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Learning Greater Than Less Than with Playing Cards

April 5, 2020 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

Learning greater than less than with playing cards builds number sense and math skills with a hands-on activity for kindergarten and early elementary age kids. Math skills are crucial to school success - and real world adulting let's be honest. Helping even preschoolers develop a love for learning numbers and math skills builds their future math success. We started with … [Read more...]

12 Fall Activities for Toddlers

September 15, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

12 Fall toddler activities

Toddlers can have so much fun in the Fall. Many craft projects are a little too advanced for these little ones, but there is still much hands-on learning for toddlers in this season. These Fall activities for toddlers are simple and fun. … [Read more...]

40 Days of Sensory Bin Fillers: Oats & Table Salt

September 10, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

My older two will get their hands in just about anything. This oats and table salt sensory bin was easy to set up and fun for fine motor play. There are 40 Sensory bin fillers ideas for you too! Playing with textures and getting their hands dirty is fun for tall of my kids. There is so much learning that takes place when children get hands-on with their environment. A … [Read more...]

How to Create a Butterfly Garden

May 29, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

How to create a butterfly garden with kids.

By Lisa Brown Teaching children about butterflies can be done in a respectful way.  We do this by teaching them to be observers in the butterfly’s natural habitat.  A wonderful way to teach children all about butterflies is to teach them how to create a butterfly garden!  … [Read more...]

Flowers and Butterflies Color Matching Activity

May 3, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Flowers and butterflies color matching activity for preschool.

Flowers and butterflies are fun signs of spring. We turned them into a cute preschool activity for learning color words and matching colors. Flowers and butterflies color matching activity for preschool is so easy to make. You need two supplies to create this activity-and you may even be able to skip the cutting out step like I did. Seriously teaching preschool at home is … [Read more...]

Preschool Curriculum

August 25, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 4 Comments

Preschool curriculum, activities for preschoolers, tips for online learning for preschoolers and homeschool preschool ideas.

After teaching preschool, preparing my own kiddos for school, homeschooling 2 preschoolers and their 2 older siblings, I know it can be hard to decide on a preschool curriculum. Setting up a preschool curriculum is a little tricky. You want to teach your 3 year olds and 4 year olds what they need to know for learning success. You do not want to overwhelm these young ones with a … [Read more...]

Kid-Made Teacher Appreciation Cards

June 1, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Kid-made teacher appreciation cards help kids show their teaccher's how thankful they are for all they do for our kids.

{Guest Post by Tracy Murdock} We really love making cards around here. It is a wonderful way to say thank you and uplift our community in a small, yet meaningful way. These cute teacher appreciation cards are fantastic for showing teachers how thankful you are for them teaching all of our kids. Being a teacher myself (resigned for now to be a stay at home mom) I am still … [Read more...]

Rainbow Ice Painting Preschool Activity

April 4, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

A fun hands-on art and science activity for preschoolers! This is great for fine motor and sensory fun. Rainbow ice painting preschool activity is a lot of science and art plus it uses supplies you have at home already.

{Post by Tracy} With Spring arriving in much of the country, this is a great time to celebrate the colors of the rainbow. This hands-on sensory activity for kids uses favorite science concepts in a rainbow ice painting preschool activity for kids! It's easier than you think to create multiple learning activities that are fun for your kids. With simple materials you have … [Read more...]

Heart Butterfly Craft

February 13, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Cute heart butterefly craft for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. This would be a great hands-on spring craft too.

Today we made such an adorable butterfly craft! It could be cute for Valentine's Day, birthday cards for a loved one or a cute gift for Mother's Day too. I love these little butterflies so much, I have them up on our fireplace mantel to stare at every night. It's just so fun to see my little kids as little love butterflies, because they really do spread so much love to my … [Read more...]

So Much Snow Day Fun!

January 30, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Snow day with kids is going to be fun with this list of activities that are so easy to set up and even toddlers and preschooler can do them. Great list to save for the next snow day off school.

I miss the snow in winter...just a little bit. The magical crystals of white blanketing our yard always looked peaceful and beautiful. We have not lived in an area where snow falls-and sticks-for over 3 years now, so our snow day fun has to be a little more winter activity-inspired. :) Snow days bring a break from the routine, a mini vacation for fun and enjoying the weather … [Read more...]

Snowflake Foil Craft for Kids

January 17, 2018 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

What a fun indoor activity for winter time! Kids can paint foil snowflakes. This simple snowflake foil craft combines cutting, painting and fine motor skills for preschool.

{Guest post by Tracy Murdock} We have been all cooped up inside due to the cold weather and all 3 of my kids having colds. What a better way to get their imaginations stirring and help them feel a little better, than with a fun art project that can be fun for all ages (even for moms)! Plus, this Simple Snowflake Foil Craft for Kids helps break up the day. … [Read more...]

Hands-On Division Activity

July 3, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson Leave a Comment

Hands-on division activity for the storybook A Remainder of One. This hands-on division activity for second or third grade is a great concrete learning activity for school age kids to explore division and multiplication concepts.

My second grader has been learning more about multiplication and division. I wanted to give him a hands-on division activity to explore. I was teaching him that multiplication and division are opposites. They are both focused on how we group numbers together. As a former teacher, it is exciting when I get to use activities I once created for my students at home with my own … [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...]

Alphabet Fridge Magnet Letter Match

January 14, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Preschool letter matching activity plus a no-stress way to assess their letter knowledge with a game.

I created a really, really simple alphabet fridge magnet letter match activity that can be used on the front of the fridge with alphabet magnets. You only need 3 supplies to create this. There is also a simple no-stress assessment that works for checking your child’s letter knowledge built in. I know assessing preschoolers causes much debate, but I do it in simple play-based … [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...]

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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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