your child's learning at home, this DIY toy scale made out of a hanger is simple and engaging. You can make it in 3 simple steps! Use the hanger scale to compare the weights … [Read more...]

Homemade Play Dough Puzzle

March 4, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 16 Comments

I make homemade play dough with my children every now and then (and it lasts a LONG time in the fridge in between when we are playing with it). They get bored with just playing with the dough, though, so I created a puzzle from dough that we would be throwing out anyway.   You could use store bought play dough as well for this.  (Note: If you make homemade play dough, … [Read more...]

DIY Dress-Up Vests from Grocery Bags

January 31, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

DIY dress up vests a no-sew pretend play costume idea.

Dress-up costumes can be pricey, but you can make your own at home! In fact, your preschooler or young elementary child can create their own dress up vests (with your supervision of course) to add their own personal creativity to the dress-up bin or closet.   Here are the steps for turning reusable grocery bags into dress-up vests. (If you don't have the reusable bags, … [Read more...]

Homemade Summer Fun with Kids

July 20, 2012 by Jaimi Erickson 5 Comments

Homemade Summer fun with kids. Simple to create activities for kids that work indoors or out depending on weather. Plus, links to a complete series of free or cheap activities for kids!

My children are ‘outdoor kids’, large motor machines. They need to get outside in order to keep their spirits in balance-I need that too. Thankfully summer fun with kids provides a multitude of outdoor time for fun-and learning. Having children in multiple age groups allows me the challenge to adapt activities for different skill levels. Some summer climates limit how … [Read more...]

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“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” - Audrey Hepburn

I spotted her just looking at our little seedlings. The peace of doing with our hands what we have learned with our mind is so satisfying. 

Tomorrow we can plant our first seeds in the outdoor garden beds. I am so excited for the simple task.

#gardenathome #athomegardening #athomefarm #homesteaddreams #learningtogarden #growingagreenthumb #hope #quote #quoteoftheday #familytime #outdoorswithkids #unschooling #learningaswego #peace #peaceathome #children #homeschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolkids
Focus for art + dirty finger nails from playing in Focus for art + dirty finger nails from playing in the woods. 🎨 🌲 

 #wellrounded #myboys #boymom #raisingboys #momofsons #momof4 #homeschoolingboys #homeschoolingmom #artforkids #playtime #outdoorlife #outdoorkids
What are your plans for the weekend? #friyay We What are your plans for the weekend? #friyay 

We are having a few neighbors over tonight. (Obviously not locked down here. 👌) 

I am thankful for like minded people. 

I am thankful too for friends that are not always on the same page. 

I am thankful for God’s word that teaches us to create and build community in love. 

I am thankful for Fridays. 💗💗💗

What are you thankful for today? 

#gratitude #twoworlds #fridaynight #fridaywithfriends #fridayplans #livinglife #atpeace #gratitudepractice #momlife #momsintheneighborhood #eastnc #faithoverfear #faithlovehope
Today’s schooling looked a bit like this. 💕 L Today’s schooling looked a bit like this. 💕 Library, reading, painting the toy that came in the kids meal, reading time, and calm. 

When I think about my homeschool style (aka structure) it has definitely evolved over the years. I never really researched a style until today actually. 😂 What I found was, we started as Traditional - workbook-based learning. Then I added Unit Studies to our Traditional structure. Now we naturally have shifted to a more Charlotte Mason + Unit Study approach for some subjects and Traditional approach for a few subjects (math most specifically). 

Flexibility keeps our interest. Plus learning never stops.

Today our day began with a visit to our library. When we got home the kids all found a spot and were so quietly reading I did not want to shift gears! So I didn’t. 

There was reading, eating, drawing, painting, and so much quiet you guys I just had to let the kids go with this. My brain was soaking in the peacefulness.

When I started homeschooling, I would have never thought that a day like this would make me feel successful. It feels so good to have reached this point. 

When days happen like today, it feels pretty much like magic. 

What is your style if you homeschool? If not, what style would most appeal to your family?
#homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #homeschooljoy #homeschoollearning #homeschoolday #perfectday #homeschoolinglife #homeschoolingmom #homeschoolingmoms #homeschoolingstyle #kidslearningathome #charlottemason #unitstudy #traditionalhome #stayathomemom #momsathome #homeschoolreallife #eastnc #readingwithkids #learningtoread #librarytime #peacefulday #moms #momswhopray
You know what’s funny? I took this pic not even You know what’s funny? I took this pic not even noticing what random things were out of place. 😅 Perfect for this post today. 👇

Motherhood is a juggling act. We try to seek balance and be joyful, but kids, husband, house, our needs and wants all pull us in different directions.

