The Many Little Joys

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Toddler Trail Mix (perfect for moms on the go)

For busy families, snacks that can be eaten on the run are a necessity. This toddler trail mix is a great way to get your little ones a healthy, filling snack that will keep them going strong.For busy families, snacks that can be eaten on the run are a necessity. This toddler trail mix is a great way to get your little ones a healthy, filling snack that will keep them going strong.I officially became a soccer mom this week. I don’t know the rules of soccer much better than my four-year-old player, but I figure we’ll learn together. The important thing is that he has some awesome cleats and matching shin guards, so at least he looks the part. Plus, when we went to his first practice on Wednesday, he found out that his team is the purple team, which is his favorite color, so he is beyond thrilled about that. I think I’m gonna like this stage of life.

With school starting and soccer season ramping up, I’m realizing that life is going to be a lot busier around here for the next few months. We are going to spend more time driving in the car from one place to another, and I know I need to be prepared with snacks to keep everyone from getting hangry (I love that word…so accurate)….

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What no one tells you about the terrible twos

There’s no doubt that the “terrible twos” are challenging, but just like anything else in life, you make the choice as to whether you’re going to focus on the good or the bad.

There's no doubt that the "terrible twos" are challenging, but just like anything else in life, you make the choice as to whether you're going to focus on the good or the bad.

The terrible twos.

Are you cringing yet?

You’ve been hearing about them since before you even thought about having kids of your own, but you’ve dreaded them all these years. That second birthday is looming ever closer, and you’re just waiting for your toddler to turn into the crazy, tantrum-throwing monster that everyone says is inevitable.

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Silly Songs Your Preschooler Will Love (and you won’t hate)

Music is a great way to help kids develop language, motor, and memory skills. Here are eight silly preschool songs that kids are sure to enjoy, and that will make you giggle right along with them.

Music is a great way to help kids develop language, motor, and memory skills. Here are eight silly songs that your preschooler is sure to enjoy, and that will make you giggle right along with them.We love music at our house. My boys may think I’m crazy when I’m rocking out to Disney songs or randomly burst into song while folding laundry, but they love a good song as much as I do. Little Man actually has a funny little tradition at bedtime of asking me to make up songs about the books we read. A lot of them are pretty lame, but he loves it….

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Favorite Banana Chocolate Chip Bran Muffins

These mini banana chocolate chip bran muffins are the perfect breakfast or morning snack food. They’re full of good-for-you ingredients and still taste delicious!Mini Banana Chocolate Chip Bran Muffins copy

Hi all. It’s Friday again. I was planning to have a fun campfire recipe to share with you all today, but I have a sick toddler who thwarted my campfire plans. Look forward to it soon though, because it’s a good one!

The good news though, is that now I get to share these amazing muffins with you today. It’s no secret that we love a good muffin around here. I’ve shared our favorite blueberry muffins before, and we regularly make these applesauce oat muffins, too. We keep a supply of homemade muffins in the freezer that we can pull out and thaw for a snack (with yogurt is our favorite combination) several times a week….

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Travel felt board: “Under the Sea” play set (free printable templates)

Need a fabulous quiet activity for your kids? Make an ocean-themed travel felt board! This fun set is a summery addition to our classic travel felt board.

If you're traveling with kids, this travel felt board is a quick DIY craft that makes a great activity for kids stuck on a plane or in a car. It costs less than five dollars, takes less than an hour to make, and will save your sanity when you're on the go with little ones this summer!

Last month, I shared with you all a fun DIY project that’s perfect for traveling with kids this summer (or for restaurants, church, and any other time that you need your kiddos to be occupied and quiet). If you have no idea what I’m talking about, read more here.

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Fun sidewalk chalk games to play outside

Take your learning outside and try these fun sidewalk chalk games to play with kids.Take your learning outside and try these fun sidewalk chalk games to play with kids. Who knew you could teach your preschooler the alphabet, numbers, and so much more all with one simple piece of chalk?!

It’s almost summer! Whether you have kids in school who will be home all day starting soon, or, like me, you just still have the two same little hoodlums to entertain all day, today’s post will give you some fun ideas to make summer a blast.

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8 sneaky ways to get picky eaters to eat healthy food

Kids are notoriously picky eaters, but you can use these tips to sneak healthy food into their meals without having a revolt at the dinner table.

assorted healthy food - sneaky ways to get picky eaters to eat healthy food

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

Kids are notoriously picky eaters. It’s normal. We know that. But what do we DO about it?

All of my boys have gone through phases of being picky eaters…my youngest would happily live off of cold cereal if I would let him, and he regularly declares his intense disgust at something he did like and ate happily just last week.

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Dinosaur Footprints: Preschool Measuring Activity

This simple preschool activity is a fun way to help your preschooler practice measuring and see how HUGE some of the dinosaurs were by making your own T-Rex footprint and comparing it to your family members’ feet.

This simple preschool activity is a fun way to help your preschooler practice measuring and see how HUGE some of the dinosaurs were by making your own T-Rex footprint and comparing it to your family members' feet.Note: This post includes affiliate links, meaning I will be paid a small commission on purchases made via those links; however, your cost will be the same.

Little boys and dinosaurs…they go together like peanut butter and jelly. And Little Man is hanging with the best of the dinosaur-lovers right now. He has requested a “dinosaur world” cake for his birthday next month and is constantly stomping around the house, roaring, and proclaiming himself to be a hungry T-Rex. That boy cracks me up….

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Speech Tips for Late Talkers (from my son’s speech therapist)

Are you worried your toddler isn’t speaking enough yet? Try these simple, research-based strategies from my son’s speech therapist to encourage late talkers.

These six tips are the best of what I learned from my son's speech therapist. They're easy, no-cost ways to encourage late talkers.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through a link on my site, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. See my disclosure to learn more.

When my son was two years old, he could say two words: NO and GO. Any time we tried to get him to say anything else, he just refused.

“Can you say hi?” I would prompt when we would meet someone new.

“No,” he would respond matter-of-factly.

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Growing Character: Teaching Life Lessons through Gardening

Gardening with kids is a fun way to help them develop qualities and learn skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.  

Gardening with kids is certainly an adventure, but it's so worth it to let them be a part of the experience of growing a garden. Here are 5 essential life lessons kids can learn through gardening.

Have you started planting a garden this year yet? We’ve got some little seedlings indoors, and I’m planning to head outside this week with Little Man to plant the garden in earnest. I figure digging into the earth and starting our garden for the year is a good way to celebrate Earth Day this week….

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