Category Archives: Family Life

A Salute to Dedicated and Devoted Teachers + Free Printable Teacher Gift Tags

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Teacher Appreciation Blog

As the parent of a child with Special Needs letting her go out into “the world” aka Elementary School was no easy task.  Under the protective umbrella of Day Care, I grew to expect a certain level of care that I was not sure if I was going to receive in Elementary School.  I was beyond nervous and apprehensive while trying to appear confident and excited about the transition.  My oldest is 18 years old, so I had an opportunity the deal with all kinds of teachers.  So, I felt like I knew what to expect.

But, nothing could have prepared me for the team that I would encounter at her school.  I can only say that I was blessed.  Right out the gate her Speech Therapist fell in love with her.  I got the immediate feeling that she would care for her like her very own and she did.  We have had 5 years of amazing teachers, and specialist.  Each going the extra mile to make sure that our girl got the care she needed in order to successful.  That is no small feat, trust me.  When she gets out the car in the morning, I am truly comfortable and at ease.

For this reason, Teacher Appreciation Week is extremely important to me.  After all who else spends as much time with your little ones as you do.  These ladies and gentlemen are the next line of defense and are instrumental in helping to mold their young minds.  So every year, I try to put a little thought into giving them something that shows just how much we appreciate their efforts.

This year I wanted something both cute and quick.  So, I decided to go personalized.  We ordered these Super Cute Laura Kelly Personalized Note Pads from Expressionery and coupled them with our Printable Teacher Gift Tags and some Ribbon.  And, just like that we had a Gift Any Teacher would appreciate.

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To Download your Own Copy of the Printable Teacher Gift Tags featuring #myteacherisbetterthanyours Click Here.

THANKS-FOR-HELPING-ME-GROW-TAG

“IT TAKES A BIG HEART, TO HELP SHAPE LITTLE MINDS.”

What is your Go To Gift for Teacher Appreciation Week?

Fostering A Love For Reading In Your Child

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Fostering A Love for Reading In Your Child - stage-presents.comAs a little girl one of my favorite past times was reading.  I was always  excited when my Mom announced a trip to the local library.   So, it’s no big surprise that it was something I wanted to share with my own children. My oldest shared my love for reading very early on in life.  But for my middle child, reading was a little harder.  She has a significant Speech Delay, so we had to work harder with her.  It was very important to me that we not frustrate her so much with the process, that it became a chore instead of a joy. So the whole family got in on the action.

My oldest would read to her when she was younger.  We(hubby and I) would read to her, and we would let her read to us.  We were patient with her and we let her take her time, which I admit was not always easy.  As she progressed, we let her read to her little sister.  This was quite the bonding experience for them.  We always have a lot of discussion after reading,  this was just as important to me, as the reading, because it was a way to determine how much she actually understood and comprehended.

One of the most important aspects of getting your little ones to enjoy reading is to keep their interest.  So we let the kids pick out their own books.  I shared with them some of my favorites from back in the day like “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? by Judy Blume and  the Sweet Valley High Books and for my youngest, “Curious George” and “Paddington Bear”.  And, yes they have been around that long.  And, to my surprise they fell in love with them too.

Keeping them reading during the school year is a breeze but during the summer it gets a little harder to compete with the park and the swimming pool.  So every year we get involved in a Summer Reading Program.  The great thing about the Summer Reading Programs is that you can find them at most local libraries.  Most of them come with lots of added perks and bonuses for the kids such as coupons from local sponsors, special events, free books and a chance to win great prizes.

Here’s a link to one of my favorite programs the Collaborative Summer Library Program.

“TODAY A READER, TOMORROW A LEADER.” –MARGARET FULLER

You can open new worlds to your children, by simply sharing a book with them.  Happy Reading!!  What are your favorite children’s Books?  What books were your kid’s favorites? Consider leaving a  comment.

Earth Day Coloring Sheets

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Earth Day is on April 22, 2015 this year.  It’s never too early to teach the Little Ones the importance of doing their part and taking care of The Earth.  Have some Coloring Fun with the Little Ones, and Enjoy this “Do Your Part” Earth Day Coloring Sheet.

Earth Day Coloring Sheet

To Download:  Right Click and Save Image as to Download and Print.

Making A Dent In My Rolling To Do List Over Spring Break

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rolling

Confession Time.  I live with a Rolling To Do List that is totally separate from my Daily To Do List, My Monthly To Do List, and My Quarterly To Do List, I’m not proud of this of course.   But, I call it rolling because it literally rolls from Month to Month.  In my defense, although it is a rather large list, it is made up a ton of small things and projects.  I am constantly seeing different things that I want to change or get done around the house.

