Life is Sweeter By Design

Helping you recapture the joy in life.

Easy Beginning of the Year Teacher Gifts

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by Nabisco as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. Who doesn't love to start off the school year by giving a little gift to the teacher?  I think it sets a great tone for the year and shows that you appreciate all the work that has gone into getting ready for the new school year!  After working as a school nurse for over 15 years I know how much work teachers actually do in the summer.  I decided to create some cute little gift tags for my daughter to use to make some gifts for her teachers this year.  These are super easy beginning of the year teacher gifts that anyone can make in minutes. Easy Beginning of the Year Teacher Gifts I love to look around and see what I already have on hand that would make a great gift idea.  One thing that is always in our pantry is snack foods!!   I know that teachers love being able to grab a quick snack between classes … [Read more...]

First Day of School Printable Worksheet

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by Leave a Comment

One year my son's teacher had all the students fill out a first day of school printable worksheet. Then, she had them complete a similar sheet at the end of the year. I still have those sheets in the tote where I keep my kids' mementos. I thought this would make a great annual tradition and keepsake. They're so easy to add to your family scrapbook. So, I created this first day of school printable. You can print off a new one each year and keep track of how your child's interests and skills change over time. It will be a wonderful gift for them when they are grown! How to Use the First Day of School Printable Worksheet If your kids are in preschool, you can interview them and fill in the first day of school printable worksheet. As soon as your children are able to write though, they should fill them in on their own. Years later it's much more fun to look back on the early handwriting and spelling! Trust me. I have 4 teenagers and one of their favorite things to do as a … [Read more...]

Teach Your Kids to Pack Their Own Lunch

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by 6 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RITZFilledBackToSchool #CollectiveBias I don't have time to count how many school lunches I have packed over the years.  The number is HIGH!  I actually enjoy packing lunches for my kids, but on the days I work outside the home as a school nurse....mornings can be hectic.  Over the years I have learned that I can't do it all.  One way to lighten my load a tiny bit was when I realized it was okay to teach your kids to pack their own lunch! It is a great skill for kids to learn and it can teach them a lot about nutrition and responsibility. The first day of school will be here before you know it.  That is such a busy day with special first day of school photos, making sure all the supplies are in the backpack and more!  It is not the best time to teach your kids to pack their own lunch, LOL!  Go ahead and teach them NOW they will be ready … [Read more...]

Seashell Tic Tac Toe

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by Leave a Comment

What shouts summer like seashells?  I have a teensy, tiny obsession with shells (and buttons, LOL) and really that is the only reason I go to a beach!  Summer can bring challenges to keeping kids busy and every little activity can help.  My kids love to play tic tac toe and I thought it would be even more fun to play with seashells.  Here is a free printable seashell tic tac toe game your kids can play too! Seashell Tic Tac Toe Instead of writing X's and O's on the card....my kids love to use actual shells to mark their moves.  They will each use a different type of shell so they can tell which player is which. Seashell Tic Tac Toe is also a great game idea for a Luau or beach themed party.   If you don't have thousands of shells at your house to use as markers it is quick and easy to order some from Amazon.  We like to use 2 distinct shells so the kids don't get confused.  Here are some great options that won't break the bank! … [Read more...]

Printable Wall Art for a Little Girl’s Room

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by 3 Comments

/> /> Decorating a child’s room can be fun, especially when they’re old enough to help. It can also be a fun project to do together. From picking out colors for the room to finding fun decor pieces; this is an activity that builds bonds and memories. You can use this set of printable wall art for a little girl’s room to go along with any fun and inspiring theme. No where else can you mix and match a variety of paint schemes along with creative stencils, stickers, sparkles and get away with it than in a child’s bedroom. Best of all, your kids can be involved in transforming their room into their own accomplishments while redecorating at the same time. 6 Creative Decorating Ideas for a Little Girl’s Room   Furniture - Make a whole play area from an ordinary bookcase. Choose bright colors that match your child style and add features such as cutout doors for a doll-house or castle effect. Add texture materials to one or two compartments that create a window or door … [Read more...]

