Making a Working Mom's Morning Easier

Though I would much prefer to be a stay at home, raising these 4 kiddos is expensive and my income is necessary. I noticed when I went back to work after my maternity leave that my kids were stressed about who they were going to be with that day. It probably makes it even harder because, being a teacher, I get long breaks every few months. The girls just get used to the routine and we change it again. Then they get used to the new routine and I'm back at work again. I made this chart to help them. It has really helped to get them ready in the morning because they know where they are going the next day and can get ready accordingly.

To make it, I folded a piece of paper to make a pocket. I stapled the pocket to make 7 tall narrow pockets and labeled each one with a day of the week. I laminated this for durability and cut the pockets. Then, I made different colored tags for Mom, Dad and Grandma (who does their daycare). I also made a tag labeled "Today." We move the tag every night so the girls know where they will be going the next day. On mine, I also added a pocket to settle the argument over who gets to pick the book we read at night and sit in the middle while I read the story. I can already see that they are less stressed and really appreciate knowing what's coming up in their week.

New Year's Eve Party

Here's how we threw a New Year's Eve party (4 year old style):

We made decorations:


Masks and noisemakers:
Looked at our hot-off-the-presses blog book from this year and discussed resolutions. We played a toss game in which the girls threw a ball and tried to get it through the 0 in 2011. If they made it in they told me a resolution they could make for the year. Some were serious and some were funny. I'm sure they didn't truly understand, but they sure had fun.

I also made a city skyline with my Cricut and my own very crude ball to drop at "midnight." (Simply aluminum foil wrapped over some recycled paper squished into a ball.) We discussed what happens in New York on New Year's Eve and counted backwards from 10. When we reached 0 we celebrated by giving everyone hugs, making noise and wishing everyone Happy New Years.

Then we ate our special cake and fudge numbers that spelled 2011. (I must be honest -- the fudge was for me. I gave away all of my Christmas fudge to neighbors and didn't even get a bite. I certainly could have made the numbers out of bread, apples, cheese or any number of healthier things, but this was a great excuse to make more fudge.)

Playing With My Food...

I saw this idea here and I loved it! I knew that my kids would too. I decided to use sprinkles for the buttons and nose. The nose stuck in just fine when the marshmallow was warm. I should have used it for the eyes too. Instead I used black decorating gel. That stuff is so annoying to me -- it always runs and bleeds after I put it on. In the future I think I would use pretzels for the arms too.

Kid Created Gift

I really want my kids to understand that gift giving goes both ways. I try to come up with something for the girls to give to their numerous Great Aunts and Uncles every year. This year, I feel like I ran out of time and realized (PANIC!) that we really must do it today. So, we created these calendars. I printed tiny calendars from this website, cut them out and stapeled them to some cardstock. The girls decorated and we discussed the months of the year and sang some calendar songs. Easy, free and hopefully useful to the recipients.

Seriously, wouldn't this make you smile all year long?

Easy Wreath

This is a simple, easy project my kids loved. I had the girls cut out a ring from a paper plate. Then, I had them take strips of green about 4 inches long fold them in half and glue them so that they are covering the ring. When the ring was covered, I had the girls go back and cut fringe on the green papers. Then, decorate. We used red hole punches and a gift wrap bow. They are always most proud of this type of project that they can do without much help.

Santa Limbo

Ever played Santa Limbo? It's one of my favorite games to play with young kids and I'm so glad my own kids are now old enough to enjoy it. You put a pillow on your tummy so that you have a big tummy like Santa would and limbo away. Always a good time!

Snowman Family Portrait

Holy cuteness, Batman! I love this project! I got the idea from the blog That Artist Woman. Read the full tutorial here.I did this project with my class as the family gift and with my own kiddos. At home (with only 3 kids) we used felt to make the hats, gloves, etc. and I like how it pops off the canvas. We also used googly eyes because I love them and use them every chance I get! I love how the kids really make the project personal with the details. Not sure why Caitlin had her brother have 3 eyes. Sisters...

I did change a few things from the tutorial. First, I had the girls mix their own paint and used it as a chance to discuss what white does to a color. I also used a Contact paper stencil to make sure that the girls ended up with a snow line. I know my girls and I know that they get too excited about painting and will paint the entire surface every time, so first I gave them a small rectangle of clear contact paper and had them cut their snow line. I told them not to paint the bottom part, but ...see? I was right! When the paint dried, we simply pulled off the Contact paper stencil and they had some snow. I also skipped the snow glitter the original directions said you could use. Sadly, my husband is not a fan... :(

All in all, I love how it turned out. It's a keeper!