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Editor's Book Pick: "The Ugly Vegetables"

Have you read The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin? We suggest getting your hands on a copy of this memorable, delightful book that we recommend for ages 4 to 10 years old. Not only is it a precious, well-told story, but the book is a wonderful lesson in gardening, patience, and culture appreciation. While it's not a Thanksgiving book per se, it's one of our favorite books for reading during harvest time, and we've personally read it to our own kiddos over and over and over again!

Why you must add pop-up books to your library!

There’s nothing quite like a pop-up book. Their intricate designs have come a long way since the days of my childhood, and even those were fascinating enough. If you haven’t added pop-up books to your home library, I highly recommend investing in one or two, and eventually having a whole collection, regardless of your child’s age. As a grown-up, I enjoy our special books as much as my kids do, if not more. The adventures spring to life before our very eyes, and each page is a pleasant, beautiful surprise. When we’re not currently reading them, we keep our pop-up books stored away in their plastic sleeves to preserve them for many years to come.

Full Year of Lesson Plans for Little Ones!

To babies, everyday is an adventure as they begin to explore the world around them. Your baby is counting on you! Every waking moment is an opportunity to teach him something new - a movement, a sound, a song. Our Editors have made it easy for you with these theme-based lesson plans designed especially for infants. Each fun learning theme is for babies up to 2 years old, and each "lesson" is designed to be used for a week. Enjoy! 
 
Your toddler has quickly begun to connect with the world around him. Each day is an adventure -  an opportunity for learning new animal sounds, fun songs, age-appropriate concepts, and more! We make your job easy with these free theme-based lesson plans designed especially for toddlers up to age 4. Each "lesson" was created to be used for a week. Be sure to print out the seasonal/holiday-themed lesson plans when the time of year dictates. Enjoy!
 
 

Recipe: Okra-Shrimp Beignets

Okra is in season! We’ve been noticing some beautiful okra in our local grocery stores lately. But what does one do with this slimy green veggie? First of all, you should know that okra is a nutritious food with many health benefits. It's rich in magnesium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, K1, and A. Okra maybenefit pregnant women, heart health, and blood sugar control.
 
You can batter and fry okra, sauté it, or even throw it on the grill. Whenever I think of cooking okra, I think of making a mean gumbo or some type of creole soup. But the weather’s not quite cold enough for that. I adapted this Southern Living recipe I found to create these delicious Okra Shrimp Beignets that ended up being a wonderful crispy and savory midday treat for my family.

Homemade Toys & Activities

homemadetoys 
Playtime doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive! These homemade toys and imaginative activities are easy to put together and offer tons of fun! Enjoy!

Use old flannel shirts or denim jeans to make your own bean bags. Cut the fabric into squares, sew up three sides, and add beans or rice before sewing up the final side. These make for a fun game of catch or bean bag toss, and are an interesting sensory tool.
 
A large cardboard box is an imagination booster! Draw or cut-out windows and a door to make a house. Cover the bottom with a blanket, tie a jump rope to one end, and you’ve got the perfect “car” to pull your tot through the house or the lawn. Or simply set the unaltered box in the middle of the floor and see how creative your child can get.

5 Easy Birthday Party Themes for your Teen

Check out these 5 easy themes for your teenager's next birthday bash: 

Murder Mystery Party:  A unique  choice for a boy/girl party.  Many websites offer ready-made, age-appropriate murder mysteries specifically for teens. This type of party provides a great opportunity for creative teens to get dressed up and utilize their natural tendency for drama.  Look for a mystery which includes a basic story line, not a script.  Teens won’t want to have to learn lines.  Also, be sure to incorporate a meal or fancy snacks with the production.  This draws out the players and provides more time for mystery solving.

8 Fun Ideas for Family Time as we await the hurricane!

We’re awaiting a hurricane! Here are 8 fun ideas to help pass the time together with your family! 

  1. Do a school project - The learning doesn’t have to stop because school’s out of session. Have your kiddos create a presentation on a topic they’re learning about, such as a colorful play dough model of the digestion system, or a salt dough map of the earth.

  2. Indulge in a read-aloud - If you’re not currently reading a book to your child, start one this week. Use our online library system to check out a digital copy for your Kindle app if possible. For young kids, are few books we recommend the Little House series, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Boxcar Children. For picture books, a few of our faves are Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, The Little House, and A New Coat for Anna.

  3. Watch the storm - It might seem odd, but children and adults alike find it interesting to watch the radar of large storms while listening to meteorologists and news reporters give updates.

Keep your whole family moving with these tips!

If you’ve been stuck at home juggling working remotely, homeschooling, and trying to keep everyone happy and healthy, you may have seen your otherwise active lifestyle fall by the wayside.  

Regardless of age, being physically active provides numerous health benefits. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity for adults each week, and 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for kids between the ages of 6-17 each day. Finding ways to move daily can help everyone in the family maintain their health – and prevent them from going stir crazy. 

Check out this coffee table we made for $35!

 

Have you tried your hand at anything new this summer? We have! Last week, my teenager and I built an outdoor coffee table, and though it's not perfect, I couldn't be prouder. It's so easy - and let me tell you - I don't own any special woodworking materials other than an old hand saw I purchased a decade ago (which I ended up not using). Even still, with about $35 worth of materials and a bit of elbow grease, our table was good to go. You can build one too!

 

Have a Christmas in July celebration!

Pretty soon, it'll be "Hello August"! Wow, this month has blown by quickly! And if it has felt pretty uneventful because of … well… COVID-19 and all, then here’s your last chance to win Mom of the Month for July: a Christmas in July celebration that the kiddos will love. Here’s how to pull it off!

Here's how to Explore Nature in The Woodlands with Your Child

The outdoors are open and beckoning for you to visit! You and your child can enjoy the beauty and wonders of nature by exploring just outside your front door. All you need is some observation skills (tips below), and you can add in a notebook and field journal if you’d like! 

Even if your child is an infant confined to a stroller or baby carrier, he/she can still benefit from nature – there’s a lot to see and hear, and plenty of fresh air to breathe!

Use your senses to observe the world around you. Lizards and June bugs are really showing out this season, but what else can you see that isn’t immediately noticeable? What can you hear? Stand still, wait, and watch.