We worry that if we drop one ball they all will come crashing down! We are busy, yet not feeling productive many days. The line between needs and wants become blurred.

Attempting to keep it all organized is overwhelming. 

We tend to define balance with images in magazines, snapshots of other moms who are
having a together day when we are not, or elaborate spring cleaning tasks that sound great and get pinned but ultimately leave us feeling even deeper in frustration when we do not complete them.

*****
Balance is not a place where you go and never ever again feel a bump in the road.

Balance is an on-going, always changing, never finished job. 

*****

If you feel out of balance today, you are just in the process of working your way back to it. 

If today was a great day, prepare yourself now because the scale may tilt and things may feel out of your control tomorrow. #reallife

It is not easy to cut things from our calendars or limit our focus each day. I feel that struggle so much. My whole family needs and deserves my time and attention. I am constantly in a state of re-balance, and making attempts to re-organize, as I attempt to balance four children and a husband.

That requires a lot of humility, prayers for God’s peace in my life, and relieving myself of any guilt for not doing it all every day.

Do you see the items out of place in this pic or are you focused on the beauty within it? 😉💕

#motherhoodinspired #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothersunite #mamahood #grow #momtribe #momsunite #womensupportingwomen #motherhood #mamassupportingmamas #momlife #motherhoodrising #realmotherhood #motherhoodjourney #motherhoodunited #mommymoments #lifeasamama #honestmommin #motherhoodisdarling #simplymamahood #thatmomlife #motherhoodunfiltered #momstofollow #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood
#homeschooling
#homeschoolinglife
#AD Today was hard! School took longer than expect #AD Today was hard! School took longer than expected, grocery shopping got pushed back, and I am soaking up my time to get quiet and pray it all away. 

I have discovered simple, quick ways to feel refreshed staying at home. With four kids, homeschooling and military life I can not just get a break when I feel I need it. 

These ideas have helped me feel rejuvenated in small moments even when I can not get out of the house to have a break.

One of the simplest ways to recharge is with a good old hot shower. I think it pretty much cures mom overwhelm and stress. I always planned my showers around the kids’ quiet times. That way I could take my time.

Choosing hair care products that are really special make it even better. @hairmayraki has natural repairing shampoos, hair growth kits and weightless moisture shampoo that feeds moisture into your hair so it feels and looks amazing even if you have to air dry!

**Use code JAIMI20 to save 20% on your Mayraki hair care products!**

As we get older our hormones shift, so hair loss can be a problem. Just like after having a baby!

Using Mayraki Hair growth and anti hair loss products helps me maintain full, healthy hair. It smells so nice and makes my hair feel moisturized and completely clean.

I put together a helpful list of ways to help us moms feel refreshed.

They are simple actions we can take to care for ourselves each day. I even have some ideas from my friends here on Instagram too! 

Check out the tips from my friends on the blog (via link in bio):

@thewholeparenting

@brandyintheatl 

@joqueen_and_family 

@coffeechaosandcuddles 

@pnicole_05 

What are your favorite hair, skin or spa products to make your pamper time feel special?

#momtime #goodhairday #selfcare #metime #quiettime #naturalhaircare #quiettimeformoms #momneedsabreak #mommytimealone #mommytimenow #momsgetabreaktoo #haircare #reenergizeyourbody #mentalbreak #momlife #mommylife #sahmlife #sahmproblems #sahmlifestyle #sahmmom #sahm #moms #blogger #momblogger
I spy two creatures who naturally love nature, wat I spy two creatures who naturally love nature, water and most of all dirt. 😍

Are your kids the outdoorsy, adventurous types? Anyone just over having clean floors with all the wet boots and feet going in and out like me? 🙋‍♀️🤦‍♀️

I can handle dirty floors for all this nature play without a doubt. 

#outdoorkids #freerangekids #natureplay #natureschool #siblingplay #siblinglove #kidled #kidlearning #homeschoollife #letthembelittle #freeplay #instakids #saturday
#AD Yesterday we had some talks. Things got a litt #AD Yesterday we had some talks. Things got a little tense. There were tears because she was embarrassed about what she did and said. 

