How to Thank a Teacher
Want to know how to thank a teacher? Tell them how you feel! Make thank-you notes for your favorite teacher share them with Crayola for a chance to win!| Playground Parkbench
My favorite part of every holiday is decorating for the season. And no surprise, my kids love to be involved every step of the way! Last year, we made this fun stenciled Nutcracker banner for our family room fireplace. This year, we created this kidmade Christmas banner of sequined ornaments… The post Kidmade Christmas Banner – Suncatcher Ornaments appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
A few years ago, inspiration struck in the form of mini red Solo cups and fond memories of my college drinking days… and the festive holiday party games for kids – Jingle Bell Toss – was born. Would you believe I was actually hesitant to hit publish on the post?… The post 5 Ways to Play Jingle Bell Toss appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
Every year, for as long as I can remember, my family has spent the weekend before Christmas baking cookies by the baker’s rack full. We test new recipes annually, but there are two we ALWAYS make – Whipping Cream Sugar Cookies and Gingerbread Cookies. Our Family Christmas Cookies As promised… The post Our Family Christmas Cookies appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post is sponsored by Carter’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Family Christmas pajamas are a part of everyone’s holiday – learn how to get the most wear (and precious photo ops) out of yours! Every year for as long as I can remember, my mom has… The post 20 Ways to Make the Most of Your Family Christmas Pajamas appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
The pages of Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes & Garden are graced with gorgeous tablescapes and decor ideas for adults. But what about the kids’ Thanksgiving table? That’s where all the real fun happens (and not much eating except for rolls!). Check out how we decorate the kids’ table… The post Thanksgiving Table for Kids appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
Hosting dinner for the holidays can be totally intimidating. Use these tips to prep and make ahead Thanksgiving dinner dishes, so you can enjoy the day as much as your guests. I hosted my first Thanksgiving two years ago. I had never even cooked a turkey before. And I had… The post Hosting Thanksgiving? 10 Things You Can Make Ahead of the Holiday appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
Spring has sprung! The sky is blue, the flowers are popping up, the birds are chirping… and after reading Lois Ehlert’s Garden boxed set, my girls are chomping at the bit to start our seeds for this year’s garden. Unfortunately, it’s a few weeks too early here, with overnight temps… The post DIY Garden Markers Inspired by Lois Ehlert appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
Who else remembers the candy haul from class valentines when you were a kid? Red heart lollipops, boatloads of chalky conversation hearts, and chocolate kisses galore! However, times are changing. And if your kids’ schools are anything like mine, parents are “strongly discouraged” from sending in food or candy items… The post School-Approved Valentines Your Kids Will Love appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
In our family, cookies are a given for every holiday. It’s a tradition that dates back to my Great Grandmother’s Christmas cookie baking marathons, continued by my Grandfather, my mom and now me. And I love that I’ve already ingrained it so well in my kids that they think it… The post Easy Valentine’s Day Cookies For Kids appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
With Valentine’s Day, comes an abundance of candy hearts. You can’t possibly eat them all… but before you throw them away, let your kids use them for learning through play. Check out this great list of Valentine candy hearts activities and have your kids counting, sorting, playing games, learning sight… The post 20+ Valentine Candy Hearts Activities for Kids appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post is part of a series on College Savings Plans sponsored by CHET, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust, Connecticut’s 529 College Savings Plan. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. The grandmas have been asking what the kids “need” for Christmas since before Halloween. Here I am, trying to juggle… The post Give the Gift of Education appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This holiday, do more celebrating with the ones you love, and less stressing over how to make it all happen. Make the most of your holiday with these 5 simple tips to save time and money. This post is sponsored by Boscov’s, the largest family-owned department store. As always, opinions… The post Make the Most of Your Holiday: 5 Ways to Save Time and Money appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post is part of a series on College Savings Plans sponsored by CHET, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust’s 529 College Savings Plan. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. Now that you have started a college fund and are saving money to it every month, what is the best… The post The Best Way to Invest for College appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
When I was pregnant with my oldest, I was fixated on and petrified of labor and delivery. I had no idea what to expect – would I know when it was happening? Would my water break first? What would real contractions feel like (especially after weeks of Braxton Hicks)? How… The post A Tale of Two Birth Stories appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post is part of a series on College Savings Plans sponsored by CHET, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust’s 529 College Savings Plan. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. There are countless different accounts and products available to save money. But the best way to save money for kids… The post The Best Way to Save Money for Kid’s College appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This is a sponsored post for Crayola as part of the Mom It Forward influencer network. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. Learning activities for 2 year olds can be tough. They want to do what the older kids are doing, but are easily frustrated when their development skills… The post Quick and Easy Fine Motor Activities for 2 Year Olds appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post is part of a series on College Savings Plans sponsored by CHET, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust’s 529 College Savings Plan. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. This back to school season add one important item to your school shopping list – if your child is starting… The post How to Set Up a College Fund in Minutes appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post was sponsored by Crayola as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. This might be the most nerve-wracking week of the entire year. It’s the week our school district sends the email blast announcing classroom teachers. Last… The post You Can’t Repay Teachers… But You Can Write Thank You Notes appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
This post is sponsored by Kleenex Facial Tissue. As always, opinions remain 100% my own. This back to school season, wants to help you be a Classroom Hero. Learn 15+ ways you can go the extra mile to support your child’s teacher with parent volunteering… whether by sharing your time,… The post 15+ Ways to Be A Classroom Hero by Parent Volunteering appeared first on Playground Parkbench.| Playground Parkbench
Want to know how to thank a teacher? Tell them how you feel! Make thank-you notes for your favorite teacher share them with Crayola for a chance to win!| Playground Parkbench
A Connecticut Savvy Mom Blog| Playground Parkbench
Big M (age 4) is obsessed with the movie, Brave, and pretending to be Merida. So much so, that she often runs around the house with a plastic coat hanger (her bow) pretending to shoot arrows. My husband and father-in-law have fed her obsession by taking her for archery practice…| Playground Parkbench