So, I got the bright idea, since it was Spring Break and I wasn’t playing full time taxi driver, tutor and short order cook, that I would try to mark some of these items off of my list.  Always the over achiever, the things that I thought I could get done over the break vs. what I actually got done, well… lets just say there was a marked difference.

But, I did manage to make a dent in my list…

1.  I completed Our Family Photo Book for 2014.  (I’ve been working on this since January 1st, I’m kind of a perfectionist & literally tried to fit as many pics as I could on each page.)

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2.  I printed out one of Our Own Printables, found here in Our Etsy Store and Framed it to go in the Master Bathroom. (So to answer a question many have asked, I do sometimes decorate with my own Stage Presents Stuff.)

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3.  Completed the Teacher Appreciation Gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week in May.  Just one less things I will have to do next month.  I saw this EOS Lip Balm Spring Printable Idea on the TaterTotsandJello blog and knew I had to have it.  Click the Blog Name to go directly to the site.

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4.  Greenery of some sort in my Kitchen Window is a must during the warmer months.  I have had the basil for a couple of weeks now, but wasn’t sure what to  put in the second pot, I eventually settled on some succulents.  I had some of these a while back, and didn’t do so well with them.  So we will see how they fare this go round.

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6.  Lastly, my Pinterest Board is full of Cocktails and “Mock”tails that I always want to try, but never get a chance to.  My original thought was to make a Bellini with Orange Sherbet.  But, decided to try my hand at a “Mock”tail that I thought would work, and it was a Score.  It only called for two ingredients, Mango Sorbet and Welch’s Sparking White Grape Juice, which doubles as Non-Alcoholic Wine.  It was the perfect combination and a Good Idea for a Baby Shower, where you want a fab drink that is Alcohol Free.

image1 (30)Well, today is the last day of Spring Break here, so I am off to enjoy the little time we have left.  Hope you had a Great Spring Break and have a Fabulous Weekend!!

Staycations & Road Trips – Spring Break on a Budget

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Spring BreakSpring Break always brings to mind visions of warm weather, beaches, vacation homes, hotels and lots of sun.  But, what do you do when your budget doesn’t make those things a possibility.  The change in the economy some years back brought to the fore front the concept of Stay-cations (vacations spent at home).  I am sure most people, don’t find that idea to be too appealing, myself included. This year I had grand plans for Spring Break, but due to unforeseen circumstances they fell by the wayside.  So, I was left scrambling to find something to do with the kids to occupy their days while not graying anymore around the temples.

Luckily for us, the beginning of Spring Break happened to fall on Easter.  So we decided to go visit family deeper South.  Yep, that means a Road Trip with young kids.  That is about as terrifying as the whole idea of the Stay-cation.  Check out our post back in October 2013 on Road Tripping with Kids.  Well our kids aren’t that small so you would think, no big deal, but we have a 5 year old, who NEVER has to go potty until we are on the road, with no Rest Stop in Sight.  That lead to two unplanned stops both going and coming, much to the dismay of our less than sympathetic chauffeur aka Daddy.  But, we made it there despite the added time to our trip. Our Trip meant at least one night of hotel stay, and for the kids that was equivalent to heaven.  We were also excited to find out that their was a Fair in town.  They got a chance to experience a good old Country Fair in all its glory.  So we were still scoring, as far as the kid’s were concerned.

The hard part of course was still to come.  We were headed home and needed to figure out what to do with them for the remainder of the week.  So, I pulled out my trusty planner and decided to put together a Pseudo Schedule/Plan so that we wouldn’t drive each other batty.  I penciled in Day Trips to the local kid’s museums, the local zoo, and even some Ferris Wheel and Water Park Fun. Add to that some Easy Craft Projects, and a few inexpensive trips to Local Fast Food Joints, the Farmer’s Market, and Ice Cream Shops.  And, you have a week filled with entertainment and joy for all parties involved.  Or at least that’s what I am hoping.  Keep in mind that you have to take into account that you are planning around the weather, temperaments and time constraints, but it will all be worth it in the LONG RUN.  What are you doing or what did you do this Spring Break?

“Life is to be Enjoyed, Not Endured.” – Create your Own Joy!!

Fun Friday – The Spring 2015 Mini Home Tour

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springminiThis year I managed to get the house ready for Spring/Easter with a week to spare.  I am always happy when I see a plan come together.   Our Wreath from last year couldn’t be revived for another year, so I went with a simple Forsythia Wreath.  I enjoy seeing Yellow on the front door for this time of year.

