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Supporting Your Child’s Seasonal Allergies

July 24, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

If you’re like me and living in the great Midwest, the summer season has yet to arrive in all its glory.  We’re still stuck somewhere between transitioning from spring to summer with a lot of heavy rains and high winds.  Unfortunately, most kids who suffer from seasonal allergies are not too happy with that.  After the long winter season, all they want to do is be in the … [Read more...]

Teach Children to Garden

April 8, 2019 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

You can teach your children how to garden by following a few simple steps.  I live in Colorado and our weather in the spring is very unpredictable.  We could have snow all the way through May and freezing temps. If we want to harvest vegetables in the Fall, we need to get some things started indoors first.  Starting seeds indoors saves money. We start our … [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...]

Spring Cleaning Kids Can Do

March 22, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Get the kids spring cleaning too! These ideas are great ideas for spring cleaning kids can do even as young as preschool.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fellowes Brands for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.   Getting my spring cleaning done makes me feel better about being at home. It makes me feel successful, content and glad that I created a clean, comfortable space for my family. But, and this is a big BUT, it takes me a while to get it all done. I want the … [Read more...]

Preschool Activities for St Patrick’s Day

February 15, 2016 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

Preschool activities for St Patriclk's Day to introduce the history and fun of the holiday with preschool children. Printables, crafts, books and fun ideas for kids!

This post is sponsored by Big Treasure LLC. Please view my disclosure for more info. These 5 easy preschool activities for St Patrick’s Day cover signs of Spring, and explore history and folklore-so fun to dive into with young children and get their imaginations working overtime! You can enter to win a fun book and toy set too. There are so many fun ways to celebrate Spring … [Read more...]

Easter Egg Alphabet Order Game for Preschool

March 17, 2015 by Jaimi Erickson 9 Comments

Create an Easter egg alphabet order game with plastic eggs in time for Spring and Easter. There are so many activities for using plastic Easter eggs! Are you on over-load? This one is unique and engages more than just the intellect. You can use this activity as a gross motor game too! I like getting my kids moving and learning since they have loads of energy. Spread this … [Read more...]

Spin-Off Activities: No Lesson Plan Required

April 12, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Preschool sensory spin-off activities no lesson plan required. These are perfect for Spring and Easter time.

How can one activity spring off into multiple others? It happens a lot in our house! It’s exciting to follow the interests of our children to expand their learning. First, we had dyed egg shells when were did the dying egg shells activity. When I was cleaning up our supplies, my son asked, “What color will it be if we pour them all together?” He was talking about all … [Read more...]

5 Spring Activities for Toddlers, Preschoolers & Kindergarten

March 21, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Spring activities for kids from toddlers, preschool, and to kindergarten age. A variety of learning activities that can be adapted easily to fit each age group.

Spring activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarten kids are shared often on this blog. It is a season that has so many themes attached to it that creating learning activities for kids can be easy. I rounded up a handful of Spring activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarten kids that have appeared on the blog. Depending on your child's skill level, they may … [Read more...]

Flowers and Butterflies Preschool Counting Activity

March 10, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 1 Comment

Michael's recently had a 50% off sale on pretty much everything in the store-at least the items I happened to be looking at that day! (Woo hoo!) So, I grabbed a few extra things because I knew I could create some learning games for my daughter from the items. Two of the items I grabbed were cutout flowers and small butterfly embellishments like you would use on cards or in a … [Read more...]

Dyed Egg Shells Science and Art Activity

March 9, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Dyed egg shells science and art process-based activity for preschool and toddlers.

'Tis the season for Spring colors and dyed eggs. We tried a dyed egg shells science and art activity. It is a variation on dying Easter eggs, but older toddlers and preschool ages children can handle the steps with your supervision. The end product-a really colorful piece of mosaic artwork.  … [Read more...]

Cupcake Topper Math Facts Activity

March 8, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 2 Comments

Create a math facts practice activity with Spring themed cupcake toppers and an egg carton.

Cupcake toppers are fun decorations, but they can be turned into a simple math facts activity for young elementary school aged kids. Often you can find seasonal items like these Spring cupcake toppers in the dollar aisles and discount bins in your local store. I found little spring flower themed cupcake toppers in the wonderful Target Dollar aisle, and created a math facts … [Read more...]

Preschool Counting Activity: Chick Feather Counting Cups

March 6, 2013 by Jaimi Erickson 3 Comments

Easter and Spring themed preschool counting activity using supplies from the dollar aisle to create a simple learning activity for preschool kids to learn number order and counting skills.

This Preschool Counting Activity uses items from the dollar aisle or Dollar Store. Do you love the dollar aisle? I am always searching for items that I can turn into simple, fun and unique learning activities for the kids. The inexpensive part is a must, so I search these discount aisles and bins first to maximize our budget while also making the most of my time at home with my … [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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