The Many Little Joys

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How to fit in more time to read aloud to kids, even when you’re busy

Life gets crazy sometimes, and it can be hard to carve out time to read aloud to kids, but these simple ideas will help you fit in the reading time that you know is so important!

Life gets crazy sometimes, and it can be hard to carve out time to read aloud to kids, but these simple ideas will help you fit in the reading time that you know is so important!

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

I grew up on a steady diet of books. My childhood was filled with days spent carrying armfuls of books out of our local library, being mesmerized by the strange ocean creatures I encountered as I flipped through our National Geographic books, and listening to my mom read The Chronicles of Narnia as I snuggled in bed at night. Books were everywhere in my home.

I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but I realize now what a wonderful gift my parents gave me by filling my life with books.

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Our family motto for this school year

Each school year, our family chooses a motto to focus on. Here’s our (much needed) goal for 2020!

Each school year, our family chooses a motto to focus on. Here's our (much needed) goal for 2020!

I usually get really excited about the beginning of the school year. As a former teacher, I love school and I get a little giddy when I start to see large bins of pencils and crayons front and center in the grocery store, begging families everywhere to bring them home and place them in brand new backpacks.

This year has felt weird though. Anyone else?

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Daily summer schedule for kids that will save your sanity

Summer break is the time for lazy days, big adventures, and making lots of memories. Still, kids thrive on structure (and so do I). Having a flexible summer schedule for kids will help you keep life balanced.

Kids playing outside in summer

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

I LOVE summer time! Give me a sunny day and a big slice of watermelon and I’m one happy girl. I dream of roasting s’mores, exploring mountain trails, and splashing at the pool together. Summer is magic.

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How to clean…faster…simpler…easier (tips for moms)

Cleaning a house with kids around is a task that never ends, but these quick “how to clean” tips will help you tame the mess and give you more time to enjoy those messy kids.

gloved hand holding spray bottle

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

Let me be clear from the start: my house does not constantly look like the cover of Magnolia Home. I wish it was always spotless and free of clutter, but the reality of raising kids is that our house has people in it…quite a few people…several of whom are small and make lots of messes every day.

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What’s working right now in our social distancing “home school”

At home learning has certainly been a learning curve for parents as well as students. We’ve had our fair share of fails, but here’s what’s working for us right now!

At home learning has certainly been a learning curve for parents as well as students. We've had our fair share of fails, but here's what's working for us right now!

Note: This post contains affiliate links to products that I have used and loved. See my disclosure to learn more.

We are now seven weeks into social distancing/quarantine or whatever-you-want-to-call-this-weird-time-in-history. It’s been a wild ride! We, like many families, have done a lot of trial-and-error experimenting to figure out how to navigate this unique time, and I wanted to share today what is currently working for our family.

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How to encourage creative learning at home (without stressing about it)

If you’re looking for simple ways to help your children with learning at home without stressing yourself out, you’ll love this round-up of amazing (and FREE) resources.

If you're looking for simple ways to help your children with learning at home without stressing yourself out, you'll love this round-up of amazing (and FREE) resources.

With schools closing all over the nation, many of us are scrambling to figure out what to do with our kids home all day!

Our school district has dismissed school for at least the next two weeks, and we’re not sure what will happen beyond that time. …

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My Goals for 2020 + how to achieve your goals!

Are you making New Years resolutions this year? Here are some of my goals for 2020, plus how I’m going to pursue them without getting overwhelmed!

Are you making New Years resolutions this year? Here are some of my goals for 2020, plus how I'm going to pursue them without getting overwhelmed!

Happy 2020! I’m so excited to be settling back into a normal routine again after the craziness of the holidays. Whew! Now that we’re settling back into normal life, I’ve been carefully considering what I want to spend my time and energy on this year.

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My Favorite Things Gift Guide + A GIVEAWAY!

These are a few of my favorite things! This gift guide is filled with happy treasures for any budget that would make great Christmas gifts or a fabulous treat for yourself!These are a few of my favorite things! This gift guide is filled with happy treasures for any budget that would make great Christmas gifts or a fabulous treat for yourself!

NOTE: THIS POST INCLUDES AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I HAVE USED AND LOVED. SEE MY DISCLOSURE TO LEARN MORE.

UPDATE: GIVEAWAY CLOSED.


This is a season of celebration for me. A few weeks ago, my blog turned FOUR years old! Plus, this week is my birthday. Hooray! All these milestones have gotten me in the mood to celebrate, so I thought it would be fun to host a little giveaway!

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What you DON’T see when you look at my picture-perfect photos

Next time you look at a picture-perfect photo, remember that there is almost always more to the story than meets the eye.Next time you look at a picture-perfect photo, remember that there is almost always more to the story than meets the eye.We just got our family portraits back and I couldn’t be more thrilled! My kids look adorable, and I’m so excited to finally have a beautiful photo of the people I love to put on the wall above my fireplace.

And yet, when I look at these photos, I also have to laugh a little and shake my head. Why? Because getting those perfect shots and precious smiles was actually a pretty awful experience….

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Safety Skills: Critical fire safety tips for families (+ a FUN scavenger hunt)

Teach your kids critical fire safety tips with this free printable fire safety scavenger hunt. Have fun with your kids and get peace of mind, too!Teach your kids essential fire safety tips with this free printable fire safety scavenger hunt. Have fun with your kids and get peace of mind, too!

NOTE: THIS POST INCLUDES AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I HAVE USED AND LOVED, BUT AS ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST DEALS. SEE MY DISCLOSURE TO LEARN MORE.

Does your family have a clear plan of what to do if your house were ever to catch fire?

It’s been just over a year since we moved into a new house. All the boxes were unpacked ages ago, and we’re slowly working through the process of furnishing and decorating the space. However, one thing we hadn’t done until this week was to make a fire safety plan.

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