Easy Ways Kids Can Help Support the Troops

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by 1 Comment

This shop/post has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #CokeDGSupportMilitary #CollectiveBias The United States of America has a rich military history.  We still have an amazing group of soldiers who protect our freedom.  I was raised in a patriotic home and I want my kids to understand and appreciate patriotism.  The best way to teach kids patriotism is with hands on projects.  Here are some easy ways kids can help support the troops and get involved. Easy Ways Kids Can Help Support the Troops Collect Change Collecting extra change is a simple and easy way for kids to help support the troops.  It is fun to put a little patriotic can, glass or bowl on the table or bar to remind the family to put their change inside.  The money can be given to organizations that support the military.  The USO takes donations and uses the money for many programs to benefit soldiers and their … [Read more...]

Free 4th of July Printable Fans

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by Leave a Comment

I don't know what the weather is like where you live in July, but it is HOT here in Kansas on the 4th of July!  Once in a while we will get lucky with a cold front around the 4th and it will only be in the 90's, LOL.  Usually it is around 100 degrees and it can be miserable.  We can't stay inside when we are shooting off fireworks so we have to brave the heat.  We always have a big family party at our house on the 4th and I decided to help my guests keep cool with some cute 4th of July Printable Fans! 4th of July Printable Fans How to Make the 4th of July Printable Fans First you will need to print off the fans on white cardstock.  Print off TWO of each fan! The links to download the fans are at the end of this post.   Then I cut around the outline on the fans.  You don't have to cut them out if you prefer to leave them just like you printed them. Now you will take a wooden paint stick or something similar and glue the two … [Read more...]

What to Pack for a Day Hiking Trip

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by 20 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlueLizardSummer #CollectiveBias Is hiking on your summer bucket list?  It is definitely on ours.  My girls and I love to hike even here in Kansas.  :) We typically only do day hikes.  It is such a great way to spend quality time together out in nature.  Even day hikes requires some planning.  I want to make sure we have all the supplies we need when we go out.  I have a hiking checklist for day hikes to help me remember everything!   What to Pack for a Day Hiking Trip Cell Phone   I know my cell phone won't always work in areas where I am hiking, but I don't want to leave home without it.  We usually hike in out-of-the-way areas and I would not want to have vehicle trouble on our way there or home.  If we have any injuries or issues while we are hiking I may be lucky and get a signal!   Compass/GPS It … [Read more...]

Make Your Own Summer Bucket List

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by Leave a Comment

Are you as ready for summer as I am?  Probably so....I think by May it is just time for a break.  Parents and kids are ready to be done with school work, homework, practices, etc.   Everyone needs some down time and some fun time! Bucket lists are really popular and not just the ones you try to accomplish before you die, LOL.  Families are making bucket lists for all sorts of things.  I think a summer bucket list is a great place to start.  It is time to make your own summer bucket list!   Make Your Own Summer Bucket List If you have never made a bucket list, no worries...it is easy!  A bucket list is really just a list of experiences or achievements that a person wants to accomplish during a specific time frame.  Bucket lists got really popular after the movie, The Bucket List, that was out in 2006.   The popularity of the concept has stayed strong for over 10 years now!   How to Make Your Own Summer Bucket List It is … [Read more...]

Weather Bingo Free Printable Cards

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You can read my full Disclosure and Privacy here.

by 1 Comment

Spring time means WEATHER...at least it does in Kansas!  It isn't always as exciting as the Wizard of Oz makes it out to be, but yes....we do have more than our fair share of tornadoes!  How about making learning a little more fun by talking as we play WEATHER BINGO!!  Who doesn't love a fun game of bingo? Weather Bingo Teaching Kids About Weather Safety is Important There are lots of awesome lessons to learn about weather.  I think the most important topic is safety.  It is really critical that we talk to our kids about things like lightning.....tornadoes......hail.  We can't expect them to learn everything at school.   I know that if I sit my kids down and do a formal "lesson" about weather safety it will be a SNOOZE FEST!  If I say....let's play BINGO....they will run to the table.  Then all I have to do is casually ask them questions and mention some safety tips.  Informal learning can be the best kind of learning!! … [Read more...]

Bloggin_Mamas_Badge










Everywhere
The Network Niche