Real Parties: Curious George 1st Birthday

Birthday Boy ready to party!

Curious George was an obvious choice for KJ's parents when deciding a theme for their soon-to-be one year old.  The party was enjoyed by all, especially the birthday boy.

Are you curious too? Read & see more after the jump!

Playdate: A Trip to the Market (Free Downloads!)

We stumbled across this website, 1 et 2 et 3 dous dous, and its too cute not to share.

Now granted, its all in French... but the magic of pretend play doesn't require translation! 

A favorite page on their site are these market themed downloads.

What a fun playdate!  Invite over some friends and play market.  From fruits and veggies, to soft cheeses and bakery items - turn your playroom into a little French Marche!

Outfit one child in an apron and they can play shopkeep.

Supply the others with grocery bags, pencil and paper to make their lists - and send them off shopping!

The images shown below are just a sample, there are many more to download and print available.

 

The site even has a mock up for a printable register along with play Euros.  But if you want to use this opportunity to begin teaching your little one about American currency, you can find printable play US dollars here!

Finally, while the kids are spending their cash at the market, you and your Momma friends can be oh so au courant while sipping on some Sofia Blanc de Blanc!

Merci Beaucoup!

Love This: Chore Charts (Free Downloads!)

A ongoing challenge in many households is getting your kids to do their chores.

We want to raise responsible & capable adults - and we have to start somewhere.  Whats the end goal?  Well ideally by the time they go to college they will know how to do their own laundry.

A good way to get started on implementing a chore system is with a chore chart.  Ruth over at Living Well Spending Less has an excellent series of printable charts & lists to implement chores in your household.

We love her printable popsicle stick chores.  Print them out, glue them onto popsicle sticks and the kids can draw a stick to determine what chore(s) they are assigned for the day.

Can their first chore can be to make the chore sticks? Sounds like a great way start!

Plan Ahead! National Find a Rainbow Day is April 3rd (Free Download!)

Did you know April 3rd marks National Find a Rainbow Day?  What a great excuse to plan a fun day for your kids and their friends!

The topic of rainbows will not only draw your kids' attention, but its also a great opportunity to work a mini-science lesson into your day by explaining how the natural phenomena occurs. 

Breakfast:  Rainbow fruit skewers and pot of gold yogurt.
This is a fruity breakfast option to start your day.  Take wooden skewers and skewer fresh fruit in the following order - strawberry, cantaloupe, banana, green grape, blueberries, and red grapes - Viola! a rainbow appears before your own eyes.  For pot of gold yogurt, take a serving of plain Greek yogurt in a small cup, pour a thin layer of honey over the top.  Doesnt get much easier than that!

Storytime:  A Rainbow of My Own, by Don Freeman.
"If I were a rainbow where would I hide?"  Follow along in this engaging book as a little boy plays with his imaginary friend - a rainbow.

Playdate:
Unfortunately April does not always provide the best weather for outdoor activities.  Make your own rainbows with many items found within your home.

Take a box of Fruit Loops, have the kids separate the colors, teaching the little ones ROY-G-BIV (red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet). Then take the colors and paste them onto this free printable activity page.

Not into Fruit Loops?  Take pasta wheels, cook and use food dyes (we suggest mixing both the regular and the neon food dyes) to color the pasta the night before. 

Dinner:
With a little creativity and access to fresh fruits and vegetables, most meals can be turned into a rainbow experience.  Rainbow TexMex Tortellini Salad is easy, healthy and tasty - a true crowd pleaser.

Late-Nightcap:  
Look what mama found at the end of her rainbow!  An April Rain Martini is your beloved vodka martini with a hint of refreshing lime.  Easy to make and sure to put some Spring in your step.

Love This: Father's Day DIY

Most Dads dont ask for too much on Father's Day, right?  No brunch, no breakfast in bed, no flowers... but most Dad's appreciate a little DIY, and all Dads will love a handmade gift on Father's Day.

Here is an excellent idea for a great Father's Day present - homemade handkerchiefs.  Check out the details at Paper Stitch!

Once you've finished your handmade handkerchiefs, head over to All for the Boys for this free printable to be personalized by your little ones!

Too Good Not to Share: I'm Your Fan!

How about we spend these rainy days preparing for the sun!

Those hot, humid, sticky Boston summer days are just around the corner.  So lets use these gloomy days for some fun indoor crafts.

Check out these fun & free printable fans offered by Mr. Printable. They are easy to assemble, and your kids will be enjoying the final products within minutes.   Make them now, so come August when your little guys need to cool off in the Tot Lot, you'll be prepared!

Too Good Not to Share: Free Number Set Printables

Number Prints by The Handmade Home

Forget about one fish, two fish.  How about 1 birdcage, 2 vintage cars and 3 Airstreams? Sure, but only if you follow it with 4 pinwheels, 5 teapots and 6 spring chickadees! 

Head over to The Handmade Home where fresh colorful ideas abound, and download your free set of number prints.  These cheery prints are great not only for decor on your wall, but also could be laminated and used as flash cards for your little ones.

Too Good Not to Share: Free Download Prints From Q.A. Design

Free Downloadable Prints by Q.A. Design

Love these prints? So do we!  Would you love it even more if you could download it for free with permission from the artist? Yeah, us too! 

These would be great colorful decorations for your kid's room, we suggest framing a print of each of the parent's home state or county.

Through the generosity of Q.A. Design you too can download a print for yourself - many states and countries available.  Enjoy!