Fun & Ideas

Summertime Projects: Chalk Board Table

I've always wanted to try chalkboard paint! You too? Well, you'll be happy to know that it's quick, easy, and from what I've read, foolproof. This old worn play table I purchased from Pottery Barn Kids 12+ years ago became my first project, and I'm pleased with the results. Here's a quick "before" photo plus DIY instructions, followed by a couple of photo of the finished table.

BEFORE:

How to Celebrate Memorial Day at Home with Kids

You were planning a fun-in-the-sun, social-distancing type of Memorial Day, but the forecast calls for rain beginning at noon. Need a new plan? Try these ideas:

Watch the PBS Video of the Arlington National Cemetery. Explore the history, mission, and daily operations of this final resting place for 40,000 Americans.

Have a family feast. Too wet outside for firing up the grill? Try this delicious recipe for Mom's Oven-BBQ Ribs by Taste of Home.

At-Home Learning Throughout Summer: Tips for keeping your child sharp over the long-haul

No doubt many of our readers have been feeling the stress of taking more active roles in their children’s education. As time away from the classroom extends into summer, we're also facing the challenge of helping our children maintain what they’ve learned through a summer of uncertainty.

This year’s shift to at-home learning has provided plenty of resources you can use to keep your children’s minds engaged and actively learning. The shift has also prompted families to create new routines and healthy learning habits. Continuing these best practices over the summer may prove beneficial in setting your child up for success when he/she returns to the classroom.

Get Outdoors and STAY! Here's how to prolong your time outside

It’s starting to get HOT outside already, but there’s no reason why we should stay cooped up in the house. There’s so much fun to be had outdoors at your own abode, but if you’re like us, sometimes the kids (and even the adults) are ready to go back inside all too soon. Here’s our short list of supplies you can have on hand for prolonging everyone’s outdoor time and keeping the crew content.

No guests, No problem. Your child can have a Happy Birthday at home, even on lockdown!

birthday party at home

Did you have big plans for your child’s birthday, only to be disappointed with the news that your favorite venues would be closed for business when the time came to celebrate? I’m with you! Two of my children have birthdays in April, and our plans for celebrating at Urban Air, Sakekawa Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, and The Woodlands Mall have all been crushed. There’s hope for me though, because since I have a larger-sized family, everything we do together seems kinda like a party. But what about those of you with a single child? How do you celebrate at home, in a big way, without the cousins and friends around? Try one of these ideas:

9 Categories of Ideas for a Super Productive Week!

Need ideas for a productive day at home? Cover items in each of these categories each week, and you and your crew will feel plenty satisfied.

Music

Gather the family for an all-out jam session using any instruments at your disposal (metal spoons on pots and pans, oatmeal container drums, bean shakers, etc.). My teenager likes to pull our her guitar or ukulele, while the rest of us use toy instruments.