Upcycled Button Toothbrush Cup

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NaturalGoodness #CollectiveBias

Hello friends!

April is Earth month, and it has me thinking. We have spent a lot of time trying to get as many chemicals out of our home as possible. I make our laundry detergent (link) and cleaning sprays. We use cloth diapers (most of the time), and I try to keep the kids' soaps and products as natural as possible. We're not perfect, but we try.

I've also been working on getting our home more organized. It seems like the first step to any organizing project is going out and buying some new storage item. Now, don't get me wrong, I love good storage, but I don't think that running out and buying something new needs to be the first step every time!

This was a great little project for Abbey. She got to make a project, and now she has more ownership over keeping her bathroom counter clean, because it's her work she is using!

Tools for Stopping the Tattling

Hi friends!

What is it about Kindergarten? Abbey has hit full-blown tattle tale status, and it is making me absolutely CRAZY!

I am a firm believer in the use of all sorts of tools when addressing a behavior concern. I can explain why it is a bad thing until my face turns blue, or I can read a few stories and show her a video. If that's what works, I say go for it!

So, without further adieu...my favorite tools to stop the tattling!

Simple Steps to a Cleaner Kitchen

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FoamSensations #CollectiveBias

Hi friends!

Anyone who knows me knows that the words "neat" and "tidy" do not apply to me in any way, shape, or form. I would love to be that person that has everything neatly in it's place before they head off to bed, but it's just not my skill set.

However, I am trying to work on those little "hot spots". You know, the areas in your home that turn into catch-alls? Today I am tackling one of those spots in my kitchen (yes, I said one of...it's a work in progress!). It's time to dress up the sink!

Creating a Crafty Easter Basket with Disney

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DisneyEaster #CollectiveBias

Hi friends!

I have mixed emotions about Easter baskets...

I actually don't stress about the whole "what does that have to do with Jesus?" aspect of things. We celebrate Easter because He came and gave us the ultimate gift of eternal life in Him. However, that is really big and really abstract for little ones. What we talk about is how Jesus gave us a great gift, even better than our favorite FAVORITE presents! We give because He gave. We talk about love, and generosity, but we also talk about how no gift on Earth is as big as the gift of Jesus.

Gifts are one of my love languages, so I love any chance to shower the ones I love. However, having 2 kids, we are fighting the "stuff" battle full force! I don't want to fill our home with kitschy things just for the sake of gift giving. That doesn't help anyone, especially not the one who does most of the picking up!

Disney to the rescue!

Constellation Dough

Hi friends!

One of my favorite things about homeschooling is the fact that we can follow Abbey's interests. Learning is so much easier when you are truly interested in what you are learning! Sure, we have our regular curriculum, but I love plugging in little unit studies as Abbey's interests lead.

This week it was stars. She has been asking about space, and stars, and the sun. She was especially interested in constellations. She is such a little artist, so the idea that there were pictures in the sky was fascinating for her!

I thought she needed a way to really explore constellations, and this is what we came up with!