Sore Leg, Can't Move, & have littles ones... What to do?

     Most of us have injured our legs or feet at some point in our lives, and know what it's like to not get around. If you haven't experienced anything like this before, it's horrible! It's much worse, when you have little ones to look after, and no way to get around without help.
     This last weekend, I was laid up in bed with a really sore and swollen knee. I could barely get around, let alone sit on the floor to play with my 4 year old and 2 year old daughters. It literally broke my heart, when my girls kept begging me to play with them and I couldn't. I never really considered walking, as a blessing. I guess, I just kind of took it for granted. Now I realize how lucky I have been, in that I could get up and walk around on my own.

    Now, the question is... What do you do when you're laid up in bed, and have kids? Most of us would automatically think that reading books, watching movies or t.v., coloring in coloring books would be the best way to go. But how long will these things keep the kids' attention and interest, especially a toddler's attention and interest? Not very long! I decided to go on a search to see what experts and other parents had done with their kids, and with very little luck. However, I did find BabyCenter's "40 ways to entertain your kids while laying down" article, and I loved it.  They provide so many creative ideas that would definitely help any parent entertain their children while stuck in bed. If you just so happen to be laid up with a broken leg, or just put on bed-rest, and are going "crazy" like I have been... I would suggest visiting this site. It'll help you, like it has for me.

Set the Table

   Teaching your kids how to properly set the table, doesn't necessarily have to be during meal times. I made a simple game that will allow my kids to practice setting the table, by matching the shapes to their outlines. All I did was cut out the necessary shapes for my utensils, cup, napkin and plate. I then used a pencil and traced around each shape inside my file folder. That's it! My kids were ready to play!
     When playing this game, each child is required to look at each of their shapes, and match them accordingly to their outline shown on their file folder. While matching, I would always ask my kids to name each item. Once my kids were done playing and learning, they could easily store their cutouts inside their individual file folders. And voila, the games were cleaned up. 
When teaching preschool, I used this activity in my centers during my health and nutrition themed week. All of them loved matching the pieces so much that they would do it over and over again.
In what ways have you taught your kids, how to set your table?

Mommy & Me Luncheon

     Every Friday before Mother's Day, each year, I would invite my moms into my classroom. I would invite them to come join their children for snack time. The kids loved this, and always looked forward to having their mommies come spend some class time with them. If a child's mother wasn't readily available, I would always find another female to make that child feel comfortable.
     It has been a few years since I have taught my preschoolers. As a SAHM now, I want to be able to take my daughters out for a Mommy & Me Luncheon. My mom, her sisters and my grandma did this for years. They have even invited me to tag along a few times. It is a tradition that I want to pass down to my daughters, as I know that it does help keep a mother and daughter's relationship strong.
     

For the Babysitter: In Case of an Emergency Printable

     If you met some of my closest friends and family, they would tell you that I am a worry wart. Which I am, especially when it comes to my kids. I am one of the most overly protective parents, you will ever meet. I like to thank my knowledge in early childhood development for that.
    In addition to being an educator, I was a nanny and child care provider for quite a few years. To be completely honest, there is nothing more handy for a babysitter to have than an emergency contact list. I am a full believer in the old saying, "It's Better Safe than Sorry!"

    
     If you're going out, and leaving your children with a babysitter, it's probably a good idea to have a list of emergency and non-emergency contacts for the babysitter to have. You never know, when something just might happen.
     As you can already see, I have created a simple babysitter emergency contact printable. This printable allows you to fill in important information that your childcare provider may need, in the event that an emergency arises while you're away from home. This printable is free for you to download, print and use.

Before downloading, please understand that:
1) This is for PERSONAL USE ONLY.

2) DO NOT modify, resell, redistribute or claim this printable as your own.

3) DO NOT remove my watermark.

4) If you re-post this printable online, credit must be given to

Mommy and Me Creations with a link back to my website.

** Please remember that these images are property of Mommy and Me Creations. 

I am just sharing some love, and ask that you send some back to me.**

DOWNLOAD MY FREEBIE

Mother's Day Subway Art Freebie

     I know Mother's Day is more than a month away, but I believe moms should be celebrated more than just once a year. There is no job more challenging, nor as rewarding as being a mother. I especially give extra credit to those women, who are stay-at-home-moms and/or single mothers.
No one will truly understand how tiring being a SAHM or being a single mom can be, until they have walked in your shoes!

     Now, I would like to congratulate those ladies who are expecting their first child. I'm going to let you in on something that I wish I knew before starting a family: You will never get to sleep in, ever again. Any parent would be lucky to get 5 or 6 hours of sleep, a night. In the four short years that I have been parenting, I haven't had one single decent night's rest, and every morning I wake up with a backache because one of my kids had crawled into bed with me during the night.

     By day, a mother will be up to her shoulders in laundry. She will have a sink full of dirty dishes, waiting to be washed. Her kids will be begging for her attention, teasing one another, and fighting over their toys. And yes, some of those toys just might end up flooding the toilet. Sadly, there will come a time where this mother will find crayon, paint or markers drawn on the walls. She will want to pull her hair out, and want to scream out loud with anger and frustration.Yes, I have experienced many of these situations myself. Just about every mom that I know of, has experienced some of these as well. You're not alone!

     So what are the rewards to this? The rewards are the many smiles, hugs, kisses, memories, and I love yous that you receive from your children. These are the things that matter the most, and just melt your heart away.