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I switched out the Framed Printable in the Foyer for this great ‘Nest” free printable found over on On Sutton Place.image1 (24)

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The Idea for the Centerpiece was found on Pinterest.  Luckily, I had all the components needed here at home.  The flowers were from my wedding almost 6 years ago.  I have NEVER gotten so much use of of one item, EVER.  They have been all over my house.  Money well Spent.  The lantern was part of my Christmas Centerpiece, and the Yellow flowers, were taken from Last Year’s Spring Wreath.

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The Formal Living Room is where the rest of Last Year’s Wreath came to live, I took the whole thing apart and used it to bring a little life to this room, since the Color Palette in here was very muted.

image2 (15)This little bistro table is set up in our Kitchen.  It is most often just used as the Mail Table.  But, when we entertain, it is the Dessert Table.  I used another Great Framed Free Printable here that I found on Tater Tots and Jello.

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The last thing we changed was the Guest/Kid’s Bathroom.  I should mention that the weekend after all this change, we had Family stay with us for the weekend.  So, this was just an excuse to upgrade this space with this Great Shower Curtain, and a Plush New Mat(not pictured here.)

In case you are wondering why I called this the Mini Spring House Tour, it is because I didn’t hit every room in the house.  But, I was very pleased with the outcome and we are ready and waiting for the Pool to Open in the subdivision and for the Warm Weather to Come Pouring In.  Next Week is Spring Break here, so I will be off enjoying my little ones.  Hope you guys have a great one!!

Printable Easter Tags

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EasterBasketTagsBlogAre you amazed by how fast this year is flying by?  Easter is this weekend.  Looking to dress up your Easter Basket.  Print and Use our Free Printable Easter Tags.  It couldn’t be any easier.

Easter Basket Tags

Just Right Click (on the image above) Save and Print, Cut your Easter Tag, Punch a Hole In It and then String it Up with the Twine or Ribbon of Your Choice and there you have it.

Easter Basket Tag SuppliesEnjoy them!!

Fun Friday – Stop Struggling with the Time Change and Embrace Spring

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Spring is here, finally, and you couldn’t be happier, but you still haven’t adjusted to the Time Change.  At least, I know that I am still struggling.

I am still craving that hour.  I am not sure if it’s Mind Over Matter.  But, for me moving into the New Season calls for some change to my routine.

Here are some things that get me back on track, and psyched for the new season.

1.  Bring the Smell of Spring inside by throwing open the windows and letting the Fresh Air In.

2.  Fresh Flowers – I would have fresh flowers in every room, if it wasn’t so pricey.  So I try to keep Fresh Flowers in my Kitchen.

3.  Hit Up a Local Farmer’s Market.

4.  Indulge in some Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.

5.  Get Out in The Sun.  Take your kid’s to the park.  Get outside and talk a walk.  Hibernation Season is Over.

6.  Get Your Hands in the Dirt.  Whether you are planning a full fledged Garden or just some Flowers for the Front of the House.  Feel that Earth.

7.  Indulge in a Warm Weather Treat.  Get An Ice Cream Cone or Buy Some Ice Pops.  (That should score you some Mommy Brownie Points.)

8.  Retail Therapy.  It’s almost time for Sandals, Sundresses, Sunhats, Sunnies, Etc.  (And, have you purchased your Easter Outfits yet?)

It’s Spring — Embrace It!!

Easter Coloring Sheets

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I know that I am not the only Mom who loves to get down on the floor and Color with their little ones.  Even at my age, ahem… I still find coloring to be both soothing and therapeutic.  So, with Easter right around the corner, here are two super cute Easter Coloring Sheets.  RIGHT CLICK SAVE AND PRINT, and Enjoy!!

Easter Coloring Sheet 1

He is Risen Easter Coloring Sheet

Fun Friday Post – If I Have to Say It One More Time…

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Fun Friday 3-12-15

Do you find yourself having the same conversation over and over again, so much so that  you wished you had a voice recorder hanging around your neck.  Join the Club of which I am not only a Member, but I very well may be THE PRESIDENT.

1.  Wake up  – Hurry Up!!

2.  Who used the last of the toilet tissue?

3.  Please turn down the volume.

4.  I don’t know what’s for dinner or when it will be ready? (All while I am actively cooking dinner.)

5.   No, you can’t have a 4th cup of juice, a 3rd donut, or more ice cream.

6.  No Maam, I don’t want to give you my phone number so that you can text me about upcoming sales.

7.  No, I do not want to do the survey at the end of the call after waiting for 30 mins for your Customer Service Representative to pick up.

8.  No Sir, I don’t want to repeat my order for the fifth time only to get the wrong order when I get to the Second Window.

9.  No, I am not interested in opening a No Name Bank Account in the Super Market, especially when your flyer has Customer Spelled incorrectly.

10.  No, I don’t want to donate to the XYZ  Football Team.  Why, because your shirt says the ABC football team?