Recent studies show that self-esteem issues for girls begin as early as age 5 (Source). I am all too familiar with this as I've watched my oldest (age 6.5, 1st grade) compare herself to her friends since her second year of preschool. I've watched her go in the bathroom, stand on a stool, and look at herself in the mirror...I've heard her complain that she doesn't like her hair...For the most part, I belive both of my girls have a pretty good self esteem. After all, my husband and I try to foster it whenever we can. We repeatedly tell them (and try to show them) that we love them. We tell them they are beautiful, we praise them when they succeed at things, and we encourage them (and let them know it's ok) when they fail at something.Sometimes we struggle though. It's hard to find just the right words or life and time get away from us and we forget that kids need encouragement every day. I know it will be even harder as my girls grow into the teenage years. They will rely less … [Read more...]
Pin the Heart on the Love Bug–FREE printable!
Welcome to day 12 of Toys In The Dryer 14 Days of Valentines! From January 25 through February 7 we'll be posting non-stop Valentine's posts to celebrate this lovely holiday. Do your children have Valentine Parties at school? Do you have to help plan the games for the party? Though I was not involved in planning my daughter's Valentine party this year, I did come up with a great game to help fill some time. It's a spin off of the old classic "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" but this time it's "Pin the Heart on the Love Bug!" If you want to play Pin the Heart on the Love Bug at your school party or even at home with your kids, you'll need: 4 pieces of white 8.5 x 11 paper 1 piece of pink or red paper A bandana to use as a blind fold Tape Scissors Start by clicking each quarter of the love bug photo above to download all of them. Make sure to click on this download button and this one only or you'll get a bunch of ads and junk! The button is just below each … [Read more...]
Lovely Little Love Bugs
Welcome to day 11 of Toys In The Dryer 14 Days of Valentines! From January 25 through February 7 we'll be posting non-stop Valentine's posts to celebrate this lovely holiday.These little love bugs are REALLY easy to make and really fun too! It will only take a few minutes and a few supplies as well.Here's what you will need:papermarkerstapler (or glue)pipe cleanerpencilCut out two hearts (one for each side of the love bug)We cut out 48 hearts because we made 24 of these for my son's class room door at school Roll up a strip of construction paper or cardstock and secure with a few staples (or glue)Attach the "wings" by using the same method. Then color a face on each love bug. You will need to wrap a piece of pipe cleaner around a pencil to give it a curly cue shape and then secure them to the top of the love bug. Enjoy!Click on the button below to see all of our past Valentine's posts. … [Read more...]
Cooper & Kid A Valentine Gift for Dads and Kids
Welcome to day 10 of Toys In The Dryer 14 Days of Valentines! From January 25 through February 7 we'll be posting non-stop Valentine's posts to celebrate this lovely holiday.Do you buy Valentine's gifts for your husband and your kids? Do you struggle with what to get them? We've got the perfect gift for BOTH of them! Cooper & Kid is a new start up that has a mission to be the first retailer for today's modern, engaged dads. How are they going to do that? With boxes of fun!Today's fathers spend 3-7 times more hours per week with their kids than their fathers did with them. The term Stay-At-Home-Dad is no longer un-heard of, and dads are proud to spend quality time with their children. Cooper & Kid wants to create a year of monthly boxes that are fun, but also help dads tap into their inner child as well as their power as a man to raise the next generation.Cooper & Kid recently completed a Kickstarter campaign but still have some fundraising to do before they get completely off … [Read more...]
Candy Heart Bingo
Welcome to day 5 of Toys In The Dryer 14 Days of Valentines! From January 25 through February 7 we'll be posting non-stop Valentine's posts to celebrate this lovely holiday.Want a super easy, fun, and cute activity to do with your kiddos for Valentines? Look no further. HEART! (It's the Valentine's version of BINGO).All you will need is:PaperMarkerCandy HeartsCreate a HEART board like mine below (use any numbers you wish...you can also get more creative and use animals, stickers, letters, etc). Instead of regular BINGO chips you use Conversation Candy Hearts for your markers.A few minutes to make and hours of fun for the kiddos. We've been playing HEART for a few days now and they don't seem to want to stop...maybe it's the game, maybe it's the family time, or maybe it's the fact that they get to eat the conversation hearts afterwards??? You be the judge.Click on the button below to see all of our past Valentine's posts. … [Read more...]
We Love You Photo Card
Welcome to Toys In The Dryer 14 Days Of Valentines! For the next fourteen days straight (including Saturdays and Sundays) we'll be posting Valentines related posts! We're going a little off of our usual schedule during this time, but we hope you enjoy our tribute to this lovely holiday. Ok, I'm braggin' here because I think this is one of the cutest Valentine's Day cards we have ever made in this house! It didn't really require a lot of effort or work and it turned out so cute.Have your kids (or if they're not old enough you can do it) write out the words "we" and "you" and cut out a heart out of brightly colored construction paper.This next part is optional but I did it because I liked the look. Create a backdrop using a sheet, blanket or a piece of fabric and attach it to the wall.Have each child hold up their sign in front of the wall. Crop and edit your photos and create a simple Valentine's Day card. I used Shutterfly but you can use anything you choose. Many places offer … [Read more...]
