School

Non-Candy Valentine’s Ideas for Kids to Take to School

There are some school with crazy restrictions on what can and can’t come into the school, I completely get it, allergies are no joke. I wanted to share some great ideas for non-candy Valentine’s that your kids can take to school, to co-op, party or where ever they may be taking Valentine’s to school. Maybe to homeschool co-op.

Non-Candy Valentine’s Ideas for Kids to Take to School

*This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.*

We aren’t all Pinterest moms, but some of you are, and you are talented! I love the ease of these Valentines that you and your kids can put together together and take to school, or co-op or where ever to hand out to their friends.

Scroll down for Amazon Prime mom ideas. I know you’re thinking it.

Finger Paint Valentine | U R A Winner Valentine – Free Silhouette Files and Printable PDF | Cupid’s Heart Glow Stick Valentines | Valentine’s Day Poppers

You’re the Write Stuff Valentine | Printable Valentine’s Yo Yo Card | EOS Lip Balm Valentine’s Day Card | Dino Valentine with Printable | Heart Soap Valentine’s with Printable

Or if you are more of an Amazon Prime mom…. like I tend to lend more toward. I found some great classroom sets! Classroom sets means that you don’t have to make sure to find the same amount of the same pencils, or run around trying to find more.
Valentine’s Day Pre-Filled Favor Cups

Bulk Valentine Themed Assortment Pack for Classroom

36 Packs Valentine’s Day Sticker Mini Gift Boxes

Valentine’s Day Pre-Filled Favor Gift Bags

Valentine Puzzle Ring Favors with Cards

Valentine’s Day Pre-Filled Favor Gift Bag

I am secretly, not so secretly love that I don’t have to do this with my kids, no classroom nor co-op here. Just chocolate to share with each other at home.

What are your go to Valentine treats for your littles to take to school?

First Day of Kindergarten Books to Read

by Ashley Mullen

I have a little girl going into kindergarten (again) this year. I’m doing to the same thing I did when Austin was starting school – a little different because I’m not doing much supply shopping thanks to previous shopping trips and stock piling. We will be getting a new school outfit for the first day of school. I’ve also been reading our favorite kindergarten books.

First Day of Kindergarten Books - child reading

First Day of Kindergarten Books Ideas

This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.

I’m not looking forward to it to be honest for multiple reasons. I’m sure you can guess what they are:

She’s growing way too fast.
I’ll officially be homeschooling two kids.

Books for Kindergarten

Countdown to Kindergarten – This is so cute! I remember what it was like to be going into older grades and hearing stories about them. “Just days before kindergarten, and this little girl has heard all there is to know–from a first grader.”

The Night Before Kindergarten – How much more “first day of kindergarten” is this? Or, you know the night before. A great bedtime story. “Twas the night before kindergarten, and as they prepared, kids were excited, and a little bit scared.”

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! – I love this fun book. If Brookland were going to public school next month this would be her war cry! “The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can’t wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting.”

David Goes to School – Have you read any David books? They are fun to read and kids love to here them. “David’s teacher has her hands full.”

The Best Teacher Ever – We are big Mercer Mayer fans here. They are easy for early readers.

Welcome to Kindergarten – “Join Tim as he visits his future kindergarten classroom and learns what he will be doing during his first year of school.”

How do you celebrate the first day of kindergarten or the first day of school in general?

Cold and Flu Season – My 8 Essentials

by Ashley Mullen

Winter is just that time of year when the germs are out in full force, everyone is staying in out of the cold and germs spread quickly. I like to be prepared ahead of time for cold and flu season, with three kids there is a really good chance someone is going to get sick at some point. Moms take note, self care is so important even when your kids are sick, if not more important during this time to try and stay healthy yourself.

Cold and Flu Season

*This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.*

My essentials for when our family starts sniffling and sneezing.

Tissues

From the time Austin had her first cold (at very young) I started buying Puffs Plus Lotion. I won’t go back to cheaper tissues. When we have colds we try to get some Puffs Plus Lotion with Vicks.

Honey

From sore throats to coughs. The moment I feel a sore throat coming on I start drinking hot water with honey and lemon. It soothes and helps heal. I also use honey in a hot cup of tea.

Vicks VapoRub

Oh how I love thee! I think Vicks VapoRub is part of the reason our kids don’t seem to get as sicks as we do. I coat their feet each night at the first sign of a cold. If Austin starts sneezing, coughing, or complaining of a sore throat, they all get their feet coated.

Hot Water

Hot shower or bath. Nothing soothes a sore, achy body like more water. The steam also helps open airways and sinuses.

Rest

Take naps, lay back on the couch. Movie day with the family might just slow your younger ones down enough for you to rest.

Soup

Whether you have fresh or canned, I find goes down the easiest. I’m not big on cooking while I’m sick, and no one should be eating food I’ve prepared while sneezing, coughing and my nose dripping.

Tylenol

Taking Tylenol can help to relieve sinus pressure headaches, and aches and pains. All the things that can keep you from getting the rest that you need to feel better.

Your Pillow

Simply raising your pillow can help a lot. Sleeping prompted up a bit with pillows can help you breathe a little easier and help with coughing. I usually sleep on the couch sitting up when I’m sick.

Gravol

I keep a box of children’s and adult Gravol in our house at all times. Vomiting and diarrhea take a lot out of person and a lot out of the parents trying to help their little ones feel better when they have the flu.

Let’s not forget that hand washing can help reduce the spread of germs in the first place.

P.S. I also love my Neti Pot! I just bought this one this afternoon as mine disappeared during our last move. I find a sinus cold never lasts as long when I use it.

What are your family’s feel better items?

Getting Organized – Life Binder

by Ashley Mullen

2015 is here and while it has been a bumpy road already, and we’re only 8 days into, I plan on making this year more organized, more focused, just more.

I recently tweeted my love for a few different things. One being Evernote (where I original wrote this… while watching my 5 year old at gymnastics). I have Evernote on my cell, tablet, and laptop. Whatever I write on one syncs to the others. Writing down blog posts on the go is so much easier, my mommy brain has met its match. Now there is also a download to my chrome toolbar so I can clip webpages to read later, and on the go.

Another love I tweeted out was ByRegina. This girl is helping me get/keep my blog organized and up to date. She has printables, tips and tricks.

Now. I shared my Evernote love, but I am a paper person, through and through, visual and in hand. I like hard copies (with my digital backups) but they tend to get lost, ripped and tossed. Enter my (new) life binder. I had a nice large binder and page dividers in storage as in the mist of packing, I unpacked these. I have been collecting the things to go in it through my Pinterest time suck.

Labeling for School – Name Bubbles Review

by Ashley Mullen

Are youand your kindergartener ready for school? We are official ready here. School supplies have been bought and labeled. Lunch and recess items have been bought. We have the forms all filled out and ready to be handed in on the morning of registration. All that’s left is walking her to school and walking away.

I have tissues ready to go as well. For me. And for Brookland.

Did I mention school supplies labeled? Every little school supply had to be labeled. I’m talking each marker, each crayon had to have her first and last name on them. Ugh. Time consuming? Hard work? Not really.

Name Bubbles makes back to school labeling easy. Their School Value pack has everything you need for back to school.

School

Non-Candy Valentine’s Ideas for Kids to Take to School

Non-Candy Valentine’s Ideas for Kids to Take to School

What are your go to Valentine treats for your littles to take to school?

Similar posts that you may be interested in:

First Day of Kindergarten Books to Read