I made sure to go to her room after things cooled down (where she was sent for her behavior) and ask why, talk about my reason why, and then she decided to come down and eat her dinner. (The whole issue was that dinner included a green vegetable...😅😂)

Everything returned to contentment. We all smiled. This is real life and real parenting. Our emotions clashed but calm logic brought things back in focus.

Today we can laugh and be silly thinking about it. 

What is the most recent heated or challenging moment you’ve experienced with your kids lately? Did things get resolved? 

***Sweatshirt: @choseninchrist 
Get it: Use code jaimi for 15% off...Link in bio.***

#realmotherhood #motherhood101 #logicalparenting #realisticmotherhood #motheranddaughter #kidsneedconsequences #learningtoobey #logicwins #greenvegetablesaregoodforyou #momwin #parentingtruths #parentinglife #stayathomemom #sahmlife #sahmgoals #raisingarrows #healthyeating #momblogger #bloggerlife #momlife
How have you been taking time to recharge while st How have you been taking time to recharge while staying at home? Making my list of favorite ways to refresh ‘cause moms with full schedules from morning to night need some simple ideas to get in quiet time. 👏 Do you need recharge time?

I like keeping it simple. 👌 Luxurious shampoo and body butter to maximize the spa feel after a hot shower, Bible study in the morning with my coffee, walking the dog solo are just a few of my break ideas. (I think hot showers are a cure all for a lot of stress! Time to think, feeling the strain wash away...all good things.) What do you think?

Since I have been a #stayathomemom for 13 years now, my kids have always been around and my time has been devoted to home and family. But I NEED time to have quiet and just be alone too. 

That means I have to squeeze in my recharge time in creative, simple ways. 

I am going to finish up this blog post and share it all with you. Share what you do too! I would love to give you a  mention you in the post. 👩🏼‍💻 💕

#inspiredmotherhood #foodforthought #bloggercommunity #instablogger #blogging #motherhoodinspired #motherhoodthroughinstagram #mothersunite #mamahood #connect #momtribe #momsunite #womensupportingwomen #motherhood #mamassupportingmamas #momlife #motherhoodrising #realmotherhood #motherhoodjourney #motherhoodunited #mommymoments #lifeasamama #honestmommin #simplymamahood #thatmomlife #motherhoodunfiltered #momstofollow #motherhoodunplugged #honestmotherhood
I just love this community! Come join me 👇👇👇

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When you really focus on fear, isn’t it pretty s When you really focus on fear, isn’t it pretty silly how much we let it run our lives? 

Anyone who knows my 7 year old daughter knows she has a “no fear” spirit. She can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie. She is always moving, seeking out fun and not intimidated by the unknown.

As a parent I both admire and cringe. 😅 

I find that I have to suppress my fear when it comes to her adventurous spirit so I do not diminish her true nature. I also have to be on the ball from a parenting perspective to talk through being smart while having fun. 

It is not as if we can ever see the results from the actions before we act though. 

Remembering myself how I truly only know what I see and what faith teaches me allows me to focus on eliminating fear from ruling.

For many years I was the opposite of my wild child. I was always thinking too far ahead to see what potential pain may come. That suppressed my nature. I see my kids so social, so eager to try new things and it energizes me to set that example too. 

Fear is not a worthwhile debate partner. 

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” ~Proverbs 31:25, NIV

Do you wrestle with fear in parenting and life in general or are you more of the no fear type?

#nofear #resistfear #faithandlogic #adventurousspirit #truenature #enneagram #enneagramparenting #personalitytypes #wildchild #wildandfreechildren #freerangeparenting #freerangeparents #instakids #instamom #instablogger #parentingmindset #goexplore #explorenature #natureschool #sahmsg #easternnc #eastnc #camplejeunelife #militarykids #militarylife #godledmotherhood #godledhomeschool #motherhoodsocial
Everything is better with people who are genuine, Everything is better with people who are genuine, content, loving and honest. 

Mardi Gras lunch (yesterday) with a great group was food for the soul. Belly laughs, ear to ear smiles and beignets made the day. 

#FatTuesday #MardiGrad #lunchbunch #osccamplejeune #camplejeunelife #mykindofmasks #goodfood #goodfun #goodpeople #realpeople #strongwomen #militarylife #militaryspouse #millife #milworld #eastnc #nclife #thegoodlife #blessedlife #motherhood #asiturn40 #momlife #momsdayout #motherhoodsocial
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