     No one said that parenting was easy, but it sure is a wonderful thing to experience. I am very proud of my kids, and am proud to be able to stay home with them to watch them grow. Yes, we have our moments. None of us are perfect. We grow together, we learn together, and we love together. That's what makes us a family.


Now, I would like to share with you a subway printable. This printable contains words that describe the traits of an excellent mother. All of us, moms, have these traits. And that's what makes us great in the eyes of our children.

Before downloading, please understand that:
1) This is for PERSONAL USE ONLY.

2) DO NOT modify, resell, redistribute, or claim this printable as your own.

3) DO NOT remove my watermark.

4) If you re-post this printable online, credit must be given to

Mommy and Me Creations with a link back to my website.

** Please remember that these images are property of Mommy and Me Creations. 

I am just sharing some love, and ask that you send some back to me.**

Download My Freebie

Play is not just entertaining, it's learning!

     Before I went into the field of Early Child Education, I thought play was only meant to entertain children. I never took a second thought about it. For a child, playing is learning. It's our responsibility, as the adult, to make sure that our kids play every single day.

"Come on, Mom! Let's Play!" that should be one of the best things a child could say to a parent! The bad thing is: some parents always push their child aside because he or she feels that whatever they are doing at that moment, is more important than spending time with their child.

We only have a select few years, before we start begging our children for attention! 

Now, I'm just as guilty. There are times when I am too tired, or have something else going on. My suggestion is, take advantage of playing with your child every chance you get. You never know if it'll be your last! 

Dying Easter Eggs

     Dying Easter Eggs is one of my favorite Easter activities, and I am very proud to pass on this love to my daughters. With just the three of us, I usually use a box kit to dye my Easter Eggs. This year, I decided to use my classic DIY Easter Egg dye that I would use while teaching my preschoolers.

To dye eggs without an Easter Egg Dying Kit, you will need:

-Vinegar
-Water
-Eggs (Hard Boiled)
-Food Coloring
-Spoons and Cups (one for each color)
-Some Paper Towels

Step #1: Boil your eggs, and make sure to save your hot water from boiling.
Step #2: After the eggs have boiled, pull them out and place them nicely on a paper towel to dry.
Step #3: Pour 3/4 cup of boiling water into each cup.
Step #4: Pour 3 tablespoons of vinegar into each cup needed.
Step #5: Add approximately 10 drops of food coloring into each of their cups. (The more drops added to each cup, the more vibrant the color will be on each egg.)
Step #6: Place the eggs in their cups, and leave for a few minutes. (The longer the egg is in its cup, the darker the egg will become) Continually adjust your eggs using a spoon, this will help even the color around the egg.
Step #7: Once the egg has reached its desired color, pull it out and place it on a paper towel to dry.

     The best thing about this dye recipe is, crayon can be added to the egg to help resist the dye just like the typical Easter Egg Dying Kits that are sold in stores. This recipe definitely helps save a few dollars, but I have found it really helpful when dying eggs with multiple children. I have used this method several times, especially while teaching upwards of 25 children.
I wouldn't recommend dying Easter Eggs as a whole group activity, but I would most definitely suggest doing it in small groups for center time. That way, the teacher can monitor each child and clean up any mess before it "gets out of hand". I would also recommend having the children wear smocks, or old clothing sent from home. This will prevent their nice clothes from getting stained.

     Thanks for stopping by. Please let me know if you decide to do this activity with your kiddos, and how it turned out for you. I always enjoy hearing from you. Thanks again! 

Simple Holiday Decorating

The other day, I ran into Kristine McKay {the host of "My Craft Studio"} at the mall. My husband and I were heading down the escalators, when I saw her heading in the same direction. I literally took a double take, because I could not believe my eyes. She was, of course, dressed nice and talking on her cell phone... and following us!! I whispered to my husband, "That's the lady I was talking to you about! She's on that online craft show, I always watch." I was so shocked that I didn't know what to do! I stood very still and looked on, while my husband stared at her. She finally hung up, and asked, "Do I know you?" That's what all started our small, but really fun conversation. Of course, she asked if I was a crafter too. I shyly answered with, "Yes", still amazed that I was even talking to her.  To be honest, I try to be crafty... but my OCD gets the best of me, every single stinkin' time. I have tons of craft ideas whirling around in my head, all of the time. I just don't act on them, for fear that I won't like the end result. I have to say, it is one of the most frustrating characteristics about myself.

Now, I try to stick to easier crafts that are much more desirable and fit my style. About seven months ago, I inherited a simple wooden wreath. The wreath itself is pretty, but it does look a lot better with a little something added to it. I decided that for each holiday, I would decorate it with a little something {from the dollar store} to match the corresponding holiday. Thus far; I have managed to decorate it for Christmas, Valentine's Day, and now for St. Patrick's Day. {I've found that I'm also saving money by reusing the same wreath... Instead of buying new for each holiday.} My wreath turns out surprisingly beautiful each holiday too. I am very proud of the progress that I've made. Now, I need to find something a little more challenging.

Here is my St. Patrick's Day wreath. Usually I put a little something hanging/sitting in the middle of the wreath,  but this time I wanted to focus on  the little shamrock vines "growing" around the wreath. This project was simple enough to allow my 3 year old to help me, which she absolutely loved doing! If you have a simple wreath laying around, I would suggest saving some extra cash and do the same thing!